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Fibe TV Set-Top Box Discussion

32K views 71 replies 11 participants last post by  Dr.Dave 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
EDIT by Dr.Dave: Please use this thread for all Set-Top Box Discussion and Questions.

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Compatible used receiver with new 4K PVR??

Hi!

Bell will soon upgrade my current old Fibe setup to the latest 4K PVR and the latest HomeHub 3000. The new promotion didn't include extra receivers for my bedroom and kid's room, however the guy at the Bell's boot (in store) told me to find some used receivers on Kijiji and add it for free to my account. As soon as the old receivers as been removed correctly for former account as well. That being said, I found A LOT of different models of Bell Fibe receivers on Kijiji and I don't understand which one is compatible with each other...

For the moment, I found plenty of VIP1200 receiver in classified... are they compatible with the 4K PVR and the HH3000 network? I don't care if they are slower or even 720P, since they are for secondary TV that are used only a few time per month and they are 720P TV anyway... I just want that it work fine.

Thank you :)
 
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#2 ·
Arris VIP 2502 questions

Hi everyone, I'm new here. Glad to have found this forum!

System details
  • Hub 3000 modem, Bell Fibe PVR, Arris VIP 2502 remote receiver. My house is a bungalow about 70 feet long. The modem is on the main level, the PVR is in the basement, and the VIP 2502 is on the main level about 50 feet away from the modem. The latter two are separated by two drywalled walls - no ducting or heavy wiring in the way. The PVR in the basement is lightning fast. There is virtually no lag.
  • The VIP 2502 was suffering from severe lag through the WiFi connection, so I abandoned the WiFi connection and used a Cat 6 cable instead - direct to the modem. The Guide and PVR are now displayed much quicker, as are the station changes and selections.
  • My internet speed is measured at a little under 1 GB up and down - do no issues there!

Issue
I have Netflix. It works perfectly when viewed from the PVR. The screen refresh is instant - no fuzziness while the show is still loading and the series episodes don't automatically start playing after the last one finished. These are my Netflix preferences. Meanwhile, the VIP 2502 is slow to load, is fuzzy for the first 10 seconds of viewing while the internet feed finishes loading the show, and a new episode starts to play right after a 20-second countdown. In other words, the VIP 2502 doesn't recognize my Netflix preferences.

Is my VIP 2502 defective? Changing from a WiFi to wired connection has made it almost as fast as the PVR but the Netflix issue remains. The reason I think something is wrong is that I had trouble getting the wired connection to work (big surprise - I've read a lot about this nightmare!!). Bell sent a service tech in and we got the wired connection to work and Netlfix behaved as I wanted. The Cat 6 wire was just run through my hallways for that test. After I saw that the connection worked, I ran the cable through my floor trusses. Now, it's not working as expected.

Does anyone have any experience with this remote receiver and Netflix?
Is there a specific way to boot the VIP 2502 so that is works?
Should I just get Bell to replace this? It's a rental.

Many thanks for your help...

- Lee
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
Bell VIP1200 vs VIP2202 vs VIP2262 vs VIP2502 vs VIP5562W???

I am looking to purchase a few used receivers for my own Bell Fibe TV account in the classified and I am offered many different models where I don't know which one are compatible with each other... So far, here's what I found online :

VIP1200 : Wired HD receiver (I assume it's like the 1st generation Fibe receiver???)

VIP2202 : No idea what it is... wired? wifi?

VIP2262 : 1080P PVR/base unit (Only one PVR per network allowed, I understand that)

VIP2502 : Wireless HD receiver

VIP5562W : Wireless/Wired 4K PVR/base unit

I currently have the VIP5562W 4K PVR and I have the HomeHub 3000 router and this is pretty much it. I want to add receivers for my bedroom and kids playroom TVs without loaning them to Bell.
 
#5 ·
There is a good discussion of buying used equipment starting here:

https://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/188-bell-fibe-tv/127778-fibe-questions-64.html#post3071545

The only item you should be looking at is the VIP2502 Wireless receiver - there are problems trying to get wireless and wired STBs working together. Even if you buy the right used receiver, you may have problems getting Bell to activate it as described in the thread.

You could also consider a streaming device that uses the Fibe TV app - Chromecast, Fire TV, Apple TV, etc. You can watch recorded shows and live TV, but you can't pause live TV. You will need unlimited Bell internet to use them. There are a few threads in this section discussing the Fibe TV app.
 
#6 ·
I have the VIP 2502. I've tried using it wired and wirelessly. Either way, there is a severe lag in the TV Guide and PVR access functions. It doesn't remember Netflix options as the PVR does and some of the functions within it don't work as shown.

My friend who is an IT specialist used to work for Bell and has informed me that my receiver is defective. He has seen my entire setup. I'm going to ask Bell to give me a new one.
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
I had several (3x) VIP2502 receiver loaned by Bell (before I returned them because I were sick of paying for that loan) and they are all VERY slow receivers. The lag that you describe in the guide is perfectly normal, on both wired or wireless, all my 3x VIP2502 were EXTREMELY slow when you compare to the 4K PVR which is blazing fast and responsible. But this is how the VIP2502 are designed, they have very small CPU and very small memory, trust me, your are not defective or otherwise I had 3x defectives VIP2502 at home at the same time (impossible as well).
 
#9 ·
Before actually getting my old Bell Fibe setup fully upgraded by Bell, I had the old VIP2262 1080P PVR and this thing were INCREDIBLY slow. Just switching from a channel to another is like 3 seconds and just browsing the guide is more than 1 second between each move up or down. When the Bell's technician upgraded my VIP2262 to the latest VIP5662W 4K PVR, he told me that I'll be flabbergasted by the responsiveness and the speed of the new PVR because it have a much bigger CPU and much more RAM memory and of course, I am totally amazed on how fast it is. However the VIP2502 are still pretty much the same architecture as the old VIP2262 PVR, same speed, same responsiveness and overall same experience. It's not due to a network limitation, it's due to a hardware limitation actually. For me moment Bell don't have any new generation for the receivers (non-PVR), the VIP2502 is on the market for like 5 or 6 years...
 
#10 ·
I hear you, SimmZ,

Gone are the days where you can expect quality for your hard-earned dollars. Every company on the planet has an enormous appetite for profit. Meanwhile, I get old waiting for some old piece of junk (VIP 2502) to decide if it will work or not :(. I'd gladly pay a bit more if Bell would offer a remote receiver that works!!
 
#11 ·
Replace my VIP 2502

Hi everyone,

I honestly think the VIP 2502 is not up to today's standards. I'd like to replace it. Is it possible to replace it with another PVR, since they seem to have the most speed and RAM? My current PVR is the VIP 5662W (4K). It is routed through my Hub 3000. I would swap out the VIP 2502 with another PVR. Would that work? How would recordings be shared between the two PVRs? Perhaps this wouldn't work. If not, are there better remote receivers that would work that have real CPUs and decent RAM for better speed and features that actually work?

I'd like to tell Bell to come and get this piece of junk and put it back on the shelf with the rest of their Commodore 64s! It's dead slow and half the features don't even work.

Thanks...
 
#14 ·
@acreguy I merged several related threads into one.

The Arris VIP 2502 was state-of-the-art hardware at the time it was introduced. I checked the specs of the VIP 5662W when it was announced and the CPU is about 10 times as fast as the VIP 25xx PVRs and STBs. Arris does make a VIP 5602W 4K STB, which is basically a 5662 without the hard drive, which Telus uses in BC and Alberta. Bell doesn't have it on their web page, but you may want to check with them via phone or chat to see if it will become available, or if they have other plans for a faster STB.
 
#16 ·
FYI ...
I am about to switch to Bell Fibe TV and am looking at their receivers. I went onto the Arris website and the specs for various models are as follows...
CPU DRAM
2202 1000 DMIPS 256 Mb
2503 1100 DMIPS 256 Mb
4402 6000 DMIPS 1 Gb DDR3
5602/5662 12000 DMIPS 2 Gb DDR3

My problem is that my 4K TV is not my main TV, just the newest so I watch on an old Pioneer Plasma so the more powerful modem will not be on my main TV.

Only the 5662 is a PVR. The 5602 is 4K. The 4402 is HD. Would be nice to get either the 4402 or 5602 for processing speed. Not holding my breath.

I don't really understand why Bell can't have these more powerful receivers as an option. They just need to charge more for rental to cover any extra cost which (some) people would pay). I know that the only real 4K product currently is sports but what if someone has two 4K TVs?
 
#17 ·
I'm back guys. Just wanted to update you on the VIP 2502. I still have it and grit my teeth every time I use it. I had a discussion with a "tech rep" about two months ago. He couldn't sell me anything so he promised he would forward my concerns to the developers. That's the same nonsense I was told three months into my contract in 2018!! The VIP is a piece of junk from the 70s.

My contract comes up for renewal in Spring 2021. If Bell can't supply me with a receiver with a decent speed AND fix the features that simply don't work like with Netflix, I'm going to go elsewhere. Any suggestions for other fibe providers in the area east of Toronto? Thanks...
 
#18 ·
Bell has faster receivers. Maybe you should just bite the bullet and rent one of them. It might be possible to get the 2502 replaced by threatening to cancel and getting transferred to retentions. That's tougher on contract but it can be done. For future reference, new customers can cancel without penalty up to two weeks after the service is installed.

You're not going to find a Canadian TV service that's any better than Bell Fibe. They all have issues and some are a lot worse than Bell. I won't subscribe to Bell services due to the way they treat customers. When I was with them, the price increases, runarounds, nickel-and-diming and deceit never seemed to stop. Their TV services are good if you can afford the monthly rates, don't mind constant price increases and can spend a small fortune on regular hardware upgrades.
 
#20 ·
Bell has faster receivers. Maybe you should just bite the bullet and rent one of them. It might be possible to get the 2502 replaced by threatening to cancel and getting transferred to retentions.
I believe you're mistaken, unless something has changed since my post a year ago.

Bell sent a service tech in and we got the wired connection to work and Netlfix behaved as I wanted. The Cat 6 wire was just run through my hallways for that test. After I saw that the connection worked, I ran the cable through my floor trusses. Now, it's not working as expected.
It sounds like you've got a wiring issue. I have a Bell MTS VIP2262 1080P PVR and VIP2202 wired STB (Cat5e) and I don't have any issues. I don't use Netflix, but the STB is pretty responsive. Some functions that use apps like "Last 5 channels" take about a second to respond, but paging through the guide or using arrows, or forward a day at a time works well. Sometimes I get a "getting information" message in the guide as the box pulls in the latest data, but that only takes a spit second. I double-checked things last night and paid close attention to the timing.
 
#19 ·
Thanks, ExDilbert! Perhaps I'll contact them about a better receiver.

You're certainly right about the nickel and dime stuff. They guaranteed me a set price for three years but they slowly remove your discount percentage as a way of bumping your price each year. Sneaky but perfectly legal. Legislators need to put a stop to that and make these bandits specify a promise of "net amount" we pay versus the agreed monthly fee. Bell actually charges me full price but applies a discount that slowly slides away each year.
 
#21 ·
Thanks, Dr. Dave. I've already tried hardwiring the 2502 directly to the modem with a CAT 6 cable. Bell tech says the 2502 works with either CAT 5 or 6. It didn't make any difference. I bought a Wi-Fi booster and it helps a bit but I honestly believe the 2502 is just not up to the task. Is the 2202 older or newer than the 2502?

The only thing that helps is to unplug the 2502 and PVR at the beginning of each day, and then you wait forever for it to reconnect everything- something else I don't understand with this high-speed technology.

I have asked Bell about a better receiver and they offered up a wired version but I forget why I turned it down. Perhaps the price was outrageous. I really don't remember. I can see why the 2502 is a standard issue for them because there's no wire fishing required. Guess I'm stuck with this piece of crap. A tech at Staples, where I bought my signal booster hinted that the CAT jack on the 2502 may not be for routine use but for bench testing and troubleshooting only. That makes sense otherwise it should have jumped to life after being connected through a CAT 6 cable - more proof that the receiver is a toy.
 
#22 · (Edited)
The VIP 2202 is older and technically slightly slower and I believe it is Bell Canada's wired model.
2202 1000 DMIPS
2502 1100 DMIPS

My configuration is typical for new installations by Bell MTS even now. My sister, also in Winnipeg, has a 2502 and a few 2202s with no problems.

There were some posts in our Bell Fibe TV forum years ago that pointed to problems using the 2502 in wired mode, but I can't recall the details.

If most of your problems are because of Netflix, maybe you should use a different device for Netflix.

I've never used the 4K PVR, but I can imagine response would be instantaneous and the difference with the 2502 would be noticeable. My experience with the 2202 is response time is less than a second, except for apps which are a second or maybe 2 at the most.
The only thing that helps is to unplug the 2502 and PVR at the beginning of each day, and then you wait forever for it to reconnect everything
What problems does that resolve? Is it enough to reboot the 2502? Is there something that causes the 2502 to bog down, such as watching Netflix?
 
#24 ·
Hi Dr. Dave,

Netflix is only one annoying problem. It should act the same as in the PVR but it isn't even close. The same thing with the Restart function when playing back recorded shows from the 2502. When you select Restart, the show never goes back to the beginning. It plays from the previous stop point. You must select the Back button and the Restart again before an actual restart occurs. What the heck is with that??

The bigger issue is the slowness of the 2502. There is a lag when toggling through the TV guide, selecting channels, and calling menu items. Funny enough, these lag times are only a few seconds but when you use the PVR, a home PC or Mac, iPad, or other such devices, their speed is radically faster in comparison and completely what we're all used to. I know a few second lag is really nothing but it is eons in terms of computer performance time. If the PVR is that fast, why not the 2502? Why the huge difference?

It's like getting used to a modern-day PC with 32 GB RAM, multiple cores, and high-speed CPU, and then switching over to a 286 from the 1980s. Equally annoying is when I was with Cogeco, my remote receiver was connected via 75 Ohm cable and was as fast as the PVR. Holy socks, 75 Ohm cable was brought out in the mid-60s and is faster than Wi-Fi in this case!! Moving to Bell Wi-Fi for the remote receiver is a major step backward. We deserve far better performance. Why can't a decent speed be obtained using a CAT6 cable into the 2502? It makes no difference, never mind all the software glitches.

As for rebooting, perhaps I could just reboot the 2502. The reason I reboot is because it's the only answer Bell tech people give you.
 
#28 ·
That is my plan. The Kuro is the main TV so I want it to have the quickest responding STB which I assume based on DMIPs is the 5662. This leaves me with the 2202/2502 for the 4K TV but as I said, there's very little 4K material to watch. That will likely change so hopefully Bell will get a 4K STB so people with two 4K TVs can watch 4K on both of them. You would think that Bell must realize this. You can only have one PVR (5662) in your network.

I'm a little old school so I prefer hardwiring. Do you see any pros/cons for the 2202 (ethernet) over the 2502 (wireless)? By the way, I was told that the 2502 may have a LAN connection but it is not supported by Bell. I have 3 TVs, the Kuro (5662 with ethernet), the 4K (2202 with ethernet because it is 6 ft from the HH3000) and another TV about 40 ft away which I'm undecided on. I have no plans to move any of them so the flexibilty of wireless is not an issue other than there being no cables but I already have a coax cable going to the 3rd TV so replacing it with an ethernet cable is not a problem. Cat 6 is generally thinner than coax anyways.. I'm just wondering which STB connection (ethernet or wireless) will perform the best (response time, picture quality).
 
#29 ·
I'm with Bell MTS and they only use the 2502 where required, for portability or where wiring isn't practical. They also charge extra for it.

I haven't seen any problems with either the 2202 or the 2502, but you can read the other complaints about the 2502. The processor is very similar so the performance should also be similar, as long as you have a good Wi-Fi signal.
 
#31 ·
This question should probably be in a different thread but...
What connections are made on the HH3000 if I go ethernet? I have a picture of the back of the HH3000. There is a WAN port for fiber input (?), 2 DSL ports, 2 TEL ports and 4 LAN ports. I am going to have a switch for some internet ethernet connections (TV, Bluray) which I assume would be connected to one of the LAN ports. Where will the 5602 and 2202 ethernet cables attach to the HH3000? Do they take up LAN ports? I thought they were somehow separated (wireless TV vs wireless internet) but now I'm a little confused as to where my ethernet cables will be running.
 
#35 · (Edited)
Again I should probably start a new thread but the question relates to STBs. I just called Bell for a quote and when they asked how many TVs, they also asked if I would be watching recorded programming on the 2 non-main TVs. He said if I don't it would be cheaper to buy 2 Firesticks for those TVs rather than renting two 2202/2502s. I have a Samsung 4K smart TV which I've pointed out will not be the main TV so I would only use a 2202 with it and not get 4K. Can I just download the Bell Fibe TV app to the Samsung and watch all Bell Fibe channels without renting the 2202 plus get 4K? The main difference is it would be via internet vs the Fibe TV network if it matters. I purchased a Roku streaming stick for my non-smart non-4K main TV which would use the 5662. Obviously I'm new to this. I currently have 5Mb d/l so never got into streaming.
 
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