I recently purchased a Pioneer 5080 a number of weeks ago and had a new HD DVR box delivered. They brought me an SA 8240. I've seen a lot of information on the 8300's on these forums and elsewhere. Is there a huge difference between the two? Is it worth me contacting cable and seeing about getting a new box (8300)?

Any thoughts on this? Or is there an existing thread I could reference?

Thanks,

why did you opt for the box instead of a cable card? the 5080 has the option of using a cable card.

why did you opt for the box instead of a cable card? the 5080 has the option of using a cable card.Probably because he wants to record high-definition and skip commercials.

You can't skip commercials with a CableCard in the 5080.

I recently purchased a Pioneer 5080 a number of weeks ago and had a new HD DVR box delivered. They brought me an SA 8240. I've seen a lot of information on the 8300's on these forums and elsewhere. Is there a huge difference between the two? Is it worth me contacting cable and seeing about getting a new box (8300)?No, the boxes are the same, except tha the 8340 does not have an analog tuner. Many cable systems have switched to "digital simulcasting", meaning that most of their extended basic channels are sent in both digital and analog forms. The digital signal takes 1/12 the space of the analog, so adding those digital channels does not take much space. The "traditional" cable boxes (like the 8300) actually tuned to the digital version, instead of the analog version of the signal. Systems that have done this, have no need for boxes with analog tuners - hence they are starting to use boxes like the 8240 instead of the 8300.

Hope that directly answers the question (without all the CableCARD stuff).

I just got a 8240HD to replace the std def 8300 I previously had and can tell you they are not at all the same. We have had problems with programs failing to record. Generally with one of 2 error messages: "Not recorded due to an unresolved recording conflict (6)" or "Will not record because the channel is not available (2)". Cable company says there are bugs so need to reboot. Seems to be off to an unreliable start. In addition, I find the operating system in the 8240 to be severely lacking, especially in the series recording manager. Many of the options to limit channels and times are gone. As a result we get many multiple unwanted recordings. Also lost some of the functions we used regularly like the ability to immediately find something currently playing in the guide so that you can record a movie at a later date, for instance. In general, just very disappointed with the 8240, might try to get a 8300HD if I can find one available.

I just got a 8240HD to replace the std def 8300 I previously had and can tell you they are not at all the same. We have had problems with programs failing to record. Generally with one of 2 error messages: "Not recorded due to an unresolved recording conflict (6)" or "Will not record because the channel is not available (2)". Cable company says there are bugs so need to reboot. Seems to be off to an unreliable start. In addition, I find the operating system in the 8240 to be severely lacking, especially in the series recording manager. Many of the options to limit channels and times are gone. As a result we get many multiple unwanted recordings. Also lost some of the functions we used regularly like the ability to immediately find something currently playing in the guide so that you can record a movie at a later date, for instance. In general, just very disappointed with the 8240, might try to get a 8300HD if I can find one available.I suspect that you are missing the MOST CRITICAL element here. The 8300 that you had did not have a CableCARD ("C" model), while the 8240 DOES have the CableCARD. The CableCARD software is the reason that you having these problems - not the differences between the 8300 and the 8240.

I just got a 8240HD to replace the std def 8300 I previously had and can tell you they are not at all the same. We have had problems with programs failing to record. Generally with one of 2 error messages: "Not recorded due to an unresolved recording conflict (6)" or "Will not record because the channel is not available (2)". Cable company says there are bugs so need to reboot. Seems to be off to an unreliable start. In addition, I find the operating system in the 8240 to be severely lacking, especially in the series recording manager. Many of the options to limit channels and times are gone. As a result we get many multiple unwanted recordings. Also lost some of the functions we used regularly like the ability to immediately find something currently playing in the guide so that you can record a movie at a later date, for instance. In general, just very disappointed with the 8240, might try to get a 8300HD if I can find one available.

Very interesting as we've been experiecing the same issues with failed recordings. Missed the first 10 minutes of Lost last week because of this. We've also seen where the 8240 does not clear space when its needed and thus we've missed recording shows. Very frustrating. I really think I'm going to switch for an 8300. We've had to reboot the box several times because of issues with recording.

Thanks for the input by the way!

I suspect that you are missing the MOST CRITICAL element here. The 8300 that you had did not have a CableCARD ("C" model), while the 8240 DOES have the CableCARD. The CableCARD software is the reason that you having these problems - not the differences between the 8300 and the 8240.


I guess there are 2 issues here. First is the performance problems. I assume the cableCard is the culprit there. The other is the deficiencies in the operating system of the 8240. The 8240 really seems to be a step backward from my std def 8300. From the manual for the 8300HD unit I see online, it appears to be significantly different than the 8240. I'm hoping different is better in terms of the lost usability.

Very interesting as we've been experiecing the same issues with failed recordings. Missed the first 10 minutes of Lost last week because of this. We've also seen where the 8240 does not clear space when its needed and thus we've missed recording shows. Very frustrating. I really think I'm going to switch for an 8300. We've had to reboot the box several times because of issues with recording.NO! The software for a particular version of 8240 is the same as the equivalent version of the 8300. The ONLY DIFFERENCE is the inclusion of an analog tuner in the 8300. The CableCard versions DO have different software than the non-CableCard versions. And THAT (not the fact that you had problems with the 8240HDC that you didn't with the 8300) is the reasons for your problems. Yes, it might be the software associated with the "C" version, and not the hardward (folks don't seem to have a definitive answer yet) - but it is not due to the fact that one has an analog tuner and one does not.

You are correct, sir. Just picked up an 8300 and it appears to be exactly the same as the 8240 in terms of menus/ settings. My disappointment continues....I guess I'll have to wait and see if this one performs any better than the last. Is there no other option other than these with Time Warner?

You are correct, sir. Just picked up an 8300 and it appears to be exactly the same as the 8240 in terms of menus/ settings. My disappointment continues....I guess I'll have to wait and see if this one performs any better than the last. Is there no other option other than these with Time Warner?Time Warner will offer no other option. You could, however, purchase a HD TiVo. Right now you might not get all of the HD channels, if TW has SDV deployed in your area. However, a device is supposed to be available in the 2nd Quarter called the Tuning Resolver to enable reception of these SDV channels.

Once again Time Warner proves that they suck. Just got 2 new 8240's. One instance i needed a new box and the other one of my older 8300 was having slow reaction times. These 2 boxes are at 2 different locations mind you. These 8240 boxes are horrible. They do not have the recording options the 8300s do and thats even if you get it to record! when pausing live tv and unpausing you get audio but the screen is black (this is on both locations so its not the connection). I am returning these asap to try and get another 8300. unforunatly the closest location is 25 minutes away and you cant call the particular store to see if they have any in. I went 3 dif times and they were out then the 4th time i got 2 of these 8240 pieces of crap. pissed once again!

Once again Time Warner proves that they suck. Just got 2 new 8240's. One instance i needed a new box and the other one of my older 8300 was having slow reaction times. These 2 boxes are at 2 different locations mind you. These 8240 boxes are horrible. They do not have the recording options the 8300s do and thats even if you get it to record! when pausing live tv and unpausing you get audio but the screen is black (this is on both locations so its not the connection). I am returning these asap to try and get another 8300. unforunatly the closest location is 25 minutes away and you cant call the particular store to see if they have any in. I went 3 dif times and they were out then the 4th time i got 2 of these 8240 pieces of crap. pissed once again!2 different locations: where (City & State)? What software are they running (SARA, Passport, Navigator)? What are the full box numbers (SA8240HD, SA8240HDC, SA8240, SA8240C)? These all make a difference.

I have an 8240HDC from Cox and it works perfectly as far as operation goes, its SARA so its pretty solid, but basic functionality.

I have a HD DVR 8240HDC and I HATE it so far!

It skips A LOT on the audio when i playback programs I have recoreded, HD programs and non-HD programs.

I am so sick of TW.

2 different locations: where (City & State)? What software are they running (SARA, Passport, Navigator)? What are the full box numbers (SA8240HD, SA8240HDC, SA8240, SA8240C)? These all make a difference.

Dave, I'm in Raleigh NC and just picked up a new 8240 hdc. I also have 2 8300 hd's.

The user interface is totally different. I get caller id on the 8240, not on the 8300s. I can't find out how to skip channels on the 8240 when surfing, there is a skip menu on the 8300. The buttons in the center of the remote on the 8300 skip 15 minutes ahead, the 8240 doesn't. you have to manually sit there and ff to the part you want which takes a lot longer.

Others have mentioned the problems with Series management when recording....

Any suggestions? I miss the features of the 8300 but want Caller ID on the 8300s.

Dave, I'm in Raleigh NC and just picked up a new 8240 hdc. I also have 2 8300 hd's.

The user interface is totally different. I get caller id on the 8240, not on the 8300s. I can't find out how to skip channels on the 8240 when surfing, there is a skip menu on the 8300. The buttons in the center of the remote on the 8300 skip 15 minutes ahead, the 8240 doesn't. you have to manually sit there and ff to the part you want which takes a lot longer.

Others have mentioned the problems with Series management when recording....

Any suggestions? I miss the features of the 8300 but want Caller ID on the 8300s.I suspect that your 8300s are running Passport and the 8240 is running Navigator. It is not that there are differences between the 8240 and the 8300, but rather that the 8240 is a newer box (with CableCARD) and the 8300's are older (without CableCARDs). TW has been migrating the newer boxes to Navigator first.

Sorry, I'm a SARA user, so don't have good specific knowledge on Passport or Navigator. There are specific threads (for the 8300 - which REALLY is the same) for Passport (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=453804&page=245) and Navigator (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13664603#post13664603).

The Navigator seems to drop a bunch of important features that Passport users had relied on.

Is there someone at TWC that I can contact who is knowledgeable about Navigator?

The Navigator seems to drop a bunch of important features that Passport users had relied on.

Is there someone at TWC that I can contact who is knowledgeable about Navigator?As I said: there is a whole thread devoted to Navigator.

OK, I am brand new to the HD STB world (was using a cablecard directly in my Sony TV). I have the 8240 and am trying to find just the most rudimentary info, such as how do I determine which software (Navigator, Passport, or SARA) my box is using?

I hate not understanding how to do basic things, like setting the video output signal so I can compare which looks best on my new projector.

Thanks,
Rich

I had a 8300 that went bad. Was given a 8240, its really flaky. Gonna try to take it back for another 8300. Why is this crap so hard for them!?

I had a 8300 that went bad. Was given a 8240, its really flaky. Gonna try to take it back for another 8300. Why is this crap so hard for them!?What is the COMPLETE model number of the old and the new DVR? For example is the old one a SA8300HD, while the new one is a SA8240HDC? What software is it running? Where are you located (put in profile please)? It could well be that when you got the new box you also got Navigatored as well. Ant THAT (Navigator) is the problem - not the 8240 itself.