Hi,

I'm a new HDD250 owner. I was down in Harrisonburg for work and wandered into the Crutchfield store. They had one HDD250 left and I swiped it.

Anyways, I set it up last night and got it working fine. I did the standard set-up with cable and it found all of the channels that my QAM TV has. This morning, the TV Guide filled in and I have a load of listings.

Here's my problem. The display on the unit itself still says "Welcome" and the power indicator is still on. There's an "06" on the display itself.

It doesn't display the time or channel and when recording, the red light doesn't light up.

Also, it seems that I can only turn the unit on/off with the remote as the buttons on the unit don't seem to do anything.

The "Welcome" indicator stays on even when I turn the unit off via the remote.

I bought the unit as a return, so could the previous owner set something on it that makes it behave like this?

Thanks.

ft
Try doing a warm reset. That infomation is in the FAQ at the start of this thread. I do not seem to recall the exact procedure at the moment, otherwise I would tell you how. I had this problem early on with mine, but after trial and error and resets, the problem never came back. I did the cold reset, but that stress the units and should be avoided if can be.
Michael

Hi,

Here's my problem. The display on the unit itself still says "Welcome" and the power indicator is still on. There's an "06" on the display itself.


Those are BOTH Bad Signs.

As AtlantisMichael Says try to do warm reset.

All the info can be found on this webpage.

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

ftaok,

I'm curious, was this unit new or open-box? Hope the warm reset fixes it...

Try doing a warm reset. That infomation is in the FAQ at the start of this thread. I do not seem to recall the exact procedure at the moment, otherwise I would tell you how. I had this problem early on with mine, but after trial and error and resets, the problem never came back. I did the cold reset, but that stress the units and should be avoided if can be.
Michael
Michael,

Thanks. I tried doing the warm reset, but the buttons on the unit don't work. I am now in the process of resetting to factory defaults ... we'll see if this takes care of it.

OK ... it just finished and is now prompting me to go through the set-up again ...

I'll update after I finish.

BTW, it was an open box. Someone had bought and returned it. It still has full warranty, although getting back to Virginia may be an issue.

ft

BTW, it was an open box. Someone had bought and returned it. It still has full warranty, although getting back to Virginia may be an issue.

ft

If you can't get it fixed -- unless you are looking for money back
from whoever you bought it from - I doubt the seller will have
another one.

But SONY should honor the warranty and FIX it for you.

Michael,

Thanks. I tried doing the warm reset, but the buttons on the unit don't work. I am now in the process of resetting to factory defaults ... we'll see if this takes care of it.

OK ... it just finished and is now prompting me to go through the set-up again ...

I'll update after I finish.

BTW, it was an open box. Someone had bought and returned it. It still has full warranty, although getting back to Virginia may be an issue.

ft
Now that you mention again about the buttons on the unit not working, a cold reset was the only way I knew how to reset it at that time. Good Luck.
Michael

Now that you mention again about the buttons on th unit not working, a cold reset is the only way to reset it. Good Luck.
Michael
Hey guys,

thanks for all the help. I wanted to avoid the "cold reset", so I went into the service menu and did a Factory Restore. After the set-up, it seems as though it's working like it should. The power button on the unit works and the "Welcome ..." is off the display. It's displaying the channel like it should.

I'll just have to wait another night for the guide to repopulate and to sort the channels.

ft

Hey guys,

thanks for all the help. I wanted to avoid the "cold reset", so I went into the service menu and did a Factory Restore. After the set-up, it seems as though it's working like it should. The power button on the unit works and the "Welcome ..." is off the display. It's displaying the channel like it should.

I'll just have to wait another night for the guide to repopulate and to sort the channels.

ft

WAY TO GO - Good Luck!

Swapping the boards is what I had been thinking about as well. For me, HDD failure is a much more relevant worry over the next two years...

Has anyone tried to use "Ghost" to make an exact copy of the drive from a software perspective. I do this with PC's all the time. It is a bit by bit copy. Or is the internal hard drive ID tied to making a valid copy? My box is still under warranty so I am not looking to open it up since I need to send it back to Sony soon to get the cable card 106 issue resolved.

Has anyone tried to use "Ghost" to make an exact copy of the drive from a software perspective. I do this with PC's all the time. It is a bit by bit copy. Or is the internal hard drive ID tied to making a valid copy? My box is still under warranty so I am not looking to open it up since I need to send it back to Sony soon to get the cable card 106 issue resolved.

A couple of people have tried similar methods without success. The unit's drives are "blessed" in some manner. The likely suspects are HDD firmware or possibly an HPA.

I have 2 new drives on the way, and am going to start poking around soon. My 500's warranty just recently expired...

With "Ghost" HPA is not an issue since it copies this section of the drive also. HDD firmware changes are a whole other ugly ball of wax.

I have a WD 250 drive in my pc now and was hoping to upgrade to a larger drive later in the year and use the 250 to increase the capacity of my 250 to 500. Good luck with trying to make and exact copy of the drives.

Before I call to nag Comcast for the umpteenth time, I'd like some advice from the more technically astute on this thread. Does this sound like a bad CC, or (shudder) an electrical problem with the Sony? Or is there something else I should try to do first?

Thanks,
Dan Spadoni.


I have TWC and had some issues with the cable card. I am getting the 106 warning and then it drops the info for Universal HD and it shows up as WWOR in NY. Interesting since TWC is going to move WWOR to the same channel number 709 that Universal is now on. I do not know if it is TWC or my 250 but since I have the 106 error a couple of times I am going to send in under warranty. If I pull the cable card it will reset properly for a while but then reverts to the problem above. This is only a problem for the information sent on what is currently showing on the channel. Recording the channel with TVGOS works fine. Really weird problem since it is only on this one HD channel.

Just curious....I have two 250's....both have worked almost flawlessly for over a year now and I have no complaints. I just record and play, record and play, and don't mess with settings any more than necessary. I am curious though about the format settings. One of the units displays the following when I scroll with the format button:

Auto HDMI, Variable 1, Variable 2, Variable 3, SD Out, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i

The other unit displays as follows:

Native, Variable 1, Variable 2, Variable 3, SD Out, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i

These units have different firmware and both are earlier versions. I was just wondering if anyone could tell me what the difference is between "Auto HDMI" and "Native"..... :confused:

P. S. What is Variable 1, 2, 3?

I just received one of these sony dhg 250 this week from e-bay, but i am having some tuning problems with this thing. On my vizio tv, i can pick up most of the QAM
stations as well as HD stations over the air with an attenna. But with my sony i'm
getting only a few of these coming in both thru the QAM and ota and the ones i do get, the picture is breaking up pretty bad....when i check the signal strength ,it's below normal......I have basic cable service and even some of the basic cable station are breaking up with the sony dvr but not when only using the tv.

Anyone have any suggestions? I thought this thing had a good tuner. Could my
HDMI cable be the problem? Will a cable amp help? My indoor attenna already has an amp which helps alot when I'm only using the tv but not much help with the sony. Did i get a bad unit? It would be a bummer if I did. :( Can anyone help? Because this thing is driving me crazy! :confused:

Just curious....I have two 250's....both have worked almost flawlessly for over a year now and I have no complaints. I just record and play, record and play, and don't mess with settings any more than necessary. I am curious though about the format settings. One of the units displays the following when I scroll with the format button:

Auto HDMI, Variable 1, Variable 2, Variable 3, SD Out, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i

The other unit displays as follows:

Native, Variable 1, Variable 2, Variable 3, SD Out, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i

These units have different firmware and both are earlier versions. I was just wondering if anyone could tell me what the difference is between "Auto HDMI" and "Native"..... :confused:

P. S. What is Variable 1, 2, 3?

Descriptions for these modes are contained in the owners manual. If you don't have one, you can download it from the Sony site.

Ray

Descriptions for these modes are contained in the owners manual. If you don't have one, you can download it from the Sony site.

RayOK, thanks. Went there, did that....now I understand....:o The unit that's outputting to an active monitor will always display "AutoHDMI" in the available format choices. An idle unit will show "Native" instead......funny, I never noticed that before. Maybe I should read the whole manual..........nah! :D

With "Ghost" HPA is not an issue since it copies this section of the drive also. HDD firmware changes are a whole other ugly ball of wax.

I have a WD 250 drive in my pc now and was hoping to upgrade to a larger drive later in the year and use the 250 to increase the capacity of my 250 to 500. Good luck with trying to make and exact copy of the drives.

Good to know that Ghost will copy an HPA...I wasn't aware of that. Last time I checked, Ghost would only handle ext2/3. Mark Fontana posted waaaaaay back when that the drives also have an xfs partition (that contains the encoded video files).

Thanks for the well wishes. Hopefully I won't be trashing $150 worth of drives... ;)

Has anybody been able to obtain a service manual for the 250/500? I searched and saw a few posts where folks were trying to track one down, but don't know if anyone was ultimately successful.

I've contacted a couple of sources, but they don't have it available. Is this a case where Sony is keeping it to themselves? That's the (unfortunate) feeling I get...

OK, thanks. Went there, did that....now I understand....:o The unit that's outputting to an active monitor will always display "AutoHDMI" in the available format choices. An idle unit will show "Native" instead......funny, I never noticed that before. Maybe I should read the whole manual..........nah! :D

I've read the manual at least twice. It's not very thick and there is lots of useful information such as the various preference settings. I suggest you read the on-line manual, since the paper one has several errors.

Ray

Has anybody been able to obtain a service manual for the 250/500? I searched and saw a few posts where folks were trying to track one down, but don't know if anyone was ultimately successful.

I've contacted a couple of sources, but they don't have it available. Is this a case where
Sony is keeping it to themselves? That's the (unfortunate) feeling I get...

There is no need for Sony publish a repair manual since all repairs are done in house.

Ray

On Comcast. I actually am looking forward to them! :rolleyes:

Good to know that Ghost will copy an HPA...I wasn't aware of that. Last time I checked, Ghost would only handle ext2/3. Mark Fontana posted waaaaaay back when that the drives also have an xfs partition (that contains the encoded video files).

Thanks for the well wishes. Hopefully I won't be trashing $150 worth of drives... ;)


Hmmm. may want to use an open source piece of software called Partimage (http://www.partimage.org/Main_Page) to get everything. I would think you will be better off with Linux tools then Windows since this is a Linux based system. I know you can use the "dd" command in Linux to make an exact bit wise copy and Partimage uses low level tools. To make this really work you want to have the same size drive and clusters formatted so that the Sony firmware is fooled.
This should work as long as Sony has not worked with WD to add special firmware to the hard drive. Sony unfortunately has a habit of doing lots of proprietary things to keep consumers locked in. :(

I'm pretty sure "dd" won't get you the HPA until you (temporarily) remove the HPA and adjust the disk size to its full capacity. Then you'd use dd, then put the HPA back.

I'm pretty sure "dd" won't get you the HPA until you (temporarily) remove the HPA and adjust the disk size to its full capacity. Then you'd use dd, then put the HPA back.

Correct. dd will not copy an HPA.

I've gotten my previous problems sorted out, but now I have 2 new issues and one general question.

1. I like to set the unit to output at 1080i, so hitting the "Format" button is easy enough. However, when I turn off/on the HDD250, it always defaults back to AutoHDMI, which is annoying since the SD channels get displayed in 480i and the guide is really small. Is there any way to make the 1080i output the default? The manual was less than helpful.

2. I let the unit off last night to let it download the guide. However, when I checked this morning, it hadn't downloaded anything. The channels all show up, but everything says "No Listing". Maybe I'm impatient, but I did have it off by 1am last night.

3. I've been reading this thread and the FAQs on this unit. The thing that confuses me is how to deal with power loss. Here's my issue. I'm going to be wall mounting my TV soon (maybe a month or so, need some free time) and when I do that, I'll have to disconnect everything, including the HDD250's power. Will unplugging it mess it up ... is there a procedure or sequence to unplug this thing? Also, unplugging is also called a "hard reset", will I lose my guide info and my channel settings?

Thanks.

ft

1. I like to set the unit to output at 1080i, so hitting the "Format" button is easy enough. However, when I turn off/on the HDD250, it always defaults back to AutoHDMI, which is annoying since the SD channels get displayed in 480i and the guide is really small. Is there any way to make the 1080i output the default? The manual was less than helpful.



If you use the component video output, the device will retain the 1080i setting. I know this isn't ideal, but it does work.

No problem for me, since the component output is slightly sharper than the HDMI with my unit and TV. My SD channels look a little better, too.

YMMV.

3. I've been reading this thread and the FAQs on this unit. The thing that confuses me is how to deal with power loss. Here's my issue. I'm going to be wall mounting my TV soon (maybe a month or so, need some free time) and when I do that, I'll have to disconnect everything, including the HDD250's power. Will unplugging it mess it up ... is there a procedure or sequence to unplug this thing? Also, unplugging is also called a "hard reset", will I lose my guide info and my channel settings?

Thanks.

ft

If you move the unit, be sure to wait a few minutes after power is shut off. Within a few minutes after power is reapplied, the DVR should return to its previous condition. If the guide information doesn't appear, make sure that problem isn't with the guide station before you try any "fixes"

Ray

...To make this really work you want to have the same size drive and clusters formatted so that the Sony firmware is fooled.
This should work as long as Sony has not worked with WD to add special firmware to the hard drive. Sony unfortunately has a habit of doing lots of proprietary things to keep consumers locked in. :(Swapping the logic board should take care of the WD firmware. As long as you raw image all possible sectors (including any hpa) and keep the the firmware (on the logic board) that really should be it, I'd hope. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/images/icons/icon5.gif

Sounds like when swapping controller boards on supposedly identical drives, the logic board model number (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showpost.php?p=255370&postcount=5) may be more critical than the drive firmware revision? This perhaps may not be as practical (for routine drive maintenance) as I'd hoped. :confused:

I've gotten my previous problems sorted out, but now I have 2 new issues and one general question.

1. I like to set the unit to output at 1080i, so hitting the "Format" button is easy enough. However, when I turn off/on the HDD250, it always defaults back to AutoHDMI, which is annoying since the SD channels get displayed in 480i and the guide is really small. Is there any way to make the 1080i output the default? The manual was less than helpful.

2. I let the unit off last night to let it download the guide. However, when I checked this morning, it hadn't downloaded anything. The channels all show up, but everything says "No Listing". Maybe I'm impatient, but I did have it off by 1am last night.

3. I've been reading this thread and the FAQs on this unit. The thing that confuses me is how to deal with power loss. Here's my issue. I'm going to be wall mounting my TV soon (maybe a month or so, need some free time) and when I do that, I'll have to disconnect everything, including the HDD250's power. Will unplugging it mess it up ... is there a procedure or sequence to unplug this thing? Also, unplugging is also called a "hard reset", will I lose my guide info and my channel settings?

Thanks.

ft

1) With HDMI, from what I've seen it can't be forced to a specific output. Just leave the last channel as an HD channel and the guide won't be so big.

2) Not sure, give it another day

3) Unplugging it won't lose all the settings, I unplugged mine for a few hours and plugged it back in. It took a while to reset the clock, but everything else was there. Just make sure the hard drive stops spinning before tilting at any funny angles.

I've got an audio problem I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on. I'm not getting any audio on either pass threw or recorded programming. The timing of the failure appeared to be linked to moving cables around between the unit and my DVD. Anyway, I sent the unit back to Sony when it was still under warranty previously for the same problem, but the work order didn't show repair or replacement of any parts, etc. (only firmware upgrade, and ops check) Which makes me believe that the problem may be corrected through the service mode. I switched up into the service mode (9012) and selected the factory default. And as expected it cleared the memory and wiped the disk. But, still no Audio. Are there any other service mode options that may be useful for clearing this up??? Thanks

TJ

Sounds like when swapping controller boards on supposedly identical drives, the logic board model number (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showpost.php?p=255370&postcount=5) may be more critical than the drive firmware revision? This perhaps may not be as practical (for routine drive maintenance) as I'd hoped. :confused:

Ugggh! After reading that thread, I'm not so optimistic about the board swap. Oh well, the drives are already ordered. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. At the very least, I can always use the drives for another project.

Well I guess any and all CableCard comments are not relative.
I know it's a standard - I'm surprised they are using two brands.

GOOD LUCK.

The CableCard manufacture is determined by who makes the headend equipment. The majority of comcast"s headends are motorola based but some are SA/cisco based.

The CableCard manufacture is determined by who makes the headend equipment. The majority of comcast"s headends are motorola based but some are SA/cisco based.

That makes Sense!

1. I like to set the unit to output at 1080i, so hitting the "Format" button is easy enough. However, when I turn off/on the HDD250, it always defaults back to AutoHDMI, which is annoying since the SD channels get displayed in 480i and the guide is really small. Is there any way to make the 1080i output the default? The manual was less than helpful.

One work-around is to turn on the TV first. You have to turn off the TV last. This way the DVR is always seeing a display when it is on and won't revert to Auto HDMI.

I searched but could not find a reference to an issue I am having with the cable card. Does anyone know why TNT-HD would not lock in? The "Info" information is correct but it does not tune, channel 710 on TWC-NY/HVC. Also, Universal on 709 tunes but I get the "Info" for WOR. I have reset both the CC and Sony a number of times. Pulling CC seems to give best results, with no difference on reset of Sony. Upon reset of CC I sometimes can tune TNT-HD and when that is possible I get the correct "Info" for Universal but it always falls out within 30 minutes. I have seen the 161-6 error on my system a couple of times but it goes away when I pull/reset the CC. I am about ready to send into Sony for the update but want to be sure it will be fixed. I have been through 3 CC's so unless I have really bad luck I have to believe the issue is in the Sony.

I had cablecards in my 2 Sony 500s but gave up. In my town the cableco just does not put much effort in fully supporting CC, so there were lots of problems. The HD channels were in the 1500s and did not show up in the TVGOS, and many of the HD channels would not tune in at all with CC.

Not sure how it is in your town, I wish I could use CC, but I just went back to basic cable and network HD. good luck.

I've read the manual at least twice. It's not very thick and there is lots of useful information such as the various preference settings. I suggest you read the on-line manual, since the paper one has several errors.

Ray

Don't see an on-line manual on the Sony site. Do you have a link? Thanks.

MikeP

Don't see an on-line manual on the Sony site. Do you have a link? Thanks.

MikeP

http://esupport.sony.com/perl/model-documents.pl?mdl=DHGHDD500

After Comcast in Alexandria, VA finally switched to a digital line-up, I've been having problems with not receiving all my channels via CableCard on my Sony DHG 250. I have a Panasonic plasma, also with CC, and have no problems on that; I get all the channels in my package on the TV. I split the cable feed to each unit (no OTA capability in my building).

On the Sony DHG I get some (but not all) of Comcast's feed of the broadcast HD channels (e.g., ABCHD), and most of the old analog feeds (e.g., ABC analog), but none of the other digital channels in my package.

After nagging Comcast, they finally realized they had a rate code set incorrectly for the Sony's CC. While the tech was here, the programmer fixed the rate code and my channels appeared.

However, I soon discovered that when I turn off the Sony, those channels disappear again. I can get most (but not all) to come back on if I pop and reinsert the CC or do a warm reboot, but then they disappear again after a power off.

In addition to that, one HD channel I do get consistently won't record, either via a TVGOS scheduled recording or manually. The record light goes on for about a second, then nothing, as if I never scheduled the recording. I don't know if these two issues are related.

Before I call to nag Comcast for the umpteenth time, I'd like some advice from the more technically astute on this thread. Does this sound like a bad CC, or (shudder) an electrical problem with the Sony? Or is there something else I should try to do first?

Thanks,
Dan Spadoni

Dan, I have the same problem here.
One output from splitter goes into my panasonic plasma with CC, the other goes into the DHG-HDD250. The panasonic been working well w/ the CC for months w/o any problem ever. The DHG looses the authorization stuff after a while. No information under the CableCard menu. When this happens, I am only able to receive basic broadcast channels. The temporary fix is to do a soft reset, but having to do this everyday is getting annoying. I got my 2nd card installed today, lost authorization again 20 mins after the installer left. After the first reset, I got no signal when tuning to any channels. After a 2nd soft reset, the CC started and finished a firmware upgrade. Everything is working fine so far but I suspect it will loose authorizatoin again by tomorrow as in the first card. DHG is on the 1.2.05 firmware. Up here in NJ with Cablevision using Scientific Alanta cablecards. Let me know if you have any luck w/ this problem.

I have been using my 250 for about 9 months now and am finding more and more that when I playback previous recordings I get lots of drop outs. I have not had more than 30 - 40% of the drive spaced used ever, but I am wondering that perhaps as a result of constantly using and reusing the same sectors of the hard drive that I need to "defragment" or format the partition somehow. Can anyone tell me if they needed to do this or if it is just a problem with my signal strength. (in the 80's) Thanks.

As for dropouts, are they audio only or video? If it's audio sometimes hdmi is the cause, many say using component helps.

My issue- last night I was recording one program and watching another recorded program. I kept getting the change channel warning. It did it non-stop. I would pick "Don't change channel, keep recording", and then 15 seconds later the warning would come back again.

Later I was recording something else and watching a recorded program and it worked fine. I hope it was just some sort of signal glitch, it made it basically unwatchable with the warning screen popping up continuously. and no my remote button for change channel was not being pushed.

As for dropouts, are they audio only or video? If it's audio sometimes hdmi is the cause, many say using component helps.

Later I was recording something else and watching a recorded program and it worked fine. I hope it was just some sort of signal glitch, it made it basically unwatchable with the warning screen popping up continuously. and no my remote button for change channel was not being pushed.

I think it depends on sequence of events.

Here is the sequence I found last night.

1) I started watching a prerecorded program first.

2) Then a Scheduled recording started to record while I
was watching the first recorded program. ALL IS FINE.

3) After I finished watching the Prerecorded program,
then I switched to the program being recorded and
rewound it to the Beginning. ALL IS FINE.

4) If I tried to switch or watch anything else - I would
get the popup message. No matter which selection I
made - It always went back to recording. I could not
get it to stop even when I said I wanted it to stop and
switch.

Still a great box - I love my many Sony HDDs!

Originally Posted by gigaguy
As for dropouts, are they audio only or video? If it's audio sometimes hdmi is the cause, many say using component helps.
.................


I'm using sony strdg1000 receiver & having no audio dropout/any problem via hdmi.

Hi. We've had a weird problem the last few days. While watching a show (recorded or live), if we tried to use the remote control to pause or fast-forward or pull up the menu (or anything else, really), none of the buttons would respond. It turned out even the power button on the unit itself would not turn off the HDD. I pulled the plug, plugged it back in after 30 seconds or so, and it worked for a while. We had been down to about 10% free space on each drive, so we deleted a lot of shows we probably wouldn't have watched anyway, and I was able to free up over 50%. A few days later, it started freezing up again. The only other thing I can think of is that the unit may be getting too warm. I cleaned up the vents as best as possible (they were very dirty). This was just last night, so I haven't had much time to test yet. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this sort of problem. I tried a search on this thread, but nothing caught my eye.

The menu gives you temp readings for both drives you can monitor, but if it gets too hot it shuts itself down automatically. A total reset, like you did, should fix freezes. Anyone think a TVGOS reset only would be beneficial? You hold the exit and guide buttons on the unit to reset TVGOS only.

Hi. We've had a weird problem the last few days. While watching a show (recorded or live), if we tried to use the remote control to pause or fast-forward or pull up the menu (or anything else, really), none of the buttons would respond. It turned out even the power button on the unit itself would not turn off the HDD. I pulled the plug, plugged it back in after 30 seconds or so, and it worked for a while. We had been down to about 10% free space on each drive, so we deleted a lot of shows we probably wouldn't have watched anyway, and I was able to free up over 50%. A few days later, it started freezing up again. The only other thing I can think of is that the unit may be getting too warm. I cleaned up the vents as best as possible (they were very dirty). This was just last night, so I haven't had much time to test yet. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this sort of problem. I tried a search on this thread, but nothing caught my eye.We've occassionally experienced that problem with either one or both of our 250's....I say it's only one unit that's done that, but the wife says both....:rolleyes: Anyway, I just wait a few minutes and everything seems to go back to normal. I assume that it's just busy, like sometimes my pc slows down and becomes nonresponsive, so I just wait for it to catch up.

The TVGOS ads have appeared here in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, at least via OTA.

I really think a TVGOS reset is good to do occasionally. I see it similar to emptying your temporary cache of internet files that load up on a browser.

No TVGOS ads here in Austin...yet.

The TVGOS ads have appeared here in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, at least via OTA.
who really cares about ads? i wish the unit can automatically add chapter marks so i can skip commercials when playing back.

I skip ads easily. Just set up the Advance and Rewind? settings how far you want to skip. You know you can set marks on recordings to skip over commercials? No device is gonna auto detect commercials and skip them precisely. Big business lobbies against that.

who really cares about ads? i wish the unit can automatically add chapter marks so i can skip commercials when playing back.

I wish it would just add chapter marks at 15 minute increments like the Tivo does.

I really think a TVGOS reset is good to do occasionally. I see it similar to emptying your temporary cache of internet files that load up on a browser.

No TVGOS ads here in Austin...yet.
Ads are here in Atlanta, GA. today OTA. I think it is a good sign. If they are able to sell ad time, then perhaps TVGOS is getting more support than they are letting on. And maybe all the worry over 2009 was unfounded.( Not to start a discussion on that subject) Just glad to see some progress with TVGOS. Also, my units have been working pretty good lately. Only a couple of times have I had scheduled recordings drop in the last couple of months.
Michael

We've occassionally experienced that problem with either one or both of our 250's....I say it's only one unit that's done that, but the wife says both....:rolleyes: Anyway, I just wait a few minutes and everything seems to go back to normal. I assume that it's just busy, like sometimes my pc slows down and becomes nonresponsive, so I just wait for it to catch up.

yes, this has happened to me. Waiting up to 5 minutes has cleared it up everytime (except the one or two times I jumped the gun and powered off).

I have been using my 250 for about 9 months now and am finding more and more that when I playback previous recordings I get lots of drop outs. I have not had more than 30 - 40% of the drive spaced used ever, but I am wondering that perhaps as a result of constantly using and reusing the same sectors of the hard drive that I need to "defragment" or format the partition somehow. Can anyone tell me if they needed to do this or if it is just a problem with my signal strength. (in the 80's) Thanks.

yes, I get this only when playing back recordings I've either watched before or watched while recording (has most issues with repeated playback). Its just a slight hiccup and then it is fine.

Signal strength issues seem more pronounced to me (massive video error, usually audio is fine).

I have ads this afternoon in Covington, LA. My TVGOS listings come over Charter Cable (I think). The ads were not there last night . . .

Looks like ads are in Tulsa OTA now also.

Hi. We've had a weird problem the last few days. While watching a show (recorded or live), if we tried to use the remote control to pause or fast-forward or pull up the menu (or anything else, really), none of the buttons would respond. It turned out even the power button on the unit itself would not turn off the HDD. I pulled the plug, plugged it back in after 30 seconds or so, and it worked for a while. We had been down to about 10% free space on each drive, so we deleted a lot of shows we probably wouldn't have watched anyway, and I was able to free up over 50%. A few days later, it started freezing up again. The only other thing I can think of is that the unit may be getting too warm. I cleaned up the vents as best as possible (they were very dirty). This was just last night, so I haven't had much time to test yet. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this sort of problem. I tried a search on this thread, but nothing caught my eye.

Did you notice if the clock froze? That happened on my 250 today for the first time. I did the same plug-pull reset and it worked for a bit, then froze during a recording! I'm starting to wonder if this is TVGOS-related.

Ads have arrived in downtown Chicago, along with 135 more guide channels for a total of 566. Yikes!

Best part is that there was no loss of data, missed downloads, or any other glitch.

Ads here in anne arundel county maryland. No glitches.

Is there a link that someone can point me to for info on the service modes?

TJ

Have the adds here in Phoenix, AZ. Anyone know whats going on with the adds? I've had 2 units for almost a year now and I have never had adds until now.

As far as advancing using the advance buttons, I find that it works much better if you press pause first, then use the advance buttons.

Have the adds here in Phoenix, AZ. Anyone know whats going on with the adds? I've had 2 units for almost a year now and I have never had adds until now.

As far as advancing using the advance buttons, I find that it works much better if you press pause first, then use the advance buttons.
Funny thing, I have ads only on one unit. Both units are ota, but I have some cable channels that I set( on the one that gets ads) just to get listings for programs that I use to remind my girlfriend to record. The other has just ota listings only, but no ads. Any one else?
Michael

Hi. We've had a weird problem the last few days. While watching a show (recorded or live), if we tried to use the remote control to pause or fast-forward or pull up the menu (or anything else, really), none of the buttons would respond. It turned out even the power button on the unit itself would not turn off the HDD. I pulled the plug, plugged it back in after 30 seconds or so, and it worked for a while. We had been down to about 10% free space on each drive, so we deleted a lot of shows we probably wouldn't have watched anyway, and I was able to free up over 50%. A few days later, it started freezing up again. The only other thing I can think of is that the unit may be getting too warm. I cleaned up the vents as best as possible (they were very dirty). This was just last night, so I haven't had much time to test yet. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this sort of problem. I tried a search on this thread, but nothing caught my eye.
I had those same problems today. When I turned the unit on, seemed like no of the buttons on the remote worked. I could not bring up the tv guide. I could not bring up the recorded shows menu. The buttons on the all three of my recorders did not work. Unplugging them solved the problem. Strange for all three of my units to experience the same problem. Must have been some type of corrupted download last night. Anyone else with this problem?

Ads have arrived in downtown Chicago.

really? I still have nothing... I guess I'll get another update at 1am.

Have ads here as of today in Northern Virgina on both my 500s with Cox Cable.

No device is gonna auto detect commercials and skip them precisely.From the reviews I've read, the RCA recorders do a pretty precise job with their "commercial skip" feature.

really? I still have nothing... I guess I'll get another update at 1am.Just checked - I've got 'em, too.

Doesn't bother me one bit though, as I've been used to seeing them on my 2 other SD DVR's for a couple of years now. I knew it would only be a matter of time with the Sony, just as it was with the others. Based on that, I'm actually surprised it wasn't sooner.

Have the adds here in Phoenix, AZ. Anyone know whats going on with the adds? I've had 2 units for almost a year now and I have never had adds until now.

As far as advancing using the advance buttons, I find that it works much better if you press pause first, then use the advance buttons.

It sure took them a long time to get the ads posted. I assume we will all get them eventually, and ads must be the same for both ota and cable users since the signal source is the same for both of them. Much better to get ads than pay a monthly fee.

Thanks for your suggestion to pause before advance. It definitely speeds up the process since images appear immediately.

Ray

I had those same problems today. When I turned the unit on, seemed like no of the buttons on the remote worked. I could not bring up the tv guide. I could not bring up the recorded shows menu. The buttons on the all three of my recorders did not work. Unplugging them solved the problem. Strange for all three of my units to experience the same problem. Must have been some type of corrupted download last night. Anyone else with this problem?

Exact same problem here. Started Tuesday AM.

Only problem is unplugging messed the clock up.

Thanks for your suggestion to pause before advance. It definitely speeds up the process since images appear immediately.

Ray
Just curious to know if anyone else has tried this yet? :D

Just curious to know if anyone else has tried this yet? :D

I haven't tried this (pause before advance) but I'm not sure I see the advantage. I set my advance for 30 seconds which is how long the typical commercial is and then hit it several times to get back to the show once the commercials start. I tried 60 seconds but a lot of times you go too far and have to rewind.

Also, ads have arrived here in north central CT (Comcast).....

Ads are here in Atlanta, GA. today OTA. I think it is a good sign. If they are able to sell ad time, then perhaps TVGOS is getting more support than they are letting on. And maybe all the worry over 2009 was unfounded.( Not to start a discussion on that subject) Just glad to see some progress with TVGOS. Also, my units have been working pretty good lately. Only a couple of times have I had scheduled recordings drop in the last couple of months.
Michael

I too noticed ads appearing from Atlanta PBS station feed - and I agree, it's a good sign. It gives me some hope that the TVGOS is not a dead end business for Gemstar. Just hoping they will hang on with TVGOS at least long enough so that I can recover the DVR cost (versus $15/month for a Moxi box from Charter!). Now, if only more devices would come out with TVGOS; maybe I'm wrong but seems like number of products including TVGOS is declining quickly.

Ads are also here in Colorado. Noticed last night while catching up on a couple of recordings. Good news is, they will have absolutely no effect on me...



/bretski suddenly has the urge to visit a Bose store to check out their awesome new DVD system.

Ads just showed up today in the Cincinnati area (host channel WCET). No new stations in the guide though. We currently have 418 stations listed.

I wish it would just add chapter marks at 15 minute increments like the Tivo does.
One way to do it manually is to set the Advance Time to 300 seconds (5 minutes) in the menu. You can press the Advance button 3 times to skip 15 minutes and put a chapter mark there by pressing the Select button. You can go through the whole recording this way. Adv, Adv, Adv, Sel, Adv, Adv, Adv, Sel, Adv, Adv, Adv, Sel, Adv, Adv, Adv, Sel, etc.

Just got ads last night OTA in Seattle.

I've got a question about clock set and guide download. It seems that my clock will not set during the day only after midnight sometime, even if the unit is in standby all day long. Then the guide will not download until overnight the next day. Is it possible that the local host (KCTS 9) is only sending the signal out one time a day?


This is very frustrating as I can be without a guide for three full days. The last time I lost my guide I still had my clock but guide did not download overnight. (day 1); so I did a cold reboot - clock reset (day 2); guide downloaded (day 3).

Ads in Bedford, TX (Dallas/Fort Worth area), TimeWarner Cable (formerly Comcast). Having some lockups just like rayliner described several posts back.. thought the hd was getting too hot but it says its only 104 F.

I had pulled the hard drive and was all ready to da a backup image like I did with my Tivos, until I read the posts from Mark F. about the embedded serial in the NVRAM. :eek:

Anybody know what happens if you push the little green button on the mobo?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/175/405655858_db4942c468_m.jpg

Heres some more pictures of the inside of my 250. (http://picasaweb.google.com/gulfstreme/SonyDvr) [picasaweb.google.com] You can zoom in to read the chip numbers. When I saw that Silicon Image chip I was thinking it was Silicon Optix. :D

Anyone know where I can pick one of these up? It must be new. New means outer packaging has been unopen and it hasn't been "tested" to see if works. There are a few units on Ebay, but most if not all of them are flakes. Thanks for any info.

Ads in Bedford, TX (Dallas/Fort Worth area), TimeWarner Cable (formerly Comcast). Having some lockups just like rayliner described several posts back.. thought the hd was getting too hot but it says its only 104 F.

I had pulled the hard drive and was all ready to da a backup image like I did with my Tivos, until I read the posts from Mark F. about the embedded serial in the NVRAM. :eek:

Anybody know what happens if you push the little green button on the mobo?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/175/405655858_db4942c468_m.jpg

Heres some more pictures of the inside of my 250. (http://picasaweb.google.com/gulfstreme/SonyDvr) [picasaweb.google.com] You can zoom in to read the chip numbers. When I saw that Silicon Image chip I was thinking it was Silicon Optix. :D

Based on the label, it's a hard reset for the processor. It probably does the same thing as unplugging the unit. Outstanding photos by the way. I'm interested in what they didn't load besides the RJ-45 connector in the ethernet chain, like the magnetics and the PHY.

Anybody know what happens if you push the little green button on the mobo?

It reboots the DVR, just like pushing the reset button on some PCs. (I tried it.)

Equally -

See the link for a post a few pages back about units available at Fry's in the Dallas area. You must also mean that you don't want to buy a unit that was "only opened to take pictures"?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9787099&&#post9787099


Gulfstreme -

Nice photos. I'd have to think that the green button must do a "reset" based on the silkscreen.

Any volunteers to carefully desolder the DiskOnChip and round up the tools to dump it? This particular part is EOL'd already, by the way...

Based on the label, it's a hard reset for the processor. It probably does the same thing as unplugging the unit. Outstanding photos by the way. I'm interested in what they didn't load besides the RJ-45 connector in the ethernet chain, like the magnetics and the PHY.

Looking at picture 7 the magnetics are not loaded (T700) and IC702 which looks like a MAC/PHY controller, (or just a very large PHY) is also not loaded, so the whole chain is not loaded. It does look like connectors A1 and possibly B1 are there for a plug in Ethernet daughter card for service.

Looking at picture 7 the magnetics are not loaded (T700) and IC702 which looks like a MAC/PHY controller, (or just a very large PHY) is also not loaded, so the whole chain is not loaded. It does look like connectors A1 and possibly B1 are there for a plug in Ethernet daughter card for service.

Sorry that would be Connectors CN403 and CN404, A1 and B1 are pin designators.

Exact same problem here. Started Tuesday AM.

Only problem is unplugging messed the clock up.

A few days ago, I experienced that problem and it went away without doing anything. Seems like the computer was busy doing a function that couldn't be interrupted while it was in progress. Since so many of us have just encountered that problem, it was probably caused by the insertion of ads.

Over the last few months, I've had to unplug my Sony units several times to rearrange my equipment, and the clock always returned within a few minutes after pluging in power.

Seems to me that the clock signal should be available continuously, unless there is an equipment problem at the tv station. Otherwise, VCRs and other devices could not have an auto clock set feature. So if the clock doesn't set within a few minutes of power application, problem may be at the tv station.

Before you unplug power or do hot reset, I suggest you make sure that the problem is not at the station. Otherwise, if it is, you will lose the clock until the station fixes the problem and you won't have ability to record until the clock returns.

Ray

Hmm, I have the ads now too and I wonder if setting them up is what was causing my machine to keep popping up the channel change warning over and over and over.
It did seem like some signal was causing it. It only did it monday night.

To the poster wanting new Sonys, the Frys store here has a few of each, seems like they were $600 and $750, for the 250 and the 500.

Sorry that would be Connectors CN403 and CN404, A1 and B1 are pin designators.

IC702 is most likely, based on the datasheet, a National DP83815. I take back what I said about the daughter card option. Without seeing the bottom of the board the visible traces coming from CN403 are just picked off address lines going through terminator resistors.

Did you notice if the clock froze? That happened on my 250 today for the first time. I did the same plug-pull reset and it worked for a bit, then froze during a recording! I'm starting to wonder if this is TVGOS-related.

I didn't wait to see if the clock didn't change to the next minute. It froze again last night. It was recording THE UNIT, and we switched TV inputs to the box so we could begin watching. I paused the screen so I wouldn't be able to see/hear what was going on in the show until I could go back to the beginning. I pressed the menu button to view recordings (and start from the beginning), and it froze up. I couldn't turn off pause or any other function. We gave up and went back to our ReplayTV and watched something else instead. (The Sony does seem to have finished the recording correctly, but we haven't watched it yet to see if there were any problems with the recording.) Sometime later I tried the controls, and it seemed fine without needing a reset.

However on one of my 'pulling the plug' episodes the day before, I did notice the clock was wrong by an hour. It eventually fixed, but I think that was after I had pulled the plug again. While the Sony is frozen, it's not possible to view the temperatures (sigh), but when it was working correctly, the temp of disk1 was 98, and disk2 was 108, and both disks have more than 55% free space. This should be acceptable. (The Replay disk drive runs about 20 degrees warmer than room temperature also- I had to add a temperature sensor NEAR the disk drive so I could monitor and put in a fan to force more air in the Replay.)

Is there any was to "de-frag" a drive without erasing all the recorded shows?

Anyone know where I can pick one of these up? It must be new. New means outer packaging has been unopen and it hasn't been "tested" to see if works. There are a few units on Ebay, but most if not all of them are flakes. Thanks for any info.

Fry's Austin TX....2 of each size $569, $749 for the 250GB and 500GB respectively. Only a 15 day return on the HDD250...the reason I didn't buy them today to resell.

I have never had a problem with my sony dhg 500 but today it will only power on and off. No other buttons work. No way to get the tv guide, menu change channels ect...

any ideas of how to get it going again?

An unplug might fix it, but try the TVGOS reset first. Hold the Exit and Guide buttons down on the front panel..

I wonder if the new advertising data being sent is messing machines up??

I can report that the ads have arrived in West Michigan (Charter Cable).

Hey all,

I'd be interested in buying a gently used unit if anybody is looking to upgrade or change dvr solutions. PM me if interested.

Thanks

Following over a hundred new channels being added to the channel editor list last week I found the unit was not recording a scheduled show yesterday and when I turned it on to check on this the unit froze. After resetting it many channels were turned off and moved to the bottom of the channel editor list. I corrected them and left the unit off overnight. Today those channels were off yet again but ads are showing up for the first time and Gemstar firmware is now at 08.06.44. My guess is this update was in progress at the time my recording was scheduled the other day and my turning the unit on to check on it froze it.

I can report that the ads have arrived in West Michigan (Charter Cable).

I am OTA only in Albuquerque, NM. Yesterday my unit froze, only came on & stayed on one channel. Would not display TVGOS or any other function, or change channels. I did the unplug routine. After coming back on, for the first time it displayed ads - I've had the unit 1.5 years. Prefer them not being there!, but recognize it's a $$ benefit that might help keeping the service there.

Based on what I've read here today, I'll have to check if there is a change in firmware.

I also prefer to forward through the commercials by pausing first. My forward is set to 30, back to 5. When I go to far (seems like many breaks aren't even 30 or 60 second segments) it is easier to find the end of the commercials if the unit is paused.

Although I still get flack from the wife that I've gone too far & have to back up!!

Now I feel stupid for not reading the last few pages.

Yes unplugging fixed it. I never heard of this problem in all the reading of this thread before so I just jumped the gun and asked.

I havent seen these ads yet. Do they display over the show?

Ads showed up here yesterday in RI, no problems.

I'm using OTA in NJ (getting mostly NY stations). I thought I've had adds for some time now...never really paid a lot of attention. Tonight my unit froze up. I had audio (I use analog audio) and no video and the clock was frozen. I noticed because It wasn't recording a program I had scheduled.

I did a warm reset and it came back. I had the clock but it was about 5 minutes behind. Now it's about 20 minutes later and the clock locked up again. I just reset again. It then had the correct time and started recording the program I had scheduled but locked up again!! I haven't reset because I'm afraid to do so while it's recording.

Anyone else having problems this bad? Does this sound like the tvguide problems others are having tonight. Damn...this really really sucks.

Tom

I havent seen these ads yet. Do they display over the show?

They just take place of the two TV Guide logos on the left side of the screen. No big deal. Maybe even an improvement over stating at the same thing for a year.

Ads showed up here in Pittsburgh today. The guide now has 558 channels to select from. Two somehow auto-added to my guide and I had to turn them off.

It is good seeing the ads. It means that we have not been forgotten!

I have two 250s and a 500, all sent to Sony for the firmware 13 and CC fix. All work well and I'm even getting ads as of yesterday in Merrifield VA.

But I notice that my newest 250 when I go in the search mode, and press "Select" via my remote to find a program, the area below the search name is blank, whereas my 500 displays "Searching..." and what not. I thought the GEMStar firmware updates were an automatic affair. How to I get the Guide to look the same across my three machines?

Wow...this is really bad. Since my unit was frozen while recording I waited until after 9:00 when I knew the show I was recording was over and reset it. Everything seemed ok until 10:00 when I had another recording scheduled...it switched to the channel ok but then locked up again. I just reset it and it seems to be recording ok.

I've had my unit for a very long time. Tonight is the first time I ever had any issues with it. Do the new commercials mean that the actually sent new TVGOS firmware? I know how to check the firmware...I just have no idea what it was before.

Tom

Is it ever necessary to defrag the drive(s) ? If so how is this done ? My dropouts were both video and analog during playback of recorded shows, but they have not happened in the past few days. I suppose it was my signal strength... I finally watched everthing on the unit yesterday and it was empty for the first time in .....ever! So I wonder if it was happy to be clear again, or if it doesn't care... whatever it is working again now and that's how I like it.

But really does it ever need to be defraged and if so then how ? Thanks!

I have never had a problem with my sony dhg 500 but today it will only power on and off. No other buttons work. No way to get the tv guide, menu change channels ect...

any ideas of how to get it going again?

Just do the warm reset proceedure in the FAQ ref. in the first post. My unit did this same thing and the reset fixed it up. I am guess this is due to the new TVGOS version that appeared.

From the FAQ the TVGOS version was 08.06.30 and now it reports 08.06.44
4 digit channel entry above 1023 still not fixed :(

I had the same lockup yesterday and lost one night of guide down laod (Day 8).

Warm Reboot: Press <EXIT> and <TV GUIDE> buttons on the front of the unit simultaneously.

A warm reboot won't fix the problem permanently. It doesn't do much different than pulling the plug for the button lockup. The button lockup is easily repeatable - open the guide, and begin recording any show. The button lockup will occur. Pull the plug quick enough, the recording will cancel and when the DVR comes back up, it won't be frozen. If you wait too long, the recording will pick back up again when the DVR comes back up, and the buttons will still be locked up. Pull the plug a third time, and when the DVR comes back up, the show will be recording and the buttons will now work. I haven't tested the last two parts enough to say those parts are fully repeatable, but I can get the DVR to lock up 100% of the time, using the first step. Doing a warm reboot will get you out of the lock up, but it's easy to lock it up again by using the same repeatable method.

Looks like TVGOS needs to roll back to the last version, or do a quick fix and roll out another version. Either that, or the new TVGOS version has an interoperability problem with Sony's software, and they need to work together to fix the problem (this could be a major issue, if they decide not to immediately roll back to the last version).

EDIT: Forgot to mention that when the show finishes recording, the button lockup goes away, and the DVR functions normally again. The first (5?) commands that were queued up during the lockup will be executed immediately, in series.

Is it ever necessary to defrag the drive(s) ? If so how is this done ? My dropouts were both video and analog during playback of recorded shows, but they have not happened in the past few days. I suppose it was my signal strength... I finally watched everthing on the unit yesterday and it was empty for the first time in .....ever! So I wonder if it was happy to be clear again, or if it doesn't care... whatever it is working again now and that's how I like it.

But really does it ever need to be defraged and if so then how ? Thanks!

Defragging is only really necessarily when you're dealing with lots of file sizes ranging from very small to very large. Generally speaking, there are only a very few number of different file sizes that the DVR must handle. By using a different disk allocation method than one used by a typical filesystem, you can avoid fragmentation issues completely.

Fragmentation should not be a problem with any DVR.

Sometimes these hard lockups aren't that hard.

I've experienced two - the latest right in the middle of the Superbowl as I tried to rewind on something I missed. The unit froze on a frame and was completely unresponsive to all commands. The first time this happened was a LONG time ago and I seemed to recall that it eventually started working again, so I just sat there and waited. After several minutes of staring that that frozen screen, it suddenly picked up where it had left off and was 100% back to normal. It also hadn't stopped recording during the "pause" and everything missed was there.

The button lockup is easily repeatable - open the guide, and begin recording any show.
You've described pretty much what I'm seeing, though I'm not sure on the details in my case. For one thing, last night I was able to record a program from the quide once the program had already started and didn't seem to get the lockup. However I just tried it today and it did lock up.

At least I know that it's related to the TVGOS firmware. I was begining to wonder if I didn't have some serious hardware problem.

I just looked and my TVGOS firmware version is 08.06.44 as others have reported.

I'm half tempted to call Sony to see if they're aware of this, but I could see that taking all day.

Tom

A warm reboot won't fix the problem permanently.

You are making the assumption that he has the same problem you do. My issue like others did this the day after the TVGOS update and would just power on/off and watch TV on the current channel. It was has nothing to do with recording. After the reset it has not done it again. I have had the freezes you talk about but they clear on their own after minuets (or after the show quits recording). This freeze is very different in that it doesn't clear and no menus or displays or any function other then watching TV on the current channel works.

Anyone notice if the new TVGOS firmware allows the program guide to be received OTA from digital stations? (as in has anyone's guide channel changed?) I am wondering if they rolled that capability into the new version. That would be great!

I am very happy with the expanded list of channels in the program guide. Very impressive !

BTW, I have not noticed the 'lockup' problem yet. The only issue I have seen is a couple of shows that we scheduled to record on Monday and Tuesday night didn't record and disappeared from the recording list.

You are making the assumption that he has the same problem you do. My issue like others did this the day after the TVGOS update and would just power on/off and watch TV on the current channel.
While my lockups seem to be reproducable much like Lindahl's they do have simiarities to what you describe in that nothing on the remote worked but generally you can watch tv on the current channel. However once mine is locked up I can't even power it off, I can only do a reset. My unit has the newest (1.2.13) sony firmware by the way.

In any case, it's pretty clear there are serious problems with this TVGOS firmware, at least with these units.

I wonder if it's possible that the affects of these issues may differ depending on differences between host stations in different parts of the country?

Tom

Looks like TVGOS needs to roll back to the last version, or do a quick fix and roll out another version. Either that, or the new TVGOS version has an interoperability problem with Sony's software, and they need to work together to fix the problem (this could be a major issue, if they decide not to immediately roll back to the last version).

I have seen these lockup events occasionally ever since I got my DHG500 (nearly 2 years ago). When I first saw reports of this in this forum recently, I didn't give it much thought. Now that it seems to be more prevalent, and a possibly related to a TVGOS update, this brings back bad memories of a similar problem with a Panasonic DVR using TVGOS.

The Panasonic DVR was updated (without my approval) automatically with new firmware, and never worked correctly again. After about two years of complaining to Panasonic, they eventually replaced the DVR with their latest model. Apparently there was no way to undo or otherwise fix the problem with the existing DVR, only with a newer one. Panasonic gets good marks for resolving the problem, but not for taking two years to do so. Since Sony is out of the DVR market, and there is no newer model, I hope this scenario is not happening again.

TVGOS ads showed up this week in San Diego on my Sony DVRs, but not my Panasonic DVR. They use different host channels, so that is likely the reason.

Hi all,
I've been having the lock up problem when a show is recording and I am trying to watch another one for a week or two now. I've had the HDD250 for about a year without any of these problems (used for only OTA).
I've tried to read through as much o this thread as I could but it seems many of us are having the lock up problem when trying to watch a show while recording another. As soon as the recording is over the control buttons all work again and it also happens in reverse. If watching a recorded show everything is fine until you run over the time when a new show starts being recorded then poof gone are any control - can't even turn it off!
Has anyone figured a reason for this yet? Does it have something to do with the ads now being displayed? Is there a firmware change that will fix this. Sorry, as I said I've been reading this thread a while but haven't seen these answers. Anyone got an idea?

The Panasonic DVR was updated (without my approval) automatically with new firmware, and never worked correctly again. After about two years of complaining to Panasonic, they eventually replaced the DVR with their latest model. Apparently there was no way to undo or otherwise fix the problem with the existing DVR, only with a newer one.
That is some scary stuff. I have a Panasonic DMR-E85H that got upgraded in a similar way. It still worked but once it had the new firmware it told me I needed to reboot the unit by unplugging it, which in my case requires moving my massive RP CRT tv. That was the first time I was even aware they could force those upgrades on you, and I wasn't happy.

If they're going to have a model where existing hardware's firware is supposed to work with all future versions of the TVGOS firmware the spec that the hardware manufacturers program to had better be really really solid, and it seems like it isn't. Given that the upgrades are forced on you the whole thing is starting to sound like a good class action lawsuit to me.

Tom

Well, it sounds like quite a few people have been experiencing the same (or similar) problem. I haven't tried to perform a warm-reset of the guide info, but wouldn't pulling the plug accomplish this? (I have pulled the plug numerous times).
Has anyone tried calling Sony or TVGOS yet? If not, does anyone know of a number for support? I would be willing to sit on hold to try and work this out.

Well, it sounds like quite a few people have been experiencing the same (or similar) problem. I haven't tried to perform a warm-reset of the guide info, but wouldn't pulling the plug accomplish this? (I have pulled the plug numerous times).
Has anyone tried calling Sony or TVGOS yet? If not, does anyone know of a number for support? I would be willing to sit on hold to try and work this out.
I used a support chat on sony.com but the guy I got in touch with couldn't find anything relating to this. He said I needed to talk to level 2 support by calling them. I don't have time to at the moment. Here's the number he gave me:

800-222-7669

By the way, my understanding from the FAQ linked at the beginning of this thread is that the reset from the front of the unit accomplishes the same thing as unplugging with less wear on the hardware, which makes sense.

Tom

... the whole thing is starting to sound like a good class action lawsuit to me.

Tom

Unfortunately there's no such thing as a "good class action lawsuit". Invariably, the lawyers in the class action suit get rich and fat, while the members of the "class" get a coupon worth $25 towards the purchase of a new DVR. In our case, the coupon is utterly and absolutely worthless, since YOU CAN'T BUY a new DVR with the features of the DHGxxx's. :eek: :eek: :eek:

Unfortunately there's no such thing as a "good class action lawsuit". Invariably, the lawyers in the class action suit get rich and fat, while the members of the "class" get a coupon worth $25 towards the purchase of a new DVR. In our case, the coupon is utterly and absolutely worthless, since YOU CAN'T BUY a new DVR with the features of the DHGxxx's. :eek: :eek: :eek:
Yea I know...I was more blowing off steam than anything ;)

I discovered one bit of good news in this mess. I've found that if I schedule recordings using the tv guide and power the unit off, they record fine...at least a test I just tried with two programs on different channels worked ok. Apparently the lockups only occur for me if I'm recording with the unit on. This at least means that until this is sorted out, I can pretty much do what I normally would with the exception of watching one recording while recording something else...as long as I plan ahead when it comes to scheduling recordings.

Tom

got a call back from TVGOS/Gemstar, and a rep said he was forwarding the TW in Los Angeles channel lineups to whoever at TVG manages the channel lineups, so if anyone here has had to go through reprogramming the channel listing for TW in LA hopefully they TVGOS will have the correct lineups sometime soon

Anyone notice if the new TVGOS firmware allows the program guide to be received OTA from digital stations? (as in has anyone's guide channel changed?) I am wondering if they rolled that capability into the new version. That would be great!

A few comments and an update (see message 8729 below). I did a Restore Factory Defaults thru the 9012 service menu on my Sony DHG 250, with Comcast's cable card still inserted. After going thru all the initializations, the clock came back up in about an hour. I then went thru the TVGOS setup. The next day, I had most (but still not all) of the SD and HD channels in my package, and whatever recording problems I was having seem to have gone away.

I'm now seeing ads in the TVGOS splash area, and the host channel shows as 1:0-26. Thru the cable card, 26 is (I have presumed) the digital feed of WETA, the local PBS station. The TVGOS updated firmware shows as 08.06.44 (the original main was 08.01.42), but I don't know if this was updated before or after I did the Restore. (The Sony's firmware is 1.2.06.)

Here's the weird thing: on my Panasonic plasma, I get no ads in the TVGOS and the host channel shows as 0:0-94 (the presumed analog map of 26; also, I have no OTA connection). The TVGOS firmware on the Panny shows as 08.01.53 with no update. Clearly, the Panny is not getting TVGOS firmware updates by itself, and I'm not sure I want to force it (since it's working fine as is).

Also weird: now on the Sony, I no longer even receive channel 94 thru the CC (blank screen with something like "No Program Content" or "Channel Not Available" message), while on the Panny I still receive SD content on 94 thru its CC.

I have not experienced any lockups of the Sony, but I don't view and record content at the same time.

Unfortunately there's no such thing as a "good class action lawsuit". Invariably, the lawyers in the class action suit get rich and fat, while the members of the "class" get a coupon worth $25 towards the purchase of a new DVR. In our case, the coupon is utterly and absolutely worthless, since YOU CAN'T BUY a new DVR with the features of the DHGxxx's. :eek: :eek: :eek:
the lawyers get rich and fat? i'm pretty sure any lawyer that would handle this mess is already rich and fat! ;)

I had cablecards in my 2 Sony 500s but gave up. In my town the cableco just does not put much effort in fully supporting CC, so there were lots of problems. The HD channels were in the 1500s and did not show up in the TVGOS, and many of the HD channels would not tune in at all with CC.

Not sure how it is in your town, I wish I could use CC, but I just went back basic cable and network HD. good luck.

I had the same problem with TW in San Antonio with my 250 and 500. I went thru 3 CC and TW says my units were at fault. I emailed the FCC and within 2 weeks TW was at my door wanting to fix the problem, and did. You just have to put a little pressure on them. Same thing happened when TW would not give me a DVR with firewire , until the FCC put a little pressure on them.

Also weird: now on the Sony, I no longer even receive channel 94 thru the CC (blank screen with something like "No Program Content" or "Channel Not Available" message), while on the Panny I still receive SD content on 94 thru its CC.

Your cableco needs to re-provision the card in the Sony. Check the diagnostics screen and you will probably see that your channels < 100 are analog. They should be digital. The remap will cause channel 94 analog to reappear, while all others become digital.

Please help ! Earlier this afternoon, while watching television through my HDD-250, it froze up. I couldn't change channels or do anything. I turned it off for a few minutes and turned it back on. Now the clock shows --:-- and the unit is stuck on channel 4. There is no data in my guide. I've had this unit since September 2006, (Sony upgraded the firmware in August) with a Brighthouse Cablecard (Orlando, FL) and have never had any issues. What should I do?

Please help ! Earlier this afternoon, while watching television through my HDD-250, it froze up. I couldn't change channels or do anything. I turned it off for a few minutes and turned it back on. Now the clock shows --:-- and the unit is stuck on channel 4. There is no data in my guide. I've had this unit since September 2006, (Sony upgraded the firmware in August) with a Brighthouse Cablecard (Orlando, FL) and have never had any issues. What should I do?

Change your username.

Sorry, but couldn't pass this up. :>

Why?

Please help ! Earlier this afternoon, while watching television through my HDD-250, it froze up. I couldn't change channels or do anything. I turned it off for a few minutes and turned it back on. Now the clock shows --:-- and the unit is stuck on channel 4. There is no data in my guide. I've had this unit since September 2006, (Sony upgraded the firmware in August) with a Brighthouse Cablecard (Orlando, FL) and have never had any issues. What should I do?
Try a soft reset. If this does not work, then do a hard reset If you are still getting your host station, then your clock should come back and update later in the day or evening. Also, I suggest that you remove the cable card and use the basic cable setup. You might have to to a complete setup again. Not sure on this but I think I had to do so when I had a similar problem.
Michael

Thanks so much for the info. I just tried (with power off) pushing the exit and guide buttons on the front of the unit. The power came on and I saw welcome.... on the display. The unit then returned to the --:-- with the power off. The clock has now returned (12:01 am) when it's 8:41 pm. I turned it on - still have no guide and it's now stuck on channel 1. Same suggestions now? When you say basic cable setup without the card - I apologize, but I'm not sure what you mean - my unit has always operated with the cable card (btw I only use this unit as a cablebox to view my HD and premium channels through the card. I record on another unit.)

I have 2 250s and a 500. Over the weekend, the 500 had the ads show up - no problems with lockups, etc. I did not get any new channels. Last night, we were watching a recording of American Idol when I noticed that the 250 which should have been recording Lost did not have the red record icon lit. I turned on the 250 and it was stuck on one channel and I couldn't get to the guide. I unplugged the unit and plugged back in after about 30 seconds. Within 5 minutes the clock came back and it started recording Lost about 50 minutes into the show. I then checked the 250 in the other room and found that it, too, was frozen on one channel so I did the same reset procedure (I'll have to do the soft reset from now on if this continues, I guess). Unit came back up and is working fine again. No ads showed up last night but I see them tonite. I'll have to check the TVGOS version. Crossing my fingers that this was a temporary glitch caused by the TVGOS update.

I am curious to also check each of my units to see what the host channel is. Right now, they all get their signal from the local PBS on cable.

Thanks so much for the info. I just tried (with power off) pushing the exit and guide buttons on the front of the unit. The power came on and I saw welcome.... on the display. The unit then returned to the --:-- with the power off. The clock has now returned (12:01 am) when it's 8:41 pm. I turned it on - still have no guide and it's now stuck on channel 1. Same suggestions now? When you say basic cable setup without the card - I apologize, but I'm not sure what you mean - my unit has always operated with the cable card (btw I only use this unit as a cablebox to view my HD and premium channels through the card. I record on another unit.)
In the manual on page 80, it says to do an auto scan to find receivable channels. Not sure why, but that is what they say to do when the dvr is fixed to one channel. I would reset and go back through the setup procedures for the unit from the start. I believe that I read some posts here that suggested doing the setup without the cable card in. But in the manual, it does not seem to matter. I think that maybe the in the other post that perhaps their initial setup was done without the CC. At any rate, try the above, an give it overnight to see if things change.
Michael

Like others in this thread, I had trouble with my 500 Tuesday and Wednesday nights. I was watching and recording the Tonight Show With Jay Leno when the unit stopped responding to the remote or front panel buttons. I had to reboot both nights in order to regain use of the remote control. I do have the ads now, and had to edit the channel listings today to turn off channels TVGOS added that I don't watch.

Last night, I didn't have a problem. Perhaps it is because I watched prerecorded programs, so I didn't pause or fast forward thru the program being recorded. I don't mind the ads, but I do mind that the software change to show them is causing problems for many of us.

Some people report having problems getting the clock back up. I find that I can consistently get the clock back in about 3 minutes. I am OTA only and receive Albuquerque, NM locals. After boot up completes, I turn the unit back on and tune to the local PBS analog station, channel 5, then turn the unit off again. Accurate time returns in about 2 to 3 minutes and the unit is ready for use.

I'm glad to report that I haven't had any problems with scheduled recordings since the update, but I do have another issue, and I wonder if anyone else is experiencing it, also. (My host channel is OTA WTTW, from the Chicago market.)

I went into the channel editor the other day and made some changes to my lineup, adding 1 channel and deleting a few. The changes are set and registered in the edit list, but when I turn it back to the "listings" display, the changes are not there, and it shows the same lineup as before. I keep going back into the list to check if the changes are actually still there, and they always are - but they still won't "take" in the guide display when I turn it back on.

I've never had anything even remotely like this ever happen before. I'm debating if I should just wipe the guide clean and try starting it over from scratch, or if maybe I should just try a soft reset and pulling the plug first. It does seem to still be getting the guide info for the channels that are in the listings OK, at least as far as I can tell.

Anyone else ever have this problem before or since the update, or does anyone have any advice? (Naturally, I'd like to remedy this without having to redo the whole thing, if at all possible.)

I am having great success with my new "old" DHG-HDD250. After the initial de-bugging, the TV Guide has updated and all I need to do is re-sort the guide channels.

Here's a question. Has anyone gotten Universal HD onto the guide? I don't have CableCard, nor do I subscribe to Comcast Digital. I'm only getting the ClearQAM channels, which in my area includes Universal HD.

The only problem is that it doesn't show up in the guide. I've scrolled through all of the available channels and nada.

Is there someone that I would need to contact at TVGuide/Sony/Comcast to get them to add UHD to the listings?

Thanks

ft

Here's a question. Has anyone gotten Universal HD onto the guide? I don't have CableCard, nor do I subscribe to Comcast Digital. I'm only getting the ClearQAM channels, which in my area includes Universal HD.

The only problem is that it doesn't show up in the guide. I've scrolled through all of the available channels and nada.

Is there someone that I would need to contact at TVGuide/Sony/Comcast to get them to add UHD to the listings?

Thanks

ft

I have same question - have had UHD for a year or so, but never shows up in the guide. When all the extra channels showed up recently when the ads started I got my hopes up...but careful checking through the 450+ channels showed still not there.

I have Universal HD here in Fairfax, Virginia with Cox Cable and have had it in the guide for about 4 months. It shows up as UHD. It was one of the later channels to be added to the guide here.

I'm glad to report that I haven't had any problems with scheduled recordings since the update, but I do have another issue, and I wonder if anyone else is experiencing it, also. (My host channel is OTA WTTW, from the Chicago market.)

I went into the channel editor the other day and made some changes to my lineup, adding 1 channel and deleting a few. The changes are set and registered in the edit list, but when I turn it back to the "listings" display, the changes are not there, and it shows the same lineup as before. I keep going back into the list to check if the changes are actually still there, and they always are - but they still won't "take" in the guide display when I turn it back on.

I've never had anything even remotely like this ever happen before. I'm debating if I should just wipe the guide clean and try starting it over from scratch, or if maybe I should just try a soft reset and pulling the plug first. It does seem to still be getting the guide info for the channels that are in the listings OK, at least as far as I can tell.

Anyone else ever have this problem before or since the update, or does anyone have any advice? (Naturally, I'd like to remedy this without having to redo the whole thing, if at all possible.)
I've had this happen. Do the following. Afterwards, go back into your guide and make the changes you want, and this time it should save.

Warm Reboot: Press <EXIT> and <TV GUIDE> buttons on the front of the unit simultaneously.

These resets won't erase your programs.
You will lose your clock.

I'm having some problems with the guide showing "no listing" for items that were there the day before. For instance I had Lehrer News Hour to record on PBS (KCTS 9) yesterday. It was there Wednesday in the guide. Yesterday it said "No listing" in that time slot. I looked ahead and the entire guide was no listing from Midnight to 5 am (Mar2). There were "no listings" randomly sandwiched between other shows that appeared in the guide after 5am.

I don't recall having no listings scattered throughout the guide unless it was a for an entire day that hadn't been sent. Anyone else have this problem?

My host is KCTS channel 9 in Seattle and I am OTA only.

TVGOS ads showed up this week in San Diego on my Sony DVRs, but not my Panasonic DVR. They use different host channels, so that is likely the reason.
Last night, the ads showed up on my Panasonic DVR too. I also noticed that the host channel has changed for my Sony DVRs (used to be KGTV, now KPBS). It did not change for my Panasonic DVR (still KFMB). I have not seen the lockup problem yet, and hope that I don't. My Sony TVGOS version is 08.06.44 (as reported elsewhere) and my Panasonic TVGOS version is 09.06.07. I suspect that the new update might be causing problems on my Panasonic DVR too, since it crashed when I used the diagnostic menu to view the TVGOS version.

I see the ebay prices on the 250 and 500 are approaching the original retail prices now. HDTV viewing and awareness of these machines has risen..

I see the ebay prices on the 250 and 500 are approaching the original retail prices now. HDTV viewing and awareness of these machines has risen..

I think it is so STUPID Sony stopped making these.

I have FIVE of them.

A description of the issues I have had with my 500 would look like a novel. Since last Sunday noon I also have had many problems and issues similar to those posted on this thread this week. Lockup requiring reset. Spontaneous reset while watching a pre-recorded program.

For several weeks now when watching pre-recorded programs it has a problem a few times an hour on the average where the image freezes for a second or two but analog and digital audio continues without a problem.

Is there a HDTV hard disk recorder that is not flaky, seemingly half engineered and tested, with a good interface? e. g. a capability to title shows recorded by date and time when no information is available which is frequently. Or better yet a dependable listing. Done right this would be a great product.

I think it is so STUPID Sony stopped making these.

I have FIVE of them.
I own 2 250's. I have to consider myself lucky that they work pretty much as I expect.

I think its pretty clear to see why Sony stopped, just look at this thread, almost 9000 posts, roughly half of which are from people with problems with guide data. Another good amount are problems with other various hardware/FW/SW shortcomings. Even at full retail, support costs alone make this a very unprofitable endeavor.

I am sure they considered that TIVO would be looking for a pound of flesh in court given how they have agressively attacked Echostar (and won) for virtually the same type of product.

The analog cutoff in >2 years is another roadblock or at least hurdle.

Its too bad they could not make this an internet device, and use an ethernet port to hook into Titan TV or some other 3rd party for more reliable delivery of guide data.

Its too bad they could not make this an internet device, and use an ethernet port to hook into Titan TV or some other 3rd party for more reliable delivery of guide data.

It is too bad - my Pronto gets real-time guide data via the Internet.

I filled out a form support request on the Sony web site re. the locking up while the unit is recording. I'll post if I get any information from them. I can't post the URL of the form until I have 5 posts and I believe this is 5 so I'll put it in the next one

Hopefully this will be displayed for those that may want to fill out a support form as reference in above post.
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/emailform-homeav.pl?template=EN

This morning I noticed that there were a lot of channel added to my TV Guide. In my area, Cincinnati, we went from 418 channels to 561 channels. My TVGOS version did not change as others have reported. I still have version 08.01.42.

Your cableco needs to re-provision the card in the Sony. Check the diagnostics screen and you will probably see that your channels < 100 are analog. They should be digital. The remap will cause channel 94 analog to reappear, while all others become digital.

You're correct. All channels for which I get content below 90 show up as analog, including 26, my TVGOS host. I called Comcast and the phone service techie couldn't get the cable card on the outlet for the DHG to respond to a signal. They're sending a service tech with replacement cards. I'll be amazed if that solves anything.

Thanks for the advice.

This morning I noticed that there were a lot of channel added to my TV Guide. In my area, Cincinnati, we went from 418 channels to 561 channels. My TVGOS version did not change as others have reported. I still have version 08.01.42.

That is the "main" firmware. Look a little farther down in that menu. The following is from spiff72's FAQ page:

"Enter the TVGOS diagnostic/info menu as described in section 2.2.2. The first info screen that comes up will show the "main" firmware version on the second line (typically 8.01.42). The downloadable firmware version immediately follows this number. My downloadable firmware version is 8.06.30."

Once I got the ads, 8.06.30 changed to 8.06.44...

That is the "main" firmware. Look a little farther down in that menu. The following is from spiff72's FAQ page:

"Enter the TVGOS diagnostic/info menu as described in section 2.2.2. The first info screen that comes up will show the "main" firmware version on the second line (typically 8.01.42). The downloadable firmware version immediately follows this number. My downloadable firmware version is 8.06.30."

Once I got the ads, 8.06.30 changed to 8.06.44...

On my screen it's not "a little farther down in that menu", but on the same line. You may see something like "08.01.42/08.06.44".

On my screen it's not "a little farther down in that menu", but on the same line. You may see something like "08.01.42/08.06.44".

You're right. I'm not at home now so I'm probably remembering it wrong.

A little progress...

I called the 800 number today (800-222-7669). I spent a long time trying to describe the locking issue with someone really clueless until I was finally given a support id number and was put through to level two support. The level two guy was 1000% better. I explained the issue to him. The engineer he wanted to speak to about this wasn't in so he got took my phone number.

He called back later and had me give him a whole boatload of info from the service menu. He's escalating it to their TV guide people. He wasn't able to give me any sort of time frame...but frankly it was much further than I expected to get.

I'll update when/if I hear anything.

Tom

There was an LG DVR/DVD recorder (I think VCR, too) that was out a year or two back that got it's guide over the net from, I believe, Microsoft.

Best Buy seemed to be the only B & M store selling it, at least in my area. The price kept dropping until it was very reasonable, before it disappeared for good, and originally, there was a fee for the guide, but eventually they even dropped that, too. Unfortunately, it was only an SD recorder. And I don't think that the hard drive storage was all that immense, either.

Never really heard much about it here on this forum, though (DVD recorders area, specifically). Was kind of surprised about that. I don't think that it was ever marketed very heavily, even after they dropped the guide fee and the price. Just saw it on the store shelf, and in a tiny corner of the Sunday ad occasionally. It led a quiet life and just faded away unceremoniously.

The button lockup is easily repeatable - open the guide, and begin recording any show. The button lockup will occur.

I tried to reproduce the lockup mentioned last night and my unit doesn't lock up while recording. I stress tested it pretty hard. I watched a prerecoreded show while scheduleing a new recording and cancling that recording and schduling another recording and skipping comercials on shows while they recorded.

What is the configuration of the machines with the recording lockup (CC / OTA / analog cable). What SONY firmware are the machines with the issue running.

I am OTA and analog cable (no CC-cable card). My firmware 1.2.05 and guide verision 08.06.44

What is the configuration of the machines with the recording lockup (CC / OTA / analog cable). What SONY firmware are the machines with the issue running.

I am OTA and analog cable (no CC-cable card). My firmware 1.2.05 and guide verision 08.06.44
That's interesting...I do have the locking issue and I have newer (the newest) sony firmware (1.2.13). My TVGOS firmware is also 08.06.44.

I'm using it strictly OTA picking up NY OTA stations with analog PBS 13 in NY as my host channel.

Tom

I have had the new TV Guide firmware for 2 or 3 days now. My unit is working normally. I don't have any issues watching recorded shows when another show is recording nor have any issues with the remote not responding.

Several months ago I was having some problems with the guide and unusual activity. I did a 9012 reset and everything has been fine since.

I don't know if this will resolve these issues, but it might be worth a try. Of course you will have to spend a lot of time to set it back up, sort the channel listings etc, but if it works it's better than being frustrated with a malfuncting DVR.

Anyway I am very happy with the additional channel listing. I have my zip code set to San Diego and am now receiving listing for nearly all San Diego and Los Angeles area stations. Just a few don't have listings now.

Also, while checking to verify that had the new TV Guide firmware, I noticed that the Daylight Savings time change is correctly scheduled to occur on 3/11/07. Just in case anyone was wondering...

Hi, First post here. Just wanted to say I am getting ads in eastern Iowa now. My host channel is 12 pbs on cable, no cable card.

I noticed in the BestBuy ad there is an LG 42" Flat-Panel LCD HDTV Model: 42LB1DR
listed w/ built in DVR using TVGUIDE on Screen. 160 GB hard drive.
I didn't think any new products were using tvguide on screen anymore.

Thanks to everyone keeping us informed on the lockup problems, I haven't had any yet.
And hope to not get any.

I noticed in the BestBuy ad there is an LG 42" Flat-Panel LCD HDTV Model: 42LB1DR
listed w/ built in DVR using TVGUIDE on Screen. 160 GB hard drive.
I didn't think any new products were using tvguide on screen anymore.
Sure - many current displays have it.

Next generation could be another story - we'll just have to wait and see.

A little progress...

I called the 800 number today (800-222-7669). I spent a long time trying to describe the locking issue with someone really clueless until I was finally given a support id number and was put through to level two support. The level two guy was 1000% better. I explained the issue to him. The engineer he wanted to speak to about this wasn't in so he got took my phone number.

He called back later and had me give him a whole boatload of info from the service menu. He's escalating it to their TV guide people. He wasn't able to give me any sort of time frame...but frankly it was much further than I expected to get.

I'll update when/if I hear anything.

Tom


I'm in the Los Angeles area and am strictly OTA. I have the older 1.02.05 version; I haven't checked the TVGOS version yet. It does seem that as long as the unit is not recording anything, I can change channels, pause, etc, watch recorded shows. But as soon as it starts recording, all I can do is one or two commands before it locks up. The clock does freeze, too. I was recording something from 8-9pm. At 8:27, I turned on the power and could view/hear the show that was recording. As soon as I tried to get to the menu it froze the unit, and the clock stayed at 8:27 until at least 9pm. Then I had control back and the clock was then correct. They've turned these into glorified VCR's if we can't watch something while it's recording....

Another update: I misunderstood the Sony level two support guy a bit...I thought it was sony TV guide people he was escalating the issue to. He actually escalated the issue to Gemstar TV guide. I got a call from them and now have a ticket number. They had me reset the guide and are going to get new info from the service menu from me on Monday. He says they may have to get one of one of these units and try to reproduce the problem.

I'll let you know what I find out.

It's interesting that there really isn't any consistency as to who's having this problem with the new tvgos firmware and who isn't. It appears that there are users with both old and new Sony firmware that are/aren't having a problem. I still wonder if something about the host channel has some affect on this

Tom

I live in the Twin Cities areas and about a week ago my guide started acting up for the public television stations. Basically what should be the weather is PBS kids and what should be PBS kids is the weather. Mainly the guide data doesn't match what is actually on the station. Also, when I go to PBS kids and Barney is suppose to be on it will show Barney for a split second and then go to another PBS station. I am not quite sure if this is a problem with my DVR or with PBS. Has anyone else ever had this issue? Any help would be appreciated. Up until now the unit has worked pretty well other than a few missed recordings in the beginning. I am really hoping these is a simple fix to this.

Thanks

There was an LG DVR/DVD recorder (I think VCR, too) that was out a year or two back that got it's guide over the net from, I believe, Microsoft.

Best Buy seemed to be the only B & M store selling it, at least in my area. The price kept dropping until it was very reasonable, before it disappeared for good, and originally, there was a fee for the guide, but eventually they even dropped that, too. Unfortunately, it was only an SD recorder. And I don't think that the hard drive storage was all that immense, either.

Never really heard much about it here on this forum, though (DVD recorders area, specifically). Was kind of surprised about that. I don't think that it was ever marketed very heavily, even after they dropped the guide fee and the price. Just saw it on the store shelf, and in a tiny corner of the Sunday ad occasionally. It led a quiet life and just faded away unceremoniously.

I got one.

You're correct. All channels for which I get content below 90 show up as analog, including 26, my TVGOS host. I called Comcast and the phone service techie couldn't get the cable card on the outlet for the DHG to respond to a signal. They're sending a service tech with replacement cards. I'll be amazed if that solves anything.

Thanks for the advice.

I suppose it COULD be the card, but usually it's a matter of finding the right people at Comcast to set up your account correctly. Hope that your tech has some clout and knows who to call or how to twist arms.

BTW, I don't remember if you use Moto cards, but if you do, get the green 4.21 version. (Don't be surprised if the tech shows up with a cable box instead of a card!)

No lock up problems here. FW is .05, guide version is the newest one with ads.

Received email back from Sony email support. They apologized for the inconvenience and referred me to online chat support (with the url address) or telephone support.

So I just tried the online chat support and he again apologized but can't help me I must use the phone support.

Not sure why these companies list email and online chat as support options, I haven't had much success using any of them but this one is fun. So when I find time I will call.

I live in the Twin Cities areas and about a week ago my guide started acting up for the public television stations. Basically what should be the weather is PBS kids and what should be PBS kids is the weather. Mainly the guide data doesn't match what is actually on the station.

I saw this too. I'm pretty sure this is a TPT problem, and it seems to be partially fixed (TPT KIDs is correct again, but 17-1 is still swapped with 2-1 it seems). Our PBS station occasionally messes around with the mapping of their OTA subchannels for no apparent reason.

When this has happened before, the program guide is correct, but the assigned channels display the wrong content due to TPT's screwup. Sometimes you have to do a channel re-scan for the Sony box to pick up the fixes.

On Tuesday evening my 500 froze a couple of times while recording, more or less as people have been describing. After each time I reset it the hard way by pulling the plug. At that point I hadn't seen the discussion here so I thought it was just my unit acting up, or maybe the TVGOS host station. (I'm strictly an OTA person.)

On Wednesday evening, I noticed the ads for the first time, and the unit seemed to freeze again just as it switched channels to start a timer recording. There was no picture, and the clock froze, but the recording indicator light was on. This time I decided to leave it alone to see what would happen at the end of the recording period.

At the end of the programmed recording, the unit stopped recording, switched channels for the next recording (which was programmed to follow immediately), set the clock to the current time (it had been "stuck" at the time the preceding recording began), and started the new recording. Still no picture, but now I could see the closed captions for the new program (I always have CC on). The clock was now stuck at the starting time of the new recording.

Finally, the second recording ended at the programmed time, and the picture came back on. The clock reset to the current time, and ran normally from there. And both of the recordings looked OK when I played them back! Weird! :confused:

Yesterday evening and tonight I haven't noticed any problems at all, even with reviewing previous recordings and setting chapter marks for them while recording a current program.

I also have a 250 which hasn't updated its TVGOS yet. I leave that one turned on when I go to bed on weeknights, with the auto shutoff set to about 4 am, for feeding some programs to a DVD recorder via S-video. Maybe the new software gets sent out during that period. I leave the unit off on Saturday and Sunday nights, so maybe something will show up this weekend.

I just received one of these sony dhg 250 this week from e-bay, but i am having some tuning problems with this thing. On my vizio tv, i can pick up most of the QAM
stations as well as HD stations over the air with an attenna. But with my sony i'm
getting only a few of these coming in both thru the QAM and ota and the ones i do get, the picture is breaking up pretty bad....when i check the signal strength ,it's below normal......I have basic cable service and even some of the basic cable station are breaking up with the sony dvr but not when only using the tv.

Anyone have any suggestions? I thought this thing had a good tuner. Could my
HDMI cable be the problem? Will a cable amp help? My indoor attenna already has an amp which helps alot when I'm only using the tv but not much help with the sony. Did i get a bad unit? It would be a bummer if I did. :( Can anyone help? Because this thing is driving me crazy! :confused:

I'm assuming you rec'd all your channels on the vizio w/o problems. If that's the case, you have a situation that is similar to what I had. However, I am OTA only. It turns out that the tuner in my Sony TV is stronger than the tuner in the 250. I got a Channel Master 7777 pre-amp and now everything works beautifully.

The only idea I have for you about the QAM stuff would be to make sure that you have a good signal coming from the street and to make sure you don't have too many splits, etc. between where the cable comes into the house and where your TV/DVR are.

Here's an interesting one for Chicagoland Comcast users using ClearQAM as opposed to a CableCARD. I noticed that some channels were turned on in the Channel Editor list that were previously off so I decided to do a new Cable scan just for the heck of it.

It now shows 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 instead of 111.1, 111.3 and 111.4 for the ABC (WLS) digitals. There are similar changes to the ones for 2, 5, 9, 11 and 32 but that's it. They are not all accurate though and they have strange "call letters" such as E4_1 WL instead of WLSD1 or E3_2 WT instead of WTTWD. It no longer finds the old ClearQAM channel numbers like 111.1 though they can still be tuned in manually.

TWinbrook46636 -

Your soft reset solution to my TVGOS problem did the job.

Thanks.

It now shows 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 instead of 111.1, 111.3 and 111.4 for the ABC (WLS) digitals.

If your cable ABC is 7.1, what happens if you want to also tune OTA 7.1?

Received email back from Sony email support. They apologized for the inconvenience and referred me to online chat support (with the url address) or telephone support.

So I just tried the online chat support and he again apologized but can't help me I must use the phone support.

Not sure why these companies list email and online chat as support options, I haven't had much success using any of them but this one is fun. So when I find time I will call.
Yea...I tried the chat support first and they couldn't do anything. I had to call them in order to get it escalated to level two support and ultimately to Gemstar.

Tom

If your cable ABC is 7.1, what happens if you want to also tune OTA 7.1?

Mine does the same thing in Indiana. Switch to channel 7.1 and it pulls the cable channel. Hit the channel up once and it pulls the 7.1 OTA. I haven't figured out how to go directly to the OTA channel.

On Wednesday evening, I noticed the ads for the first time, and the unit seemed to freeze again just as it switched channels to start a timer recording. There was no picture, and the clock froze, but the recording indicator light was on. This time I decided to leave it alone to see what would happen at the end of the recording period.Everything you describe is very much like what I've experienced. Sometimes I get no video but sometimes the video continues to come through. The one time I had no video during a lockup was, just as you're describing, when it had to change channels before recording started. I think this is probably due to the unit locking up before it gets a chance to since the video output. I'll bet that if you tune to the channel first the video will continue to come through. I'm not sure what would happen when it switches channels for a second recording though...that might depend on you're output format and whether or not it needs to resync.

Until this gets resolved I'm sticking pretty much sticking with scheduling things in advance and recording with the unit off, which works perfectly. However I have a Samsung SIR-T351 digital tuner in addition to the Sony that I can use to watch HD shows while the Sony is recording if I need to.

By the way...when I spoke to the Gemstar support guy I did tell him that many people on this forum are experiencing the same issue with the new guide firmware. There's no way of knowing how difficult this may be for them to address, but it seemed to me that they're taking it seriously.

Tom

Who can I contact so that MTVHD (acually MHD) can be added to my channel list? Why have they added 450 channels I have never heard of but can't add a channel I have been getting for 6 months?

I suppose it COULD be the card, but usually it's a matter of finding the right people at Comcast to set up your account correctly. Hope that your tech has some clout and knows who to call or how to twist arms.

BTW, I don't remember if you use Moto cards, but if you do, get the green 4.21 version. (Don't be surprised if the tech shows up with a cable box instead of a card!)

I think you're right that Comcast probably (still) doesn't have the rate codes and whatever other things set correctly for the outlet my DHG is on. They were supposed to have fixed this a couple times before, but I'm not convinced they have it right yet. And you're also right that it takes an in-home service tech to reach the right people. We get Scientific Atlanta cards here. I asked the phone tech to make sure the service tech brings several cards, so I'll see what happens when he or she shows up.

If you are having intermittent or channel listing drop outs and you are using the Sony primarily for qam tuning. Make sure are set to your cable service for analog and not digital, because the host channels are usually different for both, then proceed with the manual channel listing.

Went into the local Fry's and units are still there. They're wanting $559 for the 250, and $699 for the 500. At those prices, they'll still be there in 2009. Perhaps I'll be able to snag one for a song and dance, particularly if the TVGOS issues are worked out.

I'm not so sure about that. ebay prices are higher than that now and there is no warranty.

I see the ebay prices on the 250 and 500 are approaching the original retail prices now. HDTV viewing and awareness of these machines has risen..

I'd like to think that's true, but it may just be wishful thinking...

Remember that they aren't making these things any more, so even if the demand remains the same, the price will go up because of decreasing availability...

It's idiotic what they are going for on ebay. You can get a series 3 tivo with lifetime subscription for a few extra bucks.

I've got ads in West Haven, CT now with Comcast. So far, no operating issues.

Went into the local Fry's and units are still there. They're wanting $559 for the 250, and $699 for the 500. At those prices, they'll still be there in 2009. Perhaps I'll be able to snag one for a song and dance, particularly if the TVGOS issues are worked out.They still want $749. for the 500 at the one here by me (no 250's left). Saw it just last night. I'd grab another one for sure, but not at that price - since I don't really "need" it. Keeping my eye on it though.

I'm confused on something. Those of you who say you're getting ads for the first time...prior to that, did you just have the tv guide logo on the left of the guide?

If so, then I'm certain that here (NJ...New York stations and host station) we've had ads of one form or another for a very very long time, and I'm not convinced that that has much of anything to do with the new guide firmware (08.06.44). That is, I don't think the new guide firmware is a prerequisite of having ads. It may well be that many stations just happen to be rolling out ads at the same time as the new firmware, but it may be a mistake to assume you have the new firmware just because you see ads...and I think that the issues are in fact a result of the new guide firmware.

Those of you reporting that you have ads and no lockup issues etc, I'd be interested to know for sure what guide firmware you have.

Tom

I have version 8.06.44 on both a 250 and a 500, have ads, and have the lockup issue with both units.

I didn't realize I had the locking issue until I read this forum today.

My folks also have a 500. Last Wed, their remote didn't seem to respond to any button. I thought it was unique to their unit. I unplugged it and replugged it and it worked and I thought that was that. I don't know that they have used it since, so I don't know if everything is Ok.

I have been using my two units without problem. I thought. Until I read here today.

So this is how I tested it. I tuned to the guide. Highlighted a show and pressed record. It started recording. And then everything froze while it continued recording. Both units acted exactly the same.

I am writing this for those who write that they are unaffected. I suggest you do what I did and then report whether or not your Sony's are freezing

Now what's to be done?

prior to that, did you just have the tv guide logo on the left of the guide?

If so, then I'm certain that here (NJ...New York stations and host station) we've had ads of one form or another for a very very long time,
Tom


I'm in NJ and get my data from NYC channel 13. We never had these ads before. I can't swear what was there previously but it wasn't anything that was obviously noticed, nor anything that changed like the ads do. Probably just a logo.

I'm assuming you rec'd all your channels on the vizio w/o problems. If that's the case, you have a situation that is similar to what I had. However, I am OTA only. It turns out that the tuner in my Sony TV is stronger than the tuner in the 250. I got a Channel Master 7777 pre-amp and now everything works beautifully.

The only idea I have for you about the QAM stuff would be to make sure that you have a good signal coming from the street and to make sure you don't have too many splits, etc. between where the cable comes into the house and where your TV/DVR are.

I am experiencing the same thing. My xbr960 pulls in more digital channels through QAM than my 250. Also the 250 is tuning the channels much slower.

Now what's to be done?
If you read back a few pages, I got through to Sony support and eventually to their level 2 support, who escalated the issue to Gemstar. I have a ticket number with Gemstar. They had me reset the guide and are going to call me monday to get more info from the TVGOS service menu. The guy I talked to said they may have to get ahold of one of the Sonys to reproduce the issue.

I'll be posting here with anything new.

Tom

If you read back a few pages
Tom

I did, then filled out the Sony form. I described the issue and added that from forum discussions it is a widespread issue.


Minutes ago I received this response:

............................................................ ..........

Thank you for contacting Sony Online Support.

The issues you describe will require more extensive troubleshooting and communication than can be effectively handled via e-mail. Please contact our Customer Information Service Center by phone. This will allow our telephone technicians to diagnose your issue further. They may be reached at the following: (800) 222-7669.

Thank you for the opportunity to be of assistance.

............................................................ ..

Obviously, they still consider it an individual issue. I'm going to wait and hope a new firmware is pushed out to resolve the problem. Their response- after I imagine numerous complains on the identical problem- doesn't fill me with optimism.

My 250 still doesn't have any ads, unlike my 500 which does. So far today I haven't had any glitches or freezes with my updated 500.

Both units picked up over a hundred new channels in the guide last night. Most of them are OTA. I recognize stations in cities that were not covered before: Columbia SC, Augusta GA, Greensboro NC, Raleigh NC and others that I don't recognize. I'm very happy to see the Columbia stations, because I can receive most of them and previously had to resort to re-mapping stations from other cities to get semi-accurate listings for them. Also, the listings now include the digital channels for stations that previously showed only the analog channels, so I don't have to re-map the analog channels any more. Finally, many subchannels are showing up, including (apparently) my PBS subchannels. Now I can record PBS HD without having the recordings listed as "Unknown." :D

There are even listings for what look like the Weather Plus subchannels on two NBC stations. I wonder what will show up in those listings.

Right now all the new channels show "No Listing," so I can't tell for sure what some of them are. I assume they'll start to fill in tonight.

Is there any reason that one of my HDD250's lose the guide info all the time? Should I call sony? My other unit works fine and always has the guide.

I've got ads in West Haven, CT now with Comcast. So far, no operating issues.

The Sony firmware is 1.2.09 and the guide version is 08.06.44. I'm on my fifth day of ads with no problems to speak of.

I've got the lockup problems. It's recording and the remote is non-responsive as I write this. I've already unplugged twice and then replugged and it starts recording again and then locks up after you press a few buttons.

I now see the TV Guide ads that I did not previously see.

I'm testing now to see if resetting by pressing the TV Guide and Exit will fix this weird issue....

Is there any reason that one of my HDD250's lose the guide info all the time? Should I call sony? My other unit works fine and always has the guide.

Cable? OTA? What is the reception like on the host channel for the machine that isn't receiving the guide?

How do set another output as the default. I would like to always output 720p.
My sharp C3742U Prefers it

Cw

How do set another output as the default. I would like to always output 720p.

If you set the output to 720p via the FORMAT button on the remote, it should stay set that way even after you turn off the unit (actually, put it in standby), until you change it again.

In Seattle and I get TVGOS over channel 9 (local PBS). The ads started appearing as others mentioned.

I had the lock up problem while recording that a bunch of people had. I entered the 9 0 1 2 menu and did the 'restore user defaults' I had to rescan my over the air channel list. The guide was unaffected. This seems to have solved the lock up problem.

In the FAQ for this machine, it was mentioned that Exit and TV Guide buttons on the front panel is a preferred method of resetting over the unplugging of the unit. Much easier to reach too.

It's interesting... I have been a reader of this forum for over a year (and I get a copy sent to my e-mail address every week) and really haven't had any problems as others have. So, I usually scan the messages and delete the e-mail. But this morning - when I saw everyone chiming in on the LOCKUP problems associated with this "over the air update" I thought I would check my HDD-500 (especially since I just got back from a week vacation out of the country.)

Lo and behold... my 500 wouldn't respond to the Remote Control. When I went to the console - I found that it wouldn't even respond to the pushbuttons on the unit itself!! When I hit the MENU BUTTON... the menu did pop up on the screen, but when I scrolled down and selected TV GUIDE, it just locked up and did nothing.

Pushing the EXIT / TV GUIDE simultaneously did make the unit go into Warm Re-Boot... so now we will wait and see what happens.

BTW - I'm in the Cleveland, OH area using Adelphia (which is in the process of switching over to Time Warner Cable.)

When I get more info - I'll be sure to post as well.
This is a GREAT User's Group!!! Thanks all.

I purchased my first unit in the fall of 2005. I had some of the same lockup problems then, but not since. At that time, all I knew to do was unplug the unit and plug back in. Only happened a couple of times and has not since. I now have the new guide version as well as the ads. No problems with the guide. Also, I noticed that a couple of channels were added directly to my guide, 30.1 PBS, and 34.1 univision? . I am OTA only in Atlanta, GA. Plus in the guide setup another 150+ or so channels are there now.
Last night when I checked my record schedule, all the shows that were set for 46.1, CBS had dropped for the entire week. Only that channel, none else. I have had shows dropped from time to time, but not for an entire week. One other thing that I noticed on a regular basis is that both my ABC shows, Lost and Desperate Housewives most always show "unknown " on the screen, even though in the record list it shows the program name.
I have concluded that since this system is interactive with TVGOS, that corrupt, bad or just incorrect data from TVGOS or the Host station is what causes all these kind of problems and not so much the machine. And that these things are just temporary.
Michael

I finally got around to using my year old HDD500 with a Cablecard, but I started receiving the infamous "161-6" errors 2-3 times per week. It wasn't happening very often so I thought it was be a bad Cablecard. I swapping out the Cablecard twice, but that did not correct the problem. I sent the unit in for repair under my extended service play late last week. This particular DVR, which sat on the shelf at a local Tweeter (closeout), was already running 1.2.13 so I assumed the electrical modification (161-6 fix) was done at same time. Just a couple of questions:

- I thought the vast majority of the boxes running 1.2.13 also received the hardware mod to fix the 161-6 error?

- My year old HDD500 appeares to have the latest firmware and TVGOS being offered by Sony. Has anyone recently had Sony perform the 161-6 mod on their DVR and, if so, are they rolling out of Mount Pleasant PA with updated firmware/TVGOS?

Cable? OTA? What is the reception like on the host channel for the machine that isn't receiving the guide?

Both units have perfect reception (I live on a big hill and get locals from both Providence and Boston markets with no problems) For the life of me, I do not know why it would lose the guide info other then the unit being defective. I have not ever tried to "force" it to use the CableTV input for the guide and rely on the OTA antenna since I have great reception.

My 250 still doesn't have any ads, unlike my 500 which does.

Last night before going to bed, I did a TVGOS reset via the 9012 menu on my 250, to get a completely fresh copy of the new TVGOS listings. Now I not only have fresh listings, I also have ads on that unit.

With all those new OTA channels, it will take a while to put the listings in the order that I'm accustomed to (grouped by DMA and by channel number within each DMA). There are now nearly 500 channels in all, of which about 190 are OTA, including both analog and digital, and the digital subchannels.

In Seattle and I get TVGOS over channel 9 (local PBS). The ads started appearing as others mentioned.

I had the lock up problem while recording that a bunch of people had. I entered the 9 0 1 2 menu and did the 'restore user defaults' I had to rescan my over the air channel list. The guide was unaffected. This seems to have solved the lock up problem.
That's very interesting. Has anyone else here with the locking issues tried this?

I can't try it at the moment as I have too many recordings I don't want to loose. I thought for sure that restoring factory defaults would clear the guide(??).

Tom

Both units have perfect reception (I live on a big hill and get locals from both Providence and Boston markets with no problems) For the life of me, I do not know why it would lose the guide info other then the unit being defective. I have not ever tried to "force" it to use the CableTV input for the guide and rely on the OTA antenna since I have great reception.
The units should not be the problem. Most likely it is with the host station. This has happen to me it the past (OTA only) and with my girlfriend (cable only). Check with your host station and see if they are having problems, upgrading or what ever else might be the cause. You should have checked to see if you are still getting the host and that the packet count is good. If not sure how to do this, check the FAQs at the beginning of this thread.
Michael

Also, while checking to verify that had the new TV Guide firmware, I noticed that the Daylight Savings time change is correctly scheduled to occur on 3/11/07. Just in case anyone was wondering...
Yes, I noticed that too. I suspect that the change in the daylight savings time period is the primary reason all of the TVGOES devices have been getting updates lately. I don't think it was done just to ad ads.

I have to move my DHG250.
I have read that after it is unplugged I should wait before I actually physically move it.
My Questions: How long should I wait?

Will I lose my TVGOS data? Will I lose the recordings I have scheduled?

It will be unplugged for a short time, five to ten minutes at the most.

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

It has been working flawlessly and I don't want that to change, hence the questions.

THANK YOU.

IT'S ME MISSY QUICK

Last night, the ads showed up on my Panasonic DVR too. I also noticed that the host channel has changed for my Sony DVRs (used to be KGTV, now KPBS). It did not change for my Panasonic DVR (still KFMB). I have not seen the lockup problem yet, and hope that I don't. My Sony TVGOS version is 08.06.44 (as reported elsewhere) and my Panasonic TVGOS version is 09.06.07.
Even more odd, is that two of my Sonys changed their host channel from KGTV to KPBS, and the other Sony changed from KGTV to KFMB.

tld gets 190 OTA channels???
we get maybe 10-12 here.

My Questions: How long should I wait?


The idea is to give the hard drive a chance to spin down and park the heads. Give it 30 seconds to a minute, you'll be fine.

As long as it's not unplugged for a long period of time, you shouldn't lose your listings/scheduled recordings. Just double-check your recording schedule after you get it moved.

tld gets 190 OTA channels???
we get maybe 10-12 here.

Same here but with the new guide update about 100 new ones show up in the channel list - most of which are nowhere near me...

tld gets 190 OTA channels???
we get maybe 10-12 here.
That was jtbell that said that, and I was going to ask what that was all about as well.

I get maybe 12 to 15 total between Philly and NY.

Tom

Having problems entering a channel number into TV Guide. 2 of our local HD's are 106.55337 & 106.55338. I picked them up on the channel scan, TV guide only recognizes the regular non-HD channels.

That's very interesting. Has anyone else here with the locking issues tried this?

I can't try it at the moment as I have too many recordings I don't want to loose. I thought for sure that restoring factory defaults would clear the guide(??).

Tom


I'm not near my machine right now, but I was under the impression from the FAQ that restoring user config will leave the recorded programs intact. I'm in the same boat as you - I want to fix the problem, but I'm not quite willing (yet) to give up on the recorded shows I have saved. I'll try to look into the user cofig reset again to make sure the shows aren't wiped out, and then try it. (restoring factory defaults will most likely wipe out everything...).

Restore Factory Default - waxes everything, you WILL lose your recorded programs

Reset User Configuration - preserves recordings, shouldn't over-ride guide

I'm not near my machine right now, but I was under the impression from the FAQ that restoring user config will leave the recorded programs intact. I'm in the same boat as you - I want to fix the problem, but I'm not quite willing (yet) to give up on the recorded shows I have saved. I'll try to look into the user cofig reset again to make sure the shows aren't wiped out, and then try it. (restoring factory defaults will most likely wipe out everything...).
Ahh...I just looked. It appears that "Restore Factory Default" does delete programs but "Reset User Configuration" does not. It also indicates that resetting the user configuration shouldn't affect the guide, but may prompt for the zip code.

Tom

bretski:
Unplugged the unit and moved and set it up again as per your advice. All is well. Thank you.



IT'S ME MISSY QUICK

Does anyone know any thing about Sonys vrd-mc3? It shows it recording from a DVR, i'm wondering if it will work with my DHG-HDD250.

Ahh...I just looked. It appears that "Restore Factory Default" does delete programs but "Reset User Configuration" does not. It also indicates that resetting the user configuration shouldn't affect the guide, but may prompt for the zip code.

Tom


Okay, I just performed the 'Reset User Configuration'. It did NOT erase recorded shows, as promised (phew!). The guide data was still there, the shows I had set to record are still marked to be recorded. (I had to reset video lock and the times for jump and replay, but that was about it.) I turned on the unit, set it to record, and was able to perform all functions without any freezing. The real test will be tonight after I try to view previously recorded shows while it's recording something else. Even though I somewhat tested it as best as possible now, I'm not willing to say the problem has gone away until I can do it for a few nights in a row. btw, my software version is 1.02.05, and the Gemstar version is showing as 8.1.42 with ads appearing to the left of the guide and menus.

Even though I somewhat tested it as best as possible now, I'm not willing to say the problem has gone away until I can do it for a few nights in a row. btw, my software version is 1.02.05, and the Gemstar version is showing as 8.1.42 with ads appearing to the left of the guide and menus.
Thanks for the update! I may just give that a try. By the way...that looks like the main TVGOS firmware version. Is the downloadable version (the one listed immediately after that) 8.06.44?

Tom

Okay, I just performed the 'Reset User Configuration'. It did NOT erase recorded shows, as promised (phew!). The guide data was still there, the shows I had set to record are still marked to be recorded. (I had to reset video lock and the times for jump and replay, but that was about it.)
I just tried the reset user configuration and it's rescanning channels?

Did yours do that, or did I just screw up at the prompts when it restarted?

Tom

Well I'll be...it appears so far that resetting the user configuration has fixed my locking issues as well.

I'm recording a show from the guide and watching a previously recorded program at the same time right now. Before it would lock up within a few seconds of recording every time as long as the power was on.

Thanks for trying that one rayliner!

Tom

Same here but with the new guide update about 100 new ones show up in the channel list - most of which are nowhere near me...I've also got over 100 new ones, too. They seem to be mostly OTA, but you'd need a damn fine setup and optimal conditions to actually receive many of them. Some are over 100 miles away. Many of them I have received on rare occasions with some major tropo in effect.

But I've actually turned on at least forty of 'em, because I can at least receive them (OTA) semi-regularly, if not regularly. Getting all the info for them, too.

Okay, I just performed the 'Reset User Configuration'. ......(I had to reset video lock and the times for jump and replay, but that was about it.)

Is that what others are also finding? If it is, I would do it immediately.

But If it results in needing a rescan of the channels and reordering the guide and other time consuming efforts, I'll need to wait for when I have more time.

Is that what others are also finding? If it is, I would do it immediately.

But If it results in needing a rescan of the channels and reordering the guide and other time consuming efforts, I'll need to wait for when I have more time.

After I did the user configuration reset, I don't think I was careful during the prompts when it restarted. I think there's an option to skip auto-scanning channels.

However it had no affect on my channel order in the guide. In my case I just had to reset stuff like my advance time.

In any case, it certainly seems to have fixed my locking issues.

Tom

After I did the user configuration reset, I don't think I was careful during the prompts when it restarted. I think there's an option to skip auto-scanning channels.

However it had no affect on my channel order in the guide. In my case I just had to reset stuff like my advance time.

In any case, it certainly seems to have fixed my locking issues.

Tom

I'm not willing to say it's working until it does NOT occur for a few days, but I'm hopeful. Tom, don't cancel your service request yet with Gemstar, at least not for a few days, just in case. Who knows... after the next Guide listing push, the problem may re-occur.
I did go through the auto-channel lineup, and I probably have to re-order my channels. Being OTA, though, there weren't a lot - it still looks like the channels I 'deleted' /hid are still gone, but I didn't check that carefully, so I could be mistaken.

I'll try this again. My HDG reverts back to auto HDMI after a period of time. Is there a setup or default setting to prevent this....or is this just normal.
1080i on my sharp C3742u give poor SD PQ (image shakes veritcally)....using the FORMAT button on the remote to select 720p solves this

Cw

That's very interesting. Has anyone else here with the locking issues tried this?

I can't try it at the moment as I have too many recordings I don't want to loose. I thought for sure that restoring factory defaults would clear the guide(??).

Tom

Resetting the unit by pressing TV Guide and Exit fixed the lockup problems for me on both of my 500 units.

I did not notice that it added any extra channels into my Listings like others have mentioned.

Good to go again - for now.....

Hey Adam!

Can I buy back that 500? ;)

Hey Adam!

Can I buy back that 500? ;)

Having seller's remorse? :)

I'll try this again. My HDG reverts back to auto HDMI after a period of time. Is there a setup or default setting to prevent this....or is this just normal.
1080i on my sharp C3742u give poor SD PQ (image shakes veritcally)....using the FORMAT button on the remote to select 720p solves this

Cw

This is probably not the answer that you are hoping for, but if you use the component output, the format will stick to 720p once you set it.

Having seller's remorse? :)


Nah...just haven't seen you around this thread in a long time. Thought I'd give you a hard time. :p

Just got a couple of spare drives the other day, and am going to start experimenting. My ex-500 would be a perfect candidate...

Someone had posted 2 or 3 weeks ago that they had problems changing the channel order in TVGOS after the appearance of the ads. I just realized today that I am having this problem also, although I don't seem to have any of the other issues discussed lately.

I can't seem to locate the original post about this channel order problem, or any fixes that may have been suggested. I've tried the warm reset (Guide button + Exit) but that didn't help. Does anyone remember seeing the original post?

tld gets 190 OTA channels???
we get maybe 10-12 here.

The approx. 190 OTA channels in my TVGOS are in nine different DMA's:

Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville/Anderson SC/NC
Columbia SC
Charlotte NC
Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem NC
Raleigh/Durham NC
Augusta GA
Atlanta GA
Knoxville TN
Kingsport/Johnson City/Bristol TN/VA

Of course, I don't actually receive TV signals from anywhere near all of these. The first one is my "home" area, and I get my TVGOS data from the PBS station in Greenville SC. I'm near the border with the Columbia and Charlotte areas so I can receive most of those stations, too. And on a good night I can pick up the Augusta stations.

I spent a while rearranging the new channel list in my 250 today, and turning channels off and on. No lockups or other problems so far (knock wood). I'll probably reset the TVGOS in my 500 in a few days, so it matches.

Nah...just haven't seen you around this thread in a long time. Thought I'd give you a hard time. :p

Just got a couple of spare drives the other day, and am going to start experimenting. My ex-500 would be a perfect candidate...

I appreciate that deal you gave me on the 500.

What do you mean by experimenting? I'd love to be able to somehow jury rig a usb cable so you could pull of the ts files off the hard drive. Is this possible? Do you know of anyone who has been able to get the TS files from the hard drives?

I appreciate that deal you gave me on the 500.

What do you mean by experimenting? I'd love to be able to somehow jury rig a usb cable so you could pull of the ts files off the hard drive. Is this possible? Do you know of anyone who has been able to get the TS files from the hard drives?

No prob. :)

I am going to be working on a way to marry new drives to the unit. My primary objective is to find a DIY method for replacing drives in the event of failure. As you know, the HDDs spin 24/7 in these units.

Side objectives include the possibility of converting a 250 to a 500, and maybe even archiving of video (I think these are going to be stretches, unfortunately...)

From what others have discovered, the usb port seems to only be useful for upgrading the firmware.

Since my warranty is expired, no worries anymore about "breaking the seal"

Does anyone know any thing about Sonys vrd-mc3? It shows it recording from a DVR, i'm wondering if it will work with my DHG-HDD250.


Yes, it will record to that device as s video and 480i. But not in hd.

HDAddiction

No prob. :)

I am going to be working on a way to marry new drives to the unit. My primary objective is to find a DIY method for replacing drives in the event of failure. As you know, the HDDs spin 24/7 in these units.

Side objectives include the possibility of converting a 250 to a 500, and maybe even archiving of video (I think these are going to be stretches, unfortunately...)

From what others have discovered, the usb port seems to only be useful for upgrading the firmware.

Since my warranty is expired, no worries anymore about "breaking the seal"

Well hopefully the HDDs on my units won't crap out for at least another 2 years.....At 3 years I could at least say I got my money's worth..

Let us know what it looks like on the HDD once you hook it up to your computer. I think it is Linux so boot it in there and take a look at the drive. You may get lucky and you'll see TS files right there in the directory.....

My local cable channel just added the CBS network in HD. We already had ABC, NBC, & FOX. Channel mapping for the previous channels was 68-455, 68-465, & 68-475. The CBS channel is 69-460. Now the problem. When I channel map the cbs to 69-460, the other networks prefix changes to 69. They won't stay at 68. When I change one of the back to 68 whatever, then the CBS changes to 68. What can I do?
By the way; I have 2 HD500s and the other one lets me edit the channel # for the cbs without affecting the other networks.
Thanks

I're read all theses posts over the last few months but haven't seen this subject.

Is there any way to do frame by frame playback(one frame at a time)? I can
do slow motion - as slow as 1/8 speed but not one frame at a time.

Thanks - E

After doing a 'Reset User Configuration' my unit appeared to work fine. '24' came on tonight on FOX and I was trying to record it while watching it. I like to pause it so that I can go get some Ice Cream out of the freezer. The remote control would not pause the picture. No commands on the remote would access the unit.

I went into a chat room with a Sony 'helper'. He was of very little help. Told me to take the unit into a Sony Service Center for further evaluation.

Has anyone else done the 'Reset User Configuration' and had the unit work for awhile and then lock up?

My HDG reverts back to auto HDMI after a period of time.

Is your TV off during that period of time? My HD250 will revert to Auto HDMI if it is turned on, but the TV is not. It must do a "hand-shake" with the TV to make sure it is a valid output device or some such malarky.

Has anyone else done the 'Reset User Configuration' and had the unit work for awhile and then lock up?

Nope, after doing a Reset User Configuration, it would lock up just like before, and just as predictable. It only locks up right when you begin recording with the unit on. If the recording starts when the unit is off, and then you turn it on, it doesn't lock up.

Maybe more information than anyone would want, but: As someone with a software background, it sounds like a condition variable that is never signaled. Considering its a TVGOS issue (started after the update), it's probably some condition variable between TVGOS, the recording process and the user interface process. It isn't being signaled by the recording process or TVGOS, causing the user interface process to wait indefinitely. If the user interface process comes alive while already recording (boot while recording), it never has to wait on the condition variable, since the recording process/TVGOS is already running full steam by then. So, if I had to put my money on something, it's definitely a process/thread synchronization issue. Give me 2-4 weeks with their code and I'd fix it - too bad it's not all open source.

Mine will do this to a limited extent sometimes, when it is just beginning a recording or ending a recording, I will lose control and the unit is unresponsive to commands, but this just lasts about 2-5 seconds. so it must be the begin and end recording sequence that overrides other functions for a few seconds on mine.
only noticeable when I am playing back at the same moment and trying to ff or rw etc.

Nope, after doing a Reset User Configuration, it would lock up just like before, and just as predictable. It only locks up right when you begin recording with the unit on. If the recording starts when the unit is off, and then you turn it on, it doesn't lock up.

Maybe more information than anyone would want, but: As someone with a software background, it sounds like a condition variable that is never signaled. Considering its a TVGOS issue (started after the update), it's probably some condition variable between TVGOS, the recording process and the user interface process. It isn't being signaled by the recording process or TVGOS, causing the user interface process to wait indefinitely. If the user interface process comes alive while already recording (boot while recording), it never has to wait on the condition variable, since the recording process/TVGOS is already running full steam by then. So, if I had to put my money on something, it's definitely a process/thread synchronization issue. Give me 2-4 weeks with their code and I'd fix it - too bad it's not all open source.

There must be something unique about your configuration that does not clear the fault after the reset. I have 3 of these units and they have all been fine since I reset after the TVGOS update. Do you know what your Sony firmware version is? I have one 1.2.05 and two 1.2.06 firmware versions. Another variable may be how the data is being passed through your host channel.

Let us know what it looks like on the HDD once you hook it up to your computer. I think it is Linux so boot it in there and take a look at the drive. You may get lucky and you'll see TS files right there in the directory.....

No such luck. All drives in these DVRs are partitioned the same way:


Disk /dev/hdc: 250.0 GB, 250059350016 bytes
Disk /dev/hdc: 255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hdc1 1 10 80000+ 83 Linux
/dev/hdc2 10 20 80000+ 83 Linux
/dev/hdc3 20 30402 244036536+ 83 Linux


Partitions 1 and 2 are ext2 filesystems storing the firmware files (locked up in a signed+encrypted cramfs image, so hacking will be hard). Partition 3 is encrypted xfs. Until someone cracks the encryption, no directory listing and no TS files (plus no guarantee that Sony is using TS files to store the content anyway). Breaking the encryption on any of this stuff may be tough since the manual acknowledges that they are using GNU Privacy Guard (http://www.gnupg.org/). On the other hand, since people have reported being able to update multiple units from the same Sony-provided USB flash drive, that would seem to indicate that the firmware isn't individually signed and encrypted for each unit, making it more significant if someone does manage to figure out the keys and signing scheme.

There must be something unique about your configuration that does not clear the fault after the reset. I have 3 of these units and they have all been fine since I reset after the TVGOS update. Do you know what your Sony firmware version is? I have one 1.2.05 and two 1.2.06 firmware versions. Another variable may be how the data is being passed through your host channel.

1.2.05

It could be that the TVGOS rolled out a new version that hasn't made its way across the country yet, or as you said, it could be something to do with the host channel. Either way, it was working fine before the TVGOS update, and now it is working predictably wrong.

Well, I "warm reset" my HDD250 last night and guide is back, this sucks that I have to do this every few weeks...

Is your TV off during that period of time? My HD250 will revert to Auto HDMI if it is turned on, but the TV is not. It must do a "hand-shake" with the TV to make sure it is a valid output device or some such malarky.

I cloud never figure out how to keep my HDD from reverting
back to Auto HDMI. I finally gave up and used COMPONENT
out. There is no difference in PQ and Audio over Optical is
the same also. When using Component - it stays in whatever
output resolution you select.

After the "lockup" last week I reset and started receiving ads and have a bunch of new channels. I am OTA only in Albuquerque. Last night no ads were displayed (old TV Guide insignia in box) and a check showed no TVGOS info for Sunday, Monday & Tuesday (would have been days 6, 7 & 8). Didn't check this morning if any change. Anyone else similarly missing guide info?

I'm not willing to say it's working until it does NOT occur for a few days, but I'm hopeful. Tom, don't cancel your service request yet with Gemstar, at least not for a few days, just in case. Who knows... after the next Guide listing push, the problem may re-occur.
I did go through the auto-channel lineup, and I probably have to re-order my channels. Being OTA, though, there weren't a lot - it still looks like the channels I 'deleted' /hid are still gone, but I didn't check that carefully, so I could be mistaken.
No I didn't (and won't) cancel the service ticket with Gemstar.

Bad news here...I just tried recording and it locked up. Before doing that I noticed that I had some different ads from what I had yesterday. It may be caused by that or by new guide data...who knows, but it's definitely locked right now.

This really really sucks. By the way, Gemstar was supposed to call yesterday to get new TVGOS diagnostic info from me (though he didn't seem to think that was likely to help them much). They didn't call. I can call them however, since I have a service call with them.

I'll tell you, others should really really try to get a call escalated with Sony (and to Gemstar) on this one to put a fire under it. You can only do this by calling Sony (800-222-7669).

By the way, during all of this I noticed that the time on the front of my Sony is consistently about 55 seconds behind the actual time in the guide. I have no idea if it's always been that way or not. Anyone else notice this?

Tom