HDPVR/SDPVR XtraView installation -HELP PLEASE

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JabesGP

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I've read through a lot of the threads here, and have gotten a good idea of what I should be doing from you all :)
I bought a HD PVR/SD PVR combo off Bid or Buy to replace a DualView, so most of the cabling was already in place and working. This should be a pretty straight forward install, but I am not getting the heartbeat at all on the SD PVR. The coax carrying the HB has a couple of joints, 2 at wall sockets, and one where I took out a splitter while trying to get the setup going. I have tested this cable with an RF signal from the HD to the SD 2 floors up, and got a good picture on the TV (TV1). But, does a good picture also mean a good HB when the same cable is connected to the PVRs? I have attached a diagram of the layout, after taking all extra TVs and splitters off the line.
My thoughts -
1. MC have not activated the XtraView correctly? I have checked back with them and they say it is activated.
2. Too many joins in the RF/HB cable (3 in all)
3. A tired SD PVR with failed HB circuitry?
I have tried all of combinations of RF IN/RF OUT, remote modes and TV Link on/off. All I get for my troubles is a persistent 'Waiting for Communication from Primary Decoder', and a steady red light on the SD screen. This is how it has been from day one and I am getting tired of running up 2 flights every time I make a change.
Any ideas from what you see here?
XtraView layout.jpg
 
Keep it simple. Get a test cable and directly connect the HB. Forget about all the wall boxes etc. Then test.

I did 1 last week using almost 60m HB cable and it works great.

Make sure the HD P2 says Transmitting HB.
 
OK thanks avr. The HD P2 was saying ready but inactive. I will get some cable today.
 
isie said:
im also going with your joins and wall boxes on your HB cable - causing the problem
invest in some new good quality co ax cable and get rid of the joins and wall boxes
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's what I was afraid of - the wall boxes and cable were all part of the DualView installation, and are all run neatly inside the walls of the house. They will be a pain to replace, pulling 35+ metres of cable through kinked conduits. But if I want the service then.....:cry:
 
Tremayn said:
I don't think the HD pvr is suppose to say inactive
Click to expand...
Checked again right now, with the SD on and waiting for communication.
HD 2P says Status: Ready But Inactive, Communication Status: Inactive.
Another painful call to MC?
Can't get cable today so will resume testing tomorrow.
Thanks for all the advice - I'll let you know how tomorrow goes.
 
No Go.
30 metres brand new RG6 direct from HD 2P RF-In to SD TV1/TV2 (RF Out) and still no heartbeat!
Steady red light and Waiting for Communication on SD.
Ready But Inactive on HD 2P.
Will call MC now to re-activate XtraView, then if that fails take both decoders to MC service centre to test.
 
Update 11/11 17:30
Long call to MC Call centre, very helpful guy re-activated XtraView and reset smartcards. No change.
Next step - take both decoders to nearest service centre (30km away) and see what they find.
 
In my xtraview it shows:

Status : Primary Smart Card Active
Communication status: transmitting heartbeat.

It's not suppose to say inactive, your xtraview is not set up correctly when you phoned MC did they ask you to verify your xtraview by reading out a pin code which they send to the decoder to display and you read it out. This will verify of your cabling is at least functioning. Quantum Theory should have more info about your problem but I'm 90percent sure that xtraview is not set up
 
Thanks Tremayn!
Yeah, mine says nothing about Primary, and they haven't ever asked me for a pin code!
I'll take the whole rig through to them and just hope it all still works when I get it home.
In theory, this should have been easy, as all cabling was in place, but next time I'll get an installer to do it all.
 
This is turning into a saga.
Took both decoders through to Skye TV in Retreat yesterday. While trying to cancel and reactivate XV, there was a power failure. Drove back in the afternoon, to be told that my SD-PVR was not de-activated correctly by the previous owner, and it was still expecting the previous HD as a primary. Swapped smartcards, same problem. Swapped out SD-PVR and smartcard, same problem. Unswapped out SD-PVR (which was difficult for them to do) and 'escalated call with MC', whatever that means. Now waiting for MC to call with news. It seems to me the problem is deep within the XV system. Maybe the de-activation wasn't done properly, but was that MC's fault, or previous owner? Who knows? Anyway, waiting for a call now from MC to tell me what's going to happen.
This must be a caveat for anyone buying decoders from an unknown but reputable source (Bid or Buy)
 
Thank you all for your sage advice. Problem solved by taking both decoders to MC, taking the SD off my account, then inserting a new smartcard, reloading the unit in my name, and pairing the 2 decoders afresh. Brought them home, and all was perfect, still with the 30m HB cable, wall boxes and joint in place. I will still draw the new cable through the conduits and install splitters and tv link. But that's tomorrow's story. Thanks again all - It's nice to know there are all you knowledgeable folk out there prepared to share your knowledge and give up some time to helping others. :)
By the way, MC have not called me once, despite the issue being escalated twice! No surprises there.
 
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