DISH Network Receiver Troubleshooting Tips
Here at InternetLion.com we know DISH Network® receivers better than we know our own names. So, as you’d imagine, explaining them in detail again and again gets a little monotonous. But, as we’ve explained before, our goal is to make sure every person entering DISH Network-related words into a search engine gets the information he’s looking for. And it’s come to our attention that some folks are searching for the following phrases: “DISH Network receiver troubleshooting,” “connect DISH Network receiver,” “connecting satellite receiver,” “satellite signal strength” and “cheap satellite receiver.”
After realizing this it was pretty apparent to us that there must not be that much good DISH Network receiver troubleshooting advice out there—or, at least if there is, it’s not all located in one convenient, easily located spot. So once again we’re going to explain many of the things we’ve explained in previous articles, like how to connect DISH Network receivers and which TV service provider offers cutting-edge, but cheap satellite receivers. But this time we’ve decided to pack it all into one easy-to-use DISH Network receiver troubleshooting page.
Better still, in addition to topics we’ve treated before like connecting satellite receivers and finding cheap satellite receivers, we’ve also added a section on determining your satellite signal strength. That way you can be sure it’s your DISH Network receiver you need troubleshooting tips for and not your dish antenna. But enough with the preliminaries; let’s dive into our first topic, connecting satellite receivers, and see if we can’t help you find your way out of the woods.
DISH Network Receiver Troubleshooting Tips
How to Connect DISH Network Receivers
Connecting satellite receivers from DISH Network isn’t exactly rocket science, but it also isn’t something most DISH Network customers will ever have to deal with either. The reason for this is that most DISH Network subscribers get their DISH Network satellite equipment for free by signing up for DISH Network deals. The stipulation for these deals is that, because you’re leasing the equipment, you have to let the company hook it up for you.
When the installation technician comes out to hook up your service and if you want to follow along, we can tell you that all the DVR/receivers and standard receivers DISH Network offers follow a very basic premise when it comes to hooking them up. The first step is to make sure that the coaxial cable running from outside your home reach the place where you’ve positioned your receiver.
Also, as a side note, you must make sure your receiver itself is compatible with DISH Network service. Furthermore, it is important to note that your receiver must match your TV just as it must match your desired service provider. HD DVRs, especially top-of-the-line devices like DISH Network’s ViP922, will not work with the analog, standard-definition sets of yesteryear. So unless you own an HD TV follow the K.I.S.S. rule when choosing your DISH Network receiver. Otherwise you will spend more than you have to and complicate the next step far more than necessary.
At any rate, once the technician has completed the first few steps of installing your antenna and the correct receiver he’ll next connect the receiver to your TV set or monitor using the appropriate cables, plugs and connectors.
As for connecting an HD receiver to an HD TV, the process is as simple as connecting an SD receiver to an SD TV. All you will need is an HDMI cable to run between your receiver and TV; and to do so you simply locate the HDMI port in your receiver (a flat socket that looks something like a computer’s USB port), plug one end of your HDMI cable into it, then plug the other end into a similar port on your TV.
And that’s it: After a few minutes of waiting for your smart card to configure itself you’ll be able to access all the channels you’ve subscribed to. It’s such a simple process, in fact, we can’t believe we had to explain it to you at such length.
Where to Find Cheap Satellite Receivers
Our answer to the question “Where can I find cheap satellite receivers?” is to sign up for one of the DISH Network deals the company is currently offering. This will allow you access to even the most expensive receivers free of charge (apart from a $/6 monthly service fee if you choose an HD DVR receiver) for the term of your contract.
How to Determine Satellite Signal Strength
Satellite signal strength is an extremely important topic for all DISH Network customers. And, even well-positioned dish antennae can lose signal strength during severe rainstorms and other meteorological disturbances.
One way to combat this problem is to make sure your antenna is receiving the strongest signals possible and the best way to do that is to trust your installation to the service professionals from DISH Network. They use technologies like satellite signal meters to test and find and set your system up for the best satellite signal strength possible.
Satellite signal meters are simple, little boxes with signal gauges in them. The technician will read these gauges when adjusting your dish’s elevation and azimuth until the meter reads full strength. And, once it does, you’ll receive the best signals you can for your area and need not worry about losing signal needlessly.
For More Information…
Here at InternetLion.com we recognize that we can’t possibly guess all the possible problems users could have with their DISH Network receivers. So it would be impossible for us to compile a list of troubleshooting tips that would help everyone. Instead, then, we’ll suggest that if this article wasn’t helpful you visit DISH Network’s own troubleshooting page at DISHNetwork.com/supportsection/troubleshoot.
Here you’ll find for more information on DISH Network products and fixes. Or you can contact DISH Network’s tech support team at DISHNetwork.com/customerservice/contactus/live_chat/default.aspx. The technicians staffing these phone lines and chat rooms are highly trained in helping you solve whatever problem you’re having with you receiver. And, as we noted above, if they can’t fix the problem and can certify you did nothing to break the device themselves, they will usually send a local technician to your home to fix it or replace it—leaving you to do more important things, like watch TV.
Click here to learn more about the many benefits of switching to DISH Network today!
Disclaimer: Please note that this article was written when the satellite TV provider DISH was branded as DISH Network. As of 2/1/2012 DISH Network has changed their branding name to DISH. Article post date: 12/28/2010.
