hi guys

im using the 6131 model and just started using the external HDD to record tv shows ,it work great until i disconnected the ext.hdd from the 6131, but when i reconnected it the 6131 will not recognize the ext hdd,is there anyway to get back all the tv shows i recorded ?

You need to disable the PVR function before disconnecting the hard drive. Not doing so could cause drive corruption. It may be possible to retrieve the programming by copying it to another drive using Linux.

I have 2 6131's and a WD Elements 1TB EHD.

When using the PVR menu, there is a "Schedule" listing and a "Timers" listing. What is the difference?

Also, when I switch the EHD between the two 6131's, any future shows which I had selected for recording in the Schedule will disappear and I have to select the show again to put them back on my Schedule. (All of my recorded shows are still on the EHD and can be viewed on either receiver) Is this normal or do I have a problem with the EHD or 6131? Does disconnecting the EHD cause you to lose the scheduled items for recording?

"Schedule" is a list of all programs that the PVR has archived both in the future and past (up to a pre-determined limit, then the older history is deleted to make room for more recent entries).

"Timers" is a category that allows you to create a scheduled event manually or through the use of VuPass.

I suspect there are event pointers stored within the unit that link to the guide on the EHD. So when you move the EHD to the 2nd 6131, those links are lost.

Also, when you attach the EHD to the 2nd 6131, the internal 2-day guide is replaced by a fresh 9-day guide written to the EHD. So even if you return the EHD to the 1st 6131, the original links may no longer be viable.

The timers list is what you want to record (timers created from the guide or manually.) The schedule is what the PVR has determined it can record after examining timer conflicts and priorities. Timers on the 6131 are stored in EPROM so they don't disappear but are disabled when the drive is removed because they make no sense without an EHD.

Disabling and enabling PVR functionality in the menu (when removing and adding the EHD) might resolve the issue with disabled timers. If they are being disabled due to schedule conflicts, deleting unwanted timers or changing timer priorities will resolve that.

Have had the Bell system since last July with less than satisfactory results :(
Everytime the weather gets bad the quality of the picture is poor. Frustrating when trying to watch soemthing and it keeps cutting out. Been told that weather can do this. They need to find a better way! I have also had problems with my PVR , every once and awhile need to unplug it and let it re-boot, again frustrating. Any suggestions ? I have lots of money invested in equipment but I am ready to take the loss and go back to our local cable company. At least their service worked with no interuptions. Only problem was the availibilty of HD channels , which is now rectified.

Bog, I am a new customer so I am no expert. Where do you live and what receiver are you using. What signal are you getting in the Installation/point dish menu? Perhaps your dish is not pointed accurately. Did the installer connect your dish and receiver using your old cablevision RG-58 cables (if so and if they the length is really long, you may get a drop off in the signal at the receiver). I am not sure about this, but when the installer installed mine, they put in four receiver outlets using my old cablevision cables; there was a switch placed at the dish and some sort of amplifier or booster connected to the cable of one of my receivers. He said it was to amplify or boost the signal. Not sure what this means or even if it helps. FWIW, I have been pleased with the switch from Eastlink (Delta) cable. Good luck.

Hi,

I tried searching but didn't find an answer. Will the 6131 come out of standby to record a show? I don't have an EHD yet, so I can't test it. I'm trying to setup my Harmony remote and need to know if the receiver needs to stay on all the time.

Thanks.

Yes it will.

If you try to leave it on, it will turn itself off after a period of inactivity anyway.

Have an 6131 with V168 firmware.
Bought a 500GB 3.5" SATA II 16MB 7200RPM Seagate Barracuda (ST3500418AS) and a Vantec 3.5" Nextar CX SATA to USB2.0 and eSATA Enclosure (NST-300SU-BK).
The combination of the enclosure and the hard drive works well with all computers at my home, but the stupid 6131 just does not see the drive.
Tried both formatting the drive on a computer (NTFS/FAT32) and deleting all the logical partitions.
When I reset the receiver with the USB drive plugged-in, after the receiver powers back up and I unplug the drive's USB cable from the receiver, the latter gives me a message that "an external hard drive has been unplugged" and then restarts. But no matter what I do, I don't get that message that's indicating a new drive has been found and suggesting to format the drive.
Please help... Thank you, all!

Just got a 6131 (was using shaw previously)... Swung the "connections" over to a couple of TVs.... one HDMI connection for HD TV set and a V/R/L set of connections for an older tv. Problem... when the HDMI cable is plugged in, the analog audio "disappears" on the A/V connection. Can't seem to find any settings to stop this or that would cause it. Am I missing something or are Bell boxes not allowing analog and digital sound out at the same time (video seems to be fine). Thanks for any guidance.

Just received the below msg our of nowhere after watching the hockey finals. Anyone else ever get this screen?

http://173.201.24.200/images/misc/DSC00426.JPG

Yes, get it on our 6131 as well as 9241. I think there is a setting for it in the menus, but I think it only comes on after not changing the channel or something after several hours.

This is normal and will happen if you have not changed channels, looked at the Guide etc for multiple hours.

I believe the default setting is 4 hours, after which the receiver will power down and go into standby mode. It can be changed to a max of 8 hours.

I agree that there is or should be a setting to disable this.

hmmm, I don't think the hockey game was 4 hours (or maybe it was, don't remember). Anyway, near the end of the game I lost signal due to rain clouds, then about 1/2 hr later I get this screen.

I've hooked up an ethernet line and have my 6131 online and is receiving an IP. But I have no idea what good it does? Does remote PVR work on the 6131?

The Inactivity timer can be disabled. The 2 options on the screen have enable/disable on the left and duration on the right. I have mine disabled with no issues.

hi, I recently went from a rented 9200 to a new 6131 that i purchased.
I'm having a particular case which is very annoying. The power light of the 6131 tends to turn itself on by itself - but no image is being displayed on the screen.

Pressing the front power button to shut it off does not work - and therefore i need to either unplug the power cord - or unscrew the sat in cable to have it retest the satellite signal. after that - it works fine. this problem has been happening constantly.

The 6131 is on a SW44 switch, and it's plugged into a TrippLite Smartpro 1200 UPS

Anyone have any success using this hdd as an EHD with the 6131? Seagate 7200.12 1TB ST31000528AS
http://www.bewawa.com/seagate-1tb-barracuda-sata-7200-12-32m-cache-desktop-hd.html

It's on sale right now for only $69.99 and its the cheapest 7200RPM 1TB I've found. I already have a USB external enclosure to put it in.

Also, it says on the guide that the EHD has to be left on all the time. Does that mean "on all the time the 6131 receiver is on" or "on all the time even if the receiver is off"?

If its the first one, does that mean that I should turn on the EHD first before turning on the receiver and turn it off last after I've turned off the receiver?

Sorry for the noob questions. Thanks in advance.

It should work but a WD Green model will use less power and run cooler. The drive needs to be left on all the time. Standby mode is not supported by the 6131 so the drive must also be spinning in full power on mode all the time. IMHO, that's a serious shortcoming in the 6131 and should be corrected.