Hi Jan,

After several days of trying a number of things, I have one consistent observation that occurs only on this unit. If I set it to record a program, the timer will begin 2 min or so before the show begins. It will record the last 2 minutes of the previous program perfectly then shut itself off on the program change. The program i want to record fails to record. I guess I can try setting the program to start after the show begins but that is not right. My other 2 units record perfectly. This is the one with 1.15 FW. I have no explanation. I have plenty of signal.

The symptoms you describe are identical to what my wife encountered when trying to record the Composite output (modulated to a Channel) after our cable box died...and she was trying to do what she'd done for years on the old cable box....

Try this... MANUALLY go into record on that channel.... does it still bomb out in 3 seconds ? If so, watch the output of the 3410 when you tell it to record... Are you seeing any copy protection or the like prompts?

I don't thing this is exactly what you want, but on page 63 of the manual, it states that STB Code for the 3410a is 001

I do not recall ever seeing any in-depth information on IR codes, or any tests or diag modes on the IR codes....
and I just checked through it all.....

Does anyone have an IR code for this unit? I'm trying to plug the code into my Integra 40.1 remote. The code that Integra had in the database allows me to switch channels, but nothing else. As far as I can tell, it's not a learning remote. Thanks ahead. :)

Jan,
It records perfectly manually. Tonight I set the timer to record the Baltimore PBS affiliate using the timer on 123.2. It worked perfectly. It seems like the problem occurs only when tuned to the NBC Baltimore affiliate on 122.3.

I have an issue with unit 2. The clock picks up a minute a day. The other 2 keep perfect time. Cannot understand why.

Try re-editing the channel number in the channel look up list....

The bug info I saw for V1.15 to V1.17 upgrade had to do with cable channel not decoding Audio...

Try re-editing the channel number in the look up list.. to an incorrect channel.. Then re-edit the correct channel info.

Is this something new, or has it been bad on this channel forever?


I, too have one with slightly faster than normal clock...
There is no trimmer that I've seen.... must be the crystal fq is slightly off, which got masked by TVG... Without TVG channel, it doesn't update.... so it drifts...
I just set clock a bit early....

Thanks so much Jan! I'll give that a try later today. I don't have a manual, and can't find a free one on the internet.

Try re-editing the channel number in the channel look up list....

The bug info I saw for V1.15 to V1.17 upgrade had to do with cable channel not decoding Audio...

Try re-editing the channel number in the look up list.. to an incorrect channel.. Then re-edit the correct channel info.

Is this something new, or has it been bad on this channel forever?


I, too have one with slightly faster than normal clock...
There is no trimmer that I've seen.... must be the crystal fq is slightly off, which got masked by TVG... Without TVG channel, it doesn't update.... so it drifts...
I just set clock a bit early....

Sorry to be so thick but would you give me cookbook directions about what to do? I'm not sure what the "look-up list" is. Thanks Jan. BTW, the one with the fast clock is my very first unit.

Art, I discussed your symptoms with Wife, and she says we once had an issue with one HD OTA channel here in Chicago (9.1) that wouldn't find the channel... (This occurred on one unit only) until I went into list and changed it to something else, then back to where it was.... and then she no longer had issues.. We're all V1.17 here on all units.

When I get home tonight, I'll post procedure...

Thanks so much Jan! I'll give that a try later today. I don't have a manual, and can't find a free one on the internet.

http://www.lg.com/us/support/product/support-product-profile.jsp?customerModelCode=LST-3410A&matchedModelCode=1000000112&searchEngineModelCode=LST-3410A&initialTab=documents&targetPage=support-product-profile#

Thanks for the link! I see a list of codes at page 62 that are for "other devices", but not the code for THIS device. Also, I haven't been home yet to try the "001" code, but my memory is telling me that the Integra processor is requiring a four digit code. I'll know better this evening.

My memory was right. 001 did not work. The channel up and channel down work, but none of the timeshift features work. Pause, Play, FF, RW.

Art -- Here's the Edit that I was talking about....
Menu/Setup /Channel Edit.... Go to the channel in the appropriate area... The one you are having trouble with... The channel number that is presently saved is in Black.... Grey channels haven't been saved... Change that channel from the correct channel to something that works, but is in-correct... Once you do this... Re-Edit it again, putting the correct channel back in the list....

That's the edit procedure I'm talking about... and the one which fixed the channel 9-1 issue for my wife...

Art -- Here's the Edit that I was talking about....
Menu/Setup /Channel Edit.... Go to the channel in the appropriate area... The one you are having trouble with... The channel number that is presently saved is in Black.... Grey channels haven't been saved... Change that channel from the correct channel to something that works, but is in-correct... Once you do this... Re-Edit it again, putting the correct channel back in the list....

That's the edit procedure I'm talking about... and the one which fixed the channel 9-1 issue for my wife...

Thanks Jan,

Tried it but it still shuts off when the program begins. It starts when the timer commands then shuts off when the desired program begins. I get about 2 mminutes of unwanted stuff ffrom the previous show.

Art

One more test....
Physically swap RF cables between two units, to see if error follows V1.15 firmware....

If it does.... It must be a bug in the V1.15 firmware...

Could someone with a 3410 near an Apple computer connect a firewire cable between the computer and the LG.
Then fire up AVCBrowser and tell me if you see the LG listed as a device with:
Power off? Y/N
Power on? Y/N
Also report any subunits listed (Tuner/Disc?)

You will need to download the free FirewireSDK26 from Apple and drill down to the Applications folder to find AVCBrowser. You may need to register for an apple developer account in order to download the SDK, but it does not cost anything.

I have an EyeTV 500, Comcast DCH/X-3416, Sharp LC45GX6U and LG 3410 connected to my Pro tower between 2 different rooms.

The devices are connected through Newnex FireNEX S400 CAT5 repreaters with a 50ft CAT6 network cable.

The Sharp/EyeTV/Motorola DVR all show up, but the LG does not, at least when powered down, though it should.
It was 2:30AM last nght when I got everything connected and quickly fired up AVCBrowser, then called it quits for the night. I had no time to debug last night.

Tonight I have need to rearrange some connections and connect my AVHDD's to the network.

Somewhere I recall reading years ago the LG to cause problems on the firewire network depending on where it is connected in the bus, but dont remember the specifics.

I am hoping the LG exposes both a standards compliant AVC Tuner and Disc subunit, and will respond to subunit specific commands.

So, does your 3410 show up in the device list????

I don't have a Mac, but I heard that access to Mac's was head and shoulders above PC connections....

I wish someone made a software interface to the 3410a.... for PC's Wish you luck...

I heard there is no difference to the mac from V1.14 to V1.17....

Art, did you do the RF cable swap and test records? I'm nosy now...

I don't have a Mac, but I heard that access to Mac's was head and shoulders above PC connections....

I wish someone made a software interface to the 3410a.... for PC's Wish you luck...

I heard there is no difference to the mac from V1.14 to V1.17....

1.14 & 1.17 are firmware versions I suppose?
Where can I download the most recent firmware and how do you update the firmware on these boxes? I got my 3410 from a user here for just $60 a couple months ago and have not much expereience with it nor had time to play around much.

Yes-apple provides a nice Firewire SDK with basic foundation support for devices like this.....that is what I am working with, but a lot of code needs to be written to support hard drive recorders/players, or any disc based recorder/player. The specifications are hundreds of pages long and very comprehensive....

The Firmware's that I've seen in LG3410a's are as follows:
1.12 (I've seen One and I think it was a 3410)
1.14 (seen a few)
1.15 This is the primary release version
1.17 Last version..

What version is in yours?

The Firmware's that I've seen in LG3410a's are as follows:
1.12 (I've seen One and I think it was a 3410)
1.14 (seen a few)
1.15 This is the primary release version
1.17 Last version..

What version is in yours?

Good question. I just setup my 3410 last night and didnt lookup the firmware version. Tonight I will find out what it is. I see in the service manual that a FW upgrade requires a serial connection and where to get the FW files?

Anyhow, the unit seems to work fine, and I went through the TVG setup wizard, so hopefully I will have a guide populated tonight after work using OTA antenna hookup only?

I noticed the channel icons are somewhat dated, only missing so far is the CW, which basically used to be the UPN network, so I used that instead.

I tried the 1394 device list, but it complained that too many devices were connected and to disconnect them. I am really interested in if the unit shows up as a tuner/disc subunit on the network though and can be controlled by another device. I'll see if it shows up tonight. Keeping my finger crossed but know it very likely will not expose its subunits.

TVG only works on Analog broadcast or cable connections.......

And.....

The latest TVG corrupts the 3410a "locking up" TVG board, forcing a power cycle (that removed the decoded data), though TVG won't admit it....

I pulled the cap from my units, effectively killing TVG if it is even "encountered"...

Have had only one lockup on 4 units in 3+, or more, years....

qz3fwd,

My 3410a is buried deep inside a closet now, but I used to have no problem using it with virtualdVHS and dVHScap.

TVG only works on Analog broadcast or cable connections.......

And.....

The latest TVG corrupts the 3410a "locking up" TVG board, forcing a power cycle (that removed the decoded data), though TVG won't admit it....

I pulled the cap from my units, effectively killing TVG if it is even "encountered"...

Have had only one lockup on 4 units in 3+, or more, years....

My firmware version is 1.15. You were correct-no TVG data overnight on OTA only.

Last night I connected digital cable as well as OTA and finally figured out that a cable channel scan is only enabled after going back through the TVGuide setup and answering yes to having cable connected without a box. You should be able to go into EZScan and select both OTA and Cable and not burying it in the TVG setup page.

Checking 48317 on rovi's website indicates analog and digital guide data is avaliable through Comcast, so hopefully tonight there will be some guide data populated? I end up with 91 channels in total for OTA digital + analog cable + digital cable. Of these 17 are analog cable. I left the box tuned to CBS analog cable last night before powering down, so hopefully that is the analog host channel on comcast and will speed up locking onto the data and populating the guide database? I guess I will find out tonight after work.

qz3fwd,

My 3410a is buried deep inside a closet now, but I used to have no problem using it with virtualdVHS and dVHScap.

OK - thanks. Good to know.
I currently have the 3410 and a Motorola 3416 Comcast DVR in the living/family room which connect to a firewire->CAT5 hub/repeater running 50 feet into the bedroom where they are hooked into an 8 port hub, which then goes to the Mac as well as 5 other CE devices. The 3410 doesnt like having soo many firewire nodes and complains that I needs to disconnect some devices. There are currently at least 9 nodes. I think the 3410 can only handle 4 nodes?

I think what I need to try is running the 3410 on its own firewire interface.

Anyhow. This device is pretty cool. I wish they had released a second generation, with more robust TVGuide, more firewire functionality, and 2 tuners instead of just the 1.

Hi Jan,

I tried remapping the digital channel 122 to no avail. It still will come on an the timer set point but then shuts off when the desired program begins. This happens on only this machine. The other 2 work perfectly. It works correctly about 30% of the time. Cannot figure this one out. I have plenty of signal. If I set by hand, it will record perfectly.

TVG only works on Analog broadcast or cable connections.......

And.....

The latest TVG corrupts the 3410a "locking up" TVG board, forcing a power cycle (that removed the decoded data), though TVG won't admit it....

I pulled the cap from my units, effectively killing TVG if it is even "encountered"...

Have had only one lockup on 4 units in 3+, or more, years....

No guide data after 24 hours of being connected to both OTA and Cable, with Rovi's website claiming both Digital and Analog guide data avaliable from my provider (Comcast).

The device seems to make a very high pitched whining noise and there seems to be waviness/noise in the component video output. This is not the hard drive spinning. Is this normal to hear a very high pitched noise?

qz3fwd,

The 3410A will not and cannot pick up guide data any more. Period!!! The data it requires is no longer available so d not waste your time trying to get guide info. When the data was available, the units did not work correctly so even if there were data to be gotten, it would not be worth having. Re. high pitched sound. The hard drive is barely audible but not intrusive. If u have a high pitched whine, you might have a failing hard drive. Noise or waviness is not normal in the component output. I use both component and DVI on 3 units with no waviness. When operating properly, the output is the best output of any source I have.

OK Last thing to try before guessing you've found a bug in V1.15.....

Can you swap RF Feeds to the two units? and try again?

This would once and for all verify it is not anything external.....

At one time I heard that V1.17 fixed an audio decode problem on recieve..
Maybe it is a bug....


Hi Jan,

I tried remapping the digital channel 122 to no avail. It still will come on an the timer set point but then shuts off when the desired program begins. This happens on only this machine. The other 2 work perfectly. It works correctly about 30% of the time. Cannot figure this one out. I have plenty of signal. If I set by hand, it will record perfectly.

Hi Jan,

Appreciate your taking the time to listen. for some reason, this week it captured about half the shows I programmed into the timer. The other two 3410's continue to operate flawlessly. I am beginning to wonder if I may be overloading the front end of the tuner with too much signal. The other two have the same signal coming in but maybe this one is more sensitive? I need to buy more attenuators. Will let you know my friend.

OK - thanks. Good to know.
I currently have the 3410 and a Motorola 3416 Comcast DVR in the living/family room which connect to a firewire->CAT5 hub/repeater running 50 feet into the bedroom where they are hooked into an 8 port hub, which then goes to the Mac as well as 5 other CE devices. The 3410 doesnt like having soo many firewire nodes and complains that I needs to disconnect some devices. There are currently at least 9 nodes. I think the 3410 can only handle 4 nodes?

I think what I need to try is running the 3410 on its own firewire interface.

Anyhow. This device is pretty cool. I wish they had released a second generation, with more robust TVGuide, more firewire functionality, and 2 tuners instead of just the 1.

I don't know how many it will handle as I always did all of my firewire activity in my home theater set up with single connections via a firewire patch panel.

Of course, then I got married and the C-band dish, mpeg2 receivers, dVHS set up and HTPC got replaced by TiVo (which works great, by the way).

Sounds like something is intermittent in that unit, then....
I can understand it working, or not working, but intermittent working.... ??

Try it again with a 6db pad on the input... It is a Generation 2 turner & Chipset... It might be being overloaded....


Hi Jan,

Appreciate your taking the time to listen. for some reason, this week it captured about half the shows I programmed into the timer. The other two 3410's continue to operate flawlessly. I am beginning to wonder if I may be overloading the front end of the tuner with too much signal. The other two have the same signal coming in but maybe this one is more sensitive? I need to buy more attenuators. Will let you know my friend.

Don't forget to "Fall Back" your 3410a tonight!!!

It won't on it's own, now that TVG is corrupt.... (or you pulled the cap to disable TVG)


OOPS! I didn't say that!!

:)!

Success!!!! That tuner must be more sensitive than the other two. This week I captured 100% of the programs by inserting the attenuator. Another 3410A mystery resolved!!!!

I will run my (3) 3410's until they fail alongside (2) Comcast/MOT DCH 3416's . The PQ is superior to any source I have including my BluRay player. Watch a live football game through one of these and you will understand.

Good for you, Art!!!

Can't keep a good 3410a down!!

I found one of these at a local Thrift Store. I found this thread on my iphone before buying it and briefly read through it to determine if this unit was going to work for me. I didn't have any problems with the idea of manually recording only, so I got it. I spent last night setting it up and manually setting all of my programs for the week.

Life was good....until I found the "gotcha" that I didn't see coming: I just read that you can't watch a previously recorded program while it records another. Since I have a job and can only watch shows at night, this is the deal breaker. I'll be recording something every night in prime time. :(

I guess my TiVo subscription is safe. ;)

How much did it cost you atrac?
BTW-Are you a minidisc fan? (Based on your username which is the audio codec used for minidiscs)

atrac you are correct....
You will find it to be a useful purchase....

How much did it cost you atrac?
BTW-Are you a minidisc fan? (Based on your username which is the audio codec used for minidiscs)

It was $40. I think the mirrored look and "HD" on it caused them to mark it up a little more than they usually sell something like that. And surprisingly it had the remote.

Once a minidisc fan....always a minidisc fan! :)

Me too. Just won a Sony MDS-LSA1 MD player and matching CDP-LSA1 CD deck on fleabay.

Decided to check the format out after watching the matrix again where neo grabs a minidisc out of the false book.

Hey! Happy Holidays to you all!!!

Wife is still using the heck out of these units!!!!

Since pulling the "TVG cap", About the only time I touch them is to set the clock!!

I was cleaning a closet, and found a couple Quickview 120GB drives... Good units, that were pulled from operational 3410a's..

I have spares.... if anyone is in need of a drive to make one operational, contact me.

Also, if anyone has a 7200 RPM SATA2 laptop drive available, I am needing a good used one (for another un-related project)..

Thanks...

Jan J, I may be inheriting a unit that needs the cap fix. I read your removal steps, but do you have some "after photos" that I can look at.

in an earlier post you noted "I cut the cap in half, parallel to Printed Circuit Board, about 1/8" up from board. On this cap, cut it a bit lower than halfway. Then I carefully used a Dental pick or such, to carefully work the base of the cap off the plastic base.... I left the black plastic base and the two leads from the board on the board, just carefully worked the bottom of the cut in half capacitor off the plastic base, and verified that the two leads were not touching....."

I'm trying to picture this thing cut in half and what is "inside" that I have to work with to remove.

thanks

I'm sorry, I do not have a picture of the cap being cut.
There is a picture of WHICH CAP to remove, though.....
To be safe, Go to a TV Repair guy (If one still exists) and see if you can find a pcboard that's bad, and practice on that (Cutting Cap).... You'll see what looks like wax paper rolled in a tight circle... squished in between the can and two leads sticking up through it... The remainder of the can will be oval from the cutting action... Using a Dental Pick or something sharp like that, will work the remaining cap off the two leads...
Once it's off the leads, just verify that the leads are not touching... And that's it...

By cutting the cap case in half, in middle or lower than middle, you'll be able to carefully work the container and the rubber base of the cap off the leads.... But do it carefully, so you don't pull the lead and trace off the board..

Once you remove the cap the white "Guide" light on the panel will always be 'on'... Don't worry, you're not receiving anything...

I've got 4 done this way, and it never locks up, though the clocks slowly drifts, and you'll have to manually set DST in Spring and Fall.

OK, I'll try it (if I get the unit).... it sounds straightfwd.

one more question: I'm using this OTA only, no QAM. If I've read the threads correctly, since the OTA TVGuide is digital only, I shouldn't have to cut the cap, right? It then gets no TVG and I would then use it as a vcr.

You really don't have to 'cut the cap' anyway; just let it search (it will never find anything) & you'll get an empty program listing. I've used mine in a manual program mode for years without a problem.

Stanton is correct. I use my 3 the same way without removing the capacitor. I am connected to Comcast and OTA and record from both.

Actually, the only reason why you'd have to cut the cap is if you are still receiving analog cable......

CBS has an agreement to carry TVG on analog cable....

If you have analog cable connected, you may need to cut the cap...if you encounter the 3-day lockup senerio... If you don't get data and lockup the unit.... don't worry...

P.S. I was doing some work where I was removing a cap, and after cutting the cap, the shape of what remained on the PCB was football shaped, not oval.
I took some needle nose pliers, and squeezed the sharp ends of the cut cap from football shaped to nearly circular in nature... That made the remaining part easier to get off the leads.... I hadn't posted that before....

OK, I got the unit installed. I scanned the ANT channels and everything on the dvr seems to be working. I have a test recording setup for later on. My only problem is my dvhs unit. I hooked it up, and the LG see it and can control it. The problem is when I put in a tape with content; it says the tape is not a dvhs tape and to please put one in. I've tried the other inputs and I'm perplexed. The dvhs works with my old hitachi rptv. Oh, the dvhs is a mits hs-hd1100.

any ideas?

The 3410 only worked with a couple of D-VHS units; I suspect this one was not on that (short) list. Based on experience, don't waste your time trying to get it to work. Just enjoy the great picture quality of OTA recording.

OK, I got the unit installed. I scanned the ANT channels and everything on the dvr seems to be working. I have a test recording setup for later on. My only problem is my dvhs unit. I hooked it up, and the LG see it and can control it. The problem is when I put in a tape with content; it says the tape is not a dvhs tape and to please put one in. I've tried the other inputs and I'm perplexed. The dvhs works with my old hitachi rptv. Oh, the dvhs is a mits hs-hd1100.

any ideas?

It only oficially supported the Mits HV-HD1000 (I think its a Japanese DVHS), and only 1 DVHS could be attached to it, it doesnt act properly as a repeater, nor does it properly function in a firewire network.

When I hooked my unit up to my main 1394 network, it complained there were more than 4 devices present and to disconnect some of the devices.
What a fubar'ed implementation. I am suprised they were allowed to call it a IEEE1394 device.

The JVC HM-DH30000U was also officially supported; and I never had a problem with the 40000U even though it wasn't officially supported. I don't know about he model with the built-in ATSC tuner, though.

It only oficially supported the Mits HV-HD1000 (I think its a Japanese DVHS), and only 1 DVHS could be attached to it, it doesnt act properly as a repeater, nor does it properly function in a firewire network.

When I hooked my unit up to my main 1394 network, it complained there were more than 4 devices present and to disconnect some of the devices.
What a fubar'ed implementation. I am suprised they were allowed to call it a IEEE1394 device.

I think in earlier posts you noted that you had some 2000u units. Did you try to hook one directly to the LG? That is without any other 1394 devices in the picture. I thought there was one guy that had a 2000u unit working, but there was little info to back it up.

I'll keep trying for a little bit more.

I have a Mits 2000U. I haven't used it in years but when I did it was with my 3410A, even though the 2000U wasn't on LG's approved list. No other 1394 devices on the line. It worked well for copying programs to or from the DVR's HDD or watching from tape but I was never able to record an incoming program directly to the Mits rather than to the LG's drive.

I used S-VHS tape with the Mits, which worked as long as I pushed a button on the front to tell it so. If you're using S-VHS tape and haven't told it, that might explain its refusal to recognize it.

I hadn't used the mits in awhile as I had a dvr doing its job, but when I inherited the LG, I decided to give the mits a spin again. Anyhow, I took the vcr back to the hitachi where it was originally installed and now it won't playback thru the hitachi either. I can play analog tape back thru the rear jacks, and (this is the weird part) if I play back a dvhs tape (a real one) on the mits to the hitachi in FF mode, then it will start to throw up images. Once, briefly, it played back as I was adjusting the tracking, but then it went black again. This is odd. I opened it and saw nothing loose.

Anyhow, I tried to duplicate the same behavior on the LG. As soon as I stick in the dvhs tape, the LG says the tape is not a dvhs tape. The dvhs and 1394 lights on the mits are lit up.

I did the 8 second reset trick, so I'm now looking for other tips. In any event, it is a VCR issue now.

a quick followup, it seems to be working sometimes now on the LG at normal playback speed. I have an old best buy dvhs demo tape that is running at the moment. It strangely seems like the longer the vcr runs the more stable it gets, like it is waking from hibernation or something. I'm going to play it over and over for awhile. This is odd. Somewhere in there I also did the 8 second reset, but that didn't seem to help much.

I think in earlier posts you noted that you had some 2000u units. Did you try to hook one directly to the LG? That is without any other 1394 devices in the picture. I thought there was one guy that had a 2000u unit working, but there was little info to back it up.

I'll keep trying for a little bit more.
No because most of the components are in the bedroom while the LG is in the living room with the bedroom, office, living room firewire networks connected together.

I've perused and searched this thread and have not found much hope, but figured it may be worth a post.

I have a pretty specific need - hoping to time shift F1 HD broadcasts from a scrambled cable channel, without an HTPC. The SciAtl 4250 has a 1394 output that I gather will work if the HDMI is unplugged (or at least off) - not a problem for these far flung time zones.

I was hoping the 3410 may be able to tune to the 1394 and record (so I can play back over component and 5.1/optical), but it sounds like there may be a handshake issue. I found one post that failed on this concept with a different cable box.

Is this something worth buying & trying, or is it as hopeless as it sounds?
I'd really rather avoid the D-VHS route as I figure transport issues are inevitable. It's good to hear the 3410 survives the TVGOS debacle.

Thanks,
- Jeff

I've perused and searched this thread and have not found much hope, but figured it may be worth a post.

I have a pretty specific need - hoping to time shift F1 HD broadcasts from a scrambled cable channel, without an HTPC. The SciAtl 4250 has a 1394 output that I gather will work if the HDMI is unplugged (or at least off) - not a problem for these far flung time zones.

I was hoping the 3410 may be able to tune to the 1394 and record (so I can play back over component and 5.1/optical), but it sounds like there may be a handshake issue. I found one post that failed on this concept with a different cable box.

Is this something worth buying & trying, or is it as hopeless as it sounds?
I'd really rather avoid the D-VHS route as I figure transport issues are inevitable. It's good to hear the 3410 survives the TVGOS debacle.

Thanks,
- Jeff

The 3410 cannot tune scrambled cable channels, only clear QAM.
Also the unit will likely not stream the ts from you cable box after unscrambling the content even if it is flagged copy freely. Sorry.
You need either a DVHS deck which will work with your cable box, Tivo, or cablecard computer tuner like the HDHomeRun Prime.

The 3410 cannot tune scrambled cable channels, only clear QAM.
Also the unit will likely not stream the ts from you cable box after unscrambling the content even if it is flagged copy freely. Sorry.
You need either a DVHS deck which will work with your cable box, Tivo, or cablecard computer tuner like the HDHomeRun Prime.

I understand clear QAM tuners, but not how the 1394 out from my cable box is encoded. Are you saying that output would be essentially .ts?

Reading the manual for the 3410 it looks like they have integrated control functions to the point that you can't just point to the input and record, or can you? And if you can, can you do it by timer? what will it capture for audio?

One of these would be so much nicer than the dvhs solution, I can't help but hope...

Thanks,
-Jeff

I understand clear QAM tuners, but not how the 1394 out from my cable box is encoded. Are you saying that output would be essentially .ts?

Reading the manual for the 3410 it looks like they have integrated control functions to the point that you can't just point to the input and record, or can you? And if you can, can you do it by timer? what will it capture for audio?

One of these would be so much nicer than the dvhs solution, I can't help but hope...

Thanks,
-Jeff

If you have:
(1) a cable provided box with functional firewire output and
(2) the 3410 is connected to it through firewire and
(3) the specific content you want to record is encrypted but flagged copy freely
(4) your cable box has broadcast out or the 3410 can establish a point to point connection with the cable box
you will be able to record the content.
The cable box should output a un-encrypted transport stream over firewire to any device IF it is flagged copy freely. This typically means all your locals, AMC, SciFi, FX, Spike, UHD, MGM, HDNet, IFC, etc will be copy freely, but HBO/Showtime/Cinemax are Copy Once and therefore not recordable by the 3410 since I do not think it is 5C capable.

All you are doing is saving the video/audio sent by the content provider/cable provider untouched, so whatever video/audio they send, you will capture.
In the US it means MPEG2 video and AC3 audio.

Excellent, that sounds like it has the slim chance I'd hoped for.

Worth a try by the sound of it. Now to try and round one of these up!

Edit to add, thanks very much to the contributors here, without whom keeping up the obsoleted stuff would not be practical. I salute!

Thanks very very much,
- Jeff

The JVC HM-DH30000U was also officially supported; and I never had a problem with the 40000U even though it wasn't officially supported. I don't know about he model with the built-in ATSC tuner, though.

Here is a list of the officially supported dVHS decks from the owners manual:
DVHS Manufacturers Compatible Models
Victor HM-DH30000
Panasonic NV-DH1, NV-DH2
Hitachi DT-DR20000, DT-DRX100
Toshiba A-HD2000
JVC HM-DH30000U
Mitsubishi HV-HD1000

It really helps to have the dVHS deck as the only firewire device connected to the 3410a. I didn't have any problems using a dVHS emulator on my Mac as well, although it's been so long I can't remember exactly how things worked.

Hi Gang,

My ancient and beloved 3410A has finally given up the ghost. No front control panel lights or response to unplugging and replugging the power cord. Is there any hope for a repair and reincarnation or are these old units simply too out of date to be fixed?

I really liked the images it presented and would continue to use it as a back-up DVR if it can be fixed. All thoughts (and condolences) appreciated.


--Mike

Refer to page 78 on the service manual, the power supply..

Over and above the cap replacement done here... Also do the following..
Take a resistor lead and solder it from Pin 18 of the Switching transformer to the Anode of D128.... This is a well known intermittant/bad solder connection... You are effectively putting a short across a short.... preventing this from happening in the future.

I'd also suggest shotgunning the following caps. C128, 129, 127, 122 124, And changer C125 from 2200 to 3300

Once this is done, if it doesn't come up normally, measure the voltage on the power supply and post results...
The FD+ and FD- drive the front display.... I've forgotten nominal voltages, (-31v & -33v I think, but I forgot which was where) but if they are the same (within .5v, I'd check ZD151 I've seen this short on 2 units.

Also... C108 on primary side of switching supply is known to dry out...
I've never seen C107 act up, though!

Hi Gang,

My ancient and beloved 3410A has finally given up the ghost. No front control panel lights or response to unplugging and replugging the power cord. Is there any hope for a repair and reincarnation or are these old units simply too out of date to be fixed?

I really liked the images it presented and would continue to use it as a back-up DVR if it can be fixed. All thoughts (and condolences) appreciated.


--Mike

I have a perfectly good used 3410A that I am willing to sell. I switched to Tivo after the analog conversion.
PM me if you are interested?

Robin

Jan--

Thanks so much for the detailed response. The last soldering I did was on a 9 volt battery lead for one of my stomp boxes, so this is going to be a real test of my skill and patience. I'll download the manual and see how far I get. I might as well give it a shot; in its present form it's little more than a boat anchor.


--Mike

Try this first....
unplug from wall..
Open up unit....
Examine caps.. If you see ANY Brown liquid at base of caps, or SWELLING of ANY CAPS.
You'll need to replace them.... The cap numbers I posted are ones I regularly 'shotgun'.

But before you do... if you feel confident to do so, measure power supply voltages.... compare them with the schematic.... FD+ FD- being incorrect will halt display from working.
That bad solder connection is in the same area...

I guess I have one last shot at this.


Reading the manual for the 3410 it looks like they have integrated control functions to the point that you can't just point to the input and record, or can you?

If you have:
(4) your cable box has broadcast out or the 3410 can establish a point to point connection with the cable box you will be able to record the content.


I now have a 3410 and a jvc40000 on the firewire from the cable box, and the jvc will record @1080i just fine, although it seems to top out at DD3.1 for some reason.

I am not able to find signal on the firewire inputs on the 3410 regardless of whether the jvc is on the network or not - just a straight "no signal" (on av1 or 2).

The JVC is somewhat odd about the firewire, which I can only select as input by running the channel select from the front panel itself. Is there a magic trick to getting the 3410 to recognize the input? Do I have to have completed a channel scan (no other input avail) or somehow defeat the non-existent guide or something?

I would so much prefer to be doing this time shifting with the 3410.

Thanks for any thoughts,
- Jeff

I guess I have one last shot at this.





I now have a 3410 and a jvc40000 on the firewire from the cable box, and the jvc will record @1080i just fine, although it seems to top out at DD3.1 for some reason.

I am not able to find signal on the firewire inputs on the 3410 regardless of whether the jvc is on the network or not - just a straight "no signal" (on av1 or 2).

The JVC is somewhat odd about the firewire, which I can only select as input by running the channel select from the front panel itself. Is there a magic trick to getting the 3410 to recognize the input? Do I have to have completed a channel scan (no other input avail) or somehow defeat the non-existent guide or something?

I would so much prefer to be doing this time shifting with the 3410.

Thanks for any thoughts,
- Jeff

As I recall, the 3410 is really picky (actually standards non-compliant) about what/how many devices are on the firewire network. Try disconnecting the cable box so that it is not on the firewire network such that only the 3410 and jvc are the only nodes. Then you should be able to see the jvc when you go into the firewire menu and use it as the recording/playback device.

As I recall, the 3410 is really picky (actually standards non-compliant) about what/how many devices are on the firewire network. Try disconnecting the cable box so that it is not on the firewire network such that only the 3410 and jvc are the only nodes. Then you should be able to see the jvc when you go into the firewire menu and use it as the recording/playback device.

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of. Since my intent is only to record from the cable box by firewire, looks like I may have a 3410 for sale. It's a shame, was really hoping to use it rather than tape. Any other suggestions for Firewire to disk and out to component without a PC?

Thanks,
- Jeff

Not likely since the cable boxes (motorola at least) are only designed to operate with a DVHS deck it seems, and the LG is also only designed to communicate with a DVHS deck. The cable box implements a partial Panel subunit, and the LG implements partial tuner/disc subunits. Both should be able to talk to each other, but since they are incompete implementations, neither can and both are very limited.

I now have a 3410 and a jvc40000 on the firewire from the cable box, and the jvc will record @1080i just fine, although it seems to top out at DD3.1 for some reason.

I am not able to find signal on the firewire inputs on the 3410 regardless of whether the jvc is on the network or not - just a straight "no signal" (on av1 or 2).I don't think anyone has succeeded in getting the 3410 to record from an STB. However, AV1 and AV2 aren't involved; they're both composite inputs.

Try this: connect just the JVC to the 3410 via Firewire (no STB). Watch the output of the 3410 (any output should do: DVI, component, RGB, etc.) and press the 1394 button on the remote. You should get a panel with VCR controls for the JVC that will let you record to it or record or play from it. That's probably the best you can do but if it works you can try adding the STB to the mix.

If you do get it all working, report back. I have a Mits HS-HD2000U D-VHS that works with the 3410, though I haven't used it in years. I'd like to record via Firewire from my STB (Motorola QIP7100 2 on FiOS) but I've about given up on it. I had it working to my HTPC using ExDeus' STB Firewire drivers and CapDVHS. Then one day it didn't work for no obvious reason. Later it started working again and still later it stopped and hasn't worked since. Like most consumer-grade digital video connections it seems designed not to work unless certain unrealistic conditions are met.

"Nary a picture will you see,
Until you answer my questions three."

Broadcasters wouldn't put up with that, and they didn't. Eventually I hope we can replace our trouble-prone Firewire and HDMI with the broadcast equivalents ASI and HD-SDI respectively. Of course the MPAA would fight that bitterly.

I don't think anyone has succeeded in getting the 3410 to record from an STB. However, AV1 and AV2 aren't involved; they're both composite inputs.

Try this: connect just the JVC to the 3410 via Firewire (no STB). Watch the output of the 3410 (any output should do: DVI, component, RGB, etc.) and press the 1394 button on the remote. You should get a panel with VCR controls for the JVC that will let you record to it or record or play from it. That's probably the best you can do but if it works you can try adding the STB to the mix.

Thanks for the tip, gave me some headway but unfortunately not enough. Although I had the 1394 light on front panel I could not select that input there. Finding the (how did I miss this?) plainly marked button on the remote does select the firewire (does ID it as AV2 in the scrolling front panel message). I do get an icon for the STB but selecting same only gives me 'invalid device'. I was hoping I could do something controlling the JVC to get a recordable hidef signal on the 3410 but if there's an incantation there I can't seem to find it. Not sure what the use model was supposed to be, it gets a bit confusing using the LG to control the JVC.

"Nary a picture will you see,
Until you answer my questions three."

Ain't that the darn truth!

Best,
- Jeff

Finding the plainly marked button on the remote does select the firewire (does ID it as AV2 in the scrolling front panel message). I do get an icon for the STB but selecting same only gives me 'invalid device'. I was hoping I could do something controlling the JVC to get a recordable hidef signal on the 3410 but if there's an incantation there I can't seem to find it.

Had a chance to try further.

If I select the JVC from the 1394 menu I can get a picture if (previously) the Source is set to analog. I can record this. Unfortunately the result is a somewhat degraded 480i, about what you'd see on a marginal standard VHS. Not even close to the non-HD version of the same channel.

There has to be a way to capture the 1080i the JVC is seeing, but I appear to be too dim to find it. I still cannot imagine the original engineering intent behind all this...

Thanks for listening,
- Jeff

I am selling a LG-3410A on Ebay if you guys are interested. I am moving and I don't need this great unit. Item ID 221007612671

Cheers

Sorry, here is the item link on Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221007612671)

Can you replace the original hard drive with bigger one?Any chance to retrieve the EPG with this unit?It's kind of like an outdate device but I really need a PVR for OTA.Thanks for any advice in advance.

I have spare 120Gb quickview drives that were pulled from working 3410a's.
Yes, you can put in PATA drives.... even if they are not quickview drives....
I've put in a 250Gb PC Replacement drive I got from Wallmart maybe 5 years ago, and it hasn't burped once. I also found a 320Gb quickview drive, and that's on another one....

If you're interested, think of something to trade for it it... to keep costs down...

Can you replace the original hard drive with bigger one?Any chance to retrieve the EPG with this unit?It's kind of like an outdate device but I really need a PVR for OTA.Thanks for any advice in advance.You will not be able to get any sort of guide data with this unit OTA.

You can set manual timers, though.

You will not be able to get any sort of guide data with this unit OTA.

You can set manual timers, though.

Has anyone tried the Artec T3APR-T, which apparently Sony DHG users have been able to use to supply the Sony with an analog TVGOS data stream, or is the LG not compatible with any analog data stream?

Maybe someone with a 3410, sony, and artec could do a little experiment?

What version TVG data is that claiming to support??

On 3 of my 4 3410a my units. I've CUT OUT the TVG cap... On the 4th, I've put a switch on it. so I could enable/disable TVG data "As Necessary"....

IF (And I say that with tongue solidly wedged against my cheek-- MAINLY BECAUSE I DON'T TRUST THEM) They can support EARLY V7 TVG data (Early, before they intentionally Over-Run the memory with then LG3410a)..... THEN, (And Only Then) we have a Fighting Chance of retrieving the TVG data....

Later V7 TVG Data OVER-RUNS the available TVG data in the LG3410a in approx 3 days, leaving the LG3410a Locked up.....

Removing the TVG Cap (My name -- not the part #) is the only Viable solution in keeping the LG-3410a viable...

My $.02

Jan J--


Thanks again for your help with diagnosing my aged 3410. I had someone else do the soldering (it was the weak solder point mentioned--and he redid several other solder points as well) and it's back in service. I did purchase a Channel Master 7400, but will still use the 3410 for transfers of material to my mac. All the Best.



--Mike

I remember seeing disassembly hi-res pictures posted here at avs for either the hdr-230 or maybe it was the sony dhg. Has there every been and inside pics of the LG posted here? I am thinking of opening up one of the 2 units I have to check something out and wondered if folks would find it usefull?

Most of us have opened our 3410A's many times in the near decade we have owned them. However, I do not recall seeing a picture of the insides published here. Please do so. I'm sure many will find the picture helpful.

On another matter. Jan et al, the one unit of three that I had trouble with before is worse. Now, it will not record even though it says it is recording and I get an amber record light. Thoughts?

I remember seeing disassembly hi-res pictures posted here at avs for either the hdr-230 or maybe it was the sony dhg. Has there every been and inside pics of the LG posted here? I am thinking of opening up one of the 2 units I have to check something out and wondered if folks would find it usefull?

There is an archived thread "Photos of the inside of the LG LST-3410A" with picures at the link below.

http://archive.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=367927

-James

Art, give me more information.. I don't remember what problem you had before.
and I need more symptoms of your current symptom...
Is it the same channel, or all channels, will existing recordings play back..... ???

Hi Jan,

One of my three 3410's fails to record even though the amber record lamp is on. Regardless off whether I set the record manually or use the timer, the recording lasts about a minute or two then stops. The amber light remains on. Cannot figure this one out..

Never ever saw that on any of the 4 I have...
There was a version of code that had trouble tuning in sub channels fast enough to go into record, therefore skipping it. Do you get any of the recording? What firmware version are you on?

The failure occurs only on this unit, not my other 2. This unit has FW 1.17. The recording begins for a minute or 2 then nothing. The amber light comes on and stays on. It happens on cable channels or OTA.

All 4 of my units have 1.17...

I've never encountered this. What channel are you trying to record...
If you record another one does it work? Is it following a channel or all channels...
Signal strength?
Dunno...

Jan,

I've tried multiple channels, cable and OTA. I've blown air over the chassis. I cannot figure this one out either. It seems to stop after the lead in ends and the program begins. I have tried manually hitting the record button but tit does the same thing i.e. shuts off in a minute or two. I am really confounded.

The signal strength varies between cable and OTA with OTA a lot higher. I'm beginning to believe the hard disc is wearing out. It has been over 8 years of constant operation. Maybe 4-6 hours/day on weekdays and Sunday.

I just thought of something....
Wife informs me (she remembers everything!) she had this once, and now I remember.

She was going to record Hallmark Channel off cablebox (off CH 3 or 4 RF from Cable-box)...
And it would start recording, then stop a couple seconds into it...

Schedule a recording and watch it as it happens... Does it say Copyright Protection, or something along those lines?

I looked at the decoded video on a monitor where I could Pulse Cross the video screen, and saw copy protection in the NTSC Composite video in both horizontal and vertical areas of the vertical blanking....

When We watched a scheduled recording happen through the LG, we saw a window pop up about 5 seconds after recording start, indicating something along the lines of copy protected, and recording would stop...

I have not seen this happen with OTA HD transmissions....
Watch it and see what pops up....

If it is a hard disk issue.. It should prompt that as well.. Re-Initialize it and see if that fixes it... (Will Erase everything)

I will re intialize it because I'm not getting any warnings. There has been chatter about comcast wanting to charge for local free channels. Maybe they have placed a flag on their programming. If that were so, the 2 others would do the same. I will intitialize.

^ It would be illegal for Comcast to place a copy protection flag on Over-The-Air networks. The FCC has said that those must remain Copy-Freely.

In fact, Comcast is lobbying to change the FCC regulations.

Well I'm lobbying the FCC for a pony.

Me and Comcast have the same odds at getting what we want.