Kevin Elm
02-17-03, 08:24 AM
I installed a replacement DishPVR 721 receiver over the weekend after Dish told me my first unit was defective. Was wondering if anyone else has experienced some strange install behavior. Some of the strangeness seems to be "self-healing":
Install worked beautifully. I had version L1.09 of the software after about 45 minutes. My programming returned about 10 minutes after the software downloaded.
For several hours the 2nd tuner could not find a signal (I tried the PIP function to test this). The switch test and point dish screens showed everything was OK, with signal strengths of 94-95 on both inputs. But in the 2nd PIP screen I got a black screen with blinking white text saying it could not find one of the transponders on 119. Then I programmed the PVR to record a program while watching something else. The problem corrected itself. Now both tuners work perfectly.
For several hours the clocks were set to GMT instead of my local time. Then it magically corrected itself. The program guide, including my locals was correct, but was also 6 hours ahead.
Locals were initially assigned only their 4 digit channel numbers. After about 24 hours, they were then also assigned their local channel numbers (2, 6, 8, 11, 17, 19, 23 etc.)
IR remote codes - for the platinum remote are completely different from the blue button remote. So I had to reprogram my master remote. No big deal. Last week (before the receiver was up and running, I reprogrammed the platinum remote to control my TV and VCR, but nothing seemed to work on my Sony receiver. But then magically last night, I reprogrammed the remote again and the receiver codes worked. Was able to pass the volume control through to all devices.
Callerid - pop-up not working, but call log working for about 24 hours. Then no callerid functions working at all. (yes I turned it on in the preferences.) I have a ground issue though. The guys who installed my sprinklers last summer pulled up my secondary ground! The current ground is tied to the service ground on the north side of my house to equalize, so I should be grounded, but I need to reinstall the secondary ground to my dish. I will check all the ground connections again.
My overall impression of the 721 is pretty good. I've played with some of the PVR functions and recorded several things already. The 721 acts rather strangely at times. I can't really explain why things don't work and then suddenly do! Guess I shouldn't complain too much.
Install worked beautifully. I had version L1.09 of the software after about 45 minutes. My programming returned about 10 minutes after the software downloaded.
For several hours the 2nd tuner could not find a signal (I tried the PIP function to test this). The switch test and point dish screens showed everything was OK, with signal strengths of 94-95 on both inputs. But in the 2nd PIP screen I got a black screen with blinking white text saying it could not find one of the transponders on 119. Then I programmed the PVR to record a program while watching something else. The problem corrected itself. Now both tuners work perfectly.
For several hours the clocks were set to GMT instead of my local time. Then it magically corrected itself. The program guide, including my locals was correct, but was also 6 hours ahead.
Locals were initially assigned only their 4 digit channel numbers. After about 24 hours, they were then also assigned their local channel numbers (2, 6, 8, 11, 17, 19, 23 etc.)
IR remote codes - for the platinum remote are completely different from the blue button remote. So I had to reprogram my master remote. No big deal. Last week (before the receiver was up and running, I reprogrammed the platinum remote to control my TV and VCR, but nothing seemed to work on my Sony receiver. But then magically last night, I reprogrammed the remote again and the receiver codes worked. Was able to pass the volume control through to all devices.
Callerid - pop-up not working, but call log working for about 24 hours. Then no callerid functions working at all. (yes I turned it on in the preferences.) I have a ground issue though. The guys who installed my sprinklers last summer pulled up my secondary ground! The current ground is tied to the service ground on the north side of my house to equalize, so I should be grounded, but I need to reinstall the secondary ground to my dish. I will check all the ground connections again.
My overall impression of the 721 is pretty good. I've played with some of the PVR functions and recorded several things already. The 721 acts rather strangely at times. I can't really explain why things don't work and then suddenly do! Guess I shouldn't complain too much.