The biggest complaint about the Bell ExpressVu PVR models was finally addressed today, all Bell ExpressVu receivers should now be capable of a 9 day program guide. I can’t confirm if this is the case for other reciever models first hand, but early reports and email tips show that this is the case.
The limitation of a 40 hour guide was by far the largest complaint of ExpressVu 9200 HD PVR owners, and owners of Bell’s earlier PVR models. ExpressVu had been quietly updating the firmware of their receivers over the summer, and just flipped the 9 day guide switch sometime today.
With the addition of the 9 day guide comes 9200 firmware version 150. I have not noticed any new enhancements other than the longer guide, but the extra days of information will be really useful for planning PVR recording timers.
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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.
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There is a new firmware version out now for the ExpressVu 9200/9220 HD PVR. Version 146. There is no word yet on what bugs or features have been added, I havn’t noticed anything different in the PVR menus, or with how it performs. Time will tell of course.
If you have noticed anything different, please post a comment below.
Thanks.
apeman 9200, 9220, expressvu, HDTV, news, PVR, 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.
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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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