Maybe they have a new drum assembly which mine has since maybe they put one in it when I sent it back. That might be why mine won't play through the firewire to the DTC-100.

Did you read my question above about the slowdown?

Mike

Mike,

I did, and I'm having the same problems with HBO. I have yet to get a clean HBO-HD recording, but I've only tried about 3.

I am currently recording with the OTA show with the Samsung T-165, but hopefully tomorrow when I will have more time I can get this figured out.

Well, I didn't realize people were having troubles with HBO-HD. I was sent a tape from Jeffden, who I bought equip from and it was a movie off of HBO and it had 2 very minor glitches but played perfect other than that. With me the picture got choppy and slow and I lost audio so it was useless. I just went in and checked Eight Legged Freaks and it is still going along perfect.

Mike

Most people don't have problems with HBO-HD. I am guessing my problems are more related to my setup (proximity of components, etc.) than anything else. Many of those with perfect (or near perfect) recordings have spent some time working out the bugs in their setup.

I just recorded 8 Legged Freaks off of HBO and this time it was perfect. The AVX-1 never resynced nor did it ever slow down. I watched the first 20 minutes as it recorded and it was perfect and after it was done I watched parts of the tape and it looks great. I will watch all of it later to verify. I do have AVX-1 about 8 feet away from the rest of my equipment and there is a pad on the sat in signal of DTC-100.

Thanks,
Mike

Mike,

Glad to hear you got a good recording. I have continued to fiddle with this system, and the JVC absolutely will not recognize the DTC-100. I can record HD from satellite (it recognizes the AVX-1), but for the life of me I can't figure out what the problem is with OTA. Hopefully Dave or Don or somebody will have some advice.

I should emphasize that I am using the JVC 40k and not the 30k. In the morning, I will connect my old 30k (it is in another room) and see if that deck works properly with the DTC-100. I hope this is not a problem with the 40k.

Yeah it sounds like it is the 40k and the way it interacts with the DTC-100. Good thing you can still record satellite with it though.

Mike

Problem fixed. I unplugged all the cables connecting the devices, and unplugged the VCR from the power strip. I reconnected everything, and voila -- it works! I can now record OTA and satellite.

Yeah it appears a reset helps everything. I have had no problems since resetting earlier.

Mike

Mike and XFactor:
I can't comment about HBO-HD, since I haven't recorded from them lately, but while I generally get near perfect recordings from HDNet and HDPPV, last night I watched a movie recorded from HDNet Movie Channel. There were at least 4 or 5 times, throughout the 2 hour movie, scattered at various times, where it started to pixelize, lose synch, and then restart. I know it's annoying when trying to archive something to add to your library, but for time shifting, I could live with it. I have confidence that Richard will get these glitches solved. Certainly, the B3 software is significantly improved over the B2.

Good luck,
Ron

I spoke with Richard about the problems that I had with recording HBO and his" fixes" that have now resulted in clean recordings. I also mentioned to him that the JVC was sent back for upgrades at the same time, and he says there may be a correlation between the two. I have noticed other members with similar "glitch " problems (And JVC upgrades...drum replacements) and would think I might be a good idea to "data base" these. Dave , you could copy them to Richard, and we may be able to put the blame elsewhere.

I have two JVC 30Ks, and neither have had problems or been sent back to them for upgrades. I may be in the minority, though.

Is there a power off button on the AVX-1?? The right button just makes the screen go blank but it still runs when I press it a second time screen is back on and it starts counting again. Its like a pause button. The only other button is the reset button. Do you guys just leave it on all the time and just reset when you get ready to record or do you unplug it?

Thanks,
Mike

Jay,

Since my first problem where the AVX-1 seemed to just slow down I have recorded 6 hours just fine. The first time I might have changed the channel too many times while the AVX-1 was connected and also I reset my I-link #'s on JVC after I had the slowdown of video. Since then smooth sailing. I haven't even had 1 resync except when program ends and new one comes on.

Mike

Mike:

You need to hold the right power button, until the green light, on front of the AVX-1, goes out.

Ron,

Ok. I was pressing it but it just made screen go dark but it was still running then I would press it again and it would pop back up. Thanks for the tip.

Mike

Okay, I cant tell if there are still questions here or not.

I never use, or have plugged in the avx-1 for OTA. I has been working 100% on two units for over a year.

Now, in terms on the 40K or marantz, I know Richard has been trying a Marantz out. It has locked up on him a few times and the only way to get it going again was to unplug the 40K from the wall to reset. So, it sounds like these new units still have some new corner case firewire bugs in them.

Dave

Dave:

Slightly off topic, but I have a feeling you may know the answer to this question (which I've posted separately but have not gotten a response).

On one of my 30Ks, the VCR indicator, to the left of the time on the display window, started flashing. Couldn't figure out what it was trying to tell me, and nothing in the manual about it. So I unplugged the 30K, and it stopped flashing when powered up again. Recordings have been perfect.

Any idea what it was trying to tell me?

Ron

I have noticed that when you put a tape in and press play too quickly, or start another sequence before a prior one is finished, the JVC will do, or say strange things. If powering off, or channeling up, down, corrects this, it is not a problem, just a timing glitch in the unit. The digital world is full of them, just like your computer.

Ron, no idea, but I like Jay's comments. This digital stuff, including our computer windows, just cant be "perfect", and every corner case tested and fixed. I see this at work all the time now. Just make it "good enough" for a bean counter.

Dave

Thanks, Dave ...BTW I finally got a perfect recording of Star Wars , after I got back the AVX-1 and DTC 100 from Richard and the JVC upgraded. So where is the fault? 169, JVC or HBO? Last month, when it first showed, I could not get even a close to acceptable recording in about 5 attempts. (This may only prove that a glitch is a glitch is a glitch...)

Originally posted by h2ofun
...This digital stuff, including our computer windows, just cant be "perfect", and every corner case tested and fixed...

Dave

Dave,

I keep seeing this "corner case" thing brought up regarding the firewire or something. What is that referrring to:confused:???

Corner case refers to testing at extreme conditions.

For example, recording at a high ambient temp and playing back at a cool temperature would be one corner.

Recording at a cool temp and playing back at a high temp would be another corner.

There are many other extreme conditions other than temperture so there are an astonishing number of possible corner cases to test for.

I am getting frequent dropouts on my PS105 on HDNet Movies, Discovery HD and the 110 test channel. Every 10-20 seconds, the screen goes blank with a message that says "Searching for Satellite Signal." Has anybody seen this problem? I am not getting the same problem with my HD100.

EDIT: It also happens on ESPN-HD. I guess that pretty well covers the 110 satellite. Does anybody think a firmware upgrade will solve this problem or is there something else?

Xfactor,

I haven't had any problems like that with my DTC-100 today. I thought you were going to get that PS105 firmware upgraded a while back so you could have retrace timings.

Mike

Mike,

RCA/Thompson has been jerking me around for almost 6 weeks. I called again Monday, they said they would call me by Wednesday to schedule a time for an upgrade. Since I hadn't heard from them by today, I called and they said it would be at least 2 weeks. I hope the firmware is the problem. The "searching for satellite" occurs only on Sat. C channels, so it must be a problem with the firmware.

XFactor: I have a PS105 running firmware 40b and have not had problems with the 110 satellite. Although I have not been home all week, so I dont know if its still working, but up until now, no problems on old firmware for my unit. I decided against getting the paddle upgrade done just for retrace timings, as I now watch through the DVHS component outputs. Have you tried that LNB/switch feed on another receiver to see if its the feed instead of the receiver?

Guys,

Another update. Since my first try at a recording where the video slowed down and the audio was not there after 57 minutes...which I attribute to me switching channels several times before recording as I hadn't learned the basics of the 169time equipment....I have recorded 16 hours and probably watched 8 hours of it and I have not had one glitch, dropout, or pixellation at all. Everything has played perfect. I have recorded HBO-HD, SHO-HD, DISC-HD, and HD-NET. I will be trying HDNM the next 2 days but this is great!!!! Also, I have never experienced a resync during a show, is that where there is usually a dropout/pixellation/glitch? The only time mine has resynced is when the show changed but usually it only does it on HBO-HD. With the other channels I have noticed it stays in sync even when there is a program change. I did send my JVC in for repair in June as my firewire ports had just quit working and JVC replaced the whole drum assembly. Maybe that has something to do with my 8 hours of perfect recordings. It also might have something to do with me not being able to play JVC through firewire to DTC-100. So I can live with that as long as the perfect recordings keep happening. Sunday is a big day!! Fifth Element & Shrek on HBO and Night of the Living Dead on HDNM.

Mike

Originally posted by Kirby Baker
XFactor: I have a PS105 running firmware 40b and have not had problems with the 110 satellite. Although I have not been home all week, so I dont know if its still working, but up until now, no problems on old firmware for my unit. I decided against getting the paddle upgrade done just for retrace timings, as I now watch through the DVHS component outputs. Have you tried that LNB/switch feed on another receiver to see if its the feed instead of the receiver?
I have narrowed it down to a problem with Transponder 8, 10, 12 on the 110 satellite. The problems are evident even by viewing the Signal Meter. As I watch the signal meter, it will ready between 79 and 80 for about 15 seconds then will suddenly drop to 0 for less than a second. Then it returns right back up to 79 and 80. I wish I knew what was causing this problem -- it is very frustrating since the problem only appears on my PSHD105 and not on the HD100.

Also, I am running Version 40b of the software.

Xfactor,

I have 2 receivers hooked up and will experience dropouts on one and not the other. I switched the satellite receivers as I thought it was that particular satellite receiver and the dropouts then occured on the other satellite receiver so one of my lnb's is causing it. I switched them back so 169time DTC-100 stays on the solid signal. It doesnt occur very often and it doesnt happen on the Sat C signal. It usually occurs just on 1-2 channels that I dont usually watch that often anyway. My signal never dropouts in the signal meter though. Weird.

Mike

Mike, you are assuming the signal meter works the way you think.
Dropouts may have no impact on the "signal" meter reading.

Dave

Dave,

I have had 100% success with my 169time recordings that I have watched. I have recorded now 18 hours and watched 8 hours of it. Not one little glitch, dropout, or pixellation. Do you think the cause of these for other pople is their firewire connectivity?? I just got my JVC back from the Service center in June as my firewire ports had quit responding and JVC said they replaced the whole drum assembly. So far perfect recordings...coincidence? I bet thats whats causing the glitches and not the AVX-1 software.

Mike

Originally posted by mbw23air
I just got my JVC back from the Service center in June as my firewire ports had quit responding and JVC said they replaced the whole drum assembly.You've mentioned this several times now but I don't understand what the drum assembly has to do with the FireWire ports. They should be completely different mechanisms.

To my complete surprise I got a perfect HD recording of "Mission Impossible" via HBO from DirecTV!

I have made many recordings and this is only the second time I have gotten a glitch free one. The other perfect recording was of "The Fifth Element".

The only pattern that I have identified is that both the films were shown in OAR. I had speculated before that perhaps there is less overall video data (after compression) in these films since there are large black borders above and below the movie that can more easily be compressed by MPEG2.

I am now getting perfect recordings.

What is strange for me is if I plug my system into all but one outlet I get the little freezes or glitched every few minutes. I have one dedicated 20 amp outlet that my AVX system likes but I took it one step further today.

I added a Smart line conditioner. It has 4 isolated outlets and this unit puts out balanced power. Its not cheap, about 1k.
I have the AVX, JVC, DTC100 plugged into the GC 120.
http://gallery.avsforum.com/data/509/2GC-120_ac_line_purifier.jpg

I have been recording all day. HD Net MC..perfect on playback. I am using the JVC 4K deck.
If I leave the DTC100 on the same channel the number counter from the AVX will go on forever into 5 and 6 digit numbers with no reset at all. My tapes play back perfect. I get the same results with HBO. I have not tried Showtime.

I must have a lucky combination:)

Alan, cool, very cool.

Dave

You've mentioned this several times now but I don't understand what the drum assembly has to do with the FireWire ports. They should be completely different mechanisms.

rrg,

I don't know exactly what the drum assembly does but that is what JVC said they had to replace when my firewire ports quit responding. There is no mention of anything else they did on the invoice I got back from them and that is even what the guy at JVC said on the phone that they had to replace. So maybe somebody here who has more experience with VCR repair could chime in.

I added a Smart line conditioner. It has 4 isolated outlets and this unit puts out balanced power. Its not cheap, about 1k.

Alan,

I have my AVX-1 & DTC-100 plugged into a Richard Gray Power Plant. It has 4 isolated outlets also. I have the JVC plugged into a power strip next to the Richard Gray Power Plant. So maybe this is why we are getting perfect recordings. I bought it on Ebay a few years ago for $400. With the Richard Gray Power Plant they say you don't even need to plug equipment into it to benefit as it will make the power cleaner on the devices plugged in the outlet next to where the Richard Gray Power Plant is plugged into.

Mike

Alan, please continue to test with and without the conditioner, this is a major breakthrough if this indeed is the primary factor for dropouts.

Alan- Once you are convinced that your line conditioner is getting you clean consistent recordings, try to destroy that by leaving the line conditioner connected and then test a cell phone operating near by, a 900 Mhz phone near by, a LAN router, and if you have it a Wireless access point, 802.11b or G. I believe these were about all the original RFI interference devices we documented last year. Most of these were eliminated by the use of toroids on the 1394 cables but I believe Dean Roddy had to relocate his lan system to resolve that RFI. I have not done any testing since about 9 months ago. Mostly now I get 2-5 glitches per movie and since I'm mostly doing time shifting now, I don't worry about the minor short interruptions. Would be nice to achieve perfect recordings though.

BTW- Since last year I have now added 100% full battery power system on my Home theater. The Dwin TV3 PJ head is on it's own separate UPS and I have a 15 amp UPS with about a hundred pounds of batteries running the rest of the HT including my ECP-4000 and the Butt Kicker 1 KW amp. With everything powered it runs for about a half hour and no glitches when the power goes off. This whole battery supplied system did not improve those few 169Time glitches so maybe the fact that you have isolated your recording system from the rest of your equipment had something to do with your observation. I may try swapping around my power connections so that those devices you mentioned are connected together and to a separate UPS too. The only reason why I used a second smaller UPS on the TV3 Projector head was because of power location. It was just easier to do that and I had the spare UPS available.

recording with my 169 system on a BUD, and I have always had power conditioners and UPS supplies on my system. Could be one of the reasons I have experienced no glitching what-so-ever. Hmmmm.

Ray :)

recording with my 169 system on a BUD, and I have always had power conditioners and UPS supplies on my system. Could be one of the reasons I have experienced no glitching what-so-ever. Hmmmm.

I think we are on to something here. :)

Mike

Things have changed for the worse.
I spoke to soon. I am now getting micro glitches every few minutes (never had it this bad before) on the output of the vcr just monitoring without recording. These glitches do not show up on the number count of the AVX. These glitches use to reset the number count or knock them out of alignment.
The stream from the output of the dtc 100 is clean but the stream from the component output from the vcr is now in bad shape.

Ill be experimenting today to see whats changed:(

Isnt digital fun when you cant see the ground loops, spikes, etc.

dave

I seam to have lost my firewire output from the dtc100.

Ive tried everything. Swapped cables and vcrs. I have also unplugged the DTC100 to reset it but nothing works.

Has this happened before to anyone.

Lets see. Unplug the dtc100 for 30 seconds. Try both firewire ports.
If nothing, guess it would time to call 169time

dave

Hi Dave

Tried that and more. Ill call 169time this week. Its definitely dead.

Alan,

You are using a 40k, right? I also have problems with the 40k and the firewire ports. Sometimes, I have to unplug the 40k and reboot the entire system. I can record OTA through the AVX-1, but I cannot record OTA when the DTC-100 is plugged in directly to the 40k.

Xfactor, I have heard Richard tell me the 40K's f/w is such that the firewire port will lock and the only way to unlock is to pull the power plug on the 40K. I know Richard is trying to tweaks to again try to mask these issues on these decks.

Dave

XFactor

I also have a 30k that I replaced the 40k with. No luck.
I then re tried the 40k and still nothing. By that time it had been unplugged for 30 minutes. I can always get it to lock onto the 30k very easy but not anymore. I think its definitely dead.

FYI

> a) I don't have a D-VHS deck and don't plan to buy one. Can this mod
> be
used
> with a PC to record directly to a hard drive? If so, what sort of file
will
> be produced? Can it be played back directly or used to master a DVD?


A version that goes direct from the AVX1 to a windows XP PC hard drive is being tested but hasn't been released yet. The software supporting the PC end of the recording is within MS windows plus other programs available on the internet that 169time doesn't supply themselves.

The file produced on the PC hard drive is of the same format as that produced by various sofware that people use with the JVC DVHS deck since that is what the AVX1 device looks similar enough to the computer that the user can instruct Windows XP to use the JVC deck driver for it the AVX1 (using the new AVX1 software that isn't generally released yet).

Playback is facilitated by all the means that allow playback of material recorded from the deck.

It could be recorded to a DVD burner in the PC and handled as with any file though no set top DVD player can play those files yet.



> b) Can recordings be automated or do you always have to start it manually?

Automation could be provided at the PC end that ultimately controls recording.


> c) Does it work while the receiver's video output mode is set to SD
> (to enable the svideo port)?

Yes, the HD stream still comes out of the HDVR firewire even though the STB is running in composite or S-video output mode.


> d) Will the video/audio quality be equivalent to original source or is
there
> some re-compression/conversion going on?

The signal recorded is the signal that was received. There is no compression or conversion.


> e) Does it work for off-air 8VSB content?

Yes for both HDTV and SDTV content.

FYI


Dave

fyi

We'd not yet seen the JVC 40k but have tested the new Marantz that is believed to be very similar to the 40k.

We found that although the Marantz didn't assign the 169time HDVR a I- number, we could still get the OTA signal to process through the deck for the DTC100 and Proscan HDVR versions that have the ability to do OTA directly to the deck. We also found that sometimes the decoder in the Marantz would lock up and not accept a firewire input signal and the only way to rememdy this thus far was to unplug the AC power cord on the Marantz and plug it back in.

With the DTC100 / Proscan tuned to an OTA DTV channel, and the Marantz freshly power booted, we were able to get the Marantz to accept the OTA signal from the STB without the AVX1 just as with the JVC 30K even though there was no I- number displayed. If this doesn't work with the 40k deck, remember that the OTA signal can also be processed by the AVX1, so if the JVC is recognizing the AVX1, you can do OTA that way.

After pressing channel up / down, even though the Marantz displayed I- with no number after it, the OTA signal was still processed through it.

With the Marantz, a front panel power reset was not enough to correct the lockup we occasionally experienced. We had to unplug the AC power cord, or switch off the outlet strip is was plugged into.

We have a firmware update under development for the HDVR. We already tested it with the Marantz and we found that it allowed the Marantz to assign an I- number to the HDVR. (The HDVR is the firewire adapter 169time makes for the the STB). With this firmware, the Marantz seem to be more predictable since it was possible to tell whether the AVX1 or the STB firewire was selected since they were both then assigned an I- number by the deck. This firmware is still under development and not released.

Perhaps unlike the Marantz deck, the 40k must assign an I- number to accept input from that device. But remember that you can still record OTA using the AVX1.

When used with other STB, such as the Dish 6000, HDD200, and Hughes E-86, the fact that the JVC doesn't assign and I- number to the STB with the current HDVR firmware isn't that important since all HDTV must be processed by the AVX1 with these units, even OTA. This is different from the Proscan
PSHD105 and DTC100 that can do OTA without the AVX1.

We're interested in hearing about your further testing of the 40k with the above Marantz results in mind

Those that have a 40k JVC and Proscan or DTC100 that are interested in testing the development firmware should email 169time directly.

fyi

Dave

I also have a 30k that I replaced the 40k with. No luck.
I then re tried the 40k and still nothing. By that time it had been unplugged for 30 minutes. I can always get it to lock onto the 30k very easy but not anymore. I think its definitely dead.

Man, your luck isn't good. I thought you had reached perfection. One thing I will say is that with my Samsung T-165 I had and the JVC30k is that I would get glitches/dropouts when I would record OTA HD. So, I have actually been surprised how well I have made recordings with the AVX-1. I think my problems with dropouts were associated with the JVC30k and now that I have that fixed I have been recording perfectly. I don't have the T-165 to try anymore but I did make a few recordings before I sold it and those were good as well so I think when some people are getting dropouts the main cause is the D-VHS deck and not the AVX-1. I will say this, you couldn't take my 169time AVX-1 away from me if you tried. Well, maybe if you are big enough or had a big enouh gun you could but I would definitely go buy another. I love this thing!!!!

Mike

Mike, glad its working well for you. Get that library growing as others just wait on the sidelines. ;)

Dave

What's the latest on a 169time solution for us HD OTA and cable users? When are they gonna get moving on modding the Moto 5100?

I havent heard any real attempt to go to cable yet. For me, I havent heard that cable has a good standard, but I may be missing it. One can always write 169time and ask, and then offer a unit for them to test with. Thats how they usually get things done.

Dave

One can always write 169time and ask, and then offer a unit for them to test with. Thats how they usually get things done.Been there, done that. They said they didn't want me to send in a Moto 5100. They weren't clear whether they already tried to mod it and failed, or were simply bowing to the MPAA on cable in order to avoid being sued on the Satellite boxes?

What have you heard Dave?

Merc, I was over at 169times tonight and asked Richard about cable.
He says he has looked at the Moto 5100 box. 169time has nothing to worry about from the MPAA. So, what he wants to do is find a cable system close to use, that has a box he think he can use, to maybe do some testing. I just left a message with a friend of mine in Roseville, ca who I think told me his cable co has HD now. If so, depending on the box, 169time may be able to start trying to some for cable. If there is a need and demand, and Richard can figure out how to put firewire in, he will!!

Dave

If there is a need and demand, and Richard can figure out how to put firewire in, he will!!Dave, the problem is in the timing...
Soon,, our TWC affiliate here in Houston will be offering the Moto 5200(?) which is the 5100 with an onboard PVR for HD. That unit also lists a firewire output as a connection but of course, if released, it will also be disabled. All we really need from 169time is a hack to enable the already onboard firewire connection....
I was guessing that it was that simple hack which was stopping 169time from doing what it does... well, that and the fact that a mere firmware upgrade might not make the kind of money that the current hardware mods do for them????

What do you know about those suppositions?

Merc I would be hard pressed to understand 169time trying to "hack" into a product like the 5200 if the firewire is disabled. Soon, until you have the box, ....

I will send your note to Richard and see if he has any comments.

Dave

fyi

In the case of the 5100, although there is a place on the circuit board to install the firewire jack, there is a substantial amount of circuit components that are missing from the board that support that jack, besides the jack itself.

Conclusions:

1) Support for the on-board jack is only practical by the signal provider.

2) Add ons like 169 are the only practical approach for boxes that don't come with the jack, aside from a complete box swap.


fyi

Dave

Guys,

I am the one who sent my 5100 in to 169Time to check out the feasibility of adding firewire to it. Richard said that it could possibly be done and he'll continue to look into it, but probably not anytime real soon:rolleyes:

Also, with the RF interference and dropout issues, I read here ( http://www.jvc.com/support/index.jsp?pageID=1&item=273 ) about the issue of connecting an antenna to the 30K to help reduce the RF interference, as quoted below:

"No Antenna Connection

The HM-DH30000U is designed to accept RF signal from an antenna; however, some users may elect to use the unit with no source connected to the Antenna In Terminal. In certain cases, this may cause the unit to exhibit block noise during playback. JVC will upgrade any unit which exhibits this condition."

I connected an RF RG-6 coaxial cable from my DTC-100's RF TV output to the JVC's RF antenna input and have indeed noticed a HUGE reduction in pixelization, dropouts and block noise. I used to not be able to even have the AVX-1 connected to the JVC in order to play my D-VHS movies, both D-Theater and Home brew recordings without either total loss of video or severe block noise/dropouts, but with this coax connected it plays perfectly!!! I guess it creates a common ground between the two and eliminates these problems? Go figure:rolleyes:!!!

Can someone else try this too and report your findings?

"I guess it creates a common ground between the two and eliminates these problems?"

That would be my guess too. The antenna F connectors is an excellent way to apply a large braided ground connection that has lots of surface area to help with RF grounds that are impacted by skin effect. Remember, RF grounds are have less effectiveness as you decrease the surface area of the ground conductor. Anyway, if it works who can argue?

Dave, your data again shows to me that the "avx-1" is not the main issues forks have. Its the "enviornment". This is the down side of not having a single box that does everything, but what we have is sure better than the promises of stuff in the future.

dave

I totally agree Dave and Don.

My AVX-1 and HDVR in my DTC-100 has been working flawlessly since I consulted with Richard and he mentioned about using ferrite cores and chokes on the firewire and power cables and moving the units apart, but I still had to disconnect the firewire from the AVX-1 to the JVC in order to play back, but not any more since I hooked up this RG-6 coax between the DTC and JVC. If anyone still gets breakups on their system, try what I did and see if it works. It can't hurt anyway:rolleyes:

I am one happy HD recording camper:D!!!

fyi

I was having some pixelation and other issues with DirecTV SD channels.
Even though signal strength was okay, it seems that the 101 LNB was defective as replacing this has solved the problem.

Defective LNB could also cause problem on HD channels, even though signal strength seemed normal.

PS the problem was very intermittent


fyi

Dave

Guys- One thing is certain in all this- The 169Time avx-1 system or concept and design is very sensitive to any flaws in the signal or interferrence aka environment. What everyone's really suggesting is that when you use this equipment for recording HDTV you better have everything operating perfectly or you will get less than perfect results. One person has a weak LNB stability and fixing it solves his problem, another has RFI and the toroids solves his. another has dirty line voltage and a very expensive line conditioner solves his.
Bottom line- the system is very sensitive to imperfections in the environment, period. Since there is nothing out there to compare it to, as 169Time system is the only one we have, it IS the nature of the beast. Richard has made great strides in the latest "beta" release but he has a long way to go to make the product completely stable and flawless enough that a kid or wife who hates more than one touch record VCRs to use. Bassically the 169Time stuff is like a tinker toy. You have to tinker around and toy with it to use it.

Originally posted by Don Landis
Bassically the 169Time stuff is like a tinker toy. You have to tinker around and toy with it to use it.

Great analogy, Don. And I, for one, am having fun "playing with my toys"!!

Don:

Exactly, 100% correct.

Lon

Don, I totally agree. This is why there is no "one" fix. Our setups are all unique, and most of us are real dirty. One doesnt see it if using one box and just watching. But, since we have to put a bunch together, and then also use s/w to so so much stuff, it really shows any of ours weaknesses.
And a "signal" meter wont show this black magic.

Dave

Bassically the 169Time stuff is like a tinker toy. You have to tinker around and toy with it to use it.

Well, I hadn't had to tinker much until today. I've only had the 169equipment for a week but this morning I woke up at 5:30am to record The Fifth Element(my timer remote hasn't shown up yet). I was sitting there waiting to go from channel 2 to I-2 on JVC and start recording. When I went to I-2 I saw the AVX-1 start to process signal but I wasn't getting anything on the component outs of my JVC so I quickly rebooted AVX-1 and still nothing. I then unplugged JVC power cord and waited 20-30 seconds and plugged back in. When I did this it was working fine. But I missed the start of Fifth Element. Luckily for me it came on this afternoon and I got it then. But I learned a valuable lesson....to always channel down to I-2 at least 5 minutes before show starts to make sure JVC isn't locked up.

Mike

Dave,

Do you know if the JVC40k will let you set a timer for one of the I-#'s or is it like the 30k in which you can't?

Mike

No idea, whats the 40K owners know. I would have assumed if it did, we would have heard about it by now since this would be a big deal.

dave

Mike,

I am getting perfect recordings using the RCA DTC-100's timer function and an ir cable/blaster attached from the RCA to the JVC's ir sensor. Can you do that or is there some reason that you can't use the timer function of your HD box???

Dave:

Same here. Been doing it for months with 100% reliability. The only time it doesn't work has been attibuted to operator error, when I inadvertently don't have my JVC set to I-2. In past discussions here on this thread, its been mentioned that this is not reliable. However, it seems to work all of the time for me, and sounds like it also does for you.

Ron

Does this blaster recording function require a wire to be undone inside the DTC-100? Or am I mixing issues with timer recording on the 169time box?

I've not touched any wiring inside the DTC-100. Just using the IR blaster from the DTC-100 to the IR sensor of the JVC, and using the DTC-100's timer function. Only thing you need to do is set the start time for 1 minute prior to the program's actual start, to allow the DTC-100 to turn on the JVC and establish the communication from the AVX-1 to the JVC. Normally that's about 15 seconds to establish communication.

Ron

OK, cant believe I never tried the blaster before, will have to do that tonight.

There are those on this forum that have said that this method is not reliable. I can only say, that from my experience, it works fine. Just make sure that your JVC is set to the correct I # for the AVX-1 (should be I-2). I know that many others have reported success, as well.

Kirby:

One last thing. You need to set the VCR code on DTC-100 for the JVC code. I believe it's 016.

Thanks for the code, saves me finding that manual that I can never seem to find!

I am getting perfect recordings using the RCA DTC-100's timer function and an ir cable/blaster attached from the RCA to the JVC's ir sensor. Can you do that or is there some reason that you can't use the timer function of your HD box???

From reading all of the posts in this thread(Whew!!) I too thought you had to cut a wire inside DTC-100 for it to work with JVC30k properly for timed recordings. Did the cable/ir blaster come with the DTC-100? I think I remember getting something like that with mine(will have to go look).

I've not touched any wiring inside the DTC-100. Just using the IR blaster from the DTC-100 to the IR sensor of the JVC, and using the DTC-100's timer function. Only thing you need to do is set the start time for 1 minute prior to the program's actual start, to allow the DTC-100 to turn on the JVC and establish the communication from the AVX-1 to the JVC. Normally that's about 15 seconds to establish communication.

Man, since I have had the AVX-1 for a week now I have been waking up at odd hours so I can record stuff waiting for my timed remote to show up. I will go look for the blaster. Is there a certain code you have to put in the DTC-100 for the JVC30k?

Thanks DHarp193 & Ron,
Mike

Ok,

I couldn't find the cable/ir blaster. Do they sell these at places like Best Buy? or is it a device that works specifically with the DTC-100 and would be hard to find? I got something that came with my 30k that sounds like the device. Will that work as well?

Thanks for the help,
Mike

Mike:

As I've said above, set the VCR code on the DTC-100 to 016. Connect the IR blaster (that comes with the DTC-100) from the jack on the rear of the DTC-100 to the IR sensor on the JVC. There is a test on the DTC-100 to assure you've set it to the correct code. I think you need to put a blank tape in the JVC, and it will turn on or off, or something like that. Also, be sure you have the JVC set for I-2 (or whatever I link is for the AVX-1).

You may also want to try a short test recording before you try it on something that you really want to keep.

All I can say is that it works for me. There may be some technical reason for it to not be reliable, but it does produce 100% results if all it set correctly.

Mike, yes I think that cable will work as well as these are standard type cables used for IR signals. Give it a try and just set your timer for like 5 minutes later, then turn off your JVC and see if it turns it on and starts recording.

I think Ron just gave the code above, 016, and that sounds right, but if not go to RCA.com and look at the pdf manual they have there for all the codes.

Good Luck:)!!!

The IR blaster should be nothing more than a standard IR emitter with a mono 1/8" plug on the other end. So any IR cable from just about any satellite box, VCR, or Xantech system (and similar) should work.

I have a little device wihich has a cable eye and a phono plug on the end of it. It came with the JVC30k. I don't have the one that came with the DTC-100. I will try this one but I bet it won't work. I'll test and see.

Thanks again,
Mike

Thanks Guys!!

I will go give it a try in a little bit and report back.

Mike

Mike:

The IR recording was discussed at great lengths in the following thread, I have had 100% success.http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=265744

BTW- Lon is the one that pointed me toward this. 100% success.

Thanks, Lon

Guys,

Just tried it with the JVC cable that came with the 30k and it worked perfect. Thank you very much. Anybody wanna buy a Pronto TSU1000 remote I have on its way???? Now I will be able to record Eddie Murphy: Raw on Saturday night!! Sweeeet!!!

Thanks Ron, DHarp, Lon,
Mike

You're welcome, Mike.

We have another happy 169time user!!!

Ron

Wow, no problem Mike. I didn't know Eddie was on Sat night...very cool, thanks for the tip and the return favor:)!!! Will it be in HD???

1080i, 5.1DD...HD-NET MOVIES!!! Gimme!!!

Question regarding using the IR blaster from the DTC100, this wont work for recording a show onto a SVHS tape in DVHS mode (that hasnt had the hole drilled) correct, since the VCR will turn on and go out of DVHD mode? Guess if thats the case I will need to buy a few DVHS tapes for my automated recordings. I havent recorded in a while, so my memory isnt working, there isnt a remote command to force the DVHS unit into DVHS mode is there (JVC 30k)?

Speaking of IR and JVC 30K. Don't forget to get the useful IR codes from the separate thread I started, such as the IR that sets the deck into DVHS mode with an SVHS tape (same as pressing the DVHS button on the VCR) etc.

Leszek

Kirby,

It will work on SVHS tapes as long as you hit the "DVHS" button with the tape in before turning off the unit. I have done this several times already and it works great. When the unit turns on by the DTC it still says "DVHS", as long as you didn't eject the tape and reinsert it for some reason.

Question regarding using the IR blaster from the DTC100, this wont work for recording a show onto a SVHS tape in DVHS mode (that hasnt had the hole drilled) correct, since the VCR will turn on and go out of DVHD mode? Guess if thats the case I will need to buy a few DVHS tapes for my automated recordings. I havent recorded in a while, so my memory isnt working, there isnt a remote command to force the DVHS unit into DVHS mode is there (JVC 30k)?

Kirby,

Yes, it worked for me. I put in a SVHS tape with no holes drilled. I pressed D-VHS button turned to I-2 and turned VCR off. When timer came on it recorded for a few minutes and when I played back it was recorded in DVHS and 1080i. Of course the DTC-100 switches to SD but that doesnt effect the firewire signal coming out of it.

Mike

Oh I just saw Leszek's post and it looks like I have some programming to do on my Pronto now. Very cool that there is a discrete code for L1, but I would love to see a discrete code for I- numbers too :)

If I remember right, the timer only may have had some issues with the avx-1 conntected. For just OTA, I dont believe there are any concerns

Dave

Dave,

I use it with the AVX-1 constantly with no problems noted. Maybe there was an issue, but there doesn't seem to be one now:rolleyes:

I used it to record a movie this afternoon while I was out and it worked great. It even turned off JVC when it was done.

Thanks again for the tip DHarp, Ron, Lon,
Mike

Dave, on a number of these type issues, Richard has to give comments which ideally work 100%. That doesnt mean something may not work 99%, but he cant knowingly say something is okay when someone may have a failure. So if it works great. If not, there are some fixes if ones setup is more sensitive.

Dave

Hello
Can anyone tell me if there is finally a fix coming out
for the AVX-1?

I need to know right away because I'm reconsidering waiting for dish network.

I experiencing 3-5 seconds Audio Video dropout a few times during a course of a movie.

I am using the JVC hmdh-30000 VCR /AVX-1 with the b3 software &
the proscan pshd-105.

Please help So I can determine if i should hold on to my
current HD recording set up.

Thankyou

Who informed you that Richard had a fix?

When the "fix" is ready to be released Richard or David will announce it, they will not announce anything until the "fix" is ready.

Lon

Had an accident today. Sister in law's kids took the B3 disk out of the AVX and tried to load a game in there, thought I would have to strangle them. Anyway, they threw the B3 disk on the floor and it was scratched beyond recognition.

I wasn't able to make a new one via the Stomp program. It could never verify the current version ( from my original B2 disk ). The global image worked, but it was unable to verify.......so, had to pay for a new disk from 169time. So. I guess I am done with Sat recording for a few days.

Jeff

Had an accident today. Sister in law's kids took the B3 disk out of the AVX and tried to load a game in there, thought I would have to strangle them. Anyway, they threw the B3 disk on the floor and it was scratched beyond recognition.

Are you sure they are still breathing?? If they were at my house and that happened I would have.....no wait, if I did that I would be locked up for several years and not be able to record...Nevermind.http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/images/smilies/redface.gif

Mike

My cable modem provider got hit by lightening the other day, and I am now going into the 4th day without internet. What a drag!!

Dave

how did we ever live without it, or even with dialup :)
dave anymore news on pc stuff

Hello HDTV DUDES.
I just got a email back from dish network technical forum.
They told me that when the 921 comes out that the ieee-1394 will be used at this time.They also said that they don't have info. on what will be compatiable with these ports.

I guess it's back to the 169 time products.

BTW Is ther a fix in the works for the 3-5 second dropouts yet.

Anyone that knows also about the 921 information as I mentioned heard of the ieee-1394 not being utililized?

CORRECTION:::::: I MEANT TO WRITE THAT THE IEEE-1394 WILL NOT BE USED AT THIS TIME..ACCORDING TO DISH NETWORK....

this was already assumed from other info coming out of a chat; very disappointing and not a good sign, unless they are out right sayng technical problems are delaying implementation.... otherwise i am afraid it won't happen or will after 5c is in use, and then i would expect it would not allow dump of copy once flagged content (despite that being a design option; tho not requirement, of the 5c agreements - funny how that worked out, the consumer protections were optional), and so then would be useless to most... and would make hollywood happy

call me paranoid as some will, but this delay with the once reported detail that it would not allow the dump of copy once material from hard drive; (which also helps explain why you can't record directly to dvhs via firewrie in the first place), makes me pessimistic

Am I surprised about the 921, or any other device "like" this.
Nope. I wish this wasnt the case but life is what it is with the MPAA.

Dave

Hello Dave'Do you about the situation with the 921 as firewire jacks on there being utilized?

Is there a fix in the near future for the Audio Video 3-5 seconds I get during a course of a 1 1/2 hr. movie,which happens about 3 times?

I have the avx with b3,dtc-100 & jvc 30000

I have no idea on how to answer your question yrral. You need to ask 169time.

dave

I have just discovered an easy way to record to pc with the avx1 using the B3 software. I was using H3D3 method for a while but with a 6000 receiver the fire wire ports are internal so you cannot hook it up as easy as with the dtc100 so this is how I did it.

Hook up the 6000 and the avx1 to the JVC dvhs deck then get another 6pin-6pin firewire cable to go from the other firewire port on the avx-1 to the PC startup graphedit and make the graph as HD3D pointed out and hit start. I get picture through the JVCs output then I build the graph and hit play. works reat 100% of the time. One other thing with the 6000 on Bell and the current avx1 software I have made 100% flawless recordings with zero drop outs I think the problem with the dtc100 is with directv not the avx1

Hello everyone.

Richard of the 169time is really a good guy to talk to,it's just that he has a lot of pressures working on these products.

I decided to keep my 169 set up (AVX & Proscan)
I really have faith in Richard that the problem will be resolved in the very near future.

As I mentioned on other posts here that I had a 3-5 second Audio/Video
dropout (or sometimes slightly longer)about 3 times during a 1 1/2 hour movie.
I'm going to try using a new JVC DH-HM 40000 deck & see if that may help the issue any.

By the way if someone did try the 40000 with the set up like mine & got better results please let me know.

The only way to go fellas in the 169 time company.

I was going to get Dish Network but I've been hearing things about the firewire ports not to be used for archiving unto DVHS.

Lets all support Richard for already accomplishing what he did so far.

Yrral,

I think the problem might be something in your setup. As you know I bought the 169time equipment 17 days ago and I have recorded 56 tapes so far. I have watched well over 20 hours of it and have yet to have a dropout/pixellation. You might need to play with moving things around trying different cables and also use a line conditioner. I use a Richard Gray Power Plant. Sometime I need to unplug the JVC30k to reset the firewire ports. If someone is thinking of getting something to record satellite, the 169time equipment is the way to go. Like I said you might have to play around with things until you get it perfect. 100% success for me!!!

Thanks,
Mike

Originally posted by yrral
I was going to get Dish Network but I've been hearing things about the firewire ports not to be used for archiving unto DVHS.
I have the 169time, but just wanted to mention that I think the consensus at this point about the 921 is different than you mentioned. I believe that most people believe that the firewire won't be enabled right away for this, but will later. It seems like they are way behind schedule and have to figure out what to enable in the first release and what to enable later. Hopefully we will get a little bit more information at next week's CEDIA show. I'll ask if I find them there.

--Darin

yes please do..

MBW23AIR

Are you using Directv?
Do you have the Proscan 105 or DTC-100?
I GUESS YOU ALSO HAVE THE AVX 1 B3 SOFTWARE & JVC 30000?

If you have the identical set up let me know?
If you do then you are one lucky person to be
getting perfect recordings.

I have Ferrite Chokes on both in & out of the Firewire cables on both ends,
I have Ferrite chokes also on the power cable going into the AVX,as well as the PSHD-105 & JVC .

My Sattellite signal is in the 80's at most times except for bad weather.

I don't know what to do here.

Any people out there with the new 40000 compared to the 30000 see any diffrence with basically the same set up as mine,please let me know of your results.

I would take any help.
Thanks

Yrral,

Yes, I was the one you talked to about buying your 169time setup. I wound up buying the person who had the DTC-100 and AVX-1 setup. it has the B3 software and I use a JVC30k.

My signal strength is in the 90's but I wouldn't think that would matter as long as you have a signal. I don't even use the ferrite chokes on firewire cables. The only extra on my system is a attentuator on the satellite signal coming into the DTC-100 and.....I use a Richard Gray Power Plant. That cleans up the power. I don't know what is the one that gives me perfect recordings but something does. I also have my AVX-1 and DTC-100 about 10 feet apart.

Thanks,
Mike

MBW23Air,

Where do you get this Richard Grey Power Plant from?
How much is it.

I noticed when I used a line Att,I got a slight loss in signal strenght.

do a Internet search to get info; i did, it appears to be a power and line conditioner for a/v gear.

say seriously mbw23air, try recording a few movies without it is see if you have problems. would possibly be an interesting experiment

You can find info here:

http://www.audiolinesource.com/index2.html

Yrral,

I was the one who sold my second 169time unit to Mike and he is correct. With the B3 software, I rarely if ever got any droupouts at all. I have had one failure and that was teh first day of Discovery HD on DIRECTV and it was well documented that DIRECTV had problems for the first few days of this service.

The worst I have experienced is 2 separate one second dropouts during Minority Report ( which is the tape I sent Mike to check out before he purchased ). I generally have one or two microfreezes lasting a fraction of a second during a 90 minute movie being taped. I also have my decks separated using 14 foot firewire cables and they are physically in an adjoining room.

I know that some have had great success with moving the components closer after the B3 software cam out, but I have never bothered to change my setup as it has worked very very well for me.

Jeff

say seriously mbw23air, try recording a few movies without it is see if you have problems. would possibly be an interesting experiment

Awwwwww....Do I have to???http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Just kidding. I will try and do this sometime this week. Since it is the first of the month it might take me several days. There is so much coming on the next few days for me to record and I don't want to record with the Richard Gray Power Plant out of the equation but I will try as soon as I can. And the Richard Gray Power plant might not be what makes me have perfect recordings. I do have a JVC30k that was sent in to JVC about 2 months ago and they upgraded to latest firmware and replaced the drum assembly. I got dropouts/pixellations occassionally when recording OTA with this JVC before it was sent in and repaired. Since getting it back I have had zero dropouts/pixellations on anything. So it is either the JVC or the line conditioner that is giving me perfect recordings with the AVX-1 or maybe a combination of both.

I will report back to see if removing the Richard Gray Power Plant has had any effect. Below is a picture of it.


http://members.aol.com/mbw23air/rgpp.gif

Thanks,
Mike

Oh,

And THANKS AGAIN JEFF!!!!!

Mike

This Richard Gray line conditioner gizmo is nearly $800.
HOLY COW
What about Monster Cable brand line conditioners?

JEFF DEN Do you also use a line conditioner Or anyone out here?

I just use a Panamax surge protector.

Also does the ferrite chokes really make a diffrence?

So maybe if I separate the AVX ,PSHD-105 ,30000 further apart mabe it would help?

I normally have all 3 units in a small audio cabinet 1 below the other
separated by 3 shelves,which is about 10-12 inches from each component.

For instance:
top of cabinent would be the PSHD-105
2nd shelve down would be the JVC
3rd shelve down would be the AVX

Larry,

I paid $400 for my used Richard Gray Power conditioner and yes that is expensive for me but first I would buy some 10-14 feet firewire cables and place AVX-1 about 10 feet away from your PSHD-105 and JVC. That is how I have mine. Also, I don't even have ferrite chokes on my firewire cables.

So, definitely separate the AVX-1 about 10 feet or so first from rest of your equipment and try that before considering line conditioner.

Did you try to call last night? I stayed up but got on computer for a little while. I use my phone line to connect to internet so line may have been busy.

Thanks,
Mike

I. too have had no problems with dropout and pixilations since getting the JVC back for repair and upgrade, but I also sent the AVX-1 and DTC back to Richard for evaluation at the same time. He could find no problems with the units. I think (as does he) that the JVC might be the bad guy in this equation.

Yrral,

I don't use a line conditioner and I actually don't have mine all in the same power outlet. My AVX-1 is in a separate room (guest room ) and not even on a surge protector.

Jeff

Mike,I just tried your phone but it's busy.

I will try to separate the units further apart,when I get them back.

I was going to sell the units,that I shipped to Calif & changed my mind last minute.The PSHD-105 & AVX-1

I just couldn't handle the 3-5 seconds audio video dropouts about 3 times during a 1 1/2 hour movie, but i"ll try other options as you mentioned but I doubt if I will spend a few hundred dollars more on a power conditioner.

I like to get feedback from other users that have the avx,pshd-105 & jvc 30000 & see what they are experiencing any type of problems.

I know by talking to Alan Goucher that he is having basically the same type of problems.

If I still keep getting problems,I will see if I could get the new JVC 40000
& try that next.

And if that still will not work I will ship my 105 & AVX to Richard to re- evaulate the performance.

It's got to work eventually.

Sometimes I like to blow these things up if you know what I mean.

It's a tease to know that the recording are nearly 100%.

I like to have my units working perfectly like yours Mike.

Take any feedback regarding this post from anyone with this same set up,to see what the experinces are.

Thanks fellas

I would be careful about a 40K. Based on the issues I have read about, I was going to buy one but wont until you guys get all the bugs out.

Dave

Originally posted by jay koz
I. too have had no problems with dropout and pixilations since getting the JVC back for repair and upgrade, but I also sent the AVX-1 and DTC back to Richard for evaluation at the same time. He could find no problems with the units. I think (as does he) that the JVC might be the bad guy in this equation.

Keep in mind the audio dropouts occur with the MITS too.

BTW...what is the best way to see if the 30000 has had the updates? Is there any way to access a service menu to check firmware?

Good Question

There is a way. Does anyone have the service remote code?

Dave

Hello Dave What bugs are you speaking about?

What issues did you hear about the 40 K ?
I figured JVC would of got their act together from the 30000
firmware updates.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mikey mo
[B]Keep in mind the audio dropouts occur with the MITS too.

Has there been an upgrade or fix for the MITS which could eliminate the problem as it seems to have done on the JVC?

And just out of curiosity, what exactly does the AVX1 unit do? The website says that it make the signal understandable or usable to the JVC. Okay, I probably just answered my own question, but I am just wanting to know why it is not possible for the 169time crew to add 1394 to a receiver, and just let us pass the signal directly to the JVC.

The sat signal has to have the bits organized correctly to be used.

Dave

djdrock

Firewire is not a simple transmission. Not all filters communicate with each other as in this case.

Alan...so unlike a fiberoptic cable carying a DTS signal in its original form from a DVD player to a decoder, 1394 needs to be "translated" in order for certain devices to understand its signal/data?

Is the data just "raw"?

Originally posted by jay koz
I. too have had no problems with dropout and pixilations since getting the JVC back for repair and upgrade, but I also sent the AVX-1 and DTC back to Richard for evaluation at the same time. He could find no problems with the units. I think (as does he) that the JVC might be the bad guy in this equation.

I first also thought that the JVC is the bad guy. However, I am not so sure any more. I have recorded quite a few movies directly to PC with the JVC totally eliminated from the chain (alpha tester). Recordings are much better than before, but there are still microglitches every 5 minutes or so. It feels as if a buffer fills up and when it's emptied or reset you get a glitch (a very small one). These regular 5 minute time intervals are the strange part of it. Somebody mentioned a counter in the AVX that resets itself once in a while. May be it's that or insufficient buffering.

Originally posted by djdrock
Alan...so unlike a fiberoptic cable carying a DTS signal in its original form from a DVD player to a decoder, 1394 needs to be "translated" in order for certain devices to understand its signal/data?

Is the data just "raw"?

Firewire is like a network. In fact if you have a windows computer with firewire in it, the computer will treat it just like it does ethernet or other network connections. Each device on a network can communicate with another device using various firewire standards. Both devices however need to agree to talk to each other. There is a specific standard - AV/C that the networked devices use to send each other A/V data. See http://www.dmn.at/Info/avc/avc-en.htm for more info.

I will try to separate the AVX with a 10 foot firewire from the JVC & 105.

Is 10 feet of firewire too long?

Does anybody know?

yrral,
I ( and Mike also ) use a 14 foot firewire cable from Radio Shack. I know his are this length as I sent them to him. 10 feet should be fine, but your mileage may vary.

Jeff

I just got the answer from Richard.

Up to 15 feet maximum.

I still want to see if anyone got better results by spreading the units further apart.

Alan:

How have you bee making out with your recordings, do you still get the 1 or 2 freezes per tape?

Lon

I have a question, I have been away for awhile and was thinking about upgrading to the 40K since i have a friend who wants my 30K. While I was searching, I ran across the JVC SR-VD400US unit. It is a pro unit, HD firewire, D-theater, etc. Anybody know the deal? it is about 900 bux.
I have been making tapes without problems on my AVX-1, and 30k, love it. works great, no problems.
Thanks for any feedback,
Dan

What benefit do you hope to gain from going to the 40K? Man, you sound like one of the lucky ones who has not had problems with a similar setup as you have. If anything, buy the 40K, test it extensively, and if all is okay, dump the 30K.

Danny 7921

I think Alan Goucher here on the forum has the JVC SR-VD400US.

I was speaking about what you mentioned.

He said that JVC don't support the firewire ports yet.

For more info write or call Alan.
HE IS THE FORUM ADMIN.


Danny by the way what set top box are you using with the 30k & the AVX?

Thanks
yarral

Forgive me Alan for spelling your last name wrong

My stb is a DTC-100 that is a bit tempermental. It works ok but for my everyday viewing i use the samsung 160. I guess you guys are correct, my old saying is "if it works, don't fix it". However i break that rule daily. Cant help myself.

I bought a Monster Cable HTS-3500 .
This is a surge protector/line conditioner.
I paid $ 330.00 for it.

Does anyone have this Monster Power product & does it really make a diffrence?

I also bought a 14.5 feet 6 pin to 4 pin firewire from Radio Shack
Had on sale from $39.95 to $10.00.

This will be specially used for the AVX.

I want to keep the avx as far away from the jvc 30k & the 105.

I'm trying to get the perfect HD recording using the 169 set up,but as stated in my prior post that I'm trying to eliminate these 3 -5 seconds(sometimes longer)Audio/Video dropouts that I get about 3 times during a 1 1/2 hour movie.

I would take any feedback regarding what I'm trying to do here to hopefully get perfect results.

I'm still think I will put the ferrite chokes on the ends of the firewire & power cords.

Appreciate any type of resolution especially Richard if he sees this post.

DAN 7981.

Why spend the extra money on the new JVC unit when your recordings are working perfectly for you.

Me for one would be extremely happy with the set up that you have.

Look above & see my post & what I'm trying to do to resolve my issue.

You are a lucky one.

There's probably a bunch of users out there to have what you got going now.

Like DJD ROCK said If you get the 40K test it before you sell the 30K.

"If it's not broke don't fix it"

Keep your set up Man.


I NEED HELP......... I WANT MINE PERFECT TOO.

Yrral

LJG

Depends on the channel. Bad luck with HBO Showtime but better luck with with HDNet and Disc and sometimes good luck with HDNetM.

When I was experiencing all the pixilation problems with HBO, Richard and I did a simultaneous test (over the phone) to see whether it was the unit, or transmission of signal. His unit played fine, mine was pixilating after about 30 minutes. He said that he knows of an inherent DTC100 issue that will cause pixilations when going through the AVX-1, but his experience was that it causes the problems on all channels. He had a fix for this situation, and applied it to my unit anyway. Since getting it back, I have had NO pixelations at all, no dropouts, no quick bursts. Maybe the DTC needs to be adjusted to solve the problems that are still being written about.

I have a 5' component tower with 9 components. JVC on top, DTC in the middle, AVX-1 on the bottom. Firewire connects are drilled through the cabinet from AVX-1 to JVC and from DTC to JVC. Ferrite chokes on firewire connects and Sat cable in. AVX-1, DTC, and JVC are all connected to a Radio Shack surge protector and line conditioner ( inexpensive), and are plugged into a separate outlet. I used the amplifier and pad, but now find I don't need either. My sat cable length in is less than 50'. My signals are in the 80's. I hope this information helps those with problems

Jay are you saying you can record off HD Net, HBO or Showtime and get perfect recordings?

Ok guys, I saw my first glitch tonight with recorded material from the AVX-1. I had recorded a movie and noticed when I came back it had resynced once during the recording. I rewound tape to that point and it was like the video slowed down for 1-2 seconds then continued. Not a big deal but my perfect recording streak is over. Just a note that I had made a timed recording before that and had recorded several things during the day as well without resetting AVX-1 or JVC so I dont know what the cause could've been because I wasn't watching it as I recorded it. I like everyone else would like 100% perfect recordings but just the fact that we are dealing with a tape device and the nature of firewire I am extremely happy with the AVX-1. By the way, I watced a OTA recording I had made with my MYHD card yesterday and it had 2-3 dropouts in it and I get a very strong OTA signal so nothing and I mean nothing is going to ever be perfect from dropouts/glitches until you are able to buy HD-DVD...thats when you should expect perfection. I am so happy I can record HD now that I wouldn't buy a HD satellite recording solution if one came out tomorrow from a major consumer electronics company.

Thanks,
Mike

I am looking into Ferrite Chokes/Toroids for the firewire cables on my 169time system. I found a site with a wide range of options. I would appreciate any advice on which product I should get, and in what quantity. Thanks.

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=235&type=store

Hello XFACTOR.

I bought my Ferrite chokes from Radio Shack.
They are about 5 bucks each.

I put 2 on each firewire cable.
(one on each end of the connector)

They are slightly big for the firewire, but you have to make
a loop without bending the wire(just like you are making a loop when
you begin tying a shoelace)

I spent about $ 40.00 on chokes alone to help fix the dropout issue.

I use one on each power cable a few inches back behind the plug portion,
for the avx,the 105,& the 30000.

I even bought a Monster Power Line Conditioner/Surge Protector as well
as a 14.5 ft. firewire cable for the AVX to keep away from the other components(105 & 30000)

Out of all this I'm hopeing the recordings will come out as close or at least
100% like Mike MBW23AIR.

But as you know & everybody else know this is the only game in town.

Hope Richard from 169 time sees these posts,maybe by all this feedback a solution for a real fix will be in the works.

Larry from N.J.
YRRAL

MBW23AIR

Did you try recording with & without the Richard Gray Power Plant to
if it made a diffrence in the recordings?
That $800 is a pretty hefty price for a power conditioner,but you said you paid $400 for a used one.
Anyway I bought a Monster Cable brand & yet to see the results.
I had sold my avx & 105 but then changed my mind.
I shipped to Calif & waiting to be returned by snail back(ground service)

Alan, so far, I have not seen a glitch with HBO or Showtime ( 2 recordings each) and none on HDNet Movies or Discovery (several recordings).This is after I got back the DTC100 and AVX-1 from Richard and The JVC repaired and upgraded.

Originally posted by XFactor
I am looking into Ferrite Chokes/Toroids for the firewire cables on my 169time system. I found a site with a wide range of options. I would appreciate any advice on which product I should get, and in what quantity. Thanks.

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=235&type=store

Xfactor:

you can either go with the Radio Shack chokes as add on's or you can purchase from granite digital firewire with chokes built in @ granitedigital.com

I also put chokes on the sat cables into to the DTC100 and all the power cords.

Lon

FYI

Glad to hear that our adjustment / fix helped. This is why it's important to communicate with 169time when there are problems.


fyi

dave

mbw23air

Using my MYHD card and the dish 5000 I get perfect recording from HBO and Showtime everytime. I must have a library going on 100 movies.
If there is a glitch in the original transmission of course it will be recorded but of my 100 movies I have none so perfect recordings are possible.

When using the term "perfect recordings" we should define that as perfect duplication of the original transmission.
For myself this is not possible with my AVX but I am hearing good things about the DTC100 mod and I think Im going to try it.

Alan how are you?

Do you know what the Mod will do?
What do you mean by Mod?

I have a PSHD-105 that is basically the same as the DTC-100?

Did you send yours out yet?

Please call if you can.
Larry from N.J.
Thanks a bunch

Alan,

I will admit that almost everything I record from OTA HD using my MYHD card is perfect but when I had a few dropouts on a show the other night that disqualified it from being perfect. I don't think weather was a factor either. It does sound like you are getting a few more dropouts than others. I've watched 30 hours of recorded HD from the AVX-1 and I saw my first glitch last night which was the freeze of the video for 1-2 seconds then it continued right along. While that is not perfect it is about as perfect as it can be for me. Of course if I get more glitches over time then my opinion might change but I even expected 1-2 dropouts per movie and I have had much better luck than that. Maybe the next software upgrade will make it even more reliable.

Thanks,
Mike

The last piece to the puzzle for 169time to complete is the 1 or 2, 1-2 second freeze, which by the way was a major improvement over B2 software.

That being said the movies are totally watchable and more than half the time I can't remember whether there was a freeze or not after I watched the movie.

The last complete movie I watched was An officer and a gentlemen recorded last week on SHOHD which was 100% perfect.

Lon

In order to be even more accurate, I think we should also specify which decoder we are using to play back the avx-1 streams. I assume most people are playing back D-VHS tapes through the JVC 30k decoder.

I have been experimenting with playing back avx-1 streams captured on hard disk (directly from satellite) through the DTC-100 decoder. My initial 5 minute test on HDNet worked reasonably well (one small glitch capturing and playing back with graphedit). I also intend to compare capture and playback results from tape and from hard disk through both the DTC-100 decoder and the JVC decoder.

The Janus decoder on the MyHD card is not suitable for playing back avx-1 streams, as has been noted in this thread.

Originally posted by Alan Gouger
mbw23air

Using my MYHD card and the dish 5000 I get perfect recording from HBO and Showtime everytime. I must have a library going on 100 movies.


Alan:

What media are you storing your library of 100 movies on, I have well over 150 DVHS tapes taking over my media room and am looking for alternatives.

Lon

Lon
I invested in a 1.5 terabite server. The best thing I ever did.

Alan:

Does avscience sell terabite servers? I would love to finally give you some business.

Lon

Alan, how is the server the best thing you ever did? What processes, etc do you have.

Steve, I have used the MYhd card I borrowed from Alan with the A4 s/w and was able to capture and record from the avx-1 with no issues.
I only did for 5 minutes a couple of times, but never had an issue.

Dave

Dave:

I think I can answer for Alan, he uses the Dish 5000 and MYHD card to record to Hard Drive, I think the fact that he doesn't have 100 DVHS tapes to deal with is why he is so happy, than again just my guess.

Lon

Dave,

I can never get glitch free playback of any avx-1 stream played through the MyHD decoder (from hard disk), whether captured directly to hard disk or captured to hard disk from D-VHS tape. This result is from using both the MyHD and graphedit software.

Playback through the DTC-100 decoder is much better with both programs, although I seem to get the best results with graphedit. I am hoping that the right combination of software and decoder can achieve a result at least as good as D-VHS tape alone.

Of course, I just acquired my avx-1 recently, so I will be reporting more results as I get to tweak my system.

Originally posted by wildchild22
I have just discovered an easy way to record to pc with the avx1 using the B3 software. I was using H3D3 method for a while but with a 6000 receiver the fire wire ports are internal so you cannot hook it up as easy as with the dtc100 so this is how I did it.

Hook up the 6000 and the avx1 to the JVC dvhs deck then get another 6pin-6pin firewire cable to go from the other firewire port on the avx-1 to the PC startup graphedit and make the graph as HD3D pointed out and hit start. I get picture through the JVCs output then I build the graph and hit play. works reat 100% of the time. One other thing with the 6000 on Bell and the current avx1 software I have made 100% flawless recordings with zero drop outs I think the problem with the dtc100 is with directv not the avx1

Steve:

Have you tried wildchild22's approach, substituting the DTC100 for the 6000?


Lon

Lon,

I am not using wildchild22's method. I could not get a 6 pin to 6 pin connection to work.

I connect from the avx-1 => DTC-100 => JVC 30k => PC, all with 4 to 6 pin cables. I use the JVC 30k to select the proper I-channel and then record directly to the PC. I am looking to cut out the JVC 30k from the chain, but have thus far been unsuccessful.

Hello everybody.
I just got some news from a Dish Network Dealer/ Installer.
They had the Charlie Chat today for the dealers.

There's talk that the 921 firewire outputs won't be utilized for
Discovery HD.

I don't even get Dish Network,but I like to keep up to date on the HD front.

There's a company in North Carolina called VSSLL Communications.
VSSLL.com that is really up on this.

I guess if Discovery can't be recorded then I doubt the hollywood movies would be allowed either to be recorded.

I'll tell you one thing this 169 time gear is not going anywhere,
I'm holding on to it.

Is everyone able to play back there AVX-1 recordings through their DTC-100? I have tried everything to get this to work but no luck. Here is what I do:

1) Unplug firewire cable from AVX-1 to JVC30k
2) tune DTC-100 to OTA HD channel
3) I see light blinking on DTC-100 and press play on JVC30k

After this the OTA picture will just freeze and nothing happens. If i switch to component outs of JVC30k I see picture on tape just fine but nothing on VGA out of DTC-100. When I press stop on JVC a few seconds later the OTA HD picture will continue. I have tried unplugging both the DTC-100 and JVC30k. Unplugging and replugging firewire cables, powering down DTC-100 and then powering back on and seeing if tape will play, changing OTA HD channels. No luck at all.

Do I just have a DTC-100 that needs the firewire adapter in it upgraded? I have tried 3 JVC30ks and none of them will play through fireiwre port of DTC-100. I will appreciate if anybody has any ideas.

Thanks,
Mike

mbw23air,

I would talk to 169time about this. I can play through the DTC-100 decoder with both the JVC 30k and my PC. In fact, I prefer to use the DTC-100 decoder for playback, due to its aspect ratio controls.

yrral...I agree, it does not make sense to me that they would allow one channel to be recorded and not another. So, it just sounds to me like this source is just throwing out fodder. Until we hear an OFFICIAL announcement, we should just sit back and think positive. There has been so much speculation; no one knows what is really going to happen. It is my thought that Dish is going to bat for us, as far as the firewire issue is concerned. It is just so unfortunate that everything is so complicated.

Mike,

I wonder what teh problem is. When I had that unit, I always preferred to play back through the DTC100's decoder. My second unit I still play back that way. That is weird.


Jeff

I wonder what teh problem is. When I had that unit, I always preferred to play back through the DTC100's decoder. My second unit I still play back that way. That is weird.

Jeff,

I am glad you said this because I just wondered if you had played back the JVC30k through this. I knew you told me what to do but I wondered if you just did it on your other setup and not the one I got. My projector displays HD back best through VGA so that is why I want to play it back this way. I tried all the things you told me to do and it just still freezes everytime. Do you have to turn JVC30k to the right I-channel for it to work. I think I did try it with I-1(which is DTC-100) and got same results. I believe I even reset I-link #'s in JVC menu and it didn't work. I have 2 JVC30k's now and it won't work with either of those. I even had my friend bring over his JVC30k and we tried that one and it did same thing. I'm lost at what to do now.

I would talk to 169time about this. I can play through the DTC-100 decoder with both the JVC 30k and my PC. In fact, I prefer to use the DTC-100 decoder for playback, due to its aspect ratio controls.

Maybe since my 30k has been serviced recently because the firewire ports died and the other 2 JVC's I tried are newer ones that has something to do with it.

I might give them a call if no one else has any suggestions.

Thanks Steve and Jeff,
Mike

What are the key advantages to playing back thru DTC100 rather than JVC30K, is there a vast improvement in the picture using the DTC100 decoder?

It seems like a real effort.

Lon

Lon,

The advantages of using the DTC-100 decoder with 169time for me are:

1) Aspect ratio control. I have a 4:3 set and need those controls.

2) I prefer using the RGBHV output from the DTC-100 for my display. I can transcode and switch the signal in the same manner as my HTPC's.

3) The DTC-100 decoder output appears a bit sharper to me than the JVC 30k decoder and has better gamma characteristics for my taste. I don't know if there is a relationship here, but there are some discussions in this forum regarding test reports that show JVC 40k (and maybe 30k) decoder bandwidth limitations.

4) If I am already watching an OTA program, I don't need to switch inputs to view my recordings.

That said, if the JVC decoder can decode the avx-1 stream better than the DTC-100, I will use the JVC decoder. I am trying to ascertain whether there are any differences and invite people to post their results.

Lon,

It basically takes no special effort for most of us. For me, I find it more detailed through the DTC 100 rather than using the decoder with the JVC. Basically, through the DTC, it looks just like the Sat broadcast, if I turn the DTC off and use component, it looks altered, like the colors are more saturated , especially the reds, but almost too much so.

I realize this is not a scientific way to describe it, but I d perfer through the DTC.

Jeff

"""""Hello everybody.
I just got some news from a Dish Network Dealer/ Installer.
They had the Charlie Chat today for the dealers.

There's talk that the 921 firewire outputs won't be utilized for
Discovery HD.

I don't even get Dish Network,but I like to keep up to date on the HD front.

There's a company in North Carolina called VSSLL Communications.
VSSLL.com that is really up on this.

I guess if Discovery can't be recorded then I doubt the hollywood movies would be allowed either to be recorded.

I'll tell you one thing this 169 time gear is not going anywhere,
I'm holding on to it.

"""""
as to holding on to the 169time stuff, i too hope it will continue to work if cp is used but we won't know till that day comes..


hmmm the 5c spec say that basicly only vod or ppv can be copy never, so they must have another way to limit the firewire ports on the 921...

Lon,

I have a Marantz VPS1 DLP projector and even the guy who works for Marantz said in the DLP projector forum that this projector's component inputs are optimized for DVD and VGA is the way you want to go for HD as it will look more detailed. So, that is my reasoning. It does look just a tad softer using component inputs than with VGA on my projector. Some of that might be because of the JVC decoder versus the DTC-100's decoder and some might be just my projector softening signal through component. It's a small issue for me where 99.0% of the people probably couldn't tell a difference but I would just like for it to work.

Mike

I finally recieved my avx & 105 back from 2 weeks of waiting.

i will try a new test with it to see the results.

I now have the avx separated about 14 feet away from the105 & 30000,
I am now using a Monster Power surge protector/line conditioner
to hopefully help with ac interference.

This is the first time of trying this.
I'm starting out with Scooby doo on HBO,I been recording for 1 hour now,
and the avx resynced only once( I don't know if that means anything)

Normally before I had the all the HD recording gear in the same cabinet inches apart from each other & just a Panamax DBS 6 outlet power strip
surge protector.

I'll keep informed about the results.
Trying to eliminate the 3-5 seconds(sometimes longer)Audio/Video
dropouts about 3 times in a 1 1/2 hour movie.

The DTC100 adds 'setup' so thats probably why it looks different. The blacks will look lighter.

Doggone. I recorded JAMES BROWN Friday evening and did fine until about the last 5 minutes when my MITS vcr indicated an error. I then rebooted everything and tried to record DEAD LIKE ME from SHO. The same thing happened after about 12 minutes.

2nd TEST

I recorded "Moving" on HDNET Movies.

I recieved a big fat juicy 7 second freeze no audio & frozen image,34 minutes into the movie.

The rest of the movie problem free.
Why does there have to be some kind of long glitch?
3-5 seconds glitch is about the norm of what I'm experiencing

I'll keep on recording & post the results.

If any body has any suggestions please post.

Thanks Larry

how did scooby doo go

how did scooby doo go

He went....ZOINKS!!!!.....


Sorry Tony for my bad humor...LOL

Mike

Originally posted by mbw23air
He went....ZOINKS!!!!.....Actually, that was Shaggy, and it's closer to "Zoiks!":D

Scooby is more like "Rooby-rooby, ROOOOO!"...

Roland,

LOL...Well, they both have the same I.Q. Sorry I misquoted them.http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Mike

SCOOBY DOO.

Here is the results ....
31 minutes into the movie about a 2 second glitch,
at 1 hr. 1 min & 40 seconds a little bit longer glitch.
about 1 hr. & 5 minutes till about 1 hr. 8 min several 2-3 second glitches,then finally to the end of the movie about another 20 minutes
it was ok.

I'm finding within the first 30 -35 minutes into the movie(any movie)
a glitch is prone to occur.

I'm using everything I can possibly use to eliminate this situation.
Here's what I do.

MY SETUP
The AVX is separated from the PSHD-105,& the 30000 by 14 feet,using a 14.5 foot firewire cable.

The PSHD-105 & 30000 is in the same audio cabinent separated by shelves
in the cabinent.

The Ferrite Chokes are everywhere (except around my neck is where this is getting me to that point)
The Ferrite chokes are on all AC power cables on the 105,30000 & AVX.
They are on the component wires coming out of the 30000, on the firewire cables on both ends of the 3 mentioned machines.
I even bought a power conditioner just for the sole purpose of recording HD,to maybe clean up the AC.

WHAT IS NEXT?
I will soon send the PSHD-105 to Richard(169 time) for a MOD that will
hopefully help it & wait for a future upgrade for the avx.

Any suggestions fellas?

As I'm writing all this I'm recording "Going in Style" on HDNET.

Will give the results.

Larry
YRRAL

WHAT IS NEXT?
I will soon send the PSHD-105 to Richard(169 time) for a MOD that will
hopefully help it & wait for a future upgrade for the avx.

Larry,

That seems like the best thing to do. Richard should be able to check it out and determine what the problem is.

Also, for everyone else. I removed the Richard Gray Power Plant and I am getting same results as I got before which is excellent. So, it doesn't seem that the line conditioner necessarily helps my setup. I only tried it on 2 recordings and both turned out perfect.

Mike

Well, I finally got my JVC30k to play through the DTC-100. First I recorded an OTA program and then tried to play it back through DTC-100. I did it and it played perfectly but I still couldn't understand why AVX-1 recordings wouldn't play through DTC-100. I had tried all my digital channels and they would always just freeze up when I played tape. I have at least 10 digital channels also. So then I played a tape and while I did that I had the DTC-100 do a channel search. When it was done it must've mapped the JVC30k signal to a channel because now it plays through the DTC-100 when tuned to that channel. Of course it screwed up my OTA channel listings as it didn't find any of my digital channels but at least I am glad I can play my JVC30k tapes through DTC-100 now. I record OTA channels with the MYHD card and rarely watch OTA channels with the DTC-100 anyways.

Now for the funny part of the story. I had bought a new JVC30k a few weeks ago so I would have something to watch tapes on since I am recording so much. I unplugged everything from the JVC30k while trying to get the playback to work. So after reconnecting firewire cables I checked to make sure I had the right connections and for some reason the DTC-100 was not recognized on the JVC's I-1 channel like it normally is. I was mad. I reset everything. Did a reset of the I-link numbers in JVC menu. I was stumped. Then I got out a different firewire cable I had and plugged it into the front of the JVC30k and then the JVC recognized the DTC-100. I thought oh no the back firewire port has died. Then I realized I was plugging the firewire cable into the back of the wrong 30k. Doh!!!!!!!!!!!! Boy did I feel stupid!!!!


LOL,
Mike

Hey Mike:

Doesn't playing the tapes thru the DTC100 decoder defeat the whole purpose of having 2 JVC30k decks, one to record and one to watch movies?

Lon

Doesn't playing the tapes thru the DTC100 decoder defeat the whole purpose of having 2 JVC30k decks, one to record and one to watch movies?

Lon,

Damn, I didn't think of that. I guess it sorta does. But during the times I am recording I can watch through component outs of JVC on 2nd deck. See, I can talk myself into thinking I am right....LOL

I think I am going to wear my first 30k out. I have had the AVX-1 now for 26 days. I have recorded 67 movies and 30 tapes full of documentaries. I need to slow down!!!!!

Mike

Mike:

I am going on 18 months with AVX1 and have not slowed down on the recordings, just finished watching original Oceans Eleven and all I can say is WOW, I have one JVC30K to record, one JVC30K to watch.

Lon

IT DON"T BELIEVE IT

IT RECORDED 2 PERFECT MOVIES

GOING IN STYLE on HDNET

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING on HBO TODAY

I"M rerecording "Moving" on HDnet to see how it will come out.

I hope this is not just a lucky streak.

Will keep you fellas informed.

UNBELIVEABLE REAL PERFECT RECORDINGS It's nice to smile for once.

LARRY
(YRRAL)

I am going on 18 months with AVX1 and have not slowed down on the recordings, just finished watching original Oceans Eleven and all I can say is WOW, I have one JVC30K to record, one JVC30K to watch.

Lon,

Do you keep most of your recordings or do you just mainly use it to timeshift? In other words....How many tapes do you have??

Also, I saw part of Ocean's Eleven the other night and it did look incredible. I will be recording it tomorrow to watch again.

IT RECORDED 2 PERFECT MOVIES

Larry,

Hopefully by you moving the avx-1 away that helped. Today I was playing something back and I have this lamp that sits near my jvc30k. When I turned lamp on the picture had a dropout. I then turned it on/off again and it had another dropout. I rewound tape and didn't touch lamp and then it played perfect so that goes to show you how sensitive this stuff is.

Thanks,
Mike

I rerecorded "Moving"
it came out perfect(accept for a (split second blackout)
first time i seen that happen.

I reported on this earlier on another post & had dropout.

I'll record another movie tomorrow

Originally posted by mbw23air

Today I was playing something back and I have this lamp that sits near my jvc30k. When I turned lamp on the picture had a dropout. I then turned it on/off again and it had another dropout. I rewound tape and didn't touch lamp and then it played perfect so that goes to show you how sensitive this stuff is.

Thanks,
Mike

Guys,

The sneak path of interference is through the AVX-1 power supply. It's crappy and needs power line filtering. A UPS does the job nicely.


-Dylan

The sneak path of interference is through the AVX-1 power supply. It's crappy and needs power line filtering. A UPS does the job nicely.

Dylan,

Yes, I have all of my equipment plugged into a line conditioner so maybe thats why I have had good luck.

Mike

Mike:

I keep every tape for my library and I can tell you it has become quite a hassle to store them, my media room is starting to look like the return counter at Blockbuster.

Lon

Larry:

Didn't you return your proscan to Richard for evaluation, or are you getting better results on your own by changing your "enviorment" as David likes to say.

Lon

LJG

I basically just separated the avx about 14 feet away from the 105 & 3000.

I will foward it to Richard if it's starts back the way it use to be,which I hope
that won't happen.

I recorded 3 movies in a 2 day period & perfect so far.

I did get a sudden real quick blackout (like a second) which I never seen before.

Blackout meaning that if your watching TV & turning the power on & off real
quick.actually a little faster then that.

By the way everytime I record I use a fresh tape,
I've been using Maxell 300 minute tapes.

LJG ..What tapes do you use?
I'm wondering if tape brands may also be part of the issue?

Larry,

To answer your question of LJG: YES, tape stock matters. True D-VHS stock such as JVC and Maxell DF-300 work fine. However, I have found with D-VHS formula I usually get dropout-free results by doing a 'one-pass' playback of the blank tape in an old VHS machine before using it for recording. If I simply use the blank tape without pre-conditioning it, I tend to see more dropouts.

Interestingly, I use TDK S-VHS blanks for most of my recordings, and I can get dropout-free results without pre-conditioning them first.

At a minimum, it is always a good idea to 're-pack' every blank tape before recording, which means you should fast forward and rewind the tape before using it.

-Dylan

LON
The answer to your question is 3 post up.
I meant to address it to you & addressed to LJG.

But were all in this forum together.

Now that I just thought about it LON is the same as LJG
Dahhh to me

CHECK OUT TWICE.COM

IT"S ABOUT THE DISH NETWORK 921 COMING OUT
ON NOVEMBER 1st.

"ECHOSTAR REVEALS HDTV PRODUCT BUNDLE"

I could get mad like others and say how can we talk about the 921 in the avx thread, but I wont. We are all in this for the same goal. Doesnt look like one solution will meet all needs. So as far as I am concerned, the sooner the 921 comes out, the more sales 169time will get. Don, I dont agree with your cost comments. Until a product does ALL, if not MORE than the 169time, we are still comparing apples and oranges as far as I see it.

Dave

See Alan, I am pretty mello compared to some. ;)

Besides the 921 system will be very expensive,by time you add the dish &
pvr fees.

So far my recordings are coming out better & better with the 169 setup.

I hope it stays that way.

Is the B3 software new or is that the current version.

Alan, How are you buddy?

Are you asking me ab out the B3 software?

If you are it's the same software as it was when it came out.
Current version

0.8B3 is the current software version, and this is NOT the original software.

Some of you may remember my discussion here about intermittent dropouts I was experiencing on all Sat. C channels. I have spent some time trying to troubleshoot this problem, and accidentally came across a REALLY strange coincidence that you all may be interested in. Hopefully, somebody will be able to make sense of this for me.

The thread can be found here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=2658029#post2658029

(In summary, the stability of my PSHD105 is dependent on me leaving powered up my SD satellite receiver in another room.)

Anyone using the 6000 bel reciever with the 169time firewire AVX combo.

Please PM me.

Just a bit off topic:

On the DTC100 HD monitor out jack is the output RGB or RGBHV?

Lon

Richard at 169 should know,from doing the modifications LON,if the dtc 100 is rgb or rgbhv

The DTC-100 is RGBHV. Red, Green, Blue, Horizontal Sync, Vertical Sync.

Steve:

Thanks, that explains a lot for me.

Lon

Hey Fellas I have had great success lately.
All my recordings are looking perfect & I mean perfect.

I fast foward & rewind a new tape before I record, I'm using a surge protector /Line conditioner which I haven't used before & I have the Avx
it's own little place by itself 14.5 feet away from the pshd-105 & 30000.

That's what I did new compared how else I use to have the set up.
I just finished recording "Isomnia" which ran 1 hr. & 57 minjutes & it came out perfect.This was from HBO.

I thiunk by separating the AVX from the other stuff may be the key & who knows maybe the line conditioner/surge protector is helping too.

The SP/LC i'm using is made by Monster Cable,called Monster Power Model # HTS-3500.

I was always complaining about the 3-5 second or more of audio/video dropout occuring about 3 times during a 1 1/2 hour movie.

For the last 4 recordings it hasn't been happening.
I recorded from HD net " Going in Style"
HDNET "Moving"
HBO " MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING"
and HBO " Insomnia"

I hope the trend keeps working like these last 4 recordings.

Also I have ferrite chokes on both ends of the fire wire cables as well as
the ac power cords going into the avx,pshd-105,& the 30000.
When I playback I shut the avx down & leave the pshd-105 on & playback the tape.
I haven't been watching as I record but I just play back when recording is finished.

I telling everybody all this so that this may all have something to do with last few recordings,coming out perfect.

I hope Alan is out there reading this if so Alan call me.
Alan was experincing basically the same problem.

But fellas I still want to keeep recording more movies so not to get the cart before the horse & get all excited & it comes back,which I don't even want to say that.

So try what I did whoever may have the same set up as I have.
I will continue to give updates.

LARRY from N.J.
Y R R A L

Larry,

Congratulations! You may not always get perfect, but you should definitely get very consistent recordings.

Enjoy!
Jeff

Just got another 2 1/2 hour in HD on HBO perfect.
Loving it.
Larry

sounds good and similar to my parents set up.

are you lovin every minute of it :)

Larry,

Glad you got it to work without the glitches.

Mike

I'm afraid to touch anything.
I was going to take the Surge protector/line conditioner out of the system to see if it would cause a problem .

Also my sattellite signal is in the low 90's the 110/119 signal.
I hope Alan read these posts & tried what I did before sending his STB
to CA.

Alan is frustrated just like I was, we were in the same situation.

I wish you would perform the experiment of removing the line conditioner to see whether the problem recurs.

My sense is that there's likely just one main source of the glitches (perhaps the AVX's power supply, as Dylan suspects) and it would be great to be able to pinpoint that instead of having to do half a dozen voodoo things, not all of which may strictly be necessary.

Environment. :o)

Dave

Dave Explain Environment

RRG, I think Mike already tried with & without using a Line Conditioner,that it didn't make any diffrence.

I feel more secure anyway using mine,because it is designed for surges that may occur & as well as line filtering thru the AC outlets.

I may just disconnect it to see if the dropouts reoccur,but now I'm getting spoiled with things going so well.

Let's find out if Mike already tried that route>

Hey Mike please let us know.
Larry

The fact that the line conditioner didn't make a difference for Mike doesn't mean it won't make a difference for you. Everyone's local power is different, the power supply in every AVX1 could be a little bit different, etc.

I'm only suggesting that, after half a dozen successes, you try a couple recordings without the line conditioner but with no other changes to see whether the problems recur.

But I understand that it's time and trouble to futz with this. It's easy to lose patience with it, especially if it seems to be working now.

Did anyone else noticed the 169Time add in the latest (October '03) Widescreen Review? Is a full review forthcoming?

169time paid for that ad in widescreen review. WSR has not changed their position they will not review "The Hot rod".

Dave

Any timeline on the PC recording going Beta (or final)?

I have given up on the 921 and am just wainting for the PC firewire/AVX situation to stabalize before I jump onto the 169time bandwagon. The latest rumour is that my 5000 w/modulator will be dead within 6 months. The 169time modded 6000 looks like it iwll be the best option for a lot of us.

Let's find out if Mike already tried that route

Even though I did get a couple of perfect recordings without the line conditioner. I immediately hooked it back up. It does clean the power up as I can even see a difference on screen when it is not being used. I think there are different variables at work here and I seem to have a good environment because I am getting some great results.

Back to recording,
Mike

another perfect recording "Behind Eneny Lines"

I should of mention I recieved a very brief complete BLACKOUT type glitch.
Did anybody ever get one of those?
It was nothing to get nuts about The picture went completely black but the sound went on,happened for less then 2 seconds

I just played back "Behind enemy lines" about where the complete blackout glitch occured. It seems to have dissapeared. I happened within the first 10 minutes.So much for the glitch.

QUESTION:

I have the AVX1 from 169company
Been recording HDTV from my Hueghs E86 DircTV to JVC30000 to Avix
NO PROBLEMS. Always had picture and sound.

MY Thosiba has two component inputs so
#1 is stright from STB ( Hueghs E86 -DirecTV) all OK on all channels
#2 comes from the output from the JVC 30000 recorder
firewire from STB to rear of JVC and Firewire from front JVC to AVIX, NO OTHER INPUTS

BUT yersterday I went to a NON-HDTV directv station "202 CNN"
came from Hueghs E86 DirecTV box to TV all OK , picture and sound.

BUT tape and output from JVC30000 to AVIX , had picture but no SOUND!!
ALL NON HD BROADCASTS FROM HUEGHS E86 DIRECTV to JVC30000 to AVIX1 ..HAVE PICTURE BUT NO SOUND !!

I have never tried to record non HD before , is this CORRECT that you lose sound with non HD broadcast using the AVIX OR DO I HAVE A PROBLEM??

NOTE: I have 2 JVC 30000 and both did same