My ViP211 had Jerky Video; Trying to Install the Replacement

[Foxbat]

I've been noticing that my ViP211 has been suffering more and more from stutters and freezes while watching video. If I do a front-panel reset, the problem usually goes away until the next day. I have the 211 set to reset and download the EPG at 5:30am every day, so it's not like it's been running for days on end. Anyway, I called Dish and the Technical CSR had the replacement sent out. It arrived yesterday, and I'm trying to get the replacement ViP211 installed this morning.

Well, the first thing is the new ViP211 does not like my DP34 during the Switch Test. It reported that my DP34 returned a bad code (x12 or x14, I didn't write it down) and showed 119 in Red with 110 and 61.5 as Green. So I unplug the 211 and the 622 downstairs, plug in the 211, clear the switch matrix on the 211, and try the Switch Test again. (Mind you, I still haven't gotten the Firmware to download yet, so I'm playing around with L056 or something.) It gets through Tests "1 of 3" and "2 of 3" pretty quickly, but then hangs on test "3 of 3". After it returned, it's showing 119 as okay, 110 as a Red "X", and 61.5 as missing.

For grins, I plugged my old ViP211 into the same satellite feed and ran the Test Switch. It finished up in about a minute and got all Green for the three satellite positions. Perhaps Dish sent me a bummer ViP211 to replace my slightly bum ViP211?

 

[Foxbat]

Update: After clearing the switch matrix, I just let it think that all it could see is 119 and the new ViP211 finally downloaded the new firmware. I'll see if the new firmware makes the Test Switch go smoother...

It did. L345 made the test go by in a minute or two. Now, on to Dish's website to activate the replacement. Plug in the new receiver's numbers, back the 211 out of the menus, and press "Submit". Within five minutes, the ViP211 takes the hit and all the DishHD channels are in the clear. No video or audio, however, hmmm...

Now the receiver has jumped into "Acquiring Satellite" mode.

Now it's rebooted!

Now it can't find a satellite. Time to check the switch matrix. Again, it's like it doesn't like my DP34! I hope the Technical CSR I'm calling is wearing asbestos underwear...

(If I had known this was going to take this long, I wouldn't have started this before going to work.)

 

[Foxbat]

Update 2: Actually, I was as pleasant as I could be to the first CSR. I had him on the phone for an hour trying different things. Eventually, the replacement ViP211 came up with my programming. I thanked "Jeff" and hung up. Time to program in the Local channels.

BOOM! No more satellite! Crap! Call Dish and get a Technical CSR who follows the book. Sorry, he can't authorize another replacement ViP211 because someone needs to check the installation. I try telling "Sam" that I can plug my old receiver in and it works fine. It's the damn replacement that doesn't seem to work. "Sorry, sir, I can't reactivate the old receiver so you can continue to watch Dish. You need to return it to us because it is defective." (Not as defective as the replacement.) "We can have a technician there between 8 and 12 on Sunday." "So," I say, "I will be without DISH programming or Local Digital stations (since the 211 is my digital OTA tuner) until Sunday?" "Since you are such a good customer, I will wave the $30 service fee."

(Honestly, this is where I started to lose my composure. First, why should I have to pay Dish for replacement of a receiver under warranty. Second, why am I paying $6/mo for the Dish Home Protection racket, er., Plan? Third, I keep on trying to tell "Sam" that I can plug the old 211 in and it works, so it isn't weather, or a tree, or a building, or some other obstruction, so I have been able to eliminate everything except for the replacement 211.)

So I hung up, unplugged the replacement 211, plugged in my old 211 and verified that yes indeed, the cable connects to the DP34. I'm surprised my old 211 hasn't taken the deauthorization hit yet, but hey, I can watch TV. After a half-hour, I unplug the "good" 211 and reconnect the replacement. It's been sitting, powered off for 30-40 minutes, and when it comes up, I go to the Check Switch screen and it finds the DP34 right away. Hmmm...

So, I let it find the satellites, download the EPG, and start checking around. Looks like I have local OTA stations now, so I start watching Discovery Channel. I'm starting to think this looks like a thermal issue. Sure enough, eleven minutes after I plugged in the replacement receiver, I get a loss of satellite signal and the good 'ol "Acquiring Satellite" screen. Now, however, I can tune in local OTA channels and watch my local HD shows, so it isn't as bad as it was before.

The ViP211 doesn't feel hot; no hotter than the old one, anyway. With that info, I guess it's time to spin the CSRoulette wheel again...

 

[Foxbat]

So, it looks like a vacation day for me today. Hell of a "vacation" if you ask me...

Anyway, third time's a charm, as "Tom" understood perfectly what I was trying to get across. So, I send back this replacement, I have a new replacement ViP211 coming (probably Monday,) and I have my old receiver re-activated so I can watch TV until the replacement's replacement arrives.

Phew.

 

[Foxbat]

The 2nd replacement ViP211 arrived today and went in exactly like it should. Check Switch found my DP34, software downloaded in ten minutes, the 211 rebooted and I could watch the freebie channels. The only hitch occurred when I went to activate the new receiver on the Dish web site. There was some issue with the on-line activation process, so I had to call the 1-800-333-DISH and talk to a technical rep to get the replacement receiver activated. "Jason" wanted to verify proper satellite reception (not a problem) and had I was getting my programming before I got off the phone with him.

I did have an issue locking the receiver (I think I had to try it three times for some reason) but other than that, it's a happy camper. The Boot Strap Version is shown as 1111RAJD; anybody know how new that is?

I've got the original receiver boxed up and ready to drop off at UPS tomorrow morning. Not a moment too soon, either, as Dish left a message on the answering machine reminding me to send the old receiver back.

 

[Foxbat]

One month later, and the replacement ViP211 is doing the same thing as my original 211 . "James" helped out and took my information, but I think because my receiver hasn't taken L349, he thought that there might be a fix for this problem and to call back if L349 doesn't fix this stuttering video.

Interesting update: I was going to try and record this to a DVD-RAm so I could bring in the video to iMovie and guess what? The S-Video out of the 211 does not exhibit the stuttering frame rate! So, something about the Component Out on the ViP211 and my Toshiba 34HF81 doesn't like to play together. But, I reset the ViP211 and the picture is okay now. I've got more to play with next time this happens.