MOTOROLA Sends out bad firmware

OCTOBER 28, 2002 ::::

The 74 code is once more on A2 Satellite!!!

Star Choice only could broadcast two code versions simultaneously,
Motorolla provided Star Choice the capability to broadcast up to 4
code versions simultaneously as of a week ago. The 74 code
version was present- only missing a preamble to make it available.
That changed this morning when Motorolla placed a 74 preamble on their SAC uplink.
October 28th, 2002.

They claim that they won't be performing a forced download,
but have begun today with an opportunity download preamble
of this code version.

You won't want to park their dish on A2 at night...or you very well may get this code version.
do not turn off your receiver on A2 if it is a 920 or a 921.

Motorolla SUCKS for doing this to the people knowing full well this code is way too buggy!

This info has changed since it was put up here.
Evidently many people were e-mailing Motorola
and contacting the right people and indeed this code
will not be sent out to the 920 4DTV owners.
This is good news, the sad part is no updates for this receiver for at least another year.

The last report was that Motorola determined that there were just
too many bugs in this firmware to release it to the general public, / 920 owners.

Joe Cornwall stated on a satellite radio show that he thought Motorola would send out
a new code 76 but it would be identical to the 6D firmware the receiver presently has.
He stated he thought it would not be a general broadcast but a receiver identified
download meaning Motorola would have to know if any 920 accidently received the 74 code
from Anik A2 and they would send that particular 4dtv unit a download from satellite G0.

Some people will tell you that they see nothing wrong with the 74 code.
Those same people do not use their receivers like it was originally intended.
If your sky scanning or looking for FTA signals the 74 code does hinder you
from viewing several programs that are in the FTA mode.
It even has some people locked out of channels they subscribe to.
Starchoice has told their 921 owners that have complained they would give them
replacement receiver. Why are they sending this code out again ?

Or is it Motorola that is doing this !

October 2002:
New info on this killer code:
-----------------------------------
Motorola is intending to send out the firmware update for their 920 receivers;
Sometime in October.

The update may have a higher code number then 74 and if it does then
and 921 owner who has the 74 code should be able to go to G0,
or (if you have lost satellite G0),
then program in G9 at G0's position and get the new code update.

Many people hate this web site being put up here.
The truth be known it is here to help you if you have this
bad code update 74 and to keep you informed.
Some people want to keep the truth from you, I say the heck with them.

Were you told by Motorola or Star Choice that the new code 74
would mess up your 921 receiver before they sent it out ?

Are you perfectly happy with the 74 code update on your 921 receiver ?

Some serious bugs are in the new firmware update about to be released.
Version # 074.

This new firmware update WILL TAKE AWAY some channels you are now enjoying !

This code will go out to all receivers not just the Canadian 921's but also the
920 receviers.

Use your own judgement on this. Some will try to say it won't happen to all the receivers,
The same code update has always applied to all the 920 & 921's receivers.
I remember the first code on my recevier was 27 then it was firmware update 43, then firmware update 6D.
All these firmware updates applied to all the receviers mentioned above. Of course some were not out
yet but you should be getting the clear picture by now.

Enjoy it while it lasts since "Sky Scanning" with these receviers is about to come to an end.

The 922 receivers have a new firmware that is "going /suposed" to happen later on this year/ next year.
There is no reason to believe that this same code will not affect those receivers the same way it does the 920's.
Wish or hope all you want the fact remains the killer code will affect the receiver the same way.
This is the goal of Motorola to have them operate in the same fashion.

They also have not acknowledged that there is a problem with this firmware update.
The one in charge of it "Joe Hilliard" made the statement that he felt the 921 firmware update
to the beta testers was a success!

** The firmware update has NOT started on satellite "G0" yet. **

Some key points:
- Some of the channels (non-Star Choice) can no longer be received
-You no longer receive the US onscreen guide, just the satellite icons from G0
-Channel acquisition is much slower and the unit sometimes locks up
- IPG behavior is much different, somewhat faster
- TDT Overflow problems were not fixed
- TDT counts are stuck at 1920 and a Master Reset will offer no hope:
- Some receivers lose all generic channel capabilities:
- No manual tuning

If you encounter a message on your screen like this:
"Cannot find ratings information. Unable to view,
programming may be locked out."
Then you need to take the following steps:

If you encounter a channel that has a missing program ratings
screen then follow these directions.

While you are on that particular channel,
hit options 6-4-4 using your remote and go to
the satellite icon you are on ; press it to program that Satellite.
Now hit the INFO button and the channel you are on should appear.
You will need to do this on every channel that has the missing program ratings.

The response received from Motorola was this........

There was a config issue in the UCS at the uplink known as plat:
Post life after death. It involves programming ratings information
being set regardless of scrambled state of the uplink data stream.
If it's not set then the unit will not get the ratings information.
The older firmware wouldn't look for this program information first,
but newer firmware will. If the info is not present it will not display video/audio.
Example with looking at adult channels on T7. These, prior to
programmer scrambling, could be viewed via CG on 180-186.
No program information banner would be displayed other than sat/channel.
With 74 code, you will now see each channel identified: Spice/Hot/Playboy,etc.
The unit looked for this program info and would display it in the banner.
We lost the ability to view the programming, prior to them going srambled.
It may be a sad thing, but is reality.

How do you know for sure your on a channel that has this problem ?
Go to your diagnostic Screen "B".
Look at the bottom of the screen.
If it appears like this then your missing information. and the above situation has affected you.

MI/MI FP/FP FP/FP FP/FP FP/FP
MI/MI FP/FP FP/FP FP/FP FP/FP

The only course of action is to begin e-mailing everyone at
Motorola to get them to change this code before it is too late.
This was done by some 4200 owners a few years ago and their persistance worked.
This is not good news I'm afraid!

4DTV DSR 905,920,922 Service & Support number:
1-800-320-8284.

Joe Hilliard - Motorola (E-Mail)
jhilliard@motorola.com

Joe Cornwall - Motorola (E-Mail)
(sorry Joe is no longer working with motorola)

However you may want to try the following:

Doug Means - General Manager >>>   dmeans@motorola.com
Keith Kelly - VP                          >>>   Kkelly@motorola.com
Greg Swafford - Director Sales >>>   Gswafford@motorola.com

first initial and last full name @ motorola.com should get the message to the right people.

Jeanne Russo - Manager Media Relations - Motorola (E-Mail)
Motorola Broadband Communications Sector
jeanne.russo@motorola.com

Motorola Broadband Customer Service - Motorola (E-Mail)
tbruce@motorola.com