OT: DirecTV - Page 5 - New England Patriots Forums

bruinator · 12-20-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joker

http://www.tech-faq.com/directv-satellite-dishes.shtml

look at these dishes and tell us which one you have or which one looks closest to what you have.

Just looked out side and it looks like a single LND. It still is snowing pretty well outside too.

***AndyJohnson*** · 12-20-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joker

The thing that puzzles me is that all 3 arent doing the same thing.

that why I think it's a covered LNB...if he has the dual LNB system the High Def node sounds like it's covered and the local channels one partly obscured. But still, like Seb said, no way you should have a new dish with old cables...it just doen't make sense.

Why wouldn't he get the same reception for the local chanells on all 3 TVs though? They are picking up the same signal .

sebman2112 · 12-20-2007, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruinator

I don't have an HD dish just normal dish.

Doesn't matter. Old cable lines can't handle the signal output new digital sat systems carry. It might sound strange to you, but old cables (especially from the '80s) will break down your signal strength and make it easier for the weather to effect your reception. Techs using old cables during installs has been a problem in the past, which is why most techs won't do this anymore. A lot of times you'll end up having to go back and change the cables out anyway, so it might seem faster at first, but in the long run you'll end up taking 3 hours trying to figure out what's causing the signal loss.

bruinator · 12-20-2007, 09:55 PM

ok my mistake the cable from the dish to the splitter is new but the cables from the splitter to tv's are about 15 to 20 years old. Is that ok?

Either way do you think if I keep on calling and asking for a supervisor will get them here any sooner?

Thanks again for everyone help. I greatly appreciate it.

sebman2112 · 12-20-2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruinator

ok my mistake the cable from the dish to the splitter is new but the cables from the splitter to tv's are about 15 to 20 years old. Is that ok?

Either way do you think if I keep on calling and asking for a supervisor will get them here any sooner?

No, it should be entirely new, and that might be the reason you're having different issues on different receivers.

bruinator · 12-20-2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebman2112

No, it should be entirely new, and that might be the reason you're having different issues on different receivers.

So Seb, do you think I should have the re-cable all old cables? Also, do you guys think calling Sups will get there a$$s out here any earlier?

pats-blue · 12-20-2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruinator

ok my mistake the cable from the dish to the splitter is new but the cables from the splitter to tv's are about 15 to 20 years old. Is that ok?

Either way do you think if I keep on calling and asking for a supervisor will get them here any sooner?

Thanks again for everyone help. I greatly appreciate it.

Is it an HR-20 HD/DVR? If it is not that your cabling is up to par but it is probably a problem with the HR-20 if that is what you have.

Since it appears that you did a reset...try a hard reset...go to the menu system and reset it there rather than pushing the red button.

Tune to a NON HD channel first and see if that works.

My guess is you have a HR-20? If not nevermind....

***Joker*** · 12-20-2007, 10:03 PM

tell the installer you want RG-6 Coaxial cabling installed throughout the entire system...that is what SHOULD have been done at the start. Good luck, bro, and don't be shy or timid about speaking up. That tech who did the work KNEW your old cables were *****. I'm betting he had two or three more installs that day and wanted to get home early

sebman2112 · 12-20-2007, 10:04 PM

So, you believe it's a single LNB system? And you think there's only one cable coming inside from the Sat, which attaches to a splitter? You've also got differing issues on your three receivers?

While thise still might have something to do with snow, I'd be willing to bet your cables after the splitter are the main cause of the problem, and the splitter itself could have a problem. One thing to make sure of is that your splitter hasn't been effected by water. That can give you some problems.

ClevTrev · 12-20-2007, 10:07 PM

Bruinator, it is unlikely you have an LNB problem. Unless anything has been changed directly on the dish, that's not the problem you're having. It's also unlikely you have a cable problem unless a cable change was made very recently. Coax from years ago is still a CAT 5 equivalent in terms of signal integrity and can still provide an excellent signal medium.

When you get a satellite picture scrambled by weather, it's not actually ice or snow directly affecting your equipment, it's really atmospheric interference causing a break up in the signal well before it gets to your LNBs. A weather disrupted signal will typically show pixelation or tiny squares of distortion on the screen. Then, you can lose the signal altogether for some time period depending on how long the storm screws up the atmosphere through which your signal is traveling.

As others have suggested, as long as no one has messed with any of the cable connections recently (like since you had a good picture), then I'd reset the box. You can call tech support, but if it's due to atmospheric storms, you're going to have to ride it out.

I would definitely NOT attempt to clean off the dish or LNBs. That's not your problem and the satellite system functions even when these parts are wet or have snow accumulated on them.