PQ Seems worse after Broadband DECA

[tlh1005]

Hi,
I am new to DirecTV, just got a new install last Friday with the HR24 HD DVR, HD Receiver, and one standard def receiver.

I have whole home DVR and originally the SWM or whatever it is called was connected to my main viewing screen where the HD DVR is located. I wanted OnDemand so I was told I had to purchase another piece of equipment for $25 and the installer came out yesterday to add it to the system. My router is near the main TV and the HD DVR. The installer said the SWM that was currently on the DVR had to be moved to the HD receiver up stairs because the new device for OnDemand couldn't go on the same box. He hooked the new device (I am assume it is called the DECA) up to the HD DVR, make a change on the lines outside the house, and put the whole home DVR deca/swm on the other HD receiver.

I think my PQ has decreased since the change. Could the addition of the splitter and broadband deca into the system have caused a degradation in PQ? I was initially very happy with the PQ but it really bothers me right now. I paid way too much for my plasma to have it showing mediocre content. I really would like to stay with DirecTV but I need better PQ than what I currently see. I guess if it came down to it, I'd just get rid of whole home DVR The OnDemand is a necessary for my little one, and I'll never hear the end of it from the Mrs. for switching to DirecTV if we end up losing the onDemand channels. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[armchair]

Installer may have left a coax connector loose or your splitter may have an unterminated connector. Have you run the system test?

There's also a coax diagnostics test you can run by pressing and holding right arrow and guide simultaneously for a second and release (front panel of 24 series only... I press the right arrow first, then guide while still holding the left arrow, then release both... sometimes it's tricky to launch). The Phy data nodes s/b less than 60, the Phy rate mesh s/b GT 215. You can run both tests on both your boxes.

If all passes, you may want to visit AVSForum.com and try some posted picture settings for your TV model and record the HDNET Test Pattern to tweak the brightness and contrast to see all the numbers 0-10 (0 & 10 will be harder to see). I tried this on my TV sets and it really brought out the blacker blacks and shadow details for all dark scenes. But I had to try multiple user posted settings to find what I liked best because I didn't want to pay for TV calibration.

 

[gadgtfreek]

What did you have before the DECA install, equipment wise?

 

[tlh1005]

Installer may have left a coax connector loose or your splitter may have an unterminated connector. Have you run the system test?
..... to find what I liked best because I didn't want to pay for TV calibration.

Thanks Armchair, I will run these test ASAP when I arrive home from work today. I did a more in depth calibration using my TV's service menu when I had TWC. I would imagine that needs tweaking somewhat since this is a new source but not in a way that would have caused the PQ problems I am seeing. Also, when I got the install last week I did not feel the PQ was as bad as it is right now.

What did you have before the DECA install, equipment wise?

Sorry I am not 100% familiar with the terminology here yet, but I originally had a H24 HDDVR, a HD Receiver (unsure of the model # and I am away from home), and a standard def. receiver. There was a rectangular white box on the H24 which I was told was used for distributing whole home DVR service.

After the install for OnDemand Wed. the "white box" was moved to the TV where the HD Receiver resides, and a splitter and the internet connectivity adapter were installed on the H24 HD DVR. The installer also had to make a change outside the house once he moved the white box. I am wondering if he changed a line that was "better" to the other TV, or if the additional equipment (splitter and internet adapater) have caused some sort of interference and/or PQ degradation.

Thanks!

 

[tlh1005]

Installer may have left a coax connector loose or your splitter may have an unterminated connector. Have you run the system test?

There's also a coax diagnostics test you can run by pressing and holding right arrow and guide simultaneously for a second and release (front panel of 24 series only... I press the right arrow first, then guide while still holding the left arrow, then release both... sometimes it's tricky to launch). The Phy data nodes s/b less than 60, the Phy rate mesh s/b GT 215. You can run both tests on both your boxes.

NodeID ----- Phy Levels
0 25
1 40

Phy Rate Mesh is in the 230's for most entries, none below 228.

Signal Strength:
Tuner 1 = 95%
Tuner 2 = 97%
Network Tuner = 99%

These are all good I assume?

 

[armchair]

NodeID ----- Phy Levels
0 25
1 40

Phy Rate Mesh is in the 230's for most entries, none below 228.

Signal Strength:
Tuner 1 = 95%
Tuner 2 = 97%
Network Tuner = 99%

These are all good I assume?

Those values are OK and don't suggest a problem exists unless they change drastically. The node with the 40 value must be a longer coax, correct. You can tell which it is by using the friendly name; if it's just a MAC address, it's your BB DECA.

You can run the same test on the other Directv box as well since they're both 24 series.

Did you run the system test on both boxes also? You should also run the system test because it looks at signal strength as well as coax integrity.