$2000.00 and only 120 gig....no thanks.

WOW. I never would have guessed that much.

The Sony DHG 250/500 isn't the only HD DVR -Tuner currently on the US market that also a cable card slot in the back. The Mitsubishi HD-6000 came out at the same time as the Sonys . Here's the link:

http://www.mitsubishi-tv.com/other/details.asp?catId=3&id=66

Yeah, I've known about that one for a long time but it only has 120GB and costs a fortune. It's also unclear if it actually exists. I've never seen anyone selling them. None of the local Mitsubishi retailers could ever get it and the only online sources that list is seem to be the fraudulent shops.

That's exactly what I'm doing. Fortunately the South Carolina ETV stations provide a good program guide at http://www.scetv.org/ which allows me to display a week's worth of listings for any of their (sub)channels on one page. Of course I get their monthly printed guide, but it doesn't have listings for the HD channel or the "SC Channel" that has state-oriented programming.

And then there's titantv.com.

I did find a shortcut for those manual recordings, instead of having to enter the date and start/stop times by hand. If you tune to a station that isn't in the TVGOS listings, then when you enter the guide there's a line of dummy listings at the top of the grid, labeled with the channel number and divided into half-hour blocks, each labeled AIR. You can select one of those blocks and schedule a recording for it just like for a normal program listing. If your desired program is longer than a half hour, select the first half hour and adjust the recording to end late by an appropriate amount of time. Just today I added a new PBS sub-channel into the guide by going into the channel guide, finding an unused channel with the PBS logo and putting in the channel number and turning it on. They may actually come up with a slot for it and the guide data eventually, (if they haven't already - I just didn't want to do a re-setting and lose all my current guide data unless I really have to - I figure I'll find out eventually, anyway), and now I have the logo programmed in and can use the block method you mention as an alternative.

I definitely prefer the grid guide pictured as opposed to the live guide. I'm glad it's an option.I thought I would too...until I started using the TiVo. That all changed after using it; you might be surprised.

I wonder if the Series 3 Tivo will show more columns in the grid guide when using a 16:9 display. I like the extra wide TVGOS grid that the HDD250 puts out when using 1080i format.

fyi, the 500 is back on Crutchfield's site.

Sharon!!!

MORE NEWS!!!!

Direct from PBS in Buffalo as of Friday morning:

"I finally have some good news. We did find a problem "down stream" from the PBS VBI equipment. I seems that our own "VITS" (vertical interval test signal) generator was unintentionally inserting test
signals on some of the same lines that carry the Gemstar data, corrupting it. PBS has a remote monitoring system in place for their VBI equipment, but they look at it (via modem) before our VITs
generator and therefore saw no problems. PBS is going to send us equipment so we can monitor the data over-the-air locally, which will be a huge help. We've corrected the VITS generator problem."

I'd say go ahead and try WNED as your TVGOS source - looks like they might have found the problem...

Bob
wow Bob, Been afk for a little bit...I was responding to your earlier post when I scrolled down and found this post.
We did try OTA only last week and 17 did not download.


Mike has been editing the channels and I almost want to go wake him up and tell him this latest information.

I am able to access the diagnostics (thanks to this forum).

I will let you know in the morning if we are back 100% or not with WNED.

fingers crossed,
Sharon

Mike has been editing the channels and I almost want to go wake him up and tell him this latest information.

I am able to access the diagnostics (thanks to this forum).

I will let you know in the morning if we are back 100% or not with WNED.

fingers crossed,
Sharon

Keep me posted! FYI, if the download does work from WNED you're going to have to start all over with channel editing anyway. Remember to make sure you change from a Canadian postal code back to your zip code. If you catch it early enough this morning there should be a download commencing around 10AM and a full guide download after 1:30 PM. Leave the unit off until about 6PM tonight then check the listings. You'll have to set your cable lineup to Adelphia from the settings menu if it does appear to be working or you'll get only OTA channel listings. It will ask if you want to use Adelphia or Adelphia Digital if the datastream is working. I didn't see any real difference in channel listings when it was working...

Bob

Just curious if the Sony can receive 1080p... the manual includes these Broadcast Standards on page 90:
- ATSC (8VSB Terrestrial)
- ATSC Compliant 8VSB (1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i)


Since "ATSC Compliant 8VSB" fails to specifically list 1080p, does 1080p fall into the "ATSC (8VSB Terrestrial)" category?

Oh I realize the Sony won't output 1080p... my concern is having the ability downconvert future 1080p broadcasts.

-T

WOW. I never would have guessed that much.

The Mits HD-6000 is meant to be a TV. That is, it's intended to connect to a tunerless flat panel. It has all the guts of a TV with functions like brightness and color adjustments, PIP/POP, etc. --- and with a DVR added.

THAT's why it's so expensive.

It was announced in April of 2004 (yes, 2004). It MAY be available now or soon. It appears to be part of a new model Mits flat panel --- LT-4260 I believe --- and also to be available separately.

I've been keeping an eye on it because of the firewire. It also has three sets of component in jacks and has an HDMI in AND out.

But the specs do not say if you can play back a previously recorded program during a separate timer recording. And no one knows if the HDD can easily be replaced with a larger one. The guide is probably the same as the Sony. And I seem to recall that Mits TV's with TVGOS have had some problems beyond the typical ones.

I think that a group of folks in this forum could easily design the perfect DVR, but the big TV companies with all their resources can't seem to figure out what we want. Very strange.

Well folks, it's happened again. For the third time this week, my HDD500 with CC and Bright House Networks cable service has gone loopy and lost access to the premium channels (ALL HBO/SHO/other digital premiums channels ~100 and above), including some, but not all, of the HD channels. For example, it gives a black screen when I try to tune channel 713 (the local NBC HD channel), but it tunes fine to the CBS and ABC HD cannels (706 and 708).

With the system in this state, tuned to 720 (HBOHD) and giving a black screen, I went into Menu\Preferences\System\CableCard and guess what? There were no options in there at all to get to CC diagnostics and whatnot.

Just a message: "There are no CableCARD messages available from your service provider."

The main Sony system diagnostics screen had info that the CableCARD was inserted and "00B Sections:0"

Any ideas folks? Has anyone else seen something like this? No error messages whatsoever.

Once again, rebooting the system (unplug, replug) brings the system back to normal. I'm starting to think I'm going to have to call Sony, but is there any sort of reset that might offer hope here?

FWIW I'm using Software Version 1.2.06, my HD's are almost empty, they run at 95 and 102 F respectively. Digital cable signal strength is 83% and considered good.

Marc

I noticed for then first time tonight that the video of an HDTV show would get choppy for a few seconds (almost looked like the show was displayed at ~15 frames/sec if that makes sense). Anyway, when I hit replay and watched the same scene again, it was not choppy.

Happened twice: 1) I was watching a live broadcast and I was also recording it; 2) happened while watching a recorded program while the Sony was recording a different program.

NOTE: the Sony was set to output all material at 720p. The programs in question were 1080i from CBS in Orlando. When I switched the Sony to NATIVE, I never saw choppy video again, but that could be just coincidence.

It's late and my projector is turned off, so I don't have the firmware version. I saw several posts that dealt with choppy video, but those posts were related to San Francisco OTA.

-T

Just a followup... choppy video again when playing back a recorded program (broadcast in 1080i, but played back at 720p), only this time I was NOT recording another show at the same time.

Has anyone seen this behavior? I am considering exchanging the unit for a different unit at Best Buy (if they still have them available).

-T

fyi, the 500 is back on Crutchfield's site....but says no longer available.

Just a followup... choppy video again when playing back a recorded program (broadcast in 1080i, but played back at 720p), only this time I was NOT recording another show at the same time.

Has anyone seen this behavior? I am considering exchanging the unit for a different unit at Best Buy (if they still have them available).

-T


By Choppy video I assume you mean image broken up into squares. I had that problem with last monday's "Vegas", which occurred thru the entire show - so bad that I stopped watching it. I don't believe that the recorder caused that problem since I didn't see it on the 11 o'clock news on that same channel. After that, saw J Leno headlines in wide screen but after midnight it reduced to narrow screen, which is unlikely due to the recorder. I suspect most of image breakup I see occurs before the signal is transmitted by the TV station, since the recorder is set to cable channels, execpt for those not carried by cable.

Did anyone else have problem with Vegas?

Has anybody seen HDD250's at Best Buy in the Chicago area (I live in Naperville).

Thanks!

You might want to check out the Tweeter at Fox Valley or elsewhere. That's where I bought mine - they matched Best Buy's price.


Mitch

By Choppy video I assume you mean image broken up into squares. I had that problem with last monday's "Vegas", which occurred thru the entire show - so bad that I stopped watching it. I don't believe that the recorder caused that problem since I didn't see it on the 11 o'clock news on that same channel. After that, saw J Leno headlines in wide screen but after midnight it reduced to narrow screen, which is unlikely due to the recorder. I suspect most of image breakup I see occurs before the signal is transmitted by the TV station, since the recorder is set to cable channels, execpt for those not carried by cable.

Did anyone else have problem with Vegas?

Not blocky... choppy. Imagine looking at person moving when a strobe light is on... one moment their are is at some position, and in a blink of an eye, their arm appears to move several inches... not smooth at all. That is what I am seeing.

But I could not wait for a response... returned the HDD250, and purchased a new one. At first I was just going to exchange it for a new one... asked the gal if I would get a fresh 30 days return policy on the new one, and she said no. So I had to return, then purchase a new one.

Hopefully I won't have choppy issues with this one.

-T

...but says no longer available.

it was at low stock when I checked, now it's been pulled again. I guess they went quick.

Not blocky... choppy. Imagine looking at person moving when a strobe light is on... one moment their are is at some position, and in a blink of an eye, their arm appears to move several inches... not smooth at all. That is what I am seeing.

But I could not wait for a response... returned the HDD250, and purchased a new one. At first I was just going to exchange it for a new one... asked the gal if I would get a fresh 30 days return policy on the new one, and she said no. So I had to return, then purchase a new one.

Hopefully I won't have choppy issues with this one.

-T

I've seen that effect on my set also but I don't attribute it to the recorder, which is essentially a special purpose PC. My understanding is that the recorder doesn't do any signal compression. It just takes the received digital bits and stores them in the hard drive. In my experience, most computer problems are software related, and so if software is faulty, only fix is software upgrade.

I've seen that effect on my set also but I don't attribute it to the recorder, which is essentially a special purpose PC. My understanding is that the recorder doesn't do any signal compression. It just takes the received digital bits and stores them in the hard drive. In my experience, most computer problems are software related, and so if software is faulty, only fix is software upgrade.

If after seeing a choppy scene when playing back, I hit the the replay button (goes back in time 15 seconds) and replay the same scene... not choppy. So it looks like the bits are stored onto the disk correctly... so it must be the Sony having a problem when reading the data off the disk.

Anyway, the Sony in question had a build data of July 2005. My new Sony has a build date of June 2005 (firmware x.x.06). I have the Sony configured same as the old one... only time will tell if I see choppy video.

-T

With the system in this state, tuned to 720 (HBOHD) and giving a black screen, I went into Menu\Preferences\System\CableCard and guess what? There were no options in there at all to get to CC diagnostics and whatnot.

Just a message: "There are no CableCARD messages available from your service provider."

The main Sony system diagnostics screen had info that the CableCARD was inserted and "00B Sections:0"

Any ideas folks? Has anyone else seen something like this? No error messages whatsoever.

Once again, rebooting the system (unplug, replug) brings the system back to normal. I'm starting to think I'm going to have to call Sony, but is there any sort of reset that might offer hope here?
Marc

Marc, This is the exact same thing that my unit is doing. Your'e told the cable card is in on one screen, btu you can't access any cable card info through preferences. I really believe it is error 161-6 but you're just not getting to it at the right time to see this message. I just pop the cable card out and put it back. However, mine all of a sudden has been working since wednesday without the problem. I'm still sending it back to Crutchfield though, as the only way to fix that probelm is service by SONY.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Has anyone with the 161-6 problem tried resetting their unit using the front panel service menu I documented in post #1672 to this thread? "Wipe unit" might be something to try before sending your DVR back to Sony.

Well, others have spoken of their units being loud... and now I know what they meant. My second unit has a horrible hum... the top of the case vibrates more than my first unit, plus the hum pulsates (takes about 10 seconds to get loud, then slowly become very quite, and repeats). Even with my ceiling-mounted projector's fan blowing, I can head the hum (13 feet away).

Guess I should have kept the first unit :) BB has 4 more, so I'll return this one too.

-T

Has anyone with the 161-6 problem tried resetting their unit using the front panel service menu I documented in post #1672 to this thread? "Wipe unit" might be something to try before sending your DVR back to Sony.

I have not tried this. Someone on here told me that it needed sent in, and SONY's website says it needs sent in. I guess I just don't want to risk it if I can get another one for cheaper. For some strange reason I popped out the Cable Card and put it back in durring the Rose Bowl and it has been working fine ever since. Still not taking any chances, I'll be hooking up my new one tomorrow.

Did anyone answer the "How hot is normal" question? I can't find it if someone did.

Also, does anyone knwo why I have MANY MANY "No Titles" in my program listing?

Thanks!!!

I have not tried this. Someone on here told me that it needed sent in, and SONY's website says it needs sent in. I guess I just don't want to risk it if I can get another one for cheaper. For some strange reason I popped out the Cable Card and put it back in durring the Rose Bowl and it has been working fine ever since. Still not taking any chances, I'll be hooking up my new one tomorrow.

Did anyone answer the "How hot is normal" question? I can't find it if someone did.

Also, does anyone knwo why I have MANY MANY "No Titles" in my program listing?

Thanks!!!

Endo-

Thanks for the followup posts. It sounds like we have the same problem but I'm just not around ar the right time as you described. Could you give me some more info about the sony website saying it needs to be sent in for this? I haven't found the right link yet I guess. Is there some place this specific symptom is described and that it is fixed with a software upgrade or somesuch?

I'm going to be traveling this week but will pop the card out, then re-seat it and see if it has lost it's mind when I get back. If the problem continues I'll call Sony and arrange a repair. I wonder what their turn-around time is?

And, has anyone reported this actually DOES fix the problem? Shipping it in will cost $ and there's the lost time involved. And who knows what unit I'll get back; I may have to have the cable company reprogram the the CC. Lots of hassle. OK if I know it will fix things. Not so enthusiastic if not.

Marc

Marc

Endo-

Thanks for the followup posts. It sounds like we have the same problem but I'm just not around ar the right time as you described. Could you give me some more info about the sony website saying it needs to be sent in for this? I haven't found the right link yet I guess. Is there some place this specific symptom is described and that it is fixed with a software upgrade or somesuch?

I'm going to be traveling this week but will pop the card out, then re-seat it and see if it has lost it's mind when I get back. If the problem continues I'll call Sony and arrange a repair. I wonder what their turn-around time is?

And, has anyone reported this actually DOES fix the problem? Shipping it in will cost $ and there's the lost time involved. And who knows what unit I'll get back; I may have to have the cable company reprogram the the CC. Lots of hassle. OK if I know it will fix things. Not so enthusiastic if not.

Marc

Marc

Knowledge Article C200609 at www.esupport.sony.com just says "To resolve this error, service will be required.

While I do not know if this WILL fix it, there was a posting, actually the person who told me about this problem, said he has multiple with this error and that's what you needed to do. I talked to SONY and they said 10-14 business days to get it back to you. You are responsible for shipping it TO them, and I THINK they cover it back, but I can't remember. If you ship it from a UPS store there are some sort of discounts on pacakging or something b/c they have an agreement with them.

I did not elect to go this route b/c I can still send mine back, and pick up a new one at Best Buy for less than I paid originally.

Knowledge Article C200609 at www.esupport.sony.com just says "To resolve this error, service will be required.

While I do not know if this WILL fix it, there was a posting, actually the person who told me about this problem, said he has multiple with this error and that's what you needed to do. I talked to SONY and they said 10-14 business days to get it back to you. You are responsible for shipping it TO them, and I THINK they cover it back, but I can't remember. If you ship it from a UPS store there are some sort of discounts on pacakging or something b/c they have an agreement with them.

I did not elect to go this route b/c I can still send mine back, and pick up a new one at Best Buy for less than I paid originally.

Thanks for the detail. I guess what you don't yet know is if the new one will already have the fix installed. I presume it's a software mod. Of course it's always good to recoup the price difference!

Meanwhile, I powered down & unplugged the unit, popped out the CC, then replaced it tightly and started the unit back up last night. As of 7 am this morning it's still OK but we'll see how long that lasts. I'll be out of town so will have my wife check it.

Marc

Since the new Series3 HD TiVo wont be out till late 2006, with a premium price of $1000 or more, plus the $299 service fee, I decided to keep my HDG-HDD500 and send it in for the firmware software upgrade and electrical wiring fix.

It goes out today to the Sony Service Center via the UPS Store...which has an agreement with Sony and will pack it for a discounted price of $12 and sent it out for $12...I could save $12 in packing fee by sending it in my original box but Sony wont send it back in the original box...and I need the box for future ebay considerations...

Since the new Series3 HD TiVo wont be out till late 2006, with a premium price of $1000 or more, plus the $299 service fee, I decided to keep my HDG-HDD500 and send it in for the firmware software upgrade and electrical wiring fix.

It goes out today to the Sony Service Center via the UPS Store...which has an agreement with Sony and will pack it for a discounted price of $12 and sent it out for $12...I could save $12 in packing fee by sending it in my original box but Sony wont send it back in the original box...and I need the box for future ebay considerations...


Is the $1000 price your guess, or is it based on reliable information?

If you don't have a matching analog channel for any of the missing digital ones, you're out of luck. For example, here in South Carolina the PBS stations all carry the PBS HD feed on subchannel 3. There's lots of good stuff there that I'd like to record, but the TVGOS data for my area doesn't include these subchannels, nor does it include the PBS HD listing anywhere else, as far as I can tell. Maybe someone can tell me that it's buried among the 200+ cable channels that are currently inactive? (I don't use cable, just OTA.) In the meantime, I have to record these programs manually, which means they all get collected under "Unknown" in the recording list, without titles. :(

I'm in the Boston area and had the same PBS issue: our local PBS affiliate also multicasts over two separate channels for a total of six (!) unique PBS broadcasts. There were actually two problems with TVGOS after basic setup...

1) The OTA scan assigned WGBH-HD to 2.1. This is wrong; 2.1 is just the ordinary WGBH-DT signal. WGBH-HD is actually 2.2. This was easy to correct by entering the appropriate frequency into the editor but still left me without a listing for 2.1 and I was afraid to remap the analog channel because WGBH-2 is my guide host channel.

2) The OTA scan found WGBX (44) but did not find either its digital broadcast (44.1) or the digital multicasts (44.2-4).

I was able to resolve both issues without remapping existing analog channels: as you guessed, I did indeed find tvgos listings buried towards the very end of the inactive list. Curiously, they were not flagged as cable: there were double dashes in the listing under type and channel frequency and, when selected for editing, the settings read "OFF" for listing status, "AIR" for provider, and "NONE" for tuning frequency. Turning on the listing and replacing "NONE" with the appropriate OTA multicast frequency got me the correct info for all six channels after the obligatory overnight waiting period.

Hope this helps.

I have not tried this. Someone on here told me that it needed sent in, and SONY's website says it needs sent in. I guess I just don't want to risk it if I can get another one for cheaper. For some strange reason I popped out the Cable Card and put it back in durring the Rose Bowl and it has been working fine ever since. Still not taking any chances, I'll be hooking up my new one tomorrow.

Did anyone answer the "How hot is normal" question? I can't find it if someone did.

Also, does anyone knwo why I have MANY MANY "No Titles" in my program listing?

Thanks!!!

no, i haven't seen a reply to the heat question... if no one knows, could some
of you post the temp reading of your drive and environment in which the sony
is installed (i.e. top of tv, entertainment cabinet with or without door, etc)???

also, has anyone posted a resolution to programs going missing in the schedule?
it happend to me again last night :-(

thanks!

(knock on wood)

I got a new cablecard this weekend for my HDD250, and I have been able to successfully record premium channels. (I did have one glitch when I tried to record either showtime or HBO at one point, but I think it happened when I turned it off and then on while it was recording). I chalk that up to operator error, even though I went to the recording history and found a message about "recording not permitted by operator" or something like that. It was also at a point where I had no program/guide data yet.

I have both cable and OTA, and my host station is OTA PBS. This was blank in the Guide diagnostics menu at first, but after it was off for a while, I heard the tuner click a couple of times about twenty minutes apart, and I tried looking at the host channel and found it had populated (I also did a G* test while tuned to my host channel before all of this so I don't know if that helped).

The next morning the guide has started populating.

On an unrelated topic: Did anyone else lose HDNet and HDNet Movies last night? They were not coming in at all for me via Charter Cable (via the Cablecard or my STB). Is this a national problem or just local? I know others in my area on Charter had the same problem...

Thanks!

I've been getting guide data fine for the last month or so, but as of last Friday my listings quit showing up ... the 9012 G* test menu doesn't show any VBI data on channel 4, although it does show VBI data on 5 and 11 (which is presumably not TVGOS data). I tried doing a reset of user settings, and the host channel has not been set ... I haven't changed anything and I get a pretty good channel 4 signal, so I can't figure out what has happened. Sadly, the reset also killed the clock so I can't even reliably record things ...

Is anyone else in the Raleigh/Durham/Cary area still getting updates off an antenna from channel 4 (or any other host channel for that matter)? I can't even find a place to check with WUNC or TVGOS to see if they have a problem ...

Thanks!
-Jim

Is the $1000 price your guess, or is it based on reliable information?

I hope PC Magazine is considered reliable. The $1000 is based on the PC Magazine article on the Series 3. It relates to how TiVo will request a premium price for the HD TiVo the same way the DirecTiVo HD launched at $1,000.

Read full article at the albanyhdtv forum:

http://albanyhdtv.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=boxes&action=display&thread=1136551830

Is the $1000 price your guess, or is it based on reliable information?That is purely speculative. TiVo employees at CES in Las Vegas last week indicated unofficially it would be more in the range of $500-$800 (according to multiple posts from folks who attended CES and spoke directly with the employees). Any of these figures are purely guesses.

How do I find out which station carries the guide data in the chicago area?

Would the right person to contact about missing channels be the station that carries the data?

Is there some way to request that the guide carries information for sub channels and missing channels?

Well my DHGHDD500 is out and on it's way to Sony. The people at the UPS Store do a pretty darn good job packing using bubble wrap and foam peanuts. It was well packed!!!

Total cost packing, shipping and $1000 insurance was $39. Scheduled delivery to Sony Service Center is Wednesday. I will post when I get it back, etc...

Well my DHGHDD500 is out and on it's way to Sony. The people at the UPS Store do a pretty darn good job packing using bubble wrap and foam peanuts. It was well packed!!!

Total cost packing, shipping and $1000 insurance was $39. Scheduled delivery to Sony Service Center is Wednesday. I will post when I get it back, etc...
Am i just lucky or what? i have 2 HDD250 unnits, and they're performing great without any troubles (1.2.05 software). I have Cablecard in 1 unit. They both have OTA & Cable.

Am i just lucky or what? i have 2 HDD250 unnits, and they're performing great without any troubles (1.2.05 software). I have Cablecard in 1 unit. They both have OTA & Cable.I'm OTA only and haven't had a problem since I first plugged it in.

I'm OTA only and haven't had a problem since I first plugged it in.


I've had an HDD-500 with cable and cable card since July and no problems. I love it!

Am i just lucky or what? i have 2 HDD250 unnits, and they're performing great without any troubles (1.2.05 software). I have Cablecard in 1 unit. They both have OTA & Cable.

I had no issues since I purchased my DHGHDD500. I have software version 1.2.05. Since this product is discontinued by Sony I wanted to make sure I have the latest firmware release and any modifications. In this case Sony support has an electrical mod and firmware 1.2.13 available.

I had no issues since I purchased my DHGHDD500. I have software version 1.2.05. Since this product is discontinued by Sony I wanted to make sure I have the latest firmware release and any modifications. In this case Sony support has an electrical mod and firmware 1.2.13 available.
did you have your unit shipped to Sony for updates?

i wish i could just download updates from Sony Support!

did you have your unit shipped to Sony for updates?

i wish i could just download updates from Sony Support!With the USB port it shouldn't really be that big a deal. I had a Sammy SIR-T151 (older HD STB), and received a CD with a firmware update that could be downloaded right to the unit. Sony's got their head where the sun don't shine regarding updates for this thing... :mad:

I've been trying to talk to someone from TVGOS, but no luck. I've left messages, but no return calls. Have any of you been able to get through?

When you call the 1-800-386-7380 number, they specifically say that they won't return calls to consumers. They'll only speak with the equipment manufacturers, cable operators, or host stations. Too bad I've tried speaking with Sony and they can't help. I call my local PBS station (KUON) and they are clueless. The only interesting thing I learned from then is that their closed captioning system hasn't been functioning for some time, which I'm wondering might be related to why TVGOS isn't working. They apparently have no idea if/when the closed captioning will ever be back!!!!

So, I'm left with no where to turn.

The problem is that I don't seem to have a functioning OTA host station. I simply want to know which of my local stations is supposed to be the host station, and then get their transmission fixed.

Any ideas?

did you have your unit shipped to Sony for updates?

i wish i could just download updates from Sony Support!


Yes, I shipped it out today. I wish Sony would have used the USB port for software upgrades but they didn't. Anyways it's a 2 week turnaround time.

Yes, I shipped it out today. I wish Sony would have used the USB port for software upgrades but they didn't. Anyways it's a 2 week turnaround time.
i wish someone would take Sony to court for selling electronics boasted with many 'features', but without implementing them.

i wish someone would take Sony to court for selling electronics boasted with many 'features', but without implementing them.

I wish someone would figure out how to hack these units so that we can run something like MythTV on them, upgrade the hard drives, use the USB ports, use the network capabilities, etc. Anyone make any progress in these areas recently? There was a brave soul or two a couple months ago who were attempting to change the hard drives, but it was proving to be more difficult than expected.

I think the fact that no one has hacked these units proves that they just didn't sell very well. Tivos, Xboxes, Playstations, etc get hacked almost immeidately, in large part because so many people get their hands on them.

I wish someone would figure out how to hack these units so that we can run something like MythTV on them, upgrade the hard drives, use the USB ports, use the network capabilities, etc. Anyone make any progress in these areas recently? There was a brave soul or two a couple months ago who were attempting to change the hard drives, but it was proving to be more difficult than expected.

I think the fact that no one has hacked these units proves that they just didn't sell very well. Tivos, Xboxes, Playstations, etc get hacked almost immeidately, in large part because so many people get their hands on them.

There is also the fact that they were $800 and $1000 (if I recall correctly) when they first came out. You have to be VERY brave to tear into something that expensive. :D

There is also the fact that they were $800 and $1000 (if I recall correctly) when they first came out. You have to be VERY brave to tear into something that expensive. :D


You're right about that!

I'm not finding a listing for Comcast SportsNet Chicago. Is this another non-
supported channel by tvgos?

There is also the fact that they were $800 and $1000 (if I recall correctly) when they first came out. You have to be VERY brave to tear into something that expensive. :DEspecially since the warranty isn't yet expired on any of them; they didn't hit the street until late last May, I believe.

Just today I added a new PBS sub-channel into the guide by going into the channel guide, finding an unused channel with the PBS logo and putting in the channel number and turning it on. They may actually come up with a slot for it and the guide data eventually, (if they haven't already - I just didn't want to do a re-setting and lose all my current guide data unless I really have to - I figure I'll find out eventually, anyway), and now I have the logo programmed in and can use the block method you mention as an alternative.
I have an update on this situation if anyone, especially in the Chicago market, is interested. I checked and there was a new channel with the PBS logo listed all the way at the end of the channel list. I programmed it into the guide, and so far, so good, as it has populated, although it's hard to tell, since the new 11-3 subchannel is starting out showing the same exact fare as 11-2. Those of you from Chi. probably are aware by now that the main PBS-HD channel was noticably downgraded to accomodate this subchannel. Everyone on the local Chi. OTA thread is livid about this, as would be expected.

no, i haven't seen a reply to the heat question... if no one knows, could some
of you post the temp reading of your drive and environment in which the sony
is installed (i.e. top of tv, entertainment cabinet with or without door, etc)???

also, has anyone posted a resolution to programs going missing in the schedule?
it happend to me again last night :-(

thanks! I just turned on mine cold and the two hard drives are at 107 and 114 degrees. Yikes! That sounds awful high. They're working alright, though. Never had any problems. Are anybody else's this high? My unit is on a small shelf in a closed-in (back) entertainment unit with a glass door.

I have an update on this situation if anyone, especially in the Chicago market, is interested. I checked and there was a new channel with the PBS logo listed all the way at the end of the channel list. I programmed it into the guice, and so far, so good, as it has populated, although it's hard to tell, since the new 11-3 subchannel is starting out showing the same exact fare as 11-2. Those of you from Chi. probably are aware by now that the main PBS-HD channel was noticably downgraded to accomodate this subchannel. Everyone on the local Chi. OTA thread is livid about this, as would be expected. Oops - just checked 11-3 and they're now showing the new, do-it-yourself programming, but the guide's still showing the SD channel's data. Oh well, I'll give it some time in case it just needs to catch up.

There is also the fact that they were $800 and $1000 (if I recall correctly) when they first came out. You have to be VERY brave to tear into something that expensive. :D

Or rich and adventurous :p

Chris S5 - I'm getting my data in the Chicago 'burbs from ch. 11 for my Sony. Strangely, my host ch. on my Panasonic DVD/DVR's TVGOS says ch. 20. And, as far as TVGOS not having a ch. for Comcast Sports Net, from everything I've heard, it's the norm, unfortunately.

I just turned on mine cold and the two hard drives are at 107 and 114 degrees. Yikes! That sounds awful high. They're working alright, though. Never had any problems. Are anybody else's this high? My unit is on a small shelf in a closed-in (back) entertainment unit with a glass door.


My 250's drive is usually around 93-95 degrees. The unit is sitting on top of a Sony DVD recorder (that is turned off most of the time). There is plenty of clearance all around, and no door on the enclosure. (Basically it is an open shelf).

Hmmmm......guess I'll have to find a place for it outside - no sense in taking any chances with a $700.00 unit.

I have an update on this situation if anyone, especially in the Chicago market, is interested. I checked and there was a new channel with the PBS logo listed all the way at the end of the channel list. I programmed it into the guide, and so far, so good, as it has populated, although it's hard to tell, since the new 11-3 subchannel is starting out showing the same exact fare as 11-2. Those of you from Chi. probably are aware by now that the main PBS-HD channel was noticably downgraded to accomodate this subchannel. Everyone on the local Chi. OTA thread is livid about this, as would be expected.

I just checked mine and there is no new PBS channel/logo in the list. Are you receiving 11.3 on your Sony via OTA or Comcast ?

could some
of you post the temp reading of your drive and environment

HDD1: 93 deg, HDD2: 100 deg in a cabinet with open front, two other components stacked on top, reasonable clearance on sides and back

has anyone posted a resolution to programs going missing in the schedule?

I could swear I've had weekly recordings set up that have occasionally disappeared from the Schedule tab, but I haven't seen any pattern to it.

There is also the fact that they were $800 and $1000 (if I recall correctly) when they first came out. You have to be VERY brave to tear into something that expensive. :D

Honda Civics aren't cheap either but teenagers have no problem getting into those engine compartments. :)

I could swear I've had weekly recordings set up that have occasionally disappeared from the Schedule tab, but I haven't seen any pattern to it.This phenomenon has been posted about before in this thread.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6760694#post6760694
Do a thread search on "weekly" or "regularly".

Is there some information around about the "electrical mod" that has been refered to recently? I'm curious as to what it is modifying. What's the symptom?

The reason for my curiosity is that I'm likely sending mine back on account of troubles with it losing access to premium channels periodically, and want to make sure I get all the mods coming to me for optimum performance. I believe it was manufactured in June, maybe July.

Marc

Just today I added a new PBS sub-channel into the guide by going into the channel guide, finding an unused channel with the PBS logo and putting in the channel number and turning it on.

I've now partially solved my own problem with the missing SCETV HD sub-channel. My TVGOS listings include a PBS station in Charlotte NC that I can't actually receive. Checking their Web site, I found that their HD subchannel has the same schedule in the evening that SCETV has. So yesterday I turned that channel on and re-mapped it from 42-2 to 49-3. Sure enough, the listings showed up today. I now have an episode of Rick Steve's travel program and two of Rudy Maxa's, all properly titled and filed in my recordings list.

The SCETV HD subchannel runs 24/7 with lots of repeats, and the Charlotte station runs its HD subchannel mostly only in the evening, but it's better than nothing.

I think I'll write to SCETV, and suggest that they ask TVGOS to include the SCETV subchannels in their listings. TVGOS might be more likely to add the data if SCETV requests it, rather than just me. Especially since SCETV stations carry the TVGOS data here in SC!

This phenomenon has been posted about before in this thread.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6760694#post6760694
Do a thread search on "weekly" or "regularly".

I've interpreted the previous postings as the program simply not being recorded, but the entry remained in the Schedule tab. What's happened to me is the entry disappeared from the Schedule tab (not the Recordings tab) altogether.

My drive temperatures vary form about 105-120 degrees. The cabinet is open in front, vented on the sides, and there's a couple of inches of space all around. No problems with the unit so far.

My drive temps, in case anyone is interested:

HDD1 usually 97-98 degrees. Drive 2 usually 105-107 degrees.

Marc

EDIT: Forgot to mention: the unit is on top of the TV Armoire, so it is in a "room temp" location with excellent clearance on all sides.

I wonder how many people would be willing to convert their Sony HDD to TIVO service, if Sony/TIVO devised a TIVO conversion option? I would lke to see a poll on that issue put on this web site.

I'd sign up for this in a second. Sony licenses Tivo technology, so it's could happen (the skip-back-after-fast-forward is a Tivo patented feature).

Don't think it'll happen, but I'd love it. The Sony interface is better than some of the cable offerings, but far short of the Tivo interface.

Since the new Series3 HD TiVo wont be out till late 2006, with a premium price of $1000 or more, plus the $299 service fee, I decided to keep my HDG-HDD500 and send it in for the firmware software upgrade and electrical wiring fix.

It goes out today to the Sony Service Center via the UPS Store...which has an agreement with Sony and will pack it for a discounted price of $12 and sent it out for $12...I could save $12 in packing fee by sending it in my original box but Sony wont send it back in the original box...and I need the box for future ebay considerations...

Two things -
The pricing for Tivo Series 3 hasn't been announced, but most expect it to be around $599 to $799. (And a lifetime service fee isn't required).

What is the electrical wiring fix you mentioned? My firmware level is at .05 - is there a reason to get it upgraded?

I just checked mine and there is no new PBS channel/logo in the list. Are you receiving 11.3 on your Sony via OTA or Comcast ? OTA only. I didn't remember seeing it before, at the very end. But there's always a possibility I could've missed it. It was just the WTTW logo with no channel number. I just programmed the number in today, I didn't do a complete resetting. I'm waiting till overnight to see if it populates with the correct data. I'll post the results.

i wish someone would take Sony to court for selling electronics boasted with many 'features', but without implementing them.

What features are you referring to?

With the USB port it shouldn't really be that big a deal. I had a Sammy SIR-T151 (older HD STB), and received a CD with a firmware update that could be downloaded right to the unit. Sony's got their head where the sun don't shine regarding updates for this thing... :mad:

Operational software downloads via the guide channel. Firmware update correct hardware compatibilities with certain TVs. Many of us have the original firmware and have no problems except for programs randomly dropped from the schedule.

Two things -
The pricing for Tivo Series 3 hasn't been announced, but most expect it to be around $599 to $799. (And a lifetime service fee isn't required).

What is the electrical wiring fix you mentioned? My firmware level is at .05 - is there a reason to get it upgraded?

1- The pricing of $1000 was based on the PC Magazine article on the Tivo Series3

2- Electrical wiring fix is based on other forum posters who stated that their return invoice indicated a firmware update and a electrical mod (no information from Sony on what this electrical mod fixes).

1- The pricing of $1000 was based on the PC Magazine article on the Tivo Series 3...That was a generalization (if you read it closely) based only on pricing of the DirecTV HD unit released quite awhile ago. I will state again, any speculation on pricing is just that -- speculation. TiVo employees told folks at CES pricing would likely be $500-800.

The pricing for Tivo Series 3 hasn't been announced, but most expect it to be around $599 to $799. (And a lifetime service fee isn't required).


Are you saying that this TiVo box would not require any subscription fee?? Or just that you don't have to pay the lifetime fee if you choose to go with the monthly fees?

Are you saying that this TiVo box would not require any subscription fee?? Or just that you don't have to pay the lifetime fee if you choose to go with the monthly fees?Yes, that is correct. Lifetime sub not required, but monthly fees then would be to make it functional.

My drive temperatures vary form about 105-120 degrees. The cabinet is open in front, vented on the sides, and there's a couple of inches of space all around. No problems with the unit so far.

hi phillyc, mine's running about the same... between 102 and 120. someone
mentioned theirs running at 90 something. i haven't seen a reading that low
since i first turned it on... how long have you had your dvr??

hi phillyc, mine's running about the same... between 102 and 120. someone
mentioned theirs running at 90 something. i haven't seen a reading that low
since i first turned it on... how long have you had your dvr??

Mine runs around the mid-90's. I bought it just before Thanksgiving.

I've interpreted the previous postings as the program simply not being recorded, but the entry remained in the Schedule tab. What's happened to me is the entry disappeared from the Schedule tab (not the Recordings tab) altogether.

yes, my issue is with the entry disappearing from the schedule tab. it's happened
to me three times now (i've had the 250 for a little over two weeks). twice an
entry has dispappeared on it's own (was there when i checked it at night then
gone when i checked it the next morning). the other disappeared right after i
scheduled another recording.

Perhaps I get the prize for lowest hard drive temperature! I have my unit on an old printer cart with the requisite 6 inches space in back, and wide open everywhere else. Owned less than a week, maybe that has something to do with it.

Anyway, the temp. is 87 degrees when I first turn it on. I have seen it as high as 91 degrees. :rolleyes:

I must mention I have an unheated basement at about 60-65 degrees this time of year (until I turn on a wall unit) but even after the heat is on it doesn't seem to affect the internal temperature much.

On a second note, I remapped my analog Channel 11 (the guide TVGOS channel) to 11-2 as suggested earlier (to be able to populate the TVGOS listing of 11-2) but then I didn't receive data. This morning I remapped the analog back to itself so we'll see what happens. I also did a scan for additional channels, searching for the additional PBS signal, but didn't find it. Even a manual entering of 11-3 didn't find it. Did I need to enter 47-3 (47 being the frequency of WTTW digital)?

On a third note, I will also vouch for the loss of quality in the PBS feeds (WTTW) in Chicago. Maybe all (or none!) of this is causing my problems with the TVGOS.

I've interpreted the previous postings as the program simply not being recorded, but the entry remained in the Schedule tab. What's happened to me is the entry disappeared from the Schedule tab (not the Recordings tab) altogether.

If you go through all 78 pages, you will notice that this isn't new, many of us have seen the item disappear from the schedule listing. I think the most prevalent has been Commander-In-Chief. No one has been able to determine a pattern to these problems, as far as I can determine.

That was a generalization (if you read it closely) based only on pricing of the DirecTV HD unit released quite awhile ago. I will state again, any speculation on pricing is just that -- speculation. TiVo employees told folks at CES pricing would likely be $500-800.
$500-800 will be reasonable if monthly fee is waived.

will the new Tivo box require a landline phone for activation?

For future reference:

I learned today from Cheryl at TVGOS that:

The host channel for TVGOS in Omaha, NE is KMTV analog channel 3
The host channel for TVGOS in Lincoln, NE is KUON analog channel 12

$500-800 will be reasonable if monthly fee is waived.

will the new Tivo box require a landline phone for activation?

Don't know about the the phone line, but I'd be very surprised if there were no fees... that is how tivo makes money... it's the monthly (or one-time) fee.

That's why I like the HDD250 so much... I like not having to pay a fee... sure, the guide may not be as nice as the tivo guide, but it's FREE :)

-T

Don't know about the the phone line, but I'd be very surprised if there were no fees... that is how tivo makes money... it's the monthly (or one-time) fee.

That's why I like the HDD250 so much... I like not having to pay a fee... sure, the guide may not be as nice as the tivo guide, but it's FREE :)

-T
yep, owning HDD250s is the way to cut back on 'monthly bill' :D

Don't know about the the phone line, but I'd be very surprised if there were no fees... that is how tivo makes money... it's the monthly (or one-time) fee.

That's why I like the HDD250 so much... I like not having to pay a fee... sure, the guide may not be as nice as the tivo guide, but it's FREE :)

-T
yep, owning HDD250s is the way to cut back on 'monthly bills' :D

hi phillyc, mine's running about the same... between 102 and 120. someone
mentioned theirs running at 90 something. i haven't seen a reading that low
since i first turned it on... how long have you had your dvr??

I have one of the first ones (FW .05). The first drive is usually a cooler 103 -106 degrees. The second is usually 110 - 113 degrees. last night was the first time I'd seen #2 as high as 120. I was doing a timer recording and watching a previously recorded program, so that probably heats things up.

You should have seen the LG DVR. You could almost burn your hand on the top of the case.

Perhaps I get the prize for lowest hard drive temperature! I have my unit on an old printer cart with the requisite 6 inches space in back, and wide open everywhere else. Owned less than a week, maybe that has something to do with it.

Anyway, the temp. is 87 degrees when I first turn it on. I have seen it as high as 91 degrees. :rolleyes:

I must mention I have an unheated basement at about 60-65 degrees this time of year (until I turn on a wall unit) but even after the heat is on it doesn't seem to affect the internal temperature much.

On a second note, I remapped my analog Channel 11 (the guide TVGOS channel) to 11-2 as suggested earlier (to be able to populate the TVGOS listing of 11-2) but then I didn't receive data. This morning I remapped the analog back to itself so we'll see what happens. I also did a scan for additional channels, searching for the additional PBS signal, but didn't find it. Even a manual entering of 11-3 didn't find it. Did I need to enter 47-3 (47 being the frequency of WTTW digital)?

On a third note, I will also vouch for the loss of quality in the PBS feeds (WTTW) in Chicago. Maybe all (or none!) of this is causing my problems with the TVGOS. I haven't heard of anyone who's receiving 11.1 and 11.2 fine OTA not being able to get 11.3 on a rescan. Have no idea what the problem may be - all I can say is keep trying (believe me, when you see it, you won't care much anyway - the picture quality is atrocious - almost unwatchable). So far, I have not been able to attain the guide data for 11.3. Will keep trying. If anyone is interested in WTTW's response to people's complaints about the picture quality issue, especially in HD, check out the Chicago OTA thread. There are also a couple of e-mail addresses listed you can voice your complaints to.

If you go through all 78 pages, you will notice that this isn't new, many of us have seen the item disappear from the schedule listing. I think the most prevalent has been Commander-In-Chief. No one has been able to determine a pattern to these problems, as far as I can determine.

I hope Sony is actively working to find the cause and eliminate it. Very difficult to solve this kind of problem. It's occurred with several shows, including Commander. According to messages on this thread, it only occurs with weekly settings. As an experiment, I just started using menu to enter that option - versus clicking the guide.

So, did anyone notice when going in to the 753....menu while on an HD channel that there is a Video DIM value of 960x540? Last time I checked that's not HD reslution. I did this while on an SD channel and video DIM is 640x480 (SD resolution). What's the deal with this?

Also, does anyone have any idea what various values should be? Such as ECM's, EMM's etc? While my previous 161-6 prone unit has suddenly started working for a week, I have lost my guide data through Friday, at which point there are some channels populated, but most of those say NO TITLE, there is nothing for Saturday, then Sunday looks the same as Friday.

When the cable guy was installing the cable card, the support person on the phone said ECM's has to be aboev 40 for the Cable Card to work (he doesn't know what unit this is in). Is it possible that b/c the ECM's are below 40 (currently 0 assumingly b/c I keep takign the card out and putting it back.), I am not getting the 161-6 error, but also am not getting any guide data?

Basically, while I really don't care that I'm not getting the 161-6 error anymore (I'm sending it back anyway) I want to know if my guide data is going to come through consistently on the next unit, and if anyone knows if these are connected, or any other helpful numbers I should be looking for in any of these menus.

Also, the possible screwy resolution.

Thanks!

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

OK, so my brilliant math skills tell me that 960x540 is half of 1080i resolution. Question still is why does it say this is the video DIM? why not 1920x1080 on a 1080 HD Channel, and 1280x720 on a 720p HD channel. And whay does is show the correct resolution on an SD channel?

1- The pricing of $1000 was based on the PC Magazine article on the Tivo Series3

2- Electrical wiring fix is based on other forum posters who stated that their return invoice indicated a firmware update and a electrical mod (no information from Sony on what this electrical mod fixes).

1) You need to read the PC mag article again - they didn't say that the Series 3 would be $1K, just that the HD DirecTivo was $1K when it was released.

2) thanks.

$500-800 will be reasonable if monthly fee is waived.

will the new Tivo box require a landline phone for activation?

No chance that the Series 3 will be $500-$800 including lifetime.

I doubt it will require a landline phone, given that the software will be based on the current 7.x platform which supports use of broadband right out of the box.

I apologize is this has already been discussed but what can the USB port be used for? I was hoping that your could do data transfers to a PC so you could archive your recordings. Knowing sony though, they've probably limited the port for use only on other sony peripherals. Does anyone know the capabilities/limitations of the USB on this device?

No such luck. Thus far it only seems to be used by Sony tech support to update the firmware and run diagnostics.

1) You need to read the PC mag article again - they didn't say that the Series 3 would be $1K, just that the HD DirecTivo was $1K when it was released.

2) thanks.

Anything in the $700 to $1000 price range would be expected, that is, if they ever release it. Remember, the HD DVR was announced at the 2005 CES show and a year later at the CES 2006 show they demo a prototype model. Does it mean they are going into production? TiVo stated a 2006 mid-year release...but then they cancelled their CES 2006 presentation...(http://albanyhdtv.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1136290294&page=1#1136757822)

I still think TiVo would be better off getting out of the hardware business and license their software. Imagine purchasing TiVo sofware at a retailer to run on our Media Center PC's!

But I seriously doubt, with all the financial problems TiVo has (http://albanyhdtv.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1136893626) that they would take a hit on their hardware ala Microsoft Xbox to gain sales. TiVo will ask for an initial premium price and TiVo aficionados will pay it. For now, my DHG-HDD500 will suffice.

So, did anyone notice when going in to the 753....menu while on an HD channel that there is a Video DIM value of 960x540? Last time I checked that's not HD reslution. I did this while on an SD channel and video DIM is 640x480 (SD resolution). What's the deal with this?.... OK, so my brilliant math skills tell me that 960x540 is half of 1080i resolution. Question still is why does it say this is the video DIM? why not 1920x1080 on a 1080 HD Channel, and 1280x720 on a 720p HD channel. And whay does is show the correct resolution on an SD channel?


Hi Endo...

I'm not sure of my answer, but I have a few ideas. Different "HD" channels may output different formats at different times, depending on the original source of their content and any resampling they may do to it. It's possible that the particular channel or show you had tuned was outputting sub-HD standard material.

Or, alternatively, perhaps the show really was 1080i and the video dim of 540 represented the fact that it comes in as two 540 pixels tall images, separated in time frame by frame. 1080i really is just two separate 540 pixel tall images interleaved and offset to appear like 1080 pixels.

I would try tuning to different channels and seeing what sort of values you get for different content types (HBO HD, PBS HD shows, Discovery Theater etc.)


Also, does anyone have any idea what various values should be? Such as ECM's, EMM's etc? While my previous 161-6 prone unit has suddenly started working for a week, I have lost my guide data through Friday, at which point there are some channels populated, but most of those say NO TITLE, there is nothing for Saturday, then Sunday looks the same as Friday.

When the cable guy was installing the cable card, the support person on the phone said ECM's has to be aboev 40 for the Cable Card to work (he doesn't know what unit this is in). Is it possible that b/c the ECM's are below 40 (currently 0 assumingly b/c I keep takign the card out and putting it back.), I am not getting the 161-6 error, but also am not getting any guide data?


I'm traveling this week so I can't check, but if nobody posts a reply to this, I'll check my own values Thursday or Friday when I get back and poste them here for comparison.

Marc

...TiVo stated a 2006 mid-year release...but then they cancelled their CES 2006 presentation...(http://albanyhdtv.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1136290294&page=1#1136757822)
That is simply not true. A TiVo employee at CES stated that they never had any press conference scheduled; CES had a slot available to them, and they chose not to use it. There was never any press conference "scheduled." Don't read so much into that non-event.

That is simply not true. A TiVo employee at CES stated that they never had any press conference scheduled; CES had a slot available to them, and they chose not to use it. There was never any press conference "scheduled." Don't read so much into that non-event.

I'm not reading much into the non-event, just dismayed. But if Tivo has an HD DVR ready for production, wouldn't you think Tivo would have made a CES 2006 presentation?

Instead they choose to remain quiet...too quiet...I'm not the only one dismayed by their non-presentation...read this article by ABC news (http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=1483909).

Like everyone else, I'll jump on the cablecard HD Tivo once it's release...the introduction of a standalone HD Tivo is a major announcement and a presentation would have been the icing on the cake... but the lack of any presentation or information at of all things the CES show makes me wonder if they are commited to the standalone HD DVR or something else is being worked behind the scenes with the dreaded cable companies...

Like I said before...my DHG-HDD500 has been sent to Sony to get any mods or firmware updates...the Sony DVR will hold me over until Tivo shows it's hand...and who knows...my Sony may come back and satisfy my needs...

Sure, the press is dismayed...but then, they always act like chicken little... :rolleyes:

TiVo did demonstrations, not an "official" CES presentation, but here's video (http://www.gearlive.com/index.php/news/article/ces-2006-video-tivo-series-3-video-interview-first-look-0108051437/) of one of TiVo's employees (Bob Poni) walking through the operation of the unit.

BTW, my Sony will also take care of me until TiVo's SA HD unit is available...then it's off to eBay.

Sure, the press is dismayed...but then, they always act like chicken little... :rolleyes:

TiVo did demonstrations, not an "official" CES presentation, but here's video (http://www.gearlive.com/index.php/news/article/ces-2006-video-tivo-series-3-video-interview-first-look-0108051437/) of one of TiVo's employees (Bob Poni) walking through the operation of the unit.

BTW, my Sony will also take care of me until TiVo's SA HD unit is available...then it's off to eBay.

Oh come on...we're not chicken little... :)

Thanks for the video. I specially like the addendum on the page....if Tivo does pull this out under $500....oh watch out world!!!

BTW: ebay indeed...that is why I kept the original box...

I noticed last night that my CC only setup (Comcast HE) that I am not getting guide data for InHD2 but I am getting guide data for InHD1 and other premium HD channels like HBO HD and Starz HD. I talked briefly to Comcast and was told the TvGuide data was set out on an analog version of the local PBS channel. I would assume that if I am getting guide data for most channels (all but one ?) then the feed is obvious working and the info must be missing for InHD2. Is there anyway to debug this ?

Oh come on...we're not chicken little... :)

Thanks for the video. I specially like the addendum on the page....if Tivo does pull this out under $500....oh watch out world!!!

BTW: ebay indeed...that is why I kept the original box...I hear you...kept everything - box, cables not being used, styrofoam...it'll make a nice Christmas present for someone in December :D.

I hear you...kept everything - box, cables not being used, styrofoam...it'll make a nice Christmas present for someone in December :D.

That will be my big selling point on ebay...original box...manual...firmware/mod update invoice...etc...and in big bold letters..."Upto date with the latest mod and firmware!".

The lucking one will have a well taken care of HD DVR...

Well I've had mine a total of 2 whole days now. No Clock or guide data, No good answer from PBS or Comcast. Sony said send it in. If it goes anywhere it's back to BB for a refund!
What good is a DVR if you can't schedule a recording. I've read a lot of posts on here, was just hoping this one would be different. The good news is I get a full refund!

Has anyone considered that the dropped show issue might be broadcast flag related? If the feature is turned on in the Sony (which it shouldn't be, but hey it's Sony, right?) I've read cases where glitches in the VBI can trigger it.

I am thinking of doing a brute force automated search for more 4-digit "menu, screen mode, NNNN" codes using a Perl script controlling a serial port IR sender and digital camera. Basically,


Press exit to start fresh
Enter a code
Wait a few seconds
Take a picture of the TV

repeatedly for 0000-9999. I estimate it would take around 19 hours to iterate through all 10000 codes. Then I'd combine the sequence of digital photos into an AVI file and watch it at 30 fps. By watching for blips in the 5.5 minute video, I could find which frames (which codes) pulled up something interesting.

If a lurker has already done something along these lines, please get in touch.

I have noticed that after my CC upgrade, I find shows that ARE in the recording schedule, but don't appear with the red dot in the guide.

I know this was mentioned before, but this is the first that I saw it. I think the only thing that makes it cablecard-related is the fact that all of the channel assignments changed (for the digital local HD channels), and that the guide was wiped out by this config change (and is currently rebuilding itself).

I have been deleting the shows from the schedule that don't show up with the red dots in the guide and recreating them, so I never let one actually try to record...

I am hoping that once the guide is totally populated (by this Sunday or Monday), this behavior will stop.

Yes, I shipped it out today. I wish Sony would have used the USB port for software upgrades but they didn't. Anyways it's a 2 week turnaround time.

They probably do on their end... they just don't make it available to the user. But I could be wrong.

-T

I hope Sony is actively working to find the cause and eliminate it. Very difficult to solve this kind of problem. It's occurred with several shows, including Commander. According to messages on this thread, it only occurs with weekly settings. As an experiment, I just started using menu to enter that option - versus clicking the guide.I record all my shows set as weekly including Commander In Chief. I've never had a problem recording. However, I am OTA only and that maybe the difference.

Has anyone considered that the dropped show issue might be broadcast flag related? If the feature is turned on in the Sony (which it shouldn't be, but hey it's Sony, right?) I've read cases where glitches in the VBI can trigger it.

maybe, but if so, wouldn't it be better that sony admit that's what's happening
and document it rather than deny the issue exists? they'd get less calls inquiring
about the problem.

and if this was the case why not just not record it and show it as a failure in the
recordings history list instead of deleting the show from the schedule???

I record all my shows set as weekly including Commander In Chief. I've never had a problem recording. However, I am OTA only and that maybe the difference.

i'm ota only and have the problem.

anybody notice if their Closed Captioning lags? Mine is about 2-5 seconds slow.

anybody notice if their Closed Captioning lags? Mine is about 2-5 seconds slow.Only on Fox, not on CBS, NBC, ABC or PBS. I'm OTA only.

I have noticed that after my CC upgrade, I find shows that ARE in the recording schedule, but don't appear with the red dot in the guide.

I know this was mentioned before, but this is the first that I saw it. I think the only thing that makes it cablecard-related is the fact that all of the channel assignments changed (for the digital local HD channels), and that the guide was wiped out by this config change (and is currently rebuilding itself).

I have been deleting the shows from the schedule that don't show up with the red dots in the guide and recreating them, so I never let one actually try to record...

I am hoping that once the guide is totally populated (by this Sunday or Monday), this behavior will stop.

This happens once in a while even though my guide is fully populated and working well. The shows WILL record as long as they remain in the schedule.

Early on, I also tried deleting the the show from the schedule and re-scheduling from the listings. Sometimes the red dot stayed; sometimes it did not.

The recording of such a program has not failed yet. But the situation does not inspire confidence...

I couldn't find the info, but I know it's in this thread somewhere. Does anyone know off hand what the times are that the TVGOS does the program guide downloads? My local host station is a PBS affiliate, and they are off the air from 11:30pm to 6:30am!

If I recall, there are 4 different times.

Only on Fox, not on CBS, NBC, ABC or PBS. I'm OTA only.

I'm both OTA and analog cable, and my closed captioning is slow no matter what channel or source.

It works fine through my NTSC tuner in my TV and my Sylvania HD STB.

I couldn't find the info, but I know it's in this thread somewhere. Does anyone know off hand what the times are that the TVGOS does the program guide downloads? My local host station is a PBS affiliate, and they are off the air from 11:30pm to 6:30am!

If I recall, there are 4 different times.I'm in the same boat (with similar off-the-air hours), and my experience has been that the guide updates late morning. I know when I first plugged the unit in (on a Friday nite), it was around noon Saturday when I noticed the time and first guide date appearing. I was checking about every hour that morning.

I'm both OTA and analog cable, and my closed captioning is slow no matter what channel or source.

It works fine through my NTSC tuner in my TV and my Sylvania HD STB.I should have mentioned for me that's digital (HD) only. I do have analog cable hooked to the unit with no CC problems. Digital CC is a different animal, I have found.

Does anyone know off hand what the times are that the TVGOS does the program guide downloads?

It may depend on where you're located (i.e. which station you get the guide data from). For me, the download periods are:

2:21 - 5:21am
7:01 - 10:01 am
10:06am - 1:06pm
1:46 - 4:46 pm

My local host station is a PBS affiliate, and they are off the air from 11:30pm to 6:30am!

If your station uses the same schedule that mine does, the off-air period knocks out only the first download period. You just need to make sure your unit stays off throughout one of these periods.

I noticed last night that my CC only setup (Comcast HE) that I am not getting guide data for InHD2 but I am getting guide data for InHD1 and other premium HD channels like HBO HD and Starz HD. I talked briefly to Comcast and was told the TvGuide data was set out on an analog version of the local PBS channel. I would assume that if I am getting guide data for most channels (all but one ?) then the feed is obvious working and the info must be missing for InHD2. Is there anyway to debug this ?

You're getting iNHD2? I didn't see this on mine. Was this one of the channels it listed in yoru guide set up and you just had to map it correctly, or did you have to map another channel to it?

With that, can anyone tell me could I, say, map an encore logoed channel, that I dont get, to the channel for HDNET movies and pull the HDNET movies schedule, or would it pull the encore schedule, or nothing at all?

I apologize is this has already been discussed but what can the USB port be used for? I was hoping that your could do data transfers to a PC so you could archive your recordings. Knowing sony though, they've probably limited the port for use only on other sony peripherals. Does anyone know the capabilities/limitations of the USB on this device?


Hi,
In owners manual page 8 it says it is reserved for potential future applications.


TO BOB:
Still up and running with no break in service. Again thanks for all your help during our down time.

Sharon in Niagara Falls

Well I've had mine a total of 2 whole days now. No Clock or guide data, No good answer from PBS or Comcast. Sony said send it in. If it goes anywhere it's back to BB for a refund!
What good is a DVR if you can't schedule a recording. I've read a lot of posts on here, was just hoping this one would be different. The good news is I get a full refund!


This problem appears very often in this thread. It is unlikey to be caused by either Comcast, PBS, or a faulty recorder.

I receive both cable and ota, and get my guide information on Comcast analog channel 3.

Be sure you don't shut off any analog channels, and you leave recorder in off state to receive time and guide info. If that doesn't solve your problem, try getting stuff with antenna.

Does anyone know off hand what the times are that the TVGOS does the program guide downloads?Look here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6841671#post6841671
for a link to a link to a thread.

Sharon,

Are you using WNED and your zip code now? WNED would like to know if it's working.

Bob

I find that if I at least leave the unit off to pull in the late morning (around 5 A.M.) download, my guide will keep up on all the data. I know this because a lot of times after I get up in the morning, I will turn off the power to my indoor antenna (and my host channel will be unreceivable), and turn it back on in the evening to watch TV. And I can't be receiving anything from then thru the earlier A.M. because I'm usually viewing then (I stay up pretty late, as one could tell by the time on my posts). YMMV.

You're getting iNHD2? I didn't see this on mine. Was this one of the channels it listed in yoru guide set up and you just had to map it correctly, or did you have to map another channel to it?

With that, can anyone tell me could I, say, map an encore logoed channel, that I dont get, to the channel for HDNET movies and pull the HDNET movies schedule, or would it pull the encore schedule, or nothing at all? Based on my experiences, I'd get the Encore data. But if your host channel is actually carrying HDNET's schedule, I suppose there's a chance you might get it. It's definitely worth a try, and can't really hurt anything. Let us know the results.

This problem appears very often in this thread. It is unlikey to be caused by either Comcast, PBS, or a faulty recorder.

I receive both cable and ota, and get my guide information on Comcast analog channel 3.

Be sure you don't shut off any analog channels, and you leave recorder in off state to receive time and guide info. If that doesn't solve your problem, try getting stuff with antenna.

Ray, I just got an OTA antenna last night, havent installed it yet, maybe just maybe it might get the guide data. Im crossing my fingers. I havent deleted any channels and its been off most of the time. Im sure that when I called Comcast and PBS I didnt say the right thing or talk to the right people. The number for my PBS station is 703-739-5000 If someone wants to call for me. :D
Any help is most appreciated.

Well I've had mine a total of 2 whole days now. No Clock or guide data, No good answer from PBS or Comcast. Sony said send it in. If it goes anywhere it's back to BB for a refund!
What good is a DVR if you can't schedule a recording. I've read a lot of posts on here, was just hoping this one would be different. The good news is I get a full refund!

I had the same issue so I unplugged the unit and when I plugged it back in I had time but it was wrong. Then I unplugged it for 24 hours and within 3 hours I had the correct time. Try unplugging it for just a few minutes and report what happens.

Ok havent tried that, but I will.

TVGOS support line -- 800-286-7380 -- not sure how technical it is, though.

This number now plays an ad for a saving bank. Does anyone know the new number ?

This number now plays an ad for a saving bank. Does anyone know the new number ?


This is number I got from calling their Calif office....18003867380.

Good luck.

I was going to call them about getting all the sub channels on the local PBS stations, but I figured whats the use. Also I do not know where the problem lies, its with the cable company or PBS or Gemstar?

HDAddiction

I was going to call them about getting all the sub channels on the local PBS stations, but I figured whats the use. Also I do not know where the problem lies, its with the cable company or PBS or Gemstar?

HDAddiction

I tried calling my local PBS station and they insisted that only send out guide data for their channels and not other OTA channel or cable channels. I am now playing CSR roulette with Sony :)

Ray, I just got an OTA antenna last night, havent installed it yet, maybe just maybe it might get the guide data. Im crossing my fingers. I havent deleted any channels and its been off most of the time. Im sure that when I called Comcast and PBS I didnt say the right thing or talk to the right people. The number for my PBS station is 703-739-5000 If someone wants to call for me. :D
Any help is most appreciated.

I suggest you go to the antenna web site for information on where to point your antenna. It will also tell you type of antenna you need, which is based on your distance from station transmitter.

I think I'll write to SCETV, and suggest that they ask TVGOS to include the SCETV subchannels in their listings.

I e-mailed South Carolina ETV about this and described my situation. They responded that they'll look into it and ask Gemstar to add the SCETV digital subchannels to their lineup. I hope this will have some weight with Gemstar, considering that these channels cover the whole state. My TVGOS data does include listings for the five digital subchannels of the ETV system in North Carolina, so I'm somewhat optimistic.

Gemstar might not want to add three subchannels for each individual SCETV station, but I'd be satisfied with a single set of generic listings that people can re-map to whichever station they normally watch.

Now that I got this HD DVR, I just realized that I can finally record the HDNet test patterns. Do they still run these test patterns? I thought it used to be on Tuesday mornings (not sure when though). My guide currently is only showing "HDNet Programming" for this channel on Tuesday AM (TitanTV reports the same thing)...

I would like to record it in HD and save it, and ideally I would like to see it in the listings so I can record it with a descriptive title!

Thanks

Gemstar might not want to add three subchannels for each individual SCETV station, but I'd be satisfied with a single set of generic listings that people can re-map to whichever station they normally watch.

I'm a bit puzzled. I understood from the thread for the LG 3410a some time ago that Gemstar would only carry the listings for ONE channel from a given station, which is supposed to have explained why we DIDN'T get the listing for the HD channel (or any other digital channel) from our local San Francisco PBS station, KQED.

Is this wrong? I haven't been following the sony HDD250-500 thread in detail, but is there anyone who gets more than one OTA listing for any specific station, using the Sony???

Tony :confused:

To all members who bought the Sony DHG-HDD250. I called Sony and there is an error on page 55 item 3. Push select button to play your recordings.

I'm a bit puzzled. I understood from the thread for the LG 3410a some time ago that Gemstar would only carry the listings for ONE channel from a given station, which is supposed to have explained why we DIDN'T get the listing for the HD channel (or any other digital channel) from our local San Francisco PBS station, KQED.

Is this wrong? I haven't been following the sony HDD250-500 thread in detail, but is there anyone who gets more than one OTA listing for any specific station, using the Sony???

Tony :confused:I think what you're saying is true, at least here in my market, too. Our PBS station, unfortunately, broadcasts its SD programming on 24-1 and it's HD programming on 24-2. But the only listing I get is for 24-1.

is there anyone who gets more than one OTA listing for any specific station, using the Sony???I get listings for KCTS 9, KCTSDT 9.1, and KCTSHD 9.5, in the Seattle area. We also get 9.2 and 9.3, but I have those turned off, so I don't know if listings are sent. Also, we get listings for 4 & 4.1, 5 & 5.1, 7 & 7.1, 22 & 22.1, and maybe more, I don't remember and the TV is not on now to check.

I'm pleased to report that my troubles with the HDD250 appear to be over! :) I thought that my host station was not sending the TVGOS data properly, but as it turns out, I wasn't getting a good enough OTA signal from my host station. I bought a new indoor antenna, the Terk HDTVa (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007MXZB2/103-4448416-1767865?v=glance&n=172282) and now things are going wonderfully! I recommend this little indoor antenna to anyone who needs a silver sensor type antenna for their UHF digital stations but also needs to get good reception on analog VHF stations (like my host station).

All the guide talk gets me confused sometimes.

Basically, if a channel does not show up in the available channels to turn on in the TVGOS system, I'm SOL? Example: NFL HD, or NFL SD. I have both, but neither is a choice on the chennel setup in the TVGOS system. Therefore I will not get the Date, correct? Even if I map some other logoed (or named) channel to the actual tuned channel of one of these I will get the guide data for the logoed channel.

i.e. I take one of the 15 NBC channels that I do not get, but are a choice for me, and set it to tune to 779 (NFL HD), it iwll show up in my guide and take me to NFL HD, but it will give me the guide data for that NBC, correct? One person told me in his experience this was true, but what has anyone else experienced?

Does the host channel deliver the guide data for all of those that it says are available, or does the host channel deliver the guide info for whatever is being tuned?

Also, if I have a cable only set up, is there any value in trying to find a channel that my TVGOS setup gives me as an option, such as a UPNHD, but the cable company does not say I get? Such as, I read everyone saying they get 2, 2.1, 2.5, etc, but I'm assuming they all have OTA.

is there anyone who gets more than one OTA listing for any specific station, using the Sony???

I get both analog and digital listings for several stations, for example 4 (WYFF) and 4.1 (WYFF-DT), but I don't have any listings for multiple digital subchannels. I do have listings for UNC-HD, UNC-ED, UNCKID and UNC-NC, which are subchannels of the PBS stations in the UNC-TV system in North Carolina. They're not associated with any particular channel number. Maybe they're there because at least some cable systems carry them.

I just took a look at the listings for Charter cable in my area, and they carry SCETV's "South Carolina Channel" but not the HD channel. So if Gemstar has a policy against listing multiple digital subchannels unless they're carried on cable in the area covered by my TVGOS host channel, I may be out of luck as far as the SCETV HD channel is concerned. :(

In the Chicago suburb where I'm at, I get all guide data and have matching guide channels for all the subchannels except the two weather subs we have. We just got a new PBS.3 sub (which totally ruined our main HD one), but they're not sending data for that as of yet.

All the guide talk gets me confused sometimes.

Basically, if a channel does not show up in the available channels to turn on in the TVGOS system, I'm SOL? Example: NFL HD, or NFL SD. I have both, but neither is a choice on the chennel setup in the TVGOS system. Therefore I will not get the Date, correct? Even if I map some other logoed (or named) channel to the actual tuned channel of one of these I will get the guide data for the logoed channel.

i.e. I take one of the 15 NBC channels that I do not get, but are a choice for me, and set it to tune to 779 (NFL HD), it iwll show up in my guide and take me to NFL HD, but it will give me the guide data for that NBC, correct? One person told me in his experience this was true, but what has anyone else experienced?

Does the host channel deliver the guide data for all of those that it says are available, or does the host channel deliver the guide info for whatever is being tuned?

Also, if I have a cable only set up, is there any value in trying to find a channel that my TVGOS setup gives me as an option, such as a UPNHD, but the cable company does not say I get? Such as, I read everyone saying they get 2, 2.1, 2.5, etc, but I'm assuming they all have OTA. Now you've got me confused, too. Someone else handle this 'cause I'm too tired right now to sort all this out.

Now that I got this HD DVR, I just realized that I can finally record the HDNet test patterns. Do they still run these test patterns? I thought it used to be on Tuesday mornings (not sure when though). My guide currently is only showing "HDNet Programming" for this channel on Tuesday AM (TitanTV reports the same thing)...

I would like to record it in HD and save it, and ideally I would like to see it in the listings so I can record it with a descriptive title!

Thanks

Tue., Jan. 24th 6:00 AM ET HDNet Test Patterns

Tue., Jan. 31st 6:00 AM ET HDNet Test Patterns

You can get the above info at

http://www.hd.net/op_originals.html

Hi folks-

I've been noticing something strange. My unit has full listings. Haven't had any problems there. But sometimes, when I press the Info button while watching a show live to see what it is, it will report "No Listing." If I hit the TV Guide button, and the grid comes up, sure enough there is a listing for that time/channel slot.

I haven't found a patter as to when this happens. Doesn't seem to cause a problem with recordings.

Anyone else seeing this?

Marc

PS: Endo: when I get home from work I'll try to look up that info you requested about values from the diagnostics menu.

Tue., Jan. 24th 6:00 AM ET HDNet Test Patterns

Tue., Jan. 31st 6:00 AM ET HDNet Test Patterns

You can get the above info at

http://www.hd.net/op_originals.html

Thanks!

Hi folks-

I've been noticing something strange. My unit has full listings. Haven't had any problems there. But sometimes, when I press the Info button while watching a show live to see what it is, it will report "No Listing." If I hit the TV Guide button, and the grid comes up, sure enough there is a listing for that time/channel slot.

I haven't found a patter as to when this happens. Doesn't seem to cause a problem with recordings.

Anyone else seeing this?

Marc

PS: Endo: when I get home from work I'll try to look up that info you requested about values from the diagnostics menu.

This has happened to me twice. Once for my FOX stattion and once for my CBS station. I solved it by just doing another channel scan (Auto add from antenna) and that seemed to work.

Hi folks-

I've been noticing something strange. My unit has full listings. Haven't had any problems there. But sometimes, when I press the Info button while watching a show live to see what it is, it will report "No Listing." If I hit the TV Guide button, and the grid comes up, sure enough there is a listing for that time/channel slot.

I haven't found a patter as to when this happens. Doesn't seem to cause a problem with recordings.

Anyone else seeing this?

Marc

PS: Endo: when I get home from work I'll try to look up that info you requested about values from the diagnostics menu.

If I recall correctly, I have seen this, but it actually happens only briefly. When pressing the Info button, it will show "no listing" for about 2 seconds, and then the info will appear.

Basically, if a channel does not show up in the available channels to turn on in the TVGOS system, I'm SOL? Example: NFL HD, or NFL SD. I have both, but neither is a choice on the chennel setup in the TVGOS system. Therefore I will not get the Date, correct? Even if I map some other logoed (or named) channel to the actual tuned channel of one of these I will get the guide data for the logoed channel.

That is correct. Using the channel display setup to change the channel number that a particular station (listing) tunes to, does not change the actual program data for that station. For example, I receive WOLO-DT (25.1), the ABC affiliate in Columbia SC, but my TVGOS data doesn't contain that station. It does contain WSOC-DT (9.1), the ABC affiliate in Charlotte NC, which I can't receive. So I changed the listing for WSOC to point to channel 25.1. Now, whenever I tune to 25.1, it shows up as WSOC-DT on the front panel. I can schedule recordings for network programming without any problem, because both stations show the same network programming; but local and syndicated programming is different. For example, at 5:30 on weekdays, the guide lists a local news program, but when I tune to it, I actually get Judge Joe Brown.

I think the reason why it's possible to re-map channel numbers is that some cable systems don't always use the same numbers for certain channels, or sometimes they change the channel numbers and TVGOS doesn't catch up quickly. Re-mapping allows people to fix this.

A follow-up cable-only (w/CC) guide question. Is each channel suppose to send down its guide data in the VBI ? What if the channel is only digital is there VBI ? how the box get its guide data ?

A follow-up cable-only (w/CC) guide question. Is each channel suppose to send down its guide data in the VBI ? What if the channel is only digital is there VBI ? how the box get its guide data ?

I only have cable with CC and my provider passes all the analog and digital channels
through the cable and the CC just decrypts those digital channels that are encrypted, so the guide data still comes through the cable from my local PBS channel.

In the Chicago suburb where I'm at, I get all guide data and have matching guide channels for all the subchannels except the two weather subs we have. We just got a new PBS.3 sub (which totally ruined our main HD one), but they're not sending data for that as of yet.


Rammitinski,

Are you getting the listings for the 7, 26, and 56 subs? What zip code are you using?

I only have cable with CC and my provider passes all the analog and digital channels
through the cable and the CC just decrypts those digital channels that are encrypted, so the guide data still comes through the cable from my local PBS channel.

That is exactly how I thought it worked but when I called my local PBS station to say I was missing some channel information they insisted that there feed only contains information for their channels.

FYI:

I just received a call from the Sony Technician that is working on my DHG-HDD500, they have upgraded the firmware and made an electrical motherboard modification to solve for error 161-6. They are also in consultation with Sony programmers for a modification to my firmware to allow for 4 digit channel entries in the tv guide channel editor.

The reason he called, was to inform me that my unit will have to stay an extra week until they get the new updated firmware with the 4 digit channel modification.

Also, the technician has informed me that the current firmware upgrade they installed allows for the unit to get the TV Guide data from either an analog or digital OTA or CC channel. So I don't have to worry about the 2007 analog to digital conversion.

Thats all the information I have.

FYI:

I just received a call from the Sony Technician that is working on my DHG-HDD500, they have upgraded the firmware and made an electrical motherboard modification to solve for error 161-6. They are also in consultation with Sony programmers for a modification to my firmware to allow for 4 digit channel entries in the tv guide channel editor.

The reason he called, was to inform me that my unit will have to stay an extra week until they get the new updated firmware with the 4 digit channel modification.

Also, the technician has informed me that the current firmware upgrade they installed allows for the unit to get the TV Guide data from either an analog or digital OTA or CC channel. So I don't have to worry about the 2007 analog to digital conversion.

Thats all the information I have.
is TV Guide currently transmitted via the Cable company? otherwise it won't help much.

I thought HDD units will be able to get firmware updates via OTA or Cable? my Samsung Directv Receiver's been getting firmware updates via Directv dish!

Also, the technician has informed me that the current firmware upgrade they installed allows for the unit to get the TV Guide data from either an analog or digital OTA or CC channel. So I don't have to worry about the 2007 analog to digital conversion.

Thats all the information I have.

Great news about guide data... too bad all those fellas returned the HDD because they assumed the guide would be unavailable when analog was turned off.

At least we know it's possible to get the data in the future... now it's a matter of waiting to see if they allow the user to flash the firmware themselves. But if I have to send it in, I'll make up a phony problem, and get the firmware flashed by Sony under the warranty :)

-T

is TV Guide currently transmitted via the Cable company? otherwise it won't help much.

I thought HDD units will be able to get firmware updates via OTA or Cable? my Samsung Directv Receiver's been getting firmware updates via Directv dish!

Yes, TV Guide (GemStar) has contracted with Time Warner Cable to re-transmit the data from the GemStar affiliated channels via cable. This for me, unlike for others here, has always worked. I had TV Guide listings appearing within hours...


Gemstar, Time Warner in licensing deal

October 7, 2003

Los Angeles Times

Under a licensing and distribution agreement announced Tuesday, Pasadena-based Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. will license its interactive program guide to Time Warner Cable for an undisclosed amount.

The agreement also includes a patent license that allows Time Warner to use Gemstar's technology in its own interactive program guides or in alternative interactive program guide products supplied to it by its vendors.

Stamford, Conn.-based Time Warner will also incorporate TV Guide-branded elements and content into its own guide and other guides.

Gemstar-TV Guide International is a leading media and technology company. Its businesses include television media and publishing properties; interactive program guide services and products; and technology and intellectual property licensing. The company owns "TV Guide" magazine and airline catalog company SkyMall.


For some reason, only Sony knows why, the DHG-HDD500 needs to be sent in to a service center for firmware upgrades.

is TV Guide currently transmitted via the Cable company? otherwise it won't help much.

I thought HDD units will be able to get firmware updates via OTA or Cable? my Samsung Directv Receiver's been getting firmware updates via Directv dish!

Cox Cable also transmits TV Guide data through its cable for its subscribers.

Also, the technician has informed me that the current firmware upgrade they installed allows for the unit to get the TV Guide data from either an analog or digital OTA or CC channel. So I don't have to worry about the 2007 analog to digital conversion.


I hope that this is true (and they aren't just blowing smoke up your "you-know-what"). Did you specifically ask about the viability of this product after the analog shutoff, or did they volunteer this info about the firmware?

If it is true, I think this is kind of lame on Sony's part to only allow firmware to be upgraded when you send it in. I would also really like more detail on the electrical mod that they talk about - is it something that would require a new part, or is it just some kind of adjustment?

Once these units are all out of warranty, does this mean that we would have to PAY for a firmware upgrade that allows them to work beyond the analog shutoff? This is something that I feel they should do free of charge for Sony customers.

I would like to wait until summer (when most TV is in "rerun mode") to get this firmware upgrade taken care of, but by then the labor warranty will have expired.

I am wondering if the issue where some the programs that are in the recording schedule don't actually show up in the guide with the red dot next to them would be a legitimate reason for return/repair. I am not experiencing the 161 error...

I hope that this is true (and they aren't just blowing smoke up your "you-know-what"). Did you specifically ask about the viability of this product after the analog shutoff, or did they volunteer this info about the firmware?

If it is true, I think this is kind of lame on Sony's part to only allow firmware to be upgraded when you send it in. I would also really like more detail on the electrical mod that they talk about - is it something that would require a new part, or is it just some kind of adjustment?

Once these units are all out of warranty, does this mean that we would have to PAY for a firmware upgrade that allows them to work beyond the analog shutoff? This is something that I feel they should do free of charge for Sony customers.

I would like to wait until summer (when most TV is in "rerun mode") to get this firmware upgrade taken care of, but by then the labor warranty will have expired.

I am wondering if the issue where some the programs that are in the recording schedule don't actually show up in the guide with the red dot next to them would be a legitimate reason for return/repair. I am not experiencing the 161 error...

About 'electrical mod', i think Sony's making this up. Otherwise, it should be a simple firmware update & they change few setting values in the Setup guide.

I hope that this is true (and they aren't just blowing smoke up your "you-know-what"). Did you specifically ask about the viability of this product after the analog shutoff, or did they volunteer this info about the firmware?

If it is true, I think this is kind of lame on Sony's part to only allow firmware to be upgraded when you send it in. I would also really like more detail on the electrical mod that they talk about - is it something that would require a new part, or is it just some kind of adjustment?

Once these units are all out of warranty, does this mean that we would have to PAY for a firmware upgrade that allows them to work beyond the analog shutoff? This is something that I feel they should do free of charge for Sony customers.

I would like to wait until summer (when most TV is in "rerun mode") to get this firmware upgrade taken care of, but by then the labor warranty will have expired.

I am wondering if the issue where some the programs that are in the recording schedule don't actually show up in the guide with the red dot next to them would be a legitimate reason for return/repair. I am not experiencing the 161 error...

I asked the question about the analog shutoff. From what the tech indicated, everyone already has this capability but he didn't know which firmware version included the capability.

I'm glad Sony covered this issue via software and no mod to the motherboard to get the digital data. I would hope they consider upgrading firmware via the USB port. The electrical mod has to do with the 161-6 error, he didn't get into details.

can this unit receive both OTA and cable (via CableCard) together? the reason is that i would like to record network shows from the OTA antenna and the other broadcast HD shows from cable. also, having the OTA antenna connected would allow me to get guide data more reliably in case the cable company does not fully or properly transmit it. thanks.

can this unit receive both OTA and cable (via CableCard) together? the reason is that i would like to record network shows from the OTA antenna and the other broadcast HD shows from cable. also, having the OTA antenna connected would allow me to get guide data more reliably in case the cable company does not fully or properly transmit it. thanks.

Knock yourself out...my DHG-HDD500 did this out of the box...

About 'electrical mod', i think Sony's making this up. Otherwise, it should be a simple firmware update & they change few setting values in the Setup guide.

I doubt Sony is making anything up...the candor of the technician over the phone indicated that the electrical mod for the 161-6 error required opening the case...

Now...what is an electrical mod? It could be a simple pin jumper adjustment or soldering...or an adjustment to the electrical current to the Cablecard...we just don't know...but what we do know, is that they will be charging us once the warranty is over for these mods unless we get the unit in before the warranty expires...and thats exactly what I did.

I doubt Sony is making anything up...the candor of the technician over the phone indicated that the electrical mod for the 161-6 error required opening the case...

Now...what is an electrical mod? It could be a simple pin jumper adjustment or soldering...or an adjustment to the electrical current to the Cablecard...we just don't know...but what we do know, is that they will be charging us once the warranty is over for these mods unless we get the unit in before the warranty expires...and thats exactly what I did.
i doubt 161-6 error's appearing on every units.

i love the new tivo3 feature for even more extra storages on external SATAs!

i love the new tivo3 feature for even more extra storages on external SATAs!

what's tivo3?

what's tivo3?It's the Series 3 TiVo to be released sometime later this year...standalone, high definition capable of recording off cable (with or without cablecard) and OTA. Poster is referring to the ability to add external storage with an eSATA drive.

i doubt 161-6 error's appearing on every units.

i love the new tivo3 feature for even more extra storages on external SATAs!

The 161-6 error wasn't appearing on my DHG-HDD500 but that didn't stop me from sending in the unit to get the latest mods & software upgrades while it is still under warranty.

We all love TiVo, the Sony fills in the gap while we wait for the Series 3.

Ok, so all this talk about the mod to allow digital acceptance of the guide data has got me thinking. I just hooked up my replacement unit and had the Cable Card from the get go this time. The cable card is working this time (no 161-6), but it's been almost 45 hours since I hooked it up and while I have most of the channels, they all read "No Listing." Last time I'm pretty sure I had at least day 8 listings by now. I have a straight up cable set up, the only difference is, this time I have the Cabel Card in from the start. I did notice too that last time the listing kind of got flaky after I installed the card. Is there somethign here keeping me from getting the listings?

I remember someone saying something about splitting the feed and sending the cable in through the antenna in. Would this make a difference, perhaps b/c my PBS station will be a "clean anologue" signal (I made up that term meaning there would be no chance at digital anything :) )

I'm thinking outloud, bear with me..... is it possible that since I put in the CC, all my channels are digital, whereas before without the cable card the basics were anologue?

It's the Series 3 TiVo to be released sometime later this year...standalone, high definition capable of recording off cable (with or without cablecard) and OTA. Poster is referring to the ability to add external storage with an eSATA drive.

ah...I guess I saw something about this during the past week...it was something that I'd been waiting to see, too, although frankly the on-screen TV Guide of the LG 3410a, or (presumably) that of the sony in this thread, satisfies a lot of the interest for me. The major trouble with these 2 units is having only one tuner!!!

And a far as I can tell, neither the sony here nor the new tivo will have a capabiility for archiving the occasional especially interesting program for long-term future use, a capability that the 3410a does have via firewire to a digital VCR...

I assume SATA is some specific kind of hard drive, but would it be cheap enough to use for archiving?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067TYFO/ref=nosim/103-0189769-0904662?n=172282


JP

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067TYFO/ref=nosim/103-0189769-0904662?n=172282


JP
I am glad I got my order in for my second one before you posted this. Had been checking the price everyday. Amazon finally got around to lowering the price to match J&R Music's price. I have had my first one since July and have not had any problems with it.

FYI:

I just received a call from the Sony Technician that is working on my DHG-HDD500. They are also in consultation with Sony programmers for a modification to my firmware to allow for 4 digit channel entries in the tv guide channel editor.

The reason he called, was to inform me that my unit will have to stay an extra week until they get the new updated firmware with the 4 digit channel modification.

Also, the technician has informed me that the current firmware upgrade they installed allows for the unit to get the TV Guide data from either an analog or digital OTA or CC channel. So I don't have to worry about the 2007 analog to digital conversion.

Thats all the information I have.

Any chance you got the number of this technician? I would love to talk to him about the updated firmware to see whether we could download it ourselves. I don't want to send my unit in, but I'd really like that four digit channel modification, as well as one that will allow downloading the guide info from digital channels.

I would also like to understand better where it tries to get the guide data. Mine seems to download the guide fine when I don't have a cable card in, but not when I do. I suspect it's because RCN cable here in Chicago maps most channels to digital feeds. They do still map an analog PBS station to one channel, but I suspect it's not the one the unit expects.

All-in-all, if it weren't for the beautiful picture this unit provides, I'd be calling it a piece of junk. I think Sony has engineering problems, as I've had problems with more than one piece of Sony equipment, and this one doesn't seem stable. It seems like the processor is underpowered and I've noticed that it does run hot -- usually over 100 degrees.

Mine seems to download the guide fine when I don't have a cable card in, but not when I do.

I'm thinking that I have the same probelm, as stated in my previous post. Any luck on this other than taking the card out? Have you tried splitting the cable and bringing it in the antenna jack?

I'm thinking that I have the same probelm, as stated in my previous post. Any luck on this other than taking the card out? Have you tried splitting the cable and bringing it in the antenna jack?

No, I've had an antenna connected in addition to the cable. But that's an interesting idea. I'll try it.

The 161-6 error wasn't appearing on my DHG-HDD500 but that didn't stop me from sending in the unit to get the latest mods & software upgrades while it is still under warranty.

We all love TiVo, the Sony fills in the gap while we wait for the Series 3.
My 2 HDD250 units're working great since September, so i would stick with 1.2.05 firmware.

Will it be probable new firmware won't let flagged programs be recorded? :eek:

FYI:

I just received a call from the Sony Technician that is working on my DHG-HDD500, they have upgraded the firmware and made an electrical motherboard modification to solve for error 161-6. They are also in consultation with Sony programmers for a modification to my firmware to allow for 4 digit channel entries in the tv guide channel editor.

The reason he called, was to inform me that my unit will have to stay an extra week until they get the new updated firmware with the 4 digit channel modification.

Also, the technician has informed me that the current firmware upgrade they installed allows for the unit to get the TV Guide data from either an analog or digital OTA or CC channel. So I don't have to worry about the 2007 analog to digital conversion.

Thats all the information I have.

When you get the unit back please post the firmware version. Thanks.

No, I've had an antenna connected in addition to the cable. But that's an interesting idea. I'll try it.

I read it somewhere on here a while back (about a month ago) can't recall much about it, let alone find it. Please let me know how it works for you. I think you need to do a scan for channels. You could turn them all off then except for your host channel.

I'm thinking outloud, bear with me..... is it possible that since I put in the CC, all my channels are digital, whereas before without the cable card the basics were anologue?

It's possible if your area is on ADS and your card has been provisioned as digital. I had this problem when Comcast first got my card working. They had to send a hit to the card with new analog provisioning. I believe I then had to remove and reinsert the card for it to take effect. This meant reorganizing all of the guide channels again, but TVGOS has worked great ever since.

I'm still waiting for them to add a duplicate PBS channel mapped as analog so I can change to ADS.

It's good to see the news that the Sony will be able to receive guide data via digital when it becomes necessary. Right now, though, I don't believe they have the equipment to send the data over a digital channel. But they ARE working on it.

It's possible if your area is on ADS and your card has been provisioned as digital. I had this problem when Comcast first got my card working. They had to send a hit to the card with new analog provisioning. I believe I then had to remove and reinsert the card for it to take effect. This meant reorganizing all of the guide channels again, but TVGOS has worked great ever since.

I'm still waiting for them to add a duplicate PBS channel mapped as analog so I can change to ADS.

It's good to see the news that the Sony will be able to receive guide data via digital when it becomes necessary. Right now, though, I don't believe they have the equipment to send the data over a digital channel. But they ARE working on it.

How did you convince them to do this? what did you say? Adelphia wanted to charge me a relocation fee to move the cable card to a new 250, but I talked a girl who knew nothing (as most do) to just let me read her the host ID and set it a hit. Also, how long after doing this did it begin working?

Thanks!

Ok, so all this talk about the mod to allow digital acceptance of the guide data has got me thinking. I just hooked up my replacement unit and had the Cable Card from the get go this time. The cable card is working this time (no 161-6), but it's been almost 45 hours since I hooked it up and while I have most of the channels, they all read "No Listing." Last time I'm pretty sure I had at least day 8 listings by now. I have a straight up cable set up, the only difference is, this time I have the Cabel Card in from the start. I did notice too that last time the listing kind of got flaky after I installed the card. Is there somethign here keeping me from getting the listings?

I remember someone saying something about splitting the feed and sending the cable in through the antenna in. Would this make a difference, perhaps b/c my PBS station will be a "clean anologue" signal (I made up that term meaning there would be no chance at digital anything :) )

I'm thinking outloud, bear with me..... is it possible that since I put in the CC, all my channels are digital, whereas before without the cable card the basics were anologue?

Funny that you should mention this, the instructions for my JVC 61" HD-ILA 61Z786 TV, which has a cablecard, required me to split the cable exactly as you mentioned. I never thought of setting up my DHG-HDD500 that way.

My 2 HDD250 units're working great since September, so i would stick with 1.2.05 firmware.

Will it be probable new firmware won't let flagged programs be recorded? :eek:

That would be a good test once my unit returns from service...but how would we know which programs are set to record are flagged???

Any chance you got the number of this technician? I would love to talk to him about the updated firmware to see whether we could download it ourselves. I don't want to send my unit in, but I'd really like that four digit channel modification, as well as one that will allow downloading the guide info from digital channels.

I would also like to understand better where it tries to get the guide data. Mine seems to download the guide fine when I don't have a cable card in, but not when I do. I suspect it's because RCN cable here in Chicago maps most channels to digital feeds. They do still map an analog PBS station to one channel, but I suspect it's not the one the unit expects.

All-in-all, if it weren't for the beautiful picture this unit provides, I'd be calling it a piece of junk. I think Sony has engineering problems, as I've had problems with more than one piece of Sony equipment, and this one doesn't seem stable. It seems like the processor is underpowered and I've noticed that it does run hot -- usually over 100 degrees.

Sure did, thanks to caller id on my cell phone, anyways the callback number on my cell phone is (724) 696-7000, tech name is John. He is at the MT Pleasant, PA Sony service center.

I also have an email address for them, this information is from the status email updates they send on my unit, they send these every day...I know they are auto generated...but they sure make you feel comfortable knowing the status on the unit...here it is:

Sony Service Contact Information
Location: MT PLEASANT, PA
Phone number: (866) 748-8272 8:00AM - 4:30PM EST
Sony Service email: mailto:SonyRepairCenter@am.sony.com
Service website: http://eservice.sony.com/webrma/web/index.do

The 866 areacode is their customer service center in Florida , but the 724 number is definitely PA. However, be advised that you need a work order number to get to the tech, and even then, when I tried, I was referred back to the customer service center rep.

Rammitinski,

Are you getting the listings for the 7, 26, and 56 subs? What zip code are you using? I get the listings for 7.2 and 26.2. I only get the main 56 listings, but I don't really care because I can't receive it anyway (I get it on satellite). I also forgot that I don't get any info for WOCH (41 analog), either. My zip is 60014 (Crystal Lake). I just mapped 7.2 to the WLS-SD channel and 26.2 to WMME when they showed up in my initial setup, and Voila!, they filled in with the corresponding data.

Any chance you got the number of this technician? I would love to talk to him about the updated firmware to see whether we could download it ourselves. I don't want to send my unit in, but I'd really like that four digit channel modification, as well as one that will allow downloading the guide info from digital channels.

I would also like to understand better where it tries to get the guide data. Mine seems to download the guide fine when I don't have a cable card in, but not when I do. I suspect it's because RCN cable here in Chicago maps most channels to digital feeds. They do still map an analog PBS station to one channel, but I suspect it's not the one the unit expects.

All-in-all, if it weren't for the beautiful picture this unit provides, I'd be calling it a piece of junk. I think Sony has engineering problems, as I've had problems with more than one piece of Sony equipment, and this one doesn't seem stable. It seems like the processor is underpowered and I've noticed that it does run hot -- usually over 100 degrees. I receive my guide data in Chicago from WTTW analog OTA. Don't know if they use the same channel on your particular cable system, though. All you people here from the Chicagoland area would probably get a lot more answers about these issues over in the local HDTV threads for the area.

It's possible if your area is on ADS and your card has been provisioned as digital. I'm still waiting for them to add a duplicate PBS channel mapped as analog so I can change to ADS.


The card has both analog and digital channels on it and the local PBS channel (over-the-air channel 11) has the digital version mapped to 11 and the analog version mapped to 94. The HDD250 doesn't seem to find analog 94 for purposes of loading the guide, if, indeed, the guide comes from analog PBS. Do we know this for a fact? Anyone know anything about RCN cable?

I believe there is a thread for it in the Local HDTV area.

I get the listings for 7.2 and 26.2. I only get the main 56 listings, but I don't really care because I can't receive it anyway (I get it on satellite). I also forgot that I don't get any info for WOCH (41 analog), either. My zip is 60014 (Crystal Lake). I just mapped 7.2 to the WLS-SD channel and 26.2 to WMME when they showed up in my initial setup, and Voila!, they filled in with the corresponding data.

Hmmm, I live in Geneva (60134) and it says my host channel is 1:0-2 so I take it that means the source is cable and the channel is 2 which is CBS here. The G* test shows that VBI packets come in twice as fast on 11 than they do on 2 however. I wish there was a way to force it to get TVGOS information from a specific channel. Add that to the wish list.

I've owned the DHG-HDD250 for about 2 weeks now and have been real happy with it. However, The last 2 times I've tried to record it hasn't worked. I checked the recording history menu and it says "recording stopped" and "recording not permitted by service provider". Could my cable company (Charter Communications) really be blocking my recordings? I find that hard to believe, especially after it worked fine for the first week. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

That would be a good test once my unit returns from service...but how would we know which programs are set to record are flagged???
probably those that are On Demand so it'll cost like 99cents each :eek:

Hi Endo-

Just now had a chance to bring up that screen with the ECM stuff. Electronic Counter Measures? :-)

Anyway, here's what was there:
Auth Status: CP Auth Received
Prog Number: 6
CCI byte: 0x02
ECM count: 50
EMM count: 0
Decryption status: OK
Power Key Status: Ready
EID: 0xd
MKS period: 100 seconds
KSE count: 0

Marc

probably those that are On Demand so it'll cost like 99cents each :eek:

On Demand via cablecard is not available to me with Time Warner Cable Albany NY. Even the old ordering PPV over phone has been discontinued for CC customers.

Hmmm, I live in Geneva (60134) and it says my host channel is 1:0-2 so I take it that means the source is cable and the channel is 2 which is CBS here. The G* test shows that VBI packets come in twice as fast on 11 than they do on 2 however. I wish there was a way to force it to get TVGOS information from a specific channel. Add that to the wish list.

Where did you look to get the host channel information?

Not only a wish to designate a specific channel, but also a wish to be able to set the time manually. I wonder where it gets the time from. It apparently isn't the same place it gets the listings, but it sure takes a while.

And what's with its getting the wrong time if you turn it on too soon after plugging it in?

In the los angeles area. No listings for next friday and saturday. Anyone else missing this?

In my otherwise cabel card only setup, I just hooked up the cable to my anenna in as well, and my host channel still says to be the cable version of PBS. I tuned to that channel and tested the VBI packets and they are fine. I tuned to the antenna version of PBS and the VBI packet are fine. I still am not getting any guide data.

Someone help PLEASE!

In the los angeles area. No listings for next friday and saturday. Anyone else missing this?

Same for me. I also have Comcast cable HD recorder, and that guide goes out to about 1/28.

In the los angeles area. No listings for next friday and saturday. Anyone else missing this?

I'm in LA. I've just got a new 250 and was trying to get listings. I got the time and channel lineup Friday evening but no actual listings as of Saturday morning, so I guess I can confirm that the problem is with local PBS/Gemstar.

Thanks for the info, also. It helps to know that my open box 250 isn't the problem.

How did you convince them to do this? what did you say? Adelphia wanted to charge me a relocation fee to move the cable card to a new 250, but I talked a girl who knew nothing (as most do) to just let me read her the host ID and set it a hit. Also, how long after doing this did it begin working?

Thanks!

I was dealing with supervisors and engineers at the time (because it had taken 3 months to get the card working), so they understood immediately when I described the problem. You have to find someone who understands that the card must be provisioned for analog, not digital.

Of course, I can't tell if this is really your particular problem. Which cableco do you have? Are they passing the TVGOS data properly? Is anyone else in your area having problems? You may need to insist on speaking to a tech supervisor.

Hmmm, I live in Geneva (60134) and it says my host channel is 1:0-2 so I take it that means the source is cable and the channel is 2 which is CBS here. The G* test shows that VBI packets come in twice as fast on 11 than they do on 2 however. I wish there was a way to force it to get TVGOS information from a specific channel. Add that to the wish list. I can get channel 11 here OTA good enough to grab the data with a set of rabbit ears - might this be a possibility for you to consider?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00067TYFO/ref=nosim/103-0189769-0904662?n=172282


JP
Down to four now, I am sure when they are gone they are gone from Amazon.com.

Where did you look to get the host channel information?

Not only a wish to designate a specific channel, but also a wish to be able to set the time manually. I wonder where it gets the time from. It apparently isn't the same place it gets the listings, but it sure takes a while.

And what's with its getting the wrong time if you turn it on too soon after plugging it in? Although this has been told a zillion times all over this forum, I'll repeat it - go to the guide, scroll up to "setup", move down to "change system settings", DO NOT PRESS ENTER, enter the numbers 753159852 from remote, "system's info" chart will appear, click right arrow on remote once to go to second page, five entries down on the list it will say "host channel"- it will appear as 0:0-?? (example: 0:0-11), the ?? is your host channel.

Down to four now, I am sure when they are gone they are gone from Amazon.com. My local Tweeter still had some 500's in stock as of 2 nights ago for $700.00. They may have had some 250's, too, but I didn't ask.

I have tried splitting the cable to also come in my antenna input, but I cannot see the antenna channels on the Guide, but I can tune to them. Wouldn't this be neccessary to get the guide data from the antenna PBS channel? How do I make this available?

Is there anyone else in the Cleveland, OH area and/or with Adelphia that can share their experiences?

I just decided to reset my box by pulling the plug and cable card. with the cablecard out I cannot get ANYTHING. Seems to me that this means the cable card is set up as digital only. Can anyone verify this?

However, I did see 1:0-2 as the host and packets were coming in. Can they just not be decrypted or something if they're from a digital channel?

Thanks!

I can get channel 11 here OTA good enough to grab the data with a set of rabbit ears - might this be a possibility for you to consider?

Yeah but there is no way to force the Sony to get data from channel 11. I guess maybe if I remove channel 2 but I don't want to do that.

You could maybe try a complete rescan with the antenna and cable and the local OTA data might override the local cable data somehow. Maybe you'll receive duplicates of the channels in the guide (from cable & from OTA). I wish I had more experience with the problem, but I've only had OTA since I got the unit.

Is there a way to list channels numerically instead in the TVGuide?

Thanks

I just decided to reset my box by pulling the plug and cable card. with the cablecard out I cannot get ANYTHING. Seems to me that this means the cable card is set up as digital only. Can anyone verify this?

However, I did see 1:0-2 as the host and packets were coming in. Can they just not be decrypted or something if they're from a digital channel?

Thanks!

Without the card, you should get all unscrambled channels (some on different channel numbers than with the card).

Put the card back in. Assuming it works, tune to a channel between 2 and 99. Then use the menus to go to the diagnostics screen. The info in the upper left will tell you if it is an analog or digital channel.

Hello all,

I was just wondering if anyone out there knew what the second column of information in the diagnostics screen meant. This is the column that has the heading "Out of Band", and lists what appears to be a differennt frequency than the "In Band" column.

For example, on cable channel 783, the "in band" freq is 663 MHz, while the out of band freq is 75.250 MHz, and there is a SNR listed as 31.72 and 18.49 respectively for the In and Out columns.

I see that this is a 256-QAM channel, and it looks like a 2048 kbps channel.

I do have a cablecard, too if that makes and difference.

Thanks!

Ok who purchased the last four at Amazon to sell on ebay?

Although this has been told a zillion times all over this forum, I'll repeat it - go to the guide, scroll up to "setup", move down to "change system settings", DO NOT PRESS ENTER, enter the numbers 753159852 from remote, "system's info" chart will appear, click right arrow on remote once to go to second page, five entries down on the list it will say "host channel"- it will appear as 0:0-?? (example: 0:0-11), the ?? is your host channel.

Also, once you know your host channel and want your clock to set immediately instead of waiting hours and hours for the unit to eventually set it on it's own, you can simply do the G* VBI test (Tune to your host channel, press menu, screen mode, 9012, select TV Guide, G* test) and that will set your clock. This is really nice to know if you loose power or need to unplug it.

JP

Is there a way to list channels numerically instead in the TVGuide?

Thanks


You can edit the listing order manually. Unfortunately, there is no auto sort feature. Please refer to the manual for details. You can also use this feature to turn off duplicate channels and channels you don't view.

I am O.K. up to the screen mode. But do not understand what the 9012 is. I only get options to change the views.

I am O.K. up to the screen mode. But do not understand what the 9012 is. I only get options to change the views.

After you hit menu, then screen mode, hit the numbers 9, 0, 1, 2. This will bring up hidden menu options.

JP

I was just wondering if anyone out there knew what the second column of information in the diagnostics screen meant. This is the column that has the heading "Out of Band", and lists what appears to be a differennt frequency than the "In Band" column.

I believe this is the part of the signal that includes the VBI. I've seen somewhere, maybe on the Sony support site, that the SNR has to be around 18 or 19.

Well, I made it since Wednesday, but here we go, number two has error 161-6. Guess I'll go back to Best Buy and hope they still have one of the other 9 left.

What are the odds I'll get a third with this problem? Does anyone know, is this problem related to a specific version(s) of the software? I think the last one had 05 an this one has 06.

Well, I made it since Wednesday, but here we go, number two has error 161-6. Guess I'll go back to Best Buy and hope they still have one of the other 9 left.

What are the odds I'll get a third with this problem? Does anyone know, is this problem related to a specific version(s) of the software? I think the last one had 05 an this one has 06.
what did you do with your unit? i have 3 units and they're all working great since Sept. :D

Well, I made it since Wednesday, but here we go, number two has error 161-6. Guess I'll go back to Best Buy and hope they still have one of the other 9 left.

What are the odds I'll get a third with this problem? Does anyone know, is this problem related to a specific version(s) of the software? I think the last one had 05 an this one has 06.

Isn't this the issue that Sony is making the wiring change for on the motherboard. If you want to use a cable card and yours is one of the ones that causes this error you need to send the unit to SONY to get the wiring change. It is probally a cable card version that is taking more current then SONY had planned for so they are beefing up the power current available to the cable card port.

In the los angeles area...was missing a couple days, now it has zero listings. Says "within 24 hours will have listings after setup changes..blah blah."

People in Los angeles, you getting this now? I still have clock and scheduled shows, just no listings to browse at all. Crossing my fingers.

nathan

I believe this is the part of the signal that includes the VBI. I've seen somewhere, maybe on the Sony support site, that the SNR has to be around 18 or 19.

This is from the Sony site (referring to the Sony diagnostics screen:

IMPORTANT: If the Out of Band channel status is not LOCKED, or has a SNR value under 16, the signal of the cable feed may not be sufficient.

In the los angeles area...was missing a couple days, now it has zero listings. Says "within 24 hours will have listings after setup changes..blah blah."

People in Los angeles, you getting this now? I still have clock and scheduled shows, just no listings to browse at all. Crossing my fingers.

nathan

Same thing here in Irvine, CA on the 2 units I have (500 & 250). I have no guide since this morning, just checked again and still nothing. Wonder if TVGOS screwed up again in SoCAL area. :mad:

In the los angeles area...was missing a couple days, now it has zero listings. Says "within 24 hours will have listings after setup changes..blah blah."

People in Los angeles, you getting this now? I still have clock and scheduled shows, just no listings to browse at all. Crossing my fingers.

nathan

I discovered this situation a few minutes ago and was just about to report the same observation. Listing message said reload was because I made a setup change, which I didn't do.

Glad to know that my recorder isn't defective - just a TV Guide glitch. Hope my scheduled recordings take place.

Glad to know that my recorder isn't defective - just a TV Guide glitch. Hope my scheduled recordings take place.

Exactly, if it's TVGOS problem it will get fixed, just want to make sure it's not our boxes.

And my scheduled recording of extreme makeover worked tonight, so I'm crossing my fingers that my scheduled shows through thursday also work. Hopefully they've got it fixed by then. Anyone have a number to call?

Nathan,

Thanks for posting that, I was starting to get worried.

I got my unit up and running last week, it was updating fine, then after I adjusted my distrubution amp the guide quit updating, adjusted to give more gain and the VBI was okay - then it quit again and was failing VBI test this morning, so I'm thinking my box was going bad ~ but it looks like it's PBS or Gemstar then - phew.

Greg.

All three of my scheduled recordings were successful, and the clock is ok. I can always schedule manual recordings if guide doesn't return quickly.

This is the phone number for TV Guide On ScreenTech Support:
1-800-386-7380
I plan to call them tomorrow am.

Sorry, found out that this number is now only for Manufacturers. Message says consumers should call the manufacturer.
This is the same number I called many months ago, and talked to TV Guide support person regarding guide error. They probably had too many calls from consumers.

Hi Endo and others following this:

Well, you were right! My system lost its access to premiums again, but this time I caught it soon after the event and the screen still had the 161-6 error notification.

Note for the record that I had followed your advice and popped out the cablecard and reseated it a while back, about a week ago, to see if it made any difference. Nope.

So, the unit is going back to Sony for refit. I'm going to wait about 2 weeks before phoning it in for an RMA, since I hear they have other mods in progress such as to get 4-digit channels (not an issue for me yet, but as long as I'm sending it in, I want to get everything).

From reading all 83 pages of this thread, it sounds like the electrical mod is something that brand new out of box units don't seem to have, as in they came up with it after they shipped the last batch out to the stores. Mine was manufactured in July I think (might be June) and has .06 software. Bought on 11/18 from DataVis.

Marc

Although this has been told a zillion times all over this forum, I'll repeat it - go to the guide, scroll up to "setup", move down to "change system settings", DO NOT PRESS ENTER, enter the numbers 753159852 from remote, "system's info" chart will appear, click right arrow on remote once to go to second page, five entries down on the list it will say "host channel"- it will appear as 0:0-?? (example: 0:0-11), the ?? is your host channel.

Thanks. I hadn't looked back far enough in the thread.

Also, once you know your host channel and want your clock to set immediately instead of waiting hours and hours for the unit to eventually set it on it's own, you can simply do the G* VBI test (Tune to your host channel, press menu, screen mode, 9012, select TV Guide, G* test) and that will set your clock. This is really nice to know if you loose power or need to unplug it.

JP

That's great information to have! Thanks! I'll try it next time I have to unplug the unit.

Hum, I think I am doing what you have indicated but I get no test screen. I have seen others who have been able to do this posted here. I wonder if it is a software version option my device does not have?

How well does this work in West Los Angeles? I will be using it with OTA channels only.

Thanks

Is 1.2.09 the latest known version of the firmware?

Is 1.2.09 the latest known version of the firmware?


I think the latest ones that people have gotten (after sending their units to Sony for service) is 1.2.13.

There may be a newer one coming soon too (with 4 digit channel support).

I searched this forum but did not seem to find a similar issue.

I bought HDD500 yesterday. I am usin OTA as well as cable (no card). Did a scan and found over a dozen digital channels from my Comcast cable. I did not know they were there since I downgraded my cable to basic a while ago. I guess they did not install filter. So I was enjoying the full extended cable with some digital HD.

While I was recording "24" from FOX (cable HD) it all of a sudden lost signal. I was able to quickly switch to OTA FOX and completed the recording with minimal damage.

After the show I attempted to re-scan the cable. It found the same quantity of analog channels (63), but only 3 digital. All the HD networks were gone and I was left 3 SD digitals.

What is also weird that since the signal loss channel 58 and any consecutive channels from there on is extremely "snowy". If I plug the cable directly to TV, they are normal.

What happened to my signal and where did the HD channels go?

Also since I got the unit yesterday I did not have the TV guide yet. This morning my guide was finished and I scanned again but eith the same results.

Ideas?

How well does this work in West Los Angeles? I will be using it with OTA channels only.

Thanks

Usually it works great in Los Angeles, but they're having a small glitch right now. Otherwise this is the only area specific problem I've had since August when I got the box. There was another time I lost listings for a few days, but that was nationwide. Otherwise it's been flawless. I'm OTA only also, which is a much easier setup than some of the cable people (who tend to have more problems than OTA people).

I searched this forum but did not seem to find a similar issue.

I bought HDD500 yesterday. I am usin OTA as well as cable (no card). Did a scan and found over a dozen digital channels from my Comcast cable. I did not know they were there since I downgraded my cable to basic a while ago. I guess they did not install filter. So I was enjoying the full extended cable with some digital HD.

While I was recording "24" from FOX (cable HD) it all of a sudden lost signal. I was able to quickly switch to OTA FOX and completed the recording with minimal damage.

After the show I attempted to re-scan the cable. It found the same quantity of analog channels (63), but only 3 digital. All the HD networks were gone and I was left 3 SD digitals.

What is also weird that since the signal loss channel 58 and any consecutive channels from there on is extremely "snowy". If I plug the cable directly to TV, they are normal.

What happened to my signal and where did the HD channels go?

Also since I got the unit yesterday I did not have the TV guide yet. This morning my guide was finished and I scanned again but eith the same results.

Ideas?

I have Comcast antenna service in Los Angeles and get all the network channels except UPN, which I get from an antenna. Since you lost Fox on cable, perhaps problem with hd channels is at Comcast.
With regard to OTA, if you live in a windy area and have an outdoor antenna, it could have changed direction. I don't believe you can get a snowy digital image. Poor digital signal results in picture breaking up into squares.

How well does this work in West Los Angeles? I will be using it with OTA channels only.

Thanks

You will be amazed at the number of digital channels you get. I get all the OTA LA channels, and PBS in the OC with a $25 Radio Shack UHF antenna. If you have an old VHS/UHF antenna, I suggest you replace it. I suggest you go to the antenna web site, and find out best direction to point the antenna.
Just add .1 to the analog channel number to get the equivalent digital - 2.1, 4.1, etc. Also, several stations have multiple subchannels - 30.1, 30.2, and 30.3, and all three PBS channels have them.

I have Comcast antenna service in Los Angeles and get all the network channels except UPN, which I get from an antenna. Since you lost Fox on cable, perhaps problem with hd channels is at Comcast.
With regard to OTA, if you live in a windy area and have an outdoor antenna, it could have changed direction. I don't believe you can get a snowy digital image. Poor digital signal results in picture breaking up into squares.

I did not lose OTA. I lost the HD channels in Comcast cable. The "snowy" channels are 58 and upward to the end of the spectrum. These are all analog SD's (FOXNews, CNN, MSNBC, etc.). The digital signals are at the end of that lineup which now are all gone. I can almost understand someone pulling a plug, but the "snowy" channels 58 and up are not "snowy" when cable is plugged to the TV directly.

I did not lose OTA. I lost the HD channels in Comcast cable. The "snowy" channels are 58 and upward to the end of the spectrum. These are all analog SD's (FOXNews, CNN, MSNBC, etc.). The digital signals are at the end of that lineup which now are all gone. I can almost understand someone pulling a plug, but the "snowy" channels 58 and up are not "snowy" when cable is plugged to the TV directly.

Why do you care about analog when you can view digital? Do you receive 58.1, and does that channel have the same programing? Perhaps your TV has better analog tuner.

Why do you care about analog when you can view digital? Do you receive 58.1, and does that channel have the same programing? Perhaps your TV has better analog tuner.


I don't really care about the analog channel issue, but it seems to be related to the loss of the digital channels. It's like the signal above channel 58 (including all HD digitals) all of the sudden weakened.

I care a bit about the HD locals that came through the cable, because I cannot get 2 of them OTA.

I'm just trying to understand if this is a Sony issue since everything worked fine for about 8 hours. I cannot see how Comcast could "weaken" the channels from channel 58 and up.

I don't really care about the analog channel issue, but it seems to be related to the loss of the digital channels. It's like the signal above channel 58 (including all HD digitals) all of the sudden weakened.

I care a bit about the HD locals that came through the cable, because I cannot get 2 of them OTA.

I'm just trying to understand if this is a Sony issue since everything worked fine for about 8 hours. I cannot see how Comcast could "weaken" the channels from channel 58 and up.

Comcast LA carries only one local HD channel, and it has OTA uhf analog channels on lower numbers. I suggest you investigate the possibility of receiving ota digital at the antenna web site. I get very poor reception on uhf analog and great reception on digital. Comcast is capable of producing lots of problems.

Comcast LA carries only one local HD channel, and it has OTA uhf analog channels on lower numbers. I suggest you investigate the possibility of receiving ota digital at the antenna web site. I get very poor reception on uhf analog and great reception on digital. Comcast is capable of producing lots of problems.


I've had OTA antenna for my HD channels for a long time. I had VOOM satellite service. When they went belly up I kept the STB for my OTA. I bought Sony for recording purposes. It found all my OTA channels just fine. When I saw the digital HD channels popping up on cable, I was surprised. I did not know that Comcast never switched off the digital service I used to have before VOOM.

But that pleasant surprise did not last long. I am just trying to make sure it is not a faulty Sony.

I have .09
Has anyone with the higher firmware mounted their drives and pulled the files?
I would like to try to upgrade my units firmware via USB.
I will also try contacting Sony.

If there is sufficient interest, I will try to build a FAQ page for our units and TVGOS.

Let me know.

All three of my scheduled recordings were successful, and the clock is ok. I can always schedule manual recordings if guide doesn't return quickly.

This is the phone number for TV Guide On ScreenTech Support:
1-800-386-7380
I plan to call them tomorrow am.

Sorry, found out that this number is now only for Manufacturers. Message says consumers should call the manufacturer.
This is the same number I called many months ago, and talked to TV Guide support person regarding guide error. They probably had too many calls from consumers. What great customer relations - smacks of similar tactics of a certain country's executive branch of government. (Sorry, mods, I couldn't help myself - but you know what they say - it comes from the top on down.)

Exactly, if it's TVGOS problem it will get fixed, just want to make sure it's not our boxes.

And my scheduled recording of extreme makeover worked tonight, so I'm crossing my fingers that my scheduled shows through thursday also work. Hopefully they've got it fixed by then. Anyone have a number to call?

Still no guide here.

What great customer relations - smacks of similar tactics of a certain country's executive branch of government. (Sorry, mods, I couldn't help myself - but you know what they say - it comes from the top on down.)

Yes, but if you are persistent and polite they will still call you back. If you press 2 to talk to a specifc person you get your options of three people. I chose Cheryl because others here recommended her. She called me back and was helpful (told me who my two local host channels are).

My impression is that TVGOS is a very small operation- only three people to choose for technical assistance! Think about that! Given that the service is "free" that is somewhat understandable, but they have deals with so many of the major manufacturers that they get moola from. But, perhaps those units aren't selling so well. I think TVGOS has great potential, but we'll see if it gets there.

If there is sufficient interest, I will try to build a FAQ page for our units and TVGOS.

Let me know.

Certainly! This would be a vaulable resource, and maybe just the thing needed to get people going on hacking these things.

Actually, I have never had any complaints or problems big enough for me to ever really feel the need to call them. I realize it's free and I've always been satisfied with it, though it's not perfect. I've always gotten good usage out of it. And I think they've actually improved it considerably since it began way back as "Guide +". You're right - it should only get better.

Still no guide here.

I just spent an hour with various people at Sony, trying to get them to contact TV Guide.
The last person I spoke to said I should tune to the PBS station and turn unit off for 24 hours. He thinks problem may have been caused by Guide update, and claims that he had same problem in the past. He insisted that the recorder will download from the channel it is tuned to. I just set mine on OTA PBS channel 58, instead of Comcast channel 3, which has been the source of guide stuff. Hope that works since I still have the 24 hour message.