Time Warner Cable Navigator - Page 561

Hopefully North East Ohio does as well. They've updated the webpage to the black guide.

A cold reboot brought my box back to old ODN 5.2.07 speeds. But with this version with most ODN boxes, you will experience increased delays in searching as more listings of the same title are in the system. The MDN (no C) SA-8240's and SA-8300 (no C's) have almost no keyboard lag at all. Legacy ODN has about a 5 second delay between keyboard presses with say 1-5 Title Listings of the same show. 6 or more listings, about 15 seconds. Tons of sports games, such as MLB Baseball with up to 30-40 games on MOST ODN boxes with ODN 5.2.07 can take between 20-30 seconds for each letter to show in the screen.

I hope that TWC rolls out and updates EVERYONE to the ODN version of 5.2.09 (not 5.2.07) the 5.2.09 fixes the speed problem with the keyboard and improves navigation speed.

Jack

My division is reporting tons of different issues. Audio dropouts are the most common with report on the 8640 and 8742 set tops. 8640 reports of locking up to a blue screen, missed recording and random recordings. I'm recently dealing with a lot of upset customers and have no choice other than tell them to complain to TWC or switch to a different provider. I'm starting to lose patience with TWC as they are costing me money on callbacks because the customer believes something is hooked up wrong or not working. They really need to get some significant updates out here or determine if these are network related.

Why is it some areas get updates and other do not?
Also, are there different versions of the firmware/software?

Separate question;
Under Device/Audio; what exactly are the differences between the three choices;

Other, (other what??)
Dolby Digital ,
HDMI?

I don't recall seeing this one here before. My niece is in town this weekend, and was watching MTVHD in live mode. After a while, maybe about 30 minutes, a screen saver comes on with the TWC logo and a clock. My wife and I watch very little live TV, so I'm not surprised we've never seen this before, but it seemed like something worth mentioning. Nothing was paused, this was watching live TV. The Cisco 8742 DVR is running ODN 5.2.0_9.

-Ted

Each "system" is a little different - so a new version has to be checked out on each local system before it can be deployed. Also, TW may (usually does) want to check out a new release in only one or two areas before allowing a larger deployment.

• HDMI: Audio output is CONTROLLED by data from the Sink device (in other words the device - be it a display or AVR receiver) via the HDMI connection. In some cable boxes (it is more of a hardware thing) the HDMI audio output may be disabled (it is enabled on my 8742). This is the setting that should be used when audio is via HDMI.
• Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround 5.1 is ALWAYS enabled. This is the setting that should be used when audio is via Optical or RCA type Coax connectors.
• Other:: Only sends stereo PCM out the digital audio output. Generally is not used - unless receiver is only stereo and has PCM input capability.

Edited by davehancock - 8/11/12 at 12:55pm

Here's something interesting:

Still on ODN 5.2.07, but I've been communicating with my division's tech forum telling them how much better ODN 5.2.09 is and what I noticed earlier today is that the "B" Button" for "Search" has been changed to "Browse Shows." The word "Shows" is cut off with the TV Guide logo, so it would seem that somethings going on.

Jack

Ben,

+1. And sadly I get the impression that they are doing the best they can. But it's just not enough. There seems to be too much variation in the boxes, nodes, and infrastructure to get all of these boxes and divisions working well. In hindsight, the problems that TWC has been having would have been handled better if TWC's original Navigator design team hadn't written such poor buggy code for Navigator.

This ODN 5.2.09 is supposed to be a good release. I wonder why Syracuse don't have it yet. They are often first on stuff.

Jack

Box Search button is back to saying "B"-Search following a second reboot, but the keyboard is still too slow. Waiting upwards of 30 seconds for keyboard searches to complete should NOT be indicative of 2012 technology. Search speeds need improvement, which we should hopefully see with ODN 5.2.09 when it is released to the Milwaukee/Metro areas.

Jack

Ok, that's why I only was getting 2 channel audio on HDMI & Other.
I didn't know if the DD, was a 'created' mode or not (probably not the right term) as opposed to 5.1 or 7.1.
Thanks.

Of course if there was a manual..............

It looks like San Diego California and North East Ohio are getting the new black guide this week. Sources say it will be ODN version 5.2.09, which fixes the slow search speeds on ODN boxes. Some quick tips below:

New Guide Download Tips

For best results in the transfer to the new Guide, it is advised NOT to be watching TV during that download time. Leave your box and everything off during the download. Typically there will be three reboots of the converter during those hours. Each reboot will be about 10-20 minutes. The downloads will likely start at various intervals between Midnight to 4AM and be completed by 5AM.

Best to make sure you have no shows or series recording during that time. If you do, I would say write them down, and cancel them, than reprogram them once the transfer is completed. Although everything should carry over, watch and/or save any shows that you value before the download. It helps.

Satch

Jack, I want to remind everyone of a tip that has served me well. After any update to the set top, I always do a hard reboot. Unplug the box for 30 seconds and re-plug so it boots and reloads everything. I find this clears any stry code and generally makes the update perform better. I know that sometimes I am missing features after an update or have some other random glitch that a hard reboot fixes.

Greetings all,
Here in the Los Angeles - South Bay area I just got a message from the TWC bot that my STB is being updated and will be out of service for up to 40 minutes.

Ordinarily this wouldn't worry me, but
a) it is the first vmail message I've Ever received from TWC,
b) I'm a non-DVR subscriber that TWC has No respect for, and most importantly
c) THE UPDATE DATE AND TIME AT THE MSG BEGINNING WERE CUT OFF! ARRGGHH!

Anyone else get this vmail message?
If you're from LA, have any idea how soon this will happen?
Should I be very afraid? I have a 4250HDC with ODN version 5.1.0_6 that runs Dog Slow. Next version is 5.2 or ??
I haven't called 'customer support' for this info yet due to the historically atrocious wait times on weekends ....

If I find out more I'll post ......
TIA, Mike
I'm not sure if this is really a bandwidth issue - the duplicate channels could just be 'virtual' to make drooling, slobbering Navigator do something else TWC needs.

I got the same message yesterday and today, but there was no indication on when it would happen. I was directed to TWC web site for more info, which tells me nothing but a new guide is coming soon. Typical TWC.

Thanks Ben,

I will always do that after updates if something is a little slow or something. On several update transitions, I didn't need to, but if your box doesn't take the update well, do the cold reboot like Ben said above, NOT just a warm reboot. Warm reboot does not clear out any stray code, cold reboot does. (Cold Reboot=Unplug the box.)

Oh and another tip on cold rebooting. Turn your box off (CBL Off button on Remote) or Power Off on the box control panel before unplugging it, In rare cases, I have seen boxes NOT come back up because the power was unplugged when the box was on. Use that for anything. Always turn off electrical stuff before unplugging it..

Yes, if you are missing features after an update=cold reboot as well.

Jack

Mike,

You could be updated anytime this week, but if you got that call, it could be tonight. You can help the update by following Ben's tips and my tips above. Those automated calls go out when TWC wants, as long as your phone number is in the system. Do you have a lot of stuff in the DVR? For Navigator, based on your box info above, you will be getting the black guide, version ODN 5.2.09

There will be 2-3 reboots of your box sometime between Midnight-5am. Try hard to have the tv off during this time so that the update goes as smooth as possible, If you are not updated tonight, it will likely be tomorrow.

Jack

When it comes to updates, San Diego does not do robo calls.

Mike, I didn't get a msg from TWC, but woke up this morning to find that my box just got the update. We're part of the West Valley subdivision of SoCal TWC. I've got a SA 8300HD that's now running MDN version 3.2.0-05-ptv (April 20, 2012), IIRC.

I know that this is really just a cosmetic update for the guide, but I'm still hoping that the "unable to record" bug is fixed and/or gets fixed soon. It always feels a bit like Russian Roulette whether something will record or not. FWIW, empirical experience leads me to think that the problem is exacerbated by having the box on or recording after midnight; perhaps, some communication with the head end gets hung up with the box in use. Also, it happened more often when we had the same named program (on different channels) entered into the Series Manager (we were trying to catch up with all the syndicated reruns of "The Big Bang Theory"); there definitely was a priority bug with that in the UI (I can describe it if anyone wants the details). Anyway, it seems that one of the tuners is locked up when the box is in the "unable to record" state. Using the Swap button to switch tuners just gives me a black screen, as does the PIP, if I can get PIP to turn on at all when it's in that state! Only thing that reliably relieves the situation is to reboot.

I've tried changing boxes (both 8300HD and 8300HDC; my local office won't offer me anything else since I'm just a plain DVR sub). I'd push back for a newer box, but those seem to have their own issues. In the meantime, the TWC reps I've spoken with can't seem to fathom that there's a software problem. They say there are no known bugs with the software and they just want to replace the box (with another 8300HD) or try to convince me that I "have to make room" on the disc for new recordings (even though it's clearly not a space issue). Hopefully, the new dev team will be able to fix this and other problems that users have experienced.

Warren

Thanks for this info!

I can tell you that Milwaukee only does-when it feels like it! LOL!

Jack

I've never received a robo call about an update, it must be just your area Jack.

Well, the STB rebooting started about 2:45AM and I went to bed after the second timed reboot.
Woke up this AM with ODN version 5.2.0_9 on my non-DVR 4250HDC - the famous 'black guide'.

It seems to be both a maintenance and a feature upgrade release.
It does seem more stable and slightly faster; the previous version would 'run away' about twice a day when scrolling in the guide. To this IT guy, that looked like a bad memory leak or other total SQA failure. This version, So far so good.

The only new feature I've noticed is the return of Favorites Only functionality - I can exclude Hundreds of non-favorite channels from the guide - HOORAY! I don't know if the 'multiple favorites lists' feature (per TWC website ) exists for non-DVR boxes - will investigate.

@warren193 - even though I'm not a DVR customer, I feel your pain. TWC [huge air quote] customer service [/huge air quote] is Totally Useless due to their lack of BASIC training and poor scripts. They could learn something if they read the User Manual for Navigator --- OOPS --- THERE ISN'T ONE! ... (AFAIK) ... With the world's human overpopulation, you would think that their sorry excuse for HR could screen for a higher level of technical aptitude and communication skill.

As a previous poster observed, TWC can't move functionality back to the headend (cloud) fast enough. They are hopelessly behind on deploying STBs with faster CPUs, more memory and Lower 24/7 power consumption. WRT to the latter feature, on most boxes (like mine) the Power Save function is an Lie.

I'm also using an SA8300HD running MDN (because of the expansion drive capability). I'm also experiencing dropped recordings for no good reason, usually on Sunday night/early Monday mornings. Since literally every TV show I watch premieres on Sunday nights, I try to space out the recordings so that two of them don't even overlap (which shouldn't be, and has never before been, a problem for the machine). I look at the list on Monday morning and see that it's failed to record a couple of shows that were scheduled with no conflicts the night before. It's maddening.

In addition, I can't keep a lock on native 1080i output. It keeps "slipping' to 720p for some reason. I reset it to 1080i and it stays like that the rest of the evening, then the next day, it's popped back to 720p. That's maddening too.

Last December, they pushed out an MDN update that chopped the buffers down from an hour to about 27 minutes (which is really going to suck come football season when you want to watch 2 games at once using the buffers). Again, maddening. Every time they push out an update we seem to get prettier colors, but lose some functionality we've come to rely on in return.

Honestly, if this keep up I may go......mad. As it is, I'm just mad!

Can't offer anything on the other issues, but the buffer reduction might be fixable as I believe TWC can adjust that for you. When I last spoke to a TWC rep about my "unable to record" issues, she said she could "adjust some codes" on their end that might "fix" the problem. The next day I found that my buffers had gone from 1 hr per tuner to 1/2 hr per tuner (as well as the skip search going in 10 min increments rather than the 15 min increments the box had been doing). I've been planning on asking them to change this back, but I figured I'd wait until after the update.

Bottom line, I believe TWC can restore the 1 hr buffer for you if you can get hold of a knowledgeable rep.

May be that you are hooked via HDMI and the TV is telling the box to shut off. I forget if the setting was on the TV (or for me) on the the BD player. I use component cables from the DVR for various reasons (this issue, external 5.1 sound not always on, etc.). /Dan

I got updated to black interface about 13 hours ago, and it really messed with my recordings I had set for that time of course. I wish these boxes were smart enough to save upgrades for when shows aren't recorded.

That being said, I like the new look, and I'm really hoping it fixes one of the biggest pet peeves I've had with my box for the last few months. Lately, whenever I'm watching a recorded show, but then have 2 shows starting to record, I get bumped out of my recording and into one of the two shows being recorded. If that wasn't annoying enough, I can't even resume the recording I'm watching from the point I got cut off. It'll start from the beginning, or from the last point I paused it at.

Today I was watching something when a second recording started and I wasn't kicked out. So we'll see what happens.

+5!

Jack

What is type is your STB from twc?

Hi Arch Guy. Some questions:

Do you have the new Black Guide?

What is the error message number code that you get in the recording log? I'm not talking about "The set-top was unavailable to record the program." Give us that number next to it.

Is there a pattern to shows or series that are not recording? Do some series and channels not record more than others?

If the error codes are SDV codes, unfortunately there is not much you can do. I assume you have had lines and signal levels checked by the tech. If not, you might want to get someone out. Also we had an issue you described with the occasional "Channel Not Available" message after a new drop line was installed. There was a corroded cable connection on the back of the box/TV that the tech replaced, solved the problem. If your wires to the back of the TV and rest of your equipment have not been updated in 5-10 years, including your HDMI cable, you can have these kind of drop-outs.

Under Settings, what happens if you de-select ALL output resolutions except 1080 or 720? (or 1080 by itself.?)

Jack

His problem with resolution has been a regular problem with MDN. It normally drops down to the lowest enabled resolution when the TV is powered up. While enabling ONLY 1080i can solve the problem, it does reduce the picture quality on 720p channels (at least on better displays). I found that if I changed channels to a 720 channel and then back that the cable box would then output the correct resolution.

Just got ODN 5.2.0_9 and we FINALLY HAVE AutoHD! This should at least prevent my family members from watching and recording in SD and mean no more letterboxed and windowboxed shows! I've been busy, but will have to look over the feature set and report back. I have to check the Guide Filter, if they adapted it to a true Guide Filter, this will be a huge step up. That said, the AutoHD at least compensates for the lack of a real Guide Filter.
Edited by BenJF3 - 8/14/12 at 5:16pm