H23-600: 0x4080-0x4082 Issues / Discussion

I just got an H23-600, after having had serious issues with my original H20-100 that I had for about a year and a half, and then with the H21-100 they sent as a replacement about a month ago. While they were here, they also replaced my old KaKu 5-LNB dish with the new Slimline model, the installer claimed the old dish might have been the problem all along.

The H23 doesn't require a BBC anymore as it's now internal, in fact, at the end of the setup process if it detects one, you'll get an on screen prompt to remove it.

The tech even claimed the H23 could "self activate" without the need to phone DTV, but you do need an active phone line hookup. Apparently these new receivers can sense their own activation status, and if necessary, "phone home" without intervention, saving you a phone call. For whatever reason though, it didn't work (it was supposed to be nearly instantaneous) - after waiting a little more than ten minutes, the tech just phoned it in like before. I wondered anyway, how this "self-activation" would let DTV know to DE-activate the old one, so as not to get charged monthly for a now Out-Of-Service receiver. Seems you had to make a call anyway.

It came out of the box with firmware version 0x404c, and within 48 hours it downloaded a newer 0x4080. Anyway, so far so good.

I now have an H23-600 receiver running the latest 0x4080 release update. Since ARPIL I have had an issue where EVERY day I turn on the receiver it is on channel 0-0, and NO channels are listed on the program guide. I cannot change channels to ANY channel, because the receiver does not know about ANY channels. A reset of the receiver restores the channels/guide, but half the time we don't have local channels, and half the time we have to go through the initial satellite setup screens.

Since June we have had *6* different receivers, with this one coming to us yesterday. All of the receivers -> H20, H21, and now H23 showed this SAME PROBLEM. This is NOT a hardware issue - it is obviously a software issue. It appears the memory on the receiver is getting corrupted. Tonight when this occurred I went to the satellite signal strength screen and the screen half showed then locked up. I could not dismiss the screen, though the box did react to only resolution button changes.

I have PLEADED with DTV to let me help them diagnose this software issue somehow. They only know how to send me new boxes, or CHARGE me to have technicians come out and yet again verify the satellite signal strength is fine, the dish is fine, and all cabling is good. I can't believe they can't tell me how to turn on logging or tracing on this receiver so I can help them fix it.

If anyone on here can help, or has a channel into DTV's receiver software group who hopefully would be interested in fixing this, please let me know!!!

Thanks,

Frank

Update - DTV is escalating this issue and is first going to check the lnb's internal multiswitch. At least its going somewhere...

I have just had a new HD receiver model H23NC-600 along with the slim line 5 LB dish in the swap program.
I have a Hitachi 53SWX01W 1080I HD TV.
From the moment the technician hooked the system up we have been getting periodic zigzag lines running across the screen something wiping out the whole picture.
The tech thought it was the receiver and replaces it but the second receiver also does the same thing.
I have now had two different Directv Techs look at the problem and neither has seen this issue before.
They have replaced connectors on coax on dish and receiver but no change.
They suggested I change the component video cables and also changes input to the TV. I have done both with no correction to the problem.
Also suggesting I not run any connection electrical or satellite through my big Monster Cable surge protector. I have done that.
Nothing seems to help. The last tech switched the 1080I out put to 720P and does seem to clear up the problem but then I have a poor HD picture.
I have had HD service for several years using a Sony SAT-HD300 with very good quality 1080I HD service and easy usability.
I still have this unit and last night hooked it back up to my TV different inputs. Watching the Olympics off it and switching between it and the new H23NC-600.
I have NO periodic zigzag lines on the old Sony unit but switch to the new Directv unit get the periodic l zigzag lines and occasional black out screen.
There appears to be some kind of compatibility issue between this new receiver and my TV.
Not to mention the very slow channel change rate plus the poorly designed channel change menu.
I have also talked to a local TV technician and explain what it is doing. As I said above I hooked my old 1080I equipment back up and do not have this issue. The technician feels that the problem is Directv receiver issue. If it was my TV or cables I would not see the issue go away when another 1080I unit is hooked up.
Can anyone suggest anything else I can do?

Since upgrading receivers, (3) H23-600 & (1) HR21-100, and dish to what I believe is the Slimline 5 LNB, there is pixelation and sound drop-outs on virtually every HD channel. I contacted Customer Service shortly after the receivers were installed and was told that this was a known issue and that a Firmware update was being worked on to fix the problem. At least one firmware update has downloaded since, and no change to the problem. These “Blips” can range from a few an hour to every few minutes and can make some channels unwatchable. Could it be something other than a firmware issue? I read somewhere that some thought it could be a defective LNB on the new dishes. This is very frustrating in that according to Direct TV Customer Service, this was a known issue when the equipment was installed and clients were not made aware that this new service was flawed and that they do not know when they will have it fixed. I have friends that are going through the same thing so I find it hard to believe that it’s something other than their gear\service. Anyone have any insight to what is going on?

Please post your signal strengths on the HD satellites:

Menu Button > Parental, Fav's & Setup > System Setup > Satellite (& Ant) > View Signal Strength

Navigate with the remote to these satellite positions:

Satellite transponders (14 total at 99º(c)/(a))
[New national HD channels]
1-8 # # # # # # # #
9-16 # # # # # # NA NA

Satellite transponders (14 total at 103º(c)/(b))
[Most national HD channels]
1-8 # # # # # # # #
9-16 # # # # # # NA NA
17-24 0 NA NA NA NA 0 NA NA

K4SMX:

Thanks for your relpy. The BOLD numbers indicate that these fluciate between 0- whatever number every second or two.

Satellite transponders (14 total at 99º(a)
[New national HD channels]
1-8 78 0 76 83 80 0 76 83
9-16 0 83 78 83 81 85 NA NA

Satellite transponders (14 total at 99º(c)
[New national HD channels]
1-8 72 78 69 76 73 77 69 76
9-16 74 77 72 76 76 78 NA NA

Satellite transponders (14 total at 99º(b)
[Most national HD channels]
1-8 79 0 85 0 74 0 NA NA
9-16 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 95
17-24 32 48 89 95 0 0 0 0

Satellite transponders (14 total at 103º(c)
[Most national HD channels]
1-8 83 78 82 79 79 77 80 77
9-16 79 76 79 74 79 77 NA NA
17-24 NA NA NA NA NA 0 NA NA

Satellite transponders (14 total at 103º(b)
[Most national HD channels]
1-8 89 87 89 85 85 83 83 85
9-16 85 0 85 80 85 83 NA NA
17-24 0 NA NA NA NA 0 NA NA

Satellite transponders (16 total at 103º(s)
[Most national HD channels]
1-8 42 94 51 51 52 64 NA NA
9-16 NA NA NA NA NA NA 0 0
17-24 0 0 0 74 73 0 0 0

mattebury1 said:

K4SMX:

Thanks for your relpy. The BOLD numbers indicate that these fluciate between 0- whatever number every second or two.

Satellite transponders (14 total at 99º(a)
[New national HD channels]
1-8 78 0 76 83 80 0 76 83
9-16 0 83 78 83 81 85 NA NA

Satellite transponders (14 total at 99º(c)
[New national HD channels]
1-8 72 78 69 76 73 77 69 76
9-16 74 77 72 76 76 78 NA NA

Satellite transponders (14 total at 99º(b)
[Most national HD channels]
1-8 79 0 85 0 74 0 NA NA
9-16 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 95
17-24 32 48 89 95 0 0 0 0

Satellite transponders (14 total at 103º(c)
[Most national HD channels]
1-8 83 78 82 79 79 77 80 77
9-16 79 76 79 74 79 77 NA NA
17-24 NA NA NA NA NA 0 NA NA

Satellite transponders (14 total at 103º(b)
[Most national HD channels]
1-8 89 87 89 85 85 83 83 85
9-16 85 0 85 80 85 83 NA NA
17-24 0 NA NA NA NA 0 NA NA

Satellite transponders (16 total at 103º(s)
[Most national HD channels]
1-8 42 94 51 51 52 64 NA NA
9-16 NA NA NA NA NA NA 0 0
17-24 0 0 0 74 73 0 0 0

Click to expand...

I'm very sorry for the delay; I missed your earlier reply, since this really isn't an H23-600 issue. I'm not aware of any issues specific to the H23's. I just helped my across-the-street neighbor install three of them, and they're not having any problems.

While your alignment is not the greatest, particularly for 99(a)/(c), it wouldn't appear to be the cause of your reception problems. Most reception issues are caused by installation problems. We can eliminate the alignment for now and consider other issues.

You should first test your multi-switch by bypassing it with four double-female "barrel" adapters, connecting up to four tuners directly to the dish lines. While doing this, you'll have the opportunity to make sure all the connectors at the multi-switch are in good condition and completely tight. If you still have these problems on multiple receivers with receivers connected directly to the dish, you'll need to have DirecTV try replacing your LNB on the dish. You could get your alignment peaked for 99 and 103 at that time as well. You are probably still within your 90-day installation warranty period, so definitely get your dish re-aligned. No 60's allowed on any 99(a)/(c) or 103(b)/(c) tp's.

BTW, don't worry about the "blinking 0's." That's just a software glitch in the signal strength display on the menu page.