How are unused cable outlets to be properly terminated? I've got one unused one that isn't terminated but that didn't seem to concern the Gateway installer. I do experience what I consider a large number of glitches but at least I've still got service. The guide is blanking out repeatedly and I have lost the guide altogether on one portal for most of a day.

Thanks Jetranger... I had been cautioned by the installer...

Susido, terminating an unused outlet is like screwing a cap onto a bottle. You use one of these:

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3584/terminators.jpg

They're called terminating resistors, terminator caps, or something else because I tried searching for it at The Source's website and couldn't find it. You could also probably get them from a tech (the next time you see one, that is). I think it's unlikely that an outlet that hasn't been terminated properly is causing or is a major contributor to your problem, but I'm no expert.

I just did some reading about terminator plugs, and ordered some from Amazon. I like having everything "proper", even if it won't make a noticeable difference.

Ideally, there should be no open or unused connections. A proper install has every 'in use' cable connected to a device and all unused cables tied back out of the way.

If you have 'extra' splitter or amplifier outputs then they need to be swapped out with a unit that has the appropriate number of outputs. I believe this should be standard industry practice but if I'm wrong, someone please correct me.

These 'terminating resistors' are just an F connector with a 75ohm resistor in them. At one time they were recommended but only in cases where the correct parts where not readily available.

I just had my Gateway and two Portals installed last Friday and am pretty happy with it so far.

Definitely noticed some of the minor issues mentioned in this thread, but so far the only major is that my PVR expander is not being recognized by the Gateway. Shaw is coming out this Thursday to swap out the expander.

I searched the forum and read this entire thread, but I am wondering about one thing:

How do you turn off the Portal?

When I'm done watching TV, I want to turn it off, but that doesn't seem possible - The "Power" button on the remote doesn't do anything.

Seems like a big waste of energy to have them on all the time?

I believe the 'power button' was discussed in the original Gateway thread.

Like all cable boxes, even when the unit is 'off', it really isn't as it needs to be powered on so the 'mother ship' computer can talk to it and update the guide and other software from time to time. The Portals and Gateway are no different.

The power button on your remote can be set to turn your TV or audio system on and off if you like. Instructions should have been included with your remote(s).

I had a gateway and 2 portals installed on Dec 20 (2011). After a couple of weeks I got brave and traded in my DCT6412PIII for a third portal.

My question is about the software version on the new portal. It's not the "b" version that is on the first two portals. There is no "Update software" option in the Service Status menu of the Installer Tool. Will it update automatically overnight?

Oh, there's something I didn't consider. I believe the power button should at least turn on/off the outputs. Anything else is really going to mess with the use of HDMI auto-sensing switches.

Thanks Jetranger.

Understood that the unit still needs to be on life support, but it'd be nice if it was possible to switch it to sleep manually.

Also, it'd be nice if at least the front lights switched off to give you an idea that it's in sleep mode. Kinda annoying in the bedroom since the lights are quite brights - I turned the whole display off for now.

I traded in my DCT6412PIII for a third portal. I guess I'll never be able to capture shows from a PVR again? I had some success with the firewire capture from the 6412. I still have a DCX3400-M but last I checked the firewire firmware on it made it unusable.

I have a new Sony Bravia KDL-46HX729 TV. The DCX3400-M outputs SD channels as 480p and HD as 1080i. In this fashion, the TV remembers the zoom setting for the two resolutions and does "zoom" for SD channels and "full" for HD channels.

The Shaw portal is set to output only 1080i. If I zoom a SD channel and then switch to an HD channel, it is still zoomed and has to be changed to full.

I tried turning on both 1080i and 480p in the portal's "TV setup", but it doesn't make it magically switch like the 3400 does.

Is there something I'm missing?

Check this post for info on the 3400: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=1373450&postcount=8

My Sonys do the same thing when the picture is 'zoomed' for an SD channel. I think it is something to do with the HDMI logic, being flawed, that causes this. One would think the set could differentiate between the signals and remember the setting depending on the input. I guess this is a 'limitation' of Sony sets. I still like my Sony though.

A little more news about the 'blank screen' issue: It seems the problem originated at ARRIS and is only affecting a certain number of units intalled around the beginning of this month. At least it has only affected units that have been in operation for a short time so hopefully not too many recordings had been made yet by those affected by this.

Check this post for info on the 3400: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=1373450&postcount=8

The link above seems to be about building a PVR from a PC.

My Sonys do the same thing when the picture is 'zoomed' for an SD channel. I think it is something to do with the HDMI logic, being flawed, that causes this. One would think the set could differentiate between the signals and remember the setting depending on the input. I guess this is a 'limitation' of Sony sets. I still like my Sony though.

We're not quite on the same page yet, so I'll give a better explanation...

The 3400 displays the output resolution on the front panel. When it says 480p, the Sony TV detects it and the TV DISPLAY button reports: 480p SD | 4:3 and the zoom mode goes to "zoom" (because I selected it previously for SD).

When I hit the SWAP button on the 3400 remote to go to an HD channel, the 3400 front display switches to 1080i. The Sony TV detects it and the DISPLAY button reports: 1080i HD | 16:9, and the zoom mode goes to "full" (because I selected it previously for HD).

That seems like perfect behaviour to me.

Using the portal, with the TV Setup set to 1080i, it seems both SD and HD channels are sent out the HDMI as 1080i. The TV DISPLAY button reports1080i HD | 16:9 in both cases, and uses whatever the last zoom mode was. It will even use "zoom" on the HD channel and crop the image, which is not good.

As I mentioned, since the portal's TV Setup allows multiple modes to be selected, I enabled both 1080i and 480p thinking it would switch like the 3400 does, but it doesn't switch.

So, the Sony TV does indeed detect the different modes output from the 3400 and does the right thing with them.

The portal just outputs one mode, so I'm guessing the TV has no way to detect anything different between the two channels. I'm hoping I missed something somewhere and it is possible to have the portal switch output mode. I think the 3400 called this the "native" setting?

Shaw came around and swapped my gateway last night. From what I gathered it was a programming error.

Furthermore, Shaw develops its own firmware/software packages. So Shaw takes out the mfg (Arris) firmware/software and replaces it with its own. This is what info I was told. The problem was caused by a misuse of "/", which effectively caused a reboot command on power cycle to not activate (code commented out). This put the gateway into an unusable state with a hybrid of old code/new code. As to what exactly its doing during this time would be a mystery and probably look like gibberish.

Shaw definitely was working hard and when the problem was identified, they started a call out to all affected. Field technicians were called in for extra hours to help fix the problem. I was originally scheduled for Thursday, but got the work done on Sunday night. I am satisfied with Shaw's effort on this one.

sailorickm, sorry, I actually thought more about this after posting my initial reply to you and realized I might have been a bit confused, which it does seem I was. All I can say, now that I have it 'straight' in my head, is; the same thing happens to me and I would have to say this is a limitation of the Portal output. Perhaps it will be addressed in a future update but given they recommend setting the output to just one resolution, it may be an inherent issue.

jdubby, That's a nice story but I highly doubt Shaw is loading their own 'software/firmware' as this system is unlike anything they have ever dealt with before. It has been widely reported here that the 'code updates and fixes' come from ARRIS so I'm guessing the 'story' you were given is just that tech's own idea. I could be wrong about this but I highly doubt it.

I do agree that Shaw is handling this in a very timely fashion so as to keep the disruption of service to their customers to a minimum. My guess is someone's head will roll over this.

sailorickm, sorry, I actually thought more about this after posting my initial reply to you and realized I might have been a bit confused, which it does seem I was. All I can say now that I have it 'straight' in my head is; the same thing happens to me and I would have to say this is a limitation of the Portal output. Perhaps it will be addressed in a future update but given they recommend setting the output to just one resolution, it may be an inherent issue.

I'm interested in the answer to this as well. I don't have a Gateway/Portal yet, but I've ordered it and am waiting for the installation at the end of the month.

This post seems to indicate that the Arris hardware can passthrough the SD channels at 480i and the HD channels at 1080i (or whatever other resolution you choose).
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=1329407&postcount=131

Also, here is the relevant bit from the manual, but I don't really know how it works in real life:
If you have connected the Total Home Portal unit to your TV with an HDMI™ cable, your TV Setup should automatically select the correct resolution.
If you are using alternate cables, including an HDMI to DVI cable, you should select the highest video resolution supported by your TV. The Shaw Gateway Experience automatically adjusts the video output to match the broadcast format and the selections set in the TV Setup menu. The video resolution options are 480i (non-HDTV), 480p (non-HDTV), 720p (default), 1080i, and 1080p.
If your TV is standard-definition (SD), make sure 480i is the only box checked. All other video resolutions will be output at 480i.

Does anyone know for sure if SD video can be passed through at 480i and HD video at a higher resolution? With my Motorola boxes, my TV does a better job of upscaling 480i, with more zoom options. Thanks.

sailorickm, I just did the following and it works as you desire:

Set your outputs for both 1080i and 480i. My guess would be since the signals coming in are only in 480i and not 480p, the Portal assumes the output should be upconverted to the highest resolution you have set.

There will be an additional delay in seeing the picture while the Portal switches resolutions but at least you won't have to resize the image on your TV.

Emvious, I'm not sure if the above answers your question or not but you will have to give it a try when you get it and let us know if you are happy or not. If I understand you correctly, and lord knows I'm batting a big fat '0' today, it should 'pass through' 480i as long as you have that option set in the setup menu on each Portal you want that on.

Thanks Jetranger. Sounds like it will do what I want. Maybe sailorickm can confirm with his results.

A couple of things to note... Some TVs won't accept 480i over HDMI (my four year old Samsung plasma won't). Also, the delay that is mentioned when switching resolutions can be reduced by using component cables instead of HDMI. (It is for these two reasons that I use component cables connected to my Samsung.)