[...]
3. I dont know, my host channels has not been set for months? (by that I mean it has been blank or sometimes reported analogue-which meant nothing here) so why the last date of 6/12 ?
[...]

I was perplexed by how your DVR seemed to switch back and forth between digital and analog, but you were able to make some sense out of the download screens. For most of the last several months, I was playing zip code roulette on my DVR, and I definitely saw a direct correlation between download screen activity, when the host was set, and no activity when the host was blank. Sometimes I would go for three days (blank host channel), with full listings, but with no activity on the download screens.

I think because your data was gone, and then it came back, and is now gone again that it might be a sign that they are working on the problem.

Mark

MySonyBox has 8 days 100% complete now. Unit has been off the last 4 hours; but left tuned to 11-1, local CBS. All missing data for Days 7 and 8 are complete.

Pic 7219: shows the only real current date time stamp today at 16:55 GMT (about 1.5 hours before we got back home). So I guess that INS line is what completed the download? INS does that mean the last time it inserted data?

Pic 7221: As Mark had indicated the VBIDL section may be of no value; if that is what he is saying?. (is that because the Host field does stay blank all the time now?) Anyway the most recent date it shows was a code 97 DL that was “blacklisted” on 6/12 15:36. None of my VBIDL pages show any dates later than that. Prior to transitions they updated almost constantly, several times a day, and it did not matter if the box was on or off.

The last note I got back from KHOU told me their equipment was fine, so it must have been a MV problem on what they were sending KHOU, the local CBS.

Try tuning to your digital CBS on cable. Then run the G* Test (it will fail). After letting all the tests fail, exit it, and go into the 753 menu. Go down 3 screens. You will then be on the ATSC slicer screen. If there is data counting in the CurrChan column then the TVGOS data is there.

If there is no data there, then I would run the G* Test on your analog PBS station over cable (they may be sending out the converted SCTE-127 datastream over the analog channel). It should pass the G* Test if they are sending it out. If it fails then do the same thing on your analog CBS. If there is no data from either of those sources, it just may not be available over cable, or they are sending it out on some other channel.

Mark

I tuned to my digital CBS cable station (5.1) and ran the G* test, it passed (I presume since I have not yet loaded the firmware update). I then looked at the 753... menu a few pages down and noticed the field "TVG" incrementing. (This was on a page with two other lines above it, don't remember the exact title.) Does this confirm TVGOS data on this channel?

Thanks
Jim

Bay Area -- only a few listings for next Saturday, no listings for next Sunday. My host still shows analog 9, so have reset my zip code to 00000. Turned off unit to let it reset; and then will reenter the correct zip code. Clock channel has been digital 5-1 since the software update.
my Sony now has maybe 75% listings for next Saturday and Sunday, and also still shows PBS 9 as the host channel. However, I don't know whether most of this data came in overnight last night, because I may have had the unit ON and tuned to CBS in the evening, when I was watching a movie using another unit.

I'll try to remember to check more carefully tonight about what is happening when. (Sometime last night I looked at the TV Guide, and I only had about 20% listings for Saturday...and an empty grid for Sunday..)

(In any case SOME data is better than what I've gotten with my 3410a/DTVPal setup, which is NOTHING for next Saturday and Sunday...)

I should add that the DL schedule now shown in the Sony's diag screens is ONLY for a digital schedule (all 5 of the analog schedulse have disappeared, as they should have), and that the DL record shows multiple events in the last 15 hours or so, including for DL 97, which is specifically digital...

I tuned to my digital CBS cable station (5.1) and ran the G* test, it passed (I presume since I have not yet loaded the firmware update). I then looked at the 753... menu a few pages down and noticed the field "TVG" incrementing. (This was on a page with two other lines above it, don't remember the exact title.) Does this confirm TVGOS data on this channel?

Thanks
Jim
I assume you're talking about the ATSC slicer page, and - although I, too, don't remember the exact names - it probably does indicate TVGOS data...which, in any case, I can confirm, based on what I report in my post above...

I've also found that, in I tune to 5.1 when it is actually broadcasting data, then go to that screen, it shows counts for C-type packets, but - with the .21 firmware - doesn't continue counting once I go to the diag screens (via 753...).

MySonyBox has 8 days 100% complete now. Unit has been off the last 4 hours; but left tuned to 11-1, local CBS. All missing data for Days 7 and 8 are complete.

It would have only taken one ID70, 30 minute, download to fill the guide data back in, and there would have been two ID70 downloads that occurred over the previous 4 hours. So the data was alive again for at least one of those downloads.


[...]
Pic 7221: As Mark had indicated the VBIDL section may be of no value; if that is what he is saying?. (is that because the Host field does stay blank all the time now?) Anyway the most recent date it shows was a code 97 DL that was “blacklisted” on 6/12 15:36. None of my VBIDL pages show any dates later than that. Prior to transitions they updated almost constantly, several times a day, and it did not matter if the box was on or off.


Your host channel should set, I would guess in less than 24 hours (it will probably be set first thing tomorrow morning). The outage just put your DVR behind schedule. I wanted to warn you not to conclude too much from the lack of activity on the download screens. After your host channel sets, you will then see activity on those screens, and also HostChan packets on the ATSC Slicer screen.

Mark

I tuned to my digital CBS cable station (5.1) and ran the G* test, it passed (I presume since I have not yet loaded the firmware update). I then looked at the 753... menu a few pages down and noticed the field "TVG" incrementing. (This was on a page with two other lines above it, don't remember the exact title.) Does this confirm TVGOS data on this channel?

Thanks
Jim

Yes, that is what it indicates. Before the new firmware, I used that field to make sure the data was alive. With the new firmware, that screen has much more information.

Mark

This afternoon the HostChan still shows nothing, but I still have a full 8-days of listings.
My LineupPkt was 4803 on Friday evening, and is still 4803 this afternoon. :mad:
My TimezonePkts was 365 on Friday evening, and is 433 this afternoon. :cool:

My ClockSet channel went from the old analog PBS, to OTA CBS digital, to QAM PBS digital, to (currently) OTA PBS digital. The FailingClock still shows the old PBS analog. Go figure..... :confused:

I guess it's looking like I will probably be depending on my PBS analog VCR tapes in the event that I lose the channel lineup? :rolleyes:

This afternoon the HostChan still shows nothing, but I still have a full 8-days of listings. ......Same Here

My LineupPkt was 4803 on Friday evening, and is still 4803 this afternoon. :mad: .....Almost same here, almost no activity

My TimezonePkts was 365 on Friday evening, and is 433 this afternoon. :cool:
.....About the same here

My ClockSet channel went from the old analog PBS, to OTA CBS digital, to QAM CBS digital (same station), to (currently) OTA PBS digital. The FailingClock still shows the old PBS analog. Go figure..... :confused:
.....Yep my failing clock is still analogue, and the real clock keeps changing from two forms of digital 11-1 and 11-0

I guess it's looking like I will probably be depending on my PBS analog VCR tapes in the event that I lose the channel lineup? :rolleyes:

I think Mark has it right.........once the HOST channel does set, the maybe the real live HOST column will start to fill in for a change.

Your host channel should set, I would guess in less than 24 hours (it will probably be set first thing tomorrow morning). The outage just put your DVR behind schedule. I wanted to warn you not to conclude too much from the lack of activity on the download screens. After your host channel sets, you will then see activity on those screens, and also HostChan packets on the ATSC Slicer screen.

Mark

Thanks Mark I will look tomorrow. The local CBS station is still not putting out PSIP data - but that is not a biggie for me.

One of the station people did get back to me and said they finished their antenna work and are finally up to full power.

This afternoon the HostChan still shows nothing, but I still have a full 8-days of listings.
My LineupPkt was 4803 on Friday evening, and is still 4803 this afternoon. :mad:
My TimezonePkts was 365 on Friday evening, and is 433 this afternoon. :cool:

My ClockSet channel went from the old analog PBS, to OTA CBS digital, to QAM CBS digital (same station), to (currently) OTA PBS digital. The FailingClock still shows the old PBS analog. Go figure..... :confused:

I guess it's looking like I will probably be depending on my PBS analog VCR tapes in the event that I lose the channel lineup? :rolleyes:

That's a little discouraging. One more day will be 3 days, and that is how long it was taking mine to get a host channel back in April. I'm wondering if the data is being retrieved from different channels as well as the clock. Maybe if you tuned to the same channel every time you turn the DVR off (like the OTA CBS channel), it would always find the data there, and wouldn't look any place else (using HoustonPerson's theory on how it searches for data).

Hang onto those tapes. :(

Mark

That's a little discouraging. One more day will be 3 days, and that is how long it was taking mine to get a host channel back in April. I'm wondering if the data is being retrieved from different channels as well as the clock. Maybe if you tuned to the same channel every time you turn the DVR off (like the OTA CBS channel), it would always find the data there, and wouldn't look any place else (using HoustonPerson's theory on how it searches for data).

Hang onto those tapes. :(

Mark
like others, I'm hoping my unit completes a switch to digital before long...I do have a tape that I made a couple of months ago, but I guess my combo DVD/VCR unit won't put out the vbi? My older straight VCR is up in my bedroom, where I normally don't use it any more, and I don't have a slot in my main TV stand to put it (already 6 units there, including my original Samsung 165 tuner from 2003, which I want to check out, and maybe sell to someone who wants to use it to control a digital-VHS deck for high-def recording - virtually the only way available now for saving high-value programming).

My backup for the Sony, if I need it, will be my DTVPal, which people in other threads have used for getting TVGOS working again with v8 units...of course, I don't know if that will work with the Sony, but it certainly got the clock back fast for my v7 3410a on Saturday at 12:07 AM...even if it has so far failed to give that unit new programs listings....:)

Well June 12 came and went and nothing happened here in San Diego
My TVG enabled devices are listed here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15891741&postcount=18

The 250 still has 8 days of listings from Host 1:06 via Time Warner CATV. That is XETV (SD6) analog

The HX900 also still uses SD6 analog from CATV.This TVG V7 does not respond to the number -> so checking future listings is cumbersome. (Anyone know how?)I did see at least 3 days but expect all 8 days are there.

The Sharp TV also has 8 days, it is the only TVG device that was re-scanned. The Sharp shows 1:05 as host.
Strange, that is cable 5 KSWB which was not known for transmitting TVGOS data.

TSreader has confirmed that XETV SD6 DTV transmits Digital TVG data. The 250 and the Sharp happily ignore that and stay with the analog hosts. The HX990 with V7 has no choice.

Alll is well untill TWC decides to dump those analog channels.

Does DMA dependent ring a bell?

Full 8 days, plus full Day 9 grid with the traditional 4.5 hours of listings for Day 9 (next Monday a week).

Still no host channel is set? and no downloads recorded on VBIDL pages since 6/12/09; not that is matters since it is working?

The only date/time stamp "active" is the INS line in Pic 7219 above, and it updates a lot.

Maybe once the box does set a digital HOST, then that makes it more "sticky" to digital HOST? Perhaps Mark and Possumgirl have hinted at that before?

As anyone had trouble getting their Sony to recognize a digital station they know exists and has a strong signal? Both my TiVo and Sony DVR are connected to the same antenna; however, while the TiVo easily picked up Asheville/Greenville's digital stations 62.1 & 62.2 (digital freq 45), after many "Auto Scan Antenna" tries, I cannot get the Sony to recognize these two stations....the Sony did detect all of the remaining 8 digital stations available to my location.

Channel 62.2 may be my only hope of eventually getting a TV guide on the Sony, since it is Greenville's CBS station that know I can receive in Asheville. I haven't had a TV guide in about 2 months, and had hoped things would be different after February 12. Any suggestions on how to get the Sony to pick up these two stations? Although it is likely that Greenville's CBS is not yet broadcasting the guide, if I cannot get the Sony to recognize the stations I'll try using the TV Pal Plus with the Sony, as others have mentioned doing.

[...]
The HX900 also still uses SD6 analog from CATV.This TVG V7 does not respond to the number -> so checking future listings is cumbersome. (Anyone know how?)I did see at least 3 days but expect all 8 days are there.
[...]


I have a V7 Panasonic DVR, but I don't know if it would work the same as your device. On mine when you move up to Listings at the top, there is a '+24 HRS' button that appears. Pressing the green button on my remote advances 24 hours at a time, and pressing the blue button moves back 24 hrs.

Hope this helps,
Mark

while the TiVo easily picked up Asheville/Greenville's digital stations 62.1 & 62.2 (digital freq 45), after many "Auto Scan Antenna" tries, I cannot get the Sony to recognize these two stations

Both of my Sonys picked up 62.x OK yesterday when I re-scanned all my tuners to pick up the channel changes in the area.

Channel 62.2 may be my only hope of eventually getting a TV guide on the Sony, since it is Greenville's CBS station that know I can receive in Asheville.

62 is owned and operated by the company that owns the CBS station (7.x). 7.x isn't going to carry digital TVGOS, so I'd be surprised if 62 does. Can you get any of the SC ETV stations, probably either 29.x (freq. 9) or 49.x (43)? I've seen reports that they're going to handle digital TVGOS for South Carolina (like they did analog TVGOS until February), beginning hopefully by the end of this month.

Hard Drive is "not available" on my Sony DHG HDD250, according to a new error message. I still hear the HD whirring, but I get a "no recordings to view" where I should be getting a list of recorded programs.

btw Diagnostics says my hard drive is 53% full, so the system sees the HD.

What is going on here? Am I looking at sending my DVR to Sony for a tune-up?

Hard Drive is "not available" on my Sony DHG HDD250, according to a new error message. I still hear the HD whirring, but I get a "no recordings to view" where I should be getting a list of recorded programs.

btw Diagnostics says my hard drive is 53% full, so the system sees the HD.

What is going on here? Am I looking at sending my DVR to Sony for a tune-up?

You could try a drive reformat from the G* 9012 menu. Worked for me. You will lose all of your recordings.....

As anyone had trouble getting their Sony to recognize a digital station they know exists and has a strong signal? Both my TiVo and Sony DVR are connected to the same antenna; however, while the TiVo easily picked up Asheville/Greenville's digital stations 62.1 & 62.2 (digital freq 45), after many "Auto Scan Antenna" tries, I cannot get the Sony to recognize these two stations....the Sony did detect all of the remaining 8 digital stations available to my location.

Channel 62.2 may be my only hope of eventually getting a TV guide on the Sony, since it is Greenville's CBS station that know I can receive in Asheville. I haven't had a TV guide in about 2 months, and had hoped things would be different after February 12. Any suggestions on how to get the Sony to pick up these two stations? Although it is likely that Greenville's CBS is not yet broadcasting the guide, if I cannot get the Sony to recognize the stations I'll try using the TV Pal Plus with the Sony, as others have mentioned doing.

I know this sounds dumb; but try reversing the connections at the Back of the TiVO and the Sony. Put the TiVO feed on the Sony and put the Sony feed on the Tivo. I have seen all sorts of wierd things with "splitters" and "cables" - that make no sense at all.

I have come across lots of splitters from different sources that to not work correctly it "all" situations.

Anyone has the 250 that won't accept channels like xx.xxxx? My 250 only takes xx.xxx

I have TVGuide 1.2.09


You might want to look back at some of my older posts. The 250 "shows" my digital channels as xxx.xxxx even though my Sanyo TV shows ZZ-ZZ. I always use manual recording. The few xx.x channels in my lineup are scrambled but do show in the listings. You need to supply more information about your media source in your displayed profile so I can perhaps help some more. It's that box to the left of your message.

I have a V7 Panasonic DVR, but I don't know if it would work the same as your device. On mine when you move up to Listings at the top, there is a '+24 HRS' button that appears. Pressing the green button on my remote advances 24 hours at a time, and pressing the blue button moves back 24 hrs.

Hope this helps,
Mark

Thanks Mark. The 24hr button is there on the HX990.
and works exactly as you describe.

The HX990 TVG is fully populated except day 4 which shows no listings. Will probably show up tomorrow.

You could try a drive reformat from the G* 9012 menu. Worked for me. You will lose all of your recordings.....

I tried and tried to get to that menu... Screen Mode. 9012. enter, and every other approach I could think of.. But couldn't bring it up.

Any suggestions on how to get there?


Thanks!!

Press "Menu" then "ScreenMode" then "9012" without pressing the Select (Enter) button at all. The 9012 menu will pop up after a slight delay.

Press "Menu" then "ScreenMode" then "9012" without pressing the Select (Enter) button at all. The 9012 menu will pop up after a slight delay.

*********

I go to Menu, then Preferences, then Screen, then Screen Mode (here I try to enter 9012... and wait... but nothing), then press Screen Mode and get a menu that says Hi def to std, std to hi def, or.. hi def to hi def. Here I enter 9012... and wait... but nothing.

I'm sorry to be so dense, but what am I doing wrong?

Thanks!!

JUST PRESS THE BUTTONS IN SEQUENCE.

This is like a secret code.... Don't pay any attention to what is on the screen until AFTER you've pressed all of the buttons just as I specified, IN SEQUENCE. :)

The ScreenMode button is up near the top/left on the remote..................

I'm a little puzzled at the behavior of my Sony 250 since Friday. For a long time, it had stuck to PBS 9 as the host channel, and also USUALLY the clk set channel, although occasionally that would show as CBS 5.1.

On Saturday, I had only a few listings for next Saturday, and by Sunday afternoon, I had about 75% listings for next Saturday and Sunday. I was puzzled about how I was getting the listings, particularly on Sunday, since - partly because of checking things, or rescanning - I was leaving the unit ON and tuned to 5.1 for substantial periods of time. After leaving the unit OFF for a couple of hours last night, I checked again before I went to sleep around midnight, and still had some "no title" entries for next Sunday evening programs, AND - as others have noted - the first 4 hours of the NEXT day (Monday) was mostly filled in, but - since I hadn't checked this before on Sunday - I don't know when this occurred. In any case, there were NO listings for any time later than 3:30 AM for next Monday. I then turned the unit off, leaving it tuned to 5.1.

I went downstairs to check things again at about 5:45 AM, and found that the listings for that Monday are now about 80% filled in, even for the evening, so it seems clear that I am getting listings with the unit OFF. Furthermore, the ATSC slicer screen showed something around 80 or 90 thousand C packets that have recently occurred. However, the first diag screens still have the host channel as analog 9. Maybe this evening, when I turn it off, I will first tune it to some OTHER channel than 5.1, just to see what happens...

Months ago, it seemed that with an analog channel as host, I only got listings from 5.1 if I left the unit ON tuned to that channel, after doing the G* test. And, although I noticed others suggesting just tuning to the digital channel before turning the channel off I was skeptical that that was really doing anything. Now I'm puzzled...

Any current thoughts on this issue? particularly that I seem to be getting listings with the unit off, but with the host channel still specified as analog 9...

Thanks - Tony

(I forgot to reiterate what I have mentioned in an earlier post, that is that the ONLY DLs listed in the DL schedule are all from a single digital channel (which must be 5.1) and I think that, during the last day, ALL the DLs in that schedule have been accessed, based on the the DL record screen.)

You might want to look back at some of my older posts. The 250 "shows" my digital channels as xxx.xxxx even though my Sanyo TV shows ZZ-ZZ. I always use manual recording. The few xx.x channels in my lineup are scrambled but do show in the listings. You need to supply more information about your media source in your displayed profile so I can perhaps help some more. It's that box to the left of your message.

I have the 250 (TVGuide 1.2.09) and when I try to edit a channel to like 12.3456 it only accepts 12.345

>>>>just updated TVGuide to 1.2.21 and still can't get it to accept 4 digits after "."

"This is like a secret code.... Don't pay any attention to what is on the screen until AFTER you've pressed all of the buttons just as I specified, IN SEQUENCE.

The ScreenMode button is up near the top/left on the remote.................."

*******

I have two HDD250s and two TVGOS remotes. They both behave the same way (except that the HD is still working in one of them). When I press the Screen Mode button, then press 9012 the remote tries to tune the set to channel 9012. Which, of course, doesn't work. I am really stumped.

Let's try this ONE more time............

While on the "normal" tv viewing screen (not in the TVGOS screen) . . .

Press the MENU button

Press the SCREENMODE button

Press the 9 button

Press the 0 button

Press the 1 button

Press the 2 button

Wait 2 seconds . . .

Look at the screen . . .

Hard Drive is "not available" on my Sony DHG HDD250, according to a new error message. I still hear the HD whirring, but I get a "no recordings to view" where I should be getting a list of recorded programs.

btw Diagnostics says my hard drive is 53% full, so the system sees the HD.

What is going on here? Am I looking at sending my DVR to Sony for a tune-up?

I got that message a few weeks ago on one of my units. It was the error message for hard drive failure. Try clicking replay or advance while watching a program. If these do not work either, I would guess that you need a new hard drive.

You have to contact Sony Service 1-800-222-7669. They will give you a quote and a workorder number.

I got my unit back in less than 2 weeks. I haven't tried it out yet though because I am still working on getting the two active units to download TVGOS.

I have not received new listings for any day after the transition; I am dropping one day for each day since the transition. The side box (ad box) shows the Welcome to TV Guide message on both. The clock is still correct on both though.

Box is 100% operational; however:

Still no HOST channel set and Host Column on ATSC slicer page is blank. All 8 days are filled in, with only 2 “NoTitles” on Day 8 – no biggie.

There are a couple of defects here and there in the schedule; but they should roll out?

Pic 7222: Wrong program title/description with cursor at 8:30PM tonight.

Pice 7223: Change cursor to 7:30PM tonight and program title, description, and times are correct.

Neither of those items a big deal; and we all have seen the same thing in the analogue days, but that was a long time ago.



Pic: 7224 and 7225. Only “last search end” and “INS” fields are updating with date time stamp. 100% of the VBIDL pages are still stuck on 6/12/09 and “0” in Host Column.

When the local CBS lost TVGOS for the two days, MySonyBox reported “12 lost Keys” it never reported lost Keys before. Have no idea what that is?

When box is “off”, it is kept to local CBS digital 11-1. Something tells me it would crash and burn, until it actually figures out a way to “lock” onto 11-1 as HOST.

Just a couple of hours ago the local CBS just got the normal PSIP turned back “on”. I have no idea if that will help MySonyBox lock into digital HOST or not? Most likely not related? Perhaps there is some other element missing from my local CBS that prevents MySonyBox from locking into HOST?

I assume box will be more stable when it can lock onto HOST, until that time it may remain flaky?

Other than Mark, who else in the USA has Digital Lock In - HOST column data on the ATSC Slicer page?

Let's try this ONE more time............

While on the "normal" tv viewing screen (not in the TVGOS screen) . . .

Press the MENU button

Press the SCREENMODE button

Press the 9 button

Press the 0 button

Press the 1 button

Press the 2 button

Wait 2 seconds . . .

Look at the screen . . .

Just wanted to add that (at least on my DHG) you need to wait a little in between pressing MENU and SCREEN MODE.

Other than Mark, who else in the USA has Digital Lock In - HOST column data on the ATSC Slicer page?

Me! Me! Me! . . . . . But not on the Sony's, only on my Mits TV with Version 9. :D

But from what Mark indicated, we're not gonna get that on the Sony's UNTIL a digital HostChan shows up. And you won't get that until your LineupPkts increments. As of last night, my LineupPkts still had not incremented. I can't check again until I get home from my office today.

I tried and tried to get to that menu... Screen Mode. 9012. enter, and every other approach I could think of.. But couldn't bring it up.

Any suggestions on how to get there?


Thanks!!

Let's try this ONE more time............

While on the "normal" tv viewing screen (not in the TVGOS screen) . . .

Press the MENU button

Press the SCREENMODE button

Press the 9 button

Press the 0 button

Press the 1 button

Press the 2 button

Wait 2 seconds . . .

Look at the screen . . .
You failed to put in the other step; should be:
Hit menu, scroll down to TV Guide, press the screen mode button, then the code 9012 to get to the hidden menu that contains other options. Scroll down to TV Guide and hit enter, then you can do a reset or a G*TEST. Or in the previous menu there is the format option.
Update: just tried your sequence and did not know that you do not have to scroll down to TV Guide in order to get to that hidden menu. Preetty slick.
Michael

This weekend at my girlfriends I checked for the host channel(s). 97 is mapped to analog 9 and shows up on the Pioneer plasma as cable 9. The Sony 500 with a cable card shows it as channel 97. The 250 with the OTA and cable card still shows the host as analog ota 2, yet she is getting full listings there. The 500 is gettting on partial listings which is weird. only the 1st 10 or 15 channels in the guide has info while the rest show no listings. NOt sure what to make of all this. The Pioneer has full listings as well. Both units still with the old firmware.
Michael

I know that it was debated many times before. But with the digital change over complete, it should be clear by now that some of the hypothesis raised six months ago were probably correct--that Sony DHGs don't look at the host channel on the 753 page for download instructions, and if DHG sees VBI package coming in when turned on for TVG download, it looks no further.
That simple logic means that by setting a one minute recording on digital host station right before download time everyday, say at 1am, everything should be taken care of for the Sony.
I still believe that people should quit worrying about forcing this and that, and getting everything they want to see on the diagnostic screens, because lots of them are irrelavant for day to day use.
For those that are just coming here to seek info for digital transfer and getting out, and having no interest in tinkering with this thing, they should be told everything is fine with their Sonys and set a 1min recording at midnight on the digital host is perhaps all it needs, and then sit back and enjoy the shows on their DHGs as if nothing has happened.

I'm a little puzzled at the behavior of my Sony 250 since Friday. For a long time, it had stuck to PBS 9 as the host channel, and also USUALLY the clk set channel, although occasionally that would show as CBS 5.1.

On Saturday, I had only a few listings for next Saturday, and by Sunday afternoon, I had about 75% listings for next Saturday and Sunday. I was puzzled about how I was getting the listings, particularly on Sunday, since - partly because of checking things, or rescanning - I was leaving the unit ON and tuned to 5.1 for substantial periods of time. After leaving the unit OFF for a couple of hours last night, I checked again before I went to sleep around midnight, and still had some "no title" entries for next Sunday evening programs, AND - as others have noted - the first 4 hours of the NEXT day (Monday) was mostly filled in, but - since I hadn't checked this before on Sunday - I don't know when this occurred. In any case, there were NO listings for any time later than 3:30 AM for next Monday. I then turned the unit off, leaving it tuned to 5.1.

I went downstairs to check things again at about 5:45 AM, and found that the listings for that Monday are now about 80% filled in, even for the evening, so it seems clear that I am getting listings with the unit OFF. Furthermore, the ATSC slicer screen showed something around 80 or 90 thousand C packets that have recently occurred. However, the first diag screens still have the host channel as analog 9. Maybe this evening, when I turn it off, I will first tune it to some OTHER channel than 5.1, just to see what happens...

Months ago, it seemed that with an analog channel as host, I only got listings from 5.1 if I left the unit ON tuned to that channel, after doing the G* test. And, although I noticed others suggesting just tuning to the digital channel before turning the channel off I was skeptical that that was really doing anything. Now I'm puzzled...

Any current thoughts on this issue? particularly that I seem to be getting listings with the unit off, but with the host channel still specified as analog 9...

Thanks - Tony

(I forgot to reiterate what I have mentioned in an earlier post, that is that the ONLY DLs listed in the DL schedule are all from a single digital channel (which must be 5.1) and I think that, during the last day, ALL the DLs in that schedule have been accessed, based on the the DL record screen.)

Here are my thoughts...

I can't explain why your host channel is still showing as analog, but you are getting listings when the unit is off. My wild speculation is that because your host channel is set, it is using the download schedule, but since your download schedule is digital it tunes to your digital host channel to get the data?

When leaving your unit tuned to your digital host channel, you have to make sure that data on the ATSC slicer screen is updating, or you will get nothing.

Also, leaving the unit tuned to your host channel in the evening doesn't work. Look at your download schedule, and you will see that the last download happens around 5:06pm (could be different for different timezones, but I don't believe it is). There are no ID70 downloads in the evening, which is your actual guide data download.

Also, take the download history screen with a grain of salt. Friday morning at 12:01am my host moved from RF 0:19-0 to RF 0:12-0. I rescanned before I went to work Friday morning. When I got home from work on Friday evening, I had No Listings for day 8. My host channel was still 0:19-0 which no longer had data on it. However, when I looked at the download history, every download ID had a Friday date and time on it. The unit apparently fills in that time before it even checks to see if it can get data from that host. Since the success field no longer fills in (it is always N/A), there is no way to tell if the download was a success or not (in my case it was not).

Mark

I know that it was debated many times before. But with the digital change over complete, it should be clear by now that some of the hypothesis raised six months ago were probably correct--that Sony DHGs don't look at the host channel on the 753 page for download instructions, and if DHG sees VBI package coming in when turned on for TVG download, it looks no further.
That simple logic means that by setting a one minute recording on digital host station right before download time everyday, say at 1am, everything should be taken care of for the Sony.
I still believe that people should quit worrying about forcing this and that, and getting everything they want to see on the diagnostic screens, because lots of them are irrelavant for day to day use.
For those that are just coming here to seek info for digital transfer and getting out, and having no interest in tinkering with this thing, they should be told everything is fine with their Sonys and set a 1min recording at midnight on the digital host is perhaps all it needs, and then sit back and enjoy the shows on their DHGs as if nothing has happened.

All of the above is true UNLESS you lose your Channel Lineup. In my case, setting the one minute recording, or leaving the unit set to a specific channel, has been unnecessary.

I know that it was debated many times before. But with the digital change over complete, it should be clear by now that some of the hypothesis raised six months ago were probably correct--that Sony DHGs don't look at the host channel on the 753 page for download instructions, and if DHG sees VBI package coming in when turned on for TVG download, it looks no further.
That simple logic means that by setting a one minute recording on digital host station right before download time everyday, say at 1am, everything should be taken care of for the Sony.
I still believe that people should quit worrying about forcing this and that, and getting everything they want to see on the diagnostic screens, because lots of them are irrelavant for day to day use.
For those that are just coming here to seek info for digital transfer and getting out, and having no interest in tinkering with this thing, they should be told everything is fine with their Sonys and set a 1min recording at midnight on the digital host is perhaps all it needs, and then sit back and enjoy the shows on their DHGs as if nothing has happened.

While I agree with your contention that forcing host channels, and such is unnecessary, I also contend that setting recordings at a specific time is also unnecessary. The DHG was designed to search for TVGOS data. It still does this even in a digital environment. Even with a blank host channel I usually leave my DVR tuned to NBC when it is off, which is not my host channel. It always finds the TVGOS data.

I realize that some of the things I have suggested that people try over the last few months may have sounded pretty convoluted, but there usually is a method to my madness. To me the simplest procedure to do with your DVR since the digital switch is to change the zip code to a different zip code (not 00000), and then back. That clears the host channel, and your DVR will then seek out the new host channel.

Edit: WS65711 said in one sentence, what it took me a whole paragraph to say :).

Mark

Pic 7226: I know that TimezonePkts was 299 on Sunday is now 365. I think the LineupPkt was about 3450 on Sunday, now 3537. I think about 98% of what has been accumulated on the screen was prior to transition?


I will watch this screen a little more closely, but the activity IMO is about 95% less activity then before the transition.

Maybe HOST does not set?

Oh thats funny the GMT times is 18:28 but the screen time is 1:29?

[...]
Other than Mark, who else in the USA has Digital Lock In - HOST column data on the ATSC Slicer page?

I would also like to know this. Surely my DVR is not the only one that works correctly. Did everyone whose DVRs are now working correctly leave this site?

Mark

Pic 7226: I know that TimezonePkts was 299 on Sunday is now 365. I think the LineupPkt was about 3450 on Sunday, now 3537. I think about 98% of what has been accumulated on the screen was prior to transition?
[...]


Is your HostSUFlags still 0xe68, or is it by chance 0xee8 now?

Mark

Got in this morning and checked both units. On Friday I did a force host on the 250 and left the other alone. Today the 250 shows the digital host and the 500 still showing the old analog channel 2. Both units had no listings showing for Saturday on. Did a force host on the 500 and went out for a couple of hours. Checked it when I got back and listings for the most part where there, but still no host channel showing yet. The 250 still showed no listings though, even with it having set at the digital host. I did another force host on this one and have left it on. Left the other one on as well earlier. Both units still have the old firmware. I will check these units again later and post an update.
Michael

62 is owned and operated by the company that owns the CBS station (7.x). 7.x isn't going to carry digital TVGOS, so I'd be surprised if 62 does. Can you get any of the SC ETV stations, probably either 29.x (freq. 9) or 49.x (43)? I've seen reports that they're going to handle digital TVGOS for South Carolina (like they did analog TVGOS until February), beginning hopefully by the end of this month.

I know this sounds dumb; but try reversing the connections at the Back of the TiVO and the Sony. Put the TiVO feed on the Sony and put the Sony feed on the Tivo. I have seen all sorts of wierd things with "splitters" and "cables" - that make no sense at all.
Thanks to both of you, but it appears I'm just out of luck.
Jtbell: An Asheville mountain chain prevents me from getting any of the Greenville/Spartanburg stations that are East of South of me, and Ch 62.X seems to be on the edge of what is possible for me to get.
HoustonPerson: Not really a dumb idea, so I tried not only switching antenna leads but eliminating the splitter, adding an RF amp, and changing the antenna pointing direction using the TiVo Signal Strength meter, but all with no luck. The only conclusion that now makes sense to me is that the TiVo is better than the Sony at being able to handle a signal that may contain a reflection, because it doesn't seem to be a signal strength problem, and the mountains next to me could produce a significant reflection from close to the same direction as Ch 62.X. I guess my only hope is that Charter cable will someday include the TV Guide in one of their stations...as if anyone would ever believe that Charter would ever make it easy to use of a cable box they didn't own. So I guess I'll sometimes enjoy the Sony for what it can do...be a back-up tuner with 90 minutes of live pause time, and an awkward back-up recorder, since the correct time is not available either.

Don

Hello All
DHG-HDD500. Mfg'd in 2005. Used for O/A only. Believe VBI data was being sent for last few months from CBS station - WBZ out of Boston, MA. I am in Southern Rhode Island. Assumed all was ok - 8 days almost always populated - thought I must have been able to transition with no effort on my part - from analog to digital. However, WBZ was also broadcasting on 4.0 analog as well as digital on 4.1. Since Saturday - no more 4.0 and starting to see no listing notices. Is there a definitive answer as to whether the Unit on it's own will be able to pick out what it needs from the digital broadcast to keep on working?????? Is there a particular model number for either the DVR or Electronic Prgrm Guide - which is known to have ability to use Digital data - to cull out VBI data? Have seen many of the Postings referring to 'Force this' Host that, etc. What most of us want to know - is can a non engineer get what I consider a great piece of equipment - to work in the digital environment?
Thanks/
Barry

Is your HostSUFlags still 0xe68, or is it by chance 0xee8 now?

Mark

Right now it is 0xe68, but I may have seen the other one 2 or 3 days ago? Do not recall. I think it has been about 4 or 5 different things in the last week. VBIsate still changes about 3 or 4 times a day, now it is 0x05. I think it was yesterday is was the most odd; something like 0x0ec, almost certain it had an extra character in it? and it did end in a "c"

I disconnected the cable input last night to see if my 250 would find the OTA host from OETA in Tulsa. It wiped my guide listings out Saturday morning and I have only been getting listings for the cable channels and none of the OTA. It had switched to analog OETA on the cable feed saturday morning and there was data coming in on the Digital OTA channel. We had no digital data available in Tulsa before Saturday, it was still analog OTA and cable.

Not seeing listing...

I did a TVGIDE reset on Sat and went thru the normal setup and install the Sony update (v 1.2.21). Its been two days and I now see that the GUID version is now updated to 08.06.44 and I am now seeing ads in the guid but no listing.

When I go to the ATSC slicer screen I see that TVG is increasing but so is the DUMMY and SKIPPED TVG1 rows. TVG = DUMMY + 'SKIPPED TVG1'

Ideas? I live in Minnesota and get channel 4.1 (CBS) with out issue

This afternoon (Monday) the HostChan still shows nothing, and I still have a full 8-days of listings.
My LineupPkt was 4803 on Friday evening, and is still 4803 this afternoon. :mad:
My TimezonePkts was 365 on Friday evening, and is 462 this afternoon. :cool:

My ClockSet channel went from the old analog PBS, to OTA CBS digital, to QAM PBS digital, to OTA PBS digital, to (currently) QAM CBS digital. The FailingClock still shows the old PBS analog. Go figure..... :confused:

I guess it's looking like I will definitely be depending on my PBS analog VCR tapes in the event that I lose the channel lineup? :rolleyes:

Got in this morning and checked both units. On Friday I did a force host on the 250 and left the other alone. Today the 250 shows the digital host and the 500 still showing the old analog channel 2. Both units had no listings showing for Saturday on. Did a force host on the 500 and went out for a couple of hours. Checked it when I got back and listings for the most part where there, but still no host channel showing yet. The 250 still showed no listings though, even with it having set at the digital host. I did another force host on this one and have left it on. Left the other one on as well earlier. Both units still have the old firmware. I will check these units again later and post an update.
Michael

I presume you ran a G* Test on the 250, as part of the force host procedure. If not that may be why you aren't getting any data. With the old firmware you must run the G* Test at least one time to turn on the digital side.

Mark

Hello All
DHG-HDD500. Mfg'd in 2005. Used for O/A only. Believe VBI data was being sent for last few months from CBS station - WBZ out of Boston, MA. I am in Southern Rhode Island. Assumed all was ok - 8 days almost always populated - thought I must have been able to transition with no effort on my part - from analog to digital. However, WBZ was also broadcasting on 4.0 analog as well as digital on 4.1. Since Saturday - no more 4.0 and starting to see no listing notices. Is there a definitive answer as to whether the Unit on it's own will be able to pick out what it needs from the digital broadcast to keep on working?????? Is there a particular model number for either the DVR or Electronic Prgrm Guide - which is known to have ability to use Digital data - to cull out VBI data? Have seen many of the Postings referring to 'Force this' Host that, etc. What most of us want to know - is can a non engineer get what I consider a great piece of equipment - to work in the digital environment?
Thanks/
Barry

The short answer is YES. But there are a few things you need to do if you haven't already. Install the latest firmware update from Sony. Verify that you have a digital host channel available to you. I presume WBZ is sending out digital TVGOS? With the FW update and a host, your unit should make the transition just fine. You might have to "kick start it" a little by doing a G* test and/or doing a temporary zip code change to get the analog host channel to blank out (presuming your unit still shows the analog host).

.............. I think the LineupPkt was about 3450 on Sunday, now 3537..................


Hey Buddy........ Can you spare me a few LineupPkts??? :D :D :D

This weekend at my girlfriends I checked for the host channel(s). 97 is mapped to analog 9 and shows up on the Pioneer plasma as cable 9. The Sony 500 with a cable card shows it as channel 97. The 250 with the OTA and cable card still shows the host as analog ota 2, yet she is getting full listings there. The 500 is gettting on partial listings which is weird. only the 1st 10 or 15 channels in the guide has info while the rest show no listings. NOt sure what to make of all this. The Pioneer has full listings as well. Both units still with the old firmware.
Michael

This is similar to what I'm seeing on two of my units. The one with the cablecard has full listings with channel 1:0-97 as host and the one with no CC has 1:0-7. The difference is I have 8 days of listings on both units.

I would also like to know this. Surely my DVR is not the only one that works correctly. Did everyone whose DVRs are now working correctly leave this site?

MarkMark, mine is working 100% correctly. My host channel reads (correctly) 0:26-0 (KYW-DT CBS in Philly 3.1 on UHF 26). My Host Channel column on the slicer screen is incrementing nicely on a daily basis. And finally there is no longer a tendency for the host channel to go blank or revert to analog 3 for days at a time - it's nicely locked on the CBS digital.

But even when the host channel had been blank previously, ever since I did the firmware update it's never missed a day's listings (occasionally some missing ads or a few scattered "No Title" or "No Listing" entries, but always something substantial for day 8.)

I'm also getting both TimeZone packets (a couple a day) and Lineup packets (a lot a day). My only question is when are those now non-existent analog channels going to disappear from the grid?

It's not that those who's Sonys are working fine have left the site, it's just we are happy and have nothing to complain about :)

Frank -

Can you confirm that your LineupPkts increment? If so, by about how many per day? :o

Frank -

Can you confirm that your LineupPkts increment? If so, by about how many per day? :oThey do. I didn't notice by how much, but I'll take a reading right now and another in the morning, and post the result here.

Update on my two units. The 500 is still happy with digital. The host channel is still blank but listings are fine. Sat. night it apparently locked up while recording (it was not "on") and did a reset. When it came up from the reset I had to do a G* test to restart the digital flow. I also noticed it had zeroed out ALL of the packets although listings and grid were fine. I just turned it off. Yesterday it had day 8 listings but no ads. Packet counts had incremented but no time zone or lineup packets. By yesterday afternoon, there were 2 time zone packets and a whole bunch of lineup packets. Today the ads are back.


The 250 had hung onto its analog host and received NO downloads of any sort for 3 days except for the DL Schedule. I got tired of waiting so last evening I changed zip code and then changed it back to mine. That of course blanked out host channel as well as resetting the HostID field. Today the HostID is set correctly, I got listings for days 6, 7 & 8, plus ads. So far it has not received any new time zone packets.

Hello All
DHG-HDD500. Mfg'd in 2005. Used for O/A only. Believe VBI data was being sent for last few months from CBS station - WBZ out of Boston, MA. I am in Southern Rhode Island. Assumed all was ok - 8 days almost always populated - thought I must have been able to transition with no effort on my part - from analog to digital. However, WBZ was also broadcasting on 4.0 analog as well as digital on 4.1. Since Saturday - no more 4.0 and starting to see no listing notices. Is there a definitive answer as to whether the Unit on it's own will be able to pick out what it needs from the digital broadcast to keep on working?????? Is there a particular model number for either the DVR or Electronic Prgrm Guide - which is known to have ability to use Digital data - to cull out VBI data? Have seen many of the Postings referring to 'Force this' Host that, etc. What most of us want to know - is can a non engineer get what I consider a great piece of equipment - to work in the digital environment?
Thanks/
Barry

With the 1.2.21 firmware installed, I would simply change your zip code to anything other than 00000, and then change it back to your zip code. For instance lets say your zip code is 67201. Go into the TVGOS setup, and change your zip code to 67202, and finish the setup. Then go back into the TVGOS setup, and change your zip code back to 67201, and finish the setup. This will effectively clear your old analog host channel, and your DVR will then search, for the new host channel (overnight).

If you do not have 1.2.21 firmware (which is easy to determine... if you haven't installed it, then you don't have it), then you need to do the zip code change followed by a G* Test (see below), because with older firmware, if you have never done a G* Test, then your unit will never process the digital TVGOS data.

To run the G* Test -- Tune to channel 4.1, then on the remote press "Menu", then the "Screen Mode" button, followed by the numbers "9", "0", "1", "2", then from the displayed menu, select "TV Guide", and then "G* Factory Test" (being careful not to select any other menu items by accident ;)). Once you see the VBI counts counting up, then exit from this screen.

Edit: I composed this message, and posted it, then found that PossumGirl had also replied (she even bolded the same block of text that I did. :)). I guess I need to type faster.

Mark

Mark, mine is working 100% correctly.

Yippeee!!! :)


[...]
My only question is when are those now non-existent analog channels going to disappear from the grid?


My PBS analog station shut down on 1/5/09, and that station is still in my channel list (updated last Saturday). So give it a year or two. :p

Mark

Here are my thoughts...

hm...I wrote a post a couple of hours ago responding to this, but evidently I didn't hit the submit reply button at the end. :)

Anyway, thanks for your comments.

This afternoon, when I checked the unit again, I noticed that the host channel is now blank, whereas it was previously hanging on to analog 9. And, moreover, the TV Guide screen is now showing ads again...actually unusually colorful ones, so I even noticed that the ad changed while I was checking on the diag screens...hadn't noticed that before (an actual change)...

So..I take a blank host channel as a step in the right direction! I'm going to just continue to leave the unit on its own, not trying to push it, to see if it finally comes up with CBS 5.1 as the host channel...meanwhile I'm getting listings, though it seems to consistently have a few missing on day 8...

I now have listings out to day 8 on the 500 unit. Blank host. Was analog 2 before the force host procedure in which I left it on. Did not do the G* test right before the force host, but had done so earlier in the day. Still have the old firmware and evrything looks fine. My other unit with some partial listings are now filled in.
So all those months and post of these becoming bricks and being upset with Sony and Gemstar/Macrovision was just a waste of energy by those posters.
Michael

Here are my thoughts...

I can't explain why your host channel is still showing as analog, but you are getting listings when the unit is off. My wild speculation is that because your host channel is set, it is using the download schedule, but since your download schedule is digital it tunes to your digital host channel to get the data?

When leaving your unit tuned to your digital host channel, you have to make sure that data on the ATSC slicer screen is updating, or you will get nothing.

Also, leaving the unit tuned to your host channel in the evening doesn't work. Look at your download schedule, and you will see that the last download happens around 5:06pm (could be different for different timezones, but I don't believe it is). There are no ID70 downloads in the evening, which is your actual guide data download.

Also, take the download history screen with a grain of salt. Friday morning at 12:01am my host moved from RF 0:19-0 to RF 0:12-0. I rescanned before I went to work Friday morning. When I got home from work on Friday evening, I had No Listings for day 8. My host channel was still 0:19-0 which no longer had data on it. However, when I looked at the download history, every download ID had a Friday date and time on it. The unit apparently fills in that time before it even checks to see if it can get data from that host. Since the success field no longer fills in (it is always N/A), there is no way to tell if the download was a success or not (in my case it was not).

Mark

Exactly! I think most everyone in a digital only area should stop trying to force things. My unit retained the analog host after the shutoff, but continued to give me a full 8 days via digital. Today is the 3rd day since the shutoff, and the host is now blank. (Remember the 3-day "rule"?) I expect that tomorrow I'll see the digital host listed (not that it seems to make any difference).

I don't tune to a particular channel at night. I just turn the thing off and let it do its thing.

My only concern has been a lack of timezone packets, but I got one today for the first time in over a week. I get lots of every other type of packet.

The Sony is working as well as it did before last November. (Wow --- can it be for ONLY seven months that we have been forced to make operating this DVR the primary purpose of our existence, the first and last thought of every day? It seems like a lifetime!)

Thanks to both of you, but it appears I'm just out of luck.
Jtbell: An Asheville mountain chain prevents me from getting any of the Greenville/Spartanburg stations that are East of South of me, and Ch 62.X seems to be on the edge of what is possible for me to get.

[...] The only conclusion that now makes sense to me is that the TiVo is better than the Sony at being able to handle a signal that may contain a reflection, because it doesn't seem to be a signal strength problem, and the mountains next to me could produce a significant reflection from close to the same direction as Ch 62.X.

That may very well be the case. The Sony's tuner (being 1995 vintage) is definitely not as good as more modern tuners (as in most currently sold TVs, and in the coupon-subsidized "converter boxes") in handling weak signals or multipath interference. Not that I'd expect 62.x to carry TVGOS anyway.

You might at least contact Macrovision and see if they have any plans for your area specifically, seeing as your're blocked from the SCETV stations. At least they'll know someone is out there who wants TVGOS, which might help them convince either Media General (who owns WYCW, 62.x) or Sinclair (WLOS, 13.x) to carry it.

I got me a HostChan !!! :D

But it's not on the unit I had been watching. We're watching LSU in the CWS on my main TV tonight (the one hooked to the DHG that I had been watching for a HostChan). So my son asked me to record a movie on one of the other units. I go to the one in the sitting room and set up the recording, then I decide to check the 753 menu before I shut it off. It shows a HostChan of 0:36-0 (the physical channel number for OTA CBS digital). I take a peek at the ATSC Slicer screen and it has some low values (approx 100's) in some of the fields of the hostChan column. I exit to the Listings and find that I have no Ads, and listings are missing for Day-8.

Oddly, my main unit has full listings and Ads, but no HostChan. This unit has HostChan but incomplete listings and no Ads. I dunno what my third unit has, I haven't looked. As we all know, these units are very consistant in their operation..... Yeah right. :D

Edit: Unit #3 doe not yet have a HostChan.

The strangest thing about this is that all three of these DHG's are connected to Cable. Units #1 and #2 are also connected to my attic mounted CM4228. Unit #3 is only connected to an old Radio Shack DBT set-top antenna for OTA. My OTA stations are about 40 miles away. The 4228 definately provides a better and more consistant signal that the RS-DBT does. So why does Unit 3 have a HostChan and the others don't?

I have full listings through next Monday night, plus listings through Tuesday at 4pm (midnight UTC). Host is blank, and the VBI channel now shows 0:11-2 !!!??? Had to locate a couple of different versions of a few channels in the guide to get the listings, but they were there at the bottom. I also noted that the huge list of "other" channels is now nicely sorted by network affiliation. Never seen that before.

I have the 250 (TVGuide 1.2.09) and when I try to edit a channel to like 12.3456 it only accepts 12.345

>>>>just updated TVGuide to 1.2.21 and still can't get it to accept 4 digits after "."

Time for some guessing. I'm guessing you are cable only with no cable card. The Sony can't use the numbers that it interprets from your cable feed on digital channel. I does show a correct lineup (channel number and usually a logo), and shows correct listings for those channels most of the time. But those displayed are analog only which is still sent by basic cable. So now answer some questions.

Do you want to watch digital cable?
Do you have only cable?
Where are you and who's your cable supplier?
How long have you had your Sony?
Will you use the Sony for manual recordings?

Ok, now if most of your answers are yes, please lose the SONY 1.2.21 update and install the 1.2.13 from SpiffSpace. If you don't know why I'll guess you haven't tried to do a manual recording of a cable digital channel like 84.1401. TVGUIDE updates start with 08.01.42 and end with 08.06.44 right now. An explanation of those number can be found on this forum and on SpiffSpace.

I'm here daily at various times. Good luck. It's fun to work with the Sony, but it's not a toaster either. For me it's a hobby.

I now have listings out to day 8 on the 500 unit. Blank host. Was analog 2 before the force host procedure in which I left it on. Did not do the G* test right before the force host, but had done so earlier in the day. Still have the old firmware and evrything looks fine. My other unit with some partial listings are now filled in.
So all those months and post of these becoming bricks and being upset with Sony and Gemstar/Macrovision was just a waste of energy by those posters.
Michael

Mike,
You will feel different if you do a factory reset now that your digital. In fact I dare you to do a factory reset. If you do the reset I hope you have a vcr analog tape to use after you hit the wall!!

Hard Drive is "not available" on my Sony DHG HDD250, according to a new error message. I still hear the HD whirring, but I get a "no recordings to view" where I should be getting a list of recorded programs.

btw Diagnostics says my hard drive is 53% full, so the system sees the HD.

What is going on here? Am I looking at sending my DVR to Sony for a tune-up?
You could try a drive reformat from the G* 9012 menu. Worked for me. You will lose all of your recordings...

OK, I am now in reformat mode. How long does this take??

Let's try this ONE more time............

While on the "normal" tv viewing screen (not in the TVGOS screen) . . .

Press the MENU button

Press the SCREENMODE button

Press the 9 button

Press the 0 button

Press the 1 button

Press the 2 button

Wait 2 seconds . . .

Look at the screen . . .
IT WORKED!!! That is to say, when I followed your instructions exactly (ignoring what appears after pressing the Menu button, going instead directly to the ScreenMode button, then 9 0 1 2)... and...

I got the menu which includes the reformat option.

Which I have selected.

How long will the reformat take?

Incidentally, Thanks again for your patience!

If you do the reset I hope you have a vcr analog tape to use after you hit the wall!!

A Dish DTVPal+ converter box should also get you your channel grid (as it did for me). As a bonus, when Macrovision updates the channel lineup, you're not stuck with whatever is on the tape. On the other hand, the tape is undeniably cheaper if you already have it!

Or maybe it will actually be or become possible to go unassisted all the way from scratch (reset) to a channel grid populated with listings. I don't remember whether anyone in a digital-only environment has done this. I haven't managed it yet, although this could be because I'm OTA only, and I often have my antenna aimed away from my host channel, although I do leave it parked in that direction at least overnight.

Can someone tell me how to get the updated firmware for my DHG-HDD250? Right now I have 1.2.06 (and not getting any TVGOS info).

Thanks,
Chuck

Can someone tell me how to get the updated firmware for my DHG-HDD250? Right now I have 1.2.06 (and not getting any TVGOS info).

Thanks,
ChuckGladly... Get it here: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=DHGHDD250&SelectOS=25 and then follow directions therein. Be sure to use an "approved" USB drive.

A Dish DTVPal+ converter box should also get you your channel grid (as it did for me). As a bonus, when Macrovision updates the channel lineup, you're not stuck with whatever is on the tape. On the other hand, the tape is undeniably cheaper if you already have it!

Or maybe it will actually be or become possible to go unassisted all the way from scratch (reset) to a channel grid populated with listings. I don't remember whether anyone in a digital-only environment has done this. I haven't managed it yet, although this could be because I'm OTA only, and I often have my antenna aimed away from my host channel, although I do leave it parked in that direction at least overnight.

I had to do a reset on one of my units this weekend and it reacquired the grid overnight....

I had to do a reset on one of my units this weekend and it reacquired the grid overnight....

cheneyp,
I just want to verify that your host channel is set.

I have also reset a few times over the past month (Saturday was the last one). One time it did take about 36 hours to get the grid back, but usually it takes less than 24 hours. I don't recommend this though if you have a blank host channel. That could indicate that the TVGOS data is incomplete in your area, and you could be left with a brick.

Mark

pic 7234: LineupPkt and TimezonePkt (I have lost track) I think they are still increasing?

I did take a lot of pics this morning about 6:30am. I will post more if anyone has question on specific screens, I may have a shot of it.



Pic 7230: VBI info page

Pic 7228: Clock stuff

Nothing has really changed for the last few days.


Choices are:

1. leave it alone the next few days.
2. do the zip code changer roo (last one way over a month ago I think?)
3. soft reset (last one was June 3)


Assuming I do leave it alone the next few days, I may "tune it" to something other than 11-1 CBS digital. And see if it gets downloads..........but if I do, I think it should go hunting for the 11-1?

Choices are:

1. leave it alone the next few days.
2. do the zip code changer roo (last one way over a month ago I think?)
3. soft reset (last one was June 3)

Assuming I do leave it alone the next few days, I may "tune it" to something other than 11-1 CBS digital. And see if it gets downloads..........but if I do, I think it should go hunting for the 11-1?

If it was me, I would do number 2, however the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" part of me says you should do number 1. It's working so who cares that it doesn't have a host channel. I see no reason to leave it tuned to any particular channel either. There is only one source for data, so it will find it.

It is curious though, your LineupPkts are incrementing, so it seems like the data is there, I can't explain why your host channel hasn't set (other than there are apparently more pieces to the puzzle than TimezonePkts, and LineupPkts). Which is why I would do number 2, which, I believe, would start the "acquire host channel" process over.

Mark

Sony HDD250 for sale. This unit lost it's grid during the Feb. 2009 changeover. I have tried everything mentioned on this forum to get it back with no luck. Unit has been undated to latest Sony firmware and is showing correct time. Timezone Pkts have been increasing at appx. 9 per day and LineupPkts have been increasing at 69 per day as measured over last three days. Receiver does every task ask of it except set a grid (TV Guide spreadsheet of channel vs. programming guide based upon time). Included will be factory shipping box and remote control. First $ 300 plus $ 20 shipping inside 48 original states. I could get more on eBay and will resort to that if necessary. However, anyone who follows this forum knows how location and type of feed dependent these units are and I am selling with no guarantee that it will get a grid. Has been replaced with a DTVkPalDVR.

I had to do a reset on one of my units this weekend and it reacquired the grid overnight....

You must be on cable and still have an analog data source.

You might want to look back at some of my older posts. The 250 "shows" my digital channels as xxx.xxxx even though my Sanyo TV shows ZZ-ZZ. I always use manual recording. The few xx.x channels in my lineup are scrambled but do show in the listings. You need to supply more information about your media source in your displayed profile so I can perhaps help some more. It's that box to the left of your message.

Gladly... Get it here: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=DHGHDD250&SelectOS=25 and then follow directions therein. Be sure to use an "approved" USB drive.

I use PNY 2GB (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8202045&type=product&id=1165609745683) and everything went through smoothly. I only had "sony" folder on the drive when doing the update.

If it was me, I would do number 2, however the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" part of me says you should do number 1. It's working so who cares that it doesn't have a host channel. I see no reason to leave it tuned to any particular channel either. There is only one source for data, so it will find it.

It is curious though, your LineupPkts are incrementing, so it seems like the data is there, I can't explain why your host channel hasn't set (other than there are apparently more pieces to the puzzle than TimezonePkts, and LineupPkts). Which is why I would do number 2, which, I believe, would start the "acquire host channel" process over.

Mark

Yep I agree with what you say; I will go slow.

Right now, I think I will have it tuned to a "non" CBS digital for tonight after it records stuff.

see what happens the next morning.

and then if necessary do the zip code changer roo


I think with the local CBS having TVGOS off-line after transition for about 38 hours made it "stupid" for some reason? And it just has not figured itself out? It did take the local CBS about 72 hours to get their PSIP back "on"

It is realy sort of funny, cause the Host column on the analogue page has not increased count in a month!

Went away for a quick vacation, and while we were gone CBS changed its digital feed to its original VHF channel. I assume this happened on 6/12, but don't know the exact deal.

Before rescanning channels, I checked the 753... status. Clock set channel was now 0:9-0, so I guess it was able to figure that out without a rescan even though that channel was formerly analog?

HostSUFlags was now c48, which I think means that the clock was set, host ID set, and 2 of the 3 that set after a zipcode change were set, whatever they do (the 1st & 4th from the right, but not the 3rd).

Timezone packets received now showed 3, which is what it showed before I recovered a grid. Perhaps it reset itself while we were gone?

The LastDLStart showed a 6/12 time, while the LastClkSet showed a 6/15 time.

Strangely, despite all that, the grid was filled out except for day 8, which was all no listings - the same thing it had been doing consistently before 6/12.

I rescanned the channels, was pleased to find that the Silver Sensor non-VHF antenna seems to pick up VHF 7 and 9 (ABC and CBS) with very good signal strength after the move.

The next day, after the rescan, I've gotten another timezone packet (now 4 total), and the HostSUFlags is now ee8, which I think means everything is set except the 4th from the left (unknown flag) and the 2nd from the right (1 of 2 that set after a timezone packet arrives).

The LastDLStart still has a 6/12 time, and the host channel is still blank.

However, day 8 has now mostly filled in, and day 7 (yesterday's day 8) is completely filled in.

I'm pretty much scratching my head at all that, but as long as it seems to work....

wait and see

Well, I bit the bullet. I got tired of playing with all the work arounds and decided to just download the new firmware from the Sony site after a power outage yesterday.

I had been getting mixed results since the transition from the two 250s that I have hooked up to my TV. One was not getting any new guide data and one was getting a hodge-podge of hit and miss data.

The download was painless and the install was even more painless. I was able to reach in behind the units and didn't even have to pull them out of the rack. If you have to do this blind, the USB slot is located near the bottom just to the right of the cable card slot and the USB drive inserts with the plastic alignment guard facing down.

After the installation, the clocks (which I lost yesterday due to the power outage) were immediately set to the proper time. This morning I had a full 8 days of listings on both units.

I'm done, no more stress. Yippeeeeeee... Like Phil Knight says, "just do it". :D

They do leave you scratching your head! :D Even though I did the zip code change on my 250 and it reset the HostID field, it has not gotten any new time zone or lineup packets. Host channel still blank but day 8 is filled in nicely.

Oddly, day 8 on the 500 is mostly no listings. Only a few channels filled in. Still blank host and no new time packets. Hopefully, this one won't lock up again when I record on it tonight.

Otherwise all is peaceful. :)

cheneyp,
I just want to verify that your host channel is set.

I have also reset a few times over the past month (Saturday was the last one). One time it did take about 36 hours to get the grid back, but usually it takes less than 24 hours. I don't recommend this though if you have a blank host channel. That could indicate that the TVGOS data is incomplete in your area, and you could be left with a brick.

Mark

I had 0:45-0 (digital PBS) before the reset and it came back with the same host. This is the one unit (of the 3 I have) that I did NOT upgrade to .21 firmware. All three of mine are connected to OTA and cable (one with a cablecard). The one unit with the CC has slowly disappearing listings as it is still showing 1:0-97 as the host. Probably going to have to reset the zip code on that one to acquire the digital host.

You must be on cable and still have an analog data source.

No analog source. Came back with digital OTA host; same one it had before the reset...

My other two units had an analog cable source and they are no longer getting updated listings since Friday - going to have to do the zip code reset to get the digital host....

It's only been two hours since the change.

Created some new dates, for the change, and searches; all to be expected i guess.

Both pictures tell all that has changed.

Still no host; but its been too early.

Since the Zip code change is the same DMA; perhaps the "00000" is required to do a full Zip Code Change?

After the force host an both units yesterday and having them update to current listings to day 8, they still are working fine. Host channel on both units is blank (one did show 46.1 until this last force host). If I understand correctly, a blank host is the norm now for a digital only environment. In the 753 screens I see a lot of inactive reports as well as some blacklisted. Do not remember what all this means if anything.
Michael

Mike,
You will feel different if you do a factory reset now that your digital. In fact I dare you to do a factory reset. If you do the reset I hope you have a vcr analog tape to use after you hit the wall!!
Still have quite a few hours of shows to get done with, but when I am, I will do the full reset and such. It seems that the only people who have grid trouble live in FL. Must be the same problem as with the voting machines.
Michael

Still have quite a few hours of shows to get done with, but when I am, I will do the full reset and such. It seems that the only people who have grid trouble live in FL. Must be the same problem as with the voting machines.
Michael

I live in Minnesota and am still not able to get the grid on my HDD250. It does have the lattest firmware and TVGuid versions and I do get the Ads but no grid.

............... If I understand correctly, a blank host is the norm now for a digital only environment. In the 753 screens I see a lot of inactive reports as well as some blacklisted. Do not remember what all this means if anything.
Michael

If I understand correctly, you can get Listings with a blank HostChan, but you must have established a digital host (shown in HostChan field) in order to acquire a Channel Lineup (Grid). There appear to be many areas that still don't have all the proper TVGOS parameters being transmitted to acquire a Channel Lineup.

>> bardot861
>> Believe VBI data was being sent for last few months from CBS station - WBZ out of Boston, MA. I am in Southern Rhode Island.

I am north-west of Boston. Analog CBS WBZ 0:0-4 was my host station before the transition too. Last Friday night during the transition, I installed the new Sony firmware. I still had 8 days of good listings from analog, and now I continue to have 8 days of listings 4 days later. Good news! I also endorse the Sony firmware update.

However I don't know from where I am getting my TVGOS VBI data from. Since the Sony firmware update, not one VBI test has passed. Perhaps the firmware update breaks the test and makes it obsolete? VBI test fails on CBS WBZ analog (which used to pass), WBZ digital, and every PBS digital station.

For three days or so my host station was blank on the 753 menu. Now it says my host channel is 0:30-0.

Crazy thing is - there is NO channel 30-0 in my reception!! I am OTA only.

Don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but can anyone explain how my host channel is a non-existent channel, yet I continue to get all 8 days of TVGOS listings? The debug menus are now obsolete?

(Can take more data down if you tell me which 753 fields are important).

-Erik

Sony HDD250 for sale. This unit lost it's grid during the Feb. 2009 changeover. I have tried everything mentioned on this forum to get it back with no luck. Unit has been undated to latest Sony firmware and is showing correct time. Timezone Pkts have been increasing at appx. 9 per day and LineupPkts have been increasing at 69 per day as measured over last three days. Receiver does every task ask of it except set a grid (TV Guide spreadsheet of channel vs. programming guide based upon time). Included will be factory shipping box and remote control. First $ 300 plus $ 20 shipping inside 48 original states. I could get more on eBay and will resort to that if necessary. However, anyone who follows this forum knows how location and type of feed dependent these units are and I am selling with no guarantee that it will get a grid. Has been replaced with a DTVkPalDVR.Are you sure you've gone into the channel editor to verify that you have no grid? If all the channels are there but turned off, it will appear as if you have no grid if you just look at the main guide screen.

....... Since the Sony firmware update, not one VBI test has passed. Perhaps the firmware update breaks the test and makes it obsolete? VBI test fails on CBS WBZ analog (which used to pass), WBZ digital, and every PBS digital station.

For three days or so my host station was blank on the 753 menu. Now it says my host channel is 0:30-0.

Crazy thing is - there is NO channel 30-0 in my reception!! I am OTA only.


You are correct, the VBI test is no longer applicable. Look instead at the ATSC Slicer screen under the 753 menu.

0:30-0 is almost certainly the physical channel number for your CBS (or possibly PBS) virtual channel. For instance, my CBS is 4.1 but they actually transmit on channel 36.

Look back over the past three or four pages for posts by mabuttra for hints about what fields to look at in the 753 menu screens.

You are correct, the VBI test is no longer applicable. Look instead at the ATSC Slicer screen under the 753 menu.

0:30-0 is almost certainly the physical channel number for your CBS (or possibly PBS) virtual channel. For instance, my CBS is 4.1 but they actually transmit on channel 36.

Look back over the past three or four pages for posts by mbuttra for hints about what fields to look at in the 753 menu screens.

Channel 30 is actually WBZ-TV (CBS) which is mapped to virtual channel 4.1

I live in Minnesota and am still not able to get the grid on my HDD250. It does have the lattest firmware and TVGuid versions and I do get the Ads but no grid.

MegaToad,

Do you still have access to cable? In this message (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13390001#post13390001), you commented that your host channel was 1:0-4. That would be analog channel 4 on cable. It is possible that your cable company is converting the SCTE-127 data, and sending it out on analog channel 4, if that is the case, then you should be able to get back up and running from there.

Mark

Was wondering how often the available channel lineup for a given provider (in my case FIOS in Wash DC area) gets updated? Obviously TVGOS/Macrovision has to add any new channels but is there any action as the user I need to take to refresh my listing? Like reset zip? For a few months some of the HD channels still do not have any channel lineup allocation (some of the extreme HD ones like Hallmark HD, FX HD, WGN HD, Speed HD etc.)

I need tips and a primer on how to set up the TVGOS channel listing order from the Sony HDD500. Does one exist?

Q1: Why don't the Sony channel call letters and TVGOS channel call letters match? When I use channel up/down on the Sony, and hit INFO, I see the actual call letters of the channel I am watching (ie, "CBS WBZ-HD"). TVGOS Channel Setup has either different call letters for the same station (ie, "CBS WBZ-DT", or totally different call letters altogether (ie, "CBS WNYC-SD") as choices among its 600 channels listed.

Q2: If I have incorrect channel call letters for my (Boston-area) market, or worse still, call letters totally missing altogether, is the host channel sending incorrect TVGOS data? Is this a local station issue or Macromedia issue? Why would my actual local stations have the wrong call letters in the TVGOS channel setup, or worse, be missing altogether?

My actual situation I need help with...

I admit that I find the TVGOS channel setup to be the most needlessly frustrating (poor) user interface in years. This is likely because I just don't understand how TVGOS works yet, and thus am doing things the hard way.

Before the transition (about eight weeks ago), my HDD500 froze up on me two times (due to TVGOS data hiccups I assume) where I lost all my TVGOS listings and my channel setup. I never restored my TVGOS channel setup and left it in its default jumbled mess (all my local stations are always 6-9 pages down) even though I have been getting good TVGOS listing data since then.

Four months ago, the last time when I did set up my all TVGOS channels (hunting one by one, a mind-numbing 2 hour process), I had to manually edit a bunch of channels in the following manner :


Found an existing channel that mostly matched the call letters and had same 0:4-1 channel number, moved it up to become my station I'd use (Easy)
Found call letters that mostly matched, but was for analog channel number, so I manually edited it into my preferred 0:4-1 digital station (More worrisome)
Found no call letters even remotely close, so I grabbed another CBS station from another market, ignored its call letters, and manually stomped over its channel number to match what it is in Boston, ie, changing Providence 0:10-1 into Boston 0:4-1 (Scary!!)
Thought it was a good idea at the time, but I turned OFF all the analog stations (except 0:0-4 host channel) and all the other market stations I don't get reception for (thought I'd conserve VBI data parsing cycles)


Since the transition, I updated the Sony firmware and two-times did TVGOS re-setup where I gave it two different local ZIP codes. Now that I am continuing to (still) get TVGOS listings, it's time to painstakingly set up my TVGOS channels once again.

In doing so last night, I notice that I am totally missing all my 0:44-(1,2,3,4) PBS stations as I scroll one by one through the 600 or so listed channels. None of the call letters look even close to what the Sony INFO button correctly shows for these channels (WGBX-DT, WGBX-World, WGBX-Create, WGBX-Kids). There is no WGBX* anywhere in the 600 or so TVGOS channels listed, except for ONE old "WGBX" that is a single analog 0:0-44. No data for the other digital 0:44-(1,2,3,4) channels.

What gives? What can I do? Am I doing something wrong?

So I thought I'd be smart and use my TVGOS tip I wrote in here months ago. While watching the channel via Sony channel listing (ie, channel up/down button), I would go to my desired channel 0:44-3 "WGBX-Create" and then hit the TVGOS listing button. Hot dog - it takes you right to the channel in the TVGOS listing. It's there. It looks correct. Great! Now I just want to take this channel I have here - right there on the screen - and move it to position #1.

OK, I hit the MENU button, I see an option called "set this channel order" or something similar, I pick it, and it puts me BACK into the GENERIC TVGOS setup menu all over again, and without my WGBX-Create channel even highlighted or selected, but worse, this "WGBX*" call letter is not even amoung ANY of the 600 call letters listed, nor is any 44-3 channel in any of the 600 channels listed. IT WAS JUST THERE!! Argh!!!

What am I doing wrong?

I cannot do a factory reset, since that would wipe out the latest TVGOS firmware I got before the digital transition.

Help? Tips? Is this how you order your TVGOS channels?

-Erik

Channel 30 is actually WBZ-TV (CBS) which is mapped to virtual channel 4.1

Hot dog! The world makes sense again.

Thank you! It was like getting a daily Christmas present, except the tag fell off, and you didn't know who to thank for giving it to you. :-)

-Erik

Hi:
Want to thank you - and Possum Girl. And to think I was congratulating myself on bolding that line. How prescient of me - cept ...I did'nt. Looks like this takes some of the drama out of keeping these dvr's going. Now - if I don't get my thumb stuck in back of unit....
thnx. again.
Barry

MegaToad,

Do you still have access to cable? In this message (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13390001#post13390001), you commented that your host channel was 1:0-4. That would be analog channel 4 on cable. It is possible that your cable company is converting the SCTE-127 data, and sending it out on analog channel 4, if that is the case, then you should be able to get back up and running from there.

Mark


I am OTA only have been for years. Are other havig issues in MN? It did get the lattest Guid version and I am getting the ads so it must be locking in on somthing since I started from a factory reset.

I need tips and a primer on how to set up the TVGOS channel listing order from the Sony HDD500. Does one exist?
-Erik
I see this as well. My PBS channel 8.1,2,3 show the different call signs-etc.. but only 8.1 WGTV-HD is in the channel editor. Not sure where the info screen gets its call listings, but many times I see what you have described. From what I have read in the past, Macrovision only list the most popular channels for a given area. I am led to beleive that the given area is of some size when I see stations that are no where close by. Not sure how they determine all this and why or how some channels that clearly do not belong get stuck in the editor.
Guess it would be too much of a nightmare to cluster the stations better for a given transmitting area. So I guess we are out of luck with a quick fixx. Perhaps at sometime down the road when things all get routine and working smoothly, that Macrovision will update the channel list for each area. We may have to(probably) email them to get so action. I will wait to do so till late summer if all continues to go well with the operation of these boxes.
Michael

I am OTA only have been for years. Are other havig issues in MN? It did get the lattest Guid version and I am getting the ads so it must be locking in on somthing since I started from a factory reset.
Perhaps you have to purchase one of those advertised products so they will send you a grid.
Michael

This afternoon (Tuesday) I can finally report that I have a HostChan on my primary unit.
To review, my LineupPkt was 4803 on Friday evening, and was still 4803 thru Monday afternoon. But today (Tuesday) it blasted all the way up to 4862.
My TimezonePkts had been 365 on Friday evening, and incremented daily and is 489 this afternoon. :cool: :D:D:D

My HostChan is 0:36-0 (OTA CBS), which is the same as my #3 DHG that I reported on last night.

I checked unit #2, and it also picked up a digital HostChan. However unit #2 is using 0:11-0, which is OTA digital PBS.

As a test, I plan to intentionally whack the Lineup on my #3 unit tonight, and hopefully it will then rebuild itself from the DIGITAL channel.

All of these units were left tuned to different channels overnight last night, and prior nights. Last night in particular, two units were tuned to cable different channels, and one was tuned to an OTA channel. I don't think it makes any difference what channel it is tuned to (while it is turned off).

Edit: I did a "Reset TV Guide" from the 9012 menu, and I'm now waiting for a HostChan and Lineup on unit #3.

Are you sure you've gone into the channel editor to verify that you have no grid? If all the channels are there but turned off, it will appear as if you have no grid if you just look at the main guide screen.

IF you mean did I go into MENU/ Preferences/ Channel List and insure that the available channels were checked. yes, that has been done. Is there anorther list that I have missed?

IF you mean did I go into MENU/ Preferences/ Channel List and insure that the available channels were checked. yes, that has been done. Is there anorher list that I have missed?
He's talking about the channel lineup editor in the TV Guide system...

go to the Guide, push the up button until it's on listings at the top, push the right button over to setup, then go down to channel editor, and hit enter (of course, then you have to play around to understand how to do the editing, but you'll see a VERY long list of channels, most of which are OFF...

[QUOTE=WS65711;16664024]This afternoon (Tuesday) I can finally report that I have a HostChan on my primary unit.
To review, my LineupPkt was 4803 on Friday evening, and was still 4803 thru Monday afternoon. But today (Tuesday) it blasted all the way up to 4862.
My TimezonePkts had been 365 on Friday evening, and incremented daily and is 489 this afternoon. :cool: :D:D:D

My HostChan is 0:36-0 (OTA CBS), which is the same as my #3 DHG that I reported on last night.

How long had it been since it showed a host under the digital realm? Somebody mention the 3 day rule, so I have just gotten to a blank host from a force host on Monday. My fail clock shows 19 which is the RF for channel 46.1 WGCL here. So, should this show up in a couple of days?
Thanks, Michael

Ok so this morning I simply changed zip code from my location to an adjacent location (same DMA). Posted the results earlier in the day.

At 5PM changed to “00000” for about 10 minutes and then completed the TVGOS user screen setup with my correct zip code.

Picture below is the result of that – and it’s clear to see the minor changes made (still no Host just yet).

Grid, Listings, Schedules, etc remain intact

I see it only took seconds to attach to the clock time from digital CBS (see picture). HostSUFlags and VBIState changed again.

Will leave unit off overnight. The unit is set up to do 2 or 3 PBS recordings tonight 8-1, that finish about midnight. It will interesting to see if it gets downloads from CBS 11-1

This afternoon (Tuesday) I can finally report that I have a HostChan on my primary unit.


I'd say you had a little better luck this time than with this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16300185#post16300185) attempt. Maybe the data has gotten better. Four days is still too long though IMO.

Mark

How long had it been since it showed a host under the digital realm? Somebody mention the 3 day rule, so I have just gotten to a blank host from a force host on Monday.

I didn't do any "Force Host" procedure. On my three DHG's I set my zipcode to 90210 (Hollywood) on Friday night, then immediately back to my proper zipcode. This to clear out the old analog HostChan quicker, on the advice of mabuttra. The digital HostChan appeared on my #3 DHG sometime between Sunday night and 4:30pm Monday. The digital HostChan appeared on my #1 and #2 DHG's sometime between 4:30pm Monday and 4:30pm today (Tuesday). I continued to get listings on all 3 units throughout this entire period.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16639373&highlight=hollywood#post16639373

I'd say you had a little better luck this time than with this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16300185#post16300185) attempt. Maybe the data has gotten better. Four days is still too long though IMO.

Mark

Yeah........ You're not kidding!!! :D:D:D:D:D

How long had it been since it showed a host under the digital realm? Somebody mention the 3 day rule, so I have just gotten to a blank host from a force host on Monday. My fail clock shows 19 which is the RF for channel 46.1 WGCL here. So, should this show up in a couple of days?
Thanks, Michael

As mentioned yesterday, my host went blank 3 days after the analog shutoff. I thought I would see a new host today, but it's still blank. My guide continues to have a full 8 days.

Other interesting things:

Now that my analog host is no longer listed, the LastAtStrt column no longer has current dates. So it appears that those "starts" meant the unit was still trying to begin analog DL's over the last few days, but of course could not. And the LstSuStrt of course had nothing since before the cutoff. Therefore, it seems that those fields apply only to analog and now will no longer update. (Unless that changes when I acquire a digital host.)

Old analog functions seem to have been trying to take place while the analog host was still listed. All the while, the digital guide was functioning separately and working fine. Seems like an odd way to do it, but hey, it's working.

Still only one timezone packet in the last week. I'm jealous of you folks that get hundreds of them.

I rescanned the channels, was pleased to find that the Silver Sensor non-VHF antenna seems to pick up VHF 7 and 9 (ABC and CBS) with very good signal strength after the move.

I'm pretty much scratching my head at all that, but as long as it seems to work....

I guess we in DC are lucky. I have done absolutely nothing and everything is great. I have not done the firmware update, G* Test or anything else in DC. I am using zip 20500 and my Host Chan is blank as it was b4 June 12.

Not connected to the DVR but I am also using the UHF Philips PHDTV1 Silver Sensor which is now called Philips SDV2780 and I get digital VHF channels 7.1 and 9.1 with no problems.

They do leave you scratching your head! :D Even though I did the zip code change on my 250 and it reset the HostID field, it has not gotten any new time zone or lineup packets. Host channel still blank but day 8 is filled in nicely.

Oddly, day 8 on the 500 is mostly no listings. Only a few channels filled in. Still blank host and no new time packets. Hopefully, this one won't lock up again when I record on it tonight.

Otherwise all is peaceful. :)

On TWC in Thousand Oaks, I still seem to get VBI and a guide over analog cable.

After the June 12 transition a small local CBS station went from UHF to VHF and can be received by my Channel Master 4228 that is pointing over 90 degrees away from it (the directionality of the antenna only works for the UHF frequencies.)

Well now the interesting thing, my SONY changed its host from the only cable analog channel to the small market CBS digital OTA channel. I am surprised that a small CBS station would have the correct equipment to send the TVGuide information. This small CBS station turns off at mid-night every evening. This doesn't seem to be a good host candidate.

Anybody have any experience with a host channel that is shut off every evening? It seems that some of the special downloads were only available around 2am.

After the June 12 transition a small local CBS station went from UHF to VHF and can be received by my Channel Master 4228 that is pointing over 90 degrees away from it (the directionality of the antenna only works for the UHF frequencies.)

Well now the interesting thing, my SONY changed its host from the only cable analog channel to the small market CBS digital OTA channel. I am surprised that a small CBS station would have the correct equipment to send the TVGuide information. This small CBS station turns off at mid-night every evening. This doesn't seem to be a good host candidate.

Anybody have any experience with a host channel that is shut off every evening? It seems that some of the special downloads were only available around 2am.

That's ok, the downloads start about 1:00am, but repeat throughout the day to about 5:30pm. They could turn on their signal as late as 1:00pm, and you could still get a complete set of downloads.

Mark

On TWC in Thousand Oaks, I still seem to get VBI and a guide over analog cable.

Your cable system is converting the SCTE-127 data, and sending it out over analog. The SCTE-127 data is embedded in the digital signal. The cable station has equipment that extracts the data, and sends it out in analog form. This is the only reason that my V7 panasonic analog DVR continues to work today.

Mark

Comcast Northern New Jersey-Union system. Host channel has changed from analog 13 to analog 2(WCBS).

I guess we in DC are lucky. I have done absolutely nothing and everything is great. I have not done the firmware update, G* Test or anything else in DC. I am using zip 20500 and my Host Chan is blank as it was b4 June 12.


Are you saying you have never run the G* Test, or you just haven't run it since June 12? I've seen from my own experience that by default the digital processing is turned off in the DHG. The G* Test turns it on. I guess it is possible that having the DHG exposed to digital data for a long period of time could cause it to start processing the data on its own.

I reset my DVR once, and just left it for 24 hours to see what would happen. After 24 hours, nothing had happened. It hadn't processed one packet of information. It hadn't even set the 753 menu clock. All the screens were filled with zeroes. I ran the G* Test to see if the data was there, and of course it was. That was when I realized the digital processing had been turned off by the reset, and the G* Test had started it going again. I guess it is possible if I had just left it alone that eventually it would have snapped out of it on its own, but 24 hours is a long time for it to be dead.

Mark

Anybody have any experience with a host channel that is shut off every evening? It seems that some of the special downloads were only available around 2am.
well, I've written down the digital download schedule: discounting anything in the wee hours, 3 out of the 4 digital download types are available in normal morning hours (i.e., between 7AM and noon, or later), but ONE of them is only available at 5:51 AM and 5 PM...nothing in between...

Still have quite a few hours of shows to get done with, but when I am, I will do the full reset and such. It seems that the only people who have grid trouble live in FL. Must be the same problem as with the voting machines.
Michael

It must be a conspiracy against Florida. Mv wants noone in Fla to sit inside and watch tv. But seriously we all need to know how long it takes in a digital only OTA envirement to build the grid. I'm so thrilled that everybody else is in the same situation as we Floridians have been since feb. This has been some of my observations. With the .21 fw you don't need to do a force or a g-test. Just leave it work on it's own. You will never see a host channel. Mine has been blank since Feb. Building a grid has been a painin the a**. Maybe that will change now that analog is mostly gone. With the summer reruns and little to record on tv I have considered a reset to see if a grid would build, but haven't yet gotten up the nerv to go thru a 25 + days of dissapointment. Ya I know I can rebuild with my vcr tape but with so many others here thought I would wait to see what's going on in the rest of the country. If you have3n't yet done the upgrade they do it. It wasn't as advertised by Sony but beats the original firmware.
SS-Stingray

[QUOTE=WS65711;16662790]If I understand correctly, you can get Listings with a blank HostChan, but you must have established a digital host (shown in HostChan field) in order to acquire a Channel Lineup (Grid).


Can you report which page this is on? I think that mine HostChan field is still all zeros. Maybe that missing data is why I couldn't build a grid. We need Frank or Mark to figure out which line will build a grid.......SS_Stingray

Can you report which page this is on?

753 menu, then press "right" one time.

Can you confirm that your LineupPkts increment? If so, by about how many per day?They do. I didn't notice by how much, but I'll take a reading right now and another in the morning, and post the result here.That's ok, the downloads start about 1:00am, but repeat throughout the day to about 5:30pm. They could turn on their signal as late as 1:00pm, and you could still get a complete set of downloads.well, I've written down the digital download schedule: discounting anything in the wee hours, 3 out of the 4 digital download types are available in normal morning hours (i.e., between 7AM and noon, or later), but ONE of them is only available at 5:51 AM and 5 PM...nothing in between...Folks, I think I know why some people just can't get a grid... At 6:30 PM Monday I wrote down my Lineup and Timezone packet counts (6876 and 100). At 6:30 AM Tuesday, I looked and they had not changed. At 6:30 AM this morning (Wed), they've changed to 6945 and 101.

This implies to me that the Lineup and Timezone packets are only sent during the day. If you are using your unit a lot during the day (i.e.: it's turned on), you will never get these. Furthermore, if your host station turns off the TVGOS signal during the day or in the evenings, and these are sent during those times (I didn't pin down exactly when they updated), you will also never get these. This may explain why some folks have ads but no grid, or even perhaps clock but no grid (different download times?)

It would seem that for a host channel to turn off its TVGOS signal during any part of the day is risky at best.

Have a host showing (19, RF for 46.1) on the 500, but none still on the 250. Not sure if it is because the 500 was on and the other was off yesterday or not . The force host was done on Monday about 6 hours apart, so maybe the 250 is behind by that much. Took about 44 hours for the 500. Will see if the 250 gets the host later in the day.
Have noticed my temps quite high..116 for drive 1, 129 drive 2 on the 500 and 114 for the drive in the 250. Not liking the 129 temp. I do have the AC set for 83 inside and they are in an open cabinet. Have not had any trouble with, but may add a cooling fan to the back of the cabinet.
Michael
Almost forgot, the listings for day 8 are partial as of this morning. Some no listings and some no title. I am thinking that the no title implies that TVGOS has not received an up-to-date list from the networks.

Have noticed my temps quite high..116 for drive 1, 129 drive 2 on the 500 and 114 for the drive in the 250. Not liking the 129 temp. I do have the AC set for 83 inside and they are in an open cabinet. Have not had any trouble with, but may add a cooling fan to the back of the cabinet.
MichaelAre they stacked, perhaps with the 500 on the top? Heat rises (from lower unit to upper) and may collect near the top of the cabinet. I use a small fan in the back, and my ambient here seldom gets out of the high 70s; my 250 sits at around 107-110.

Are they stacked, perhaps with the 500 on the top? Heat rises (from lower unit to upper) and may collect near the top of the cabinet. I use a small fan in the back, and my ambient here seldom gets out of the high 70s; my 250 sits at around 107-110.
They are stacked, but with the 250 on top.
Michael

With the summer reruns and little to record on tv I have considered a reset to see if a grid would build, but haven't yet gotten up the nerv to go thru a 25 + days of dissapointment. Ya I know I can rebuild with my vcr tape but with so many others here thought I would wait to see what's going on in the rest of the country. If you have3n't yet done the upgrade they do it. It wasn't as advertised by Sony but beats the original firmware.
SS-Stingray
Now that we are all digital, I wonder if that vcr tape will confuse the machines with an old analog download. You know- does not compute,does not compute--(robot from Lost in Space) I wonder how far back that the tape has to be before it is not able to restore. And if you could do make a tape now with the digital TVGOS and would that work?
Michael

Other interesting things:


Old analog functions seem to have been trying to take place while the analog host was still listed. All the while, the digital guide was functioning separately and working fine. Seems like an odd way to do it, but hey, it's working.

.



Yep I tend to agree; it almost leading me to believe a soft reset will be required for that analogue issue and so the box can actually lock onto a digital host.

This implies to me that the Lineup and Timezone packets are only sent during the day. If you are using your unit a lot during the day (i.e.: it's turned on), you will never get these.

It would seem that for a host channel to turn off its TVGOS signal during any part of the day is risky at best.


I agree yes and no. I think I have noticed most of my Timezone and Lineup Pkts coming in from Sunrise to Noon, and that is with box on (at least part of the time-20%-just for checking) to CBS digital 11-1


I also think that has been a lot of the problems here in Houston since the transition. The first 36 hours with no TVGOS from local CBS. Over 48 hours without PSIP, and I noticed last night their PSIP was out again.

The only statment from the local CBS "everything is working perfect" - I can tell from this side "it's not" because picture quality has gone "down". The only local station to get worse!

Folks, I think I know why some people just can't get a grid... At 6:30 PM Monday I wrote down my Lineup and Timezone packet counts (6876 and 100). At 6:30 AM Tuesday, I looked and they had not changed. At 6:30 AM this morning (Wed), they've changed to 6945 and 101.

This implies to me that the Lineup and Timezone packets are only sent during the day. If you are using your unit a lot during the day (i.e.: it's turned on), you will never get these. Furthermore, if your host station turns off the TVGOS signal during the day or in the evenings, and these are sent during those times (I didn't pin down exactly when they updated), you will also never get these. This may explain why some folks have ads but no grid, or even perhaps clock but no grid (different download times?)

It would seem that for a host channel to turn off its TVGOS signal during any part of the day is risky at best.

Excellent point Frank. I only get 2 timezonePkts a day, and if I would have the DVR on, and tuned to some other station when they came in, the DVR would miss them. Since my recording season has pretty much ended, my DVR is turned off at least 95% of the time. Some days I don't even turn the DVR on except for 5 minutes to check its progress. It also seems like those packets tend to come in either before, or right after, a download. I know of a couple of people who were having problems with their DVR, and then they went on vacation for a few days, and when they got home they had full listings. There have been a lot of times that I have been so anal retentive about missing a download, that I actually scheduled my DVR check to the five minute break between downloads.

Well, I'm out of here until Sunday.
Mark

This afternoon (Tuesday) I can finally report that I have a HostChan on my primary unit.
To review, my LineupPkt was 4803 on Friday evening, and was still 4803 thru Monday afternoon. But today (Tuesday) it blasted all the way up to 4862.
My TimezonePkts had been 365 on Friday evening, and incremented daily and is 489 this afternoon. :cool: :D:D:D

My HostChan is 0:36-0 (OTA CBS), which is the same as my #3 DHG that I reported on last night.

I checked unit #2, and it also picked up a digital HostChan. However unit #2 is using 0:11-0, which is OTA digital PBS.

As a test, I plan to intentionally whack the Lineup on my #3 unit tonight, and hopefully it will then rebuild itself from the DIGITAL channel.

All of these units were left tuned to different channels overnight last night, and prior nights. Last night in particular, two units were tuned to cable different channels, and one was tuned to an OTA channel. I don't think it makes any difference what channel it is tuned to (while it is turned off).

Edit: From the 9012 menu I chose "TV Guide", then "Reset to Factory Defaults", and I'm now waiting for a HostChan and Lineup on unit #3.

As of 9:30 last night (after the reset) the TimeZonePkt had increased to 4 (from zero after the reset) and LineupPkts was still at zero. After reading Frank70's post this morning I decided to go look at the 753 menu. At 7:00am my TimeZonePkt had reached 20. THE LineupPkts HAD REACHED 74. And to top it off, in the minute or so that I was viewing the screen THE LineupPkts increased to 80 WHILE I WAS WATCHING. So they do in fact increase during the day, although this doesn't prove that they don't increase overnight.

As of right now however, this unit has not yet re-acquired a digital HostChan.

Note: The DHG was tuned to my digital CBS OTA channel when I saw the LineupPkts field update.

He's talking about the channel lineup editor in the TV Guide system...

go to the Guide, push the up button until it's on listings at the top, push the right button over to setup, then go down to channel editor, and hit enter (of course, then you have to play around to understand how to do the editing, but you'll see a VERY long list of channels, most of which are OFF...

Sounds like a good idea.....except once again I have nothing but a "....no data screen". Thanking all of those who responded, but it looks like the unit is SOLD and will be picked up today and shipped off to PA.

Now that we are all digital, I wonder if that vcr tape will confuse the machines with an old analog download. You know- does not compute,does not compute--(robot from Lost in Space) I wonder how far back that the tape has to be before it is not able to restore. And if you could do make a tape now with the digital TVGOS and would that work?
Michael

No the tape must be analog. The digital recording won't work. My tape was made back in January before the Feb shut off here in fla. I got the ads from Jan and the guide listings. The .21 FW will do analog as well as digital. I had to play the 6 hour tape three times to build the grid.

SS-Stingray

I agree yes and no. I think I have noticed most of my Timezone and Lineup Pkts coming in from Sunrise to Noon, and that is with box on (at least part of the time-20%-just for checking) to CBS digital 11-1 But the average bear viewer who uses the box during the day probably doesn't leave it tuned to the CBS host channel all day - my point is if you use it normally for a substantial portion of the daylight hours, chances are you'll miss these downloads. An example would be a user with a tuner-less monitor using the Sony as his only tuner. I know I only turn mine on to set a recording, check the schedule, or watch a previously recorded show - but others may keep theirs on much of the day.

No the tape must be analog. The digital recording won't work.
SS-Stingray
And we know this how? Has anyone tried to do the digital tape routine at all? Just curious, since alot of us may not have done the analog tape backup. I do not have one of those old vcrs for an analog tape, so I did not make one. Plus my units are still working. Did check the 250 just now (still shy of the 44 hour mark) and host still blank. Left it on for now to see if that will make any diference.
And I will do the full reset when I ever get caught up on my shows.
Michael

But the average bear viewer who uses the box during the day probably doesn't leave it tuned to the CBS host channel all day - my point is if you use it normally for a substantial portion of the daylight hours, chances are you'll miss these downloads. .

YES and I agree with that - I have not been normal for years - my wife tells me this condition is getting worse!

That is why I think my box would almost always change back to analogue (in the previous combo months), when it was "not" tuned to local CBS digital.

It has now been "off" since 5PM yesterday and tuned to PBS digital. I think I am turning it on about noon today.

I may have anyone of the following after the "00000" zippy change at 5PM yesterday:

1. crash and burn
2. no change at all, still getting downloads without host set
3. no downloads at all
4. digital host "set"
5. digital host "not set"

Anyone want to place a wager on this?

So what is the consensus on the new firmware? I've not followed this thread very closely since all the "all these units will be bricks come swapover time" talk from last year when the whole digital host experiments were in full swing. At that time I decide to just let the changeover happen and see what the unit did. I totally forgot about the changeover until Sunday. Checked the unit and it had partial listings after day 5. Did a G test on my CBS station and the next day the listings were complete.
Last night the unit froze during a recording (first freeze I've ever had from it). Would not respond to remote or front panel buttons so I had to unplug power. I also noticed the clock was about 40 minutes slow.
After restoring power it rebooted and the clock came up 1 hour 40 minutes slow then. Deleted my scheduled recordings and did another G test on the CBS station and the clock immediately corrected and all was running fine after that.

Is the firmware upgrade worth it or is it just as well to leave a unit that seems to be functioning mostly normally as is?

Is the firmware upgrade worth it or is it just as well to leave a unit that seems to be functioning mostly normally as is?

You will need the upgraded firmware in the event that you ever loose your Channel Lineup (Grid). I would upgrade the firmware now.

I need tips and a primer on how to set up the TVGOS channel listing order from the Sony HDD500. Does one exist?


I am following up on my earlier post.

Success!! I have found my missing TVGOS "edit listing order" channels!

I am surprised that there is so little information about TVGOS out there on the web. The Macromedia site itself was appallingly light. Not even a simple TVGOS FAQ, never mind an user guide or background information.

It bugged me that I could get to the TVGOS channel when I hit the TVGOS button while watching TV. That told me the information is in there somewhere. I just had to get to it.

So I forged ahead and spent several hours of (dark ages) trial and error. Suddenly, I happened to see that some of my missing channels where scattered around the very BOTTOM END of the channel listing pages, after the pages and pages of unused cable channels since I'm OTA-only.

There, at position 666, were my missing PBS stations! I could swear that I had paged all the way to the bottom before in my previous attempts. But now, here the channels were.

They don't give you great methods to move around this 600+ item listing, there is no "go to top" or "go to bottom" buttons. To move a channel from position 666 to 1, you can use the menu position number. But to get back to the end to move the next wayward channel, you have to hit "page down" about 40 times, then repeat.

The trick I came up with for myself to get all the way back to the bottom each time from the top, was to 'sacrifice' a nearby analog channel, using the menu position to enter 666, putting the analog station on the bottom. Once there I could move my next 'missing' channel back to the top. So it ended up as a one-to-one swap, for each digital channel on top, its analog brother went to the bottom of the list.

Hopefully this is the case for others missing their PBS channels as well. Happy hunting...

-Erik

I am following up on my earlier post.

Success!! I have found my missing TVGOS "edit listing order" channels!


The trick I came up with for myself to get all the way back to the bottom each time from the top, was to 'sacrifice' a nearby analog channel, using the menu position to enter 666, putting the analog station on the bottom. Once there I could move my next 'missing' channel back to the top. So it ended up as a one-to-one swap, for each digital channel on top, its analog brother went to the bottom of the list.

Hopefully this is the case for others missing their PBS channels as well. Happy hunting...

-Erik
This is the same thing I have done when I edit my channels. I am OTA only and here in my area I have 498 channels in the editor list. At one time there was only 493 and that was not too long ago. So they do not update the list very often. Plus, I don't know how they could stick several west coast broadcast station in the east coast line up. In Woodstock though I think my girlfriend has over 500 listings and that is up from what she started with when I hooked her 2 dvrs up several years ago.
Michael

I have something like 668 in SF Bay Area. OTA only, get approx 40 channels now, the rest are just clutter at the bottom of the "off" list. I've been using this technique for a long time.

Ok, the box has been turned “off” just over 19 hours and tuned to a non-CBS digital station the entire time. This after two zip code resets yesterday, the last one being “00000” routine and back to the correct zip code.

No digital host set; but full 8 day downloads. And box is fully operational. There are three “no titles” on Day 8 and one “no title” on Day 7.

Here are the pictures after turning box “on”

Pic 7243: ATSC slicer page is no activity and no increase in the “since cold” – after all it was not on CBS digital.

Pic 7244: Guess you could say the VBI state and HostSUFlags are back to normal for MySonyBox; that is - it is one of a series of commonly seen data in those fields. Other dates are as expected – no changes there.

Pic 7245: Just the INS field is updated – nothing new there.

Pic 7246: Data on this screen still increases. This is really the only page that updates. The rest of the information screens at this point appear useless. The analogue slicer screen has not moved in weeks.

Summary: The box appears to be fully operational, even though the informational screens say it is a dead box. LOL

Someday I may try a “soft reset”. That should clear out tons of old analogue data, including the completely stagnant VBIDL screens. Perhaps a “soft reset” is required to make the information screens report it is locked into a host?

One thing this process did prove:

1. The ATSC slicer page does not have to report anything for the box to be fully operational.

2. The Box is able to stay with its Digital Host, and not go hunting to infinity trying to find an analogue station that does not exist.

ok, the box has been turned “off” just over 19 hours and tuned to a non-cbs digital station the entire time. This after two zip code resets yesterday, the last one being “00000” routine and back to the correct zip code.

It took three full days after zipcode change (to clear analog host) for the digital HostChan to appear on my unit ##, four days to appear on units #1 & #2.

no digital host set; but full 8 day downloads. And box is fully operational. There are three “no titles” on day 8 and one “no title” on day 7.

Here are the pictures after turning box “on”

pic 7243: Atsc slicer page is no activity and no increase in the “since cold” – after all it was not on cbs digital.

Pic 7244: Guess you could say the vbi state and hostsuflags are back to normal for mysonybox; that is - it is one of a series of commonly seen data in those fields. Other dates are as expected – no changes there.

Pic 7245: Just the ins field is updated – nothing new there.

Pic 7246: Data on this screen still increases. This is really the only page that updates. The rest of the information screens at this point appear useless. The analogue slicer screen has not moved in weeks.

AnaLOG is dead.

summary: The box appears to be fully operational, even though the informational screens say it is a dead box. Lol

someday i may try a “soft reset”. That should clear out tons of old analogue data, including the completely stagnant vbidl screens. Perhaps a “soft reset” is required to make the information screens report it is locked into a host?

It won't hurt anything, the TVGuide reset will clear out the accumulators, but it is not required to acquire a digital HostChan to appear.

one thing this process did prove:

1. The atsc slicer page does not have to report anything for the box to be fully operational.

True

2. The box is able to stay with its digital host, and not go hunting to infinity trying to find an analogue station that does not exist.

.

As of 9:30 last night (after the reset) the TimeZonePkt had increased to 4 (from zero after the reset) and LineupPkts was still at zero. After reading Frank70's post this morning I decided to go look at the 753 menu. At 7:00am my TimeZonePkt had reached 20. THE LineupPkts HAD REACHED 74. And to top it off, in the minute or so that I was viewing the screen THE LineupPkts increased to 80 WHILE I WAS WATCHING. So they do in fact increase during the day, although this doesn't prove that they don't increase overnight.

As of right now however, this unit has not yet re-acquired a digital HostChan.

Note: The DHG was tuned to my digital CBS OTA channel when I saw the LineupPkts field update.

As of a few minutes ago (3:00pm) the LineupPkt has increased by 19, to 99. TimezonePkts has increased to 26 (from 20). Still no HostChan. Still no Channel Lineup.

Still no host on the 250, but listings are catching up from earlier. Don't see any "No Titles" in the guide now. Not sure why the 500 got the host sooner than the 250, other than when I did the force host. Unless it was because of the previous force host last Friday, then the 3 -4 day rule would apply. I will keep check and report back in the morning. Also, will check some of the other screens that some have been discussing.
Michael

Location: Houston,TX / TVGOS: CBS Ch11

I am one of the unlucky few with no channel lineup and no schedule listing.

Updated to 1.2.21 on Thu 6/11/2009.

After major dvr glitches, reset user configuration and reset TVGOS on Sat 6/13/2009.

Under 'Setup' > 'Change channel display' I have "no data".
Under 'Listings' I have "no data".
The 753 host channel is blank.
The clock set channel is correct.
And there are ads.

I have tried changing the zipcode: 77xxx, 00000, 77yyy, 77zzz.

As backup, I have a videotape and a TR-40 DTVPal. But I would rather resolve this without those aids for now.

Suggestions? Feedback?

Suggestions? Feedback?

Pay attention to your LineupPkt field to see that it is incrementing by some amount each day. HoustonPerson is also having some difficulty getting a HostChan, so it may be something going on (or not going on) with the broadcast in Houston. you gotta have a HostChan before you will get a Lineup.

Pay attention to your LineupPkt field to see that it is incrementing by some amount each day. HoustonPerson is also having some difficulty getting a HostChan, so it may be something going on (or not going on) with the broadcast in Houston. you gotta have a HostChan before you will get a Lineup.

I have not had a Host channel for months and I still get 8 day Guide Listings. I guess that depends on what your definition of Host Channel is?

If I recall, the only time Days 8 & 7 did not fill in was the 36 hours after transition because of some problem at KHOU.

Location: Houston,TX / TVGOS: CBS Ch11

I am one of the unlucky few with no channel lineup and no schedule listing.

Updated to 1.2.21 on Thu 6/11/2009.

After major dvr glitches, reset user configuration and reset TVGOS on Sat 6/13/2009.

Under 'Setup' > 'Change channel display' I have "no data".
Under 'Listings' I have "no data".
The 753 host channel is blank.
The clock set channel is correct.
And there are ads.

I have tried changing the zipcode: 77xxx, 00000, 77yyy, 77zzz.

As backup, I have a videotape and a TR-40 DTVPal. But I would rather resolve this without those aids for now.

Suggestions? Feedback?

Not knowing your timeline for this you may be very close to everything you need and just a day away from it working.

Under 'Setup' > 'Change channel display' I have "no data". - Thats ok for now

Under 'Listings' I have "no data". Thats ok for now

The 753 host channel is blank. That is fine and has no meaning now.

The clock set channel is correct. Does it show either 11-0 or 11-1? And what does your failing clock say?

And there are ads. This means you are very close to getting listings too!



I assume in the Sony Tuner you have also completed the Full Channel Replacement Scan? At least sometime on Monday of this week or after that date.

You should have 1-3 analogue stations, and about 48-54 digital stations at your location via OTA after the full scan?

Location: Houston,TX / TVGOS: CBS Ch11

I am one of the unlucky few with no channel lineup and no schedule listing.

Updated to 1.2.21 on Thu 6/11/2009.

After major dvr glitches, reset user configuration and reset TVGOS on Sat 6/13/2009.



Suggestions? Feedback?

Because the .21 was installed on 6/11/09..........did you get Grid and Listings prior to the transition? If not that might be a problem?

Also, KHOU was not broadcasting TVGOS again until Sunday after the transition. They are still having problems with thier PSIP as well, that worked just a little yesterday.

hm...I only have very sparse listings for day 8, and checking on the DL record, there is NO DL listed for the last 2 days...not good. Still no host channel...

Is it possible that the listings I HAVE gotten for the last 2 days are purely from when I've had the unit on and tuned to CBS 5.1?

I may split the output from my DTVPal to have a branch going to my Sony to see if that goads the unit into some progress...Tony

(I finally got SOMETHING from the Pal into my 3410a, when I set up the unit to accept the Pal output on its cable input and reset it to the substitute zip code - 00005. As "hoped" with this setting, today I got an abbreviated lineup with 3-digit channel numbers, like 151 for CBS 5.1 - as described rather circuitously here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16671570#post16671570) - not what I really want, but I wanted to see if I could actually get data FROM the Pal into the 3410a's TV Guide. After leaving it like this for a day or 2, to see if I actually get listings, I'll return the 3410a to my real zip code and see what happens...will I get my real lineup back? will I get any actual listings?)

I have not had a Host channel for months and I still get 8 day Guide Listings. I guess that depends on what your definition of Host Channel is?

If I recall, the only time Days 8 & 7 did not fill in was the 36 hours after transition because of some problem at KHOU.

HostChan = 753 menu, then 1-page to the right of the opening screen, about 4 lines down there is a field labeled "HostChan".
If that field is blank, then you don't have a Host Channel. However, you can get updated program listings without having a Host Channel established, as long as there is a channel that the DHG can find that has TVGOS data.
But if you lose your Channel Lineup for any reason, you can't get the Lineup back until you have both an established HostChan as described above, and LineupPkt is incrementing.

The missing piece of the puzzle (IMHO) is why there is sometimes an extended delay in acquiring the HostChan, even though Program Listings update daily. Maybe this is because some other piece of data is missing in some station's broadcasts.

The 753 host channel is blank. That is fine and has no meaning now.


KWG said he has no Lineup. He won't get Listings until he gets a Lineup. He won't get a Lineup until he gets a Host Channel.

Just to chime-in on the digital transition...I have two hdd-250's with the updated firmware. Some stations went away and some were mixed up but a new channel scan took care of it.

The San Antonio, TX affiliate KENS-TV has been rock solid since they acquired TVGOS...and my Sony's haven't missed a beat!

Rick

Location: Houston,TX / TVGOS: CBS Ch11

I am one of the unlucky few with no channel lineup and no schedule listing.

Updated to 1.2.21 on Thu 6/11/2009.

After major dvr glitches, reset user configuration and reset TVGOS on Sat 6/13/2009.

Under 'Setup' > 'Change channel display' I have "no data".
Under 'Listings' I have "no data".
The 753 host channel is blank.
The clock set channel is correct.
And there are ads.

I have tried changing the zipcode: 77xxx, 00000, 77yyy, 77zzz.

As backup, I have a videotape and a TR-40 DTVPal. But I would rather resolve this without those aids for now.

Suggestions? Feedback?

I have identical experience here in SF Bay Area. I did the Sony flash upgrade a few weeks ago and everything continued fine. After transition I wanted to start clean, so I reset user config. and reset TVGOS. Everything is the same a kwg in Houston posted. I have ads, but no lineup, schedule, or host channel.

I contacted the Engineer at local CBS KPIX, and he checked his reference set provided by Macrovision and it had populated data. However, without that unit being reset completely it isn't the same test. He claims nothing has changed in how they handle the digital broadcast and TV Guide data.

I would guess at this point there is something missing in feed or how the Sony units deal with the feed, rather than something in the control of the local broadcaster ... but this is just a gut feel.

Not sure what I can do now but wait?

Normally, I am OTA only. Due to the crappy tuner in the HDDs, I only get a marginal signal for channel 4-1 in the Seattle area. Now that 4 (analog) is gone, I can't get recordings that don't freeze or pixelate. I am trying a different approach, by using a DTV converter box RF output to feed the cable input of my HDD-500. Scanned the cable input to find the converter signal, works good.

In order to do this, I had to reconfigure TVGOS from OTA only to OTA+cable, which lost my grid info. I waited 4 days to see if the grid would return, but no luck. The 753 diagnostics look good, have TimeZonePkts, LineUpPkts, ZipCodePkts, SUFlags of 0xe68, etc, so it seems the data feed is all there, but no grid. I don't know what is missing.

So after 4 days, I reconfiged back to OTA only. Within 24 hours, I had a grid + listings (digital host, but no host listed in the diag screen). What is a little peculiar is that I still have the "Ch 4 - cable" in my list of logged channels, and I can tune it (to receive the DTV converter), but I can't select "Ch 4 - cable" in the TVGOS listings editor.

Now I have changed back to OTA + cable config, lost my grid again, and will wait to see if I get a grid, hopefully in less than a few weeks.

Does anyone have any idea why I can get a grid on OTA only but not OTA+cable? Is it possibly a zipcode issue?

P.S. using .21 firmware.

Yep I tend to agree; it almost leading me to believe a soft reset will be required for that analogue issue and so the box can actually lock onto a digital host.

I may try that, since it is now two days since the analog host disappeared and the host channel went blank.

Here is a question ( because it's hard to keep track of all the activity here): Has anyone with the .21 FW tried a force host since the transition? I know it has not worked with the .21 FW, but the last time I tried it was well before the cutoff.

My guide is fine with the blank host, but I'd like to know that I can get a lineup (which requires getting a host) if I have future problems.

Not sure what I can do now but wait?
You could ask that engineer - in behalf of ALL of us - if he knows ANYONE in the SF area with a v8 unit that has recovered from a complete TVGOS reset since June 12! :)

Cheers - Tony

...despite the Sony upgrade, I am still skeptical about the ability of the Sony to get the TV Guide going from scratch. I realize there are some posters here who are certain they have achieved this...but SINCE the complete analog shutdown AND without cable? And I mean from a complete reset of TVGOS...

(And not to be confused with what SEEMS to be a complete reset...after some incident, I was trying to reset TVGOS once, but later realized - based on subsequent events - that in fact my lineup had been maintained, even though I had gotten a "no data" screen. (I don't remember how this occurred, since it's been months ago, and - with all the variants on what's happened since roughly November - I can't really keep them straight...sorry)

In any case, just as a practical matter, I think it is a real mistake to do a complete reset without a specific need AND the means to recover, such as - it seems - the DTVPal is...or may be..

Both my 250 and 500 units, which have firmware upgrades, are locked onto cbs hd. Only connection difference between these units is that 500 unit has a cable card.

Grid problem is that after today the 500 grid is empty - the 250 grid is filled. I changed the zip code several times, including the 0000... trick. Also reset user configuration but still empty grid.

Manual record problem is that the unit won't allow me to set a manual recording on the HD channels. Someone else reported this problem many months ago but I don't recall seeing a solution. A few weeks ago I encountered the same problem when I reset the guide but that cleared up after the grid started to fill in.

Ray

Using TSReader and my PC tuner card I notice that Ch11
has not updated it's RF channel. It should be "ATSC 11"
instead of "ATSC 31". Just an observation...

TCVT defines 2 channel(s)
Service Name: KHOU-DT
TSID: 2863 (0x0b2f) NTSC: 11 ATSC: 31 TX HOUSTON
Channel Number: 11.1
Service Name: KHOU-SD
TSID: 2863 (0x0b2f) NTSC: 11 ATSC: 31 TX HOUSTON
Channel Number: 11.2

And fwiw:
http://www.etherguidesystems.com/Tools/TsidLookup.aspx
Digital tsid 2863 associated with analog tsid 2862
Analog Channel 11 Temporary (Digital) Channel 31
City of License: HOUSTON, TX

> established Host Channel

Okay, so what is the missing ingredient that isn't allowing the
Host Channel to be established?

====

Somebody asked about searching the current channel. I have tried both codes without success.

963214785 VBI Search Current Channel
987789987 VBI Quick Search Cur Channel

I haven't seen these discussed:
824824812 VBI Search 12
147258369 Force Slicing

====

HoustonPerson,

>> The clock set channel is correct.
> Does it show either 11-0 or 11-1?

Like yours, I see both 11-0 and 11-1.

> And what does your failing clock say?

It has been various values: blank and 11-x.

> I assume in the Sony Tuner you have also completed the
> Full Channel Replacement Scan?

Yes.

> You should have 1-3 analogue stations, and about 48-54 digital stations at
> your location via OTA after the full scan?

Correct.

They do leave you scratching your head! :D Even though I did the zip code change on my 250 and it reset the HostID field, it has not gotten any new time zone or lineup packets. Host channel still blank but day 8 is filled in nicely.

Someone here said that a few Sony engineers somewhere must be laughing away at the energy people put into keeping these things working and trying vaguely to understand how they work...

I guess we in DC are lucky. I have done absolutely nothing and everything is great. I have not done the firmware update, G* Test or anything else in DC. I am using zip 20500 and my Host Chan is blank as it was b4 June 12.

I seem to be stable for now, listings filled out (with a few blanks scattered around) except for Day 8. I'm not touching anything now.

Since I was stuck with a reset and blank guide, I'm glad I did the firmware update - I would be hesitant also to do it while everything was working, though.

CBS-DC seems to be very stingy with timezone packets. Everything else seems to be ok.

The missing piece of the puzzle (IMHO) is why there is sometimes an extended delay in acquiring the HostChan, even though Program Listings update daily. Maybe this is because some other piece of data is missing in some station's broadcasts.
You can say that again.

FWIW, an update from Chicago, IL, OTA only...

After the troubles back around April, I updated the firmware as soon as it became available. There was also a glitch with WBBM 2.1 (local CBS) not passing the TVGOS signal for a while, but after I contacted a station engineer and he reset the encoder it was okay. My Sony 250 had previously been locked onto 0:2-1 as the host channel, then it went blank for a while, then locked onto 0:2-0 for whatever reason. Still, it kept working fine...

...but with the recognized host being analog, I was understandably worried what would happen as of June 12.

As of June 12, I had 8 full days of listings. Both WBBM and WLS (the local ABC) changed their actual broadcast frequencies as of the conversion (both are now VHF high-band, 12 and 7 respectively), so they were producing "no signal" until I did a full channel rescan on Saturday morning, 6/13. After that all the expected channels were accessible (31 digital and 3 analog, IIRC, not counting duplicates)... but the listed HostChan was still 0:2-0, and I was still getting no new listings.

This continued through Monday, with the number of days with listings gradually incrementing downward. It's not like I do a lot of TV watching this time of year, so I decided to be patient. (That seasonal distinction, in retrospect, is probably a good reason that justified the delay from February 17.) I just left the box turned off (but tuned to 2.1) each night.

Come the wee hours Tuesday, the HostChan listing had disappeared—it was blank again. By Tuesday night, this was still true, but the full 8 days of listings had populated again.

That was still the status quo today (although there were a handful of "no listing" and "no title" entries on Day 8). As for the technical specs some around here are discussing: at 5:00 am CDT on 6/17, I had 10792 LineupPkts and 268 TimeZnPkts. By 3:00 pm that same day, the numbers were 11115 and 269 respectively.

The machine appears to be working just fine, and for that matter the reception for most stations is clearer than before the transition. However, I still have no HostChan, so should I ever lose my grid for some reason (or just have to, say, move to another city), heaven only knows how long it would take to get a grid back. (Although, ironically, the system does recognize the 0:12-0, which is the real frequency for 2.1, as the FailingClkChan.)

Both my 250 and 500 units, which have firmware upgrades, are locked onto cbs hd. Only connection difference between these units is that 500 unit has a cable card.

Grid problem is that after today the 500 grid is empty - the 250 grid is filled. I changed the zip code several times, including the 0000... trick. Also reset user configuration but still empty grid.

Ray

On TWC I can't get VBI or guide with Cablecard. Although there is no VBI on digital, I wonder if having a cablecard isn't changing something for all TVGOS

Pull the Cablecard on the 500, put it on to 2-1, turn it off for a night and morning and see if you get a guide.

On TWC I can't get VBI or guide with Cablecard. Although there is no VBI on digital, I wonder if having a cablecard isn't changing something for all TVGOS

Pull the Cablecard on the 500, put it on to 2-1, turn it off for a night and morning and see if you get a guide.

I'm fairly certain that the unit is receiving VBI data, since unlike you, I receive a strong signal on OTA 2.1, which I believe is really broadcast on channel 43. Also without the card, I can't get any of the cable only channels such as fx, and Lifetime. If the guide doesn't show up in the next few days, I may try your suggestion with the hope that it clears the problem, and I can re-seat the card and continue to receive guide data.

Ray

HostChan = 753 menu, then 1-page to the right of the opening screen, about 4 lines down there is a field labeled "HostChan".
If that field is blank, then you don't have a Host Channel. However, you can get updated program listings without having a Host Channel established, as long as there is a channel that the DHG can find that has TVGOS data.
But if you lose your Channel Lineup for any reason, you can't get the Lineup back until you have both an established HostChan as described above, and LineupPkt is incrementing.

The missing piece of the puzzle (IMHO) is why there is sometimes an extended delay in acquiring the HostChan, even though Program Listings update daily. Maybe this is because some other piece of data is missing in some station's broadcasts.

All of that is true except, "But if you lose your Channel Lineup for any reason, you can't get the Lineup back until you have both an established HostChan as described above, and LineupPkt is incrementing."

Other than that one thing your area seems the exact same as mine?

Remember, I had "no Grid" and "no listings" and still do not have "host channel" to this day. I guess each DMA is still a lot different.

When you installed the .21 software on June 12th did you get the Grid and Listings back before the Transition? It may have not had enough time to do that, since the KHOU TVGOS “died” at 6AM Friday.

Was the box operating correctly without lockups before the .21 install, with full 8 day listings?

If I understand your posts you have (or have not) done these after the .21 install:

963214785 VBI Search Current Channel?
987789987 VBI Quick Search Cur Channel?

824824812 VBI Search 12?
147258369 Force Slicing?


IMO those items prevent the SonyBox from working correctly - both prevent it from getting listings and may cause it to lock up from time to time.

------------------------------

Your full channel Sony tuner scan was on or after Monday June 15th? KHOU had some really messed up stuff with TVGOS on June 12, 13, and 14. If you were trying more extreme measures on those days at the very least it would have been futile.

Here is a quick and non-dirty test to confirm you are receiving TVGOS data. It may or may not be error free data-but good enough to get “Listings”.

Tune Sony Box to 11-1 and leave it there for at least 45 min. Go to the ATSC slicer screen.

Pic 7229: If you seen number increasing in the 3rd column “Current Channel” and adding to the “Since Cold” then the box is receiving TVGOS. You should also have "good" data in the last four line items (not like the next picture)

Pic 7243: If the Current Channel stays dead like this picture – then you are not receiving TVGOS (However, consider this a fake picture the Box is receiving TVGOS - it is just not "tuned" to 11-1 and had not been for over 18 hours just to prove it was still working conrrectly).

Hope this helps a little?

Using TSReader and my PC tuner card I notice that Ch11
has not updated it's RF channel. It should be "ATSC 11"
instead of "ATSC 31". Just an observation...

TCVT defines 2 channel(s)
Service Name: KHOU-DT
TSID: 2863 (0x0b2f) NTSC: 11 ATSC: 31 TX HOUSTON
Channel Number: 11.1
Service Name: KHOU-SD
TSID: 2863 (0x0b2f) NTSC: 11 ATSC: 31 TX HOUSTON
Channel Number: 11.2

And fwiw:
http://www.etherguidesystems.com/Tools/TsidLookup.aspx
Digital tsid 2863 associated with analog tsid 2862
Analog Channel 11 Temporary (Digital) Channel 31
City of License: HOUSTON, TX


Ok, thanks that explains to me whey the PSIP Program Information only lasted a day here (or so). Tells me they are trying to fix it? I guess? Last I looked yesterday - it just says DTV Program - slightly better than nothing at all, which is how it was for several days "blank".

This may or may not explain why MySonyBox has not locked into the so-called Host (if it really needs it?)

I may try that, since it is now two days since the analog host disappeared and the host channel went blank.

Here is a question ( because it's hard to keep track of all the activity here): Has anyone with the .21 FW tried a force host since the transition? I know it has not worked with the .21 FW, but the last time I tried it was well before the cutoff.

My guide is fine with the blank host, but I'd like to know that I can get a lineup (which requires getting a host) if I have future problems.

You can get "listings" without the host being set.

Several have reported problems/issues in try to force host with the .21 installed.

I monitored 753, here's my data:

LineupPkt, LineupSelPkt, StationPkt - time
583, 3570, 42 - 530p
592, 3655, 43 - 1018p
601, 3740, 44 - 1102p
739, 4930, 58 - 615a

From 530p-10p, it was not on the host channel.
After 10p, it was on the host channel.

Using TSReader and my PC tuner card I notice that Ch11
has not updated it's RF channel. It should be "ATSC 11"
instead of "ATSC 31". Just an observation...

TCVT defines 2 channel(s)
Service Name: KHOU-DT
TSID: 2863 (0x0b2f) NTSC: 11 ATSC: 31 TX HOUSTON
Channel Number: 11.1
Service Name: KHOU-SD
TSID: 2863 (0x0b2f) NTSC: 11 ATSC: 31 TX HOUSTON
Channel Number: 11.2

And fwiw:
http://www.etherguidesystems.com/Tools/TsidLookup.aspx
Digital tsid 2863 associated with analog tsid 2862
Analog Channel 11 Temporary (Digital) Channel 31
City of License: HOUSTON, TX

I was/am grasping at straws....obviously both tools use '2863' as an index into an established data table. The data shown after the index is not in the PSIP.

All of that is true except, "But if you lose your Channel Lineup for any reason, you can't get the Lineup back until you have both an established HostChan as described above, and LineupPkt is incrementing."

Other than that one thing your area seems the exact same as mine?

Remember, I had "no Grid" and "no listings" and still do not have "host channel" to this day. I guess each DMA is still a lot different.

So are you saying that YOU can acquire a Channel Lineup (Grid) TODAY (post analog cutoff) without having a HostChan set in the 753 menu? Have you proved that by doing a "TVGuide Reset" from the 9012 menu?

I currently have a unit in testing, that I performed a TVGuide Reset on Tuesday night. It has not acquired a Channel Lineup yet. It also has not acquired a HostChan yet, although I am hoping that it may have a HostChan set by tonight based on the amount of time it took to acquire the digital HostChan after the transition last Friday.

After it aquires the HostChan, I am hoping that it will acquire the Channel Lineup. But that step is uncharted waters (for me) following the transition.

I also have a co-worker who just bought a used HDD500 and has done the TVGuide Reset and is also waiting for the HostChan to set and for the Channel Lineup to appear. So there are currently two units in my area that are in "testing" from a TVG Reset since the transition.

If I manage to get a Channel Lineup prior to establishing a HostChan in the 753 menu, I will drive to Houston an buy you dinner and all the beer you can drink. :D

KWG said he has no Lineup. He won't get Listings until he gets a Lineup. He won't get a Lineup until he gets a Host Channel.

I haven't had a host channel since feb. Yet Sony and MV say that with the .21 firmware you should get a grid in 24 days. Does anyone have a host listed in the atsc slicing page? My center line is all zeros yet the other lines are showing good counts.

Does anyone have a host listed in the atsc slicing page? My center line is all zeros yet the other lines are showing good counts.

Yes, I do. My center column (Host Channel) on the ATSC-Slicer page has values. I have these currently on two of my three units. I did have it on all three, but I deliberately did a TVGuide Reset on one unit on Tuesday night as a test. This third unit is in the recovery process now, which should take another day or so to re-acquire the HostChan. After that, I am hoping that it will pick up the Grid from the digital Host. If it doesn't, I will use my backup VCR tape if all else fails.

I think we all got our terminologies mixed up. I will be off line a few hours; hope to be back on line later today.

KWG, I think it will a lot easier to fix then you think. Later

Yes, I do. My center column (Host Channel) on the ATSC-Slicer page has values. I have these currently on two of my three units. I did have it on all three, but I deliberately did a TVGuide Reset on one unit on Monday night (or Tuesday night, I'm not sure) as a test. This third unit is in the recovery process now, which should take another day or so to re-aquire the HostChan. After that, I am hoping that it will pick up the Grid from the digital Host. If it doesn't, I will use my backup VCR tape if all else fails.

I forget are you on cable? I've never have a listed host since Feb. Why should the data be any different here than in other areas? Maybe data here is missing something? I get listings just fine but couldn't build a grid. Got an email from MV that said my case has been sent to level 2 support. They said it should take 10 days to get a grid but will get back to me.

I forget are you on cable?

I am OTA and Cable. Two of my units chose OTA for host, one chose Cable.

I've never have a listed host since Feb. Why should the data be any different here than in other areas? Maybe data here is missing something?

That's what I think, some areas are missing something.

I get listings just fine but couldn't build a grid.

Since Friday (analog cutoff):
I can get updated listings without having a HostChan.
And I can Acquire a HostChan via digital.
I don't know if I can acquire a Grid via digital. Testing is underway.

Got an email from MV that said my case has been sent to level 2 support. They said it should take 10 days to get a grid but will get back to me.
.

> When you installed the .21 software on June 12th
> did you get the Grid and Listings back before
> the Transition?

I never lost the Grid and Listings before or after
the Transition.

They went bye-bye after I 9012 Reset TVGOS on 6/13/2009.

> Was the box operating correctly without lockups
> before the .21 install

Yes.

> with full 8 day listings?

Yes, listings via analog PBS Ch8.

> If I understand your posts you have (or have not) done these after the
> .21 install:
> 963214785 VBI Search Current Channel?
> 987789987 VBI Quick Search Cur Channel?

After I Reset TVGOS, I tried each at different times.

> 824824812 VBI Search 12?
> 147258369 Force Slicing?

No, I have not tried either. I found no reference to anyone
using those codes.

> IMO those items prevent the SonyBox from working
> correctly - both prevent it from getting listings
> and may cause it to lock up from time to time.

Forcing the host worked for me on 2 boxes (1.0.5 at the time) when
analog PBS Ch8 stopped sending TVGOS a few weeks ago. Each box happily
switched to digital CBS Ch11 and worked a-ok. They did switch back
to Ch8 when TVGOS was re-established.

At that time you lost listings until Ch8 started again.

> Your full channel Sony tuner scan was on or after Monday June 15th?

On and after.

>
They went bye-bye after I 9012 Reset TVGOS on 6/13/2009.

.


Ok, I know there are different levels of 9012 (the last time I used one was back in January......and it had to Full Factory Reset-because the Box was a complete Brick).

Ok course doing 9012 (any of them) on 6/12 6/13 and 6/14 would yield no results because KHOU was not sending out TVGOS at that time. (I know the station does not say that; but I do)

Was it only a TVGOS reset you did with 9012 or a Full Factory Reset (I am not that familiar with them).

What are the results of your ATSC slicer page test? (have you posted that? did I miss it?)

Have to give credit to Cablevision. So far its all been seamless.

The transition has made no difference. The were sending the TVGOS in converted analog form through their TV listing scroll channel, and there it remains- for now.

However they are very consistently and rapidly eliminating many analog channels for digital and I have to wonder what happens if they go all digital- possibly abandoning sending TVGOS through.

I am torn between the risk of doing the .21 update - for the possibility of it being a future necessity- or leaving well enough alone for the time being. Each possibility has pluses and minuses and risks.

Still no host; but box still working perfect.

Pic 7247: This is new for MySonyBox; what does “AutoSetupReqF” mean? This is the first time this has showed up. Is it related as to why MySonyBox does not set host? Auto Setup Required File? I have no idea. All previous days it has been blank.

Pic 7248: Just FYI, the fields keep increasing, even when “not” tuned to CBS digital for over 40 hours.

Um? Maybe Pic 7247 means it needs a required file via Auto Setup in order to throw a switch to lock in the Host? Meaning in the next 24 - 48 hours it may actually lock into host?

> Ok course doing 9012 (any of them) on 6/12 6/13 and 6/14 would yield
> no results because KHOU was not sending out TVGOS at that time.

A 9012 Reset TVGOS simply zeroes out the data in the SonyDVR- setup, zipcode, grid, listings, channel lineup, etc.

If there is a step during the 9012 Reset TVGOS that is associated with establishing a host channel, then I have not heard of that.

You have to setup TVGOS (zip,etc) and scan the tuner after a reset.

> Was it only a TVGOS reset you did with 9012 or a Full Factory Reset

Only a TVGOS reset. The one that people accidentally select when going to the "G* Factory Test", but mine was on purpose.

[From the FAQ, 9012]
http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html#Section1216
(1)
"Restore Factory Default":
Deletes all recorded programs, and resets all user settings to factory defaults.
(2)
"Reset User Configuration": Resets all user information to the factory default,
but leaves the recorded programs intact. This doesn't appear to reset the
TVGOS system, but it may ask you to confirm your zip code.
(3)
"TV Guide"
"Reset to Factory Defaults": This menu will return the TVGOS system to
factory defaults. Warning: There is no warning before this reset is done.
Selecting this option immediately performs this reset.

On Sat 6/13/2009 I did (2) & (3).

> What are the results of your ATSC slicer page test?
> If you seen number increasing in the 3rd column “Current
> Channel” and adding to the “Since Cold” then the box is receiving TVGOS.
> You should also have "good" data in the last four line items

Yes to all the above.

Pic 7247: This is new for MySonyBox; what does “AutoSetupReqF” mean? This is the first time this has showed up. Is it related as to why MySonyBox does not set host? Auto Setup Required File? I have no idea. All previous days it has been blank.

Um? Maybe Pic 7247 means it needs a required file via Auto Setup in order to throw a switch to lock in the Host? Meaning in the next 24 - 48 hours it may actually lock into host?

I will look at that field when I get home this afternoon. As of last night I had two units with Hostchan set and one unit without. If this field is different between my three units maybe that will provide another clue to the DHG mystery.

> Ok course doing 9012 (any of them) on 6/12 6/13 and 6/14 would yield
> no results because KHOU was not sending out TVGOS at that time.

A 9012 Reset TVGOS simply zeroes out the data in the SonyDVR- setup, zipcode, grid, listings, channel lineup, etc.

If there is a step during the 9012 Reset TVGOS that is associated with establishing a host channel, then I have not heard of that.

You have to setup TVGOS (zip,etc) and scan the tuner after a reset.

> Was it only a TVGOS reset you did with 9012 or a Full Factory Reset

Only a TVGOS reset. The one that people accidentally select when going to the "G* Factory Test", but mine was on purpose.

[From the FAQ, 9012]
http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html#Section1216
(1)
"Restore Factory Default":
Deletes all recorded programs, and resets all user settings to factory defaults.
(2)
"Reset User Configuration": Resets all user information to the factory default,
but leaves the recorded programs intact. This doesn't appear to reset the
TVGOS system, but it may ask you to confirm your zip code.
(3)
"TV Guide"
"Reset to Factory Defaults": This menu will return the TVGOS system to
factory defaults. Warning: There is no warning before this reset is done.
Selecting this option immediately performs this reset.

On Sat 6/13/2009 I did (2) & (3).

> What are the results of your ATSC slicer page test?
> If you seen number increasing in the 3rd column “Current
> Channel” and adding to the “Since Cold” then the box is receiving TVGOS.
> You should also have "good" data in the last four line items

Yes to all the above.

Basically, it appears to me it is receiving TVGOS data, but it can not process it because the box is messed up.

If I have been able to follow what you have done, i will assume the force host has messed it up. I think? you said you did that after the .21 install.

Send it to me in Spring and I will make it work.

-------------------------------------

You currently do not have Grid or listings?

You currently have your channels listed in Sony Tuner channel editor? (where you place the "little check mark" for stations you want to be available or not)

You currently Do Not have channels available in the TVGOS channel editor?

HoustonPerson,

> Send it to me in Spring and I will make it work.

You would have to prove that you can get past a 9012 "Reset User Configuration" + "TV Guide Reset to Factory Defaults" on your box.

That is what WS65711 is doing as an experiment, and I appreciate his progress reports. But he also has a TVGOS videotape to fall back on.

> You currently do not have Grid or listings?

Correct. No Grid. No listings.

> You currently have your channels listed in Sony Tuner channel editor?

Correct. With channels enabled (checkmark) that I watch -- yes, including CBS Ch11-1 & Ch11-2.

> You currently Do Not have channels available in the TVGOS channel editor?

Correct.

hm...I only have very sparse listings for day 8, and checking on the DL record, there is NO DL listed for the last 2 days...not good. Still no host channel...

Is it possible that the listings I HAVE gotten for the last 2 days are purely from when I've had the unit on and tuned to CBS 5.1?

I may split the output from my DTVPal to have a branch going to my Sony to see if that goads the unit into some progress...Tony

(I finally got SOMETHING from the Pal into my 3410a, when I set up the unit to accept the Pal output on its cable input and reset it to the substitute zip code - 00005. As "hoped" with this setting, today I got an abbreviated lineup with 3-digit channel numbers, like 151 for CBS 5.1 - as described rather circuitously here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16671570#post16671570) - not what I really want, but I wanted to see if I could actually get data FROM the Pal into the 3410a's TV Guide. After leaving it like this for a day or 2, to see if I actually get listings, I'll return the 3410a to my real zip code and see what happens...will I get my real lineup back? will I get any actual listings?)
having seen NO evidence of a normal download for a couple of days, I split my DTVPal channel 3 output and joined it with the antenna signal going to my Sony. I first did it adding it in separately as a cable channel, but didn't see any vbi packets that way, AND it lost me my lineup...YIKES! So I reverted to a no cable configuration very early this AM, joining 3the Pal output with the antenna in, and found at noon that I had a lineup, perhaps new in that I had a scramble, many wrong channels on and off, and no data for our main PBS channel, which was off...but it seemed to retain the several days of data that I had in full, or almost so, plus the couple of days that were really bad, raised day 5 to full listings and added a full day 8 (except, as mentioned, for PBS 9.1)

And, guess what! Channel 3 (analog) is now given as the host channel and clock channel. The DL schedule is now all analog, with fresh downloads indicated in the DL record. It all looks like it did before Friday, even to the point having no digital download schedule shown...a little scary.

I'm using my real zip code, just using the Pal in TVGOS mode, but without any of the substitute zip code and cable with cable box business. I wasn't at all sure that the Sony would work with the Pal as TVGOS source, but otherwise unencumbered by the Pal's standard-configuration straight jacket.

We'll see what happens later...in fact, I think I will go tune it to CBS 5.1 and leave the unit on, to see if it picks up data in THAT mode.

!!! Tony

PS What really gets me is that I'm having a lot more trouble trying to get listings for my 3410a using the Pal output!!! I haven't gotten anything more than what I mentioned in my post yesterday...

HoustonPerson,

> Send it to me in Spring and I will make it work.

You would have to prove that you can get past a 9012 "Reset User Configuration" + "TV Guide Reset to Factory Defaults" on your box.

That is what WS65711 is doing as an experiment, and I appreciate his progress reports. But he also has a TVGOS videotape to fall back on.

> You currently do not have Grid or listings?

Correct. No Grid. No listings.

> You currently have your channels listed in Sony Tuner channel editor?

Correct. With channels enabled (checkmark) that I watch -- yes, including CBS Ch11-1 & Ch11-2.

> You currently Do Not have channels available in the TVGOS channel editor?

Correct.

1. Confirm that .21 is in the box (look at the Sony Pref System screen)

2. Do “00000” set while box is tuned to 11-1 (and keep it there for the time being). Leave the box “off” for a minimum of 15 minutes (longer than 30 minutes will do nothing). 5 minutes is “not” long enough. Yes I know you said you did this; but with all the other stuff done, it is most likely null and void.

3. When you turn the box on, it will force you into TVGOS setup, if it does not something is wrong! Keep it tuned to 11-1. Let it play on that station for a few hours – 4 hours is good, confirm it is getting data on ATSC page. Leave it off overnight. Most of the downloads for Houston occur from about 2AM to about 11:30AM the next morning.

Do not do Force Host. Do not do G Test. (recommend never) Those are most likely the cause of no stations in the TVGOS channel editor.

If that does not fixed it (so that you have Grid and Listings); then you can either start "back tracking" up the “reset” phases under 9012. Ultimately and very possibly doing a Full Factory Reset; that may be the only way to clear out its problems.

No there are no guarantees.

KWG

I am confirming you do not get this channel listing - no channels at all listing in TVGOS (either on or off)?

Channel Map ID

Pic 7146 On May 9th MySonyBox received its first “Channel Map ID” - previous activity on that field was none. This was during a digital phase of operations-the entire month of May.

Pic 7154 Another was recorded on May 15th

On June 2 that field clear back to “blank” – none – sorry no pictures. It remains blank to this day.

HoustonPerson,

> Confirm that .21 is in the box (look at the Sony Pref System screen)

Confirmed.

> I am confirming you do not get this channel listing - no channels
> at all listing in TVGOS (either on or off)?

Confirmed. "No data" message.

I got a Channel Lineup (Grid) !!!!!

This is much better success than I expected to have at this point. I thought that maybe I would have a HostChan today (Thursday). But when I turned on unit #3 (the one that was my test subject) it asked me to "Select the Cable System". I did so, then ...... (I'll let the pictures show the rest). I'll come back with more findings after I add the images.

This is the Channel Lineup (Grid), received from a digital HostChan within 48 hours of the TVGuide Reset
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=145731&d=1245362942

Obviously, as the picture above shows I have no Program Listings yet, but I am not concerned about that at all. I am getting full listings on my other two units, and I had been getting full listings on the unit prior to the TVGuide Reset. I'm expecting that I'll have 8-days listings by tomorrow morning.

This shows the HostChan field, which contains the physical channel number of my OTA digital PBS channel
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=145732&d=1245362942

This is the ATSC-Slicer page, showing packets received from the digital PBS HostChan, as well a packets from the current channel (digital CBS)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=145733&d=1245362942

This is the SectionReception-VBI page, which shows the LineupPkt and TimezonePkts fields
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=145734&d=1245362942

SectionMemory-Channels page, which shows that “AutoSetupReqF” field that HoustonPerson was curious about
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=145735&d=1245362942

Unfortunately, I won't be taking HoustonPerson out to dinner and all the beer he/she can drink. Since I got everything like "wham bam thank you Mam", there is no way that I can determine if the Lineup appeared prior to the HostChan being set. But if I had to guess . . . :D:D:D:D:D

To end this story........ This morning (Friday) I did have sparse Program Listings. Not a full 8 days, but Listings none the less. Unfortunately, while "fooling around" shortly afterward, I inadvertantly did another TVGuide "Reset to Factory Defaults". This of course whacked my Listings, Grid, HostChan, Clock, and even the 8.06.44 software patch. So I'm currently in "start over again" mode. Easy come, easy go . . .

As far as starting over goes, this morning (Saturday) the unit has gained the correct time, and the TVGOS software has updated to patch 8.05.40 overnight. Of course there is still no HostChan, Grid, or LineupPkts. Nothing has incremented in any Host Channel column. TimezonePkts have incremented.

Today (Sunday morning) the TVGOS software has updated to the latest patch 8.06.44 overnight. There is still no HostChan, Grid, or LineupPkts. Nothing has incremented in any Host Channel column.

Today (Tuesday 6/23) I have a HostChan (OTA PBS virtual 0:11.0), and after selecting the Cable System a Channel Lineup. Fields in the ATSC-Slicer page HostChan column contain values other than zero's. I'm sure that I will have at least "some" Program Listings later tonight or tomorrow. This is all subsequent to my inadvertant "TV Guide Reset to Factory Defaults" on Friday morning.

.

You can get "listings" without the host being set.

Several have reported problems/issues in try to force host with the .21 installed.

I did a soft reset last night, which cleared much of the analog information on several screens. But the leftover LstAtStrt and LstSuStrt dates and times are still there. Host is still blank. Listings are still full.

The screen with LineupPkts, etc. was cleared. Today, I have most kinds of packets in the hundreds and thousands --- except TimezonePkts, which are zero. It seems to take a week or more to get only one.

I know I don't need a host channel set to get listings. But I wonder if that will cause problems after a major reset.

As to forcing the host, I was wondering if anyone had tried it AFTER the transition AND with FW .21. (I know the force caused problems before the transition.)

In Tulsa, Cox is converting the OnScreen to Analog on PBS(OETA). Over the air OETA is sending out the digital version. My 250 switched on the 13th from the analog version from Fox that we had been using the last 3 months to the new analog PBS version on Cox. I was asked to select a provider Sat the 13th. I had no listings for all but two of the local stations after that. All the cable stations have listings. Tues the 16th I disconnected the cable and today my 250 has acquired the digital host from the OTA. I still have no listings for the locals except the same two and have all listings for cable stations. I reset the zipcode before i disconnected the cable. I am hearing OKC is the same with no listings for locals. Also no ads today.

2 500's - 1 OTA only, 1 OTA with Uverse (Both updated)

Both units have had rescans after the 12th.

FWIW

1st unit started out using 12-1 as CBS vs 2-1, Had to leave the unit on every other night to have full listings.
No host shown, full listings, clock set was 12-1 now 12-0.
Clock lost 1 minute but caught up last night and still shows 12-0.
Finally got 2-1 to actually show the programing.
Now unit stays off at night on 2-1 and has all listings for 8 days and correct clock.

2nd unit can't find 2-1 after even more rescans. Still using 12-1 as CBS, no picture or VBI shows on 2-1. VBI in the 723 menu shows on 12-1 only.
No host, clock set shows 12-1, failing clock shows 0-2. Full listings and correct clock.
Did only OTA scans 3 or 4 times. No other CBS stations show up in the listings for CBS-HD.
As long as it's working using 12-1, why fix what ain't broken I guess.

Yesterday my 500 unit had ads and host channel but full listings ending before days end. Also, could not set manual recording on HD channel.

Today, no ads and blank host channel, but grid is partially filled for the next eight days. Hopefully, the grid will completely fill by tomorrow.

Seems like most of the blanks were for HD channels, except there was an entry for today - a new USA HD cable show that yesterday I wasn't able to set up for a manual recording. Today, I clicked on the grid to record and now the program is set to record - twice. After I set the recording, I looked at the scheduled recordings and it appeared, as well as the same program at an earlier time, which I had scheduled last week but became grayed out due to the lack of grid information.

Ray

Last night, after I recorded the USA HD program, I deleted the schedule for the second recording as I was viewing that show. When I paused the show, I noticed that lost reception on all digital channels. After I finished viewing the show I did an antenna scan both with the cable card in place and with it removed. Both scans showed 0 digital channels so I thought that the digital tuner died, and thinking about when I should send the unit back for repair, before or after I viewed all my many recordings.

Then I thought of only one other thing to try - warm reset but since clock time was correct, and the unit was receiving analog channels, I ran the risk of losing all recording capability if that didn't work - since the time would be incorrect without digital CBS HD.

So I took a chance and did warm reset and all the digital channels returned after I repeated antenna scan and re-inserted the cable card.
I assume that deleting the scheduled program caused this problem because of the short time between the above recording and when I noticed the problem.

Ray

So far it looks like it works fine - of course "more fine" will be with listings - let us know when you get them.


And this was after Full Factory Reset OR 9012 TVGOS user configuration reset?

Please Send TWO Green XX Beer to:
HoustonPerson

I am still deciding which steak house?

thanks

question: On the ATSC Slicer screen do the Host Channel column still increase if it is NOT tuned to the digital TVGOS channel and/or Current Channel is blank?

Does this also mean you have "two" sources of TVGOS OTA PBS & CBS digital?

So far it looks like it works fine - of course "more fine" will be with listings - let us know when you get them.

Some sparse listings have appeared, no where near the 8 full days I had hoped for. However, when I got up this morning I found my OTA reception on this unit to be VERY poor. Remember, this unit is not connected to my main attic-mounted antenna. It is only on an old set-top Radio Shack Double-BowTie (looks like a Bar-B-Que grille), and I am about 40 miles from the broadcast antennas. There is probably an atmospheric condition causing the horrible reception right now.

All the pictures are on the Unit #3 correct?

Yes, all the pictures are from the "Unit #3" which has been my test unit.

And this was after Full Factory Reset OR 9012 TVGOS user configuration reset?

From the 9012 menu I chose "TV Guide", then "Reset to Factory Defaults". This is the choice directly above where you would select the "G*Test" back in the olden days. BUT I JUST SCREWED UP ROYALLY. I was going to list the exact steps, and I inadvertantly actually selected the "Reset to Factory Defaults". So this unit will now be out of commission for several days. The 8.06.44 patch is gone this time so I will have to to wait for it to reload and start over yet again. When I did this step on Tuesday, the 8.06.44 patch still remained after this reset. THANKS HoustonPerson !!!!!

Please Send TWO Green XX Beer to:
HoustonPerson

thanks

NO BEER for you buddy . . . Not now.

question: On the ATSC Slicer screen do the Host Channel column still increase if it is NOT tuned to the digital TVGOS channel and/or Current Channel is blank?

Please ask again in English . . .

.

question: On the ATSC Slicer screen do the Host Channel column still increase if it is NOT tuned to the digital TVGOS channel and/or Current Channel is blank?

Does this also mean you have "two" sources of TVGOS OTA PBS & CBS digital?

The ATSC-Slicer page "Host Channel" column only appears to increment if a digital Host Channel is present in the HostChan field. The "Current Channel" column often increments when tuned to another digital channel.

Yes, I currently do have two digital OTA sources of TVGOS data, and two Cable sources (the equivalent QAM channels). My Mits TV has currently chosen QAM PBS as the HostChan. One of my DHG's has chosen digital OTA CBS as the HostChan. The other two DHG's have chosen digital OTA PBS, although now since my :mad: screw-up :mad: unit #3 must load the 8.06.44 patch and start over again.

The ATSC-Slicer page "Host Channel" column only appears to increment if a digital Host Channel is present in the HostChan field. The "Current Channel" column often increments when tuned to another digital channel.

Yes, I currently do have two digital OTA sources of TVGOS data, and two Cable sources (the equivalent QAM channels). My Mits TV has currently chosen QAM PBS as the HostChan. One of my DHG's has chosen digital OTA CBS as the HostChan. The other two DHG's have chosen digital OTA PBS, although now since my :mad: screw-up :mad: unit #3 must load the 8.06.44 patch and start over again.

Ok, since your doing all this extra work - why go ahead and do the:

1. Full Factory Reset
2. Install the .21 again (because full reset whipes it out)
3. And let it Ride


Beer Details:
Two X Green the best beer in the world:

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I now have a host RF 19 (46.1 WGCL) on the second unit. Listings up to date through day 8. The first unit which I thought took only 44 hours was a mistacke. Did not factor in the first G* and force host done several days before I ran it again. Thought it would start over, but apparently not.
Michael

Normally, I am OTA only. Due to the crappy tuner in the HDDs, I only get a marginal signal for channel 4-1 in the Seattle area. Now that 4 (analog) is gone, I can't get recordings that don't freeze or pixelate. I am trying a different approach, by using a DTV converter box RF output to feed the cable input of my HDD-500. Scanned the cable input to find the converter signal, works good.

In order to do this, I had to reconfigure TVGOS from OTA only to OTA+cable, which lost my grid info. I waited 4 days to see if the grid would return, but no luck. The 753 diagnostics look good, have TimeZonePkts, LineUpPkts, ZipCodePkts, SUFlags of 0xe68, etc, so it seems the data feed is all there, but no grid. I don't know what is missing.

So after 4 days, I reconfiged back to OTA only. Within 24 hours, I had a grid + listings (digital host, but no host listed in the diag screen). What is a little peculiar is that I still have the "Ch 4 - cable" in my list of logged channels, and I can tune it (to receive the DTV converter), but I can't select "Ch 4 - cable" in the TVGOS listings editor.

Now I have changed back to OTA + cable config, lost my grid again, and will wait to see if I get a grid, hopefully in less than a few weeks.

Does anyone have any idea why I can get a grid on OTA only but not OTA+cable? Is it possibly a zipcode issue?

P.S. using .21 firmware.Bump.

Bump.

I have found the Sony tuner in these boxes to be very good. Pixilated is some type of signal problem, is Seattle one of those cities that is going to put up extra towers? Or perhaps change antenna position and/or power levels?

The DTV converter RF out would not have any TVGOS to pass. So it should not work? IMO

You may want to try to get a better signal to the Sony Box and try traditional OTA again. Assuming you do this you should use the “00000” zip routine for about 15-30 minutes and then back to your own zip code.

I have found the Sony tuner in these boxes to be very good.You're fortunate. Every other device that I have with an ATSC tuner will get much better reception than the DHG tuners.The DTV converter RF out would not have any TVGOS to pass. So it should not work? IMOI'm not expecting the DTV converter to have TVGOS data, its just a way of getting good reception on a marginal non-TVGOS channel. The problem is getting that converted signal fed into the DHG. Mixing it with the antenna feed, using a reverse splitter, causes interference patterns, so I'm limited to trying to feed it into the cable input.You may want to try to get a better signal to the Sony Box and try traditional OTA again.I've though a lot about that. My high gain yagi UHF antenna is already up 40' above ground. I would bite the bullet and put up an 80' tower if I could be sure that would cure the problem, but there is no way to test that without actually doing it. Besides, I think its a multipath issue, not a signal strength problem, and the DHG tuners are bad at handling multipath.Assuming you do this you should use the “00000” zip routine for about 15-30 minutes and then back to your own zip code.Ok, I'll try that if I don't get a grid in the next week or so.

You're fortunate. Every other device that I have with an ATSC tuner will get much better reception than the DHG tuners.I'm not expecting the DTV converter to have TVGOS data, its just a way of getting good reception on a marginal non-TVGOS channel. The problem is getting that converted signal fed into the DHG. Mixing it with the antenna feed, using a reverse splitter, causes interference patterns, so I'm limited to trying to feed it into the cable input.I've though a lot about that. My high gain yagi UHF antenna is already up 40' above ground. I would bite the bullet and put up an 80' tower if I could be sure that would cure the problem, but there is no way to test that without actually doing it. Besides, I think its a multipath issue, not a signal strength problem, and the DHG tuners are bad at handling multipath.Ok, I'll try that if I don't get a grid in the next week or so.
hm...I actually got complete TVGOS listings via a DTVPal, but only if I fed it directly into a joiner with the straight antenna signal going to my Sony...when I fed the Pal via the cable input, the unit didn't see the TVGOS data, even though the Pal was in TVGOS mode...maybe you need TWO, one set in TVGOS mode fed via the antenna signal overnight (but with a switch of some kind to switch it out when you're watching )and the other via cable just to watch, if the signal is too poor for HD......?

. My high gain yagi UHF antenna is already up 40' above ground. I would bite the bullet and put up an 80' tower if I could be sure that would cure the problem, but there is no way to test that without actually doing it. Besides, I think its a multipath issue, not a signal strength problem, and the DHG tuners are bad at handling multipath.Ok, I'll try that if I don't get a grid in the next week or so.

Oh wow, 80' tower in Texas means your 250 miles from the station LOL

I looked up the rabbit ears data - and Trip in VA would have to convert to to English. Looks like there are 4 RF's to choose from for CBS Digital in your area? One at about 45 miles radius and the other 3 at 5-8 miles coverage from each of those 3 towers. I guess? And quite a few "applications" on file. who knows what that means - I have no clue.

If you had a fairly good line of site within 40 miles it should be a snap to lock in.

Multipath, usually that would be affecting all the turners and not just one; there are of course exceptions.

As a quick experiment, have you tried giving the SonyBox it's own direct feed to the antenna, and elminate all the other connections (splitters etc) OR even trading connections (feed) with another device that is close by?

If you had a fairly good line of site within 40 miles it should be a snap to lock in.I'm about 15 miles NW of Seattle, but its very hilly terrain, and even though I'm on a hill top, I don't have line-of-sight, too many tall trees.Multipath, usually that would be affecting all the turners and not just one; there are of course exceptions.The newer generation tuners in the TVs and DTV converters handle the multipath very well, unlike the Sony's 4 yr old tuner design.As a quick experiment, have you tried giving the SonyBox it's own direct feed to the antenna, and elminate all the other connections (splitters etc) OR even trading connections (feed) with another device that is close by?Yes, I've tried that over the past couple years, but its never made a significant difference.

I'm fortunate that my host channel has a good signal.

I'm about 15 miles NW of Seattle, but its very hilly terrain, and even though I'm on a hill top, I don't have line-of-sight, too many tall trees.The newer generation tuners in the TVs and DTV converters handle the multipath very well, unlike the Sony's 4 yr old tuner design.

I agree that the Sony is a very poor performer with Multipath. My $40 DTVPal converter box doesn't even flinch at pulling in stations the Sony has a hard time with. I am SW of Seattle and get excellent signal (90%) on Ch 4 & 5 but the Sony will not get Ch 7 even though all the towers are right near each other.

cosmicvoid,

It may not be an multipath issue it may be multiple RF conflicts and mapping in the tuner?

And that can be a major problem with the SonyBox is the ability to Force a specific RF selection.

I do not know that for sure, because I am not in your area, and I do not know what progress has been made in the area for your station 7.1 and its multiple RF's?

Your general area should have for CBS 7.1 the following RF's

39.1
47.1
26.1
49.1

Regular cheap converter boxes will let you both directly tune to specific RF's, give signal strength, and show the display channel; at the same time.

Therefore direct tune all four of the above RF's and see what you get on a cheap converter box. Some will be dead for sure (maybe all?); but perhaps one will be very strong?

If you find one that is super strong, then (even though you did this before), place the SonyBox on that exact same antenna feed (disconnect the converter box and place the SonyBox there), and see if you can get the 7.1 there. Since the Sony will not direct tune RF, then go to the Sonytuner section and rescan, perhaps that will work?

Pic 7251 Cheap Converter Box - this is RF 35, display channel 2-1, signal 95%. The SonyBox will need at least 50% for a given RF to lock-in

Also, if your converter Box is also showing (two or more) 39, 47, 26, and 49 with any activity (even without picture)........then that will give the appearance of multipath.

By using both a SonyTuner Rescan and Zip Code "00000" for 15-30 minutes and reset to actual zip code, might solve the problem on that antenna feed.

If your converter box shows RF numbers in dark (stronger numberls-not light colored), the RF's 39, 47, 26, 49), is it also able to map those all (2 or more) to 7.1? (it should be able to if they are there) - the SonyBox may not be able to do that?

If the Sony Box creates more than "one" 7.1 - then you may be able to find the strongest one by using the "up" and "down" channel button.

26 7.1
39 7.1
47 7.1
49 7.1

it all may be worth a little experimenting.

Like I say, I am not there. I do not know if all the RF's are "on" yet? And I do not know where they are in relation to you?

:confused: I use an HD-250 OTA, as we have line of site to the video towers across the Bay. I did the firmware update and switched my TVGOS source to CBS digital and all is working except for PBS. On the TV Guide, the digital channel, 9.1 is filled with half hour segments of NO LISTING. The analog channel, 9.0 carries the full channel listings, but of course links to a channel which has no signal. I can record off the digital channel but progams are listed in the Recoding menu as Unknown.
I have contacted the PBS station who in turn contacted TVGOS. They insist that their listings are correct and suggest I contact Sony.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Frustrated in Oakland

:confused: I use an HD-250 OTA, as we have line of site to the video towers across the Bay. I did the firmware update and switched my TVGOS source to CBS digital and all is working except for PBS. On the TV Guide, the digital channel, 9.1 is filled with half hour segments of NO LISTING. The analog channel, 9.0 carries the full channel listings, but of course links to a channel which has no signal. I can record off the digital channel but progams are listed in the Recoding menu as Unknown.
I have contacted the PBS station who in turn contacted TVGOS. They insist that their listings are correct and suggest I contact Sony.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Frustrated in Oakland

I had this happen on Thursday with PBS chan 28 in LA but by Friday all of it was filled in except for day 8 and today (Sat) it's all filled in.

But, today(Sat) CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox show "No Listing" from 4 am day 8 forward with all other locals and PBS completely filled in. It looks to me like glitches with TVGOS.

You can edit the analog listing to point to 9.1 and then it will record correctly (assuming that the analog listing is identical to the digital).

It may not be an multipath issue it may be multiple RF conflicts and mapping in the tuner? I do not know that for sure, because I am not in your area, and I do not know what progress has been made in the area for your station 7.1 and its multiple RF's?Houston, thanks for the reply, but you are waaaaayyy off on a tangent. There is only one 7.1 station, on RF 39, that I have no trouble receiving, in fact its my host channel.

The problem I have is with channel 4.1 (RF 38), which the analog version had bad ghosting, so thats why I think 4.1 also has bad multipath.

My issue here, that I am asking about is: why can I get a grid for an OTA-only config, but no grid for OTA+cable?. The only "cable station" is the ch4 output of the DTV converter. At this point, the answer seems to be "no one knows". I tried setting zipcode 00000 for 45 minutes, and then changed back, but its too soon to see results from that.

Houston, thanks for the reply, but you are waaaaayyy off on a tangent . . .


Excuse me, but I believe that is normal operating procedure for HoustonPerson......... :D :D :D

:confused: I use an HD-250 OTA, as we have line of site to the video towers across the Bay. I did the firmware update and switched my TVGOS source to CBS digital and all is working except for PBS. On the TV Guide, the digital channel, 9.1 is filled with half hour segments of NO LISTING. The analog channel, 9.0 carries the full channel listings, but of course links to a channel which has no signal. I can record off the digital channel but progams are listed in the Recoding menu as Unknown.
I have contacted the PBS station who in turn contacted TVGOS. They insist that their listings are correct and suggest I contact Sony.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Frustrated in Oakland

I am in Sunnyvale with a 250 and have full listings through next Sat on 9.1 today. One caveat, I have OTA and cable, so with a blank host channel I am unsure if it is getting its listings from 5.1 cable or OTA, but it definitely says the clock is coming from OTA at least. You might check to be sure you have connected 9.1 to the entry that says "KQEDDT", otherwise do what the other poster said and connect 9.1 to the old analog entry.

Jim

:confused: I use an HD-250 OTA, as we have line of site to the video towers across the Bay. I did the firmware update and switched my TVGOS source to CBS digital and all is working except for PBS. On the TV Guide, the digital channel, 9.1 is filled with half hour segments of NO LISTING. The analog channel, 9.0 carries the full channel listings, but of course links to a channel which has no signal. I can record off the digital channel but progams are listed in the Recoding menu as Unknown.
I have contacted the PBS station who in turn contacted TVGOS. They insist that their listings are correct and suggest I contact Sony.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Frustrated in Oakland
to videofool (and jwpottberg)

I have the same problem and called, then sent a detailed email to, KQED yesterday. I linked it with a couple of other issues, because:

1. Beginning last July, after KQED et al changed their channel lineups, I noticed that the listing for 9.1 no longer had the "HD" mark on high-definition programs, but that 9.3 (not high-def) DID have an HD mark on the Lehrer News Hour....which is weird!

2. I noticed that the new legacy digital stream, converted by the DTVPal to analog form for use with older TVGOS devices...DID NOT EVEN LIST KQED in the abbreviated data intended for purely analog devices, which I learned by setting up the Pal with my 3410a in the configuration intended for these analog devices. In this configuration, only a single channel is in the lineup for each network, and for PBS it is KSCM! (In my email I actually forgot to continue to say that with my Sony I was no longer getting any listings for PBS. See more about this below. (I am going to send an altered email adding in the part I left out...)

3. I suggested that this problem of no listings - or in the case of the abbreviated legacy stream, that of no KQED in the lineup - might be connected to another weird thing, i.e., that the list of local channels I find if you enter my Berkeley zip code into the signal reception/mapping site indicated in my signature below DOES NOT INDICATE KQED's PBS affiliation, but it DOES list KSCM's PBS affiliation. Maybe this array of weirdness is connected with the fact that, at least in some of the official stuff, KQED 9.1 is not listed as the main PBS station (or listed as PBS at al...) for the bay area.

I should add that, 3 or 4 days ago, because the listings on my Sony 250 were not getting filled in completely - and, in fact, that the download record in the diagnostic screens did not show ANY normal download for the previous 2 days - I decided to see what happened if I joined the DTVPal output (on channel 3) to the antenna signal going into my Sony. (At first I did this with the Pal signal going into the cable input, which led to problem with having a complete cable lineup turned on in my TV GUIDE, so I backed up to just joining it to the antenna signal, and otherwise leaving the original Sony setup intact)

What happened was that the Sony switched to channel 3 as its host, and got COMPLETE 1,2,5,8 day listings, except for ZERO listings for 9.1...and in fact I believe that among the listings I had been missing before I connected the Pal to the Sony were those for 9.1, but I didn't make much of it at that point. Because not having 9.1 listings is unacceptable, I removed the Pal output from the Sony input yesterday, and called and emailed KQED.

Today, I found halfway listings for next Saturday (day 8), but this may be because, due to the fact that the unit still lists 3 as the host channel, I left the unit tuned to 5.1 and ON, in the hope it would fill in listings overnight. But - as I said - I only got halfway listings...and none for KQED.

By the way, I also checked carefully through the complete list of channels in the TV Guide's channel editor, to see if there was another KQEDDT in the list...this had happened before, but it is no longer true. In fact, in the mixup caused by my initially putting the Pal output into the cable input, I had to change the Sony settings to OTA plus cable, and the unit got me a new lineup (no doubt, via the channel 3 input), so I had to do a lot or rearranging again, which I stopped when I saw the long list of cable channels that had been turned ON in the Guide. It was at that point that I changed back to no cable and connected the Pal output via the antenna input...

Anyway, I don't think these difficulties and weird aspects are unconnected, and I intend to pursue the issue vigorously, especially now that 2 of us with OTA only are having the problem...

Tony:(

(cf. attachment, email to KQED)

Added question to videofool and jwpottberg...

Had you noticed before the transition whether your KQED 9.1 listings had the "HD" mark on HD programs in the TV Guide? As noted in my posting, these had been missing for me since last summer...

And are both of you getting listings for 9.3 (WITH the HD marking, e.g., on the News Hour?)

Thanks - Tony

I'm also curious to hear from other SF area people about these issues...

I think there is something really wrong with the TVGOS data in this respect, though for me the more important problem is that I am getting NO listings for my 3410a via the DTVPal (though I AM getting deficient channel lineups in the two different modes I have tried...)

You can edit the analog listing to point to 9.1 and then it will record correctly (assuming that the analog listing is identical to the digital).

If this simple edit does the trick, I am content, though still think that KQED and TVGOS are not on the same page. None of the PBS listings indicate HD, though I think all of their broadcasts are now in HD

I None of the PBS listings indicate HD, though I think all of their broadcasts are now in HD
no...all their broadcasts are DIGITAL, but only 9.1 has high-def programming, but nothing on this channel has the HD marker on my unit (although channel 9.1 DID have the marker before last summer)...this is why I was asking whether you saw the HD marker on the News Hour on the 9.3 listings...I think it is scheduled at 7PM on this channel...any marker there?

Also, are your listings otherwise solid (and presumably all from CBS 5.1, since the transition, assuming you don't have cable)...

Thanks for further info on these 2 issues. Tony

(And yes, you can just change the channel number on the analog KQED listing to 9.1...I had previously been skeptical about how long this would work, because of course analog broadcasting has stopped, but I guess they are keeping the analog listings going because CABLE is still using them for its customers...)

If this simple edit does the trick, I am content, though still think that KQED and TVGOS are not on the same page. None of the PBS listings indicate HD, though I think all of their broadcasts are now in HD

I agree that there seems to be a TVGOS problem. My suggestion was as a workaround until they get their act together. It definitely works as long as the analog listings are correct for digital. I used it for quite a while back before the digital PBS channel even appeared in the lineup so all I had was the analog listing.

As far as the HD indicator, my experience is that it only appears for true HD programs. If the program comes from SD source material it will not indicate HD. This gets more confusing for PBS generally since many of their programs are listed as "Widescreen" as opposed to "High Definition" (shown at the very beginning of the program). I take this to mean that they do not have full high definition resolution (even though they are 16:9). My experience is that these programs do NOT get the HD indicator in the TVGOS listings.

Tony,

I have full listings on 9.1 (KQED-DT), but I can confirm the HD indicator doesn't show up for any listing I looked at (but does on 9.3, which isn't HD). The listings are correct, otherwise.

Since I did the zip-code reset (put it to 00000; then back to Union City's 94587), my listings from 5.1 have been rock solid. I have complete listings through next Sunday night, right now.

As far as the HD indicator, my experience is that it only appears for true HD programs. If the program comes from SD source material it will not indicate HD. This gets more confusing for PBS generally since many of their programs are listed as "Widescreen" as opposed to "High Definition" (shown at the very beginning of the program). I take this to mean that they do not have full high definition resolution (even though they are 16:9). My experience is that these programs do NOT get the HD indicator in the TVGOS listings.
yes, I agree with that...

so are YOU OTA only, and do you have full listings from CBS 5.1?

I'm wondering what's wrong with mine...

Tony,

I have full listings on 9.1 (KQED-DT), but I can confirm the HD indicator doesn't show up for any listing I looked at (but does on 9.3, which isn't HD). The listings are correct, otherwise.

Since I did the zip-code reset (put it to 00000; then back to Union City's 94587), my listings from 5.1 have been rock solid. I have complete listings through next Sunday night, right now.
Maybe I should do the zip code reset...is this from the setup screen that you get by going to the TV Guide screen, up to listings, then over to setup, then down one? After you entered 00000, how long did you leave the unit off?

I might as well follow a success story! Thanks Tony

Maybe I should do the zip code reset...is this from the setup screen that you get by going to the TV Guide screen, up to listings, then over to setup, then down one? After you entered 00000, how long did you leave the unit off?

I might as well follow a success story! Thanks Tony

Yes, the TV Guide Setup screen. (The same point you do the 753... code) I left it off for about 6 hours, then reset back to normal. The next day, I was back in business. (The 6 hours was mostly because I did it mid afternoon, then we went out, and I reset when we got home... don't know if there was any "secret" time length to do). Plus, I've kept it on 5.1 when off.

Added question to videofool and jwpottberg...

Had you noticed before the transition whether your KQED 9.1 listings had the "HD" mark on HD programs in the TV Guide? As noted in my posting, these had been missing for me since last summer...

And are both of you getting listings for 9.3 (WITH the HD marking, e.g., on the News Hour?)

Thanks - Tony


I just checked my OTA listings for 9.1 and 9.3 for the coming week and they are exactly as you described - no HD mark on the 9.1 listings and the HD mark on 9.3 for News Hour. The cable listings for 9.1 and World show the same thing (World is a different channel on cable) - I'm sure the cable and OTA data come from the same source. But I do have full listings for them through next Sunday here in Sunnyvale (zip 94087).

Jim

Maybe I should do the zip code reset...is this from the setup screen that you get by going to the TV Guide screen, up to listings, then over to setup, then down one? After you entered 00000, how long did you leave the unit off?

I might as well follow a success story! Thanks Tony

I too now have full listings from CBS 5.1 !!!
They were full of holes until I checked last night and all channels (OTA & cable) have listings...
My host is blank but it is working.
I never did any change to zip code or anything !!
I think it just took some time for CBS or Tvgos to get listings up to date ???

Todd

Several days ago, I lost the ability to tune in digital channels on my 500 with cable card. These channels returned after warm reset but lost ability to record some HD channels. There was a major change in my channel lineup, including cable channels turned off, and all wrong channel numbers. The grid started out blank and slowly filled. Today all channels are filled in for 8 days.

Only strange thing is that the grid showed program information on the LMN channel but "get info" window said no information available.

The guide channel is still blank on this unit, unlike my 250, which continues to show it.

Ray

I too now have full listings from CBS 5.1 !!!
They were full of holes until I checked last night and all channels (OTA & cable) have listings...
My host is blank but it is working.
I never did any change to zip code or anything !!
I think it just took some time for CBS or Tvgos to get listings up to date ???

Todd
Well, I still have maybe 50% listings after my reset, but now it's no longer showing analog 3 as the host channel (which happened because I of my setting the unit up with input from my DTVPal to see if I got better listings - which I did), AND the download schedule is back to showing a pure digital schedule, so I'm hoping to see the listings start returning to normal by tomorrow. :) Tony

(I wish I were as hopeful for my 3410a, which IS depending on the DTVPal, but has downloaded not a single listing in the last 8 days...)

I'm also hoping, of course, that KQED starts getting some answers about the weird business with NO KQED channel in the pure analog lineup coming through the Pal, and the (perhaps related) fact that they aren't listed as PBS in the FCC site below...

yes, I agree with that...

so are YOU OTA only, and do you have full listings from CBS 5.1?

I'm wondering what's wrong with mine...

I am OTA, but in LA, so my experience is not directly applicable. FWIW this is my recent experience:

Everything up to and including day 7 has been filled in every day.

For day 8 on Saturday (which would be next Saturday) all PBS (4 sub-channels from 3 stations) was all filled in BUT CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX were not. 2 other local channels were all filled in. (I have everything else turned off so I can't say about anything else.) When I checked it today, next Saturday (which would now be day 7) was totally filled in.

For day 8 today (which would be next Sunday) everything was filled in except our main PBS (KCET 28.1) which was completely empty. (3 other PBS subchannels from 2 other stations were filled in fine.)

To summarize, various listings for day 8 are not always filled in but day 1-7 seems fine.

I discovered this during the past few days (by accident). On my 2nd Sony, I feed the ordinary analog RF output of my Zenith DTT-900 tuner into the Sony's cable input on Cable 4.

The Zenith receives only digital stations. On many digital stations, the Sony will display the XDS Station ID from the Line 21 CC/XDS data. Yes - many digital stations have legacy Line 21 data in the video. To see the XDS ID, you mustn't have anything in the TVGOS list matched to your input channel (in my case Cable 4), or the TVGOS ID will override it. Also, once an XDS ID shows up, it won't refresh if I change channels on the Zenith. I have to change channels on the Sony, and then go back to Cable 4 to get the latest XDS ID.

So many digital stations have both a digital PSIP ID in the datastream, plus an XDS ID in Line 21 of the video.

Interesting...

[...]
In order to do this, I had to reconfigure TVGOS from OTA only to OTA+cable, which lost my grid info. I waited 4 days to see if the grid would return, but no luck. The 753 diagnostics look good, have TimeZonePkts, LineUpPkts, ZipCodePkts, SUFlags of 0xe68, etc, so it seems the data feed is all there, but no grid. I don't know what is missing.


Unfortunately, just because you have those packets doesn't indicate that they are "fresh", those packets are probably left over from when you had an analog host. The only way to know that those packets are recent is to make note of how many you have today, and then compare that to how many you have tomorrow, or next week, etc.


So after 4 days, I reconfiged back to OTA only. Within 24 hours, I had a grid + listings (digital host, but no host listed in the diag screen). What is a little peculiar is that I still have the "Ch 4 - cable" in my list of logged channels, and I can tune it (to receive the DTV converter), but I can't select "Ch 4 - cable" in the TVGOS listings editor.


You can scan either cable, or OTA channels independently of the TVGOS. When you set up the TVGOS, you tell it whether you have OTA, cable or both. That determines what channels will be displayed in the grid. However, you can do a channel scan on cable, and tune those channels with the remote, even if you have told the TVGOS you don't have cable.


Now I have changed back to OTA + cable config, lost my grid again, and will wait to see if I get a grid, hopefully in less than a few weeks.


Yes, you will just have to wait and see (read below).


Does anyone have any idea why I can get a grid on OTA only but not OTA+cable? Is it possibly a zipcode issue?


I played with this issue today on my DVR, and here is what I found. I believe the reason you can't get a grid after setting up OTA & cable is the same reason other people can't get grids. In order to setup OTA & cable, it has to get a new channel lineup. This seems to be the sequence of data that is missing (or sent very infrequently) from so many TVGOS data streams.

However when you change it back to OTA only, the grid is still missing so how can the DVR get that back? The answer is that the old grid is really still there, but the DVR just doesn't show it to you immediately. I noticed after doing the switch from OTA only to OTA and cable, my grid was gone. Then I switched back to OTA only, and still no grid. However, I noticed that when switching channels it still showed all the show information of what was on that channel. How could it do this if that information had been lost?

I then thought back to experiences that two or three people have had where they didn't have a grid, but after a power failure, it was instantly there, and filled in. So with no grid on mine, I turned it off, pulled the power plug for about 15 seconds, and then plugged it back in. After going through the initialization process, I turned the DVR back on, brought up the TV Guide, and had an instant grid. So the data was still there somewhere. I then repeated the power cycle thing after reselecting OTA and cable in the TVGOS setup, but there was still no grid after doing this, which is why I believe it has to get a new grid when changing configurations.

For anyone without a grid it would be worth checking to see if the channels still show the right show information (instead of No Listing), when you tune to a channel. If you see show information, then I would try the power cycle trick.

If you have a channel grid already, but want to try this for some reason, you should be warned that when the "instant grid" comes back, the channel list is scrambled just like when you first got the grid. So get ready for some channel re-ordering. This seems to indicate that the DVR may archive the original channel grid that it gets, and then after a power outage restores it back to what it was.

Mark

I'd say you had a little better luck this time than with this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16300185#post16300185) attempt. Maybe the data has gotten better. Four days is still too long though IMO.

Mark

Check this out.......... This occurred while you were gone. Unfortunately though, I screwed up and now I'm in the process of doing it all over again . . . :eek::eek::eek:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16678751#post16678751

WS65711 - It's been a few days, is it complete yet?

WS65711 - It's been a few days, is it complete yet?

Not yet. The progress is listed at the bottom of the post linked above. The reset wiped out the TVGOS patches, so that takes 2 days recovery time all by itself. :rolleyes:

I am OTA, but in LA, so my experience is not directly applicable. FWIW this is my recent experience:

Everything up to and including day 7 has been filled in every day.

For day 8 on Saturday (which would be next Saturday) all PBS (4 sub-channels from 3 stations) was all filled in BUT CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX were not. 2 other local channels were all filled in. (I have everything else turned off so I can't say about anything else.) When I checked it today, next Saturday (which would now be day 7) was totally filled in.

For day 8 today (which would be next Sunday) everything was filled in except our main PBS (KCET 28.1) which was completely empty. (3 other PBS subchannels from 2 other stations were filled in fine.)

To summarize, various listings for day 8 are not always filled in but day 1-7 seems fine.

You may start to notice days 8 becoming more complete. TVGOS seems to be fine tuning their systems. Last night 8-10PM day 8 here was 100% and day 9 was about 50% complete at 10PM.

The Listings do more or less fill in all day long, even while the box is turned on.

This morning Day 8 (which was day 9 last night), is complete except for FOX primetime is “no title”. Typically I have found that to be complete by noon today. No one channel seems to be the same each morning, sometimes it is CBS or ABC or FOX that may be “no title” – seems to vary a bit.

During the last two months and specifically the last 3 weeks, TVGOS seems to be doing a lot of their “fine tuning” at the outset of weekends. MySonyBox, went through another series of search routines, and a couple of more date/time stamps filled in that had been dormant for weeks/months.

Not yet. The progress is listed at the bottom of the post linked above. The reset wiped out the TVGOS patches, so that takes 2 days recovery time all by itself. :rolleyes:

that is strange it does not fill in, within 24 hours or so? very odd?

I'm a little late to the game. I updated both my DHG-HDD500s to the latest firmware just a few days ago after recently losing my guide from the analog shut-off. Like many others, I was having my share of problems getting the guide to fill in again. After reading for hours here and trying various things, I finally emailed my local CBS affiliate (KVAL) only to discover they "have no plans to carry TVGOS at this time."

I never expected to encounter that kind of backward-thinking, but apparently Eugene, Oregon isn't as progressive as I thought. I have lots of money invested in these DVRs and I have really become addicted to them over the last few years. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do? I can't stand the idea of giving any money to Comcast, especially just to get TVGOS data, assuming that's even an option.

Since I was given no reason as to why KVAL has no plans to carry the TVGOS data, I'm curious if there is some down-side for them to do so. Do they have to pay for the hardware? Are any other costs to the local TV station involved?

YNOS -

It might be worthwhile to contact your PBS station also. The digital PBS station in my area recently started transmitting PBS data, right after their analog channel went away on June 12th. The analog channel had broadcast TVGOS data for years. In my area CBS is broadcasting TVGOS data as well. I don't know if my "two host" situation is permanent or temporary. :)

WS65711, Good idea. I just fired off an email to my local PBS station.

Houston, thanks for the reply, but you are waaaaayyy off on a tangent. There is only one 7.1 station, on RF 39, that I have no trouble receiving, in fact its my host channel.

The problem I have is with channel 4.1 (RF 38), which the analog version had bad ghosting, so thats why I think 4.1 also has bad multipath.

My issue here, that I am asking about is: why can I get a grid for an OTA-only config, but no grid for OTA+cable?. The only "cable station" is the ch4 output of the DTV converter. At this point, the answer seems to be "no one knows". I tried setting zipcode 00000 for 45 minutes, and then changed back, but its too soon to see results from that.

The converter will not pass a digital TVGOS. Also did you test the other RF's suggested on the converter with a regular TV attached? (dont use the SonyBox in that test)? All of those RF's I listed; "all" go to display channel 7.1. But as I said I am not familiar with that area......and the other RF's could be a zillion miles from you? No harm. Also, did you recently connect the SonyBox as suggested, re scan etc. I know you mentioned doing this a long time ago; but things have indeed changed? With all the recent changes that extra 10 minutes could not hurt.

You mentioned Yagi style antenna (you could take a picture to confirm this); but will assume it is of the "V" style design. Having intalled thousands of antennas they will typically increase multipath significantly IMHO, which is of course a strong possibility. I suggest you in directly in touch with Winegard engineers to discuss your feeling that you have extreme multipath issues. They have specific designs that at such a relatively short distance you could virtually eliminate multipath, if that is the problem.

Yep, I would check around. In Tulsa we are getting it digitally OTA from PBS and we are getting the converted analog version on Cox via PBS and FOX locals.

I reset my zipcode in the guide setup to all zero's yesterday and then reset it to the correct zipcode and today I have listings for all my locals that were missing for the last week.

[QUOTE=avnstf;16689864]to videofool (and jwpottberg)

By the way, I also checked carefully through the complete list of channels in the TV Guide's channel editor, to see if there was another KQEDDT in the list...this had happened before, but it is no longer true. In fact, in the mixup caused by my initially putting the Pal output into the cable input, I had to change the Sony settings to OTA plus cable, and the unit got me a new lineup (no doubt, via the channel 3 input), so I had to do a lot or rearranging again, which I stopped when I saw the long list of cable channels that had been turned ON in the Guide. It was at that point that I changed back to no cable and connected the Pal output via the antenna input...

Anyway, I don't think these difficulties and weird aspects are unconnected, and I intend to pursue the issue vigorously, especially now that 2 of us with OTA only are having the problem...

Tony:(

A similar thing happened to me right before the switch over, 9.1 stopped showing any listings. This coincided with the first and only time the remote froze during the period a recording was taking place. After the recording ended and the remote worked again I found that a new KQED-DT was added to the channel list so I deleted the exisiting "no list" and mapped the new one to 9.1 and had listings the next day. KQED has my record for the most additions to the guide channel lineup as they kept changing their labeling - KQED-HD, -DT, -L, -W, -K etc. Possibly having a re-mapped channel with the same name as a new addition might cause some problems.

Is anyone in the Saint Louis, MO area experiencing any problems with their clock or TV guide?

Last Thursday my DHG-HDD 500 was starting to lock up during recordings so I reset all of my settings and my clock has been wrong and my tv listings have been blank ever since.

I tried doing a G* Factory Test on my host channel KMOV 4-1 and the VBI failed every time, so I tried it on every channel I had and the VBI still failed.

Yesterday I did the extreme and formatted my DVR and my clock is still wrong. I'm not sure what I should do now.

Edit: Forgot to mention, before I reformatted I tried the zipcode 00000, thing then changed it back to my mine and still no change.

Now no host is showing again, so is this the norm? Full listings though on both. OTA on these at home.
My girlfriends 500 is not updating listings anymore for the week out, only for 24 hours ahead. Not sure why, as the 250 is not having the same problem. Both have cable cards and the only difference is that the 250 has both OTA and cable enabled, even though she is not getting any signal now OTA from the local host since analog is gone. Did the zip reset and warm reset, but no luck. Any suggestions/thoughts?
Michael

Check this out.......... This occurred while you were gone. Unfortunately though, I screwed up and now I'm in the process of doing it all over again . . . :eek::eek::eek:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16678751#post16678751

I played catch up yesterday, and saw your updates. Since you were able to acquire a host channel before you did the reset, I was 90% sure it would work. I'm sure the second time will also be successful (I'm 95% sure it will work ;)).

Mark

that is strange it does not fill in, within 24 hours or so? very odd?

I just went back and looked at the log I've been keeping when I do resets. Here is how long it takes the patches to download here:

Reset 5/4/09 11:00pm
Patch 1 installed 5/5/09 4:45am
Patch 2 installed 5/5/09 9:50am

Reset 5/31/09 10:46pm
Patch 1 installed 6/1/09 2:15am
Patch 2 installed at 6/1/09 9:47am

Reset 6/13/09 7:15am
Patch 1 installed 6/13/09 8:15am
Patch 2 installed 6/13/09 9:47am

I see a pattern of when the second patch downloads. Mine definitely gets both patches in less than 24 hours.

Mark

I have lost all guide data. Is this update I heard about the answer, and where and how do you download it to the unit? I really do not want to have to start PAYING for my tv.

Thanks

[...]
Last night 8-10PM day 8 here was 100% and day 9 was about 50% complete at 10PM.
[...]


Day 9 was 50% complete at 10:00pm? I'd like you to take a picture of that, and post it. Remember listings through 4:00am of day 9 does not constitute 50% of the data ;).

Mark