So, has this update still not happened?

We all have contacts it seems :)

Mine told me that the digital cable division is testing a new way to deliver content. In essence all channels will be "on demand" and Rogers will be able to allocate bandwidth on the fly to the channels that need it. This will allow for more new content as currently Rogers is just about tapped out. In order to do this more infrastructure needs to be built and tested.

The 1.88 version that other cable companies are using is not compatible with the new system Rogers is trying to implement. Apparently Rogers and SA are working on a new version.

You may be referring to multiplexing ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiplexing )

If that is the case, it demonstrate that Rogers wishes to maximize the number of channels they need to deal with until they are able to add QAMs.

In my book, this has nothing to do with SARA version 1.88.19.1 or whatever they decide to download to your machines.

You may be referring to multiplexing ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiplexing )

If that is the case, it demonstrate that Rogers wishes to maximize the number of channels they need to deal with until they are able to add QAMs.

In my book, this has nothing to do with SARA version 1.88.19.1 or whatever they decide to download to your machines.

Well, yes, that would be a form of time division multiplexing and I agree that the new firmware has jack-all to do with this since they could always issue new firmware later.

But, what does "adding QAMS" mean? Quadrature Amplitude Modulation is a modulation technique for DTV. It isn't going to increase the bandwidth available.

Well, yes, that would be a form of time division multiplexing and I agree that the new firmware has jack-all to do with this since they could always issue new firmware later.

But, what does "adding QAMS" mean? Quadrature Amplitude Modulation is a modulation technique for DTV. It isn't going to increase the bandwidth available.

For cable TV, each channel is part of a QAM. And there are limits to a QAM capacity (around 38 Mbps) beyond which each channel part of the said QAM must have a bitrate reduction to fit in the total capacity.

Two HD channels can fit comfortable and three HD will have a bitrate reduced from 17 Mbps (if the source sends quality, which is not the case from Buffalo) to some 12 Mbps with an ensuing reduction of PQ.

For SD channels, PQ requires some 3.5 - 5 Mbps. When the number of channels are such that the bitrate goes down to 2.5 - 3 Mbps, you get bad PQ.

To illustrate, see the Montreal QAM lineup and bitrates for June this year as captured by DHC member Kaphyr (scroll down to see each QAM):

http://illico2.tripod.com/NumMtlJuin2006Expl.html

Thanks.

Would the 1.88 update make the interface less hideous? My previous box was a Motorola/Shaw one, and it puts this to shame...the graphics on this look like mid-1980s stuff.

I believe the interface will look the same. The options are changed and some of the bugs will go away and some new bugs will be created.

Would the 1.88 update make the interface less hideous? My previous box was a Motorola/Shaw one, and it puts this to shame...the graphics on this look like mid-1980s stuff.

I just played with a Motorola Moxi this weekend and its interface was so refreshing compared to the crude SA one.

Quite honestly, I've seen the graphics on the Motorola STBs (Cogego) and yes they're a different colour and yes they're "flashy", but really what I expect from an interface is for it to work and for it to be simple to use.

One thing that bugged me about the Cogeco interface was that some STB options were "hidden" until you hit the down arrow to get to another page (I was trying to set up a friend's STB), whereas on the SA STB, the settings "scroll" (as you go down the settings options, new ones appear). If you don't see the little > at the bottom of the screen on Cogeco, you don't know there are more settings available. This was even difficult for my friend, who then had to use the STB and I had to keep reminding him that there was "more information on the next page".

I just played with a Motorola Moxi this weekend and its interface was so refreshing compared to the crude SA one.

My SA8300HD with 1.88.19.1 SARA software version has the following Color Schemes:

Boardwalk
BallPark
Roller Rink
Aquarium
Campground
Town Square
Golf Course

Some of the above are conservative, others exciting and some can be quite jazzy. Don't see any problem, if this is what you are talking about.

What bugs me most are the jagged-looking fonts.

How to identify the firmware version?

We have a SA 8300HD (through VDN in Montreal) and when it was delivered, the installer said "turn to channel 250", did something, and I saw lots of diagnostic screen go by. I thought one said firmware.

I guess it's not the latest because we have only 3 FF speeds.

Thanks!
=aw

How to identify the firmware version?
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=369528&postcount=39

Great, thanks!

=aw

Oh man you must be kidding. Jazzy?
It looks like these color schemes were developed 10 years ago.
I'm not asking for SA to do anything radical and invent a new interface just copy what Apple or TIVO have done and update the interface - hey maybe just to 1999.
I think a summer student could improve the interface 1000%.

Unfortunately SA doesn't have to do anything, the client interface is less important to them since we have to have the box. Their clients are the cable companies, not the consumer (us).

If there were other options (via CableCard for example) then I think you would see the interface take on a more important role.

My SA8300HD with 1.88.19.1 SARA software version has the following Color Schemes:

Boardwalk
BallPark
Roller Rink
Aquarium
Campground
Town Square
Golf Course

Some of the above are conservative, others exciting and some can be quite jazzy. Don't see any problem, if this is what you are talking about.

Latest news I got from one of the Rogers executives is December for the update to 1.88.

Latest news I got from one of the Rogers executives is December for the update to 1.88.

Yeh! It's HammerTime, dum dum de dum, de dum, de dum. Sure hope you're right. This isn't going to help my TV addiction any though.
Thanks!

Latest news I got from one of the Rogers executives is December for the update to 1.88.

Does this mean we have to go through the reprogramming of our time-slot timers again for the upcoming switch from daylight savings? I believe the new firmware would have fixed that issue. (see http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=40069)

Latest news I got from one of the Rogers executives is December for the update to 1.88.

You mean the latest forecast for when the date will be bumped into 2007? :)