Bugs/Glitches with DCT2500

[Bassbonist]

Now that I have a DCT2500, here are the things I have noticed so far.

1) The Day + and Day - Buttons are reversed when using the guide. To advance one day ahead in the guide, you have to press the Day - (minus) button, and to go back one day, you have to press the Day + (Plus) button. This is the opposite of the DCT2000.

2) Audio Settings. Even though you can see the settings change with your eyes, your ears do not believe what your eyes are seeing. There is no difference between Stereo, or Mono, or any of the compression settings.

3) Sound Quality. The audio on the Digital channels sounds like it is using a lot of compression. The DCT2000HT, even though does not have DD5.1, sounded way better because you could turn of compression all together. Right now, the Sofware/firmware combo of 60.00 and 01.09 are not allowing the user to change the compression settings. I, personally find sound quality way better with compression set to none. --- Comparing the sound quailty from my Panasonic DVD player with the sound Quality of the DCT2500, my DVD player wins hands down.

4) Picture Quality. Overall, the picture quality seems to be better; however there are some glitches. My channel 42, which is "Prime" in Kelowna, seems to refresh at a lower rate than 60hz. This results in a kind of "Strobe effect." Not only is the picture strobing, but is also very aliased. (has jagged lines.)

This is what I have noticed so far. Overall, I am happy I have the newer model. These issues that I have noticed, all seem to be related to software. Hopefully, there will be a software update to fix these issues.

[sbermunk]

I agree about the Mono/Stereo settings, I can't tell any difference either. However, on digital channels I can tell the difference with the different compression settings... and the no compression option seems to work for me, though admittedly I am only using the analog outputs. (Hmm, maybe those settings only work for the analog outputs??)
The problem I and a couple of others are having is that the volume level on the analog channels (on analog outputs) is really low for some reason... I have to crank the volume on my (bookshelf, stereo) receiver way up when listening to analog channels.
I have never experienced this strobing problem, either, but I have read other complaints about that.
I need a bookshelf digital A/V receiver for my bedroom...

[2dran]

Originally Posted by Bassbonist

4) Picture Quality. Overall, the picture quality seems to be better; however there are some glitches. My channel 42, which is "Prime" in Kelowna, seems to refresh at a lower rate than 60hz. This results in a kind of "Strobe effect." Not only is the picture strobing, but is also very aliased. (has jagged lines.)

This strobing you are referring to... do you believe it is a result of the DCT2500?

The reason I ask that is becuase I have noticed similar strobing in the past but couldn't remember precisely what channel, how it looked, etc.... But I saw the phenomena last night while watching the local rendition of CBC (I say that because the local channel noticeably inserts commercials here and there). Anyway, what I saw was a strobing effect on the entire image, most noticeable on mainly dark or completely black images, with the strobing occuring 2-4 times a second. Its not really a flashing effect, rather it is like someone is playing with a brightness control very fast - the image ramps up then down - its a rapid but smooth kind of strobe - if that makes sense to anyone. The strange part about it was that this strobing did not last an entire program, in fact it was clearly noticeable, then clearly gone, then back again. This appearing/disappearing was very noticeable during/inbetween commercial breaks.

Anyway, the biggest reason I ask this is because I have a DCT2000HT, not the DCT2500 and I see this effect. Additionally, when I saw this occuring, I quickly switched my television from video input (from the DCT) to that channel and noticed it was present using the television tuner as well (my TV has cable direct to it as well as the STB). This does not occur very often that I recall, in fact most of the time I just pass it off as some sort of interference (which I'm used to seeing).

Just curious if indeed the problem is in the DCT2500, or if it is the channel itself?

[57]

If the Motorola is like the SA equipment, the audio settings like "compression" do not affect the digital signals at all. On the SA if you change from "Wide" to "normal" to "narrow" audio range it's very easy to hear the difference on analogue - each induces about 3+dB difference in sound level. It does nothing to digital.

[Alan Bealby]

As 57 says, I have read that the compression option only affects the analog audio out. Also if you find that the analog audio volume is low, particularily relative to the same channels digital audio, then using heavy compression may ameliorate the problem.

[Bassbonist]

Yes...I was actually refering to the analog.....it does not work on mine...

[Bassbonist]

[quote="2dran"]

Originally Posted by Bassbonist

This strobing you are referring to... do you believe it is a result of the DCT2500?
Just curious if indeed the problem is in the DCT2500, or if it is the channel itself?

Yes....I believe it to be my DCT2500....I tried it on my other TV and it does the same thing.
Also...the strobing I am describing is more like a flicker...it seems like the screen refreshes below 60HZ on channel 42. Both TVs do not exibit the problem on channel 42 with thier own tuners.

[technut]

I mentioned this in another thread but thought I'd post it here too.

On analog channels only, I am seeing a white flicker centered near the bottom of the screen covering about 50% of the width and reaching up about 15% of the height. It is really only obvious on dark or black images, but it is actually there all the time. It seems to flicker at a speed of about 10 Hz. It's hard to describe but it reminds me of a low flickering propane flame in a gas fireplace or BBQ.

This is with S/W ver 60.00-1009 (Firmware 01.09). It is present on both the S-video and the Composite outputs. Digital channels appear to be rock solid.

It comes and goes, but I haven't been able to figure out any pattern to when or why it appears and disappears. Never had this problem with the DCT 2000.

[technut]

Originally Posted by technut

On analog channels only, I am seeing a white flicker centered near the bottom of the screen
This is with S/W ver 60.00-1009 (Firmware 01.09). It is present on both the S-video and the Composite outputs. Digital channels appear to be rock solid.

An update:

I don't recall seeing this problem recently; possibly not since my DCT 2500 was updated to S/W Ver: 60.01-2005 Firmware 02.21 by Shaw.