I have the 9200 and I'm using my old Sony standard def. RPTV (KP-53V80) with 'Component Video' inputs and the 9200 set to 480i and 4x3 mode #2. Works just fine other than the known minor bugs.

The 9200 has !!! ZERO !!! S-video anything; none. TV2 is either RF or Composite.

The 9200 is dual tuner. The two modes (single, dual) are simply a button push, so don't worry about it.

Review all the 9200 threads manually - this has all been covered and much much more. It'll take all evening but you will learn so much. You'll probably know more than the CSRs and probably more than the Installer.

Thanks Jeffy.

Can anyone tell me what the "Family & Friends" pricing is for the new HD-PVR (existing customer package).
We are ex-Bell in this house, and want to know if it will be worth bugging former colleagues to order for me.

Thanks in advance.

As far as I know the Friends of Bell plan has been cancelled since the beginning of the summer. I was also interested in this plan. Bell has a wonderful way of looking after its long-time customers. NO DEALS 4 YOU!!! :( :( :(

As far as I know the Friends of Bell plan has been cancelled since the beginning of the summer. I was also interested in this plan. Bell has a wonderful way of looking after its long-time customers. NO DEALS 4 YOU!!! :( :( :(

*sigh* Too bad.... Oh well, it was worth asking first.

I went to the Oshawa Bell World today..... 2x month waiting list for the 9200/9220.

Probably for the best. The price will likely come down before I can get my hands on one!

Thanks all....

I just hooked up my 9200 to my tv1 std tv, but as most posts have suggested you have to have component inputs, my set has this and you must change the setting on tv1 throught he tv2 set up to 480i the default is 480p and your tv1 will not display it properly. I wanted pvr features, two tuners and wanted to be ready for when I bought an hdtv. You can hook up a standard def tv with tv1 but you must have component inputs on your tv.

I've read that "most" satelite providers convert all their HD signals to 1080i and then pass that along to the TV. Is this true with BEV? Particularly with the 9200 receiver? Or does it just pass through whatever the signal is being broadcast in from the original network, be it 720p or 1080i?

For original formats, see the Digital Home FAQ "HDTV Formats". This FAQ also discusses what BEV does to some signals.

As to what the STB does, isn't that dependent on how you set it up?

I have 8 months left on a 6000 rental (out of a two-year contract), but would love to get a 9200 PVR. I have not been able to get through to a Bell CSR for the past two days!

Can I just *buy* a 9200 for $599 and not get locked into a new contract? If so, I'd be willing to just replace the 6000 with the 9200 (and pay the $10/month on the 6000 for the remaining 8 months -- essentially an $80 penalty).

I've heard that there's a $99 credit when purchasing the 9200... does taking advantage of that mean getting into a new 1 or 2-year contract?

So, years ago I was in the US and had Tivo with DirecTv and loved it. That box was $99 including shipping with a one year contract. I added a 120gig drive and it never failed. I also had the old Bev5300 for Canadian content...

Well, back in Canada, I've since been using the Rogers PVR (8300 I think). It's truly awful. Too many bugs to mention. I've called them to no avail. It makes me want to shell out the $1000US for the new HD Tivo with DirecTv and find a US address.... but I digress.

But, I heard this was out. I've reading the board, and it seems like a better model than the Rogers. At least it doesn't boot you out of your show when it's finished recording (Does it??) and has a real search function. But, I never liked the guide, and it was hard to find future shows (not much data).

I don't understand why the Canadian companies cannot get it right. It's a hassle to switch these things, and I'm going to be real sad if it's not that much of an improvement if I did. Is it worth the hassle???

OldTivoUser,

I feel your pain. Canadian TiVo service would put a grin on my face as wide as Niagra Falls. The Canadian companies should lobby for HBO and TiVo.

I can't speak on the 9200 as I still can't find one, but I have used the SD Bell PVR's and have not had any issues with them. I would assume the newer 9200 would be even more of an improvement. The guide is probably the biggest complaint most will have. It just doesn't compare to the 2week guide you get with a TiVo.

If you can locate the 9200 I don't think you'll do wrong.

With the 9200, can you record one program in HD and watch anoter HD program?

With the 9200, can you record one program in HD and watch anoter HD program?

yes.

and if you have OTA hooked up you can record 1 BEV HDTV program, 1 OTA program and then watch or record a 3rd HDTV program.

If you want, you can record 2 HD programs, and watch a third pre-recorded HD program.

For those of you existing renters, when you called up to rent the new box did they say you had to pay a $79 installation fee that wasn't optional?

Buddy was saying that I had to have the installer come in and put it in. Pretty weak if you ask me, pay $80 to a guy to come in and do something I can likely do faster and better in 10 minutes than he can. My last installer didn't know anything about HDTV and in fact left me by myself to finish the install as Bell was being "tardy" and he had "exceeded" his alloted time for being there. Not that I minded the last bit, but if I'm going to pay, better do something for me.

Suggest you read this before you jumpt into the water
http://www.paddy3.com/PVR9200.htm

padito,

I don't understand why you were not receiving HD.

Was it not installed correctly?
Was the programming not coming through?
Was the settings set correctly on the 9200?

Joe

Are you saying that you receive no programs that fill your widescreen, like CSI or other Network primetime programs?
It sounds more like what you are describing is receiving a 4:3 SD broadcast over an HD channel as opposed to a 16:9 HD broadcast. The problem that you can't stretch this is more of a limitation of the 9200 than a faulty 9200. More than likely your TV has the ability to stretch the broadcast but in doing so wether with the 9200 or with your TV you are either cutting off some of the show or you are distorting the actual picture, although some TV's like my Toshiba have very good stretch modes. These programs were shot in 4:3 and by stretching them you will, for example, make skinny people look fatter.
Many people like to stretch this 4:3 material because it eliminates the chance of burning in the black bars onto your screen, but as far as I know not all TVs are prone to burn in, for example LCD's.
Although many programs aren't shot with HD cameras yet there is still an advantage of having the SD broadcast come over the HD channel and that is that the HD channels have more bandwidth than an SD channel and many people feel they get a sharper picture.

In regards to the 9200/9220 having to be hooked up to the phone line, is that just for the initial 1 time installation or is that a permanent thing?

I plan on getting 2 of these guys (perhaps 3) but I can't have a phone line hooked up to more than 1 of these guys at any given time.
I could easily initialize (one time startup) each receiver from the same TV that is right beside a phone line, but some of the rooms these receivers will be going into doin't have a phone line...

Thanks

JC

The phone line is only required to order PPV. EV may call you about once a year and ask you to supply your receivers' location ID when you have multiple receivers that are not connected to a phone line. Otherwise, they should work fine.