Bad pixelation - Tivo and HDR-4400 but not TV

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dickytim

2514 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

# 207998 22-Jan-2017 17:42

So we have quite bad pixelation on both our Tivo and Hauppauge HDR-4400 but perfect when playing through the TV directly.

It is so bad that watching TV on Tivo is not pleasant. When I check the signal strength on the Tivo it sits on 83-86 depending on the channel. The situation has gotten gradually worse, I had thought the HDD was on its way our, but since testing on the HTPC tuner I figure it is not that at all. We have noticed our neighbors lawn mower introduces very bad pixelation, but the is on TV, Tivo and HTPC.

I have tried the following.
New cable.
Moving the amplifier closer to the Tivo etc.
Taking out all connections
Moving the cable away from speaker cables etc.
Uncoiling the cable.
Turning off the internet (skinny 4G)
Turning off internet and all phones
Turning off RT in partners company car.

Nothing seems to help long term, everything we try seems to give short term fixes then breaks again.

This is really doing my head in!

What might I try to solve this issue? Is a signal strength of 83-86 insufficient?

Spyware

2364 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

# 1707564 22-Jan-2017 17:50

Comment about moving amplifier closer to TiVo is disturbing. Any RF amp should be at the antenna end, i.e, on the mast or close to it in attic to amplify signal before the loss occurs.

You also don't mention what type of antenna you use.

Spark FibreMAX using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+. Apple TV 4, Apple TV 4K, iPad Air 1, iPhone 6s, VodaTV Gen 2. If it doesn't move then its data cabled.

Groucho

300 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1707837 23-Jan-2017 10:05

I had a similar issue years ago where the picture would have fits of being pixelated but had pretty decent strength. It turned out to be the RF cable from the wall to the TiVo - once replaced it was mint and has never skipped a beat since. Digital TV can be pretty susceptible to dodgy quality or old connections.

Try running an RF cable directly from the antenna wall socket to the TiVo. This will rule out a splitter or any other daisy chained RF cable in the loop and go from there.

Two devices with issues certainly suggests a cabling or RF network problem.

dickytim

2514 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

# 1707868 23-Jan-2017 10:20

Thanks guys, I went out and watched the antenna on the roof, it was moving somewhat in the wind.

Later last night when the wind died down the picture was normal, I am going to tighten the mast and see of we can stop it moving. I am interested that the TV has perfect picture when this is all happening.

We may look at getting a new UHF only arial put up if we can't get the picture to setting down by tightening the mast etc.

Groucho

300 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1707886 23-Jan-2017 10:29

dickytim: Thanks guys, I went out and watched the antenna on the roof, it was moving somewhat in the wind.

Later last night when the wind died down the picture was normal, I am going to tighten the mast and see of we can stop it moving. I am interested that the TV has perfect picture when this is all happening.

We may look at getting a new UHF only arial put up if we can't get the picture to setting down by tightening the mast etc.

Ahh, didn't even think about the antenna waiving around which would explain it. If you have a long antenna it needs to be pretty much pointing at the transmitter. The longer it is the more square on it needs to be as that is what focusses the signal.

Don't get up on the roof if it's still windy though!