Do any of the inexpensive Sony universal remotes support the DHG-HDD250?
u ne
I have a oneforall remote that works great and is inexpensive. If you search this thread using "oneforall" you will find the model number and the code that you need to get it to work.

The 7777 is supposed to be one of the best preamps out there so adding one shouldn't hurt, but unless you have signal loss due to a very long cable (>100'), and/or you are splitting the cable, the preamp will likely make no difference.


The other advantage for the original poster (poor VBI reception on 13),
is that the 7777 will combine a VHF and a UHF antenna. This would allow
the original poster to point a VHF antenna for the best Ch. 13 reception,
while keeping his UHF antenna pointed for best (presumably) HDTV
reception.

For the record, I use (and have used) a Channel Master 7777 with both
a single antenna, and dual antenna, and it performs wonderfully across
the spectrum. My signal strengths were ~35% to 70% without the preamp
and ~50% to 85% with the preamp.

I'm in Aurora, about 30 miles southwest of the transmitters in Chicago.
I've got my VHF antenna pointed for best reception of Ch. 2.1 (uses
Channel 3). The preamp allows me to skew my UHF antenna to get
56 PBS (unfortunately analogue only) from Gary, while still getting all the
Chicago based stations.

Dan (Woj...)

I never thought a warranty for this but it may be worthwhile. I guess you purchased over the phone? Do you have to provide them with a faxed receipt, serial #, etc?

I purchased an extended warranty direct from Sony a few weeks ago. I called Sony at 1-877-865-SONY and asked for prices on an extended warranty. More info here: http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/EW_ViewExtendedWarranty-Detail?CategoryName=CE_HAV

Sony asked me for:

The model number
The price paid
The purchase date

Since I got my unit for $249 at Tweeter, I had the option of the 1 year or 2 year replacement plans. Cost was $19.99 for 1 year and $29.99 for 2 years. If you paid more than $250.01 for your DVR, you can get an extended warranty for up to 5 years. (prices at link above on the Pricing tab) It also states on the Sony website that you must get the warranty within 60 days of purchase.

Several days later I received a 'Certificate of Coverage' from Sony. Warranty is administered by Service Net Solutions. Their website is here: http://www.servicenet.com

The cool thing is that Sony did not ask me for a serial number of my DVR, so I can use the extended warranty on the unit that fails first - I own 2 (if either fails during the 2 year extended warranty).

This is the first extended warranty I have purchased for anything. I have never had any electronic device fail that would have been covered on an extended warranty, but for $29.99, it's not so bad for an extra year of parts, and 21 extra months of labor warranty.

I like this unit, but here's a question. With changing times and blue-ray, tivo-3 coming why not just rent a dvr from your local cable company? 10 bucks a month for a couple years is way less than you can purchase this unit for. And see what happens in a couple years? Maybe someone can enlighten me.

As a former D* subscriber for over 5 years (paid them over $4,000 during that time), I decided to keep my money... after all, it's just TV. Man, the hardware I could have purchased with $4,000... it's mind boggling. So now I get all the FREE uncompressed OTA HDTV I want... with no pesky fees. Imagine paying a cable company for FREE compressed OTA TV!! Those cable companies have got some racket going.

As for changing times with Blu-Ray, Tivo 3 (and HD-DVD that you omitted), what do you expect to happen in a couple of years? Blu-Ray and HD-DVD technologies (e.g. enhanced audio formats) will never make their way into OTA HDTV unless the ATSC spec is changed. And Tivo 3 has a better guide, with a monthly fee to boot. Bigger drives are always down the horizon. Is that what you mean?

-T

I've read through the archives and have seen reports of some recently "successful" Cox Cable CableCARD installs, so I guess I'm just an unlucky soul. :rolleyes: Anyway, I had Cox Cable visit to install CableCARDs in my TV (Samsung) and my Sony HDD250. They brought Motorola cable cards, FW ver 04.21. I mentioned the TV, as an aside because, the CableCARD installation in the TV was flawless. The Sony 250 on the other hand did not feel well when the cable card was installed. After all the configuration stuff was done between the onsite tech and the cable company, the scan for analog and digital cable channels comes up with a "CableCARD error. No channels were found. Please contact your cable operator." I've done a power-off reset of the 250, with no change in status. I've done a total re-scan "Auto Scan Antenna and Cable" with no change in status. Yes I have both an antenna and the cable connection to the 250. I suspect a bad CableCARD, unfortunately the onsite tech didn't have another card with him. Well after 2 hours of the tech and cable company trying to get the CableCARD to work, the person on the cable company end of the line indicates that there's a known issue with the Sony PVR's and they have instructions on how to work around the issue and get the CableCARD to work on the Sony's. As you can see, this is going to get real interesting.....I'm awaiting a callback from Cox.

I just got done with CableCard install from Cox in my 250. It took 3 trips and 3 cards as well as a line amplifier. Keep trying. Make them bring 3 cards with them and that they double check the setup on the cards. It will work. I believe the installers are intentionally kept ignorant on CableCard.

Interesting info on the ext warranty. I see you are in Mexico,

11. LIMITATIONS OF COVERAGE. THIS CONTRACT DOES NOT COVER:
A) ANY EQUIPMENT LOCATED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA OR PUERTO RICO.

My Tweeter 500 receipt is over 60 days but my Best Buy 250 one is a week old. Have to think about it.

Now that [Tweeter] have had 2 somewhat profitable quarters in a row I thought it was worth taking a chance (AFTER 3 STRIGHT YEARS OF LOSSES).

Tweeter actually outsources it's extended warranty program to another company, so even if Tweeter goes down the tube, you should have protection. If you want more info, there was a post about it earlier in this thread, in response to one of my posts.

I experimented with the 963... code again last night, only this time I did it when the Host Chan was blank and I had no guide data.

I mentioned this before, but my problem is I receive PBS from two translators: Channel 7 with a weak signal and Channel 28 with a strong signal. My unit would always find Channel 7 first and select it as the Host Chan, which I think was contributing to my guide problems.

I performed the following steps last night and successfully got the unit to use Channel 28 as the Host Chan (finally) and am getting guide data.

Note: These steps must be performed during an initial setup, or after a reset, when the Host Chan is blank and there is no guide.

1) I tuned the unit to Channel 28. (My local PBS station)

2) Navigated to TV Guide > Setup > Change System Settings, and entered 963214785. (The "Info" message directly below "Change System Settings" should disappear.)

3) The screen automatically closes after 5 minutes. Fifteen minutes after that, I shut off the unit.

The following morning the 753159852 code revealed Host Chan 0:0-28, the guide was filled in for that day, and there was much rejoicing.

I wonder if this newly-revealed code is FAQ-worthy. It was certainly useful for me, and I'm sure I'll be using again in the future given my history of guide problems.

I will add this info to the FAQ - thanks for the step by step instructions.

Two questions:
1. I assume that it would be wise to direct readers to do the 753.... host channel check to verify that the host channel is blank, and then to continue only if it is blank?

2. Is this new code entered like the 753..., where you don't press select once you have highlighted the "Change System Settings" item, and then enter the code?

Thanks,
Jeff

I experimented with the 963... code again last night, only this time I did it when the Host Chan was blank and I had no guide data.

I mentioned this before, but my problem is I receive PBS from two translators: Channel 7 with a weak signal and Channel 28 with a strong signal. My unit would always find Channel 7 first and select it as the Host Chan, which I think was contributing to my guide problems.

I performed the following steps last night and successfully got the unit to use Channel 28 as the Host Chan (finally) and am getting guide data.

Note: These steps must be performed during an initial setup, or after a reset, when the Host Chan is blank and there is no guide.

1) I tuned the unit to Channel 28. (My local PBS station)

2) Navigated to TV Guide > Setup > Change System Settings, and entered 963214785. (The "Info" message directly below "Change System Settings" should disappear.)

3) The screen automatically closes after 5 minutes. Fifteen minutes after that, I shut off the unit.

The following morning the 753159852 code revealed Host Chan 0:0-28, the guide was filled in for that day, and there was much rejoicing.

I wonder if this newly-revealed code is FAQ-worthy. It was certainly useful for me, and I'm sure I'll be using again in the future given my history of guide problems.

OK - it has been added. For those of you that have tried this code, please take a look at the updated section (2.2.2) and let me know if I got it right.

www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html

Comments and feedback are welcome, as I haven't tried this myself yet. I am still struggling with the need to call/email my local host station to get them to reboot their equipment DAILY. It is getting ridiculous. I might have to give them the contact number for Gemstar/TVGOS to see what is wrong with their equipment.

Thanks,
Jeff

I will add this info to the FAQ - thanks for the step by step instructions.

Two questions:
1. I assume that it would be wise to direct readers to do the 753.... host channel check to verify that the host channel is blank, and then to continue only if it is blank?

2. Is this new code entered like the 753..., where you don't press select once you have highlighted the "Change System Settings" item, and then enter the code?

Thanks,
Jeff
Based on what larmic1 said, and my single success, the user should first verify their host channel is blank.

Yes, the code is entered the same way as the 753159852 code. (You simply select "Change System Settings" just prior to typing the code.)

I'm repeating myself, but you know the code was entered correctly when "Info" disappears directly below "Change System Settings" when you press the final digit. If it doesn't disappear, you need to exit the Guide screen and start over.

Tweeter actually outsources it's extended warranty program to another company, so even if Tweeter goes down the tube, you should have protection. If you want more info, there was a post about it earlier in this thread, in response to one of my posts.

Actually, I think it depends where you live. Tweeter here in the Mid-Atlantic has their own in-house repair people, at least where extended warranties for Big Screen TVs are concerned. I bought my Toshiba 56H80 from them, and the extended warranty. It included yearly cleaning and repairs if necessary.

As an aside, when I finally did call for my one and only cleaning (in year three of four years) it took several phone calls to get a response, and then weeks before an appointment could be scheduled. The guy who showed up complained that unless Tweeter got him some help, he was quitting, as his territory stretched from Pennsylvania where he lived, all the way to Virginia. (I am in Maryland). He was in a huge rush, and also did not have the proper equipment to fix a slight geometry problem with my TV. He eyeballed it, but did a pretty bad job. I went in and cleaned it up myself ater, but it is not perfect. (But then I am picky). Based on my bad experience, I would not purchase from Tweeter again, nor would I get their extended warranty. Ok, well I would buy the 500 for $250, but those are long gone. :rolleyes:

OK - it has been added. For those of you that have tried this code, please take a look at the updated section (2.2.2) and let me know if I got it right.

www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html

Comments and feedback are welcome, as I haven't tried this myself yet. I am still struggling with the need to call/email my local host station to get them to reboot their equipment DAILY. It is getting ridiculous. I might have to give them the contact number for Gemstar/TVGOS to see what is wrong with their equipment.

Thanks,
Jeff
That looks good. I don't think you missed anything. A couple small typos... "DO FAR" should be "SO FAR" and the first line of Step 2 should read something like "...move the cursor over SETUP on the..."

Considering I've done about 20 resets to my unit in the 50 days that I've owned it, I expect I'll need to reset it again in the future. I'll use the code again at that time and keep you posted with my results.

I experimented with the 963... code again last night, only this time I did it when the Host Chan was blank and I had no guide data.

I mentioned this before, but my problem is I receive PBS from two translators: Channel 7 with a weak signal and Channel 28 with a strong signal. My unit would always find Channel 7 first and select it as the Host Chan, which I think was contributing to my guide problems.

I performed the following steps last night and successfully got the unit to use Channel 28 as the Host Chan (finally) and am getting guide data.

Note: These steps must be performed during an initial setup, or after a reset, when the Host Chan is blank and there is no guide.

1) I tuned the unit to Channel 28. (My local PBS station)

2) Navigated to TV Guide > Setup > Change System Settings, and entered 963214785. (The "Info" message directly below "Change System Settings" should disappear.)

3) The screen automatically closes after 5 minutes. Fifteen minutes after that, I shut off the unit.

The following morning the 753159852 code revealed Host Chan 0:0-28, the guide was filled in for that day, and there was much rejoicing.

I wonder if this newly-revealed code is FAQ-worthy. It was certainly useful for me, and I'm sure I'll be using again in the future given my history of guide problems.


Glad I could help! I suffered close to 6 months with no guide before I got an exchange from Sony, and I was on the phone with Gemstar at least once a week trying different solutions, so I learned a lot.

Glad I could help! I suffered close to 6 months with no guide before I got an exchange from Sony, and I was on the phone with Gemstar at least once a week trying different solutions, so I learned a lot.

I am surprised that Gemstar actually spoke to a consumer via phone. I thought they only deal with manufacturers and host stations.

That looks good. I don't think you missed anything. A couple small typos... "DO FAR" should be "SO FAR" and the first line of Step 2 should read something like "...move the cursor over SETUP on the..."

Considering I've done about 20 resets to my unit in the 50 days that I've owned it, I expect I'll need to reset it again in the future. I'll use the code again at that time and keep you posted with my results.

OK - thanks.

The typos you mentioned are fixed.

Jeff

Tweeter actually outsources it's extended warranty program to another company, so even if Tweeter goes down the tube, you should have protection. If you want more info, there was a post about it earlier in this thread, in response to one of my posts.

That was probably me. I researched their warranter. Also, my unit was more than 60 days old, Tweeter would sell me the 5 year warranty within the manufacturer's warranty period (90 days) unlike Sony despite my paying $249.

I am surprised that Gemstar actually spoke to a consumer via phone. I thought they only deal with manufacturers and host stations.

Gemstar was actually very helpful, spending time with me and my Guide problems, and the PBS engineers with their equipment glitches relating to my problem. Kwan is real people, and understands the customer service aspect of his job. (Can't say that about SOME companies!)

Tweeter actually outsources it's extended warranty program to another company, so even if Tweeter goes down the tube, you should have protection. If you want more info, there was a post about it earlier in this thread, in response to one of my posts.

BTW you were right, I needed a warranty with it :)

Gemstar was actually very helpful, spending time with me and my Guide problems, and the PBS engineers with their equipment glitches relating to my problem. Kwan is real people, and understands the customer service aspect of his job. (Can't say that about SOME companies!)

Did you call the number that has been posted in this thread that says it is supposed to be for host stations and manufacturers?

Can you provide a bit more info? I desperately need to get my host station in contact with them to figure out the problem they are having with their equipment and the daily need to "reboot" it.

I called sonystyle @ (877) 865-SONY(7669) , they asked me where I purchased them(he told me that I could purchase thier extended warranty but I told him that I did not care to do business with bestbuy for warranties), the date of purchase, and the serial numbers. When I first called, they put me over to the digital camera extended warranty area, I explained to him the model number of the DVR and he figured out what I had and proceeded to offer me a 1,2,3,4 and 5 year warranty. I chose the 4 yr @ 59, the 5 yr is also avail @ $79.

According to the above post (#339 from June, 2005), it would seem the DVR outputs digital component (YCbCr) vice RGB video signals from the HDMI output. Does anyone know for sure?

AFAIK it only outputs RGB.

anyone know where to pick up one of these in either detroit or seattle area ? I have been to many a bb and cc with no luck. PM me if you know :)

Did you call the number that has been posted in this thread that says it is supposed to be for host stations and manufacturers?

Can you provide a bit more info? I desperately need to get my host station in contact with them to figure out the problem they are having with their equipment and the daily need to "reboot" it.

That was the number I called, although it was at least 6 months ago that I spoke with Gemstar, so I don't know if they've changed their policy of talking directly with consumers or not. If you do get through, don't just leave a general message, go to their directory with the reps names and leave a message with them personally. Be patient for him to call you back! Tell him your Sony model no., host station and city so he can look at the stats, and Gemstar will contact the station regarding the equipment problem. Good luck!

I called sonystyle @ (877) 865-SONY(7669) , they asked me where I purchased them(he told me that I could purchase thier extended warranty but I told him that I did not care to do business with bestbuy for warranties), the date of purchase, and the serial numbers. When I first called, they put me over to the digital camera extended warranty area, I explained to him the model number of the DVR and he figured out what I had and proceeded to offer me a 1,2,3,4 and 5 year warranty. I chose the 4 yr @ 59, the 5 yr is also avail @ $79.

just signed up for the 4 year plan and yes they thought I had a camera also.

u ne
I have a oneforall remote that works great and is inexpensive. If you search this thread using "oneforall" you will find the model number and the code that you need to get it to work.


I looked at it and see no period button for assigning sub-channels to the guide. How do you do thid? For example, 100.2?

I looked at it and see no period button for assigning sub-channels to the guide. How do you do thid? For example, 100.2?

Yes, I meant to mention that. That's the one thing that I have to use the Sony remote for.

TVGuide tech called me back today informing me that a new software version has been release: version 09, which addresses several issues including channel sorting and the entering of 4 digit channel numbers in the channel editor. The 09 tvguide software will only be available on new hardware and you can't upgrade from the 08 to 09 version because the software version is tied to the hardware, however, there will be a patch to the 08 software with the 4 channel editor enhancement and other fixes. I have tvguide software version 08.06.30. The patch wont be available for another 3 to 6 months.

Note: I left a voice mail for Sherry at 1-800-386-7380 back in March explaining the above issues and they now returned my call. I think I should be grateful for the returned call.

I am moving a few miles away. I will be getting the same channels. If I unplug my unit for 36 hours will I lose the shows I have saved now?

Also I thought this unit picked up digital radio stations as well. I am not seeing any. Does it do that? If so how do I locate them.

Thanks you guys have really been helpful.

Okay, I've got it hooked up, and I ordered a remote, but I've got a possible problem. I ran the setup, and a bunch of channels show up in the guide. I am only using an antenna, and with my old Samsung T361, I got great to decent signal strength on all my local network digital channels. On the Sony, they show up in the guide, but when I actually try to tune to them they say no signal. The analogs all come in fine. Is this some sort of setting I need to change, or is the OTA tuner on this thing just really weak? I am going to go back and reread some of this thread, but wanted to ask as well. I am feeling pretty stuck right now without a remote, I may just have to plug the Samsung back in until I get it.

Thanks

Okay, I've got it hooked up, and I ordered a remote, but I've got a possible problem. I ran the setup, and a bunch of channels show up in the guide. I am only using an antenna, and with my old Samsung T361, I got great to decent signal strength on all my local network digital channels. On the Sony, they show up in the guide, but when I actually try to tune to them they say no signal. The analogs all come in fine. Is this some sort of setting I need to change, or is the OTA tuner on this thing just really weak? I am going to go back and reread some of this thread, but wanted to ask as well. I am feeling pretty stuck right now without a remote, I may just have to plug the Samsung back in until I get it.

Thanks

You have let it do a full antenna channel scan, allowing it to add channels that it finds. You won't be able to tune a digital channel until you do this, even if it is a very strong channel.

spiff72, thanks for the quick response, follow up question, I'm familiar with digital channel scans from my Samsung, but I don't see any way to do that from the menu. Is this something that happens with the TVGuide setup or is it seperate? If it's seperate, do I have to have the remote to do it? I believe my open box unit was a display unit, so does it need to be reset to factory settings or anything like that?

Sorry about all the newbie questions, among the people I'm usually around, I'm typically the most educated about HDTV stuff, but this box is throwing me a few curves. By the way, I am going to book mark your resource page, it looks like its got some great info.

Is anyone else not getting listings for Sunday? I have listings for today, Saturday, Monday and all of next week, but nothing for Sunday.

Thanks.

I've only had my Sony dvr since last Saturday. I had a liitle apprehension when the clock took several days to correct itself, but it finally did. Last night our power went out due to storms in the Dallas area and this morning I noticed the clock was incorrect again, by the same 2 hours and 5 minutes as before. I was on my way out the door for work so I didn't get to investigate, but when the power goes out, what does the unit lose? I assume the recorded programs are still there, but what about the guide and any scheduled recordings? I can check when I get home, but my curiosity is killing me.

spiff72, thanks for the quick response, follow up question, I'm familiar with digital channel scans from my Samsung, but I don't see any way to do that from the menu. Is this something that happens with the TVGuide setup or is it seperate? If it's seperate, do I have to have the remote to do it? I believe my open box unit was a display unit, so does it need to be reset to factory settings or anything like that?

Sorry about all the newbie questions, among the people I'm usually around, I'm typically the most educated about HDTV stuff, but this box is throwing me a few curves. By the way, I am going to book mark your resource page, it looks like its got some great info.

When you first turn on the unit, it asks if you want to go through a channel scan. If yours was a demo or open box, it may need to be re-done.

If you want to reset it to the factory defaults (possibly including deletion of recorded programs), see section 1.2.16. This gives you several choices for types of reset. If there is nothing recorded, you might want to reset it completely with the "Restore Factory Default" option. Section 1.2.8 explains how to access the 9012 menu. There is probably a way to do the scan manually, but if it was an open box or demo (and it was my DVR, I would want to start clean).

For anyone considering a warranty from them, this is the service provider now:

http://www.servicenet.com/pressrelease_view.asp?id=47

I looked at it and see no period button for assigning sub-channels to the guide. How do you do thid? For example, 100.2?


Here are the 250/500 advanced codes for OFA remotes.

http://www.hifi-remote.com/sony/Sony_cable.htm

For two digit codes add a 0 (zero) to the beginning i.e. 074 is the advanced code for the "dot" entry needed for subchannels. I put the "dot" advanced code on the key left of the 0 (zero) key of my OFA remote.

Notice in the linked table you have other controls that are missing on the OEM Sony remote including discrete on (046) and off (047) and previous channel (108). Adding these make the OFA remote better than the OEM remote except for the nice scroll wheel on the OEM.

Also, it is hard to figure out on the linked site but the OFA device code for the 250/500 is 1006 on the Cable/Sat device key.

I called sonystyle @ (877) 865-SONY(7669) , they asked me where I purchased them(he told me that I could purchase thier extended warranty but I told him that I did not care to do business with bestbuy for warranties), the date of purchase, and the serial numbers. When I first called, they put me over to the digital camera extended warranty area, I explained to him the model number of the DVR and he figured out what I had and proceeded to offer me a 1,2,3,4 and 5 year warranty. I chose the 4 yr @ 59, the 5 yr is also avail @ $79.

Is there a point after which (60, 90, 120 days) you bought the unit (got mine from Tweeter) that you can't get this extended warranty? I got mine in Feb and am approaching the 90 day point.....

I just got done with CableCard install from Cox in my 250. It took 3 trips and 3 cards as well as a line amplifier. Keep trying. Make them bring 3 cards with them and that they double check the setup on the cards. It will work. I believe the installers are intentionally kept ignorant on CableCard.


Well, you were right! It turned out to be a bad cablecard. Funny though, because in the process of troubleshooting, I ended up with a line amplifier as well. The line amp no bearing whatsoever on fixing my CableCard issue, but hey, I'm just an unknowlegable customer. :D

Is there a point after which (60, 90, 120 days) you bought the unit (got mine from Tweeter) that you can't get this extended warranty? I got mine in Feb and am approaching the 90 day point.....

I do not know, I knew that BB allows 30 days for the decision, so I quickly did mine. Cannot hurt to ask sonystyle.

Jim

Is anyone else not getting listings for Sunday? I have listings for today, Saturday, Monday and all of next week, but nothing for Sunday.

Thanks.
I had No Guide last week and then it was up for a day and then down again.
I think KAET here in Phoenix has been dropping the ball. It is not the first time.
Be patient and it will return.

I'm sending my unit to Sony on Monday for the 161 fix. Can anybody tell me if the Sony techs erase the hard drives, or will my recorded shows survive the fix process?

Thanks in advance.

I'm sending my unit to Sony on Monday for the 161 fix. Can anybody tell me if the Sony techs erase the hard drives, or will my recorded shows survive the fix process?

Thanks in advance.

All my recordings survived, however, I had to re-do my zipcode settings, wait for the tvguide data and re-enter my scheduled recordings.

I've only had my Sony dvr since last Saturday. I had a liitle apprehension when the clock took several days to correct itself, but it finally did. Last night our power went out due to storms in the Dallas area and this morning I noticed the clock was incorrect again, by the same 2 hours and 5 minutes as before. I was on my way out the door for work so I didn't get to investigate, but when the power goes out, what does the unit lose? I assume the recorded programs are still there, but what about the guide and any scheduled recordings? I can check when I get home, but my curiosity is killing me.

Unit should keep recorded programs for sure. As for the downloaded schedule...I think it keeps those just fine. If you don't have the clock back though it won't matter.

I do not know, I knew that BB allows 30 days for the decision, so I quickly did mine. Cannot hurt to ask sonystyle.

Jim

Sony Style allows you to purchase an extended warranty within 60 days of purchase. After several calls and being connected to the wrong dept I was able to purchase a 4 year extended warranty for $61 (including tax).

Thanks, guys, for reminding me about Tweeter's extended warranty. Last night I realized that today is 87 days since I bought my 500 there, so I drove down this afternoon and bought one for 3 years at $70. Maybe it will cover a digital TVGOS upgrade if Sony decides to offer one.

I had No Guide last week and then it was up for a day and then down again. I think KAET here in Phoenix has been dropping the ball. It is not the first time. Be patient and it will return.
Interesting because they've been pretty good the past few months, ever since I got my 2 units back in February I haven't had one issue with the guide data.

Thanks for the reply.

I've only had my Sony dvr since last Saturday. I had a liitle apprehension when the clock took several days to correct itself, but it finally did. Last night our power went out due to storms in the Dallas area and this morning I noticed the clock was incorrect again, by the same 2 hours and 5 minutes as before. I was on my way out the door for work so I didn't get to investigate, but when the power goes out, what does the unit lose? I assume the recorded programs are still there, but what about the guide and any scheduled recordings? I can check when I get home, but my curiosity is killing me.We just got our power restored after a 25-hour outage here, and I'm pleased to say that both my 250's survived with all TVGOS data intact. They found the correct time within about 3 minutes after repowering.

I've got these units powered through a 1000va UPS, so I was feeling pretty smug when the power went out initially and the 250's kept on chugging along, oblivious to the problem. :cool:

It's not unusual to have brief power interruptions here but more than an hour or so is rare. Imagine my chagrin as I watched my UPS fade away after about 60 minutes, and the 250's shut down. :(

The lesson I learned is I need a bigger UPS....or double up with another 1000va. Nothing pratical is going to keep me going for 25 hours but 2-hour capacity will probably cover me 98% of the time.

I should mention that I also have my 50" LCD RP on the UPS but I shut it down within a couple minutes after the power went out....nonetheless it probably soaked up some capacity.

I may try to pick up a 1500va and use that for the TV and one of the 250"s. I've only had the UPS for a couple months and this is the first time it's been put to the test....it performed pretty much as advertised, and now I know what to expect next time. ;)

My 500 recorder did a strange thing while recording the NBC program "Conviction". After about 15 minutes into the recording, I noticed the record light cycling off and on, and then it stayed off. After the program ended, I looked at the recorded program list - there was enough Conviction entires to fill my TV screen. Unfortunately, I doubt that the guide caused this to occur.

I had no idea this existed until now...

Sony Extended Service Plans (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/EW_ViewExtendedWarranty-LandingPage?CategoryName=ExtendedWarrantyRoot)

We just got our power restored after a 25-hour outage here, and I'm pleased to say that both my 250's survived with all TVGOS data intact. They found the correct time within about 3 minutes after repowering.

Well here it is two days later and I still haven't got a correct clock, still 2 hrs 5 minutes behind. I tried the various codes, resets, channels, etc., ect. and nothing worked. Guess I'll just have to wait it out. It kept my recorded programs and my schedule for future programs, but in my various attempts to force the clock, it lost the schedule. Schedule was reloaded overnight last night, but not the correct time.

I'm off to get...you guessed it...a UPS to dedicate to the Sony.

The time issue is probably not yours but the broadcaster carrying the TV Guide and time

I had No Guide last week and then it was up for a day and then down again. I think KAET here in Phoenix has been dropping the ball. It is not the first time. Be patient and it will return.
Hey you were right, got the listings back and the shows are scheduled.

Thanks again. :D

GW, you're lucky, my power was out for three days, just came up. I'm gonna let the Sonys do their thing. How much are those power backup devices?
Our power seems to go off here a lot.
My HDD500 clock looks right.

It looks like power outages is the norm now-a-days...........I think our power went off 10 times this last week. AFAIK is was all storm related......four hail storms in one week - that must be a record....YIKES. So far the HDD500 has not missed a beat. Sometimes the TV Guide data will have "????" in some places for listings but the next morning it is filled in again.

I have also noticed the TV Guide data is becoming more complete and accurate, usually "better" than the guide that comes with the paper!

Are there any DFW people on here who could give me a mini-survey as to whether they have the correct time on their units? I'm having NO luck getting the correct time on my HDD500 (it's only a week old). Could the box be faulty? Guide info comes in fine. My next step is to try to contact anyone at channel 13 who might shed some light on this. However, if most of you DFW people are not having clock issues, then it's probably not the station.

Post or PM me with any info you might have that would help.

I really appreciate any help.

Michael

Are there any DFW people on here who could give me a mini-survey as to whether they have the correct time on their units? I'm having NO luck getting the correct time on my HDD500 (it's only a week old). Could the box be faulty? Guide info comes in fine. My next step is to try to contact anyone at channel 13 who might shed some light on this. However, if most of you DFW people are not having clock issues, then it's probably not the station.

Post or PM me with any info you might have that would help.

I really appreciate any help.

Michael

I am not in DFW, but I would strongly recommend calling the stations engineer and ask them if their clock sync signal is correct. It can't hurt.

I have been harassing my local host station almost daily as they have been having equipment problems. I think it has paid off, since they have had 3 straight days without failing the VBI test.

I am not in DFW, but I would strongly recommend calling the stations engineer and ask them if their clock sync signal is correct. It can't hurt.

I have been harassing my local host station almost daily as they have been having equipment problems. I think it has paid off, since they have had 3 straight days without failing the VBI test.

Thanks Spiff. I sent them a message via the "contact us" screen on their webpage to let them know I wanted to speak to someone knowledgable in the TVGOS service. If I don't get at least a preliminary response by the end of Monday, I'll start calling.

GW, you're lucky, my power was out for three days, just came up. I'm gonna let the Sonys do their thing. How much are those power backup devices?
Our power seems to go off here a lot.
My HDD500 clock looks right.Yeah, we didn't have much damage in our neighborhood, and for the first couple of hours I expected a crew to come out any minute and replace the line fuse, like they do frequently when a tree limb arcs over, but this time we waited, and waited, and waited. :( Then I realized how widespread the storm damage was, and with all the recent Spring growth on the trees, it's understandable that it takes a while to clear the lines and restore power.

I got my Tripp-Lite UPS/surge protector at C***co for $99. I checked around and the same unit was selling for $139 elsewhere. That's the only one they carry in the store so I may have to look around if I want a higher capacity unit, or I may just settle for another 1000va....that would get me close to 2 hours backup for the two single-drive Sony's (at idle....don't know about during a recording session). I've been in the same house for 36 years and in my experience that'll take care of most contingencies. ;)

Anyone else in the Chicago area that has 11 or 20 analog as their host station getting all "no listings" the last couple of days? I have and I just wanted to check.

Anyone else in the Chicago area that has 11 or 20 analog as their host station getting all "no listings" the last couple of days? I have and I just wanted to check.

Everything is A-OK near downtown, via analog PBS 94 (ADS).

Michael252

I took my 250 from Fort Worth to Waco this afternoon. Using OTA, after the initial setup when the dashes appear, it took 30 seconds to require the KERA signal after being unplugged for four plus hours. I have a WWV clock next to it and it's on the money.

It seems you have a REAL problem. Have you tried to reset the user config via the 9012 code? I am guessing your microprocessor may have hiccuped.

I've been through miles of crap trying to set my 250 up and now I'd say it's working flawless except for a couple of things, I can put my finger on. If I can help, drop me a line michaeldowns@charter.net and we'll try to work it out.

Mike

Everything is A-OK near downtown, via analog PBS 94 (ADS). I should have specified OTA. Thanks anyways. I'm thinking it's probably just something I may have done to cause it.

Anyone else in the Chicago area that has 11 or 20 analog as their host station getting all "no listings" the last couple of days? I have and I just wanted to check.

Everything A-OK in Homer Glen.

Anyone else in the Chicago area that has 11 or 20 analog as their host station getting all "no listings" the last couple of days? I have and I just wanted to check.

I am not in chicago and have cable and just noticed "no listings" last night. I entered a nearby zipcode and plan to check tonight if I have any guide data.

...I got my Tripp-Lite UPS/surge protector at C***co for $99...I bought a Tripp-Lite from the same place several years ago. I was using it for maybe two years and after returning from a 2-day trip, I came home to what smelled like burning electronics. I eventually traced it to the UPS. It was so hot, the casing had become semi-molten and too hot to touch. Needless to say, after realizing I nearly lost my home and possibly my pets to a fire, Tripp-Lite has been etched into my head as the brand to avoid.

TVGuide tech called me back today informing me that a new software version has been release: version 09, which addresses several issues including channel sorting and the entering of 4 digit channel numbers in the channel editor. The 09 tvguide software will only be available on new hardware and you can't upgrade from the 08 to 09 version because the software version is tied to the hardware, however, there will be a patch to the 08 software with the 4 channel editor enhancement and other fixes. I have tvguide software version 08.06.30. The patch wont be available for another 3 to 6 months.

Note: I left a voice mail for Sherry at 1-800-386-7380 back in March explaining the above issues and they now returned my call. I think I should be grateful for the returned call.

Thanks for the info but I'm a little confused. Is this new hardware something that Sony can install if you send the unit in for service? Or is it hardware that's in more recently manufactured units but not older ones? I don't think they meant that the new hardware would be in future units because AFAIK, Sony has no plans to make any more.

Also, how do you go about getting either software update (09 version or 08 patch when it's available)? Is this something that comes down automatically like the guide data or is it something you have to send the unit out for? Anxious to know since I've been holding off sending mine for the 161-6 fix, hoping to get some clarification on the 4 digit problem, so I know if I can get both problems fixed at the same time or not.

Thanks Spiff. I sent them a message via the "contact us" screen on their webpage to let them know I wanted to speak to someone knowledgable in the TVGOS service. If I don't get at least a preliminary response by the end of Monday, I'll start calling.

If you haven't already, I would do the full factory reset of the unit.

I bought a used unit off eBay and it had California time on it - i'm on the east coast. I did the 'soft reset' and re-selected my zipcode. 2 days later it still had the wrong time, off by 2 hours or so, but with my area's guide info.

The full factory reset, the one that erases the hard drive, cured it.

TVGuide tech called me back today informing me that a new software version has been release: version 09, which addresses several issues including channel sorting and the entering of 4 digit channel numbers in the channel editor. The 09 tvguide software will only be available on new hardware and you can't upgrade from the 08 to 09 version because the software version is tied to the hardware, however, there will be a patch to the 08 software with the 4 channel editor enhancement and other fixes. I have tvguide software version 08.06.30. The patch wont be available for another 3 to 6 months.

Note: I left a voice mail for Sherry at 1-800-386-7380 back in March explaining the above issues and they now returned my call. I think I should be grateful for the returned call. Is the 09 version the one that will allow TVGOS to be fully compatible with satellite? The new Samsung DVR coming out in June will have this (NTSC only, I believe). TVGOS's website now lists which D* & E* receivers it will work with, and there is an option in the setup menu for D* or E* now. Will this "patch" allow this in the older versions such as the Sony? Millions of inquiring minds around here want to know.

I purchased an extended warranty direct from Sony a few weeks ago. I called Sony at 1-877-865-SONY and asked for prices on an extended warranty. More info here: http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/EW_ViewExtendedWarranty-Detail?CategoryName=CE_HAV

Sony asked me for:

The model number
The price paid
The purchase date

Since I got my unit for $249 at Tweeter, I had the option of the 1 year or 2 year replacement plans. Cost was $19.99 for 1 year and $29.99 for 2 years. If you paid more than $250.01 for your DVR, you can get an extended warranty for up to 5 years. (prices at link above on the Pricing tab) It also states on the Sony website that you must get the warranty within 60 days of purchase.

Several days later I received a 'Certificate of Coverage' from Sony. Warranty is administered by Service Net Solutions. Their website is here: http://www.servicenet.com

The cool thing is that Sony did not ask me for a serial number of my DVR, so I can use the extended warranty on the unit that fails first - I own 2 (if either fails during the 2 year extended warranty).

This is the first extended warranty I have purchased for anything. I have never had any electronic device fail that would have been covered on an extended warranty, but for $29.99, it's not so bad for an extra year of parts, and 21 extra months of labor warranty.

I bought mine at Tweeter exactly 3 months ago so I was worried about the 60 day note on the website link from above. Figured I'd try anyhow. The rep told me I had up until 11 months after purchase to get the 2 year plan (really it is 1 year added on to the original OEM 1 year warranty). Since I bought it at Tweeter for $249 I had only the $29.99 option (total of 2 years replacement warranty) but I snapped it up - good deal for the price and at least gives me another year not to worry too much about it crapping out.

I bought a Tripp-Lite from the same place several years ago. I was using it for maybe two years and after returning from a 2-day trip, I came home to what smelled like burning electronics. I eventually traced it to the UPS. It was so hot, the casing had become semi-molten and too hot to touch. Needless to say, after realizing I nearly lost my home and possibly my pets to a fire, Tripp-Lite has been etched into my head as the brand to avoid. :eek: That's not good! Makes me wonder if the same thing could happen with other brands. After all, there's a lead-acid battery in there on charge all the time, and if nothing else, batteries can fail catastrophically....had one explode in my car one time for no apparent reason....the car was parked.

I have several Tripp-Lite surge protectors and never had any issue with them but this is my first UPS. Now you've got me wondering..... :confused:

I'm sure my experience was uncommon, since if it weren't, Tripp-Lite would be flooded with lawsuits. But either way, it definitely tainted my impression of their products. I'm now loyal to APC (for now).

:eek: That's not good! Makes me wonder if the same thing could happen with other brands. After all, there's a lead-acid battery in there on charge all the time, and if nothing else, batteries can fail catastrophically....had one explode in my car one time for no apparent reason....the car was parked.

I have several Tripp-Lite surge protectors and never had any issue with them but this is my first UPS. Now you've got me wondering..... :confused:

It sure can. I had my computers on an APC Smart-UPS 1500 with a battery a little more than a year old and it did the same thing. The I found it one morning with the fan going full blast and the front cover popped off because the battery had swollen by about an inch at each end.

It was too hot to touch so I used work gloves to bring it out to my driveway. I had to destroy it to get the battery out so I wouldn't have a live outlet sitting in my driveway. APC told me this is a "very rare occurance". I think the battery shorted out inside, but it's hard to say what happened. Dont' get me wrong...APC makes an awesome product. We live by them at my office. But hey...it is a car battery after all.

Thank God I was home. I've been taking my chances with power outages ever since.

Tom

Damn. I'm starting to question how badly I need my UPS.

Certainly having a battery problem of this sort is very scary, but I think APC is correct in saying that it's a rare occurence. I have 5 units running in my home (all APC) and I haven't had a problem in 5 years or more.

(And I haven't had any catastrophic problem with a car battery in over 50 years of driving.)

For me the benefits of a UPS far outweigh any worry I have about of this type of problem. YMMV.

I'd probably only use one if someone was home at all times after reading that. Just the fact that knowing that it COULD happen scares me. But then again, residences burn down all the time from faulty wiring that no one was aware of. Just make sure you've got good insurance, I guess.

Battery back-ups are good for power outages, but when it comes to regulating the discrepancies of power current, then a line conditioner is your only choice. Spikes in current flow can damage or destroy the small electronic components in any device. I'm sure that all of you out there are using middle to high end systems for your AV needs and the conditioners can be life-savers.

Wolfie

I use my machine with OTA only. My host station is the PBS station out of Orlando, WMFE channel 24. Apparently, Gemstar has not updated the channels in Orlando to include the digital channels for WMFE, (they have 4 digital channels). Only WMFE's analog channel 24 has been found when the TVGos was first populated as well as when I reset the TVGos from the 9012 menu to start fresh. When I remapped 24 to 24.1, my machine stopped receiving updates in the TVGos, so apparently remapping the host channel is not an option for getting the digital version of it because this must kill machine's ability to update. I've contacted WMFE with the phone number to call Gemstar to get the digital WMFE channels added. He did email me later and told me that he did try to call them, but they have not called him back yet. Has anyone had the experience of trying to remap the local PBS station, that also happens to be the host station for your area, and not getting updates. I'm pretty sure this must be the reason because when I changed it back from 24.1 to 24, I started getting updates to the programs again, but now I can't record Nova in HD?? Any ideas, solutions, or opinions are welcome. Thanks...

I use my machine with OTA only. My host station is the PBS station out of Orlando, WMFE channel 24. Apparently, Gemstar has not updated the channels in Orlando to include the digital channels for WMFE, (they have 4 digital channels). Only WMFE's analog channel 24 has been found when the TVGos was first populated as well as when I reset the TVGos from the 9012 menu to start fresh. When I remapped 24 to 24.1, my machine stopped receiving updates in the TVGos, so apparently remapping the host channel is not an option for getting the digital version of it because this must kill machine's ability to update. I've contacted WMFE with the phone number to call Gemstar to get the digital WMFE channels added. He did email me later and told me that he did try to call them, but they have not called him back yet. Has anyone had the experience of trying to remap the local PBS station, that also happens to be the host station for your area, and not getting updates. I'm pretty sure this must be the reason because when I changed it back from 24.1 to 24, I started getting updates to the programs again, but now I can't record Nova in HD?? Any ideas, solutions, or opinions are welcome. Thanks...

Look in the channel editor to see if there are any other PBS affiliates listed. Find a nearby one and remap that nearby channel to your local PBS stations channel number.

When I remapped 24 to 24.1, my machine stopped receiving updates in the TVGos, so apparently remapping the host channel is not an option for getting the digital version of it because this must kill machine's ability to update.

Well, you can remap to the digital version of the channel and watch digital programming, but the guide data presently can ONLY be carried on an analog channel.

Look in the channel editor to see if there are any other PBS affiliates listed. Find a nearby one and remap that nearby channel to your local PBS stations channel number.
Are you saying that if I were to take another analog PBS channel, for example WUFT channel 3, and remap it to analog channel 24, the guide data would download just the same in place of channel WMFE 24 when it's remapped to channel 24.1? I've thought about trying this, but was afraid it wouldn't work without the WMFE call sign included with the number 24.

Are you saying that if I were to take another analog PBS channel, for example WUFT channel 3, and remap it to analog channel 24, the guide data would download just the same in place of channel WMFE 24 when it's remapped to channel 24.1? I've thought about trying this, but was afraid it wouldn't work without the WMFE call sign included with the number 24.

Nope - I am saying you would remap WUFT (either digital or analog) in your channel editor to use tune channel 24.1, and leave your WMFE channel alone (leave it mapped to the analog channel that it should have been initially mapped to). It is generally unwise to mess with the host channel's mapping on these units.

If you want to watch Nova in HD, then you just watch what appears to be WUFT in the guide (when, in reality, you are watching WMFE). You just need to map a station that has the same lineup of shows.

You just need to map a station that has the same lineup of shows.
Finding another PBS channel in my area that has the same lineup is somewhat of a problem...even in primetime, they don't consistently match up. Thanks for the advice. Hopefully WMFE will get in touch with someone at Gemstar to get their digital channels added.

Finding another PBS channel in my area that has the same lineup is somewhat of a problem...even in primetime, they don't consistently match up. Thanks for the advice. Hopefully WMFE will get in touch with someone at Gemstar to get their digital channels added.

I was surprised how many PBS stations were listed. I found one that seemed to mirror the national HD feed, so I used that one. The HD channel on my PBS is only on during primetime, and the shows match during that time (actually ONLY during that time).

Michael I live in Granbury, TX about 25 miles south of Fort Worth. I have had no problems at all with the clock. My zip code in Granbury is not recognized by TVGOS. I have to use zip code 76106 which is Fort Worth. My time and guide info comes from PBS station KERA Channel 13. I was having all kinds of problems with my DHG-HDD500 prior to sending it to Sony for a firmware upgate for a 161-6 cable card error and for a software update to ver 1.2.13. I had this service performed approx 3 months ago and I have had absolutely no problems at all.

Michael...If you want I would recommend you call Sony repair in in Mt. Pleasant, Pa. and ask them if this could be caused by outdated firmware or software. They are very friendly and responsive there. You can eve talk with the Tech that performs the service on the units. there number is (866) 748-8272. When they answer ask to speak to Ted. He is the Tech that works on these units.

I was surprised how many PBS stations were listed. I found one that seemed to mirror the national HD feed, so I used that one. The HD channel on my PBS is only on during primetime, and the shows match during that time (actually ONLY during that time).

Is there a website somewhere that has the listings for the PBS "national HD feed"? I looked a few months ago and didn't have much luck. I have mapped WGBYDT in Springfield, MA and it is close but can't count on the listing to be correct all the time.

Hi,

I have a HDD500, and I love it. I'd like to get another one for another TV I have. I noticed price has gone up. Since both Sony discontinued both 250 and 500, are they coming up with a new product to replace these? Anything other manufactures offer currently or in the next future that is worth considering?

I'd like to know my options before going on ebay.

Many thanks,

Jane

Thanks for the info but I'm a little confused. Is this new hardware something that Sony can install if you send the unit in for service? Or is it hardware that's in more recently manufactured units but not older ones?

Tech stated new hardware being manufactured now. You can't upgrade the tvguide software version 08 to 09 in our current Sony DVR's...


Is this something that comes down automatically like the guide data or is it something you have to send the unit out for?

Everyone will receive the 08 patch, it is automatically updated like the guide data. You only need to send in the Sony DVR to upgrade the SONY software or for the 161 error.

Is the 09 version the one that will allow TVGOS to be fully compatible with satellite? The new Samsung DVR coming out in June will have this (NTSC only, I believe). TVGOS's website now lists which D* & E* receivers it will work with, and there is an option in the setup menu for D* or E* now. Will this "patch" allow this in the older versions such as the Sony? Millions of inquiring minds around here want to know.


The tech had no information on satellite compatibility for the 08 patch

My guide didn't have Lost listed tonight. Between 8pm and 10pm were 2 episode of Degrassi. Needless to say Lost didn't record.

My guide didn't have Lost listed tonight. Between 8pm and 10pm were 2 episode of Degrassi. Needless to say Lost didn't record.
Yes and Lost also ran long again tonight, good thing I added time to it. You missed a good episode.

My guide didn't have Lost listed tonight. Between 8pm and 10pm were 2 episode of Degrassi. Needless to say Lost didn't record.
Followed by "My So-Called Life". That also happened on mine. The guide somehow went through a time warp. Fortunately I noticed the problem soon enough and set up a manual recording.

I had a lot of recorded shows, and my hard drive was filling up. After my wife recorded some shows, it deleted the older recorded shows (they no longer show up in 'Recordings'). I went and checked the hard drive usage (in the system menu) to see how much space the deletions had freed up, and was surprised to find that the the usage didn't drop. It listed at ~84% (420GB) and there is not anywhere close to 420GB of recordings. Is the hard drive usage inaccurate? Or is space being used by 'invisible' recordings? The amount of recordings it deleted is well into the 25% range (125GB) and probably closer to 50% (250GB).

Tech stated new hardware being manufactured now. You can't upgrade the tvguide software version 08 to 09 in our current Sony DVR's...

Everyone will receive the 08 patch, it is automatically updated like the guide data. You only need to send in the Sony DVR to upgrade the SONY software or for the 161 error.

Thanks. It's at least good to know that we should get an update that fixes the 4 digit problem in another 3-6 months.

Is there a website somewhere that has the listings for the PBS "national HD feed"? I looked a few months ago and didn't have much luck. I have mapped WGBYDT in Springfield, MA and it is close but can't count on the listing to be correct all the time.


In my area code(34228) the PBS channel in the guide labeled PBSDT2 has the listings for the national HD feed. I remap that to the correct cable channel(113.3 in my case) for my local PBS Hd and receive the correct listings.

Followed by "My So-Called Life". That also happened on mine. The guide somehow went through a time warp. Fortunately I noticed the problem soon enough and set up a manual recording.


ABC or Noggin Overnight (The N) ....

what's the difference....

Michael...If you want I would recommend you call Sony repair in in Mt. Pleasant, Pa. and ask them if this could be caused by outdated firmware or software. They are very friendly and responsive there. You can eve talk with the Tech that performs the service on the units. there number is (866) 748-8272. When they answer ask to speak to Ted. He is the Tech that works on these units.

Thanks Joe,

I did a restore defaults (not a complete harddrive format), tuned channel 13, then went to the G* test screen. The clock immediately set correctly and has been ok since. Someone thought it might have been a guide hiccup. I did put a UPS on it (APC), so hopefully I'm ok now (fingers crossed).

Thanks,
Michael

Tech stated new hardware being manufactured now. You can't upgrade the tvguide software version 08 to 09 in our current Sony DVR's...

Everyone will receive the 08 patch, it is automatically updated like the guide data. You only need to send in the Sony DVR to upgrade the SONY software or for the 161 error.

Which begs the questions... What is Sony working on to replace the current models and more importantly will there also be a patch that allows TVGOS data to be received over digital channels or is that beyond the capabilities of a simple patch?

By the way, my Sony came back from service and I was shocked to see that all my channels were still in their proper order. I had them all (even those turned off) in a very specific arrangement and they were all intact. I even had several hours of listings for all the channels. I just plugged it in and after a few clicks of the tuner switching the clock was set. I didn't have to go through setup or re-enter my zip code or anything. Is that normal?

Which begs the questions... What is Sony working on to replace the current models and more importantly will there also be a patch that allows TVGOS data to be received over digital channels or is that beyond the capabilities of a simple patch?

I don't know what Sony is doing regarding any new DVR's but from speaking to Sony tech support the latest firmware 1.2.13 release will allow reception of tvguide data via digital channels. I tried confirming this by deleting all analog channels and having my cablecard assign digital only by Time Warner but I had no luck, I still get the guide data via cable analog host channel 11 (PBS here in Schenectady, NY). I spoke to Time Warner why I still get an analog channel and they stated because Time Warner cable has a contract with tvguide to transmit the tvguide data over their network. I did the flip side of this by disconnecting the cablecard and cable feed and connecting the dvr to an OTA antenna for ATSC channels only but still the dvr indicated it was receiving the guide data, this time on host channel 17 (PBS here in Schenectady, NY). So, with all my testing, I couldn't confirm the statement the Sony tech made that it was digital guide ready.

By the way, my Sony came back from service and I was shocked to see that all my channels were still in their proper order. I had them all (even those turned off) in a very specific arrangement and they were all intact. I even had several hours of listings for all the channels. I just plugged it in and after a few clicks of the tuner switching the clock was set. I didn't have to go through setup or re-enter my zip code or anything. Is that normal?

I had the same experience when my unit returned from service...my channel order, zipcode and my recorded programs were all still there!

I don't know what Sony is doing regarding any new DVR's but from speaking to Sony tech support the latest firmware .13 release will allow reception of tvguide data via digital channels. I tried confirming this by deleting all analog channels and having my cablecard assign digital only by Time Warner but I had no luck, I still get the guide data via cable analog host channel 11 (PBS here in Schenectady, NY). I spoke to Time Warner why I still get an analog channel and they stated because Time Warner cable has a contract with tvguide to transmit the tvguide data over their network. I did the flip side of this by disconnecting the cablecard and cable feed and connecting the dvr to an OTA antenna for ATSC channels only but still the dvr indicated it was receiving the guide data, this time on host channel 17 (PBS here in Schenectady, NY). So, with all my testing, I couldn't confirm the statement the Sony tech made that it was digital guide ready.


You have to keep in mind the fact that in order for this to work, someone actually has to broadcast the info digitally. As far as I know, there are no stations that have upgraded to be able to digitally broadcast the guide data yet.

You have to keep in mind the fact that in order for this to work, someone actually has to broadcast the info digitally. As far as I know, there are no stations that have upgraded to be able to digitally broadcast the guide data yet.

PBS in Schenectady, NY has done the upgrade and currently transmits the data on HD channel 17.1 (this is why I'm doing the above test).

PBS in Schenectady, NY has done the upgrade and currently transmits the data on HD channel 17.1 (this is why I'm doing the above test).

I stand corrected! Are you sure that it is TVGOS data that they are transmitting, and not the "normal" PSIP data that gets sent out on virtually all digital signals?

I am not trying to argue here - I am just trying to find out where you got this information about the upgrade...

Thanks!

I stand corrected! Are you sure that it is TVGOS data that they are transmitting, and not the "normal" PSIP data that gets sent out on virtually all digital signals?

I am not trying to argue here - I am just trying to find out where you got this information about the upgrade...

Thanks!

I got the info by walking over to the station HQ and asking the engineers...whom stated they send the PSIP digital data along with EPG data provided by Gemstar in aggregate form via their digital channels 17.1 HD, 17.2 SD, & 17.3 SD

PS: I think there is something in the Sony DVR that gives priority to the analog data stream...

I got the info by walking over to the station HQ and asking the engineers...

PS: I think there is something in the Sony DVR that gives priority to the analog signal...

Interesting.

Are they some sort of a test station for Gemstar? Are there any devices yet that can even receive the info digitally?

Interesting.

Are they some sort of a test station for Gemstar?

I don't think they are a test station for tvguide, they may be testing everything on their own, they seem to encourage me to give them status on signal, data, etc...

Are there any devices yet that can even receive the info digitally?

I had hope my Sony DVR would but it doesn't, my 61" JVC HD-ILA 61Z786 via OTA when tuned into channel 17.1 sometimes it receives the PSIP data: channel info, whats on now and whats next, etc...other times the info is incorrect or blank. However, this isn't the tvguide data because this tv doesn't have a builtin tvguide decoder like the Sony.

I did the flip side of this by disconnecting the cablecard and cable feed and connecting the dvr to an OTA antenna for ATSC channels only but still the dvr indicated it was receiving the guide data, this time on host channel 17 (PBS here in Schenectady, NY). So, with all my testing, I couldn't confirm the statement the Sony tech made that it was digital guide ready.


What happens when you do the 9012 guide test while tuned to 17.1?

What happens when you do the 9012 guide test while tuned to 17.1?

It starts number crunching like it is receiving data...ATSC packet numbers are incrementing nicely and there are no errors indicated, however, once the 9012 menu ends the unit resets itself and I have to wait 24 hours for the guide data. Once back up...the host channel is back to the analog PBS station...

I think Gemstar is really rude about withholding information. They should post documentation of some kind. If the guide "prefers" an analog station, we should know --- and not have to jump through hoops trying to figure it out.

If they send out an update that will crash the guide, we should know so we could be prepared to deal with it.

Etc. etc. etc....

I just sat down to watch some programs and when I turned on the DVR, there was a message stating an error had occured and that I would not be able to watch recorded programs or record new ones. It said to contact Sony service. I performed a soft reset and the following error came up in the display: INF 11FFFF80

What the heck is going on? I had a ton of great stuff on there!

Anybody have this problem before?

Thanks.

Mark

I just ordered Comcast cable with a cable card. My unit has the 1.2.09 firmware. Should I expect to have any issues?

I don't think they are a test station for tvguide, they may be testing everything on their own, they seem to encourage me to give them status on signal, data, etc...



I had hope my Sony DVR would but it doesn't, my 61" JVC HD-ILA 61Z786 via OTA when tuned into channel 17.1 sometimes it receives the PSIP data: channel info, whats on now and whats next, etc...other times the info is incorrect or blank. However, this isn't the tvguide data because this tv doesn't have a builtin tvguide decoder like the Sony.It sounds like the same type of guide that's in some of the standalone tuners. Those things are notoriously unreliable and erratic. Probably the stations fault.

I just ordered Comcast cable with a cable card. My unit has the 1.2.09 firmware. Should I expect to have any issues?

From what I've read the problem is with SA cable cards not the Moto's.

Here's what the brilliant folks at Gemstar have done with the Monday night FOX schedule, where I have "Prison Break" and "24" set to record:

The President's address is noted from 7:00 to 7:20 PM CDT on Monday evening. "Prison Break" is correctly adjusted to 7:20-8:20.

Then "24" is ignored because of a conflict and FOX News is scheduled to record from 9:00-10:00.

What?!? :eek:

Other networks will probably agree to show the President's address at the last minute, so check your recording schedules for Monday evening.

So I take it from this forum that the Sony HD DVR's are not really 'available' yet. Is that correct? I thought these have been 'out' for a long time. Was/Is there a problem with them that Sony had to fix? Does anyone out there have one yet?

HDTVman,
Royal OaK, Mi

So I take it from this forum that the Sony HD DVR's are not really 'available' yet. Is that correct? I thought these have been 'out' for a long time. Was/Is there a problem with them that Sony had to fix? Does anyone out there have one yet?

HDTVman,
Royal OaK, Mi

If you are talking about the DHG-HDD250/500 models, they have been out for a while, and have been discontinuted. There are a few still available in stores (mostly open box), and eBay is another option.

My box hasn't updated Guide data for the last few days. Its says to wait 24hours. What would you guys reccomend that I do to try and fix this. Pull the cable card? Reset the box?

Thanks

After skimming through the 188 pages of this thread it appears that the hard drive in the DHG-HDD250 is effectively not user replacable. Is this true, or has someone found the magic formula for replacement ?

I am thinking that when the hard drive fails the unit might be a total write-off. Probably cost more to fix via Sony authorised service than it is worth. So, what is the concensus here is on how long the hard drive is likely to last (especially given that it is spinning all the time, even in standby mode)....

Brent

So I take it from this forum that the Sony HD DVR's are not really 'available' yet. Is that correct? I thought these have been 'out' for a long time. Was/Is there a problem with them that Sony had to fix? Does anyone out there have one yet?

HDTVman,
Royal OaK, Mi
The 5,000+ posts seem to indicate that at least one person has one of these units don't ya think? :p Just kidding.

Yeah, they've been available for quite some time, but, probably due to lack of interest on the public's behalf, Sony has discontinued them (along with LG who produced a similar unit). They ARE still available at some Best Buy and Circuit City stores, as well as on ebay. Best Buy currently sells the 500 GB version of this unit online for $1000, which is quite a bit more than you can find these for on ebay and in some stores.

After skimming through the 188 pages of this thread it appears that the hard drive in the DHG-HDD250 is effectively not user replacable. Is this true, or has someone found the magic formula for replacement ?

I am thinking that when the hard drive fails the unit might be a total write-off. Probably cost more to fix via Sony authorised service than it is worth. So, what is the concensus here is on how long the hard drive is likely to last (especially given that it is spinning all the time, even in standby mode)....

BrentI'm more concerned about the cooling fan than the HDD....I have one fail in a pc at least once a year, and it's not running 24/7. What's going to happen when this $2 fan quits? Will the whole unit shut down? Is there any thermal protection built into the unit?

I've had 3 HDD failures out of the 35-40 I've owned over the last 20 years....all the failed units have been Western Digital consumer variety similar to the ones used in the Sony. :eek: To be fair I believe HDD reliability is much improved from what it used to be....I haven't had a failure in about 4 years, but a HDD is an electro-mechanical device subject to defects, and an inevitable finite life.

Unlike a pc, replacing a HDD in the Sony would be a big deal....but my thinking is that HDD's are relatively cheap, and if it happens in the near term and the DVR technology is still viable at the time, it'd be worth fixing. But it will depend on what the alternatives are, if and when that happens. I bought a 5-year $99 warranty on one of my units and a 4-year $79 warranty on the other, so I'm covered over what I believe is the approximate useful life of these DVR's. By the end of my warranty periods I expect there will be a better, maybe even less expensive piece of equipment available that will influence my decision to make any necessary repairs to my current DVR's.

Another issue with the HDD's in these DVR's is future availability....I haven't bought a PATA drive in a couple years....I know they're still available but SATA drives are rapidly becoming the norm. How much longer will PATA drives be manufactured? Is Sony obligated to keep these on hand? :confused:

The best thing that could happen is that both my units fail within the warranty period and get replaced with newer technology. :D Not counting on that, tho.

Another issue with the HDD's in these DVR's is future availability....I haven't bought a PATA drive in a couple years....I know they're still available but SATA drives are rapidly becoming the norm. How much longer will PATA drives be manufactured? Is Sony obligated to keep these on hand? :confused:

The best thing that could happen is that both my units fail within the warranty period and get replaced with newer technology. :D Not counting on that, tho.
I wouldn't worry about that too much, 3.5" floppy drives are still widely available (and very cheap) and they have WELL outlived their usefullness. I mean, does ANYONE still use these? Even if people have old data on floppies, they have pretty much all backed that data up on optical discs or on their hard drives.

I wouldn't worry about that too much, 3.5" floppy drives are still widely available (and very cheap) and they have WELL outlived their usefullness. I mean, does ANYONE still use these? Even if people have old data on floppies, they have pretty much all backed that data up on optical discs or on their hard drives.The thing about floppies is that there's been little evolution, except for the media. The same 5.25" floppy drive that worked on my 1986 IBM pc would also work on my 2006 model.

I build my own pc's and many for family and friends, and I've always included a FD, just in case, or just to fill up the hole in the faceplate.:D With my current setup, it's more convenient to load the RAID drivers during OS installation using a floppy disk. I no longer use PATA HDD's in a new pc because there's a better alternative....SATA drives run cooler, have higher bandwidth, and nowadays usually cost no more than an equivalent PATA drive. The majority of new notebooks use SATA drives, and SATA or SATA-II is likely to soon become the standard for desktop pc's. Motherboard makers will eventually delete the IDE ports like they did the ISA and PCI graphics card slots....PATA drives may linger on with the use of interface adapter cards for a while.

You may be right, but over the next couple of years I see PATA drives going the way of 2 MB 30-pin SIMMS. ;)

The thing about floppies is that there's been little evolution, except for the media. The same 5.25" floppy drive that worked on my 1986 IBM pc would also work on my 2006 model.

I build my own pc's and many for family and friends, and I've always included a FD, just in case, or just to fill up the hole in the faceplate.:D With my current setup, it's more convenient to load the RAID drivers during OS installation using a floppy disk. I no longer use PATA HDD's in a new pc because there's a better alternative....SATA drives run cooler, have higher bandwidth, and nowadays usually cost no more than an equivalent PATA drive. The majority of new notebooks use SATA drives, and SATA or SATA-II is likely to soon become the standard for desktop pc's. Motherboard makers will eventually delete the IDE ports like they did the ISA and PCI slots....PATA drives may linger on with the use of interface adapter cards for a while.

You may be right, but over the next couple of years I see PATA drives going the way of 2 MB 30-pin SIMMS. ;)
I believe the floppy drive will be phased out before IDE slots are removed from motherboards, and by the way, PCI slots are still readily available on most mobo's. I do agree though, their days are numbered.

I believe the floppy drive will be phased out before IDE slots are removed from motherboards, and by the way, PCI slots are still readily available on most mobo's. I do agree though, their days are numbered.See my edit...I meant graphics card slots.

See my edit...I meant graphics card slots.
Gotcha ;)

On hard drive replacement-- the service menus are so extensive in this unit that it's likely there is a menu or front panel key combination that the Sony techs can use to essentially tell the unit "initialize this new drive and update NVRAM with its serial number, set up the CPRM details, etc."

I haven't figured out the procedure yet, but I posted some details a long time ago on a front panel service mode that is tricky to use and seems awfully close to what we need. I might have even found the correct menu; maybe I wasn't using it the right way? Someone who is out of warranty and feels like experimenting ought to try these and see if they can get further than I did. (For those not out of warranty, slipping a toothpick into the gap behind the sticker is one way to peek inside...) The details for the front panel procedure are included in the FAQ (http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html).

The thing about floppies is that there's been little evolution, except for the media. The same 5.25" floppy drive that worked on my 1986 IBM pc would also work on my 2006 model.

Technically the hardware would work, yes, but I believe that XP actually dropped support for 5.25" floppy drives (so you'd have to use maybe Windows ME).

With that said, I have under my desk an "old games" DOS computer scrapped together from old stuff I found I had in storage... ie. a video card with full VESA BIOS support, genuine 5.25" floppy, Sound Blaster AWE64 Gold, Roland MT-32 and so forth. Let's crank up Sam & Max! ;-)

And yeah, I couldn't even have installed XP on my new system last fall if I didn't have a 3.5" floppy drive in there - the top-of-the-line Intel motherboard only came with the RAID drivers on floppy!

PATA drives will be around for a while longer, at least for the practical life of the DVR.

On hard drive replacement-- the service menus are so extensive in this unit that it's likely there is a menu or front panel key combination that the Sony techs can use to essentially tell the unit "initialize this new drive and update NVRAM with its serial number, set up the CPRM details, etc."

I haven't figured out the procedure yet, but I posted some details a long time ago on a front panel service mode that is tricky to use and seems awfully close to what we need. I might have even found the correct menu; maybe I wasn't using it the right way? Someone who is out of warranty and feels like experimenting ought to try these and see if they can get further than I did. (For those not out of warranty, slipping a toothpick into the gap behind the sticker is one way to peek inside...) The details for the front panel procedure are included in the FAQ (http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html).

Mark,

My unit is not out of warranty yet, but I have some things I'm going to try later on. First, how many digits is the serial number in the 1234 HDD menu? This is convoluted and not doable by everyone but there is a procedure to write a CPRM ID to a hard drive on the Pioneer DVRs using a DVD service disk and remote. I'm guessing the CPRM ID format would have to be standard ( to be a standard ). If you're adding a second drive to an HDD250 as opposed to swapping in a larger one you shouldn't have to copy the Linux files to the second drive. the HDD format utilities in the HDD250 should handle the partioning of the new drive. I'm thinking that if you do the initializing on the Pioneer using the ID from the 1234 menu, take it out and install it in the second bay of the 250 and format it, it might work ( if that's a CPRM ID in the service menu ) The reason I asked about how long the number is, is because the Pioneer data is 9 digits. It's accessible by service remote and on the label printed on the back of the unit. this should be the least intrusive and quickest to verify. Sony service probably has a test station to brand, format and load linux external to the unit. I can play around later with just adding a larger single drive without losing the guide software. This is more to satisfy my curiosity than any thing because it will end up costing more in time and money to try this than it's really worth. On another topic, do you think the data is striped across the 2 drives?

I just sat down to watch some programs and when I turned on the DVR, there was a message stating an error had occured and that I would not be able to watch recorded programs or record new ones. It said to contact Sony service. I performed a soft reset and the following error came up in the display: INF 11FFFF80

What the heck is going on? I had a ton of great stuff on there!

Anybody have this problem before?

Thanks.

Mark

So, am I the first one to have a hard drive (apparently) fail in one of these units?

rcrach, don't know what striped means but I read that data for one program could be spread across both drives, you probably know that as you seem much more PC savvy than me, so maybe striped means something else. keep up the good work! I have both a 250 and a 500, would love to upgrade the 250 drive capacity someday.

giomania- haven't heard of too many total failures, unless cablecard related or surge related, or of course the plentiful guide related issues, sorry.

giomania- haven't heard of too many total failures, unless cablecard related or surge related, or of course the plentiful guide related issues, sorry.

Hmmm...I am using OTA only and am hooked up to a Panamax surge protector. I have an extended warranty from Tweeter, but it is going to be a pain to pry the thing out of the wall unit. :(

Hmmm... I have an extended warranty from Tweeter, but it is going to be a pain to pry the thing out of the wall unit. :(

Giomania, you might try the Wipe Unit front panel procedure from the FAQ before taking your unit in for warranty service. You have nothing to lose (except your recordings). This procedure restored my HDD250 to normal operation when I messed it up while experimenting with a second drive last year.

If you try it, be sure to report back and let us know if it worked in your case.

Giomania, you might try the Wipe Unit front panel procedure from the FAQ before taking your unit in for warranty service. You have nothing to lose (except your recordings). This procedure restored my HDD250 to normal operation when I messed it up while experimenting with a second drive last year.

If you try it, be sure to report back and let us know if it worked in your case.

Mark, are you speaking of a "warm reboot", aka "soft reset" by pressing Guide and Exit on the front panel at the same time? If so, I tried that already, and I got the reported INF....error message I reported.

Since that did not work, I guess the next step would be to restore factory defaults from the 9012 service menu and see if that has any effect.

I'll wait to hear back from you to be sure we are on the same page.

Thanks.

Mark

rcrach, don't know what striped means but I read that data for one program could be spread across both drives, you probably know that as you seem much more PC savvy than me, so maybe striped means something else. keep up the good work! I have both a 250 and a 500, would love to upgrade the 250 drive capacity someday.

giomania- haven't heard of too many total failures, unless cablecard related or surge related, or of course the plentiful guide related issues, sorry.

potato potato. That is what I meant, but it's a term typically associated with RAID systems so maybe I should have said interleaved. I'm not up on how TS data streams need to be recorded, or linux file systems, but if it's like the PC world a file can be scattered in pieces all over the drive. I'm just not sure if the two drives in the HDD500 are treated as one big drive or two separate drives as far as recording goes. My background is in hardware so the software should be all transparent to me.

Mark, are you speaking of a "warm reboot", aka "soft reset" by pressing Guide and Exit on the front panel at the same time? If so, I tried that already, and I got the reported INF....error message I reported.

Since that did not work, I guess the next step would be to restore factory defaults from the 9012 service menu and see if that has any effect.

I'll wait to hear back from you to be sure we are on the same page.

Thanks.

Mark

Wait a minute...I think I just saw it in the FAQ, section 1.2.8. Is this it? * Exit to get Wipe Unit? (performs both a Clear NVM and Zero HDD in one operation)

Seems like this might be less invasive than resetting factory defaults and may not wipe the drive?

I also forgot to mention that there is no info for hard drive #2 in the system menu, if I recall the name correctly. It's the place where you can see the temperatures, etc... That is why I think the drive is cooked.

Mark

So, am I the first one to have a hard drive (apparently) fail in one of these units?

Not the first, mine is on its way back to me through Tweeter. Went through every scenario, the hard drives were cooked.

I got the 5 year warranty, I think it will get lots of use. They are slow though, 3 weeks.

Yes, that's the right procedure (the one where Wipe Unit? is displayed on the front panel). I am pretty certain the contents of the drives will be lost.

Just wanted to let everyone know that Lost will be running late again this Wednesday by 5 minutes.

And don't forget Grey's Anatomy is on again tonight. :D

Just wanted to let everyone know that Lost will be running late again this Wednesday by 5 minutes.


It has been reported on elsewhere that ABC is doing this intentionally due to their losing too many viewers during commercials. They have even put clues in commercials that tie into the series in order to get people to watch.

Yes, that's the right procedure (the one where Wipe Unit? is displayed on the front panel). I am pretty certain the contents of the drives will be lost.

Since it appeared that drive #1 was intact, according to the system menu, I decided to try and hit the TV Guide button. Lo and behold, it brought up the set-up menu for TV Guide.

I went through the motions and it will download the guide data tonight. I want to see if I can record and play back, becuase the error message the other day stated I wouldn't be able to do so. Maybe that would be true with an HDD-250, which only has one drive.

I think drive #2 is dead, as there is no remaining capacity and temperature data in the system menu. Drive #1 is 0.0% and 107 degrees. It was almost full the other day, so apparently one crashed drive wipes the data off both.

After I see what I can and cannot do tomorrow night, I will decide what step to take next.

Mark

TVGuide nailed 24 last night, the second the show started my 250 went into record. About 20 minutes after 9.

Yeah, looks like Fox was the only network to bother to make an official schedule change last night, and TV Guide was updated to reflect it. Good on them!

I have an anomaly. I've two units, a 250 and a 500. Both have cablecards and are fed from the same cable. Both have the guide channel set at 16, the local PBS outlet. Both (finally) receive regular - almost daily - guide updates. The difference is that one unit displays the "TBS" logo when tuned to Ch 16, while the other displays "WEDN" which is the correct identification. The one which displays the "TBS" id on Ch 16 ALSO displays it (correctly) on Ch 5.

Anyone have any thoughts on how I might correct this?


Thanks.
JLOB

Has anyone else experienced a loss of audio in their HD recordings? In one instance, no audio was ever apparent during a one hour show. In the most recent instance, the audio dropped after about 40 min into a one hour show, immediately following a commercial break. Sometimes the audio will return - 5, 10 minutes later. More often than not, it's gone for good. It doesn't appear to be tied to any one channel (It's happened on both ABC and CBS so far. It DOES seem happen on only one of my two systems however, but it's not consistent enough to diagnose any further.

Anyone?

Thanks.

JLOB

As to "striping", the answer is no. At least for a 30 min show. You can look at disk usage, delete a recording, then see only one disk gains free space.

I tried something last night that works in these odd start times instances, but you have to be there to monitor it. Right before the show starts, go to the TVGOS and find the show you're recording. Press Menu, then select "schedule recording" and adjust start time to "on time" and end time to, say, "30 minutes late". then when the beginning of the show starts, select OK and it will start recording right away. Then at the end of the program, push the stop button on the remote and select "stop recording". This will give you the proper amount of recording.

Wolfie

It has been reported on elsewhere that ABC is doing this intentionally due to their losing too many viewers during commercials. They have even put clues in commercials that tie into the series in order to get people to watch.As far as the advertisers go, from what I've read, you can expect more of these kinds of devious and aggressive tactics, as they are in panic mode over the proliferation of commercial skipping DVR's. They declared an all-out war against this over a year ago. Haven't you noticed how on so many channels lately that the commercials are SO MUCH louder than the shows? Seems they're back to using that old trick again full force, too.

And as far as the networks go, they've been barging into the rolling credits and shrinking them into total unreadability for awhile now, and along with all theirs' and the advertisers' other tactics, the TV viewing experience is becoming more trying and unpleasant all the time. It's bad enough that many "hour-long" shows are actually under 45 minutes now.

It's gotten to the point where I just record everything that I really want to be able to sit there and enjoy ahead of time, and watch it after I've edited as much of that stuff as possible out. Or at least with the Sony, you can zip through that stuff pretty well.

If anything, their tactics are probably going to have the OPPOSITE effect, and drive many otherwise borderline viewers away. It's going to make DVR owners even use them more, and non-owners more inclined to want to get one.

The TV stations I'm aware of do not artificially boost the audio of commercials and pre-screen them to make sure they fall within a certain range, but often times the audio in the program fluctuates and can be much quieter than the commercials. On the other hand, cable operators are known to amplify the audio of their own commercials.

I've got E* SD, and they do it plenty, too. This is a massive, jarring difference I'm referring to. I know I'm not the only one that's noticed this, as there have been others on this forum who have mentioned it, too. I'll have to pay attention to see which commercials are actually the worst - local or national. I'm not even sure of which channels offhand. I never really noticed, because as soon as they come on, I mute them or turn them down an to unhearable level and divert my attention elsewhere.

Cable guy came today (right on time, shockingly) and inserted the cable card (a motorola card from Comcast) only to find that a message came on screen saying that there was a technical error, 161-4. He said he knew what the error was, and went to the menu to try to get some information from the unit. Everytime he tried, the message would interrupt and not allow him to do anything. We tried everything before giving up. Anyone know what we should have done? This isn't the infamous 161-6 error and he seemed to have encountered it before. Suggestions?

I have read most of the posts and have not encountered this issue. I have read a lot about recordings being dropped and have experienced them as well. I assume glitches and check my schedule frequently, but a new problem has arisen. Some of my weekly recordings only record the final third of the show. If it was the first third I would have assumed sports overruns from earlier in the day or something similar. What is strange is that I was home for the recordings and saw the red light come on right at the beginning of West Wing and stay on the entire time. However, when I returned to watch it, I only had 16 mins of recording starting at 7:44. The glitch occured during weekly and single recordings and on multiple stations, but some weekly and single recordings are unaffected. Any input would be great, even just confirmation that it has happened to someone else.

It's gotten to the point where I just record everything that I really want to be able to sit there and enjoy ahead of time, and watch it after I've edited as much of that stuff as possible out. Or at least with the Sony, you can zip through that stuff pretty well.

It's been years since I've watched ANY live TV (except for news and sports). It takes only 45 minutes to watch that one hour show.

If we ever lose the ability to skip and FF, I won't accept it. I'll stick with HBO and DVD's. If a network TV show is supposed to be really good, too bad. I'll wait for the DVD's. I'll be a year or so behind in the water-cooler conversation, but much happier and more relaxed than those folks who stare at all those commercials. :)

How about AM radio? I just turn it off when any commercial comes on. It's just not worth it to listen to all those minutes of all that junk.

Has anyone else experienced a loss of audio in their HD recordings? In one instance, no audio was ever apparent during a one hour show. In the most recent instance, the audio dropped after about 40 min into a one hour show, immediately following a commercial break. Sometimes the audio will return - 5, 10 minutes later. More often than not, it's gone for good. It doesn't appear to be tied to any one channel (It's happened on both ABC and CBS so far. It DOES seem happen on only one of my two systems however, but it's not consistent enough to diagnose any further.

Anyone?

Thanks.

JLOB

At my daughter's house in Phoenix/Cox cable, there was no audio on CBS-HD noon program so I checked OTA, and got audio.

Since it appeared that drive #1 was intact, according to the system menu, I decided to try and hit the TV Guide button. Lo and behold, it brought up the set-up menu for TV Guide.

I went through the motions and it will download the guide data tonight. I want to see if I can record and play back, becuase the error message the other day stated I wouldn't be able to do so. Maybe that would be true with an HDD-250, which only has one drive.

I think drive #2 is dead, as there is no remaining capacity and temperature data in the system menu. Drive #1 is 0.0% and 107 degrees. It was almost full the other day, so apparently one crashed drive wipes the data off both.

After I see what I can and cannot do tomorrow night, I will decide what step to take next.

Mark

For those following my saga, the DVR was right...I was not able to record. So, I don't know if I should try wiping it, as I am concerned that Sony (via Tweeter) would say that the warranty is voided because I was in the service menu.

Thoughts?

Mark

Argg, I knew things have been going too well lately. I have had a Sony DHG-HDD250 since last October or so and am now having problems.

On Fri I noticed that there was no guide data on my box, not even channel listings. The guide screen said due to a configuration change my guide data was being updated and that I need to wait 24 hours.

On Sat 24 Hours had past and nothing changed so I popped the cable card and did a Reset User Configuration in the service menu.

On Sun I had guide data. This morning I put the cable card back in and head off
to work. I epected not having guide data but I should have had channel listings by the time I got home from work. No luck. In fact tunning to a digital station results in the box trying to tune to channel 1023 after a few minutes, which isn't a legit channel

I popped the cable card and am doing a channel scan again. Hope that works as the box currently has 1023 on the display.

Fortunetly we are at the end of the tv season so I can probably get caught up and try a complete wipe next. Anyone have any ideas of what I can try in the mean time.

I have no other way of getting HBO at the moment so I may have to go out and get a cable box until the sopranos are over.

For those following my saga, the DVR was right...I was not able to record. So, I don't know if I should try wiping it, as I am concerned that Sony (via Tweeter) would say that the warranty is voided because I was in the service menu.

I would stop playing with it and get it fixed under warranty, the fact that the drive stopped working alone tells you that something probably failed other than software. At best you have some bad tracks.

As far as reformatting the drives I really don't think Sony cares if you try it because the disks are probably formatted using the firmware. Call Sony support or use their live chat client (better response).

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/support-contacts.pl

I tried the system settings on mine, it never recovered when I tried it, Tweeter sent it to Sony, 2 weeks later I have it back with upgraded firmware (remember to ask for it)

FYI, BB Chesapeake, VA has an out of the box, no remote HDD-250 for $399, 7-05 build date.

FYI, BB Chesapeake, VA has an out of the box, no remote HDD-250 for $399, 7-05 build date.
Speaking of Best Buy, looks like their 500's (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7276048&type=product&id=1117178795519) have come down $200 from $999 to $799 on their website.

I've seen at least 2 returned BB 250s complete in box for above price. I was tempted but I want another 500, I have a 500 and 250 now. I got my 500 on ebay (tweeter) and my 250 from a friendly local forum member.

I would stop playing with it and get it fixed under warranty, the fact that the drive stopped working alone tells you that something probably failed other than software. At best you have some bad tracks.

As far as reformatting the drives I really don't think Sony cares if you try it because the disks are probably formatted using the firmware. Call Sony support or use their live chat client (better response).

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/support-contacts.pl

I tried the system settings on mine, it never recovered when I tried it, Tweeter sent it to Sony, 2 weeks later I have it back with upgraded firmware (remember to ask for it)

Thanks, I will see what they say, but it must go through Tweeter. I will let Sony know I have the extended warranty and see what they tell me.

Mark

OK....just go a HDG-HDD250.....and it seems like a great device....Sony help though sucks.

How do I do a full system reset.... WHY, because I entered by accident with the scrowl enter buttom the wrong Cable Provider when setting up my TVGOS.... and therefore have the wrong channels listed.

IS there a post that has all the undocumented codes...or what is the source.

Your help is appreciated!!! This is a killer thread...hopefully I can read it all in the next few weeks

Thanks

Cw

it's an easy fix but I'm not looking at my machines right now, go to Setup at top of the TVGOS listings screen, System edits or something and it lets you go thru the set up for zip code and cable services there I think. don't panic :) you're doing good so new at it. I mostly set up for overtheair so I don't remember some of the cable settings.

Anyone using this DVR with Verizon FIOS cable? Just in case I change to them in the coming months when they start service at my house.

Thanks,

Jim

The card was provisioned by Comcast for ADS (Analog Digital Simulcast). This was done even though my area is not yet officially on ADS and my account does not specify ADS. But the CARD controlled this for the Sony, i.e. all of the supposedly analog channels including PBS and other guide hosts were digital as far as the Sony was concerned. The guide info could not be found, since it can only be carried on analog channels. As soon as the card was re-provisioned for no ADS, the guide began to function perfectly.



Looks like ADS has been brought online here in CT messing up my guide data. Did you call 1-800-Comcast to get them to turn off ADS and did they understand what you were talking about? How should I approach this? I guess they are supposed to be rebroadcasting the PBS station analog. My fear is calling Comcast and not getting anywhere with the clueless csr's.

Does anyone have the Pronto IR codes for discrete on and off, and previous channel, for the secondary remote control (Code 51)?

Thanks.

JLOB

They're on my site in the Pronto file area's discrete section.

Does anyone have the Pronto IR codes for discrete on and off, and previous channel, for the secondary remote control (Code 51)?

Thanks.

JLOB
Speaking of remote codes, is there a code for previous channel for the secondary remote control code 51 for the Harmany remotes?

Thanks.

Has anybody spotted data for Indieplex and retroplex when setting up channels? Comcast in Arlington, VA, just added both and I can't find them in channel setup and wondered if I had merely overlooked them.

Looks like ADS has been brought online here in CT messing up my guide data. Did you call 1-800-Comcast to get them to turn off ADS and did they understand what you were talking about? How should I approach this? I guess they are supposed to be rebroadcasting the PBS station analog. My fear is calling Comcast and not getting anywhere with the clueless csr's.

You'll just have to jump in and find someone who knows what's going on. Comcast reps have become much more knowledgeable here in the Chicago area over the last few months. Well, OK, up to a point. :) ADS is a GOOD thing, so you don't want to turn it off unless you have no other choice. Comcast knows they have to provide a duplicate PBS analog channel along with the rollout of ADS.

You quoted an old post of mine. When the OFFICIAL ADS rollout occurred here, the analog PBS was automatically provided.

I'll assume that you've checked what has been your host channel up until now by looking in the menu diagnostic screen and the channel is now QAM. Now either call Comcast to ask which channel the analog PBS has been mapped to, or try looking in your high-numbered basic channels for the duplicate broadcast. They normally use something in the 90's.

Once you find the channel, just go into your guide channel setup and change the digital PBS (if that was your old host) to the new analog channel number. That's the easiest way. One strange note: Although I did the above on my unit and remapped PBS to channel 94, the 753 menu continues to show the original channel 11 as the host. Nevertheless, my guide immediately began to work properly and continues doing so today.

Be sure to let us know how this works out for you.

I have tried that and I can't even get the clock set let alone the guide argh it has been 3 weeks since I bought this unit and it still doesn't work right. Maybe someone in the colorado comcast arena could help me out.

I have read most of the posts and have not encountered this issue. I have read a lot about recordings being dropped and have experienced them as well. I assume glitches and check my schedule frequently, but a new problem has arisen. Some of my weekly recordings only record the final third of the show. If it was the first third I would have assumed sports overruns from earlier in the day or something similar. What is strange is that I was home for the recordings and saw the red light come on right at the beginning of West Wing and stay on the entire time. However, when I returned to watch it, I only had 16 mins of recording starting at 7:44. The glitch occured during weekly and single recordings and on multiple stations, but some weekly and single recordings are unaffected. Any input would be great, even just confirmation that it has happened to someone else.

I haven't experienced the late recording of the show, but is it possible that the signal for that channel was too weak until 7:44? I'm not sure how the Sony handles weak stations. On the ReplayTV I have, if the signal is too weak it stops recording until the signal is detected, so a show that should have been one hour long shows in the recordings as 20 minutes long if that's all it could find - even the record light is on the entire hour. Maybe the Sony does something similar to this...

And I still lose shows on occasion. For instance, last week I made certain that both episodes of The Unit (Tues,9pm and 10pm) were scheduled to record. (I had to manually turn on the 10pm episode - the 9pm one was already marked to be recorded.) When I went to watch them Wed night, only the 9pm episode was recorded. I'll have to wait for the rerun to catch the season finale....

They're on my site in the Pronto file area's discrete section.


Thanks Daniel.
JLOB

Is there a specific amount of time I am supposed to wait before the channel list appears? I had a new cablecard installed at 10AM and was told by the technician that the channel list should appear within an hour, 2 max. It's been 4 hours and I still don't have any cable channels. Anyone?

Is there a specific amount of time I am supposed to wait before the channel list appears? I had a new cablecard installed at 10AM and was told by the technician that the channel list should appear within an hour, 2 max. It's been 4 hours and I still don't have any cable channels. Anyone?

Did you leave it off? I would recommend leaving it off until tomorrow morning - there are data downloads during the day, but if you are turning it on to check, you will stop/postpone the download.

Be patient! The cable guy doesn't sound like he understands the way the TVGOS system works.

You'll just have to jump in and find someone who knows what's going on. Comcast reps have become much more knowledgeable here in the Chicago area over the last few months. Well, OK, up to a point. :) ADS is a GOOD thing, so you don't want to turn it off unless you have no other choice. Comcast knows they have to provide a duplicate PBS analog channel along with the rollout of ADS.


The rep I spoke to seemed to understand why what was happening was happening but seemed unwilling to see what can be done about it. I spoke to a shift supervisor who claimed that there is no way I can get an analog version of PBS because the cable card "converts" the analog signal to digital :rolleyes: She said the best she could do is write up my complaint and push it up. She did take responsiblity of getting a response for the complaint and calling me back. She did give me a direct line to call back. I also plan to write a written complaint.

Did you leave it off? I would recommend leaving it off until tomorrow morning - there are data downloads during the day, but if you are turning it on to check, you will stop/postpone the download.

Be patient! The cable guy doesn't sound like he understands the way the TVGOS system works.


I will try leaving it off, but I am not referring to the TVGOS listings. I am referring to the allowed channels list that gets downloaded into the cable card by the cable company. He told me to leave the system on to download the data to the cable card (it hasn't yet), but after a couple of hours I turned it off. Turned it on and I could tell that the system was switching from the cable tuner to the antenna tuner because of that distinctive click. I will just leave it off overnight and use another HD Tuner for all the shows I want to see tonight and hope it is all worked out by tommorow.

The rep I spoke to seemed to understand why what was happening was happening but seemed unwilling to see what can be done about it. I spoke to a shift supervisor who claimed that there is no way I can get an analog version of PBS because the cable card "converts" the analog signal to digital :rolleyes: She said the best she could do is write up my complaint and push it up. She did take responsiblity of getting a response for the complaint and calling me back. She did give me a direct line to call back. I also plan to write a written complaint.

The card can be provisioned as either analog or digital. (I have had it both ways and the change can be made remotely by Comcast.) Comcast has a contract with Gemstar to provide a means for you and all the folks with TVGOS equipped devices to receive TVGOS data. (Not only did they provide an analog PBS for me, but they furnished two more analog channels for our condo lobby camera and building bulletin board.) People at the higher levels are well aware of this.

Just keep pushing until you get to someone who knows what to do. You are extremely fortunate to have been given a direct number for someone at Comcast, so maybe you are on the right track.

I just don't understand Sony putting out a box this bad. $1000 for a box that never gets the guide info, which makes it a boat anchor, crummy support from the Sony support people in Bangalore...it just isn't worth it. I had the "500" box with the Cablecard and packed it up and shipped it back pronto after 10 days of fighting with the guide and Sony. I went back to a dual tuner HD DVR from Comcast and haven't looked back. At least the Comcast box works and I'm not spending hours on the phone with Sony. I've always been a big Sony fan, this product was VERY disappointing. ($1000!!! for the headache, no thanks)

I just don't understand Sony putting out a box this bad. $1000 for a box that never gets the guide info, which makes it a boat anchor, crummy support from the Sony support people in Bangalore...it just isn't worth it. I had the "500" box with the Cablecard and packed it up and shipped it back pronto after 10 days of fighting with the guide and Sony. I went back to a dual tuner HD DVR from Comcast and haven't looked back. At least the Comcast box works and I'm not spending hours on the phone with Sony. I've always been a big Sony fan, this product was VERY disappointing. ($1000!!! for the headache, no thanks)

Sorry to hear about your troubles. The HDD-500 (Tweeter $250) works great for me....but I was lucky enough that Charter provided me a Cablecard with the 4.21 firmware. I just use a Terk indoor antenna and luckily...again, I have a local channel that provides the TVGOS. I also have a MOXI dual-tuner HD-DVR from Charter, but with a woefully too small hard drive.

Sounds frustrating, $1000 is a lot. but I've been very happy with the 2 I have. No real guide problems just takes a while, week or so to populate the guide. Most problems are due to local TV broadcasters not sending the signals correctly. I wouldn't pay retail price for it, but I love my 500 and I also got a 250. Paid about 1/3 retail. For $1000 I would have been unhappy with the short warranty too.
The tech support found here (Not at Sony) has been very helpful, My electricity went out and since I know the secret menus published here, I was able to force an immediate clock reset, instead of having to wait the days for it to do it on it's own. My clock came right up and was ready to go.

I like mine a lot but let's face it, this product deserved to die until the UI and reliability are improved and you can get around the damn TV Guide and clock issues.

I got mine for $249 plus $99 for a 5 year warranty (Tweeter special). After its first death I wouldn't own this without a serious warranty. But $249 is about the price point it will need to sell at to succeed. A second tuner should have been in it as well.

We will still probably go dark when analog goes off line (seriously doubt the unit will last that long though), we should be able to update the firmware ourselves through the USB2 port rather than having to ship it back to Sony (Outlaw Audio and HK do it for their receivers). A determined hacker will figure out how to get around any protection schemes they implemented anyway.

You still cannot save anything to permanent storage as hi def, the fan and hard drives are noisy. OTA HDTV is unreliable, cable and satellite HDTV are both compressed to within an inch of their lives. In short, the stuff is great when it works but it still needs to get a lot better.

the fan and hard drives are noisy.

Again, I must have lucked out. Mine is pretty damn silent, the Moxi is a lot louder.

Just noticed that, although guide data is fine through next Friday, my cable HD network channels were all moved to the bottom of the setup list --- #400 and above. The other 90+ channels were untouched. Nothing else changed as far as on/off, etc.

Amazing.

Just noticed that, although guide data is fine through next Friday, my cable HD network channels were all moved to the bottom of the setup list --- #400 and above. The other 90+ channels were untouched. Nothing else changed as far as on/off, etc.

Amazing.

Mine did the same thing when I used it yesterday. All of the "big 4" networks moved to the bottom of the list - actually it was the "big 3" in my case - NBC, ABC, and FOX. CBS here isn't carried on cable, so I have to pull it in OTA. The CBS channel kept its place in the guide (first on the list).

This seems like it happened once before a month or two ago...

Well, after three trips, 7 cablecards, and five hours, I finally have all the channels I am supposed to. Apparently my box didn't like any of the Motorola purple label cards. We went through four today (over four hours) and none worked. The one that they didn't want to try because it was older and more likely to have issues (the red label moto card) worked perfectly. Now I just have to hope that the guide will start updating properly.

Mine did the same thing when I used it yesterday. All of the "big 4" networks moved to the bottom of the list - actually it was the "big 3" in my case - NBC, ABC, and FOX. CBS here isn't carried on cable, so I have to pull it in OTA. The CBS channel kept its place in the guide (first on the list).

This seems like it happened once before a month or two ago...

This happened to me a couple times as well. CBS, NBC, ABC, WGN and FOX. Last time was a few days ago. Listings were retained.

my cable HD network channels were all moved to the bottom of the setup list
That happened to me twice this week, and I fixed it twice. It never happened to me before this week.

ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and PBS.

I like mine a lot but let's face it, this product deserved to die until the UI and reliability are improved and you can get around the damn TV Guide and clock issues.

I got mine for $249 plus $99 for a 5 year warranty (Tweeter special). After its first death I wouldn't own this without a serious warranty. But $249 is about the price point it will need to sell at to succeed. A second tuner should have been in it as well.

We will still probably go dark when analog goes off line (seriously doubt the unit will last that long though), we should be able to update the firmware ourselves through the USB2 port rather than having to ship it back to Sony (Outlaw Audio and HK do it for their receivers). A determined hacker will figure out how to get around any protection schemes they implemented anyway.

You still cannot save anything to permanent storage as hi def, the fan and hard drives are noisy. OTA HDTV is unreliable, cable and satellite HDTV are both compressed to within an inch of their lives. In short, the stuff is great when it works but it still needs to get a lot better.
You can't blame the OTA HDTV quality or the compression of satellite and cable HD content on the Sony DVR. The Sony has a decent OTA ATSC tuner and it DOES NOT in any way compress live or recorded HDTV from any source. It records the complete transport stream that is transmitted by the service provider.

Again, I must have lucked out. Mine is pretty damn silent, the Moxi is a lot louder.
Yeah looks like we are 2 of the lucky ones. I've had 2 500's since February (Tweeter 249 deal) and have not had one problem with either of my units. Have a good guide data channel and the picture quality has been great. I love em! Able to record free OTA channels and the best part, No DVR fee's!! :D

You can't blame the OTA HDTV quality or the compression of satellite and cable HD content on the Sony DVR. The Sony has a decent OTA ATSC tuner and it DOES NOT in any way compress live or recorded HDTV from any source. It records the complete transport stream that is transmitted by the service provider.

You are right, and I don't blame Sony for those, but it is part of the reason Sony failed. These are part of the issues with HDTV in general, too much compression on cable and satellite and the lack of interest in a reliable OTA system (I suspect the cable and satellite companies don't mind that). When OTA works its quality is way better than the cable or satellite company offerings. I am only 2.5 miles from the broadcast towers, on a hill with an almost direct line of site and I still get lots of dropouts (directional antenna too) if it is windy outside on some frequencies (a tree is between me and the broadcast towers).

Sinclair Broadcasting tried vainly to get the standard changed to one that would be reliable (and was tested). They have their own interests at heart, but let's face it, they own broadcast stations, the better they work the better they do. I suspect there was a little foul play there by those trying to kill OTA. Legislation has always been for sale to one extent or another so it isn't unreasonable to assume that those with the deepest pockets to pay off politicians, in one way or another, would ultimately win.

http://archives.cnn.com/2001/TECH/ptech/03/01/dtv.dilemma/index.html

You are right, and I don't blame Sony for those, but it is part of the reason Sony failed. These are part of the issues with HDTV in general, too much compression on cable and satellite and the lack of interest in a reliable OTA system (I suspect the cable and satellite companies don't mind that). When OTA works its quality is way better than the cable or satellite company offerings. I am only 2.5 miles from the broadcast towers, on a hill with an almost direct line of site and I still get lots of dropouts (directional antenna too) if it is windy outside on some frequencies (a tree is between me and the broadcast towers).

Sinclair Broadcasting tried vainly to get the standard changed to one that would be reliable (and was tested). They have their own interests at heart, but let's face it, they own broadcast stations, the better they work the better they do. I suspect there was a little foul play there by those trying to kill OTA. Legislation has always been for sale to one extent or another so it isn't unreasonable to assume that those with the deepest pockets to pay off politicians, in one way or another, would ultimately win.

http://archives.cnn.com/2001/TECH/ptech/03/01/dtv.dilemma/index.html
Agreed.

well, we like our 250 fine for OTA, which gives us about as much TV as we want to watch (together with an older LG 3410a)...have watched OTA for 3 years, and the Sony works best, with I think one day of lost guide data since we got it in March, and have had all the networks with good HD for 2 years+, except for a few transmission tower problems...we've really enjoyed the quality of HD, and the Sony has made it a lot easier due to time shifting and the capability of watching a recording while something else is being recorded...

of course we haven't tried it with cable, and don't intend to...

Well, after three trips, 7 cablecards, and five hours, I finally have all the channels I am supposed to. Apparently my box didn't like any of the Motorola purple label cards. We went through four today (over four hours) and none worked. The one that they didn't want to try because it was older and more likely to have issues (the red label moto card) worked perfectly. Now I just have to hope that the guide will start updating properly.

A local here had the same problem with firmware.

Well, despite a few foul balls with the CableCARD install in the Sony DHG-HDD250, with a little patience, I finally got a fat pitch right down the pike....and now I'm 2 for 2 , i.e. I have a working CableCARD in my Sony PVR. The problem turned out to be a bad CableCARD (???) although the working CableCARD has an older FW ver 04.05 whereas the original CableCARD as well as the CableCARD in my Samsung TV is at FW ver 04.21. In the process of troubleshooting the problem (really long story)....although I already had a working CableCARD in my TV, the tech determined I had really low signal levels, and didn't understand how the working CableCARD or my Cox DVR was working based on the signal levels he was seeing, so I got a line amplifier as a part of the deal.....hey it didn't fix the CableCARD issue, but did improve my PQ on some channels....shweet! I did lose all my TVGOS guide data, so I have to wait through the 8 day cycle for the TV guide to re-populate!

Does the red card have 4.05 firmware?

Does the red card have 4.05 firmware?

No idea. I would remove the card to check, but I am afraid that if I do, all the guide data and channel orders I put in (it took 2 hours) would disappear. Is there someway to check without removing the card?

I haven't experienced the late recording of the show, but is it possible that the signal for that channel was too weak until 7:44? I'm not sure how the Sony handles weak stations. On the ReplayTV I have, if the signal is too weak it stops recording until the signal is detected, so a show that should have been one hour long shows in the recordings as 20 minutes long if that's all it could find - even the record light is on the entire hour. Maybe the Sony does something similar to this...

And I still lose shows on occasion. For instance, last week I made certain that both episodes of The Unit (Tues,9pm and 10pm) were scheduled to record. (I had to manually turn on the 10pm episode - the 9pm one was already marked to be recorded.) When I went to watch them Wed night, only the 9pm episode was recorded. I'll have to wait for the rerun to catch the season finale....I have had shows scheduled to record where I forgot to turn my antenna to the right position and the Sony didn't record them. I checked the signal and it was faint. So I believe the Sony does do this.

Also, I learned that if you do anything that will cause it to not receive the host channel's signal steadily (like with me, it was turning off my antenna's amp), you will get the infamous "guide rebuilding" message and will have to wait awhile for it to come back (usually a couple of hours). That one really threw me, because my older model NTCS DVR's with TVGOS only needed to be receiving the signal overnight, and my antenna amp could be turned off all day and they'd be fine and never lose the guide or any of the data.

I have had shows scheduled to record where I forgot to turn my antenna to the right position and the Sony didn't record them. I checked the signal and it was faint. So I believe the Sony does do this.

Also, I learned that if you do anything that will cause it to not receive the host channel's signal steadily (like with me, it was turning off my antenna's amp), you will get the infamous "guide rebuilding" message and will have to wait awhile for it to come back (usually a couple of hours). That one really threw me, because my older model NTCS DVR's with TVGOS only needed to be receiving the signal overnight, and my antenna amp could be turned off all day and they'd be fine and never lose the guide or any of the data.
"NTSC"

I've seen the same behavior. I had the antenna completely disconnected for about 8 hours on Friday while moving it to the roof. Shows that were set to record ONCE during this period simply disappeared. Shows set to record periodically did remain scheduled for next time. Didn't lose any guide data. Maybe an outage of 12-24 hours is needed before that happens.

By the way... going from attic to roof improved the SNR by about 5-8 dB for most stations. I'm all set for the season finale of LOST this week. :)

Starting on Wednesday May 24th, I am getting "No Listing" for Digital NBC, ABC, and Fox. CBS and PBS are fine. Anolog NBC, ABC, and Fox are fine also. I checked the VBI packets in G*Test. All is well. I rebooted the unit. I'll check tomorrow to see if I get next Monday's listings. I don't know if the problem is on my end or not. I'm OTA only. Anyone in Columbus, Oh. having the same problem?

Starting on Wednesday May 24th, I am getting "No Listing" for Digital NBC, ABC, and Fox.

Here in Somerville MA I'm getting "No Listing" for UPN and WB (only) starting 4am that day. (The CW doesn't roll in until September, right?) Good thing the season's over.

Same in Newton, someone at the station screwed up obviously, I just use the analog station schedules and changed the stations to the digital ones.

Now if we could get all four channel 44 stations listed instead of just 44.1 I would be happy

Now if we could get all four channel 44 stations listed instead of just 44.1 I would be happy

I get all four listed.

What is your antenna setup? I hope you don't have a preamp being that close to the transmit tower. The 8 VSB standard works great esspessially with the latest tuners (2005 and newer, BTW the SONY has a new generation tuner). The new tuners have a lot better multi-path rejection then the tuner that was present when Sinclair was upset in 2001. Your information is way dated. I am receiving all the available networks at over 75 miles from the towers with $300 dollar antenna system investment. I am 20' above the roof line with a Channel master 4228 antenna and Channel master 7777 preamp. I also have a rotor with wireless remote but only use it if I need to circumvent a local sports blackout. My signal strength is 94 on the SONY and SNR over 30 on all the full power HDTV stations (ABC, NBC, CBS, WB and FOX).

I have a philips PVR the TVGuide and it locks up a lot but the SONYs (500 and 250) have never missed one day of getting guide data. My SONY units also have never locked up like the philips seems to do weekly. SONY could have made the product better by providing a USB network connection to receive the guide info for those that can't get the gemstar analog signal.

You are right, and I don't blame Sony for those, but it is part of the reason Sony failed. These are part of the issues with HDTV in general, too much compression on cable and satellite and the lack of interest in a reliable OTA system (I suspect the cable and satellite companies don't mind that). When OTA works its quality is way better than the cable or satellite company offerings. I am only 2.5 miles from the broadcast towers, on a hill with an almost direct line of site and I still get lots of dropouts (directional antenna too) if it is windy outside on some frequencies (a tree is between me and the broadcast towers).

Sinclair Broadcasting tried vainly to get the standard changed to one that would be reliable (and was tested). They have their own interests at heart, but let's face it, they own broadcast stations, the better they work the better they do. I suspect there was a little foul play there by those trying to kill OTA. Legislation has always been for sale to one extent or another so it isn't unreasonable to assume that those with the deepest pockets to pay off politicians, in one way or another, would ultimately win.

http://archives.cnn.com/2001/TECH/ptech/03/01/dtv.dilemma/index.html

What is your antenna setup? I hope you don't have a preamp being that close to the transmit tower. The 8 VSB standard works great esspessially with the latest tuners (2005 and newer, BTW the SONY has a new generation tuner). The new tuners have a lot better multi-path rejection then the tuner that was present when Sinclair was upset in 2001. Your information is way dated. I am receiving all the available networks at over 75 miles from the towers with $300 dollar antenna system investment. I am 20' above the roof line with a Channel master 4228 antenna and Channel master 7777 preamp. I also have a rotor with wireless remote but only use it if I need to circumvent a local sports blackout. My signal strength is 94 on the SONY and SNR over 30 on all the full power HDTV stations (ABC, NBC, CBS, WB and FOX).

I have a philips PVR the TVGuide and it locks up a lot but the SONYs (500 and 250) have never missed one day of getting guide data. My SONY units also have never locked up like the philips seems to do weekly. SONY could have made the product better by providing a USB network connection to receive the guide info for those that can't get the gemstar analog signal.
Yeah i think if they had added network connectivity (if for nothing else, for updating guide data in a MUCH more reliable way), 2 firewire ports for DVHS/PC connection, and a second tuner, perhaps an option to manually set the clock. With those slight additions, this would rival cable/satellite DVR's in functionality, lacking only two way services.

I get all four listed.

Mine is using channel 25 for guide data and I don't get all the PBS listings for 44, what station are you using for guide data?

Here in Somerville MA I'm getting "No Listing" for UPN and WB (only) starting 4am that day. (The CW doesn't roll in until September, right?) Good thing the season's over.

My "No Listing" for NBC, ABC, and Fox start at 4am Wednesday May 24 also. Rebooting the unit didn't help as next Monday is still "No Listing" for those three networks. As was suggested by swestbom, I remapped the analog stations (those listings are fine) to the digital ones until I figure out how to solve this problem. I want my recordings to have the correct titles. I hope remapping works for that. As I said in my earlier post, CBS and PBS listings are fine. The problem has to be with the data I'm receiving...? Should I contact my local TVGOS host station? I don't want to reset my unit to factory defaults if the problem is not on my end. I've had this unit for 8 months and never had any problems until now. I'm OTA only. Suggestions please...

Yeah i think if they had added network connectivity
Since we don't have 2 tuners, I would have liked to have seen a way to connect 2 units together so that you could set up recordings and watch shows from the other unit without having to switch back and forth between the 2.

I too have experienced the occasional audio dropouts when watching recorded programs. They do not occur when watching live programs. I have had the DVR sent in for repair several times and replaced twice, but the problem remains. I believe that Sony either cannot or will not correct the problem.

I also experience video problems during playback too. These show up as a jerky motion in the picture. For recorded digital programs, the picture will get jerky and the audio will become grossly out of synch. Rewinding and replaying corrects the problem. Recorded analog (NTSC) programs suffer from the same problems. The evidence seems to clearly point to a playback problem, not a recording or signal quality problem.

I have the audio connected to my audio receiver via the optical out connection, and the video connected to my TV receiver via the HDMI connector.

I too would be interested in any solution to this problem. I have been looking for a replacement for the Sony (to correct these problems), but have not found anything that works even as well (poorly) as the Sony.

I too have experienced the occasional audio dropouts when watching recorded programs. They do not occur when watching live programs. I have had the DVR sent in for repair several times and replaced twice, but the problem remains. I believe that Sony either cannot or will not correct the problem.

I also experience video problems during playback too. These show up as a jerky motion in the picture. For recorded digital programs, the picture will get jerky and the audio will become grossly out of synch. Rewinding and replaying corrects the problem. Recorded analog (NTSC) programs suffer from the same problems. The evidence seems to clearly point to a playback problem, not a recording or signal quality problem.

I have the audio connected to my audio receiver via the optical out connection, and the video connected to my TV receiver via the HDMI connector.

I too would be interested in any solution to this problem. I have been looking for a replacement for the Sony (to correct these problems), but have not found anything that works even as well (poorly) as the Sony.

I think this was discussed in this thread earlier and it was tentatively determined that this is likely an HDMI issue. I have never had any dropouts at all (I am using Component/Optical).

I think this was discussed in this thread earlier and it was tentatively determined that this is likely an HDMI issue. I have never had any dropouts at all (I am using Component/Optical).

I use component/optical as well, never have sound dropouts with it. My TV is an LCD based one and uses DVI so HDMI never really offered any advantage over the component (8 bit gray scale using DVI) so it actually looks just as good with component.

Hello
I've read various threads at a number of forums but have never posted on one before, so please excuse me if this doesn't work correctly.
I have a pair of Sony 500's I bought in January. They have been working perfectly OTA only until yesterday. I turned one on and it would only pick up my local PBS analog station (KCET Ch. 28 Los Angeles which I believe is the TVGOS Host channel, although I have never verified this). If I puched in any digital channel number, it would look for it , then display "no signal". If I selected an analog station, it did the same except it would then show KCET analog even though the readout on the front panel would say that I was on whichever analog channel I had punched in.
I did a channel auto scan for antenna only, where it found no channels. I decided to do a "cold reset" by briefly unplugging the unit. Upon power up it displays "Welcome...". The channel indicator increments from 01 thru 06, the unit shuts off for a few seconds, then the whole process repeats endlessly. I tried unplugging from a few minutes to a few hours with no change.I have tried methods of resetting found in this thread and in the FAQ. I tried EXIT and TV GUIDE together and ENTER and TV GUIDE together. No change. I tried a search here using the word "welcome" but it returned no results. Has anyone seen this behavior? How do I get it out of this endless loop without losing my recordings?
Further info: I have made no changes in my setup that would cause this. Both DVR's are hooked to the same splitter from my rooftop antenna. Signal strength was previously 94% with good quality and s/n greater than 30. The other 500 still works perfectly. The only other change I did after-the-fact was to disconnect the HDMI output to my VP30, in case there was some strange handshake issue. I hope I'm not SOL. Can anyone help?
TIA'
John Walsh

Hello
I've read various threads at a number of forums but have never posted on one before, so please excuse me if this doesn't work correctly.
I have a pair of Sony 500's I bought in January. They have been working perfectly OTA only until yesterday. I turned one on and it would only pick up my local PBS analog station (KCET Ch. 28 Los Angeles which I believe is the TVGOS Host channel, although I have never verified this). If I puched in any digital channel number, it would look for it , then display "no signal". If I selected an analog station, it did the same except it would then show KCET analog even though the readout on the front panel would say that I was on whichever analog channel I had punched in.
I did a channel auto scan for antenna only, where it found no channels. I decided to do a "cold reset" by briefly unplugging the unit. Upon power up it displays "Welcome...". The channel indicator increments from 01 thru 06, the unit shuts off for a few seconds, then the whole process repeats endlessly. I tried unplugging from a few minutes to a few hours with no change.I have tried methods of resetting found in this thread and in the FAQ. I tried EXIT and TV GUIDE together and ENTER and TV GUIDE together. No change. I tried a search here using the word "welcome" but it returned no results. Has anyone seen this behavior? How do I get it out of this endless loop without losing my recordings?
Further info: I have made no changes in my setup that would cause this. Both DVR's are hooked to the same splitter from my rooftop antenna. Signal strength was previously 94% with good quality and s/n greater than 30. The other 500 still works perfectly. The only other change I did after-the-fact was to disconnect the HDMI output to my VP30, in case there was some strange handshake issue. I hope I'm not SOL. Can anyone help?
TIA'
John Walsh

In this document, go to section 1.2.8 and read about the "Hidden Front Panel Menu". Good luck...

I think this was discussed in this thread earlier and it was tentatively determined that this is likely an HDMI issue. I have never had any dropouts at all (I am using Component/Optical).
Hmm. I was suspicious of the HDMI interface as a contributing factor too, but I'm not using the HDMI interface for audio (the TV won't pass it through). I'm using the optical out directly to my surround receiver. Can problems on the HDMI interface cause problems on the optical audio out interface?

This might also explain another problem I've observed: While playing back a recording, I press pause (or stop) to stop playback. I then switch my TV from the HDMI input to the TV's tuner (to avoid screen burnin while the DVR picture is paused). As soon as I do, I can hear the DVR program audio continue on (the audio is connected directly to the surround receiver). When I again switch the TV back to the HDMI DVR interface, and press play (or exit,play), the program jumps ahead and resumes there. I then have to rewind back to the point at which I originally paused (stopped) the playback. It seems that when the TV "disconnects" from the HDMI interface, the DVR gets confused and runs amok.

In this document, go to section 1.2.8 and read about the "Hidden Front Panel Menu". Good luck...
Thanks for this suggestion. I've read through the Hidyman FAQ. I'm a little paranoid about losing my recordings. Is the first option under "Repair" that clears the non-volatile memory a safe thing to do? Can I do this without losing everything? It looks like the other options would definitely clear everything. Am I understanding this correctly? Have you or others actually been forced to use this method? With good results? Fingers crossed.
Thanks.
John

Thanks for this suggestion. I've read through the Hidyman FAQ. I'm a little paranoid about losing my recordings. Is the first option under "Repair" that clears the non-volatile memory a safe thing to do? Can I do this without losing everything? It looks like the other options would definitely clear everything. Am I understanding this correctly? Have you or others actually been forced to use this method? With good results? Fingers crossed.
Thanks.
John

I haven't had to do this so I don't know if you'll lose your recordings. Mark Fontana did a "Wipe Unit" (Page 56, Post #1676). He doesn't mention losing recordings though. I would try the "Clear NVM" first. It sounds safer than the other two options. At this point, losing your recordings is probably the least of your problems.

Mine is using channel 25 for guide data and I don't get all the PBS listings for 44, what station are you using for guide data?

My Host channel is 2 (cable).

Since I got cable installed last week, I've noticed that when the unit is tuned to an OTA channel, I get a high pitched noise coming from it. This noise goes away during cable channels, and isn't present if I disconnect the cable line. Is this normal?

Thanks for this suggestion. I've read through the Hidyman FAQ. I'm a little paranoid about losing my recordings. Is the first option under "Repair" that clears the non-volatile memory a safe thing to do? Can I do this without losing everything? It looks like the other options would definitely clear everything. Am I understanding this correctly? Have you or others actually been forced to use this method? With good results? Fingers crossed.
Thanks.
John

I suggest you call Sony for help. It's a very time consuming process but may be safer than doing the wrong thing. Back in November I remember my recorder going through the same stuff you see, but I can't recall what I did to fix it. In that case it may have been caused by a guide glitch.

I think this was discussed in this thread earlier and it was tentatively determined that this is likely an HDMI issue. I have never had any dropouts at all (I am using Component/Optical).

I've also been considering switching to the component inputs because of the occassional audio dropouts. Is there any discernable advantage in video or audio quality to staying with the HDMI input?

I've also been considering switching to the component inputs because of the occassional audio dropouts. Is there any discernable advantage in video or audio quality to staying with the HDMI input?

Depends on your display, the component switching in your receiver or controller and cables, I don't think the Sony has a quality issue. For me, there is no discernable difference. I have noticed in display reviews that some of them do better with one than the other, but no consistency there.

The biggest difference is that the quality of the cables (given no defects) is a non-issue for anything but long distances for HDMI, not the case with component since it is analog, but don't go crazy there is more BS in the cable business than any other part of AV.

For the audio it doesn't really matter since the bit rate capability of Toslink is adequate for HDTV (not the case for the new Blu-Ray and HD-DVDs, but this isn't what the Sony DVR supports). The net result is the same for this device, Dolby Digital or PCM at identical bit rates.

Does anyone know if the hdd 500 can still be purchased through Tweeter for 250.00?

Anyone know of anywhere else where it can be purchased for this price?

Rahi

Does anyone know if the hdd 500 can still be purchased through Tweeter for 250.00?

Anyone know of anywhere else where it can be purchased for this price?

Rahi

:D :D :D :D

If they were, I would be maxing out my Credit Cards and selling them on ebay.

Does anyone know if the hdd 500 can still be purchased through Tweeter for 250.00?

Anyone know of anywhere else where it can be purchased for this price?

Rahi
No and No.

The card can be provisioned as either analog or digital. (I have had it both ways and the change can be made remotely by Comcast.) Comcast has a contract with Gemstar to provide a means for you and all the folks with TVGOS equipped devices to receive TVGOS data. (Not only did they provide an analog PBS for me, but they furnished two more analog channels for our condo lobby camera and building bulletin board.) People at the higher levels are well aware of this.

Just keep pushing until you get to someone who knows what to do. You are extremely fortunate to have been given a direct number for someone at Comcast, so maybe you are on the right track.


The person at Comcast called me back tonight. Apparently they claim to be broadcasting the pbs station in analog format on channel 97. I tuned the tv to channel 97 and I see nothing. The dvr says no program available on this channel. Is there anything I have to do to make this work? It appears to me that on a local level that they are not doing this, I had them open a trouble ticket so I'll see what happens.

The person at Comcast called me back tonight. Apparently they claim to be broadcasting the pbs station in analog format on channel 97. I tuned the tv to channel 97 and I see nothing. The dvr says no program available on this channel. Is there anything I have to do to make this work? It appears to me that on a local level that they are not doing this, I had them open a trouble ticket so I'll see what happens.

A TV without a cablecard will not see your 97 because it is using a different channel map. Only a Comcast box or a properly configured cablecard device will see analog channel 97.

Refresh my memory --- Did you check the Sony DVR diagnostics screen to see if your channels 2-99 are QAM? If they are, then you are definitely on ADS, but Comcast has not properly implemented the analog 97, which would be the only analog channel. A Comcast box and the Sony with cablecard WILL see 97 or whatever your duplicate PBS channel is.

Another thing to consider is that you might need to reset the Sony from the front panel or you might need to remove and reseat the card if Comcast has made changes since you first got the card. Note that this should NOT be necessary if Comcast has everything right on their end. I had to do these things early on, but now Comcast can make changes on the fly with no interaction from me.

A TV without a cablecard will not see your 97 because it is using a different channel map. Only a Comcast box or a properly configured cablecard device will see analog channel 97.

Refresh my memory --- Did you check the Sony DVR diagnostics screen to see if your channels 2-99 are QAM? If they are, then you are definitely on ADS, but Comcast has not properly implemented the analog 97, which would be the only analog channel. A Comcast box and the Sony with cablecard WILL see 97 or whatever your duplicate PBS channel is.

Another thing to consider is that you might need to reset the Sony from the front panel or you might need to remove and reseat the card if Comcast has made changes since you first got the card. Note that this should NOT be necessary if Comcast has everything right on their end. I had to do these things early on, but now Comcast can make changes on the fly with no interaction from me.
A CableCard or QAM tuner has NOTHING to do with an analog channel. If Comcast is broadcasting an analog simulcast of PBS on channel 97 in his area, it should show up, as analog does not need any digital equipment, just an NTSC tuner.

"NTSC"Hey, whadd'ya want for 4:30 in the morning?!

I have a strange problem. My sony dvr 500 ran fine at zip code 33510. I moved a few miles to 33570 (same stations) it ran fine for a few days now it keeps saying "updated information will be available in 24 hours. The channel guide is rebuilding your list based on your settings change."

Since it would be the same channels I never told it I moved. When This message appeared and did not go away for three days I told it my new zip. Three more days later I still have no online tv guide, and it still says the same thing. Any ideas?

I have a strange problem. My sony dvr 500 ran fine at zip code 33510. I moved a few miles to 33570 (same stations) it ran fine for a few days now it keeps saying "updated information will be available in 24 hours. The channel guide is rebuilding your list based on your settings change."

Since it would be the same channels I never told it I moved. When This message appeared and did not go away for three days I told it my new zip. Three more days later I still have no online tv guide, and it still says the same thing. Any ideas?

Yes, you need to look at the instructions for looking at your host channel and the VBI setting just below it:

http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html

2.1.8 How do I find my Host Channel?

I had to force the change in channels. In my experience, It won't use the new channel for the new zip, even when it changes it, it doesn't change the VBI channel and it just reverts to the old settings (bug in their software). Actually I set my zip to a non-existent one first to blow away the host channel then used section 2.2.2's directions. It will show a screen showing VBI something or other when you follow the directions. It is important to turn the unit off after the screen times out (follow the directions precisely)

I followed 2.2.2

and got the following information:
host channel---------> This area was blank
vbi channel----------->0:28-1
host id----------------->0x0
host state------------>0x8

what host channel do I need to force it to?

also it warns I need to reset the guide first. Will pressing the exit tv guide button at the same time reset the guide? WIll I lose previously recorded programs?

tia

You will have to do a little research into what host channel to use. I got mine from the list in the document link I posted.

Looking at the info changes nothing, exit does no harm. It is the force change instructions that actually will change the information.

Finally, make sure that the host channel isn't set before changing it (looks like that was the case for you). You should have no guide information (just the info that says it is going to refresh it).

My city was not listed in the list of cities provided in the link above. Is there any other way to determine what my host channel is? does it hurt to force a wrong host channel?

A CableCard or QAM tuner has NOTHING to do with an analog channel. If Comcast is broadcasting an analog simulcast of PBS on channel 97 in his area, it should show up, as analog does not need any digital equipment, just an NTSC tuner.

Wrong.

My cable is split directly to several devices. My TV and old LG DVR get only the analog basic channel map and DO NOT have a 94 (the duplicate PBS in my area). The Comcast 6412 and the Sony DVR with cablecard get the digital simulcast map and DO see analog channel 94 (as well as the digital original channel 11 PBS).

This is because Comcast can control their equipment (box and card) and have it receive a different set of channels mapped to the typical numbers. For example, that is how one device gets channel 7 as analog and another devices gets channel 7 as digital.

Another way to look at it is that my TV is ALREADY getting analog PBS on 11. There is not a second analog version on 94. But on the cablecard, that one analog PBS is MAPPED to 97 instead of 11.

My city was not listed in the list of cities provided in the link above. Is there any other way to determine what my host channel is? does it hurt to force a wrong host channel?

If it doesn't work, try one of the others

Do you know what the previous host channel was? It is probably PBS or Fox though, analog channel.

I have not been getting guide for HBO HD (channel 875) for a while now and I want to do something about it. I do get guide data for HBO SD (channel 301). Is it possble to map the guide data for 301 to channel 875 so I can record HD content ? If there is a post describing this process please point me to it.

Thanks!

Just put the channel number you want to use into the channel number for the one with the guide data and save it, that is it

I have not been getting guide for HBO HD (channel 875) for a while now and I want to do something about it. I do get guide data for HBO SD (channel 301). Is it possble to map the guide data for 301 to channel 875 so I can record HD content ? If there is a post describing this process please point me to it.

Thanks! "A" post?

A TV without a cablecard will not see your 97 because it is using a different channel map. Only a Comcast box or a properly configured cablecard device will see analog channel 97.

Refresh my memory --- Did you check the Sony DVR diagnostics screen to see if your channels 2-99 are QAM? If they are, then you are definitely on ADS, but Comcast has not properly implemented the analog 97, which would be the only analog channel. A Comcast box and the Sony with cablecard WILL see 97 or whatever your duplicate PBS channel is.

Another thing to consider is that you might need to reset the Sony from the front panel or you might need to remove and reseat the card if Comcast has made changes since you first got the card. Note that this should NOT be necessary if Comcast has everything right on their end. I had to do these things early on, but now Comcast can make changes on the fly with no interaction from me.

The majority of channels I checked 2-99 are QAM as reported by the diagnostic screen. tuning to channel 97 reveals nothing but a program unavailable screen. Going to the diagnostic screen for 97 says that it is also QAM. Should I be able to tune to 97 on the sony DVR and see the pbs station? I have tried pulling the cable card and the front panel reset but I guess I can try again.

Wrong.

My cable is split directly to several devices. My TV and old LG DVR get only the analog basic channel map and DO NOT have a 94 (the duplicate PBS in my area). The Comcast 6412 and the Sony DVR with cablecard get the digital simulcast map and DO see analog channel 94 (as well as the digital original channel 11 PBS).

This is because Comcast can control their equipment (box and card) and have it receive a different set of channels mapped to the typical numbers. For example, that is how one device gets channel 7 as analog and another devices gets channel 7 as digital.

Another way to look at it is that my TV is ALREADY getting analog PBS on 11. There is not a second analog version on 94. But on the cablecard, that one analog PBS is MAPPED to 97 instead of 11.
Exactly, so his phantom "analog PBS 97" IS NOT ACTUALLY an analog PBS station on channel 97. In order for it to be considered a true analog channel, it will have NO encryption, no digital properties, and can be tuned and viewed via a standard TV with only an NTSC tuner with no CableCard or STB implemented.

The majority of channels I checked 2-99 are QAM as reported by the diagnostic screen. tuning to channel 97 reveals nothing but a program unavailable screen. Going to the diagnostic screen for 97 says that it is also QAM. Should I be able to tune to 97 on the sony DVR and see the pbs station? I have tried pulling the cable card and the front panel reset but I guess I can try again.

Yes, you should see the same program on the digital channel AND on your 97. The Sony sees my 94 as "analog", not QAM. So Comcast is telling you the wrong channel or they are not properly mapping the analog channel for you.

Ain't this fun?!?

Eventually it will work, and you'll love it.

Exactly, so his phantom "analog PBS 97" IS NOT ACTUALLY an analog PBS station on channel 97. In order for it to be considered a true analog channel, it will have NO encryption, no digital properties, and can be tuned and viewed via a standard TV with only an NTSC tuner with no CableCard or STB implemented.

I'm really not sure what point you are trying to make. So maybe I'm misunderstanding you. The channel is analog. It carries the TVGOS data. On Comcast equipment with ADS it shows up as 94. On a plain NTSC tuner it shows up as 11. The latter will not see a channel 94.

When Comcast puts you on ADS, they normally would not include the analog channel, but they now add it for TVGOS data.

The poster asked why he could not see 97 on his TV (with no card). So I simply explained that he would NOT see it there, even if Comcast properly adds it to the ADS mapping for his DVR.

Eventually it will work, and you'll love it.

I have loved it for the past year, Comcast just recently messed it up. :confused:

Just pulled the cable card and replaced it. It said it found 12 analog channels. I wish there was a good way to quickly identify what they are, but 94 and 97 aren't one of them.

I'm really not sure what point you are trying to make. So maybe I'm misunderstanding you. The channel is analog. It carries the TVGOS data. On Comcast equipment with ADS it shows up as 94. On a plain NTSC tuner it shows up as 11. The latter will not see a channel 94.

When Comcast puts you on ADS, they normally would not include the analog channel, but they now add it for TVGOS data.

The poster asked why he could not see 97 on his TV (with no card). So I simply explained that he would NOT see it there, even if Comcast properly adds it to the ADS mapping for his DVR.
The analog channel is NOT 97, that was my point. The analog channel, with TVGOS data, is channel 11. Channel 97 is a DIGITAL shortcut to analog channel 11. So, he should use analog channel 11 as the PBS host station.

Just pulled the cable card and replaced it. It said it found 12 analog channels. I wish there was a good way to quickly identify what they are, but 94 and 97 aren't one of them.

Yeah, the only way AFAIK is to check one at a time, which could take forever. I have three known analogs: PBS, plus a lobby security camera and an information channel for our condo building. Comcast also used channels in the 90's for the last two.

The analog channel is NOT 97, that was my point. The analog channel, with TVGOS data, is channel 11. Channel 97 is a DIGITAL shortcut to analog channel 11. So, he should use analog channel 11 as the PBS host station.

Hmmm.... I think I see what you are saying. But my Sony diagnostics screen shows 11 as 256-QAM 555 MHz, and 94 as analog 201 MHz. Does this fit with your explanation? 11 fails the VBI test. 94 passes the VBI test.

Hmmm.... I think I see what you are saying. But my Sony diagnostics screen shows 11 as 256-QAM 555 MHz, and 94 as analog 201 MHz. Does this fit with your explanation? 11 fails the VBI test. 94 passes the VBI test.
Interesting, so through digital or QAM equipped devices, the analog channel cannot be tuned directly, but must be accessed via the proxy digital channel and CANNOT be tuned directly, even if the device also incorporates an NTSC tuner. Doesn't make a lot of sense (i guess i just don't know how, or why they would do this), but i don't doubt your assertions since you have this service and i do not even have ADS in my market with Adelphia.

Yeah, I'm confused, too. I can only guess that digital devices CONTROLLED BY THE CABLE COMPANY act this way. My old LG DVR has a QAM tuner, but cannot get ADS and therefore only sees the "normal" analog basic channels (and not 94).

My head hurts. :) I'm going to bed...

Yeah, I'm confused, too. I can only guess that digital devices CONTROLLED BY THE CABLE COMPANY act this way. My old LG DVR has a QAM tuner, but cannot get ADS and therefore only sees the "normal" analog basic channels (and not 94).

My head hurts. :) I'm going to bed...
Ah, i see, so it probably only affects devices using CableCard and leased STB's.