Strange recording failure on Comcast HD Channel

[JoeKL]

Over the past month I've had a wierd recurring failure when I try to record one channel on my Dish 722 DVR. As an Oakland A's fan, I try to record all of their games. Games are carried in the SF Bay area by Dish on channel 409 - Comcast Sports Network California - they appear on both the regular and HD 409 channel.

Here's the problem. When I set up the DVR to record the HD channel, it appears to be recording but playback fails. The problem is intermittant. The failure shows up as either a black screen on playback, or the playback begins, stops and freezes. It also shows up as a failure when I select the "Start Over" option during recording

I am able to record all other HD and regular channels fine. The current DVR is a replacement for a previous unit returned under warranty for THIS failure. I now believe this is NOT a hardware failure but a problem in the transmission.

Does anyone have any information on how to fix this kind of problem? Is this a COMCAST conspiracy against DISH subscribers? Is this something seen on other channels? Is it a strange coincidence w/sunspots and the Oakland Atheletics schedule? (that could explain the A' performance the first half of the season)

I get SO irritated when I pop a cold one but the ballgame I expect to watch has gone missing .... DOHHHH :eek2:.

[JoeKL]

Just finished a chat session w/Dish Tech about this issue. The tech suspected a "transmission" problem. He said "For this issue I am going to file a problem report to our uplink center to alert them of this issue, unfortunately in the mean time there won't be much I can do."

He also said nobody from Dish would be following up with me. Hmmmmm.

If anyone can shed some light on what this means I'd appreciate being enlightened. Thanks, Joe

[sigma1914]

Sounds like the "part time HD RSN" issue.

[James Long]

Here's the problem. When I set up the DVR to record the HD channel, it appears to be recording but playback fails.Do you have a "start early" time set on the recording? Take that off on any HD RSN recordings. The way DISH switches from the "check back later" screen to the actual game feed can cause problems with recordings (although the report of hours of that screen is more common than a blank recording).

[Kent Taylor]

I actually edit the time to start a few minutes after the original start time.

[James Long]

I actually edit the time to start a few minutes after the original start time.Not exactly an easy thing ... I assume you're setting manual timers for each event?

With the changing titles it isn't something you can set a recurring timer for like NASCAR (which requires multiple timers only for multiple channels). My NASCAR timers have worked for years.

It sure would be nice to be able to set something like that for RSNs.

[JoeKL]

Thanks for all of the ideas folks.

Yes, I did have a start early time. I'll change it to start a couple min. later as suggested for the next game and let y'all know how it goes.:) I'll also do a search on the "part time HD RSN" issue Sigma brought up to learn more.

Cheers,
Joe

[JoeKL]

Your observation is about "hours of that screen" is also something I've encountered in this. Thanks for taking the time to let me know!
Joe

[JoeKL]

Sounds like the "part time HD RSN" issue.

Do you have any links for this issue? I searched the forum but too many hits came up to read through them all.
Thanks,
Joe

[sigma1914]

Do you have any links for this issue? I searched the forum but too many hits came up to read through them all.
Thanks,
Joe

I was referring to how not every game in on in HD because Dish's RSNs are all part time HD channels.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=2420291&highlight=Mets+part+time#post2420291

[JoeKL]

[QUOTE=sigma1914;2541651]I was referring to how not every game in on in HD because Dish's RSNs are all part time HD channels.

Thanks for the link. I'm sorry to be such a dummy but what is an HD RSN ? Is RSN an abbreviation for some kind of part time channel in a provider's lineup?

Joe

[Kent Taylor]

RSN=Regional Sports Network

[sigma1914]

.

Thanks for the link. I'm sorry to be such a dummy but what is an HD RSN ? Is RSN an abbreviation for some kind of part time channel in a provider's lineup?

Joe

Regional Sports Network like Comcast Bay Area, Fox Sports Net Arizona, etc.

[Kent Taylor]

Not exactly an easy thing ... I assume you're setting manual timers for each event?

With the changing titles it isn't something you can set a recurring timer for like NASCAR (which requires multiple timers only for multiple channels). My NASCAR timers have worked for years.

It sure would be nice to be able to set something like that for RSNs.

Not a manual timer, but I do set each one individually and edit the start time.

[JoeKL]

Regional Sports Network like Comcast Bay Area, Fox Sports Net Arizona, etc.

Thanks for your patience with me guys. The only stupid question is the one I don't ask.
Joe

[sigma1914]

Thanks for your patience with me guys. The only stupid question is the one I don't ask.
Joe

No prob...dbstalk is here to help.

[Paul Secic]

Sounds like the "part time HD RSN" issue.

Yup. They don't have any sport programs. CSNBA only air games. FOXBAYAREA at least filler shows. I sure miss FOXSPORTS!

[JoeKL]

Not a manual timer, but I do set each one individually and edit the start time.

I just spent some quality time with my DVR 722 and for the life of me, I couldn't see ANY way to make the "event" timer start a minute or two later. Furthermore, I couldn't see any way to set up a recording based on time/channel criteria versus a guide entry selection. Rather than ask the question here, I'm gonna start another thread - titled re: does anyone know of a way on the 722 to recore via time/channel (like an old VCR) criteria vs. selecting a guide entry for recording ?

[JoeKL]

I just wanted to again say THANKS to everyone for all the good info. You've helped me learn a lot in a short time. :)

Its too bad Dish's tech support doesn't tell you about this unusual behavior. In my case, they swapped out what probably was a perfectly good 722 unit due to their failure to identify this as the problem. My call to them resulted in a "oh, it doesn't record - so sorry, we'll replace the unit".

That costs us all $$$ in higher subscription costs.

It cost me time for R&R of the unit, HDD archive transferrs, re-programming timers, etc.

What a waste. :(

Cheers,
Joe

[Kent Taylor]

I just spent some quality time with my DVR 722 and for the life of me, I couldn't see ANY way to make the "event" timer start a minute or two later.

I just edit the timer and one of the options is to "Edit Time".

[phrelin]

I just edit the timer and one of the options is to "Edit Time".Are you saying there's a way to get to this screen for anything but a manual timer?

https://rweb.echostar.com/departmental_content/TechPortal/images/Tech/menus/722/timers-mt-edt.jpg

I'd sure like to know how to do it.

[Kent Taylor]

Select a Timer from the Daily Schedule then select Timer then select Edit and this takes you to a screen where you can Edit Time. This only works on a "Once" timer.

[GravelChan]

DVR
DVR
DVR
Timers
Highlight timer to edit
Select
Edit
Edit time

I think it works on all except "ALL"

[Kent Taylor]

Only on "Once".

[GravelChan]

Only on "Once".

Kent, you seem to be disagreeing with me? If so, did you try using my keypress suggestions? For me I can get the time editing screen that Phrelin asked about on both my 722 and 211K with EHD, and on options other than "Once". It does not work with "All" which makes sense because that can be any time/any channel.

This is kinda like the CC options. It takes many keypresses and it's easy to make a mistake and sometimes confusing to choose the right thing on each screen.

Phrelin, did my suggestions work?

[Kent Taylor]

I am disagreeing with you. Also, "All" doesn't mean any time/any channel.

[CABill]

It does not work with "All" which makes sense because that can be any time/any channel.

An ALL timer can be any day or time, but is for a fixed channel. A DishPASS can be for multiple channels. Your key sequence doesn't give me an Edit Time option for any of my existing timers as they seem to be All/New. I tried creating a M-F timer for a random show and it also doesn't have an Edit Time option. Only a Manual timer is for a fixed time. A Weekly timer is still Name Based and will shift the recording time if the show is within a few hours of the original intended time slot.

Since it works for you, it must be something specific to the show you are selecting. I have no problem displaying Edit Time on a Once timer, but can't get it to display for anything else. Can you give a specific example of a non-once show where it works for you? I'm AT120 and don't have a RSN if that's where it is working.

[JoeKL]

This will be a lot easier method than setting up a "manual" timer. Thanks for unlocking some more of the power within the 722.
Joe

[GravelChan]

An ALL timer can be any day or time, but is for a fixed channel. A DishPASS can be for multiple channels. Your key sequence doesn't give me an Edit Time option for any of my existing timers as they seem to be All/New. I tried creating a M-F timer for a random show and it also doesn't have an Edit Time option. Only a Manual timer is for a fixed time. A Weekly timer is still Name Based and will shift the recording time if the show is within a few hours of the original intended time slot.

Since it works for you, it must be something specific to the show you are selecting. I have no problem displaying Edit Time on a Once timer, but can't get it to display for anything else. Can you give a specific example of a non-once show where it works for you? I'm AT120 and don't have a RSN if that's where it is working.

I stand corrected on the "All", yes I was thinking of "Dish Pass".

Let's try this again.

DVR
DVR
DVR
Highlight "Timers" then press "Select"
"Left Arrow" and probably "Down Arrow to highlight the timer you wish to edit then press "Select"
This brings you to the first picture where you highlight "Edit" then press "Select" to go to the second picture.

[Kent Taylor]

Or you can refer to post #22. :)

[GravelChan]

Or you can refer to post #22. :)

C'mon Kent, I admitted to an error in describing how "All" works. Are you now going to admit that you were in error in saying I couldn't get the screen to edit the time on something else than "Once" :D

[Kent Taylor]

Yes. :(

[CABill]

Well, I can get Edit Time to not be greyed out on M-F, Weekly, ... timers this morning. It doesn't matter what key sequence I use to display the Timer but Edit Time is selectable on the choices below Once when I create them today. All and New choices still remove the Edit Time being selectable, but changing a timer from New to the ones below (many of my timers can only be All/New - Once/MF/... are greyed out) make Edit Time appear as selectable again.

I don't know why the M-F timer I created (and deleted) yesterday didn't have an Edit Time selectable.

Bottom line is it is a choice for other than Once, but never seems to be available for All/New.

[JoeKL]

Glad to see I'm not the only one confused.

BTW, last night, I SUCCESSFULLY recorded the full 10 inning A's(1) Texas(3) game with a timer set via the guide and edited via the edit time feature to start at the actual game time of 5:05 vs. the event start time of 4:30 (pregame program intentionally left off).

Worked like a charm. No skips, no black screen, no problems. Thanks !
Joe

[JoeKL]

I forgot to mention a wierd thing was after editing the game's start time, I check the guide. The game event entry lost the indicator showing it was set to record. Usually, its a little TV icon with a 1 or 2 annunciating which recorder would be used to record. Since the edited timer overlapped into the following event, that one DID show an annunciator.

I presume this wierdness was because I did the time edit, choosing to begin after the first event started.

The guide is VERY confusing now. A multi hour event that's scheduled to record for 90% of its time that is edited to start late, shows NOTHING indicating any of it will record. Only the half hour show the timer overlaps into has any indication it will be recorded. Didn't seem to affect the actual recording behavior tho.

Joe

[Kent Taylor]

It took me missing several Braves games to figure this one out. The icon doesn't show up once you've edited the time to start late, thanks Dish for adding to the confusion. Now they're starting JIP (joined in progress) so it's a little dicey when that happens but altering the start time is key.
Sorry about the game last night. :)

[CABill]

When I used Edit Time to start 10 minutes later, Daily Schedule had two Events for the timer. The 1st (on the hour) was to Skip an airing and the 2nd at 10 after the hour was to do the recording of that same airing. The icon for the 10 after recording didn't appear in the guide, just like it doesn't appear at times to record "the 2nd show in a guide block". I don't record the 15 minute shows on Comedy and Disney, but I recall they also didn't have the icon when you record the 2nd 15 minute show (which never appears in the guide itself - you have to search by name to get it).

Without a RSN, I avoid your grief!! :)

[JoeKL]

Sorry about the game last night. :)

No worries, we're gonna win 20 straight again then loose it in the 1st round, just like in the good ole' days. Go A's

The whole guide thing seems screwed up with the RSNs what with this record but don't tell anomoly as well as the JIP nonsense. I'm presuming the reason for JIP is bandwidth limitations in the program lineup. I know Comcast Sports Net sends the HD signal out for ALL games according to them. However, the HD version often doesn't even show up in the DISH guide until a day or two before the game while the SD guide listing's has been correct for a week ...... Dohhhhh.

I'm gonna hafta consider goin back to listinin' to a transister radio under the covers like I did in 4th grade.

Cheers,
Joe

[hdgeek433]

We need to Request Dish to add RSN'S in full time HD especially CSN CALIFORNIA and CSN BAY-AREA.