Is My Switch on the Fritz?

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The_Grudge

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I have 3 televisions in my house that are hooked up to ExpressVu using I believe the SW-44 switch.

Televisions #1 (PVR 5900) and #2 (HD 6000) work perfectly. Television #3 has intermittent problems. I can't recall the model, but it's just the basic $99 reciever and it's the newer one that is really small.

For some reason, TV #3 doesn't get a very good signal. Whenever I turn the TV on the images on a lot of the channels are blocky and soon degrade to the point where I get a "Sattelite has lost signal" message. The lower channels (150-300) seem to be okay, but as you go higher it gets worse. I rarely get TSN, and Sportsnet is choppy at best. I've tried hooking TV #3 up to the other port on the switch and the same thing occurrs.

The only other thing I can tell you is that due to this problem we only turn TV #3 on about once every two months.

What else can I try here? It must be something with the switch because the other TV's work perfectly.
 
You could start by doing a check switch from each of your receivers, just to be sure they're configured correctly. It should show an SW44 switch.

-Mike
 
you could try switching the outputs on the sw44 around.

i had a 4100 bev reciever once and it was nothing but hassles. the unit was constantly out of synch. i fought with bev to take it back and eventually they did.
 
If swapping the outputs on the switch around doesn't work, then try swapping receivers around to see if the problem moves with the receiver. Keep in mind that most problems end up being the cable itself, either damaged, poor connection, the ends have worked loose etc...
 
I had the exact same problem. After disconnecting the input cables from the switch I found some water in one of them had caused corrosion. Once I cut the cable back and replaced the connector the problem was solved; now that the weather is improving I will be bale to replace that run of cable.
 
Okay, I ran a checkswitch tonight. Here are my results....

--------------------------------------------------------
PROBLEM DETECTED - Check Connections
INSTALLED SWITCH - SW44

Port 1B 1A 2B 2A
Sattelite 82 82 X 91
Trans Even Odd X Odd
--------------------------------------------------------

Any ideas as to what that means exactly? PS My SW44 is located INSIDE.

Sorry the numbers don't line up, but I'm sure you get what it means. Basically 2B is where all the problems are. Again, whatever that means.
 
maybe be a connector problem - try reconnecting at the SW 44 and at the receiver or any connectors in line.
 
Looks like one bad cable/connection from the 91 LNB. Unplug one from the switch, run check switch and then the other to determine which cable is bad and go from there,
 
Does the fact that my other two receivers work perfectly explain anything?

It would make sense to me if the cable going to my troubled receiever is at fault. I don't understand how it could be one of the cables coming in from the dish to the switch though.
 
"Does the fact that my other two receivers work perfectly explain anything?"

I had a similar thing happen on my install. My 9200 worked great. But, my old 4700 was screwed.
Problem was a bent centre conductor hooked up to the recevier's output on the SW-44. I checked it 4 times before I picked up on it.
 
That means you are not getting the even transponders...and the channels on the even transponders.

SW44 is the right device to use to hook more than 3 receivers, it has 2 ins and 4 outs.

SWAP TEST
Since problem is only on one receiver you should the another of your receiver that work into that room. If the other receiver works that means that receiver 3 is to be replaced. If less than a year it is under warranty, call us and we would send one in 5-7 buisness days, if not you have to buy a new one. Maybe you have Dish Care and you're covered. If you put the other receiver in that room and you still have the same results after the chekswitch then you have a cable problem. You can replace it yourself or we can book a technician for 75$, unlessyou got installed less than 3 months ago, which would make your installation "in warranty"
 
So I checked the ends on one of my connections and it looked a little dicey.
I fixed the end, reconnected, and fired up the CHECK SWITCH.

Everything passed, but some channells still barely come in at all. Their all blocky and choppy and then finally I lose the signal like in a bad storm.

I'll run the receiver swap when I get some time.
 
What was the result of the checkswitch?

Did it came

91 91 82 82
odd even odd even


or does it miss and odd or even?
 
The 4100 is the cheapest Receiver in Express Vu's line up and as such it has one major flaw. It has a cheap nasty plastic case, which provides no shielding from outside interference.

I am guessing that the check switch you did was on the offending 4100 receiver. Well my first question is, Where is the Receiver located in relation to the TV.? On Top.? Close by.?

If you answered Yes to any of those questions, move the receiver away from the TV, 3 feet or so if possible, alternately, place an Aluminum baking tray between the receiver and TV.

I think this might be your problem.

let me know how it goes.

Nimiq 1
 
This "Swap Test" is only valid if you take a 4100 and replace it with another 4100 putting the receiver in the exact location as the first one.

Using a different model cannot give you any gaurantee that the issue is with the cable, it could be that the replacement recevier is better shielded or is placed differently to the first one, thereby making your swap test useless.

Your comments are valid but it shows that you and others within Express Vu lack "Real World" experience. This is not a dig at you personally but it does show that not everything is as clear as it appears.

Nimiq 1
 
If he does swap whether with same model or different model and the problem persist that means it's a cable problem. If he puts the receiver where he had the problem and the other receiver doesn't have any problems that means receiver was defective and if less than one year or if client has DISH CARE would be replaced.

What do you mean "lack of the real world"? I have 2 BEV receivers at home, a 5900 and a 3100. I installed the 3100 myself, and had technical issues myself. I'm a level 2 tech and help clients with problem like those everyday.

Are you trying to tell me I don't know my job?
 
I think what he is saying, is that the 4100 has issues with interference, because it just has a plastic shell, with no metal on the bottom , like every other receiver...
I have heard, that higher transponders lose signal, if the box is placed on or too close to a TV
Beyond my realm of technical expertise, way beyond, but I'm sure some in here could explain why that happens
 
Yes I am.

How on earth can you sit there and state unequivically that if the second receiver has no problems then the first is defective...... You clearly have never had to deal with problems with the cheap 4100, have you?.

Did you know they have a known issue when in close proximity to a TV.?

No, because that would be admitting that the receiver has issues and Express Vu would never say that, so they do not share that very valuable piece of info with you. I know its an issue and I know how to fix it.

Nimiq 1
 
You are quite correct, even an Express Vu staff member, who is actualy a Manager within Home Services, had a 4100 replaced twice, because of the same pixelating issues. It was only during a conversation about a non-related problem that he said his receiver was "On Top" of the TV. When he got home that evening he removed the 4100 from the TV, placed it the distance og the RCA cables away and it has worked like that ever since and never had another problem.

I wonder how many of these "cheap" units Express Vu have replaced without asking the customer the location of the 4100 in relation to the TV.....lol

Got to love Express Vu.....

Nimiq 1
 
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