TWC new Guide Tools

[Gregg Lengling]

Anyone else get the letter and the downloads last night with the new Guide Programming software on your boxes.  I'm just starting to play with it and find the glitches and see whether I like it or not.  Of course they are calling us Beta testers and want feedback via a weblink on the letter.

[LoadStar]

Anyone else get the letter and the downloads last night with the new Guide Programming software on your boxes.  I'm just starting to play with it and find the glitches and see whether I like it or not.  Of course they are calling us Beta testers and want feedback via a weblink on the letter.

Nope, but I'd love to... how the heck do we get in on this?

[Gregg Lengling]

Nope, but I'd love to... how the heck do we get in on this?

They mail an invite to you.....I've got the new guide on the standard HD box, but they didn't download it to the DVR (probably different firmware).  So far so good, I like the look of it, especially if you are watching a program and bring up the info on that program it's all there you don't have to scroll.

[jkool]

Well, I my SA3250HD has been locked up, diplaying r.XXX ( XXX = numbers counting down) all day. I got notice that I will be a tester.

Need to find time tomorrow to call or take the box in.

My SA8300HD and SA8000SD DVR's got no update.


UPDATE:

I had a weak connection in the room that had the SA3250HD. I moved it to another room, and let it sit overnight. This morning the update took fine.

[picopir8]

Do they give you any sort of compensation for helping them debug their software?  I sure would not want to deal with the potential headaches, then wait on hold with customer care, as they try to figure out what went wrong.  But, perhaps a free package upgrade or a few free PPV movies would be worth the trouble.

[jkool]

Nothing free for me.

[LoadStar]

This has been in the works for a little while (there's a thread from a while back in the News forum about it... in fact, I was wondering what happened to this new version right when this thread was posted). As a result, I'd wager that they've got all the functionality bugs worked out, and they're mostly testing for UI issues... how easy it is for certain functions to be used, for example. As a result, I'm sure they probably feel the testing doesn't require compensation.

[gb4fan92]

So had there been a launch date announced yet?? I'd be more excited about another HD channel! Was the last TWC new launch Universal HD or ESPNHD?? Been so long I can't remember?? Glug2  Glug2 Perhaps a "New Channel Alert Posting" is in order? We could post what new channels any of the providers have released! ( Yea I know I know it would be the slowest moving thread we have!)  Funny when I first got HD a few years ago I thought the amount of HD NEW CHANNELS would explode to like a new one every month! I must have been  Glug2  Glug2 !!

[pacca]

Thats not true that they mail you a invite,I was not mailed an invite,and they downloaded the new program,in which I am not sure if I like it yet

[mhz40]

Thats not true that they mail you a invite,I was not mailed an invite,and they downloaded the new program,in which I am not sure if I like it yet

The invite method is already old news.  It is now in a slow launch phase, pushed out in small groups for now.  Therefore you may have the 'new' app on one box and the Pioneer version running on others in your home.  DVR's will likely be last.
Like anything else, it has advantages and disadvantages vs the old Pioneer layout.  Some will like it, others will hate it (especially here!  :hug: ).  All I can say is work with it.  It kind of grows on you as you use it.  It even has an audio setting for compression (narrow, normal & wide).  I use narrow for regular TV hookups - - or I blow people out of their beds at night.  The setting does not appear to change the digital output... only analog, which IMO is nice for me; as I have a night mode on my surround system.
I'm sure opinions will be flying on this forum through Thanksgiving, as more people are exposed to it.
Remember, do not disturb the download process or you may end up with a boat anchor.

[Gregg Lengling]

The invite method is already old news.  It is now in a slow launch phase, pushed out in small groups for now.  Therefore you may have the 'new' app on one box and the Pioneer version running on others in your home.  DVR's will likely be last.
Like anything else, it has advantages and disadvantages vs the old Pioneer layout.  Some will like it, others will hate it (especially here!  :hug: ).  All I can say is work with it.  It kind of grows on you as you use it.  It even has an audio setting for compression (narrow, normal & wide).  I use narrow for regular TV hookups - - or I blow people out of their beds at night.  The setting does not appear to change the digital output... only analog, which IMO is nice for me; as I have a night mode on my surround system.
I'm sure opinions will be flying on this forum through Thanksgiving, as more people are exposed to it.
Remember, do not disturb the download process or you may end up with a boat anchor.

Like you I hate and I love it.....and you are right I have it on the standard HD box but not the DVR.  I miss the old settings menu, the new one seems limited but there are some features that are okay.  The GUI is a little slicker and more XPish.

[steve053]

Anyone else get the letter and the downloads last night with the new Guide Programming software on your boxes.  I'm just starting to play with it and find the glitches and see whether I like it or not.  Of course they are calling us Beta testers and want feedback via a weblink on the letter.

I got my letter yesterday (Monday 10/16) which said that they would be updating my software on 10/17.  It said that not every box in the house would be updated, except that I only have one box.  I have the SA 3100HD STB; no dvr.

The letter also mentioned that the audio might be set differently; and that the channel will display on the stb when changed, but will default to the clock.

As of 7 a.m. on 10/17 it's not updated.

Steve

[JJ715]

I picked up a new box Oct. 16th but they failed to notify me that I had been chosen to receive the new update. Didn't understand why it wouldn't boot up (scrolling numbers on the display) and unplugged it after about an hour, waiting for technician to come the next day (for a seperate issue). He said that I was one of 1000 people who are going to be the guinia pigs. Finally booted while he was there with no complaints.

My question though is, on HD channels, when non-HD programming is on, i.e. commmercials, the news, etc, is there a way to get rid of the black/gray bars on the sides?? I beleive on my old HD Pioneer box, I had it controlled via the box using full or stretch modes. Now that doesn't seem to work. Is there another solution besides changing to the standard non-HD channel??

[Gregg Lengling]

I picked up a new box Oct. 16th but they failed to notify me that I had been chosen to receive the new update. Didn't understand why it wouldn't boot up (scrolling numbers on the display) and unplugged it after about an hour, waiting for technician to come the next day (for a seperate issue). He said that I was one of 1000 people who are going to be the guinia pigs. Finally booted while he was there with no complaints.

My question though is, on HD channels, when non-HD programming is on, i.e. commmercials, the news, etc, is there a way to get rid of the black/gray bars on the sides?? I beleive on my old HD Pioneer box, I had it controlled via the box using full or stretch modes. Now that doesn't seem to work. Is there another solution besides changing to the standard non-HD channel??

To make the answer simple........NO!

[mhz40]

I can on the DVR version of the new software...using the same method (# button).  There is a bug however... anytime you drop out of trick play or change channels it defaults back to 4x3.

Umm...after writing that, I just tried it on my DLP.  It doesn’t work.  But it does on my Panny plasma upstairs.  The only difference between the two that I can think of is the resolution settings.  (My DLP does not support 480i on the component input.)  My guess is if you select your native HD format AND 480i, it should work when tuned to a 480i source.  Be sure your TV supports this on the component input you are using, or you may get baaad results!

Lemme know what happens....