Analogue audio will likely cure the audio issues. The analogue cables need to be run to the same input as the HDMI cable and sometimes a user audio setting needs to be changed from HDMI to analogue for that input.

I have emailed Rogers technical support with all the info about my situation and requested that they will contact Pace for the EMM key. I just hope it will reach the right person.

The previous post I was directed to ("Outside" SA STBs from eBay) talks about STBs bought from the US, which really have more than the EMM key reason for not being able to authorize them. It would be illegal for any Canadian cable provider to authorize a US STB unless that device was tested to meet all the requirements of the Canadian interference-causing equipment regulations, even though all devices in North America are tested to comply with FCC standards.

In my situation there is no legal issue. I really don’t knew if I should have told Rogers to contact SA, since my device is SA based and uses the same type of security SA products use (EMM), but I don’t think any of my serial numbers would mean anything to SA since it’s not their product and that is the only reference I've got.

Good luck. Let us know what happens. We have heard that occasionally Rogers will activate a STB from "outside" if the subscriber moves to the area from elsewhere. The opposite - moving to Videotron has apparently not worked. Moving a box with the same service provider for different customers also works - ie Rogers to Rogers customer, Videotron to Videotron customer.

I connect my device just now and it booted into a 21 page status report about the device. It has the following categories:
Initialization, Memory, RF Parameters, Clocks, Boot Status, Software Versions, Hardware Modules, Serial Numbers, Statuses, Ethernet, RF Network, MPEG Stats, entitlement Agents, Current FDC, Current RDC, Current QAM, Powerkey Information, IPPV Information, QPSK SIL Information, PPV Service, PPV Event, Digital Video Status, VOD Information, Bootloader Information, SAM Information, SARA, Information, Software Anomalies, QAM Channel Status, QPSK Channel Status, Component Information, SRM Sessions, 1394 Information, Copy Protection, SAM EDCT Information.

Serial Numbers has 4 sub titles: E-MAC, RF-MAC, ISE & ESE. E-MAC & ESE are useless (ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff and unavailable), but I’m not sure if the other values would mean anything to rogers.

In Powerkey Info there is a chart of Received, ISE & ESE. The first line is EMMs which is 0, 0, 0.

Maybe someone here knows anything about this?

Sorry for double posting but I can't seem to edit my last reply...

Anyhow, I found some more info on the diagnostic screens:
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/sciatl/3.1_Using_diagnostic_screens

My Post Results are N/A obviously, but I think that the ISE value in Serial Numbers (page 3) might be what Rogers needs to communicate with the device since it's: the serial number of the Internal Secure Element (for PowerKEY).

Anyone has any thoughts about this?

Analogue audio will likely cure the audio issues. The analogue cables need to be run to the same input as the HDMI cable and sometimes a user audio setting needs to be changed from HDMI to analogue for that input.

i'm a bit confused as to what you mean by running the audio to the same input as the HDMI, as the HDMI is only one cable. i did try running audio from the TV output on the STB to the only audio input that isn't associated with component or a/v and got nothing.

i'm still wondering why this issue has occured because aside from the new box, everything is as it was before.

If you still want to try analogue audio.... On most TVs there is an analogue audio input associated with the HDMI input. This is usually indicated with a "line" to the HDMI input indicating such on the back of the TV. Sometimes this input is a "mini-jack" which will require a Y-connector from the Red/white cables to a mini.

I also indicated that there may be a setting in the user settings to chose the type of audio for the HDMI input. It's probably currrently set at HDMI and may need to be changed to analogue.

there is a mini stereo jack but i'm not sure if it apples to the HDMI. i checked the manual and there is no RCA input for HDMI. i changed it to component and the problem still seems to be there. i'm going to give it a few days before i search further.

yes, i called rogers. about to post in the customer service thread about that.

billy416, HDMI sends digital video and sound, but component is for video only. 57 is talking about the white and red RCA jacks on your terminal aka (analog audio). If your TV (or receiver) has a Coaxial or Optical input, you can transmit digital sound through those ports (if you have Pace...3250 only has Coaxial).

Make sure you set the audio source in the TV (or receiver) to anything but HDMI (w/e you connected).

--

57, do you have any clue if the ISE value is what Rogers needs to authorize my terminal (check my previous post).

BTW, the tech support emailed me back with useless info:
"Unfortunately we cannot guarantee activation of non Rogers equipment. We
can activate 3rd party terminals but only if the system accepts the
serial number from the terminal.
Therefore we cannot know which ones are able to be activated or not."

So I emailed them back with the request to send my info to their system operator, because I am getting the feeling that the only people that can help me cannot be contacted through Rogers Customer Support.

3250 only has CoaxialTrue of the earlier 3250HDs, however, the later ones have optical outs as well. TVs rarely have optical or coaxial inputs, since they don't have surround sound, so usually only analogue audio, or HDMI for "ease of connection" for video and audio.

57, do you have any clue if the ISE value is what Rogers needs to authorize my terminal Sorry, I can't help you.

billy416, HDMI sends digital video and sound, but component is for video only. 57 is talking about the white and red RCA jacks on your terminal aka (analog audio).



i'm aware of what the cables and inputs are (thanks for the thought though). when i said "component" i meant using the component input on the tv with a combination of component cables for video and RCA's for the audio.

my box does have an optical out but i have no use for it at this time.

the settings on the STB is one of the first things i tried. the only menu i can get for audio out is the "digital out" which has HDMI, DD and OTHER.

i have the TV on the component one input now. i'll have to spend a bit more time with it this evening. the problem didn't appear to be completely gone before i went to sleep yesterday.

You need to change the audio input in your TV (or receiver). All output ports on the STB are active. Digital out, as I'm sure you know, only refers to HDMI, Coaxial or Optical. If you tried switching it to Other, which is stereo sound, and you still have the audio problem, then try again with the analog RCA cables.

I'm assuming you are using your TV to produce sound so: go to the Menu, Audio, and look around for Input. You might have more options for sound clarity in there (or it might be the reason for your problem).

Since you said that you tried to go with component and a/v sound, and I'm assuming you unplugged the HDMI cable, then you probably have a hardware problem with your STB or w/e your using to produce sound (I think it's the STB).

i think it's the STB too. basically after all the delays i had replacing it last week (and only got it saturday) i was trying to convince myself the problem existed elsewhere.

for discussion purposes, my TV doesn't have any audio input options in the menus. basically when you select an input source it takes both the audio and video from whatever is running to it. a variable audio output runs to my stereo.

i noticed this evening that changing the channel eliminates the grainy sound problem but it comes back soon after. i'm going to try one more test to make sure the problem isn't from the TV (oh please let it not be from the TV).

does anyone know if these boxes get tested when they are returned? this is what is steaming me since i will now be getting my 3rd box in just over a month.

If the sound problem goes away when you change the channel in both HDMI and analog input, then it must be the STB. Your TV doesn’t have any clue when you change the channel. I think they test them if you declare a malfunction. Well what can I say, its Rogers...if you think your getting your money’s worth, think again. At least you have the option of exchanging it.

it is definitely the STB. I ran a set of RCA's from the STB directly to the stereo and the problem still existed. looks like it's back to rogers video...again.

if a thread exists someone please direct me but are there any major differences between the Pace and SA boxes asides from the fact i will have a useless HDMI cable?

The Pace has a component passthrough, while the SA does not. I believe that and the HDMI are the major differences.

Does anyone know a Rogers video/cable store that has a couple of these PACE 551's? I ordered two from Rogers and they sent me SA3250's. I have a prewired home with HDMI built in so I need the Pace's. Rogers says I have to find them myself and exchange my brand new SA3250's for the Pace's at a retail outlet. Anyone know where I could find them?

no one store carries a certain amount. from what i was told, it's basically a matter of what is dropped off at each location each day. you'll have to call the locations in your area and as them to hold one for you.

if it helps, i picked up mine at the victoria park and gerrard location.

Hmmm... I got the Pace for my mom (London), but I didn't have an HDMI cable handy, and the cheapest one I could find locally was $62. So, I returned it for the 3250 and used the $15 DVI->HDMI cable I already had.

I'm glad I did, judging by the posts about weird bugs with the Pace, and saved a few bux at the same time. The component passthrough would have been nice for a DVD player, but it's unnecessary since her TV has two component inputs anyway. The only reason I wanted to try the Pace was so I could get rid of the extra cables, but it seems that audio through HDMI doesn't work correctly for some people, so it would have been moot anyway. Too bad.

I called Rogers directly and said that I'd like to switch my SA3250's for Pace 551's. They came over the next day with the new units. Everything works perfectly and the HDMI really simplifies things. I hadn't realized that they also use the SA software for the IPG and stuff. Overall I'm very happy with them so far.