721 Freezes

[makman]

I have a 721 for about 3 weeks. I am actually on my second one. I thought I had a defective unit, now I think it is just a bug, as it occurs on the second unit too. Every few days it becomes totally non functional, blank screen. I have to reboot. Tech support is not sure if they have heard of this. They say it might be my house. Ya right. Anyone else have this?

Mitch

[EvanS]

Mitch,
I have had mine for about a month and have seen the same thing...but only twice. I don't know what you normally do but I am an old 501 user so I tend to reboot my 721 every 2nd day or so. I noticed my "hangs" were after not having rebooted for about a week...with a lot of recording, watching and deleting.
Evan

[makman]

I will try that. Hopefully the new software will fix this, it is annoying.

Thanks

Mitch

[zimm0who0net]

This happens frequently to me when I lose satellite signal on one or both of the tuners. I can duplicate it nearly 100% by starting a recording and then pulling out the satellite cable a couple of times. The whole system will get sluggish.
You may want to check you signal strength and the pointing of your dish.
Best guess is to just reboot often until they get the problem solved.

[makman]

Thanks, I will check, but I think it is okay.

Mitch

[MAllen]

Hello!

I posted this in the PVR 721 software upgrade thread, I hope it helps.

I am glad to see that a new software upgrade is coming out. I have had service from Dish for about 3 years with Dish 500 and two 5000 receivers. I upgraded one of my 5000's to a PVR 721 in late July and I upgraded my LNBF to a DishPro Quad then as well. I have loved the 721 ever since I turned it on for the first time (BIG improvement over my 5000). I have only one gripe, my wife is HOOKED on recording HER SHOWS, and I rarely get to use the 721, LOL.

Seriously though, I have questions about the upgrade. I was told that the 721 would have integration of Off Air/Cable channels (channels 2-99) into the Program guide like my 5000 does and local weather through interactive tv. We still have cable for local channels and unless the merger happens have no hope of getting locals on DBS. I have been assured by Dish that this would be included in a "future" software upgrade. Do you know if L1.05 will have these features. I noticed that the system did upgrade from 1.03 to 1.04 about a month or so ago. I would like to replace the second 5000, but I want to wait until the off air channels are integrated into the program guide.

I have noticed the "BUGS" , but they have not been that bad. One weirdness about the 721 I have noticed is that the smartcard has to be reseated occasionally. It seems that the heating and cooling cycles during on/off periods causes the card to be pushed out slightly. This is happening less and less as the system "ages". It can be fixed by either pushing (seating) the card in or pulling it out and then pushing it back in.

[dishrich]

Originally posted by MAllen
I was told that the 721 would have integration of Off Air/Cable channels (channels 2-99) into the Program guide like my 5000 does and local weather through interactive tv.

Sorry, but whoever told you that your channels you get off-air would integrate into your 721 guide lied. What they REALLY were telling you is that if you get your locals package THROUGH DISH, then all your local channels would be "remapped" from their 4-digit DISH channel#'s to their actual 2-digit off-air number through the guide.

There is NO DBS PVR (D-Tivo, UTV or any E* PVR's) that will allow you to record from your antenna/cable connection, since that would require an encoder to accomplish this. The ONLY way you can PVR locally originated channels from antenna/cable is to use a standalone Tivo or Replay PVR.

Unfortunately for you, (& others that CAN'T get their locals through the dish) the ONLY other E* receiver that duplicates what the 5000 did is the 6000 HD unit. (which is NOT a PVR obviously)

[MAllen]

No, I specifically said "OFF AIR/Cable" integration into program guide i.e. the way the 5000 does it. I have been told this by 3 different "advanced techs" with Dish. Am I to assume that all three told me wrong?? I am not that concerned with recording, just receiving the channels. Its a pain, to switch video modes and adjust sound from my Audio receiver to the TV instead (I have a home theater setup and everything is routed thru my AV reciever).

[Bob Haller]

My 721 freezes about once a week with or witout powering off. I have it on a UPS, and that hasnt helped.

I doubt off air intergration can technically be added to the 721....

[dishrich]

Originally posted by MAllen
I have been told this by 3 different "advanced techs" with Dish. Am I to assume that all three told me wrong?? I am not that concerned with recording, just receiving the channels.

YES, all THREE told you wrong! Recording/receiving/guide viewing is NOT possible for your ant/cable locals on ANY E* PVR as I described above, since the unit is simply NOT set up to do ANY local integration into the unit at all.