They should abandon the 630. Worst PVR I have ever owned and I told them so when I cancelled. It is underpowered and/or the junk Chinese components in it are inconsistent.

I am not a big fan of Bell, but coming back to the 9242 is like night and day compared to the 630.

"Canada's Most Advanced HDPVR"....what a crock.

The 630's firmware problems are similar to some of the 9200's problems when it was released. That makes Shaw Direct and Motorola about 5 years behind in the marketplace. Come to think of it, Shaw Direct's HD lineup is similar to that of Bell TV's 5 years ago as well. Shaw Direct's only saving grace is that the prices are also 5 years behind the times. But then, I guess we get what we pay for.

Please don't say that too loud (price) :) . That's the only reason I am with them. Now both ( 6mo refurb and latest refurb replacement) have had blank recordings at times, some pixellation recordings also. The last black/blank recording was CBC national and I watched most of it live and it was 100% but did not get one second of video or audio recorded. They just have to be deleted and we don't watch all we record as a result. Signal is 97-98, etc. and skies are clear and...and...and...but the 630's just are not dependable. When they work they are terrific. 600 is no problem at all.
I'm going to try LOD "on".

Sure am glad these were refurbed by their "expert technicians" as I was told.

The 630 is garbage. I have a great signal and I get tons of pixelated recordings. Garbage.

I'm starting to agree about the 630. I also had ALOT of pixelated recordings this week. The audio also drops out. SNL from this weekend was horrible on NBCW HD. Also 2 new CSI shows that I recorded last week had pixels/drop outs. Also a show I record on the Comedy Network everyday (Red Green) was also doing alot of pixeling. The background channel that my box is on during these recordings is 487, the audio Nature channel. (It helps me sleep.) You'd think that an audio channel wouldn't cause problems

The 630 is garbage. I have a great signal and I get tons of pixelated recordings. Garbage.
Call SD and get it replaced, none my 630s have this issue.

Well as an update to my problem (see post # 237) SD sent out a tech to look at things to see if my problem could be corrected. The guy came and said that there were two bolts loose on the dish mount so he tightened them. This has not fixed the pixelation issue on recorded programs. I had a call from SD (we were not home) this past Sunday and said they are considering the issue resolved. It most definitely has not been resolved. I think more people should be sending in an email to "ask Jim" on Shaw site and explain the problems you are having. I don't know if these csr's are trained to make one believe that your particular problem is one that you only have but that is the way they come across. Come on people lets deluge them with emails because this is crap that we are all taking in stride.

i find this a trend with SD...summer good pic - winter pixels especially on HD

Well as an update to my problem (see post # 237) SD sent out a tech to look at things to see if my problem could be corrected. The guy came and said that there were two bolts loose on the dish mount so he tightened them. This has not fixed the pixelation issue on recorded programs. I had a call from SD (we were not home) this past Sunday and said they are considering the issue resolved. It most definitely has not been resolved. I think more people should be sending in an email to "ask Jim" on Shaw site and explain the problems you are having. I don't know if these csr's are trained to make one believe that your particular problem is one that you only have but that is the way they come across. Come on people lets deluge them with emails because this is crap that we are all taking in stride.
This tango carries on with SD. Got a call back from SD (same individual) and same old run around. Check signals check things on hidden menu, etc, etc. Asked me the model of my TV. I have four month old LG led 3d. Asked if it had a three prong plug, I said yes. Now he blames my problem with a grounding issue with the TV. He actually stated I needed to buy a ground loop isolator as my TV is causing the problems. Can you imagine? Well I really reached the boiling point now and told him I would take this issue higher because he was an idiot. I now have an additional problem with this 630 in which I get a straight line about 1/4 way down on display that presents a jagged color image in it and has presented itself on various channels.I made him aware of this as well. I know it is not the LG because OTA from antenna is picture perfect.

I developed some issues with another one of my receivers on the weekend and spent some quality time on the phone with SD support.

On Saturday morning I called regarding video 'tearing' on some channels on one receiver. The tech support person patiently talked me through all the usual checks and did a complete factory reset as well. While we were waiting for things to load, I asked her if she knew if there was any progress being made on the pixilation problem. She advised that most of the time the problems with the 630 could be solved by plugging directly into the wall socket and NOT using a power bar.

The following day I had to call again because the fixes had not worked, and I was transferred to a gentleman in the tech support area. Again, very patient and helpful. Eventually I brought up the issues with the 630 as well, and his advice to me was to ensure that I was always using a power bar with surge suppressor. I found it interesting that two support people from the same source had complete opposite advice to give.

I never did find out if they are working on a fix for the pixilation problem, but I doubt it.

The other eye-opener was when he told me that they no longer needed faulty receivers to be shipped back. Instead I was to properly dispose of my old receiver once I had the new one up and running.

The other eye-opener was when he told me that they no longer needed faulty receivers to be shipped back. Instead I was to properly dispose of my old receiver once I had the new one up and running.

Well thanks to the current Prime Minister of this country who has just signed a deal with China we can now expect our landfills to quadruple in size and this must be great news for Jim at Shaw who can move back into his office soon, now that he can properly dispose all those defunct 630s.

She advised that most of the time the problems with the 630 could be solved by plugging directly into the wall socket and NOT using a power bar.
Just one of the many techno-myths that circulate among first level CSRs. Shaw Direct is one of the worst companies for this. I've also heard a couple of real whoppers from their second level tech support people. While it is true that poor quality or defective power bars can cause problems, it's usually best to plug all A/V equipment (TV, A/V receiver, BDU receiver, etc.) into a common power bar. Also, make sure the outlet the power bar is plugged into is properly grounded. (Simple outlet testers are available for about $5 at hardware stores.)

The other eye-opener was when he told me that they no longer needed faulty receivers to be shipped back. Instead I was to properly dispose of my old receiver once I had the new one up and running.
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Pretty sure you're not referring to 630's. Right?

Also, btw, proper disposal means to take the receiver in. It will be partly recycled if you take it to the right place. That's what the fees on new gear are for in BC and elsewhere. If you do your job they won't end up in a landfill.

It's been so quiet in here... everybody must be happy with their receiver! I must admit that mine has been fairly solid the past few weeks. No pixilation to report on any of the shows I have recorded. I did Ask Jim with regards to whether or not they were working on an update that would resolve the pixilation problem, and instead of a simple 'yes' or 'no', I received a request for my account information. So I take it that means 'no'.

It's quiet here because I traded a 630 for a cable pvr and am pondering selling the other since I shouldn't keep sat and cable service. These pvr's..especially refurbs are pure trash. I will be calling to get a replacement of the one remaining due to recordings disappearing or going blank. :rolleyes:

Refurb is on it's way.

I guess 06.22 can't solve hardware problems. But the highlight on wrong recording when stopping playback, etc. Etc. Could be worked on.

I sold my POS 630 and cancelled. Pure crap.

Wish I had cable..but stuck with the 630...that now doesn't record...

Same issues here still. I just got tired of complaining. Nobody at Shaw takes the issues reported here seriously so it's not much use. If Shaw raises their prices when the new transponders go online, I will likely switch to Bell or Rogers. I'm locked in until April. Will likely suspend the account for the Summer and look at other options in September.

Did anyone notice that it changed the aspect ratio on some of the channels, some SD channels are no longer full screen, tried changing aspect. Normal used to be full screen.

It must be just a few channels that changed there format since the upgrade coincidence i guess, but id did notice the the guide changes every morning, I have favorites have to reset it from all every morning.