Bell TV 9242 HD PVR Discussion thread - Page 31 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Humpty Dumpty · 2008-04-21, 04:34 PM

I'm quite sure its the HDD spinning, not a fan. I find it runs constantly even if the receiver has been "off" for over 12 hrs. Also, I have left the receiver on for over 8 hours of not watching anything (forgot to turn it off), and that 4 hr standby timer did nothing that I could tell. They should be able to modify the S/W to turn off the HDD, why have it running when there are no upcomming timers?

Vacuumtube · 2008-04-21, 08:28 PM

Humpty...it may not work the way we'd like to see it but it is of some comfort to know that others are running the same way and I shouldn't panic and pack it up for a replacement that does the same thing. I don't get it but if they want to burn the HDD out sooner, I've got a year warranty. With todays technology, I'm not so sure it would matter if it ran full time or not...they're designed ( a microchip I suspect) to die the day after the warranty. (jk) Thx.

Tom.F.1 · 2008-04-21, 10:55 PM

This has been covered many times before.

Yes, It stays on ALL the time its plugged in, don't worry about it. If the fan is too noisey, its too hot. Try a cooler loacation.

IF it shut down, you wouldn't like the 4 minute boot up time. Then the 8 minute guide download.

Try it, Unplug it every night, then plug it in again every time you want to watch TV. You'll decide its a lot easier just to leave it plugged in.

Vacuumtube · 2008-04-22, 12:44 PM

Appreciate info Tom...as a newcomer to this excellent forum, I could appreciate the topic had been discussed and although I did search for the symtoms, I may have used the incorrect search wording. The location doesn't get much cooler than where it is right now (under TV on open air stand -beside glass doors - 1 1/2' of snow outside (south of Calgary). Going to let it run-on. Really not that noisy but I was more concerned about the wear & tear. Anyways, moved onto another hopefully minor situation with the 9242unit where it was losing signal and reloading the guide every 5 minutes. A reboot seems to have worked for now and hopefully will remain in place for the last Calgary Flames game today. Thx again.

Humpty Dumpty · 2008-04-22, 08:27 PM

I'm not worried about the HDD running, I've seen many HDDs last 10+ years in systems that read/write 24/7, though I wouldn't count on it

It just seems a waste, just like the power inserter for the SW44 using 31W all the time. One of these days, I'm going to measure my phantom power draw with all this stuff. I still don't buy the 4-8 minute bootup reasoning, does the 9242 keep guide and firmware info on the HDD? I just figured the HDD only stored PVR shows which would mean the unit could put the HDD into hibernate and still updade guide info.

dosborne · 2008-04-23, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humpty Dumpty

I just figured the HDD only stored PVR shows which would mean the unit could put the HDD into hibernate and still updade guide info.

Yes. The HDD is used to buffer 'live' tv, store timers/events (depending on the receiver model and firmware version - otherwise the eeprom is used), recorded material, the EPG and I believe a backup/temp copy of the firmware.

Actually, it is significantly better (at least for older technology) to keep the system running 24/7. Typically, it is the startup/shutdown that "kills" items like HDDs. Although power consumption is higher, longevity is greater.

Humpty Dumpty · 2008-04-23, 04:49 PM

Thanks for clarifying that, dosborne. I have had the 9242 for just over 2 weeks now and love it. The audio if fine and the video looks great. I wonder if I will start to have issues once the HDD starts to get fragmented.

dosborne · 2008-04-24, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humpty Dumpty

I wonder if I will start to have issues once the HDD starts to get fragmented.

That doesn't seem to be much of a problem. Usually, either the unit works great, or you have the common issues.

shaft · 2008-04-24, 09:53 AM

Got 2 9242's installed last night. Installer says you can't record 2 programs at the same time which is not correct as I used to have a 9200. I think he has not installed in properly. I am in single mode but when I try to record 2 programs it says "recording in progress". Can anyone help? With my old 9200, I recall there was a coax cable also going from the receiver to the TV. Could this be the problem?

Leaf Fan · 2008-04-24, 10:01 AM

As long as both tuners are functioning (ie both have cable feeds from the switch) you can record 2 programs at once
You can use a piece of coax cable, or composite (red/white/yellow) for the
2nd tuner to the tv, and then switch inputs to record to different tuners
HD will be your current input (HDMI, DVI, Component?) and the 2nd tuner will be video input ....
I like this setup, so I can use my TV's PIP capabilities, but its just personal preferance I guess
This is how mine is setup, with a rg6 coax also feeding the rest of the house
It sounds like maybe you are trying to record to a tuner that is already recording a program

shaft · 2008-04-24, 10:04 AM

with my old set up, I could just record the 2 programs by pressing the record button on 2 different programs. with this install that is not working. i was just mentioning the coax as it is the only thing that is different. i'm wondering if the 2 feeds from the dish are working properly

Leaf Fan · 2008-04-24, 10:05 AM

Run a checkswitch, and that will tell you if both tuners are functioning

shaft · 2008-04-24, 11:29 AM

can you confirm my understanding... If I have 2 functioning feeds into my 9242, I should be able to record 2 programs at the same time without use of any other cables to the tv, correct?

scrooloose · 2008-04-24, 11:45 AM

Correct!

-Mike

dosborne · 2008-04-24, 12:51 PM

Shaft - I've merged your threads together. Here is my reponse from your other thread:

The coax out cable to a tv is not required.

It must be a menu setting. I have the 9200, both are billed as dual tuners PVRs therefore it must be able to record off both at the same time.

In fact, you should be able to record 2xSAT tuners and 1xOTA tuner, which I have done on the 9200. (3 concurrent recordings)

Check to ensure both tuners are active (check switch).
Single mode should be correct.
Also check to see which tuner is set as the default for recording (change to 2 if necessary) - I suspect this is the cause.

Can't remember more without going through the menu myself. Maybe someone else will have a unit handy.

2008-04-21, 10:55 PM	#453
Tom.F.1 Veteran Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ajax, Ontario Posts: 1,928	This has been covered many times before. Yes, It stays on ALL the time its plugged in, don't worry about it. If the fan is too noisey, its too hot. Try a cooler loacation. IF it shut down, you wouldn't like the 4 minute boot up time. Then the 8 minute guide download. Try it, Unplug it every night, then plug it in again every time you want to watch TV. You'll decide its a lot easier just to leave it plugged in. __________________ Samsung TV, Pio-Elite AVR, OppoBD, Wharfedale Speakers, Kicker Subs. Bell EVu, DB-4e OTA:)

2008-04-24, 09:53 AM	#459
shaft Rookie Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4	Can record 2 programs at once with 9242 Got 2 9242's installed last night. Installer says you can't record 2 programs at the same time which is not correct as I used to have a 9200. I think he has not installed in properly. I am in single mode but when I try to record 2 programs it says "recording in progress". Can anyone help? With my old 9200, I recall there was a coax cable also going from the receiver to the TV. Could this be the problem?

2008-04-24, 11:45 AM	#464
scrooloose Veteran Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grimsby, Ont. Posts: 3,120	Correct! -Mike __________________ Pioneer PRO-110FD \| Pioneer VSX-92TXH \| BELL 9242 \| Panasonic DMP-BD35 \| XBOX 360 \|WD TV Live Hub

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2008-04-21, 04:34 PM	#451
Humpty Dumpty Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kingston, Ontario Posts: 109	I'm quite sure its the HDD spinning, not a fan. I find it runs constantly even if the receiver has been "off" for over 12 hrs. Also, I have left the receiver on for over 8 hours of not watching anything (forgot to turn it off), and that 4 hr standby timer did nothing that I could tell. They should be able to modify the S/W to turn off the HDD, why have it running when there are no upcomming timers?

2008-04-21, 08:28 PM	#452
Vacuumtube Rookie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: near Okotoks, Alberta Posts: 5	Humpty...it may not work the way we'd like to see it but it is of some comfort to know that others are running the same way and I shouldn't panic and pack it up for a replacement that does the same thing. I don't get it but if they want to burn the HDD out sooner, I've got a year warranty. With todays technology, I'm not so sure it would matter if it ran full time or not...they're designed ( a microchip I suspect) to die the day after the warranty. (jk) Thx.

2008-04-22, 12:44 PM	#454
Vacuumtube Rookie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: near Okotoks, Alberta Posts: 5	Appreciate info Tom...as a newcomer to this excellent forum, I could appreciate the topic had been discussed and although I did search for the symtoms, I may have used the incorrect search wording. The location doesn't get much cooler than where it is right now (under TV on open air stand -beside glass doors - 1 1/2' of snow outside (south of Calgary). Going to let it run-on. Really not that noisy but I was more concerned about the wear & tear. Anyways, moved onto another hopefully minor situation with the 9242unit where it was losing signal and reloading the guide every 5 minutes. A reboot seems to have worked for now and hopefully will remain in place for the last Calgary Flames game today. Thx again.

2008-04-22, 08:27 PM	#455
Humpty Dumpty Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kingston, Ontario Posts: 109	I'm not worried about the HDD running, I've seen many HDDs last 10+ years in systems that read/write 24/7, though I wouldn't count on it It just seems a waste, just like the power inserter for the SW44 using 31W all the time. One of these days, I'm going to measure my phantom power draw with all this stuff. I still don't buy the 4-8 minute bootup reasoning, does the 9242 keep guide and firmware info on the HDD? I just figured the HDD only stored PVR shows which would mean the unit could put the HDD into hibernate and still updade guide info.

2008-04-23, 04:49 PM	#457
Humpty Dumpty Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kingston, Ontario Posts: 109	Thanks for clarifying that, dosborne. I have had the 9242 for just over 2 weeks now and love it. The audio if fine and the video looks great. I wonder if I will start to have issues once the HDD starts to get fragmented.

2008-04-24, 10:01 AM	#460
Leaf Fan Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 370	As long as both tuners are functioning (ie both have cable feeds from the switch) you can record 2 programs at once You can use a piece of coax cable, or composite (red/white/yellow) for the 2nd tuner to the tv, and then switch inputs to record to different tuners HD will be your current input (HDMI, DVI, Component?) and the 2nd tuner will be video input .... I like this setup, so I can use my TV's PIP capabilities, but its just personal preferance I guess This is how mine is setup, with a rg6 coax also feeding the rest of the house It sounds like maybe you are trying to record to a tuner that is already recording a program

2008-04-24, 10:04 AM	#461
shaft Rookie Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4	with my old set up, I could just record the 2 programs by pressing the record button on 2 different programs. with this install that is not working. i was just mentioning the coax as it is the only thing that is different. i'm wondering if the 2 feeds from the dish are working properly

2008-04-24, 10:05 AM	#462
Leaf Fan Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 370	Run a checkswitch, and that will tell you if both tuners are functioning

2008-04-24, 11:29 AM	#463
shaft Rookie Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4	can you confirm my understanding... If I have 2 functioning feeds into my 9242, I should be able to record 2 programs at the same time without use of any other cables to the tv, correct?

2008-04-24, 12:51 PM	#465
dosborne Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ottawa, ON - Sharp Aquos 52" LCD - Bell 9200, 4x5900, 3x3100, E50 DVD-R, Harmony 880, Garmin C550 Posts: 2,814	Shaft - I've merged your threads together. Here is my reponse from your other thread: The coax out cable to a tv is not required. It must be a menu setting. I have the 9200, both are billed as dual tuners PVRs therefore it must be able to record off both at the same time. In fact, you should be able to record 2xSAT tuners and 1xOTA tuner, which I have done on the 9200. (3 concurrent recordings) Check to ensure both tuners are active (check switch). Single mode should be correct. Also check to see which tuner is set as the default for recording (change to 2 if necessary) - I suspect this is the cause. Can't remember more without going through the menu myself. Maybe someone else will have a unit handy.