DTV PAL customer service and converter box experience, long

[Larry G. Griffin]

I visited this Forum when I received my converter box coupons. I found that the DTV PAL TR-40CRA, and Digital Stream were both good boxes. I purchased both via the internet. I finally set them up about 3 weeks ago. Initially I only received about 6 channels on either box. Thinking I needed a new antenna I put them aside. I then thought that maybe the old amp I had on the antenna might be the problem. I disconnected the amp and Viola!, about 30 channels, and the signal strength was in the 80s or above, this was about 2 weeks ago. I liked the user interface on the DTV PAL better so I used it. It worked fine though there was annoying static when ever I put it on mute or info caption was on the screen. I emailed there tech dept. about and they gave me a couple of links to get an attenuator(?). It was about this time that while downloading the program guide which it does when turned on it lost signal. The caption on the screen says push up arrow or down arrow to go to another channel. I pushed the arrows, nothing. I had to back run the initial setup to scan the channels back in they were gone. I emailed the tech back and he said call in. It did this 2-3 more times once in the middle of a program. I disconnected the dtv pal and installed the digital stream. Later I called the number the tech had given me. You can't get pass the automated answering system to tech support with out an account number, Unless you select sales and have them transfer you. I ended up talking with some one in tech support. Evidently they have a script that they have to follow. I had hook up the dtv pal again, which did not go well because there was some one waiting, and it went down hill from there. The DTV pal was working again so I left it hooked up. Needless to say it did it again, this time I couldn't even to shut off. I pulled it out tried the outfit were I bought it, since it was on a coupon I would have to back to the manufacture, don't blame them for that. Not that I'm out any real money, but hoping more for an upgrade (more on that later), I set it back up. This time I used the chat link the tech had given me. The tech I chatted with same thing following a script. Have to exhaust all possible trouble shooting options, like replace the outside antenna with rabbit ears on the TV, really. It was a long and tedious endeavor, but I did finally get them to concede to replace it. In order to replace it you have to have an account number.

On the closed caption problem. There is an option to change the default from on to off, just not in this model. I assume that you have buy the DTV PAL plus to get that option. That's pretty cheap IMO.

I like the interface on the DTV PAL, but the more I use the Digital Stream the better I get along with it.

Larry

[usually_quiet]

On the closed caption problem. There is an option to change the default from on to off, just not in this model. I assume that you have buy the DTV PAL plus to get that option. That's pretty cheap IMO.

I have the DTVPal TR40-CRA as well. To change the default for digital closed captions to "OFF" :

1. Press "Menu" button on remote
2. Select "Setup"
3. Select "Closed Caption"
4. Select "Captions On"
5. Change from "On" to "Off"

When you look at the "Closed Caption" menu again, it will show "Captions Off" instead of "Captions On"

[Larry G. Griffin]

On mind the on, off selection is there, and that can be done, but you can't change the default from on to off.

Larry

[usually_quiet]

On mind the on, off selection is there, and that can be done, but you can't change the default from on to off.

Larry

If that is the case, yours was defective.

I turned the closed captions for mine on and off to record the steps for my instructions. It worked perfectly, and whatever setting I chose was retained when the DTVPal itself was turned off, and then on again.

[Edit] Perhaps I should have added to my instructions:

5. To select the "On/Off" control, press the left arrow button on remote.
6. Press the up arrow button on remote to toggle to "Off"
7. Press the right arrow button on remote
8. Press the up arrow button on remote to highlight "Done"
9. Press "Select" button on remote
10. Caption menu should now show "Caption Off" for its first entry

DTVPals have some quirks. One of mine forgets its channel list now and then. The clock can't be set manually, which screws up the timers. The TVGOS function doesn't work because Gemstar hasn't fulfilled its part of the scheme. However, unless they have mucked up the firmware since I bought mine in August, digital closed captions can be turned on and off by default via the menu.