BBC One HD freezes intermittently, watching or recording. (1 Viewer)

[mm1352000]

TBS after initially replying positively and rehashing the conversation above, stopped replying after telling me to get my dish checked. The dish has been checked and no difference seen. I won't be buying another of their products.

Mmmm, I understand why you feel that way. However, to be fair to TBS: I reckon' they've said and done all that they could reasonably be expected to say and do.

My interpretation of TBS's response to you is that they're saying the problem is specific to your setup/environment and that [much as you may not like it] that's where they've decided their responsibility ends. They're a commercial organisation. Therefore they have to make money. Therefore there are limits to the support they can provide. They probably didn't explain this, but escalating your problem further would require them to fly in a technician from China with highly specialised gear. That's simply not practical, especially considering that the problem symptoms don't suggest a flaw in their product.

So, what can you do?

Well, I don't recall anybody reporting a similar problem here on our forum. However I'd hazard to guess that 99% of such problems would be caused by dish alignment, LNB or cabling. It's overwhelmingly probable. I know you've said you've had that stuff checked and that's great. I'm simply pointing out that:

1. The symptoms of your problem are highly (highly!) unusual.
   
2. TBS have suggested the most likely cause of your problem.
3. If the cause of your problem is actually something else, it's an uncommon cause such as interference.
   
4. It's not possible for anybody who isn't on site with highly specialised gear (unfortunately I assume that rules you out too) to specifically check for uncommon causes.

You're in a difficult position, there's no two ways about it.

If it were me and I were intent on getting to the bottom of this problem, I'd call out an experienced satellite dish installer for an hour. I'd make sure they bring:

1. A replacement LNB that's known to work. For various reasons it's my opinion that a failing LNB is the most likely cause of the problem.
2. A replacement cable that can reach from your tuner to the dish via the shortest possible route (eg. out the window and up onto the roof rather than through walls/floors/ceilings).
   
3. A professional grade inline signal monitor. The installer must be able to insert the signal monitor at a position where I could monitor the signal while controlling TV Server.

Then I'd attempt to demonstrate the problem.

From here there are many possible next steps depending on what the monitor shows.

If the installer doesn't manage to figure out what's going on, at least:

1. Get them to try the replacement LNB and cable.
2. Capture as much information from the signal monitor as possible (!!!). Print-outs; photos; cellphone video; anything and everything possible.
3. Record or take notes of what the installer says.

(2) and (3) will give you information you can share with us and or TBS later if necessary.

 

[mikeyp]

Mmmm, I understand why you feel that way. However, to be fair to TBS: I reckon' they've said and done all that they could reasonably be expected to say and do.

My interpretation of TBS's response to you is that they're saying the problem is specific to your setup/environment and that [much as you may not like it] that's where they've decided their responsibility ends. They're a commercial organisation. Therefore they have to make money. Therefore there are limits to the support they can provide. They probably didn't explain this, but escalating your problem further would require them to fly in a technician from China with highly specialised gear. That's simply not practical, especially considering that the problem symptoms don't suggest a flaw in their product.

I'm sure you're quite right and I accept that. Perhaps it's a cultural difference but I would rather be told there's nothing more they can do than be simply ignored.

So, what can you do?

Well, I don't recall anybody reporting a similar problem here on our forum. However I'd hazard to guess that 99% of such problems would be caused by dish alignment, LNB or cabling. It's overwhelmingly probable. I know you've said you've had that stuff checked and that's great. I'm simply pointing out that:

1. The symptoms of your problem are highly (highly!) unusual.
   
2. TBS have suggested the most likely cause of your problem.
3. If the cause of your problem is actually something else, it's an uncommon cause such as interference.
   
4. It's not possible for anybody who isn't on site with highly specialised gear (unfortunately I assume that rules you out too) to specifically check for uncommon causes.

You're in a difficult position, there's no two ways about it.

If it were me and I were intent on getting to the bottom of this problem, I'd call out an experienced satellite dish installer for an hour. I'd make sure they bring:

1. A replacement LNB that's known to work. For various reasons it's my opinion that a failing LNB is the most likely cause of the problem.
2. A replacement cable that can reach from your tuner to the dish via the shortest possible route (eg. out the window and up onto the roof rather than through walls/floors/ceilings).
   
3. A professional grade inline signal monitor. The installer must be able to insert the signal monitor at a position where I could monitor the signal while controlling TV Server.

Then I'd attempt to demonstrate the problem.

From here there are many possible next steps depending on what the monitor shows.

If the installer doesn't manage to figure out what's going on, at least:

1. Get them to try the replacement LNB and cable.
2. Capture as much information from the signal monitor as possible (!!!). Print-outs; photos; cellphone video; anything and everything possible.
3. Record or take notes of what the installer says.

(2) and (3) will give you information you can share with us and or TBS later if necessary.

I don't honestly think given that I've had the same symptoms in 2 different houses it's going to be the dish, cables or LNB. Especially when other equipment is fine. As you guys suggested, I think it much more likely it's something to do with the computer if it's not the card itself. I don't have the money to either pay someone to investigate or to buy another computer so it is something I will have to live with for now at least. Perhaps I'll try recording certain things on other BBC HD streams, like BBC Wales HD for now.

Anyway, I've fed back as promised and will not chase this topic any further as I believe it has reached it's limit for now. If in future I do change something and it fixes it, I'll feed back once more on here.

Thank you all once again for all your help.