A simple fix shub
Go into the receiver menu, and set the output to 720
I believe it is
Press Menu
then #6
then #8
Enjoy!
With the record feature, you have to select how often you want it to record, and it seems you are selecting EVERY show
When you select a show to record, go slow, and choose the appropriate option, once, weekly, New, every, etc...

Thanks, that works great

I prefer using WD or Seagate drives personally. Have been using both (640GB successfully, no issues) with both external hard drive enclosure and USB docking station.

The Bell specs indicate that the drive MUST be powered externally. I would assume from that that they USB bus inside the receiver is not designed to power an external drive.

There is an ethernet port on the 6131 - does anyone know what functionality it provides, or is planned to provide?

Second question - is there any way to put the 6131 into "source direct" mode, i.e. to get it to pass programming through at whatever resolution it is received at rather than having to choose between 480, 720 or 1080?

There is an ethernet port on the 6131 - does anyone know what functionality it provides, or is planned to provide?

Second question - is there any way to put the 6131 into "source direct" mode, i.e. to get it to pass programming through at whatever resolution it is received at rather than having to choose between 480, 720 or 1080?
The ethernet port on all models is not usable and there are no plans to make use of it that have been passed on to the public at this time.

Bell broadcasts HD at 720p so setting your receiver to output at the same resolution will avoid any conversion issues.

Use whichever scaler you find best, your receiver or your tv.

Wondering if anyone can help me out. Purchased a 6131 and had it activated. However, when I hooked an EHD up to it, it didn't recognize it. Called Bell, and asked if this feature had to be 'activated' by them (even though when I originally activated the receiver I was told that this feature did not need to be activated). The CSR told me that he was going to send down a 'booster' signal, give it 2 hours.

Well, still no luck, the 6131 will still not recognize my Comstar EHD (meets all the requirements). Am I missing something, or do I just have a defective receiver? FYI, I have formatted the EHD.

Thanks!

Forgot to add - all my programming is up and running, just doesn't see the EHD

Where did you format the drive? I would unplug the power & satellite from the receiver and try it again make sure you have V166 software on the receiver.

Thanks Haystack! Yes, I tried resetting the receiver, unplugging it, etc., no luck. Software version is V166. The EHD was formatted using Linux......starting to think I may have got a bad receiver!

Perhaps I'll try phoning Bell again when I have a free 1/2 hour........;)

I would clear the drive and let my receiver format it.

Haystack, I'm not sure what you mean by clearing the drive - the EHD has been formatted, but when I plug it into the receiver, nothing happens - it's like the receiver doesn't even know it's there.

One of the problems I found with a hard drive I initially tried.

The hard drive was in a sealed enclosure and would work when connected to a PC. I'm not sure if it was USB 2.0 or not. It even had its own power cord.
I deleted all partitions when it was connected to the PC. The 6131 would not recognize it. Tried leaving the USB plugged in and then power cycling the reciever. Still, it did not recognize the HD. However, when I unplugged the USB, the receiver reset itself so it knew that something was connected. Then I tried formatting the drive from Windows to FAT32. Tried to connect it to the 6131 and it still wouldn't work.

Then I got my hands on a non-powered WD My passport and the receiver recognized it right away and offered to format it and then reboot.
Now everything is working very well.

the EHD has been formatted, but when I plug it into the receiver, nothing happens - it's like the receiver doesn't even know it's there.
Delete the formatting done with your PC the Receiver will format the drive.

Does the 6131 have the ability to pause live tv like the full PVR recievers do or does it only offer direct recording features when uysing the EHD? Looking at getting one this week to repalce a 6100 that isn't working right on the sw21 now :(

It works a a full HD PVR, "Pause Live TV" etc. Just remember that it only has a single tuner, so you can only record 1 program at a time. You can still watch a recording while recording another though.

Are you sure it is the 6100 that is defective and not the cable/switch/LNBF.?

I think the EHD feature on the 6131,6141 was not thoroughly tested. It seems to be hard on the EHDs as I now am into my fifth EHD and my second receiver.
The first was a LaCie 750 that chattered until it didn't work any more.
The second and third were Comstar 640s that kept giving me a disconnect.
The fourth was a WD My Book Essential 500 that just seemed to lock up the receiver after 3 weeks.
Now I'm on another WD My Book Essential 500 that has been working since wednesday, but I fear may go the same way as the first one.
It seems that the 6131,6141 + EHD is just not a dependable system as far as I can see. Anyone else been let down by this ????

I think the EHD feature on the 6131,6141 was not thoroughly tested. It seems to be hard on the EHDs as I now am into my fifth EHD and my second receiver.
The first was a LaCie 750 that chattered til i didn't work any more.
The second and third were Comstar 640s that kept giving me a disconnect.
The fourth was a WD My Book Essential 500 that just seemed to lock up the receiver after 3 weeks.
Now I on another WD My Book Essential 500 that has been working since wednesday, but I fear may go the same way as the first one.
It seems that the 6131,6141 + EHD is just not a dependable system as far as I can see. Anyone else been let down by this ????
I have been using a Comstar 500G HD on my 6141 since the EHD was made available. Knock on wood I use it daily and haven't had any problems. I even relocated my reciever/HDD to another TV and still no problems.

I have been using a Comstar 500G HD on my 6141 since the EHD was made available. Knock on wood I use it daily and haven't had any problems. I even relocated my reciever/HDD to another TV and still no problems.
Has your Comstar 500 been on 24/7 since you bought it, or do you only turn it on when you want to record?
Mine is on all the time.

I have been using my 6131 with a 750GB Lacie drive that has been on 24/7 for 2 months now with no problems.
Although I have been turning off my 6131 whenever it's not in use, not sure if that plays any role.

I do occasionally get some grinding sound from the EHD :O but nothing negative yet so far as functionality goes.

It works a a full HD PVR, "Pause Live TV" etc. Just remember that it only has a single tuner, so you can only record 1 program at a time. You can still watch a recording while recording another though.

Are you sure it is the 6100 that is defective and not the cable/switch/LNBF.?
Tried 2 switches. Reciever will work with either lnb connected directly over same cable. But will not detect both when on switch so can only assume its a reciever issue :-\

I would be leaning to a switch or connector issue myself.

Try running a "Check Switch" with NO cable connected to the 6100. Then connect back up and try again.