Feb 12 Pace Update - Reception/Dropout Issues

[jaymer]

new thread started for new software update

[rowlanja]

My Samsung HLN437W connected via DVI is still getting audio drops after the software update.

[Harry]

I have noticed since the update that I am getting a lot of audio drop outs in the 200+ movie range. I am also getting a smaller but still significant number of video problems in that range. Doesn't seem to be as bad in other channel ranges.Is it just me?

Harry

[bdraw]

Well after a few days since the update. I am unhappy to report that the drop out issues and pixelation is just as inconsistance as ever. Some days it does 3 seconds other times 3 hours.

The problem has not seemed to change much, still a good signal, but alot of uncorrected blocks.

HELP BHN.

[Harry]

Yes, my problem seems to be getting worse too. Last night, we were having problems up in the 600 channel range. My SA DVR is also having some problems. I guess I will call today. This is just not tolerable. If they can't get it better, I will have to do something else. Last night you could barely stand to watch the show.

Harry

[bubblehd647]

Still no problems for me in Brandon. The only thing I can think is causing these problems elsewhere is that the Pace 550 is very sensitive to low SNR. I'll have to check mine again but I think the last time I looked it was in the 15 - 18 db range.

[Harry]

Well if it is SNR problem and it could well be, the SA DVR is even more sensitive. It's recordings are totally unwatchable at the present time on some channels, and fine on others. That is what really makes me crazy.

Harry

[bglynn]

In Tampa, now I get some lag - the picture and audio will jump, and get pixelated - no pattern, completely random. The tech said I actually have high signal, he said it wasn't related.

[bdraw]

Well the tech also told me that the signal strength was not my problem But just in case here is some info from the service menu page 5/17

Current QAM
Freq:567.00 MHz
Tuning Mode:QAM-256
Status:locked
Level:4 dBmV
S/N:34 dB (Changes almost constantly)
Seconds:4904 (Changes almost constantly)
Corr Bytes:4908 (Changes almost constantly)
Uncor Blks:304 (Changes almost constantly)
Errs Avg/Inst: 11/4 (Changes almost constantly)
EQ Gain:1.0 (Changes almost constantly)

CURRENT FDC
Freq:73.250 MHz
DAVIC:Connected
Status:Locked
Level:-6 dBmV
Seconds: 106834 (Changes almost constantly)
Corr Bytes: 18
Uncor Blks:6
Errs Avg/Inst: 0/0
Total Bytes:1886429 (changes almost constantly)
S/N:24 dB

Is any of this information useful?

[bubblehd647]

Here's QAM data from channel 628 (ABC) the past few minutes:

Current QAM
Freq:651.00 MHz
Tuning Mode:QAM-256
Status:locked
Level: -8 dBmV
S/N: 35 dB (not changing)
Seconds:212 (counter since entering service menu?)
Corr Bytes: 0 (not changing)
Uncor Blks: 0 (not changing)
Errs Avg/Inst: 0/0 (not changing)
EQ Gain:1.0 (not changing)

[ranger999]

I live in Clearwater area code 33762 (technically this is really in Pinellas Park) and I'm getting considerable pixellation on all the 600 and 700- channel range EDTV/HDTV channels I've looked at. I'm also getting audio dropouts and have been since at least Saturday, continuing through to today. I'm using the Pace box on my Mitsubishi RPTV. Should I call BHN to report this, or are they already aware of this. Or is this possibly a local premises problem I should get them to roll a truck out here for?

[bubblehd647]

Oh, and I noticed that Discovery HDT has a -10dBmV (in orange) for the level, but picture is rock solid. S/N is 35db also.

I'd like to see a capture of the values for someone that's having problems.

[bglynn]

How do we get the data?

[bubblehd647]

1) hold the select button on the box front panel until you see the mail icon light.
2) press the info button on the front panel
3) use the volume buttons to move from page to page. The channel buttons still function.

[bglynn]

OK, got in and I don't have the latest update. I've unplugged it for 10 seconds and let it reboot several times over the past week, as late as yesterday (the only way to clear some of the lockups). No update. So I guess my problems may not directly apply yet to this thread.

[bdraw]

Oh, and I noticed that Discovery HDT has a -10dBmV (in orange) for the level, but picture is rock solid. S/N is 35db also.

I'd like to see a capture of the values for someone that's having problems.

I am having the problems. I think the differnce is

Your shows
Corr Bytes: 0 (not changing)
Uncor Blks: 0 (not changing)

Mine shows
Corr Bytes:4908
Uncor Blks:304

If I am reading the DB right, my signal is acutally stronger than yours, but mine has errors. This is what the BHN tech told me when he came out anyways. He said BHN had to fixed it at the head end, since it wasn't a signal strength problem.

[Harry]

I am in North Tampa and was getting problems last night watching a show on 628. It was an HD show. I had very little pixilation problems. About every 10 to 15 minutes the show would just seem to skip. It would like jump a couple of seconds in the show and you would miss some dialog. The picture did not seem to freeze for that amount of time. It was like we were getting the show a little too slowly and it had to catch up.

Harry

[MrLou]

I feel that when it does not work to your satisfaction then place a service call. BH is open 7 x 24 365 @ 684-6400, (727) 562-5015, (941) 748-1822,(863) 965-7766. A customer can plan ahead and request a 2 hour window or perhaps a weekend with a call first on the cell phone...this way avoiding waiting for the service person ALL DAY....

[Icarus]

I was watching a bit of Fast and Furious earlier tonight (Monday) in HD. I don't remember what channel.

At one point, the pace box just couldn't keep up, and the top half was a 'fence pattern' (like a simple computer background) and the bottom half of the screen had the bottom half of the picture. Changing channels didn't help.

-David

[bdraw]

I was watching a bit of Fast and Furious earlier tonight (Monday) in HD. I don't remember what channel.

At one point, the pace box just couldn't keep up, and the top half was a 'fence pattern' (like a simple computer background) and the bottom half of the screen had the bottom half of the picture. Changing channels didn't help.

-David

I saw this OTA also, this was not a BHN, or a pace issue.

[bglynn]

Yeah that feed had some major issues - audio and video lag, artifacts, jaggies, ripped picture....man when are the broadcasters going to get WITH it??

[Harry]

Well, based on last night. BHN may have finally fixed my dropout problems. They had to come 4 times. They replaced almost everything from the road to my TV sets. They finally decided that the signal I was getting was "too hot". They "rebalanced" the local loop. In any case, I have my fingers crossed that last night was not a fluke. If it was, they will have to roll another truck.

Harry

[jagmanjoe]

I live in the Brandon - Valrico area (north of 60 but still a Valrico zip) and can not count the times BHN has been out here for problems audio dropouts on my Pace Box and recording problems with the DVR Box since signing on last November. Last week they were out again on the audio problems for the Pace Box and last nite was the first time we tried to watch programming with it since. In the first hour and a half of trying to watch the S. King movie on 628, I counted 19 audio dropouts. This surely can't be normal or acceptable!!!

I called BHN around 9:30 after there was an obvious problem and was told that they downloaded another software change the night before and it was causing all kinds of audio problems. I requested a call from a supervisor today.

Are others of you having the same difficulty and just considering it acceptable to have repeated 2 to 5 second audio dropouts?

[CANDY76MAN]

both my pace boxes still seem ok...I haven't noticed any video or audio dropouts....I'm in Valrico too.

[rowlanja]

Since I don't see anyone else posting from the Brooksville area, I just want to reiterate that I'm still getting audio drops along with the video "skipping" on the 600+ channels. When these problems occur the Corr Bytes and Uncor Blks fields increment on service menu page 5. If BH techs are monitoring these forums, can someone give us an update?

[Harry]

Since the latest "tuning" of my line, my drop outs have been much better. I was watching a movie last night on 701 and I only had 3 brief interruptions in a two hour window. That was much better than I had been having where it was 10 to 15 an hour. They are doing better but still seem to have some problems here.

Harry

[darrinw2001]

I am also in Valrico north of 60 and have audio and pixel problems on most of the HD channels. what is the best way to get this corrected?