CLOSED — Shaw Gateway: Code update to iS2 & iS2+ (See final post)

[bls]

Jetranger - I basically agree with you, but HiroPro mentioned for those with problems that placing MoCA filters on any non MoCA devices may help if one of the non MoCA devices was injecting interference and causing MoCA packet loss and communications issues. Extra filters wouldn't make sense if filters were perfect, but they aren't of course and if the level of the interfering signal from one of the non MoCA devices is high enough, enough interferance could make it through a single filter to cause problems. In fact, while programming the gateway and portals the service tech that did my install actually used a filter that was much larger than the one he left connected when he left and explained the reason was that the larger filter was much better at reducing interference from the modem and incoming cable and made updating the gateway and portal software much faster, but otherwise the smaller filter was good enough (although I now wonder if it really is).

[cdncableguy]

You do not need mocha filters on equipment outside of the mocha network. It sdoesn't make sense to need one as the filter that feeds the splitter containing all mocha equipment should have one on the input

[HiroPro]

yeah it shouldn't be necessary for devices outside the MoCA network. It would be interesting to see if the l-band signal from MoCA on the filtered side makes it into the bounce side.

One could test this with a Satlook NIT etc Spec sat analyzer as MoCA uses frequencies in that band. I'd like to see a MoCA device on the filtered leg broadcast and see if it makes it through the filter into the MoCA side.

When I was talking about using POEs filters on device F81 ports was only devices within the MoCA network like non MoCA STB or analog TVs. It should be standard operating procedure to do that. The debate is whether to place it on the tap/amp or the device.

If you guys are looking for a decent MoCA amp with all that stuff integrated and taps for cable modems and DTH (get the zero dB return models) the company that put those videos together seem to have decent looking product.

The way shaw is doing it how you're getting passive return and that amp of yours could cause issues in the MoCA band if it's not MoCA certified.

Does a CATV amplifier affect the performance of the MoCA bridge?
Yes. A CATV amplifier can block or interfere with the MoCA signal and cause the MoCA bridge to malfunction. Avoid placing an amplifier in the path of the MoCA nodes unless it properly bypasses the MoCA frequencies (850 to 1525 MHz) or use a MoCA-compatible amp.

That came from the Q and A of an industry blog.

[Jetranger]

HiroPro, You seem to have a lot of technical knowledge. I think you should contact Shaw Engineering directly and discuss the methods they are employing. It might benefit everyone if the points you raise are valid. I don't know enough about the finer aspects of the MoCA network specs but it seems you do. I have already been told you raise some interesting points.

One thing I wouldn't be doing is swapping out random splitters/amps especially given that there are big internal differences such as the active or passive passing.

[Jetranger]

At about 2 minutes past 6pm this evening, while watching a recording of the early news, my entire Gateway system crashed, completely. I checked that I still had service on my Moto 3400 and all was fine so I knew it wasn't the cable. The screen showed the 'not subscribed' message on ALL channels and NO recordings what so ever.

I had to power cycle the Gateway and Portals twice and even the Expander once. After the first power cycle the Expander still wasn't being recognized as the 'recording space' showed 94% full. All returned to normal after the second full power cycle.

This is the first time I have experienced such a major crash since getting the system just about 6 months ago now.

[VanRob]

I just had the Shaw gateway and two portals installed a couple weeks ago. I'm tech savvy, but don't know much about MoCA other than what I've learned reading these forums.

When the installer arrived, I explained how everything was connected which included a 4 way splitter/signal booster (Motorola BDA-100S4). The booster helped a lot with my old PVR. The installer said the signal booster would not work with MoCA and replaced it with a 3 way splitter. The portals were kind of jittery when he was done, but he said that usually goes away usually within a day or so. It actually got worse. The audio was often out of sync with the video and sometimes I didn't get any audio at all until I reset the portal. The video would also get very pixelated and blocky and sometimes a channel would just stop working. I couldn't watch live TV on the second portal at all, although it seemed to play recordings ok. The day after the installer left, I had already reboot the gateway and portals at least half a dozen times. I had to leave town for a few days, so I just left it as is since I didn't really have time to watch TV anyway.

Last night I went through all of the connections and put the signal booster back in. I don't seem to have any MoCA filters, although I live in a condo, so they might be somewhere in the line before it gets to my suite. The line into the suite now goes into the signal booster and then one output goes into the 3 way splitter that Shaw provided and into the gateway and 2 portals. The second line from the booster goes to my radios for FM, although FM doesn't seem to work at all anymore. I'm not using the third and forth outputs on the booster right now. I don't think the booster should be interfering with MoCA since the network should be between the gateway and the two portals (if I understand it right), and that all goes through the 3 way splitter provided by Shaw.

The gateway and portals have been working flawlessly since I put the booster back in. It's only been 24 hours, but the audio seems to stay in sync with the video, I haven't lost audio and I haven't had to reboot either portal or the gateway. I bought the signal booster a few years ago after having pixelation problems with my previous PVR (DCT-6412) and it fixed those problems too.

By flawlessly, I mean the picture and sound is near perfect. I still have the same issues as everyone else with the UI and also the fact that the screen saver wants to kick in before the hockey game is finished. There needs to be a way to either disable or lengthen the timeout for the screen saver.

[pei_boy]

Been a Gateway user for about 45 days. Before that I was on basic cable, but they turned off the expanded channels in my neighborhood eff Dec 9, forcing me to get something.

Anyway, I went to BestBuy today and bought a legacy box, the DCX3400.

I'm tired of the slowness... the freezes... the unresponsiveness. Done. Drives the wife crazy.

So now we have 2 DCX DVR's, working perfectly (with the crappier looking guide).

I'm contractually obligated to pay for the Gateway system for 3 years; so I'll box it up and come back here from time to time to see if they have updated the firmware to a point where it's useable.

Cheers.
pei_boy

[Jetranger]

VanRob, it does sound like you might have a weak signal coming into your unit but Shaw should be providing you with the correct Amp to improve it. Having two unused connections coming out of the amp is not a good thing. If you call Shaw and explain what you did and the effect it had, I'm sure they will send out a tech to install the correct amp and splitters for you. It is possible the MoCA filter was installed in a central distribution room but you should have the next tech check that too.

pei_boy, you might be 'contractually obligated' to make payments for the next 3 years but you do own the Gateway equipment so you could sell it if you don't want to hang onto it. Just a suggestion for you.

[VanRob]

The two unused connections on my booster have terminators on them. The only reason the FM radios are still connected despite the fact that FM radio doesn't seem to work anymore is because I couldn't find the third terminator for the booster.

As far as calling Shaw and asking them to install the correct amp and splitters, I don't think that will happen. Calling Shaw is a very time consuming process (it's actually the reason I found these forums). Nobody showed up for my first installation appointment and Shaw basically had to bribe me into giving them a second chance. I have called them once since getting the new system and it took over 2 hours to find out there was no way to disable the screen saver. If I lose picture or sound quality again, I'll call them, but since things seem to be working right now, there's no point.

These forums are great. I'll come here to find out about bugs or new features on the gateway and portals. Calling Shaw is a last resort. The people I have talked to at Shaw including the installer have been very friendly and helpful but it takes way too long to get through to anyone there.

Someone asked about whether they needed Shaw internet for this system to work. You definitely do not need internet from Shaw to use this service. I get my internet and phone through Telus. Shaw only provides TV service for me.

[sibble-comp]

Originally Posted by HiroPro

I'd place POE filters on ANY non MoCA devices! even if they are split before a demarc POE/TV leg of the cabling!

Given that each Moca filter is on order of $30, that'd add up cost wise pretty quickly...

[sibble-comp]

Originally Posted by VanRob

Last night I went through all of the connections and put the signal booster back in.

To be sure the amp solved the problem, you really should remove it from the mix and see if the problems come back. If they do then you can realistically go back back to Shaw and say fix the signal problem, but if the problem doesn't reoccur, then you/Shaw have more investigating to do.

As someone that provides IT support, I've seen clients make the mistake (and I've done it myself) where a change is made and the problem goes away. However it's not realized at the time that the 2 were only temporally coincidental...

[VanRob]

That's a good point, although the only change I made was to put the signal booster back in. When I went through all the connections, I was just making sure nothing was loose. Everything was securely fastened. I didn't loosen and re-tighten, I just checked connections.

I can take the booster out again just to make sure that's what fixed the problem and report back. I should have some free time tonight, otherwise it will have to be sometime next week. I still doubt I'll call Shaw back if everything works with the booster in place though. As long as it's working, I'm happy.

I think would like to try putting a MoCA filter before the FM tuners to see if that helps get the radio stations back. Where can I buy one of those filters in Vancouver? Before you say "Call Shaw" I should say that I would rather spend $30 than to spend a couple hours calling Shaw and then have to make an appointment where I get to wait another four or five hours waiting for Shaw to arrive at some future date. I guess I could also just disconnect the gateway and portals and see if I can get the radio stations again.

[Jetranger]

You likely won't find the FM stations on the cable any more as Shaw is removing them along with the Analog tiers, I believe. There should be no impediment to reception if the signals are still there and adding a MoCA filter certainly would not have any affect what so ever.

[sibble-comp]

It would be interesting to find out where to buy the Moca filters locally.

I just checked Linhaw and Nedco, but no joy there when searching for Moca. Called Associated Telephone (Richmond) and they don't carry Moca gear but can bring it in.

Note both Linhaw and ATI are wholesale telecom/catv/video suppliers. Nedco does both retail and wholesale.

[VanRob]

Ok, one last post on this. I took the signal booster out again and started noticing dropped audio within a few minutes. The drops were short, but still noticable. The booster definitely seems to be helping, so I put it back in. I really should leave it disconnected longer to see if all of the problems come back, but I have a program scheduled to record at 8pm. Everything seems fine when it is connected, so I'll leave it at that.

As far as FM is concerned, I can get the FM stations when the gateway and portals are disconnected, but when they are connected, I just get a lot of noise. I even tried tuning to a frequency that had no station. It was silent when the gateway and portals were not connected and noisy when they were connected. Also, the FM stations I tuned in were frequencies that can be picked up from cable, but not over the air just to be sure that the cable wasn't just acting like a big antenna. This isn't really a big deal for me since I can get the stations I listen to over the net as well. I wasn't aware that Shaw was planning to discontinue this service.