9242 vs 6131 Picture quality - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

jeffask · 2010-02-08, 10:51 PM

I have two questions slash concerns...

First: With my 6131 box, everytime I leave a channel there is a "click" noise, and once I arrive to the next channel there is another "click"!! Gets louder when the volume on the TV is increased.

Second: This is driving my nuts, but to me there must be picture quality issues with the 9242 box. I've had mine for well over a year and have noticed the same issue on a friends box. For me the inicator is the guide... The font just isn;t crisp! When i use my 6131 the font on the guide is clean/clear and crisp. Where as with my 9242, the fpnt look slightly fuzzy/cloudy. My co-workers box has exactly the same issues. The HD picture quality is okay but just a notch bellow what i've see with the 6131. I can;t seem to find any information on this topic and am just wondering if anyone has noticed the same problem.

57 · 2010-02-08, 11:33 PM

What format do you have the units set to output - 720P? 1080i? or the default 480P? This definitely makes a difference in the PQ for programming, not so sure about the menus. However, the setup of the TV and the connection used can also have an impact if you're connected to different TVs - try swapping the STBs around... See the following thread, useful for those new to this forum - FAQs, Search Tips, Optimization, etc:

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

Pinza · 2010-02-09, 06:09 AM

I have a 9200 and a 9242 hooked up to the same TV and I see the "softer" Guide on the 9242, to the extent that when the Guide is showing I know which receiver is being watched.

I would have expected the Guide to be absolutly crystal clear and sharp as a new pin but alas, it is almsot a soft focus.

jeffask · 2010-02-09, 08:14 AM

I've tried it on other TV's and the same issue. The box is set to 1080i (people have suggested 720), i'm using HDMi connections, and the trial tvs are a Panasonic 50" S1 plasma and a Samsung 46" 7 series LCD (both 1080P).

I suppose you could describe it as fuzzy, like Pinza does... but I would call it fuzzy or out of focus.I'm having a feeling that it is part of the reason why Bell no longer sells the receiver.

I feel like I need to scrap the 9242! Maybe I'm just being too fussy.

sledbc · 2010-02-14, 09:42 PM

I have my 9242 projected via an Epson 720p projector to a 100" screen, and I know what you mean, it's not that crystal clear, but I can't say that my 2 older 6100 receivers are any better.

KayeC · 2010-02-17, 10:08 AM

For what it's worth, here's my experience:

I just switched from a 9241 to a 9242 (long story) and you're right, the picture quality on the 9242 guide is not nearly as crisp as the 9241. However, I can't see any difference in the picture quality of the programming. While I still had both the 9241 & 9242, I connected both to different HDMI ports of my Denon AVR. I did an A:B comparison and saw the difference in guide quality but couldn't see any difference in program quality.

In all other respects, the 9242 is a FAR SUPERIOR receiver. I wouldn't go back to the 9241 for any reason!

Joe83420 · 2010-03-17, 09:54 PM

Guys, i'm pretty sure what your seeing with the guide does not affect the programming quality. For all we know, maybe the interface picture for the 9242 was uploaded with lower quality/bitrate than the 6131's guide.

Archangel · 2010-04-10, 03:42 PM

My grandparents have a 0241 I bought them for Christmas and the 9242 I gave them when Bell pissed me off with their internet. I know the fuzziness a few of you mention that only effects the guide only. I found that 720P helps minimize this compared to 1080i. It's only the guide and I'm sure it's something Bell could fix with a simple firmware upgrade. Complain enough and it'll happen. I really need to find myself another 9242 because I refuse to settle for a 9241.

jayoldschool · 2010-04-10, 04:27 PM

Can't comment on the pic quality difference, because my 6131, my 9242, and my 9241 are all hooked up to different sets (plasma, LED DLP, and CRT RPTV respectively), but I can confirm that my 6131 makes the click noise that the OP mentions. It also does this when accessing the the external HD (forward, rewind, etc).

abbydarren · 2010-08-29, 04:03 PM

else notice a pretty substantial difference in the quality of pic with the 9242 & 6141 bell HD receivers? I have my 6141 hooked up to my 46"lcd Samsung and my 9242 is hooked to my 32"RCA, my 32"RCA has the far better pic quality, can anyone else throw out their opinions, both are hooked up to HDMI.

ScaryBob · 2010-08-29, 05:11 PM

Quote:

For me the inicator is the guide... The font just isn;t crisp!

This is probably due more to the quality of the graphics chip used for the guide than any indication video picture quality. As long as video quality is good (and it usually is) don't sweat the small stuff. For video quality, the 9242 and 9200 are about as good as it gets for BDU PVRs. The source material (from Bell) is a whole other issue. The 6131 and 9241 should be comparable.

recon · 2010-08-29, 07:39 PM

I had a rental 9242 for a couple of years and returned it and bought a 9241 and I notice that the overall picture is sharper on the 9241 vs the 9242. So maybe that is why the 9242 is out and not for sale anymore?

LOL to confuse matters I have a Shaw PVR their new one( DCX 3400 Moto box) and that picture on HD is superior to Bell`s.......but that is just an aside comment, the 9241 is better than the 9242!!

Gorky · 2010-10-08, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffask

I've tried it on other TV's and the same issue. The box is set to 1080i (people have suggested 720), i'm using HDMi connections, and the trial tvs are a Panasonic 50" S1 plasma and a Samsung 46" 7 series LCD (both 1080P).

I suppose you could describe it as fuzzy, like Pinza does... but I would call it fuzzy or out of focus.I'm having a feeling that it is part of the reason why Bell no longer sells the receiver.

I feel like I need to scrap the 9242! Maybe I'm just being too fussy.

Switch to 720p not 1080i and you will see the difference on the guide and tv programming.

Gorky · 2010-10-22, 02:22 PM

Are you serious about the Shaw DCX3400 receiver giving you a better picture? In HD or SD channels is it better?

pg4346 · 2010-10-25, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recon

I had a rental 9242 for a couple of years and returned it and bought a 9241 and I notice that the overall picture is sharper on the 9241 vs the 9242. So maybe that is why the 9242 is out and not for sale anymore?

LOL to confuse matters I have a Shaw PVR their new one( DCX 3400 Moto box) and that picture on HD is superior to Bell`s.......but that is just an aside comment, the 9241 is better than the 9242!!

I have a 9242 rental and it's driving me nuts! I also own a 9241 which has been just fine. As you mentioned the 9242 seems to have a less sharp picture than the 9241, but more annoying is I have to routinely to a card-pull reboot of the 9242 quite often just to get all the channels I'm suppose to have! I don't have this problem on my cardless 9241 so I'm not sure what's up with that. I'm thinking of just getting rid of the 9242 rental and buy a 9241 and be done with it!

Anyone else experience issues with their 9242 and reception/channel problems?

2010-02-08, 10:51 PM	#1
jeffask Rookie Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2	9242 vs 6131 Picture quality I have two questions slash concerns... First: With my 6131 box, everytime I leave a channel there is a "click" noise, and once I arrive to the next channel there is another "click"!! Gets louder when the volume on the TV is increased. Second: This is driving my nuts, but to me there must be picture quality issues with the 9242 box. I've had mine for well over a year and have noticed the same issue on a friends box. For me the inicator is the guide... The font just isn;t crisp! When i use my 6131 the font on the guide is clean/clear and crisp. Where as with my 9242, the fpnt look slightly fuzzy/cloudy. My co-workers box has exactly the same issues. The HD picture quality is okay but just a notch bellow what i've see with the 6131. I can;t seem to find any information on this topic and am just wondering if anyone has noticed the same problem.

2010-02-08, 11:33 PM	#2
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,301	What format do you have the units set to output - 720P? 1080i? or the default 480P? This definitely makes a difference in the PQ for programming, not so sure about the menus. However, the setup of the TV and the connection used can also have an impact if you're connected to different TVs - try swapping the STBs around... See the following thread, useful for those new to this forum - FAQs, Search Tips, Optimization, etc: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741 __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2010-08-29, 04:03 PM	#10
abbydarren Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 57	Does anyone....... else notice a pretty substantial difference in the quality of pic with the 9242 & 6141 bell HD receivers? I have my 6141 hooked up to my 46"lcd Samsung and my 9242 is hooked to my 32"RCA, my 32"RCA has the far better pic quality, can anyone else throw out their opinions, both are hooked up to HDMI. Last edited by 57; 2010-08-29 at 04:11 PM. Reason: Moved to existing thread.

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2010-02-09, 06:09 AM	#3
Pinza Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: GTA Posts: 8,577	I have a 9200 and a 9242 hooked up to the same TV and I see the "softer" Guide on the 9242, to the extent that when the Guide is showing I know which receiver is being watched. I would have expected the Guide to be absolutly crystal clear and sharp as a new pin but alas, it is almsot a soft focus.

2010-02-09, 08:14 AM	#4
jeffask Rookie Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2	I've tried it on other TV's and the same issue. The box is set to 1080i (people have suggested 720), i'm using HDMi connections, and the trial tvs are a Panasonic 50" S1 plasma and a Samsung 46" 7 series LCD (both 1080P). I suppose you could describe it as fuzzy, like Pinza does... but I would call it fuzzy or out of focus.I'm having a feeling that it is part of the reason why Bell no longer sells the receiver. I feel like I need to scrap the 9242! Maybe I'm just being too fussy.

2010-02-14, 09:42 PM	#5
sledbc Rookie Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 3	I have my 9242 projected via an Epson 720p projector to a 100" screen, and I know what you mean, it's not that crystal clear, but I can't say that my 2 older 6100 receivers are any better.

2010-02-17, 10:08 AM	#6
KayeC Rookie Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 16	For what it's worth, here's my experience: I just switched from a 9241 to a 9242 (long story) and you're right, the picture quality on the 9242 guide is not nearly as crisp as the 9241. However, I can't see any difference in the picture quality of the programming. While I still had both the 9241 & 9242, I connected both to different HDMI ports of my Denon AVR. I did an A:B comparison and saw the difference in guide quality but couldn't see any difference in program quality. In all other respects, the 9242 is a FAR SUPERIOR receiver. I wouldn't go back to the 9241 for any reason!

2010-03-17, 09:54 PM	#7
Joe83420 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 9	Guys, i'm pretty sure what your seeing with the guide does not affect the programming quality. For all we know, maybe the interface picture for the 9242 was uploaded with lower quality/bitrate than the 6131's guide.

2010-04-10, 03:42 PM	#8
Archangel Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 50	My grandparents have a 0241 I bought them for Christmas and the 9242 I gave them when Bell pissed me off with their internet. I know the fuzziness a few of you mention that only effects the guide only. I found that 720P helps minimize this compared to 1080i. It's only the guide and I'm sure it's something Bell could fix with a simple firmware upgrade. Complain enough and it'll happen. I really need to find myself another 9242 because I refuse to settle for a 9241.

2010-04-10, 04:27 PM	#9
jayoldschool Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,746	Can't comment on the pic quality difference, because my 6131, my 9242, and my 9241 are all hooked up to different sets (plasma, LED DLP, and CRT RPTV respectively), but I can confirm that my 6131 makes the click noise that the OP mentions. It also does this when accessing the the external HD (forward, rewind, etc).

2010-08-29, 07:39 PM	#12
recon Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 181	I had a rental 9242 for a couple of years and returned it and bought a 9241 and I notice that the overall picture is sharper on the 9241 vs the 9242. So maybe that is why the 9242 is out and not for sale anymore? LOL to confuse matters I have a Shaw PVR their new one( DCX 3400 Moto box) and that picture on HD is superior to Bell`s.......but that is just an aside comment, the 9241 is better than the 9242!!

2010-10-22, 02:22 PM	#14
Gorky Rookie Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 13	Are you serious about the Shaw DCX3400 receiver giving you a better picture? In HD or SD channels is it better?