Strange OTA problem

[Bad Rex]

I have 2 HR10s. Both on 6.3b. DVR1 picks up all local HD channels. DVR2 does not get one local HD channel (from VHF channel 3). DVR2 shows no signal on this chanel, yet antenna split into TV allows TV to tune this channel with excellent picture.

Both DVRs diplexed to attic antenna.

DVR2 has only one satellite line. DVR1 has two. All diplexed lines from a 3LNB dish using the dish's 4-line multiswitch. The second (undiplexed) satellite line on DVR1 goes to a second dish.

As mentioned, DVR2 has diplexed antenna line split (post-diplexer) for both TV and DVR input. DVR1 has no splitter as DVR1s TV has no tunrer.

Although I tried swapping splitter outputs with no change, I have not tried swapping the coax between TV and splitter with the coax between DVR and splitter. I will try this when I get time, but why would a cable block only one local channel (or perhaps block only VHF)?

Am I missing something?

Very intriguiging because the missing channel happens to be the only channel my HR20 does not get. WBBMDT in Chicago. <cue Twilight Zone theme>

[mrb]

I have 2 HR10s. Both on 6.3b. DVR1 picks up all local HD channels. DVR2 does not get one local HD channel (from VHF channel 3). DVR2 shows no signal on this chanel, yet antenna split into TV allows TV to tune this channel with excellent picture.

Both DVRs diplexed to attic antenna.

DVR2 has only one satellite line. DVR1 has two. All diplexed lines from a 3LNB dish using the dish's 4-line multiswitch. The second (undiplexed) satellite line on DVR1 goes to a second dish.

As mentioned, DVR2 has diplexed antenna line split (post-diplexer) for both TV and DVR input. DVR1 has no splitter as DVR1s TV has no tunrer.

Although I tried swapping splitter outputs with no change, I have not tried swapping the coax between TV and splitter with the coax between DVR and splitter. I will try this when I get time, but why would a cable block only one local channel (or perhaps block only VHF)?

Am I missing something?

Very intriguiging because the missing channel happens to be the only channel my HR20 does not get. WBBMDT in Chicago. <cue Twilight Zone theme>

WBBM in Chicago is very hard to receive no mater what you do. I live 10 miles from the Loop and that's the only one I have trouble with regularly. My OTA signal strength meters also read virtually no signal, yet the channels come in okay for the most part with two antennas on a regular splitter and an FM trap on the line.

[Bad Rex]

Regardless of the signal strength, I see no reason to explain why the TV's HD tuner receives a good enough signal to display a good picture from either side of the split whereas the HR10 sees zilch -- 0 signal strength and searching for signal message.

My next test is to take the splitter off, make sure the TV still gets the missing channel, then disconnect from TV and connect directly to HR10. If that doesn't work, I give up.

[mrb]

Regardless of the signal strength, I see no reason to explain why the TV's HD tuner receives a good enough signal to display a good picture from either side of the split whereas the HR10 sees zilch -- 0 signal strength and searching for signal message.

My next test is to take the splitter off, make sure the TV still gets the missing channel, then disconnect from TV and connect directly to HR10. If that doesn't work, I give up.

The reason is that the HR10s tuners suck. Forget about reading signal strength (it's meaningless in my experience), and try to position your antennas (indoor?) in such a way that you can see a picture. I got my Hitachi plasma set about three weeks ago and it has literally taken me six different indoor antennas, a 25 foot run of cable, splitters and ALOT of reading here and more importantly at tivocommunity.com and avsforum.com to find ideas and solutions that might work. Now, I usually can depend on the two antennas I have hooked up and in my living room feeding through the one cable into the OTA port on the HR10 to display the local HD signals. Currenly it's ABC 7-1 that isn't coming in well.

It's really a pain to return to the days of bending rabbit ears around to get a picture, but unless you want to go with the HR20 and have a POS receiver you have to be PATIENT and just try various antennas, placement, etc... Be sure to keep your recepits and also check out the other two places I mentioned...MUCH has been written about the HR10s crap-ass tuners.

Good luck!

Go Bears.