New Software For 8300

[RS922]

Looks like a new version of software was delivered to the 8300 HD converters overnight.  I've noticed today that when deleting recordings, a confirmation screen now appears to stop an accidental erasure.  Has anyone noticed any other new features or options?

[klwillis45]

Must've got mine this am. The wife called freaking out because the box rebooted. "I swear I didn't touch anything"  :rofl:

That delete confirm is a welcome addition. Can't wait to get home and see what else has changed.

[Tom Snyder]

How do you tell what version you're running. Mine has had a confirmation for accidental deletion since I got it last fall.

[TPK]

How do you tell what version you're running. Mine has had a confirmation for accidental deletion since I got it last fall.

Enter diagnostic mode:  Post can be found here:

http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/forums/showpost.php?p=32769&postcount=13

In my reply to the post (dated April 9) I reported these version numbers:

ResApp Version: PASSPORT Echo 1.8.111
OS Version: PowerTV 6.14.43.3sp
Driver Version: 1
ResAppDate: Jul 29 2005, 06:08:50
OS Date: Jul 6 2005, 5:21:20 PM

... I am recording some shows right now, but when they are done I will check the version numbers on mine and post them here...

[kevbeck122]

Hold down select and exit on the box, release when the box display says DIAG.. then go to channel 611 to see box info.  Mine had a delete confirmation also when I had it last year.

[TPK]

Enter diagnostic mode:  Post can be found here:

http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/forums/showpost.php?p=32769&postcount=13

In my reply to the post (dated April 9) I reported these version numbers:

ResApp Version: PASSPORT Echo 1.8.111
OS Version: PowerTV 6.14.43.3sp
Driver Version: 1
ResAppDate: Jul 29 2005, 06:08:50
OS Date: Jul 6 2005, 5:21:20 PM

... I am recording some shows right now, but when they are done I will check the version numbers on mine and post them here...

....  Or you can just forget about the select/exit hocus-pocus and just tune to channel 611 ....

All I did was hit 611 on the remote and it took me right into the diagnostic menu...  Wow, must be a new "feature".....  (I do have 2 shows recording simultaneously right now, if that has anything to do with it).....

... Edit ....

I have confirmed that you need to be recording 2 shows simultaneously..   If you are recording 2 different shows at the same time and then tune to channel 611, it takes you right into diagnostic mode...  Otherwise it comes back at you with "" if you try to tune to channel 611 ....

... End Edit ...

Oh, here are my new version numbers:

ResAppVersion: PASSPORT Echo 2.5.051
OS Version: PowerTV 6.14.69.1sp
Driver Version: 1
ResApp Date: Apr 14 2006, 18:55:14
OS Date: Dec 2 2005, 6:31:08 PM

Wow we went from Version 1.8 to version 2.5....  hmmmm, don't really see that much difference...  They must be following in Microsoft's footsteps ..  Well at least I didn't have to pay for this upgrade

Of course at the bottom of the diagnostic menu list I see 2 items that look interesting:  

"SATA"  ->  SATA Status: Authorized

"MR-DVR" -> "Multi-Room DVR" -> "MR-DVR Status: -> Last Message: Welcome to MR-DVR!

.... I dont remember if those were there before or not...

[Paul S.]

Mine never showed the delete conformation until today.

[gparris]

Mine never showed the delete conformation until today.

Mine never did, either, but now it does...it asks you when you end the played programme if you want it deleted what seems to be a second time:
It is almost aggravating, but I see the reasoning behind it.

Now I have another problem:
I have two HDTVs with HDMI hooked up to the 8300HD DVR and I used to be able to turn the set on and the cable box would come on by itself:

It does not do that anymore, at least not since the rebooting for this "enhancement". :rolleyes:

Further, when I DO turn the boxes on since they aren't coming on by themselves, (out of frustration), I get no picture and only sound.
I do at least, get access to the channel guide so I switch it another channel other than the power-on one I had selected (541) and finally, I get picture...this sucks.  :mad:

Is this going to happen everytime?

One heck of an upgrade...not! :bang:

[TPK]

Now I have another problem:
I have two HDTVs with HDMI hooked up to the 8300HD DVR and I used to be able to turn the set on and the cable box would come on by itself:

First of all, as far as I can tell, the box is still powering up when the TV goes on (although I haven't really tested that since the last non-voluntary boot which occurred yesterday..  I havent even checked to see if the version numbers went up again yesterday)...

The funny thing is that this is the exact same thing (the box powering up by itself) that I really wanted NOT to happen..  This is because it was screwing up my harmony remote when it tries to turn the TV on (it turns the TV on, which auto-powers the cable box, then it tries to turn the cable box on, but in actually its already on so it turns off)...  I think the having the box auto-power on based on the HDMI cable should be a menu setting (call it something cool, like "HDMI auto-power") in the advanced menus, otherwise people with set-ups like mine who use a harmony remote, or really any other universal remote with a macro (including TWC's own remotes that can send power singnals to multiple devices) won't work very well when bringing the power up on their systems...  This is double-y true since the box doenst automatically power-off when the TV goes off, making it impssible to program an "all-power" type macro on a dumb (non-harmony) universal remote..  (No, I dont think that non harmony remotes are dumb, I just mean that other universal remotes don't remember the state of the system to make IR choices like the harmony does.. I  think whatever universal remote you use is just great )..

Another option would be if TWC (or the box/remote/software manufacturer, etc.) would release discrete codes for power-on and power-off for the cable boxes...  But that would be too much to ask for I think...   As peoples home-entertainment set-ups become more complex over time, the need for these discrete codes becomes more and more important...   I wish these device manufactures would see the "big picture" and provide these discrete codes so people can set things up properly...

Maybe we should switch boxes  :cool:

Second, how do you have multiple televisions running off of a single HDMI port???

Your problem with audio and no sound, sounds like the issue I was having earlier:

http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6083

... The problem sort of went away on its own, but during the time it was not working I was screwing around with my settings quite a bit, so I don't know for sure what makes it work and not work..  However I do know that I force my box to output only 1080i and 720p (I disable the 480 resolution),  I do NOT have the component cables hooked up into the box (that seems to force the HDMI not to send a picture),  And I have the digital audio out set to dolby digital...

Back when I had my original 8300 box, it had a problem with it stretching the already widescreen HDTV picture until I switched to a SD channel and back again (then it snapped to the proper screen size)..  Perhaps your problem might be related to that one too...

[randro]

A new addition is for live sporting events it asks you if you want to extend it 30min, 60min. You now don't have to record the next program for games that go over, which almost every game does.

[gparris]

TPK:
Thanks for trying.

I tried again to establish a "handshake" and or its a no go...I have to improvise now to get a picture as before...on two separate sets with HD DVRs.

HDTV set #1 is a 720p LCD RPTV with HDMI from the box directly connected, nothing else besides the coax digital audio to the receiver as has been always.
The box is set to output 720p on everything as the jerkiness with all the settings selected as for 480i, etc. made it flip and not connect when changing to channels with other formats than 720p.

HDTV set #2 is a 1080p LCoS set with the same exact setup, no other connections other than audio (same also) and it outputs 1080i only.

Conclusion:
It is the new "programming", gee thanks, TWC! :mad:

Note: If you are going to enhance anything, how about what BHN in Tampa has for them? http://tampabay.mybrighthouse.com/site/Products/DigitalCable/AccessMenu.cfm
So while we're at it, why not caller ID on screen (selected) for those with Digital phone, or is that too difficult (or advanced) for here in Milwaukee? :confused:

[TPK]

I can confirm now that the DVR box is NOT powering up when the television goes on....  So that must have been the change with the last reboot....   This works out better for my situation, like I have mentioned above...

Interesting though, my version numbers haven't changed (although, admitedly, one of the other version numbers on the 2 pages may have changed without me noticing it because I havent been recording all those numbers)...

gparris:  just to clarify, thats 2 seperate television sets you have hooked up to two different boxes correct?   And not 1 box feeding 2 televisions yes??  (I don't think at this time its possible to feed 2 displays with a single HDMI output, at least not without spending big-time studio dollars, but I just gotta ask)...

.. Sorry to hear that your having so much trouble...

... Would be nice though, to feed multiple televisions from a single HDMI output....  But I guess with HDCP and who knows what else we probably arent gonna be able to do that... (Well, at least not 100% legitimately)....

[Mark Strube]

I'm not a fan of this new software... it no longer powers on with the TV, and I'm getting the same issue where I'll get no picture with audio... OR I'll turn it on and the picture is just snow... forcing me to reboot to fix the HDMI connection. Horrible, horrible update, adding no features that I can immediately see, and giving us additional annoying bugs to deal with.

Good thing I'm having DishNetwork installed next week friday... goodbye TWC's inadequate HD selection! :wave:

[Paul S.]

I'm not a fan of this new software... it no longer powers on with the TV, and I'm getting the same issue where I'll get no picture with audio... OR I'll turn it on and the picture is just snow... forcing me to reboot to fix the HDMI connection. Horrible, horrible update, adding no features that I can immediately see, and giving us additional annoying bugs to deal with.

Good thing I'm having DishNetwork installed next week friday... goodbye TWC's inadequate HD selection! :wave:

Im having major HDMI issues now, too. Thanks, buttholes.

[TPK]

... Everything works perfectly for me, HDMI and all (I am using a Samsung 5063W television)...

I'd hate to sound like a rebel or and anarchist or something, but what would happen if they simply don't force HDCP over the HDMI for now???  Wouldn't that solve a lot of the problems??

I know, I know, the world will end if they don't force HDCP..  I can count the number of devices that can encode from HDMI to a PC on, umm, zero hands...