• Does OOL provide support via DSLR?
• When will OOL be available in my area?
• How can I sign up for OOL?
• What is OOL's return policy?
• Can I buy my own modem?
• What are the email addresses for contacting OOL?
• How long will I have my IP for? Is it static?
• Can I run a server on OOL?
• What Ports are Currently Blocked by OOL?
• Can I upgrade my "old" modem?
• What MODEMs are Compatible With OOL's New Tiers?
• What Routers are Compatible with OOL's 15/2 and 30/5 (BOOST) Plans?
• Can I opt-out of the DNS Assistance Service?

• Should I connect via Ethernet or USB?
• What NIC should I use?
• What Splitter Should I Use for OOL?
• How can I tweak my connection?
• How can I check out my signal levels?
• Running DocsDiag to see detailed modem info
• What should my modem levels be?
• What do I do if my modem levels are poor?
• How do I know what firmware version I have?
• What about Cable Amplifiers?

• What are OOL's email parameters?
• What are OOL's email limits?
• How can I check my mail via the web?
• How do I submit missed, unwanted spam e-mail messages to be filtered.
• How do I submit e-mail messages that have been miscategorized as Spam?
• Can I use a non-OOL SMTP (outgoing mail) server?

• I ran a tweak test and I see packet retransmissions, why?
• How do I test for packet loss?
• Why is my modem activity light constantly flashing (even if my pc is off)?
• How do I request a firmware update?
• I've upgraded firmware on my 3com sharkfin and the diagnostics page is gone.
• I'm Experiencing Packet Loss, What do I do?

• What speed caps does OOL use?
• How can I test my speed?
• What kinds of speeds should I be getting?
• How come I'm not getting 8Mbps like you?
• Can you please explain kilobits vs. kilobytes?
• I am getting slow speeds in peak hours. What can I do?
• What is an NDT speed server and why should I trust it?

• How can I share my connection?
• Can I share my connection with only a HUB?
• Am I allowed use a router to share my connection?
• Can I use my modem at another location?

• iO Faq from Yahoo! Cablevision_Digital Forum

·Does OOL provide support via DSLR?
·When will OOL be available in my area?
·How can I sign up for OOL?
·What is OOL's return policy?
·Can I buy my own modem?
·What are the email addresses for contacting OOL?
·How long will I have my IP for? Is it static?
·Can I run a server on OOL?
·What Ports are Currently Blocked by OOL?
·Can I upgrade my "old" modem?
·What MODEMs are Compatible With OOL's New Tiers?
·What Routers are Compatible with OOL's 15/2 and 30/5 (BOOST) Plans?
·Can I opt-out of the DNS Assistance Service?

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Thanks to Irish Shark for this FAQ.

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by Dersgniw edited by Lex Luthor
last modified: 2008-09-25 11:04:49

·Should I connect via Ethernet or USB?
·What NIC should I use?
·What Splitter Should I Use for OOL?
·How can I tweak my connection?
·How can I check out my signal levels?
·Running DocsDiag to see detailed modem info
·What should my modem levels be?
·What do I do if my modem levels are poor?
·How do I know what firmware version I have?
·What about Cable Amplifiers?

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by Lex Luthor
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•If your PC is connected directly to the modem and you use Windows 98/98SE, click Start, Settings, Control Panel. Double-click Network. On the Configuration tab, click TCP/IP for your Ethernet adapter, then click Properties. On the IP Address tab, select Specify an IP Address, enter an IP address of 192.168.100.2 and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. Click OK and OK. Reboot if prompted.•If you have a Linksys router, go to the router's setup page and select specify an IP address, enter an IP address of 192.168.100.2, a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, and a gateway of 0.0.0.0.•If you have a Netgear router, go to menu 4, change IP Address Assignment to Static, IP Address to 192.168.100.2, IP Subnet Mask to 255.255.255.0, and Gateway IP Address to 0.0.0.0.

  jview /cp docsdiag.jar docsdiag

  java -cp docsdiag.jar docsdiag

•For a direct connection to the modem, go back to the TCP/IP Properties dialog box and select Obtain an IP address automatically. Reboot if prompted.•For a Linksys router, go back to the router's setup page and select Obtain an IP address automatically.•For a Netgear router, go back to menu 4 and change IP Address Assignment to Dynamic.

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by jaa edited by Lex Luthor
last modified: 2003-09-17 14:36:57

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by drake edited by Lex Luthor
last modified: 2004-03-26 07:00:48

·What are OOL's email parameters?
·What are OOL's email limits?
·How can I check my mail via the web?
·How do I submit missed, unwanted spam e-mail messages to be filtered.
·How do I submit e-mail messages that have been miscategorized as Spam?
·Can I use a non-OOL SMTP (outgoing mail) server?

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by JDCMAN edited by Lex Luthor
last modified: 2008-06-08 15:05:50

·I ran a tweak test and I see packet retransmissions, why?
·How do I test for packet loss?
·Why is my modem activity light constantly flashing (even if my pc is off)?
·How do I request a firmware update?
·I've upgraded firmware on my 3com sharkfin and the diagnostics page is gone.
·I'm Experiencing Packet Loss, What do I do?

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by Lex Luthor
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·What speed caps does OOL use?
·How can I test my speed?
·What kinds of speeds should I be getting?
·How come I'm not getting 8Mbps like you?
·Can you please explain kilobits vs. kilobytes?
·I am getting slow speeds in peak hours. What can I do?
·What is an NDT speed server and why should I trust it?

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by spidey3 edited by Lex Luthor
last modified: 2005-05-23 11:45:23

·How can I share my connection?
·Can I share my connection with only a HUB?
·Am I allowed use a router to share my connection?
·Can I use my modem at another location?

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1         
General Questions

1.1         
What is the purpose of this group?

Cablevision_digital is a general discussion group
for all things related to Cablevision’s iO digital television offering in New
York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.  The
group can be accessed via a web browser at href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cablevision_digital">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cablevision_digital,
or, you may elect to post and receive messages via electronic mail.

name="_Can_I_discuss">style='mso-bookmark:_Toc36803554'>1.2         
style='mso-bookmark:_Toc36803554'>Can I discuss Optimum Online here?

Generally speaking, no. 
Optimum Online discussions are held in the lioptonline Yahoo!
Group.  (The “li” is for Long Island,
but the group has since expanded and includes users from Cablevision’s entire
Optimum Online service area in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.)style="mso-spacerun: yes">  See href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lioptonline">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lioptonline
for more information.

1.3         
Can I discuss Optimum Voice here?

Generally speaking, no. 
While there is no specific discussion group for Optimum Voice, it is a
discussion better suited for the Optimum Online discussion group (see “href="#_Can_I_discuss">Can I discuss Optimum Online here?”).

1.4         
Is this an “official” Cablevision support channel?

No.  This group is
not maintained, owned, moderated, or endorsed in any way by Cablevision.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  That being said, there are a few Cablevision
employees who regularly read and post to the group (see “Who
is Wilt Hildenbrand?” and “Who is Rick Spanbauer?”).style="mso-spacerun: yes">  However, they do this on their own time, and
not as an official part of their jobs.

style='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002636'>1.5style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         
style='mso-bookmark:_Toc36803557'>Who is Wilt Hildenbrand?

Wilt Hildenbrand is Cablevision’s Executive Vice President
of Engineering and Technology.  He is a
frequent reader of this group, and does his best to provide us with notice of
what’s going on with the iO and iO HDTV service.  For more information on Wilt’s background, experience, and
current projects, see his bio page on the Cablevision web site: href="http://www.cablevision.com/company/content/cor/leadership/wh_bio.html">http://www.cablevision.com/company/content/cor/leadership/wh_bio.html.

style='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002637'>1.6style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         
style='mso-bookmark:_Toc36803558'>Who is Rick Spanbauer?

Put a
short answer here (give his title, and kudos for all his help) – does he have a
bio page?

2         
General iO Questions

2.1         
What is iO?

Interactive Optimum (iO) is a digital cable service from
Cablevision.  Features include
additional channels over and above those included in Cablevision’s analog cable
offerings, digital music channels, video on demand, and interactive television
channels.  For complete information, see
http://www.io.tv.

2.2         
What channel packages does iO offer?

Generally, iO offers everything in Cablevision’s analog
Family Cable offering, plus about two dozen additional digital channels.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Depending on your subscription level, it
also offers multiple channels of HBO, Showtime, STARZ!, The Movie Channel
(TMC), Encore, and Cinemax.  You may
also subscribe to sports packages such as NBA League Pass and NHL Center Ice,
non-package premium channels (e.g., Playboy), and video-on-demand
services.  Channel lineups differ
slightly by location; see http://www.io.tv or
contact your Cablevision office for the current lineup in your area.

2.3         
How are the iO channel packages priced?

Generally, you can add the basic (non-premium) iO channels
to an existing Cablevision subscription for $9.95/month.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Other packages, which replace your current
service, are available for $64.95/month and $84.95/month (the difference is the
number of premium channels).  Set-top
boxes needed to receive iO services are rented for $2.95/month.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Video-on-demand services incur additional
cost, as do the various sports packages and non-package premium channels.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Pricing may vary by area, and may change
over time; see http://www.io.tv or contact your
Cablevision office for current pricing information in your area.

2.4         
What Cablevision systems currently offer iO?

Need
an answer.

2.5         
When will my Cablevision system offer iO?

Need
an answer.

2.6         
Are all the channels in the iO packages digital?

No.  The analog
channels that you currently receive (generally, the 75-or-so channels in the
“family cable” packages) will continue to arrive in analog format with iO.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  But the additional channels you receive when
you switch to an iO package (or add it to an existing analog package) will
arrive in digital.

2.7         
Do I need a set-top box to receive iO channels?

You will need a set-top box (not the same as the one you
may currently have to receive analog premium channels) to receive the digital
channels, order video on demand services, or listen to the digital music
channels.

2.8         
Do I need a set-top box for every television in the house?

No.  Those
televisions that do not have an iO set-top box will continue to receive the
analog channels they receive today (with or without an existing set-top
box).  However, any television not
equipped with an iO set-top box will not be able to receive the digital
channels, order video on demand services, or listen to the digital music
channels.

2.9         
Are all iO channels transmitted in stereo?style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Dolby Digital?  5.1 Surround?

All digital channels are transmitted in, at a minimum,
stereo and Dolby Digital, but they vary in format from Dolby ProLogic all the
way up to Dolby Digital Version 3 (“5.1”). 
Some of the analog channels will also broadcast surround sound (Dolby
Digital Version 2.1 or 3) at various times according to their programming.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Some of the video-on-demand premium channels
and some of the non-premium video-on-demand channels are also broadcast in full
Dolby Digital 5.1 surround; a high percentage of them use Dolby Digital Version
2.0.  If you have the SA4200/SA4200HD
set-top box, the Dolby Digital sound is only distributed via the coaxial audio
output; the analog audio outputs are just plain stereo.

3         
General iO HDTV Questions

3.1         
What high-definition channels does iO offer?

With the exception of Bergen and Elizabeth, New Jersey,
four high-definition channels are offered: MSG-HD (channel 146), FSNY-HD (147),
HBO-HD (310), and SHO-HD (330).   You
must subscribe to a package that offers the standard definition version of a
channel to receive the high definition version.

HBO-HD and FSNY-HD are not currently available on the
Bergen and Elizabeth systems; this should be rectified sometime in mid-March
2003.

3.2         
What high definition programming is on MSG-HD and FSNY-HD?

Most live broadcasts of Knicks, Rangers, and Mets home
games are in high definition on MSG-HD. 
Most live broadcasts of Islanders and Devils home games are in high
definition on FSNY-HD.  Everything else
(including replays of these games) is standard definition (480i) programming
up-converted to 1080i.

3.3         
What about high definition local/network channels (ABC, CBS,
FOX, NBC, PBS)?

Cablevision is currently negotiating retransmission
agreements with the local broadcast stations for carriage of their digital
channels.

3.4         
Which Cablevision systems currently offer iO HDTV channels?

Need
an answer.

3.5         
When will my Cablevision system offer iO HDTV channels?

Need
an answer.

3.6         
Are there any special requirements to receive iO HDTV
channels?

You must have an HDTV capable set with component video
inputs, and you must subscribe to one of the iO service offerings.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  To receive HBO-HD and/or SHO-HD, you must
also subscribe to the corresponding standard definition version of the channel
(i.e., you must subscribe to HBO to receive HBO-HD, and you must subscribe to
Showtime to receive SHO-HD).

3.7         
How much do the iO HDTV channels cost?

At the present time (March 2003), there is no additional
cost for the HDTV channels provided you subscribe to a programming package that
offers the standard definition version of each channel.

4         
General Set-Top Box Questions

4.1         
What set-top box(es) do I need to receive regular (not
high-definition) iO?

Outside of New York City, Cablevision is currently using
the Scientific Atlanta SA4200 for regular iO. 
In New York City, they are using the SA1850.  The primary difference between the two is that the SA4200 speaks
the DOCSIS protocol, and the SA1850 speaks DAVIC.

The Sony DHG-M55CV, which was installed for iO before the
SA4200 (especially on Long Island), is being phased out.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Customers who have them may continue to use
them, and may even exchange broken ones for working ones, but no new Sonys are
being given out.

The general (but by no means universal) consensus on the
group is that the SA4200 is a better box.

4.2         
What set-top box(es) do I need to receive high definition iO?

The Scientific Atlanta SA4200HD is the “official” high
definition box.  It provides component
video out (as well as lower-quality signals).

The Sony DHG-M55CV is capable of receiving a high
definition signal and sending it out the IEEE
1394 port, however, Cablevision has had problems with this in some areas, and
support is spotty (it’s at the level of “well, as long as it doesn’t break
anything else”).

There are not presently any solutions from Cablevision
that provide DVI/HDMI or “official” href="#_What_is_1394/Firewire?">IEEE 1394 output, although there are plans
to offer them sometime in the future (no specific timetable has been given).

4.3         
Can I use my own set-top box instead of renting one from
Cablevision?

Need
an answer. -- No, and explain why

4.4         
My television has a (built-in, set-top box) high definition
tuner.  Can I use that instead of
Cablevision’s set-top box?

No.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Over-the-air HDTV signals (the ones that
your tuner is designed to receive) are transmitted in href="#_What_is_8VSB?">8VSBstyle='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002662'>
format.  This format is fine for
over-the-air, but takes up too much bandwidth for use in cable systems.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Cablevision delivers HDTV signals in href="#_What_is_QAM?">QAMstyle='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002662'>
format, which is much more bandwidth-efficient (it offers other advantages as
well).  In the future, HDTV sets are
likely to include tuners that can receive HDTV cable signals, but there are
none on the market at present.

5         
Scientific Atlanta SA4200 (Regular iO) Questions

5.1         
Where can I purchase my own SA4200?

You can’t. 
Scientific Atlanta sells only to cable companies.

5.2         
Can I self-install the SA4200 or do I need a service call?

Generally, you can pick up the SA4200 at any Cablevision
walk-in center, take it home, and install it yourself.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  If you’re not comfortable doing this, or if
you don’t have a walk-in center nearby, you can also have Cablevision install
it for you.

5.3         
Is there a SA4200 user manual available on-line?

The Cablevision user’s manual is available at href="http://www.io.tv/pdf/sa.pdf">http://www.io.tv/pdf/sa.pdf.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  The quick reference guide is also available:
http://www.io.tv/pdf/sa_quick.pdf.

The Scientific Atlanta user’s manual is available at href="http://www.sciatl.com/explorerclub/getting_started/745461B.pdf">http://www.sciatl.com/explorerclub/getting_started/745461B.pdf.

5.4         
What connections are available on the SA4200?

The current version of the SA4200 that Cablevision is
using has:

Video
Outputs

RF Cable

S-Video

Composite video (Yellow RCA
plug)

Audio
Outputs

Digital via coaxial connection

Analog stereo (Red/white RCA
plugs)

Other

1 power outlet (can be on all the
time, or turn on/off with the box)

1 RF Cable input

style='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002669'>5.5style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         
style='mso-bookmark:_Toc36803587'>How do I enter set-up mode on the SA4200?

Press the SETTINGS button twice.  You can now use the directional buttons to navigate the
menus.  There are about 20 settings that
can be controlled via the menus, including setting or editing favorite
channels, video timers, reminders, state of the clock while watching (or not
watching) the set, depth of the audio stream, sleep timer, state of the power
outlet on the back of the unit, channel blocking, pin number, and others.

5.6         
How do I control the SA4200 digital sound output?

From the settings menu (see “How do I
enter set-up mode on the SA4200?”), use the digital sound out
settings.  You can select “Dolby
Digital” or “other.”  “Other” is 48 MHz
PCM sound.

style='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002670'>5.7style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         
style='mso-bookmark:_Toc36803589'>How do I reboot the SA4200?

Unplug the box from the power source, wait 30 seconds, and
plug it back in.  When the display on
the front of the box shows the current time, the box has successfully
rebooted.  Alternatively, you can reboot
the box from the buttons on the front. Hold down the Vol - / Vol + / Info
buttons together.  Note: it is
possible that, if there are serious iO network problems when you reboot, your
box may not be able to sync up with the iO servers, rendering your iO service
unusable until the network problems are resolved.

style='mso-bookmark:_Toc36803590'>5.8         
How do I view
the diagnostics pages on the SA4200?

Method 1:  On the
box itself, hold down the “+” key in the center of the directional arrows until
the LED next to the message icon on the box starts to flash.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Then press INFO.  You can scroll through the pages with VOL+ and VOL-.

Method 2:  On the
remote, make sure the switch is set to VOD. 
Hold down the PAUSE key until the LED next to the message icon on the
box starts to flash.  Then press
PAGE+.  You can scroll through the pages
with PAGE+ and PAGE-.

5.9         
The time on my SA4200 just reset?  What happened?

A new version of the Guide or SA4200 firmware was pushed
to your box (by Cablevision).

5.10      
How do I check the transmit / receive levels on the SA4200?

Enter diagnostics mode.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  On the first page, FDC should be in the
range –10 to +10.  Tuner should be in
the range –5 to +5.  RDC is the amount
of signal your box has to transmit back to the head end (-60 is fine).style="mso-spacerun: yes">  All the values should be shown in
white.  If any of them are orange, you
may want to place a service call so a technician can check cables, splitters,
etc.

5.11      
My SA4200 just locked up! 
What happened?  How do I fix it?

You can reboot it (see “How do I
reboot the SA4200?”).  If this does
not fix the box (or if you seem to have to do it frequently), call Customer
Services and tell them so.  Get a credit
for the outage while you talk to them. 
Be nice.

5.12      
Can I have both Sony DHG-M55CV and Scientific Atlanta
SA4200/SA4200HD boxes?

No.  Although it’s
true that the boxes can coexist in the same house (after all, they both attach to
the same system), Cablevision’s policy is that you can have one kind or the
other, but not both.  The reason for
this is that the two boxes work very differently when it comes to ordering
movies and other services, and it creates a substantial mess in the back-end
systems to try to keep both boxes on the same account.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Not to mention that you lose some of the pause/restart/active
rental features, as well.

5.13      
When I press the “INFO” button to get detailed program
information, it says there is “no information available.”style="mso-spacerun: yes">  How do I get the information?

Reboot the box.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  This should refresh the programming
information.  You may need to reboot
twice.  Be prepared to not watch
television for a minute or two while the box is rebooting.

6         
Scientific Atlanta SA1850 (Regular iO) Questionsstyle='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002674'>

6.1style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         
Where can I purchase my own SA1850?

You can’t.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Scientific Atlanta sells only to cable
companies.

6.2style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         
Can I self-install the SA1850 or do I need a service call?

Generally, you can
pick up the SA1850 at any Cablevision walk-in center, take it home, and install
it yourself.  If you’re not comfortable
doing this, or if you don’t have a walk-in center nearby, you can also have
Cablevision install it for you.

6.3style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         
Is there a SA1850 user manual available on-line?

The Cablevision user’s
manual is available at style='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002674'>http://www.io.tv/pdf/sa.pdfstyle='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002674'>.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  The quick reference guide is also available:
http://www.io.tv/pdf/sa_quick.pdf.

The Scientific Atlanta
user’s manual is available at href="http://www.sciatl.com/explorerclub/getting_started/4001343A.pdf">style='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002674'>http://www.sciatl.com/explorerclub/getting_started/4001343A.pdfstyle='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002674'>.

6.4style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         
What connections are available on the SA1850?

The current
version of the SA1850 that Cablevision is using has:

style='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002674'>Video Outputs

RF
Cable

S-Video

Composite
video (Yellow RCA plug)

style='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002674'>Audio Outputs

Digital
via coaxial connection

Analog
stereo (Red/white RCA plugs)

style='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002674'>Other

1
power outlet (can be on all the time, or turn on/off with the box)

1
RF Cable input

name="_How_do_I_6">6.5style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         
How do I enter
set-up mode on the SA1850?

Press the SETTINGS
button twice.  You can now use the
directional buttons to navigate the menus. 
There are about 20 settings that can be controlled via the menus,
including setting or editing favorite channels, video timers, reminders, state
of the clock while watching (or not watching) the set, depth of the audio
stream, sleep timer, state of the power outlet on the back of the unit, channel
blocking, pin number, and others.

6.6style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         
How do I control the SA1850 digital sound output?

From the settings
menu (see “How
do I enter set-up mode on the SA1850?style='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002674'>”), use the digital sound out settings.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  You can select “Dolby Digital” or
“other.”  “Other” is 48 MHz PCM sound.

name="_How_do_I_4">6.7style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         
How do I reboot
the SA1850?

Unplug the box
from the power source, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  When the display on the front of the box
shows the current time, the box has successfully rebooted.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Alternatively, you can reboot the box from
the buttons on the front. Hold down the Vol - / Vol + / Info buttons
together.  Note: it is possible
that, if there are serious iO network problems when you reboot, your box may
not be able to sync up with the iO servers, rendering your iO service unusable
until the network problems are resolved.

name="_How_do_I_5">6.8style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         
How do I view
the diagnostics pages on the SA1850?

Method 1:style="mso-spacerun: yes">  On the box itself, hold down the “+” key in
the center of the directional arrows until the LED next to the message icon on
the box starts to flash.  Then press
INFO.  You can scroll through the pages
with VOL+ and VOL-.

Method 2:style="mso-spacerun: yes">  On the remote, make sure the switch is set
to VOD.  Hold down the PAUSE key until
the LED next to the message icon on the box starts to flash.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Then press PAGE+.  You can scroll through the pages with PAGE+ and PAGE-.

6.9style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         
The time on my SA1850 just reset?  What happened?

A new version of
the Guide or SA1850 firmware was pushed to your box (by Cablevision).

6.10style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>       How
do I check the transmit / receive levels on the SA1850?

Enter href="#_How_do_I_5">diagnostics modestyle='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002674'>.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  On the first page, FDC should be in the
range –10 to +10.  Tuner should be in
the range –5 to +5.  RDC is the amount
of signal your box has to transmit back to the head end (-60 is fine).style="mso-spacerun: yes">  All the values should be shown in
white.  If any of them are orange, you
may want to place a service call so a technician can check cables, splitters,
etc.

6.11style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>       My
SA1850 just locked up!  What
happened?  How do I fix it?

You can reboot it
(see “How
do I reboot the SA1850?style='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002674'>”). 
If this does not fix the box (or if you seem to have to do it
frequently), call Customer Services and tell them so.  Get a credit for the outage while you talk to them.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Be nice.

6.12style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>       When
I press the “INFO” button to get detailed program information, it says there is
“no information available.”  How do I
get the information?

href="#_How_do_I_4">Reboot the boxstyle='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002674'>.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  This should refresh the programming
information.  You may need to reboot
twice.  Be prepared to not watch
television for a minute or two while the box is rebooting.

7style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         
Sony DHG-M55CV (iO and iO HDTV) Questions

7.1         
Where can I purchase my own DHG-M55CV?

Need
an answer. – You can’t, and explain why

7.2         
Can I self-install the DHG-M55CV or do I need a service call?

Need
an answer.

7.3         
Is there a DHG-M55CV user manual available on-line?

The user’s manual is available from Cablevision at href="http://www.io.tv/pdf/sony.pdf">http://www.io.tv/pdf/sony.pdf.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  The quick reference guide is also available:
http://www.io.tv/pdf/sony_quick.pdf.

7.4         
What connections are available on the DHG-M55CV?

The current version of the DHG-M55 that Cablevision is
using (the “CV” in the model number stands for “Cablevision”) has:

Video
Outputs

RF Cable

S-Video

Composite video (Yellow RCA plug)

Digital video (IEEE
1394/Firewire)

Audio
Outputs

Digital via coaxial or optical
connection

Analog stereo (Red/white RCA
plugs) (two outputs, one variable, one fixed)

Other

1 A/V input (composite video and
stereo audio) – can be sent to all analog outputs

1 RF Cable input

7.5         
How do I enter set-up mode on the DHG-M55CV?

Press the large “IO” button on the remote, and then choose
“Options & Help.”

7.6         
How do I reboot the DHG-M55CV?

On the box’s front panel, press
and hold the “FULL TV” and “Down Arrow” buttons.       

7.7         
Can I have both Sony DHG-M55CV and Scientific Atlanta
SA4200/SA4200HD boxes?

No.  Although it’s true
that the boxes can coexist in the same house (after all, they both attach to
the same system), Cablevision’s policy is that you can have one kind or the
other, but not both.  The reason for
this is that the two boxes work very differently when it comes to ordering
movies and other services, and it creates a substantial mess in the back-end
systems to try to keep both boxes on the same account.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Not to mention that you lose some of the
pause/restart/active rental features, as well.

8         
Scientific Atlanta SA4200HD (iO HDTV) Questions

8.1         
Where can I purchase my own SA4200HD?

No.  Scientific
Atlanta only sells to cable companies.

8.2         
Can I self-install the SA4200HD or do I need a service call?

At the present time (March 2003), Cablevision requires you
to schedule a service call, you cannot self-install the SA4200HD.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  This was also true of the non-HD boxes when
the iO service first rolled out, and they are now self-installable, so this may
change in the future.  Several people in
the group who were nervous about allowing an installer to mess with the cables
in their home theaters simply asked the installer to hand them the box, plugged
it in themselves, and then let the installer do his or her setup chores.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Ask politely, and you should be able to do
this too, if it concerns you.

8.3         
Is there a SA4200HD user manual available on-line?

The Cablevision user’s manual is available at href="http://www.io.tv/pdf/sa.pdf">http://www.io.tv/pdf/sa.pdf.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  The quick reference guide is also available:
http://www.io.tv/pdf/sa_quick.pdf.

The Scientific Atlanta user’s manual is available at href="http://www.sciatl.com/explorerclub/getting_started/4001344.pdf">http://www.sciatl.com/explorerclub/getting_started/4001344.pdf.
 

8.4         
What connections are available on the SA4200HD?

The current version of the SA4200HD that Cablevision is
using has:

Video
Outputs

RF Cable

S-Video

Component video (Y/Pb/Pr cables)

Composite video (Yellow RCA
plug)

Audio
Outputs

Digital via coaxial connection

Analog stereo (Red/white RCA
plugs) (two sets)

Other

1 power outlet (can be on all the
time, or turn on/off with the box)

1 RF Cable input

8.5         
Do I have to provide my own component video cables?style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Should I?

Cablevision provides them, and they seem to be of
reasonable quality.  You may provide
your own if you so desire.

8.6         
What output resolutions and stretch modes does the SA4200HD
support?

The SA4200HD supports 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i
output.  It provides "stretch"
and "zoom" modes for all output modes on standard definition
channels.  It also provides "stretch"
and "zoom" for output modes 480p and 480i on HD channels (the HD will
be "down-converted" to the selected output mode).

style='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002689'>8.7style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         
style='mso-bookmark:_Toc36803624'>You say the SA4200HD supports _____
resolution, but I don’t see it in the menu?

Your installer may not have set up the box with all
resolutions supported by your HDTV. 
Turn the box off and leave your TV on.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Press GUIDE and INFO buttons simultaneously
on the set top box (not the remote). 
Follow the instructions on the screen to enable all output modes that
your HDTV supports.

8.8         
How do I enter set-up mode on the SA4200HD?

Turn the SA4200HD off and turn your television on.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Press the GUIDE and INFO buttons
simultaneously on the SA4200HD (on the box itself, not the remote).style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Follow the instructions on the screen.

style='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002691'>8.9style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         
style='mso-bookmark:_Toc36803626'>How do I reboot the SA4200HD?

Unplug the box from the power
source, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. 
When the display on the front of the box shows the current time, the box
has successfully rebooted. 
Alternatively, you can reboot the box from the buttons on the front.
Hold down the Vol - / Vol + / Info buttons together.  Note: it is possible that, if there are serious iO network
problems when you reboot, your box may not be able to sync up with the iO
servers, rendering your iO service unusable until the network problems are
resolved.

style='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002692'>8.10style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>       style='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002692'>How
do I view the diagnostics pages on the SA4200HD?

Method 1:style="mso-spacerun: yes">  On the box itself, hold down the “+” key in
the center of the directional arrows until the LED next to the message icon on
the box starts to flash.  Then press
INFO.  You can scroll through the pages
with VOL+ and VOL-.

Method 2:style="mso-spacerun: yes">  On the remote, make sure the switch is set
to VOD.  Hold down the PAUSE key until
the LED next to the message icon on the box starts to flash.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Then press PAGE+.  You can scroll through the pages with PAGE+ and PAGE-.

8.11style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>       How
do I check the transmit / receive levels on the SA4200HD?

Enter href="#_How_do_I_2">diagnostics modestyle='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002692'>.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  On the first page, FDC should be in the
range –10 to +10.  Tuner should be in
the range –5 to +5.  RDC is the amount
of signal your box has to transmit back to the head end (-60 is fine).style="mso-spacerun: yes">  All the values should be shown in white.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  If any of them are orange, you may want to
place a service call so a technician can check cables, splitters, etc.

8.12style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>       Can
I have both Sony DHG-M55CV and Scientific Atlanta SA4200/SA4200HD boxes?

No.  Although it’s
true that the boxes can coexist in the same house (after all, they both attach
to the same system), Cablevision’s policy is that you can have one kind or the
other, but not both.  The reason for
this is that the two boxes work very differently when it comes to ordering
movies and other services, and it creates a substantial mess in the back-end
systems to try to keep both boxes on the same account.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Not to mention that you lose some of the
pause/restart/active rental features, as well.

8.13      
I just switched from the Sony to the SA4200HD.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Where are my interactive channels?

At this time, the SA4200HD does not support some of the
interactive television features of iO.

8.14      
How come I don’t see the guides on the S-Video or composite
video outputs?

At present (March 2003), the guides are only transmitted
on the component outputs.  The other
outputs are intended for connection to recording devices, not general viewing.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Wilt (see “Who is
Wilt Hildenbrand?”) has indicated that this may (not definite) change in
the future, however.

8.15      
I’m seeing black (or grey) bars on the top/bottom/sides and I
don’t think I should be?

You may need to set the SA4200HD to understand the
resolutions your television will accept (see “You say
the SA4200HD supports _____ resolution, but I don’t see it in the menu?”).style="mso-spacerun: yes">  Also note the following:

·style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>        
On 4:3 televisions, horizontal bars on top and bottom
are “normal” when viewing 16:9 content.

·style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>        
On 4:3 televisions, bars on all four sides (leaving you
with a 4:3 picture smaller than your screen) can occur when viewing an
up-converted standard definition program in 4:3 format on an SA4200HD set to
output 1080i (16:9 format).

Your television sees 1080i and
knows it is 16:9 format (giving you the bars on top and bottom).

·style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>        
Whatever is doing the up-converting knows the format is
supposed to be 16:9, and adds the bars to the sides.

·style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>        
Other
situations?

8.16      
I’m getting lots and lots of audio dropouts on the HD
channels.  What’s wrong?style='mso-bookmark:_Toc35002696'>

This is a know
problem, and Cablevision and SA are working on it.  As of March 15, 2003 the latest estimate from Wilt is “7 to 10
days for data, then a test cycle to push it out.”

8.17style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>       I’m
getting this annoying flickering white line on MSG-HD.style="mso-spacerun: yes">  What’s wrong?

It’s a bug in the
transport.  As of late March 2003,
Cablevision is awaiting a software update from SA to fix it..

8.18style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>       I
leave my SA4200HD on all the time, but sometimes it seems to turn itself
off.  What’s wrong?

It’s a known
problem, and as of March 2003, Cablevision is awaiting a software update from
SA to fix it.

8.19style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>       When
I change between an analog channel and an HD channel on the SA4200HD, the box
freezes up?  What’s wrong?

This is a know
problem, an

feedback form feedback form

by Lex Luthor
last modified: 2003-04-02 10:50:14