What do you guys mean by correct grids? My grids always seemed correct. What's this overlay?

Most important for me could this be the cause of a problem I have recently encountered....channels are turning themselves off. No cablecard, just QAM.

This first occurred a couple of weeks ago. I thought it had something to do with the locking problem. Since then I did a factory restore to one unit (only).

When I turned on both units a couple of days ago, many cable channels had turned themselves off. This is on both units. They disappeared from the guide and were at the very bottom of the listings (both turned off and with strange channel locations). When I turn them back on, and corrected the channel number when needed, they reappear as if nothing happened.

Obviously I can no longer be sure anything I schedule to record, will record. It won't if before the scheduled time the channel turned itself off.

I can't understand this happening to both the 250 and 500, one reset and one not, standing side by side.

The settings were for both cable and antenna, although I wasn't using an antenna and those channels I turned off manually. The only thing I could think of doing was to change the setting for cable only.

I hope it doesn't reoccur.

On what may be a related issue, does anyone ever hear the clicking sound that is made when changing between a cable source and an antenna (OTA) source occur when the unit is turned off and idle.

The clicking sound is normal... there is a relay inside that clicks when the unit switches between the analog and digital tuners.

Riffjim, Hednic, Opinionated. I can only suggest going back through this thread and following the "exact" proceedure I outlined before, and the problems will be corrected. I know that it will absolutely not be corrected until that is done.

Also, you will see more descriptions of finding defective grid data, the loss of "percentages" and a zillion other little defects, lack of searching, locking up at times etc.

The short story is:
1. The soft reset must be done as a minimum.
2. The Sony Tuner Must be re-scan from scratch
3. The TV Guide Must be set up again from scratch

After that is done, and after one day has passed - Only Day 8 will be correct........days 1 and 2 will still be defective whether you can tell that or not. It will take 8 days for the data to roll forward.

Side Note: most likely most (many?) USA markets are now receiving correct TV Guide downloads with corrected grids for your market. So your grids may in fact be correct at this late date.

However: If you still have not done steps 1) 2) and 3) your Sony Box will still not perform correctly. (go back to my first post on this, take your time with it.............for example after you complete the soft reset and the unit it off.......leave it off until your clock shows back up.......then you can go on to steps 2 and 3

Side Note: most likely most (many?) USA markets are now receiving correct TV Guide downloads with corrected grids for your market. So your grids may in fact be correct at this late date.

However: If you still have not done steps 1) 2) and 3) your Sony Box will still not perform correctly. (go back to my first post on this, take your time with it.............for example after you complete the soft reset and the unit it off.......leave it off until your clock shows back up.......then you can go on to steps 2 and 3


Two quick questions: Are those 3 steps in lieu of doing a factory reset/restore? Because the factory reset/restore definitely fixed the locking problems on my 500 without cablecard unit.

If I follow your 3 steps on my remaining 500 with problems, that has a cablecard inserted, do I have to pull out the cablecard before I rescan the tuner from scratch, or can it be left in? And then do I reinsert it before I reset the guide or after I reset the guide? thanks.

I'm very discouraged.

The unit on which I did a full factory reset a couple of weeks ago, froze last evening.

I have lost all of my guide data, and clock info. I have reset the tvgos, updated firmware, reset the system but still nothing. The internal clock is reset back to 04. It shows no host channel, and I get no VBI data. I have comcast in minneapolis, which I have had nothing but headaches since they switched from Time Warner. I am wondering if anyone knows the host channel in minneapolis, and also if they think this problem could be a problem with my cable card. The cable card did need to be reset a couple of times in order to receive all of the channels. When I go into the cable card diagnostics it does show the correct time etc. I don't know....just frustrated....

thanks,

tyler

hednic, because the steps 1, 2, and 3 have such little effort required I would go ahead an try it with cable card installed........if for some reason it does not work, then do it without the card.

Opinionated, I believe you will continue to have problems. You may want to try my simple three step approach.

Remember guys, I am only recommend the soft reset for step 1. Which is using the guide and exit buttons on the front panel while the unit is on. The unit will turn itself off. Leave it off until the correct time re-appears, this could be a few hours or the next day.

If for some reason the correct time does not show up on the front before you turn it back on for step 2 and 3, then you have other issues that must be resolved. (host VBI channel you are not getting)

Some guys were playing with system and after they left, I did not have my system! The entire SETUP there was no Warner Cable Digital, only the others. So, I can not chose Warner Cable! What happened!

I am basically confused.. What do I do?

Mike

Opinionated, I believe you will continue to have problems. You may want to try my simple three step approach.



A full reset, which is what I did, incorporates your steps- and more.

Unless I'm missing something in your steps, and I don't know what that could be.

Two quick questions: Are those 3 steps in lieu of doing a factory reset/restore? ................ thanks.

Maybe and maybe not; steps 2 and 3 are a "must" be done in order to resolve all the internal problems. Again this will only work "if" new corrected TV Guide data is available for your area (gids must be perfect).

Whether you do the hard reset of the soft reset; both the Sony Tuner must be rescanned from scratch and set up the TV Guide from scratch. Those "two" systems must be insync again in order to function correctly. If you do not do that, you will still have problems.

When most markets had defective grids a month ago.......the Sony Tuner and the TV Guide system inside the box where no longer in sync. (lock ups, no percentages, failer to search, could not record correctly, and on and on).

If this is still not working in your market. Then wait one week and do it again. If it still does not work then wait a week and do it again. etc etc. Once you are recieving correct grid (program data) downloads, then all should be fine.

I have lost all of my guide data, and clock info. I have reset the tvgos, updated firmware, reset the system but still nothing. The internal clock is reset back to 04. It shows no host channel, and I get no VBI data. I have comcast in minneapolis, which I have had nothing but headaches since they switched from Time Warner. I am wondering if anyone knows the host channel in minneapolis, and also if they think this problem could be a problem with my cable card. The cable card did need to be reset a couple of times in order to receive all of the channels. When I go into the cable card diagnostics it does show the correct time etc. I don't know....just frustrated....

thanks,

tyler

In the Twin Cities OTA two channels that broadcast the TVGOS over VBI are channel 5 and 17. In St. Paul, Comcast rebroadcasts ch 17's analog signal on ch 97 while all other channels are broadcast digitally over cable card. You might try tuning to ch97 and see if you get an analog signal on that channel. There are menu options to do this on the DVR, but I don't recall them currently. Your problem could be the CC, the elimination of analogs over CC(I believe comcast is changing over to simulcasting all channels digitally in MPLS as they did in St.P a while ago), or that you do not have the token analog channel (ie. 97) enabled on the DVR. Or of course numerous other issues.

A full reset, which is what I did, incorporates your steps- and more.

Unless I'm missing something in your steps, and I don't know what that could be.

Have you done this "after" correct grids are being recieved? Have you done other things to you unit? Have you re-assigned channel numbers? Are you recieving Guide via OTA, if you are using card I would delete it until you resolve it.

I notice one of your post said "weeks" ago.....That most likly was before correct grid data has been sent!

Another one of you post said the channels were turned off or became turned off. That alone implies bad grid data and being out of sync with the tuner.

Generally, I can only assume that things were not corrected in sequence. (for example you did a hard reset before you started recieving corrected grids). Since I am not there, there is no real way for me to tell.

just try it again, and see what happens. it only take a few minutes to do the 3 steps..............to make it simpler and faster for testing do it without the card.

FWIW; The only really bad problem I have ad was a total lock-up where I couldn't even turn the unit off with the front power button. I unuplgged the unit for a couple of minutes and plugged it back in. All the TVGOS data was lost and I had to setup the TVGOS again from scratch. Luckly, it didn't affect the channels in either of the tuners.

I did no reset other than unplugging the unit.

The other odd thing was the ads started to appear in that left window where there were never there before.

Have you done this "after" correct grids are being received?

I asked above, what are "correct grids"? How can you tell a correct grid from an "incorrect" one?

Not using cablecard. Direct cable (and QAM).

Having nothing to lose, I'll do your steps near the next weekend -don't want to lose the guide prior.

Just to be sure, can you spell the steps again. In detail.

Thanks.

The short story is:
1. The soft reset must be done as a minimum.
2. The Sony Tuner Must be re-scan from scratch
3. The TV Guide Must be set up again from scratch

After that is done, and after one day has passed - Only Day 8 will be correct........days 1 and 2 will still be defective whether you can tell that or not. It will take 8 days for the data to roll forward.

I performed HoustonPerson's 3-step procedure (no factory reset) on April 15th (2 weekends ago), and so far have not experienced the lockups any more, where before it was consistently locking up. I was going to wait one more week before I said anything, but decided to post my success so far. (I'm still on v.05).

I asked above, what are "correct grids"? How can you tell a correct grid from an "incorrect" one?I sure would also like to see this explained in more detail.

My 7th and 9th generation TVGOS grid designs on other units I have are different from the Sony's 8th, and, as far as I know, none of them can be changed.

Not sure of exactly what he's referring to when he uses the term "grid".

I performed HoustonPerson's 3-step procedure (no factory reset) on April 15th (2 weekends ago), and so far have not experienced the lockups any more, where before it was consistently locking up. I was going to wait one more week before I said anything, but decided to post my success so far. (I'm still on v.05).

Do you use a cablecard and if you do, can you rescan the tuner and reset the TVGOS (steps 2 and 3) with the cablecard inserted or does it have to be removed?

Do you use a cablecard and if you do, can you rescan the tuner and reset the TVGOS (steps 2 and 3) with the cablecard inserted or does it have to be removed?

No I do not have cable card.
Yes you can do step 2 and 3 with card in the unit.

I sure would also like to see this explained in more detail.

My 7th and 9th generation TVGOS grid designs on other units I have are different from the Sony's 8th, and, as far as I know, none of them can be changed.

Not sure of exactly what he's referring to when he uses the term "grid".

I do not know how to explain it any more then what I have already done a few times.......please do a search for my postings in this thread and you will find all my descriptions........as well as another person that this became obvious too.

Believe me if I had pictures I would post them........but since corrected grid data is now in place for Houston, there is no way (other than my previous explanations which have not worked?) for me to show you both before and after pictures. AND if you have new grids in place (most likely for most markets) AND you have not done the step 1 2 & 3 then you will still have the problem.

please look at page ???(307?) in this thread 3/19/07 mswlogo his first post on that page and following.

please look at "my" post on 3/20/07 (a few after mswlogo)

Look very very closely at JSTEFANS on 3/22/07 and his and my postings after that date. He described in detail what the defective data grids were doing to this units. The exact same problems I was having. I finally learned how to record a program and watch another, and prevents program lock ups, but my wife could not figure it out (because the unit did not work like it did before march or like it does now - perfectly) Now my wife can run the Sony box without problems.

Once I realize old grid data was all mixed up with new grid data, that basically told me what to do. Get rid of the old completely and then let the new roll in. The one hundred or so station numbers that TV Guide "added" to the Houston market really did a number on the mapping inside the Sony box; hence "all" the problems. (about 500 channel numbers are now used in Houston)

So this only going to make sense if you start reading from about 3/19/07 forward. For Houston it took TV Guide about one month to get the program grids corrected again to accomodate the 100 additional stations. They had about 3 weeks of nothing but defective data (my wife could not see it).........but once they corrected the defect it took a full 8 days for correct grids to roll into place.

Please note: I am not talking about the grid itself.........I am talking about the data that is downloaded into that grid and the new re-mapping of channel numbers (why some people have channels that or "off" or "on" or dissappeared etc.)

Please note: I am not talking about the grid itself.........I am talking about the data that is downloaded into that grid and the new re-mapping of channel numbers (why some people have channels that or "off" or "on" or dissappeared etc.)I getcha now.

The reason I don't fully understand what people are talking about sometimes is because the only real problem I encountered after the "update" was that if I made any changes to the channel listings in my guide - meaning turn any On or Off - when I did the final entering, the changes wouldn't show up in the guide. But when I would go back into the edit listings, the changes would still be there. After two soft resets, I haven't had the problem anymore.

Whomever's in charge of that sort of thing in the Chicago market must've been more on top of it after the update. Even my DST time change discrepancy corrected itself fairly quickly.

I did read on the LG 3410a DVR thread, though, of a couple of people in Chicago and elsewhere having similar problems to some of the people here. But they use the 7th generation guide, where the Sony uses the 8th. I guess it's just a random thing.

Also, there were quite a few people on the Pioneer plasma threads who had, and are still having problems with their display's built-in guide in different locations (also 8th gen.). I've got one, too, but mine's been fine.

It's just a shame how many people with TVGOS are having so many problems. I guess I can count myself pretty lucky.

ok, I am going to try to take some pictures of good grids and post those......but I dont have any pictures of bad ones but will do my best to try to explain etc.

Just remember if you got good grids (and you most likely do at this late date), then you are ready for 1 2 3

I getcha now.

The reason I don't fully understand what people are talking about sometimes is because the only real problem I encountered after the "update" was that if I made any changes to the channel listings in my guide - meaning turn any On or Off - when I did the final entering, the changes wouldn't show up in the guide. But when I would go back into the edit listings, the changes would still be there. After two soft resets, I haven't had the problem anymore.

Whomever's in charge of that sort of thing in the Chicago market must've been more on top of it after the update. Even my DST time change discrepancy corrected itself fairly quickly.

I did read on the LG 3410a DVR thread, though, of a couple of people in Chicago and elsewhere having similar problems to some of the people here. But they use the 7th generation guide, where the Sony uses the 8th. I guess it's just a random thing.

Also, there were quite a few people on the Pioneer plasma threads who had, and are still having problems with their display's built-in guide in different locations (also 8th gen.). I've got one, too, but mine's been fine.

It's just a shame how many people with TVGOS are having so many problems. I guess I can count myself pretty lucky.

Believe me I hear what you say........my wife got really mad at me, because I could put a "Red Dot" on a program and it would work and she could not. I HAD TO FIX IT lol

Believe me I hear what you say........my wife got really mad at me, because I could put a "Red Dot" on a program and it would work and she could not. I HAD TO FIX IT lolThank God I never had any of the "dropped recording" or scheduling issues that seem so prevalent. All of my pre-recording settings kept working fine.

I know that after all this first started, a few people here were trying to get it rectified through contact with TVGOS directly, because they weren't getting any satisfactory responses from the host stations themselves - what ever came of all that?

I did talk to a TV Guide Tech one month ago, and a ticket number was issued. I think that is what got the problem corrected for Houston, and perhaps the whole nation? Host stations have almost no pull in this stuff.

First picture, Correct Data Grid: Notice the cursor gray bar is at 8PM at the top of the screen. A full hour of HOUSE is highligted. Notice the TV 14, Notice the NEW, notice the time of the program 8PM to 9PM That is exactly how it is supposed to look. No Exceptions


Second picture; Now move the cursor to the right 8:30PM ABSOLUTLY NOTHING ON THE SCREEN SHOULD CHANGE. If it did you have defective data! if the TV 14 dissappear that is wrong, if the NEW dissappeared that is wrong. If the length of the program chaned that is wrong (did it change to 8:30PM to 9PM if it did that is the source of the lock up problems OR conflic with another recording issue)


Third picture: move the cursor to the left to 7:30PM is the data correct or not? Does it show the NEW and other required data, does it show a program length of 7PM to 8PM which is correct or does it show only 7:30PM to 8PM?

Fourth picture: test all fields on the screen is all 100% data correct? Is the correct program description correct regardless of which field you have the cursor in? Here the cursor is at 8:30PM........is that the exact description you have at 8PM?

Previously the only way you could record without issues (while having defective data) was to put the cursor in a field that you knew was 100% correct. My wife could not tell hence she could not record..........since 50% to 75% of the fields had defective data that was not really obvious. the whole Sony Box just had a big fit, when you tried to record.

Fourth picture

The Sony dvr says that to access the hidden service menu, to press MEMU and SCREEN MODE. I press MENU but where is the SCREEN MODE???

Do you use a cablecard and if you do, can you rescan the tuner and reset the TVGOS (steps 2 and 3) with the cablecard inserted or does it have to be removed?

I have no cable card. I'm strictly OTA reception. That being said, when I did the channel scan the first time to fix the lockup, I accidentally replied that I had cable channels to scan for. It wouldn't allow me to go back and uncheck this until it was completed, which took a LONG time. Once it finished, I went back and rescanned for just OTA reception (can't recall the exact words in the choice, but it was the first option).

I have no lockups (knock on wood) yet. When I went through and deleted channels, I have dozens of ABC channels listed that I turned off. I'm not sure if that was due to selecting cable channles the first time, or it that's all OTA data that seems to be unused. No matter, since It's not in my guide (I turned them off), they don't bother me now.

ONE thing that was strange when I first rearranged all my channels... I arranged them in the order that I would normally see them in the Los Angeles area. CBS (2), NBC(4), CW (5), ABC (7), etc. When you press the guide button, regardless of the channel you were tuned to, the guide always had the first channel, CBS, at the top. The first day, whatever channel I happened to be tuned to when I pressed the GUIDE button, that would show on top of channel 2 in the display in addition to its normal place in the guide lineup. I though that that was an interesting change. But now it's not doing that any more.


Also, one thing that would be nice is to be able to press INFO and see the description of the show, not just the show title and how far along in the show it is at the moment. Other than going back to the guide and then pressing INFO , is there any way to see the currect show's description? (I'm on v.05)

The Sony dvr says that to access the hidden service menu, to press MEMU and SCREEN MODE. I press MENU but where is the SCREEN MODE???


isn't SCREEN MODE a key on the original remote? (I normally use a learning remote, so I don't recall the details about the original remote?)

Correct Data Grid:

I don't know what to say but before the lock ups began, since and today, my guide(s) has been, and continues to be, what you- and the pictures- describe as "correct".

The Sony dvr says that to access the hidden service menu, to press MEMU and SCREEN MODE. I press MENU but where is the SCREEN MODE???

First full line on the remote- far left.

I don't know what to say but before the lock ups began, since and today, my guide(s) has been, and continues to be, what you- and the pictures- describe as "correct".

Then this implies the data for your market is correct (just like remapping your channels did)...........so the 1,2, and 3 should fix it. If not I guess send it to Sony.

If not I guess send it to Sony.

With two units, a 250 and a 500, acting identically, with others having lock up issues too, whatever it is, the answer does not seem to be sending them in to Sony.

I'll try the reset again when I get the chance and have nothing urgent to record. I'm also going to try a different zip code where it may download less of the digital channels we never use.

Also, one thing that would be nice is to be able to press INFO and see the description of the show, not just the show title and how far along in the show it is at the moment. Other than going back to the guide and then pressing INFO , is there any way to see the currect show's description? (I'm on v.05)

I agree, the info button should bring up show detail but it doesn't on either of my units. The info button brings up two fields but on my v.05, I have to press twice to see them, on my v.06, I press only once.

To see how far along in the show, just press the play button. Pause also causes that information to appear.

Ray

FYI, for those upgrading. I upgraded a HDD250 1.2.05 with a cheap noname freebe USB Drive in a pen. It was formatted fat32 (64mb). Files must be in a folder in the root of the drive named SONY just like in the zip. That was not quite clear in the orginal post. It was clearly stated that's how they are in the zip but it was not clear that folder should be on the drive. Or I just missed it.

Looking for suggestions.

I have been running fine for about 18months.

Suddenly I saw it start a recording and the clock hung.
Remote would not respond.

I powered it down and it recovered ok and starte drecording.

About 10 minutes later I went into list of recordings and it immediately hung the remote (tried 2 remotes). I noticed over the past few weeks that ads are appearing on left panel.

I tried to exit Listings and it did.

Waited a few munutes and then I went in ok. Then it seemed fine.
Problems like this tend to not go away by themselves.

Should I factory reset (don't mind losing recordings that much)?
I just put latest firmware (I'm aware that may reset again if I factory reset).

It feels like TV-Guide is causing the problems. But that may be way off base.

Should I just wipe TV Guide?

Should I buy I spare unit on Ebay, I love this thing.

Oh yeah, no cable card but being fed OTA and Cable (with local Digital Stations) in Boston area.

I have a new problem that started about a week ago. I can no longer record properly on some channels. The sound records fine, but there's no video. This happens both on some copy-protected channels and some non copy-protected channels. Conversely, some other copy-protected channels and some other non copy-protected channels record just fine. Has anyone seen this before? Is there anything I can try short of a full system reset? Thanks.

Then this implies the data for your market is correct (just like remapping your channels did)...........so the 1,2, and 3 should fix it. If not I guess send it to Sony.

This might be a dumb question but can you tell me please how to accomplish step 3 again? Must I reset TVGOS from the 9012 menu or do it just from going to the TVGOS
menu and then to service bar - setup - change system settings. I forgot. It's been a while since I had to do that without doing a full factory restore. Thanks.

Looking for suggestions.

I have been running fine for about 18months.

Suddenly I saw it start a recording and the clock hung.
Remote would not respond.

I powered it down and it recovered ok and starte drecording.

About 10 minutes later I went into list of recordings and it immediately hung the remote (tried 2 remotes). I noticed over the past few weeks that ads are appearing on left panel.

I tried to exit Listings and it did.

Waited a few munutes and then I went in ok. Then it seemed fine.
Problems like this tend to not go away by themselves.

Should I factory reset (don't mind losing recordings that much)?
I just put latest firmware (I'm aware that may reset again if I factory reset).

It feels like TV-Guide is causing the problems. But that may be way off base.

Should I just wipe TV Guide?

Should I buy I spare unit on Ebay, I love this thing.

Oh yeah, no cable card but being fed OTA and Cable (with local Digital Stations) in Boston area.

Go back and read my post from yesterday that makes a reference to "your" previous post!

Basically, all you have to do is the steps 1,2, & 3 and your unit will be fine. Sorry you have to read all my post from the 3/19 forward to figure it out....not posting it again.

Those that have done 1,2 & 3 say they no longer have the problem(s). (assuming they have correct downloads in place - correct grid data - and I believe most markets do now).

Basically the Sony Tuner and the TV Guide system are no longer in sync with each other and they will not be until 1,2, & 3 are completed.

quick review of the 3 steps

1. do the soft reset from the front panel (guide and exit buttons see your Sony Manual).....do this while the unit is playing on a TV station. The unit will turn itself off. Leave it off until you correct clock time re-appears. It could take a few hours to a full day. It the clock time does not show up you have another problem that must be resolved.

2. Re-Scan the Sony Tuner from scratch. You must select "Auto Scan All" - You may notice that this will still leave in place "checked" and "unchecked" channels.......they are your previous place holders............but the unit still "removed existing channels" just like the book said it would - page 41 (in some situations you may "later" have to come back and use the "Auto Add from Antenna" - but do not worry about that now).

3. ReSetUp the TV Guide System from scratch. (I do not use 9012) Go to the TV Guide OnScreen SetUP - Change System Settings. Here is the punch line to make that happen:
You must select: "NO - Repeat the setup process" to the following first question: "Are the above settings correct?" Answer NO even if they are correct. Re-enter your zip code even if it is still on the screen OR enter a zip code directly next to you OR closer to the stations.


Again this works if you are now receiving correct grid data every night from TV Guide (please see previous posts).



Here are some other clues about this "correct grid data" that may??? help some of you.

Do you know approx how many new stations were added to your market with the daylight savings time change in March 11th OR shortly there after? (if you can answer that question then you know there has at least been a change in your grid data!) Prior to March 11th we had about 360 stations in TV Guide. The problems began with the grid data change over and the station count went to 474 stations in TV Guide. Of course each market area will be different.

As the new grids went into place after March 11th......TV Guide basically made a bunch of mistakes that messed up our Sony Box (old grid and new grid did not overlay correctly - hence all the problems - see previous posts). I reported this problem to TV Guide on 3/23/07 and it took about two weeks for new grid (non-defective grid) to begin rolling into place (again see previous post on this). The roll in date for each market will be different. I learned how to locate correct cells within the defective grid so I could continue to recored without locking up; but of course still had the percentage issues, search issues, and the numerous other defects. For at least the last two weeks or longer all has been fine in the Houston market, and 100% of the cells in the grids are correct, and the unit functions 100% correct.

So what does that mean:

1. Prior to about March 11th the unit most likely worked fine
2. After March 11 and to about April 15th the unit did not work fine
3. After about April 15th the unit should work fine again (if some time after correct grids have been received in your area the steps 1,2, & 3 are completed) (if on the other hand, you did any type of reset during time phase "2", then your unit most likely still does not work OR it gave you the illusion that it work for a while (few days) and then stopped working again.

FYI, for those upgrading. I upgraded a HDD250 1.2.05 with a cheap noname freebe USB Drive in a pen. It was formatted fat32 (64mb). Files must be in a folder in the root of the drive named SONY just like in the zip. That was not quite clear in the orginal post. It was clearly stated that's how they are in the zip but it was not clear that folder should be on the drive. Or I just missed it.

mswlogo, I just also noticed your post on this upgrading thing that many are doing. I have not done, and most likely will not do that, unless directed by Sony to do so. So what I am saying is, if this is now also creating new problems in your unit, I have no clue how to fix them? I did more or less only the very simple things "approved" or "suggested" by Sony and/or TV Guide........basically from their printed material - manuals. Hopefully, the 1,2, & 3 will work on your unit and solve the problems.

I know that 'channel previous tune' in not avaible on the Sony. But a p[rintout told that a Harmony remote will do the job. I have one, a setup it up with the USB cable and my PC. The PrevTune buttton on the remote corresponded to the PrevTune. But the thing does work!

Could someone please tell me what I am doing wrong?

When I setup my HDD250, I remember that the 'Time Warner Digital' is selected. A year later when my freinds were fooling around the Sony, Time Warner Digital did not come up on SETUP. All the others did. But Time Warner Digital was missing.

I tried to do a FACTORY RESTART, but no go. Is there something else I can do?

mswlogo, I just also noticed your post on this upgrading thing that many are doing. I have not done, and most likely will not do that, unless directed by Sony to do so. So what I am saying is, if this is now also creating new problems in your unit, I have no clue how to fix them? I did more or less only the very simple things "approved" or "suggested" by Sony and/or TV Guide........basically from their printed material - manuals. Hopefully, the 1,2, & 3 will work on your unit and solve the problems.

Thanks Houston. The problems started before the firmware upgrade. I figured it would not hurt to put latest firmware.

I will follow your 1,2,3 steps and thanks for the summary.

P.S. I saw posts regarding "Grids" and a post with pictures, but I still didn't quite understand what the pictures were showing. They just looked like TV Guide shots. I guess I'd have to see bad grids to understand. I will reread a bunch of posts.

I know that 'channel previous tune' in not avaible on the Sony. But a p[rintout told that a Harmony remote will do the job. I have one, a setup it up with the USB cable and my PC. The PrevTune buttton on the remote corresponded to the PrevTune. But the thing does work!

Could someone please tell me what I am doing wrong?

sorry wrong quote cant delete

When I setup my HDD250, I remember that the 'Time Warner Digital' is selected. A year later when my freinds were fooling around the Sony, Time Warner Digital did not come up on SETUP. All the others did. But Time Warner Digital was missing.

I tried to do a FACTORY RESTART, but no go. Is there something else I can do?

I am going to guess, that since TW is not offically in the Houston market, you should select Comcast (Yes it has changed but TWC has not told anyone)....and I assume TVGuide already made their changes during the last month? I have no way to prove this since I do not use cable.

(um did the post/quote work this time?)

Thanks. You mean that TW has changed its to Comcast?

Thanks.

Thanks. You mean that TW has changed its to Comcast?

Thanks.

The change actually took place Jan 1st, but they are not letting it show up on their service till the end of May or something like that. It only means things will cost more, and you will have less service. They already completed that process in Dallas a few months ago (it went from comcast to TWC), and most people are not happy with it. It's all just an excuse to raise fees.

I know that 'channel previous tune' in not avaible on the Sony. But a p[rintout told that a Harmony remote will do the job. I have one, a setup it up with the USB cable and my PC. The PrevTune buttton on the remote corresponded to the PrevTune. But the thing does work!

Could someone please tell me what I am doing wrong?

I assume that you meant that it doesn't work? I had to find a Sony Universal remote (VL-600 is my spare) and by default the previous channel button did work on the DHG-HDD250. I then had to teach that command to my Harmony remote. The "out of the box" command on the website will not work.

ok, thanks. What do you do when you don't have a Sony remote vl-600? Is there any on the harmony 880 than do the job? What does Hamony PrevChannelTune do you the Sony?

Hi all -

I haven't been following this thread for quite a while as, strangely, my 250 has been acting perfectly for months. I have had no lockups or noticed any of the behavior described. However, as noted, it is possible I never noticed the guide data was messed up.

I'm OTA in the DC market, by the way. Last night while changing channels, the unit reset itself. It said "Welcome..." on the front, there was some sort of counter as well, the TV output was blank. After that, it shut itself down. It didn't respond immediately, so I let it sit. After a minute, I turned it back on. TV guide data was gone, clock was gone, dates of recorded programs were crazy, but I could watch TV.

This morning, clock was back. Now (6 pm) the TV guide is partially rebuilt; there are incomplete listings even for today (I thought all would be blank since it starts from day 8?). The channel ordering is all gone. The dates on recorded programs are back to reality.

Did the machine sort of do (by itself!) what's being recommended here to put everything back in sync? I've learned with this machine to leave alone what isn't broken, so I hesitate to mess with anything unnecessarily. Is it possible that they sent a command over the TV data to try to fix the sync problems, forcing people's units to soft reset on their own?

Anyway, it seemed like what happened counts as a soft reset. It seems that the TV guide is rebuilding (though I didn't actually tell it to reset). I went ahead and rescanned the channels just for fun. (It seems to remember which ones I had checked and unchecked.)

Should I tell the TV guide to rebuild itself? Or leave well enough alone?

dms_dc............um did you accidently hit the guide and exit buttons on the front panel? jk Anyway, wait a day or two and see if everything is working correctly.

Seems I heard or read someplace that the DC get the latest implementations of TV Guide........I suppose it is possible a soft reset download was issued? I dunno?

If it does not fix itself 100% then do the 1,2 & 3

side note: the most likely reason it did a soft reset was because of a power interuption you did not see.........that will do the same thing. and that generates the Welcome screen again.

side note: the most likely reason it did a soft reset was because of a power interuption you did not see.........that will do the same thing. and that generates the Welcome screen again.


From my experience, power interrupt triggers welcome screen but doesn't affect guide data.

Ray

dms_dc............um did you accidently hit the guide and exit buttons on the front panel?
...
side note: the most likely reason it did a soft reset was because of a power interuption you did not see.........that will do the same thing. and that generates the Welcome screen again.

Most definitely did not accidentally hit anything - we were sitting on the other side of the room. I suppose it's possible there was a power interruption, but strange that we wouldn't have noticed the lights flicker, noticed the plasma TV react, etc.

I assume if something was issued over the datastream in the DC market (I'm not saying I actually buy that, but am just wondering about the possibility), someone else will have had the same reaction. If it's just me, then who knows what happened.

(I thought all would be blank since it starts from day 8?)......

TVGOS sends days 1,2,5,8 with each transmission. So it should take only 3 days to build the complete guide if all is well. :D

3. ReSetUp the TV Guide System from scratch. (I do not use 9012) Go to the TV Guide OnScreen SetUP - Change System Settings. Here is the punch line to make that happen:
You must select: "NO - Repeat the setup process" to the following first question: "Are the above settings correct?" Answer NO even if they are correct. Re-enter your zip code even if it is still on the screen OR enter a zip code directly next to you OR closer to the stations.
I just did all three steps and I have the unit off so it will get guide info. I have one question however:

When resetting the guide I used the first option you suggested above (answering 'No' and re-entering the existing zip code with the number pad). After I was all done, there's still data in the guide. Is that what I should expect or should it have been cleared?

Tom

I just did all three steps and I have the unit off so it will get guide info. I have one question however:

When resetting the guide I used the first option you suggested above (answering 'No' and re-entering the existing zip code with the number pad). After I was all done, there's still data in the guide. Is that what I should expect or should it have been cleared?

Tom

Yes that is correct; you are now given the unit a chance to re-link correctly to the Sony Tuner.

You many notice some channel re-assignments and other changes......If new correct numbers are set up in the guide (particularly at the end of the guide in some cases).........and those channels are valid for you, then you should use those......if they are replacing previous numbers you have previously "re-assinged" yourself with the old guide data, then those old numbers (if still there) should be turned off or reassigned to the original number.

You would most likely see stuff like that on "sub" channels numbers ie 39-2 or what ever. But in Houston there was actually a NEW 39-1 with HD data, that replaced a previous 39-1 I set up to capture the digital station.........so I reassigned back to the originaly correct number of 39-0 and used the corrected one instead.

TVGOS sends days 1,2,5,8 with each transmission. So it should take only 3 days to build the complete guide if all is well. :D

Sort of depends on the market and what TV Guide is up to? Normally, days 1,2 and 8 are downloaded a few times a day if the unit is off. But what is "normal"......with the change from old data formats to new data formats, it can take the full 8 days, starting only with day 8, and rolling one day at a time forward. AFAIK, we are all past that now?

From my experience, power interrupt triggers welcome screen but doesn't affect guide data.

Ray

Generally, true 99% of the time, except that if the unit still has old and new data formats in it, it will try to relink to the tuner again....the manual says, that unplugging the unit will equal the guide and exit button reset on the front panel. In other words a soft reset (without power). Basically, a non-issue type of thing.

Has anyone called and taken the TVGOS survey? I'm about to leave for work and won't have time today, but I'll take it soon. The posting in the ad section of the guide says it ends 5/31/2007. It also tells you to go to: http://www.tvgos.com/sweepsrules.asp
for official rules. Of course, the website is for an older contest that ended Oct. 22, 2006.

I think we should all make a good effort to particapte in this survey. The more people call, the more likely TVGOS will make a real effort to come up with a digital solution for our analog guide downloads. And, who knows, maybe you will win the video iPod.

-Doug

Just noticed this. Has anyone called?

Yes I have called (last week) and left my number, no they have not called back-yet, they have my number anyway lol

Sort of depends on the market and what TV Guide is up to? Normally, days 1,2 and 8 are downloaded a few times a day if the unit is off. But what is "normal"......with the change from old data formats to new data formats, it can take the full 8 days, starting only with day 8, and rolling one day at a time forward. AFAIK, we are all past that now?

I also got days 1-2-5-8 with overnight download. Live in Metro DC (Fairfax, VA)

Just noticed this. Has anyone called?
I called and left my number last week and have not had the promised return call for the survey.
Michael

I also got days 1-2-5-8 with overnight download. Live in Metro DC (Fairfax, VA)

Its very possible they change it.........its still 1,2 and 8 here.......generally day 8 is all 100% new data........all other days are supposed to be replacement data only-that is data that has changed.

I got a new 54" hp plasma tv.

Some of the high def shows I watch that were taped with my sony seem very poor quality while others are great.

Tonight I was watching NCIS and anything that was black, looked like I was viewing it on a low grade internet upload. This poor quality was actually all over but showed up better on black items. Any of you guys know why some High def is great and others play back poor?

I am using a hdmi connection. I also switched to 720p to see if that would help. It did not.

The only way I can describe the appearance is if you copied a internet video and played it on a big screen tv. Not quite that bad but definatly the same effect.

I got a new 54" hp plasma tv.

Some of the high def shows I watch that were taped with my sony seem very poor quality while others are great.

Tonight I was watching NCIS and anything that was black, looked like I was viewing it on a low grade internet upload. This poor quality was actually all over but showed up better on black items. Any of you guys know why some High def is great and others play back poor?

I am using a hdmi connection. I also switched to 720p to see if that would help. It did not.

The only way I can describe the appearance is if you copied a internet video and played it on a big screen tv. Not quite that bad but definatly the same effect.

Out of curiosity, are the bad recordings consistently CBS HD recordings?

ok, thanks. What do you do when you don't have a Sony remote vl-600? Is there any on the harmony 880 than do the job? What does Hamony PrevChannelTune do you the Sony?

Assign ChannelPrev to the prev button on the Harmony 880 remote. Works fine on my HDD500. If yours doesn't work, contact Logitech support. They can assign a command from their library.

TVGOS sends days 1,2,5,8 with each transmission. So it should take only 3 days to build the complete guide if all is well. :DI believe they say that it "can take up to six days", so YMM possibly V.

I got a new 54" hp plasma tv.

Some of the high def shows I watch that were taped with my sony seem very poor quality while others are great.

Tonight I was watching NCIS and anything that was black, looked like I was viewing it on a low grade internet upload. This poor quality was actually all over but showed up better on black items. Any of you guys know why some High def is great and others play back poor?

I am using a hdmi connection. I also switched to 720p to see if that would help. It did not.

The only way I can describe the appearance is if you copied a internet video and played it on a big screen tv. Not quite that bad but definatly the same effect.

If you still have the poor quality recording, I suggest you try component connection. Otherwise wait unit you have another one, and then view again with component connection. Your problem may be due to your firmware version. What is the version in your recorder?

Ray

seems to happen at random. The only show that is never effected for some reason is according to jim. That show is always crisp.

Not sure what I would need to do to determine what firmware version I have.

How do I update to a newer version?

tia

I just did all the tvguide resets and got rid of my hangs BUT now my recorded shows aren't chronological any more! Everything recorded in March show up fine but a show recorded 11/07/06 is listed prior to shows recorded in march. I tried to resort using the title and that sorted fine but when I switched back to sort by date they are still out of order. This is no big deal but just annoying.

Anybody else?

I have two HDD250 and the one I sent back to Sony for a problem and got the updated FW installed (they did that) just reset the TVGuide on it's own. I had to put in the correct zip code but that was all.

/Peter

intowin, HDMI can still be some problems, the hand shaking linking may not always work correctly. Go ahead and try the component. Also, you may want to try different settings on the output from the Sony Box. (native, 1080i only, 1080i or 720p only). Also, quite a few of the HDMI cables can be very bad.

Ferrari....check your shows again, and "expand" your list to see the dates of individual shows recorded. Also, not understanding what you are saying.....march 07 should be towards the top, and Nov 06 below that IF that is the only program for that "series" of shows. Also, if you had recorded a show during the "Bad Data Download Period" (about March 11th 07 thru April 18th 07 in most markets)...........then anything is possible and it is unlikely a show recorded during that period would have the correct tags on it (unless you were able to over come the quicks in the bad data).

With nothing to lose, did the three step reset a few nights ago on the 250.

First night with some guide, no issue of freezing.

Second night a freeze when bringing up the menu. Only difference was that after four minutes, while still recording, it unfroze.

Russian roulette is no fun.

Is this consistent with other people's locking problems?

It comes in different flavors and varieties- but the answer, unfortunately, is yes.

Not sure what I would need to do to determine what firmware version I have.

How do I update to a newer version?

tia

To find firmware version enter this sequence: <MENU> {Preferences} {System} {System Menu}

To update firmware, search recent postings (within last week or so) on this thread.

Ray

Gah. Locked last night, or it seems so. Was recording LOST and tried to pick it up 20 minutes in. The screen would play (from the begining), but the unit was otherwise non-responsive (no FF, wouldn't power on or off). We left it alone and it recorded the show (and south park at midnight). Is this consistent with other people's locking problems?

That is most likely a temporary buffer overrun, and it just took it's sweet time to clear out. If this continues there could some type of memory problem. Sort of like having mud in the gears. This is not the type of hard lock up, or 100% freeze, due to defective grid data from TV Guide.

I can cause mine to over run, if I get wild with a "lot" for fast forward and rewinds, particularly if it is recording another show. That only happens to me once in a blue moon. One time I left a playing show in "pause" for about 30 min, while it was recording another show. When I came back, it took about 4 min before it responded to me; it just took a big long time out.

firmware version 1.2.06

Think I should update?

firmware version 1.2.06

Think I should update?

If the unit is working correctly; IMHO don't chance........unless you send it to Sony to do it and it really needs it.. Mine is version .05 and it works perfectly; I have no intention to change it.

All,
I apologize if this was covered earlier, but I can't find it addressed. I just nabbed an HDD250 on eBay and have set it up. I have it hooked up to basic cable service and an OTA HD antenna. Although the user interface is incredibly bad, it seems to be working extraordinarily well--with one exception.

I ran the channel scans and it picked up everything but my local NBC digital OTA station. I moved my antenna to get the strongest possible signal, and have run the scans multiple times (both from scratch and the channel add scan). It picks up every other station except this one. Note that the tuner in my Sony HDTV picks up this channel with no difficulty.

Since you can't seem to tune to a channel directly until it has been picked up during a scan, does anyone have any advice on how to fix or work around this?

Thanks!

I noticed recently someone describing a "new" label for programs that are not repeats, which I had never noticed on my unit. So I went and looked for that, but I still can't find it...was I just imagining seeing something about this earlier?

My two 500s are back to normal after opting to do a factory restore on my second unit. No more lockups on either after a week of rigorous testing, trying to duplicate the problem. Everything is responding as it should. I also noticed in the course of events, that I went from having 687 channels in my channel list before the factory restore, to 575 channels on both units after the factory restore. So, maybe all those extra useless channels had something to do with the former lockups. I also learned from having gone through the whole process that you can't do a factory restore with the cablecard inserted nor can you do the 1,2,3, reset procedure per HoustonPerson with the card inserted. It must be removed to do a rescan of the channels. Also, I was asked to pick a channel lineup two times, once without the cablecard, and again after it was inserted back. Now, after carefully documenting what I did with both units, I feel that I'm in a better position should I ever have to go through this again, but it wasn't pleasant to say the least. Anyway, for me the nightmare is over. Thanks to everyone who helped out with advice, suggestions, and well explained procedures.

I noticed recently someone describing a "new" label for programs ... but I still can't find it...was I just imagining seeing something about this earlier?It can be seen plainly in the photo posted in post #9547.

Just came back from staring at the TVGOS on my unit, and finally looked in the right place....can't believe I never noticed it before!

Then I went to my LG unit and stared at that for a while and noticed an "R" with a funny arrow under it, which I now interpret to mean "rerun"....and I've had THAT unit 2 full years without noticing THAT

I ran the channel scans and it picked up everything but my local NBC digital OTA station. I moved my antenna to get the strongest possible signal, and have run the scans multiple times (both from scratch and the channel add scan). It picks up every other station except this one. Note that the tuner in my Sony HDTV picks up this channel with no difficulty.

Since you can't seem to tune to a channel directly until it has been picked up during a scan,

Have you actually tried to tune to the channel directly? For some reason, my Sony units never show the UNC-TV (North Carolina PBS) channels in the channel list (under "Edit +/- Channel"), but I can nevertheless tune them by entering the channel number directly, after doing a channel scan with the antenna pointed in the right direction. I've seen this behavior with three different UNC-TV stations (Asheville, Concord and Linville). It must be a quirk in UNC-TV's PSIP data.

My two 500s are back to normal after opting to do a factory restore on my second unit. No more lockups on either after a week of rigorous testing, trying to duplicate the problem. Everything is responding as it should. I also noticed in the course of events, that I went from having 687 channels in my channel list before the factory restore, to 575 channels on both units after the factory restore. So, maybe all those extra useless channels had something to do with the former lockups. I also learned from having gone through the whole process that you can't do a factory restore with the cablecard inserted nor can you do the 1,2,3, reset procedure per HoustonPerson with the card inserted. It must be removed to do a rescan of the channels. Also, I was asked to pick a channel lineup two times, once without the cablecard, and again after it was inserted back. Now, after carefully documenting what I did with both units, I feel that I'm in a better position should I ever have to go through this again, but it wasn't pleasant to say the least. Anyway, for me the nightmare is over. Thanks to everyone who helped out with advice, suggestions, and well explained procedures.

Glad it is all working out better for more and more people now.....see each market is completely different. Your channel count went down about 100 and ours went up about 100...........that all leads back to those funky data grids with the bad data, when the two grids did not match, and messed up the Sony box.......creating the lock ups, and all that other weird stuff. And I believe you are most likely correct about having to remove the card on the re-set up proceedure.....it's just the way the box has too clear itself out and start over again.

The only time I see having to do this again, is if TV Guide makes these major changes again (requiring re-mapping of a "new" guide to the tuner). That only happend because for about a 3-4 weeks the grid data was defective (at least in Houston)

Thanks, all the shows in the folder(s) that are out of order are recorded prior to March 07 but still shows up at the top.

Most confusing

/Peter

Ferrari....check your shows again, and "expand" your list to see the dates of individual shows recorded. Also, not understanding what you are saying.....march 07 should be towards the top, and Nov 06 below that IF that is the only program for that "series" of shows. Also, if you had recorded a show during the "Bad Data Download Period" (about March 11th 07 thru April 18th 07 in most markets)...........then anything is possible and it is unlikely a show recorded during that period would have the correct tags on it (unless you were able to over come the quicks in the bad data).

It's been around 2 weeks for me, and the lockups appear to be gone after doing the 1,2,3 reset steps ( no factory reset). I had a scare 2 nights ago where the remote seemed to quit working for 5-10 seconds, but then it was fine. That was a LONG 5 seconds.

Yes, thanks to ALL. Especially HoustonPerson and TLD (Hey TLD, did you ever contact TVGOS about your open ticket to let them know things might be better now?)

It's been around 2 weeks for me, and the lockups appear to be gone after doing the 1,2,3 reset steps ( no factory reset). I had a scare 2 nights ago where the remote seemed to quit working for 5-10 seconds, but then it was fine. That was a LONG 5 seconds.

Yes, thanks to ALL. Especially HoustonPerson and TLD (Hey TLD, did you ever contact TVGOS about your open ticket to let them know things might be better now?)
You're quite welcome...and yes...thanks to HoustonPerson and all for the help on this one.

No I didn't call Gemstar yet. I just did the three step reset two days ago and haven't actually recorded with the unit on since.

In a recent post I mentioned that my locking problems seemed to have stopped (before I did the three step reset), but I had a lockup shortly after that. That's why I did the three step reset. I'm not sure how much I need to test things before assuming I'm ok this time.

HoustonPerson:

I'm a little confused as to whether or not the guide needs to cycle out 8 days after the reset, or if I should be ok now. It's confusing because of the fact that I'm certain I never had any of the grid problems you described, and I never had a program not record or the like. I know for sure I would have noticed those incorrect grid displays switching between half hours on hour programs.

Tom

Have you actually tried to tune to the channel directly? For some reason, my Sony units never show the UNC-TV (North Carolina PBS) channels in the channel list (under "Edit +/- Channel"), but I can nevertheless tune them by entering the channel number directly, after doing a channel scan with the antenna pointed in the right direction. I've seen this behavior with three different UNC-TV stations (Asheville, Concord and Linville). It must be a quirk in UNC-TV's PSIP data.

Yes, I have. I've tried that after every scan, just in case. But no luck; it just says tuning in progress--no signal. But when I switch to my HDTV's tuner, the channel comes in just fine, and with a good signal strength. Very frustrating.

But here is another, perhaps related, question: my TV Guide shows all the HD Stations, as well as cable stations, that I receive. But it does NOT show the NBC digital OTA station in the lineup--the very one that the Sony cannot store during channel scans. Is the TV Guide somehow tied to the channel list? If not, maybe the station is doing something wrong with their broadcasting?

philda,

When you are manually tuning the channel in question, are you trying to tune the same channel number your Sony TV uses (the PSIP remapped channel number) or the actual channel the digital signal is being broadcast upon?

For example, my local NBC station is WTHR channel 13. Their digital channel is 13-1 which is broadcast on UHF 46. The PSIP information remaps the station on my tv and my dvr to 13-1. It is possible the PSIP information for your local NBC station is not working correctly and the dvr may not know what to do with it.

Find out what digital channel your local station uses and try manually tuning that channel.

HoustonPerson:

I'm a little confused as to whether or not the guide needs to cycle out 8 days after the reset, or if I should be ok now. It's confusing because of the fact that I'm certain I never had any of the grid problems you described, and I never had a program not record or the like. I know for sure I would have noticed those incorrect grid displays switching between half hours on hour programs.

Tom

Short answer, no it does not.

All long as Day 8 is 100% perfect, then the 1,2,3 should work fine (even if days 1-7 still have corrupted data cells). Check serveral cells out in Day 8. For Example: In our market there is a Grey's Anotomy next Friday from 7PM to 9PM....that is FOUR cells of data to confirm. In this example turn "on" your info button for the program......You should have NEW TV14 and 7PM-9PM, and the exact program description in all FOUR cells....also move your cursor from left to rigth and back again and go one program before and after Greys Anotomy (yes moving from left to right and back with the cursor "will" make defective data visiable to you if it is there..........again "even" after you do that and all FOUR cells have the exact same date and TWO hour presentation (7PM-9PM in this example).....then your Sony Box will be fine. If for any reason that test fails anywhere in Day 8, then the 1,2,3 will not work.

(btw in this example if you still have corrupted data in days 1-7 whether you see it or not, and try to record it-from a corrupted cell..........it could still lock up)

Yes, I have. I've tried that after every scan, just in case. But no luck; it just says tuning in progress--no signal. But when I switch to my HDTV's tuner, the channel comes in just fine, and with a good signal strength. Very frustrating.

But here is another, perhaps related, question: my TV Guide shows all the HD Stations, as well as cable stations, that I receive. But it does NOT show the NBC digital OTA station in the lineup--the very one that the Sony cannot store during channel scans. Is the TV Guide somehow tied to the channel list? If not, maybe the station is doing something wrong with their broadcasting?

Sound like some weird stuff, try this: Lets say the channel your are not geting is 13-1 and it is on RF 32. Try puncing in these numbers:

13-0 - you should get that, it's analogue
13-1 - so far your saying your not getting it, but your TV set is?
32 - If that is the RF number that might work?

Still no go? Then turn the TV and Sony Box off....switch the antenna fed between them........sounds stupid; but you never know. Start over again with the test. Does it work now?

In otherwords is there some sort of splitter, or something killing that specific RF to the Sony Box?

I have not called Gemstar in regard to the open ticket............only two engineers there. But I will call if it breaks again.....They have always been real genuine and interested in their job, and it sounds like they are busy a 125% of the time. Besides I think they read this a couple of times a year anyway?

Short answer, no it does not.

All long as Day 8 is 100% perfect, then the 1,2,3 should work fine (even if days 1-7 still have corrupted data cells). Check serveral cells out in Day 8.

hmmm...bad news. I locked up today while recording with the unit on...frozen clock and all that. It unlocked when the recording finished. One thing to note: I have a DVI switch to switch between the Sony and a Samsung HD receiver. It locked when I was switching to the Sony. Note however that I used that switch without any problems for a year until this Gemstar crap started. The switch may have just been a conicidence. Once it's locked I get no video at all using the switch, but that's because it's unable to sync the digital output as it needs to when connecting.

I've looked, I have no bad guide data...and as I've said before I'm 99% positive I never have, at least nothing I could see. I looked at that two hour greys anatomy and the guide's perfect.

I certainly won't be calling Gemstar to say things are ok ;).

Tom

My unit is working ok,I just hear a slight clicking sound. Normal or failing HD?
Any thoughts?

fox

hmmm...bad news. I locked up today while recording with the unit on...frozen clock and all that. It unlocked when the recording finished. One thing to note: I have a DVI switch to switch between the Sony and a Samsung HD receiver. It locked when I was switching to the Sony. Note however that I used that switch without any problems for a year until this Gemstar crap started. The switch may have just been a conicidence. Once it's locked I get no video at all using the switch, but that's because it's unable to sync the digital output as it needs to when connecting.

I've looked, I have no bad guide data...and as I've said before I'm 99% positive I never have, at least nothing I could see. I looked at that two hour greys anatomy and the guide's perfect.

I certainly won't be calling Gemstar to say things are ok ;).

Tom

Have you tried the Factory restore under the 9012 menu yet? It fixed the locking
problems for both of my units. It's a pain for sure, but it fixes the problem, and the guide populates fully in 3 days. The worst of course is reordering the channels in the TVG channel list especially if you have 550+

I have a questen. the Factory restore under the 9012 menu yet? It fixed the locking
problems for both of my units. It's a pain for sure, but it fixes the problem, and the guide populates fully in 3 days. The worst of course is reordering the channels in the TVG channel list especially if you have 550+
My concern is that it wiil wipe the drive, whicvh is at 70% full. I'd ratherr try it later when I have cleared the programing.
My other concern is if it works won't we be screwed by Gmster again in the Fall becasue the end of daylight savings time comes a week late.
How do I access 9012 menu.
Thanks

philda,

When you are manually tuning the channel in question, are you trying to tune the same channel number your Sony TV uses (the PSIP remapped channel number) or the actual channel the digital signal is being broadcast upon?

For example, my local NBC station is WTHR channel 13. Their digital channel is 13-1 which is broadcast on UHF 46. The PSIP information remaps the station on my tv and my dvr to 13-1. It is possible the PSIP information for your local NBC station is not working correctly and the dvr may not know what to do with it.

Find out what digital channel your local station uses and try manually tuning that channel.

You know, I thought about this a couple of days ago but didn't think it would work, since my HDTV tuner successfully remapped the channel to the correct digital station (4.1) perfectly, so I figured the PSIP info was OK.

Well, Cha--CHING! That worked! I used antennaweb to find out what the UHF channel was (26). I tried directly tuning to 26, but that just gave me my cable channel 26. However, there was 26.3 just sitting there in the channel +- list, and I tried it and that was the correct channel.

Now lets see if the TVGuide will pick it up tomorrow, or I guess otherwise I'll have to manually program recordings on that channel....

Thanks so much, wrwine3!

Sound like some weird stuff, try this: Lets say the channel your are not geting is 13-1 and it is on RF 32. Try puncing in these numbers:

13-0 - you should get that, it's analogue
13-1 - so far your saying your not getting it, but your TV set is?
32 - If that is the RF number that might work?

Still no go? Then turn the TV and Sony Box off....switch the antenna fed between them........sounds stupid; but you never know. Start over again with the test. Does it work now?

In otherwords is there some sort of splitter, or something killing that specific RF to the Sony Box?

Thanks, HoustonPerson. See my last post. Your suggestion worked!

Have you tried the Factory restore under the 9012 menu yet? It fixed the locking
problems for both of my units. It's a pain for sure, but it fixes the problem, and the guide populates fully in 3 days. The worst of course is reordering the channels in the TVG channel list especially if you have 550+
No, havn't done that yet but I may have to at some point. Note however that Opinionated on this board had his locking problem return with a machine he had factory reset, so it appears there are no guarantees.

I'm beginning to think that, unless Gemstar figures this one out, there simply may be no real solution.

Tom

I have 2 of the 250's , both with the ".06" firmware. I'm using cable only (Comcast Seattle). No CableCard, just QAM.

I have NEVER experienced any problems! No lockups, I can watch (a recorded show) while recording, and my clock updates in several minutes (after a recent power failure).

My only only quirk is MoviePlex... I can tune to the QAM channel (114.9), but I can't find the channel (either 114.9 or 149) in the TVGOS lineup.

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones... it seems all tied to your local cable TV provider. :rolleyes:

Just my .02.

tld, was it you that had the "recorded" program listsing, still not listed correctly? If so that could be a problem?

Try one week your Sony box hooked up direct, and bypass that switch box.........are you talking DVI and/or HDMI switching, then for sure I can guarantee you that is the problem.......particularly since your locking was only temporary, and not a hard freeze.

Those two issues, you should resolve, to eliminate them as problems.

Meanwhile, on the drive replacement front... I looked at the drive from my 250 this evening using the "taft" DOS IDE forensics utility and found that the WD drive is not configured to have a host protected area. In fact, the configuration of the drive totally matched the factory defaults of my spare retail WD drive.

So we can scratch the HPA off the list of things to investigate. I guess the next thing to try is to clone the drive and then try using the original's controller board.

I guess the next thing to try is to clone the drive and then try using the original's controller board.

Is there anything - via visual inspection - of the two
controller boards that looks custom for the SONY
box? I know it is possible WD could have a special
ROM on the Sony board - but it is more likely the
CUSTOM ROM is in the Sony box.

tld, was it you that had the "recorded" program listsing, still not listed correctly? If so that could be a problem?

Try one week your Sony box hooked up direct, and bypass that switch box.........are you talking DVI and/or HDMI switching, then for sure I can guarantee you that is the problem.......particularly since your locking was only temporary, and not a hard freeze.

Those two issues, you should resolve, to eliminate them as problems.
No that wasn't me. Aside from the locking issues, I have no problems and never have. My switch is a simple mechanical DVI switch with analog audio switching, and I can assure you that's not the issue. I used it for a year and it never did anything. I rarely even switch to the other receiver actually, and other than this last one all my locking issues have occurred while it was switched to the Sony. The lock that occurred was the typical hard lock that cleared up when the recording stopped.

Tom

tld,

I do know that "any" changes in the HDMI connections (I dont' know if your are using DVI to HDMI? that is just an assumption on my part?), even a split second change, will wreck havoc in the Sony Box. For what ever reason, any change in that signal will cause the Sony Box to "time out" and it will not resume it's process until it "re-confirms" and/or as I called "handshake" again this signal.

tld,

I do know that "any" changes in the HDMI connections (I dont' know if your are using DVI to HDMI? that is just an assumption on my part?), even a split second change, will wreck havoc in the Sony Box. For what ever reason, any change in that signal will cause the Sony Box to "time out" and it will not resume it's process until it "re-confirms" and/or as I called "handshake" again this signal.
My TV has DVI and I use the HDMI to DVI connector that came with the Sony...nothing's doing DVI to HDMI. Again...for a year now, switching to the Sony with the switch simply caused it to renegotiate the digital connection with the TV for a split second and worked like a charm.

In any case, most all of ly locking problems weren't when I was switching, and like I said...it's a purely mechanical switch...no conversions of odd stuff. When it's not actually being switched it's functionally like a fixed cable.

Tom

Mark,
Have you tried putting the cloned drive in and then doing a firmware update via the USB port? I'm wondering if this would refresh the protection data since the firmware is being written to during the update.

Marshall

I doubt that would make a difference, but it's also not possible since the failure occurs during the bootloader stage (before the unit is "up"), when it is displaying the Sony logo and counting up the boot stage numbers 1-6 on the front panel. Sony themselves have said that a new drive must be prepped in a special jig before it will work in the DVR. The user-visible files on the drive are the same across units (they're basically the same three files as you put on the flash drive to update the firmware). So there must be something elsewhere on the drive that incorporates both the serial number of the unit and serial number of the drive. These are all problems the TiVo hacking community solved a long time ago- perhaps we can learn something from their work, at least what approach to take.

Sony themselves have said that a new drive must be prepped in a special jig before it will work in the DVR.

That makes sense - they must be writing something on the
drive that is not visible or understood by anything except
the DVR processor.

I assume you disc tools let you see everything even
non-standard stuff.

These are all problems the TiVo hacking community solved a long time ago- perhaps we can learn something from their work, at least what approach to take.

So what are the TiVo Hacking Secrets?

That makes sense - they must be writing something on the
drive that is not visible or understood by anything except
the DVR processor.

I assume you disc tools let you see everything even
non-standard stuff.



So what are the TiVo Hacking Secrets?

I doubt they would apply as TiVo uses a Linux based file system.

That makes sense - they must be writing something on the
drive that is not visible or understood by anything except the DVR processor.

My suspicion is that the entire xfs video data partition on each disk is encrypted using the unit serial number, drive serial number, and probably some shared secret. This would certainly prevent drives from being moved between units as well as prevent drives from being replaced by end users.

It was a while ago, but I did manage to get a second drive to show up in the system menu of my HDD250 by hotplugging the drive (!) after the unit was already up. (It would not boot with the drive connected.) If someone gutsy feels like picking up on those tests, you might try reproducing that result and then doing a disk format from the service menu while the drive is shown. (So basically take advantage of the unit's own ability to prep a drive.) This experiment is above my risk threshold for now.

This experiment is above my risk threshold for now.


I don't blame you Mark ;)

My solution to the whole problem is I own (5) HDD500's
and one of them is kept as a spare if one of the (4) active
one dies. I did have to send one back to SONY for repair.
They did replace the drive about 9 months ago.

Knock on wood - no problems since then.

My suspicion is that the entire xfs video data partition on each disk is encrypted using the unit serial number, drive serial number, and probably some shared secret. This would certainly prevent drives from being moved between units as well as prevent drives from being replaced by end users.

It was a while ago, but I did manage to get a second drive to show up in the system menu of my HDD250 by hotplugging the drive (!) after the unit was already up. (It would not boot with the drive connected.) If someone gutsy feels like picking up on those tests, you might try reproducing that result and then doing a disk format from the service menu while the drive is shown. (So basically take advantage of the unit's own ability to prep a drive.) This experiment is above my risk threshold for now.
haven't tried this. interesting, wonder if i can do disk format on just the new drive?

sony won't sell me the special jig !!!

I'm a little confused as to whether or not the guide needs to cycle out 8 days after the reset, or if I should be ok now. It's confusing because of the fact that I'm certain I never had any of the grid problems you described, and I never had a program not record or the like. I know for sure I would have noticed those incorrect grid displays switching between half hours on hour programs.

Tom

Somehow, when I did my 1-2-3 step reset, all data in the guide was wiped out. It took until the next day before anything showed up for the first few days and day 8. I'm not sure exactly what I did differently from you to clear out the entire guide, but still no locking yet.

It was a while ago, but I did manage to get a second drive to show up in the system menu of my HDD250 by hotplugging the drive (!) after the unit was already up.
Did you hot-plug the IDE cable from the mainboard directly into the second drive's IDE connector?

Would it be safer, instead, to use an IDE removable rack that supports hot-swapping?

My suspicion is that the entire xfs video data partition on each disk is encrypted using the unit serial number, drive serial number, and probably some shared secret. This would certainly prevent drives from being moved between units as well as prevent drives from being replaced by end users.

It was a while ago, but I did manage to get a second drive to show up in the system menu of my HDD250 by hotplugging the drive (!) after the unit was already up. (It would not boot with the drive connected.) If someone gutsy feels like picking up on those tests, you might try reproducing that result and then doing a disk format from the service menu while the drive is shown. (So basically take advantage of the unit's own ability to prep a drive.) This experiment is above my risk threshold for now.

Mark,

Are the drives set up as master slave, and in the HDD500 are there files beside the encrypted video (ie the sony files) on the second drive? You're probably correct on the generation of the CPRM ID. The orignal spec came from IBM. Here's an excerpt from a presentation.

"The proposal makes use of around a megabyte of read-only storage on each hard drive that isn't usually accessed by the end user for a "Media Key Block".
According to research scientist Jeffrey Lotspiech of IBM's Almaden Research Lab,
this is a matrix of 16 columns and some 3000 rows. A static "Media Unique Key" in
a separate, hidden area of the drive, identifies the individual drive. "

"Recall that there are two areas that CPRM can be said to
reside - and here, use page 10 of the presentation above. The Media
Key Block (which is most of that megabyte) is in a read-only area, and
the Media Unique Key (which uniquely identifies the disk) is in a
"hidden area". Both are what is called "vendor space" - the part that
handles out of bounds sector"

Did you hot-plug the IDE cable from the mainboard directly into the second drive's IDE connector?

Would it be safer, instead, to use an IDE removable rack that supports hot-swapping?

wouldn't it be funny if the "special jig" is an external hot swap chassie?

sony won't sell me the special jig !!!

Does that SURPRISE YOU :rolleyes:

Does that SURPRISE YOU :rolleyes:
despite the $200 bribe! ;)

despite the $200 bribe! ;)

Oh well then I'm surprised it is NOT IN THE MAIL :p

Somehow, when I did my 1-2-3 step reset, all data in the guide was wiped out. It took until the next day before anything showed up for the first few days and day 8. I'm not sure exactly what I did differently from you to clear out the entire guide, but still no locking yet.
Wow...that's just strange. I'm only using an antenna, and I used the same zip code (though I did enter 'No' to the 'is this correct' question and actually reenter it). Did you use a different zip code...or are you using yours with cable? If not than the only thing I can think of is that, if you have older firmware (mine is 1.2.13), the newer firmware might be 'smart' enough to not clear the guide unless you actually change the zip code.

I think I might try it again with a neighboring zip code.

Tom

I don't get it. I just ran through the guide setup for a different zip code near mine, and it didn't clear the guide...that is unless it doesn't clear it until the first time it gets new guide information or something.

rayliner: When you did this was the guide immediately cleared?

Tom

has anyone tried Acronis to mirror drive?

http://www.acronis.com

I know that 'channel previous tune' in not avaible on the Sony. But a p[rintout told that a Harmony remote will do the job. I have one, a setup it up with the USB cable and my PC. The PrevTune buttton on the remote corresponded to the PrevTune. But the thing does work!

Could someone please tell me what I am doing wrong?

I don't think *you* are doing anything wrong. It's just that the correct command is "shortcut", *not* "PrevTune". Strange but true. :)

Dan (Woj...)

i heard DHG-HDD250 will take any 250GB drives without any trouble.

i heard DHG-HDD250 will take any 250GB drives without any trouble.

this could be true if you get the software that prepares it for operation that Sony uses, but do not know anyone that has it.

Spiff,

I just noticed in your guide under the 1234 menu descriptions you list "Signal" as bringing up a blank page. If you wait long enough it comes up with signal info on the channel you're tuned to, at least for analog. I didn't try it with a digital station.

I don't get it. I just ran through the guide setup for a different zip code near mine, and it didn't clear the guide...that is unless it doesn't clear it until the first time it gets new guide information or something.

rayliner: When you did this was the guide immediately cleared?

Tom


My firmware is v5. I only have OTA. With the 'wizard' it uses, it first asked to search for OTA stations, you respond with next, then it asks you about cable or sat stations, if I recall. I presed next without clearing that selection, and the lookup took FOREVER - the previous button did not work, and there was no obvious way to cancel (short of power down). Once it finally reached 100% and I had control back, I did the whole thing again and deselected all but OTA. It took a while but not nearly as long as before. I didn't go look at the guide until after those 3 steps were completed, which is when I was faced with an empty guide.
I had to re-organize all my stations - I turned off nearly all the analog versions of the local stations and put the remaining stations in the order that we are used to seeing them listed. I did notice that there were DOZENS of ABC stations high up in the list. I'm not sure if that was a holdover from accidentally searching for cable/sat the first time, or if those are part of the OTA listings - at any rate, I turned them off so they don't display.

I don't think I did anything else special to clear the guide.

Did any one notice the guide reset info that is in the TVGOS ads? Where you skip down to the zip code and enter 00000.

For those of you who have had a CableCARD installed is there anything I need to know? I just upgraded to a digital tier and Comcast will be stopping by sometime next week to install a CableCARD so I'm wondering if there is anything I need to do with the Sony to prepare for this. Currently I'm receiving some digital channels via QAM with channel numbers like 111.3 so should I do a total reset and turn on all the channels (with the standard channel numbers assignments) that I will be receiving on this tier before they show up? How exactly does the installation process go? Do they just stick the card in the Sony and turn it on and wait for instructions to appear on screen or is it more complex than that?

Did any one notice the guide reset info that is in the TVGOS ads? Where you skip down to the zip code and enter 00000.

Now thats good to know. Sounds like TV Guide will be sending us instructions via the Guide - Kewl.

For those of you who have had a CableCARD installed is there anything I need to know? I just upgraded to a digital tier and Comcast will be stopping by sometime next week to install a CableCARD so I'm wondering if there is anything I need to do with the Sony to prepare for this. Currently I'm receiving some digital channels via QAM with channel numbers like 111.3 so should I do a total reset and turn on all the channels (with the standard channel numbers assignments) that I will be receiving on this tier before they show up? How exactly does the installation process go? Do they just stick the card in the Sony and turn it on and wait for instructions to appear on screen or is it more complex than that?

I think the BOX will reset itself.

You should do your normal initialization like
when you loose your guide data.

I have 5 Sony DVRs and the only cablecard catch has
been the INSTALLER might need to bring more than
one card. I'm in NH and Comcast has had a big problem
with the Motorola Cablecards. Once they are good they
are OK - but many are DEAD on Arrival. So make sure
you are getting all the DIGITAL Channels you want
before the installer leaves.

Here it took 8 cable cards to get 5 good ones. No Problems
with the 5 good ones.

For those of you who have had a CableCARD installed is there anything I need to know? I just upgraded to a digital tier and Comcast will be stopping by sometime next week to install a CableCARD so I'm wondering if there is anything I need to do with the Sony to prepare for this. Currently I'm receiving some digital channels via QAM with channel numbers like 111.3 so should I do a total reset and turn on all the channels (with the standard channel numbers assignments) that I will be receiving on this tier before they show up? How exactly does the installation process go? Do they just stick the card in the Sony and turn it on and wait for instructions to appear on screen or is it more complex than that?

If you are just using cable, after the cablecard is inserted and authorized by the technician, your tuner should tune to the lowest channel that you are receiving with the QAM channels remapped to whatever Comcast has them on. This should be quick if the technician knows what he is doing and has working cablecards. If I remember correctly, the next morning when you turn on the TVGOS, you will be prompted to choose a new lineup for your tuner, one that more adequately reflects all the channels you are receiving through the cablecard with the new channels remapped according to Comcast's lineup. You will then need to turn on all the channels that you are paying for and will probably need to re-order the list which will take time, as your total list of channels will increase dramatically. I have Cox, not Comcast, but the procedure I believe is the same. Good luck!

Ok currently the Sony Box gets it data via analog.....will it automatically receive the the digital stuff? OR will it have to be sent back to Sony? OR will it be dead in the water?

http://multichannel.com/article/CA6435477.html

If you add a cable card, you could be faced with the "cable card 106 issue", right? I've wondered about this if I decide to upgrade my cable service.

Ok currently the Sony Box gets it data via analog.....will it automatically receive the the digital stuff? OR will it have to be sent back to Sony? OR will it be dead in the water?

That's the big question. It's been discussed at length in this thread, but there's still no definitive answer... I'd like to believe that the references to digital packets in the TVGOS test menu are a positive sign. On the other hand, even if TVGOS downloads new guide firmware that supports digital guide delivery, I'm not sure the Sony side of the DVR will be able to supply TVGOS with the future guide data embedded in MPEG packets. The spec for this may not have existed when the last Sony firmware came out in late 2005, and it's pretty unlikely that Sony will release further updates for these units.

There's got to be someone at Gemstar who supported Sony on the guide integration for this product. That person would know better than anyone else whether the guide in these boxes will keep functioning in 2009.

If you add a cable card, you could be faced with the "cable card 106 issue", right? I've wondered about this if I decide to upgrade my cable service.

The question is "could". It depends on the make of cablecard your cable service provides and if it's finicky with the firmare of your unit. My unit with .05 firmware
has had a Scientific Atlanta cable card for more than 2 years and I never had the 106 error issue.

I tried Cablecard in my 500 but had to give up. Many HD channels would tune in ok but many did not show up in TVGOs so I got a lot of 'Unkown' recordings. I could not remap anything in TVGOS to program listings I was getting because in my town, TimeWaster puts all HD channels above #1500 and you can not remap 4 digit channels in TVGOS.

Some HD channels would not tune at all with CC, and I found out (after months of Cableco ineptness) that most of their new HD channels are what they call 'switched' and will not tune with ANY cablecard.
After a few months I gave up and went back to basic cable.
CC is great in theory, but in my town cableco reality takes over.

There's got to be someone at Gemstar who supported Sony on the guide integration for this product. That person would know better than anyone else whether the guide in these boxes will keep functioning in 2009.

As has been noted previously in this and other threads, not just with our Sony DHGs, but with other legacy video products that use TVGOS (e.g., my Panasonic plasma), granted that the TVGOS may not be as critical to those products' operation.

I tried Cablecard in my 500 but had to give up. Many HD channels would tune in ok but many did not show up in TVGOs so I got a lot of 'Unkown' recordings. I could not remap anything in TVGOS to program listings I was getting because in my town, TimeWaster puts all HD channels above #1500 and you can not remap 4 digit channels in TVGOS.

Some HD channels would not tune at all with CC, and I found out (after months of Cableco ineptness) that most of their new HD channels are what they call 'switched' and will not tune with ANY cablecard.
After a few months I gave up and went back to basic cable.
CC is great in theory, but in my town cableco reality takes over.
Ineptness, and perhaps a not-too subtle way of making you rent their STB. Later this summer when, by FCC mandate, all STBs are supposed to use cablecards for decrytion, your cableco will need to find a way to get cablecards to tune to their HD channels.

Ok currently the Sony Box gets it data via analog.....will it automatically receive the the digital stuff? OR will it have to be sent back to Sony? OR will it be dead in the water?

http://multichannel.com/article/CA6435477.html
You're a little late to the party with that one.

See Pg. 317, Post #9493:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10342917&&#post10342917.

As has been noted previously in this and other threads, not just with our Sony DHGs, but with other legacy video products that use TVGOS (e.g., my Panasonic plasma), granted that the TVGOS may not be as critical to those products' operation.There were some reports that the 9th generation of TVGOS (the Sony's is the 8th) will possibly be upgradable. That's the version that was included in the 600U Panny plasmas and their last SD DVR's (EH55 and EH75).

I've got the EH75, and it can receive guide info from Direct, and limited info from Dish digitally, so it's probable with that version - or at least with those particular devices.

(I believe the last Toshiba SD DVR also had the 9th gen. - but it wasn't designed to work with Direct or Dish the way the Panny's were. So that one is anybody's guess.)

You're a little late to the party with that one.

See Pg. 317, Post #9493:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10342917&&#post10342917.

I was asleep, like way past my bedtime that day?

I've got the EH75, and it can receive guide info from Direct, and limited info from Dish digitally, so it's probable with that version - or at least with those particular devices.

I have the PX500U with 8th generation TVGOS. Having the Guide on my TV is a nice, convenient feature, but (as noted) not critical for real-time viewing pleasure.

Well I guess we might find out the big question soon. Guide data stopped working for OTA in Albany and CBS will be receiving their digital equipment from gemstar at some undefined point the in future. Problems started at the beginning of the week when the clock drifted by about 20 minutes and now no guide data despite a few reboots. The special TVGOS menu shows no channel for guide data.

I'm still attempting to confirm that it's not something with my box, but assuming it's not Gemstar has no problems leaving it's customers in the lurch during the cutover. Frustrating since this unit is useless as a DVR without TVGOS data.

UPDATE: In theory it's being transmitted on another channel. I have added that channel to my lineup and I'll report in a few days if everything is a-ok again. I may reposition my antenna for a better signal on that channel as well.

Well I guess we might find out the big question soon. Guide data stopped working for OTA in Albany and CBS will be receiving their digital equipment from gemstar at some undefined point the in future. Problems started at the beginning of the week when the clock drifted by about 20 minutes and now no guide data despite a few reboots. The special TVGOS menu shows no channel for guide data.

I'm still attempting to confirm that it's not something with my box, but assuming it's not Gemstar has no problems leaving it's customers in the lurch during the cutover. Frustrating since this unit is useless as a DVR without TVGOS data.

UPDATE: In theory it's being transmitted on another channel. I have added that channel to my lineup and I'll report in a few days if everything is a-ok again. I may reposition my antenna for a better signal on that channel as well.

Snowmoon, are you saying your PBS downloads have now stopped? Even before the CBS digital is turned on? That seems very strange?

Yikes. I was hoping they'd at least leave the (OTA) analog stream intact until the cutoff.

Maybe not, because they (TVGOS) don't want to have to pay for and maintain it.

Bad news - especially if our units can't be upgraded (adapted). We may not even get those final two years out of it.

Someone better come out with those "converter boxes" and fast.

(Don't mean to "panic" - but I can't get CBS-DT here in Chicago even if the Sony CAN still get info -at least with my current setup. I can get it out of Rockford, but the lineup will probably be minus the lower-powered channels.)

Repost...

You might be interested in a post made today in the Sony thread - someone in Albany said TVGOS was in the process of switching over to a CBS digital host channel there, and that they had turned off the analog stream and they weren't getting info anymore.

If the Sony can't get the digital info, we may be screwed much earlier than we anticipated :(.Has TVGoS released updated firmware for the Sony to support that datacast from digital broadcasters? I know many cable providers don't pass this "datacast," so an antenna would be required, but if updated firmware is available for the Sony -- and you received it previously from the analog broadcast -- then mounting an antenna should resolve issue. I don't own the Sony so I don't know.

It's possible that something to that effect was sent out with the huge one they did a few months back (which seemed to really screw up a lot of people's devices in various ways).

But I haven't heard anything definite, and as far as I know, no one here has either.

I think the majority of owners here are under the impression that it can't be done with this particular model.

Guess we'll find out soon enough, though :confused:.

Just thought I'd share a manual recording experience I had, and a cautionary warning.

I set up a manual recording to record from 10:00pm to 12:00 midnight. The manual recording setup dialog initializes the start time/date and end time/date with the current time/date. I changed the start time to 10:00PM, and the end time to 12:00AM correctly, but forgot to realize that I also needed to advance the end date by one day. What I ended up with was a recording end time earlier than the recording start time. The Sony DVR did not complain, which is probably a bug. The recording started at the correct time (10:00pm), but did not stop. The next day, I noticed the DVR still recording and stopped it manually.

Snowmoon, are you saying your PBS downloads have now stopped? Even before the CBS digital is turned on? That seems very strange?

Thats how it appears, but the CBS tech said they are also transmitting the analog signal as well.

Snowmoon,

It's not your box. I get my channels from Albany and my guide went away earlier this week also.

Hell, Does anyone know if it is possible to transfer a recorded show from a 250 or 500 to a DVD recorder?

Thanks in advance,

Lyca

OOPS! My greeting was sopposed to be "Hello" not what is above. Sorry about the fat fingers... Lyca

I bought a Sony HDD-250 back in January. When it arrived, took it out of the box, hooked it up to my Comcast Cable outlet and the unit worked fine. I got a clock and I got the TVGOS guide within the 24 hours. All seemed well. About a week later I had a Cable Card installed so I could get my HD channels. All seemed well. Around the time of the DST change, I noticed the clock on my unit was off by an hour and this was impacting the unit's ability to record programming.

After speaking with several tech support groups (Sony, TVGOS, and Comcast) I ended up performing a factory rest on the unit. I am running 1.2.13 firmware.

Now I have no clock and no guide data what so ever. It's been this way for about two months. Everyone has worked on this issue, but no results yet. Here is what has been done to date:

1. TVGOS folks have had me provided info from the various diagnostic screens.

2. Comcast placed a TVGOS test unit in my house and was able to confirm VBI data was present on our local PBS station on an analog channel.

3. My neighbor, who works for Sony, bought one of these units about a month ago and hooked it up without a Cable Card. He however, has never gotten a clock or a guide. This leads me to believe something changed in the Comcast Network since I was getting a clock and data before the DST change. It's odd that he got nothing.

I am in the NJ Northwest Comcast region. Is anyone out there in this region getting a clock or guide?

Thanks for any feedback.

I am in the NJ Northwest Comcast region. Is anyone out there in this region getting a clock or guide?

Thanks for any feedback.

This probably won't help - by I have 5 of these
boxes on Comacst in the Boston Area. All 5 have
cable cards and all 5 work perfectly.

You might want to look at THIS SITE (http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html) For lots of
helpful info.

If you know which analog COMCAST channel is
sending the VBI - Tune to it and do a

987789987 VBI Quick Search Cur Channel

You find plenty of helpful info from the site I
referenced above.

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnotices/2007/DTVFinalRule_031207.htm

DHG-HDD250/500 tinkerers may be especially interested in paragraphs 73 and 75, in which Gemstar at least gets TVGOS in as an option (i.e. it's not disallowed.)

(There is no reason, however, to expect that even if a given box supported digital TVGOS, it would pass along TVGOS data in the VBI of its analog output channel; instead, it might just accumulate the guide internally and display the guide itself, using it only to tune "the box" to a digital channel. Also, since any such capability is optional, a box with TVGOS support, whatever that might be, would probably command a premium price.)

Does anyone know where I can get the previous channel code for the alternate remote? I have two HDD250 and I have the previous channel code for the first unit but not for the second. Remotes available are Home Theater Master MX-500 and MX-700. If you are in the Boston area I could swing by and learn the code...

Thanks

/Peter

OK,

I have a new issue with my DHG-HDD250. I have had the "freezing" problem before, but very infrequently. Now, I have a new one that has just cropped up.

Here's the details.

The source feed is Cable (clearQAM), no OTA antenna connted. Output via component, set at 1080i.

The symptoms are that often times during playback of previously recorded material, the picture and sound will start getting choppy. Sometimes it's bad enough to call it a freeze, but not in the normal DHG-freeze sense. During these "glitchy" moments, the remote control is very sluggish and it seems to take a few seconds for the commands to process.

I've tested several different recordings and they all seem to exhibit this problem. Also, if I rewind back to a part of the recording that has previously been glitchy, the second time around, it might be fine. I don't think it has anything to do with a spot on the hard drive.

When using trick play on live TV, these problems can also occur.

Has anyone else had these problems? Does it sound like a bad hard drive? Maybe a bad "chip" somewhere?

I've also noted the hard drive temperature at 120 deg F. But the problem has also happened 1st thing in the morning when the drive temperature is 102 deg F.

I'm planning on doing a soft re-boot first. I just wanted to watch BSG before I tried anything.

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Does anyone know where I can get the previous channel code for the alternate remote? I have two HDD250 and I have the previous channel code for the first unit but not for the second. Remotes available are Home Theater Master MX-500 and MX-700. If you are in the Boston area I could swing by and learn the code...

Thanks

/Peter

I've never been able to find it either, does it even exist? I haven't heard of anybody getting it to work, on the second device, I'm running the Harmony 880.

Does anyone know where I can get the previous channel code for the alternate remote? I have two HDD250 and I have the previous channel code for the first unit but not for the second. Remotes available are Home Theater Master MX-500 and MX-700. If you are in the Boston area I could swing by and learn the code...

Thanks

/Peter

I am in RI and have it, PM me with your email address and I will send my MXD file for the HDD250

The symptoms are that often times during playback of previously recorded material, the picture and sound will start getting choppy. Sometimes it's bad enough to call it a freeze, but not in the normal DHG-freeze sense. During these "glitchy" moments, the remote control is very sluggish and it seems to take a few seconds for the commands to process. [snip] Has anyone else had these problems? Does it sound like a bad hard drive?I had symptoms like that on two different HDD500s, and ultimately it was due to bad hard drives. Fortunately, they were still under warranty (barely), and Sony was very cooperative in swapping for replacement units.

I've reset the unit. I've re-autoscanned for the chanels. I've reset the TVGuide system. Still, my HDD250 will not respond to anything while it is recording. It appears to work fine while it's not recording. It might as well be a VCR.

I've gone through several hundred posts (but I haven't read all 5000 in this thread). Have I missed some other possible remedy? Is there anything else that can be done.?

It's about 8 months old but I discarded the receipt months ago. If it has to go back to Sony and it's out of warranty, how much will it cost?

I've reset the unit. I've re-autoscanned for the chanels. I've reset the TVGuide system. Still, my HDD250 will not respond to anything while it is recording. It appears to work fine while it's not recording. It might as well be a VCR.

I've gone through several hundred posts (but I haven't read all 5000 in this thread). Have I missed some other possible remedy? Is there anything else that can be done.?

It's about 8 months old but I discarded the receipt months ago. If it has to go back to Sony and it's out of warranty, how much will it cost?

It sounds like you did HoustonPerson's 1-2-3 reset(soft reset) with no luck. Did you try the Factory Reset/Restore under the 9012 menu. That's what ultimately unfroze my two units, and they haven't frozen since. Of course you will lose any recordings you have and will have to reorder all your channels again in the TVGOS, but it's worth a try to fix the problem.

I had symptoms like that on two different HDD500s, and ultimately it was due to bad hard drives. Fortunately, they were still under warranty (barely), and Sony was very cooperative in swapping for replacement units.
Not exactly what I wanted to hear. Especially since the unit has been working so well, otherwise.

I guess I'll have to start a repair ticket with Sony, or at least document the issue.

Thanks.

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnotices/2007/DTVFinalRule_031207.htm

DHG-HDD250/500 tinkerers may be especially interested in paragraphs 73 and 75, in which Gemstar at least gets TVGOS in as an option (i.e. it's not disallowed.)

(There is no reason, however, to expect that even if a given box supported digital TVGOS, it would pass along TVGOS data in the VBI of its analog output channel; instead, it might just accumulate the guide internally and display the guide itself, using it only to tune "the box" to a digital channel. Also, since any such capability is optional, a box with TVGOS support, whatever that might be, would probably command a premium price.)

The premium price, if any, and thats assuming they make two or more types of converter boxes, would be worth it, if it kept the sony up and running.

HDAdcition

and even if they puke in "09... it was a good run. And money I didn't have to pay to Comcast.... :D

Perhaps we will see new units from Sony. Australia has 2 current models:

www.sony.com.au/homecinema/catalog/product.jsp?categoryId=30714

36 Hour DVR - SVR-HD900

23 Hour DVR - SVR-HD700

Both have 2 digital tuners

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnotices/2007/DTVFinalRule_031207.htm

DHG-HDD250/500 tinkerers may be especially interested in paragraphs 73 and 75, in which Gemstar at least gets TVGOS in as an option (i.e. it's not disallowed.)

(There is no reason, however, to expect that even if a given box supported digital TVGOS, it would pass along TVGOS data in the VBI of its analog output channel; instead, it might just accumulate the guide internally and display the guide itself, using it only to tune "the box" to a digital channel. )

Thank you for posting that link. Paragraph 73 mentions an SCTE standard which lead me to a document containing the Gemstar-TVGI comments to the NTIA (http://www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/comments/dtvcoupon_comment0082.pdf). I believe this document has been posted in this thread before but I am linking to it here for others to find easily. On page six of the Gemstar comments it states:

"Once the transition to digital broadcasting has been completed, Gemstar-TV Guide intends to send TV Guide On Screen EPG data using DVS-706 in over-the-air digital signals ("Digital VBI Data"), which can be converted to analog VBI data by digital-to-analog converter boxes for use by existing analog television receivers with a TV Guide On Screen EPG."

I would say this creates a reasonable expectation that D/A converter boxes will be able to create a VBI string for existing analog TVGOS devices.

-phil

Perhaps we will see new units from Sony. Australia has 2 current models:

Both have 2 digital tuners

Those two units have MSRPs of $737 and $819 (US dollars). Not bad considering the MSRPs of the DHG-HDD250 and DHG-HDD500 with only one tuner. They don't seem to be using TVGOS however.

I wouldn't hold my breath for similar units in the US from Sony. I think the MPAA/RIAA lawyers have the major CE manufacturers too scared to offer recorders that can't be easily controlled (and monitored) from content provider's headquarters.

-phil

I'm trying to cover the worse case scenario with my DHG-250. It seems as though it might have a bad hard drive and I've never heard of any hard drive getting better on its own. So I want to take the necessary steps to prepare myself for the possibility of being without the DHG-250 for a little while.

There are a few recordings that I want to keep, but I don't really have a lot of equipment to get at it. Certainly a VCR would work, but I want to retain as much video quality as possible.

My wife and baby girl like to watch one of the dances from Dancing with the Stars from a few weeks ago (in fact, I jokingly think that they wore out the hard drive by watching that dance over and over and over ...). My plan is to connect the composite output of the DHG to my Canon Elura 100 camcorder and record (or pass-through) the footage. I would then import the footage onto our Macbook and, using iDVD, make a DVD of the dance. I could throw in a bunch of Backyardigans and WonderPets onto the DVD as well.

My question is this: does anyone know if a camcorder can record the anamorphic output from the DHG? The Canon Elura 100 has a widescreen mode (as does iMovie) that when played on a 4:3 TV, the material is squished, like an anamorphic DVD.

Also, can the DHG output anamorphic 4:3 via the composite connections, or is it limited just to s-video?

Has anyone tried this before? I don't have a DVD-Recorder.

Frank

I was able to reset the guide on a Panasonic DMR-E85? unit this past weekend using the 00000 zip reset feature advertised in the TVGOS. I had not had any listings since the initial time change and when the regular time change came about, the time was then off by one hour. That finally corrected itself, but not the listings. Also, I have an older DMR which had the same time problem and I finally went in and sent the auto clock feature. Said to tune to the local PBS station first, and them run it. Worked out just fine, within a couple of minutes.
I have not had any freeze issuses ( must be that the house is not cold enough) with my 2 Sonys. And have not lost any scheduled programs for a while now. Everything seems to be working just fine.
Michael

and even if they puke in "09... it was a good run. And money I didn't have to pay to Comcast.... :DIt might be a lot sooner, if you read some of the posts on the last page.

It might be a lot sooner, if you read some of the posts on the last page.

Turns out that all the problems were because PBS turned off their "injector" for OTA and forgot to turn it back on. Still waiting for the digital tvgos equipment locally.

My question is this: does anyone know if a camcorder can record the anamorphic output from the DHG? The Canon Elura 100 has a widescreen mode (as does iMovie) that when played on a 4:3 TV, the material is squished, like an anamorphic DVD.

Also, can the DHG output anamorphic 4:3 via the composite connections, or is it limited just to s-video?

Has anyone tried this before? I don't have a DVD-Recorder.

Frank

I have the S-Video output from the Sony connected to the S-Video input of my DVD recorder. I set the Sony for anamorphic 4:3 widescreen output when converting from HD to SD, set the output format to SD Out, and record it to the DVD. The DVD thus becomes an anamorphic widescreen DVD minus the special flag that tells the DVD player it is such. If your DVD player is set to output the anamorphic 4:3 to your set (i.e. not letterboxed), the missing flag doesn't matter at all (well, with the exception that you can't ever watch the DVD on a non-widescreen TV). All you have to do is set your TV to spread the 4:3 out horizontally to the full screen width, just like you need to do for any widescreen DVD.

I don't see why the camcorder would care any more than a DVD recorder.

With the Sony in SD output format, I've generally found that S-Video and composite track each other identically.

I'd say the answer to both your questions is yes. However, neither the composite nor S-Video outputs are what I would call wonderful - they beat videotape, but on my unit, skin tones exhibit a slight greenish tinged border on both SD outputs.

"Once the transition to digital broadcasting has been completed, Gemstar-TV Guide intends to send TV Guide On Screen EPG data using DVS-706 in over-the-air digital signals ("Digital VBI Data"), which can be converted to analog VBI data by digital-to-analog converter boxes for use by existing analog television receivers with a TV Guide On Screen EPG."


That still implies that someone needs to design, build, and market such boxes; however, it's nice that Gemstar is giving potential designers a clue. There's still the little problem of passing through all but one channel, substituting the box analog output for that channel, and telling the TVGOS to obtain its guide from that channel.

Given that Channel-3 and Channel-4 combiners are already available (e.g.: http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=SPSC4), this could be handled either internally (by them) or externally (by us). Box manufacturers will obviously be trying to cut costs to the bone and still meet the spec, so only time will tell.

vfrjim misunderstood the request so no luck. Anybody else with the alternate prev chan code?

Jim, thanks for the effort.

/Peter

I am in RI and have it, PM me with your email address and I will send my MXD file for the HDD250

does this switch work well?

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=6C04E115&nplm=TM083LL/A

It sounds like you did HoustonPerson's 1-2-3 reset(soft reset) with no luck. Did you try the Factory Reset/Restore under the 9012 menu. That's what ultimately unfroze my two units, and they haven't frozen since. Of course you will lose any recordings you have and will have to reorder all your channels again in the TVGOS, but it's worth a try to fix the problem.

YellowSpoon: I have to agree with hednic on this one. I went through endless hell with this until recently when I finally bit the bullet, caught up on wathing recordings, and did the factory reset from the 9012 menu. So far that seems to have fixed the locking. I think a growing number here have had to go that route.

Tom

My question is this: does anyone know if a camcorder can record the anamorphic output from the DHG? The Canon Elura 100 has a widescreen mode (as does iMovie) that when played on a 4:3 TV, the material is squished, like an anamorphic DVD.
I think any camcorder can record the "anamorphic" video, since it is just a video signal, like any other video signal. The real question is whether or not the camcorder is capable of adding letterbox bars to it during playback, for those times when you watch it on a 4:3-only TV set.
Also, can the DHG output anamorphic 4:3 via the composite connections, or is it limited just to s-video?
Both the composite and the S-video outputs can produce "anamorphic" video. Just set the video format to "SD Out," set the screen mode to "Squeeze," and then play a 16:9 recording. Or, if you don't want to see the menus and on-screen displays on those outputs, set the video format to something other than "SD Out."

I think any camcorder can record the "anamorphic" video, since it is just a video signal, like any other video signal. The real question is whether or not the camcorder is capable of adding letterbox bars to it during playback, for those times when you watch it on a 4:3-only TV set.I'm thinking that iMovie/iDVD will take care of the 16:9 flagging for me when I burn the disc. At least, that's what I'm hoping.

Both the composite and the S-video outputs can produce "anamorphic" video. Just set the video format to "SD Out," set the screen mode to "Squeeze," and then play a 16:9 recording. Or, if you don't want to see the menus and on-screen displays on those outputs, set the video format to something other than "SD Out."This is good news. I'll have to buy a couple of RCA female adapters to connect the DHG to the Canon, but it's only a few bucks.

Thanks.

ft

I'm thinking that iMovie/iDVD will take care of the 16:9 flagging for me when I burn the disc. At least, that's what I'm hoping.
I have not used iMovie/iDVD, but I have used a program called DVDPatcher to set the 16:9 flag in .MPG or .VOB files. After setting it, I import the file into a DVD authoring program, which automatically recognizes the flag and sets it in the .IFO files as well.

I have not used iMovie/iDVD, but I have used a program called DVDPatcher to set the 16:9 flag in .MPG or .VOB files. After setting it, I import the file into a DVD authoring program, which automatically recognizes the flag and sets it in the .IFO files as well.

Erik,

Thanks for the information. I tested it out last night and it worked great. I was able to output the Sony to the Canon camcorder and retain the widescreen aspect. Actually, it was even simpler than I imagined it would be.

I did set the Sony's Format to "SD Out", but it ended up being unecessary. I notice that when I changed the Format back to 1080i, the composite output was still in the "Squeeze" setting. The only thing was that the menus would show on the HDTV and not the laptop.

I didn't try burning to a DVD yet, but I'm 100% certain that iDVD inserts the proper 16x9 flags for regular TVs. I've previously created DVDs with footage shot from my Canon in widescreen. The DVD played fine on my DVD player and I didn't hear complaints from my sister or sister-in-law, both of whom have 4:3 TVs.

ft

iDVD does handle widescreen on 4:3 TVs properly. as long as you initially say your project is 16:9 it will make it anamorphic widescreen and let the user's dvd player deal with it.

On another note, I have a HDD250 and Comcast is coming to install cable service on it (this will be my initial install) and I am anticipating cablecard problems, simply because I see it so often. Is there a guide, somewhat like the tivo guide that I can go over with him if he has trouble? Like what steps he should do when installing the cablecard and what-not.

This thread is huge so if there is one in here I may have missed it.

On another note, I have a HDD250 and Comcast is coming to install cable service on it (this will be my initial install) and I am anticipating cablecard problems, simply because I see it so often. Is there a guide, somewhat like the tivo guide that I can go over with him if he has trouble? Like what steps he should do when installing the cablecard and what-not.

I'd like to know this as well! :confused:

Is there a guide, somewhat like the tivo guide that I can go over with him if he has trouble?Not sure if this is what you want, but there's www.zap2it.com, and www.titantv.com. They will give you the info for programs for a specific service after you enter it. (I just looked, and it appears they do include ALL of a service's available channels - and you can "customize" the guides if you want. After punching in my Dish lineup and skimming through both services, it appears that zap2it is more precise, and includes the exact, complete lineup available.)

Microsoft has a "TiVo-like" guide online, but I'm not sure where to find it.

(edit: all I've found so far is that you need a software module called "Freestyle" for your PC in order to use it.)

Comcast was supposed to install a CableCARD today but the installer didn't bring one even though I specifically mentioned it with my order. It was also listed twice on the work order itself. They rescheduled me for Saturday 5/12 which really ticked me off. They're the ones who screwed up. They should have come back with one this afternoon. Then Comcast online support told me I could pick up a CableCARD from the local payment center and just call back with the info to have it activated. I drove 40 minutes and when I got there they told me they don't do that. Then I found out the Saturday 5/12 date was cancelled and rescheduled for Tuesday 5/15. When I called again to see if I could get this changed back to 5/12 I was given the old "CableCARDs are for TVs only, we cannot install one in a DVR" line and almost lost it. So I guess in additon to the CableCARD instructions I'll have to print out the FCC documents that state they are required by law to install it. Anyone have a link?

Comcast was supposed to install a CableCARD today but the installer didn't bring one even though I specifically mentioned it with my order. It was also listed twice on the work order itself. They rescheduled me for Saturday 5/12 which really ticked me off. They're the ones who screwed up. They should have come back with one this afternoon. Then Comcast online support told me I could pick up a CableCARD from the local payment center and just call back with the info to have it activated. I drove 40 minutes and when I got there they told me they don't do that. Then I found out the Saturday 5/12 date was cancelled and rescheduled for Tuesday 5/15. When I called again to see if I could get this changed back to 5/12 I was given the old "CableCARDs are for TVs only, we cannot install one in a DVR" line and almost lost it. So I guess in additon to the CableCARD instructions I'll have to print out the FCC documents that state they are required by law to install it. Anyone have a link?

You one Uped me on Comcast Screw ups.
Welcome to the club.

Comcast was supposed to install a CableCARD today but the installer didn't bring one even though I specifically mentioned it with my order. It was also listed twice on the work order itself. They rescheduled me for Saturday 5/12 which really ticked me off. They're the ones who screwed up. They should have come back with one this afternoon. Then Comcast online support told me I could pick up a CableCARD from the local payment center and just call back with the info to have it activated. I drove 40 minutes and when I got there they told me they don't do that. Then I found out the Saturday 5/12 date was cancelled and rescheduled for Tuesday 5/15. When I called again to see if I could get this changed back to 5/12 I was given the old "CableCARDs are for TVs only, we cannot install one in a DVR" line and almost lost it. So I guess in additon to the CableCARD instructions I'll have to print out the FCC documents that state they are required by law to install it. Anyone have a link?

I probably would have canceled my account right then and there.

I probably would have canceled my account right then and there.

And Swicth to WHO?

And Swicth to WHO?

Dish / Direct....that is the problem with cable companies, they are monopolies (well not technically, but in all practicality). TWC ticked me off so bad, I canceled my and now use OTA only. I miss the occasional football game (don't have NFL network anyway), but I can bum off family members who pay $80+ a month to watch about 3 more channels :)

And Swicth to WHO?

That's the problem. There is no direct competition. AT&T wants to compete but is being shut out. There is a commercial I see on TV every day slamming AT&T claiming they don't want to play by the rules and they wouldn't bring true competition. It's clearly being funded by Comcast. It's really obvious. Not saying AT&T is great but you need competition to keep them in line.

I posted further up this thread that I was having some problems. All channels play correctly in live mode, but some digital channels don't record properly (only the sound records, as there is no video). I did a full system reset, and this problem didn't go away. However, I have since noticed that this problem only happens when I have my Cablecard inserted. When I pop out the Cablecard, all channels record properly (including digital QAM channels).

Has anyone had a similar problem? Does my experience imply that there is probably something wrong with the Cablecard section of the box (although I have not seen any 161-X errors) or the Cablecard itself? Thanks.

Dish / Direct....that is the problem with cable companies, they are monopolies (well not technically, but in all practicality). TWC ticked me off so bad, I canceled my and now use OTA only. I miss the occasional football game (don't have NFL network anyway), but I can bum off family members who pay $80+ a month to watch about 3 more channels :)

I had DirectTV for years and switched to
Comcast. As BAD as they are - they are
BETTER than DirecTV.

I can't get a CableCard for my (5) Sony DVRs.

I had DirectTV for years and switched to
Comcast. As BAD as they are - they are
BETTER than DirecTV.


That is a truely terrifying thought!

Does anyone have a link to the FCC rule that states they must not discriminate between a TV and DVR when installing CableCARDs? After today I want to be prepared for the worst. Supposedly there is a "Comcast University" manual on installing CableCARDs into TVs and DVRs including the Sony and TiVo but I haven't been able to find one. That would be even better.

Does anyone have a link to the FCC rule
Cablecard, a primer (http://arstechnica.com/guides/other/cablecard.ars)

has a link to an FCC document that is, albiet, unreadable :)

Not sure if this is what you want, but there's www.zap2it.com, and www.titantv.com. They will give you the info for programs for a specific service after you enter it. (I just looked, and it appears they do include ALL of a service's available channels - and you can "customize" the guides if you want. After punching in my Dish lineup and skimming through both services, it appears that zap2it is more precise, and includes the exact, complete lineup available.)

Microsoft has a "TiVo-like" guide online, but I'm not sure where to find it.

(edit: all I've found so far is that you need a software module called "Freestyle" for your PC in order to use it.)


i actually meant more like "instructions" on how to get it going. there was a guide for S3 tivos on here that was basically a step by step way to get the cablecards installed.

I posted further up this thread that I was having some problems. All channels play correctly in live mode, but some digital channels don't record properly (only the sound records, as there is no video). I did a full system reset, and this problem didn't go away. However, I have since noticed that this problem only happens when I have my Cablecard inserted. When I pop out the Cablecard, all channels record properly (including digital QAM channels).

Has anyone had a similar problem? Does my experience imply that there is probably something wrong with the Cablecard section of the box (although I have not seen any 161-X errors) or the Cablecard itself? Thanks.

I have a similar problem. My twist: Only channels that have an over the air presence in my market (Washington, DC) can be recorded. All the network HD stations (running from 200 to 212, if memory is correct), all the local PBS stations, including the three or four flavors of WETA. No other stations can be reliably recorded, only "paused" during viewing.

I've been through this problem with Comcast, which says that if I can view a station, the Cablecard is doing its job. The fact that I can't record, the Comcast tech says, makes him think there is something wrong with the Sony.

If I pop the Cablecard, the Sony faithfully records all the stations available, which is to say all the standard channels--2 through 70 plus the local HD broadcasts.

I too have recently performed the factory reset.

I'd love to hear from other forum members who have experienced this problem and discussed it with Sony.

--Jack

To jackshafer and somedude22
I to have been experiencing this problem on my 250. It is kind of like a hit or miss. Some nights it will record everything fine and then on some nights I get the sound but no video. I thought it may have been my unit but I see it is not. I have cox for a cable provider and I do use a cable card. This problem has just started in the last month. Maybe some one has a answer out there. I have had my system for about a year and a half now. And this is really the first problem I have had with it. I have done some resets in the past but that was due to tvgos.
rlh149

I posted further up this thread that I was having some problems. All channels play correctly in live mode, but some digital channels don't record properly (only the sound records, as there is no video). I did a full system reset, and this problem didn't go away. However, I have since noticed that this problem only happens when I have my Cablecard inserted. When I pop out the Cablecard, all channels record properly (including digital QAM channels).

Has anyone had a similar problem? Does my experience imply that there is probably something wrong with the Cablecard section of the box (although I have not seen any 161-X errors) or the Cablecard itself? Thanks.

If you have a motorola cablecard do a thread search for firmware 4.21 (for the cablecard). That is the source of your problem if you have older firmware.

Subj: Analog channels not displaying on my SONY DHG-HDD250.

I hope someone can help me with my problem. I just moved and switched cable companies from COX in Hampton Roads, Virginia to CABLEONE in Pascagoula, Mississippi. My DVR worked great getting all the analog channels, OTA HD and even cablecard digital channels. Since I moved to Mississippi, the only channels I get are the unencrypted HD and digital channels over cable. The analog channels are found in the tuning process but will not display. When I tried setting up cablecard service today, none of the digital access channels will display in addition to the analog channels.

I did a factory reset using 9012 menu but this did not resolve the issue of viewing the analog channels.

Does anyone have any recommendation or is this simply a system incompatibility with the cable company?

Could my unit possibly have been damaged in the moving process? Which I think is unlikely since I packed it in the original shipping box along with additional packing material.

My firmware is .06, would upgrading to .13 resolve these problems?

Any help would be great.

Thanks in advance.

If you have a motorola cablecard do a thread search for firmware 4.21 (for the cablecard). That is the source of your problem if you have older firmware.

I checked my Cablecard, and it looks like I already have firmware 4.21. I forgot to mention that I've had the box since November, and I only started getting this "can't record video" problem with a Cablecard less than a month ago. I've had the cable company reset my Cablecard from their office, but it didn't solve this problem.

The fact that I can watch all the channels live means that something is working properly. Is it plausible to suspect that the cable company messed something up with my account?

I did a factory reset using 9012 menu but this did not resolve the issue of viewing the analog channels.

Does anyone have any recommendation or is this simply a system incompatibility with the cable company?



Don't drive yourself crazy with resets. It's not an incompatibility. Don't take any BS from your cableco. They have not set up your account properly. If you can get to the right people (THAT could be a problem), it can be fixed quickly.

To jackshafer and somedude22
I to have been experiencing this problem on my 250. It is kind of like a hit or miss. Some nights it will record everything fine and then on some nights I get the sound but no video. I thought it may have been my unit but I see it is not. I have cox for a cable provider and I do use a cable card. This problem has just started in the last month. Maybe some one has a answer out there. I have had my system for about a year and a half now. And this is really the first problem I have had with it. I have done some resets in the past but that was due to tvgos.
rlh149

rlh149

My cablecard is from Scientific Atlanta.

When you take your cablecard out, does it record the available channels properly? That's my experience.

--Jack

jackshafer
I have a motorola cable card and this is not the latest version of it. Cox cable in our area claims this is the only version they have and don't know when the will get the new one. To be honest when it comes to cablecards they are not much help or willing to help.This problem has just started showing it ugly head in the last few weeks. The problem is only on the hd channels I try and record. And to answer your question I have not taken out the cable card to try it.
rlh149

$550 for the 250 and $699 for the 500 at my local Frys. Has there been any progress on the possibility to swap in a larger drive on the 250?

I'm trying to cover the worse case scenario with my DHG-250. It seems as though it might have a bad hard drive and I've never heard of any hard drive getting better on its own. So I want to take the necessary steps to prepare myself for the possibility of being without the DHG-250 for a little while.

Just to update folks who may have been following this (or if anyone has issues in the future). I had a chat session with Julie from Sony and after getting some initial confusion out of the way, she helped fix the problem.

Anyways she had suggested doing the "unplug" reboot to see if that did anything. Well, after the reboot, it's been working just fine. I tried for about 5 minutes to get the playback to stutter, but I couldn't.

So it seems as though the unplug reboot worked. I had previously done a front panel reset and that did nothing.

I'm hopeful that this has resolved the issue. Julie did say that if it happens again, I should send it in because there's not much more they can do.

ft

rlh149, jackshafer, somedude22:

I just had a CableCARD installed and it will not record the Encore movie channels. I just get a black screen with sound. Looking at the CableCARD/Conditional Access menu it shows these channels as Copy Protection Key: Enabled

I believe this may be the problem. If it's a problem with how the CableCARD interacts with the Sony why is it just showing up now? It's more likely the Cable companies are setting copy protection too high on certain channels. This would affect the TiVo S3 as well though and I have not seen this mentioned.

twinbrook46636
I will give it a try and record some oncore channels, 99% of what I record is in the HD lineup. Mostly weekly shows since I work nights. And a lot of movies from HBO and Showtime. If the cable company is setting the copy protection I would think a phone call would be all it would take to have it removed. Not sure who is up in that part of Il. but in Ok we have cox. And if comes to a problem with cablecard they really don't care as long as you get reception.
rlh149

I think I remember about the middle of this thread another member from BA having problems with Cox and the cablecard. Which is discouraging as I will probably switch to cox internet when I move, as I can not stand windstream and will miss sbc, and had thought about getting a cablecard for my 250 which I use strictly OTA right now. Don't really need the cablecard as I use my dish622 for the national hd stuff.

rlh149, jackshafer, somedude22:

I just had a CableCARD installed and it will not record the Encore movie channels. I just get a black screen with sound. Looking at the CableCARD/Conditional Access menu it shows these channels as Copy Protection Key: Enabled

I believe this may be the problem. If it's a problem with how the CableCARD interacts with the Sony why is it just showing up now? It's more likely the Cable companies are setting copy protection too high on certain channels. This would affect the TiVo S3 as well though and I have not seen this mentioned.

Twinbrook46636

How do you navigate to the Cablecard/Conditional Access Menu? I can't find that any where.

Jack

To jackshafer and somedude22
I to have been experiencing this problem on my 250. It is kind of like a hit or miss. Some nights it will record everything fine and then on some nights I get the sound but no video. I thought it may have been my unit but I see it is not. I have cox for a cable provider and I do use a cable card. This problem has just started in the last month. Maybe some one has a answer out there. I have had my system for about a year and a half now. And this is really the first problem I have had with it. I have done some resets in the past but that was due to tvgos.
rlh149

I'm in BA also with 2 Sony's with cablecard. Cox intentionally keeps their people in the dark on cablecard. I had to force them to bring 3 or 4 cards for each box install to get them working correctly. I also have to have them reset occassionally when Cox messes with the lineup. Overall though, they work great.

As to your problem, I have not had any trouble but I will experiment with setting recordings on various channels. I typically record OTA HD and a few other cable channels. I don't record HD movies for time shifting regularly.

I'll report back...

Twinbrook46636

How do you navigate to the Cablecard/Conditional Access Menu? I can't find that any where.

Jack

I thought that that was done from the cable company side? Letting the restrictions come thru? I don't think we can do anything from our side. If I am not mistaken when I first had my cable card installed I had a problem and the tech had to call the office and they did something there and rebooted the system? and then it was cleared up.
rlh149

OKCrew
You are 100% about cox keeping there people in the dark about cable cards. I have had cox out on several occasions for one thing or another and when you talk to the tech about cable cards they are clueless. I guess the 2.00 a month for a card doesn't make up for the money they would get on a high def box.
rlh149

Twinbrook46636

How do you navigate to the Cablecard/Conditional Access Menu? I can't find that any where.

Jack

I believe it was:

Preferences -> System -> CableCARD -> Conditional Access

What's really scary is that after July 1st all new customers who rent Cable Boxes or PVRs from their cable company will receive one featuring a CableCARD for conditional access. The cable companies are not allowed to install the boxes they do now after that date. What's going to be their excuse for poor CableCARD support then?

OKCrew
You are 100% about cox keeping there people in the dark about cable cards. I have had cox out on several occasions for one thing or another and when you talk to the tech about cable cards they are clueless. I guess the 2.00 a month for a card doesn't make up for the money they would get on a high def box.
rlh149More to the point, it doesn't make up for what they can POTENTIALLY get with a high def box (like PPV, OD) :rolleyes:.

Comcast is pretty much the same. NOWHERE on their website - no matter HOW deep you dig - do they even mention the word "CableCARD".

I should add that it is a Motorola card. When installed it had the old 4.05 firmware on it but this updated automatically to 4.21 within about 20 minutes after being installed and left on. From what I can tell Comcast is blocking recording of all "movie" channels.

I was thinking about renting one of their PVRs but I've had experience with them. Complete garbage. Maybe when the TiVo software is available but will that cure all the glitches? Doubtful.

I believe it was:

Preferences -> System -> CableCARD -> Conditional Access

Ah, yours is for a Motorola card. Mine is an SA card, the last menu line is different.

I was thinking about renting one of their PVRs but I've had experience with them. Complete garbage. Maybe when the TiVo software is available but will that cure all the glitches? Doubtful.

I rent a Motorola, from TW (previously Comcast), and glad to have it in addition to my two Sonys. It is missing many features that the Sony has but it has features not available on the Sony: dual tuner and I can set it to record only new programs. Also, allows me to record HBO and Showtime stuff without having to deal with cable cards.

Ray

Ah, yours is for a Motorola card. Mine is an SA card, the last menu line is different.

What shows up for you when you go into the Sony's menu?

Preferences -> System -> CableCARD -> ???

Maybe it is the card then? Ugh. I had enough trouble just getting them to install one!

I rent a Motorola, from TW (previously Comcast), and glad to have it in addition to my two Sonys. It is missing many features that the Sony has but it has features not available on the Sony: dual tuner and I can set it to record only new programs. Also, allows me to record HBO and Showtime stuff without having to deal with cable cards.

Ray

The one's I've used were all very slow and buggy. These were Motorola DCT-6412 and DCT-6416 models. All were Phase II as I recall. Pressing buttons to change the channel would often not work. Nothing would happen and then a minute later it would catch up with all those key presses and go spastic. Ordering something On Demand was a real chore as it would fail half the time with various "META ERROR" messages. When watching something in HD I couldn't get ANY menus to come up. I had to change to an SD channel first before I could do anything. It was a nightmare. I would be great if it worked.

What's really scary is that after July 1st all new customers who rent Cable Boxes or PVRs from their cable company will receive one featuring a CableCARD for conditional access. The cable companies are not allowed to install the boxes they do now after that date.
Not exactly. Boxes without CableCARD can still be re-deployed after July 1st as long as they were deployed for the first time before July 1st. So it's possible that some new customers will receive boxes without CableCARD after July 1st.

What's really scary is that after July 1st all new customers who rent Cable Boxes or PVRs from their cable company will receive one featuring a CableCARD for conditional access. The cable companies are not allowed to install the boxes they do now after that date. What's going to be their excuse for poor CableCARD support then?

That is not a completely true statement. After 7/1/07 MSO will not be able to deploy NEW boxes with embedded security. If a non-host box has already been deployed then it can be redeployed until it is no longer functional. What I expect is happening is that MSO are deploying all new boxes right now and then warehousing them for future redeployments.

I should add that it is a Motorola card. When installed it had the old 4.05 firmware on it but this updated automatically to 4.21 within about 20 minutes after being installed and left on. From what I can tell Comcast is blocking recording of all "movie" channels.

FYI - The firmware after 4.05 (forget the version) is not field upgradable, 4.05 is upgradable to 4.21

That is not a completely true statement. After 7/1/07 MSO will not be able to deploy NEW boxes with embedded security. If a non-host box has already been deployed then it can be redeployed until it is no longer functional. What I expect is happening is that MSO are deploying all new boxes right now and then warehousing them for future redeployments.

I thought the old boxes could only be redeployed to previous customers who had such a box in the past while new customers would get the CableCARD versions. If that's not true why are the cable companies freaking out about not having enough of the new CableCARD versions to go around?

I thought that that was done from the cable company side? Letting the restrictions come thru? I don't think we can do anything from our side. If I am not mistaken when I first had my cable card installed I had a problem and the tech had to call the office and they did something there and rebooted the system? and then it was cleared up.
rlh149

I was able to record Encore today (knock on wood) and checked the CableCARD screen again. It still says Copy Protection Key: Enabled but elsewhere it says Host Validation Status: Valid 04 where it previous read Valid 03.

On the flipside I lost my Comcast high-speed internet. It seems as though they think I just signed up for internet access or something and my cable modem needs to be registered. The installation software doesn't work of course.

The one's I've used were all very slow and buggy. These were Motorola DCT-6412 and DCT-6416 models. All were Phase II as I recall. Pressing buttons to change the channel would often not work. Nothing would happen and then a minute later it would catch up with all those key presses and go spastic. Ordering something On Demand was a real chore as it would fail half the time with various "META ERROR" messages. When watching something in HD I couldn't get ANY menus to come up. I had to change to an SD channel first before I could do anything. It was a nightmare. I would be great if it worked.

I have the dual tuner DCT6412 III, which has been almost trouble free over the two years I've rented it - got it the same time as my 250, June05. Once every three or four months it freezes, which is cleared by unplugging power for a few minutes. Also, a few times it refused to record a program.

Ray

I have a question. Yesterday my cable feed was accidentally cut in the yard and I went without cable last night. This morning I checked my program guide and it had filled in overnight. I use cablecard with comcast and my host channel is analog cable channel 94. How did the tvgos update with no signal? Does it automatically search for an OTA signal for guide info if the host channel is unavailable? Thanks. Just curious.

I have a question. Yesterday my cable feed was accidentally cut in the yard and I went without cable last night. This morning I checked my program guide and it had filled in overnight. I use cablecard with comcast and my host channel is analog cable channel 94. How did the tvgos update with no signal? Does it automatically search for an OTA signal for guide info if the host channel is unavailable? Thanks. Just curious.If you have an antenna hooked up, it's possible.

But if you've had the cable hooked up and the guide set up for over a week, you're probably just seeing what's already been filled in. Remember - the guide fills in with 8 days ahead worth of info.

Does anybody here have their HDD250 or HDD500 hooked up to a Proceed AVP2 pre/pro? My recently acquired AVP2 will not lock on the Toslink stream from either of my 500s.

They worked fine with my old Marantz AV9000. I have no problem with the LG3410a and the AVP2. Changed cables, tried a Toslink-->coax converter. Nothing.
Thanks.

I have a similar problem. My twist: Only channels that have an over the air presence in my market (Washington, DC) can be recorded. All the network HD stations (running from 200 to 212, if memory is correct), all the local PBS stations, including the three or four flavors of WETA. No other stations can be reliably recorded, only "paused" during viewing.

I've been through this problem with Comcast, which says that if I can view a station, the Cablecard is doing its job. The fact that I can't record, the Comcast tech says, makes him think there is something wrong with the Sony.

--Jack

Comcast solved the problem this by "restaging" the Cablecard, which essentially means wiping it, reinstalling the software, and assigning a new key. My advice to those with Cablecard problems is to escalate the problem to the point that you're talking to a Cablecard troubleshooter at your cable company. Thanks to Dan, who posts here, for helping me find the Comcast Cablecard troubleshooter.

--Jack

Hi folks,

I had a strange thing happen apparently a week ago. I noticed that some HD recordings I was expecting to be there were missing. The last one I have is from 5/8 and all HD recordings starting maybe 5/12 or so were missing. Analog recordings were unaffected.

I haven't been watching this DVR much in the last week and a half, but I know that my other DVR (supplied by the cableco) has been recording fine in this period.

I tuned to some of the channels and got "no signal" Found that it wasn't getting any HD channels at all (premium like HBO or just NBC-HD type channels). Diagnostics didn't show anything interesting other than no signal strength on the HD channels. CAble card seemed awake and alive per diagnostics.

When all else fails, reboot. Which I did (unplugged 1 min, replugged). After this all seems well, with the first new recording scheduled for tonight.

This unit is on software build .13 and has been to Sony long ago for the "161-6" fix (that electrical modification or whatever). It's been working fine ever since. Until now.

Any thoughts?

Marc

FWIW, the recording worked fine last night on an HD station. Everything still seems normal today, though my confidence is shaken. The symptoms were similar to the 161-6 error, but I had that corrected more than a year ago... I hope this was just an abberation rather than some new big problem recurrance.

Marc

Ok, this morning I was setting it up to record for Monday and Tuesday night. The cell(s) for ABC Tuesday for 8-9PM is defective. It shows "no title" and a time of "7PM-10PM" (when it should only show 8-9). The ABC cells for 7PM-8PM and the 9PM-10PM are correct. Moving the cursor to all positions (left and right and off screen) shows nothing but defects for cells 8 and 8:30; while in the cells of 7, 7:30, 9, 9:30 are correct. Naturally, if I were to attempt to record ABC Tues at the 8-9pm time frame the unit would bomb out (lock up and have a fit); since I am recording shows at 7-8pm and 9-10pm (from cells with correct data). This defect is showing up only for 13-1 ABC on Tuesday. All other cells for all stations Day 1 through Day 7 appear correct.

Then I went to Day 8; it is 100% defect; no data at all; backing up into Day 7 still shows correct data.

It appears that there was no data download(s) last night OR only a partial download; since the defect cells for Tueday are in the Sony box. The unit will be off for serveral hours today, so it may fix it self?

In the last 4 hours Day 8 has filled in and 100% correct; no defective cells that I can see.

Tuesday night on ABC (our 13-1), is still broken; but has changed, information.

I had originally set it up this morning to record Boston Legal from 8pm-9pm; that is now greyed out because it is no longer in the schedule listing.

Grid cells 8, 8:30, and 9 PM, now show "Dancing With the Stars" from 8pm-10pm; but the 9:30 grid cell shows "Scoo-Bee-Doo" (purple kids show) from 9pm-10pm. So of course if you attempted to record either one of those shows the unit would crash and burn.

Over all it appears the grid cells are correcting themselves, so perhaps by tomorrow morning all will be fine.

The fact that Day 8 was missing this morning may have something to do with the fact we had it recording till 1am last night?

Well the ABC line up tonight still has the defective (overlap) cell at 9:30pm show Scoo Bee Doo 9pm-10pm; which overlaps with correct data in cells 8pm, 8:30pm, and 9pm, reflecting Dance with the Stars 8pm-10pm.

Day 8 continues to be correct AND

The prvious Boston Legal that was gray out on the schedule to record from the previous day's error, has correctly "re-assigned" itself to May 29th.

So this tells me a couple of things:

Defects in listings grid cells can still occure AND if you miss them in setting up a program to record, your machine can crash and burn (lock up). This is only "one" defective cell out of the zillions in the 8 day table, and it will roll off the table tonight.

Since we record several shows every night, this sort of thing is very easy for us to spot - and keeping a close eye on incorrect times in the cells as the cursor is moved across the screen (left and right), makes it easy to spot. But if you just quickly put the "red dot", to record something, in a field, without checking all the fields to the left and right of it, then you could run into a problem.

We also glance at the "scedule to record lists" every day, and that will show some of the defects right away.

Well the ABC line up tonight still has the defective (overlap) cell at 9:30pm show Scoo Bee Doo 9pm-10pm; which overlaps with correct data in cells 8pm, 8:30pm, and 9pm, reflecting Dance with the Stars 8pm-10pm.



Great observation. Same problem here in LA except for 1hour time shift. Scoo Bee is in the 10 to 11 time slot. My machine started to record at 10pm since I use manual back up. TW also uses TV guide grid but no conflict there.

Ray

history: I own two HDD250's, one 18 months old, the other about 10 months old. Both receive OTA. About a month ago, one of the units would hang while recording. It was useless while recording. So I did the big reset, lost all my recordings, and started anew on that unit only.

Now: Some programs are set to record on both units as I don't know where I'll be when I want to watch it. I recorded CBS Sunday Morning on both units. It's a 90 minute show, digital, but not HD. I sat down to watch it on Tuesday night. 42 minutes into the recording, the frame freezes and hangs for 15 seconds. I then get the menu of "Play from beginning, exit to TV, delete, or edit marks". I restart the program and fast forward 42 minutes and it freezes again at exactly the same spot. I can't get past 42 minutes to watch the 2nd half. So I go to the 2nd unit, and it freezes at the exact same spot in the TV show.

I wasn't home at the time of recording, could a power failure have caused the problem? None of my clocks indicate any power failure and my computer was running when I came home.

Each unit was able to record other TV shows later in the day. It can't be a coincidence that they both stopped recording at the same time. Each appears to be working for now.

What you describe sounds like the recording just ended there prematurely, since it always happens exactly at that spot. Some sort of a timer discrepancy with the program.

Since it's been working perfectly other than with that one show, that's the likely reason. It just happens sometimes on rare occasions - maybe a handful of times to me in the year and a half I've had mine. I'm sure other people here can verify that it's happened to them, too.

I wouldn't really worry about it, as it was more something on their end than yours.

What you describe sounds like the recording just ended there prematurely, since it always happens exactly at that spot. Some sort of a timer discrepancy with the program.

Since it's been working perfectly other than with that one show, that's the likely reason. It just happens sometimes on rare occasions - maybe a handful of times to me in the year and a half I've had mine. I'm sure other people here can verify that it's happened to them, too.

I wouldn't really worry about it, as it was more something on their end than yours.

A prime example of a TVGOS screw-up was last night's ABC linup, where they had both "Dancing with the Stars" and "Boston Legal" overlapping in the 10:00PM-11:00PM slot. Depending on where you shifted the grid in time, you would see one or the other listed there. Of course, if you got Boston Legal to appear in that time slot and recorded it, all you would get would be the last hour of Dancing. The folks who fill in those grids DO make mistakes, no doubt about it. It can't be an especially fun job.

In this particular case, they may have had it set up as two 45 minutes shows instead of one 90 minute show, common when two episodes of the same show are shown back-to-back - you have to remember to record both, or at least edit the end-time of the first one to cover the second one.

Another pet-peeve with TVGOS: these shows that start and end at odd minutes instead of on the half hour... they are frequently off by a minute or two on either end. In this case, the network is probably feeding them inaccurate info. IMHO they should stop that silly practice entirely.

Another pet-peeve with TVGOS: these shows that start and end at odd minutes instead of on the half hour... they are frequently off by a minute or two on either end. In this case, the network is probably feeding them inaccurate info. IMHO they should stop that silly practice entirely.Yeah, that one seems intentional. I was DVR'ing "Prison Break" for awhile, and it would always cut off just before next week's previews at the very end. So I adjusted it. That was pretty dirty. I guess they want to get you to watch it live, so you'll see the commercials or announcements right before it. I'm starting to notice that all over lately, even on the cable channels. I've adjusted all of my timers accordingly. I won't let those b******s win, even if it is more effort ;).

Now: Some programs are set to record on both units as I don't know where I'll be when I want to watch it. I recorded CBS Sunday Morning on both units. It's a 90 minute show, digital, but not HD. I sat down to watch it on Tuesday night. 42 minutes into the recording, the frame freezes and hangs for 15 seconds. I then get the menu of "Play from beginning, exit to TV, delete, or edit marks". I restart the program and fast forward 42 minutes and it freezes again at exactly the same spot. I can't get past 42 minutes to watch the 2nd half. So I go to the 2nd unit, and it freezes at the exact same spot in the TV show.


My guess is that the station had transmission problems. I experienced a weird problem with the last episode of Criminal Minds. There were sounds but no speech for the first few minutes of the show. As I recall, after the show title, full sound returned - and that recording was on my rented cable recorder.

Ray

YellowSpoon, the most likely reason "both" units did the same thing was bad cell data you did not see, which caused a conflict in side the box.

You could do the 1,2, 3 step, and start over. This could help a lot if old, intermediate, and new grids are all mixed up inside the box.

Another pet-peeve with TVGOS: these shows that start and end at odd minutes instead of on the half hour... they are frequently off by a minute or two on either end. In this case, the network is probably feeding them inaccurate info. IMHO they should stop that silly practice entirely.
Not exactly sure if the networks are feeding Gemstar bad info, because the listings on YahooTV and TitanTV are acurate. They show the start and end times to those "odd" minutes. Maybe the TVGOS people are too lazy or the software isn't advanced enough for the few shows that run a couple minutes long.

I do agree that it's silly to have these odd minutes. Why can't they just leave well enough alone? It's been done the standard way for years (except for the way WTBS would always start at x:05 and x:35), an now they want to mess around.

ft