Dead LNB?

[IJustLikeTivo]

My Dtivo just started having problems with some channels on my receiver. e.g It can't see HBO or Cinemax but it does see showtime. Same thing happens on both receivers.

I had a spare multi-switch and that made no difference. I'm pretty sure one of the 2 LNBs on my old 2 LNB Sony 18" oval disk is bad. How can I be certain before I call D* and see what my options are?

FWIW, I'm planning to go HD sometime this fall so I was wondering if this might be a way to get them to give me the 5LNB setup needed for that.

Thoughts?

[JimSpence]

Tune to channels 490-494. These verify reception on the sats. In your case probably only 490 and 491. Also check your signal strengths. I bet you may be missing the even TPs. Bypass the switch as a test.

[IJustLikeTivo]

What should I see? When I tune the channels I get a message saying that it is satellite 101 even or 101 odd. That sounds normal, but I still have a number of channel where as soon as I tune it to that channel the searching for a signal message appears.

[Stanley Rohner]

What do you have an 18 inch dish ?, or and oval dish ?

The 18 inch dish doesn't have 2 LNBs it has one LNB with 2 outputs on it.

You can probably buy a new LNB locally or over the internet and replace it yourself without having to wait around all day for the repair person DIRECTV sends out.

After you wait around all day for the repair person(Leo from that 70s show) he'll check it out and say - It sure looks like you need a new LNB man, it's such a bummer I don't have one with me, I'll have to come back tomorrow or next week and replace it.

[JimSpence]

For example, ch 490 verifies the 101 sat's odd transponder reception.

Next step is to tune to a problem channel and then do a signal test.
The sat/TP that is displayed is the one for that channel.
Make a list for all channels you are having problems with and see if there is a pattern.

Did you try to bypass the multiswitch?

[IJustLikeTivo]

What do you have an 18 inch dish ?, or and oval dish ?

The 18 inch dish doesn't have 2 LNBs it has one LNB with 2 outputs on it.

You can probably buy a new LNB locally or over the internet and replace it yourself without having to wait around all day for the repair person DIRECTV sends out.

After you wait around all day for the repair person(Leo from that 70s show) he'll check it out and say - It sure looks like you need a new LNB man, it's such a bummer I don't have one with me, I'll have to come back tomorrow or next week and replace it.

To be precise, it has one head but two channels, I use the switch the distubute the signal. I have to find a line coupler in order to try bypassing the switch since the cables all join there. I must have one someplace.

[IJustLikeTivo]

For example, ch 490 verifies the 101 sat's odd transponder reception.

Next step is to tune to a problem channel and then do a signal test.
The sat/TP that is displayed is the one for that channel.
Make a list for all channels you are having problems with and see if there is a pattern.

Did you try to bypass the multiswitch?

490 does what you say. I don't understand what you mean by tune a channel then run a test signal.

[JimSpence]

Tune to HBO and then do a signal strength test. It's part of the Messages and Setup menus. The test screen will display the satellite and transponder that is being tested, which will be that for HBO. Then do the same for other channels that are giving you problems.

Looking at the web page it seems that TP 32 may be giving you a problem.
http://www.widemovies.com/dtvtransponders.htm

[IJustLikeTivo]

I did what you suggested. Only some channels come in and they only get 81% signal strength. Does that mean the LNB is dying or defective. The other one appears to always be fine. I think I may need to chat with the folks at D* and get a technician. It might be the time to upgrade.

[JimSpence]

Did you get a chance to bypass the multiswitch?

But, it does seem that the old LNB is failing.

[IJustLikeTivo]

Did you get a chance to bypass the multiswitch?

But, it does seem that the old LNB is failing.

Yes, I used two old diplexors to join the cables and the same thing happened.

[rminsk]

Yes, I used two old diplexors to join the cables and the same thing happened.You can not use diplexors to join satellite signal lines. You can only use diplexors to join OTA signals with satellite signals.

[JimSpence]

When I say bypass, I mean using the F/F barrel connectors. It's a straight connection.

If you just used the sat connections on the diplexers it MAY be the same thing.

However, I believe it is time to upgrade your dish. That older LNB could very well be failing for the higher sat TPs.

[IJustLikeTivo]

When I say bypass, I mean using the F/F barrel connectors. It's a straight connection.

If you just used the sat connections on the diplexers it MAY be the same thing.

However, I believe it is time to upgrade your dish. That older LNB could very well be failing for the higher sat TPs.

Yes, I used the satellite connections, I had no barrel connectors handy and wanted to verify the problem. I'm having more and more problems. Clearly the dish is dying.

[JimSpence]

Yup, looks like it's time to upgrade.

[Philly Bill]

I'm having a problem like this now too.

I'm getting no signal on Turner South (channel 631). Zero signal Strength... transponder 31.

I get 90's on most other transponders.

Family Channel is also on 31 and I have zero strength on that.

The same thing happens on my IRD in my bedroom... so I guess its not an IRD issue.

Shall I ASSUME the LNB is going bad? Then try to find another triple LNB that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

Or could it be a multiswitch problem (the one in the attic).

[JimSpence]

Bypass the attic multiswitch to see what happens.

[Philly Bill]

Ok, I'll do that tommorrow. Need a couple inline connectors.

[Philly Bill]

Bypass the attic multiswitch to see what happens.

Sorry for the delay...

I picked up some in-line barrel connectors today and bypassed the attic multiswitch... took two of the four inputs and hooked them directly to the two outputs that go to my HD TIVO. Bingo. Got a high signal on transponder 31 now!

I really (at this point) don't NEED the 4x8 multiswitch anyway. I only use 4 outputs from it. So I used 4 inline connectors and bypassed it altogether.

Is this unusual? Do powered multiswitches have issues like this often? I only bought the thing off ebay 6 months ago or something like that. Its a Zinwell (I think).

Thanks for the suggestion Jim.

[JimSpence]

Multiswitches, like any piece of electronics, can go bad.