Bill,
Hopefully you can get a new box soon. If you've got 7.26 software and
still having this problem, I suspect the hardware.
Your problems sounds like an 180 degree opposite experience than the
two and half weeks that I've been a Voom subscriber. Just to let
everyone know that not every Voom experience is like this, I'll share
my positive story...
My install was scheduled for the afternoon of December 7th. The
Installs Inc. installer called on the 6th and asked if he could come
first thing in the morning instead of noon-5pm like scheduled. This
was perfect for me so I said yes. He showed up about 10 am (after
calling from his cell phone to tell me he was caught in traffic and
wouldn't be there "first thing" like he anticipated).
After surveying the site, he volunteered to remove an old DirecTV dish
high up on my roof that I could not reach myself (no ladder). I
realize this made his life easier as he could use the wiring, but
still I was greatful to get rid of that old dish that had been there
since we bought the house (our DISH install was located elsewhere).
He installed the standard dish and standard antenna and left my DISH
install wired to the point that simply switching a coaxial cable out
will get me back on DISH if I decide to go back. We initiated my
service and programmed my OTA channels. The installer packed up all
his equipment and ladders etc. onto the truck and came in for me to
sign the final paperwork. It was then that I pointed out that I
wasn't getting consistent over-the-air reception.
The installer unpacked everything and went back to troubleshooting,
eventually switching out the antenna unit for another identical unit.
This seemed to do the trick and we were up and running.
The first day I experienced two problems. The first was that the box
locked up on a bunch of the channels. I got online and chatted with
CSR from the Voom website (a nifty feature by the way). After a
couple of minutes of chatting online about this and an overscan
problem I was noticing with my TV, the CSR called me to follow up.
The basic message was that the lockups were a result of my needing the
7.26 software download and that I would get it overnight. The
overscan issue was a problem with my TV itself and he couldn't help me
with that.
I fixed the overscan problem with a Sound & Vision Home Theater
Tune-Up DVD while I passed the time for my download overnight. The
overscan problem had always been there but it wasn't until I watched
WorldSport which was putting the scoreboard bug way out towards the
perimeter of the screen that I actually noticed the issue.
Well, sure enough, as promised, the new software downloaded overnight.
I still didn't have any program guide data though so I chatted with
Voom again over the web. They told me it takes a while after a reboot
to load the data. I had assumed the box rebooted after the software
upgrade but just in case, I did a hard reboot (unplugged it). Sure
enough, 45-60 mintues later, I had program data.
I have been watching AMAZING HDTV since December 8th. I did not plug
in a phone line under the advice of those here, so I don't have to
deal with the routine lockups mentioned by other users. During this
time, I've had two problems. The first was a a case of channel
"blackouts" in the 100s range. While some channels came in fine,
others went dark. A soft reboot fixed this immediately. The second
minor issue was a few pixelations during a moderate rainstorm.
However, I never lost the signal (which routinely happened with my
DISH installation).
For those keeping score at home, I also have Time Warner Cable.
During the same two and half weeks that I have had Voom installed. I
have had the following problems with Time Warner:
1) My Scientific Atlanta HD-DVR stopped recording programs
unexplicably. It would record for about 20 seconds on a program and
then stop. I missed several of my favorite programs because of this.
It turned out that the unit was not automatically deleting files to
increase the free space for recording. I had to manually delete a few
programs and reboot and it finally started working again...a solution
that I discovered as TimeWarner's CSR's were of no help and wanted to
change my box out.
2) My Pace standard-definition box had a similar "dark channels"
problem as the Voom box, but EVERY channel was out. A soft reboot
fixed this but this was in the bedroom upstairs and I didn't notice it
for 4 days meaning everything I TiVo'd during that time was just blank
hard drive space.
3) I routinely have problems with macro-blocking and pixellation on
my HD-DVR, especially when recording HD on one channel and watching HD
on another channel. This happens 2-3 times per week and has been
going on for months since I got the box. Time Warner has no fix for
this.
4) The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound over coaxial or digital audio output
on the HD-DVR drops out continuously while watching HD programming
live or during recorded playback making it virtually an unusable
feature of the DVR.
So, I'd say that although TimeWarner may offer a few more
technological perks, I'm having as many, if not more, problems with
their service than I have had with Voom. I know many have suffered
through lots of software and other issues with Voom but my experience
has been very positive with Voom...in fact, better than I anticipated.
Just thought I'd add my testimonial to the list so everyone would know
it's not all negative.
On Fri, 24 Dec 2004 11:00:44 -0500, benzbill <satguys2004@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> 
i have had voom's service for 2 weeks & it has had problems 12 out
> of the 14 days picture freezing ,box locking up after channel
> up(122),channel staying the same video surf bar still changing
> channels,massive tileing from wind,turning on sat box no picture
> etc,etc,etc.Always have to power down box by resetting & then it works
> good for the most part i love the picture quality but this service is
> extremly poor multiple calls to voom 2 missed service calls already for
> the box replacement then when i mention disconnecting i am told i mite
> have to pay a early termination fee what a joke there s**t doesnt work
> & i have to pay a penalty i wish i would of read all the complaints on
> this site b4 i signed up disatisfied so far hopeing new box cures the
> problem but i doubt it since installs inc & voom themselves aknowledged
> other people also having similar problems thanks for listning to my
> venting Bill
>
>
> --
> benzbill
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> This message was posted via http://www.satelliteguys.us by benzbill
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Afterward, I placed the receivers on channel 100 and turned them both off - 20 minutes later the PGs were fully up and operational. The two new receivers are connected to new HDTV sets (less than 3 months old) and everything is working SMASHINGLY. I tuned the receiver settings, did a quick calibration on the specific VOOM input setting on the sets, programmed the Universal Remote and have been using all three sets since early this morning. Check this out:
He is also one of the preferred installers who is unF^@(ing poor VOOM installs in the area. VOOM is paying some of these people to work in multiple states.
What I meant to say was don't let 'em leave with out 7.26 downloading...not downloaded. 
