Sorry, for the confusion. The HDMI constrain value represents the action your cable provider has configured to take place when an HDCP failure occurs. Depending on your firmware level, the CONSTRAINED field is the one that could be problematic. What is the current HDCP status?

The status will alway show disabled in the diag menus right? Only with your special software loads would you be able to see the diag menu when a actual VOD or other protected content is playing. The way a customer enters the diag menu stops any video play back.

From my post before, the HDCP status:


hdcp status: disabled
hdcp scope: content activated
hdmi constrain: yes
hdcp counter: 16

The status will alway show disabled in the diag menus right?

Depends on the content that is playing. It can show enabled if the content is protected.

Only with your special software loads would you be able to see the diag menu when a actual VOD or other protected content is playing.

See the answer above.

If you're counter is greater than 1, that indicates that you've had a number of HDCP failures in that boot cycle which isn't good.

Lindend,
Do you have any info on the series recording issue I asked about above?

Depends on the content that is playing. It can show enabled if the content is protected.

In order for a customer to get to the diag menus, you have to put the DVR into standby (power off, ok), so at that point no content is playing. The HDMI output while in the diag menu is the diag menu and not protected video content.

What am I missing?

If you're counter is greater than 1, that indicates that you've had a number of HDCP failures in that boot cycle which isn't good.
What would be the suspected cause? With upconvert 1080i DVD players and Bluray players working fine, does that point to PACE HW/Software issues?

Lindend,

Update on the macro blocking issue that I have reported forever ago:

I have a new LCD television and in dot by dot mode the macro blocking during playback of 720p or 1080i content happens 100% of the time on the very right most screen edge while the either background tuner is on a HD channel. When the action pans left on the screen it is this macro blocking that is pulled onto the left half of the screen (as the Boston Legal video shows that I sent to PACE a long time ago.)

Since this happens 100% of the time, it is only logical that PACE has reproduced this. Can we please be updated on the status of this issue? If this is limited to certain hardware revision let me know, so I can get a different DVR from Mediacom.

Note - I am running external eSata HDD.

Once a week for two weeks in a row the DVR quits tuning digital channels (encrypted or clear QAM). The only channel that will tune is channel 98 which is the only analog channel on Mediacom's Cablecard lineup (the other analogs tune to the SD digital simulcast).

The diagnostics page show everything is green when this happens. The cable card is fine and hot removing and re-inserting the Cable Card has no effect.

Saved DVR shows continue to work (which wouldn't work when the Cable Card dies). VOD will not work in this state. FW version 12.56

When trying to tune any digital channel it says something like:
"One Moment Please"
"this Channel Should be Available Shortly"

Can we please be updated on the status of this issue? If this is limited to certain hardware revision let me know, so I can get a different DVR from Mediacom.

I am checking to see if the forthcoming maintenance release has any improvements in this area. Either way, I'll post an update to this forum.

Is it practical/feasible to switch between devices using the Component output and HDMI output? I belive I understand that HDMI will take precedence if it is on. But will the Component Output of the TDC779X work when the HDMI display is off? Can one switch back and forth without limit?

I have a high-end DLP display device in a home theater setup which uses a Component input. It does not have an HDMI input. But I also have excercise equipment nearby and want to watch a different display device which does have a HDMI input while using the equipment. The price of the lamp in the DLP is part of the motivation. :)

If I attempt to increase or decrease the volume using my Denon Remote Control, my PACE Cable Box ALWAYS receive the IR signal from the Denon Remote Control and change my channels.


lindend,

Does PACE have a solution to the problem of receiving commands meant for other equipment? I'm having the same issue where volume commands meant for the Denon AVR are being interpreted by the Pace TDC770D as channel change commands. My cable provider is Shaw and the firmware version in the PVR is 13.93.

Thanks

I am checking to see if the forthcoming maintenance release has any improvements in this area. Either way, I'll post an update to this forum.

Lindend, Are you ever going to post a straight answer to the Macro blocking issue on the 779x?

I picked up a 787x tonight and it has FW version 12.61 and it does not have the macro blocking issue. It has a 250GB internal HDD (I have the external HDD moved from 779x to 787x and still no issues on the 787x.)

On the 779x I removed the external HDD and rebooted with just the internal and with both tuners on live TV watch 1080i HDTV channels, it macro blocks like crazy on the right screen edge with no over-scan on the TV (FW 12.56). I change TV's HDMI input to the 787x and it doesn't macro block at all.

Is this a HW issue or the difference between FW VERSION (12.56 vs 12.61)?

Everyone that is tired of the 779x locking up for around 10 seconds when you tune to a channel that you are not authorized for, upgrade to a 787x. No lockups when tuning to a non-authorized channel. (Does that mean that issue was associated with 779x hardware?)

Hello Everyone,

I spent many many hours reading through the entire topic here on AVSForums, and i haven't found a solution, so i am asking for some help.

I have a Pace tdc779x, with Firmware 14.25. I'm having issues with the sound coming from analog channels/commercials. If i'm watching a HD Channel, the sound is perfect, but when a commercial that comes on that is 4:3 (i'm assuming it is SD), then i get absolutely no sound.

However, there is a twist. I have my Pace box hooked up to my Yamaha V463 via HDMI and then from my Receiver to my TV via HDMI. I've also tried hooking up an optical cable, and coax cable for the audio, and still the same issue. I've even tried hooking up RCA cables from the pace box to the receiver, and still doesn't work.

I've tried tweaking the receivers settings, and it still won't work. But i did find, that if i use the 5-ch enhancer on the receiver, it will output the sound. But, that is not what i want, because it just produces the same sound through all speakers.

I do not believe it is an issue with my receiver, because it has worked absolutely fine up until about 3 weeks ago. I never had a problem. I'm not sure if my cable company pushed out this newer firmware that messed something up or what. Unfortunately, i have no idea if they did, and if they did, i have no idea what firmware i was on before.

I would really appreciate your help, as this has been very annoying.:( If there is any other information needed: ask, and you shall receive.

Thank You!!!!

- Brian

I have a Pace tdc779x, with Firmware 14.25. I'm having issues with the sound coming from analog channels/commercials. If i'm watching a HD Channel, the sound is perfect, but when a commercial that comes on that is 4:3 (i'm assuming it is SD), then i get absolutely no sound.

I do not believe it is an issue with my receiver, because it has worked absolutely fine up until about 3 weeks ago. I never had a problem. I'm not sure if my cable company pushed out this newer firmware that messed something up or what. Unfortunately, i have no idea if they did, and if they did, i have no idea what firmware i was on before.

Something you might try before Lindend is able to help you is go to the user setting menu (press menu from the power off state) and see if you have the new HDMI Settings menu (this is new item). You can try the various setting when you are on a SD channel and see if you get sound. (I would suggest PASS THROUGH for your setup).

You might also want to verify your settings in Audio Setup menu (from power on state press "menu" go to "setup" then "audio setup". I would set it to "Channel default", "Yes", "Advanced", "None", "Stereo".

For my cable company, SD digital channels are sent as Dolby Digital 48kHz 2.0 channel 192kbps. Analog SD channel from the PACE box are sent as PCM 2.0 at 32kHz (which is a very strange sample rate.)

BTW - I am using a Yamaha 663. You can go to the Yamaha menu (OSD) and display the signal info and see what type of audio signal it is receiving when on a SD channel and post that information here.

Something you might try before Lindend is able to help you is go to the user setting menu (press menu from the power off state) and see if you have the new HDMI Settings menu (this is new item). You can try the various setting when you are on a SD channel and see if you get sound. (I would suggest PASS THROUGH for your setup).


Ok, i checked and do not have the HDMI settings menu


You might also want to verify your settings in Audio Setup menu (from power on state press "menu" go to "setup" then "audio setup". I would set it to "Channel default", "Yes", "Advanced", "None", "Stereo".
I went in and changed my settings to this, and now my SD channels do come in with Sound

Channel 6 - INFO:
SD Channel
48khz
2/0/---
192kbps

However, when i am on the HD Channel of this - 506, i do not get any sound.
Channel 506 - INFO:
HD Channel
48khz
3/2/0 .1
384kbps

If i go to say..the HD Food Network, the signal info is the same as 506, and the sounds works great. Every Channel also says Dolby Digital on the display on the receiver.

Thank you so much for your help

Ok, i checked and do not have the HDMI settings menu



I went in and changed my settings to this, and now my SD channels do come in with Sound

Channel 6 - INFO:
SD Channel
48khz
2/0/---
192kbps

However, when i am on the HD Channel of this - 506, i do not get any sound.
Channel 506 - INFO:
HD Channel
48khz
3/2/0 .1
384kbps

If i go to say..the HD Food Network, the signal info is the same as 506, and the sounds works great. Every Channel also says Dolby Digital on the display on the receiver.

Thank you so much for your help

If I understand correctly:
1) your SD audio problem is now completely fixed?
2) You have a new problem with HD channel 506? Or is this an existing problem? If it is a new problem, can you change your PACE audio setting back to what they were and post the Yamaha detected sound info when channel 506 is working?

Is it only one HD channel that has no sound or is it most of them?

Does changing the 563 to "Surr. Decode" or "Straight" change anything?

I don't see what could be wrong with the channel 506 from the detected audio info the AVR is receiving, it should be playing the audio.

The only issue I have with the 779x is when it is booted up with the AVR off, it disables the DD5.1 audio output over HDMI and only sends a 2.0 channel (should be fixed if PACE ever releases new FW with the HDMI setup menu). To fix this issue, you unplug the HDMI cable from the PACE with a channel playing through your sound system and plug it back in. Then you might have to get the PACE to change resolutions (with multiple video resolutions selected in the user settings menu, change between HD channels that have different resolution like CBS HD to Fox HD 1080i to 720p). When the PACE changes resolutions it handshakes with the HDMI destinations and will enable multi-channel 5.1 sound when the AVR reports that it is capable. (Or you can reboot the PACE with all your equipment on and setup to display the PACE on your TV. Reboot using the diag. menu procedure to prevent corrupting the HDD).

yea, it seems as though my SD audio issue has been fixed (so far). If i'm on any of the SD channels, i'm getting sound now. Maybe later tonight it won't work, who knows..

Channel 506 is now working fine, it is outputting the same audio info as before. I don't know if it is something with the broadcast signal that is being pushed out by my cable company or the tv station or what.
48khz
3/2/0 .1
384kbps

before, on the HD channels, the commercials would be the things that would not output any audio, but this morning, it was the actual broadcast that didn't have any audio.

I'll leave it be for now, to see how it works. Hopefully it will keep working fine. I really appreciate your help on this.

I hope that PACE releases a new firmware soon, i'd really like to have that HDMI option. Linden - if you are still watching, my cable company is Service Electric Cablevision, Central PA

Is this a HW issue or the difference between FW VERSION (12.56 vs 12.61)?

The H/W definitely is significantly different plus there are significant S/W differences also so it could be a combo of the two. There will be some fixes in the next maintenance release that will help some jitter issues reported by customers, but the reason for my delay is that fix may or may not help your macroblocking report.

I'm not saying your the only one running into this issue, but we've not received any other reports as of yet.

For my cable company, SD digital channels are sent as Dolby Digital 48kHz 2.0 channel 192kbps. Analog SD channel from the PACE box are sent as PCM 2.0 at 32kHz (which is a very strange sample rate.)

I think this is the source of the problem. Most TVs can handle 32kHz sample rates without a problem, but a few produce the symptoms you describe (i.e. even though they claim to support 32kHZ, the TV has bugs). Can you please list the supported sample rates on the HDMI page?

The H/W definitely is significantly different plus there are significant S/W differences also so it could be a combo of the two. There will be some fixes in the next maintenance release that will help some jitter issues reported by customers, but the reason for my delay is that fix may or may not help your macroblocking report.

I'm not saying your the only one running into this issue, but we've not received any other reports as of yet.

Thanks for the update.

I am done with the 779x. I am upset that the new 787x doesn't fix the image shuddering when a back ground HD show starts recording (PACE has had 1.5 years since my report of that issue to fix that).

There are a lot of users having the macro blocking issue. I have spoken with multiple users from my local area including employees at the cable company that couldn't stand the PACE 779x macro blocking any longer. They changed them for Motorola boxes. Most users are not able to understand the issue being caused by the STB and not the cable signal issue (if it was cable signal it would occur at random areas on the screen not always on the right side of the image).

I think this is the source of the problem. Most TVs can handle 32kHz sample rates without a problem, but a few produce the symptoms you describe (i.e. even though they claim to support 32kHZ, the TV has bugs). Can you please list the supported sample rates on the HDMI page?

Lindend, Was that reply directed at me? I don't have any audio issues that are related to 32kHz.

DVR HD PACE TDC777D



I write from Argentina. The company MULTICANAL cable TV has given me the DVR-HD equipment and have several TDC777D PACE questions to ask.

1) emits a lot of noise.
2) the fan is always working, as the hard disk.
3) You can change this situation. ? I can´t sleep.

Thank you very much.

Greetings.

I write from Argentina. The company MULTICANAL cable TV has given me the DVR-HD equipment and have several TDC777D PACE questions to ask.

Is your cable provider using Passport as its guide? If so, Passport is always recording (even when in standby state), thus, there is no way to spin the drive down.

Lindend, Was that reply directed at me? I don't have any audio issues that are related to 32kHz.

Sorry, my fault. I thought I was replying to the original posters problem scenario.

Is your cable provider using Passport as its guide? If so, Passport is always recording (even when in standby state), thus, there is no way to spin the drive down.

Well... imagining an optimized implementation, you may keep the synched IPG data in memory and spin down the HDD till the user powers up the STB again, or a recording timer event is triggered.
Wolf.

Wolfgang y Linden thanks for the responses. We are many users who have the problem in Argentina.

We are waiting for a solution.

Michael

Hi,
I am planning to subscribe to a Digital cable HD service and they would install the above mentioned box. I have a few questions about this HD-DVR:

1) Does the USB conector allow me to connect this device to my computer and extract recordings from it, or record directly on the PC's hard drive?

2) or can I use the SATA conector for that same purpose?

3) The PDF manual I downloaded says these conectors are for future use, does that mean they are not configured in the device at present?

Thank you very much.

Hi,
I am planning to subscribe to a Digital cable HD service and they would install the above mentioned box. I have a few questions about this HD-DVR:

1) Does the USB conector allow me to connect this device to my computer and extract recordings from it, or record directly on the PC's hard drive?

2) or can I use the SATA conector for that same purpose?

3) The PDF manual I downloaded says these conectors are for future use, does that mean they are not configured in the device at present?

Thank you very much.

1) No

2) No

Content providers do not want you to have any access to the recorded material

Thank you WhatHappend.
Best regards

Is your cable provider using Passport as its guide? If so, Passport is always recording (even when in standby state), thus, there is no way to spin the drive down.

Hi Lindend, I'm also from Argentina, and finally (actually a couple of months ago), Cablevision and Multicanal are providing the HD service. The started providing the service with the Motorola, and a month ago, they moved to the PACE 776 (or 777 I think) with a 250GB hard drive.

I can confirm that We use the Passport Guide.
We have SW Version 15.59.

I also may ask if the HD temperature is ok in 103F (Max 113F)

And last (but not least) is there a way to enable eSATA, USB, Network, etc.... They all are shown as Disabled in the "Power + Select + Select" Menu

Thanks for all your help. I've been reading lot of your posts here!

Regards from the South, and Have a Happy New Year

Luchazo

Hi Luchazo,

I also may ask if the HD temperature is ok in 103F (Max 113F)

That temperature is reasonable.

And last (but not least) is there a way to enable eSATA, USB, Network, etc.... They all are shown as Disabled in the "Power + Select + Select" Menu

eSATA and Ethernet are options controlled by your cable provider. USB is not supported at the current time.

There is one caveat with eSATA. Our firmware supports it, but Passport does not support it on some STB models.

Regards from the South, and Have a Happy New Year

Happy new year to you also.

Hi, I´m writing from Argentina. I have some troubles with the audio on my TDC777D HD DVR PACE, There are some few channels that don´t reproduce audio meanwhile others don´t have problems. In adition, I can not adjust the audio level from the DVR because it mantains a continue audio level, so I have to adjust it with the audio amplifier. I tried changing every interface between the DVR and the audio receiver, from analog (audio L + R) to digital audio with a fiber cable. Could you help me?
Thanks

So I've ready most of the 35 pages and my problem seems to be unique. I am attempting to use a WD 500gb HDD in a Rosewill RX-358-S enclosure. The box recognizes the HDD, says its valid, formats, but only displays a formatted capacity of 31gb. I've tried several times at reformatting. Any thoughts?

Hi Linden, I´ve got the Pace 776d through the cable operator Cablevision in Argentina. I´m willing to reproduce the videos from my PC (720p) on my TV through the Pace Box to avoid losing the audio quality (actually I can connect my PC through VGA to the TV but audio is poor because it is in stereo). Could you please tell me how can I use the USB drive, Ethernet and SATA ports? I don´t know if cable operators are actually blocking these ports.

Best regards.

I'm too impatient/lazy to go through all 35 pages to see if this question's been asked/answered before, but is there any way to backup the recordings I currently have on my Pace TDC779X to my PC or Mac?
Thanks.

How do I make the volume control just be a pass thru to let my tv control the volume and not the box. I have tried setting the volume on the pace box at different spots and using the tv volume but I can find the sweet spot. Is there anyway to cancel that option in the box?

I didn't ask a forbidden question, did I?

I'm too impatient/lazy to go through all 35 pages to see if this question's been asked/answered before, but is there any way to backup the recordings I currently have on my Pace TDC779X to my PC or Mac?
Thanks.

I didn't ask a forbidden question, did I?

You can buy a Component Video capture card and capture them to the PC/Mac in real-time. Here is a HD capable unit ($199) that uses USB: http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hdpvr.html

How do I make the volume control just be a pass thru to let my tv control the volume and not the box. I have tried setting the volume on the pace box at different spots and using the tv volume but I can find the sweet spot. Is there anyway to cancel that option in the box?

If you live in North America and have the TV Guide UI on the box here are the steps:

Press the menu button 2 times to bring up the TV Guide Main Menu.
Scroll the menu down until you see "Setup".
Select "Setup"
Select "Audio Setup"

If "Optimal Stereo" is set to "No", then press right arrow on it to change it to "Yes". (This sets the ideal volume level.)

Since you are there, you might want to select "TV Speakers" under Audio Output if you are only using your TV speakers to play the sound through.

Hi everyone,

I'm not very tech saavy but I'll do my best. I lost my Medicom cable remote so I decided to buy a replacement on ebay. I bought an Atlas 1056 DVR/PVR, figuring it would work with my Pace DC757X cable box. However, I'm not having any luck inputting the codes. I'm fearing I wasted $20 on a remote I won't be able to use. I used the codes provided with the universal remote. Any help is much appreciated.

Dan

You need to use the Motorola remote codes for it to work.

Thanks for the help, but I tried using the Motorola codes provided and none of them worked. In fact, I tried programming my Panasonic sound receiver and my Proscan TV and I couldn't get any of those codes to work.

I'm following the directions provided - Choose which kind of device it is on the remote (cbl, aud, dvd, etc) and hold the setup button until the device button blinks twice. Then input the code, if done correctly, the code button should blink twice. Instead, I get one long blink which means it's not the right code.

Any ideas?

We just purchased a Sony CT150 sound bar system and hooked it up last night. We are using HDMI cables and are connecting it to our Pace 779X HD DVR but the sound is skipping every so often (about every minute or so - give or take). We tried hooking up a DVD player to see if we had the same problem but we didn't so it must be something to do with the output of the DVR. The Dolby icon on the front also turns off when the sound dips which is also why I feel it is due to the output. We tried fiddling with the remote settings but to no avail. We have also tried a few different cables to make sure that the original cables we were using weren't the culpret.

Any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,
Eileen Hill

Lindend, thanks for the suport you offer. Very few companies realize the ripple effect good support like this in a forum can have. Now, on to my question. My Motorola dual HD-DV went bad, and the cable company replaced it with the Aspen. I have a Harmony 880 remote, and while I know its not your job to help me sort another products issues with your equipment, I'm pretty sure I am not getting a Harmony tech in here:)

So, here goes. I had a two functions on the Moto box I'm trying to find with the Aspen on the Harmony. Specifically, 30 second skip and tuner swap. The Harmony seems determined to categorize the Pace box as a PVR, instead of a cable box, oddly enough.

Do you know of any way I can get these functions in the Harmony? Oh, reading about the eSata support, I find that very, very cool.

Lindend, thanks for the suport you offer. Very few companies realize the ripple effect good support like this in a forum can have. Now, on to my question. My Motorola dual HD-DV went bad, and the cable company replaced it with the Aspen. I have a Harmony 880 remote, and while I know its not your job to help me sort another products issues with your equipment, I'm pretty sure I am not getting a Harmony tech in here:)

So, here goes. I had a two functions on the Moto box I'm trying to find with the Aspen on the Harmony. Specifically, 30 second skip and tuner swap. The Harmony seems determined to categorize the Pace box as a PVR, instead of a cable box, oddly enough.

Do you know of any way I can get these functions in the Harmony? Oh, reading about the eSata support, I find that very, very cool.

I have the 787x and use Harmony remote for it.

I use the Harmony PACE TDC-779x device to control the 787x (I used to have that model and they use the same remote commands) and Tuner swap is "Pip Swap" and 30 second skip is "Advance". These are in the default Harmony data base.

The pace box is a DVR/PVR otherwise you wouldn't be looking for tuner swap and 30sec skip. Why wouldn't they categorize it as PVR?

Well, its mostly worked out, but the Pip swap being tuner swap isnt working out. Got my 30 second skip back though, thanks.

Coming from DTV I could pause live TV for 90 min. This Pace box (779X) will only pause 20 min. Any ideas. The cable company (Morris) has not been any help. I have had cable tv now for 2 days an am very disappointed in this feature. Any suggestions?


Thanks

Coming from DTV I could pause live TV for 90 min. This Pace box (779X) will only pause 20 min.

I think I answered my own question. 20 min for HD and 60 min for SD. I think the receivers a bit out dated. I am canceling my service after 2 days. Going back to a dish of some kind.

Did you check to see if your cable provider has a different box available? Our cable company carries this Pace box, but it also carries Motorola, which I find to be better for many reasons.

I don't know the connection between these two brands, but they use the same set of remote control commands.

HDMI out is not working.

Connected directly to a Panasonic TC-P50V10 -- cable box in diagnostic mode (connected to Panasonic via component because I obviously can't see anything when connected via HDMI) shows it is not detecting an HDMI connection.

I have rebooted the box (countless times) and still not detecting HDMI.

I have using multiple HDMI cables of different lengths, rebooting the box and still no detected connection.

Ugh. Help please.

Shot in the dark here, but ti may be worth a try. Maybe it reports no detection of HDMI because its processing a component connection. Try setting the menu on the box to one resolution, say 1080i. Then shut the box off, disconnect the component cables, connect the HDMI cable, and see what happens. Try different resolutions.

I have a Pace TDC778x cable box from Armstrong Cable. I have a Cavalry 1t HD external as well. Last night while watching O'Reilly the screen froze. I was in 20 minute delay mode. I sent to my other TV and everything was okay. I checked the guide and all I could see was "to be announced" which usually means that the cable company is doing and upgrade or reinstalling or something. I then got a message in a black box asking if I wanted to reformat my HD. I clicked on NO. I then checked my DRV recordings and all of the recordings on the HD are gone. I called Cavalry today and their tech had me attache the HD to my computer so we coould determine if it was okay. It seems to be okay. How can I reset up my external HD and can I recover the lost recordings.

I have a Pace TDC778x cable box from Armstrong Cable. I have a Cavalry 1t HD external as well. Last night while watching O'Reilly the screen froze. I was in 20 minute delay mode. I sent to my other TV and everything was okay. I checked the guide and all I could see was "to be announced" which usually means that the cable company is doing and upgrade or reinstalling or something. I then got a message in a black box asking if I wanted to reformat my HD. I clicked on NO. I then checked my DRV recordings and all of the recordings on the HD are gone. I called Cavalry today and their tech had me attache the HD to my computer so we coould determine if it was okay. It seems to be okay. How can I reset up my external HD and can I recover the lost recordings.

Have you tried to reset your box? I had this happen to me a couple times and it fixed it. If it doesn't fix the first restart I would try a couple of times. To do this you can turn off the box and wait for a minute and unplug, wait about 10 seconds and plug it back in, or you can go into the diagnostics page and press Info then Select on the menu. I'm sure you can search and find more detailed instructions on this board. You can also call Armstrong and ask them to do it.

FYI. Armstrong did a firmware and guide update right around Christmas on my box and I had all kinds of problems with my pace box afterwards. The problems were mostly with HDMI handshakes and audio dropouts. Actually, I had to swap out the box and i lost all my external recordings. It was functioning flawlessly for about 2.5 years. I was given a new Motorola box which i have been unsuccessful in getting my external drive to work although i haven't had time to try real hard. According to some documentation i found, they will have to punch in a code to allow me to do so. The tech that came out said it is suppose to be not blocked and the same as the pace - external drive unsupported but enabled. Also according to the tech, they are abandoning the pace boxes. If I can't get my drive to work, i'm going to request to swap out my box again.

Good luck.