I noticed my ABC News recording looked grainy, SD-ish tonight. Investigating further I found that almost all the analog channels had been reset to ON in Channel Setup.

AND many of my scheduled recordings had been switched to the analog stations. On both machines.

I suggest everyone check their machines. It just doesn't seem that I could be that unlucky.

I don't have enough posts yet to post the URL, but Ken H has a sticky thread at the top of the HDTV Recorders form list about TVGOS intending to provide a solution. That was the "fix" I referred to.

Yes, using a digital source only (KCBS-HD ch. 2.1 in L.A.) I was able to replicate Frank70's procedure, only a LOT faster. :D But analog host took over AFTER I got to 08.06.44 to rebuild the channel list, etc. I'm OTA only.
yes, I'm aware of that fix, the one I hope for for the Sony...(there's another BIG fix that I hope will serve for my LG3410a)

I'm VERY glad to get confirmation, though, that one actually CAN get digitally to the digital-effective firmware from ground zero...that makes me much more confident that these units - even without the "fix" - can survive the February transition!!! Although my host, too, is analog PBS right now, I HAVE used the G* test/leave-unit-on method on my Sony to get a full 8 days of listings overnight from our local CBS digital station.

(Now, as I said, I'm keeping fingers crossed for my 3410a!)

Well this morning my sony greeted me with my channel list all mixed-up and additional channels turned on. I took a quick look around and found that my host has changed from 0-11 to 0-2. I reordered my channel list and everything seems to be fine.

For what it's worth....Same thing happened here - except I can't receive WBBM, so it's still on WTTW analog (OTA).

Ok, for the last week or so, the Guide was not filling in. As of yesterday, days 3-8 were "no listings". And the "host" had been blank for almost a week.

Last Night I attempted again to set the box to digital 11-1 CBS, and of course turned the unit off overnight and left it on 11-1.

This morning a new surprise: It was on 13-1 ABC - ok that was strange since I left it on 11-1?

Days 1,2,5, and 8 are now filled in correctly. ALL digital and analogues are set up in the tuner and of course out of order etc. This means re-ordering the Guide and deleting about 35 stations not wanted - thats ok I have a very fast routine for that. Anyway this is a "Complete New Guide" replacement.

The VBI is 13-1 ABC...........but that of course is not important. The Host is once again PBS 8-0; instead of "blank".

Signal Beats: Here on the far north side of Houston we get adjacent channel interference between 11-1 and 13-1 (RF’s 31 and 32), our digital CBS and ABC. This causes both picture and sound drop outs on “both” those channels – it may also explain why I am unable to lock in on 11-1 TV Guide Digital Downloads from CBS and also why my box locked into 13-1 for VBI packets instead of 11-1?

I "do" expect the CBS Digital downloads, and both channels to come in clear as a bell when their RF’s are re-assigned on February 17th. This is assuming Congress does not make Another Major Big Time Mistake!

ABC Problems: It’s pretty clear to me that ABC on both national level and our local level has got some big picture and sound problems. Inauguration Day was a perfect example. NBC and CBS both had razor sharp, crystal clear picture and sound. ABC was foggy, blurry, and muddy dull sound. I do know that ABC is working on this and it must be somehow related to the change over; attempting to get their ducks in a row? Less than 10% of the time can we get clear picture or sound from ABC digital? FOX is also 720p but 90% of the time they are excellent; particularly live sports. This not a Sony Box issue; because "all" the digital tuners in our house get the same bad ABC picture and sound for 13-1.

As others have reported, my channel list got scrambled yesterday, but there were a couple of interesting features.

I'm OTA-only, southeast of Greenville SC, and my TVGOS data includes stations in several other cities (about 200 channels altogether) including Columbia SC and Charlotte, most of whose stations I can also receive.

Before yesterday, my default channel lineup (after a TVGOS reset) had channel numbers filled in for about half of these 200 channels, and about half of those were actually turned on, based on (I think) whether the unit detected any signal coming in on those channel numbers. This meant that I had a lot of duplicate channel numbers, for example if there's a station in Greenville SC and Knoxville TN with the same channel number, both of them were turned on. So I had to turn off all of those "extra" channels. In addition, some stations that I do receive didn't have channel numbers filled in, and therefore weren't turned on. So I had to add the proper channel numbers to those, and turn them on. And then I had to wait another day for listings to start coming for those channels.

Yesterday, I saw that my lineup was different, so I went into the channel editor. The only stations that had channel numbers filled in were Greenville stations, and all of them were turned on. One Greenville station didn't have a channel number filled in, and was turned off. All of my "out of market" stations had no channel numbers, and were all turned off. So I turned off the analog channels, and added channel numbers to the "missing" channels and turned those on. To my surprise, the previously "missing" channels immediately had program listings. It seems that the old program lineup data was replaced, but not the old program listings.

So in my area at least, it looks like TVGOS has gotten smarter about which OTA channels to turn on for a particular location. Maybe it goes by the DMA that the ZIP code is contained in. Maybe I'll reset one of my two Sonys, enter a Charlotte ZIP code, and see what happens.

I'm still using the same host channel as before: analog WNTV-29 (PBS) in Greenville.

As others have reported, my channel list got scrambled yesterday,

Me too. Though I'm OTA only, there were 100's of channels all turned on - ones that are definately cable/sat only were shown as "AIR" as well. Strangely, PBS 17 (which has 5 subchannels) was missing 17.3 - not that we ever use it since its the PBS-Kids and we don't have any.

My Host is still 4.1 (CBS) and the software still shows the same version... now that I've reset my channel line up everything seems to be working as it did before.

As others have reported, my channel list got scrambled yesterday, but there were a couple of interesting features.

..................... see what happens.

I'm still using the same host channel as before: analog WNTV-29 (PBS) in Greenville.

Yes, I thought about posting greater detail above; but felt it was getting too heavy duty.

I think what is happening is the new full grid maps (layouts of the Guide) are being put out nation wide for the DTV change on Feb 17th. Hopefully the full analogue can be killed then and we all can be 100% digital.

Just hope Congress does not further screw things up again!

I have also had problems with my guide data over past few days in the Seattle area. I thought it was due to a "9012" format hard drive and factory reset I did on Monday, but after reading other responses it sounds like something to do with TVGOS. I started experiencing lockups/reboots a couple weeks ago. I pretty much went through and did any reset/restore default in the "9012" menu and did a format hard drive. I also upgraded firmware to 1.2.13. After doing this, I was getting the "No data for this screen" on the TV Guide listings for the past few days. Finally this morning I had guide information but it was only listing analog OTA channels. None of the OTA digital or cable channels were listed. Another odd thing was that after doing the reset and entering my zip code, it didn't ask for which cable provider I am using like it usually does. I'm not sure what is going on with it. I will give it another day and see what happens.

I have also had problems with my guide data over past few days in the Seattle area. I thought it was due to a "9012" format hard drive and factory reset I did on Monday, but after reading other responses it sounds like something to do with TVGOS. I started experiencing lockups/reboots a couple weeks ago. I pretty much went through and did any reset/restore default in the "9012" menu and did a format hard drive. I also upgraded firmware to 1.2.13. After doing this, I was getting the "No data for this screen" on the TV Guide listings for the past few days. Finally this morning I had guide information but it was only listing analog OTA channels. None of the OTA digital or cable channels were listed. Another odd thing was that after doing the reset and entering my zip code, it didn't ask for which cable provider I am using like it usually does. I'm not sure what is going on with it. I will give it another day and see what happens.

That is EXACTLY what has been happening in Chicago since November, including no choice of lineup and the wrong channels if you had any at all. Can you try a nearby zip code that may have a similar channel lineup?

It worked here. The first night, the host was analog PBS. The second night I "forced" it to digital CBS. All is working fine, except that the channel lineups are wrong.

The guy at TVGOS kept insisting that the Sony is not certified for digital use. But I explained that the analog transmission has the same problems. I just fired off another message to him this morning.

I discovered (a bit too late) that two of my Sony DVRs and my Panasonic DVR turned off many of their channels in the guide. I had scheduled recordings for these channels. On my Panasonic, it just disabled the recording. On my Sony, the scheduled recording was still active and it tried to do the recording, but on channel 1023 (which doesn't exist). This was how I noticed this.

I've always had problems with my TVGOS devices automatically turning on channels in the guide (even after I turned them off), but this is the first time a bunch of channels were automatically turned off. I had to go through and turn back on about 20 channels on two of my Sonys and my Panasonic. My other Sony is unaffected. The unaffected Sony uses KPBS-TV for the host channel, and the other three DVRs use KFMB-TV and KGTV-TV. I'll be keeping a closer eye on them and backing up all scheduled recordings with manual recordings.

My guide was messed up yesterday also, good thing I read about it here yesterday morning, so I was prepared. Lost my HD broadcast cable channels. The recording schedule was still there, but no ch. numbers. Had to go to setup, find them, turn 'em on, assign ch. no. and move to first page, eveything recorded fine last nite. This has happened before and will happen again. Didn't bother turning off the unwanted this time. Looks like my host is still the same. There must be more than a few guide users out there that are driven nuts when this happens. The next few weeks should be interesting.

In Seattle and using 7-1 Over The Air as my host channel. Only getting one day of guide information every day for the past week. Anyone else seeing this problem? Ran the G* test on 7-1. Getting packets and it is passing. I left the unit on for over 4 hours and I still get only the current day's programs.

I discovered (a bit too late) that two of my Sony DVRs and my Panasonic DVR turned off many of their channels in the guide. I had scheduled recordings for these channels. On my Panasonic, it just disabled the recording. On my Sony, the scheduled recording was still active and it tried to do the recording, but on channel 1023 (which doesn't exist). This was how I noticed this.


All of this happened to me also yesterday, including the 1023 channel number, which AFAIK has never happened before. Interesting this value is 1111111111 in binary, maybe the maxiumum value in the channel register? Same resolution of problem, all is well today so far...

Jim

On a side note, I received the new TWC SDV adapter box... only supposed to work with Tivo's... but will give it a go with the Sony... don't expect it to work however, as an active USB port on the Sony is involved in the installation equation...

In Seattle and using 7-1 Over The Air as my host channel. Only getting one day of guide information every day for the past week.

Maybe it is specific to Seattle. My guide is fully populated for the next 8 days even though the channel list was scrambled yesterday.

Just to update my previous post #13515.

All channels in the guide are still there. Listings show "No Listing" for everything. All blocks are 30 minutes ... during the Thanksgiving Guideout, I had blocks that varied from 30 to 60 to 90+ minutes.

I have no Host Channel and all eight days are empty. Clock is correct and I haven't had any spontaneous reboots. Firmware is 8.06.44.

I will follow frank70's advice and try Reading, PA for the zip ... however, I'm not sure how that will work with the cable channels (clearQAM only) ... I assume that Reading has most of the same channels that I have here in Media. I have an antenna connected to the Sony, but my host has always been the analog 12 for Comcast. OTA-12 comes in real bad on my set-up. OTA-3.1 is even worse.

frank70, if you're listening ... do I need to do a TVGOS Reset Factory Defaults (via 9012) before switching to Reading's zip code? Right now, all I've done is go to the set-up and changed the zip. I figure I'll get some change tomorrow morning and can go from there.

Thanks.

ft

frank70, if you're listening ... do I need to do a TVGOS Reset Factory Defaults (via 9012) before switching to Reading's zip code? Right now, all I've done is go to the set-up and changed the zip. I figure I'll get some change tomorrow morning and can go from there.I'm not sure - I did, because it is rumored that if you don't, it adds the listings from the new zipcode to the ones that were already there, whereas if you did the reset, you'd start from square one with new listings. In your case, since your listings are wiped anyway, it may not matter.

OK, thanks.

I don't think I'll mess with it tonight since I want BSG to record. If it doesn't take when I check tomorrow morning, I'll do the reset tomorrow night.

ft

Well, things are looking a bit grim. Although I was able to re-add the channels back to my guide, I'm no longer getting listings for them past next Wednesday. I think the remaining listings that I have on the 'lost' channels are from before last Wednesday when things went amok. One of my Sonys (using KPBS-TV host channel) is still getting listings for all channels past next Wednesday (truly unaffected by all of this). Is it possible to force a host channel when the unit already has a different host channel? I'd like to force all of mine to KPBS-TV, which still has proper listings.

It looks like at least two of the TVGOS host channels (KFMB, KGTV) in my area have turned off many OTA channels. This is much like jtbell reported from Greenville, except even some of the local channels are now gone too. I also watch and record mostly out of market stations, since the local ones are sub par.

EDIT: It turns out that my Sony that was using KFMB-TV as host channel has switch to XETV-TV. So it looks like KFMB-TV is no longer providing TVGOS, and XETV and KGTV are the sources of the new 'bad' TVGOS and KPBS is still OK.

As others have reported, my channel list got scrambled yesterday.
Yes mine were scrambled too. But I still have listings though.

In Seattle and using 7-1 Over The Air as my host channel. Only getting one day of guide information every day for the past week. Anyone else seeing this problem?

I now have listings for all but days 3 & 6. However my Host is showing blank. My usual host is analog PBS (KCTS 9) because the tuner in my Sony DVR has a hard time pulling in CBS digital (Kiro - OTA 7-1). The tuner in my new Sony TV can pull in 7-1. It has Version 9 TVGOS and uses 7-1 as the host (it actually shows 0-39...channel 39 is the frequency assignment for 7-1). However, by design the TV-Guide only has listings for the next 48 hours.

2 500's OTA only.
Both units reset from 0-11 to 0-2 even though 2-1 gets better VBI then 0-2 or 0-11
Listings for both were scrambled but I noticed that all the local stations I use were in the top 50 listings. Usually they get move all over and some end up at the bottom.
The only station that did not show in the listings was 3-1, which is same as 2-1, even though I can tune it in.
All the cable stations were turned off.
All 8 days were populated on both machines.
Guess we have to wait and see what they do next!

In Seattle and using 7-1 Over The Air as my host channel. Only getting one day of guide information every day for the past week. Anyone else seeing this problem?

I don't know what to think. My RDRs all have full listings. I have three DHGs. One shows "No Data Available." One shows a full eight days of listings. The third is showing only the next 24 hours, but does not appear to be update driven. At 10am I had listings to 10am Sunday. Now at 1pm I have listings to 1pm Sunday.

For the last unit I have tried G* updating first from 7.1 (KIRO OTA) over night then, this morning, cable card 90 (KCTS analog signal). No change. It's as if Gemstar is trying multiple solutions fairly rapidly.

At one point a few weeks back, I needed to select cable and OTA lineups from a menu, then wait for another update before any listings would show up. Before that and now, I am not asked to select lineups at all.

Any chance we will get a recap of this adventure from M8B after the dust has settled or is that information portal only forward looking?

snip...
EDIT: It turns out that my Sony that was using KFMB-TV as host channel has switch to XETV-TV. So it looks like KFMB-TV is no longer providing TVGOS, and XETV and KGTV are the sources of the new 'bad' TVGOS and KPBS is still OK.

Since we are both in San Diego, let's compare notes.
I have 3 TVGOS capable devices. HDD250, Sharp LC-37D5U and Sony HX-990 HDD/DVD recorder. The HX-990 does not respond to the TVG service menu commands, it is too old, so will skip that one.

Currently the Sharp VBI host is analog cable 10 (KGTV) and has 2 days of listings. The 250 host is analog cable 15 (KPBS) and has 8 days of listings. (After a 9012 menu reset 10 days ago when the host was CH 10). Over the last year the 250 has received complete listings from KFMB TV OTA analog as well.

There seems to be no way to easily force the Sharp vbi ch change as there is no menu/screen/9012 command available but am experimenting with this:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7689512#post7689512
The Sharp does respond to the 753159852 command.

My devices are connected via OTA and TWC analog cable (basic/extended) no digital cable service. The location is 2 miles South of Mt Soledad at 520 feet ASL with LOS to every TV transmitter including about 5 DTV stations in Mexico. The signal here is so strong that a UHF bowtie hanging on the wall receives all local DTV transmissions with adequate signal.

Should point out that I disabled the Sharp TVG until recently to save power (37 watts) since I am using it with a Panny DMR-E80 HDD recorder most of the time. Have re-enabled TVG to see what happens on the Feb 17 DTV transition date.

The Chief Engineer of XETV has posted at hdtv.forsandigo.com that XETV will continue to carry TVGOS data on analog CH 6 and on DTV virtual channel 6.1. The DTV changeover in Mexico happens on 2012 so you can expect VBI data on XETV analog untill 2012 if you can receive that channel.

Sun Jan 25, the Sharp TV VBI host remains on CH 10 KGTV (analog cable) but now has 8 days of listings.

Well I was happy to see the Guide all filled back in.........but Woa-ooooooo! Lot's of days are just plain wrong.

This upcoming Monday (tormorrow) actually shows last Mondays programs (last weeks 24 for example). And next Thursday schedule is actually last Thursdays programs.

It will have to be checked everyday, to record the "real" programs you want to record.

I've been told that the program guide function of the Sony dvr's using the TV Guide system will not operate after the national switch to terrestrial digital tv signal in February. Can anyone verify this for me?

I'm sure this question has been much discussed here among folks much more technically sophisticated than I, but I have not been able to ferret out an answer. I've been looking to buy one of these units.

I've been told that the program guide function of the Sony dvr's using the TV Guide system will not operate after the national switch to terrestrial digital tv signal in February. Can anyone verify this for me?

I'm sure this question has been much discussed here among folks much more technically sophisticated than I, but I have not been able to ferret out an answer. I've been looking to buy one of these units.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1093923

Hello, this is my first post here. I've been following this thread for a while now. Since I have DHG-HDD250, I wanted to know what is to come of it once the transition happens. When I started reading this thread, I ran the G* test on my digital CBS channel, and was suprised to find that the VBI data was there.

Here is some more info:

Location: Wichita, KS
DHG-HDD250 Software Version: 1.2.13
TVGOS Guide Version: 08.01.42/08.06.44

Analog PBS on channel 8 (Host Channel)
Digital CBS on channel 12-1, which is actually channel 19 UHF (The G* Test passes on this channel)

At 6:00am on 1/5/2009 my PBS station (channel 8) turned off their analog signal for good.

Here is what has transpired since then:

1/6/2009
No guide data downloaded. I was hoping without an analog source, the DVR would find 12-1 on its own, but to no avail. Ran G* test on CBS digital channel 12-1. It succeeded, so I followed the procedure to force this host channel. The next morning, the guide data downloaded, but the host channel was blank. The next morning the host channel was 0:19-0.

Then on January 16 this sequence of events happened:

1/16/2009 (Friday)
My Hot Water Heater broke. I had to turn off power to it by randomly flipping breakers (breaker wasn't marked... it is now). Inadvertently shut off power to the room the DVR is in. DVR Time showed --:--. Turned on DVR, clock updated, but was off by -40 minutes. I looked to see what guide data was available, and there was no data for the following Friday (1/23), then I noticed there was no data for Thursday (1/22) either which would generally indicate that the guide data had stopped coming in a day before I turned the power off (unless the data was lost because of the outage).

On Sunday night (1/18) I forced to host channel, and went to bed. Monday morning the clock was still wrong, but I didn't turn the DVR on. Monday evening I turned on the DVR, and decided that I should make sure the G* test worked on 12-1. I ran it, and it succeeded, then I noticed the clock had corrected itself (because of the G* Test?), and that I had guide data through Monday (does this mean that it had actually downloaded the night before?).

Every thing worked until...

1/22/2009 (Thursday)
Noticed there was no guide data for Wednesday, or Thursday the 28th & 29th. Ran the G* Test on 12-1, 12-2, and 19-0, all showed VBI data.
Friday still no guide data, and Saturday still no guide data.

Saturday evening (1/25), I decided to do a "TV Guide, Exit" reset in case the problem is on my end. This threw off my clock by -40 minutes again. Ran G* Test to hopefully correct the clock, and the test failed. No VBI packets on 12-1, 12-2, or 19-0. I can only presume that there is something wrong with the CBS station's setup. I plan to try to reach someone in the know at the station Monday to ask about what has happened. For now, I'm stuck with my clock being off by 40 minutes, and guide data only through Tuesday. My next scheduled show to record will be 'Lost' on Wednesday. I hope everything is back up by then.

Mark

For now, I'm stuck with my clock being off by 40 minutes, and guide data only through Tuesday. My next scheduled show to record will be 'Lost' on Wednesday. I hope everything is back up by then.

Mark

You can still record using manual recording and offsetting the time by 40 mins if things haven't resolved by Wednesday.

At 6:00am on 1/5/2009 my PBS station (channel 8) turned off their analog signal for good.
Mark

Nice to know what we can expect come 2/17.

Here in Indianapolis, I've had to reset the DHG every few days. And, data has been shifting around. My channels got reset a few days ago, and that overwrote a manual remapping I had done (I changed SciFi channel from analog 68 to HD 768). I'm on BrightHouseNetworks cable plus OTA to get the guide from WFYI 20. Brighthouse doesn't pass the TVGOS on either Analog or Digital, at least at the moment.

I had to reset again last night, as I was missing data for Friday, Saturday, Sunday. This morning, I've got SAturday data but no listings for Sunday or Friday. And, some partial listings for Wednesday and Thursday. What the heck is going on over at TVGOS?

The reboots only started when I added OTA to get the TVGOS that way... there were some changes in equipment between PBS and BrightHouse which killed the analog version of the guide a few months ago, and OTA was my only option. I was hoping that the digital version would show up on cable, but now that PBS has it going here in Indy, I found that it's not carried on Brighthouse either. I'll call to complain.

Is there an FCC requirement that the guide be carried on the cable version of the OTA channel?

Marc

Is there an FCC requirement that the guide be carried on the cable version of the OTA channel?No. Only CC data (AFAIK).

Two and one half years with very little issues untill last week.
After at least two resets that I'm trying to recover from, I did some searching in Macrovision's site through their FAQ's and according to them;

1. The channel listings are organized (if you call it that) by "popularity",
2. If the system doesn't 'see' what should be a active channel, it will 'grey' out the entry. You have to manually enable it and assign it the correct channel number,
3. This also depends on if the host channel is OTA or cable. That apparently will determing what mode a OTA station will be listed as. In some cases it might 'fix' the station to cable if the OTA signal isn't seen (for whatever reason).
4. "Majority rules" determines what is listed and what is not.

The quotes came from the FAQ's. Wonder how the "popularity" was aquired and just which "Majority" was used? :rolleyes:

Funny, I just checked last night and I'm not getting any VBI data at all anymore from CBS 5.1 in the SF bay area. Still getting it from analog PBS 9 though.

Veterans here are probably fully aware of this, but it only recently occurred to me that my DHGs with cable cards are shielded from some of the thrashing of cable lineups that others have endured.

OTA lineups change rarely. If my cable lineup changes, some automated process sends new data to my cable card. For non cable card users, in addition to having to discover that a new scan is required, the DHGs additive scan behavior sometimes requires that old lineups be cleared out to deal with collisions where a channel cannot be added because the frequency associated with that channel is deemed already occupied by out of date information from a previous scan.

I have cable cards to provide access to premium package channels, but others may wish to weigh the cost of adding cable cards to their existing cable service as a means of lessening the impact of frequent lineup changes.

Veterans here are probably fully aware of this, but it only recently occurred to me that my DHGs with cable cards are shielded from some of the thrashing of cable lineups that others have endured.

OTA lineups change rarely. If my cable lineup changes, some automated process sends new data to my cable card. For non cable card users, in addition to having to discover that a new scan is required, the DHGs additive scan behavior sometimes requires that old lineups be cleared out to deal with collisions where a channel cannot be added because the frequency associated with that channel is deemed already occupied by out of date information from a previous scan.

I have cable cards to provide access to premium package channels, but others may wish to weigh the cost of adding cable cards to their existing cable service as a means of lessening the impact of frequent lineup changes.

My 500 unit has a cable card (TW), and a few days ago, I discovered that all the standard cable channels that I watch were missing - channels such as ABC Family, and Lifetime. In the process of activating them, I saw that all the premium channels were "on". Since I don't subscribe to that stuff, I turned them off, and reordered the channels I view. That job took me over an hour. I didn't experience that problem on my 250 unit, which doesn't have a cable card.

Ray

I live in suburban Philadelphia with Comcast cable. I am looking to buy, not rent a DVR. I am put off by Tivo's subscription service but would like to buy a HD tuner/recorder that has the features of Tivo but will not require any activation from Comcast nor run a monthly subscription fee. I am considering a used DHG 250. Does this unit do what I require?

Thanks!

I live in suburban Philadelphia with Comcast cable. I am looking to buy, not rent a DVR. I am put off by Tivo's subscription service but would like to buy a HD tuner/recorder that has the features of Tivo but will not require any activation from Comcast nor run a monthly subscription fee. I am considering a used DHG 250. Does this unit do what I require?

Thanks!

Yes ... with reservations.

The DHG works with both clearQAM and CableCard. So depending on your level of service, you can get the same channels as a Comcast box. But here's are the catches.

1. The guide data (and clock) is picked up via TVGOS, not Comcast's system. Traditionally, it is sent via WHYY channel 12 and Comcast has been passing it along. In the future, the TVGOS will be sent via WCAU-DT (channel 3.1) and I'm hoping that Comcast will continue to pass the signal.

2. The TVGOS is in a state of transition right now and many users are having problems. The switch from analog to digital has been killing me.

3. There are several "quirks" with this device that you'll have to get used to ... but believe me, it's worth it. It really is a great machine.

4. You won't have access to OnDemand and if Comcast ever goes SDV, you're likely to lose channels (even if you're on CableCard).

Also, if these units breakdown, you're pretty much stuck with sending it back to Sony to fix. No one has been able to put in a new HDD to replace a malfunctioned HDD.

I'm in Media, PA and have been trying to get my guide back. I think either Comcast has stopped passing the TVGOS from Analog-12, or WHYY has stopped sending it. Not quite sure, but frank70 hasn't mentioned anything about his host channel lately.

Added - I'd say that if you can get a DHG-250 (or better yet, a DHG-500) for a really good price, then go for it. Otherwise, wait to see if these issues clear up. But be warned, I'm thinking that when it becomes official that these DHGs will work after 2/17, the prices may go up.

ft

I have noticed several others say they see a "failed VBI test" even when they can see the VBI packets increase during a G* test. I am cablecard only, and ever since the local CBS station has started to provide the TVGOS data, I can see VBI packets via the G* test. However, when doing this test during the day (when maybe less VBI packets are being sent?) even though the VBI increases, the test is marked as "Fail". But, when performing the G* test at night (presumeably when the VBI is sent per its schedule), the VBI packets increase at a faster rate, and the VBI test shows "Passed". Could it be that the test won't show passed when the TVGOS data is not in the VBI stream? Maybe the VBI data seen when it won't pass the test is the closed caption data and other stuff other than the TVGOS data?

Also, even though I have full TVGOS listings ever since the PBS analog was turned off and the CBS digital began broadcasting the TVGOS data, I still show a blank for the Host Channel. I have not tried to force the host channel since my guide is fully populated for all 8 days. Just wondering why the host channel is blank although I am getting full listings.

Thanks for the help. I should have mentioned one thing: I do not have a cable box. I use a 3 way splitter going to the Digital TV, a type 2 Tivo and an old VCR. I am hoping to replace the Tivo with the DHG 250. Will that work?

Yes ... with reservations.

if these units breakdown, you're pretty much stuck with sending it back to Sony to fix. No one has been able to put in a new HDD to replace a malfunctioned HDD.


ft
Is Sony still servicing these units? I am sure there will be a time when they will stop.
With all the talk here about the switch to digital, wondering if the guide will still work after Feb 17, the ultimate weak point for these units is the hard drive.

What does sony charge to fix a hard drive failure?I am sure I could pick up a 250gb hard drive for less than $60.

Anyone tried inserting a new hard drive and trying the front panel service mode "Wipe Unit" procedure?

I am cablecard only, and ever since the local CBS station has started to provide the TVGOS data, I can see VBI packets via the G* test. However, when doing this test during the day (when maybe less VBI packets are being sent?) even though the VBI increases, the test is marked as "Fail".If the test comes up "Fail", as it often does, but after it comes up that way you can see the VBI count incrementing, just press the "2" key on the remote to re-run the test. It should come up "Pass".

I'm in Media, PA and have been trying to get my guide back. I think either Comcast has stopped passing the TVGOS from Analog-12, or WHYY has stopped sending it.That'll be Comcast's problem, not WHYY's. I'm getting TVGOS OTA from analog 12 just fine.

That'll be Comcast's problem, not WHYY's. I'm getting TVGOS OTA from analog 12 just fine.
Thanks for the confirmation. I'm in the last day of your process and we'll see if I get guide data on Comcast 3.1 WCAU-DT.

I've run the VBI test on all four channels and Comcast 3.1 was the only one to consistently give me VBI packets. Comcast12 and OTA-12 had zilch.

Veterans here are probably fully aware of this, but it only recently occurred to me that my DHGs with cable cards are shielded from some of the thrashing of cable lineups that others have endured.

You have just been lucky, as have I for long periods. But my channel order (with CableCard) gets whacked often enough to be very annoying.

I have noticed several others say they see a "failed VBI test" even when they can see the VBI packets increase during a G* test. I am cablecard only, and ever since the local CBS station has started to provide the TVGOS data, I can see VBI packets via the G* test. However, when doing this test during the day (when maybe less VBI packets are being sent?) even though the VBI increases, the test is marked as "Fail". But, when performing the G* test at night (presumeably when the VBI is sent per its schedule), the VBI packets increase at a faster rate, and the VBI test shows "Passed". Could it be that the test won't show passed when the TVGOS data is not in the VBI stream? Maybe the VBI data seen when it won't pass the test is the closed caption data and other stuff other than the TVGOS data?

Also, even though I have full TVGOS listings ever since the PBS analog was turned off and the CBS digital began broadcasting the TVGOS data, I still show a blank for the Host Channel. I have not tried to force the host channel since my guide is fully populated for all 8 days. Just wondering why the host channel is blank although I am getting full listings.

In my experience, the missing host channel is a sign of zip code or lineup problems, possibly caused by reboots/bad data. Does your Sony get random reboots? During all my recent problems, I sometimes had nearly full listings with no host channel. Eventually, it all blew up. Until I switched to a suburban zip code.

Is Sony still servicing these units? I am sure there will be a time when they will stop.I would have to say yes since the Sony Extended Service Plan on my HDD500 runs through February, 2010.

Since we are both in San Diego, let's compare notes.
I have 3 TVGOS capable devices. HDD250, Sharp LC-37D5U and Sony HX-990 HDD/DVD recorder. The HX-990 does not respond to the TVG service menu commands, it is too old, so will skip that one.

The Chief Engineer of XETV has posted at hdtv.forsandigo.com that XETV will continue to carry TVGOS data on analog CH 6 and on DTV virtual channel 6.1. The DTV changeover in Mexico happens on 2012 so you can expect VBI data on XETV analog untill 2012 if you can receive that channel.

I have 3 Sony DVRs, 1 Panasonic DMR-EH55 DVR/DVD recorder, and a DTV Pal DVR that use TVGOS (OTA only). I have no idea how to determine which host channel(s) the Pal DVR is using (KCBS-DT, XETV-DT, KGTV-DT?). I switched my Sony that was using KGTV to KPBS, and the guide has filled in fine. I left the Sony that switched to XETV as-is, since in a few weeks, they will all need to switch there anyway. At this point, I don't really care if the guide data is incomplete, just so long as the date and time are correct, as that will allow manual recordings, which are more reliable than the guide anyway. As long as XETV continues to provide TVGOS on channel 6, my Sony and Panasonic DVRs will be fine.

Yes, I am quite aware that XETV channel 6 will remain on the air for some time to come, and I'm counting on that to keep my TVGOS devices operating. XETV-DT is not 100% reliable due to cochannel interference, but XETV is rock solid. KCBS-DT is solid now, but post transition will be hit or miss, again due to cochannel interference. I suspect, although do not know for a fact, that KGTV-DT may also provide digital TVGOS. KFMB has expressly stated that they are not and have no plans for digital TVGOS, but that too could change.

Is Sony still servicing these units? I am sure there will be a time when they will stop.
With all the talk here about the switch to digital, wondering if the guide will still work after Feb 17, the ultimate weak point for these units is the hard drive.

What does sony charge to fix a hard drive failure?I am sure I could pick up a 250gb hard drive for less than $60.

Anyone tried inserting a new hard drive and trying the front panel service mode "Wipe Unit" procedure?

No one has met with success in replacing a DHG drive as far as this forum knows. I would hope that if Sony were to cease servicing these units they would have the common courtesy to make some of the "service secrets" known to other potential repair centers. I know, I know, but it was a nice thought anyway............ :o :o :o

After a weekend of wondering where the VBI data on my digital host channel went, my DVR's clock was correct when I got home from work today, and the guide is completely filled in with 8 days of data.

Mark

In my experience, the missing host channel is a sign of zip code or lineup problems, possibly caused by reboots/bad data. Does your Sony get random reboots? During all my recent problems, I sometimes had nearly full listings with no host channel. Eventually, it all blew up. Until I switched to a suburban zip code.

I live in Aiken, SC, and my zip code shows correctly in the TVGOS diagnostics screens. The Host ID, whatever that is, shows as 0x6E, but the Host Channel is blank. The only channel that I can tell is receiving VBI packets is digital channel 451, which is the QAM channel on my cablecard for the local WRDW CBS digital channel. I know WRDW is using a new G* inserter from talking to their chief engineer. I have full listings that seem correct for my area for all 8 days. I guess I should just be thankful it all works, even though the Host Channel is blank. I have had to do 2 soft resets from the TV Guide/Exit pushbuttons in the last 2 weeks because the remote froze and would no longer operate the DVR. The reset always fixes that. Otherwise, life has returned to normal with digital VBI reception.

I live in Aiken, SC, and my zip code shows correctly in the TVGOS diagnostics screens. The Host ID, whatever that is, shows as 0x6E, but the Host Channel is blank. The only channel that I can tell is receiving VBI packets is digital channel 451, which is the QAM channel on my cablecard for the local WRDW CBS digital channel. I know WRDW is using a new G* inserter from talking to their chief engineer. I have full listings that seem correct for my area for all 8 days. I guess I should just be thankful it all works, even though the Host Channel is blank. I have had to do 2 soft resets from the TV Guide/Exit pushbuttons in the last 2 weeks because the remote froze and would no longer operate the DVR. The reset always fixes that. Otherwise, life has returned to normal with digital VBI reception.Host ID 0x6E suggests you have entered a zipcode (29801?) for the Augusta, GA. broadcast area.

I have noticed several others say they see a "failed VBI test" even when they can see the VBI packets increase during a G* test. I am cablecard only, and ever since the local CBS station has started to provide the TVGOS data, I can see VBI packets via the G* test. However, when doing this test during the day (when maybe less VBI packets are being sent?) even though the VBI increases, the test is marked as "Fail". But, when performing the G* test at night (presumeably when the VBI is sent per its schedule), the VBI packets increase at a faster rate, and the VBI test shows "Passed". Could it be that the test won't show passed when the TVGOS data is not in the VBI stream? Maybe the VBI data seen when it won't pass the test is the closed caption data and other stuff other than the TVGOS data?My GUESS is that they are passing different TVGOS packet versions at different times of day. This is based on my personal observations. I had the exact experience with a Mits TV that just happens to (used to) have the same TVGOS version as yours. I since received a f/w update for the TV that updated the base TVGOS version. It used to respond the same as you're saying and I could get listings from CBS digital. I'm now trying to figure out if it's 1)the TV firmware update, 2)loss of the correct version of TVGOS data from my digital CBS or 3)the fact that my old analog PBS host is now transmitting TVGOS packets like crazy (where they hadn't for months and I had lost my host channel), that is causing my confusion.

Host ID 0x6E suggests you have entered a zipcode (29801?) for the Augusta, GA. broadcast area.

Yes, my zip code is 29803, and the local stations come mainly from Augusta, GA. Thanks!

I live along the CAN-USA border and neither side's host gives me all the channels I watch, so I've had my system set up to grab both countries' hosts (by manually flipping back & forth every couple of days).

But...Since last week, I can now get listings daily from 2 hosts without having to do anything! (Before I had to occasionally edit one of my channel assignments in the Channel Editor to get host #2's listings added to host #1).

My setup - Host Channel = Cable 13 in the TVGOS service menu (CFTO).

In the channel editor...
CFTO-DT Air = 9-1 ON
CFTO Cable = 13 OFF
CFTO Air = 17 OFF

With this setup, I am getting daily combined listings from CFTO Cable 13 and WNED Air 17.

To get combined listings started, you initially have to enter the zip code of your second host (in my case 14201 Buffalo) to get the secondary host's channels to show up in the channel editor. Then later on, enter your home zip code (in my case L3M 4E7 Grimsby) to get your primary host's channels added to the editor (the secondary host's channels remain and don't get erased). In my case, CFTO has 145 channels, WNED has 438 channels. The combined has 532 channels (totals don't add up because of duplicates).

Before last week, I could only get the secondary host listings updated by temporarily changing my CFTO Cable above from 13 to 99 so that TVGOS would not find a valid host and temporarily use Air 17. Now it seems to just grab listings from both hosts every day! Great!

EDIT - Actually upon reflection, I don't think TVGOS has changed. This might have started when my cable co stripped off the VBI off of Cable 35 WNED and I started using Air 17 for WNED. I used to flip Cable back & forth between 13 & 35 for the 2 hosts. The Sony must be set up to check both the cable and air assignments to download listing data - even if the hosts are different - I'm guessing it does this in two consecutive load times rather than during just one. Will be interesting to see if I can mix analogue & digital hosts come Feb 17.

fwiw, don't count on a cable card to help the channel lineup. I have a cc in my 500; but I have to have an antenna to get my tvgos OTA via analog signal (for the next 17 days :( - come on Ken, still waiting for your solution.)

but anyway - in my case, my cable co, I've had to reboot in order to get my cable card to see my digital channels - which imho, is bad. I had planned on just manual recording after the analog shutdown, but if I have to keep rebooting, I'm going to lose my clock also, aren't I? -as it is, lost all my channels and clock until the analog signal could reload my settings.

-And no, I can't count on digital info via our CBS affiliate - they're a Sinclair station, so you know they're not going to pay for the equipment to broadcast digital TVGOS - so I'm just hoping I don't lose my clock after the shutdown.

Hi folks,

I wonder if anybody would like to speculate on my first test of receiving TVGOS via OTA Digital reception. Basically, I got some listings but the unit crashed.

Here's the situation: I'm in Indianapolis and use Brighthouse networks with a cable card. There's no VBI packets coming in on any station via BHN cable, so I use OTA to receive TVGOS via (typically) PBS WFYI analog 20. I heard they started putting TVGOS into their digital 20.1 feed so I wanted to test it.

Being cable + OTA, my system about once or twice a week goes kablooie and I start seeing no listings creep in. The cure is a reboot.

Following successful reception early this morning of a full TVGOS set of data, I started this morning with full data on day 8 (next Tuesday) and 100% No Listings on days 6 and 7 (Sunday/Monday) due to earlier outages.

I tuned to OTA 20.1 and initated a G*test. Passed, with packets coming in at a good clip. Turned off the TV and went to work. Note, the Sony is set to not auto-off. So it stayed on all day.

I came home, and as expected the unit was still on and tuned to 20.1. I tried to bring up the TVGuide only to find the system non-responsive to the remote. Completely locked up.

I did a front-panel reset (exit-guide buttons) and in a few minutes it had rebooted and restored the time. I went into the TV Guide and found that days 6 and 7 were now PARTIALLY populated with listings. About 1/3rd of the channels at the top of my list (so, a third of my favorites) had listings, about 1/3rd had "No Title" and the other third were "No Listing."

My initial read on this is that the good news is that WFYI is indeed sending out TVGuide info. The bad news is that I don't like the lockup issue... I had lockups once before and I had to go through a fairly major reset process that took days to completely recover from. I worry that the guide grid or whatever is hosed again. We'll see if it was a one-time lockup or a recurring thing.

I have been hoping that after the DTV transition, and with the removal of all the obsolete analog channels from the listing, that the various reset-requiring oddities would go away due to less cramped memory situation in the guide.

But, it now seems like we're saddled with four more months of analog before the revised June shutoff date (presuming the House acts as expected and extends the date now that the Senate has approved the extension).

Sigh. I'm going to pester BHN to carry the TVGOS info on their version of 20.1 (they call it channel 710 I think).

Anyway, my theory is that I was receiving the guide just fine until something went fritz, at which point reception or processing of the data stopped, resulting in incomplete listings.

Any other thoughts?

Marc

Another update ...

I've gone through the 4 night process and still nothing. No digital host, no analog host. I do have the correct clock and date, though, so I can still do manual recording. This was all with the Reading Zip Code.

I've gone back and reset my reset the Setup, still with Reading, however, I selected both Cable and OTA. Maybe it'll force it to pick up OTA-WHYY.

ft

Funny, I just checked last night and I'm not getting any VBI data at all anymore from CBS 5.1 in the SF bay area. Still getting it from analog PBS 9 though.

FWIW my host channel is still OTA 5.1 (has been for a month) and I continue to get full listings every night (except for the hicup everybody experienced a couple of days ago). Have not specifically checked VBI data, but things are up to date as of now.

Jim in Sunnyvale

FWIW my host channel is still OTA 5.1 (has been for a month) and I continue to get full listings every night (except for the hicup everybody experienced a couple of days ago). Have not specifically checked VBI data, but things are up to date as of now.

Jim in Sunnyvale
Just out of curiosity, did you force 5.1 as your host channel?

Ok, guys we are all pretty much getting the same problems - with most of the differences being the "grid" (different amounts of data in the Guide listings).

Currently in Houston we have PBS 8-0, FOX 26-0, and CBS 11-1 as TV Guide sources; However I have only been able to get the "Guide" via 8-0 and a couple of times 26-0, I have never been able to get 11-1 for the "Guide", though others in Houston have?

For the last 3 nights at "exactly" 7PM my Sony Box will "reboot" AND in about 3 minutes it locks up (freezes). Each night there have been shows to record at 7, 8, and 9PM. When it “freezes” the clock will usually say 7:03PM-the clock sticks at 7:03.

The only way I have been able to overcome this, is to unplug the unit. Leave it off about 4 min. and then plug is back in.

Is the "Guide" now using up all the memory in the box OR there is some sort of memory conflict that keeps the unit from working?

Any ideas on how to fix this?

Here in Atlanta my 500 unit has been dropping out the manual set recordings. Beleive that all were set to receive channel 46.1. And that the program shows drop out as well, yet not all of them. Does not make any sense. My 250 is not having this problem. But none of the shows there are on 46.1. Maybe something to do with the fact that 46.1 is the digital TVGOS, yet analog 2 is my host that both units are using. Have been unsuccessful in a force host to the digital, so stuck with the analog till looks like June?
Michael

FWIW my host channel is still OTA 5.1 (has been for a month) and I continue to get full listings every night (except for the hicup everybody experienced a couple of days ago). Have not specifically checked VBI data, but things are up to date as of now.

Jim in Sunnyvale

I checked again the next day and it was back, and it was way faster than it's ever been as far as packet reception. Maybe they were updating equipment. I've still got my host set to channel 9 out of lack of motivation.

Rick

I haven't read it yet, but this link is copied straight from the M8B thread......... ;)

http://laurenstephens.net/uploads/3d927cc0e5.pdf

Just out of curiosity, did you force 5.1 as your host channel?

Yep, I used the procedure given in the Spiff/frank70 postings to force it. One odd thing, I had thought I was forcing it to cable 5.1, but the host definitely ended up on OTA 5.1. It has been working fine even though there are occassional dropouts OTA here (I assume it eventually retries and catches up), so I have left it alone.

Another thing, when the nation-wide problems happened several days ago, my list of active channels reset and re-ordered like everyone else and my firmware reset to the xx.01 version, but my host was still OTA 5.1. I didn't do anything except re-enable and re-order my channels (the listings were still there!) and eventually my firmware updated to xx.05 and then xx.06 all on its own. AFAIK the box did not look at any analog host during this time, so this would confirm M8B's prouncements :D

Jim in Sunnyvale

I haven't had any problems with my 250 OTA only in Tulsa, until I looked the other day and saw I had the same channel problems everyone is reporting. I had several channels missing and had to go in and turn them back on. I had never had a problem with missing guide info as I always received listings from the local PBS and host was 0-11 for OTA channel 11, but now I have full listings and no host channel listed.

Yep, I used the procedure given in the Spiff/frank70 postings to force it. One odd thing, I had thought I was forcing it to cable 5.1, but the host definitely ended up on OTA 5.1. It has been working fine even though there are occassional dropouts OTA here (I assume it eventually retries and catches up), so I have left it alone.

Another thing, when the nation-wide problems happened several days ago, my list of active channels reset and re-ordered like everyone else and my firmware reset to the xx.01 version, but my host was still OTA 5.1. I didn't do anything except re-enable and re-order my channels (the listings were still there!) and eventually my firmware updated to xx.05 and then xx.06 all on its own. AFAIK the box did not look at any analog host during this time, so this would confirm M8B's prouncements :D

Jim in Sunnyvale
Thanks - I was just curious...

I'm still getting listings from channel 9, although I DID do the G* test/leave unit on once to try getting listings from 5.1, which was successful...

I, too had a reorder deal a week or so ago, even though on channel 9.

Glad to hear that your unit righted itself, even though the firmware was reset initiall!

Due to the nesting habits of some migratory birds and the proximity of the nesting areas to our TV broadcast antennas, the government mandated the state of Hawaii to switchover from analog to digital effective from noon today(15 Jan).

The switchover took place and my Sony HDD250 reports it is receiving VBI packets on both channel 7(CBS) and channel 10(PBS) on the TWC cable.

The analog OTA broadcasts have ceased sending any programming and none of the OTA digital stations including PBS and CBS are sending VBI packets.

The former analog stations are all sending the same public service announcement showing how to hook converter boxes up for those not aware the change, so in reality they have not yet shut down the analog broadcast. That will soon cease.

My channel 7 and 10 are the TWC cable channels that were previously CBS and PBS analog and are showing the normal programming in addition to carrying the VBI signal. My Sony has always had an affinity for the PBS VBI signal.
As soon as those annoying analog public service announcements for those living in an alternate Universe cease, I will scan the OTA channels to search for VBI TVGOS packets again.

Mike
It now has been 2 weeks since Hawaii went to all digital OTA broadcasts.
I just checked the CBS and PBS stations for VBI packets again.

Only CBS 9.1 on the OTA side is providing VBI packets, it starts out slowly (after 15-18 seconds) failing the VBI test. Running the test a second time, it starts immediately, and passes the test.

Both CBS and PBS are providing VBI over the cable, but this is actually analog over TWC on channels 7 and 10.

The only thing that I can see that has actually changed is that the 250 now reports CBS Ch.7 as the host channel. This is a change because previously it was locked to PBS Ch.10 and refused several attempts to change the VBI host.

A couple of days ago I had the same "everything reset to square problem" but only got to look at it further tonight.

I live in Ontario near the border, and the Guide software wanted me to pick between "Ontario Broadcast (CST)" and "Ontario Broadcast". I picked the 2nd one as I'm not in CST.

At any rate, my cable setup is just fine but OTA is completely useless - after I sorted everything out I discovered there are NO US-based channels for antenna reception. Of course they're on the cable setup, but it won't let me change the tuner for those. There's a couple of random US networks with customizable tuner settings, but they're for channels not even remotely appropriate for my area.

Now TVGOS' OTA offerings have always been bad for my postal code, not covering a single -DT channel, but there was always the analog versions that I could customize.

Is the problem perhaps that they've removed all US-based OTA analog channels and since they never correctly set up the Toronto market I'm now left with nothing?

One other thing I noticed, my VBI host channel has changed from Cable 8 (CTV) to Cable 12 (French CBC). However oddly, when I test the antenna versions of those channels, French CBC has no VBI but CTV does. ??

I suspect, although do not know for a fact, that KGTV-DT may also provide digital TVGOS. KFMB has expressly stated that they are not and have no plans for digital TVGOS, but that too could change.

You may be interested in my post here where I used Tsreader to examine the DTV transmissions in San Diego:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15685397&postcount=67

WHAG-TV
updated 3:45 a.m. ET, Thurs., Jan. 29, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Our television sets will switch to digital as scheduled on February 17th.

The house defeated west Virginia Jay Rockefeller's bill to push back the digital TV transition date to June.

A two-thirds vote was needed to clear the house.

Many republicans say postponing the transition would further confuse the public.

Rockefeller says he's deeply disappointed with the decision.

He wanted to push the date back to help more consumers get the information they need so they won't be left in the dark. At this point, the digital transition is still set for February 17th

Works for me.

2 500's OTA only.
Both units had recently switched to 0-2 as host from 0-11.
I noticed yesterday that days 7 and 8 showed no listings for either machine so I turned off auto shut-off and set them both to CBS 2.1, did the VBI test (which was very strong) and left them on overnight.
Both filled in all missing info but both now show no host.
They also don't show the current VBI channel when I first checked but now do.
I haven't had any reset problems when watching but I only watch at night.
Guide on both still show version 44.
Hope this info helps people in the Chicago area.

A bit of trouble here also --- no listings for two days from Comcast CBS-HD. I tried the G*test on OTA 2.1 last night, but no listings for the 3rd straight day. I noticed there was no host, so I shut down and let it go all day. As expected, it locked on to Comcast PBS analog 94 and got proper listings.

Sounds like CBS has some issues this week, although data packets keep on coming.

Well apparently my attempts last week of "forcing" the digital downloads did not work - well I know they did not because my HDD500 stayed with either of two analogue Guides sources in our area (8-0 or 26-0).

But since that time I have been getting "lock-ups" if the unit is recording AND attempting to watch a show at the same time.............so

This morning I did the full factory default set up - 9012. That was about 2 hours ago, still waiting for the clock to come back. It will remain off for 24 hours.

Ok, after about 3 hours without clock it is back.

Now I will decide wheather to turn it on at 6PM today OR wait till Saturday morning. Of course the "smart" thing to do is wait till morning; but I not always "smart"?

Tuner Performance

I've been doing some rough testing of the Sony's tuner performance vs. other tuners (analogue & digital). From my tests, I can say that we will definitely see improved performance and sensitivity after the transition. (: Even without DTV power increases.

The reason I say this is because the tuner definitely seems to have a front end that has too much gain. It is easily overloaded by too much signal vs. most other tuners. Comparing analogue channels it becomes very obvious as sometimes signals will become noisier with more signal and cleaner with less - even with strong locals that don't normally suffer that problem on most other tuners. I can also see ATSC signals bleed into adjacent analogues (meaning ATSC can also bleed into ATSC).

The fact that the analogues will disappear will cause at least a 50% reduction in the overall signal strength across the band that will be entering the tuner (actually more than 50% since DTV power is less than analog). This will greatly improve the tuner's front end performance in high signal areas or for those using preamps and distribution amps. I wonder how this tuner performs in rural fringe areas? Although it doesn't have the latest multipath-rejection generation chips, it must be an extra sensitive tuner in a low signal environment oweing to the high front end gain.

I could also improve performance by putting the signal through a VHF/UHF splitter resulting in improved VHF or UHF performance (since the overall signal total entering the tuner is less since you've filtered out one entire band). When overload occurs, strong VHF sigs may interfere with UHF and strong UHF sigs may interfere with VHF. The problem with separate V/U filtering is that you can only choose all VHF or all UHF. Most tuners these days suffer somewhat from this problem - ever since 54-806 MHz cable-ready tuners became standard, as non-cable-ready tuners from the '80s had separate isolated 54-216 and 470-890 MHz tuners with separate antenna inputs.

A Radio Shack variable attenuator can also be used to improve performance by backing off on the signal.

So...something else to look forward to with all-DTV : a better signal environment for the tuner with less likelihood for tuner overload.

(PS - I've spent a lot of time messing with weak TV signals, see http://hepburn.dxinfocentre.com/ )

Well apparently my attempts last week of "forcing" the digital downloads did not work - well I know they did not because my HDD500 stayed with either of two analogue Guides sources in our area (8-0 or 26-0).

But since that time I have been getting "lock-ups" if the unit is recording AND attempting to watch a show at the same time.............so

This morning I did the full factory default set up - 9012. That was about 2 hours ago, still waiting for the clock to come back. It will remain off for 24 hours.

I've been having the same lock-up issue as well on my 250, but not my 500, after the update last week that caused a lot of our channels to be rearranged. It's hit and miss, but it almost seems as though it's having an issue with the buffer.

FWIW, I have not attempted the force host channel setting or performed a factory reset on this unit. I've just been letting it ride hoping everything will be seemless after the switchover.

I've been having the same lock-up issue as well on my 250, but not my 500, after the update last week that caused a lot of our channels to be rearranged. It's hit and miss, but it almost seems as though it's having an issue with the buffer.

FWIW, I have not attempted the force host channel setting or performed a factory reset on this unit. I've just been letting it ride hoping everything will be seemless after the switchover.

What you say I think is true.

Our Houston Guide got so monster in size the last 2-3 weeks, I think it just overwelmed the Sony Box (perhaps my forced digital download had nothing to do with it?). This time through full 100% factory default reset - there appeared to be several new screens. There were two screens to completely by-pass "cable" (which I do not use); so perhaps selecting OTA only will keep things a lot smaller in the box?

I should know something in the morning, the new screens warned about keeping it "off" for 24 hours, not just overnight.

Tuner Performance

I've been doing some rough testing of the Sony's tuner performance vs. other tuners (analogue & digital). From my tests, I can say that we will definitely see improved performance and sensitivity after the transition. (: Even without DTV power increases.



I hope this is the case. My Sony DVR pulls in all the local digital channels with great signal except CBS. Unless I can get this working by Feb 17th, I will be SOL to get TV Guide listings as it will be the only available Host. However, the tuner in my newer Sony TV has no problem pulling in CBS. So there are definitely some differences between the tuner in my DVR and Sony TV. I have been planning on trying some adjustments on my Antenna, but maybe I will wait a few weeks to see if it fixes itself.

FYI
2 500's - OTA only
I kept the the machines as stated in post 13609 and left them on 2.1 after VBI test.
I still have full guide data and no host showing so it must be getting the guide from CBS digital. Tonight I'll turn them off but leave them set to 2.1 and see if all is well.
I want to see if it assigns a host channel when turned off. Will let you know tomorrow.

Bye, Bye Blogo!

I had to read through 3+ months of posts to catch up on what's happening before posting. I have a pair of 250s that operate OTA only. Although I do not have the TVGOS problems that many of you are experiencing, I wanted to provide some reference information that may be of some use to you in identifying the problem. I am in the Maryland suburbs of washington DC. The channel listing downloads have gotten increasingly larger over time and were well over 700 (possibly over 800, I don't remember the highest channel number that I have seen and I can't check for reasons I will mention later). I typically kept around 50 or so turned on. So I don't think that the problem is a shortage of memory unless you are getting 900+ channels in your downloads.

I have observed that when channels turn on or off without action on my part, it is usually associated with a TVGOS update that also contains additions to the channel lineup. I have also observed that when the channel listings become re-sorted by network affiliation, it is usually associated with my recorder switching host channels. This seems to happen periodically for no apparent reason. I have experienced spontaneous host channel changes among analog PBS 26 (Washington DC), analog PBS 22 (Annapolis, MD), and analog CBS 13 (Baltimore, MD) even though 26 is much closer to me than the other two stations. I have also forced a change to digital CBS 9.1 (Washington DC) to test what happens when the analog channels stop broadcasting (see post 12765).

Interestingly, about a week or so ago there was a TVGOS update that left me with less than 200 channels listed on both machines. Initially, I thought that this might have something to do with the speculation in this thread about memory overload and forum members contacting Macrovision regarding the problems they are currently experiencing. Since then, the channel list is up to 549 on one recorder and 730 on the other. Strangely, both machines are using the same host channel, 13 (analog CBS, Baltimore MD), during that period. The only difference is that on the first machine I have disabled all of the analog stations in the channel list and turned them off in the TVGOS listings as well. However, that should not have any effect on the listings update. And yes, I continue to get listing downloads on both machines even though one unit has all of the analog stations disabled (I still have to check to see if this prevents acquiring an analog host channel).

I have seen a lot of optimism expressed about these recorders continuing to work after the digital transition, mainly by those who have successfully forced their recorders to use a digital host channel. Before I continue, let me say that I too have successfully done this. I hate to throw a wet blanket on all that optimism, but I have some concerns for those of us who are strictly OTA. My concerns are about what will happen if any of us (OTAers) experience a power failure or some catastrophe that requires a factory reset. While it has been demonstrated that one can force a machine to a digital host channel and go through a series of two software updates to allow that machine to receive TVGOS data via a digital channel, there is still an issue with receiving clock data that has been largely ignored.

The problem is as follows. These recorders currently receive clock data over an analog channel, which may or may not be the same as the host channel (on one of my recorders they are the same and on the other recorder they are different). While there is a means to force a recorder to a digital host channel, I am not aware of a way to force the clock channel to a digital channel. It may be sufficient just to acquire a digital host channel and the recorder will be smart enough to also set it as the clock channel. Additionally, I am not aware of anyone who has successfully demonstrated that one of these recorders can acquire a digital channel on its own without human intervention (which may be necessary if the recorder isn't smart enough to set the clock channel to the digital host channel). Furthermore, it is unclear to me at this point (mainly because I forgot to check it when I was using a digital host channel) if the recorders can obtain clock data from a digital channel. In the event of a power failure or the need for a factory reset, a recorder may not be able to locate a clock channel on its own or process the data from a digital channel if it can locate one.

Since my recorders have abandoned their digital host channels and reverted to their analog ways (for shame), I was wondering if someone who is OTA only and using a digital host channel would check to see if his/her clock channel is the same as his/her host channel. To do this, enter the 753... menu, go to the second page of clock information, and look at the last entry. If it is the same as your digital host channel (or even if it is another digital channel) then we have one less problem to worry about. I'm hoping someone can provide this information so I don't have to lose the use of one of my recorders for the few days it takes to force the digital host again.

That backup VCR tape might not be such a bad idea! I'm sure I have a blank one around here somewhere.

ImTheOne, I hope this is good news.
See post 13617 and the one before.
Both clocks are fine, 1st machine shows Clock Set Channel as fffffffd with Failing Channel as 0-11 (PBS)
Second machine shows Clock Set Channel as 2-1, which is digital CBS with the same Fail channel as the first.
Hope this helps.

ImTheOne, I hope this is good news.
See post 13617 and the one before.
Both clocks are fine, 1st machine shows Clock Set Channel as fffffffd with Failing Channel as 0-11 (PBS)
Second machine shows Clock Set Channel as 2-1, which is digital CBS with the same Fail channel as the first.
Hope this helps.

Yes. Thanks. Saved me 3 or 4 days of reacquiring a digital host channel and proves the recorders can get the necessary time info from a digital channel. One less thing to worry about. Looks like the VCR tape won't be needed after all.

I have seen a lot of optimism expressed about these recorders continuing to work after the digital transition, mainly by those who have successfully forced their recorders to use a digital host channel. Before I continue, let me say that I too have successfully done this. I hate to throw a wet blanket on all that optimism, but I have some concerns for those of us who are strictly OTA. My concerns are about what will happen if any of us (OTAers) experience a power failure or some catastrophe that requires a factory reset. While it has been demonstrated that one can force a machine to a digital host channel and go through a series of two software updates to allow that machine to receive TVGOS data via a digital channel, there is still an issue with receiving clock data that has been largely ignored.

The problem is as follows. These recorders currently receive clock data over an analog channel, which may or may not be the same as the host channel (on one of my recorders they are the same and on the other recorder they are different). While there is a means to force a recorder to a digital host channel, I am not aware of a way to force the clock channel to a digital channel. It may be sufficient just to acquire a digital host channel and the recorder will be smart enough to also set it as the clock channel. Additionally, I am not aware of anyone who has successfully demonstrated that one of these recorders can acquire a digital channel on its own without human intervention (which may be necessary if the recorder isn't smart enough to set the clock channel to the digital host channel). Furthermore, it is unclear to me at this point (mainly because I forgot to check it when I was using a digital host channel) if the recorders can obtain clock data from a digital channel. In the event of a power failure or the need for a factory reset, a recorder may not be able to locate a clock channel on its own or process the data from a digital channel if it can locate one.

Since my recorders have abandoned their digital host channels and reverted to their analog ways (for shame), I was wondering if someone who is OTA only and using a digital host channel would check to see if his/her clock channel is the same as his/her host channel. To do this, enter the 753... menu, go to the second page of clock information, and look at the last entry. If it is the same as your digital host channel (or even if it is another digital channel) then we have one less problem to worry about. I'm hoping someone can provide this information so I don't have to lose the use of one of my recorders for the few days it takes to force the digital host again.

That backup VCR tape might not be such a bad idea! I'm sure I have a blank one around here somewhere.First, I don't have a Sony DVR, but a Mitsubishi set that had the exact same TVGOS versions. You cannot "force" a digital host channel. You can tune to CBS digital (if they broadcast TVGOS digital in your area) and run the G* Test to get both a clock (real fast) and to update your listings. I used to be able to do this before I updated my Mits firmware, but it no longer works for me (used to be 08.02.44, now 08.01.71) and YES, 08.01.71 IS A LATER VERSION than 08.02.44. Go figure.

Digital hosts - Buffalo & Toronto.

I thought I'd try for a digital host in Buffalo. My CBS 4.1 failed the VBI test, but PBS 17.1 passed. So I used spiff's Force Digital Host procedure. (But - I forgot to change my postal code to Buffalo - it was still Canadian - here's where it gets interesting)!

This morning I checked - and the Buffalo listings updated - but the cool thing is the digital host reads 0:40-1 which is CTV 9.1 (digital 40). The Sony must have realized the zipcode didn't match and scanned the tuner for a Canadian DIGITAL host that matched my postal code all by itself! The Canadian listings didn't update - but will leave it off this morning and check if Canadian listings are in this afternoon.

Tomorrow I will do separate force hosts with Buffalo and Toronto with proper zipcodes to confirm both of these as new operating digital hosts.

Ok, after about 3 hours without clock it is back.

Now I will decide wheather to turn it on at 6PM today OR wait till Saturday morning. Of course the "smart" thing to do is wait till morning; but I not always "smart"?


Ok, the HDD500 has been off for just over 24 hours, after completing the full factory default reset 9012.

All appears to be in order; but it will take a couple of days of heavy duty use to determine if this fixed the “lock up” issue.

It took about 30 min to delete the channels not wanted, change the listing order, and make 100% of all other changes to the way we like them. The only thing I did not set yet was: “cue adjustment” – but it is only because I forgot what it was; but as soon as we start using it, I will know “how much” to adjust the “cue” (I have commercial skip down to an exact science AND so does my wife – lol)

Just for fun I put in “order” the Central Time Zone download times:

11:40PM 30 min. SW 1
12:15AM 60 min. SW2
1:20AM 180 min. Guide
4:55AM 60 min. SW2
6:00AM 180 min. Guide
9:05AM 180 min. Guide
12:10PM 30 min. SW1
12:45PM 180 min. Guide
4:45PM 60 min. SW2
10:00PM 30 min. SW1
10:35PM 60 min. SW2

That way I have an idea of “what” is going on in the box when it is “off”
(I think I type in the above chart correctly?)


In the 24 plus hours it was “off”, it received days 1,2,5, and 8 AND a partial days 4 and 7. Days 3 and 6 are 100% “no listings”.


I am almost certain the Full Factory Default Reset had “new” questions and different layout then the “original new” out of box. This may entirely be due to the appearance of the high quality plasma we have now; vs. the much lower quality DLP we had years ago when we first got the Sony box.


We both noticed this morning what appears to be a “different” slider bar when pausing, fast forward and back arrows; they seem smaller now. And the 3,9,30, and 90 speed arrow indicators are very small and transparent. Is this a setting I forgot somewhere or is my memory or eyesight failing? I don’t know, may have been too sleepy this morning and way too much sunlight in the room. Guess I will wait till night time to make that call.

It took about 30 min to delete the channels not wanted,

How are you DELETING the channels?

How are you DELETING the channels?

Whoops, I used the wrong word. By deleting I meant removing a channel from the line up list under "listings". So what I was doing was turning them "off". So I should have said turning "off" channels not wanted on my "listings" so they would not show up.

Basically I only had about 35 channels to turn "off". So I just scroll down to the ones I want "off". Hit "menu" button. Hit "left" arrow button (chanes "on" to "off"). Then down twice (I think) to "done" and press "enter"

(all of this is done under "setup" "change channel stuff section")

Tuner Performance

I've been doing some rough testing of the Sony's tuner performance vs. other tuners (analogue & digital). From my tests, I can say that we will definitely see improved performance and sensitivity after the transition. (: Even without DTV power increases.

The reason I say this is because the tuner definitely seems to have a front end that has too much gain. It is easily overloaded by too much signal vs. most other tuners. Comparing analogue channels it becomes very obvious as sometimes signals will become noisier with more signal and cleaner with less - even with strong locals that don't normally suffer that problem on most other tuners. I can also see ATSC signals bleed into adjacent analogues (meaning ATSC can also bleed into ATSC).

The fact that the analogues will disappear will cause at least a 50% reduction in the overall signal strength across the band that will be entering the tuner (actually more than 50% since DTV power is less than analog). This will greatly improve the tuner's front end performance in high signal areas or for those using preamps and distribution amps. I wonder how this tuner performs in rural fringe areas? Although it doesn't have the latest multipath-rejection generation chips, it must be an extra sensitive tuner in a low signal environment oweing to the high front end gain.

I could also improve performance by putting the signal through a VHF/UHF splitter resulting in improved VHF or UHF performance (since the overall signal total entering the tuner is less since you've filtered out one entire band). When overload occurs, strong VHF sigs may interfere with UHF and strong UHF sigs may interfere with VHF. The problem with separate V/U filtering is that you can only choose all VHF or all UHF. Most tuners these days suffer somewhat from this problem - ever since 54-806 MHz cable-ready tuners became standard, as non-cable-ready tuners from the '80s had separate isolated 54-216 and 470-890 MHz tuners with separate antenna inputs.

A Radio Shack variable attenuator can also be used to improve performance by backing off on the signal.

So...something else to look forward to with all-DTV : a better signal environment for the tuner with less likelihood for tuner overload.

(PS - I've spent a lot of time messing with weak TV signals, see http://hepburn.dxinfocentre.com/ )

I am OTA only so this may not apply to you if you are using cable.

There has been some discussion in the past about the sensitivity of the tuners in these recorders. I have found that it is easy to overload the input to the tuner and, consequently, foul up reception. I have an amplified antenna in my attic (from before the FCC rules superseded those of my homeowners association) that enters a four-way splitter that feeds my TV, 2 HDD250s, and an analog DVR. When I adjusted the antenna for optimal reception on my TV, I found that I frequently had problems with recording quality on the HDD250s. To remedy this, I adjusted the antenna direction by viewing the signal strength for each of the channels that I record using one of the HDD250s. This resulted in the loss of some of the more distant stations that I used to be able to view with the TV, but has eliminated problems with recording quality caused by overload or multipath interference.

Whoops, I used the wrong word. By deleting I meant removing a channel from the line up list under "listings". So what I was doing was turning them "off". So I should have said turning "off" channels not wanted on my "listings" so they would not show up.

Basically I only had about 35 channels to turn "off". So I just scroll down to the ones I want "off". Hit "menu" button. Hit "left" arrow button (chanes "on" to "off"). Then down twice (I think) to "done" and press "enter"

(all of this is done under "setup" "change channel stuff section")

Even that would make me HAPPY - but I have tried
various variations of that - but they never seem
to be removed from the list.

I have about 600 in my list.

There are ONLY 40 that I care about and I usually
use the channel editor to get those 40 up-front.

For reference see my post 13620.
Both machines turned off for the night.
Next day
Machine 1 - Host is now 0-2, Guide fine for 8 days, Clock time OK, Clock set changed to 0-2 from fffffffd.
Machine 2 - Host is now 0-11 (PBS), Guide fine for 8 days, Clock time OK, Clock set changed to 0-2 from 2-1.
What this seems to show is when the change occurs CBS 2-1, at least for me will be able to supply clock and guide data. I'm not going to try a forced change.
I'll rely on what's happened so far and assume (yes, yes I know) that when the time comes and analog is gone forever, I can make it switch using a similar method or it will do it on it's own.

Even that would make me HAPPY - but I have tried
various variations of that - but they never seem
to be removed from the list.

I have about 600 in my list.

There are ONLY 40 that I care about and I usually
use the channel editor to get those 40 up-front.


Um? Ok, maybe I do not understand what you are saying...........anyway, I will try to take a couple of pictures tomorrow, to illustrate.

My "Grid" in channel setup has about 550 channels listed (most are already "off" because I do not use cable); out of those, approx. 70 are setup and "on"; and out of those I only want about 30 to be visible under "Listings". This means I have turned about 35-40 of the "on's" to "off".

drhankz, here are the pictures, hope it works?

Pic 6856 - Lets say there is an offending channel 2-0 (old analogue) not wanted to appear in the channel listing (nor to show on any page of listings). So we want to turn channel 2-0 "off"

6858 - In channel editor you can see 2-0 is "on" and we want it "off", so just hit the "menu" button on the remote once.

6860 - This is the result, cursor is in the correct place.

6862 - Just hit the "left arrow" on the remote and it will change from "on" to "off"

6864 - Down 4 and hit (select) "Done"

6866 - WaLa the offending channel is now "off"

6869 - Channel 2-0 no longer will show up on "listings" - it's gone!

Part II

Ha, it took me 4 min. (compare time between first picture and last)...........3.75 min was try to figure out why my camera kept turning off...........it was dead battery....had to find adapter to plug in camera in outlet while taking pics. LOL

BTW after pressing left arrow to turn the channel off, just press ENTER twice to save and exit back to channel editor.

BTW after pressing left arrow to turn the channel off, just press ENTER twice to save and exit back to channel editor.

Kewl, that will save some time. Guess we do this again after Feb 17th? At least for us OTA folks.

Ha, it took me 4 min. (compare time between first picture and last)...........3.75 min was try to figure out why my camera kept turning off...........it was dead battery....had to find adapter to plug in camera in outlet while taking pics. LOL

Thanks for all the effort in taking those pictures.

I will try some experiments - but even with the Channel
turned off - I DID NOT THINK they stopped showing up
in the normal listing menu.

I did write a macro on my remote control system to turn
off all the channels in the MENU>PREFERENCES>Channel -+
list.

I don't know if that will eventually turn off the channels I
don't want in the SETUP menu. Time will Tell.

Thanks for all the effort in taking those pictures.

I will try some experiments - but even with the Channel
turned off - I DID NOT THINK they stopped showing up
in the normal listing menu.

I did write a macro on my remote control system to turn
off all the channels in the MENU>PREFERENCES>Channel -+
list.

I don't know if that will eventually turn off the channels I
don't want in the SETUP menu. Time will Tell.

Ok, I think?

Remember Sony Menu Preferences Channel +- is NOT the same thing as TV Guide SetUp Channel Stuff I posted in the pictures above. The two really are NOT related. Hope that helps.

Ok, I think?

Remember Sony Menu Preferences Channel +- is NOT the same thing as TV Guide SetUp Channel Stuff I posted in the pictures above. The two really are NOT related. Hope that helps.

I know - but I keep hoping that maybe there is
some relationship. If they are off in the Menu
Area - maybe their status will be OFF in the
Listing area.

I have 406 channels in the menu list and I can
write a macro to turn them off.

I have almost 700 in the Listing Area and I can
not write a macro to turn them off. Turning them
off becomes a HUGH PAIN in the REAR :o One
reason I have not spent the time to do it. Just
picking the 40 I am interested in and editing
their position has always be the easier of two evils.

In the TV Guide set up menu you could write a macro for "each" line to turn off OR you could write a macro to turn "all" channels off, then manually come back and just turn on the 40 you want. If it were me, I would do the "all".

menu
left
return (select)
return (select)
down

have that run in an endless loop, then kill the remote.

Of course you could also write a macro to place just the 40 you want into position "1"; then use the scroll feature to put that first 40 in the order you want, and simply forget the others that are on because they show up after the 40 you want.

Anyone in Salt Lake using the DHG-HDD250(500)?

There's no programming info anymore for me...and tried forcing a digital host to local CBS affiliate with no luck.

Any help?

I've been wading through all the incredible information on this thread--thanks guys...

Howdy All,
I have recently established my digital OTA host, but it is only partially filling in the guide. Getting a lot of "No Titles" spread throughout the guide, and only a few of the commercials flash on the left (the default Welcome TV Guide shows about 50% of the time). In some cases as it updates the next days schedule it is overwriting a previously filled in time slot with "No Title". Day 8 now has both "No Titles" and "No Listing" with some populated listings filled in with show title and info.

Am I suppose to do the G* test once a week to populate the guide? If so, what time of the day, if it matters, and how long do I run the test? I thought the digital mode could also populate overnight turned OFF like previously? Some of you are talking about leaving the unit ON (tuned to the digital host) overnight. Is this what is suppose to be done?

Thanks for all the help that has been posted to this forum.

Regards
MK

I can get no listings in the last week from CBS-HD Comcast or OTA. There are packets galore in the G* Test, but something must be wrong at CBS. The only way I get listings is from analog PBS 94. (I'm still using the Lincolnwood zip code, not Chicago.)

Does anyone have a contact at CBS?

In the TV Guide set up menu you could write a macro for "each" line to turn off OR you could write a macro to turn "all" channels off, then manually come back and just turn on the 40 you want. If it were me, I would do the "all".

menu
left
return (select)
return (select)
down

have that run in an endless loop, then kill the remote.

That is similar to the Macro I wrote for the Menu Case.

The problem with the Macro in Listings is - there are three
options. No Macro is smart enough to know what it is before
it does its thing.

In the Menu Case there is a special command for turning all
channels on and then my Macro could work its magic.

In the Listing Case - you have no idea what STATE the channel
is in. Most of them are ON and they would go off. But I can
Guarantee you I have at least 200+ that show off already.
They are all mixed in with each other.

The TiVo is so much easier in that respect.

Of course you could also write a macro to place just the 40 you want into position "1"; then use the scroll feature to put that first 40 in the order you want, and simply forget the others that are on because they show up after the 40 you want.

AGAIN there is no Macro that is that SMART.

AGAIN there is no Macro that is that SMART.

This one works for me.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11035501&tab=Features

I forget whats its' limits are, either 15 or 18 steps. But we are only talking 2 or 3 steps for a lot of this.

Just trying to help. It is true a remote does not know what is in a field; but if you are forcing a field to position "1" then that may be all you need-it does not need to know what is in that field. It's very easy to duplicate repetitive steps with this remote.

Try your local forum;
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=418646&highlight=st+lake+city

Has anyone completely lost their listings, scheduled recordings and host channel after a crash? I was recording a program at the same time I was looking through the listings screens. The listings froze, but at the time it still showed I was recording and the window had active video. I changed TV inputs to watch a DVD and when I noticed the DVR wasn't recoding anymore I went back and found everything was lost.

I have had this crash before, but never lost anything after the self reboot.

This one works for me.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11035501&tab=Features

I forget whats its' limits are, either 15 or 18 steps. But we are only talking 2 or 3 steps for a lot of this.

Just trying to help. It is true a remote does not know what is in a field; but if you are forcing a field to position "1" then that may be all you need-it does not need to know what is in that field. It's very easy to duplicate repetitive steps with this remote.

I use a Crestron Control Systems - so there are no programming
limits. The problem with any Macro is it is ONE-WAY only. It
CAN NOT read the STATE of the Channel and then do the right
thing based on State Info.

Anyone in Salt Lake using the DHG-HDD250(500)?

There's no programming info anymore for me...and tried forcing a digital host to local CBS affiliate with no luck.

Any help?

I've been wading through all the incredible information on this thread--thanks guys...

No programming info here in Roanoke VA either. DHG-HDD500

You may be interested in my post here where I used Tsreader to examine the DTV transmissions in San Diego:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15685397&postcount=67

Have now used Tsreader to examine TWC San Diego cable analog and unencrypted digital transmissions. See this post:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15708197&postcount=71

XETV-DT (CW6) TVGOS data is passed by TWCSD.

anybody not able to record the superbowl? The sony won't record it, my pioneer does. Is it flagged?

anybody not able to record the superbowl? The sony won't record it, my pioneer does. Is it flagged?

never mind. i just noticed my clock is gone, the guide is okay it just doesn't know it should be recording

First, I don't have a Sony DVR, but a Mitsubishi set that had the exact same TVGOS versions. You cannot "force" a digital host channel. You can tune to CBS digital (if they broadcast TVGOS digital in your area) and run the G* Test to get both a clock (real fast) and to update your listings. I used to be able to do this before I updated my Mits firmware, but it no longer works for me (used to be 08.02.44, now 08.01.71) and YES, 08.01.71 IS A LATER VERSION than 08.02.44. Go figure.

You may have already tried this, but here's a suggestion:

The Sony DVRs can be forced to a digital host channel using commands in the hidden service menus. My 50" plasma died recently (loud snap, loss of video, and aroma of buring electornics) and I located a thread on my set in the Display Devices section of these forums. While reading the thread I not only found out that there are hundreds of people with the same problem, I also found out that my set has three hidden service menus. I can't find out what's in them because my still dead set is now ectoplasma (I called Ghostbusters). However, your set may also have hidden service menus, which may possibly allow you to do something similar to what many of us have done with our DVRs. Just a thought. Hope it helps.

Another thought: you may be able to revert to your original firmware by restoring the factory settings (possibly through a service menu). The Sony DVRs provide that functionality using a service menu.

How did you update your firmware?

You may have already tried this, but here's a suggestion:

The Sony DVRs can be forced to a digital host channel using commands in the hidden service menus. My 50" plasma died recently (loud snap, loss of video, and aroma of buring electornics) and I located a thread on my set in the Display Devices section of these forums. While reading the thread I not only found out that there are hundreds of people with the same problem, I also found out that my set has three hidden service menus. I can't find out what's in them because my still dead set is now ectoplasma (I called Ghostbusters). However, your set may also have hidden service menus, which may possibly allow you to do something similar to what many of us have done with our DVRs. Just a thought. Hope it helps.

Another thought: you may be able to revert to your original firmware by restoring the factory settings (possibly through a service menu). The Sony DVRs provide that functionality using a service menu.

How did you update your firmware?I called Mitsubishi and they sent me a flash card with the new firmware on it. Like I said, I used to be able to get a digital CBS host during the time my analog PBS stopped xmitting guide info, but the day before I did the set's firmware update, my analog PBS started transmitting guide info again. It's probably because it prefers analog PBS to digital CBS.

So far after about 3 days of running the Sony Box after the 9012 full default reset all seems to be in order.

It has not "locked up" yet. And the "Guide" in 100% filed in now. This week will be lots of heavy duty test, with about 25 shows scheduled to be recorded. So by the end of the week, I should know if the "lock ups" are gone.

Things that are different:

Responsiveness is "slower": For example it takes about 2 or 3 seconds longer to bring up the "Guide" - and essentially "all" commands are much slower.

The "Slider Bar" is Different - we don't like the new one! The old one had a larger and easier to see "speed" indicator "marker" and "arrow" that was solid numbers AND it whould tell you where you were in the show - like "35" minutes into a one hour show. The new slider bar does not have that! The new slider bar does put the "program name" from the EPG on the slider bar. That is nice; but not needed..............since you can always find that out just by hitting the "info" button. So the new slider bar sux big time!

As I had pointed out before there are very slight differencies in the Sony Set Up menus for "first time" configurations (new out of box); but these are very minor and are more specific to Cable/OTA configurations (more questions and choices).

Since my Sony Box is still getting all its data from analogue 8-0 PBS, I have no idea what will happen to these issues after the change to 100% digital.

For all of us, I hope this is going to be a "all or nothing" change when it does occur...........if the stations "only" change a little at a time, this could end up being a "Monster Mess".

Hi all--I just wanted to follow up from my previous message and hopefully help those here in Salt Lake and also provide a confirmation that the TVGOS on a digital host works (in SLC) if it hasn't already been mentioned.

Salt Lake City KUTV (CBS 2-1) is indeed broadcasting TVGOS digital host information that can be used by the Sony DHGHDD250/500 !

Here is what I had to do to get it working:

1. Simply force the digital host to 2-1 using the following procedure:

http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php?topic=25.0

2. I left the unit on 2.1 (KUTV hd), make sure that the auto off is turned OFF.

The first night there were a bunch of "NO TITLES" in the listings, but after the second night and day it was all fully populated.

That's all I had to do in Salt Lake.

My TVGOS firmware is: 08.06.44


Thanks to all and to all the other DHG250/500 owners on this thread who shares their knowledge!!!

So far after about 3 days of running the Sony Box after the 9012 full default reset all seems to be in order.


Houston,

When you say "full default reset", what are you actually referring to? Is it the 9012 - Restore Factory Default, 9012 - Reset User Configuration, or the 9012 - TVGuide/Reset to Factory Defaults?

I'm having Guide/Listing issues and have not yet performed the 9012 - Restore Factory Default because I have recordings that I don't want to lose.

Thanks,

Frank

Houston,

When you say "full default reset", what are you actually referring to? Is it the 9012 - Restore Factory Default, 9012 - Reset User Configuration, or the 9012 - TVGuide/Reset to Factory Defaults?

I'm having Guide/Listing issues and have not yet performed the 9012 - Restore Factory Default because I have recordings that I don't want to lose.

Thanks,

Frank

Look at these paragraphs in this document from Spiff:

http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html#Section1216


Paragraphs:

1.2.8 - explains how to get to 9012
1.2.16 - explains all your choices and options under 9012
3.2 - explains one of the reason you may want to do this

I did this because of the lockups I had as described in 3.2.

In paragraph 1.2.16 the fouth line downs says:

"Restore Factory Default": Deletes all recorded programs, and resets all user settings to factory defaults.


So in other words I went for the whole potatoe............and yes it deletes your recorded programs.............but I had no choice because of the lock ups. I did think about doing some of the other less agressive options under 1.2.16............but did not want to spend more days of waiting.............2-3 days "without" was long enough for me.

I can get no listings in the last week from CBS-HD Comcast or OTA. There are packets galore in the G* Test, but something must be wrong at CBS. The only way I get listings is from analog PBS 94. (I'm still using the Lincolnwood zip code, not Chicago.)

Does anyone have a contact at CBS?

I am getting listings OTA from 2.1, and have been since Thursday. I did get a reboot over the weekend but have already recovered.

Paul S. Rodriguez <psrodriguez@cbs.com> answered my last TVGOS question when I used the WBBM site feedback.

I am getting listings OTA from 2.1, and have been since Thursday. I did get a reboot over the weekend but have already recovered.

Paul S. Rodriguez <psrodriguez@cbs.com> answered my last TVGOS question when I used the WBBM site feedback.

I wonder why I can't get listings from CBS-HD OTA or Comcast if you are getting them. My OTA signal isn't the best, but appears to be good enough during the G*Test. Maybe it's not, and the CBS Comcast feed is the problem.

Thanks for the e-mail address. I will try running the G*Test overnight for listings. If it still does not work, I will contact CBS.

The "Slider Bar" is Different - we don't like the new one! The old one had a larger and easier to see "speed" indicator "marker" and "arrow" that was solid numbers AND it whould tell you where you were in the show - like "35" minutes into a one hour show. The new slider bar does not have that! The new slider bar does put the "program name" from the EPG on the slider bar. "Slider Bar"?? :confused: As in the 'TiVo' function?

I have never used any reset or tried any of the other dianostic functions within TVGOS with this DVR (never had a need to untill now). Other than the standard TVGOS diagonstic screen (753159852) under setup, none of those other 9 digit numbers work on this unit?

"Slider Bar"?? :confused: As in the 'TiVo' function?

I have never used any reset or tried any of the other dianostic functions within TVGOS with this DVR (never had a need to untill now). Other than the standard TVGOS diagonstic screen (753159852) under setup, none of those other 9 digit numbers work on this unit?

I do not know if it is like TiVo or not? I have not lived with one. Only used relatives and friends, so I did not pay attention.

Last night the unit recorded 3 shows: House 24 and CSI. The morning I set it to record the current show I was watching; and then played with the recorded CSI; did everything I could to make it lock up FF FREW, pause, play, 3,9,30, and 90 speed - lots of torture test for about 30 minutes............it never locked up.

Tonight we will watch at least two of those recorded shows, while it is recording 3 or 4 more. If it gets through tonight I will assume it is fixed.

Responsiveness seems almost back to normal; except "marking" a show to be recorded - it takes about 3-4 seconds for the "red dot" to appear on the screen. I was marking next week-Tuesday while it was both recording a current show and playing back a recorded show. Maybe it was always slow for "marking" (red dot), if it was already two other things?

"New Slider Bar" I am almost getting use to the new one; but I do miss knowing where you are in the show-I consider that a pain!

VB have you used the full reset under the 9012 selection? If so, did that work for you?

Look at these paragraphs in this document from Spiff:

http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html#Section1216


Paragraphs:

1.2.8 - explains how to get to 9012
1.2.16 - explains all your choices and options under 9012
3.2 - explains one of the reason you may want to do this

I did this because of the lockups I had as described in 3.2.

In paragraph 1.2.16 the fouth line downs says:

"Restore Factory Default": Deletes all recorded programs, and resets all user settings to factory defaults.


So in other words I went for the whole potatoe............and yes it deletes your recorded programs.............but I had no choice because of the lock ups. I did think about doing some of the other less agressive options under 1.2.16............but did not want to spend more days of waiting.............2-3 days "without" was long enough for me.

HoustonPerson,

Thanks for the clarification. I do understand all of the different "resets", it's just that I'm hesitant to do the Restore Factory Default since I have a lot of Dora episodes that I want/need to keep.

As it turns out, I was finally able to get a host, although it's kinda odd. I'm on Comcast clearQAM and OTA in the Philly region. I've not been able to get a host on OTA-analog 12 or OTA-digital 3.1 ... however, I just got a host on Comcast-93. I'm not sure what channel 93 is, but the Host Channel is listed as "1:93-0" and it's my ClkSetChan as well. Not sure if it's analog or digital.

When I tune to channel 93 on Comcast, it takes me to channel 93.1, which is an encrpyted channel. Whatever it is, I was finally able to get the screen where I can choose my provider and I got the grid. Now I just need to sort it. I'll have to check to see if the listings finally download.

ft

Yes I agree, do not use the full reset unless you have too. Our box became useless because of the lock ups.

We were at the point, if that did not work, I would send it to Sony for repairs.

My 250 is cable only without a card.

I only pass the VBI test on one channel. I used to get the packets from PBS (WVIA) also, but that stopped two weeks ago and they haven't answered my email. My local OTA CBS station has told me that TVGOS is not in their future. I receive KYW digital SD and analog but no packets. So here is my question: is anyone getting VBI packets (PASSED on the 9012 test) from C-SPAN? I get ads, listings and the clock from 1:0-15, and I get that channel shown in all places from the 753... screens. I even had it turned off in both the Guide and the Channel Preference menu, but the 250 found it after a few days with no listings from PBS. It's now turned on. I have not done any kind of reset or channel scan in six months.

Since there is no OTA C-SPAN and it should be the same everywhere, so this should be easy for any cable user to check. Any feedback would be appreciated.

VB have you used the full reset under the 9012 selection?No. I started to explore those menu items, but had no luck. I will have to take a closer look at spiff's notes.

What I meant by referring to TiVo is the ability to 'replay' live TV (which I don't use). Is that the 'Slider Bar' you refer to?

So far after about 3 days of running the Sony Box after the 9012 full default reset all seems to be in order.


HoustonPerson,

You appear to believe that your DHG has a new software version after perfromming a Factory Reset. Can you please post the software/firmwar version that your DHG now reports?

Thanks,

-phil

My Panasonic TH50PX600U (TVGOS version 09.01.33) hasn't worked since RCN made its digital cable transition over the summer. Here is a random reply I got from Macrovision on 1/27/09. Unfortunately, nothing's changed on my end - I don't have packets, line-up, or a schedule. I only have the clock set. They have not specified what diagnostic info they want....And of course, they closed the case before I even received this email.:confused:

Response (Lou) - 01/27/2009 10:28 AM
We verification from RCN that they are now passing our TV Guide data from WBBMs HD broadcast.

If you still aren't receiving the guide, please let us know, and provide diagnostic information.

Response (Brice Duncan CE) - 01/06/2009 01:42 PM
There seems to be a data passage problem in your area. We will be escalating this to TV Guide's Broadcast Engineers for further investigation into this problem. We will up date you as soon as we can. Thank you.

If I recall correctly, I think this is the same software version as before the full reset?

Now just after I did the reset, the version was 0.00.00 - just zeros; except the first number was still there and never changes

Pic 6869 is software version

Pic 6874 New Slider Bar

See the "tiny" 3>>

First of all that number to be much bigger and/or brighter, like the 000 and 1:00 at the beginning and ending of the show.

AND

It no longer tells you where you are........in this case that would be about 21 minutes into the show.............the number "21" would have been there.

The new slider bar is about the same between watching "live" shows as well as "recorded" shows; except on "live" shows the bar has a 1/4 1/2 and 3/4 marking on the show..............like a ruler. Really sort of useless. I still had rather have the exact number so you know where you are.

Hey guys, check out your system info screen too. Are there "other" numbers on that screen that may be different on yours? If you have or have not done a reset? Some of those numbers might be different after the reset on my screen; but I really do not know?

It no longer tells you where you are........in this case that would be about 21 minutes into the show.............the number "21" would have been there.


You have me scratching my head now.

I'm going to have to see what I see tonight ;)

If I recall correctly, I think this is the same software version as before the full reset?

Now just after I did the reset, the version was 0.00.00 - just zeros; except the first number was still there and never changes

Pic 6869 is software version

Pic 6874 New Slider Bar

See the "tiny" 3>>

First of all that number to be much bigger and/or brighter, like the 000 and 1:00 at the beginning and ending of the show.

AND

It no longer tells you where you are........in this case that would be about 21 minutes into the show.............the number "21" would have been there.

The new slider bar is about the same between watching "live" shows as well as "recorded" shows; except on "live" shows the bar has a 1/4 1/2 and 3/4 marking on the show..............like a ruler. Really sort of useless. I still had rather have the exact number so you know where you are.

Hey guys, check out your system info screen too. Are there "other" numbers on that screen that may be different on yours? If you have or have not done a reset? Some of those numbers might be different after the reset on my screen; but I really do not know?


I also recently performed every reset under the "9012" menu. Other than having to edit some settings, my slider bar didn't change as you describing.

If I recall correctly, I think this is the same software version as before the full reset?

AND

It no longer tells you where you are........in this case that would be about 21 minutes into the show.............the number "21" would have been there.



I tried to take a pic precisely where you did but I missed by a fraction of a second (and jiggled the camera). :) Yeah, you're missing the counter and the dark background. I did a reset about 2 months ago to fix the lock-up problem on the remote. Nothing changed other than fixing the problem.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/practicalcat/P0005716.jpg

Here is a random reply I got from Macrovision on 1/27/09.

Good to know that they respond to issues concerning the cable company and the data pass-through.

I tried to take a pic precisely where you did but I missed by a fraction of a second (and jiggled the camera). :) Yeah, you're missing the counter and the dark background. I did a reset about 2 months ago to fix the lock-up problem on the remote. Nothing changed other than fixing the problem.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/practicalcat/P0005716.jpg


Yes Yes Yes, that is exactly what I am talking about..............see I even guess at what time it was in the show!!!!!

I want my number back! Where do I go to get one? Where did it go?

HP - your first picture is the TVGOS info... You may want to check the SONY settings.

Yes - see what you mean about the progress marker being missing. Weird. Have you tried loading the latest Sony firmware? That might clear the issue.

Yes Yes Yes, that is exactly what I am talking about..............see I even guess at what time it was in the show!!!!!

I want my number back! Where do I go to get one? Where did it go?I suspect you may have upgraded the Sony firmware (not the TVGOS firmware) via USB stick to 1.2.13 at some time in the past. When you do a factory reset, it reverts back to the factory installed version, and you'd have to repeat the upgrade to 1.2.13. Check your firmware version in the system menu. If it's not 1.2.13, I'd suspect that re-upgrading to 1.2.13 will give you back your current-time in the info bar.

Those who have 1.2.13 as their factory version (me, for example) will experience no change after a factory reset.

A Comcast engineer confirmed this morning that CBS-HD OTA is sending TVGOS data OK, but Comcast is not receiving proper data via their CBS fiber feed for channel 189. Apparently, the VBI packets showing up when I run the G*Test on 189 are something other than TVGOS data or they are corrupted. Comcast is working with CBS to correct the problem.

I can't tell if it's fixed yet because the test shows packets either way. I'll try running the test overnight on 189 to see if I get listings. The last time this happened, CBS said they had to revert to an older software version on their inserter. I don't know if that problem was ever solved. If not, it may cause trouble after the transition.

Meanwhile, I actually managed to get listings this afternoon from my on-and-off OTA 2.1 signal.

If it's not 1.2.13, I'd suspect that re-upgrading to 1.2.13 will give you back your current-time in the info bar.

I have the original .05 FW, but I've never seen the bar look like that photo. But maybe a FW update will "shake up" the system and correct the problem.

I have the original .05 FW, but I've never seen the bar look like that photo. But maybe a FW update will "shake up" the system and correct the problem.

According to Sony, that firmware only fixes TV interface problems. All guide stuff is controlled by Gemstar.

Ray

A bit of trouble here also --- no listings for two days from Comcast CBS-HD. I tried the G*test on OTA 2.1 last night, but no listings for the 3rd straight day. I noticed there was no host, so I shut down and let it go all day. As expected, it locked on to Comcast PBS analog 94 and got proper listings.

Sounds like CBS has some issues this week, although data packets keep on coming.

FWIW...My Sony also had problems getting the guide last week from the analog CBS in Chicago (ch 2). After two days of receiving no listings the Sony automatically switched to analog PBS (WTTW ch 11), and has been working since then.

So the Host ID is back to 0-11.

FYI, I'm OTA only.

I suspect you may have upgraded the Sony firmware (not the TVGOS firmware) via USB stick to 1.2.13 at some time in the past. When you do a factory reset, it reverts back to the factory installed version, and you'd have to repeat the upgrade to 1.2.13. Check your firmware version in the system menu. If it's not 1.2.13, I'd suspect that re-upgrading to 1.2.13 will give you back your current-time in the info bar.

Those who have 1.2.13 as their factory version (me, for example) will experience no change after a factory reset.

Nope never done an update; here is picture from this morning.

I think? I saw a message at the very end of the full factory reset (which included a hard disk reformat). I think it said "Hard Disk Recoved From Format Error" then you press "OK" which I did...............those are not the exact words - about 3 lines of english..........it could have just as easily said it did not recover..........but my only choice was "ok".........meaning I have no idea what it was telling me. I looked at it for less than a half second; because all I saw was the Big Yellos OK to hit, so I did not care what it said?

So maybe my missed up slider bar is some wrong with the hard disk?

So far we have recorded about 8 shows, we have about 20 to record over the next week. I have done everything you can think of to make it lock up and it has not; so other than the "odd" slider bar it seems to be working perfect.

If we live thru the "transition" then I imagine I will do a full factory reset again AND might first "unplug" the unit for 12 hours so it is "cold" then fire it up and do the full factory reset............maybe this time it can load up the software correctly on the hard disk?

That is assuming this is a Hard Disk problem?

Any ideas?

What a min. Something in the back of my mind tells me my box was something like 1.2.08 maybe I can find an old picture? Odd?

Does anyone still have 1.2.05 with the correct slider bar?

follow up: No old pictures to be found on the firmware screen.

I will need to get an update on firmware to fix this problem; because I think this unit came with a version of newer firmware; perhaps .06 or .08 or ??

Um? wonder if I can get one from Sony?

I have the original .05 FW, but I've never seen the bar look like that photo. But maybe a FW update will "shake up" the system and correct the problem.

Ok, your slider bar is the "correct" one with FW .05?

So now I am back to maybe the "hard disk" format question? Maybe that is the cause of the problem?

I will need to get an update on firmware to fix this problem; because I think this unit came with a version of newer firmware; perhaps .06 or .08 or ??

Um? wonder if I can get one from Sony?

I have FW 1.2.13 - if you need it.

I have FW 1.2.13 - if you need it.

Ok, thanks. Now I am just weighing my options; especially with the up coming transition etc.

If peeps are still running the .05 version and the slider bar "is" correct; then the FW would not be the problem - perhaps another full factory reset might fix it OR the hard disk are failing?

Since it seems to be working perfert other than the "slider bar", I wonder if I should do another reset before or after transistion (Feb 17th)?

I just wish I knew for sure which FW it had before the full reset .05 .06 .08 ?? I just do not remember.

Ok, thanks. Now I am just weighing my options; especially with the up coming transition etc.

If peeps are still running the .05 version and the slider bar "is" correct; then the FW would not be the problem - perhaps another full factory reset might fix it OR the hard disk are failing?

Since it seems to be working perfert other than the "slider bar", I wonder if I should do another reset before or after transistion (Feb 17th)?

I just wish I knew for sure which FW it had before the full reset .05 .06 .08 ?? I just do not remember.

I'm running the .05 version and the slider bar is correct. I've had the unit for over three years and never had any problems with the display of the slider bar.

Thanks Chris..............ok that is two peeps that tell me it is not the .05 version, so this must be some sort of glitch in the format on my HDD500...............so I think before the transition, I will do another full factory reset; perhaps this weekend. I think by then we will have about 12 recorded shows to watch, and 3 more BD's are on the way.

Is there such a thing as too much TV? I was supposed to hit the River this weekend and that is top priority!

I think? I saw a message at the very end of the full factory reset (which included a hard disk reformat). I think it said "Hard Disk Recoved From Format Error" then you press "OK" which I did...............those are not the exact words - about 3 lines of english..........it could have just as easily said it did not recover..........but my only choice was "ok".........meaning I have no idea what it was telling me. I looked at it for less than a half second; because all I saw was the Big Yellos OK to hit, so I did not care what it said?



I also remember seeing that message after performing a hard disk reformat a couple weeks back, but it didn't affect my slider bar.

HP - while the .13 FW upgrade wasn't meant to fix a slider problem, upgrading to it shouldn't impact any other operation, and MAY fix your slider, by doing a full refresh of the code. You won't need to do a reset with that.

Thanks for the feedback teeitup and rbrodzinsky.............yes the .13 FW might wake it up and/or another full reset could wake it up.

Something tells me it just maybe got whooper jawed in the format portion. I will continue to ponder the world the next few days; perhaps some light bulbs may turn on?

FWIW, I had an .05 version (which got replaced with a .13), and also have an .06 and an .09. All 4 of them have the old style progress bar.

FWIW...My Sony also had problems getting the guide last week from the analog CBS in Chicago (ch 2). After two days of receiving no listings the Sony automatically switched to analog PBS (WTTW ch 11), and has been working since then.

So the Host ID is back to 0-11.

FYI, I'm OTA only.

I have been getting guide from digital CBS 2.1 for almost a week now. I don't think analog 2 has any VBI packets; at least it didn't when I ran the G* test. After forcing 2.1 last Thursday I have had no glitches for 7 days. I am OTA-only as well.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/36552

FWIW, I had an .05 version (which got replaced with a .13), and also have an .06 and an .09. All 4 of them have the old style progress bar.

Kewl, all I need is conflicting information. Maybe I can get it sorted out.

HoustonPerson,

Since we're talking about essentially computer hardware/software, I would try these "fixes", checking your glitch after each one.

[1]
1.2.7 How do I reset the unit?
Warm Reboot

[2]
1.2.7 How do I reset the unit?
Cold Reboot

[3]
1.2.16 What do each of the 9012 service menu commands do?
"Reset User Configuration"

Thanks for the feedback teeitup and rbrodzinsky.............yes the .13 FW might wake it up and/or another full reset could wake it up.

Something tells me it just maybe got whooper jawed in the format portion. I will continue to ponder the world the next few days; perhaps some light bulbs may turn on?

A warm reset will often solve all kinds of weird glitches. Try it.

A warm reset will often solve all kinds of weird glitches. Try it.

Amen. I recently had my unit say "no signal" for every digital channel (two days before the super bowl). The warm reset fixed it.

FWIW...My Sony also had problems getting the guide last week from the analog CBS in Chicago (ch 2). After two days of receiving no listings the Sony automatically switched to analog PBS (WTTW ch 11), and has been working since then.

So the Host ID is back to 0-11.

FYI, I'm OTA only.

The Comcast engineer said CBS definitely had problems over the last few days. I can't tell how that might have affected feeds other than for Comcast. It's fixed now.

I asked him why there is no alert system (other than us test subjects) at CBS or Comcast that warns when TVGOS data is bad or non-existent. He did say Comcast was setting up a TV that uses the digital guide so they can at least spot check it every so often. Not a very high-tech solution.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/36552

Local San Diego broadcasters have agreed to shut down analog transmission on Feb 17:
http://www.sbe36.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=278&Itemid=1

The author is the Chief Engineer at XETV.
Other info here:
http://hdtv.forsandiego.com/messages/1/7282.html?1233524168

Try your local forum;
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=418646&highlight=st+lake+city

Has anyone completely lost their listings, scheduled recordings and host channel after a crash? I was recording a program at the same time I was looking through the listings screens. The listings froze, but at the time it still showed I was recording and the window had active video. I changed TV inputs to watch a DVD and when I noticed the DVR wasn't recoding anymore I went back and found everything was lost.

I have had this crash before, but never lost anything after the self reboot.


Yes, a number of times on two 250s over the years. But everything has returned in 5 days or less while doing nothing more than a hard reset once or twice a day. Neither unit has been sent to Sony for service.

In Seattle and have Comcast with a Cable Card + Over The Air Antenna. A few weeks ago, the guide stopped updating except for the current day.

Followed the directions on pvr.hidyman.com site
Did a warm reboot and hit the appropriate buttons to clear out the NVM
It went back into the TV Guide Setup and we told it we had Cable only.
We checked the host channel and it was blank
The next day, 3 days of the guide were populated. The next day, we had 6 days of information
Tomorrow we expect to have the rest of the guide populated.

A warm reset will often solve all kinds of weird glitches. Try it.

thanks...........yes I will try that today for sure, nothing to loose at all, and it might work, and its fast.

we put the unit through its paces again last night and all is perfect except the slider bar

Thanks kwg and PhillyC

The "warm boot" front panel did the trick.

AND thanks to everyone that has been so grand with all the assistance.

Now I "Rocking"

FYI
2 500's OTA only
1 uses 0-2 as host, correct clock, full listings.
2 uses 0-11 as host, correct clock, full listings.
They both can get VBI from either 2-1 or 3-1 and I've proven they can get listings and clock settings. Now I guess I'll have to wait until June for the transition to see if they work strictly on 2-1 full time.
They have been this way for about 2 weeks now with no gliches.

Digital host update:

I can confirm that both CFTO-DT Toronto 9.1 (DT 40.1) and WNED-DT Buffalo 17.1 (DT 43.1) are now both transmitting TVGOS listings!

Now, some won't beleive me but I am getting automatic uploads from ** 3 ** different hosts for 3 days in a row now - this is on my 2nd box that is OTA only. I can confirm this by looking at Day 8. Of the 3 hosts, 2 are digital (CFTO-DT Toronto, WNED-DT Buffalo) and 1 is analog (CKCO-TV Kitchener).

See here for my test listings... http://www.dxinfocentre.com/test/TVGOS_Test.html
Everything from Detroit to Rochester in the US and Windsor to Peterborough in Canada is being updated daily. My vid-captures are in 480i because that's what my PC card input is.

The service menu host is shown as CFTO-DT 40. Turned on in the channel list are WNED-DT 17.1 and CKCO-TV 13.

On my main box that still uses analog Cable 13 as host, I cannot get it to upload listings from a digital station by simply turning it on in the channel listings. So..with a primary digital host you can mix & match and get uploads from a 2nd analog host, but it doesn't work the other way around - with an primary analog host you can only get analog secondary hosts.

3 simutaneous hosts - who'd have thought that possible?!

When the summer DX comes, I might try 4 (CJOH Ottawa via ch 6 Deseronto relay? to add Ottawa-Montreal-Vermont listings)...but I'd probably be pushing my luck since there are only 4 TVGOS listing upload periods per day.

....
3 simutaneous hosts - who'd have thought that possible?!

When the summer DX comes, I might try 4 (CJOH Ottawa via ch 6 Deseronto relay? to add Ottawa-Montreal-Vermont listings)...but I'd probably be pushing my luck since there are only 4 TVGOS listing upload periods per day.
Does anyone in fact know whether the digital downloads have the same download schedule as for analog? I do know that when I did the G*-leave unit on overnight, I got EIGHT days of listings, which suggests the structure for digital TVGOS transmissions may be entirely different...

Does anyone in fact know whether the digital downloads have the same download schedule as for analog? I do know that when I did the G*-leave unit on overnight, I got EIGHT days of listings, which suggests the structure for digital TVGOS transmissions may be entirely different...

Maybe someone else can confirm this, but this is what I find in my VBI Data - VBI DL Sched :

Download ID 70 (Listings) :
Analog = 4 DL per day - each DL 180 minutes long
Digital = 7 DL per day - each DL 30 minutes long

Download ID 81 :
Analog = 3 per day - each 50 minutes long
Digital = 4 per day - each 20 minutes long

Download ID 27 :
Analog = 3 per day - each 60 minutes long
Digital = 4 per day - each 20 minutes long

Download ID 97 :
Analog = none (new? or are these ads - Canadians don't have ads yet)
Digital = 8 per day - each 60 minutes long

Full sched follows in next post...

Digital sched (EST)...converted from GMT in VBI Sched

12:51-1:11 AM DL#81
1:16-1:36 AM DL#27
1:41-2:01 AM DL#81
2:06-2:26 AM DL#27
2:31-3:01 AM * DL#70 Listings
3:06-4:06 AM DL#97
4:11-4:41 AM * DL#70 Listings
4:46-5:46 AM DL#97
5:51-6:11 AM DL#27
6:16-6:46 AM * DL#70 Listings
6:51-7:51 AM DL#97
7:56-8:26 AM * DL#70 Listings
8:31-9:31 AM DL#97
9:36-9:56 AM DL#81
10:01-10:31 AM * DL#70 Listings
10:36-11:36 AM DL#97
11:41-12:11 PM * DL#70 Listings
12:16-1:16 PM DL#97
1:21-1:41 PM DL#81
1:46-2:16 PM * DL#70 Listings
2:21-3:21 PM DL#97
4:01-5:01 PM DL#97
5:06-5:26 PM DL#27

end

I also noted that one of my digital hosts reverted back to analog. My 3 hosts are station ID # 2154, 2168 and 17504. The #17504 host is the one with the digital sched. The other two had the analog sched.

Can someone please tell me what a G* test is and how to run one. New to all of this.
Thanks Gregg

Can someone please tell me what a G* test is and how to run one. New to all of this.
Thanks GreggLook here: http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html at sections 1.2.8 (service menu) and 1.2.16 (G* Factory Test).

Digital sched (EST)...converted from GMT in VBI Sched

12:51-1:11 AM DL#81
1:16-1:36 AM DL#27
1:41-2:01 AM DL#81
...etc
end
? I'm sorry, but I have no idea what all these items mean (or where they came from)...could someone enlighten me? Thanks

Using the instructions at the Sony DHG-HDD250/500 Forum (http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php?topic=25.0), I have successfully set my Sony DHG-HDD500 to use KGMB-DT on OTW channel 113.1as the TVGOS host channel. After setting it last night, I checked this morning and found both new ads and next Friday's listings. It looks like the life of my Sony DVRs has now been extended indefinitely.

Hurray!

PS. This DVR has TVGOS firmware 8.01.42/8.06.44 and 1.2.05 system firmware.

? I'm sorry, but I have no idea what all these items mean (or where they came from)...could someone enlighten me? Thanks

These are the times of various TVGOS downloads that came from the VBI Sched page which can be accessed via the 753159852 TVGOS Service Menu. Download Type 70's are the TV Guide listings. The other types are channel lineups, etc - I don't think anyone's exactly pinned those down yet.

Access to service menus is described on spiff's webpage http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php?topic=9.0 .

The Comcast engineer said CBS definitely had problems over the last few days. I can't tell how that might have affected feeds other than for Comcast. It's fixed now.

I asked him why there is no alert system (other than us test subjects) at CBS or Comcast that warns when TVGOS data is bad or non-existent. He did say Comcast was setting up a TV that uses the digital guide so they can at least spot check it every so often. Not a very high-tech solution.
PhillyC - It wasn't just Comcast - my RCN feed over cablecard started working after a successful schedule load the morning of Feb 4th.

I am pretty ecstatic since I haven't had a functioning TVGuide since June/July.

PhillyC - It wasn't just Comcast - my RCN feed over cablecard started working after a successful schedule load the morning of Feb 4th.

I am pretty ecstatic since I haven't had a functioning TVGuide since June/July.

Maybe when Comcast informed CBS of the problem, CBS also checked their fiber feed to RCN, assuming you are in the Chicago area. No guide since July? Holy %$#&!

These are the times of various TVGOS downloads that came from the VBI Sched page which can be accessed via the 753159852 TVGOS Service Menu. Download Type 70's are the TV Guide listings. The other types are channel lineups, etc - I don't think anyone's exactly pinned those down yet.

Access to service menus is described on spiff's webpage http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php?topic=9.0 .
Thanks...I'm familiar with the 753159852 TVGOS service menu, but have never been able to figure out most of the pages that it leads to (aside from identifying the host channel, which is my usual interest)...

What's interesting is that the DL70 items - which you say are the program info - only last 30 minutes each, and there are 7 of them in your list...it would be interesting to know whether these have different contents, in terms of which days, i.e., 1 to 8. I know from my own experience that you can get all 8 days of listing overnight by doing the G* test/leave-unit-on deal.

I'm a bit surprised that one of the other types, i.e., 97, lasts an hour and comes at 8 time periods. Of course, if you're getting a lineup of hundreds of channels, I guess that's a lot of data...but more than the program info/descriptions for all those channels? Maybe so, if the 30-minute program info is only for, say, 2 days, and the different 30-minutes periods interleave different days...

anybody's guess (I guess)

Using the instructions at the Sony DHG-HDD250/500 Forum (http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php?topic=25.0), I have successfully set my Sony DHG-HDD500 to use KGMB-DT on OTW channel 113.1as the TVGOS host channel. After setting it last night, I checked this morning and found both new ads and next Friday's listings. It looks like the life of my Sony DVRs has now been extended indefinitely.

Hurray!

PS. This DVR has TVGOS firmware 8.01.42/8.06.44 and 1.2.05 system firmware.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15753464#post15753464
By the way, I just bought a new Sony flat screen TV. It has the newest digital version of TVGOS which after two weeks of use has been very stable, It's is a good thing too, since there is no way to do a "first birthday reset" on the TV to fix any glitches.

What is the difference in actual functionality between the newest version of TVGOS (8.01.42/8.06.44) and the last version on DHG-HDD500? What is the last version number on HDD500?

HDD500's TVGOS is so much better than older versions, such as the last version on LG's LST-3410 and analog versions on DVD recorders, that I'm curious about practical differences between its TVGOS and the latest.

FWIW, my DHG-HDD500's TVGOS works perfectly from the local CBS digital source while LST-3410 now gets no guide data from any source. A couple of DVD recorders still get good data from PBS analog. After the June OTA cutover will all analog products lose TVGOS for good?

What is the difference in actual functionality between the newest version of TVGOS (8.01.42/8.06.44) and the last version on DHG-HDD500? What is the last version number on HDD500?

HDD500's TVGOS is so much better than older versions, such as the last version on LG's LST-3410 and analog versions on DVD recorders, that I'm curious about practical differences between its TVGOS and the latest.

FWIW, my DHG-HDD500's TVGOS works perfectly from the local CBS digital source while LST-3410 now gets no guide data from any source. A couple of DVD recorders still get good data from PBS analog. After the June OTA cutover will all analog products lose TVGOS for good?
As far as I know, 8.06.44 IS the latest firmware version...I'd be interested to know is I'm wrong. (I still get my TVGOS from PBS analog, but once tested getting it from CBS digital, which worked, but I didn't force it to be the host channel.)

It's a little strange that you're getting older versions of TVGOS for your DVD recorders, but not v7 for your 3410a. On the other hand, I've seen strange things, too.

But yesterday, the TVGOS analog data here seemed to be missing in synch for both my Sony 250 and my 3410a - in both cases no data yesterday, so day 7 is now missing for both...guess Gemstar or PBS screwed up...

OR Gemstar is testing something...

I wonder if CBS 5.1 was transmitting TVGOS data yesterday in the San Francisco area....anyone?

But yesterday, the TVGOS analog data here seemed to be missing in synch for both my Sony 250 and my 3410a - in both cases no data yesterday, so day 7 is now missing for both...guess Gemstar or PBS screwed up...

OR Gemstar is testing something...

I wonder if CBS 5.1 was transmitting TVGOS data yesterday in the San Francisco area....anyone?

I have partial listings for day 8 in Chicago --- and they screwed my channel order again. Comcast CBS-HD is host.

Uh-oh --- it just rebooted in the last few minutes.

..... I wonder if CBS 5.1 was transmitting TVGOS data yesterday in the San Francisco area....anyone?

I just looked and lo and behold, no listings from 0400 Fri to 0400 Sat. Full listings before and after, all the way to Sat at 2400. I have noticed that this happens sometimes on weekends, although not lately until now.

Jim

Sure would be great if Ken reconsidered this request now. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11173635&&#post11173635)

Here in St Louis, Charter is rebroadcasting the digital CBS feed on analog channel 94. Before the digital switch KETC channel 9 was broadcasting the TVGOS and charter was rebroadcasting that as channel 90. I hope and think that if CBS channel here in St Louis is going to broadcast the TVGOS in their digital channel then Charter has decided to broadcast in analog on Channel 94. That's the only reason I can think of that they would use 94. I am trying to see if I turn off 90 will my sony pick up 94and give the guide.

Here in St Louis, Charter is rebroadcasting the digital CBS feed on analog channel 94. Before the digital switch KETC channel 9 was broadcasting the TVGOS and charter was rebroadcasting that as channel 90. I hope and think that if CBS channel here in St Louis is going to broadcast the TVGOS in their digital channel then Charter has decided to broadcast in analog on Channel 94. That's the only reason I can think of that they would use 94. I am trying to see if I turn off 90 will my sony pick up 94and give the guide.

This would seem to make sense with what a TVGOS person told me. The cable solution for legacy devices that can't handle digital TVGOS is supposed to be an 8VSB receiver that takes the fiber feed from the broadcast station at the cableco and converts the digital signal to analog and in the process also converts the digital TVGOS data to the legacy analog form. So you would end up with an analog duplicate of CBS-HD on a special channel mapped by the cableco. I posted links to pertinent information earlier in this thread.

Not sure how the OTA solution will work --- the one referred to by the amazing M8B.

Sure would be great if Ken reconsidered this request now. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11173635&&#post11173635)

Hey bwall23,

Cross-post often (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15767471#post15767471)?

-phil

Not sure how the OTA solution will work --- the one referred to by the amazing M8B.

I suspect that there is no all-encompassing solution for OTA. It looks to me like Gemstar has either chosen to ignore the small number of non-cable TV users or decided that it is too difficult to solve our problem.

If they have chosen for the former reason I'm afraid that aligning with the cable companies may have been a poor choice given the number of people that are dropping cable in the current economy.

-phil

I suspect that there is no all-encompassing solution for OTA. It looks to me like Gemstar has either chosen to ignore the small number of non-cable TV users or decided that it is too difficult to solve our problem.
...
-phil
there's a perhaps promising development noted in the 3410a thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15771516#post15771516

Digital Host Quirk...

My rotor died from combo of 10 below zero temp + next day 32 mph winds, so my antenna is stuck SSE. This has resulted in spotty reception of my OTA host RF 9.1 DT 40.1. I did not get a listings update yesterday (though I did from host #2 & #3). Today the reception has been more solid but still did not get a update. I checked the host in the service menu and for some reason it changed from 40-1 to 40-0. I redid a force host and it has now changed back to 40-1 and updated OK this afternoon.

there's a perhaps promising development noted in the 3410a thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15771516#post15771516


Wow!!!

I have to try that with my DTV Pal and one of my DHG's. Since I'm in Houston I should see the same thing. Hopefully I can do that sometime later in the week.

-phil

Seems like I have to do a reset every 3-5 days, or my TVGuide is not updating. seems to be getting more frequent. From reading the posts, it looks like I can "force" a new channel for the Guide, But unclear on exactly what to do. I pretty tech savy, but trying to get this out of the forum makes me dizzy. Can somewhat give a quick outline on what i need to do?
I know about the other forum for official sony DVR info...but just want to know what to expect.
Also, my 250 will be able to use a digital channel for the guide? or what?

Thanks
Cw

Here in St Louis, Charter is rebroadcasting the digital CBS feed on analog channel 94. Before the digital switch KETC channel 9 was broadcasting the TVGOS and charter was rebroadcasting that as channel 90. I hope and think that if CBS channel here in St Louis is going to broadcast the TVGOS in their digital channel then Charter has decided to broadcast in analog on Channel 94. That's the only reason I can think of that they would use 94. I am trying to see if I turn off 90 will my sony pick up 94and give the guide.

This makes sense now. I'm in Media, PA (Philly suburb) and have just recently gotten my host channel back. It is now Comcast analog 93 (shown as 1:93-0 as the Host Channel in the 753 menu).

It was confusing as I couldn't tune to channel 93 and digital 93.x are encrypted.

Anyways, this is great news ... combined with the development that all of my extended basic channels are now clearQAM and I can save loads of HDD space recording SD material.

ft

Maybe someone else can confirm this, but this is what I find in my VBI Data - VBI DL Sched :

Download ID 70 (Listings) :
Analog = 4 DL per day - each DL 180 minutes long
Digital = 7 DL per day - each DL 30 minutes long

Download ID 81 :
Analog = 3 per day - each 50 minutes long
Digital = 4 per day - each 20 minutes long

Download ID 27 :
Analog = 3 per day - each 60 minutes long
Digital = 4 per day - each 20 minutes long

Download ID 97 :
Analog = none (new? or are these ads - Canadians don't have ads yet)
Digital = 8 per day - each 60 minutes long

Full sched follows in next post...

My recorders reverted to their analog hosts so I can't confirm the digital download information, but I show 4, not 3, ID27 downloads per day.

Analog schedule (EST) converted from GMT in VBI Sched

12:31 AM - 1:21 AM ID81
1:26 AM - 2:26 AM ID27
2:31 AM - 5:31 AM ID70
5:36 AM - 6:36 AM ID27
6:41 AM - 9:41 AM ID70
9:46 AM - 12:46 PM ID70
12:51 PM - 1:41 PM ID81
1:46 PM - 4:46 PM ID70
5:46 PM - 6:46 PM ID27
10:31 PM - 11:21 PM ID81
11:26 PM - 12:26 AM ID27

Some interesting things to note:
1. There are 4 180-minute ID70, 3 50-minute ID81, and 4 60-minute ID27 downloads per day for analog
2. There are no ID97 downloads scheduled (they aren't ads because I have ads without these)
3. Each of the scheduled starts is at quality 6 followed 3 minutes later by a start at quality 3

I have partial listings for day 8 in Chicago --- and they screwed my channel order again. Comcast CBS-HD is host.

It looks like they have added the listings for Mhz Worldview. (WYCC Channel 20.3) But they have it's channel selected as 20.2 vs 20.3.

I'd like to force a lower G*I* test on Comcast Chico/Redding with my 250.
Gregg

Just in case you haven't seen this list of D-TVGOS hosts..

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

Wow!!!

I have to try that with my DTV Pal and one of my DHG's. Since I'm in Houston I should see the same thing. Hopefully I can do that sometime later in the week.

-phil
yes, wow! today he reports he IS getting partial TVGOS data on his Panasonic DVD recorder, and showed a picture that has the TV Guide logo...

So I'm REAL curious to see what you get...

FWIW, I think my 500 found a digital channel on its own. The only thing strange about it is that when I do the setup 753... it shows the digital frequency instead of the display channel number. It is finding WNLS and is showing it is finding it on broadcast channel 59 but channel 59 is no where defined in my unit. I thought it strange then I found:

http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=74420#station

anntennaweb.org also shows that channel 6.1 is actually using the frequency assignment of 59.

In my directing list it shows broadcast 6.1 and like I said no where is there a broadcast 59. If I use a zip code for the city WNLS is located in (Lansing MI) 48933 it finds the analog channel on my cable for WNLS. I found out if I use the zip of 48879 (small town just north of Lansing) it finds channel 59 off my indoor Zenith ZHDTV1 (which btw is the best indoor antenna you can buy).

Can anyone tell me what my host channel is? I think it is KQED channel 9.
However, my TVGOS data has been irregular, and I have been having to do a front pannel reset almost every other day because it is not received. Can anyone explain what is going on with my unit?

Thanks

Cw

Can anyone tell me what my host channel is? I think it is KQED channel 9.
However, my TVGOS data has been irregular, and I have been having to do a front pannel reset almost every other day because it is not received. Can anyone explain what is going on with my unit?

Thanks

Cw

Try KGO ch 7. That seems to be mine.

I live along the CAN-USA border and neither side's host gives me all the channels I watch, so I've had my system set up to grab both countries' hosts (by manually flipping back & forth every couple of days).

But...Since last week, I can now get listings daily from 2 hosts without having to do anything! (Before I had to occasionally edit one of my channel assignments in the Channel Editor to get host #2's listings added to host #1).

My setup - Host Channel = Cable 13 in the TVGOS service menu (CFTO).

In the channel editor...
CFTO-DT Air = 9-1 ON
CFTO Cable = 13 OFF
CFTO Air = 17 OFF

With this setup, I am getting daily combined listings from CFTO Cable 13 and WNED Air 17.

To get combined listings started, you initially have to enter the zip code of your second host (in my case 14201 Buffalo) to get the secondary host's channels to show up in the channel editor. Then later on, enter your home zip code (in my case L3M 4E7 Grimsby) to get your primary host's channels added to the editor (the secondary host's channels remain and don't get erased). In my case, CFTO has 145 channels, WNED has 438 channels. The combined has 532 channels (totals don't add up because of duplicates).

Before last week, I could only get the secondary host listings updated by temporarily changing my CFTO Cable above from 13 to 99 so that TVGOS would not find a valid host and temporarily use Air 17. Now it seems to just grab listings from both hosts every day! Great!

EDIT - Actually upon reflection, I don't think TVGOS has changed. This might have started when my cable co stripped off the VBI off of Cable 35 WNED and I started using Air 17 for WNED. I used to flip Cable back & forth between 13 & 35 for the 2 hosts. The Sony must be set up to check both the cable and air assignments to download listing data - even if the hosts are different - I'm guessing it does this in two consecutive load times rather than during just one. Will be interesting to see if I can mix analogue & digital hosts come Feb 17.

I have tried this EXACTLY with my new Sony V Series TV using OTA only. I realize it is not the same unit as discussed i the thread - but it did not work! Any tips, hints pointers?

I have all my channels listed, but a grat many US ones NBC for example) show No Listings.

Stu

Can anyone tell me what my host channel is? I think it is KQED channel 9.
However, my TVGOS data has been irregular, and I have been having to do a front pannel reset almost every other day because it is not received. Can anyone explain what is going on with my unit?

Thanks

Cw

If your antenna is pointed at Sutro Tower it should be KQED for PBS analog. KPIX 5.1 would be the digital channel for CBS. If you're on cable I would have no idea.

So,

After 13,743 posts, is the only solution to the digital transition to see if our local stations will be carrying the TVGOS in their digital lineup?!

No proposals from Sony directly?

Just curious.

Thanks.

Troy

I have tried this EXACTLY with my new Sony V Series TV using OTA only. I realize it is not the same unit as discussed i the thread - but it did not work! Any tips, hints pointers?

I have all my channels listed, but a grat many US ones NBC for example) show No Listings.

Stu

Actually, I've since found this to be more rock stable..

In the channel editor...
CFTO-DT Air = 9-1 ON
CFTO Cable = 99 OFF
CFTO Air = 17 OFF

i.e.- Don't leave the service menu host channel in the list. (In my case, Cable 13). The 2nd host here is Air 17. Listings from Cable 13 still get updated as well.
- - - - - -
In digital mode, I find it seems to be even more forgiving..the extra hosts DON'T have to be faked using your local hosts call letters...they simply need to exist (I haven't confirmed yet whether they actually need to even be turned on - that will be my next experiment.).

Service Menu Local Host = Air 40-1 (CFTO) (RF 40-1 VC 9-1).

In the channel editor...
CFTO-DT Air = 9-1 ON
WNED Air = 17-1 ON
CKCO Air = 13 ON

Of course to get the full array of channels, you still need to do the "make each one the host temporarily" setup one at the time - leaving your local host as the last one setup.

After 13,743 posts, is the only solution to the digital transition to see if our local stations will be carrying the TVGOS in their digital lineup?!
No proposals from Sony directly?
Just curious.

? what could Sony possibly propose if no local station is carrying the TVGOS listings?

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT SONY WILL PURPOSE, PLEASE TELL US ALL. PLEASE GIVE OUT ANSWERS NOT JUST MORE QUESTION. I AM STUPID AND I DON'T READ MINDS GOOD.

Gregg

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT SONY WILL PURPOSE, PLEASE TELL US ALL. PLEASE GIVE OUT ANSWERS NOT JUST MORE QUESTION. I AM STUPID AND I DON'T READ MINDS GOOD.If TVGOS isn't available in your area, there's nothing you or Sony can do about that, besides buying another DVR that does not rely on TVGOS.

Remember that this is a discontinued product and Sony is under no obligation to support it. In fact, it was discontinued at the end of 2005, more than two years ago.

If TVGOS isn't available in your area, there's nothing you or Sony can do about that, besides buying another DVR that does not rely on TVGOS.

Remember that this is a discontinued product and Sony is under no obligation to support it. In fact, it was discontinued at the end of 2005, more than two years ago.

I do have digital TVGOS is my area, but the Sony will not drive down that Hwy, not even with the help of 13,793 posts.

I own a discontinued 2005 Honda Hybid Accord and Honda still supports it, and I can still drive my Honda down the media it was designed for. I can still drve my 1969 MGB down the that same media. I can still drive my discontinued 1969 black & white TV down the media it was designed for, with the use of a converter.

What makes Sony so special? Do you work for them?

"More than two years ago" Sony knew that analog signals were going away, so why did they design a digital product that needed analog signals to work. THEY MUST BE STUPID LIKE ME.

I own a "more than two year old" (such a long,long time)Toshiba TV with TVGOS and it went from analog to digital just fine.

Seems like Toshiba felt some consumer oblication, you know man, like consumer confidance man, you know like eveyone is like talkn' about, like the economy man.

Kiss your Sony good night, I'm going to bed and f#@k mine.
BOZOO

But wait thiers more, stay toned...

I do have digital TVGOS is my area, but the Sony will not drive down that Hwy, not even with the help of 13,793 posts.

WHY NOT? Lots of us with Sony's are able to get TVGOS data from a digital broadcast...

And even if we weren't, the DTVPal converter is just now starting to get special digital TVGOS data around the country that it can convert to an analog form for any TVGOS device that requires analog data..

"More than two years ago" Sony knew that analog signals were going away, so why did they design a digital product that needed analog signals to work. THEY MUST BE STUPID LIKE ME.

Evidently you haven't read many of the posts from the last year or so in this thread and others about TVGOS and the digital conversion... So you should be advertising your ignorance, not your stupidity..

you know man, like Kiss your Sony good night, I'm going to bed and f#@k mine.

well, if you really want to do that with your Sony, go ahead, but there are a lot of people who would take it in its unf#@ked form

It was humor man, you know funny man.

Gregg

I have been seeing more and more instructions from TVGOS show up on the menu screens lately.

This is the one I got this morning-see picture (basic instructions but with better clarification).

Obviously, the DTV transition is a major mess, and no doubt it has really screwed up the roll out to 100% digital TVGOS and the required in field support of CE devices.

The Wallstreet Jrn. has an acticle today, explaining (in limited fashion) of how the FCC has a major nightmare on their hands.

Anyway, for those that have not seen this screen, here it is:

Phoenix, the 4th largest market, is apparently cutting off analog next week. It also is one of the cities where the CBS station is not sending TVGOS digitally.

Should be interesting.

Phoenix, the 4th largest market, is apparently cutting off analog next week. It also is one of the cities where the CBS station is not sending TVGOS digitally.

Should be interesting.

Maybe Vice-Premier Incoherent Pelosi can add a line item earmark to the porkulus pkg forcing independent CBS affiliates such as KPHO to add digital guide data? A bazillion here, a bazillion there... WTF, eh :-|

Yesterday my guide was reset again. This time KQED 9.1 digital cable was in the number one spot, in the past it has been KGO 7 analog. This may indicate a change in the host for comcast in the south bay. I expected KPIX 5.1 to be the new host. All 8 days of listings were present.

http://www.spiffspace.com/TVGOS_Training_Manual.pdf
NOTE: As part of the agreement that Gemstar – TV Guide has with the Host stations to
include the TVGOS data in the broadcast signal, the Host channel receives “top billing” in the
program list. Therefore, for reference purposes, you can determine the Host channel since it is
the top most channel in the default program list

Here's something that might provide a fix. Go to the page at the bottom and register as a cumstomer and then you might get an inventation to the Macrovision Live Webinar:
"Managing the Media Mess in the Digital Home"

I got an invite for the Wednesday, February 25th, 11am, Pacific webcast, but I fear my
" Ignorance and stubiity" will prevent me from passing on any cohesive information to this forum.

So if for some reason, anyone who wants to, can't register and/or get an invite (I have no idea how I got one). Let the best mind among them come forward and I will supply my password to them, to enter the live webinar, so that they might report back.

Hopefully the members on this thread, can and will register in mass and attend the webinar.
Let TVGOS/Macrovision know of our troubles posted. Attend in mass, use the power of 15,000 posts and AVS, to tell TVGOS we would like to drive are "two year old" devices down the media Hwy the were designed for.

Let TVGOS know of the customer base they are losing. Let them know we will let their (screen left memu) advertisers know with mass emails in protest and do so. Post a list of those advertisers and we can all start emailing... Tell the ones that pay the bills and then maybe TVGOS, Sony, CBS, PBS etc will feel some oblication...

Use the power of this forum to make the ones who broke it, fix it and then we can put away are ocillascopes and go back to watching TV.

BOZOO

But wait there's more, how do you get spel chec to work in this forummy? and sorry I pissed people off. Last nignt my Sony slept well after our mating.

http://tvgos.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/tvgos.cfg/php/enduser/acct_login.php?p_sid=WMCkSEpj&p_accessibility=&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=&p_li=&p_next_page=std_alp.php

Phoenix, the 4th largest market, is apparently cutting off analog next week. It also is one of the cities where the CBS station is not sending TVGOS digitally.

Should be interesting.
Thats because the PBS station will continue to broadcast it.

It was humor man, you know funny man.

Gregg

Dude, chill out man. These people are here to try and help you. Why all the pi$$ing in the wind?

Maybe Vice-Premier Incoherent Pelosi can add a line item earmark to the porkulus pkg forcing independent CBS affiliates such as KPHO to add digital guide data? A bazillion here, a bazillion there... WTF, eh :-|

LOL.....+1....If they can buy people cars and new kitchens how about they line item all of us a new Tivo HD with free lifetime.....:)

Dude, chill out man. These people are here to try and help you. Why all the pi$$ing in the wind?

Just “ campaign shoutn’ like a southern democrat “ Chuck Berry~Nadine 1956.

BOZOO

Has anyone else in Oklahoma other than me found that the TV Guide data on their Sony has stopped this week?

Has anyone else in Oklahoma other than me found that the TV Guide data on their Sony has stopped this week?Analog TVGOS was probably shutoff with no digital replacement [yet]. Oklahoma isn't on the list of cities (http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=tvgos) with digital TVGOS.

If you read this thread and others, you'll see a lot of people are losing TVGuide information as their analog TVGOS signal goes dark without an immediate digital TVGOS replacement. Hopefully, the digital version will be up and running in your area within a month or two.

TVGOS will be messed up for a lot of people across the USA because of Politics. Here in Houston analogue will be here until at least June 12th – and who knows it could be delayed again without just cause?

It appears that nationwide it just depends on if “investors” are able to get Clearwire functional to the degree they want? It is ashamed that the FCC no longer serves the interest of the American people.

Anyway, for those that do not have working Sony Box, just hang tuff maybe it will get sorted out.

This is TVGOS asking for input, is anyboby interested?

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Maybe some fixes here or at least a chance to "pi$$ into the wind"

BOZOO

I thought I'd share this update.
Comcast in the Boston area had been passing through an analog feed of WGBH, the PBS affiliate, on channel 97 for several years. This was the channel my DHG-HDD250 with CableCard always used as a host channel until WBZ-DT, the CBS affiliate, began providing the digital TVGOS.
My HDD250 would occasionally jump back to the PBS analog channel as host, but recently it had been locked on the digital. Yesterday, however, I noticed it was showing 97 as the host channel again. When I actually tuned to ch 97, it was no longer analog WGBH, but analog WBZ.
I have no way of knowing if this a conversion of the digital signal by Comcast and somehow it is preserving the TVGOS info. If that is the case, I wonder if this is something the Magic 8 Ball was referring to. I ran the G* test on cable channel 97 and the VBI count was extremely rapid. As a comparison, I hooked up an old antenna and tested the over-the-air WBZ channel 4. The VBI packet count barely rose and it actually received more in the BAD column than GOOD. Maybe that has something to do with my antenna, I don't know.
Anyhow, I though I'd share my recent experiences and see what you all may think.

When I actually tuned to ch 97, it was no longer analog WGBH, but analog WBZ..

Thanks for that heads-up.

I'm on Comcast in NH and I checked to see if they
have done it here. ANSWER - Yes they Have :p

I thought I'd share this update.
Comcast in the Boston area had been passing through an analog feed of WGBH, the PBS affiliate, on channel 97 for several years.

What is/was showing on Channel 97? Are you saying channel 97 was a duplicate channel for PBS and is now a duplicate channel for CBS.

I ask because maybe something similar is occurring with Cablevision.

For some time now the TVGOS data is being transmitted both on the PBS channel (13) and on the TV listing scroll channel (14).

On the other hand, the digital feed from CBS 2.1 is not available through Cablevision, although it is available OTA.

I have been hoping that when the analog feed ends on PBS, if Cablevision continues to strip away the data from CBS digital, it will continue to send it -whether in converted to analog or digital (and hope digital works on my SONYS) form- on the scroll channel.

What is/was showing on Channel 97? Are you saying channel 97 was a duplicate channel for PBS and is now a duplicate channel for CBS.

Exactly correct - that way the VBI packets could be sent
over the Analog PBS channel now the Analog CBS channel
is being preserved for TVGOS data.

Has anyone else in Oklahoma other than me found that the TV Guide data on their Sony has stopped this week?

I am still getting it today from OETA 11 in Tulsa OTA. I am thinking I will be screwed come Tues when OETA shuts the analog transmitters off at 1pm. Neither KOTV or OETA have replied to my emails as to whether they will be sending the digital versions. I am still not getting any vbi packets from the digital channels OTA.

I had been getting TVGOS listings for years primarily via WHYY analog 12 (the Sony almost always chose that as host channel). As of right now (and last night 2/14), no VBI packets were arriving from WHYY analog any more, so the Sony automatically switched to 26-0 (which is the RF channel, without a subchannel, for 3.1 - KYW-DT, the Philly CBS station.) I am having minor problems with the listings filling in, so I went back and forced 3.1 (instead of 26.0) and things are looking up.

No idea why TVGOS disappeared from WHYY analog, nor if it will come back. Maybe last week was a planned (by Macrovision) switchover from analog to digital TVGOS? Nationwide? Anybody else see their analog hosts stop TVGOS around Thursday or Friday of last week?

Nonetheless, it looks promising.

My Sat and Sun listings for next week say "No Listings" - SF bay area OTA 5.1 (CBS) digital host. Been working with this host continuously since Nov, the missing weekend updates here are becoming a regular event. Anybody know if this is a national thing or just local?

Thanks
Jim

I found one of these elusive creatures hiding in a circuit city today (2.15.09)! I was about to snatch it up for the ultra low price of 99.98, but I was hesitant based on the fact that it looked fairly well used (scratched and definite signs of at least one drop). I asked one of the employees and he said to forget it. He said it wasn't working. I asked him to elaborate, and he said it was a demo only model and was not made to work normally. I was under the impression that there were never "demo only" models, and that the feature could be turned off, but there was absolutely no way of testing it considering that this particular CC is about to shutdown...tomorrow!

The unit powers up, says welcome, and then displays something to the effect of demonstration on the face. I did not get a copy of any of the information on the back, but it is a 250 model.

So my question is, are there any "demo only" models that are useless paperweights/screensavers, or is this a worthy gamble?

Go to the link in the first post of this thread. The instructions are in there to take it out of demo mode.

hmm...yes, it seems Gemstar is playing around again...neither my Sony nor my LG 3410a (which has version 7 TVGOS) got listings from PBS analog channel 9 for Saturday or Sunday...I was actually wondering whether PBS (or Gemstar) has decided to stop the analog broadcast...though that wouldn't explain the lack of listings from 5.1

on the other hand, Frank70's experience might suggest that IS what's happening...

If so, I'm hoping that the Sony WILL in fact make the transition automatically. BUT I think it's getting to be time again for me to try to DTV"Palify" the TVGOS data from 5.1 (when it starts up again) to provide the required analog TVGOS to my 3410a!

So, jwpottberg, could you post here when the 5.1 listings start up again (my bet is tomorrow)? I'd hate to be trying to convert data from 5.1 when there is NO TVGOS being broadcast (let alone the data required by the Pal)!

Thanks - Tony

I haven't got any new listings for the last couple of days either. Tucson doesn't have a digital TVGOS channel. Hopefully, it will someday.

I can't find any Comcast cable channels (digital or analog) transmitting VBI. Channels 27 & 6 analog OTA transmit sporadic VBI packets but no real TVGOS data as far as I can tell.

My Sat and Sun listings for next week say "No Listings" - SF bay area OTA 5.1 (CBS) digital host. Been working with this host continuously since Nov, the missing weekend updates here are becoming a regular event. Anybody know if this is a national thing or just local?

Thanks
JimSeems as if no listing downloads occurred Friday or Saturday nights via my local digital channel, but I ran the G* test during the day today and most of the grid for next Sat/Sun filled in, so I suspect things will be back to normal after tonight's download for next Monday. Will report if it isn't updated tomorrow morning.

Mine was a demo unit from a Sears in TX somewhere... I turned off the demo mode and it has worked just fine (well, fine when TVGOS wasn't screwing around anyway) ever since - been about 2 or 3 years now. YMMV.
Frank

The lack of listings for Sat & Sun must be a local or regional issue for your area; I have received both days of listing here in Las Vegas (PBS Analog); which my DHG250 keeps defaulting to from the digital update since PBS is still providing it here locally.

Regards
MK

I have two 500 models both of which are properly updating the guide but both machines have a blank next to "Host Channel". I think they may be using a digital channel because occasionaly they'll miss all or part of day 8 but update day 7 as well as the new day 8 the next day.

Does anyone else show a blank next to "Host Channel" while still receiving updates?

I have two 500 models both of which are properly updating the guide but both machines have a blank next to "Host Channel". I think they may be using a digital channel because occasionaly they'll miss all or part of day 8 but update day 7 as well as the new day 8 the next day.

Does anyone else show a blank next to "Host Channel" while still receiving updates?

Yes - you can/will receive updates while the host is blank. At least mine did for 2 weeks (receiving digital updates) before it reverted back to the the analog host the middle of last week.

MK

Yes - you can/will receive updates while the host is blank. At least mine did for 2 weeks (receiving digital updates) before it reverted back to the the analog host the middle of last week.

MK

When performing the digital G test method, the VBI channel reads "fffffffd".
Is this normal when using the G test?

fox

No listings for next Sat or Sun from Comcast in Northern New Jersey.

Analog TVGOS was probably shutoff with no digital replacement [yet]. Oklahoma isn't on the list of cities (http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=tvgos) with digital TVGOS.

If you read this thread and others, you'll see a lot of people are losing TVGuide information as their analog TVGOS signal goes dark without an immediate digital TVGOS replacement. Hopefully, the digital version will be up and running in your area within a month or two.

Never mind, my Sony resumed TVGOS after I reset it in setup. It will be interesting to see what happens after Tuesday since Oklahoma PBS will be going off analog because it's not budgeted to go longer with it.

Seems as if no listing downloads occurred Friday or Saturday nights via my local digital channel, but I ran the G* test during the day today and most of the grid for next Sat/Sun filled in, so I suspect things will be back to normal after tonight's download for next Monday. Will report if it isn't updated tomorrow morning.It's Monday morning at 7:30AM and no listings for next Monday arrived overnight via my digital host channel, even though it is showing packet activity. I'll let it go until this afternoon with the unit off to see if the listings arrive on their own. If not, I'll run the G* test to see if I get them that way. If the latter produces listings, I don't know what is going on with TVGOS to prevent them from downloading automatically via the digital host channel, since they had done so previously.

Seems Macrovision has crawled under a rock for a while. They changed their web site to be very helpful.

http://digitaltransition.macrovision.com/digtrans.aspx

No more mention of equipment.

You did not say if you were OTA or cable. I have been told by Chief Engr. at channel 10 that they have been inserting TVGOS is digital signal for last 6 weeks. I am guessing that my TVGOS is still coming from analog channel 3, both OTA. Dick in New Port Richey

It's Monday morning at 7:30AM and no listings for next Monday arrived overnight via my digital host channel, even though it is showing packet activity. I'll let it go until this afternoon with the unit off to see if the listings arrive on their own. If not, I'll run the G* test to see if I get them that way. If the latter produces listings, I don't know what is going on with TVGOS to prevent them from downloading automatically via the digital host channel, since they had done so previously.

Hello Frank
Thanks for your updates. My Sat.and Sun. digital host listings failed to update.
G test also failed (5.1 KPIX). Before I went to bed Sunday night, I forced
all 4 of my units to PBS analog 54 (KTEH). All 4 of my DHG's this morning
(Mon.) are fully populated.