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View Full Version : Macroblocking on certain channels on both DTivo boxes - LNB issue?

RCY
05-12-2009, 03:06 PM
The last week or two certain channels seem to have an occasional problem with what I'd call macroblocking - looks sort of like what you see when you get rain fade. The whole picture breaks up into large digital blocks for a moment, picture freezes, then comes back to regular function. The signal strengths look good (90+), and when I switch channels or tuners, the problem seems to disappear. I originally thought a tuner was going bad, but I now see the problem on both of my DTivos. (HDVR2 and DSR 708) Both DVRs are fed from the same dish via a unpowered multiswitch. I've had no problems for the past 8 years with this setup.

I've had the current dish installed for around 10 years and my unpowered multiswitch for 8. I'm suspecting the LNB on the dish or the multiswitch. Any thoughts?
rbtravis
05-12-2009, 04:27 PM
You don't say what channels are giving you problems. Are they your Locals? Perhaps your problem is the transition to High Def and how they are receiving their signals. It may not be your equipments fault. What you call Microblocking is referred to here as pixelating
RCY
05-12-2009, 05:04 PM
You don't say what channels are giving you problems. Are they your Locals? Perhaps your problem is the transition to High Def and how they are receiving their signals. It may not be your equipments fault. What you call Microblocking is referred to here as pixelating

Thanks for the response! The channels are NOT locals. ABC Family is one that it seems to happen on. (on the DSR708) Last night, I saw the same thing on the HDVR2 in our bedroom. (may have been HGTV, but I'm not certain)
rbtravis
05-12-2009, 07:34 PM
Thanks for the response! The channels are NOT locals. ABC Family is one that it seems to happen on. (on the DSR708) Last night, I saw the same thing on the HDVR2 in our bedroom. (may have been HGTV, but I'm not certain)It is usually the non-powered multi-switch, I suggest replacing it with a powered one. :)
RCY
05-13-2009, 11:23 AM
It is usually the non-powered multi-switch, I suggest replacing it with a powered one. :)

Not sure I want to re-wire my attic to supply power, unless there is a setup that mimics an antenna amplifier to send the power up the RG-6...So, there's no chance its the LNB?
JimSpence
05-15-2009, 04:17 PM
I'd bypass the multiswitch temporarily as a test.