Hey guys I have a customer with cablevision there is one channel that he watches and and every some times the picture will get distorted for about 2 or 3 seconds looks like little boxes breaking up im assuming that this is a cable company problem but could it be the inside wiring thanks in advance

it's the signal being broken up. Probably not the house wiring.

I see it often with Dish and Direct

It could be inside or outside wiring, the cable companies are pushing higher and higher frequencies down the pipe and this causes the digitizing, how often does it happen, is only the one channel and who did the inside wiring? This does sound like a cable company issue.

Sounds like too "hot" of a video signal. We get this sometimes if the amp at our head-end isn't tuned properly. For best results, the cable company should check this, since the video levels change from one channel to the next; they'll have to balance the signal based on their transmissions.
Bill

Having just been upgraded from Adelphia analog system to TWC digital, (TWC bought local Adelphia installation) I can't buy in house cabling, esp if only on 1 channel. My house is 8 years old, TWC guy said the my in-house cable plant is exactly what TWC would specify today. All that said, what I'm trying to say is, it happened on both types of systems, same signal ('XYZ' don't want to mention names, I've seen it on other signals,) way different channel on cable. I'm guessing it can be either satellite or signal provider problem, because sometimes the 'show' picks up at the same spot and sometimes it will 'jump' 3-4 seconds. But, what do I know, I'm just a phone tech, my RF experience consists of Radio Relay training in the USAF 40 years ago! John C.

I am leaning towards the cable company, you may want to verify the splitters being used can pass the entire freqency range the cable company is pushing

What they are seeing is called signal pixelation. Over several days, have your customer keep a log of these occurrences. Then call the cable provider. Also, poor electrical power at the set top box can cause this!

This sounds like a cable company problem. Pixelation is caused by a low signal level, any lower and no picture. It could be caused by an intermittant in your wiring but that's not going to only affect one channel. I actually notice this here also (Cablevision) and it looks like a problem with the sat signal.

If you are concerned call it in and have them send out a tech who will check your levels.

-Hal

I would agree this sounds like a cable problem.

There is very little chance of it being a inside wire. I have had a few with this problem be inside wire. But very rarely.

Sounds like low signal coming from the cable company and you probably need an amp installed by them or atleast have them check the levels at the jack inside.

If it is a inside wire problem then you would notice this problem on several channels not just one. In the digital age it wouldn't have to be on every channel Could just be 5-10 channels due to the way it is digitized.

Brain

thanks guys

I 'saw' this with DTV (HD) and it was on the higher numbered channel(s). After doing the dish realignment, replacing some connector (crimp to compression), I found a piece of RG-59 (20 yrs old)in the wall feeding that living room. Cable also had a knot just before the jack!! Replaced with RG-6 (no knots) and customer happy.