Off Air reception through HR20

[Capt, John]

I receive several off air local channels through my DTV HR20. No problems with the off air digital channels that are also included my local channel package from DTV. The other channels I receive through off air (not part of my local package) will occasionaly blink off momentariarly then come back. These are the channels that have no programming info for them In the menu. I have a 100% antenna signal on these channels.
DTV tech support says they haven't heard of this problem.
HELP!

[APilot4Fun]

Hi John,

I get the same momentary loss of signal with my over-the-air channels from my HR20 from my Lacrosse amplified antenna mounted rooftop. I'm about 20 miles from the New York city area, I'm on the top of a hill and get almost 100% signal on most channels I receive (and actually want to watch). I also get scads of other channels with less than terriffic signal that still seem to come in well. All channels will drop out for a moment every once in a while. I figure it's some sort of local interference or a problem at the transmition site. I've been tempted to set up my Samsung receiver again just to see if it's a problem with the HR20 but that receiver now is set up in another room.
The signal loss hasn't been a big problem and I'm just so glad to be able to receive some great local programing in HD that many don't have access to.
-Craig

[SolidSignal_Mike]

I agree that it could be some interference, or low signal that is causing this drop out. The meter that the receiver displays is not very accurate. If these drop-outs occur more frequently at certain times of the day then it's probably low signal. You may want to check that you are using RG6 cable, and reduce any unneeded cable length and splitters. If you have a multidirectional antenna, you could be getting multipath, other people have reported high readings on the receiver’s meter, but still get drop outs do to getting a reflected signal. To fix this you may want to get a more directional antenna, or better yet a bigger antenna.

[Capt, John]

I must disagree with the possible interference theory. I believe it's a glitch in the receivers. I watch the channels that are offered in my local channel DTV package on the sat. or with my antenna with no blinking. Only channels not offered through DTV blink while off air. I've bypassed the HR20 and hooked my off air directly to the TV and no blinking. The channels in question are 10 miles closer than the DTV local channels. The hassle with this set up is changing video inputs from SAT to Off air on my TV.
My equipment includes:
All new RG6
CM 3679 antenna
CM 7777 Preamp
CM 9521A Rotator
Terk BSM-58 Multiswitch
Diplexers at each TV
Sony 60" SXRD (Which is the most awsome picture if I must say so myself!)
Onkyo 703 with 7.1 set up
It never fails, this puppy blinks right when there's something happening you want to see/hear! (What happend/what'd he say?)
It's a great feature the HR20 has to watch off air through it but I'm still searching for a fix.
Capt

[SolidSignal_Mike]

From my experience every tuner performs differently. In fact, tuners that come off the same manufacturing line can even perform differently. If it is a glitch all you can do is wait and hope for an update, but in the mean time I would check to see if the signal strenght is an issue. What does the meter read for your off-air reception the receiver? I know this isnt very accurate, more of a data quality meter, but if it reads near 100% and you still get the "blink" you may want to to try an adjustable attennuator. Some tuners have varying thresholds of too much or too little signal.

-Mike

[Capt, John]

Thanks for your input Mike.
My signal strength for the blinking channels are 92-100%
I've also had other issues with my HR20. Recently I lost 1/2 of all antenna signal strength. After checking several of my off air components, it turned out to be the HR20. I had to reset it and my signal came back. I also lost a couple of channels that were part of my DTV local list, no signal. I rescanned for off air channels and got them back but didn't have programming info. (like the channels not on DTV's local list) When that happened, those channels also blinked. Again I reset my HR20 and got them back and with info. The blinking also stopped when they were back on the DTV local list.
Like you said, I can only hope for some system upgrades from DTV or another HR20.
If anyone else has had similar problems I'd like to hear from you. Maybe we can share some fixes.
Thanks
Capt. John

[digitaldesign]

It seems I have a similar problem w/my new H20. My old Samsung and the many other receivers I've had never exhibited this audio glitch. I keep loosing the audio from both my OTA & DTV fed local stations primarily and it is not fun. It happens frequently during news & network prime time shows.
and just when the plot thickens! I'm positive it is the H20. It is with or without Digital Dolby turned on, or off. I hope they can fix this!