Channel Master 7000PAL, CM TV, CM7400 DVR's - Page 30 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

ARDUN · 2011-04-20, 12:17 PM

I have come to terms with the fact that the guide info is very incomplete for Canadian channels, CTV and CBC are the exceptions. If there's no guide info I just don't watch them. (I don't think I'm missing much)

Jase88 · 2011-04-20, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonopolyBuster

This product was developed specifically for the U.S. market. While they could make a program change and have it available for a "new software version" downloading, why would they?

There are likely less than a couple hundred of these devices in Canada, with little likelihood of expansion beyond the 3 or 4 major Canadian cities and those which are also close to a major American OTA market.

If they stick with the creation of a substitute zip code, the trouble and cost to implement would be negligible, as few firmware changes would be required.

I'm just a believer that if your products are sold in a particular area or country, than you as a manufacturer should support the product. Regardless of how few or many you sell. Channel Master does good business in Canada with their products.

roger1818 · 2011-04-20, 03:27 PM

It all depends if they are intending to sell them in Canada. Is Channel Master exporting them to Canada or are retailers importing them from the US. If it is the later, they have no responsibility to support the Canadian market.

Jase88 · 2011-04-20, 03:32 PM

You can buy the unit from their U.S. website, and they'll ship it to your Canadian address. There is no caveat during the purchase process that indicates "we won't support this device in Canada" or something to that effect. They obviously have no objection to selling this product to Canadians. My local Channel Master dealer can also order them for customers...

El Gran Chico · 2011-04-20, 04:30 PM

From what I understand, Echostar still owns the firmware source code and has frozen development of it, meaning that even if ChannelMaster wanted to improve it, it can't.

I hope I'm wrong but I've seen no evidence that I am.

Jase88 · 2011-04-20, 05:10 PM

I don't believe it would require a coding change. ZIP code tables aren't likely hard-coded into the OS.

If they have indeed frozen development on the firmware for this product, I'm confused as to why the device obsessively checks for updates.

CamDAB · 2011-04-20, 05:16 PM

Folks, I know this is the HD box thread, but for what it's worth, I have the CM7000 SD box and my only sync issues are with the CBC and Coronation Street. It can be severely out of sync but the ads are perfectly in sync. Yet, at the same time the Cogeco cable feed is in sync, and the Toshiba 19" panel with it's ATSC tuner is in sync during Coronation Street, so there's something odd with the CM7000 and the CODEC decoding. Global, CTV etc all sync fine.

Go figure...

Cameron

Jase88 · 2011-04-20, 05:18 PM

CamDAB, I believe you are referring to the CM digital to analog box, and not the DVR?

CamDAB · 2011-04-20, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jase88

CamDAB, I believe you are referring to the CM digital to analog box, and not the DVR?

Correct. I only mentioned it as it's also a CM product with sync issues and could be some common parts responsible.

Cameron

roger1818 · 2011-04-21, 01:09 PM

Although both have CM on the label, they are actually designed and manufactured by different companies. the DVR is made by EchoStar and I seem to remember it being a South American company making the CM7000.

Seems like CM is like so many companies these days and don't do anything themselves but instead put their name on other companies' products.

Jase88 · 2011-05-11, 11:33 PM

Observation: This DVR apparently won't pick up audio-only sub-channels, such as the case with PBS Rochester.

MonopolyBuster · 2011-05-12, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jase88

Observation: This DVR apparently won't pick up audio-only sub-channels, such as the case with PBS Rochester.

Are you sure? My DTVPal DVR receives Buffalo's WBEN AM and FM broadcasts through PBS 17.1. Press the SAP button and wait 3 seconds for it to change to the FM, listen, or hit again wait 3 seconds to hear AM. Hit again to return to TV.

Its interesting at first, but I'm not going to use my DVR/TV to listen to radio. I'm sure you're able to do the same with the CM7000Pal.

El Gran Chico · 2011-05-12, 12:33 PM

MonopolyBuster, I think you are confusing a 2nd audio track on the main channel versus a separate audio-only subchannel. WXXI and WNED have their radio station implemented differently.

anglia · 2011-06-08, 01:26 AM

Post #275 confirms that others find the hard drive remains on 7/24.

odd as i would have thought it would stop spinning at the 4 hour mark the default configuration setting for standby mode

My 7000PAL is 6 months old now and seem louder, yes i too have servers at home where the HD's spin 7/24 but their in the attic.

aside from pulling the 110 plug (post #274) anyone found a method to make it quiet. (need to keep it cool and see the remote so tuff to place it behind a cupboard door.

cheers,
Rich

distox · 2011-09-05, 07:06 AM

Just finished reading most of this thread. This looks like an interesting DVR. Now that there are no more analog signals in Canada, I am interested in getting one. It is available from Save & Replay. I have a few questions, how good are the tuners in picking up week stations, can the hard drive be replaced with a bigger one and can you pull the shows out of this unit onto a PC for archiving?

2011-04-20, 12:17 PM	#436
ARDUN Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Brooklin, Ontario Posts: 68	I have come to terms with the fact that the guide info is very incomplete for Canadian channels, CTV and CBC are the exceptions. If there's no guide info I just don't watch them. (I don't think I'm missing much) __________________ -------------------------- CM-7000PAL, CM-4228HD, CM-7778, Yamaha HTR-6260, WDTV, PS3, 60" LG Plasma

2011-04-20, 03:27 PM	#438
roger1818 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ottawa (Stittsville), ON, OTA (Radio Shack Omnidirectional Antenna and 5Y6S in Attic), MythTV HTPC Posts: 5,680	It all depends if they are intending to sell them in Canada. Is Channel Master exporting them to Canada or are retailers importing them from the US. If it is the later, they have no responsibility to support the Canadian market. __________________ Link to my TVFool results is in my profile Homepage URL. I suggest others do the same.

2011-04-20, 03:32 PM	#439
Jase88 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kitchener, ON Posts: 4,110	You can buy the unit from their U.S. website, and they'll ship it to your Canadian address. There is no caveat during the purchase process that indicates "we won't support this device in Canada" or something to that effect. They obviously have no objection to selling this product to Canadians. My local Channel Master dealer can also order them for customers... __________________ DMX 68' tower, HyGain HAM 5 rotator, Antennas Direct 91-XG & C5, Channel Master 7777 preamp, Siemens surge protection

2011-04-20, 04:30 PM	#440
El Gran Chico Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Toronto/Etobicoke - Bloor/Royal York/Queensway/Islington Posts: 1,386	From what I understand, Echostar still owns the firmware source code and has frozen development of it, meaning that even if ChannelMaster wanted to improve it, it can't. I hope I'm wrong but I've seen no evidence that I am. __________________ Orig 4221, A-D C5, CM 7778, Aquos LC37D62U, TiVo Premiere, DTVpal DVR

2011-04-20, 05:10 PM	#441
Jase88 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kitchener, ON Posts: 4,110	I don't believe it would require a coding change. ZIP code tables aren't likely hard-coded into the OS. If they have indeed frozen development on the firmware for this product, I'm confused as to why the device obsessively checks for updates. __________________ DMX 68' tower, HyGain HAM 5 rotator, Antennas Direct 91-XG & C5, Channel Master 7777 preamp, Siemens surge protection

2011-04-20, 05:16 PM	#442
CamDAB Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Far East End of Hamilton, ON (Lake & Barton, 10th floor facing East) Posts: 1,097	Folks, I know this is the HD box thread, but for what it's worth, I have the CM7000 SD box and my only sync issues are with the CBC and Coronation Street. It can be severely out of sync but the ads are perfectly in sync. Yet, at the same time the Cogeco cable feed is in sync, and the Toshiba 19" panel with it's ATSC tuner is in sync during Coronation Street, so there's something odd with the CM7000 and the CODEC decoding. Global, CTV etc all sync fine. Go figure... Cameron __________________ DAB listener December 2003-November 2011 (DAB Off-Air) HD radio Listener since June 2010

2011-04-20, 05:18 PM	#443
Jase88 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kitchener, ON Posts: 4,110	CamDAB, I believe you are referring to the CM digital to analog box, and not the DVR? __________________ DMX 68' tower, HyGain HAM 5 rotator, Antennas Direct 91-XG & C5, Channel Master 7777 preamp, Siemens surge protection

2011-04-21, 01:09 PM	#445
roger1818 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ottawa (Stittsville), ON, OTA (Radio Shack Omnidirectional Antenna and 5Y6S in Attic), MythTV HTPC Posts: 5,680	Although both have CM on the label, they are actually designed and manufactured by different companies. the DVR is made by EchoStar and I seem to remember it being a South American company making the CM7000. Seems like CM is like so many companies these days and don't do anything themselves but instead put their name on other companies' products.

2011-05-11, 11:33 PM	#446
Jase88 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kitchener, ON Posts: 4,110	Observation: This DVR apparently won't pick up audio-only sub-channels, such as the case with PBS Rochester. __________________ DMX 68' tower, HyGain HAM 5 rotator, Antennas Direct 91-XG & C5, Channel Master 7777 preamp, Siemens surge protection

2011-05-12, 12:33 PM	#448
El Gran Chico Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Toronto/Etobicoke - Bloor/Royal York/Queensway/Islington Posts: 1,386	MonopolyBuster, I think you are confusing a 2nd audio track on the main channel versus a separate audio-only subchannel. WXXI and WNED have their radio station implemented differently. __________________ Orig 4221, A-D C5, CM 7778, Aquos LC37D62U, TiVo Premiere, DTVpal DVR

2011-06-08, 01:26 AM	#449
anglia Rookie Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynn Valley Posts: 9	7000PAL Hard drive always on......seems loud Post #275 confirms that others find the hard drive remains on 7/24. odd as i would have thought it would stop spinning at the 4 hour mark the default configuration setting for standby mode My 7000PAL is 6 months old now and seem louder, yes i too have servers at home where the HD's spin 7/24 but their in the attic. aside from pulling the 110 plug (post #274) anyone found a method to make it quiet. (need to keep it cool and see the remote so tuff to place it behind a cupboard door. cheers, Rich

2011-09-05, 07:06 AM	#450
distox Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 217	Just finished reading most of this thread. This looks like an interesting DVR. Now that there are no more analog signals in Canada, I am interested in getting one. It is available from Save & Replay. I have a few questions, how good are the tuners in picking up week stations, can the hard drive be replaced with a bigger one and can you pull the shows out of this unit onto a PC for archiving? __________________ Home is where the Theatre is!

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