Recording Problems with 322

[nova828]

Ok I have had this problem with timer recording twice now since getting my Dish 322 installed and can't figure out what, if anything, I can do about it. :confused: I programmed my VCR to tape "24" on the New York Fox feed at 9pm, since I had to work until then. I also programmed the 322 (tuner 1) for that same show by selecting "24" in the program guide and setting a VCR timer (as opposed to "auto-tune" or "reminder". I then turned off the 322 and the VCR and went to work. When I got home around 9:30, I discovered that the VCR was indeed recording, and the box was on, but when I turned on the TV, all I saw was black. Not even a floating "Push Select to Continue" or anything like that. I turned the box off and back on again and 24 was coming in fine, so it had nothing to do with losing the signal. I know its hooked up right, since most of the time the recordings work fine. Anyone have any idea why the 322 would turn on for a timer recording and just output black with no sound? Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

[MattS]

So we know that recordings in the past have worked. The problem is very intermittent, so I would start eliminating possible fail points. (i.e. bad cable, possible receiver issue ect.)

[nova828]

Nothing to do with the cableing, I know that since when I turned the receiver off and back on again I was getting picture and sound. The first time this happened all I know is I got home and all that was on my tape was black, so I thought I must have programmed the VCR to tape the wrong input or something simple like that, and I didn't think anything of it. But this time I actually came home while the recording was in progress so I know the VCR was on the right channel (L1) and the right receiver was on, it was just sending black to the VCR (but it tuned to the right channel when I turned it off and on again). Now is it better to leave the 322 on when I leave and have a timer set? Or should I turn it off? The manual isn't very clear on that.

Thanks again for your help!

[MattS]

Nothing to do with the cableing, I know that since when I turned the receiver off and back on again I was getting picture and sound. The first time this happened all I know is I got home and all that was on my tape was black, so I thought I must have programmed the VCR to tape the wrong input or something simple like that, and I didn't think anything of it. But this time I actually came home while the recording was in progress so I know the VCR was on the right channel (L1) and the right receiver was on, it was just sending black to the VCR (but it tuned to the right channel when I turned it off and on again). Now is it better to leave the 322 on when I leave and have a timer set? Or should I turn it off? The manual isn't very clear on that.

Thanks again for your help!



I would leave it on, leaving it on makes it so their is a lesser chance of failure. But watch out for that screen saver. After 4 hours of inactivity (remote button or front panal not pressed) the screen saver will come on.

[nova828]

If the screen saver comes on will it go away when the timer activates?

[MattS]

Doubtful. Its just like the caller ID when you are using the DVR. It'll record the caller ID popup and there is nothing you can do about it.

[JohnH]

If the screen saver comes on will it go away when the timer activates?

There is a thread somewhere in this forum with instructions on how to defeat the screen saver for recording.

[Delta4C]

Problem 1. 322 Receiver needs software modification, to eliminate incompatibility issues with non Echostar DVR units and other recording devices!
Screen Saver with Dish network Logo and Text (Push Select to Continue) pops up and gets recorded by my ReplayTV 5040 after daily Dish Network Software update and or every 4 hours if no remote control button is pushed. This Logo stays on screen and renders my ReplayTV 5040 totally useless.


Solution 1. Press the following 4 remote control keys (Menu 616), which will take you to Updates Screen then, chose Activation Disable!
That’s it no more bouncy ball (Press Select to Continue) Dishnetwork Screen Saver. Eventually you will need to manually update your software version but this process disables the daily scheduled updating process and the screen saver that happens afterwards plus the 4 hour no remote control activity screen savers also.


Problem 2. Once again Dishnetwork 322 Receiver is providing even more un wanted crap for me to record and preventing my ReplayTV 5040 from recording correct channel. Dishnetwork 322 Receiver has limited 44 hour program guide which for me is redundant and useless due to the fact ReplayTV 5040 has 12 day program guide, plus I have no need to use any other controller, besides the ReplayTV remote when things are working properly TV signal wise (ReplayTV 5040 always works perfectly for me!).

Roadrunner Cable although a little higher priced and not digital gave me 24/7 uninterrupted TV signal with ReplayTV 5040 working flawlessly.

Dishnetwork insists on placing all sorts of error messages on my screen (Your Program Guide is Out of Date do you want to update now Yes Cancel No LOL when Cancel No are not even able to be chosen!

I ask for TV signal not for some malfunctioning Dishnetwork hardware constantly unendingly giving me error messages on my screen!

Solution 2.Cheap $5.00 to $10.00 24 hour light timer set to turn off Dishnetwork 322 Receiver at say 11:59 PM turning it back on at 12:00AM or what ever times you chose.I bought cheap under $5.00 timer at Sears but have not hooked it up yet since it only works in 1/2 hour increments and will shut down 322 receiver for 1/2 hour minimium.

Solution 2A. Manually push 322 power button for 6 or more seconds to force a system reboot any time ReplayTV is not recording or about to start recording whithin 5 minutes or so.

[nova828]

Ok thanks for your reply Delta4C. I actually did that Activation disable thing the other day, following your advice in another thread. So far no problems, but I noticed something else interesting. I find that the 322 will not allow me to record if I set the timer for a specific show, AND leave the receiver on that same channel, AND turn the reciver off. Thats when I get the black screen on my tape. Last night I experimented with that and everytime I did those three things, the reciver would come on at the right time, but only output black. BUT, if I put the reciver on a different channel than the one it was suppose to record and turn it off, It would turn on and tune to the right channel. Try it yourself and see what happens!