New software dropped on 8300HDC

[LoadStar]

Has anybody else noticed that when an HD channel is pause long enough for the screen saver to come on, that the screen saver is in 4:3.  Seems to totally defeat the purpose of a screensaver if its not going to save the whole screen.

Nope - actually, the reverse was true here. The old screensaver, the "Press any key to continue" one, was 4:3; they seem to have fixed that on my box for the "creepy floating eye logo" screensaver.

[leprechaunshawn]

Well then, somthin aint right with my cable box then.  I rebooted today and the first screen that came up said "mystro".  How is that possible.  I have the new channel guide color scheme but the old software.  And my screensaver sucks, its in4:3 so when I'm watching HD and the screensaver comes on in 4:3 the outside edges of the screen are what is behind the screensaver.  I guess this is another piece of siht box thats going back to TWC this weekend.

[duncantuna]

Well then, somthin aint right with my cable box then.  I rebooted today and the first screen that came up said "mystro".  How is that possible.  I have the new channel guide color scheme but the old software.

Ummm .. it's not "new software" it's a "new version of Mystro" that we all received.   So, unless your box is behaving really very poorly, there'd be no good in swapping it out.

[Jack 1000]

Well then, somthin aint right with my cable box then.  I rebooted today and the first screen that came up said "mystro".  How is that possible.  I have the new channel guide color scheme but the old software.  And my screensaver sucks, its in4:3 so when I'm watching HD and the screensaver comes on in 4:3 the outside edges of the screen are what is behind the screensaver.  I guess this is another piece of siht box thats going back to TWC this weekend.

There's nothing wrong with your box concerning the color scheme or software.  Everybody got the change.  I agree with the previous posters.  Unless your box is behaving VERY badly, ( i.e Constant Freezing, 5+ reboots a day, extremely slow performance, etc.) it won't do any good to swap it out.  If you have a non-C box, you have the Mystro version of Navigator.  If your box is a C version, you have the OCAP version of Navigator.

As for the 4x3 aspect ration of the IPG, this is due to limitations within ALL the SA/Cisco boxes.  This is a hardware issue, but not a bug.  The designs of the boxes in conjunctions with the IPG on them had to be set at 4x3 to allow for proper display on SD TV's.

If you want your IPG to display in optional 16x9 aspect ratio, you will have to wait for TWC to deploy the Samsung model boxes, which provide the ability to view the guide in 4x3 or 16x9.  The current SA/Cisco boxes cannot do this.  You can set program modes to 16x9 in Navigator, but the IPG does not conform to this view on an SA/Cisco box.  Only the program that you are watching is affected.

The new non-DVR Samsung boxes are available at some TWC locations that allow variations of the IPG's aspect ratio.  The Samsung DVR's that provide this feature are expected to be released to TWC's general public later this year.  (Rumors of summer have circulated.)  Than the IPG, and screensaver if you set it up as such, will display in 16x9 format.

Jack

[Danno321]

Are the TWC STB software programmers intentionally screwing up the STB software to stick it to TWC management?

[Jack 1000]

Are the TWC STB software programmers intentionally screwing up the STB software to stick it to TWC management?

If you mean the external drive support, this is doubtful.  I think the almost universal problem is poor communication skills and understanding between the programmers and managers.  There has to be a way to bring these people together to form a basis for what works and understand what doesn't work.

This means that a meeting about the software, whether Navigator, Passport, or SARA, should have consistent and regular attendance from:

Corporate Management

SA/Cisco/Samsung's Hardware Development Team

TWC IPG programmers for the guide being discussed

Proper feedback and communication that goes to all parties involved at the meeting, and an insurance that customers are well informed of product updates, bugs, or new ideas that can benefit the TWC experience for everyone.  This is where TWC is laking the most.

Jack