My Humax Forum » Freesat HD » HDR 1000, 1010, 1100S

Just started getting no signal on some channels

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    speculatrix

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    I've had my HDR1000S since August 2015, and it's been pretty good, a bit better than the Echostar HDR500RS it replaced.

    Within the last few days it's started complaining that there's no signal on some channels. I thought the problem would go away after a day, guessing the receiver would rescan or something, but no, this has persisted since 29th March or so.

    For example, I can watch BBC 2 HD (102), BBC 1HD (106), RT (206), Bloomberg (208).
    I can't watch BBC 1 (101), ITV (103), C 4 (104), C5, (105), BBC 4 HD (107)

    If I go to the signal status page, when there's a working program the signal status indicates both tuners have a good signal. When there's a no signal problem, neither tuner indicates a signal.

    I've checked for software updates (it's connected to my router over a cable) and there's nothing new.

    I don't want to factory reset and lose my recordings.

    Any ideas gratefully received.

    | Sat 2 Apr 2016 19:36:01 #1 |
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    speculatrix

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    I'm not sure if my problem is related to someone else's
    https://myhumax.org/forum/topic/not-receiving-a-signal-or-signal-too-weak

    | Sat 2 Apr 2016 22:39:30 #2 |
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    speculatrix

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    I tried a factory reset, after discovering that it appeared I wouldn't lose any recordings.
    During the initialisation phase, it said the signal was weak and spent ages doing the scan. And now there are no channels at all. Not a single one.
    Sigh.

    | Sat 2 Apr 2016 23:03:35 #3 |
  4. REPASSAC

    REPASSAC

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    Sounds like a faulty LNB. You did not mention your region but if you check here the channels you had problems with http://en.kingofsat.net/sat-astra2e.php
    Note at the top of each block there is either a H or V.

    It sounds like you have lost horizontal polarised frequencies which includes the freesat default transponder. Without this you will not be able to find any freesat channels.

    In non-freesat mode you should be able to find the vertical polarised channels.

    | Sun 3 Apr 2016 6:57:23 #4 |
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    speculatrix

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    I have been wondering if it might be something like that, the LNB failing to switch between H and V, or failing to switch between low and high band.

    I swapped the LNB connections over, still no joy.

    Strangely, if I switch to non-freesat mode and do a scan there are loads of channels. I'll have a look at the channels it finds and see if there's a pattern.

    | Sun 3 Apr 2016 8:44:33 #5 |
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    speculatrix

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    hmm, if found just 73 TV channels, and just 14 radio channels, most of which are BBC.
    And worse, none of the TV channels actually work, nor do radio channels produce audio.

    I will swap in my old Echostar Freesat-HD-DVR box, to determine whether it's the LNB or the Humax. Actually, I should just go try the Echostar to see whether it can receive anything, if it can't then it would indicate the LNB is defunct.

    The odd thing is that when I had a partially working setup, the signal indicated was quite good.

    | Sun 3 Apr 2016 8:52:42 #6 |
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    speculatrix

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    On a hunch, I turned the Humax off and back on again, cancelled its attempt to scan for freesat channels, and now the non-freesat channels work.

    Stepping through the channels it seems I only have channels from 10729 V, 10758 V, 10788 V, 10818 V, 10906 V, 11895 V, 12129 V, 12207 V,12285 V

    So it looks like the polarisation switching voltage has failed. I'll swap the LNB connections back and see what happens.

    p.s. I found http://www.lyngsat.com/Astra-2E-2F-2G.html easier to follow

    | Sun 3 Apr 2016 9:21:46 #7 |
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    speculatrix

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    OK, I checked the other satellite receiver, connected to the same eight-port LNB, and the same problem.

    Is this normal, for an eight port LNB to lose the ability to switch polarisation?
    Reading the satcure page about LNBs ( http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/lnb.htm ) tells me that the LNB is powered by all the receivers connected to it.

    I bought the LNB online for £43 + £4 P&P, in February 2011. It's an Inverto IDL Universal Octo 0.2db. I tried hard not to buy a cheap crappy one, so I am disappointed it's died five years on.
    It was quite hard to cable it up, I remember all too well doing this at the top of an 8m ladder (had to fit high up on gable end wall - high steep pitched roof, needing to avoid getting a tree in the line of sight), as the F connectors are quite close and getting the self-amalgamating tape round each and then pushing the protective cover on caused a lot of grunting and cursing!

    | Sun 3 Apr 2016 10:16:00 #8 |
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    Pollensa1946

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    Check LNB connections for water penetration. The copper wire ends should be clear of any black, sooty deposits. If not then you have a water problem. My own experience of taping the joints is that it is not very effective. Immersing the joints in silicone grease (any plumbers merchant) is 100% effective. I've gone from a 1 outlet LNB to 4 outlet then 8 and only ever had a problem with the first LNB which was taped, never since with grease.

    | Sun 3 Apr 2016 11:12:57 #9 |
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    speculatrix

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    thanks, when I replace the LNB I will do that.

    The LNB also has a sliding cover, so I taped up the plugs and then slid the cover down. I took a photo and it all looks OK.

    If I replace the LNB, I'll be replacing the short cables that go from the dish into the loft where I patch them to specific rooms (when we extended the house I had pairs of sat coax routed underfloor and in walls).

    | Sun 3 Apr 2016 13:00:29 #10 |

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