Main cause of pixelization?

[dlt4]

I'm having some serious pixelization problems with my HR20. The only thing I've done is check my connections on the back of the receiver. I'm wondering what the main cause of pixelization usually is. I have the PP, so if it's dish alignment I should be covered there. I occasionally see a little bit on my other SD receivers, but not enough to matter. Any input would be appreciated.

[jdspencer]

Please post your signal strengths for all transponders on all satellites. Then we can see if it is an alignment problem.

[litzdog911]

Please post back with your signal readings for each satellite's transponders (and both tuners if applicable). You'll find these readings under "Menu" -> "Setup" -> "System Setup" -> Satellite -> "View Signal Strength".

Fill in your readings for each satellite and tuner using these examples. A properly aligned dish will show 80-90s on most of the relevant transponders (although some will be low or zero):


Satellite transponders (32 total at 101º)
[Most of your standard definition channels are beamed from 101ºW]
1-8 # # # # # # # #
9-16 # # # # # # # #
17-24 # # # # # # # #
25-32 # # # # # # # #

Satellite transponders (3 total at 110º)
[A few HD channels, also beamed from 99 & 103º until 2009]
1-8 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA #
9-16 NA # NA # NA NA NA NA

Satellite transponders (11 total at 119º)
[Local SD channels for some cities, Spanish package]
17-24 NA NA NA NA NA # # #
25-32 # # # # # # # #

Satellite transponders (16 total at 99º(s)) [or 99º(b)]
[Local HD channels for some cities]
1-8 # # # # # # NA NA
9-16 NA NA NA NA NA NA # #
17-24 # # # # # # # #
[Note: these can be very slow to appear]

Satellite transponders (14 total at 99º(c)) [or 99º(a)]
[National HD channels]
1-8 # # # # # # # #
9-16 # # # # # # NA NA
[Note, these can be very slow to appear]

Satellite transponders (16 total at 103º(s)) [or 103º(a)]
[Local HD channels for some cities]
1-8 # # # # # # NA NA
9-16 NA NA NA NA NA NA # #
17-24 # # # # # # # #
[Note, these can be very slow to appear]

Satellite transponders (14 total at 103º(c)) [or 103º(b)]
[National HD channels]
1-8 # # # # # # # #
9-16 # # # # # # NA NA
17-24 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

[dlt4]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'll post the signal strengths in about an hour after the wife's show is done recording. Got to keep her happy! ;)

[dlt4]

The readings for each tuner were almost exactly the same, so I only posted
the T1 readings.

Satellite transponders (32 total at 101º)
[Most of your standard definition channels are beamed from 101ºW]
1-8 96 94 95 0 95 96 91 96
9-16 93 94 95 0 95 97 93 97
17-24 95 81 92 100 92 98 95 97
25-32 95 65 95 85 96 97 95 98

Satellite transponders (3 total at 110º)
[A few HD channels, also beamed from 99 & 103º until 2009]
1-8 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 94
9-16 NA 95 NA 93 NA NA NA NA

Satellite transponders (11 total at 119º)
[Local SD channels for some cities, Spanish package]
17-24 NA NA NA NA NA 89 95 90
25-32 0 92 90 91 0 93 0 94

Satellite transponders (16 total at 99º(s)) [or 99º(b)]
[Local HD channels for some cities]
1-8 0 0 0 0 75 0 NA NA
9-16 NA NA NA NA NA NA 0 70
17-24 45 49 79 69 24 16 0 0
[Note: these can be very slow to appear]

Satellite transponders (14 total at 99º(c)) [or 99º(a)]
[National HD channels]
1-8 82 88 77 82 80 84 76 80
9-16 80 85 79 82 83 88 NA NA
[Note, these can be very slow to appear]

Satellite transponders (16 total at 103º(s)) [or 103º(a)]
[Local HD channels for some cities]
1-8 0 0 0 0 0 0 NA NA
9-16 NA NA NA NA NA NA 99 0
17-24 95 91 0 0 0 0 99 0
[Note, these can be very slow to appear]

Satellite transponders (14 total at 103º(c)) [or 103º(b)]
[National HD channels]
1-8 88 86 86 81 88 86 80 77
9-16 88 82 82 80 86 86 NA NA
17-24 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

[litzdog911]

Those readings look pretty good, so I doubt it's an alignment issue.

Do both tuners show the same readings?

[dlt4]

Those readings look pretty good, so I doubt it's an alignment issue.

Do both tuners show the same readings?

Almost exactly the same reading on both tuners.

The low numbers caught my eye because I thought signal strengths should normally be 80+, but I'm glad to hear they look OK.

The pixelization seems to start in late morning, then by mid-afternoon it seems to be pretty much gone. Don't know if that means anything, but thought I'd mention it.

[MountainMan10]

Should check the signals strengths in the late morning when you are having the problems. Years ago I had similar issues with a DVR. All my other receivers were fine. The signal strengths were good. It was a bad LNB.

I have issues with sun fade with my OTA channels. Are the D* signals subject to sun fade?

[dlt4]

Should check the signals strengths in the late morning when you are having the problems. Years ago I had similar issues with a DVR. All my other receivers were fine. The signal strengths were good. It was a bad LNB.

I have issues with sun fade with my OTA channels. Are the D* signals subject to sun fade?

Pixelization started right on schedule this morning, about 10AM. I checked the signal strengths on both tuners and they look almost the same as the readings I took yesterday evening.

What can cause pixelization if the signal strengths are good?

[Davenlr]

Have you swapped BBC's? That sounds alot like a bad BBC. BTW, those signal readings are snapshots, or averaged every second or so. It may not show up a rapid drop in signal on the meter, but you would still see a glitch in the video.

The 10am thing though, that leads me to think its related to the LNB, either temperature, sun hitting it, or something along those lines.

[dlt4]

Have you swapped BBC's? That sounds alot like a bad BBC. BTW, those signal readings are snapshots, or averaged every second or so. It may not show up a rapid drop in signal on the meter, but you would still see a glitch in the video.

The 10am thing though, that leads me to think its related to the LNB, either temperature, sun hitting it, or something along those lines.

By swapping BBCs do you mean just interchanging the two I have, or swapping with a new one? I'll try swapping the two I have.

The signal readings are some what of a snapshot I guess. I just had them on the screen long enough to write down the readings.

I've wondered about a temperature thing also. I't been above normal temps here in the Phoenix area for a week or so, and by 10AM the sun is hitting the dish full strength. But, I've had the pixelization when it wasn't hot, so not sure if there's a correlation there or not.

[MountainMan10]

Swapping the BBCs would only shift the problem from one tuner to the other. It won't fix the problem.

Problems like this can be the receiver, BBCs, loose connection, bad connector, bad multiswitch, LNB...

[dlt4]

Swapping the BBCs would only shift the problem from one tuner to the other. It won't fix the problem.

Problems like this can be the receiver, BBCs, loose connection, bad connector, bad multiswitch, LNB...

So it sounds like the best to do is call D* and put that PP to work!

[BattleZone]

"Time of day"-related signal problems are usually either the LNB or the cables, with the LNB usually being the issue. But I went to a system where the stinger was very short on one of the 4 lines going to the multiswitch, and in cold weather, it wouldn't make contact. Once it warmed up in the morning, the signal would return. I was the third tech, and the first to figure it out. That customer had had 2 new receivers and a new LNB and switch, but no one looked at the cables.

[dlt4]

"Time of day"-related signal problems are usually either the LNB or the cables, with the LNB usually being the issue. But I went to a system where the stinger was very short on one of the 4 lines going to the multiswitch, and in cold weather, it wouldn't make contact. Once it warmed up in the morning, the signal would return. I was the third tech, and the first to figure it out. That customer had had 2 new receivers and a new LNB and switch, but no one looked at the cables.

If the problem was caused by an LNB, wouldn't I see it on both SD and HD? I'm only seeing it on the HR20.

[BattleZone]

It's actually far more likely to be the LNB if you only see it in HD. The HD comes from different LNBs (99 and 103) than the SD comes from (101). If, say, the 103 was failing, that could easily leave 101 unaffacted.

[dlt4]

It's actually far more likely to be the LNB if you only see it in HD. The HD comes from different LNBs (99 and 103) than the SD comes from (101). If, say, the 103 was failing, that could easily leave 101 unaffacted.

Thanks for the explanation.

[gilviv]

About a year ago I had a similar problem with "mysterious" Pixelization and upon switching out the multiswitch with a new one - problem solved.:)
The tech also made sure that all the wires had the "correct" stinger size and that all were weather tight. GOOD LUCK:)

[cnmurray8]

I had a similar problem last fall with the HD channels that were on 99. When it was happening and I checked the signals they would go from normal reading say 88 to 0 than back up and back down. It would work it's way around all of the transponders on 99 only. Then they would all go to 0 then back up. It would be fine till the next day again. It turned out to be a bad LNB.

[dlt4]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I'm going to give D* a call and get this problem fixed.

[dlt4]

Just got a call from my wife after the technician left. He told her he changed all of the connections at the dish because he found one that had some corrosion.

He also said that he re-aligned the dish to just three satellites instead of five. He said that's what they are doing on all new installs now. Does this make sense? :confused:

[Mertzen]

He also said that he re-aligned the dish to just three satellites instead of five. He said that's what they are doing on all new installs now. Does this make sense? :confused:

There is a new LNB which just sees 99/101/103. Unless you watch spanish/chinese it doesn't matter. Your SD locas must be on 101 then.

LEt us know if the problems is resolved.

The pixelization seems to start in late morning, then by mid-afternoon it seems to be pretty much gone.
This makes me think it has nothing to do with aligment or connectors though.
Maybe electrical, specific appliance turned on, certain daily routine affecting the power in your house. AC / fridge / etc.

Check your 103c levels now. should be 85+ on all.

[dlt4]

There is a new LNB which just sees 99/101/103. Unless you watch spanish/chinese it doesn't matter. Your SD locas must be on 101 then.

LEt us know if the problems is resolved.


This makes me think it has nothing to do with aligment or connectors though.
Maybe electrical, specific appliance turned on, certain daily routine affecting the power in your house. AC / fridge / etc.

Check your 103c levels now. should be 85+ on all.

103c readings were not all 85+. There were about 6 of them in the 81-82 range.

Haven't seen any pixelization since the tech left, but by late afternoon it's usually gone anyway. The real test will come tomorrow AM.

Update: 10:30AM Tuesday - Started seeing pixelization on the locals yesterday evening, which was never a problem before the tech was here. This morning the locals are still a problem, but haven't seen any pixelization on the national channels. Seems like I've just exchanged one problem for another.

[celticpride]

At least you were able to get them to send a tech out i've been trying for over 6 months and yes i do have the protection plan!! both of my dvrs have a message saying my dish is out of alignment,i called D* today and the csr refused to send a tech out because i was not getting a searching for satellite signal message! but in my menu on one receiver it gave me the message about my dish needing to be aligned with the code 43-70-73-547,but the csr didnt know what that meant.

[Shades228]

At least you were able to get them to send a tech out i've been trying for over 6 months and yes i do have the protection plan!! both of my dvrs have a message saying my dish is out of alignment,i called D* today and the csr refused to send a tech out because i was not getting a searching for satellite signal message! but in my menu on one receiver it gave me the message about my dish needing to be aligned with the code 43-70-73-547,but the csr didnt know what that meant.

Call in ask for technical at the automated service. Tell the protection plan agent that you received some codes when you went into the menu and run the diagnostic with them on the phone. Give them the results and they can trouble shoot with you on the phone. If they can't resolve it they will send out a tech but you do have to be willing to do some leg work at the beginning with trouble shooting

[steve12]

I have had nothing but problems with intermittant pixelization since I upgraded to the HD channels.

Over the last few months, DTV has been to my house at least 6 times. Over the course of their visits, everything has been replaced (lnb, new cables [without any connectors in line except at the dish and wall outlet], new HR23 receiver, new hdmi cable).

I still have issues with some pixelization and sound drops and occasionally screen black outs.

I went through the whole "whats you levels" blah blah blah routine (which are fine, 90+ an almost all).

Now I am not sure where to go with this. I am in case management with this whole issue.

I am beginning the think there may be issues with the signals in my area. Anyone have knowledge about this?

Thanks,
Steve

[celticpride]

sounds normal to me and i live in southern california and i have had same problem for over 6 months mostly blackouts and brrrrrrrr.im about ready to leave D*

[celticpride]

I did a red button reset and the message sbout my dish needing an alignment went away,but my satellite signal on sat 3C are all between 68 and 76 shouldnt it be higher like at least in the 80s? i still think my dish needs to be tweeked.

[celticpride]

sorry thats sat 103C.