We have installed Sony Satellite receivers from the very beginning of DSS. Yes, we have had our share of problems: however, not with every model. The A3 models modem would just die altogether. The real problem would be that you only have 90 days to figure out whether you have a good or bad unit. The 90 day warranty has left us with a closet full of old receivers because we warranty our installs 100% for 1 year. We have also used other models and brands and have had similar problems with all. If you have to do a service call make it easy to unplug your receivers then if problem happens occasionally, you can have customer do a 30 second power down to reboot.

Ok, so there are a few new problems associated with the new equipment. Why not figure out a reason? Here's my take on it. The A65 units and the like, (made by Hughes by the way for those who feel that Sony is JUNK!), are using a solid state "relay" for the ON/OFF hook switch. I think the relay is being falsely triggered by voltage that rides in on the shields of the satellite and tv cables. Thus, the phone line seems to be "off hook". Unplugging the phone connection resets the relay temporarily. This is an old problem with a new symptom. Get your system properly grounded and I think the modem problems will go away. (BTW the OLD symptom was hum in the audio and video of your stereo system when hooked to the cable tv system.) Voltage on the cable shield. That's why not EVERY sat. box has a problem, folks.

Has anyone tried any fixes for this that have worked everytime. we now have installed over 200 b-65's and so far have had the same problem with all of them. For now all phone lines have been temp disconnected. and as far as the one post on voltage on the coax sheild how would i test this is it ac or dc voltage and is it between sheild and house ground or what. If anyone has any insight on this please let's talk

I am beginning to wonder if Direct TV doesn't have something to do with this problem, as well as a problem with all receivers crashing (locking up) about two days after installation. I have had to reset all of the Sony 65-series receivers that we have installed. Usually it happens about 48 hours after being installed. Sometimes several receivers will lock up at the same time. Could it be that Direct TV is sending out some kind of security signal that is crashing the receivers? I know it sounds far-fetched, but my satellite distributor tells me that the Hughes and RCAs have been doing the same thing. I only install Sony, but can anybody tell me if this is true? I am sure that Direct TV, like Sony would never own up to the problem as being their own. They are both famous for pointing fingers at each other. Who's at fault, Sony or Direct TV?

As for the phone line problem, it could be related. I would be curious to know if other brands are also affected since Hughes makes all of them now. I know that the problems seem unrelated, but there could be some relationship. Just a wild guess, I could be crazy. Meanwhile, selling and installing DSS is becomming a major pain in the ass.