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

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!! need SPECIFICATIONS for 550.

I am having a problem with Aspect Ratio (gray or blacked out sides of screen) on some channels with this dsr550 voom reciever.I have the latest software and I have tride to change the view in setup but this is not correcting the problem. is there an option to Select the Aspect Ratio 4:3/16:9 and where is it ? Thanks

Welcome to the forum, ddolds!
The channels you are having problems with, are they HD channels? If so, here is the deal:
HD channels are always 16x9. However, HD channels sometimes show SD programs formatted 4x3. In this case the station that transmits the channel has to convert the the 4x3 picture to fill the 16x9 picture. Some stations add black or grey bars on each side, others simply stretch or zoom it to avoid side bars. Those bars are part of the picture sent by the station. Unfortunately the box cannot change the geometry of HD signal. Most TV sets cannot do that either.

Thanks for the anser so quick. And could the video be run through the tv card on my PC and sent back out in a wider aspect through the 15 pin monitor out to tv component video. thanks again

I don't know which card you have, but most computer cards cannot accept uncompressed HD signal from an external source, so the unswer is most likely NO.

new problem, I have done this- 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! I setup your pin code before switching to (Demo Mode) menu . It seems after 24hrs in this mode it auto. set a new pin . Is there a piece of the s/n that it changes to or do I have 9999 posible pin's to go through ? thanks _)((*&&^^% stupid I KNOW

Try digits 10 through 13 of the 16-digit Serial Number.

Now, if you decide to try Factory Reset or Authorization Reset procedures, don't come back asking for my help!

thanks for the help ! but now I think I have found a new way to kill the box .I locked all the channels I don't use so the remote could only go to active channels and now the box turns on but stays black. help if you can Thanks

Can you still get to the menu? Press VOOM?
Try to reboot.