57 FAQ - Tips For SA STBs. (also Pace)

[hugh]

Updated 2009.08.18

Several useful tips for SA/Pace STBs (Set Top Boxes) are included in this FAQ:

- How to check signal strength and other diagnostics
- Rebooting (Warm & Cold)
- Viewing Formats
- Advanced Setup Wizard
- Various other items of interest.

- Broadband connection signal strength - Post 2
- Problems? Tips - Post 4
- Remote controls - manuals, codes, tips - Post 5
- Repairs - Post 9


Signal Strength/Diagnostics:

Here’s a step by step guide on how to access signal strength information on Scientific Atlanta STBs. I believe this works on all SA STBs. (Some US service providers use Passport instead of SARA - this may not work on those STBs) Much of this also applies to Pace STB (550, 551). See post 3.

1. Tune to any digital station.
2. Depending on the STB, you may need to use the composite, S-video or component video connection.
3. On the box itself (not using the remote), press and hold the "+" (or select) button for a few seconds, the "envelope" (mail) light will come on. (the + button is the "bulls-eye" in the middle of the 4 "arrow" keys - on newer models like the SA8300HD it's the "select" button).
4. Press the "info" key next.
5. This takes you to all kinds of information.
6. Press the right and left arrow buttons (next to the "+" button) to scroll through the pages.
7. The signal strength information is on page 5. You need to look at the QAM side. The "level" should be between -10 and +10, with zero being about optimum (for digital stations). If the level is below -10, you'll see the number change to "orange" for "warning". You may have to change splitters, cable, etc to rectify the situation. Call your service provider and they'll usually rectify with better splitters, cable, possibly an amp or a new "drop" into your house. (Interestingly, many of us have found that the SA8300HD gives "false" signal strength readings of -20. If all other readings are "normal" and you've got no other issues, do not worry about a -20 reading on the SA8300HD)
8. On the same page is the Signal/Noise ratio. The S/N ratio is good if it’s at about 35 dB, although a good HD signal can be received with slightly lower numbers. If your S/N is around 30 (or less) though, that could be a source of problems.
9. You can change channels while in the diagnostic menu and see signal strengths, frequencies, etc for various channels, however, they shouldn’t vary by more than a few dBs. You will notice that you won’t be able to see all the information for analogue channels. It will take a few seconds for the information to refresh for the new channel, so be patient. Make sure you check the signal on the problem channel, as signals can vary.
10. When you’re done, press the exit key to exit.

FDC Explained below:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...5&postcount=18

You can also access this information from your couch as follows (information provided by bolmsted) This method also works for the 940 STB which doesn't have any buttons.:

1. Make sure you are not on a VOD or music channel.
2. Hold the pause key on the remote for about 10 seconds until the mail light flashes on the front.
3. Press page up (sometimes simply labelled with a +) on the remote and then you can page up/down through the screen info.
4. Press "exit" to leave the diagnostics.

While you are in the screens, pressing the "B" button on the remote changes the transparency of the background, allowing you to see the channel and the diagnostics at the same time.

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Rebooting:

To reboot your STB without unplugging it, press the two volume buttons and the info button simultaneously (all three buttons at the same time on the STB itself). Do not touch anything on the box or the remote until the time appears (takes a couple of minutes). Even then, it will take some time for the IPG to reload its information.

You can also reboot your box from your couch (bolmsted):

1. Make sure you are not on a VOD or music channel
2 Press the pause button when the remote with the remote in VOD mode.
until the mail light flashes (just like for the diagnositics screen)
3. But instead of paging up to get into the diagnostic screens (and then up/down for various screens) you initally press page down
4. You will get a code on the front of the set top box. Press stop 3 times on the remote and voila it will reboot [the "LED" circle going around, or "boot" appears].

It's not a bad idea to reboot your STB once a month when you have no immediate need for it and it's not recording. These STBs seem to be a lot like computers, if you don't reboot them once in a while, errors seem to crop up...

Sometimes a "warm reboot" (above) is not enough to reset things. Try unplugging the unit for a minute (Cold Reboot) and replugging it in if the warm reboot doesn't work. Always give the unit some time after the reboot to "settle" - say 30 minutes. Make sure you don't have any recordings going on at the time of a cold reboot and turn the unit off first if possible.

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What Format is Going to the TV?

The following applies to the SA3250HD - how to tell what the STB is transmitting to the TV in terms of format. (It also applies to the SA8000HDs that have passthrough enabled.)

You can check formats by viewing the small box that displays the STB output. It says 480i, 1080i, 720P, 480P depending on your channel selection, your "wizard setup" and whether you selected "pass-through (Auto-DVI/HDMI)" or "upconvert" in the "Settings" menu, etc.

You enable the small box by switching between channels that have different formats. Each time you switch between formats (720P and 1080i for example) you will see the small box. Only ABC HD, Fox-HD & PBS Detroit are currently 720P.

You can also enable the small box by repeatedly hitting the "#" button, but this enables the stretch mode, so be sure to switch back to "normal" to see the actual format. Hitting "#" on a 480i signal will force an HD output - don't know why - it goes back to 480i if you go back to "normal" (unstretched).

The SA8300HD shows the output format on the front of the PVR.

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Advanced Setup Wizard:

The SA and Pace STBs have a setup wizard that you go through. See if you can find the page that guides you through the wizard. If you don't have it, follow the instructions below:

1. Turn the STB off.
2. Press the "Guide" and; "Info" buttons simultaneously (on the STB, not the remote).
3. This takes you to the wizard.
4. If you've got a 4:3 TV the wizard is very simple.
5. If you've got a 16:9 TV, then go into the "advanced" mode (which is still pretty simple)

Once you've finished the wizard which asks you the various formats your TV can display, exit the wizard and turn on the STB.

Whenever doing the setup, or troubleshooting, disconnect ALL video connections except the one you want to use. Use ONLY component video or HDMI/DVI, not both. When troubleshooting also remove S-video connections, etc. If you can't get the HDMI to work (the SA8300HD displays 480i on the front for example) then use the component video cables to perform the setup first, then plug in HDMI/DVI.

Note also that some HDTVs (especially some flat panel Samsungs) do NOT accept certain signals like 480i over HDMI. You'll need to delete those in the advanced setup wizard, while using component video cables, or simply use component video cables. Tip, you can go through the wizard using HDMI, provided you know enough to press the "B" button to get to the next format if confronted with a blank screen (a format the TV doesn't display). If the TV doesn't accept 480i, then enable 480P (Standard) instead for example.

Once you've completed the wizard, press the settings button twice and go to "set picture formats". Pick "passthrough" (auto-DVI/HDMI) as this will allow 480i, 720P (if enabled) and 1080i signals to go to the TV through the component video connection. If you pick "fixed" then you'll only get one format out of the STB.

If you only have one format out of the STB, the PQ is sometimes inferior and if you have a Plasma or CRT where you want to stretch the SD channels, your TV will not automatically stretch when switching from HD to SD, whereas the TV will if you stretch the SD channels with a 480i/p signal and the true HD channels will be force into "full".

When using the DVI/HDMI output the component output is disabled, and the pass-through option is now called Auto-DVI/HDMI in the settings (pressed twice menu) under picture format and is identical to the component passthrough but just with a different name.

Some HDTVs will NOT allow 480i when using DVI/HDMI inputs, use the formats that the TV will accept when using DVI/HDMI, or consider the component video connection.


TIPS - You can get "fancy" by deleting several of the formats in the original wizard. If you only enable 480i and 1080i, then 720P will be converted to 1080i and make surfing the HD channels much faster because the TV doesn't need to reformat each time you get to a station of a different format. Also, you can experiment with the "upconvert1" setting as this will send a 480P instead of 480i signal to the TV. You'll have to decide if this is better or worse than the TV doing the upconversion. You should "enable" 480i/P STANDARD, NOT widescreen in the wizard. Why? See post below:

http://www.digitalhomecanada.com/for...36&postcount=6

General Setup Wizard pdf below:

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/Exp...d/4003114B.pdf

See page 15 of the above to see what "fixed, passthrough, upconvert1/2" do. (I have now re-enabled all my formats since Upconvert1 will output 480P and 1080i and If I want to enable all formats, I simpy use "passthrough" instead - great for comparisons and for "fast surfing" when using upconvert1.)

Summary, for most HDTVs, enable 480i Standard, 720P and 1080i and "passthrough/auto-DVI/HDMI" If you encounter issues with HDMI cables, switch to component video, or try 1080i only.

On some STBs, the fixed 1080i setting may have slightly less overscan than using passthrough (for SD channels).

You may wish to visit the SA site as they sometimes have additional information on these STBs.

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One final recommendation. Go through all of the settings on your STB and see what the various options are and whether they are set correctly. Many people never bother to understand what the various settings in the STB do, consequently, they don't get the best performance from the STB, leaving the "default" settings which are often not correct. If you don't know what the setting does, if you press the "info" button, it'll usually tell you. Same goes for the user settings in your TV.

SA 2000/4 Remote Operating Manual Click the link below.

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/Exp...ted/715117.pdf


Tips & Tricks for the SA8300HD.

http://digitalhomecanada.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=17749


Last Resort

If for some reason you can't get the STB to do what you want and you've rebooted it by unplugging it, etc. This is a "last resort" item. You can reformat the HDD (courtesy of websurferdude).

The Explorer 8X00 has a fairly simple procedure to erase the drive (start clean). Note that this process will erase all scheduled programming and will cause the unit to reload all programming data from your cable provider. On the plus side, it will repair any fragmenting problems.

"Press and hold PAUSE until Mail led is lit. Press PAGE down or (-),
and then press LIST three times. Turn box off. When turned-on,
formatting will begin."

See also: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...&postcount=905


The phone number to reset the STB is 1-866-894-9962 (provided by Mole)


Please PM 57 if you have any comments or suggestions.'

[57]

If you have a broadband connection on your computer (via cable). The following link should provide you with a general indication of the signal strength at your house.

This is good for people who don't have a STB or whose STB (the SA8300HD) provides erroneous readings.

http://192.168.100.1/signal.html

or, if that doesn't work, try:

http://192.168.100.1/

Signal strength above -10dB is adequate for digital channels and a S/N ratio of 35 is good. Any splitters "downstream" of where you have your cable modem connected would, of course, lower the signal strength.

Some people may not get a reading. I don't know why - perhaps if you have a router, or don't have a Motorola modem, or restricted by some service providers.

[57]

For those with Pace STBs, much of the above applies. Some does not. To get into the diagnostics, see the following. This will allow you to check signal strength, etc.

Access to the Signal strength and other internal parameters is achieved by pressing the center button of the 5 button clustor on the STB (not remote) and wait for the envelope logo to light up on the small screen, then press the GUIDE button on the STB. Page +/Page - on the remote allows the different data pages to be viewed. The EXIT button on the remote is pressed when all is done.

Videotron customers may need to press" Info", just like is done for SA STBs in post 1.

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Other Tips:

If your PVR doesn't "play", go to a previous recording and hit play... this may bring your box back to life.

Reboot the STB once a month by unplugging it and plugging it back in before you go to bed. This way the IPG will be ready when you next need to use it.

If you're getting split recordings, or sound dropouts, check the signal strength and S/N ratio in the diagnostics above. Temporarily remove any splitters, etc to get the best signal strength.

If you're having problems (like the guide not showing all the information, or any of the above), try a cold reboot as mentioned above. Wait for the time to display - if you can, wait for 30 minutes for some of the other features to download, etc.

In order to get DD5.1 sound via the optical or coaxial connections, the STB needs to be set to "Dolby Digital" in the audio settings (press the settings button twice).

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17870 DD5.1

Heat is a killer for STBs. Make sure the STB is well ventillated and make sure it's "on top".

[57]

SA Remote Codes and Manuals

http://www.urcsupport.com/#

Thanks to digital_rookie for the link.

http://www.twcnatdiv.com/remotes/AllTouch_AT8400_2.pdf (AT8400 Remote OM)


If the remote blinks 6 times, then the batteries need replacing.
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...851#post677851


Volume Control TV or STB?:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=60107


A "universal" remote - thanks to Phatboyc for the link.

http://www.universalremote.com/produ...ta&ana=Digital
Unfortunately only available through the service provider, so you'll need to check with them to see if they carry...

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Diagnostic Screen Explanations: Models will differ, but the screens are similar.

http://www.***************/faq/sciatl/all#11882

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Pace 501 STB? See the following:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...07&postcount=3

Pace 551? See the following:

You can download specs and (basic) operating manual from this link.

http://www.pacemicro.com/americas/pr...DC551%20Laguna

To change "resolutions" (from the Rogers 551 thread, post 20)

You can change Display functions such as 16:9 or 4:3 mode, and which video signal you want enabled (480p, 720p, 1080i etc) while the unit is on by simply pressing the Display button on the front of the unit. This lets you see changes immediately on the channel you are currently watching. I know on the 3250HD you had to do this with the unit off, and press two buttons the unit to enter the display setup wizard.

See also the following (from Pace, now perhaps outdated).

Rogers is still using the original software that has the Resolution menu accessed by pressing the "Display" button on the front panel (or holding down the # key on the remote for 5 seconds). Videotron has upgraded to a newer version of SARA which required Pace to migrate to the SA HD wizard (like the 8300 HD and 3250 HD).

With the recent firmware change from Rogers (January 2007) I believe the STBs now function like SA STBs.

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Videotron Operating Manual Link

http://www.videotron.com/services/st.../guide_enp.pdf

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Volume Control TV or STB?:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=60107


Audio Connection to TV and AVR using HDMI and digital audio.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=60033


STB Repairs - GTA & BC

http://www.thecableshoppe.com/index_fla.htm


STB Repairs - Montreal.

http://www.solutiondigitale.com/

STB Repairs - GTA: (Electronics Repair Depot)

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ170436954

[57]

Post to prevent archive, please ignore.