John,
The signal/quality bars are indicative only.
There is no actual direct comparison to industry-standard signal measurements of DCP/BER/MER.
They are intended for the average user to obtain an approximate indication of reception, which you have been doing for some time now.
It's probable you could compare ten decoders of the same model and all ten may have a variation of 'displayed' signal indications.
The only real important thing with digital signals is that you have sufficient signal strength and quality to maintain reliable reception.
The most important factor is signal quality, as this determines if the decoder can correct any bit errors in the data stream fast enough to prevent break-up or loss of reception.
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