UltimateTv Help: Tv Fragging / Pixelating

[Scottmmx]

Hi,
I have the UltimateTv Directv combo box (RCA DWD490RE). Recently for some reason I have started having pixelation where part of screen colors go off in various colors. The picture returns to normal in a moment but it keeps happening. The signal strength for both tuners is in the 80's so that should not be a problem. We do get power surges but the device is hooked up to a decent UPS so I don't think that is a problem. Has Anyone else experience this problem or does anyone have an idea to fix it. Any help and/or ideas you could give me would be much appreciated.

[liverpoolfc]

Hi,
I have the UltimateTv Directv combo box (RCA DWD490RE). Recently for some reason I have started having pixelation where part of screen colors go off in various colors. The picture returns to normal in a moment but it keeps happening. The signal strength for both tuners is in the 80's so that should not be a problem. We do get power surges but the device is hooked up to a decent UPS so I don't think that is a problem. Has Anyone else experience this problem or does anyone have an idea to fix it. Any help and/or ideas you could give me would be much appreciated.

I've been having the same problem. It started about a week ago. Odd that two people start having the same problem at the same time. My drive is pretty full, and I was thinking maybe it needed defragging. I was considering replacing the drive to see if that solved the problem. If you solve the problem, please post back here.

[fatman]

I have the RCA DWD-490RE Ultimate TV receiver as well. I had those problems for awhile as well. Recently I had my Direct TV dish replaced with a new 3LNB model and everything is perfect. The tuners on the Ultimate tv units have a defect that causes them to burnout when the temp is high. I recommend having a notebook or receiver cooling pad underneath to help with that as heat is definately an issue with any receiver with a HD. I know for awhile Direct Tv was getting a high volume of calls for that reason as well because there apparently was a glitch with the service but I think everything has been ironed out. A good idea would be to upgrade the hard drive in your box if your system seems slow and you get those dreaded soft resets. Even if you dont a new hard drive will improve responsiveness and capacity. Make sure dust and dirt isnt clogging your box as this will increase noise and severly shorten its life. It needs to breathe and even adding holes to the top and sides will help greatly. Make sure the fan inside is in good shape and clean, if not replace it. Surge and spike protection is important but make sure that you have it on the signals coming from the LNB's as this is a culprit more often than the ac line. I still love and enjoy my Ultimate tv as it is the easiest and most user friendly of all dvr's on the market, old and brand new. When Direct Tv decides to kill it off completely I hope they will take trade in's for thier HD DVR's.