What does SNR / AGC / BER mean?

[garyblas]

I think SNR is the signal to noise ratio
What is AGC and BER ?

If i check my channels my free to air SNR is 95% but on Sky channels im only getting 68%.. Im guessing my dish needs tweeking in?
But the AGC on both is over 90 whilst the BER is zero?

 

[Larry-G]

SNR = Signal to Noise Ratio - which means signal quality
AGC = Automatic Gain Control - which means signal strength
BER = Bit Error Rate - which shows the error rate of the signal.


So, SNR and AGC should be as high as possible.
BER should be as low as possible, like 0. It can be higher, if your other values are higher.

 

[garyblas]

SNR = Signal to Noise Ratio - which means signal quality
AGC = Automatic Gain Control - which means signal strength
BER = Bit Error Rate - which shows the error rate of the signal.


So, SNR and AGC should be as high as possible.
BER should be as low as possible, like 0. It can be higher, if your other values are higher.

Thanks Phoenix for info.

So in my case my BER is zero - which is perfect, my AGC is over 90% which is good but my SNR on Sky channels is only 68%.
I do get some freezes , not many. Would you suggest tweeking the dish?
Im only using Sky mini dish

 

[Larry-G]

maybe see if the LNB needs to be skewed before you go fiddling with the dish.

 

[garyblas]

maybe see if the LNB needs to be skewed before you go fiddling with the dish.

So try twisting the LNB and see if it improves ?

 

[Larry-G]

So try twisting the LNB and see if it improves ?

basically yes, there will be a set of numbers on the side the the lnb where it meets the collar and a arrow or similar on the collar it self.

have a look at this map for a general idea of the skew settings for your area.

 

[garyblas]

Cheers mate will give it a go, I assume it is set to area 3 as getting 68 % but will try a little tweek.

Thanks again

 

[Larry-G]

To be brutally honest i really would not worry too much as long as your channels work fine, I fine that my SNR has to drop below 60% before i start to notice a problem on some channels, even then most are still on unless it gets below 50%.

 

[garyblas]

I dont loose the channel and picture is fine generally, but i do find ITV4 HD freezes more.. this is typically a SNR of 58%

I will have a look at LNB setting, can aways mark its position and tweek back if all goes wrong or worse.

Thanks for your help as usual.

 

[Double Tap]

basically yes, there will be a set of numbers on the side the the lnb where it meets the collar and a arrow or similar on the collar it self.

have a look at this map for a general idea of the skew settings for your area.

what about when you have a movable dish setup does it auto skew for the other satellite positions can you go into any settings to alter your skew settings as I used to have a uniden Rx plus separate uniden positioner granted it did have a pair of wires going to the polarizer but then again the ram had a hole bunch of conductors going to it. Now all replaced with just a single coax & digital electrickery.