Your SNR & AGC on your VU+DUO, what do you get ?

[BRAVEHEART]

ok, on my VU+DUO over the weekend I had terrible problems with all my pay channels signal quality and strength (snr & agc), but especially the snr level, BUT, for some weird reason tonight everything is looking a heck of a lot better and I am totally lost for an answer to why or what happened, maybe someone else will know though if you care to comment please ? (p.s, there has been no windy weather, not even a breeze for days, so as I say, it defo has nothing to do with the dish, and the dish was only reset after the storms about a month ago too, done by a proffesional, also fitted brand new LNB too).

All my FTA channels were perfect and strong, but the pay channels were either not even strong enough to give any picture at all or if there was a picture it would freeze up every few seconds or a minute or so, but as I say, the FTA channels were all perfect and strong, even my seperate freesat tuner was perfect too, so it was defo nothing to do with the dish for a fact.

Anyway, as an example right now (tuesday morning 28th feb 2012) on the VU+DUO box I have choosen some channels at random and will tell you the snr (quality) and agc (strength) levels for each one and I would really really appreciate it if some other people in the uk with a perfectly fixed dish and a VU+DUO could also tell me thier snr & agc levels for these channels just as refrence please.

BBC one HD - SNR 93% - AGC 93%
ITV 1 HD - SNR 93% - AGC 93%
CHANNEL 4 HD - SNR 96% - AGC 93%
SKY SPORTS 1 HD - SNR 74% - AGC 95%
SKY MOVIES PREMIER HD - SNR 73% - AGC 86%
SKY MOVIES DRAMA HD - SNR 72% - AGC 86%

Would I be correct in saying those readings now are very very good or are they average ???

Thats why I would really appreciate if anyone in the uk with a VU+DUO could also tell me thier readings for those channels please, eh ??? Thank you so much if you can spare a few seconds to do this

Those readings of mines you can see that I have just given you were nothing like that at the weekend past, as I said, the pay channels most of the time were so bad that a picture wouldnt even appear on the screen, but the FTA channels didnt really have any problems at all, although even the FTA channels look a bit stronger and better quality signals now too.

I am clueless to what happened :smash:, and then all of a sudden everything is looking a heck of a lot better, hmmmm ?

Anyone with any comments then please post up, and even better still could some people give me thier readings for those channels just for reference purposes.

Thanks again.

p.s
at the weekend when there was a lot of problems the SNR on just about all pay channels was only reaching about 54%-60% and the AGC levels were lower than what they are now too, and as I said, picture freeze or no pictures at all.

 

[Rob van der Does]

As has been said in another thread: STB's are no (calibrated) meters. You can't compare the figures of one box with those of another.
They are only meant to be able to allign your dish; for that it does a good job.
And about the AGC: you shouldn't even be looking at those values, it's SNR that counts.

So: get your own SNR as high as possible on all satellites and you're fine. And never try to compare with others/other boxes, there's really no point in that.

BTW: Why are you using such an old image?

 

[BRAVEHEART]

As has been said in another thread: STB's are no (calibrated) meters. You can't compare the figures of one box with those of another.
They are only meant to be able to allign your dish; for that it does a good job.
And about the AGC: you shouldn't even be looking at those values, it's SNR that counts.

So: get your own SNR as high as possible on all satellites and you're fine. And never try to compare with others/other boxes, there's really no point in that.

BTW: Why are you using such an old image?

Only was wanting a rough guide mate to what other peoples readings are after the problems that I explained I had at the weekend, that was all, no big deal in just asking is there ??

And I do understand what you mean too mate

As far as the image goes, I was just always under the impression that if its not broke then dont try and fix it, and its always been fine before, but your right, maybe its time to update to the latest version of VIX , dont quite know if it would have been that that was causing the weekend problems though, but I guess it still a good idea to update, thanks.

 

[Rob van der Does]

1) regarding the issues you mentioned on pay-channels: as FTA channels were apparently not affected, a local dish issue seems to be unlikely. But even so: comparing with others seems rather pointless;
2) for sure an old image is not causing the effect you described. But using such an old version means that you don't benefit from all the improvements that have been made available. Up to you of course.

 

[BRAVEHEART]

1) regarding the issues you mentioned on pay-channels: as FTA channels were apparently not affected, a local dish issue seems to be unlikely. But even so: comparing with others seems rather pointless;
2) for sure an old image is not causing the effect you described. But using such an old version means that you don't benefit from all the improvements that have been made available. Up to you of course.

cheers, going to flash the latest image now, could you confirm if these are the two files I need, flash the small size one first and then the larger sized one, yes ??? (see the files mentioned).

this small one "duo_cfe_3_0_usb.zip (117.8 KB)"

and then this larger one "ViX-2.3.204-vuduo_usb.zip (48.77 MB)"

Thank you.

 

[Rob van der Does]

Yes, correct. And if you make a settings backup first, all your settings can be re-installed during the first install wizard (plugins will have to be installed by yourself at a later stage).

 

[BRAVEHEART]

Yes, correct. And if you make a settings backup first, all your settings can be re-installed during the first install wizard (plugins will have to be installed by yourself at a later stage).

ok think that worked well enough for now, reinstalled my backup settings tooo and everything looks like it was before with my boquets etc, happy days, just need to get my channels working now, lol.

Anyway, just to make sure, where is it in the menu again i look to see what is the version of vix that is installed, i am 99% sure it is installed but just cant find the option that shows me, can someone tell me please ??

 

[Rob van der Does]

Menu --> Information --> About

 

[BRAVEHEART]

ok think that worked well enough for now, reinstalled my backup settings tooo and everything looks like it was before with my boquets etc, happy days, just need to get my channels working now, lol.

Anyway, just to make sure, where is it in the menu again i look to see what is the version of vix that is installed, i am 99% sure it is installed but just cant find the option that shows me, can someone tell me please ??

found it, its cool, took some time to find that option though but eventually i did, got version 2.3 build 204 installed , great stuff, now just to work out how to do the rest and get everything working, at least my backup settings worked good, all boquets and channels as they were before, now just to get it fully working

 

[Huevos]

Braveheart, all the public service channels (BBC1/2/3/4, ITV1/2/3/4, C4, More4, E4, C5, Fiver, 5*, etc) are on the new satellite (Astra 1N). That satellite is miles stronger in the UK than anything else at 28E. Pay TV channels on the other hand are mainly on Astra 2A, 2B, and EB1. So if you are getting the PSBs but not the pay channels there is probably something wrong with your install, maybe an alignment problem.

 

[Donnie]

The reason for the improvement is a whole load of BBC channels moved to Astra 1N last Friday, ITV was a few days before so anything you get on 1N will be much stronger.

oops did not finish reading all the replies namely the one above mine

 

[BRAVEHEART]

yes but I see the point of the free channels being stronger for the reasons mentioned, but for the pay channels to be so poor of quality signal (or whatever it is) then that part I cant understand, I mean so poor of quality that the picture freezes up or simply doesnt even give a picture at all, I have said all this earlier in the thread anyways if you read back all the details are there.

Getting sick of this now, the Vu duo is getting closer n closer to the bin, lol (and I aint joking), as the same problem from the weekend has started to happen again tonight, all FTA channels strong as can be and pay channels very very poor, somethings not right and its not down to me, all my stuff is fine, my dish is obviously fine as all the FTA channels on the vu duo and on my freesat receiver are fine and strong and good quality, but soon as I go near the pay channels its very different, last night for some reason out of the blue the pay channels signal strength and quality increased dramatically, and then now tonight as we speak they have went bad again like they were last weekend there.

I dont know whats going on

 

[Maxwell]

It sounds like you have a problem with your installation even though you get the FTA channels ok - the encrypted channels signal also carries the encryption information, if the signal is not as good as it should be the encryption data will be corrupted and can give the symptoms you describe.
I would start by checking the cable and F connectors paying particular attention to possible water ingress at the dish end once you are sure this is ok I would be looking at dish alignment and LNB skew and if all is good look to replace the LNB, a noisy LNB especially if it has too much Phase noise will destroy encryption data and the receiver will not be able to acheive phase lock.
You cannot rely on a sat receiver signal strength meter you need a proper dedicated one to be accurate.
A sat receiver will display a combined amount of both signal and noise, because this reading is taken from the Tuner before filtering this means that it could show a signal strength of say 95% but 25% of that could be noise so your actual signal would be 70% so for instance you could fit a new LNB but the receiver signal strength actually goes down (less noise) but your channels a received just fine because of the cleaner signal.
You say you had a day where the encrypted channels came up good and then reverted back to being crap - this is an indicator that something is wrong with the dish end of things as its possible that the weather conditions were just right or wind nudging the dish

 

[Donnie]

I assume the pay channels you view you have the card for ?

With the SNR you list I can not see the signal being the problem, I can watch with a SNR of 50% with no issues.

 

[Maxwell]

I assume the pay channels you view you have the card for ?

With the SNR you list I can not see the signal being the problem, I can watch with a SNR of 50% with no issues.

Good point Donnie I was assuming a local card

 

[BRAVEHEART]

yes of course its all paid for

and if you read back you would see that i did say that the dish was reset just after the storms in the uk, when was that, maybe 3 weeks ago, theres not even been a breeze since, and it was professionally done too and also a brand new LNB installed and after that reset and LNB everything was perfect, and as far as the freesat receiver and the free to air channels on the vu duo they have been fine all through this (apart from when the dish was knocked out during the storms), but now just since the past weekend the pay channels have not been good at all like i keep saying, I dont think I need to repeat what I have already said over and over, maybe the other night they worked a lot better but then changed again last night, so theres something going on.

I will say yet again though, the FTA channels on the vu duo and on my freesat have been fine, so that rules out any problems with the dish or connecters or LNB etc, so like I say, I am still stumpped for an answer for this

I dont mean to sound negative to people and I appreciate every single bit of comments and advice etc, but its just annoying when I cant figure out what is happening, I am sure you must understand what I mean ?

thanks

p.s
donnie, if my snr drops below about 59% then I start to have problems and thats exactly the point I am getting at, maybe your in another part of the uk (england) that has better signal quality or summit, i dunno, but mines certainly breaks up if i get close to mid 50's, anything in the 60's or 70's is usually good though.

 

[Donnie]

I will say yet again though, the FTA channels on the vu duo and on my freesat have been fine, so that rules out any problems with the dish or connecters or LNB etc, so like I say, I am still stumpped for an answer for this

OK, I am not convinced the problem is a signal issue for the reason stated above.

Good part is the card is local so we can help a little.

Which emu are you using ? and are you allowing emms ? if yes how may and what sort ?

 

[BRAVEHEART]

sorry, i think it was my other thread i mentioned the dish had been reset and new lnb etc, my mistake, sorry about that, was just reading back there to check it, wooops, lol

@ donnie, I will hold my hands up and tell you I aint really got a clue what your on about when you start talking about emulators etc mate, no sense in kidding is there, I have someone do this all for me, all I know is the facts that I have stated, thats all mate unfortunatley

 

[Donnie]

All I can suggest is it's time for you to do your homework on it as I would put money on the fact that this is where your problem lies.

A log from the emu would be a good place to start.

 

[Foxylady]

Braveheart first of all i ain't no installer myself.
But from experience in having clone 800 2 year ago, man that thing drove me nuts i was thinking all sorts lol.
Anyway i have a duo, i have taken a video and i will put it up to show others to eliminate the questions as regard glitch issues, need to find it first thou haha, but will explain why i took it.
My signals on the motorised are about 60-70 tops at moment and have been since i decided to be brave and move my dish inorder to fit a new lnb.
i must must say to you fella, please please buy the black ultra lnb, they are f***ing quality.
My dish moved in past due to wind and have tighten the bolts up and it hasn't moved, then i wanted to try this lnb people were going on about, think mine was £13 delivered on ebay.
So now i totally screwed the signal on the dish after fitting new lnb as mine is approx 12ft on side of house and limited space due to wall separating mine and heighbours house so was tough, but getting someone out to pay again was annoying me, but had a friend come round slighty moving it about whilst i looked at the box and got the signals back to 60-70% signal on all sats.
I wanted to test how good this lnb was and i noticed that even on 60% i would get odd glitch as the olde well 1 year approx lnb would give me approx 60-65 agc i.e actual gain control, learnt that from google lol.
This black ultra agc is 90-99 on all sats and i never ever get one glitch even in the very windy days as i made sure the dish & pole are not gunna move lol.
Bear in mind i never tampered with a dish before, but doing the above gave me confidence to buy a 60cm mk4 sky dish and mount it near the motorised and now get 91-99 on signal and both dishes are at rear, house right next to them approx 10 foot gap so have the roof slight in way and i get bob on signals.
Defo get that lnb i mention fella first, then go up to teh dish and retighten the nuts.
Another tip as i work on older cars, hate new ones lol, is buy some ignition sealant in a spray can basically used for the coil, ht leads and dizzy cap to prevent moisture getting in and spray it over the connection where the plug connects to the lnb, this will stop any rain tampering wiht the signal.
Also spray your entire dish with laquer, this will as you know will stop water sitting on the dish and keep it rust free.
These are free tiem only, and very little money and kepe your gear in top nick for many years to come.
But your dish is moving and if a cheapo lnb which no doubt is from what is sold in kits the lnb will not be helping.
My pole for the motorised is not straight i.e plum by any means but i got the best signal i could on all sats and never any issues at all.
This is the lnb you need bud, trust me on this as i was lost also and took the plunge, but i only bought it to see what others were raving about and had to see why.
Signal increased and agc went up approx 20% and not once glitch in wind, rain ever since, think my little ideas help also lol

XXXXXX

Make sure your box is right as regards settings etc, if you need any live help pm me your live messenger addy and we'll chat there and i will give you as much help as possible.
Best wishes.

P.s going to look for that video i took to show you i think it was 29% signal and picture never once moved or froze etc