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

Seems obvious to me that the networks add a few extra minutes to keep the viewer from switching to another channel. That time skew isn't a problem for those who keep tuned to the same channel.

Ray

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
My point was, if the guide says a program runs from 9:20 to 10:05, it usually ends up that the program really runs from 9:22 to 10:08 or something like that - in other words, TVGOS is aware of the odd start and end times, but the network ends up using slightly different start and end times. These days, now that commercials are skewed away from the start and end of a show, accuracy of the times is rather critical to avoid missing "the crime" (first minute or two), the "surprise ending" (within the last few minutes somewhere), or the "coming attractions" (last 30 seconds), for example.

"What Time Is It?" In our market, once in a great while the clock may be off by a min or two. During the last several weeks our HD set has been "out" (not working) more then it has been "on".

That has meant moving the HDD500 to an older 20yo Sony Trinitron that still works great.

Having moved the Sony box back and forth I guess a dozen times now over the last two months. It always takes a little bit on time to sync-up correctly. I have found if you leave off, until the "correct time" is locked in things work better.

One time, I barely got the Sony box back to the old TV, to watch and record shows...I plugged it in so quck and started watchind.............it was only about 30 min later we noticed the time was off by 35 min.

Later I learned if you dont give it enough time to get the correct time, it can stay "wrong" the whole time you are using it; whether is off by 35, 5, 4,3,2, or 1 minute!

Once I allow it enough time to get the correct time; the Sony Box will match the VHS, and the HD sets' time (when is working which is very rare!), and the cell phone time - exactly. If any one of those times is not correct, then I know the recording will be off a little.

Still it seems there are always shows in our market like Desparate Housewife that always run a min over! So we adj for it, by one min.

I performed a (9012) Factory Reset and a TV Guide reset yesterday. Today after approximately 30 hours I still have no clock. My clock displays ..:.. Any ideas how to get the clock back? Also I still have no Guide data.

Joe Warner.

1. did you do the full tuner rescan after the full reset and before the TV Guide set up?
2. Does the unit directly tune PBS Analogue, clearly, AND is there a "check mark" by it in the Sony Channel Set Up lists?

The clock showing ..:.. says it is not getting PBS analogue OR the station is not sending it "out" to you? I know it sounds real funny, make sure you have a good connection the the ANT on the back. I have seen "spliters", "VHS pass thru" and "other animals" mess this puppy up.....just a thought.

Generally, you will not get guide data until the clock thing is fixed.

I just did a tuner scan. I did not do a scan after either reset. I did have a good clock before I did the resets. The problem was I was not getting the recent Charter line up changes (There were added channels and some channels were moved). I talked to Gemstar and they recommended doing a factory reset. After the reset my clock never came back. When I perform a *G* test VBI indicates "FAIL". I removed my cable card and performed a factory reset and downloaded all available cable channels (Without the cable card installed). This is where I am now. The unit was functioning fine. The only problem was the guide did not have the new line up (Still showed the original line up). The newly added channels and moved channels came up OK when I inputed them from the remote. My Guide data wass filling in OK. Like I said the only problem was the Guide did not reflect the Charter line up changes

Joe Warner.

1. did you do the full tuner rescan after the full reset and before the TV Guide set up?
2. Does the unit directly tune PBS Analogue, clearly, AND is there a "check mark" by it in the Sony Channel Set Up lists?

The clock showing ..:.. says it is not getting PBS analogue OR the station is not sending it "out" to you? I know it sounds real funny, make sure you have a good connection the the ANT on the back. I have seen "spliters", "VHS pass thru" and "other animals" mess this puppy up.....just a thought.

Generally, you will not get guide data until the clock thing is fixed.
I just did a tuner scan. I did not do a scan after either reset. I did have a good clock before I did the resets. The problem was I was not getting the recent Charter line up changes (There were added channels and some channels were moved). I talked to Gemstar and they recommended doing a factory reset. After the reset my clock never came back. When I perform a *G* test VBI indicates "FAIL". I removed my cable card and performed a factory reset and downloaded all available cable channels (Without the cable card installed). This is where I am now. The unit was functioning fine. The only problem was the guide did not have the new line up (Still showed the original line up). The newly added channels and moved channels came up OK when I inputed them from the remote. My Guide data wass filling in OK. Like I said the only problem was the Guide did not reflect the Charter line up changes

I performed a (9012) Factory Reset and a TV Guide reset yesterday. Today after approximately 30 hours I still have no clock. My clock displays ..:.. Any ideas how to get the clock back? Also I still have no Guide data.

When I had a similar problem I found that there must have been some sort of system crash during the reset. Continuing to do soft resets doesn't fix the problem.

What did fix the problem was a hard reset. Unplug the unit for a few minutes. Then try again.

I just did a tuner scan. I did not do a scan after either reset. I did have a good clock before I did the resets. The problem was I was not getting the recent Charter line up changes (There were added channels and some channels were moved). I talked to Gemstar and they recommended doing a factory reset. After the reset my clock never came back. When I perform a *G* test VBI indicates "FAIL". I removed my cable card and performed a factory reset and downloaded all available cable channels (Without the cable card installed). This is where I am now. The unit was functioning fine. The only problem was the guide did not have the new line up (Still showed the original line up). The newly added channels and moved channels came up OK when I inputed them from the remote. My Guide data wass filling in OK. Like I said the only problem was the Guide did not reflect the Charter line up changes

If you still do not have the clock it will not work. If your only source of data is from Charter, then that is the problem. If I remember you live in the DFW area.........you could put a $5 rabbit ear on the back and most likley get the clock back (as well as TV Guide On Screen), if Charter wont send it to you.

soft rest and unplug = the same thing so no difference there.

Once you do get the clock back then do the 1,2, &3
1. soft reset
2. rescan the Sony Tuner from scratch 100% complete again
3. Re setup the TV Guide.........do the zip code "00000" to clear it out, and then start over with the correct.

None of it will work till the clock is back.

I just did a tuner scan. I did not do a scan after either reset. I did have a good clock before I did the resets. The problem was I was not getting the recent Charter line up changes (There were added channels and some channels were moved). I talked to Gemstar and they recommended doing a factory reset. After the reset my clock never came back. When I perform a *G* test VBI indicates "FAIL". I removed my cable card and performed a factory reset and downloaded all available cable channels (Without the cable card installed). This is where I am now. The unit was functioning fine. The only problem was the guide did not have the new line up (Still showed the original line up). The newly added channels and moved channels came up OK when I inputed them from the remote. My Guide data wass filling in OK. Like I said the only problem was the Guide did not reflect the Charter line up changes

What works best for me - is TUNE to your Analog
PBS station in your area. You can verify if it is analog
by going to the Preferences - System Screen. If it
shows a digital channel - that is no good - find a
Analog PBS channel - then while tuned to the
analog channel do a 987789987 VBI Search current
channel. DO NOTHING - it takes 5 minutes to complete.

Once it is DONE - SHUT OFF the DVR. It will never get
the clock data while the DVR is on!

If you still do not have the clock it will not work. If your only source of data is from Charter, then that is the problem. If I remember you live in the DFW area.........you could put a $5 rabbit ear on the back and most likley get the clock back (as well as TV Guide On Screen), if Charter wont send it to you.

soft rest and unplug = the same thing so no difference there.

Once you do get the clock back then do the 1,2, &3
1. soft reset
2. rescan the Sony Tuner from scratch 100% complete again
3. Re setup the TV Guide.........do the zip code "00000" to clear it out, and then start over with the correct.

None of it will work till the clock is back.
I also forgot to mention from the 9012 menu I select *G* Factory test and the VBI test "FAIL", ATSC test "PASS", Serial Test "FAIL" and IR Test "FAIL". I read some where that the Serial and IR test "FAIL" is normal. I also Have a TiVo that is receiving good clock data. Although the guide is not Gemstar. However I think it still receives clock data fram the same source (Charter CH13 in the Fort Worth area).

Joe Warner

Do you get PBS Analogue over OTA 13-0? If you do not have an antenna connected, then just popping an antenna on the back ($5 rabbit), should get that station easy, and the clock and TV Guide. It appears that Charter has stripped it out.

Also, I had heard that for a brief time some cities had lost PBS clock/guide data, while some CBS digital clock/guide data testing was going on. Maybe that has happened for DFW? (that is a long shot).

Anyway the cheap rabbit trick could be your answer. It would give you all the charter data anyway and at least be reliable; unless it was the local PBS that pulled the plug.

Back to square one: If you can get the PBS analogue clock in the box, I think you will find all will be solved. And will all know your OTA is 99.5% reliable and cable companies at best (on a good day) are only about 60% reliable. Besides you cable company does not want you to have it, cause it takes money out of their pocket.

joe warner

I had a problem similar to what you are describing, I was getting no clock for over a week talked to gemstar called cablevision did every reset known, and nothing worked. Except a new cablecard.
I have two hdd-500s one unit was working with no problems so I knew data was being sent out.

Try a new Cablecard.

joe warner

I had a problem similar to what you are describing, I was getting no clock for over a week talked to gemstar called cablevision did every reset known, and nothing worked. Except a new cablecard.
I have two hdd-500s one unit was working with no problems so I knew data was being sent out.

Try a new Cablecard.

I've tried to get the time to display with and without a cable card installed. No time was displayed in either configuration. There should be no need for a cable card to be installed to get the time as the time is sent via an analog station and people who do not use the cable card are able to get time data. I connected a Sony VCR and set it up for 12:00am (actual time was approximately 1:20pm) in the menu with ch 13 as the PBS channel that transmits clock data. After about one minute or less the time on the VCR updated to the correct time. I would assume that means that Both Charter Cable and ch 13 are sending clock data. Not sure what to do next other than to call Sony repair. I still am pretty sure you do not need a cable card to receive a good clock.

I still am pretty sure you do not need a cable card to receive a good clock.

Correct. No Cable Card NEEDED.

HOWEVER - if you have a BAD one installed - it could BLOCK the Clock.

I removed the cable card did a reset and channel scan and guide setup and still no clock. However with the cable card in I receive all permium and basic channels that I am suppose to get. It's just there is no clock or guide data. Again even with the cable card removed I still do not receive clock data.....I've done a 9012 "Restore Factory Default" followed by "G* Factory Default" (Performed channel scan between Factory Defaults with Cable card removed). Just hope it is not the hdd500. The only other thing I can think of is the PBS station here in Fort Worth is the problem (PBS channel 13).

Have you tried the things I suggested in #9787?

remove the cabel connection and the cable card

tune to ANT 13-0

While the unit is playing.........do the soft reset (exit and guide on the front).........the unit will turn off. Leave it off !!!

If PBS analogues is doing their job and sending the correct stuff, you should have a clock within 5 hours if not a lot less. Leave the unit off until the correct time shows up.

If the clock does not show up then the PBS is your problem (make sure you do not have something stripping it out of your antenna).

If the clock does show up then all the problems are solved.

There is no reason to return to the cable card until the above test is passed.

If PBS analogues is doing their job and sending the correct stuff, you should have a clock within 5 hours if not a lot less. Leave the unit off until the correct time shows up.

If I DO NOT have a clock and I shut my unit off - I get the
clock a lot faster than 5 hours. As long as the unit it ON
- The clock will NOT update.

If I DO NOT have a clock and I shut my unit off - I get the
clock a lot faster than 5 hours. As long as the unit it ON
- The clock will NOT update.

That is correct, the clock in my area can be as little as 30 seconds, and the longest I have seen is 2 hours...........keep in mind that in "most" areas TV Guide On Screen sends out updated "data" every 4 hours.

Additionally, when the clock time first shows up "it may not be correct!" It could by off by a couple of minutes or I have seen it off by 30 mins....just a wait a few min, and it "will get correct".

I have turned the HDD500 "off" enough times and moved it from TV to TV to see what it does..........if you rush it, and it captures the "incorrect" time it will NOT function correctly........it has " always corrected itself" in just a couple of minutes and then you can turn the unit back on; once it does have the correct time - "to the minute"

That is correct, the clock in my area can be as little as 30 seconds, and the longest I have seen is 2 hours...........keep in mind that in "most" areas TV Guide On Screen sends out updated "data" every 4 hours.

I Agree - the clock update is FAST if the unit is off.

The TV GUIDE data is NOT where the clock comes from.

The TV Guide Clock and the units clock are one and the same...........look to the top left corner of the TV Guide listings sceen...........when you identify "that" time, you will notice it is the exact time on the face of the unit..............all the digital stations will and can show different times from station to station.

If for some reason (which is how I caught this before) the TV Guide Listing screen time is incorrect, then the time on the front of the unit has the same "incorrect" time.........but many of the stations would or could have the correct time.

If your TV has a infor button, you will notice almost "all" stations are showing different times........many in our area are off by as much as 5 minutes.

Have you tried the things I suggested in #9787?

remove the cabel connection and the cable card

tune to ANT 13-0

While the unit is playing.........do the soft reset (exit and guide on the front).........the unit will turn off. Leave it off !!!

If PBS analogues is doing their job and sending the correct stuff, you should have a clock within 5 hours if not a lot less. Leave the unit off until the correct time shows up.

If the clock does not show up then the PBS is your problem (make sure you do not have something stripping it out of your antenna).

If the clock does show up then all the problems are solved.

There is no reason to return to the cable card until the above test is passed.

I still need to purchase a rabbit ear antenna. Tried everything else. After I install the rabbit ear antenna and hopefully get a clock, do I then remove the antenna and reconnect my cable and insert the cable card and the clock should still be displayed?

For the first time in a couple of years, I am having this clock problem as well.

Last Saturday, we had a power outage (lightning strike). The power was out for about 10 minutes. When it returned, the time on the DVR was wrong, and there was no listing data. I did a warm reset, and could not get the clock to be right after an overnight wait. I did a factory reset, and the clock is not initializing. After 2 days it is still showing all dashes.

Since everything had been working (I have local ch 13, PBS on the antenna, plus cable going into the unit). I have verified that the unit is using antenna 13 for VBI. However, I have yet to get a working clock, or any guide data.

It seems that it must either be physical problem in my unit (from a power surge, maybe), or that the local PBS is not sending out the clock data.

These posts on this thread from another area user is making me wonder if there is a problem with ch 13 sending out the clock calibration data. Any ideas on how to proceed. Call ch 13? Call Sony? Call TVGOS?

Are there any other procedures I could try?

TIA


I removed the cable card did a reset and channel scan and guide setup and still no clock. However with the cable card in I receive all permium and basic channels that I am suppose to get. It's just there is no clock or guide data. Again even with the cable card removed I still do not receive clock data.....I've done a 9012 "Restore Factory Default" followed by "G* Factory Default" (Performed channel scan between Factory Defaults with Cable card removed). Just hope it is not the hdd500. The only other thing I can think of is the PBS station here in Fort Worth is the problem (PBS channel 13).

it is beginning to sound like a local PBS analogue issue.....you DFW guys should email them.......to see if they are sending out the clock?

Here is a little test I just did on our equipment:
1. Samsung HLS DLP set
2. Old Sony VHS tape
3. Sony DHG-HDD500

The tape machine sits on top of the HDD500

99% of the time those two clocks are sync (very rare they are not - but I have seen them off a min or two........but always self correct themselves quickly)

The Samsung TV pulls it clock from wherever? This Samsung shows the time that the station is sending out "at" that point in time. The quick test through several channels show it can be up to 3 minutes off from the PBS 8-0; that is each station is a little different.

Our PBS ananlogue is 8-0

When I hit the "info" button on the Samsung for channel 8-0 its time is about 45 seconds ahead of the VHS and the HDD500.............But I guess??? The most important part about this is, I am receiving a clock time from the PBS ananlogue.

I think most Samsungs, Sony's, and Mit's TV's do this? I do not know about Panasonics?

That is not to say with 100% certainty that the PBS TV analogue time is the exact same as the HDD500 and VHS time........but I kind of think it is? Even tho there is a 45 second difference?

I still need to purchase a rabbit ear antenna. Tried everything else. After I install the rabbit ear antenna and hopefully get a clock, do I then remove the antenna and reconnect my cable and insert the cable card and the clock should still be displayed?

If you are able to get the clock thing resolve via the ANT. Then just let it "drive" your TV Guide systems as well - it would be a lot more reliable then the cable company for the Guide data. It is after all the same Guide data, you would just be receiving it from a "more reliable" source - the antenna. You can do that even though you do not watch shows on the antenna. (most of your major "7" OTA HD digital will be fantasic in most of the DFW area, with just the rabbit ears, so it can also be a great back up system)

So the question is for DFW. Does the "info" button for PBS analogue 13-0 show the time on the TV Set. That would be an antenna test (it may not be valid for cable?)

For the first time in a couple of years, I am having this clock problem as well.

Last Saturday, we had a power outage (lightning strike). The power was out for about 10 minutes. When it returned, the time on the DVR was wrong, and there was no listing data. I did a warm reset, and could not get the clock to be right after an overnight wait. I did a factory reset, and the clock is not initializing. After 2 days it is still showing all dashes.

Since everything had been working (I have local ch 13, PBS on the antenna, plus cable going into the unit). I have verified that the unit is using antenna 13 for VBI. However, I have yet to get a working clock, or any guide data.

It seems that it must either be physical problem in my unit (from a power surge, maybe), or that the local PBS is not sending out the clock data.

These posts on this thread from another area user is making me wonder if there is a problem with ch 13 sending out the clock calibration data. Any ideas on how to proceed. Call ch 13? Call Sony? Call TVGOS?

Are there any other procedures I could try?

TIA
My time went away about the same time as yours. I live in Granbury and we had no power outage. So I believe it to be KERA CH13 or maybe charter. I called KERA CH13 and left a message but no one has returned my call (I called three times and left a message). I asked for the engineering department as I wanted to ask them if they were sending VBI clock data. Their number is 1 (214) 740-5404. You can press "O" for the operator and ask for the engineering department. I don't know who your cable provider is but mine is Charter (Fort Worth). It seems a coincidence that we both experienced the same problem at about the same time. Makes me believe it is PBS or Charter. I just received a call from a PBS engineer and he said they were sending a clock/VBI data. He said he checks it every day on a VCR he has hooked up. He says he gets calls all the time asking about clock data of lack of which prompted him to hook up the VCR to test time updates. I guess that leaves the cable provider or the Song DVR. Also my clock never read the wrong time. It never displayed any time it was --:--.

I guess that leaves the cable provider

JOE - I know OTHERS have suggested this but so far
I have NOT SEEN you SAY - I tried it and it DOESN'T
WORK.

Can you receive your PBS station KERA CH13 OVER-THE-AIR?

Even a pair of rabbit ears should be able to receive the signal.

JOE - I know OTHERS have suggested this but so far
I have NOT SEEN you SAY - I tried it and it DOESN'T
WORK.

Can you receive your PBS station KERA CH13 OVER-THE-AIR?

Even a pair of rabbit ears should be able to receive the signal.
I am purchasing a set of rabbit ears this evening and will hook them up and see if I can get PBS station ch 13 and a clock. I live about 25 miles from Fort Worth (In the Boonies) so I hope I can receive a good signal.

I connected an RCA rabbit ear antenna and did a channel scan and it only found 3 stations. However I go to the Channel +/- menu and all the analog and digital cable channels are checked. I am hooked up to my Samsung via HDMI. Is there any other set up I need to do to the TV or Sony DVR?

I connected an RCA rabbit ear antenna and did a channel scan and it only found 3 stations. However I go to the Channel +/- menu and all the analog and digital cable channels are checked. I am hooked up to my Samsung via HDMI. Is there any other set up I need to do to the TV or Sony DVR?

Is it safe to assume you hooked the rabbit ears to the Antenna
input and NOT the Cable Input?

You should be able to ENTER CH 13 and see if you can receive
the signal.

You might have to enter it TWICE.

The first 13 will probably default to cable 13.

Enter it again - you should get OTA 13 with a little
ANTENNA symbol in the info box.

I would keep the antenna and cable both hooked up and keep the cablecard inserted. Then tune to the OTA analog pbs station in your area and then do a tvguide reset following the instructions here: http://www.spiffspace.com/TVGOS_Training_Manual.pdf

check pages 29-31. Good luck. It worked for me.

Is it safe to assume you hooked the rabbit ears to the Antenna
input and NOT the Cable Input?

You should be able to ENTER CH 13 and see if you can receive
the signal.

You might have to enter it TWICE.

The first 13 will probably default to cable 13.

Enter it again - you should get OTA 13 with a little
ANTENNA symbol in the info box.
I hooked up the RCA rabbit ears (Also hooked up the cable input) and installed the Cable Card and with in approximately one (1) hour I had a good clock. The menu 9012 VBI test now displays "PASS" and VBI count increments. Filled in the correct Guide data with zip Code and answered "YES" to both "Cable" & "Antenna". This morning I had guide data but my cable provider was not among the list of providers. My cable provider is CHARTER Fort Worth (Digital). I reset the cable guide and answered no to "Antenna Connected". As soon as I finished the set up I noticed the clock go to 12:21am (actual time was about 7:30am). After about an hour the correct time came back. Now is this normal? Also I now have Guide channels although they display "NO LISTING" I assume this is correct as the guide has not had time to fill in good station data. My other question is can I after receiving good CLOCK data and GUIDE data remove the Rabbit ears from the DVR?

My other question is can I after receiving good CLOCK data and GUIDE data remove the Rabbit ears from the DVR?

Since we still don't know for SURE if Charter is
blocking the clock signal or if you might have
a bad cable card - it is hard to answer that question.

Disconnecting the Rabbit Ears will tell you. I'm
not sure how often the clock info is refreshed.

IT is POSSIBLE Charter is NOT providing an ANALOG
version of your PBS station. Cable providers are
required by law to provide BOTH a digital and analog
version of the PBS signal.

I'm in Boston. PBS station is CH #2. On Comcast
CH #2 is Digital PBS. They rebroadcast CH #2 in
Analog on CH 97.

My DVR gets clock and guide data from CH 97.

If Charter is ONLY broadcasting PBS in Digital - you
are dead meat without the rabbit ears.

In a previous post - I told you how to verify the
status of your PBS Station on Charter.

What works best for me - is TUNE to your Analog
PBS station in your area. You can verify if it is analog
by going to the Preferences - System Screen. If it
shows a digital channel - that is no good - find a
Analog PBS channel - then while tuned to the
analog channel do a 987789987 VBI Search current
channel. DO NOTHING - it takes 5 minutes to complete.

Once it is DONE - SHUT OFF the DVR. It will never get
the clock data while the DVR is on!

I tried this. I tuned to analog PBS channel13,selected "Preferences" - "System" screen. It showed as a analog station (Digital status was NA). I then exited the Menu and went back to live tv PBS channel 13 was still selected. I input 987789987 but nothing happened. What should happen and what should I see if anything on the screen? Is something suppose to happen after approximately 5 minutes? Do I need to be in the "Preferences" - System" - "System Menu" when I type in 987789987? When in put the figures while tuned to my PBA station and no Menu Displayed I I see 9877 in the top banner then the lower part of the display says "No Program Available on This Channel"

I tried this. I tuned to analog PBS channel13,selected "Preferences" - "System" screen. It showed as a analog station (Digital status was NA). I then exited the Menu and went back to live tv PBS channel 13 was still selected. I input 987789987 but nothing happened. What should happen and what should I see if anything on the screen? Is something suppose to happen after approximately 5 minutes? Do I need to be in the "Preferences" - System" - "System Menu" when I type in 987789987? When in put the figures while tuned to my PBA station and no Menu Displayed I I see 9877 in the top banner then the lower part of the display says "No Program Available on This Channel"

The 987789987 Command is like all the other secret
commands. You need to be in the SETUP > down one
and enter 987789987 - It will show
VBI Search CURRENT channel.
It will take 5 minutes for the screen to clear.

DO NOTHING until the screen clears. That forces the DVR
to use the channel you are tuned to assuming it is the
analog PBS channel.

What should happen

ALL THIS SECRET STUFF is located HERE (http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html)

The TVGOS Training Manual is HERE (http://www.spiffspace.com/TVGOS_Training_Manual.pdf)

PLUS these other Codes - not published.

797654141 ID Number Regenerated
444555666 Accepting Test Patches
666555444 Declining Test Patches
777888999 Subscriptions Enabled
147412356 Warm Reset
653274147 System Reset
653214741 Cold Reset
193758246 Service Information
753159852 Diagnostics
123123123 All Channels On
114119196 Alpha Enabled
666377243 NFP Message
872253867 Ad Track Dump
872255647 Ad Track Logs
746978287 Show Stats
663366746 Demo Pin %s
736683837 Enable IR Tests
824824812 VBI Search 12
963214785 VBI Search Current Channel
533733663 Keep Demo Data
222333111 G-LINK Diag Dump
147852369 Phone Home
562333663 Load Demo Data
842656248 Toggle Phone Modem Prefix
458798565 Toggle Phone Modem Com Port
464821864 Phone Modem Beta Number
129547358 Phone Modem Test Number
998768589 Phone Modem Production Number
152368459 Toggle Time of Feed
111111111 Test
111222333 Clear Reset Info
658545256 Do Next Phone Home
789789789 Clear since-cold gclock diags
123789255 Set PM Flag 255
987321255 Clr PM Flag 255
352747373 Reset Flash Memory
352742666 Commit Flash Memory
352747283 Save To Flash Memory
352747378 Restore From Flash Memory
444555555 Enter Parameter
987789987 VBI Quick Search Cur Channel
444555333 File System White Box Test
444555777 File System White Box Recovery
474747474 Dial '1234' in each mode
971397135 Enter Factory Test Screen
882666564 Toggle TVComm Log
194219421 Start G-LINK
392378466 Generate exception
963852741 File System Shell
741236547 Purge Pgmmgr
237837837 BER Test
214532568 Fake Cable Card Insertion
325621458 Fake Cable Card Removal
951478632 Clickstream Support ON
236874159 Clickstream Support OFF
589632147 Glink Modem Support ON
741236985 Glink Modem Support OFF
515359575 Commit All Data
987456321 Sys Heap Debug Snapshot
874563219 Sys Heap Block Use Analysis
745632198 Sys Heap Space Use Analysis
179324865 Enable ATSC
147258369 Force Slicing
472749564 Toggle Graphics Log
752954783 Dump Playlist
545572824 Delete Patch File

I tried this. I tuned to analog PBS channel13,selected "Preferences" - "System" screen. It showed as a analog station (Digital status was NA). I then exited the Menu and went back to live tv PBS channel 13 was still selected. I input 987789987 but nothing happened. What should happen and what should I see if anything on the screen? Is something suppose to happen after approximately 5 minutes? Do I need to be in the "Preferences" - System" - "System Menu" when I type in 987789987? When in put the figures while tuned to my PBA station and no Menu Displayed I I see 9877 in the top banner then the lower part of the display says "No Program Available on This Channel"

Do the following:

hit 'guide'

hit 'menu'

scroll to 'go to service bar' and press select

scroll to 'setup'

scroll down one step to 'change system settings' and leave highlighted (don't press select)

enter the numbers 653274147

follow instructions to reset tvgos system. Make sure that the antenna, the cable, and the cablecard (if you have one) are installed and repeat the setup process.

Make sure you select 'cable' AND 'antenna' in the setup process.

Tune to your local OTA analog pbs station (ie. if it is channel 13 when you enter '13' the first channel the sony tunes to will be the CABLE channel 13. Press 'channel up' to get to the analog channel 13 (not the digital ones like 13-1 or 13-2 but just plain 13 with a picture of an antenna next to it.).

Then turn off the sony overnight.

In the morning if the guide has found the wrong available cable systems in your area or has found only one channel, select 'NO' even if the channel it lists is one of your channels.

The next screen should have all the cable cos in your area. Just select yours. The channel list should appear fairly quickly but no program info will be there. Confirm it is the right channel list and shut it off again until the next morning.

You should be good to go assuming your local pbs station is broadcasting the guide info. Good luck.

I see alot of these units at Circuit City's, usually running the SXRD demonstraion on the Sony SXRD HDTV's.

But unfortunately, I don't think CC is allowed to sell them.

I was wondering if anyone knew if these units will ever be returned to Sony, and then sent to one of their Outlet stores for retail sale.

They would probably also get some back that have to be refurbished, but they should still sell them at lower what they were before.

Just wondering if Sony is going to do this, or if they have ever done this?

I have read scattered reports of people sometimes talking them into selling one to them, but I've probably read just as many, if not more, reports of CC refusing to sell it, and telling people that it ultimately has to be sent back to Sony.

It wouldn't hurt anything to ask, though.

CC here had several new ones in stock....I attempted to bargin....no dice.........found out a few weeks later they were stolen.....most likely an inside job (no wonder CC has money problems); bet they have been moved on ebay.

bet they have been moved on ebay.

I sure agree with your BET :p

In our house the HDD500 wins by a wide margin, it is vastly superior! It's not even close!

And for us, it is far better then any thing else that has come down the line to date by a wide margin.

Once in a while I will come across pockets of these things for sale, or small clusters of new ones. But a little stand offish, because of the future support issues.

So I placed a call to Sony and spoke to real person..........I guess you could say the un-official - official position is; the unit will not work when the TV Guide Digital replaces the Analogue. If there is news that an upgrade path is offered, then I should get that information via email and/or phone call. There is also, some indication that there could be a replacement product in place with the CBS/TV Guide digital is in place, maybe?

Naturally, I am not the first one to call them about this.........there are keeping track of what is going on........they knew about the CBS deal (of course)........and they know people do like these boxes...........and possibly they have a keen eye that more and more people are moving into OTA as their primary source of viewing.

I'm certain Sony will be introducing a new model at some point. We still have a year and a half until analog is shut off. I imagine it will be a dual-tuner model with one CableCARD slot requiring an M-Card in order to record two encrypted channels. Sony may be waiting for these to become more plentiful and for the TVGOS-D rollout to become widespread before announcing it.

Our boxes will still be usable with cable, as long as there's an analog host channel passed along there somewhere (like with limited basic), and/or if they come out with some kind of converter box. So if they do come out with new ones, we can grab one of those and still maybe get a few bucks for these. It would help to know all this stuff for sure sooner than later, though.

Problem is, nobody's gonna wanna pay retail for a new version, just like with this one - unless Sony decides to buck their usual trend - which I wouldn't count on. Especially after seeing what they're charging for their VAIO recording systems.

Maybe we'll get lucky, and there will be some other, less obscenely overpriced brands released - which is something this one never really had - competition.

I bought my 250 from Best Buy in November of 2005 with a four year performance plan. That means, I have the plan until November 2009. If by Feb 2009, the local PBS analog is shutdown and the unit becomes useless for me, I wonder if I can take it to Best Buy and demand compensation. The problem is I am exclusively OTA and there isn't anything else in the market (other than media center products, standalone ATSC cards and breakout boxes) that does what the Sony DHG does.

Anyway, we will know in less than 2 years!

I've got to say I was upset when the local Circuit City down the street (Orange, CT) closed because they opened a new one about 15 minutes away. But they re-opened it as a CC Outlet and I couldn't be happier. I go almost weekly and check out the hidden treasures. They've got a mountain of Antec NSK-4400 cases for $17 minus a $20 mail-in rebate (CompUSA has them on sale for $60)!!!! You make $3 off of them when the rebate comes in and they're great quiet cases.

Anyway, today in the return/refurb dvd player/recorder section I found a new-in-the-box DHG-HDD250. The tape had never been broken and the box was in decent shape. I brought it up and was expecting to find out the price was $300-500. Instead I found that it was $129.99!!!!!!!!! SOLD!!!!! :) :) That's less than half of what I paid for my used unit off Ebay a few months ago. For that price, I don't care if the thing works past 2009! It was made in 2005 and has 1.2.06 firmware.

I have read scattered reports of people sometimes talking them into selling one to them, but I've probably read just as many, if not more, reports of CC refusing to sell it, and telling people that it ultimately has to be sent back to Sony.

It wouldn't hurt anything to ask, though.

On or around 24 May I lost my GEMSTAR listings, plus my units have had trouble with tuning the digital channels I subscribe to. Cox changed their international (digital) lineup within the last few days (officially 1 June). I still have one unit not getting anything digital (without the CableCARD I get analog in that unit) and none of my three units get the GEMSTAR listings.

Does anyone have a similar story? My cable guy comes on the 7th. My set up has been working fine since Oct 2006.

I have a Cable Card in a DHG HDD 250. I now also have a DHG HDD 500. Has anyone switched a cable card from one unit to another successfully? I have Cablevision and want to avoid a "service call", if possible.

THANK YOU.

I have a Cable Card in a DHG HDD 250. I now also have a DHG HDD 500. Has anyone switched a cable card from one unit to another successfully? I have Cablevision and want to avoid a "service call", if possible.

THANK YOU.

I tried it on Comcast.

It worked at first.

But then 24 hours it did not.

It only took a Call to Comcast Operations Center to
turn the card back on.

On or around 24 May I lost my GEMSTAR listings, plus my units have had trouble with tuning the digital channels I subscribe to. Cox changed their international (digital) lineup within the last few days (officially 1 June). I still have one unit not getting anything digital (without the CableCARD I get analog in that unit) and none of my three units get the GEMSTAR listings.

Does anyone have a similar story? My cable guy comes on the 7th. My set up has been working fine since Oct 2006.

I live in Fairfax also, but I didn't experience any of the problems you mention that occurred at or around June 1st with the new channels added. One of my units uses a cablecard, to get channels I subscribe to, and the other just tunes in the unencrypted digital channels available without a cablecard. I have received uninterrupted Gemstar listings on both units since the new channel
additions.

Hednic,

Are you getting channels listing for 451, 451 and 456 (Korean channels)? I think these are included in any digital package.

By the way, all my units with CableCards work now. I called Cox and asked them to hit the card in the sole bad unit (no change immediate change - i.e. no signal) then took out the card, cycled power, waited for the time to set, inserted the card and powered up. I'll wait another day and see if I start getting listings. I have yet to see the TV Guide show my on the set up the Verizon / Cox question after the initial zip code entry. I wanted my listings back.

I have a Cable Card in a DHG HDD 250. I now also have a DHG HDD 500. Has anyone switched a cable card from one unit to another successfully? I have Cablevision and want to avoid a "service call", if possible.

THANK YOU.

I sent a DHG-HDD250 back to sony and they sent me a refurbished one back and I did not need to call Cox, working fine for the past 2+ months.

Are you getting channels listing for 451, 451 and 456 (Korean channels)? I think these are included in any digital package.That would be highly unlikely to have 3 Korean channels as a standard in any package. Unless maybe you live in a huge headend area that's predominantly Korean.

As far as I know, the only Korean channel that comes standard with any provider's service is KBS World with Dish Network. It comes with anything above the stripped-down, "Family Tier". (I know this because I specifically wanted it myself.)

I could be wrong - someone else may carry one - but I still would doubt if it would be 3 channels. You normally have to subscribe to the "Korean Package" specifically, to get that many (or more). I think with Dish it's something like 25 or 30 bucks per month extra for a handful of channels. (And we though WE were overpaying so much for all the English-language channels!)

Hednic,

Are you getting channels listing for 451, 451 and 456 (Korean channels)? I think these are included in any digital package.

By the way, all my units with CableCards work now. I called Cox and asked them to hit the card in the sole bad unit (no change immediate change - i.e. no signal) then took out the card, cycled power, waited for the time to set, inserted the card and powered up. I'll wait another day and see if I start getting listings. I have yet to see the TV Guide show my on the set up the Verizon / Cox question after the initial zip code entry. I wanted my listings back.

Yes, I am getting all the new channels that were announced: from 450 until 477 plus to my surprise, I noticed I also get: 271-275 (5 more) which are also international channels and which were always unavailable to me because they were on a tier that I didn't subscribe to. Maybe, these five channels have been added to the new international tier and are now free along with the 12+ new ones added on May 30th. I think at this point, you've done the right thing. Because you cycled the power and waited for the time to set without the cablecard inserted and then reinserted the cablecard, when you check tomorrow to see if you get listings, you might first be prompted again to choose the appropriate digital service and then wait another 24 hours for correct listings. Let me know how it turns out. It's good to know that there's someone nearby I can commiserate with, should there be a problem. I just recently went through the whole locking fiasco, but that has since been fixed with a factory restore.

That would be highly unlikely to have 3 Korean channels as a standard in any package. Unless maybe you live in a huge headend area that's predominantly Korean.

As far as I know, the only Korean channel that comes standard with any provider's service is KBS World with Dish Network. It comes with anything above the stripped-down, "Family Tier". (I know this because I specifically wanted it myself.)

I could be wrong - someone else may carry one - but I still would doubt if it would be 3 channels. You normally have to subscribe to the "Korean Package" specifically, to get that many (or more). I think with Dish it's something like 25 or 30 bucks per month extra for a handful of channels. (And we though WE were overpaying so much for all the English-language channels!)

It is likely and very correct. We have 5 Korean stations now. 3 on a new international digital tier which has just been made free as of May 30th to any digital subscriber who has at least one other tier - sports, variety etc. Plus 2 additional Korean 24 hour channels that make use of local access. We have a very large Korean population in Metro Washington DC, second I believe to Los Angeles.

Hednic,

Still no listings. I'll finish up watching 24 (never got around to it) and then do a factory reset. It is annoying to have all my digital channels yet get no GEMSTAR listings. In the old set-up (pre-June) 254 was WKTV and 254 had zip for GEMSTAR program listings, while AZN (253) bless them ALWAYS had TVG/GEMSTAR program listings. So Hednic, please check in your TV Guide for 450, 451 and 456 and tell me the good news that they actually post programming information. I'm tired of having all my Korean soaps cached within the UNKNOWN folder.

I live near Vienna (not in Vienna) and am patiently waiting for Verizon FIOS. Until this month they had a better Korean programming lineup. Plus I can put my cell phones on the same account and have just one telcom provider.

If this factory reset works on my 500, I'll do the two 250s I have next. By the way, I never experienced the lockups posted on this board.

Hednic,

Still no listings. I'll finish up watching 24 (never got around to it) and then do a factory reset. It is annoying to have all my digital channels yet get no GEMSTAR listings. In the old set-up (pre-June) 254 was WKTV and 254 had zip for GEMSTAR program listings, while AZN (253) bless them ALWAYS had TVG/GEMSTAR program listings. So Hednic, please check in your TV Guide for 450, 451 and 456 and tell me the good news that they actually post programming information. I'm tired of having all my Korean soaps cached within the UNKNOWN folder.

I live near Vienna (not in Vienna) and am patiently waiting for Verizon FIOS. Until this month they had a better Korean programming lineup. Plus I can put my cell phones on the same account and have just one telcom provider.

If this factory reset works on my 500, I'll do the two 250s I have next. By the way, I never experienced the lockups posted on this board.


On channel 450: Tv Guide listings say - Korean programming; On 451 it says - Korea One. On 456 it says - TVK Korea. No specific individual show listings yet but
I know that with many of these international channels it takes Gemstar a while to get specific show listings.

I performed a soft EXIT-TV GUIDE reset on all three of my units and removed the CableCARD. Got the times back, re-inserted the card. On two of the units when entering the TV Guide I was asked which provider I had, Cox CR, Cox Digital, or Verizon. The third unit asked my no such question. But the 3rd unit now gets listings while the other two still receive nothing from GEMSTAR. I am getting all my channels however. It's a waiting game.....then....

Just purchased a HDD500 off ebay. It turns on but I get no panel display. Has anyone had this problem and is there a quick fix.

We have a very large Korean population in Metro Washington DC, second I believe to Los Angeles.I didn't realize that, but that's why I said that it would probably only be the case if the percentage was really high.

That would be nice if they started that here, too, since we also have a fairly large population. Probably not anywhere near large enough yet, though.

On channel 450: Tv Guide listings say - Korean programming; On 451 it says - Korea One. On 456 it says - TVK Korea. No specific individual show listings yet but
I know that with many of these international channels it takes Gemstar a while to get specific show listings.Usually if enough people call or contact them and bug them enough about it, they'll get around to it a lot faster.

There's a guy (Jan J) on the LG 3410A thread from our area that kept on them constantly to include Oxygen in the listings (it wasn't originally included in the 7th generation TVGOS here), They eventually put it in.

Just purchased a HDD500 off ebay. It turns on but I get no panel display. Has anyone had this problem and is there a quick fix.

Try pressing the 'FORMAT' button on the front panel to whatever your tv is set to (480i, 1080i, etc.).

I performed a soft EXIT-TV GUIDE reset on all three of my units and removed the CableCARD. Got the times back, re-inserted the card. On two of the units when entering the TV Guide I was asked which provider I had, Cox CR, Cox Digital, or Verizon. The third unit asked my no such question. But the 3rd unit now gets listings while the other two still receive nothing from GEMSTAR. I am getting all my channels however. It's a waiting game.....then....


After answering the provider question it usually takes turning off the unit one more time to get program listings.

Just purchased a HDD500 off ebay. It turns on but I get no panel display. Has anyone had this problem and is there a quick fix.

I don't recall anyone having that problem before. How do you know it turns on if there is no panel display? Minimum display should be four lines where clock appears, before time is acquired, and the word "power" when unit is in the on mode. In my opinion, a blank display means that it is either faulty or a connector became disconnected in shipping. Fortunately, the panel isn't essential to recorder operation.

Ray

Try pressing the 'FORMAT' button on the front panel to whatever your tv is set to (480i, 1080i, etc.).

Tried pressing the Format button but nothing shows up

I don't recall anyone having that problem before. How do you know it turns on if there is no panel display? Minimum display should be four lines where clock appears, before time is acquired, and the word "power" when unit is in the on mode. In my opinion, a blank display means that it is either faulty or a connector became disconnected in shipping. Fortunately, the panel isn't essential to recorder operation.

Ray
I know it is on because it shows up on the tv screen but the display panel is blank.

I would like to hear from those who use two or more DHG-HDD's side by side and how do you over come the remote control problems since the same remote controls both units. Thanks. :)

I would like to hear from those who use two or more DHG-HDD's side by side and how do you over come the remote control problems since the same remote controls both units. Thanks. :)
??? there's a Menu item for setting up different codes for 2 remotes.

I would like to hear from those who use two or more DHG-HDD's side by side and how do you over come the remote control problems since the same remote controls both units. Thanks. :)



On the dvr:

press 'menu', 'preferences', 'system', 'remote control code'

choose 'code 50' and follow the on-sceen instructions.

repeat the process but choose 'code 51' for the other unit/remote

??? there's a Menu item for setting up different codes for 2 remotes.

Maybe I'm looking over it. Would give me more info where to find it.

On the dvr:

press 'menu', 'system', 'remote control'

choose 'code 50' and follow the on-sceen instructions.

repeat the process but choose 'code 51' for the other unit/remote

Thanks for the info on changing the code on one of my units.

It's too bad Sony decided NOT to include a remote "1-2" switch on the remote control similar to their DVD recorders (which have 1-2-3 position switch). :confused:

I called and emailed the local WKTV rep (Fairfax VA old channel 254) some months ago. I did get an email reply but that's it. I wasn't expecting much. I wish these Korean channels could be like AZN. Reading your post it sounds like it's GEMSTAR I need to speak with rather than the programmer or cable provider. I'll search this thread for a number to call.

I know it is on because it shows up on the tv screen but the display panel is blank.

Originally Posted by Mark Fontana:

"A few people here have reported the whole face plate assembly coming loose in shipment. From the symptoms you describe (no front panel buttons working, no IR, etc.) it sounds like the front panel board may be partially disconnected. If the tuner appears to be functioning OK otherwise, then opening the unit and reseating the connections to the front panel might solve the problem."

Seems like this is the case for you as well. Try reseating the cable that attaches to the front panel.

Good news! If you are in Northwest NJ and use Comcast for cable service, you should be getting VBI data as of last Thursday. After extensive troubleshooting, Comcast discovered an issue which was blocking the downloads. My host channel is PBS Channel 94 and all is well. I am even getting ads at this point.

Thanks Comcast for your hard work and cooperation.

After 4 hours of trouble shooting with a Cox tech with one of their cable boxes, we determined the barrels in my face plates were killing my the digital signal from channels 79-80 on up, one of the QAMs he said. I was getting other channels higher up. I replaced the barrels so all my units are getting 77 - 83% with a Good or Normal signal rather than drop outs.

But after two days still not listings. I took out the cable cards yesterday evening and woila, I get listings. I put the cards back in today so we'll see if I stop getting listings with the card inserted. I wonder if anyone else has had this problem? I understand the listing data is an analog signal. I was getting the data no problem prior to 24 May with the cards inserted. If by tomorrow I'm not getting new listing I'll just restore to the factory setting.

But after two days still not listings. I took out the cable cards yesterday evening and woila, I get listings. I put the cards back in today so we'll see if I stop getting listings with the card inserted.If you don't then I'd say it looks like Cox is just not sending the info. Or maybe they're not including the analog version of the host channel.

See if there's a version of the PBS channel that normally carries the signal around the 70-80 range (usually closer to 73-74), and go into your Sony's menu and check to see if it's in analog or not.

If not, I think some people have gotten their cable company to "provision" the channel by asking.

If you don't then I'd say it looks like Cox is just not sending the info. Or they're not include the analog version of the host channel.

See if there's a version of the PBS channel that normally carries the signal around the 70-80 range (usually closer to 73-74), and go into your Sony's menu and check to see if it's in analog or not.

If not, I think some people have gotten their cable company to "provision" the channel by asking.

The PBS (host channel) channel is 26 and it has always been analog and available. Cox has been sending the info because I live in the same area and I have been getting it non-stop, so the problem must lie elsewhere. There is no other analog version of our local PBS channel anywhere higher in the lineup.

The PBS (host channel) channel is 26 and it has always been analog and available. Cox has been sending the info because I live in the same area and I have been getting it non-stop, so the problem must lie elsewhere. There is no other analog version of our local PBS channel anywhere higher in the lineup.
All is well it seems. My wife is taping a Korean soap tonight then I'll remove her card and let it initialize the listings. The other two units seems to be getting listings now and with the card inserted. I'll give it two more days and see if I continue to getting listings. For now all seems well. As for the quality for the digital signal, I've ordered ten 3 Ghz-rated barrels and will replace all the barrels in my place once they arrive. Until then, I'm amping the input into my 500 to keep channels 81 and 82 (FX and SciFi) from tiling.

The PBS (host channel) channel is 26 and it has always been analog and available. Cox has been sending the info because I live in the same area and I have been getting it non-stop, so the problem must lie elsewhere. There is no other analog version of our local PBS channel anywhere higher in the lineup.I was confusing it with Comcast when I said around 73-74.

After 4 hours of trouble shooting with a Cox tech with one of their cable boxes, we determined the barrels in my face plates were killing my the digital signal from channels 79-80 on up, one of the QAMs he said. I was getting other channels higher up. I replaced the barrels so all my units are getting 77 - 83% with a Good or Normal signal rather than drop outs.

But after two days still not listings. I took out the cable cards yesterday evening and woila, I get listings. I put the cards back in today so we'll see if I stop getting listings with the card inserted. I wonder if anyone else has had this problem? I understand the listing data is an analog signal. I was getting the data no problem prior to 24 May with the cards inserted. If by tomorrow I'm not getting new listing I'll just restore to the factory setting.

What are barrels?

I just got a message on my HDD500 saying that the hard drive was corrupted and probably could not be used for recording anymore. My unit is out of warranty and was wondering if anyone knows about how much it would cost for Sony to repair. I might even be interested in selling the unit as is.
Thanks
Rod

I just got a message on my HDD500 saying that the hard drive was corrupted and probably could not be used for recording anymore. My unit is out of warranty and was wondering if anyone knows about how much it would cost for Sony to repair. I might even be interested in selling the unit as is.
Thanks
Rod

Out of curiosity, does the unit still work as an HD tuner with a bad hard drive?

What are barrels?
inline couplers. it's a coaxial f-connector screw thing on both ends so you can turn 2 short coax cables into one long one.

Out of curiosity, does the unit still work as an HD tuner with a bad hard drive?Yes, it does, but you no longer can pause live shows.

I had two different HDD500s that had the drive system crap out, and give the "bad drive" popup. I think the drives are the weakest link these units.

Yes, it does, but you no longer can pause live shows.

I had two different HDD500s that had the drive system crap out, and give the "bad drive" popup. I think the drives are the weakest link these units.

I find it very strange that you got two units with faulty hard drives. Were they exposed to vibration or located in a spot with poor ventilation? I suggest you contact Sony and discuss the problem with them. Maybe the "bad drive" message is wrong and all that is needed is factory reset. If the drives are bad, you might get a reduced price because both units were faulty.

My perception is that the drives are very reliable since it's rare to see a posting that reports a drive failure.


The weakest link is the on screen guide system.

Ray

I just got a message on my HDD500 saying that the hard drive was corrupted and probably could not be used for recording anymore. My unit is out of warranty and was wondering if anyone knows about how much it would cost for Sony to repair. I might even be interested in selling the unit as is.
Thanks
Rod

I had the same thing last month. It cost $150.72 total and they updated the firmware. Turnaround time was excellent - they shipped it back the same day they received it.

Out of curiosity, does the unit still work as an HD tuner with a bad hard drive?

Yes it does. No guide, though.

I find it very strange that you got two units with faulty hard drives. Were they exposed to vibration or located in a spot with poor ventilation? I suggest you contact Sony and discuss the problem with them. I have one HDD500 (and two HDD250s). I bought it in April 06, and after 10 months it started giving lots of playback problems, like dropouts, locking up for several seconds, etc. After a few days of completely flakey behavior, I got the "bad drive" message, and I called Sony and they immediately shipped me a replacement by 2nd day UPS. When I received the replacement, I returned the original unit to Sony CSC. After about a week, the replacement unit started giving similar problems with recording & playback, and soon gave me the "bad drive" message. BTW, the replacement was a refurb. So I called Sony CSC again and told them the story, and they again shipped me a replacement (another refurb) by 2nd day UPS (even though they had not yet received my first unit). This 3rd unit has been reliable, so far. Vibration is not an issue, and ventilation is adequate, although I did recently move it to a location with more space around it, perhaps that may ward off heat related failure.

When the 2nd unit had the drives locked out, due to the error condition, I started doing experiments on it. I tried the restore to factory default, and some of the things that Mark Fontana detailed earlier in this thread. I got the drive status back to "normal", but it was plain that they weren't working reliably, so I stopped wasting my time trying to play with it.

The two HDD250s have given me zero problems.

I'm hoping someone here can help. I'm in Austin and have two 250's that my wife uses for OTA recording. The issue I'm dealing with is that one of the units shows the wrong call letters and programming for one of her favorite stations, KNVA, 54-1, but the actual broadcast material is correct.

The station ID that shows up in the guide is KMYS, 54-1. If I scroll down the guide I can find KNVA, 54-1, but if I tune to that station the unit reverts back to KMYS, abeit with KNVA's programming. The program material displayed with KMYS is totally different than KNVA's.

Because of this my wife won't use this recorder because she's afraid she's getting the wrong programming, and doesn't trust it. Is there any way to correct this? I've tried re-scanning the channels and this station on this particular recorder always comes back as KMYS when it should be KNVA. :confused:

I have one HDD500 (and two HDD250s). I bought it in April 06, and after 10 months it started giving lots of playback problems, like dropouts, locking up for several seconds, etc. After a few days of completely flakey behavior, I got the "bad drive" message, and I called Sony and they immediately shipped me a replacement by 2nd day UPS. When I received the replacement, I returned the original unit to Sony CSC. After about a week, the replacement unit started giving similar problems with recording & playback, and soon gave me the "bad drive" message. BTW, the replacement was a refurb. So I called Sony CSC again and told them the story, and they again shipped me a replacement (another refurb) by 2nd day UPS (even though they had not yet received my first unit). This 3rd unit has been reliable, so far. Vibration is not an issue, and ventilation is adequate, although I did recently move it to a location with more space around it, perhaps that may ward off heat related failure.

When the 2nd unit had the drives locked out, due to the error condition, I started doing experiments on it. I tried the restore to factory default, and some of the things that Mark Fontana detailed earlier in this thread. I got the drive status back to "normal", but it was plain that they weren't working reliably, so I stopped wasting my time trying to play with it.

The two HDD250s have given me zero problems.

The only difference between the 250 and 500 is that the 500 includes a second identical hard drive, and that drive usually runs at a higher temperature. The units you received from Sony have to be called refurbished since they were in use by someone else before you, but the hard drives in them were probably new - I've never seen a refurbished hard drive, only new and used. Maybe the hard drive failure was secondary: caused by a faulty power supply.

Ray

I'm hoping someone here can help. I'm in Austin and have two 250's that my wife uses for OTA recording. The issue I'm dealing with is that one of the units shows the wrong call letters and programming for one of her favorite stations, KNVA, 54-1, but the actual broadcast material is correct.

The station ID that shows up in the guide is KMYS, 54-1. If I scroll down the guide I can find KNVA, 54-1, but if I tune to that station the unit reverts back to KMYS, abeit with KNVA's programming. The program material displayed with KMYS is totally different than KNVA's.

Because of this my wife won't use this recorder because she's afraid she's getting the wrong programming, and doesn't trust it. Is there any way to correct this? I've tried re-scanning the channels and this station on this particular recorder always comes back as KMYS when it should be KNVA. :confused:

Short Cut may do the trick: Go to the channel set up section, turn "off" the bad one and if necessary move the good one to the location you want to place it in.

Other method: Do the 1,2,3 step, and re-set up the box again.

See post #9561
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=537711&page=319&pp=30

I'm hoping someone here can help. I'm in Austin and have two 250's that my wife uses for OTA recording. The issue I'm dealing with is that one of the units shows the wrong call letters and programming for one of her favorite stations, KNVA, 54-1, but the actual broadcast material is correct.



On mine (also in Austin), I had to take the analog 54 channel and "remap it" to channel 54-1. Granted I don't get to see which shows are in HD in the guide, but it still shows the correct program name and records correctly.

It has been a while, but in the channel editor, find the 54-0 (analog) channel and click on Menu and change the tune to channel to 54-1. Has been working for me for about a year.

I have yet to see the digital channel in the lineup, so I don't know what the deal is.

On mine (also in Austin), I had to take the analog 54 channel and "remap it" to channel 54-1. Granted I don't get to see which shows are in HD in the guide, but it still shows the correct program name and records correctly.

It has been a while, but in the channel editor, find the 54-0 (analog) channel and click on Menu and change the tune to channel to 54-1. Has been working for me for about a year.

I have yet to see the digital channel in the lineup, so I don't know what the deal is.

There are a lot of issues concerning whether or not a station shows up (maketing/sales etc).

1. Look at the last couple of pages of your channel list in edit channed set up, it might be listed towards the end (last 50 stations or so).

2. Also, in most markets when the Step 1,2,3 is completed it is common for about 100 additional channels to be listed as well as having correct digital stations appear with correct HD flags etc. That has been true for DFW and Houston, so I assume it would be true in Austin as well. This applies whether you use OTA or cable, or both.

Remapping was very common prior to March of this year. After the new data grids have been in place (after April) remapping is much less likely then before; but you will not see the corrections unless the box is re-set up from scratch (1,2,3)

Last Wednesday I had TW install a cable card in my 500 unit. After installation, I was able to get Lifetime, HBO, etc. I assumed in time that the grid would update to the new configuration but that is yet to happen. Many channels have the correct assignments but many others don't. Recently TW did a major reassignment of channels to group them by type but the guide shows the previous numbers, at least on some channels such as network HD - CBS, NBC, etc. The guide also had a time error, at least on one show -Big Love. It showed program from 8 to 9, instead of 9 to 10 pdt. Fortunately I knew the correct show time. That was for standard format channel. The HD channels (HBO and Showtime) had no program information but that was because that channel had not been properly assigned until last night. Today there is program information.

I assume that I will have to manually go through all channels and edit in the correct channel assignment. Also, that the Big Love time slot error was not unique to my unit.

Ray

I have a question to someone has changed over to Fios from a Cable Company. I am having Fios installed on July3rd and since Verizon just got approved to be a cable company for my area, will TVGOS info be available? Or will I be doing everything manually?

Thanks

I have a question to someone has changed over to Fios from a Cable Company. I am having Fios installed on July3rd and since Verizon just got approved to be a cable company for my area, will TVGOS info be available? Or will I be doing everything manually?

Thanks

I don't know about the RI area.

Or even my own - but I have seen some POSTS here who
said the Verizon FIOS worked for them.

Is anyone out there still doing any poking along the lines of replacing hard drives etc.?

I have a question to someone has changed over to Fios from a Cable Company. I am having Fios installed on July3rd and since Verizon just got approved to be a cable company for my area, will TVGOS info be available? Or will I be doing everything manually?

Thanks


It will work if you can get a fair OTA analog signal from your local pbs station. When you do the set-up, choose CABLE AND ANTENNA. Make sure you connect a decent antenna to the sony.

Once the cablecard is installed don't let the V Tech leave until you get a picture on all your channels. Then turn off at night and you should be good to go the next AM, just like cable except your new host will be from an OTA analog pbs station.

Don't worry if the picture from the ota analog pbs station is fuzzy. You don't need a good picture to get the guide info.

Good luck.

Is anyone out there still doing any poking along the lines of replacing hard drives etc.?

I'd like to but I just haven't had the time too. Was hoping you would figure it out first! :)

Marshall

I lost power for a short while the other day and my TV Guide On Screen (TVGOS)time was set to 4am when my DHG-HDD500 came back and after subsequent reboots. I got in touch with the engineer at WCVE (channel 23) a short while ago who said the problem with their Gemstar feed has been corrected (whatver that entails). Also, he asked if my TVGOS was three-hours behind (it was not). When I asked why, he said that one of the local channels (either WRLH 35 or WUPV 65) was broadcasting TVGOS data using Pacific time. Anyway, my host channel was set to 23 so hopefully it will be working correctly when I get home from work. Is anyone else having problems with their TVGOS devices?

Don't worry if the picture from the ota analog pbs station is fuzzy. You don't need a good picture to get the guide info.

I think a good test is whether you can get closed captions reliably on that station. The TVGOS data is sent during the vertical blanking interval, as is the CC data.

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"
The drives firmware may be where Sony is blessing the drive, not on the disk record area.has anone taken a working drive out of a 250 and attemted to add that drive to another 250 to make it a 500?

I only have one 250 and one 500. They would not boot off each others' drives, the 250 would not accept a second drive from the 500, etc. Nothing works except the original configuration. I am pretty sure the DVR is checking the ID reported by each drive (the one displayed in the GUI). It could be that there's nothing special about the drive and just the expected ID registered in the DVR's nonvolatile memory needs to be changed. But no one's done much yet to dump the contents of the NV memory. I think it's highly unlikely that the drive itself is running customized firmware.

I lost power for a short while the other day and my TV Guide On Screen (TVGOS)time was set to 4am when my DHG-HDD500 came back and after subsequent reboots. I got in touch with the engineer at WCVE (channel 23) a short while ago who said the problem with their Gemstar feed has been corrected (whatver that entails). Also, he asked if my TVGOS was three-hours behind (it was not). When I asked why, he said that one of the local channels (either WRLH 35 or WUPV 65) was broadcasting TVGOS data using Pacific time. Anyway, my host channel was set to 23 so hopefully it will be working correctly when I get home from work. Is anyone else having problems with their TVGOS devices?

This last Saturday when had one of those wild lighting attacks. Lasted about 15 minutes. The first strick hit like a bomb. The lights went full bright, then black, and did that several times a second.........then the electricity appeared to be steady. We were watching a recorded show; but when all the smoke alarms went off in the house, we went into "defensive" mode and started unpluggin everthing and turned off the AC.

After the storm passed (we still wanted to finish the movie), we plugged everything back in. I left the HDD500 "off" until the clock came back, that took about 10-15 mins. I broke out in a cold sweat. Everything still works fine. I guess surge protectors do work, but I still don't trust them. LOL

This last Saturday when had one of those wild lighting attacks. Lasted about 15 minutes. The first strick hit like a bomb. The lights went full bright, then black, and did that several times a second.........then the electricity appeared to be steady. We were watching a recorded show; but when all the smoke alarms went off in the house, we went into "defensive" mode and started unpluggin everthing and turned off the AC.

After the storm passed (we still wanted to finish the movie), we plugged everything back in. I left the HDD500 "off" until the clock came back, that took about 10-15 mins. I broke out in a cold sweat. Everything still works fine. I guess surge protectors do work, but I still don't trust them. LOL

I have my two plugged into a omputer battery backup system and would suggest that everyone do the same.

But no one's done much yet to dump the contents of the NV memory. I think it's highly unlikely that the drive itself is running customized firmware.

wow, I can't beleive no one's even dumped the flash yet. I'd love to get on this, but they are still too expensive. If anyone has a broken unit they'd like to donate to the cause, contact me! thx.

FYI - the TiVo Series3 is under $600 at Costco. The monthly subscription still turns me off. :(

FYI - the TiVo Series3 is under $600 at Costco. The monthly subscription still turns me off. :(Big time! I don't mind paying premium dollars for a premium HD DVR, but there is way I am going to fork over hundreds of dollars for programming guide data that should be included with the purchase price. Except for it being a single-tuner system, I am very satisfied with my HDD500 and TVGOS.

FYI - the TiVo Series3 is under $600 at Costco. The monthly subscription still turns me off. :(

Doesn't Amazon have it for about $409 now when you include the Tivo $200 rebate?

EDIT: Never mind...I think the Tivo rebate expired on June 16th.

Doesn't Amazon have it for about $409 now when you include the Tivo $200 rebate?

EDIT: Never mind...I think the Tivo rebate expired on June 16th.

The Fry's in Austin TX still has a couple of new DHG-HDD250's for $569 on clearance (same price since February). Run and get them if you want one.

My guide data comes and goes - very annoying. I checked my VBI Host channel. The unit tells me the host channel is 21 on Cox (FCPS Red Apple 21) while Spiffspace suggests it is WETA 26 on Cox (I think so too). Not using OTA and using a CableCARD. I fail the VBI test in the 9012 menu for any channel I select (21, 26, etc.).

Do TVGOS downloads from OTA contain cable provider listings too? Assuming that's true, if I lived in Alex, a few miles down the road, and if I used OTA, would my unit know it should disregard the Cox TVGOS data? I could rig up an antenna if I have too if I can get cable data from OTA. But I suspect OTA TVGOS data just contains OTA data. Anyone know?

I'd be interested in knowing what others in my area have for their host channel on Cox.

Annoyed Vienna VA,

The OTA does include cable listings

The Fry's in Austin TX still has a couple of new DHG-HDD250's for $569 on clearance (same price since February). Run and get them if you want one.

Just remember they die in about one year, and Sony still has not provided a mirgration path and may not? Other than that they are far superior to sliced bread.

My guide data comes and goes - very annoying. I checked my VBI Host channel. The unit tells me the host channel is 21 on Cox (FCPS Red Apple 21) while Spiffspace suggests it is WETA 26 on Cox (I think so too). Not using OTA and using a CableCARD. I fail the VBI test in the 9012 menu for any channel I select (21, 26, etc.).

Do TVGOS downloads from OTA contain cable provider listings too? Assuming that's true, if I lived in Alex, a few miles down the road, and if I used OTA, would my unit know it should disregard the Cox TVGOS data? I could rig up an antenna if I have too if I can get cable data from OTA. But I suspect OTA TVGOS data just contains OTA data. Anyone know?

I'd be interested in knowing what others in my area have for their host channel on Cox.

Annoyed Vienna VA,

That's very strange. I have channel 26 showing as my host channel and I live in Fairfax. I was the one that supplied the info for our area to Spiffsspace and it should be 26. Have you tried forcing the host? I can't imagine why it would hone on a local access channel (21) that doesn't supply any data that I know of???

Big time! I don't mind paying premium dollars for a premium HD DVR, but there is way I am going to fork over hundreds of dollars for programming guide data that should be included with the purchase price. Except for it being a single-tuner system, I am very satisfied with my HDD500 and TVGOS.
I recently sold my DHG-HDD500 and built a big mythtv system with three tuners. One of my concerns with the Sony was not knowing what will happen with the TVGOS when the analog broadcast stations go away (I'm using only OTA).

So...no sooner to I get it working than labs.zap2it.com (where all U.S. mythtv users get their guide data) announces they're shutting down 9/1...mostly because of commercial abuse of the system.

Somebody shoot me.

Tom

I recently sold my DHG-HDD500 and built a big mythtv system with three tuners. One of my concerns with the Sony was not knowing what will happen with the TVGOS when the analog broadcast stations go away (I'm using only OTA).

So...no sooner to I get it working than labs.zap2it.com (where all U.S. mythtv users get their guide data) announces they're shutting down 9/1...mostly because of commercial abuse of the system.

Somebody shoot me.

Tom
Bang!

wow, I can't beleive no one's even dumped the flash yet. I'd love to get on this, but they are still too expensive. If anyone has a broken unit they'd like to donate to the cause, contact me! thx.

I've done some risky poking in my 250 and 500, but at this point I still depend on them for daily use and am reluctant to start desoldering parts and risk bricking one of them. I second the offer to do more advanced poking if I could get the mainboard from a broken unit.

My guide data comes and goes - very annoying. I checked my VBI Host channel. The unit tells me the host channel is 21 on Cox (FCPS Red Apple 21) while Spiffspace suggests it is WETA 26 on Cox (I think so too). Not using OTA and using a CableCARD. I fail the VBI test in the 9012 menu for any channel I select (21, 26, etc.).

Do TVGOS downloads from OTA contain cable provider listings too? Assuming that's true, if I lived in Alex, a few miles down the road, and if I used OTA, would my unit know it should disregard the Cox TVGOS data? I could rig up an antenna if I have too if I can get cable data from OTA. But I suspect OTA TVGOS data just contains OTA data. Anyone know?

I'd be interested in knowing what others in my area have for their host channel on Cox.

Annoyed Vienna VA,

I don't know how Cox handles this, but with Comcast digital service (via a cable card) in Alexandria, the analog version (with TVGOS data) of digital 26 is sent over channel 92 (used to be 94). Cox in Fairfax County may do something similar; you'd need to call and ask them. Also, you'd need to make sure that channel is "turned on" in both the Channel +/- edit and the TVGOS listing. BTW, the cablecos don't normally list these analog channels in their "official" channel line-ups and typical phone reps aren't always aware of them.

Something else to consider, however. I sometimes loose TVGOS data on my Panny plasma for no apparent reason (but not on my Sony DHG!). I've found that it helps to tune to the VBI host channel at night before turning it off. You could simply try tuning your Sony to 21 every night before shutting it off.

If none of that works, then it could simply be that 21 on Cox is not reliable as a VBI host channel (maybe they occasionally forget to turn it on or they go off-air some nights?).

I've done some risky poking in my 250 and 500, but at this point I still depend on them for daily use and am reluctant to start desoldering parts and risk bricking one of them. I second the offer to do more advanced poking if I could get the mainboard from a broken unit.

Here's a link to replacement parts. Unfortunately the main A board costs more than I paid for my 250. Go to www.partstore.com and pick your brand (sony) then the model number (dhg-hdd250)

Thanks... I'm looking to do this on a low/no budget basis. Not sure why the board is available through this channel anyway since without Sony's manufacturing software, one couldn't configure the new board to work with the existing drives.

Thanks... I'm looking to do this on a low/no budget basis. Not sure why the board is available through this channel anyway since without Sony's manufacturing software, one couldn't configure the new board to work with the existing drives.

It's interesting to see the other discrete parts they offer, they're usually the ones that fail most often. https://servicesplus.us.sony.biz/sony-parts.aspx also lists parts. You have to quick search on just the model prefix dhg. They list the H2 board and tuner parts like the NXT 2003 chip.

i have a 250 for about 2 years. few questions
i live in madison very close to all towers in the area.
i can not get my local abc station or 2 out of 5 pbs stations on the HDD DHG.
i get the abc as an analog only.
if i punch in the stations they do not come in. if i program a channel it does not come in. they come in fine with my samsumg dlp internal turner and usb hd receiver on my computer.
i have tried:
a new atennae,
not splitting signal ,
using a booster,

1. is there any way to get the stations?

2.if i do step 1,2,3 will that help?

3. if i do step 1,2,3 will i lose my existing line up and channel order? will i lose recording settings? will i lose recorded shows?

The OTA does include cable listings

More precisely, OTA users get channel entries for cable channels, but they're all turned off by default, and have no channel numbers assigned to them. If a cable user pretends that he's OTA only in the TVGOS initial setup, after he gets the channel list he has to edit the channel list so as to turn on any cable channels that he wants listings for, and assign their channel numbers.

I can receive one of the North Carolina PBS stations OTA, (operated by the University of North Carolina), but do not get OTA listings for its subchannels by default. However, my TVGOS data does contain disabled channel entries for UNC-HD, UNCKID, UNC-ED and UNC-NC, which are probably what they're called on some cable system on the other side of the state line. I simply turn them on and set their channels to 33.2, 33.3, etc. and voilà!

There's even another set for UNCHD, UNCKD, UNCED and UNCNC (note the slightly different spellings) which probably come from some other cable company.

I recently sold my DHG-HDD500 and built a big mythtv system with three tuners. One of my concerns with the Sony was not knowing what will happen with the TVGOS when the analog broadcast stations go away (I'm using only OTA).

So...no sooner to I get it working than labs.zap2it.com (where all U.S. mythtv users get their guide data) announces they're shutting down 9/1...mostly because of commercial abuse of the system.

Somebody shoot me.

TomI currently use my HDD500 for OTA and everything else goes to my Dish Network HD DVRs. When I had cable (small hard drive), I also dumped recordings to the PC using my Mitsubishi Diamond DLP via firewire - the PC runs software that emulats a D-VHS recorder and playback is done using the build-in DTV tuners in the Mits. I downloaded MythTV a week or two back and was going to buy a HDTV card and starting using it...until you mentioned the bad news about zap2it. Anyway, is there anywhere else to download the EPG for use with MythTV?

i have a 250 for about 2 years. few questions
i live in madison very close to all towers in the area.
i can not get my local abc station or 2 out of 5 pbs stations on the HDD DHG.
i get the abc as an analog only.
if i punch in the stations they do not come in. if i program a channel it does not come in. they come in fine with my samsumg dlp internal turner and usb hd receiver on my computer.
i have tried:
a new atennae,
not splitting signal ,
using a booster,

1. is there any way to get the stations?

2.if i do step 1,2,3 will that help?

3. if i do step 1,2,3 will i lose my existing line up and channel order? will i lose recording settings? will i lose recorded shows?

IMHO the ATSC tuner (hardware and/or software) in the DHG is pretty poor. I too get excellent reception with my TV tuner (Sony 50A2000) and with my HTPC (Fusion card) but have lots of problems with signal breakup on the DHG. I too have tried signal amplification, and switching to a seperate dedicated antenna. Like you, I live fairly near the broadcast towers (in St. Paul, MN area). I believe the problem is the DHG has poor multipath rejection. Since the signal is so strong here, I think I'm getting a lot of bounced signal off water towers or other tall structures and that this confuses the DGH tuner. When I first got my Fusion card several years ago, I had similar problems with it, but, with later upgrades to the software they went away.

I remember seeing something about a two antenna solution to multipath where they are set up slightly offset from each other side to side and front to back then the signal merged. It was shown with a couple low cost ($25) antenna. I think I'll have to give something like that a try next. You might want to do the same.

On the other hand, my DHG gets the local very weak NBC station (rf ch13) while a Fusion and a MyHD fail on the same antenna. For my situation, the Sony tuner is excellent.

Must be a big YMMV factor at play.

On the other hand, my DHG gets the local very weak NBC station (rf ch13) while a Fusion and a MyHD fail on the same antenna. For my situation, the Sony tuner is excellent.

Must be a big YMMV factor at play.
Could be that it is more sensitive, but, worse at multipath rejection.

IMHO the ATSC tuner (hardware and/or software) in the DHG is pretty poor. I too get excellent reception with my TV tuner (Sony 50A2000) and with my HTPC (Fusion card) but have lots of problems with signal breakup on the DHG. I too have tried signal amplification, and switching to a seperate dedicated antenna. Like you, I live fairly near the broadcast towers (in St. Paul, MN area). I believe the problem is the DHG has poor multipath rejection. Since the signal is so strong here, I think I'm getting a lot of bounced signal off water towers or other tall structures and that this confuses the DGH tuner. When I first got my Fusion card several years ago, I had similar problems with it, but, with later upgrades to the software they went away.

I remember seeing something about a two antenna solution to multipath where they are set up slightly offset from each other side to side and front to back then the signal merged. It was shown with a couple low cost ($25) antenna. I think I'll have to give something like that a try next. You might want to do the same.

Would you do that with a splitter reversed? I'd like to try that with my two Wineguards..... Thanks for any info.......

The ATSC tuner in my DHG500 works identical to the one in my Sony GWIV. Of course, I am 51-55 miles out from the towers and do not suffer from multipath.

Would you do that with a splitter reversed? I'd like to try that with my two Wineguards..... Thanks for any info.......
Here is a link to a site that talks about doing it with the Silver Sensor indoor antennas. I was thinking of trying this. If you try it - let us know about the results. Two Antenna Multipath Solution (http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/silver.html)

The entire PBS line-up on Cox in Fairfax, VA has gone digital. If you are using a cablecard and are still receiving guide data, you have not been pinged by Cox or you have found another analog channel that is transmitting the TVGOS signal.

Do tell.

I am changing from Cox to Verizon Fios and was wondering the best way to have the new Cable Card installed. Power down first? Anyone have experience in changing providers with this dvr?

I tried it on Comcast.

It worked at first.

But then 24 hours it did not.

It only took a Call to Comcast Operations Center to
turn the card back on.

THANK YOU.
I switched the cable card from one dhg to another and it has worked for about 3 weeks now. Thanks again for the information.

MISSYQUICK

I sent a DHG-HDD250 back to sony and they sent me a refurbished one back and I did not need to call Cox, working fine for the past 2+ months.

THANK YOU for the information. I switched my cable card from the 250 to the 500 three weeks ago. It seems to be working fine.

MISSYQUICK

The entire PBS line-up on Cox in Fairfax, VA has gone digital. If you are using a cablecard and are still receiving guide data, you have not been pinged by Cox or you have found another analog channel that is transmitting the TVGOS signal.

Do tell.

The corresponding Cox analog PBS channel transmitting TVG listings data is now 862 for those with cablecards. This will be the only way to get the listings and clock if you were using PBS channel 26 before. There is no saying how long Cox will keep the analog version on 862. Therefore you will need to force your host to 862 using the force the host code to continue to get listings.

I live just blocks from Vienna VA in Fairfax County. My cablecard tells me that, upon re-insertion of a cablecard in a reset Sony, I have 343 digital channels and 3 analog channels. Anyway to spot an analog channel in th DHG-HDD-250/500 series? I'e spot checked some channels in the 9012 menu but that's too many to check from school.

I have what I think is a fairly unique problem. I have two DGH's, a 250 and a 500. Both have been working flawlessly, and both have cable cards. Sometime over the weekend, my 250 indicated a "no signal" condition when I attempted to watch a local channel. I tried switching channels and was still unable to acquire signal. Since that system was scheduled to record at 9 p.m., I left it in the schedule and set the 500 to record the same show. This morning, I find that both units recorded the 9 p.m. show. I'm able to watch it on the 250, but when I hit stop, which would normally take me to my local television channels, I end up again with "no signal". Hopefully one of you has a clue as to what might be going on before I spend a lot of time and effort trying to deal with the technical support people in New Jersey.

Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

JLOB

JLOB, is the HDMI cable loose? and/or disconnect them and switch them between the two units? Also, try swtching the antenna/cable leads between the two units.

I am in the Detroit area and mostly watch OTA PBS. Since it was new my 500 would drop sound for a second or two 1 - 3 times per hour. Starting about a month ago the dropouts occur every minute or two on some 56.2 (PBS SD) programs, much less frequently on 56.1 (PBS HD), and only occasionally on what little other channels I watch. The loss is in the recording and occurs whether analog or digital sound out. Anyone with similar experiences? Hardware problem? Broadcast problem?

I downloaded MythTV a week or two back and was going to buy a HDTV card and starting using it...until you mentioned the bad news about zap2it. Anyway, is there anywhere else to download the EPG for use with MythTV?
Sorry...I hadn't checked this forum in a while.

In answer to your question, the main developers of MythTV have been communicating with zap2it, but there's been no news yet. Prior to labs.zap2it.com, I believe mythtv used methods that involved screen scraping of the actual zap2it.com website. Ironically, they created labs.zap2it.com to prevent all that extra load on the regular listings. The problem is that zap2it is owned by TMS (Tribune Media Services) which owns the sole rights to those listings...so there simply isn't any other source. Hopefully something will be worked out.

In a worst case, MythTV can get listings for the current day from the EIT data in the actual broadcast streams. If you're like me and don't schedule things way in advance, that could actually be good enough. Manual recording is always an option to...it's actually pretty easy when done through mythweb. In any case, it's a whole lot better than what you have if your DHG looses it's host station.

I'm actually glad this occurred now instead of before I built my system, as I may have decided not to go ahead with it...and in spite of this issue, I simply love my MythTV system.

Tom

I am in the Detroit area and mostly watch OTA PBS. Since it was new my 500 would drop sound for a second or two 1 - 3 times per hour. Starting about a month ago the dropouts occur every minute or two on some 56.2 (PBS SD) programs, much less frequently on 56.1 (PBS HD), and only occasionally on what little other channels I watch. The loss is in the recording and occurs whether analog or digital sound out. Anyone with similar experiences? Hardware problem? Broadcast problem?

I think the problem is at the station. I get the dropouts when watching OTA with the tuner in my TV as well as my DVR's.

I am in the Detroit area and mostly watch OTA PBS. Since it was new my 500 would drop sound for a second or two 1 - 3 times per hour... snip...Are you using HDMI out? If so, try using component + separate audio.

I live in the Kansas City area and use HDMI to my H/K AVR 745 receiver and use OTA HD and don't get audio drop outs at all.

JLOB, is the HDMI cable loose? and/or disconnect them and switch them between the two units? Also, try swtching the antenna/cable leads between the two units.

Thanks. The cables are fine. After a little more investigation, I discover that it's only the digital channels that don't work. Analogs are fine. I swapped the cable cards, and the problem remained with the HD250, so it's not the card. If noone has other ideas, I suspect it's time for this thing to be shipped back to be repaired....again.


JLOB

Getting closer to my switch from Cox to Verizon's Fios (July 3rd) and will be just changing the cablecard to activate my new service. Is there a procedure to do this (power down first? Just eject card and insert & rescan? ) did anyone do this yet?

Thanks!

Thanks. The cables are fine. After a little more investigation, I discover that it's only the digital channels that don't work. Analogs are fine. I swapped the cable cards, and the problem remained with the HD250, so it's not the card. If noone has other ideas, I suspect it's time for this thing to be shipped back to be repaired....again.


JLOB

Sounds like the cable card is not provisioned for the second HDD? Unlikely the problem is with the HDD? Still sounds like the signal is not getting through. You may want to try re-provision the card and/or soft reset (guide/menu front panel), followed by a full rescan in the tuner.

Do you have OTA digital to check it out?

Thanks. The cables are fine. After a little more investigation, I discover that it's only the digital channels that don't work. Analogs are fine. I swapped the cable cards, and the problem remained with the HD250, so it's not the card. If noone has other ideas, I suspect it's time for this thing to be shipped back to be repaired....again.


JLOB

JLOB,

I had a similar problem in my 500, about a month ago. Digital channels wouldn't tune OR RECORD, but analog tuning and recordings worked fine. Playback was also fine, though like you, if I stopped a recording and it tried to display TV on a digital channel, I got No Signal.

I pulled the plug for a minute, then let it reboot (actually, I turned off the UPS, but same effect!). After the reboot all was well.

The net result of all this was some lost recordings on digital channels. Bummer. Last two episodes of CSI! Gotta wait for the reruns.

Marc

Getting closer to my switch from Cox to Verizon's Fios (July 3rd) and will be just changing the cablecard to activate my new service. Is there a procedure to do this (power down first? Just eject card and insert & rescan? ) did anyone do this yet?

Thanks!


Anyone?

JLOB,

I had a similar problem in my 500, about a month ago. Digital channels wouldn't tune OR RECORD, but analog tuning and recordings worked fine. Playback was also fine, though like you, if I stopped a recording and it tried to display TV on a digital channel, I got No Signal.

I pulled the plug for a minute, then let it reboot (actually, I turned off the UPS, but same effect!). After the reboot all was well.

The net result of all this was some lost recordings on digital channels. Bummer. Last two episodes of CSI! Gotta wait for the reruns.

Marc


Thanks. That did the trick! Also good news since the Sony Service Contract I have was worded such that they sent me a check for the remaining "unused service credit" and told me to just throw the unit away. They were NOT going to try to fix it due to excessive costs!! If I sent it on my own to Sony I'd be liable for any and all charges. Dodged a bullet, 'cause I was sure going to get it fixed rather than do without it!!

JLOB


JLOB

Thanks. That did the trick! Also good news since the Sony Service Contract I have was worded such that they sent me a check for the remaining "unused service credit" and told me to just throw the unit away. They were NOT going to try to fix it due to excessive costs!! If I sent it on my own to Sony I'd be liable for any and all charges. Dodged a bullet, 'cause I was sure going to get it fixed rather than do without it!!

JLOB


JLOB


Who did you purchase the contract from ? Best Buy? or was it from Sony directly?

Who did you purchase the contract from ? Best Buy? or was it from Sony directly?


It was purchased directly from Sony, after they solicited my business due to registering the system(s). It's administered by Service Net, 650 Missouri Ave, Jeffersonville, In 47130.


JLOB

It was purchased directly from Sony, after they solicited my business due to registering the system(s). It's administered by Service Net, 650 Missouri Ave, Jeffersonville, In 47130.


JLOB

Dear goodness. So, Service Net sells us a bunch of warranties, and if we don't claim anything, they've made 100% profit. If we do claim something, they send us a service credit equivalent to the unused prorated portion of the warranty? I'm guessing that's how they calculated it. Sounds like a great business model. I've got to start up a scam like this...

How much did they send you versus the cost of the warranty originally?

Marc

Dear goodness. So, Service Net sells us a bunch of warranties, and if we don't claim anything, they've made 100% profit. If we do claim something, they send us a service credit equivalent to the unused prorated portion of the warranty? I'm guessing that's how they calculated it. Sounds like a great business model. I've got to start up a scam like this...

How much did they send you versus the cost of the warranty originally?

Marc

Ohhh - maybe I misunderstood. I thought they sent a check that covered the cost of replacement of the unit (prorated somehow)...or is this what they did? What did you pay for the unit vs the amount of the check (just percentages if you don't want to share dollar amounts).

It is weird, they ended up replacing mine when I had problems, surprised that they did not replace yours

Ohhh - maybe I misunderstood. I thought they sent a check that covered the cost of replacement of the unit (prorated somehow)...or is this what they did? What did you pay for the unit vs the amount of the check (just percentages if you don't want to share dollar amounts).

No problem. The unit was $250.00 (Tweeter). The warranty was $59.95. It had had $97.00 worth of service (after the original mfg. warranty). The sent a check for $153.00. It's all based upon what you paid for the unit, less any applied fixit charges.

JLOB

Getting closer to my switch from Cox to Verizon's Fios (July 3rd) and will be just changing the cablecard to activate my new service. Is there a procedure to do this (power down first? Just eject card and insert & rescan? ) did anyone do this yet?

Thanks!

I'd assume Cox will want their cable card back as soon as you terminate their service; don't know if they'll send a tech for it or make you bring it in. When Verizon comes with their card, just turn on your Sony (say "No" when it asks if you want to scan now), pop in the new card and the Sony will automatically scan the card. In a matter of seconds you should see "XXX Digital channels found; YYY Analog channels founds"; hit "OK". Then, of course, you'll need to edit all your new line-ups and hope you can find an analog channel with the TVGOS data.

Good Luck.

No problem. The unit was $250.00 (Tweeter). The warranty was $59.95. It had had $97.00 worth of service (after the original mfg. warranty). The sent a check for $153.00. It's all based upon what you paid for the unit, less any applied fixit charges.

JLOB

OK, I ammend my prior comment, as until now I hadn't realized they would prorate the value of the unit, as opposed to the value of the warranty. To me this is a little less outrageous, but still pretty scam-ish.

To me, a service contract is supposed to guarantee that the unit works all the way to the end of the contract period. If they choose not to service it, at any time, they should be required to pay full replacement cost (up to the original purchase price of course).

Of course, they wrote the contract to favor themselves, so they can do as they please.

Marc

Here's an email I got from Cox, FYI.
---------------------------------------------
Thank you for contacting our Cox Northern Virginia Online Customer Care Team.

We apologize for the difficulties you have faced with your Cable service, and for any inconvenience this may have caused.

In response to the concerns raised in your email: We have converted Channel 26 with the Gemstar embedded program guide back to an Analog signal at for the time being. If you power-cycle the CableCARD-enabled equipment (unplug, wait 30 seconds, then reconnect to power) and follow the initial setup procedures as detailed in your owners' manual(s), this should bring about restoration of the guide after midnight that same evening.

If this does not work, please feel free to contact me directly at 703 480 5280. I work Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time. This number bypasses our call center and rings directly to my desk; I stand ready to assist you.

If you need additional information on other Cox products or services, please visit our web site at http://www.cox.com/fairfax. We hope that we have been able to provide you with the information you requested. If we have not, or if we can be of any additional service to
you, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

My name is David
Thank you for choosing Cox Communications, Your Friend in the Digital
Age!

Sincerely,
The Cox Northern Virginia Online Customer Care Team

Original Message Follows:
------------------------
Form Message
subject: Technical Support
detail: Digital Cable

Comments: I use three cable cards. In the Vienna area (22180) what channel numbers remain as analog while using the digital service? My cards, when inserted, state I have 343 digital channels and 3 analog channels. I need to know the channel numbers for these three analog channels for my Gemstar TV Guide On Screen system to work. Two months ago, Cox transmitted WETA 26 analog overlaid on the digital signal in my zip code. But now, WETA 26 is all digital. Please confirm the remaining analog channels and their assigned numbers while using the digital service via cable cards.

I'd assume Cox will want their cable card back as soon as you terminate their service; don't know if they'll send a tech for it or make you bring it in. When Verizon comes with their card, just turn on your Sony (say "No" when it asks if you want to scan now), pop in the new card and the Sony will automatically scan the card. In a matter of seconds you should see "XXX Digital channels found; YYY Analog channels founds"; hit "OK". Then, of course, you'll need to edit all your new line-ups and hope you can find an analog channel with the TVGOS data.

Good Luck.

So, I should remove the cablecard from cox and then power it down. Then place in the new one from verizon, then go through the setup routine for a new setup. I will get my guide data from OTA, so no problem with that.


I will then go and drop off the cards to Cox and term my service.

This is what I understand after speaking with a Gemstar technician about digital simulcasts and TV Guide On Screen (TVGOS) data passage. As we know, TVGOS data does not reach all consumers depending on the cable company. TV Guide data is typically available on an analog channel already present on the cable into the home, but digital cable boxes and CableCARD TVs are unable to tune to the analog channel to allow TV Guide data to pass because the creation of the digital simulcast strips VBI-embedded TVGOS data from the analog signal. The Gemstar solution is requesting the cable company add an additional channel entry in the digital lineup to allow digital cable boxes and CableCARD TVs to tune to the analog channel which allows TVGOS data to pass.

This is what Cox did in my situation. WETA (channel 26) in the DC area was totally digitized around the end of May by Cox. Before yesterday, PBS had no analog on the digital feeds to my apartment with TVGOS data. Splitters cannot be used to get data to most TVGOS products. My understanding from Gemstar is all TVGOS products produced before 2006 must receive data and programming content via the same input (tuner, composite, or s-video), negating the use of a splitter to get TVGOS analog data. This is because splitters used to run the cable to the tuner of the CE product will not allow the firmware in the DVR or TV product to be configured to control the digital cable box or record from the cable box output. The only solution is hoping for the cable company to add back an analog channel (below 100) with the TVGOS data of the station being simulcast to the digital channel lineup for digital cable boxes and CableCARDs, thereby resolving the digital simulcast problem.

TV Guide is working with many cable companies to coordinate adding an entry for the analog version of the station with TVGOS data to their digital cable box and CableCARD lineups. This work around allows the product with TVGOS to find data on the analog version of the station. Besides Cox, this solution is being used by other major cable companies such as Comcast and Adelphia. I think this solution is transparent to us users and that’s great news. My problem and its solution is proof Gemstar can work with cable companies to help eliminate digital simulcast data passage problems. The bottom line is TVGOS data can be passed through digital cable boxes and CableCARDs using an analog channel in the digital channel lineup.

So, I should remove the cablecard from cox and then power it down. Then place in the new one from verizon, then go through the setup routine for a new setup. I will get my guide data from OTA, so no problem with that.


I will then go and drop off the cards to Cox and term my service.
More simply, when the Verizon tech arrives, with the Cox card still installed you can turn on the Sony, pull the Cox card (remember to say No to the Scan Now screen) and insert the new Verizon card. The Verizon tech will probably then need to call his head shed to authorize the new card. For the info he or she will need, go to Menu, Preferences, System, Cable Card.

Has anyone ever had trouble deleting recorded programs? I use "Menu" and click "Delete", but the program does not delete. I also have tried it while watching the program and clicking stop that brings up the options. The unit appears to be working normally otherwise. It's a 250.

This is what I understand after speaking with a Gemstar technician about digital simulcasts and TV Guide On Screen (TVGOS) data passage.
And this will work after the 2009 cut off date? What about those who don't have cable and rely on OTA only?

Thanks

Machine reset June 30?

Did anyone have their HDD-500 reset around midnight Saturday? My system locked up, reset thru the welcome screen and after two power down/up cycles, finally allowed me to watch a recorded program. The time was incorrect last night, however it seems good today ... Very odd.

Rat Patrol,

My sense is if you have TVGOS version 9 you'll be able to download via the digital OTA or via cable. But the Sony's use v8 so unless Sony updates the DHG-HDD firmware, we're stuck with bricks after the cut-off if you solely rely on OTA. If your cable provider transmits analog after the cut-off, AND Gemstar provdes them with equipment to insert the TVGOS data for analog, only then will us Sony DHG-HDD users be in the clear.

Sam

I wonder if the TV guide OS can be upgraded through TVGuide download itself or does it require a software update from Sony! I have a four year performance plan from Best bUy that does not expire until November 2009. I wonder if they will take it back because it does not work after Feb 2009. I rely only on OTA HD.

I wonder if the TV guide OS can be upgraded through TVGuide download itself or does it require a software update from Sony! I have a four year performance plan from Best bUy that does not expire until November 2009. I wonder if they will take it back because it does not work after Feb 2009. I rely only on OTA HD.

Generally, the official and unofficial statement from Sony is: These units will not work with the TV Guide CBS On-Screen digital service. Sony has not made an official statement as of yet, if the unit can be sent back to Sony for upgrade (I think that is unlikely) or if a trade-in allowance (upgrade path) for a replacement product will be offered. Un-officially a new digital dual tuner product is in the works for USA (they have products like that in AU; but with a different guide service). The "hinting" I have received from Sony is that we may know these answers before the end of this year.

Sony? Upgrade...don't think so, they'd rather have you buy a new product than allow an upgrade and no money for "trade-in's" either. After all they are in it for the money, not the consumers best interest.

If I can still get the clock to set correctly, that will be plenty for me.

If I can still get the clock to set correctly, that will be plenty for me.

That's the rub. No analog, no VBI signal. No VBI signal, no setting the clock.

Has anyone ever ran into a problem manually deleting? I click and click, but it does not delete. Every other feature of the DVR works fine. Very strange. I can't think it's a hard disk issue since it records with no trouble. Firmware problem maybe?

reshumate,

re: Deleting issue

Could your dvr be in 'Demo Mode'?

See:

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

1.1.4 What is 'Demo Mode'?
http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html#Section114
http://www.spiffspace.com/DHGHDD250-500instruct.pdf

1.2.16 What do each of the 9012 service menu commands do?
http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html#Section1216
"Demo Mode": This is described in section 1.1.4.

If you loose your Samsung TV "pictures controls" on any of the 2007 Samsung models when using the Sony Box, when connecting via HDMI, this may help you.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=869834

I have two DHG-HDD500 units that within a week of each other quit booting up and all I get when I power off then on is a clicking sound, a strange error message and it keeps trying to reboot unsuccessfully. It seems strange but somehow I think the software has become corrupt. Is there any way other then sending the units to Sony that I can reformat the drives and reload the software? I would love to continue using the units but at this point I can either sell them, invest more money by having both serviced or use the hard drives for my computer. Does anyone have any suggestions????

Hey, I'm looking to buy a DHG-HDD250 off of ebay. What do they usually sell for on ebay and what would be a good deal or a budget on how much I should pay for one. Thanks for your help.

I have two DHG-HDD500 units that within a week of each other quit booting up and all I get when I power off then on is a clicking sound, a strange error message and it keeps trying to reboot unsuccessfully. It seems strange but somehow I think the software has become corrupt. Is there any way other then sending the units to Sony that I can reformat the drives and reload the software? I would love to continue using the units but at this point I can either sell them, invest more money by having both serviced or use the hard drives for my computer. Does anyone have any suggestions????

Is the clicking sound the switch from OTA to cable and back again? See Page 83 of your manual.

Also, try the soft reboot........and then completely resetup your recorder with the 1,2,3 step Changes in TV Guide downloads have made most boxes non-functional (depending on your area). And operation of your units has made them go "crazy" within that short time frame.

Hey, I'm looking to buy a DHG-HDD250 off of ebay. What do they usually sell for on ebay and what would be a good deal or a budget on how much I should pay for one. Thanks for your help.

Prices can be all over the place. From about $150 to $750. Generally, I would think prices will begin falling quickly, since most know these units are dead in about a year or so.

Has it absolutely been confirmed that in 2009 the TV Guide data will no longer be available? Is that why people are saying these units will be dead then?

No. Yes.

No. Yes.

This is the best answer I have ever seen on AVS forums - seriously. And your answer is the truth too.

At this time it appears the CBS will offer the TV Guide On Sceen in digital download (thats the yes part).

As of now, the Sony box will not be able to process it. (that is the no part).

All I really want the system for is to manually record shows anyways, and be able to pause live tv. Will I still be able to do that once the TV guide switches over?

All I really want the system for is to manually record shows anyways, and be able to pause live tv. Will I still be able to do that once the TV guide switches over?

Yes, as long as by manually, you mean that when the show starts, you press the record button and when the show ends, you press the stop button.

The live TV buffer should still remain. Any scheduled recordings (I.e. timer recordings) will not be possible if the guide and clock go away.

Ok, that's fine then, thanks for your help.

Has it absolutely been confirmed that in 2009 the TV Guide data will no longer be available?As far as analog, TVGOS will still make it available through an analog host channel on cable, as long as the cable company is willing to carry it (as is the situation now).

Ok, that's fine then, thanks for your help.

There is a way to do schedule recording without the Guide. I did so before the PBS station in my area got their problem straighten out.

There is a way to do schedule recording without the Guide. I did so before the PBS station in my area got their problem straighten out.

Yes you can do timed recordings, but I think the point was that this wouldn't be a good option if the clock is no longer being set to the correct time. If the clock is off, there might be an option to do timed recordings, but you will have to figure out what time recordings must start by converting to "SONY DVR time"...

Yes you can do timed recordings, but I think the point was that this wouldn't be a good option if the clock is no longer being set to the correct time. If the clock is off, there might be an option to do timed recordings, but you will have to figure out what time recordings must start by converting to "SONY DVR time"...

I might be wrong but I think the time set doesn't come from the TVGOS guide but from a different signal.. When the TVGOS guide wasn't up in my area the clock still set itself.

I might be wrong but I think the time set doesn't come from the TVGOS guide but from a different signal..That is correct. But the time is also sent the same way - VBI line in an analog signal - also usually a PBS channel.

This is the best answer I have ever seen on AVS forums - seriously. And your answer is the truth too.

At this time it appears the CBS will offer the TV Guide On Sceen in digital download (thats the yes part).

As of now, the Sony box will not be able to process it. (that is the no part).
So there is absolutely no way to upgrade these units to work with the new TVGOS after 2009, what if we send it back to Sony for a firmware update, or can they send us a flash card with the info on it to be put in the USB port on the back?

Thanks

So there is absolutely no way to upgrade these units to work with the new TVGOS after 2009, what if we send it back to Sony for a firmware update, or can they send us a flash card with the info on it to be put in the USB port on the back?

Thanks

Sony <> Discount Tire :D

I think the bottom line is that Sony considers this a dead product and has no plans for upgrades or support beyond the functions now (I.e. getting TVGOS and time from an analog feed). We are all SOL

Although it would be fun to throw the HD DVR threw their window when it stops working, because I will feel like this :mad:

Since these units are just about dead anyways, has anyone looked at the posiblity of uninstalling the hard drives and somehow configuring these to be nothing more than an OTA receiver? My units are currently not functional due to HDD errors and I'd like to be able to use them in some fashion. Thanks.

Hi I have an dhg-500 that is now giving me an INF 0000080 error and is there any fix or do i look at leting sony fix it.
Thanks in advance Lee

Can some please tell me how to record without using TVGOS? Can the unit be set just like a VCR? I can not seem to figure this out.

Thanks,

Mark

Can some please tell me how to record without using TVGOS? Can the unit be set just like a VCR? I can not seem to figure this out.
From page 73 of the manual:

Recording Manually
1. Highlight SCHEDULE on the Service Bar and press Menu to display the Schedule Options.
2. Highlight new manual recording and choose SELECT to display the Recording Options menu.
3. Enter the date, recording start time, recording end time and channel number. Use the 0-9 keys to enter the numerals and use the left and right arrow button to enter the necessary information.
...

Or page 71.

In order for this to work the unit has to have the correct time.

In order for this to work the unit has to have the correct time.
Or you could have the wrong time and adjust the schedule to compensate. ;)

Perfect, just what I needed. I don't trust TVGOS.

Or you could have the wrong time and adjust the schedule to compensate. ;)

Yes, but then you have to worry about leap years throwing off the day of the week (leap year on the machine's date will throw off the weekly recording by one day), and other fun stuff like that. Also, since it will stop working in Feb 2009 and it resets to Jan 1, just to get the month and day correct, you will have to wait 12 months to power it up and reset the date. Just what I want to do on New Year's Eve ;)

Hi HoustonPerson,

With your help, I was able to fix my issues back in March but I don't remember exactly what I did and I'm having issues again (no listings for the last couple days).

From the 753159852 diagnostic screens, it looks like something was updated on July 4th and this coincides with my listings going bye bye.

Was the fix to revert the unit back to the original firmware? How exactly do we do this? I know there are several "reset" options that all have varying degrees of "how much" they reset and I'd like to make sure I do the right one first!

I noticed a recent post where you said "changes in TV Guide downloads have made most boxes non-functional". I assume in each case, reverting back to the old version (reseting the unit) will fix the problem but it's definitely dissapointing to have to do each time. I guess it's an easy fix compared to the looming problems in 2009.


HoustonPerson,

Yes, I also noticed the ads started appearing 2 or 3 weeks ago. I can't remember if they started before or after the time change? As a side note, I do remember immediately thinking that the ads slightly slowed down the speed of moving through menus and setting recordings.

One thing helping me to try and understand the source of the problems a little more is that I also have the TVGOS built in to my tv (so I actually have two separate TV Guides...only the Sony has the ability to record though). I noticed the ads started about a month earlier on my tv's TV Guide compared to the DVR's TV Guide. And my tv's TV Guide listings don't have the "no listing" issues and the search is still working fine. Adding to that, I've never had the "lock up while recording" issues that so many others are talking about.

That all tells me the OTA updates from TVGOS are not even designed to have the exact same effect on every TV Guide out there. So even the intended changes as well as the unfortunate unintended changes are dependent on the original version of the hardware you bought. Otherwise, why wouldn't the OTA updates bring everyone to the exact same point? I think our problem (as well as the "lock up while recording" issue) was created with the recent update when some part of their update had unanticipated effects on certain original hardware versions. Hopefully, that means it can also be fixed by a future update but who knows how long that will be? I have heard folks performing "9012" factory resets which may very well fix our problem but I'll watch the thread a bit more before doing that.

For now I'll continue to keep my eyes and ears open!


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

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

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

So here's a weird one...

My 500 went bonkers today. It's hooked up to cable via cable card, firmware version .13, 161-6 error correction applied long ago.

Anyway, the thing was apparently working just fine, and I wanted to see if a particular show was coming up any time soon. So I went into the Search section, Alphabetical, and chose the letter K. It gave me a message that it was preparing data or searching for data or something like that, which normally takes a couple seconds.

10 minutes later it was still at that same searching for listings screen. I tried turning it off via the remote, which worked. I turned it back on, and poked around a bit. Seemed fine. Went back to the alphabetical search, and got the same problem.

Rebooted via front panel (exit/guide), and it didn't lock onto a time signal after even 10 minutes (usually takes ~2 mins after boot is done and I get --:--).

Unplugged it for a while, let it reboot all the way, and now half an hour later it is still at --:--.

Any ideas?

Marc

Marc_G. I think that mean you lost the signal for the clock (and maybe TV Guide too?) Do you have a quick OTA to test it out?

jstefans,

I do not know that I understand everything you are saying....and maybe some of the quoted stuff I said is/was a little out of context?

It sort of sound like you are losing your PBS analogue signal for some reason....it could be a simple as a bad connection? If not then; do the 1,2 &3
1. soft reboot on the front (guide and exit). do this while the unit is playing.........it will turn off and the WAIT until the correct time is back (can help prove if you are at least getting part of the PBS stuff)
2. reset the Sony Tuner in full (from scatch). Test the channels to make sure they work and make sure the PBS analogue is turned on. (do not even bother with the TV Guide stuff or menus at this point). Now that the Sony Tuner and the Clock work, go to step 3
3. completely reset up TV Guide from scratch.

(note is step one, could be all the fix you need.......and all could be fine.........HOWEVER, if your search messes it up again....then start over again with step 1 (guide and exit)

Yes, but then you have to worry about leap years throwing off the day of the week (leap year on the machine's date will throw off the weekly recording by one day), and other fun stuff like that.
Leap years don't throw off the seven days of the week.

Anyway, I could just make a calculator that automatically figures out the schedule.

Thanks for your help. The issues our units were having were similar and we gathered that our hardware versions must have been the same because the TV Guide updates negatively affected the performance of our units in the same exact way. I remember you were able to do a reset and myself the same and that fixed the problem. But I don't remember exactly how far down the list of your 3 steps it took to fix the problem. I will try them out tonight and post my findings.

Thanks!


jstefans,

I do not know that I understand everything you are saying....and maybe some of the quoted stuff I said is/was a little out of context?

It sort of sound like you are losing your PBS analogue signal for some reason....it could be a simple as a bad connection? If not then; do the 1,2 &3
1. soft reboot on the front (guide and exit). do this while the unit is playing.........it will turn off and the WAIT until the correct time is back (can help prove if you are at least getting part of the PBS stuff)
2. reset the Sony Tuner in full (from scatch). Test the channels to make sure they work and make sure the PBS analogue is turned on. (do not even bother with the TV Guide stuff or menus at this point). Now that the Sony Tuner and the Clock work, go to step 3
3. completely reset up TV Guide from scratch.

(note is step one, could be all the fix you need.......and all could be fine.........HOWEVER, if your search messes it up again....then start over again with step 1 (guide and exit)

A problem I can't seem to resolve..
I am unable to record the channels I acquired since having the cable card installed. I can record all channels that I had before I switched to digital and had the cable card installed. I tried to record Channel 160 (Biography Channel) and Channel 727 (Discovery HD). They would not record. Tried the local broadcast channels and they do record. I can record all channels up to about channel 75. I tried to manually set up some channels to record and that failed also.
All the channels are coming in and I can view them but cannot record them.
Anyone have this problem???
Called Cablevision and they reactivated the card but that didn't change anything.
Called Sony and they can't figure it out as the unit will record some channels.
Thank you...

Missy, there are at least a couple of possibilities.

Cablevision may have CCI flags set to prevent recording. You'll have to look in your cablecard menus to see if CCI is different on the channels you can record and the ones you can't. Look for "conditional Access" somewhere. The cableco can correct this remotely.

Another possibility is a Moto card with older firmware. I'm not sure if you are using Moto or SA equipment. If it's a Moto card, you need the newest card with firmware 4.21, otherwise you will have intermittent problems recording premium channels.

Leap years don't throw off the seven days of the week.

Anyway, I could just make a calculator that automatically figures out the schedule.

Guess that's right, didn't think it through, you would just have to manually adjust the calculator when daylight savings changes (+/- 1 hour).

I see how that could get really confusing....I'm looking at the DVICO unit to replace at least one of my HDD250's. I only paid $300 total for both of them in August of 2006, so I think $100 year for 3 years use out of them is pretty good...still cheaper than renting a cable HD DVR :)

Well, the results are in. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it past step one. It looks like I'm not getting the stuff from PBS. The unit has been off for about an hour now and it's still waiting for the time. I'll leave it off overnight and see what happens. I checked with my tuner in my tv and I can still see the PBS analog station so the station is broadcasting. That would have been an easy explanation if the station wasn't coming in.

I hope my local PBS didn't just decide to stop sending out the Gemstar data. Has that happened to anyone?


jstefans,

I do not know that I understand everything you are saying....and maybe some of the quoted stuff I said is/was a little out of context?

It sort of sound like you are losing your PBS analogue signal for some reason....it could be a simple as a bad connection? If not then; do the 1,2 &3
1. soft reboot on the front (guide and exit). do this while the unit is playing.........it will turn off and the WAIT until the correct time is back (can help prove if you are at least getting part of the PBS stuff)
2. reset the Sony Tuner in full (from scatch). Test the channels to make sure they work and make sure the PBS analogue is turned on. (do not even bother with the TV Guide stuff or menus at this point). Now that the Sony Tuner and the Clock work, go to step 3
3. completely reset up TV Guide from scratch.

(note is step one, could be all the fix you need.......and all could be fine.........HOWEVER, if your search messes it up again....then start over again with step 1 (guide and exit)

Hmmm...

HoustonPerson: Thanks for the reply. Maybe something strange was going on with the PBS analog channel, I'm not sure. After a couple of hours off, it finally got the clock. I turned it on at about 8:10 pm tonight, and noticed it was NOT recording Dr. Who on scifi, which should have started at 8 pm.

I went to the scheduled recordings section and ALL the scheduled recordings had the ??? and exclamation points indicating a problem.

Fortunately earlier today I used my cable co. DVR to schedule a backup recording of the Dr. Who premiere...

Now the REALLY strange thing is revealed: I had two recordings (both "regular") set for Dr. Who. One for the 8-9:30 episode and one for the 9:30-10:30 episode. I decided to delete, then recreate, the 9:30-10:30 recording. As soon as I did this, by the way making this a one-time recording (leaving the 8-9:30 recording untouched), the red record light came on and the first episode started recording (though without the first fifteen minutes or so...). At the same time, several (not all) of the other upcoming recordings assumed a correct status in the Scheduled Recordings view, showing they would indeed be recorded at the correct time.

But a few of them still had ! and ??? so I perused the Listings schedule. I found that starting about Wednesday No Listings start, and this goes on until sometime on Friday. I imagine these will get filled in as the listing download cycle happens. Something either erased these listings, or they never downloaded in the first place due to some glitch.

The one-time 9:30 recording started on time tonight, but I'm still getting "Searching for Data" anytime I go in and do an Alphabetical Search. I get the same thing if I go in and do a Search for Movies. Any category I choose, it says Searching for Data until the screen apparently times out and goes to show the currently tuned channel full screen.

Any ideas what's going on here?

Marc

Generally, the official and unofficial statement from Sony is: These units will not work with the TV Guide CBS On-Screen digital service. Sony has not made an official statement as of yet, if the unit can be sent back to Sony for upgrade (I think that is unlikely) or if a trade-in allowance (upgrade path) for a replacement product will be offered. Un-officially a new digital dual tuner product is in the works for USA (they have products like that in AU; but with a different guide service). The "hinting" I have received from Sony is that we may know these answers before the end of this year.


What about these digital to analog converter boxes that Gemstar has applied to the FCC to use as part of the governments rebate program so the 100's of thousands of people won't be without TVGOS?

What about these digital to analog converter boxes the government is talking about? Will they work with the Sony?

All the converter boxes do is take a digital signal and send it out via an analog port (s-video, composite, etc). It can't take the digital TVGOS and convert it to VBI lines over a host channel. (at least I don't think that will be the standard functionality of these $40 boxes)

jstefans and Marc_G

Step One: The clock thing: Generally, after the unit turns itself "off" when you do the guide and reset buttons; in most areas of the country the clock should come back in about 5 to 20 min (about 5-10min for the reboot and 5-10min to get the clock). If it is taking an hour the most likely problems are:
1. bad connections,
2. poor signal strength on the Analogue PBS
3. something wrong at the PBS station (yes this has happened before)

??? means there is a mis-match in data (from listings to the scheduled recordings). Delete those scheduled recordings, on the next day see if you can set them up again (if the programs are correct and there). One test is to go to the "listings" screen and punch in 500 (hours to move forward), Is day eight now correct? All cells in that last 24 hours? If "yes" then within 8 days then all pages of listings should end up being correct. If "no" it can only be fixed with 1,2,&3 step.

Hi everyone...

I'm selling my four units. Two 500's, and two 250's.

I just put one of each on eBay.....here's the 500's number: 230150038737

And here's the 250's number: 230150141750

Don't want to compete with myself, so I'll put the other two up in a week.

They work perfectly. I just have too many of these, and S3's and so on. Trying to simplify.

If anyone here's interested, you'll have first shot, and I can always do a volume deal.

Hope it's ok to post this here...just wanted the message to get to the people who would care the most.

Thanks

Not that I am having problems with the hard drives on my dvrs but has anyone used the program "Spinrite" to repair error problems on them? Seems like it might help out, could not hurt since it would be dying anyways.

That's a novel idea. You'd need a PC/DOS setup to connect the drive to. At 250 GB its would take a couple of days to run to completion. Like you say, couldn't hurt.

All the converter boxes do is take a digital signal and send it out via an analog port (s-video, composite, etc). It can't take the digital TVGOS and convert it to VBI lines over a host channel. (at least I don't think that will be the standard functionality of these $40 boxes)

Then what are pages 8,9,10,11 of this Gemstar response to the ntia telling us?

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/comments/dtvcoupon_comment0082.pdf

When millions of consumers purchased Gemstar TVGOS enabled products, Gemstar got paid for the use of their product. It is in Gemstar's best interest to at the very least, provide the resources for the millions of products out there to continue to receive TVGOS for "tv's and recording devices" after shutdown. If they did'nt, seems like a good case for a class action.

Then what are pages 8,9,10,11 of this Gemstar response to the ntia telling us?

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/comments/dtvcoupon_comment0082.pdf

That will be great and may solve our problems. I have 2 of these units and I think you are limited to two coupons per household, so I will be buying two. I use OTA only.

Then what are pages 8,9,10,11 of this Gemstar response to the ntia telling us?

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/comments/dtvcoupon_comment0082.pdf

When millions of consumers purchased Gemstar TVGOS enabled products, Gemstar got paid for the use of their product. It is in Gemstar's best interest to at the very least, provide the resources for the millions of products out there to continue to receive TVGOS for "tv's and recording devices" after shutdown. If they did'nt, seems like a good case for a class action.It is important to note that even assuming that TVGOS-enabled converter boxes end up being sold, to use such a box with the Sony DHG-HDD***, one would have to split the input source (OTA or cable), permanently tune the box to a digital channel carrying a TVGOS guide in digital format, connect the box's analog RF output (ch 3 or 4) to the "other" (unused) RF input of the Sony, and tell the Sony to use both cable and antenna; then reset the TVGOS and have it search both cable and antenna inputs for the requisite VBI signal. (Or a channel 3/4 combiner could be used to put everything on a single Sony input if necessary.) The basic functionality of a converter box would go unused in our case, since we'll have no particular interest in actually "watching" an analog channel.

Then what are pages 8,9,10,11 of this Gemstar response to the ntia telling us?

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/comments/dtvcoupon_comment0082.pdf


Sounds great assuming the US government paid any attention to this and is requiring the manufacturers of these converter boxes to implement what Gemstar is asking for.

The conversion will begin before February 2009 for OTA since television stations that are changing frequencies or converting their current spectrum from analog to digital. The stations need to have the process COMPLETE by the deadline. I would expect in most markets there will be several months at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009 when analog stations will be shutting down 1 by 1... In addition, some stations will need to coordinate the move with other stations since they may be changing broadcast frequencies... So if the station that is providing TVGOS in your city shuts down their analog transmitter much earlier, the guide may stop working earlier than you think.

If you can't set the clock and don't have any guide, the Sony DVR is virtually useless. Who is really going to take the time to figure out the offset from the set date and time vs actual time to schedule recordings? And then when the unit is unplugged or the power goes off, you need to figure it out yet again.

Also, I think that the notion that the cable companies will continue to provide an analog channel on their system to allow the passing of TVGOS data... when there are no analog stations broadcasting, where do you think the cable company is going to receive an analog station to re-broadcast on their system? There won't be one.

Oh, and I almost forgot... Sony providing updates, keep wishing. The Sony DVR has a limited lifetime... and it's likely it will be fall 2005 - winter 2009. It's been discontinued for over a year. Sony has no interest in doing anything other than what is required of them by law in regards to providing spare parts. They have absolutely no incentive to keep it working due to a situation outside of their control.

We still have a while before the analog shutoff. Enjoy them while you can.

Sony has time to come out with new models. There really isn't any reason for them to it now. There are probably a lot of things that need to be sorted out first anyway. CableCARD 2.0, SDV, TVGOS Digital, etc.

I had to do a hard reset on my 250 last week. Everything came back the way it was supposed to and the system seems to operate perfectly, with one glaring exception. I'm unable to record any two programs back-to-back. Even though the guide says the program is exactly 1 hour, and the following program is exactly 1 hour, when I tried to set up a second program, I have a message saying that it will interfere with the first program. This would be similar to having a program any digit and five minutes late, thereby running into the start time of the following program. That is not the case here, unless I have some default options set that I'm unaware of. I'm hoping that's the case. Has anyone any thoughts on what mis-set options might cause this behavior?

I'd certainly appreciate any thoughts, since this limitation is a pain in the neck.

Thanks for any help.

JLOB

We still have a while before the analog shutoff. Enjoy them while you can.

Sony has time to come out with new models. There really isn't any reason for them to it now. There are probably a lot of things that need to be sorted out first anyway. CableCARD 2.0, SDV, TVGOS Digital, etc.

The way I look at the TVGOS situation - we have 2 more fall seasons of HD to enjoy (and not pay Comcast) before we all have doorstops! :rolleyes:

The conversion will begin before February 2009 for OTA since television stations that are changing frequencies or converting their current spectrum from analog to digital. The stations need to have the process COMPLETE by the deadline. I would expect in most markets there will be several months at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009 when analog stations will be shutting down 1 by 1... In addition, some stations will need to coordinate the move with other stations since they may be changing broadcast frequencies... So if the station that is providing TVGOS in your city shuts down their analog transmitter much earlier, the guide may stop working earlier than you think.

For me, there may be life for my Sony DVRs after the analog cutoff. In my area, the local FOX station is located in another country (Mexico), and will continue broadcasting it's analog NTSC signal. This is one of four stations in my area that transmit the TVGOES data. I don't know if they will continue the TVGOES data, but it is very likely that the clock signal will be there, which is all that is necessary to keep the Sonys working. Time will tell.

If you can't set the clock and don't have any guide, the Sony DVR is virtually useless. Who is really going to take the time to figure out the offset from the set date and time vs actual time to schedule recordings? And then when the unit is unplugged or the power goes off, you need to figure it out yet again.



Maybe you could do a reset at midnight to resync the clock? I don't think the wrong date would be a big deal.

I installed a CableCard last week (TWC Manhattan) and still do not have any TV Guide data, so I am already dealing with a guideless DVR. I miss the Guide, but the DVR is still usefull.

Maybe you could do a reset at midnight to resync the clock? I don't think the wrong date would be a big deal.

I installed a CableCard last week (TWC Manhattan) and still do not have any TV Guide data, so I am already dealing with a guideless DVR. I miss the Guide, but the DVR is still usefull.

FYI - CORRECT Clock data will show up in less
than 5 minutes after you turn the unit OFF.

Guide data takes a lot longer.

FYI - CORRECT Clock data will show up in less
than 5 minutes after you turn the unit OFF.

Guide data takes a lot longer.

My clock still hasn't reset either, so I must be having a problem with TWC's CableCard. I guess I won't be getting the TV Guide back without ditching the CableCard.

With all the atomic clocks and watches also with the HD sets that already has auto time set build in, its hard to believe that the clock signal with stop transmittiing in 2009.

With all the atomic clocks and watches also with the HD sets that already has auto time set build in, its hard to believe that the clock signal with stop transmittiing in 2009.

The atomic clocks and watches are set by a wireless radio time signal.

The clocks that are set in TV's could be either from the digital channels time signals, or the typical analog channel signals that have been around for a while. The Sony DVR seems to depend on an analog signal (it isn't from the TVGOS data stream).

So with that theory, if the TVGOS was totally down in an area the time signal would also be down.

So with that theory, if the TVGOS was totally down in an area the time signal would also be down.

No, I said "The Sony DVR seems to depend on an analog signal (it isn't from the TVGOS data stream)." Hence, the time signal can work even if TVGOS is down.

As someone mentioned earlier, the signals are often on the same channel, but they aren't dependent on each other.

Hi Folks,

In the last week or so I've posted a few times about "oddities" going on with my 500 unit. It has been at times unresponsive to the remote except for the on/off and channel buttons, it once failed to gain a clock for a few hours after reboot (usually does it a minute or two after --:-- ) and the original problem that bugged me that started all this is that it would freeze in the Search window with "Searching for Data" message. Note that it has been rock solid since Feb 2006 when I got it back from the 161-6 fix trip to Sony. I use cable and have a nice strong signal. So these recent issues are pretty annoying and very atypical for me.

Anyway, I checked on it tonight and almost all (99%+) the listings show "No Title." This goes all the way out through the 8 days of listings. They are the correct time length (30 min, hour whatever), but only a few have a show title. Interestingly, a couple upcoming recordings still show as though they will record correctly. No recordings seem to be disturbed by this No Title phenomenon.

Does anybody have any idea what is going on, and what I ought to do to fix it? I'm presuming something more than the cold boot (unplug/replug) that I've been doing over the last week is correct, but I'm unsure of what the right sequence is that would be enough to clear it up (presuming it is something glitchy in my unit that some sort of reset would fix). The other theory is that I'm getting bad data, of course.

I had good listings all the way through when I checked two nights ago with one No Listing day (Thursday) that I expected to get filled in at the right point in the cycle. It did fill in, but is all No Title now...

Any advice appreciated. I'm working on an assumption that oddities in the data stream have sent my machine loopy, and what I need to do is wipe out all the listing data and start fresh, but maybe there's another appropriate explanation.

Sincerely,

Marc

I had to do a hard reset on my 250 last week. Everything came back the way it was supposed to and the system seems to operate perfectly, with one glaring exception. I'm unable to record any two programs back-to-back. Even though the guide says the program is exactly 1 hour, and the following program is exactly 1 hour, when I tried to set up a second program, I have a message saying that it will interfere with the first program. This would be similar to having a program any digit and five minutes late, thereby running into the start time of the following program. That is not the case here, unless I have some default options set that I'm unaware of. I'm hoping that's the case. Has anyone any thoughts on what mis-set options might cause this behavior?

I'd certainly appreciate any thoughts, since this limitation is a pain in the neck.

Thanks for any help.

JLOB

When this happens to me. it is because there is a one minute overlap that I have to adjust on one of the programs. My defaults are set for a program to start one minute early and end on time, but you can change it to suit your preference. Check the first program to see what time the recorder is set to stop recording, then schedule the start time of the second program you want to record so that it doesn't overlap. You can adjust start and end times as much as 2 hours from the TVGOS scheduled start and end times.

Hi everyone,

Curiouser and Curiouser.

As of this morning, I still had the No Title thing going on in almost every time slot for every channel.

I pulled the plug and did a cold reboot. An hour later I still had the --:-- screen (usually, I get a quick resumption of the clock). I turned on the unit, and it assumed a wrong time a few hours earlier than it actually was. Many (not all) of the No Title slots now had program titles. Well, that's progress I guess.

I turned it off and it remained with the wrong time. I hit exit-guide on the front panel in hopes that another reset would quickly get me my clock corrected. Not so, an hour and half later it still reads --:--. For the record, a DVD player that sets time from the cable feed works fine, so I think my clock signal to the unit is just fine. It's just being a PITA.

QUESTIONS:
1) If the unit is in --:-- mode, and I turn it on, then later off, and now when off it has some wrong time, will that time auto-correct eventually any faster or slower than if I reset it again and get to the --:-- state? In other words, does the on off cycle screw up the time setting function to any greater extent then the amount of time the unit is on?

2) What's the best way to clear all the guide information and start fresh? I'm thinking this is what I want to do. I saw HoustonPerson's earlier references to the 1,2,3 steps but though I have found many references to it, I haven't yet been able to get do the original post where the complete in depth instructions are. My apologies for my inept searchitude. Can someone please give me a mesage number or link?

3) My experience has been mostly that problems with the unit are actually almost always problems with the data it gets (161-6 error excepted, and my unit is factory-fixed in this respect), so I think I'm having a data issue. But I'm always open to other opinions and suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

Marc

Hi everyone,

Curiouser and Curiouser.

As of this morning, I still had the No Title thing going on in almost every time slot for every channel.

I pulled the plug and did a cold reboot. An hour later I still had the --:-- screen (usually, I get a quick resumption of the clock). I turned on the unit, and it assumed a wrong time a few hours earlier than it actually was. Many (not all) of the No Title slots now had program titles. Well, that's progress I guess.

I turned it off and it remained with the wrong time. I hit exit-guide on the front panel in hopes that another reset would quickly get me my clock corrected. Not so, an hour and half later it still reads --:--. For the record, a DVD player that sets time from the cable feed works fine, so I think my clock signal to the unit is just fine. It's just being a PITA.

QUESTIONS:
1) If the unit is in --:-- mode, and I turn it on, then later off, and now when off it has some wrong time, will that time auto-correct eventually any faster or slower than if I reset it again and get to the --:-- state? In other words, does the on off cycle screw up the time setting function to any greater extent then the amount of time the unit is on?

2) What's the best way to clear all the guide information and start fresh? I'm thinking this is what I want to do. I saw HoustonPerson's earlier references to the 1,2,3 steps but though I have found many references to it, I haven't yet been able to get do the original post where the complete in depth instructions are. My apologies for my inept searchitude. Can someone please give me a mesage number or link?

3) My experience has been mostly that problems with the unit are actually almost always problems with the data it gets (161-6 error excepted, and my unit is factory-fixed in this respect), so I think I'm having a data issue. But I'm always open to other opinions and suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

Marc

It is a WHOLE 3 messages before your own - 10007

Maybe I need to be more specific - the link to know everything
is in the 10007 message SIGNATURE.

Just a friendly reminder....

Whenever I want to quickly update the clock I simply set the current channel to an analog clock host channel and then go to the "G* Factory Test".

For details see:
http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html#Section1216

FWIW, in Houston my dvr's TVGOS host channel is Fox Ch26. But I get better clock update results with PBS Ch8, the other local TVGOS host channel.

Hi,

I live in Houston Tx and recently moved into a house serviced by Comcast. I have 2 Sony 250's and a Mitsu TV w/ built in DVR. I added cablecards to these devices and have been seeing issues recording certain shows.

For instance I could not record The Closer on TNT HD last night. I get the error 'recording not allowed by service provider'.

Anyone else running into this?

I spoke with Comcast Tech support and they basically said to expect more of this
if you have cablecard devices.

thanks

Gemstar Sale Could Shake up IPGs (http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=128700&site=cdn)

CLICK ABOVE LINK for News Article - FYI

Hi,

I live in Houston Tx and recently moved into a house serviced by Comcast. I have 2 Sony 250's and a Mitsu TV w/ built in DVR. I added cablecards to these devices and have been seeing issues recording certain shows.

For instance I could not record The Closer on TNT HD last night. I get the error 'recording not allowed by service provider'.

Anyone else running into this?

I spoke with Comcast Tech support and they basically said to expect more of this
if you have cablecard devices.

thanks

That may be true - but someone needs to show
Comcast the FCC laws - Assuming you are paying
for that service.

We're paying for the HD tier. This is also happening with HBOHD and shows like Big Love & Entourage.

We're paying for the HD tier. This is also happening with HBOHD and shows like Big Love & Entourage.

See the last point made here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10967117&&#post10967117

It is a WHOLE 3 messages before your own - 10007

Maybe I need to be more specific - the link to know everything
is in the 10007 message SIGNATURE.

Thank you!

Consider me chastened. I was searching the actual posts rather than the links.
Silly me!

I guess I'm just freaked out by the combination of difficulty setting the time and the oddities with the guide.

Have a good evening. I'll report back progress. I'm going to go try the G*test trick to see if I can get the time set up....

Marc

Gemstar Sale Could Shake up IPGs (http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=128700&site=cdn)

Whoa... that's probably the most significant development in this thread of the last six months...

Marc_G,
I suggest that you search back thru the thread. It sounds to me like you have lost the time and data "signal". You might want to post your location and enquire if anyone else in the area is having a problem. Then you might have to contact the TV station and discuss what it will take for them to put the signal back online. We did this in Orlando last year, and it took about 2 weeks of discussion before the details were resolved.

Whoa... that's probably the most significant development in this thread of the last six months...

Either way ... I will think twice before I ever buy another product that uses GemStar. The sheer magnitude of this forum attests to the poor planning and execution of this software and its integration with the (poor) Sony software delivered with the unit. The amount of posts generated and the time related to debugging the operation of the HDD500s and 250s, with the Guide, is untenable.

Additionally, the concept that we have three companies Sony, Gemstar and a television station (for data transmission) means that corrections to problems border on the impossible. When I am reduced to calling TV stations and explaining transmission technicalities - something is drastically wrong!

It’s lucky that we have some technically competent people in this forum! Perhaps we should volunteer the forum users to develop the new device for Sony – it looks like we have spent more time on debugging and developing workarounds than they have :-)

So I may have no choice - but I will resist!

O.k.... this info has probably been posted, but here's my 2 cents anyway.
I called Sony tech support and TVGOS and asked about the new digital guide working with the Sony. I Waited on hold with Sony for about 8 min. TVGOS called me back within 5 min. after I left a message. First the bad news, the Sony will NOT work with the new digital guide. However, and I am Quoting now from an engineer at TVGOS, " we are aware of the problem and our engineers are working on a solution for all display units and recording devices imbedded with TVGOS." "Details are not available yet." Apparently, most of the units with TVGOS being used by consumers won't work with the new TVGOS. I guess that's a good incentive to find a solution. As for Sony, they seem to be waiting for TVGOS and are waiting for the "solution" and the "details" on how to proceed. The tech support at Sony said they will support any updates. That's it....for what it's worth.

Maybe this is why Gemstar is looking for a buyer to prop up it's stock price. The engineers told them the "solution" won't work:)

dszigeti,

In fact this is exactly correct.

My Indianapolis-area host channel, WFYI 20, doesn't seem to be sending VBI packets tonight. I'm failing the test and my earlier statement that the DVD player I have set time correctly might have been in error (turns out it may already have been set so my test did nothing).

So, anybody in Indy having difficulties? I believe this area has only one host channel through cable, though possibly if I could set up OTA for the Muncie PBS channel that might work.

I have not yet tried rabbit ears or whatever to bypass my cable company (Bright House Networks), as I'm in the basement and doubt I'd get much signal. But I can try it tomorrow if need be.

Marc

dszigeti,

In fact this is exactly correct.

My Indianapolis-area host channel, WFYI 20, doesn't seem to be sending VBI packets tonight. I'm failing the test and my earlier statement that the DVD player I have set time correctly might have been in error (turns out it may already have been set so my test did nothing).

So, anybody in Indy having difficulties? I believe this area has only one host channel through cable, though possibly if I could set up OTA for the Muncie PBS channel that might work.

I have not yet tried rabbit ears or whatever to bypass my cable company (Bright House Networks), as I'm in the basement and doubt I'd get much signal. But I can try it tomorrow if need be.

Marc


This is just a fleeting thought:

Is it possible that your cable company - Bright House Networks- very recently converted your host's station's analog signal (WFYI 20)
into a digital signal? You can check this out by going to the Sony's Menu-Preferences-System-Diagnostics and where it says modulation, see if it says analog or QAM. If it says QAM, with the cable card inserted, they changed it into a digital signal for those subscribers with cablecards, and you won't get guide data or the correct clock. Then with the unit off, remove the cablecard, turn the unit back on and do the same diagnostic check to see if modulation now states analog. If it does, then it could be that your cable company is only passing the analog signal for those who have cable ready service without cablecards or the company's own STB. This is what happened in my area with Cox, and after many hundreds complained, they changed the host PBS channel back to analog for everyone because of customers' need to have GEMSTAR embedding on the analog signal.

I personally find my recorders with TVGOS (DVRs and DVD recorders) lifesavers from the drudgery and control the cablecos force on consumers. These recorders have been extremely productive for my needs. The less interaction I have with the cableco the better. It is always a major frustration dealing with them.

I have had a few issues with my 2 DHG-HDD500s, (I also have the Sony RDR-HX715 DVD recorder- 160g hd w/TVGOS), but these have been freedom machines for me.
I'm enjoying them before the cablecos totally take over.