Quote:
Originally Posted by ratbastid
It's funny, though, that you talk about snow. That's not usually the failure mode of digital signals like DirecTV. When my signal is on the edge of failing (due to extremely heavy rain--the only time it drops out), I don't get snow, I get dropouts and blockiness and picture freezes. Snow is an analog signal weakness; digital signal weakness looks entirely different.
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Absolutely. I completely forgot this issue, I meant to address the snowy issue first then went on a rant about everything else... it was late, I was tired. Sorry.
You can usually find out quickly if you actually do have a good signal. Somewhere in your menu options on the box itself will be a signal meter. I can't remember DTV's but it should be something like Options, System set-up, Signal level. Really you want that level up around 85+ but you can get by with a much lower number, just going to lose it with most weather- clouds and rain etc... I currently have a Starchoice set-up and a larger dish then most people would use in the States. I'm locked in around 62 but any rain and I'm not watching TV. I get exactly what Mr. Rat is describing- blockiness, freezing etc...
Another issue might be your receiver itself. If the output jacks are junk you'll get snow. Also I'd use the RCA or S-Video jack if possible. Use heavy gage RCA jacks too.