Sony DHG-HDD250/500: Official Thread [Text View] - Page 37

rayliner

03-07-07, 04:02 PM

I think the latter is the case. I was able to record perfectly after the configuration reset, but the next day I had newer ads and recording locked it up every time. This could be from new ads or new guide data...who knows.

If I don't hear from Gemstar in the near future I'll call them for a status.

By the way...I mentioned in my post above...have you noticed discrepancies between the clock in your guide and the clock on the front of the unit? Most of the time it seems that the clock on the front of the unit is almost a minute behind the guide clock. What's odd is that it was like this when everything was working (after the configuration reset) and now it's in sync. I know for sure that it was out of sync the day I first noticed the locking issue. I'll make sure to tell the Gemstar people about that. It could be related to the locking issue...bad timing between the Gemstar and Sony firmware or the like.

Tom

I guess I can test that tonight, if I get home in time. I'll perform another user pref reset, then leave the HDD on - that should guarantee that nothing gets pushed to it before my recording starts up, I believe. Then I can see if the lockup occurs during recordings that are already set up...
hmm... which brings up something else to try. After my first reset, I simply started recording a show (but it was NOT a scheduled recording), then tried to lock it up and was not able to get it to lock up (this was around noon). It wasn't until that evening that the lockup occurred again. Another thing I'll try after this test is to remove the weekly recording for a show, perform the user reset, then set up the scheduled recording again AFTER the reset. I doubt this will fix it, but who knows...

AtlantisMichael

03-07-07, 04:45 PM

CharlieL

03-07-07, 05:59 PM

Now, for this past couple of days, both my units are having scheduled programs dropped as well as ones that were set to off to be turned back on. This is only showing up on two networks, both NBC and CBS, locally channel 11.1 and 46.1 respectively OTA only.
Anyone else having this?
Michael

Me too, exact same problem. OTA only also, but the problems only seem to be with ABC and CBS networks. Local channels here are 7.1 and 13.1

Charlie

tld

03-07-07, 06:12 PM

OK...I have news for everyone with the locking issue, and it also answers questions that some have regarding daylight savings time.

I heard from a tech at Gemstar today. He was verifying what Sony firmware I had, and I told him it was 1.2.13. He also told me that they have had four Sony support calls on this escalated to them, and they are aware that many are having this issue. They have a unit there with Sony firmware 1.2.07 and as yet have not been able to reproduce the problem...that's the bad news.

Here's the good news: As someone here guessed a while back, the primary reason for the TVGOS firmware upgrade being rolled out was in fact a patch to address the change in daylight savings time this year. Without it we'd be off by an hour between 3/11 (when daylight savings is supposed to take affect) and 4/1 (when it originally would have taken affect).

For that reason the upgrade is required for the next 3+ weeks. After 4/1 they are going to revert back to the previous firmware, which should correct our problems. This will give them until the fall (when daylight savings time ends) to solve this issue and push out firmware that addresses the daylight savings time changes without causing any issues.

By the way...it makes sense to me that Gemstar did in fact have to address the daylight savings time change. I see several here implying that Gemstar didn't need to address it because the time comes from the host station. I'm sure that's incorrect. My guess is that the stations send out UTC time and the firmware must figure out local time...much the way a computer OS often gets UTC from the BIOS and converts it to local time.

Tom

cxgy

03-07-07, 06:41 PM

My guess is that the stations send out UTC time and the firmware must figure out local time...much the way a computer OS often gets UTC from the BIOS and converts it to local time.

Tom

On Sunday, we had a 1-second power glitch. Later in the day when I turned on the DVR it had no Listings with a no data error. Same with the Search page. 3 unplugs resulted in same thing. The first time the clock had a time it was in UTC. At 6 PM EST/2300 UTC the clock read 11 PM (a.k.a. 2300) instead of 6 PM. So I think what Tom says is true.

'Not sure if the empty listings were actually caused by the power bump or was just a co-incidence. The reason I say that is I ended up having to go through the setup again (choosing Buffalo zip code) and the Ads appeared for the first time, the firmware has changed, the listings re-populated with new channels and the clock changed to EST.

bretski

03-07-07, 06:54 PM

I heard from a tech at Gemstar today. He was verifying what Sony firmware I had, and I told him it was 1.2.13. He also told me that they have had four Sony support calls on this escalated to them, and they are aware that many are having this issue. They have a unit there with Sony firmware 1.2.07 and as yet have not been able to reproduce the problem...that's the bad news.

Interesting. Can't remember off the top of my head, but I have either *.05 or *.06 on my box. It hasn't locked-up on me so far, but I haven't tried to record and watch simultaneously (recently).

Those of you who have experienced the lock-up, do you know what firmware you're running?

Tom, thanks for posting the update!

RobMeyer1

03-07-07, 07:50 PM

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 just checked my listings and they are completely filled in for the next week. I'm OTA only in Santa Fe.

jay214128

03-07-07, 08:30 PM

Interesting. Can't remember off the top of my head, but I have either *.05 or *.06 on my box. It hasn't locked-up on me so far, but I haven't tried to record and watch simultaneously (recently).

Those of you who have experienced the lock-up, do you know what firmware you're running?

Tom, thanks for posting the update!
I have the .13 firmware on three Sonys. I haven't experienced the recent lockup problem on any of them. I have even been able to watch a recording while recording something else. Maybe I've been lucky.

vfrjim

03-07-07, 08:46 PM

2 days later and the guide is gone again, calling Sony tomorrow...

jtbell

03-07-07, 08:49 PM

As someone here guessed a while back, the primary reason for the TVGOS firmware upgrade being rolled out was in fact a patch to address the change in daylight savings time this year.

If you haven't tried it already, scroll ahead in the guide to early Sunday morning and see what it looks like. :cool:

Ray1938

03-07-07, 10:53 PM

I have the .13 firmware on three Sonys. I haven't experienced the recent lockup problem on any of them. I have even been able to watch a recording while recording something else. Maybe I've been lucky.

I have both .05 and .06 versions, and almost always record and play at the same time - one of the great features of a DVR.

Many days ago, I experienced lockup for a few minutes on one of my units. I did nothing to clear it, and problem went away on its own and has not returned. Since someone else in the Los Angeles area is experiencing lockup, problem can't be associated with the guide station, KCET. To expedite a fix, TVGOS needs to borrow one or two units that exhibit this problem. Otherwise, it may take them a long time to reproduce it.

Ray

coo1enuf

03-07-07, 11:07 PM

Mine started the lockup some time ago, do not remember when but it is annoying. I have the 06 firmware. If the system is on, i use with cable card and it start to record it freezes till the recording is over. I can not record something and watch something else i have recorded. Based on what is said i am not going to do soft reboot. Will just wait till 4/1 to see if problem goes away. if not i will just start calling sony. I always check here first since it has the best scoop on what is really going on. the sony reps alway have nothing to tell you other then send it in.

tld

03-07-07, 11:21 PM

There's no real consistency as to who does or doesn't have the lockup issues when recording with the unit on except that, as far as I know, I think everyone experiencing it has the 8.06.44 TVGOS firmware. At least I believe so. The thing is that not to many people here who have reported having the lockups (or those saying they haven't), have actually posted what TVGOS firmware they're running. Many are assuming that, because they have ads, they have the new firmware, but I think the capability for ads predates the problem firmware. The next time I speak with Gemstar I want to ask them about that.

As far as the Sony firmware goes people seem to have these problems with several different versions.

Tom

Rammitinski

03-08-07, 03:07 AM

People over in the LG 3410a DVR thread have been reporting problems as of late, too. One guy just said his channels are changing extremely slowly (mine have been doing that for over a couple or so weeks now, too).

They've got the 7th generation version of TVGOS, so it sounds like our units might not be the only ones affected.

Ray1938

03-08-07, 03:07 AM

MLKRI

03-08-07, 09:49 AM

Lock up is still a problem here. Whether a scheduled recording or manually done. As soon as the unit begins recording all other functions freeze and the clock stops as well. I don't get any function back until after the recording has finished. If it is a scheduled recording it will finish and return to me but if it is a manual the clock stop so it just doesn't finish recording apparently. I had to gain control by doing a warm reset today.
In a scheduled recording situation, if a second recording is slated after the first it doesn't get recorded.

OTA, Sony software version 1.2.06. I don't know how to check the TV Guide software version can any tell me how? I've seen here that it is a number on the same screen as the Sony software version but on mine there is no other number or listing for it seemingly anywhere.

Earlier in the week I tried to use Sony email support - they told me they couldn't help use online chat support. They told me they couldn't help to call phone support. I just got off that phone call and am ready to rip my hair out.

This person tells me that there are no reports of any problems of this nature with the 250 or the 500 (I have the 250) and since I've already tried the unplugging reset procedure that I would have to send the unit to Sony tech support in Mount Pleasant, PA for a minimum cost of $150.72 as the flat rate for a unit out of warranty.

I asked to speak with someone else, level 2 or anyone else but apparently was denied as this same person just kept telling me that there was nothing on the Sony support web site and asking if I had seen something on the Sony support web site !!

I asked her if the OTA TV Guide was sent via the local PBS station and how I would find out the software version number. She told me I had to contact the provider? She asked several times if it was cable or satellite. I kept having to say no "Over the air, no satellite or cable", then her question was "cable or antenna"? Is it me?

Since I have you good people here to compare with, I am no way sending this unit for repair at this time but will wait at least until after Daylight savings time change to see what happens.

At least I am hopeful that my complaint is now registered and they have a record of the problem (as I know from this board they already have, but apparently it hasn't filtered down.)

rayliner

03-08-07, 10:50 AM

OK...I have news for everyone with the locking issue, and it also answers questions that some have regarding daylight savings time.

I heard from a tech at Gemstar today. He was verifying what Sony firmware I had, and I told him it was 1.2.13. He also told me that they have had four Sony support calls on this escalated to them, and they are aware that many are having this issue. They have a unit there with Sony firmware 1.2.07 and as yet have not been able to reproduce the problem...that's the bad news.

Tom

Well, it's not great news, but it's progress. I guess I'll be giving up full use of the Sony during Lent... Anyway, thanks for the update, Tom I also tried the user preference resest just prior to my normally scheduled programming. I thought if I didn't turn off the unit, it would be a good test about pushes. What I failed to notice is that the clock is also reset, so without turning off the unit the recording did not work. After I turned it off and the clock reset, it locked up immediately once the recording began. Oh well.

I write software for a large company, and I know all too well that the simplest thing can be overlooked. I'd like to suggest that maybe we can start a post in this thread containing pertinent info to each person's situation. Maybe if it's all posted in the same location, we (or Gemstar) can use that to help track down some pattern that can lead them to their problem.

Tom, since you have actually talked with Gemstar, you might be the most qualified to list some of the important info they asked you for. I'll start, please add on the same info about yourself, but please add any other facts that I might have missed that they would condsider important. (even if you are not experiencing the problem, it might be helpful to see your info also.)

who: rayliner
Unit model: HDD500
Sony version: 1.02.05
TVGOS version: 8.1.42
Locality: Los Angeles
Locking Problem: YES
OTA, no cable card
================
who:
Unit model:
Sony version:
TVGOS version:
Locality:
Locking Problem:
OTA, cablecard, or both (provide service provider if appicable)
================

srw1000

03-08-07, 11:08 AM

I heard from a tech at Gemstar today. He was verifying what Sony firmware I had, and I told him it was 1.2.13. He also told me that they have had four Sony support calls on this escalated to them, and they are aware that many are having this issue.This sounds pretty promising, if Gemstar is still actively working on the older firmware, and it seems like you got to talk to someone who actually is familiar with user problems.

If you have further contact with this tech, could you ask if he has any first-hand knowledge on post-analog options?

Thanks,

Scott

tld

03-08-07, 11:31 AM

Good idea rayliner. That's really all that's pertinent at this point I think:

who: tld
Unit model: DHG-HDD500
Sony version: 1.2.13
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: NJ (New York stations w/PBS 13 host)
Locking Problem: Yes

For those looking for their TVGOS firmware this describes how to look it up:

http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html#Section2111

Tom

tustinfarm

03-08-07, 11:32 AM

I suppose this isn't specific to the Sony DHG's ...

Does anyone have any idea about what may happen after Daylight Savings Time? I just got my DHG-HDD250, so I haven't gone through a standard DST change yet. I'm wondering if the early DST change this year may be an issue.

Will the clock be reset early Sunday morning while downloading the guide? I suppose I could check it out on Sunday morning to see if the time change occurred.

Or am I just worrying about nothing?

ft

When checking in the diagnostic mode my unit shows 3/11/07 @7:00 as the scheduled time to swicth to DST (7:00 is UTC, equivalent to 2 AM EST)....so looks like it should go exactly as it should.

With a front projector, in a non-light-controlled room, I no longer look forward to the extra hour of evening daylight the change provides!

tld

03-08-07, 11:33 AM

This sounds pretty promising, if Gemstar is still actively working on the older firmware, and it seems like you got to talk to someone who actually is familiar with user problems.

If you have further contact with this tech, could you ask if he has any first-hand knowledge on post-analog options?

Thanks,

Scott
Good point...I'll ask what he knows about that. Of course it's possible that the big post analog TVGOS issues may be with the Sony firmware, but he'd very well know something about that.

Tom

CharlieL

03-08-07, 12:30 PM

I just checked my listings and they are completely filled in for the next week. I'm OTA only in Santa Fe.

Thanks Rob

riffjim4069

03-08-07, 12:37 PM

My HDD500 has been repaired (161-6 error) and should arrive sometime this afternoon, courtesy of UPS. I spent over eight (8) aggravating hours of my valuable time on the phone in order to get this unit serviced under my Sony extended service plan. I could go on for pages, but I will [hopefully] keep the details direct and to the point. First, just a couple of items that need to be highlighted:

1. I purchased this Sony Product, along with a Sony Extended Service Plan, directly through Sony Corporation. Additionally, my unit was shipped to Sony's repair center in Mount Pleasant PA. Sounds like my unit will be professionally repaired by a Sony technician, huh? Wrong, the repairs are outsourced to a 3rd party called SERVICE NET, www.servicenet.com

2. My HDD500 already had the latest firmware, 1.2.13 and, after reading these pages, it appeared the box would receive an "electrical modification" to the mainboard (aka "A Board") so I can actually use to HDD500 to view and record digital cable (CableCard) via an advertised, yet broken, basic feature on this device. During one of my many calls into Sony, I was transferred to the repair center and I spoke to the technician who repaired the unit. According to the tech, no hardware modification, per se, is made to the unit. Rather, it is SOP that he connect to the "A Board" using an 8-pin connecter, and run a program that updates the mainboard. Other than fixing the 161-6 error, the tech had no idea what this program updated, what versions were involved, nor if this process updated flash, eprom, etc.

Problems:

- First, although Sony Extended Service is "available 24 hours a day" as advertised, the Sony Repair Center is only opened during normal business hours. This is not a problem...unless you are told to discuss the problem with the repair center, and it already after normal working hours. Anyway, I had at least two discussions with Sony Repair Center during my work hours and/or lunch. Again, this is a very minor point.

- I boxed the unit and sent it via UPS, which arrived at the repair center two days later. On the outside of the box I wrote my Certificate#, Event ID and Claim#. This information, along with a copy of my Sony Extended Service Contract, and a detailed description of the 161-6 error and my losing cable channels several times per week, were enclosed inside of the box.

- I received a voicemail from Sony Extended Service stating my unit was approved for repair, but they needed to bill me $150.72 for repairs. The agent stated the credit card information I provided them (I never provided them any CC info) could not be used since their credit card system was down...possibly until next week...and that I needed to contact her in order to pay for repairs. :confused:

- Unhappy camper (me) calls into Sony Extended Service to inquire about my claim. After being placed on hold for...well, forever...I am basically told the repair center is incorrect and that my HDD500 would be repaired as promised.

- Later receive another call from Sony stating this is a "software" update and the Sony Extended Service Plan only covers hardware repairs. Ok, I am stumped. My unit basically "blows up" and is useless until I pull the CableCard, pull the power cable, and suffer through days of TVGOS rebuilding (and repeat the process every day or two) only be told these repairs (needed for me to use my HD DVR to watch and record the cable TV channels that I subscribe to) are going to cost me $150.72 because it is considered a "software" update? Excuse me but, as I explained, I am not asking that this box be enabled with CallerID, nor play music from an iPod, nor download porn from the Internet, nor whistle Yankee Doodle Dandy for that matter...I am simply asking that my HD DVR be made to work with my cablecard, as advertised. After all, this is a DigitalCable ready device and has a functional CableCard feature. For all intents and purposes, I just want to use the HD DVR to view and record cable programming...and it's not working. How can anyone label this as being a software upgrade?

- The Sony agent was very nice, and tried to be helpful, but her broken english was a huge barrier in fully understanding my request and frustration. Additionally, there were just too many parties involved (to include the contractor Service Net) and the system doesn't lend itself to be consumer friendly: couldn't find a consumer advocate to resolve this issue and people just use common sense or think outside the box..."if the book says - if the contractor says - if the code says." :mad:

- It's at this point that I discovered repair and warranty support for this product was outsourced to an outfit called SERVICE NET, and that each department within Sony seems to be an independent business unit with little concern for taking ownership of the customer's problem, much less complain (formerly loyal customer in case). Seriously, they would rather I cancel repairs, void the service plan, return a new Sony HDTV, and return a new PS3 rather than introduce a small measure of common sense in resolving my problem (I'm a very good customer BTW):

Sony Extended Service - cares that you purchase an extended service plan and appears to be more concerned with passing the buck over to the repair center/contractor.

Sony Repair Center - concerned that the Extended Service or the Customer is paying the bill. Repairs for my HDD5000 were outsourced to SERVICE NET. There seems to be a lot of finger pointing between various departments and the the contractor.

Sony Style - once you purchase a unit, and as long you can't return it, they along with their customer service representatives and supervisors pretty much wash their hands of you.

SERVICE NET - the ones who are apparently repairing my HDD500 and/or managing the extended warranty service program. The repair code they listed related to a software update, which is why I was told the repairs were not covered by Sony Extended Service.

Over a two day period, I contacted numerous department at Sony looking in attempt of finding a customer advocate who could help me navigate this problem. Again, the very nice Sony Extended Service rep tried her best, but her english was horrible and she just couldn't understand how to help me. This was NOT a software issue...it is a problem with the mainboard. I placed a dozen calls and talked to dozen people including Extended Service Adjudications, Customer Relations, and even SonyUSA Headquarters in New York. Each time I was eventually transferred back to the extended service queue.

Sony finally agreed to pay for all service repair charges, but I was told they would only be covered this "one time" and that additional software upgrades would not be covered. Ok, I am still not happy because I cannot get through to anyone in charge at Sony and make them understand this isn't a willy-nilly software upgrade...rather, it is a mainboard modification being made to return the HDD500 back to normal operation, as advertised. Ugh! :(

On a side note, I received a hang-up call on 6 March which was identified as being from Service Net...however, when I called the number, (502) 753-1081, it was out-of-service. Offhand, I am not sure why they would be calling me.

Good luck on getting your 161-6 error repaired. :)

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?

MLKRI

03-08-07, 01:27 PM

For those looking for their TVGOS firmware this describes how to look it up:

http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html#Section2111

Tom

Thanks for this info Tom.

I've looked it up and now have...

who: MLKRI
Unit model: DHG-HDD250
Sony version: 1.2.06
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: RI (Providence/Boston stations w/FOX 25 host)
Locking Problem: Yes

Could the Fox station really be host? I assumed it would b a PBS affil. but when I followed the TVGOS service menu as in that link Tom gave, the line they list says 25 ? TO me 25 is a Fox affiliate from Boston that is further away than the PBS stations or the local Fox affiliate 64?

vfrjim

03-08-07, 02:04 PM

Thanks for this info Tom.

I've looked it up and now have...

who: MLKRI
Unit model: DHG-HDD250
Sony version: 1.2.06
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: RI (Providence/Boston stations w/FOX 25 host)
Locking Problem: Yes

Could the Fox station really be host? I assumed it would b a PBS affil. but when I followed the TVGOS service menu as in that link Tom gave, the line they list says 25 ? TO me 25 is a Fox affiliate from Boston that is further away than the PBS stations or the local Fox affiliate 64?

The Host channel in RI is WSBE 36 (analog)

Opinionated

03-08-07, 02:21 PM

After 4/1 they are going to revert back to the previous firmware, which should correct our problems.

Or make them even worse. Anyone want to take bets? LOL

But sure would be nice if it works out Ok.

rayliner

03-08-07, 02:23 PM

let's try to keep the profile listings together. It will make it easier in case the info would actually be useful to Gemstar or Sony or whomeever else might take ownership of the problem... It might make for a long post after a while, but... If you want to add your profile to the list to help out, try the "QUOTE" option or simply copy/paste all the other profiles here into a new post and add yours to the end. (just a suggestion)... It would be helpful if people without the locking problem responded also so we can see if there is any sort of pattern.

who:
Unit model:
Sony version:
TVGOS version:
Locality:
Locking Problem:
OTA, cablecard, or both (provide service provider if appicable)
================
who: rayliner
Unit model: HDD500
Sony version: 1.02.05
TVGOS version: 8.1.42
Locality: Los Angeles
Locking Problem: YES
OTA, no cable card
================
who: tld
Unit model: DHG-HDD500
Sony version: 1.2.13
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: NJ (New York stations w/PBS 13 host)
Locking Problem: Yes
================
who: MLKRI
Unit model: DHG-HDD250
Sony version: 1.2.06
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: RI (Providence/Boston stations w/FOX 25 host)
Locking Problem: Yes
================

Opinionated

03-08-07, 02:45 PM

Unit model: DHG-HDD250
Sony version: 1.2.05
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: NJ- Cable channel 13
Locking Problem: Yes

Unit model: DHG-HDD500
Sony version: 1.2.05
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: NJ- Cable channel 13
Locking Problem: Yes

Unit model: DHG-HDD500
Sony version: 1.2.05
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: NJ- Cable channel 13
Locking Problem: Yes

At one time or another- in the past week- each unit has locked. Never an issue until now.

rcodey

03-08-07, 03:58 PM

Who:rcodey
Unit:DHG-HDD500
Sony Version:1.2.05
TVGOS Version:08.06.44
Locality:NJ-Comcast cable channel 13
Locking:Yes

AtlantisMichael

03-08-07, 05:04 PM

No locking issues here, only dropped scheduled programs. And, from time to time, while watching a recorded program in progress, the advance (set for 1 min) will go to the end of the program in progress. Has happen at one time or another to all four units.
Two 250s, two 500s All .05 firmware and .44 TVGOS. PBS Atlanta, GA channel 8 OTA for 3 units and cable for 1 unit. Only had a lockup as described once or twice when I first purchased 1 1/2 year ago. None since.
Michael

MLKRI

03-08-07, 05:08 PM

The Host channel in RI is WSBE 36 (analog)
vfrjim - thanks this is what I assumed, BUT when I go to the TVGOS Diagnostic area - where the software versions etc. are listed mine says...
Host Chan 0:0-25 which according to the example given
http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html#Section218
2.1.8 How do I find my Host Channel?

Enter the Service Menu for TVGOS (See 2.2.2)

(System Info) chart will appear. Press <RIGHT> to go to second page. 5 entries down on the list it will say "Host Channel". It will appear as 0:0-XX (example: 0:0-11), the XX is your Host Channel. In the example shown, the "0" (zero) PRECEDING the colon indicates that it is OTA channel 11. If the digit PRECEDING the colon is a "1", then it is showing CABLE channel 11 is the host.

It means over the air channel 25??? So I am confused again. Either way, my guide updates regularly with the information and I've never had trouble with that part of it.

TWinbrook46636

03-08-07, 07:22 PM

PhillyC

03-08-07, 07:46 PM

CharlieL

03-08-07, 08:23 PM

================
Who: rayliner
Unit model: DHG-HDD500
Sony version: 1.02.05
TVGOS version: 8.1.42
Locality: Los Angeles
Locking Problem: YES
OTA, no cable card
================
Who: tld
Unit model: DHG-HDD500
Sony version: 1.2.13
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: NJ (New York stations w/PBS 13 host)
Locking Problem: Yes
================
Who: MLKRI
Unit model: DHG-HDD250
Sony version: 1.2.06
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: RI (Providence/Boston stations w/FOX 25 host)
Locking Problem: Yes
================
Who: Opinionated
Unit model: DHG-HDD250
Sony version: 1.2.05
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: NJ- Cable channel 13
Locking Problem: Yes
================
Who: Opinionated
Unit model: DHG-HDD500 [1]
Sony version: 1.2.05
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: NJ- Cable channel 13
Locking Problem: Yes
================
Who: Opinionated
Unit model: DHG-HDD500 [2]
Sony version: 1.2.05
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: NJ- Cable channel 13
Locking Problem: Yes
================
Who: rcodey
Unit model: DHG-HDD500
Sony Version: 1.2.05
TVGOS Version: 08.06.44
Locality: NJ-Comcast cable channel 13
Locking: Yes
================
Who: TWinbrook46636
Unit model: DHG-HDD500
Sony version: 1.2.13
TVGOS version: 08.06.44
Locality: IL- Comcast Cable w/ CBS 2 as Host Channel
Locking Problem: YES
Cable, Analog + Digital QAM
================
who: PhillyC
Unit model: DHG-HDD500
Sony version: 1.2.05
TVGOS version: 08.06.44
Locality: Chicago, IL - Comcast w/CableCARD & OTA - OTA 2 is host
Locking Problem: No
================
who: CharlieL
Unit model: DHG-HDD250
Sony version: 1.2.05
TVGOS version: 08.06.44
Locality: Albuquerque, NM OTA only, w/ NBC as host (local channel 4)
Locking Problem: No

coo1enuf

03-08-07, 09:21 PM

Ray1938

03-08-07, 10:05 PM

jmdomini

03-08-07, 10:19 PM

coo1enuf

03-08-07, 10:21 PM

The items listed are insufficient for diagostic purposes since both my units have the same TVGOS software, etc. but they don't exhibit the freeze problem. Perhaps the problem is related to one or more of the user preference settings. I wonder if the TVGOS test unit preferences are the default settings? Has anyone had freeze problem after resetting to factory settings and not altered them?

Ray

The only thing i have modified from factory default is the advance time per button push. Mine is set to advance 60seconds, makes it a little easier to skip the commercials. ;)

Also does anyone really know what sony is doing for the 161-6 issue. I have this but it seems to clear but i still have decode issues. :(

jtbell

03-08-07, 11:18 PM

gigaguy

03-09-07, 12:01 AM

I'm not having any problems and I have 2 500s and a Sony DVD recorder that used TVGOS. I think one of my 500s is .13 and the other is .06 I have been getting ads on both 500s, but I don't think they are on my DVD recorder yet.

TWinbrook46636

03-09-07, 02:00 AM

When the unit is off and the red recording light is on try turning it on and FF/RW through what has been recorded so far and see what happens. This is when mine usually locks up but it doesn't do it all the time. It did it the other night when recording LOST though. The picture froze along with everything else including the clock. Five minutes later LOST ended and the unit "caught up" with all the button presses on the remote.

Ray1938

03-09-07, 02:46 AM

The only thing i have modified from factory default is the advance time per button push. Mine is set to advance 60seconds, makes it a little easier to skip the commercials. ;)

:(

Do you have freeze problems? My units are set for 30 sec advance and 15 sec back, and no freeze.

Ray

Ray1938

03-09-07, 02:52 AM

I suggest that people who posted all but the latest version of the settings list be removed since they are redundant, and therefore add no value to this thread.

Ray

tld

03-09-07, 10:58 AM

Perhaps the problem is related to one or more of the user preference settings. I wonder if the TVGOS test unit preferences are the default settings? Has anyone had freeze problem after resetting to factory settings and not altered them?

Ray
I just did a "Reset User Configuration" (not "Restore Factory Default") and have left the prefs at the defaults. As with others here, I had my advance set to 1 minute for channel skipping, but I'm leaving that at the default. As was the case before, I'm not getting lockups right now...I'm recording from the guide and playing other recordings at the same time etc, no problem. We'll see what happens after new guide data/commericals etc.

By the way, for anyone interested, it turns out that doing the "Reset User Configuration" does in fact force you to rescan either your antenna or cable. I thought it let you skip both but it doesn't. In my case however, the setup of channels in the TV guide were not affected.

Tom

dkennedy

03-09-07, 11:48 AM

Who: rayliner
Unit model: DHG-HDD500
Sony version: 1.02.05
TVGOS version: 8.1.42
Locality: Los Angeles
Locking Problem: YES
OTA, no cable card
================
Who: tld
Unit model: DHG-HDD500
Sony version: 1.2.13
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: NJ (New York stations w/PBS 13 host)
Locking Problem: Yes
================
Who: MLKRI
Unit model: DHG-HDD250
Sony version: 1.2.06
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: RI (Providence/Boston stations w/FOX 25 host)
Locking Problem: Yes
================
Who: Opinionated
Unit model: DHG-HDD250
Sony version: 1.2.05
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: NJ- Cable channel 13
Locking Problem: Yes
================
Who: Opinionated
Unit model: DHG-HDD500 [1]
Sony version: 1.2.05
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: NJ- Cable channel 13
Locking Problem: Yes
================
Who: Opinionated
Unit model: DHG-HDD500 [2]
Sony version: 1.2.05
TVGOS version: 8.06.44
Locality: NJ- Cable channel 13
Locking Problem: Yes
================
Who: rcodey
Unit model: DHG-HDD500
Sony Version: 1.2.05
TVGOS Version: 08.06.44
Locality: NJ-Comcast cable channel 13
Locking: Yes
================
Who: TWinbrook46636
Unit model: DHG-HDD500
Sony version: 1.2.13
TVGOS version: 08.06.44
Locality: IL- Comcast Cable w/ CBS 2 as Host Channel
Locking Problem: YES
Cable, Analog + Digital QAM
================
who: PhillyC
Unit model: DHG-HDD500
Sony version: 1.2.05
TVGOS version: 08.06.44
Locality: Chicago, IL - Comcast w/CableCARD & OTA - OTA 2 is host
Locking Problem: No
================
who: CharlieL
Unit model: DHG-HDD250
Sony version: 1.2.05
TVGOS version: 08.06.44
Locality: Albuquerque, NM OTA only, w/ NBC as host (local channel 4)
Locking Problem: No
================
Who:coo1enuf
UnitHG-HDD250
Sony Version:1.2.09
TVGOS Version:08.06.44
Locality:NY;TimeWarner Cable channel 13(PBS-NY)
Locking:Yes
Cablecard
================
Who: jtbell
Unit: HG-HDD500
Sony Version: 1.2.05
TVGOS Version: 08.06.44
Locality: Upstate SC; OTA only; host channel 29 (PBS-Greenville SC)
Locking: No (after resetting to TVGOS factory default)
(I did have a few freezes just after the update, before resetting)
================
Who: jtbell
Unit: HG-HDD250
Sony Version: 1.2.09
TVGOS Version: 08.06.44
Locality: Upstate SC; OTA only; host channel 29 (PBS-Greenville SC)
Locking: No (after resetting to TVGOS factory default, which induced the update
================
Who: dkennedy
Unit model: DHG-HDD500 (2 units)
Sony version: 1.2.13
TVGOS version: 08.06.44
Locality: NY Upstate - Time Warner Cable w/ PBS 11 as Host Channel
Locking Problem: No
Cablecard & OTA

MLKRI

03-09-07, 11:54 AM

The only change I ever made to the defaults was to reorder the channels once the scan was complete.

I was going to go back and do a restore to defaults as suggested here but again I am not sure if my 250 is different than others but the terminology is certainly different.

In the TVGOS setup I have the choice of
Change System Display
Change Channel Settings
Change Default Options - You'd think it would be here but no this is general, record and Remind. None allow for restore to factory defaults etc.

The only place is in the first list Change System Display which will allow for change of Zip code etc. to rescan for channels - but nothing about factory defaults here.

I saw on the http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html an area for entering the service menu etc. but I don't want to erase all pre-recorded programs to try for this solution.

Can anyone tell me where I am apparently not looking?
Thanks

tld

03-09-07, 11:58 AM

I saw on the http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html an area for entering the service menu etc. but I don't want to erase all pre-recorded programs to try for this solution.

Can anyone tell me where I am apparently not looking?
Thanks
The "Reset User Configuration" in the service menu does not delete recordings. It does make you rescan channels, but doesn't seem to affect the guide at all (it didn't in my case). Restoring factory defaults does delete recordings.

Tom

coo1enuf

03-09-07, 12:02 PM

Do you have freeze problems? My units are set for 30 sec advance and 15 sec back, and no freeze.

Ray
Yes, I have the freeze issue. As soon as it starts recording nothing works. Even if I am watching a previously recorded show that will freeze. Everything works again when the recording stops. :(

tld

03-09-07, 02:37 PM

Regarding my test of resetting the user configuration and leaving the user settings at the default:

As I said above, after resetting the user configuration this morning, I verified that it wouldn't lock up while recording and it did not. I also checked what ads I had by going in and out of the guide several times. In addition I checked what listings I had and found I had guide data through next Friday and some sparse listings for early Saturday.

I shut the unit off and just checked it. It appears I had some ads other than what showed this morning, though they're ones I have seen other days. I believe I got a little more guide data for next Saturday as well, but that's a little hard to tell.

Now it locks up as soon as I record. Again, this was without changing any user preferences from the defaults. The only odd thing is that this time, although the remote wouldn't work at all, the clock on the front of the unit continued to update during recording. I don't think that's happened to me before.

Tom

Rammitinski

03-09-07, 04:20 PM

A new one for me -

Last night when I turned my unit on, I went to change the channel with the remote, and everytime I did, it kept reverting back to the channel it was on when it was turned on. I tried to just cycle through the channels to get to the channel I wanted, but it still kept reverting back. So I did a soft reset, and it was OK after that. I'll have to check it tonight to see if it does it again.

Rammitinski

03-09-07, 04:26 PM

jmdomini

03-09-07, 07:30 PM

MLKRI

03-09-07, 10:44 PM

I also did the reset user configuration. It cycled through all scanning to get the stations (I use OTA only). No previously recorded shows we deleted, all fine there. Interesting the clock is the only thing that didn't update correctly, it was about 5 minutes slow. As soon as it was done I did a test by starting a record manually and then trying to watch one I had previously recorded. It seemed to work fine. Then I turned the unit off.

This evening I noticed the clock was at the proper time, turned the unit on to watch shows. It was operating fine then while watching a previously recorded show the event timer started a scheduled record and poof lost all remote or front panel control. Was stilll able to view the recorded show just not able to FF or REW etc. Also not able to shut the DVR off or at the end of the show delete it, figuring it would be as before and just sit at the end until the show that's recording finishes, I shut off the TV, receiver etc. to leave it. Within a couple minutes the front panel had blanked and there was the "Welcome..." message on it. Then nothing, no record light even though the show that's recording should still be and no clock at all just --:-- and blank elsewhere. Hopefully the show is still recording.

So cut to the chase - Reset User Configuration didn't work.

Rammitinski

03-10-07, 05:52 AM

Hopefully I won't get that error. If I do it's not worth the money to fix. It will just mean the DVR will be relagated to recording duty only and the Comcast box will be my primary receiver. I can't get away from the Comcast box entirely since cable cards can't do On Demand.Yeah, but if you don't use the cablecard, how will you record from digital cable using the TVGOS? Or will you just split the coax into the DVR and only record off the analog and unencrypted digital channels?

Opinionated

03-10-07, 01:47 PM

This has now occurred on both my 250 and my 500. Exactly the same way on both.

Unit is recording. I power on. Locks up.

I know it locked up because wanting to watch a previous recording nothing responds.

To know that nothing is responding I had to hit menu and some other keys a few times. Did not hit power.

Unit continues to record for moments. Then suddenly it shuts itself off. I get the "welcome" message on the box and "Sony" on screen. Clock disappears. In a minute or so, it resets itself, clock reappears and again it's recording while unit is off.

When it finishes recording, I have two instances of the same show in my recording list (same name, etc). One for each separate segment it recorded.

dspadoni

03-10-07, 02:09 PM

I have Comcast coming out next Saturday (17th) to install a cable card in my HDDVR250 since I'm upgrading to "Enhanced Cable". Don't absolutely need it, but I'm kind of tired of playing find the QAM frequency. There's no charge so it's worth a try.

Any tips on a successful install? I take it when the put the card in, I should be able to tune to the Comcast assigned channel numbers but the guide will be messed up until I do a reset and let it relearn?

A lot will depend on how your local Comcast franchise has things set up, e.g., the hardware/software they use for encrypting and routing your rate package to your cable card. Here in Alexandria, VA, Comcast uses Scientific Atlanta equipment, and they seem to be having some problems - I've been told SA is coming in to "fix things", but I'm not holding my breath.

That said, when you insert the cable cable, Comcast will have to authorize it with the CC ID and the Host ID (i.e., the ID of your Sony) to "enable" the card. An in-home service tech may need to make the call to do that. Those numbers show up in the Cable Card submenu (Menu, Preferences, System). Once the card is enabled, you should be able to tune to all the channels in your package. The Sony will "scan" the card almost instantaneously. You'll need to go into the Channel +/- editor to see everything you get and turn off what you don't want.

Your TVGOS will probably need to be reset depending on what channel your host is mapped to. If your current host channel is passed through the CC as analog, nothing should change. However, if that channel is passed as digital through the CC, then you'll have to find the analog remap of your host; on some systems that's often somewhere in the 90's, so make sure you don't turn those off in Channel +/-. If the analog remap shows up on your new channel list, then the TVGOS should find it OK.

Good luck.

jmdomini

03-10-07, 03:22 PM

Exactly, I'll use a splitter and it will just continue to function as it is now. If I had any confidence that these boxes were not going to become paperweights come 2009 I'd send it in if necessary.

Yeah, but if you don't use the cablecard, how will you record from digital cable using the TVGOS? Or will you just split the coax into the DVR and only record off the analog and unencrypted digital channels?

dspadoni,

Comcast does insist that a tech visit is needed for cable cards. The system here is Motorola, haven't heard how their cards work. I hope they send someone that actually is a Comcast employee. The contractors around here are not very bright at all.

dspadoni

03-10-07, 03:54 PM

dspadoni,

Comcast does insist that a tech visit is needed for cable cards. The system here is Motorola, haven't heard how their cards work. I hope they send someone that actually is a Comcast employee. The contractors around here are not very bright at all.

I try to give them the benefit of the doubt, since their training is highly compartmentalized. Service techs are trained to handle line issues and set-top-box problems and to call a secret number for cable card problems. Phone techs are taught to read from a script; if your problem isn't in the script, their fall-back is to schedule a service tech. Neither of them know anything about how programming is actually transmitted to your outlet. I got lucky and have the secret number for my franchise, so I suggest you ask the service tech if your Comcast franchise has a cable card "hot line" number you can call yourself if you have problems later on.

cheneyp

03-10-07, 04:44 PM

jengle1023

03-11-07, 01:14 AM

I did the 'reset user configuration' and I thought it solved my problem. It still locked up. The only time I got full functionality from my unit was when I did a 'restore to factory defaults'. It wipes everything out and reformats the hard drive.

HDD250
Firmware 1.2.09
Gemstar Firmware: 08.06.44

Unit has worked fine for about 6 or 7 days without any glitches. Guide fully re-populated.

Marc_G

03-11-07, 01:17 PM

FWIW, no problems with the DST change here.

lastplace

03-11-07, 01:30 PM

FWIW, no problems with the DST change here.

My HDD-250 reset fine without a reboot, My sony VCR required a reboot to get the time right.

AtlantisMichael

03-11-07, 03:29 PM

Checked out my girlfriends units, 1-250,1-500. Both fine. No lockups. Has current TVGOS, .44 and the ads. She has Comcast. no change with her channel, other than more to pick from. Her scheduled programs are all stable. Not losing any.
Firmware is .05.
My units, OTA only, still dropping only the scheduled CBS programs of my list. Have to reset them. Even drops the programs set to off as well.
All these problems, lockups, freezes, dropped programs. etc.. have to be caused by bad, corrupt, or poor TVGOS downloaded information. Looks like the differernt feeds all over the country is causing some sort of problem for most of us. I am sending an Email to my host station as well as TVGOS and Sony on my problems. Suggest you do the same. Maybe with enough complaints one or all of them may get this stuff corrected.
Michael

Ray1938

03-11-07, 04:21 PM

AtlantisMichael

03-11-07, 05:29 PM

I don't understand how you can attribute the freeze to the station feed since your girlfiend's units work ok and yours doesn't, and both of you receive the same TVGOS feed.

With regard to dropped programs, my solution is to back them up with manual setting.

Ray
I base it on the fact that these are somewhat interactive. That my OTA feed may not be the exact same as her cable feed if I am getting interference with the terrestrial broadcast.
She is getting her feed through cable, mine through OTA. Her system has been very stable with the exception of the time that the cable system changed their lineup. Maybe I have to adjust my antenna?? My only problem has been the dropped shows as of late. Plus it is only happening so far with CBS and some with NBC. Does not affect all the programmed shows. Have set the backups, but they drop or move around to another day. Weird, I know, but I maybe it's time to analyze the host feed through my antenna as well as checking out my splitters to see if the feed is not as good as it use to be.
Have not seen any post for my area as to freezes or lockups.
Michael

Rammitinski

03-11-07, 07:39 PM

FWIW, no problems with the DST change here.Never had any worries, as all my TVGOS devices have done this with no problem over the few years that I've had them :).

Marc_G

03-11-07, 10:00 PM

Following up with my DST transition, I've got 2 notes:

1. For Rammitinski above, my concern was related to the new date at which the change is happening. Thanks, politicians! Pain in the ass. Lots of programs are having difficulty with the new date.

2. While my Sony has handled it well, apparently my 8300 series supplied by the cable company screwed the pooch. Missed a recording of Simpsons tonight. Though the box changed time appropriately, the scheduled recordings are all off by an hour! So, Simpons at 8 pm shows up now at 9 pm. It's still looking at the same absolute time rather than the correct local time which has been modified. So I had to re-enter all my scheduling and I betting that after the original DST change date in April, I'll have to go through it again. Grrr.

Marc

SuperBeta

03-12-07, 11:36 AM

I have two (2) HDD500s. Each has a different Sony software number (one was manufactured before the other). Both lock-up (no response to controls on either the remote or the unit itself) when I try to play a previous or currently recording program while recording a program. Control returns as soon as the recording ends. From reading this site it seems that this is due to Gemstar software that was sent to compensate for the change in Daylight savings time. It is a shame that Sony felt that the users of the HDD250/500 were too stupid to be offered the option of manually setting the clock (what fools we are). As is I feel about 80% of the functionality of my HDD500s has been lost. They are now the equivalent of my computer using an old MyHD card (either watch or record, but not both at the same time).
A number of people have been in contact with Gemstar and have stated that Gemstar may fix the situation. My question is has anyone heard from Gemstar when it might be fixed? Is there any chance that the problem might be fixed before the traditional start of Daylight Savings (in 3 weeks)?
Thanks.

tld

03-12-07, 02:43 PM

A number of people have been in contact with Gemstar and have stated that Gemstar may fix the situation. My question is has anyone heard from Gemstar when it might be fixed? Is there any chance that the problem might be fixed before the traditional start of Daylight Savings (in 3 weeks)?
Thanks.
The last I spoke with them they were still trying to reproduce the problem. As I mentioned in an earlier post, they plan on sending out the old firmware (prior to the daylight savings time patched version that apparent caused the problem) after the traditional daylight savings. I have my doubts there will be any fix before that.

Tom

SuperBeta

03-12-07, 02:52 PM

Thank you for the reply.

gigaguy

03-12-07, 03:25 PM

I had no problems with either of my 500s, or my Sony DVD recorder with Tvgos, all switched time fine, no lockups. It's nice not having to reset times manually.

rayliner

03-12-07, 03:36 PM

The last I spoke with them they were still trying to reproduce the problem. As I mentioned in an earlier post, they plan on sending out the old firmware (prior to the daylight savings time patched version that apparent caused the problem) after the traditional daylight savings. I have my doubts there will be any fix before that.

Tom

Hey, if the Gemstar techs are local to L.A., I'd be willing to loan them my unit for a brief time to get this fixed. It's driving me crazy. We record stuff nearly every night, so my hours of watching recorded programming are severely limited because of the lockups. Just so long as they don't open the unit. I don't want to void the warranty...

AtlantisMichael

03-12-07, 08:24 PM

ftaok

03-13-07, 07:22 AM

OK,

I now have a few weeks of HD DVR goodness under my belt and everything seems to be working fine. No lock ups and no problems with DST. As of yet, I haven't had any scheduled recordings go bad ... knock on wood. The only thing is that I can't find Universal HD on the guide, but I only record one show on UHD, so it's not bad.

Anyways, since things are going so smoothly, I figured that I try something new to the mix. Right now, the DHG is connected to my HDTV in the family room via HDMI. The next time I futz with the set-up, I'm going to switch to component (just for the Format issue). I also want to connect the DHG to the SDTV in the kitchen which has component, s-video, and composite connections. Running the appropriate wires over to the kitchen TV will be a chore, but it's doable.

So here's the question. Can these DVR's be connected to two different TVs simultaneously without any issues? I understand that I will need an IR blaster at the kitchen TV routed back to the DHG to allow for control in the kitchen. I plan on connecting the kitchen TV using s-video and composite audio. Can the DHG output through the component (for the HDTV) and s-video (kitchen TV) at the same time, or will I need to go into the DHG menu every time I switch TVs? Also, since the HDTV is 16:9 and the kitchen TV is 4:3, will I need to adjust the screen ratios, or do the separate outputs remember their individual settings?

Maybe a universal remote could be programmed with a macro to adjust the output and screen ratio if the DHG doesn't do it automatically.

Anyways, any replies would be appreciated. If there are better ways to do this, I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks.

ft

drhankz

03-13-07, 08:21 AM

I plan on connecting the kitchen TV using s-video and composite audio. Can the DHG output through the component (for the HDTV) and s-video (kitchen TV) at the same time, or will I need to go into the DHG menu every time I switch TVs? Also, since the HDTV is 16:9 and the kitchen TV is 4:3, will I need to adjust the screen ratios, or do the separate outputs remember their individual settings?

Maybe a universal remote could be programmed with a macro to adjust the output and screen ratio if the DHG doesn't do it automatically.

Anyways, any replies would be appreciated. If there are better ways to do this, I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks.

ft

If you want HD on your main TV - you will have to unplug the
HDMI cable and switch to Component for the HD signal to your
main TV.

For your Kitchen TV - you want to run S-Video. The HDD will
output signals simultaneously to both the main TV [Comp]
and Kitchen [S-Video].

Now for the Glitch. If the HDD is set for 1080i - the GUIDE
will only show up on the Main TV. If you switch the output
resolution of the HDD to SD - then the guide will show up
on both TVs but on the Main TV - it will be is Standard
Resolution - until you switch back to 1080i. Your Remote
control device in the Kitchen will need to be the HDD
remote - with the signal sent via a remote IR repeater
back to the HDD so you have complete control of the HDD.

AGAIN - the only thing you will need to adjust is the output
resolution - no need to change the screen orientation from
16:9 to 4:3.

TheRatPatrol

03-13-07, 09:07 AM

I wonder if this box (http://www.tvpredictions.com/rcaconverter031307.htm) would work with our units in order to be able to receive the guide data?

RCA said its DTA800 will be a low-cost, energy-efficient converter that will ensure reception of local channels when the digital switch occurs. The converter will have an antenna input and analog outputs and will come with a remote control.

Additionally, the box will include an on-screen program guide, parental control options, closed captioning and a "SmartAntenna" interface that will improve reception in hard-to-reach areas.

Erik Garci

03-13-07, 09:47 AM

Now for the Glitch. If the HDD is set for 1080i - the GUIDE will only show up on the Main TV.
This limitation affects all menus and on-screen displays, not just the guide. For example, the status bar does not appear on the composite/S-video output when "1080i" is the selected format.
If you switch the output resolution of the HDD to SD - then the guide will show up on both TVs but on the Main TV - it will be is Standard Resolution - until you switch back to 1080i.
When "SD Out" is the selected format, the guide does not appear on the component output; it only appears on the composite/S-video output.

ftaok

03-13-07, 10:18 AM

This limitation affects all menus and on-screen displays, not just the guide. For example, the status bar does not appear on the composite/S-video output when "1080i" is the selected format.

When "SD Out" is the selected format, the guide does not appear on the component output; it only appears on the composite/S-video output.
Erik and DrHankZ,

This is exactly the information that I needed to hear. It sounds like what I'm trying to accomplish is doable. The only thing is that when going from one TV to another, I'll need to hit the "Format" button until something shows up on screen.

This won't be a huge problem since we probably won't be using the HDD with both TVs at the same time. It'll really be one or the other.

Great info.

ft

Erik Garci

03-13-07, 10:41 AM

The only thing is that when going from one TV to another, I'll need to hit the "Format" button until something shows up on screen.
It can be tricky to switch between "SD Out" and another format.

For example, if 1080i is the current format, and you want to switch the format to SD Out, but you are watching the SD TV, then you cannot see what format you are selecting while you press the button, because the OSD does not appear on the SD TV.

So you do one of the following:
1. Go to the HD TV, and look at the OSD on it while you press the button.
2. Go to the DVR, and look at the front panel display while you press the button.
3. Memorize the number of times to press the button, and just blindly press it.
4. Press the button twice (or more), wait a few seconds for the DVR to switch formats, and repeat this process until the OSD appears on the SD TV.

ftaok

03-13-07, 10:49 AM

It can be tricky to switch between "SD Out" and another format.

For example, if 1080i is the current format, and you want to switch the format to SD Out, but you are watching the SD TV, then you cannot see what format you are selecting while you press the button, because the OSD does not appear on the SD TV.

So you do one of the following:
1. Go to the HD TV, and look at the OSD on it while you press the button.
2. Go to the DVR, and look at the front panel display while you press the button.
3. Memorize the number of times to press the button, and just blindly press it.
4. Press the button twice (or more), wait a few seconds for the DVR to switch formats, and repeat this process until the OSD appears on the SD TV.
I'll probably do 2 or 3. The kitchen and family room are next to each other and there's a big pass through in between. In fact, from some seats at the kitchen table, I can see the HDD unit.

Thanks again.

jay214128

03-13-07, 01:21 PM

Well, add me to the list of lockups. While watching a recording of Cold Case, my 500 froze up. The show was into the first 10 minutes of replay when the scene just froze and would not move. No response from any controls. Had to do a hard reset, left off for at least 5 minutes. Plugged back in and it took about 5-7 minutes to re-acquire the proper time. Have not turned it back on yet, as I have it set to record 24. Will let you know what happens.
Michael
I understand what you and others are experiencing. I have experienced this type of lockup occasionally (1-3 times) in the past, but not since the latest TVGOS update. I point this out, because I think the problem has always been there and was not created by the latest update. It is more likely that it is now more likely to occur than before the update, at least in some situations. It also seems unclear what the precise circumstances of those situations are, and will make it harder for Gemstar to resolve. The only symptoms I have observed is that the Sony seems a bit more sluggish in responding to certain remote control requests. I am more concerned about any future TVGOS version roll back.

Erik Garci

03-13-07, 01:49 PM

I'll probably do 2 or 3. The kitchen and family room are next to each other and there's a big pass through in between. In fact, from some seats at the kitchen table, I can see the HDD unit.

Thanks again.
One thing to watch out for is that the Format button does not work while a menu is being shown or while playback is paused. So if the Format button is not working, press Exit and/or Play, then try pressing Format again.

twelvepbrs

03-13-07, 01:49 PM

Ray1938

03-13-07, 02:24 PM

I'll probably do 2 or 3. The kitchen and family room are next to each other and there's a big pass through in between. In fact, from some seats at the kitchen table, I can see the HDD unit.

Thanks again.

I have similar setup, but recorder faces away from kitchen. When I want to view output from the kitchen, i first select SD format by turning on the DVR, pressing format button until SD appears on the display. Then I control the DVR from the kitchen just by pointing the remote control toward the family room. When you return to viewing in the family room, be sure to change format otherwise you won't be able to control it from there.

Ray

Ray1938

03-13-07, 02:32 PM

for anyone in the Time Warner - Chatsworth area of Los Angeles, TVGOS has updated the channel lineup to be much more accurate (read the digital channel #'s match, except for KABCHD), not sure if they did it for the rest of LA though

What do you mean by accurate? What are the channel numbers for KABCHD - the channel you get it on and the published channel number.

According to a recent flyer from TW, their plan is to have the same channel lineup for all regions.

Ray

twelvepbrs

03-13-07, 03:01 PM

What do you mean by accurate? What are the channel numbers for KABCHD - the channel you get it on and the published channel number.

According to a recent flyer from TW, their plan is to have the same channel lineup for all regions.

Ray
yeah, if i believed everything that was in a TW flyer i'd be at home watching the weather channel (lewis black reference), anyways...that plan has a sh*t-ton of holes in it so far, go to TW's website and dig through the different channel lineups for the different parts of LA; some of the channels have similar numbers between numerous areas but most don't; especially the basic analogs....hilariously, KABCHD, is one of the few channels that still has an incorrect channel # in the lineup, it's mapped to 227 through TVGOS for me, which is a simulcast KABC+ (some kind of news crap or something) my actual KABCHD is 407 (but fixing just one channel isnt that much of a hassle)

Rammitinski

03-13-07, 04:02 PM

I wonder if this box (http://www.tvpredictions.com/rcaconverter031307.htm) would work with our units in order to be able to receive the guide data?Nope. It's pretty much the same as the ATSC tuners that are out there now - except that it only outputs at 480i.

As far as the guide, it gets it the same way as all the other standalone ATSC tuners do that have that feature - from the digital transmission of the PSIP. It does not convert it in any way that would be usable with TVGOS the way it's set up to work now.

But, when they ever get around to fully adapting TVGOS for digital, that'll probably be along the lines of how it'll be done.

AtlantisMichael

03-13-07, 05:11 PM

I found out today that the setup screen on my units have two options now to pick from(OTA setup). One is no match, the other is Atlanta broadcast (11). Not sure what the 11 stands for. Maybe it is for an area of town? or something to that effect. Anyone else noticed this?
As far as the lockup from last night, could not make it reoccur. Everything working OK so far since.
Michael

TheRatPatrol

03-13-07, 09:19 PM

Nope. It's pretty much the same as the ATSC tuners that are out there now - except that it only outputs at 480i.

As far as the guide, it gets it the same way as all the other standalone ATSC tuners do that have that feature - from the digital transmission of the PSIP. It does not convert it in any way that would be usable with TVGOS the way it's set up to work now.

But, when they ever get around to fully adapting TVGOS for digital, that'll probably be along the lines of how it'll be done.
So will our boxes ever work after the digital switch, with either an adaptor box or a software update?

bretski

03-13-07, 09:21 PM

So will our boxes ever work after the digital switch, with either an adaptor box or a software update?

That remains to be seen. I'm a betting man, though, and my money is on "yes"!

TheRatPatrol

03-13-07, 09:26 PM

That remains to be seen. I'm a betting man, though, and my money is on "yes"!
Well I would hope so, these are great units. :D

Ray1938

03-13-07, 10:25 PM

yeah, if i believed everything that was in a TW flyer i'd be at home watching the weather channel (lewis black reference), anyways...that plan has a sh*t-ton of holes in it so far, go to TW's website and dig through the different channel lineups for the different parts of LA; some of the channels have similar numbers between numerous areas but most don't; especially the basic analogs....hilariously, KABCHD, is one of the few channels that still has an incorrect channel # in the lineup, it's mapped to 227 through TVGOS for me, which is a simulcast KABC+ (some kind of news crap or something) my actual KABCHD is 407 (but fixing just one channel isnt that much of a hassle)

Does your unit have a cable card? If not, channel number will be different. By the way, I have TW but choose to receive most local HD via a outdoor UHF antenna. I also have a cable company DVR, which I use as a backup in case there are more than two time coincident programs I wish to record. Have you tried OTA?

Ray

Press1Now

03-13-07, 11:24 PM

Well its been a week since i've had my hdd250, first the price was a steal for 300.00 bucks you can't beat that. But here are my problem and i hate when sony tech support just read from a pre-written script. First, on some of my channels i get this flashing white line at the top of the screen and second, while playing back a recorded show i get a broken pixal as if the signal dropped for a second and comes back but i don't get this at all when viewing tv.
Has any one ever seen this? Thanks

sivartk

03-13-07, 11:59 PM

I can beat that, as I got 2 of the HDD250's for $300 ($100 and $200 each) and a third for a family member for $250....but I digress.

What TV are you using? The "flashing white line" at the top sounds like a VBI line from an analog program converted to digital. Do you see this in HD programming or just SD programming? If you TV doesn't have any overscan you will see this and probably also see a yellow vertical line on the left during NBC HD programming.

Not sure I understand the other question.

Ray1938

03-14-07, 03:05 AM

second, while playing back a recorded show i get a broken pixal as if the signal dropped for a second and comes back but i don't get this at all when viewing tv.
Has any one ever seen this? Thanks

Two reasons I know of for the image to break down into pixals are:
1. Marginal signal strength

2. Corrupted signal from the tv station, which occurs mostly with digital tv. You won't see this very often with analog tv, but it does happen.

Ray

gigaguy

03-14-07, 10:24 AM

Sivartk, where did you get a 250 for $100. I know most all the avenues!
I never saw them slash priced at any BB or CC around our area. I am eyeing the ones at Frys, waiting for that further (last) price drop!

Anyway, we've had storms and brief power outages and 1 of my 500s handled it easily, no loss of data and clock came back right away- firmw .13.
my other 500 (firmw .06) still has wrong clock and I lost the program listings, and my Sony DVD recorder w/TVGOS has good clock and listings but it lost all episode titles! which is major disappointment even tho you can rename them, renaming programs pulls them out of their Show's name folder, which I don't like.

preludejtstyle

03-14-07, 10:40 AM

sivartk

03-14-07, 10:42 AM

Sivartk, where did you get a 250 for $100. I know most all the avenues!
I never saw them slash priced at any BB or CC around our area. I am eyeing the ones at Frys, waiting for that further (last) price drop!

It was an eBay find (just the unit no power cord, remote, etc) from a seller who didn't list the model number in his title. Ended up buying 3 from him...unfortunately, he isn't selling anymore.

Added it to my harmony remote with a power cord from Radio Shack and for $106, I had 100% functional HD DVR :D

gigaguy

03-14-07, 10:58 AM

I cannot find any good info in this thread about Cablecard. There is just too much info!!! lol

I just had Cableccard installed in my HDD250 today. Is there a way to pull up the time warner cable guide? Not the TVGOS? I was told by TWC that it would show the TWC guide, (like the one in the TWC digital STB's.)

Is it possible?

No. all the cablecard does is unencrypt the digital channels so you can tune them with the Sony's tuner. the channels show up in the TVguide. You would need a TWC box to use their tuner and guide.

Travis, It's kinda amazing how the ebay prices now are near the orig retail pricing this late in the game. I can't believe more companies aren't producing HDTV recorders for sale. I guess the niche is too small, or most people are unaware they could survive without renting the lower capacity Cableco DVRs.

preludejtstyle

03-14-07, 12:20 PM

Darn. So no real advantage to going CableCard unless its being hooked up to an HD TV anyway. And its not. Its currently hooked up to a 36" Tube TV. analog. Just wanted a DVR upstairs with a easy-to-use guide. I dont really like TVGOS. I cannot get it to display only the channels I receive in the order they are in on the TWC box :(

gigaguy

03-14-07, 12:39 PM

I prefer the TVGOS to the program guide that TWC uses.
I like being able to set the guide up however I want and delete channels, you can't do that with the cablebox.
again CC just gets you the encrypted digital channels.
I'll buy your Sony if you don't need it. It really shines for HDTV IMO.

twelvepbrs

03-14-07, 12:51 PM

gigaguy

03-14-07, 12:54 PM

If the power goes out or you have to unplug the box to move it etc, you will probably lose the channels setup, like I did this week due to storms and brief power outages.

Erik Garci

03-14-07, 01:42 PM

I dont really like TVGOS. I cannot get it to display only the channels I receive in the order they are in on the TWC box :(
You might already know this, but in case you don't, it is possible to jump to any channel's listings in TVGOS. It only takes a second or two.

Just follow these steps...

Go to the Listings. (If the service bar is being highlighted, then press the down-arrow button once to highlight any show in the listings.) Enter the channel number that you want to go to (by pressing the number buttons on the remote control). The "Shortcuts" menu will automatically appear on the left side of the screen when you press the number buttons. After entering the channel number, press the Select button on the remote control to go to that channel's listings.

If you use this method, it might not matter so much if the channels are in any particular order.

Ray1938

03-14-07, 02:13 PM

If the power goes out or you have to unplug the box to move it etc, you will probably lose the channels setup, like I did this week due to storms and brief power outages.

Recently, i had to remove power from my two DVRs (firmware 05 and.06), twice, and nothing changed.

Ray

CharlieL

03-14-07, 02:50 PM

I dont really like TVGOS. I cannot get it to display only the channels I receive in the order they are in on the TWC box :(

Have you tried changing the order in the channels setup? You should be able to move the channels to any particular order you desire. While in the channels setup, on any given channel either arrow left to the position number and move it up or down, or hit the menu key and use the info in the block displayed on the left to change the channel display position number, turn channel on or off, etc. FYI you might want to see http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html#Section225.

twelvepbrs

03-14-07, 03:06 PM

does anyone know what the TVGOS host channel(s) is in the Los Angeles area?

Press1Now

03-14-07, 04:18 PM

Sivartk, ok you got me beat on the price, and thanks for the info it only happens on the SD programming only not HD and no yellow line yet. And thanks Ray1938 for the second part of my question. Gigaguy how much is at Fry's, I know a place that still has them as Brand new in the box clearance for $399. Also is there a way to upgrade my firmware to the lastest version, i'm on 1.2.06 and wondered if there was any major improvements to the unit. Thanks for everyone's help.

tld

03-14-07, 04:20 PM

I understand what you and others are experiencing. I have experienced this type of lockup occasionally (1-3 times) in the past, but not since the latest TVGOS update. I point this out, because I think the problem has always been there and was not created by the latest update. It is more likely that it is now more likely to occur than before the update, at least in some situations.
I'm afraid the evidence doesn't back that up. The very day they rolled out that upgrade there were at least 15 of us here that started getting the lockups...not occastionally, but every time we try to record unless the unit is off. Most of us, including myself, never had any such lockup in the past ever. That's a lot more than just 'more likely'. There's definately a significant problem with that specific firmware, though nobody as yet knows why some are not affected at all.

Tom

dkennedy

03-14-07, 05:37 PM

I wonder if this tv guide firmware 8.06.44 update included the fix for entering channels above 1024 in the channel editor which would have been a memory register bit setting.

Obviously, if they did include it, it isn't working and may be causing system memory lockups.

Ray1938

03-14-07, 09:22 PM

does anyone know what the TVGOS host channel(s) is in the Los Angeles area?

KCET channel 28. The DVR will seek that channel automatically.

Ray

Ray1938

03-14-07, 09:29 PM

Also is there a way to upgrade my firmware to the lastest version, i'm on 1.2.06 and wondered if there was any major improvements to the unit. Thanks for everyone's help.

My understanding is that firmware upgrade only solves DVR-TV compatibility problems. Firmware upgrade requires shipping the unit.

Ray

vfrjim

03-14-07, 10:34 PM

Well, I finally called Sony today, very pleasant lady that I talked to asked me all the right questions about my unit and she came to the conclusion that my unit is bad(loses guide all the time and I have a second unit that has no problems with the guide) She told me that I will get a call by Friday on what to do with it.

Jim

jimmyv

03-15-07, 10:28 AM

Sorry - if I'd read a couple pages of threads back I'd have seen this is the same problem many others of you are having due to the TVGOS software update. Interesting that Sony tech support didn't seem to know of this. They were recommending I send my unit in for repair!

I've had my HDD250 for 11 months now and been very happy with it. I've got it hooked up to my 50A2000 and the quality of recorded OTA programs is every bit as good as those recieved 'live' on the A2000's tuner - plus, I can FF thru the commercials, pause, etc. I love it.

That is, it did all this until we lost power during a storm a few weeks ago. While I had it on a UPS, the power was out longer than the UPS could support it, so, I unplugged it. When the power came back up, I plugged it in again, and, since have had a problem that I hope someone on this thread can help me with.

It still receives the same channels just fine. It records them fine. If I later play them back, it plays back fine. What I can no longer do, is watch something I've already recorded while something else is recording. If it is recording a program, and, I go to the 'Programs' menu and page down to the show I want to watch, as soon as I press the select key for that program, the HDD-250 quits responding to commands from the remote. It doesn't start to play the recorded program, it just hangs. When it gets done recording, it will work again.

I called Sony and after a long wait, they came back and read me the trouble shooting bit about doing a front panel reset by pressing "EXIT & TVGuide" (which I'd previously done), and/or, pulling the plug and letting it sit for 60 seconds before plugging it back in (which I'd also previously done).

They also said after doing the reset, to not use the unit for 24 hours while it reaquired the TVGuide (I'd been to anxious previously to do this but the TVGuide info all appeared to be there) so right now I'm not touching it again until tomorrow.

I also see that there has been a TVGuide software update. Does this download OTA as the schedule does, or, do I need to download it from somewhere put it on a memory stick and load it to the USB port?

Other than that, my only dis-satisfaction with the HDD-250 is I think it's overly sensitive to multi-path. I also have a Fusion HD card in my HTPC and it was with early releases of the software, but, has gotten much better with later releases. The HDD-250 acts much like the Fusion card did with earlier versions of the software regarding losing the signal and getting scrambled. I've tried a couple different antenna and locations, and, it's pretty good now, but, still not as solid as the A2000 or the Fusion card. Any suggestions on how to improve this would be welcome as well.

Thanks.

sivartk

03-15-07, 10:34 AM

read up a few threads, it's been well discussed...seems to have started happening with the TVGOS update.

WS65711

03-15-07, 06:14 PM

jimmyv

03-15-07, 06:55 PM

Who: jimmyv
Unit model: DHG-HDD250
Sony version: 1.02.06
TVGOS version: 8.1.42 / 8.06.44
Locality: St. Paul, MN
Locking Problem: YES
OTA, no cable card

avnstf

03-15-07, 08:18 PM

About 10 days ago I decided to try scheduling some recordings using the -W and -R options
to see if the newer TVGOS software "fixed" some of the previous problems I had with items
mysteriously disappearing from the schedule when those recording options had been selected.
After my 10 day test I have not had any scheduled items disappear, even when these options
were chosen. :D

Anybody else try this?

hmm...don't know whether I've gotten the update, though I guess I must have, since now I see the famous ads; but I haven't been experiencing any lockup problems recently - I've had that happen several times in the year or so I've had the Sony...

As far as dropped recordings are concerned, I mostly us the Weekly setting for programs I usually watch, but I haven't seen any change in the frequency of dropped recordings recently...it used to happen occasionally and it still does (and WHEN it does, it's really irritating)..I'm not sure, but I THINK that when a recording is dropped, it's often dropped from the schedule on the day of the recording, which would suggest that somehow updating the schedule data itself screws things up (on occasion)...

WS65711

03-15-07, 08:27 PM

av -

I haven't experienced the lockups recently either, although I did experience a lockup once about 2 months ago. I'm pretty sure that I got the TVGOS update because I have the ads, and also the time changed over properly last weekend.

My machine used to always drop items from the schedule if I selected the -W or -R options. Over the past 10 days it hasn't dropped anything, even though I intentionally selected -W or -R as a test.

Dave

jimmyv

03-16-07, 09:21 AM

It seems many of us have different firmware versions with the latest being 1.2.13. Mine is 1.2.06. Can anyone tell me what the differences in these versions are and if there is any reason or ability to upgrade?

glodino

03-16-07, 11:01 AM

Pressnow, any hints of where you can get it for 399...I want one.

Cuauhtemoc

03-16-07, 11:50 AM

I have been having some of the previously mentioned lock up problems lately with my 500, which had been working flawlessly up until about 2 weeks ago. From reading some of the postings it seems the lock ups are due to the time change. Would a firmware update resolve this issue? Does the unit have to be sent to Sony for an update?
I have been having another issue which may be related but I don't know because we just upgraded our TV as well and it could be the culprit. I have the 500 connected to the TV (Pio 1140HD) via HDMI. Whenever I turn on the DVR I cannot see anything on the TV unless I reset the resolution. No matter what it is set to when I turn the DVR off, I have to reset it for the image to appear when I turn the DVR back on. Has anybody else experienced this and if so have you found a fix for it?

dmichael

03-16-07, 12:18 PM

I have the Pio 1140 and 2 250 DVR's, the one that is hooked up with HDMI, I have set to Auto HDMI, never had a problem in 3 months. See if you have it set up as Auto HDMI. I'd check the setup menus in both devices, after that try a different cable. My 2nd DVR is hooked up via component, Variable 1 is what I use for that one. Also, HDMI or Component, no difference in PQ. Good luck!

derek

03-16-07, 12:45 PM

sivartk

03-16-07, 01:51 PM

does the same resolution problem happen with component cables? It could be the "handshake" between the HDCP Compliant HDMI port on the TV and the box.

dspadoni

03-16-07, 02:12 PM

Anyone in the DC Metro area using PBS 26 OTA for their guide? I haven't gotten a guide update for like almost a week and the listing ends today Friday the 16th. My VBI packet count is good and host channel still set correctly. I'm thinking its a station issue though I guess it could be related to the TVGOS update? I had one episode of lockup had to remove the power from the unit but its been fine ever since.
I don't know if this helps. I get the guide on WETA 26 via Comcast cable, and my listings look fully populated beyond today. I also have the latest TVGOS update. You may need to call WETA and ask them.

E55 KEV

03-16-07, 03:25 PM

derek, I'm in DC and no TVGOS since yesterday (3/15/2007)! At first I thought no TVGOS was due to power outage due to rain storm - one of my clocks was blinking so the power went out at some time. I checked my HDD250 settings to see if something reset and all look good but after 24 hours still no update. The TVGOS window states "There is no data for this screen". :confused:

Press1Now

03-16-07, 04:06 PM

Pressnow, any hints of where you can get it for 399...I want one.
Sending a PM with the Info.

inlogan

03-16-07, 06:24 PM

E55 KEV

03-16-07, 07:14 PM

I live in DC and my guide channel is from MPT, channel 22. I get it OTA and have no problems.

Which is it? Derek state OTA from PBS 26 above? How do we know so we can call the station? Is it shown in the options or dianostics?

E55 KEV

03-16-07, 09:50 PM

Which is it? Derek state OTA from PBS 26 above? How do we know so we can call the station? Is it shown in the options or dianostics?

Looks like the DC area has 2 TVGOS host stations:

WMPT PBS channel 22
WETA PBS channel 26

info from www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html

Locations:
WMPT (Owings Mill, MD)
WETA (Arlington, VA)

tasm

03-17-07, 12:45 AM

I was wondering if someday,hopefully not far off, will i be able to transfer recordings from my dhg500 to a pc blu-ray recorder? I asked a computer repair man and he said something like "probably not,cause the codes will be in a different format.Is this true? I hope not,cause i have important football games i'd love to transfer to hi-def dvd.

sivartk

03-17-07, 09:45 AM

E55 KEV

03-17-07, 09:58 AM

I got tired of waiting for the TVGOS to fix itself so I rebooted TVGOS using the Dianostics steps in the 'TVGOS Training Manual' on www.spiffspace.com . The manuel is for an LG product but it worked. After I rebooted TVGOS it reverted back to 12:00 with channels but no TVGOS listings. After a couple hours the time changed to current time but was 1 hour short due to new Daylight Savings Time (DST) with channels but no TVGOS listing. Previsouly the 'LISTINGS' only stated "There is no data for this screen". According to spiffspace.com the next download broadcast would be 2:21AM.

The DC area has two host channel broadcasting TVGOS and I was getting it from WMPT Channel 22 which is actually further away from me than WETA Channel 26 (Alexandria, VA). Since I lost my TVGOS I decided to try and change or force the Host channel to the closer feed. So I changed my zip to 20500 which was listed on spiffspace. This morning when I woke the current new DST was showing and all the TVGOS information was there. However, when I checked the Host to see if it was Channel 26 'Host Chan' is blank. Maybe this will update later due to the zip change.

Also Note that all my recorded programs were still intact after the reboot.

gwsmith

03-17-07, 10:59 AM

Probably won't happen without some major hacking and re-engineering...better off to get an HDTV tuner for your PC and record that way.That's just for OTA, right? Is there a way that I can record HD content from TW cable to a dhg or a pc? I have a SA Exporer 3250HD STB.

sivartk

03-17-07, 12:37 PM

That's just for OTA, right? Is there a way that I can record HD content from TW cable to a dhg or a pc? I have a SA Exporer 3250HD STB.

No, you can record HD cable (and not just unencrypted channels) with something like this (http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/06/atis-ocur-worlds-first-cablecard-hdtv-tuner-for-vista-pcs/).

For the Sony, you would just need a cable card from TWC

Opinionated

03-17-07, 12:56 PM

TheRatPatrol

03-17-07, 01:30 PM

No, you can record HD cable (and not just unencrypted channels) with something like this (http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/06/atis-ocur-worlds-first-cablecard-hdtv-tuner-for-vista-pcs/).

For the Sony, you would just need a cable card from TWC
But will that work with this new Switched Digital Video (SDV) that everyone keeps talking about the cable companys are going to?

AtlantisMichael

03-17-07, 01:32 PM

The loss of functionality while recording is ruining the utility of the recorders. If you're like me you're anxiously waiting a couple of more weeks for them to revert the firmware (after the original time change date) and hoping all will be well.

But what if they don't- if they either don't revert or it doesn't fix the lock up issues. What do you plan to do?

Many -if not most- of these units must have been sold to people who don't know of the existence of AVS or other forums. They must think their units are broken. What is SONY doing with them? Having them send the units back for costly -and unneeded- repairs? And are they in fact doing something to fix the lockups?
I had some of the same problems when I first got my recorders. I tend to believe that if the firmware in and of itself was the sole reason for the lockups now, that every single DVR out there would be affected. Which is not the case. I believe that what is happening is that through the retransmission of the TVGOS data on the local level ( form the local host), the data somehow has been corrupted. I do not think that rolling back to firmware will magically make all the problems disappear. TVGOS should be looking at the locations where these problems occur and not only at the firmware. If the firmware was the exact same for the whole country, then that would not be the problem. But if the firmware had region specific data as well in there, then it could be suspect. I just remembered that in the setup screen that appears now, I have a choice of the air broadcast setup. Mine is Atlanta (11) and No Match. Maybe this is what has caused problems for some and not for others. I don't know.
I know I will not lose sleep over this and trust that all this will get fixed in due course.
Michael

gwsmith

03-17-07, 01:35 PM

No, you can record HD cable (and not just unencrypted channels) with something like this (http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/06/atis-ocur-worlds-first-cablecard-hdtv-tuner-for-vista-pcs/).

For the Sony, you would just need a cable card from TWCI've read you can only use the ATI HDTV card with a CableLabs-certified Vista Media Center pc (don't have one of those lying around....:(). If that's the case I may as well rent an HD DVR from TWC.

From what I've heard about CableCard issues with the Sony's I don't know if I want to go there either. :confused:

P.S. - Oh, and one more thing....I've also read there has to be a TW cable card installed in the ATI card to make it work! :mad:

WS65711

03-17-07, 01:36 PM

Opinionated -

It would be interesting to find out just how many people have experienced the lockup problem since the TVGOS software change occured. I have had the lockup only once, and that was well before the software change. On the other hand, scheduling recordings using the -W or -R options now seems to work fine for me. Prior to the software change, recording scheduled with those options would almost always disappear from the schedule during the middle of the night.

I agree with AtlantisMichael that there must be other factors involved in the lockups as well.

Dave

P.S. - Right now on my machine I had Jericho set to record with -R from prior to Wednesday 3/14. It recorded on schedule. Jericho will not air next week, 3/21. My record schedule currently shows ??:?? ??/?? for the time and date for the next Jericho. I'm betting that as 3/28 approaches, the time and date will fill-in once again and the show will record. THIS PHENOMENON HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE ON MY DHG-500. :D :D :D

coo1enuf

03-17-07, 06:45 PM

HMMM. mine has always worked that way. Skipping weeks the program is not and then picking it back up when new programming starts. Always thought that was a great feature. I have 09 sony firmware so maybe that help, who knows. I still have the lockup problem. I have reset the machine a few time to no avail. Like others it is something that was send down the line and upset my system. I just hope they get it resolved. It is a real pain to have to wait till the recording session is over to watch something I have already recorded.

We have just gotten used to these nice features. Think about your old VCR, if it was recording you had to wait to watch something else on that tape. Progress, we just do not like to be inconvenienced by something that we have gotten used to not working correctly.
Sony and TVGOS should get his worked out. Either that or Sony really does not want to support these systems since they were maybe to good.

Equally_Wrong

03-17-07, 07:11 PM

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.

Thanks for the info. Called them today and got the cocky saleman pitch, "The prices are what they are, no negotiating on the prices." As much as I would like to have one, it looks like I'll have to buy the Tivo Series 3 instead. Too bad greed clouds people's judgements. Anyone else here think $400 for a demo/dated dvr is a fair price?

jmdomini

03-17-07, 09:11 PM

Though I'd update my cable card experience. Had a window of 8:00-12:00 for the installer to show up. He didn't arrive until 12:30 minus a cable card. Offers to go back to the shop and get one for me though. So her goes to get it and comes back around 30 minutes later.

He inserts the first card and it spits back a 161-2 error. Does some digging through the menus and checks the connections. Brought two cards with him, apparently the Oswego head end can use two different types of cable cards. Inserts the next one and it spends about 10 minutes searching for channels. Finally comes back with a screen full of numbers that say at the top to call your cable company to activate. He calls in and reads off all the numbers and minutes later it gets the hit and I've got all my channels.

Everything is digital except for channel 94 which is a analog duplicate of WTTW. TVGOS now shows 94 as the host channel, and the guide says to wait 24 hours for a new guide due to setup changes.

So far so good, fingers crossed I'll have guide data in the morning and I won't get any 161-4 errors.

Rammitinski

03-18-07, 06:51 AM

So far so good, fingers crossed I'll have guide data in the morning and I won't get any 161-4 errors.Excellent :cool:.

jmdomini

03-18-07, 09:28 AM

Rammitinski

03-18-07, 01:18 PM

Guide data is there this morning, along with data for well over a hundred channels I don't receive. Went though and turned off everything I don't actually get. My one complaint is the channel order seems pretty random. Isn't there some way to sort it besides going through the tedious process of moving each channel one at a time? I'd just like to be able to sort ascending by channel number.No.

You mean this never bothered you at all before ;)?

The 9th generation guide I had in my recent 600U Panny plasma automatically ordered the channel listings by channel number. Even if you made changes later, all you had to do was turn the channel on, and it always inserted it in the right order in the guide automatically when you exited the editer. Everything in the channel edit listings was also in alphabetical order (at least in the initial download - I think you could change that, though). It was really great.

But the Pio Elite I ended up exchanging it for has the 8th gen. guide just like the Sony, so it's back to all the hassles again :rolleyes:.

After using that version, I almost wish I had bought the Panny E55 DVR when it was still in production. It has the 9th gen. guide. Fry's still has one on display, but none on the shelf in boxes. I was hoping they'd have some for a good clearance price. I could've mated it with my E* SD receiver.

dmichael

03-18-07, 02:04 PM

The 9th generation guide I had in my recent 600U Panny plasma automatically ordered the channel listings by channel number.

But the Pio Elite I ended up exchanging it for has the 8th gen. guide just like the Sony, so it's back to all the hassles again :rolleyes:.

I have 2 sony DVR's and a Pio Elite TV with Cablecard - The Channel order drives me crazy. Other than not listing by channel number, it all works pretty well for me.

Is it possible to upgrade the firmware to the 9th gen guide?

Rammitinski

03-18-07, 06:48 PM

Is it possible to upgrade the firmware to the 9th gen guide?Unfortunately, no :(.

jay214128

03-18-07, 08:22 PM

I have three Sony DVRs and one Panasonic DVR. This weekend, I had to turn off the power to perform some electrical work. When I turned the power back on, one of the Sony DVRs and the Panasonic DVR came back up with no problem (correct time and guide). The other two Sonys took about five hours to get the time, and were an hour off (standard time). After about another six hours, one of these got the correct time and guide data. The next morning, the last Sony still had the wrong time, BUT had guide data; also off by one hour. I tried another reset/reboot, but it came back within a few minutes with the same wrong time and guide data. For now, I'm going to leave it alone, since I can still schedule and record from the guide (both the clock and the guide are off by the same 1 hour). The only thing this messes up are my mannually scheduled weekly recordings. I did check the diagnostic screens, and both Sonys are using the same channel for the clock data, but different channels for the guide. The working Sony is using different channels too. Anyone else see this kind of problem.

samhouston

03-18-07, 09:04 PM

"From what I've heard about CableCard issues with the Sony's I don't know if I want to go there either. :confused:"

I have 2 250s and a 500 with .13 firmware and all have CableCARDs from Cox Cable in Fairfax. Totally stable, totally sweet. No problems worth mentioning. :)

audioxcel

03-18-07, 11:03 PM

andydrew

03-18-07, 11:47 PM

I have yet to have any issues with lockups when watching something that was previously recorded while another show is recording with the latest TVGOS firmware.

I would recommend that someone having these problems do the 'Restore Factory Defaults' option in the 9012 menu. That will clear everything, delete all recorded shows, and set the unit back to factory defaults.

Of course I won't guarantee this will fix it, but if it's that annoying, it's worth a try.

SuperBeta

03-19-07, 10:57 AM

:( Not having the lockup problem, you have no idea how annoying it is. Since I record almost every night on 2 HDD500s, I can't watch anything on them during primetime.
The result is obvious, I am warehousing shows even faster because of the lockup problem.
I would not recommend setting back to factory defaults because it will delete all recordings.
I am waiting until after to see if Gemstar corrects the problem after the traditional start of daylught savings time. Otherwise I will live with the problem until I have watched all recorded shows (sometime in the summer).

jay214128

03-19-07, 11:54 AM

I had a similar problem a couple times last wee (doing lots of electrical stuff too). Everytime I have thrown the breaker since DLS time, it has taken 24 hours for the clock and the TVGOS to sync. Don't panic yet hopefully tomorrow everything will be back in sync for you too.
I checked the DVR again this morning, and it now has the correct time and the time in the guide also matches (whew!). What really bugs me is that I have three of the Sony DVRs, and they all behave differently. They all have the same FW version and TVGOS version, and are connected to the same antenna. No wonder Sony dropped this product -- it really requires patience to use.

Ray1938

03-19-07, 01:54 PM

I checked the DVR again this morning, and it now has the correct time and the time in the guide also matches (whew!). What really bugs me is that I have three of the Sony DVRs, and they all behave differently. They all have the same FW version and TVGOS version, and are connected to the same antenna. No wonder Sony dropped this product -- it really requires patience to use.

Do all three units have identical user preference settings, so that the only difference between them are the stored recordings and scheduled ones?

From previous postings, it's obvious to me that problems are not caused by either the fw version or the way the TVGOS guide is acquired, cable or OTA. Moreover, the tv station can't be blamed for the freeze problem since some people in Los Angeles have it but others don't. What other factors remain to explain differences in behavior, except for settings changes made by the user?

Ray

jimmyv

03-19-07, 02:31 PM

Do all three units have identical user preference settings, so that the only difference between them are the stored recordings and scheduled ones?

From previous postings, it's obvious to me that problems are not caused by either the fw version or the way the TVGOS guide is acquired, cable or OTA. Moreover, the tv station can't be blamed for the freeze problem since some people in Los Angeles have it but others don't. What other factors remain to explain differences in behavior, except for settings changes made by the user?

Ray
I don't understand how you can say the problems are the fault of the user's settings and not the TVGOS update when it was working fine before the update and since the update locks up and no user settings were changed during that time.

If you can specify exactly what your user settings are, I'd be willing to change mine to match to see if the problem goes away, but, I sure doubt it.

Ray1938

03-19-07, 02:56 PM

I don't understand how you can say the problems are the fault of the user's settings and not the TVGOS update when it was working fine before the update and since the update locks up and no user settings were changed during that time.

If you can specify exactly what your user settings are, I'd be willing to change mine to match to see if the problem goes away, but, I sure doubt it.

Your settings at the time of the guide update may have caused the problem and changing those settings afterwards may not undo it. I will try to assemble a complete list of my settings and post them in the next few days. Perhaps others who don't have the problem will also post theirs.

Ray

mswlogo

03-19-07, 11:44 PM

Just wanted to share my experience in case anyone else ran into it.

My HDD250 has been running flawless since the day they were available from Best Buy.

I get about 10 stations off my "basic" cable line with no Cable Card. Plus I get about 12 OTA.

I use Cable as backup for my OTA. My over the air reception has gone down on one station but for some reason I just so happened to lose that station on Cable as well. I was not sure if they some how locked it out.

Then I lost another station and then another off cable. I assumed they were locking them out.

If I looked in the Diagnostic Panel everything looked fine 85% Signal Quality Good Locked on, but nothing came out.

I finally decided to rescan for channels on cable and they all came back !!!
I almost didn't try this because I thought I was shooting in the dark.

Well here is hoping for another flawless 18 months, I love this box.
I don't blame the box, I think they must have remapped something on Cable.

I wish I could have a backup drive for it :-(. Amazing folks have broken Blu-Ray and HD-DVD already and nobody has managed to clone the HDD in this thing.

mswlogo

03-19-07, 11:51 PM

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.

The Auto HDMI drove me nuts too. I recently added a KeyDigital HDMI Processor/Switch on clearance. No more Auto HDMI issue !!! The HDMI processor does something right or something wrong so that I can finally just leave it on Auto HDMI and always get a picture. I think the quality looks slightly better on HDMI.

cheneyp

03-20-07, 09:33 AM

Your settings at the time of the guide update may have caused the problem and changing those settings afterwards may not undo it. I will try to assemble a complete list of my settings and post them in the next few days. Perhaps others who don't have the problem will also post theirs.

Ray

I'd be willing to post my settings as well. I have 3 of these with two different Sony FW versions (.05 and .06). Other than the lockup right after the TVGOS update, I have had no problems with any of my units. In fact, I'm a little nervous about the talk of them reverting back to the old FW come early April. AFAIK all three of my units have identical settings other than one of them using the HDMI output while the other two use Component.

mister_two

03-20-07, 10:13 AM

Does anyone know where I can still purchase one of these HD recorders in the NY/NJ area? Thanks.

tld

03-20-07, 11:16 AM

tld

03-20-07, 11:32 AM

I had some of the same problems when I first got my recorders. I tend to believe that if the firmware in and of itself was the sole reason for the lockups now, that every single DVR out there would be affected. Which is not the case.
As a programmer, I have to disagree with that totally. The best any hardware vendor can do to support the TVGOS firmware is to program to Gemstar's spec...whatever that is. We're talking about a spec that, in theory, is supposed to allow Gemstar to upgrade their firmware to one that's never run in our units before, and have it work correctly. That requires an astonishingly solid spec, and assumes that Gemstar has implimented it perfectly, and that Sony has adhered to it perfectly.

It's very possibly to have a flaw in any of those that would in fact only manifest itself in these units and not in any others.

It's almost certain that there other factors influencing this...possibly specifics of the host stations in conjunction with the new firmware for example...seeing as some users haven't experienced the lockups. That's what's likely to make it difficult for Gemstar to debug. None the less, the fact that so many started experiencing the lockups the day they rolled out that firmware certainly seems to have Gemstar convinced that there's an issue with it. In my case it was like someone flicked a switch that day...and now I can't record with the unit on without getting lockups.

Tom

Stingray1

03-20-07, 01:44 PM

[QUOTE=Stingray1]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.

I posted this earlier but had no response. If anyone knows a way to do frame by frame playback I'd appreciate an answer.

Thanks - E

spiff72

03-20-07, 04:11 PM

HoustonPerson

03-20-07, 04:21 PM

Stingray1

03-20-07, 04:27 PM

[QUOTE=Stingray1]

I am not aware of a way to do this. I have wished for this feature many times...

Thanks for your answer, spiff. Tivo has this feature and its the one thing I really miss on the Sony.

Rammitinski

03-20-07, 08:26 PM

Does anyone know where I can still purchase one of these HD recorders in the NY/NJ area? Thanks.Do you have a Fry's Electronics store out there? Many of those still have some in stock.

jackshafer

03-20-07, 10:36 PM

sivartk

03-20-07, 10:43 PM

sounds like the hard drive may have died. I would try a factory reset that reformats the hard drive to see if that helps. With that error, it is doubtful if you can recover any of the programs easily.

Stingray1

03-20-07, 11:50 PM

cosmicvoid

03-21-07, 01:33 AM

I got this error message tonight. Anybody ever encountered it?

"A hard disk drive error has been detected. Auto recovery is not possible. Recording and playback of TV programming will not be possible. Contact your Sony service center to learn about repair options. Select OK to continue."Yes, I got that message on my first 500 replacement.

Just to give some history, I got a 500 (Tweeter special) in Feb '06, which worked flawlessly for about 10 months, then started having playback freezes, and control freezes, so I sent it for warranty repair. The repaired unit was not fixed completely, and still had playback glitches, so Sony PittCSC shipped me an advanced replacement unit to swap. It was this unit that developed severe drive problems in the first few days, and gave that dreaded error message. Clicking OK disables the whole drive system, and wipes out all your recordings. The box then becomes a glorified HD tuner, not even a live-pause buffer. I went into the service menu and did a re-format, which made the drives usable again, but their performance was soooo flakey, it was of no real benefit.

So again Sony PittCSC sent me a 2nd advance swap unit (even while the 1st one was still in transit back to them), and that one has been working fine for the last few weeks.

I will compliment Sony on their service, the CSRs were very pleasant and apologetic, and on both replacements they quickly shipped to me by 2-day air, along with a prepaid return shipper label.

This experience makes me think the drives are the weakest link in the DVR.

dp70

03-21-07, 11:20 AM

Wonder if that third party service facility could be bribed to leak the software and procedure for replacing drives? Nearly everyone has a PayPal account these days...

tvh3ad

03-21-07, 12:26 PM

I wish I could have a backup drive for it :-(. Amazing folks have broken Blu-Ray and HD-DVD already and nobody has managed to clone the HDD in this thing.

Not too surprising. There's a much bigger marketplace already for the blu-ray/HD-DVD hack than there ever was for this box (nice as it is).

E55 KEV

03-21-07, 03:48 PM

bretski

03-21-07, 03:59 PM

Wonder if that third party service facility could be bribed to leak the software and procedure for replacing drives? Nearly everyone has a PayPal account these days...

...or maybe a little social engineering? Anybody have their phone number handy?

gwsmith

03-21-07, 04:43 PM

only thing I hate is no battery backup. when you unplug it or electricity goes off you lose all your TVGOS settings. It took one overnight download for TVGOS data but took a 2nd night for correct time day light savings time.It would take a hefty battery to backup the power with the hard drive(s) and fans running continuously. That's the primary reason I have mine powered through a UPS. A 1000 VA UPS will barely take my two 250's through a 45-minute to 1-hour power outage. Too bad there's no way to put the unit in standby or power-saving mode. :(

jmdomini

03-21-07, 05:13 PM

I wonder why they are so secretive about this? It's a discontinued product and it's pretty clear they don't intend to replace it. If they don't want to spill the beans on the source, at least make replacement drives available for purchase online!

cheneyp

03-21-07, 05:18 PM

only thing I hate is no battery backup. when you unplug it or electricity goes off you lose all your TVGOS settings. It took one overnight download for TVGOS data but took a 2nd night for correct time day light savings time.

I have not lost any TVGOS settings when I lose power. Clock takes about 5 minutes to reset to correct time but my data and channel order doesn't get affected. What do you lose?

Rammitinski

03-21-07, 05:50 PM

Well, we are right now in the midst of a big thunderstorm, so I unplugged all my A/V gear after the power already blinked off once.

So, we shall see what happens with my Sony's guide. If I recall right, it has to actually be down for a certain amount of time before it loses it. And then it only takes 2-3 hours before it comes back.

fastep

03-21-07, 06:27 PM

I lost power for 3 days recently and lost nothing but a few nights listings which came back over time. Clock came back in 5 minutes. Listings/recordings/settings etc. all stayed the same. Business as usual......

Ray1938

03-21-07, 09:31 PM

It would take a hefty battery to backup the power with the hard drive(s) and fans running continuously. That's the primary reason I have mine powered through a UPS. A 1000 VA UPS will barely take my two 250's through a 45-minute to 1-hour power outage. Too bad there's no way to put the unit in standby or power-saving mode. :(

Even without an external load, UPS has limited run time since it must supply power to generate the AC.

Ray

twelvepbrs

03-21-07, 09:34 PM

Even without an external load, UPS has limited run time since it must supply power to generate the AC.

Ray
if you really wanted to nerd it out, i'm sure you could crack open your unit and rig up a regulator to just use a deep-cycle 12v battery, i'm assuming that the box only needs +12 and +/- 5, should be more efficient than having a UPS going from DC to 120AC, then into the box and back to DC

vfrjim

03-21-07, 09:43 PM

My unit is on it's way back to Sony Service Center in PA, hopefully it comes back soon, updated with new soft/hardware would be nice.

Rammitinski

03-22-07, 01:50 AM

Well, I had the Sony uplugged a couple of times during the storm for about a half hour each time with no guide loss - I did lose the time but that reset within a few minutes.

jstefans

03-22-07, 03:05 PM

Has the TV Guide service recently gone nuts in Houston?

Has been working great for a long time (a couple of years); but the last few days it shows “no listing” or missing data, unless you move the cursor around on the screen, sometimes it will show up?

I noticed this problem started in the last week for me also (Champaign, IL). If I'm in the listing and I scroll back from 11pm, at 10:30 it shows "No Listing" but when I scroll back to 10pm it shows an hour show from 10 to 11, thus mysteriously changing the 10:30 "no listing". And I noticed in these cases the info bar is inconsistent at displaying the show details and many times says "no information available". But if I set it to record and go into the Schedule tab it displays the show details correctly.

I also noticed that at the same time that problem started all my new recordings started showing "0% disk space used". Have you noticed this also?

Finally, I noticed back around the daylight savings time change that my Search function stopped working entirely. It just hangs on the "Search in Progress" message and I can only hit Exit to back out of the TVGOS.

So ultimately, my problems in a nutshell and their starting date:

3/11: Search function stopped working
3/18 (or abouts): "No listing"/missing data issue in the Listings
3/18 (or abouts): All new recordings show 0% disk space used

From recent posts, it seems like there "may" have been some "updates" from Sony/TVGOS that "may" be related to our problems. At this point I'm going to keep tabs on the forum and hope that these problems will be fixed in the next "update".

I also noticed you posted your question on the TVGOS thread as I watch that one too. Just not as much traffic over there.

I've had my 250 for about a year now with flawless operation so I'm really hoping the problems are not my hard drive going bad or something. I'm definitely comforted by the fact that many others are reporting issues recently also, even if they aren't exactly the same (haven't had recording lockups).

Any new updates on similar recent issues folks are having with the DVR?

TWinbrook46636

03-22-07, 03:35 PM

Could the recording lockup problem be related to the ads?

E55 KEV

03-22-07, 03:47 PM

I have not lost any TVGOS settings when I lose power. Clock takes about 5 minutes to reset to correct time but my data and channel order doesn't get affected. What do you lose?

I had a power outage, but don't know the duration, and I lost TVGOS, channel order and correct time. Had to do a reboot.

Then I unplugged mine for a couple minutes and I lost TVGOS, channel order and correct time. Recordings were intact. It took 2 overnights to restore correct TVGOS and correct Daylight Savings Time.

jengle1023

03-22-07, 11:57 PM

I've had my HDD250 for about a year. It is a great product except for a few glitches here and there.

Question? There are very few substitutes available that will do what this box does. Why did Sony discontinue it?

Question? Who at Sony decided to build/market this box?

Question? Will Sony develop and sell another box that has the same capabilities as this box?

Daniel Tonks

03-23-07, 04:47 AM

1) Probably due to lack of sales (the MSRP was very high for a single tuner unit) and support issues (TVGOS isn't particularly reliable for a lot of people).

2) Why does it matter?

3) Probably not until they decide to market a combination BD-R/DVR.

gigaguy

03-23-07, 09:18 AM

LG made a similar but smaller hard drive HD DVR.
Sony makes a few options now for recording HD to hardrives, they are more computer based, one is for the living room but costs about $2000 if I remember. go to sonystyle.com

I think these were a little early for HD adoption, were pricey, and for a niche market. Like previous postor said, TVGOS is not reliable for everyone depending on what your local providers are doing.
Most TV viewers are content with the DVRs the cablecos provide.

sivartk

03-23-07, 10:13 AM

Most TV viewers are content with the DVRs the cablecos provide.

One can only hope as HDTV's with ATSC tuner penetrate the market that more people will realize that OTA is on par (if not better) than cable picture quality and dump cable (like me) creating a market for more no-fee, no-subscription based HD DVRs.

To me, paying $600-$800 for a TiVo + $180 a year to record 2 shows a week isn't worth it. That's almost $4 per show (24 episodes per season x 2 shows) just on subscription fees :eek:

mather

03-23-07, 11:28 AM

Add me to the list, this just started happening recently.

Unit model: DHG-HDD500
Sony version: 1.2.06
TVGOS version: 08.06.44
Locality: Chicago, IL
Locking Problem: YES
OTA

HoustonPerson

03-23-07, 11:38 AM

I noticed this problem started in the last week for me also (Champaign, IL). If I'm in the listing and I scroll back from 11pm, at 10:30 it shows "No Listing" but when I scroll back to 10pm it shows an hour show from 10 to 11, thus mysteriously changing the 10:30 "no listing". And I noticed in these cases the info bar is inconsistent at displaying the show details and many times says "no information available". But if I set it to record and go into the Schedule tab it displays the show details correctly.

I also noticed that at the same time that problem started all my new recordings started showing "0% disk space used". Have you noticed this also?

Finally, I noticed back around the daylight savings time change that my Search function stopped working entirely. It just hangs on the "Search in Progress" message and I can only hit Exit to back out of the TVGOS.

So ultimately, my problems in a nutshell and their starting date:

3/11: Search function stopped working
3/18 (or abouts): "No listing"/missing data issue in the Listings
3/18 (or abouts): All new recordings show 0% disk space used

From recent posts, it seems like there "may" have been some "updates" from Sony/TVGOS that "may" be related to our problems. At this point I'm going to keep tabs on the forum and hope that these problems will be fixed in the next "update".

I also noticed you posted your question on the TVGOS thread as I watch that one too. Just not as much traffic over there.

I've had my 250 for about a year now with flawless operation so I'm really hoping the problems are not my hard drive going bad or something. I'm definitely comforted by the fact that many others are reporting issues recently also, even if they aren't exactly the same (haven't had recording lockups).

Any new updates on similar recent issues folks are having with the DVR?

Thanks, I thought I was the only one in the USA that had this problem. Yes I just test the "search" it is deader than a doornail. I have seen the 0% for the recordings but did not think anything of it.

We can still make recordings correctly....but you have to be very careful where you place the cusor (so full program description will show up), and then hit the red button to record..........other wise the "times" for the recording will be wrong.

Does anyone know how this is going to be fixed. Will the fix come from TV-Guide OTA..........or do we have to send the box into Sony?

DarrenK

03-23-07, 11:49 AM

I got this error message tonight. Anybody ever encountered it?

"A hard disk drive error has been detected. Auto recovery is not possible. Recording and playback of TV programming will not be possible. Contact your Sony service center to learn about repair options. Select OK to continue."

--Jack

I also had this happen once. I was pretty upset. The error actually occurred while I was watching TV. It would not access my recordings. I unplugged the unit (I don't remember how long it was unplugged) and when I plugged it back in, viola, it was working again, although I think I lost my guide, but it repopulated as usual over the next few nights.

I would definitely say my unit has not been glitch free. I have had it shut off and reset itself while I was watching (on at least three occassions) which begs the question of how many times it does it when I am not watching. These glitches, while annoying, have never seemed to do any serious damage, and usually if I pull the plug for a few moments, I can get it back to where I was before. This is also one of the few units that integrates OTA and cable listings, making it really one of the most versatile HD tuning units out there (not to mention the HD recording.) I do really love this machine, and would buy another if I was not worried about Feb. 2009

Darren K.

dspadoni

03-23-07, 01:06 PM

LG made a similar but smaller hard drive HD DVR.
Sony makes a few options now for recording HD to hardrives, they are more computer based, one is for the living room but costs about $2000 if I remember. go to sonystyle.com
Please first note that this is not a sales pitch or other recommendation. Sony is advertising two new units, not yet ready for shipment (what a surprise). Both are essentially PCs that will record HDTV. These are obviously the direction Sony is going instead of a "new improved" version of the DHGs.

The less expensive model ($1600 list) has only ATSC/NTSC tuners and a standard DVD R/W optical drive. The more expensive model ($3300!!!) has ATSC/NTSC and QAM (and can accept a cable card) and has Blu-Ray read/write. Both units run Vista Home Premium Media Center. The tech specs for both don't say how you would schedule a recording (e.g., via TVGOS or an Internet-based listing or if you can schedule manually the old-fashioned way like a dumb VCR). If interested, you can find these things in the Digital Living System section at sonystyle.

ftaok

03-23-07, 01:17 PM

One can only hope as HDTV's with ATSC tuner penetrate the market that more people will realize that OTA is on par (if not better) than cable picture quality and dump cable (like me) creating a market for more no-fee, no-subscription based HD DVRs.
[/B]
I agree with you as well. The average consumer (read: non AVS member) just doesn't know much about HDTVs. They assume that to get HDTV, they need to buy an HDTV (obvious), subscribe to digital cable or satellite, and buy expensive cables. It's no wonder that HDTV penetration hasn't been that great, yet.

I must admit that I was among the ones that didn't realize that OTA HiDef was so crystal clear. It wasn't until I fiddled with a cheapo powered antenna on my HDTV that I realized that OTA offerred a superior HD picture to my cable/QAM connection.

I've since educated my (2) brother-in-laws, one of which was against getting an HDTV because he didn't want to subscribe to Comcast. I showed him our TV with the cheapo antenna (which incidentally they have the exact same one) and he was amazed. I did warn him that he may not get as good reception as we do since he has a lot more trees around his house. But he's pretty handy and could always put an antenna on the roof/in the attic.

ft

dp70

03-23-07, 01:21 PM

Could the recording lockup problem be related to the ads?

It would guess that it's related to the Gemstar firmware version. In the Minneapolis market (OTA), my Sony box has Gemstar firmware 8.1.42 / 8.06.44, is displaying ads, and is NOT having the lockup problem. But here in the same OTA market, jimmyv reported a few pages back that he has these same firmware versions and IS having the lockup problem.

I don't think the Sony firmware version is relevant to the lockup problem. My box is running 1.2.05.

sivartk

03-23-07, 01:24 PM

Both units run Vista Home Premium Media Center. The tech specs for both don't say how you would schedule a recording (e.g., via TVGOS or an Internet-based listing or if you can schedule manually the old-fashioned way like a dumb VCR). If interested, you can find these things in the Digital Living System section at sonystyle.

Did the specs mention how many times you would need to reboot the system every week LOL :D I've had friends that work in IT for a living dump their HTPC because it wasn't as reliable as a stand alone DVR. (This was running the more stable Linux, too)

WS65711

03-23-07, 01:28 PM

It seems to be related to the Gemstar firmware version. In the Minneapolis market (OTA), my Sony box has Gemstar firmware 8.1.42, is displaying ads, and is NOT having the lockup problem. So I guess the ad functionality was available in the original firmware from day 1.

Mark -

Is your DHG displaying the correct time (DST)?

dspadoni

03-23-07, 01:38 PM

I also noticed you posted your question on the TVGOS thread as I watch that one too. Just not as much traffic over there.

Where is this TVGOS thread? I can't find it on the AVS Forum (maybe I'm not looking in the right places). Thanks.

jimmyv

03-23-07, 01:39 PM

It would guess that it's related to the Gemstar firmware version. In the Minneapolis market (OTA), my Sony box has Gemstar firmware 8.1.42 / 8.06.44, is displaying ads, and is NOT having the lockup problem. But here in the same OTA market, jimmyv reported a few pages back that he has these same firmware versions and IS having the lockup problem.

I don't think the Sony firmware version is relevant to the lockup problem. My box is running 1.2.05.
That was wierd - your message changed from when I read it to when it displayed as the above quote - you must have just been in the process of editing it.

It is also wierd that we're in the same area - both get our TVGOS off the same channel - have the same TVGOS software versions and I have lockups and you don't. My Sony firmware is just off from yours 1.2.06 vs your 1.2.05.

I have a couple more programs to catch up on, then, I'm going to do a full reset of my HDD250 and see if after it does a full new set-up the lock-ups go away.

Erik Garci

03-23-07, 02:31 PM

Where is this TVGOS thread? I can't find it on the AVS Forum (maybe I'm not looking in the right places). Thanks.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=510125

HoustonPerson

03-23-07, 02:43 PM

jstefans,

To be a little more clear on the problems you described above; are the exact same ones I have.

Best I can recall, the problems all started about the time they started putting stuff in the "advertising window(s)". That was about 2 or 3 weeks ago? (hard to remember)

I have discoverd that the "only" way for me to get correct recordings is to place the cursor in a field that has the full program discription. If it does not it will not record correctly, and end up conflicting with another program you record.

I have talked with the Gemstar people and a ticket number has been assigned. They tell me they are working with Sony to resolve the problem. But I think it is clear (an assumption on my part), that the nightly downloads have changed in someway (programming) so that the "on-screen" data is not functioning correctly.

I will also venture to guess, it could be a while (maybe a long while) before it gets fixed? I hope not, because my wife now can not figure out how to make it record and before she could, by just putting the red dot on it.

WhatHappend

03-23-07, 03:36 PM

I think firmware might be significate because I receive the Minneapolis market (OTA) and have the exact same version as you 1.2.05, 8.1.42, 8.06.44 and don't have the lock up issue either (I did have it after the 8.06.44 update but a one time soft reboot cured it.) I have the ads so the ads are probally not releated.

We should start to comparing host channels. In the Minneapolis market I know that my unit can receive TVGOS updates on at least 3 different channels.
Maybe jimmyv is on a different host channel?

I DO NOTICE A NEW ISSUE WITH THE TVGOS SOFTWARE. The show "24" doesn't show up in the guide listing like it is going to record (no red dot) and I have it set to weekly. If I try to press record on it it will say it will confilct with itself. It does show up in the scheduled recordings listings though. I have had this happen to like 3 different shows so far.

I AM THINKING THAT GEMSTAR FIXED THE OCCASIONAL DROPPED PROGRAM PROBLEM and this is the new side effect. If this is the case I will take this behavoir over the dropped program issue any day.

It would guess that it's related to the Gemstar firmware version. In the Minneapolis market (OTA), my Sony box has Gemstar firmware 8.1.42 / 8.06.44, is displaying ads, and is NOT having the lockup problem. But here in the same OTA market, jimmyv reported a few pages back that he has these same firmware versions and IS having the lockup problem.

I don't think the Sony firmware version is relevant to the lockup problem. My box is running 1.2.05.

WhatHappend

03-23-07, 03:40 PM

It is also wierd that we're in the same area - both get our TVGOS off the same channel - have the same TVGOS software versions and I have lockups and you don't.

I have a couple more programs to catch up on, then, I'm going to do a full reset of my HDD250 and see if after it does a full new set-up the lock-ups go away.

Please check your host channel before you do the full reset. I would like to see if it is the same as mine. Have you and Mark already compared Host channels or are you just assuming they are the same?

jimmyv

03-23-07, 04:10 PM

Please check your host channel before you do the full reset. I would like to see if it is the same as mine. Have you and Mark already compared Host channels or are you just assuming they are the same?
That's a good suggestion - which host channels are you guys using?
Mine says the Host is 0:0-5

MISSY QUICK

03-23-07, 04:23 PM

Rammitinski

03-23-07, 05:40 PM

I need some feedback from those of you who are using the DHG with a cable card.

I have read many older posts both positive and negative.

I would like an update, if possible.

I am considering adding a cable card to one of my units. (Don't want a cable box).

I am in northern New Jersey and Cablevision is my cable provider.

I have been getting my local Hi Def channels via QAM and would like to upgrade to Digital with the cable card.

I have both a DHG250 and a DHG500 and have not had any problems with them.

Any input would be appreciated.

THANK YOU.
MISSY QUICKIf you haven't already done so, I would also check with the people over on your local area HD Cablevision thread to see if anyone there with the same headend as you is using a CableCARD with TVGOS, to see if they're having any problems or issues getting the guide data.

WS65711

03-23-07, 05:53 PM

If you haven't already done so, I would also check with the people over on your local area HD Cablevision thread to see if anyone there with the same headend as you is using a CableCARD with TVGOS, to see if they're having any problems or issues getting the guide data.

And I have another question concerning CableCard . . .

Does using CableCard exclude you from tuning QAM channels?

twelvepbrs

03-23-07, 06:08 PM

And I have another question concerning CableCard . . .

Does using CableCard exclude you from tuning QAM channels?
it's your tuner not the cablecard that tunes qam channels (reads demodulates them into mpeg-2 streams), however if the qam modulated channel is encrypted your tuner will not be able to demodulate and decrypt it without the proper key which is forwarded from your cablecard; qam is simply the modulation method that cable co's use for digital content, if you have a cablecard your cable co sends it authorization data as to which channels your tuner may decrypt

andydrew

03-23-07, 06:20 PM

I AM THINKING THAT GEMSTAR FIXED THE OCCASIONAL DROPPED PROGRAM PROBLEM and this is the new side effect. If this is the case I will take this behavoir over the dropped program issue any day.

I am still having occassional issues with scheduled programs dissapearing from the list of programs to record. Even with the latest TVGOS firmware. So I don't believe that this issue has been resolved.

Last week both Law & Order: Special Victims and The Amazing Race dissapeared from the list. I have to keep a close eye on this otherwise I will miss recordings.

dp70

03-23-07, 07:18 PM

That's a good suggestion - which host channels are you guys using?
Mine says the Host is 0:0-5

Interesting; mine says the host channel is 0:0-9. It's showing the correct time and has been working fine throughout the hoopla lately. It's configured for OTA-only in ZIP code 55121. Try using that ZIP code and see if your host channel changes. Maybe you'll be lucky and this will have some effect on the lockup problem.

jmdomini

03-23-07, 07:29 PM

I can't speak to Cablevision, but I've been using a cable card for about a week and it's been working fine. Aside from the usual Comcast antics it was an easy install. The hardest part was the guide displays every possible channel you could possibly get. So I had a lot of work to do to clean up the guide to only show what I actually get. The only remaining quirk is the guide doesn't seem to be in any particular order.

I need some feedback from those of you who are using the DHG with a cable card.

WS65711

03-23-07, 07:30 PM

it's your tuner not the cablecard that tunes qam channels (reads demodulates them into mpeg-2 streams), however if the qam modulated channel is encrypted your tuner will not be able to demodulate and decrypt it without the proper key which is forwarded from your cablecard; qam is simply the modulation method that cable co's use for digital content, if you have a cablecard your cable co sends it authorization data as to which channels your tuner may decrypt

I understand all that.

BUT, there is only one CABLE input, which is used for analog cable, digital cable, and CableCard. What I am asking is this---- If I were to have a CableCard inserted and then do a channel scan, will the DHG-xxx still find the analog cable channels that are available and the QAM channels that are available, or will it decide that since a CableCard is installed none of the other stuff is necessary?

dspadoni

03-23-07, 07:54 PM

I understand all that.

BUT, there is only one CABLE input, which is used for analog cable, digital cable, and CableCard. What I am asking is this---- If I were to have a CableCard inserted and then do a channel scan, will the DHG-xxx still find the analog cable channels that are available and the QAM channels that are available, or will it decide that since a CableCard is installed none of the other stuff is necessary?
The channel scan will happen automatically as soon as the cable card is inserted. The scan should find all the analog and digital channels in your subscription package almost instantaneously. Of course, the card will first need to be "authorized" from your cableco's head shed before you can start viewing encrypted channels. You only need to do a manual scan if you also have an OTA connection.

Ray1938

03-23-07, 09:22 PM

A few days ago, I offered to post my preference settings, since I experienced only one momentary freeze. Otherwise, my units have been working great, except for occasional dropped program. Rather than list every user preference I decided to limit preferences to things that might interact with the guide. However, only things I could think of are the list of stations in the guide, and program settings.

I have both OTA and cable but no cable card. I've left almost all the guide stations on, and put the ones I view at the top of the list.

Most of my scheduled programs are set from the guide but backed up by manual setting.

If you can think of other user settings that might interact with the guide, please post them.

Ray

WhatHappend

03-23-07, 10:37 PM

That's a good suggestion - which host channels are you guys using?
Mine says the Host is 0:0-5

That can't be it either. I have the 0:0-5 host chan and mine is fine.

Does this info match?
Model ID 0x43
Host State 0x80
Host ID 0xE
OTA Lineup 0xE

sjyang

03-24-07, 08:57 AM

I've owned a DHG-HDD250 for quite a while and really haven't had any problems with it until now.

I have mine hooked into an OTA antenna and cable coax feed (no cable card). Even though the unit is getting a clean inbound signal on both feeds, something is causing it to develop a noisy signal within the box. Basically, digital signal strength is dropping to 5-30% and normal analog stations are developing a lot of staticy noise.

I'm fearful that my tuner is shot. Anyone having this problem and any advice on possible resolution?

Thanks

sjyang

jimmyv

03-24-07, 11:18 AM

That can't be it either. I have the 0:0-5 host chan and mine is fine.

Does this info match?
Model ID 0x43
Host State 0x80
Host ID 0xE
OTA Lineup 0xE
Yes, mine matches exactly.

Interestingly, I went to SM 9012 / TV Guide / G* Factory Test
and while with CH 5 it passed, it showed a lot of bad VBI packets (more than 2x the good ones)
trying this again with CH 9 it not only passed, but, after a couple hundered VBI packets it showed no bad ones!

I'm going to try Mark's suggestion of switching my host channel to 9 and do a full reset.

Edit: Ok after a full factory reset and by using Mark's zip code (55121) my unit has the Host Channel set to 0:0-9. Now I just have to wait a day for it to download the guide and software update then see how it's working.

PhillyC

03-24-07, 11:48 AM

I DO NOTICE A NEW ISSUE WITH THE TVGOS SOFTWARE. The show "24" doesn't show up in the guide listing like it is going to record (no red dot) and I have it set to weekly. If I try to press record on it it will say it will confilct with itself. It does show up in the scheduled recordings listings though. I have had this happen to like 3 different shows so far.

My HDD500 has acted like this since day one on random programs. But the recording always takes place.

dp70

03-24-07, 12:38 PM

Yes, mine matches exactly.
Mine matches too.
Interestingly, I went to SM 9012 / TV Guide / G* Factory Test
and while with CH 5 it passed, it showed a lot of bad VBI packets (more than 2x the good ones) trying this again with CH 9 it not only passed, but, after a couple hundred VBI packets it showed no bad ones!
Good luck! That would be an interesting development if the lockup problem is caused by faulty guide transmission. I don't see any bad packets from channel 9 either.

Opinionated

03-24-07, 01:00 PM

New issue. Very strange one. Hope it doesn't repeat.

I have two units at home, a 250 and a 500. It occurred on both.

Several channels turned themselves off and vanished from my TVGOS lineup. The same channels. They include FOX news channel, FX, WE, History Channel, maybe others I didn't notice yet.

To make it clear. FX, here on channel 40, is number 12 on my lineup. Yesterday evening it wasn't there in the guide, it had vanished. If I tuned to channel 40 manually, it appeared but with no data. If I was on channel 40 and pressed the TV Guide button, the guide appeared, highlighted at the very top, simply identifying the channel as CABLE.

Exactly the same on both units.

Going into the TVGOS setting for the channels I started searching for the missing channels. I found all down in the 500's (after hundred of cable channels I have turned off (I just use QAM) and OTA channels I would never be able to receive (also turned off).

Anyway, there they were, FX, Fox news, etc, all the way down, and all had turned themselves off on their own. I turned them back on, a lot of work because after putting each back in their rightful position, scrolling back to the 500 level for the next one is a hassle [Is there a way to go there directly?].

This morning they remain on and show in the Guide in their rightful place.

If this had happened on one unit, I would think the unit had a problem. Happened identically on both.

Seems the data TVGOS is sending is not finished screwing with us. I'm on Cablevision and get data from NYC PBS channel 13.

In other news, my lock up continues. And when you are watching something and forget that a recording is scheduled soon, if you are lucky not to have experienced it, you can't imagine the mess that results.

But to throw a new variable into the equation, one night and one night only, last Saturday night, around the time Saturday Night Live was recording, the 250 unit did not lock up. Excited, I tested the 500, it also wasn't locking up. I thought the issue was resolved. No such luck. Lockups at every instance since on every unit. So what was different for those few shining hours last Saturday night?

avnstf

03-24-07, 04:57 PM

My HDD500 has acted like this since day one on random programs. But the recording always takes place.

In my case, the unit occasionally drops a recording from the schedule AND doesn't record it...half the time I notice the dropped listing in time to put it back on the schedule.

I BELIEVE the drop usually occurs on the day the show is on, and results from some screwup during updating the schedule during the early-morning TVGOS download.

I think it's done this occasionally ever since I got the unit a year ago, and - while a pain in the rear - it's just something we put up with for an otherwise very nice unit...

rcrach

03-24-07, 10:27 PM

sjyang

03-24-07, 11:32 PM

If it's only happening on OTA, and you have an outdoor antenna with no rotor eventually wind loading will "walk" the antenna out of alignment.

It's happening on both OTA and Cable. I've confirmed by using both other external digital and analog tuners that the inbound signal is clean for both. :confused:

I've pretty much isolated it to the Sony unit.

sjyang

jimmyv

03-25-07, 10:08 AM

:D Woo-Hoo!!! :D
After a full factory reset and switching my host channel yesterday, my 250 is working great today! No recording lockup! It's back working how it is supposed to.

Thanks for clueing me into using CH9 as my Host Channel rather then CH5 Mark Fontana.

I do have another question for you Mark, WhatHappened, and any other Twin Cities members. Since TPT started broadcasting two sub-channels (2.1 & 2.2) instead of just one, have you been able to get TVGOS listings for both? I'm only getting them for 2.2 (the HD subchannel) and would like to get them for 2.1 so I could record Old House and other CH2 programs from the digital signal (the HD only antenna I have on the 250 doesn't get the analog stations very well so I can't record it off that). When they made this switch, they quit having the CH2 programs on 17.1 (although it seems the TVGOS still thinks they are there). I suppose I can force a manual recording of them, but, it sure would be nice if TVGOS had both subchannels and the correct listings.

dp70

03-25-07, 10:31 AM

That's awesome jimmyv! Regarding TPT, what they did is move TPT 2 over to split bandwidth with their TPT HD UHF channel instead of having six subchannels on their main UHF channel. As of a week or two ago, TVGOS is out of sync with this move. The solution is to go into the TVGOS channel editor, find the analog TPT 2 (channel name tpt2, might be several pages down in the list), turn the channel on, move it up to your active channel list, and edit the tune channel field to be 2-1. (That is, you're taking the guide data for the analog TPT 2 and creating your own digital TPT 2.) After you enable the channel, you should see listings appear for TPT 2 within a day.

jimmyv

03-25-07, 11:21 AM

The solution is to go into the TVGOS channel editor, find the analog TPT 2, turn the channel on, move it up to your active channel list, and edit the tune channel field to be 2-1.
Thanks, that worked great - I didn't even need to wait a day on the listings because all the analog stations were on after the reset and I hadn't turned them off until this morning, so, it already had TPT2's listings for today.

bommai

03-25-07, 01:08 PM

OUT of TIME in 2009?

I do not think so. A little quiz:
Does any one know how many TV sets are in te USA alone?
Of that number, how many have a NTSC tuner?
How many are CRTs?
How many other devices are out there; dvds, vcrs, pvrs, dvrs, etc.. that have clocks set or updated thru the tv system?
Michael
A few more questions:
How many people would be calling Washington if their taxes went up by 50% overnight?
How many would call if their tv sets quit working overnight?

Most of the other devices don't depend on the clock setting as much as the Sony DVR. The Sony DVR will not even work unless there is a program schedule update and correct clock signal. I have a 4 year performance guarantee with Best Buy that expires November of 2009. I wonder if the analog is shut down in Feb 2009, I could take it to Best Buy and get my money back!!

jimmyv

03-25-07, 01:54 PM

I have a 4 year performance guarantee with Best Buy that expires November of 2009. I wonder if the analog is shut down in Feb 2009, I could take it to Best Buy and get my money back!!

I don't know if it's true or if the person I talked to at Sony was just blowing smoke, but, I was told the firmware would already support TVGOS updates from a digital channel, it was only a matter of Gemstar and the stations beginning to send the TVGOS that way. If you look at the TVGOS SM screen while tuned to a digital channel, you'll notice that the Host channel will say something like 0:0-9 and the VBI Channel 0:9-1. Then if you go into the 9012 SM under TV Guide / G* Factory Test with the digital channel tuned, it will run the tests but fail (at least for my example with CH 9.1) on the VBI and show no VBI packets received. So, it may well be that between now and Feb 2009 G* and the stations will switch the TVGOS firmware and transmission to come over the digital channels.

Ray1938

03-25-07, 02:51 PM

Most of the other devices don't depend on the clock setting as much as the Sony DVR. The Sony DVR will not even work unless there is a program schedule update and correct clock signal. I have a 4 year performance guarantee with Best Buy that expires November of 2009. I wonder if the analog is shut down in Feb 2009, I could take it to Best Buy and get my money back!!

Only the clock is needed to make recordings; the guide only makes the process easier and aids in identifying recordings.
When the guide fails to update but clock is ok, my advice is to live with it until the guide returns, unless you know for sure that others in your area are receiving the guide.

Ray

andydrew

03-25-07, 03:00 PM

I don't know if it's true or if the person I talked to at Sony was just blowing smoke, but, I was told the firmware would already support TVGOS updates from a digital channel, it was only a matter of Gemstar and the stations beginning to send the TVGOS that way.

I also believe that this is going to be the case. There are lots of devices out there that have TVGOS program listings and ATSC tuners (not just our Sony DVR). So I would expect that this has already been planned for.

I don't know exactly how the TV stations are going to pull off the change to all digital transmissions in Feb 2009 since some stations will be changing frequencies (which may be occupied by another station now). I would think that the stations need to do some testing before going live. It would be quite an event if all of the stations turned off their analog transmitters and changed frequencies (where this is necessary) all on the same day.

Getting the TVGOS system working on digital is just another piece of this. Since many TVGOS users may only be using analog capabilities of their equipment and want to get the guide, TVGOS may not want to shut down the analog transmission of the guide until Feb 2009. So the question is will they bring up the guide transmissions via digital before then? If they make the change now, all equipment that has TVGOS capabilities with only an NTSC tuner will lose the guide... I suspect TVGOS won't shut down the guide via analog until the stations are required to shut down the analog transmitters.

I suspect there is going to be some disruption when all of this happens. Too many things changing at once to go smoothly. And of course there is the off-chance that the federal government may push back the Feb 2009 date since they need to ensure digital to analog converter boxes are in the hands of enough consumers so their older analog TV's don't "go dark". Can you imagine the backlash of millions of people with no TV service? But of course the federal government really wants to auction off the spectrum also...