2nd receiver does not have any programs (channels)

  • Thread starter Thread starter DaveOttawa
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DaveOttawa

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Hi all,

I have swapped my 2 receivers with new cards successfully for a while now. Last week I moved the 2nd receiver from a bedroom to the basement, connected the cables ( have 2 separate coax lines run from the LNB from the original installation). There is no multi-switch, simple jumpers as the 2 lines brought down to the basement; then all rooms run 2 lines down to the basement as a star network.

Having 2 lines, 2 receivers work just fine, no multi switch required. However, I noticed that the one in the basement now has different programming! All the US and CDN TV channels are gone, only those special channels remained. Since I use the basement TV for the gym purposes, I did not bother.

Secondly, the receiver is powered up by the light switch, yes, there is no power outlet installed yet, I connected to the light bulb socket using one of those power "splitter", meaning only when the light is on, receiver is turned on, reloading programs every time!

Maybe because of it, the updated programs "tried" to test if I pirate Bell signal? I have no problem being a bona fide customer, paying up to my teeth :), but this is a real nuisance.

I could try to call Bell, but wonder if the collective knowledge from this forum would give me some other info, or it would help me to reduce the time talking to the techs, being a smart customer?

Help!
Dave
 
Is there any way to run an extension chord down there?
I am almost positive this is the problem, as the receiver is not staying on enough to download the channels/epg...
I doubt it has anything to do with the piracy check
 
Thanks for your quick reply & question (i hate tv)!

Yes, I run an extension cord from the lamp power splitter (the one you screw into the light bulb socket) to provide an extended outlet) to power up the TV and receiver. Both worked fine for a week, albeilt with less number of channels that I have on the Family room. Just today all programming channels are "red", meaning I can see only the advertizing channels, 10 tips, etc, but none of the channels I subscribe to.

I followed these instructions, too, to no avail:
Models 3100, 4100, 3200, 5100, 5200, 5800, 5900, 6100, 6141, 9200 and 9242 -follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the POWER button on the front panel of your receiver until the green light turns off. Once the green light has turned off, release the POWER button.
2. Wait for the signal acquisition process to be complete (you should see Attention screen 015 on you TV screen).
3. Once the signal acquisition process is completed, check to see if your programming has returned.
4. If channels are still unavailable, try the self-serve synchronize programming option. (Log in or register to Self Care at www.bell.ca/SelfCare.) Already logged in? Synchronize now.

The next step would be synchronizing, but I have other things to do this evening, not enough for TV :(
 
The problem is that the receiver has to remain connected to the signal and powered on or it will miss some signal updates and revert back to a "non-subscribed" status, unless it's left on for a while to get synchronized again.

It is a measure that was put in place by Bell to annoy pirates even though it never really accomplish that.

Your only option is to find a way to leave the receiver powered on permanently. Maybe leave the light switch on and use a pedestal lamp where you can just turn the light off.
 
Thanks, Gimli!

Your explanation makes perfect sense, including that part (ineffectively annoying pirates but the actual user instead).


I need to break out an outlet anyway, this should stipulate the requirement :).

D.
 
I tried a few things more tonight, to no avail:

1. Use onscreen Menu-Support, tried to installed 2nd receivers. It took me a few attempts to get the Receiver and Smartcard #s right, still not working. Later I found out this would not work, as I already have the 2nd registered!

2. Reset to factory settings, this was a mistake, then no other channels can be seen (although the avail channels are commercial about Bell, HDTV ...)

Then I went Chat online with Bell, this worked!

The agent made sure the installations, cabling, switch, etc are not a problem, but she was confused with my details, almost gave up.

Then I asked the crutial question: I want to reset the receiver.

After verifying PIN, she asked me to do the step mentioned in a previous posting, press and hold the power button, which I did half a dozen time without success. The difference may be in two things:

1. I pressed and hold for 30 sec, she asked 10 sec only.
2. When I asked what did she do extra, when I went downstairs to reset the receiver, the answer is " I send a hit", I really don't understand what it is?

Anyway, after 30 sec holding pattern, when the receiver is back up, program downloaded, I now can see the same channels on the other receiver!

At least there is a conclusion, and a happy ending :)
 
Your problems will reoccur if you disconnect the hydro for extended period. The receiver needs to be connected to the satelite feed and be supplied with hydro to update itself overnight.
 
The smartcard must be able to accept the re-authorize commands to allow access to the channels you subscribe to. This requires A/C power and a sat connection as the authorization comes from the data stream. The reauthorization is required once a week give or take.

Instead of adding the receiver that is already on your account, you are really looking for the synchronize programming option to "hit" your smartcard and reauthorize it. This can only be done once a month I believe. So, the solution is to get constant A/C power to the receiver.

This was not done so much as an anti-piracy effort, but was done to stop people from subscribing, getting all the subscribed channels authorized on their smartcard (no expiry), then unplugging all their equipment, calling in to cancel. The "downgrade" and/or termination codes would be sent down to the receiver but since it was unplugged it would obviously not receive them. Then, after a month, the user could connect everything up again and watch "free" tv.

Now, since the programming authorization "expires" after a few days or a week, the most you can get is a couple of days of free tv.

If you pay your bill, and continue to subscribe and have A/C power connected, this is never an issue as the reauthorization comes down a couple of times prior to the expiry, extending it until the next reauth. So essentially has nothing to do with the cabling, switches, etc (other than the AC power issue mentioned).
 
If providing hydro is a problem, take the receiver home and attach it to a spare port on the system at home. This of course will only work if you actually have Bell at home and you have a spare line.....lol
 
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