Bad reception of local channels with DVR80

[SlimJim]

Local channels became available recently so I decided to add them to my current package. In order to receive them I had to add an addtional dish aimed at the 74 (or 77?) degree satellite. All seemed well until I began to scrutinize the picture quality. Most of my locals had ghosting problems as well as a vertical line to the left of the screen.

I have verified all my connections and resolved myself that my local channnel providers were uplinking a poor signal. But...a friend with Dishnetwork revceives the locals crystal clear. Other friends with Directv suffer from the same problem, but to a lesser extent.

Is it possible this is a problem with my Directivo? The play-off games were unbearable on my 52" screen. looked like four teams playing one game!

Just curious if anyone else has had problems with locals via sat. I would love to be able to TIVO local programs, but will resort back to OTA antenna if I can't resolve

[HuMan321]

I also have my locals on the 72.5 bird. The picture quality is horrible compared to others. I have a ghosting line that runs down the middle on my Fox station. My ABC station has little audible blips on Monday night football. I have called and complained and they make it seem like no one else has a problem. My signal strength is 91 on the transponder that has my locals. It is transponder 1 if maybe by bad luck yours are on this too. I really think they are overcrowding with all the locals and compressing the heck out of them. If you find resolution, please pass it on and I will do the same

[SlimJim]

I was starting to think it was just me. Thanks for confirming my sanity :)

I was at a friends recently and he had the exact same problem. He does not have DirecTivo, just a regular receiver. We have both called Directv to complain and have been told there is no problem. Perhaps if more people complain they will look into it.

FWIW, friends with Dishnet do not have this problem.

[Jimwool]

Unfortunately, in some markets satellite companies will receive local channels by putting up an antenna and receiving the local analog channel "over-the-air" and then send that signal to their uplink facility. The ghosting and vertical line that SlimJim describes are artifacts of an analog television signal and are definitely not an indication of bad dish-pointing, etc. The problem is with the signal they are sending over the dish (garbage in, garbage out). One satellite company may use a fiber feed to receive a local channel while another uses over-the-air reception in the same market, thus the difference in quality between the two (they don't necessicarily share their input signals). If the local channels have their DTV signal up, you may be able to persuade the satellite carrier to take that signal over-the-air instead. Another possibility would be to complain to the local channel you want to receive: tell them they look bad on satellite. The support person you're talking to at the satellite company may not know these details. The squeaky-wheel approach may be your best bet. Good luck.