Directv problems - what the heck???

[PipeDaddy]

So we have three boxes in our house.

Box 1 - go to change channels and lose all incoming signal (prior to changing channels it was working fine)

Box 2 - same thing - working fine when turning the TV on, but as soon as the channel is changed (on the box) we lose all signal

Box 3 - same exact thing


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So none of my boxes are picking up signal now, even though they were right before changing the channel. So it isn't a cloud cover issue. I've reset the boxes - makes no difference.

WTF?

[Kerky]

I am a Dish Network guy, but I suggest re-setting each box through whatever process is suggested. For me this is simply holding down the power button for 11 seconds until the lights flash et al. If this doesn't solve it then your effed until you can get someone online with customer service.

[newsbreaker]

I am a Dish Network guy, but I suggest re-setting each box through whatever process is suggested. For me this is simply holding down the power button for 11 seconds until the lights flash et al. If this doesn't solve it then your effed until you can get someone online with customer service.

This. There is a door on the front of each unit with a very small red button inside. Push it. This will reset the receiver...it takes 4-5 minutes for them to reboot. That's the first thing they'll want you to do anyway.

[Wild Onion]

I had a similar problem. I had one bad receiver that was interfering with the other units.

[MitchyKramer]

I keep losing audio on on of my receivers...I reset by unplugging for a couple of minutes

[PipeDaddy]

I've done the reset thing multiple times.

I also reset the SWM thing which is what amplifies the signal so it is strong enough to go out to all the receivers from one line.

No luck last night - until I woke up this morning. The TV was working.

And then change channel and back to square one.

So it isn't the dish or the line coming in.

Frustrating - almost as frustrating as thinking of spending the next 2 hours on the phone with a Directv "tech" from India who will read a computer screen and tell me to reset my box 20 times.

It could be a bad receiver - now that all three boxes are linked with the amplifier (at my old place we had separate lines coming in to both boxes).

*sigh*

It's almost enough for me to consider Mediacom. Not really.

[Corporate Raider]

My experience with the tech support of DTV has actually been pretty good. Very different then my experieinces dealing with Mediacom tech support.

[Kerky]

I've done the reset thing multiple times.

I also reset the SWM thing which is what amplifies the signal so it is strong enough to go out to all the receivers from one line.

No luck last night - until I woke up this morning. The TV was working.

And then change channel and back to square one.

So it isn't the dish or the line coming in.

Frustrating - almost as frustrating as thinking of spending the next 2 hours on the phone with a Directv "tech" from India who will read a computer screen and tell me to reset my box 20 times.

It could be a bad receiver - now that all three boxes are linked with the amplifier (at my old place we had separate lines coming in to both boxes).

*sigh*

It's almost enough for me to consider Mediacom. Not really.

What is the SWM thing? Why do you need an amplifier? Was this provided or recommed by the DTV folks or did you do it on your own? This seems odd to me and could be part of the problem.

[nolookpass]

Ive never had one issue with Mediacom TV or internet.

I dont watch much TV so all the extras you get with Direct TV or Dish Network dont do anything for me.

[PipeDaddy]

I've done the reset thing multiple times.

I also reset the SWM thing which is what amplifies the signal so it is strong enough to go out to all the receivers from one line.

No luck last night - until I woke up this morning. The TV was working.

And then change channel and back to square one.

So it isn't the dish or the line coming in.

Frustrating - almost as frustrating as thinking of spending the next 2 hours on the phone with a Directv "tech" from India who will read a computer screen and tell me to reset my box 20 times.

It could be a bad receiver - now that all three boxes are linked with the amplifier (at my old place we had separate lines coming in to both boxes).

*sigh*

It's almost enough for me to consider Mediacom. Not really.

What is the SWM thing? Why do you need an amplifier? Was this provided or recommed by the DTV folks or did you do it on your own? This seems odd to me and could be part of the problem.

It is something that Directv started this past year so they wouldn't have to run multiple lines into a house to support DVR. So it is a Directv thing.

Good news - talked with the second tech in a row from the states - this one in Idaho. She was friendly, helpful, offered to waive the fee for the service call since I was such a loyal customer (instead of offering me free Showtime for three months like I get offered every other time anything happens). Their tech support has improved greatly.

Better news - in the middle of our conversation everything started working perfectly. Neither of us can make sense of that, other than when I reset the SWM thingy last night it took the boxes several hours to recalibrate or something. We both throught that sounded like a bunch of crap, but it was the best we could come up with.

Anyway, working for now...

[Corporate Raider]

Ive never had one issue with Mediacom TV or internet.

I dont watch much TV so all the extras you get with Direct TV or Dish Network dont do anything for me.

My mediacom would go our (tv and/or net) for no apparent reason. The tech support was shitty on a good day. A very arrogant smug compnay, IMO.

I had a dvr go out once in 5 yrs with DTV and they aired out a new one in 2 days. bent over backwards to accomodate me.