I have an issues with my MP setup. I have occasions glitches when watching live/recorded TV on my HTPC via my HVR3000 with FreeView DVB-S. I do not have any problems with DVD's or other video formats.

I am pretty sure these are related to the quality of my signal, but there are somethings that do not seem to add up which makes me believe there may be a gap in my knowledge about the whole broadcast/processing knowlege that someone here may here who can offer some assistance that will help me fix my problems.

The coax from the standard Sky dual LNB is connected to a Hills splitter that feeds my Sky Box (broadcast subscription) and HVR3000. The cables are not flash (standard Jaycar 1.5m premaid type), although the a straight connection to the HTPC does not seem to make any difference to the problems.

The Sky box is reading a signal strength of ~52 (i.e. 1-2 green bars) and the quality is about the same. I have not managed to figure out how to get the signal strength on the HTPC box :). I am using Dscaler for MPG2 work on the box.

The Sky box runs without issues, not signs of 'blockiness' that would indicate poor reception and i have not had a rainfade day in a while. The dish is on the side of the house and there may be a neighbours trees clipping my signal.

The HTPC is a different story, on all of the TVNZ channels i get occasion stuttered frames (rate of about 1-2/30sec), but on the TV3 channels this does not occur! So i am a little perplexed by it all, it stands to reason that the two groups broadcast a little different, but should that affect my reception?

So, what i am interested in finding out it as follows:
1) Do TVNZ and TV3 broadcast/encode differently?
2) Is the Sky box better set up to handle a lower signal quality?
3) Should i complain to Sky to get the dish moved to a more suitable location on the house away from trees? or should i move it myself?
4) Would a faster machine handle the low strength signal better?

Thanks,

GF