Signal Strength too strong?

[NLSurfer]

Hi All,

I have FIOS TV connected using a cable card to a HDHomeRun Prime. I connected the Prime to a sever running Plex and use Plex for TV watching/recording. I've had some issues with the tuner stuttering and buffering (circle on the screen with a short pause) when watching live TV. When I went to look at the signal strength I was surprised to find it appeared very strong around 14dBmv. Is this too strong and could it be causing the issue? If so is there a way to attenuate the signal?

Thank you

[signcarver]

Though it is high, I would first look at things without plex and see if you have a similar problem.

Plex won't work with the drm protected channels but occasionally may get a few seconds before it kicks in. With fios that is usually hbo/max and the national "fox" cable channels.

[NedS]

We would like to get some diagnostic data:

1. Please go to the http://my.hdhomerun.com/ site
2. Click your HDHomeRun's device ID
3. If it tells you that a firmware update is available, please install it
4. Click System Status
5. Check the Send diagnostic information box
6. Go back one page
7. Click Channel Lineup
8. Click on Detect Channels

Reply back to this post and provide us the device ID of your HDHomeRun and we will check the logs. You can find the device ID at the top of the my.hdhomerun.com web page as well as on a label on the bottom of the HDHomeRun itself.

[NLSurfer]

Thank you for the replies.

I don't normally watch the DRM protected channels, FOX and FXX. I also have all the non-HD channels 'X' off in channel lineup within the tuner.

I have rescanned the channel line up and checked send diagnostics as requested. My device ID is 13148153 and my firmware is up to date.

Thank you.

[NedS]

The actual signal strength appears to be poking around 120%, which is likely too hot for the PRIME. An in-line attenuator should help, or even a coaxial splitter can be used in a pinch (probably not great for long term, but good enough to test with).

[NLSurfer]

Thank you for looking into that for me. Do you recommend a certain dB for an attenuator? I see on Amazon they have them in 3,6,10,12,17 dB attenuation.

Thanks.

[Ken.F]

Do you recommend a certain dB for an attenuator? I see on Amazon they have them in 3,6,10,12,17 dB attenuation.

I'd get a 3dB and a 6dB attenuator. Try the 3 first and if that isn't enough swap it for the 6. If the signal is still strong you can combine them for 9dB attenuation.

[NLSurfer]

Thank you for the advice. I order a 10 pack of 3db coax attenuators off eBay. I'll try a couple different combos as suggested.