[mixsit]

I'm looking for some help understanding what's going on here.
My mom Is receiving digi over the air, this converter/DVR http://www.dishnetwork.com/dtvpal/dvr.shtml into the TV set.
The odd thing is at full volume the program audio is clear as a bell. As we reduce the volume on the TV (unless I've missed it there is no level control at the converter) it gets distorted.
I can see where a system can be driven up into overload, or if a signal is excessively attenuated at the source it can be faded into a final gain stage's noise. But (I believe) we are attenuating at the final devise here are we not? Also, this is distortion' i.e. modulates with the program, more than noise.
Two other variables; She got a new antenna to correct a few stations which were not receiving clearly (signal strength' as indicated on channel info is now up in the high 90's BTW), and had the DVR remote programmed for volume control on the Sony TV about the same time. It is possible that this distortion was there from the start prior to the antenna and remote programming, but I'm just not sure either way there. Seems like we would have noticed it before if it had been.
 

[srb]

Looking at the remote for the Dish DTVPal DVR, there is a volume control that should control volume at the converter when the PAL button enables the DVR remote functions.
 
Also, if you haven't updated to the latest software (F208), it would probably be a good idea to do so.
 
Steve

[chrisby]

Welcome to the future - ah,  digital - perfect sound, forever... 

Try setting the volume at max on the DVR, and controlling the Sony manually.  If that sounds better, then reprogram the DVR to fixed line out, and use the remote only for the TV / or subsequent amp / receiver.   

[mixsit]

Looking at the remote for the Dish DTVPal DVR, there is a volume control that should control volume at the converter when the PAL button enables the DVR remote functions.

That function would be nice if it did (my Surewest' does not either for example) but the manual only refers to that remote's volume in context of programming it to control other devices.
 

Also, if you haven't updated to the latest software (F208), it would probably be a good idea to do so.

This I did not know also.
Thank you. I've sent this question to the co. tech support as well. Progress.. aa

[mixsit]

Looking at the remote for the Dish DTVPal DVR, there is a volume control that should control volume at the converter when the PAL button enables the DVR remote functions.

That function would be nice if it did (my Surewest' does not either for example) but the manual only refers to that remote's volume in context of programming it to control other devices.
 
Hmm, but two in a row for volume adjustment at the source. I was told by Surewest (on my setup) no. But perhaps this is where I've gone astray.

[ctviggen]

Can you try a different TV, preferably hooked up in the exact same manner?  If you get distortion on the other TV, that rules out the TV.