Slingbox remote does not work after Firmware Update done

See the workaround described here ....

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=200138

What model Slingbox do you have? The Slingbox Solo and Slingbox PRO-HD both accept component cables. I am currently running both the Slingbox Solo and PRO-HD and they work fine with the new guide.

Component cables are red/green/blue and seperate audio cables are needed. The Solo and PRO-HD will accept standard red/white RCA audio cables and the PRO-HD will accept a digital audio connection.

It sounds like your Slingbox is connected using a composite (red/white for audio and yellow for video) connection. Verify you are using component cables and then check your Slingbox configuration to make sure it's set to use the component connection.

Error message when using slingbox:   Your TV or its cables are not HD!

Same problem occurred while we were away.

The problem is that the new software update from DirecTV  detects when the DVR is set to a hi def setting such as 1080i and informs you that your settings on the DVR do not match the "receiver" assuming that the receiver is always a TV.  In the standard Slingbox user's case, the "receiver" is the Slingbox. So if the Slingbox is connected via RCA or S-video cable the message occurs in the sling window on your computer but not on your TV which is using a second output from the DVR. Check it out, if you can use a laptop near the TV and you will find that the TV is being controlled by the Slingbox in every way but you cannot see the effects with certain functions such as list or guide. If you have a Slingbox Pro this is not an issue and it may not be for the solo, however. those of us burned by the Solo issues are reluctant to upgrade

The work around, isto manually drop the DVR output to 480i and the DVR now does not send out the message because the resolution now matches the Slingbox.  I was able to finally get the resolution to change remotely by continually hitting and holding a bit the "format" button which apparently is now the same as the exit button when in the confused state.  However, when returning home, my HD TV had no picture as with an HDMI cable the 480 resolution was not sufficient to generate an image. I had to again change it to 1080i.

Apparently, the problem is that it is not just a warning message but the DVR actually stops functioning until the conflicting resolution is remedied. The long term solution is that either DirecTV will have to permit use of the DVR after sending the message acknowledging that there may be other devices attached to the DVR or Slingbox will have to have a software fix.

you have a bit of issues at hand.  the HDDVR doesn;t know what is connected to it.  the new GUI is on HD resolution and cannot be displayed on its SD outputs.  the HDDVR's doesn't have the sufficient "horsepower" to manage two guides at the same time (HD GUI and SD GUI).  therefore when the receiver is set to an HD resolution (720p or 1080I) the message is displayed on the SD outputs to let the user know that they must switch the receiver to and SD resolution so that the GUI can be display (on SD).  apparently your TV does not like a SD relation via HDMI, thus you have to set the receiver to an HD resolution to get the picture back.  the work around on post #2 works like a charm.

The Slingbox Solo does have component inputs and you will not get that screen if it is connected properly. The older, and now unsupported, silver colored slingbox does not have component inputs.  Sling does have an upgrade program at: http://www.slingbox.com/go/upgrade

If you do in fact have a Solo, make sure it is connected with component cables and run the Slingbox setup.  When asked which input it's using, select "Component".  You will still need to connect the red/white audio cables (don't connect the yellow one).

I appreciate the quick response and input. Light years ahead of Slingbox customer or technical service, BTW.

You have forgotten the Slingbox AV which was the predecessor of the Solo. It does not have component inputs. I suspect that there are many still in use as they do not seem to die. In fact, I currently own four Slingboxes in two different locations as I do a great deal of travel. I omitted from my email that the Slingbox Solo has had a well documented overheating issue which dramatically reduces the unit's lifespan. I have owned 3 in the last 18 months, all of which have gone bad. I still own my original silver model which continues to work perfectly as well as an original AV unit. The nightmare of dealing with their customer service prompted me to seek out an AV unit to replace the Solo.  I recently purchased a Pro model to take advantage of the Ipad/Iphone App.It does cost twice as much as the solo or AV and in my experience does not work very well in HD mode. However, I am willing to wait before offering an opinion.

Sounds strange but I am a devoted Slingbox user but like many others am very frustrated by their technical support policies and their unwillingness to address the Solo issue.

I agree with you about Sling customer service.  It has gotten progressively worse since Echostar (Dish Network) bought the company.  The whole user interface needs to be overhauled. I love the Slingbox, but getting them to work as advertised is difficult.

The new guide not worth it.  How do I get rid of the new guide and go back to the old one.  Going back and forth on resolution settings is NOT an option.  Not to mention, the new guide is buggy and keeps causing me problems.

Not possible to go back.  See the workarounds in Post #2.  And be sure to email your feedback directly to DirecTV if you want them to see it. 

I would love to switch to component cables in order to solve this problem that DirecTV has created. Unfortunately, my DirecTV DVR only has one set of component connects (which are already in use and connect the DVR to the TV - which isn't HD). So, I guess my only option is to manually changed resolutions every time. I will definitely email my comments to DirecTV.

Just curious, is Directv going to reimburse me for the $50 cost that this work around entails?

Is there a contact e-mail setup at directv specifically focused at solving the issues and problems for users with the new guide rollout?

Taking a step back, is it me or the new interface which is supposed to be  "lightning-fast" when scrolling is incredibly slow when using the list of pre-recorded programs and deleting?

1. No

2. No

give it a few days.  a lot of housekeeping in the background after initial update.

Monoprice also has HDMI-to-Composite Converters if you're already using your Receiver's Component Video OUT. And if your feeding an SDTV, there's no reason to use the Component Video OUT.  You won't get any better video quality compared with SVideo or Composite Video.  Or do those Component Video cables feed a SECOND TV?