The much anticipated MPEG4 replacements for the ExpressVu 6100 and the 9200 have been delayed until the fourth quarter of 2007 according to a memo released to ExpressVu dealers. With this announcement, its also been revealed that Bell does not forsee moving to MPEG4 broadcasts until 2009, which means that we are not likely to see a mass upgrade program, and that 9200 HD PVR you just purchased is still going to work for a few more years.
Its worth mentioning that ExpressVu has also stated that the Ethernet port, and the USB 2.0 ports on the two new recievers are to be disabled at launch, reserving them for “future use”.
With all of the uncertainty surrounding the new HD receivers, I’m glad I decided to rent my 9200. I won’t loose anything when the new receivers are finally released, and with the date pushed back, the new units will be available at the same time as my contract is up.
apeman 9200, 9220, DVR, expressvu, HDTV, home theatre, PVR, video
There is some big news for the Express Vu 9200, firmware version 149 was released today, and there appear to be some major changes.an
I’m still trying to “discover” all of the many changes, and I will post the updates as I discover them.
Here is a list that can get you started, if you notice anything new, please feel free to post below.
In summary, the unit feels a lot faster, and more reliable. I also like the diagnostic changes, and the updates to the guide.
- Daylight Savings time fix (remember DST comes three weeks early starting this year).
- Picture in Picture (PIP) has been revamped to include “side by side” mode.
- The system information screen has been totally revamped, menu, 6-1-3
- The guide now shows more information, season, show number, and original air date. The same info is also shown on the PVR screen.
- The ability to rename events on the PVR.
- General bug fixes, HDMI audio sync, HD 30 second skip.
apeman 9200, 9220, DVR, expressvu, HDTV, home theatre, news, PVR, tech
Rumour and speculation are rampant this week as news is starting to leak out that Bell ExpressVu will be releasing two new HD recievers sometime in April 2007. Just to be clear, this has not been confirmed, and my sources at Bell tell me that its “Very Likely”. Considering the enevitable upgrade to MPEG 4 later this year, it makes perfect sense that Bell would start to sell a new HD and HD PVR reciever.
Read more…
apeman 9200, 9220, DVR, expressvu, HDTV, home theatre, news, PVR, rumours, tech
Bell ExpressVu has updated the firmware for the 9200 / 9220 HD PVR to version 145. This is mainly a bug fix release and there are no reports of new features that have been added yet.
So far, since I received the update a day ago, performance seems to have improved quite a bit. The menu’s appear to load faster, and the fast forward bug also appears to have been fixed.
Read more…
apeman 9200, 9220, DVR, expressvu, HDTV, home theatre, news, PVR, tech
Its about time. I’ve been waiting for channel 814 to show up, and it finally came into existance yesterday, and it looks like it is going to stay. In late October HDNet did make an appearance in the ExpressVu lineup, but it was either a mistake, or it was removed due to technical difficulties.
HDNet is a US network that was concieved to show nothing but HD content 24×7. Much of the programming is origional; however, you will find sports and movies on HDnet as well. Now this leads us to why HDNet has been highly anticipated, they carry a lot of NHL games in HD. Currently the best place to see hockey in HD is CBC, but Bell only carrys CBC East HD, so unless you are a Maple Leafs fan, you were out of luck until now.
Give HDNet a try, I personally like “Nothing But Trailers”.
No word yet on how much this will cost, or what prerequisite theme packs will be required.
apeman DVR, expressvu, HDTV, home theatre, news, PVR
Alliance Atlantis, who owns National Geographic Channel, and Showcase has announced that the HD versions of these two channels will launch to Canadian consumers on December 19th.
Rumors abound that claim that Food TV HD, and HGTV HD will also launch soon, both of these are also Alliance Atlantis channels, and were granted their HD license ammendment on July 6th 2006.
For you Leafs nuts out there, Leafs TV HD is now available on Bell ExpressVu channel 848. I do not subscribe to thi’m stis channel, so I cannot comment.
Personally, I’m still waiting for Bell to make HDnet available to subs.
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Bell ExpressVu has launched 4 new channels. They are not HD, but sub’s have been waiting a while for them. The new channels are 389,390, 404, and 419. All appear to be sports related.
Channel 389 – WILD TV: I am not sure what the programming for this channel is yet. I will update once I know more.
Channel 390 – FIGHT: The Fight Network. Exactly as the name describes, UFC, Mixed martial arts, boxing etc. Sounds like fun.
Channel 404 – GOL TV: Soccer!
Channel 419 – WRN: World Fishing Network, I havn’t watched this channel yet, hopefully its not all east coast Bass fishing.
I’m still waiting to see HDNet in my guide, stay tunned for that announcement.
apeman DVR, expressvu, news, PVR
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