Sky Cinema, Sky 2, True Movies, signal problems

[hunter12]

Hi all.
I hope someone can help me. I cannot get an unjargled picture on the above channels.
All the others are fine. My signal strength is always over half and the signal quality is over half and nearer 3/4. Why is it I can't get these channels and is anyone else having problems.
Please help.
I have tried realigning and the signal strength is best at its current position.
Thanks
Ian

[BGonaSTICK]

Hi. Welcome to the forum

True movies is on a relatively low-power transponder, so that could be the reason you're not getting that. Sky Cinema and Sky Two are on a better transponder, but it's still not particularly strong.

If the term 'transponder' is unfamiliar to you, it's just one of the many 'beam' frequencies from the satellite in space.

You should be able to get all of these channels though, so perhaps it's your LNB that's a bit sick, or maybe even the tuner in your digibox.

Terminology-wise (sorry, it's impossible to know your level of understanding!) the LNB is the gadget at the end of the arm sticking out in front of the dish.

How old are the LNB/digibox and where abouts are you located?

Have a look at the three attached pictures. The other channels on those transponders should give identical reception results, so please try all the channels that you can view to see if they do give the same results/problems, recheck the original three channels and post back with your results.

Some of the channels you won't find on the Sky EPG, so don't worry about them.

STICK

[hunter12]

Hi there Stick.
Many thanks for replying to my question. Much appreciated. I live near Penrith in Cumbria, UK. The lnb is a quad lnb and only a year old. The digibox is an amstrad and a few years old now. I am not sure what I need to do with the three attached lists. I am not that clued up on these things. Could you explain what you mean.
Many thanks
Ian

[BGonaSTICK]

Sure, no problem.

Just try all the channels on those three lists to see what reception you get.

Basically, if one of the channels on one of the lists causes you reception problems, then they all should.

Did you fit your LNB, and did you set the skew ('twist') correctly to maximise the signal?

[hunter12]

Hi again
No, it is just the odd chanel on each.
I did instal the lnb, don't know what the skew is. The picture did used to be good all the time on all chanels.
Thanks again for your help
Ian

[BGonaSTICK]

The LNB can be 'twisted' in the LNB clamp. There are quite often graduations on the LNB casing, and you can 'click' the whole LNB round in notches. You should experiment to see if you can make any improvements.

It's very odd that it's only one channel on each of those lists causing you problems.

There is nothing else quick and dirty that I can suggest.

Try the LNB skew, whilst checking the signal quality (this is the only thing that matters). Revisit your dish alignment, as that is by far the most likely culprit even though you've had a go already.

Other than that, you are into swapping out components.

a) Try a friend's digibox on your dish and your digibox on theirs.
b) Change your coaxial cable and 'F' connectors
c) Fit a new, slightly larger dish and/or LNB

Good luck, and let us know if you solve it, and what it was.

[hunter12]

Hi there

Problem is now solved.
It was the digibox. Tried a different one and it works fine.
Many thanks for your help
Ian

[BGonaSTICK]

Thanks for the feedback Ian. It all helps us to help others