As of today, the slow guide and channel changing problems have not been fixed. And if past receivers with the same problems are any indication, they may never get fixed.

D* subscriber since 1995....

hi:
OK I've read every page and now have some initial questions. I'd rather do this then go out and snowblow 10" of snow out there. Plz bear with me because my head is spinning. Took me 3 days to read all this stuff.

Again, I'm getting the 5 LNB and H20 thru Verizon bundled services. Just a note, I have Verizon phone service 22 hrs and its out already. Had RCN for 2 years no problems. Oye.

#1. How long does it take to get the $200 rebate check approx?
#2. If I put a fan on the H20 do you want to pull air AWAY or INTO the unit?

#3. I have had RCN cable (new house) for 2 years. The underground cable comes up in the drive near the electric meter and phone interface and then attaches into an RG6Quad4 cable and goes into the basement. From there I have 2 splitters going into various rooms of the house all using RG6QUAD4 cable.

I have read about the install nightmares so what do I need to prepare myself for a possibly inexperienced installer (plus I know jackSquat right now myself) and the cabling. DO (can) I use a multiswitch, do I need a Zinwell WB68. I don't even know if the wires from the dish go directly to the H20 or do they go down into the basement and then get routed using my existing RG6 cable. Sorry for the newbie questions but I'll be reporting and contributing to this thread once I'm up and running. Just want to get the initial install done correctly! REGARDS...

hi:
OK I've read every page and now have some initial questions. I'd rather do this then go out and snowblow 10" of snow out there. Plz bear with me because my head is spinning. Took me 3 days to read all this stuff.

Again, I'm getting the 5 LNB and H20 thru Verizon bundled services. Just a note, I have Verizon phone service 22 hrs and its out already. Had RCN for 2 years no problems. Oye.

#1. How long does it take to get the $200 rebate check approx?
#2. If I put a fan on the H20 do you want to pull air AWAY or INTO the unit?

#3. I have had RCN cable (new house) for 2 years. The underground cable comes up in the drive near the electric meter and phone interface and then attaches into an RG6Quad4 cable and goes into the basement. From there I have 2 splitters going into various rooms of the house all using RG6QUAD4 cable.

I have read about the install nightmares so what do I need to prepare myself for a possibly inexperienced installer (plus I know jackSquat right now myself) and the cabling. DO (can) I use a multiswitch, do I need a Zinwell WB68. I don't even know if the wires from the dish go directly to the H20 or do they go down into the basement and then get routed using my existing RG6 cable. Sorry for the newbie questions but I'll be reporting and contributing to this thread once I'm up and running. Just want to get the initial install done correctly! REGARDS...
#1. 6-8 weeks like it says. Many subs have reported not ever getting it back, so they called customer support and got it credited to their account.
2#. Don't know but generally you want to blow in.
3#. What will probably work best is to run the 4 cables from the dish into your basement and connect them to the cables you have run from there. Just so you know you cannot use a splitter on a D* feed. If you need more than 4 lines you will need the WB68 multiswitch. It can be installed in your basement right where the splitters are now. The installer should have one with him when he shows up if you are installing more than 4 receivers. If you aren't installing 5 or more you can purchase the WB68 later when you add on. If you have TV lines run to more than 4 rooms and want to move receivers from time to time you just switch the cable in the basement as needed. And just to emphasize, never ever put a splitter on a D* feed.

hi:
...
#2. If I put a fan on the H20 do you want to pull air AWAY or INTO the unit?
...

You shouldn't need a fan on the H20. Mine runs at normal temp for an electronic component. I have read elsewhere that some early H20 boxes may have had power supply problems. They ran hot and D* has swapped them out with replacements that have been warm only.

Dana

How many receivers will you have?

The H20 shouldn't need a fan. If yours does, then the box needs replacement.

The rebate check for me came almost exactly 4 weeks from the day I sent it in.

arxaw & bitemymac,
Thanks for the info. I was afraid it would be output at 1920x1080i (as it is on my HDTiVo's). Oh well.
Thanks,
JoshG

Native setting will output the same resolution the channel is being sent in.
For 1080i OTA locals (w/ antenna), native is usually 1920x1080i (2073600 pixels).
For 1080i HD Lite on D* native is usually 1280x1080i (1,382,400 pixels).

These resolutions may be better or worse than what your display is capable of displaying.

...
#2. If I put a fan on the H20 do you want to pull air AWAY or INTO the unit?...
The reason you feel heat at the top is because you have two heat producing components, a power supply at the left and two CPU heat sinks in the center-right. There are no fans in the H20 itself. The heat sinks are very similiar to what you see in a computer. They are large and use vertical vanes. If one insists installing a fan, I'd suggest using a CPU fan that attaches to a CPU heat sink, similarly to this:

http://www.stsi.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?page=STSI_4/PROD/CPUHeatSinksFans/26712S

The CPU heat sinks are doing their job, but the thermal flow goes straight up, through the top vents. You feel heat. I don't think anything needs to be done.

Just don't place anything on top of the top vents.

#1. 6-8 weeks like it says. Many subs have reported not ever getting it back, so they called customer support and got it credited to their account.
2#. Don't know but generally you want to blow in.
3#. What will probably work best is to run the 4 cables from the dish into your basement and connect them to the cables you have run from there. Just so you know you cannot use a splitter on a D* feed. If you need more than 4 lines you will need the WB68 multiswitch. It can be installed in your basement right where the splitters are now. The installer should have one with him when he shows up if you are installing more than 4 receivers. If you aren't installing 5 or more you can purchase the WB68 later when you add on. If you have TV lines run to more than 4 rooms and want to move receivers from time to time you just switch the cable in the basement as needed. And just to emphasize, never ever put a splitter on a D* feed.

hey 66stang351 and everyone who responded to my post thank you so much. OK no splitters on a D* feed. I'm still a little confused. Initially I will have the H20 and 1 SD receiver. In the future I'll move the SD receiver to a spare bedroom and get the new mpeg4 DVR or whatever I choose down the road.

So the most I'll ever have here is 2 receivers and a DVR. So when the installer comes I should have him run the 4 cables from th AT9 down the basement and then to a multiswitch or a WB68 since I can't use my existing splitters that I used for cable????

For 2 receivers and a DVR 4 lines are all you need so no multiswitch required. The installer will run 4 lines from the dish, one will connect to one receiver, the next will connect to the other receiver, and the other 2 will be ready for your future DVR.

For 2 receivers and a DVR 4 lines are all you need so no multiswitch required. The installer will run 4 lines from the dish, one will connect to one receiver, the next will connect to the other receiver, and the other 2 will be ready for your future DVR.

Ok I get it, but that means I will have all new cables running down my siding etc? I know I can't get away with the initial 4 cables coming from the AT9.

Hopefully you mean they are going to run the 4 cables into the basement to my panel where my existing splitters (i guess they're known as Diplexer's) are? The "outs" of these devices have RG6QUAD cable going to 6 rooms in my home. Isn't that where they should put some type of multiswitcher???

Are you saying they are going to run all new cabling to each receiver (isn't that known as a home run). I CERTAINLY HOPE NOT!

Yes, they should just run the 4 cables into your basement, remove the splitters and hook up directly to the runs going to the rooms. You said 6 rooms but ony 3 recievers (counting the DVR) To move the recevers from room to room you will need to change connections in your basement or go ahead and get the multiswitch.

I have always done my own installs so I have never had to deal with an installer, but one concern I could se is they might not want to use your cable. Hopefully that wont be the case.

Yes, they should just run the 4 cables into your basement, remove the splitters and hook up directly to the runs going to the rooms. You said 6 rooms but ony 3 recievers (counting the DVR) To move the recevers from room to room you will need to change connections in your basement or go ahead and get the multiswitch.

I have always done my own installs so I have never had to deal with an installer, but one concern I could se is they might not want to use your cable. Hopefully that wont be the case.

Ok cool. You said, "remove the splitters and hook up directly to the runs going to the rooms". How do they do that? What device do they use? Can I assume its a multiswitcher?

Lastly I can't see why they wouldn't want to use my existing cabling. The house is only 2 years old and its RG6QUAD4 wire. I think this should bring a smile to any installers face cause he has a lot less work. Agreed??

Regards...

hi:

Does anyone have a link for the H20 $200 rebate so I can print it out? Thanks much...

longrider is correct. You won't need a multiswitch.

There are 4 coax connectors on the dish; enough to serve 4 D* tuners. Each connector will have one coax connected to it running directly to a D* tuner. A 2-tuner DVR needs TWO separate coax runs to it - one for each tuner.

IOW, you can't just run one line from the dish into the house and split it off to all the different receivers. Each tuner requires its own seperate coax, all the way to the dish.

If the installer can run the 4 coaxes to a distribution point for all your other coax runs, he can reuse the house coax cables. If it's only cable is daisy-chained to several outlets, he can't use it.

H20 rebate form is available in .pdf format at value electronics web site. That's the one I printed out and used to get my rebate.

Ok cool. You said, "remove the splitters and hook up directly to the runs going to the rooms". How do they do that? What device do they use? Can I assume its a multiswitcher?

Regards...

Ron,

No multiswitch is required. They will simply put a splice between each of the 4 cable runs from the dish to 4 of the runs (whichever of the 6 you choose) going to the rooms you want the receivers in. However, it sounds like you have 6 runs now to 6 separate rooms. For your future DVR, you will need two runs to the room with the DVR, so you may ask the installer to drop a second line to that room, or just wait until you order and have the DVR installed.

And the splice is done with simple F connectors. Something like this
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?CAT=Wire%20Management&PROD=WMF81PK

longrider is correct. You won't need a multiswitch.

There are 4 coax connectors on the dish; enough to serve 4 D* tuners. Each connector will have one coax connected to it running directly to a D* tuner. A 2-tuner DVR needs TWO separate coax runs to it - one for each tuner.

IOW, you can't just run one line from the dish into the house and split it off to all the different receivers. Each tuner requires its own seperate coax, all the way to the dish.

If the installer can run the 4 coaxes to a distribution point for all your other coax runs, he can reuse the house coax cables. If it's only cable is daisy-chained to several outlets, he can't use it.

H20 rebate form is available in .pdf format at value electronics web site. That's the one I printed out and used to get my rebate.

Hi:
Thanks for reply. Ok then wouldn't a multiswitch eliminate all that extra wiring. I have separate RG6 cables coming from 6 individual outlets in 6 different rooms. They all end at a panel mounted onto my basement wall and are all labeled.

Can't they bring the 4 leads from the AT9 onto that panel and then use something to "branch" out to each room? AM I MISSING SOMETHING HERE??

I understand that if I get a DVR in the future I will need an extra line to that room cause it has 2 tuners.
REGARDS...

Yesterday I lost all my OTA channels. I didn't change anything and they were all getting zero signal. Today I did a reset and they came back. Anyone know what happened?

Thanks in advance...........Jay

Hi:
....

Can't they bring the 4 leads from the AT9 onto that panel and then use something to "branch" out to each room? AM I MISSING SOMETHING HERE??
....
REGARDS...

You need a seperate cable from the sattelite for each signal. One per receiver and two for a receiver/dvr

Have 2 new H20 reeivers, both having original software. How can I get the H20 to download the latest version? With the old H10-250, could get the DVR to dial in and download the new version. Can't find a way to do that with the H20.

Have 2 new H20 reeivers, both having original software. How can I get the H20 to download the latest version? With the old H10-250, could get the DVR to dial in and download the new version. Can't find a way to do that with the H20.

With my two they just started downloading almost automatically. I do have them connected to the phone. I never had my previous receivers connected to the phone. I thought I saw a thread here about having them connected to the phone for downloading. Try connecting to the phone if you dont have them connected already. Its took a few minutes for the download so it must have been dial-up via telephone.

To load new software immediately. Push red reset button near access card slot; when hello screen appears punch 0,2,4,6,8 on remote and new software is loaded

To load new software immediately. Push red reset button near access card slot; when hello screen appears punch 0,2,4,6,8 on remote and new software is loaded


Really?? Cool!

To load new software immediately. Push red reset button near access card slot; when hello screen appears punch 0,2,4,6,8 on remote and new software is loaded

Wow..... this did the trick, but does it force upgrade even if you have the newest software?... I tried doing it again the second time and it went through the same process to the same version.

what's the latest verson of software we're supposed to have?... release date? On mine it's version 0F03 with 12/22/05 date.

BTW, does reseting the H20 box falls back to the original software that came with the box or does it keep the latest version that was updated to?....

it just forces the latest software to be downloaded. The latest is 0F03 although I read rumors that this week there would be an update?

Hi:
Thanks for reply. Ok then wouldn't a multiswitch eliminate all that extra wiring. I have separate RG6 cables coming from 6 individual outlets in 6 different rooms. They all end at a panel mounted onto my basement wall and are all labeled.

Can't they bring the 4 leads from the AT9 onto that panel and then use something to "branch" out to each room? AM I MISSING SOMETHING HERE??

I understand that if I get a DVR in the future I will need an extra line to that room cause it has 2 tuners.
REGARDS...
Yes, they can bring the 4 lines from the dish down to your distribution center. What they will use there is just a bulkhead fitting and connect the lines from the dish directly to the lines going to your receivers. Or you can buy a switch and connect everything up thru it. But for 3 receivers including DVR you won't need the switch just 4 $0.25 bulkhead fittings to connect the cables together. If you do this you can only connect 4 lines at a time. If you buy a switch then you can connect 8 lines up. I know it is hard to get a clear picture sometimes when reading it on a forum but if you have any questions after this go ahead and pm me and I will try to clarify.

... I thought I saw a thread here about having them connected to the phone for downloading. Try connecting to the phone if you dont have them connected already. Its took a few minutes for the download so it must have been dial-up via telephone.
Nothing is ever downloaded to the H20 over a phone line. All firmware updates and programming guides are downloaded via satellite. All the phone line is for is for uploading billing information to D*, like PPVs you've ordered, etc.

In theory the phone line rule is also supposed to ensure that all your boxes are located in the same house. But they don't enforce the phone line rule, probably for fear of running off customers that no longer have a landline.

Most of the references to the phone line in the H20 user manual are for the most part, B S....

Thanks guys - will give the red button a try in the morning.

Any chance the H20 has a single line channel banner for scrolling guide data (see what’s on other channels on a single line of guide while still watching full screen TV) #1 feature of my favorite all time receivers the Hughes boxes, could pull up a single line of guide to scroll what’s on their channels while still watching full screen TV – no better5 way to browse, I'm very critical of interface and it sounds like the H20 interface stinks. I guess these days I have no other options. Ill bet those old models made by Hughes and zenith and RCA may become valuable!

I've noticed whenever I run my microwave my H20 loses the picture while my HR 10-250 is fine, any idea why this happens? :eek:

Any chance the H20 has a single line channel banner for scrolling guide data (see what’s on other channels on a single line of guide while still watching full screen TV)

Blue button.

I've noticed whenever I run my microwave my H20 loses the picture while my HR 10-250 is fine, any idea why this happens? :eek:
Coax cable or coax connector is not shielding adequately. Microwave ovens, wireless thermometers, wireless phones have the potential of putting out some dirty noise.

hi:

Does anyone have a link for the H20 $200 rebate so I can print it out? Thanks much...

Sure try this link

http://www.directv.com/imagine/pdf/dvr_rebate_form.pdf

RSlack :)

mac man,
Is it on both satellite & OTA channels, or just OTA?
If OTA, is it only certain channels?

Yes, they can bring the 4 lines from the dish down to your distribution center. What they will use there is just a bulkhead fitting and connect the lines from the dish directly to the lines going to your receivers. Or you can buy a switch and connect everything up thru it. But for 3 receivers including DVR you won't need the switch just 4 $0.25 bulkhead fittings to connect the cables together. If you do this you can only connect 4 lines at a time. If you buy a switch then you can connect 8 lines up. I know it is hard to get a clear picture sometimes when reading it on a forum but if you have any questions after this go ahead and pm me and I will try to clarify.

hey stang:

thanks. Yes I now see what you mean. I just called D* installation 888 355-7530 to verify that Verizon got my order correct (they messed it up 2x before) and it is indeed correct. They even got me an earlier appt. for this thurs, 2/16. They said the guy will have a multiswitch so even though I dont need one I'll see if he'll part with it for future receivers etc. REGARDS

I've noticed something on my H20 that has happened the last week to 10 days. When I turn on my tv (H20 is always on,component in to my set) I get a darkened image on my set. If I change channels to say my off air local HD and back to Directv's feed once or twice,or vice versa, the image returns to normal brightness.
Not sure if it's my tv (Dell LCD) or the H20,but I'm thinking it's the receiver.
Any one else experience this?

Can I install a H20 and a stand alone DVR for one TV?

I've noticed something on my H20 that has happened the last week to 10 days. When I turn on my tv (H20 is always on,component in to my set) I get a darkened image on my set. If I change channels to say my off air local HD and back to Directv's feed once or twice,or vice versa, the image returns to normal brightness.
Not sure if it's my tv (Dell LCD) or the H20,but I'm thinking it's the receiver.
Any one else experience this?
I don't. It sounds like the H20, to me.

I only have Sat no OTA. It happens on all channels and only on my H20.

It sounds to me like it's time to replace that microwave!

Dana

My H20 performed a software upgrade during the pre-dawn hour. It is at version F06.

Guessing that it is bug fixes rather than feature fixes. I can't see any differences. Active button still doesn't work, for example.

I've lost my OTA, although I'm using only one station and they just flat might be off-air. I'll have to check on that after work.

My H20 performed a software upgrade during the pre-dawn hour. It is at version F06.

Guessing that it is bug fixes rather than feature fixes. I can't see any differences. Active button still doesn't work, for example.

I've lost my OTA, although I'm using only one station and they just flat might be off-air. I'll have to check on that after work.

Likewise on the download, however it seems the local OTA's are still working all OK here. FYI only.

For those who haven't checked, H20 firmware was sent down early this AM. I came down and found my H20 in standby. Odd, I thought. Powered it up and checked the SW version. Sure enough, it had taken an upgrade from 0F03 to 0F06.

No upgrade here. Still at 0F03. Rebooted and tried to force an update with the
0,2.4.6.8 code and no luck, no upgrade.

Same here. Nada.

I did the red button>starting up>02468 thing and the box hung on 97% download, and has been there for 10 minutes. Hmm, not sure what to do now.....

Anyone else have the H20 hang at the end of the DL?

I did the red button>starting up>02468 thing and the box hung on 97% download, and has been there for 10 minutes. Hmm, not sure what to do now.....

Anyone else have the H20 hang at the end of the DL?

I never saw the download. I just got a totally screwed up screen. Pixelated. After quite a while, I got pictures again. But the firmware stayed the same. :(

Dana

My download finally finished.

The menu seems a tad bit faster, but channel changes are still slow, compared to other HD receivers I've had. Other than that, I couldn't tell any difference. I also lost a couple of local OTA chs from my fav list, but re-adding them to favs fixed that.

I did the red button>starting up>02468 thing and the box hung on 97% download, and has been there for 10 minutes. Hmm, not sure what to do now.....
It isn't hanging... just that at 97 or so, it will do its thing. I can only guess that it spends a good amount of time downloading, then running the updater. I think the updater starts running at 97, or perhaps it is doing an error check after the install.

Anyway, it isn't hung. Just get up and do something else. Watching two pots of water come to a boil would be faster and probably more entertaining. :D

I did the red button>starting up>02468 thing and the box hung on 97% download, and has been there for 10 minutes. Hmm, not sure what to do now.....

Anyone else have the H20 hang at the end of the DL?
It does that sometimes. I had initial problems with loading new software and it can hang on 97% for a while. It should have moved on by now

I manually tried to load the new firmware, but it only re-loaded 0F03 on both of my boxes.

Well we can all stop guessing what the software download did. it fixed the pixellating on HD locals in MPEG 4 when scenes changed.
That is it!!!! No more, no less.
Nothing else was affected.
Level 2 tech informed me of this fact and did say that some feature downloads would be coming, but did not say when.
So please stop saying that guides are moving faster or this has changed

I manually tried to load the new firmware, but it only re-loaded 0F03 on both of my boxes.
Call level 2 support and they will help you!!

spoke to level 2 support - here is the deal. the automatic firmware uppdate was only sent to 3 markets last night - Atlanta, Houston, and Tampa. I was told the NY download will be sent down Feb 21.

they told me that I could continue to try and manually get it, but until their engineering dept puts it on the NY beam it probably won't be available. I did not ask about any other markets.

Well we can all stop guessing what the software download did. it fixed the pixellating on HD locals in MPEG 4 when scenes changed.
That is it!!!! No more, no less.
Nothing else was affected.
Level 2 tech informed me of this fact and did say that some feature downloads would be coming, but did not say when.
So please stop saying that guides are moving faster or this has changed

Well to me, the guide does seem to be slightly faster when paging down or moving around in it. I wish they could do something about the slow channel tuning.....

Well to me, the guide does seem to be slightly faster when paging down or moving around in it. I wish they could do something about the slow channel tuning.....

use the littel blue button on the remote to bring up the line menu. it's very fast, plus you can still watch your program. a great fix.

What will the "new" D* equipment leasing plan really mean?

On the equipment that I currently own, they (obviously?) won't start charging a lease fee for it, right?

After some thought, it seemed to me like it would be a real shame not to get the H20 / AT9 since the rebate means the equipment is basically free (other than the $14.95 handling fee). Or, am I missing something? :cool:

Then, after March 1st, under the new "equipment leasing scheme" --- if a D* receiver that I own dies, instead of having to purchase a new receiver --- they will instead give me a replacement at no charge and instead charge a monthly lease fee? Kind of like Comcast does???

Right now my installation for the HD stuff is scheduled for 2/27... I've crossed my fingers. :D

Y'all, just noticed an issue with the local Houston Fox channel (via DirecTV, not OTA). I'm getting a light red shadow that lags behind any moving object. If an object moves right, about 1/4 second, the light red shadow moves right.

This isn't noticeable at first, until there is movement.

I need to know if this is my H20 or if KRIV is having issues. If anyone with Houston access can check this out, using the H20.....

Y'all, just noticed an issue with the local Houston Fox channel (via DirecTV, not OTA). I'm getting a light red shadow that lags behind any moving object. If an object moves right, about 1/4 second, the light red shadow moves right.

This isn't noticeable at first, until there is movement.

I need to know if this is my H20 or if KRIV is having issues. If anyone with Houston access can check this out, using the H20.....

I'm seeing it too in Cypress. It's pretty bad.

I'm seeing it too in Cypress. It's pretty bad.Ok, thanks. That is what is so great about the internet---isolating trouble issues. No way this could have been isolated without this group.

I appreciate the input...

TechoFobe: If you are a current customer, the Leasing Fees are waived on the first STB. If you have another STB you would still pay the mirror fee.

Here is a link: http://forums.digitalinsurrection.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=179785

TechoFobe: If you are a current customer, the Leasing Fees are waived on the first STB. If you have another STB you would still pay the mirror fee.

Here is a link: http://forums.digitalinsurrection.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=179785

Thanks for that link. I have more than one STB now, and pay the $4.99/month on each additional box. Do you mean that after March 1st, people buying new equipment that have 2+ set top boxes will pay the lease fee PLUS the mirroring fee on the subsequent boxes?

I am presently waiting to have a D* HD receiver (that I will own) installed in a couple of weeks. I wonder if there will be a mirroring fee in addition to the $14.95 monthly HD fee?

For those who haven't checked, H20 firmware was sent down early this AM. I came down and found my H20 in standby. Odd, I thought. Powered it up and checked the SW version. Sure enough, it had taken an upgrade from 0F03 to 0F06.


Mine is still 0F03 a/o 6:45pm EST

MFG 600

Future upgrade Not Scheduled

Maybe the new firmware is for only certain S/N's units China as opposed to Korea maybe!?!

Ken,

Read post 1304 above. "Spoke to level 2 support - here is the deal. the automatic firmware uppdate was only sent to 3 markets last night - Atlanta, Houston, and Tampa. I was told the NY download will be sent down Feb 21.

"They told me that I could continue to try and manually get it, but until their engineering sept puts it on the NY beam it probably won't be available. I did not ask about any other markets."

Love your logo. GO PATS!!!

Dana

spoke to level 2 support - here is the deal. the automatic firmware uppdate was only sent to 3 markets last night - Atlanta, Houston, and Tampa. I was told the NY download will be sent down Feb 21.

they told me that I could continue to try and manually get it, but until their engineering sept puts it on the NY beam it probably won't be available. I did not ask about any other markets.


Ah! Thanks dribonbi :)

spoke to level 2 support - here is the deal. the automatic firmware uppdate was only sent to 3 markets last night - Atlanta, Houston, and Tampa. I was told the NY download will be sent down Feb 21.

they told me that I could continue to try and manually get it, but until their engineering sept puts it on the NY beam it probably won't be available. I did not ask about any other markets.

I didn't have my H20 connected to a phone line last night. How do I manually begin the software download? I'm in the Houston DMA. Thanks in advance!

phone connection has NOTHING to do with getting update. Have you checked your current software version?

Thanks for that link. I have more than one STB now, and pay the $4.99/month on each additional box. Do you mean that after March 1st, people buying new equipment that have 2+ set top boxes will pay the lease fee PLUS the mirroring fee on the subsequent boxes?The leasing fee is replacing the mirroring fee for new customers. New customers will *not* pay a lease fee for the first receiver. New customers will pay a lease fee on each add'l receiver.

Existing customers who own their equipment will continue to pay the same fees as they do now. If existing custs. add or replace a defective box in the future, it will be leased from D*, not purchased and that account will be considered a "mixed" household.

After March1, all new subscribers' equipment will be owned by D* and must be returned to them if you disconnect. That's probably one reason they made the H20 unuseable for OTA without a sat subscription - to make it worthless to you if you didn't return it when your lease terminates.

More info at:
http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?p=449256

Well we can all stop guessing what the software download did. it fixed the pixellating on HD locals in MPEG 4 when scenes changed....
And, I have noticed perfect sync with audio and video, at least tonight (Feb 14). Olympics on NBC are really looking good. Going through DirecTV via Houston NBC.

Well we can all stop guessing what the software download did. it fixed the pixellating on HD locals in MPEG 4 when scenes changed....
And, I have noticed perfect sync with audio and video, at least tonight (Feb 14). Olympics on NBC are really looking good. Going through DirecTV via Houston NBC.

phone connection has NOTHING to do with getting update. Have you checked your current software version?

Thanks for the info. I thought that since the HD Tivo made 'daily calls' that I needed to have my H20 connected to a phone line to receive new info too. I manually began the download and everything is fine now.

Y'all, just noticed an issue with the local Houston Fox channel (via DirecTV, not OTA). I'm getting a light red shadow that lags behind any moving object. If an object moves right, about 1/4 second, the light red shadow moves right.

This isn't noticeable at first, until there is movement.

I need to know if this is my H20 or if KRIV is having issues. If anyone with Houston access can check this out, using the H20.....

I noticed the same thing earlier this evening and the problem is still there.

....I noticed the same thing earlier this evening and the problem is still there.
Howdy, neighbor!!!
Yeah, it bugged me watching HOUSE in non-HDTV. :rolleyes: This thing with the local Fox has been going since about Saturday, I think.

I finally got my H20 yesterday. It's much better than I thought. The installers were goofs. The dish was certainly bigger than I thought it would be but we hacked it in anyway. So far, so good. The remote could be more intuitive.

I got all excited this weekend when the DirecTV website told me I could finally get my locals in HD. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado, so I'm in the Denver market. I entered my zip in the little form on their site and it says "Yes, your local channels are available." I called up DTV and they say (after transferring me around 5 times) nope, your locals are not available yet. :( Booo. Apparently, Denver will not be online until May. Guess I have a few more months to wait.

After that, I started wrangling with her about the upgrade price. After all the stories I read here, I thought I would push for "free". The best I could manage though is $49. That's for the install of the 5 LNB dish and the dish itself. I have to go get the receiver at my local electronics store and do the rebate thing to get that for free (by the end of Feb). They wanted $99 for the receiver and the install -and- they wanted to take my old HD receiver.

Getting antsy,

Derek Lukasik

Even $50 isn't bad, though, install and dish. Just the dish's retail price is in excess of $100.00. I guess that is the way I would look at it.

...This thing with the local Fox has been going since about Saturday, I think.
OK... Fox is back. Network Fox HDTV looks great now in my area from the Bryan/CS station.

I am apparently inexperienced with HDTV and the local stations. I have been reading elsewhere on the avsforum just how unpredictable HDTV is, even over antenna setups.

Much of what we are seeing on DirecTV could easily be a local station issue.

... Much of what we are seeing on DirecTV could easily be a local station issue.That's one of the reasons I prefer getting locals OTA with an antenna, than from D* or cable. It eliminates a big potential source of trouble.

anyone seeing pixelation when the screen is moving?

anyone seeing pixelation when the screen is moving?

TNT Hd guide data. I checked the box this morning and TNT hD was on channel 75 ,but no details of programs. I have it own my Samsung TS-160.
What gives with the H20?
Anyone else missing data?
This was at 8 am EST
Thanks

TNT Hd guide data. I checked the box this morning and TNT hD was on channel 75 ,but no details of programs. I have it own my Samsung TS-160.
What gives with the H20?
Anyone else missing data?
This was at 8 am EST
Thanks

YES! After reading your post I hit the RED BUTTON and after it rebooted all was well. I'll check the 360's later, too bad they did not have it lit up yesterday for the NASCAR race, o'well the TiVo SD recording looked mostly OK on a 10" portable DVD player. WOW! a fix for HD-Lite......... er D* SD, whatever. :D

Was any data lost when you did the reset ? Are you aware that new channels do not automatically appear in favorites guide?
They must be added manually.
Samsung automatically adds all new channels.
I do prefer it over the H20

yes samsung adds the new channels, but its receptros are better than others
What are receptros?
I had never heard of that term
Thanks

TNT in HDTV... Goodness, life is getting good.

Increasingly, I'm viewing only channels between 70 and 100 !!!! Now, if they'd get History, Travel, Learning on HD, in this area, I think life would be perfect.

I have had DirecTV since 1995 and this has been the most fun I've had with viewing since I subscribed in the beginning.

One negative with TNT... on my TV, which is still just an analog, I'm getting a "squatty" image on SOME of the TNT programming, even when it has its perfectly-circled logo. IN other words, the TNT logo circle is perfect, but SOME of the programming is squatted behind the perfectly encircled logo. Haven't experienced this with the other HDTV channels. Law and Order is perfect right now, for example.

One negative with TNT... on my TV, which is still just an analog, I'm getting a "squatty" image on SOME of the TNT programming, even when it has its perfectly-circled logo. IN other words, the TNT logo circle is perfect, but SOME of the programming is squatted behind the perfectly encircled logo. Haven't experienced this with the other HDTV channels. Law and Order is perfect right now, for example.
TNT-HD uses a non-linear stretch mode on material that is not native HD, or that they don't have the HD version of, it's not real pretty but I guess they figure it looks better than pillarboxed.

TNT-HD uses a non-linear stretch mode on material that is not native HD, or that they don't have the HD version of, it's not real pretty but I guess they figure it looks better than pillarboxed.
I don't like that at all. I sure hope this isn't typical as more HDTV channels are added. I'm new with the HDTV stuff and really hope this isn't typical.

I don't like that at all. I sure hope this isn't typical as more HDTV channels are added. I'm new with the HDTV stuff and really hope this isn't typical.
They're the only ones who do it IIRC, ESPN-HD used to do it in earlier days but don't anymore. All the HD channels I can think of at the moment pillarbox when the content isn't 16x9.

I've been having pixelation problems since the 'upgrade' to a 5 LNB and H20 setup. Not just the locals but on Channel 72 (ESPN2 HD) and Channel 79 (HDNET) just started acting up. I had 6 visits from techs and the last one who was over claimed that it's an engineering problem. I notified D* of this and they claim that channels 72 and 79 cannot be an engineering problem. They will send out a tech for a 7th time next weekend. I am on my 3rd H20 receiver and went through a couple of 6x8 switches and even had a straight up 4x4 connector installed. Dish was readjusted on the 2nd visit. Does anyone else have problems with pixelation on channels 72 and 79 and did you get it corrected?

...Does anyone else have problems with pixelation on channels 72 and 79 and did you get it corrected?
Only very occasionaly have I had that on any of the channels in that area. In the past couple of weeks, perhaps five times and that was for a very brief period. Certainly not more than any interruption on older analog channels.

However, I am using a ten year old Sony analog TV. I'll betcha digital communications from the sat receiver to an unhappy digital HDTV monitor could cause some issues. I'm wondering if that is your problem? Obviously, I'm just guessing and speculating.

They're the only ones who do it IIRC, ESPN-HD used to do it in earlier days but don't anymore. All the HD channels I can think of at the moment pillarbox when the content isn't 16:9.
The pillarbox is just fine by me. Thanks for clarifying that. At least on my old tv, I can select CROP and I get the old 4:3, but it is geometrically correct, and even on my old television, the image is far better than what I had prior to my H20.

They're the only ones who do it IIRC, ESPN-HD used to do it in earlier days but don't anymore. All the HD channels I can think of at the moment pillarbox when the content isn't 16x9.
Yes. ESPN-HD did that initially and it was awful. Thank god they quit. If the viewer wants to watch oblong circles and stretched people, let them stretch the picture with their own TV's aspect control. If the station does some halfassed stretch, there's no way for the viewer to fix it.

Had to do a rest on mine also to obtain detailed guide info on programs.
Did anyone not have to do a reset?

Had to do a rest on mine also to obtain detailed guide info on programs.
Did anyone not have to do a reset?
I didn't reset my samsung 360and the guide data is there. I just turned it on though so it had a while to figure itself out.

Yes. ESPN-HD did that initially and it was awful. Thank god they quit. If the viewer wants to watch oblong circles and stretched people, let them stretch the picture with their own TV's aspect control. If the station does some halfassed stretch, there's no way for the viewer to fix it.
I don't think I can get used to it. They did a special on Houston Rocket's Yao Ming and it was so distorted I just griped the entire time watching it. Finally, I switched over to TNT's regular channel. Stretching a 4:3 program as they did was terrible. This is the only channel that does this to me with my combination. All the other channels have worked perfectly with the display geometrics.

For what it is worth, I just wrote a letter to TNT. HEH! As if that has an effect on them.

Had to do a rest on mine also to obtain detailed guide info on programs.
Did anyone not have to do a reset?

I had to do a reset of my H20 here to get the Guide info. This time I did the reset by using the Menu option, i.e., a software reset. Seemed to work better for me than the red button.

Dana

I am having trouble setting up my H20, if I unplug power and antenna and re-connect, it will go through the setup process and acquire the signal. Once I change the channel it starts the setup all over again. Then before the signal is acquired 100% it starts all over again. Anyone know whats wrong or if I can fix this. If not, its back to the store for a new one.

Was any data lost when you did the reset ? Are you aware that new channels do not automatically appear in favorites guide?
They must be added manually.
Samsung automatically adds all new channels.
I do prefer it over the H20

As I don't use "favorites" I have no idea if anything was LOST tm. ;)

Seems both my 360's did just nice also on their own. :)

Swings both ways here, both have features the other does not, don't understand why they leave you to bay on the features sets? :eek:

I did notice all the D* HD channels went down about 4 AM CST for a while, they may be doing adjustments? :confused:

... This is the only channel that does this to me with my combination. All the other channels have worked perfectly with the display geometrics.

For what it is worth, I just wrote a letter to TNT...

Email or snail mail? Address?

I got all excited this weekend when the DirecTV website told me I could finally get my locals in HD. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado, so I'm in the Denver market. I entered my zip in the little form on their site and it says "Yes, your local channels are available." I called up DTV and they say (after transferring me around 5 times) nope, your locals are not available yet. :( Booo. Apparently, Denver will not be online until May. Guess I have a few more months to wait.

After that, I started wrangling with her about the upgrade price. After all the stories I read here, I thought I would push for "free". The best I could manage though is $49. That's for the install of the 5 LNB dish and the dish itself. I have to go get the receiver at my local electronics store and do the rebate thing to get that for free (by the end of Feb). They wanted $99 for the receiver and the install -and- they wanted to take my old HD receiver.

Getting antsy,

Derek Lukasik

Derek,

I'm in the same boat as you. Let me know what you elect to do. Did you look for the receiver at BB?

I think Dish will have Local HDs for Denver in March. Perhaps this will force D* to move up the May date.

I really don't want to give up my existing Sony HD200 receiver - would want to use it in an other room.

I also want the HD PVR - and that won't be available till this summer.

Reggie

... Are you aware that new channels do not automatically appear in [the H20's] favorites guide?
They must be added manually.
Samsung automatically adds all new channels.

I also noticed they have to be manually added to a FAV list in the H20. I actually prefer that though, because in the past, D* would remove/re-add some of the shopping channels to the guide, and they would repeatedly show up in my Samsung's favorites after I had removed them. Blocking the channels helped sometimes, but not always.

So far, the H20 has not re-added any stoopid shopping channels to my FAVs.

So I guess this peculiarity is either a bug or a feature, depending on the way you look at it.

Pros:
H20 Picture Quality is outstanding, slightly better then my Sony HD-300.
H20 Does have a better OTA tuner. We are able to receive more stations
and didn't have to upgrade the outside antenna.
H20 has a nice feature to manually set programs to Autotune on Daily, M-F, Weekly timeframe, just like the old Sony A3 did.


Cons:
Slow menu speed.
Having to hit guide button twice or guide/select to get to the guide. This is a
waste of everyone's time. Directv should add a setting in the setup to turn off / on this filter!
Receiver will reboot if you click on a previous autotune event with no title.
Receiver won't turn on to start an Autotune event if you turn the receiver off ( red light on ) but plugged in. Receiver must always be on. That's just stupid!
Some channels set in Favorites will disappear when Directv is adding/removing channels. You have go back into favorites and manually add back in. This is another waste of everyone's time!
Receiver needed to be rebooted when TNTHD was added to get guide info.
Guide needs to show 2 hours of info not 1.5 hrs.
PIP in guide needs to larger.

The best guides are still the Sony HD300/LG3200A/HTL-HD! Directv should have used those guides ( GUI ) in the H20.

Email or snail mail? Address?
Picked it up from the website: tnt@turner.com

So generic that probably no one at Turner will read it, but at least it is a start. Here's my letter:

----------
Hello... I have been positively excited about TNT appearing on channel 75 on DirecTV HDTV.

High definition programming is new for me and as soon as I read that channel 75 was being activated for TNT, I was delighted.

However........ there's always a however. Your geometrics on the 4:3 programming. Your station stretches 4:3 images horizontally to full wide-screen and it is terribly distorted. It is so objectionable to me that I tune to TNT's standard channel, which looks fine for 4:3 display. Obviously, your 16:9 programming looks perfect and I appreciate it.

I just wish you could let your 4:3 content remain 4:3. Let the viewer squash, stretch, crop the image. Let the viewer have control. It is soooo distorted as you are broadcasting this now.

Larry,

Ther is ongoing discussion of the TNT-HD channel's distortion of 4:3 programs at this thread> link (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=642101&page=29&pp=20)

There is ongoing discussion of the TNT-HD channel's distortion of 4:3 programs at this thread> link (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=642101&page=29&pp=20)
Fantastic info. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

H20 Remote and Mitsubishi 52725

Has anyone found which of the 5 codes provided for programming the remote works with the "TV Input" function? I found a code which allows me to bring up the Device Manager, and I can move from one icon to the next, but the Select button doesn't work; i.e., it won't change from one device to another.

Also, if you have "Native" turned on, do you get the error message from the TV saying that your component connection may not be on every time it changes between 780p and 1080i?
does this error message go away (or not appear) when using the HDMI input?

H20 Remote and Mitsubishi 52725

Has anyone found which of the 5 codes provided for programming the remote works with the "TV Input" function? I found a code which allows me to bring up the Device Manager, and I can move from one icon to the next, but the Select button doesn't work; i.e., it won't change from one device to another.

Also, if you have "Native" turned on, do you get the error message from the TV saying that your component connection may not be on every time it changes between 780p and 1080i?
does this error message go away (or not appear) when using the HDMI input?

No error messege on HDMI. I've not tried native mode over component.

Does anyone know the code for the H20 to program a Panasonic TV remote?
Thanks for any help.

The codes are in the onscreen REMOTE setup menu. There's a wizard to walk you through the codes (and there are several to try for Panasonic TVs).

H20 Remote and Mitsubishi 52725

Has anyone found which of the 5 codes provided for programming the remote works with the "TV Input" function? I found a code which allows me to bring up the Device Manager, and I can move from one icon to the next, but the Select button doesn't work; i.e., it won't change from one device to another.
If the "960" code won't setup your input button on the H20 remote, it may not work with your TV. You'll need to get a different universal remote from a 3rd party co. Learning remotes are the most flexible.


Also, if you have "Native" turned on, do you get the error message from the TV saying that your component connection may not be on every time it changes between 780p and 1080i?
does this error message go away (or not appear) when using the HDMI input?
The H20 has an excellent scaler to convert everything to either 720p or 1080i. Most people are not using "Native" mode because the picture looks better using either 720p or 1080i for everything, depending on the display you have.

Try 720p or 1080i and use the one that looks best on your display, using your own eyes as the judge. Then, go back to setup - display - resolutions and turn off the other resolutions and turn off Native. Channel changes will be faster, and you won't get all those pop ups on the screen.

H20 Remote and Mitsubishi 52725

Has anyone found which of the 5 codes provided for programming the remote works with the "TV Input" function? I found a code which allows me to bring up the Device Manager, and I can move from one icon to the next, but the Select button doesn't work; i.e., it won't change from one device to another.

Also, if you have "Native" turned on, do you get the error message from the TV saying that your component connection may not be on every time it changes between 780p and 1080i?
does this error message go away (or not appear) when using the HDMI input?

Yes I got an error when in the 'Native' mode through the component connection when I change channels from one format to another. Once I got my HDMI cable hooked up I haven't seen the error anymore.

I appreciate the responses and explanations. Thanks!

I can not see any program guide information for 75 TNT-HD. How do I get my H20 to get an updated guide. Will it update by itself when D-TV send the guide on its own schedule? I have had the channel 75 since Feb 17th.

I can not see any program guide information for 75 TNT-HD. How do I get my H20 to get an updated guide. Will it update by itself when D-TV send the guide on its own schedule? I have had the channel 75 since Feb 17th.
Try resetting your receiver, that should do it.

If the red reset button doesn't fix the guide for TNT-HD, uplug the box for about 30 seconds and plug it back in. It will rebuild the guide, including TNT-HD.

My H20, since the 0F06 update, drops channels from my favorites. I go into the menu and edit by clicking on the channels (99 is most likely to do this, but also 78 and 79, among others). Guide is ok for a day. Next day, the guide has dropped one or two channels. Go into menu, re-add them, same thing next day. Anyone else have this? Tried rebooting, didn't matter.

H20 Remote and Mitsubishi 52725

Has anyone found which of the 5 codes provided for programming the remote works with the "TV Input" function? I found a code which allows me to bring up the Device Manager, and I can move from one icon to the next, but the Select button doesn't work; i.e., it won't change from one device to another.



I had the same problem with the H20 remote operating my Samsung DLP - could bring up the input selection screen and move between connections but the big yellow SELECT button wouldn't work. Then I tried the little enter button on the bottom right of the number pad. Try it and see if it works for you.

While I'm posting, would anyone happen to know the codes for the H20 remote to operate a Yamaha HTR 5650 receiver? All I want to do is control the volume with AV1 or AV2.

My H20, since the 0F06 update, drops channels from my favorites. I go into the menu and edit by clicking on the channels (99 is most likely to do this, but also 78 and 79, among others). Guide is ok for a day.That's weird... I have noticed that with only one channel: 101. But, 78 and 79 haven't disappeared on me.

My H20, since the 0F06 update, drops channels from my favorites. I go into the menu and edit by clicking on the channels (99 is most likely to do this, but also 78 and 79, among others). Guide is ok for a day. Next day, the guide has dropped one or two channels. Go into menu, re-add them, same thing next day. Anyone else have this? Tried rebooting, didn't matter.


Yes, this is also happening to me. I have 4 H20 receivers and what a pain in the
#*@.
I have sent an email to Directv management to get this fixed.

When did Directv start airing TNT-HD? (I was traveling for 10 days, but did not notice channel 75 on my H20). what other stations are going HD via directv? By the way, the local HD SUCKS!! Lip sync issues, picture freezes and video drops quite often. I read a possible software upgrade?

Can anyone recommend a reliable, professional DirecTV installation company
that serves Brooklyn, NY ? After placing my order last month, DirecTV assigned
Halsted Communications to do my 5 LNB dish/H20 box upgrade but Halsted
stood me up and is impossible to deal with in many ways.
I am willing to forgo the "free" so-called professional installation and pay somone
to do it, which is the way I have been doing it over the years. I want to make
sure the tech knows how to mount the larger/heavier 5 LNB dish on the roof
of a brownstone. My current oval HD dish is attached to the chimney.
DirecTV has canceled my order,at my request, and could not recommend any
other installers except to suggest checking with Best Buy or Circuit City. I
made a couple of calls and I am getting the impression that one or both
uses Halsted.....
In the meantime, I am thinking of going ahead and buying the H20
box (from Best Buy or Circuit) to take advantage of the rebate...and
then get the dish installed when I can get a recommendation for a
decent installer.
I can get my local HDTV channels from Time Warner Cable, which I also
subscribe to.

Thanks in advance.

I would check with www.********************* They are in Scarsdale NY and have been highly recommended. I have personally only made one purchase from them and was very satisfied but Robert is an active member of the forums here and I have read many good reports.

When did Directv start airing TNT-HD? (I was traveling for 10 days, but did not notice channel 75 on my H20). what other stations are going HD via directv? By the way, the local HD SUCKS!! Lip sync issues, picture freezes and video drops quite often. I read a possible software upgrade?
This is what happens when you miss a week or two... :D

TNT-HD added as Channel 75 on 2/17.
Local MPEG4 problems fixed (Houston, Atlanta, Tampa) via firmware update 0f06 2/14.
Local MPEG4 problem fixed (additional cities including Chicago and Philly) tentative firmware update 2/21 or 2/22

Yeah, I had a "dreadful" tradeshow/Vacation in Orlando,FL. It was HORRIBLE! Averaged 70 degrees,(the typical average is 73...so it was cold), had to watch a 27" Non-HD tv during the 12 free minutes I had everyday and take customers out to fancy dinners and the Family to Disney...all that walking and riding on rides!!! life SUCKS...LOL!

Thanks for the information. It's really cool to see the Olympics in HD on my 51" instead of that 27" SD.

I had the same problem with the H20 remote operating my Samsung DLP - could bring up the input selection screen and move between connections but the big yellow SELECT button wouldn't work. Then I tried the little enter button on the bottom right of the number pad. Try it and see if it works for you. .

Sometimes it works! And sometimes it doesn't! I'm wondering if I have to have the slide switch at the top set to "TV" for that little "enter" key to work. The "TV Input" key (which brings up the Device Manger) does work when the slide switch is on "DirecTV" or on "TV".

Can anyone recommend a reliable, professional DirecTV installation company
that serves Brooklyn, NY ? After placing my order last month, DirecTV assigned
Halsted Communications to do my 5 LNB dish/H20 box upgrade but Halsted
stood me up and is impossible to deal with in many ways.
I am willing to forgo the "free" so-called professional installation and pay somone
to do it, which is the way I have been doing it over the years. I want to make
sure the tech knows how to mount the larger/heavier 5 LNB dish on the roof
of a brownstone. My current oval HD dish is attached to the chimney.
DirecTV has canceled my order,at my request, and could not recommend any
other installers except to suggest checking with Best Buy or Circuit City. I
made a couple of calls and I am getting the impression that one or both
uses Halsted.....
In the meantime, I am thinking of going ahead and buying the H20
box (from Best Buy or Circuit) to take advantage of the rebate...and
then get the dish installed when I can get a recommendation for a
decent installer.
I can get my local HDTV channels from Time Warner Cable, which I also
subscribe to.

Thanks in advance.

hi:

I had Antenna King put up my old C band dish 18 years ago. They did an expert Install. That dish is still in operation with all the panels still intact. It is an Orbitron dish. I have moved out of Brooklyn 2 years ago. Now in Easton PA. Antenna King has been arond since the 60's when he just installed regular antenna pointed to the Empire State Building.

I would at least check them out because of the vast experience. Just a recommendation, hopefully they are still in business! REGARDS

hi:

Ok here's the deal. Friday D* came out and tech said good-bye to me. Can't get a signal because of trees. I called D* and they sent lead tech here this morning. He checked things out and in 5 minutes said the dish can go right there (in a perfect spot on my roof just where i want it). It took him 2 hours to do the entire install. AT9, H20, D10 and 1 monoblock.

My house is prewired with RG6Quad. I had him leave me about 100' of wire for a future DVR install. I have never had D* before so I will try and contribute as much as I can after I get my programming. I'm about to call them. I think he did a very neat job getting the wire behind a channel in my siding and then under the siding where it goes into the house. I had to do some fine tuning with silicone but so far very pleased. However, I haven't tried this thing out yet!

I read this entire thread last week so I have some insight into all the problems. The techs want to hit and run so he went thru the remotes real fast. I will play with them after I write this. I asked to see the signal strength and it was 96 on the SD and in the low 80's with the H20. That was with the initial powering on and the preview channel.

Ok going to do my programming order now and start getting some info out to everyone. REGARDS

...The "TV Input" key (which brings up the Device Manger) does work when the slide switch is on "DirecTV" or on "TV". I believe code 960 activates the INPUT button for when the slider switch is in DirecTV mode.

Read the manual or go through remote setup again to activate the INPUT button...

This is what happens when you miss a week or two... :D

TNT-HD added as Channel 75 on 2/17.
Local MPEG4 problems fixed (Houston, Atlanta, Tampa) via firmware update 0f06 2/14.
Local MPEG4 problem fixed (additional cities including Chicago and Philly) tentative firmware update 2/21 or 2/22

Is the firmware update regionally accessible?... I've try doing the force firmware update and it still recalls 0f03.

Same as the poster above... I bought an H20 today and it upgraded the software to OF03 this afternoon. Perhaps OF06 is only for certain markets where they had problems specific to their DMAs?

MacVideo -

A few years ago, I used Compushine in Manhattan - 212-371-1525 and was pleased with their work. Don't know if they will work in Brooklyn.

Gary

Is the firmware update regionally accessible?... I've try doing the force firmware update and it still recalls 0f03.

It is only available in certain markets as of now. The software update can only download the newest software available to it.
Maybe tomorrow or if impatient call D and find out when the new software will hit your market.

Same as the poster above... I bought an H20 today and it upgraded the software to OF03 this afternoon. Perhaps OF06 is only for certain markets where they had problems specific to their DMAs?

The software is being sent down on a schedule to selected markets. Last week (2/14) it was sent to Atlanta, Tampa and Houston. I spoke with level 2 support on the 14th to find out when it will be sent down to NY market. It is coming overnight TONIGHT.

I did not ask which other markets will be getting softare tonight - but we will see who has it in the morning.

The software is being sent down on a schedule to selected markets. Last week (2/14) it was sent to Atlanta, Tampa and Houston. I spoke with level 2 support on the 14th to find out when it will be sent down to NY market. It is coming overnight TONIGHT.

I did not ask which other markets will be getting softare tonight - but we will see who has it in the morning.

Also, it could be that I don't yet have the 5lnb dish and the HD locals through D*. Perhaps I wouldn't get this software upgrade until I'm able to receive the HD locals through the 5lnb. Anyway, everything else on the H20 seems to be working fine.

Yes, this is also happening to me. I have 4 H20 receivers and what a pain in the
#*@.
I have sent an email to Directv management to get this fixed.
I read on another forum that D* is sometimes turning off 99 and 101, and maybe other channels occasionally, supposedly to transfer bandwith to HD sports specials, or something, so this causes the dropouts on the channel favorites. This report, if accurate, seems to indicate a D* transmission situation rather than a receiver problem. Hopefully it gets better, but with the excellent pq of the H20, this is a minor problem to me.

Also, it could be that I don't yet have the 5lnb dish and the HD locals through D*. Perhaps I wouldn't get this software upgrade until I'm able to receive the HD locals through the 5lnb. Anyway, everything else on the H20 seems to be working fine.

Upgrade will only be sent to markets that have HD locals. Your type of dish is irrelevant. If your locals are not in HD thru DTV, no upgrade.
Upgrade only fixed HD local issues;nothing else.
It will not change anything for markets without local HD

We didn't get the upgrade yet in the Philadelphia market, maybe it will be overnight. My question is to those who already have received the update. Did it work? Are your "out of sync" and pixelation problems gone?

Pixelation is gone... audio is so-so as far as being out of sync. But, I'm not certain this is a DirecTV thing. Some of my HDTV co-workers who use the antenna or cable are complaining about varying audio and sync issues.

So, I'm not sure...

Upgrade will only be sent to markets that have HD locals. Your type of dish is irrelevant. If your locals are not in HD thru DTV, no upgrade.
Upgrade only fixed HD local issues;nothing else.
It will not change anything for markets without local HD

Just tried force update again and it still only sees 0f03. I'll try again tomorrow.

when's the last day to buy the H20 and qualify for the rebate?

well.... now downloading 0F06....... What are the known fixes on the new firmware?.... anyone have the link to D* info site regards to new firmware?...

thanks...

well.... now downloading 0F06....... What are the known fixes on the new firmware?.... anyone have the link to D* info site regards to new firmware?...

thanks...

Which satellite do you guys think they use for a download such as this?

when's the last day to buy the H20 and qualify for the rebate?

Here's the answer from a recent email from a respected dealer and forums sponsor from whom I bought my H20:

"...(T)he current rebate offers available for existing DIRECTV customers end on February 28th. You can take advantage of either a $200 High-Definition rebate and/or a $100 DVR rebate by purchasing and activating your new receivers which you will OWN by Feb 28th and committing to two years of service. You will still have till March 31st to file your rebate form and get your money back. On March 1st DIRECTV is transitioning to a lease-model from a purchase-model for all receivers and DVRs. As a result, those wishing to "own" their equipment would have to purchase and activate it prior thereto. Order today and activate your receiver or DVR no later than 2/28/06 to own your equipment and take advantage of the rebates...."

"Robert Zohn, President
"www.*********************
"Tel: 800-789-5050 or direct 914-723-3344"

Downloaded 0F06 at 4:02 2/21.

0F06 Tue 2/21 at 5:02a

OF06 here also on Tues 2/21 at 5:02AM.

GO PATS!

Dana

FYI. No HD LIL in this market area.

OF06 here also on Tues 2/21 at 5:02AM.

GO PATS!

Dana


YES!! GO PATS!!!! ;) :D :)

Got it here as well (OFO6) !!! I don't know if it's my imagination, but the guide seems faster...still on the slow side, but bearable. The guide (scrolling) seems to react much quicker/sooner after I pressed the arrow up/down.

I have not been able to watch locals long enough for dropouts, but watched our local station for 7-8 minutes with no problems.

It looks like they rolled it out nationwide last night. I just put in an H20 yesterday, it did NOT do an update immediately upon activation (even though it was on 0000) and at about 3:20 it updated to 0f06. Denver does not have HD locals yet and I dont even have the AT9 dish yet.

Which satellite do you guys think they use for a download such as this?
They used to always use Sat A at 101°...

It looks like they rolled it out nationwide last night. I just put in an H20 yesterday, it did NOT do an update immediately upon activation (even though it was on 0000) and at about 3:20 it updated to 0f06. Denver does not have HD locals yet and I dont even have the AT9 dish yet.
You are correct. Per level 2 support at DTV,update was sent nationwide. Again they state that the only fix was for HD locals. Guide speed was not addressed or any other issues

Thanks for the great information about today's download. Much appreciated.

All outputs on the H20 are "hot" (HDMI, component, svid, composite).

I am getting H20 this weekend for my new Panny 42PX50U.

I will use HDMI from H20 to Panny.

I used to use coax from Dish to VCR. Now I must use composite to VCR. I want to then go to my old 27" digital tv hidden in a cabinet for SD and VCR material.

If I understand correctly, if all outputs are hot, all I have to do is turn off the Panny and turn on the 27" (and VCR).

Do I make sense and will this work?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

...If I understand correctly, if all outputs are hot, all I have to do is turn off the Panny and turn on the 27" (and VCR).

Yes.
But instead of tuning to ch 3 or 4 on the VCR, you'll need to tune it to the LINE input that you connect the H20 to.

There may be fomatting problems when viewing simultaneously on 4:3 & 16:9 TVs. Not sure, though, as I haven't tried it.

The software is being sent down on a schedule to selected markets. It is coming overnight TONIGHT.

This is rather odd, but when I awoke this morning, my TV was ON! :eek:

I know I shut it off before I went to bed. Could this be a by-product of the upgrade?

I did a manual reset before I went to bed because the TNTHD channel did not have any information in the guide. After the manual reset, the guide did display programming information for TNTHD. However, I did not check to see if the firmware had been upgraded.

.

This is rather odd, but when I awoke this morning, my TV was ON!

I know I shut it off before I went to bed. Could this be a by-product of the upgrade? SOUNDS LIKE THE DREADED DIRECTV .........GREMLINS PAID A VISIT.......:(...LOL

Received the upgrade early this morning. Doesn't seemed to have helped at all, if anything, things have gotten worse. I'm still experiencing the out of sync problems and pixelation. Also, I am still getting continuous pixelation on Channels 72 (ESPN2) AND 79 (HDNET) both of these channels seem to be on the same satellite/transponder.

Received the upgrade early this morning. Doesn't seemed to have helped at all, if anything, things have gotten worse. I'm still experiencing the out of sync problems and pixelation. Also, I am still getting continuous pixelation on Channels 72 (ESPN2) AND 79 (HDNET) both of these channels seem to be on the same satellite/transponder.
Read above. Fix did not address your issues

Received the upgrade early this morning. Doesn't seemed to have helped at all, if anything, things have gotten worse. I'm still experiencing the out of sync problems and pixelation. Also, I am still getting continuous pixelation on Channels 72 (ESPN2) AND 79 (HDNET) both of these channels seem to be on the same satellite/transponder.
Just curious, what area do you live in (which D* market)? Do you receive the local HD from D*? Is it only on these two channels that you are having "continuous" pixelation problems? How many H20 receivers have you gone through at this point, three or four?

It all sounds like enough to drive a person mad.

Just curious, what area do you live in (which D* market)? Do you receive the local HD from D*? Is it only on these two channels that you are having "continuous" pixelation problems? How many H20 receivers have you gone through at this point, three or four?

It all sounds like enough to drive a person mad.

I'm in South Jersey, we are in the Philadelphia market. Yes, I do receive the local HD from D*

The only two channels that I have "continuous" pixelation are the non-local HD channels 72 and 79, which appear to be from the same satellite and transponder.

This is my 3rd H20 and yes, it's really driving me nuts. Also went through 6 tech visits with number 7 scheduled for this weekend. Any ideas? I would really be appreciate it! Thanks in advance.

This is my 3rd H20 and yes, it's really driving me nuts. Also went through 6 tech visits with number 7 scheduled for this weekend. Any ideas? I would really be appreciate it! Thanks in advance.
Since your problems are not being reported by the masses, my guess would be that it (obviously) has something to do with your particular installation/equipment? Since you're still having the same problems after replacing the H20 twice and after 6 going on 7 tech visits, I'd suggest that you kidnap the technician and not release him until he gets the problem corrected. Well....

If, on the other hand, you don't wish to spend many years in prison for kidnapping, maybe try bribing the tech to do what they should have done in the FIRST of the seven calls?

They do call themselves techs after all. :eek:

Not that it helps at all, but I'll be rooting for you.

Is American Idol on Local HD audio out of sync for anyone or is just me?

...This is my 3rd H20 and yes, it's really driving me nuts. Also went through 6 tech visits with number 7 scheduled for this weekend. Any ideas?...

Please excuse me if you've already posted this before, but have they replaced the dish yet?

Is American Idol on Local HD audio out of sync for anyone or is just me?

Its out of sync on on my set. I have a lot of sync problems with my H-20.

I also get some sort of blocking problem where it looks like the the signal is being disrupted by weather or something.

My H-20 has not impressed me at all. It might become D*'s H-20 again if I cant find a way to fix it.

Experiencing av sync problem on Idol as well (DC Metro, SAT signal). In fact I seem to periodically experience av sync problems on many HD channels. I thought system reboot might work. Not sure what the issue is. The problem seems to come and go.

Hi:

Don't know if this is the correct forum for this question but I ask it because I am new to D* and now own my H20, D10 and AT9.

Are we allowed to have two different locations for out HD equipment with D*. If you own your H20 can you have a service area zipcode where the dish is located and a different billing address and zipcode? I was messing with the setup and see that you can input a zipcode. Thanks...

is American Idol looking better for anyone? Did D* just fix something, not as bad pixelation or sync problem anymore.

Hi:

Don't know if this is the correct forum for this question but I ask it because I am new to D* and now own my H20, D10 and AT9.

Are we allowed to have two different locations for out HD equipment with D*. If you own your H20 can you have a service area zipcode where the dish is located and a different billing address and zipcode? I was messing with the setup and see that you can input a zipcode. Thanks...
That Zip code entry is only for determining what local OTA channels to put in your guide. I use that feature since I live between Denver and Colorado Springs and can receive both with a rotator. It has no effect on your billing or what locals you receive over the satellite.

Hi:

Don't know if this is the correct forum for this question but I ask it because I am new to D* and now own my H20, D10 and AT9.

Are we allowed to have two different locations for out HD equipment with D*. If you own your H20 can you have a service area zipcode where the dish is located and a different billing address and zipcode? I was messing with the setup and see that you can input a zipcode. Thanks...

There are 2 places to put ZIP Codes in the H20. One is to get the dish aiming coordinates for your zip code to point a dish. The other area is for local OTA network reception with an antenna. You can put 1 or 2 zip codes there, depending on if you can get OTA channels w/antenna from 1 or 2 towns. The zip codes tell the box what guides to download for local OTA channels you get w/ antenna.

All receivers on an account must be used at only one address. Using them at multiple addressess at the same time is called "stacking" an account, and it is illegal.

I live in the DC metro area also and experienced the same audio problems. I believe it was something with either Fox or directv. My reciever firmware was updated on the day of my install and this cleared up my audio problems at that time but I have noticed more local HD channels having issues. It's funny I went through two H10 boxes before I got a winner and I think the new H20 are ridden with similar problems also. Plus my B-Band converter out of the box was bad so I did not install it.

Every channel BUT CBS looks exceptional. I don't know why I am having problems with WCBS in NY, but the problem remains even after the software download. Does anyone know what transponder and a decent signal strength is for WCBS MPEG4. If that one channel looked as good as the others, I would say MPEG4 is a homerun now. MPEG2 channels on D* really do look soft in comparison.

Here's the answer from a recent email from a respected dealer and forums sponsor from whom I bought my H20:

"...(T)he current rebate offers available for existing DIRECTV customers end on February 28th. You can take advantage of either a $200 High-Definition rebate and/or a $100 DVR rebate by purchasing and activating your new receivers which you will OWN by Feb 28th and committing to two years of service. You will still have till March 31st to file your rebate form and get your money back. On March 1st DIRECTV is transitioning to a lease-model from a purchase-model for all receivers and DVRs. As a result, those wishing to "own" their equipment would have to purchase and activate it prior thereto. Order today and activate your receiver or DVR no later than 2/28/06 to own your equipment and take advantage of the rebates...."

"Robert Zohn, President
"www.*********************
"Tel: 800-789-5050 or direct 914-723-3344"

Are there any major disadvantages to paying per month versus owning the receiever?

You can only legally use receivers from 1 account in 1 location at a time. Using them in multiple locations at the same time is called "stacking" an account, and it is illegal.

hi:

I'm a little confused. Do you mean that if you live in say las vegas and the dish is installed there but you somehow use an address in los angeles to get programming of say locals and regional sports channels? Is that what you are talking about?

If not, is that scenario possible and if so is it illegal? REGARDS...

Are there any major disadvantages to paying per month versus owning the receiever?
There are 2 differences.

1) The upfront cost is less for the lease plan, but still something. Initially it will be $0 for SD receivers, $99 for HD receivers and SD DVRs, and $399 for the HD DVR. New customers can get a one time $100 rebate.

2) You can't sell the box when you lease.


Monthly cost is the same for lease or own. That being $0.00 for the first box and $4.99 for each additional box. The $4.99 is called a mirror fee if you own and a lease fee if you lease. The only unknown is what D* will do when you need to upgrade a leased box.

hi:

I'm a little confused. Do you mean that if you live in say las vegas and the dish is installed there but you somehow use an address in los angeles to get programming of say locals and regional sports channels? Is that what you are talking about?

If not, is that scenario possible and if so is it illegal? REGARDS...

What he is talking about is using receivers on the same account in different houses. That is illegal and D* will sue you if they find out.

The issue you ask about is a little more ambiguous. It is technically wrong but D* won't draw attention to it because it probably gets them more customers if people can give an address of use elsewhere. And a lot of rvers use D* or E* and they aralways moving. They use their original address or pick one and don't change it whenever they move.

What he is talking about is using receivers on the same account in different houses. That is illegal and D* will sue you if they find out.

The issue you ask about is a little more ambiguous. It is technically wrong but D* won't draw attention to it because it probably gets them more customers if people can give an address of use elsewhere. And a lot of rvers use D* or E* and they aralways moving. They use their original address or pick one and don't change it whenever they move.

thank you stang for clearing that up for me. sorry to get off the H20 track of this thread.

I just received my install. H20 series 600 made in Korea. Manuf. date of receiver and AT9 dish (on the box) 1/30/06. Initial signal strength yesterday was in the mid to high 80's. I spoke to level 2 tech and she told me she was aware of the slower menu guides in the H20. She said the latest update was to fix local channel bugs. This is my first D* receiver so if the menus are slow I have nothing to compare it against so I guess I'm kinda lucky in that respect. Same with PQ. However, I must say that so far PQ is excellent.

But I guess my comparison will be against my SD receiver, the D10. Haven't had much time to mess with the h20 yet. Will put it thru its paces on wed. REGARDS

I had a H20 for less then a month now. Yes the guide is slow and I think the SD stations have poor PQ. But I turned on the set this morning and thought to myself these SD stations dont look that bad. Then I noticed I got a upgrade at 2:00 AM. I dont know what the upgrade was for but SD looks better to me, and guide seems to be faster. Softwear was 0F03 is now 0F06. Anybody else get it??? Do you notice any difference???

Please excuse me if you've already posted this before, but have they replaced the dish yet?

I asked D* that the tech brings a new dish, it seems that everything else has been replaced other than the dish and wiring

I had a H20 for less then a month now. Yes the guide is slow and I think the SD stations have poor PQ. But I turned on the set this morning and thought to myself these SD stations dont look that bad. Then I noticed I got a upgrade at 2:00 AM. I dont know what the upgrade was for but SD looks better to me, and guide seems to be faster. Softwear was 0F03 is now 0F06. Anybody else get it??? Do you notice any difference???

I got the same update and can find no difference. Of course I am not in an area with HD-LIL either so am not using the MPEG4 features. Everything looks the same, SD PQ, HD PQ, guide, speed etc.... The tops of some of the letters and numbers are still chopped of as usual.

Every channel BUT CBS looks exceptional. I don't know why I am having problems with WCBS in NY, but the problem remains even after the software download. Does anyone know what transponder and a decent signal strength is for WCBS MPEG4. If that one channel looked as good as the others, I would say MPEG4 is a homerun now. MPEG2 channels on D* really do look soft in comparison.

This is true for me also - WCBS has been the problem for me since my install. I will be calling back to let them know today.

The only other problem I am having with the MPEG4 is the program guide for WABC-DT is usually incorrect. It is always right on WABC SD channel, and also on channel 86. This has been onging both before and after the software upfate - are you also experiencing this?

Good to know that I am not the only one with the problem with CBS. The other stations really did look phenomenal last night. I was really disappointed that CBS was still as bad as it has been.

I do have the problem with the programs in the guide, but I am not quite sure if that is a D* issue or ABC digital is sending out the wrong info. Let me know what you hear. Feel free to point them to this thread. You are not the only one with the CBS problem. Phew!

I had a H20 for less then a month now. Yes the guide is slow and I think the SD stations have poor PQ. But I turned on the set this morning and thought to myself these SD stations dont look that bad. Then I noticed I got a upgrade at 2:00 AM. I dont know what the upgrade was for but SD looks better to me, and guide seems to be faster. Softwear was 0F03 is now 0F06. Anybody else get it??? Do you notice any difference???
do you NEED a land line to get these upgrades? i dont have one, is there another way?

........

The only other problem I am having with the MPEG4 is the program guide for WABC-DT is usually incorrect. It is always right on WABC SD channel, and also on channel 86. This has been onging both before and after the software upfate - are you also experiencing this?


I Same Problem here in Metuchen

Baimo,

How is WCBS, MPEG4 for you. I get picture break up in the lower or top third of the channel from time to time. All other channels are fine so I do not think it would be an installation issue. Disappointing since CBS is the best looking HD channel in the area..

do you NEED a land line to get these upgrades? i dont have one, is there another way?
The upgrades all come from the satellite, the line has nothing to do with it.

do you NEED a land line to get these upgrades? i dont have one, is there another way?

No. It is transmitted thru the satellite signal. There is a timetable as to when specific regions are getting the download. Be patient.

edit: longrider must have beat me by a second. :p

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but how/where do you check to see what firmware version you have on the H20 STB?

Also, for future reference, how do you do a manual firmware upgrade?

I got the same update and can find no difference. Of course I am not in an area with HD-LIL either so am not using the MPEG4 features. Everything looks the same, SD PQ, HD PQ, guide, speed etc.... The tops of some of the letters and numbers are still chopped of as usual.


How do you know if you are in a HD-LIL area? How do you know if you are receiving MPEG4? Thanks...

...The only other problem I am having with the MPEG4 is the program guide for WABC-DT is usually incorrect...
This is an error on the part of Tribune Media Services, the guide provider for D* and several other online and on-screen guides.

To report guide errors, contact Suzanne Brooks, SMBrooks@Tribune.com
Be very specific about: what service you're using (DirecTV), the channel name (WABC-DT), the channel number as it appears in your guide and what specifically is wrong with the listing.

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but how/where do you check to see what firmware version you have on the H20 STB?

It's in Setup Info in the Menu.


Also, for future reference, how do you do a manual firmware upgrade?

Hit the red reset button in the access card compartment.
When the receiver reboots and says "starting up" enter 02468 on your remote.
If no newer updates are available, it may re-download the latest one available.
It may take a LONG TIME to download and may appear stuck at 97% or so. Just leave the box alone and check it later. The "97%" will eventually go away and the box will have the latest update.

Hey everyone! Which satellite carries the HD locals? I want to check the signal strenghts. DirecTech was out the other day because the wind blew the dish off alignment. My CBS(Boston) and NBC(Boston) are freezing up. The OTA antenna I have hooked up is getting the transmission without any problems. So when I check settings and signal strenghts which satellite and what should be the signal strenght be?

Thanks everyone!

Kenn

It's in Setup Info in the Menu.

I looked there last night and couldn't see it. :confused:

Is that the menu that lists the TV type, etc?

rowdy2005,
Doesn't that sony convert everything to 1366 x 768? If so, you might try 720p or 1080i (instead of native output) on the H20 and compare PQ. It might look better than native and the channel changes may be faster.

arxaw,

I have a new Panny 42px50U and I would like to have the TV control the resolution not the H20. In that case, I assume I should set the H20 to native. Am I making a mistake? Does that slow down channel reception a lot?

What would you recommend? I am having difficulty following all this new information.

Thanks in advance.

Hey everyone! Which satellite carries the HD locals? I want to check the signal strenghts. DirecTech was out the other day because the wind blew the dish off alignment. My CBS(Boston) and NBC(Boston) are freezing up. The OTA antenna I have hooked up is getting the transmission without any problems. So when I check settings and signal strenghts which satellite and what should be the signal strenght be?

Thanks everyone!

Kenn


The 103 sat carries the MEG4 HD locals.

Hey guys I'm getting my D-TV HD setup next week I wanted to make sure I have everthing I need before They get here to install the system. D-TV wouldn't tell me which Receiver I would get but its the one that's got the $200 rebate which I'm pretty sure is the H20. Okay anyway is the new dish and the receiver all I need to get my hd channels in the Bakersfield area. ;)

I'm in Fresno and getting H20 this weekend. I understand locals in HD will be available in May. Since Direct TV is offering 3 months of HD programming free, by the time I start paying for it, the locals will be broadcasting in HD. I'm not going to worry about an antenna for OTA for the next 3 months.

I looked there last night and couldn't see it. :confused:

Is that the menu that lists the TV type, etc?


Select; [Menu] - [Settings] - [Setup] - [Info & Test] - scroll down to "Software".

0F06 is the newest.

The 103 sat carries the MEG4 HD locals.


Cool! Ok now according to my signal meter it reads as follows

1-8 5=0, 6=79, 7=25, 8=NA

9-16 13=0, 14=77, 15=33, 16=0

17-24 20=0, 21=0, 22=0, 23=0, 24=NA

25-32 25=0, 26=0, 27=NA, 28=NA, 29=0, 30=0, 31=0, 32=NA

How are those for signal strenghts?

Kenn

Select; [Menu] - [Settings] - [Setup] - [Info & Test] - scroll down to "Software".

0F06 is the newest.
[SELECT] on [Info & Test] to open the "tab", then scroll; the "Software" version is under this tab, not the first one seen, if memory serves.....but, yes....0F06 IS the latest...I understand it has been rolled out to all areas by now (2/22)....

Hey everyone! Which satellite carries the HD locals? I want to check the signal strenghts. DirecTech was out the other day because the wind blew the dish off alignment. My CBS(Boston) and NBC(Boston) are freezing up. The OTA antenna I have hooked up is getting the transmission without any problems. So when I check settings and signal strenghts which satellite and what should be the signal strenght be?

Thanks everyone!

Kenn
Kenn157
As stated earlier it will be the 103 Sat
the H20 reference signal strengths read lower than the older receivers.
Expect signal strenths from 69-100 with very few if not no 100's usually 70-80's is good.

Here is a link on this forum listing reported signal strengths ( Be Sure to scroll through the Listings )
H20 Signal Strenths AVS H20 Forum Page 30 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6944452&&#post6944452)

You might request other H20 owners in your area post their siganal reading to help give you a better idea.

Related help . Here a link that will may be of further assistance to all, although I have not figured out every thing it shows. LynSat DirecTv Chanel to Sat Locations (http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/directvusa103.html)
RSlack :)

Cool! Ok now according to my signal meter it reads as follows

1-8 5=0, 6=79, 7=25, 8=NA

9-16 13=0, 14=77, 15=33, 16=0

17-24 20=0, 21=0, 22=0, 23=0, 24=NA

25-32 25=0, 26=0, 27=NA, 28=NA, 29=0, 30=0, 31=0, 32=NA

How's are those for signal strenghts?

Kenn
If I'm not mistaken.....there's a 103/Network 14 and /15 set of readings...Which are these? Don't remember exactly what my readings are...but I know there are only a couple of xpdrs on EACH "Network" set (/14 and /15)....and the LOWEST reading I get is 45 one one (not sure which), 66 on another and the rest (6 or 7) arein the 90s to 100...... :eek: Are you sure the big "blow last Friday didn't knock out your AT-9's alignment??

If I read the Lyngsat table correctly, all NY locals are on the same beam. Therefore, if CBS is coming in poorly and all the other channels are not affected, the problem should be on D*'s end. CBS would not be on a different transponder than the other networks.

Thank you, rrrick8 & dsanbo.

Somehow I believe that I was looking there and did not see a "Software" entry. I'll look again tonight when I get home from work.

Thank you, rrrick8 & dsanbo.

Somehow I believe that I was looking there and did not see a "Software" entry. I'll look again tonight when I get home from work.There is more than 1 "page" of information listed. When you get to Info, push the SELECT then the DOWN ARROW to scroll down to see the version number.

If I'm not mistaken.....there's a 103/Network 14 and /15 set of readings...Which are these? Don't remember exactly what my readings are...but I know there are only a couple of xpdrs on EACH "Network" set (/14 and /15)....and the LOWEST reading I get is 45 one one (not sure which), 66 on another and the rest (6 or 7) arein the 90s to 100...... :eek: Are you sure the big "blow last Friday didn't knock out your AT-9's alignment??


These are from 103/14. I didnt include 15 because thay are all N/A. Unless 15 is supposed to have signals?!?!?!

If I'm not mistaken.....there's a 103/Network 14 and /15 set of readings...Which are these? Don't remember exactly what my readings are...but I know there are only a couple of xpdrs on EACH "Network" set (/14 and /15)....and the LOWEST reading I get is 45 one one (not sure which), 66 on another and the rest (6 or 7) arein the 90s to 100...... :eek: Are you sure the big "blow last Friday didn't knock out your AT-9's alignment??

I said it did knock it out of alignment. I've had D* since 1994. I know which direction the dish points. When I came home from work it was pointing in the opposite direction.

There is no signal strenghts on 103/15. Do you have any?

arxaw,

I have a new Panny 42px50U and I would like to have the TV control the resolution not the H20. In that case, I assume I should set the H20 to native. Am I making a mistake? Does that slow down channel reception a lot?

What would you recommend? I am having difficulty following all this new information.

Thanks in advance.
yes you are. I have the 37 inch ister model of your Panny . Do NOT set to Native. I coiuld not see any difference. I set mine to 1080i and leave it there,set will decode for you
NO NATIVE!!!

ok, i dont know if this is normal or if my H20 is screwed. channels 104-107(i believe), the newsmix/sportsmix/kids mix channels all tune fine, but do not give me the option to switch from box to box with my remote or hit select on the channel to tune in. kind of a pain to explain, but those of you with the R10 know what im talking about. anybody else having this problem?

arxaw,

I have a new Panny 42px50U and I would like to have the TV control the resolution not the H20. In that case, I assume I should set the H20 to native. Am I making a mistake? Does that slow down channel reception a lot?

What would you recommend?

I don't think you'll see a difference on that TV with Native disabled. In fact, some channels may look better if you let the H20 convert everything to one format. Channel changes will be faster too (between some channels).

With Native OFF, look at the TV image and cycle through 720p & 1080i (using the H20 Format button on the remote). Decide which resolution looks best to you on your display. Then go back and turn off the other resolutions in the H20 menu.

ok, i dont know if this is normal or if my H20 is screwed. channels 104-107(i believe), the newsmix/sportsmix/kids mix channels all tune fine, but do not give me the option to switch from box to box with my remote or hit select on the channel to tune in. kind of a pain to explain, but those of you with the R10 know what im talking about. anybody else having this problem?

IIRC, that option isn't working (yet).

ok, i dont know if this is normal or if my H20 is screwed. channels 104-107(i believe), the newsmix/sportsmix/kids mix channels all tune fine, but do not give me the option to switch from box to box with my remote or hit select on the channel to tune in. kind of a pain to explain, but those of you with the R10 know what im talking about. anybody else having this problem?

Are you trying to select the different boxes/channels as if it were a DVD menu, where you would choose a chapter, highlight it, click on it and it takes you there? If so, I don't believe that can be achieved on the H20 (yet)

ok, i dont know if this is normal or if my H20 is screwed. channels 104-107(i believe), the newsmix/sportsmix/kids mix channels all tune fine, but do not give me the option to switch from box to box with my remote or hit select on the channel to tune in. kind of a pain to explain, but those of you with the R10 know what im talking about. anybody else having this problem?

With the H20 you can not scroll and select to tune this channels from this windowed screen.
-To tune to the Channel you will have to enter the channel number and press select.
-To Hear the Channel you will have to press (I think ) the blue button on your remote which will switch the sound to each channel window displayed on the mix channel you are viewing.

Not in front of the TV at present will check it and correct this post provided non of the other users here correct this note....

RSlack

Thanks guys for straightening me out on 720P and 1080i, no Native, etc.

Now I need help on something else.

I have a built in cabinet in the wall that houses a 27" color stream Toshiba TV (not HD), a VCR, and a SD satellite receiver. All are currently hooked up via coax.

Current hook-up (all in cabinet):

Dish in to receiver via coax
receiver out to VCR via coax
VCR out to TV via coax

My new Panny is too big for built-in so this is my thought:

Leave in cabinet:

Dish in to HD20 receiver via coax
Receiver to TV via component (to take advantage of color stream feature)
Receiver to VCR via composite (no coax out of HD20 available)
VCR to TV via composite OR VCR to TV via coax

HD20 receiver in to Panny (outside cabinet) via HDMI cable

Now, the question is, do I need to set up 480i in the Format as a selection on the remote so that signal will go to the old TV and VCR?

I am assuming by simply turning the Panny off and the old TV on 480i will be going to the old TV.

Do you see any problem recording on the VCR as normal, just by setting the timer, etc.?

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

well, at least its not my reciever. thanks for the quick responses, guys

Just got my H20 yesterday. I tried to read as much of this thread as I could so I hope I don't repeat whats already been discussed.

First my take on what HAS been said.

PQ is the best out of the three HD recievers I now have:
H20-600
HR10-250
Samsung 360

Menu's and guide are pathetic. Slow, confusing, lacking many must have features, etc.

A couple of things I didn't see in this thread

The H20 is hooked to a Viewsonic n2750w 16:9 LCD. One of my main concerns before my H20 arrived was how it would deal with letterbox SD on a 16:9 display that doesn't zoom. I hate having pillars and bars with a small image in the middle. A serious issue for my Samsung CRT RP 16:9 HDTV(which the Sammy can and has to adjust for). It's connected to the HR10-250 which has no zoom, only aspect correction(adding bars but no stretch zoom crop or whatever).

The H20 has crop which solves that for me and does it without distortion. The Sammy HDTV when set to zoom1 fills the screen but is slightly squashed vertically making everyone a little shorter and rounder.

The problem is it has the 3 formats(pillar box, stretch and crop) for all four resolutions so either you browse the endless menus and set it to crop or you cycle through the dozen choices with the format button.

:) Figured it out. Just had to turn native on and after finally finding it, turn off the resolution I didn't want. Now I can switch to crop with only a couple presses of the format button.

Speaking of letterbox, I've noticed I never see the LB icon in the guide or banner.

:) Now that crop is easy I don't care wether I know it's LB or not. I found the LB icons. It would be nice if they appeared in the guide.

Since going HD I've had to do a lot more button pushing when switching between programs with different resolutions and formats. The H20 seems to just add more button pushes.

Oh well. In spite of it's shortcomings the most important thing is PQ and it's outstanding. That makes me a happy customer. It took 2 visits and 3 installers 5 days to get me going mainly because they didn't have all the dish parts yet. I'm basically one of the first to get upgraded in my area (market 130+) which won't be eligable for mpeg4 for some time.

Anyone notice PQ improvement with new 0f06 firmware update?...

I'm not sure if I'm imagining things but I see less pixelation on 1080i MPEG2 broadcast. Some fast flashing scenes used to show noticeable pixel blocks, but now it's lessen. I know the firmware is claim to fix or improve local HD MPEG4 broadcast, but I didn't see much improvements on the MPEG4, though.

I got the new update, and I don't notice anything new...

ok, i dont know if this is normal or if my H20 is screwed. channels 104-107(i believe), the newsmix/sportsmix/kids mix channels all tune fine, but do not give me the option to switch from box to box with my remote or hit select on the channel to tune in. kind of a pain to explain, but those of you with the R10 know what im talking about. anybody else having this problem?

You cannot "select" a channel to view from the remote. However you can select the "Audio" from each of the "thumbnails" by using the yellow button on the remote. Each time you hit it (yellow button) the audio will switch to the next channel.

... Now, the question is, do I need to set up 480i in the Format as a selection on the remote so that signal will go to the old TV and VCR?
IIRC, the composite & s/video jacks will output 480i automatically. But if you're using component out to a non-progressive scan, non-hd TV (Toshiba), you'll have to manually change the resolution to 480i to watch it. And since the non-hd tv is 4:3, you may have 4:3/16:9 formatting issues.


I am assuming by simply turning the Panny off and the old TV on 480i will be going to the old TV. You wouldn't have to turn the Panny off, but you'd have to change the resolution to 480i if you're using component out to the toshiba.


Do you see any problem recording on the VCR as normal, just by setting the timer, etc.?
Just remember VCR should be tuned to LINE input, not ch 3 or 4 when setting up a timed recording. And you may have formatting issues, depending on which TV (4:3 or 16:9) you're watching the recorded program on...

Thanks, arxaw.

I understand everything you are saying.

I will probably use s-video to the old TV then so I don't have issues with aspect, etc.

One more question: My old set-up (SD) used coax cables to/from satellite receiver, VCR, and TV. I believe coax is better than composite or S-video for SD. Am I correct? Will I see a step down in PQ since I can't use coax out of the receiver any longer? (The new H20 has no coax out). I guess I shouldn't worry about it too much because this set-up is only for taping and watching on VCR, which is a step down in itself. I just don't want to watch this lower quality on my new Panny.

Thanks.

Coax (RF) is the worst. Composite is better and S-video is the best of the SD connections.

greywolf,

His analog TV has (SD) Component IN, so theoretically that should give the best picture. But he'd have to manually change the format to SD every time he wanted to watch his analog tv. So, S-video would be his best choice for convenience & PQ, then composite and last RF (which of course, doesn't exist on the H20).

He still may have formatting issues if trying to simultaneously output to 16:9 and 4:3 displays. It would be easier if both TVs had the same aspect ratio.

Coax (RF) is the worst. Composite is better and S-video is the best of the SD connections.
Isn't the ranking of video input quality the following (with 5 being the best):

1. RF (coax)
2. Composite
3. S-Video
4. Component
5. HDMI

And, arguably, there's not a huge difference between 4 & 5?

Isn't the ranking of video input quality the following (with 5 being the best):

1. RF (coax)
2. Composite
3. S-Video
4. Component
5. HDMI

And, arguably, there's not a huge difference between 4 & 5?

i think that's right. and in fact, my hd looks sharper, particulary on the ota channels, running with component compared to hdmi. it's subtle but noticeable nonetheless.

i think that's right. and in fact, my hd looks sharper, particulary on the ota channels, running with component compared to hdmi. it's subtle but noticeable nonetheless.
PQ does vary by brand and type of display using component vs HDMI.

Which reminds me of something.... I'm using component connection. When I go to channel 498, it tells me I must reduce the resolution from 1080i to 480p to view that channel. Just curious as to what people see on channel 498, when using the HDMI connection on the H20. Please post your results...

I'm surprised that coax is the worst because I've always had an amazing picture going from the SD sat. receiver to the old TV via coax.

I assumed that since coax runs from the dish to the receiver, it would be the same signal going on to the TV via coax, but obviously I'm wrong.

I'm not going to worry about picture quality since I was using the worst before and I really liked the PQ. I'll just use S-video to the TV and composite to the VCR. Like you all said, I won't confuse the old TV since those cables only deliver 480i.

I'll never watch the Panny in 480i, so it won't be a problem.

However, it will interesting to see what happens regarding the difference between 4:3 on the old TV and 16:9 on the Panny. As soon as I get everything up and running on Saturday, I'll report back.

I'm still going to use HDMI to the new Panny.

I'm surprised that coax is the worst because I've always had an amazing picture going from the SD sat. receiver to the old TV via coax.

Your old TV probably has an excellent comb filter. Such filters can do wonders for RF and composite signals, often making them look subjectively better than S-video (which is usually not comb filtered). Many viewers have been surprised by this, since conventional wisdom says that S-video is always better.

After the the 0f03 firmware update, from the original 000A. I notice this problem:
"The tops of capital letters and numbers have their tops slightly chopped off 's cut off and is noticeable in the Guide view and / or Info view, some settings / and Menu Views.
Heres D's response.

From : DIRECTV Customer Service directvcustomercare@directv.com
Reply-To : "DIRECTV Customer Service" <directvcustomercare@directv.com>
Sent : Thursday, February 23, 2006 5:44 PM
To : <slackrl@--------.com>
Subject : Re: H20 Software Update [Incident: 060223-001122]


Go to previous message | Go to next message | Delete | Inbox
Dear Mr. Slack,

Thank you again for writing. We are sorry to hear that your receiver may have been negatively affected by our software update. I have forwarded your message to the appropriate department for further review. Thanks for your patience while we look into this further.

Sincerely,

Tanya
DIRECTV Customer Service

---------------------------------------------------------------
Original Message Follows:

DIRECTV FEEDBACK MESSAGE
Name: Ron Slack
Status: Subscriber
[Account Number: *******]
Email Address: <slackrl@--------.com>
[Topic Selected: Other]
Subject: H20 Software Update

Details: After the 0f03 update I've noticed this glitch on My H20 and, my neighbors H20. "The tops of capital letters and numbers have their tops slightly chopped off. Characters like these: HBO, DD, T, R, E, B, 5, 7and simular ones that are having the cut off's. I know this not a major issue but, any idea when this will be resolved? The Characters were normal with the orignal 000A firmware version.
Thanks in advance for your reply.

RSlack

RSlack :)

The new update...06...well I am still having some audio (lip sync) problems and video freezing and drop outs. I know this is new technology, but come on Directv stop making excuses.

Your old TV probably has an excellent comb filter. Such filters can do wonders for RF and composite signals, often making them look subjectively better than S-video (which is usually not comb filtered). Many viewers have been surprised by this, since conventional wisdom says that S-video is always better.

This is true.

I had an old Toshiba 36" TV that had a noticeably better picture on composite than it did on S-video connection. Some Toshiba TVs have very good comb filters. I never used the RF connection because it was mono sound.

You should always use your eyes, not hype or specs, when choosing which video connection to use.

I'm using component connection on the H20. When I go to channel 498, it tells me I must reduce the resolution from 1080i to 480p to view that channel. Just curious as to what people see on channel 498, when using the HDMI connection on the H20.

Please post your results...

I'm using component connection on the H20. When I go to channel 498, it tells me I must reduce the resolution from 1080i to 480p to view that channel. Just curious as to what people see on channel 498, when using the HDMI connection on the H20.

Please post your results...

1080i pillarboxed here.

Dana

Is there any detriment to having all my components on a power strip and turning it off every night?

What happens to the H20 if it is unplugged every night?

I know that it would not be able to download any software upgrades, but could you foresee any other problems?

The reason I ask is that it will be in a closed cabinet and I'm concerned about the heat.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

I'm using component connection on the H20. When I go to channel 498, it tells me I must reduce the resolution from 1080i to 480p to view that channel. Just curious as to what people see on channel 498, when using the HDMI connection on the H20.

Please post your results...

Haven't tried 498 but if you go to 201 with component connection you get a similar message that says you need to use an SD connection (i.e., S-video) to view. However, if you are using HDMI you get no such message.

This is because they are testing HDCP on channel 201. In order to view an HDCP enabled channel you need either HDMI (HDCP built in) or DVI with HDCP. Without one of these connections, the program is downrezzed to 480p. Hope this helps.

PQ does vary by brand and type of display using component vs HDMI.

Which reminds me of something.... I'm using component connection. When I go to channel 498, it tells me I must reduce the resolution from 1080i to 480p to view that channel. Just curious as to what people see on channel 498, when using the HDMI connection on the H20. Please post your results...

Hi:

no problems here with channel 498 using HDMI. She is set to 1080i stretch. I can hit the format button on the remote and go thru the 480i, 480p, 780i, 780p, 1080i with pillar, crop and stretch. I dont get any message like you did. I have never tried component to compare. hope that helps... REGARDS

hi:

Can anyone plz explain the mpeg4 compression. If you have an H20 with the AT9 are we automatically getting mpeg4? Can someone plz elaborate on this subject. Thanks..

I just got set up with my H20 600 on Tuesday and spent most of Wednesday reading through this thread. I've learned a lot, so thanks to all who write. I don't think I'm asking questions that have already been answered, but my eyes began to blur at about page 24! This is my virgin post on this forum, so please be gentle.

First general impressions, and then a couple of questions.

The installation process took over three hours for me. The person was unable to get a signal, and finally hooked up all my stuff inside, only to then tell me "I don't have a signal on the HD side" so you have three options - 1) give up on HD 2) cut down your (neighbor's) trees, 3) have a supervisor come out to try again. Since the trees hadn't ever been a problem in the past and I don't my neighbor would like that suggestion, I was about to suggest option 3, when I said "wait a minute" are you getting NO signal or LOW signal. When he said "no signal at the dish", I said seeing as there aren't even any leaves on those trees that aren't really in the way anyway I would expect some signal, could the antenna possibly be defective. After saying "I've never had a bad one" he agreed to replace it and the signal popped right in. Since he just said "I got it now" and 10 seconds later was packing up his stuff I was sceptical that he had actually fine tuned the dish, but since we were into hour four at this point I let him go.

After two days of much pixellation, sound dropping, audio video synching being way off, etc., I called D* last night to complain. After having me reboot, we checked signals and found that most were in the high 60s or low 70s, which the CSR I talked to said were about 10 points too low. So someone will come out this weekend to try to adjust for better signal.

I am generally pleased with the image/sound quality (when its working) but HATE the user interface and the remote (as others have reported) a giant step backwards to my cable days of many years ago. Don't they have any users test these things? The blue button hint was a godsend for the slow menu problem, and taking off "native" did speed up the other menu. I also hate that I can't change users with a single button push like I could on my old RCA. I also hate the terrible interface for setting up preferences, very little information to help you, and channel after channel just says "DTV" with no indication as to what it actually is. I finally had to turn all the channels on, go through channel by channel manually to figure out what they actually were I could then write down which ones to turn off on a piece of paper before going back in to set things up. What a tremendous step backwards. I was momentarily confused by the multiple local channel options (2 2's, 2 5's etc.) which the manual was silent on, but I finally intuited that one must be HD and the other non-HD, but the channel selection menu for preferences didn't indicate which was which, so another detective operation ensued.

Now, my specific questions:

I fear I know the answer to this already, but I adore the remote that came with my brand new Sony Bravia - small enough to fit comfortably in my hand, well balanced, just heavy enough to feel solid, the buttons are intuitively obvious, etc. The remote that came with the H20 is a plastic piece of junk. Has anyone found access codes for the Sony remote that would let me use it with the H20? All I need to do is turn it on, call up the menu, and change channels, I can haul out the H20 remote for anything else. I hate to just throw my beautiful new Sony remote into the trash.

I've played with a combination of settings, but haven't found what I'd like it to do, which is display 16:9 for everything - true display when broadcast that way, expanded when the broadcast is 4:3. At the moment my display keeps flipping back and forth between 16:9 and pillarbox, which I guess I'll get used to, but it drives me nuts at the moment. Its especially annoying when a broadcast inserts 4:3 footage into the middle of their stuff - it was happening all the time last night during the Olympics, 16:9 for the downhill racers, then switching to 4:3 for various previously taped footage, etc. When I had my former non-HD box I was able to just set the Sony to take care of this, but it seems like whatever the H20 is sending is overriding the Sony settings. Any hints would be appreciated.

Finally, is there some way to know what definition local channels are broadcasting in? In my case in Chicago CBS(2) and NBC(5) are coming in as 1080, but ABC(7) is coming in as 720. I assume that this is what's being broadcast but wasn't sure if it might be another problem with my setup.

hi:

Can anyone plz explain the mpeg4 compression. If you have an H20 with the AT9 are we automatically getting mpeg4? Can someone plz elaborate on this subject. Thanks..

Right now the only thing D* is broadcasting in MPEG4 are the local HD channels in certain markets. You need an the 5lnb dish and the H20 to view these channels. This setup also can handle the current MPEG2 channels.

I just got set up with my H20 600 on Tuesday and spent most of Wednesday reading through this thread. I've learned a lot, so thanks to all who write. I don't think I'm asking questions that have already been answered, but my eyes began to blur at about page 24! This is my virgin post on this forum, so please be gentle.

First general impressions, and then a couple of questions.

The installation process took over three hours for me. The person was unable to get a signal, and finally hooked up all my stuff inside, only to then tell me "I don't have a signal on the HD side" so you have three options - 1) give up on HD 2) cut down your (neighbor's) trees, 3) have a supervisor come out to try again. Since the trees hadn't ever been a problem in the past and I don't my neighbor would like that suggestion, I was about to suggest option 3, when I said "wait a minute" are you getting NO signal or LOW signal. When he said "no signal at the dish", I said seeing as there aren't even any leaves on those trees that aren't really in the way anyway I would expect some signal, could the antenna possibly be defective. After saying "I've never had a bad one" he agreed to replace it and the signal popped right in. Since he just said "I got it now" and 10 seconds later was packing up his stuff I was sceptical that he had actually fine tuned the dish, but since we were into hour four at this point I let him go.

After two days of much pixellation, sound dropping, audio video synching being way off, etc., I called D* last night to complain. After having me reboot, we checked signals and found that most were in the high 60s or low 70s, which the CSR I talked to said were about 10 points too low. So someone will come out this weekend to try to adjust for better signal.

I am generally pleased with the image/sound quality (when its working) but HATE the user interface and the remote (as others have reported) a giant step backwards to my cable days of many years ago. Don't they have any users test these things? The blue button hint was a godsend for the slow menu problem, and taking off "native" did speed up the other menu. I also hate that I can't change users with a single button push like I could on my old RCA. I also hate the terrible interface for setting up preferences, very little information to help you, and channel after channel just says "DTV" with no indication as to what it actually is. I finally had to turn all the channels on, go through channel by channel manually to figure out what they actually were I could then write down which ones to turn off on a piece of paper before going back in to set things up. What a tremendous step backwards. I was momentarily confused by the multiple local channel options (2 2's, 2 5's etc.) which the manual was silent on, but I finally intuited that one must be HD and the other non-HD, but the channel selection menu for preferences didn't indicate which was which, so another detective operation ensued.

Now, my specific questions:

I fear I know the answer to this already, but I adore the remote that came with my brand new Sony Bravia - small enough to fit comfortably in my hand, well balanced, just heavy enough to feel solid, the buttons are intuitively obvious, etc. The remote that came with the H20 is a plastic piece of junk. Has anyone found access codes for the Sony remote that would let me use it with the H20? All I need to do is turn it on, call up the menu, and change channels, I can haul out the H20 remote for anything else. I hate to just throw my beautiful new Sony remote into the trash.

I've played with a combination of settings, but haven't found what I'd like it to do, which is display 16:9 for everything - true display when broadcast that way, expanded when the broadcast is 4:3. At the moment my display keeps flipping back and forth between 16:9 and pillarbox, which I guess I'll get used to, but it drives me nuts at the moment. Its especially annoying when a broadcast inserts 4:3 footage into the middle of their stuff - it was happening all the time last night during the Olympics, 16:9 for the downhill racers, then switching to 4:3 for various previously taped footage, etc. When I had my former non-HD box I was able to just set the Sony to take care of this, but it seems like whatever the H20 is sending is overriding the Sony settings. Any hints would be appreciated.

Finally, is there some way to know what definition local channels are broadcasting in? In my case in Chicago CBS(2) and NBC(5) are coming in as 1080, but ABC(7) is coming in as 720. I assume that this is what's being broadcast but wasn't sure if it might be another problem with my setup.

CBS, NBC, WB and UPN broadcast in 1080i. Fox and ABC broadcast in 720p. This applies on a national basis.

I am "tentatively" scheduled to have this equipment installed next Monday.

The 5lnb dish will replace the 3lnb that I currently am using...

My question is, since my Panasonic 50PHD8UK HD plasma monitor hasn't been shipped yet, will the tech be able to install this? In any event, I guess there will be no way for me to know if it works until I finally get a display (in about a week)?

Hope I'm not getting the cart before the horse; but I really wanted to get this equipment while the rebate offer was good and not wait until the D* leasing scheme began.

Am I hopeless in Sarasota? ;)

I am "tentatively" scheduled to have this equipment installed next Monday.

The 5lnb dish will replace the 3lnb that I currently am using...

My question is, since my Panasonic 50PHD8UK HD plasma monitor hasn't been shipped yet, will the tech be able to install this? In any event, I guess there will be no way for me to know if it works until I finally get a display (in about a week)?

Hope I'm not getting the cart before the horse; but I really wanted to get this equipment while the rebate offer was good and not wait until the D* leasing scheme began.

Am I hopeless in Sarasota? ;)

hi:

lay out the green and maybe he'll do it. BTW, thats an awesome monitor. I am patiently waiting for the 65" size to come down to middle class prices. In the meantime dont you have any other tv to hook up to at least see the signal you'll be getting? regards..

hi:

I've been thru this entire thread and after reading about all the problems I feel that I have been very fortunate so far. I believe that my experience, so far, with the remote, at9, h20, d10 and installation has been stellar.

The first guy who came to install the at9 said he couldnt get a signal. trees in the way. they sent a guy with more experience and it took him 5 minutes with the signal finder to say, yeah dish goes right here not even close to a problem.

so i guess it depends on the level of experience the installer has (naturally). If i was going to choose a place for my dish it would be in the exact spot where he put it. he ran the wires behing my siding J channel. Expert expert install. There are 40 mph gusts today and signal is rock steady. HD signal in high 70's to mid 80's. SD signal all in the high 90's.

I cant complain about the remote cause this is my first D* STB. The only thing I dont like is when you set up a custom favorites list then go to the guide you only have the custom favorites and not all channels anymore. You have to go to menu then set it to ALL again. big deal. I am so happy with this setup. Cant wait for the baseball season and I bgt the march madness package. Go Go JJ
regards

hi:

lay out the green and maybe he'll do it. BTW, thats an awesome monitor. I am patiently waiting for the 65" size to come down to middle class prices. In the meantime dont you have any other tv to hook up to at least see the signal you'll be getting? regards..
I don't have any HD TV set... just a regular old SD TV right now.

I'm worried that if I don't "activate" my new H20 receiver before March 1st --- the rebate deal will not be honored. So, even though I am paying for a D* service I can't use (until the new plasma gets here) --- it seems like the right thing to do. Unless, the tech says he can't install it without a HD capable TV or monitor.

I could go steal my sisters HD set for a week or so, but that darned thing is heavy! :eek:

Do ya figure that $2 would be enough green to entice the tech? :D

Haven't tried 498 but if you go to 201 with component connection you get a similar message that says you need to use an SD connection (i.e., S-video) to view. However, if you are using HDMI you get no such message.

This is because they are testing HDCP on channel 201. In order to view an HDCP enabled channel you need either HDMI (HDCP built in) or DVI with HDCP. Without one of these connections, the program is downrezzed to 480p. Hope this helps.

I don't like the sound of this! It sounds like eventually all analog output will be downrezzed to 480p. Subscribers with TVs that only have component connections for HD will be SKREWED!

Along the same lines, it has been announced that the new HD-DVD players will only ouput HD over DVI or HDMI via HDCP handshake. Component gets downrezzed to 1/4th resolution. Sound familiar? Thanks alot MPAA :mad: :mad:

I guess we will all have to go out and buy new TVs that have 3 or 4 HDMI inputs :mad: :mad: :mad:

I don't have any HD TV set... just a regular old SD TV right now.

I'm worried that if I don't "activate" my new H20 receiver before March 1st --- the rebate deal will not be honored. So, even though I am paying for a D* service I can't use (until the new plasma gets here) --- it seems like the right thing to do. Unless, the tech says he can't install it without a HD capable TV or monitor.

I could go steal my sisters HD set for a week or so, but that darned thing is heavy! :eek:

Do ya figure that $2 would be enough green to entice the tech? :D

wow I hope that the $2 "tip" is a joke.

You dont need a HDTV to connect the H20 to. just get a run of the mill tv and hook it up and activate it. btw, I didnt send my rebate form in yet cause i am waiting for a bill to show activation. the rebate form only says to mail in the bill. no date for activation. the date of 2/28/06 corresponds to getting the H20, not activation. Thats the way I read it. It has to be postmarked by 4/30/06 so you have 2 months to activate. chill me boy! regards..

"wow I hope that the $2 "tip" is a joke... ...chill me boy! regards.."
To be honest, I hadn't even considered tipping the tech anything. I don't believe people should tip someone for simply doing their jobs... Do you tip the guy taking your order at McDonalds? Should you tip your garbage man?

With that being said, I believe that I will wait and see how well the technician does the install. From the sounds of posts here, there is a pretty good chance that the install will be less than stellar. On the other hand, if the tech does a good job, I might give him an "atta boy" and if he does a REALLY good job, maybe I'll pass him some of my hard-earned green. :)

I have always considered myself as being a better-than-average (20%) tipper. But, maybe I'm wrong? For example, I've never tipped the mailman for putting all that junk mail in my box.

Thanks for the welcomed advice! I will definitely chill out now. It really is good to find out that the H20/AT9 can be installed without a HD TV set or monitor.

Hmmmm, maybe since D* gave me a free install I'll tip 50% of nothing? (Yes, I'm joking!)

Haven't tried 498 but if you go to 201 with component connection you get a similar message that says you need to use an SD connection (i.e., S-video) to view. However, if you are using HDMI you get no such message.

This is because they are testing HDCP on channel 201.

I was afraid of that.

You don't have to switch to S-vid or composite, but you do have to hit the select button to switch to 480p via component. When you change channels, it automatically goes back to 1080i without having to hit the format button. That must be why it's not possible to deselect 480p in the resolutions setup.

I guess if I ever see the "please-change-rez-to-480p" on a real program, I'll have to replace my defective HDMI cable and stop using component. :(

To be honest, I hadn't even considered tipping the tech anything.

You don't have to tip, but you might consider it if the guy had a difficult install and maybe it was done in lousy weather, and he did a good job, and didn't charge you extra for a non-standard install.

As for not having an HDTV yet, just tell the guy your HDTV is on order and you'll connect it yourself when it arrives. There's no reason why they shouldn't connect it to an SDTV.

I don't like the sound of this! It sounds like eventually all analog output will be downrezzed to 480p. Subscribers with TVs that only have component connections for HD will be SKREWED!

Along the same lines, it has been announced that the new HD-DVD players will only ouput HD over DVI or HDMI via HDCP handshake. Component gets downrezzed to 1/4th resolution. Sound familiar? Thanks alot MPAA :mad: :mad:

I guess we will all have to go out and buy new TVs that have 3 or 4 HDMI inputs :mad: :mad: :mad:

Your information is not entirely correct. The new High-Def DVD players must have the capability to read an encryption flag and only allow HD over the HDMI output. On discs where the movie studio does not put such a flag, the player will output HD over component connections. I doubt that many movie studios will risk alienating the millions of "retro" set owners by enabling this flag -- at least right away. The same thing goes for satellite receivers. I have no doubt that in the future, such practices will be adopted, but right now? I don't think so.

Your information is not entirely correct. The new High-Def DVD players must have the capability to read an encryption flag and only allow HD over the HDMI output. On discs where the movie studio does not put such a flag, the player will output HD over component connections. I doubt that many movie studios will risk alienating the millions of "retro" set owners by enabling this flag -- at least right away. The same thing goes for satellite receivers. I have no doubt that in the future, such practices will be adopted, but right now? I don't think so.

The Movie studios don't care how many people they alienate. It sounds like D* is already testing this so how far away do you think this is? Clearly it is on the horizon that component HD will be downrezzed so that viewers can be forced to switch to digital only outputs. Considering the other moves this week by the MPAA I doubt that this is very far away.

The new HD-DVD players hitting the market next week BY DEFAULT downrezz the output over component to 1/4 HD resolution because HDCP does not exist over analog connections like component. The only way that they will output HD is over HDCP enabled connections ( digital, ie DVI or HDMI ).
Even brand new computers with HD-DVD drives probably won't output HD over component OR Digital outputs.
See http://news.com.com/New+DVDs+already+sparking+copy-protection+confusion/2100-1025_3-6040261.html?tag=cd.hed

If D* is forcing component output to 480p on test channels that is clearly where they are headed in the not too distant future.

Get ready for HD-LITE-LITE, HD-LITE-, ??

... It sounds like D* is already testing this so how far away do you think this is?If done, it will be done if demanded by the content owner. The provider will not have a choice. AFAIK, all HD STBs have had downrezzing capability from the beginning.

FWIW, all satellite (and probably cableco) STBs have had built in [i]analog]/i] (macrovison) copy protection capability for years, but it's not being used. The existence of macrovision CP is why STB user manuals tell you it's not good to have a VCR (daisy-chained) between the STB and the TV.