Nasty artifacts in certain QAM channels

[leaded1]

I get 9-10 QAM channels with my HVR-1600 and a couple of channels in particular show some ugly artifacts. All of the affected channels are on frequency signals 89 or 90. Here is a picture of what it looks like:
[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]
Does anyone know what this is called or what might be causing it?
Thanks,
leaded1

[sub]

Do you get this in live tv and recordings, or just recordings?

[leaded1]

I don't use Live TV much with my setup, but I just tried it from my laptop client and don't see any of this artifacting!

[sub]

Does the laptop see those same artifacts when you try playing the same recording?

[leaded1]

The bad recordings look bad on both computers using vlc, windows media player, etc... But,
I just upgraded to the latest HVR-1600 drivers from Hauppauge's website, and I can't get any new recordings to show this problem. (I didn't try any Live TV before the driver upgrade). The problem channels all have SD content right now, but I'll try some true HD recordings later today and see if the problem has been solved. My previous trial and error testing had shown a difference between SD content and HD content.

[whurlston]

Try to boost your signal. Blocking (what you are experiencing) is usually caused when the signal drops out temporarily. It usually happens when your signal is near the edge of acceptable levels.

[leaded1]

I think I had something wrong with my HVR-1600 card/drivers. Updating to the latest drivers today appears to have fixed the problem. I thought it was low/bad signal too, but I installed an amp about a month ago which did not clear up the blocking on some digital channels (it did, however, do wonders for my analog recordings). I did an HD recording of a show yesterday that was unwatchably bad, the same recording today looks just about perfect.
Thanks again,
-leaded1

[leaded1]

I had previously reduced my Blocking issue down to an acceptable level, but it was still present.

I had never had a grounding strap on either my cable amp, or the splitter I use at the back of the computer. I just grounded them both this afternoon, and it looks like it cleared up the last of the blocking issue.

I just wanted to post an update just in case anyone out there has similar issues.


-Leaded