Symptom
Missing or problems with Event Timers. Receiver is recording an hour longer than the actual event. Short available record time.
Cause
Event Timer may not have been set properly. The timer may have been skipped due to conflict. You may have stopped the timer. Event Timer was set for a sporting event and it is automatically set to record an hour longer for Name Based Recording. Available record time is impacted by content and time of current recorded events. The VCR was not left on or the receiver does not have the correct VCR code. The VCR may not be set on the correct video source.
Prevention
Set timer correctly. Resolve timer conflicts. Modify the Timer by choosing the Option button to set the desired Start Early or End Late time. Complete the VCR setup.
Troubleshooting
- Does the receiver's software version match the software version on the Receiver's home page?
How to?
- Press the Menu button on the remote.
- Select System Setup
Note: System Setup option not avaliable on Model 1000 , go to the next step
- Select Installation
Note: Installation option not avaliable on DISH 721 and DISH PLAYER-DVR 921 models, go to the next step
- Select System Info
- Verify the Software Version or Software matches the current Software Version.
For DISHPLAYER 7100/7200
- Press Home on the remote
- Select Settings from the bottom of the screen
- Select Diagnostics
- Select Receiver Info
To force the software download on 211, 222, 322, 411, 522, 622, 625, 722, 942 receivers, the Updates time can be changed.
- Press Menu on the remote.
- 322: Go to System Setup, Installation, Updates.
211, 222, 411, 522, 622, 625, 722, 942: Go to Preferences then Updates.
- Change the update time to a closer time, then select Done.
- Power the receiver off. At the time chosen, the software will download. Once this has been completed, go back into the Updates preferences and change the time back to the original time set.
No
Power receiver/all tuners off to accept the upgrade. Use the Software Upgrade screen for the 721 and 921. Either 061 message or black screen with blinking LED will eventually appear. Allow up to 60 minutes for the 721, 921 and 15 - 30 minutes for all others. During this time, do not touch the receiver or remote.
Yes
- Does the receiver have good non-fluctuating signal strength (70 pts or better for Legacy signal meter and green for modified signal meter) on the affected channels (orbital locations)? Verify the signal from the receiver Point Dish screen.
No
Troubleshoot for Attention 015.
Yes
- What kind of timer was set?
Auto-Tune - All Models
DISH Pass - 501, 508, 510, 522, 622, 625, 722, 942
DVR - 501, 508, 510, 522, 622, 625, 721, 722, 921
EXT/ERD - 4900, 311, 351, 381, 501, 508, 510, 811, 921
Reminder - All Models
VCR - 4000, 4900, 5000, 6000, 111, 301, 311, 322, 351, 381, 501/508/510, 721, 811, 921, IRR
- Is the timer listed on the Timers screen?
No
The receiver stores the last 100 timers. If the timer is not listed in the Timers list, it was either too far back, the frequency was set to Once, or the timer was not created properly. Use the How To page to understand how to properly create a timer.
Yes
- For 522, 622, 625, 722, 942: Check for Deleted, Done, Stopped, Skipped next to the timer icon.
Why?
- Deleted: The timer has been deleted and will not occur again. Set a new timer. * When creating a DVR Timer, select Protect and lock the System Lock to prevent the recorded event from being deleted.
- Done: The timer has completed. If AV Recorded is displayed, the timer functioned correctly. If the event is not available, the timer may need to be changed to a DVR timer or the event may have been deleted from the hard drive. If AV Recorded is not displayed, the timer was interrupted by signal loss or power failure.
- Stopped: The timer began but was stopped by a user in the home.
- Skipped:
- User - a user chose to skip that timer.
- Not a new episode - used for "New Episode" timers. (A current season episode.)
- Incorrect event - for Weekly, Daily and Mon-Fri timers. If the guide has a different event listed (the timer was set up for Daily, but it only occurs Mon-Fri) the timer will be skipped.
- Duplicate event - there is already another timer set to record that program.
- Priority - the timer had a lower priority than other events being recorded at the time.
- Event exists in DVR - the program was already recorded and can be seen in the DVR Events list.
- Delete the timer, then recreate it.
- If the problem persists please contact us or a local independent retailer for additional assistance.
- Access the Daily Schedule for event details.
How To?
- 501, 508, 510, 522, 622, 625, 722
Press DVR three times on the remote.
- 942
Press DVR two times on the remote.
- Arrow left, scroll up through the timer list and select the problem timer.
- Is the timer listed?
No
The receiver stores the last 100 timers. If the timer is not listed in the Timers list, it was either too far back, the frequency was set to Once, or the timer was not created properly. Use the How To page to understand how to properly create a timer.
Yes
- Check for Deleted, Done, Stopped, Skipped next to the timer icon.
Why?
- Deleted: The timer has been deleted and will not occur again. You will need to set a new timer. * When creating a DVR Timer, select Protect and lock the System Lock to prevent the recorded event from being deleted.
- Done: The timer has completed. If AV Recorded is displayed, the timer functioned correctly. If the event is not available, the timer may need to be changed to a DVR timer or the event may have been deleted from the hard drive. If AV Recorded is not displayed, the timer was interrupted by signal loss or power failure.
- Stopped: The timer began but was stopped by a user in the home.
- Skipped:
- User - a user chose to skip that timer.
- Not a new episode - used for "New Episode" timers. (A current season episode.)
- Incorrect event - for Weekly, Daily and Mon-Fri timers. If the guide has a different event listed (the timer was set up for Daily, but it only occurs Mon-Fri) the timer will be skipped.
- Duplicate event - there is already another timer set to record that program.
- Priority - the timer had a lower priority than other events being recorded at the time.
- Event exists in DVR - the program was already recorded and can be seen in the DVR Events list.
- Check the priority of the timer.
How To?
Select Timers. This list displays all timers in the order of priority. The highest priority is at the top.
- Delete the timer, then recreate it.
- Select the Protect Event option.
Why?
A protected event with an unlocked system prevents the event from being recorded over by the receiver. A protected event with a locked system prevents unauthorized users from deleting the recorded event.
- If the problem persists please contact us or a local independent retailer for additional assistance.
- 942: Press the DVR button twice to go to the Schedule List.
All other dual-tuner DVRs: Press the DVR button three times to go to the Schedule List.
Select the scheduled event that is missing to view whether the event was deleted, skipped, or canceled.
- Perform
Front Panel Reset.
- Press and hold the Power button on the front panel of the receiver for five seconds.
- Wait for the receiver to reset and power on by itself.
- Verify fixed, if not, continue.
Note: this will initiate reinitialization of the Hard Drive on a 721, this takes approximately 5 minutes
- Place the receiver in standby mode by turning the receiver off from the front panel power button.
- Remove electrical power from the receiver by unplugging the receiver from the AC electrical outlet.
- Wait 15 seconds.
- Plug the receiver back into the AC electrical outlet and power on.
- Setup an event timer.
How To?
- If the problem persists please contact us or a local independent retailer for additional assistance.
- Verify the external device is connected.
Why?
The receiver does not use an IR blaster to record to an external device. The information is sent through the cabling. At this time, the PocketDISH is the only supported external device.
- For 211, 322, 411, 522, 625 receivers only: Verify ERD is enabled.
211, 322, 411 How To?
- Press Menu on the remote.
- Go to System Setup, Installation, VCR Setup.
- Select ERD Setup.
- Verify Enable is selected, then select OK.
522, 625 How To?
- Press Menu on the remote.
- Go to Preferences, then Record Plus.
- Select ERD Setup.
- Verify Enable is selected, then select OK.
- Setup an event timer
How To?.
- If the problem persists please contact us or a local independent retailer for additional assistance.
- Is the timer listed on the Timers screen?
No
The receiver stores the last 100 timers. If the timer is not listed in the Timers list, it was either too far back, the frequency was set to Once, or the timer was not created properly. Use the How To page to understand how to properly create a timer.
Yes
- Check for Deleted, Done, Stopped, Skipped next to the timer icon.
Why?
- Deleted: The timer has been deleted and will not occur again. Set a new timer. * When creating a DVR Timer, select Protect and lock the System Lock to prevent the recorded event from being deleted.
- Done: The timer has completed. If AV Recorded is displayed, the timer functioned correctly. If the event is not available, the timer may need to be changed to a DVR timer or the event may have been deleted from the hard drive. If AV Recorded is not displayed, the timer was interrupted by signal loss or power failure.
- Stopped: The timer began but was stopped by a user in the home.
- Skipped:
- User - a user chose to skip that timer.
- Not a new episode - used for "New Episode" timers. (A current season episode.)
- Incorrect event - for Weekly, Daily and Mon-Fri timers. If the guide has a different event listed (the timer was set up for Daily, but it only occurs Mon-Fri) the timer will be skipped.
- Duplicate event - there is already another timer set to record that program.
- Priority - the timer had a lower priority than other events being recorded at the time.
- Event exists in DVR - the program was already recorded and can be seen in the DVR Events list.
- Delete the timer, then recreate it.
- If the problem persists please contact us or a local independent retailer for additional assistance.
- Verify the VCR power was left on.
Why?
The receiver's event timer function will not power the VCR on. It will only tell it to record and to stop.
- Verify a good non-copy protected tape is being used in the VCR.
Why?
Every VHS tape has a copy protection tab on the back. If this tab is removed, the VCR cannot record onto that tape.
- Verify the receiver and VCR are set for same channel 3 or 4 on back and on VCR tuner, if using coax. RCA cables only need VCR tuner setup. (5000 has internal ¾ switch, 6K has no ¾ switch)
- Verify the proper VCR code is programmed into the receiver.
How To?
Menu : System Setup : Installation : VCR Setup, this will show the VCR code that is saved. To make changes, change the code entered on the screen, then select Test to test the VCR code. Watch the VCR to make sure it is performing the functions the onscreen messages say. If the VCR does not perform the functions, choose a different VCR code.
- Verify nothing is blocking the IR signal from the front of the receiver.
How To?
How the Event Timer IR blaster works
The receiver uses an Infrared (IR) signal transmitted from the front of the receiver to control the VCR. This signal is much stronger than the signal our remotes use, so it can bounce off walls or other objects on its way to the VCR.
This will work in most home setups. Ideally, the range can be up to 80 ft, though 20-40 ft is more realistic. Shelves or smoked glass doors between the receiver and the VCR may block the signal. If the signal must cross a very large room, bounce off of curtains, or is aimed into a corner, it may not be strong enough to control the VCR.
Make sure that nothing blocks the IR signal, including direct sunlight, and that the signal can bounce off of relatively nearby, light-colored, smooth surfaces.
One way to ensure that nothing is interfering with the IR Blaster signal is to place the receiver and VCR face to face, (front to front). This action should only be used for troubleshooting purposes.
- Verify operation by running the VCR test while out of the room.
Why?
Usually, an event timer is set to record because no one will be there to watch the program. By testing without being in the room, it is ensured that the event timer will function the same as if no one is home. If the VCR did not record, go to step 8.
How To?
Main Menu, System Setup, Installation, VCR Setup will allow you to verify a VCR code is saved. Select Test to test the VCR code. Watch the VCR to make sure it is performing the functions the onscreen messages say. If the VCR does not perform the functions, choose a different VCR code.
- Verify operation by putting the receiver and VCR face to face and running the VCR test.
Why?
If the VCR records when placed face to face with the receiver, the IR blast is not reaching back to the receiver. This can be caused by one or both of the pieces of equipment be placed in a cabinet with doors. It can also be caused from the two not being in the same room or the room is so big that the signal does not bounce off of anything to get back to the VCR.
- Setup an event timer.
How To?
- If the problem persists please contact us or a local independent retailer for additional assistance.
Tuesday May 20 2008 ©
2009 Dish Network L.L.C. All rights reserved.