Bell ExpressVu launches new 9242 HD-PVR
ExpressVu ups the ante with a multi-TV HD-PVR that can record up to 30 hours of high-definition programming.
ExpressVu ups the ante with a multi-TV HD-PVR that can record up to 30 hours of high-definition programming.
The new 9242 HD-PVR Plus satellite receiver replaces the older 9200 HD-PVR Plus in ExpressVu’s HD line-up. Here are the specs for the new system:
- Record up to 30 hours of HD programming, or 200 hours of standard definition (SD) programming (320 GB)
- MPEG2 and MPEG4 compatibility (currently all programming on ExpressVu is MPEG2, but as new content becomes available, it will take advantage of the MPEG4 standard)
- Record 2 different programs while simultaneously watching a third (pre-recorded) show
- Playback SD or HD programs on the primary TV, while a secondary TV can independently watch SD programs or down-converted HD programs
- Includes two remotes: an IR unit for the main TV, and a UHF-Pro remote that can control the receiver from any room in the house, even through walls.
- Supports caller-ID (you can see a caller’s identification on your TV if you have this feature on your home phone line)
- 9-day Electronic Program Guide (EPG) that lets you browse available shows while watching the current program in a Picture-in-Picture (PIP) window
- Name-based show recording with the option of recording the show once, multiple times per week, the entire series or just new episodes.
- Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound (requires a compatible TV or home theatre receiver)
- High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) for a pure digital pathway between the receiver and the HDTV
- USB 2.0 and Ethernet connectivity
- Composite and s-video outputs for TV1
The 9200 was already a very capable PVR with many features I’ve come to rely on. The 9242 builds on this feature set with some notable enhancements including a favourites list exclusively for HD programming and the ability to output your primary TV signal via s-video and composite video in addition to HDMI, which will make connecting a second recording device like a VCR or DVD recorder much easier.
It’s also worth noting that the 9242 sports both USB 2.0 and Ethernet ports. And while ExpressVu is remaining mum on what these new ports will be used for – they say they’re for "future services" – we can take some educated guesses as to the direction in which they might be headed…
The USB 2.0 ports could allow you to connect external storage devices like flash drives or hard drives, which could increase the PVR’s recording capacity dramatically, and inexpensively. In an ideal world, the receiver would let you watch other media that had been recorded from a different source e.g. a PC, or perhaps an iPod, on your primary TV.
An Ethernet port could be used to connect the receiver to a high speed internet connection. Once that connection has been established, it opens the door to a host of new options such as Slingbox-type remote viewing of the receiver’s programs on any PC with a net connection. There’s also the chance that a web-based application could be built to let you set up recordings on your PVR remotely using the same data displayed by the receiver’s EPG.
Alright, enough crystal-ball gazing.
Two last points on the 9242 that are worth mentioning:
- The black chassis. The 9200′s silver garb seemed hip and stylish 2 years ago when most of the flat-panel TV’s were sporting this colour scheme, but let’s face it, black is definitely the new black.
- The included HDMI and component video cables. It may seem like a no-brainer, but if you had to buy these at retail they could easily set you back $100, especially if you went with a brand like Monster Cable.
If you want to pick up the new receiver as a stand-alone box, it will run you $599 at your local Bell World. It’s also available on a rental basis. Check out bell.ca for all the details.
Update – August 7, 2008: Bell has just announced the availability of expanded capacity for the 9242 via USB 2.0 external hard drives.
So far – brutal Bell experiences. Install ordered Dec 13 for 2 receivers btwn 8am – 12pm, to coincide with my A/V install of my 60" plasma. Bell contractor's info is install is set for 12 noon – 5 pm for 1 receiver. No communication. Install's done by around 4:00. I have a 9242 in the family room and a non-PVR HD receiver in the fitness room downstairs. Two days later, exact same problem as Serge above. Came home to find the ###@@@!!**#*!! 9242 turning itself off/on, rebooting, and going through a 015 (getting signal), 122, and finally 394 (smart card) error. I called Bell and spoke with five different techs for over 1.7 hours (hung up on / cut off 3 times). Only solution is for them to mail me a replacement from Toronto to Vancouver on Thursday to get here next week. It's Monday (xmas eve) and I have no satellite tv for a chunk of the holidays. Bell sucks. I feel cheated and this new 9242 IS A PIECE OF —-. I have a Pioneer Elite 92 series A/V receiver with the HDMI going to my 60" Kuro. I'm using a Panamax power conditioner. All components in my system work fine. The 9242 worked for 1.5 days and is now dead. Serge, any luck with the new one? Simon, what say you?
Hey Paul, I feel for you, Bell has a lot of work to do as far as their installation services and responding in a timely manner to customer issues like yours.
Play some DVDs on the Kuro (I am envious) while you wait, wait and wait for Bell.
Cheers…..Karim
Thanks for the sentiment Karim. I actually installed my non-PVR receiver up to the Kuro with component cables so I've got sat in the family room (but nothing in the fitness room downstairs). I saw the Bourne Identity and 300 on HDDVD…o my gawd. With the Paradigm Reference Millenia audio it is just killer.
I'll let you know how Bell responds though I'm curious to hear about how Serge made out. Serge, did you get a replacement 9242 and if so, has it survived? Cheers and Happy Holidays to all.
Had the 9242 installed yesterday. Great install time (under 2 hours) and I would advise to apply for HD programming online a couple of days before install to save time. I put the 5900 PVR in the upstairs bedroom and the 3100 downstairs for the kids, and am very impressed with the 9242. The PIP feature is great, and I have HDMI from sat to my 52" TV, and optical from reciever to 9242, along with another HDMI from reciever to TV. Great sound, great picture, just wish that every channel is HD! I am surprised to hear all of the horror stories with BEV, I have dealt with them for 5 years and no issues….just good service. No problems yet.
I rcvd the 9242 replacement rcvr on Jan 9 (16 days after I requested it). I installed the replacement and had it activated according to instructions. Now, I'm having issues with the video. With the HDMI I'm getting audio but usually no picture at all. The guide can be displayed (so there are no video hookup issues). When I am able to get a picture, it sometimes freezes or I get pixel shift. Occasionally, if I change channels, the screen again goes black. This is the most frustrating experience I've ever had with a piece of equipment/company. I've done the diagnostic signal/switch check…all shows as okay. HELP!!!
Has anyone had this issue with hooking up the remote tv (ie. the second tv). When the main tv is on, I can't change channels or get the guide on the second tv. Its like the moment the first tv is turned on, it takes over all the functions of the second tv. I am in dual mode and my understanding was that I could watch different programs with different remotes on each of the tvs?? If anyone has had this problem, PLEASE help me as the bell technicians on the phone couldn't help me at all!!!
Has anyone figured out how to connect a PC to USB of a 9200 and download video – I was told by someone that they had seen it done – I tried a usb data tranfer cable but it did not recognize the 9200. Is this a hoax or will something help do this?
My 9242 receiver is about three weeks old. Four days ago the power light stayed on all the time, the power reset button has no effect on the receiver and there is no signal. I've talked to three technicians, have checked the cable connections and unplugged the receiver several times. All with the same result. The green power light stays on and there is no signal.
I have had 2 9242 receivers in the last two weeks, the first one wouldn't receive HD channels, the second one would not allow my second TV to work. Tech came on Friday and solved the 2nd TV issue. Yesterday I came home to find it booting, rebooting etc. After 1.5 hours on the phone with several techs (all of whom could barely speak or understand English) a "high-level" tech said he would send me out another receiver. So, no TV for another week. What a pain. I find the techs to be rude, they seem to be unable to allow anyone to finish a sentence without interrupting.
Bell is always promising that they will have a fix for this or that in the near future. After more than a year, I am still waiting for them to fix the audio/video sync problems so that I can enjoy the programming for which I pay $100 per month. Sometimes it's so bad I have to change the channel. Live broadcasts are especially bad. Bell replaced my 9200 thinking that was the problem, but the new one is just as bad.
My 9242 is very hot on the outside of the unit all the time… is this normal or do you think there is a problem
We just had a 9242 installed when we moved from cable to Bell Expressvu. This is our first PVR and I must say it's really nice. Presently it drives a 2nd SD Sony TV and that has worked fine, though a PVR timer mistake did prevent the 2nd TV from receiving a signal for a day until we figured that out. As I understand things the 2nd TV signal will be SD. Does that mean it has to be 4:3 or could it be widescreen but 480p say. If it's a bandwidth issue there might be hope in driving an EDTV or small HDTV in lower resolution. In either case, what would have to be done to get a 2nd HDTV in the location of the SD?
philip
Just spent several hours reading this and everything I could find on these issues as I "was" considering moving from Rogers HD to Bell to avoid similar issues with Rogers. Rogers is well aware of the issues. With either of their two HD boxes you are not supplied with HDMI cables as they do not support HDMI. At this point the cash spent on my new Denon receiver to have HDMI switching has not been entirely justified. HDMI cables to our Panasonic plasma and HD projector work well with our Blu-Ray and our HD DVD, but sounds like neither Bell or Rogers have hardware sorted out for HDMI yet. I have tried both of the Rogers HD boxes for a total of three different receivers, before I rolled back to component cables. Resetting the box on a regular basis is not what the HD experience should be about.
Am still happy we made the plunge as the Blu & HD DVD experience is great.
Guess I will wait for another three months and check back. Good luck to you all.
Hey Gordon, for what it's worth: I've been using Bell's 9200 HD-PVR with the HDMI output on my 50" Panansonic plasma, for a year without any problems or any need to reset the receiver.
I've had my 9242 for 3 months now. Worked great until recently. Great picture on HD but on some HD stations the audio cuts in and out now or simply stops working. I too called the rude, barely able to speak english tech support reps who every call try to sell more stuff. Geez Bell enough is enough I'm already paying close to $100/month.
Anyway, their tech service is now stating the 9242 does not support HDMI and that I am to replace the HDMI cable with component cables now. What the %$#$!
They even offered to reimburse me up to $50 for longer component cables. Oh yeah, what call wouldn't be complete without another plug for more money "could I offer you an extended service plan for your 9242 reciever" ??
I rent the box!! Go figure- typical Bell!!
Bought one two days ago and another Bell "dead on arrival." The send me a replacement. Gee thanks.
Thinking of getting 9242pvr. I have the 6100. I was told this receiver requires a different installation and would need it installed. Is it that different that I could not do it on my own. I can't just plug in the cable the way I do now.
Also I did not want to pay the $599.00 price tag so I asked if they have something for existing customers. They will sell me the 9242 for $300.00 plus installation of $125.00. You must have it installed or they will give you a credit on your programing 30% off each month for 12 months and a credit for the rest on your bill which will work out to $300.00
Are there any other options.
Hey Carl,
since the 9242 is a dual-tuner HD PVR, it does require two inputs from your dish instead of the 6100's single input. One of these inputs will also need a 30W power supply added in-line. Depending on how handy you are, this is something you could do yourself. If you want the receiver to be able to send the second (SD) tuner content to TV's elsewhere in the house, you'll need to run coaxial cable from those TV's to the receiver. Often your existing coaxial cabling will work for this purpose. Good luck!
Hello Simon. I do have 2 inputs presently. I have 3 cables out of my dish. 2 of them go into a spliter and out comes one. I then have another cable out from dish. This makes 2 cables running into my house. One cable I use on my 6100 and the other cable I use on my 3100.
This may be the wrong forum but…… I have a 9200 and my hard drive is filling up fast and I want to copy programs to a DVR. The audio is good by the screen is scrambled. I asked Bell and they say 'no can do'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There has to be a way to copy to DVR or VCR from the hard drive, is there anyone who knows how to do this?
Much appreciate any feedback.