[Candyman]

My inlaws had a Rogers tech go by as they were experiencing some digital cable problems. While he was there, the tech replaced their original SD box (Explorer 3200) to a new box that I never heard of. It is a SA Explorer E940. The unit must be a brand new model as the manufacturing date at the bottom of the until reads Jan 2007.

Has anyone heard of these boxes yet? I even went to SA's site and they do not have this box listed yet. It seems to be a very basic box but I wonder if this means that there are other SA boxes coming down the pipe soon.

I took some pictures and I will post them up soon.

 

[Candyman]

Here are the box shots:

 

[Wayne]

Am I correct in assuming that there is no digital audio out - the only outputs are RF, composite, s-video and analog audio L+R?

By the way, why are you using the RF out rather than the video out - do you have an older TV without video inputs?

 

[Candyman]

They have it set up that way as the TV only has 1 set of inputs and they use that for the DVD player.

 

[57]

Looks like a less expensive, and smaller version of the SA1840 (which also has no digital audio output, but does have some buttons on the front and a larger display). Both can only be used on service providers who have "all channels digital" like Rogers Ontario.

There doesn't appear to be a display on the front of the 940, other than perhaps an "on" light?

I did find some links...

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/newscenter/releases/06Apr10-1.htm

http://www.sciatl.com/customers/Source/7009556.pdf (Data Sheet)

The IR extender is typically only available in the US for those thinking about it.

 

[Wayne]

From the photos above posted by Candyman it does look like there is a 1/8" IR port so perhaps you can use the IR extender.

This box should be much cheaper to manufacture than all of the existing SA boxes. This box would make it more economical for Rogers to give away boxes to some/all customers if they wanted to get rid of analog. I bet that day is less than 5 years away.

 

[57]

You can use the extender, however, SA only sells it to US customers and Rogers doesn't carry it - discussed in the forum several times.

Some people have been able to acquire one for their STBs by having it sent to friends in the US.

 

[wysiwyg]

My first reaction was that "this is one ugly box" !!! Looks like the old converters from the 80's, but without the display for the channel on the front. Pretty small and compact though.... It looks like Rogers chose the configuration with S-video but without digital out (There's 4 different configs, according to the links 57 provided.)

Curious to see if they have or will release an HD version of this.

 

[Verm]

This is worth the $3.99 a month Digital fee.

Looks horrible.

 

[hugh]

Really? I didn't think it looked bad. I prefer black and non-descript. I hate the silver 8300HD. The small footprint should also make it less visible.

 

[MacTVJunkie]

Interesting that Rogers chose the model without the digital audio out. I've got a stack of E940s here and they all have a digital audio output on them. There is no HD version of the 940.

 

[57]

Some of the early 3250HDs only had coaxial out, while the later ones had optical also if I recall. It may just be a supply issue at this time. Of course it could also cost a $ or two less for the one without digital out.

It's not a big deal for MOST people who use these units, since the only SD DD5.1 channels are TMN's, so an analogue connection is fine for most people, but it is something to be aware of, just like on the 1840.

 

[MacTVJunkie]

True. It could very well be supply. But both the S-Video port and the coaxial digital audio ports are listed as options in SA's specs so either Rogers took what they could get or they specifically ordered the boxes without the digital audio option. My vote would be the latter.

But I agree that, for most end users, the analogue will be fine.

 

[JCL]

Can you post a pic of the remote control? thanks.

 

[JCL]

I have 3 HD boxes, but to qualify for VIP, I went out and got one of these E940's as well. Yeah, cheap looking. But it does the job. Would have been nice to have the IR-expander included. The remote was the UEI/5-device unit. That thing was probably more expensive than the box itself!

 

[Candyman]

They kept the same 3200 remote they were using with their original box. I couldn't tell you if the original remote is different or not.

 

[ve3sy]

Accessing Tech Mode SA STB E940

Hi Guys

Rogers have provided me with an E940 STB which has no external keys or buttons. has anyone been able to access the Tech Mode screens for looking at signal strength?

Thanks

 

[57]

Instructions in the following thread:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17719

You can also access this information from your couch as follows (information provided by bolmsted):

1. Make sure you are not on a VOD channel.
2. Hold the pause key on the remote for about 10 seconds until the mail light flashes on the front.
3. Press page up on the remote and then you can page up/down through the screen info.

 

[ve3sy]

Thanks 57 but I had tried that but no go on this stripped down model.

 

[57]

Make sure you're pointing the remote at the STB and that you hold the pause key for at least 10 seconds. 10 seconds is a long time. If there is no light that indicates "message", then simply press the page up button (sometimes simply labelled with a +) To get out of the diagnostics hit "exit".