U332 new software release for the hopper 3

[ScottJD]

Unless you are using an optical cable, Netflix never had Dolby 5.1.....

My hopper 3 is only a week old, new customer also.
Yes, the info did say 5.1 Dolby, and yes the receiver was receiving a 5.1 Dolby signal to decode over HDMI.
This would only work if you ran he Hopper into the receiver, then the receiver output to the TV also via HDMI.
It had full 5.1 surround, and now it doesn't. I think they removed it to sold others Netflix issues like the Ui-113 error. Now they have you log in first, then you get a different error code.
Still the same problem, removing the extra over head of surround sound in the packet stream was not the problem. Sounds like they are guessing now.

1. I want the surround sound back, if my Apple TV 2 can do it, the Hopper 3 should have no problems. But the Apple TV 2 was 720P, the H3 is doing 1080P. I can do Netflix 1080 but the PS3 draws a lot more power just for 1080 Netflix with surround sound.

2. I have told dish "advanced technical support" what the issue is. But I have a feeling advanced technical support is not really that advanced when a few engineering terms and network terms can confuse the hell out of the person I'm talking to. I spent five hours figuring out what the problem was, and figured out it was network related, but now I can't seem to speak to anybody valid that will listen to actually check the code and correct the problem.
If anybody has a contact for an engineer at Netflix or somebody that has something to do with the SDK of the hopper GUI please PM me so I can pass on my findings.

3. The external hard drive issue is still an issue with my box. It will not initializer or offer to format any hard drive that I plug in. This concerns me because I have a promotion for freehoppergo and I should be receiving my hopper go soon. But if the USB port doesn't recognize anything then I guess the hopper go probably won't work. I guess I'll find out when I receive it.

As for YouTube yes it seems to be working faster. But if I introduce the network problem with my router that causes the same Netflix problem then you to constantly has loading across the screen.
If anyone has axis like command line access to the hopper three maybe you can check the network stack and tell me if the drivers have the ability to do NAT acceleration and handle the package properly.
The fact that I had to turn off my net acceleration slow down my network, as a workaround. I'm not too happy about that. I pay for a fast Internet connection for a reason, and I optimize my network according to standards in the hopper three doesn't know how to follow them.

So for those having problems with Netflix and YouTube loading message try looking into your router switch advanced configuration and see if you can turn off NAT acceleration. This is very common with Asus Wi-Fi routers and some other manufacturers. You may notice a slow down with some downloads and how fast the webpages load, like I said this is a workaround and not a fix.

Which leads me to the next question, does the hopper three know how to do IPv6? Or am I going to have a problem with that also when my Internet provider converts over.. I think they already have IPv6 on board, I just haven't configure my router to use it yet until I know everything in my house is working properly the way it should be.

 

[gizbug]

After 4 months waiting for an update, this must be a "small" update as I'm not reading of any major changes or improvements =(

 

[DWS44]

After 4 months waiting for an update, this must be a "small" update as I'm not reading of any major changes or improvements =(

The main point of the update was apparently the addition of the "Accessibility" tools (voice readout, magnification) that were mandated by the gov't.

https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/21st-century-communications-and-video-accessibility-act-cvaa

 

[onethree]

H3 received the new update last night. When I went to Netflix this afternoon it required me to log in again. Once doing so all of the 5.1 audio options where gone. I only get stereo from the H3 via Netflix. System reset did no solve the issue nor did a call to Dish Support. They could find no record of this issue in their system but said they would create case and pass it on to IT. Anyone else have this issue or have a solution?

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I dont believe I have ever had any audio options in the Netflix app. (I don't remember ever seeing them)

 

[onethree]

I dont believe I have ever had any audio options in the Netflix app. (I don't remember ever seeing them)

It would show 5.1 next to the HD logo. You would also have different audio options under audio and subtitles that are not there now.

 

[Hall]

I still have the previous s/w version on my H3. I'll check....

 

[SoundMind]

I can confirm loss of DD 5.1 across all Netflix as well.

Just got Hopper 3 last week. DD 5.1 on Netflix didn't work on HDMI, so I grabbed an optical cable and 5.1 worked immediately. Had it working for one day.

Once the Hopper updated to this new version, 5.1 disappeared. Doesn't even show up in Netflix anymore (which it used to do regardless of cables) and all streams are back to Stereo PCM.

Very frustrated.

 

[Hall]

Yes, previous s/w has DD 5.1 options. Pictures available, if necessary.

I can't actually test it though - our son traded my newer, 5.1-capable receiver with an older, Pioneer Elite receiver. It's a beast but no Dolby Digital.

 

[bluegras]

if you look on netflix you will a small box it should say 5.1 when i check this morning i was watching netflix all of the titles i seen did not have 5.1 it was either HD or Ultra 4k

 

[Dirtydan]

I can't find the small box, but I see an "Info" arrow at the bottom of screen, there is no HD or 5.1. Which movie do you see this on?

 

[DialgaChampion]

Minor change, but with the new software update, now when I press FF or REW on my 52, it says "Hold for Fast Forward" or "Hold for Rewind" on the screen.

Guess they did that since people didn't know you had to hold the button down for a few seconds with the newer remotes.

 

[DWS44]

Dish Customers to Dish: "We are having a problem with the audio on Netflix. When we use HDMI, there is only stereo and no 5.1 audio. If we use Optical, we get 5.1 audio. Please fix this."

Dish/Echostar response: Removes 5.1 from Optical, such that both HDMI and Optical are now stereo, says "There...we fixed it"

 

[KAB]

My Roku(s) and I are just fine with the 5.1 here.

 

[Bobby]

My Roku(s) and I are just fine with the 5.1 here.

As it is with both my Roku and my AppleTV...

 

[wallacegromet]

Hello folks! First time poster, so please be kind
I seem to be having trouble with Video On Demand. The general symptoms are - first VOD show downloads at >90Mbps, but stops when 2/3rds of the show is downloaded, then stalls.
The next VOD, attempts to download, but stalls immediately.
As I see it there are three possible problems:
1 - Network issue (I checked my network thoroughly - I'm a network engineer, so I feel the network is good)
2 - Problem with the Hopper - hardware or software
3 - Problem with the content delivery service in the cloud

Youtube and other apps that use the internet work very well. So the internet access is working outside VOD services.

Prior to the last upgrade, I downloaded the full season of "WestWorld" without any problems. I noticed the problem just recently (which maybe coincidental to the software update).

I have opened a support ticket with Dish, but they tell me it will have to be escalated to the engineering team. If it is a software bug, a fix wouldn't be available until the next software release.
I hope it isn't a bug, because I really enjoy VOD and would hate to be without it for a long period of time.

Has anyone had trouble with VOD since the software roll-out?

 

[keckge]

I wonder if they even escalate the problems or if they just send them to some mailbox no one even bothers looking at, most of these problems never seem to get fixed.

 

[Hall]

I wonder if they even escalate the problems or if they just send them to some mailbox no one even bothers looking at, most of these problems never seem to get fixed.

I think they tell customers when they call in that they're escalating it but don't.... It gets the person off the phone though.

 

[ScottJD]

Hello folks! First time poster, so please be kind
I seem to be having trouble with Video On Demand. The general symptoms are - first VOD show downloads at >90Mbps, but stops when 2/3rds of the show is downloaded, then stalls.
The next VOD, attempts to download, but stalls immediately.
As I see it there are three possible problems:
1 - Network issue (I checked my network thoroughly - I'm a network engineer, so I feel the network is good)
2 - Problem with the Hopper - hardware or software
3 - Problem with the content delivery service in the cloud

Youtube and other apps that use the internet work very well. So the internet access is working outside VOD services.

Prior to the last upgrade, I downloaded the full season of "WestWorld" without any problems. I noticed the problem just recently (which maybe coincidental to the software update).

I have opened a support ticket with Dish, but they tell me it will have to be escalated to the engineering team. If it is a software bug, a fix wouldn't be available until the next software release.
I hope it isn't a bug, because I really enjoy VOD and would hate to be without it for a long period of time.

Has anyone had trouble with VOD since the software roll-out?

How fast is your download speed from your ISP?
What do you run, cable, ADSL, or ???
Are you using wireless or eithernet?
If you on a router behind your modem, what router do you have?

A few things to check that I noticed the Hopper 3 doesn't like. I'm also new, about 2 weeks with the hopper 3 and noticed these little things. I'm not a network engineer, but I've done a lot of networking. Mostly Cisco ASA and routers, and other firewalls.

If you have NAT acceleration enabled on the switch of the router, and are wired then I would turn off NAT accelaerarion. This is mostly true for ASUS based routers.

Also aggressive DHCP should be turned off. It might be trying to get a new IP in the middle of the download, or at the start of the download. Make sure your DHCP renew is set to 24 hours or more, even better make it a static address to the hopper once you identify the MAC address in the logs.

It could also be jumbo packets enabled that might be causing the issue, mine ran better once I set my MTU on the inside network back to a default 1500.

And since your a network guy I would guess you have IPV6 enabled, you might try turning that off. I don't think the hopper has the correct driver setting for some of these advanced networking features enabled yet. Or they are trying to enable them but it's not stable and causing problems.

If others in the house are also streaming it might be a bottle neck, but I'm sure you are aware of this. I did enable QoS, nothing special just auto fair use bandwidth sharing since another streams Netflix in a different room. Before with DirectTV this wasn't an issue since DirectTV has such slow download servers for OnDemand. When I noticed that DISH was pulling over 150 I expected this to interfear with with two different VoIP services.

The only other thing that comes to mind is a throttle on your ISP because of the size of the movies for on demand. Your ISP might think you are doing a torrent download?

 

[wallacegromet]

How fast is your download speed from your ISP?
What do you run, cable, ADSL, or ???
Are you using wireless or eithernet?
If you on a router behind your modem, what router do you have?

A few things to check that I noticed the Hopper 3 doesn't like. I'm also new, about 2 weeks with the hopper 3 and noticed these little things. I'm not a network engineer, but I've done a lot of networking. Mostly Cisco ASA and routers, and other firewalls.

If you have NAT acceleration enabled on the switch of the router, and are wired then I would turn off NAT accelaerarion. This is mostly true for ASUS based routers.

Also aggressive DHCP should be turned off. It might be trying to get a new IP in the middle of the download, or at the start of the download. Make sure your DHCP renew is set to 24 hours or more, even better make it a static address to the hopper once you identify the MAC address in the logs.

It could also be jumbo packets enabled that might be causing the issue, mine ran better once I set my MTU on the inside network back to a default 1500.

And since your a network guy I would guess you have IPV6 enabled, you might try turning that off. I don't think the hopper has the correct driver setting for some of these advanced networking features enabled yet. Or they are trying to enable them but it's not stable and causing problems.

If others in the house are also streaming it might be a bottle neck, but I'm sure you are aware of this. I did enable QoS, nothing special just auto fair use bandwidth sharing since another streams Netflix in a different room. Before with DirectTV this wasn't an issue since DirectTV has such slow download servers for OnDemand. When I noticed that DISH was pulling over 150 I expected this to interfear with with two different VoIP services.

The only other thing that comes to mind is a throttle on your ISP because of the size of the movies for on demand. Your ISP might think you are doing a torrent download?

Thank you for your reply and advice. I am definitely going to take your advice and check the settings you discussed.

I didn't dig into those details because everything has been working great and there has been no changes in my network (same equipment and firmware). Just a few days ago (not sure how many days), I watch the entire season of WW over several days without any problems. So I am scratching my head to why all of the sudden this would be a problem.

I did notice this behavior when there was no bandwidth demand from other devices.

I have a business class service from my ISP with different SLA's than the consumer service. I hope they wouldn't try to throttle me with this type of service. It would seem odd this would happen all of the sudden with the ISP as I was able to watch multiple VOD's several days ago (sometime three at one sitting and didn't seem to trigger any throttling with my ISP). Good thought and I will reach out to my corporate contact at the ISP and double check.

Just some background on DHCP (which maybe helpful to others):
DHCP typically isn't a problem due to some built-in behaviors. A device will make an attempt to renew it's lease about half way through it's assigned lease time (i.e. lease given is 4 hours - in two hours from when the lease is issued, the device will request start the renewal process - I think this is to prevent the behavior you discussed: dropping a lease in the middle of use). I did however, set my DHCP server to always give the same IP address to Hopper. The other thing I was concerned about is my use of OpenDNS and that they could be blocking content. So I have configured the DHCP lease on the Hopper to use google DNS servers, while leaving the other devices on OpenDNS. After my testing, I don't think OpenDNS was the cause because the Hopper behaved the same way with google DNS servers.

Again - I really appreciate your advice and help.