Tonight in Phoenix my daughter's unit had no listings, instead showed listing to return within 24hrs due to setting change, except no change was made. Until now, I think her guide has been ok. Has anyone else in Phoenix had the same message today (Thursday)?

Ray

Tonight in Phoenix my daughter's unit had no listings, instead showed listing to return within 24hrs due to setting change, except no change was made. Until now, I think her guide has been ok. Has anyone else in Phoenix had the same message today (Thursday)?

Ray
I'm having no problems here.

BTW, did she ever get the cable card installed from Cox?

In my case there are some Channels that I don't receive on the guide. I contacted PBS for my state (as they control my host) and a knowledgeable person wants me to give them a list of those channels. They said they receive information from many sources and compile it and they will check to see if they indeed "push" those channels to my location. They said if they don't, they may be able to.

I am waiting to see what happens.
I am responding to my previous post enclosed here. I found out that this is incorrect information. The person that gave me the above information has now admitted that this is not the case. I still have not been able to receive all my channels and now I feel it is a problem with Charter or my cablecard, however I have not been able to get an answer from anyone at Charter that seems to be knowledgable enough to know.

I am responding to my previous post enclosed here. I found out that this is incorrect information. The person that gave me the above information has now admitted that this is not the case. I still have not been able to receive all my channels and now I feel it is a problem with Charter or my cablecard, however I have not been able to get an answer from anyone at Charter that seems to be knowledgable enough to know.
If I understand you problem, you are saying that you are missing some channels in the TVguide, right? In other words, there is no channel listing for a network like Universal HD?

If this is the case, make sure that you have gone into the channel editor and looked through the entire list (the one you want may be turned off).

If it still isn't there, this isn't a problem with your host channel. It is a TVGOS issue - they have limited capacity for channel listings, and some channels may be missing in some markets. I don't have a listing entry for Universal HD in my area - this channel was added fairly recently, so they may add it eventually.

Some interesting DHG-HDDxxx software findings today...

I've confirmed the 250 and 500 run identical Linux software, and the digital signature on it is the same across units and across both models. Therefore, if someone manages to digitally sign an alternate software load, it would be able to run on all units. (Perhaps easier would be to reflash the bootloader so that both signed and unsigned software can run.)

Both drives in a 500 are partitioned the same as the single drive in a 250. There is no software on the second drive of a 500 even though there are empty partitions present for it. ( About 156 MB of space is wasted due to this.)

There's a hefty ferrite bead on the IDE cable in the 500s. Noise must have been a problem given the longer run to the second drive, even with the 80 conductor cable.

Also, it appears that software version 1.02.05 cannot be updated via the USB port. That capability appears to have been added in a later version. However, it may be possible to update from 1.02.05 by writing the new software to disk manually. I plan to try this soon.

Rather than continue to clutter this monster thread, I'll try to get an Inside the Sony DHG-HDD250/HDD500 DVRs page going and post the URL when it's up.

I'm having no problems here.

BTW, did she ever get the cable card installed from Cox?

No she didn't. I was going to call Cox on her behalf while I was here in Phoenix but never got around to it. I wonder if anyone else has tried recently?

Ray

If I understand you problem, you are saying that you are missing some channels in the TVguide, right? In other words, there is no channel listing for a network like Universal HD?

If this is the case, make sure that you have gone into the channel editor and looked through the entire list (the one you want may be turned off).

If it still isn't there, this isn't a problem with your host channel. It is a TVGOS issue - they have limited capacity for channel listings, and some channels may be missing in some markets. I don't have a listing entry for Universal HD in my area - this channel was added fairly recently, so they may add it eventually.

The Channels are not turned off in the channel editor and I can tune to them with the remote. However they don't appear in the TV Guide listing. I could care less about some of them, however, the Movie channels are what I was hoping to have a guide for. Here is a list of those I don't get in the Guide:
No channels such as 7.2,7.3,9.2,9.3,20.1,20.2. I receive one Analog channel for each of these and changed the "tune to" to receive the 7.2, 9.2, etc.
No Encore Channels (5 of them).
No Starz Channels (3 of them).
No LOGO Channel.
No GAC Channel.

The Channels are not turned off in the channel editor and I can tune to them with the remote. However they don't appear in the TV Guide listing. I could care less about some of them, however, the Movie channels are what I was hoping to have a guide for. Here is a list of those I don't get in the Guide:
No channels such as 7.2,7.3,9.2,9.3,20.1,20.2. I receive one Analog channel for each of these and changed the "tune to" to receive the 7.2, 9.2, etc.
No Encore Channels (5 of them).
No Starz Channels (3 of them).
No LOGO Channel.
No GAC Channel.

And by "channel editor" you are talking about the one withing the TvGuide setup menu (not the +/- channel list in the sony's system menu outside of the TVGOS menu bar)?

Some interesting DHG-HDDxxx software findings today...

I've confirmed the 250 and 500 run identical Linux software, and the digital signature on it is the same across units and across both models. Therefore, if someone manages to digitally sign an alternate software load, it would be able to run on all units. (Perhaps easier would be to reflash the bootloader so that both signed and unsigned software can run.)

Both drives in a 500 are partitioned the same as the single drive in a 250. There is no software on the second drive of a 500 even though there are empty partitions present for it. ( About 156 MB of space is wasted due to this.)

There's a hefty ferrite bead on the IDE cable in the 500s. Noise must have been a problem given the longer run to the second drive, even with the 80 conductor cable.

Also, it appears that software version 1.02.05 cannot be updated via the USB port. That capability appears to have been added in a later version. However, it may be possible to update from 1.02.05 by writing the new software to disk manually. I plan to try this soon.

Rather than continue to clutter this monster thread, I'll try to get an Inside the Sony DHG-HDD250/HDD500 DVRs page going and post the URL when it's up.

Would love to see that page!

How do you intend to get the software which you will be writing to the disk? From another unit?

The Channels are not turned off in the channel editor and I can tune to them with the remote. However they don't appear in the TV Guide listing. I could care less about some of them, however, the Movie channels are what I was hoping to have a guide for. Here is a list of those I don't get in the Guide:
No channels such as 7.2,7.3,9.2,9.3,20.1,20.2. I receive one Analog channel for each of these and changed the "tune to" to receive the 7.2, 9.2, etc.
No Encore Channels (5 of them).
No Starz Channels (3 of them).
No LOGO Channel.
No GAC Channel.

They aren't set up as auto-hide are they? If so, it could be they aren't showing up due to lack of data.


Mitch

And by "channel editor" you are talking about the one withing the TvGuide setup menu (not the +/- channel list in the sony's system menu outside of the TVGOS menu bar)?
By the Channel editor I meant the main menu of the HD DVR "CH +/- List". There all the channels are listed and not turned off. The channels in question are not listed anywhere on the TV Guide setup (where you can arrange the guide and turn the channels on the guide on or off). The guide has no information at all about these channels, but I have no trouble turning to them by number or scrolling with the remote (not using the guide).
In short, they are available, but not listed anywhere on the guide.

Sorry if I have not been clear.

I receive one Analog channel for each of these and changed the "tune to" to receive the 7.2, 9.2, etc.
I actually thought you made it pretty clear, as I knew that you would've had to have gone into that particular level of the channel edit listings in order to do this.

Just switched the DVR to output DOlby Digital "on", and now I get a message to the effect of "unsupported audio format. Make sure your system is set right"...or something like that. Looked in the manual and it has no mention of that error message.

Running optical out to a Sony ES receiver that can decode Dolby Digital.

Any idea how to get rid of this message? When I had the DD off, then I was not geting DD decoding from the receiver.

Everything works great with the way I have it set now...with the exception of the danged error message that pops up every time I FF or rewind!

By the Channel editor I meant the main menu of the HD DVR "CH +/- List". There all the channels are listed and not turned off. The channels in question are not listed anywhere on the TV Guide setup (where you can arrange the guide and turn the channels on the guide on or off). The guide has no information at all about these channels, but I have no trouble turning to them by number or scrolling with the remote (not using the guide).
In short, they are available, but not listed anywhere on the guide.

Sorry if I have not been clear.

That's the problem, then. You need to go to Guide, and select "Setup" from the service bar, and then select "Change channel display." From here, you then find the channels you want to see and turn them on, put them in the order you want, etc.

And (I'm not trying to be snide or a jerk in saying this), you should probably take a walk through the manual since it explains this stuff pretty well.


Mitch

Mitch,
You are not reading my previous post correctly. I said "The channels in question are not listed anywhere on the TV Guide setup (where you can arrange the guide and turn the channels on the guide on or off). The guide has no information at all about these channels."

I have my channels all arranged the way I want, none are auto-hide and I checked way down the list, almost 400 channels are listed in some way or another, but not those.

Can someone help.

Since nothing else has been working for me, today I decided to stick an antennea wire into the ant in and then I did an auto scan for antenna. After it did the auto ant scan, it picked up all the analog channels and with my cablecard in it also picks up all my digital channels correctly. I then went to my host channel (local PBS ch 17) thru my DVR and I have 17 (digitial Qam channel) then hitting the up button on the remote I have 17 analog channel and then I have a 17.1 that is blank. I ran the VBI test on 17 analog channel (I have picture but quality is low compared to the digital) Still after I did the VBI test on the analog 17 ant channel I passed the VBI test counting many #'s.

That was about 1 hour ago, I turned off the DVR, my clock is still off about 5 hrs ahead. Since I did all this how long will it take for the analog 17 (VBI passing) show the correct time? I should also have guide data by tomorrow right?

Any help on this would be helpful since I have never used both ant and cablecard at the same time.

Mitch,
You are not reading my previous post correctly. I said "The channels in question are not listed anywhere on the TV Guide setup (where you can arrange the guide and turn the channels on the guide on or off). The guide has no information at all about these channels."

I have my channels all arranged the way I want, none are auto-hide and I checked way down the list, almost 400 channels are listed in some way or another, but not those.
What specific channels are you talking about? Because not every single channel is included in the guide date.

What specific channels are you talking about? Because not every single channel is included in the guide date.
No channels such as 7.2,7.3,9.2,9.3,20.1,20.2. I receive one Analog channel for each of these and changed the "tune to" to receive the 7.2, 9.2, etc.
No Encore Channels (5 of them).
No Starz Channels (3 of them).
No LOGO Channel.
No GAC Channel.

Can someone help.

Since nothing else has been working for me, today I decided to stick an antennea wire into the ant in and then I did an auto scan for antenna. After it did the auto ant scan, it picked up all the analog channels and with my cablecard in it also picks up all my digital channels correctly. I then went to my host channel (local PBS ch 17) thru my DVR and I have 17 (digitial Qam channel) then hitting the up button on the remote I have 17 analog channel and then I have a 17.1 that is blank. I ran the VBI test on 17 analog channel (I have picture but quality is low compared to the digital) Still after I did the VBI test on the analog 17 ant channel I passed the VBI test counting many #'s.

That was about 1 hour ago, I turned off the DVR, my clock is still off about 5 hrs ahead. Since I did all this how long will it take for the analog 17 (VBI passing) show the correct time? I should also have guide data by tomorrow right?

Any help on this would be helpful since I have never used both ant and cablecard at the same time.
That all depends on the next clock update. There is a service/info screen that has that information. As long as your unit is using the OTA feed, then the clock should update at some point today. I have had to unplug a unit recently because of a frozen non-responsive que in record-playback. It was several hours before the clock set. I think I remember seeing an update time of 5:00 once when I was in the 753.... service screen. I would just wait it out for a while and see what happens, perhaps later this afternoon or evening.
Michael

No channels such as 7.2,7.3,9.2,9.3,20.1,20.2. I receive one Analog channel for each of these and changed the "tune to" to receive the 7.2, 9.2, etc.
No Encore Channels (5 of them).
No Starz Channels (3 of them).
No LOGO Channel.
No GAC Channel.
How long ago did you first set up your unit? Are some of these new channels?
TVGOS does not carry all the channels in a given area, only the ones most watched. All the local broadcast channels are perhaps given priority first, so then some of the cable channels do not get listed. I know I read somewhere ( perhaps the TVGOS training manual) that only a certain number of channels can be available at one time because of how much data they can send at a given transmission update. Bottom line is for now, I do not think these channels are available in the TVGOS system for your area. Nothing to do with the cable company. You might look for the post and link to the TVGOS training manual. It may help explain better.
Michael

Can anyone explain to me what Auto-Hide actually does? My channels act the same whether they are set to "Auto-Hide" or "On". That includes both channels with listings and channel without (i.e.- channels that say "No Listing"). I have yet to see a channel "automatically hide".

Just wondering...

TVGOS does not carry all the channels in a given area...

I have to say though, that that's the most amount of channels left out that I've ever heard of. Usually, it's less than a handful. As far as the analog versions of those channels and subchannels only being available, that's pretty common. As long as the schedule's the same, it shouldn't be that big of a deal. That's a normal issue that practically everyone has had to deal with.

But all those movie channels missing is kind of strange.

I'd definitely complain to TV Guide, if possible.

That all depends on the next clock update. There is a service/info screen that has that information. As long as your unit is using the OTA feed, then the clock should update at some point today. I have had to unplug a unit recently because of a frozen non-responsive que in record-playback. It was several hours before the clock set. I think I remember seeing an update time of 5:00 once when I was in the 753.... service screen. I would just wait it out for a while and see what happens, perhaps later this afternoon or evening.
Michael

I left it off from 11:30 this morn to 5:15 today, so that was 1 complete TV guide download time. My clock is still reading about 5 hrs ahead. I also just checked the host channel and it is blank, so it seems the DVR is not finding the host seems like it should have picked up that analog signal. I checked and it is still passing VBI packets on this analog ch 17 ( I also know for certain this is my host cause I spoke directly to TV guide and they confirmed this is my host channel.) Should I do something else. Should I reset the TV guide front? Or should I leave it off overnight?

I have the same issue. Did you every find remote codes that allow the HDD500 to be controlled by a slingbox???

Many thanks,

Lee Schuman

No channels such as 7.2,7.3,9.2,9.3,20.1,20.2. I receive one Analog channel for each of these and changed the "tune to" to receive the 7.2, 9.2, etc.
No Encore Channels (5 of them).
No Starz Channels (3 of them).
No LOGO Channel.
No GAC Channel.

OK - another couple of comments/suggestions...

I am not as surprised by the missing subchannels for OTA. I don't have all of the subchannels for my local PBS channel (for example)...

The other cable channels being missing are surprising to me. Specifically the encore and starz channels. Is it possible that you chose the incorrect channel lineup when you initially set up your unit? Mine presented me with several different choices - one of which was digital, one which wasn't, and one that I didn't recognize at all. I think there is an option in the setup menus that allows you to change the channel lineup (but if you do it, I am pretty sure you will lose any rearranging that you have done on the channel editor.

A few days ago I was tempted to write that I had my 250 for about a month with no problems, but this afternoon I found that the listings were missing. The set up parameters haven't changed and I don't believe I have suffered a power loss. Too bad they cant download data through the net onto these machines. sigh...I cant really say anthing too bad about it otherwise.

Can anyone explain to me what Auto-Hide actually does? My channels act the same whether they are set to "Auto-Hide" or "On". That includes both channels with listings and channel without (i.e.- channels that say "No Listing"). I have yet to see a channel "automatically hide".
Just wondering...

It works for me on the PBS stations that switch between (1 HD,1 SD) and (4 SD) at various times of day. I see "No Listing" only when the guide display bridges the transition from 2 to 4 sub channels. After that the unused sub channels disappear.

I have the same issue. Did you every find remote codes that allow the HDD500 to be controlled by a slingbox???

Many thanks,

Lee Schuman

If you select Cable Boxes (analog and Digital)
Then Sony,
There will be a listing for the RM823Y.

I got that working for most functions but not all. The most important functions work fine. There is no image available for this remote, so I use the default.

It works for me on the PBS stations that switch between (1 HD,1 SD) and (4 SD) at various times of day. I see "No Listing" only when the guide display bridges the transition from 2 to 4 sub channels. After that the unused sub channels disappear.

Interesting...Thanks. I don't think I have any stations in the area that do that..but that would be a handy feature.

Just switched the DVR to output DOlby Digital "on", and now I get a message to the effect of "unsupported audio format. Make sure your system is set right"...or something like that. Looked in the manual and it has no mention of that error message.

Running optical out to a Sony ES receiver that can decode Dolby Digital.

Any idea how to get rid of this message? When I had the DD off, then I was not geting DD decoding from the receiver.

Everything works great with the way I have it set now...with the exception of the danged error message that pops up every time I FF or rewind!

Anybody else still getting the "Updated Information Will Be Available In 24 Hours" screen. My 250 and 500 have been showing this since yesterday.

Does anyone have any info from KCET about what is going on?

As it stands I can't do any new recordings as there is no acess to any form of guide, not even a blank one. My pre-set recording schedule shows all my programs except one(Jericho) greyed out with ??? , so the guide (what of it it did download) is still in there, it's just not visible.

Greg.

If you select Cable Boxes (analog and Digital)
Then Sony,
There will be a listing for the RM823Y.

I got that working for most functions but not all. The most important functions work fine. There is no image available for this remote, so I use the default.


Many thanks for that. Worked like a charm

Lee

My Sony is still showing the clock exactly 5 hrs ahead, no guide data says there is no data for this screen, I have no host channel in the 753...Why can't I get this thing to work, it's so flusterating, I've tried everything I know to try.

Anybody else still getting the "Updated Information Will Be Available In 24 Hours" screen. My 250 and 500 have been showing this since yesterday.

Does anyone have any info from KCET about what is going on?

As it stands I can't do any new recordings as there is no acess to any form of guide, not even a blank one. My pre-set recording schedule shows all my programs except one(Jericho) greyed out with ??? , so the guide (what of it it did download) is still in there, it's just not visible.

Greg.

Same thing here. I've been losing the occasional days of listings for 2 weeks or so and then it went off completely on Friday so I think some piece of equipment may have been going bad. These things always seem to happen on holiday weekends when the station is short staffed.

Same thing here. I've been losing the occasional days of listings for 2 weeks or so and then it went off completely on Friday so I think some piece of equipment may have been going bad. These things always seem to happen on holiday weekends when the station is short staffed.
Yep. Same for me. Hopefully they get it fixed soon.

Yep. Same for me. Hopefully they get it fixed soon.


i just sent them an email politely asking what happened

http://www.kcet.org/index.php
viewerservices@kcet.org

My Sony is still showing the clock exactly 5 hrs ahead, no guide data says there is no data for this screen, I have no host channel in the 753...Why can't I get this thing to work, it's so flusterating, I've tried everything I know to try.
If you have a good signal for your OTA host station, then I would think you should see something there. Unless it is still looking for the other cable host. Not sure how it works, but have you tried forcing the host for the OTA host channel? Or you may just have to do a complete factory reset and start from a clean machine setup and see if it will lock onto the OTA host that way.
Michael

Some interesting DHG-HDDxxx software findings today...

I've confirmed the 250 and 500 run identical Linux software, and the digital signature on it is the same across units and across both models. Therefore, if someone manages to digitally sign an alternate software load, it would be able to run on all units. (Perhaps easier would be to reflash the bootloader so that both signed and unsigned software can run.)

Both drives in a 500 are partitioned the same as the single drive in a 250. There is no software on the second drive of a 500 even though there are empty partitions present for it. ( About 156 MB of space is wasted due to this.)

There's a hefty ferrite bead on the IDE cable in the 500s. Noise must have been a problem given the longer run to the second drive, even with the 80 conductor cable.

Also, it appears that software version 1.02.05 cannot be updated via the USB port. That capability appears to have been added in a later version. However, it may be possible to update from 1.02.05 by writing the new software to disk manually. I plan to try this soon.

Rather than continue to clutter this monster thread, I'll try to get an Inside the Sony DHG-HDD250/HDD500 DVRs page going and post the URL when it's up.

Fantastic! I can hardly wait to hear what you find out! Do you think that usb networking can turned on as well within the linux kernal?

Bobbie

If you have a good signal for your OTA host station, then I would think you should see something there. Unless it is still looking for the other cable host. Not sure how it works, but have you tried forcing the host for the OTA host channel? Or you may just have to do a complete factory reset and start from a clean machine setup and see if it will lock onto the OTA host that way.
Michael

I FINALLY GOT MY CLOCK BACK :)

Well I decided to try a reset user configurations in the 9012 menu, this started me back to set up from the begining again, When prompted I did an auto scan for antenna and auto scan for my cable, this found both analog ch's for the antenna and analog and digital ch's for my cable. (I thought I did this before but maybe I didn't do it correctly) so after that was done, it brought me to set up the TV guide with my zip code, then I put back in my cable card. Scan the ch's on my remote and I have both my analog ch's, digital ch's and analog ch's from antenna. Yeah!! I feel like I am getting somewhere. So then I went to my Ch 17 (my host channel) the first 17 is my digital Qam ch (checked it on the diagnostics, next up is Ch 17 antenna ch, I checked the 17 antenna ch and it is showing analog in the diagnostics , then I did a VBI check on antenna ch 17 and it is passing the VBI with fast amts of packets. Then I checked my host in the set up guide and it showed blank, so then I forced the host while on ch 17 analog antenna ch and after that...within 10 min I had a correct clock time. :)

I hope that maybe by tomorrow I have guide data. My concern is that the guide data says, There is no data for this screen, shouldn't it say: Updated listing will appear within 24 hrs?

Anybody else still getting the "Updated Information Will Be Available In 24 Hours" screen. My 250 and 500 have been showing this since yesterday.

Does anyone have any info from KCET about what is going on?

As it stands I can't do any new recordings as there is no acess to any form of guide, not even a blank one. My pre-set recording schedule shows all my programs except one(Jericho) greyed out with ??? , so the guide (what of it it did download) is still in there, it's just not visible.

Greg.

I've been having that problem the last few days on both my 500 and my panasonice plasma with TVGOS. I thought it was the TVGOS, but it might be the local PBS channel 28. I check the host channel and it is showing blanks on both TVGOS.

Anybody else still getting the "Updated Information Will Be Available In 24 Hours" screen. My 250 and 500 have been showing this since yesterday.

Does anyone have any info from KCET about what is going on?

As it stands I can't do any new recordings as there is no acess to any form of guide, not even a blank one. My pre-set recording schedule shows all my programs except one(Jericho) greyed out with ??? , so the guide (what of it it did download) is still in there, it's just not visible.

Greg.

I have the same recorders with no guide, instead message that guide will appear in 24 hours so I will be setting my recordings manually. By the way, many of my recordings are set both manually and with the guide so that the guide setting overrides manual.
When the guide disappears, manual setting takes over and program still gets recorded.

You don't need a guide to record a program. One way to do it is to tune to the channel you wish to record and then press the right navigation arrow. A menu will appear that will give you record option. Press the select option on record. A record menu will appear. Just fill it in with date, start and end times, record quality, etc. The recording will appear on the record list as unknown but channel, date, and time should identify the program. Also, you can make a note of what you recorded.

Ray

While I was setting up manual programming on my 500, the clock reset, and without it I can't set a recording. Previously when the clock reset, time went back to Jan 2004, and I could record based on it. I sure hope it will come back when the guide data starts flowing again.


Ray

My 250 has been showing the same thing since I got back into L.A. on Saturday night. Still no guide as of now, but it's still recording my programs that I had setup before this happened. The full, exact quote is: "Updated information will be available within 24 hours. The Guide is rebuilding your channel list based on your setup change." The thing is, I didn't change anything.


Anybody else still getting the "Updated Information Will Be Available In 24 Hours" screen. My 250 and 500 have been showing this since yesterday.

Does anyone have any info from KCET about what is going on?

As it stands I can't do any new recordings as there is no acess to any form of guide, not even a blank one. My pre-set recording schedule shows all my programs except one(Jericho) greyed out with ??? , so the guide (what of it it did download) is still in there, it's just not visible.

Greg.

My 250 has been showing the same thing since I got back into L.A. on Saturday night. Still no guide as of now, but it's still recording my programs that I had setup before this happened. The full, exact quote is: "Updated information will be available within 24 hours. The Guide is rebuilding your channel list based on your setup change." The thing is, I didn't change anything.

I use OTA and had this same problem for a couple of days...come to find out my analog host channel was not coming in clear enough (and long enough) to download the data. However, the digital equivalent was coming in just fine. I adjusted the antenna and everything is working fine. Just something to check if you use OTA.

I use OTA and had this same problem for a couple of days...come to find out my analog host channel was not coming in clear enough (and long enough) to download the data. However, the digital equivalent was coming in just fine. I adjusted the antenna and everything is working fine. Just something to check if you use OTA.

That's VERY good advice for problems of this sort in general. However, in this case, the local TVGOS station in LA (KCET) has a problem with the VBI/TVGOS. So, for anybody in LA, don't take the trouble to try to fix your setup until you see that the rest of us are receiving TVGOS again.

I use OTA and had this same problem for a couple of days...come to find out my analog host channel was not coming in clear enough (and long enough) to download the data. However, the digital equivalent was coming in just fine. I adjusted the antenna and everything is working fine. Just something to check if you use OTA.I think the "long enough" is probably more important than "clear enough". Myself, and many, many others (with all types of units in general that use TVGOS) have had no trouble at all getting data with somewhat weak, snowy pictures - as long as it's consistent. If it's dropping out to the point of practically no reception at times, I would think that's enough to screw up the downloads.

then I put back in my cable card....

I hope that maybe by tomorrow I have guide data. My concern is that the guide data says, There is no data for this screen, shouldn't it say: Updated listing will appear within 24 hrs? Most TVGOS units (if not all) show the "no data" message after they've been reset and wiped clean. The "updated" message appears when the guide has been temporary lost for whatever reason.

I know how ya feel Ray, I did the dumb s*#t move of inadvertantly resetting my TVGOS on my 500 and lost the clock - Dohhhhhhhhh

I have the clock on the 250 still in sync so if push comes to shove I can manually record, I realised I could do this even though the grid was missing altogether.

I'm not sure how KCET engineers will be alerted to the issue, I assume all those folks with TVGOS in their fancy HD TV's will be calling them - provided they even know where the heck the data stream comes from :eek:

Hopefully it won't take long to get it back on line, unless they need to order parts, then it may well be a different matter.

It was interesting to note that there was no mention of the outage on the Los Angeles OTA HDTV page.

Greg

I know how ya feel Ray, I did the dumb s*#t move of inadvertantly resetting my TVGOS on my 500 and lost the clock - Dohhhhhhhhh

I have the clock on the 250 still in sync so if push comes to shove I can manually record, I realised I could do this even though the grid was missing altogether.

I'm not sure how KCET engineers will be alerted to the issue, I assume all those folks with TVGOS in their fancy HD TV's will be calling them - provided they even know where the heck the data stream comes from :eek:

Hopefully it won't take long to get it back on line, unless they need to order parts, then it may well be a different matter.

It was interesting to note that there was no mention of the outage on the Los Angeles OTA HDTV page.

Greg

Have any of you guys in the LA area tried calling this station and asking to speak to someone in the engineering group? I found that this was a very effective method of letting them know that they have a problem. I also got a direct email contact for my station by doing this, and whenever I see an issue with their station failing the VBI test, I shoot her an email.

You might be surprised what you can do with a simple phone call!! :D

I know how ya feel Ray, I did the dumb s*#t move of inadvertantly resetting my TVGOS on my 500 and lost the clock - Dohhhhhhhhh

Greg
My clock was messed up as of 11/24 - at least that was the first I noticed. I did notice that my scheduled recordings for Sunday were greyed out (????). I did a warm reset on the front panel and my clock came back after awhile, but it was one day behind and two hours ahead. So I recorded the football games manually. After they recorded I did another warm reset, and after a time the clock came back, only four hours behind. I don't know what day it thought it was. I left it off all last night and plugged it in this morning. We'll see what it says when I get home.

Well I'm happy to report that I finally have guide data and this time I think it's here to stay. It seemed to have worked by scanning antenna and cable on my Sony. I've never had to do that since I bought this DVR 9 months ago. But Comcast changed over all there analog channels to digital (for those with digital cable) so they automatically did this to my cablecard) thus my host ch which use to be analog with my cablecard is now a (Qam) digital ch.

So by scanning antenna and cable it has picked up the analog ch 17 I used to have, by next day (today) I turned it on after 24 hrs and it asked me to select my city, when I did it immediately went to my guide listings, most channels are filled in but some are not as I remember some channel take a few days to fill in. I also went into set up and checked my host on the 753..and yes it finally says my host is ch 17 like it should since I have confirmed with TV Guide that this is my local host channel. So using this OTA Ch 17 (analog) it's working and the data is flowing.

I seem to be back on track.

Question: Since I have never used OTA and Cable at same time, Can I edit my listing in the guide and turn off the OTA channels I won't be using (except for my host ch) Or will this mess up my listings?

Still no VBI data on CH28 but get this - I have correct clock and also three days of guide on my 500??? When I look at my "host channel" info it shows the host channel as 0:59-0 but there is no signal on that channel and it fails the TVGOS VBI test.

Still have the same "updating" message on the 250 but it shows no host channel so no update has occured, it also fails the VBI test.

The only thing different was that I inadvertantly reset the TVGuide on the 500 and it seems to have found something else, if CH28 had come back online for a while then I would think I would have an updated guide on the 250.

Greg

Question: Since I have never used OTA and Cable at same time, Can I edit my listing in the guide and turn off the OTA channels I won't be using (except for my host ch) Or will this mess up my listings?

I use both OTA and Comcast Digital Cable Card and knock on wood - never had
a problem - maybe because I have had OTA since DAY ONE.

HOWEVER - I did accidently turn off the OTA host channel and 100% of the
listing disappeared - SO BE CAREFUL.

What I do - is have all 400+ channels turned on and I arrange them in the guide
to show up the way I want. I only use about 25 at the most. Those 25 are at the
top of the TV GUIDE Listing and I don't care where the others are. If I want to see
what is on some strange channel - I just key in the number and hit the TV GUIDE
Button. I know you have already learned - the clock sets almost immediately when
you have a good host channel.

After reading much of this thread, I decided to get a DHG-HDD250. The first installation was with composite video analog audio to a 26" CRT, until the component video and optical audio cables arrived. Even at the composite/analog level I was very pleased by the improvement from digital stations. After 24 hours the TVGOS started to appear. When the new cables arrived, the unit, per warnings, was unplugged before moving to change the hookup. Powering back up, it found the time signal, and was later continuing to download TVGOS. The previous parts of TVGOS, and recorded programs, were not lost. The picture quality is great.

A couple days ago the power was turned off and on about five times (someone resetting the wrong circuit breaker!) Settings and recordings were not lost, but even after about 12 hours being off, it was not finding the time signal, nor downloading TVGOS. Using info from somewhere on this thread --- the spiffspace com sonydvr website, Section1216 (read down a bit)(my apologies for not crediting the original poster) --- I tried using the 9012 entrance to the G* Factory Test to find a station to get the time set. In the LA area, PBS 28-1 worked. Thereafter, the unit started downloading TVGOS again.

Because of this upset in its operation, I became curious about the information available through using the special codes. For one thing, my unit fails the VBI test and passes the ATSC test for the host station (28) and other stations, analog or digital. This means ... ?

Otherwise, using the 753159852 code, I tried to figure out what else was going on with it.
In Section-Other Clocks 2 it lists Failing Clock Chan 0:28-1 and Clock Set Chan 0:28-1 . Repeating the G* Factory Test on another channel changes Clock Set Chan fffffffd or ffffffff , until after a download it returns to Clock Set Chan 0:28-1 .

Looking at Section Reception-Slicing, sometimes shows entries for Type B and Type C. , Section Reception-VBI Stats does show entries; when tuned to 28-1 or 28-2 (but not 28) I have seen the number of ShowPkts, DescPkts and CastPkts increase. For the section ATSC-ATSC slicer the TVG entry will be increasing (sometimes slowly, sometimes every second) if the tuner is set to 28-1 or 28-2. So, what I am wondering is, did these Sony units already include, or have received as a download, the ability to get the TVGOS information from digital channels? Channel 28 is still listed as the host station on my unit, but these other observations seem suggestive to me.

Otherwise, again in the 753159852 menu, go down 8 times and right 2 times to find Section VBI Data-VBIDLSched which appears to give the download schedule in Greenwich Mean Time (note the date and time shown in the upper left corner, in front of the section title.) Apparently the unit cannot download the TVGOS information unless its clock is synchronized; why it can take so long for it to do that I don't know.

Anybody please feel free to correct any errors.

Well I'm happy to report that I finally have guide data and this time I think it's here to stay. It seemed to have worked by scanning antenna and cable on my Sony. I've never had to do that since I bought this DVR 9 months ago.


FanofHD,

I am running OTA and Cable also and just recently I lost the guide data. Can you explain exactly how did you reset the 500 to scan for all the channels?

Still no VBI data on CH28 but get this - I have correct clock and also three days of guide on my 500??? When I look at my "host channel" info it shows the host channel as 0:59-0 but there is no signal on that channel and it fails the TVGOS VBI test.



Very interesting. 59 is the physical channel for KCETDT. It probably can't be selected directly because the Sony determines virtual numbers on the scan and then only responds to them.

Could it be that TVGOS data is now on KCETDT and that the Sony CAN decode it? A long time ago on this forum, somebody claimed that a Sony tech said that the .13 firmware was compatible with the digital TVGOS daa although there's been a lot of information to the contrary since then. Is it possible that you have .13 in your 500 and an earlier version in the 250?

I would emphasize that all this is only speculation at this point.

I have both cable and ota, and choose to receive local HD via ota for several reasons:
1. My OTA signals are good. You can check signal strength on system menu to find out yours.
2. Don't lose signal if cable goes down.
3. I understand that the quality of cable signal is reduced to save bandwidth.

Ray

FanofHD,

I am running OTA and Cable also and just recently I lost the guide data. Can you explain exactly how did you reset the 500 to scan for all the channels?


Here in this post is what I did to get working again: Post #7798

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8998417&&#post8998417

I took my cablecard out before doing the above scan because I'm pretty sure the Sony won;t do a scan with the cablecard in. Also my OTA channels are pretty snowy cause I'm just using a cheap thin antenna wire in the Antenna in and I taped the wire to the wall, it's at least getting my host channel and I have most listings. I am going to see if Radio Shack has a good indoor antenna that is kinda cheap to buy.

So you scan without the cable card? I did a user reset with the Cable card in and it did scan, but only seemed to scanned my antenna and not my cable connection. After the scan is done, it then asks for my zip code and whether I had a cable connection and I said yes. Now its at the wait 24 hrs period. This was last night, I checked this morning and still no clock and no guide.

So you scan without the cable card? I did a user reset with the Cable card in and it did scan, but only seemed to scanned my antenna and not my cable connection. After the scan is done, it then asks for my zip code and whether I had a cable connection and I said yes. Now its at the wait 24 hrs period. This was last night, I checked this morning and still no clock and no guide.


Hopefully you will get your guide data soon. Once you do, you should be able to scan for cable channels only. Its in the menu, but I don't remember exactly where.

I'd be interested to know if you can scan "just cable" with the cable card in and will that scan pick sub-channels. Also, can you directly tune to sub channels with the cable card in. At the moment without cablecard, I can tune direclty to 90.5 for example. Will this not work with cable card installed?

Hopefully you will get your guide data soon. Once you do, you should be able to scan for cable channels only. Its in the menu, but I don't remember exactly where.

I'd be interested to know if you can scan "just cable" with the cable card in and will that scan pick sub-channels. Also, can you directly tune to sub channels with the cable card in. At the moment without cablecard, I can tune direclty to 90.5 for example. Will this not work with cable card installed?

Do you mean tune to the cable 90.5 or ant? I am able to tune to antenna sub channels but haven't tried cable sub channels.

I would like to try something. I want to either change the host channel from Cable 5 to OTA 20 or force it to use OTA 20. I can't figure out how to do this. If I try to force the host by telling Cable 5 to tune to OTA 20, I can't get the CABLE to change to AIR. It won't. What else can I do to make the host use OTA 20?
Thanks for any help.

I would like to try something. I want to either change the host channel from Cable 5 to OTA 20 or force it to use OTA 20. I can't figure out how to do this. If I try to force the host by telling Cable 5 to tune to OTA 20, I can't get the CABLE to change to AIR. It won't. What else can I do to make the host use OTA 20?
Thanks for any help.

Look in the FAQ on the first page of this thread. There is a section where you can force the sony to use a host channel that you designate.

I have read many posts concerning these DVRs being orphaned in Feb 2009 by the analog cutoff. So maybe I am just kidding myself, but here goes.

This info is from the 753159852 diagnostics menu.

About the clock. On my DHG-HDD250, under Section Other-Clocks2, The Failing Clock Chan is 0:28-1 , and the Clock Set Chan is also 0:28-1 . Channel 28-1 is a PBS digital channel in Los Angeles area. This means (?) that the clock can be set from a digital station. :)

If the DVR is tuned to either 28-1 or 28-2 during a download period when I enter the diagnostics menu, and go down 9 times and right 2 times arriving at Section Reception-VBI Stats, any one of these items can be seen increasing the numbers shown: Schedule Pkts, ShowPkts, DescPkts, CastPkts. This does not happen if the tuned station is 28 (PBS analog). Also, for either either 28-1 or 28-2 during a download period , go down 3 times to Section ATSC-ATSC Slicer, and I see the entry TVG is updating (increasing). "TVG" stands for "TV Guide?" Doesn't this have to mean that TVGOS download is now coming ATSC on these digital stations? :)

The DHG-HDD250 is not an analog only receiver/recorder. It's all about HDTV, and that includes the ATSC tech spec, no? The (9012) G* test includes both VBI and ATSC, because....?

I have been as concerned as others posting here about these Sony DVR's becoming analog orphans, but may I be the first to say I think we have good news here.

My unit is working fine. It updates the TVGOS. It does closed captioning on analog and digital stations. Record and playback are fine. The component picture is great, as is the Dolby 5.1 optical audio. But the (9012) G* test reports a fail, 0 packets, for VBI, because the GemStar service is no longer using VBI.

My only uncertainty about this is that it still shows 0:0-28 as the Host Chan. Perhaps it maps that to the corresponding digital channels.

My original version of TVGOS was 08.01.42.
The current operating version is 08.06.30.


cablenest

I think you meant Feb 2009

Typo corrected. Thank you.


cablenest

I have read many posts concerning these DVRs being orphaned in Feb 2007 by the analog cutoff. So maybe I am just kidding myself, but here goes.

My only uncertainty about this is that it still shows 0:0-28 as the Host Chan. Perhaps it maps that to the corresponding digital channels.

cablenest

Much as I wish it were true, if it shows 0:0-28 as the host channel then analog 28 is where the guide data is coming from. The diagnostics screens do have a lot of ATSC stuff on them but a TVGOS engineer has been quoted as saying that the TVGOS base firmware version (the part that can't be updated) doesn't support ATSC guide data. I would guess that we have either a partial ATSC implementation (only) in the TVGOS firmware or that the hardware/firmware at the Sony end won't handle things.

On the other hand, someone here claims to have seen 59 as the host channel and to have a good Guide. 59 is the physical channel which carries the 28-1 and 28-2 virtual subchannels. I would expect the TVGOS screen to show the physical channel no. since that's what really carries the data.

I'm currently trying an experiment in which I've attempted to force the host channel to physical 59 (by being tuned to virtual 28-1 when I go through the Force Host Channel procedure). I going to leave it off overnight and I'll see what things look like tomorrow.

i'm in the southern california area as well... my sony dhg-hdd500 says updating will take 24hrs etc last night. host channel was 28-1.

i did a reset slice data last night... it went through a bunch of things... it took a few mins. it reset my clock. i powered up the unit and it put back the correct clock right away. guide data still shows wait 24hrs.

so since i reset slice data i thought i would change to channel 28-1... leave it on that channel powered off the unit and let it update overnight. woke up this morning and my guide data was back.

what exactly does this reset slice data do? is it bad for the unit?
i'll check tonight to see if i'm getting VBI feeds? how would i know if i'm getting constant feeds?

Had guide on both units this morning.
The 500 still showed 0:59-0 as host, the 250 shows 0:28-1 as host (I think).
Sorry J, the 500 has .06 firmware, the 250 has .09, neither of my units went to Sony for the .13 upgrade.

Maybe TVGOS has/is converting to a stream on the digital channel. It's very interesting that 59 is the DT channel for KCET and even more interesting that the 250 now shows the host as 0:28-1 (their digital SD channel), I don't recall if it previously showed it as 28-0, does anybody else remember?

The 500 seems to be populating the guide as normal so I will leave it alone and maybe try comparing some of the readings in the menus to see what obvious differences I can see.

If TVGOS is now embeded in the digital signal and functions on our units I'm sure there will be a very large collective sigh of relief.

Thinking about it, it would make sense to do it that way because it would be a major issue to upgrade all those recorders and TV sets purchased that had TVGOS in them. Sending in an HD-DVR for software upgrade would be one thing, sending in a rear projection TV is totally another.

Greg

My 250 showed 0:28-0 this morning with days 1, 2 and 8 populated. It'l be interesting to see what (if anything) I get tomorrow after attempting to force 59.

My appologies, it wasn't 0:28-1 it was 0:0-28, the 28-1 must have been the channel I was tuned to.

I still show 0:59-0 though as the host channel on my 500 and I'm at a loss as to why. Channel ID number is same on both receivers.

I suspect the 500 is still getting the TVGOS from the analog signal though and the host channel number is an error.

Greg

My appologies, it wasn't 0:28-1 it was 0:0-28, the 28-1 must have been the channel I was tuned to.

I still show 0:59-0 though as the host channel on my 500 and I'm at a loss as to why. Channel ID number is same on both receivers.

I suspect the 500 is still getting the TVGOS from the analog signal though and the host channel number is an error.

Greg

You guys are confusing the hell out of me!

The way that the channel numbers are formatted in the 753... menu is as follows:

0:0-35 is my host channel (in West Michigan). This is OTA analog channel 35. If this said 1:0-35, then cable channel 35 would be my host.

Digital OTA channels appear as 0:3-1 (which would be digital channel 3-1 (or 3.1 if you use the period separator).

Cable channels appear like the analog channels (1:0-783) even if 783 is a digital channel. I have a cablecard in my machine, but if I didn't have one, would a digital subchannel like 104-2 show up as (1:104-2)?

What I really don't understand is the reference to 0:59-0 as a host. This would be an OTA channel - 59-0 (or 59.0). I didn't think that "0" was a legal subchannel identifier. Are you saying that UHF channel 59 is the carrier for digital channel 28?

Please help me clarify this!

So you scan without the cable card? I did a user reset with the Cable card in and it did scan, but only seemed to scanned my antenna and not my cable connection. After the scan is done, it then asks for my zip code and whether I had a cable connection and I said yes. Now its at the wait 24 hrs period. This was last night, I checked this morning and still no clock and no guide.


That's correct. It would not let me scan with the cablecard in, a message said something about unable to scan with a cablecard. So I did it without the card and it still found all my channels, then I poped back in the cable card and it sais wait while data is acquired from card and then within a few seconds says to click ok and shows it finds all my channels for my card.

So far everything has been working excellent, last night I had guide for everything except a few HD channels like Starz HD, HBO HD and INHD and HD Discovery. But tonight when I got home I checked it and there all showing guide data now so I have it for all my channels just like before. I'm falling back in LOVE with this Sony HD DVR. It's a love/hate relationship. :D

Now if I could only get Comcast to get Universal HD and Comcast also took away my INHD 2, I have INHD 1 but they took away the 2 and I miss that.

I unplugged it for about twenty minutes while putting a UPS in place. When it got power, it found the time in a about 5 minutes. Now both clock channels are 0:0-28. I ran the G* test on 28, and it passes the VBI now. Huh. I can see it update Starts, Ends, Type B and Type C in Section Reception-Slicing, but only bFirsts and bPkts increase in Section Reception-VBI Stats -- all on chan 28. 28-1 showed no updating values. Whatever it was doing before, its seems to have stopped.

spiff72

I understand your confusion, I'm confused as well.

When we lost TVGOS in Los Angeles over the TksGvg w/e I was trying to see what was going on and inadvertently reset the TVGOS on my 500. At the time both my 250 and 500 had lost TVGOS and were displaying the updating message.

My 500 came back to life a day sooner than my 250 (which I didn't reset)

I only use OTA and when I look at the Host Channel info on my 500 it says 0:59-0, the 250 however says 0:0-28 On both machines the host ID # is 0x131 which I assume equates to KCET in Los Angeles, so it appears the 500 is not getting the TVGOS from any other station.

Channel 95 happens to be the "actual" FCC channel number for KCET-DT , info can be seen on antennaweb.org.

So the real question is, "am I getting TVGOS from the KCET-DT transmission or from the analog KCET transmission on my 500"? If it's from the KCET-DT tx frequency then could they be sending TVGOS as part of the digital stream or maybe they have a narrowband (low data rate) analog pilot signal that is is carrying the TVGOS? This may be one way to meet the bandwidth requirements and to shift the analog TVGOS from the current lower frequency but maintain TVGOS for all those older receivers.

This is just speculation on my part though, but the 8VSB modulation signal is not dissimilar to the old NTSC analog signal and it requires a pilot signal with a timing pulse so that your receiver will know exactly when to decode the "digital" part of the signal for display.

Greg.

i am moving out from my roommate's place where we currently pay $212 a month for comcast. (internet and tv) He's wanting to save some money after I am gone, and pretty much just watches the HD locals and basic cable channels. He's planning on keeping the cable internet service but cancelling the TV service. Since they have to send a signal to the house we're under the impression he'll still get basic service, and the HD locals. Would this box be good for that? I found one for $260. Am wondering if it's worth the $260 or if I should look for a different QAM DVR.

It works fine with my Time Warner "connection." I get all the local broadcasts networks that they carry in HD (don't carry the CW yet) with the built in QAM tuner with no problems.

You guys are confusing the hell out of me!


What I really don't understand is the reference to 0:59-0 as a host. This would be an OTA channel - 59-0 (or 59.0). I didn't think that "0" was a legal subchannel identifier. Are you saying that UHF channel 59 is the carrier for digital channel 28?

Please help me clarify this!

Yes, physical channel 59 is the carrier for the KCET digital sub-channels 28-1 and 28-2. Physical channel 28 carries the KCET analog broadcast.

Do you mean tune to the cable 90.5 or ant? I am able to tune to antenna sub channels but haven't tried cable sub channels.

I mean Cable 90.5
I would think its a given that the OTA subchannels would be tunable since they are on a different input. Once you install a cablecard, I am wondering if the ability to directly tune to specific CABLE sub-channels is lost.
If you don't mind, please try this and let us know,
Thanks!

I mean Cable 90.5
I would think its a given that the OTA subchannels would be tunable since they are on a different input. Once you install a cablecard, I am wondering if the ability to directly tune to specific CABLE sub-channels is lost.
If you don't mind, please try this and let us know,
Thanks!

You cannot tune to cable subchannels when a cablecard is installed and provisioned properly. Part of its job is to translate these subchannels into the channel assignments determined by your cable provider. Example: 90.5 might be mapped to channel 120...

A couple questions I'm hoping someone might be able to help me with....

A couple weeks ago my CableCard seemed to stop working. This really wasn't a big surprise as I have encountered the 161-6 error several times before in the past. My unit has not been sent to Sony to have the electrical mod done to fix this issue. So, like I've done previously, I did the Guide/Exit soft reset but this time my CableCard was still not working. So I then started doing other tricks to try to get my unit working again. First tried unplugging it and plugging it back in. Then popped out the CableCard and plugged it back in (which also has fixed the 161-6 error for me in the past but unfortunately resets the guide info and channel listings). Popping out/in the CableCard immediately gives me a 161-2 error (different than 161-6). I've tried this probably 15 times or more and it happens every time. Previously, with the 161-6 issue popping the card always seemed to fix it, at least for a while. Lastly, I did a full system reset via the service menu and still no luck. So....long story short, I believe I'm dealing with a separate issue and my best guess is that the CableCard has gone bad. I know I really should send the unit off for the electrical mod (I just can't seem to part with it for several weeks and so far have preferred slight unreliability over not having it at all for a while). I looked at the guide linked on the first post of this thread and it does state that the 161-2 error usually indicates bad CableCard. I'm thinking I will call TW and arrange a service appointment, but I wanted to check here if it is "normal" for a CableCard that's been working fine for 6 months or so to suddenly go bad.

My other question is if anyone has sent their unit off to Sony for the electrical mod after their warranty expired.....I'm curious what kind of cost I'm looking at.

Thanks!

That's correct. It would not let me scan with the cablecard in, a message said something about unable to scan with a cablecard. So I did it without the card and it still found all my channels, then I poped back in the cable card and it sais wait while data is acquired from card and then within a few seconds says to click ok and shows it finds all my channels for my card.



I did a reset to factory last night and ran everything thru the setup again without the cable card, scan antenna and cable channels, found all the channels, got my clock but still no guide data. I check the host channel and it says 1-28, which is the cable channel PBS here for LA area. how come it didn't use the antenna channel 28 like it was before I had cable tv? I want the sony to use antenna channel 28 to receive the guide. Is that even possible?

The host channel in the 753159852 service menu is NOT necessarily your actual host channel. It is the host channel found by the unit during your last zip code setup. In my case 1:0-13 (Cable 13).

If you change the channel allocated to that station in the TVGOS Channel List, it will change your actual host station & channel - BUT the host channel in the service menu WILL NOT CHANGE..and the host station in the TVGOS Channel List will not change.

In my case, if I change "CFTO Cable" from 13 to 35 - it will start to use Cable 35 as a host channel (WNED) even though the service menu still has 1:0-13 ... NOT 1:0-35. The unit remembers that CFTO is the host station (thus the "Host ID" line in the service menu)..not that Cable 13 is the host channel. The unit searches both CFTO Cable and CFTO Air for valid TVGOS data on the channels that YOU happen to assign to those stations. If I could pick up KXYZ Anchorage on channel 69 and put 69 for my CFTO Air channel, I would get TVGOS data from Anchorage. The service menu host channel would still read 1:0-13.

If someone wants to check out if the unit will decode ATSC TVGOS... then try setting the Cable version of your host station in the TVGOS Channel List to a non-sensical channel..and set your Air version to an over-the-air ATSC version of your host station. I haven't tried this yet but will try tonight with CFTO-DT 9.1 (PTC 40) Toronto or WNED-DT 43.1 Buffalo (PTC 43). (Of course you need an antenna hooked up and have a good signal). Could also try this with QAM on Cable to see if QAM carries useful TVGOS.

Cablecard discussion- I read that Sony lowered their price to do the upgrade.
How can I tell iof my .13 firmware model is upgraded?

I also have cablecard issues, they work for a while and then they can not tune in the encrypted HD channels. I blame TW, I have a 4th service call Friday.
I'm about to quit cablecard. My machines work fine otherwise and no errors. The machine having cc issues is a .13 firmware, it was working fine then stopped tuning in the encrypted HD channels, got a 2nd cc installed, same problem,
My other HDD500 is working fine with cc and encrypted HD channels tune in but they do not show up in TVGOS, it's a .6 firmware.

Plus the fact that my local TW puts all HD above # 1500 and I can not get titling for most all the digital HD channels I just added. and since they are 4 digit I can not renumber some of the channels I do get that have lisitngs, make sense?

Anyway, with my local TW, cablecard for encrypted HD channels is not user friendly with the HDD500.

If you are a Comcast customer and aren't getting guide data, you might check with them to see if they are planning to move to an all digital system.

I am in Muncie, Indiana. I currently have two DHGs. The one in my living room has both cable and ota connected. The one in my bedroom only has cable connected to it. About three weeks ago the bedroom DHG lost the TVGOS listings. I didn't think much of it at the time until I lost the listings on the living room for one day due to my cat moving the antenna.

Since I want to record something tomorrow (CSI) from the missed day I thought to call Comcast. Their customer service woman was very nice and promised to have some one check into the loss of the listings. She also said "You know that we are switching to an all digital service after the first of the year and that might be why you aren't getting the listings."

:eek:

I have not seen any notification whatsoever about the switch to an all digital service. I pay online and haven't actually opened a bill for a few months. Comcast in my area isn't the best at keeping customers informed. If I hadn't called, I could have seen myself calling on the cutoff date because my cable wasn't working.

I know all I need to do is run the antenna to the bedroom DHG to get it working. I also know many people still use VCRs that may not have the ability to change the STB for recording. Would it be cynical of me to believe this is a ploy to force renting DVRs from them rather than a market necessity?

If someone wants to check out if the unit will decode ATSC TVGOS... then try setting the Cable version of your host station in the TVGOS Channel List to a non-sensical channel..and set your Air version to an over-the-air ATSC version of your host station.

Just because a station carries TVGOS on it's analog channel doesn't mean it carries TVGOS on it's ATSC feed (my local PBS is one example). The only way to test if the Sony can use an ATSC feed is to have someone prove that the ATSC channel contains TVGOS info.

Has anyone ever proven that *any* ATSC channel currently carries TVGOS info?

Despite all the issues with my current HDD250 (and there are plenty, including turning off randomly, guide channels re-arranging themselves, recordings not happening, etc), I am in love with it again after getting cable and a CC. I have stacked up quite a number of movies (most unwatched as of yet) and my disk is getting full. Also, my Mom just got a plasma and I was thinking of getting one as a gift for her. But I just won't pay the inflated ebay prices for something that will be a doorstop in two years. So can anyone tell me (via PM if it makes you more comfortable) how much Sony Style is selling these for? They would not tell me over the phone...

Darren

Despite all the issues with my current HDD250 (and there are plenty, including turning off randomly, guide channels re-arranging themselves, recordings not happening, etc), I am in love with it again after getting cable and a CC. I have stacked up quite a number of movies (most unwatched as of yet) and my disk is getting full. Also, my Mom just got a plasma and I was thinking of getting one as a gift for her. But I just won't pay the inflated ebay prices for something that will be a doorstop in two years. So can anyone tell me (via PM if it makes you more comfortable) how much Sony Style is selling these for? They would not tell me over the phone...

Darren

299.99$ US

299.99$ US

Thanks! It may be worth the 3 hour drive. I paid amost $500 for mine at BB.

Darren

If you are a Comcast customer and aren't getting guide data, you might check with them to see if they are planning to move to an all digital system.

I am in Muncie, Indiana. I currently have two DHGs. The one in my living room has both cable and ota connected. The one in my bedroom only has cable connected to it. About three weeks ago the bedroom DHG lost the TVGOS listings. I didn't think much of it at the time until I lost the listings on the living room for one day due to my cat moving the antenna.

Since I want to record something tomorrow (CSI) from the missed day I thought to call Comcast. Their customer service woman was very nice and promised to have some one check into the loss of the listings. She also said "You know that we are switching to an all digital service after the first of the year and that might be why you aren't getting the listings."

:eek:

I have not seen any notification whatsoever about the switch to an all digital service. I pay online and haven't actually opened a bill for a few months. Comcast in my area isn't the best at keeping customers informed. If I hadn't called, I could have seen myself calling on the cutoff date because my cable wasn't working.

I know all I need to do is run the antenna to the bedroom DHG to get it working. I also know many people still use VCRs that may not have the ability to change the STB for recording. Would it be cynical of me to believe this is a ploy to force renting DVRs from them rather than a market necessity?

The switch to digital is being driven by the need for more space. They can cram more compressed digital channels into the space required for one analog channel. Your picture will suffer however in the form of reduced contrast, muted colors etc.

Thanks! It may be worth the 3 hour drive. I paid amost $500 for mine at BB.

Darren

Let me clarify, that's what I paid for a refurbished unit Be sure and check the unit out for accessories, cosmetic defects, and most important, the warranty seal. They had one that had the seal removed, effectively voiding your warranty immediately.

There was a discussion about about product from 2nd Turn. I noticed they also have some non-functional 250's for sale. Has anyone tried taking the hard drive from a 250 and putting it (i.e. an already sony-formatted drive) and putting it in a 250 to make a 500? I know someone tried to just add a drive, but has anyone tried adding a drive from another sony to see if it would work? For $50-$60 for the dead unit (it says it won't power up) it might be worth it....

Darren

Let me clarify, that's what I paid for a refurbished unit Be sure and check the unit out for accessories, cosmetic defects, and most important, the warranty seal. They had one that had the seal removed, effectively voiding your warranty immediately.

I would think that if you bought it at the Sony Store it would be covered by their limited warranty. Plus I understand you can buy the extended warranty for two years for $25, which is so reasonable I would do it.

Darren

I would think that if you bought it at the Sony Store it would be covered by their limited warranty. Plus I understand you can buy the extended warranty for two years for $25, which is so reasonable I would do it.

Darren

It is covered by their limited warranty. As long as the warranty sticker is intact. The service centers have no way of knowing why it's gone.

Let me clarify, that's what I paid for a refurbished unit Be sure and check the unit out for accessories, cosmetic defects, and most important, the warranty seal. They had one that had the seal removed, effectively voiding your warranty immediately.

You need to know this did not come from sony style, it came from one of the sony outlet stores selling refurbed units. I wasn't aware sony was even selling new units.

You need to know this did not come from sony style, it came from one of the sony outlet stores selling refurbed units. I wasn't aware sony was even selling new units.

Sorry I was not clear. Yes this unit is at a Sony Outlet. There was a previous poster who indicated that refurbed did not equal used, but could also be B-Stock, returns of unopened new units from retailers, overstock, etc. Obviously I would pick the best unit if they have several.

Has anyone tried taking the hard drive from a 250 and putting it (i.e. an already sony-formatted drive) and putting it in a 250 to make a 500? I know someone tried to just add a drive, but has anyone tried adding a drive from another sony to see if it would work?

I'll be trying some things along these lines over the next few days, moving drives between a 250 and a 500 as well as reimaging a spare drive. The issue I'm expecting to run into is that any replacement or added drive will need to be blessed in the NVRAM. The front panel service menu with its Wipe Unit operation *might* be able to solve that problem - I don't think anyone's tried it yet.

I'll be trying some things along these lines over the next few days, moving drives between a 250 and a 500 as well as reimaging a spare drive. The issue I'm expecting to run into is that any replacement or added drive will need to be blessed in the NVRAM. The front panel service menu with its Wipe Unit operation *might* be able to solve that problem - I don't think anyone's tried it yet.

I am intruged by the concept of "imaging" the drive. If I recall the earlier poster said that the serial number of the drive is somehow embedded in the NVRAM, thus not allowing you to put in a different drive. If you image a drive (most new harddrives come with the software) you are essentially making an *exact* copy of the original drive. Would the NVRAM still be able to distinguish? I am afraid I don't really know enough about HDD technology to know if there would still remain drive sectors with the original drive info (i.e. drive serial #?). Otherwise you could just image a 250 to lets say a 500 aftermarket drive and it should work. I don;t recall whether the previous experimentor had tried that, it was a years worth of posts ago (or so it seems).

Darren

I am intruged by the concept of "imaging" the drive. If I recall the earlier poster said that the serial number of the drive is somehow embedded in the NVRAM, thus not allowing you to put in a different drive. If you image a drive (most new harddrives come with the software) you are essentially making an *exact* copy of the original drive. Would the NVRAM still be able to distinguish? I am afraid I don't really know enough about HDD technology to know if there would still remain drive sectors with the original drive info (i.e. drive serial #?). Otherwise you could just image a 250 to lets say a 500 aftermarket drive and it should work. I don;t recall whether the previous experimentor had tried that, it was a years worth of posts ago (or so it seems).

Darren

I don't think the serial number is saved on the magnetic media in the drive. It is stored in the firmware/hardware of the drive.

I bought 3 of the 500s at the Sony Outlet a month ago. 2 were new, unused in original boxes. One was a refurb in a plain refurb box with all accessories too, but repackaged. All worked fine.

I also know many people still use VCRs
VCR? Whats a VCR? :D

Just because a station carries TVGOS on it's analog channel doesn't mean it carries TVGOS on it's ATSC feed (my local PBS is one example). The only way to test if the Sony can use an ATSC feed is to have someone prove that the ATSC channel contains TVGOS info.

Has anyone ever proven that *any* ATSC channel currently carries TVGOS info?

I too doubt I'll get anything from ATSC stations. If I get nothing it won't prove a thing. If I do get something (again very doubtful) - then that would prove ATSC compatibility and also that the local PBS is also sending TVGOS via ATSC. Never know for sure unless you try. Will post the result tomorrow.

I too doubt I'll get anything from ATSC stations. If I get nothing it won't prove a thing. If I do get something (again very doubtful) - then that would prove ATSC compatibility and also that the local PBS is also sending TVGOS via ATSC. Never know for sure unless you try. Will post the result tomorrow.

I still have serious doubts...

I am guessing that it is safe to say that there are no stations putting the TVGOS data in their ATSC broadcast. The equipment that they use for inserting the data in the analog broadcasts would likely need to be upgraded (either hardware or software) to handle ATSC data. I haven't seen one of these devices, but from what I hear - it is basically a headless computer (with no monitor).

The fact that some people see 0:59-0 as their host channel doesn't make any sense either. I would assume that it should read either 59-1 or 59-2 if it really was the host. I think these numbers are a glitch or there is some strange mapping going on in their channel editor.

I did a reset to factory last night and ran everything thru the setup again without the cable card, scan antenna and cable channels, found all the channels, got my clock but still no guide data. I check the host channel and it says 1-28, which is the cable channel PBS here for LA area. how come it didn't use the antenna channel 28 like it was before I had cable tv? I want the sony to use antenna channel 28 to receive the guide. Is that even possible?

My two recorders are connected to both cable and ota, and get guide data from channel 28 ota. If it is receiving guide data on cable, it must be on the cable channel for channel 28. My cable company, TW, carries it on channel 3 but my sets have been unable to use it. The sure way to get the guide from ota is to disconnect the cable line when the set is in standby, until the set locks on to that channel, which may take several days.

Ray

I'd sure like to know if anyone here get there tv guide listings over a digital channel too, but I seriously doubt it.

When I spoke to TV Guide on the phone to ask what host station for my area is broadcasting the tv guide signal, he told me that it was my local PBS station Ch 17, he also said that it is only through this analog ch that the tv guide signal can be picked up. He told me that it won't work through a digital (qam) ch. That is when I told him that Comcast tech guy came to my house to replace my cablecard (which really didn't need to be replaced in the first place) but the Comcast guy said that in my area they are converting the "signal" on all the analog stations to a digital signal (for customers that have digital cable) that is me. Comcast told me they started doing it about 2/3 weeks before they came to replace my cablecard and I knew then that this was around the exact time that I lost my guide data.

So now I have had to use OTA and cable scan to pick back up the analog signal for my Ch17, since then I have had new guide data each day. It's been a huge headache through all this but at least I know what is going on now. I assume there will be more and more people here as their cable co starts converting from analog to digital and cable co's DO NOT let their customer know what they are doing.

OF Course going from analog to digital is a good thing, better picture is readily apparent just why do they have to mess with the "host channel". :rolleyes:

VCR? Whats a VCR? :D

It was a Sony device that was used to record ota and cable channels. While it was technologically superior than competitive devices, it was priced higher than the market would support. This resulted in an early demise of the device.

Sounds eerily similar to the fate of our precious DHGs.....

The fact that some people see 0:59-0 as their host channel doesn't make any sense either. I would assume that it should read either 59-1 or 59-2 if it really was the host.
The transport stream of channel 59 may contain TVGOS packets, but I don't see any reason why those packets would need to be associated with a particular subchannel. Hypothetically, the transport stream may contain TVGOS packets even if there were no subchannels.

VCR? Whats a VCR?

An ancient device from the last millennium used to keep track of historical events, or at least someone's idea of history (just like parchment, quill pens and monks, but with moving pictures and real sound).

Although if you flip through the pages quickly in the ancient texts from two millennium ago (after they switched from rolls to books) you can see movement in the pictures. This technique with plastic film rolls and chemical emulsions was used to project pictures with a light bulb and lenses in the last millennium as well.

The ability to see moving pictures probably was the primary motivation for the invention of the bound book versus the use of scrolls (film movies were a throwback made possible by the invention of the wheel). Audio came much later, little symbols used to represent sounds were used instead. :rolleyes:

As suspected, changing the channel numbers in the TVGOS Channel List to their digital versions (ATSC for Air and QAM for Cable) resulted in no update last night.

VCR? Whats a VCR? :D
A VCR uses removable media (cassette tape) for recording/playback, whereas the Sony DVR uses non-removable media (internal hard drive). Some VCR models (W-VHS and D-VHS) can even support HDTV. :)

the Comcast guy said that in my area they are converting the "signal" on all the analog stations to a digital signal (for customers that have digital cable) that is me.

That's called ADS. But it's for all customers. There is only one stream on the cable wire. For example, CNN might be on ch35 (analog) and ch110-1 (digital). Depending on your tuner, you can receive it on ch35 (analog), ch35 (digital) or ch110-1 (digital)

When Comcast sells you "digital cable", that just means you get a different box than your neighbor on "analog cable". Both analog and digital signals are on the wire.

That's called ADS. But it's for all customers. There is only one stream on the cable wire. For example, CNN might be on ch35 (analog) and ch110-1 (digital). Depending on your tuner, you can receive it on ch35 (analog), ch35 (digital) or ch110-1 (digital)

When Comcast sells you "digital cable", that just means you get a different box than your neighbor on "analog cable". Both analog and digital signals are on the wire.

So someone with an older analog "cable ready" TV wouldn't be able to use it without a cable box??

The host channel in the 753159852 service menu is NOT necessarily your actual host channel. It is the host channel found by the unit during your last zip code setup. In my case 1:0-13 (Cable 13).

If you change the channel allocated to that station in the TVGOS Channel List, it will change your actual host station & channel - BUT the host channel in the service menu WILL NOT CHANGE..and the host station in the TVGOS Channel List will not change.

In my case, if I change "CFTO Cable" from 13 to 35 - it will start to use Cable 35 as a host channel (WNED) even though the service menu still has 1:0-13 ... NOT 1:0-35. The unit remembers that CFTO is the host station (thus the "Host ID" line in the service menu)..not that Cable 13 is the host channel. The unit searches both CFTO Cable and CFTO Air for valid TVGOS data on the channels that YOU happen to assign to those stations. If I could pick up KXYZ Anchorage on channel 69 and put 69 for my CFTO Air channel, I would get TVGOS data from Anchorage. The service menu host channel would still read 1:0-13.

If someone wants to check out if the unit will decode ATSC TVGOS... then try setting the Cable version of your host station in the TVGOS Channel List to a non-sensical channel..and set your Air version to an over-the-air ATSC version of your host station. I haven't tried this yet but will try tonight with CFTO-DT 9.1 (PTC 40) Toronto or WNED-DT 43.1 Buffalo (PTC 43). (Of course you need an antenna hooked up and have a good signal). Could also try this with QAM on Cable to see if QAM carries useful TVGOS.


Just because a station carries TVGOS on it's analog channel doesn't mean it carries TVGOS on it's ATSC feed (my local PBS is one example). The only way to test if the Sony can use an ATSC feed is to have someone prove that the ATSC channel contains TVGOS info.

Has anyone ever proven that *any* ATSC channel currently carries TVGOS info?


I use only OTA.

As I mentioned in my just previous post, after disconnecting power to install a UPS, the behavior of the DVR went back to "normal" -- both clock channels were 0:0-28, VBI was passing on chan 28 (this is KCET PBS in Los Angeles). Overnight TVGOS downloaded.

So after reading the above posts, I changed the channel number for KCET 28 to 28-2, then disconnected, and reconnected, line power. The values for Failing Clock Chan and the Clock Set Chan were both still 0:0-28. I had wanted to do this all along because 28-2 is not in the channel listings, and 28 and 28-2 have the same programming, one analog, one digital (28-1 has its own listing and usually different programming).

Overnight the TVGOS was successful. The eighth day, next thursday, is there. The clock values in the service/diagnostics menu are: Failing Clock Chan is still 0:0-28 , and the Clock Set Chan is 0:28-2.

So is this "proof"? The host channel is still 0:0-28.

So someone with an older analog "cable ready" TV wouldn't be able to use it without a cable box??

Analog is still there. The vast majority of users have only analog equipment.

Update on hard drive experiments:

These DVRs do not boot from the hard drive. They boot from a 32 MB DiskOnChip flash drive on the mainboard. Changing the firmware image stored on disk does not result in the DVR running that firmware unless you instruct the DVR to rewrite the flash from disk. This can be done through the front panel service menu. I've updated my unit from 1.02.05 to 1.2.13 this way. For most people, upgrading using a USB thumb drive will be much easier, but I could never get this to work in firmware 1.02.05.

The DVR will halt the boot process with an error code if a cloned hard drive (same make and model, bit-for-bit the same image) is connected in place of the original or added as a second drive. Until we can learn how to bless hard drives, replacing or upgrading disks is not possible without sending the DVR to Pittsburgh. I don't have any intention of pulling video content off the disks, but I can tell you that it appears to be stored in an encrypted xfs partition. My focus is on being able to expand the capacity of my DVR and replace drives when they inevitably fail.

The DVR will start up and work just fine as a tuner if no hard drive is connected, after displaying an error suggesting that you contact Sony for service.

Some of the parts used on the mainboard were end-of-lifed in early 2005. This may have been a factor in Sony's decision to discontinue production (though generally only software changes would have been required to integrate the replacements.)

So after doing a full reset to factory and dislodging the Cablce card when I did auto setup, it scanned both Antenna and Cable for Analog and digital channels, found them all and preceeded to receive guide data.

Lo and Behold, the next day, I get guide data and the host channel is 1:0-28, which is the cable channle PBS here in LA. I inserted the Cable card and now its onto the guide will update in 24 hours and no host channel. I will check tonight to see if any guide data shows up.

Update on hard drive experiments:

These DVRs do not boot from the hard drive. They boot from a 32 MB DiskOnChip flash drive on the mainboard. Changing the firmware image stored on disk does not result in the DVR running that firmware unless you instruct the DVR to rewrite the flash from disk. This can be done through the front panel service menu. I've updated my unit from 1.02.05 to 1.2.13 this way. For most people, upgrading using a USB thumb drive will be much easier, but I could never get this to work in firmware 1.02.05.


Mark - Thanks for all of your efforts in this area. Makes sense that we would want to be able to replace the HDDs when they (ultimately) fail.

I don't understand how you did the firmware update to .13. Do you mean to say that the .13 firmware is already located on the disk of our DVRs and it just requires a service menu update to "activate" it? I have 3 of these (1 500, 2 250s) with FWs .05 and .06.

In response to a support request, one of my coworkers received a USB thumb drive from Sony containing the files for 1.2.13. His unit successfully updated from that thumb drive (just insert the drive while the unit is turned on and idle), but mine would not. We did take the thumb drive to Sears and successfully updated their DHG-HDD250s for them, so the files don't seem to be tied to a particular serial number. That leads me to believe that version 1.2.05 can't be updated via USB but later versions can.

In response to a support request, one of my coworkers received a USB thumb drive from Sony containing the files for 1.2.13. His unit successfully updated from that thumb drive (just insert the drive while the unit is turned on and idle), but mine would not. We did take the thumb drive to Sears and successfully updated their DHG-HDD250s for them, so the files don't seem to be tied to a particular serial number. That leads me to believe that version 1.2.05 can't be updated via USB but later versions can.

OK, so you had to insert the thumb drive in your machine and then do the front panel routine as a second step?

What are the "fixes" for the newer firmware? Is there a place to see the list?

Is there a place to put an image of the thumbdrive so that others may update their firmware (at their own risk, of course)

No, I had to manually place the .13 files on the hard drive using a separate PC running Linux. The front panel Clear NVM procedure appears to make the DVR want to reflash itself on next startup, causing it to read the new firmware files, verify the digital signature and write them to flash memory. But there is some detail I missed, because after updating, although 1.2.13 is displayed on the front panel at startup, it ISN'T correctly displayed in the onscreen UI (the numbers there are garbage). For that reason, I wouldn't recommend that anyone else try this approach just yet. Other than that, the DVR seems to be functioning OK after the update.

VCR? Whats a VCR? :D

A VCR is a device with ease-of-use and reliability that has not yet been equaled by manufacturers of DVD recorders and HDD-DVD recorders.

I wish it were otherwise. One day it will be, I'm confident.

So after doing a full reset to factory and dislodging the Cablce card when I did auto setup, it scanned both Antenna and Cable for Analog and digital channels, found them all and preceeded to receive guide data.

Lo and Behold, the next day, I get guide data and the host channel is 1:0-28, which is the cable channle PBS here in LA. I inserted the Cable card and now its onto the guide will update in 24 hours and no host channel. I will check tonight to see if any guide data shows up.


Keep us updated I'd like to see what happens to your host once you inserted the cablecard.

I did the same as you, after I re-inserted the cablecard after scanning both OTA and cable, my host is showing 0:0-17 (OTA analog PBS Ch 17). This seems to be the only way I am going to get guide data. It seems that when I insert the cablecard and don't use OTA scan the DVR cannot find a host on the cablecard because everything on the cablecard is provisioned for digital.

Everynight I come home from work I go into the guide and check to see if I am getting guide data for the next day and all seems to be working great, in fact 2 more days and I will have full complete listings all across the board.

I did the same as you, after I re-inserted the cablecard after scanning both OTA and cable, my host is showing 0:0-17 (OTA analog PBS Ch 17). This seems to be the only way I am going to get guide data. It seems that when I insert the cablecard and don't use OTA scan the DVR cannot find a host on the cablecard because everything on the cablecard is provisioned for digital.

Glad it's finally working for you.

But why don't you get what so many people have been trying to tell you? Comcast has a mandate to furnish a single analog channel for the sole purpose of allowing you to receive TVGOS guide data when they switch you to ADS. They have written agreements with TVGOS. If you are not getting that analog cable channel, then Comcast is screwing you. Someone in your area or at your particular cable headend is not doing his job.

Keep us updated I'd like to see what happens to your host once you inserted the cablecard.


I finally received guide data today when I came back home and checked the sony 500. Checked the host channel and it is showing 1:0-28 which is the cable analog PBS, it didn't seem to take the antenna PBS, but I don't care, I'm just happy to get guide data! I will continue to monitor the guide data.

However, it does not get guide data for all the channels, i.e. HBOHD and INHD2 does not show up in the guide, though I can tune it to it perfectly, is anyone else having this issue?

Also, I want to thank everyone on this forum for the help, the information here is priceless.

Glad it's finally working for you.

But why don't you get what so many people have been trying to tell you? Comcast has a mandate to furnish a single analog channel for the sole purpose of allowing you to receive TVGOS guide data when they switch you to ADS. They have written agreements with TVGOS. If you are not getting that analog cable channel, then Comcast is screwing you. Someone in your area or at your particular cable headend is not doing his job.


Yes, Phil, trust me I totally understand what you and others here have been telling me all along. I get it. The problem is trying to get Comcast to "get it" I can't tell you how many hours of my time I have spent trying to "get them" to "get it" Yes I've even gone to supervisors and they all tell me the same thing, if you have a cablecard then you can't get the tv guide. Well then why did I have it for 9 months and then all of a sudden I stopped getting it, they said and I quote well..consider your lucky that you had it" At that point I just gave up, I'm sorry.

I'm not going to go on and on cause I've writing about it enough here but my time is too important to me to waste on people that either don't understand or can't get me in contact with someone who does understand. They only real help I got was from the TV Guide toll free # and of course you kind folks here. :)

I finally received guide data today when I came back home and checked the sony 500. Checked the host channel and it is showing 1:0-28 which is the cable analog PBS, it didn't seem to take the antenna PBS, but I don't care, I'm just happy to get guide data! I will continue to monitor the guide data.

However, it does not get guide data for all the channels, i.e. HBOHD and INHD2 does not show up in the guide, though I can tune it to it perfectly, is anyone else having this issue?

Also, I want to thank everyone on this forum for the help, the information here is priceless.


Great to hear, give it some more time cause I didn't have data the first day or two for some channels too like HBO and Starz and INHD 1.

Well if your host is showing cable PBS that would make sense if that station is an analog station. You can check the Diagonstics screen for that cable channel and see if it is a analog channel or a digital one.

For me, my problem is with my cablecard my host channel signal is being converted by Comcast from analog to ditigal so with a cablecard I will never get guide data because the Sony won't find my host because of the signal conversion. I'm just glad OTA is working for me, it took me awhile to figure out how to do it and set up the DVR for OTA since I never had to do it that way before.

Mark:

Interesting:

Someone here appears to have had success replacing the hard drive
on an RDR-HX900.
Replace Hard disk in RDR-HX900 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8938476&&#post8938476)

Granted, it is a combo DVD/HDD unit, but still, it makes me think that
you will eventually have success.



Shplad


Update on hard drive experiments:
Until we can learn how to bless hard drives, replacing or upgrading disks is not possible without sending the DVR to Pittsburgh.

I finally received guide data today when I came back home and checked the sony 500. Checked the host channel and it is showing 1:0-28 which is the cable analog PBS, it didn't seem to take the antenna PBS, but I don't care, I'm just happy to get guide data! I will continue to monitor the guide data.

However, it does not get guide data for all the channels, i.e. HBOHD and INHD2 does not show up in the guide, though I can tune it to it perfectly, is anyone else having this issue?

Also, I want to thank everyone on this forum for the help, the information here is priceless.

Sounds like it's working the way it's supposed to. From my experience if you tell it you have cable, it'll default to using the cable feed for the host channel.

As far as not seeing HBOHD, etc in the listings, have you gone into TV Guide->Setup->Channel display and turned them on? I know I had to activate a bunch of channels since they were by default "off."


Mitch

Is there a place to put an image of the thumbdrive so that others may update their firmware (at their own risk, of course)

I too would be very interested in (and very much appreciate) a downloadable image so that I can upgrade my 1.2.06 machine.

I also do not get any encrypted HD channels I pay for in the TVguide, HBOHD, DiscHD, TNTHD, UnivHD. They are turned on and tunable and recordable. I can not reassign the SD channel guide listings to the HD channels because they are numbered above 1500 (4 digits!!). It's too bad, all these HD recordings are titled UNKNOWN.

Also, my cableco is coming out for the 4th time to try to get my other cablecarded HDD500 to tune into these encrypted HD channels. It was working for a while and then these channels would freeze when I tuned into them. Now it is just blank. They put in another cablecard, exactly the same. It's a firmware .13 and has never had any onscreen error prompts, and works fine otherwise with the other cablecard tuned digital channels. hmm.

I have a 3rd HDD500 I may try and get them to set up and see if it is my machine.
Otherwise, I unfortunately will have to give up on cablecard in at least one of my machines.

My wife recorded Criminal Minds this week and noticed something interesting: the advance and replay functions were disabled. Pressing either of them caused the show to start playing from the very beginning again. Fast-forward and rewind did work. Haven't seen this problem on any other shows so far.

My wife recorded Criminal Minds this week and noticed something interesting: the advance and replay functions were disabled. Pressing either of them caused the show to start playing from the very beginning again. Fast-forward and rewind did work. Haven't seen this problem on any other shows so far.

I, too, recorded Criminal Minds this week but had no issues with the advance function (I did not use the replay function). I have my advance set to 30 seconds for commercial zapping. Perhaps this was some regional thing?

My wife recorded Criminal Minds this week and noticed something interesting: the advance and replay functions were disabled. Pressing either of them caused the show to start playing from the very beginning again. Fast-forward and rewind did work. Haven't seen this problem on any other shows so far.
I had a similar problem on two occasions. Those buttons did not work, but I don't think it jumped to the very beginning.

The first time it happened was on an NBA basketball game. I recorded the first 3 quarters as one recording, and then I recorded the 4th quarter (and the movie right after it) as another recording. The first recording had the problem, but the second recording was fine.

As far as not seeing HBOHD, etc in the listings, have you gone into TV Guide->Setup->Channel display and turned them on? I know I had to activate a bunch of channels since they were by default "off."


Mitch

I check the channle editor for HBOHD and there is no listing for it. I am wondering can I manually add a listing in channle editor to tune to channel 961 and say its HBOHD, will it receive HBDHD guide data or just show "no listing"?

I check the channle editor for HBOHD and there is no listing for it. I am wondering can I manually add a listing in channle editor to tune to channel 961 and say its HBOHD, will it receive HBDHD guide data or just show "no listing"?
If there's a listing for HBO (the non-HD channel), then you can use the channel editor to change HBO to channel 961. That way, when you record a show in the HBO listings, it actually records on channel 961.

I'd sure like to know if anyone here get there tv guide listings over a digital channel too, but I seriously doubt it.

I have two HDD-500's, one with a cablecard. I have Charter cable and also use OTA. I was having trouble with the guide updating so I changed the zip code on the unit and all was fine again. A couple of weeks later, I switched the Zip back to my area. My host channel is now 1:0-90 which is PBS channel WHA out of Madison. This is Charter digital cable and a cablecard installed.

My wife recorded Criminal Minds this week and noticed something interesting: the advance and replay functions were disabled. Pressing either of them caused the show to start playing from the very beginning again. Fast-forward and rewind did work. Haven't seen this problem on any other shows so far.
Mark, I have had similar problems in the past. Seems though it was mostly when I would start watching the show while it was still recording. Has happen with both my machines as well as with my girlfriend machines. Usually, what happens is the advance (set for 1 minute) button just skips all the way to the current time of the recording. Have had the buttons freeze up as well in the past but only a couple of times. Not sure what is the cause. Have never found a pattern.
Michael

Anybody noticed that during ER the other night on 11.1, WXIA, the audio dropped out during the end of a commercial break and did not come back at all?
I think this happen also on Sunday to Desperate Housewives channel 2.1, WSB.
I recorded both of these shows and watched them about a day later. No problems with any of my other shows.
Michael

Has anyone connected the hdd500 via hdmi to one tv and component to another? Can you verify it works when only one is turned on? The back shows hdmi OR component connection. I tried both connections together on same tv and only either would work, not both.

What I want to do is connect hdmi to one tv on the 1st level, and component output to another in the basement. I would control the unit by way of IR repeater. I would only have one turned on at the same time.

I can't test it out because I would have to buy and run a long hdmi line and would rather know prior to ordering. Cheaper than having two units. :) Anyone have it set up this way?

I tried both connections together on same tv and only either would work, not both.
I think you answered your own question right there. :D

I think you answered your own question right there. :D
Well, not entirely sure about that. Yes, both connections on SAME tv does not work, also stated in manual. I'm wondering if on two separate tvs would work since only one would be on and used.

Well, not entirely sure about that. Yes, both connections on SAME tv does not work, also stated in manual. I'm wondering if on two separate tvs would work since only one would be on and used.

Anytime a HDMI cable is plugged in it disables Component.

It doesn't matter if the HDMI TV is on or off.

It is a MECHANICAL thing [GRIN]!

Anytime a HDMI cable is plugged in it disables Component.

It doesn't matter if the HDMI TV is on or off.

It is a MECHANICAL thing [GRIN]!
I see what you mean, with HDMI plugged in on both ends, even on a different tv from the Component cable results in no display.

Today I find that Cold Case is missing from my scheduled list (OTA only). I checked with my girlfriend (cable only) and hers also was gone. Any one else?
This seems to prove that the scheduling is / has been at the mercy of TVGOS and not a function or defect of the machines.
Michael

Today I find that Cold Case is missing from my scheduled list (OTA only). I checked with my girlfriend (cable only) and hers also was gone. Any one else?
This seems to prove that the scheduling is / has been at the mercy of TVGOS and not a function or defect of the machines.
Michael

Last night I set recordings for repetitive recordings of both Cold Case and Without a Trace. No change in settings as of two minutes ago, 5:05 pst. Even if those settings disappeared, the recordings would still occur since I have them backed up with manual ones. If you set manual before you set it with the guide, when you program with the guide, you will see a warning about overriding a program, and you accept the override. Later if the guide setting is dropped, recording will still occur with title unknown.

Ray

The whole CBS schedule was hosed. We had a 4pm football game, and it ended at 6pm. Then the rest of the night was from some other day. Happened once before, but that was on the 7 day out listings and was corrected when the next day listings showed up.

Today I find that Cold Case is missing from my scheduled list (OTA only). I checked with my girlfriend (cable only) and hers also was gone. Any one else?
This seems to prove that the scheduling is / has been at the mercy of TVGOS and not a function or defect of the machines.

I agree with you, every show that I record has eventually stopped recording until I set it up again. I use it for OTA only. I have had this unit for about a month and the first three weeks it worked flawlessly then one-by-one all the shows would be removed from my list of show to record. Must be the TV Guide.

In another post one person said they setup recording manually and with TVGOS for redundancy, which one overrides the other?

I see what you mean, with HDMI plugged in on both ends, even on a different tv from the Component cable results in no display.
One way to get around this is to physically disconnect the HDMI cable (at only one end) whenever you want to use the Component output.

Forgive me for plowing here like that, but this thread has hundreds of pages and despite reading for hours I'd like to bring back the 161-6 error issue.

1. Has it been confirmed that SA cable cards are not the culprit?

2. Will the firmware 1.02.13 fix the problem or is there another mod that need to be done?

3. How can the firmware USB memory stick be obtained?

4. Will the firmware upgrade destroy existing recordings?

5. Do I absolutely need to send my unit in to Sony and pay $100 even when warranty is still in effect?

Thanks

Fixing the cablecard issue requires an electrical modification to be made within the unit. To date, no one has described the actual change that was made (i.e. by taking before and after pictures), so it's not currently possible to make the modification yourself.

My understanding is that the 1.02.13 firmware corrects HDMI compatibility issues with some TVs and that's it.

The flash drive to update via USB is obtained by getting your support inquiry sufficiently escalated. Existing recordings won't be lost when you update.

It was bound to happen sometime. My Sony DHG-HDD500 lost the listings last night (after an abnormal amount of switching noises from the tuner) and the host channel is now blank. After doing the G* test it shows that my previous host channel (CBS Channel 2 in Chicago) now fails the VBI test and no packets are being received. I'm going to try the 963214785 "VBI Search Current Channel" to see if I can force it to use WTTW Channel 11 in Chicago as my new host channel instead.

I agree with you, every show that I record has eventually stopped recording until I set it up again. I use it for OTA only. I have had this unit for about a month and the first three weeks it worked flawlessly then one-by-one all the shows would be removed from my list of show to record. Must be the TV Guide.

In another post one person said they setup recording manually and with TVGOS for redundancy, which one overrides the other?

I posted that suggestion yesterday. The most recent setting always overrides the previous one so first program manually and then with the guide. That way, if guide setting is dropped program will still be recorded. If you do it in reverse order, manual will override and program will always be listed as unknown. However, as I have stated many times in this thread, only the title is unknown. Recording does show channel, date and time, which is enough to identify daily and weekly stuff.

Ray

It was bound to happen sometime. My Sony DHG-HDD500 lost the listings last night (after an abnormal amount of switching noises from the tuner) and the host channel is now blank. After doing the G* test it shows that my previous host channel (CBS Channel 2 in Chicago) now fails the VBI test and no packets are being received. I'm going to try the 963214785 "VBI Search Current Channel" to see if I can force it to use WTTW Channel 11 in Chicago as my new host channel instead.


Hold on before you start to change things. I just got an email from TVGOS, letting me know that they are changing somethings on the two broadcast channels, and to please stand by....

One way to get around this is to physically disconnect the HDMI cable (at only one end) whenever you want to use the Component output.
I had thought about that but decided I will use a splitter Y cable and run component all around, this way I don't have to remember to disconnect and reconnect. Just gotta order the parts now and I'll be enjoying the dvr at two different viewing rooms.

I had thought about that but decided I will use a splitter Y cable and run component all around, this way I don't have to remember to disconnect and reconnect. Just gotta order the parts now and I'll be enjoying the dvr at two different viewing rooms.

It is generally not a good idea to split video signals like that, but it MIGHT work...

I had thought about that but decided I will use a splitter Y cable and run component all around, this way I don't have to remember to disconnect and reconnect. Just gotta order the parts now and I'll be enjoying the dvr at two different viewing rooms.
If you merely use a splitter Y cable, which is passive (not powered), and both displays are connected at the same time, the video signal will be noticeably degraded (unless one of your displays has a "Hi-Z" or "loop through" (http://www.atvideo.com/faqanswers.asp?A=6) option, which is usually found on professional devices).

Using a high-quality powered DA (distribution amplifier) that electronically duplicates the video signal would be a much better solution.

Hold on before you start to change things. I just got an email from TVGOS, letting me know that they are changing somethings on the two broadcast channels, and to please stand by....There is an engineer from WBBM named "JRTrautschold" who is currently posting on the LG LST-3410a DVR thread who has been talking about the issue and can probably elaborate further.

Has anyone had success getting Fios to work with TVGOS?

Fios is signing people up in my neighborhood (Arlington, Va.) and I'm tempted as Comcast switched the local TVGOS channel (22) to digital in late October and won't return my calls about the cessation of TVGOS service.

Has anyone had success getting Fios to work with TVGOS?

Fios is signing people up in my neighborhood (Arlington, Va.) and I'm tempted as Comcast switched the local TVGOS channel (22) to digital in late October and won't return my calls about the cessation of TVGOS service.

I looked into the FIOS configuration for a friend, and appears to me to behave just like cable inside your home. The fiber optic cable plugs into a black box, which converts the optical signal to standard coax. So your success in getting TVGOS is probably no different than with cable. I suggest you try an antenna.

Ray

Hey...

Like many people here, the TVGOS system on my two DHG-HDD250's had been hit or miss. UNTIL...

The leaves fell.

Ever since the leaves fell, I have a rock-solid guide on my Sony's.

Usually I'm anxious for spring to come...but now?

I looked into the FIOS configuration for a friend, and appears to me to behave just like cable inside your home. The fiber optic cable plugs into a black box, which converts the optical signal to standard coax. So your success in getting TVGOS is probably no different than with cable. I suggest you try an antenna.

Ray

Ray,

I find that odd because in the Setup routine for TVGOS, one of the options you can choose for channels is Verizon--Herndon, VA.

Jack

I spoke to TVGOS this morning. They have turned off WBBM (Chicago CBS affiliate, channel 2) as a host channel. So, folks in Chicago should see their machines hosting to WTTW (channel 11).


Mitch

I spoke to TVGOS this morning. They have turned off WBBM (Chicago CBS affiliate, channel 2) as a host channel. So, folks in Chicago should see their machines hosting to WTTW (channel 11).


Mitch

I was able to force it to use WTTW 11 as the host last night and this morning I had listings back. My lineup order was preserved as well. :)

I just had to force a switch to 25 in Boston from channel 2. Same thing, stopped coming through.

Hey...

Like many people here, the TVGOS system on my two DHG-HDD250's had been hit or miss. UNTIL...

The leaves fell.

Ever since the leaves fell, I have a rock-solid guide on my Sony's.

Usually I'm anxious for spring to come...but now?

You could always cut down all of the trees within a 500 yard radius of your house. :D

have you checked your host channels analog reception (when the leaves were on the trees)...sounds like that it wasn't getting a consistant 3 hour signal to download data...I had that problem (had to adjust my antenna) a few weeks back.

Are their any DVD recorders that respond to the HDD250/500 as VCRs? I'd like to dump off of the S-video.

How do you mean, "respond as VCRs"? Any DVD recorder with an S-video input should be able to record from the Sonys. I just finished dubbing a recording manually from my Sony to a Panasonic DVD recorder. And I often record live video to the DVD recorder via the Sony, both manually and in timed-recording mode.

Timed-recording mode can take a bit of work to set up, but not much. I program the times into the DVD recorder, and the input the Sony is connected to; then I either tune the Sony by hand to the desired channel and leave it on, or else program it to record the desired programs (which switches the channel as appropriate) and leave it on. In the latter case I end up making two recordings simultaneously, one on the Sony and one on the DVD recorder.

I just wanted to share and email I received from kcet here in LA responding to the loss of tvgos over the holiday weekend. Its great to be responded to

Thank you for contacting us. I apologize for the delay in responding.
Please know that our Engineering Department has been aware and notified
about this matter.

The issue has been resolved as follows:

Apparently, KCET had to move the equipment that adds the TV Guide data to
our signal, to the transmitter site in order to temporarily solve certain
closed captioning issues we were facing with DirecTV and Time Warner. The
encoder unit and the phone line attached to it both had their share of
problems over the last week or so, which caused the TV Guide on screen
listings to be interrupted several times.

Our engineers are working with both PBS and Gemstar to get the system
reliable and to get it squared away soon if not already. We also hope
that we will be able to go back to the normal operation of having this
data inserted here at the studio as soon as possible, but when that will
be is yet to be determined.

If you need immediate assistance, or if the problem is still persisting,
please feel free to contact our Member Services Department at (323)
953-5238, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.

We thank you for your patience and understand. Above all, we hope you keep
watching and enjoying KCET.

Sincerely,

Michelle Lee
KCET Communications Representative, Member & Viewer Services

If you merely use a splitter Y cable, which is passive (not powered), and both displays are connected at the same time, the video signal will be noticeably degraded (unless one of your displays has a "Hi-Z" or "loop through" (http://www.atvideo.com/faqanswers.asp?A=6) option, which is usually found on professional devices).

Using a high-quality powered DA (distribution amplifier) that electronically duplicates the video signal would be a much better solution.

When you said "connected", do you mean merely connected or both set turned on?

When you said "connected", do you mean merely connected or both set turned on?
I mean merely connected, regardless of whether the display is turned on or off. There are exceptions; for example, the display might automatically switch to Hi-Z mode when it is turned off.

My two recorders are connected to both cable and ota, and get guide data from channel 28 ota. If it is receiving guide data on cable, it must be on the cable channel for channel 28. My cable company, TW, carries it on channel 3 but my sets have been unable to use it. The sure way to get the guide from ota is to disconnect the cable line when the set is in standby, until the set locks on to that channel, which may take several days.

Ray

Ray,

I was able to get guide thru cable channel 28 by scanning the channels both antenna and OTA. Also, in my area TW is going to switch the lineups on Dec 17, do you know what the impact that might have on our lineups? I have standard plus the HD tier with cable card installed. I hope this switch does not mess up the guide data.

I spoke to TVGOS this morning. They have turned off WBBM (Chicago CBS affiliate, channel 2) as a host channel. So, folks in Chicago should see their machines hosting to WTTW (channel 11).


Mitch

The VBI test on CBS OTA 2 now fails. In fact, the only OTA analog channel that passes the test is PBS 11. But the 753... info screen still shows 0:0-2 (OTA 2) as the host channel. Remember that this is with no antenna connected. I should be getting the guide via Comcast cable 94.

There has not even been a hiccup in my guide reception. I don't know how this can be, but I'm not touching anything as long as everything continues to function properly.

The VBI test on CBS OTA 2 now fails. In fact, the only OTA analog channel that passes the test is PBS 11. But the 753... info screen still shows 0:0-2 (OTA 2) as the host channel. Remember that this is with no antenna connected. I should be getting the guide via Comcast cable 94.

There has not even been a hiccup in my guide reception. I don't know how this can be, but I'm not touching anything as long as everything continues to function properly.

Yep, don't touch a thing. :)
Do you by any chance have a CBS instance setup to tune to cable-94?
Since this is essentially how I have mine setup from earlier work I did with the TVGOS people.
My host channel is shown as 1:0-2 and my first instance of CBS in my channel guide is setup to tune to cable-11. This has been working great and I refuse to change anything.


MItch

Fixing the cablecard issue requires an electrical modification to be made within the unit. To date, no one has described the actual change that was made (i.e. by taking before and after pictures), so it's not currently possible to make the modification yourself.


If I recall correctly, the tech at Sony off-handedly said they replaced the "A-board, that's practically the whole insides" to fix the cable card problems.

Do you by any chance have a CBS instance setup to tune to cable-94?

No, that's what is really odd. I did the mapping thing previously when I was switched to ADS, mapping cable 11 to cable 94. The info screen continued to show 11, even though the data was coming via 94.

But after a glitch a couple of months ago, the Sony chose OTA 2 (with no antenna connected). The VBI test passed at that time. Now that the data from channel 2 has been turned off, the test of course fails. I have to be getting data from either OTA 11 or cable 94, but can't think of a reason why the info screen continues to display OTA 2 as the host.

I'm not going to lose sleep over this, but just wanted to put it out there in the information pool.

Most of us are probably familiar with remapping channels. That is, under "Edit channel display" in the Setup menu, you can change the channel number that a particular channel listing tunes to.

I use this trick to provide listings for a station that TVGOS doesn't list for my area, by remapping another station that I can't receive. Both stations are ABC stations, so the network programs come out OK. But I also watch Jeopardy from that station, and the remapped station has "Insider" in that time slot, which is a little bit annoying. I can program it fine, but it looks a bit odd in the list of recordings.

A few days ago, it occurred to me that maybe I could remap a second channel to that station, an NBC station that has Jeopardy in the correct time slot. Sure enough, it works! I can set recordings from either listing: network stuff from the first listing, and Jeopardy from the second listing.

Twice in the last week my DVR has switched from an analog channel (2) to a digital one (2.2) in Boston for VBI. When it does this I lose all my guide data on the next update. Anyone else having this problem? Is TV-Guide doing this to me and orphaning the analog guide channels prematurely?

A few days ago, it occurred to me that maybe I could remap a second channel to that station, an NBC station that has Jeopardy in the correct time slot. Sure enough, it works! I can set recordings from either listing: network stuff from the first listing, and Jeopardy from the second listing.

I did the same thing with HBOHD. Since my guide does not have HBOHD, I remapped the regular HBO guide info to the HBOHD channel 961 and was able to record harry potter with the correct title and date/time info. However, that seemed only to work one time as HBO and HBOHD show harry potter at the same time slot. But for other times, the two channels show different things.

Does anyone know of a better way to get programming info for a channel that you can tune too but can't get guide info?

I got my unit within the last month, and yesterday I noticed something funny. There are 2 HDTV channels that I can tune correctly when watching live TV, but when I try to set a recording, they don't record properly (just a black screen). I tried this a couple of times to be sure I can repeat it, and it always turns out this way.

Has anyone had this issue, and if so how did you fix it? I don't think it's a cablecard issue because one of them is an unencrypted channel. I have firmware 1.2.06. Thanks.

I did the same thing with HBOHD. Since my guide does not have HBOHD, I remapped the regular HBO guide info to the HBOHD channel 961 and was able to record harry potter with the correct title and date/time info. However, that seemed only to work one time as HBO and HBOHD show harry potter at the same time slot. But for other times, the two channels show different things.

Does anyone know of a better way to get programming info for a channel that you can tune too but can't get guide info?

You are doing it right, but HBO and HBOHD should have matching schedules. You need to be sure that you are mapping the HBO East feed to the HBOHD channel. The correct one should be labeled just "HBO" if I recall correctly (not something like HBOP which is HBO pacific).

If you are on the west coast, you may not have an "east coast" feed...

I got my unit within the last month, and yesterday I noticed something funny. There are 2 HDTV channels that I can tune correctly when watching live TV, but when I try to set a recording, they don't record properly (just a black screen). I tried this a couple of times to be sure I can repeat it, and it always turns out this way.

Has anyone had this issue, and if so how did you fix it? I don't think it's a cablecard issue because one of them is an unencrypted channel. I have firmware 1.2.06. Thanks.
Are you getting guide data for those channels?

Are you getting guide data for those channels?

I am, although in one case I'm remapping the analog version of that channel's guide data to it (analog CW remapped to CW in HD).

Does anyone know who you contact when certain channels are not listed for a specific line-up? A lot of new channels that my cable company adding are not being added to the available channels list.

You could always cut down all of the trees within a 500 yard radius of your house. :D


I think that I shall never see...

So many signals blocked by trees.

First 'twas only DTV...

A 90 down to 53.

And yes, I had a broken heart,

'Till my first Sony DVR.

The signal's back, and in HD!

I was as happy as a bee.

But lo, the guide would trouble me...

To blame it seems, were but the trees.


(forgive me Emily)

How do you mean, "respond as VCRs"? Any DVD recorder with an S-video input should be able to record from the Sonys. I just finished dubbing a recording manually from my Sony to a Panasonic DVD recorder. And I often record live video to the DVD recorder via the Sony, both manually and in timed-recording mode.

Timed-recording mode can take a bit of work to set up, but not much. I program the times into the DVD recorder, and the input the Sony is connected to; then I either tune the Sony by hand to the desired channel and leave it on, or else program it to record the desired programs (which switches the channel as appropriate) and leave it on. In the latter case I end up making two recordings simultaneously, one on the Sony and one on the DVD recorder.

I want it to start recording automatically from the guide via IR control. I don't want to enter the time, etc. When you set up the guide it asks about VCRs, I want the control codes it sets up to wotk on a DVD recorder instead.

I got my unit within the last month, and yesterday I noticed something funny. There are 2 HDTV channels that I can tune correctly when watching live TV, but when I try to set a recording, they don't record properly (just a black screen). I tried this a couple of times to be sure I can repeat it, and it always turns out this way.

Has anyone had this issue, and if so how did you fix it? I don't think it's a cablecard issue because one of them is an unencrypted channel. I have firmware 1.2.06. Thanks.

I have occassionally gotten the "black screen" recordings. usually it means that you are not getting a signal. Have you tried hitting record while watching the channel live to see if it actually records? I noticed when I had OTA only (now I have cable and a cablecard too) that time of day often made the difference between whether I was getting a station or not. So if you are attempting recordings at a specific time, try doing a test at a different time. I have even found that where I stand in a room could make a difference with OTA signals...they can be flaky...

I want it to start recording automatically from the guide via IR control. I don't want to enter the time, etc. When you set up the guide it asks about VCRs, I want the control codes it sets up to wotk on a DVD recorder instead.

I will be changing some of my equipment around next week and will try using a Sony RDR-GX300. Currently the DHG-HDD250 IR database is set up only for VCRs, but I might be able to find a working code. I will post a follow-up next week.

How do you make the Guide update the listing when the Cable company adds or changes programing? It seems that the programming is available when manually changing channels, however, the guide needs updating.

I know the suggestion will be to go to the edit/change channel listing. I don't mean that. What I mean is, how do you get the new channels in the list somewhere so you can arrange them?

How do you make the Guide update the listing when the Cable company adds or changes programing? It seems that the programming is available when manually changing channels, however, the guide needs updating.

I know the suggestion will be to go to the edit/change channel listing. I don't mean that. What I mean is, how do you get the new channels in the list somewhere so you can arrange them?

Let me elaborate on this. I found out that some of the reason I am not getting all the movie channels on the guide is that the guide has similar channels shown with lower case "w" after the listings and they are turned off. I suppose they are because I really need those with lower case "e". The "e" channels are what I actually receive and they are not their to turn them on and arrange them in my listing.

Does this make any sense? Any ideas?
Thanks.

Help, my clock is stuck and I've tried the reset on the unit with the two buttons and the time comes back at 3:12 every time. My listings still show fine but I can't record because the clock is off. Any suggestions?


Thanks


Greg

My listings still show fine but I can't record because the clock is off. Any suggestions?Manually tune to your host channel, or a PBS analog channel, and then do the 753... special screen (see 1st post link, section 2.2.2 for details).

Then what do I do?

ok, now my vbi channel is showing fffff when it used to be 94? what do I do now?

I will be changing some of my equipment around next week and will try using a Sony RDR-GX300. Currently the DHG-HDD250 IR database is set up only for VCRs, but I might be able to find a working code. I will post a follow-up next week.Yes. please do.

I've got an RDR-HX900 hooked up to mine, and maybe the same code will work for that model also.

I will be changing some of my equipment around next week and will try using a Sony RDR-GX300. Currently the DHG-HDD250 IR database is set up only for VCRs, but I might be able to find a working code. I will post a follow-up next week.
I'm also interested if you find a VCR code that will work with a DVD recorder. I have the Sony RDR-715 DVD/HDD recorder and would very much like to hook it up to recorder directly to disk from the tuner. Please post your findings as I'll bet the DVD recorder code you come up with will help me out.

ok, now my vbi channel is showing fffff when it used to be 94? what do I do now?


You may want to force your host channel, first go to your host channel then go into Set Up Menu tab down once to get to Change System Settings, then once there do a 963214785 it will switch to searching VBI channel, let it stay that way till it automatically releases when it does turn off the DVR overnight.

Directions from Spiffs is here:

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

1. Tune to the station (either OTA or cable) that you want to use as the host.
2. Press <GUIDE> - move the cursor over the SETUP item on the top menu bar, then press <DOWN>, followed by 963214785. If the code is received properly, the "Info" message just below "Change System Settings" should say "Searching Current VBI Channel".
3. Don't touch anything. The screen should disappear after 5 minutes. Once it disappears, turn off the unit and leave it alone overnight to magically download the guide.
4. On the following day, check the host channel with the "753..." menu described above. If it shows the host channel you tuned to in Step 1, you have successfully changed it! If not, try resetting the guide info and start over.


This has worked for me.

Im just re-setup a 500 I had unplugged for a while. I tuned to my host channel (PBS), and when I did the 753159258? menu, the correct clock popped right up.

Wanted to update everyone on how things are going for me since I have gone from cable only for 9 months to now cable and OTA. It seems that using both is the only way this will work for me since Comcast has changed my analog signal host channel to digital using a cablecard.

When I first started using OTA in conjunction with my cablecard, I ended up just using this cheap antenna wire into the back of the DVR and then taping the other end of the thin antenna wire to my wall, using this method worked and got my host channel it was a weak signal but it worked for about 1 week straight with guide downloads each day. Since I am cheap and try to save a buck I thought heck if this works why go buy an indoor antenna? Well after about a week I lost my host channel and the guide said please wait 24 hrs for data to populate. When this happened, I immediately went into the 753..to see what my host was showing, it was blank. I then went to my host channel 17.1 (local WLRN analog using the antenna) and it was showing no signal. So I knew that the weak signal was lost and therefore no more host channel.

So I went to Radio Shack (electronics store) and picked up an indoor antenna for $10.99, removed the thin wire I was using and connected the coaxial threaded cap into the antenna on the back of the DVR. It immeditely brought in a much stronger signal for my local host channel. Since my host was now blank I then did a force to my local host channel using this OTA channel and turned it off overnight, next morning checked my host channel and it is back to reading 0:0-17 just like it said before. I immediately had all my listings back.

I'm working really good since using both cable and OTA. I finally am back to where I was 9 months ago. :)

How do I find out what my new host channel is?


You may want to force your host channel, first go to your host channel then go into Set Up Menu tab down once to get to Change System Settings, then once there do a 963214785 it will switch to searching VBI channel, let it stay that way till it automatically releases when it does turn off the DVR overnight.

Directions from Spiffs is here:

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

1. Tune to the station (either OTA or cable) that you want to use as the host.
2. Press <GUIDE> - move the cursor over the SETUP item on the top menu bar, then press <DOWN>, followed by 963214785. If the code is received properly, the "Info" message just below "Change System Settings" should say "Searching Current VBI Channel".
3. Don't touch anything. The screen should disappear after 5 minutes. Once it disappears, turn off the unit and leave it alone overnight to magically download the guide.
4. On the following day, check the host channel with the "753..." menu described above. If it shows the host channel you tuned to in Step 1, you have successfully changed it! If not, try resetting the guide info and start over.


This has worked for me.

How do I find out what my new host channel is?

There is a section in the FAQ called "How do I find my host channel". Follow those directions to find it.

Thanks spiff but my area is not on the list what numbers do I call or who do i contact to get this information about the host channel? Please help I have 2 500's and no clock or guide. Thanks

There is a section in the FAQ called "How do I find my host channel". Follow those directions to find it.

Thanks spiff but my area is not on the list what numbers do I call or who do i contact to get this information about the host channel? Please help I have 2 500's and no clock or guide. Thanks

Forgive me for being short with you here, but did you actually read through the FAQ? My last post said to look for the section called "How do I find my host channel?". There are very specific instructions here.

http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html#Section218

Sigh...

spiff72


it's not you. Maybe I can be more specific. I have had these for 2 months with


the host channel being 95 and it worked fine and the vbi test passed. over the last few days this same host channel now does not pass and i can't get any guide data or clock. I was wondering if maybe the host channel providing the data changed but i don't know what that channel number is? Does that make sense? What can I do? I know how to see what the selected host channel is which is 95 but it does not work with that number?

Thanks




[QUOTE=spiff72]Forgive me for being short with you here, but did you actually read through the FAQ? My last post said to look for the section called "How do I find my host channel?". There are very specific instructions here.

Greg are you using a cablecard? or is this just OTA? You should first find out which channel in your area is broadcasting the TV guide. Mine is local PBS WLRN Ch 17. If your using a cablecard it could be that your cable co changed the signal from analog to digital.

Otherwise if you are just OTA and you know for certain which is your host channel than you can just force the host channel. Once done clock should appear rather quickly, guide data usually overnight.

[QUOTE=gregrey]spiff72


it's not you. Maybe I can be more specific. I have had these for 2 months with


the host channel being 95 and it worked fine and the vbi test passed. over the last few days this same host channel now does not pass and i can't get any guide data or clock. I was wondering if maybe the host channel providing the data changed but i don't know what that channel number is? Does that make sense? What can I do? I know how to see what the selected host channel is which is 95 but it does not work with that number?

Thanks


Are you using a Cable Card? Has your cable switched to all digital recently? Where are you located? Host stations are usually a PBS or ABC station according to TVGOS. Try adding an antenna and do a scan of ota stations. You should get a host station that way if you get a decent signal. If you check back through some of the post, others have had similar problems and have posted what they did to get the host back. The other thing is that the host station could be having problems.
Michael

yes, cable card and antenna, the host it is at now is PBS channel 95 which does not work. I am in Beverly Hills, CA with Time warner cable and cable card and antenna.
How do I contact the host station or find out what it should be? My cable company or who? I called the cable company and they said they don't know what a host channel is?


[QUOTE=gregrey]spiff72
Are you using a Cable Card? Has your cable switched to all digital recently? Where are you located? Host stations are usually a PBS or ABC station according to TVGOS. Try adding an antenna and do a scan of ota stations. You should get a host station that way if you get a decent signal. If you check back through some of the post, others have had similar problems and have posted what they did to get the host back. The other thing is that the host station could be having problems.
Michael

[QUOTE=gregrey]yes, cable card and antenna, the host it is at now is PBS channel 95 which does not work. I am in Beverly Hills, CA with Time warner cable and cable card and antenna.
How do I contact the host station or find out what it should be? My cable company or who? I called the cable company and they said they don't know what a host channel is?


Was your host channel cable or ota? Sounds like it is cable, in which case you need to try an ota rescan and see if it will pick one up. Or you could see if one of your PBS stations ota is passing the VBI information. In the Spiffspace info it tells you how to do this I beleive. Also look at some of the other post on this problem and how they took care of it.
Michael

yes, cable card and antenna, the host it is at now is PBS channel 95 which does not work. I am in Beverly Hills, CA with Time warner cable and cable card and antenna.
How do I contact the host station or find out what it should be? My cable company or who? I called the cable company and they said they don't know what a host channel is?


[QUOTE=AtlantisMichael]

I also have TW without card and OTA, and receive the guide on OTA channel 28, and so should you. That channel had problem recently but now seems to be working. If you tune to that channel and do VBI test, it should pass. If you check host channel and it is blank, I suggest you manually force the unit to that channel per instructions given above.
Another thing you can try is front panel reset once or twice. I did that on Wednesday to get my clock back after disconnecting power so I could re-arrange equipment.

Ray

Hi guys new here. Been reading post's and read the guide prolly 100 times over. I picked up one of these units a month ago, and still havent been able to get it to work. I love it because I can get my local HD channels, but its a pain to try and record stuff on it with no guide. I have TW cable,and it scans my local HD and regular cable programing. I've contacted my cable company and they tell me that channel 8 is the host channel, but I've tried the force host channel deal and nothing just a blank host channel on my screen. I've left the uni off for 4 days straight and still nothing no clock or guide. I cant do the test to see if the channel is sending packets cuz I dont have the original remote, so I cant really do the sequence required to access the service menu. I'm going to try and hook up my Antenna and see if maybe that works. Weird thing is that it will ask me what channel line up i'd like to use from time to time, and it shows the channel logos on most of my channels when u change channels too. Not sure if thats normal with out guide. Also I live in Palm Springs area, TW desert cities.

Hi guys new here. Been reading post's and read the guide prolly 100 times over. I picked up one of these units a month ago, and still havent been able to get it to work. I love it because I can get my local HD channels, but its a pain to try and record stuff on it with no guide. I have TW cable,and it scans my local HD and regular cable programing. I've contacted my cable company and they tell me that channel 8 is the host channel, but I've tried the force host channel deal and nothing just a blank host channel on my screen. I've left the uni off for 4 days straight and still nothing no clock or guide. I cant do the test to see if the channel is sending packets cuz I dont have the original remote, so I cant really do the sequence required to access the service menu. I'm going to try and hook up my Antenna and see if maybe that works. Weird thing is that it will ask me what channel line up i'd like to use from time to time, and it shows the channel logos on most of my channels when u change channels too. Not sure if thats normal with out guide. Also I live in Palm Springs area, TW desert cities.

I don't understand how you could force the host channel without the remote.
I suggest you buy a remote for the unit. A few weeks ago someone posted a link to site that sells them or you can probably buy it from Sony. The station that sends out the guide is KCET, which I assume is carried on cable channel 8. If you don't get that channel you surely won't get the guide. Check the edit channel list to see that there is a check mark on channel 8.
I doubt if you can receive that station OTA but you might be able to set the clock on one of the locals.

Ray

I have a Sony remote that operates the unit, its one that says DVR as one of the device functions. So pretty much I can navigate everything. I do have channel 8 KCET on my cable line up, but i've forced host that channel and still nothing. I have it checked off as one of my channels on my line up.

here's an update. I talked to time warner and they said that they will no longer provide the host channel after the migration which was 2 days ago, that's why i lost my guide on the cable host channel. I tested kcet over the air and it passed vbi so i did the force host trick and we'll see by tomorrow. Either way so far all of you guys have been soo much help thanks, it might be working tomorrow but even if it does i might ebay one of the drives and have the cable company dvr for at least 1 tv.

[QUOTE=Ray1938][QUOTE=gregrey]yes, cable card and antenna, the host it is at now is PBS channel 95 which does not work. I am in Beverly Hills, CA with Time warner cable and cable card and antenna.
How do I contact the host station or find out what it should be? My cable company or who? I called the cable company and they said they don't know what a host channel is?

The two attached pictures show that these DVRs were originally designed to have a 10/100baseT Ethernet jack on the back.

In the second photo, adjacent to the unpopulated 100 and ACT (Ethernet status) surface mount LEDs, I was strongly suspecting that CN203 was a serial debug port, and perhaps it is, but I was never successful in getting anything to appear on it.

Well I scored a 250 brand new off ebay for $315 and got it yesterday. Left it off overnight and sure enough all my listings were there. Since I've read this whole thread I was a bit nervous that I wouldn't. That said, I'm looking forward to be able to start setting it up to program when I'm not around. Spiff, I sent you off an email for the host channel in this area.

---Kevin

Well I scored a 250 brand new off ebay for $315 and got it yesterday. Left it off overnight and sure enough all my listings were there. Since I've read this whole thread I was a bit nervous that I wouldn't. That said, I'm looking forward to be able to start setting it up to program when I'm not around. Spiff, I sent you off an email for the host channel in this area.

---Kevin

Got it - and added it to the site.

Thanks

Good Deal.


That FAQ is priceless..

---Kevin

I have a Sony remote that operates the unit, its one that says DVR as one of the device functions. So pretty much I can navigate everything. I do have channel 8 KCET on my cable line up, but i've forced host that channel and still nothing. I have it checked off as one of my channels on my line up.

Did you do a VBI test on that channel? If you did, what was the result?
How long did you leave unit in standby after you forced host?

Ray

I recieved this message today on my hdd500. Does anyone know what this is and is there anyway to fix it without sending to Sony? Thanks in advance

Did you do a VBI test on that channel? If you did, what was the result?
How long did you leave unit in standby after you forced host?

Ray

How can I do the VBI test with out getting into those service menu's I dont have the screen mode button. I left it off for 2 days when I did the force host.

Majesty69, does that message stay on the front panel and prevent the DVR from starting up? If so, running the front panel service procedure "Clear NVM" might help. I've made some of my own notes on the INF and ERR codes but nothing certain enough to post about. I don't think anyone's had luck getting the service manual which surely explains these.

I noticed that in the 753159852 screens, one of the pages is labeled ATSC Slicer, showing counts that include TVG packets. Seems like this might be evidence of support for TVGOS via ATSC. The next person to have a technical conversation with Gemstar ought to mention this and ask whether this screen does indicate support or not.

Something else interesting is that the Gemstar software continuously polls for a modem on one of two internal serial ports, in support of a feature labeled GLINK. There are two status screens for this in the 753159852 menu showing obvious stats on dialing attempts etc. On my HDD500, the screens show that it has been checking for a modem pretty much continuously since being put into service.

Majesty69, does that message stay on the front panel and prevent the DVR from starting up? If so, running the front panel service procedure "Clear NVM" might help. I've made some of my own notes on the INF and ERR codes but nothing certain enough to post about. I don't think anyone's had luck getting the service manual which surely explains these.

Thanks Mark, thats exactly what it's doing. I'll try the Clear NVM and pray that it works. Thanks again.

I'm also interested if you find a VCR code that will work with a DVD recorder. I have the Sony RDR-715 DVD/HDD recorder and would very much like to hook it up to recorder directly to disk from the tuner. Please post your findings as I'll bet the DVD recorder code you come up with will help me out.
I repeated the guided setup (to get to the VCR setup), and first tried the Sony codes... no go, then I stepped through the "not listed" codes... still no go.
Oh well, I gave away my VCRs years ago... :(
P.S. I was trying to control a Sony RDR-GX300

Thanks Mark, thats exactly what it's doing. I'll try the Clear NVM and pray that it works. Thanks again.

During the Clear NVM procedure, you'll see messages like "Clear NVM Unit 1!", "Verifying...", "Writing...". When it's done, the DVR will reboot and you may see another INF code at that time. Just let it sit for another 10-20 seconds and it will eventually power off to standby mode. After it's been sitting powered off for a minute or so with no activity, you can assume it's done. Since this restores factory defaults, you may have to change the output format to see anything on your display the next time you turn it on. It looks like this procedure touches only the Sony side of the DVR. The TVGOS side- including the recordings- appears to be left intact.

How can I do the VBI test with out getting into those service menu's I dont have the screen mode button. I left it off for 2 days when I did the force host.

The recorder automatically seeks the gude station while it is in standby. If it hasn't found that station in a week, it probably doesn't exist. You should be able to get the guid If you can receive channel 28 OTA. If you can't, i suggest you contact technical support at the cable company, (TW?). If that doesn't work contact Sony tech support.

Ray

The recorder automatically seeks the gude station while it is in standby. If it hasn't found that station in a week, it probably doesn't exist. You should be able to get the guid If you can receive channel 28 OTA. If you can't, i suggest you contact technical support at the cable company, (TW?). If that doesn't work contact Sony tech support.

Ray

I'm gonna scan and see if I can get channel 28. I was also wondering if the guide doesnt have a host channel would it still ask me what channel line up to choose from? It asks me to choose which cable provider I have on the guide list.

I'm gonna scan and see if I can get channel 28. I was also wondering if the guide doesnt have a host channel would it still ask me what channel line up to choose from? It asks me to choose which cable provider I have on the guide list.

You must be getting stuff from the guide station if you are given a list of local cable providers,

Ray

I spoke to TVGOS this morning. They have turned off WBBM (Chicago CBS affiliate, channel 2) as a host channel. So, folks in Chicago should see their machines hosting to WTTW (channel 11).


The first time I ever lost listings was last week when CBS 2 was shut down as a TVGOS provider. My machine is now using WTTW 11 instead but I just lost listings again last night and they have yet to return. Channel 11 is still set as the host. Now that Chicagoland doesn't have a backup I suppose this is a sign of things to come. I never had a problem with CBS 2. It's a shame. Anyone else in Chicagoland lose listings?

You must be getting stuff from the guide station if you are given a list of local cable providers,

Ray

So then it is picking up a host channel? Just not recieving its data?

Thanks

The first time I ever lost listings was last week when CBS 2 was shut down as a TVGOS provider. My machine is now using WTTW 11 instead but I just lost listings again last night and they have yet to return. Channel 11 is still set as the host. Now that Chicagoland doesn't have a backup I suppose this is a sign of things to come. I never had a problem with CBS 2. It's a shame. Anyone else in Chicagoland lose listings?

My machine re-hosted to CH 11 as well. I do not have listings either.

My machine re-hosted to CH 11 as well. I do not have listings either.
Make sure that the host channel is in your channel list and turned on, also make sure it is the TV Guide channel list and also turned on there as well. I had to do both before I could get a host channel to consistently work. Stupid, but true.

I lost my listings in Chgo just recently, I redid the setup last night by just going through the zipcode and such (really didn't change anything, same zip) and the listings are back, just checked now.

From "LG LST-3410A Review and Discussion"
http://136.166.4.200/contents/Files/STB/LST-3410A/
Maybe some useful information....

The previously mentioned 'TVGOS Training Manual' is located on that site.

From "LG LST-3410A Review and Discussion"
http://136.166.4.200/contents/Files/STB/LST-3410A/
Maybe some useful information....

The previously mentioned 'TVGOS Training Manual' is located on that site.

I would love to see the service manual for the DHG-HDD250/500! I tried to get it from an online source, but they didn't have it available.

That's a great link. Note that you can just go to the root level - http://136.166.4.200/ for a friendly interface to docs on all sorts of LG products! (Note the link to an AVS thread on the page for the LST-3410A!)

From "LG LST-3410A Review and Discussion"
http://136.166.4.200/contents/Files/STB/LST-3410A/
Maybe some useful information....

The previously mentioned 'TVGOS Training Manual' is located on that site.
I see a picture of an LG HD DVR there. What happend to those?

I see a picture of an LG HD DVR there. What happend to those?

I had one. They're a piece of junk.........

I had one. They're a piece of junk.........
When where they around, and I take it they don't make them anymore?

Thanks

I would love to see the service manual for the DHG-HDD250/500! I tried to get it from an online source, but they didn't have it available.

Service manual is probably not sold since only one facility repairs them. It might be common practice to do that for DVRs since they are complex units, but unlike a tv, easy to ship. I just shipped my Toshiba DVR to the only designated repair shop for it, which is in Massachusetts.

Ray

When where they around, and I take it they don't make them anymore?

Thanks

Not really. Disappeared off store shelves about 6 months ago. If you want one you can buy it on ebay. It was a good idea, poorly implemented. And the initial list price of 599 + (250 for TV program listings, although dropped early this year), it was a complete overpriced dog. Cannot believe anyone at LG thought it was a good product.

My machine re-hosted to CH 11 as well. I do not have listings either.


My listings returned this morning. Did you get them back as well? Are you receiving 11 via Cable or Antenna?

Make sure that the host channel is in your channel list and turned on, also make sure it is the TV Guide channel list and also turned on there as well. I had to do both before I could get a host channel to consistently work. Stupid, but true.

I've owned it for several months now and haven't had a problem until last week when CBS 2 was shut down as a TVGOS provider. It's now using 11 but it seems 11 stopped transmitting data for a bit the other day and my unit must have been looking for it at that particular time. I'm still not clear as to whether it saves a host channel to use each time or if it searches for one every time it's due to retrieve lsitings. It's always clicking when I turn it off and periodically throughout the day which indicates switching between the antenna and cable inputs. It's obviously looking for something.

My listings returned this morning. Did you get them back as well? Are you receiving 11 via Cable or Antenna?


I receive 11 both ways. The DVR has hosted to cable 11.

I had been having problems receiving listing from CBS 2 in the past, and TVGOS suggested that I remap CH 2 and CH 11 to each other. (The DVR host was cable 2) This had resolved my listing problems.

Then TVGOS asked me to undo the remap, then they shut down CBS 2. I lost listings for two days, then the DVR re-hosted to cable channnel 11. Still I had no listings. I let TVGOS know, but no responce. I decided to try and put the system back to the working configuration...remapped stations, with a cable 2 host. I remapped the stations and forced the "CBS 11" station as the host. My hos is still 1:0-11 but,...I woke up this morning to listings for days 1, 2, 5, and 8. TVGOS had told me in the past that they were planning on going to a new d/l format that included days 1,2,5, and 8. It looks like they have done it.

Twice in the last week my DVR has switched from an analog channel (2) to a digital one (2.2) in Boston for VBI. When it does this I lose all my guide data on the next update. Anyone else having this problem? Is TV-Guide doing this to me and orphaning the analog guide channels prematurely?

I'm in the Boston area and to date I've have no big problems with the guide. I'll check the host channel setting this evening, but last time I was in there -- months ago -- it had set itself to RCN's WGBH analog feed. (I have both OTA and RCN connected.)

I'm in the Boston area and to date I've have no big problems with the guide. I'll check the host channel setting this evening, but last time I was in there -- months ago -- it had set itself to RCN's WGBH analog feed. (I have both OTA and RCN connected.)

PLEASE Don't say that TOO LOUD.

I'm in the Boston Area and all is FINE - Lets hope no one rocks the boat.

I receive 11 both ways. The DVR has hosted to cable 11.

I had been having problems receiving listing from CBS 2 in the past, and TVGOS suggested that I remap CH 2 and CH 11 to each other. (The DVR host was cable 2) This had resolved my listing problems.

Then TVGOS asked me to undo the remap, then they shut down CBS 2. I lost listings for two days, then the DVR re-hosted to cable channnel 11. Still I had no listings. I let TVGOS know, but no responce. I decided to try and put the system back to the working configuration...remapped stations, with a cable 2 host. I remapped the stations and forced the "CBS 11" station as the host. My hos is still 1:0-11 but,...I woke up this morning to listings for days 1, 2, 5, and 8. TVGOS had told me in the past that they were planning on going to a new d/l format that included days 1,2,5, and 8. It looks like they have done it.

I got the listings back yesterday but this morning they were gone yet again. It is still showing 11 as the host and it passes the VBI tests. At this point the Sony has become a very expensive doorstop. It looks like a Comcast box or TiVo is in my future all because CBS 2 was shut down?

I got the listings back yesterday but this morning they were gone yet again. It is still showing 11 as the host and it passes the VBI tests. At this point the Sony has become a very expensive doorstop. It looks like a Comcast box or TiVo is in my future all because CBS 2 was shut down?

Is your host station OTA or Cable?
Have you tried contacting TVGOS with your problem?

TVGOS gave me a call this morning. They are aware that they have issues in the Chicago area, and are currently working on them. When you get in contact with them, they may just have a resolution for you. It seems that forcing the host to channel 11 may be the answer. It seems that something may have gone wrong with the "automatic" re-host to channel 11.

Either way, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. One day of downloads does not guarantee a fix.


Spiff ----- This morning the TVGOS engineer verified that they are now sending data for days 1, 2, 5, and 8 during each update period.

Is your host station OTA or Cable?
Have you tried contacting TVGOS with your problem?

TVGOS gave me a call this morning. They are aware that they have issues in the Chicago area, and are currently working on them. When you get in contact with them, they may just have a resolution for you. It seems that forcing the host to channel 11 may be the answer. It seems that something may have gone wrong with the "automatic" re-host to channel 11.

Either way, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. One day of downloads does not guarantee a fix.

I was under the impression that only manufacturers were able to contact Gemstar and that consumers were left out of the loop. Do you have an email or a phone number I can call? A couple hours after I lost my listings this morning (for the third time this week) they are back. Well, 48 hours worth with some "no listings" mixed in. I know the next time I turn it on I will have lost them again though. Right now I am getting it off Cable. 1:0-11 If I lose them again I might just go through setup and set it to Cable only as it seems to get confused switching between Cable and Antenna all the time. I don't know what kind of voodoo is needed to keep it working the way it should.