Channel Change Delay in L401

[dougmcbride]

I realize this has been mentioned in other threads, but I see it as one of the significant problems of the 401 release, at least for me. I'm thinking that if we posted some quantitative data on the topic, it might help the guys at Dish to fix it. Ron/Mark, if you think they have enough data then I rescind my suggestion.

If you have experienced an increase in satellite channel change time as a result of the L401 release and you have the time, could you post the following:

* What was your average channel change time under the previous release?
* What is the average now under L401?
* What variability do you see?
* Any variables you think may affect the change times - i.e. satellite, HD versus SD, etc.
* Are OTA channel change times affected?

In my case, my previous channel change times were about 2 - 3 seconds. The channel would be displayed well before the top banner disappeared. My current channel change times are averaging about 14 - 16 seconds - almost to the point of wondering if I've lost the satellite. Some channel changes are less, but not by much. Some are worse - in the 30 second category. OTA is not affected.

Thanks,

Doug

[Steve H]

Wow 14 - 16 seconds is a LONG time. For what ever it's worth mine has not changed at all it's still almost instant. Maybe you have an isolated problem.

[Ron Barry]

I am seeing about a 3 to 5 second channel change. Something I did not notice until it was mentioned.. To me it feels similar to the channel change experience with L366, but then again I did not time it.

Yeah.. 14 - 16 seconds is a long time. For sure... What is your configuration Doug? Wonder if the other folks reporting slow channel changing if their configurations are the same.

Mine is a

DPP44
Dish 1000 at 110,119, 129
Dish 500 at 148.

As for creating a separate thread. I think it is an excellent idea for issues where we are seeing a number of people experiencing it. Slow channel changing is one area.

[isuzudave]

My channel changes now take about 13 seconds. This started with L401. I have a second 622 that still has L366 and it works fine. I have changed from HDMI to component inputs for my TV and that did not help. Every now and then I will find a channel change combination that only takes a few seconds, but I can not tell why. I would say about 99% of the time it takes at least 13 seconds.

[rogerpl]

My 622 is still running on L366 and has been acting strange lately. A week or two ago I awoke to hard drive corrupted message. Even though no timers or recordings were deleted receiver has been behaving badly. Screen I never saw before- scanning for sats. Long waits while changing stations, audio comes first than picture, up to 10 second waits. Loss of sat signal while signal strength was good or black screens that force me to reboot. Some of the issues seem to occur while switching to or after going to an OTA channel.
All of this without 401.

[SonicBee777]

Wow 14 - 16 seconds is a LONG time. For what ever it's worth mine has not changed at all it's still almost instant. Maybe you have an isolated problem.

Almost instant?! Geez, since the first day, 3-4 revs back, of our 622, I could never use that word to describe our channel-change time. It's always been slower than any TV or cable box we've ever had in the last 35 years. I've attributed that to satellite reception technology vs OTA or cable.

From 3.65/66 to 4.01 added enough additional time that, for the first time, I actually felt compelled to count off the seconds from pushing the up or down arrow to when a picture finally reappeared. The audio comes back first, then, eventually, video. Time ranges from approximately 2.5 to 5 seconds.

Two nights ago, switching (down arrow) from satellite local 7 (KABC) to satellite local 4 (KNBC), the video NEVER came back. Channel 4 was black screen with normal audio, even after 45 seconds and multiple retries. Power button reset with input cable disconnect/reconnect plus a Check Switch for good measure fixed it.

[Hall]

First, I suspect people have NO idea how long channel changes used to take unless they felt they were "too slow" then.

Second, and you left this off your original list: What hardware revision is your receiver ??

Finally, check what satellite (and transponder) channels are on that you're switching between. I'm not sure how the receiver and the switch interact when you switch between channels that are on different satellites. Then again, the switch didn't change... :)

[Steve H]

I just went and did some "test" on my set-up. HD channel to HD channel same sat and same tsp. 1.5 secs; SD channel to SD channel same sat and tsp. again 1.5 seconds; different HD's to differnet HD's 1.5 seconds and different HD's to different SD 1.5 again...................all were just about the same no matter what sat. & transponder I was on and what sat and transponder I was going to. I did the timing with the "stopwatch" on my wrist watch so with my slow fingers I could be 1/2 second off.

[BobaBird]

As Ron said, a big area of variability is system configuration. Just saying it's normal or it's taking too long only establishes that not everyone is affected. If you're not having problems, how is your setup different? Is it only people getting 4 satellites? Just those with a certain switch? Which channels? Is it longer if the channels are on different satellites?

[SMinHD]

I've experienced this since the HD mapping update for the VIP211. i don't have the software version handy but it's the latest for the 211. It only does it with hd channels from 129 sat. Weird thing is I believe the Nashville locals come from 129 but they load in a sec or two. All other channels from 129 take about 15 to 20 seconds to load. I have a DP44 switch and the 211 is hooked up via HDMI to the Samsung model listed in my sig.

I don't have the 4.01 for my VIP622 yet so I can't comment on that

[tnsprin]

I don't have Locals mapped down, since I rather see the OTA unless I want locals at the same time. Only see about 1 to 1 1/2 second normal switching.

But I did some checking switching between the equivalent OTA and Satellite HD and do see about 4-6 seconds delay before the picture shows up(screen itself shows almost instant channel change).

NY DMA
dpp 44
Dish 500 with dp twin
dish 300 with a dp dual (61.5)

[ebaltz]

I get long delays when I change to a Voom channel or similar, so I assume the stuff on 129. After I switch a few times it becomes better, but the first time I change the channel to one it can take 10 + seconds.

[AVJohnnie]

I've experienced this since the HD mapping update for the VIP211. i don't have the software version handy but it's the latest for the 211. It only does it with hd channels from 129 sat. Weird thing is I believe the Nashville locals come from 129 but they load in a sec or two. All other channels from 129 take about 15 to 20 seconds to load. I have a DP44 switch and the 211 is hooked up via HDMI to the Samsung model listed in my sig.

I don't have the 4.01 for my VIP622 yet so I can't comment on that

An interesting and perhaps significant observation SMinHD; and I see from your signature that your setup, like mine, also incorporates a DPP44.

The 129 bird seems to be the trouble-maker for me as well – as long as I stick to transponders on any of the other three birds, channel changes occur at the same crisp 1 to 1½ second speed that they did prior to getting L4.01. Channel changing either to or within any of the 129 transponders can take anywhere from 8 to 16 seconds on my 622s.

[debpasc]

Yes -- I'm having the same experience as tnsprin. It's new since 401. I thought maybe my batteries were going but now I see it's likely bigger than that!

[KMO'C]

I have the same problems as dougmcbride.

I spoke with Dish today and they said it was related to L401 and that on 4/17 there will be a update to L403.

Lets wait and see.

K-