I have created this sticky thread to discuss the Rogers 8300HD firmware upgrade to V1.88 or higher.

The rumours are that the HD PVR firmware will be updated starting the week of January 8th. Since it will probably be staged, some will receive it before others so don't post saying, I haven't got it yet!

This thread is strictly for users who have received the firmware upgrade and can comment on any new functionality or issues.

DO NOT POST IN THIS THREAD UNLESS YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE UPDATE.


See the following post for changes as mentioned by people in this thread. The post will be updated periodically.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=490742&postcount=63


Those who don't have 1.89 can discuss here:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=40437

Last warning: Posting questions like "when am I going to get it?" or "when does it come out?" will only get you an infraction and a possible suspension of your account!

From an internal Rogers memo.

From January 8 to 26, Rogers will remotely upgrade the Operating systems and SARA (Scientific Atlanta Resident Application) software on all Ontario Digital Terminals. This is done to ensure that Rogers Digital Terminals are operating within the same standard specifications as all Scientific Atlanta Digital Terminals across North America.

Background:
The Digital Terminal software is being upgraded to:

* Correct a number of problems with the current version of the software including:
o PVR recordings still in progress return to live TV when the recording ends
o Reduce PVR recording failures
o Missing diagnostic screen information
* Allow Digital Terminals to support the upcoming changes to Daylight Savings Time
* Ensure that our Digital Terminals meet Scientific Atlanta North American standard specifications
* Improve support for future OS/SARA upgrades

Upgrade Schedule - During extended maintenance window each day (12am - 8am)

Date; DNCS; Region

January 8 - 12; DNCS E; Richmond Hill, Woodbridge, Thornhill, Markham, Barrie and Scarborough

January 15 - 19; DNCS A; GTA Central, Mississauga, Brampton, Pine Ridge, Ajax, Oshawa and Newmarket

January 22 - 26; DNCS B; South West Ontario - London/Kitchener and Ottawa

How will the upgrade be implemented:

* The upgrade will be implemented in a phased approach (by DNCS and Digital Terminal type)
* Initially, the download will use the "Trickle" method. The download begins automatically after a Digital Terminal is turned off for two or more minutes
* Terminals that are not turned off by 2AM will receive a "Forced Download" which will force a Terminal reboot and begin the download
* A small segment of older legacy Digital Terminals on DNCS E will be upgraded first to identify and resolve problems before upgrading a larger number of Digital Terminals
* If no problems are encountered the schedule for DNCS A and B may be compressed


Customer Impact:

* Customers who have a Digital Terminal that receives a "Forced Download" will experience a short service interruption while their Digital Terminal reboots
* With the upgrade customers may notice a slight adjustment to the brightness of your television picture
* If customers prefer the picture prior to the upgrade, they can change it by adjusting their televisions settings


Note:

* If customers need help with their television settings have customer refer to the manufacturer's manual. If they do not have one advise customer to check their TV manufacturers website for instructions on adjusting picture quality or getting their customer service phone number


Impact for installation technicians:

* Some Digital Terminals have not been staged with the upgraded software
* As a result, the upgrade will take place during the installation once the Digital Terminal has been connected
* This may increase the duration of an install by 10-15 minutes


How is Rogers ensuring that customers are not affected during this upgrade?

1. DSTB base segmentation - Rogers will segment the base by box type to ensure a reduced answer time if customers call about upgrade problems and to identify problems prior to rolling the upgrade out to all Digital Terminals.
2. Lab Testing - Prior to initiating the download, testing of every terminal type and revision has been completed in the test lab.
3. Trickle mode - will ensure that customer's viewing is not interrupted.
4. IVR/OUN messaging - will be used if required to inform customers of problems during the maintenance window should they contact Rogers about the upgrade.
5. Additional Staff - Rogers Call Centres have increased staff availability in order to better support customers throughout the upgrade.
6. Disable Brick mode - To ensure that customer terminals to do not default into Brick mode during the upgrade.
7. Onsite support - Scientific Atlanta, Rogers Digital Engineering, Rogers Network Operations (NNOC), and Customer Operations will all have onsite support throughout the upgrade process. Cross functional conference calls will be held daily to ensure all issues are escalated and resolved as quickly as possible.

There I was, just minding my own business surfing the internet at 4:20 am this morning, when I heard a "click". My box booted, counted down in hex from r400 (or so), said Proc, boot, the screen went blank and when it was done...

Voila!

First thing I noticed was the font on the channel description bar had changed. There's no longer bold on the date (Mon 5:00pm-5:00am)... instead the text is a bit larger and a bit squished so that the first line of text (program name) will actually hit the second line of text if the program name contains a character with a tail (y, p, etc.).

Yes, we have 4x FF and REW.

YES, BLISSFULLY, the "kick to live" is fixed! Yippee! Too bad I had to find out using an infomercial!

My standard definition PVR has:
PTV OS: OS, Home Server Edition 1.8
FLASH: DVR1.5.2_8300_MR.LR_F.p.0901
App(s): SARA v1.89.16.2

That's right! 1.89!

Note, I am in Keswick (which is a Barrie based feed). You will likely get yours according to the schedule above.

I'll let other, more patient and observant folk post more observations.

EDITS/Quick Hits:

The guide, unfortunately, has the same large, unbolded time. The time you are on doesn't "pop out" at you any more and the text in the upper right preview box just looks like a jumble as a result.
Categories (Talk Shows, Sci-Fi) are now shown in the description details of each show so that you can laugh at the fact "SHOPTV" is considered News.
Recording future-dated episodes provides options for those wanting to record both "Canadian Idol", "Red Green" and "Rick Mercer":

On this channel this day in this time slot
On this channel at any time
On this channel any day in this time slot

Play from beginning option when you select a currently recording program from your program list... though oddly not available when actually on the program (I thought I would be able to get to it by pressing "Stop"... nope).

I would like to confirm that Woodbridge has 1.89

I have the 8300HD and the following is the software version on my box:
PTV OS: OS, Home Server Edition 1.8
FLASH: DVR1.5.2_8300_MR.LR_F.p.0901
App(s): SARA v1.89.16.2

I was able to confirm all the new features that Apukwa describes above... looking forward to playing around with it more tonight.

I can confirm that Markham (Major Mack + Kennedy area) has 1.89:

PTV OS: OS, Home Server Edition 1.8
FLASH: DVR1.5.2_8300_MR.LR_F.p.0901
App(s): rtrvr v1.1.1 SARA v1.89.16.2

Fast-forward function how has a 4th arrow! Will play around with the DVR more later tonight.

I can confirm Richmond Hill (Bayview and Major Mackenzie) now has 1.89! WOO HOO!

Thanks Apukwa for all the information and thanks for the rest letting us know that this is reality.

Going forward lets keep the discussion on the actual specifics of the unit

Got 1.89.16.2 in Barrie this morning. Noticed a mess of new options in the settings section. One I like is an option to hide the Title and Description of blocked programs and listings. No more "Daddy.... whats that program... Debbie Does Dallas about.... that you recorded last night". :D

Program description for each show now shows in the upper left corner when the guide on the screen.

Program description is now available with the info button while you are watching a recorded program instead of only showing Channel 950 showing.

Also 4 arrows in FF/REW for 128X

I believe the search function was improved, letting you search by more than just the first letter. Can someone confirm this?

Also, wishful thinking, perhaps, but can you block adult-oriented material from *even appearing* in the guide/search?

I don't see any change in the search options.

Yes, if you block a rating, lets say PG-13, then all references anywhere in the system to any program with a PG-13 rating says "Title Blocked" until you enter the four digit code to unlock the system.

Excellent! With 4 very inquisitive kids this is great news (unless of course this has been in 1.87 all along, in which case this wouldn't be news a t all, and I would feel very sheepish).

I can confirm that here in Scarborough we have the new firmware update! Victoria Park and Kingston Road. Still says firewire is disabled though, but instead of saying in the pink writing it used to say it in it is now in white. Does this mean anything?

As a side note, after receiving the SARA upgrade this morning, I did NOT have to recalibrate my television. I was under the impression that this upgrade was supposed to give a brighter picture but it appears to be the exact same as it was before.

Not sure if it's just my television (40 inch Samsung LCD) or the fact that I'm connected through HDMI. Regardless, I was able to save time by not having to tweak with the settings! Anyone else have a similar experience?

Numerous posts deleted and infractions issued.

Post #1 was very clear

This thread is strictly for users who have received the firmware upgrade and can comment on any new functionality or issues.

DO NOT POST IN THIS THREAD UNLESS YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE UPDATE.

My fault Hugh. Those posts which could be answered by people with 1.89 were moved here by me, hoping to avoid the confusion of three threads on the same topic, I've created more confusion.

No need to apologize 57! Anyone have a grievance about this, then contact me and I will sort it out.

In the meantime, this thread is for those that have received the update ONLY and can give others their impressions and findings.

One new minor feature that I quickly noticed was that, if you enter a channel number that doesn't exist, rather than flashing ??? in the channel number field and then doing nothing, it instead switches to the next channel above the channel you requested.

This I like because sometimes I don't remember which exact channel number I'm looking for, but remember it's in some range (ie. it's around 260 or so); so I enter 260, only to have it flash ??? and do nothing--instead I'd like it to advance to channel 263 and let me search from there. Which the new firmware does. Yay! :)

Note that the above numbers are made-up, as I'm not sure if 260-262 are active channels or not.

When switching from live TV to a previously recorded program, the channel indicator does not change
to 950. It remains where it was before switching.
This might cause some confusion.

I got it this morning (Kennedy and 14th Ave. in Markham). It does everything as advertised.

- KJ

In this new version, does the PVR remember the viewing position of all the shows recorded? For instance in the past, if I watched 10 minutes of Recorded Show #1, then later watched another Recorded Show, then go back to Recorded Show #1, it would not resume but rather start again from scratch. :rolleyes: