[dlt4]

I'm having pixelization problems again with my HR20-700. I called D* about three weeks ago and they had me switch the inputs coming into the back of the receiver and do a reset. The tech also had me check some signal strengths and said they were OK. Things seemed to have been better since then, but the last couple of days it has gotten worse. I'm even getting the pixelization on some local channels, and that's a first I think. My equipment was just installed last October. I don't have any SWMs or other extras. The lines run striaght to the DVR.

I'm going to call D* again but wanted a little info before I do.

 

[houskamp]

main cause? usualy weak signal.. sometimes the provider..
what channels?
can you post your signal strenths?

 

[davring]

Can you post your sat signal strenghts? Particularly 99c/103c as all the other satellites should be good if those two are OK.

 

[dlt4]

Can you post your sat signal strenghts? Particularly 99c/103c as all the other satellites should be good if those two are OK.

Both 99c and 103c are mostly in the 80s, two or three at 90, one at 77 and a handful at 79.

Some of the channels affected are Food, MGMHD, HGTV, Smithsonian, A&E, USA, plus some locals.

 

[darman]

I get pixels a lot on my recordings (either through "list" or playing something that is recording a bit behind). This happens on all three (HR20-100 x2, and -700, all normally on the latest CE). I have to reboot and normally the problem goes away for a while. Can't figure out the cause, but, as I said, a reboot normally fixes for a period. It is too bad you cannot easily schedule an overnight reboot.

 

[K4SMX]

I'm having pixelization problems again with my HR20-700.....

How sure are you that a reboot actually fixes this problem? Is it possibly intermittent enough so that it just comes and goes, and the reboot's actually not "fixing" anything?

 

[davring]

Since it is happening on all your tuners, I would suggest, like many others here, to check your signal strenghts.

 

[bonscott87]

Sometimes just a loose cable can cause it. Make sure they are all tight.

But usually it's just the broadcaster that's the issue (or overcompression). But if it comes and goes on the same program then I'd say it's a cabling, LNB or even an interference issue, especially if you don't have solid copper RG6 for cables.

 

[MountainMan10]

Are you getting it on all your receivers? When I had it only only one receiver it was a bad multiswitch. All signal strengths were good.

 

[dlt4]

Are you getting it on all your receivers? When I had it only only one receiver it was a bad multiswitch. All signal strengths were good.

To my knowledge it only happens on the HR20. Normally I don't see pixelization on any channels, but when I do see it, it's on several channels.

Is it possilbe that a loose connecton would cause the problem to be intermittent? It seems like it would be an almost constant problem in that case.

 

[dlt4]

How sure are you that a reboot actually fixes this problem? Is it possibly intermittent enough so that it just comes and goes, and the reboot's actually not "fixing" anything?

I'm not sure that a reboot solved the problem. That was done along with things listed in the OP. I don't think the reboot is fixing anything actually.

 

[K4SMX]

I'm not sure that a reboot solved the problem. That was done along with things listed in the OP. I don't think the reboot is fixing anything actually.

Although you most likely have a connector or an LNB problem, the reason I asked is that I notice you have an HR20-700. There are definitely instances where this model has been found to be susceptible to RF interference from electric light dimmer switches, nearby PC's, improper grounding to things like outside A/C compressors, etc. Turn off or pull the breaker on any suspect devices while the pixelation is present to eliminate these as possible sources.

Check all the connectors in your lines from one end to the other for looseness or corrosion. Re-tighten until just snug with a 7/16" wrench. Pay special attention to the connectors at the outside "grounding block." Grounding blocks can be bypassed for testing.

Pixelation with normal signal strengths has definitely been traced to faulty LNB assemblies, but that's obviously the last thing to check, since it normally requires a service call. Normal signal strengths means signals >70 on all tp's on the 99(c) and 103(c) satellites.

Some of the other folks with this problem have external multi-switches. These need to be by-passed temporarily with double-female "barrel" adapters, connecting each receiver straight to any two dish lines. Frequently connector problems have been identified during this process.

 

[dlt4]

Although you most likely have a connector or an LNB problem, the reason I asked is that I notice you have an HR20-700. There are definitely instances where this model has been found to be susceptible to RF interference from electric light dimmer switches, nearby PC's, improper grounding to things like outside A/C compressors, etc. Turn off or pull the breaker on any suspect devices while the pixelation is present to eliminate these as possible sources.

Check all the connectors in your lines from one end to the other for looseness or corrosion. Re-tighten until just snug with a 7/16" wrench. Pay special attention to the connectors at the outside "grounding block." Grounding blocks can be bypassed for testing.

Pixelation with normal signal strengths has definitely been traced to faulty LNB assemblies, but that's obviously the last thing to check, since it normally requires a service call. Normal signal strengths means signals >70 on all tp's on the 99(c) and 103(c) satellites.

Some of the other folks with this problem have external multi-switches. These need to be by-passed temporarily with double-female "barrel" adapters, connecting each receiver straight to any two dish lines. Frequently connector problems have been identified during this process.

Thanks for the tips on what to check. Since the lowest signal reading I had on 99c and 103c was 77 (one), I'll assume that dish alignment isn't an issue. I don't have any multi-switches, so that's out. Since I've had my dish for less than one year, for now I'll make an assumption that the LNB is good.

That leaves a loose connection or RF interference as the things to check first. I will double-check all connections. And thinking about it more, it seems that the pixelization usually occurs during the day on weekdays when my wife is watching HGTV, Food, etc. Maybe there is something running then that is causing RF interference.

One other question. What did you mean by "Grounding blocks can be bypassed for testing"?

Let the investigation begin!

 

[Bmikuta]

I'm having the same problem with my HR21-700 and from what I understand, it's a software problem. Have you always had a problem with pixelation or is it recent?

 

[K4SMX]

.....Since I've had my dish for less than one year, for now I'll make an assumption that the LNB is good.

Not necessarily a good assumption. They're subject to malfunction at any time, being electronic devices.

And thinking about it more, it seems that the pixelization usually occurs during the day...... Maybe there is something running then that is causing RF interference.

Could also be a temperature-related LNB problem, if you never see it at night.....

One other question. What did you mean by "Grounding blocks can be bypassed for testing?

Using double-female "barrel" adapters. Grounding blocks can go bad, but probably not one year old ones. Of more interest would be how it is grounded.

 

[dlt4]

I'm having the same problem with my HR21-700 and from what I understand, it's a software problem. Have you always had a problem with pixelation or is it recent?

My system was installed last October. I didn't see any pixelation problems until about the last three or four months.

 

[texasbrit]

dlt4 - I only saw signal strengths posted from one tuner. Is tuner 2 the same?

 

[tomparker]

We had a Directv service call yesterday after experiencing pixelization issues with my 20-700 for the past couple of weeks. My transponder strength readings were horribly low.

The tech did a total dish to set check, realligned the dish, swapped out a new LNB, checked the multiswitch, changed to a high-frequency wall plate and still, no joy! He gets plenty of signal at the dish when toning, but the 20-700 doesn't see it his way.

Here are the values we have after the "fine tooth comb" treatment:
Sat 99 (c)
1-8 0 14 0 0 0 15 0 0
9-16 0 15 0 0 0 14 N/A N/A
17-24 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
25-32 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Sat 99 (s)
1-8 0 51 0 55 0 50 N/A N/A
9-16 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0
17-24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-32 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Sat 103 (c)
1-8 89 88 86 83 85 84 83 80
9-16 85 83 87 85 85 83 N/A N/A
17-24 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A 0 N/A N/A
25-32 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Sat 103 (s)
1-8 0 0 0 0 0 0 N/A N/A
9-16 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0 0
17-24 0 0 0 0 100 0 0 17
25-32 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Sat 101
1-8 87 93 88 42 87 95 88 95
9-16 88 94 89 43 91 96 88 96
17-24 86 99 88 68 89 96 89 96
25-31 90 54 88 99 88 95 85 96

Sat 110
1-8 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 80
9-16 N/A 83 N/A 94 N/A N/A N/A N/A
17-24 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
25-32 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Sat 119
1-8 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
8-16 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
17-24 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 88 0 83
25-32 96 85 90 85 0 88 71 91

The tech left it as an open issue, hoping to get some info from Directv.

All thoughts welcome!!
Thanks!

 

[dlt4]

dlt4 - I only saw signal strengths posted from one tuner. Is tuner 2 the same?

Yes, both tuners on both sats were pretty much the same numbers.

 

[GregM5]

Tom,

Are the 0's you list on 99c constant, or do they change to "normal" signal strength if you wait for a minute and then bounce back to zero?