once again i headed to rogers this weekend to make my 3rd HD box swap. they didn't have any pace boxes as usual but after being through 2 already i was ready to try an SA box. unfortunately it means i have a useless HDMI cable but maybe not for long.

the girl at the desk told me that it wasn't uncommon for people returning pace boxes multiple times and making the switch to SA. as well all know, the SA does not support HDMI. she mentioned to me that they will have a new version of the Pace box soon but did not have an exact date. it will support HDMI.

anyone got any news on this model?

I'm assuming that you actually mean new SA STB since the Pace 551 already has HDMI?

no i actually don't. i believe her point was that people are unhappy with the current pace box and being forced to go to SA as that is the only option. i guess this box will have a bit more reliability along with the option of HDMI. i guess i should have said it will ALSO support HDMI.

The SA4250 with HDMI will be here soon.

How hard is it to get the pace box and how much is it.

I had the Pace 551 HD box for a few months a couple of years ago specifically to get HDMI. I did not have any problems with the box. I swapped it for an SA 8300HD PVR only because I wanted PVR; and it comes with HDMI.

As it happens, I have regular access to the Pace box again although I'm running it with component connections. I find the channel switching a tad slow and occasionally an HD channel freezes or doesn't "tune" so I get a blank screen until I back up and try again. These things could become annoying but they are infrequent -- certainly not enough for me to swap the box. I don't recall ever seeing this on the SA HD PVR or SA 3250HD box I have in my bedroom.

i could be wrong on the new box. i know she said pace, but then again this was a rogers CSR i was dealing with so i shouldn't take what they they say that seriously.