Can reproduce 771 message, but now what?

[Sherman67]

I've experienced a lot of few issues this past week with my MR20s. I recently replaced a DirecTV SD Tivo DVR in my bedroom with a HR20 I was using in another room. Every now and then, I would notice the Searching for Signal...771 message when I tried to view one of my HD local channels. No big deal. I would hit the Channel Up and then Channel Down button and then the local HD channel would come in. Lately my wife has started complaining about her shows not being recorded. Nothing but a blank space instead. Most of her shows are on the local HD channels.

What I found is if my receiver is recording a MPEG2 HD channel (70 - 79) and I then try to watch one on my local HD channels, I get the message "Searching for Signal on tuner...771." I don't have this issue If I'm recording a SD or local HD channel, and change the channel to another local HD channel.

Here is the really strange part. I started recording a program on channel 70. I then tried to change channels to one of my local HD channels (channel 9). As expected I got the Searching of signal on Tuner 1... 771 message. I then disconnect both feeds from the back. I then connected only the feed to tuner 2. Channel 70 came in without the message. I switched channels and got the message Searching for Signal on tuner 1, which was expected since I had that tuner disconnected. I then disconnected tuner 2 and connected the original tuner 1 cable back to tuner 1. Channel 9 came on. I switched channels and as expected, I had the message for tuner 2. Then, I re-connected the cable to tuner 2 and Channel 9 received the 771 message.

I thought it may be the receiver, so I replaced that receiver with a working HR20 from downstairs. Same issue as the other receiver.

Now I'm thinking that it could be my wiring. I changed the cables from my wall to the receiver and I still get the message. Okay, now I'm saying it's the multiswitch, but I just got a Zinwell WB616 last week. I go to the basement and connect the cables running to the bedroom to two open ports I have on the multiswitch. Went back upstairs. Started recording channel 71 and then switch to channel 7 (local HD) and received the message "Searching for Signal on Tuner 2..771."

What am I missing? I'm only having this issue on only one of my HR20s.

[lmurphy]

Just had the same problems as you are describing with my HR20 only. DTV came out and replaced the multiswitch and seems to be fine now. Although it still looses all but a few transponders every now and then. If I unplug it sometimes I can get it to work correctly and if I can't I usually restart the r15 in the basement and it all clears up instantly and after a few weeks it happens again and I go thru the same process all over again. I am wondering if the r15 isn't causing some of the problems with the HR20.

[Sherman67]

I am wondering if the r15 isn't causing some of the problems with the HR20.


Since I do not have a R15, in my case it has to be something else.

[mfb]

Had the same 771 issue with my first HR20 (among many other problems..). had to replace the box to resolve the issue. I verified all cabling and went back to my HR10 to pinpoint the problem.

If you can try swapping HR20 boxes that should determine if you need a replacement.

marty

[Sherman67]

Update: DirecTV's tech came out yesterday and found what was causing my issue. Apparently my problem is due to the results of me asking a previous tech who came out to my house to run extra lines to the upstairs bedrooms so that those rooms could have the ability to handle the HR20s if I decided to move one to a different bedroom (which is what I did). I paid additional to have this done. According to yesterday's tech, the previous tech ran 2 lines from my basement (where the multiswitch is located) to the attic and connected those lines to a 2x4 multiswitch. He then ran two of the four output lines to the master bedroom. He did not see the lines for the room where the HR20 was previous located. He said what should have been done was to run 4 lines, not 2, from the basement and then connect those lines to the WB68 multiswitch.

I said great, can you fix it? He said no. He's not good at fishing cable through walls. He said that I had to schedule a new appointment and make sure that I tell them that 2 additional lines need to be fished from the basement to the attic and replace the multiswitch with a WB68. He then said that I will have to pay additional to have it done. After asking if he was out of his mind, he said the additional cost will be due to running the 2 new lines. I told him that I had already paid for the setup and it's not my fault that it was done incorrectly. He then tells me that even if DirecTV list on the work order for the 2 lines to be run from the basement to the attic, be prepared for the tech to try to charge me.

So I call Customer Support tell them the story and they say not to worry, there should be no charge, but I do believe the new tech will try to charge me.

[Slip Jigs]

So after all that, how do you know for sure this will resolve the problem?

[bonscott87]

First of all, when a tech comes back out if he wants to charge you and won't budge then call DirecTV on the spot. Hopefully the CSR you talked with made a note on your account. If anything they may be able to credit your account the amount of the charge.

Having said that, fishing of cables is usually not included in the free install. Just an FYI. But the WB68 *is* included free in these upgrades.

To simplify what you should have in the house:
4 cables from the dish to the basement and into the WB68 switch.
From there you have 8 outputs and a cable should be run direct from the switch to the receiver(s) in the house.

This is exactly how I have it setup in my house actually.