As a long time suscriber to DirecTV some time ago I "upgraded" to the oval dish/HD DVR system. Since then I have had the receiver replaced twice, the LNB's, B-Band converters and coax replaced, etc. My problem, intermittant pixelizing on some HD channels and local stations, is still ongoing. As of today DirecTV refuses to honor my Protection Plan saying that I must call when the problem occures and go through a trouble shooting procedure with them or they will have to charge for a service call. My problem, when it occurs, only lasts for a minute or so and then clears up. By the time I call and get through to a tech rep the problem will have corrected itself. How should I handle this situation? I am very frustrated!
How do I get DirecTV to fix my system?
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If you have a 3LNB dish as you stated the first thing I would do is remove the BBC's since they aren't needed.
Are there any trees that when the wind blows could temporarily block you dish?
When you get the pixelization have you checked the transponder levels on the transponder of the channels you are having problems with?
Have you check the transponder levels when the problem was not happening? What kind of signals are you getting on 101, 110, 119 ?
Are there any trees that when the wind blows could temporarily block you dish?
When you get the pixelization have you checked the transponder levels on the transponder of the channels you are having problems with?
Have you check the transponder levels when the problem was not happening? What kind of signals are you getting on 101, 110, 119 ?
Harveytex said:
Answers: Have only one receiver
5 LNB w/multiswitch
There is no dish obstructions
Channels: 229, 278, 276, 273, 265, 266, 231, 241, Local Channels
Remove the BBC's? I thought they were required. If not why were they installed?
Rodney's answer is just about what I was going to do. Am I paying $72 per year for a "Protection Plan" that requires me to do what a tech should be doing? Being that the installed system has NEVER worked correctly I believe they should be out here fixing it.
5 LNB w/multiswitch
There is no dish obstructions
Channels: 229, 278, 276, 273, 265, 266, 231, 241, Local Channels
Remove the BBC's? I thought they were required. If not why were they installed?
Rodney's answer is just about what I was going to do. Am I paying $72 per year for a "Protection Plan" that requires me to do what a tech should be doing? Being that the installed system has NEVER worked correctly I believe they should be out here fixing it.
I just looked at my dish. Now I don't know if I have a multiswitch or not. My dish has four cables coming out of the LNB arm. Two of them are connected to the cables that go directly to my receiver. The other two are not used. I thought the multiswitch was built in to the dish. Or is it? I'm really getting tired of all of this.
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the removing bbc's was based on you at first saying you had a 3 lnb dish. later you stated you have a 5 lnb dish. the 5 lnb require the bbc's to get hd programming.
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BBCs are required for any of the MPEG4HD coming from D10 or D11. You can receive locals in some areas from the spaceways with out them.
What are your signal levels on 99s and 103s? There will be lots of 0's and maybe some other low numbers but there should be at least 1 or 2 coming in at good levels.
What Receiver do you have? If you have a hr20 can you hook up an antenna and pick up the channels OTA? Sometimes DirecTV isn't the one causing the issues and is only passing on a bad signal because thats what they get.
Have you verified all connections are tight?
What are your signal levels on 99s and 103s? There will be lots of 0's and maybe some other low numbers but there should be at least 1 or 2 coming in at good levels.
What Receiver do you have? If you have a hr20 can you hook up an antenna and pick up the channels OTA? Sometimes DirecTV isn't the one causing the issues and is only passing on a bad signal because thats what they get.
Have you verified all connections are tight?
I have a HR20 and have an antenna connected to it. Switching over to it gives me a good signal when DTV gives me pixels. So that's not an issue. As I stated, my original question was how can I get DTV to fix the problem. I'm just too tired (and lazy I guess) to go thru all that signal strength stuff again. Thanks anyway.evan_s said:
Sounds like a good idea. Make sure all of your signal levels are in the 80s and 90s before the tech leaves. If I were you I'd check them now and post them to get some opinions here before a tech comes that way you're well-versed in what you should be talking to the guy about.Harveytex said:
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It no longer pertains to your issue, but there is a small device called a diplexer which when used properly can allow combining of the satellite and antenna signals onto a single cable. Doing so adds complexity though, and sometimes introduces problems which wouldn't normally be there. This is why he asked.Harveytex said:
Along with needing to know your signal levels, I would also ask if the digital tiling coincides with any other activities. Sprinklers coming on, or knowing if a large electrical device like an A/C unit or Pool pump kicking in at the same time as your problem could be crucial to troubleshooting your issue.
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