[osultan]

So, I have three HR20-700s that I have installed for years without problems. Nothing too exotic with the install--they are all off a mutli-switch and I have whole-house networking wired Ethernet connections to each box.

A couple of years ago, I started to get some pixelation and freezes on UFC pay-per-view recordings, which was irritating, but not enough for me to care. Over the last couple of months, things have deteriorated considerably to the point that I get get freezes, pixelation and audio drops on almost every show.

I have had DTV out a couple of times but they--they tired re-aligning the switch and replaced the multi-switch, but to no avail.

If I run the system test, it usually passes (complains about no phone line), however, every once in a while, it will complain about satellite dish alignment.

I have the protection plan, but DTV has been less than helpful, so I am left to my own devices and you guys! I have done the usual stuff with RBRs and the like, so looking for hints on what I can look at next...?

Thanks,

Omar

 

[litzdog911]

Is this happening on all three HR20s?

Please post back with your signal readings for each satellite's transponders (and both tuners if applicable). You'll find these readings under "Menu" -> "Setup" -> "System Setup" -> Satellite -> "View Signal Strength". Note the "+" and "-" symbols next to the "Satellite" and "Tuner" entries where you can toggle the readings between the various satellites and both DVR tuners.

Fill in your readings for each satellite and tuner using these examples. A properly aligned dish will show 80-90s on most of the relevant transponders (although some will be low or zero):

Satellite transponders (32 total at 101º)
[Most of your standard definition channels are beamed from 101ºW]
1-8 # # # # # # # #
9-16 # # # # # # # #
17-24 # # # # # # # #
25-32 # # # # # # # #

Satellite transponders (3 total at 110º)
[Not present with Slimline3 dish. No channels are currently beamed from this satellite]
1-8 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA #
9-16 NA # NA # NA NA NA NA

Satellite transponders (11 total at 119º)
[Not present with Slimline 3 dish. Local SD channels for some cities, Spanish package]
17-24 NA NA NA NA NA # # #
25-32 # # # # # # # #

Satellite transponders (16 total at 99º(s)) [or 99º(b)]
[Local HD channels for some cities]
1-8 # # # # # # NA NA
9-16 NA NA NA NA NA NA # #
17-24 # # # # # # # #
[Note: these can be very slow to appear]

Satellite transponders (14 total at 99º(c)) [or 99º(a)]
[National HD channels]
1-8 # # # # # # # #
9-16 # # # # # # NA NA
[Note, these can be very slow to appear]

Satellite transponders (16 total at 103º(s)) [or 103º(a)]
[Local HD channels for some cities]
1-8 # # # # # # NA NA
9-16 NA NA NA NA NA NA # #
17-24 # # # # # # # #
[Note, these can be very slow to appear]

Satellite transponders (16 total at 103º(ca))
[National HD channels beamed from D12 satellite]
1-8 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
9-16 # # # # # # # #
17-24 # # # # # # # #

Satellite transponders (14 total at 103º(cb)) [or 103º(b)]
[National HD channels beamed from D10 satellite]
1-8 # # # # # # # #
9-16 # # # # # # NA NA
17-24 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

Satellite transponders (9 total at SWM)
[You'll only see this if you have a Single Wire Multiswitch (SWM) dish]
1-8 # # # # # # # #
9-16 # NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

 

[osultan]

Thanks for the quick response.

So, I see problems on at least two of the receivers--the third is in my son's playroom, so I am not sure about that one.

As far as signal strength (BTW, I have a Slimline-3 dish), here you go (I checked both tuners and the values were consistent):

Satellite transponders (32 total at 101º)
[Most of your standard definition channels are beamed from 101ºW]
1-8 95 95 94 98 95 97 94 98
9-16 95 96 95 99 95 98 95 98
17-24 94 60 95 100 95 99 95 98
25-32 95 0 95 65 96 98 95 99

Satellite transponders (16 total at 99º(s))
[Local HD channels for some cities]
1-8 97 0 95 0 92 0 NA NA
9-16 NA NA NA NA NA NA 99 0
17-24 99 100 0 0 64 69 96 99
[Note: these can be very slow to appear]

Satellite transponders (14 total at 99º(c))
[National HD channels]
1-8 88 93 86 88 85 91 86 89
9-16 82 91 86 88 88 94 NA NA
[Note, these can be very slow to appear]

Satellite transponders (16 total at 103º(s))
[Local HD channels for some cities]
1-8 0 0 0 0 0 0 NA NA
9-16 NA NA NA NA NA NA 96 0
17-24 99 100 0 27 0 0 95 97
[Note, these can be very slow to appear]

Satellite transponders (16 total at 103º(ca))
[National HD channels beamed from D12 satellite]
1-8 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
9-16 89 88 89 86 85 84 89 85
17-24 83 82 89 85 85 82 91 90

Satellite transponders (14 total at 103º(cb))
[National HD channels beamed from D10 satellite]
1-8 87 91 86 85 85 91 85 86
9-16 85 90 86 89 88 92 NA NA
17-24 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

 

[litzdog911]

Those signal readings are pretty good.

Is the problem at all related to outdoor weather or temperature? Might be time to have them replace the dish LNB itself.

 

[osultan]

I don't think so--the problems have been going on for several months and weather generally is not a problem here--rarely see any kind of rain fade issue. There are also no obstructions to the dish itself.

Omar