HD Locals: San Antonio, TX

[Doug Brott]

Please post broadcast issues with DIRECTV satellite delivered HD Local Channels only

DMA: San Antonio, TX
Established: 9/13/2006
Rank: 37

HD Locals available in this DMA

ABC - KSAT (12)
CBS - KENS (5)
NBC - WOAI (4)
FOX - KABB (29)


For instructions, please visit this thread (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=137643)

[dbhsatx]

Had the problem on HR21-100 that required several reboots. Now I'm having sever pixelation problems on all HD locals in San Antonio, TX. Just trying to find out if I'm the only one and need to call D* or if this is something they are already working on with the other HR2x problems

Diagnostic report Key 20081009-1833

[sfmartin]

It's happening this morning. I think it's more than just San Antonio.

[elbyj]

This issue has been going on since last Sunday. First it was just the CBS feed, but by Monday the pixelation had spread to ABC, NBC, and the FOX feed. I did call DIRECTV on Monday night and got a run around. Got the impression that they had no idea of what was causing the problems. They checked out the signal levels on the LNB to find out they are all fine -- so they concluded it was a receiver problem and scheded a tech out around 16 Oct to check things out and possibly replace the receiver. However, I don't believe it is a bad receiver! It is very wierd that the pixelation issues and the lock-ups starting occuring just about the same time this past weekend. Could they be related?

While the pixelation magically disappeared on Tuesday, we noticed they back on Wednesday night and we are still experiencing the same issues today. While the SD feeds are okay for the locals, this is only affecting the HD feeds.

[ASAOG]

Pixelation on all San Antonio HD locals is worst I have seen. At times I am getting no signals at all. My wife is not a happy camper since this is happening during prime soaps time.

[ASAOG]

This issue has been going on since last Sunday. First it was just the CBS feed, but by Monday the pixelation had spread to ABC, NBC, and the FOX feed. I did call DIRECTV on Monday night and got a run around. Got the impression that they had no idea of what was causing the problems. They checked out the signal levels on the LNB to find out they are all fine -- so they concluded it was a receiver problem and scheded a tech out around 16 Oct to check things out and possibly replace the receiver. However, I don't believe it is a bad receiver! It is very wierd that the pixelation issues and the lock-ups starting occuring just about the same time this past weekend. Could they be related?

While the pixelation magically disappeared on Tuesday, we noticed they back on Wednesday night and we are still experiencing the same issues today. While the SD feeds are okay for the locals, this is only affecting the HD feeds.

Still looks bad on all local HD channels. I checked both my Hr20 and my H20 and both receivers had the pixelation problem. I also don't believe this is a receiver problem. I first noted this pixelation about 2 weeks ago, but it was sporadic. The problem has gotten much worse. Sure hope someone is looking into this.

[cody21]

Man, this is driving us crazy ... we started getting DROPOUTS & Pixellation about 2 weeks ago... Our LIL service was totally out almost 8 hours yesteday (error 771 - searching for satellite...) ... We called DTV earlier in the week to complain. They ran the usual "procedures" which of course led to no problems (of course the problem being intermittent was not happening when we talked with them). So they scheduled an $80 Service call for Friday. Today, there has not been any issues at all - so far (3PM PST). My fear is that the $80 Service call will find "nothing wrong" ... our signal strengths are very high - 80-90's on both 99 and 103.

very angry about this ... SF Bay Area ... (and yes, we updated the LIL forum for our area but nobody else seems to be getting these problems....)

[elbyj]

Seems most likely not to be a receiver related issue but that is just my speculation. I am going to move this over to the "Programming & Services" forum as issues of this nature may be better addressed there. :)

Edit: HD Locals Broadcast Issues for your DMA can be found here http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=137731&highlight=san+antonio


I am with you concerning it not being a hardware issue and the CSR's intention to swap out receivers. The strong signals on both HD feeds for the locals are telling me one thing while the CSR is trying to convince us otherwise. Their concept is that when a receiver goes bad, the locals will be the first ones to go!

Totallhy agree with the other comments that some light pixelation began several weeks ago, but it was not on a regular basis. The pixelation we are seeing now is severe on all the local channels. While we can live with the SD versions for a time period, it sure defeats the purpose of having the HD/DVR receiver and the HD monitor.

Got to be a reason and a fix!

[crusher497]

I can also confirm the HD locals for San Antonio are very bad with macroblocking and pixelation on my two H20-600s.

[JLKing]

Add me to the list. Same time frame and getting worse as the days go by!

[sabex]

Glad to see I am not the only one with this issue.
For some reason It seems worse on Kens5 for me.

Had some minor issues Sunday, Monday TV was unwatchable. Did not check tues or wed.
Tonight Kens 5 seems to be the only one with problems.

Essentially, i am seeing heavy pixellation, frozen picture and sometimes even blank screen for minutes at a time.
I have never seen a 'searching for signal'

My install is about 1 month old so unlikely to be hardware issues.

My signal strengths are all in the 90;s on the FTM transponders - on individual satellites all but 1 are high 80's low 90's. For some reason that exception is in mid 60's. It was like that at install and never caused any issues so i doubt its a factor/

[poppo]

Add me and my in-laws to the list. I called DirecTV a few days ago when it was happening and they said they had no reports. I called again just about an hour ago and they first said there were no reports and then said they did see an issue from the other day.

Call and complain if you haven't. And keep calling. Point them to this thread too if necessary to show it's not just you.

I have OTA on my HR20s so I can get around the problem, but I just talked my in-laws into upgrading (install was yesterday) and they have an HR21 and they are not happy with this.

[Lotheron]

Add me to the List.. All the HD locals are giving me issues as well.

HR21

[Baylor]

I have also had the pixelation problem with my San Antonio locals since Sunday. I called DTV just now and talked to Tech support. She tried to tell me it was either a hardware problem or loose cables. She was going to replace the box. I disagreed with her and said if it were hardware issue it wouldn't be occurring on all my TVs. She finally agreed and "escalated" the issue to the National Team. She said they typically have issues resolved in 72 hours...but if not I could call back.

[sadude39]

I too am having bad pixelation problems with my San Antonio locals. Tonight was so bad on CBS station, I had to switch over to OTA just to watch the shows. I checked my signal strengths and all are great...in the 90's. Not sure why we are having this problem.

[jlagesse]

You can also add me to the list. This afternoon there was no picture at all on any of the HD Locals.

[poppo]

She was going to replace the box. I disagreed with her and said if it were hardware issue it wouldn't be occurring on all my TVs. She finally agreed and "escalated" the issue to the National Team.

It really irks me that they keep saying they have had no reports when I know other people have already called in. That's why everyone has to keep calling and getting it escalated to the right department. Also be sure to tell them that you know others are having the same problem. If you don't they will just keep insisting it's your receiver or dish.

I sure hope DirecTV is monitoring this thread or someone who knows someone will alert them to it.

[dbhsatx]

For me the only problem is on HD locals. National HDs are clear. Local SDs are clear. there hasn't been a cloud in the sky for several days and winds below 5mph. Simple deduction says it has to be on D*s side of the equation.
I called Monday when the problem was at its worst and was told they were aware of the problem and were working on it but apparently the CSR just lumped the pixelation with the receiver lock-up problem. I guess I need to call back and go through the process of getting the issue elevated. I hate to do that because I have already done all the trouble shooting they are going to walk me through

[dbhsatx]

Got home from work and Mrs. dbh was watching national station, switched over to local HD and seems to have cleared up.

[ahearst]

I am experiencing similar issues. I live in SE San Antonio. I had planned to call D this morning to request a technician, as I don't want to have to deal with this problem during NFL Sunday. I just got back from my am run and haven't checked the signal today. So many folks are experiencing this, it can't be a hardware issue. I will monitor this thread this morning -- appreciate all comments thus far.

[Chris Blount]

Add me to the list. CBS (KENS) was the worst with a little bit on ABC (KSAT). Definitely not a receiver problem as it's happening on all of my receivers.

[bgmac]

Count me in! It started Sunday night on 4 and has since moved to all locals. Emailed them and received the "we can only trouble shoot your system on the phone". I did post the problem on the D* forum. forums.directv.com/pe/action/forums/displaypost?postID=10449319

Hopefully they will get this fixed soon!

[pwraps]

Add me to the list.

[msbehaving]

Add me to the list.

We have experienced this for over a week on 4 first, now 5,12, and 29.
If I switch to the same non-HD channel when it occurs there is no problem on that station. Several HD programs I taped on the DVR were very bad.

[crusher497]

Things seemed better this evening. I watched Life on NBC and only saw one time when there was some pixelation on the HD LiL. Hopefully, D* has figured out there was a problem and is fixing it.

[dbhsatx]

Don't know about the rest of you but my signal looks beter than it has ever looked. what ever D* did to fix the pixelation seems to have fixed other problems as well

[sabex]

My issues seem to have cleared up.

[crusher497]

Well...began to have some ocasional pixelation and also experienced a blank screen for a second about two to three times an hour. Noticed it during the programs I watched on CBS and FOX this afternoon and evening.

[elbyj]

Had a service call scheduled for 11 - 12 this morning to identify/correct the pixelation issues for all the SAT HD locals. The technician called at 12:05 to advise that he would not be coming out. They had a meeting this morning to discuss the 1000's of trouble calls coming from customers concerning pixelations on the local HD channels. Apparently DIRECTv has determined this is not a hardware issue, but a software issue. A patch is apparently being written and then will be pushed to all applicable receivers.

We noticed a reprieve from the issues on Sunday and Monday, however, the problem started to reappear again last night during prime time.

Lets hope the issues are resolved so we can get back to watching the shows without all the pixel issues and lock-ups!

[ASAOG]

Has anyone in San Antonio had signal dropouts on satellite channel 5 (KENS) or channel 12 (KSAT). I do not have pixelation problems, but in the past 2 weeks, KENS 5 has had sporadic signal dropout (blank screen for about 1/2 second). Last night during Texas Tech game, same thing was happening on KSAT channel 12. I have NOT noted any problems on any of the national channels. I have noted the problem on both my HR20 and my H20. Since it is happening on both HD receivers, I suspect either dish allignment problems or something with the locals downlink. Any inputs would be appreciated.

[crusher497]

Yesterday, I started to have a lot of pixelation on all the locals again. It cleared up several weeks ago...and everything was back to looking very close to OTA. Today pixelation is really bad and also noticed that the picture quality (contrast and saturation in particular) is really bad...not just on the locals. I have two H-20s and it is the same on both. Anyone else notice this?

Update: locals still have lots of pixelation but whatever was going on with the other PQ issue seems to have resolved itself.

[Chris Blount]

San Antonio 4, 5, 12 HD channels completely out at about 5:35pm local time.

[jlagesse]

Lost all of San Antonio locals as well.

[Chris Blount]

All are back up now.

[dbhsatx]

Lost all HD locales (ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX) about 1:15 am CDT this morning. SDs are ok. I know most are not up at this time but I work nights. Hopefully they'll back up soon.

[dbhsatx]

Everything working this morning. Don't know what time they came back but all is good now.

[poppo]

Anyone having problems with audio droputs on FOX 29? For now I'm only recording Til Death and last week and this week there are dropouts every few seconds.

[Juanel]

Yes yesterday watching Lie to me had to turn on CC, audio dropouts were very frequent.

[poppo]

Channel 2 having lots of pixelation.