View Full Version : New to area and BHN...... Am Concerned
Hello all!
I just moved here and got my cable turned on and was looking forward to a nice weekend of HD football and other HD programming.
Well I have the Pace box and I am not sure what to think. All the HD channels and digital(not as bad) are constantly pixalating and having picture drops. I cant watch more then 10min of HD because of this problem (ABC & DISC the worst). Anyone else had this experience. I had TWC up north with a SA box and this was never the case. The HD channels were excellent. Im not sure if its signal strength or the cable and the football came being screwed up today right got me frazzeled. Sorry for the rant and being my first post, I will try to be more positive next time :lol:
Thanks
Jerz
bdraw
10-05-2003, 07:52 PM
I have similiar problems with BHN. I would sugest that you call them and have them check your signal stregth. I was told by one tech that they will install an amplifier if necesary.
I keep putting off the call myself.
jaymer
10-05-2003, 10:34 PM
nah, you might just have a bad box or bad signal - just unlucky cause you were so excited for the weekend viewing.
don't sweat it - i'm sure you'll get is sorted this week.
FTBoomerIII
10-05-2003, 11:04 PM
bdraw's right, you just need an amplifier. Give them a call and they'll get it fixed.
Dumb question here, but would it hurt anything if I didn't need a signal amplifier, but installed one? Just curious...
gmclaughlin
10-06-2003, 09:16 AM
Stop. Whoa. Halt.
Before we get all amplifier happy, let's consider a few points. First, for set top boxes, too much signal is as bad as too little (well, maybe not AS bad, but bad nonetheless). To much signal will overdrive the box, usually easily identifiable by "bleeding" red colors. And cable modems actually run better/faster at anywhere from 5 to 10 db below what is good for the set top.
In designing a cable plant, line extender amplifiers are inserted at applicable points to deliver target signal strenth values to the pedestal or pole outside each residence, and that value accounts for the expected amount of distribution inside the house.
If you're getting low signal strength to the wall outlet, then there are a couple of possible reasons:
A) You're using way too much signal splitting it mulitple times in the house (each split loses 3db, or 50% of signal strength), in which case an amplifier might be appropriate. Or (more likely),
B) There is a problem with the cable between that outlet and the upstream node. Each loose or corroded fitting, nick in the coax jacket, or other damage to the plant is going to reduce the signal to noise ratio and cause problems. (More likely)
If you have situation B, just inserting an amplifier is a band-aid, not a fix. And if you have intruding signals ingressing onto the cable via a bad fitting or damaged cable, you'll just be amplifying that noise as well. I'll be the first to admit that techs can get lazy and just slap in amplifiers, instead of actually troubleshooting the problem.
The right thing to do is get one of our technicians out to the house to check signal strength, then determine (if bad) why it is bad. It might improve your neighbors pictures as well.
BTW, it could be a bad box as well. Again, another reason to troubleshoot with proper equipment (signal meters and TDR's), vice just swapping components.
Greg thanks for the tip, really. 8)
FTBoomerIII
10-06-2003, 11:30 AM
Good to know, thanks Greg.
Well,
I called BHN today and got the run around a little, but they are finally sending a tech out on Thurs Eve to look at my cable box. I will post again. Thanks Greg - good post and everyone else for your input.. It helps!
jerz
dprice
10-06-2003, 07:33 PM
Greg, et al,
I routinely have trouble (no A or V) with 613 & 628 with my setup (SA3100HD). All other HD channels look great. What could cause trouble on some but not all HD channels?
Is there any pratical troubleshooting that I can do to help figure out where a problem may be coming from? Specifically, how do I get to that test screen that indicates signal strength and bit rate? What are acceptable values?
I hate the idea of calling a service tech just to find out the problem is low signal strength without first having tried something simple like bypassing all of my internal wiring to help narrow down the problem to internal or external wiring.
Hmmmm...cable comes in through inline suppressor then 2x splitter to RR cable modem and then to combiner (HT output loop) on to amplifier and then 6x splitter to various outlets... It worked when it was installed new 1.5 years ago...
Maybe a couple more homebrews will help me figure it out...
Don
dprice
10-06-2003, 07:47 PM
Sure enouge...now no signal on 613, 628, or 700. 605 & 690 look perfect. Left it on 628 for 5 minutes with a black screen and the box locked up and had to unplug it to get it back. Grrrr.....
Don
CANDY76MAN
10-06-2003, 10:45 PM
Sure enouge...now no signal on 613, 628, or 700. 605 & 690 look perfect. Left it on 628 for 5 minutes with a black screen and the box locked up and had to unplug it to get it back. Grrrr.....
Don
my first guess would be some problem with the box...I can't see a weak signal causing the box to lockup like that.
dprice
10-06-2003, 10:48 PM
I figured I'd give it one last try for MFN. It worked OK for 5-10 minutes during the pre-game show and then started to crap out...back to SD. Flip back to HD at kick-off time just to make sure it is still screwed up...and the HD is back and now it has worked almost flawlessly for the entire first half. Whatever.
Don
gmclaughlin
10-08-2003, 02:44 PM
Sounds like a box issue to me, but...
Best thing to do is have a service tech check signal strength and quality. Any diagnosis over the internet is iffy at best.
Call the local BHN -- they'll fix it.
jaymer
10-08-2003, 03:30 PM
yeah don, how many weeks you gonna put yourself through this?
just get the box swapped out.
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