These readings are from H20 receivers.The tech that done our installation said that we could add 20 points to these numbers when we check for signal strengths,does anyone know if this is true?
steve615 said:
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Yes, the installer is 100% correct. I have 4 HD receivers and the 2 H20's show signal strength about 20 points lower. I have verified this with DirecTV technical staff but they cannot tell me the reason.
In all due respect, I can tell you the 20% is with 100% certainty an urban myth, running rampant on the forums.
This myth about the H20s was one of the reasons I started the 99/103 thread on signal strengths as I saw many people giving creedence to what might be true on some transponders, but not across the Directv fleet.
I can only assume that some people must see 1 channel with around a 20 point difference and and assume its across the Boards with all Satellites and Transponders. In fact, on some of the 119 transponders, the H20 is as good if not equal in strength.
I have conducted multiple test across the country with H20s versus old STB and have never found a 20% drop across the board - or anything close.
Just to prove it again, last week I went through SAT A/ SAT B/ SAT C again and between an older RCA DTC-100 and a H20 through a AT9. The results were predictably what I have come to expect:
It can be -20 lower - but it can also be HIGHER on 119 - depending on the Transponder.
In fact, I have NEVER seen a 20 point difference.
I repeated this AGAIN just last week to make sure nothing had changed. An AT9 with a Zinwell switch, 2 H20s and 2 older RCA DTC-100 were used this time. I have also conducted this test with a fleet of older Directv IRDs.
Transponder - DCT100-H20
101-SAT A
1 - 91 - 86
2 - 90 - 82
3 - 89 - 81
4 - NA - NA
5 - 89 - 77
6 - 94 - 77
7 - 89 - 77
8 - 93 - 81
14 - 99 - 81
15 - 90 - 76
16 - 97 - 82
17 - 93 - 81
27 - 86 - 77
28 - 99 - 100
29 - 92 - 81
30 - 97 - 80
31 - 95 - 77
32 - 98 - 82
110-SAT C
28/8 - 80 - 74
30/10 - 82 - 80
32/12 - 93 - 77
119-SAT B
22 - 83 - 85
23 - 72 - 60
24 - 83 - 92
25 - 86 - 68
26 - 80 - 94
27 - 95 - 88
29 - 86 - 88
30 - 84 - 93
31 - N/A
32 - 94 - 94
So for a CSR or a Directv Installer to make a statement that the signal on a H20 is 20 points lower, well, I've never seen it - and close examination of SAT B T29 and T30 are an eye opener.
In fact, I believe the Installers have just repeated it to justify crappy dish pointing - another reason I was looking to get signal strengths on 99 and 103 from around the Country - as it could help others in the same area identify a problem install.
Would I say as a general rule that the H20 shows a lower signal in most cases? Yes.
Would I say it is consistently 20 points lower than the other STBs?
No way.