Channel Master 7000PAL, CM TV, CM7400 DVR's

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by Jase88

^^^ Even if it's energy consumption is on par with other devices, excessive heat is a problem. It will definitely lead to premature component failure. And it would definitely lead to processing errors that will contribute to the quirky performance issues noted in the review.

Agreed. That is why I said, "The key is what you do with that heat." Just letting it accumulate is not good for the reasons you mentioned.

[Jase88]

jft436, so CM TV is not a requirement? Good to know. But it sounds like TVGOS is not available on this device; just PSIP. The former, available OTA for free to viewers, provides 7 days of programming data from host OTA stations.

[capricasix]

I have just installed the Channel Master 7400 PVR (OTA setup is Antennas Direct DB4e on the roof, receiving about 30 channels). Channel 29/WUTV comes in fine when input goes directly to the TV, but when input goes through the CM box, the channel doesn't come in at all. Anyone else have this type of problem?

[roger1818]

capricasix, The CM-7400 will have an internal 3-way splitter to share the signal with the two internal tuners and the RF-out port. This splitter will likely have about 6dB of signal loss. You can overcome this loss (as well as any cabling loss) by adding a good quality pre-amp to your antenna. See the thread Signal Amplifiers (Amps, Preamps, Distro Amps) - See Chart in Post #1 for details, recommendations and further discussion.

[Steve Smart]

The latest firmware update decreased tuner sensitivity (confirmed by CM) somewhat, so if Fox 29 is close to the margin on your TV the CM-7400 may now be just under the line. I have definitely seen this happen on my rig.

Another possibility is multipath, perhaps from trees. The CM-7400 is not as good at decoding signals as some other devices I've tried.

Apparently the previous firmware can be re-installed, but then you'll be stuck with the "jump-to-the-end-of-the-program-when-you-hit-commercial-skip" bug.

Unfortunately, the CM-7400 uses a wildly inaccurate, nearly useless bar graph for signal strength.

Good luck.

[paulfromottawa]

I have owned a 7000PAL for over a year now and, except for the occasional buggy behaviour, am quite content with it. Now, I want to buy a second DVR to give to a friend (either give him the new one or the old one). I have narrowed it down to two choices: an open-box 7000PAL (which is apparently still available), or a 7400.

Given the small difference in price, it would seem to make more sense for me to go with the newer technology (7400), but not if it ends up being even less reliable than the 7000PAL. Essentially, all I'm looking for is basic OTA recording and live buffering. I would propbably go for TVGOS if it was available in Canada (I live in Ottawa) but would hardly ever use the over-the-internet video aspect (such as VUDU) even if it was available in Canada.

Given my needs, this is what I see as the benefits in moving to the 7400:
1) Possibility of future firmware updates clearing up the remaining issues with the 7400 (there does not appear to be any future update ever coming for the 7000PAL).
2) Possibility of the eSATA drive port eventually being enabled for expanded recording room.
3) Possibility of a future TVGOS like service being available in Canada.
4) WIFI support is a definite improvement over having to run an ethernet cable to the device (but only useful to me if TVGOS, VUDU, etc were to become available in Canada).

My main question is for those who have used the 7000PAL as well as the 7400: Is there any loss of functionality when going from the 7000PAL to 7400? For example:
- Does the 7400 allow for slow-motion palyback?
- For channels that don't send OTA program info (PSIP), is manual recording (via the "timers" menu on the 7000PAL) as flexible on the 7400 (essentially manually setting start/stop time & channel and manually labelling the program once it's recorded) ?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Jase88]

TVGOS is available in Canada. Ottawa has a host station for this service. Channel Master just doesn't support Canadian postal codes for TVGOS.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by paulfromottawa

4) WIFI support is a definite improvement over having to run an ethernet cable to the device (but only useful to me if TVGOS

TVGOS does not need Ethernet or WiFi. It is carried by one of the local broadcasters (in Ottawa both CJOH and CHRO carry it according to rabbitears.info).

[capricasix]

Thanks, Roger and Steve

[paulfromottawa]

Thanks Jase88 and roger818 for setting me straight on TVGOS. Because it was asking for a ZIP code, I had erroneously assumed it was going to a server on the internet to get the program data for that ZIP code.

I've done a factory reset on my 7000PAL and gave it the ZIP code nearest to Ottawa (13669 - Ogsdenburg NY, at least 100Km from Ottawa). There is no "TV Guide" logo on the program guide yet. I'll give it 24 hours...

By the way, since the TVGOS data is sent OTA by one of the local stations, why does the DVR need a ZIP code in the first place? And can the choice of the particular ZIP code cause it not to work at all?

Thanks again for your help.

[roger1818]

I am not sure, but I think the DVR needs a ZIP code so that it can select the correct "market code" if you can receive stations with different TVGOS listings. As a result, I would suspect that if you choose the wrong ZIP code, it won't work as it won't be able to find guide data with the correct code.

[Steve Smart]

paulfromottawa:

Your general assessment of the 7400 is pretty much spot on. Just substitute "CM-TV subscription listings service" for TVGOS in your notes.

With the 7000, the zip code identifies the market, and therefore the stations you can get listings for. Using a Buffalo zip code from here in Toronto, there are several Toronto stations missing data. But if I run the signal through the CM-7000 to an old analog DVR with TVGOS and use a local postal code, TVGOS provides all the Toronto stations and omits several Buffalo ones. Same device, same TVGOS carrier, but two different sets of data.

With the Ogsdenberg zip code, you're only going to get data on a few stations - generally any Ottawa stations carried by U.S. cable providers.


Comparing the two devices:

Basic features for setting up and viewing recordings are much the same.

If you set up a recording from the listings grid, both machines will name the recording properly. However, the 7400 names all manual recordings as "Manual Recording 8/08 9PM" or some such. It does not allow you to rename them, either before or after.

The 7400 has more advanced search features, but they're pretty much useless without the subscription listings service.

If you set up a 7400 recording as Daily, Weekly, or Series, nothing will appear in the Scheduled Recordings list until the show appears in the PSIP listings. The 7000's Timers list shows all future recordings and corrects the name as updated PSIP/TVGOS info allows.

The 7000 regularly seeks out and updates the PSIP info on an unattended machine, but the 7400 often does not update PSIP until after you turn it on and scan through the channels. This makes manual recording mandatory if you're going to be away from the machine for a while.

[DrSat]

Originally Posted by paulfromottawa

I have owned a 7000PAL for over a year now and, except for the occasional buggy behaviour, am quite content with it. Now, I want to buy a second DVR to give to a friend (either give him the new one or the old one). I have narrowed it down to two choices: an open-box 7000PAL (which is apparently still available), or a 7400.

Given the small difference in price, it would seem to make more sense for me to go with the newer technology (7400), but not if it ends up being even less reliable than the 7000PAL.

If you have a choice between the 7000 and the 7400, go with the 7000 as the 7400 has two severe hardware design flaws which most likely can't be corrected via any firmware update!

These are:

- Unit runs VERY HOT up to the point that it can be a fire hazard if installed in a closed area. The high heat during normal operation will cause premature failure of some internal components over time.

- Two tuners are fed via an internal 3 way splitter with about 6dB loss so many channels that normally come in fine on a regular tuner won't even scan in on the 7400. Adding a preamp such as the CM-7777/8 sometimes helps if your signal is strong enough but this can also cause local stations to overload the tuner if you are close to one of the transmitters.

We were carrying the 7400 for a few months when it first came out but had to discontinue carrying it as there were WAY too many customer returns due to these issues.


Regards,

Dr. Sat

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by Steve Smart

Using a Buffalo zip code from here in Toronto, there are several Toronto stations missing data. But if I run the signal through the CM-7000 to an old analog DVR with TVGOS and use a local postal code, TVGOS provides all the Toronto stations and omits several Buffalo ones. Same device, same TVGOS carrier, but two different sets of data.

What makes you think it is the same TVGOS carrier? I would have thought the Buffalo zip code would use TVGOS data from WNED-TV (market #54) and the local (Toronto?) postal code would use data from either CKVR-TV or CFTO-TV (market #901).

[Steve Smart]

By the way, since the TVGOS data is sent OTA by one of the local stations, why does the DVR need a ZIP code in the first place?

There's the rub. Even though there are local Canadian stations that send out TVGOS data, your 7000-PAL is going to ignore them and get its listings from the carrier station in Ogdensburg. According to Channel Master, you live in New York State.

Speaking of which - is there a TVGOS carrier in Ogdensburg? If not you won't be receiving any info. www.rabbitears.info doesn't show a station there, or for Watertown. Can you receive a CBS affiliate? They're the most likely carrier, with PBS also a possibility. If you have reception, use a zip code close to the carrying station.

The inability to use a postal code instead of a zip has hindered the usefulness of the 7000-PAL, and is also the reason the 7400's subscription listings service is not available in Canada.