For those with the AT-2000, do you find that you have to aim the remote more towards the set top box in order for the channels to get registered? Also the channel up down button is smaller, and at least to me, seems less responsive.

M23

I just posted about the remote and cables in another thread. Yes neither are the best in the world, but that is expected when the STB itself has the build quality of a $60 VCR. I don't expect them to inlude a $400 remote or $400 cables with it!

I have also learned, with the newer remote, to watch the red activity LED in my peripheral vision. I initially thought the STB had a poor response or the remote a poor range, but when the red LED lights it always works. I was simply not pressing the buttons hard enough.

Because I had sent an e-mail a while ago, with the list of "issues", they sent me an e-mail response asking me to talk to someone in technical about these issues further. I spent 1/2 hour with a patient CSR - Jason, going over the list. Here are the issue Rogers is aware of:

1. Black Level - to be fixed in next firmware (no ETA).

2. Audio/Video Dropouts - either next firmware, or before. Ch 177 already working fine...

3. Improper/No Zooming - known issue.

6. CC not on all HD channels. - known issue. Rogers believes this is an issue with the original provider CTV, Discovery, TMN, etc.

Jason was kind enough to "log" a couple of the other issues

4 Pass-through forgotten on reboot.

5. 480P setup wizard - counter intuititive.

Let's see how well they do, now that they know all this...

For those with the AT-2000, do you find that you have to aim the remote more towards the set top box in order for the channels to get registered? Also the channel up down button is smaller, and at least to me, seems less responsive.

M23

As I had mentioned, I've had this remote (Shhhhhhh, 3 of them actually but don't tell anyone .... it's a long story :-) )for about 5 years and swear by them. I also have 3 of the old 3 button ones for the other STB's in the house. I don't find the sensitivity to be any different between the models.

In checking the online owners manual for the SA3270HD that I am patiently waiting for, I notice the remote looks identical to the AT2000's I have now, but have are model #AT2004. Maybe it's a slight improvement internally. When I get the new box, I'll obviously be keeping at least 2 of the old remotes and will do a thorough comparison.

I know this was mentioned in another thread, but all of this is ample reason why STBs are the way to go for MANY years to come.

In computing: Would you buy a 1920x1200 flat panel monitor with a built-in, non-hardware upgradeable computer? Why not?

In A/V: Would you buy a 1920x1080 flat panel TV with a built-in non-hardware upgradeable computer (tuner, decoder, IPG, VOD, etc)?

As has been said. A/V stuff are increasingly becoming computers. That means all the same issues. Crashes, bugs, and quick obsolesence. Especially during the first few moments of this brave new world.

Imagine all these problems in a new TV.

Think someone's ever going to rent you the exchangeable innards of a TV for $15 a month?

Anyone with 3250 finding Right Channel audio only on ABC Channel 281 on non HD programming? With some HD (such as Jurasic Park III right now) what must be 5.1 audio is fanstatsic. All other digital, HD and analogue channels are fine.

Also audio out of sync at times on HD signals. this seems to vary throughout the program from in sync to way out.

Are you 100% certain that your left channel is working with 5.1 audio?

Audio/video sync has been a pretty big issue with DTV from day one. The problem has been improved considerably (through education), but it's still not always perfect.

I bought a HDTV a couple of weeks ago. I intended to subscribe to Roger’s HD until I read about the issues associated with the new SA3250HD. I called Rogers concerning these very issues. Spoke to a couple of representatives and they were aware of the problems and are presently working to solve them but had no ETA as to when they will be resolved. The service representative’s solution was to get the HD STB now and apply the firmware fix when available, say what! I have a feeling it will be sometime before I can view HD on my new set.

By the way, I’m a new member and this forum is very relevant (Canadian) and informative.

You don't need to do anything for the firmware upgrade. Rogers sends them out over the line transparently to you.

The box will need to be off for the upgrade to happen but other than that you shouldn't need to do anything special.

I would go ahead and get the box now. Even with the reported issues the PQ is still much better than anything you have ever seen on TV, assuming you haven't seen HD before.

I agree. The only REAL problem I have is FOXHD comes up too dark.

I'd take a 3250HD over no HDTV anyday!! It's a very decent piece of hardware, really. Just not exactly flawless at this point.

Issue 2 fixed?

When I tuned to the various channels that had the audio/video dropouts every 23 seconds (103, 110, etc) the dropouts appear to be gone. I didn't tune to the channels for an extended period, but I did tune to each one for at least a minute. Good for Rogers to fix one of the issues on this STB, especially when they were probably also pretty busy with the SA8000 PVR Leap Year Issue.

We can expect perfection, but we all know it's not going to be there. How a company responds to issues is important and I think that Rogers (and SA) responded pretty quickly (in about a day) to the Leap Year issue on the STB, while also continuing to address other ongoing day to day operations.

Although some people were very displeased (understandably), I thought the response was pretty good. Some companies, that are often discussed on this forum, would probably not have reacted as quickly, especially for a customer base that's probably pretty small - how many SA8000s do you think are in the field?

The firmware version on the SA3250HD has not changed, but a patch may have been downloaded - who knows...

I still get drop-outs on all the Galaxie and Max trax music channels. I called again yesterday, just to see if any progress was being made, and after checking with the department that handles troubleshooting for this box, the CSR told me they had never heard of this problem.
Katokat.

turned on 3250 last night all digital channels blank- un plugged and re plugged box - they came on!
so if unplugging and repowering box has to be done so often why don't they just put a reset swith on it??

does anyone here know if the 8000HD will also convert all digital channels
to analog like the 3250hd does and does it also run all audio over the digital output- can't seem to find the definitive answer.

why don't they just put a reset switch on it
See the HT FAQ on the SA STB. There is a button sequence for "reset". No need to unplug.

http://www.digitalhomecanada.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=57

if the 8000HD will also convert all digital channels to analog like the 3250hd does
I assume you mean convert HD to SD. I would assume that it does, but we can confirm when it comes out.

It's possible that the problem with audio on those channels was corrected by changing something on the encoders.

Another issue? - When I recorded several HD programmes last night to my VCR, or even just viewing them "through" the VCR for "testing". I get a random "clicking" sound on the programme (not from the STB). Sounds like a "static" charge or something. It happens every few seconds. Same thing this afternoon.

This doesn't happen when recording SD, but it happens on all the HD channels through the VCR - I checked. Anyone else notice this, I believe this is a recent problem, but couldn't swear to it because I've only taped an HD channel for a "test" before.


As to the random audio dropouts that still exist, SA is aware of this issue and is working on a fix.... I had about 1/2 dozen (each) audio and video dropouts in an hour last night. Weird thing is, sometimes I can watch for an hour or two without a single dropout.

Yesterday the sound kept dropping out on 280 demo while trying to show-off to a guest :roll:

Last night I had tons of dropouts where the sound did not return and nasty distortions on TMN-HD during The Sopranos :x and it was also out of sync.

And I never had any dropouts before with this new box.

280 has been terrible with sound drop outs lately
last night Geoge Harrison Concert on PBS looked great but had numerous
drop outsand 1/2 black screens

I hope that people are e-mailing their issues or calling the technical help line regarding these issues as they arise. (I'm not talking about the people who always call in) however, the more people that complain, the sooner we may get these issues resolved.

Rogers is getting "tired" of hearding from me. :wink: