New Dishplayer software Version 5720 spooling now!

[John Corn]

I just read someone reporting getting an upgrade for the Dishplayer......V5720........thats all I know......could be BS.

I just checked my DP after today's (4/17/2001, 03:00am) download, and
it asked to upgrade. I allowed it to.

Version: Receiver: 115P (no change)
WebTV Client 2.3.4.3.1 (V5720), this is the change.

[Chris Blount]

You beat me to it John! Yes, the 5720 software spooled this morning to both of my DP's. Didn't get a chance to play around with them but will do some heavy testing later today.

Will be interesting to see if anything is fixed.

[Scott Greczkowski]

I got the update this morning as well. I also received an email about the update. I did not get a chance to play with the new software so I don't know if the email is true or not.

I have been told that the new version of the software DOES NOT fix any of the bugs in the Dishplayer. Instead all that this update does is "makes the Dishplayer Spotbeam Ready" this is why the version number has a .1 in it. (2.3.4.3.1) (And also why the update was so small)

I have been told that the bugfix is still in testing stages and will be available "when it's ready"

Remember if what I am told is correct your heard it first here at DBStalk.COM! But also remember that I have not tested the new software to see what if anything is fixed in the software.

[Scott Greczkowski]

It now appears that the info I received WAS correct in that this software update was to make the Dishplayer "Spotbeam ready" and did not correct any of the problem that it was expected to.

My wife just called me all upset, the Dishplayer could only get channel 1 and 201. If she keyed in any channel all's that she got was black screens. All the channels were displayed in the guide again slelecting them gave her a black screen, pressing up or down on the remote switched her between channel 1 and 201.

People over at the other forum are reporting problems as well, problems which the fix was supposed to fix.

It again apears that the "Spotbeam Ready" update appears real because of this, eaither this or Dish Network sent everyone a placebo just to shut people up.

If you still see bugs with your Dishplayer please report them here. Dish Network pays very carefull attention to all posts here at DBStalk.COM.

Thanks

[Scott Greczkowski]

Dan Collins has just confirmed what I reported here at DBStalk.COM earlier this morning.

This update is to help with the spot beam satellites (which should be in operation in 2 weeks) What is does is it makes the Dishplayer throw away program listings from local channels you dont get the spot beam for. This way the only listings your Dishplayer saves are the channels which are available to you.

So basicly this update fixes none of the existing problems.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Dish Network has issued the following statement about last nights update. I will comment on their statement in the next message.

Here is their statement.

During the Dishplayer nightly download on 4/17/02, Dish Network provided a software update (WebTV Client 5720) for the Model 7100 and 7200 receivers. This update is designed to minimize the instances of some of the more common issues with the Dishplayer software. Specifically, it should reduce the frequency of the following:

* Rapid flashing black screens
* Random listings information loss requiring retrieval of the 48 hour Electronic Program Guide
* Timers firing or ending early
* One minute recordings
* Hard lock up of the receiver requiring a power reset to recover
* Random resets of the receiver while using PTV functions
* Loss of EPG information
* Rebooting to the Welcome screen

We understand that this software update does not correct all of the ongoing issues with the Dishplayer, however, customers should notice a significant decrease in the occurrences of the above issues. We are continuing to work on the software to eliminate all of the existing issues and apologize for the inconveniences our customers have experienced. Specific feedback about this software update can be addressed to Tech@echostar.com.

Special Thanks to John Hodgson of DBSforums for the above message.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Ok here is my thoughts on their statement.

With the words "should reduce" that tells me that there are no fixes in this new software.

When you issue a fix there should be no "should" mentioned anywhere, if it was a fix it should say "Fixes the following"

With users posting that the bugs are still there (including my wife) there is no fix. Again I call this update a placebo.

[Phil T]

After getting the download this morning, the first thing I did was go to the 8000 locals. The Dishplayer rebooted and threw me back to the upgrade screen.

So much for that fix.

Will we actually SEE a diffference----let's say does the dish pointing screen look different.

[Chris Blount]

Did anyone find their DP turned on this morning? I woke up and found both of my DP's turned on to the previous channel I was watching. Everything looked okay though. The 7-day guide had downloaded and all of the timers were still there. Weird.

[Geronimo]

Mine is occasionally turned on in the AM. I am not going to say it is supposed to be but it is not odd.

[Scott Greczkowski]

I got a chance to play last night with the new software. I unplugged the Dishplayer from the wall for 5 minutes before trying anything (I feel that for software updates a nice cold boot is good for the unit)

The only cosmetic change I saw was that the Getting Info Screen now said the download would take 8 minutes instead of 5.

I have seen in the newsgroup people saying that the response from the remote was better, on mine it was about the same running fast at times and being delayed at others.

I did not have any of the problems that my wife had earlier in the morning. All scheduled shows recorded with no problem.

So as far as my use is concerned everything looked ok last night. I guess time will tell.

[Dmitriy]

I didn't have any crashes, YET:lol:. But when I woke up this morning, I found my DP turned on.

[Scott Greczkowski]

I have been hearing about this problem all over (that everyone woke up to find their Dishplayer on)

So far so good here. (Fingers crossed, knock on wood, throwing salt over my shoulder...)

I leave my Dishplayer on all the time so I didnt notice the power problem.

[Scott Greczkowski]

I think I jinxed myself. I just turned on the TV and I have a solid Pink Screen of death on my screen!

I had to pull the smart card to get rid of it. No buttons were responding.

I have seen the pink screen of death before, but usualy you see it for a second then the unit reboots. This one was SOLID.

Every morning since the upgrade, Dp has been on in the morning, including today. Jackie

[Chris Blount]

Yep. Both of my DP's were on again this morning. It seems that right after the nightly download they don't shut off.

I too have seen this again---DP stays on. A monor price to apy but Ia m glad the DP is not in my bedroom.

[markdube]

I got the 5720 "upgrade" 2 days ago - Problem free, except that - and I'll have to check more carefully to be sure - that the DP is on in the a.m. Otherwise, smooth sailing, as is usually the case. Admittedly, I have had a problem or two (probably three), in the past, but I have very few complaints about my 7100 (upgraded with a 40Gig WD HD). I routinely record shows (at least one on a daily timer) and have on only one occasion had a corrupted (1 min) recording.

Why is it that the VAST majority of DP owners seem to have contiunal problems - and of course I understand that it is those experienceing problems who will be making the most noice, but jeesh - if the DPs are that bad, why are there apparently so many of them still in use?

Thanks,
Mark

[llunken777]

Could someone explain to me what spot beaming is? How will it effect my 501? Thanks

[Geronimo]

Here is a short hand answer. More info is available elsewhere.

Right now all channels are broadcast everywhere in CONUS. So that if you live in Detroit you could theoretically receive SF, Austin and Boston stations.

With E7 and E8 there will be spot beams aimed at different sectiosn of the country. The frequenceies used on the Spot beam covering Detroit will be reused in other spot beams but tehere will be different programming.

This will be used largely for locals. DTV already has one spot beam bird up there.

[Mark Lamutt]

CONUS stands for CONtinental US, meaning that the area of coverage is the entire US. Spot beams will limit the geographic areas of coverage to "local" areas - i.e. people in New York won't be able to receive Seattle locals. Spot beams also allow (as I understand it) many more channels to be broadcast per transponder because they don't cover as large an area.

[Dmitriy]

Today in the morning I found my DP working again. No other problems except blackouts.

[Chris Blount]

Yet another morning with both DP's turned on. This has happened every day since the upgrade.

[slojim]

Chris, I've experienced the very same thing every am with my 7200.
No damage, but I prefer that it stay off to rest & cool off!
Never happened before this "last upgrade".
Jim

[Bob Haller]

Mine are flakey too.....

[RodP]

My 7200 has not been turned off since it ask me to do the upgrade. I pressed home to bypass it. I have a reocurring 5 am timer so the unit is always runiing in the morning. I never turn it off at night since I use a sleep timer on the TV. I try to turn it off before I leave for work maybe twice a week. It appears to me that the system is more stable if it is turned off at least once a week. Anyway my unit has been great untill this morning the black / no info stuff showed again. I just did the upgrade tonight. Has anyone had any problems 24 hrs after they ran the upgrade??

Later Rod

[toad57]

Ran into two problems with my 7200 this weekend running ver. 5720:

1) While flipping thru channels, unit powered down/up when going thru the 800x channels (west-feed locals)

2) After changing channel , I waited for the picture to appear- the instant that it did, I hit the RECORD button. The picture then went black and stayed black, but hitting OPTIONS revealed that it thought it was recording.

(I don't recall what I did to fix this other than hitting STOP. :confused: I think I then changed the channel down/up and got a picture again and successfully began to RECORD after that.)

I will be emailing E* with the above info.

My config: 7200 with 80GB disk drive, 119W feed only - no switches.

Mr. Toad

Not a single DP problem since the update (of course, I'm probably jinxing myself now).

Bob

[Geronimo]

I seemed to have the update for several days now. In fact the info screes said I did. But yesterday my DP hung up. I did a switch check. The first time it got to the Guide download screen it said it would take 5 minutes. But about halfway through it raced to the end.

I ran a second switch check. This tike it said it would take 8 minutes (which others have said is part of the update) and it completed normally.


Any chance I did not have the update till yesterday?:shrug:

[BobMurdoch]

Another DBSForums.com refugee checking in........

(I thought they pulled the plug for legal reasons, they mentioned someone was trying to sick a lawyer on them for deleting one of their flame posts)

My 2 DB's have been MUCH more stable since the upgrade. I was using the 32768 code at least 3 times a week on each machine until this download (I look at 3 birds through an SW64 for those keeping score of the bug triggers). ZERO problems since the download (wait, I'm lying it lost all of my 61.5 channels 48 hours later, but a new "check switch" cleared it up without codes). No reboots. No pink screens of death. No missed recordings. No 1 minute recordings. No blinkouts.

Works for me. Now I can wait for the 721s to come down in price and work SOME of their new bugs out (cue the ROTFL boobirds) before jumping there. Network Waivers and superstations keeping me at E*, so no "Jump to D*!" responses please (part of me is praying the merger goes through just so those posts will stop)

[tubbyaz]

I certainly hope they don't rush a fix out for the power on problem. I much prefer the fact that my 7200 IS FINALLY WORKING correctly.

I was up to two or three 32768s a week, and the wife just glared at me each time we had to reset (we'd still be using rabbit ears and a 25" Walmart TV if it were up to her). Since the update, I've had zero problems. It works as well as it did the first couple months we had it.

[John Corn]

Welcome to DBSTalk tubby. :hi:

Another DBSForums.com refugee checking in........ :lol: I've also refered to you guys as DBS Phreaks, none the less, Welcome Bob, glad you stopped in. :)

[RodP]

Wow,

Thanks for the replies from my prior post:

“Has anyone had any problems 24 hrs after they ran the upgrade?? “


If nobody posted, I figured the upgrade was good so far.

If a lot of people posted, then the problems were still there, (we all like to complain).

I was surprised to see a few post and most of them positive! Time will tell!

Maybe now I can start selling my remaining DishPlayers that I have on hand since last July! (System has been so flaky I was afraid to sell them).


BTW, I think the DishPlayer problems may have been what got this forum rolling? That’s what got me here. Chris, correct me if needed.


Later Rod

[LarryS]

Here's another vote for not rushing to fix the poweron issue. I've gone a whole week without a reset. Last time that happened is when 5709/114 was released and it stopped when 115 came two weeks later for local must carrys.

[crkeehn]

This is where I say ditto. Even though I don't subscribe to PTV, I have had fewer problems since 5720. I haven't had to reload the guide, haven't had a problem with pause or with the no information bug. My one problem occurred this morning, we lost authorization to our programming. I don't believe that was a dishplayer problem as much as a computer problem