Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Poor Satellite Picture

My set up-- 1 receiver downstairs (the main box), 1 double receiver upstairs (2 lines to that 1). The downstairs t.v. has the poor picture, get vertical lines that get worse and can watch when someone talks, and when I change channels and the screen is black for a couple seconds with the display of whats on, there are white big thick whites lines across from the display. The upstairs t.v. is fine, and the downstairs is fine if I put a DVD in so it's not the t.v. I have re-wired the downstairs from the Multi-Switch in and re-did the connectors twice,there is 1 coupler as the cable wasn't long enough. I'm assuming it's just something in my connection work. Zenith Radial Quad Shield RG6 Connectors and I use a 2 blade rotary strip tool. Have replaced the jumper from the box to the t.v. with pre-made RG6.
Is it just something as simple as a stray peice of mesh although last night I was careful to make sure whatever was left was pushed back. If the mesh isn't suppose to contact the end is it possible the tool isn't striping that back far enough so when I compress it, it's touching where it shouldn't.

First make sure your TV is set to the correct channel 3 or 4, sometimes you inadvertinly change the channel. Go to the set up menu and confirm which channel the TV should be on. When your on the menu screen the box do you still have an issue even though the TV match channels? If that didn't help, before you drive yourself crazy take the box upstairs and connect it using the cables from the good unit. If you have the same problem, you've got a bad box. If it's fine, try reconnecting it to your TV downstairs via the RCA jacks, you said the DVD player is fine, but I assume it doesn't use the RF connector on the back of the TV. If that works then its either a bad jumper from the box to the TV or the TV input. SG

Well...took the RCA plugs out of the DVD player and put them in the satellite box (which I thought I tried before) and figured out how to set the t.v.- run it through the video mode, perfect picture. Just can't watch a DVD for now. I can run an S-Video between the t.v. and DVD or satellite and t.v. right??????

Yes you can if your TV has the inputs. If not they make devices which will let you plug in multiple RCA or "S"-Video connections and output either RCA, RF, or "S"-Video. Good Luck SG

Yeah everything has an S-Video plug. Last question....I can or can not use Component Video Wires if I just have Composite colored plugs. I'm assuming I can't, in which case I'll use the S-Video for the satellite and Composite for the DVD since we don't watch that many movies.DVD player has connections for Component and Coaxial Audio and Optical Switch, but I'm limited by the t.v. I'm guessing. T.V. only has Composite Plugs, S-Video and the regular coax plug.

Thanks for your help

Since your TV won't accept Componet connect it the way you suggested and you'll be fine.

Sounds like the RF modulator in the SAT box has gone bad. Use the RCA cables. It's the best way to connect it anyway.

You could try calling a satellite provider. They might send you a new box depending on the package you have and how hard you complain. Many of the new units are rentals not actually owned by the homeowner anymore.