Sony Service Contact Information
Location: MT PLEASANT, PA
Phone number: (866) 748-8272 or (724) 696-7000 8:00AM - 4:30PM EST
Sony Service email: SonyRepairCenter@am.sony.com
Service website: http://eservice.sony.com/webrma/web/index.do

Can anyone help, I ordered a UPC but it's on backorder. Yesterday I lost my clock although I checked and I am still getting guide data, clock is behind 6 hours. I verified that the Sony IS locked onto my correct host channel, just the clock is off.

I tried doing a TV Guide/EXIT button restart front panel twice that just gives me ---- for the time on the front, I let it stay like that for a while but it never got any time, I turned it on this morning and it then goes to 6 hrs behind, so I did another re-start front panel. Now I have ----- again.

What should I do? Seems it's locked on my host and guide data is fine, just clock is off.

Can anyone help, I ordered a UPC but it's on backorder. Yesterday I lost my clock although I checked and I am still getting guide data, clock is behind 6 hours. I verified that the Sony IS locked onto my correct host channel, just the clock is off.

I tried doing a TV Guide/EXIT button restart front panel twice that just gives me ---- for the time on the front, I let it stay like that for a while but it never got any time, I turned it on this morning and it then goes to 6 hrs behind, so I did another re-start front panel. Now I have ----- again.

What should I do? Seems it's locked on my host and guide data is fine, just clock is off.
If you have a CableCard, remove it. Next, reset the unit. That's the quickest way. I doubt you are getting guide data...maybe you are looking at the old data? My clock reset within 30 secs most often. Once the clock is reset, reinsert the card. If I do not remove the CC, it takes alot longer to reset the clock. That's my experience. The alternative is to wait and do nothing. Best of luck!

If you have a CableCard, remove it. Next, reset the unit. That's the quickest way. I doubt you are getting guide data...maybe you are looking at the old data? My clock reset within 30 secs most often. Once the clock is reset, reinsert the card. If I do not remove the CC, it takes alot longer to reset the clock. That's my experience. The alternative is to wait and do nothing. Best of luck!

THANK GOD YOU ARE WRONG :D

My CableCards are not accessible because all my DVRs
are in a Equipment Rack.

I set my channel to my VBI channel - in my market channel 97.
Then I do a 987789987 VBI Quick Search Cur Channel

Then I turn OFF my DVR and the clock updates in 30 seconds.

That never worked for me. What worked was Cox turning the analog back on. My experience is the cards slow the update down from tens of minutes to hours after a reset.

THANK GOD YOU ARE WRONG :D

My CableCards are not accessible because all my DVRs
are in a Equipment Rack.

I set my channel to my VBI channel - in my market channel 97.
Then I do a 987789987 VBI Quick Search Cur Channel

Then I turn OFF my DVR and the clock updates in 30 seconds.

Yeah I tried that twice, I still got --- for time. This is weird. The thing is before I did this I checked and the DVR is already locked into my host, so I forced it like above and I still can't get my clock. I'm gonna keep trying.

Anyone else having the missed shows syndrome starting again?

One of my 500's has dropped Ugly Better and Greys Anatomy 3 weeks in a row now.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Yeah I tried that twice, I still got --- for time. This is weird. The thing is before I did this I checked and the DVR is already locked into my host, so I forced it like above and I still can't get my clock. I'm gonna keep trying.

Call the local station it may be they need to reset their equipment.

I have not been recieving the guide on my DHG HDD500 for about a week. I called KCTS yesterday and found out that they are no longer the host as of about a week ago.

Unfortunately, I had turned off many of my local analog stations so the unit was not finding a signal. I turned on all of my broadcast analog stations and will report which one is carrying it now.

Rob in Shoreline

Call the local station it may be they need to reset their equipment.

Well after I got home from work I checked my host on the DVR and it's blank, also I got no guide data today, so I forced the host again and I'll wait till after the first days downloads and see if I have my clock back. If not, I am thinking you might be right, it's possible my local host station needs to be reset or like Robert mentioned it's also possible they changed the host channel on me. I'll report back after the first download happens and see if I'm back to normal. argh I love it and I hate it.

My 250 drops Heroes and Bionic Woman every week. I have the shows on manual recording but then they only show up as "unknown".

GOT my clock back this morning and just scrolled through guide and I have a weeks worth of guide data, so forcing the host a 3rd time worked.

However now I have no signal on all my cable channels. What should I do? It's only affecting the cablecard on my Sony. I'm getting all my channels on my 2nd card on my TV fine. But all the channels on my DVR cablecard are showing No Signal. If I take out the cablecard from the DVR I will lose all that guide data and I just got my clock back too.

So get this, on my cablecard in the DVR all my channels are showing No Signal every channel says that except my host, my host Ch 94 is the only channel that is showing a signal. However my clock is right and I have all guide data for a week. This is so weird.

GOT my clock back this morning and just scrolled through guide and I have a weeks worth of guide data, so forcing the host a 3rd time worked.

However now I have no signal on all my cable channels. What should I do? It's only affecting the cablecard on my Sony. I'm getting all my channels on my 2nd card on my TV fine. But all the channels on my DVR cablecard are showing No Signal. If I take out the cablecard from the DVR I will lose all that guide data and I just got my clock back too.


Taking the cable card out and reinserting it brings back the signal on all the channels on my units. I have to do this just about every day, unfortunately. I haven't lost the guide data one time when doing this.

MISSY QUICK

Yes your right, I stand corrected, I just took out my cablecard and then re-inserted it and didn't lose my guide data or my clock, after re-inserting the card it says the card found over 300 digital channels and also some analog ones but all my channels still show No Signal, the only channel coming in is my host channel 94. I just called Comcast to re-hit the card and still says no signal on all my channels. I can't figure out why the DVR is not picking up the signal on my channels when re-inserting the card says all my chanels are there.

I just tried to do a tv guide reset on front panel but I don;t think that is going to do anything with no signal for my channels.

yes do sony any new one come out if so when

OMG that was it, after just doing the front panel TV guide re-set (pressing tv guide button and exit same time) I just got back all my cable channels on the DVR. However now my clock is off, checked to see if the DVR is locked onto my host channel doing the 753...etc and it show no host. So I have forced the host again doing the 963..etc and hopefully I will be back to normal. This is exhausting.

(fingers crossed)

So almost an hour after forcing my host channel again and still clock time is way off. I'm in the middle of a download guide time, does that affect not being able to get a clock time? Do I need to wait until after the guide download time is over for my clock to re-set? Or should I try and force the host channel again until I get the clock back, seems the clock should come back within a few mintues after you force the host.

Well about 45 min since I forced the host again and still my clock is way off, I'm gonna just leave it and hopefully in the next few hours the clock will re-set, I've forced the host channel enough for 1 day.

So almost an hour after forcing my host channel again and still clock time is way off. I'm in the middle of a download guide time, does that affect not being able to get a clock time? Do I need to wait until after the guide download time is over for my clock to re-set? Or should I try and force the host channel again until I get the clock back, seems the clock should come back within a few mintues after you force the host.

The front panel reset will get your channels back
but the CLOCK will be WRONG until you shut the
UNIT off so that the clock can be updated.

The clock only updates when the DVR is powered DOWN.

A few minutes off and it should update fine.

The front panel reset will get your channels back
but the CLOCK will be WRONG until you shut the
UNIT off so that the clock can be updated.

The clock only updates when the DVR is powered DOWN.

A few minutes off and it should update fine.

Yeah I got all my channels back, did another force host, turned it off but after 45 min the clock is still saying 2:35 am which is way off. Should I turn it back on and do another force host?

My 250 drops Heroes and Bionic Woman every week. I have the shows on manual recording but then they only show up as "unknown".
I'm starting to think that I'm going to have to set up manual recordings as a back up to solve this problem.

Does anyone know why the recordings get dropped though?

Thanks

> The clock only updates when the DVR is powered DOWN.

That is not the only time...

My preferred method of setting the clock after a power outage or glitch reboot:

http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html#Section1216
"TV Guide":
"G* Factory Test":

> The clock only updates when the DVR is powered DOWN.

That is not the only time...

My preferred method of setting the clock after a power outage or glitch reboot:

http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html#Section1216
"TV Guide":
"G* Factory Test":

Just tried the 9012 screen and then the G Factory Test on my host channel (I know for certain 94 is most host) and it's not passing any VBI data. I forced the host again after doing the G Factory Test, so I will see if my clock comes back.

So my clock is still way off. It's obviously not locking into my host channel. I decided to do a factory reset of the tv guide so I'm back to square one, now my clock is at 12:00 am so I'll wait till the morning and see what happens.

I wish I had written down what I did last time this happened so I would know exactly what to do now to fix it. It's weird cause last night when I did the force host channel I got back my clock but then my channels were no signal so then I did a soft re-set front panel and then got back my channels but lost my clock. Now it can't find the host and no host = no clock. So that's why I decided to just reset the whole tv guide and start back to square one.

So my clock is still way off. It's obviously not locking into my host channel. I decided to do a factory reset of the tv guide so I'm back to square one, now my clock is at 12:00 am so I'll wait till the morning and see what happens..

TRUST me - if you have the right VBI channel.

Turning the unit OFF re-syncs the clock in less than a minute.

You don't need all night.

I do it all the time here in the Comcast Boston Area because Comcast
keeps adding NEW HD Stations every week and resetting everything
is the only way to get the guide working again.

TRUST me - if you have the right VBI channel.

Turning the unit OFF re-syncs the clock in less than a minute.

You don't need all night.

I do it all the time here in the Comcast Boston Area because Comcast
keeps adding NEW HD Stations every week and resetting everything
is the only way to get the guide working again.

If that's the case then what use to be my host channel for the past year must no longer be my host or the host is not transmitting data or the host needs to reset their stream. It's flusterating cause I have all these Christmas specials coming up soon and with no clock makes it very difficult to record away from home.

Since I reset my tv guide I have no data now till tomorrow that is if it finds my host channel. I just turned it on and went from --:-- to 8:25 p.m. which is still wrong. My clock has gone from 12:00 am, 2:00 am to now 8:25 pm all wrong times.

I agree with you that the clock should re-set within seconds when locked onto your host because I have seen this happen for me in the past but for me now...it's not working and I'm leaving it OFF long enough for it to re-set the time.

I agree with you that the clock should re-set within seconds when locked onto your host because I have seen this happen for me in the past but for me now...it's not working and I'm leaving it OFF long enough for it to re-set the time.

Maybe it is time to either call Gemstar or your cable
provider to see what has happened to the HOST channel.

Of course on the weekend you will not find anyone who
knows anything.

DO you have OTA as well as a CableCard?

You should be able to get the clock info from OTA
PBS station in your area.

I CAN'T BELIEVE it. I just looked at the DVR and it NOW has the right time.

It's been a little over 1 hour since I did the factory reset to the TV guide===Menu-screen button-9012-TV Guide-Factory Reset, DVR went off display read --:--, decided to turn it on about 30 min later and clock went to 8:25 p.m. (clock ahead about 4 hrs) left it alone and now my clock reset to the correct time (DVR off)

So I don't understand any of this and I'm not stupid, After years of having this I've done all these special menus and stuff and still can't understand how it works. This is why I can never remember what to do when it happens again cause I do so many different things to try to get it working.

So if my clock is now correct, it must have found my host channel automatically. I'm not turning this on again till tomorrow since guide download times are over for today until after midnight tonight, hopefully I will get guide data tomorrow since my clock is right my host channel must be right.

So if my clock is now correct, it must have found my host channel automatically. I'm not turning this on again till tomorrow since guide download times are over for today until after midnight tonight, hopefully I will get guide data tomorrow since my clock is right my host channel must be right.

CORRECT and if the host channel has switched
from the one you forced it to ---- then it does
take it awhile to start searching for it.

I'm sure you will get guide data overnight for at
least Sunday's info. It will take longer for the others.

There is NO REASON you can't use it now that the
clock is back - because there will be no guide data
download until after midnight anyway.

Maybe it is time to either call Gemstar or your cable
provider to see what has happened to the HOST channel.

Of course on the weekend you will not find anyone who
knows anything.

DO you have OTA as well as a CableCard?

You should be able to get the clock info from OTA
PBS station in your area.


No I am only using Cablecard. About 8 months or so ago I was forced to use OTA cause Comcast decided to change the host from a analog channel to a digital one and it took them months (of me being the sqweeky wheel and also calling local PBS station) that Comcast finally remapped a duplicate PBS station to Ch 94 which is a analog station (my host) So since this was done I am back to Cablecard only and it's been working great until this fluke the other day. Right now Comcast is using WLRN Ch 17 as a digital channel (which use to be a analog ch) and they are using the same station WLRN Ch 94 as a analog channel. I've confirmed this by going to each station months ago after they finally fixed it and the system is showing Ch 17 as digital and Ch 94 as analog. I also month ago confirmed with TV guide (a man I can't remember who works there) that my local host is Ch 17 WLRN, so since Comcast finally created a duplicate ch of WLRN to 94, I stopped using the OTA and went back to cablecard.

I'm just glad my clock is now showing the right time. I just hope I get guide data tomorrow. What an ordeal. I love this thing when it works and hate it when it doesn't. :D

There is NO REASON you can't use it now that the
clock is back - because there will be no guide data
download until after midnight anyway.

Thanks I was wondering about that, I'm afraid to turn it on now that my clock is back but your right since there is no downloads till after midnight I should be able to use it. :cool: Thanks again!!

No I am only using Cablecard. About 8 months or so ago I was forced to use OTA cause Comcast decided to change the host from a analog channel to a digital one and it took them months (of me being the sqweeky wheel and also calling local PBS station) that Comcast finally remapped a duplicate PBS station to Ch 94 which is a analog station (my host)



They are required by LAW to make an Analog
VBI channel available until February 2009 and
then ALL BETS ARE OFF.

I'm glad you got it back - I have 5 of these
SONY DVRs with CableCards to KEEP ALIVE.

^^

After you've edited them through the system menu, you need to turn them off from the TV Guide screen. Scroll to the channels you don't want and press menu and turn them off. Once you're done, it's usually easier (since you're OTA only) to go to each channel you want and go into the menu and put them in the order you want.

Well, Yes. I have turned the junk channels "off" in the TVGOS setup menu. It says that they are "off". My problem is that they still show up in the listings. I have about 20 OTA channels that are not deletable! Has anyone else seen this problem?

Well, Yes. I have turned the junk channels "off" in the TVGOS setup menu. It says that they are "off". My problem is that they still show up in the listings. I have about 20 OTA channels that are not deletable! Has anyone else seen this problem?

Have you tried turning them off in the add/delete +/- option, I'm not talking about the TV guide under set up, there is another option in the regular menu field (not tv guide) that lets you click the channel and it puts a check mark next to the channel or you can uncheck it and it won't show up. Maybe that is the field? I don't use OTA but I remember when I did use OTA those OTA channels also showed up in this +/- field that scrolls you through your entire channel listing and you put a check or don't put a check in that field.

Does anyone have a working Pronto configuration for the Sony DVRs? If so, where did you get the codes, from a database or learned from the OEM remote?

I am trying to configure a Pronto 9400, and none of the factory supplied database codesets work. And worse, the 9400 will learn from the OEM remote, but the learned codes do not work on the DVR. The only codes that actually work are the Power On/Off discrete codes that I manually added to the database.

yes do sony any new one come out if so whenNothing like these units will probably ever be released again - by any company.

The only things similar that Sony themselves have put out since are "digital entertainment" systems costing in the thousands of dollars.

I was hoping to have guide data this morning since I finally got my clock back at 5:00 p.m. yesterday but No Luck, says No Guide Data. I can't figure out how it can pick up the clock time but not give me guide data. I did the 753... menu and shows no VBI host channel, so the DVR is not picking up the host although the clock is correct. :confused:

Since I am certain 94 is my host channel I went ahead and forced the host on the 963...menu I'll leave it off till another full download and see if I have guide data.

If not I'm gonna call TV Guide Monday and see if they are having problems with the guide data in my area.

Well keep you updated.

I was hoping to have guide data this morning since I finally got my clock back at 5:00 p.m. yesterday but No Luck, says No Guide Data. I can't figure out how it can pick up the clock time but not give me guide data. I did the 753... menu and shows no VBI host channel, so the DVR is not picking up the host although the clock is correct. :confused:

Since I am certain 94 is my host channel I went ahead and forced the host on the 963...menu I'll leave it off till another full download and see if I have guide data.

If not I'm gonna call TV Guide Monday and see if they are having problems with the guide data in my area.

Well keep you updated.

I'll bet it is there - I hate to say this but you might
want to try a WARM reboot - a 147412356 Warm Reset.

I don't remember if the warm reboot resets the clock
again - but it might.

ALSO one thing you always need to do is go into
the Service Bar setup menu and then tell it the
TV guide info is correct but the channels are WRONG.

That is the 2nd option. You probably should have done
that last night.

You can always try a COLD restart that probably will
not reset the clock.

Power the Unit down and UNPLUG the unit for at 30 seconds.

According to Spiffs site you lose your clock on both the Warm and Cold Reboots. I know I will lose my clock by either unplugging the unit or doing a warm reboot. I also think I did both of these yesterday in my course in getting back my clock. It still doesn't make sense that I have a clock and not a guide, where is it getting the clock if not from the host, yet the VBI host field is blank.:confused:

Edit: I figured out what you are talking about with the set up and telling it that the channels are wrong sorta like faking the zip code, though I'm afraid to start all over again since I have a clock.

Nothing like these units will probably ever be released again - by any company.

The only things similar that Sony themselves have put out since are "digital entertainment" systems costing in the thousands of dollars.

Why do you say that. I think it would be a great piece of equipment. Say Sony comes out with a dual tuner cable card DVD system? 250 Gig sells for $1000 and 500 gig sales for 1750. With wireless connectivity to get updates for the guide on small monthly subscription?

I think they would fly off the shelves.

HDAddiction

I wonder if I do this under the 9012 menu if this will possibly work

"Reset User Configuration": Resets all user information to the factory default, but leaves the recorded programs intact. This doesn't appear to reset the TVGOS system, but it may ask you to confirm your zip code.


What seemed to get my clock back yesterday was doing the TV Guide menu "Reset to Factory Default.

So I did that "Reset User Configuration" that reset the unit and brought me back to setting up the unit again clicking on next for pages 1-4 then the tv guide came on and asked if my channel set up was right, I said no then said to wait 24 hrs for guide data, I turned it off, clock at --:--, waited 30 mins still --:-- then I turned it on and clock read behind exactly 1 hr, waited 45 mins still the same than did a warm start front panel and within 30 mins clock reset to correct time. I'm gonna wait till after the 1:46 p.m. download this afternoon and then turn it back on and see if I have data.

I'm hoping this is going to reset the unit to find the host for guide data. I'm starting to get desparate but I'm not giving up.

Why do you say that. I think it would be a great piece of equipment. Say Sony comes out with a dual tuner cable card DVD system? 250 Gig sells for $1000 and 500 gig sales for 1750. With wireless connectivity to get updates for the guide on small monthly subscription?

I think they would fly off the shelves.

HDAddiction

Are you kidding???? The only way anything like that at those prices would be flying off the shelves is if there was an earthquake.

250GB for $1000 won't be able to compete with the $10/mo. cable box and a $200 DVD-recorder. Also, why would a 500GB box cost $750 more than the 250GB box? Hell, at those prices, I'd pay the extra $250 and get two 250GB boxes and have 4 tuners.

ft

Why do you say that. I think it would be a great piece of equipment. Say Sony comes out with a dual tuner cable card DVD system? 250 Gig sells for $1000 and 500 gig sales for 1750. With wireless connectivity to get updates for the guide on small monthly subscription?

I think they would fly off the shelves.

HDAddiction


I think one of the reasons you don't see these type of HD records by Sony anymore might be because of all the legal issues with recording HD programing and copying it to DVD. There are few HD DVR recorders that offer NO monthly subsriptions and allows you to copy it to DVD (if you have a DVD recorder) All the other HD DVR recorders out there like Comcast and Tivo require you to either pay a monthly fee or rent the machine from Comcast. I don't want to pay more monthly fees.

Also I remember when I bought my 500 from Tweeters the guy told me they were discontining them and that most people just rent the box from Comcast or get Tivo. Once word got out that they were being discontinued it was hard to find any, in fact my local tweeters said one guy came in and bought all 8 that they had in there store, I bet you that guy kept them and sold them on ebay shortly after and made some bucks.

All the other HD DVR recorders out there like Comcast and Tivo require you to either pay a monthly fee or rent the machine from Comcast. I don't want to pay more monthly fees.


TiVo is the only one that comes close to what I want, but $800+$15 a month...no thanks. Cable company boxes run $70 a month for me (I have no use for the cable company or their services as they can't keep a consistent signal to my house anyway. Satellite...still $60+ a month for channels I'll never watch.

If you are OTA only, like me, your choices are TiVo or nothing (okay, or HTPC) if you are looking for a non-discontinued box. I hope both of my HDD250's keep going for a long time.

I think one of the reasons you don't see these type of HD records by Sony anymore might be because of all the legal issues with recording HD programing and copying it to DVD.

I think the reason Sony discontinued them was the law that was enacted citing the analog cutoff. It was not because of the legal issue. Unless someone can cite a specific legal action against Sony on their DVR.

Now people say gee, why would you buy one when you can rent on from your cable co. IF you talking moxi....please....unless they have upgraded the capacity from 60 hours and allow the 30 sec skip.

Tivo would be the closest competitor. And I think by adding the DVD reader (not write), you eliminate another piece of equipment etc.

Sony does have one selling in Australia.

HDAddiction

PS. How time flies it was merely two years ago around this time that I bought one. And if another one was out there with a build in dvd player I would re-up in heartbeat.

Well just as I thought, after the 1:46 pm download I turned it on and No Guide Data.

So now I did another Reset User Configurations and this time I took my cablecard out and allowed the set up to scan for my cable channels after waiting 20 mins for that found them, then re-inserted the cablecard. Maybe this time it will find the host, if I remembered I would have scanned my channel earlier today before the 1:46 download. Now I will have to wait till morning to see if this works. I'm hoping by Xmas I might get this working again. :eek:

if I remembered I would have scanned my channel earlier today before the 1:46 download.

I believe the only 1:46 download is in the AM.

I believe the only 1:46 download is in the AM.

Not according to Spiffs place, (it's a bummer the times are so far apart, when troubleshooting it can take days to get back to normal that is the part I hate and when you work it takes even longer.

He says this:

When do the guide data downloads take place?

The download times are (all in EST):

2:21 AM (180 minutes)
7:01 AM (180 minutes)
10:06 AM (180 minutes)
1:46 PM (180 minutes)

Your DVR must be OFF to receive this information. Each of these downloads contains the same data, so only one of them is needed to get a particular day's download info.

Not according to Spiffs place, (it's a bummer the times are so far apart, when troubleshooting it can take days to get back to normal that is the part I hate and when you work it takes even longer.

.


I suspect something is up.

I needed to reset one of my DVRs tonight.

It took 33 minutes before the clock got Corrected.

Normally it is 30 seconds.

I decided to get out my radio shack indoor ant that I bought 9 months ago when Comcast decided to change my host station from analog to digital. I know they remapped a duplicate station as analog and that use to be my host but for some reason the DVR is no longer locking into that duplicate channel Comcast created.

So a few 20 mins ago I hooked up the ant and took my cablecard out and performed another scan on the DVR for both ant and cable channels after that stuck back in my cablecard. Went to my local PBS WLRN 17 verified it is a digital ch, went to the next ch up Ch 17 (ant) verified it's an analog ch, went to the 753..menu to see if it's passing VBI data and BOOM it's passing lots of VBI data. Clock is showing 2:10 am way off...did a front panel warm tv boot, clock still off, forced the VBI host channel on the 963...to this ch 17 (ant) and I should have a clock soon and possibly guide data in the morning. argh!!

I just have a feeling tv guide stopped sending the data over on this remapped analog ch 94 that Comcast made a dup of. This could be a tv guide issue, so in the meantime I will call them this week but I'm back to using ant and my cablecard so I hope this works in the AM.

TiVo is the only one that comes close to what I want, but $800+$15 a month...no thanks. Cable company boxes run $70 a month for me (I have no use for the cable company or their services as they can't keep a consistent signal to my house anyway. Satellite...still $60+ a month for channels I'll never watch.

If you are OTA only, like me, your choices are TiVo or nothing (okay, or HTPC) if you are looking for a non-discontinued box. I hope both of my HDD250's keep going for a long time.

You might want to check the more current TiVo S3 and HD prices. Your $800 now will buy a Lifetime TiVo (for someone who already has another TiVo, or a friend with one), and non-Lifetime can be had for $250 plus monthly service as low as $9 if prepaid.

Why do you say that. I think it would be a great piece of equipment. Say Sony comes out with a dual tuner cable card DVD system? 250 Gig sells for $1000 and 500 gig sales for 1750. With wireless connectivity to get updates for the guide on small monthly subscription?

I think they would fly off the shelves.

HDAddictionWhat you're describing is nothing like these units. In fact, these things didn't even start selling until after Sony stopped production, and Tweeter cleared them out for $249.99 (the HDD500). Very few people were even aware they existed before then, because there was next to zero marketing for them.

Even if Sony's usual, original "over-pricing" was eventually lowered (which has never been Sony's policy to do so by much), having a "monthly fee" makes them not at all like the DHG500/250.

If that's what you want, you can get the TiVoHD for under $250.00 and $8.33/mo. (for 3 yrs.), and easily upgrade the hard drive.

With the options out there now, I think our Sony's time has come and gone.

Sunday afternoon our power was off for 3 hours, and almost immediately after it came back on, so did the clocks on both my 250, and 500 (with TW cable card). This leads me to believe that the recent postings on clock problems were caused by station signal problems.

With regard to dropped programming, it's a good idea to first set a manual recording to back up the one you do with the guide to increase the chance that the recording occurs since programs occasionally still get dropped.

Recently, I discovered a cause for partial recording: an Amber alert. That alert interrupted my viewing of a recorded program and stopped recording of another program. As I recall, after the alert ended, the program I was viewing returned but the recording did not resume.

Ray

Sunday afternoon our power was off for 3 hours, and almost immediately after it came back on, so did the clocks on both my 250, and 500 (with TW cable card). This leads me to believe that the recent postings on clock problems were caused by station signal problems.

With regard to dropped programming, it's a good idea to first set a manual recording to back up the one you do with the guide to increase the chance that the recording occurs since programs occasionally still get dropped.

Recently, I discovered a cause for partial recording: an Amber alert. That alert interrupted my viewing of a recorded program and stopped recording of another program. As I recall, after the alert ended, the program I was viewing returned but the recording did not resume.

Seems I'm back to manual recordings for now.

Ray


I am thinking you have to be right cause after hooking up my ant yesterday, I got my clock back in the middle of the night but I still have no guide data and DVR is NOT locked onto any host channel. I think the host signal dropped and has never come back. Is this a Comcast problem or TV guide problem? or Both? Which should I call to see if they can reset or troubleshoot this for me.

I am thinking you have to be right cause after hooking up my ant yesterday, I got my clock back in the middle of the night but I still have no guide data and DVR is NOT locked onto any host channel. I think the host signal dropped and has never come back. Is this a Comcast problem or TV guide problem? or Both? Which should I call to see if they can reset or troubleshoot this for me.

I had to reset two of my five DVRs last night.

This morning guide data is back.

Call the local station engineer and ask them to check/reset their tvguide equipment.

I had to reset two of my five DVRs last night.

This morning guide data is back.

Why did you have to reset them? I had some weird things going on yesterday, but I did not think it was the DVR's fault.

Mark

Why did you have to reset them? I had some weird things going on yesterday, but I did not think it was the DVR's fault.

Mark

I wish I knew for sure.

Comcast in the New England Area is adding new
HD channels almost everyday. Every time they
add new ones - I need to go though a reset and
rebuild of the guide.

So I don't understand any of this and I'm not stupid, After years of having this I've done all these special menus and stuff and still can't understand how it works. This is why I can never remember what to do when it happens again cause I do so many different things to try to get it working.

So if my clock is now correct, it must have found my host channel automatically. I'm not turning this on again till tomorrow since guide download times are over for today until after midnight tonight, hopefully I will get guide data tomorrow since my clock is right my host channel must be right.

From my own experiences, the TV Guide host channel and the channel from which the time is derived are not necessarily the same. You can find this information in the status pages (753159852). Also, the TVGOs machines are flakey as to how long they take to acquire the host channel and time. I have four such machines, and when I power cycled them (at the breaker), two of them got the time right away, and two took more than 24 hours. Be patient.

Well, Yes. I have turned the junk channels "off" in the TVGOS setup menu. It says that they are "off". My problem is that they still show up in the listings. I have about 20 OTA channels that are not deletable! Has anyone else seen this problem?

Yes. This is a known bug with the Sony firmware. I have this problem, and have just given up trying to correct it. There really is no need to anyway, since you can just enter the channel number you want (from the listings screen) to jump right to it, so you never need to wade through all of the junk.

When I first had this problem, I found that power cycling the Sony after reconfiguring the channels and their order would make the new configuration "stick". Also a soft reset would to the trick. However, this doesn't seem to work anymore, or if it does, the junk channels just show up again in the next few days.

TiVo is the only one that comes close to what I want, but $800+$15 a month...no thanks. Cable company boxes run $70 a month for me (I have no use for the cable company or their services as they can't keep a consistent signal to my house anyway. Satellite...still $60+ a month for channels I'll never watch.

If you are OTA only, like me, your choices are TiVo or nothing (okay, or HTPC) if you are looking for a non-discontinued box. I hope both of my HDD250's keep going for a long time.

I am also OTA only, and looked at the TiVo, but it lacked the required features that I need that the Sony has. Particularly the ability to manually add digital channels (using the add scan). There is no way to scan in all of the channels from a single antenna position in my region. If my Sonys die, I will probably go to a MythTV box, which offers even more features than either the Sony or TiVo have.

From my own experiences, the TV Guide host channel and the channel from which the time is derived are not necessarily the same. You can find this information in the status pages (753159852). Also, the TVGOs machines are flakey as to how long they take to acquire the host channel and time. I have four such machines, and when I power cycled them (at the breaker), two of them got the time right away, and two took more than 24 hours. Be patient.

Your right about finding that info on the 753159852, I found that info and my clock and my VBI host are both the same channels NOW.

Well let me update you all. Since I hooked up my indoor ant yesterday and reset the guide and did a scan for both OTA and cable. Today I have correct clock (got that this morning) and tonight around 5:30 I turned it on and I have 2 days of guide data. A test shows that the DVR is locked onto OTA Ch17. A test of the 753159852 shows that my Clock Set Ch is 0:0-17 OTA Ch 17 and my Host Ch is showing 0:0-17 also OTA Ch 17.

This is not the way I wanted to go but at least I have guide data and correct clock. My indoor ant reception is crap very weak, $20.00 indoor ant.
I also have a TV guide rep looking into this problem of why my prev host channel is now no longer receiving host data.

So now I am using both OTA and Cablecard. I really just prefer to use Cablecard. But oh well. Now I need to fix the channel line up, it's just a mess now with all these ant channels and cable channels all over the place, it's duplicate city I think I have like 6 channels all the same, cable, ant, analog, digital all for the same channel....:eek: what a mess but I'm happy to have clock and guide data for now hope the signal stays strong enough to continue this until the fix is done.

Now I need to fix the channel line up, it's just a mess now with all these ant channels and cable channels all over the place, it's duplicate city I think I have like 6 channels all the same, cable, ant, analog, digital all for the same channel....:eek: what a mess but I'm happy to have clock and guide data for now hope the signal stays strong enough to continue this until the fix is done.

Whatever Comcast or Gemstar did over the weekend
also reset my channel line up - I HATE that. It takes
me 1/2 hour each to sort them out.

12/3/07 during prime time TVGOS did something here in Queens NY. My 2 HDD500s froze during recording, the same as they did when TVGOS sent software for the new DST. For that problem I had to reset factory defaults, reorder the channels and everything worked until Monday night.
Today I reset user configuration on one. The freezing problem remains, but now the clock is 1 hour off.
The HDD250 and HDD500 are crap (I actually had another word in mind). The user can't set the clock, can't manually name recordings, or anything other than pull the plug or reset to factory defaults losing all recordings.
Since each machine is more than 50% full, re-setting to factory default is not an option. Any ideas.

12/3/07 during prime time TVGOS did something here in Queens NY. My 2 HDD500s froze during recording, the same as they did when TVGOS sent software for the new DST. For that problem I had to reset factory defaults, reorder the channels and everything worked until Monday night.


You are right Gemstar did something.

I had one DVR FREEZE over the weekend and my 4 other
ones totally reset and even lost all my CHANNEL POSITION
sorting - I do.

It takes me 1/2 hour each to put the channels back in order times 5 :mad:

I powered down the freezing one and that seems to be OK now.

Got both working.
1 HDD500 required a reset of TVGOS, then a warm reboot, then a hard reboot. Seems okay.
1 HDD500 working after just a warm reboot.
Though working, they seem a little finicky. When watching a recording, then pressing "stop" then tried to go to live TV, had 60 second freeze. Note- after resetting to factory defaults, etc., I upgraded the software on both to 1.2.13.
Buying the HDD500s may not have been the smartest thing I have ever done.
The smartest thing was having Weakness upgrade my DirecTV TIVO from 250GB to 750GB (added a 500GB hard drive in addition to the 250GB original). 96 hours of HD recording, 2 channels at a time.

12/3/07 during prime time TVGOS did something here in Queens NY. My 2 HDD500s froze during recording, the same as they did when TVGOS sent software for the new DST. For that problem I had to reset factory defaults, reorder the channels and everything worked until Monday night.
Today I reset user configuration on one. The freezing problem remains, but now the clock is 1 hour off.
The HDD250 and HDD500 are crap (I actually had another word in mind). The user can't set the clock, can't manually name recordings, or anything other than pull the plug or reset to factory defaults losing all recordings.
Since each machine is more than 50% full, re-setting to factory default is not an option. Any ideas.

I believe all TVGOS DVR's are the same in these respects....at least the ones I've owned all were. It's not the Sony.

250GB is just NOT ENOUGH!!! i want to upgrade to 2 TB!!!

250GB is just NOT ENOUGH!!! i want to upgrade to 2 TB!!!

LOL I hear you! You and me both (and probably a jillion other HTFers!). Someone was working on the USB port on this puppy a while ago, not sure what happened to the progress. It would be sweet if Sony would open this up for additional storage options!

Has anyone been able to order any Pay-per-view items from the cableco with this box? I've never tried it, but I would be interested in ordering the fight this weekend.

Troy

but I would be interested in ordering the fight this weekend.

Troy

It will never work.

Macrovision, the guys who made all your VHS tapes go squirrelly when you tried to tether two decks and copy away, announced today it would buy Gemstar-TV Guide, programming guide maker and inventor of cutting-edge VCR Plus technology, for $2.8 billion. Why? you ask, as that familiar Big Brother sensation returns to the nape of your neck:

Macrovision is betting that a combination of its security software with Gemstar's interactive program guide...will allow protected TV shows, films, personal photos or music to be available on numerous devices beyond the television.

Everyone is turning digital cop—first Nielsen, now TV Guide. I thought you dudes were cool! [Reuters]
:confused:

Yea, I just read about that:

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071207/gemstar_tv_guide_macrovision.html

Makes me glad I replaced my Sony with a mythtv system that gets it's guide data from schedulesdirect.org. However this sale of Gemstar is just bad all the way around. There are only two sources of guide data data around...Gemstar TV Guide and TMS (owners of zap2it.com, shedules direct gets their data from TMS).

Seeing one of those two fall into the hands of one of the most notorious copyright police around is really bad.

Tom

Yea, I just read about that:

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071207/gemstar_tv_guide_macrovision.html

Makes me glad I replaced my Sony with a mythtv system that gets it's guide data from schedulesdirect.org. However this sale of Gemstar is just bad all the way around. There are only two sources of guide data data around...Gemstar TV Guide and TMS (owners of zap2it.com, shedules direct gets their data from TMS).

Seeing one of those two fall into the hands of one of the most notorious copyright police around is really bad.

Tom

It will be interesting to watch this play out. Macrovision is one of the larger hacker magnets, and with 2009 looming if they don't make over the top efforts to work with Gemstar licensees to keep the analog systems going without crippling them, the class action guys are going to start crawling out of the woodwork. Sony and LG have pretty deep pockets.

Tid- could you please expand on TMS and how it can be used with the Sony HDD DVRs. I am unfamiliar with it.
My 2 HDD500s are freezing again when recording. Unit must be off when a timer recording begins or unit freezes and recording doesn't start. Once recording starts, if unitis powered on the guide is displayed on screen, but no buttons (remote and on the units) function. Function returns when timer recording finishes. This is the same problem that occurred with the TVGOS software "correcting" the change in date for daylight savings time. That required a reset to factory default which deletes all recordings and requires the resetting and reordering of channels. This problem reduces the HDDs funtionality by more than half.
Now my best unit for recording HD TV (other than my DirecTV TIVO) OTA is a 2005 HP DEC Z558 including a 500GB personal media drive that I found stacked on the floor of 6th Avenue Electronic located on Long Island, NY selling for $600. 1 ATSC tuner, 2 NTSC tuners (obsolete in 2009) a 300GB internal hard drive. Downside it uses Microsoft's XP Media Center and only has component HD out. It was a bitch to set up (tip-cable or NTSC antenna must be connected before OTA HD channels can be scanned, HD channel numbers are in the one thousand range, ex: 7.1 comes out as 1071). Been pretty reliable (tip-tune Live TV to NTSC channel corrosponding to the OTA HD channel scheduled to be recorded). User can set clock, infinitly add drive space and when things are working okay you can refuse software updates.

NTSC tuners will not necessarily be obsolete in 2009. Cable companies have to at least keep the basic analog stations up and running until 2112.

There are a lot of people who will still be using them and be glad they have them come time for their cable company to shut off the non-local, expanded basic analog channels.

They can also be used to receive the TVGOS data for cable users with old guides.

I almost bought one of those HP units you mention. It was a floor model for $700. (from Tweeter), but it was still a little too much more than I wanted to pay. It was nice, though.

Sony and LG have pretty deep pockets.And Panasonic, and JVC, and Sharp, and Toshiba, and Pioneer, and Samsung, and (especially) Thomson-GE, etc., etc. The Sony and LG DVR's are not hardly the only devices around using TVGOS. Countless televisions, VCR's and DVD recorders that have been released over the years use it. And all generations of the guide still work.

But something tells me that Sony's not going to be one that's against anyone putting more copy restrictions on anything - especially where it concerns their content. At least as long as it's legal. Have you tried using one of their DVD recorders to record from cable or satellite in the last couple of years? :rolleyes:;)

.... This is the same problem that occurred with the TVGOS software "correcting" the change in date for daylight savings time. That required a reset to factory default which deletes all recordings and requires the resetting and reordering of channels. ....

I had that problem way back when, and was able to get over it without losing any of my previous recordings. You'll have to go back in this thread to see what happened, but I followed the advice of the many that responded and I beleive I posted what I did to get it back. I don't recall offf the top of my head, but I beleive I cleared and reset the channel guide, then rebooted the Sony and let it restore the guide data. The factory reset was not needed and it has been functioning well ever since. The only recordings that it has missed for a few weeks were "The Bionic Woman", and that hasn't caused me to cry too much.

===================================================
EDITTED: I found the original post, around #9535, I think it was on page 318. Below is a copy...

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

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

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

NTSC tuners will not necessarily be obsolete in 2009. Cable companies have to at least keep the basic analog stations up and running until 2112.

There are a lot of people who will still be using them and be glad they have them come time for their cable company to shut off the non-local, expanded basic analog channels.

They can also be used to receive the TVGOS data for cable users with old guides.

I almost bought one of those HP units you mention. It was a floor model for $700. (from Tweeter), but it was still a little too much more than I wanted to pay. It was nice, though.

2112....:eek:

2112....:eek:That's what happens when you're on the computer while listening to "The Vault" on Sirius in the background, I guess. They have in fact been playing stuff from that album a lot lately, including the title song just the other night. It must've been freshly imprinted on my brain. ;)

rayliner,

Thanks for that info.

I too have started having lockup issues recently. It had been pretty reliable for about 6 months. But now, if the unit is recording, and I turn it on, or was watching something else, it'll lock up and the time won't change. When the recording is finished, it goes back to normal.

I'll try Houston's 3-step technique to see if it works.

BTW, I hadn't really noticed, but it seems that my HDD remaining percentage doesn't add up. If I add up all of the recorded shows percentages and compare it to the System Menu's "space remaining", I have about 5% missing. I seem to remember that they used to be pretty close (about 1-2%), depending on how much was in the buffer.

Anyone seen this problem before? I wonder if the HDD is fragmented.

I did a search for audio video delay and had no pertanant hits.

When I watch live tv or recorded shows on my 500 the sound does not match the video.

I cant figure out this anoying problem.

I finally got my antenna back up and hooked into my DVR. I can manually tune to the antenna channels, but when I try to set a manual recording, I can't get the unit to change to "antenna", stays at "cable". This did work before my antenna went down last winter during an ice storm. I've run out of things to try, anyone got some suggestions? (Never could (and still can't) get the TV Guide thing to work right.)

Tid- could you please expand on TMS and how it can be used with the Sony HDD DVRs. I am unfamiliar with it.


You misunderstood me there...the Sony HDD DVRs only use Gemstar. I was referring to using schedulesdirect.org to get listings over the internet for a MythTV system...I built one to replace my Sony. Schedules Direct buys their listing data from TMS, and charges users $20 a year for subscriotions like mine.

Schedules direct works with other software as well, but only open source stuff.

Tom

I did a search for audio video delay and had no pertanant hits.

When I watch live tv or recorded shows on my 500 the sound does not match the video.

I cant figure out this anoying problem.I don't have a direct answer, but try searching for lip-sync or lipsync. Usually it's a delay setting on your A/V system that fixes it.

hmmmm back to the cable chat....

for those of you who cannot record extra channels like espn and what now. has anyone found a solution. Insight cable says that they do not protect any channels. This is getting ridiculous!

NTSC tuners will not necessarily be obsolete in 2009. Cable companies have to at least keep the basic analog stations up and running until 2012.

I don't know where you got that information but my cable company says that it just isn't true. They plan on being "all digital" in 2010.

If you have some link (or source) to the 2012 date I would like to see it and sent it to my cable company.

They most carry "local" channels in analog until 2012...so in essence, they could go "all digital" in 2010 an carry the 5 or 6 local channels in analog until 2012.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/11/AR2007091100234.html

One of many links if you google (FCC Local Cable 2012)

... cable operators must either convert the digital signal to analog at the point where the cable signal originates or supply customers with a "down converter" device that will change digital signals to analog at the TV set. ... The FCC will also allow for certain smaller cable systems to request a waiver.They can still go all digital and simply provide the box/boxen. Or be in the featherweight category...

v/r,
C-F

They can still go all digital and simply provide the box/boxen. Or be in the featherweight category...

v/r,
C-F

That's right, people with "cable ready" TV's currently don't need a cable box. They would need a converter box come 2009.

Which will be cheaper for the cable company?

Giving out free boxes to 40% of their customers or converting 5 digital signals to analog at the source so they don't have to provide a box?

My guess is, if you want more than the 5 broadcast channels in your area, they will force you to rent a box. No freebies from the cable companies, that's for sure.

jbean8510

I'm still having the same problem. Insight came out and switced cards again. Did not solve the problem. The tech said he was going to inform his supervisor of the problem at their weekly meeting. I need to contact the supervisor to see what is going on.

Newbie to the HDD250 so please bare with my remedial question.

I am only using the HDD250 for OTA in the San Francisco Bay Area. I went to the TV Guide website priot to setting up my unit just to see what stations I should be seeing in my HDD250 Listings on the TVGOS. I performed the setup and left the unit off overnight.

I received about 95% of the stations that were displayed on the TV Guide website for my zipcode, so there are some missing.

For instance, I do not see Qubo listed (65-2) in the channel list setup in the TVGOS. My unit will tune in the Qubo station however. In the setup for the channel list, if I pick a station that looks like it might be the Qubo station and assign it to be 65-2 then it will not show the correct programing.

1. Any ideas how I overcome this issue?

2. Also, maybe my assumption is incorrect, but isn't the TV Guide website listings for my zipcode supposed to be the same as what my HDD250 will list?

3. In addition, there are about 517 channels that show up in the channel list after leaving the unit off over night, why would would it show so many channels if I told it I only have OTA? The unit was showing channels that are only available on cable.


Thanks.

3. In addition, there are about 517 channels that show up in the channel list after leaving the unit off over night, why would would it show so many channels if I told it I only have OTA? The unit was showing channels that are only available on cable.


Thanks.

Maybe others can help with your other questions but
#3 is easy. Gemstar [TVGOS] sends out only one
set of data for your zip code. That includes OTA and
cable services. In my Area - New England - I receive
all the OTA channels, and 3 sets of cable TV Guides.

If you go into setup AGAIN now that the download has
occurred - you will have the option to SELECT which
GUIDES you want. In My case I select BOSTON [6]
for OTA and Comcast Digital [1917].

Do not ask me what the numbers in brackets mean?
It is obviously some TV Guide code.

For instance, I do not see Qubo listed (65-2) in the channel list setup in the TVGOS. My unit will tune in the Qubo station however. In the setup for the channel list, if I pick a station that looks like it might be the Qubo station and assign it to be 65-2 then it will not show the correct programing.

1. Any ideas how I overcome this issue?Are you sure it's not covered under one of the "ION" channel listings? My QUBO is, and it doesn't specify it.

Today around 12:10 p.m. my 500 gb unit locked up. I did a cold reset, and when it come back on, the time wouldn't display. I powered it on and the time said 11:22 a.m. I did two more cold resets, a warm reset, and I did a reset user configuration, and every time I power it on the time starts at 11:22 a.m. Can anyone suggest something else I can do to get the correct time?

Today around 12:10 p.m. my 500 gb unit locked up. I did a cold reset, and when it come back on, the time wouldn't display. I powered it on and the time said 11:22 a.m. I did two more cold resets, a warm reset, and I did a reset user configuration, and every time I power it on the time starts at 11:22 a.m. Can anyone suggest something else I can do to get the correct time?

YOU NEED TO LEAVE IT OFF.

The clock will NOT reset while it is on.
It may take 1/2 hour or more to reset.

TID- thanks for the reply. I have an old Compaq computer with an old MyHD card. Much like the current condition of my HDD500s it can either record, or play, but not both (of course it was designed that way). It uses Titan for its guide, but I prefer to simply type in the name of the recordings and set the recording time manually.
Since new episodes of anything will be in short supply because of the writer's strike, it shouldn't be too long before the HDDs are empty again.

Newbie to the HDD250 so please bare with my remedial question.

I am only using the HDD250 for OTA in the San Francisco Bay Area. I went to the TV Guide website priot to setting up my unit just to see what stations I should be seeing in my HDD250 Listings on the TVGOS. I performed the setup and left the unit off overnight.

I received about 95% of the stations that were displayed on the TV Guide website for my zipcode, so there are some missing.

For instance, I do not see Qubo listed (65-2) in the channel list setup in the TVGOS. My unit will tune in the Qubo station however. In the setup for the channel list, if I pick a station that looks like it might be the Qubo station and assign it to be 65-2 then it will not show the correct programing.

1. Any ideas how I overcome this issue?

2. Also, maybe my assumption is incorrect, but isn't the TV Guide website listings for my zipcode supposed to be the same as what my HDD250 will list?

3. In addition, there are about 517 channels that show up in the channel list after leaving the unit off over night, why would would it show so many channels if I told it I only have OTA? The unit was showing channels that are only available on cable.


Thanks.



This might be a dumb question but have you done a scan on your Sony for OTA antenna for it to pick up all your OTA channels? For me, I recently I lost my host channel, so I had to revert back to antenna for the past 2 weeks to get my host OTA now everything is back to normal. I ended up having to take out my cablecard and let the Sony do a complete new scan of my cable ch and OTA ch, after that once I got my guide data back all my cable and OTA channels were there, also make sure you go into the main menu (not the TV Guide menu) using your remote under main menu then preferences then add/delete channels so you can click to put a check mark on the channels you want to show up you will see all your OTA channels.

Then of course the channel has to be turned on through the guide set up too but of course you knew that.

1. When entering the special code for "Skip Setup 1120", what is supposed to happen? I was able to pull up menus when using 9012 and 1234, but the 1120 did not seem to have any effect.

2. Also, I tried loading the latest software with a USB thumb drive. I had the unit turned off, plugged in the USB then turned on the unit and nothing happened. Do I have to have the unit ON when I plug in my USB drive?


This might be a dumb question but have you done a scan on your Sony for OTA antenna for it to pick up all your OTA channels? For me, I recently I lost my host channel, so I had to revert back to antenna for the past 2 weeks to get my host OTA now everything is back to normal. I ended up having to take out my cablecard and let the Sony do a complete new scan of my cable ch and OTA ch, after that once I got my guide data back all my cable and OTA channels were there, also make sure you go into the main menu (not the TV Guide menu) using your remote under main menu then preferences then add/delete channels so you can click to put a check mark on the channels you want to show up you will see all your OTA channels.

Then of course the channel has to be turned on through the guide set up too but of course you knew that.

I have not tried performing a scan of Cable channels in addition to my OTA. Maybe my missing channels are listed under cable as opposed to OTA. I will try this tonight.

Which will be cheaper for the cable company?

Giving out free boxes to 40% of their customers or converting 5 digital signals to analog at the source so they don't have to provide a box?

My guess is, if you want more than the 5 broadcast channels in your area, they will force you to rent a box. No freebies from the cable companies, that's for sure.

But isn't it the case that you'd only need the converter for the select channels that they decide to change to SDV? Or are they changing ALL channels to SDV? If that's the case, then even devices with built-in digital tuners won't work at all without a converter box, other than for the local channels? (sorry, just trying to clarify my understanding)

I'm still not getting the incorrect clock does anyone else have any suggestions?

When I do a VBI test on the host channel I get:

Flash test: pass
VBI test: fail
ATSC Test: pass
Serial Test: Fail
IR Test: Fail

and the clock is blank on the screen.


2. Also, I tried loading the latest software with a USB thumb drive. I had the unit turned off, plugged in the USB then turned on the unit and nothing happened. Do I have to have the unit ON when I plug in my USB drive?

Where did you get the latest software?

Where did you get the latest software?

For Software update see this POST (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11853769&postcount=10512) from this thread.

Are you sure it's not covered under one of the "ION" channel listings? My QUBO is, and it doesn't specify it.

I also can receive the ION, QUBO, and ION-Life channels OTA, but the guide only contains listings for the main ION channel. For me these are listed under KPXN-DT and PAXSATP (same lineup). For me, there is no QUBO or ION-LIFE listings in the guide (I looked). Different folks must be getting different channel lineups, and they don't all have the same channels. My channel lineups also have several channels that there is absolutely no way anyone in my region could get (OTA or cable), and there are channels that I do get that are not in the channel lineup. I don't know what (if any) method TVGuide uses to determine which channels make it into which lineups.

For Software update see this POST (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11853769&postcount=10512) from this thread.

SORRY this site was down today.

...............then even devices with built-in digital tuners won't work at all without a converter box, other than for the local channels? (sorry, just trying to clarify my understanding)

I think that what you say is true, unless one of your neighbors (using a converter box) happens to be tuned to the channel that you want to watch, thereby opening up the path for that channel's signal. Sucks, don't it?

I also can receive the ION, QUBO, and ION-Life channels OTA, but the guide only contains listings for the main ION channel. For me these are listed under KPXN-DT and PAXSATP (same lineup). For me, there is no QUBO or ION-LIFE listings in the guide (I looked).

Same issue in Raleigh, NC - We get the main ION listing, but not the subchannels. I tried emailing the station but they couldn't seem to understand that I was talking about TVGuide On Screen rather than the ATSC guide data ... so no joy.

I wish there was a way to let TVGOS know - they have the info on their web page guide (assuming they would care enough to fix it).

I think that what you say is true, unless one of your neighbors (using a converter box) happens to be tuned to the channel that you want to watch, thereby opening up the path for that channel's signal. Sucks, don't it?

I've only seen this happen with on-demand channels. Using the QAM tuner, I can pick up the local channels. It has always been this way and probably will be for a while. The cable company's could take the channels that are now the standard analog channels and when they turn that off, make those same channels the standard "digital" channels and not encrypt them. That way any TV with a QAM tuner could tune them (assuming you are paying for them, of course).

Will this happen? Probably not, too much money to be made renting the $5/month box :)

I also can receive the ION, QUBO, and ION-Life channels OTA, but the guide only contains listings for the main ION channel. For me these are listed under KPXN-DT and PAXSATP (same lineup). For me, there is no QUBO or ION-LIFE listings in the guide (I looked). Different folks must be getting different channel lineups, and they don't all have the same channels. My channel lineups also have several channels that there is absolutely no way anyone in my region could get (OTA or cable), and there are channels that I do get that are not in the channel lineup. I don't know what (if any) method TVGuide uses to determine which channels make it into which lineups.Yeah, if you search back in this thread you'll find that they added all of those extra channels a year or two back. Many of them are distant OTA stations, over 100 miles away from that market.

I guess they just felt that they needed to fill all those slots with something. My area just added more cable channels (mostly new HD ones), and they still didn't need to take any of those other ones away, so they must have infinite capacity or something. I've got well over 500 channels listed now.

That's good that the 8th (and newer 9th) generation guide has that capability, though. The 7th and before only have a finite amount of slots, so everytime they add one, they have to take one away.

Yeah, if you search back in this thread you'll find that they added all of those extra channels a year or two back. Many of them are distant OTA stations, over 100 miles away from that market.

Yes, I recall that. What irks me a bit is that TVGuide added several stations that are thousands of miles away (I'm in San Diego, and I have listings for stations in New York, Seattle, San Fran., etc,), and yet they can't add stations in my local area that I can watch (KDOC-TV/DT, PBS WORLD, ION LIFE, etc.).

I'm starting to think that I'm going to have to set up manual recordings as a back up to solve this problem.

Does anyone know why the recordings get dropped though?

Thanks

I certainly don't *know*, and I rarely lose a programmed recording, but when I do, the one thing I've noticed is that if a programmed recording is in the "grey ?????" state *and* I add a new recording, then the "grey" recording may get dropped.

I don't know if that helps at all, but good luck.

Dan (Woj...)

Another freeze saga
No buttons on remote worked. Tried cold boot, several warm boots over two day period. Eventually was able to get format changed to "sd out". At this point could see the guide, the recordings list, etc. Switched to 720p. All buttons stopped working. Another warm boot, was able to switch back to "sd out". Again had guide, recordings list, etc. Switched to 1080i. Again everything froze. Additionally, when in 720p or 1080i, screen image was noticeably softer than pre-freeze. Another warm boot, back to "sd out", then went to service menu 9012 to go back to factory default. Got the warnings, got messages writing and formatting, then got "1080i" and no clock on front panel. Been there about an hour now. The recordings list showed less than 30% full when I started. Do another warm boot? cold boot? Get a TIVO?

Maybe your hard drive got currupted. And maybe the formatting repaired it. Leave the unit off (in standby) until the clock sets. Else try to re-scan all channels, and see if your host channel is receivable. If these don't work, your options are: send to Sony CSC for repair, use as doorstop, sell as "not-working" on ebay.

If you can get the clock to set, do a complete re-setup for all channels, and for TVGOS.

Maybe your hard drive got currupted. And maybe the formatting repaired it. Leave the unit off (in standby) until the clock sets. Else try to re-scan all channels, and see if your host channel is receivable. If these don't work, your options are: send to Sony CSC for repair, use as doorstop, sell as "not-working" on ebay.

If you can get the clock to set, do a complete re-setup for all channels, and for TVGOS.

No luck, no clock, no nada. Doorstop! TIVO HD on order. Thanks to all who have posted on this thread. Kept me going for quite a while but life's too short to invest more time and money in a discontinued product.

I had the same problem last week. If I left the unit powered off the clock never got set. If I powered it on it would pick up the wrong time (7:30 PM). I finally went & unplugged/replugged the unit one more time and left it powered off BUT this time I changed the direction of my antenna to a larger metropolitan area (MSP). I'm thinking maybe the station it was using to set the clock & pick up the TVGOS info wasn't working or reachable anymore. Anyway after a couple of minutes the clock finally got set correctly. Whew!

I'm still not getting the incorrect clock does anyone else have any suggestions?

When I do a VBI test on the host channel I get:

Flash test: pass
VBI test: fail
ATSC Test: pass
Serial Test: Fail
IR Test: Fail

and the clock is blank on the screen.

Anyone in the Seattle area need a spare remote? Brand new! $20 :)

I have a Comcast (Denver) cable card (Motorola M-Card) which has been working correctly. Last week, out of the blue, I tuned to Showtime HD and got an on screen message to the effect "can't view via HDMI" (my HD TV is connected solely by HDMI), but I turned on the TV in the bedroom which is connected via composite (line out) and sure enough there it was. Went back to the living room and checked all of the premium channels and got the same message, even on the non HD premiums (all other channels including other HD, eg, Discovery were fine). Called Comcast and got nowhere. I checked the diagnostics in the cable card menu and copy protection was enabled with a value of 0x01, in other words these channels were copy protected. I rebooted the dvr and when it came back up everything was fine, BUT the cable card values remained the same in all respects meaning that in theory I shouldn't be able to view the premiums, but they were there.

This has now happened several times. It seems most often to happen overnight. Obviously the first step in trouble shooting is to get the cable guy out here with a new M-Card, but before I do that I wonder if anyone here has had the same issue and, if so, what was the solution? Thanks, Jeff

This has now happened several times. It seems most often to happen overnight. Obviously the first step in trouble shooting is to get the cable guy out here with a new M-Card, but before I do that I wonder if anyone here has had the same issue and, if so, what was the solution? Thanks, Jeff

I'm not sure which one is the M-Card.

If you have a Green Moto Card - You need a RED Moto
Card.

I have 5 SONY DVRs with Cable Cards on Comcast.

Since September when I started to have FREQUENT
problems with Premium Channels and Guide Dropping
out - I got Comcast to upgrade one of my DVRs with
a RED Card [2-Way] versus the Green Card [1-Way].

That 1st DVR upgrade STOPPED having problem. I
got Comcast to upgrade another DVR around Thanksgiving.
Since then 2 out of 5 have been perfect with the other
3 failing once per week. TODAY - I had Comcast convert
the rest of my DVRs to RED Cards.

I think that will end the drop-outs.

Since September when I started to have FREQUENT
problems with Premium Channels and Guide Dropping
out - I got Comcast to upgrade one of my DVRs with
a RED Card [2-Way] versus the Green Card [1-Way].

That 1st DVR upgrade STOPPED having problem. I
got Comcast to upgrade another DVR around Thanksgiving.
Since then 2 out of 5 have been perfect with the other
3 failing once per week. TODAY - I had Comcast convert
the rest of my DVRs to RED Cards.

I think that will end the drop-outs. Hi drhankz and thanks for the reply. But I have the M-card (2-way), I don't remember which color it is but I do know its the 2-way M-Card and I still have the problem?

Hi drhankz and thanks for the reply. But I have the M-card (2-way), I don't remember which color it is but I do know its the 2-way M-Card and I still have the problem?

YOU ARE CORRECT.

I just popped one of my RED cards out and it says
M-Card [therefore 2-Way].

Then I guess I can't help you because the M-Cards
FIXED all my problems.

Hi drhankz and thanks for the reply. But I have the M-card (2-way), I don't remember which color it is but I do know its the 2-way M-Card and I still have the problem?

You are right about things happening overnight.

That was when I would loose stuff. But the M-Card
upgrades fixed it here.

You are right about things happening overnight.

That was when I would loose stuff. But the M-Card
upgrades fixed it here. Thanks and that is leading me to the possibility (probability?) that mine is a faulty card. It worked fine for a month or so (I too had the S-Card and had it switched out because it had caused occasional problems since first installed) before it started acting up.

Thanks and that is leading me to the possibility (probability?) that mine is a faulty card. It worked fine for a month or so (I too had the S-Card and had it switched out because it had caused occasional problems since first installed) before it started acting up.

The M-Cards are way more reliable than the Green
Cards - but it is always possible to have one go bad.

If you have the problem once a week, as I did - then
they should swap out the card for you.

Anyone else missing listings for days 6 and 8? That's for Saturday and next Monday. This is for the Atlanta area, OTA on my system, both machines. Recently my host channel started broadcasting digital as well as the old analog, so I don't know if that is a connection to this or if this is not local, then perhaps it is a TVGOS problem. Let me know,Thanks

Noticed in New Jersey that next Monday's guide did not populate. I'm on Comcast the guide comes from WNET-Ch.13 NYC.

I'm also missing next Monday (OTA) in Los Angeles. It sounds like this is something system wide. (I do have Saturday, however.)

OTA only in Tulsa and I have all my listings up to 6pm central next Monday.

I hadn't went into the listing for next week yet, but after reading the above posts, I checked. I have no listings for next Monday.

Just checked, no listings for next Tuesday. Listings end Monday at 4PM.

No listings for Tuesday in NJ.

I also am missing Tuesday as well. Monday at 4 pm on the west coast would be the new year (midnight UTC/GMT). Something to do with that?

Yep still no listings past 6pm central Monday in Tulsa

Yep, thought I would check the forum. Next Monday, Tuesday, and Wed are blank here; Dec 31st Jan 1 and 2.

Have they already pulled the plug?

The M-Cards are way more reliable than the Green
Cards - but it is always possible to have one go bad.

If you have the problem once a week, as I did - then
they should swap out the card for you.

I don't think the color of the sticker on the cable card matters :) I am also fairly certain that it is not cable card hardware (s-card or m-card) but the firmware on the card that is the problem. I have made many post on this thread about which firmwares are bad and which ones are good. I have had two s-cards with 3.21 (I believe, do a search here) and haven't had any problems recording subscription content.

Is this the problem

Full control of Gemstar via Macrovison's purchase of Gemstar; meaning the cable companies will prevent our free service?

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/08/business/media/08gemstar.html

Yep still no listings past 6pm central Monday in Tulsa

Same problem with Comcast here in Sarasota, Fl. First time in months I've had any guide problems here.

Yep still no listings past 6pm central Monday in Tulsa

Same problem, starting at 7pm EST, here in Sarasota, Fl. I use Comcast and have had no guide problems here for months.

What's going on?

Edit: Sorry double post.

Yep, thought I would check the forum. Next Monday, Tuesday, and Wed are blank here; Dec 31st Jan 1 and 2.

Have they already pulled the plug?

Is this the problem

Full control of Gemstar via Macrovison's purchase of Gemstar; meaning the cable companies will prevent our free service?

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/08/business/media/08gemstar.html

The Macrovision purchase will not even be complete until 2nd qtr 2008. Even then they have to honor existing contracts. The TVGOS service is not really free. It is included in the purchase price of the device (i.e. Sony has paid a fee to TVGOS) so I believe that they have an obligation to continue it. What I don't know is the exact terms of the agreement. It's probably not open-ended but I would expect that it would extend at least to the expected life of the device.

Guide continues to be MIA in NJ.

Well, thanks to this forum, I see I am not the only one having problems with the future guide. I am strictly OTA (no cable, no cablecards) with a 500 in the L.A. area and have not had any problem with the guide for months. Now I have no listings after Monday at 4pm. Everything up to there is OK. From this forum, I see it appears to be a nation wide problem, and not just here. I wonder if it is because of the holidays or if we are really going to have a major problem on Monday and thereafter? If anyone hears what is going on with TVGOS, please post it. Thanks...

I fall into the exact same scenario with the exception that I'm strictly OTA in the Mpls area. I noticed yesterday evening that I've received no guide data since Monday 6:00pm central time. I've had no problems with receiving guide data in over a year. I was not expecting this as I do not remember any year-end related problems a year ago. I was hoping to be able to use TVGOS with my DVR for another year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I don't think the color of the sticker on the cable card matters :) I am also fairly certain that it is not cable card hardware (s-card or m-card) but the firmware on the card that is the problem. I have made many post on this thread about which firmwares are bad and which ones are good. I have had two s-cards with 3.21 (I believe, do a search here) and haven't had any problems recording subscription content.

NONE of my problems were with recording.

I have 100% success recording anything.

The problems between the 1-Way Green Cards and the 2-Way
Red cards where the Green Cards would loose all the guide data.

So far the Red cards have behaved well :D

There is no question the software on the Red Cards is different
than the Green cards - but Moto and Comcast will not update
the FW on the card so the only way to get better FW is by getting
a new card.

Guide continues to be MIA in NJ.

Ditto in St. Paul Mn.

The same in the SF Bay Area. Last listing shown is 4pm Monday 12/31. I wonder if it is simply something to do with the new year (listings stop at 0:00:00 Jan 1, 2008 UTC).

Yup, the guide is out after 6:00 PM Monday in Chicago.

They can place ads on the TVGOS screen, but they don't bother to post a message to keep us informed as to what is going on.

Guide data missing here in Athens, GA (guide channel is from Atlanta PBS ch. 8) after 7 PM on 12/31 - consistent with it being a nationwide outage. In a way I'm relieved since it means it might be fixed...unless it is a conscious ending of the service effective 1/1/08.

Writers Strike continues. Monday thru Thursday data is missing in action.

Anyone looking for a HDD250, I have one listed on ebay with a warranty till 2010. Item # 320200512947. Sorry for the shameless referral (mod- delete if you need to)

Jim

I emailed TVGOS technical support this morning about the nationwide outage (had their email address from a previous issue) and received the following response:

"There was a known database issue, now resolved. You should start to see listings for day 8 on 12/28/07. It will take three to five days for up to eight days of listings to be displayed. The amount of time it takes depends on the version of device you own."

This is VERY encouraging, so hopefully the nationwide outage of listings will be over in the next day.

I emailed TVGOS technical support this morning about the nationwide outage (had their email address from a previous issue) and received the following response:

"There was a known database issue, now resolved. You should start to see listings for day 8 on 12/28/07. It will take three to five days for up to eight days of listings to be displayed. The amount of time it takes depends on the version of device you own."

This is VERY encouraging, so hopefully the nationwide outage of listings will be over in the next day.

Thanks for that info - it must be nice to have a TVGOS Tech Support E-mail Address ;)

Now if it was published here - think of the damage we could do :(

Thanks for the information!

Thank you tustinfarm for your post. We will all be watching for the listings to reappear.

That's great news that TVGOS should be working tomorrow. My fingers are crossed. I just bought an open box DHG-HDD500 ($400) from Frys for the family for Christmas. This unit is way cool. What an image! I am OTA only. I have an RCA8030 and couldn't be happier with it. I like to archive home improvement shows. The rest of my recordings are erased after viewing for the most part. So I was figuring I'd keep this even if the TVGOS stopped working. I can always set manual recordings like I do with the RCA. Getting around setting the clock if the broadcast signal stops will be a pain but I'm sure I'll make it work someway. I can't pass up a good challenge.

BTW I have a few questions. I have reviewed spiffSPACE.com - thanks to those responsible - great work.

I have 1.2.05 firmware, any reason to attempt to update it?

How do you know if the unit is updating during download times?

Are download times consistent across the country?

If you interrupt the 180 min download, is the data already downloaded lost or saved even though incomplete?

Any info will be appreciated.

_frankly

I've got the 1.2.05 firmware and I've never felt any need to update it. I don't think there's any update that will make much of a difference with anything.

About the TVGOS outage and the writer's strike: maybe the TVGuide listings writers were on strike, too, and they are replacing them with scabs on Jan. 1st, like some of the shows are.

(I know, I know - it's just a joke.)

What is going on?? I just found out I have no guide data listings after Monday 12/31. I am in South FL. I just checked tonight and no guide data downloaded still.

I verifed that my host is correct and I am locked on my host and I am passing lots of VBI data.

What is going on?? I just found out I have no guide data listings after Monday 12/31. I am in South FL. I just checked tonight and no guide data downloaded still.

I verifed that my host is correct and I am locked on my host and I am passing lots of VBI data.

The answer is 6 posts up from yours. 10934

I emailed TVGOS technical support this morning about the nationwide outage (had their email address from a previous issue) and received the following response:

"There was a known database issue, now resolved. You should start to see listings for day 8 on 12/28/07. It will take three to five days for up to eight days of listings to be displayed. The amount of time it takes depends on the version of device you own."

This is VERY encouraging, so hopefully the nationwide outage of listings will be over in the next day.

Since you have a communication link with TVGOS, why not send them a message suggesting that they use the ad window to post these kinds of problems, and other guide news? We are more likely to look through these ads if we know that this kind of information is included.
Ray

Since you have a communication link with TVGOS, why not send them a message suggesting that they use the ad window to post these kinds of problems, and other guide news? We are more likely to look through these ads if we know that this kind of information is included.
Ray
Probably because that space is ad revenue...their customers are the hardware makers and ad purchasers. How would you like to be associated (as a ad purchaser) with a problem report screen? Also TVGOS does to work with end users like us.

known database issue?

I wonder if this could just be holiday vacations? Alot of business's take off the whole week around Xmas and New Years.

It's just funny that this happened now. So we should have data tonight then, will it populate the same Day 1=Mon Tues, Day 2=Tues Wed

Yep, next Friday (Jan 4th) is complete, and of course the rest of the week will be soon. Notice we have some new PBS "HD" listings showing up too. Hope it is for real, and not "typoes" There may be some local Houston problems that could keep out HD PBS from coming through at all times - unless they finally got their new equipment in?

There are also a couple of programs that are listed as "new" in otherwords no writers strike (Friday Night Lights and a couple of others)

As reported, listings seem to be back to normal.

It is a "4 day's worth of data" download, so for today we have
Friday (12/28/07)
Saturday (12/29/07)
Tuesday (1/1/08)
Friday (1/4/08)

We already had Fri/Sat, so that's hard to verify. :) Note that Saturday night was not updated with the football game on NBC+CBS. No big surprise...

Tuesday is okay.

And next Friday was already mentioned.

--

It will take 2 more days to fill-in next week's schedule:
FSsmTxxF
SSmtWxfS
SMtwTfsS

YUP, Got my data back today.
It amazing what tv guide can transmit and further amazing what our DVR's can pick up in 1 day.

Unlike kwg above, I got this in just todays download.

I already had 12/28, 12/29, 12/30 and part of day 12/31....yesterday all days after 12/31 I had no listings.
Today (12/28/07) I scrolled through each day on the listing and I got this added rest of 12/31, 1/1/08, 1/02/08, 1/03/08, 1/04/08. I couldn't believe all 5 days downloaded just today, again yesterday when I looked none of those days were filled today they are.

I'm just glad it's back. :)

Probably because that space is ad revenue...their customers are the hardware makers and ad purchasers. How would you like to be associated (as a ad purchaser) with a problem report screen? Also TVGOS does to work with end users like us.I remember them sending news of some kind of change or other using their ad space a couple of years back on the Sony's 8th gen. guide. So it's been done before.

I remember them sending news of some kind of change or other using their ad space a couple of years back on the Sony's 8th gen. guide. So it's been done before.

If their system (TVGOS) is down and they can not relay TVGOS listings, then how can they send any other information?
Michael

I don't believe their system was down, just that there was no data available for 2008 (as defined in UTC)

will there any more new sony hdtv pvr come out for ota

The NTIA has approved Echostar's TR-40 digital to analog converter. As I said many pages ago, Echostar is the only manufacture that is working with Gemstar to support TVGOS. This converter, when pluged into the second RF input on the Sony, will convert Gemstar's digital TVGOS to analog. You can sign up for the $40 coupons next week and buy the converter by late February. In the San Francisco area, CBS (KPIX) is already sending the digital version of TVGOS. However, should Sony provide the needed software update on a discontinued product to receive the digital guide, you won't need the converter....(I would'nt count on it).

http://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm

fox

The NTIA has approved Echostar's TR-40 digital to analog converter. As I said many pages ago, Echostar is the only manufacture that is working with Gemstar to support TVGOS. This converter, when pluged into the second RF input on the Sony, will convert Gemstar's digital TVGOS to analog. You can sign up for the $40 coupons next week and buy the converter by late February. In the San Francisco area, CBS (KPIX) is already sending the digital version of TVGOS. However, should Sony provide the needed software update on a discontinued product to receive the digital guide, you won't need the converter....(I would'nt count on it).

http://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm

fox
So I'm guessing the cable plugs into this converter, then a cable from the converter goes into the Sony? How much is it going to cost? And I guess we'll need 2 of them if we have 2 units?

BTW, I don't see the Sony listed at the link above.

Thanks

So I'm guessing the cable plugs into this converter, then a cable from the converter goes into the Sony? How much is it going to cost? And I guess we'll need 2 of them if we have 2 units?

I'll probably get one if I can but you'll need cable to get the content. Not a solution for the strictly OTA user unless you can reinsert the signal back into the digital RF feed. I'm also assuming the Sony's Cable input is strictly QAM (and the OTA input strictly ATSC).

Well, I have all my listings for my 250, but not for my 500. Both OTA, same feed off the antenna. The 500 only has lost listings and no title displayed on certian channels. Also, I tried to rework my channel guide and none of the changes I make will take. Just goes back to what it was before making the changes.
One other note, my girlfriend (cable only) 500 is acting similar to mine, but her 250 is fine. This she told me about 2 days ago. She had called to ask which cable system she needed to tell the 500 she was on as the cable reset? and the machine had to be set back up. After she had done the setup, a day later she had pretty much the same no listings and no title displayed only on certian channels. Her 250 is fine.
Any thoughts?
Michael

Not a solution for the strictly OTA user unless you can reinsert the signal back into the digital RF feed. I'm also assuming the Sony's Cable input is strictly QAM (and the OTA input strictly ATSC).

Doesn't the Sony handle analog cable as well as digital, and doesn't analog cable use NTSC? It looks like OTA and cable use the same frequencies for all the VHF channels except 5 and 6. So if the Echostar can deliver the converted TVGOS signal via the RF output on one of channels 2-4 or 7-13, it would seem possible to feed it into the Sony's cable input while feeding the OTA digital signals into the antenna input.

The NTIA has approved Echostar's TR-40 digital to analog converter. As I said many pages ago, Echostar is the only manufacture that is working with Gemstar to support TVGOS. This converter, when pluged into the second RF input on the Sony, will convert Gemstar's digital TVGOS to analog. You can sign up for the $40 coupons next week and buy the converter by late February. In the San Francisco area, CBS (KPIX) is already sending the digital version of TVGOS. However, should Sony provide the needed software update on a discontinued product to receive the digital guide, you won't need the converter....(I would'nt count on it).

http://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm

fox

Seems to me that Gemstar, not Sony is responsible for both guide software and hardware so Gemstar should provide the fix, assuming it can be accomplished with software alone.
Ray

So I'm guessing the cable plugs into this converter, then a cable from the converter goes into the Sony? How much is it going to cost? And I guess we'll need 2 of them if we have 2 units?

BTW, I don't see the Sony listed at the link above.


Depends on what you mean by "the cable". If you are referring to the physical connecton (typically an RG-6 coaxial cable) then yes that is correct. Antenna -> coax -> Echostar box (RF output) -> coax cable -> Sony box.

Cost is unknown (at least to me) but you can get a coupon for $40 off from the govt.

If the unit has enough drive strength to send a signal to wo Sony boxes then you would only need one box.

You won't see Sony listed on the Dept of Commerce site as Sony is not building an ATSC convertor box for the NTIA program.

-phil

Doesn't the Sony handle analog cable as well as digital, and doesn't analog cable use NTSC? It looks like OTA and cable use the same frequencies for all the VHF channels except 5 and 6. So if the Echostar can deliver the converted TVGOS signal via the RF output on one of channels 2-4 or 7-13, it would seem possible to feed it into the Sony's cable input while feeding the OTA digital signals into the antenna input.

I think that what you describe should work. I tested my DHG-HDD250 by disconnecting the antenna from the antenna input and connected it to the cable input. I did a cable auto-scan and it detected all of the local NTSC signals from 2-13. So if the TR40 can modulate the VBI signal on one of the VHF channels then hopefully the DHG will detect this signal as a host channel on the cable input.

I guess for this to work you'd have to keep the Echostar box on and tuned to the local digital host channel. This makes it a bit harder to use as every one will have to do some sleuthing to find out what their local host channel is.

-phil

I think that what you describe should work. I tested my DHG-HDD250 by disconnecting the antenna from the antenna input and connected it to the cable input. I did a cable auto-scan and it detected all of the local NTSC signals from 2-13. So if the TR40 can modulate the VBI signal on one of the VHF channels then hopefully the DHG will detect this signal as a host channel on the cable input.

I guess for this to work you'd have to keep the Echostar box on and tuned to the local digital host channel. This makes it a bit harder to use as every one will have to do some sleuthing to find out what their local host channel is.

-phil

Perhaps the box will output two channels, one that is set by the remote control and one that is fixed to output the time and guide information.

Ray

Doesn't the Sony handle analog cable as well as digital, and doesn't analog cable use NTSC? It looks like OTA and cable use the same frequencies for all the VHF channels except 5 and 6.

I've been messing with my 3 Sony boxes and OTA for awhile now. I'll try feeding the OTA signal into the cable input and see the effect. But I've yet to get any lockable channel into my Sony box via OTA due to where I live with respect to getting RF reception.

Well, I have all my listings for my 250, but not for my 500. Both OTA, same feed off the antenna. The 500 only has lost listings and no title displayed on certian channels. Also, I tried to rework my channel guide and none of the changes I make will take. Just goes back to what it was before making the changes.
One other note, my girlfriend (cable only) 500 is acting similar to mine, but her 250 is fine. This she told me about 2 days ago. She had called to ask which cable system she needed to tell the 500 she was on as the cable reset? and the machine had to be set back up. After she had done the setup, a day later she had pretty much the same no listings and no title displayed only on certian channels. Her 250 is fine.
Any thoughts?
Michael

My 500 has full listings all the way through Day8 (next Monday), as expected. OTA in the SF Bay Area.

Finally got all of my listings on the 500 at home, don't know about my girlfriends yet. Still can not redo my channel guide at all. Does not take my changes. Even tried the 0 zip code reset, but had no effect. Even a rescan and set up of the 500 had no effect, plus through all that never lost any listings as you normally would. May try a soft reset and see if it will clear up. Other than that, not sure why my 500 is locked? in with the present guide.
Any one else ever seen this?
Michael

That happened to quite a few of us Sony owners when they did a big update awhile back, including me. It didn't seem to affect people with other TVGOS units, though. I'm not sure of the exact time - probably over a year ago. I'm sure you could find it somewhere back in this thread if you felt like combing through it, but I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to.

A soft reset did the trick.

That happened to quite a few of us Sony owners when they did a big update awhile back, including me. It didn't seem to affect people with other TVGOS units, though. I'm not sure of the exact time - probably over a year ago. I'm sure you could find it somewhere back in this thread if you felt like combing through it, but I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to.

A soft reset did the trick.
That did the trick, plus I did not lose any listings and my channels that I was trying to get rid of were gone as well. Everything working, except that day 8 again is only a partial on each machine.

That did the trick, plus I did not lose any listings and my channels that I was trying to get rid of were gone as well. Everything working, except that day 8 again is only a partial on each machine.

I don't know what TVGOS has been doing lately - but
at least once a week my GUIDE shows up empty and
I do a soft reset from the front panel and all the guide
information immediately shows up.

Here we go again! No listings for next Wednesday.

Here we go again! No listings for next Wednesday.

Same thing for LA OTA.

Wed missing, no biggie, it will fill in next week. The rest of the week, including days after Wed is in the box.

I don't know what TVGOS has been doing lately - but
at least once a week my GUIDE shows up empty and
I do a soft reset from the front panel and all the guide
information immediately shows up.If you read the LG 3410a thread, those people have been grappling with that problem for over a couple of months now (nationwide). In order to get every day's data, they have to unplug and replug every night before retiring.

Many of them have given up and are either using manual timers or VCR+, or have just sold their machines, and are going with the TiVoHD now. They're thinking that possibly it has something to do with the TVGOS digital "switchover". But they have the V7 guide, while we have V8.

I don't currently have the Sony hooked up to an antenna (what, with the strike and all - I'm using my Pio plasma's tuner right now, because the direct coax feed gives me an ever-so-slightly better PQ), but I haven't noticed any problem with the TV's V8 guide. Might be area-related.

If you read the LG 3410a thread, those people have been grappling with that problem for over a couple of months now (nationwide). In order to get every day's data, they have to unplug and replug every night before retiring.

I have 5 of these boxes and only one is doing it once
per week. The front-panel reset fixes it immediately
after the 10 minute reboot cycle.

If sony does nothing, then they manage to shutdown all our gadgets with the analog shutoff.

a) there is a digital guide access somewhere in the software, or

b) we will all be up at 12:00 to force a clock set and use it as a VCR.

Where, oh where, is the free market to make the HDD 750 and HDD 1000 ? Oh, yes, I forgot, our choices are those the RIAA sets for us.

Many of them have given up and are either using manual timers or VCR+
Is VCR+ even around anymore? I never see those numbers listed in TVG anymore.

I have 5 of these boxes and only one is doing it once
per week. The front-panel reset fixes it immediately
after the 10 minute reboot cycle.Be thankful. Many of the regular posters there seem to be having a consistent problem. Maybe it's just area-related.

Is VCR+ even around anymore? I never see those numbers listed in TVG anymore.Yes. My local newspaper's TV Guide still lists them.

I recently got a Toshiba HD-A3 and had to switch the cable plugged into the one DVI input on the TV from the DHG-HDD250 to the HD-A3, and suddenly the Guide didn't work, watching tv via component. The guide worked again when I switched the cables back.
Is this a feature I just didn't know about?

I recently got a Toshiba HD-A3 and had to switch the cable plugged into the one DVI input on the TV from the DHG-HDD250 to the HD-A3, and suddenly the Guide didn't work, watching tv via component. The guide worked again when I switched the cables back.
Is this a feature I just didn't know about?

Hmmm...I am assuming that you were using a DVI-HDMI cable?

Try this:

Switch back to component video cables, and turn to that component input on the TV. Confirm that you are not getting the guide (and press the exit button just to be sure that you are definitely OUT of the guide).

Next, press the "FORMAT" button on the remote TWICE (EDITED FROM "ONCE"). Wait about 5 seconds or so. See if the picture changes/updates on screen. Try the guide again.

EDIT: You can see the format mode displayed on the front panel of the DVR. Pressing the button just once will display the current mode, and then each additional press will select various modes. The next one after SD OUT is 1080i, then 720p, 480p, 480i, Native, Variable 1, Variable 2, Variable 3, and then back to SD out. Once you stop pressing the button, it take about 5 seconds before the format mode is actually switched.

Did this have any effect?

You might be in SD Out mode when you are trying to watch the component output. This forces all on screen info (guide, menus, etc) to show up ONLY on the SD outputs of the TV (like the Svideo and composite video outputs), but the component video outputs still show the image (perhaps in 480p mode).

Yes. My local newspaper's TV Guide still lists them.
Wow interesting, I didn't even think people were still using VCR's anymore. :)

Hmmm...I am assuming that you were using a DVI-HDMI cable?

You might be in SD Out mode when you are trying to watch the component output. This forces all on screen info (guide, menus, etc) to show up ONLY on the SD outputs of the TV (like the Svideo and composite video outputs), but the component video outputs still show the image (perhaps in 480p mode).

Yes, that was the problem. I guess for some reason it changes to SD Out when I unplug the HDMI cable, no matter what the setting was beforehand.

Thanks for the help. And yes I am using an HDMI-DVI adapter. You saved me from having to buy an HDMI switch.

Yes, that was the problem. I guess for some reason it changes to SD Out when I unplug the HDMI cable, no matter what the setting was beforehand.

Thanks for the help. And yes I am using an HDMI-DVI adapter. You saved me from having to buy an HDMI switch.

Send me a check for half the cost of an HDMI switch and we'll call it even. ;)

Wow interesting, I didn't even think people were still using VCR's anymore. :)

My Toshiba XS32 DVR is a VCR+ machine but in the three years I've owned it, I rarely programmed with VCR+ since it's just so easy to directly enter the settings.

Ray

I moved my DHG yesterday and lost my "mapping" for the newly added HD channels on Comcast Seattle using a cable card. Here is what I found...

Comcast, DHG TVGOS

660-UHD, 348
661-MTV HD, 354
662-TNT HD, 388
663-Discovery HD, 451
664 Mojo, 383
670-A&E HD, 386
671-History HD, 350
672- USA HD, 672
673 National Geographic HD, 371

Hope this helps any DHG users in Seattle :)

Wow interesting, I didn't even think people were still using VCR's anymore. :)Many of the DVD (& HDD) recorders (such as Ray's Toshiba) from the past years include it, too. But many also included TVGOS, and most people prefer that because it's 10x less of a hassle to use.

VCR+ was always a bit of a white elephant since it's existence. Most people just used the manual timers, because they were used to that anyways, so I don't know why they even bothered keeping it up. Especially in the TVGOS units - didn't make sense. Although some of those 3410a owners are probably glad they have it right now. I feel a bit sorry for them - they are having so much trouble with TVGOS. Nothing like the intermittent, mostly temporary problems some people here have had (me not really being one of them - all versions of TVGOS have always seemed to work consistently for me here in the Chicago market). It must really suck that they thought they were at least going to get another year out of their units, but they are unexpectedly finding they're not.

I really hope and pray this doesn't spread to our Sony's. Hopefully (for our sake) it's just something inherent in the implementation of TVGOS in that particular unit (akin to the problem with the Pioneer SD HDD/DVD recorders of the past that included TVGOS). I do know this - my V7 guides (like the LG has) use a different host channel in my area than the Sony's V8 one. At least for me, anyways - I actually think there are a few channels here that carry it.

...Although some of those 3410a owners are probably glad they have (VCR+) right now. I feel a bit sorry for them - they are having so much trouble with TVGOS. Nothing like the intermittent, mostly temporary problems some people here have had (me not really being one of them - all versions of TVGOS have always seemed to work consistently for me here in the Chicago market). It must really suck that they thought they were at least going to get another year out of their units, but they are unexpectedly finding they're not.

I really hope and pray this doesn't spread to our Sony's. Hopefully (for our sake) it's just something inherent in the implementation of TVGOS in that particular unit...

I've got both the Sony and LG recorders and feel free to say that Sony users will never have the opportunities to love-to-hate their recorders as LG users routinely enjoy!

The two TV Guide systems are different enough to almost be considered unrelated to each other.

If Sony's recorder had a 2nd tuner just for receiving guide info, and thus could remain on all the time, it would be ideal. But, as-is, Sony's TV Guide is pretty good!

The NTIA has approved Echostar's TR-40 digital to analog converter. As I said many pages ago, Echostar is the only manufacture that is working with Gemstar to support TVGOS.

fox
Here's a little more info on the TR-40:

http://www.tvpredictions.com/echodtv010708.htm

-phil

Here's a little more info on the TR-40:

http://www.tvpredictions.com/echodtv010708.htm

-phil

But what's even more intriguing to us OTA folks is the TR-50...an OTA HD-DVR, with a program guide. According to the CES blurb:

"The unit offers ATSC and NTSC tuners, so it can view and record over-the-air HD digital, standard digital, and analog channels. Dual tuner action means you can watch (and record) one live channel while simultaneously recording a second--or record two channels while playing back a previously recorded show. There's also full control over live TV, including rewind, pause, slow motion, 10-second "instant replay," and--for recordings--30-second skip. The TR-50 also sports a 7-day electronic program guide (using over-the-air metadata on the digital band), which should eliminate the pesky VCR-style manual "timer recordings" (you remember: "8:00-9:00pm / Thursdays / channel 4"). The box also has a full range of outputs, including component and HDMI (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i resolutions supported), as well as standard-def composite and RF outputs for older TVs. Dish hasn't yet specified the internal hard drive size, but the USB 2.0 connector will ensure expandable storage. Perhaps most interestingly, the TR-50 includes an Ethernet port and the ability to decode MPEG-4 video, and EchoStar touts its ability to "access premium Internet-based TV programming via broadband Internet," as well as "DVR management and timer creation via Internet"--though the timeframe for such features wasn't disclosed. Likewise, the exact release date and pricing information remain a mystery. But if it's affordable--and lacks TiVo's monthly fee--the TR-50 may be the perfect fit for TV viewers without satellite or cable who still want to enjoy HD programming on their own schedule. "

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-13855_1-9840910-67.html

It does not look like it can tune any cable channels, and no cable card slot...

DarrenK

But what's even more intriguing to us OTA folks is the TR-50...an OTA HD-DVR, with a program guide. According to the CES blurb:
DarrenK
Wow,

Good find DarrenK. This certainly trumps the TR-40.

Finally a DVR that's almost exactly what I want. OTA only is where I've been my whole life (pushing 40 years so I was there when cable made it's big push into homes as well as the upstart satellite). I want a DVR to let me view TV on my schedule (remember ReplayTV?) without monthly fees. The only things I see this missing from my list of wants is commercial skip (remember ReplayTV?) and downloadable guide. I don't trust the meta-data guide as it requires the TV station to keep it up to date and I don't know how important that is to my local broadcasters. Being able to archive to a network would be nice but I've had it before and rarely used it - now with pre-recorded HD movie availability I think it's even less important.

The ethernet gives Echostar the chance to offer guide data via a second channel for a modest premium (it could be a way for Dish to get $25 - $50 a year from me they won't be getting otherwise) for added robustness.

This could be the system to save me from building a HTPC for a while longer, or if it stays on the market for longer than the Sony maybe even forever.

Ah, the heady days of whistfull wishing while a product is newly announced and before it hits the streets.

-phil

Great find - sounds like an excellent replacement for the DHG units. I wonder if by MPEG-4 they also mean H.264 / AVCHD capability?

This product's release date might influence one's decision on when to request the $40 vouchers from the government. Don't be like me and request them without reading the fine print: I learned AFTER doing so that they expire 90 days after being issued and that vouchers requested today will be issued in late February - early March. If the vouchers expire before the product you want to buy is available, you are out of luck. (You can apply for your two coupons one by one, but once issued, they can't be reapplied for.)

I too requested the coupons after reading about them on this thread. I then noticed the same 90 day limitation you did. For me, it was only about getting a box that will convert the TVGOS to analog for my DHG-HDD250. So now I will wait and see...If there are no boxes out when our coupons expire, perhaps the Government will relent and let us get new ones. Oh wait, it's the Government...

DarrenK

Does the TR-40 really convert digital TVGOS to analog TVGOS and output it for use with DVRs like the Sony? I don't see any mention of this. It just says that it has a built-in EPG using metadata on the digital band.

Also, I too made the mistake of requesting the coupons without realizing that there is a 90-day time limit on them.

Son of a...

"The TR-40 is sampling now and will be available in limited quantities in March and unlimited quantities in June of this year. The TR-50 DVR will be available in July."

Do not apply for your coupons now!

:mad:

As far as the vouchers are concerned. The TR-40 is an approved device. It fits the government specifications. The TR-50 goes well beyond what has been dictated by the government for approved device status. As a result I do not believe the voucher will apply for the TR-50.

Okay, so it looks like it is Gemstar since they mention receiving data from CBS and PBS stations but I see no mention of converting and outputing this signal as analog for other devices. In fact it states that it has the EPG built-in so why would they? I'm a little worried as the only place I've seen this mentioned is in this thread.

We may be OK here. I'll bet retailers will be more than happy to list these devices early for pre-orders and accept vouchers as a down payment to lock in the sale.

You do realize you only need these converter boxes for OTA.

Anyone using a CableCard does not need an OTA Converter.

Hey everyone. Is anyone else having problems with their listings (or failing the VBI test in the G* Factory test)?

My local station is having technical difficulties receiving the data (my clock won't set either). I am failing the G* test on that channel.

Is this a national thing, or local?

Thanks,
Jeff

I only ordered 1 of my 2 coupons for the exact reason that they expire in 90 days. I'll probably order the other one in July.

You do realize you only need these converter boxes for OTA.

Anyone using a CableCard does not need an OTA Converter.

How so? You need one if you want to watch OTA after the analog shutdown (cable systems do not carry all OTA channels) and you need it as it supposedly will allow the Sony to receive TVGOS by converting the new digital version of the listings data to analog.

Sony Replaces XL3 Media Center with Dual-CableCard TP25

http://www.cepro.com/article/sony_replaces_xl3_media_center_with_dual_cablecard_tp25/K315

http://www.cepro.com/images/uploads/sony_vaio_tp25_all_components.jpg

http://www.cepro.com/images/uploads/sony_vaio_tp25_bluray.jpg

How so? You need one if you want to watch OTA after the analog shutdown (cable systems do not carry all OTA channels) and you need it as it supposedly will allow the Sony to receive TVGOS by converting the new digital version of the listings data to analog.

If you cableCo passes through the analog channel, then yes you don't need the converter and you don't mind watching what the cableco gives you.

I still think Sony will come out next year with a dual tuner cable card blueray dvd player. The market is just too big to pass it TIVO and the cableco's dvr unchallenged.

HDAddiction

Hey everyone. Is anyone else having problems with their listings (or failing the VBI test in the G* Factory test)?

My local station is having technical difficulties receiving the data (my clock won't set either). I am failing the G* test on that channel.

Is this a national thing, or local?

Thanks,
Jeff
My listings are complete all the way thru have not run the test.

Also, I too made the mistake of requesting the coupons without realizing that there is a 90-day time limit on them.


Same Here!:mad:

As far as the vouchers are concerned. The TR-40 is an approved device. It fits the government specifications. The TR-50 goes well beyond what has been dictated by the government for approved device status. As a result I do not believe the voucher will apply for the TR-50.

The TR-50 or any DVR won't qualify for the coupon program!

But E*'s TR-40 (@ $39.95) will be 'free'!

FWIW, at least one of the coupon approved converters offers QAM as well as ATSC:
(copy and paste .ezdigitaltv.com/Digital_STREAM_D2A1D10.html )

FWIW, at least one of the coupon approved converters offers QAM as well as ATSC:
(copy and paste .ezdigitaltv.com/Digital_STREAM_D2A1D10.html )

http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Digital_STREAM_D2A1D10.html

Son of a...

"The TR-40 is sampling now and will be available in limited quantities in March and unlimited quantities in June of this year. The TR-50 DVR will be available in July."

Do not apply for your coupons now!

:mad:

There may not be coupons available months from now. But a coupon is only 40 bucks, not really a big deal for the DVR set!

But what's even more intriguing to us OTA folks is the TR-50...an OTA HD-DVR, with a program guide.

This looks promissing. Is there a user manual online somewhere? The one critical feature that I require is the ability to manually add digital (ATSC) channels. The Sony provides this via the Add Scan option. TiVo doesn't have this. I hope the TR-50 does.

FWIW, at least one of the coupon approved converters offers QAM as well as ATSC:
(copy and paste .ezdigitaltv.com/Digital_STREAM_D2A1D10.html )

Most of the new digital converter boxes have the chip sets that can receive both ATSC and (clear) QAM but QAM is likely disabled (via software).

I beta tested two of the digital boxes and when we started testing QAM worked great. However, after a few software updates QAM was disabled completely. I don't know why and I never could get an answer from the vendor that I was testing for as to why. Neither box that I tested was "type approved" so they are not on the FCC's approved list. I wonder how many other vendors' boxes were not approved and why they failed the approval process.

This looks promissing. Is there a user manual online somewhere? The one critical feature that I require is the ability to manually add digital (ATSC) channels. The Sony provides this via the Add Scan option. TiVo doesn't have this. I hope the TR-50 does.

The Echostar TR-50 is very much based on the DISH Network ViP DVRs except that the TR-50 does not have any satellite functions. The ViP DVRs are great and, yes, they do have "add scan" and individual digital channel delete functions. Two of my OTA digital channels just changed their names and on my ViP 622 I deleted them and then went to the seup and put in the digital OTA channel number and the new station name was picked up from the PSIP data.

By the way, here is a video of the Echostar TR-50 ATSC DVR:
http://reviews.cnet.com/EchoStar_TR_50_DVR/4660-13855_7-6826151.html

You do realize you only need these converter boxes for OTA.

Anyone using a CableCard does not need an OTA Converter.

But the TVGOS guide info will still come from PBS or CBS analog right? :confused:

But the TVGOS guide info will still come from PBS or CBS analog right? :confused:

The specs mentioned the set using 8VSB to obtain the program guide.

However, that would not seem to make sense, given that the CBS setup is for a digital transmission of guide info.

DarrenK

But the TVGOS guide info will still come from PBS or CBS analog right? :confused:

Cable Providers are required to convert the digital
pbs signal to analog. That is how my DVR gets TVGOS
today. My PBS station is channel 2. Channel 2 is
Digital on Cable. Comcast converts that to channel
97 Analog so that I can get TVGOS.

Will they STOP that after February 2009. I don't know.

My comment about not needing cable converters was
for TV reception. My TVs receive the Digital Cable
channels from Comcast today without needing any
converter or Cable Card except for Extra Cost Cable
channels like HBO, Etc.

One of the features listed for The Digital STREAM D2A1D10 is "auto time setting". I assume that signal will set the Sony clock, and thus enabling time recording even if the guide is no longer available. I wonder if all converter boxes have this feature and just don't list it. If not, we need to be sure to choose the right one. I plan to use one box to feed both my recorders since they are stacked together. Also plan to use signal splitters to combine the channel 3 and antenna signals.

Ray

Most of the new digital converter boxes have the chip sets that can receive both ATSC and (clear) QAM but QAM is likely disabled (via software).

I beta tested two of the digital boxes and when we started testing QAM worked great. However, after a few software updates QAM was disabled completely. I don't know why and I never could get an answer from the vendor that I was testing for as to why. Neither box that I tested was "type approved" so they are not on the FCC's approved list. I wonder how many other vendors' boxes were not approved and why they failed the approval process.

I originally believed that QAM was not allowed in coupon eligible boxes. Perhaps there will different versions of the same or similiar STB's, both coupon eligible and not.

Tthere are 3 Digital Stream models on the coupon list and what appears to be a Korean OEM website with what looks like D2A1D10 specs:
http://www.dstreamtech.com/english/product/product_detail.asp?idx=29

If it turns out that coupon eligible converters are disabled from receiving QAM but similiar models can, I'll donate my coupons and buy the much more versatile cable capable version.

I am getting ready to sell my DHG-HDD500. It is in perfect working order (I even have all 8 days of Guide Data). I purchased this unit new March of 2006. I've decided to go with Direct TV. I was wondering if after I sell and before I ship it if I should leave the setup as is (It has my Zip Code/Guide Data and no reordings) or if I should do Menu - Screen Mode - 9012 and select "RESTORE FACTORY DEFAULT"? The unit has the Firmware Update for 161-6 Cable Card Error, Has been upgraded to Software Version 1.2.13 And Sony verified G* patch 8.06.30. I just do not want to ship this unit and have the person on the other end to have problems. Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

I am getting ready to sell my DHG-HDD500. It is in perfect working order (I even have all 8 days of Guide Data), I've decided to go with Direct TV. I was wondering if after I sell and before I ship it if I should leave the setup as is (It has my Zip Code/Guide Data and no reordings) or if I should do Menu - Screen Mode - 9012 and select "RESTORE FACTORY DEFAULT"? The unit has the Firmware Update for 161-6 Cable Card Error, Has been upgraded to Software Version 1.2.13 And Sony verified G* patch 8.06.30. I just do not want to ship thin unit and have the person on the other end to have problems. Thanks for any assistance you can provide.


When I sold mine, I had it setup to restore factory default. That way, it looks brand new to them. Probably makes it a bit easier on the new user as he has to then set up the guide data.

HDAdditicon

When I sold mine, I had it setup to restore factory default. That way, it looks brand new to them. Probably makes it a bit easier on the new user as he has to then set up the guide data.

HDAdditicon
What do you mean you had it set up to "Restore Factory Default"? Did you actually do the 9012 option and select the "Restore Factory Default"option?

When I bought mine recently, the original owner left it as is....even left some recordings on there. I actually liked that.....he had some History Channel stuff on there that interested me.
Redoing the guide setup is not a big deal...just enter the new zip and turn it off.

I would leave the unit "as is", but insert a sheet of paper that shows how to change the guide. The new owner will appreciate that.

I originally believed that QAM was not allowed in coupon eligible boxes. Perhaps there will different versions of the same or similiar STB's, both coupon eligible and not.

Tthere are 3 Digital Stream models on the coupon list and what appears to be a Korean OEM website with what looks like D2A1D10 specs:
http://www.dstreamtech.com/english/product/product_detail.asp?idx=29

If it turns out that coupon eligible converters are disabled from receiving QAM but similiar models can, I'll donate my coupons and buy the much more versatile cable capable version.

I don't see coaxial out on those boxes though...which I think you need for the Sony DVR.

HDAddiction

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/10/hands-on-with-the-latest-tv-guide-software-comcast-dvr/

From EngadgetHD, Posted Jan 10th 2008 9:31PM by Ben Drawbaugh

"Also, while we were there we asked them about all those old analog TVs that depend on analog signals for TV Guide data, and they explained that they've deployed a solution to this problem years ago and everyone with a digital to analog converter box will have no problem continuing to receive guide data after the analog shutoff."

I hope this means my 3 HDD250's don't end up being hard drive "donors"... :)

I don't see coaxial out on those boxes though...which I think you need for the Sony DVR.

HDAddiction

"CH 3/4 RF output & loop-through for conventional analog TV set"
http://www.dstreamtech.com/english/product/product_detail.asp?idx=29

"CH 3/4 RF output & loop-through for conventional analog TV set"
http://www.dstreamtech.com/english/product/product_detail.asp?idx=29

I think you may be looking at the dvr...I was looking at the settop box...actual unit...maybe I just did'nt see though.

In Chicago, tonight while watching TV my clock disappeared for about 1/2 hour, all of my recordings and listings vanished. I did a soft reset by unplugging the unit and replugging. The recordings reappeared but not the listings. It took about 30 minutes for the clock to reset. Usually it only takes about 3 - 5 min.

Still no listings, and the scheduled recordings are gray with ???.

Anyone else?

I have no listings past today. I went and manually set my recordings. Don't want to reset, I'm afraid I'll lose the clock.

Well, this morning the listings are starting to fill in. But, the channels are all out of order.

Did anyone else in the Chicago area have this problem?

All listings are intact here.

These units are getting phenomenal prices on ebay. That, and the uncertainty that these will work after next Feb is making me think about listing 2 of my units.
Any thoughts? :confused:

well....all of my listings are now gone for the next 8 days. Guess I will be in line for at least one of the TR-50's by Echostar in the summer.

well....all of my listings are now gone for the next 8 days. Guess I will be in line for at least one of the TR-50's by Echostar in the summer.

Just do a front-panel reset and they will come back.

I was wondering if anyone had any settings for using this with a Slingbox.

I used the earlier recommendation back in this thread but can't seem to find a way to access recorded content.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Just do a front-panel reset and they will come back.

Thanks I'll give it a try. Still will look at the TR-50 as the Sony has too many audio drop outs (3-4 in a one hour recording) on both of my units. Makes it annoying when someone is in mid sentence and the audio drops out.

well....all of my listings are now gone for the next 8 days. Guess I will be in line for at least one of the TR-50's by Echostar in the summer.I had some "no listings" scattered about for a few days, but everything appears to be back to normal now. I also plan on getting the TR-50, but I don't want to get rid of my Sony in case the TVGOS does still function (and it appears that it will). It will be a nice addition to a second, often-watched TV in another room which also has my outdoor antenna running to it.

I also have E* SD, and I'm hoping I can also run my tuner through the TR-50 and somehow set recordings with it. If not, no big deal, because I can do it already with my Panasonic EH75V. Just be nice to have it all in one unit, though (without any extra fee, of course).

The TR-50 is said to only come with a 250 GB internal hard drive, so the Sony should still fetch a halfway decent price if I do decide to sell it. It's still usable with cable remember (for now, anyway), while the Echostar apparently isn't (although you could probably run a cable box into the line input - but still, no CableCARD or cable HD).

Also, the USB storage add-on for the TR-50 interest me if you can take those files to your PC and burn to HD DVD or BD.

That would be nice indeed, but being "no fee" (at least for OTA, supposedly), I'm not really counting on that.

Thanks I'll give it a try. Still will look at the TR-50 as the Sony has too many audio drop outs (3-4 in a one hour recording) on both of my units. Makes it annoying when someone is in mid sentence and the audio drops out.

I own 5 of these Sony DVRs.

I have never experienced any drop-out.

I own 5 of these Sony DVRs.

I have never experienced any drop-out.

Stupid me, I reset both of them so now I can't record at all. It has been 7 hours and the clock hasn't returned.

So now I'm stuck not being able to record anything. Any other ideas before I cut my losses and dump them on eBay?