Very strange issue with recording a local channel / watching another local on the vip722 DVR

[DishinATL]

Hello all, Been a reader of these forums for years, but my first post. I did a search to see if this topic had come up before, but didn't see one - so apologies if I've missed it and this has been addressed before. I'm having an issue with my 722DVR related to recording / watching local channels. I have both sat in 1 and 2 connected, no OTA. Here's what's happening: If I tune a local channel, it comes in fine. I can then press record to record that channel. As soon as it is recording, I change the channel to watch a different local channel (which as we know will utilize the other sat input)... on the 2nd input, the reception is totally pixelated and distored, and I cannot figure out why. Does not happen if I switch to a non local channel (e.g. ESPN 140). I can go into the dvr menu and stop the recording on the original channel, and the pixelation does not stop on the 2nd channel that I tuned to.. although I can start recording that channel, which ties up the "distorted" input, and can change to another new local channel - and it will come in fine. . I have played around to see if it's specifically input 1 or 2 (e.g. by starting/stopping recordings to get the dvr to where it's recording a good signal on either 1 or 2 ), but it doesn't matter - as long as one channel is recording, the other local channel is distorted. Frustrating in that if I'm watching a local channel (good reception), and then want to start to record one I'm not watching, my recording on the DVR is a distored recording. Again, I've tested this with non-locals and doesn't seem to be an issue. It's like I can only get full reception of local channels through 1 input at a time instead of two as it's supposed to work.

I've called DISH tech support, and they did not have any help - although they sent me a replacement 722, which I've switched out and lo and behold it does the exact same thing. Has any one encountered this or does anyone have any ideas? Thanks in advance

 

[upsss]

Locate the transponder for your local channels and check its signal strength.

 

[harshness]

Locate the transponder for your local channels and check its signal strength.

It is likely that the LIL channels are on the same transponder and if one is compromised, the other should be also.

We need to know specifically what channels the OP is talking about and whether their setup is EA or WA (since Atlanta is a dual arc market).

 

[RickDee]

I had a problem exactly like this with my 722k last summer and after mine was replaced I totally lost all incoming satellite signal. A couple of fellows from the local Dish shop came out and they found the wire in the connection block had corroded.

 

[DishinATL]

Hi all, thanks for the ideas / responses so far.

A bit more detail:
RickDee, when you say the wire in the connection block was corroded, are you referring to the connection block that's fed directly from the dish? Any more insight on that would be helpful.

I am on Eastern Arc, and it pretty much happens with any local channels. e.g. a lot of my testing has involved almost every local - 2 (abc), 5(fox), 11(NBC), 46(CBS), 17(Peach), 8(PBS), - not sure If I've tried 69 or not..

Transponders look ok from what I recall....although I'll check again tonight. Does anyone know off hand which sat / transponders I should check for atlanta locals, eastern arc?

I should mention - I have two 622DVR's in other rooms in the house, coming off same satellite dish... and I do not have this problem - can record one local and watch another local with no issues. so the problem is specific to the 722.

Part of me feels like it must be something simple / stupid I'm doing... like I said even swapped out the 722 for a new one and same issue... just can't figure it out!

 

[TheKrell]

There must be something wrong with the switch inside the EA LNB assembly. Or the cabling, though I don't really understand how a corroded connection could cause such symptoms. If you swap your 722 for one of your 622s, you'll find out whether a different switch port (or coax) is the culprit.

I also don't understand how recording has anything to do with it. Can you tune in two different channels (one with each tuner) on the same transponder and see the same lousy result regardless of recording status? You may have to be in dual mode to try that.

 

[RickDee]

Hi all, thanks for the ideas / responses so far.

A bit more detail:
RickDee, when you say the wire in the connection block was corroded, are you referring to the connection block that's fed directly from the dish? Any more insight on that would be helpful.

I am on Eastern Arc, and it pretty much happens with any local channels. e.g. a lot of my testing has involved almost every local - 2 (abc), 5(fox), 11(NBC), 46(CBS), 17(Peach), 8(PBS), - not sure If I've tried 69 or not..

Transponders look ok from what I recall....although I'll check again tonight. Does anyone know off hand which sat / transponders I should check for atlanta locals, eastern arc?

I should mention - I have two 622DVR's in other rooms in the house, coming off same satellite dish... and I do not have this problem - can record one local and watch another local with no issues. so the problem is specific to the 722.

Part of me feels like it must be something simple / stupid I'm doing... like I said even swapped out the 722 for a new one and same issue... just can't figure it out!

Yes, the connecting block with the cable coming from the dish lnb. The wire on the lnb side of the block has corroded. It looked like it may have arced, also. The repairman replaced the end of the cable and all is well.

 

[Jimmerinwi]

I would try putting a 622 where the 722 is now and see if the problem is still there with the 622. That would tell you for sure it's a cabling problem. If you connect the 722 and the problem follows with the receiver, then receiver is junk. How old is the cabling in your house? Is it good rg6? If its rg59, that could be your problem.

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