Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300 HDC questions

tbflaherty · 01-20-2008, 11:05 AM

After many conversations with Time-Warner techies, most of whom know only a little more than I do (not much), the conclusion seems to be that TWC has rolled out "their" Mystro software long before they should have. (They claim that they did it to satisfy an FCC requirement.)

I have had most of the problems reported above with the 8300HDC Mystro-loaded boxes I have tried (3). I have also had audio drop-out on recorded shows, intermittent or complete (e.g., no audio on the second half of a movie.

My 8300HD box, running Passport, is FAR superior and trouble-free. So, I am assuming that all of the problems are related to Mystro. Thus, if you have Passport, hang onto it as lond as possible. TWC says that they are working to upgrade (fix) Mystro, but no one has a clue as to when it might actually work.

And, I am thinking that even a perfectly working Mystro will be a step backwards. Menus, etc. are clunky compared with those I have used on other boxes.

carnenyc · 01-22-2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andycap

I have been very dissapointed with this cable box PVR! First when I start my system, The box defaults to 480p which doesn't work over the HDMI connection. I have to turn it off and back on again for it to use 1080i over HDMI. This is every time I turn on the TV / Receiver / cable box! Then about once to twice a week I have to pull the power to reboot it because either it locks up, it looses my HBO / Showtime, it has a bad picture, or the DVR/on-demand audio cuts in and out. Of course it when when the audio cuts out every 10 seconds on my recordings that means the recording is useless and I have to hope the show will be on again.

And the thing takes forever to reboot. Seems to take between 5 to 10 minutes! I can boot up my PC with a TV tuner and watch TV faster than this piece of $#!%

And of course the thing isn't very responsive when you press your remote.

I hope Time warner picks another manufacturer soon or gets better software on these things soon!

Having the same issue. Have TW in NYC...
Just picked up a Panasonic 42PZ700u and swapped my cable box for the SA 8300HDC.. I hooked it up using the HDMI connection, figured out the audio no prob. My problem is when I'm watching full screen 16:9 (using the justify setting on the TV for SD) it's fine, but when I turn the TV off then on it reverts back to 4:3.. The only way to get it back to 16:9 is to switch to an HD channel, then back to the SD channel. This happens whether I have the cable box set to 16:9 or 4:3. I know it's a cable box issue, since when I have a DVD on, and I turn the TV off and on it's still 16:9. Pretty annoying, especially since it happened last night when I was taping 2 SD shows at the same time, and couldn't switch to an HD channel to get it back to 16:9
Anyone figure out a workaround to this prob??

mulciber · 01-23-2008, 11:24 PM

I was away from mid-December to late January and the firmware had a major update in early January. Since I've been back I've seen very significant problems with the HDC, including the one you describe. You should also see that when you're on a 1080i channel and turn off your tv, when you turn it back on it tells the box to downscale to 480i. I've spoken to several techs over there, and very few know what I'm talking about. The one who did suspected that if I swap out the box for their newest ones, it will function properly. However, I have a bunch of stuff recorded that I don't want to lose. So I'm not eager to drop this unit.

The only workaround I can suggest is to switch it from HDMI to component cables. That fixes the problem, but of course you're then using component.

DGI

AngelicPenguin · 01-28-2008, 07:50 PM

I have the same problem as a previous poster where I will get a ton of NULL recordings each of various length. It's happened on every single recording for the terminator series and it's the only hi-def show I record right now (will be starting LOST on Thurs.) It has also done it with some hi-def football games I tried to record to fast forward the commercials. I don't remember it happening when recording on standard def channels.

So a periodic reboot fixes this super annoying problem? I would swear my box upstairs had done the same thing occasionally and it's an 8300 HD, but I can't be certain.

Why does the software on these boxes suck so bad? I don't think the extend program length thing has ever worked, so I'm stuck making manual recordings of sporting events (that now suffer from the NULL issue.)

I registered here just to respond to this post

-Matthew

Redikilowatt · 01-29-2008, 05:15 PM

I've chatted with TW several times about these issues. Here's what I got:

1) FCC forced company to release new software before bugs were resolved.
2) One "patch" is available but it requires erasing hard drive and loss of recorded content. Perhaps justifiably, TW management fears customer backlash and has decided to await better solution.
3) Real "fix" should be available by "next quarter" (April???)

Please remember, this is third-hand info. I take no responsibility for it's validity or lack thereof

Roger

artweiss · 01-30-2008, 01:09 AM

Sorry to say I've had nothing but trouble with my HDC. My company is Time-Warner in NYC. Am on my second box with the same problems continuing: image freeze, live functions don't work, frequent reboots necessary (long 25 minute reboots while each sector of the hard drive is examined), recorded programs don't play, blank screen,etc.,

Had a technician to my house - all connection requirements are within spec - problems continue.

I am infuriated at being, in effect, a beta tester for this equipment without being compensated for the many hours of lack of service and long holds on the 'phone.

This box sucks!! (Or Time-Warner does - or both!!)

heyman421 · 01-30-2008, 07:29 AM

If i buy my own dvr with QAM tuner, can i just give the MAC address to time warner? so i don't have to use their POS 8300?

Does anyone know which boxes are compatible with time warner?

I think there's a new tivo with cablecard. Does anyone know if this is possible?

It's expensive, but if it works, it would be worth the $.

deadhead68 · 01-30-2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyman421

If i buy my own dvr with QAM tuner, can i just give the MAC address to time warner? so i don't have to use their POS 8300?

Does anyone know which boxes are compatible with time warner?

I think there's a new tivo with cablecard. Does anyone know if this is possible?

It's expensive, but if it works, it would be worth the $.

The Tivo Series 3 and the Tivo HD are the only DVR boxes I know of that you can purchase on your own.

DeadHead68

bankerjohn · 01-31-2008, 04:18 PM

New to this forum!

Thought I'd "vent" a bit about my SA 8300 HDC box running their OPAC/Mystro software. It's hooked up via a 2 meter HDMI 1.3 cable to my Samsung LN-T4671F television.

Just got off the phone with a Time Warner customer service person. Here's what I fumed to her about:

(1) About 80%+ of the time when I try to "freeze" the picture of a show I've been watching, I find that the recorder has NOT been recording anything on the channel I've been watching. When I press the INFO button to bring up the "banner" where it should show me how far back in time it's recorded the current channel, there's NO YELLOW showing ... proving to me that it has not been recording this channel!
(2) Occasionally, when I go to the GUIDE, and then exit ... it leaves me with the "mini" version of the show in the upper right-hand corner of the screen ... and black everywhere else! I haven't figured out an "always works" way of getting back the entire picture ... although it seems like sometimes switching to a SD channel cures the problem ... and other times I've ended up re-booting the box.
(3) Last night I was watching National Geographic HD ... and started getting a lot of stuttering and pixelation. Then it got so bad that I got alternating completely BLACK screens. Changed channels ... some thing. Changed to a SD channel ... pretty much OK. Back to HD channel ... horrible stuttering/black screens. Finally gave up and went to bed. OK this morning (at least not with this particular issue).

I'm sure there are others, but I'm tired of thinking negative! Anyone else on this forum from eastern NC ... with or without these problems?

P.S. When I asked the TW person about getting their older DVR with Passport software, she said that was not possible. They are no longer available in this market!

Redikilowatt · 01-31-2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bankerjohn

. . . . I'm sure there are others, but I'm tired of thinking negative! Anyone else on this forum from eastern NC ... with or without these problems?

P.S. When I asked the TW person about getting their older DVR with Passport software, she said that was not possible. They are no longer available in this market!

bankerjohn, I'm in Raleigh-Durham area of NC and suffer the same frustrations. I continue to be amazed at the variety of errors Mystro generates. Within a few days of reboot, new "bugs" develop and, of course, old ones reappear. I'll call again tomorrow about today's problems (3 recordings failed

). In a way, I feel sorry for the CSR and tech support folks, it's not their fault. But it's essential to keep pounding away with calls and complaints. BTW, forget email communication with TW. You will only get a "canned" response.

Roger

26XWorldChamps · 02-06-2008, 08:09 PM

I'm new to this Forum and this is my first post. I already appreciate the ability to find out more about my Hi Def equipment.

I too have the SA 8300HDC - got two actually in the last 24 hours for two TVs. I used to have the Passport software but now it's the Mysto.

One thing I've noticed immediately is that you cannot set your series manager to only record one version of a show. For example I tape the 7pm Hardball every night. On the Passport I set it so only the 7pm records. With Mysto there isn't an option to record a specific time period at least not so far as I know so now it's recording Hardball 3 times a day. Same is true for The Daily Show or anything else.

Does anyone know how to do manual recordings and / or how to set it record one version only of a show?

I've yet to see a way to do manual recordings?

heyman421 · 02-07-2008, 03:50 PM

No, it's a POS box.

A software revision is needed BADLY.

SA should be ashamed of themselves.

26XWorldChamps · 02-07-2008, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyman421

No, it's a POS box.

A software revision is needed BADLY.

SA should be ashamed of themselves.

Well I've decided to return the 8300HDC and go back to the old box with the Passport software.

TWCNYC told me if I go to one of their retail outlets I can exchange my boxes for "old Passport" boxes and that is exactly what I'm going to do.

It's so outrageous that they would release a new version that has far fewer features than the old version AND TWCNYC just raised their prices this month. It's a crime in my book!

thegiff · 02-20-2008, 10:57 AM

I also have the 8300HDC and TWC. I have to agree, this box and/or the software that runs on it is a huge POS. FWIW, you can reboot without unplugging the box. On the front of the box, press and hold the VOL- and VOL+ buttons and then press the INFO button. Not sure why this isn't common knowledge, must be some kind of top-secret information.

scubaskip · 02-22-2008, 08:08 PM

My 8300 when playing TV or DV recorded shows sounds very low when trying to tape to my VCR. HOWEVER, if I use the menu item "Copy to VCR", the sound is fine - much higher volume. Obviously the output audio is set very low for the first two occurrences; playing normal TV or playing a DV taped show. The problem is that I usually want to only tape small sections of some of the shows or news Items I have taped. Using the "copy to VCR" option does not allow stopping and starting.
Any ideas? Is my box broken or do I have to get into the firmware setup to change the output audio connections to be higher volume?
Thanks

01-20-2008, 11:05 AM	#16
tbflaherty What is HD? Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1	Mystro--not ready for prime time After many conversations with Time-Warner techies, most of whom know only a little more than I do (not much), the conclusion seems to be that TWC has rolled out "their" Mystro software long before they should have. (They claim that they did it to satisfy an FCC requirement.) I have had most of the problems reported above with the 8300HDC Mystro-loaded boxes I have tried (3). I have also had audio drop-out on recorded shows, intermittent or complete (e.g., no audio on the second half of a movie. My 8300HD box, running Passport, is FAR superior and trouble-free. So, I am assuming that all of the problems are related to Mystro. Thus, if you have Passport, hang onto it as lond as possible. TWC says that they are working to upgrade (fix) Mystro, but no one has a clue as to when it might actually work. And, I am thinking that even a perfectly working Mystro will be a step backwards. Menus, etc. are clunky compared with those I have used on other boxes.

01-28-2008, 07:50 PM	#19
AngelicPenguin What is HD? Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1	NULL recordings I have the same problem as a previous poster where I will get a ton of NULL recordings each of various length. It's happened on every single recording for the terminator series and it's the only hi-def show I record right now (will be starting LOST on Thurs.) It has also done it with some hi-def football games I tried to record to fast forward the commercials. I don't remember it happening when recording on standard def channels. So a periodic reboot fixes this super annoying problem? I would swear my box upstairs had done the same thing occasionally and it's an 8300 HD, but I can't be certain. Why does the software on these boxes suck so bad? I don't think the extend program length thing has ever worked, so I'm stuck making manual recordings of sporting events (that now suffer from the NULL issue.) I registered here just to respond to this post -Matthew

01-29-2008, 05:15 PM	#20
Redikilowatt High Duh? Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: RTP Posts: 13	I've chatted with TW several times about these issues. Here's what I got: 1) FCC forced company to release new software before bugs were resolved. 2) One "patch" is available but it requires erasing hard drive and loss of recorded content. Perhaps justifiably, TW management fears customer backlash and has decided to await better solution. 3) Real "fix" should be available by "next quarter" (April???) Please remember, this is third-hand info. I take no responsibility for it's validity or lack thereof Roger __________________ _________________________ I ain't never had too much fun!

02-20-2008, 10:57 AM	#29
thegiff What is HD? Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1	SA 8300hdc I also have the 8300HDC and TWC. I have to agree, this box and/or the software that runs on it is a huge POS. FWIW, you can reboot without unplugging the box. On the front of the box, press and hold the VOL- and VOL+ buttons and then press the INFO button. Not sure why this isn't common knowledge, must be some kind of top-secret information.

02-22-2008, 08:08 PM	#30
scubaskip What is HD? Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2	Low Volume Problem from Output connections My 8300 when playing TV or DV recorded shows sounds very low when trying to tape to my VCR. HOWEVER, if I use the menu item "Copy to VCR", the sound is fine - much higher volume. Obviously the output audio is set very low for the first two occurrences; playing normal TV or playing a DV taped show. The problem is that I usually want to only tape small sections of some of the shows or news Items I have taped. Using the "copy to VCR" option does not allow stopping and starting. Any ideas? Is my box broken or do I have to get into the firmware setup to change the output audio connections to be higher volume? Thanks

01-23-2008, 11:24 PM	#18
mulciber Sony KDL-32S3000 Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 16	I was away from mid-December to late January and the firmware had a major update in early January. Since I've been back I've seen very significant problems with the HDC, including the one you describe. You should also see that when you're on a 1080i channel and turn off your tv, when you turn it back on it tells the box to downscale to 480i. I've spoken to several techs over there, and very few know what I'm talking about. The one who did suspected that if I swap out the box for their newest ones, it will function properly. However, I have a bunch of stuff recorded that I don't want to lose. So I'm not eager to drop this unit. The only workaround I can suggest is to switch it from HDMI to component cables. That fixes the problem, but of course you're then using component. DGI

01-30-2008, 01:09 AM	#21
artweiss What is HD? Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4	Sorry to say I've had nothing but trouble with my HDC. My company is Time-Warner in NYC. Am on my second box with the same problems continuing: image freeze, live functions don't work, frequent reboots necessary (long 25 minute reboots while each sector of the hard drive is examined), recorded programs don't play, blank screen,etc., Had a technician to my house - all connection requirements are within spec - problems continue. I am infuriated at being, in effect, a beta tester for this equipment without being compensated for the many hours of lack of service and long holds on the 'phone. This box sucks!! (Or Time-Warner does - or both!!)

01-30-2008, 07:29 AM	#22
heyman421 Blu-ray is Betamax 2.0 Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 494	If i buy my own dvr with QAM tuner, can i just give the MAC address to time warner? so i don't have to use their POS 8300? Does anyone know which boxes are compatible with time warner? I think there's a new tivo with cablecard. Does anyone know if this is possible? It's expensive, but if it works, it would be worth the $.

01-31-2008, 04:18 PM	#24
bankerjohn What is HD? Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Morehead City, NC Posts: 3	New to this forum! Thought I'd "vent" a bit about my SA 8300 HDC box running their OPAC/Mystro software. It's hooked up via a 2 meter HDMI 1.3 cable to my Samsung LN-T4671F television. Just got off the phone with a Time Warner customer service person. Here's what I fumed to her about: (1) About 80%+ of the time when I try to "freeze" the picture of a show I've been watching, I find that the recorder has NOT been recording anything on the channel I've been watching. When I press the INFO button to bring up the "banner" where it should show me how far back in time it's recorded the current channel, there's NO YELLOW showing ... proving to me that it has not been recording this channel! (2) Occasionally, when I go to the GUIDE, and then exit ... it leaves me with the "mini" version of the show in the upper right-hand corner of the screen ... and black everywhere else! I haven't figured out an "always works" way of getting back the entire picture ... although it seems like sometimes switching to a SD channel cures the problem ... and other times I've ended up re-booting the box. (3) Last night I was watching National Geographic HD ... and started getting a lot of stuttering and pixelation. Then it got so bad that I got alternating completely BLACK screens. Changed channels ... some thing. Changed to a SD channel ... pretty much OK. Back to HD channel ... horrible stuttering/black screens. Finally gave up and went to bed. OK this morning (at least not with this particular issue). I'm sure there are others, but I'm tired of thinking negative! Anyone else on this forum from eastern NC ... with or without these problems? P.S. When I asked the TW person about getting their older DVR with Passport software, she said that was not possible. They are no longer available in this market!

02-06-2008, 08:09 PM	#26
26XWorldChamps 3X Super Bowl Champs Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Upper West Side of Manhattan (10024) Age: 53 Posts: 7	I'm new to this Forum and this is my first post. I already appreciate the ability to find out more about my Hi Def equipment. I too have the SA 8300HDC - got two actually in the last 24 hours for two TVs. I used to have the Passport software but now it's the Mysto. One thing I've noticed immediately is that you cannot set your series manager to only record one version of a show. For example I tape the 7pm Hardball every night. On the Passport I set it so only the 7pm records. With Mysto there isn't an option to record a specific time period at least not so far as I know so now it's recording Hardball 3 times a day. Same is true for The Daily Show or anything else. Does anyone know how to do manual recordings and / or how to set it record one version only of a show? I've yet to see a way to do manual recordings?

02-07-2008, 03:50 PM	#27
heyman421 Blu-ray is Betamax 2.0 Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 494	No, it's a POS box. A software revision is needed BADLY. SA should be ashamed of themselves.

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