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Xumo DVR image quality

geezrr
geezrr Posts: 3 Spectator
edited February 10 in Cloud DVR

I'm a long time Time Warner/Spectrum user for my cable service. I've been a big fan of their hard drive DVR service. We recently moved into a new home and have been giving their Xumo streaming box a try in place of the DVR. From a functionality standpoint, I'm missing my hard drive DVR. While I can probably live with that, I'm also finding that the Xumo cloud based recordings are sometimes not full screen and sometimes are (much) less than a 2180 resolution. I don't ever recall experiencing those video drawbacks with my physical hard drive DVR recordings. Have any of you used both recording options and have you experienced the similar results? Were you able to do anything to resolve the shortcomings of the Xumo device? While the Xumo service saves a few bucks over the hard drive DVR service, I'm in the process of installing an 85" Bravia 7 display and don't want to have to live with the video shortcomings on the new display. Thanks for any feedback!

Comments

  • Satch
    Satch Posts: 6,233 Contributor

    Welcome to the Community @geezrr!

    I too prefer the traditional DVR boxes, and have that. An Arris 210 DVR. I like the picture quality better.The guide is more familiar, and navigation is easier,

    On your XUMO try going to settings or say "Settings" via Voice Command. Navigate to "Picture and Sound" and check below:

    Picture and sound

    Choose your picture, sound and language preferences. Customize resolution and adjust audio settings like preferred language, digital audio output HDMI and digital audio delay HDMI. To watch content in Full High Definition (FHD), confirm that your picture resolution is set to 1080p, and to watch content in Ultra High Definition (UHD) 4K, confirm that your picture resolution is set to 2160p.

    Try a reboot of the box, after changing the setting. If there is no difference, in quality, call Spectrum tech support for a service call and let them know about the picture quality problems on your XUMO. XUMO's are totally Internet dependent on strong Internet signals and lines. Have them send out a tech to check your signals, lines and XUMO settings.

    If the tech can't fix this, he/she should be able to swap out the XUMO back to a traditional DVR box. Most Spectrum markets still offer the traditional DVR service. Did you move to the same Spectrum area from where your old account was or to a different state? Most states (not all unfortunately) should still have XUMO to DVR switch back options. When you set up that service call, mention that you would like to switch back to regular DVR service if the tech can't fix this, so that the CSR can put that in the work order.

    If your area does not have the option of switching back anymore, and tech can't do anything about this, I would go to Amazon and purchase an Internet Range Extender Signal Booster. You can connect that to your XUMO and see if that improves picture quality. Let us know if you get to that point, and we can provide the instructions for that at that time. Hopefully a setting change with reboot, or a tech visit will get your picture up to high quality again, or a switch back to regular DVR. Let us know how it goes!

    Satch

  • geezrr
    geezrr Posts: 3 Spectator

    Thanks, Satch. I did verify the resolution was set to 2160p but I didn't reboot the box. I'll try that and see if it helps. I thought I might also try running a Cat6 cable and connecting it to the box. Would the quality of signal also cause deviations in the size of the image?

  • Satch
    Satch Posts: 6,233 Contributor

    Thanks, Satch. I did verify the resolution was set to 2160p but I didn't reboot the box. I'll try that and see if it helps. I thought I might also try running a Cat6 cable and connecting it to the box. Would the quality of signal also cause deviations in the size of the image?

    Yes,

    Signals can affect everything from picture and sound to slowdown if not within proper ranges. I recommend the steps above for people with signal/Xumo issues Can you post a screenshot of let's say a channel that has the worst reception? Pictures are worth 1000 words, and if we can actually see the noise/distortion that can help with investigating.

    The other thing to remember is that most of the streaming apps can do up to 2160p. But the traditional channel line ups can not, so you might be experiencing some down-scaling on those networks. However, it really should look about as good or as good as your older DVR box.

    Were you affected by the horrible storms and cold a few weeks ago? If so, this could be an issue with the lines. When was your last tech visit to check those lines and your signal strength of Spectrum services? When you got your XUMO was this a self-install from a Spectrum store, or did a tech come out to install the XUMO? I like the tech installs better than the self installs cuz he/she can test lines and signals with his/her readers and do an assessment of signal and line quality. Aging wiring inside and outside the home, because XUMO's are totally Internet dependent as opposed to regular boxes cab cause XUMO's to be more finicky about signal quality than traditional cable boxes.

    Satch

  • geezrr
    geezrr Posts: 3 Spectator

    Fortunately the storms didn't affect our area. The Xumo box was a self install but the other Xumo box in the house was installed by the tech when we initiated our new service in January. It's a new home and a new install so I'd not expect old wiring to be an issue. Again, thanks for your help!

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