Dish DTVPal / Echostar TR40 digital to analog converter - Page 153

I don't believe that I have any "memory full" problems with my guide as speculated some might have.
So my guide does update as I am in it, like Whidbey described. (on all firmware versions)

If a channel is showing "no information" in the guide even after just doing a guide download at power on,
when I choose it in the guide and then move to another channel in the guide, the missing info fills.

I have had occasions when the guide info doesn't fill as desribed, but those were station PSIP problems confirmed on other tuners.

You could also loose guide data at six days out, that was originally in the box when a station lessens the amount of guide data they are sending.
The stations are in control of most aspects of the guide info.

I could lose data that way, but it isn't supposed to update while it's on, right? Wasn't that the point of being told not to turn an F100 off, so it wouldn't download guide data and mess up the timers? But Beeper, as I said in post 4565, when it fills in one place, it loses info in another place, so I don't have data on my primary channels reliably.

forget it, figured how the channles on the timer work it was just hard to see the changing color on a B&W TV.

this timer issue is crazy, auto timers have been in use for over 30 years now. What the hell were they drinking when they programed this thing, it wasn't very well thought out and I'm guessing the DTVPAL Pulse will be the one done right thanks to all our problems being corrected. Yup if you don't want to pay return mailing cost let them forward your return to Dr. dish and they will email you a return postage paid label. I'm waiting for mine but the tech said he put in for it.

Only the guide download at power on will damage the timers. This was the reason to leave the box on.
The guide will also do discreet guide updates while it is on. That does not damage the timers.


Understood. That's why I stated that I don't believe I am being affected by the so-called "full memory" of the guide. I only have 24 channels & subs.
I was just pointing out that the guide will update while the box is on, if you move to the channel while in the guide or tune the channel outside of the guide. Results may vary if your memory is full.

How many channels & subs do you have anyway?

Another new model?

That's a much more electrifying brand name than the DTVPal Plus that they were going to release.

Thanks for the explanation. I had 23 and dumped 4 this morning.

I guess when it comes to the DTVPal, less is more.

I sure hope you're not referring to me. I have mentioned it on more than one occasion, but I wouldn't really say I jabbed at it. I never considered that a real fault of any of these CECB boxes. I wouldn't expect that from these low-end devices.

Maybe "PIP" isn't exactly the actual, correct term for it (more like "picture-in-guide"), but my Dish tuner does show the station that it's currently tuned to in it's guide, and that's what I was referring to.

Actually, I said I like the Pal's guide, if you saw that. I've also admitted many times around here that I considered it the best guide - at least when it gets all the same info that some of my other tuners do.

The best way to say it is that none of the CECBs are perfect - pick which set of features / lack of features is important to you. For plain watching TV in the post transition world - any of them WILL accomplish the minimum.

Question on the DtvPal, if the power to the box is not constant, meaning I unplug the box or turn of a surge protector, will the box remember the settings and the channels that had been previously scanned?

Your DTVPAL/TR-40 will remember it's Channels and general "settings" without power.

Now the question is if you have an F100/F101 you might screw up your timer "settings" after power up (almost 100% certain).

If you have a F103 or later you should be OK.

I had issues with my DTVPALs not getting certain channels so I "scanned" using my Grandma's antenna (She gets ALL the area channels) and powered them down and took them home... No problem.

Successfully waded through the Dish of BS to get a RA#. Six or eight different people (lost count) with one claiming I have to pay $68.94 for the replacement. They really don't want to deal with anyone who didn't buy it from them. And mentioning "ebay" is the kiss of death.

I asked and was told that the "order" (apparently the RA# is an order number) does not have an expiration date. Since it's just a paperweight until February anyway I don't see why I need to rush. But I'd bet orders actually do have a secret limited lifespan.

Is the preprinted label that comes back with the replacement box also prepaid? Anyone not need theirs?

It's approaching the point where it would have cost less to let the 1st coupon expire and buy a TR40 without one. Thanks Dish.

With TR-40CRA (F103)......
I've never seen more than 48 hours of data (and even that's rare)......
and on only three or four of my channels (I'm only receiving approx. 30 channels total)!
Generally I get no more than 12-24 hours of program data.
If this is a memory issue, there's a serious lack of memory available!
I find the EPG on this box to be very unreliable. It's seems like every time I go to use it, the situation is different. Often I get "no information" (on many channels). Other times I'll get the name of the program but no additional info.
I'm in the NYC area and this just shouldn't be!

Why is it "just a paperweight until February"?

Are there any sightings of a post F103 software version for the TR-40CRA?

OK, I have a F101 that will hit the 90-day warranty expiration in a week or so. I'd like to exchange it for a box that at least fixes the disappearing/corrupted event timer problem. I assume I need to get myself into the system in the next few days so that my only cost will be shipping, under warranty.

What is the best way to do that? I fired off an email to (tech at echostar dot com) describing the problem, mentioning that I've researched it on the net and that I know many other customers have the same issue, and including my name, email, and s/w version. Is anything good likely to come of that quickly? Chat was "unavailable" late at night; should I try that during the day? Recent posts seem to recommend setting up an "account" with "Dr. Dish". Or, do I need to bite the bullet and phone them at their 1-888 number? I did not originally buy this box through them; I internet-ordered from digitalstar.com. I have no other business relationship with Dish.

Thanks for any response, and retroactively for all the info posted over the last several months. "What a long, strange trip it's been..."

--gary

My mistakes don't cost YOU money. Dish' or other companies mistakes DO cost you money out of pocket. Therefore, like car companies, refrigerator companies, or any other appliance, the software companies should thoroughly test their equipment to get it right the first time.

And if they don't get it right, *free* updates should be made available, else we the people should be able to sue them under various lemon laws.

I'm tired of buying stuff where the software is broke.

I recommend chat with Dr Dish (I think if the customer service ID in the chat includes "DrD", that's the right department. Even though they may not be familiar with the procedure, if you walk them through the need to create the account and tell them about the timer corruption problem, they'll set up the RA# and you can save a verbatim record of the chat in case you need it later. Worked for me (same situation re warranty and 3rd party purchase).

You may want to wait a day to see if they email you a shipping label.

John

The stations are sending the PSIP guide data in 3 hour blocks at set intervals similar to how the clock time is sent.
The front guide data is generally sent at shorter intervals than the farther out guide data.

Another way you can witness the guide data refresh while powered on is to add a new channel.
If you access the new channel in the guide, it should show the guide info for the new channel.
Sometimes you may have to tune the new channel to fill in the guide data.

Not to be greedy, but is it assumed that F100/F101 are the only "exchange" worthy DTVPALs at this time? Got several F103s and wouldn't mind F106s but given the hard ships in dealing with DISH "pushing" it with "functional" units might be a bit much.

gac_1959 and all the other F100/F101 owners (got a few of those too) start jumping those hoops. Don't let the warranty expire without DISH having "resolved" the issue.

I don't know the answer, but my plan is to wait until January and then ask Dish to trade my F100 for the latest revision (110 perhaps?). Credit card companies also provide warranties where the companies fail to act properly. Credit card companies require their partners ship working items, otherwise they reverse the charge. Dish has signed that agreement & must abide by it.

Therefore if you return your non-functioning DTVpal, with proof-of-delivery, you can ask your credit card company to refund the charge.

Cannot resist:
And where are those programmers, now?

The algorithm definitions are probably there too.

Your assumption is correct. From speaking to Kevin, they know what software versions have the timer issues originally reported, and which serial numbers have which softare versions. So if the serial number on your box is in the F100/101 range, they will let you do the exchange. Otherwise you may be out of luck (unless you get a CSR that slips up and lets you do an exchange anyway).

iinside you VCR and Beta max and any other device with a programmable timer. My god does TVIO have this problem and i hear it can even program itself.

No direct TV reception. I don't expect the translators to begin relaying digital signals until after all analog has gone completely dark. Wouldn't even have one of these demon boxes if it weren't for getting trapped between "Supplies are limited." and "Expires after 90 days.".

I got an email response from "Tech" today about 12 hours after my initial (and only, so far) email. It was the "based on the information you provided, we have determined that your unit needs to be replaced" message, along with a number (1-800-333-3474) to "complete the exchange". Will call that in the morning. It also had a chat link (will try that if the phone call is unsatisfactory) and was signed by "Amber P.".

--Gary

Next time someone on here talks to dish about the DTVPAL/TR40 ask them who was the genius that figured it was fine to make the timers turn on the box but not off after the event is over. Why they felt it was better to let the box remain on for a minimum of 4 hours after a timer event then just let the box turn itself off.

I have been reading through these forums for a while and finally requested a replacement for my F100 based unit on Monday. It is supposed to arrive on Thursday and I then have to put my old unit in the box and send it back. I bought the unit from Sears at the end of July and had been waiting until the 90 day warranty was almost up to do the swap. However, I started having the missing video at power on problem and decided with the F106 version being shipped that perhaps I should do the swap before I forget.

Overall I have been rather pleased with the device as it is a bit more sensitive than my Wally-World Magnavox box. The only complaints I have are; 1) the inability to enter a channel number if the channel you are on has no signal and 2) the inability to program a channel number that has no signal at the moment. I like to DX stations and some channels do not always have a signal. The Magnavox box lets me program any channel I want. That has been a problem here on Long Island with PBS station WNET, channel 13. Their DTV station on channel 61 is very low power due to not having recovered from their transmitter loss on 9/11. It is hit or miss if I can get their signal. It took a while before I was able to finally program them in.