After watching for 10-30min the screen goes black and I have to reset the receiver and wait 5 minutes for it to find the signal.
I had the black screen problem but I think it was caused by the EHD. After I disconnected the EHD yesterday the black screen issue did not appear.

Thanks, they never even went down that road. I got them to send me out a replacement today, but I will try that tonight.
I am using brand new Comstar 1tb, 3 1/2" external. It said 7200rpm, which was to their specs? Unless there is something else I am missing?

Thanks
Andrew

I belive the EHD has to be a 3.5"
I don't believe the actual size matters. OTOH, many, if not most, external 2.5" drives do not meet the required specs. A powered, 7200RPM, 2.5" drive would probably work but a drive with those specs is uncommon. (A 2.5" WD Raptor in a powered case would meet the specs but would be costly. I also haven't heard any reports of someone trying one.) A 3.5" drive is the best bet.

Well, the problem wasn't with the hard drive. I unplugged it, restarted the receiver, and got about 15 min of viewing until the screen went black.
I should have replacement today, so I hope that works.

Thanks
Andrew

Have been using a 9242 for 1.5 yrs. 1st year free for retention and last half year rent. I want to switch to a purchased receiver.

I had a temporary second wire run to my receiver that had to run past my fireplace...not pretty

I obtained a 6131 and am not sure about the choice. Very much liked the dual tuner and pic in pic.

Bell won't sell me the 9242 (has to be sent back apparently). Bell rep told me to use 2 - 6131's and switch the hard drive between them (My biggest issues is recording something on a different channel that I'm watching). Has anyone used this method? When I shut the hard drive down the 6131 reboots. Seems awkward to be switching the hard drive around.

(My biggest issues is recording something on a different channel that I'm watching)
On the 6131 you can only watch a recorded program while recording another. Sounds like you want a 9241. Ask for a deal.

Hi,

I just bought a 6131 and I've been going through many threads to find the answer to my question but didn't find the answer yet.

I know you can't record and watch any of recorded stuff on your computer or another receiver but can you plug in the drive in your computer and still have other files like pictures or movies or whatever on the drive or can it ONLY be used for PVR with the receiver once you've formated it through the receiver ?

I already have a EHD that I use to store my movies for my WD HD TV Box (which is a great gadget for people looking for an easy way to watch their downloaded movies on a TV) and I was going to use the same EHD but can I ?

Thanks for your help

Newbie :)
Mat

As soon as you connect your EHD, the 6131 will want to format it, so anything on there will be lost is you say Yes.

I just connected a SimpleTech 640 GB Drive (7200 rpm, external AC power, USB 2.0, 3.5" Drive) to my 6131 receiver. The installation went smoothly. After having used a 4100 for a year, I really appreciate the 6131's additional functionality, especially the zoom function. I have my 6131 connected to a Sharp Aquos 32" TV.

Bell sent me 2 of these over rated pieces of poo. Both of them (6131) black out and reset at will. I am using componet output to the HDTV, and composit outputs to drive modulators so the signal goes to other TVs and recorders ect.

Bells tells me to turn them off when not watching. That doesn't help me, as I have no cable, so I generally leave my 6 receivers tuned to favorite channels when not in use, that way, on any TV in the house, there are 6 of the favorite channels we generally watch available for viewing anywhere in the house.

The 6000 had their own problems, not being able to output HD and SD at the same time, but at least in the 10 years I had them, I never had to reset them almost every day, or had to turn them off. (or have them turn off on their own when recording a show onto a DVD, due to the inactivity timer activating)
Now I have turned off the inactivity timer, or the forced update to keep the receivers powered up, I have the help desk telling me that I need to turn them off.
Another frustrating thing I have found is if I leave it on the weather channel for any length of time, the receiver will free up and not allow channel change unless the power cord unplugged for 15 seconds. Bell say this is the interactive feature and I shouldn't leave the receiver tuned to the weather channel for extended periods.
It appears that these receivers have been released that have not been fullt tested, and some more tweaking is needed to the software.

I bought the 6131 today with a simpletech 500 gb drive. It meets all the specs that are needed for the 6131.

When I plugged the drive in the 6131 it recognized the drive and went through the formatting process, when it finished the process, it went directly back to the page where it says it the device has been detected and needs to be formatted, it has done this 5 times now. It doesn't seem to be recognizing the drive after it goes through the formatting process.
Anyone had this happen or any suggestions, I tried rebooting and it still does it.
I can watch TV fine but have no PVR capabilities right now.

I have my 6131 receiver connected directly to my Samsung 32 inch LCD via HDMI. The TV type is set correctly within the 6131 as 720p and 16x9. The problem I am having is that SD shows display in 4x3 and not 16x9. The HD channels display correctly in 19x9. I was expecting that SD would show in 16x9 just as it does with by 9141 which is connected to a Samsung 40 inch LCD. am I doing something wrong? Thx!

Default SD signals are always 4:3 You've likely set up your 40 inch set to stretch or zoom mode.

Or you can press the * key on the remote to let the 6131 do the stretching.

Bell rep told me to use 2 - 6131's and switch the hard drive between them
You may get hit with the "three strikes" issue. The third time a hard dive is moved between receivers, it is reformatted. (At least that's true with the 9241/2. Not sure about the 6131.)

There is no three strike rule with the 6131.

I ordered 2 of these recievers @ 149.99, plus I got a 15% employee discount on that so I feel I got them at a pretty good price. One for me one for my father.

I also picked up a verbatim 500gb hard drive and it seems to be working great, recording some movies from the HD movie channels for viewing at a later date is an amazing feature.

I do got a question though is there any way to turn off that annoying blue HDTV light on the reciever its self? Kind of annoying in a dark room.

Black tape is the method of choice. :D
Welcome to DHC

Black tape is the method of choice. :D
Welcome to DHC

Arg, I was hoping that wasn't going to be the answer I heard. My beutiful setup destroyed by thiat ugly blue light. I guess im going to have to grab some electrical tape :[.

I love this reciever, watching the playoffs in HD is amazing even if the flames are 5 mins to elimination.

I thought it was an SBL (Sexy Blue Light), not an Ugly Blue Light.....:rolleyes: