BHN
@rr.com
| reply to thegreenalexander
Re: Access to Video Files?
I have the SA8000 also. I also work for the local cable company. Ive opened the boxand taken several digital pics of the inside. No seal is broken when you open the box. The hard drive uses a standard IDE connector and has nothing on it to prevent you from plugging it into pc.
They cant tell if youve opened the box or not. I tried switching a couple of jumpers that were on the mobo,on two settings the box would not power off and with the jumpers completely off I noticed no change when the box was on,I was still not able to record video on demand or hbo on demand.
The firewire ports are disabled,as is the usb in the front.The rca inputs on the back can be used to plug in camcorders though I havent tried that yet.
No key code entry box comes up when I plug a usb receiver in to the front usb port.
I hear the firewire ports will be enabled in a future software update,which hopefully is soon because the box has a few bugs.
There is some weird blue string glued to the mobo which seems to be attached to nothing....very strange.
If you want to see the pics email me at tramp666@hotmail.com and Ill send em over.
Id really like to be able to transfer from the hard drive and also record vod/hod. |
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Tarran
@optonline.net
| Since it seems that people are talking about how to access the video files does anyone know how to access the video files while the system is still hooked up to a tv? I really want to watch the stuff I have recorded on my system while I am home for the summer. The service I have at home is Optimum Online while the service I got the box with is Time Warner. I tried asking OptOnline if they had any plans for a dvr only to get a dumbfounded response of "we're a cable company, we don't sell things like that" !-! |
|
sure
@cox.net
| I don't believe the linux program that you get when you do a search for AVFS is what is on the hard drive. That is a program that you install into linux, not a file system for a hard drive. I think it is more likely a filesystem called ST AVFS by STMicroelectronics, but I have not been able to get any info on that or confirm my suspicion in any way. I have not been able to get any more info on ITFS.
I have been able to get my hands on some data from the hard drive and I can confirm that there is a 1 gig (base 2) partition in the front that seems to store the os and the descriptions of the recordings. (One thing I found strange was that the first two sectors are identical and it didn't use standard partition information in the first sector.) The rest of the drive appears to be raw data and I do believe that it is encrypted. One of the main reasons I think that is the case is that I can find nothing that resembles an mpeg header in the data. I doubt it will be easy to decrypt the movies, but that doesn't mean it's impossible.
Whoever was able to access the files on the hard drive, were you able to actually read the file system or did you just have the raw data? If you read the file system, how? If not, what info were you able to get about the data? |
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moorphey
@rr.com
| How to access information in SA 8000
hi, FWIW I just accessed all 22 pages of info (haven't a clue how to change anything here.
On the BOX, not the remote, hold down the middle button (marked +) and hold it until the envelope on the left of the box flashes. Then, return to the right side of the box and press the INFO button.
You can scroll through the pages by pressing the Vol+ - buttons (again, this is all on the box, not the remote). The channel keys change the channel!
When you are done, press the exit button.
The info was interesting. Maxtor HD Model Number 4R080L0, Size, 160,080,528
There were also warnings I did not understand:
WARNING: 030711.04:40 [IP Daemon] @Sara_Mem_Core.c:890 [atj]
Hope this info helps y'all |
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E8000_User
join:2003-07-11
Encino, CA
| reply to Simflyer
Re: Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8000
I just picked up the SA Explorer 8000 from TWC in the West (San Fernando) Valley, LA, CA. So far, my only problem is that we have it in our bedroom and the drive seek (what I assume it is) noise is almost like a clock tick. Its very annoying! It generates this noise even when the red record light is out. Anyone else noticed this? Anyone have any ideas on how to muffle or mask the sound? Thanks. |
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Cyreiz
@rr.com | reply to moorphey
Re: How to access information in SA 8000
How long do you have to hold it? |
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moorphey
@rr.com | Cyreiz,
It is a matter of seconds rather than minutes or hours. Maybe 2 or 3 or 5 second . . . I didn't time it, but it IS a brief time (similar to when you program a remote, but this is on the box). The light is green
Hope this helps. |
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moorphey
@rr.com
| reply to E8000_User
Re: Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8000
What you hear is the perpetual cache building. When you turn the TV on there will be up to 2 hours of whatever station you are on so you can back up and see what you missed . This cache is replaced (back to zero) as soon as you switch channels.
These units use a Maxtor drive and they tend to be noisy. My Tivo unit is a Sony and it runs silently (I hear the Tivo brand Tivos are noisier and the Samsungs make the quietest HDs).
When you are going to sleep at night, consider using the sleep timer by going into the >settings menu (button on the left of >select) choose the time you want to elapse before you go to sleep)and set the timer for when you want the SA to turn off.
Or, for a more permanent solution, go into the whole setup menu by clicking that left button twice and scrolling until you see >Timer: Turn Off. Right cursor to >enable, then select the parameters you want, eg, turn off >daily then select the time you want it to turn off every day. (REMEMBER: this will mean you will not have a turn on cache)
You will also need to scroll down to >Set A-C Outlet and change the setting to >On with SetTop. so that the television is also turned off -- otherwise, instead of a squeaky HD you'll bask in the glow of a not quite turned off television!
Let me know how this goes and if it works for you too. Hope I've been able to help!
Moorphey
St Petersburg, FL |
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E8000_User
join:2003-07-11
Encino, CA
| Thanks for the suggestion.
Although I have not tried your suggestion yet, I probably should have mnentioned that at night I turn the unit off. The drive activity seems to continue regardless of power on/off. I've been pulling the plug on it everynight and plugging it back in in the morning.
TWC says it makes the noise because it is reviewing the program guide for programs to record. I wouldn't think it would take that much drive activity to do that.
Thanks,
Todd |
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moorphey
@rr.com
| Nah. It's not gonna get a program guide all night Sadly, the TWC people don't really have a clue and prolly know less than you do.
When my box is turned off, it is silent, and the time is off too. Try the automatic switching off. You are right to continue to do trial and error until you find just what works for you.
If it still bugs you like crazy, go to eBay and buy a Sony Tivo. This SA is a step up from nothing, but compared to my Tivo, the interface is cruddy and non-intuitive, and I keep asking myself "why doesn't this work?!"
I paid $150 for my Tivo on eBay (SVR2000) and am thrilled with it. Like all new things though, it did take time to become accustomed to. Now I don't like real time viewing because I cannot FF over ads and boring parts.
The SA is a tradeoff supplement for my office. It isn't as dependable as Tivo (3 recorded shows of 1 minute) and the FF/REW option is full of pauses and slow responses.
I have read reviews from last fall onward saying there will be software added that will cure the bugs, but they're still there. With a lottery win, we'll be a multiTivo set family. Hey, mebbe move where I can get DirecTivo!
Good luck.
Let us know what ends up working for you! |
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E8000_User
join:2003-07-11
Encino, CA
| I tried both Sleep Timer, and schedule Turn-off. Both have the same effect as just pressing the remote power-off button, or the unit's power button.
While the unit is "off", the clock still shows and the current channel cache is active and recording.
An odd note: by default, the unit is set to go to a specific channel (PPV previews) so the power-on cache is useless as the unit changes channels immediately! Once I changed that behavior to power-on to "last channel" the constant recording makes more sense, but still not to my liking.
The BIG benefit of this unit over TiVo is that it records digital channels directly - this makes a huge improvement over analog in picture quality.
Also, at $10/mo with no up front cost and no commitment, it's a lot cheaper than TiVo.
As other posts have described, I've tried to get to the info screens by holding down the units "+" button, then the info button, but I can't find any combination that works. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Todd |
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moorphey
@rr.com
| Scientific Atllanta oddities?
>Also, at $10/mo with no up front cost and no commitment, it's a lot cheaper than TiVo.>As other posts have described, I've tried to get to the info screens by holding down the units "+" button, then the info button, but I can't find any combination that works. Any ideas?
HOLD the + button down UNTIL the green mail light starts flashing.
PRESS Info.
scroll using the side arrows
Exit with exit button.
This is all done on the set top.
___________
Todd, FWIW, my Tivo SVR 2000 runs silently and consistently accurately. And it recods analog and digital so they look like we're watching real-time TV. I see NO degradation of either and no pixelation.
BTW, dya ever go to tivocommunity.com?
CU |
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E8000_User
join:2003-07-11
Encino, CA
| I've held the + button (on the unit) for about 3 minutes - never did the green mail light do anything but stay dark.
My understanding is that only the DirectTV/TiVo units record digital signals directly. All others first convert analog (from any source) to digital, then record. A friend with TiVo2 uses best quality and I don't really like the quality of the picture.
TWC wrote me back and said there's no way to disable the Live TV channel cache. So, at this point, I'm considering a power outlet timer to to power it on every morning and off every night.
Thanks,
Todd |
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moorphey
@rr.com
| Updates on Scientific Atlanta 8000 (SA 8000)
E8000 . . Just checking here . . you ARE pressing the plus sign on the BOX, right? -- the one in the little circle on the right, correct?
Mine flashes within seconds.
If it doesn't -- I suspect you have a weird box.
Your understanding is like mine -- that DirecTivo records digital directly.
Having said that, on my Tivo (A series 1--Sony SVR 2000)the picture in Basic (the lowest quality recording) looks the same as live TV. OTOH, my televisions are no great shakes.
Also (and I think I mentioned this, I have heard that the Tivo brand units are quite noisy--both the fan and the HD, and that the Sony (at least Series I) are quiet. I'll be upgrading soon, with a 120G Samsung HD, reputed to be quiet and cool compared to a Maxtor.
FWIW, I have watched the SA8000 more. It fails to record 50% or more of the shows I have on "record all" which is the closest one can come to what is a Season's Pass in Tivo. I'll check it this weekend when I have many shows scheduled.
I have it chalked up to being unreliable and untrustworthy -- kinda like a fellow I didn't like my daughter to date: Nice when he showed up, but stood her up as often as not.
I think this will be used mostly for manual recording.
If I didn't have my Tivo, this would turn me off PVRs. |
|
ckoons
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NY
| reply to moorphey
Re: Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8000
Does anybody have problems with the fast forward feature on the
Explorer 8000. After I record a movie from a premium channel or
digital channel and play it back, I have problems when I use the
fast forward button. It will fast forward for 2-3 seconds and then
the screen will freeze from anywhere between 3-10 seconds and then
it will fast forward for another 2-3 seconds and then freeze again
for 3-10 seconds. It takes forever to fast forward through the
program you recorded.
Thanks |
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shogun77
@rr.com
| reply to moorphey
Re: Scientific Atllanta oddities?
"HOLD the + button down UNTIL the green mail light starts flashing.
PRESS Info.
scroll using the side arrows
Exit with exit button."
As far as I know this trick only works on SARA based boxes and not on Passport-Echo boxes. If you don't know which software you have, reboot by either: A) with the box ON, hold down the power button on the box until the display says BOOT then let go (I don't know if this works on all boxes) or B) just unplug and plug the power cord. The splash screen after it reboots should say if it uses SARA or Passport-Echo.
Now, the info screens for Passport-Echo boxes are on a channel. The channels it's on depends on the area. On mine it's 611. Other known ones are: 711, 999, 900.
Hope this helps any. |
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moorphey
@rr.com | Interesting shogun. I _do_ have the Sara software, and was unable to access anything through channel 611 et al.
Good info. |
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moorphey
@rr.com
| reply to ckoons
Re: Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8000-ckoons
yes ckoons . . . it is really flukey. FF and REW are consistently PITAs -- stall, stutter, etc. And, once you see the place you want to stop, it takes a long time to get back there, because, of course, it goes too far back, and then too far forward. Another PITA cuz it takes almost as long to get to where you begin, you might as well have watched the boring freakin scene in the first place.
The FF/REW doesn't save much time as a result.
Tivo has an auto backtrack--understanding that the user won't stop until s/he sees the sought scene on the TV.
BTW, off topic a bit--I always have closed captioning turned on. Tivo will play the captions with a single FF. SA 8000 obliterates it. |
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shogun77
@rr.com
| reply to moorphey
Re: Scientific Atllanta oddities?
Just wanted to clear up that the info channel (611, etc.) I mentioned ONLY works on PASSPORT-ECHO boxes.
The trick that you (moorphey) mentioned to get the info screen:
"HOLD the + button down UNTIL the green mail light starts flashing.
PRESS Info.
scroll using the side arrows
Exit with exit button."
ONLY works on SARA boxes. |
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Moorphey
@rr.com
| >>the info channel (611, etc.) I mentioned ONLY works on PASSPORT-ECHO boxes.
I can accept that! I only know that does NOT work on my box which is a SARA box.
I've called repeatedly for an upgrade. The techs are clueless.
FWIW, This SA is getting worse every day. It misses more than it records. It is scheduled to record right now, but it isn't (ever faithful Tivo IS).
Yesterday, I was pleased it followed the plan to record SATC, -- even with a time overrun for 36 minutes. Sadly, it would not let me view it.
Curiouser and curiouser. |
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