Scientific Atlanta 8000HD PVR Questions

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Just installed this unit (already have Standard TIVO).
There is no comparison between the software, with TIVO the hands down
(thumbs up) winner. But since TIVO does not seem to offer any solution
for cable based HD, this will have to do. The dual tuner HD capaility
is nice, even though the software is poor.
I do have some questions about features that maybe someone can answer.
I would like to know if the behaviors are related to settings, errors
or limitations.

1) How do you play from beginning of a show? Sometimes when picking a
recording from the "LIST", "play from beginning" is an option. Most of
the time it is not, especially when the program is still in progress.
Is there a remote key combination that allows this?
2) While watching a recorded show that is still in progress, the unit
switches to LIVE TV when the show is done recording, even if I am
watching the middle of the show. Annoying! Is this normal, an error or
a setting?
3) Any way to keep the power from going off?
4) Any discrete IR codes for power, HD format?
5) I have noticed unsynchronized sound and picture. So far only
noticed when recording 2 shows at once.
6) Lots of digital glitches with picture. Is this related to
multitasking (recording 2 shows at a time and watching playback?)

The best thing about this is that I didn't buy it. It is better than
nothing and I will rent it until TIVO has a solution.

thanks for the help (in advance)
Bruce

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Last week I switched from ReplayTV to te SA 8000HD.
See in-line:

schroeder@easternrad.com (Bruce Schroeder) wrote in message news:<edf41623.0409230922.61d5b983@posting.google.com>...
> Just installed this unit (already have Standard TIVO).
> There is no comparison between the software, with TIVO the hands down
> (thumbs up) winner. But since TIVO does not seem to offer any solution
> for cable based HD, this will have to do. The dual tuner HD capaility
> is nice, even though the software is poor.
> I do have some questions about features that maybe someone can answer.
> I would like to know if the behaviors are related to settings, errors
> or limitations.
>
> 1) How do you play from beginning of a show? Sometimes when picking a
> recording from the "LIST", "play from beginning" is an option. Most of
> the time it is not, especially when the program is still in progress.
> Is there a remote key combination that allows this?

This appears to be a limitatiion- a very frustrating limitation. From
the best I can tell "play from begining" is never an option until the
recording has finished.


> 2) While watching a recorded show that is still in progress, the unit
> switches to LIVE TV when the show is done recording, even if I am
> watching the middle of the show. Annoying! Is this normal, an error or
> a setting?

Mine does this randomly. It is listed as a known "bug" in the box. Did
I mention there is a message board devoted to hate post for this box?

> 3) Any way to keep the power from going off?

No.

> 4) Any discrete IR codes for power, HD format?
Power off the box. Hold down GUIDE and INFO on the box to access the
"Advanced Settings" menu. From there you can do some tweaks (some of
which may be manditory, e.g. 720p or 1080i output selection)


> 5) I have noticed unsynchronized sound and picture. So far only
> noticed when recording 2 shows at once.

I've noticed ocassional problems recording two HD shows at once. This
really stresses the box. Sometimes it's not a problem, but often there
are little glitches here and there in the playback.

For sound sync, it seems some programs have problems when using the
Toslink (optical digital audio) out. I don't think this has anything
to do with the box.


> 6) Lots of digital glitches with picture. Is this related to
> multitasking (recording 2 shows at a time and watching playback?)
>
I believe so. With TimeWarner Cable in Houston I had a Motorola HD
cable box prior to the 8000HD, with the Motorola box I experienced
ocassional picture problems (brief periods of pixelation).


> The best thing about this is that I didn't buy it. It is better than
> nothing and I will rent it until TIVO has a solution.
>

Glad I didn't buy it either. From what I've read, the cable companies
pay about $800 a pop to buy these in bulk, so be glad you didn't buy
it. Aside from it's few problems, the ability to record HD and record
two programs at once beats out my old ReplayTV, also I don't know what
Tivo was charging you, but at $7.50/month, I'm saving a bit.


> thanks for the help (in advance)
> Bruce

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

>Just installed this unit (already have Standard TIVO).
>There is no comparison between the software, with TIVO the hands down
>(thumbs up) winner. But since TIVO does not seem to offer any solution
>for cable based HD, this will have to do. The dual tuner HD capaility
>is nice, even though the software is poor.
>I do have some questions about features that maybe someone can answer.
>I would like to know if the behaviors are related to settings, errors
>or limitations.
>
>1) How do you play from beginning of a show? Sometimes when picking a
>recording from the "LIST", "play from beginning" is an option. Most of
>the time it is not, especially when the program is still in progress.

I have this problem when the show is in progress. I have to manually rewind it
to the beginning. I dont know if there's a fix to this. If there is please
post.

>Is there a remote key combination that allows this?
>2) While watching a recorded show that is still in progress, the unit
>switches to LIVE TV when the show is done recording, even if I am
>watching the middle of the show. Annoying! Is this normal, an error or
>a setting?

I don think this has happened to me but I hardly watch recorded shows in
progress.

>3) Any way to keep the power from going off?

Ive never had power problems. The problem I have is the sound on the digital
channels goes out, I have to disconnect the box and reboot to get sound back.
Very annoying, it happens about once a week. ive had it for 4 weeks. i may have
to exchange the box.
>4) Any discrete IR codes for power, HD format?
>5) I have noticed unsynchronized sound and picture. So far only
>noticed when recording 2 shows at once.

I get this problem alot also. I fix it by rewinding it a little and somehow the
sound gets sychronized with picture again. Very annoying also.

>6) Lots of digital glitches with picture. Is this related to
>multitasking (recording 2 shows at a time and watching playback?)
>
>The best thing about this is that I didn't buy it. It is better than
>nothing and I will rent it until TIVO has a solution.
>
>thanks for the help (in advance)
>Bruce
>
>
>
>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

SpiderManHouston wrote:
>
> The problem I have is the sound on the digital
> channels goes out, I have to disconnect the box and reboot to get sound back.
> Very annoying, it happens about once a week. ive had it for 4 weeks.

I had that problem here for a while. It started in mid-August and
happened several times, then went away and never came back. I'm
assuming that it was related to an intermediate firmware version that's
now been replaced. I haven't carefully checked versions, though.
Adelphia updates it from time to time - I really don't pay that much
attention. In any event it hasn't happened this month at all.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"SpiderManHouston" <spidermanhouston@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040923184151.07582.00001030@mb-m11.aol.com...
> >Just installed this unit (already have Standard TIVO).
>>There is no comparison between the software, with TIVO the hands down
>>(thumbs up) winner. But since TIVO does not seem to offer any solution
>>for cable based HD, this will have to do. The dual tuner HD capaility
>>is nice, even though the software is poor.
>>I do have some questions about features that maybe someone can answer.
>>I would like to know if the behaviors are related to settings, errors
>>or limitations.
>>
>>1) How do you play from beginning of a show? Sometimes when picking a
>>recording from the "LIST", "play from beginning" is an option. Most of
>>the time it is not, especially when the program is still in progress.
>
> I have this problem when the show is in progress. I have to manually
> rewind it
> to the beginning. I dont know if there's a fix to this. If there is please
> post.
>
>>Is there a remote key combination that allows this?
>>2) While watching a recorded show that is still in progress, the unit
>>switches to LIVE TV when the show is done recording, even if I am
>>watching the middle of the show. Annoying! Is this normal, an error or
>>a setting?

This is a "feature".. you are probably watching a show that is being
saved... as it completes, the DVR reverts to live.


> I don think this has happened to me but I hardly watch recorded shows in
> progress.
>
>>3) Any way to keep the power from going off?

I have this issue as well.

> Ive never had power problems. The problem I have is the sound on the
> digital
> channels goes out, I have to disconnect the box and reboot to get sound
> back.
> Very annoying, it happens about once a week. ive had it for 4 weeks. i may
> have
> to exchange the box.

Had that one too. But it mysteriously went away.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Thanks for all of the replies.
The 15 minutes skip forward/back should be very helpful.
However, I tried it an can't reproduce it.
When I hit the left/right nav buttons in rewind mode (as suggested),
it thinks I am trying to navigate programming and starts showing
different times of day for the current channel but does not affect the
playback as hoped.
Am I doing something wrong?
Is this a feature not found on certain model numbers/firmware
versions?
Anyone else able to reproduce this function?
thanks
Bruce
jeremy@pdq.net (JDeats) wrote in message news:<b0738dc6.0409231828.47574221@posting.google.com>...
> Last week I switched from ReplayTV to te SA 8000HD.
> See in-line:
>
> schroeder@easternrad.com (Bruce Schroeder) wrote in message news:<edf41623.0409230922.61d5b983@posting.google.com>...
> > Just installed this unit (already have Standard TIVO).
> > There is no comparison between the software, with TIVO the hands down
> > (thumbs up) winner. But since TIVO does not seem to offer any solution
> > for cable based HD, this will have to do. The dual tuner HD capaility
> > is nice, even though the software is poor.
> > I do have some questions about features that maybe someone can answer.
> > I would like to know if the behaviors are related to settings, errors
> > or limitations.
> >
> > 1) How do you play from beginning of a show? Sometimes when picking a
> > recording from the "LIST", "play from beginning" is an option. Most of
> > the time it is not, especially when the program is still in progress.
> > Is there a remote key combination that allows this?
>
> This appears to be a limitatiion- a very frustrating limitation. From
> the best I can tell "play from begining" is never an option until the
> recording has finished.
>
>
> > 2) While watching a recorded show that is still in progress, the unit
> > switches to LIVE TV when the show is done recording, even if I am
> > watching the middle of the show. Annoying! Is this normal, an error or
> > a setting?
>
> Mine does this randomly. It is listed as a known "bug" in the box. Did
> I mention there is a message board devoted to hate post for this box?
>
> > 3) Any way to keep the power from going off?
>
> No.
>
> > 4) Any discrete IR codes for power, HD format?
> Power off the box. Hold down GUIDE and INFO on the box to access the
> "Advanced Settings" menu. From there you can do some tweaks (some of
> which may be manditory, e.g. 720p or 1080i output selection)
>
>
> > 5) I have noticed unsynchronized sound and picture. So far only
> > noticed when recording 2 shows at once.
>
> I've noticed ocassional problems recording two HD shows at once. This
> really stresses the box. Sometimes it's not a problem, but often there
> are little glitches here and there in the playback.
>
> For sound sync, it seems some programs have problems when using the
> Toslink (optical digital audio) out. I don't think this has anything
> to do with the box.
>
>
> > 6) Lots of digital glitches with picture. Is this related to
> > multitasking (recording 2 shows at a time and watching playback?)
> >
> I believe so. With TimeWarner Cable in Houston I had a Motorola HD
> cable box prior to the 8000HD, with the Motorola box I experienced
> ocassional picture problems (brief periods of pixelation).
>
>
> > The best thing about this is that I didn't buy it. It is better than
> > nothing and I will rent it until TIVO has a solution.
> >
>
> Glad I didn't buy it either. From what I've read, the cable companies
> pay about $800 a pop to buy these in bulk, so be glad you didn't buy
> it. Aside from it's few problems, the ability to record HD and record
> two programs at once beats out my old ReplayTV, also I don't know what
> Tivo was charging you, but at $7.50/month, I'm saving a bit.
>
>
> > thanks for the help (in advance)
> > Bruce

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Did some more hinting on-line.
Sounds like there are multiple software (not firmware) versions
depending on the Cable proovider.
I am using Cox in North Carolina.
I think the 15 minute skip feature may not be available on these
units.
I hope someone can tell me otherwise.
thanks
Bruce
schroeder@easternrad.com (Bruce Schroeder) wrote in message news:<edf41623.0409250325.3f581c12@posting.google.com>...
> Thanks for all of the replies.
> The 15 minutes skip forward/back should be very helpful.
> However, I tried it an can't reproduce it.
> When I hit the left/right nav buttons in rewind mode (as suggested),
> it thinks I am trying to navigate programming and starts showing
> different times of day for the current channel but does not affect the
> playback as hoped.
> Am I doing something wrong?
> Is this a feature not found on certain model numbers/firmware
> versions?
> Anyone else able to reproduce this function?
> thanks
> Bruce
> jeremy@pdq.net (JDeats) wrote in message news:<b0738dc6.0409231828.47574221@posting.google.com>...
> > Last week I switched from ReplayTV to te SA 8000HD.
> > See in-line:
> >
> > schroeder@easternrad.com (Bruce Schroeder) wrote in message news:<edf41623.0409230922.61d5b983@posting.google.com>...
> > > Just installed this unit (already have Standard TIVO).
> > > There is no comparison between the software, with TIVO the hands down
> > > (thumbs up) winner. But since TIVO does not seem to offer any solution
> > > for cable based HD, this will have to do. The dual tuner HD capaility
> > > is nice, even though the software is poor.
> > > I do have some questions about features that maybe someone can answer.
> > > I would like to know if the behaviors are related to settings, errors
> > > or limitations.
> > >
> > > 1) How do you play from beginning of a show? Sometimes when picking a
> > > recording from the "LIST", "play from beginning" is an option. Most of
> > > the time it is not, especially when the program is still in progress.
> > > Is there a remote key combination that allows this?
> >
> > This appears to be a limitatiion- a very frustrating limitation. From
> > the best I can tell "play from begining" is never an option until the
> > recording has finished.
> >
> >
> > > 2) While watching a recorded show that is still in progress, the unit
> > > switches to LIVE TV when the show is done recording, even if I am
> > > watching the middle of the show. Annoying! Is this normal, an error or
> > > a setting?
> >
> > Mine does this randomly. It is listed as a known "bug" in the box. Did
> > I mention there is a message board devoted to hate post for this box?
> >
> > > 3) Any way to keep the power from going off?
> >
> > No.
> >
> > > 4) Any discrete IR codes for power, HD format?
> > Power off the box. Hold down GUIDE and INFO on the box to access the
> > "Advanced Settings" menu. From there you can do some tweaks (some of
> > which may be manditory, e.g. 720p or 1080i output selection)
> >
> >
> > > 5) I have noticed unsynchronized sound and picture. So far only
> > > noticed when recording 2 shows at once.
> >
> > I've noticed ocassional problems recording two HD shows at once. This
> > really stresses the box. Sometimes it's not a problem, but often there
> > are little glitches here and there in the playback.
> >
> > For sound sync, it seems some programs have problems when using the
> > Toslink (optical digital audio) out. I don't think this has anything
> > to do with the box.
> >
> >
> > > 6) Lots of digital glitches with picture. Is this related to
> > > multitasking (recording 2 shows at a time and watching playback?)
> > >
> > I believe so. With TimeWarner Cable in Houston I had a Motorola HD
> > cable box prior to the 8000HD, with the Motorola box I experienced
> > ocassional picture problems (brief periods of pixelation).
> >
> >
> > > The best thing about this is that I didn't buy it. It is better than
> > > nothing and I will rent it until TIVO has a solution.
> > >
> >
> > Glad I didn't buy it either. From what I've read, the cable companies
> > pay about $800 a pop to buy these in bulk, so be glad you didn't buy
> > it. Aside from it's few problems, the ability to record HD and record
> > two programs at once beats out my old ReplayTV, also I don't know what
> > Tivo was charging you, but at $7.50/month, I'm saving a bit.
> >
> >
> > > thanks for the help (in advance)
> > > Bruce

 

[jp]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

schroeder@easternrad.com (Bruce Schroeder) wrote in message news:<edf41623.0409250325.3f581c12@posting.google.com>...
> Thanks for all of the replies.
> The 15 minutes skip forward/back should be very helpful.
> However, I tried it an can't reproduce it.
> When I hit the left/right nav buttons in rewind mode (as suggested),
> it thinks I am trying to navigate programming and starts showing
> different times of day for the current channel but does not affect the
> playback as hoped.
> Am I doing something wrong?
> Is this a feature not found on certain model numbers/firmware
> versions?
> Anyone else able to reproduce this function?
> thanks
> Bruce

Yes, there is the sara and passport version of software. One does not
have the 15 minute skip feature. I think I have the sara version and
the skip trick does not work for me.

There is a yahoo group on the SA8000 you may want to join - and search
their past posts for this issue and others.


JCPZero