Rogers SA8000HD Official Thread.

[57]

Originally Posted by JohnnyG

Now don't you dare be asking for an 8300HD upgrade!

I wonder whether they would? I bought mine a few months ago, remember...

As long as I get new firmware that addresses the major issues, I'll be a happy camper.

Here's a sample firmware "upgrade bulletin" in the US - Charter Cable...

http://www.charter.com/pdf/DVR_SAUpdatev1.pdf

[slyboy]

Good PDF listing 57. Those all sound like great additional features which I think should have been in the box at the time of release. In my opinion that its ridiculous that the DVR was released without those.

As for you getting your purchased 8000 exchanged for an 8300 - power to you and good luck. However, if you were to get that done I have to say that I think it's really not fair. You purchased in order to save money on a high monthly rental fee. Part of the benefit of the high monthly rental fee is the ability to switch equipment as it comes out. If I could have put out $700 to buy a particular unit and then received 'free' product updates/exchanges forever, I would have bought too! haha

[57]

It may be in the best interest of Rogers (not just me) not to have "older" STBs out in the field, even if they are "purchased". I have the "extended warranty", so they may prefer to have me exchange, rather than for me to have continuing problems... not that I currently have any "problems"...

I see in the 8300 thread that Jenna exchanged hers...

I'm monitoring the 8300 thread since I'm not one who assumes that newer is necessarily better...

[JohnnyG]

If you ASK for an exchange, I'll be stomping my feet and pounding my fists in absolute outrage! Oh, and I'll be calling you a hypocrite too!

[57]

Sticks and Stones....

[slyboy]

JohnnyG...
Take refuge in the fact that 57 is clearly admitting defeat here in regards to our earlier discussion of renting vs. buying these boxes. haha.
Seriously though, even if 57 does still think buying is the better choice given all the factors that exist, he and others are still seeking out the *benefit* of renting; that being the ability to swap the unit with a newer type. Looks like a lot of people on here are going to be looking to 'have their cake and eat it too' so to speak.

That said, like you JohnnyG, I'm stomping my feet and pounding my fists too.

[damen]

SERIOUS Newbie question here...If I get a SA8000HD but DO NOT have a HDTV, will I still get a good SD picture on all the other channels? I realize I won't be able to tune into the HD channels until I get a HDTV (am hoping to buy a new one in a couple of months). Will I have to do anything special to down-convert the signal the STB sends to my TV or is it just a simple thing of wiring it like any other box.

As well, does anyone know if you want to get the free PVR deal from Rogers, what is stopping people from spending the $160 at Futureshop for a Dish and STB if you are currently a RENTER from BEV, then calling Rogers to have them exchange the Dish and STB for the deal?

Thanks in advance for the responses. Bring on the Newbie comments!!! I am ready!

By the way: This Forum is awesome. Has really helped with many other of my problems.

[JohnnyG]

Actually, you can set the 8000HD to output a 'regular' non-HD picture for ALL the channels - even the HD ones.

Rogers doesn't really care where you get the receiver from, and they don't even check to see if you're actually an existing customer of Star Choice or ExpressVu. As long as you haven't been a Rogers customer for a while (90 days, I think) then all you have to do is get your hands on a receiver and hand it over to them. Don't buy new though...there are plenty of really cheap used models for sale.

[mhorton]

I'm not at all pleased Rogers has not fixed the 8000HD yet. It's a slap in the face to those of us who trusted Rogers to fix the outstanding issues with this box. Now Rogers have released the 8300HD which apparently fixes many of the problems. Will we ever see a new flash for the 8000HD and if so when? Or is the 8300HD the official fix?

I called Rogers last night to ask this very question. The rep first told me the 8300HD was not released yet. I knew right then and there I was dealing with someone who was somewhat clueless. She checked anyway and said there were no pending flash upgrades. She told me she would know typically about 30 days in advance about such things. I did not really trust her answer so I asked if my inquiry could be forwarded to the real tech support. She told me that's what she was.

I purchased the 8000HD based on the previous history of Rogers releasing new versions of SciAtl boxes. The 8000HD was known some 2 years ago but Rogers only released it in June 2004 after "testing" it for 18 months. Now Rogers has decided to short cycle the 8300HD and release it just 5 months after the previous model. I'm sure SciAtl product cycles are longer than 5 months. When you purchase any piece of electronics these days you expect something will replace it but not in just 5 months!

Maybe the 8300HD is Rogers way to addressing all the 8000HD shortcomings

[slyboy]

You're surprised by a 5-month product cycle in the electronics industry? You shouldn't be because it's quite normal. Look at cell phones for just one example. Products are commonly developed at the same time and because of this, I don't think seeing replacement products every 5 months will be unheard of moving forward.

As has been discussed in this thread before, I think you should buy products based on them fulfilling a present need you have, with the features you want when you buy it. Don't expect product updates to add functionality or even necessarily fix existing problems. I've purchased electronics with DSP chips that were function-upgradable only to find that no updates came along during the product's lifecycle. Very common occurance.

[JohnnyG]

mhorton, the 8300HD *replaces* the 8000HD in Scientific Atlanta's lineup. If they aren't making any more 8000HDs, how is Rogers supposed to get them?

I often find that "conspiracy theorists" give way too much credit to the people they accuse!

[dogbolter]

Originally Posted by slyboy

JohnnyG...
Take refuge in the fact that 57 is clearly admitting defeat here in regards to our earlier discussion of renting vs. buying these boxes. haha.

Actually I think 57 has beat us all if he was able to swop his 8000 for the 8300....he is now 5 months into his 24 month break even and still has the latest technology.

So, 57, were you able to make the swop? You won't get feet stomping from me just a jealous round of applause.

I didn't buy the 8000 a few months ago 'cuz a didn't have the dough, now I will seriously consider the 8300 for my Christmas wish list.

BTW, I saw the 8000 at BB for $499 after credits...is anyone bold enough to buy it and then try to swop it for an 8300?

[57]

I was able to swap the 8000HD for the 8300HD. I rented for two months and purchased the unit three months ago. Rogers were willing to swap it because they could not "fix" the major issues that the SA8000HD had.

Some people may not even care about those issues, so there are probably people with the 8000HD who are quite happy.

[itsingoodshape]

Originally Posted by dogbolter

BTW, I saw the 8000 at BB for $499 after credits...is anyone bold enough to buy it and then try to swop it for an 8300?

I certainly would if I could get the credits, but the last time I checked the credits were only available if you were a new subscriber. If they advertise the HD-PVR as being able to archive to a VCR and the 8000 doesn't then definitely I would ask for a replacement 8300 one week after buying the 8000

.

[57]

Rumour - Want to know why the DVI is/was not active on the SA8000HDs? Apparently there was an error made by SA that allowed some people to record the signal from the DVI, so all cable companies were asked to disable the DVI output...

The issue was resolved with the SA8300HD.

...Yet another "excuse" to ask for the 8300 if you have an 8000 - need for DVI, er HDMI connection... (even though Rogers doesn't officially support DVI)