I took advantage of Rogers' free offer of a second SD box. At first I was given the SA Explorer 3100, so I went back today to get an upgrade to the 3200 box. Instead, I was given a SA Explorer 1840.

Is this the newest box? I can't find any info on it even on SA's website, and it's smaller than both the 3100/3200. One of the documentation is dated June 2005.

I did a search and found a couple of PDF's for it.

Here (http://www.sciatl.com/ExplorerClubGuides/getting_started/4011359.pdf#search='S%20A%20Explorer%201840%2A') and here (http://www.sciatl.com/customers/Source/7007786.pdf#search='S%20A%20Explorer%201840%2A')

Both sheets have 2005 copyrights.

Unbelievable - a Rogers CSR told me this was the new box, but for some reason, SA removed the coaxial digital audio output! How am I supposed to hook up the audio to both my tv and receiver now?!

Unless someone can tell from the specs in those links that video will be greatly improved, I might need to go back again and swap for the 3200.

The SA1840 has no analog tuner. Its an "All Digital Only" box. Its newer than the 3200 unit, and its smaller.

SA removed the coaxial digital audio output! How am I supposed to hook up the audio to both my tv and receiver now?!
That's not entirely a new thing...coax-digital isn't near as popular as optical-digital these days. Plus it saves money only having to have one digital output instead of two.

If it's a big deal, I'd go swap it. I take it you're out of optical inputs on your receiver?

The new box doesn't have any digital audio out. Now that I think about it, the only time I've seen 5.1 sound is on some TMN movies. But at least with the 3200 I had the second option to use a receiver for "bigger" sound.

One new thing added is a Smart Card slot. Would Rogers ever need to utilize this feature?

The new box doesn't have any digital audio out. Now that I think about it, the only time I've seen 5.1 sound is on some TMN movies. But at least with the 3200 I had the second option to use a receiver for "bigger" sound.
Ahhhh...gotcha. Yeah, that's fairly silly IMHO. I'd definately return it and swap it out for a 3250. (or I guess 3200?)

As for the smart-card slot, I doubt if Rogers will utilize it anytime soon...it's been there for quite a while, and nothing's been done with it. Ah well.

hmm, a digital STB without digtial audio out. I'd call that "bare bones".

The only SD channels with DD5.1 at this time are the TMN channels, but for some people, that's important.

See the Digital Home FAQ "What's availble in DD5.1".

I took advantage of Rogers' free offer of a second SD box. At first I was given the SA Explorer 3100, so I went back today to get an upgrade to the 3200 box. Instead, I was given a SA Explorer 1840.

Is this the newest box? I can't find any info on it even on SA's website, and it's smaller than both the 3100/3200. One of the documentation is dated June 2005.

Do you know if this offer is available to all.

What did you already have from Rogers. Where are you located, House or Apt. I have asked Rogers about this offer and they said they didn't have anything except for those converting from Bell

http://www.sciatl.com/customers/Source/7007786.pdf

Its actually a nice bare bones unit, and smaller than the 3200.

I totally agree. No digital audio out sounds like a step backwards. Plus, it is nice having the analog fallback incase there is an issue.. not that there has been, but somehow it feels good knowing it is there....

Do you know if this offer is available to all.

I received a "thank you ad" from Rogers for being a loyal customer. (Living in condo for 7 years, digital customer for 2.) Offer is receive a 2nd terminal rental free for 24 months, or a PVR rental at 1/2 price for 24 months. Please quote gift code DGL.

This box is probably aimed at allowing cable companies to convert people from analog cable to digital cable very cheap. That is, people that don't have any special setup like digital surround sound receiver and only have an old analog TV... the box simply acts as a convertor of digital signals to composite or SVIDEO.

My guess is that such a box would cost like $25-50 for Rogers if they are selling the 3250SD for like $99 if i remember last.

These "all digital" receivers are ment for cable plants that have an all digital line-up. They are designed as economy boxes so that they can get as many people as possible moved over to digital. Motorolla came out with the DCT700 last year, which is very smilar to this unit (ie, no digital audio out, no analog tuner etc.)

hmm, a digital STB without digtial audio out. I'd call that "bare bones".

The only SD channels with DD5.1 at this time are the TMN channels, but for some people, that's important.

See the Digital Home FAQ "What's availble in DD5.1".

Dont some of the PPV movies come in 5.1 also?? those are in SD....

Is PPV not part of TMN?... but point taken.

Is PPV not part of TMN?... but point taken.

not sure on that one... PPV is "viewers choice".. I always understood it to be a seperate company... will have to research that one.

EDIT:
Just did a quick search on Viewer's Choice (http://www.viewerschoice.ca/) and true enough they are associated with TMN... Looks like they are part of Astral Media...

Do none of the networks ever send out 5.1 when they show movies or anything??

Yes, they are both part of Astral Media, as you can tell by the Viewer's Choice icon at the bottom of the tmn.ca home page.

Do none of the networks ever send out 5.1 when they show movies or anything??If you're talking about ABC, NBC, etc, they only send DD5.1 on the HD channels.

The "Astral" channels have DD5.1 when available.

Again, I refer to you the Digita Home FAQ "What's available in DD5.1". I try to keep it up to date.