New update for SHAW DIRECT HDPVR 630 and HDDSR605 receivers

Over the last week Shaw Direct has been rolling out new firmware – version 04.06 – for the company’s  Motorola (Shaw Direct) HDDSR 605 and Motorola (Shaw Direct) HDPVR 630 direct-to-home satellite receivers.Shaw says the new firmware leaves the user interface largely unchanged but includes numerous bug fixes which make for a smoother and problem free experience.

Response to the new firmware update among Digital Home readers has been generally positive with many readers saying the devices have become much faster and more responsive with fewer freeze ups.

The Motorola (Shaw Direct) HDPVR 630 combines HDTV and a 320GB PVR to deliver dazzling programming and convenient interactive features. The Motorola(Shaw Direct) HDPVR 630 combines a full-featured,MPEG-4 capable digital receiver with an advanced high-definition television(HDTV) decoder and personal video recording(PVR) functionality.It delivers dazzling high-definition programming, an easy-to-use menu, and advanced interactive capabilities.In addition to the standard audio and video ports, the HDPVR 630 includes component high-definition and HDMI outputs.

The Shaw Direct HDPVR 630 also includes a hard disk drive that allows users to record programs for later viewing,as well as pause and resume live programming. The Motorola HDPVR 630 enhanced viewer menu system contains an on-screen program guide that provides extensive program information to help viewers plan ahead.Future upgrades to the guide can be downloaded via satellite.The easy-to-use menu system is conveniently integrated in the remote control.

Highlights of the new firmware for the Motorola (Shaw Direct) HDPVR 630 include:

• Tuning Rebuild – Audio/video are now presented much faster when turning on the receiver, changing channels, or stopping PVR playback. Tuner lockup/phantom recordings have been eliminated.
• HDD Space Remaining – a disk remaining bar has been added to the PVR List and PVR/Upcoming menus. The bar has been made more compact and is now colour coded depending on how full your hard drive is.
• Parental Controls – The experience with Parental Controls enabled should be more stable, with occurrences of the “false PIN” screen reduced and no more “No Data” blocks for programs that cross the GMT boundary.
• Guide changes – Channel line-up changes (like new channels being launched) will now appear within 60 minutes, or immediately by turning the receiver off and back on. A Front Panel Reset should no longer be required to fix missing or duplicated channels in your Guide.
• LIVE and 3D programs now have an icon in the Guide. “Live” programs will now be included when selecting “Record new episodes”. Note that these icons do not appear in the full-screen INFO pages.
• Search Enhancements – Interests Search genres are now sorted in correct alphabetical order when the language is set to French; Programs beginning with accented characters are no longer grouped at the bottom of the results list; and programs with accented characters can now be properly searched.
• Tune in Satellite Signal – The OPTIONS 4-3-1 menu now provides signal level from both tuners, an indication of signal strength, satellite, modulation, and transponder ID for both tuners. If no background recording is taking place, some values will not be available. This menu is primarily for self-installation and dish alignment and advanced troubleshooting. Audio will be lost when exiting the menu, change channels to resolve.

The Motorola (Shaw Direct) HDDSR 605 combines a full-featured, MPEG-4 capable digital satellite receiver with an advanced high-definition television(HDTV) decoder to deliver dazzling high-definition programming and an easy-to-use interactive menu.Television has never looked better with HD TV.The Motorola HDDSR 605 includes multiple output connectors and formats, including HDMI and Component Video outputs for the highest quality output to capable televisions.The HDDSR 605 also provides a full selection of Standard-Definition video and audio outputs to connect with anz home theater component.

The Shaw Direct HDDSR 605's enhanced viewer menu szstem contains an interactive program guide (IPG) that provides extensive program information to help viewers plan for the week or weekend ahead.The easy-to-use viewer menu system is conveniently integrated in the remote control.

Highlights of the new firmware for the Motorola (Shaw Direct) HDDSR 605 include:

• Tuning Rebuild – Audio/video are now presented much faster when turning on the receiver or changing channels.
• Cast Tab – The HDDSR 605 now includes expanded Cast information in the middle tab when pressing INFO.
• Instant PPV in Advance – Pay Per View programs can now be purchased in advance by selecting “Purchase and auto-tune this airing”. PPV messaging has been enhanced to be more informative.
• Parental Controls – The experience with Parental Controls enabled should be more stable, with occurrences of the “false PIN” screen reduced and no more “No Data” blocks for programs that cross the GMT boundary.
• Guide changes – Channel line-up changes (like new channels being launched) will now appear within 60 minutes, or immediately by turning the receiver off and back on. A Front Panel Reset should no longer be required to fix missing or duplicated channels in your Guide.
• LIVE and 3D programs now have an icon in the Guide. “Live” programs will now be included when selecting “Set a reminder for new episodes”. Note that these icons do not appear in the full-screen INFO pages.
• Search Enhancements – Interests Search genres are now sorted in correct alphabetical order when the language is set to French; Programs beginning with accented characters are no longer grouped at the bottom of the results list; and programs with accented characters can now be properly searched.