ATT Homezone 622HZ Defective?

[schneid]

I am on my third one of these boxes and still having problems. Is it just me or does anyone else experience?

Random reboots and lockups.

Watchdog resets.

Fast Forward followed by Play and the box jumps ahead fifteen minutes. Same thing in Reverse.

Frozen sound while the picture continues or vice versa.

Unable to ever get anything but a “No Results” in a Web Remote Search.

The Photo Screensaver restricted to a 4:3 pillar box and a 16:9 display.

The Search, Space, Alpha, and Special Character keys having no function on the remote.

2Wire Support has always blamed it on the box overheating but I’ve put that claim to rest. My box is never above 48C and normally stays at around 40C.

I am about ready to jump ship. Very annoying and frustrating.

 

[Smith P.]

I am on my third one of these boxes and still having problems. Is it just me or does anyone else experience?

Random reboots and lockups.
Same
Watchdog resets.
It's a result of above
Fast Forward followed by Play and the box jumps ahead fifteen minutes. Same thing in Reverse.
No
Frozen sound while the picture continues or vice versa.
Same
Unable to ever get anything but a “No Results” in a Web Remote Search.
No comment
The Photo Screensaver restricted to a 4:3 pillar box and a 16:9 display.
No comment
The Search, Space, Alpha, and Special Character keys having no function on the remote.
Same
2Wire Support has always blamed it on the box overheating but I’ve put that claim to rest. My box is never above 48C and normally stays at around 40C.
Same
I am about ready to jump ship. Very annoying and frustrating.

Replace to 622 or 722.

 

[Cornstalkk]

I just returned my 3rd and last 622HZ. I went to a 722. I complained and they went half with me on the 722. I got it for $99. DD 5.1 did not output with the HDMI on any of the 622HZ's I had (would default after 3 seconds to PCM), the sound would drop out after FF or REW and I would have to fuss with it to get the sound back, I had random reboots all the time also. Oh, and the OTA for some stations (and yes I know there has been recent issues w/ OTA signal loss), was horrible on 2 of my OTA stations that I had never had issues with my 622, and do not have any issues with my 722. I cannot believe that this box is even being sent to people in the current condition.

 

[schneid]

Interesting. I don't have a DD5.1 issue but I don't have an HDMI Receiver. The Toslink (optical) connection seems to work. At least the receiver says it's 5.1 and an indicator light comes on. I do lose audio after a FF and RW.

Talked to 2Wire today. Seemed clueless. They are now going to change the LNB. I told them two of my Watchdog Resets showed reason 170. I was pushed them to tell what that means and they finally admitted they don't know. Seemed to me it would helpful to know what the trouble codes mean. But then, I've to look up codes for my Nissan dealer, print them out, take them to them, and explain to them what work needs to be done.

2Wire told me there was a new 622HZ software update last night. I told them mine was the same. I asked them what the software version should be. They didn't know. They then decided the update, whatever it is, didn't roll out anyway.

Did they make you agree to a commitment for the 722? I kind of like the ability to bail at anytime on AT&T Homezone. I think the $99 kind of stinks. I've already paid them $49 for the crappy 1022 SD box, another $149 for the 622HZ box, and now I can expect to pay more to get a working box. Ouch!

There doesn't seem to be a problem switching from Homezone indicating to me there might could be a problem with the service. 2Wire didn't believe when I brought up the fact you can't search the Guide via Web Remote. I convinced them to try and sure enough they couldn't. It's amazing 2Wire Support is not aware of known defects.

 

[Smith P.]

I'll check HDMI/DD5.1 issue soon;

current diag screen show:
last WD code 171
wd count 7
kernel 31
app 0
temp 45/51/48 C

System Uptime 2 days 15 hrs
Version M303, prev M302.

 

[schneid]

I've never had a Kernel Reset, whatever that is, but have 4 Watchdogs and 2 App Resets in the last ten days since the #3 was put on line. My Software is M303 as yours. My temps are 36, 44, 40 which are low. I don't think temp has anything to do with the crashes.

 

[Cornstalkk]

Did they make you agree to a commitment for the 722? I kind of like the ability to bail at anytime on AT&T Homezone. I think the $99 kind of stinks. I've already paid them $49 for the crappy 1022 SD box, another $149 for the 622HZ box, and now I can expect to pay more to get a working box. Ouch!

No. My 18-month term I am on now stayed the same, didn't have to re-up another 18-months. Yeah, $99 bucks stinks, but I got the Homezone with no upfront costs and the $49 activation credited, so I am not too mad (beats the $199 they wanted to charge me). I just wanted a working receiver again, and I missed my regular 622 I had. I did not have 1 serious issue with it. So far the 722 is just as reliable. Hope all works out for you as well.

On a side note, at least the ATT/Dish customer support reps speak english. I have not once gotten Bangladesh Bob, so I was pretty happy.

 

[V-Train]

I just dumped my Homezone for a regular HD-DVR for free. Took some work, but the fact that the "account specialist's" supervisor believed the same incorrect info as the sales rep who originally took my order worked in my favor. They both thought the 622HZ had all of the features of the regular 622. After I said that was not the case, she got that confirmed by Homezone support.

First they wanted $149, then half that, then agreed to replace it for free.

I just explained that I wouldn't have gotten the Homezone in the first place if I had received correct information when I ordered. I only had the thing since late August, and I have no commitment. I don't know if they are sending a 622 or a 722; it doesn't matter to me as long as it works!

 

[V-Train]

2Wire told me there was a new 622HZ software update last night. I told them mine was the same. I asked them what the software version should be. They didn't know. They then decided the update, whatever it is, didn't roll out anyway.

I just turned on my box, and it was updating. Version # now shows M304.

 

[schneid]

Me too. Numbers changed to 4.0.2.24 and M304RHBA. Next question. Does the update fix anything?

 

[schneid]

Bad News

AT&T sent two Dish techs today to replace the LNBs. That was the most recent theory for the spontaneous reboots and FF/RW issues.

The tech didn't buy it and called in. Bottom line is that it is known 2Wire software issue that has not been resolved. My copy of the service call states, "Software issue confirmed by AT&T Home Zone (sic) Tech Support."

I guess were screwed.

P.S. Trouble codes 170 and 171 remain State Secrets. 2Wire will not disclose the codes to AT&T Homezone support.

 

[Smith P.]

My code 171 changed to 170 just after 622HZ got new FW M3.04
Perhaps the code 170 mean it - the reboot was after new FW ?

 

[schneid]

It's Been Fun But....................

After my 622HZ rebooted while ending the recording NBC Nightly News and starting the recording of the local news last night and FF/RW going psycho with the new software, I gave up. I called D* this morning and finally got a good deal to come back. Installer is coming Tuesday.

I thought Homzone was a really cool idea but its defects are no longer tolerable. No more Code 170 for me!

 

[slatterie]

Add us to the list of unhappy HZ customers

Everything mentioned has happened to us as well. Its even worse this past week (we are on our second box). Reboots happen now whenever we try to watch separate programs on 2 tvs or watching the DVR while another program(s) is recording.

On our call tonight to HZ tech support they stated our issues are due to the latest SW update and another one is coming out this week to "fix" what has been going on. We will believe it when we see it.

We had a Dish Tech come out on Monday and he was stumped and pretty much told us he and his co-workers hate getting calls on HZ boxes as things that could be resolved (or at least looked at) on the standard 622 were blocked out on HZ. He left us with "you probably should dump HZ and get a standard Dish box".

We will see after this next update. If there no changes, we are going with DirecTV. Too bad because there was so much potential with HZ.

I miss our Tivo (but hated the cable).

 

[V-Train]

I'm so happy to be rid of the box, my 622 arrived on Monday. The 622HZ really shows how crappy software can cripple good hardware. The regular 622 is the best DVR I've ever had.

 

[Balock]

On our call tonight to HZ tech support they stated our issues are due to the latest SW update and another one is coming out this week to "fix" what has been going on. We will believe it when we see it.

We've had the 622HZ for about a month now and have had many of the same issues as I've seen posted on the board. An additional one I don't recall seeing posted is the loss of audio output after tuning an OTA station (we can receive 15 OTA channels from my house). This usually happens when I tune OTA on TV1, and then TV2 starts loosing audio. I can sometimes get it back if I pause playback for about 10 secs, but it takes a reboot to fix it.

Regarding the "fix", I woke up this morning to a screen stating that the software update was complete and to wait for the machine to restart. I had to reboot it myself after waiting 1/2 hour. When it came back up...the software was at level M3.02! Then the box rebooted twice in 5 minutes with the dreaded 171 code. My HD temps have stayed constantly in the 122-123F range.

Although I've not contacted ATT support yet, I'm about to call them to replace the box with a 622 or 722 instead. I don't use the HomeZone "features" enough to put up with the other issues and missing features of the 622/722. Wonder if I'll have to return the wireless adapter.....

 

[Smith P.]

Check RandallA posts - the downgrade to M3.02 happen recently.

BTW, how to switch temperature units to F, everyone posted in C here.

 

[Balock]

Check RandallA posts - the downgrade to M3.02 happen recently.

I just happened to receive the downgrade overnight last night, and missed RandallA's post about it.

BTW, how to switch temperature units to F, everyone posted in C here.

I didn't...just did the calculation manually. 50-51C on the display. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[schneid]

I am happily back with D*

As stated above, I abandoned you guys Tuesday and went back home to D*. I could take the pain but my honey couldn't.

D* gave me an HR20-100S, an H20, and a Slimline dish for $99, free premiums for three months, and free HD for a year. And I am not a NEW customer.

The install and the HR20-100S are perfect. Signals in the 90's, a cool running box, perfect recordings, and near TiVo DVR features. Best thing for me is that D* has my locals in HD plus more HD premium channels. I can get my locals in HD OTA so it is now hard to have programming conflicts.

I have heard that since their HD roll out, D* is running out of equipment frustrating many installers and potential customers.

Homezone had potential but I resent being an unwitting Beta Tester and having to pay too is unacceptable. I have been a Windows Beta Tester since 1994 for free but I volunteered to have my PC regularly screwed up for the good of future users. I feel AT&T has taken advantage of a lot of people.

 

[slatterie]

No Software Update Yet

Just turned it on to discover that at some point it did try to reboot overnight - it was stuck at the warm up screen at #3 for quite sometime. I just did a hard reboot and its back up.

Still on the same M304 SW and 4.0.2.24 app versions we have been on. So I guess no SW fix for us yet.

Temps are maxing out at around 48C and average around 46C (we have it completely out in the open for air circulation and have a laptop fan underneath it).

Getting ready to watch what we have been taping the past week so we shall see how many times it gets stuck.