1000.4 with VP211k - Picture Quality

[stldish2010]

Switched to 1000.4 the other day due to not getting all HD channels on the previous 2 dish setup. Now, I get all my HD channels per my 250 package. However, since the switch to 1000.4 the picture quality seems less bright, and overall not as sharp. I have a nice 46" Panasonic Plasma (only 1 yr old) and with the old 2 dish set up the picture quality just seemed better.

According to Dish, I do have the latest software on the VP211k. I've done all the check switch tests, also have turned receiver off and on, in other words did all the standard tests. Picture just seems not right. Am I thinking too much over this, or is the VP211K receiver going out? Receiver is only 11 months old. Any ideas would be appreciated, thanks much

[Davenlr]

Is the receiver getting the channel(s) in question from the same satellite as before, or have you switched satellites? If its the same satellite, its digital, so you should not have any difference in PQ by switching dishes. If, however, you switched satellites as well i.e. western to eastern or vice versa, there could be a difference in the PQ on the uplink (one being 1920x1080 vs 1440x1080) or just differences in the encoder or encoder type (mpeg4 vs mpeg2). Only thing I can think of.

[stldish2010]

Thanks for quick response. Yes, I did switch from a WA setup (2 dishes) to the 1000.4 EA. Really hoped the 211k receiver was the simple fix, does not seem so. Thanks again

[P Smith]

Is the receiver getting the channel(s) in question from the same satellite as before, or have you switched satellites? If its the same satellite, its digital, so you should not have any difference in PQ by switching dishes. If, however, you switched satellites as well i.e. western to eastern or vice versa, there could be a difference in the PQ on the uplink (one being 1920x1080 vs 1440x1080) or just differences in the encoder or encoder type (mpeg4 vs mpeg2). Only thing I can think of.

Could you provide verifiable facts ?

[stldish2010]

With regard to my picture quality, the color seems more saturated at times, and brightness and sharpness appear duller. Is it because of the switch to 1000.4? dont know, such seems odd.

I recall reading on another forum (cant recall at the moment which one) in which someone posted similar experiences of poor picture quality, he suspected his 211k receiver, he replaced, and he reported it solved his issue.

That is why I suspect my 211k receiver is bad, just a hunch.

[James Long]

With regard to my picture quality, the color seems more saturated at times, and brightness and sharpness appear duller. Is it because of the switch to 1000.4? dont know, such seems odd.

I recall reading on another forum (cant recall at the moment which one) in which someone posted similar experiences of poor picture quality, he suspected his 211k receiver, he replaced, and he reported it solved his issue.

That is why I suspect my 211k receiver is bad, just a hunch.HD channels should be the same between arcs. They are paired up differently but the there are not resolution differences between west and east.

SD channels are MPEG4 on EA and MPEG2 on WA ... there might be a difference there but many reports place the MPEG4 SDs as looking better.

Probably a coincidence as far as the timing ... I'd look at a failing receiver. At least it isn't a DVR that you will lose content on.

[stldish2010]

Thanks, still under the 60 day service call warranty, so I'll call tomorrow and bring it with them and report back. Thanks to all for the feedback.

What was odd as well is that a few days ago the Program Guide color for "All Sub" changed to green, it was blue. I dont like it, as my 222k receiver it is still blue. Just goes to show you software/setup not the same on various receivers.

[Davenlr]

there could be a difference in the PQ on the uplink (one being 1920x1080 vs 1440x1080)
Could you provide verifiable facts ?

No, I cannot, which is why I said "could be". Mpeg2 channels used to be 1440x1080, I have no idea what mpeg4 ones are. I was simply trying to offer ideas as to the cause of his problem.

[James Long]

No, I cannot, which is why I said "could be". Mpeg2 channels used to be 1440x1080, I have no idea what mpeg4 ones are. I was simply trying to offer ideas as to the cause of his problem.Well it can't be a difference between MPEG2 and MPEG4 HD as DISH no longer has MPEG2 HD. In addition there is no difference in compression between MPEG4 HD on eastern arc and western arc.

Now you know that it "can't be". Learning is good! :)

[Davenlr]

Now you know that it "can't be". Learning is good! :)

That is what I am here for. Now, to answer another of my possibilities, does Dish use the same encoded signal to uplink to both arcs, or do they use separate uplink facilities, one of which may have slightly different encoder settings than the other?

[James Long]

That is what I am here for. Now, to answer another of my possibilities, does Dish use the same encoded signal to uplink to both arcs, or do they use separate uplink facilities, one of which may have slightly different encoder settings than the other?Same facilities (for national channels) in either Colorado or Arizona. Locals are also uplinked from several other uplink centers for the spotbeams.

But the evidence so far is pointing to a receiver issue. The colors are fine on other EA receivers and setups (including mine). Fortunately I have two different HD receivers so if I see a problem I can check the other one.

Do you have an EA or WA setup? Have you noticed any issue with color?

[Davenlr]

Do you have an EA or WA setup? Have you noticed any issue with color?

Neither. No LOS for either, unfortunately. I live in the woods. Have 6 dishes, of various sizes, to get small slots of the arc through breaks...

[stldish2010]

thanks for the learning

On WA both my 211k and 222k the Program Guide (All Sub, all HD, etc) colors were the same. For All Sub it was blue.

Then by chance, by luck, dont know ...... the 211k now is the color green on All Sub in the Program Guide. This happen right after the switch to the 1000.4 EA dish. But as I recall it changed maybe a day after I switch to EA, and then began to notice differences in picture quality. Dish explained this difference as "maybe" different software for the different receivers. So this person said, who was not a technical person.

Seems to point more and more to the 211k receiver being bad. I am calling today. Will report back if that works. Will be a few days for them to come out.

Thanks again

[ruralruss]

thanks for the learning

On WA both my 211k and 222k the Program Guide (All Sub, all HD, etc) colors were the same. For All Sub it was blue.

Then by chance, by luck, dont know ...... the 211k now is the color green on All Sub in the Program Guide. This happen right after the switch to the 1000.4 EA dish. But as I recall it changed maybe a day after I switch to EA, and then began to notice differences in picture quality. Dish explained this difference as "maybe" different software for the different receivers. So this person said, who was not a technical person.

Seems to point more and more to the 211k receiver being bad. I am calling today. Will report back if that works. Will be a few days for them to come out.

Thanks again

All my guide colors changed the other day as well. I don't really care what colors are but the update fixed a problem I was having.

[P Smith]

It would help to know FW versions - press Menu twice for that.

[stldish2010]

SW for 211k is L492 ......... which Dish rep said was the latest when I called on 02 Oct.

Not that Program Guide color is the issue here, its now green (was blue) on my 211k for All Sub, and blue on my 222k for All Sub. I was told different software teams work on the various receivers, thus the reason why its different (not a good reason to me).

But still picture quality seem off on the 211k ........ still trying to reach Dish to fix, still under the 60 day service call warranty. Thanks

[RasputinAXP]

Both my 722 and my 211k's menu colors have changed. It's really bizarre.

[BobaBird]

Same facilities (for national channels) in either Colorado or Arizona.Cheyenne is in Wyoming. ;)

[James Long]

Cheyenne is in Wyoming. ;)
When did they move the city? :confused:

(Yep, you're right.)

[stldish2010]

I called Dish tech support today to discuss my issue of picture quality on my plasma 1080 HDTV since going to the EA set up. I had WA before. To recap, I noticed after the EA install the picture quality just did no seem right, some color saturation, and brightness and sharpness appear duller. I believe its the 211k receiver. Dish said it might be the HDMI cable (which is odd it just goes out now) or the "settings" on my TV and/or 211k receiver in how they receive signel. 480P vs bah, bah, bah ...... sort of over my head. He said they could run a "pitch" test to see if the HDMI cable is maybe bad, and if this "setting" thing is an issue. I reminded Dish that when on WA, I did not have these issues. Seems strange to me they are going down this path.

Does this sound right to your more experts out there? ............ I feel just change the 211k receiver and be done with it, then again maybe this other stuff does impact things.

Any advise? thanks

[P Smith]

Could you try get back to WA signal ? It would point to or exclude new FW hiccup.

[stldish2010]

Due to my house location, WA was not providing all HD channels, was missing about 10 of them, plus had to do check switch at least once a weak due to drops.

All tell me that whether WA or EA, both have the same type quality digital fed. So I just assume that is right.

What do you mean by "FW hiccup" ?

[P Smith]

I thought you got new FW version during the transition from WA to EA.

[BobaBird]

WA (110/119/129) does provide all the HD channels. Those with a problem still have the early 2-dish setup of 110/119 + 61.5, what we now consider "mixed arc."

[stldish2010]

yes, I do have the latest L492 software on the 211k receiver.

Due to poor visibility ( I guess) my 2 dish WA setup did not get all the HD channells. So I was told the the Dish company installers (not contract hires). About 10 channels were SB only, with no HD, which was not right. The EA setup fixed this HD channel issue.

The Dish tech person on phone said he would recommend braided HDMI cable size of 10. I'm think wow that is big. My HDMI cable to receiver is 28 AWG, Class 2, 1.3 compliant. It is not braided. There are no kinks, its a straight fed to receiver, and the plug-in is rock solid tight. The HDMI cable issue is a stretch in my opinion, but I will still check it out.

Call tech support back now to get some live tesst done, will report back, thanks

[stldish2010]

Talked with Advance Support, bottom line, they are not sure what is going on, so after much talk, 211k will be replaced in next few days. I'll let you know if that improves things.

They checked the setting on receiver, its at 1081i (there is no 1080p, which is what my TV is). Not that it matters much. Changed HDMI cable, did not help any ... so next is the receiver, we'll see what happens, thanks

[P Smith]

1081i :confused:

[stldish2010]

1080i .... sorry, but all knew that ;)