Bell TV 9242 HD PVR Discussion thread

[Tom.F.1]

I have my 9242 hooked to the TV with HDMI so i get picture and sound out of the TV.
I also have digital (optical) audio out of the 9242 to my surround reciver and Digital audio out of the TV to the Surround recever as well.
I find that when the signal goes HDMI to theTV and then TV out to the sound system, there is quite a delay, so I prefer to feed the AVR direct from the EVu box.
This also gives me the option of using Component to the TV and Digital audio to the AVR. I recently added analog stereo to the TV because the audio dropouts on the EVu receiver got so bad.
The only time i use digital audio out of the TV is for the OTA tuner in the TV to the AVR.

[xyzTO]

I took the plunge this Friday and bought a 9242 with dish (new customer). It was installed on Sunday. Very impressed with the quick turnaround and the quality of the installation. They did a fantastic job hiding the cables. So much so, I tipped the guys $20.

I read about the audio drops and figured I would have better luck. I was watching HDNet concert series on Sunday and the audio was dropping every 5-10 minutes. I figured I could live with the occasional audio drop, but this is crazy.

I am connecting via HDMI to a Denon 3808. Not a single audio issue with my Xbox360 or PS3 connecting in via HDMI. Don't see how it can be my receiver.

Called BEV support today, and they are blaming my receiver or the HDMI cable for not properly handling the HDMI protocol. They suggested using component + RCA. I will try component + toslink. They said if that was still causing audio issues then they would replace the unit.

In the computer world, when there is an issue between 2 devices, you can set up a protocol sniffer and analyse the traffic to determine where the problem lies. Wondering if you can do the same with HDMI. I'm sure you can, but probably need expensive equipment + PHD. I wish BEV would offical admit to a problem with the device.

Bottom line is I like it a lot with the exception of the audio issue. The whole thing ruins my plans to use HDMI to a TV upstairs and Component to the downstairs TV. Kinda disappointed that I will have to pay another $600 for another PVR.

Is there anyone on this board that realistically expects BEV to fix this?

[Stan Dev]

Originally Posted by rockhollow

Should I just leave all alone - I can't see any difference in picture quality now with the component hookup - if yes, I'll attempt to return that HDMI cable...

Denise: Component video is often just as good as (and sometimes even better than) HDMI, quality wise, depending on your specific model of HDTV. If you cannot detect any difference, then by all means return that expensive HDMI cable.

On the audio side, if your 9242 is connected to your Sony home theatre system by a digital optical cable, then you are getting audio of exactly the same quality as what you could get via HDMI (assuming everything is configured correctly).

[merve04]

ok so my threat about the audio issue just got shutdown... but this is what I've noticed so far,, if I'm watching a recording from a HD channel,, doesnt have to be HD,, can up something like King of the Hill,, I'm notcing a audio hick up at roughly every 30seconds,, if i got back 15sec,, and listent to the scene again,, its not present. So its not the original air of the program that was a problem. When I watch a HD or SD channel live,, theres no issue. I'll try and record something off a SD channel and watch just to see if its the same issue,, but as of now,, whats your guy's best guess??? I guess I should mention my connections.. so I'm just using component --> AV --> HDMI --> TV.. and optical --> AV --> speakers. Not using TV for audio at anytimes..

[rockhollow]

Hey, thanks so much for the info, I think I will just leave things alone as it all seems to be working good and it always makes me so nervous to play around with it. And believe me, I will be returning the cable!

[Tom.F.1]

I've been complaining to Bell for a long time. If we all complain to Bell, rather than complaining here, maybe Bell will eventually do something about the problems.
Here is the response i got from my last complaint;

"I understand that you are experiencing technical difficulty with your HDPVR receiver and would like to get it replaced.
I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to you and absolutelyunderstand how upsetting it is if your HD receiver does not function properly even after being replaced. For replacement I would request you to please call our Technical Support Team in our Customer Service Call Centre at 1-888-759-3474 and they do the necessary for you.
The drawbacks of the 9200 receiver like HDMI problems, Audio dropouts and video freezes are know and out technicians are working on it to resolve the concern very soon. Thank you for your patience and understanding in this regard."

[audi231]

i was having these problems with optical cable to my receiver, changing setting b/w pcm/digital to pcm seems to have solved it.

[johnteeee]

Grettings:
I just took delivery of 9242 and am kinda experimnting with it. Iwas just
wodering do I have to update to the last software/firmware or is it already
updated at the warehouse?

Thanks for any input

[scrooloose]

It will have downloaded the latest software when you first activated it. The current software is V180.

-Mike

[kandkt]

If you need to force an update (if your version is not V180 already), press menu 6,1,1, and then set the satellite to 82 and transponder to 13. Turn the power off via your remote and the update process will begin. Do NOT disturb it until it is done.

[johnteeee]

Thank you guys.

[Vacuumtube]

Dundee...you mention a noisy 9242. After all is turned off (short of unplugging) on my new unit...no lights...there is still something running. This, according to ExpressVu, shouldn't happen. It shd shut down 30 mins after downloading the schedule at the default 3AM. Mine runs all the time - almost sounds like a fan but is creating its own heat at the rear left of the box so I'm thinking hard drive and I'm thinking it must be designed to do this to have a satellite link all the time. Does anybody else's run-on like this?

[dosborne]

In part it depends on how you have your unit set up. Both tuners would have to be "off" for example.

The unit is never really inactive, as you state, since it is constantly looking for key changes and other commands in the sat stream. It will also download the guide at a preset time.

The fan is temperature controlled. If the unit sits in a warm place, the fan could be running.

The HDD, at least on mine, goes into a "quieter" mode but doesn't usually seem to completely shut down. When active, you can hear the normal seek noises that a HDD produces.

[superdave]

Originally Posted by audi231

i was having these problems with optical cable to my receiver, changing setting b/w pcm/digital to pcm seems to have solved it.

Last night, while watching the recorded Desperate Housewives PVR event, during the first 10 minutes or so, the audio was dropping every 25-45 seconds.

Over Optical: I can see the interruption of the signal, where the dolby digital logo disappears from the display of my yamaha.

Over RCA: You can hear a slight blip, not a complete dropout.

Has anyone else confirmed if changing your settings to PCM 100% fix this?

Also, doesn't changing to PCM only downmix any 5.1 signal?

What should I do besides trying this?

[Vacuumtube]

dosborne...appreciate response. I haven't heard the usually hard disk noise when working (clicking or whatever), if so that would be a good clue as to the nature of the noise. It really sounds more like a VCR recording a good signal, i.e. steady. As far as it being a fan is concerned, I haven't ruled that out although I feel no air movement. How could such as simple thing generate this much involvement.