HD Media Extender not quite ready for prime time

[mattbrad2]

I've now been through 2 different firmware updates and some of my problems have been fixed but it's still not quite ready for the wife and kids to use on a consistent basis. I constantly have problems watching some HD channels (hdhomerun). For example - tonights NFL game on NBC I could watch about 10 minutes at a times before the video would just freeze. I'd have to actually change channels and switch back to fix the problem. Also, most of the time I hit the record button while watching live, the video freezes again. I have to go through the same channel changing process to fix the problem. It's nice for the kids to watch through their 4 seasons of generation one Transformers episodes but when it comes to live TV.. I don't know. I haven't updated the server to the latest Java version and I've heard the latest release candidate fixes the screen saver problem I'm also having but so far I'm not that impressed. This thing has SOOO much potential to be a great product, I really hope these problems can be fixed.

[mcaron1234]

You should make sure you are running the newest version of the HDHR software, update that java and sage software because watching live tv from the HDHR has been rock solid for me. I am having problems with some X.264 encoded videos and DTS soundtracks but the HD100 has been a life safer as far as playback of those HDHR files.

Sage has been amazing in the frequency of updates and quality of support they have given to first round of STX-HD100 owners, so I expect all of these initial hiccups to get worked out rather quickly.

Regards,

Matt

[carlgar]

What OS are you using? If using Vista, you should upgrade to Vista SP1 RC1.

[trini0]

Originally Posted by carlgar

What OS are you using? If using Vista, you should upgrade to Vista SP1 RC1.

SP1 was released a few weeks ago

[ke6guj]

Originally Posted by trini0

SP1 was released a few weeks ago

Not yet it hasn't. The SP1 Release Candidate was released in Dec 07, but the true, non-timebombed SP1 has not been released yet. The RC may fix your problems, but be aware that you probably have to uninstall it before you can install SP1.

[mattbrad2]

Just to let everyone know - I updated Java to whatever the latest release is and I haven't had any of my freezing problems with the HD Media Extender. Woohoo!

[parkimar]

I tend to agree with the title of this topic.
I have had several issues - and still have several files that flat out will not play.
But that said - I knew when I bought the extender that it was brand new and would no doubt have some teething problems.

I'm happy to hold out for a few more firmware updates (may even get off my idle behind and file a ticket with a sample file , but so far I trust sage to fix most of the issues without my input).

The IR issue doesn't bother me, the only thing besides the unplayable files that grates is the performance seems a bit jerky (not video playback, the UI) and the rather annoying requirement to power off when it gets stuck.

But overall , I figure a month or 2, and I'll be stumping up for a couple more for the living room and one of the bedrooms (mine !).

just my 2c.

Cheers

Mark