Rogers 8642 HD (Nextbox) PVR Owners Thread: Read post #1 )

[57]

Shabbs, were you able to go into the setup menu to do that? Are you sure your HD channels are being viewed properly and not stretched by the TV or by the # button on the STB remote? Can you see the logos properly on HD channels - many of them are on the edge of what would be the 4:3 frame, although some are at the edge of 16:9?

[shabbs]

57 - yes, I did that all via the setup menu when I got the PVR. All logos and "hd bugs" show up fine on the HD channels, nothing is cropped off. I don't have the # button programmed on my Harmony Remote so I grabbed the original Rogers remote in my drawer and checked by hitting the # sign. It is set to "normal" aspect ratio as per the screen info.

I then checked my Sharp TV settings and they are set to "stretch" so that may explain what I am seeing. But, oddly enough, if I set the Sharp TV to either "stretch" or "dot by dot" on an HD channel and then switch to a SD channel, I get the pillars on the left and right. If I set it to "stretch" on an SD channel (like CP24), it stretches the SD channel but leaves the HD channels alone. Seems like odd behaviour and it depends on the source where I set the mode. Note - that was all done with the PVR setting to "stretch".

It would seem my Sharp TV is doing it automatically when it detects a 4:3 signal and leaving the widescreen channels untouched as they show up normally, but only if I set the TV to "stretch" mode when on an SD channel first.

[57]

Thanks for the details. It's one of several possibilities. The PVR may be sending a 480i/p signal for the SD channels, in which case the behaviour is normal as mentioned earlier - lots of TVs stretch SD signals by default.

Or the TV has a "black bar" detection system, where the TV stretches the image when it sees black bars, even when receiving 1080i signals for the SD channels because they are upconverted by the PVR.

Pretty easy to check regarding the SD channels - by the display on the front of the PVR (480i?) or via pressing "info" or similar button on the TV remote to see the incoming signal format.

TVs that automatically stretch when they see black bars usually have a minor delay when switching channels or when coming back from a commercial - the programme will be improperly displayed for a little while, while the TV detects the black bars and then "snaps" to the stretch or not stretch depending. This would be covered in the operating manual.

[shabbs]

I did check and when on an SD channel, the TV output indicates 480i, so the PVR must be sending an SD signal to it, which the TV is handling automatically as it should. When I flip back to an HD channel, it indicates 1080i as the input signal as you suggested.

[57]

Interesting that with HDMI you have been able to get 480i output for SD channels from the 8642. I thought people were having difficulty making that stick. Perhaps that's only with the new firmware? (yes, I think it's with the new firmware because the IPG is HD and must be output at only one format.)

Therefore Maasai, you may be able to get back to the way you had the 8300HD set up on the 8642 if you don't have the new firmware. However, for the best PQ, watch 4:3 as 4:3.

[Holmes108]

Originally Posted by shabbs

I have my 8642 setup as 1080i and in "stretch" mode. On the 4:3 channels like Treehouse and CP24, they fill the screen and are stretched with no pillars showing. On HD channels, they are shown properly as HD channels and not "zoomed". Is mine behaving differently? This was how I had my 8300HD configured to behave as well. HDMI connections all around for mine too.

Mine behaves this way too. Essentially, "Stretch" has no effect on HD channels, although the 2 zooms do.

Well, technically, I'm sure stretch is working.... but the net effect is nil, as there's nothing to stretch. (although it also doesn't let you stretch a 4:3 program being broadcast in HD, which is bad news for the "stretchers".)

Edit: I don't use stretch myself, I just checked it out after reading your post. So I can't really say if this is different than the behavior of the old boxes/firmware.

[Maasai]

Thanks all. I don't think I have the option to go to 480, on the box itself the readings don't show (480/720/1080). I see the power on green light and the red record light.

On another note, is it normal for the pvr to be so "slow" when going through the guide and recording/playback menu? My old 8300 would move as I pressed the arrows but the 8642 has a delay of a few seconds with every move or selection. I have to say, besides the added hd space I'm pretty disappointed with this box.

[TL_Gator]

I'm adding an AirPort Extreme (to act as a bridge in order to use Ethernet instead of wifi for Apple TV3, Onkyo AVR and PS3) and Apple TV3 to my home theatre. Problem is I only have 1 unused plug on my monster power centre, therefore I'm missing 1. I noticed that the back of the 8642HD has a power outlet - can I use this to plug in something from my home theatre?? Does it act as a normal AC plug?

[57]

There is usually a wattage limit shown on the outlet, so you shouldn't plug in anything that uses too much electricity, but something like the Extreme should be fine. Be aware that the outlet may be "switchable", so you need to ensure that option is "always on" in the user setup menu (settings?) for the 8642, unless you want it to turn on/off with the STB. Nothing available on the back of the Onkyo?

[TL_Gator]

Thx. I don't remember seeing any options ("always on") in the 8642 for this, but I'll have to look at it tonight.. because I do want to make sure the outlet is always on.

I'm thinking of plugging in the Apple TV - I've seen lots of comments that it doesnt consume much power at all, so that should work ok.

Unfortunately there is none on the back of the Onkyo TX-NR809.

[wysiwyg]

I used to have my Apple tv plugged to it and wondered why it powered itself on each night. I then realized that when ever the STB reboots (which occurs each night lately) the power is lost on that outlet during that process. So don't plug something you don't want to hard reset !

[vmpv]

Sorry if this has been answered before but I did try reading most of the comments here and in the WHPVR thread and didn't find an answer.

I have an existing pre-netbox Cisco 8642 that hasn't had the new firmware installed. I would like to purchase a second 8642 but don't necessarily want to do the WHPVR yet. All the new boxes are labelled Netbox but will they work in a non-whpvr setting without rolling back firmware etc? Am I just going to be able to phone in and add the new box to my account as a stand-alone unit until/if I get the urge to go the WHPVR route?
I know what the FS/BB guys are going to tell me.

I know the answer should be "yes" but when it comes to dealing with the amount of beta testing the public is expected to do these days, nothing surprises me anymore. Why am I expecting a lot of "yes, but..." answers?

[Matrix929]

Vpmv yes you can use them individually WHPVR is an option not mandatory.

[slyboy]

VMPV - you could always purchase an 8642HD off the classified sites that never had the firmware updated. Just make sure it is a box that is designated for the network you are putting it on (ie. Rogers)

[yyzlhr]

That is not necessary. All 8642s can be rolled back to the SARA firmware. In addition, WHPVR is not enabled without a tech roll. VMPV, if you want SARA on your box make sure you tell the rep that activates the box. By default the system forces reps to add the new firmware to all new Cisco terminals that are activated on ones account. A rep must go back in and remove the "NextBox" firmware code manually after the box has been activated on your account so if you don't request it right away, you'll have to call back in and might be stuck with the new firmware for a couple of days as the rollback doesn't always happen immediately.