OVHD Signal with DSTV dish

cavedog

cavedog

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So I don't watch tv but decided to get a OVHD decoder because it's cheap and the complex I'm in had a dish aligned and just sitting there.

So I got the decoder plugged it in and activated it.

All the channels are working and E HD looks pretty decent actually. I noticed that it shows signal @ 63% is that good or bad or should I maybe get someone to align it better? :confused:
 
You can try and improve the signal yourself. What is the signal quality?

(1) Any idea of the size of the antenna and the type of LNB in the antenna?
(2) Do you have lots of patience, because without access to a FSM the process of improving the signal levels and quality is quite labour intensive.

The decoder is a single tuner device, capable of receiving channels on only one transponder at a time.
 
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Don't worry about that signal rating. It's not a big deal. My OVHD decoder signal reception is also about 60% and so are some of the DSTV channels.

The audio channels are also very clear though it's a small bouquet.
 
Fox1 said:
Don't worry about that signal rating. It's not a big deal. My OVHD decoder signal reception is also about 60% and so are some of the DSTV channels.

The audio channels are also very clear though it's a small bouquet.
Click to expand...

It is a big deal for those wanting to get the best performance out of their HD TVs ....

For us normal folk, with cheaper TVs and even analogue TVs, the signal level and quality has to be pretty bad before we see any deterioration.
 
daniellgr said:
It is a big deal for those wanting to get the best performance out of their HD TVs ....

For us normal folk, with cheaper TVs and even analogue TVs, the signal level and quality has to be pretty bad before we see any deterioration.
Click to expand...

Well I got a HDMI cable and a 1080p tv so yeah maybe I should see if I can improve it but the HD channels are looking goo though. :confused:
 
daniellgr said:
It is a big deal for those wanting to get the best performance out of their HD TVs ....

For us normal folk, with cheaper TVs and even analogue TVs, the signal level and quality has to be pretty bad before we see any deterioration.
Click to expand...

It's digital. It'll either be a perfect picture or it will glitch and stutter. No subtle loss of quality...
 
cavedog said:
Well I got a HDMI cable and a 1080p tv so yeah maybe I should see if I can improve it but the HD channels are looking goo though. :confused:
Click to expand...

There is a "rule" that says "If it ain't broken, don't fix it".
Where the problem comes in is with HIGH SNR on the incoming signal, which will be worse under bad weather conditions.

The loss of SNR due to cross polar interference causes signal distortion, pixilation and picture freeze if it is bad enough.

Hence why I asked about about the antenna size and type of LNB installed. One has to assess whether the effort in trying to improve signal levels is worth it, especially if under normal conditions the signal quality is already 100%.

Sinbad said:
It's digital. It'll either be a perfect picture or it will glitch and stutter. No subtle loss of quality...
Click to expand...

Agreed there is no gradual loss of quality.
 
daniellgr said:
There is a "rule" that says "If it ain't broken, don't fix it".
Where the problem comes in is with HIGH SNR on the incoming signal, which will be worse under bad weather conditions.

The loss of SNR due to cross polar interference causes signal distortion, pixilation and picture freeze if it is bad enough.

Hence why I asked about about the antenna size and type of LNB installed. One has to assess whether the effort in trying to improve signal levels is worth it, especially if under normal conditions the signal quality is already 100%.



Agreed there is no gradual loss of quality.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Well I'm not sure of the size of the dish or what LNB it is but here is some photos if that helps. Also the OVHD has a video outpu option of 720p or 1080i.

For this decoder and this service which is better to use? I have a 1080p 42" LED TV.

Thanks.

IMG_20160911_152620.png


IMG_20160911_152629.jpg
 
90cm dish for optimal signal quality but 80cm will do. For your TV set the decoder to 1080i. You'll notice the other channels like eKasi+ and eMovies+ are also in HD but depending on the content.
 
cavedog said:
Thanks.

Well I'm not sure of the size of the dish or what LNB it is but here is some photos if that helps. Also the OVHD has a video outpu option of 720p or 1080i.

For this decoder and this service which is better to use? I have a 1080p 42" LED TV.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

MC used to transmit all channels at 720p, now most if not all are transmitted at 1080i
OVHD? You will have to check with them what they transmit at.

The best is then to set the decoder for 1080i if some channels are transmitted at 1080i. Otherwise 720p is best. Then set the TV to match.

Next, Measure the antenna diameter as per the attached picture (yours amended).
I do not have OVHD and do not know what measurements they make available, but the only way to answer you properly is if you can post the signal quality values as well as the signal strength value.

In the meantime, if you want I will calculate for you the look angle and skew angle values for Richards' bay, which can then be used to verify if the antenna and LNB are correctly set. ( or at least close to the theoretical values).

At least the antenna has been installed where you can reach it without too much hassle and from a lightning protection point of view, not at the highest point and therefore does not require to be earthed.
The installation is perfect as it is, provided there are no LOS obstructions.

IMG_20160911_152620.png
 
I used a 60cm dish (below spec) self-installed and the signal is stable, except during some storms.

I had to align it pretty accurately to get it there. I used Skype on a laptop and my phone to check the signal strength on my tv and made small adjustments to the dish.
 
GoB said:
I used a 60cm dish (below spec) self-installed and the signal is stable, except during some storms.

I had to align it pretty accurately to get it there. I used Skype on a laptop and my phone to check the signal strength on my tv and made small adjustments to the dish.
Click to expand...

A 60 cm antenna in Cape Town pointed at IS20 (68.5° E) is not the best choice but workable if the antenna is properly aligned. A 60 cm would be fine for OVHD at the SES 5 position.
 
daniellgr said:
A 60 cm antenna in Cape Town pointed at IS20 (68.5° E) is not the best choice but workable if the antenna is properly aligned. A 60 cm would be fine for OVHD at the SES 5 position.
Click to expand...

Oh thanks for the info... it explains my confusion back when OVHD came out. I got conflicting information on the position but moved the dish from East- to North- facing wall. I got nothing at IS20... the dish is in pretty bad condition and it wouldn't be stable at SES 5 if moved maybe 0.25 degrees.
 
Just a quick question. How is the sabc channels quality for you guys? I find it very disappointing to be honest. Dstv have it much clearer than this ovhd decoder. It's not bad bit some small writing you can see like tearing or bloks as if the resolution is poor like watching a 240p on a 1080p screen.
 
cavedog said:
Just a quick question. How is the sabc channels quality for you guys? I find it very disappointing to be honest. Dstv have it much clearer than this ovhd decoder. It's not bad bit some small writing you can see like tearing or bloks as if the resolution is poor like watching a 240p on a 1080p screen.
Click to expand...
Yeah it is quite mediocre quality wise. Colour looks drained. Think it's an analogue feed. Same quality on Top TV from previous experience.
 
What are the network settings on the ovhd decoder?
The symbol rates, the fec as well as the freq.

With that info we may be able comment on the basic quality
 
daniellgr said:
What are the network settings on the ovhd decoder?
The symbol rates, the fec as well as the freq.

With that info we may be able comment on the basic quality
Click to expand...

Where can I get those?
 
Okay, that is what we are looking for.

You can check out each channel and see what the signal quality values are.
62% for a signal level is barely above "signal lock", really bad.

That 61% on SABC 2 is pretty bad for a DVB S2 signal.

At a signal value above 62%, you should be able to get that to 100% by adjusting the skew angle on the LNB. The signal level should improve quite a bit as well.

Once the skew angle is correct, and the signal level is still low, you should be able to get better values by making small adjustments to both the elevation and the azimuth position of the antenna.
 
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