Thread: VOOM STB FAQ (Motorola DSR-550): Post-VOOM Edition

Where do I change system settings?

On your remote press "VOOM" and then "green" twice. In the Settings menu navigate down to the last item "System Settings" and press OK. A warning will be displayed for a few seconds and you will be taken to the System Settings menu. From there you can change the Picture format, enable closed captioning and screen saver, change audio and video settings. From the System Settings menu you can also get to the Installation Settings menu or check the System Status.

What are these Audio Compression settings for?

There are three audio compression modes: heavy, light/hi-fi, or none. Select "None" to pass the sound to your audio gear unchanged. Compressed modes reduce the dynamic range of the sound: there is less of a difference between the soft dialogue and booming explosions. Compressed sound might be preferrable during late-night viewing. Your AV receiver may have a similar feature called "Midnight Mode".

How do I check the signal strength?

There are different ways how you can do this. Here is the quickest one. Press "Help", then "Info", then "OK". You will get a "System Status" screen. Use Up/Down navigation buttons to scroll through five different status pages. The third page displays signal strength, quality and signal to noise ratio for the last channels tuned.

Do I have to connect my STB to a telephone line?

No. In the past VOOM Customer Agreement required all STBs to be connected to a land-based telephone line, though this requirement was never enforced.

What is the phone connection for?

The phone line allowed the STB to report back to VOOM when requested via satellite. This could potentially be used to verify the physical location of each STB, and for other purposes, like ordering Pay-per-View programs with the remote.

Were software updates done over the phone?

No. Software updates were always done via satellite.

My STB has locked up / got stuck on a channel. How do I reboot?

There are two ways to reboot your STB.
1. "Soft" Reboot: Press the power button on the front panel of the STB for 5-6 seconds, or
2. "Hard" Reboot: Unplug the STB for 15 seconds and then plug it in again.
Note, that the Program Guide and even the channel labels will be lost after the reboot. If you experience any problems after the reboot, repeat the reboot procedure or try a reboot of a different type (e.g. Hard vs. Soft).

The picture quality doesn't seem to be HD

Several possible explanations:
1. Make sure you are using DVI or Component outputs. Other types of outputs (S-video, composite, RF coax) do not offer HD resolutions.
2. Make sure the STB is set to one of the HD resolutions: 1080i, 720p or "Native" (press the red button behind the small door to change the resolution).
3. Check your TV set specification. Make sure it supports the selected resolution. For example, some TV sets down-convert 720p to 480p.
4. You might be watching an SD channel. Only certain channels are HD. Try other channels.
5. Most of OTA HD channels show HD programming only at certain times. It is possible that you are watching an SD program.
6. Some old movies may look too grainy even with HD transfer.

I am not getting any local (OTA) channels at all

Unless you are surrounded by mountains or located too far from any OTA transmission tower, you should be able to receive at least some local channels. If you are not able to scan in any channels at all, it usually means a wiring problem or a malfunctioning signal amplifier.

I am getting some local channels but not all of them

There might be different reasons for that. Let's try to sort them out. First of all, it is important to understand, that VOOM STB can only receive digital channels, and not all local channels are broadcast in digital yet, though eventually they will be. Second, you will not be able to tune to channels that are not explicitly listed in the on-screen Program Guide. If some channels are missing in the Program Guide, try OTA channel scanning. Also, keep in mind that a pre-configured OTA (Super-DMA) map may cover a relatively large area, so certain stations might be simply too far from your location.

To find out which digital stations are available in your area go to a website like
www.antennaweb.org

and enter your street address. It will tell you what kind of OTA antenna might be required and which direction it should be pointing to.

I am getting a lot of pixilation and the picture is breaking up

Breakups can be caused by weather conditions ("rain fade") or by improperly pointed antenna. Make sure to check the signal strength and quality.

Occasionally I get no sound or no picture after switching channels

This is a known issue in some STB software versions. Simply switching channel Up and Down usually resolves the problem.

Occasionally I see a white spot (stuck pixels) on the screen

This is a known issue in all STB software versions. Pressing "VOOM" and then "Watch" or turning the STB Off and then On usually resolves it.

I get white snow screen (or dark screen) for a couple of seconds when switching channels

This is a known issue in some versions of the STB software. This usually occurs in "Native" resolution mode when switching between channels with different resolution. To avoid this problem, switch your STB to a fixed-resolution mode, like 1080i.

Where can I find the list of known bugs in the STB software?

The list of known bugs, issues and the most wanted features can be found in the following thread: http://www.satelliteguys.us/motorola-dsr-550-voom-box-support/5671-voom-stb-version-7-26-2-a.html

The box is locked with a PIN code? What do I do?

Try 0000, 1234 and any other obvious combination. Unfortunately there is currently no known way to reset the PIN! If the box is locked in the Demo mode, there is a special pin code that can be used derived from the Serial Number (000-00000-0XXXX-000)

IMPORTANT: System Configuration Menu is not intended for end-users. Certain items in this menu may damage your audio equipment or make your STB non-operational. Proceed on your own risk!

How do I access the Service Menu?

To access the System Configuration Menu (Service Menu) press the following buttons on your VOOM remote: "VOOM", then Green button twice. Select "System Settings" in the menu. Select "Installer Menu" menu item. Slowly press "9 8 8" on the remote. You will see "System Configuration" menu with the following options:

1. Manual Tune (manually tune to a satellite channel)
2. SD Audio & Video Test (make sure to turn your volume down!)
3. HD Audio & Video Test (make sure to turn your volume down!)
4. Modem Setup & Test
5. Authorization Reset (DO NOT DO THIS! Your box will lose the OTA capability!)
6. Factory Reset (DO NOT DO THIS! Your box will lose the OTA capability!)
7. Audio Test Mode

What does the Factory Reset do?

The Factory Reset clears most of the internally stored parameters and returns the STB to a factory initialized state. The Factory Reset (FR)preserves the latest downloaded Software, but it completely erases the OTA map, the Favorites list and other user-configured parameters, including your authorization data. You can initiate the Factory Reset by going to the System Configuration Menu as described above, and selecting item 6. After doing the FR, your DSR-550 will become pretty much useless, as there is currently no known way to restore its autherization.

Will the Factory Reset help me get missing OTA channels?

No it won't! In fact you will lose the OTA capability completely.

What are possible side-effects of the Factory Reset?

The Factory Reset will erase most of the configuration parameters, including the authorization data with no way to restore it.

Are there any other hidden menus or screens?

Yes. Press "Help" and then "Info" ("VOOM"-"Info", if you have version 05.08) to check the Version Info, then press "OK", to access "System Status" screens. Also, from the "Installation Settings" menu you can access the following menus:

"Advanced System Status" menu by pressing "9 7 7". Several screens of technical and diagnostics data.

"Operational Mode" (Demo Mode) menu - by pressing "9 6 6". This allows you to switch the STB to a demonstration mode designed for in-store VOOM demonstration (at Sears, etc.). It limits the number of channels and locks system settings with a pin code, so kids in the store would not mess it up. Nothing interesting really IMPORTANT: make sure to setup your pin code before switching to the Demo mode! If you don't do this your STB will be locked with a special pin code (derived from the serial number of the box) and you may have problems returning it back to the normal mode. So, don't do that!

Recent additions to the FAQ:

07/24/05: Revised to reflect the post-VOOM reality...

01/27/05: Revised to reflect software versions 7.33 and 7.34.

12/04/04: Revised to reflect the changes made in version 7.26.

10/11/04: Revised to reflect the changes made in version 7.0b.

08/12/04: Revised to reflect the changes made in version 6.20.

07/27/04: Revised to reflect the changes made in version 6.00 and 6.10.

06/18/04: Each question in the list is now hyperlinked to the corresponding paragraph with the answer. There are also links labeled "Top" that take you back to the top of the question list. I hope this will make it easier to use this FAQ. If you notice any links that don't work, please let me know.

06/14/04: Added the following sections: "On-Screen Program Guide", "The Surf Bar", "Program Planner".

06/05/04: Added a new section: "Hidden 'System Configuration' Menu."

05/20/04: Added the "General Questions" section; corrected the DVI cable paragraph (Dual Link cable is not required!); some other minor updates and corrections.

05/17/04: Added a section about phone line connection: seems to be a popular topic lately...

05/17/04: Another regular topic: "DVR/PVR".

If you have any comments, suggestions concerning this FAQ, please post them in the following thread:
VOOM STB FAQ - comments and suggestions.

Other helpful VOOM-related resources and threads:

Read Me First: Pre/Post-Installation FAQ for VOOM
Glossary

Updated to reflect software versions 7.33 and 7.34.

Since the DSR-550 box has found an afterlife as an OTA receiver,
I have revised and updated this FAQ to reflect the post-VOOM reality.

If you have any comments about this FAQ, please post them in the following thread:
VOOM STB FAQ - comments and suggestions.

Ilya.

what is the difference between the moto 550 and the 505

Both units are similar except for the fact that the 505 excludes the ATSC antenna cartridge that the 550 includes.