Sun Problems?

M

Meddy

New member
Hi All

I have recently discovered these forums and have a question that I hope you can answer. I have a 5 year old 5100 PVR and have had some problems with reception lately, namely, the screen shows I am not locked on to the right satellite and then almost immediately the picture returns. I remember this happening several times over the past 5 years. I have seen other threads talk about a faulty chip in the 5100 so I went out on Monday and bought the 5900. Naturally, we haven't had a problem with the 5100 since. I haven't hooked up the 5900 yet but was going through the installation guide and noticed a small note that said twice a year the BEV satellite is directly in front of the sun and little or no signal will be received. Could this be the problem I was having. If so I would take back the 5900. Thanks for any insight you can provide. I did talk to BEV and this possibility never even came up. Perhaps they don't mention it so you become so frustrated you go out and purchase a new receiver :confused:
 
We would need more details to determine that. Is there tree in the area where the dish is located (cause of lots of signal cutting per period)? Does the problem happen all year long or only summer? If you go to menu 6-1-1 is your signal good?
 
Unlikely to be sun related. I believe it is in October for most of Canadal. It only lasts a few days and even then, only a few minutes when the sun is directly in line with the dish.

Try this link and enter your location.
http://www.satellite-calculations.com/SUNcalc/SUNcalc.htm

The 5100 tuner chip issue is usually heat related and usually gets worse over time.

As Agent Express V mentioned, check your signal strength. Depending on where you live, the wind has been really strong in some areas lately and your dish could be out of alignment, leaves may have grown on trees to block signal, water may have gotten into your cables/connectors, etc. There are many causes of signal loss.

Or it could be the unit is failing.
 
Thanks for the quick responces. The dish has a clear view of the sat. and my signal strength fluctuates between 92 -100. Perhaps I'll wait a few more days to see if the problem returns before I return the 5900.
 
If you activated it it's too late...store won't take it back and if there is a technical issue our TECH departement would be responsible for the replacement, not the store
 
As a precaution I would consider replacing all the RG6 connectors from the LNB to the receiver, that will then eliminate these as the issue.
 
I have checked all connections and all seems well and I still haven't experienced anymore problems with the reception. I haven't activated the receiver yet AEV as it's still in the box and I am still trying to decide whether or not to take it back. I like the idea of the 80 hours recording time as opposed to my current 30. Which brings up another question:rolleyes:If I replace the 5100 is there a way of copying the material on the hard drive that I would like to save. Answers for the computer illiterate would be greatly appreciated! ( I have cam-corded the few minutes I would like to save but was hoping for a better solution)
 
The only way to save the info is to capture with a tv tuner card, use a vcr, use a dvd-recorder, etc.

If you keep the 5900, add it to your account rather than replace the 5100. Then you can use both.

Although, for a bit more money you could take back the 5900 and get a 9200. Fantastic as a dual tuner PVR even for SD tv viewing and you would get 170 hours of SD record time.
 
EV will likely replace the 5100 with a refurbished unit for $100 or $150. The issue could be a number of things from a bad LNB to wiring to the 5100. Cases like this are difficult to diagnose.

I agree with the previous poster that a HD PVR would be better. (They have a lot more disk space and dual tuners as well.) The 5900 is nearing end of life as a product so it is not a good investment (unless you get a deal.) Practically all new TVs and most new channels will be HD from now on so it makes more sense to get an HD PVR. I would return the 5900 and put up with the 5100 until the new MPEG4 HD PVR is available (probably late this year.)
 
dosborne you are sounding more like a salesman these days....lol

I do agree though, the 9200 is excellent as a Dual Tuner PVR even with no HD reception, Rental would be $20 per month for the unit, and it would be guaranteed for as long as you rent it. As an Existing customer it would be on a 1 year Term with free installation.
 
If you decide to return the receiver hurry up, most Bell store won't take it back after 15 days, even if the box is no opened.

Other than the 5100 do you currently have any other receiver? If yes, have you tried to do a swap (put another receiver where the 5100 is)? What were the results?
 
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