Just for clarity - my statement about Sony releasing a firmware update that sticks was meant to include a newer version of the TVGOS software too...

I would like to see this DTV transition thing put to bed completely - but I am concerned by the problems that PhilB is having. I can't test myself, since it doesn't appear that my digital CBS affiliate is sending out data yet.

Thanks

Is there a function to back-up your current firmware and TVGOS to a USB drive? I suppose not, because if there was, this would be the obvious solution to the concerns about post DTV day resets.

I would like to see this DTV transition thing put to bed completely - but I am concerned by the problems that PhilB is having. I can't test myself, since it doesn't appear that my digital CBS affiliate is sending out data yet.

Thanks

I could test it but don't want to spend the hours sorting the guide channels again.

But with PhilB's last message with the analog station not populating the guide either with a G* test, I am not concerned. I think he is having a zipcode type issue with his TVGOS providers. After he provides the slicing data from a over-night run on the CBS digital and it shows different packet types received I will be confident that it should work.

Also why do people do Factory resets? I have never done one. Resetting the TVGOS information, "Reset User Configuration", and complete channel scans fixes what has ever went wrong with my DHG. And I don't lose recordings doing those procedures.

Anyone in the Twin Cities area, jimmyv or whathappend, that has been getting their guide data from WCCO digital notice that they are no longer getting updates?

I've been locked in to Comcast cable channel 233 (WCCO digital) for weeks now. Last night I looked at my TVGOS and noticed no listings beyond a couple of days. So I did the G* test on channel 233 and I was no longer getting VBI data increments. I switched to OTA Ch 4.1 and the G* test was showing VBI updates so I forced 4.1 to be my host. This morning I verified the force worked, but still no updates to my TVGOS listings beyond todays schedule. Anyone else notice this with 'CCO?

Anyone in the Twin Cities area, jimmyv or whathappend, that has been getting their guide data from WCCO digital notice that they are no longer getting updates?

I just checked. My host channel is still 4.1 (WCCO digital OTA) and my guide is fully populated every day through next Thursday (day 8).

Anyone in the Twin Cities area, jimmyv or whathappend, that has been getting their guide data from WCCO digital notice that they are no longer getting updates?

I've been locked in to Comcast cable channel 233 (WCCO digital) for weeks now. Last night I looked at my TVGOS and noticed no listings beyond a couple of days. So I did the G* test on channel 233 and I was no longer getting VBI data increments. I switched to OTA Ch 4.1 and the G* test was showing VBI updates so I forced 4.1 to be my host. This morning I verified the force worked, but still no updates to my TVGOS listings beyond today's schedule. Anyone else notice this with 'CCO?

Checked my SONY thourgh Day eight last night at it was fine (Cable company WCCO CBS HD host).
Remember I was amazed with Comcast's record you even got the VBI data to pass. They must have needed some room for the BTN they are adding (Press release yesterday). They are probably putting 3 channels on that QAM256 channel now. If you look at all your HD channel you can go to the Diag. menu and see what frequencies they are on and count how many are sharing that channel (tedious 1 channel at a time process). I have kept a spread sheet of my Cable companies HD channel usage and SNR and power levels.

Checked my SONY thourgh Day eight last night at it was fine (Cable company WCCO CBS HD host).
Remember I was amazed with Comcast's record you even got the VBI data to pass. They must have needed some room for the BTN they are adding (Press release yesterday). They are probally putting 3 channels on that QAM256 channel now. If you look at all your HD channel you can go to the Diag. menu and see what frequencies they are on and count how many are sharing that channel (tediious 1 channel at a time process). I have kept a spread sheet of my Cable companies HD channel ussage and SNR and power levels.

Yes, I did the tedious frequency check a while ago when the whole Comcast degraded picture thread popped up. At the time I believe the locals weren't shared. I too was surprised when I first got 233 locked in through comcast, so I'm not too surprised that it has now disappeared. I'll give the OTA local another night to see if anything gets picked up and then decide what to do from there. Oh, and actually BTN has been added for a while on Comcast. I think the press release you mention was with Charter cable. But Comcast may be messing around to make room for more HD.

Maybe Sony does something to units they receive for repair to make the later firmware permanent. Some people have had a factory reset cause their unit to revert to the original firmware. The question is, how was their firmware updated in the first place. Did they do it themselves?

My guess is it may depend on whether or not you updated the f/w to .13 yourself before sending the unit to Sony for whatever reason, e.g., the 161-X fix. That's what I did to my 250. After I got it back, I did a factory reset (different story), and the f/w reverted to .06. I suspect the Sony techs saw it already had .13 and didn't bother to update the version on the drive's boot partition (although the work order said they did).

But, as others have said, not really a big deal since it's easy enough to re-update to .13 from a USB drive.

The real question, which I brought up in an earlier post with the TVGOS Setup Codes, is there any way to save the current TVGOS f/w to flash memory so it becomes the "factory original"? Nobody wants to do a factory reset, but sometimes that's unavoidable if the unit seriously chokes on something. If anybody knows someone at Gemstar, that might be a question to ask.

If you look at "Section Reception-Slicing 2" (look at third column-current channel) you should see the Dummy packet count increasing at the same rate as the TVG (2/sec) if you are not in a guide download period. But if you wait for a guide download period the Dummy packet count should stop incrementing and then the VBI Stats counts should increase with different packets received. Or Slicing data in the third column should increase in the Errs fields indicating packets with errors.

So I tried the tests that you described. I had already done the FW update, so these results are with 1.2.13. I did se the Dummy packet count increasing last night.


If the above works there is no reason the guide should not start populating (you should just need Lineup and Zipcode packets to get the choose your lineup screen). You might want to try the set zip code to 00000 and then set it back to your correct zipcode trick.

Maybe the digital host doesn't have your zipcode in its transmission yet (reason it worked when you started with the analog was that analog host had your zipcode, so your unit could find its lineup-CR,CB,CC lineup ids, only needs to happen once). Try another zipcode (eg. zipcode where the Channel's local studio is located).

I did this procedure as you described with the zip code of 77019 after 00000. 77019 is the zip of KHOU.


If you do the G* on the host channel, then do channel up and then channel down and leave the unit on over night you can observe the counts in the morning to see if the VBI Stats change.

I would recommend taking a digital picture of the following screen before you go to bed and when you wake up:
"Section Reception-VBI Stats"
"Section Reception-Slicing 2"
"Section Reception-Slicing"
"Section ATSC-ATSC Slicer"

And note your Host Chan before and after just in case it changes;)

I'm attaching the pictures from last night here.

-phil

And here are the pictures from this morning.

This also includes the first screen in the TVGOS menu with the version info.

-phil

And finally we have some more pictures from this morning. These are from the VBI download schedule screens. Last night these were blank.

-phil

WhatHappend,

I'd appreciate your thought on these pictures. As you can see, my DHG took a step backward overnight.

The slicing data went to all 0's where the night before it looked like it was recognizing data. The TVGOS version went from 8.01.42/0.00.00 to 8.01.42/8.05.40. This must mean that the CBS digital stream is broadcasting version 8.05.40 - an old FW version. I wonder if this version is somehow not capable of decoding the VBI packets.

The other intersting thing I notice is that this morning the VBI DL schedule screens are populated, so they must have gotten that data from CBS digital. As I've mentioned, Houston has 3 stations broadcasting TVGOS - PBS analog, FOX analog, CBS digital. As you see in the StID column, there are three unique numbers. I believe these refer to these three stations. Also, I've been told by TVG support that the guide update is done at 22:31 - 23:21 and 0:31 - 1:21 hours. I think that the DHG uses GMT as it's reference which should be 5 hours ahead of Houston (the pictures this morning were taken at 6:41 local and the DHG display 11:41 so this verifies the time difference between local time and DHG time). If you look at the download schedule, station ID 2687 has a donwload of type 81 at 5:31 and 3:31 of length 50. It looks to me like this corresponds with what TVG has told me.

I wish I knew what all of the other columns meant and what stations correspond to what IDs.

-phil

Anyone in the Twin Cities area, jimmyv or whathappend, that has been getting their guide data from WCCO digital notice that they are no longer getting updates?

I've been locked in to Comcast cable channel 233 (WCCO digital) for weeks now. Last night I looked at my TVGOS and noticed no listings beyond a couple of days. So I did the G* test on channel 233 and I was no longer getting VBI data increments. I switched to OTA Ch 4.1 and the G* test was showing VBI updates so I forced 4.1 to be my host. This morning I verified the force worked, but still no updates to my TVGOS listings beyond todays schedule. Anyone else notice this with 'CCO?

While I don't have cable, I have a friend who is an area service manager for COMCAST. I sent him an email about your problem and asked if he has any insight as to why you would have quit getting TVGOS info from 'CCO (ch 233). Will let you know when I hear anything.

Also why do people do Factory resets? I have never done one. Resetting the TVGOS information, "Reset User Configuration", and complete channel scans fixes what has ever went wrong with my DHG. And I don't lose recordings doing those procedures.Mine was completely involuntary - it did it all by itself to fix a filesystem that got mangled while I was FF'ing @ 30x at the same time as it was recording onto the end of the same program. I certainly would have no reason to have done it intentionally, but it's these automatic things I worry about.

And PhilB's problem is... although the G* test downloads listings like a champ, it seems it won't download an initial channel lineup - for that the unit must be "off" and the host channel must be in effect. That is the result of my test on my analog channel after my unplanned TVGOS reset. What is not clear until I test it is whether I can force a digital host channel and get the channel linup downloaded with only 8.01.42 to work with. I recall that you indicated that you had done that, but I'm not sure.

WhatHappend,

I'd appreciate your thought on these pictures. As you can see, my DHG took a step backward overnight.

The slicing data went to all 0's where the night before it looked like it was recognizing data. The TVGOS version went from 8.01.42/0.00.00 to 8.01.42/8.05.40. This must mean that the CBS digital stream is broadcasting version 8.05.40 - an old FW version. I wonder if this version is somehow not capable of decoding the VBI packets.

I think it looks very good. The new download of TVGOS version canceled your G* test and reset all the slicing data. You will have to start the test G* test again and see what it receives (but read on first).

Before you started the Test there were lineup and zipcode packets. Were they received from the digital channel?


I wish I knew what all of the other columns meant and what stations correspond to what IDs.


There are more types of download that are different lengths throughout the day. Gemstar gave you generic information. I have calculated the different download times form GMT and watched what packet counters increase during which times. The previous download types sometimes doesn't finish before the next type is supposed to start (Probably because they are cramming the extra day 5 that they didn't used to do.)

With your TVGOS version changing I think you are on the way to getting listings.

If you search that version you will find that I have had experience with that before. I did a soft reset and had the correct version show up and I was off to the races. It is probably an issue with updating the TVGOS version while the unit is on. The soft reset lets the rest of the update process finish.

Edit - UPDATE in less then 1 hour being off the version has changed again. It is now 08.06.44 (latest). Weird....

I think it looks very good. The new download of TVGOS version canceled your G* test and reset all the slicing data. You will have to start the test G* test again and see what it receives (but read on first).

Before you started the Test there were lineup and zipcode packets. Were they received from the digital channel?

All of the screens I captured pictures of were while the unit was tuned to the CBS digital channel.

Which screen shows the lineup and zipcode packets?



With your TVGOS version changing I think you are on the way to getting listings.

If you search that version you will find that I have had experience with that before. I did a soft reset and had the correct version show up and I was off to the races. It is probably an issue with updating the TVGOS version while the unit is on. The soft reset lets the rest of the update process finish.

Here's a new bit of information for you. When I got home from work today I checked the DHG. Still no guide data or station lineup. However in the TVGOS menu, the TVGOS version has updated to 08.01.42/08.06.44. The Host Channel is blank. The DHG was left off all day until I got home.

I think tonight I'll just leave the DHG off and see what I get tomorrow morning.

-phil

Mine was completely involuntary - it did it all by itself to fix a filesystem that got mangled while I was FF'ing @ 30x at the same time as it was recording onto the end of the same program. I certainly would have no reason to have done it intentionally, but it's these automatic things I worry about.


I understood your issue (I was talking about people worry they would have to do a user initated Factory Reset). A box like yours is probably going to have to go in for service soon. And once at SONY repair after 2009 they would have to put a correct TVGOS version on the box.

Once a HDD fails it starts to fail more and more. Keep an eye on the HDD Smart statics (via the 1234 menu, search google for HDD SMART if you anre not familar). You should look at the number of realocated sectors and error counts. I don't think the FF and any thing to do with why you got the HDD failure error. I have FF through a whole show like that numerours times. I have had the SONY reboot unexpectedly during recording because of currpt listing and that has never caused a HDD issue either. If those counts show any errors on one of the HDDs, you can be assured nothing you did on the SONY can cause a low level HDD error (except voltage spikes, or overheating the unit).

All of the screens I captured pictures of were while the unit was tuned to the CBS digital channel.

Which screen shows the lineup and zipcode packets?

The DHG_HDD5001.jpg (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=118070&d=1219955280) image.

You are off to the races. This should end the worry about after 2009 issues with the old TVGOS version (If I understand all of your tests correctly). You may have to do a little work to get the unit going but it will work.

You did state that you have the analog host channel filtered right? Otherwise the box will (might) find that channel tonight and download from that host.

The [URL="http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=118070&d=1219955280"]
You did state that you have the analog host channel filtered right? Otherwise the box will (might) find that channel tonight and download from that host.

PBS analog is filtered with a VHF/UHF joiner in reverse (with the antenna into the UHF, this filters analog channel 8 very well). The Fox analog is filtered by carefully tuning a rabbit ears antenna such that channel 26 is very noisy but digital CBS is coming in with 70% strength and normal quality. Using this method, the analog host channels have not yet been found.

I can't be 100% certain until I see that host channel filled in.

-phil

You should look at the number of realocated sectors and error counts. I don't think the FF and any thing to do with why you got the HDD failure error.All my error and reallocated counts are zero except for "H/W ECC Recovered" which is 1373. I wouldn't consider that abnormal since it's been running for a few years now.

In my case I suspect the combination of 2-hours worth of FF while it was trying to record at the same time caused a file-system corruption (that fsck couldn't repair on the reboot). The reformat it did was not a low-level format (long), but rather a re-build of the partition table and re-make of the file system (less than a minute).

All my error and reallocated counts are zero except for "H/W ECC Recovered" which is 1373. I wouldn't consider that abnormal since it's been running for a few years now.

In my case I suspect the combination of 2-hours worth of FF while it was

Wonder why we have different SMART parameters on our HDDs?

My 500 has 2 hard drives and with Power On Hours (Raw Value) 21903 (22083 HDD2) ~2.5years my "H/W ECC Recovered" are N/A on both drives. It is kind of amazing to see that I have only power cycled this DVR 11 times (the UPS works).

I have WD-WCAL74XXXXXX drives.

You are off to the races. This should end the worry about after 2009 issues with the old TVGOS version (If I understand all of your tests correctly). You may have to do a little work to get the unit going but it will work.

You did state that you have the analog host channel filtered right? Otherwise the box will (might) find that channel tonight and download from that host.

Well, I ran a a VBI Search Current Channel last night and left the unit off. This morning there was no guide data or channel lineup. Also the host channel is still blank. I'm not sure what to make of this or what to do next. It seems that the DHG has been updated to the latest OTA update version but for some reason is not finding the host. Perhaps I still don't have the magic zip code. It sure would be nice to have a contact at Gemstar to help out on this.

-phil

My 500 has 2 hard drives and with Power On Hours (Raw Value) 21903 (22083 HDD2) ~2.5years my "H/W ECC Recovered" are N/A on both drives. It is kind of amazing to see that I have only power cycled this DVR 11 times (the UPS works).

My 250 has Power On Hours (Raw Value) 20066 (2.3 yrs), "H/W ECC Recovered" N/A, Powr Cycle Count 18. My UPS will only keep it running through a few minutes of outage, but, we don't have very many.

And once at SONY repair after 2009 they would have to put a correct TVGOS version on the box.

First time I recall anyone making this statement (if it's been discussed earlier, my apologies for missing it). Do you know this for a fact? If true, it implies that Sony will upgrade DHGs to a digital TVGOS subsystem (for a price, of course), assuming that's what you mean by "a correct version" after 2009. Whether or not we'd really need that upgrade is a different matter.

The methods discussed here to update the TVGOS using a CBS digital channel are confusing me.

On several occasions, I've updated my guide merely by leaving my DHG 500s(2 of them) tuned to my local Comcast cable CBS digital channel(channel 10.1)for a few hours.

It appears these downloads occur during the same time periods as the analog downloads. The entire 8 days of guide data download during one period. Also my host channel remains unchanged - it's still shown as cable channel 3(my local PBS channel). I've only done this during daylight hours since I don't want to leave my DVR turned on overnight.

The methods discussed here to update the TVGOS using a CBS digital channel are confusing me.

On several occasions, I've updated my guide merely by leaving my DHG 500s(2 of them) tuned to my local Comcast cable CBS digital channel(channel 10.1)for a few hours.Yes, this will work to update the guide if you've previously run the TVGOS G* test since last turning the unit off. (In fact, even turning the unit off does not necessarily cancel the G* test, nor do I know what actions definitely do.)

All the steps necessary to go from TVGOS square one (factory reset, version 8.01.42 only, no zipcode, no listings, no time) to a fully populated guide with correct clock and version 8.06.44 (using only the CBS digital station) are much more complicated. I'm still working on that, but it does seem to be possible. I'll report back once I've got it pinned down. PhilB, there is hope but it requires extreme patience!

All the steps necessary to go from TVGOS square one (factory reset, version 8.01.42 only, no zipcode, no listings, no time) to a fully populated guide with correct clock and version 8.06.44 (using only the CBS digital station) are much more complicated. I'm still working on that, but it does seem to be possible. I'll report back once I've got it pinned down. PhilB, there is hope but it requires extreme patience!

Good to know that someone else is looking into this as well. I'm afraid I've pretty much reached the end of my knowledge on the subject. I'm considering buying a notch filter to block analog 26 so that I can be certain both NTSC host stations are blocked and trying again but I'm not sure I want to drop $40 on what will likely be a futile effort.

If you need me to run any tests for you please let me know but I plan on reverting back to analog PBS host next week so I can make sure the guide is populated by the time that the new TV season starts.

-phil

If you need me to run any tests for you please let me know but I plan on reverting back to analog PBS host next week so I can make sure the guide is populated by the time that the new TV season starts.With luck, I'll have the full verdict tomorrow morning. It's a 72-hour process at best, maybe 96. And I had one false start where I gave up too soon.

I have what I believe to be a method to bring the Sony from factory reset state (TVGOS firmware 8.01.42) up to fully populating state with firmware version 8.06.44, all via the digital (CBS) TVGOS channel, which I'll outline in the next post below. However, at the last step, my unit reverted to my analog (PBS) channel, failing to "prove" that the downloading of the channel linup can occur via the digital (CBS) channel. If all the other steps can occur over that channel, I don't see why the channel lineup download should be any different, but unfortunately my test failed to prove that, and I've run out of patience to retry the whole 4-day affair. Perhaps PhilB with his blocked analog channels can give it a go.

(STOP HERE unless you're committed to spending the better part of 4 days without a guide or correct clock, and then re-sorting all your channels in the guide.)

1. Turn off the "Auto Off" feature.

2. Run the TVGOS "Reset to Factory Default" from the TV Guide level of the 9012 service menu (NOT the "Restore Factory Default" at the top level of the 9012 service menu). Then enter all your state, zipcode, etc. info.

3. Run the 753159852 test and verify that your TVGOS firmware factory version is 8.01.42 and the downloaded version is 0. If not, repeat the TVGOS factory reset in step 2. The clock will probably be incorrect or absent.

4. Tune to your digital host channel and run the TVGOS G* test.

5. Leave alone overnight (and I do mean overnight).

6. In the morning, run the 753159852 test and verify that your TVGOS firmware has been upgraded to 8.05.40. The clock will still probably be incorrect or absent.

7. Tune to your digital host channel and run the TVGOS G* test.

8. Leave alone overnight.

9. In the morning, run the 753159852 test and verify that your TVGOS firmware has been upgraded to 8.06.44. The clock will still probably be incorrect or absent.

10. Tune to your digital host channel and run the TVGOS G* test. Press the channel up button, wait a few seconds, and press the channel down button so that you're back tuned to your digital host channel.

11. Now run the 963214785 test (VBI Search Current Channel), wait a few seconds, and turn the Sony off.

12. Leave along overnight.

13. In the morning, the clock should be correct. Turn it back on and verify that your guide channel lineup has filled in. It will probably be all no-listings.

14. Run the 753159852 test and verify that your host channel is your digital host channel (*** This is where my test went awry - mine had selected the analog host; but then again, it has been known to do that in the past in spite of the VBI Search Current Channel. ***)

15. Tune to your digital host channel and run the TVGOS G* test. Wait a few hours, then re-check the guide. Hopefully it will be completely populated.

16. Have fun rearranging all the channels. Turn "Auto Off" back on if you want. If necessary, repeat the VBI Search Current Channel procedure overnight as many times as necessary to get the digital host to stick as the host channel.

Strange. For nearly two months now, every single weekend, PBS 13 from NYC stops transmitting the TVGOS data. Or maybe Cablevision is preventing the data- although VBI packets are present.

Each and every time the following Sat, Sun, and once Monday is not populated. Then it comes back for the rest of the week and is all filled in three days.

Usually not that much of an issue, but it is when leaving for vacation.

As it is happening every single week it has to be deliberate. Why?

(STOP HERE unless you're committed to spending the better part of 4 days without a guide or correct clock, and then re-sorting all your channels in the guide.)


Frank,

Many thanks for this. Please cross-post your procedure over on Spiff72's Forum under the DTV Transition thread.

Strange. For nearly two months now, every single weekend, PBS 13 from NYC stops transmitting the TVGOS data. Or maybe Cablevision is preventing the data- although VBI packets are present.

Each and every time the following Sat, Sun, and once Monday is not populated. Then it comes back for the rest of the week and is all filled in three days.

Usually not that much of an issue, but it is when leaving for vacation.

As it is happening every single week it has to be deliberate. Why?

I've had the same problem with Comcast in northern New Jersey,which means it's probably Ch. 13 that is the problem.

My HD250 has been working perfectly for a year now, but suddenly it stopped downloading the guide listings.

I'm in Fort Collins, CO, using Comcast cable. I ran the G* test on CBS channel 4.1 and PBS analog channel 6. Neither one showed any VBI packets being received.

I tried connecting an antenna to see if I could get any guide data over the antenna, but I can't seem to pull in digital CBS... it's too weak.

Does anybody know if Comcast has started filtering out the VBI TVGOS data?

Should I just do a factory reset of the TVGOS system and let it start from scratch?

Please cross-post your procedure over on Spiff72's Forum under the DTV Transition thread.I have done that, and also included a theory post.

I'll update the procedure there as I receive additional information.

My HD250 has been working perfectly for a year now, but suddenly it stopped downloading the guide listings.

I'm in Fort Collins, CO, using Comcast cable. I ran the G* test on CBS channel 4.1 and PBS analog channel 6. Neither one showed any VBI packets being received.

I tried connecting an antenna to see if I could get any guide data over the antenna, but I can't seem to pull in digital CBS... it's too weak.

Does anybody know if Comcast has started filtering out the VBI TVGOS data?

Should I just do a factory reset of the TVGOS system and let it start from scratch?
Drop your local station an email and ask them if something is wrong. This just happened to me last week. I sent an email to the engineering section at the local PBS station and the next day things were back to normal (still took a few days to repopulate the entire guide).

I'm experiencing similar issues in the Atlanta area. Over the past couple of weeks, the analog station has been turning off and on the TVGOS broadcast(no VBI packets being received). It went off again last week but here's where it gets interesting. Instead of fiddling with my DVR's, I did nothing this weekend, no G* tests, no VBI search, nothing. To my surprise, this morning I've now got listings through next Monday on 3 out of my 4 DVR's. Here are the results of the 753* information on each DVR:

#1 Sony DHG-HDD250 - Version 8.06.44 - Host Channel 0:0-2 - VBI Channel 0:46-1 (CBS digital) - Listings through next Monday

#2 Sony DHG-HDD250 - Version 8.06.44 - Host Channel 0:0-2 - VBI Channel 0:5-1 (Fox digital) - Listings through next Monday

#3 Sony DHG-HDD250 - Version 8.06.44 - Host Channel 0 - VBI Channel 0:8 (PBS Analog) - No listings

#4 LG 42LB1DRA - Version 8.06.45 - Host Channel 0:0-2 - VBI Channel 0:0-2 (???) - Listings through next Monday

So, it appears I'm getting TVGOS from a digital source. I just VBI forced the one Sony that was still looking at the analog station, to 46-1 (CBS digital), so I'll be curious to see if it downloads listings tonight. I don't know why the other three units each have a different VBI channel, but what they do have in common is the host channel 0:0-2. So I'm optimistic that the TVGOS will continue to work past the February conversion via a digital host. Better yet, it appears that they'll find it on their own!

#1 Sony DHG-HDD250 - Version 8.06.44 - Host Channel 0:0-2 - VBI Channel 0:46-1 (CBS digital) - Listings through next Monday

#2 Sony DHG-HDD250 - Version 8.06.44 - Host Channel 0:0-2 - VBI Channel 0:5-1 (Fox digital) - Listings through next Monday

#3 Sony DHG-HDD250 - Version 8.06.44 - Host Channel 0 - VBI Channel 0:8 (PBS Analog) - No listings

#4 LG 42LB1DRA - Version 8.06.45 - Host Channel 0:0-2 - VBI Channel 0:0-2 (???) - Listings through next Monday

So, it appears I'm getting TVGOS from a digital source.
? looks to me like your host channel is analog channel 2

? looks to me like you're host channel is analog channel 2

Agreed. The VBI channel is the channel you were tuned to when you went into the diagnostics.

#1 Sony DHG-HDD250 - Version 8.06.44 - Host Channel 0:0-2 - VBI Channel 0:46-1 (CBS digital) - Listings through next MondayThe VBI Channel reported is not that significant - it is simply the most recent channel you tuned to. It is the Host Channel that determines where the Sony downloads listings from when it is turned off. The VBI Channel only determines where it downloads listings from when the unit is left on, the G* test has been run some time in the past, and nothing was done since then that terminates the G* test.

If your 2 Sony's with listings have been "off" over the weekend, they just got normal listing downloads from analog channel 2, nothing unusual about that, the station just fixed whatever the problem was.

My HDD500 has recently decided that it won’t play recordings. When one is selected, a black screen appears accompanied by no sound, and the channel the unit is tuned to appears on the display. (I’m using OTA signals only, no cable.) Going into the TV Guide and selecting a different channel restores live reception of OTA programming, but rewind or fast forward of live TV doesn’t work either. The TV Guide and % capacity readings in the menu behave as though nothing is wrong, i.e. programs can be deleted and recorded (apparently). I’ve searched this thread and couldn’t find any reports of this exact problem. My plan is try the following steps in this order: 1. Warm reboot, 2. Format hard drive, 3. Reset user configuration, 4. Restore factory defaults. Any other ideas? Thanks in advance.

My HDD500 has recently decided that it won’t play recordings. When one is selected, a black screen appears accompanied by no sound, and the channel the unit is tuned to appears on the display. (I’m using OTA signals only, no cable.) Going into the TV Guide and selecting a different channel restores live reception of OTA programming, but rewind or fast forward of live TV doesn’t work either. The TV Guide and % capacity readings in the menu behave as though nothing is wrong, i.e. programs can be deleted and recorded (apparently). I’ve searched this thread and couldn’t find any reports of this exact problem. My plan is try the following steps in this order: 1. Warm reboot, 2. Format hard drive, 3. Reset user configuration, 4. Restore factory defaults. Any other ideas? Thanks in advance.

How full is it. I have noticed quirky things when mine gets near full.

HDAddiction

I had someone recently email me and mention this firmware update too. They spoke with someone at Sony on 8/13, and they were told that once available, it would show up at the following link:

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-swu.pl?mdl=DHGHDD500&LOC=3

EDIT: This might be moot, since the post mentioned by WhatHappend earlier leads us to believe that the TVGOS software download CAN be done over a digital host channel, even with the reverted FLASH version of the TVGOS software/firmware.

I will try to get this additional info into my forum in the next day or two.

Thanks

I dont want to be negative but has anyone seen the following link:
Check out the date last modified on the bottom left.

http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=C430416&sliceId=1&docTypeID=DT_KNOWLEDGEARTICLES_1_1&dialogID=15427783&stateId=0%200%2015441826

I dont want to be negative but has anyone seen the following link:
Check out the date last modified on the bottom left.

http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=C430416&sliceId=1&docTypeID=DT_KNOWLEDGEARTICLES_1_1&dialogID=15427783&stateId=0%200%2015441826

IMPORTANT: Since the TV Guide On Screen feature uses analog signals to acquire program information, it will no longer be available when using an antenna for over-the-air reception after the Digital Television (DTV) transition on February 17, 2009. For complete information about the DTV transition, visit www.dtv.gov.

Yikes! But what about the people here claiming to have received TVGOS from a digital host channel?

looks to me like sony is washing their hands of this unit come feb 09
a firmware update would be nice
but i will believe it when i see it

Yikes! But what about the people here claiming to have received TVGOS from a digital host channel?Just goes to show you how much the Sony folks know about their own products.

Just goes to show you how much the Sony folks know about their own products.

The guide is not a Sony product. As I recall, there is a license agreement at the back of the manual.

Ray

IMPORTANT: Since the TV Guide On Screen feature uses analog signals to acquire program information, it will no longer be available when using an antenna for over-the-air reception after the Digital Television (DTV) transition on February 17, 2009. For complete information about the DTV transition, visit www.dtv.gov.

Yikes! But what about the people here claiming to have received TVGOS from a digital host channel?

Sounds like an official CYA announcement...although it says nothing about the ability to not make a timer recording. All I wish they would fix is the ability to set the clock manually...that would be a firmware update and not a TVGOS.

Wonder if you have an extended warranty if they'll give you your money back....after all it won't function properly (or at least as described)

My HDD500 has recently decided that it won’t play recordings. When one is selected, a black screen appears accompanied by no sound, and the channel the unit is tuned to appears on the display. (I’m using OTA signals only, no cable.) Going into the TV Guide and selecting a different channel restores live reception of OTA programming, but rewind or fast forward of live TV doesn’t work either. The TV Guide and % capacity readings in the menu behave as though nothing is wrong, i.e. programs can be deleted and recorded (apparently). I’ve searched this thread and couldn’t find any reports of this exact problem. My plan is try the following steps in this order: 1. Warm reboot, 2. Format hard drive, 3. Reset user configuration, 4. Restore factory defaults. Any other ideas? Thanks in advance.

I did a warm reboot of the unit, and thankfully, it seems to have solved the problem. It will be a total bummer if these units stop working after analog signals disappear in February 2009.

IMPORTANT: Since the TV Guide On Screen feature uses analog signals to acquire program information, it will no longer be available when using an antenna for over-the-air reception after the Digital Television (DTV) transition on February 17, 2009. For complete information about the DTV transition, visit www.dtv.gov.

Yikes! But what about the people here claiming to have received TVGOS from a digital host channel?

Numerous people on this thread have proven the Sony DHG-HDD 250/500 will download TVGOS from digital host channels (I'm one of them). Why do people keep trying to raise FUD (fear, uncertianty, doubt) about this? If it concerns you, follow WhatHappened's method and prove it to yourself.

I'm experiencing similar issues in the Atlanta area. Over the past couple of weeks, the analog station has been turning off and on the TVGOS broadcast(no VBI packets being received). It went off again last week but here's where it gets interesting. Instead of fiddling with my DVR's, I did nothing this weekend, no G* tests, no VBI search, nothing. To my surprise, this morning I've now got listings through next Monday on 3 out of my 4 DVR's. Here are the results of the 753* information on each DVR:

#1 Sony DHG-HDD250 - Version 8.06.44 - Host Channel 0:0-2 - VBI Channel 0:46-1 (CBS digital) - Listings through next Monday

#2 Sony DHG-HDD250 - Version 8.06.44 - Host Channel 0:0-2 - VBI Channel 0:5-1 (Fox digital) - Listings through next Monday

#3 Sony DHG-HDD250 - Version 8.06.44 - Host Channel 0 - VBI Channel 0:8 (PBS Analog) - No listings

#4 LG 42LB1DRA - Version 8.06.45 - Host Channel 0:0-2 - VBI Channel 0:0-2 (???) - Listings through next Monday

So, it appears I'm getting TVGOS from a digital source. I just VBI forced the one Sony that was still looking at the analog station, to 46-1 (CBS digital), so I'll be curious to see if it downloads listings tonight. I don't know why the other three units each have a different VBI channel, but what they do have in common is the host channel 0:0-2. So I'm optimistic that the TVGOS will continue to work past the February conversion via a digital host. Better yet, it appears that they'll find it on their own!
I just set my two units back up last night and on one unit I did a zip code reset for the guide to see if it would pull in a digital host, but all I got was analog 2. The other I left alone. I check the packets and test on both. Channel 8 failed. Channel 2 passed. But both had the guide listings for day 1,2,5 and 8 this morning. So I not sure what this means, but will kept you posted if one or the other drops the listings. Atlanta must not have the digital TVGOS yet. Channel 2 is ABC analog and 8 is GPB a PBS analog station. Not sure why we are geting the guide on the ABC station, thought all the CBS stations were going to be carrying TVGOS.
Michael

Numerous people on this thread have proven the Sony DHG-HDD 250/500 will download TVGOS from digital host channels (I'm one of them). Why do people keep trying to raise FUD (fear, uncertianty, doubt) about this? If it concerns you, follow WhatHappened's method and prove it to yourself.

I am not trying to raise FUD (fear, uncertianty, doubt) about this, I am just sharing what I saw on sony's web site. Anyone following this thread knows there are methods that work regarding the dtv transition. In my opinion, I do not believe sony will be releasing a firmware update in the future for this unit, regarding tvgos.

Anyone in the Twin Cities area, jimmyv or whathappend, that has been getting their guide data from WCCO digital notice that they are no longer getting updates?

I've been locked in to Comcast cable channel 233 (WCCO digital) for weeks now. Last night I looked at my TVGOS and noticed no listings beyond a couple of days. So I did the G* test on channel 233 and I was no longer getting VBI data increments. I switched to OTA Ch 4.1 and the G* test was showing VBI updates so I forced 4.1 to be my host. This morning I verified the force worked, but still no updates to my TVGOS listings beyond todays schedule. Anyone else notice this with 'CCO?

It took awhile, but, here is the reply I got from Comcast (briefly - not our problem) :D

I am somewhat familiar with the TVGOS system but only in the analog world. KTCI channel 17 here has always carried that data and it’s the reason it’s still carried on channel 97 (St. Paul) and 13 (Minneapolis) in analog. I’ve not had a chance to research how this will work in the DTV world but I did hear that WCCO would be the one carrying it. We don’t touch or modify the current WCCO HD signal (233). We pass through what we receive. So based on the fact the first poster was having issues with it OTA, I’d wager they (WCCO) are working on it.

It took awhile, but, here is the reply I got from Comcast (briefly - not our problem) :D

I am somewhat familiar with the TVGOS system but only in the analog world. KTCI channel 17 here has always carried that data and it’s the reason it’s still carried on channel 97 (St. Paul) and 13 (Minneapolis) in analog. I’ve not had a chance to research how this will work in the DTV world but I did hear that WCCO would be the one carrying it. We don’t touch or modify the current WCCO HD signal (233). We pass through what we receive. So based on the fact the first poster was having issues with it OTA, I’d wager they (WCCO) are working on it.

Thanks for checking into this jimmyv. After forcing my host to 4.1, the unit was running sluggish and finally locked up. I was unable to change channels, etc. so I finally pulled the plug for about half minute. The next morning the host was still 4.1 OTA and the guide was filled. It's been running fine ever since. I wonder if my cable signal is a bit weak because I've been getting some breakups here and there, and ch 233 still fails the vbi test, ie. no packet updates.

So anyway I'm back to getting TVGOS thru OTA digital 4.1 now.

I have an issue with a 250 that intermitantly will not put out any sound. Turn the unit off and it will be fine the next day. I am hoping that this is just some kind of a reboot situation and not a hardware problem. I have no issues like this with my other 250.

Any ideas from anybody?

Well seems like my units did not like being off all summer. I have been having all kinds of lockups, usaully while recording. But today nothing would work on the 500. Went through all the reboots ( only the cold reboot would work) and still had a locked up unit. After the welcome screen it would just either freeze or keep recylcing. When I would power on by the panel, the display showed the channel briefly, or would show auto hdmi, depending on what I was pressing on the panel. Finally did a complete wipe and nvm per spiff's guide using the panel buttons. After it finished I first got an Err 2060309 with 0206 just above it. Did a warm reset and it displayed: Verifing, then Writing, then complete. Next was an INF 0000001 with 0006 above it. Next it displayed format for a while, then INF 100000000 ( not sure just how many zeros, at least 8) which afterwards the screen (tv) was back at the out of the box clean state. I was able to set the unit back up and have left it off as it shows no clock or host channel yet.
I did a reset on my other unit to the factory default via the 9012 menu eailer today and now have both correct clock and host id of 0:0-2. Plus listings for the standard days of 1,2 5,and 8. if I counted correctly. Also showed TVGOS version 08.06.42/08.06.44 . I beleive this is the most current. I think my firmware version is 05.
So I will keep you up dated on how they are working after a few days.
Michael

I have an issue with a 250 that intermitantly will not put out any sound. Turn the unit off and it will be fine the next day. I am hoping that this is just some kind of a reboot situation and not a hardware problem. I have no issues like this with my other 250.

Any ideas from anybody?
How is it hooked up? Through an AVR? direct to a TV? With rca, digital or HDMI cable?
Michael

AtlantisMichael,

What host channel is your unit using? I'm still without listings...almost a week now with a blank host. Not sure what to do at this point....

AtlantisMichael,

What host channel is your unit using? I'm still without listings...almost a week now with a blank host. Not sure what to do at this point....

I have (5) of these Lovely Sony DVRs. I truly love them to death.

I'm also a Comcast Subscriber.

I often loose all accurate guide info on all my boxes. Some might
loose it on one day and some on another day. But for sure all 5
will loose it at some point.

My solution is I hit the EXIT & TV-Guide buttons on the FRONT
panel. I forgot what kind of reset that is officially called - but
there are usually two outcomes.

1) After the Reset the Guide Data is back. It had been there
all along but the box did not know what to do with it.

or

2) The Guide data is back the Next Day.

WHY does this happen - I believe it is because Comcast
and OTA Channels are busy changing channel lineups and
adding and deleting channels where there were none before.

I think it is all part of the DTV Shift due 2/09.

I have never had to do more than push the two buttons
and WAIT.

AtlantisMichael,

What host channel is your unit using? I'm still without listings...almost a week now with a blank host. Not sure what to do at this point....
In Atlanta, Ga PBS channel 8 was the host until sometime this summer. Not sure when or why this changed. Thought we would have a ditigal host from the local CBS station by now. Anyway channel 2, the analog WSB, is showing as my ID host ( 0:0-2 ) on one of my units at this time. The packets are slow, but that may be due in part to my antenna heading, even though the digital strength is 98 and the snr is 31. The other unit, which I just did the panel clear and wipe a few hours ago, has just gotten the correct clock, but I have not checked the host or guide yet. Will let you know later.

Michael

That is a warm front panel reset (guide+exit). Another trick is the zip code reset. Go into the setup and put in all zeros as your zip. Then shut off for at least 5 minutes. Then go back and redo with your proper zip code. Should bring the guide/listings back. May take being off overnight in some cases, but I beleive that it is fairly quick at least from what I remember.
Michael

Just read metalav8b post ( Atlanta ,GA-OTA post #2001) that WGCL will start broadcasting the digital TVGOS later this month. Good to hear. Should gives us time to make sure it works right before the transition.
Just checked the formatted unit: Host ID 0:0-2,So both show channel 2 as the host. TVGOS version 08.01.42/08.05.40 . Not the same as my other unit. Also, the guide is there, but all no listings. Probably no downloads during this time versus the other unit I reset this morning. Will let you know if the version number changes as wellif I get up to date listing by tomorrow morning.
Michael

I'll try the zip reset tonight and see if that has any results.

What does the warm reset affect other than the guide?

What does the warm reset affect other than the guide?
Time.

Just read metalav8b post ( Atlanta ,GA-OTA post #2001) that WGCL will start broadcasting the digital TVGOS later this month. Good to hear. Should gives us time to make sure it works right before the transition.
Just checked the formatted unit: Host ID 0:0-2,So both show channel 2 as the host. TVGOS version 08.01.42/08.05.40 . Not the same as my other unit. Also, the guide is there, but all no listings. Probably no downloads during this time versus the other unit I reset this morning. Will let you know if the version number changes as wellif I get up to date listing by tomorrow morning.
Michael
If the unit with the 08.05.40 version doesn't go to the current version on the next power off cycle overnight, do a warm reset.

If the unit with the 08.05.40 version doesn't go to the current version on the next power off cycle overnight, do a warm reset.

Saturday morning and all is well. The version number is the most current and same as my other unit. Listings for days 1,2,5 and 8. Was able to record a program and then watch it while another program was recording ok on my first unit( Full factory reset eailer in day and had listings that night). Of course I did lose all my old recordings and everything else I had setup. No problem, just good to know that the restore factory defaults and front panel hidden resets both worked and TVGOS updated without any problems.
MIchael

Saturday morning and all is well. The version number is the most current and same as my other unit. Listings for days 1,2,5 and 8. Was able to record a program and then watch it while another program was recording ok on my first unit( Full factory reset eailer in day and had listings that night). Of course I did lose all my old recordings and everything else I had setup. No problem, just good to know that the restore factory defaults and front panel hidden resets both worked and TVGOS updated without any problems.
MIchaelSounds good - read here: http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php?topic=55.msg97#msg97 to find out why it takes so long to get back up. There are a number of steps it must go through, in order, listings and clock being the last on the list.

My girlfriend in Woodstock has Comcast and they bugged her for weeks to upgrade to the digital starter package. When they sent out the tech??( contract labor) he was in such a hurry that he almost broke the Cable Cards when trying to install it in the DVRs. He started the downloads and told her it would take 40 or so minutes and then left. When asked what to do when the download was complete, he said it would be obvious. Well of course the setup did not work and she had to get Comcast to send out a real tech. He found that the other guy had the wrong headend setup and that the cards were also bad from the start. Took a couple of more weeks and the Comcast tech came out and did the install. Still had some issues with the setup and the next day a supervisor with 5 others came out and troubleshot the system. Ended up replacing the old cable amp splitter as well as another splitter at the tv/dvr. Everything works great and they explain to her the lineup and such. She was very much pleased.
I spent several hours reworking her lineups and found the MoJo channel. It shows Imax movies in 1080i. Great shows and picture quality. Plus she has the Discovery, AMC, A&E,TNT, Discovery HD theatre, SciFi,USA,History,Hgtv,Food,TBS and the locals , all in HD.There may be a few more, (sports) and others she does not watch. But she is real happy with Comcast and their efforts.
Michael

Sounds good - read here: http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php?topic=55.msg97#msg97 to find out why it takes so long to get back up. There are a number of steps it must go through, in order, listings and clock being the last on the list.
I had already read that post. But I did not have to do the G* test( could not do it on the one that kept cylcing through the welcome screen) .Plus, yesterday morning, when I did the first machine through the TV guide 9012 menu, all I did was the "restore to factory default" option. Then, by the afternoon, I had my guide and the most current TVGOS version as well as listings for days1,2,5, and 8. So I did not have to run through a 4 day setup or force host per the post. And maybe the difference was he was doing a "force host" from factory reset to digital host. Don't know if, once all the host are only digital, if that will still be the case.
Michael

Zip reset did nothing overnight. I'll try the front panel reset and see if that does anything.....

**********

Did the front panel reset (TVGOS+Exit) and it did its normal reboot, count up to 6 then power cycle a couple of times.
When it finally powered down the clock was gone, but came back to the correct time as soon as I powered the unit up. No listings and the TVGOS setup info is still correct. Not sure what all that reset is supposed to do, but it didn't seem to change anything in the Guide section.

Guess I'll give this a while and see if anything comes of it.

But she is real happy with Comcast and their efforts.Apparently they haven't gotten around to downgrading the picture quality enough yet. ;)

Front panel reset didn't seem to do anything.

One thing I didn't notice earlier....I said that the current time returned as soon as I powered up after the reset, but I didn't notice at the time that the clock was about 10 minutes slow. Now, several hours later, the clock is only one minute slow, so it's caught up for the most part (I'm comparing this to another TVGOS DVR I have, so the times should be the same...always have been until now).
There's still no listings and no host channel listed.

Suggestions?

I have read many helpful posts on this thread and now I have a problem of my own I can't seem to find an answer to. I have the HDD250 for almost 2 years now.
Has anyone had any experience with this? I have lost 1080i on the format, I can get all the others but it seems like 1081 has been removed from the list. If anyone can tell me how to retreive it I would be thankful. I even did a factory reset trying to get it back. Also has anybody in the Tulsa Oklahoma area had any luck on the digital broadcast on the tvgos? I keep trying the CBS channel and no luck. I still see it showing up on channel 11 analog. I am using over the air programing along with dish.
Thanks for any help
rlh149

I don't know about the 1080i problem, but Tulsa still only has an analog host available from OETA (PBS), I actually checked all the channels this morning for vbi packets. I don't know if KOTV (CBS) will have the digital broadcast of TVGoS available and if they do it probably won't be until the summer of 09 when Griffin's new broadcast facilities are finished. Which is when we will get CW HD and they get rid of the subchannel on 6.2.

On an off note are you getting KTUL digital as I have noticed they have been off air intermittently over the past several weeks and the last two days no HD when HD was available. Today they have been off air all day. I have seen any replies in the Tulsa avs thread and of course KTUL hasn't replied either. I get 90% signal on all the other locals so I am sure it is KTUL but have been unable to verify it.

OSU1991
I have not been able to get KTUL, I tried yesterday and all I could get is no signal. Thanks for the response on the CBS digital.
rlh149

At my girlfriends house in Woodstock, she has the Comcast digital starter package using cable cards in both her machines. I check the other day to see what the host channel was and to my surprise, channel 97 was showing. She has all her guide and listings and its been this way since around the end of August. So perhaps PBS is still transmitting TVGOS on cable, but not over the air? You would think that if channel 2,WSB, is carrying TVGOS over the air, that it should be on cable as well. Next time I am there, I'll run the G* test to check the VBI packets. Will let you know, unless someone knows otherwise.
Michael

I can still get it from OTA PBS analog here.

Can anyone with FiOS who recently went thru a channel lineup change comment on how long the tvgos took to get all the new channel numbers. Were there any problems? Did you have to redo the initial setup? Thanks.

Hi folks,

I'm wondering if anyone has gotten TVGOS via the Indianapolis CBS affiliate? It's WISH. I'm currently using a bowtie antenna to pull in the WFYI PBS station OTA, as the Brighthouse Network cable feed strips the VBI data.

Also, it seems like I need to reset my unit once a week or so, as every now and then the No Listings creep in. Is it just all this channel lineup change stuff or something more sinister likely?

Marc

My irritation continues....

What's the difference between the front panel reset and the restore factory defaults in the TVGOS sub of the 9012 menu? I ran the latter yesterday figuring it would do exactly the same as the former, but it seemed to do more. The clock, instead of going to --:-- for the few minutes it was off, reset to 12:00 and all the settings in the TVGOS setup were back at default (after I ran the front panel reset, the zip was the only thing that got defaulted..the other selections were how I had set them).

Either way, I still have no listings after leaving it overnight and my clock has yet to reset, though it's not keeping good time anyway. When I last looked at it last night it was 4:15 slow. This morning it's over 6 hours slow. Weird.

Anything else I can do to try to get my listings back before wiping the entire unit?

I don't know about the 1080i problem, but Tulsa still only has an analog host available from OETA (PBS), I actually checked all the channels this morning for vbi packets. I don't know if KOTV (CBS) will have the digital broadcast of TVGoS available and if they do it probably won't be until the summer of 09 when Griffin's new broadcast facilities are finished. Which is when we will get CW HD and they get rid of the subchannel on 6.2.

On an off note are you getting KTUL digital as I have noticed they have been off air intermittently over the past several weeks and the last two days no HD when HD was available. Today they have been off air all day. I have seen any replies in the Tulsa avs thread and of course KTUL hasn't replied either. I get 90% signal on all the other locals so I am sure it is KTUL but have been unable to verify it.

I have been unable to get KTUL digital lately either. With some googling I found the following:

"KJRH, the NBC affiliate, on analog channel 2, has a lot of work yet to do. In September, KJRH will apply to the FCC for a “special temporary authorization” to reduce the analog power and use an antenna that is mounted on the side of the tower for auxiliary service to continue broadcasting the analog signal, with a target date of December for initiating the lower power. KJRH shares the tower with KOTV. After the auxiliary service begins, the channel 2 and channel 6 analog antennas will be removed from the top of the tower. After removal of the analog antennas, new digital antennas for KJRH, channel 8, and KOTV, channel 45, will be installed. A new digital channel 8 transmitter was ordered and was expected to be delivered this month. The new digital antenna will be delivered in September. KJRH should begin to operate its channel 8 transmissions on Feb. 20, with an ERP of 15,900 watts at an antenna height of 588 meters."

The wording in the above paragraph is not very precise. However, the line that interests me is "a new digital channel 8 transmitter was ordered and was expected to be delivered this month" this article has a date of july 28, 2008. Perhaps they are performing some sort of upgrade currently?

It appears that they will boost their signal in the near future, when it was functioning I think it was at 7kw. I believe that they will bring the strength in line with the other broadcasters. I can't see any reason that they would not.

If you want to read the article in full, go to tvweek.com and search for oklahoma. I would post the url, however one must have 3 posts here to submit an url.

Please reply if you discover anything about the KTUL signal. With the television season starting off soon I would enjoy watching the content in HD rather than my SD cable signal.

Has anyone here given this device a try? I read about it back toward the beginning of the year, and know it's been released for a while now. For those who don't know, it has component inputs. :)

http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hdpvr.html

I just started reading through the massive thread on the product over in the HTPC forum:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1015617

It looks like it'll do the trick of off-loading the contents of our HDD250/500's for archiving to NAS, DVD, BD, etc...I'm considering taking the plunge.

My irritation continues....

What's the difference between the front panel reset and the restore factory defaults in the TVGOS sub of the 9012 menu? I ran the latter yesterday figuring it would do exactly the same as the former, but it seemed to do more. The clock, instead of going to --:-- for the few minutes it was off, reset to 12:00 and all the settings in the TVGOS setup were back at default (after I ran the front panel reset, the zip was the only thing that got defaulted..the other selections were how I had set them).


Did you read the FAQ from the first post and see what each of those procedures did before you used them?

The exit + TVGuide button is just a simple reboot of the box. No settings are changed. The time is only lost because the box has no Real Time clock and only keeps track of time in the uP via clock ticks.

You will have to wait a while know to get time after a restore factory defaults. The box has to acquire Timezone packets and you have to enter your zip code. Internally it will acquire GMT time but wont display the front panel time until it understands your Timezone.

Some people... I wonder what your early life traumatic childhood story was???

Did you read the FAQ from the first post and see what each of those procedures did before you used them???

The exit + TVGuide button is just a simple reboot of the box. No settings are changed. The time is only lost because the box has no Real Time clock and only keeps track of time in the uP via clock ticks.

Wow...... (Did you notice you now have no recordings...) :rolleyes:

You will have to wait a while know to get time after a restore factory defaults. The box has to acquire Timezone packets and you have to enter your zip code. Internally it will acquire GMT time but wont display the front panel time until it understands your Timezone.

Actually, I think he said that he did the "Reset to Factory Defaults" under the TV Guide section of the 9012 menu. That one won't wipe out recordings - it only resets the TVGOS stuff.

Some people... I wonder what your early life traumatic childhood story was???

Did you read the FAQ from the first post and see what each of those procedures did before you used them???

The exit + TVGuide button is just a simple reboot of the box. No settings are changed. The time is only lost because the box has no Real Time clock and only keeps track of time in the uP via clock ticks.

Wow...... (Did you notice you now have no recordings...) :rolleyes:

You will have to wait a while know to get time after a restore factory defaults. The box has to acquire Timezone packets and you have to enter your zip code. Internally it will acquire GMT time but wont display the front panel time until it understands your Timezone.


I was more wondering what your issue is. Every time someone dares ask a question that's already been covered in the FAQ (which I've read multiple times and didn't seem clear on this particular issue...I also keep a printed copy under my unit for reference) or the rest of this 12,406 post thread, you go apesh*t on them. Why not cut a little slack for those of us that don't have as good a grasp of the machine as you do. Not everyone has time to read every word ever typed about a single piece of electronic equipment.

Also, read my post. spiff has it right....I did the restore within the TVGOS submenu, not the full reset. I'm about to that point, just trying whatever I can that doesn't involve wiping the unit although there's not much I'd cry over losing this far into the summer. I was simply wondering why it behaved a little differently than the front panel sequence, even though they seem accomplish the same thing.

I apologize if this is unwarranted, it's just struck me over and over again through this thread (which I have read the vast majority of) how you attack people that strike out on their own or haven't memorized the FAQ. It's my own damn unit and even if I want to try something stupid (which I didn't), what's wrong with me asking about the consequences here, from people who know more than me....including you. Not like I was frantic about it...just trying to get my listings back after a week and a half of nothing.

Back on topic, if nothing has filled in when I get home today, should I run the G test on what I believe is the guide channel (there's some question in the Atlanta area about whether PBS 8 or WSB 2 is carrying the signal now) and leave it in the test for an extended period? I know that's been the process for people trying to get a digital channel to stick as host. I assume it's the same process here? I've started the test and let it run for a while, but always forget to hide the remote or put a note on the unit to not mess with it and it gets changed.

No listings in Northern New Jersey with Comcast the last two days. I'm trying to determine if it's Comcast or channel 13. Did anyone else receive the listings for next Monday and Tuesday in the NYC area and if so was it via cable or OTA?

Back on topic, if nothing has filled in when I get home today, should I run the G test on what I believe is the guide channel (there's some question in the Atlanta area about whether PBS 8 or WSB 2 is carrying the signal now) and leave it in the test for an extended period? I know that's been the process for people trying to get a digital channel to stick as host. I assume it's the same process here? I've started the test and let it run for a while, but always forget to hide the remote or put a note on the unit to not mess with it and it gets changed.

Actually, as far as I know (and have experienced), the procedure you describe doesn't get the unit to "stick" to a digital channel...what it does is downloads listing from the digital channel, assuming you already have the guide set up and it has a channel lineup, and so forth. But this procedure does not establish the channel as the host channel (at least for digital channels). I don't know what it does for an analog channel, if anything...

Well, my channel lineup is correct, but sometime last weekend (or possibly before) my host channel just blanked out. I lost listings only, the clock and channel lineup stayed. That was the case until I did the second guide reset yesterday and I lost the clock. Channel lineup seems fine though. Right now, I just want a correct clock and current listings (that's all!)

Well, my channel lineup is correct, but sometime last weekend (or possibly before) my host channel just blanked out. I lost listings only, the clock and channel lineup stayed. That was the case until I did the second guide reset yesterday and I lost the clock. Channel lineup seems fine though. Right now, I just want a correct clock and current listings (that's all!)Please read this post: http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php?topic=55.msg97#msg97 . Although it doesn't directly address your situation, it explains why YOU NEED TO BE PATIENT!!! After the TVGOS factory reset, the factory firmware needs to download and update itself to two newer versions of firmware before it will do anything useful like download the channel lineup and set the clock. Since these software downloads only occur overnight, it could take up to 3 days (after a factory reset) before you see a clock or the beginnings of listings, even when your host channel is analog. It may take days more on an analog channel before the listings are completely populated. Jumping the gun and trying something else after a day or so is bound to lead to frustration. The TVGOS factory reset is rather drastic, so you wouldn't want to do this too often - the only reason I did it was that it was completely involuntary (see the post directly above that one).

BTW, you mention that your channel lineup stayed behind. If you didn't have to re-enter your zip code, or if your TVGOS firmware version did not revert back to 8.01.42/0, your TVGOS factory reset was probably incomplete and you need to do it a second time; or check your zip code and correct if necessary; or perhaps use the trick of setting the zipcode to 0 for one overnight, then back to the correct one.

<Regarding the G* test>... I don't know what it does for an analog channel, if anything...It does exactly the same thing as it does on a digital channel, i.e. downloads listings and new firmware versions, but does not seem to be able to do an INITIAL (after zipcode setup) channel lineup/clock download.

Please read this post: http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php?topic=55.msg97#msg97 . Although it doesn't directly address your situation, it explains why YOU NEED TO BE PATIENT!!! After the TVGOS factory reset, the factory firmware needs to download and update itself to two newer versions of firmware before it will do anything useful like download the channel lineup and set the clock. Since these software downloads only occur overnight, it could take up to 3 days (after a factory reset) before you see a clock or the beginnings of listings, even when your host channel is analog. It may take days more on an analog channel before the listings are completely populated. Jumping the gun and trying something else after a day or so is bound to lead to frustration. The TVGOS factory reset is rather drastic, so you wouldn't want to do this too often - the only reason I did it was that it was completely involuntary (see the post directly above that one).

BTW, you mention that your channel lineup stayed behind. If you didn't have to re-enter your zip code, or if your TVGOS firmware version did not revert back to 8.01.42/0, your TVGOS factory reset was probably incomplete and you need to do it a second time; or check your zip code and correct if necessary; or perhaps use the trick of setting the zipcode to 0 for one overnight, then back to the correct one.

I don't think I've jumped the gun too much :) Here's the procession:

Noticed last Sunday (10 days ago) that I have no listings. Skipped through the TVGOS setup (didn't reset...simply going through the steps has solved no listings for me in the past) and let it sit a couple of days. Nothing.

Started playing with the G test (first time I had need of accessing that menu) not really knowing what I was doing, but figuring tinkering would give me a better idea of the menus. No luck with that overnight.

Tried zeroing out the zip in the setup, powering down for a while (didn't leave it overnight...had someone tell me that simply powering down for half an hour or so would be enough), then re-entered my correct zip. Left a couple of days with nothing.

Tried the front panel reset. By all appearances it seemed to be resetting itself with the long initial boot. The clock reset to --:-- when it finally powered down from the reset. Turned it back on and the clock was back up to about 10 minutes slow. Channel lineup was still in place, but the zip was empty when I entered the setup. Re-entered that info and saw that the remaining info was the way I had set it initially (the default is cable, it was still on OTA etc). Set the zip and gave it a couple of days. Over a few hours the clock corrected, but not all at once....it seemed to run fast for a few hours until it caught up to the correct time, then was fine. No luck on the listings.

Last night I tried the reset from within the 9012 menu and that totally zapped the whole guide system. No channel lineup (I was wrong about that in an earlier post) and it acted like it was new out of the box (except my recordings were still there) with all guide setup steps in the default position. I ran through that Sunday and have turned it on a few times since, but haven't really done anything else.

So I just need to give it time? I'm fine with that, just never had it go totally out on me like this. And my analog DVR w/TVGOS has done the same thing. No listings and no host channel. Haven't done any resets on it though...never use it.

My biggest deal with this is that through the whole thing and even now, I have no host channel. Even after the reset and leaving it for 2 days, it hasn't picked up a host. Also, my TVGOS version is still at 8.06.44. The reset I did didn't seem to affect that.

I don't think I've jumped the gun too much :) Here's the procession:

So I just need to give it time? I'm fine with that, just never had it go totally out on me like this. And my analog DVR w/TVGOS has done the same thing. No listings and no host channel. Haven't done any resets on it though...never use it.

My biggest deal with this is that through the whole thing and even now, I have no host channel. Even after the reset and leaving it for 2 days, it hasn't picked up a host. Also, my TVGOS version is still at 8.06.44. The reset I did didn't seem to affect that.

Are you still receiving the TVGOS from the cable input? Is it possible that your cable company has changed your TVGOS channel to digital? Or they are screwing up the TVGOS VBI information? Do you have a cable card?

If both of you units are not receiving the updates, it seems you are doing the wrong trouble shooting.

Well, my channel lineup is correct, but sometime last weekend (or possibly before) my host channel just blanked out. I lost listings only, the clock and channel lineup stayed. That was the case until I did the second guide reset yesterday and I lost the clock. Channel lineup seems fine though. Right now, I just want a correct clock and current listings (that's all!)

Mike, if you're using OTA to get your listings, have you double checked to see if channel 2 is checked in your Edit Ch menu? I had to perform an Auto Scan and add it to one of my DVR's that was behaving similar to yours with the time being slightly off and not downloading listings.

I've had my Sony DHG-HDD250 for about two years now, and until recently it has been working fine. Within the past week or two, though, it has started misbehaving thus: If it starts to record based on a programmed record (specifically, a TVGOS listing), the recording begins and completes okay. However, if I "turn on" the DVR to rewind and watch the program as it's recording, the DVR responds to no commands from front panel or remote (except Exit + TV Guide). Once the recording completes, the DVR responds as usual.

I have tried the Exit + TV Guide reset, and I've unplugged the DVR, but neither of these has fixed the problem. I have not tried a "reset to factory defaults", because I don't want to lose the recording schedule I have set up.

Any ideas what's going on?

TIA
Dave Kristol

Even after the reset and leaving it for 2 days, it hasn't picked up a host. Also, my TVGOS version is still at 8.06.44. The reset I did didn't seem to affect that.Assuming you are really still getting TVGOS data (when you ran the G* test, did you see the VBI count incrementing?), this last sentence of yours may hold a clue. If you did a TVGOS factory reset and your TVGOS firmware version REMAINED at 8.01.42/8.06.44/ immediately thereafter, then your machine is in some sort of limbo and you need to repeat the TVGOS factory reset until it goes back to 8.01.42/0/. Then let it sleep for a night and check the version and host channel. It should, over some period of time cycle from 8.01.42/0/ to 8.01.42/8.06.30/ and then to 8.01.42/8.06.44/ if it has found a viable host channel. Once it goes from the first to the second to the third, it should be ready and willing (again assuming that you still have a good host channel delivering TVGOS VBI packets) to download the channel lineup, clock, and eventually listings. Due to a quirk in the way the G* test works, it is not possible to do this in less than 3 days while keeping the Sony turned on, and requires manual intervention; it may go through all the necessary steps in one overnight or may take several nights if you leave it turned off, this I haven't tested.

I wonder if the other (mostly analog) TVGOS-enabled devices (of which Gemstar claims there are many) ever get this flaky. Certainly turns the plug-n-play concept into plug-n-pray, doesn't it?

Any ideas what's going on?
TIA
Dave KristolYes, read this thread: http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php?topic=38.0

I have been unable to get KTUL digital lately either. With some googling I found the following:

"KJRH, the NBC affiliate, on analog channel 2, has a lot of work yet to do. In September, KJRH will apply to the FCC for a “special temporary authorization” to reduce the analog power and use an antenna that is mounted on the side of the tower for auxiliary service to continue broadcasting the analog signal, with a target date of December for initiating the lower power. KJRH shares the tower with KOTV. After the auxiliary service begins, the channel 2 and channel 6 analog antennas will be removed from the top of the tower. After removal of the analog antennas, new digital antennas for KJRH, channel 8, and KOTV, channel 45, will be installed. A new digital channel 8 transmitter was ordered and was expected to be delivered this month. The new digital antenna will be delivered in September. KJRH should begin to operate its channel 8 transmissions on Feb. 20, with an ERP of 15,900 watts at an antenna height of 588 meters."

The wording in the above paragraph is not very precise. However, the line that interests me is "a new digital channel 8 transmitter was ordered and was expected to be delivered this month" this article has a date of july 28, 2008. Perhaps they are performing some sort of upgrade currently?

It appears that they will boost their signal in the near future, when it was functioning I think it was at 7kw. I believe that they will bring the strength in line with the other broadcasters. I can't see any reason that they would not.

If you want to read the article in full, go to tvweek.com and search for oklahoma. I would post the url, however one must have 3 posts here to submit an url.

Please reply if you discover anything about the KTUL signal. With the television season starting off soon I would enjoy watching the content in HD rather than my SD cable signal.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=446819&page=8&pp=30


Check the Tulsa thread. That is old news and has nothing to do with KTUL. KTUL digital is actually on channel 10 and mapped to it's analog channel 8. KJRH currently is on digital channel 56 and mapped to it's analog channel 2 by your receiver. KJRH is going to move to it's final digital channel assignment of channel 8 and ordered a new transmitter. KJRH and KOTV share a broadcast tower and they are both dropping down to backup analog transmitters this month so they can have their new primary digital transmitters moved to the top of the tower in place of the old analog transmitters. KOTV will be moving from digital channel 55 to digital channel 45 for their final channel assignment.

KTUL was off air because of a hardware failure and they don't have a digital backup yet. KTUL will remain on digital channel 10 after the analog shutoff. KTUL digital is now back on the air too.

http://rabbitears.info/dtr.php
check this link to see the current status of every market as they begin their migration to totally digital. Scroll down to market number 60 for Tulsa's station info.

Are you still receiving the TVGOS from the cable input? Is it possible that your cable company has changed your TVGOS channel to digital? Or they are screwing up the TVGOS VBI information? Do you have a cable card?

If both of you units are not receiving the updates, it seems you are doing the wrong trouble shooting.

I'm OTA only with no recent changes to my setup.

Assuming you are really still getting TVGOS data (when you ran the G* test, did you see the VBI count incrementing?), this last sentence of yours may hold a clue. If you did a TVGOS factory reset and your TVGOS firmware version REMAINED at 8.01.42/8.06.44/ immediately thereafter, then your machine is in some sort of limbo and you need to repeat the TVGOS factory reset until it goes back to 8.01.42/0/. Then let it sleep for a night and check the version and host channel. It should, over some period of time cycle from 8.01.42/0/ to 8.01.42/8.06.30/ and then to 8.01.42/8.06.44/ if it has found a viable host channel. Once it goes from the first to the second to the third, it should be ready and willing (again assuming that you still have a good host channel delivering TVGOS VBI packets) to download the channel lineup, clock, and eventually listings. Due to a quirk in the way the G* test works, it is not possible to do this in less than 3 days while keeping the Sony turned on, and requires manual intervention; it may go through all the necessary steps in one overnight or may take several nights if you leave it turned off, this I haven't tested.

I wonder if the other (mostly analog) TVGOS-enabled devices (of which Gemstar claims there are many) ever get this flaky. Certainly turns the plug-n-play concept into plug-n-pray, doesn't it?

Since the listings ran out and I started fiddling with G tests, I've not seen the VBI packet count up once on either channel I've tested. PBS 8 has been my host from the beginning of my TVGOS experience, but I've been told that they stopped transmitting it over the summer and WSB 2 picked it up. I don't have an confirmation other than a few others in my area saying their units have hosts as 2. Either way, I've run the G test on both channels and never get any packets. If I leave it running it eventually exits the test screen and goes back to the TV channel

I can't confirm that it was at 8.06.44 immediately afterward, but it was the first time I checked. Some time had passed, so I guess technically it could have gotten current in that time....but would that happen with no host channel listed or does the host channel have anything to do with the guide upgrades? I guess I"m not totally clear on the order things are supposed to happen when you first set a unit up...as far as when it should acquire a host, download updates and listings etc.

As for the analog units, I have a Toshiba analog only TVGOS unit and it's got no listings either. I checked it a couple of days after I noticed the Sony had run out and it is behaving the exact same way. No listings and no host channel. I haven't tested it as much as the Sony since I don't use it now, but it's the reason I first thought it had to be an issue with the guide transmission in my area, but others have confirmed that they are getting updates with no issue.

Mike, if you're using OTA to get your listings, have you double checked to see if channel 2 is checked in your Edit Ch menu? I had to perform an Auto Scan and add it to one of my DVR's that was behaving similar to yours with the time being slightly off and not downloading listings.

I checked this when the issue first started and at the time both WSB 2 and PBS 8 (analog) were unchecked in the edit channels menu. They've always been unchecked since I didn't want to have to surf past them every run through the channels, but it's never screwed me up before.

I have since checked them....both channels are tunable and have been for at least the last week.

Since the listings ran out and I started fiddling with G tests, I've not seen the VBI packet count up once on either channel I've tested.There you go! No VBI packets during that test means those channels aren't going to do you any good at all. Either you need to find a functional analog TVGOS channel (and the "presence" of incrementing VBI packets doesn't necessarily mean they are TVGOS packets either, but it's a good sign) or go the digital host route (check CBS digital the same way).

First suggestion is to do with user profiles that are displayed in each posts. It would be very helpful for others to see location and how signals are received, ie; OTA, cable or both.
As far as Mike LS problems, your post says you did a Factory reset. Perhaps this was not enough and was why you may still be having problems.
Seems to me that since the TVGOS went from channel 8 to 2, I had all kinds of problems as previously posted. The unit that showed channel 8 as my host had the worst problems and it would not reset/change to channel 2 using the zip reset or either warm or cold resets. Plus no VBI packets. The other unit did show 2 as the host after a zip reset. But it still was having problems. The VBI count was there, but a little slow. Both had guide and listings but it was the lockup issue that prompted me to do a "Restore Factory Default" which did clean off all recordings, settings, guide, zip, etc, just like new out of the box. When I set each back up, it was done per the setup screens. Enter location, zip, ota,cable,or both, scan ota,cable,or all, etc...When I was finished, I checked for host and nothing there. Later, after the clock was back and correct, the host showed channel 2. Same for my other unit after a wipe and clean. This may be your only choice. And the process did not take but one download cycle to update the host, clock and version, plus get a guide and the standard day 1,2,5,and 8 listings.
But you should first, perhaps, tweak you antenna to see is you can get a pass for your VBI test for channel 2.( you did not say if the G* test showed the VBI as passed or not). Since channel 8 is not carrying TVGOS (at least OTA) maybe you antenna needs to be more directed to the channel 2 station? Or it could be an antenna problem or cabling/splitter issue. If this is not the case, then a full "Restore Factory Default" may be the only option left.
Michael

There you go! No VBI packets during that test means those channels aren't going to do you any good at all. Either you need to find a functional analog TVGOS channel (and the "presence" of incrementing VBI packets doesn't necessarily mean they are TVGOS packets either, but it's a good sign) or go the digital host route (check CBS digital the same way).

Well, according to the post above WSB 2 is the Atlanta source for guide data now. I don't have a way of confirming this (I have sent emails to WGTV 8 and WSB 2 but have not heard back yet). From the info I've gotten in the OTA area of AVS, our local CBS station has not yet begun digital transmission of the guide data (emailed them for confirmation as well)

I've yet to run the G test on 46.1 (CBS digital) since it was made fairly clear in the other forum that others had no luck with this recently. I'll give it a shot though.

Question on this....when the test runs, should it stay in the test screen or is it normal to switch back to full screen TV? That's been my experience so far when I leave the test running. I understand that the test continues as long as you leave it tuned to the same channel you ran the test on, but if it goes back to full screen TV, I can't see the packet count.

First suggestion is to do with user profiles that are displayed in each posts. It would be very helpful for others to see location and how signals are received, ie; OTA, cable or both.
As far as Mike LS problems, your post says you did a Factory reset. Perhaps this was not enough and was why you may still be having problems.
Seems to me that since the TVGOS went from channel 8 to 2, I had all kinds of problems as previously posted. The unit that showed channel 8 as my host had the worst problems and it would not reset/change to channel 2 using the zip reset or either warm or cold resets. Plus no VBI packets. The other unit did show 2 as the host after a zip reset. But it still was having problems. The VBI count was there, but a little slow. Both had guide and listings but it was the lockup issue that prompted me to do a "Restore Factory Default" which did clean off all recordings, settings, guide, zip, etc, just like new out of the box. When I set each back up, it was done per the setup screens. Enter location, zip, ota,cable,or both, scan ota,cable,or all, etc...When I was finished, I checked for host and nothing there. Later, after the clock was back and correct, the host showed channel 2. Same for my other unit after a wipe and clean. This may be your only choice. And the process did not take but one download cycle to update the host, clock and version, plus get a guide and the standard day 1,2,5,and 8 listings.
But you should first, perhaps, tweak you antenna to see is you can get a pass for your VBI test for channel 2.( you did not say if the G* test showed the VBI as passed or not). Since channel 8 is not carrying TVGOS (at least OTA) maybe you antenna needs to be more directed to the channel 2 station? Or it could be an antenna problem or cabling/splitter issue. If this is not the case, then a full "Restore Factory Default" may be the only option left.
Michael

When did you first notice the change from 8 to 2? Unless it's just been in the last 2.5 weeks or so since 8 cut off and 2 picked up, I've gotten listings....things were fine until 2 weekends ago for me.

I know I'll probably have to do a full wipe and reset of the unit, just holding off on that as long as there's other things to try.....trying to watch anything on the unit that's still new to me.

I can't see the antenna being the issue (not saying it isn't though). I don't get 2 or 8 analog perfectly, but I get a solid signal. I did change my antenna out 2 months or so ago (went from a UHF/VHF combo to a large UHF only channelmaster), but that did not start my problems. I'm not that far from towers and get a solid signal on all analog channels and as perfect a digital signal as possible where I am.

Oh, as for the VBI test...fails every time I try it.

When did you first notice the change from 8 to 2? Unless it's just been in the last 2.5 weeks or so since 8 cut off and 2 picked up, I've gotten listings....things were fine until 2 weekends ago for me.

I know I'll probably have to do a full wipe and reset of the unit, just holding off on that as long as there's other things to try.....trying to watch anything on the unit that's still new to me.

I can't see the antenna being the issue (not saying it isn't though). I don't get 2 or 8 analog perfectly, but I get a solid signal. I did change my antenna out 2 months or so ago (went from a UHF/VHF combo to a large UHF only channelmaster), but that did not start my problems. I'm not that far from towers and get a solid signal on all analog channels and as perfect a digital signal as possible where I am.

Oh, as for the VBI test...fails every time I try it.

I would say your antenna is definitely a large part of your problem. Channel 2 is always a difficult channel to receive without noise and is way outside the frequency range of any Channel master UHF antenna (I have the Channel master 4228 and it doesn't work for beans below high VHF.) Why don't you try the old antenna as a test and run the G* test on channel 2? What do you mean by solid signal? Ghosting and any organized noise patterns on channel 2 are going to be real bad for VBI packet reception.

Any reset of the SONY is not going to make VBI packets decode on channel 2. You have to get VBI packets on channel 2 before you are going to get any guide information (if that is your only channel that send the guide data). The VBI packets are sent all the time on a host channel so no matter when you run the test you will see the VBI packets count increase in less then 2 minuites of starting the G* test.

When I say solid, I mean no ghosting, just some light static in the image. Perfectly watchable though.

Put this way, I know for a fact that I've gotten my guide data from PBS 8 for several years and I get a better signal on analog 2 than I do on analog 8. If the change from 8 to 2 happened around 8 days before my issues started, I can see the antenna being the issue. Maybe the guide data easily downloads on a slightly less than perfect signal once the channel list and version downloads are done, but it can't pull that initial setup info in unless the signal is perfect.

I'll try adding the VHF side of the old antenna into the loop and see if that makes any difference.

When I say solid, I mean no ghosting, just some light static in the image. Perfectly watchable though.

Put this way, I know for a fact that I've gotten my guide data from PBS 8 for several years and I get a better signal on analog 2 than I do on analog 8. If the change from 8 to 2 happened around 8 days before my issues started, I can see the antenna being the issue. Maybe the guide data easily downloads on a slightly less than perfect signal once the channel list and version downloads are done, but it can't pull that initial setup info in unless the signal is perfect.

I'll try adding the VHF side of the old antenna into the loop and see if that makes any difference.
Mike Ls, Where are you located? How far from the stations?
Channel 2, the analog broadcast is VHF while the digital 2.1 is uhf. I am using a DB4 in the attic and it really is too large for me being so close to the stations. It works ok, but I tried it outside and got too much signal causing the digital to drop out.
I just ran the G* test on both Channel 2 and 8, and to my surprise, both passed the VBI and had packets. Channel 8 had more than twice as many packets per second than channel 2 did. But I am not ablout to change my host back. Maybe PBS is/was having some problems transmitting TVGOS and WSB took over for them? I really do not know. But for the time I will leave well enough alone until CBS starts the digital TVGOS here.
It could be the you got corrupt data ( same as me) that has messed up your machines and their abillity to function properly. At least you are not having the lockup problems that I posted in a previous post, #12377.
I had my units off most of the summer and it was around the 5th of this month or perhaps a couple of days before that when I set them back up. Guide came up as well as listings, but each had differernt host channels. But I still got listing on both, its just that when trying to record programs then, the machines would lockup until the program was over. Just got worse after that.
Are you recording any shows in the manual mode?
Michael

Just ran the G* test again on channel 2 and 8, each for a minute. Channel 2 gave me 45 good packets. Channel 8 gave me 235. No fixed or bad packets on either. Several days ago I got nothing on channel 8 and channel 2 was a little faster, but not by much, perhaps 60 packets in a minute, never as good as channel 8.
Anyway Mike LS, I would have to say that a complete "restore to factory defaults" will most likely be the solution. Your problems started about the same time as mine, even though you had been using your machines all summer. I just thought my problem was due to my machines being unplugged for the summer.
Michael

Mike Ls, Where are you located? How far from the stations?
Channel 2, the analog broadcast is VHF while the digital 2.1 is uhf. I am using a DB4 in the attic and it really is too large for me being so close to the stations. It works ok, but I tried it outside and got too much signal causing the digital to drop out.
I just ran the G* test on both Channel 2 and 8, and to my surprise, both passed the VBI and had packets. Channel 8 had more than twice as many packets per second than channel 2 did. But I am not ablout to change my host back. Maybe PBS is/was having some problems transmitting TVGOS and WSB took over for them? I really do not know. But for the time I will leave well enough alone until CBS starts the digital TVGOS here.
It could be the you got corrupt data ( same as me) that has messed up your machines and their abillity to function properly. At least you are not having the lockup problems that I posted in a previous post, #12377.
I had my units off most of the summer and it was around the 5th of this month or perhaps a couple of days before that when I set them back up. Guide came up as well as listings, but each had differernt host channels. But I still got listing on both, its just that when trying to record programs then, the machines would lockup until the program was over. Just got worse after that.
Are you recording any shows in the manual mode?
Michael

I'm in north Henry County. Less than 20 miles from all towers and they're all in an arc between 320 and 335 degrees, so it's fairly tight. Using a Channelmaster 4228, which I know is UHF only, but it crosses over enough to get all the analog stations well enough. It may factor into my issue, but didn't seem to be a problem for the first 8 weeks or so after I changed to that antenna. Never skipped a beat until now.

I may try restores on the guide again before totally resetting the unit....there's always the chance redoing something might work. It's just so weird that both of my machines screwed up at the same time.

I haven't done any manual recordings since my clock went AWOL. It records the current channel with no problem though. I haven't had any functional issues, just guide problems.

Mike, Sounds to me that you should just bite the bullet and do the complete factory restore. I don't think it's the antenna, since quite a few people use that same type without a problem. And my antenna is also a uhf only.
Michael

Yeah...I'll double check that there's nothing important on it and do that sometime this week.

I may try it on my analog unit first and see if it helps there. It's a different brand, but suffering the same symptoms.

Well, things seem to have started to repair themselves as of last night. I noticed when I got home from work that the clock was pretty well in sync with my other DVR (was 6 hours slow yesterday morning). Didn't have time to check it then, but several hours later, the channel grid was in place and it had finally picked up 8 as host and it passed the VBI test and showed packets downloading.
This morning I had some listings filled in, though some of the channel designations were incorrect....I assume those will work themselves out when the data download is complete.

I know these things can take some time with this system, but my best guess is what frank70 said earlier that the first two guide resets I did didn't totally reset the unit since my guide version never seemed to revert back to the "original" install version. Maybe in the time since that reset it finally dumped the newer updates and was able to start over. I had a feeling the resets didn't really do what they were supposed to at the time I did them. Who knows though.

Oh...AtlantisMichael (and others in northern Georgia), FYI I got a reply from the engineer at CBS 46 and he said that they planned to start transmitting the digital guide data on 46.1 within the next 30 days, so keep an eye out for that.

Mike LS, glad that it seems to be working with PBS 8 as the host. How many packets per minute does it show in the VBI G* test? Have you checked channel 2 for the VBI G* test to see if it passes?
As far as the resets that you did, the warm and cold resets do not affect the guide only the clock, which, if you have a host should restore in very short order. The zip code reset only helps you get the guide and listings updated for your zip and it may also search for and change host( at least that is what I remember happen with one of my units after I plugged them back in after storing them away for the summer) The reset user configuration, only resets the unit back to the default settings such as skip forward time, remote code, etc... So I think the resets you did worked as they were suppose to. Apparently one of two things caused the problem. 1- channel 8 TVGOS was not working and channel 2 took over for a while and you were unable to get a good signal over analog 2 to update your clock and listings. 2- Corrupt data caused a software problem with your TVGOS system not allowing you to change host channel thereby losing your clock and listings. Or, it could be a combination of both.
Let us know if, after a week, all is working as should be: recordings, full listings and such.

Oh...AtlantisMichael (and others in northern Georgia), FYI I got a reply from the engineer at CBS 46 and he said that they planned to start transmitting the digital guide data on 46.1 within the next 30 days, so keep an eye out for that.

That's great news! I can't wait to find that out.
BTW I also have CM4228 as my only antanna, and I am getting all the channels nice and strong.
I wish we had some DHG owners in Wilmington, NC. With digital signal only for three days now we can have an official verdict on whether the DHGs will work or not next year.

Mike LS, glad that it seems to be working with PBS 8 as the host. How many packets per minute does it show in the VBI G* test? Have you checked channel 2 for the VBI G* test to see if it passes?
As far as the resets that you did, the warm and cold resets do not affect the guide only the clock, which, if you have a host should restore in very short order. The zip code reset only helps you get the guide and listings updated for your zip and it may also search for and change host( at least that is what I remember happen with one of my units after I plugged them back in after storing them away for the summer) The reset user configuration, only resets the unit back to the default settings such as skip forward time, remote code, etc... So I think the resets you did worked as they were suppose to. Apparently one of two things caused the problem. 1- channel 8 TVGOS was not working and channel 2 took over for a while and you were unable to get a good signal over analog 2 to update your clock and listings. 2- Corrupt data caused a software problem with your TVGOS system not allowing you to change host channel thereby losing your clock and listings. Or, it could be a combination of both.
Let us know if, after a week, all is working as should be: recordings, full listings and such.

I let the G test run for a couple of minutes on 8 this morning and in the first minute I saw about 52 packets, after 2 minutes it was up to 140. Not sure what "normal" is, but after about 90 seconds they started upping 1-2 per second and kept that clip until I exited.

The last reset I did was within the 9012 menu...it's the selection above the G test, which is "restore factory defaults" I think. I might have the wording wrong, but after doing that, everything about the guide was gone. Before that I still had my channel grid, but afterward every guide screen was blank except for my previous recordings. Again, I didn't check the version at that point, but it did more than the front panel reset I had tried before.

At any rate, hopefully it'll get itself straightened out in short order. I'm looking forward to CBS starting their digital guide transmission to see how that works.

Oh, and I haven't done a G test on 2 yet. I did my testing this morning right before work and got caught up in turning off duplicate channels in the guide. I'll try that later though.

I let the G test run for a couple of minutes on 8 this morning and in the first minute I saw about 52 packets, after 2 minutes it was up to 140. Not sure what "normal" is, but after about 90 seconds they started upping 1-2 per second and kept that clip until I exited.

The last reset I did was within the 9012 menu...it's the selection above the G test, which is "restore factory defaults" I think. I might have the wording wrong, but after doing that, everything about the guide was gone. Before that I still had my channel grid, but afterward every guide screen was blank except for my previous recordings. Again, I didn't check the version at that point, but it did more than the front panel reset I had tried before.


Not sure what normal is for the VBI count. Seems that even wih my slow count from channel 2, I don't have any listings problems.
Yes, that is "reset to factory defaults" which on affects the TVGOS-returns it to the original factory state. Does not affect settings or recordings. Basically you did much the same with that as I did with the Restore feature or the clean and wipe via front panel. I was unable to use the TV guide G* reset with one machine since I could not get an on screen display- had to use the front panel menu for clean and wipe. It cleaned the NVM and hard drive plus did a format. I might have been able to use the G* reset to factory default in TV guide menu, but with all the lockups I felt like it would better to start fresh.
Let us know which version you have showing next time you check your machine.
Michael

How is it hooked up? Through an AVR? direct to a TV? With rca, digital or HDMI cable?
Michael

Been on the road for a few days. Took awhile to get back to the thread.

My unit is hooked up directly to the set via the HDMI. Sound is normal on just the cable hookup to the set and if I turn on the Gamecube that I have hooked up it is OK as well.

I have an issue with a 250 that intermitantly will not put out any sound. Turn the unit off and it will be fine the next day. I am hoping that this is just some kind of a reboot situation and not a hardware problem. I have no issues like this with my other 250.

Any ideas from anybody?

Are you sure it is not when a Dolby Digital 5.1 show is on your tuned channel and your TV is hooked up to the SONY via HDMI. Most TV don't support Dolby over HDMI.

Pg40 of the manual has details about audio options and turning off Dolby Digital. http://www.spiffspace.com/DHGHDD250-500rev2.pdf

Yes, read this thread: http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php?topic=38.0

Thanks. That worked just great. (I had to wait until the DVR got reinitialized and I could watch a program while recording.)

Dave Kristol

I have had my 250 for almost 2 years and this is most perplexing thing that has happened.

First, the unit locked up while recording and I followed the directions to correct this... but when I turned on the unit after letting it update that morning it asked my location and gave me a choice between LA and Bakersfield!

I choose LA and now my guide has about 50-70 OTA channels turned on, many were duplicates of the same channel location but different call letters.

I noticed that there were many new additions to the lineup in my area and i proceeded to turn off everything that didnt apply to my area and rearranged their order.

The new problems are that the channels that I turned off are still appearing as go up or down the channels with the remote and also...the guide order is correct but where I should the HD channels lumped together they are now preceeded by their analog channel. The guide order and the channel edit screen are the same.

btw I am OTA only. I don't remember having seen this described before but any help would be appreciated.

I have had my 250 for almost 2 years and this is most perplexing thing that has happened.

First, the unit locked up while recording and I followed the directions to correct this... but when I turned on the unit after letting it update that morning it asked my location and gave me a choice between LA and Bakersfield!

I choose LA and now my guide has about 50-70 OTA channels turned on, many were duplicates of the same channel location but different call letters.

I noticed that there were many new additions to the lineup in my area and i proceeded to turn off everything that didnt apply to my area and rearranged their order.

The new problems are that the channels that I turned off are still appearing as go up or down the channels with the remote and also...the guide order is correct but where I should the HD channels lumped together they are now preceeded by their analog channel. The guide order and the channel edit screen are the same.

btw I am OTA only. I don't remember having seen this described before but any help would be appreciated.

You probably forgot how to setup your SONY after two years. The TVGUIDE screen for the channel editing has nothing to do with channel up/down on the remote while watching live TV. You have to go into the SONY menus to disable channels for channel up/down operation. Also you can't change the channel order for channel up/down operation.

If the TVGuide channel editor screen is not saving data correctly, you just have to do a front panel reset (TVGuide+exit) and that should fix it.

is anyone interested in a 250?
i dont want to use ebay. excellent condition, remote, manual and original packaging.
(i looked for the rules for these forums....where are they? am i allowed to post this?)

(STOP HERE unless you're committed to spending the better part of 4 days without a guide or correct clock, and then re-sorting all your channels in the guide.)

1. Turn off the "Auto Off" feature.

2. Run the TVGOS "Reset to Factory Default" from the TV Guide level of the 9012 service menu (NOT the "Restore Factory Default" at the top level of the 9012 service menu). Then enter all your state, zipcode, etc. info.

3. Run the 753159852 test and verify that your TVGOS firmware factory version is 8.01.42 and the downloaded version is 0. If not, repeat the TVGOS factory reset in step 2. The clock will probably be incorrect or absent.

4. Tune to your digital host channel and run the TVGOS G* test.

5. Leave alone overnight (and I do mean overnight).

6. In the morning, run the 753159852 test and verify that your TVGOS firmware has been upgraded to 8.05.40. The clock will still probably be incorrect or absent.

7. Tune to your digital host channel and run the TVGOS G* test.

8. Leave alone overnight.

9. In the morning, run the 753159852 test and verify that your TVGOS firmware has been upgraded to 8.06.44. The clock will still probably be incorrect or absent.

10. Tune to your digital host channel and run the TVGOS G* test. Press the channel up button, wait a few seconds, and press the channel down button so that you're back tuned to your digital host channel.

11. Now run the 963214785 test (VBI Search Current Channel), wait a few seconds, and turn the Sony off.

12. Leave along overnight.

13. In the morning, the clock should be correct. Turn it back on and verify that your guide channel lineup has filled in. It will probably be all no-listings.

14. Run the 753159852 test and verify that your host channel is your digital host channel (*** This is where my test went awry - mine had selected the analog host; but then again, it has been known to do that in the past in spite of the VBI Search Current Channel. ***)

15. Tune to your digital host channel and run the TVGOS G* test. Wait a few hours, then re-check the guide. Hopefully it will be completely populated.

16. Have fun rearranging all the channels. Turn "Auto Off" back on if you want. If necessary, repeat the VBI Search Current Channel procedure overnight as many times as necessary to get the digital host to stick as the host channel.

I am assuming that the DVR is left on when the G* Test is initiated in step 5 since step 11 say turn it off.

I have been experiencing a new problem with two of my Sony DHG DVRs. When I fast forward through portions of a recording (usually the commercials), the picture will sometimes freeze and the Exit to TV, Delete, etc. OSD pops up like it does when the end of the recording is reached. However, the program is NOT at the end. If I press 'exit' and then skip or play, I can play past the point where it stopped, and then resume fast forwarding. It seems odd that two of my recorders would start this behavior at the same time. Has anyone else observed this behavior?

I am assuming that the DVR is left on when the G* Test is initiated in step 5 since step 11 say turn it off.Correct assumption.

I wish I could have made it go all the way without turning it off (which gives it the chance to inadvertently download from an analog host channel), but I tried that for 24-hours without success; so at step 11, I turned it off after the force hoping for the best, but the force doesn't always take, and in my case it didn't.

I have been experiencing a new problem with two of my Sony DHG DVRs. When I fast forward through portions of a recording (usually the commercials), the picture will sometimes freeze and the Exit to TV, Delete, etc. OSD pops up like it does when the end of the recording is reached. However, the program is NOT at the end. If I press 'exit' and then skip or play, I can play past the point where it stopped, and then resume fast forwarding. It seems odd that two of my recorders would start this behavior at the same time. Has anyone else observed this behavior?

This happens with my 250 on occasion. I think it usually happens on SD programming I recorded at a lower quality setting (SP), but I am not sure what causes it. Are you experiencing it with HD material in HQ mode?

All,

I have been following the lockup issue ... mine has also started to have problems. I wish to suggest that (if someone hasn't already) that my system locks up right after they do an "analog transmission shut down test". They are doing these tests in Orlando to alert people that they do not have digital TV receivers. Of course, we do, but we rely on analog transmission data.

Tonight, I was able to watch the operation of the recorder. It was fine until 7:59PM when they initiated the test. At that point the system locked at 7:59PM and did not recover. It would not take commands.

My hypothesis is that I need to switch to the digital data stream - I hope one is available.

Any thoughts?

18 months ago, I drop cable and went totally OTA. The result of this decision has affected by TVGOIS on my Sony HD DVR. I have only 5% of the time received the guide information. I still can record via time taping, but I would like to utilize the guide recording if possible.

I just recently found this great resource (you guys). Last night I put in the code 753159852 to see what my Host Channel was. It was blank. I have read the website, but I do not feel confident about what to do. Could someone please help me set my Host Channel.

The PBS station in Lafayette, LA is channel 24 analog. Should I set it to 24? OR Should I set it to CBS digitial channel 10-1 (UHF 56)?

Also, what does G* test means?

I do not have time to review all the posting on this thread, so any guidance will be appreciated. Thanks.

18 months ago, I drop cable and went totally OTA. The result of this decision has affected by TVGOIS on my Sony HD DVR. I have only 5% of the time received the guide information. I still can record via time taping, but I would like to utilize the guide recording if possible.

I just recently found this great resource (you guys). Last night I put in the code 753159852 to see what my Host Channel was. It was blank. I have read the website, but I do not feel confident about what to do. Could someone please help me set my Host Channel.

The PBS station in Lafayette, LA is channel 24 analog. Should I set it to 24? OR Should I set it to CBS digitial channel 10-1 (UHF 56)?

Also, what does G* test means?

I do not have time to review all the posting on this thread, so any guidance will be appreciated. Thanks.

Someone more knowledgeable than me can hopefully help you with your particular problem, but to begin with, read the information linked to from the first post of this thread.

First thing I would try is a reset of the Guide. See the linked mentioned above for details.

18 months ago, I drop cable and went totally OTA. The result of this decision has affected by TVGOIS on my Sony HD DVR. I have only 5% of the time received the guide information.

I just recently found this great resource (you guys). Last night I put in the code 753159852 to see what my Host Channel was. It was blank. I have read the website, but I do not feel confident about what to do. Could someone please help me set my Host Channel.

The PBS station in Lafayette, LA is channel 24 analog. Should I set it to 24? OR Should I set it to CBS digitial channel 10-1 (UHF 56)?

Also, what does G* test means?

I do not have time to review all the posting on this thread, so any guidance will be appreciated. Thanks.
ST Rich,
Your best bet is to read through the resource guide that is linked through the 1st post of this thread. It will explain all you need for you to reset your host. If you have the manual, it tells you that if you move or change your incoming signal, then you have to do the setup procedure again. It sounds as though from your post that you may have not done this. The G* stands for Gemstar TVGOS--tv guide on screen. The test itself is also explained in the resource guide. The zip reset would be the first thing I would try. ( post #12382). This is a tip that shows up in the ad section of the guide from time to time. Note: make sure you are getting a good signal from the host station. You will need to check with your locals to find out who is carrying TVGOS, if your G* test fails on both those stations.

Best of luck.
Michael

St. Rich -

After you read through the faq as suggested by Mike & Michael, try the "Frank70" procedure in the attached link. It should help you to determine for sure if your CBS digital channel is carrying TVGOS data. :D

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14416772#post14416772

The PBS station in Lafayette, LA is channel 24 analog. Should I set it to 24? OR Should I set it to CBS digitial channel 10-1 (UHF 56)?

Also, what does G* test means?

I do not have time to review all the posting on this thread, so any guidance will be appreciated. Thanks.Please go to this site: http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php and read everything. Spiff has spent a lot of time organizing the collected knowledge of the universe on this Sony box by topic and subtopic. There you will find the secrets of the TVGOS G* test and searching for a host channel. However, please note that the box is designed to do this search on its own, and if reception from channel 24 is poor, that is probably the cause of failure to lock onto a host. Do try the G* test using the CBS digital channel though, assuming reception of that channel is good. If you get guide downloads after a few hours of running the G* test on that channel, then go on to try forcing the TVGOS host to that digital channel (VBI Search Current Channel), also documented in the forum mentioned above.

Thanks for all the input. I did read manual and ran the G* Test on channel 24 and 10-1. Both gave me FAIL on the VBI packets. So, I tried every channel both digital and analog. I discover only one channel 10 (analog) that gave me a PASS. So, I did the procedure to set the Host Channel. I followed the directions as stated in the manual. This morning I put in the code 753159852 to see what my Host Channel was. It was still blank.

I tried to call the chief engineer at channel 10 for two days now. They have not called me back to confirm they are transmitting the TVGOIS data. So, if you are receiving the VBI packets from the station does that mean they are transmitting the TVGOIS?

Any additional thoughts would be appreciated.

St Rich -

(I just realized that you are in LA, like me). How long did you wait when doing the G* test? On the CBS digital channel, sometimes it may initially show "Fail", but then it will start incrementing packets after a while, even while still indicating "Fail". Maybe you didn't wait long enough?

As far as your channel 10, it could be that the VBI packets you are receiving there do NOT contain TVGOS data. In theory, the only stations that may have TVGOS data are PBS analog or CBS digital stations.

In theory, the only stations that may have TVGOS data are PBS analog or CBS digital stations.

Bad theory... ABC in the MSPL, MN area has TVGOS and I believe FOX also does.

But from reports here, PBS and CBS are currently the most common providers.

Thanks for all the input. I did read manual and ran the G* Test on channel 24 and 10-1. Both gave me FAIL on the VBI packets. So, I tried every channel both digital and analog. I discover only one channel 10 (analog) that gave me a PASS. So, I did the procedure to set the Host Channel. I followed the directions as stated in the manual. This morning I put in the code 753159852 to see what my Host Channel was. It was still blank.

I tried to call the chief engineer at channel 10 for two days now. They have not called me back to confirm they are transmitting the TVGOIS data. So, if you are receiving the VBI packets from the station does that mean they are transmitting the TVGOIS?

Any additional thoughts would be appreciated.
You should do a complete factory restore and start from a clean box. That is what I did. I had recordings that I lost at the time, but thought my time better spent than avoiding the inevitable. Can not hurt since you are not getting any guide. Or you can continue to fiddle with it for some more days/weeks. Your choice. Nothing else to offer than what has already been posted.
Michael

So, if you are receiving the VBI packets from the station does that mean they are transmitting the TVGOIS?No, it doesn't work that way:

a) If you see VBI incrementing after about 10-20 seconds, the station MAY be transmitting TVGOS data.

b)If you don't see VBI incrementing after about 10-20 seconds, the station definitely is NOT transmitting TVGOS data.

Please try 24 and 10-1 again, but wait until after the FAIL comes up and see if the VBI starts incrementing soon thereafter (you can't go just by the FAIL.)

Thanks for all the input. I did read manual and ran the G* Test on channel 24 and 10-1. Both gave me FAIL on the VBI packets. So, I tried every channel both digital and analog. I discover only one channel 10 (analog) that gave me a PASS. So, I did the procedure to set the Host Channel. I followed the directions as stated in the manual. This morning I put in the code 753159852 to see what my Host Channel was. It was still blank.

I tried to call the chief engineer at channel 10 for two days now. They have not called me back to confirm they are transmitting the TVGOIS data. So, if you are receiving the VBI packets from the station does that mean they are transmitting the TVGOIS?

Any additional thoughts would be appreciated.


I would try one more thing before a factory reset. My unit lost listings for a couple of weeks recently for no apparent reason, and what seemed to fix my issues was a factory reset of the guide itself. A total factory reset as mentioned above will give you the same result as far as the guide goes, but also deletes all recordings. It should work the same, but is a last resort if there's any recordings you want to keep.

Go back into the TVGOS menu where you run the G test from. The selection above the G test is to reset the TVGOS system to factory defaults. This will totally wipe the guide section of the unit, but leave your recordings and channels intact. Once you're powered up and back in you'll have to re-enter all your location info. Go through the steps and power off at least overnight. When I went through this, it took a few days for the channel grid to come back (blank at first) and another day or two for the listings to start filling in. So give it several days before you decide it didn't work.

I'd try that as a next to last resort before doing a total restore.

Last night I ran the G* test for the vbi packets for our digital CBS 46.1 station and at first it did not pass, but I waited and it showed packets slowly ( first one after 22 seconds) appear. Later, during the download time of 11:01pm (eastern time) the vbi passed and packets were coming in fast. I don't know yet if this station is just testing the system or if they are up and running. Didn't want to jump the gun on forcing this station as the host if they are not fully set up on the TVGOS system. Has anyone heard back from the engineers at WGCL lately?
Michael

Last night I ran the G* test for the vbi packets for our digital CBS 46.1 station and at first it did not pass, but I waited and it showed packets slowly ( first one after 22 seconds) appear. Later, during the download time of 11:01pm (eastern time) the vbi passed and packets were coming in fast. I don't know yet if this station is just testing the system or if they are up and running. Didn't want to jump the gun on forcing this station as the host if they are not fully set up on the TVGOS system. Has anyone heard back from teh engineers at WGCL lately?
Michael

Hey, that's good news. I don't remember if I posted in this thread or the Atlanta OTA thread, but I got an email from Steve Flanagan at CBS46 last week (9/10) answering the question about digital TVGOS and he said:

If by TVGOS you mean TV guide the answer is yes. We hope within the next 30 days.

So they may very well be testing it now.

I noticed in the pages from the 753... menu, that there is a fail clock channel( usually the host channel) and a clock set channel( some other channel, mine being either 8 or now 46.1 as of today. But sometimes when I have checked it is fffffffd. Same with the VBI channel. It will be fffffffd. Other times it is the channel that I am on. Any thoughts on this? What it means?
Michael

I noticed in the pages from the 753... menu, that there is a fail clock channel( usually the host channel) and a clock set channel( some other channel, mine being either 8 or now 46.1 as of today. But sometimes when I have checked it is fffffffd. Same with the VBI channel. It will be fffffffd. Other times it is the channel that I am on. Any thoughts on this? What it means?
Michael

Yes, it has been talked about for 8 months. The G* test screws up the current VBI channel number and if it sets the clock during your G* test that screwed up channel gets saved. Then when the SONY tries to tune to that (fffffffd) channel to set the clock it fails. After starting the G* test press channel up and down then the VBI channel will be correct and if the clock is set the last clock set channel will be correct.

Yes, it has been talked about for 8 months. The G* test screws up the current VBI channel number and if it sets the clock during your G* test that screwed up channel gets saved. Then when the SONY tries to tune to that (fffffffd) channel to set the clock it fails. After starting the G* test press channel up and down then the VBI channel will be correct and if the clock is set the last clock set channel will be correct.
Thanks, now I understand what was meant in a previous post somewhere on this with the channel up/down while in the test. I know I read it recently, but can't seem to remember exactly where. Guess that is why I noticed the ffffffd and what prompted the question. Weird how the brain works.
Michael

As a Charter Communications stockholder, I ran across this press release from AP today:

" If the nation's largest cable TV operators have their way, the home digital video recorder could soon become a relic.
Leading the way is Cablevision Systems Corp., which plans to roll out a system in early 2009 that will let viewers record any show without a DVR, only a digital set-top box. Shows will be stored on Cablevision's servers instead of a home DVR -- a shift the company said could save it upward of $700 million."

Now, I would never give up my Sony. NEVER. And there is the fact that the STB will not allow skipping commericials. Plus, THEY WILL KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WATCHING. So much for Neilson. But money has a way of making these ideas work eventually. I doubt if someone is going to make a really good DVR in the near future, but I can dream. I may use this winter, huddled inside against the cold, to build something out of laptop that can be used as an upgrade to our DVR and still supply the quality and functionality we have today.

Joe
proud relic owner.
:cool:

As a Charter Communications stockholder, I ran across this press release from AP today:

" If the nation's largest cable TV operators have their way, the home digital video recorder could soon become a relic.
Leading the way is Cablevision Systems Corp., which plans to roll out a system in early 2009 that will let viewers record any show without a DVR, only a digital set-top box. Shows will be stored on Cablevision's servers instead of a home DVR -- a shift the company said could save it upward of $700 million."

Now, I would never give up my Sony. NEVER. And there is the fact that the STB will not allow skipping commericials. Plus, THEY WILL KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WATCHING. So much for Neilson. But money has a way of making these ideas work eventually. I doubt if someone is going to make a really good DVR in the near future, but I can dream. I may use this winter, huddled inside against the cold, to build something out of laptop that can be used as an upgrade to our DVR and still supply the quality and functionality we have today.

Joe
proud relic owner.
:cool:
They have been talking about this for some time now. Its gone back and forth in the courts as to the legality of the cable companies storing content for customers to veiw later. Last ruling said it was OK for this, but this will probably be challanged again.
I really do not see that much of a shift away for personal dvrs because of the limited flexibility of such a (cable ) service. From what I have read, once you have veiwed your show, it will be deleted. There will be no archiving. You will have a time limit as to how long you can store the show before it is deleted. It (the program) really is not yours, it belongs the cable companies. You will not be allowed to copy the program for archivng. As you mentioned, you will not be able to skip through the commercials ( this was a factor in one of the court decesions I beleive). So I think it is safe to say that the personal dvr will still have a market.
Michael

After starting the G* test press channel up and down then the VBI channel will be correct and if the clock is set the last clock set channel will be correct.

Maybe this is obvious, but I just want to make sure.

During the G* Test, the channel can not be changed. So when the intructions say to press channel up then down, you actually don't expect to see anything change/happen on screen, correct?

After starting the G* test press channel up and down then the VBI channel will be correct and if the clock is set the last clock set channel will be correct.

Maybe this is obvious, but I just want to make sure.

During the G* Test, the channel can not be changed. So when the intructions say to press channel up then down, you actually don't expect to see anything change/happen on screen, correct?Incorrect. You need to press Exit to make the screen that shows the counters go away (the G* test continues to run), then press channel up, and then press channel down.

Incorrect. You need to press Exit to make the screen that shows the counters go away (the G* test continues to run), then press channel up, and then press channel down.

Now I'm confused.

How do we know that the G* test continues to run after we have not just "exited" from the test but even changed channels?

Doesn't the act of exiting end the test? And if not, why not?

Now I'm confused.

How do we know that the G* test continues to run after we have not just "exited" from the test but even changed channels?

Doesn't the act of exiting end the test? And if not, why not?

The GUI that shows the VBI pass is not on the screen any longer. But the TVGOS tasks that parse the TVGOS packets still run. The TVGOS diag screen show us this.

Now I'm confused.

How do we know that the G* test continues to run after we have not just "exited" from the test but even changed channels?

Doesn't the act of exiting end the test? And if not, why not?No, the test continues to run in the background, which can be confirmed by leaving the box turned on and tuned to an analog or digital TVGOS host station overnight. Because the test is still running, in the morning the new 8th day of the guide will be populated, just as if the box had been turned off overnight. This test not only shows the presence of VBI data, but if it's valid TVGOS VBI data, that data is actually processed.

I don't know why Exit doesn't terminate the testing, I suspect it's to help Gemstar validate that their TVGOS data stream is being processed correctly by the device (there are screens within the 753159852 display that show very detailed info about the VBI data, but you can only get to those screens if you exit the G* test screen first.) But in any case, it turns out that this behavior is a good thing, so don't be confused, be happy.

Thanks Frank.

Because Cablevision is not showing any VBI packets on the CBS digital channel, I am not able to experiment with trying to get that as my source. I'm just reading the thread as preparation for when and if they ever do or if sadly I have to attach to an OTA possibility when analog ends.

I'm also not taking any chance on messing with my current feed because it is not constant. For the past few months PBS 13 has not been transmitting data for a couple of days a week, every single week.

Just reading it, the change channel during test seemed odd to me.

Appreciate your taking time to respond.

On another topic, for the first time in well over a year, while recording the Emmy's on a 250 last night, the unit froze when attempting to play what had already recorded. Hope the freeze issue is not returning.

I am having some trouble with my 250. I have done the guide reset, continued to have problems, and resorted to doing a complete system restore.
The problem comes with the unit freezing whenever i try to do anything when it is recording. I have not checked to see where my guide data is coming from. I am in San Diego and there was recently a big change in the channels with respect to Fox and WB switching places. I thought that had to do with the problems i was having so i started fresh.
Anyone experiencing this AFTER a complete format?
is anyone here from San Diego and not having trouble?
thanks

by the way: I am OTA only.

I am having some trouble with my 250. I have done the guide reset, continued to have problems, and resorted to doing a complete system restore.
The problem comes with the unit freezing whenever i try to do anything when it is recording. I have not checked to see where my guide data is coming from. I am in San Diego and there was recently a big change in the channels with respect to Fox and WB switching places. I thought that had to do with the problems i was having so i started fresh.
Anyone experiencing this AFTER a complete format?
is anyone here from San Diego and not having trouble?
thanks

by the way: I am OTA only.

You didn't need to do a complete reformat to fix it. The fix is in the FAQ. The issue is caused by corrupt (out of sync) guide information.

A complete reformat should cure it though (until more channels are added in your area).

You didn't need to do a complete reformat to fix it. The fix is in the FAQ. The issue is caused by corrupt (out of sync) guide information.

A complete reformat should cure it though (until more channels are added in your area).

I know this is your Procedure (http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html) See Section 3.2 Lockup Problem Resolution at the bottom
of the page. I'm not questioning that it works. But my experience there is one step in your
procedure that can cause extra work. Anytime the CableCard is removed - it requires
a call to your MSO to authorize the new paring information. That can be a very painful process.

My One Cent Opinion because My Opinions don't seem to be worth Two Cents any more. ;)

I know this is your Procedure (http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html) See Section 3.2 Lockup Problem Resolution at the bottom
of the page. I'm not questioning that it works. But my experience there is one step in your
procedure that can cause extra work. Anytime the CableCard is removed - it requires
a call to your MSO to authorize the new paring information. That can be a very painful process.

My One Cent Opinion because My Opinions don't seem to be worth Two Cents any more. ;)

I don't mean to be argumentative, but that's not necessarily always the case. Occasionally my Comcast-provided SA cable card mysteriously stops decrypting some channels. I've found that the quick fix is to pop the card out for 30 - 60 seconds (select No for a channel scan), then push it back in and all is well. The card remains authorized, so I never have had to call the head end. Could be a function of different card/head-end technologies, though.

Your $0.01 opinions are still worthwhile :)

I don't mean to be argumentative, but that's not necessarily always the case. Occasionally my Comcast-provided SA cable card mysteriously stops decrypting some channels. I've found that the quick fix is to pop the card out for 30 - 60 seconds (select No for a channel scan), then push it back in and all is well. The card remains authorized, so I never have had to call the head end. Could be a function of different card/head-end technologies, though.

Your $0.01 opinions are still worthwhile :)

I have Comcast Moto "M" Cards and they always require repairing.

I have Comcast Moto "M" Cards and they always require repairing.

I have a Moto cable card in the SONY and have removed it many times and it always works. I also have a Moto Multi Stream card in my Cable provided DVR and have remove it 10-20 times and it works fine too. In fact I even hot remove the M card and hot insert it (it cures a cable card lock up on the other DVR).

Without that step there is no way to flush the Sony's scanned channel memory. While the cable card is inserted the Sony won't let you scan for cable channels. (If you have never done a cable channel scan, then you can safely skip the cable card removal step.)

I have a Moto cable card in the SONY and have removed it many times and it always works. I also have a Moto Multi Stream card in my Cable provided DVR and have remove it 10-20 times and it works fine too. In fact I even hot remove the M card and hot insert it (it cures a cable card lock up on the other DVR).

Without that step there is no way to flush the Sony's scanned channel memory. While the cable card is inserted the Sony won't let you scan for cable channels.

I agree removing the cable card lets you do a channel scan.

Even when this all works perfectly.

Why doesn't the next channel add update put you back in the same scenario.

I agree removing the cable card lets you do a channel scan.

Even when this all works perfectly.

Why doesn't the next channel add update put you back in the same scenario.

I have had the lockups for a few days after new channels are added to TVGOS listings. But after the full 8 days the combination data that has a mix of old/new channels is flushed and everything returns to normal. I suspect that sometimes bad or partial data is stored in the TVGOS database and the Sony channel list to TVGOS linking table. And that there is no way of purging that bad data without a full format or this proceedure. Being a software engineer, I would suspect that a channel scan that comes up with no channels, would delete all entries in the channel table linked list. This empty list allows you to start from scratch with no errorant links.

I have had the lockups for a few days after new channels are added to TVGOS listings. But after the full 8 days the combination data that has a mix of old/new channels is flushed and everything returns to normal. I suspect that sometimes bad or partial data is stored in the TVGOS database and the Sony channel list to TVGOS linking table. And that there is no way of purging that bad data without a full format or this proceedure. Being a software engineer, I would suspect that a channel scan that comes up with no channels, would delete all entries in the channel table linked list. This empty list allows you to start from scratch with no errorant links.

My DVRs don't lock up with remote control issues. They lock
up and can't display accurate guide data - even if it is there.
I do the front panel reset and 70% of the time - the guide
unlocks itself. The other 30% of the time it won't unlock
until the next day.

Comcast here in New England is changing Channel Line ups
every couple of days. Maybe now that the fall season starts
tonight they will settle down and so will the guide.

While on the issue of cable cards . . .

Maybe this is a dumb question, but......... if you have a cable card installed in the Sony, do you still have access to the QAM channels? (I've never had a cable card, so I can't check this out for myself).

While on the issue of cable cards . . .

Maybe this is a dumb question, but......... if you have a cable card installed in the Sony, do you still have access to the QAM channels? (I've never had a cable card, so I can't check this out for myself).
Yes, but the channel numbers are different. For example, in my case, FOX HD is on 50.1 without the CableCARD, but it's on 250 with the CableCARD. You might gain some channels with the CableCARD, if your subscription includes encrypted channels (which the CableCARD can decrypt). You might also lose a few channels with the CableCARD, if your cable company does not map them.

I am having some trouble with my 250. I have done the guide reset, continued to have problems, and resorted to doing a complete system restore.
The problem comes with the unit freezing whenever i try to do anything when it is recording. I have not checked to see where my guide data is coming from. I am in San Diego and there was recently a big change in the channels with respect to Fox and WB switching places. I thought that had to do with the problems i was having so i started fresh.
Anyone experiencing this AFTER a complete format?
is anyone here from San Diego and not having trouble?
thanks

by the way: I am OTA only.


I had this exact same problem with my HDD250 starting maybe a month or two ago. (I had previously had the infamous "lockup" problem a couple years ago but it managed to heal itself within a few weeks.) This time it persisted, which led me to this thread. After reading until my eyeballs bled, I found the various fixes offered by HoustonPerson and WhatHappend, and I ended up trying WH's method about 2 weeks ago. Worked like a charm. :D You can get it from spiff's FAQ. I didn't lose any existing recordings, but had to give it a couple days to get the channel lineup and TVG listings repopulated. If I were you I wouldn't even hesitate to try this -- it's no big deal.

I use mostly the clear QAM and analog channels coming over Time Warner's cable, and occasionally OTA ATSC. NO cable card.

On a separate note, I have tried the VBI test to see which stations are broadcasting VBI data. TWC's version of analog PBS (11) and analog CBS (8) both send VBI packets, but nothing yet on the CBS digital (8.1) via TWC or OTA, and of course nothing on digital PBS OTA (15.1). So for now, San Diego doesn't seem to be digital TVGOS...yet.

I had this exact same problem with my HDD250 starting maybe a month or two ago. (I had previously had the infamous "lockup" problem a couple years ago but it managed to heal itself within a few weeks.) This time it persisted, which led me to this thread. After reading until my eyeballs bled, I found the various fixes offered by HoustonPerson and WhatHappend, and I ended up trying WH's method about 2 weeks ago. Worked like a charm. :D You can get it from spiff's FAQ.

Wow, I wish all first posts were like yours. Good job helping yourself. I wonder how many people use the information here to get help and never post? Sometimes I think that everyone posts first and reads later.

I've found an anomaly in the current guide data. This, on two different units. The schedule of shows, in prime time, on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, and Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, shows CBS and NBC having the identical shows at the identical times. In fact they are the CBS shows. I repeat, this only happens on Tuesday and Wednesday, and only at the eight o'clock, nine o'clock, and ten o'clock times spots.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Amazing how I forget the lessons from previous seasons of recording with this unit. On Sunday, I set up and verified that I had shows for Monday and Tuesday set up to record (Big Bang, How I Met..., and NCIS) (as "regularly"). Monday's two shows recorded fine, but last night, got home at about 9:30 and went to watch NCIS, and there was no sign of it. Not in Schedule or Recording List.... (Luckily, also had it on my recordable DVD, so got to watch, but not in HD).


I didn't set up a manual recording, first, as backup :mad:. Nothing else in the schedule list except these 3 shows. This is the first time I've lost a schedule with so few items in the schedule list. (And, I have to remember to set up manual recordings; maybe a big sign over the screen will remind me)

Come Feb - as long as we get a clock, I'll be happy

I've found an anomaly in the current guide data. This, on two different units. The schedule of shows, in prime time, on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, and Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, shows CBS and NBC having the identical shows at the identical times. In fact they are the CBS shows. I repeat, this only happens on Tuesday and Wednesday, and only at the eight o'clock, nine o'clock, and ten o'clock times spots.

Has anyone else noticed this?

I noticed this happen during one week, several weeks ago. I know it occured on a Wednesday when I saw it, and included the 8pm CDT listing. CBS and NBC showed identical listings, but I don't remember which network the listing actually belonged to. :confused::eek:

I observed an interesting thing the other night. I recently purchased a Sony KDL-46Z4100 TV which has built in TV Guide Version 09.01.54. I am in San Diego and ABC was broadcasting ESPN HD feed of the Monday Night Football Chargers vs. Jets game instead of the normal programming. The listings on my Sony DVR were incorrectly showing the normal programming (News, TMZ, etc), but the TV Guide listings on my new TV correctly listed Monday Night Football. It is interesting that guide data is different between Version 08.xx and Version 09.xx guide data? It seems Gemstar would send all the same guide data for a specific market. Both DVR and TV are mapped to the same zip code and channel line-up. Perhaps the new version just downloads updates more frequently and the game was added during a later update.

I am having some trouble with my 250. I have done the guide reset, continued to have problems, and resorted to doing a complete system restore.
The problem comes with the unit freezing whenever i try to do anything when it is recording. I have not checked to see where my guide data is coming from. I am in San Diego and there was recently a big change in the channels with respect to Fox and WB switching places. I thought that had to do with the problems i was having so i started fresh.
Anyone experiencing this AFTER a complete format?
is anyone here from San Diego and not having trouble?
thanks

by the way: I am OTA only.

The more I think about this, the more it makes sense. My problem here in San Diego started very close to August 1, which is the date when our local Fox affiliate switched from XETV-6 in Tijuana to KSWB-5 in San Diego. It sounds like yours started close to the same time. And I remember WhatHappend saying (on multiple occasions -- he's so patient ;) ) that one cause of the lockup problem has to do with new HD channels added at the end of the channel lineup. So my experience fits the theory.

I observed an interesting thing the other night. I recently purchased a Sony KDL-46Z4100 TV which has built in TV Guide Version 09.01.54. I am in San Diego and ABC was broadcasting ESPN HD feed of the Monday Night Football Chargers vs. Jets game instead of the normal programming. The listings on my Sony DVR were incorrectly showing the normal programming (News, TMZ, etc), but the TV Guide listings on my new TV correctly listed Monday Night Football. It is interesting that guide data is different between Version 08.xx and Version 09.xx guide data? It seems Gemstar would send all the same guide data for a specific market. Both DVR and TV are mapped to the same zip code and channel line-up. Perhaps the new version just downloads updates more frequently and the game was added during a later update.
Perhaps your tv is getting its TVGOS from a digital host while the dvr is analog? Hope you could check this out and let us know.
Michael

Perhaps your tv is getting its TVGOS from a digital host while the dvr is analog? Hope you could check this out and let us know.
Michael

They do show different host channels. Ver 09 is showing 1:91-0 while Ver 08 is showing 1:0-8. Channel 8 is CBS analog. However channel 91 is just static so I am not sure if this is really my host channel.

One thing I found interesting with Ver 09, is that is has some additional information in the Diagnostics information. On the first screen it shows ATSC Slicer: Enabled. This is not shown on Ver 08. Ver 09 also includes an additional tab under Setup allows you to see when the next scheduled listing transmission is scheduled (9/25 at 2:31 AM).

I've found an anomaly in the current guide data. This, on two different units. The schedule of shows, in prime time, on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, and Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, shows CBS and NBC having the identical shows at the identical times. In fact they are the CBS shows. I repeat, this only happens on Tuesday and Wednesday, and only at the eight o'clock, nine o'clock, and ten o'clock times spots.

Has anyone else noticed this?Not happening here in Philly, at least not as of this morning.

Perhaps the new version just downloads updates more frequently and the game was added during a later update.The digital TVGOS updates appear to occur much more frequently and for all 8 days, so this theory is probably true.

I use mostly the clear QAM and analog channels coming over Time Warner's cable, and occasionally OTA ATSC. NO cable card.

On a separate note, I have tried the VBI test to see which stations are broadcasting VBI data. TWC's version of analog PBS (11) and analog CBS (8) both send VBI packets, but nothing yet on the CBS digital (8.1) via TWC or OTA, and of course nothing on digital PBS OTA (15.1). So for now, San Diego doesn't seem to be digital TVGOS...yet.

Here is the bad news:
http://hdtv.forsandiego.com/messages/77/6820.html?1218600283
Looks like we in San Diego are out of luck.

Perhaps flooding KFMB with emails and calls will cause a change of mind. I have 3 devices with TVGOS the 250 being one of them.
If KFMB management is appraised of the problem, perhaps they will change their mind.

Meanwhile we continue to receive TVGOS over the TWC analog cable channels. But if TWC goes all digital, we are SOL

Here is the bad news:
http://hdtv.forsandiego.com/messages/77/6820.html?1218600283
Looks like we in San Diego are out of luck.


I was about to make the same post, but you beat me to it. I think I'll be fine, since the Sony DVRs should still be able to get their time from the remaining analog stations (XETV), which is all they need to do manual recordings. XETV may also continue the analog TVGOS service, but I don't know. KCBS-DT is an option too, but will suffer from cochannel interference on channel 43 after the switch over date. There are two other local stations broadcasting on channel 43.

My 250 is experiencing the freeze while recording issue. My 500, just next to it, is not.

When I get the chance I will need to try the unfreeze procedure.

Still I wonder, if the cause of the freeze is supposed to be changed channel data, why is one effected and not the other when both are feeding off the same cable?

My 250 is experiencing the freeze while recording issue. My 500, just next to it, is not.

When I get the chance I will need to try the unfreeze procedure.

Still I wonder, if the cause of the freeze is supposed to be changed channel data, why is one effected and not the other when both are feeding off the same cable?

Not strange at all if they have different host channels. I have had two SONYs in the house at the same time and both had different host channels and quite a few others have reported this as well.

For me with OTA and Cable, I might have 10-12 host channels available depending on the atmosphere skip at night. When the analogs get shut off I should be down to 3 CBS digital feeds with in 70 mile radius and 2 rebroadcasted on cable (5 total). Using http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

I had this exact same problem with my HDD250 starting maybe a month or two ago. (I had previously had the infamous "lockup" problem a couple years ago but it managed to heal itself within a few weeks.) This time it persisted, which led me to this thread. After reading until my eyeballs bled, I found the various fixes offered by HoustonPerson and WhatHappend, and I ended up trying WH's method about 2 weeks ago. Worked like a charm. :D You can get it from spiff's FAQ. I didn't lose any existing recordings, but had to give it a couple days to get the channel lineup and TVG listings repopulated. If I were you I wouldn't even hesitate to try this -- it's no big deal.

I use mostly the clear QAM and analog channels coming over Time Warner's cable, and occasionally OTA ATSC. NO cable card.

On a separate note, I have tried the VBI test to see which stations are broadcasting VBI data. TWC's version of analog PBS (11) and analog CBS (8) both send VBI packets, but nothing yet on the CBS digital (8.1) via TWC or OTA, and of course nothing on digital PBS OTA (15.1). So for now, San Diego doesn't seem to be digital TVGOS...yet.

I am also in San Diego with TWC (no cablecard) and have also been experiencing intermittent lockups over the past couple months. I usually just ride it out until the scheduled listing is over, then the unit is un-freezes. I have also noticed the clock usually freezes (showing the time the scheduled listing started).

The last time I checked (late June) my host channel was analog PBS (11). Just last night when I checked it was analog CBS (8). I wonder if the change in host channels was the cause of us in San Diego having problems with the lockups. My home is near Seattle, but am in San Diego until December. I have never had problems with lockups until using my DVR down here. I am going to try Spiff's "Lockup Problem Resolution" this evening. Maybe this works because it resets the host channel.

Maybe this works because it resets the host channel. No, that is not why it works..... I clears the corrupt listings and channel lineups. Yes a change of host channel will increase your chances significantly of getting corrupted data.

Different host channels in my area send out different set of channels and listings for some of those channels.

ST Rich, did you ever get your guide back? And what did you end up doing?
Michael

Here is the bad news:
http://hdtv.forsandiego.com/messages/77/6820.html?1218600283
Looks like we in San Diego are out of luck.Puzzle me this... digital TVGOS enabled devices are still being sold, even as we post. Without a digital station broadcasting TVGOS data in every major market (clearly San Diego is a major market), how can they be expected to work? (e.g. even if a consumer bought his TVGOS-enabled device in Chicago, if he moves to SD, shouldn't he expect it to continue to work?) Now if the newest TVGOS-enabled devices still support the analog VBI method, I suppose the TJ station is intended to be the definitive answer (but surely it will also go silent eventually, right?)

Puzzle me this... digital TVGOS enabled devices are still being sold, even as we post. Without a digital station broadcasting TVGOS data in every major market (clearly San Diego is a major market), how can they be expected to work? (e.g. even if a consumer bought his TVGOS-enabled device in Chicago, if he moves to SD, shouldn't he expect it to continue to work?) Now if the newest TVGOS-enabled devices still support the analog VBI method, I suppose the TJ station is intended to be the definitive answer (but surely it will also go silent eventually, right?)

National CBS roll out is Gemstar's first choice. Just like PBS was before. In areas where they can't come to terms with the CBS station, I am sure they will negotiate with the other networks. I don't see this as any different then MSPL having TVGOS data on multiple networks now. Gemstar probably received a better deal from another network in San Diego.

I can confirm that the Milwaukee CBS affiliate (WDJT 58.1) has added the TV guide information to its digital stream. I set up the guide test last night, saw VBI packets being passed for the first time ever, left it turned on to 58.1, and had a complete guide today.

I was tipped off to this by a moderator on our local HD forum, milwaukeehdtv.org (http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6574), who got the info from the station's general manager.

This is good news. :)

Scott

I can confirm that the Milwaukee CBS affiliate (WDJT 58.1) has added the TV guide information to its digital stream. I set up the guide test last night, saw VBI packets being passed for the first time ever, left it turned on to 58.1, and had a complete guide today.

I was tipped off to this by a moderator on our local HD forum, milwaukeehdtv.org (http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6574), who got the info from the station's general manager.

This is good news. :)

Scott
Scott, What software version do you have on your unit. Mine is 1.2.05. I have tried to force a host change to digital here in Atlanta where I live, but without success. i may just be too close to the analog and its just defaulting back or it might be the software version. Some others have been able to get their units to the digital host. they have version 1.2.13, and live farther from the stations.
Thanks,
Michael

Scott, What software version do you have on your unit. Mine is 1.2.05. I have tried to force a host change to digital here in Atlanta where I live, but without success. i may just be too close to the analog and its just defaulting back or it might be the software version. Some others have been able to get their units to the digital host. they have version 1.2.13, and live farther from the stations.
Thanks,
MichaelI'm pretty sure the Sony firmware version is not relevant to digital TVGOS hosts. If your TVGOS downloaded firmware version (the second one listed on the first 753859152 screen, following the 8.01.42) is 8.06.44 it should be able to set a digital host - however, as you've noted, the unit prefers to go to an analog host, and reverts to the analog host anywhere from immediately to perhaps several weeks. It always seems to go back, and the force digital host procedure works about 50% of the time for me, even when I've gone through the ritual of changing the station and then changing back to the CBS host before the Search VBI Current Channel initiation.

Scott, What software version do you have on your unit. Mine is 1.2.05. I have tried to force a host change to digital here in Atlanta where I live, but without success. i may just be too close to the analog and its just defaulting back or it might be the software version. Some others have been able to get their units to the digital host. they have version 1.2.13, and live farther from the stations.
Thanks,
MichaelI have 1.2.13.

My host channel is still set to the local analog station. I don't want to force it to the digital station yet.

Scott

Scott, What software version do you have on your unit. Mine is 1.2.05. I have tried to force a host change to digital here in Atlanta where I live, but without success. i may just be too close to the analog and its just defaulting back or it might be the software version. Some others have been able to get their units to the digital host. they have version 1.2.13, and live farther from the stations.
Michael
I can't remember whether you've done the "G-test/unit-on-overnight" before...if not, you might want to do this just to confirm you get the 8th day of listings from the digital station...

I can confirm that the Milwaukee CBS affiliate (WDJT 58.1) has added the TV guide information to its digital stream. I set up the guide test last night, saw VBI packets being passed for the first time ever, left it turned on to 58.1, and had a complete guide today.
Scott

I've updated the post with the list and links for digital stations carrying TVGOS data to include WDJT here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14362176#post14362176

The short version is:
Albany WRGB 6.1
Atlanta WGCL 46.1
Austin KEYE 42.1
Baltimore WJZ 13.1
Boston WBZ 4.1
Chicago WBBM 2.1
Columbus WBNS 10.1
Denver KCNC 4.1
Houston KHOU 11.1
Los Angeles KCBS 2.1
Milwaukee WDJT 58.1
Minneapolis WCCO 4.1
Philadelphia KYW 3.1
Portland, OR KOIN 6.1
San Francisco KPIX 5.1

(I'm sure I've missed one or two that are known via testing or station staff to carry TVGOS data.)

A very good resource and perhaps a bit more complete and up to date for Digital Channels passing TVGOS data, although not exhaustive can be found at:

http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=tvgos

Scott, What software version do you have on your unit. Mine is 1.2.05. I have tried to force a host change to digital here in Atlanta where I live, but without success. i may just be too close to the analog and its just defaulting back or it might be the software version. Some others have been able to get their units to the digital host. they have version 1.2.13, and live farther from the stations.
Thanks,
Michael

I have 1.2.05 and forced the host channel to cable digital 189 (CBS) Comcast Chicago several weeks ago. It has stuck, even though cable analog 94 (PBS) and OTA analog 2 (CBS) are available.

A very good resource and perhaps a bit more complete and up to date for Digital Channels passing TVGOS data, although not exhaustive can be found at:

http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=tvgos
So I guess the red x means that that particular CBS is not broadcasting the TVGOS yet? We are still getting our TVGOS via PBS here.

I've updated the post with the list and links for digital stations carrying TVGOS data to include WDJT here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14362176#post14362176

The short version is:
Albany WRGB 6.1
Atlanta WGCL 46.1
Austin KEYE 42.1
Baltimore WJZ 13.1
Boston WBZ 4.1
Chicago WBBM 2.1
Columbus WBNS 10.1
Denver KCNC 4.1
Houston KHOU 11.1
Los Angeles KCBS 2.1
Milwaukee WDJT 58.1
Minneapolis WCCO 4.1
Philadelphia KYW 3.1
Portland, OR KOIN 6.1
San Francisco KPIX 5.1

(I'm sure I've missed one or two that are known via testing or station staff to carry TVGOS data.)


New Orleans CBS affiliate WWL-DT 4.1 is carrying TVGOS data. I confirmed this by doing the "G-test/unit-on-overnight" procedure a couple of months ago. :D

Forgive me if this question has already been answered, but searching 209 pages can be mind boggling.

Is there any benefit to forcing the Host Channel to a Digital Host Channel for TVGOS data at this current date?

I receive only OTA in San Francisco Bay Area.

Forgive me if this question has already been answered, but searching 209 pages can be mind boggling.

Is there any benefit to forcing the Host Channel to a Digital Host Channel for TVGOS data at this current date?

I receive only OTA in San Francisco Bay Area.
NO....
Most do it for piece of mind that the SONY will function after the analog cutoff.

Forgive me if this question has already been answered, but searching 209 pages can be mind boggling.

Is there any benefit to forcing the Host Channel to a Digital Host Channel for TVGOS data at this current date?

I receive only OTA in San Francisco Bay Area.

The pure joy of overcoming a technical challenge...
Peace of mind that your DVR will be more than a doorstop after DTV day...
The feeling of superiority over those schmuks who haven't...

No, not really...

NO....
Most do it for piece of mind that the SONY will function after the analog cutoff.

The pure joy of overcoming a technical challenge...
Peace of mind that your DVR will be more than a doorstop after DTV day...
The feeling of superiority over those schmuks who haven't...

No, not really...

Thanks.

Well, if that is the case, then I will wait until a couple of weeks before the shutdown of analog. My unit is working fine and I am not in the mood to spend hours fixing it if I screw up something trying to switch to a digital host channel.

Thanks.
Well, if that is the case, then I will wait until a couple of weeks before the shutdown of analog. My unit is working fine and I am not in the mood to spend hours fixing it if I screw up something trying to switch to a digital host channel.
good choice, since others (such as me) have verified we CAN get the digital TVGOS if we want from kpix. I've continued to rely on analog for the time being, since it's been working fine with my Sony. (I wish I could say the same for my 3410a, but there I don't have the choice of trying for digital.)

good choice, since others (such as me) have verified we CAN get the digital TVGOS if we want from kpix. I've continued to rely on analog for the time being, since it's been working fine with my Sony. (I wish I could say the same for my 3410a, but there I don't have the choice of trying for digital.)

Agreed - no real reason to fuss with it now - though mine has been working with digital host solidly for a couple months now.

The pure joy of overcoming a technical challenge...
Peace of mind that your DVR will be more than a doorstop after DTV day...
The feeling of superiority over those schmuks who haven't...

No, not really...

The majority of us are content to let you schmuks that have so much expendable time do these experiments for us :) If yours works, so will mine...and I didn't spend hours arguing with a pile of boards and wires, trying to convince it to override its own program.

SCHMUKS!!!!

:D

Hey anyone with FIOS know how long it takes for TVGOS to get up to speed with the new channel reorg/lineup? It's been over a week here I'm in DC metro area TIA!

The majority of us are content to let you schmuks that have so much expendable time do these experiments for us :) If yours works, so will mine...and I didn't spend hours arguing with a pile of boards and wires, trying to convince it to override its own program.

SCHMUKS!!!!

:D
Schmuks( not sure who these are) or did you mean schmucks? If the later, not sure who these are either, but with out those willing to take the time and experiment with their machines and share, this forum and others like this would not exist. And a lot of people would be throwing away a good machine.
Michael
Just want to say thank you to all who have taken the time and effort to help out others who may have just thrown up their hands when these machines acted up. If this information was not out here, then you would have only two choices: doorstop, or spend money sending it in each time it acted up. I for one am glad I found this forum with all the helpful advice and resource guide. Good going!

Schmuks( not sure who these are) or did you mean schmucks? If the later, not sure who these are either, but with out those willing to take the time and experiment with their machines and share, this forum and others like this would not exist. And a lot of people would be throwing away a good machine.
Michael
Just want to say thank you to all who have taken the time and effort to help out others who may have just thrown up their hands when these machines acted up. If this information was not out here, then you would have only two choices: doorstop, or spend money sending it in each time it acted up. I for one am glad I found this forum with all the helpful advice and resource guide. Good going!

I was using the same spelling as the poster I quoted. That was part of the reason I repeated the word at the end of my post in caps....because it's not a word and it struck me as funny.

And just in case you wondered (hard to tell on forums), my post was entirely in jest. I wasn't disparaging people who experiment. I was simply saying that for me, I'd rather just wait until 02/09 and see if my unit works after they flip the magic switch. If not, I'll go another route, but until then I'm satisfied that others have gotten theirs to work and figure that unless Sony scrimped on my unit, it'll work as others have.

I have been trying to review all the info related to upgrading the single 250 drive to the dual 250 drive configuration and am hopelessly lost in the sheer volume of info.

I have both a 250 and a 500 open on the table. (Old 500, new 250). Being a retired computer programmer/sometimes tech, I had no trouble switching the second drive in the old unit to the second drive in the new unit since all parts needed for the switch were already present in the old unit.

Neither HDD will come up and get past the error code that comes up. Has anyone figured out if this switch or upgrade is possible? (All drives in both units were set to cable select by the way and still are.) If anyone knows where information on doing this is, I would certainly appreciate someone pointing me to it.

I was using the same spelling as the poster I quoted. That was part of the reason I repeated the word at the end of my post in caps....because it's not a word and it struck me as funny.

And just in case you wondered (hard to tell on forums), my post was entirely in jest. I wasn't disparaging people who experiment. I was simply saying that for me, I'd rather just wait until 02/09 and see if my unit works after they flip the magic switch. If not, I'll go another route, but until then I'm satisfied that others have gotten theirs to work and figure that unless Sony scrimped on my unit, it'll work as others have.

I guess I missed that post the first time around, did find it after looking a little closer. Schmuks must be a family name.

And, I thought as much, since most all of us are rather civil with a bit of sarcasm for fun. Just thought the spelling odd until I looked it up. It is a family name. Plus, it gave me an excuse to give due thanks to those who deserve it.
Michael

I have been trying to review all the info related to upgrading the single 250 drive to the dual 250 drive configuration and am hopelessly lost in the sheer volume of info.

I have both a 250 and a 500 open on the table. (Old 500, new 250). Being a retired computer programmer/sometimes tech, I had no trouble switching the second drive in the old unit to the second drive in the new unit since all parts needed for the switch were already present in the old unit.

Neither HDD will come up and get past the error code that comes up. Has anyone figured out if this switch or upgrade is possible? (All drives in both units were set to cable select by the way and still are.) If anyone knows where information on doing this is, I would certainly appreciate someone pointing me to it. Best I remember from this thread, I do not think anyone got past where you are with swapping/adding drives. Wish I had something more postive to add. Good luck and let us know if you figure this out.
Michael

Best I remember from this thread, I do not think anyone got past where you are with swapping/adding drives. Wish I had something more postive to add. Good luck and let us know if you figure this out.
Michael
Thanks Michael, you just saved me a TREMENDOUS amount of time.
n75239

I have been trying to review all the info related to upgrading the single 250 drive to the dual 250 drive configuration and am hopelessly lost in the sheer volume of info.

I have both a 250 and a 500 open on the table. (Old 500, new 250). Being a retired computer programmer/sometimes tech, I had no trouble switching the second drive in the old unit to the second drive in the new unit since all parts needed for the switch were already present in the old unit.

Neither HDD will come up and get past the error code that comes up. Has anyone figured out if this switch or upgrade is possible? (All drives in both units were set to cable select by the way and still are.) If anyone knows where information on doing this is, I would certainly appreciate someone pointing me to it.

I know that a number of people have tried this, none with any success. It seems that the drive(s) must be "blessed" somehow by Sony, and matched to a specific DHG-HDDxxx unit. Some have tried copying the drive's entire contents to a new drive of the same type, and that still wouldn't work. If you come up with the solution you will definitely win "the prize" and you will become famous and highly respected within this thread. ;)

I have been trying to review all the info related to upgrading the single 250 drive to the dual 250 drive configuration ... If anyone knows where information on doing this is, I would certainly appreciate someone pointing me to it.This has been discussed at great length over the past two years, and the conclusion is: cannot be done. The drives are "married" to the firmware in each unit, and will not work in another unit. Nor will virgin drives work for the same reason.

And just in case you wondered (hard to tell on forums), my post was entirely in jest.

As was my post answering the question of whether there was any reason to force the use of a digital host channel now. (sorry if my typo missing the 'c' confused rather than amused you)

^^

It was pure amusement on my part!

Two weeks in a row, my 500 has dropped NCIS from the recording list. It was there on Monday afternoon, when I last checked, but completely disappeared sometime before Tuesday... At least I remembered to set a manual recording backup.

I'm interested in selling my DHG-500 and my DHG-250. I have owned them both since new, no problems other than the usual TVGOS teething problems. They both are currently operating perfectly and load guide data no problem. They are both heavily loaded with "The Office" and "30 Rock" episodes, obviously they can be deleted, but if you like the office, here it is in HD, about three years worth.

Do you guys know what these units are going for right now, I couldn't find any on Ebay. Any interested party can pm here. Both units have all original paperwok and boxes, the 250 has a 5 year warranty as well.

Mods...if this is an improper post please let me know or delete as neccesarry. I figured this was the best place to post it, sorry if I'm breaking rules.

Has anyone else noticed that the HD logos are no longer present in the listings? Has TVGOS dropped this feature?

Has anyone else noticed that the HD logos are no longer present in the listings? Has TVGOS dropped this feature?

As of right now, I still have the HD logos on the PBS HD channel and the CW HD
channel through next week. But they seem to be gone from the major national
networks.

I'm interested in selling my DHG-500 and my DHG-250. I have owned them both since new, no problems other than the usual TVGOS teething problems. They both are currently operating perfectly and load guide data no problem. They are both heavily loaded with "The Office" and "30 Rock" episodes, obviously they can be deleted, but if you like the office, here it is in HD, about three years worth.

Do you guys know what these units are going for right now, I couldn't find any on Ebay. Any interested party can pm here. Both units have all original paperwok and boxes, the 250 has a 5 year warranty as well.

Mods...if this is an improper post please let me know or delete as neccesarry. I figured this was the best place to post it, sorry if I'm breaking rules.

They're going for whatever you're selling at I suppose :) There's really nothing to compare to.

PM me when you decide on prices.

I'm interested in selling my DHG-500 and my DHG-250. I have owned them both since new, no problems other than the usual TVGOS teething problems. They both are currently operating perfectly and load guide data no problem. They are both heavily loaded with "The Office" and "30 Rock" episodes, obviously they can be deleted, but if you like the office, here it is in HD, about three years worth.

Do you guys know what these units are going for right now, I couldn't find any on Ebay. Any interested party can pm here. Both units have all original paperwok and boxes, the 250 has a 5 year warranty as well.

Mods...if this is an improper post please let me know or delete as neccesarry. I figured this was the best place to post it, sorry if I'm breaking rules.

There are plenty of people on this thread who love their DHG's so I'm sure you will easily find buyers. Why are you selling them? Are you replacing them with something else like HTPCs?

There are plenty of people on this thread who love their DHG's so I'm sure you will easily find buyers. Why are you selling them? Are you replacing them with something else like HTPCs?

I'm finally getting high def cable in my area, so I'll be switching to the cable DVR from comcrap....I also have a third DHG 500 that I'll keep for OTA recording. I do love these boxes, but lately I'm really only using one of them and I want to raise some cash to buy a Pioneer SC-07.

I was discussing price with another member yesterday, I initially said 600 and 400, but he said that was a bit high. I'm thinking now to list them both for 900 for the pair, thinking I wont go below 800 for the pair. What do you guys think, is that fair? I didn't buy these at the end of the run at the great prices that were around. Unfortunately I bought them fairly early and have around 1,400 into them.

This may be a TV issue on my end, but does anyone else have much lower volume from their Sony than they do "live" TV?

If I watch TV (coax input on TV), a comfortable volume on my set is about 20. When routing through the Sony I have to jack the volume to 50 or more.

Again, it may be how my TV handles audio on the aux inputs, just wondered if anyone else noticed this.

Back when I had my older, tube, TV, I only ran the sound from the Sony into my receiver, and yes, I noticed that I had to set the volume knob higher for it. Since I got the flat panel set and use HDMI, the volume on the TV is the same whether from DVR or OTA. But, when I switch to surround-sound through receiver using RCA audio inputs, I do have to adjust the volume.

I'm finally getting high def cable in my area, so I'll be switching to the cable DVR from comcrap....I also have a third DHG 500 that I'll keep for OTA recording.

You might want to use the cable DVR for a month and see if you like it. I have a cable company 2 tuner DVR from made by PACE and it sucks (compared to the SONYs). I have a cable card in the DHG and it can record all the same channels and the video is better (the cable DVR will have pixelation at times.) The only advantage to the cable DVR is VOD.

I think adding a cable card in two of your SONY's for 1.99/month each would work a lot better and be cheaper per month (my cable company charges multiple fees for the DVR boxes: DVR fee, Digital access fee (guide, VOD)).

The cable card in the PACE DVR (Motorola M Card) will lock up frequently, the DVR will lose its HDMI port connection, the VOD will stop. All these occasions require box reboots and up to a full day to get all the guide data back (usually a few hours get most data back). The commercial skipping is brutal, sometimes you FF through a long commercial and hit play it goes back to the original start of the FF operation. They only have a 30 second skip if you look up codes on the internet. The skip is so slow to start video playback after pressing it compared to the SONY. It will record shows that you can't watch or after a reboot a lot of your recorded shows may become unwatchable.

I was discussing price with another member yesterday, I initially said 600 and 400, but he said that was a bit high. I'm thinking now to list them both for 900 for the pair, thinking I wont go below 800 for the pair. What do you guys think, is that fair? ... I bought them fairly early and have around 1,400 into them.While I appreciate that earlier buyers have put a lot of $ into these machines, consider that they are warrantyless (I presume), and the hard drives are not immortal. I would not offer more than 300 and 200 for old machines. Just my tupence.

You might want to use the cable DVR for a month and see if you like it. I have a cable company 2 tuner DVR from made by PACE and it sucks (compared to the SONYs). I have a cable card in the DHG and it can record all the same channels and the video is better (the cable DVR will have pixelation at times.) The only advantage to the cable DVR is VOD.

I think adding a cable card in two of your SONY's for 1.99/month each would work a lot better and be cheaper per month (my cable company charges multiple fees for the DVR boxes: DVR fee, Digital access fee (guide, VOD)).

The cable card in the PACE DVR (Motorola M Card) will lock up frequently, the DVR will lose its HDMI port connection, the VOD will stop. All these occasions require box reboots and up to a full day to get all the guide data back (usually a few hours get most data back). The commercial skipping is brutal, sometimes you FF through a long commercial and hit play it goes back to the original start of the FF operation. They only have a 30 second skip if you look up codes on the internet. The skip is so slow to start video playback after pressing it compared to the SONY. It will record shows that you can't watch or after a reboot a lot of your recorded shows may become unwatchable.

I agree, I'm not looking forward to whatever box Comcrap is using, I'm sure it will be a step down in quality. At the numbers that I'm being offered, see above, there is NO WAY I would even sell them. Considering the options that are out there, and what it would cost to replace them in the TIVO line, I'm better off just keeping them.

With regard to the cablecards.....Don't these boxes have huge problems with the cable cards. I've never used them for anything other than basic coaxial cable and OTA but I seem to recall lots of issues with the cable cards. Did you have these problems? What FW version are you running?

While I appreciate that earlier buyers have put a lot of $ into these machines, consider that they are warrantyless (I presume), and the hard drives are not immortal. I would not offer more than 300 and 200 for old machines. Just my tupence.

Understood, I'm not big on buying used myself, but when the available options are considered, the price of these boxes seems reasonable. I've come down to 750 for the pair if anyone is interested, otherwise I'll keep them and try them with the cable cards.

I agree, I'm not looking forward to whatever box Comcrap is using, I'm sure it will be a step down in quality. At the numbers that I'm being offered, see above, there is NO WAY I would even sell them. Considering the options that are out there, and what it would cost to replace them in the TIVO line, I'm better off just keeping them.

With regard to the cablecards.....Don't these boxes have huge problems with the cable cards. I've never used them for anything other than basic coaxial cable and OTA but I seem to recall lots of issues with the cable cards. Did you have these problems? What FW version are you running?

I had the earliest FW 1.02.05 and never had the cable card issue. My cable company uses Motorola cable cards. I have upgraded to the latest FW on the SONY and still no cable card issue.

The SA cable card seemed to be susceptible to the electrical cable card issue.

The cable company's own DVR has cable card issues like I said before. Now all cable boxes sold must use cable cards by FCC regulations, so cable companies are much better at authorizing the card then when the SONY was released.

The only issue with the SONY is if your cable company is using switched digital video. Then the only after market DVR that would work is TIVO with some USB adapter (I don't even know if TIVO is sell it yet.)

I had the earliest FW 1.02.05 and never had the cable card issue. My cable company uses Motorola cable cards. I have upgraded to the latest FW on the SONY and still no cable card issue.

The SA cable card seemed to be susceptible to the electrical cable card issue.

The cable company's own DVR has cable card issues like I said before. Now all cable boxes sold must use cable cards by FCC regulations, so cable companies are much better at authorizing the card then when the SONY was released.

The only issue with the SONY is if your cable company is using switched digital video. Then the only after market DVR that would work is TIVO with some USB adapter (I don't even know if TIVO is sell it yet.)

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't realize that the Comcrap DVR was going to use a cable card as well.....I might as well have them install them in the DHG's and see how that goes.
If I cant sell them, at least you may have saved me some money renting the Comcrap boxes....Guess my SC-07 money will have to be found elsewhere.
Oh peter, where are you.....paul is calling!

This may be a TV issue on my end, but does anyone else have much lower volume from their Sony than they do "live" TV?

If I watch TV (coax input on TV), a comfortable volume on my set is about 20. When routing through the Sony I have to jack the volume to 50 or more.

Again, it may be how my TV handles audio on the aux inputs, just wondered if anyone else noticed this.

I, too, had to increase my TV's volume setting when watching a program recorded on my DHG, but not by as much as you have to, after switching from an HDMI connection to component cables for video and RCA cables for audio. Since the volume difference isn't drastic (and still very clean), I'm OK with it.

Please don't read this unless you have a lot of patience, I'm trying to learn this stuff as I go along. I have an HDTV that gets beautiful reception with an indoor antenna (I have no cable, etc.). I've hooked up a Sony HDD250 and the TVGOS works great. The problem is on the HD channels I get no picture and a no signal message. Well, on two HD channels I get a very choppy picture. I've taken advice to get a new antenna and to switch from HDMI to component cables. I've done both of those things and still no luck. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

What kind of reception do you get on analog channels?

The Sony has a much weaker tuner than most TV's (in my experience anyway). Channels that I get 95% or higher locks with my TV are sometimes marginal on the Sony and have periodic lock ups and freezes.

Hook the antenna directly to the TV and see if you get better results on digital channels than through the Sony. I'm betting it's just the difference in the Sony tuner's ability to pull in OK signals. I've found that if it's less than an 80% signal strength on the Sony's meter, it's not a reliable channel for me and I have to tweak my antenna settings.

I get great reception on the analog channels. I'll try your suggestion. Thanks for the help!

I have an HDTV that gets beautiful reception with an indoor antenna (I have no cable, etc.). I've hooked up a Sony HDD250 and the TVGOS works great. The problem is on the HD channels I get no picture and a no signal message. Well, on two HD channels I get a very choppy picture. I've taken advice to get a new antenna and to switch from HDMI to component cables. I've done both of those things and still no luck. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

IMHO the Sony is very poor at multi-path rejection. Even with a strong signal it will often break up unless you have a highly directional antenna to minimize multipath. I used to have this problem even though I'm only a few miles from the broadcast towers. My SXRD has never had this problem. The Fusion HDTV tuner card had this problem with early releases of their software but it went away with later versions. The only way I overcame it with my 250 was to get a very directional roof mounted antenna. Now it is almost as reliable as my other HDTV tuners.

I went back and hooked up the antenna to the Sony because I couldn't get anything the other way. So I'm back to only getting a weak signal on two HD channels and a no signal message on the other HD channels. The analog channels are beautiful, but I bought the Sony so I could record HD. I live in an apt. and the management won't allow any outside antenna. :confused:
Thanks for the help though.

I went back and hooked up the antenna to the Sony because I couldn't get anything the other way. So I'm back to only getting a weak signal on two HD channels and a no signal message on the other HD channels. The analog channels are beautiful, but I bought the Sony so I could record HD. I live in an apt. and the management won't allow any outside antenna. :confused:
Thanks for the help though.I assume you did a channel scan and it initially found some digital channels (how many did it report?) That is the only way you can receive digital channels, you can't simply tune to, say 23.1, and expect to get anything, because the mapping from RF to PSIP channel number has not been made. Assuming you did a channel scan and it reported some number of digital channels, it would be very strange if you tuned to those channels and it said "no signal", because it would have had to get a signal in the first place to report a digital channel during the scan. Please re-try the channel scan (making sure your antenna is hooked up to the Sony DHG), or try the "add digital channels" option. Then see if things are better.

My brother had this antenna in an apartment outdoors
http://www.amazon.com/Terk-Technology-TV-55-Outdoor-Amplified/dp/B00005T3A9/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1223420114&sr=1-7

He tie wrapped it to the balcony railing (horizontally) and put a green cloth (to match the railing) on the outside of the balcony so it couldn't be seen.

I did the setup again and didn't see the "add digital channels option". I had two choices: Austin (65) or No match

I picked the Austin one and I have a lot of digital channels again. Two HD channels blink back and forth with a still picture with the name of the program, etc. and then blinks to "No Listing". All the other HD channels have the "No Listing" message with no picture at all.
Thanks

I think you should read up on FCC regulations on landlords restricting antenna installation. FCC regs override your complex's rules.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

This isn't comprehensive, but gives a good idea of what is and is not enforceable by your management.

Thanks!

I went back and hooked up the antenna to the Sony because I couldn't get anything the other way. So I'm back to only getting a weak signal on two HD channels and a no signal message on the other HD channels. The analog channels are beautiful, but I bought the Sony so I could record HD. I live in an apt. and the management won't allow any outside antenna. :confused:
Thanks for the help though.
I'm wondering...how far are you from the antennas? Some people who get a good analog PQ and have problems with digital are overdriving the digital tuner...I've see this happen a lot in the forums here. Do you have a way of attenuating the signal by a factor of 2 or something like that? (A splitter that costs a few dollars from radioshack would be ok for testing this - and you can send the other branch directly to your TV...of course maybe you've already done this, because this is the setup you would want so you can watch one program while you're recording another...)

- also the "choices" you mention are in the TV Guide menu, NOT in the channel scan menu, I believe...

I did the setup again and didn't see the "add digital channels option". I had two choices: Austin (65) or No match

I picked the Austin one and I have a lot of digital channels again. Two HD channels blink back and forth with a still picture with the name of the program, etc. and then blinks to "No Listing". All the other HD channels have the "No Listing" message with no picture at all.
ThanksPlease FORGET the TVGOS stuff - you need to go into the main menu (press MENU), go to Preferences, then go to CH +/- List, then to Auto Scan. Before you do anything with TVGOS, you need to get your Sony scanned so it can tune your local digital channels!!! If you don't do this FIRST, nothing is going to work right. The TVGOS setup comes later after the Sony knows the full set of digital channels it can receive!

I went back and hooked up the antenna to the Sony because I couldn't get anything the other way. So I'm back to only getting a weak signal on two HD channels and a no signal message on the other HD channels. The analog channels are beautiful, but I bought the Sony so I could record HD. I live in an apt. and the management won't allow any outside antenna. :confused:
Thanks for the help though.
Depending on your distance to the stations, you should be able to get a least some of the digitals without any problem. If you are getting digital stations on your other set, then you either did not do the setup correctly or you perhaps used the cable input instead of the antenna input. Do you have the manual that goes with the unit? It sounds like you may have done either or both of the above from what I gather according to you other post (Originally Posted by Blue Bell
I did the setup again and didn't see the "add digital channels option". I had two choices: Austin (65) or No match) This usually indicates that you have done a cable scan and not an antenna scan. At least that is the case from my experience with these machines. I have set up several in different areas of the state here, and have hever seen multiple choices for an antenna. Perhaps it is different elsewhere, but I think not, as I seem to recall in the manual it only talked about choices in regard to cable, not OTA.
Michael

I went through menu and did the auto scan again. I'm in worse shape. It says 10 analog channels found and 2 digital channels. The two digital channels are not major networks. I'm pretty far from the towers, but the HDTV gets the best reception I've ever seen for digital or analog channels. I get all the channels I want if I'm just watching the TV. The DVR is the only problem and I re-checked the connections, etc. I guess the splitter idea is next? Thanks.:confused:

It certainly sounds like you are not getting the signal from your antenna to the Sony. You've double(triple/quadruple) checked that the antenna is NOT hooked up to the cable input , but to antenna input (note: both coax connectors are INPUTS to the unit).

I went through menu and did the auto scan again. I'm in worse shape. It says 10 analog channels found and 2 digital channels. The two digital channels are not major networks. I'm pretty far from the towers, but the HDTV gets the best reception I've ever seen for digital or analog channels. I get all the channels I want if I'm just watching the TV. The DVR is the only problem and I re-checked the connections, etc. I guess the splitter idea is next? Thanks.:confused:Ok, if you watch one of the 10 analog channels on the Sony, is it much worse (i.e. snowy) than if you watch the same analog channel on the HDTV? If so, you ALMOST CERTAINLY have an antenna cabling problem - if you're simply moving the antenna cable from the HDTV to the Sony (i.e. same cable), is it a push-on coax connector or a threaded connector? If threaded, are you sure you've threaded it completely onto the Sony's ANTENNA IN connector (not the CABLE IN connector)? If push-on, make sure it's seated in as far as it will go. If neither of these solutions works, look at the little wire or pin in the center of the cable's connector - it should stick out slightly beyond the end of the connector - if it's recessed back in there, it's possibly making contact with your HDTV's connector, but not the Sony's; if so, try replacing the cable with a quality RG-6U cable with threaded connectors whose center pin or wire extends perhaps 1/16" to 1/8" beyond the end of the connector on both ends.

What you are experiencing is almost certainly resulting from an incomplete connection between antenna and the Sony. You will get a little signal across even a bad connection due to capacitive coupling, but not enough to get good digital reception.

If, on the other hand, all your analog stations look pretty much the same on your Sony as they look on your HDTV, I agree that the signals must either be very marginal (which would show up as snowy pictures on the UHF analog channels too) or too strong and overloading the tuner (which would show up as very strong clear UHF analog station pictures.)

If you do replace or reseat the antenna cable and find that reception is much inproved, don't forget to then re-do the channel scan to pick up your network digital channels.

I went through menu and did the auto scan again. I'm in worse shape. It says 10 analog channels found and 2 digital channels. The two digital channels are not major networks. I'm pretty far from the towers, but the HDTV gets the best reception I've ever seen for digital or analog channels. I get all the channels I want if I'm just watching the TV. The DVR is the only problem and I re-checked the connections, etc. I guess the splitter idea is next? Thanks.:confused:

How old is your HDTV? What kind of signal strength and s/n are you getting on your HD channels with it?
Michael

OK, I've checked a few more times to make sure I'm not crazy. Yes, the antenna cable is connected to "Ant In" and not "Cable In". It's a push-in type connector and it is definitely pushed in. The HDTV is only a few months old, the analog and digital reception is great. On the Sony I get a gorgeous analog picture on all of the analog channels I get. So if I understand correctly, I should use new cabling and a splitter? Before my first post I had taken advice to switch from the HDMI to component cables. Should I go back to the HDMI? I've had the same problem going with either one. I appreciate all the patience and help. This is all new to me and I never dreamed I'd even attempt to do any of this.

OK, I've checked a few more times to make sure I'm not crazy. Yes, the antenna cable is connected to "Ant In" and not "Cable In". It's a push-in type connector and it is definitely pushed in. The HDTV is only a few months old, the analog and digital reception is great. On the Sony I get a gorgeous analog picture on all of the analog channels I get. So if I understand correctly, I should use new cabling and a splitter? Before my first post I had taken advice to switch from the HDMI to component cables. Should I go back to the HDMI? I've had the same problem going with either one. I appreciate all the patience and help. This is all new to me and I never dreamed I'd even attempt to do any of this.Well you've certainly got yourself a very odd situation, since digital programming is received via UHF channels too, and you say the analog UHF channels look beautiful. When you say you're not near the towers, how many miles does "not near" mean? You can try a splitter, but frankly with an indoor antenna, and if you're 10 miles or more from the transmitters, and with no evidence of overloading in the analog pictures, I can't believe it's a too-strong signal situation. Have you tried simply rotating your indoor antenna to point 90 degrees on either side of where it now points (I assume it's pointing toward the towers, so by rotating it, you'll effectively be reducing the signal strength) and repeating the scan that way?

It's all very strange - perhaps your Sony's digital tuner is defective? If you were in a marginal reception area, I'd expect the UHF analog channels to be received poorly too.

The HDMI vs. component issue is irrelevant. I'd use the HDMI if I had a preference, since it avoids the necessity to convert the video to analog and then back to digital, and in theory then would yield a slightly sharper picture; but some folks here have a preference for the component. That's something you can play with after you resolve this reception problem.

Any chance of taking the unit to someone's place who has cable (someone who gets some clear digital channels)? Just as a test you could connect the cable and do a channel scan to see if you get any HD/digital channels. That would rule out the tuner being an issue.

It is really weird. Normally If you get a good, or even marginal signal on analog, you'll have a perfect digital/HD picture. I get all of my local digitals and most of the corresponding analog stations are snowy as hell and unwatchable. Overload is the only thing that makes sense (aside from an equipment problem).

Also...and you may have said this already, but what kind of indoor antenna are you using? I'd hook some simple rabbit ears up to it and see if that makes a difference....would rule out overload for sure.

I would also try removing any splitter(s) completely from the system, and connect the antenna line directly into the antenna input on the DHG. Also, you indicated there is a push-on adapter on the antenna cable feeding the Sony. I would remove that also (at least while troubleshooting). Use the fewest connections possible to feed the signal from antenna to DHG, then DHG video out to TV. Then after it is working, add your other items (splitter, etc.) back in one at a time, while testing to be sure everything still works.

Very annoying thing happened late last night when I was trying to watch a recorded one-hour program ("Pushing Daisies", local ABC-HD channel via Comcast cable).

Part way into the program (during a commercial break) the recording suddenly stops as if I had pushed the Pause button on the remote (which I did not do). Pressing the Play button had no effect. All I could do was exit the playback and restart from the beginning. Trying to fast-forward past that point at any speed would not work; the playback still stopped, so there seems to be no way to jump past that point.

The Recording History shows a successful 1-hour recording, and the tracking bar also shows a full hour. There are no extraneous chapter marks except for Beginning and End.

I suspect that a spurious signal mimicking the Pause command got embedded in the file. I doubt this due to a bad disk sector, but won't rule that out. Or, it could be that the signal completely dropped out but the DHG kept recording nothing for the rest of the hour, but I doubt this for a couple of reasons: either the DHG should have stopped recording with a signal loss, or I would have seen the signal starting to go bad.

This has happened once or twice before in the three years I've owned my DHG250. Anyone else experience anything like this? Any ideas on how to fix it in this instance so I can finish watching the program?

One of my 500s has done this a few times lately. It freezes during playback, usually when I am trying to FF or RW. then the menu pops up.

Sometimes if I click left and the menu goes off I can then hit play or RW and it works ok again. Sometimes this freezing during playback seems to be related to the a new recording starting. So far it has been fixable by being patient.

OK, I've checked a few more times to make sure I'm not crazy. Yes, the antenna cable is connected to "Ant In" and not "Cable In". It's a push-in type connector and it is definitely pushed in. The HDTV is only a few months old, the analog and digital reception is great. On the Sony I get a gorgeous analog picture on all of the analog channels I get. So if I understand correctly, I should use new cabling and a splitter? Before my first post I had taken advice to switch from the HDMI to component cables. Should I go back to the HDMI? I've had the same problem going with either one. I appreciate all the patience and help. This is all new to me and I never dreamed I'd even attempt to do any of this.
This Sony unit, was it new in a box or did you buy it used?
Also, I agree that if you are getting great reception from the analogs, then you should not have any problem with the digitals. Have you checked what the signal strength is on the two digital stations you do get on the Sony and what you get from the tv? About all I can add is that you try a factory restore and start over. Can not hurt since you are not geting any digitals to speak of. Other than that, the only thing that could be wrong is a bad ATSC tuner. I still don't understand how or why you would be given a choice of "Austin (65) or no match" to choose from if you were doing only an antenna scan. Any one else ever had a choice when doing an antenna scan only? Please enlighten me. Thanks,
Michael