Thread: 3100 Problems Thread

I think I'm with you on this one Classic
I wouldnt want an increase in cost for something not needed (for the majority of owners)
And, I already have enough ways to control the volume, so another would just make it too confusing for the Mrs when the baby turns the volume down on the receiver, or tv
Calls while I'm at work to coach her through "Take it off mute, set the receiver to DTV, check the wires..."
Kids, you gotta love em

Yesterday my 3100 started losing channels. After checking signal strength on transponders found many with no signal. They are transponder 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, ......and more. Last night they returned but are gone again today. I think my 3100 is pooched but what is the significance of these transponders going to zero? I have a 5900 and it is working OK. I switched the 3100 to the 5900 position yesterday and the problem stayed on the 3100. I checked the connections on the 3100 but everything looks OK.

No, the cards in those receivers will start with either S06 or S0459 as i hate tv says these should last you quite a while.

Your reference to "...the cable inside the house was never touched..." makes me think it is a faulty connector, which is the cause of the majority of "odd transponder only" issues. Trust me, it doesn't take much manipulation of a single connector in the line to cause this issue - I developed the issue simply by replacing a wall plate once. You might have caused the problem simply by unscrewing the cable running from the wall plate to the back of the receiver.

This is why the best way to trouble shoot is to connect the receiver directly to the LNB, preferably with new cable. If you still get odd transponders only after connecting this way, you KNOW it's not a problem with the cabling in the house and can eliminate the other potential cause (bad LNB) by directly connecting to a different LNB with the same cable. If you eliminate in house cabling and bad LNB as possible causes, the ONLY other explanation is a bad receiver.

Perhaps the fact that the units now need to utilize the analogue audio (red/white) outputs (or S-video) requires additional power?

You could try connecting the RF-coax to the DVD recorder instead to see if you notice a difference, however, RF-coax will have a poorer quality picture and the sound will be mono, so this is only as an experiment.

Most STBs do get quite warm. Make sure they're well ventilated (which you say you have).

cards will change again sorry to say, all open except for ppv and porn with a certain fta box that is connected to a router...

I think, from a consumer point of view, it would be a great option to have, particularly the "controled" and "locked" output options. In bulk, the additional cost would be extremely minimal.

But, as stated, for the benefit of a few it just adds to often already over confused setups in the living room Volume control through an amp and volume control in the TV are typically already in the infrastructure and often more than some can handle (I know I get a number of calls from the wife asking why the picture or audio isn't working after they've mashed a bunch of buttons on the remote[s]). Adding a third unit with volume control into the mix certainly would alleviate this, although, yes, a master option for the receiver which defaulted to a locked setting wouldn't be a bad idea.

I've had c-band receivers and other devices that had volume controls and for my personal setup, found them awkward and problematic. I'm not saying it wouldn't work or couldn't have been implemented better, just that in "today's" world, every TV, AMP, surround sound unit, PC, TV tuner card, etc has a volume control built in. It may not be "convenient", but there really isn't a "requirement" for the receiver to have volume control.

I reactivated a old 3100 with a white card (n1?) , but after a firmware upgrade I now have all 0's showing for smartcard #. Any ideas would be helpful. I also cannot get the signal to load, it stays at 0 of 5 in the progress section.

ok, changed the reciever, and all is now well, plus I have a PVR now so the wife is happy, no more missed Coronation Street lol.

My 3100 in my bedroom is having problems. You can be watching any show any channel and suddenly it will lose its signal. Just for a second or so then it will be back. Then I will do it again after just a few seconds. It doesn't happen all the time. Some times it will work just fine for hours, other times it will just keep going on and off.
i forgot to mention that when i open the signal strengh screen the signal will be at over 90% and then were it says "locked" in the corner will go to "unlocked" whenever it loses its signal.
This reciever is over 4 years old maybe it is just about dead.


Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong??


Thanks