H20-600 slowly getting worse

[Spring Rubber]

When I came home on Friday, I found that one of my H20-600s was displaying a 771 error on all HD channels, but my other one was fine. An RBR fixed the problem for the night, but the 771 on HD channels returned Saturday night. Another RBR fixed the problem, but then the 771 error returned again this afternoon. This time, the RBR only fixed the problem for about 20 minutes before the problem returned again. I did an RBR again, but this time the box rebooted with a multi-switch problem (749). I simply changed the channel and was able to resume watching HD channels without a reset.

What could've happened? Is my H20-600 toast?

[Michael D'Angelo]

What are your transponder signals showing for SAT 103c on that unit?

Also do you have another BBC you can replace the one connected to that unit? If not try moving the one over from the other unit to see if that fixes the problem.

[Spring Rubber]

I'm not seeing 103c when I go to check signal strengths; is this normal?

Also, when I go to the signal strength screen, the background will disappear, leaving the interface to be displayed over a black background. What's going on with that?

[Michael D'Angelo]

I'm not seeing 103c when I go to check signal strengths; is this normal?

Also, when I go to the signal strength screen, the background will disappear, leaving the interface to be displayed over a black background. What's going on with that?

Sorry I forgot it is still 103b on the H20's.

I don't know what is the deal with it disappearing.

[mrbudman8]

I had the same problem with my h20-600 last week and called directv and they said it was dead and they sent me a new reciever i had to pay the shipping of 19.95 The new one is an h20-100 and it does not get as near as hot as the h20-600 did .So i would give them a call.

[Spring Rubber]

Another observation I've made is that the problem won't seem to *start* when the receiver is tuned to regular ESPNHD. If it's tuned to any other HD channel that I regularly watch, (ESPN2HD, TWCHD, SPEEDHD, TBSHD) the problem will typically start within ten minutes. Once it happens, however, even ESPNHD will give a 771 error.

HD locals also seem to be pixelating quite a bit.

Should I swap the B-Band Converters and see what happens?

[Jeremy W]

Should I swap the B-Band Converters and see what happens?
It's probably not the BBCs, because the problem wouldn't be affecting all of the HD channels, just the MPEG4 national channels. My H20-100 has been doing something similar, but it'll just fluctuate between having a picture and a 771 error every few seconds.

I can't say it enough, the H20 is the biggest piece of crap receiver DirecTV has ever made. This is my third one!

[Spring Rubber]

Well, my last post was just defeated. I just lost ESPNHD while watching the start of Baseball Tonight.

Should I request a service call or just a new box?

[Jeremy W]

Should I request a service call or just a new box?
When I called, they told me that they would not replace my box without a service call, so I just told them to forget it for now, because I don't have the time to waste.

[K4SMX]

.....What could've happened? Is my H20-600 toast?
It may have literally been toasted. The -600 is probably the hottest-running piece of equipment I've yet encountered which doesn't have forced air cooling. You might try unplugging it overnight or at least until it's completely room temperature and then firing it up to see if the problems still exist before its temperature again goes pyroclastic. If you're in luck, and it's innards haven't been permanently turned to volcanic material, a laptop cooler upside down on top of it may keep it going for years.

[Spring Rubber]

BTW, the problem started happening after a severe thunderstorm passed through on Friday. It's hooked up to a surge protector, but I'm wondering if it still might have been fried in that sense possibly.

On another note, twice (including right now), the box has displayed a 771 error on all channels until the box is reset.

I'm going to unplug for the overnight and leave it so until tomorrow afternoon once it once it finishes booting.

[fullcourt81]

It may have literally been toasted. The -600 is probably the hottest-running piece of equipment I've yet encountered which doesn't have forced air cooling. You might try unplugging it overnight or at least until it's completely room temperature and then firing it up to see if the problems still exist before its temperature again goes pyroclastic. If you're in luck, and it's innards haven't been permanently turned to volcanic material, a laptop cooler upside down on top of it may keep it going for years.

I agree, heat kills these boxes. The OTA amp is much better, but you pay for it with extra heat. USB computer fans or laptop coolers extend the life of the box, but heat is the enemy.
Put taller feet on the unit, make sure it can breathe, or just get a -100.

[Spring Rubber]

BTW, I unplugged it overnight and all morning and afternoon until it was completely cold. I powered it up, and HD channels died within two minutes.

[Spring Rubber]

I finally got around to calling DirecTV; the first CSR in the tech support department told me that it was probably a problem with the coax cable going into the box or the multiswitch, so after I hung up, I decided to diagnose the issue myself by swapping my two H20s. Sure enough, the one with the problem still didn't work in the new location. I called DirecTV back and got a really friendly CSR who, after hearing my report of what I did, was instantly willing to replace the box, citing that the satellite in jack on the box is probably broken. Of course, he still had to tow the company line and urge me to get the service call for $50 more, but I declined since the problem is obviously with the box itself.

[Spring Rubber]

Ugh, this is starting to get frustratingly hilarious. I just hooked up the seemingly new H21-100 I received yesterday, and all is well, right? Wrong. Turns out that the receiver they sent me can't view any of the new HD channels outside of the original set (70-79) nor the HD locals. I called them back and proved yet again that the receiver is broken by doing a swap with my working H20, so I'm getting yet another new one in a couple days and a service discount. If this keeps up, they're going to have to start offering a lot more to keep me happy.

[Jeremy W]

Turns out that the receiver they sent me can't view any of the new HD channels outside of the original set (70-79) nor the HD locals.
Are they just not in the guide, or do you get a Searching... message when you tune to them? If they're not in the guide, you could have the wrong dish type selected.

[Spring Rubber]

Are they just not in the guide, or do you get a Searching... message when you tune to them? If they're not in the guide, you could have the wrong dish type selected.

Yep, that fixed it. Thanks! Pretty sad when you get much more efficient and accurate help on an Internet message board than from a CSR. Even though the receiver isn't really broken, I feel I still deserve the freebie from them since their customer service was pathetically inefficient. You'd think by now they would have this down as a possible problem when I described the problem so specifically. Now that I'm obviously going to receive a new receiver this week, am I going to have to return the H21 and stick with what they send me, or can I return the one they send me if it turns out to be anything less than new? I would tell them that I fixed the problem myself with your help, but I'm fearing they'll retract the freebie if I do.

[RobertE]

Yep, that fixed it. Thanks! Pretty sad when you get much more efficient and accurate help on an Internet message board than from a CSR. Even though the receiver isn't really broken, I feel I still deserve the freebie from them since their customer service was pathetically inefficient. You'd think by now they would have this down as a possible problem when I described the problem so specifically. Now that I'm obviously going to receive a new receiver this week, am I going to have to return the H21 and stick with what they send me, or can I return the one they send me if it turns out to be anything less than new? I would tell them that I fixed the problem myself with your help, but I'm fearing they'll retract the freebie if I do.

Odds are they arn't going to let you keep both H2x boxes. One will need to go back.

Have to bite my tongue on other comments.

[Jeremy W]

Odds are they arn't going to let you keep both H2x boxes. One will need to go back.
Definitely.

Might as well just call them and let them know you fixed it, and just mention that you're very dissatisfied that the CSR wasn't able to do it, and that you had to get the fix off the Internet.

[Spring Rubber]

Tell you what, I'm loving everything about this H21-100 except for the sluggish button pressing; when trying to type in a channel number, I have to pause a little between button presses; otherwise, the middle digit in a 3-digit number will get missed.

If a good quality H21-200 or H20-100 shows up in the magic box that arrives this week, what receiver should I keep?

[Jeremy W]

If a good quality H21-200 or H20-100 shows up in the magic box that arrives this week, what receiver should I keep?
I'd keep the H21. As I've mentioned in this thread, I am not a fan of the H20. Both models have failed me.

[Spring Rubber]

The RF is a bit sluggish on the H21, though. Oh well, I guess I could always use the H20 (with antenna, shame they don't have that on the H21) in the RF location and put the H21 in my room where I use IR.

[K4SMX]

H2x slowly getting better...

You'd better check out the H20-100 RF remote performance as well, if that's what you get.....

If you send back a fully functional receiver, you might want to put a note on it to that effect. Keep the highest model number remote that has an FCC sticker on the back. And don't forget to throw in the BBC and a remote for the next guy. :)

[Spring Rubber]

They're not sending me new BBCs with the receivers they're sending me, so I don't have anything to give back. I'll probably give them back some RC32s or RC23s. I prefer the shape of the RC24 (and its RF capability) myself.

[RobertE]

Definitely.

Might as well just call them and let them know you fixed it, and just mention that you're very dissatisfied that the CSR wasn't able to do it, and that you had to get the fix off the Internet.

Keep in mind that the OP did decline the service call. It's possible (though not very likely) that it was noted that OP knew what he was doing (indicated by declining the service call). So, if the OP really knew what he was doing, he would have set it up correctly the first time.

Sorry to the OP for tossing you under the bus. But the good news is, I'm driving the short bus today. :lol:

[hdtvfan0001]

In addition to multiple HD DVR's, my H20-600 is my oldest device in the stable, and has been a reliable receiver.

The performance has been very solid for years now, and the speed of guide and menus is far faster than the DVR's.....I would love to see the same speed pushed out into the HD DVR lines....I keep getting surprised they still continue to improve and update the firmware after all this time.

[Spring Rubber]

Well, I got another H21-100 today, so there isn't any decision to make anyway.

As for the setting it up wrong, yeah, I was in a hurry and didn't take the time to make sure everything was right.

Do I still have to open the new box and use that receiver, or can I use the one I already have out? I guess a call to D* tomorrow will resolve that issue.