SDV question

[jaimeknapp]

Is there any way to easily discern whether a channel is accessed through SDV or, more directly through QAM? I know that channel maps are not really used with Tuning Adapters, but I just ran the CetonSignals.hta application and got the following information:

9.9 dBmV 35.1 dB 57000 2;4;1215;1218
12.6 dBmV 37.6 dB 69000 8;109;110;801;1224;1468
12.4 dBmV 37.9 dB 111000 63;69;105;247;401;402;403;404;406;407;408;409;410;411;412;413;414;415;416;417;418;419;420;421;422;423;424;425;426;427;428
11.7 dBmV 37.9 dB 117000 17;20;21;98;100;477;803;1228
12.3 dBmV 37.9 dB 135000 9;15;19;471;482;804;806;1226;1230
12.0 dBmV 37.9 dB 147000 10;11;92;93;94;96;460;759;881;1206;1221;1248;1268;1269;1270
12.6 dBmV 38.3 dB 159000 18;22;53;365;492;144;123;126;464;1233;14
12.4 dBmV 38.3 dB 165000 3;13;80;81;1200;1203;1240;1244;1465;1277
13.0 dBmV 38.3 dB 171000 5;7;79;811;1209;1212;1252
12.3 dBmV 37.3 dB 321000 40;59;61;62;90;209;232;245;116;168;203;206;226
12.8 dBmV 37.9 dB 381000 46;54;68;72;74;111;112;65;139;121;314;630
11.8 dBmV 37.3 dB 387000 27;41;48;113;127;141;103;189;122
12.3 dBmV 38.3 dB 465000 57;73;129;137;157;205;1469
11.8 dBmV 37.9 dB 501000 32;44;55;132;155;480;631
11.2 dBmV 37.1 dB 507000 23;30;51;106;167;176;293
10.8 dBmV 37.6 dB 513000 12;24;25;104;125;124;300;301;1466;1467
10.8 dBmV 37.6 dB 519000 42;97;208;142;251;400
10.5 dBmV 37.3 dB 525000 6;36;50;71;442;765;768;1899;173;211;491;827;899;953;1850
11.2 dBmV 37.9 dB 543000 320;340;350;395;383;511;531;551;200
11.2 dBmV 37.3 dB 549000 33;38;58;182;310;381;158;378;117;165;181
10.3 dBmV 36.8 dB 615000 43;56;64;75;405;134;171;172;286;483
10.4 dBmV 37.1 dB 609000 1;39;45;52;999;138;145;204;258;264
4.8 dBmV 34.9 dB 747000 26;49;60;76;149;152;166;202;225;318
4.9 dBmV 35.8 dB 771000 37;66;67;107;108;163;174;160
4.7 dBmV 35.4 dB 777000 29;35;47;147;394;135;162;170;201
3.6 dBmV 34.8 dB 783000 28;31;34;102;128;131;133;101;118

My reasoning for the question is that sometimes while I have been viewing a particular channel for a long period of time, I will get the "Subscription Required" screen. It then may return after 10-15 seconds, but generally I need to hit Stop and re-select the channel to restore the program. This has occurred directly from the PC as well as from an extender. Not that this happens often and I really do not believe that it is caused by anything within my system (see specs in my profile), but that it is a result of how TWC "manages" channels through SDV.

I realize that there is likely nothing that can be done about this, but am interested in getting a better understanding of this process and would greatly appreciate any information that any of you may be able to share on this subject.

Thanks to all in advance.

[erkotz]

The easiest way is to unplug the TA and see if you can still tune the channel. This sounds like a potential CableCARD issue, though. I would recommend that you upgrade to the newest InfiniTV firmware and swap out your CableCARD in case it is bad.

[jaimeknapp]

Thanks,

I have been on 13.6.3.1088 for quite some time.

At this point, since the occurrence is relatively rare, I am loathe to dealing with any hardware changes. Should it become more frequent, I will make that my first order of business.

[barnabas1969]

Your signal strength is a little too high on most channels. I recommend installing a 7dB attenuator before the InfiniTV.

[jaimeknapp]

The 3-6 dB rise in levels is a very recent development that seems to have made no difference in my noted observation. It is due to some node change by TWC, I presume for the increase in their data tiers. I have been watching it on my cable modem as well. Oddly, it seems to drop by about 3dB from dawn to dusk. I have been looking to see if it stabilizes any before I start with 3dB attenuation ahead of my unity gain amplifier.

I do appreciate your input.

[barnabas1969]

You should put in a 7dB attenuator, not 3.

A 7dB drop would bring your highest signal down to 5.8dB, and your lowest down to -3.4dB.

Then, if you have a +/- 3dB fluctuation (which is normal with outdoor temperature changes), it could range from 8.8dB to -6.4dB --- which is well within the range you want it to be.

[jaimeknapp]

Yesterday, I inserted a 6dB attenuator ahead of my EDA-FT08300 drop amp. This also brought my cable modem signals closer to their specified range. I only keep 3, 6 & 12dB on hand and should probably obtain additional values to see if I can get a nominal 0dB signal.

Given that not enough time has passed to discern whether this may have helped, but it would *appear* that channel changes do now occur slightly faster. It really is just a minor annoyance that I will continue to watch for.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[barnabas1969]

6dB attenuator should be fine. But putting it before the amplifier could cause the RDC signal power of the Tuning Adapter to be too high. You want the RDC power of the TA to be 25-40dB.

[jaimeknapp]

With the attenuator as-is, my RDC is 37dB.

Receiving, the attenuator is far from linear; from -6dB on the low end to -9dB on the high end, but that does put everything in a "proper" range of -6.3 to +5.7 dBmV.
Currently, my cable modem is running about 0dBmV downstream and +42dBmV on the upstream channels; all four each way; right where it "wants" to be.

I am going to leave it this way for now, but my next trial would be to move it to the InfiniTV / TA feed and add another 6dB pad to the line feeding the cable modem.

Thanks again.