Also done over the phone. Scheduled to receive 9241s but when I explained that they would be useless to my setup he agreed to send 9242s. I have a 9241 now which wasn't useful to me so if anybody wants it, make me an offer. Will have a box to send it in when I receive the new receivers.
MPEG4 Receiver swap starts October 23rd 2011, Read Post 1.
Edit by 57: If you're thinking of buying or selling a 9200 or 6100 for use on BTV, please read post 1 of the following thread and the link there. These STBs will no longer be activated by Bell. Buying/selling discussions should also be in that thread, not this swap thread.
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=38236
Thank you very much to m3repair for supplying the following summary information regarding the swap process:
SUMMARY NOTES:
1. You can call Bell to request a new replacement receiver now if you have 6100's and/or 9200's that are active on your account. (able to view your subscribed programming)
2. If you have a 9200, you can request a 9242 if that's what you want, but you have to explain that you need one because you use the function of TV2 at secondary television location. Edit 2012.03 - 9242s are quite difficult to get now. Good luck - try chat... Several times perhaps...
3. You can do this all via "chat" (under contact us on bell.ca) but ensure you get the reference number. You may also want to save the chat log in case you get shipped a 9241 by mistake and wanted a 9242 and have to resolve that problem.
4. You can check status of your order/STBs (confirming that a 9242 or 9241 or 6131 has been added to your account) by going to the website and "changing PIN"/ "manage account" (If you want a tracking number you can wait a day or two and then call Bell and ask for the tracking number) either from Canada Post or Purolator.) (In the options on the left hand side there should also be an option to synchronize programming once you have your unit)
5. Stamped on the outside of the brown shipping box is the model number of the receiver. If it has a R after the numbers it will be a refurbished model.
6. A UHF kit can be obtained for your 6131 by calling retentions. (may take a few tries for them to send it to you)
7. You can keep the old STBs. (9200's, 6100's) for parts or use or viewing previously recorded content.
8. From the instructions: "To ensure uninterrupted service, please replace your HD PVR within the next two weeks". 9200 is usually deactivated in 2-4 Weeks.
9. How to Transfer Recorded Content from your 9200 to 924X Thread -->
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=147323
10. Uses for 9200 and 6100 after you swap:
(Side note: For those wondering what to do with your used 9200 and or 6100 that seems to be no longer of use here some suggestions:
A.)Use your 9200 to view your previously recorded content (also can be used in step B). The 9200 doesn't need to be connected to sat for this purpose, but you may get some error messages, which you can simply cancel.
B.)Use (or sell) your 9200 as an OTA PVR or OTA viewer (6100) (with satellite feeds connected and no guide info)
C.)Save the Hard Drive from 9200 and use it when your 9242 internal drive starts to fail (tested to also ensure it works, or in a compatible computer)
D.)Save the Power Supply Board from 9200 and use it in your 9242 if it fails (tested to ensure it is possible)
E.) You will not be able to use your 9200 for SD programming. It will be deactivated.
Edit - Rumour thread, now closed:
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=139105
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=38236
Thank you very much to m3repair for supplying the following summary information regarding the swap process:
SUMMARY NOTES:
1. You can call Bell to request a new replacement receiver now if you have 6100's and/or 9200's that are active on your account. (able to view your subscribed programming)
2. If you have a 9200, you can request a 9242 if that's what you want, but you have to explain that you need one because you use the function of TV2 at secondary television location. Edit 2012.03 - 9242s are quite difficult to get now. Good luck - try chat... Several times perhaps...
3. You can do this all via "chat" (under contact us on bell.ca) but ensure you get the reference number. You may also want to save the chat log in case you get shipped a 9241 by mistake and wanted a 9242 and have to resolve that problem.
4. You can check status of your order/STBs (confirming that a 9242 or 9241 or 6131 has been added to your account) by going to the website and "changing PIN"/ "manage account" (If you want a tracking number you can wait a day or two and then call Bell and ask for the tracking number) either from Canada Post or Purolator.) (In the options on the left hand side there should also be an option to synchronize programming once you have your unit)
5. Stamped on the outside of the brown shipping box is the model number of the receiver. If it has a R after the numbers it will be a refurbished model.
6. A UHF kit can be obtained for your 6131 by calling retentions. (may take a few tries for them to send it to you)
7. You can keep the old STBs. (9200's, 6100's) for parts or use or viewing previously recorded content.
8. From the instructions: "To ensure uninterrupted service, please replace your HD PVR within the next two weeks". 9200 is usually deactivated in 2-4 Weeks.
9. How to Transfer Recorded Content from your 9200 to 924X Thread -->
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=147323
10. Uses for 9200 and 6100 after you swap:
(Side note: For those wondering what to do with your used 9200 and or 6100 that seems to be no longer of use here some suggestions:
A.)Use your 9200 to view your previously recorded content (also can be used in step B). The 9200 doesn't need to be connected to sat for this purpose, but you may get some error messages, which you can simply cancel.
B.)Use (or sell) your 9200 as an OTA PVR or OTA viewer (6100) (with satellite feeds connected and no guide info)
C.)Save the Hard Drive from 9200 and use it when your 9242 internal drive starts to fail (tested to also ensure it works, or in a compatible computer)
D.)Save the Power Supply Board from 9200 and use it in your 9242 if it fails (tested to ensure it is possible)
E.) You will not be able to use your 9200 for SD programming. It will be deactivated.
The objective of the MPEG 4 receiver swap project is to replace all MPEG 2 receivers (models 6100, 9200) installed at customers’ premises with MPEG 4 receivers. This will allow Bell to switch all HD broadcasting to the more efficient MPEG 4 encoding, freeing up satellite capacity and allowing Bell to launch 43 new SD channels.
This will impact an estimated 193,000 customers with 240,000 receivers to be replaced.
Now for the part I do not like;The launch for Phase I of the project will be October 23rd, 2011. This will be followed by Phase II of the MPEG 4 swap project, starting on December 11th, 2011 and continuing until July 31st 2012. There will be a blackout period during the winter holidays.
So there you have it, no longer a Rumour, it is a fact.Once 9242 stock is exhausted, a 9241 + 5900 will be shipped to the customer instead (only for two room solution)
Edit - Rumour thread, now closed:
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=139105
221 - 240 of 1231 Posts
Same thing last night, (long hold times though) The guy on the other end knew exactly what was going on, told me 3-5 days I would get a 9242 to replace my 9200, didn't mention anything about returning it, but Pinza already said and others have also said they can keep there 9200 for previous recordings but it will not be activated ever again. I asked what it would be shipped as and he said it was Purolator
Receiver swap
It was Tuesday approx 12:30pm the day after they were supposed to start the swap.
I called after reading that people were able to request replacements, even with no letter.
I got a CSR right away and she was in Canada because I could hear the French accent.
I pretended and told here I got the letter about upgrades for my 2 9200's.
She knew about the swap and asked if I was using them for a two room setup and I said one was for a two room setup and the other one was used also as a DTV tuner.
She said I could have 2 9242's and I would get them in about 10 days.
She wanted to have an installer come and hook them up, but I said the last swap (a 6000)
was just sent to my house & I did it myself. She said that if I was fine doing that again I didn't need the installer to come. I asked if I needed to send the old ones back and she said no. I could do whatever I wanted with them.
(Keeping them for Hard drive replacements if they work in the 9242).
She also said keep your UHF antenna and remotes. They would only be sending the receiver.
Thanks for everybody's info over the last day or so.
It made me alot more confident that if I called I would be successful in getting 2 9242's.
Call now if you need your swap!
Best of luck and thanks again.
It was Tuesday approx 12:30pm the day after they were supposed to start the swap.
I called after reading that people were able to request replacements, even with no letter.
I got a CSR right away and she was in Canada because I could hear the French accent.
I pretended and told here I got the letter about upgrades for my 2 9200's.
She knew about the swap and asked if I was using them for a two room setup and I said one was for a two room setup and the other one was used also as a DTV tuner.
She said I could have 2 9242's and I would get them in about 10 days.
She wanted to have an installer come and hook them up, but I said the last swap (a 6000)
was just sent to my house & I did it myself. She said that if I was fine doing that again I didn't need the installer to come. I asked if I needed to send the old ones back and she said no. I could do whatever I wanted with them.
(Keeping them for Hard drive replacements if they work in the 9242).
She also said keep your UHF antenna and remotes. They would only be sending the receiver.
Thanks for everybody's info over the last day or so.
It made me alot more confident that if I called I would be successful in getting 2 9242's.
Call now if you need your swap!
Best of luck and thanks again.
Use the Bell Live Chat
I tried the BellTV (ex Express Vu) number, but a busy ring resulted.
So I went to the Bell.ca and looked up the the Bell TV Customer Support and then to the Live Chat.
Several good questions and 20 minutes later, I was confirmed with a MPEG 4 replacement for my 9200.
Funny but a 9242 was not specifically stated. Copied the Chat to
MY Documents, Bell storage file.
I tried the BellTV (ex Express Vu) number, but a busy ring resulted.
So I went to the Bell.ca and looked up the the Bell TV Customer Support and then to the Live Chat.
Several good questions and 20 minutes later, I was confirmed with a MPEG 4 replacement for my 9200.
Funny but a 9242 was not specifically stated. Copied the Chat to
MY Documents, Bell storage file.
1 888 sky dish
1 888 759 3474
1 888 759 3474
This time used the live chat, painless and 5 minutes later, 6131 received on its way in 10-14 days. No questions about the letter either, only asked about PIN, and address.same thing for me: voice mail saying I am eligible for a swap. They first said that they would give me a brand new 6131 and let me keep the 6100, and then put me on hold. He then came back and said that I was not elgible. I told him that there was a voice mail saying I was. he put me on hold again. He came back and said that they were not yet ready to do the swap and that I should call when I get the letter or by the end of the week. I gave up for now.
I tried the tactic mentioned previously of choosing the option for a new activation and was put through right away.
At first was offered a 9241 for the 9200 but then said I use the two outputs and was put on hold for 30 seconds and then was told I'd get a 9242. Was asked whether I got a letter and I just said "yes".
Also mentioned that I use the UHF remote on the 6100 and was told I'll be getting a 6131 for that one and that it definitely comes with a UHF remote (which seems contradictory to what I've read on this site). Oh well, I'll argue that case after the fact. Getting a limited 9242 is more of a priority.
Finally was told that it would be 10 days and would include the return box and shipping labels for the old receivers - I don't care that much so if they do I'll just send the receivers back. Though maybe it was just the CSR making that assumption from previous exchange experience outside of this swap.
Most surprising is that I got through right away, the guy was super nice, and definitely in Canada. The CSR experience couldn't have been better.
At first was offered a 9241 for the 9200 but then said I use the two outputs and was put on hold for 30 seconds and then was told I'd get a 9242. Was asked whether I got a letter and I just said "yes".
Also mentioned that I use the UHF remote on the 6100 and was told I'll be getting a 6131 for that one and that it definitely comes with a UHF remote (which seems contradictory to what I've read on this site). Oh well, I'll argue that case after the fact. Getting a limited 9242 is more of a priority.
Finally was told that it would be 10 days and would include the return box and shipping labels for the old receivers - I don't care that much so if they do I'll just send the receivers back. Though maybe it was just the CSR making that assumption from previous exchange experience outside of this swap.
Most surprising is that I got through right away, the guy was super nice, and definitely in Canada. The CSR experience couldn't have been better.
There is definitely no UHF remote for the 6131 unless they are sending you a UHF remote kit. I have one and it is only IR capable.
I phoned in for a replacement for my 6100. I tried for the 6141 for it's OTA capabilities but the CSR didn't know what I was talking about and thought it was about the UHF remote. I tried explaining that this was for channels that came through an antenna, but it was no use and she said I could get all the channels from Bell. I got her to talk to a supervisor but no luck. I did get her to include the UHF kit which will be sent in another order though, so that's good.
I was hoping for a 9242 like some one else got but no luck, it's the 6131 for me and really it's mostly an upgrade with it's HDMI out and it's external HD capabilities.
I was hoping for a 9242 like some one else got but no luck, it's the 6131 for me and really it's mostly an upgrade with it's HDMI out and it's external HD capabilities.
same experience for me lightbender. used chat online. was offered a 9242 straight off. shipping in 7-10 days. no mention of returning the 9200 but I guess if it will soon be obsolute, why pay to have me ship it back right?
btw. does the 9242 do PoP (side by side screens). I love this about my 9200. I can watch two nfl games side by side using my projector and 100" screen.
btw. does the 9242 do PoP (side by side screens). I love this about my 9200. I can watch two nfl games side by side using my projector and 100" screen.
Yes it does PiP (picture In Picture).
yes 9242 does side by side screens. I recently bought a 9242 off kijiji and I'm very impressed with the PiP features. 100" screen!, nice 
mpeg2 vs mpeg4
I just had a chance to buy a couple of 9200's for 150.00 each, but when I called bell about the r00 #'s for activating them, they told me they were not supporting them anymore. Not satisfied with that I asked them if I could activate them, they said yes but they are targeted for a swap and I would not be able to view mpeg4 channels with them only mpeg2. They will swap them out for free, I was told but in the meantime which channels would I be missing out on?
I just had a chance to buy a couple of 9200's for 150.00 each, but when I called bell about the r00 #'s for activating them, they told me they were not supporting them anymore. Not satisfied with that I asked them if I could activate them, they said yes but they are targeted for a swap and I would not be able to view mpeg4 channels with them only mpeg2. They will swap them out for free, I was told but in the meantime which channels would I be missing out on?
Not a whole lot, right now the only MPEG 4 channels that I am aware of are:
CTV Halifax HD
CTV Montreal HD
CHCH HD Hamilton
CTV Winnipeg HD
CTV Regina HD
That's all I can think of for now. But with the swap happening, any new HD channels maybe added in MPEG 4 only.
Oh, and I believe the plan is to switch all current channels to MPEG 4 eventually as well. So if you don't get the new receivers you can lose all HD channels.
CTV Halifax HD
CTV Montreal HD
CHCH HD Hamilton
CTV Winnipeg HD
CTV Regina HD
That's all I can think of for now. But with the swap happening, any new HD channels maybe added in MPEG 4 only.
Oh, and I believe the plan is to switch all current channels to MPEG 4 eventually as well. So if you don't get the new receivers you can lose all HD channels.
I find it very interesting how easily they seem to be giving out 9242s. Either they have a gigantic stock of them, or they're going to run out of them a lot sooner than they were initially planning.
the 9200 will be for the kids playroom, I have 2 other 9242's in the rest of the house, so buying this for 150.00 and having it upgraded to a 9241 would be a good bet, I guess?
I will be at a warehouse tomorrow, that holds most of the 9242 inventory, I will see if I can get a look at the numbers.
Considering a 9241 is currently $499 to buy brand new, I'd say that $150 for the 9200 and the free swap for a 9241 is a great deal.the 9200 will be for the kids playroom, I have 2 other 9242's in the rest of the house, so buying this for 150.00 and having it upgraded to a 9241 would be a good bet, I guess?
I too made the call today and got through to a CSR right away. Once they verified it was me they noted I had a 9200 and they would be sending me out a 9242 in the 7-10 time frame.
Great customer service experience. Way to go BEll. As a side note I did ask what to do with the old receiver and I was told that I can pack it up in the box the 9242 came in and send it back with the prepaid postage.
Great customer service experience. Way to go BEll. As a side note I did ask what to do with the old receiver and I was told that I can pack it up in the box the 9242 came in and send it back with the prepaid postage.
Has anyone who has NOT received their letter been able to get a 9242, I’ve tried livechat and phoned, no joy. I'm feeding a second TV in my master bedroom and use the OTA a lot and I'm desperate to get a 9242.
221 - 240 of 1231 Posts
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