Firmware V149 for 9200

[J in KW]

It isnt stuttering you're experiencing on Channel 817-CBSHE: it's an issue from the source itself or the way BEV receives and / or converts that souce back to us.

Actually, you are correct. It's odd that CBSHW is much better. I was watching some basketball coverage and switching back and forth, and noticed problems only on east.

I spoke too soon though. The wife recorded House on Global HD last night (Global, in their infinite wisdom decided to broadcast it in SD. arrgh!!) and it has stuttering and missing audio throughout the playback. All I can say is: "Let's bring on v150!"

Got to give the wife the quick lesson on using FOXHW to avoid simsubs...

[scrooloose]

House was not simsubbed by Global last night because American Idol ran long. I briefly switched to Global to see what they were showing, and there was no sound. It was ok on FOXHDE though.

-Mike

[J in KW]

...and there was no sound

Oh yeah, and that too. Silent movie until the first commercial break.

But I'm getting O/T.

Aside from the stuttering I occasionally see, I'm pretty happy with v149. Interactive weather and the show info are welcome features. When I first contacted Bell with stuttering issues I talked my way up to a level 3 tech fairly quickly. He claimed he hadn't spoke with anyone who had stuttering issues since the update, but "his colleague" had dealt with a couple of cases. I was also promised a follow up call, but that hasn't happened. Am I surprised?

[GGG65]

I only discovered these forms last week when I searched for info on the stuttering problems I was suddenly having on my 9200, so first off thanks everyone for all the great info that's been posted here!

I haven't called Bell yet, but the stuttering is becoming an epidemic on most of my recorded HD content. There's a few things from these threads I haven't tried yet (reset NVRAM, switch to Component output I think were two), but I've been hoping to see a software update. Don't want to call Bell and have them replace my unit if this is just a software problem (and don't want to lose all that unwatched stuff sitting on my HDD...) But chalk me up as someone that's been getting massive stuttering since the V149 upgrade.

[J in KW]

I've been hoping to see a software update. Don't want to call Bell and have them replace my unit if this is just a software problem (and don't want to lose all that unwatched stuff sitting on my HDD...) But chalk me up as someone that's been getting massive stuttering since the V149 upgrade.

Call them.

I refused a replacement unit because I re-iterated that I did NOT have the stuttering problem before the v149 update. My 9200 is only 5 months old, I'm not about to swap it in for a refurb. It's a software problem, and they should fix it.

The more people call in, the more likely it will be getting fixed sooner as opposed to later.

[unreal1080p]

Originally Posted by J in KW

All I can say is: "Let's bring on v150!"

Screw that! I'm done hoping for anything for this 9200 POS... BRING ON THE 9242! I want it and I want it NOW!

I wouldn't put it past BEV to let the 9200 suffer in agony (no firmware fixes) while they use "stable firmware" as an upsell for their new HD PVR's (9241 & 9242).

This way, they get 3 kinds of upgrade customers (i'm convinced they will NOT pay any portion of the MPEG4 upgrade):

A) People ugrade because they want the new MPEG4 channels (they don't exist yet...)

B) People ugrade because they want the additional external USB storage feature (THAT WOULD BE ME)

C) People that are fed up with the issues of the 9200 upgrade to the promise of a more stable HD-PVR

P.S. If BEV does not bring the additional external USB storage feature accross this side of the border, THEY CAN KISS MY 700$-1000$ GOODBYE BECAUSE I AINT UPGRADING!!! No amount of Baby-HD, Grandpa-HD, Curling-HD or Scrabble-HD will make me shell out $$$ for the MPEG4 receiver. The only MPEG4 channel that could make me move would be NFL-Network HD or a non pay-per-view fully open 24 hrs XXX fully uncensored channel in HD... since that will NEVER happen and I don't think BEV is in any hurry to duplicate an HD a channel that allready exists in SD (NFL network), I think I will be able to hold out for a VERY LONG TIME.

You listening BEV??? BRING ME MY EXTERNAL STORAGE USB FEATURE OR ELSE !!!

[jb1]

...I'll take the external storage and that full 24 hour uncensored xxx channel thingy too...

[Huff]

Originally Posted by J in KW

...I re-iterated that I did NOT have the stuttering problem before the v149 update. ... It's a software problem, and they should fix it.

Exactly. It's been 1 month simmering over V149 - more than 90% of my HD recordings are unwatchable as are "paused" HD shows - and still no fix for this. BCE has lost my internet & home phone (about $90/mth) business because of V149. My Bell Mobility contract expires Sept. 1 and if BEV does not resolve this issue soon (without creating any new 9200 headaches) then BCE will lose that (about $80/mth) business as well. I did not have any trouble with these other services, but I had to express my dissatisfaction over this somehow.

As irate as I am with BEV for V149, I still believe that the 9200 PVR (with stuttering resolved) combined with BEV's HD channel lineup is currently the best HD package available in Canada. And I would be willing to pay a reasonable upgrade fee for their next generation HD PVR, but ONLY IF its quality and reliability are proven after 3 months in the marketplace AND it has 100+ hours of HD recording time and/or expandable storage.

[congo]

If BEV decides to turf the 9200 and leave owner-customers in the dust, I'll buy a Captive Works HD-PVR FTA receiver (MPEG4 capable) and watch whatever lands on my dish

[ltldevl]

Originally Posted by Huff

Exactly. It's been 1 month simmering over V149 - more than 90% of my HD recordings are unwatchable as are "paused" HD shows - and still no fix for this. BCE has lost my internet & home phone (about $90/mth) business because of V149. My Bell Mobility contract expires Sept. 1 and if BEV does not resolve this issue soon (without creating any new 9200 headaches) then BCE will lose that (about $80/mth) business as well. I did not have any trouble with these other services, but I had to express my dissatisfaction over this somehow.

As irate as I am with BEV for V149, I still believe that the 9200 PVR (with stuttering resolved) combined with BEV's HD channel lineup is currently the best HD package available in Canada. And I would be willing to pay a reasonable upgrade fee for their next generation HD PVR, but ONLY IF its quality and reliability are proven after 3 months in the marketplace AND it has 100+ hours of HD recording time and/or expandable storage.

I'm with you, I spend over $230 a month on my Bell subscriptions (Internet, Satellite and a land line). I'm going to start threatening them since my contract is up in September as well. Especially with the mpeg4 receivers on the way.

[dave 2]

They finally admitted today that it was a software problem. "we JUST identified it as a software problem, very recent!". They also said there is no timeline as to a fix because it is so "recent". Apparently being addressed as an "urgent" issue.

I'm starting to check out *Choice and Rogers' promos for a hardware swap...

[I_Want_My_HDTV]

The download of the guide probably also forced a download of the new channel map.

[GGG65]

"hey finally admitted today that it was a software problem. "we JUST identified it as a software problem, very recent!". They also said there is no timeline as to a fix because it is so "recent"."

So the three weeks of complaints, issues, etc was all a dream to them? lol

That's one thing I hate about big companies like Bell - how they can completely mess up simple tasks like problem tracking, providing customers with accurate information, etc etc. Maybe they should start with a whiteboard in the call-centre and work their way up.

[dave 2]

Would it be possible to ask for V146 to be downloaded to certain receivers only or is this impossible? The main reason for this version was Daylight Savings Time (they had since last summer to prepare!). I could live without the other functions while I wait for a workable fix.

Once again, this is a VERY expensive receiver if I can't use the PVR function properly.

[Gnormal]

We apologize for the delay in fixing the few remaining trivial problems with the 9200.

As you know, if you have ever called the supporting staff at EVu, Bell just cannot afford to pay a decent wage and we must contract out to the lowest bidder, typically in India.

Now imagine the folks trying to fix the software problems. The most difficult job for a programmer is to modify someone else's program. So think of the low paid and therefore inexperienced guy working for the lowest bidder. He's never seen or used a 9200 (we did send him one but he says he can't get the signal.) His Commodore 64 keeps crashing and it's monsoon season and the boy pedaling the power generator just drowned.

So let's have some consideration here. You know we value your patience and really appreciate your business. Please call if you wish to make a donation to Bell, and don't give up if you are kept on hold for an hour.


Thank you.