Signal strength around 50 to 60% in Columbia, Connecticut

[billman1969]

i am hanging signal strength of anywhere between low 50's to mid 60's and i just had a dish tech come out today (Feb 10th 2009) and he told me to just change the transponder to 12. he then switched the transponder to 12 and it went from 56 to 82 but it doesnt stay at transponder 12. he told me to go to "check signal" and then change the transponder to 12 and wait a couple of seconds till it locks it in. but when i go back in moments later to check it it will go back to the original settings.
i have had another technician come out a couple weeks ago and fix the LNB as i got a message when checking my system. and even now after they left the first time it is still showing a LNB drift. which i have no idea what that is.
does the signal strength really matter when it comes to HD? i want to get the most out of my dish and its HD channels it has to offer but i am a little leary about this signal strength issue. i am trying to get my facts straight and wondering if i should just go back to cable for their HD channels.

i appreciate any help i can get.

my receiver is a VIP622

Bill

 

[RandallA]

First of all remove the email address if you don't want to get SPAM. 50-60s is normal signal strength with the new signal meter. You can select any transponder that you want but the receiver will get the channel from the transponder where the channel you want to view is.

What receiver do you have?

 

[billman1969]

i have a VIP622

 

[RandallA]

OK. Press Menu, 6, 1, 1 on the remote that will take you to the point screen and will show your signal strength for each satellite you have. TP 12 shows 82 because it's probably a Spotbeam for your local channels, but you don't mention what satellite is coming from.

While on the point screen, you can change the satellite and transponder. For example, select satellite 119 and transponder 11 and post your signal. Change satellite to 61.5 and select TPs 19, 25, 22. Those transponders have HD channel and will give tell us if you're receiving good signal.

Like I said, 50-60s is pretty much normal with the new signal meter.

 

[billman1969]

ok, this is what i got last night.
Transponder

 

[billman1969]

Transponder satellite strength
7 110 64
12 119 57
19 61.5 51
22 61.5 53
25 61.5 54

12 61.5 72
12 110 82

i went to different HD channels and checked the point screen and below is what i got:
ESPN2
02 61.5 61
VS.
16 61.5 47

HBO2
20 61.5 50

i did check system and by doing 6-1-3 on the remote and it tells me Check "details" for LNB
and when i do that it shows
LNB Drfit Detected
OX Od, OXa1 61.5(e-5)

all greek to me....

my main issue is that i do notice a tad blurriness while watching fast moving sports. not too bad, i guess, but now that i notice it i think that it stands out more for me because i am always looking for any imperfections in the picture. i didnt know if i should of gotten one of those new LCD 120HZ tv's compared to my new Hitachi Plasma. and make sure that i am getting all i can from dish HD.
personally i would love to see the signal show a very high signal strength as i would be assured i am getting the best picture possible.
is it normal for each channel to have different satellites and different transponder numbers? im not able to change the transponder number and have it stay at the number i pick. always goes back to whatever it was before i changed it.

and i truly appreciate your help, Randall.

 

[RandallA]

With digital signal you either get the picture or you don't. Having a higher signal will only help maintain the signal when it rains or snows, it will not help you get a better picture quality. Some guy named Jeff might disagree with me.

The LNB Drift Detected message might be a problem and the LNB will need to be replaced. I think once the number gets to above 9-10, the LNB needs to be replaced but I'm not 100% sure. You can search the forum for" LNB drift detected". If you see pixelations from 61.5 (HD channels) then it should be replaced. You'll call Dish Network and tell them that you have pixelations and an error LNB Drift Detected.

Here is a nice thread:

http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/137578-lnb-drift-service.html

"is it normal for each channel to have different satellites and different transponder numbers? im not able to change the transponder number and have it stay at the number i pick. always goes back to whatever it was before i changed it."

Yes, this is normal and that's the way it is supossed to work.