Rogers 8300HD 1.89 firmware update (Rollout Begins week of Jan 8th)

[dustyporch]

I had an email conversation yesterday with a CSR at Rogers about the update to the firmware version 1.88 for the SA8300HD. He said that Rogers is current doing a segment by segment update to this latest firmware, and we all should have it soon. He also suggested doing power cycle to the device, which will apply the update if it is available.

No timeframe from them, but its good to know that it is coming. Just FYI.

For anyone interested, here are a few of the new features;
- Faster FF 128x
- Fixes for HDMI issues (including intermittent Pause/FF/REW issues when HDMI is used)
- Ability to "Play from beginning" when tuning to a show in progress that you are recording.
- Record setting for "First Run on this channel", in addition to "TimeSlot" and "All episodes"
- Plus many bug fixes.... (including the 'jump to live' issue when watching a show that is being recorded)

[Ghost]

It would be nice to get all this.
Rogers, I want my upgrage NOW !!!

[scott.crawford]

No timeframe from them leads me to believe it will be a long time. I hope not, I hope not, I hope not.

I'm not going to get my hopes up on this, but it is nice to see that they are finally acknowledging the problem and the available fix.

[hugh]

I hope you are right because 3 of those issues annoy the heck out of me!
I tried unplugging my unit to see if it would update but no luck!

[reddwarf]

Was there any mention of the 8000HD getting a similar firmware update? Items one, three and five are my biggest beefs...

[Cyclism]

It always baffled me as to why the largest Cable company in Canada has sat on this firmware upgrade for almost a year, when other larger companies in the US have already rolled it out, as well as Videotron in Canada.

Does anyone know if 1.88 will output Y, Pb, Pr through HDMI rather than R, G, B? I want my Colour and Tint settings back on my PDP which have been disabled because version 1.87 only outputs R, G, B through HDMI.

[Steele-in-HD]

I hope this isn't an April fools joke. Those changes are needed! Please don't be teasing.

[jvincent]

Originally Posted by Cyclism

Does anyone know if 1.88 will output Y, Pb, Pr through HDMI rather than R, G, B? I want my Colour and Tint settings back on my PDP which have been disabled because version 1.87 only outputs R, G, B through HDMI.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say it does because I just hooked up my new plasma via HDMI a couple of weeks ago and I'm pretty sure I was able to adjust the tint.

I'll try to remember to double check my F/W version tonight.

[leeanne172]

So basically the update could happen anytime between now and end of my life? lol .. been waiting for that update for so long that I would do summersaults if it actually happened

[jvincent]

Originally Posted by jvincent

I'm going to go out on a limb and say it does because I just hooked up my new plasma via HDMI a couple of weeks ago and I'm pretty sure I was able to adjust the tint.

I'll try to remember to double check my F/W version tonight.

This reminded me to check my F/W.

As it turns out, I am at 1.87, but tint still works for me on my panel via HDMI.

[Bruce Fan]

I spoke with a Rogers CSR yesterday who seemed to know nothing about it.

I just don't understand why Rogers wouldn't want to get this out. If there is a problem or delay then just tell us...

Cablevision in the US has had it since last June and Videotron has had it since November.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[nathan]

In general most companies won't make official statements about upcoming products or services in advance, or rather, in advance of having a definitive plan in place to deploy said-product.

The fact that a CSR mentioned that they were rolling out 1.88 in the first place is fairly surprising, not that I'm saying they were lying or anything (why would he/she?)...some CSR's are more in-the-know than others, or rather, maybe they take more of a vested interest in what's going on on the tech side since maybe that's something they care about. Others might view it as just a paycheck, and not care about anything outside of what's in their training material (and I don't hold that against them).

I'll tell you one way to NOT get any information about the new firmware...fill out one of their forms. I've asked about 1.88 via their online form more than a few times, and I never get a response at all...not even an aknowledgement that I sent them a question. (usually at least I get some sort of canned response)

[57]

Originally Posted by nathan

I'll tell you one way to NOT get any information about the new firmware...fill out one of their forms.

That is very strange. I have always received a response (often canned) and I always receive an acknowledgement almost immediately that I sent in a question.

Are you sure you provided an appropriate e-mail address and that you don't have a spam filter of some sort blocking a return response?

Try the following e-mail address instead of the "form"

rogerscabletv at rci.rogers.com

[nathan]

Originally Posted by 57

That is very strange. I have always received a response (often canned) and I always receive an acknowledgement almost immediately that I sent in a question.

Well, I get a notification that they received my request, but never a reply back.

Originally Posted by 57

Are you sure you provided an appropriate e-mail address and that you don't have a spam filter of some sort blocking a return response?

Quite sure, yes.

Surprisingly enough, I got a reply (not neccessarily canned) last night, within an hour, to my question:

Originally Posted by Rogers Tech Dude

However, with regard to SARA v1.88, we have no information on this
matter. As we do appreciate your concerns regarding your issue, please
be advised that although Rogers is aware of the various bugs in the
software, please note that we are continually modifying the Internal
Operating System (IOS) for the PVRs/digital terminals. We apologize for
the inconvenience.

In order to ensure that your digital terminal / PVR has been updated
with the recent release of the IOS, please try power cycling the unit.
You may perform this by unplugging the power cord from the outlet in the
wall for one minuite, and then plugging it back in. Wait until the unit
power back up and the internal operating system (IOS) loads. Once you
are able to view a channel on your television set, please recheck your
digital cable TV services.

So really, no information at all...other than the fact that they're constantly updating the software...which I doubt they are, as the firmware revision hasn't changed in almost a year perhaps?

[mfabien]

Originally Posted by reddwarf

Was there any mention of the 8000HD getting a similar firmware update? Items one, three and five are my biggest beefs...

I have Videotron but for your information,

For my SA8000HD I have software 1.88.12.2
and for my SA8300SD I have software 1.88.18.1. They offer similar features and bug corrections.

Both machines have:
- the 4th FF/RW for 128 frames/sec
- Play from beginning (during recording)
- no more stuttering for FF or RW
- Change to Live during or after recording

However, neither offers to record First Episode only.