Comments on: The Channel Master TV CM-7400, an OTA DVR Alternative to TiVo? http://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/ TiVo, Slingbox, Android, Blu-ray Disc, and whatever other tech I feel like blogging about... Fri, 18 Sep 2020 20:50:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: MegaZonehttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28931 MegaZone Fri, 16 Mar 2012 05:46:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28931 Yeah, that's a significant flaw and it sounds like support is really lacking.  It is worse than I expected. Yeah, that’s a significant flaw and it sounds like support is really lacking.  It is worse than I expected.

]]> By: TVDeficienthttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28930 TVDeficient Fri, 16 Mar 2012 05:31:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28930 I have owned the CM7400 for less than 60 days.  IT'S USELESS.  It has not been working AT ALL for the past three weeks.  The problems started 2 weeks into ownership / use.  It acted as if the remote control button were being pressed all the time - scanning through channels.  I contacted Channel Master tech support via email, and the back and forth between them was laborious and frustrating... asking me one question at a time, seemingly unconcerned with the fact that their delay in response was another day of no resolution.  We had to completely power the unit down, unplugging it, and restarting it to get this phantom button pressing to stop.  Then it started locking up on us in the middle of shows.  Again, CM was slow to respond.Finally after two weeks of back and forth emails and admitting that the unit had become COMPLETELY NON FUNCTIONAL (never once offering to get on a phone call or chat session, after I requested it) they broke down and offered to send me a replacement.  I WAITED OVER A WEEK TO RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT UNIT.  The whole time, a non-working unit is sitting in our family room.  I plug up the new unit, start to go through the setup, hit the back button to restart the channel scan and VOILA! the new one is now locked up!  Power down...power up - nothing.  Unplug it... power up - nothing.This from CM tech support "stopping a channel scan can sometimes lock up the box".  Seriously??!!  You know about this and elect not to fix the unit before going to market with it??I read some very negative reviews about this product before buying it, but elected to buy it in lieu of Tivo to save money on the monthly service cost.  I figured "It really can't be that bad.  After all, Channel Master is a decent company that's been around a while."  Well, IT IS AS BAD AS OTHERS SAY!  Channel Master has gone to market with a half-baked product (by the way, the user interface is a real pain to learn how to use, and takes multiple steps to do the most common tasks), haven't fixed known issues, and have absolutely pathetic customer support.HEED MY WARNING: STAY AWAY FROM THIS PRODUCT! I have owned the CM7400 for less than 60 days.  IT’S USELESS.  It has not been working AT ALL for the past three weeks.  The problems started 2 weeks into ownership / use.  It acted as if the remote control button were being pressed all the time – scanning through channels.  I contacted Channel Master tech support via email, and the back and forth between them was laborious and frustrating… asking me one question at a time, seemingly unconcerned with the fact that their delay in response was another day of no resolution.  We had to completely power the unit down, unplugging it, and restarting it to get this phantom button pressing to stop.  Then it started locking up on us in the middle of shows.  Again, CM was slow to respond.

Finally after two weeks of back and forth emails and admitting that the unit had become COMPLETELY NON FUNCTIONAL (never once offering to get on a phone call or chat session, after I requested it) they broke down and offered to send me a replacement.  I WAITED OVER A WEEK TO RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT UNIT.  The whole time, a non-working unit is sitting in our family room.  I plug up the new unit, start to go through the setup, hit the back button to restart the channel scan and VOILA! the new one is now locked up!  Power down…power up – nothing.  Unplug it… power up – nothing.

This from CM tech support “stopping a channel scan can sometimes lock up the box”.  Seriously??!!  You know about this and elect not to fix the unit before going to market with it??

I read some very negative reviews about this product before buying it, but elected to buy it in lieu of Tivo to save money on the monthly service cost.  I figured “It really can’t be that bad.  After all, Channel Master is a decent company that’s been around a while.”  Well, IT IS AS BAD AS OTHERS SAY!  Channel Master has gone to market with a half-baked product (by the way, the user interface is a real pain to learn how to use, and takes multiple steps to do the most common tasks), haven’t fixed known issues, and have absolutely pathetic customer support.

HEED MY WARNING: STAY AWAY FROM THIS PRODUCT!

]]> By: TVDeficienthttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28929 TVDeficient Fri, 16 Mar 2012 05:30:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28929 I have owned the CM7400 for less than 60 days.  IT'S USELESS.  It has not been working AT ALL for the past three weeks.  The problems started 2 weeks into ownership / use.  It acted as if the remote control button were being pressed all the time - scanning through channels.  I contacted Channel Master tech support via email, and the back and forth between them was laborious and frustrating... asking me one question at a time, seemingly unconcerned with the fact that their delay in response was another day of no resolution.  We had to completely power the unit down, unplugging it, and restarting it to get this phantom button pressing to stop.  Then it started locking up on us in the middle of shows.  Again, CM was slow to respond.Finally after two weeks of back and forth emails and admitting that the unit had become COMPLETELY NON FUNCTIONAL (never once offering to get on a phone call or chat session, after I requested it) they broke down and offered to send me a replacement.  I WAITED OVER A WEEK TO RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT UNIT.  The whole time, a non-working unit is sitting in our family room.  I plug up the new unit, start to go through the setup, hit the back button to restart the channel scan and VOILA! the new one is now locked up!  Power down...power up - nothing.  Unplug it... power up - nothing.This from CM tech support "stopping a channel scan can sometimes lock up the box".  Seriously??!!  You know about this and elect not to fix the unit before going to market with it??I read some very negative reviews about this product before buying it, but elected to buy it in lieu of Tivo to save money on the monthly service cost.  I figured "It really can't be that bad.  After all, Channel Master is a decent company that's been around a while."  Well, IT IS AS BAD AS OTHERS SAY!  Channel Master has gone to market with a half-baked product (by the way, the user interface is a real pain to learn how to use, and takes multiple steps to do the most common tasks), haven't fixed known issues, and have absolutely pathetic customer support.HEED MY WARNING: STAY AWAY FROM THIS PRODUCT! I have owned the CM7400 for less than 60 days.  IT’S USELESS.  It has not been working AT ALL for the past three weeks.  The problems started 2 weeks into ownership / use.  It acted as if the remote control button were being pressed all the time – scanning through channels.  I contacted Channel Master tech support via email, and the back and forth between them was laborious and frustrating… asking me one question at a time, seemingly unconcerned with the fact that their delay in response was another day of no resolution.  We had to completely power the unit down, unplugging it, and restarting it to get this phantom button pressing to stop.  Then it started locking up on us in the middle of shows.  Again, CM was slow to respond.

Finally after two weeks of back and forth emails and admitting that the unit had become COMPLETELY NON FUNCTIONAL (never once offering to get on a phone call or chat session, after I requested it) they broke down and offered to send me a replacement.  I WAITED OVER A WEEK TO RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT UNIT.  The whole time, a non-working unit is sitting in our family room.  I plug up the new unit, start to go through the setup, hit the back button to restart the channel scan and VOILA! the new one is now locked up!  Power down…power up – nothing.  Unplug it… power up – nothing.

This from CM tech support “stopping a channel scan can sometimes lock up the box”.  Seriously??!!  You know about this and elect not to fix the unit before going to market with it??

I read some very negative reviews about this product before buying it, but elected to buy it in lieu of Tivo to save money on the monthly service cost.  I figured “It really can’t be that bad.  After all, Channel Master is a decent company that’s been around a while.”  Well, IT IS AS BAD AS OTHERS SAY!  Channel Master has gone to market with a half-baked product (by the way, the user interface is a real pain to learn how to use, and takes multiple steps to do the most common tasks), haven’t fixed known issues, and have absolutely pathetic customer support.

HEED MY WARNING: STAY AWAY FROM THIS PRODUCT!

]]> By: jerryhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28787 jerry Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:43:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28787 I to have had the same issues with my CM7400. It operated flawlessly for 4 days and then locked up. It was hot to the touch and the remote control nor front controls would operate it. I would unplug the system hoping to reboot it but it would only lock up again after a few minutes. I've also tried calling Channel Master's help line and left 3 messages and not one of them have been returned. I'm not a happy customer at this point. I to have had the same issues with my CM7400. It operated flawlessly for 4 days and then locked up. It was hot to the touch and the remote control nor front controls would operate it. I would unplug the system hoping to reboot it but it would only lock up again after a few minutes. I’ve also tried calling Channel Master’s help line and left 3 messages and not one of them have been returned. I’m not a happy customer at this point.

]]> By: 75newprthttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28766 75newprt Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:38:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28766 No, the CM7400's Achilles heel is the fact that the unit is an inferior piece of hardware that seizes up after less than 3 hours of use, overheats and even on day 2 an attempt to use it was met with unit seize-up after only 2 minutes.  Neither the remote nor the unit's front controls will work, and the only remedy is to unplug the unit.  This will be returned to CM. No, the CM7400′s Achilles heel is the fact that the unit is an inferior piece of hardware that seizes up after less than 3 hours of use, overheats and even on day 2 an attempt to use it was met with unit seize-up after only 2 minutes.  Neither the remote nor the unit’s front controls will work, and the only remedy is to unplug the unit.  This will be returned to CM.

]]> By: 75newprthttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28767 75newprt Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:38:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28767 No, the CM7400's Achilles heel is the fact that the unit is an inferior piece of hardware that seizes up after less than 3 hours of use, overheats and even on day 2 an attempt to use it was met with unit seize-up after only 2 minutes.  Neither the remote nor the unit's front controls will work, and the only remedy is to unplug the unit.  This will be returned to CM. No, the CM7400′s Achilles heel is the fact that the unit is an inferior piece of hardware that seizes up after less than 3 hours of use, overheats and even on day 2 an attempt to use it was met with unit seize-up after only 2 minutes.  Neither the remote nor the unit’s front controls will work, and the only remedy is to unplug the unit.  This will be returned to CM.

]]> By: 75newprthttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28768 75newprt Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:38:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28768 No, the CM7400's Achilles heel is the fact that the unit is an inferior piece of hardware that seizes up after less than 3 hours of use, overheats and even on day 2 an attempt to use it was met with unit seize-up after only 2 minutes.  Neither the remote nor the unit's front controls will work, and the only remedy is to unplug the unit.  This will be returned to CM. No, the CM7400′s Achilles heel is the fact that the unit is an inferior piece of hardware that seizes up after less than 3 hours of use, overheats and even on day 2 an attempt to use it was met with unit seize-up after only 2 minutes.  Neither the remote nor the unit’s front controls will work, and the only remedy is to unplug the unit.  This will be returned to CM.

]]> By: More Info On the Channel Master TV DVR, Now Even Less Appealing | Gizmo Lovers Bloghttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28709 More Info On the Channel Master TV DVR, Now Even Less Appealing | Gizmo Lovers Blog Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:46:13 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28709 [...] TV DVR, Now Even Less Appealing Posted on Friday, September 16, 2011 by MegaZone The other day I posted about the Channel Master TV CM-7400 ATSC & clear QAM DVR, and given its features and $400 price tag I concluded that a $600 TiVo [...] [...] TV DVR, Now Even Less Appealing Posted on Friday, September 16, 2011 by MegaZone The other day I posted about the Channel Master TV CM-7400 ATSC & clear QAM DVR, and given its features and $400 price tag I concluded that a $600 TiVo [...]

]]> By: NewTeeVee Pans The Channel Master TV | Gizmo Lovers Bloghttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28556 NewTeeVee Pans The Channel Master TV | Gizmo Lovers Blog Mon, 21 Nov 2011 07:13:56 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28556 [...] Master TV, aka CM-7400, and they pretty much panned it for the same issues I pointed out in my two previous posts. Basically the high price ($400) for a unit with few features, and the additional $50 annual [...] [...] Master TV, aka CM-7400, and they pretty much panned it for the same issues I pointed out in my two previous posts. Basically the high price ($400) for a unit with few features, and the additional $50 annual [...]

]]> By: Elder Wandhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28278 Elder Wand Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:46:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28278 This seems like a great idea, but it just seems to fall way short of being a great device. Since it has internet capabilities it should be so much more robust. Why limit it to vudo? Why not open it wide open and make a web browser on the dang thing and marry tv with internet? Add blue-tooth and you've got peripherals like keyboard and mouse! Let the consumer choose where they want to get their media content. Heck this thing could ruin sling-box if they wanted too. This seems like a great idea, but it just seems to fall way short of being a great device. Since it has internet capabilities it should be so much more robust. Why limit it to vudo? Why not open it wide open and make a web browser on the dang thing and marry tv with internet? Add blue-tooth and you’ve got peripherals like keyboard and mouse! Let the consumer choose where they want to get their media content. Heck this thing could ruin sling-box if they wanted too.

]]> By: Elder Wandhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28276 Elder Wand Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:46:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28276 This seems like a great idea, but it just seems to fall way short of being a great device. Since it has internet capabilities it should be so much more robust. Why limit it to vudo? Why not open it wide open and make a web browser on the dang thing and marry tv with internet? Add blue-tooth and you've got peripherals like keyboard and mouse! Let the consumer choose where they want to get their media content. Heck this thing could ruin sling-box if they wanted too. This seems like a great idea, but it just seems to fall way short of being a great device. Since it has internet capabilities it should be so much more robust. Why limit it to vudo? Why not open it wide open and make a web browser on the dang thing and marry tv with internet? Add blue-tooth and you’ve got peripherals like keyboard and mouse! Let the consumer choose where they want to get their media content. Heck this thing could ruin sling-box if they wanted too.

]]> By: Elder Wandhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28273 Elder Wand Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:46:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28273 This seems like a great idea, but it just seems to fall way short of being a great device. Since it has internet capabilities it should be so much more robust. Why limit it to vudo? Why not open it wide open and make a web browser on the dang thing and marry tv with internet? Add blue-tooth and you've got peripherals like keyboard and mouse! Let the consumer choose where they want to get their media content. Heck this thing could ruin sling-box if they wanted too. This seems like a great idea, but it just seems to fall way short of being a great device. Since it has internet capabilities it should be so much more robust. Why limit it to vudo? Why not open it wide open and make a web browser on the dang thing and marry tv with internet? Add blue-tooth and you’ve got peripherals like keyboard and mouse! Let the consumer choose where they want to get their media content. Heck this thing could ruin sling-box if they wanted too.

]]> By: MegaZonehttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28229 MegaZone Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:29:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28229 People have been saying things like that for over a decade now and TiVo is still around.  I'm not worried at all.  In fact, TiVo's situation has been improving of late - they won a settlement with Dish which will provide $500 million over the next several years, they're MSO subscriber trends went from a decline to a 10,000 gain last quarter, the existing MSO deployments with RCN, Suddenlink, and Virgin Media continue to expand and add to the subscriber base, they have additional MSO deals with ONO in Spain, Canal Digital, Grande Communications, and Charter that will be deploying this year.  The new DirecTiVo is finally in manufacturing and should actually launch this year after a two year delay.  And they have the TiVo Elite launching next month.Even if TiVo were to fail I'm not worried.  ReplayTV went bankrupt *twice* and their uses still have data service.  First ReplayTV went bankrupt and was acquired by Sonic, then Sonic collapsed and ReplayTV was picked up by D&M Holdings.  And even after D&M Holdings shut down RTV operations and sold the IP to DirecTV they've continued to provide service.  If TiVo collapses it is a sure thing someone will acquire them for their IP and will almost certainly sustain data service to continue the MSO deals. People have been saying things like that for over a decade now and TiVo is still around.  I’m not worried at all.  In fact, TiVo’s situation has been improving of late – they won a settlement with Dish which will provide $500 million over the next several years, they’re MSO subscriber trends went from a decline to a 10,000 gain last quarter, the existing MSO deployments with RCN, Suddenlink, and Virgin Media continue to expand and add to the subscriber base, they have additional MSO deals with ONO in Spain, Canal Digital, Grande Communications, and Charter that will be deploying this year.  The new DirecTiVo is finally in manufacturing and should actually launch this year after a two year delay.  And they have the TiVo Elite launching next month.

Even if TiVo were to fail I’m not worried.  ReplayTV went bankrupt *twice* and their uses still have data service.  First ReplayTV went bankrupt and was acquired by Sonic, then Sonic collapsed and ReplayTV was picked up by D&M Holdings.  And even after D&M Holdings shut down RTV operations and sold the IP to DirecTV they’ve continued to provide service.  If TiVo collapses it is a sure thing someone will acquire them for their IP and will almost certainly sustain data service to continue the MSO deals.

]]> By: Ucla89http://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28227 Ucla89 Sun, 18 Sep 2011 22:34:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28227 How much longer will TiVo be around?  They lost $19 million last quarter. How much longer will TiVo be around?  They lost $19 million last quarter.

]]> By: Ncbillhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28226 Ncbill Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:56:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28226 There's at least one single-tuner ATSC-only DVR w/HDMI out (PSIP guide data) for $199 (320GB hard drive as well)I think that's the product space for bargain hunting OTA-only timeshifters. There’s at least one single-tuner ATSC-only DVR w/HDMI out (PSIP guide data) for $199 (320GB hard drive as well)

I think that’s the product space for bargain hunting OTA-only timeshifters.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28176 Anonymous Fri, 16 Sep 2011 02:17:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28176 I completely dismissed this on tivocommunity, before hearing it had dual tuners. If it had show editability (similar to Toshiba XS32), and being able to download shows to a computer (like a TiVo), that would be great for some of the things I do record "for keeps", like musical performances from talk shows. I completely dismissed this on tivocommunity, before hearing it had dual tuners. If it had show editability (similar to Toshiba XS32), and being able to download shows to a computer (like a TiVo), that would be great for some of the things I do record “for keeps”, like musical performances from talk shows.

]]> By: Channel Master Launches New DVR For Cord Cutters - Zatz Not Funny!http://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28172 Channel Master Launches New DVR For Cord Cutters - Zatz Not Funny! Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:00:27 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28172 [...] Channel Master’s new solution, Megazone still feels that the OTA-capable TiVo is a better value. Remember, TiVo is also targeting this demographic with a few recent promotions. [...] [...] Channel Master’s new solution, Megazone still feels that the OTA-capable TiVo is a better value. Remember, TiVo is also targeting this demographic with a few recent promotions. [...]

]]> By: Mike Vormittaghttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28156 Mike Vormittag Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:58:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28156 As mentioned in the review, the program guide situation will be this unit's Achilles Heel.   Relying on PSIP EIT/ETT is going to be a headache for users of this thing unless the stations in their area do it very well (ie. more than the FCC minimum 12 hours and with program details). As mentioned in the review, the program guide situation will be this unit’s Achilles Heel.   Relying on PSIP EIT/ETT is going to be a headache for users of this thing unless the stations in their area do it very well (ie. more than the FCC minimum 12 hours and with program details).

]]> By: Mike Vormittaghttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/09/14/the-channel-master-tv-cm-7400-an-ota-dvr-alternative-to-tivo/comment-page-1/#comment-28155 Mike Vormittag Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:58:00 +0000 http://www.gizmolovers.com/?p=7931#comment-28155 As mentioned in the review, the program guide situation will be this unit's Achilles Heel.   Relying on PSIP EIT/ETT is going to be a headache for users of this thing unless the stations in their area do it very well (ie. more than the FCC minimum 12 hours and with program details). As mentioned in the review, the program guide situation will be this unit’s Achilles Heel.   Relying on PSIP EIT/ETT is going to be a headache for users of this thing unless the stations in their area do it very well (ie. more than the FCC minimum 12 hours and with program details).

]]>