Are you referring to Channel #3 on the TV.?

Are you referring to Channel #3 on the TV.?

Yes. And i checked the VCR and it is also ch 3.

OK, so the VCR is OUTPUTTING on Ch#3, it sounds like it is also looking for it's INPUT on Ch#3.

The Composite cables from the 6131 to the VCR are NOT on Ch#3, they are a Direct Video and Audio Feed, so you will need to locate the correct INPUT on the VCR.

Try having the VCR on and change the INPUT until you see the Bell picture on the TV via Channel #3.

Never mind

Will give it a try. Leaning towards going the EHD PVR route. Thanks again.

Just hooked up a 6131 receiver and noticed the user guide didn't have anything about the pvr feature. Nothing too major to figure out even without the documentation. One thing that I haven't found in the book is the Vu Pass feature in the timer window. Can someone tell me what it's used for? It seems to be the same thing as the 'search' command when adding timers but it must have a special purpose. Thanks in advance, Rick

Hi,
thanks for your help Zero G! I just did as you said and everything is back to normal.
Really appreciated.
DJ Matt

OK, so the VCR is OUTPUTTING on Ch#3, it sounds like it is also looking for it's INPUT on Ch#3.

The Composite cables from the 6131 to the VCR are NOT on Ch#3, they are a Direct Video and Audio Feed, so you will need to locate the correct INPUT on the VCR.

Try having the VCR on and change the INPUT until you see the Bell picture on the TV via Channel #3.
OK after playing around I had to have the VCR in AUX mode. Problem solved and Wife is a lot happier knowing that she can watch her reality shows. Thanks again.

I had a free1 year rental of a 6141 that is ending next week, I called Bell to ask about buying it but was told it was not for sale,so I said I would buy one online a 6131 for $199.99, the agent told me I could get this unit for $50.00 less at Future Shop or Best Buy but could not get this deal on line,I went to both stores in Whitby On. they had the product listed for $199.99 same price as online, when I inquired about the $50.00 discount both stores replied there was no such promotion, ended up paying the original price and could have saved even more if I had bought online to begin with by not getting the runaround,don't believe everything you are told by these agents.

the 6131's WERE on sale at FS and BB, I think it was 149, I bought one at that time, maybe it was 99, I can't remember now, it was a few months ago now. Was a good deal, and not available directly from bell. That is why I ask them questions almost only with chat or email, so I at least have it in writing, and it can be traced back to the agent that said it. Often I've called up, and they have no record of my last phone call where someone told me something.

FS, BB and TS have them on sale occasionally. I've also seen them for $99 with a TV purchase. You could put a price watch on FS for the item. The break even point vs buying now would be paying 5 months rental and buying on sale. I'm guessing someone will have them on special in January at the latest though.

Hi all,

I've been researching the forums for the answer to the dreaded EHD reformat/reboot problem. I have read a lot of posts with this problem but have not read much by way of an answer to the problem.

Here is my situation:
I have a 6131 connected to an EHD (Seagate FreeAgent Desk 500 GB). Both have been running flawlessly for 7 months.
Yesterday, the PVR functionality stopped. The receiver would recognize the USB hard drive and ask to reformat the drive. The first few times I did not reformat, but rather tried to simply turn on/off both devices in the hope that the receiver would revert back to normal.
After about the 10th time, I decided to let the receiver format the hard drive. It would then say that everything was ready to go, but that the receiver would need to restart. Once it restarted, it would show the PVR, but there was no PVR functionality (pause, record, etc).
I also received "error code 05" but there is not master list of error codes to determine what the code means.
Every time that I restart the receiver, it detects the hard drive and says that it needs to reboot to use the PVR functions. After restart, it downloads the program guide and once everything is back up, the PVR functionality is not there. I simply get a message telling me to go get information from the bell website about PVRs.
This happens again and again. Sometimes it asks to reformat the drive, sometimes it just states that it needs to reboot. But the hard drive doesn't operate.
When I plug the EHD into my computer, it is not listed, but the Device manager 'sees' it and shows that the drive is operating normally.

What is up? Anyone have a solution? TIA.

Had the same problem.
Set VCr channel to AV1.
helps if componet cables (red, white yellow) are in av1 on tv.

Picked up our 6131 at FS for $99 early part of September. It was an on-line special.

Hey Slamigo,
Had some problems with my EHD. At your point, chich was mine too, the best is to format your drive on a PC (will take some time !) and then, replug it to your 6131.
It will reformat it, and then all should go back to normal.
Well, that's what happened to me.
DJ Matt

Well, I hooked up my Seagate EHD to the computer and couldn't get the computer to list the drive. I d/l some Seagate tools and ran some checks on the disk and the EHD failed every test that I tried. I guess the EHD just died.
Since it has a 5 year warranty and is only 7 months old, I will bring it back to Futureshop and try to get them to replace it.
But after speaking with others, it seems that the 6131 + EHD PVR option is not all that reliable and will most likely fail after a certain amount of time due to the EHD being used 24/7.

I was told that the 2 main reasons for EHD failure are 1) heat and 2) electrical current.

I think the best option is to get a 9241 with an internal HD and then add an EHD that can be turned off when not required.

I note that the 6131 software only supports 720p and 1080i. My TV is 1080p. Is Bell going to update this receiver? Can it even be done?

It will never change, there is NO provider in Canada that broadcasts 1080i.

Bell TV broadcast all their HD in 720 anyway.

Well I finally bought myself a 6131. Like night and day for the stuff I normally watch,soccer,documentaries,PBS. A few things to pass on:

1)Choice for size of EPG.Nice to have more channels and hours showing.
2)HDMI and EHD are coming in the next few days and looks like it's easy to set up.
3)Have to play with settings to find that "perfect" setting.
4)Have to get used to commercials not being HD all the time.
5)BELL CSR was great for me.Changed a couple of OLD themes to new as I was not getting some channels I should have. Only 5 channels missing after a few hours of which 4 were HD versions of the SD I have.Nothing I can't live without until I get them coming in.
6)Tried to talk BELL into some "loyalty" gifts. I got $20.00 credit which for me pays for the next 2 months of HD (4 themes price.) Wish I could have got more but so it goes.
7)Passed on that I wanted TCM

All in all a good day for me and will get better with HDMI and EHD. I can't wait for the day all channels are in HD.

Don't spend a lot on HDMI as there is no real advantage as Bell only broadcast in 720p anyway, just make sure you set the 6131 up to output at 720p, this seams to give the best PQ overall.