Taking the sticky off.

Does anyone else have this problem: when I go to use the guide in the evening (usually around 10pm or later), a lot of the slots are blank. When I go upstairs and check my SD box, it is fine and all the guide details are there.

Do a cold reboot of the STB (unplug, wait a few seconds/replug). The guide should return to normal the following day after the IPG is downloaded at midnight.

Note that the IPG/Channel realignment is underway in various areas, so there could be various issues for the next week or so. See/post in the alignment thread for any issues related to that aspect.

I was just wondering if any body else has this problem.
I have the rogers explorer 3250 HD cable box and have been using
the HDMI cable for the last 6 years when all of a sudden I lost my
HDMI signal. I've Tried rebooting,changing the cable around,and making sure all the connections were not loose and still no signal.Could it possibly be a faulty cable box? Im getting frustrated.

That box should have other connections, such as compontent, S-Video, composite etc. Do they work? Do you have another HDMI device you can test with? A bad cable is always a possibility.

Use component video to see if it works. If it does, then it's probably the cable, or an electrical connection at a port. The 3250HD doesn't have HDMI at the STB end, how have you changed the cable around? See the following post on HDMI issues, with a list of things to check at the end:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=71112


And the following useful post for those new to the forum - FAQs, Search Tips, Optimization, etc:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741

Do you mean you're using a DVI-HDMI cable? If you're renting it from Rogers, just get it replaced.

I upgraded to an HD set top box (free for 12 months) but when I went to pick it up they would only give me a 3250 (lots of 4250s in a big pile, but only for purchasing). I grumbled and complained a bit but in the end took it home. Of course as soon as I got home I remember why I wanted the HDMI connection (other than saving a couple of wires for audio).

I've got component cables coming for the Wii, and the other component input is being used by the DVD/VCR combo. With the 3250 using the second component inputs I'll have to leave the Wii plugged in where it is now -- using the side input (ugly).

So the other option (which the guys at the desk suggested) is to use the DVI out and an adapter (I'm getting an HDMI cable in the same order as the Wii components).

What's the 3250 like using DVI to HDMI? Are there any issues I should be aware of? The TV is very recent, so I'm hoping there won't be any HDCP issues.

I ran DVI/HDMI with the 3250HD to my upstairs TV for a while. No issues. Of course you'll need to connect the analogue audio cables for audio, to the HDMI input that has analogue audio inputs associated with it, assuming you're using the TV for audio. DVI doesn't carry audio from STBs.

You didn't mention the make/model of TV, nor if you're using an AVR.

Usually best to use a DVI/HDMI cable, instead of an adapter. The cables can often be as inexpensive as an adapter.

No issues whatsoever. In fact, I do like DVI since it only supports RGB colorspace (no YCbCr) ;)

Aside from the very infrequent (and seemingly random) HDMI handshake issues I ran into between the STB and my TV, I didn't have any problems with the 3250 for the 4+ years I was using it (Rogers swapped it out for a 4250 last summer).

Sorry the TV model is mentioned in the other thread I was just in (32AV502R). No, I'm not using an AVR. As for the cables, I had already ordered the HDMI cable (thinking I would be getting the 4250 :( ) and I *think* the Rogers Counter guy was offering me a DVI/HDMI adapter.

Well I tried the DVI to HDMI and had two issues. The first was audio and after unsuccessfully trying every combination of output to input and flipping through various audio settings, I reached for the manual and discovered that I need a mini-stereo plug on the TV side. I might actually have an RCA to mini-stereo cable somewhere in the basement. The second problem was with 480i output. I typically prefer to pass the signal through unchanged to let the TV handle any de-interlacing or up-conversion required, but this was just horrible. The TV has no issues with 1080i, or 480p. I re-ran the 3250 setup and disabled the 480i output and everything was fine, but I'm still curious.

Has anyone had problems with 480i output from the 3250 using a DVD to HDMI adapter or cable?

most tv's do not properly handle 480i over Hdmi. its best to choose 480p like you did. my tv says it does not support 480i via hdmi but it still works, but im gona refrain from using it just incase.

HDMI Issues, comments FAQ:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=71112

I'm having audio issues. I've backed off using the HDMI to DVI until I can get the proper cable, so I'm back to using composites plus the red/white RCA audio cables. Thing is, the audio volume control on the 3250 is not responding at all. Tried it from the Harmony, the original remote for the 3250 and even the front panel buttons. I press the buttons and the volume doesn't change, and there is no visual indication of the volume going up/down on the screen. I've got the TV volume up almost to max and could barely hear anything. I changed the audio raange settings on the 3250 to Wide and that boosted it to a point where it's not too bad. But now if the kids siwtch over to the Wii (and forget to first turn the volume down) it will shake to walls.

I never had this problem with the 2000 (and I don't have it with the 8300 downstairs). Is there some setting that I could have inadvertently tweaked when I was trying out the DVI output? On the 8300, even if I was using the digital audio out (and the PVR volume control didn't change the volume on the TV) there was still a visual indication on-screen as to where the volume level was. On the 3250, like I said, I've got nothing.

Just to be clear, I don't believe it is a remote issue as I tried the buttons on the front panel of the 3250. I tried varying the fixed/variable audio setting, as well as the Narrow-Normal-Wide setting described above.

Now, I haven't had the 3250 long enough to say whether the volume is lower now than the first time I plugged it in (perhaps it's always been that low).

try changing variable audio to fixed audio.

Yes, that's been tried (check the post above yours).

Cold reboot of STB, use variable volume, use the narrow setting for the maximum volume on your TV, Check cables. The "CBL" light should light when you press the volume button to control the volume on the STB. If it doesn't, what does light?

I don't recommend you use the variable volume on the STB if you're going to stick with these connections as this lowers the S/N Ratio. You should instead use fixed and control the TV volume. You can programme the Rogers remote to control the TV volume - check the operating manual for the remote.