Time Warner Pioneer Voyager Cable Box

[newhdleo]

I just learned from Time Warner that there is a "software" problem affecting Pioneer Voyager cable boxes that causes the HD settings to be lost when switching from channel to channel.  When switching to a different channel, the HD settings must be reestablished via the hand held remote.  Time Warner could not say when the problem would be fixed.  Is anyone familiar with this problem and if there are alternatives to fixing it?

[Jack 1000]

I just learned from Time Warner that there is a "software" problem affecting Pioneer Voyager cable boxes that causes the HD settings to be lost when switching from channel to channel.  When switching to a different channel, the HD settings must be reestablished via the hand held remote.  Time Warner could not say when the problem would be fixed.  Is anyone familiar with this problem and if there are alternatives to fixing it?

Unfortunately,

The Pioneer boxes are the oldest of the old, going back about a decade when digital cable first came out.  If you have a Pioneer box, you probably have the last model in existence!

Is your box really super slow in Navigation?  The best solution for this is a newer model box.  Go to TWC and ask for their latest model Cisco or Samsung non-DVR box.  Several updates have been released for the software, and the hardware on the Pioneers just can't handle it anymore because of that model box's age.  You can even set up a service call by saying the HD settings are not holding.  Any replacement box you get is going to be light-years better than the Pioneer.

Jack

[DJay]

I have a Pioneer HD box also and since software upgrades issued last Thursday morning, HD picture quality went downhill. Before that HD pic quality was very good on my 42" Toshiba 1080 Regza set with no problems. I also have same problem as newhdleo, hd settings changing when switching from channel to channel especially picture size. Picture quality almost as bad as analog now and super slow in navigation. I also have ota antenna feeding into unit with perfect hd picture. Very unhappy with TW as they know these boxes are now outdated and should automatically be replaced with newer ones. Will be getting rid of this old box immediately and what is the best non dvr HD box I should request from them? Advice appreciated!! Thanks,  DJay

[Jack 1000]

I will be asking my enginner and cable guys specifics on the boxes.  But here is a list of the makes and models.  Anything that is NOT either a Samsung or a Cisco box,  other that the SA 4240HDC and 4250HDC, is probably too old.  Additionally, the Motorola units are not avaliable in our division:

Of the models listed here:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/site.faqs/Equipmenta/#Digital+Cable+Boxes

The latest boxes for non-DVR customers seem to be the Cisco 4640 HDC or the Samsung 3262.  If the cable swap office does not have the Cisco 4640HDC or the Samsung 3262, go with the Samsung 3260.  In a truck roll situation you might still get an SA-4240 HDC or an SA4250 HDC, which has a good track record with the guide and scrolling, but is not the newest model.  Even so, those  SA-4000 series models are LIGHT YEARS ahead of the Pioneer boxes.

If you go to a box swap service center, just request the latest model Samsung or Cisco box.  I do want to check to get a consensus of what is best.  The latest model non-DVR Cisco, or the latest model, non-DVR Samsung.

Jack

[Jack 1000]

I will be asking my engineer and cable guys specifics on the boxes.  But here is a list of the makes and models.  Anything that is NOT either a Samsung or a Cisco box,  other that the SA 4240HDC and 4250HDC, is probably too old.  Additionally, the Motorola units are not available in our division:

Of the models listed here:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/site.faqs/Equipmenta/#Digital+Cable+Boxes

The latest boxes for non-DVR customers seem to be the Cisco 4640 HDC or the Samsung 3262.  If the cable swap office does not have the Cisco 4640HDC or the Samsung 3262, go with the Samsung 3260.  In a truck roll situation you might still get an SA-4240 HDC or an SA4250 HDC, which has a good track record with the guide and scrolling, but is not the newest model.  Even so, those  SA-4000 series models are LIGHT YEARS ahead of the Pioneer boxes.

If you go to a box swap service center, just request the latest model Samsung or Cisco box.  I do want to check to get a consensus of what is best.  The latest model non-DVR Cisco, or the latest model, non-DVR Samsung.

Jack

I can't get a hold of my cable experts to do a best box comparison.  But I have enough feedback experience to know that if you get the newest model Samsung, or the newest model Cisco non-DVR box, you should be fine,  Go ahead and exchange that Pioneer box as soon as you can!

Report back on the difference you experience as well!  It should be a night and day difference!  Good Luck!

Jack

[FIPS133]

I had this exact problem with my Pioneer box.  I didn't know but assumed it had something to do with the software update.  Went to the Time Warner store in Mayfair on Saturday and changed it out for a Samsung box.  No problems since and better picture, plus the Samsung has an HDMI jack where the Pioneer did not.

I figured this out on my own, I wonder how many TWC customers with Pioneer boxes are messing with the settings on their TVs futively trying to get this solved?

[DJay]

Dropped off my old Pioneer box at TW Mayfair and asked for Samsung unit to replace it. He said" If we have one?" Well apparently not but brought out Cisco 4642 box(possibly because numerous Pioneer boxes being returned?) Hooked it up with HDMI cable and big difference. Great pic and very satisfied. Thanks to all for advice with this problem.

[Jack 1000]

Dropped off my old Pioneer box at TW Mayfair and asked for Samsung unit to replace it. He said" If we have one?" Well apparently not but brought out Cisco 4642 box(possibly because numerous Pioneer boxes being returned?) Hooked it up with HDMI cable and big difference. Great pic and very satisfied. Thanks to all for advice with this problem.

Glad to help!

Jack

[Jim357]

I had this exact problem with my Pioneer box.  I didn't know but assumed it had something to do with the software update.  Went to the Time Warner store in Mayfair on Saturday and changed it out for a Samsung box.  No problems since and better picture, plus the Samsung has an HDMI jack where the Pioneer did not.

I figured this out on my own, I wonder how many TWC customers with Pioneer boxes are messing with the settings on their TVs futively trying to get this solved?

Yesterday I brought my Pioneer to TWC Southridge and get a Cisco 4642, the Cisco worked great with HDMI, picture is clear, navigation is fast.  Thanks you all.

I've been working with TWC cust. svc when the problem started on Thursday 8/11/11 , they told me that the tech. support was working on this problems and it would be solved in a couple of hours, OK I can wait.  Friday morning, it was still did not fixed; I called TWC cust. svc. and heard the announcement that they're still working on the problem and the work around manually on each channel to get 1080i.  OK I waited again until Monday, still no fixed.  I called cust. svc. again, and she told me that it was fixed, then she tried to reboot my box, in 15 minutes she could not get it to reboot, finally I told her that I can manually reboot it faster than their computer systems. Few minutes later it rebooted and it still showing 480i, then she was trying to set up the service tech. to my home but could not get the service appointment to work, so she told me that she will call me back in 30 minutes to let me know the service  date and time, I did not hear from her (cust. svc.) sine then.  This is a typical service from TWC, bad and trying to cheat their customers.  They raised the price all the time then did not want to give the good service to the customers.  Sorry for the long story, but I've just wanted to let you guys know how bad the TWC cust. svc. is.  That why people drop the service left and right.  I don't know how much longer I stay with TWC, hope not long.  Thank you all.