A little problem installing a DVR40

[Dilerium]

I got a refurb DVR40 through the DVR4ME deal. Actually, I also got an R15, but that's a different subject.

I have installed the DVR40 in my den. In order to have full functionality, I had to run a new cable. Off to Home Depot I went, and purchased 100' of RG6 cable and some screw on connectors. I have run the cable from the multiswitch to the sat2 input on the TiVo. Sat1 is using the cable that was supplying the regular receiver I was replacing. Last night, everything seemed okay. My son watched all his favorite channels and didn't report any problems. Today, however, some channels did not show up. In investigating the problem, I discovered that the sat2 line was not receiving any odd transponders. All of the even transponders are scoring in the high 90's, but the odds are flat out zero. On sat1, all of the transponders are scoring in the high 90's.

"Hmmm," I said.

So, I proceeded to troubleshoot the problem.

I connected the new cable to another port on the multiswitch
I swapped the two cables at the DVR end. This resulted in sat2 working perfectly and sat 1 not getting odd transponders
I have performed several resets of the DVR
I have double-checked all the settings in the DVR and made a few corrections
I have removed and replaced the connector on the DVR end


None of this has worked. The only thing that seems substandard in this whole thing is that I used screw-on connectors rather than compression connectors. I cannot imagine why this would cause this problem.

Any suggestions?

[shanew1289]

hook that one unit across the multiswitch (remove the multiswitch). If they work and not through the multiswitch, then your multiswitch is probably faulty. But its not always that easy. Is it a 2 x 4, 3 x 4, 5 x 8, etc etc etc?

[JimSpence]

Since the problem switched to the other input, my guess is that you have a bad cable and/or connection.

As the above post suggests, try bypassing the multiswitch using F/F barrel connectors to eliminate the switch as the culprit.

[Dilerium]

hook that one unit across the multiswitch (remove the multiswitch). If they work and not through the multiswitch, then your multiswitch is probably faulty. But its not always that easy. Is it a 2 x 4, 3 x 4, 5 x 8, etc etc etc?

The multiswitch is a 3x8 (2 LNB and 1 antenna (unused)). I'm not sure what you mean, though, about taking out the multiswitch. Connect the unit to what? Do you mean use a barrel connector and connect it to an LNB? Which LNB should I connect it to? I did move the faulty line to another port on the LNB, but the problem persisted. All of the other DVR's and receivers running through this multiswitch are working fine.

[willardcpa]

What they are trying to get you to do is to use the barrel connectors and hook up the two lines that go to your DVR40 directly to the two lines that are coming from your dish directly to your dvr and essentially bypassing the multiswitch. Then if the DVR works ok it indicates that the multiswitch has a faulty port.
But when you say "I did move the faulty line to another port on the LNB, but the problem persisted. All of the other DVR's and receivers running through this multiswitch are working fine." It sure sounds like Jim has hit the nail on the head, faulty cable or connector. I have had similar problems in the past, what I found is that the tivo likes the center conductor to extend behond the connector by about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch - most instructions for connectors say to cut it off flush with the connector. So you might try that.

[HDTVsportsfan]

Off to Home Depot I went, and purchased 100' of RG6 cable and some screw on connectors.

Any suggestions?

This may not fix your problem but as a general rule get rid of the screw on connectors and use crimp style at the least, preferred method is compression fittings.

[shanew1289]

If it is a bad cable, I have seen a few reasons.

Kinked and re-straightened (Big No No, splice it at the kink with barrel or re-run it)

Too much shielding stripped from the end. Re terminate.

Extra shielding causing a short or creating extremely low impedance. Re terminate and make sure foil shield is cut clean and wires are trimmed and contained.

A very small amount of insulator on the center conductor causing extra impedance. Scrape the center conductors clean to the inside. use a small exacto knife if F connector is installed already. I always scrape the center conductor clean with a utility knife prior to installing and crimping the F connector.

ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE OTHER END AS THE KNIFE CAN SHORT THE CENTER TO GROUND!

And yes, make sure the wire protrudes like an 1/8 inch from the F connector. I alwasy like to "feel" it engage into the unit.

Hope you figure it out.
GL

[Dilerium]

If it is a bad cable, I have seen a few reasons.

Kinked and re-straightened (Big No No, splice it at the kink with barrel or re-run it)

Too much shielding stripped from the end. Re terminate.

Extra shielding causing a short or creating extremely low impedance. Re terminate and make sure foil shield is cut clean and wires are trimmed and contained.

A very small amount of insulator on the center conductor causing extra impedance. Scrape the center conductors clean to the inside. use a small exacto knife if F connector is installed already. I always scrape the center conductor clean with a utility knife prior to installing and crimping the F connector.

ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE OTHER END AS THE KNIFE CAN SHORT THE CENTER TO GROUND!

And yes, make sure the wire protrudes like an 1/8 inch from the F connector. I alwasy like to "feel" it engage into the unit.

Hope you figure it out.
GL

Thanks for those suggestions. I did have a bit of kinking trouble when running the cable. The package was wound so tight and the cable was all coiled up as I was running it. Is there a way to test the cable itself for problems with a multimeter?

This is my first time working with RG6. I noticed that it doesn't have a web like coaxial cable. However, each tim e I clipped the end to terminate the line, there were lots of little threadlike wires falling loose. Is this okay, or I have I done something wrong?

I guess I could run new cable and pay more attention to kinking. Why is kinking such a serious issue?

Thanks for your help.

[Dilerium]

This may not fix your problem but as a general rule get rid of the screw on connectors and use crimp style at the least, preferred method is compression fittings.

Yeah, just compression fittings required the purchase of yet another tool.

[beartrap]

This is my first time working with RG6. I noticed that it doesn't have a web like coaxial cable. However, each tim e I clipped the end to terminate the line, there were lots of little threadlike wires falling loose. Is this okay, or I have I done something wrong?

RG6 is coaxial cable, and it should have a "web," or grounded shield composed of many small braided wires.

[Dilerium]

RG6 is coaxial cable, and it should have a "web," or grounded shield composed of many small braided wires.

Okay, but aren't there different types of coaxial cable, of which RG6 is one? This stuff seems different than the cable the cable company left years ago.

When I use the wire stripper, it trims the cable in three steps. The center conductor extends bare at the end. Part way down this wire is a foil wrapped plastic insulator. The last tier is the black outer jacket. I haven't seen the braided wires. I will attempt to strip the wire using a different tool and see what happens.

[beartrap]

Okay, but aren't there different types of coaxial cable, of which RG6 is one? This stuff seems different than the cable the cable company left years ago.

When I use the wire stripper, it trims the cable in three steps. The center conductor extends bare at the end. Part way down this wire is a foil wrapped plastic insulator. The last tier is the black outer jacket. I haven't seen the braided wires. I will attempt to strip the wire using a different tool and see what happens.

Yes, there are different types of coaxial cable, but they are all similar in construction. The braided ground is between the foil wrapped insulator and the outer jacket.

You're cutting off the braid, which you shouldn't be doing. No wonder you have a faulty cable. The braid must be left intact so that it can be folded back and make good contact with the F connector.

[Dan Collins]

...This is my first time working with RG6. I noticed that it doesn't have a web like coaxial cable. However, each tim e I clipped the end to terminate the line, there were lots of little threadlike wires falling loose. Is this okay, or I have I done something wrong?

I guess I could run new cable and pay more attention to kinking. Why is kinking such a serious issue?

Thanks for your help.Some inexpensive coaxial cable will use a foil shield with a minimal wire overwrap. Sounds like that is what you have.

You really need to get rid of the twist-on connectors. Satellite cable not only carries a signal, it carries 12V to 18V of DC current to operate the multiswitch and LNB. Twist-ons cause no end of grief in this area. In fact, the problem you are having is caused by the 18V current not getting to switch properly. When the receiver sends less than about 15V to the switch, the switch sends even transponders down the cable. When the receiver sends 18V, the switch sends odd transponders back. What is happening in your case is that a bad connection is attenuating the 18V signal to a lower level and the so the switch is never switching to odd transponders.

Kinking is a problem in two ways:

1) It can break the center conductor. This results in no signal, or intermittent signal on all transponders/channels.

2) It can cause an impedance change if the wire is weakened but not broken. This can cause reduced signal quality, particularly at higher frequencies.

Unless the cable was seriously kinked (bent to a hard right angle or more) I doubt you have a kinked cable problem. The thickness of the dielectric foam in RG-6 usually protects the cable from any less severe kinking damage.

Go get yourself a good crimping tool (costs about $12 to $15 for a really good one). Anyone with satellite TV should have one - it will be money well spent.

[HDTVsportsfan]

Okay, but aren't there different types of coaxial cable, of which RG6 is one? This stuff seems different than the cable the cable company left years ago.

When I use the wire stripper, it trims the cable in three steps. The center conductor extends bare at the end. Part way down this wire is a foil wrapped plastic insulator. The last tier is the black outer jacket. I haven't seen the braided wires. I will attempt to strip the wire using a different tool and see what happens.

Here a a few links that might help you.


http://www.hometoys.com/htinews/aug99/articles/karas/karas.htm

http://www.hometech.com/learn/coaxterm.html

http://www.swhowto.com/CoaxStrip.htm