Anyone running HD-PVRs without lock-ups on Dish VIP 211's?

[Chriscic]

My dual HD-PVRs worked flawlessly with my Dish 211k setup for 6 months, only to start constantly locking up within the last couple of weeks. I'm wondering if Dish may have updated something with these set-top boxes which is causing a problem. I'd made zero changes to my system before it started to do this (automatic Windows updates though on WHS server though).

I'm using the optical inputs.

If anyone is having success with these boxes, please let me know.

I sent Hauppauge an email requesting tech support. We'll see what they say. Probably they're going to tell me I have to reproduce the errors in their own software, which I am willing to do if it looks like it might actually get me somewhere.

Thanks,
-Chris C.

[jerryt]

Yes, no lock ups.
1.0.5.301 drivers, RCA audio, E1 version of HD-PVR on it's own enhanced USB controller. STB output locked at 720p, Cooling fan blowing air on bottom of the HD-PVR, and VIP211K

[fidget]

Originally Posted by jerryt

Yes, no lock ups.
1.0.5.301 drivers, RCA audio, VIP211K

I am using the same driver version without any lock ups. I am using digital audio rather than RCA.

[Chriscic]

Thanks guys. Maybe I'll give those older drivers a whirl; can't hurt, although things were running perfectly with the 1.5.6.0 drivers for all those months.

I might also try the fan idea, but they were running great before without any fan.

[sic0048]

I'm also using a single HD-PVR on my system with the Disk VIP211k STB.

1.0.5.301 drivers
RCA audio
Hauppauge IR Blaster
Version D I think (but it has been a while since I checked, I know I RMAed one unit).
Onboard USB port (motherboard)

I've tried both the 1.5.6.0 and 1.5.6.1 drivers without success. Both resulted in major lockups for my system.

[stanger89]

I'm mostly the same on the 1.0.5.301 but I use S/PDIF and have been quite reliable. Both the 1.5.6.* releases were much worse.

[Chriscic]

Originally Posted by stanger89

I'm mostly the same on the 1.0.5.301 but I use S/PDIF and have been quite reliable. Both the 1.5.6.* releases were much worse.

I used the 1.5.6.0 drivers with perfect results for 6 months. I'm going to try to get help from Hauppauge and Sage on this before I mess around with any older drivers. God forbid someone takes responsibility and actually fixes the issue. Appreciate the suggestion though.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by Chriscic

I used the 1.5.6.0 drivers with perfect results for 6 months.

They exploded on my system within a couple hours of installation.

[Chriscic]

I've requested email tech support from both Sage and Hauppauge on my recurring HD-PVR lock-ups and here is my summary of the companies POVs (at least the techs I dealt with):

Sage: "We know the HD-PVR has problems; we've done everything we can on our end. Please bother Hauppauge as we are under NDA and can't say anything else."

Hauppauge: "We are not aware of any widespread issue with HD-PVR lock-ups. Make sure your USB cable isn't too long. Other than that all we can do is RMA your units."

That's it basically. Note that the Hauppauge tech ignored the several HD-PVR Lock-up threads I referenced, sayng they didn't want to argue the scope of the problem.

The only thing I have left to try is to roll back to the older drivers some are recommending, maybe try RCA-only sound again, and then maybe RMA my two units for replacement (I've already done three of those so I am not optimistic). If none of that works (god forbid), it'll have to be a reluctant goodbye Sage. I'm not sure what to replace it with.

[SWKerr]

Why don't you post you setup and what you have tried to date. I think most people have managed to get to stable setups at this point and their painful learning experece might be of help.

First I would just try to get one working before adding another. It has always been picky about sharing USB channels.

Second: increase the Java heap size.

Third: Keep it away from anything hot. Mine didn't work woth a crap on top of my DirecTV receiver. I keep them out in the open air now.

If you have anther machine to test with, try it. I may be something specific to that setup.

Just general notes to try. Again post you specif setup.

[HelenWeathers]

Originally Posted by Chriscic

......If none of that works (god forbid), it'll have to be a reluctant goodbye Sage. I'm not sure what to replace it with.

Chriscic, we do feel your pain. Not that it helps you at all. I have been in the same position myself in the past.

My reaction though, would be a reluctant goodbye to the HD PVRs, not a goodbye to Sage.

[mozerd]

Originally Posted by Chriscic

Hauppauge: "We are not aware of any widespread issue with HD-PVR lock-ups. Make sure your USB cable isn't too long. Other than that all we can do is RMA your units."

I recently set up my brand new HTPC and am having problems getting the HD-PVR [12 days old] working consistently -- works one day then stops working then starts working again etc. I called Hauppauge and after going through some hoops -- turn everything off, etc. they suggested to RMA the unit so they can test it in their labs. I asked if they had any kind of diagnostic tool that I could use [I am technically well trained with have significant experience] but no such tool exists that they would provide. IMO, this is a expensive item and diagnostics should be part of the package. Needless to say I am not at all happy with this Hauppauge HD-PVR expedience.

[SteveW]

Originally Posted by Chriscic

I've requested email tech support from both Sage and Hauppauge on my recurring HD-PVR lock-ups and here is my summary of the companies POVs (at least the techs I dealt with):

Sage: "We know the HD-PVR has problems; we've done everything we can on our end. Please bother Hauppauge as we are under NDA and can't say anything else."

Hauppauge: "We are not aware of any widespread issue with HD-PVR lock-ups. Make sure your USB cable isn't too long. Other than that all we can do is RMA your units."

That's it basically. Note that the Hauppauge tech ignored the several HD-PVR Lock-up threads I referenced, sayng they didn't want to argue the scope of the problem.

The only thing I have left to try is to roll back to the older drivers some are recommending, maybe try RCA-only sound again, and then maybe RMA my two units for replacement (I've already done three of those so I am not optimistic). If none of that works (god forbid), it'll have to be a reluctant goodbye Sage. I'm not sure what to replace it with.

Interesting. Based on the above referenced e-mails, it sounds like Hauppauge has Sage under some sort of non disclosure agreement... It almost sounds like Sage is aware of the problem(s) with the HD-PVRs, but Hauppauge has them locked down so that they can't say anything....

Since Hauppauge seems to think this isn't a wide spread problem, I guess I better pipe-up with an e-mail to their support with my lockup problems....

[jerryt]

Originally Posted by Chriscic

If none of that works (god forbid), it'll have to be a reluctant goodbye Sage. I'm not sure what to replace it with.

Bye Bye HD-PVR, not Sage.

By the way the other HD-PVR third party softwares like DVBlogic, have people reporting that Sage has the HD-PVR working better. And they all report the lock ups.

Sure it is a pain (and takes some VooDoo magic), but most of us have gotten past lockups.

[martin]

Originally Posted by jerryt

Bye Bye HD-PVR, not Sage.

We need something that just works

[Chriscic]

The Sage/HD-PVR dynamo strikes again.

[jerryt]

Keep changing things until you get it stable. Are your HD-PVR's the only thing on an enhanced USB controller?

I am running 1.5.6.1 for 7 days straight, no lock ups and recording perfectly.

1.5.6.1 seems to tune video faster for me then 1.0.5.301

I will be going all out in a few weeks, doing all the anti lockup recommendations. Then add a second HD-PVR. I have two netbook cooling pads coming to use for cooling.

[Chriscic]

Can you give me more info. on the network cooling pads? Overheating is still one theory for the lock-ups. Although I really think maybe Dish changed something as well.

Thanks

[Chriscic]

Originally Posted by SWKerr

Why don't you post you setup and what you have tried to date. I think most people have managed to get to stable setups at this point and their painful learning experece might be of help.

I appreciate the offer for help, but right or wrong I feel that more troubleshooting is pointless. I've tried multiple machines and OSes in the past... I really think it's just a hardware issue.

Neither Sage or Hauppauge have any more suggestions, and if it were something that could be nailed down on the software/config. side one would think either they would have figured it out by now OR someone on here would have figured it out. But no-one has and everybody has their pet theories. I believe it's bad hardware. I'm hopeful that with a better cooling solution things will improve. It's *possible* the units ran better in the summer as my basement was cooler with the air conditioning on all the time; now the heater is on (I live in Chicago) and the basement is warmer. It's only a few degrees probably, but maybe that's enough to throw it over the edge.

Either that or Dish did change something in the output signal. That makes a lot of sense since prior I had five months or perfect operation, although some folks also are still using Dish without problems.

[Chriscic]

Originally Posted by Chriscic

The Sage/HD-PVR dynamo strikes again.

Sorry for my momentary lapse into pure whining. I got home from a business trip, and just wanted to sit down and watch Survivor. For the second straight week, the HD-PVR crapped out right at the start of tribal council. Argh!