I recently upgraded to the HD package with DirecTV and I can only recieve about half of the channels in the package the other half simply say "Searching for signal." Checking the DirecTV Signal Meter the signal strength is 0%. All of the HD channels are on Sat B on various transponders. Some transponders on Sat B have good strength (80%) while some have 0%. Also, on Sat C, all transponders have about 50%.

I can catch ESPN HD, HBO HD, TNT HD, HDNET MOVIES, UHD. I cannot catch ESPN2 HD, HDNET, DISC HD.

In the past when watching SD programming I've had problems similar to this, for instance HGTV did not work and also FX. They both started working one day, but then Discovery Health stopped working ("searching for satellite" error). I think what happened is D* moved around some channels, but the same sat and xpdr were impacted.

Anyways, I figured my problem was cabling since the original wiring in the house had some splitters and a couple of inline couplers. However, this weekend I ran a single run from the dish to the box with new connectors. I then ordered the HD package and I was missing the HD channels.

I'm thinking i may have an alignment issue, but how come some are good, while some are 0%. That doesn't seem to make sense. I've got brand new RG6 cableing with new crimped connectors and nothing else. Sketchy LNB perhaps. Any ideas?

I would just call DirecTV and upgrade to HD-DVR, but with all this talk about sketchy MPEG4 equipment, I want to hold off.

I'm having the EXACT same problem...only with the Samsung TS-360 reciever.

Interesting that you seem to be having the same problem...Mine is intermittent...and I know for a fact it's not an alignment issue..it was working fine until about a month or two ago.

Why does that not surprise me. This TS160 has always been a pain. I still have to unplug it every couple of weeks because after a while the menus become painfully slow and yesterday it was completely dead.

Couple shady hardware with all the changes D* is doing with to the system and I think you'll end up with what we're experiencing, garbage.

The sad thing is calling D* is absolutely futile. I think it may be time for me to move on to something else.

If my cable company didn't suck worse, I'd already be gone...The fact that D* refuses to budge on the HD-Tivo for me (an 8 year 100/month customer) has finally made me want out.
That, and this receiver sucks...locks up every time I leave it on an HD channel, either OTA or via satellite.

[QUOTE=atdauph]I recently upgraded to the HD package with DirecTV and I can only recieve about half of the channels in the package the other half simply say "Searching for signal." Checking the DirecTV Signal Meter the signal strength is 0%. All of the HD channels are on Sat B on various transponders. Some transponders on Sat B have good strength (80%) while some have 0%. Also, on Sat C, all transponders have about 50%.

I can catch ESPN HD, HBO HD, TNT HD, HDNET MOVIES, UHD. I cannot catch ESPN2 HD, HDNET, DISC HD.

In the past when watching SD programming I've had problems similar to this, for instance HGTV did not work and also FX. They both started working one day, but then Discovery Health stopped working ("searching for satellite" error). I think what happened is D* moved around some channels, but the same sat and xpdr were impacted.

Anyways, I figured my problem was cabling since the original wiring in the house had some splitters and a couple of inline couplers. However, this weekend I ran a single run from the dish to the box with new connectors. I then ordered the HD package and I was missing the HD channels.

I'm thinking i may have an alignment issue, but how come some are good, while some are 0%. That doesn't seem to make sense. I've got brand new RG6 cableing with new crimped connectors and nothing else. Sketchy LNB perhaps. Any ideas?

I would just call DirecTV and upgrade to HD-DVR, but with all this talk about sketchy MPEG4 equipment, I want to hold off.[/QUOTE
What dish and receiver do you have?

In most cases of poor (or no) reception, it is the dish not bringing the signal in as strongly as it is capable of. That is certainly the first thing to look at. On sats, transponders range from weak to strong. The dish may be oriented ok for strong transponders but not good enough for weaker transponders. Check each transponder (on a given sat) and you will see each one varies in 'power'. Be sure your receivers are completely open on all 6 sides. A receiver needs lots of cool air circulating around it. Be sure you have 1-2 inches clearance below the bottom of the receiver. Receivers get hot and certain components inside begin to break down. Todays' receivers are made down to a price-point.

What dish and receiver do you have?

Sorry about that, I thought it was in there. I think i edited it out.

Ive got a triple LNB dish with a Samsung TS-160.

I would call for a tech to realign the dish. It sounds like you are out of adjustment.
Your signals should be very high with that dish and receiver.

Even if Sat's A & C are just fine? My values are typically above 85 on A&C, and around 50 or 60 on B...all of a sudden..they used to be above 85 across the board.

Sounds like what mine did as well.. There used to be a thread that showed how to reset the BOX by reselecting the dish type. I printed it out and referenced it in another thread, but cannot locate it now. All it requires is basically reseting the box through selecion of dish type and low and behold you'll get all your channels back at full strength.

I'll try searchiing more for it later, but i can't find it now. i'll try to pull out the hardcopy and retype for you. simple fix if it works like on mine. I was about to get a new one until I tried it, fixed it instantly and has been working for a year or so now. (except for locking up, etc. occassionally)

Sounds like what mine did as well.. There used to be a thread that showed how to reset the BOX by reselecting the dish type. I printed it out and referenced it in another thread, but cannot locate it now. All it requires is basically reseting the box through selecion of dish type and low and behold you'll get all your channels back at full strength.

I'll try searchiing more for it later, but i can't find it now. i'll try to pull out the hardcopy and retype for you. simple fix if it works like on mine. I was about to get a new one until I tried it, fixed it instantly and has been working for a year or so now. (except for locking up, etc. occassionally)

I'll try this when I get home. I know i've unplugged the unit several times (due to lockups etc.) but I don't know if this is the RESET you are referring to. I don't think I've reset the dish type.

Sounds like what mine did as well.. There used to be a thread that showed how to reset the BOX by reselecting the dish type. I printed it out and referenced it in another thread, but cannot locate it now. All it requires is basically reseting the box through selecion of dish type and low and behold you'll get all your channels back at full strength.

I'll try searchiing more for it later, but i can't find it now. i'll try to pull out the hardcopy and retype for you. simple fix if it works like on mine. I was about to get a new one until I tried it, fixed it instantly and has been working for a year or so now. (except for locking up, etc. occassionally)

I believe this may be what you were talking about.

Yes. It's a bug in the SIR-TS160. You have to select Round Dish manually first. Allow the receiver to auto-reboot, then select Auto Detect. If the receiver does not auto reboot, then select Oval 2 manually, the receiver will reboot, then select round, the receiver will reboot, then select Auto Detect.

I'll give this a try. I tried just reselecting the dish but that didn't work, but the above procedure looks a little more promising.

sorry aaron,

I just found it myself and was about to post it. Try that, I knew it had a couple steps to it. It worked great on mine.

That did it. I started picking up Sat B and then I tweaked the dish and was able to get more. I catch all HD channels now and Sat C signals or way up too.

Thanks

I have not been getting my HD channels(70-79) for several weeks. Also do not get the HBOHD on 509. All other channels come in strong at 97 signal strength. I think it's 110 and 119 that I'm not getting. I went through the transponders and all seem to inactive but maybe a couple and on those there is no signal strength. I also reselected the dish type. On my RCA DTC-100 box you have to select "oval dish" and then "3 lnb dish"...but that didn't work for me. Wish I knew what the problem was but I guess it doesn't matter as I am having the 5 lnb dish and H20 installed this Sat. After a new dish and receiver and new alignment I hope all will be good.

I dont get any reception on sats 110 or 119 with my 3 lnb dish. I've tried aligning many times but cant get it right. Would I be better off getting a new 5 lnb dish. Are there dishes better and getting reception?

I dont get any reception on sats 110 or 119 with my 3 lnb dish. I've tried aligning many times but cant get it right. Would I be better off getting a new 5 lnb dish. Are there dishes better and getting reception?


The newer dish is bigger so yes, it will give you a slightly better signal - however, it sounds like you do not know how to align the dish in the first place - and the newer 5lnb is much harder than the original one you have now.