figuratively of course.

Why do you think the LG allowed you to copy a program via firewire to a HD recorder and the Sony doesn't? Because Sony sucks! Sony is the MPAA Like I said, they are in bed with one another. :mad: :mad:

Problem;
I can't get the unit to play anything that has been recorded. I hit the TV Guide button, highlight the entry and hit play, but nothing.
When the unit goes into play mode, is there any indication on the front panel (as there is in record mode) that it is in this mode?
Is there another way to go into play other than entering the 'Recordings' list?

When I hit play durning 'Live' TV that time line bar does appear, so I know the remote is working as far as that button function goes.

I can't get the unit to play anything that has been recorded. I hit the TV Guide button, highlight the entry and hit play, but nothing.

Hit "Select" - not "Play".

Note that by default selecting the title will display a list of recordings (i.e. hit select on "Dora the Explorer" and you'll get a list of episode titles and the time/date each was recorded). You'll need to arrow down to select the episode you want to watch.

You can also change this behavior so that each episode is listed separately.

... hit select on "Dora the Explorer" and you'll get a list of episode titles ...

These Sony boxes are a godsend for those of us with kids, aren't they? Ours is loaded with an ample supply of Bob the Builder, Thomas, Dora, Blues Clues, etc. and the episodes take up very little space since they're SD. We almost never bother with prerecorded kids' DVDs anymore... too much hassle with all the forced logos/previews and menu navigation. My 3-year old even uses the remote to skip commercials and replay sections of interest.

Yea I load up on a series like 'Seinfled' and have all ready to watch anytime, with episode titles. I turn the record quality down to SP or EP to save disc space, they look fine. I have a 500 model, holds quite a bit at lower record levels. Also I make sure to get these off of SD channels and not off network HD channels, even in SD, some shows on HD channels seem to be bigger files.

Hit "Select" - not "Play". Yea, why would hit a "Play" button to 'play' something. :rolleyes: Note that by default selecting the title will display a list of recordings (i.e. hit select on "Dora the Explorer" and you'll get a list of episode titles and the time/date each was recorded). You'll need to arrow down to select the episode you want to watch. 90% of what I would record are single "episodes" eg; movies, I don't know why a single event has a "episode" entry. You can also change this behavior so that each episode is listed separately. Where?

The instructions are incomplete. On page 55 there are three steps listed to "Play" a recording. There are actually FIVE steps. :mad:
I can't believe anyone could figure that out on top of the more confusing OSD and the color coded entries. :confused:

I have always had the audio dropouts (and video glitches/jerkiness too). I had the unit repaired, upgraded and replaced several times, but Sony cannot or will not fix it. Heck, they won't even acknowledge that it has a problem. Their only solution was to refund my money and buy it back from me. I have read elsewhere in this forum that these problems are common and most likely due to a problem with the HDMI interface. I'm not quite sure how the HDMI interface affects the optical audio out, but apparently, it can. I'm just living with the problem too (rewind and replay to hear the missed audio).

Yea, why would hit a "Play" button to 'play' something. :rolleyes: 90% of what I would record are single "episodes" eg; movies, I don't know why a single event has a "episode" entry. Where?

The instructions are incomplete. On page 55 there are three steps listed to "Play" a recording. There are actually FIVE steps. :mad:
I can't believe anyone could figure that out on top of the more confusing OSD and the color coded entries. :confused:

See section 2.2.6 in the FAQ in my signature...

Unfortunately I get an 1 second audio glitch on playback about once an hour. The audio is always there on rewind. I think I am using HDMI, another reason to hate the supposed improvement of current HDMI plugs. May switch back to component but I use it for something else.

spiff72; I did print out your FAQ, but the last entry got cut off. I see you re-formatted the pages and I now read what was missing.

I started reading through some of the earlier pages and it was reported that the HDD(s) run 24/7 no matter what.
There is a fan inside the unit and when I took current measurements between 'live tv' mode and 'record' there was a increase of .02A which, to me indicates the HDD spinning.
I never had any experiance with those 'TVio' units, but I understand those HDDs' run all the time. I also understand theyb get really hot, something this doesn't do. Actually, I'm very surprised of the lack of ventlation holes in the top or sides and the placement of the fan not being a exhaust fan.

Has anyone that has opened the unit up positively confirm that the HDD(s) is/are actually running all the time?

I'm with Comcast in Sarasota, Fl. I have two 500's which have been working nearly perfectly for five months(except for a week when my host channel was down). My host channel is 1:0:3(Comcast cable channel 3). I split my cable line - one to each DVR. Three day ago I stopped getting guide updates on one of my DVR's while the other DVR continued to update properly. Even though the guide isn't updating I'm receiving VBI data on Ch 3 and the host channel correctly shows 1:0:3.

Any ideas on what the problem is and/or possible fixes? Thanks in advance.

Unfortunately I get an 1 second audio glitch on playback about once an hour. The audio is always there on rewind. I think I am using HDMI, another reason to hate the supposed improvement of current HDMI plugs. May switch back to component but I use it for something else.

The glitches are there when using component with the dolby digital out, not just with the HDMI interface. Never happens with the analog out. I bet there is a bug in the audio stream decoding process somewhere. It's annoying but at a one-second glitch once or twice per hour, I've been living it with it. When I sent the unit in to Sony for the 161-6 fix and firmware upgrade, I also asked them to fix the audio glitch. They didn't admit any knowledge and stated that it was operating OK as I recall. I doubt anyone watched an hour or two of digital content on it to see a few incidences, and since they are not reproducible, I'm sure it would be hard to track down.

Sigh.

Marc

I started reading through some of the earlier pages and it was reported that the HDD(s) run 24/7 no matter what.
There is a fan inside the unit and when I took current measurements between 'live tv' mode and 'record' there was a increase of .02A which, to me indicates the HDD spinning.

The unit writes to the hard disk even when viewing live TV (which is why you can always rewind), so I'm not sure what might be contributing to your 0.02A difference ... I doubt most folks care much one way or the other if the had drivers spin down sometimes ... as long as it works ...

My only real complaint with the unit is the guide data, which is a combination of Gemstar using cheap (probably a relative term) equipment and WUNC having electrical/phone problems at the transmitter. We are coming up on 2 weeks with no guide data ...

-Jim

My only real complaint with the unit is the guide data, which is a combination of Gemstar using cheap (probably a relative term) equipment and WUNC having electrical/phone problems at the transmitter. We are coming up on 2 weeks with no guide data ...

-Jim

I emailed UNC on Friday about the problem, and heard back from their chief engineer saying they would look into it after the holday and get back to me. As of 3:00pm today I hadn't heard back, so I sent him a "thanks for looking" email as a nudge. Hopefully things will get moving. If I hear anything back I will post it.

Wayne

I'm with Comcast in Sarasota, Fl. I have two 500's which have been working nearly perfectly for five months(except for a week when my host channel was down). My host channel is 1:0:3(Comcast cable channel 3). I split my cable line - one to each DVR. Three day ago I stopped getting guide updates on one of my DVR's while the other DVR continued to update properly. Even though the guide isn't updating I'm receiving VBI data on Ch 3 and the host channel correctly shows 1:0:3.

Any ideas on what the problem is and/or possible fixes? Thanks in advance.When you press the [TV Guide] button, is Channel 3 included in your listings? If not, go to Setup and add that channel to your guide listings.

I generally dislike stretch or Zoom modes but I find the 'Adjust 80' on this unit to be very watchable for 4:3 content on my 16:9 34" tube set. What does 'Adjust 80' mean? Is it 80% of the screen width filled? Just curious as I use it most of the time for SD playback.

I emailed UNC on Friday about the problem, and heard back from their chief engineer saying they would look into it after the holday and get back to me.

Heh.

I left him an phone message on Tuesday of last week, and another guy talked with him Thursday morning (also last week). I think he is a bit tired of dealing with this stuff ... from what he said to me several times, he considers it Gemstar's problem - not his. I think he figures looking at it is a kindness (I'm grateful for any help - I don't want to seem like I'm not so I appologize in advance if I tick anyone off) but I suspect he has a pretty full dance card just keeping WUNC's stuff up and running. Maybe if we sent him a case of good beer?

Ideally we could call Gemstar and mention that their stuff had become a doorstop, but they seem dedicated to having poor service ... *sigh*.

I will say that being off air 4+ weeks in the last 6 months isn't a real good availability ...

-Jim

I've got questions on my mind today I guess. Seems my cable co is moving the network HD channels around, if I do a Rescan of Cable channels will I have to redo my TVGOs list or other tedious resetting??? 2 of the network HD are getting no signal now and I heard TW is relocating them.

I found a Sony DHG-HDD250 for $229+tax on an Open Box deal.

It was a floor model, and has both the remote and AC power cord, but no instructions. I figured I could just download those.

Are these things a collosal pain in the A** with most people?

I have read alot of complaints, but thena again, i ahev read other things from other people who have not experienced any problems, either with the TVGuide or anything else.

Are there alot of problems I should be aware of? I am not going to read through 6,000 posts on one unit. Either that tells me it is a big loser, or a big winner, or a little of both.

I am going to feed it analog cable from the wall so my cable will come from there. This also includes HD/digital CLEAR QAM and a little antenna for local OTA(does this thing have two RF inputs, or just one? I don't remember when I looked at it. I have an A/B selector fgor just this as I use it with my LG LST-4200A).

My TVGuide data comes in just fine on my Sony HX-900. I want this for it's large 250GB HDD storage capacity, the ability to record HD if I feel like it, and the CableCard slot in case i want to get it in the future.

Or is the CableCard a HUGE Problem, or will it become useless when the gen 2 Cablecards ever appear, which will allow 2-way communication?

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

When you press the [TV Guide] button, is Channel 3 included in your listings? If not, go to Setup and add that channel to your guide listings.


I realized earlier this evening that I didn't have Channel 3 in my listing. I corrected that and hope to have day 8 in the morning. Thanks for your input.

Edit 7/6/06: As expected I started receiving updates this morning.

I found a Sony DHG-HDD250 for $229+tax on an Open Box deal.

It was a floor model, and has both the remote and AC power cord, but no instructions. I figured I could just download those.

Are these things a collosal pain in the A** with most people?

I have read alot of complaints, but thena again, i ahev read other things from other people who have not experienced any problems, either with the TVGuide or anything else.

Are there alot of problems I should be aware of? I am not going to read through 6,000 posts on one unit. Either that tells me it is a big loser, or a big winner, or a little of both.

I am going to feed it analog cable from the wall so my cable will come from there. This also includes HD/digital CLEAR QAM and a little antenna for local OTA(does this thing have two RF inputs, or just one? I don't remember when I looked at it. I have an A/B selector fgor just this as I use it with my LG LST-4200A).

My TVGuide data comes in just fine on my Sony HX-900. I want this for it's large 250GB HDD storage capacity, the ability to record HD if I feel like it, and the CableCard slot in case i want to get it in the future.

Or is the CableCard a HUGE Problem, or will it become useless when the gen 2 Cablecards ever appear, which will allow 2-way communication?

Any thoughts will be appreciated. It has two RF inputs, one for cable and one for antenna. If you're just using analog cable and OTA, it'll probably work fine. I would at least give it a shot. You should get most of your digital locals with your extended basic service. But probably not all.

I doubt if the one-way cards will become obsolete, because there's so many units out there that use them, but who really knows?

At that price you could probably sell it for more, if you wanted to get rid of it (assuming it works).

I doubt most folks care much one way or the other if the had drivers spin down sometime They will when the drive burns out for running 24/7 (if it actually does) and it has to get sent back to Phoney for replacement. I know of those TVio units that run hot and the drives burning out. :eek:

Anyone here have one replaced after the warrenty??

I found a Sony DHG-HDD250 for $229+tax on an Open Box deal.

It was a floor model, and has both the remote and AC power cord, but no instructions. I figured I could just download those.

Are these things a collosal pain in the A** with most people?

I have read alot of complaints, but thena again, i ahev read other things from other people who have not experienced any problems, either with the TVGuide or anything else.

Are there alot of problems I should be aware of? I am not going to read through 6,000 posts on one unit. Either that tells me it is a big loser, or a big winner, or a little of both.

I am going to feed it analog cable from the wall so my cable will come from there. This also includes HD/digital CLEAR QAM and a little antenna for local OTA(does this thing have two RF inputs, or just one? I don't remember when I looked at it. I have an A/B selector fgor just this as I use it with my LG LST-4200A).

My TVGuide data comes in just fine on my Sony HX-900. I want this for it's large 250GB HDD storage capacity, the ability to record HD if I feel like it, and the CableCard slot in case i want to get it in the future.

Or is the CableCard a HUGE Problem, or will it become useless when the gen 2 Cablecards ever appear, which will allow 2-way communication?

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

I have the 250 unit and it is awesome. Go to sonystyle.com and purchase an extended warrenty for peace of mind. 4 years should be long enough.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/EW_ViewExtendedWarranty-LandingPage;sid=sdKZ3TLhpr2Z5XZMsVqT1n3xNNeBRPJ3DhM=?Categor yName=ExtendedWarrantyRoot

They will when the drive burns out for running 24/7 (if it actually does).

The net wisdom is usually that running a hard drive 24/7 is better for the drive (assuming proper ventilation) than starting and stopping with the associated wear, tear, and extra thermal cycling. YMMV.

Just as an aside, you seem really angry about Sony products and this one in particular - you don't seem to have many positives about it ... why do you have one? I just ask because I'm curious - it isn't meant as a slam or negative comment ... Life is too short to get bent out of shape about little things ...

I actually have no complaints about the box itself - it works great for what I need. I think the weak spot is Gemstar and their problems providing a usable signal. I wonder if the MovieBeam service has these kinds of problems (they are not available in my area)?

In a really quiet room, you can turn the box on/off and tell the HDDs stay spinning. And it makes scheduled recordings with the box off.

you seem really angry about Sony products and this one in particular - you don't seem to have many positives about it I call it as I see it.

When they screw up the basics through poor design, lack of proper instructions, a poorly designed VD Guide on screen display with confusing colors and that 'group' view treating the entries as folders (when they hardly tell you that's the case); all just to play back a recorded entry AFAIC that's pretty bad.
I surely wouldn't of paided the $600 plus many here have when it first came out. Then they discontinue it, six or nine months after it came out? :rolleyes:

I have seen many sending it back through the first third of this thread.

n a really quiet room, you can turn the box on/off and tell the HDDs stay spinning. I hear the 'whril' and feel the vibration, but either could just be the fan. It's still strange the unit runs as cool as it does compared to others that you can fry eggs on.

Jeez, Bruce, give it a chance, it seems you are looking at ways to hate it before you even use it. These boxes are great for what they can do, my two 500gig units are amazing. Nothing out there you can buy can touch these IMO.
Maybe you paid too much, I see the 250 models for under $400 regularly. I got my 500gig models for about $500.

Well I have comacst in loveland and it was weeks before all of the sudden it started working.....I have no idea why it did but I tuned to 6 and had it off for several days. I had almost given up setting the clock and then poof it was working.

I do not use the cable card though.




I've been poring over this thread for 2 days, and still don't see why I cannot yet get the clock to even come up.

I'm using comcast and a cable card.

My problems:
-I don't see anything in the channel editor, just 'no data'
-The cable card seems to only hold digital channels, in which case am I screw'd?
-I can't seem to actually edit the diagnostic screens.
-I've left it off for 18 hours, but not yet 24 total hours, would this be the problem? That seems sort of silly.

Solutions?
-Should I get an antenna and have the system scan for analog channels?

Is there anyone else in Denver that has comcast who can assist?

[QUOTE=videobruce]I call it as I see it.

When they screw up the basics through poor design, lack of proper instructions, a poorly designed VD Guide on screen display with confusing colors and that 'group' view treating the entries as folders (when they hardly tell you that's the case); all just to play back a recorded entry AFAIC that's pretty bad.
I surely wouldn't of paided the $600 plus many here have when it first came out. Then they discontinue it, six or nine months after it came out? :rolleyes:

QUOTE]

I got my HDD500 for $250 at Tweeter, got an extended warranty (2yrs for $29) from Sony and I think it's a great unit. Yes, the manual could be clearer but just using the unit regularly and asking for help on this forum (as well as Spiff's site) have made using it pretty easy for my whole family.

I agree that for $1000/$800 OEM prices were out there (and I would not have bought either one for those prices) but I'm not sure what I'd do without it now. I will say that I have not had any of the myriad of issues people have experienced (guide problems, audio dropouts, lost recordings, etc.) but count me as one who has had a very positive experience with this unit.

Also, what else is out there besides this unit which does not require a cable/satellite/TIVO subscription to obtain? Since this unit and the LG LST3410a were discontinued nothing else has come to take their place - improved or otherwise.

I've serched the manual and this thread and haven't found the answer to this one:

In my recordings list, some shows entries in the list are purple while others aren't. I haven't a clue what this signifies. Anyone know?

By the way...count me in as a DHG-HDD500 user who's had nothing but positive experiences with mine. It took me like a day and a half to get it to find the TVGOS host station, and everything's worked flawlessly ever since. I am however only using it for OTA recording. Don't know what I'd do without it.

Tom

I've serched the manual and this thread and haven't found the answer to this one:

In my recordings list, some shows entries in the list are purple while others aren't. I haven't a clue what this signifies. Anyone know?

By the way...count me in as a DHG-HDD500 user who's had nothing but positive experiences with mine. It took me like a day and a half to get it to find the TVGOS host station, and everything's worked flawlessly ever since. I am however only using it for OTA recording. Don't know what I'd do without it.

Tom

I think that the color codes (which appear in the guide listings as well) represent content - e.g. movies, sports, etc.

give it a chance, it seems you are looking at ways to hate it before you even use it. I don't have to look, the 'ways' find me.
I have to admit the Guide data seems to be working ok, except there are no actors listed in the movie descriptions.

Anyone else run into this? Is the description the same no matter where (area) the source is?

I've been patiently checking this thread for more than a half year now in hopes of getting news about a firmware upgrade or something. Something, anything, a small glimmer of hope, to make the menu go by faster, more intuitive, a sort option, no dropouts e.g. Pleeeeaaaseee.

I've serched the manual and this thread and haven't found the answer to this one:

In my recordings list, some shows entries in the list are purple while others aren't. I haven't a clue what this signifies. Anyone know?

By the way...count me in as a DHG-HDD500 user who's had nothing but positive experiences with mine. It took me like a day and a half to get it to find the TVGOS host station, and everything's worked flawlessly ever since. I am however only using it for OTA recording. Don't know what I'd do without it.

Tom


The purple is for movies, however, all my recordings on one of my 500's are green(including movies). Is there a way to turn this feature on/off? The one that shows movie recording in purple is firmware .06 while the one that shows all recording in green is firmware .13. Could the firmware be the difference?

The purple is for movies, however, all my recordings on one of my 500's are green(including movies). Is there a way to turn this feature on/off? The one that shows movie recording in purple is firmware .13 while the one that shows all recording in green is firmware .06. Could the firmware be the difference?

Mine is updated to firmware version .13, and the movies in my recorded items list are purple. It could be the firmware, I suppose.

Mine is updated to firmware version .13, and the movies in my recorded items list are purple. It could be the firmware, I suppose.

I have firmware version .05 and I get the purple for movies as well.

The purple is for movies, however, all my recordings on one of my 500's are green(including movies). Is there a way to turn this feature on/off? The one that shows movie recording in purple is firmware .13 while the one that shows all recording in green is firmware .06. Could the firmware be the difference?

The color coding is retained in the list of recordings in the 753... menu. When the guide gets reset for whatever reason, the color coding for existing recordings on the drive is lost. Future recordings will have the appropriate color.

This is one amazing thread. I have had my 250 for about 9 months now and I hope it continues to function properly for years to come. So far I have recorded shows almost daily and have had zero problems. I only use the guide to see what time shows are on and make all recordings manually. I have not ever missed a show. From what I see cable can be problematic with these units, so OTA is the only way to go for those of you who can. I get excellent reception with the stations being arond 45 miles from my house. I have to get another with the fall season coming and it only having 1 tuner and all but it is well worth it.
For OTA HD recording it can't be beat..... :)

Hi:

Was chatting with the chief engineer at my local pbs station, and asked about the transition to digital, and how that would affect downloading guide information to my sony dhg-hdd250 from their analog stream. His station is already transmitting TVGOS data via their digital signal together (for the time being) with their analog signal! I hope that a future upgrade (perhaps via a usb flash drive) will enable an upgrade to receive guide data from a digital host...also hope the hdd250 does not become an expensive doorstop. :) Thanks

TVGOS site says --

Purple is Movies,
Green is Sports,
Teal is regular shows,
Blue is Kids shows.

Confused by some of the comments on the recorded program folders.
I think it is excellent and user friendly how it groups same shows under one heading and then the individual episodes are listed under the show name. Much better than the TVGOS in my Sony DVD recorder which shows NO episode titles, just, Seinfeld, for example.

1. Do you guys get the actors/actresses listed in movie listings?
2. Is the 'white' info box taking up 75%+ of the listings window with two lines above the box and one line (channel) below?
3. Is anyone getting actual 'ads' in the left pane (absolutely no complaint here)?
4. Anyone getting a audio error message to their set using the HDMI out; "incompatable audio signal"?

1. Do you guys get the actors/actresses listed in movie listings?
2. Is the 'white' info box taking up 75%+ of the listings window with two lines above the box and one line (channel) below?
3. Is anyone getting actual 'ads' in the left pane (absolutely no complaint here)?
4. Anyone getting a audio error message to their set using the HDMI out; "incompatable audio signal"?

1. Nope.
2. The size of the info box can be toggled by pressing the "info" button on the remote repeatedly.
3. Nope.
4. I don't use HDMI, since it is poorly implemented on my TV. Compnent video looks far superior to HDMI for me.

I don't mean the stand along "info" box, I mean the info window within the TV Guide screen.

The first is a screen shot of the "Recordings" view, ther 2nd is a shot of the 'Listings" view. The large 'white' description window (maybe I should of worded it this way) that is taking up 3/4 of the screen is what I'm referring to.

The other issue is the fact only three 'channels' are shown at a time. Usually two above the 'white' window and one below. Is this 'normal'? Or does it vary depending on where you live (the market you are in and the station where the data is comming from)?

Just change your box Settings, there are many options for viewing of the white box, OFF, small, large, you are on Large which uses a lot of screen space.

Spiff is right; just keep pressing the Info key and that box size will toggle between large (like what you have), smaller and I think there is a one or two line 'smallest' setting....

Ok, I found it. Lucky I have connections thru the CIA. They put their best people on it and found it where VD Guide buried it (right next to those "Weapons of Mass Destruction"). ;)

Now, the 'Info box' setting (2nd line). I have changed it to most of the choices, but when I press the 'Info' button it still cycles thru the two sizes. What am I doing wrong? :confused:

I'm not familiar with that Panny, but I can copy 16:9 material directly from my Sony HDD to my Panny DVD recorder, looks great.

Here, the cableco charges just under $30 for the HD DVR, which requires their digital service. so in 10 months it would equal the rental fees. but I've never liked cable boxes and their remotes so I'd pay even more to be able to own my own.

Gigaguy,

How did you get your Panasonic DVD-R to record from your Sony HDD?

I just bought a Panasonic DMR-ES45VS and no matter what I tried all I got was B/W hash or a green window with what looks like a vertical frequency graph on the left side. I tried +R and RAM blank disks. I don't get any error messages on the display.

I tried going from the Sony's S-Vid out and the composite out, both, with similar results. I tried setting the Sony's output to 480p thinking that the Panny was refusing to accept a 1080i signal input since it can't record HD.

I tried going through my TV and going directly to the Panny. In fact, I couldn't get the Panny to record programs I was watching from the TV's tuner. I only have OTA UHF reception so going through a cable box isn't an option.

I use an antenna spliter so I can watch TV while recording a different program to the Sony on rare occassion.

Is there some trick that I don't know about?

PLEASE HELP and apologies in advance if this question has already been raised. I'm with Comcast in Washington, DC and I have the Sony DHG-HDD500. Based on what I've read in these forums and actual experience, Comcast's cablecard won't work on the Sony, so I exchanged the card for an HDTV set-top box which itself has a built-in 15-hr DVR. Can anyone tell me how to hook them up? This isn't addressed in the instruction manuals. Do I simply "sandwich" the set-top box between the Sony and the cable outlet using co-axial connectors?

PLEASE HELP and apologies in advance if this question has already been raised. I'm with Comcast in Washington, DC and I have the Sony DHG-HDD500. Based on what I've read in these forums and actual experience, Comcast's cablecard won't work on the Sony, so I exchanged the card for an HDTV set-top box which itself has a built-in 15-hr DVR. Can anyone tell me how to hook them up? This isn't addressed in the instruction manuals. Do I simply "sandwich" the set-top box between the Sony and the cable outlet using co-axial connectors?

Since the set-top box is functioning as the antenna would if you were using an antenna, it would have to be first in line from the wall. Come out of the set-top box to the Sony and from the Sony to your TV. You could use coax, HDMI or component out (and L-R audio) from the Sony to go to your TV; any one would work.

Alternatively, you could split the coax signal out of the box and send it to the TV and the Sony. Then, send the output of the Sony to the TV from HDMI or component out (and L-R audio). This would allow you to watch a program from either source while recording a different progran on the other (the box or the Sony). If you have an external amp, you would have to run separate audio outputs to it from the cable box and the Sony.

If you have an amp that you use for audio, run the optical out from the Sony to the amp.

Gigaguy,
How did you get your Panasonic DVD-R to record from your Sony HDD?

Well, I'm not Gigaguy, but I have a Panasonic DVD Recorder hooked up to mine.

First off, are you sure you are getting a signal out of your Sony DVR via SVideo or Composite? Second, are you sure you told the Panasonic DVD Recorder to use whichever input you plugged in?

My advice is to hook the SVideo and/or composite output from the Sony DVR to your TV to confirm that it is outputting a good picture. Next, hook the Sony output SVideo and composite to the Panasonic DVD Recorder inputs (I use L1), tune the DVD Recorder to that input (i.e. L1), and confirm that the DVD Recorder is getting the signal and sending it on to the TV via the Panasonic DVD Recorder's outputs. If this is working, put in a DVD and try to record, making sure you are watching it on the screen at the same time. Then try playing that back. Depending on which step fails you'll be able to narrow down the potential problem. You might also try a different input on your Panasonic DVD Recorder and/or see if it can record from other sources. The last thing to consider is the fact that you might be running into some sort of broadcast flag issue if you are trying to record something like HBO ...

It doesn't matter on my system what resolution I set the Sony DVR to since SVideo and Composite are always 480i. I actually seem to get pretty good recordings out of my Sony DVR.

Good Luck.

I used S-video from the Sony HDD to my Panny E80 hard drive. The Sony HDD output should be 480i. I think that's all I did.

PLEASE HELP and apologies in advance if this question has already been raised. I'm with Comcast in Washington, DC and I have the Sony DHG-HDD500. Based on what I've read in these forums and actual experience, Comcast's cablecard won't work on the Sony, so I exchanged the card for an HDTV set-top box which itself has a built-in 15-hr DVR. Can anyone tell me how to hook them up? This isn't addressed in the instruction manuals. Do I simply "sandwich" the set-top box between the Sony and the cable outlet using co-axial connectors?


Comcast cablecard works fine in aa county maryland. You should set up the sony to receive cable channels and OTA channels in case your comcast did not include an analog PBS station with the digital channels on the card (mine did - channel 94). Either way you should be fine with cablecard.

Well, I'm not Gigaguy, but I have a Panasonic DVD Recorder hooked up to mine.

First off, are you sure you are getting a signal out of your Sony DVR via SVideo or Composite? Second, are you sure you told the Panasonic DVD Recorder to use whichever input you plugged in?

My advice is to hook the SVideo and/or composite output from the Sony DVR to your TV to confirm that it is outputting a good picture. Next, hook the Sony output SVideo and composite to the Panasonic DVD Recorder inputs (I use L1), tune the DVD Recorder to that input (i.e. L1), and confirm that the DVD Recorder is getting the signal and sending it on to the TV via the Panasonic DVD Recorder's outputs. If this is working, put in a DVD and try to record, making sure you are watching it on the screen at the same time. Then try playing that back. Depending on which step fails you'll be able to narrow down the potential problem. You might also try a different input on your Panasonic DVD Recorder and/or see if it can record from other sources. The last thing to consider is the fact that you might be running into some sort of broadcast flag issue if you are trying to record something like HBO ...

It doesn't matter on my system what resolution I set the Sony DVR to since SVideo and Composite are always 480i. I actually seem to get pretty good recordings out of my Sony DVR.

Good Luck.

Thanks. I think your last suggestion was close to what was happening. I think I have an HDCP issue with my DVD recorder.

I finally got it to work by switching the Panny's HDMI output to off. I was already having a problem with that and I am sending the Panny back because of it. When I first hooked it up, I got good 16:9 upconverted video with DVD and VHS play but after I first tried to record there was no video through the HDMI and I never got it to work again. I had switched to an analog output but did not go into the set-up menu and turn HDMI off. I guess that even though the cable was disconnected, it was somehow preventing recording.

The recording I made from the Sony looks washed out. Maybe I need to change some of the settings.

I used S-video from the Sony HDD to my Panny E80 hard drive. The Sony HDD output should be 480i. I think that's all I did.

I got the DMR-ES45VS to record from the Sony HDD finally by switching the Panny's HDMI output to off in the set-up menu.

I have couple more questions. You said that you are able to record 16:9 to your Panny's hard drive. Are you able to get the Panny to record a DVD in 16:9 aspect?

I tried to record to a DVD RAM which according to the manual should be able to record 16:9 but all I got was 4:3. Is this because the Sony only outputs 480i?

...From what I see cable can be problematic with these units, so OTA is the only way to go for those of you who can...

Cable works fine for me. Never any problems. I get TVGOS on it and lots of digital extras when compared to an analog only receiver. The problems appear to occur with cable cards, if you have pay channels or the cable company requires the card. I also use OTA for HD which works fine.
I've had the box about 7 months. It has a steep installation and learning curve, but works great after you get it going.
Jack

I don't think too many people with extended basic analog or OTA have any major problems. I'm sure a few do, though. If you're getting the analog host channel reliably, your chances are probably fairly low. Usually, the problem is at the transmitting end. If you've got a 480i recorder with TVGOS that works fine, the Sony should be OK.

1.Concerning the 'Info box' setting in the TV Guide 'Settings' screen under 'General' tab (2nd line). I have changed it to most of the choices, but when I press the 'Info' button it still cycles thru the two sizes. What am I doing wrong?

2. I haven't done a OTA scan yet. If I remember correctly and since I haven't seen any 'switching' between RF inputs, just exactly how does this intergrate OTA and cable channels together? Say you have OTA locals 2,4 & 7 (among others), are those added in with the cable channels 2-13??

3. I'm getting a audio error message on the TV (HP/Sharp LCD flat panel) through the HDMI port; "An incorrect audio signal has been received......" I'm using the analog audio out of the TV since I don't have a audio receiver with a digital input, so I don't know if the set is receiving or passing the digital audio signal to the digital out of the set.

Any ideas here?

3. I'm getting a audio error message on the TV (HP/Sharp LCD flat panel) through the HDMI port; "An incorrect audio signal has been received......"

Your TV probably doesn't support Dolby Digital audio in. In the Sony menu, try Preferences->Audio->Dolby Digital->Off.

Ok, that did it, BUT now when switching between digital channels there is an additional audio delay (after image appears on top of the image delay) of 1-2 seconds. What's up here?

Ok, that did it, BUT now when switching between digital channels there is an additional audio delay (after image appears on top of the image delay) of 1-2 seconds.

I normally run my audio elsewhere, and normally run the Sony into a DVI port on my display, but as a test I connected the Sony up via HDMI with DD audio disabled, and on my display audio is conconcurrent with video when switching channels (all four analog/digital transitions).

1.Concerning the 'Info box' setting in the TV Guide 'Settings' screen under 'General' tab (2nd line). I have changed it to most of the choices, but when I press the 'Info' button it still cycles thru the two sizes. What am I doing wrong?

You're clicking the "done" item (not dismissing with the menu button) after changing these in the Settings, right? If so, no idea what the problem is, I tried a few different combos and they work as advertised for me.

There is definately a delay of almost two seconds after the video appears with the TV it is attached to. Of the five digital tuners I have had or have, this is the slowest.
You are saying after you make your selection, you hit 'select' and exit the menu? I tried that but the info box still cycles through the two sizes.

4. Anyway, that "Dolby Digital" setting only has to do with the HDMI output?

5. This 'Info box' setting, just what are the differtences between: "no & large" and "large only", "all" & "small & large", "no & small" and "small only"? Those pairs sure sound the same to me. :confused:

6. In changing the guide order, I was orginally successful moving my favorite channels towards the top. Now I can't bump a channel up a few lines. It 'takes' while in the settings menu, but when I return to the regular 'Listings' menu that channel remains where it was. Just so you know what I am doing, I go to that screen on that channel, change the order number and press select, then done (I tried it without hitting done, but no difference). It moves that channel where I want it, but when I exit and go to back to the regular 'Listings" screen there is no change even though it did change while I was in that settings sub menu. What's wrong now?

Attachments in order. It's the History channel that I'm trying to move.
1. Changed to position '06'
2. Shows changed to the 6th position
3. But, doesn't stay that way, reverting back to where it was.

Uh-oh.

I have tried recording a couple of programs recently off from HBO-HD and CMX-HD, and they consistently stop recording about 3 seconds after the recording starts. I tried the Showtime-HD channel, and that one doesn't have any problems (yet).

When I look at the recording history, it shows the error mentioned in the title of this post.

I assume that this is Charter putting restrictions on my ability to record these channels (it does work if I record an SD version of HBO). Does anyone know which (if any) of the cablecard menus show this info? I thought it was the conditional access menu, but I can't recall what I am looking for.

This causes me a lot of concern, since I was planning on buying a Series 3 Tivo when it comes out. I assume that the Tivo would have the same issue.

I can't understand why the Cable company would do this - other than monetary reasons. There is not way to extract the HD program off the device, so it seems like they should allow for "copy once" on these channels. I just want to be able to record a movie in HD late at night and watch it later. I don't want one of their DVR's, since the capacity of theirs basically sucks.

Has anyone successfully called Charter or Comcast and gotten them to fix this problem? I suspect that any calls I make will be met by basic ignorance - they will have no idea what I am talking about.

Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?

Thanks,
Jeff

Info box settings - these settings are how you want the Info box to appear when you hit or toggle the Info button. it's not that complicated, really.

no & large" -Means when you hit the button you toggle between the LARGE screen and NO screen.

"large only" - Means when you hit the button you only get LARGE screen.

"all" - Means when you hit the button you toggle thru all the scrren size options.

"small & large" -Means when you hit the button you get the small and large screens.

"no & small" -Means when you hit the button it toggles between No screen and Small screen.

"small only" -Means when you hit the button you only get the Small screen.

I use No screen and Small screen.

You understand this is that separate "info" box, not the full screen TV Guide list, correct? no & large" -Means when you hit the button you toggle between the LARGE screen and NO screen.
"large only" - Means when you hit the button you only get LARGE screen. Then what is the difference?? You just described the same thing. On or off showing a large box. "all" - Means when you hit the button you toggle thru all the scrren size options. There are only two sizes (at least that's all I have).

I'm usually patient and don't mind explaining things but for some reason, Bruce is a challenge for me. I give up, I'm not responding to any more Bruce questions, he doesn't comprehend what he reads and he doesn't seem to read the manual. It's not brain surgery.

he doesn't comprehend what he reads And you don't comprehend what you see.
A picture is worth a thousand words and those pics leave no doubt of those seven choices, 3 pair of them basically say the SAME thing!

The manual sucks, "It's a Sony" what more has to be said! It's very poorly written as is the layout of all the 'hidden' menu screens that you have to hunt for.

No wonder this was discountinued only after a year. Few could figure it out including their so called 'Tech support'.

The setting screen you photographed earlier in Guide setup with No, Small, Large and so forth ONLY has to do with the TV Guide screens. The options cover "No" detailed description window (just program title), a "Small" description window, and a "Large" description window (nearly full page). So, those numerous options give you all possible combinations of the three distinct possibilites.

The overlayed info box you photographed last has nothing to do with the TV Guide and is only configured from the main Sony setup menu.

Thank you. Apparently another f***up in the wording of the descriptions.

Then why does it say; Info Box sizes when Info key pressed That description above doesn't say anything about it referring to the guide. unlike the following which does tell me this; Info box size when Guide entered That tells me this has to do with the Guide whereas, the 2nd description has NO mention of this.
Why would I assume that this also has to do with the Guide, NOT just the separate Info box outside the Guide??

What's going on when the audio is out of sync on a broadcast. I have noticed this only on HD programs, like 'Desperate Housewives' last night. Audio was off quite a bit. Is this my machine settings or a broadcast issue?
All other channels, (HD and SD) were fine.

Uh-oh.

I have tried recording a couple of programs recently off from HBO-HD and CMX-HD, and they consistently stop recording about 3 seconds after the recording starts. I tried the Showtime-HD channel, and that one doesn't have any problems (yet).

When I look at the recording history, it shows the error mentioned in the title of this post.

I assume that this is Charter putting restrictions on my ability to record these channels (it does work if I record an SD version of HBO). Does anyone know which (if any) of the cablecard menus show this info? I thought it was the conditional access menu, but I can't recall what I am looking for.

This causes me a lot of concern, since I was planning on buying a Series 3 Tivo when it comes out. I assume that the Tivo would have the same issue.

I can't understand why the Cable company would do this - other than monetary reasons. There is not way to extract the HD program off the device, so it seems like they should allow for "copy once" on these channels. I just want to be able to record a movie in HD late at night and watch it later. I don't want one of their DVR's, since the capacity of theirs basically sucks.

Has anyone successfully called Charter or Comcast and gotten them to fix this problem? I suspect that any calls I make will be met by basic ignorance - they will have no idea what I am talking about.

Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?

Thanks,
Jeff

I did a bit of searching in this thread, and found some earlier posts, including one that says that the Moto 4.21 firmware cards may help with this problem. I don't know if this is the case or not, but I find it odd that only a couple of the premium HD channels aren't able to be recorded.

Maybe I will have to call and ask about getting a new (4.21) cablecard. The trouble is, I know that if a tech comes out he won't have the 4.21 (I do have a 4.21 in my TV, though - maybe they could just swap them without needing a tech to come out and do this).

6. In changing the guide order, I was orginally successful moving my favorite channels towards the top. Now I can't bump a channel up a few lines. It 'takes' while in the settings menu, but when I return to the regular 'Listings' menu that channel remains where it was. Just so you know what I am doing, I go to that screen on that channel, change the order number and press select, then done (I tried it without hitting done, but no difference). It moves that channel where I want it, but when I exit and go to back to the regular 'Listings" screen there is no change even though it did change while I was in that settings sub menu. What's wrong now?

Attachments in order. It's the History channel that I'm trying to move.
1. Changed to position '06'
2. Shows changed to the 6th position
3. But, doesn't stay that way, reverting back to where it was.

Video Bruce - I had this problem with the channel reordering not sticking in the beginning setup. I pulled my ac plug for 1 minute and then allowed the machine to reboot. The channels reordered correctly after that and it's worked correctly ever since with absolutely no problems reordering the guide channels. My 2nd unit an HDD500 did not have this problem and has reordered properly since I did the initial set up. Hope this helps.

I did a bit of searching in this thread, and found some earlier posts, including one that says that the Moto 4.21 firmware cards may help with this problem. I don't know if this is the case or not, but I find it odd that only a couple of the premium HD channels aren't able to be recorded.


4.21 definitely works without an problems. I will try to explain the bug. Each video servive has a program number. When viewing a channel the program number is not part of the authorization. When the Sony wants to record something it ask the cablecard for the CCI of the channel. The cable card then looks up the wrong program and pass back whatever CCI info it found. So if the cable cards looks up the info for a VOD or PPV channel or one you are not subscribe to then CCI info will be 0 and the Sony will not record.


BTW - cards are pair to a device. It would require a call to the headend team to swap cards. I doubt normal customer service can do it.

4.21 definitely works without an problems. I will try to explain the bug. Each video servive has a program number. When viewing a channel the program number is not part of the authorization. When the Sony wants to record something it ask the cablecard for the CCI of the channel. The cable card then looks up the wrong program and pass back whatever CCI info it found. So if the cable cards looks up the info for a VOD or PPV channel or one you are not subscribe to then CCI info will be 0 and the Sony will not record.


BTW - cards are pair to a device. It would require a call to the headend team to swap cards. I doubt normal customer service can do it.

Did you start with a 4.05 revision cablecard?

I would like to try swapping, do you think it would help to call for tech support and ask about the swap?

Thanks!

Ok, I found it. Lucky I have connections thru the CIA. They put their best people on it and found it where VD Guide buried it (right next to those "Weapons of Mass Destruction"). ;) :

I used to work there (no joke), and even they could not figure out the inner workings of TVGOS! (that part was a joke). Your post has probably been catalogued in the "copper palace", since you used those three little letters. Never forget that Big Brother is always watching.

What am I doing wrong?

Not to be a smart alec, but perhaps you are watching too much "Green Acres"? :p

What's going on when the audio is out of sync on a broadcast. I have noticed this only on HD programs, like 'Desperate Housewives' last night. Audio was off quite a bit. Is this my machine settings or a broadcast issue?
All other channels, (HD and SD) were fine.

I can't speak for the optical or HDMI connections since I use the RCA stereo out plugs, but when the video and audio get out of Sync on my Sony they are also out (well the few times I have bothered to check) on my upstairs LG reciever as well ... I usually see it more often on upconverted stuff tho - you might check with folks in your local area thread to see if they are seeing out of sync (which implies the station) or if it OK to them (implies the Sony).

Did you start with a 4.05 revision cablecard?

I would like to try swapping, do you think it would help to call for tech support and ask about the swap?

Thanks!

It has been my experience that 4.05 is not upgradable because of this bug. At first I assumed the Sony was screwing up the upgrade message but then my headend friend confirm that the 4.05 card wasn't upgradable to the tv they use for testing.

It wouldn't hurt to tech support but I doubt they can help you.

It has been my experience that 4.05 is not upgradable because of this bug. At first I assumed the Sony was screwing up the upgrade message but then my headend friend confirm that the 4.05 card wasn't upgradable to the tv they use for testing.

It wouldn't hurt to tech support but I doubt they can help you.

I think you misunderstood my question.

I have two cablecards - one in my DLP TV, and another in my Sony DVR.

The one in the TV has the 4.21 firmware, while the the Sony has the 4.05. I want to swap the cards in the devices, and I know that they are tied to the device they are currently installed in.

On the other hand, I could call and ask for a replacement card, but there is no guarantee I won't get another 4.05 card. I don't think you can tell by looking at the exterior of the card which firmware it has.

What's going on when the audio is out of sync on a broadcast. I have noticed this only on HD programs, like 'Desperate Housewives' last night. Audio was off quite a bit. Is this my machine settings or a broadcast issue?
All other channels, (HD and SD) were fine.

In addition to my DHG-HDD500 I have a Samsung SIR-T351 receiver which I've had for quite a while. I've occasionally seen audio delays like that during HD broadcasts using either one, and I really think it's a broadcast issue. When this happens, as you describe, it's generally on a specific station. I used to see this a lot more than I do now. It's been pretty rare lately.

As I recall, when this used to happen with the Samsung, turning the unit off and on would often correct or at least improve the delay. Possibly it's something in the way the station switches from SD to HD and back for commercials(??).

Tom

I used to work there (no joke), and even they could not figure out the inner workings of TVGOS! (that part was a joke). Your post has probably been catalogued in the "copper palace", since you used those three little letters. Never forget that Big Brother is always watching.



Not to be a smart alec, but perhaps you are watching too much "Green Acres"? :pOr Three Stooges - especially the ones where they're handymen. ;)

Video Bruce - I had this problem with the channel reordering not sticking in the beginning setup. I pulled my ac plug for 1 minute and then allowed the machine to reboot. The channels reordered correctly after that and it's worked correctly ever since with absolutely no problems reordering the guide channels. My 2nd unit an HDD500 did not have this problem and has reordered properly since I did the initial set up. Hope this helps. I'll give it a try. Thanks. I used to work there (no joke), and even they could not figure out the inner workings of TVGOS! (that part was a joke). Your post has probably been catalogued in the "copper palace", since you used those three little letters. Never forget that Big Brother is always watching. I subscribed to their magazine for over 30 years, but in the last 10 or so it really went downhill trying to include all those 'extra' channels in their listings while trimming down more important ones. They couldn't get their magazine right and their electronic version is no better. Whomever designed that interface should re-discover the color grey!
As far as the "copper palace" part, I'm not paranoid. It's a non issue.

Not to be a smart alec, but perhaps you are watching too much "Green Acres"? Or Three Stooges - especially the ones where they're handymen. Or trying to post with someone that can't read and look at what I post without getting bent out of shape.

... you might check with folks in your local area thread to see if they are seeing out of sync (which implies the station) or if it OK to them (implies the Sony).

Hey pyedog! Speaking of folks in your local area, are you getting any VBI data off WUNC yet? I'm not, but I have a lively email conversation going with their chief engineer about the topic. I just want to make sure (since the data stopped coming RIGHT before I hooked up my Sony), that it's still not working for you either.

Wayne

Hey pyedog! Speaking of folks in your local area, are you getting any VBI data off WUNC yet? I'm not, but I have a lively email conversation going with their chief engineer about the topic. I just want to make sure (since the data stopped coming RIGHT before I hooked up my Sony), that it's still not working for you either.
Wayne

Good news - I just got a very polite phone call this afternoon - Gemstar is sending a new encoder box (if I understood the message they think the modem might be bad). WUNC said that hopefully things should be up and running in a couple days.

I'll send you a message when it is up and running for me, but I suspect that once everything is fixed you'll work fine. As a reference, I get a fair amount of snow on 4 (due to antenna pointing differences), but I still get the guide data just fine (when it is being transmitted) so if you can tell what show is playing and hear the sound OK I imagine you'll be fine.

-Jim

So, what quality are you people recording at. I record both HD and SD at "HQ". The disk is filling up a lot faster then I expected, most of what I record is SDTV, should I use a lower setting for that?

Digital programming is always recorded as is - the quality setting only effects analog channels - so HD and digital SD will take whatever they take.

The digital versions of all of my channels are better than the analog versions I recieve (due to snow/ghosts) so I almost never record the analog version ... As for which quality setting to use for analog, I'd say try a sample recording at each of the levels and then decide what you are willing to live with on your set ... I'd imagine a news program could get by at a lower setting than a movie.

-Jim

Has anyone tryed the sony with verizon fios cablecard. Will it work? Thanks.

Has anyone got an answer to this question? The first question in my mind is will the Fios cable card work with the Sony HD DVR (the card is a Motorola and Fios has just begun to roll out cable cards). The second question is whether some of the Fios channels are in the program guide (such as National Geographic HD).

If anyone has tried this, please post your results. Otherwise, I will give it a shot and let everyone know.

So, what quality are you people recording at. I record both HD and SD at "HQ". The disk is filling up a lot faster then I expected, most of what I record is SDTV, should I use a lower setting for that?

I have the 500 model.
To maximize space I use lesser quality for SD shows that I'm keeping on the hard drive for a while. HQ is overkill and uses lots of space. For HD I always use HQ.
Also do not record SD from an HD network channel, choose the SD version of the channel. Files seem bigger even if it's SD, on the HD networks.

Well, I have had my DHG-HDD250 a little under 90 days now, and have had some of the problems listed in this thread (shows not recording, clock issues, etc). I have also had a problem with the set intermittently turning off and re-booting. It had done this a couple of times, but everything except the clock seemed ok after the re-boot. The clock was fixed with a 9012 fix as outlined previously in this thread, and on Spiff's homepage.

However, last Sunday I had a new problem. The unit reset while I was watching it. Then an error message came up, telling me the hard drive had malfunctioned and to call customer service. Sure enough, I could not access my previous recordings, and the TV Guide listings were nowhere to be found. Power on and off had no effect. I unplugged the unit and plugged it back in and my recorded programs and the guide re-appeared. I chalked it up to the quirkiness of the unit...until tonight.

I was watching tv for about 3 minutes, when the unit re-booted. After re-booting, the unit powered itself off. So I turned it on again, as it is the only HD tuner currently hooked up. And again after a few minutes it re-booted itself again. And again. And again. I turn it on, it reboots and turns itself off... So I tried watching a program from the hard drive. It dies, and when it reboots, it give me the hard drive error message again. Recorded programs gone. No guide. And it still re-boots itself again and again. So I unplug it, and after a few seconds plug it in. Hard drive error gone, but it keeps re-booting.

Called Sony, no one home. Not even a time listed on the recording saying when to call back, just, "call back, we are closed". Unit is still in warranty. Too late for extended warranty though. Oops. At least Amex will double what I got.

So I unplugged it for about a half hour, maybe a little more, maybe a little less. Plugged it back in in time to see the end of the All-Star game from the bottom of the eight inning on...Watched TV for over an hour and no reboots...Could it have been an overheated unit? Should I still try and contact Sony? If unplugging the unit makes the problem go away, a few days with UPS will prevent the problem from surfacing when it gets to Sony.

Anyone else have this problem?

Darren

Remember, hard drives often get flaky before they outright die. And if the unit is SMART enabled it could be shutting down when the first error pops up, even if minor.

What temperatures do your drives read on the system information screen?

i recently got one of these (250) and have noticed that every couple days, it locks up and shuts off. It says "Power" but the unit has to be unplugged and plugged back into reboot for about 10-15 minutes. Then its good for a day or two and happens again. Anything I'm doing that could be causing this?

Remember, hard drives often get flaky before they outright die. And if the unit is SMART enabled it could be shutting down when the first error pops up, even if minor.

What temperatures do your drives read on the system information screen?
Currently reading 105 degrees farenheit. I don't know what it was before.

Darren

105 seems about average, so I doubt it's overheating. My 500 model reads 105 and 109 for the two drives.

My drives are 102 and 114....about what they've been since I got it 6 months ago.

Mine run like 115 and 125. it's hot here in TX.

Mine run like 115 and 125. it's hot here in TX.
Yup, one of mine (the last open box shelf unit) runs at that temp, (even with the laptop cooler). The other one I have runs at 111 and 116 (no laptop cooler). Makes me wonder if I'm having issues with the fan in the first unit.

Its hot here in AZ. :D

...
Then an error message came up, telling me the hard drive had malfunctioned and to call customer service. Sure enough, I could not access my previous recordings, and the TV Guide listings were nowhere to be found.
...
My brother had his 500 in an enclosure causing it to overheat. The behavior when that happens is the unit completely powers off where there is no display. You have to unplug the unit and plug it back in to bring it back to life, but no recordings are lost.

My 500 has locked up and reset on its own a couple times in about 3 months, which I write off as just one of its quirks.

Your problem looks to be more severe. You should consider sending it in for repair before your 90 days are up. I did this for the firmware update and the process is pretty simple when you go through the Sony Web site > Service & Support > Repair... and then have your serial number handy. You might also mention that you want the 161-6 error fix to be sure you get the latest firmware.

In my case, they "repaired" and sent my unit back the same day they received it so it looks like their turn-around time is pretty good.

I have two HDD500's and was concerned when the #2 hard drive in one unit was at 125. I found this info from Sony;

The recorder should not be used in a place subject to extreme changes in temperature. Temperature fluctuations greater than 18° F (10° C) each hour may cause undesirable operation, including automatic shut down of the recorder.

The digital video recorder should operate normally up to a temperature of 135° F. If the temperature of the hard drive rises above 135° F, ensure the vents on the bottom are clear for ventilation or move the recorder to a cooler location, such as outside of a closed cabinet.

NOTES:

The recorder has automatic thermal protection for the hard drive and will shut off if the hard drive temperature rises above 149° F.
When installing the unit, allow enough space on all sides to allow for adequate ventilation. [FIG. 1]

Actually, it's nice to know it has a thermal shutdown. My placement doesn't come close to following their "suggestions" (shelf on bottom, DVD player on top, 0.75" clearance on right and left, but no back or doors) and it runs nice and cool.

Does anyone use one of these units with Cox cable, have you been able to get a card from them or are they still holding out on giving the cards out for DVR's?

Thanks

Does anyone use one of these units with Cox cable, have you been able to get a card from them or are they still holding out on giving the cards out for DVR's?

Thanks


got 2 of them subbed to cox, no problem. Just tell them that you want to install a cablecard in your TV, do not mention DVR or they just get totally confused.

My brother had his 500 in an enclosure causing it to overheat. The behavior when that happens is the unit completely powers off where there is no display. You have to unplug the unit and plug it back in to bring it back to life, but no recordings are lost.

My 500 has locked up and reset on its own a couple times in about 3 months, which I write off as just one of its quirks.

Your problem looks to be more severe. You should consider sending it in for repair before your 90 days are up. I did this for the firmware update and the process is pretty simple when you go through the Sony Web site > Service & Support > Repair... and then have your serial number handy. You might also mention that you want the 161-6 error fix to be sure you get the latest firmware.

In my case, they "repaired" and sent my unit back the same day they received it so it looks like their turn-around time is pretty good.

My problem is that the unit is now working without a glitch since I unplugged it for a half hour...will Sony take it for repair anyway? I do not want to lose some of the programs I have, and I don't have a dvd-recorder, so I have no way to archive them..

Darren

Does anyone use one of these units with Cox cable, have you been able to get a card from them or are they still holding out on giving the cards out for DVR's?

Thanks


Also have two from Cox in Northern Virginia for more than a year with no problem. Just do exactly what "vfrjim" said and you should be fine.

Also have two from Cox in Northern Virginia for more than a year with no problem. Just do exactly what "vfrjim" said and you should be fine.
Have you had any of the errors mentioned here pertaining to CC, or is that error only with certain CC?

Thanks.

Does anyone use one of these units with Cox cable, have you been able to get a card from them or are they still holding out on giving the cards out for DVR's?

Thanks


theratpatrol
I am in Oklahoma and I have two cable cards installed and they work fine. I do get a missed recording once in awhile either two programs back to back or as I read in a earlier post it is something to do with not finding the correct channel but I am pleased with the system. I did read a long time back about someone not being able to get a cable card from Cox? I believe that person lived in Phoenix. I don't understand why cox will put them in some states and not others.

Good Luck
rlh149

Have you had any of the errors mentioned here pertaining to CC, or is that error only with certain CC?

Thanks.

I have not had any of those problems, I think that it applies to certain SA cards and not the Motorola cards that are in my hdd250's

Have you had any of the errors mentioned here pertaining to CC, or is that error only with certain CC?

Thanks.

I have never had any problems with either of the cards, no missed recordingds, audio dropouts, errors, etc. nothing. Cox in my area uses Scientific Atlanta cablecards.

Does anyone use one of these units with Cox cable, have you been able to get a card from them or are they still holding out on giving the cards out for DVR's?

Thanks

Card problem was with Cox Cable in Phoenix. People who subscribe to Cox in other areas of the country were able to get them installed. The tech who came to my daughter's home was prepared to install card in her tv but refused to install it in the recorder - he claimed it was illegal. I spoke to Cox tech and he said they were testing it for compatibility. This happened many months ago when my daughter got her 500, and neither I nor my daughter have tried to get them to install it since them.

Please let us know if you are successful in getting card installed.

I DO NOT allow techs to get near my equiptment, especially cable techs and most are not intelligent to know the difference between a DVR and a stand-alone tuner box for a plasma TV. I asked him to hand me the card(s) and allowed him to use the remote to get the info to call the company to activate them.

For those interested, I wanted to provide an update on one of my failed DVR's (I have three of the 500's), which I sent in for service via Tweeter's extended warranty. The round trip was about four weeks for the unit to be repaired. It is kind of on the long side, but that is to be expected with Tweeter as the go-between. I have attached the chain of posts and some of the replies below for background and in the event it might help someone else with a similar issue.

Interestingly, I was sure that Hard drive #2 was dead (see below), but the unit was returned with both original hard drives. They performed the "161 error??" cable card fix, but I did not ask for that. They updated the firmware (version .13), which I did ask for. All the programs I had recorded were intact...both drives were nearly full when the problems started.

There was a note on the Tweeter invoice, which I will paraphrase: "Performed 161 cable card error fix. Note, the hard drive is nearly full, which may cause the unit to operate slowly."

As you can see from the posts below, the unit did not operate slowly...it did not work at all. Despite the fact that Sony said to send it in for service, I cannot help but wonder if I should have just kept trying different things to fix it. I have doubt, because there was apparently nothing wrong with it. Perhaps it was just something that required Sony to reset it...perhaps the thermal shutdown safeguard? Or, more plausibly, maybe the note on the Tweeter invoice was not reflective of what Sony communicated to them.

The hard drive temps were around 115 degrees before the unit went in for service, and now they are around 98 degrees after about an hour of run time on the unit. I need to check tonight to see what temp they are now.

The unit was apparently tested with a cable card, as the setup was set for cablecard in some zip code I did not recognize. I just ran through the setup to change back to OTA in my local zip code.

Mark



Hard drive crashed?
________________________________________
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

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

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

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

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

I forgot to report back on this, but they told me to send it in for service.

Giomania,

The hard drive error you got is the same one I got when my 250 started malfunctioning. My guess is that your unit's problem was solved in the same manner mine was...by unplugging it for an extended period of time. If you read my post above, you will see what happened and that it fixed itself. My guess is Sony could not duplicate the problem and they simply fixed the other issues.

It has been a week now, and my unit is back to functioning normally. I watched for a few hours on Sunday and no erratic behavior whatsoever. I think I may still call Sony and ask them to take a look at it...

Darren

Giomania,

The hard drive error you got is the same one I got when my 250 started malfunctioning. My guess is that your unit's problem was solved in the same manner mine was...by unplugging it for an extended period of time. If you read my post above, you will see what happened and that it fixed itself. My guess is Sony could not duplicate the problem and they simply fixed the other issues.

It has been a week now, and my unit is back to functioning normally. I watched for a few hours on Sunday and no erratic behavior whatsoever. I think I may still call Sony and ask them to take a look at it...

Darren

Darren, I did read your post, but did not make the connection with my problem. :rolleyes: If you had posted your error code, I might have been quicker on the uptake. Anyway, I re-read your post, and it sounds very similar. I never unplugged my unit, so we cannot be 100% sure the problems are identical. I guess I am glad to have one of them with the new firmware. I would be curious to hear what Sony tells you.

Mark

The hard drive temps were around 115 degrees before the unit went in for service, and now they are around 98 degrees after about an hour of run time on the unit. I need to check tonight to see what temp they are now.

Mark



Update: I organized my channel list last night, deleted a bunch of stuff I'll never have time to watch, and checked the temps on the hard drives, which were 113 and 118 degrees. So, everything is back to normal, I suppose.

Also, I looked at the Tweeter invoice last night, and it also said "Tested and reset" before their caveat about the drive being nearly full. So, perhaps that reset is something Sony needed to do, or I could have done it by unplugging the unit for 1/2 an hour...I guess we will never know. :(

Mark

Update: I organized my channel list last night, deleted a bunch of stuff I'll never have time to watch, and checked the temps on the hard drives, which were 113 and 118 degrees. So, everything is back to normal, I suppose.

Just for a point of reference, I checked my HDD temperatures the other day. HDD1 was 123 and HDD2 was 131. It was a HOT day (90 F in the house). So far, I haven't experienced any problems related to overheating.
Jay

I'm in a hot environment too and mine run hot, auto shut off is 135 I think.
(I thought San Diego was balmy year round in the 70s?) We're hitting 100 here this week. (TX)

According to the earlier post, recommended temperature is 135 or under. Thermal shutdown occurs at 149.

Hello,
I had a strange thing happen to my 500. I started to watch a recorded program after watching TV through the unit. When I started the recorded program the picture split and the lower half of the screen was black. I went back to TV and it stayed black on the bottom. I turned unit off and back on, no change. I unplugged it for 45 mins and when unit was restarted everything was normal. It has been working fine since.

Or trying to post with someone that can't read and look at what I post without getting bent out of shape.I really miss this thread :rolleyes:

I really miss this thread :rolleyes:Oh boy.

Then we'd be getting it in stereo! :D

(Seriously, it doesn't bother me one bit. I don't know why certain people here have such a bug up their rear-ends about it.)

I really miss this thread :rolleyes:

I miss your posts stiring up the crew once and a while too. You remind me of Blue Bear from American Hot Rod. :rolleyes:

BTW - I love my HDD500 and can't beleive anybody could be disapointed for the low price of $250 Tweeter gave them away at.

Bierboy how is that TIVO you wanted so bad working out :D

Hello all.

My recorder mysteriously is showing a blank TV Guide and usggests that it will take 24 hours to reload after my "setup change" ... which I didn't make. It is still recording due to sheduled records - of course I can;t record anything new :-(

I don't see other posts on the subject so I guess that it is just my recorder ...

I will try to go thru the unplug and potentially a basic reset and see what that does ...

Any other suggestions?

I really miss this thread :rolleyes: Direct from the peanut gallery..............

Anyone using one with a HDMI repeater(or connected via a Receiver/processor via a HDMI cable)? I am trying to solve a problem with shakiness in the picture when connected to a video processor and need some feedback before calling Sony.

vfrjim,
I've seen your posts in the VP30 thread regarding problems with a shaky picture when using the Sony with it. All I can say is that neither of my 500's has an issue with the VP30. I'm using them with a JVC 61Z585 Lcos and the pix is outstanding. The only real issues are audio related, but those occur on all sources (I'm still running V1.00 firmware). Hope this helps.
JFW

...Bierboy how is that TIVO you wanted so bad working out :DLookin' better every day!


(whoa...gotta keep takin' my meds)

vfrjim,
I've seen your posts in the VP30 thread regarding problems with a shaky picture when using the Sony with it. All I can say is that neither of my 500's has an issue with the VP30. I'm using them with a JVC 61Z585 Lcos and the pix is outstanding. The only real issues are audio related, but those occur on all sources (I'm still running V1.00 firmware). Hope this helps.
JFW


Your running V 1.00 on the VP30? You did not have the HDCP handshaking issues?

The curtains always closed on my VP30 with 1.00 via HDMI.

If anyone's worrying about hard-drive high temperatures, then could try to add a fan powered by the USB port:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=696510

I finally got a cable card installed in my 500. It took almost a month to get it installed. I ordered a second card for my Toshiba 52” DLP. The tech told me I can’t use 2 cards in the same setup. I wanted a card in the TV so I could watch digital while a program was being recorded on the 500. Does anyone have a setup with a card in the DVR and one in the TV? Maybe it depends on the TV, The cards are Motorola. The one in the 500 works great anyway…

Hello all.

My recorder mysteriously is showing a blank TV Guide and usggests that it will take 24 hours to reload after my "setup change" ... which I didn't make. It is still recording due to sheduled records - of course I can;t record anything new :-(

I don't see other posts on the subject so I guess that it is just my recorder ...

I will try to go thru the unplug and potentially a basic reset and see what that does ...

Any other suggestions?


In six months, with two 500's, I've received that same message several times when I hadn't made any configration changes. It always cleared up w/i a few hours w/o any action on my part and all my listings and setting were fine. I wouldn't do anything until at least tomorrow morning.

I finally got a cable card installed in my 500. It took almost a month to get it installed. I ordered a second card for my Toshiba 52” DLP. The tech told me I can’t use 2 cards in the same setup. I wanted a card in the TV so I could watch digital while a program was being recorded on the 500. Does anyone have a setup with a card in the DVR and one in the TV? Maybe it depends on the TV, The cards are Motorola. The one in the 500 works great anyway…

I have two cablecards: one in my Sony XBR960 and one in my Sony DHG 500 DVR in the same setup for the same reasons that you wanted and there was no problem. I have absolutely no idea why your tech would tell you that. There are many people
who have similar setups across the US. What was his explanation why it couldn't be done?

I have two cablecards: one in my Sony XBR960 and one in my Sony DHG 500 DVR in the same setup for the same reasons that you wanted and there was no problem. I have absolutely no idea why your tech would tell you that. There are many people
who have similar setups across the US. What was his explanation why it couldn't be done?


Because most techs know far less than AVS readers/posters. AVS forum is an invaluable resource.

If anyone's worrying about hard-drive high temperatures, then could try to add a fan powered by the USB port:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=696510


Are the USB ports on the HHD DHG 500/250's powered? I thought they were inactive.

No, it does work... that's how firmware upgrades are done. ;-)

The tech was new and had little or no experiance with cable cards. He called for help but I guess he didn't understand what he was told. He just said the cards won't work together.
I will deffinetlly get them back out.

I have two cablecards: one in my Sony XBR960 and one in my Sony DHG 500 DVR in the same setup for the same reasons that you wanted and there was no problem. I have absolutely no idea why your tech would tell you that. There are many people
who have similar setups across the US. What was his explanation why it couldn't be done?Probably just a ploy to try and get you to rent their DVR.

Hello all.

My recorder mysteriously is showing a blank TV Guide and usggests that it will take 24 hours to reload after my "setup change" ... which I didn't make. It is still recording due to sheduled records - of course I can;t record anything new :-(

I don't see other posts on the subject so I guess that it is just my recorder ...

I will try to go thru the unplug and potentially a basic reset and see what that does ...

Any other suggestions?I found this to be happening to me as a result of temporarily losing the signal reception, like if I turned off the amp in my indoor antenna for awhile, or positioned it in a way where the host channel wasn't being received (and I had neglected to turn it back). It always came back within a few hours after I righted things.

Don't know why this unit does that, though - my two other DVR's with TVGOS never have.

Are the USB ports on the HHD DHG 500/250's powered? I thought they were inactive.
USB port is powered.

My HDD250 was working flawlessly (relatively speaking) for the 6 1/2 months. Six days ago, the the clock read a time that was about 14 hours earlier than wall clock time, so the HDD250 was recording the wrong programs.

Did a reset via the 9012 system menu access several days ago. The clock is no longer displayed on the front panel... just shows up as dashes. And no guide data at all.

Changed channel to 24 WMFE PBS analog, and ran the VBI test, but there was no VBI data. I sent WMFE email last night, but they are out of the office until Monday.

Anyone else in Orlando missing guide data and/or clock? Is it possible that my HDD250 is hosed?

-T

If anyone's worrying about hard-drive high temperatures, then could try to add a fan powered by the USB port:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=696510
But the Sony's don't have all those vent holes like the H20's do. I guess you'll have to cut a hole in the top of it?

My HDD250 was working flawlessly (relatively speaking) for the 6 1/2 months. Six days ago, the the clock read a time that was about 14 hours earlier than wall clock time, so the HDD250 was recording the wrong programs.

Did a reset via the 9012 system menu access several days ago. The clock is no longer displayed on the front panel... just shows up as dashes. And no guide data at all.

Changed channel to 24 WMFE PBS analog, and ran the VBI test, but there was no VBI data. I sent WMFE email last night, but they are out of the office until Monday.

Anyone else in Orlando missing guide data and/or clock? Is it possible that my HDD250 is hosed?

-TSounds more like the hosing might be at the host station.

Maybe give them a call and check it out.

But the Sony's don't have all those vent holes like the H20's do. I guess you'll have to cut a hole in the top of it?


My 500's are in a cabinet(separate partitions) with less spacing than recommended. I drilled about 12 3 inch holes in the backing for ventilation. My temps seem to max at 113-116F. I though I might mount the fan on an upper hole to expel the hot air and improve circulation.

Any thoughts on that approach?

T-Bone,

As per my message dszigeti posted: 07-21-06 - 01:19 AM I also went "offline". I similarly have tried the "ZIP code reset" and a "Power off reset" (not done the 9012 yet because I am hoping for someone else with the same problem to appear (that would be you :-)). I have come to the same conclusion that you have ... that Channel 24/23 is offline. I am going to wait until tomorrow and see if they come back up. I might call them too.

Boy, I wish I could work out how to do an official quote :-(
T-Bone posted: Yesterday - 02:33 PM
My HDD250 was working flawlessly (relatively speaking) for the 6 1/2 months. Six days ago, the the clock read a time that was about 14 hours earlier than wall clock time, so the HDD250 was recording the wrong programs.

Did a reset via the 9012 system menu access several days ago. The clock is no longer displayed on the front panel... just shows up as dashes. And no guide data at all.

Changed channel to 24 WMFE PBS analog, and ran the VBI test, but there was no VBI data. I sent WMFE email last night, but they are out of the office until Monday.

Anyone else in Orlando missing guide data and/or clock? Is it possible that my HDD250 is hosed?

-T

T-Bone,

As per my message dszigeti posted: 07-21-06 - 01:19 AM I also went "offline". I similarly have tried the "ZIP code reset" and a "Power off reset" (not done the 9012 yet because I am hoping for someone else with the same problem to appear (that would be you :-)). I have come to the same conclusion that you have ... that Channel 24/23 is offline. I am going to wait until tomorrow and see if they come back up. I might call them too.

Boy, I wish I could work out how to do an official quote :-(


dszigeti,

Thanks for the update. I'll call WMFE Monday. I feel better knowing that it looks like my Sony is not the culprit.

To do a quote, just click the "Quote" button on the post ypou want to quote.

-T

Rammitinski

Good sugegstions but I have good signal strength and two (different) recorders and no inline amp. The antenna is in the attic and doesn't move. There is at least one other person in Orlando experiencig the same problem - So it appears that the VBI transmission is down. :-(

Tried numerous resets (not the 9012 yet) to no avail.


posted: Yesterday - 08:36 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by dszigeti
Hello all.

My recorder mysteriously is showing a blank TV Guide and usggests that it will take 24 hours to reload after my "setup change" ... which I didn't make. It is still recording due to sheduled records - of course I can;t record anything new :-(

I don't see other posts on the subject so I guess that it is just my recorder ...

I will try to go thru the unplug and potentially a basic reset and see what that does ...

Any other suggestions?

I found this to be happening to me as a result of temporarily losing the signal reception, like if I turned off the amp in my indoor antenna for awhile, or positioned it in a way where the host channel wasn't being received (and I had neglected to turn it back). It always came back within a few hours after I righted things.

Don't know why this unit does that, though - my two other DVR's with TVGOS never have.

T-Bone,

Yeah that's what I would have thought ... but I don't have no stinkin' quote button. :-( Am I running in a different mode??

By the way, what is the number for WMFE - is the number at the start of the forum the one you are using?

I am doing these quotes manually ...

To do a quote, just click the "Quote" button on the post ypou want to quote.

-T

Reply to this Message

Hello all.

My recorder mysteriously is showing a blank TV Guide and usggests that it will take 24 hours to reload after my "setup change" ... which I didn't make. It is still recording due to sheduled records - of course I can;t record anything new :-(

I don't see other posts on the subject so I guess that it is just my recorder ...

I will try to go thru the unplug and potentially a basic reset and see what that does ...

Any other suggestions?

Of course you can record new stuff without the guide by setting it up manually, which is easy to do if you don't reset the clock.
I think the blank guide results from a glitch in the guide download.

I have both a 250 and 500 recorder, and neither one was able to acquire the guide consistently via OTA until about a week ago. Before then sometimes I could get a one day download by changing the zip code.

I have a rooftop antenna, and I noticed that the wind rotated the antenna off about 30 degrees from the direction specified by the antennaweb.org site, and thus fixed my problem. Since both recorders are now receiving the guide, I assume the problem was due to multipath reception. I haven't looked at signal strength but probably ok since I am getting all the HD channels.

I got my 250 about a year ago and it used to get daily guide data from cable but apparently that signal got too corrupted and the receiver migrated to OTA. I got my 500 recorder in Feb. and it was never able to acquire daily guide data until now.

But the Sony's don't have all those vent holes like the H20's do. I guess you'll have to cut a hole in the top of it?
Yes, absolutely.
Maybe 120mm fan will do it.

T-Bone,

Yeah that's what I would have thought ... but I don't have no stinkin' quote button. :-( Am I running in a different mode??

By the way, what is the number for WMFE - is the number at the start of the forum the one you are using?

I am doing these quotes manually ...On the post you want to quote, it says "quote" down on the bottom right-hand corner of it - just click on that first, then the quote will be in the post.

Anyone using one with a HDMI repeater(or connected via a Receiver/processor via a HDMI cable)? I am trying to solve a problem with shakiness in the picture when connected to a video processor and need some feedback before calling Sony.

I'm using a Gefen 4 x 1 HDMI switch without any shakiness. It does, however, cause synching problems with my Pioneer Elite 50" PDP.

Mark

vfrjim,
Yes, I'm still running 1.00 firmware and have no curtain problems. HDCP doesn't seem to be a huge issue for me so far, even using the excessively long HDMI cables that come with the Sony's. Hope I didn't just jinx myself.
JFW

I'm using a Gefen 4 x 1 HDMI switch without any shakiness. It does, however, cause synching problems with my Pioneer Elite 50" PDP.

MarkWell, that really blows.

How is it through component? Any better?

Anyone using one with a HDMI repeater(or connected via a Receiver/processor via a HDMI cable)? I am trying to solve a problem with shakiness in the picture when connected to a video processor and need some feedback before calling Sony.

I had no problem when my Sony was connected by a Gefen 4x1 switch to my display (HDMI->HDMI->DVI). But, I recently replaced the switch with a Crystalio II (again HDMI->HDMI->DVI), and I get a shaky image at 480i but not at other resolutions. What VP are you having the problem with? Although I had hoped to use 480i for SD content, I've switched from using Auto HDMI to Variable 1 output mode to avoid the problem.

Edit: Duh, I should have pointed out that I couldn't do 480i over DVI direct to my display, so I hadn't ever tested the 480i output of the Sony before.

BTW, I solved my problem with a shaky picture with the Sony DVR when connected via the VP30 by changing the settings on the "framerate" adjustment, I changed it from 60hz locked to 60hz UNLOCKED, no more shakiness.

In my Harmony configuration, I created a second device for the new DVR, then taught it all the keys that I needed from the code 51 remote. It actually didn't take very long, maybe a half hour.

.

I have the Harmony 880 (and now a second Sony DVR). Anyone else come up with an easier way to do this or find the Code 51 configuration in the Harmony database?

thx

I have the Harmony 880 (and now a second Sony DVR). Anyone else come up with an easier way to do this or find the Code 51 configuration in the Harmony database?

thx
No, you'll have to teach it each key from the 51 code. It really doesn't take that long to teach it all of the keys.

No, you'll have to teach it each key from the 51 code. It really doesn't take that long to teach it all of the keys.

OK, figured it was worth a shot.....

Well, that really blows.

How is it through component? Any better?

I guess in the grand scheme of things, this is really a small problem. I have read HDMI horror stories which put things in perspective.

I never tried the DVR through component, but I have a progressive-scan DVD player hooked up through component. I'm not sure if the problem is with the HDMI switch or the Sony DVR, which is set on Auto HDMI.

The problem surfaces when I switch from the PDP's HDTV tuner over to the DVR. If the PDP tuner is on a station broadcasting one resolution, and the Sony DVR is on a station broadcasting a different resolution, the display goes blank. There are some brief flashes while it tries to sync, and then nothing.

To restore the picture, I do one of three things:
1) Power cycle the PDP (turn it off and on)
2) Switch to one of the PDP's other inputs (e.g. component) and then back to HDMI
3) Switch back to the PDP's tuner, change it to the same station as the DVR, and then switch back.

Ray1938,

As always - good comments. I am receiving all channels, "loud and clear". I have always had a guide up until Thursday last week - no problems for 10 months (except when they reprogrammed TVGOS - and everyone had a problem then). Either something has gone wrong with the transmission, or something has gone wrong with my box.

T-Bone ... have you got a guide yet?


I have both a 250 and 500 recorder, and neither one was able to acquire the guide consistently via OTA until about a week ago. Before then sometimes I could get a one day download by changing the zip code.

I have a rooftop antenna, and I noticed that the wind rotated the antenna off about 30 degrees from the direction specified by the antennaweb.org site, and thus fixed my problem. Since both recorders are now receiving the guide, I assume the problem was due to multipath reception. I haven't looked at signal strength but probably ok since I am getting all the HD channels.

I got my 250 about a year ago and it used to get daily guide data from cable but apparently that signal got too corrupted and the receiver migrated to OTA. I got my 500 recorder in Feb. and it was never able to acquire daily guide data until now.

Anyone in Albuquerque / Santa Fe area having problems with the TVGOS data?

Last Wednesday (7/19) had pretty serious local lightning storms. My wife received a jolt while getting ice out of fridge, when lightning hit very close to our house. My VCR clock was thrown off & since then my DVR has had problems. The TVGOS showed the "reseting due to your zip code change" when I'd made no changes. I did the G* factory reset, unplugged overnight & reset, etc. & done everything short of a factory reconfiguration reset and hd format. I still have no TVGOS and no clock. Have not tried a force host - not positive of which station is host & all suspect stations failed the VBI test on 9012 menu.

The 7531 shows nothing for host channel, and VBI shows either fffffd or the channel that unit is tuned to. Before resetting/formatting and losing saved shows, does anyone have any idea if ABQ market host has been affected? Anyone else in the area having similar problems?

Anyone have any ideas?? BTW - I am OTA only, no cable, antenna is in attic.

Thanks.....

vfrjim,
It's interesting how differently things can behave. I run my 500's thru the VP30 at 60 hz locked and the image is rock solid. (One of the reasons I've been afraid to change anything in my setup.)
JFW

Ray1938,

As always - good comments. I am receiving all channels, "loud and clear". I have always had a guide up until Thursday last week - no problems for 10 months (except when they reprogrammed TVGOS - and everyone had a problem then). Either something has gone wrong with the transmission, or something has gone wrong with my box.

T-Bone ... have you got a guide yet?

I receive my guide data from Orlando's WMFE 24, and yes I haven't had any guide for about a week. It must be the station's problem since you have been down the same amount of time. I have emailed them asking if they are having problems.

Can anyone post a picture of the unit with the cover removed? Thanks.

Ray1938,

As always - good comments. I am receiving all channels, "loud and clear". I have always had a guide up until Thursday last week - no problems for 10 months (except when they reprogrammed TVGOS - and everyone had a problem then). Either something has gone wrong with the transmission, or something has gone wrong with my box.

T-Bone ... have you got a guide yet?

The complete eight day guide is now on both recorders, and I secured my antenna so hopefully it will stay put. All tried all the procedures mentioned in this guide and none of them got the guide to work.

Late last year there was an outage in the LA area, but before I saw that info on this thread, I reset my recorder, which was the wrong thing to do since I lost the clock, and thus made manual recording very difficult.
It's much more likely that the guide is missing because it isn't being transmitted. I suggest you let us know where you live, and request others who live in your area to report their guide status. Also, if you know what station broadcasts the guide, you can do a vbi test.

So far this year I programmed most of my recordings manually since the guide wasn't always available. I urge you do the same thing until the guide returns.

Can anyone post a picture of the unit with the cover removed? Thanks.

Post #4426 (page 148) shows a picture of the inside of an HDD250 (sorry, couldn't figure out how to repost the pic)

Can anyone post a picture of the unit with the cover removed? Thanks.

Here is picture I downloaded from thread in late Nov05

Anyone in Albuquerque / Santa Fe area having problems with the TVGOS data?

Last Wednesday (7/19) had pretty serious local lightning storms. My wife received a jolt while getting ice out of fridge, when lightning hit very close to our house. My VCR clock was thrown off & since then my DVR has had problems. The TVGOS showed the "reseting due to your zip code change" when I'd made no changes. I did the G* factory reset, unplugged overnight & reset, etc. & done everything short of a factory reconfiguration reset and hd format. I still have no TVGOS and no clock. Have not tried a force host - not positive of which station is host & all suspect stations failed the VBI test on 9012 menu.

The 7531 shows nothing for host channel, and VBI shows either fffffd or the channel that unit is tuned to. Before resetting/formatting and losing saved shows, does anyone have any idea if ABQ market host has been affected? Anyone else in the area having similar problems?

Anyone have any ideas?? BTW - I am OTA only, no cable, antenna is in attic.

Thanks.....

Hi Charlie,

I'm in Santa Fe OTA and am experiencing no problems with guide data. I just checked and I have full guide data thru Tuesday next week. The last time I rebooted my Sony DVR, I set the channel to analog 5 KNME, then turned the DVR off. It took 1 minute to pick up the correct time and the DVR correctly recorded a program that started a few minutes later. TV Guide is working in this market.

Hope this info helps,

Rob Meyer

BTW, I solved my problem with a shaky picture with the Sony DVR when connected via the VP30 by changing the settings on the "framerate" adjustment, I changed it from 60hz locked to 60hz UNLOCKED, no more shakiness.
Thanks for the info. The C2 doesn't have a choice of locked vs unlocked, I'd guess it's always unlocked, I'll have to ask PMS. Seems odd to me that switching to unlocked would fix the problem, though.

OK ... thanks for posting an update oxfordbrent ... I was beginning to wonder if I was the last remaining non-operational system :-(

I think there are three of us with problems now (T-bone was the other one).

I will try to call them tomorrow ... This is really annoying ...

I receive my guide data from Orlando's WMFE 24, and yes I haven't had any guide for about a week. It must be the station's problem since you have been down the same amount of time. I have emailed them asking if they are having problems.


And I can see that you were all worried about me not being able to use quotes :-)
It turns out that on my home computer, the forum went into a mainly text display mode (without the quote icon and no colors). Logging off and back on again solved the issue.

OK ... thanks for posting an update oxfordbrent ... I was beginning to wonder if I was the last remaining non-operational system :-(

I think there are three of us with problems now (T-bone was the other one).

I will try to call them tomorrow ... This is really annoying ...



Still no guide/clock here...

-T

Here is picture I downloaded from thread in late Nov05
Thanks. Are the 2 fans temperature sensitive? They don't seem to be running continously.

Thanks. Are the 2 fans temperature sensitive? They don't seem to be running continously.
I only see 1 fan in the picture?

OK ... thanks for posting an update oxfordbrent ... I was beginning to wonder if I was the last remaining non-operational system :-(

I think there are three of us with problems now (T-bone was the other one).

I will try to call them tomorrow ... This is really annoying ...



I did get a response from emailing channel 24. The guy at WMFE 24 said he knew there had been problems with the closed captioning. He said he would check into it. You guys bugging them too will probably help get things going.

I only see 1 fan in the picture?
1 by the disk & 1 at the back?

Hi Charlie,

I'm in Santa Fe OTA and am experiencing no problems with guide data. I just checked and I have full guide data thru Tuesday next week. The last time I rebooted my Sony DVR, I set the channel to analog 5 KNME, then turned the DVR off. It took 1 minute to pick up the correct time and the DVR correctly recorded a program that started a few minutes later. TV Guide is working in this market.

Hope this info helps,

Rob Meyer


Rob, thanks for the info.

Charlie

I don't have an HDTV recorder - but I do have TVGOS and it stopped working within the last week. I am in the Jacksonville Florida area and use Comcast. Just thought I'd let you people in Orlando know. I'll start another thread about this in a more appropriate place here. Robyn

I don't have an HDTV recorder - but I do have TVGOS and it stopped working within the last week. I am in the Jacksonville Florida area and use Comcast. Just thought I'd let you people in Orlando know. I'll start another thread about this in a more appropriate place here. Robyn


Thanks for letting us know. I live half way between Orlando & Gainesville. I usually get me TVGos from Orlando and I tried resetting the zip code in mine to a Gainesville zip, and still nothing. It could be that my antenna is pointed to Orlando, but I can get a fuzzy version of the PBS station channel 5 out of Gainesville, which I would guess would be the one that sends it out for the Gainesville area. Anyway this didn't work so I switched it back to my zip code. Hopefully contacting Orlando's channel 24 will get it straight.

OxfordBent
I have not received an email response, nor a returned phone-call as yet. It is good to know that WMFE realizes that they have a problem.

Of course without the correct time, and no listings, recording is very difficult - so I hope that they get this fixed soon ...

I did get a response from emailing channel 24. The guy at WMFE 24 said he knew there had been problems with the closed captioning. He said he would check into it. You guys bugging them too will probably help get things going.

OxfordBent
I have not received an email response, nor a returned phone-call as yet. It is good to know that WMFE realizes that they have a problem.

Of course without the correct time, and no listings, recording is very difficult - so I hope that they get this fixed soon ...

Just received a voice maill message from Orlando WMFE engineer. He said he has no way for checking if there is a problem. He went on to say that Gemstar directed the stations to redirect all customer TVGOS issues to Gemstar. He said there should be a phone number for Gemstar in the Sony manual (I did not get a chance to look for it).

-T

Just received a voice maill message from Orlando WMFE engineer. He said he has no way for checking if there is a problem. He went on to say that Gemstar directed the stations to redirect all customer TVGOS issues to Gemstar. He said there should be a phone number for Gemstar in the Sony manual (I did not get a chance to look for it).

-T
There is no number for Gemstar in the Sony manual. The only people who are suppose to be able to call Gemstar are TV Stations and manufacturers of products that use TVGos.

T-Bone, I agree with OxfordBrent. There is no number for GemStar in the manual and other posts here have indicated that even if we did call them, they are not responsible for WMFE hardware/software.

Whatdayoumean - "no problem". WMFE's indication that there is a problem is us calling them indicating that the system is broken!!!! What other information do they need???

What they need to do is call the manufacturer of the hardware and software (Gemstar) and work out what is broken in their transmisison system.

Unfortunately when an TV Engineer informs (non-technical) "viewers" like us that we need to fix a problem with his transmission system, we have a real problem ... he doesn't know what he is doing :-( We could be down for quite some time - or forever ... At this time, we may need to contact the WMFE "Chief Engineer" or at least someone who can really help us.


Just received a voice maill message from Orlando WMFE engineer. He said he has no way for checking if there is a problem. He went on to say that Gemstar directed the stations to redirect all customer TVGOS issues to Gemstar. He said there should be a phone number for Gemstar in the Sony manual (I did not get a chance to look for it).

-T

There is no number for Gemstar in the Sony manual. The only people who are suppose to be able to call Gemstar are TV Stations and manufacturers of products that use TVGos.

This is the phone number: 800.386.7380
This number is not for consumers but you can try anyhow.
Last year I was able to contact someone at that number using Option 1, then Option2.
Message at this number says to call your manufacturer but I got nowhere when I did that.

1 by the disk & 1 at the back?

Photo shows only one fan, and if there was a second one at the back of the unit, it would be obvious when you look at the back of the unit.

What is obvious to me is the reason HD2 runs warmer than HD1: HD1 is closer to the fan, and air stream to HD2 is warmed by flowing passed HD1.

Ray1938

Thanks for the phone number for Gemstar.

For anyone else having problems, please do us all a favor and politely call WMFE and ask them to look into the problem.

For WMFE, I called 407-273-2300 and asked the operator to direct me to engineering - but only got voicemail. Potentially the correct extension is 111.


This is the phone number: 800.386.7380
This number is not for consumers but you can try anyhow.
Last year I was able to contact someone at that number using Option 1, then Option2.
Message at this number says to call your manufacturer but I got nowhere when I did that.

Photo shows only one fan, and if there was a second one at the back of the unit, it would be obvious when you look at the back of the unit.

What is obvious to me is the reason HD2 runs warmer than HD1: HD1 is closer to the fan, and air stream to HD2 is warmed by flowing passed HD1.
I hope there's enough clearance to fit this fan in, over the top of the drive:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=306878&pfp=browse&tabtype=rv#moreinfo

I hope there's enough clearance to fit this fan in, over the top of the drive:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=306878&pfp=browse&tabtype=rv#moreinfo
Hey that looks pretty cool. I'm assuming that you'll put the fan unit inside of the Sony? If so, I hope you post pictures of how you do it. :D

Thanks!

Just got home, and saw an email response from the VP for Programming:

Quote:
Thanks for your note to WMFE. We've had several reports like yours, and
are investigating. It may be our problem, or TV Guide's. I'll get back
to you.

Best wishes, and thanks for alerting us!


So while his response was different than the engineer that called me, it looks like they will investigate.

-T

T-Bone,

That's great news ...

Just got home, and saw an email response from the VP for Programming:

Quote:
Thanks for your note to WMFE. We've had several reports like yours, and
are investigating. It may be our problem, or TV Guide's. I'll get back
to you.

Best wishes, and thanks for alerting us!


So while his response was different than the engineer that called me, it looks like they will investigate.

-T

Has anyone had trouble getting their updates from TVGOS in the Roanoke VA area? I seem to be having the same trouble as everyone else on here, had the guide then it just stopped doing updates. I've tried all the test and troubleshooting tips listed thoughout this form. I'm just trying to find out if the TVGOS is out in this area or if its just my equipment.

All Orlando interested users ...

I got my clock signal back - I can't believe that I am so happy to see a digital clock!!!

Now I wait with bated breath for the return of the TV listings.

Lets see what 0200 brings ...

Boy, this is a loonnngg thread and not easy to search, so if I may ask a couple of questions. I picked up a HDD250 a few days ago at Best Buy at a close-out discount. My main interest is in using the box as a OTA DVR although I do have cable and their DVR. I plan to hook it to the cable line to see what unencrypted digital channels it finds, but have not done that yet.

The unit I brought had never been opened, so it was new. But the manufacturer date on the label is June, 2005 and the unit has software version 1.2.06. The box has obviously been in the back room shelf at BB for quite a while. So my questions:

1) Anyone have a summary of the changes & fixes and upgrades in V1.2.13?
2) Is it worth it, asking Sony to upgrade the software and sending the unit in?
3) Any indication of future software updates in the works?
4) I'm still experimenting with the box, but I am getting hit and miss with the closed captions. Anyone have comments or suggestions on the CC?
5) The Sony has a slow tuner. Is this faster in the more recent software releases?
Thanks.

1) As far as I've heard, the only major issue addressed is a specific HDMI problem with a certain brand of televisions. I upgraded mine from 1.2.05 to 1.2.13 and NONE of the little (but obvious) bugs I had noticed in 05 were corrected in 13, nor did I notice any other improvements, additions or changes.

2) Not unless you need to send it in for the potential cable card issue, in which case they'll flash the latest firmware anyways.

3) Not going to happen.

4) Sorry, never tried CC with it.

5) That's just the way it is...

I have two 500's. One is V1.2.13 and the other is V1.2.06. Both have worked equally well but I don't use cable card. I have basic(analog) cable but both units pick up all the local digital cable channels and one encore channel.

I picked up a HDD250 a few days ago at Best Buy at a close-out discount.
How much did you pay?

With regard to CC, I have used it, and the unit offers some neat features. I suggest you refer to the owner's manual.

You won't always get CC since not every program is CC'd.

I am getting hit and miss with the closed captions. Anyone have comments or suggestions on the CC?

I normally have my CC set to "Advanced and Basic" because it allows me to make the font smaller (in the advanced CC options) so as not to obscure as much of the picture. If those captions don't show up on a particular program or channel, I can usually get something by switching to "Basic only." (but I can't customize those)

One of my local stations wasn't showing any captions on network HD material, although it was showing them on local material (news and syndicated shows) upconverted from SD to HD. When I asked about it, they responded that for some reason their network HD feed didn't contain the captions; then they found out a way to splice the captions from the SD feed into the HD feed.

How much did you pay?

I picked up a closeout 250 this week at BB for $193. Nothing but the box (no remote, power cord or manual). Guy pulled a power cord off another Sony product for me. So far, it' s working great. It doesn't look like it was ever used in the store. Reprogrammed my 500 remote as a Code 51, learned it to my Harmony 880 and now I have two up and running.

With regard to CC, I have used it, and the unit offers some neat features. I suggest you refer to the owner's manual.

You won't always get CC since not every program is CC'd.
I am aware of that. I have gotten at least one station in my market to fix the captioning on their HD channel. The local WB station was sending out bad data, but did not know it until I complained. Another station, the PBS station in DC, WETA, had no captioning although I saw captions for same program on a Maryland Public TV station OTA. I emailed WETA, only got a generic reply, but after months of no captions on the WETA-DT HD channel, captions started showing up a few days after I sent my email. OT side story here, but the lesson is that it is worth it to contact your local station if you think sometime is wrong. They may be unaware that there is a problem.

I have a Samsung SIR-T451 receiver which does a good job of displaying both EIA-608 (digital version of the line 21 data in the NTSC standard) and the newer EIA-708 captions. I have gone into the Sony menu and set the advanced options up to display captions as small font text with no background, so the captions don't intrude as much into the picture. The menu options are confusing, but I am still in the early stages of experimenting with the Sony.

I have split my antenna feed to between the Sony and Samsung receivers and hooked both of them up to my Panasonic plasma so I can switch back and forth between them. I will see if there is programming where I get CC on one receiver and not the other. They both get the same digital channels (17 stations in all), so there is no obvious difference in ATSC performance in that regard. I will report back on my comparison of the two receivers on the ATSC reception part.

The price I paid at Best Buy is not as low as others have gotten these units for. I had a discount coupon which was going to expire, so I used that to get the cost down. I think my box was the last unopened one in stock. There was a return opened box on the shelf, but the returned appeared to be missing the remote and much of the cabling. I was not going to bother with that.

All Orlando interested users ...

I got my clock signal back - I can't believe that I am so happy to see a digital clock!!!

Now I wait with bated breath for the return of the TV listings.

Lets see what 0200 brings ...

Man, the one night I don't read AVS and I miss this post... I'll check my clock tonight when I get home.

One thing I learned after using this box for 6 months before my guide/clock went out: I cannot watch TV without the ability to skip commercials.

-T

Well, I never lost my clock, but my guide is still out. I got this message from the Vice Pres for Programming at WMFE Orlando:

"Our guys are checking on this with Gemstar. The recent lightning storms hit our engineering team hard, but they are on it now."

Hey that looks pretty cool. I'm assuming that you'll put the fan unit inside of the Sony? If so, I hope you post pictures of how you do it. :D

Thanks!
There is not enough clearance on top of drive for a fan! :(

but probably a fan in the empty 2nd drive slot?

btw, the fan by the 1st drive pulls air away from the drive, but only 1 fan present in my unit.

And it's running 98F with the cover removed :D

oxfordbrent, T-Bone,

As of last night my TV listings were still out ... Clock is fine.

oxfordbrent, you seem to be getting good response from WMFE. I got diddly. :(

I will make an effort to post here when I get my TV listings back. Can I ask that you (oxfordbrent and T-Bone) do the same please? If everyone gets listings but me, then my box is bad!



Well, I never lost my clock, but my guide is still out. I got this message from the Vice Pres for Programming at WMFE Orlando:

"Our guys are checking on this with Gemstar. The recent lightning storms hit our engineering team hard, but they are on it now."

oxfordbrent, T-Bone,

As of last night my TV listings were still out ... Clock is fine.

oxfordbrent, you seem to be getting good response from WMFE. I got diddly. :(

I will make an effort to post here when I get my TV listings back. Can I ask that you (oxfordbrent and T-Bone) do the same please? If everyone gets listings but me, then my box is bad!

I'll do the same as soon as I get clock/guide data. As of 11 PM last night, no clock, no guide.

-T

I'll do the same as soon as I get clock/guide data. As of 11 PM last night, no clock, no guide.

-T

I'll let you guys know if/when my guide comes back.

My clock and guide came up right away 2 weeks ago on a new 500. I still have 2 Encore
channels that read no listing in the guide. I thought they would have filled in by now. Is
there a way to force them?

T-Bone & oxfordbrent,

Thanks for replying - great to have your support. :)

T-Bone, It is odd that I have a clock and you do not. I rechecked again this morning and my HDD500 clock is still accurate and matches my "atomic" clock" reference. Hmmm ... I don't know why this would happen ... Your VBI data is not actually coming from channel 24? Did you reset/force your VBI channel to something else (like I tried to do)?

One thing I also did was change my Zip code to another Orlando zip code (like Winter Park (32792) and back again over the period of a couple of days. I don't know that anything changed - but there is an anomaly in one of our machines ... :confused:

Anyway, I will stay in touch ...


I'll do the same as soon as I get clock/guide data. As of 11 PM last night, no clock, no guide.

-T

T-Bone & oxfordbrent,

Thanks for replying - great to have your support. :)

T-Bone, It is odd that I have a clock and you do not. I rechecked again this morning and my HDD500 clock is still accurate and matches my "atomic" clock" reference. Hmmm ... I don't know why this would happen ... Your VBI data is not actually coming from channel 24? Did you reset/force your VBI channel to something else (like I tried to do)?

One thing I also did was change my Zip code to another Orlando zip code (like Winter Park (32792) and back again over the period of a couple of days. I don't know that anything changed - but there is an anomaly in one of our machines ... :confused:

Anyway, I will stay in touch ...

Yeah, the clock thing is troublesome because yours works, and mine does not. And oxfordbrent never lost his clock either.

Before I reset my clock, it was way off (I forget how many hours... either ~10 hours ahead, or behind). Once I reset my machine, it went all dashes, and never returned.

The last time I performed the VBI test on analog 24, it failed and no VBI data was detected. I never reset or forced my VBI channel to anything.

One thing I noticed after resetting my machine (via Menu-Format-9012): I no longer have a list of channels in the guide that shows available channels. When I first bought the 250, There was a place somewhere in the setting that sowed a bunch of channels (including TBS, HBO, Mac, etc, etc)... even thought I am only OTA and do not care about those channels, I no longer see them listed. The rest I did wiped them out.

-T

I have a couple of questions since i have the TOshiba RD-XS34 and it is junk. I want to upgrade to teh Sony but I want to know how much has been fixed.

1. Can you delete a program while you are recording another? This sounds crazy but my Toshiba would not let me do this.

2. How laggy is the response? Especially in the TVG

3. Is the remote backlit?

4. When you are watching something, my toshiba popped up this annoying message saying: "Do you want to change channel and start recording...". It had some other annoying messages too that were completely "I don't care - stop bugging me!" types. Can you turn these off in teh Sony?

1. Can you delete a program while you are recording another? This sounds crazy but my Toshiba would not let me do this.

2. How laggy is the response? Especially in the TVG

3. Is the remote backlit?

4. When you are watching something, my toshiba popped up this annoying message saying: "Do you want to change channel and start recording...". It had some other annoying messages too that were completely "I don't care - stop bugging me!" types. Can you turn these off in teh Sony?

1. Yes.
2. A bit slow - but not much worse than my old DTivo.
3. No. You can always buy a universal one (I did).
4. I don't think so - I guess I don't find it as annoying as you.

T,

Before I reset my clock, it was way off ... Mine was off by a similar amount. On Thursday (I think) it reset. I thought channel 24 must have got some circuitry running ...

My VBI tests also show no data on 24. Last Saturday I did try to force the VBI Channel to 35 because I did see VBI data coming in on that channel. But now when I check there is no VBI data on 35. So I reset my system using the setup menu, back to 24.

I also have no list of channels in the guide - but I am pretty sure this comes in with the VBI data. I change channel manually now (i.e., 35-1 Enter).

I am also OTA only.

Still waiting for data though ...

Yeah, the clock thing is troublesome because yours works, and mine does not. And oxfordbrent never lost his clock either.

Before I reset my clock, it was way off (I forget how many hours... either ~10 hours ahead, or behind). Once I reset my machine, it went all dashes, and never returned.

The last time I performed the VBI test on analog 24, it failed and no VBI data was detected. I never reset or forced my VBI channel to anything.

One thing I noticed after resetting my machine (via Menu-Format-9012): I no longer have a list of channels in the guide that shows available channels. When I first bought the 250, There was a place somewhere in the setting that sowed a bunch of channels (including TBS, HBO, Mac, etc, etc)... even thought I am only OTA and do not care about those channels, I no longer see them listed. The rest I did wiped them out.

-T

T,

Before I reset my clock, it was way off ... Mine was off by a similar amount. On Thursday (I think) it reset. I thought channel 24 must have got some circuitry running ...

My VBI tests also show no data on 24. Last Saturday I did try to force the VBI Channel to 35 because I did see VBI data coming in on that channel. But now when I check there is no VBI data on 35. So I reset my system using the setup menu, back to 24.

I also have no list of channels in the guide - but I am pretty sure this comes in with the VBI data. I change channel manually now (i.e., 35-1 Enter).

I am also OTA only.

Still waiting for data though ...

As of 5 minutes ago, I finally passed the VBI test on channel 24. Up until then, it always failed on channel 24.

Only thing I did different: perform a user reset instead of a factory reset.

Question: Since I saw VBI data on channel 24, does that mean I can expect guide data tonight?

-T

T -

I have just checked my HDD500 and I indeed have a TV Guide channel listing. Currently it is showing all "No LIsting" for each half-hour slot - but at least I can see the channels again. I did not reset my machine, and it seems to have retained the channel order. Maybe tonight will be our lucky night - I anxiously await the 0200 fairy to download data. :)



As of 5 minutes ago, I finally passed the VBI test on channel 24. Up until then, it always failed on channel 24.

Only thing I did different: perform a user reset instead of a factory reset.

Question: Since I saw VBI data on channel 24, does that mean I can expect guide data tonight?

-T

T -

I have just checked my HDD500 and I indeed have a TV Guide channel listing. Currently it is showing all "No LIsting" for each half-hour slot - but at least I can see the channels again. I did not reset my machine, and it seems to have retained the channel order. Maybe tonight will be our lucky night - I anxiously await the 0200 fairy to download data. :)

As of this morning, I finally have a clock... maybe tonight I'll have guide data. I have a PJ connected to my HDD250, so I try not to turn it on unless I plan to watch something, hence, could not check guide data this morning.

-T

T & Oxfordbrent,

Well, it has finally happened ... The TV guide was semi-populated (as expected) this morning! All is good with the world. :) If someone had contacted me from WMFE, I would thank them.

I either of you contact WMFE, could you also tell them that the Gemstar/TVGOS folks do not transmit WMFE HD listings (at least not for 32765 area code - 5 miles from the station). I would think that the station that hosts VBI trasnsmissions should be included in the listing ... I would like listings for WMFE ...

Anyway, with or without WMFE listings, my system appears operational.

Thanks for your support.

As of this morning, I finally have a clock... maybe tonight I'll have guide data. I have a PJ connected to my HDD250, so I try not to turn it on unless I plan to watch something, hence, could not check guide data this morning.

-T

T & Oxfordbrent,

Well, it has finally happened ... The TV guide was semi-populated (as expected) this morning! All is good with the world. :) If someone had contacted me from WMFE, I would thank them.

I either of you contact WMFE, could you also tell them that the Gemstar/TVGOS folks do not transmit WMFE HD listings (at least not for 32765 area code - 5 miles from the station). I would think that the station that hosts VBI trasnsmissions should be included in the listing ... I would like listings for WMFE ...

Anyway, with or without WMFE listings, my system appears operational.

Thanks for your support.

Good news about the guide!!

About WMFE HD listings: before I lost my guide, I always had WMFE listings (channels 24, 24.1, etc). The zip I use is 32732.

-T

Maybe it's just missing in 32765 :-( I'll recheck and email/contact WMFE ...

Good news about the guide!!

About WMFE HD listings: before I lost my guide, I always had WMFE listings (channels 24, 24.1, etc). The zip I use is 32732.

-T

Maybe it's just missing in 32765 :-( I'll recheck and email/contact WMFE ...


I never had WMFE digital channels either before my guide was lost. I have asked them before the contact Gemstar to get 24.1 through 24.3 included and the guy said he had tried to contact them, but nobody from Gemstar would call him back. I need to try that zip code to maybe get the WMFE digital channels.

I'm glad to hear the guide must be coming back. I have been experimenting with my machine. Because I live halfway between Gainesville and Orlando, I tried turning my antennae north and changed my zip code to a Gainesville one. This actually worked and I've been getting the guide from the Gainesville PBS channel 5, though with not as many channels as Orlando has and it's a pain to have to turn the antennae before I go to bed and then turn it back south when I get up in the morning. I plan on switching back to try WMFE tomorrow, but I wanted to make sure I could get a guide so I could record Lost because I missed it during the regular season. Glad to hear all our complaints must have generated some action!

oxfordbrent & T-Bone,

Yeah 24 is still missing. I get 24-1 E-WSTw instead. If one of you guys could send me (privately if necessary) the email address of the WMFE employee that responded to your enquiry, I will send him a friendly email asking him to "beat on" Gemstar harder. Maybe, the "interface" is open due to the current problem.

I really would like to know what is on Channel 24 HD ...


[QUOTE=oxfordbrent]I never had WMFE digital channels either before my guide was lost. I have asked them before the contact Gemstar to get 24.1 through 24.3 included and the guy said he had tried to contact them, but nobody from Gemstar would call him back. I need to try that zip code to maybe get the WMFE digital channels.
QUOTE]

So can you actually get the digital music stations over QAM? Anybody try this in San Diego on COX?

I was going to read this thread and then saw all the posts. My general question is:

Are these units as buggy as the posts indicate or is this a pretty decent machine?

Is the machine noisy because of the Hard Drive?

Will I be able to get TVGOS in Tucson, AZ?

Thanks in Advance

The guide requires a little hand holding(usually because of the local host station's problems) but I love both my 500's.

oxfordbrent & T-Bone,

Yeah 24 is still missing. I get 24-1 E-WSTw instead. If one of you guys could send me (privately if necessary) the email address of the WMFE employee that responded to your enquiry, I will send him a friendly email asking him to "beat on" Gemstar harder. Maybe, the "interface" is open due to the current problem.

I really would like to know what is on Channel 24 HD ...


I might be confused (not hard to do)... i thought channel 24-1 was the HD station for WMFE. Is it not?

I recall seeing, according to the HDD250 banner, 1080i broadcasts on that channel.

-T

dszigeti, you have a PM...

-T

I might be confused (not hard to do)... i thought channel 24-1 was the HD station for WMFE. Is it not?

I recall seeing, according to the HDD250 banner, 1080i broadcasts on that channel.

-T


Yes, 24-1 is the HD station fo WMFE. When I had the guide before, all I received was analog channel 24, which is the host station. I tried remapping it to 24-1, but in doing this I realized caused my guide to not update because changing around the host station in the guide will screw things up, so I remapped back to analog 24 and my guide began updating again. I never again had any problems until WMFE started having their problems a couple of weeks ago.

oxfordbrent and T-Bone,

Well I have a different story ... again ... I have no problem receiving WMFE HD at channel 24-1. I punch in 24-1 and WMFE HD pops up. I just have a problem that it is not shown in the guide, so I don't know what's programmed (without using dead-tree format from the newspaper). Additionally, I get the listing from the "bad" channel shown in the TVGOS, so anything recorded has an incorrect name.

Yes, 24-1 is the HD station fo WMFE. When I had the guide before, all I received was analog channel 24, which is the host station. I tried remapping it to 24-1, but in doing this I realized caused my guide to not update because changing around the host station in the guide will screw things up, so I remapped back to analog 24 and my guide began updating again. I never again had any problems until WMFE started having their problems a couple of weeks ago.

Are these units as buggy as the posts indicate or is this a pretty decent machine?

Is the machine noisy because of the Hard Drive?

Will I be able to get TVGOS in Tucson, AZ?

1. If you can get reliable guide data they work pretty well for most folks. It has some quirks and annoyances but that is what you get for a "free" guide service. If you don't get guide data reliably (cable provider issues, porr signal, problems at the tower, etc.) it can be really frustrating and almost certainly wouldn't be worth the money.
2. Mine is pretty quiet - much quieter than my old Tivo.
3. No idea - check in your local thread to see if anyone is getting TVGOS data.

pyedog,

Thanks for the info. Is their a trick to finding out if TVGOS is available in your area. I have searched the AVS Forum, Google and TVGOS website and can not figure out a way to find out if an area has TVGOS.

Call local AV retailers and ask, they would know, they sell the products. or try the local PBS station office.

gigaguy,

Already tried that. Both Best Buy and Circuit City had no idea what I was talking about, not surprising. My local PBS was not sure, who knows if I got the correct person.

Tuscon should have it. Try posting at the LOCAL HD programming forum here. It's sorted by city. Call a higher end AV retailer. someone in Tucson knows ;)

Is their a trick to finding out if TVGOS is available in your area.

Well, if you don't get any local feedback, this Amazon review mentions a "D. Knapp" who claims it was working for him(?) on June 3, 2006 (different device but they both recieve the same signal).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/AZQWCSL6GVM8M/102-1769597-5076143

I'd guess that Tucson is a large enough city that if you get good signal on analog OTA of the local stations (especially PBS since that is the most likely provider) you'll be OK (a bit of snow is OK). If you get everything via cable, it can get quite a bit more complex - try checking with the cable company and see if they say anything, or if they are willing to do "analog provisioning" for the cable card (i.e. make the DVR see the analog version of the channel with TVGOS rather than the digital version ...

Depending on where you get it and how much you pay you would probably be able to get all or most of your money back by selling it if you had to ... but it depends on how tight money is, and what your alternatives are.

I hear Sharp just announced several DVRs for around $1000 and Toshiba has their HD-DVD DVR for $3500 or so - most of the options are a bit more expensive at the moment.

pyedog,

Thanks for the input. I receive my local analog PBS channel good with my OTA antenna, so it sounds like I should be okay. I am going to give the unit a try.

I don't know about your area, but in San Diego, the local PBS station doesn't provide the TVGOS data stream. I have two different DVRs. The Panasonic gets it's TVGOS from the local FOX affiliate and the Sony from the local ABC affiliate. Oddly enough, the Panasonic does use the local PBS station for the time signal (different stations for the TVGOs data and the time signal). Others in San Diego have reported getting TVGOS data from the local CBS affiliate. I remember seeing a web page link somewhere in this thread to a FAQ that someone had compiled. It had a section listing stations providing the TVGOS data for different zip codes. If you can find that, perhaps a zip code from Tuscon is listed, and if not, you can email the FAQ maintainer to add it if you determine what it is.

I remember seeing a web page link somewhere in this thread to a FAQ that someone had compiled. It had a section listing stations providing the TVGOS data for different zip codes. If you can find that, perhaps a zip code from Tuscon is listed, and if not, you can email the FAQ maintainer to add it if you determine what it is.

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

Here's the link (also on first post of this thread) - Sec 2.1.6. I don't see Tucson (Phoenix is there). If you do find out where the signal is coming from, send the info to spiff72 so he can keep the list up to date...

I stopped into Best Buy since they are selling HDD500 on their website and I actually got a guy in the Magnolia Home Theater section who had installed one in Tucson and he claimed it worked pefectly.

I stopped into Best Buy since they are selling HDD500 on their website and I actually got a guy in the Magnolia Home Theater section who had installed one in Tucson and he claimed it worked pefectly.
Did you find one there, and if so, how much did you pay? I can't believe they're still 799.00 on their website. (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7276048&type=product&id=1117178795519)

I love the 2 I have up here in Phoenix, they've work perfectly with channel 8 since I got them. :D

Almost had mine for a year now and it's great! And to think I was waiting for an OTA HD Tivo. Poor suckers.

theratpatrol,

No they did not have one in the store, but they where still very helpful. I just hope some of the Tucson channels broadcast consistent TVGOS. I receive my HDD250 tomorrow.

theratpatrol,

No they did not have one in the store, but they where still very helpful. I just hope some of the Tucson channels broadcast consistent TVGOS. I receive my HDD250 tomorrow.
Where did you get the 250 from, ebay?

oxfordbrent and T-Bone,

Well I have a different story ... again ... I have no problem receiving WMFE HD at channel 24-1. I punch in 24-1 and WMFE HD pops up. I just have a problem that it is not shown in the guide, so I don't know what's programmed (without using dead-tree format from the newspaper). Additionally, I get the listing from the "bad" channel shown in the TVGOS, so anything recorded has an incorrect name.


Yes that is what I meant, you can turn it to WMFE's digital channels, but they are not included in the guide. Now that my guide is back, they still are not included in the guide and I can't remap 24 to 24.1 since it's the host channel. That make it where it won't recieve the guide. I've told WMFE to call Gemstar about this, but they had told me before that Gemstar won't call them back to get their digital channels included.

Yes that is what I meant, you can turn it to WMFE's digital channels, but they are not included in the guide. Now that my guide is back, they still are not included in the guide and I can't remap 24 to 24.1 since it's the host channel. That make it where it won't recieve the guide. I've told WMFE to call Gemstar about this, but they had told me before that Gemstar won't call them back to get their digital channels included.

I forgot that I changed my zip code to 32826 (Orlando) right before WMFE fixed their problem, and I noticed that 24.1 did not appear in my guide last night. So I reset my zip code to 32732 last night (recall that I always had 24.1 with the 32732 zip code). I'll have to verify that 24.1 is in my guide tonight.

Did you try zip code 32732?

-T

smsprague - Enjoy your 250, these are great machines.

I've had 2 of the 500s for a while now, both are great. I actually like TVGOS too. I don't have digital cable or cable boxes. At first I used antennas thinking that would work best but I went cable only and they both work fine.

But I may have to sell one to pay off some home repairs. I only have one HD TV right now anyway.

I bought mine on e-bay. I plan on using it for OTA only. I actually don't have cable or satellite.

smsprague - Enjoy your 250, these are great machines.

I've had 2 of the 500s for a while now, both are great. I actually like TVGOS too. I don't have digital cable or cable boxes. At first I used antennas thinking that would work best but I went cable only and they both work fine.

But I may have to sell one to pay off some home repairs. I only have one HD TV right now anyway.

It's not a matter of number of HDTVs you have but the number of programs you record:
I have two Sony recorders plus a Comcast dual channel recorder, which I use with one HDTV. During the TV season, I've often recorded four programs simultaneously. Besides that capability, it's sure nice to have lots of record capacity.

I forgot that I changed my zip code to 32826 (Orlando) right before WMFE fixed their problem, and I noticed that 24.1 did not appear in my guide last night. So I reset my zip code to 32732 last night (recall that I always had 24.1 with the 32732 zip code). I'll have to verify that 24.1 is in my guide tonight.

Did you try zip code 32732?

-T


I did try 32732, which was suggested on an earlier post, but I still didn't get 24.1 in the guide, I only have 24. I'm changing back to my zip code because I'm also missing a PBS channel I had from Daytona beach.

Has anyone done a side by side comparison of PQ of this Sony unit vs. SA8300HD via HDMI? Would be especially interested to hear from someone with a 1080p display.

I was at Frys Electronics earlier today and they still have the 500 for 999.00 and the 250 for 799.00. :rolleyes:

I fired up by HDD250 and everything looks good. Picked up all my channels. My firmware version is 1.2.09, should I be concerned that it is not 1.2.13?