Favorite channel macros are the acid test for those DVRs.

You didn't mention if you were using a base station, often the emitters are too close and need to be moved ~ 6" away, but regardless the DVRs are very touchy. The cleanest way to test is to enter the guide first, and then press various favorite channel macros. Changing channels rapidly doesn't work very well even with all the kinks worked out, and it's not very realistic either.