HR20-700 Compatability

[pjbrien]

Hi all,

New to the forum and have been studying threads to find an answer to my problem to no avail.

I live in a 50+story building with an MFH2 system. My personal setup consists of 2 HR20-700 tuners.

Recently I began having trouble with reception on FOX News (360),
TNT (245) and ESPN (206...although 73 works fine) I seem to get these channels during the day but at night and in the morning there is no reception roughly 90% of the time. This problem mirrors itself on both receivers at the same time. The rest of the channels seem fine other than occasional pixelation.

I have had the System Operator out on 3 occasions and they've told me they have replaced everything they can and have also switched me to a less populated SWM....nothing is working and they are now telling me that the
HR20's are incompatible and I should shell out roughly $400.00 for a new pair of receivers. This seems highly suspect as both my research here and DTV's website states that compatibility with HR20's should NOT be an issue. I've told them this and they say the local DTV engineer is claimiing it depends on the system, building, etc.

Also, I'm seeing a number of signal strength readings in the mid 70's which the tech tells me is sufficient. I've had DTV a loooong time in non-MDU setups and this also seems suspect.

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

[bobnielsen]

I'm not in a MDU, but have been using a HR20-700 with a SWM for over two years with no issues. If the HR20 were not compatible, you wouldn't be receiving any channels.

[Wally20]

I'm using a HR20-700 in an MDU with no problems either BUT when they did the install after upgrading to a MFH2 system they told me my HR20-700 would not work and they wouldn't hook it up. I guess my MDU provider was having similar issues to what you describe in some of their other buildings. I simply hooked mine up on my own after the technician left and it works fine but it sounds like there may be some issues with HR20s on MFH2 systems in some cases.

[pjbrien]

Thanks for your responses....apparently this problem is somewhat contageous and there are now other units within the building experiencing similar issues....perhaps we have a bad LNB or the dish needs adjusting which I've suspected all along. Will let you know as things progress (or regress)

[DirecTv Chicago]

HR20 receivers are compatible with MFH2 systems. However the primary difference between HR20 and all future models is that the 20s received the software needed to work on the MFH2 via software downloads. Where as all the newer models are manufactuered with the software already built in.

For this reason you see alot more problems with H20 or HR20s then you do with the new models. Some just receivers just did not take the downloads properly while others work just fine.

I do not tell customers that the HR20s will not work but I certainly do warn them upfront that I see close to 15% - 20% that do not work properly. I always get the usual response that the receiver worked fine on the old system. Which is true but that is because it was running off different software.

[pjbrien]

HR20 receivers are compatible with MFH2 systems. However the primary difference between HR20 and all future models is that the 20s received the software needed to work on the MFH2 via software downloads. Where as all the newer models are manufactuered with the software already built in.

For this reason you see alot more problems with H20 or HR20s then you do with the new models. Some just receivers just did not take the downloads properly while others work just fine.

I do not tell customers that the HR20s will not work but I certainly do warn them upfront that I see close to 15% - 20% that do not work properly. I always get the usual response that the receiver worked fine on the old system. Which is true but that is because it was running off different software.

Why would there be only a few channels being impacted? Wouldn't that indicate that the receiver is not the problem?

[texasbrit]

pjbrien - you may just have a signal strength problem on the 99c satellite, nothing to do with your HR20s, all the problem channels come from 99c. Check 99c on all transponders on both tuners on one of the HR20s and post back with the numbers. I expect you will see some low numbers, and it's probaly just a dish alignment issue.

[pjbrien]

pjbrien - you may just have a signal strength problem on the 99c satellite, nothing to do with your HR20s, all the problem channels come from 99c. Check 99c on all transponders on both tuners on one of the HR20s and post back with the numbers. I expect you will see some low numbers, and it's probaly just a dish alignment issue.

Thanks Texasbrit....here are my readings for 99c

1-8 77 77 72 80 86 83 79 85

9-16 80 83 82 82 83 86 n/a n/a

All the rest are n/a....the sysop sent out a note that they are working on the dish today so I suspect they've figured out (finally!!) that the problem is on the roof.

What types of numbers should I be expecting from a properly installed dish on a 50+ story building?

[sattec]

I wish I had a list of the Ka transponders I'm supposed to receive in deep south texas! Any ideas anybody???? :)

[carl6]

I wish I had a list of the Ka transponders I'm supposed to receive in deep south texas! Any ideas anybody???? :)

99c and 103c are the same nationwide. Transponders 1 - 14 in each.
Check this thread: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=161325 for information on local transponders.

[texasbrit]

Thanks Texasbrit....here are my readings for 99c

1-8 77 77 72 80 86 83 79 85

9-16 80 83 82 82 83 86 n/a n/a

All the rest are n/a....the sysop sent out a note that they are working on the dish today so I suspect they've figured out (finally!!) that the problem is on the roof.

What types of numbers should I be expecting from a properly installed dish on a 50+ story building?

Actually those 99c signals while they are a bit lower than they should be are nowhere near low enough to cause 771 messages. The 99c signals should be in the 80s as a minimum, preferably in the 90s. But are your signals the same on both tuners on a DVR?

[pjbrien]

Actually those 99c signals while they are a bit lower than they should be are nowhere near low enough to cause 771 messages. The 99c signals should be in the 80s as a minimum, preferably in the 90s. But are your signals the same on both tuners on a DVR?

Yes....the signal strengths are the same on all 4 tuners covering two HR20's....after the adjustment they made the signal rose a little but last night (again) all 3 stations were either heavily pixelated or out completely.

I'm really beginning to lose it over this....4 service calls, countless non-productive telephone calls and I'm right back where I started.

Ideas are welcome.

[DirecTv Chicago]

PJ, the readings you reported are they during the day or at night? The initial post was from 9:00am. I curious if the readings change drastically from the AM to the PM. Still not sure what would cause that though.

If you are getting the same readings you reported earlier there is no reason, signal wise, you should be getting the pixelation you reported. Especially if they have since improved the signal.

[pjbrien]

PJ, the readings you reported are they during the day or at night? The initial post was from 9:00am. I curious if the readings change drastically from the AM to the PM. Still not sure what would cause that though.

If you are getting the same readings you reported earlier there is no reason, signal wise, you should be getting the pixelation you reported. Especially if they have since improved the signal.

Those readings were in the morning...I've not tried to read the signal strength at different times of the day...I'll try that next. The SYSOP has not returned my call in over 24 hours...

[DirecTv Chicago]

I have researched this a issue a little further and a few other DirecTV subscribers are reporting similiar issues but not enough to pinpoint a cause. Most people could not find a reason and pointed to possible electrical issues.

Is it possible that something is kicking on at night at your property causing electrical interference? Something like hallway lights, a change in air conditioning system, etc. If there was you would likely see the issue begin at the same time each night. Maybe set a recording on your receiver for a couple hours to find the exact time it begins. Long shot, but you never know.

It is just very odd that the issue only occurs at night and not during the day.