[mythtv-users] Pixelation/Bad Recordings HDHR Prime -- I am at my wits end

[Chris Porter]

On Aug 27, 2013 5:13 PM, "Captain Hook" <captainhookzero at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> That strength is without the booster. Here is more info on the booster if
you're interested. Looks like the gain is 10.2-11 dB.
http://www.motorolasolutions.com/web/Business/Products/Cable%20Broadband/RF%20Amplifiers/BDA100/_Documents/staticfile/BDA_Catalog_Specifications.pdf
>
> I will definitely take your advice. My plan is to move the HDHR around
and see what the readings are in different areas.
>
> Thanks.
>
> On Tuesday, August 27, 2013, Chris Porter wrote:
>>
>> On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 2:56 PM, Captain Hook <captainhookzero at gmail.com>
wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 5:51 PM, Chris Porter <hoodlum7 at gmail.com>
wrote:
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 2:30 PM, Captain Hook <
captainhookzero at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 5:22 PM, Chris Porter <hoodlum7 at gmail.com>
wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 2:15 PM, Captain Hook <
captainhookzero at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I am not sure how much bandwidth the packet loss test attempted to
push.  This issue occurs when there is only a single recording happening,
if that makes any difference.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Here is a link to a diagram of my network.  Yes, my TrendNET 8 port
gigabit switch is just an unmanaged switch.  I have a Sonicwall firewall
and a separate Meraki access point (also both connected to the switch).  My
frontend has another switch connected (also a TrendNET), but that is
upstairs.  For what it's worth, my brand new frontend does act laggy at
times with fast forward and loading the recordings screen but this is
fairly rare.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> http://s21.postimg.org/iuqsauaif/Coax_Wiring_Home.jpg
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The splitter just prior to my HDHR Prime has alternated between
Monster Cable splitter, Motorola 2 port signal booster, and a splitter I
obtained from Comcast years ago.  All three exhibit this issue.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 5:09 PM, Chris Porter <hoodlum7 at gmail.com>
wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 1:57 PM, Captain Hook <
captainhookzero at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Background
>>>>>>>>>  I have been having intermittent issues with recording quality
with my HDHomeRun Prime with Comcast cablecard since the inception of this
project. I am really remembering why I gave this HTPC nonsense up years
ago, but I'm already significantly invested in this at this point and I am
determined to see it through.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Issues
>>>>>>>>>  Intermittent issues with recordings on MythTV. Some recordings
will be perfect, others will have pixelation periodically, others will have
heavy pixelation, yet others will be so bad that the recordings stop during
playback. The same channel will not behave the same twice--sometimes things
are fine, other times they are terrible. This seems to happen on any
channel and do not occur at any particular time of the day or during any
other operations or recordings on my network.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> During playback the pixelation occurs at exactly the same points
on dam
>>
>> Hmmm, is the signal strength value -4.6dBmv with the booster or without?
I strongly suggest your take my advice about placement of the amp. I am
curious as to the dB signal output of the amp is it 12dB?
>>
>> --
>> Working on World Domination since 2001
>
>
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Okay, so your signal strength is at a negative. If you amplify that you are
amplifying a poor signal.  I suspect If you hooked the HDHR directly to
your splitter #1 this value would be in the positive.

FYI: a perfect reference signal is 0.0 dBmV. You want to keep your signal
as close to the reference as possible. If you go too high you can get the
same kind of problems. Most digital devices consider values between -12 and
+16 dBmV as acceptable.

If you do not feel comfortable replacing splitter #1 with your amp, then I
believe you would get the most value placing the amp directly after it.
Then run any additional splitters off the amp.
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