Hello all. I noted this issue in the EZ47 thread a couple of weeks ago. It didn't bother me much then, but now I've officially upgraded it to 'an issue'.

I've owned the Panasonic EZ47 for nearly 3 weeks now. And when watching or even landing on an 'in the clear' digital VOD channel, when it starts to either fast forward or rewind the movie, the EZ47 freezes up with a U99 error. If I'm watching and have the remote in my hand and see it begin to ff, I can quickly change the channel and avoid the freeze up. But obviously, you can't-and shouldn't, have to baby sit the recorder while it's recording a digital channel like this.
I was recording a recent new film that started late last night, and didn't know how long it would run. So I just set it for 90min, and went to bed. This morning the U99 error was on the display. Powered off, then on again resulted in the RAM disc being formated. 4 hrs of material erased. So now I'm ticked. Now, you'd probably just say, don't bother with these VOD channels anymore, and I didn't think I'd have much use for them (with no schedule announcing start times or what's showing, the attraction dimmed a bit). If I run past Home Alone, Big Mama's House, or even Barney(!) one more time I may scream. But the purpose of getting a recorder with digital tuner was to take advantage of the free, clear QAM channels that you could receive.
So my question is, has this occurred to anyone else, regardless of recorder model?

I would not think that the purpose of getting a recorder with QAM is to record on demand movies. In fact, besides the fact the it is freezing. What good is it if someone tries to fast forward on the movie while you want to watch? Get the DVD already!

In fact, pixelation brings up a good point, you may be encountering the error as a result of the two-way communication protocol that VOD uses to enable users to have "virtual" transport controls. If someone freezes or ff/rew the movie then you may be getting the error. Not sure if this is technically the case but I would categorize recording VOD YMMV at best (i.e., not supported (by design) by either the equipment manufacturer or the cable co.) and, at worst, a violation of your user agreement with the cable co. In either case you are sol wrt getting this resolved through any hardware manufacturer feature/firmware upgrade.

The purpose of getting a recorder with digital tuner was to take advantage of the free, clear QAM channels that you could receive.


VOD is not intended to be a free, clear QAM channel. If you want the VOD then you should purchase it.

Oh I know that the VOD channels are just a perk of having the digital tuner. I just wanted to know whether it's the tuner that's wonky or not. Others experiencing the same problem would help me determine whether to ignore it or worry that the tuner would go on the fritz (due to there being an issue with it) later on down the line.
I can ignore those chs-as I mentioned, there really isn't that much of interest playing, but the real mystery for me is just how is someone else's surfing/ff-ing in their house, is translating to the tuner (picking up the signal) in mine. :o
Plus, the additional worry that if I got digital cable, would the problem be magnified with someone in the den ff-ing thru a program on the cable co box/dvr, with the recorder on in another room.

What does "YMMV" mean?

What does "YMMV" mean?

Your mileage may vary. That is to say, results for you might be different.

Plus, the additional worry that if I got digital cable, would the problem be magnified with someone in the den ff-ing thru a program on the cable co box/dvr, with the recorder on in another room.

Why would that matter? If you got digital cable, I would imagine that you would be recording via the digital converter box line outputs not via the QAM tuner.

BTW, does anyone know why OnDemands are broadcasted in clear QAM instead of scrambled?

BTW, does anyone know why OnDemands are broadcasted in clear QAM instead of scrambled?

Probably because the two-way interaction of the On Demand feature is not compatible with scrambling.

Probably because the two-way interaction of the On Demand feature is not compatible with scrambling.

No, just because the cable co is lazy. Some VODs are in fact encrypted along with usually all PPVs.