XfinityTV and Equipment

[fskornia]

As the subject shows, we have the Cisco RNG200 HDDVR settop box.  We've been using it for a couple of months now and for that time have had this frustrating problem.  I have attempted to look for an answer through these forums and elsewhere on the WWW to no avail.

Every night at around 1 am, we start getting a message that says the cable box is going to go into standby mode. We continually have to cancel this message. I have found no where in the options a way to turn this off (seriously, who does the usability testing with this stuff? or is that ignored? I want to be able to control if my box goes into standby or not, and at what time!).  

Now the problem is more serious then this though.  Often, when the television is turned on the first time for the day, it will show a blank blue-light purple screen.  This is not the screen that the television uses when it has no signal, so the television is apparently getting some sort of signal from the DVR.  This pretty much always happens after evenings where the television has been turned off before 1 am (and therefore we could not cancel the aforementioned standby message).  So I feel that it's the result of the DVR going into standby mode.  I can do nothing with this blue screen.  Hitting buttons on the remote has no effect on the screen, although I can change the channel (the display on the DVR shows this), but the blue screen remains.  Turning off the DVR, with either the remote or the button on the device, and turning it back on has no effect, it just comes back to the blue screen. In fact, turning off the DVR when it is in this state does not change the blue screen on the television. I would expect to get the no signal screen, but that does not happen.  

The only solution I have found to be able to get the DVR working properly again is to unplug it (at which time I hear the hard drive wind down, so that is functioning), wait a few seconds and then plug it back in.  At this point, we need to wait for the whole sequence of it restarting, and downloading the guide and the channel information.

We had a Comcast service rep come out and look at it about a week after installation, but of course it didn't manifest then (and Comcast then charged us for the visit, despite the fact they did nothing, although the charge was later rescinded).  My question is: Do we have a defective DVR that should be replaced or is there something I'm missing about how to wake it from the standby mode? Also is there some setting I can change to prevent the standby mode?

[WarEagle57]

I hadn't heard of a problem like that before -- I would take the DVR and remote in to Comcast and swap it for a new one.  Be sure to call Comcast after you connect the new one to have it authorized.

[gingerbear]

We are not new to Comcast and are also noticing the "going into standby mode" in the past week or so.  Why is happening all of a sudden? 

[scarygodmother]

Just got off the phone with a rep and they said it is a new enery saving feature that starts at 1am to 6am. There is no way to turn it off and it does it every fifteen minutes. So unless you press a button all night its going to happen. I work from home at night so this is both annoying and insulting to me. Thanks for assuming that no one is awake at night Comcast, becasue we all know everyhting runs itself after midnight.

[WarEagle57]

The Comcast forum administrator has been informed.  It sounds ridiculous to me. 

[CC_Dete]

 fskornia

 gingerbear and

 scarygodmother

I've not heard of this practice. The common thread here is that you all have RNG200s and you're all customers in CT. I will escalate this to that team immediately so we can work through this. Please give us a few days to get back to you.

[CC_Dete]

@gingerbear - Do you have an RNG200 converter? When I checked your account, I did not see that you have this model type. Have you recently replaced that converter with another? If not, can you please verify the last four digit of the serial number of the converter that you're having trouble with? The serial number begins with the letters "SA" and can be found on the bottom or back panel of the cable box.

You also have two units. Is this happening on both units or just one?

[CC_Dete]

We are still looking into this. I will circle back as soon as more details are confirmed.

[batman62]

I am also having this problem but with a Scientific Atlanta DVR/box.  It started two weeks ago after a software update..  This is  ridicluous!  As is the fact that I cannot use my box-front component inputs.  The answer i alwasy gte s ti turn my box in ofr another model.  Then i lose my recorded programs.  Get your act together COMCAST!  You are supposed ti be the leading cable company in the country.  Its not rocket science!

[tvaholic7]

Im new to rng200 cisco and Im in PA it does light up on screen at 1:15 am daily and says press any key to stop the power down mode or something of that sort.  Its a 1-6 am thing.

Actually I was up when it was still on after five am and before six I got some sort of screen for a sec too but didnt catch what it said before it disapeared.

Ive not had tv off before 1am I hope it doesnt start what youre having issues with or its going back pronto.

I turn my unit off when not in use and it seems to still record fine, not sure why they cant just tell us to power off sometimes instead of taking control of our unit for us.  If you dont press a cable remote button fast you lose what youre watching.  I wonder if Im rec at 1am unattended if itll cut it off.

Incidentally I dont generally use the all in one button to power off, I select tv and turn it off seperate last, hoping the box cant control my tv and turn it on like some posts.

[jester1a]

Same problem in NH.  Several months ago I had the Cisco box and replacing it with the Scientific American box solved the problem until the latest update about a month ago when the problem reappeared.  Replacing the box with a refurb SA unit did not solve the problem.  Supposedly this problem has been sent to a "level 2 Tech" but I've yet to hear anything form him.

Bothersome problem at least and an insult that the company takes the decision out of my hands.  Like the screen saver option- who thinks up these solutions to non-problems anyways?????

[Knight-h]

Also in NH. I have explorer 8300hd. I have 2 and they both do it!!! Extremely annoying!!! Let's get this fixed Comcast!!!

[Knight-h]

Detreon Roberts
Help Forums Admin
Detreon_Roberts@comcast.com
It's been over a month still waiting for you to circle back around!!!!

[tvaholic7]

"going into standby mode a 1:15 am is in my new manual w/ rng 200, to just press a button to stop it", which is what I do. Mine hasnt messed up any rec'd even still as long as I leave it on if its rec.  If off it will come on at rec time for me.  But mine isnt turning on my tv or anything.

The thing does get very hot and prob assuring it gets some down time to slightly cool? I dont know.

[Knight-h]

I finally called today. They didn't know of the problem and say it's not an energy saver program. They're sending someone out tomorrow.
I know you can turn it back on but ours keeps going off every 15 mins.

[gingerbear]

I don't know if the one in the LR does the same thing as I am in the BR. The irritating issue is we all pay dearly for cable and that service always has been and should be a 24/7 given.  With the upgrades that were done Comcast took away the option to set a timer to turn off the cable box.  Why was that done? I don't see it on the MENU any longer. Is it somewhere I haven't looked?

It sounds from all the people complaining there is an issue here that no one can give satisfactory answer to.

[gingerbear]

Sorry I didn't answer your question.  I have 8300 HD Explorer - the only thing I could find starting with SA is

SABNRPZOF.

[Jaymo78]

I am in Dickinson, TX; the Houston/Galveston area has just started with updates to the RNG 200 HD DVR Boxes to put them in the new guide format. Since my guide updated, I have this same standby issue. In the past, I have not had this problem, so it seems like an issue with the new software. I have been up past 1 AM many times before and never had this happen.

To give more detail, I was watching a show on OnDemand Saturday night, and at 1 AM it gave me this message. I pressed one of the circular arrow keys, at which point the picture went black momentarily and told me the "program is no longer available," booting me back to the OnDemand menu. I had to resume the show in the "Saved Programs" section of the DVR menu.

I didn't receive a repeat of this message, but it's possible I was finished with the program and had the TV off by 1:15, so I wouldn't have seen it if that was the case.

[jswfl09]

I am in SW FL and also have a Cisco RNG200.  Mine has had the power saver feature since day one (I can't remember if the SA 8300HD that it replaced had it but it might have).  Anyway, sometime after 1 AM, the message will pop up and tell you to hit any button to continue.  I don't mind it as I sometimes fall asleep with the TV on, but I could easily see how this could annoy people who are on different shifts, etc.  There should be an option to turn it off if you want to, but there does not appear to be one in the menu.

With that said, my box will only do it once per night.  Every 15 minutes would be unacceptable and drive me nuts.

P.S. I am on the ancient SARA guide and software (no caller ID, remote DVR control, etc).  2 county area of almost 1 million people with no other real cable competition and it is like being in the stone ages cable-wise.

[fskornia]

Original poster here. Overall I don't mind the power-saving feature.  What I do not like is that if this happens during the night, then I am unable to use my television or cable box the next day without unplugging it from the wall, and plugging it back in.  Then I have to wait the 5-15 minutes it takes to resync and download the menu, guide, and channel information. 

If it goes into standby, there must be a way to wake it out of that state without cutting the power!

[crossefire00]

I'm in PA And am having the warning every 15 minutes starting at 1:15am. It's a gigantic pain. Thanks for the help but I've been able to turn my cable box off all by myself for quite some time. I don't mind it as an option but to force it on me and then to do so in a way that does not work properly is incredibly annoying. Considerin that I pay a small fortune for my service, I find this unacceptable.

[tvaholic7]

Ive been up all nite' lately and it consistantly does this at 3:15 am as well as 1:15am.

Its really a pain if youre watching on demand because no matter what I press I lose the on demand and once it was expireing that day and I couldnt re load it ugh!

[batman62]

So we all have this problem and are all very frustrated by it.  So when is Comcast going to fix it?  I do not pay them to control my TV watching.  I pay them for a service and right now they are not providing the service i need.  Anybody know how we get ourselves heard?

[captaincavewoma]

This is happenning to me over and over and over again. I watch most of my tv from 8:00pm to 4:00am. From 1:00am through the early am, I have to continue to hit a button on my remote to stop the power save option, Tonight, as of 3:00am, I've hit that button at least 6 times. This is ridiculus. Please Comcast, make this stop. There is no way to stop this, so you need to do it on your end. I have a Scientific Atlantic HDR(I think), and I am at the end of my rope with it. I should not have to hit my info button everytime something good is about to happen on tv. It's irritating, and should not happen.

Thanks

Jason D

[sue101]

Well, I'm having the same problem with my Cisco RNG200. I turn it on at 4:30 AM and it'll try to go into standby mode several times until 6 AM. It's getting annoying having to hit a button on the remote each time to get it out of standby.

[fskornia]

So I'm seeing a lot of people with the incessant prompt to go into standby mode.  Does anyone else have a problem getting their box out of standby mode?  That is the other part of my original post.  I believe that if my box goes into standby mode overnight, I get an odd blue-purple screen and absolutely no response from the box if I hit any keys on the remote or the box front.  I can turn it off and back on and get the same problem.  The only solution I have been able to find is to unplug the box from the power outlet, and then plug it back in and wait for it to do the whole sequence of booting, reconnecting, and resyncing with the channel guide.  Am I alone with this issue and does it signify a problem with my box?

-Frank Skornia

[jester1a]

I'm thinking either your box or your local service.  Mine has something like an old screensaver with the word comcast and the time below it constantly jumping around the screen.  As soon as I hit "enter"  it "wakes up" and after a few seconds, complete control returns.

[thecouponqueen2]

Here's what I did.  Maybe it will work for you.

Pick up the remote.  On the right hand side of the remote.....you will see.....a red button.....it says......menu.

Click OK on your remote.   A screen will then pop up on the bottom of your TV.  The first thing on the screen is a graphic....with the word.....MENU.  Hit OK....on your remote.   This will bring you to a list of catagories.  Go down the list.  You will see the word....Settings.  Click OK on your remote.  This will bring you to another screen.  In that screen you will see the word....SCREENSAVER.  Click..OK on the remote.  Look to see if the screen saver is OFF.  Or it might say...15 minutes, 10 minutes...etc.  Make sure it's in the OFF position.

Yes, the standby mode will come up on your TV at around 1am in the morning.....if you don't want it to go into that mode when the message pops up....click any key on your remote.  But if your screen saver is in the OFF position....that message shouldn't pop up again that evening nor will the screen saver.

I sure do hope this works for everyone.

Ellen

[thecouponqueen2]

Jester,

That is how it is supposed to work.  Mine works that way too. 

[jester1a]

Maybe that's how it's supposed to work now but it didn't used to be that way.  It started when they changed the guide with an update-- they solved it that time by changing my box out to another brand,but the next update started the problem back up, and it isn't how I would expect it to work nor want it to work.  Why must I accept something which makes no sense to be a "feature"? 

As a side note, maybe an acceptable explanation for the need for this "feature" might be helpful could change my mind.

BTW the screensaver is another ridiculous option IMHO also.

Jerry

[captaincavewoma]

Mine is in the off position. The problem seems to happen on some days more than others, but it still happens often.

Slick

[guitarzero01]

You are not alone. I am in Brattleboro, VT, we just finished the digital transition up here and I am now experiencing the same exact thing you are describing. I have a Sony Bravia hooked up via HDMI cable to a RNG 200 HD DVR. Ever since the new guide update. The thing about it is that it doesn't happen every single morning. In fact it just happened in between selecting inputs on my TV. Only fix , like you stated is to reboot the box. I have the screen saver option turned off in the setup menu. Any answers yet?

[rog286713]

Read this about sony bravia. and that issue

I have a Sony Bravia LCD TV KDL40S2000 and use it with Comcast Cable Service and an Onkyo sound system. It is about 18 months old but we hardly watch it, so it is essentially new. Everything runs through a high quality surge protector (except, ever since the last time that we rearranged the wiring, the incoming cable itself runs directly into the cable box, not through the surge protector).

Two nights ago, our Comcast Cable TV service was down for two hours. Simultaneously, the TV went into a STANDBY mode, blinking in a series of four blinks. After a while, we called to ask how long it would be. They explained that their DVR system had crashed again and they had to install new software and it would automatically reboot when they were done. I had never noticed the Standby status on our TV before, so I asked why our TV had gone into Standby. They explained that that was common and it should all come back after the system upgrade had been installed. It didnt.

It seems too coincidental that an essentially new TV would just happen to break at the same minute as the cable system went down. I have since been in much communication with Comcast and they insist that it could not be related. Sony suggested that we reset the TV by unplugging it for 60 seconds and try again unplugging it for an hour before plugging it directly into the wall. Because it did not Reset, they said that it would have to be brought in for service.

Talking to Sony Service I learned that it will be $100 + another $50 to diagnose toward a most likely need for a new inverter board billed out a $400+. I have done some Internet surfing to learn that this model also had a software glitch on models produced prior to 11/2005 but that that likely does not apply to my TV. I also learned that this is one of many Sony models, which have early inverter board failures. Cited: Inverter Board Service Bulletin: Model: KDL40S2000: Document ID/Event ID: E33166803.

1.) What is the likelihood that this was caused by a surge/ spike from Comcast? If so, would it be worth pursuing and would we have ANY possible chance of proving that? If it was caused by Comcast, even if they would not admit it, how likely would it be to happen again?

2.) Could this have been caused by not having run the cable through the surge protector?I am pretty mechanically/ electronically handy. Would it be reasonable to presume that this is most likely the cause and that I could fix it by replacing the board myself?

3.) Any suggestions on where to get the replacement board or, more importantly, I ask this as related to noticing that some places pull the board out of an existing working unit. Wouldnt it matter significantly whether this part is new or not?

4.) I figure that I could save about $300 if I could do this myself but I do not have access to this Service Bulletin which lists the inverter board part number for each model. Below are the part names I have located for the most commonly replaced parts for this model KDL 40S2000. I am not familiar with what all of them are. What would be the Sony name for the Inverter Board or the non-Sony descriptor? Is there any other part that might be the culprit?

Sony AU Signal Board 1-869-849-12
Sony B Board 1-869-852-12
Sony Cables / Ribbons
Sony G2 Power supply unit 1-869-027-12
Sony H1 Key Board 1-869-855-12
Sony H2 Board 1-869-854-12
Sony IR Remote Sensor 1-869-857-12
Sony Key Control Board 1-869-855-12
Sony LCD Controller 400WSC4LV0.4
Sony Power Supply Unit 1-869-027-12
Sony QM Board 1-868-963-11
Sony QS COMPLETE PC BOARD 1-868-963-11
Sony QT Tuner Board 1-869-519-11
Sony Side AV Input 1-869-854-12

[tvaholic7]

my sisters tv/ new converter box is doing this now (not dvr).  i was hoping for a fix to tell her.  Im really fed up w/ comcast equip failures its maddening and epidemic!

[guitarzero01]

Original poster talked about a blueish/purple screen and the box going into a total freeze. Stand by mode is a seperate issue. You can shut off standby in the menu. The only difference from my RNG 200 downstairs compared to the RNG 200 upstairs is a HDMI cable. Sony Bravia has a HDMI control option in its menu, I have now shut this feature off and I have my screen saver disabled on my DVR. I will post back in a week or so as I have been getting the Blue/purple screen at least once a week.

[fskornia]

guitarzero01: Thanks for bringing this up.  I've noticed in this thread that there seems to be a slight trend for people have the same problem I do having a Sony television (which I also have).  I just went in and checked and saw that HDMI control was turned on.  I've turned that off as well to see if there is an improvement.  I'll let everyone know.

-Frank

[Snoballz]

I'm getting the purple screen as well. It's happening more frequently, three times in the past four days. Sound is still coming through the coaxial out, but no video through the HDMI, only a purple screen. The only way I've found to fix it is to unplug the power from the set top box. 


I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with standby mode or screensaver since this happens at random times and the screensaver has never been enabled on my box.

[guitarzero01]

What kind of tv do you have? Do you have an RNG 200? I think it has something to do with the HDMI controls in the box at this point. I will be switching over to component cables. If it makes a change I will post here.Everyone should also note the origanil post is not about the screen saver, it is about a blueish purple screen that comes up randomely on a RNG 200 box.

[jester1a]

Not to be arguementative, but if you read the first post again or the title above, two problems were addressed so note away but if you want a thread ONLY about that bluish purple screen of death, maybe you should start one which only addresses that single problem.  I read it as there is a problem with the automatic standby mode AND that bluish purple screen that happens in the morning when the box goes into standby mode over night.  Without the standby mode ( if it is responded to during the night), there doesn't seem to be a problem from what I read, but that isn't my particular problem.  Only one person talked about the screen saver setting. which is not the problem, although I would call the screen they put up when in standby mode a "screen saver" in the classic definition of the term. As a side note, my standby screen problem hasn't been solved yet.  As a matter of fact, I have had no contact with Comcast unless I initiated it since the problem began.

Jerry

[guitarzero01]

REMOVED

[Snoballz]

If everyone would go back and re-read the OP's original and followup comments, you'd see this thread is about the purple screen that takes a 10-15 minute reboot to clear. The OP posted that he/she thinks is caused by standby mode. Based on my experiences, I believe this purple screen is caused by an HDMI issue, not a standby issue. Since Comcast doesn't seem to be interested in finding the cause of this problem, we should work together to see if we can come up with a fix or at least a definite cause so it can be investigated further by Cisco/Comcast.

I'm only basing this on my personal experience. Since several people have found and posted in this thread, it's no isolated incident. I'm welcome to any constructive input anyone has to get this issue worked out. That being said, here is my personal setup and circumstances:

I have the Cisco RNG200 box connected to a Samsung TV via HDMI (used for video only). I'm using the coaxial output for sound to a theater system.

The worst part, is I have yet to be able to recreate the issue. It seems to happen at random. This issue appears when the unit is first powered on. I've never had it happen while watching TV. It usually happens when the box has been off for several hours, but I've had it happen when it was off for one hour or less. This happens at random times, usually between 7pm and 11pm, not just after 1am. When the problem occurs, the sound is still fed through the coaxial output, but only a blank purple screen is sent to the TV through HDMI.

[guitarzero01]

I agree with you sir. I want to figure this out. I am going to switch out my HDMI to component. This will at least isolate and confirm the issue is with the HDMI like most of us suspect. I have already tried other HDMI inputs on my tv with the same results. I have shut off the HDMI control on my TV which seemed to produce a "incompatible signal"( from my tv) to apear instead of the purple/blue screen. I will change the cords tommorrow and monitor for the week.

[jester1a]

Er...  yes I did have the Cisco box and yes I still  have problems with the standby mode, not the screen saver setting which is not the same thing at all.  No I do not get the blue-purple screen but again the original post cited both issues.  Troll?  I'm offended.

[fskornia]

OP (he) here.

The reason I refer to the standby mode as a possible culprit in my my case is that I have empirically observed that we only get the purple screen after periods of time where the television has been turned off before the 1am standby warning.  For the record, I merely turn off the television, leaving the cable box on (for my information, if I power off the cable box along with the television, will shows scheduled to be DVRed still record?).  If someone is watching television when the standby warning comes on and cancels it, we do not get the purple screen at any point the next day.

Now today for example, I have not turned on that television since Friday afternoon (was away for the weekend and got in late last night).  I am about 95% positive that if I turn it on right now, I will have the purple screen, which will require the lengthy reboot process.  So, from my observations, this problem is related to the standby mode being automatically initiated at 1 am.

I am also incredibly disappointed at the lack of any response from Comcast after the very early responses that mentioned that it was getting escalated to the CT team and that a solution would be soon.  Shortly after getting the RNG200 and experiencing this problem, we did have a Comcast technician, but the problem was not replicated when he was here (I hadn't figured out the standby connection yet) and he sort of blew off any sort of concern.  Comcast then tried to charge us for that visit, which we argued against, and now are hesitant to call them out again.

As another note to the problem (probably unrelated) when we had the original installation, the installer brought in what appeared to be a brand new settop box (same model, RNG200 that still had the plastic film over the shiny bits) but was unable to get it to connect or sync with the cable connection. He then went out to his truck and brought in a settop box that was scratched and marked up - hardly a comparison to the shiny new one he just tried. This one had no problem with the connection, but sometimes I wonder why this (very obviously) used box was available in place of a brand new one.

-Frank Skornia

[guitarzero01]

I have the components in now. I have screen saver disabled, yet first thing this morning I had the screen saver on when I turned on my tv( box was left on last night). I usually shut the box off whenever I can unless it is recording at the time ( it wont allow me to unless I cancle recording). I believe now that this issue has to do with the screen saver format and HDMI incompatibility. I havent seen the purple screen since the cable change. I will keep ya posted.

[Jaymo78]

To fskornia:

"(For my information, if I power off the cable box along with the television, will shows scheduled to be DVRed still record?)"

This is a bizarre feature on these boxes, but yes, if you turn your box off while NO recordings are in-progress, then any scheduled recordings WILL still record (your box powers on, records, and then powers back down when finished.) BUT, for some reason, if you are in the middle of a recording, when you try to turn the box off, the only options are to "Leave the box on and continue recording," or "Cancel all recordings and turn the box off." For some reason, the old guide/dvr software build would allow you to power off in the middle of a recording and it would just keep recording (which is GOOD) but this new one forces you to stop and cancel all in-progress recordings if you try to power off while a scheduled recording is taking place.

Another side effect of this is, if you have a nightly or weekly scheduled recurring recording taking place, try to power your box off, and accidentally (or deliberately) choose "Cancel recording and power off" then not only will that cancel the current recording, it completely cancels the recurring recording, forcing you to have to go back in and re-program the scheduled recording for future shows.

This has been my experience with the new guide - I have actually tested it by turning off the box while not in the progress of recording and checking the next morning to see if the scheduled recording took place, and even though the box was powered off, it in fact still had turned on to record. Which makes it doubly odd why it doesn't allow you to power off the box but continue an in-progress recording....

[tedtv]

Comcast's own materials say this:

Screen Saver

If the DVR set-top box is not powered off and not in use between the hours of 1:15 AM and 6:00 AM, the hard drive will spin down and a screen saver will appear on

-screen. Press any button on your remote to deactivate and resume watching TV.

source: http://www.comcastflorida.com/channelsandservices/SA-DVR-49.pdf

I asked around with some people that know and was told that the hard drive of SA cable boxes (on DVR's)  "spins down" around 1am every night to conserve power and save some wear and tear on the hard drive.

The on-screen message that you received is displayed even if you are watching an On Demand movie. There is no individual user option to turn that "spin down" feature off. I think that if you were recording something the DVR would continue to record.   

It appears to be standard with all of the other SA DVR's (either running the old guide or now running the new guide).

Found this over at AVS Forum:http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=471859

• Enhanced HDD Spin Down - After 15 minutes of inactivity between 1:00am and 1:15am, the HDD will spin-down without powering off the STB, and a screen saver with an MSO configurable logo/graphic will be displayed while the HDD is spun-down. If an external SATA HDD is attached to the DVR, it will also spin down when the internal HDD spins down

[tedtv]

I asked around with some people that know and was told that the hard drive of SA cable boxes (on DVR's)  "spins down" around 1am every night to conserve power and save some wear and tear on the hard drive.

The on-screen message that you received is displayed even if you are watching an On Demand movie. There is no individual user option to turn that "spin down" feature off. I think that if you were recording something the DVR would continue to record.   

It appears to be standard with all of the other SA DVR's (either running the old guide or now running the new guide).

Found this over at AVS Forum:http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=471859

• Enhanced HDD Spin Down - After 15 minutes of inactivity between 1:00am and 1:15am, the HDD will spin-down without powering off the STB, and a screen saver with an MSO configurable logo/graphic will be displayed while the HDD is spun-down. If an external SATA HDD is attached to the DVR, it will also spin down when the internal HDD spins down

[hbillings]

---

tedtv wrote:

Comcast's own materials say this:

Screen Saver

If the DVR set-top box is not powered off and not in use between the hours of 1:15 AM and 6:00 AM, the hard drive will spin down and a screen saver will appear on

-screen. Press any button on your remote to deactivate and resume watching TV.

source: http://www.comcastflorida.com/channelsandservices/SA-DVR-49.pdf

I asked around with some people that know and was told that the hard drive of SA cable boxes (on DVR's)  "spins down" around 1am every night to conserve power and save some wear and tear on the hard drive.

The on-screen message that you received is displayed even if you are watching an On Demand movie. There is no individual user option to turn that "spin down" feature off. I think that if you were recording something the DVR would continue to record.   

It appears to be standard with all of the other SA DVR's (either running the old guide or now running the new guide).

Found this over at AVS Forum:http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=471859

• Enhanced HDD Spin Down - After 15 minutes of inactivity between 1:00am and 1:15am, the HDD will spin-down without powering off the STB, and a screen saver with an MSO configurable logo/graphic will be displayed while the HDD is spun-down. If an external SATA HDD is attached to the DVR, it will also spin down when the internal HDD spins down

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I JUST started getting that message when I was switched to the new guide two weeks ago.  It doesn't seem to be something inherent to the box, but with the software update associated with the new guide, since I NEVER had that happen before the switch. 

How do they define "activity?"  I'm in the middle of watching TV using the set-top box.  Do I need to be a rampant channel flipper to stop this from happening?  That's just ridiculous.  Why do they assume everyone wants their TV off between 1 AM and 6 AM? 

Though, I haven't had any problems of the TV not turning back on after the box has gone into standby mode, but maybe that's because I don't leave the box on if I'm not watching it, so it is either on or off for me.  If the box doesn't start up right and needs to be unplugged every day to restart it, it might have some other issue.  The simplest thing is to take it back to your local office and get a new one to see if that solves that blue screen problem. 

[hbillings]

I asked around with some people that know and was told that the hard drive of SA cable boxes (on DVR's)  "spins down" around 1am every night to conserve power and save some wear and tear on the hard drive.

The on-screen message that you received is displayed even if you are watching an On Demand movie. There is no individual user option to turn that "spin down" feature off. I think that if you were recording something the DVR would continue to record.   

It appears to be standard with all of the other SA DVR's (either running the old guide or now running the new guide).

Found this over at AVS Forum:http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=471859

• Enhanced HDD Spin Down - After 15 minutes of inactivity between 1:00am and 1:15am, the HDD will spin-down without powering off the STB, and a screen saver with an MSO configurable logo/graphic will be displayed while the HDD is spun-down. If an external SATA HDD is attached to the DVR, it will also spin down when the internal HDD spins down

[ed_t]

This shutdown warning just started on our RNG200, last nite, and this is about two wks. after we rec'd the new Guide.

After being cut off twice by two reps (I was courteous), I finally got someone who understood the problem and was elevating it, and promised to call me back.

Don said that this should not be happening, since we do not have a menu option to kill power saving.

My screensaver was Off...

Plymouth, MA, the old Adelphia system.

[jjland415]

I am having the same issue, and I have also noticed the TV loses its sound signal more if I walk near the box.  I have just returned from 2 years with FIOS hoping to take advantage of the incentives to return, but if this is how they have improved things, I may just switch back and keep paying an extra $30 a month for better service.