US Cable Support > Comcast Cable TV > [Rant] Why Cant They Fix This!!

reply to obckilroy

Re: [Rant] Why Cant They Fix This!!

I was curious because of the layout, we get 2 way splitters locally that look like your 3rd picture.
We have 3 way splitters that can be mounted like the splitter in the 2nd picture.
I just wanted to make sure it was in fact a splitter and not a directional coupler, which would provide a much stronger signal to only one leg.

reply to CableConvert
I'd swap boxes and then check. That will rule out cabling issue.

You really need to tune your box to one of the missing channels, then get into the boxes service menu, then look and see if your box has any kind of lock on that channels specific frequency.

Also, what stations are those channels? (Local, PBS, ESPN, etc?) Its possible they somehow have your mapping incorrect, but that's unlikely since they should have found that problem by now.

reply to IowaCowboy

reply to JoeHemi
The channels missing are MSNBC, and 2 ESPN channels (120-121), and DIY, Food Channel, and one more that I cant remember...they all work on the upstairs tv...have not had a chance to switch the boxes out but will tomorrow. Upon really looking at the box the tech put in...it looks really beat up so there might really be an issue there...

reply to CableConvert
Well switched the boxes and no love...same problems with both boxes rewired the one back upstairs and it works...there was some tiling with MSNBC earlier, but when I put things back the way they were it resolved, so there is a problem specific to certain frequencies downstairs and not the box...I guess I need to escalate this

reply to CableConvert
Well filled out the ticket to Rick...we will see how that goes

I just took upstairs box downstairs. Now, however, they dont work on either TV, and I am really getting pissed off. This is obviously an issue with these channels since it is now occurring on all the tvs

Yeah you need CS or the tech to speak to a group called Addressability. They are the only ones that will be able to cross check to make sure your boxes are synced correctly with the DAC and that the boxes are placed in the correct ad zone and mapped correctly. If everything looks right, the tech will need to check those specific channel's freqs at the box, the box's outlet, and also where your outside connection is.

If you want to further troubleshoot your issue before you call, take a long enough coax patch cable or move the box & tv outside and barrel it directly into the line from the pole. If you still aren't getting those channels then you can prove it's not your inside wiring and it's Comcast's responsibility to fix. IF however you do get the channels on both boxes directly off the line then you will have to figure out what you want to do about the inside wiring.

reply to CableConvert
Looking at your diagram again, I wouldn't be surprised if you don't have a good signal going to the problem TV due to 2 splitters being used. maybe the one the problem TV is connected to needs to be replaced. If you can get to that splitter, I would try to hook the problem TV line to the post with the less db loss, or to test it even better, run the cable going to the problem TV to the first splitter in line where the good TV is now hooked up at.

OR

Knowing the line going to your modem is more than likely the port with the minimum db loss....you could also temporary unscrew the line going to the modem, and screw in the line going to the problem TV to that port and test it.

Kind of thinking maybe you should invest a little in a good 3 way splitter, if any of the above test I suggested end up bringing the missing channels back.

And if you have an OHM meter, if you haven't already...check to see if there is a short, or any reading on the line going to the "problem TV"

Hope this helps.
--
Long you live and high you fly, and smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry,
and all you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be.

I already tried all that...bypassed the splitter, took the line that was going to the modem and put the line going to tv downstairs same thing. Got a call back from someone at corporate on Friday and they are sending someone in the morning. They also gave me a phone # to call them back if it is not fixed tomorrow. It just seems to me that the signal coming to the house should be a lot stronger. There is only 1 splitter between my modem and the pole and it still only has download power of -2, upstream is 44. I used to have 2 splitters between the modem and the pole and the signal levels were about the same (sometimes better). I hope this person tomorrow isn't as worthless as the first guy

Every time I get Corporate involved, things get moving, and always have been fixed. So I think you will finally get to the bottom of it.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you...I know how frustrating it can get. I have had to deal with Corp. at least 6 times in 13 years.
Unfortunately sometimes that's what it takes.

Let us know how it goes, and what the problem ended up being.
--
Long you live and high you fly, and smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry,
and all you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be.

They are not here yet...but my best guess is that the power levels coming into the house are just not adequate. The are 3 large fm towers at the end of the cul de sac and this area just needs stronger signal. Every time they do something it seems to take forever that this is a problem...we will see

reply to CableConvert
Ok...I'm fixed...we ran a new line (and I emphasize WE)through the attic...from outside because it was a problem somewhere inside. Whereas the signal was within normal levels, the frequency (535hz I think) was getting to the box, but was getting multiple errors...we ran the new line and I ran a new line downstairs and...I'm in business. I was very pleased with this tech. He was also an actual Comcast employee...seems they have a lot more leeway to get things done than the subs...anyway its fioxed and I am happy

reply to CableConvert
Congrats on "finding" and getting the problem solved.

Just what I said was the problem after your tests and switching boxes. I don't know why the techs that visited earlier didn't find the difficulty.

Did you get a look at the old cable? It would be interesting to see if why it failed.