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Shaw Direct 630 Official Problems / Issues / Resolutions Thread. Read posts 1, 2

418K views 1K replies 234 participants last post by  RuralRouter 
#1 ·
We have a thread on the owner experiences and several people mentioned they'd like to see an "issues" thread. Here it is.

Please try to limit discussion to "real" issues and possible resolutions, workarounds, etc.

Try not to post "I tried to record and it wouldn't. After a reboot, it recorded OK" since that's pretty self-evident.
 
#3 ·
Some Issues

Tuner lock-up
scheduled recordings do not record, even though the rec light(s) show on receiver. May be just a "fluke" but is happening often…
Workaround: reset receiver by pressing and holding front power button for 10 seconds

Skip Forward Rewinds
pressing the skip forward button the first time actually causes it to rewind slightly
Workaround: press skip forward again and it will actually go forward that time

Picture Freeze while Sound Continues
picture will freeze but sound will continue uninterrupted, no buttons will work and receiver will not turn off.
Workaround: reset receiver by pressing and holding front power button for 10 seconds

Guide Not Displaying NEW
guide does not show the NEW icon in show information for new episodes
Workaround: set recordings to All
 
#16 ·
Picture Freeze while Sound Continues
picture will freeze but sound will continue uninterrupted, no buttons will work and receiver will not turn off.
Workaround: reset receiver by pressing and holding front power button for 10 seconds
This issue has proven very difficult to reproduce. For those that have seen this, if you could provide the following information it may help narrow down the cause:

1) What channel were you watching? (HD/SD)
2) What date/time did the issue occur?
3) Were you watching live TV, time-delayed (LOD), or a recorded program?
4) Where there background recordings going on at the same time?
5) How are you connected to your TV?
6) What are your current Video Settings in OPTIONS 4-5? (Output Format, 4x3 Override, TV Type)
7) When the issue occurred, were you still able to access Options/Guide/etc? Or was the entire system locked up?
8) What was done to resolve the issue?

Guide Not Displaying NEW
guide does not show the NEW icon in show information for new episodes
Workaround: set recordings to All
This is unfortunately an issue with the data the broadcasters send in to the Guide Data providers (which feeds all providers in North America). If you can provide specific examples, we will do our best to follow-up!
 
#4 ·
Couple more issues, no workarounds

"Sticky Remote:" Acts as if button on remote is stuck until you press another button. ie Press "7" - receiver acts as if you are pressing 7.7.7.7.7. Also happens with "skip forward".

Recording Reset: When trying to skip forward and then skip back to pass commercials the show either restarts from the beginning or stops playing altogether and must be restarted.
 
#17 ·
"Sticky Remote:" Acts as if button on remote is stuck until you press another button. ie Press "7" - receiver acts as if you are pressing 7.7.7.7.7. Also happens with "skip forward".
Hi tico,

We've seen this during testing, but only when multiple remotes are being used at the exact same time in the same immediate area. It will affect both IR and UHF signals. The receiver will ignore commands not meant for their address (e.g. if you have the living room receiver set to address 0001 and the bedroom set to 0002), but they still receive these commands. If they get both commands at the exact same time, it can lead to this issue.

Does this match how you've been seeing this issue? Are two remotes being used at the exact same time in your house?
 
#6 ·
"Sticky Remote:" Acts as if button on remote is stuck until you press another button. ie Press "7" - receiver acts as if you are pressing 7.7.7.7.7. Also happens with "skip forward".
I've had that happen on mine as well and I use a Harmony 550 remote. So it seems like it's a box problem and not a remote problem. It happened twice in the first 3 days of me owning the 630.
 
#7 · (Edited)
- If three onetime recordings are set and they overlap at some point, after one of the recordings is over the 630 will start taping the third show.
Ie:
Show#1 starts @ 9pm until 11pm
Show#2 starts @ 9:30pm till 10:00pm
Show #3 starts @ 9:30pm till 12:00am.

Show#1 and show#2 will start taping at their respective starting time. When Show#2 is over the 630 will start taping show#3 (starts @ 10:00pm).

- When finishing watching a recorded show the 630 returns to the top of the pvr list instead of highlighting the watched show to allow it to be deleted.

- Any pvr maintenance is too slow. It takes more than 10secs to update any changes made (like set up new recording, deleting, changing priorities)

- in guide mode selecting a show to be recorded it should show the extra options window if the series recording is selected. Currently after selecting the show to be recorded as series, one has to click menu, scroll to pvr, scroll to pvr options, look for the added show and press enter to change the options like record new/all episodes, only XXX channel/HD only, etc. Too cumbersome and too slow.

- Search feature includes shows from unsubscribed channels and theres no way to determine visually that the listing is on an unsubscribed channel.

- Can't filter porn stuff from the search feature.
 
#20 ·
- If three onetime recordings are set and they overlap at some point, after one of the recordings is over the 630 will start taping the third show.
Ie:
Show#1 starts @ 9pm until 11pm
Show#2 starts @ 9:30pm till 10:00pm
Show #3 starts @ 9:30pm till 12:00am.

Show#1 and show#2 will start taping at their respective starting time. When Show#2 is over the 630 will start taping show#3 (starts @ 10:00pm).
Hi Ochato,

Under normal circumstances, this won't happen. The PVR will go based on the priority of each show and 1 of them would simply not be recorded (or get scheduled for a later time if you've allowed the PVR to do this).

PVR Planning may appear to behave funny if the Guide is not fully loaded. (You're basically asking the PVR to make decisions and planning based on incomplete information). Once the Guide is fully loaded, PVR Planning will automatically rerun and everything should be scheduled correctly.

In the above example, the shows may have been scheduled to start before the Guide had fully loaded. If you've been up and running for a couple of days, try this again. One of the shows will appear as a Conflicted Recording (with the "!") and will not recorded. (I just confirmed with Ninja Assassin (9pm-10:45pm), Living in Your Car (9:30-10:00PM), and Beverly Hills Cop II (9:30-12:00AM). Ninja Assassin is now marked as conflicted and will not be recorded.)

- When finishing watching a recorded show the 630 returns to the top of the pvr list instead of highlighting the watched show to allow it to be deleted.
I've been playing back shows all morning trying to reproduce this. Each time (from each of the 3 sort modes), the program is still highlighted when the recording ends and it returns to the PVR List. The only exception is when you start with the "Grouped by Program" mode, it will return with that programming grouping highlighted rather than the individual episode. Additionally, if new recordings have started while you're watching another one, it will be off by that number of recordings.

Is anyone else seeing this?

- Any pvr maintenance is too slow. It takes more than 10secs to update any changes made (like set up new recording, deleting, changing priorities)
When you're changing recording settings, the PVR needs to replan to update the changes. This involves going through each Recording Event and looking at 14 days of data times 300+ video channels. Each change made potentially affects another recording event, which affects another, which may then affect the first event (and so on). It takes a little while to run through all this and update the schedule.

- in guide mode selecting a show to be recorded it should show the extra options window if the series recording is selected. Currently after selecting the show to be recorded as series, one has to click menu, scroll to pvr, scroll to pvr options, look for the added show and press enter to change the options like record new/all episodes, only XXX channel/HD only, etc. Too cumbersome and too slow.
It's designed this way so you can schedule a whole bunch of series at once, and then go into PVR Options and make all the adjustments at once. When scheduling multiple series at the same time, you really appreciate this design versus some of the other PVRs out there!

- Search feature includes shows from unsubscribed channels and theres no way to determine visually that the listing is on an unsubscribed channel.
Simply select "View upcoming air dates". Airings that occur on unsubscribed channels are shown in gray.

- Can't filter porn stuff from the search feature.
Ensure that "Movie rating" is set to "Adult" and "Locked Programs" is set to "Hide". This will replace any programs with an Adult rating with "Parentally Locked".

Let us know if you're still having issues with any of the above (or anything new) and we'll do our best to explain or help resolve!
 
#8 · (Edited)
DISTORTED HD RECORDINGS

With the 0.13 firmware, every HD recording have random pixel glitch, more than once per minute. It's like when the signal is poor. But I have an average of 78 % signal and live tv is perfect.

The glitch are on the recording itself, if I rewind and play the same portion, the glitch is at the same spot.

Tried 6 different channels today, no matter if it's recording only 1 channel or two, the recording are bad.

Probably have to send the receiver back.


EDIT ; 30 minutes ago my receiver failed. It stop by itself and wont power back on. The receiver and the power supply were extremely hot when it stop. Call Shaw and they are sending a new one tomorrow with a return box. It may be the only bad receiver in the whole lot but it suck to wait again for the Puro guy.
 
#9 ·
A couple of Q's.

Regarding the guide not displaying NEW. This has been verified by more than one user. Is it intermittent? Is it true for all programs, or only missing on some? Has it recently been resolved? I find that my 630 is reporting NEW on some shows, so I'd like more info on what to look for.

Next possible glitch (I mentioned it in the owners thread, but..) PVR history goes up to 90 days - apparently recurring recordings will not trigger re-recording of the same episode of a show even when the (first) recording has been deleted from disk. However, in the "upcoming" list, the option to "do not record this program" just causes it to reschedule the same episode later on.
 
#22 ·
A couple of Q's.

Regarding the guide not displaying NEW. This has been verified by more than one user. Is it intermittent? Is it true for all programs, or only missing on some? Has it recently been resolved? I find that my 630 is reporting NEW on some shows, so I'd like more info on what to look for.
This is highly dependent on the individual network and program being broadcast. For regular scripted primetime programs, it's pretty close to 100% accurate. Reality TV shows and stuff that airs on the specialty channels can be a bit more dodgy. Your best bet is to setup the Recording Event however you want (new, channels, etc.), exit PVR Options (which saves the settings and replans accordingly), and then go back into PVR Options and select "View upcoming air dates" for the program in question.

You'll see from this menu exactly what is and isn't scheduled to be recorded and can adjust the Recording Event settings accordingly.

Note: Some programs don't have data a full 2 weeks out (Soap Operas are a good example) so may appear as expected for this week, but be a mess of recording conflicts and duplicates for next week. When updated data is provided by the broadcaster, the HDPVR will replan automatically and adjust the schedule accordingly. No intervention is required.

Next possible glitch (I mentioned it in the owners thread, but..) PVR history goes up to 90 days - apparently recurring recordings will not trigger re-recording of the same episode of a show even when the (first) recording has been deleted from disk. However, in the "upcoming" list, the option to "do not record this program" just causes it to reschedule the same episode later on.
Correct. The "Do not record this episode" option really means "Do not record this episode at this time on this channel". We just couldn't fit all that into the button ;)

So yes - if your Recording Event options allow, the PVR will reschedule that episode for a different channel and/or a different time.
 
#10 ·
DISTORTED HD RECORDINGS

With the 0.13 firmware, every HD recording have random pixel glitch, more than once per minute. It's like when the signal is poor. But I have an average of 78 % signal and live tv is perfect.

The glitch are on the recording itself, if I rewind and play the same portion, the glitch is at the same spot.

Tried 6 different channels today, no matter if it's recording only 1 channel or two, the recording are bad.

Probably have to send the receiver back.
JPQsat,

Could you please keep me posted when you get the new receiver and how it works out for you?
I have had the same problem as you. A few times now, specifically while watching the HD channels. Soft reboots seem to fix the problem for a little while than it acts up again. Signal strength is good at 92/88 on the lines. Now I am wondering if I should get a replacement.
 
#107 ·
Got the new receiver and a return box for the dead 630 today. I can't replicate the glitch with the new receiver and it run much cooler than the first one.

I suspect a bad chip or resistor in some receivers. I advice anyone with a receiver that have pixel hiccup and glitch to return their receiver for an replacement.
 
#11 ·
Guide Mismatch

I went to record American chopper last night and found some information mismatch. I did a search for the program with a title search. It came up fine and I was able to set the recording. When I went back to the actual guide it showed LA INK on during that time, but American Chopper was actually on. What Gives? I know that SD guide has kinda been wonky sometimes and I never paid much attention to it but I'm thinking this might cause a problem with a PVR.
 
#13 ·
I have also had blotchy pixelation during playback. But it it not limited to just HD channels. As with others, my signal is strong, >85, and when I replay, the blotch occurs in same spot.

When it happens, it occurs about every minute. But it does not happen all the time.
 
#14 ·
blotchy pixelations sounds like a hard-drive issue. Im sure that percentage wise, there are some 630's with harddrive failures 'out of the box'.

Doesnt make you feel any better, I know, but Im sure SD will replace them stat.

:eek:
 
#15 ·
Has anyone come across this icon in the links below? I have 2 programs with it on and you can't play it from that screen.You have to push the right arrow button next to the "enter" button to open a new window which allow you to play it.
Does it have anything to do with a power outage by any chance? Thanks.
http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af35/zebb2/Shaw6302.jpg
http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/af35/zebb2/Shaw6301.jpg
I set multiple timers last night to put the 630 through its paces. Turned the TV on today and get a blank screen. No sound or video but the receiver is on. Press the guide button and change channels and video and sound return.

Proceed to check my recordings and they are all there. Selecting "Watch this Recording" on any of them does nothing. None will play. No icons are beside any of the recordings.

Perform a soft reboot and same thing - recordings shown but none will play. Perform a hard reboot and now all my recordings have the icons shown above.

I absolutely, positively did not have any power failures last night. The 630 is on a UPS anyway.

I am afraid to say the firmware in the 630 is not ready for primetime. It is very buggy.
 
#18 ·
Picture Freeze while Sound Continues
picture will freeze but sound will continue uninterrupted, no buttons will work and receiver will not turn off.
Workaround: reset receiver by pressing and holding front power button for 10 seconds
1) I was watching 391 CTV Newsnet (SD)
2) Sept. 8th at approx. 8:17pm
3) Live TV
4) No
5) HDMI
6) 1080i, 4x3 override 480i, 16x9
7) Nope - entire system locked up - won't even turn off
8) power button 10 sec reset

*Note this was the same night that I experienced tuner lock-up (recordings not happening and had reset it prior to this problem.)


Guide Not Displaying NEW
guide does not show the NEW icon in show information for new episodes
Workaround: set recordings to Al
The show I noticed it on was Haven on Showcase HD. Prior to Labour Day it was displaying NEW, then the labour day episode was a repeat so of course it did not say NEW, but now the next two week's eps are not labelled NEW but they are NEW.
 
#21 ·
After stopping a recording, the screen zooms in really close so you can't see to delete recording.
Workaround: press one of the arrow buttons and screen snaps back to correct size.
This one is caused by having the 4x3 Override enabled, and will occur when playing back the "opposite" program type (e.g. you're tuned to an HD station and play back an SD recording, or vice versa). At the end of the playback, you're immediately going from 1 resolution to another and the graphics scaling hasn't updated.

Another workaround is to disable the 4x3 Override and use the ASPECT button to stretch the show instead. We're looking at other options right now to permanently work around or eliminate this issue!
 
#23 ·
Digitizing, etc.

Hi Everyone,

For anyone experiencing issues with digitizing or pixelation , we're interested in finding out the following:

A) What channel were you watching?
B) What date/time did the issue occur? Did it occur live, or on a recorded program?
C) Go back to the channel and access OPTIONS 4-7. Either T1 or T2 will be tuned to the station. What is the signal and ebno reading for this tuner?
D) Were there any background recordings occurring at the same time?
E) What was done to resolve the issue? (E.g. did changing channels and changing back fix it? Was a Front Panel Reset required? Etc.)

We'll keep you updated on anything we find out! Thanks!
 
#307 ·
Hi Everyone,

For anyone experiencing issues with digitizing or pixelation , we're interested in finding out the following:

A) What channel were you watching?
B) What date/time did the issue occur? Did it occur live, or on a recorded program?
C) Go back to the channel and access OPTIONS 4-7. Either T1 or T2 will be tuned to the station. What is the signal and ebno reading for this tuner?
D) Were there any background recordings occurring at the same time?
E) What was done to resolve the issue? (E.g. did changing channels and changing back fix it? Was a Front Panel Reset required? Etc.)

We'll keep you updated on anything we find out! Thanks!
A) What channel were you watching? 561 (Food Network)
B) What date/time did the issue occur? Did it occur live, or on a recorded program? October 2, 2010 from 09:40-09:50. Live
C) Go back to the channel and access OPTIONS 4-7. Either T1 or T2 will be tuned to the station. What is the signal and ebno reading for this tuner? T1: 65 9.3dB
D) Were there any background recordings occurring at the same time? No
E) What was done to resolve the issue? (E.g. did changing channels and changing back fix it? Was a Front Panel Reset required? Etc.) Happened intermittently. Didn't seem to happen after I changed channel to 560.
 
#25 ·
I would think that for reality TV, you should probably pick a channel and select record ALL. They are hardly ever repeated on the original channel, but may not get flagged as NEW. Especially shows that air more than once per week. (performance vs results shows)

My guess is that regular Prime Time shows would have cleaner data.
 
#26 ·
^ Yeah, for sure. I have several Prime Time shows setup flawlessly (The Office, House, etc), but I figure if Spike can setup Ultimate Fighter to 'New', so can Sportsnet.
Also, unfortunately SN does show alot of repeats of old 'Ultimate Fighter', so setting up the one channel & record all isn't the greatest option.
 
#27 ·
I've found that with "The Ultimate Fighter" as well. The problem with "record all" for that show is they constantly air old seasons as well so you get a ton of shows recorded besides just the one episode you want in the week. The other problem is Sportsnet never seems to air the show at the same time so you can't set a manual timer. Of course most of that is a Sportsnet issue not a 630 issue. I was hoping to see the "NEW" in the guide for it so I would have to track it down like my 530, but again it's not a problem with the 630.
 
#28 ·
Manual Timers

Because of the lack of "new" indicator in the guide, I set manual timers to record Market Call on Weekdays at 1 and Market Call tonight weekdays at 7. They recorded perfectly on Thursday but neither timer now appears. It did not record today at 1 and is not scheduled to record tonight at 7. I decided to go back and change to record all episodes but each repeat is set to record this weekend. Selecting "Do Not Record This Episode" takes 25 seconds to execute, but sill leaves the episode in the upcoming episode list. This should not be this difficult. Why can't I find the episode in the guide and tell it to record this show on weekdays? --- not well thought out at all.


Edit

Yet another soft reset has sped up this process but the lack of abilty to record certain shows at a certain time needs to be addressed.
 
#43 ·
Because of the lack of "new" indicator in the guide, I set manual timers to record Market Call on Weekdays at 1 and Market Call tonight weekdays at 7. They recorded perfectly on Thursday but neither timer now appears. It did not record today at 1 and is not scheduled to record tonight at 7. I decided to go back and change to record all episodes but each repeat is set to record this weekend. Selecting "Do Not Record This Episode" takes 25 seconds to execute, but sill leaves the episode in the upcoming episode list. This should not be this difficult. Why can't I find the episode in the guide and tell it to record this show on weekdays? --- not well thought out at all.


Edit

Yet another soft reset has sped up this process but the lack of abilty to record certain shows at a certain time needs to be addressed.
Manual record does the same for us. One recording and that's it!



One should also be able to indicate "pause" recording until xx date. Or start on xx date.
 
#30 ·
More problems

These are my problems copied over from the owners thread:

In the first day since activating and updating to 13, I have had the following problems:

1. Did not record a show last night. It was showing the date and time in the record options when I created the recording but no show recorded. Did 10 sec reset after. (Note to tico: There was an upcoming recording scheduled ... nothing wrong with my settings ... Record All New in HD)
2. This morning the list of recorded shows ony showed two shows and should have had four. After powering off the unit the remaining two recordings showed up in the list.
3. Crash/reboot while watching and recording a show this evening.

This is an upgrade from a 530 which had been working well since the last firmware update so I am sure that this is not install related.

Another observation: The list of shows that have already been recorded does not seem to be persisted on the hard drive. This means that after a reset, shows will be re-recorded again so it is imperative that the unit does not crash or you will end up with duplicate recordings. I could be wrong here but shows that I have already recorded, watched and deleted are being recorded again after the 630 has crashed/rebooted/reset.
 
#31 · (Edited)
More problems

I have three more quirks that lead to problems IMHO:

1. The PVR crashed again last night while recording a single program, Art Mann on HDNET. The one thing I noticed was there was quite a bit of pixilation before and after the crash in the recording. The crash reset the Hide Unsubscribed channels and they were showing again in the morning.

2. In the upcoming recordings, I have an entry called Manual Recording 0. When I select it, the detail shows Manual Recording 10429 and the Channel is 0 with a detail of -. When I press enter, it shows the menu with Do not record this episode and when I press it, the item is deleted from the list. When I exit and go back, there it is back again.

3. Survivor is scheduled to record 3 times in one night on Wed 22, First: 5:00PM CBSEHD, Second: 5:00PM GBL HD and Third: 8:00PM CBSWHD.

Note: The DVR crashing and having to soft resets to correct problems has huge implications for the scheduler given how the PVR persists what shows have been previously recorded!

Update: After giving the power button 10 secs of middle finger love, the scheduler was working properly but the Manual Recording 0 is still there.
 
#73 ·
2. In the upcoming recordings, I have an entry called Manual Recording 0. When I select it, the detail shows Manual Recording 10429 and the Channel is 0 with a detail of -. When I press enter, it shows the menu with Do not record this episode and when I press it, the item is deleted from the list. When I exit and go back, there it is back again.
Hi osmosis,

That's definitely a quirk of the system. It doesn't affect anything and we're working on getting rid of it. Don't worry about trying to delete it.

3. Survivor is scheduled to record 3 times in one night on Wed 22, First: 5:00PM CBSEHD, Second: 5:00PM GBL HD and Third: 8:00PM CBSWHD.
This is normal. Notice that the episode airing on Wed 15 has an episode title, while the one on the 22nd doesn't. Some broadcasters don't send information a full 2 weeks out for certain programs. You'll see this often on certain sports events (where it lists "Teams TBA" 2 weeks out rather than the actual names) and daily Soap Operas.

Once the broadcaster provides updated information, the PVR will adjust automatically and only record the episode a single time. Don't worry about trying to cancel any of the airings on the 22nd.

As mentioned previously, if you find a program that never has correct information, setting it to record "All episodes" on a single channel only is usually the best workaround. Also, let us know so we can pass on the information and try to get it resolved.
 
#32 ·
One thing I noticed....watching a show in the buffer is not a good idea. If I pause a show and go do something else and come back and watch it, it is often gone. The 530 would allow 90 minutes in the buffer....well the 630 will hold a show in the buffer until the next show starts...then it seems to erase it. I have come back and tried to rewind the PVR only to have it just go to the start of the current show?! Haven't tried to pause it to see what happens at the start of the next show.

I have also had some timers not work. Hopefully they will get some firmware updates soon!
 
#75 ·
The 530 would allow 90 minutes in the buffer....well the 630 will hold a show in the buffer until the next show starts...then it seems to erase it.
Hi Tup,

The 630 is actually unique in that it doesn't have a fixed x minute buffer like the other PVRs.

The HDPVR 630 will retain the current and previous program, regardless of length.

This assumes that you've sat on the same channel for the duration of the current and previous program in order to have it available in the LOD buffer. This also assumes available space on your hard drive. Additionally, if you leave it paused on a program long enough, the "intermediate" programs will be deleted and the "current" (live) program will remain available. For example:
The Simpsons (6:00-6:30pm)
Family Guy (6:30-7:00pm)
Wipeout (7:00-8:00pm)


You pause at 6:25pm and come back at 7:45pm. When you press PLAY, the remainder of The Simpsons will be available. At the end of The Simpsons, it will transition to the start of Wipeout.

Note that the currently airing program can always be copied to the PVR List as a permanent recording by pressing REC and confirming the recording.

As always, its important to remember that LOD is a "volatile" recording - accidentally changing channels or other recordings starting can remove the LOD recording. If you're worried about accidentally losing something, just hit REC and make it a permanent recording. You can always delete it later! :)

Hope this helps - if you're still noticing issues, let us know the specifics and we'll do our best to assist.
 
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