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The DTI6300-16 is a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) that can record around 70 hours of Freeview TV. It also (optionally) supports Top Up TV (TUTV) content - selected programming from paid-for tv channels available on demand. The idea behind this wiki is to provide a user's guide and reference point for current bugs, workarounds and features. Add info if you can, and see the help page if you get stuck. Thanks!
Programme Guide
The Programme Guide, accessed with the Guide button, displays up to 14 days of shows featuring on Freeview and Top Up TV channels. Highlighted programmes can be set for recording with the Rec ('R') button, which will take the user to the Planned Recordings screen. Scrolling up and down will shift which channels are displayed, and left and right will scroll earlier and later in the schedule.
Search (Red button)
Includes a possible use with Film4: Type 'fil_' in the channel section of 'Search' to provide a list of 2 weeks of films, or type e.g. BBC Four to see a single channel list of what's on.
24hrs Back / 24hrs Forward
In EPG, use the << and >> buttons to skip 24 hours.
Go to day
Use the Green button for a panel showing the next 14 days from which to choose to view the EPG. You can also use the Green button to see what is coming up on TopupTV by pressing the TopTV button and then green button to choose each day in turn.
Synopsis
A brief description of each programme is available by automatic pop-up. By default this appears after 2 seconds, although this can be set to up to 10 seconds (or be disabled entirely) in the Set-Up>Customise DTR menu. At the present, synopses cannot be triggered manually.
Functions
'Resume'
While playing a recording, playback can be paused and returned to at another time, even once the box has been switched to another recording, or been turned off. This pausing is done by setting a 'resume' point by pressing Library or Live TV. Highlighting the recording in the Library and pressing Green will then resume playback from this point.
- When a resumable recording has been highlighted in Library, a green icon will appear below it, with the caption 'resume'.
- Any recordings an be resumed that display this green 'resume' icon. Counterintuitively, a 'tick' or 'revolving arrows' symbol to the right of a recording does not indicate whether a recording can be resumed. To find out whether or not a recording can be resumed, it must be highlighted to see if this icon will appear.
- 'Resume' points are preserved when turning off the box. The exception to this is turning off during playback of a recording. If this happens, when the box is switched on, it will play the recording from the start.
- A 'resume' point is deleted when a recording is started by the Ok or Play buttons. Using this method, the recording will play from the very beginning.
- 'Resume' will not be canceled by pressing Back or Stop while watching a recording, although the user will be returned to the Library with the most recent recording highlighted.
'Playing' (Revolving Arrows)
The revolving arrows mean that the 'playing' function has been set and that recording can be accessed by 'swap/0' button while watching another live programme.
- It is only set to the last recording which has been watched, and only if you exit by using the Library or LiveTV buttons while watching it.
- 'Playing' (and 'Resume') are set at the same time, but only 'playing' is cancelled by setting 'playing' to another recording
- 'Playing' (and 'Resume') are not cancelled by putting the box into standby but are cancelled by pressing the Stop or Back buttons to exit a recording
- If, while watching a recording, upon pressing SwapLibrary or LiveTV buttons, the recording is effectively 'paused'. Thereafter the 'playing' function persists until cancelled, together with a new point of access to that programme via 'resume'.
- Also see ICONS -'Playing'
'Viewed' (tick)
This is not a function, (see: Icons), and just means 'watched' i.e. it can also be present when the 'resume' function is not set, or when the 'resume' function has subsequently or inadvertently been cancelled by starting with the Ok or Play buttons, or by pressing the Stop or Back buttons while watching that recording
'Live-Pause'
'Live paused’ TV (i.e. where a time bar has been displayed by pressing Pause, << or >> buttons) can be re-wound, or navigated up to the current time position. This is restricted by the size of the buffer according to the buffer-length setting.
'Chase-play-Recording'
While a recording of a live programme continues normally, it can be navigated or paused to watch it from an earlier position.
'Series-Link'
The next recording in a series is set when the last one finishes, so it is worth keeping an eye on 'messages' in Menu: one failed recording, perhaps due to poor reception, breaks a series-linkage.
'Locked' (Tuner)
The current tuner is not available to change channels when it is 'locked' by 'chase-play-recording' or 'live-pause', or during download of TopUpTV.
'0/"Swap"' (P.16)
The 0 button on the number pad also functions as a 'Swap' key. The Thomson box uses two separate Freeview tuners at any one time (for instance to record one channel while watching another). The 0 key can be used to switch from viewing one to the other. Swap also cycles through any 'playing' recording in the library. If only one tuner is in use then the Swap button does nothing, and icon('i') is momentarily displayed.
'Changing Channels'
to change channels the box tries to re-use the current tuner and this can be confusing when one tuner is 'locked'. For example, when 'playing' is not set and so a 'playing' recording is not involved:
- '((Tuner 2. channel B.))', say, is 'locked'. It is not important which tuner is concerned but there is a red recording light shown on the front panel
- The Swap button switches tuners (Tuner 1. channel A) <-> ((Tuner 2. channel B)) consistently
- If a channel change is required, say, to channel C. the result is a re-configuration to: (Tuner 1. channel C.) because channel B 'locked' to tuner 2. and cannot be changed
- So, the first time it is used after the re-configuration, the Swap button may not return the display from C to the 'last' channel because A is no longer tuned thereafter the Swap button switches between (tuner 1. channel C.) <-> ((tuner 2. channel B)), consistently again
Recording
Begin recording of live TV
To record the current channel, keep the Rec ('R') pressed until the 'target' icon appears on the screen and the red 'recording light' on the front panel shows. A recording is started from the beginning of the current tuner’s buffer (according to length of the Pause-LiveTV buffer, setting in Menu> Set-Up> Recording Preferences)
End recording of live TV
While watching the Channel which is recording, hold down the Stop button until the icon 'stop' appears on screen and the red 'recording light' on the front panel goes off
Recording from the guide
Highlight a programme to select it, then:
- The Rec ('R') button moves it to the editing line, see ‘Recording - edit a planned recording’
- a popup appears carrying on-screen instructions
Edit a Planned Recording
Highlight a programme to select it, then:
- The Red button moves the programme to the Editing Line
- Pressing the Left or right directional buttons moves the text cursor to the start 'Time' (but see: Recordings - Series Link')
- or to 'Duration', then the Yellow button to add minutes or the Red button to subtract
- Press Rec ('R') to transfer the edited recording to the list
Series Link
See ‘Recording - edit a planned recording'.
- Pressing the Red button moves the recording from the edit line to the list
- the Series Link option pops up if this is available for that programme
- EPG crashes if you change the Start or Finish time and then attempt to record with Series Link
Manual settings
- In Planned Recordings, move the highlight-cursor to the empty edit area above the list
- An option 'Green' appears on screen and pressing this produces a pop-up for Manual Timer settings
Icons
(revolving arrows): 'Playing'
After watching part of a recording, it is a useful habit to go back to Library by using Library or LiveTV button, which both set the 'playing' and the 'resume' functions. In Library that recording is highlighted and the 'resume' option (via @Green in library) is displayed. The recording is said to be 'playing' and the marked recording is available using @swap/'0' while watching something on one of the two tuner-channels (also see P.16 and FUNCTION: 'Swap'). If the recording is started with @ok, or with @>'play', the recording starts from the beginning and 'resume' is cancelled. Also see Functions: 'playing' and 'resume'
(tick): 'Viewed'
After watching a recording, upon return to Library without using @Library from the recording, the 'resume' function will not be set while the highlight is always positioned at the first recording in the list and a 'tick' icon is displayed on the last watched recording to indicate that it has been 'viewed' (P.16). When any 'viewed' program is highlighted in library, the 'resume' option may or may not be displayed. Also see Functions: 'resume'
('i'): Information about obtaining Anytime Services
This can appear in the page shown by Menu>Customise TUTV Anytime. When a channel may not be selected for downloading because there is no current subscription to TUTV it indicates that clicking the slot will bring up a pop-up describing how to do so. There is no 'i' symbol in those slots in the list which might eventually be 'free' and not subject to a card being in place, namely 'Info Channel' and 'Show Case', nor can they be selected for download
Screen Icons
- ('target') similar to @rec: momentary display (see Recording - START Recording Live TV)
- ('square') similar to @stop: momentary display (see Recording - STOP Recording Live TV)
- ('!') i.e. can't do that!: momentary display
Buttons
Library
The marker-icons 'playing(revolving arrows)', and 'viewed(tick)' are of interest whenever the Library screen is accessed:
- After giving up on watching a recording, it would seem a good habit to return to Library only by using the Library button to set the functions 'resume' and 'playing', and so that the cursor-highlight is automatically placed on that recording so it can be deleted if necessary; otherwise the highlight goes to the first title in the list, which may not be the last one played, so it is too easy to delete the wrong recording .
- While watching a recording, pressing Stop or Back, cancels the 'playing' and 'resume' functions and sets the marker 'viewed' on that recording, while pressing Library, Live TV or 0 (Swap) does not. Also see Functions and Icons.
LiveTV
Returns the display to the present time on the last tuner in use:- - any 'playing' or 'resume' function is not cancelled and @Swap still operates to cycle between any 'playing' recording and the tuner(s) in use - if used when watching a recording, it sets the 'resume' and 'playing' functions - it also returns from menus.
0/Swap
see functions, Swap
Anytime
Found by going to Menu> Customise Anytime.
Info Channel and Show Case Channel (30/11/07) - Info and Show Case will eventually be 'free to air' and not subject to a card being in place (hence the lack of an 'i' symbol in those slots in the Anytime list).
Conflicts
Tuner
When you try to change channels and two recordings are already in progress, @Red takes you to Planned Recordings so you can cancel a recording if you still want to change channels
Anytime Service
- In standby - Planned recordings take preference over downloads, and only one tuner is required for all downloads
- Not in standby - P.18, last paragraph: When watching, and either or both tuners are in use, this could conflict with a TUTV download and a pop-up will request a decision. The options are @Red: continue to record Anytime, or: @Green: Anytime recordings will be abandoned and the box will be in Override Mode for one hour, or until it is placed in standby. If the pop-up is ignored the tuners continue to be used as they were
Guard Times
- If guard times are set for two back-to-back recordings on the same channel, the box does not realize it has 2 tuners, and recordings fail due to the overlap. However it apparently does work if you can also can put in a series link for such programmes
- It may be that series link remembers the guard setting when you actually set it and, after turning guard times off, series links need to be re-done as well. Otherwise the box may need a re-set to cancel the guard times (see bug – guard times)
Running repairs
Deleting a corrupt recording
Scroll down to the recording above the corrupt one then press down, blue, green rapidly - it can sometimes take a couple of goes but usually manages to delete it eventually.
i found that this could be achieved by going to the engineer menu and setting the display preview option to NO, this disables the preview in the library and allows you time to get it deleted.
Try The Following:-
Press Menu->
Press 4 for set up->
Press 6 for help->
Press remote keys 1, 3, 9, 7 (engineers code)->
Scroll down to option 7 (disable library video window)->
Press the right arrow key (change to yes)->
Press library button->
Hi-lite the file program causing the trouble->
Press Blue button->
Press Green button->
After a few seconds it should delete->
JOB DONE->
If it still freeze's up, switch off at mains and try it again.-> Sometimes it will be removed, when it reboots.->
Thanks to Freeview Repair for more free DTI6300 guides
Software Update, (e.g. v.2.99 Sept 2008) a.k.a. OAD
- Latest software is available by on-air-download, and transmission is repeated every hour. The update displaces the version previously installed, which is also stored in flash memory to allow ‘reversion’. The update takes about 10 minutes to complete, so up to 70 minutes can be needed to catch it and complete.
Channel scan
Gives the basic 8 day EPG - Performed by: Menu >Set up >Channel Scan
8-day EPG
From new, (or after OAD) and following channel scan, the basic 8-day Electronic Program Guide is populated over a few minutes but series link is not available without the 14-day EPG
14-day EPG
Needs channel 5 and is available for download between 11:30 and 11:59 a.m. and it is then stored on HDD, to be updated daily. Obtaining it can take up to two days
Reboot (a.k.a. 'Reset')
To deal with most problems or crashes switch off power and re-start or re-boot the box for a 'normal' reset. If this fails, delete one or two recordings to retain the rest, and scan for channels to try to re-initialise TUTV software
Factory Reset (a.k.a. ‘Formatting the Hard Drive’, a drastic last resort)
The hard drive, which contains all recordings, schedules, and series-links, is erased by formatting so all are lost - Performed with @Menu, >Setup>Help, @Green, @Red
How do I format my hard drive if I cannot start the box?
It might be worth trying the following:
- Remove power to the unit.
- As power is reapplied, repeatedly press standby button on front panel until solid orange LED is seen.
- Press following key sequence, one key at a time – up, down, left, right. The LED. The boot sequence will then continue with the HDD being formatted as part of the boot. Sequence must be entered within 6 seconds of the appearance of the solid orange
When installing a new HDD
- Reverting to v.2.81 software is said to help, then format, then download latest software
- Revert to previous software - Performed with @Menu, >Setup >Help, @Green, @Yellow
Forced On Air Download procedure
When no software is present and no menu is available
- Power off the DTR completely and power back on until Green light is shown
- Immediately select Menu > Set Up >Help on the remote control
- Press 1397 on the remote control numeric keypad and the Engineer page is displayed
- Scroll down to item 10 (Force next OAD)
- Press OK
- Put DTR into standby (to solid RED LED)
- Wait until DTR reboots automatically
- Update is complete
- To check if it has successfully downloaded, select Menu > Set Up > Help.
The new version will be shown in item 1. Software Version. The version will have changed to 2.88 (Nov 2007). Now carry out a channel rescan, Menu > Set Up > Scan for Channels.
Bugs
Guard Times
It may be that series link remembers the guard setting when you actually set it and, after turning guard times off, series links need to be re-done as well. Otherwise the box may need a re-set to cancel the guard times
Multiple Conflict Reports
18/11/07 Re. Multiple error messages about 'Series Rescheduling Contention' – it was acknowledged that there are conditions that cause the DTR to report multiple conflicts against a single recording
Plasma Blanking
There is known a bug with plasma blanking which causes it to come on over live TV/Playback
see Conflict Guard Times
There is a known bug in that the box does not realize it has 2 tuners
Series Link
- If, while it is recording the current episode, you set 'series link' for a subsequent episode this causes the box to crash
- If you set a later recording for a programme which is already series linked, apparent loss of all guide and planned recording info. occurs. A reset by interrupting power restores the info. but 'planned recordings' then shows both episodes with a Series Link symbol; if one is not deleted the crash will recur when the first is being recorded
- See: Recording - Edit a Planned Recording, but EPG crashes if you change the Start or Finish time and then attempt Series Linkgreen button
Recordings overrun
The bug that causes the FFWD/REW issue also causes recordings sometimes to be too long
Deletion of a recording causing a crash
More likely when:
- deleting while a recording or download is in progress
- deleting a very long recording
- the box is nearly full
Corrupt recordings
There is a known bug in all software versions up and included Version 2.91, which means that a recording may be corrupted when stored to the hard disk. The effects of this vary, but some of the more commonly reported side effects (in order of severity) include:
- Current position skips when rewinding or fast-forwarding through the programme.
- Progress bar is missing or displays incorrect information during play-back.
- Programme consumes more disk space than expected.
- Programme duration is reported incorrectly on Library menu.
- Programme can not be played.
- Box crashes if one highlights programme in Library screen, especially if Preview Window is enabled.
In severe cases, a corrupt recording can impact on the overall stability of the box, leading to failed recordings, missing TUTV Anytime downloads, and random crashes. If you are experiencing these kind of stability problems, then it is very possible that a corrupt recording is the source. In such cases, the only solution is to locate and delete the offending programme.
Identifying a corrupt recording may be straightforward -- if the programme exhibits some of the side effects listed above. In my experience, programmes that display any of symptoms 3--6 are candidates to affect the stability of the box.
However, I have also experienced instances where no symptoms are apparent, but where a programme is adversely affecting stability. In such situations, it is likely to be one of the most recent recordings that is the rogue. This has happened to me on three occasions and, each time, it was the most recent recording that had caused the problem.
I have never knowingly encountered a problem with TUTV Anytime downloads causing stability issues. It appears that only planned recordings are likely to cause these problems.
In rare cases, one may need to reformat the hard drive. However, I have been using my DTI6300 for well over a year and have never needed to do this.
The underlying problem has been acknowledged by Top Up TV, who have also confirmed that it will be corrected in the next (after Version 2.91) software update. In the meantime, one can reduce the risk of corrupt recordings by keeping disk space (as reported on Help screen) above 10% or, better still, 15%. Experience suggests that corrupt recordings are more likely to occur when the disk is low on space. With recent software versions (Version 2.88 and Version 2.91), a warning message may be displayed if disk space drops below 10%.
One can increase disk space by de-selecting unwanted Anytime channels and by deleting programmes once they have been watched. If one wishes to keep a programme for the longer term, it is probably better to use a DVD or VHS recorder, rather than leave it on the set-top box. Some users have successfully replaced the original disk, as provided with the unit, by a larger one to give them more space for recordings. If you are considering doing this, you may wish to visit Top Up TV forum on Digital Spy to source further information.
The good news is that following these guidelines, I have found the DTI6300 to be very reliable when not affected by corrupt recordings. This suggests than once the problem is corrected by TUTV, people will start to see sustained, reliable performance from the set top box.
Various notes
- Signal strength: Many consider the box to be no better or worse than others in dealing with inadequate reception, which can cause normal operations to fail or crash the system. Signal quality, in 'help', at around (lower)6 or 4 makes the picture freeze momentarily or stutter, instead of resulting in the picture break-up seen on other boxes
- The full HDD space is normally reported as 70 hours, which is a 'worst case' estimate. When TUTV channels have been un-ticked in menu>customise TUTV Anytime, and depending on content, c.120 hrs becomes available, but is not reported
- Series-link is also available to non-subscribers and needs the 14 day EPG, requiring channel 5 and available for download between 11:30 and 11:59 a.m. It can sometimes take two days
- Fast forwarding/Fast rewind: do it in stages, or you can go back to the start. Also best to avoid going from FF to RW or FRW to Forwards in a single step. The FFWD/REW issue also causes recordings sometimes to be too long, and will be corrected in the next software update. *** Workaround for this is to rewind quickly, press play and then fast forward as fast as you want. If the DTR jumps back it only jumps back to the last point at which you hit rewind. This can be invaluable when trying to skip advert breaks. [citation needed]
- Widescreen switching issue: seems only to affect some TVs and not others
- TUTV 'Info' and 'Show Case' channels are still encrypted.
- Multiple error messages about 'Series Rescheduling Contention'. It was acknowledged that there are conditions that cause the DTR to report multiple conflicts against a single recording
- Leaving the Box In Standby: One benefit is that the box "knows" it has both tuners to work with. If you leave it on, and not in a menu, it has to keep a live buffer recording of the channel it's on, and that's one tuner working for nothing. When in standby, or on a menu, it knows it has both tuners to play with
- Update Sheets, official
- 10/10/2007 Instruction ‘update’ sheet:
- @TEXT (illustration of button on remote) The description should read “Access digital services. Skip forward whilst watching recordings” (however, skip has not been implemented)
- Page 22 – "The default RF modulator output Channel is 38, not 22."
- Page 27 – "The illustration shown for the second conflict resolution is not correct. Please follow the written instructions and the on screen information"
- 10/10/2007 Instruction ‘update’ sheet:
External links
- Thomson DTI6300-16 / Top Up TV Knowledgebase
- DTI6300-16 Instruction Manual
- Official Hints and Tips from Top Up TV
- Thompedia
- Freeview Repair the place for FREE manuals and Freeview help
