Some recorded shows won't play back on 6416

OK, so this has been listed for 6 months and no answer from Verizon. What Gives???????????????

I have the same problem also but not on all recordings. One series recording does it often now after never doing it. Last week it started on another show I was trying to record. It is not the recording setup since the shows do record all of the time and some won't play back. It is also a 6416 DVR.

It seems to be becoming a common problem. What is the PROBLEM?

Tommy76

I have the same problem except on a 7xxxx series DVR....Some shows when I go to play just don't start and take me back to live TV even though it list's the show as fully recorded eg. 59 mintues for example...This happens about once every 20-30 recordings I'd say so not terrible but still a major pita....This problem seems to have shown up for me at least since 1.7 came

Verizon....how about instead of working on lousy widgets you get your act together with using good hardware, guide data, and firmware

Add me to the list. I've had FiOS for only a few days, haven't yet had the chance to record and play more than half a dozen shows -- all of which worked fine until I tried to play one back tonight and found exactly what others here have described. Show seems to have taped but won't t play back.

DanCsnoop

I too am having the same exact issue. A new box has been sent to me to see if that clears things up, but the problem seems like a firmware/software issue rather than a hardware issue. The program will record and show up in my DVR as 59 minutes and 59 second long. But, when I go to play the program, the box reverts to the TV channel I was just watching. I am currently only using 4% of the DVR's capacity. This has been going on for at least 2 months.

There are two or so other threads on this issue. The tech guys on the phone are clueless and no help from the mods here.

Can we get a confirmation that high level Verizon tech guys know of this problem?

Recordings started to not play soon after I saw my box being upgraded with the new firmware.

It is random, the more you record the sooner you'll find a recording that doesn't playback.

Then it starts over again, record for like 10 to 20 more times and then another show won't play.

I just lost another 2 shows in 2 days.

The one taped program that wouldn't play for me aired in between two other programs (that played fine). This is just a shot in the dark, but have other people found that unplayable events were scheduled immediately before or after other events, such that a compromised start (or end) time might be a common factor?

I just realized that while this thread is about the 6416, I (like at least one another contributor) have the 7216. If they're both having this problem, that would seem to argue that the troubles lies with the firmware, no? Someone at Verizon told me that a new release is on its way over the next few weeks. My fear is that it won't address this issue because the relevant people at the company aren't aware that it exists.

It would seem that it is the firmware then. In my case, it also seemed to start with the release of the new release. Verizon tech support claims to know nothing about it. They had me go through the usual troubleshooting to fix it. Not sure yet if anything helped. The reboot and initialization didn't allow an existing recorded show that wouldn't play, play.

charlesr

Same problem here. Verizon sent me new dvr and I still have the same problem. Seems to be a software/firmware problem.

Would like to see this fixed soon.

MichaelMidas

For people having this issue, can you please post the following information so we can try to isolate this issue: channels, programs, time of day for the recording, and state you are in.

Thanks

elmontfios

I am having the same problem and it seems to have started recently. I've had FIOS for two years and never had this problem with this DVR before.

We are located in Elmont, NY. That is on Long Island.

We have seen this problem twice now.

The other day we attempted to watch and episode of The Fringe, which is on Fox on Wed or Thursday. It was an episode from late January I think and it would not play. Other episodes that we taped were fine and other shows that we taped were fine.

This morning, my son attempted to watch and episode of Kick Butowski, which is on Disney XD on Saturday mornings and it would not play. Other episodes of that show that were recorded work fine.

After reading the other posts it seems to me that something was done on the firmware side that has caused this issue. This is a huge problem and Verizon had better fix it. There is nothing worse than recording a show and expecting to watch it and not being able to. After all that's why we pay for DVR.

I've had FIOs for two years with no technical issues up to now.

I have a 7216 and did not have this problem until yesterday. Only 60% of the hard drive is used. Other shows taped last night, but the program after the Olympics didn't. When you hit play, it just goes back to live tv even though it says it is 30 minutes long. This really sucks because you never know if something might not tape. It seems like things have been deteriorating since we "upgraded" to HD DVR and the 1.7.1 software was downloaded. The series manager does not communicate with the Guide, either.

Another really annoying thing I've noticed is when you use the remote number buttons to change the channel, every second time, the channel automatically changes to 1952 - the Verizon channel. It does not matter what buttons you push, it just automatically goes to that channel.

The bigger Verizon gets, the further the service deteriorates--and now these cheesy technical issues. Seems pretty embarrassing for such a large company.

sunny4jj

I am also having issues. I have Motorola 7216. I am new to fios and thought I might have done something wrong. Not new to DVR though so couldn't figure out what it was. Extremely annoying. I have had to call Verizon several times with other issues and don't want to call again! Do I have to? It seems they don't know what's going on anyway. What should we do? Does anyone know?

sunny4jj

1. Yes

2. 38% yes

3. Yes

alminxnj

Just ran into this issue tuesday of last week. We have a brand new 7216, and the drive is only 6% full.

We were able to manually record some Disney channel shows for our kids on tuesday 2/23 (just programmed a start time and an end time). Then, on saturday we tried to record from the programming menu, some specific shows. They appear in the Recorded programs menu, but when trying to play them, we get a few seconds freeze, and then go back to live programming.

Live in Massachusetts.

Time of day, shows, channel, day of week, = random

Started in December

Have been through the full reboot process. Still occurs

MichaelMidas

Thanks to everyone for staying on topic and the information you are providing. We're collecting data on this issue and need to know specific channels, programs, time of day for the recording, and your state (NY, MA, etc) in order to isolate this issue as much as possible.

The one playback problem I've had (on a 7216 STB) was an episode of "The Office" on channel 507 (NBC affiliate) -- recorded Feb. 4 at 9 p.m. I'm in Boston. Hope that helps.

HD STB 7216 -- version 1.7.1 -- Build Number 09.97

Date of show that would not play: February 27

Time of show: 10:30 Marriage Ref on NBC

On March 2, Lost - set to record in Series Manager. I checked every few days for two weeks to make sure it was set to record, as the "check" on the shows to record in the guide disappear consistently (I have to go through all the shows to make sure they are set, due to this issue). At 9:10 I noticed Lost was not recording, and when I pushed the record button, A message box popped up, saying there was a conflict with a show set to record at 10pm! I cancelled that show (which was lower in priority in the Series Manager, so should not have bumped Lost and there was not a time conflict). Then it let me start to record Lost. This was the first time that has happened, but it is really annoying that it would skip the recording for no reason.

It is also annoying to be paying more for this box, and having all of these problems with it. I do not want to exchange the STB, as I doubt it will make a difference, as this thread shows.

Sorry--forgot to mention-- Florida--Tampa Bay area.

@Suzanne7777 wrote:
HD STB 7216 -- version 1.7.1 -- Build Number 09.97
Date of show that would not play: February 27
Time of show: 10:30 Marriage Ref on NBC
On March 2, Lost - set to record in Series Manager. I checked every few days for two weeks to make sure it was set to record, as the "check" on the shows to record in the guide disappear consistently (I have to go through all the shows to make sure they are set, due to this issue). At 9:10 I noticed Lost was not recording, and when I pushed the record button, A message box popped up, saying there was a conflict with a show set to record at 10pm! I cancelled that show (which was lower in priority in the Series Manager, so should not have bumped Lost and there was not a time conflict). Then it let me start to record Lost. This was the first time that has happened, but it is really annoying that it would skip the recording for no reason.
It is also annoying to be paying more for this box, and having all of these problems with it. I do not want to exchange the STB, as I doubt it will make a difference, as this thread shows.

drakefantastic

HD STB 7216

Release: 1.7

Build Number 09.83

Problem: recorded show won't play, DVR reverts to live TV.

Shows that would not play:

March 2, The Biggest Loser, NBC, 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

notes: Recording was not extended past scheduled end. TV was being watched during the recording on the other tuner.

March 6, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Speed HD, 10:59 am to 3:30 pm.

notes: Recording was extended 60 minutes after scheduled ending. TV was being watched whild recording took place.

Seriously Verizon? The reason I pay you money is so that I can watch my TV shows. With this DVR (the only option that works with your service), I can only watch 20 hours of shows, and there is about a 1 in 10 chance that the DVR wont let me watch them. So let's analyze this. I work and do not have time to watch TV at scheduled times, but fortunatly, you provide a DVR. The ONLY function of a DVR is to watch programs that I do not have time to watch. So, if the DVR you provide does not work, I cannot watch TV. This renders FIOS TV useless, and I will not pay for a service that I do not use. And then there is anger I feel toward you when a show I am excited about fails to play. I get some food set up, something to drink, i exhale and forget the worries of the day, and i press "play" on my DVR...and nothing happens. Fortunatly I have not lost an important show. If the DVR ever eats LOST or a Sprint Cup race, I will call everyone i know and tell them not to get FIOS. I will then post on Facebook that FIOS TV eats shows. I will then go to my job as a school teacher, and I will tell every student in every class to go home and tell their parents how FIOS TV eats your TV shows. I will then offer extra credit for anyone who switches from FIOS TV to another provider...(ok, maybe the last threat was unethical...no extra credit).

To avoid the above threats, please give me the only two things i want in a DVR: the ability to record a buzillion HD shows and the ability to actually watch the shows I record. And I am willing to give up widgets to achieve these demands.

{edited for privacy}

Update: I have rebooted it, called tech support and they did something called re-niche (sp?)...I'm not really sure what that means, but the support guy said is was like a "super reboot"

jeff52

I just spoke with a FIOS Tech (Melanie) at 888-553-1555. She couldn't offer much in terms of retrieving a recorded program that wouldn't play but did make what might be a helpful preventive suggestion. She said you could "flush the system" on the box by entering "4883" on the remote three times (i.e., "4883 OK", "4883 OK", 4883 OK"). Then reset the box. She said this will clear out any corrupt data which could be present and a possible cause of this issue and (in theory, at least) elilminate or drastically reduce the chance of a recurrence of the "no playback" issue. She assured me that doing this would have no ill effect on any recordings already present on the DVR. Hope this might help, perhaps at least in a preventive sort of way.

GunnMstr

Same problem here with a Motorola 7216 - Boondock Saints, 6:30P on IFC (Ch. 894), 3/7. Like other folks this has happened occasionally with other shows. The freezing of the DVR and ON Demand screens is another annoying features. Apparently, the FIOS software was written by engineers fired from Microsoft Vista.

goke313g

terrible coding going on in Verizon...tsk tsk

BadDVR

Release: 1.7.1
Build Number: 09.97
Data Object Version Number: 09.97
Platform ID: QIP-7216 P1

DVR is 70% full

The following program recorded but won't play:

Caprica: The Imperfections of Memory, Channel 680 | Syfy HD

Recorded 1 Hr on on Fri 3/12, 08:59 PM

Attempting to play the recorded program returns immediately to the current live program.

The DVR was set to record the series which it has been doing fine for a weeks. I noticed in the recorded programs that the DVR recorded a bunch of episodes today that I had previously recorded, watched, and deleted - why is it recording old shows? Other shows it recorded today that all play fine:

Caprica: There is Another Sky, Chanel 680 | Syfy HD

Recorded 1 Hr on Fri 3/12, 07:00 PM

Caprica: Gravedancing, Chanel 680 | Syfy HD

Recorded 59 Mins, 59 Secs on Fri 3/12, 06:00 PM

Caprica: Reins of a Waterfall, Chanel 680 | Syfy HD

Recorded 59 Mins, 59 Secs on Fri 3/12, 05:00 PM

Caprica: Rebirth, Chanel 680 | Syfy HD

Recorded 59 Mins, 59 Secs on Fri 3/12, 04:00 PM

There were no other programs scheduled for today. Other series set to record (in priority order): Lost, Caprica, Flash Forward, Heroes, and V. Looking in the series manager for next week it looks like the DVR is planning to record lots of episodes that had previously been recorded, watched, and deleted.

Personal expression of frustration: Thanks Verizon for recording shows I've already seen and not letting me watch the 1 show I really wanted.

t211flyer

Add me to the list. I'm new to FIOS (installed 3/9), not new to DVR's. This is upsetting, never had a problem with the DVR''s from the satellite company I just left.

Release: 1.7
Build Number: 09.83
Data Object Version Number: 09.83
Platform ID: QIP-7216 P1

DVR is 23% full

The following program recorded but won't play:

Caprica: The Imperfections of Memory, Channel 680 | Syfy HD

Recorded 1 Hr on on Fri 3/12, 08:59 PM

Anyone viewing or posting on this blog about this problem call Verzion FIOS tech support. After 3 calls myself, they claim the problem does not exist. That they have never heard of it.

CALL!!!!! CALL !!!!!!!!! CALL !!!!!!!!!

It just happened to me again -- this time with a movie I recorded via my computer through the website interface. It seemed to tape, but each time I tried to play it, there was a black screen for a few seconds and then I was returned to live TV. Impossible to acccess the movie. Surely Verizon has got to be aware of this, no? Yet another software update has come and gone without a fix.

Wow--I thought it this problem had been fixed. Then:

Location -- Tampa

Dateline

Channel 508

April 5, 2010

2:30 am

59 minutes

It definitely is the HD STB. It hasn't happened at all on the old 2716 I still have in the bedroom.

Someone had a theory that it only happens with shows recording after another show. In this case, that is not true. It said the recording was 59 minutes, and when I deleted it, the hard drive went from 78% to 73%. So the "recording" is taking up space, and reporting stats like it recorded, but would not play--just reverted to live programming.

This sucks.

Could someone please let the developers know? They seem to always be the last to find out according to Verizon tech support.

bimmerfios

I am having the same problem...verizon tech please help!

Nozirev

Happening to me too, my wife is sitting at the computer having to watch episodes of 24 on the Fox web site because the DVR recorded and won't play them back.

What's infuriating is that they have obviously made a corporate decision to sweep this under the rug and lie about it to customers until the problem can be quietly resolved. They won't respond to this thread, they are telling customers on the phone there is no problem, suggesting it is due to bad hard drives -- twisting and turning to avoid admitting they messed up and their software probably has a bug that has inconvenienced thousands of customers.

I'm starting to wonder why I put up with these Verizon DVRs with their weird quirks and software bugs. So many shows are available for streaming now, I can watch almost anything I want, when I want, without having to pay Verizon extra money every month for their DVR, or as I like to call it **bleep** Verizon Rubbish 😃

This has been a 5+ month problem, I'm probably losing 6 recordings a month, depends how much I record.

Can't get anywhere on the phone, NO ONE who works for Verizon responds in this thread!

It's a firmware problem so FIX IT!!!!

What else can we do but to cancel Fios?

I've still been pursuing this with Verizon. Today I was on the phone regarding in Internet problem and mentioned this issue. He sent a update to the box , get this, that is supposed to fix the problem. Whether he was serious or just sent a reset only time will tell.

Call Verizon and get a supervisor if you can't get any help via standard tech support.

thiswateredone

I had this issue happen to me on my 6416-2 DVR. I did find a fix sort of, but you will need to have a HD STB (i.e 7100). What I did was go to my 7100 HD STB and start the program that would not play on the 6416. It played on the 7100. I then hit stop on the 7100 and went back to my 6416-2 and selected the same program from the DVR list but instead hit "resume play" and it played.

I did notice that about 5 minutes of the beginning of the show was missing, possibly corrupt, but its better to lose the first 5 minutes than the entire hour.

Hope this helps some.

good luck.,

Tampa, Florida

QIP 7216

May 5, 2010

12:00 a.m.

Channel 550

Law and Order CI

DVR said recorded one hour. Would not play at all. Second time this week, and this is getting obnoxious.

teresa5182

Exactly the same problem happened for the first time last night.

cprgolds

You can add me to the list....

Portland, OR

HD STB 6416

Release: 1.7.1

Build Number 09.97

Both time channel 508 (NBC)

1 instance Local 11 PM News

Other America's Got Talent

DVR < 50% full; Nothing else going on.

GWMPlum

We too have experienced this issue on 2 different occasions. Both times on channel 504 (ABC HD). First time was an episode of Lost (in March). Second time today (Monday 6/14/10) episode of The Bachelorette.

81% space used

All previous recordings play back without a problem.

Very frustrating that you sit down to watch a favorite show and - Nothing.

We need a resolution to this problem!

cprgolds

Even more frustrating about this is, at least in my experience, when calling Tech Support, they act like this is an unknown problem and have "never heard of it".

At least this forum gives some comfort in the fact that I am not alone (or imagining things).

You know what's sick? This forum is to help the customers. This thread is 6 pages long, has 5400+ views and I don't think even ONE moderator has commented on the problem!

Nothing, nada, zilch! They could say, we're looking into the problem or I say they have fowarded this thread to some higher ups and Verizon.

This problem started in December when they upgraded the firmware. 6+ freaking months. I have probably lost 30+ recordings in that span.

{please keep it relevant}

[Deleted User]

Hello Lurker,

While a Verizon employee may occasionally post here, this community is meant mainly for peer-to-peer support. If you need to talk to a Verizon representative, you should contact customer service directly.

RG53

Six days ago, I switched to Verizon Fios TV - went to watch a show I recorded last night .... Merlin, SyFy channel, 10pm, Syracuse, NY ..... had the "won't play back problem." It was the season finale and I'm upset about missing it. Unfortunately, Merlin is not one of the shows recorded by Verizon On Demand. Never had this problem with my Time Warner DVR and I find it unacceptable that this problem has been occurring since December 2009 with no resolution.

brown85

I have a 7216, same problem.

Arlington, VA

NBC Channel 504

America's Got Talent

7/14 9-10pm

jimmy@thesuperstar.org

Having the same problem... some shows will not play after being recorded, it has happen to 4 different shows now.

GaryDoug

This is a problem for me to... Just installed about 4 weeks ago. Welcome to hell!!!!

The excuse of "Program/network wasn't available"??? Get real. Even an old VCR will just record the snow.

I didn't know this was a big deal until I read these posts. Or I would have remembered the information you guys are listing here. Now I guess I will have to schedule redundant recordings for important shows I don't want to miss, maybe with my old VCR and antenna too....

It has happened to me several times as well. When it has happened, I noticed it would keep happening at least once or twice a week. The last few times this happened, I did a hard reboot of the stb and then it did not seem to happen again for weeks, so maybe the reboot is the solution to this, as well as numerable other issues.

Hubrisnxs

the issue happens for a couple reasons. one is a glitch in verizon's firmware, and that is being updated right now. it's a slow roll so expect over the next couple months to get 1.8 software. the second reasons is if the program is unavailable or becomes unavailable during the time it is recording, it will do the same thing.