Mini Box Firmware

Hi TheGiz,

The mini box software update will correct an aspect ratio issue as well as an issue recording to external devices like VCRs. We hope to complete these updates to all mini boxes by the end of the year. Thanks for asking!

Was the firmware update only sent to Cisco mini boxes? Or all mini boxes?

Also, how exactly was the VCR issue fixed? What was the issue?

I don't know if the Evolution boxes were included in the update.  Hopefully Becky or another Cox employee can answer that.

From my testing, the Cisco box was sending a copyright flag to the VCR which caused the VCR to create an unwatchable recording.

Hi TheGiz,

Have you tried to record to your VCR via the mini box since the firmware update on the 3rd?

Yes.  The VCR records properly.  Thanks.

Since the 1.19.4 update, the guide takes a lot longer to come up. It used to display immediately after hitting Guide, now it takes about two seconds before the guide appears.  Do you know why?

Another change I noticed is how the guide handles page up and down.  Before the update, when using page up and down, the highlighted channel always stayed at the top of the guide. Now the highlighted channel stays at the bottom when using page down, and stays at the top when using page up.  Is this the intended behavior for the guide or a mistake?

I also have a feature request.  Would it be possible to have an option in the menu to change the guide aspect ratio?  A widescreen guide would be great on a HDTV.

I'm glad to hear that the VCR records and plays properly now! A delay in loading the Guide can sometimes be cleared by power-cycling the mini box. I'm checking with the video engineering team to see if I can get an answer regarding the intended behavior of the highlighted channel during the Guide Page Up and Page Down process. I'll pass on your request for a widescreen Guide at the same time! It may be a day or two before I can confirm an answer; however, I'll update you as soon as I can.

Hi Tecknowhelp,

I believe the firmware update was sent to both Cisco and Evolution mini boxes. I don't have the answers to your other two questions, unfortunately. As we have previously discussed, VCR recordings with a Cisco mini box appeared scrambled during playback. We don't have specific details about the fix.

@Becky

I have tried power-cycling my two Mini Boxes but the problem remains. Thanks for the other information. I look forward to your reply.

Hi TheGiz,

Are you referring to how the Guide handles Page Up and Page Down?

@Becky

Sorry.  I didn't see that you replied.

No.  I was referring to the delay of the loading Guide.  Did you hear from the engineering team if that is the intended behavior during the Page Up/Down?

Hi TheGiz,

Thanks for your inquiry about the Guide update concerns. We haven't received an update just yet, but we are actively communicating to get this information. Thanks for your time on this.