OK, I know the short term fix for the currently unavailable issue with the 7216, but it has gotten so bad that most of the programs we set up to record don't. A couple of the series programs will record, but for the last couple weeks programs I setup to record just don't. Often the programs will record, but I only get 7 or 8 seconds - appears to be related to the currently unavailable. I've been through the software reload from customer service - day one of our new service and all too frequently I have to reset the STB by pulling the plug. I understand the 6416 doesn't have this problem, is there anyway to get one of those to replace my 7216?
Next if the 7216 is problematic, what about the 7200, does it have the same problems? I've read on these forums that cabling might be an issue. The installer ran new cable from the outside box around and under our house and a splitter was installed that sends a cable up to the WiFi Internet Router, than to another splitter that sends the signal up to the 7216 and the other Std STB we have in another room. Could I have an install issue with all the splitters?
Next but not least. Pixelation, I get a lot of pixelation on the screen. I had Dish Network for years and in one day I get more pixelation on FIOS than I had in 8 years of Dish. Seems that if I reset the box it clears up. Is this a memory issue with the video decoder in the STB.
We just got a new tv yesterday and its sitting in a box. My wife and kids are already all over me for switching the service, before I make it worse by adding a third STB to the house I need to know what my best option is. Obviously the phone center is worthless, where else can I go to get these problems taken care of. I'd like to be one of the few trouble free subscribers, but at this rate this stuff is out of the house in a year when the bundle expires. I've already gotten a large discount for the 7216 $35/month off my bill for six months, but it isn't about money.
Help
There are some known issues with the 7216, which I why I would stick with the 6416 for now.
Most of the issues I've read about the 7216 relate to audio and channel unavailable. The video issues sound signal related. If the Verizon FiOS signal is too strong -- and this is not uncommon, if the installer forgets to add an attenuator -- then you will get dropped frames and/or pixelization on your DVR. The issue could also be a defective splitter.
Pixelization is not normal on FiOS. When an install is done correctly, without any defective equipment, you should see more pixelization on Dish Network in a week than you see on FiOS in a year.
pixelization is usually cableing issues. reseating all coax connections (when the splitter and the cable is good) will generally fix this (is it common that an install tech forgot the filters \ attenuators?)
is this an HD TV ? what cables are connecting the STB to the TV ?
The 7216 I had - operative word had - was connected to the TV via coax. Same way the Dish Network DVR was connected for 8 years. The pixelaction was always fixed by a reset so its isn't a coax or attenuation problem. Cause othewise it would be there immediatly after resetting.
I did manage to get through to billing that I needed a new box, but they couldn't drop ship me one. So they set me up with repair to come tomorrow - Friday. Well this morning the tech called and said he'd be over in 15 minutes this is Thursday - a whole day early. He arrived with a 6412, not a 7216 (jump for joy - what I had been fighting for a month). He just didn't understand why anyone is installing the 7216's in new installations - appologized for all the crap I had to deal with billing and tech support over the 7216. Tested my lines for signal quality.
It was actually rather funny to call tech support. "Marty", needed an educatation and was always I'll be back with you in 2 minutes. He had zero idea that there is a widespread problem with the 7216. I had to point him to Verizon's own forum here for him to read about it - yes I was on that call for over an hour.
To celebrate I craked open my LG 42LG70 flat panel and set it up in the bedroom. It is supposed to go in the family room down stairs, but it will be a few days to finish the acquisition of some new components, parts and furniture moving to make that all work. I have to tell you CNN HD was amazing. Mission Impossible 3 last 1/2 was stellar. George Carlin - just a tad to well lit, Mrs Doughtfire, Jurasic park - WOW.
Explanation I've been given. 6414 and 7216 have the same software. 7216 has some hardware upgrades, but suffers from hardware incompatibilities.
Anyhow I have, at least for today the box I wanted. More to come
@Ted wrote:He arrived with a 6412, not a 7216 (jump for joy - what I had been fighting for a month). He just didn't understand why anyone is installing the 7216's in new installations - appologized for all the crap I had to deal with billing and tech support over the 7216. Tested my lines for signal quality.
Explanation I've been given. 6414 and 7216 have the same software. 7216 has some hardware upgrades, but suffers from hardware incompatibilities.
Anyhow I have, at least for today the box I wanted. More to come
Of course, now you'll be hit with the degraded SD output on the 6416. This issue was introduced with the IMG 1.6 software. People on this forum are hopeful that it will be resolved in the next month or so.
The 7216 is basically a 6416 with a newer Broadcom CPU (decoder) that adds support for MPEG-4 AVC. Both Broadcom CPUs (decoders) are supposed to be compatible, but in practice the older CPU has a bit more memory bandwidth and its drivers aren't quite 100% compatible with the new one. Hence the issues on the 7216.
The satellite providers went through the same growing pains with this switch last summer.
"The pixelaction was always fixed by a reset so its isn't a coax or attenuation problem. Cause othewise it would be there immediatly after resetting."
Not arguing or anything here, BUT, a basic is that if the signal has fluctuations of any type, and those fluctuations require compensations to be made at the receiving end, eventually the compensations actually confuse the system. key word is eventually
Start a new topic or ask questions in the open forum.
