Is my 8000HD a lemon?

274 Views 6 Replies 3 Participants Last post by RandyWalters, Oct 21, 2004

BB_Mike

Discussion Starter · Oct 21, 2004

I have browsed the other threads about this DVR-box, but most people's problem are much better off than where I am.

1.) I've tried twice to record two seperate shows. Each time, I get NOTHING in my list menu after the show has gone off. I even went as far as to leave the box on.

2.) My digital audio on HD channels is very intermitant, and I only have a Left and Right audio signal. no 5.1, but it shows up as AC3 on my receiver. The show was CSI. Could my local repater be having issues.

I did manage to record a channel that I was watching (read like a VCR can). And when that was going on, I couldn't view any other channels. After I stopped that nonsense, the box got very upset on me and locked up on the next channel up.

Should I waist another half day of work to meet the installer guy? Or maybe they'll wise up and just let me come by and pick up a box?? There's a novel idea.

Thanks for any guidance, or thread links!! (Other than the yahoo user group).

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bfdtv

· #2 · Oct 21, 2004

BB,

Does your 8000HD use SARA or Passport? I've found that if the signal strength is too low (i.e. worse than -7dB), the SA8000HD will sometimes ignore recordings.

If you have SARA, hold down the select (+) button on the front of the box until the mail light turns on, and then press info. This will display software diagnostics. Page down to where you see your signal strength (between -10db and +10db).

If your box uses SARA, what version do you have? See page 17 of diagnostics.

Quote:

2.) My digital audio on HD channels is very intermitant, and I only have a Left and Right audio signal. no 5.1, but it shows up as AC3 on my receiver. The show was CSI. Could my local repater be having issues.

Did you select DD5.1 output in settings on the SA8000HD? Also keep in mind that some network shows are still in DD2.0, even if they aren't encoded that way by your affiliate.

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BB_Mike

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 21, 2004

BFD,

Thanks for the prompt reply.

SARA v1.83.4.a2 is the software application on my box.

The FCD strength = 1 dBmV (Is this a per channel thing, or a one time ping for strength?)

The S/N is 21dB on the low side and 25 on the high side.

But guess what, I can't view any channels because the little red light is on showing that the box is recording something. Maybe this time it wont dissapear?

I could not alter any audio settings. The only choice I found was setting the audio to fixed or variable control.

Simple Question:

Should I be able to watch random programs at will while this thing is "recording"?

Also, what is the usre controlled option within the "diagnostic menu" that allows you to toggle between Headheap, or something like that. You can choose between 'system' and 'SARA'.

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bfdtv

· #4 · Oct 21, 2004

Quote:

The FCD strength = 1 dBmV (Is this a per channel thing, or a one time ping for strength?)

The S/N is 21dB on the low side and 25 on the high side.

That should be fine.

Quote:

I could not alter any audio settings. The only choice I found was setting the audio to fixed or variable control.

I believe the setting is under digital output in settings (press menu twice).

Quote:

But guess what, I can't view any channels because the little red light is on showing that the box is recording something. Maybe this time it wont dissapear?

Press List on the remote and then press A to see scheduled recordings. That will tell you what it is recording now. You can select one and then press B to cancel it.

Quote:

Should I be able to watch random programs at will while this thing is "recording"?

The box has two tuners. That means you can tune into a channel of your choice so long as you are not already recording two channels at once. Follow the instructions above to see if that is the case, and cancel recordings as appropriate.

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BB_Mike

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 21, 2004

I gave more consideration to the dual tuner concept, and I believe that my problem is a result of one not working. Here's the bullets:

-I am able to record with the unit off.

-I am not able to record with the unit on, unless I choose to record the channel I am watching.

-I can not watch other channels while I am recording any random channel.

-The picture in picture feature has the unit gasping for processing time (frozen images and such).

I wanted to give it a few more tries to eliminate the user error option, and the outcome sounds believable to me.

Thanks again for your replies.

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bfdtv

· #6 · Oct 21, 2004

Quote:

-The picture in picture feature has the unit gasping for processing time (frozen images and such).

This is common. The PIP feature on the SA8000HD is pretty much useless.

If you can't record two different channels, or record one channel while watching another, then it sounds like one of the tuners in your box is non-functional. I would call and request a replacement SA8000HD.

Before you do that, however, I would try a reset. On the front of the box, press and hold both the VOL+ and VOL- buttons, then press the info button.

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RandyWalters

· #7 · Oct 21, 2004

I would also try unplugging the box for a few minutes, then plugging it back in (cold boot). Sometimes that fixes problems that the warm boot does not.

But it does sound like you have a defective box (not uncommon).

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