Follow-up: DirecTV Samsung Box problem (and apparent solut..

Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv,rec.video.satellite.dbs (More info?)

A bit more than a year ago, I posted a question regarding Samsung
SIR-S70 boxes on Usenet (alt.satellite.tv was the only group I used at the
time, though I'm cross-posting to rec.video.satellite.dbs since it's
relevant to that group also). The issue was an intermittent problem with
automatic tuning to local channels; I've included the original post below
for convenient reference.

Although I received a number of e-mails along the lines of "I'm having
the same problem," no one offered a solution per se. However, for what it's
worth, several months after the system was installed, we plugged the boxes
into phone lines. (We hadn't done so at the initial installation, since the
installer said it wasn't required--however, when we wanted to subscribe to
MLB Extra Innings, it became necessary.) Ever since we plugged the boxes
in, the problem has gone away. I don't know if this is a coincidence or
not, but this seems to be the fix.

Since the solution would mean most people wouldn't have the problem, I'd
doubt they'll ever release a "fix" (especially since DirecTV wants people to
hook up to the phone line, for whatever reasons)--but it also means you have
an easy do-it-yourself fix. (Just get a phone cord.) I don't know whether
this also works for the SIR-S75 boxes, which I'm told also have the bug--but
I'd suspect so.

Hope this helps someone.

------------------------------------------------
John Haywood
E-mail: jhaywoo-at-att-dot-net (correct to use--unless you're sending spam).
Quote: "Man is manifestly the most bald of all animals." -- Aristotle
------------------------------------------------



Original message:
Subject: DirecTV Samsung Box Problem
Date: 2003-01-31 01:23:00 PST
Google archive link:
http://groups.google.com/groups?q= [...] net&rnum=1


We recently purchased a DirecTV system. We have been very happy with
everything except for one problem: when I try to program our receivers
timers to tune to local channels, they behave like there's no channel on
that number. (If I program it to switch over to channel 30--a valid local
channel here--it behaves the exact same way as if I set it to switch to a
channel not in use, such as 363.) The problem occurs intermittently when we
tune directly to the local channels (i.e., hit 3-0-OK on the remote) and can
be corrected by using the channel-up then channel-down button. The timer
problem can also be solved the same way, but that means someone has to be
around to fix the problem. On the other hand, we can just leave the box on
and tuned to a local channel. However, with both solutions, recording two
programs is out if the second program is on a local channel. (Yes, there
are cases where we will want to do that.)
The receivers in question are Samsung SIR-S70 boxes. I haven't found
anything useful on Samsung's or DirecTV's websites, the manual doesn't
mention this bug, and I'm having trouble reaching the outfit that installed
our system. We also have an oval dish (the three satellite system), and
local channels are in the 2-99 range (on their correct broadcast number).
I'm assuming it's a receiver design problem since all three boxes have
the problem. Does anyone know if there is a solution? Any help would be
greatly appreciated.

------------------------------------------------
John Haywood
E-mail: jhaywoo-at-att-dot-net (correct to use--unless you're sending spam).
Quote: "Man is manifestly the most bald of all animals." -- Aristotle
------------------------------------------------