NYC Locals Issues?

[nlk10010]

Sorry if this is of no interest to those of you outside NY (didn't know where else to post) but for the last few days to a week or so I have had my NY locals (various channels) periodically freeze (sound continues but picture is frozen) and/or pixelate completely (almost completely gray picture). This happened during Two and a Half Men on WPIX-DT/HD, on WNBC-DT/HD and right now I'm seeing it on ABC-HD.

I haven't seen it on any other channels, regardless of the satellite (it might be there, just haven't noticed it). Just the locals.

Am I the only one?

Any info or pointers to threads where this has been discussed previously would be appreciated.

 

[garys]

I have had the same thing on different programs, I just attributed it the many thunderstorms throughout the North East.

 

[DBS Commando]

This has happened to me in the past. (Especially when I first got my 622) Typically, I perform a check switch and reset the switch by unplugging and plugging back in the power inserter (if you have one)

Fixes these problems every time. . . .

 

[gary08]

Sorry if this is of no interest to those of you outside NY (didn't know where else to post) but for the last few days to a week or so I have had my NY locals (various channels) periodically freeze (sound continues but picture is frozen) and/or pixelate completely (almost completely gray picture). This happened during Two and a Half Men on WPIX-DT/HD, on WNBC-DT/HD and right now I'm seeing it on ABC-HD.

I haven't seen it on any other channels, regardless of the satellite (it might be there, just haven't noticed it). Just the locals.

Am I the only one?

Any info or pointers to threads where this has been discussed previously would be appreciated.

Wow, I was just going to post the same thing.
I live in NJ and have the same problem with the HD locals. Signal meter does not drop out, but the picture still freezes.

 

[gary08]

This has happened to me in the past. (Especially when I first got my 622) Typically, I perform a check switch and reset the switch by unplugging and plugging back in the power inserter (if you have one)

Fixes these problems every time. . . .

Tried performing a check switch and unplugging the unit and it still freezes.
Just happens with the HD locals.

 

[DBS Commando]

Tried performing a check switch and unplugging the unit and it still freezes.
Just happens with the HD locals.

Which unit? The receiver or the power inserter for the switch? There's a difference.

 

[gary08]

Which unit? The receiver or the power inserter for the switch? There's a difference.

The receiver, I did not notice the other power connection you mentioned.
I have a 622 being fed from a Dish500 and a single dish for 61.5 (on the opposite side of the house).
The installer, when they hooked up 61.5, removed the switch I had, and now those cables are barreled together.

 

[DBS Commando]

The receiver, I did not notice the other power connection you mentioned.
I have a 622 being fed from a Dish500 and a single dish for 61.5 (on the opposite side of the house).
The installer, when they hooked up 61.5, removed the switch I had, and now those cables are barreled together.

Check your check switch page and see what switch you have. If it's something other than the DPP44, then you will not find a power inserter.

 

[tnsprin]

Wow, I was just going to post the same thing.
I live in NJ and have the same problem with the HD locals. Signal meter does not drop out, but the picture still freezes.

I haven't been seeing this, but then I use OTA for most NYC LOCALs on my Receiver. Only record the satellite feed when I have two (or more) locals to record.

 

[Doppy]

I am having the exact same problem, I thought it was only me. I actually called to get a service technician out here to fix my Dish because I am only getting a signal strength of around 65 on the locals so I thought that was causing it to drop out. This is happening on both my HD receivers at the exact same time so doing something to the receiver like a poster mentioned will not help it. So could it be Dish is just experiencing temporary problems with these channels OR is our signal strength too low that we now require a higher strength due to some change Dish made? What is your signal strength on these channels?

 

[w1ckedindian]

I have the same problem and i have the 722. this started since last wednesday!!

 

[DBS Commando]

I am having the exact same problem, I thought it was only me. I actually called to get a service technician out here to fix my Dish because I am only getting a signal strength of around 65 on the locals so I thought that was causing it to drop out. This is happening on both my HD receivers at the exact same time so doing something to the receiver like a poster mentioned will not help it. So could it be Dish is just experiencing temporary problems with these channels OR is our signal strength too low that we now require a higher strength due to some change Dish made? What is your signal strength on these channels?

I've got a 75 with a 622 signal meter

 

[lagreat]

North Central NJ

I 'm also seeing the same issue, it starts with the thick cloud cover, I guess and then even when the clouds are out of the way it continues. The symptoms start with picture jittering then locking up with no sound, eventually after few sceconds the picture will solarize (gray negative) and come back and start over once again.

I noticed this since early morning yesterday. I tried to power off the unit and keep it off for 5 minutes but it still continues. Off air local of the same channel works OK so I don't think it's the receiver. Channel 310 works OK when 2,4,5,7 go out, what gives. 310 is also from 61.5 or am I mistaken?

If it was weather related why won't other HD channels on 61.5 be affected? My signal for Transponder 15 on 61.5 at tis time is at 62 peaking to 64. Is this good signal is do I have issues with pointing.

Apparently I got 511 on friday if I am not mistaken.

Ciao

 

[tnsprin]

I 'm also seeing the same issue, it starts with the thick cloud cover, I guess and then even when the clouds are out of the way it continues. The symptoms start with picture jittering then locking up with no sound, eventually after few sceconds the picture will solarize (gray negative) and come back and start over once again.

I noticed this since early morning yesterday. I tried to power off the unit and keep it off for 5 minutes but it still continues. Off air local of the same channel works OK so I don't think it's the receiver. Channel 310 works OK when 2,4,5,7 go out, what gives. 310 is also from 61.5 or am I mistaken?

If it was weather related why won't other HD channels on 61.5 be affected? My signal for Transponder 15 on 61.5 at tis time is at 62 peaking to 64. Is this good signal is do I have issues with pointing.

Apparently I got 511 on friday if I am not mistaken.

Ciao

I am not sure exactly where they do the spotbeam uplinks from. But by the design of the former Rainbow 1, spotbeams have to be done from somewhere in the spotbeams area. So cloud cover can effect both the uplink and downlink of the NYC DMA.

My signal strength (using a 300) was about 72 for transponder 15 when I checked earlier, before the thunderstorm that is now rolling in.

 

[gary08]

I am not sure exactly where they do the spotbeam uplinks from. But by the design of the former Rainbow 1, spotbeams have to be done from somewhere in the spotbeams area. So cloud cover can effect both the uplink and downlink of the NYC DMA.

My signal strength (using a 300) was about 72 for transponder 15 when I checked earlier, before the thunderstorm that is now rolling in.

Signal level for me is the same, around 68 to 72 on 15.
I have watched the level during these freezups and the level seems to remain constant, as it does not drop out.
Is it safe to say, considering the number of people with the same problem, that it is not my 622, nor is it my dish alignment?.
Any thoughts?

 

[nlk10010]

Signal level for me is the same, around 68 to 72 on 15.
I have watched the level during these freezups and the level seems to remain constant, as it does not drop out.
Is it safe to say, considering the number of people with the same problem, that it is not my 622, nor is it my dish alignment?.
Any thoughts?

Well, it's been a long time since I asked.

Thanks to all for responding.

I too have about a 72 on the transponder for Channel 7 (which was having the problems all day today, especially during Euro 2008).

It certainly appears to be happening to too many people to be an equipment or switch anomaly (although anything is possible, I suppose). It's possible that environmental conditions that wouldn't have caused problems before do now (with the spotbeams). I don't know. All I DO know is that it's a REAL PITA.

 

[w1ckedindian]

called dish and was told they dont have any issues but they will check on it. i told them it started since last wednesday they said it might have been due the signal it receives from the broadcasters or their fault....

 

[gary08]

called dish and was told they dont have any issues but they will check on it. i told them it started since last wednesday they said it might have been due the signal it receives from the broadcasters or their fault....

Thanks for the info.
The problem seems to be getting worse as of this morning.

 

[gary08]

Just called Dish,
CSR created a technical report.
Said she has not heard of any problems with the locals.

 

[jfmeier]

I am having the very same issue on my NY locals in HD only. I have two 622 receivers going through a DP44 Switch. The signal strength on my 61.5 remains constant in the mid 70's. I too thought it might be weather related however it is happening in clear blue skys. I went and checked the LNB connection, removed it and re-tightened - no difference. I called DISH and the CSR too reported no issues with the channels but made a report. A relative who lives 15 miles from me with the same setup is seeing the same exact thing. Could this have anything to do with the L511 Software this past week or so? It is very annoying, more than 8 freezes every 30 minutes on any local HD channel. I want a credit.