Jan,

I'm sure he could also nuke the drive with the 3410a without removing it. He couldn't do a low-level format, but he probably doesn't need to.

Didn't he say: "I let it sit with the power off but still plugged in overnight, but the HDD still wouldn't initialize. I unplugged it for about 4 or 5 hours, and it still failed to initialize. Afraid I might have turned my HD DVR into an expensive "HD Tuner only", I pulled a 200GB drive out of my computer and placed it in the LG unit. It did power on and immediately the new HDD initialized." ????

That means might not have been able to get at the initialize menu...

Oh, you have a point. Let's see what Josh meant by that . . .

joshMV4.... Was thinking about your post again last night...

If you have the time I'd put the drive in another computer and blast it with Fdisk.

Then put it back in the LG... If it works again, my guess is the file allocation table was scrambled to the point where LG saw it as a drive with data on it, but couldn't successfully read all the files off it... and that is why it didn't initialize...

Just a guess.

Thanks for your comments....I am a Mac user and am not too familiar with fdisk. Looking on the web it sounds like this will erase the drive (assuming I could find a machine to try it on--I do have virutal pc, and that might work if I put the drive in my Mac). I would like to still have acess to all my previously recorded shows on the drive, if I can. So I am hesitant about trying this until I read up some more on this.

To clarify, with the "bad" drive installed, I still did have acess to the LG's DVR menu, just not the program list. I did not try the DVR menu to reformat, b/c I still wanted to save my files.

The unit seems to be working fine with the 200GB drive I installed, so now I am just trying to get back all my previously recorded shows.

Again, I do appreciate the comments and will let you know if/what I find out. If you have any more thoughts, they are welcome.

As far as I know, a 3410a hard disk drive cannot be read/accessed by a Mac, Windows or Unix/Linux computer. One thing you could try, if you haven't already, is to reinstall the "bad" hard disk drive, clear all the favorites and programmed recordings in the tv guide, unplug it again, and pray to the sun gods. I had problems accessing mine for a while and that seemed to work, although it's entirely possible that the problem got better without my interevention. For me I think the problem was that one of my favorites got discontinued and the 3410a didn't like it.

After a year with the 3410A I've discovered that it upconverts QAM SD channels to 1080i quite well, noticeably better than the Comcast 6412 DVR on which I would normally view such channels. Actually I seldom watch any of them, but today Comcast started a 2-week freeview of Digital Classic & Digital Plus channels and removed the encryption from more than 40 channels (see my Post #3532 in the Chicago Comcast thread for a listing). This is the first time I've seen these particular channels upconverted to 1080i via the 3410A, and they look better than I've seen them before. Even with the encryption off, the 6412 DVR does a mediocre job of upconverting these channels. Normally I just view HD channels with the 6412, and it does fine with native 1080i. Too bad the SD stuff has to be encrypted normally because it looks pretty decent via the 3410A.

My comments were to try and make an un-readable drive 'useable' again...

Not to 'fix' the drive..... Just 'blast' it into un-consiousness, so that the 3410a would start recognizing it as a useable drive again...

New subject... NO! Re-hashing an old subject!!!!


I wish SOMEONE would make a program that would let me copy my video files onto and offoff the 3410a....

What I'm trying to do is use the 3410a as a Sales Tool...

Let's say I create a video I want to sell to a client..... SD or HD.... I would want a program that could take a standard Windows .avi file from an edit system, and upload and encode it onto the 3410a so that it would play on a SD or HD display....

Then I could take my videos and display it on a client's display!!!!!

See, Hollywood, I'm not trying to steal you precious movies! I just want to be able to upload and download my own files onto the 3410a....

Simple as that!!!!!

Just wish I could find a way to do it!!!!!!

does anyone know if the new High Def camcorder from Sony will work with the 3410a?

Nope.

I couldn't get my HDV camera to output via firewire to the LG.

That is unfortunate... If I buy the Sony, I guess I'll just have to wait for Blu-Ray or other way to record my content

Sorry for not reporting the progress with my 3410 following the 100102 reset.

The unit took a full download that evening and has worked flawlessly since. I finally eliminated duplicate and unused channels from the the TV guide and have scheduled multiple recordings which have worked. I just set up my first daily and weekly reoccurring recording schedule so I will know if/how it works shortly.

Thanks for all the info in this discussion. I've learned a lot and really like the 3410 now that it is working better...

Contemplating buying the LG but I have some concerns
based on reading other's experiences especially with the
firewire connectivity.

Has anyone successfully used the firewire to connect
with the JVC DT100 (I know the JVC 30k works) and been
able to tape from the LG to the JVC via the firewire ?

Has anyone been able to connect via firewire to an
external HDTV that has firewire (for example the Sony
Qualia 006) ?

Any comments or assistance is appreciated....

Grant

Sorry for not reporting the progress with my 3410 following the 100102 reset.

The unit took a full download that evening and has worked flawlessly since. I finally eliminated duplicate and unused channels from the the TV guide and have scheduled multiple recordings which have worked. I just set up my first daily and weekly reoccurring recording schedule so I will know if/how it works shortly.

Thanks for all the info in this discussion. I've learned a lot and really like the 3410 now that it is working better...

Good deal! This "trick" is much easier than changing the zip code, waiting a day, and then changing it back (which doesn't always work the first time depending on the zip).

For those looking to connect the 3410 to TVs via firewire, here is one data point:

I picked up the new LG 42" LCD TV last weekend - the set has firewire connectors and is supposed to work with set-top boxes labeled with the "DTV" moniker (which the 3410 is not). The 3410 and TV do not talk to each other (the TV sees the 3410 as connected but does not display anything or allow any sort of control, and the 3410 responds with "unsupported device" when the 1394 button is pressed on the 3410 remote).

Mike

This is disappointing. You would think LG would at least get their own products to communicate via 1394. I was hoping that the 3410A would someday be able to transfer from the HDD to an LG HD DVD recorder, but I guess we can forget about that.

I think we have to take the 3410a manual literally and narrowly, i.e., that it communicates via firewire to a firewire-equipped digital VHS recorder and that's it. In this respect it would appear similar to the samsung 165 receiver, which uses a DVHS as its recording device, and even then only those (like the JVC 30k, etc) that have a particular communication protocol (not that I'm able to specify that protocol, since I don't understand it).

As for the JVC DT100, mentioned above, I'm not familiar with this, but since it's a tuner/DVHS combo, it is possible that 3410a wouldn't recognize it as a DVHS...one would only know by trying....

I have to say, I've found these issues confusing in other respects....I have a recently purchased 3410a, along with the samsung 165 and JVC 30k combination. I finally recorded something on the 3410a that I wanted to save on a DVHS tape, so I got another 1394 cable, and looked for the second 1394 connection on the back of the JVC 30k. But there isn't one. So I have to daisy chain the 3410a and the samsung 165 (each of which DOES have two 1394 connections), and - interestingly - I found that the setup only works one way. (I don't remember offhand whether it's with the 3410a communicating through the samsung 165, or vice versa, and checking requires difficult messing around with the devices to see the backs, since the stand holding everything is full.)

Tony

Well, if there are any software writer's out there that want to make some money.....

Here's what I want....

Want to be able to copy a program off the 3410a for archiving... and load it back on later, when disk space provides.... Like a DVHS Deck without the deck or tape. Save to/from 3410a Hard drive to a computer drive via firewire.

Also, I need to be able to take an .avi video/audio file, SD or HD, and change it to whatever format can be played back on the 3410a, and upload it onto the hard drive in the 3410a for playback.
Extra points would be for being able to take a file and convert it to an .avi file for inputting into an editor such as Premiere Pro.

I'm listening..........

If anybody loses a hard drive in a 3410a, I've got a Seagate 120Gb drive removed from a 3410a that is 'available' for trade, etc.

I even put a series of 480i test patterns on it from my test generator....

Jan

What is the serial number 551-25110232 = to the Firmware version? I thought 451 series were the highest they go. Anyone have any ideas? Is this the standard issue FW 1.17 box? I just saw this at B&H and was thinking I might have to have a go at it, if I could be sure at FW1.17. B&H's return policy (7 days) is not favorable to me if things go wrong and I can't work the guide.

Very interesting. A 551- serial number would indicate that LG made some 2005 models. This is the first reporting of this on this thread. These would definitely have at least the 1.17 FW, if not an even more recent version. I guess this model would be the standalone equivalent of the DVR built into some LG high-end 2005 TVs, so maybe all the issues of the 2003 & 2004 units have been dealt with (??).

That's VERY interesting.

The 3410a I bought from B&H in March was of the 451 series. I wonder if there is any difference, as UncD2000 mentioned, from the earlier models.

Love my HDR-HC1. The 1080i video it produces is to die for.

BUT...

The inability for Sony's 1080i HDV to be properly recorded to D-VHS (or especially a firewire inputting edit capable DVR like the LG LST3410) is a major drag!

D-VHS is remains an ideal cheapskate archiving format. And the trickplay and simple clip editing on the LG LST3410 would be a fast and cheap means of editing.

Now I am aware that HDV footage can be rendered by Premiere Pro and Vegas 6 among others for output to D-VHS. But that rendering business is a very slow and time consuming process.

Now what if your 169Time AVX-1 software were tweaked to convert the incoming HDV stream to one favored by the JVC 30K and other machines of its ilk (including that LG LST3410)?

Then we could record directly to D-VHS or hard disc over firewire without even hitting the record button on the camcorder. Simple clip edits from the day's shooting including the ability to review it in full resolution in both slow-mo and speeds up to 300x in both directions.

Richard,
Please hear our plea! These Sony HDVs are selling gangbusters. You would sell more AVX-1s to this crowd in the first month than you have to satellite customers in the past two years.

Now get your fanny back into the lab... ;)

I just purchased my third 3410A. They are hard to find these days. This one came from TVsDepot online for $560.00. Even though hey swore it was a new unit, it had been set up in Florida to use with a cablebox. Whoever purchased it probably learned very quickly that he would not be able to record HD from the cable using the box and returned it. TVs Depot apolgized and said they would credit me $50.00, the difference between what they claim is their cost and what I payed for it. It is a 551 unit so I am happy. Fired right up and brought in all those "extra" cable channels that have made this unit a true cornucopia for delivering HD cable programming. Potential buyers should be aware that I searched over r20 outlets before finding a unit. They are very scarce.

Has anyone purchased a 551-series (2005 model) mentioned in Posts 3019 & 3020?

My new one is a 551 model. It says so on the box. The firmware is 1.17.

I can believe that these are very scarce. It would be interesting to know the production figures for the 2003, 2004, & 2005 models.

In mid-August of 2004 I had no HD recorders and was getting anxious about starting the new TV season with no HD timeshift ability. Then BB closed out the 3410A and I wound up with a pair. Last June I started renting the Comcast 6412 2-tuner DVR for $9.99/month. A week ago I added the HR10-250 HD Tivo to the lineup. DirecTV is making some special deals, and I got it for a net cost of $166. Of course they charge $4.99/month "mirroring fee," but it's a very good performer, and they promise to exchange them free for the new MPEG4 HD DVR which will be out in 2006.

I think I'm ready for the new TV season this time.

Thanks, Now I will buy this box with the 551 series, but I have to wait. My paycheck comes once every two weeks and this is the odd week.

Circuit City says they will have the 3410A available to order online soon. Check it out..

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/LG-Electronics-HD-Receiver-DVR-LST-3410A-/sem/rpsm/oid/124025/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

How can they do that when LG supposedly stopped production???

Evidently the recent emergence of 2005 models with 551-xxx serial numbers indicates that production has resumed. This comes a year after BB gave up and closed them out. Unless LG has made the guide function more reliable, CC may eventually be doing a closeout too and there will be some bargains.

Seems like they would have added CableCard to update the unit. As it stands, $699 at CC vs the HD Tivo for $499 at BB doesn't sound too attractive.

I took a close look at the unit they had pictured and saw that it was a 451 unit manufactured Mar 2004. This could be an older unit they had already in stock as I know that the Overlake CC near Seattle has had one on display for at least 6 months now. It is the only CC store I have visited in the Seattle area that had the 3410A for sale.

I am working on getting my TV Guide to populate on the replacement 3410 I just received from LG.

After 2 days of no info and mutiple attempts at the zip code reset - I called LG.

Their tech was helpful and gave me some info I have not yet seen on this thread:

To reset TV Guide settings:
1) Go To the LST-3410 Menu and highlight EZScan (do not execute it - just highlight it)
2) Using the remote, enter: 100102

I then went into the TV Guide diagnostics menu (753259852) and saw that the Host Channel is now 0x0.

I ran the setup again to make sure the zip code info is correct and now I have it powered off. Hopefully, it will download tonight...


Well, I just tried this and nothing happens... Actually, let me clarify this statement. I tried it a few days ago when the guide hung up and the host channel did indeed go to zero. Well, the guide is still FUBAR so today I tried this again and nothing happens.
1. I hit the menu button on the remote & navigate over to the EZ-Scan button. The Ez-scan screen pops up but I dont move over to it.
2. I type 100102 on the remote
3. I hit exit on the remote
4. go to the guide to bring up service mode (753159852) and the host channel is always the same.

Any clues?

dickm

Then try the "brute force" method. Change the zip code to something out of state and let it sit overnight. Verify that reset the host channel and then re-enter your correct zip code. It doesn't hurt to do the "2 second power cycle" to force it to look for guide data (you didn't say whether your guide light came on or not--obviously it needs to).

My Dad's unit, my original 4.51 unit, will not bring up anything when you push TV GUIDE. Any ideas?

I get this quite often. The 2-second unplug always restores the guide, but of course with "No Listings."

I've got two of these units, and sometimes (for apparently no reason at all), the Guide will show "No Listings" for all of the channels. I just ignore it and within a couple of days or so the listings invariably come back.

He unplugged it and giude came back. Listings loaded overnight.

Is the 3410 compatible with the new JVC deck - the HM-DH5U? I did a quick search and couldn't find an answer.
Dillon2 - Did you ever get an answer to the JVC HM-DH5U compatibility with LST-3410a question? Anybody else?

Dillon2 - Did you ever get an answer to the JVC HM-DH5U compatibility with LST-3410a question? Anybody else?

Yes, I have both and they work together. THere are some problems. I often get a number of dropouts when I record to the LST-3410A. These seem to create 'bad spots' of corrupted data in the recording. Occasionally, I need to edit the recording on the 3410A's hard drive to remove the bad spots in order to dump the redording to the DH5U. If I don't remove the spots, the DH5U stops recording at that point. It doens't happen that often, but it happened 3 times in the Super Bowl.

I don't know if the problem is in the 3410A or in the DH5U. I have one of the earliest 3410A's produced.

This is probably one of the longest forums I have ever read. Thanks to all who have posted. I would like an opinion though if any of you do not mind. Reading the last 40 pages or so of those who have posted leads me to believe it is the luck of the draw getting a Lg3410A that works correctly and continuously. I still wonder if they are a good choice considering the amount of features it contains. I have a JVC 30K and like most of us here need a way to get a fire wire output to record from. If you gentleman and ladies would not mind giving me a your thoughts I would really like to hear them, good or bad. There are a few online retailers still listing them for sale and of course the Ebay ones as well. They are still running between 500.00 and 650.00 though and with the number of returns that some here have had makes me a bit hesitant. I thank everyone in advance for the help. Have a great week.

I would love to be able to archive into and outof the 3410a to a PC via firewire, but at present, though I've read tons of user group posts, nothing seems to work with the 3410a but a HDVHS, and not all of them from the posts.
Regarding stability....
I've had intermittant times when the TV Guide would just stop working. Limiting the amount of channels enabled for data has helped, but I just returned from 2 weeks overseas, and found out the 3410a stopped recording in middle of vacation, and no TV Guide whatsoever.
A quick power cycle got TV Guide back. Checking channel numbers (sometimes channel numbers get changed when Cable numbers get changed, and that confuses the TV Guide) reveals nothing changed. We did have programmed back to back recordings on different channels, and that has caused problem occasionally in past. So we missed out on multiple recordings for the last week. Though I reset the power Sunday PM, it wasn't till Tuesday AM (This morning) before data started being seen by TV Guide.
Last night (before TV GUIDE showed data -- "No Listing") My wife did a Hard Record on channel 5-1. Machine showed it was recording.... During that record, I saw (for the first time since our return) the Orange Data indicator come on. When it came time to stop the recoding... Wife hit stop, but it didn't stop.... She kept hitting stop, and maybe 15 seconds later it finally stopped... BUT... when she went to play the Hard Record she just did.... The recording did not register in the list of recordings... Both She & I saw it recording.... Only thing to comment on was that prior to the start of the hard record there was no listing in TV Guide, and During that hard record, the Data light came on.
Once before we had a hard record 'disappear', but had no other data other than it just 'dissappeared'.... So it's happened before....

Kinda disgusting.....

My personal opinion is that the guide problems originate at each local host channel. Many of them (including those in Chicagoland) seem to transmit corrupted data occasionally which confuses the 3410A and causes loss of guide info and/or various lockups. All 3410A's may have this vulnerability to corrupted guide signals, so it comes down to how good a job your local host channel is doing.

I like my two 3410A's, and use them alot, but I am constantly having to do the 2-second unplug to reset them. I wouldn't have bought them if I had known of the problems. I must say, however, the OTA and QAM tuners are excellent.

I also have a Comcast 2-tuner DCT6412 DVR and a DirecTV HR10-250 HD Tivo, and those units can run rings around the 3410A. Of course there are monthly fees involved with both.

I would love to be able to archive into and outof the 3410a to a PC via firewire, but at present, though I've read tons of user group posts, nothing seems to work with the 3410a but a HDVHS, and not all of them from the posts.
I was able to archive a recording successfully from the 3410a to a PC this weekend with the Firebus 1.1 trial software, but only from a recording of a digital station (KPIX) that used full bandwidth, i.e., no subchannels. Recordings from stations with subchannels did not work. As has been posted before, it appears that Firebus still requires a 19.3Mb/sec CBR stream in order archive from the LG.

I still wonder if they are a good choice considering the amount of features it contains. I have a JVC 30K and like most of us here need a way to get a fire wire output to record from.

I recommend it without hesitation. There is nothing that does what it does. I did buy a HDTV tuner for my PC to see if it will created better archives on a D_VHS deck. It does do a better job of archiving, but it is 1000% harder to use than the 3410A. PC (Windows) software seems to have a real problem with QAM subchannels.

The only two problems I have with the 3410A is that power outages seem to screw it up and the problem that the local broadcasters occasionally drop their PSIP so the channel mapping gets corrupted. Thus I'll have channel 25-1 set to record, but there will be no channel 25-1 mapping in the guide and the 3410A locks up. This happens very rarely and goes away with the 2-second unplug/reset that UncD2000 introduced me to.

After a power outage I need to do a full channel rescan and then go through the guide to edit the channels. It takes about an hour every time. I just bought a UPS to save me that hassel.

Regarding stability....
I've had intermittant times when the TV Guide would just stop working. Limiting the amount of channels enabled for data has helped, but I just returned from 2 weeks overseas, and found out the 3410a stopped recording in middle of vacation, and no TV Guide whatsoever.



I've had this problem when the local broadcasters drop their PSIP from the channel that I've got something set to record. Thus I'll have channel 25-1 set to record, but there will be no channel 25-1 mapping in the guide and the 3410A locks up. Once it locks up, it no longer downloads guide data.


A quick power cycle got TV Guide back. Checking channel numbers (sometimes channel numbers get changed when Cable numbers get changed, and that confuses the TV Guide) reveals nothing changed.

If there has been a mapping problem, you still may see 25-1 (or whateve) but there may not be any guide data. Settng up a manual recording will use the wrong mapped channel and it will not record unless (before you start to record) you go to the channel edit screen and delete and then add the station. For example my 25-1 broadcasts at 31-3. I need to add and then delete the HDTV frequency 31. This has happened to me 3 times in the last 20 months.

Of course, I may be all wet. We are all sort of like the 3 blind men trying to describe an elephant when it comes to trying to figure out these boxes.

I was able to archive a recording successfully from the 3410a to a PC this weekend with the Firebus 1.1 trial software, but only from a recording of a digital station (KPIX) that used full bandwidth, i.e., no subchannels. Recordings from stations with subchannels did not work. As has been posted before, it appears that Firebus still requires a 19.3Mb/sec CBR stream in order archive from the LG.

Were you able to upload a recording to the 3410A?

Were you able to upload a recording to the 3410A? The only recordings that I have tried to upload to the 3410a were R5000 recordings. In the past, when I uploaded R5000 recordings to the 3410a using Firebus 1.0 demo software, I had excellent results. When I tried to upload an R5000 recording (19.3Mb/sec CBR) this weekend with the 1.1 software, I had intermittent drops after a few minutes.

I have ordered a new TI chipset firewire PC card to see if it will make a difference. My current card uses the VIA chipset.

I want to check every possibility before I give up and try a Mac for 3410a HDD archiving. I am not keen on buying an entirely new box just for that one purpose, but if I do, I need to have high confidence that it will work for all recordings, not just 19.3Mb/sec CBR recordings.

stjr
Sounds like you are successful in using the 3410a to receive a HD signal, but store it on a PC hard drive.
What I want to do is take an existing program on the 3410a (HD or SD) and store it on a PC for archiving... and later on, take an archived recording from a PC and stick it back onto the 3410a...
Could you explain in greater detail what the system can and can't do? Thanks!!

Jan J,

The bottom line is that I have only been partially successful in archiving and restoring recordings to/from the 3410a using the available Firebus PC software. I have limited patience with something that is not nearly 100% reliable for all recordings.

I would like to learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of the Mac software as mentioned here. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5778458&&#post5778458

This post may help if you are still intent on archiving to a PC. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5628736#post5628736

I haven't seen any answers yet in this regard, however, I may have an answer soon regarding compatibility with the DT100U. I recently ordered one from eCost. I haven't gotten confirmation of shipment yet so I'm not sure when it'll arrive. One it does I'm hoping to be able to report a favorable exchange of data between it and the 3410a.

Dillon2 - Did you ever get an answer to the JVC HM-DH5U compatibility with LST-3410a question? Anybody else?

I've Had a couple emails with the folks from VividLogic....

Aparantly they are working on a version of software that will transfer files into/outof the 3410a without multiple pieces of hardware on the Firewire network.

I'll sit here and be patient........

Maybe this will enable future interface with HD DVD recorders. It would be very nice to be able to make HD DVDs from material on the 3410A HDD.

I've Had a couple emails with the folks from VividLogic....

Aparantly they are working on a version of software that will transfer files into/outof the 3410a without multiple pieces of hardware on the Firewire network.

I'll sit here and be patient........Jan J,

Thanks for following up with Vividlogic on getting their software to work better with the 3410a. IMO, the software is too expensive for the few benefits that it provides to 3410a users. I see that used Mac G4's can be purchased on eBay for ~$200, so I am really tempted to give them a try for 3410a archiving.

Host stations do not originate the TV Guide data - Gemstar does. All the host station does is pass it through via a specialized piece of equipment made by Norpak. The data arrives via a phone line into the Norpak/Gemstar box and is then inserted in the vertical interval of the transmitted picture.

My personal opinion is that the guide problems originate at each local host channel. Many of them (including those in Chicagoland) seem to transmit corrupted data occasionally which confuses the 3410A and causes loss of guide info and/or various lockups. All 3410A's may have this vulnerability to corrupted guide signals, so it comes down to how good a job your local host channel is doing.

I like my two 3410A's, and use them alot, but I am constantly having to do the 2-second unplug to reset them. I wouldn't have bought them if I had known of the problems. I must say, however, the OTA and QAM tuners are excellent.

I also have a Comcast 2-tuner DCT6412 DVR and a DirecTV HR10-250 HD Tivo, and those units can run rings around the 3410A. Of course there are monthly fees involved with both.

Just took delivery of a new LST3410a from B&H photo.
On the back of the unit it has a little sticker with the
"March 2005" on it and some numbers.

Haven't turned it on yet. Will be powering it up tonight.
Is there anything special I need to do?

Are most people here using a cooling device for their units ?

I'm in Toronto, Canada & LG doesn't even sell this unit here.
I receive my OTA stations from Buffalo primarily.
Should I use a zip code from that region ?

GW

MKellyvich or others with 1394 input to TV:

Have you tried hooking up the TV (via firewire) to a JVC deck
and then connecting the JVC to the LG (via firewire) & then
tried to view the LG from the iLink menu on the TV ?

Since the LG will pass its signal to the JVC (via 1394) & the JVC will pass
D-Theater etc to the TV (via firewire) might this setup allow one
to watch the LG tuner via firewire on the TV ?

GW

Just took delivery of a new LST3410a from B&H photo.
On the back of the unit it has a little sticker with the
"March 2005" on it and some numbers.

Haven't turned it on yet. Will be powering it up tonight.
Is there anything special I need to do?

Are most people here using a cooling device for their units ?

I'm in Toronto, Canada & LG doesn't even sell this unit here.
I receive my OTA stations from Buffalo primarily.
Should I use a zip code from that region ?

GW

Many folks have added a small cooling fan either internally or externally where the cutout for a fan appears on the back of the unit. I did and it does keep the box noticeably cooler. I bought mine at Radio Shack for about $15. I believe it's a 12 volt fan that plugs into the same power connector that the hard drive uses. Some of these fans come with the proper adapters and some don't. You can also purchase a 'Y' power adapter at Radio Shack if the fan doesn't come with one.

Host stations do not originate the TV Guide data - Gemstar does. All the host station does is pass it through via a specialized piece of equipment made by Norpak. The data arrives via a phone line into the Norpak/Gemstar box and is then inserted in the vertical interval of the transmitted picture.

JR -
I think of the 'guide data' as the data that comes from GemStar as well as the data that each TV station broadcasts that identifies its signal. I don't know any of the particulars of this, so I may be all wrong, but I assume that . Some of my local stations continually do something that confuses my 3410A. Fox seems to do it the most but UPN may also do it. FoxHD has been switching between 25-1 and 31-3. Fox Analog is at 25-0.

One of the ways I think the 'guide data' can be corrupted, is when the GemStar data says Fox is 25-1 while Fox is saying it is 31-3. The GemStar software used on the 3410A locks up the system when this happens. Obviously, this is the result of bad software, but it would not happen if the both pieces of the 'guide data' were in agreement. Then again, I could be all wrong :)

When you run the TV Guide diagnostics routine, over and above the 30 some pages of in-dephireable data, on page one there is a Hex readout of the channel you are getting data from....
My unit used to get it from Fox, channel 12 off cable, but now is getting it from PBS, channel 11.
At one time, I traded email's with LG Supervisor over this issue (TV Guide Lockups) He was trying to get someone at Gemstar to look into it. I got info on the diagnostics at that point, but nothing from Gemstar.

One of the things LG was concerned with, was signal strength of reception... They asked that I turn on Closed Captioning, and see if I was getting an mis-spelling or gobbledy-gook on the screen (I wasn't), because if I was getting corruption in CC data, then TVGuide data would also be corrupted... SO, I added a motorola RF amp on the cable feed, which, though it increased signal strength considerably, didn't change the frequency of the TV Guide lockups... About once every 5-6 weeks. Then I removed the amp, and put in a 20Db pad. Same.... Also, this spring, I replaced the 10+ Year old antenna with a new one, and switched from RG59 to Quad shielded RG6. Same...

Also, early this year I contacted the Director of Engineering where I worked at at the time (Owned by same company as Gemstar).... I pointed out missing icons on their own company's Station in the TV Guide, along with others....

3 weeks later, I got the 2nd Icon for their station, but none of the other icons I'd mentioned to them. And No further contact after that.

Gotta comment, Gemstar is doing very well at avoiding the public. I guess if you don't answer the phones, you cat find out what the troubles are!!! :)

Seecamp,

I don't have a DVHS deck so I can't try what you suggested. I don't know whether it would work.

Cheers,

Mike

I need a little help. I picked up 3410a (451) from a dealer knowing the unit would not power on...looks like a factory refurb mishap because the unit looks brand new except after removing the cover, I noticed it looks like someone removed capcitors #c122, c125, c126, c128, and c129 from the power ciruit board.

So, can someone confirm that these are in-fact missing and if so what would be suitable replacements for each....shack part #'s would be awesome...thanks.

First... Seeing you knew ahead of time it wouldn't power on, you have an exciting time ahead........
Somewhere I remember seeing pictures that someone posted.... on the insides of the 3410a. I believe it had to do with a hard drive swap. Maybe someone here remembers better than I..... where they are.
Once you verify they are missing, and find the values... I'd Strongly suggest NOT to use Radio Shack caps. You'd be better off with caps from Digi-Key. You want only 100Degree Celcius caps, preferrably caps with Low ESR.

The caps you see as missing, are they Decoupling caps or are they part of a swtiching supply?

Maybe a picture posting would be needed....

In case there are LG snoopers here.... How about coughing up a schematic on the power supply and power switching, folks! You got nothing to lose, since you cancelled the product...

One comment, though.... Next time you bring out a product like this, do some better beta test work. and allow for field upgrades in firmware.... Please! It will cost you less in "support" charges, and allow for a longer Product "Run" time!!!!

Is there any reason that a brand new box (551 series) with FW 1.17 should have any glitches? I only ask because I'm dangerously close to buying this from B&H soon.

Okay, there is "TV Guide" generic data - that's what I thought you were talking about. From what I understand here in the forum, it's the Gemstar/TV Guide data that sometimes mungs up the 3410. Gemstar has been know to send bad or corrupted data at time, or make slight format changes or stop sending data which also seems to confuse our 3410s.

The digital guide data you're talking about is PSIP data that all digital broadcasters must send. Indeed, if your Fox station can't keep their virtual channel information set correctly (switching between 25-1 and 31-3), then that certainly can cause problems. By the way, if their analog signal is on Ch. 25, then their digital MUST be on 25-1 or they are broadcasting illegally. These digital assignments are cast in concrete by the FCC and they have been cracking down on broadcasters not sending proper PSIP data.

JR -
I think of the 'guide data' as the data that comes from GemStar as well as the data that each TV station broadcasts that identifies its signal. I don't know any of the particulars of this, so I may be all wrong, but I assume that . Some of my local stations continually do something that confuses my 3410A. Fox seems to do it the most but UPN may also do it. FoxHD has been switching between 25-1 and 31-3. Fox Analog is at 25-0.

One of the ways I think the 'guide data' can be corrupted, is when the GemStar data says Fox is 25-1 while Fox is saying it is 31-3. The GemStar software used on the 3410A locks up the system when this happens. Obviously, this is the result of bad software, but it would not happen if the both pieces of the 'guide data' were in agreement. Then again, I could be all wrong :)

ok...here are some pics of the power supply board and which caps I think are missing. If anyone could assist it would be greatly appreciated. I agree and will go with digi-key for replacements. Save me from dealing with LG Service!!

OK.. First off... DO NOT turn this guy on any more!!

Those caps are on the secondary side of the switching supply!!! These caps smooth out the pulses from the supply on the various supplies to make DC voltages.

Running without those caps installed can result in power supply spikes being sent to the circuitry!!!

I'm going to send an email to a contact.... Leave unit disconnected from power.

Jan J, thanks for your replies! Ok..I'm taking your advice and I won't try to power this thing on anymore. At least when I did try to power it on before, It did absolutely nothing-no lights inside or out. Hopefully your contact will come through.

Check the fuse... it's just visable on the far right side AC Side, of the entire power supply pix. I sent the email.... Let's see if he comes through....

I need a little help. I picked up 3410a (451) from a dealer knowing the unit would not power on...looks like a factory refurb mishap because the unit looks brand new except after removing the cover, I noticed it looks like someone removed capcitors #c122, c125, c126, c128, and c129 from the power ciruit board.

So, can someone confirm that these are in-fact missing and if so what would be suitable replacements for each....shack part #'s would be awesome...thanks.
C122, C125 and C126 are 2200uF, 16vdc. C128 and C129 are 1000uF, 25vdc. All are radial lead (both wires stick out the same end; opposite of axial lead) electrolytics. They can be replaced with caps of the same or higher voltage ratings as long as they fit physically. Make sure to observe the proper polarities. If you're not familiar with soldering electronic components, practice on something that doesn't matter or find someone to do it for you.

ok...here are some pics of the power supply board and which caps I think are missing. If anyone could assist it would be greatly appreciated. I agree and will go with digi-key for replacements. Save me from dealing with LG Service!!

Ya gotta wonder why anyone would remove those caps to begin with? Or was this some sneaky way to disable the box? Very strange....

I haven't seen any answers yet in this regard, however, I may have an answer soon regarding compatibility with the DT100U. I recently ordered one from eCost. I haven't gotten confirmation of shipment yet so I'm not sure when it'll arrive. One it does I'm hoping to be able to report a favorable exchange of data between it and the 3410a.

Okay - I can now answer my own question - IT WORKS!! :D

I finally got around to hooking the DT100U into my system, including the Firewire connection between it and the LST-3410A. The 3410 recognized it immediately.

Interestingly, the 3410 will not operate the DT100U when a non-HD tape is loaded into the machine - even for playback purposes! However, when I pop in an S-VHS tape (which, I understand, is HD-compatible for recording) the 3410 does permit operations. In fact, I'm currently trying to dub something I'd stored in the 3410. (The dub seems to be working just fine - we'll see how it plays back later after the recording is complete.)

Since I have no more open component connections in my Denon AVR-5800 I could only hook up the S-Video cable. I did attach an optical cable to the 5800, though, which increases audio quality significantly. I guess if I want to use this machine to play back non-HD tapes, I'll have to be satisfied with the S-VID connection. (I sure wish the 5800 had more component video connections!)

One slight word of caution. The DT100U was my first purchase via eCost. I knew up front that this is a reconditioned unit (looks brand new to me) so no issue there. However, all you get is the DT100U - period! No manual. No accessories. Most importantly - no remote! I can deal with no accessory cables and no manual (I just downloaded it and printed it out), but not getting a remote stinks. The eCost website does show a remote. I suppose I could complain, but what's the use? For $26 I ordered one directly from JVC. It should be here Monday. Buyer beware...

I'll try to answer any questions about the unit. It seems very well built and even includes a cooling fan!!! Yea! More later as I try to find more time to play with it. I sure am glad it works with the 3410 though! That's a big issue for me (because of the lack of extra component connections in the 5800). For the $550 eCost is selling these reconditioned units for, it's a bargain compared to the other JVC models since it includes an ATSC tuner! The front panel gives you limited control, however, so once that remote arrives I'm sure I'll be able to get into its operation even more so.

I just received a LST-3410a refurbished unit. I've been using it for a few days and it works OK. The ATSC tuner is better than my old one. I can pick up channels I couldn't before and the HD recording seems to work OK. I received the wrong remote with the unit (Remote is for LST-3510a so I can change channels and navigate the menu, but I can't pause and have to hit record on the unit to record). I should get the correct remote later this week.

When I used to turn on the unit, it started up with the TV guide and I could change channels within about 2 seconds. Yesterday, it stopped starting up with the TV guide, a green box shows up on the unit that says reserved and it takes much longer to change channels. What's strange is the video will show up and then the audio will show up about 5 seconds later. I can no longer bring the TV guide up on screen using the menu. Also, at first I couldn't set the time. Now I can change the year but when I try to go to the next field, which I believe is the hour, I get an error message stating the time setting failed. Also, whenever i first turn on the unit, i get an error message about something not being supported on AV1\AV2 or AV3.

The first time I turned on the unit, I wasn't prompted for info for the TV guide. I assume it's because it was refurbished and has old settings. I have never seen any listings in the TV guide. It was always blank.

I don't really care about the TV guide not working. I mainly want to resolve the issue of taking 10 seconds to change channels and having the audio take even longer.

Anyone have any suggestions for me?

Ya gotta wonder why anyone would remove those caps to begin with? Or was this some sneaky way to disable the box? Very strange....
Electrolytics are the first parts I would suspect in a non-working power supply, especially if I'm shotgunning it with no schematic. Maybe he removed them to test them, found them good, didn't know what to try next and didn't bother to put them back in.

OK, I'd probably check the fuse first. Then anything that had obviously let its magic smoke escape. Then electrolytics.

I just received a LST-3410a refurbished unit. I've been using it for a few days and it works OK. The ATSC tuner is better than my old one. I can pick up channels I couldn't before and the HD recording seems to work OK. I received the wrong remote with the unit (Remote is for LST-3510a so I can change channels and navigate the menu, but I can't pause and have to hit record on the unit to record). I should get the correct remote later this week.

When I used to turn on the unit, it started up with the TV guide and I could change channels within about 2 seconds. Yesterday, it stopped starting up with the TV guide, a green box shows up on the unit that says reserved and it takes much longer to change channels. What's strange is the video will show up and then the audio will show up about 5 seconds later. I can no longer bring the TV guide up on screen using the menu. Also, at first I couldn't set the time. Now I can change the year but when I try to go to the next field, which I believe is the hour, I get an error message stating the time setting failed. Also, whenever i first turn on the unit, i get an error message about something not being supported on AV1\AV2 or AV3.

The first time I turned on the unit, I wasn't prompted for info for the TV guide. I assume it's because it was refurbished and has old settings. I have never seen any listings in the TV guide. It was always blank.

I don't really care about the TV guide not working. I mainly want to resolve the issue of taking 10 seconds to change channels and having the audio take even longer.

Anyone have any suggestions for me?


Hi Kidhorn,
There was a listing some time back about punching in a "code" instead of the "zip code" when prompted (have the code at home). This asks the tuner section to re-populate the TV-Guide. The updated (weekly) TV-Guide is only loaded when the unit is off. The proper zip code (your area) is needed to give you the correct channels for ATSC and cable signals.

The reserved light (green) means there is a program in que to be recorded but, my experience says when you get that other stuff (i.e. can't set clock), this means a recording event has been set for a program that doesn't exist (off the air ?). I was unable to delete my programs also so...

Turning to the AVS Forum boards I got that code, followed the instructions, punched it in and the TV Guide re-populated. While re-populating it erased the "reserved" programs. I think I had to reset the clock.

Leg one :)

Is there any reason that a brand new box (551 series) with FW 1.17 should have any glitches? I only ask because I'm dangerously close to buying this from B&H soon.

There's "glitches" with ALL versions, but that doesn't mean you can't make it work. I still have good luck with a 351 series w/1.12 FW (I think it's the initial build). I would be interested to hear how the (apparantly) newer HW works. If you know about the "2 second power cycle reset" and the "reload EPG code", you should be OK.

Ebo,

Thanks for the info, I'll order some of those caps and see what happens. Nothing looks like it has been smoked but we'll see after I get done with it!

I unplugged the unit for a few seconds. Plugged it back in, went to the EZ-Scan screen. Punched in the 100... number and was able to reset the zip and this morning the TV guide was correct and I could switch between channels in a reasonable amount of time.

Thanks for everyone's help.

I've got a Logitech Harmony 880 remote and the LST-3410A. The Harmony site doesn't have the discrete power codes, so I decided to find them myself using a One For All remote (a URC-10820). Here are the 5-digit EFCs (extended function codes) I found for codes the Harmony site doesn't appear to have (I used PVR device code 2010):


Power on: 00621
Power off: 00369
Native output: 00627
Variable 1 output: 00364
Variable 2 output: 00624
Variable 3 output: 00622
Diagnostic mode (?): 00591 (warning -- changes output format to Video, 480i)
Factory reset (?): 00339 (warning -- you'll lose everything)


(I've found it very useful to keep a One For All remote around for such uses.) I believe you can just leave off the first two zeroes if your OFA remote uses 3-digit EFCs.

The "factory reset" code took me by surprise. Now I've got to record some Sesame Street and Caillou episodes for my daughter again.

Harmony's site did have the discrete codes for me (I have the Harmony 688), I'm not sure why they didn't show up for you.

They also had discrete codes for output resolution, which I didn't even know existed.

I have no way to archive content from my 3410 to my winxp pc. Does anyone know if VirtualDVHS will allow transfer of 3410 stored content to a mac? If it works then I could stream the content from a mac to my pc using "windows media encoder". I have a JVC30k but it is a POS. I cannot store a clean copy of my content. I'm not going to buy another DVHS VCR.

I emailed a whole bunch of them to harmony a while back everything mentioned except reset and diag.

townba and tkmedia2:

How do I use these codes on the Harmony 880 ?

I couldn't find these codes when logged in on the Harmony site
nor find a way to enter them ? Powertoggle is there but its obviously
not as useful...

GW

I am new here, and to HDTV recordering. Have had the 3410A less than 2 weeks. Think the HD is gone. Only recorded about 4 programs. Get the message that (HD is initualizing) try later, went to the setup and get message (Initualizing error (154) Just wondered if anyone could tell me if that's the problem. I"m sending it back to LG . Just wondering if upgrade to bigger HD after warranty is something the average Joe can do? Not really PC savy.

First of all, I'd suggest getting your system going under warranty, without doing anything that would void same....


Once it's known good, and working fine..... Yes, HD Swap is painless. You should be understanding of anti-static proceedures, though.

Thank's Jan J. that's good to hear, Sounds like you've had your unit for a while. after reading some of these postings here , thought I may have made the wrong choice, hope this will work out , I'm real happy with the way the recordings look .I get real good reception, nearest station is around 60 miles... Can't tell recordings from live broadcast

Seecamp380 it should be listed under "learn missing commands". at least it is on mine.

tkmedia2: Can you give me a bit more detail ?
When I go onto the Harmony website on the "Devices" side.
I can select "More Optinos" under the LG PVR. Then from there I
can select "Learn infrared commands." Then there are a bunch of
sections with remote commands and a button "Learn Selected Commands"
At the bottom there is one button "Learn new command." All of these button
though lead to a download & then the usual lining up the remotes & pressing
the button. I don't see a location to type in the code anywhere.......

On the activities side you can go under "Change the behaviour of buttons" &
then "Learn missing command" but it just leads to the same sections.
Once you press "Learn selected command" or "Learn new command" you download & file & have
to press the button on the remote which doesn't work due to the remote having one power button only.

Can you actually login to the site & try to find the place to type the code in
and post your findings ? I'd greatly appreciate any assistance ......

GW

I feel it is time to give my review of the new 551 series, so here goes: 1) HD looks spectacular and recorded HD looks just the same as if I watched it live. 2) Timer programs DO now automatically shut on-off without a fault. 3) SD still looks like crap and I think whatever chroma bug thing that was talked about before is still there...Sorry. 4) The guide will not download for me, and I am using an antenna so I need to know what is the host channel for my locale. Overall though a lack of guide (which I want) it still works great and will definitely do the trick.
UPDATE: I'm about 36 miles NE of the ESB as the crow flies. Hope this helps someone to help me.

I still wonder if they are a good choice considering the amount of features it contains. I have a JVC 30K and like most of us here need a way to get a fire wire output to record from. If you gentleman and ladies would not mind giving me a your thoughts I would really like to hear them, good or bad. There are a few online retailers still listing them for sale and of course the Ebay ones as well. They are still running between 500.00 and 650.00 though and with the number of returns that some here have had makes me a bit hesitant. I thank everyone in advance for the help. Have a great week.

Homer, sorry about the late additional response. I haven't visited this forum in a while. I've had a 3410A since they first came out (March '04??). It has been pretty reliable, but I've always set recordings with the timer instead of with the Guide. The 3410 was relegated to backup duty when I got the Moto 6412. The 6412 is MUCH more user friendly and pretty damned close to Tivo simplicity. If you have Comcast HD in your area, the $ 10/month would be a much better "investment" than $ 500-600 for the LG (and in my case, the LG "investment" was over $ 1k!). Plus, the 6412 is a dual tuner unit and lets you play back one program while recording two others.

As for archiving to the 30k, the 3410 wins hands down. You have a reliable firewire connection and control the 30k through the LG. The 6412's firewire connection is finicky and prone to sudden stopping if you don't do it just right. (Cue tape, power off JVC, power off 6412, power on JVC, power on 6412, start program, hit record on the 30k). And forget leaving the JVC/6412 firewire connected and using the 6412 while the 30k is on. This drives the 6412 nuts. The JVC/3410 firewire connection can always stay in place.

Ditto the LG's edge if you hope to do even minor editing. I was recently interviewed on the local news. Keeping the 2 minute segment for laughs required saving the whole hour block on the 6412 box, but I could have edited out 58 minutes with the LG box. The LG is also much better for rewind and FFW.

Jim

4) The guide will not download for me, and I am using an antenna so I need to know what is the host channel for my locale. Overall though a lack of guide (which I want) it still works great and will definitely do the trick.
UPDATE: I'm about 36 miles SE of the ESB as the crow flies. Hope this helps someone to help me.

I have a 451 series (using an antenna) and could not get the guide to download either. I tried the unplug/re-plug procedure, changed the zip code, and even tried to reset the TV Guide settings with 100102 command. Still no guide listing. I finally gave up and just started using the manual record function. After about 3 weeks the guide listing filled in. Not sure why it took so long, but it finally works.

I have a 451 series (using an antenna) and could not get the guide to download either... I finally gave up and just started using the manual record function. After about 3 weeks the guide listing filled in. Not sure why it took so long, but it finally works.

I have an antenna and rotor combo and had a similar problem. I finally figured out that if the antenna was not pointing precisely at the Guide station the Guide would not be updated. Since it was sort of random where the antenna ended up at the end of the night, depending on which was the last station I watched, it took me a while to figure out what was going on, Duh :o

It appears that all the guide data is currently being transmitted by NTSC stations. I wonder if the 3410a is capable of getting the guide data from ATSC stations, since the NTSC stations will be turned off in a few years. I'm not even sure if Gemstar has provided for ATSC stations to carry the guide data.

I tried getting some information from an LG CSR on this matter, but it was a futile effort. Does anyone have any information on the subject?

The guide operation is so erratic here that I'm thinking it will vanish completely when analog broadcasts end in 3 years or so. I like the guide when it's there, but perhaps without it there wouldn't be so many lockups and required unplug/resets.

The guide operation is so erratic here that I'm thinking it will vanish completely when analog broadcasts end in 3 years or so. I like the guide when it's there, but perhaps without it there wouldn't be so many lockups and required unplug/resets.

Our experience with Timed recordings when TV Guide is not programmed leads me to think that timed recordings would not work reliably.

Our experience with Timed recordings when TV Guide is not programmed leads me to think that timed recordings would not work reliably.

I agree and really do worry if there is no "analog replacement" fix. I mean, HDTV certainly isn't going away anytime soon, so I hope to still be using this thing well into the future considering what it cost (and how much I baby it!).

I haven't had any problems with timer recordings made via VCR+ screen and "No Listings" displayed in the guide (in fact close to half of my recordings happen this way in recent months), except that "No Title" will be displayed above the recording and I have to enter a title manually.

I haven't had any problems with timer recordings made via VCR+ screen and "No Listings" displayed in the guide (in fact close to half of my recordings happen this way in recent months), except that "No Title" will be displayed above the recording and I have to enter a title manually.For VCR+ recording to work, I think that you need to get the guide to display at a minimum "no listings." For me, if the guide is entirely missing (black), VCR+ timer recordings will not work. Maybe there is a workaround in the service menu for enabling timer recording when the guide is missing. Any ideas?

For VCR+ recording to work, I think that you need to get the guide to display at a minimum "no listings." For me, if the guide is entirely missing (black), VCR+ timer recordings will not work. Maybe there is a workaround in the service menu for enabling timer recording when the guide is missing. Any ideas?

Although I haven't tried this, I guess trying to do a guide reset from the main menu, as explained here previously (entering the 100102 code) is probably a good first step. If doing that at least brings back the "no listings" guide you should then be able to do manual recordings.

For VCR+ recording to work, I think that you need to get the guide to display at a minimum "no listings." I found out that you are correct last night. In addition, time resettings won't hold for me when the guide is blank.
Just when I had decided I was going to be limited to manual recording, the guide reappeared this morning with the full schedule.

Let's hope that the guide can be transmitted via ATSC after the transition. If not, maybe Gemstar will convince the cable companies to keep sending it somehow.

Let's hope that the guide can be transmitted via ATSC after the transition. If not, maybe Gemstar will convince the cable companies to keep sending it somehow. I'm sure that there is an engineer working at LG today who could answer some of our questions about continued support for the guide or a workaround for an absent guide, but we don't know who he/she is. I may call the LG CSR's again and be more insistent to see if I can get through to anyone who can answer the questions.

I found out that you are correct last night. In addition, time resettings won't hold for me when the guide is blank.
Just when I had decided I was going to be limited to manual recording, the guide reappeared this morning with the full schedule.

Let's hope that the guide can be transmitted via ATSC after the transition. If not, maybe Gemstar will convince the cable companies to keep sending it somehow.

Well, remember that digitally, each TV station transmits its own guide (part of the PSIP data we send). TV Guide (Gemstar) data would be duplicating what each station legally has to send.

I doubt the Gemstar data would be continued for a number of reasons:

1) It may invalidate the data being sent by the station itself.

2) The Gemstar data is now sent in the analog vertical interval which would have to be converted to metadata and plugged into the digital TV stream.

3) A digital station may no longer want to act as a host Gemstar station since it sucks up digital bandwidth and duplicates information that each station has to send anyway.

My guess is that the Cable company will keep one SD channel active, and pass the data along that way... Gemstar is basically a way of transmitting Cable channel information as well as terristerial transmitted chanels as well..
Reason why I know this: I have repeatedly had to re-program LG Channel Numbers attached to a Logo in LG TV Guide from the cable HD channel numbers back to terristerial HD channels that I had edited before.... Particularly troublesome is the 2nd WB logo that I edit 9-1 into (so it points to the outside antenna)....

But I've been wrong before!!!

My guess is that the Cable company will keep one SD channel active, and pass the data along that way... Comcast, and probably other cable companies as well, uses the 72-76MHz guard band between channels 4 & 5 to send operating instructions & guide info to the digital boxes. Gemstar data could probably be squeezed in there too.

My guess is that the Cable company will keep one SD channel active, and pass the data along that way... Gemstar is basically a way of transmitting Cable channel information as well as terristerial transmitted chanels as well..
Reason why I know this: I have repeatedly had to re-program LG Channel Numbers attached to a Logo in LG TV Guide from the cable HD channel numbers back to terristerial HD channels that I had edited before.... Particularly troublesome is the 2nd WB logo that I edit 9-1 into (so it points to the outside antenna)....

But I've been wrong before!!!

That's okay for cable, but what about those folks that just watch TV off the air?

Comcast, and probably other cable companies as well, uses the 72-76MHz guard band between channels 4 & 5 to send operating instructions & guide info to the digital boxes. Gemstar data could probably be squeezed in there too.

True - but what's the point? Comcast wants you to use their program guide channel - not Gemstar's! I doubt that Comcast (or any cable company) would willingly promote a competitor's product!

I'm actually kind of surprised that Gemstar didn't jump on the PSIP bandwagon and sell pre-formatted program guide info to TV stations like TMS does (Tribune Media Services). At least I don't believe they do. TMS seems to be the main supplier of program guide information to broadcasters (as well as others) for their digital transmissions.

John, the Gemstar information passes OTA as well as Cable information... One of the fellas at work uses it strictly for OTA TV Guide, and it works... I use both OTA antenna as well as analog cable.. (Gets confused occasionally with my editing of HD channels and pointing them away from cable and to outside antenna).. It's part of the LG Setup where you selected outside antenna and cable (with or without a box)....

Gemstar is transmitting info for OTA, Analog and Digital Cable info. It's the selection you make in the Setup area: Zip, outside antenna, Cable and box type, that determines how much of the data being sent is stored & displayed.

John, the Gemstar information passes OTA as well as Cable information... One of the fellas at work uses it strictly for OTA TV Guide, and it works... I use both OTA antenna as well as analog cable.. (Gets confused occasionally with my editing of HD channels and pointing them away from cable and to outside antenna).. It's part of the LG Setup where you selected outside antenna and cable (with or without a box)....

Gemstar is transmitting info for OTA, Analog and Digital Cable info. It's the selection you make in the Setup area: Zip, outside antenna, Cable and box type, that determines how much of the data being sent is stored & displayed.

Jan, you're absolutely correct. I guess I wasn't clear enough about what Gemstar provides. But I still stand by my original argument that since Comcast (or most other cable systems) already do their own program guide which is sometimes sponsored, I doubt they would want to slip Gemstar's guide in as well since it would compete with their own.

All I can say is I hope all you guys are wrong, because this box becomes difficult to use without EPG info. For someone who only wants to record "free" HD OTA (like me), it's a great feature.

All I can say is I hope all you guys are wrong, because this box becomes difficult to use without EPG info. For someone who only wants to record "free" HD OTA (like me), it's a great feature.

Stanton - I hope I'm wrong too! Although I've got to wonder - if there is no TV Guide data at all - wouldn't the listings just fill up with "No Listing"? I guess a way to experiment with that is to set the Zipcode to something totally out of your area. (Of course, that wouldn't eliminate Gemstar data from being received - it would just ignore anything not for its own Zip.)

Setting manual recordings isn't that hard, although it is more difficult than using the EPG.

... I hope I'm wrong too! ...

One thing to remember is that we're not alone in this situation. Toshiba, Mits, Panasonic, and others sell TVs and other devices that rely on Gemstar. It would be a real mess if everyone who bought into Gemstar woke up one day and none of it worked. They must have a plan.

Edit: I also am sort of doubtful that the analog stations will shut down within 3 years. On the heals of the new deadline, the Republican from Maine has already introduced legislation delaying it for small stations. This will surely delay the whole process if it passes.

If there is no TV Guide data at all - wouldn't the listings just fill up with "No Listing"?

Setting manual recordings isn't that hard, although it is more difficult than using the EPG.After over a year of ownership, I just learned that this is not the case. With no guide data, the screen states "No data available for this screen" and the Host Channel displays as 0 x 0. In this configuration, the VCR+ screen is useless as the scheduled recordings will not occur. Also, time settings will not hold, and 12:00 AM will be displayed, or may alternate with the correct time. Manual recordings will work, however, and the "popup timer" works as well.

If "No Listings" is displayed on the guide screen, timer recordings via the VCR+ screen will occur as entered, and the Host Channel will display properly.

As suggested above, LG may have a workaround that would enable timer recordings in the absence of guide data. If not, at the rate the 3410A functions seem to deteriorate in service, most of them will probably break down completely before the analog shutoff anyway.

Another thought...haven't all of the VCR's sold for the last 10 years or more use VCR+ or some variation of it? Isn't this all related to GemStar & TVGuide? I'd be amazed if there is not some plan for keeping them all working. There will be a lot of really pissed off people if they can no longer setup a timed recording.

I had a hard drive fail in mine. I had owned it at least 6 months with no problems. I had bought it used on eBay so I had no warranty. (no clue how long they owned it)

I could watch tv, but the same "Initializing hard drive" message would always appear if I tried to access my recordings, or record somethign new. Eventually, I deemed it dead and put in a different hard drive and it worked fine after that.

VirtualDVHS/Mac-Mini & LST3410A

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have no way to archive content from my 3410 to my winxp pc. Does anyone know if VirtualDVHS will allow transfer of 3410 stored content to a mac? If it works then I could stream the content from a mac to my pc using "windows media encoder". I have a JVC30k but it is a POS. I cannot store a clean copy of my content. I'm not going to buy another DVHS VCR.


After some trial and error, I got VirtualDVHS to work with my G4 mac. Turns out that my problem was that you need VirtualDVHS2 from the Apple firewireSDK20. There were more bugs with the first version.

Open the app on the mac, set recording file destination. Then plug in the firwire cable from LG tuner to computer. Select "DVHS out" from program list on LG and recording starts. Recording stops automatically when complete. It transfers in real time (i.e. an hour show takes an hour to transfer).

If you have more than one firewire device connected, when you press "DVHS out" you need to then select "DVHS" on the tv with the LG remote. If the LG gives an error, try unplugging and re-plugging in the firewire cable, and/or powering down and back up the LG unit. Sometimes it is a little picky.

Just remember, these files are huge. Last I checked, the mac mini didn't have a very large hard drive.

I don't think the problems are all the fault of either Gemstar or the stations PSIP data. The other night, after watching a program recorded on the hard disk, I tried to open my Guide and found the "No Data Available For This Screen" message. The guide was full just prior to my watching the recorded program. The "info" button also yielded the No Data message along with several other screens. I tried unplugging for intervals of a few seconds to over an hour with no success. I then left the box turned off overnight, and my Guide started to fill in again. Truly wierd behavior!

Hey Cjes here, wondering if anyone here has had a problem dealing with LG to get their 3410A repaired ot replaced, I think my HD went bad after just about two weeks, So I called LG. They promised to send a return lable , it's been two weeks and I've called three times , but still no return lable ???

After some trial and error, I got VirtualDVHS to work with my G4 mac. Turns out that my problem was that you need VirtualDVHS2 from the Apple firewireSDK20. There were more bugs with the first version.

Open the app on the mac, set recording file destination. Then plug in the firwire cable from LG tuner to computer. Select "DVHS out" from program list on LG and recording starts. Recording stops automatically when complete. It transfers in real time (i.e. an hour show takes an hour to transfer).

If you have more than one firewire device connected, when you press "DVHS out" you need to then select "DVHS" on the tv with the LG remote. If the LG gives an error, try unplugging and re-plugging in the firewire cable, and/or powering down and back up the LG unit. Sometimes it is a little picky.

Just remember, these files are huge. Last I checked, the mac mini didn't have a very large hard drive.

Cool! Excellent! I'll have to dowload SDK20. Thanks for the info!

Now if it can become an operational reality with Windows PC's, they will have a sale!!!

Sorry, dual post!

Cool! Excellent! I'll have to dowload SDK20. Thanks for the info!

If you own the installation discs for Tiger, they are contained there. Otherwise you can download them.

I don't think the problems are all the fault of either Gemstar or the stations PSIP data. The other night, after watching a program recorded on the hard disk, I tried to open my Guide and found the "No Data Available For This Screen" message. The guide was full just prior to my watching the recorded program. The "info" button also yielded the No Data message along with several other screens. I tried unplugging for intervals of a few seconds to over an hour with no success. I then left the box turned off overnight, and my Guide started to fill in again. Truly wierd behavior!

Same thing happened again; and just after I'd gotten the Guide refilled! It's filling again, but I'd sure like to know what's going on. I know better than to bother calling LG.

If you own the installation discs for Tiger, they are contained there. Otherwise you can download them.

I'll have to check then - if SDK20 came with Tiger I should have it installed already on
both the laptop and desktop computers. Thanks.

Now if it can become an operational reality with Windows PC's, they will have a sale!!!

Jan -
This software will never work on a Windows PC - it is Mac only.

Really, it seems to me that the easiest thing to do what you want is to buy a Mini Mac, and put it on a network so you can then move the files to your PC. This will avoid the hassel of D-VHS tapes and allow you to move content on and off the 3410A. I believe that the software is free, so the only real cost would be the hardware, and Mini's don't cost all that much.

I'm seriously considering this.

Another option is a media server like the Roku 1000HD or the IO Data DVD player. They allow you to play transport streams in HD. Some media servers can play files from a networked hard drive - you don't even need to have a computer connected to them. The XBox 360 can act as a media server, and arrives Nov 22.

After some trial and error, I got VirtualDVHS to work with my G4 mac. Turns out that my problem was that you need VirtualDVHS2 from the Apple firewireSDK20. There were more bugs with the first version.

Open the app on the mac, set recording file destination. Then plug in the firwire cable from LG tuner to computer. Select "DVHS out" from program list on LG and recording starts. Recording stops automatically when complete. It transfers in real time (i.e. an hour show takes an hour to transfer).

If you have more than one firewire device connected, when you press "DVHS out" you need to then select "DVHS" on the tv with the LG remote. If the LG gives an error, try unplugging and re-plugging in the firewire cable, and/or powering down and back up the LG unit. Sometimes it is a little picky.

Just remember, these files are huge. Last I checked, the mac mini didn't have a very large hard drive.

Thanks,

I'll just use the mac-mini as an intermediate step so the limited storage should not be an issue. I'll be moving the content to some other sorage device/medium. Looks like a mini is in my future. Not sure if I should wait till the Intel based mini's arrive though?

I'll have to check then - if SDK20 came with Tiger I should have it installed already on
both the laptop and desktop computers. Thanks.

If I remember correctly, the files are on the installation disks but don't automatically get installed, at least with a standard installation. You have to look for them but they are not hard to find or install.

I sent my 3410 to LG for the 1.17 upgrade. I am told that this will solve my problem on the TV Guide. (When I set the time to the correct time the grid shows no listing even after turning the set off for 24 hours. )
Since I have a Panasonic Monitor, and no VHF antenna, I can't watch anything right now.
I am hoping that LG will fix the 3410A, however I am considering buying the Samsung tuner and thereby have two tuners so I can watch and record a different channel at the same time in the future. This will also allow me to watch some OTA programs while I am waiting for my 3410. Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated. (How do I set this up?) The dual tuners that is. Thanks!

I sent my 3410 to LG for the 1.17 upgrade. I am told that this will solve my problem on the TV Guide. (When I set the time to the correct time the grid shows no listing even after turning the set off for 24 hours. )
Since I have a Panasonic Monitor, and no VHF antenna, I can't watch anything right now.
I am hoping that LG will fix the 3410A, however I am considering buying the Samsung tuner and thereby have two tuners so I can watch and record a different channel at the same time in the future. This will also allow me to watch some OTA programs while I am waiting for my 3410. Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated. (How do I set this up?) The dual tuners that is. Thanks!If you don't need to record from the new tuner, probably the simplest thing would be just to hook it up to another input , then you can switch between the two when needed. The Samsung tuners have gray sidebars, just so you know. Circuit City has the ProBrand receiver, which is thought to be the same as the recently closed out Radio Shack Accurian tuner (great tuner if you can still find it) which has the black sidebars .( The ProBrand doesn't have an HDMI/DVI digital output, though, but that may or may not matter to you. ) Best Buy sells a Sylvania tuner, but I believe that also has the gray sidebars. WalMart sells the USDigital tuner, but those may be hard to find (maybe their website?).

The Samsung tuners have gray sidebars, just so you know.
Is it the tuner or the station that does the gray sidebars? With the 3410A, I get some stations with gray and others with black. The gray stations bug the heck out of me.

Is it the tuner or the station that does the gray sidebars? With the 3410A, I get some stations with gray and others with black. The gray stations bug the heck out of me.

CBS Network transmits grey sidebars to prevent Plasma's from burning...
John can probably elaborate more......

CBS transmits grey sidebars to prevent Plasma's from burning...
John can probably elaborate more......

And so does PBS. I wish they would stop. It really ruins stuff that is not 16x9. I usually watch the analog version of the station if there are gray bars on the digital version.

Is there anyway to talk them out of this? Or is there something I can to that will replace the gray with black?

If you don't need to record from the new tuner, probably the simplest thing would be just to hook it up to another input , then you can switch between the two when needed. The Samsung tuners have gray sidebars, just so you know. Circuit City has the ProBrand receiver, which is thought to be the same as the recently closed out Radio Shack Accurian tuner (great tuner if you can still find it) which has the black sidebars .( The ProBrand doesn't have an HDMI/DVI digital output, though, but that may or may not matter to you. ) Best Buy sells a Sylvania tuner, but I believe that also has the gray sidebars. WalMart sells the USDigital tuner, but those may be hard to find (maybe their website?).

Thanks, I bought a Motorola HD T101 at circuit city (On sale for $149.00) Is this a good buy? As far as recording, I will probably do this thru the LG when I get it back. EPG is great when it works. I will hook up the LG through the DVI output, (I will need to get a DVI to HDMI adaptor since the panasonic only has a HDMI input.)The other two componet slots are used by the Motorola STB and my DVD player.

Thanks, I bought a Motorola HD T101 at circuit city (On sale for $149.00) Is this a good buy? As far as recording, I will probably do this thru the LG when I get it back. EPG is great when it works. I will hook up the LG through the DVI output, (I will need to get a DVI to HDMI adaptor since the panasonic only has a HDMI input.)The other two componet slots are used by the Motorola STB and my DVD player.Yeah, that sounds like a good deal, if I'm remembering the original price right. I think I remember hearing somewhere that the T101 has internal timing/channel changing capabilities, which is nice if so.

Well, back to the 3410-A.

This thread is way too long to read through, so sorry if these questions have been asked;
Has there been any firmware updates on this since it came out?
Is this the perfered solution for HD PVR's (OTA/cable)?
How sucessful has changing out the HDD for a larger one been?
This has been discontinued?

This thread is way too long to read through, so sorry if these questions have been asked;
Has there been any firmware updates on this since it came out?
-->Several, but they can only be done by LG. If you had asked are they absolutely necessary, I would say no. I still have the original (first batch) firmware, and when EPG data is good, there's no problems.

Is this the perfered solution for HD PVR's (OTA/cable)?
-->It is if you don't want to pay monthly subscriptions (e.g. Tivo); there's also the Sony, but I don't mess with Sony anymore.

How sucessful has changing out the HDD for a larger one been?
-->Seems like it's pretty easy. You need to search the thread on this one, because it has been discussed extensively (size issues, speed/heat issues, etc.)

This has been discontinued?
-->I sure haven't seen one in awhile, but it seems like people can still find them if they look hard enough.

Answers embedded above

Rumour has it that this (along with other LG products) has been discontinued.
There are still new ones to be had, if you search long enough, but the $$ has not reflected the discontinued status.
You can put in larger hard drive, but it should be a special type, made for DVR's
(Retry's are locked out within firmware of drive) For that reason, using a 'regular' drive wouldn't be adviseable, as would be using a removed drive from a DVR in a PC.
Firmware upgrades are definately out of the realm of the end user... Not simple.
Actually, you'll gain a lot of insight by reading the threads....

This thread is way too long to read through, so sorry if these questions have been asked;
Has there been any firmware updates on this since it came out?
Is this the perfered solution for HD PVR's (OTA/cable)?
How sucessful has changing out the HDD for a larger one been?
This has been discontinued?Circuit City currently has it on their website,and it says "coming soon".

I have a pair of 3410A's. They are good performers but the Guide is in and out from day to day, and you really can't be 100% sure that a scheduled recording will take place. If I were in the market today, I would take a serious look at the two Sony models. The HDD250 at $800 MSRP has a 250GB HDD. The HDD500 at $1000 MSRP has a 500GB HDD. Both models have CableCARD and HDMI output. The 3401A has 120GB HDD, no CableCARD, and DVI output. As Stanton notes above, the various firmware updates have addressed minor issues that affected few owners, and done nothing about the almost universal issues with the Gemstar guide.

CBS Network transmits grey sidebars to prevent Plasma's from burning...
John can probably elaborate more......

Indeed we do. They are mandated by NY.

Circuit City currently has it on their website,and it says "coming soon".

The Circuit City in Mishawaka/South Bend, IN has had them in store for several months now. I believe they are $699---less than what I paid used on ebay a year ago :(

ps
I've read off and on here (and it was just mentioned again a few comments up) about "Retrys" on DVR hard drives....what does that mean?

Retry's... If you've ever had a drive on a PC with a bad spot, the drive will sit on that spot and RE-TRY that spot over and over, in an attempt to get the data off that bad spot.

Think about what this would do on a DVR. You play along, and suddenly it stopps and trys over and over again to get that data off the platters... Pix freezes.... Not good for a DVR.

The (I've just done a mental lapse, and forgotten the name of our drives.... Quicktime, Quickframe??) drives we use has firmware to IGNORE data Errors, as a frozen picture is more upsetting that a picture with a little Zit in the frame (data error)...
That is less objectional to our video watching than stuttering frames.

But Conversely, using a DVR drive on a PC would be a recipe for disaster!!!

Make sense ?? (Except for my lapse of memory on the name of the drives in our DVR's)...

QuickView Drives

It is if you don't want to pay monthly subscriptions (e.g. Tivo) Not a chance I would pay for that.; there's also the Sony, but I don't mess with Sony anymore. Less chance here. :mad: Rumour has it that this (along with other LG products) has been discontinued. Still shows on their website.Actually, you'll gain a lot of insight by reading the threads.... I agree, but 53 pages? Way too many, it would take a half a reahm of paper to go through it all as I don't 'read' TV screens.Circuit City currently has it on their website,and it says "coming soon". As in 'new'? :rolleyes:

JRTrautschold; NY as in CBS New York? Explain? The local CBS station here doesn't show them, only the NBC station does and that is a local decision.

I did a quick serach for these "Quick View " drives and see for one thing that surprised me; that 5400 RPM is the norm and 7200's aren't necessary. They don't 'stream' the data any faster. :eek:

Keep searching for Quickview information, and you'll find a link to an article that I believe Maxtor created, comparing Heat, noise, and Power requirements of 5400 vs. 7200 drives....
You'll find that the 7200 drives will draw greater power and create greater heat than the 5400's did.... 3410a's were designed with 5400 drives in mind. It is un-clear if the power supply schematic would support the extra drain on the supply.......

took me a while to find it, but this is the drive I'm using....
http://www.maxtor.com/portal/site/Maxtor/menuitem.5d2b41d3cef51dfe29dd10a191346068/?channelpath=/en_us/Support/Product%20Support/Enterprise%20Storage/MaXLine%20Family/MaXLine%20II

Keep searching for Quickview information, and you'll find a link to an article that I believe Maxtor created, comparing Heat, noise, and Power requirements of 5400 vs. 7200 drives....
.

Here are the links to our original discussion including links to the referenced articles:
Here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5520975#post5520975) and here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5526620#post5526620)

Is there a way to restore a deleted recording? I discovered clip edit works the other way around... keeps what you select!

Has anyone tried to recover deleted programs either with some hidden capability of the LG unit or via the RS232 port?

I've never heard of any use for the RS-232 service port for anything other than programming the gate arrays from a custom programmer...

I'd love to be proven wrong, though! :)

Last night, about 9PM, in the middle of HDD Playback, all the 2nd Icons that had been programmed for HD channels on my outside antenna, suddenly swtiched back to HD cable channel numbers....

I've seen this before, and I'm guessing it has to do with Gemstar data.

TV Guide data wasn't lost, but it did ask me which of the 3 channel profiles I was at. I selected the correct one, but no TV Guide data was lost, which was a bit surprising...

I re-edited the HD channels from cable numbers back to PSIP numbers (2-1, 5-1, 7-1, 9-1, 11-1, 32-1) and correct operation returned.....

Got Me!!! But I've seen this before!!!

Help! I can't change the time on my box and I'm in an area where daylight savings time ended. If I don't find a way to change it soon my recordings will be off track as I don't get the guide and have my shows recorded using the timer record function. Please Help!

Look at the cryptic message on bottom of page 32 in manual...

I believe it means you have to remove all scheduled recordings, in order to set the time.

Note here that our system made the change from CDST to CST flawlessly last night (And we did have scheduled recordings) but earlier last night it changed HD channel numbers to cable (From outside antenna) channels. A re-edit of the channels fixed that (see above).

Don't forget to re-schedule your recordings after you fix the time!!!

One of mine had the correct time when I checked this morning and the other was still on CDT. After a 2-sec unplug the correct time came up immediately.

No what I meant is that I can not change the time when I try to access it. So I did UncD200 said but it didn't work and I still can't access it, even after erasing the setup recordings. What's the forum take on this? My idea is since I can't DL the guide from my suburban (+35 miles from ESB) place and I know that the darn thing is set to +1 hour that I should just revise the programmed recordings to make it up so that is records on time. Although to be fair I feel shouldn't have to do this with a FW 1.17 brand new unit.

Help! I can't change the time on my box and I'm in an area where daylight savings time ended. If I don't find a way to change it soon my recordings will be off track as I don't get the guide and have my shows recorded using the timer record function. Please Help!I'm surprised to hear that you are able to schedule and record programs successfully without the guide. Do you have "No Listings" in the guide display? That is sufficient to schedule recordings successfully with the VCR+ screen. If the guide displays "No Data Available for this Screen," however, scheduled recordings may not take place and time settings may not hold.

I'm surprised to hear that you are able to schedule and record programs successfully without the guide. Do you have "No Listings" in the guide display? That is sufficient to schedule recordings successfully with the VCR+ screen. If the guide displays "No Data Available for this Screen," however, scheduled recordings may not take place and time settings may not hold.
I don't use VCR+. I just type in the length of time and channel and off it goes with the scheduled recordings once I power down the unit. It's basically a manual timer record that most people who have an old VCR w/ just a timer, no VCR+ have been doing for a while now.

I don't use VCR+. I just type in the length of time and channel and off it goes with the scheduled recordings once I power down the unit. It's basically a manual timer record that most people who have an old VCR w/ just a timer, no VCR+ have been doing for a while now.I don't use the actual VCR+ functionality either, but the button that I press to access the screen for manual timer recordings (just above the TV Guide button) is labeled "VCR Plus+" on my remote. In this thread this is often referred to as the "VCR+ screen," even though the vast majority probably just use it to enter manual start/stop times and channel numbers.

It has only happened to me a couple of times, but if the TV Guide screen displays "No data available for this screen," and the Host Channel shows 0 x 0 in the diagnostic menu, scheduled recordings will probably not occur and time settings entered manually will not hold. If "No Listings" is displayed, everything works fine. That's why I was wondering what you see displayed on your TV Guide screen.

BTW, the pop-up duration timer always seems to work properly, but of course you have to start it up manually when the program begins.

No Listings is displayed but I have an opportunity to go to a cable system this week through a new apartment which will probably bring in the guide now although I don't know what CO I'll be using, or through OTA antenna since I'll be much miles closer to the ESB. i'll keep the forum posted.

Just playing around with the 3410A after getting it back from LG, or at least a replacement, seems to be working fine so far, I'm not a computer wizzard , and not an electriction, just trying to record HDTV. One of the thing's I've tried is to record something I have in the play list in HD to a DVD, seems to take more space on the DVD, but the quality seems really good. I don't think I'd be able to get a two hour program on a 4.7GB DVD blank, why is this? is the HD content too large to fit these DVD blanks without being compressed . I do know that what I'm getting here is not HD, but it's really clear. Can you someone clear this up for an old dumb (geez)

No matter which output you use from the LG to the DVD recorder (S-Video, composite, or component), you'll have to set the output resolution to 480i so the DVD recorder can handle it. Thus the material will take up just the normal space on a DVD blank. If you select the 2-hour mode, then 2 hours should fit on the DVD.

I don't think I'd be able to get a two hour program on a 4.7GB DVD blank, why is this?

Movie DVDs are dual layer. Two hours fit because Dual Layer DVDs can hold 8.5 GB. Two hours of full 480i video will require a dual layer DVD or two single layer DVDs. You need a dual layer DVD burner/recorder to record onto a dual layer DVD. There are various software packages that will compress two hours of video onto a single layer DVD, but the resulting DVD may not be compatiable with all DVD players.

Just playing around with the 3410A after getting it back from LG, or at least a replacement, seems to be working fine so far, I'm not a computer wizzard , and not an electriction, just trying to record HDTV. One of the thing's I've tried is to record something I have in the play list in HD to a DVD, seems to take more space on the DVD, but the quality seems really good. I don't think I'd be able to get a two hour program on a 4.7GB DVD blank, why is this? is the HD content too large to fit these DVD blanks without being compressed . I do know that what I'm getting here is not HD, but it's really clear. Can you someone clear this up for an old dumb (geez)

How are you getting 3410a recorded programs to a DVD recorder? Do you have a Mac with VirtualDVHS?

The 3410a does produce fat mpeg2 recording of SD analog channels, but recording size of digital channels is controlled by the broadcaster.

Like I said, I'm just experimenting . What I did was hook my DVD set top recorder to the AV output of the 3410a, that the manual shows for connecting a VCR. The material I recorded was something I had recorded from OTA HD broadcast, about 6 or 8 mins. and something I had recorded from my old HI8 camcorder to the 3410a at the best quality setting ,I guess about 10 or 12 mins. when I played the DVD recording back there was hardly any difference in the camcorder material, and the HD material looked really good, though not as crisp and clear as HD. and I noticed that the DVD was two thirds full looking at the burned area. The DVD is DVD-RW. Also I noticed that it took longer than usual to initualize the disc . Just figured the matreial on the 3410a was probably not compressed, and too large to fit much onto the single layer DVD blank . I have used programs to burn DVD movies, that I know compress the video to get it all on a regular DVD-R . Maybe Blue ray or HD DVD is what we'er waiting for??? Anyway I just like to play around just to see what can be done , I'm not very interested in DVHS although I hear there's no loss of quality, it's still tape, rewind, fast forward ,Please!!!

Don't dis the tape, the newer JVC D-VHS decks have in them a DVD like structure where you can go straight to the program you want on the tape even if it is in the middle of it and it takes less than a minute to find it, and you don't have to do the FF or rewinding yourself. The trick is AIUI is to title the specfic programs yourself on the DVR and transfer the programs from the DVR to the JVC deck, after you edit the commericals or other stuff you don't want or if you don't edit just a plain old dump will do. I don't own the JVC decks it's just what I've read from the manuals of them, although I don't know if the title carries over from the DVR to the tape. If not you can just retitle them if you need to. I don't know if its completely flawless but if you know what your doing it and where you are on the tape, it shouldn't be hard.

Sudden loss of VIDEO, but not audio

First, let me thank the contributors to this thread that I have been following for 1.5 years. After reading the initial reviews for the 3410, and the experiences of the ‘early adopters’, I was able to purchase a 3410 on Ebay in Sept. 2004. Since then, it has worked flawlessly [almost].

I watch only OTA. Last night, while watching PBS, the circuit breaker for the room I was in ‘tripped’. Don’t know if the 3410 caused it, or the new space heater that had been operating for about 2 hrs on the same circuit [or something else caused the breaker to trip]. All my video components are plugged into a surge protector.

After resetting the circuit breaker, I turned the 3410 back on. The sound [fed through my home theatre system] came back on, but my plasma showed “No Signal”. This was the plasma’s static, blue “No Signal”, not the 3410’s orbiting “No Signal”.

The green “Reserved” light and the “Guide” light on the 3410 are on. The “Guide” light goes off when I turn on the 3410.

Have tried unplugging the 3410 numerous times [including overnight], but still no video. It takes the 3410 about 5 min. to reset to the correct time. I also checked to see my DVI connections were still tight.

Any suggestions on how to restore my 3410’s video? I’ve already searched this massive thread, but haven’t yet found the same symptoms. I will continue searching.

Joe-
First, let me thank the contributors to this thread that I have been following for 1.5 years. After reading the initial reviews for the 3410, and the experiences of the ‘early adopters’, I was able to purchase a 3410 on Ebay in Sept. 2004. Since then, it has worked flawlessly [almost].

I watch only OTA. Last night, while watching PBS, the circuit breaker for the room I was in ‘tripped’. Don’t know if the 3410 caused it, or the new space heater that had been operating for about 2 hrs on the same circuit [or something else caused the breaker to trip]. All my video components are plugged into a surge protector.

After resetting the circuit breaker, I turned the 3410 back on. The sound [fed through my home theatre system] came back on, but my plasma showed “No Signal”. This was the plasma’s static, blue “No Signal”, not the 3410’s orbiting “No Signal”.

The green “Reserved” light and the “Guide” light on the 3410 are on. The “Guide” light goes off when I turn on the 3410.

Have tried unplugging the 3410 numerous times [including overnight], but still no video. It takes the 3410 about 5 min. to reset to the correct time. I also checked to see my DVI connections were still tight.

Any suggestions on how to restore my 3410’s video? I’ve already searched this massive thread, but haven’t yet found the same symptoms. I will continue searching.

I have this horrible feeling that my 3410 needs to be replaced.

Joe-

Have you checked component output to see if video might be available there? Is the guide functioning properly?

Like I said, I'm just experimenting . What I did was hook my DVD set top recorder to the AV output of the 3410a, that the manual shows for connecting a VCR.

.... I noticed that the DVD was two thirds full looking at the burned area. The DVD is DVD-RW. Also I noticed that it took longer than usual to initualize the disc. Just figured the matreial on the 3410a was probably not compressed, and too large to fit much onto the single layer DVD blank .

The data coming into your DVD recorder is analog, so the compression and quality depends on your DVD recorder.

When my 3410a becomes filled I occasionally dump programs to a S-VHS deck (which records in analog) and the SP quality is excellent. There is no compression involved in this process. 2 hours of a HD program on the 3410a becomes 2 hours of the program on the S-VHS tape.

When you write to a DVD, however, the analog signal coming out from the 3410A has to be digitized and compressed by your DVD recorder. You should be able to set the quality for the recording and fit 1 or 2 hours onto your DVD-RW. Obviously, there is more compression and lower quality if you compress the 2 hours of recording onto a single layer DVD. I do it on my computer all the time, however, and it doesn't look too bad.

BTW, you should be using the S-Video out from the 3410A. The quality is much better.

I don't know if this would work, but try rebooting the tv, too. Try it first while the 3410a is on. If that doesn't work, try rebooting the 3410a with the tv on (but after the tv's reboot).

They're both basically computers and may have forgotten how to communicate with each other.

Have you checked component output to see if video might be available there? Is the guide functioning properly?

You know, it is possible that the 3410A simply 'forgot' the setting for the output.

I don't know if this would work, but try rebooting the tv, too. Try it first while the 3410a is on. If that doesn't work, try rebooting the 3410a with the tv on (but after the tv's reboot).

They're both basically computers and may have forgotten how to communicate with each other.


Tried unplugging the plasma, both with the 3410 on, and off. Still no picture.


Hyrax-

I tried toggling between the various outputs on the 3410a, then resetting it on DVI. Still no picture. Then I tried toggling between the various input settings on the plasma. When I returned it to "HD Digital" the picture reappeared. So it was the plasma that "forgot" the setting, not the 3410a.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

uncD2000-

Because the plasma is difficult to move by myself [140 lbs], I put off connecting it to the 3410a with component cables for last, after I tried everything else. A good suggestion, but fortunately I got the plasma to [once again] accept the
DVI output [see above].


Joe-

:) Thank's don't know why I didn't think about the S-Video output . I did what you mentioned, Quality is unbelievable, I'll be doing this a lot when my HD fill's up.

The data coming into your DVD recorder is analog, so the compression and quality depends on your DVD recorder.

When my 3410a becomes filled I occasionally dump programs to a S-VHS deck (which records in analog) and the SP quality is excellent. There is no compression involved in this process. 2 hours of a HD program on the 3410a becomes 2 hours of the program on the S-VHS tape.

When you write to a DVD, however, the analog signal coming out from the 3410A has to be digitized and compressed by your DVD recorder. You should be able to set the quality for the recording and fit 1 or 2 hours onto your DVD-RW. Obviously, there is more compression and lower quality if you compress the 2 hours of recording onto a single layer DVD. I do it on my computer all the time, however, and it doesn't look too bad.

BTW, you should be using the S-Video out from the 3410A. The quality is much better.

One thing that I would suggest is to put that space heater on a different circuit.
Hight current devices like that, when the turn on and more importantly, when they turn off.... Can create I impulse noise which can knock a computer senseless at best, or destroy a solid state circuit at worst.

I'd suggest not only moving the heater, but adding an RFI/EMI filter with surge suppression on your delicate computer items.

With Computers being in nearly every device in the house: TV, Radio, VCR's, DVR's, Washers, Dryers, Microwave ovens and stoves...... Answering machines...
Etc. Etc... We ended up installing a whole house surge supressor in the fusebox, and left the RFI/EMI filters in computer room and HDTV Display areas.

Glad you're back up

Does anyone get espn hd through time warner cable unscrambled in Kansas city if so what is the digital channel that it comes through. I get quite a few unscrambled channels through the cable but I was wondering if there was the exact channel this came through I could tune it direct if it does not initially pick it up in the channel scan.


Sometimes the unit has a hard time locking in it takes a few seconds as a result the channels it scans in varies at times if I do a new scan. I wondered if ESPN HD was unscrambled but just not getting a lock right away from the unit.

Anyway thanks if anyone has this unit. I also would be interested in what channels you get in from time warner.

Could/would anyone state the downsides of this device? IOW's what are the biggest limitations of the unit (other than price, small HDD, older model)?

Did anyone try to connect a RCA DVR2160 to the 3410?Would the 3410 even recognize it?It would be a way to add even more storage now that the RCA DVR2160 can be had for an unbelievable(78% off msrp) price at Amazon and BeachAudio.

After months of flawless operation, TV Guide stopped getting information.
First I checked the channels, as this happened about a week after my having to re-program cable channels that moved and disappeared. (Still haven't got messages about CH20 moving on comcast cable from 13 to 20)!
Anyway, TV Guide stopped getting (or displaying) data.
After channels were verified OK, tried the 5 second power cycle. NG. the next morning (with wife downshifting to VCR + recordings (Which worked).
Then, I tried another 5 second power cycle, and a re-program of Zip code (gave it bogus code, then re-entered correct codes).. This with wife still using VCR + for recordings (Which worked). Next day still no TV Guide data or display.
So, yesterday, removed all recordings, told wife to stay off DVR for 24 hours, and did 5 second power cycle, removed all scheduled recordings, Entered Messages and entered 753159852 and turned box off for 18 hours. This evening at 5:30PM, I saw some listings for TV Guide. Will check tomorrow AM for more TV Guide Info.

Don't know what the precise steps are, but it does get confused once every few months or so!!!!

EDIT... Wednesday morning, lots of TV Guide data received overnight... Gave wife OK to
go back to DVR recordings...

Same thing happened to me Jan back in September at the start of the new tv season, after basically a year of glitch free use (glitch-free as far as this device is concerned, which means I had to do the quick power cycle maybe 3 times total) followed the same troubleshooting steps that you did--didn't wait 18 hours, though, after that last reset and wipe of programming, eventually determined it was one discrepency, one station which likely caused my problem--for some reason, the QAM channel I had re-mapped my local PBS HD to (91-6) had been switched back to its regular cable box channel assignment (26) in my guide. Once I corrected that, and re-remapped, I was back to flawless multiple scheduled weekly recording--however, from that point on I noticed something new and strange: most HD show listings no longer displayed under the Sort tab--now only Alias and PBS display. It used to be all of my QAM HD programming possibilities for the week appeared hear--CBS, NBC, WB, etc. My guess is it's something unique to me, my area, and Comcast.

Gemstar sent channel codes for HD channels today my wife informs me...
We edit our channel lineup to point to our outside antenna. For example, 2-1, 5-1, 7-1, 9-1 instead of the cable channel numbers that I just erased....
Now it is interesting to note that as I went into the Setup channel selection, NOT ONE of the cable channels indicated on the screen brought up a picture!!! As I re-directed them to 2-1, 5-1, etc.... the pictures & sound returned....

Never a dull moment with this box, eh???

Edit: TV Guide data fine as of Tuesday PM. Regular scheduled recordings (3 or 4) went off without a hitch Wednesday.....

I'm chasing a rumour.... I'm at work now, so I can't check my LG3410a.
Would someone go into their menus, and call up the firmware(s) versions and post them?

I know there was a later one this year and I am interested in that one, but I'm also looking for the one from last year.

Please post. Thanks...

I have 1.15. I've read on AVS that there is a 1.17 firmware upgrade, but my contacts at LG customer service are unaware of such an upgrade. I've read that this upgrade may improve guide performance and/or make the 3410a more compatible with D-VHS decks by inserting null packets. Unfortunately, LG can't verify that the firmware will effectuate these improvements if it can't confirm that it exists.

Has anyone experienced this: at the end of watching a pre-recorded program, I press stop, the video goes to a black screen and then the LG freezes. Pressing any button has no effect. I have to turn the unit off and the back on to restore normal operation.

I have two 3410A's, one with 1.15 and one with 1.17. Neither is able to hold guide info more than a few days at a time. I seem to remember 1.17 addressing some insignificant audio issue. My 1.17 was a refurb shipped by LG last March. Apparently all the 2005 models (551- serial numbers) have 1.17. Don't have DVHS so I can't comment on that.

SW MP1.15
H/W 10.4
DB 4.15
Guide 7.1.20

ID on back of unit: 251 4/6/2004

Running a 330Mb Maxtor Drive, which actually draws less current and creates less heat than the Seagate 120Gb that was delivered with the unit.

Has anyone heard of V1.16 ???????

Has anyone experienced this: at the end of watching a pre-recorded program, I press stop, the video goes to a black screen and then the LG freezes. Pressing any button has no effect. I have to turn the unit off and the back on to restore normal operation.
Mine does that at times. It seems more likely to happen if I don't stop the playback myself but let it stop on its own. Only the on/off button works. Original 1.12 software.

Two questions;

Do you have to set up the TV Guide? If not, a manual delayed record is possible w/o a problem?

Has anyone used this with a Mits 1080p DLP as I see it only supports 1080i & 720p.?

I can't speak for the Mits 1080p DLP, but my Mits 720P sees the LG3410a fine.
My settings on the LG3410a are as follows: Native (1800i outputs 1080i, 720P outputs 720P and 480i outputs 480p). I'm using the DVI output, and feeding into my Mits 62525 via a DVI to HDMI cable I got off ebay for $6-7.
(Note that it worked OK on YUV as well).

TV Guide -- Yes, if you have an antenna or cable or both connected, you should set up your TV Guide. I've found that timed recordings (via VCR+ key) do work when TV Guide is not setup, but, It seems to delay TV Guide from getting data, so walk away from your LG box for a day or so to allow it to get data.. Once you start seeing data, you should be good to go on scheduling programs.

If you are planning on re-directing channels, from one channel to another #, your best bet would seem to be to wait an additional day before doing so (Editing channel numbers), as it appears that the data for channels are implemeted last in TV Guide.

The above are 'interpreted' instructions I've gathered from a year of use....

Mine does that at times. It seems more likely to happen if I don't stop the playback myself but let it stop on its own. Only the on/off button works. Original 1.12 software.

I'll second (or third) that notion. That's why I never let the program run to the end.

I also have Version MP1.12. I formatted the hard drive, but it did not solve the problem. I wonder if upgrading to the 330 Mb hard drive solves this problem.

Let me ask again... Has anyone heard of V1.16 firmware, and if so, what does it do over V1.15?

(I'm chasing down a rumor)

I can't speak for the Mits 1080p DLP, but my Mits 720P sees the LG3410a fine. Understand.
How about the 1080i signal on a 1080p Mits?

I did a demo of the Samsung 1080P (same engine as Mits, from what I hear) at work last week, and it displayed 1080i, 720p & 480i upconverted to 1080p. Picture was stunning.

My only concerns with a 1080p unit is that no-one will ever (for now) transmit 1080p, so EVERYTHING is up-converted. Minor complaint... But it did look darn good!!!

I anticipate that a 1080P output resolution will first be offered on high end HD DVD and Blu Ray players. As the necessary chipsets become affordable, it will be offered by various STB's and DVR's. The problem at this point is that most 1080P displays will not accept their native resolution from an outside source, but that too will be remedied in time.

Is there anyone who has 1.17 firmware who also has a Toshiba tv with DVI input that works properly with the LG(with DVI connection)?I sent my unit in for upgrade because LG told me there was a fix for this but all they did was to reformat the hard drive and leave the 1.15 firmware intact.

Will this record all 'in the clear' QAM channels?
HD Net and HD Net movies are 'in the clear' locally.

Will this record all 'in the clear' QAM channels?
HD Net and HD Net movies are 'in rhe clear' locally.
Yes and no. I've watched in the clear stations and recorded them. sometimes every thing works great, other times it doesn't. The odd thing was that the shows looked and sounded good when I watched them. The most common problem was audio drop-outs.

For the past few months I have been able to record clear QAM stations seems fine, so it may have been something in the transmission. Also I have one of the early, early versions of the 3410A and newer ones may work better.

Mine does that at times. It seems more likely to happen if I don't stop the playback myself but let it stop on its own. Only the on/off button works. Original 1.12 software.

Mine has never done that either way. Also original 1.12 software

LG3410a V1.15 using DVI in 'Native' format, to Mitsubishi 62525 via a DVI/HDMI cable.

OK here.

P.S. I'm still chasing down rumours of V1.16 firmware.....

If you have a 3410 in Denver - does your tv guide listing include KUSA-DT?? My listing has the analog and digital channels for all the other stations. It's not a big problem - since I just remap the analog listing to the digital channel, but I was wondering.

Regarding the chroma delay. Do I understand correctly it is with NTSC analog channels only? And it is very noticeable especially on a 52" Microdisplay?

75% of what I would record is NTSC. I only have 4 OTA locals I record off of and 2 additional cable QAM channels that I would record. This doersn't sound as a solution for me or is it?

I am new here, and to HDTV recordering. Have had the 3410A less than 2 weeks. Think the HD is gone. Only recorded about 4 programs. Get the message that (HD is initualizing) try later, went to the setup and get message (Initualizing error (154) Just wondered if anyone could tell me if that's the problem. I"m sending it back to LG . Just wondering if upgrade to bigger HD after warranty is something the average Joe can do? Not really PC savy.


I too have just purchased a brand new 3410A last week from Good Guys (Closing out sale in Tustin, CA). Got it for a good price.

I recorded about 3 programs and when I got home yesterday evening, I couldn't access the 'Program List' to view recordings. I got the message 'DVR is initializing'. Went to Setup menu>Troubleshooting>HD DVR function does not work properly and it gave me a status of 'HDD Intializing error code:154).

I tried unplugging power, wait 5 minutes, power up again but I had no luck. It still said 'DVR is initializing'. One thing I also noticed on the front display window, the Hard Disk Indicator + bars are no longer lit up. When I first powered up the unit, those indicator LEDs were lit. They are gone now. Any clues? Is the HD dead?

I called LG support and from what I have read on this thread, they are useless. I find more useful information here than speaking to them. I have left my unit unplugged for more than 12 hours. When I get home, I'm going to try to see if it is working. If not, does anyone know what could be the problem?

The version of S/W on my unit is:
S/W: MP1.15, HW:10.4,DB:4.15,Guide:7.1.20, Date: 2:51pm 4/6/2004

Any help would be appreciated.

I called LG support and from what I have read on this thread, they are useless. Just as useless as LG's QC and R&D departments!

In the three years I have been here and all the threads of all the sets I have gone through, this without a doubt takes the cake as being the 'lemon' of the decade. It makes my Mits DLP look perfect. :rolleyes:

I recorded about 3 programs and when I got home yesterday evening, I couldn't access the 'Program List' to view recordings. I got the message 'DVR is initializing'. Went to Setup menu>Troubleshooting>HD DVR function does not work properly and it gave me a status of 'HDD Intializing error code:154).

I tried unplugging power, wait 5 minutes, power up again but I had no luck. It still said 'DVR is initializing'. One thing I also noticed on the front display window, the Hard Disk Indicator + bars are no longer lit up. When I first powered up the unit, those indicator LEDs were lit. They are gone now. Any clues? Is the HD dead?

Any help would be appreciated.
I don't know your confidence level about doing simple internal tests on electronics, so you'll have to decide what you want to try. Just opening the case will probably void any warranty.

Normally the HD bar graph takes a few seconds to light up at turn-on. The time it takes depends on the number of recorded programs, but it should be pretty short in your case. Can you hear the hard drive spin up? If not it could be the drive or the power connected to it. Use a voltmeter to check for +5v and +12v on the power connector. Also look for obvious problems such as connectors not properly seated (be safe: unplug the LG before reseating connectors).

If you have a spare IDE hard drive, you can try replacing the one it came with. It's easy to do and the method is obvious. But understand that the LG will reformat the replacement drive, so you WILL LOSE any files on it. Also set the drive jumper to "Master." Most drives come set to "Cable Select." Most any IDE drive should do for test purposes, but if you need to get a replacement ask here again and someone can advise you on the best type for DVR use. That said, I put a 200GB 7200RPM Maxtor in mine. It's not the ideal type, but it's worked fine for well over a year.

Here's a suggestion. V1.15 ain't bad, but you gotta do some modifications!!!

if you are on outside antenna AND CABLE, go into channel edit and TURN OFF all channels you will not potentially record. THen, change your Zipcode to something else! THen, change it back!! Then... Act like it is not there!! turn it off, and resist the urge to use it for 36 hours! then turn it back on, and don't be concerned if it asks you to do a channel select, and select which channel is on which channel (be prepared for this if you have cable!!

After that (If you get asked for channel selection) turn it off, and wait another 12 hours at least..... THEN you should be getting data in TV GUIDE!!!

Then you can start enjoying the 3410a!!

Welcome to the forum!! We will help you co-exist with this unit!!!!!




I too have just purchased a brand new 3410A last week from Good Guys (Closing out sale in Tustin, CA). Got it for a good price.

I recorded about 3 programs and when I got home yesterday evening, I couldn't access the 'Program List' to view recordings. I got the message 'DVR is initializing'. Went to Setup menu>Troubleshooting>HD DVR function does not work properly and it gave me a status of 'HDD Intializing error code:154).

I tried unplugging power, wait 5 minutes, power up again but I had no luck. It still said 'DVR is initializing'. One thing I also noticed on the front display window, the Hard Disk Indicator + bars are no longer lit up. When I first powered up the unit, those indicator LEDs were lit. They are gone now. Any clues? Is the HD dead?

I called LG support and from what I have read on this thread, they are useless. I find more useful information here than speaking to them. I have left my unit unplugged for more than 12 hours. When I get home, I'm going to try to see if it is working. If not, does anyone know what could be the problem?

The version of S/W on my unit is:
S/W: MP1.15, HW:10.4,DB:4.15,Guide:7.1.20, Date: 2:51pm 4/6/2004

Any help would be appreciated.

I MAY be able to get V1.16 data file, and the programming software to upgrade the LG3410a to V 1.16 firmware...

Problem is.. My contacts are not informed of V1.17 firmware....

PLEASE. Anyone with V1.17 firmware... Please post the ENTIRE Firmware upgrade version
you have..... and any email addresses you had regarding V1.17 firmware...

I want to contact them.... on this ... My contacts are aware of V1.14 & V1.16 firmware only and NOT V1.17 !!!!

Rumour has it that the LG 3410a has been CONTINUED as a product for at least 1 more year!!!!

Problem is: When firmware is released, they (LG KOREA) is NOT informing the LG Folks in
The USA (Either Zenith or Huntsville AL) of the changes that are being made!!!

I am INTENTIONALLY releasing this information to Hopefully SHAKE UP the folks so that greater INFORMATION can be processed!!!

If I get any further information that would be of help to ALL OF US... It will be posted here!!!

This is all under the table information!!!!

I don't know your confidence level about doing simple internal tests on electronics, so you'll have to decide what you want to try. Just opening the case will probably void any warranty.


ebo, Thanks for the tip. I'm okay with electronics but I'm just hesitant to open up the unit because it will void the warranty.

As an update to what happened to my unit when I powered it up this evening, I still had the same issue of 'DVR is initializing' :mad: when I pressed the 'Prog List' on the remote. Another thing I tried to verify if the hard drive was functioning was to place the 'DEMO' pin back into the G-Link slot on back of the unit. When I first viewed the demo last week, it had some HD content plus a automated navigation TV guide demo. When I powered up the unit with the demo, I no longer had the prerecorded HD content intro demo which I really think that the hard drive is not functioning properly now. All I was able to view was the navigation TV guide demo.

I will most likely have to call LG back and ship it to them since it's under warranty. Probably after some time like after the warranty period, I will definitely modify it with a bigger hard drive.

To all those who replied, thanks for the welcome and for the helpful info. :) I really think I will be on this thread for awhile.

If you have a 3410 in Denver - does your tv guide listing include KUSA-DT?? My listing has the analog and digital channels for all the other stations. It's not a big problem - since I just remap the analog listing to the digital channel, but I was wondering.Nope - no data for KUSA-DT, and there never has been in the 1.5 years or so I've had my 3410.

Hey guys, I have been comparing the Sony hdd250 and the LG 3410A DVR solutions and I have a couple of questions about the 3410A:

Can it output to DVI and component simultaneously? If not, is there a button on the remote to switch outputs?

I have 3 sources that I may switch often when I watch my content: Dell 2405FPW, InFocus 4805 DLP projector & a 24 Sony regular SDTV. I'd hook the Dell 2405FPW to the component output, the InFocus 4805 to the DVI output and my Sony TV using composite out. The Sony hdd250 only allows you to choose either HDMI (DVI) or compnent. Once you plug the HDMI cable in, the compnent out is disabled. :(

And can you verify for me that I should be able to get free over the air HDTV with an antenna connected to an RF input on the 3410A and basic unscrambled analog cable (using no cable box) connected to the other RF input.

Also, correct me if I am wrong, but as far as I understand, the 3410A cannot display content on a different channel that it is actively recording on a given RF input, but you can watch any channel you want on the other RF input or the actively recorded channel.

Can it record two channels on 2 separate RF inputs at the same time? Ex. record 1 analog cable channel and one OTA HD channel at the same time?


What are your final thoughts on this unit? Would you reccomend it? Is it reliable? How does it compare to the Sony HDD250? And finally, are there any other units that offer HD DVR with Analog cable, HD Cable QAM & OTA HDTV with a free program guide?

Thanks for your time.

Can it output to DVI and component simultaneously? If not, is there a button on the remote to switch outputs?
.
Ah- you've hit the one real complaint I've got about this system. You switch output by pressing a button on the 3410A - no way to do it on the remote. I never tried DVI+Component, but it does not do S-Video + component output.

And can you verify for me that I should be able to get free over the air HDTV with an antenna connected to an RF input on the 3410A and basic unscrambled analog cable (using no cable box) connected to the other RF input.
.

I do it every day. And many clear QAM stations over cable as well.



Also, correct me if I am wrong, but as far as I understand, the 3410A cannot display content on a different channel that it is actively recording on a given RF input, but you can watch any channel you want on the other RF input or the actively recorded channel.

Can it record two channels on 2 separate RF inputs at the same time? Ex. record 1 analog cable channel and one OTA HD channel at the same time?
.

I'm sure the answer is no. Also note that you have to watch the channel you're recording.


What are your final thoughts on this unit? Would you reccomend it? Is it reliable? How does it compare to the Sony HDD250? And finally, are there any other units that offer HD DVR with Analog cable, HD Cable QAM & OTA HDTV with a free program guide? .

I love it, and hate it just a little bit at times. I've had one since it was first available in the US and it has worked very well for me. I've never actually used the Sony HDD250, so I cannot really compare. The best way to think of the 3410A is as an improved VCR. Its improvements include that it allows timeshifting and you can record 12+ hours on a hard drive. I looove timeshifting when watching a football game in HD. However, if you start comparing it to a Tivo-like device, you'll be disappointed.

I have followed this thread for quite some time, but I have not in the last couple of months. I believe I have v1.15 firmware (I have to double check). Sorry this is so long...

I remember seeing topics on missing recordings earlier in this thread, but I never had any problems...until a few weeks ago. I had to go out of town, and I had scheduled several recordings....On Monday: Two "Prison Breaks", right in a row, then immediately after, "CSI: Miami" on a different channel. Nothing on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday: "Criminal Minds", then immediately following was "CSI:NY" on the same channel. My roommate called me Tuesday. It recorded the first Prison Break, and appeared to record the 2nd Prison Break, but when it was over the recording light stayed on indefinitely and failed to change the channel, hence failing to record CSI:Miami. Tuesday evening (24 hrs later) he turned the power off, and back on. The unit then "operated properly" but only the first Prison Break was in the program list. Then on Wednesday, it properly recorded Criminal Minds, but failed to record CSI:NY. My roommate then manually hit the record button when he saw it did not work, and it finished recording CSI:NY.

I returned from my trip and of course it worked fine once I got home. Then in preporation for leaving town at Thanksgiving, I set the unit to record Criminal Minds and CSI:NY wednesday night, as well as several shows later that week. I did not watch the shows Wednesday, but I didn't leave town until Thursday morning. Before I left, I checked a few things. It did record both shows the night before. Good. But I looked on the "Scheduled Recordings" page, and all my shows from Thursday through Sunday were removed from the "Scheduled Recordings" page, even though I had them scheduled to record Weekly. However, starting Monday, the weekly scheduled recordings were there.

Very bizzare. Any thoughts? I have not tried any troubleshooting. Last night, it did record my regular Monday lineup without any problems.

I'd start with troubleshooting the roomate . . . :)

We've had occurrances of back to back recordings followed buy a subsequent show later on same evening not recording correctly. Sometimes 1 & 3 record, but not 2, and other times 1 & 2 record, and not 3. Hasen't happened enough to say for certain the exact senerio that won't work.

Works just good enough to be relied upon, but then it does something that makes you doubt your sanity!!! maddening!!!

One thing that I've learned in the past 6 months.... We removed ALL Un-Necessary channels (Channels you'll never record via TV Guide) from the TVGUIDE channel List (Editing them OFF) That has minimized errors in recording and TVGUIDE.
We also physically re-positioned the icons we DO USE to the top of the list, so we're not scrolling through lots of Icons that we won't need, and are edited OUT of the TV Guide data list.

This would seem to minimize the Amount of Data that box needs to process from the TV GUIDE data.... and these two things have stabilized the TV Guide issues here considerably
[Note that I'm knocking on wood!]

I'd start with troubleshooting the roomate . . . :)

It's a lost cause...

I've been using my new "rule" for my 3410a for several months now, and thought I would throw it out there for folks having odd-ball trouble with recordings and the guide (like the previous couple of posts). Granted, it may be impossible for some to follow, and may not make a lot of sense, but I haven't had ANY issues (EPG or otherwise) since I implemented my "rule":

NEVER TURN THE UNIT ON WHEN THE guide (white) LIGHT IS ON.

Since we typically only watch shows at night, and my unit typically downloads during the day (especially morning), I'm able to do this. For example, if I know we're going to watch something that night, I'll check the display after dinner, and when the light goes off, I'll turn the unit on and let it sit. The only thing that matters is that I get it shut off a few minutes before any scheduled recordings (and I've even had record properly when I didn't get it turned off by accident). One theory may be that interrupting the EPG stream corrupts the data, but all I can say is if it works, don't knock it!

At least on MY unit - the front panel buttons "Select" and "Left Arrow" of the 3410a will get you into a hidden menu for troubleshooting.

By pressing those two buttons on the front panel of the 3410 (not the remote) at the same time you get DIAG MODE: TS displayed on the LED front panel. (This also resets the video out mode to 480i)

Then using the remote, number buttons 0 thru 9 you can get deeper into the troubleshooting functions menu.

Specifically after getting DIAG MODE the buttons 9 then 5 brings up FACT_SET
which (I think) returns the unit to factory setings.

I have used this to reset the machine to a place where I can reset the clock.

I bought a factory refurb on eBay but I'm starting to regret the decision. I've only had the unit for week but it has missed timers, crashed, locked-up, etc... Tonight it powered itself off while recording Alias in HD OTA. I was watching a DVD and noticed it wasn't recording anymore, so I powered it back on and started a manual record. Well, 10 minutes into the record, the clock became frozen (I checked the TV and it still appeared to be recording). After 11 PM, when I went to stop the recording the unit was frozen and would not respond.

I've read through some of this thread and I've noticed quite a few people with similar problems. Thanks to this thread, I wen't into the service mode and reset the system to defaults. My unit has 1.15 firmware on it. Any other suggestions?

Worst case, the dealer who sold it to me on eBay claims it has a 90 day warranty. I'm just not yet sure if that is through him or through LG.

The most disappointing thing about this unit for me has been the HD tuner. I expected it to be a better tuner than my Samsung SIR-T151 but it has quite a bit of trouble with borderline quality stations. In my area, the lack of subchannel editing makes browsing difficult (FOX has 29-1, 29-2, and 29-3). PSIP Guide would be nice when TV Guide is not available for a certain channel.

In case anyone is interested, I tried streaming a 40 Mbps mpeg2 satellite stream at the 3410a this evening from my Powerbook and it choked on it big time.

Not even close.

:(

In case anyone is interested, I tried streaming a 40 Mbps mpeg2 satellite stream at the 3410a this evening from my Powerbook and it choked on it big time.

Not even close.

:(

I've successfully loaded the 35MBit Crawford HDTV clip from my mac mini to my 3410a, with no problems. the trick was to use an external usb 2.0 hard drive. If I tried to push an m2t file from the main hardisk it failed, but it works fine when the file is on an external usb hard drive...

YMMV

-Techtom

I've successfully loaded the 35MBit Crawford HDTV clip from my mac mini to my 3410a, with no problems. the trick was to use an external usb 2.0 hard drive. If I tried to push an m2t file from the main hardisk it failed, but it works fine when the file is on an external usb hard drive...

YMMV

-Techtom
I was able to record 38Mb/s streams from a 256-QAM ATSC channel source from my cable system on my Mac mini with an external 300GB Firewire drive. The program I used to record the stream was iRecord. The program I used to playback the file was VLC 0.8.4.

In one example, I am able to record (all at the same time) 12 SD channels re-broadcast by my cable system on to a 256-QAM ATSC channel. I can selectively pick out the channel streams from the VLC program on playback.

In another example, I am able to record 50(!) digital audio Music Choice channels and 1 SD TV channel all at the same time. All the digital audio channels (plus one SD TV channel) fit on to one 256-QAM ATSC channel on my cable system. I am able to play back the file on my Mac mini using VLC and pick out the streams.

The files are huge at about 268.4 MB per minute of recording!

- HS

As, If and When someone writes a Windows based program that will copy files into/outof the 3410a, I'm interested!!!

I bought a factory refurb on eBay but I'm starting to regret the decision. I've only had the unit for week but it has missed timers, crashed, locked-up, etc... Tonight it powered itself off while recording Alias in HD OTA. I was watching a DVD and noticed it wasn't recording anymore, so I powered it back on and started a manual record. Well, 10 minutes into the record, the clock became frozen (I checked the TV and it still appeared to be recording). After 11 PM, when I went to stop the recording the unit was frozen and would not respond.

I've read through some of this thread and I've noticed quite a few people with similar problems. Thanks to this thread, I wen't into the service mode and reset the system to defaults. My unit has 1.15 firmware on it. Any other suggestions?

Worst case, the dealer who sold it to me on eBay claims it has a 90 day warranty. I'm just not yet sure if that is through him or through LG.

The most disappointing thing about this unit for me has been the HD tuner. I expected it to be a better tuner than my Samsung SIR-T151 but it has quite a bit of trouble with borderline quality stations. In my area, the lack of subchannel editing makes browsing difficult (FOX has 29-1, 29-2, and 29-3). PSIP Guide would be nice when TV Guide is not available for a certain channel.


Make sure the unit is not running hot. I have two fans running 24x7 and since I add them I have had no problem with the unit locking up.

Just one mans opinion
Mike

I was able to record 38Mb/s streams from a 256-QAM ATSC channel source from my cable system on my Mac mini with an external 300GB Firewire drive.- HS
How did you get the TV signal to the Mac mini?

I just started reading this thread and the 3410 is on my 'potential' list as I'm trying to get rid of my current $65.00 monthly Comcast bill. ( I have their Hi-def. DVR with the minimum required programming)

Can someone tell me if this unit picks up the local channels as well as the Hi-Def in the San Jose area. I need to know if I can completely disconnect the comcast service. If yes, then this unit will pay for itself in 1 year, which should be an easy sell to my wife.

How did you get the TV signal to the Mac mini?
IEEE1394 connection out of the LG LST-3410a <-> External 300GB Firewire Hardrive (NewerTech mini stack) <-> Mac mini Firewire port (programs running - iRecord 0.4, VirtualDVHS2, and VLC 0.8.4 with Mac OS 10.4.3)

I set the destination drive to record the 38MB/s digital stream to the External 300GB Firewire Drive. The stock internal Mac mini drive is a bit slow for the task.

Jeneral, your right about the LG tuner - it's not as good as its predecessor DVR, the Zenith HDR230.

I've successfully loaded the 35MBit Crawford HDTV clip from my mac mini to my 3410a, with no problems. the trick was to use an external usb 2.0 hard drive. If I tried to push an m2t file from the main hardisk it failed, but it works fine when the file is on an external usb hard drive...

YMMV

-Techtom

Might be an excuse to upgrade my computers! The Powerbook only has one firewire port and usb1 only. The external hard drive has two firewire ports, but when I do this:

Powerbook-->hard drive-->3410a

The Powerbook stops acknowledging that the hard drive is there.

I've got a pc available with usb2 and firewire, but I haven't had much luck in the past with dvhstool. I haven't tried it on this particular machine, so maybe I'll give it a try with it.

I bought a factory refurb on eBay but I'm starting to regret the decision. I've only had the unit for week but it has missed timers, crashed, locked-up, etc... The most disappointing thing about this unit for me has been the HD tuner. I expected it to be a better tuner than my Samsung SIR-T151 but it has quite a bit of trouble with borderline quality stations.Yours may be a 2003 model (351- serial numbers). The 2004 models (451-serial numbers) have better tuner performance.

If you can still get a refund, you might give the Sony DHG-HDD250 a try. Best Buy and others are closing these out at $499. I have two 3410A's, but I couldn't resist the Sony and got one 2 days ago. The advantages over the 3410A are:
(1) the guide actually works (so far). My 3410A's only get the guide occasionally.
(2) while a program is recording, you can watch any earlier part of that program, or anything else previously recorded. (3) it has programmable (2 sec to 500 sec) forward and reverse skip - I have the forward skip set at 60 seconds and the reverse at 30 seconds. An amazingly valuable feature. (4) the 250GB HDD is nice (the LG has 120). (5) the tuner is a definite plus, and it can handle OTA NTSC, OTA ATSC, analog cable, and QAM cable (and display all 4 in the guide) simultaneously. (6) it has CableCARD capability. (7) it displays HD (via HDMI or component) and SD (via S-video or composite) simultaneously (8) it has quite a variety of viewing modes, menu options, and other useful features.
Some of the minuses are: (1) if you're used to the 3410A and Comcast 6412 like I am, the user interface seems strange initially, but you do get used to it. (2) It has no inputs other than Ant In and Cable In. (3) it has no IEEE1394 capability (4) the clock can't be set manually, and recordings cannot be entered manually without the proper time.
(5) the CC are an inconvenient menu option - the 3410A has a button on the remote.
(6) This Sony would have been awesome with two tuners, but it's still a nice piece of equipment. I'll be keeping it if it doesn't develop any problems (I plan to loan one of the LG's to a relative who needs QAM tuning to get the HD locals from Comcast basic.

Yours may be a 2003 model (351- serial numbers). The 2004 models (451-serial numbers) have better tuner performance.

If you can still get a refund, you might give the Sony DHG-HDD250 a try.

Actually, mine is a 351-xxx model. I just packed it up today to ship back on monday. As a last resort, I had reset it back to factory defaults and I had it getting the guide since yesterday afternoon. The guide light went out today and I turned it on. Everything appeared good for 35 minutes but then it locked up again. When it locks up, the channels won't change, menu won't come up, etc... Factory refurb my ass, this unit is defective and should be in a dumpster!

I wanted to buy the Sony but I was afraid if the guide didn't download, I wouldn't be able to record (I heard it won't do manual recording). The reason I bought the LG was because it was a great deal ($350 on ebay). Unfortunately, it is probably going to cost me another $50 to ship it back so it's not looking like such great deal anymore. At this point, I'm tempted to ask the dealer for a refund minus the shipping. I'm willing to take the hit to get rid of this contraption. The lackluster tuner is my biggest disappointment. I ASS-U-MED it would be better than my SIR-T151 and was surprised it was a little worse.

I see that Crutchfield has the Sony HDD250 for $499 with free shipping (& no tax out-of-state). When I first plugged mine in, the correct time came up in 2-3 hours, and at that point I could manually enter info for timed recordings. I understand it can get the time from local station PSIP, but a TVGOS host channel is needed for the guide (which appeared on mine the following morning). My 3410A's are similar in that I always have the correct time, even when the host channel shows 0 x 0 and the guide shows "No Listings."

If anyone in northern Indiana is interested, the Circuit City in Mishawaka, IN has one 3410a (still new in box) on clearance for $399.00. The box looks a little banged up (like it was in the warehouse for a while), but does appear sealed.

Don't have a clue what firmware is in it or what the mfg date was.

The serial number should be on the outside of the box somewhere. If you can report back here what the first three digits of it are I'm sure you will get a better response.

I bought a LST-3410A two days ago. It is brand new in a factory sealed box from an electronics store in Tennessee. I was surprised to see it was manufactured in July 2004. But it has f/w 1.15 and a 451- serial, so I guess that's fine.

I plugged it in, ran through setup, watched the demo, turned it off, and let it download the guides for a couple days before I used it.

I turned it on today, and it worked well until I hit the record button...

The record indicator lit up on the display, but the unit appeared to freeze. So, I turned it off. I waited a few seconds and turned it back on. Now, there are no HDD icons on the display, and every DVR function shows "DVR is initializing' on the screen.
I called tech support, unplugged it, waited, and plugged it back in as requested, but it was no help. LG says it’s broken and needs replaced. They will only exchange it with a refurbished one, and they say the process will take 3 weeks! So my new, immaculate, visually perfect unit will be replaced with a unit that may have “minor cosmetic blemishes” – or so they say. I get to wait three weeks for this. Yuck.

If I’d wanted a refurb, I’d bought one off eBay for much less than I paid for this. Not to mention, I live in Ohio and had to drive to TN to pick this up because LG won’t let any retailers sell these mail-order.

So far I very disappointed. I couldn’t even record one item before it died.

I found this forum after I bought the item. It might have scared me away from buying this. Too bad…

Should I get it fixed, put it on eBay and buy the Sony DHG-HDD250?

Get it fixed they now have a March 2005 Manufacture dat with FW 1.17, and it works flawless for me now that I have it hooked up to the cable.

I've been using my new "rule" for my 3410a for several months now, and thought I would throw it out there for folks having odd-ball trouble with recordings and the guide (like the previous couple of posts). Granted, it may be impossible for some to follow, and may not make a lot of sense, but I haven't had ANY issues (EPG or otherwise) since I implemented my "rule":

NEVER TURN THE UNIT ON WHEN THE guide (white) LIGHT IS ON.
This may work in some areas, but in the Denver area I very, very rarely see my 3410a with the guide light off; perhaps only one or two hours per day.

Hi Everyone,
I have been following this thread since I purchased my unit about six months ago used from a friend. It is a 451-xxx serial number, firmware version MP1.15.

For me the unit has been performing nearly perfect. I have experienced some of the problems posted in this thread. I also have several experiences which differ from those posted. Please let me say that the unit has always recorded flawlessly, picture and sound are fantastic. ATSC reception is better than my previous receiver (channel 2, Chicago).

I did read the manual from cover to cover initially, referring to it and the AVS Forums for additional info.

Problems:

I have had TV guide problems. This naturally affects the ability to use the onscreen guide and program "one time", "weekly" and "re-occuring shows". This affected me in the areas of ATSC side band channels (i.e. 11.2 public television). These do not populate the digital portion of the guide. They do though show up in the NTSC portion. Guide down loads take place when the unit is off (as stated in the manual). Population of the Guide takes several hours. Typically I see seven(7) days in advance. This though depends on whether I have interupted the Guide down load by turning the unit on to watch something.

I have had to use the input code sequence (0,0 thing) and plug/unplug the unit to re-populate the Guide on at least two occasions. It may be as simple as just unplugging and plugging in the unit for two minutes. I will try this next time I have a problem.

I accidentally touched the source button on the remote (in the dark) and thought the whole thing croaked. Well... that was fixed by unplugging the unit for 2 minutes.

The unit does not provide output for component and composite at the same time. It is a toggle condition (either or). This is a real pain as I have two displays on the same level of the house, one of each type. It is not uncommon for me to go from one to the other once a day.

Please keep up the discussion as this is all we have to make this thing work.

Sorry all I have time for now. MB

SNIP--however, from that point on I noticed something new and strange: most HD show listings no longer displayed under the Sort tab--now only Alias and PBS display. It used to be all of my QAM HD programming possibilities for the week appeared hear--CBS, NBC, WB, etc. My guess is it's something unique to me, my area, and Comcast.

Same thing has happened to me, only I don't remember what the circumstances were that led me to this situation. When I go to the sort tab, all I see are some PBS and some WB shows. I'm using Comcast basic and my QAM tuner exclusively - no OTA. Anybody have any thoughts as to how I can get all the HD shows back on to the HDTV Sort screen?

Hi all,

Where I left off... problems:

It is irritating that while viewing the Guide, it's size (aspect ratio) is dependant upon the aspect ratio of the last channel viewed. Anyone find a work around for this other than going to a 16:9 channel before opening the Guide??

Some times, the sound looses sync with the picture. For me this happens if I pause the program I'm viewing for some time. My fix for this is to stop the program and restart it from where I left off. Any other fixes out there?

Anyone using the DVI output? Is your picture clearly better than component output? Did you experience any problems with picture adjustments using DVI (i.e. black level)?

Where does the Guide actually come from? If it is an analog source channel, what will happen when NTSC broadcasting is shut down? How will the Guide update?

Can we as consumers update the firmware (serial connection)? Where do we get copies?

Sincerely,
MB

I'm using the DVI output with a DVI/HDMI cable going to my 62525 Mits DLP.
DVI looked better than YUV out.
My wife has never encountered the audio being out of time with video on playback, But I've noticed a 2 or so frame delay on the Digital audio ouput compared to the analog audio ouput...

I'm still waiting for my contact to get the the software... He had a death in the family, and I'm giving him lots of space for now... The reason I'm not jumping up and down to get it is he tells me it is version 1.16.... A firmware version I've never heard of.

[QUOTE=Jan J]But I've noticed a 2 or so frame delay on the Digital audio ouput compared to the analog audio ouput...

Hi Jan J,
So your connection scheme for the Digital audio output runs through a home theater receiver processing DD, DTS or Pro Logic?

Does your Mits have its own form of video processing (i.e. DCDi)? Did you notice the native resolution of the program you were watching?

Sincerely,
Martin

[QUOTE=Jan J]But I've noticed a 2 or so frame delay on the Digital audio ouput compared to the analog audio ouput...

Hi Jan J,
So your connection scheme for the Digital audio output runs through a home theater receiver processing DD, DTS or Pro Logic?

Jan Replies: Video goes from 3410a DVI to HDMI of Mits 62525 using the "Native" mode (whatever came in, goes out).. Analog audio goes to Mits, too, but Mits analog output goes to BOSE Analog TV input. Digital (optical) output goes to Bose Digital input that I can manually switch to. Digital output (Optical, or Coaxial: tried optical/coaxial converter and went into Bose coaxial digital) are both a bit out of sync compared to Video.
I did finally get Bose tech (after about 6 calls) to claim there is no greater propagation delay in converting Digital audio (Optical or Coaxial) to audio than the analo audio inputs. Propagation delay meaning 16ms == 1 video frame of delay.

Does your Mits have its own form of video processing (i.e. DCDi)? Did you notice the native resolution of the program you were watching?

Jan replies: I am using Native output of 3410a...as mentioned. There is processing available on ALL Video inputs, which includes Noise Reduction (which could take at least 1 frame of delay minimum to accomplish) I see NO Timing changes on analog audio or digital audio compared to Mits Processing selections.

Sincerely,
Martin

I just started reading this thread and the 3410 is on my 'potential' list as I'm trying to get rid of my current $65.00 monthly Comcast bill. ( I have their Hi-def. DVR with the minimum required programming)

Can someone tell me if this unit picks up the local channels as well as the Hi-Def in the San Jose area. I need to know if I can completely disconnect the comcast service. If yes, then this unit will pay for itself in 1 year, which should be an easy sell to my wife.

I live in San Jose (Cambrian Park area) and have had my 3410a for almost a year, with no problems whatsoever. I get most, if not all, of the DTV stations from the surrounding area, including KNTV from Mt. San Bruno. That equates to around 18-19 DTV stations (last scan), and I get great HD from CBS, ABC, NBC, PBS, FOX, UPN, and WB (plus the HD-net reruns on KRON 4-2). I use a combined VHF/UHF rooftop antenna, since I also use this antenna to feed the two analog TVs in the house.

Phil

I asked the same question in the HTPC forum, but thought I'd see if anyone here can help me...

Is there anything special I need to do to be able to read and write to my JVC HM-DH5U deck? I was using the meidvhs drivers under service pack 1, but have had no luck with them since I re-installed Windows and loaded Service Pack 2. XP now recognizes that I've got an 'AV/C TAPE DEVICE', but will not find any drivers for it if I tell it to search the net. So then I tell it to use the meidvhs drivers, but while this seems to work, I cannot read or write to the HM-DH5U.

Hi Jan R,
I must compliment you on the thoroughness of your description of the 3410, interactions, functionality and associated equipment. This is what it's (AVS Forums) all about.

This business of the sound and video being out of sync has been solved by manufactures releasing receivers with "adjustable sound timing."

We (I) can't get any satisfaction at the retail level. The sales people don't know and generally don't really care. Field reps are of limited assistance because they are told directly or indirectly not to reveal "problems", "defects", "reliability issues", "compatibilty problems" as it might affect current or future sales of there products.

I believe all manufactures need to be held accountable for their products! As consumers we need to complain as much as possible. Without the complaints, the manufacturer has no grounds for change.

If we are dissatisfied with an item and get no results... I perscribe to the "friends theory". If I am dissatified I will tell two friends and so on. Business architecture used to believe for every customer you lost, you actually lost 200. Today with the internet I belive it's fair to say that number is significantly higher.

Sincerely,
Martin

I finally got some information in my hands about the software update....
Which of course is sitting on my desk at work right now..... (I'm bad... I totally forgot about it....)
A Tech bulletin that was included on the same CD was for a very early upgrade, but does indicate the symptom the software is supposted to fix. I'm hoping to examine the files tomorrow to get a date created off them. Now if I can only get more recent Tech Bulletins......
Along with it is a program to download the files into the DVR. (Which I committed to memory, and like all other commits to memory lately.... have been forgotten).
One thing I did notice was the speed the serial port connects is 115Kb !!!!
I did browse the read.me files on the communications program, but that didn't help much either...

There were a few pages of copied instructions regarding the firmware upgrade proceedure in a step-by-step proceedure that I noticed were not part of the technical manual I've seen. I'm trying to chase down more information on that.... I think during lunch tomorrow I'll see what else I can interpret on this... While I await for the fellow to check his firmware version on the his unit that was upgraded with this package....
I immediately called the sales guy who got it to me.... Asking if HE had tried it... He watched as someone else installed it... "It's the latest version!!" WHAT VERSION? silence...
"Then would you please look at the firmware version on your box and tell me what version it is?"
(This is the fellow who told me it was V1.16 about 3 months ago...). He thinks it may be the latest..... (Which would be 1.17, but I'm not moving an inch until I find out more information....

At this point. If it turns out he has V1.16 I will not know what to do... as I haven't heard of that version... IF it is V1.17, from posts here there doesn't seem to be an radical improvements over V1.15, but it might be of use to someone with older than V1.15 firmware, but I'd confirmation from a 2nd person before trying....
That's my report for now....
I email'd him tonight... Will call him tomorrow from work and see if he looked at the DVR firmware.... and email the 'other' fellow who has been forthright with me on this unit.... Are we having fun yet??????

Thanks for your efforts, Jan J. I hope that 1.17 is the firmware referred to in this post, i.e., firmware that will insert null packets into files extracted from the 3410A. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6338483&&#post6338483

IS that a Good Thing??? I'm not familiar with accessing the files on a 3410a.
I'd LIKE TO.... but I'd also like to do it via a Windows platform....

Please educate me on this!! I promise to re-double my efforts on finding out WHAT VERSION I have (on a CD at work!!)

I have found that the Vividlogic (Firebus) DTV recorder software can transfer files to and from the 3410A over a firewire port on the Windows platform, but it only works properly with a 19.3Kbps stream. Therefore, recordings from OTA stations with subchannels that are less than 19.3Kbps will not work. If null packets can be added by the 3410A to those recordings to bring the stream up to 19.3Kbps, then the Firebus software should work.

The Firebus software is still buggy, and has very restrictive licensing and DRM restrictions, but it's the only thing I know of that will work with the 3410A absent the purchase of a Mac, which I have refused to do so far for the sole purpose of streaming files to and from the 3410A.

IS that a Good Thing??? I'm not familiar with accessing the files on a 3410a.
I'd LIKE TO.... but I'd also like to do it via a Windows platform....

Please educate me on this!! I promise to re-double my efforts on finding out WHAT VERSION I have (on a CD at work!!)

Hi Jan J,

I am tracking all this technical stuff to get the most out of my LG 3410.

How do I check the firmware version on my current 3410?

Thanks,
Martin

Menu/Setup/Troubleshooting/Version Info

Looking at the data files, I'm thinking that maybe I've been given V1.14 and V1.16 firmware....... And I've never heard of those versions....

The data file names are:
MP116 0503.PHC and
MP114 0303.PHC and each are ~3mb

This would appear to be V1.14 and V1.16 firmware..... Which I've never heard of...

I didn't get the email I expected to, and will call him later today, and forwarded the names of the data files to someone else, along with information that V1.17 may be inserting null characters in SD recrodings for firewire transfers...... to another person....

For now, l'm laying low until I get more information....

If anyone can provide any information on the above files, I'm all ears!!!

jan I would love to upgrade to 1.17 as I am told it fixes the audio problem with TNT hd do you have a process and files by wwhich I can upgrade myself?

I've edited this post.... I'm back in the "Wait till I receive some new information" Mode.

The file that I think is V1.16 firmware was sent to someone for evaluation...

Jan