I was also hopeful about this device, but the software is weak as compare to TiVo or even Media Center.

I have not done the .21 update and I have "08.01.42/08.06.04/".:confused: Any thoughts?

8.01.42 is old. When you update your Sony firmware it will update this to a newer version. I don't think I've ever seen "8.06.04". You might want to look again to see if you wrote it down correctly.

I get a Good VBI count but on the left side I states "VBI Test: FAIL". After 10 minutes I have 660 packets. I exited that menu then tried it again and now it states "VBI Test: PASS".


This is normal with the OLD firmware version. For the new firmware, you should look instead at the ATSC-Slicer screen.

Edit: Sorry, I just saw the Mark already answered.

You are so right, Mark. Thanks very much.



Larrry
OTA only

This is good information. I think you may be the first person who has come right out and said that you never ran the G* Test, and everything works fine (and on 3 units). There have been others who implied that they never ran the G* Test, but I was never clear whether they had or not. Something you could check is what host channel is reported by each one (I know you reported where they are getting the data from, but this would be a double check of that). Some cable systems are converting the SCTE-127 data and transmitting it out over an analog channel. If this were the case where you are, your host channel would still be analog, and would explain why you didn't have to do anything to keep your cable units working. I don't know anything about Vancouver, but are they 100% digital now?

Here is my experience. A few months ago, I was playing around with resetting my DVR to see if it would recover. This one time I decided I wasn't going to do anything but the reset, and leave it off for 24 hours. 24 hours later I didn't even have a clock. When I went into the 753 menu, I found that the the 753 menu clock had not even been set, and every field was still 0. I ran the G* Test, and the DVR immediately started coming back to life. I concluded from that one time that the reset had killed the digital processing of TVGOS data, and the G* Test was needed to bring it back to life. The question I couldn't answer back then (and still can't) is, if left off for a longer period of time, would it have eventually woken up? It could be that your units were in a mixed analog/digital environment, and may have been exposed to enough digital data that it woke up the digital side (this is wild speculation).

In the case of E55 KEV, something seems to have happened to his DVR over a week ago, and killed his digital data. The G* Test seems to have brought it back to life (tomorrow he'll know for sure). So for his unit a week apparently wasn't long enough for the digital side to get turned on by itself.

Mark

Thank you. You nailed it!

I was wrong. I'm not getting digital data from KIRO-DT, CBS Seattle on Comcast's ch. 107 (actual ch. 110-2.) Comcast is converting the data to analog and sending it out on ch. 13 (0xD) KCPQ, FOX Seattle. All my TVGOS recorders on Comcast are receiving analog TVGOS. I wonder if FOX's connection with Gemstar before Macrovision bought Gemstar early last year has any bearing on the channel supplying the legacy data.

Canada isn't phasing analog out until August 31, 2011. Analog TVGOS data used to be available from CBUT-TV, CBC Vancouver, OTA ch. 2, but no longer. CTV is now providing digital TVGOS in at least Toronto and Vancouver and possibly other cities. I'm guessing CIVT, CTV Vancouver, is supplying both digital and analog data on OTA chs. 32 (0:0-32) and (virtual) 32-1 (actual 33-2.) Currently I receive 3 OTA digital stations from Vancouver and 7 analog.

In line with, 'if it ain't broke don't fix it', I'm inclined go with the status quo on the Sony recorders. If necessary the G* Test seems simple enough but I've been put off by what I've read here regarding complications after posters downloaded the 1.2.21 firmware upgrade.

Thank you. You nailed it!

I was wrong. I'm not getting digital data from KIRO-DT, CBS Seattle on Comcast's ch. 107 (actual ch. 10-2.) Comcast is converting the data to analog and sending it out on ch. 13 (0xD) KCPQ, FOX Seattle. All my TVGOS recorders on Comcast are receiving analog TVGOS. I wonder if FOX's connection with Gemstar before Macrovision bought Gemstar early last year has any bearing on the channel supplying the legacy data.

Canada isn't phasing analog out until August 31, 2011. Analog TVGOS data used to be available from CBUT-TV, CBC Vancouver, OTA ch. 2, but no longer. CTV is now providing digital TVGOS in at least Toronto and Vancouver and possibly other cities. I'm guessing CIVT, CTV Vancouver, is supplying both digital and analog data on OTA chs. 32 (0:0-32) and (virtual) 32-1 (actual 33-2.) Currently I receive 3 OTA digital stations from Vancouver and 7 analog.

In line with, 'if it ain't broke don't fix it', I'm inclined go with the status quo on the Sony recorders. If necessary the G* Test seems simple enough but I've been put off by what I've read here regarding complications after posters downloaded the 1.2.21 firmware upgrade.

It appears that Comcast has set up the digital to analog TVGOS conversion here in Hartford, CT as well. For awhile after late March, I was only getting a digital host. Since early June I have alternated between a digital OTA and an analog cable source. Pretty well stuck on the analog cable host for the last 2 weeks or so. I have noted that if I disconnect cable from one of my 3 boxes, it will acquire an OTA digital source within a day or so. Also, my legacy V5 TVGOS RCA TV is now getting reliable listings. Glad to see that both analog and digital work and as long as the analog conversion is in place on Comcast, that works for me!

FWIW:

2 500's - 1 OTA only - 1 OTA and Uverse - Both with SW upgrade

OTA only - Host is 12-0, clock set 2-1, Timezone pkts-4, full listings for 8 days with no problems.

OTA + Uverse - Host is 12-0, clock set fffffffd, now almost full listings for 8 days.

The second machine reset about 2 weeks ago and since it's the summer schedule I didn't force it. After 2 weeks all I had was a grid with a few scattered listings for some of the cable channels.
I finally went into the channel editor and realized all of my OTA stations had been turned off? I turned them on about 1 pm today and all showed no listings.
By 5:30 pm there were a full 8 days of listings with scattered no listings.

I can receive VBI from both 12-1 and 2-1 although both machines have choosen 12-0 as host.
I ran a G test to kick start, even though if fails, and then went to the 753 menu which showed active data on the host channel.

As mentioned it now has a grid with almost all the listings for 8 days including a bunch of cable stations I added.

NOTE: I can only watch Uverse through channel 3 but I actually like the TVOS listings on the Sony better as they give more info and it's easier to see what's on days in advance.

I thought this may aid someone who might have a similar problem.

Happy 4th!!!

OTA + Uverse - Host is 12-0, clock set fffffffd, now almost full listings for 8 days.


For anyone who is wondering, the fffffffd as a clock set channel is a result of the G* Test, and is harmless. It should be back to 0:2-1 tomorrow.

Mark

I note a reference to the clock in the previous post. This may be related. (?)

At 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 5th one of my PVRs crashed at the beginning of a scheduled recording. When it came back up the current channel (WETA-26.1) showed No Listing in the guide. All other channels had guide info.

Switching to the other Sony PVR I noted that the time was now one hour slow. Same on the machine that crashed.

Is anyone in the DC, Baltimore, Annapolis area getting TVGOS or time updates via cable or OTA on their 3410A? If so please provide specifics.

Is anyone in the DC, Baltimore, Annapolis area getting TVGOS or time updates via cable or OTA on their 3410A? If so please provide specifics.

You may want to ask that question in the 3410a discussion thread found here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=337424).

Mark

Detroit area OTA only. HDD500 doing fine, updated to .21 in May.

July 3 the lockup problem so common a year ago has returned. Going back through my log I found a period of locking up when tvgos advertising started that cured itself and a second period a year ago when I had to do the spiffspace procedure to recover.

A new wave of problems?

Detroit area OTA only. HDD500 doing fine, updated to .21 in May.

July 3 the lockup problem so common a year ago has returned. Going back through my log I found a period of locking up when tvgos advertising started that cured itself and a second period a year ago when I had to do the spiffspace procedure to recover.

A new wave of problems?

Columbus is having problems. Our host channel CBS (10.1) has been having problems with the TVGOS data corrupting their broadcast stream. My 500 has been locking up for the last few weeks. The engineers ordered a new inserter from Macrovision, and then everything appeared to be fine. Last Wednesday they turned off the new data inserter completely. My 500 seemed to be working fine but other people (with mitsubishis) were locking up bad. It's been off all weekend. I'll call them again tomorrow. Maybe you should call your CBS affiliate there in Detroit.

This is 2 weekends in a row the data stream has been shut off in Tulsa. Last Monday the data caused the guide to be reset. Now All but 1 of the local channels has No Listing for every block, but all the cable channels have listings. This happened 2 weeks ago and it corrected itself, when I reconnected the cable and it found the new analog host on cable instead of the digital OTA host, but now it is stuck on using the OTA host again and I have this No Listing problem since the guide reset last Monday.

WOW . . . :eek: :eek: :eek:

Eighteen hours without a new post in this thread ???

Everyone must be "100% Operational" !!! :D :D :D

WOW . . . :eek: :eek: :eek:

Eighteen hours without a new post in this thread ???

Everyone must be "100% Operational" !!! :D :D :D

The End is Near

WOW . . . :eek: :eek: :eek:

Eighteen hours without a new post in this thread ???

Everyone must be "100% Operational" !!! :D :D :D

I'm still stuck with an accurate clock and ads, but no host channel and no lineup.:mad:

Patiently waiting in the SF Bay Area,

Terry

This is good information. I think you may be the first person who has come right out and said that you never ran the G* Test, and everything works fine (and on 3 units). There have been others who implied that they never ran the G* Test, but I was never clear whether they had or not. Something you could check is what host channel is reported by each one (I know you reported where they are getting the data from, but this would be a double check of that). Some cable systems are converting the SCTE-127 data and transmitting it out over an analog channel. If this were the case where you are, your host channel would still be analog, and would explain why you didn't have to do anything to keep your cable units working. I don't know anything about Vancouver, but are they 100% digital now?...

Mark

...Canada isn't phasing analog out until August 31, 2011. Analog TVGOS data used to be available from CBUT-TV, CBC Vancouver, OTA ch. 2, but no longer. CTV is now providing digital TVGOS in at least Toronto and Vancouver and possibly other cities. I'm guessing CIVT, CTV Vancouver, is supplying both digital and analog data on OTA chs. 32 (0:0-32) and (virtual) 32-1 (actual 33-2.) Currently I receive 3 OTA digital stations from Vancouver and 7 analog...

I provided the Vancouver, BC digital TVGOS info which www.rabbitears.info. listed on March 5. (DMA 180)
http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=tvgos

Because I was no longer absolutely sure whether I was receiving analog or digital data after posting above, and don't want to be the source of incorrect info, I called CIVT today and spoke with a technician. He appeared knowledgable about their operations and told me with no uncertainty that CIVT-DT is transmitting digital TVGOS data on OTA ch. 33-2 and CIVT is not transmitting analog TVGOS on ch. 32.

So the TVGOS info from 0:0-32 must be digital. I had both analog and digital channels of CIVT enabled in Sony's TVGOS. I've deleted analog channel 32 from the listings to confirm that I'm getting data from virtual ch. 32-1 (actual 33-2.) VBI channel is shown as 0:33-2.

Everything seems to check out except how or why I'm getting digital data uneventfully without the new firmware or running the G* Test.

Well the 250 which I updated last week is freezing up during recording. Front panel time stops, remote and front panel commands do not respond. Will not turn off, only a front panel reset will turn it off, but goes back in to record mode with the time showing as whatever the record set time was. I suppose I will have to do a complete reset to factory defaults? Any suggestions?
Michael

8.01.42 is old. When you update your Sony firmware it will update this to a newer version. I don't think I've ever seen "8.06.04". You might want to look again to see if you wrote it down correctly.

Yeah, it was a typo. I have 08.01.42/08.06.44. Previously, you stated this below and I wanted to know if the second number (08.06.44) was for the .21 update as I have not done the update yet:


If you know how, go into the 753 screens to see which TVGOS patch version you have. This needs to be version 8.06.44, and will update all by itself. If you're not at that patch level, it will need to update before it can get a HostChan and Grid.

Just ran a test with the 500 which still has the .05 firmware. It too is doing the same thing when I record and try to watch another show. Just locks up. So, perhaps this is from bad/corrupt TVGOS data. I seem to recall some others who are having the same thing happen. My brother also is having it happen, plus rebooting as well.
Michael

I provided the Vancouver, BC digital TVGOS info which www.rabbitears.info. listed on March 5. (DMA 180)
http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=tvgos

Because I was no longer absolutely sure whether I was receiving analog or digital data after posting above, and don't want to be the source of incorrect info, I called CIVT today and spoke with a technician. He appeared knowledgable about their operations and told me with no uncertainty that CIVT-DT is transmitting digital TVGOS data on OTA ch. 33-2 and CIVT is not transmitting analog TVGOS on ch. 32.

So the TVGOS info from 0:0-32 must be digital. I had both analog and digital channels of CIVT enabled in Sony's TVGOS. I've deleted analog channel 32 from the listings to confirm that I'm getting data from virtual ch. 32-1 (actual 33-2.) VBI channel is shown as 0:33-2.

Everything seems to check out except how or why I'm getting digital data uneventfully without the new firmware or running the G* Test.

If your host channel is reported as 0:0-32, then it is definitely analog. I wonder if what Frank70 talks about here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16404827#post16404827), and the follow up here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16405984#post16405984), could be happening in your area. Basically if they are downconverting the digital signal to NTSC and rebroadcasting it as analog, the SCTE-127 legacy data may be getting embedded in the analog signal automatically without them realizing it. Thanks to Frank for explaining this, because, even though it makes perfect sense, I wouldn't have thought of it in a million years. :)

Also be aware that removing the analog version of the channel does not guarantee that it still won't be used as a host. Some people discovered this when they tried to force their DVRs to use the digital host, by turning off their analog host channel, only to find that their DVR was still using the analog host channel.

Mark

Well the 250 which I updated last week is freezing up during recording. Front panel time stops, remote and front panel commands do not respond. Will not turn off, only a front panel reset will turn it off, but goes back in to record mode with the time showing as whatever the record set time was. I suppose I will have to do a complete reset to factory defaults? Any suggestions?
Michael

Just ran a test with the 500 which still has the .05 firmware. It too is doing the same thing when I record and try to watch another show. Just locks up. So, perhaps this is from bad/corrupt TVGOS data. I seem to recall some others who are having the same thing happen. My brother also is having it happen, plus rebooting as well.
Michael

This is scary stuff. They say a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Looks like the digital TVGOS data is fast becoming the weakest link. Not only has consistent recovery from a reset become iffy, now the corrupt data itself may force people to test how good the DVRs recovery ability is.

Thanks, Macrovision!:mad:

Have you tried unplugging the one that is stuck in record mode (that may just have the same effect as the front panel reset, but its worth a try). Here's a link (http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php?topic=38.0) to the lock up fix thread on spiffspace. If you can do without one of your DVRs for awhile, I'd try it on that one first. Otherwise, I think I'd wait to see if it resolves itself in the next day or 2.

Mark

Just ran a test with the 500 which still has the .05 firmware. It too is doing the same thing when I record and try to watch another show. Just locks up. So, perhaps this is from bad/corrupt TVGOS data. I seem to recall some others who are having the same thing happen. My brother also is having it happen, plus rebooting as well.
Michael

My 500 does the same as your 250. Try unplugging it for 60 seconds. Then after it goes through the welcome screen routine, it will turn off (no clock). Turn it on and immediately change the channel (before it acquires a clock and begins to record). It will say it needs to change channels to begin a recording, so just cancel it there. You're getting corrupt data like I am.

I have been on vacation the last three weeks so I was not here when the digital transition took place. However, my brother-in-law told me that some channels have moved from broadcasting from UHF to VHF and true enough when I rescanned my DHG 250 I can't get a signal on what used to be my digital host 2.1 (CBS). I live in Fullerton in Orange County, in So Cal and now my grid has No listings. I am hopefull that getting a combination UHF/VHF Antenna will solve my problem, but having scanned all the posts dating back June 12, I see no reference about this change over, apart from this post from Possumgirl. Could it be that I am the only one that had a strictly UHF Antenna? Can anybody suggest a good UHF/VHF Antenna?

I have TWC but can't get any TVGOS data from cable, so I need to be able to tune to 2.1 (CBS) OTA to get TVGOS Data.

Anysuggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks EdwinC

I'm OTA only. The host channel is 0:43-0 (RF for 2-1). Clock has been correct all along as I haven't lost it except for a minor lockup/reset the night of the 13th. Clock came back quickly after I reacquired correct GMT.

Best news of all!! This morning I found that my 250 also has a host channel. :D Both units got another timezone packet too. I also observed that the DL start and next DL timer fields are active now. So I guess I just wait and see if the host "sticks".

I know this has to be sheer coincidence because I've had solid, strong reception on channel 2-1 both before and after they moved to their final RF. However, I was having problems with some other channels coming in and Sat. I changed everything to a different antenna. So Sun. one unit sets its host and today the other one. It's enough to make you go hmmmmmmmmmmm. :rolleyes:

I have been on vacation the last three weeks so I was not here when the digital transition took place. However, my brother-in-law told me that some channels have moved from broadcasting from UHF to VHF and true enough when I rescanned my DHG 250 I can't get a signal on what used to be my digital host 2.1 (CBS). I live in Fullerton in Orange County, in So Cal and now my grid has No listings. I am hopefull that getting a combination UHF/VHF Antenna will solve my problem, but having scanned all the posts dating back June 12, I see no reference about this change over, apart from this post from Possumgirl. Could it be that I am the only one that had a strictly UHF Antenna? Can anybody suggest a good UHF/VHF Antenna?

I have TWC but can't get any TVGOS data from cable, so I need to be able to tune to 2.1 (CBS) OTA to get TVGOS Data.

Anysuggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks EdwinC

I'm in Manhattan Beach and have a UHF only antenna. After the switch to digital the only station having OTA reception trouble is 11 (PIX). 2.1 CBS signal is fine. I still have my old VHF/UHF antenna in the attic...as a fall back.

I also have cable....so currently I watch 11 on cable.

I have been on vacation the last three weeks so I was not here when the digital transition took place. However, my brother-in-law told me that some channels have moved from broadcasting from UHF to VHF and true enough when I rescanned my DHG 250 I can't get a signal on what used to be my digital host 2.1 (CBS). I live in Fullerton in Orange County, in So Cal and now my grid has No listings. I am hopefull that getting a combination UHF/VHF Antenna will solve my problem, but having scanned all the posts dating back June 12, I see no reference about this change over, apart from this post from Possumgirl. Could it be that I am the only one that had a strictly UHF Antenna? Can anybody suggest a good UHF/VHF Antenna?

I have TWC but can't get any TVGOS data from cable, so I need to be able to tune to 2.1 (CBS) OTA to get TVGOS Data.

Anysuggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks EdwinCReceiving VHF-LO on a UHF-only antenna is a hit-or-miss proposition. In fact, receiving VHF-LO on a VHF antenna can be iffy because of local impulse noise. To get an appreciation of the magnitude of this problem, check out the Philly OTA thread from about here <http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=620626&page=76 > on forward to the present, looking at the posts about not being able to receive WPVI 6.1 after their switch back to VHF. I'm personally not having a problem, but mainly because I went to a lot of pains prior to the transition to make sure I could receive the old analog 6 loud and clear, knowing that would eventually be home to digital 6.1. Many, MANY other folks were not nearly so prepared, and some still haven't recovered in spite of a WPVI power boost and purchasing or building VHF antennae.

I have been on vacation the last three weeks so I was not here when the digital transition took place. However, my brother-in-law told me that some channels have moved from broadcasting from UHF to VHF and true enough when I rescanned my DHG 250 I can't get a signal on what used to be my digital host 2.1 (CBS). I live in Fullerton in Orange County, in So Cal and now my grid has No listings. I am hopefull that getting a combination UHF/VHF Antenna will solve my problem, but having scanned all the posts dating back June 12, I see no reference about this change over, apart from this post from Possumgirl. Could it be that I am the only one that had a strictly UHF Antenna? Can anybody suggest a good UHF/VHF Antenna?

I have TWC but can't get any TVGOS data from cable, so I need to be able to tune to 2.1 (CBS) OTA to get TVGOS Data.

Anysuggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks EdwinC
CBS is broadcast on UHF so if you received it before June 12 you should have no problem receiving it now. I also have UHF only antenna, and have lost the ability to receive OTA channel 7, and several others. That's no problem for me since I get that stuff from TW, except I have to use some strange channel numbers on the unit that doesn't have a cable card. Sometimes it takes a while for the grid to fill in.

Ray

I have been on vacation the last three weeks so I was not here when the digital transition took place. However, my brother-in-law told me that some channels have moved from broadcasting from UHF to VHF and true enough when I rescanned my DHG 250 I can't get a signal on what used to be my digital host 2.1 (CBS). I live in Fullerton in Orange County, in So Cal and now my grid has No listings. I am hopefull that getting a combination UHF/VHF Antenna will solve my problem, but having scanned all the posts dating back June 12, I see no reference about this change over, apart from this post from Possumgirl. Could it be that I am the only one that had a strictly UHF Antenna? Can anybody suggest a good UHF/VHF Antenna?

I have TWC but can't get any TVGOS data from cable, so I need to be able to tune to 2.1 (CBS) OTA to get TVGOS Data.

Anysuggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks EdwinC

??? KCBS is NOT on VHF. They are on RF43. Do you recall if you were able to receive KCAL9 before the transition? They were using RF43 before they moved back to RF9. You might check on the L.A. OTA thread, but I don't recall any discussion of problems receiving 2-1. Lots of people are having trouble with HI-VHF though.

Edit: Sorry Ray. I see you type faster than I do.

How do I tune to RF 43? I used to get all the major channels, Now I can't tune to 2.1CBS, 7.1 ABC, 9.1 KCAL, 11.1 FOX, 13.1KCOP. I used to get these channels prior to the transition. I can still get 4.1, and 5.1. Again, I can access all the channels on cable but since TWC does not carry TVGOS Am I s.o.l. as far as Program Guide, and to top it off my unit froze up and I had to unplug it so now the time is off by about 1 hour and 20, minutes, oh brother.

Help!!!


EdwinC

??? KCBS is NOT on VHF. They are on RF43. Do you recall if you were able to receive KCAL9 before the transition? They were using RF43 before they moved back to RF9. You might check on the L.A. OTA thread, but I don't recall any discussion of problems receiving 2-1. Lots of people are having trouble with HI-VHF though.

Edit: Sorry Ray. I see you type faster than I do.

How do I tune to RF 43? I used to get all the major channels, Now I can't tune to 2.1CBS, 7.1 ABC, 9.1 KCAL, 11.1 FOX, 13.1KCOP. I used to get these channels prior to the transition. I can still get 4.1, and 5.1. Again, I can access all the channels on cable but since TWC does not carry TVGOS Am I s.o.l. as far as Program Guide, and to top it off my unit froze up and I had to unplug it so now the time is off by about 1 hour and 20, minutes, oh brother.

Help!!!


EdwinC

I suggest you do a complete channel scan, which should allow you to tune 2.1. The DVR will tune to UHF 43 when you do. As I indicated in my previous message, the other channels aren't important since you can receive them on cable. I too was out of town when the switchover occurred, and channel scan got the UHF channels back.

Ray

Yeah, it was a typo. I have 08.01.42/08.06.44. Previously, you stated this below and I wanted to know if the second number (08.06.44) was for the .21 update as I have not done the update yet:


The first number "8.01.71" is the TVGOS software version that comes with the 1.2.21 firmware update. The second number "8.06.44" is the TVGOS software patch version that is downloaded to your DVR in a TVGOS data transmission.

NY DMA -OTA

Pleased to report that both 250's survived the transition. I only needed to do a channel rescan. So far, clocks, guides and listings all work correctly. TVGOS is equal to the Herald Tribune system I have on Dish.

Both units are .21 upgrades.

Now, if Sony would only come out with the HDD-350 and HDD 1000. Nope, Hollywood sez no.

Canada isn't phasing analog out until August 31, 2011. Analog TVGOS data used to be available from CBUT-TV, CBC Vancouver, OTA ch. 2, but no longer. CTV is now providing digital TVGOS in at least Toronto and Vancouver and possibly other cities. I'm guessing CIVT, CTV Vancouver, is supplying both digital and analog data on OTA chs. 32 (0:0-32) and (virtual) 32-1 (actual 33-2.) Currently I receive 3 OTA digital stations from Vancouver and 7 analog.

If your host channel is reported as 0:0-32, then it is definitely analog. I wonder if what Frank70 talks about here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16404827#post16404827), and the follow up here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16405984#post16405984), could be happening in your area. Basically if they are downconverting the digital signal to NTSC and rebroadcasting it as analog, the SCTE-127 legacy data may be getting embedded in the analog signal automatically without them realizing it. Thanks to Frank for explaining this, because, even though it makes perfect sense, I wouldn't have thought of it in a million years. :)

Also be aware that removing the analog version of the channel does not guarantee that it still won't be used as a host. Some people discovered this when they tried to force their DVRs to use the digital host, by turning off their analog host channel, only to find that their DVR was still using the analog host channel.

Mark

Are you sure you're 100% digital? I ask only because CBS stations that are broadcasting digital TVGOS on their digital channels may also be broadcasting analog TVGOS on their (a little more than a month to go) analog channels as a side-effect of Macrovision finally including an SCTE-127 legacy stream in their digital TVGOS inserters. If you are truly at the .21 firmware and truly digital, your host channel should be blank or listed in the form 0:xx-1 or 0:xx-0, where "xx" is either a PSIP mapped digital channel number (first form) or the physical channel number (second form) of your digital host. If, on the other hand, your TVGOS is still latching onto an analog signal (for the next month), the host channel will be reported as 0:0-xx (where xx is the analog channel number of your possibly CBS analog host.)

If indeed you have a blank host or a host in the form 0:xx-1 or 0:xx-0, then I believe you've disproved all the nay-sayers here who think you can't get from square one to up and running when all you have is a 100% digital host.

Thanks for your explanation and links to Frank's posts. At least CIVT-DT is providing digital TVGOS data so my info to www.rabbitears.info isn't in error. But it's rather amazing that my ignorant quess about analog data actually appears to be true too!:eek: I'll re-enable CIVT ch. 32 in the guide listings.

Am I right in believing that the host for CIVT-DT should display in hex as either 0:20-1 or (less probably) 0:21-0?

Wonderful! But please, PLEASE tell me what you did to get it to switch the Host Chan from 0:0-12 to 0:3-1. I have tried everything under the sun other than a complete reset of the TVGOS system. And I know I can get guide updates from 3-1 when the unit is left switched on after a G* test. But my Host Channel has never read 0:3-1... never never never!

If the answer is a complete reset, I'll beg off experimenting and await 2/09 because reordering the channels is such an awkward and time-consuming process.
Are you OTA only, or do you have a cable provider and, if so, which one?

I am in Mercer County NJ and am receiving TVGOS data OTA channel 26 (AKA 3.1) but, although I specify FiOS CableCARD as me desired linup, the downloaded channel assignments are for Comcast.

I've sent e-mail to KYW with no response. I've also called but attempts to redirect my call are never picked up.

Am I right in believing that the host for CIVT-DT should display in hex as either 0:20-1 or (less probably) 0:21-0?


Yes, one or the other is how it will show up. Does yours actually show as hex though? My older V7 panasonic shows the host channel as hex, but not the Sony. My host channel is 0:12-1, but mine always shows as the RF channel (0:12-0) rather than the virtual channel (0:12-1). However others have seen both forms.

Mark

Good question. I've several V7 recorders that definitely show hex, but sounds like Sony would display 0:32-1 or 0:33-0.

Yeah, it was a typo. I have 08.01.42/08.06.44. Previously, you stated this below and I wanted to know if the second number (08.06.44) was for the .21 update as I have not done the update yet:

The first number "8.01.42" is the TVGOS software version that comes with the 1.2.21 firmware update. The second number "8.06.44" is the TVGOS software patch version that is downloaded to your DVR in a TVGOS data transmission.

OK, while still on 1.2.05 software I was getting the same problems as AtlantisMichael reported yesterday with 1.2.21 update:

Well the 250 which I updated last week is freezing up during recording. Front panel time stops, remote and front panel commands do not respond. Will not turn off, only a front panel reset will turn it off, but goes back in to record mode with the time showing as whatever the record set time was.

Then I lost my programming data, clock was off and it kept doing the Welcome... screen. So I decided to go ahead to do .21 update. I suppose I need to wait overnight for TVGOS data but so far the 9012 VBI test fails each time and the 753 menu shows 08.01.71/00.00.00.

WOW . . . :eek: :eek: :eek:

Eighteen hours without a new post in this thread ???

Everyone must be "100% Operational" !!! :D :D :D


Funny, but last week, starting Monday night, I had full listings & ads for every day until this Tuesday morning. Now I have no listings after next Tuesday at 3am. It's almost like MV/Rovi left things alone for a week and now they are back "fixing" things.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Macrovision-Licenses-bw-3023163973.html?x=0&.v=3

[...]
So I decided to go ahead to do .21 update. I suppose I need to wait overnight for TVGOS data but so far the 9012 VBI test fails each time and the 753 menu shows 08.01.71/00.00.00.

With the .21 firmware, the VBI Test/G* Test will always fail on digital host channels. It will only pass on analog host channels (Cable, or DTVPal). If you look at the ATSC slicer screen (third screen down from the first screen) in the 753 menu, you should see packets counting there.

The 08.01.71 is the new TVGOS base version that is installed with the .21 firmware. However the patch levels still work the same, and will be 00.00.00 if no patch has installed, 08.05.40 for the first patch, and 08.06.44 for the second patch. So after both patches load, the version will show as 08.01.71/08.06.44.

Mark

Since the transition of digital signals, the Listing grid had been saying NO LISTING. So I found out that I need to update the firmware. So I updated the DVR with the latest firmware last night.

This morning, I checked and I got all the listing for all the available channels in my area. However, when I went through each channel, I found out that there is no signal for NBC and ABC. I live in Rochester, NY and use OTA antenna.

The Sony support wanted me to send the unit in for service. I am out of warranty so I have to pay for parts and labor. I really hesitate to do that. Anyone has the same problem? Any cure?

Thanks.

tigerinroc -

Did you do a new channel scan? It sounds like maybe your CBS and NBC channels may have moved during the transition. Do you know the physical and virtual channel numbers for these two stations? Try entering them directly with the keypad on the remote.

tigerinroc -

Did you do a new channel scan? It sounds like maybe your CBS and NBC channels may have moved during the transition. Do you know the physical and virtual channel numbers for these two stations? Try entering them directly with the keypad on the remote.

I re-scanned the channels and got the missing ones back. Thank you very much!!!!

I re-scanned the channels and got the missing ones back. Thank you very much!!!!

The people at Sony Support should be fired. After June 12, channel re-scan should have been added to their "script".

Mark

With the .21 firmware, the VBI Test/G* Test will always fail on digital host channels. It will only pass on analog host channels (Cable, or DTVPal). If you look at the ATSC slicer screen (third screen down from the first screen) in the 753 menu, you should see packets counting there.

The 08.01.71 is the new TVGOS base version that is installed with the .21 firmware. However the patch levels still work the same, and will be 00.00.00 if no patch has installed, 08.05.40 for the first patch, and 08.06.44 for the second patch. So after both patches load, the version will show as 08.01.71/08.06.44.

Mark

Thanks. Left unit off all night tuned to digital host channel 9-1 CBS. This morning still no programming, clock is off and have 09.01.71/08.05.40. In 753 menu host channel is blank and VBI Channel is 0:9-1. I am patiently waiting and will check the ATSC slicer screen after work.

The people at Sony Support should be fired. After June 12, channel re-scan should have been added to their "script".Fired yes, but surely not for that reason. Sounds as just another TSTO.Everyone must be "100% Operational" !!!Or just sold their unit on e-bay.

Still locking up while recording, even with a manual set recording. Either this is a corrupt data stream, which one would think it would affect listings, or it is an intentional attempt to limit the use of dvrs. I see that in the DTVpal dvr thread they have similar problems. This would mean that it is being caused by/from/through the TVGOS data stream if so many with ota units are being affected. Just my thoughts. By the way it happens on both version of the firmware, .05 and .21 on the Sony units
Michael

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Macrovision-Licenses-bw-3023163973.html?x=0&.v=3

May be the most important news on the DVR/PVR front in over a year? Now if they will get a 1 gig, dual tuner DVR to market - "Now" would be fine with me.

If it is TV only or BluRays only, then still not interested.

Has anyone talked to Sony or Macrovision about the record lockup problem lately? Thought I would send them a couple of Emails if no one else had.
Michael
Guess it really is not a complete lockup per se, but more like a lockout function in that you can not use the dvr for anything until the record time is up.

Thanks. Left unit off all night tuned to digital host channel 9-1 CBS. This morning still no programming, clock is off and have 09.01.71/08.05.40. In 753 menu host channel is blank and VBI Channel is 0:9-1. I am patiently waiting and will check the ATSC slicer screen after work.

The next thing you should see is that the TVGOS software patch level will go to 8.06.44.

Capabilities of home entertainment equipment, such as televisions and recorders, have reached new heights in terms of picture quality, clarity, and ease of use, with new features targeted at enriching the consumer entertainment experience. Yep, "easy of use" and "enriching the consumer entertainment experience". Jusy who are they trying to kid?Macrovision Solutions Corporation is focused on powering the discovery and enjoyment of digital entertainment Are we having fun yet?The result of deploying Macrovision's solutions is a simple end user experience for discovering, managing and enjoying digital content. "simple end user"? That must mean they feel we are all "simple".

What a bunch of corportate BS. :mad: As bad as their artsy-fartsy corp. slogan that are equally meaningless.

Now if they will get a 1 gig, dual tuner DVR to marketBetween the two of them, you will need a act of Congress just to record a comercial.

Three weeks ago, a few days after analog shutdown, I left town on a trip. As a safety precaution, I unplugged all my A/V equipment (including my two Sonys) and disconnected my antenna.

Last night I got back. I checked my local reception thread here. A South Carolina ETV (PBS) engineer had just posted that he had installed a TVGOS inserter on their station in Greenville SC (WNTV 29-1).

Previously (as I've posted before), I've been using the CBS station in Columbia SC (WLTX 19-1) as my TVGOS host channel and was getting program listings OK, but had to use a Dish DTVPal+ CECB to get a channel grid.

So, I turned everything back on, I aimed my antenna so as to pick up 29-1 but not 19-1. Both of my Sonys still had their channel grids, but of course they were completely empty ("No Listing" throughout). I turned off everything and went to bed.

This morning I turned on Sony #1, whose channel lineup came from an analog PBS station in North Carolina (WUNF 33, Asheville) before it stopped sending TVGOS at the end of March. I was delighted to see that I had a full eight days of program listings, with the usual occasional gaps that would fill in quickly.

Then I turned on Sony #2, whose channel lineup had come from 19-1 in Columbia. Here the channels were all scrambled up and only partially filled in. I decided the unit had replaced the old channel lineup from Columbia with a new one from Greenville because the old one wasn't for the Greenville DMA. (Asheville and Greenville are in the same DMA, so Sony #1 didn't try to replace its channel lineup.)

I went into the 753159852 screens on both Sonys and found that not only do they now have the same OTA lineup code (0x162) and the same Host ID (0x23 for Greenville), as I expected... the host channel on both is now set to 0:9-0 (the RF channel for 29-1). I never got the host channel to set for 19-1, but now it's set for 29-1 on the first try!

So there seems to be something different about the TVGOS data on 29-1 versus 19-1.

Tonight I'll reset TVGOS on one of the Sonys and see if it automatically picks up 29-1 as the host channel from scratch.

Has anyone talked to Sony or Macrovision about the record lockup problem lately? Thought I would send them a couple of Emails if no one else had.
Michael
Guess it really is not a complete lockup per se, but more like a lockout function in that you can not use the dvr for anything until the record time is up.

I have posted a fix to that type of lockup a long time ago. The fix is in the FAQ website and FAQ forum.

Have you preformed the steps outlined there? http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html#Section32 or http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php?topic=38.0

Excuse me while I go lay down. I believe I've seen a ghost . . . . . :D

I've been out of town for several weeks, and my unit currently has no listings. I scanned and got the channel lineup loaded, so I can watch shows if I tune to them or use channel up/down buttons. I still have no listings/program guide, though.
I've tried to read through the posts to see what is suggested to do to get the unit fully operational again, but I've gotten lost. Could someone post again, or send me a PM for the steps I should take? I'm in the Los Angeles area, pointed to Mount Wilson, and have good reception. I seem to recall that my firmware is v .05 (does that need to be upgraded?). I have some previously recorded shows I'd like to keep, but I'm willing to give up those recordings if I can get the unit working again. And, sorry for asking for info that is probably 'hidden' somewhere in here.

rayliner -

You should upgrade the firmware to Version 1.2.21 (the latest). The update won't cause you to lose your recordings. After you update, your unit will be able to use digital TVGOS data IF it is available in your area. :)

thanks!.... But..er..ummm... How do I perform the firmware upgrade?

thanks!.... But..er..ummm... How do I perform the firmware upgrade?

Go to the Sony support page (http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=DHGHDD500), download the file and the instructions.

Our host channel is KCBS 2-1. I couldn't tell from your post if you still have your channel lineup and just no listings, or if you've lost the lineup. If the latter, it may take awhile to rebuild it. If it's just the listings that are missing, the new firmware should get you listings overnight.

thanks!.... But..er..ummm... How do I perform the firmware upgrade?
I see that Possumgirl beat me to this, and she is in your area, so be sure to follow her advice :).

You can download the firmware here (http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=DHGHDD500&LOC=3&session_id=55d09058c569f3af0560af8c3d3acaa1). You can follow the directions there, but basically you extract the zip file, and copy the extracted 'sony' folder to a usb thumbdrive. Then you turn on the DVR and insert the thumbdrive into the USB port on the back. There should be a message popup on the television that will step you through the installation.

If you want to skip the firmware upgrade for now, I would tune to your CBS station, and run the G* Test (instructions below), if the VBI counts increment then you are good to go, and you can exit, and then turn off the DVR. You then have to wait until the grid comes back, but this could take a while... maybe more than a week.

Mark


G* Test instructions:
Press 'menu' button (the menu will be displayed on the screen)
Press 'screen mode' button
Then enter the following numbers on the keypad 9012
The displayed menu has now changed.

Move down to 'TV Guide'
Move Right
Move Down to 'G* Factory Test'
Press Select

Wait to see if the 0 below the word 'GOOD' starts counting up (it may take up to 1 minute). If it does, then you have found the right channel.

I'm OTA only, which might have not been obvious from my first note. I had done a re-scan before I left for vacation, and got all the digital channels showing up (I can tune to them, or browse through them with the channel up/down buttons). BUT, I have no listings, and I believe the lineup is missing (I'm not home at the moment). So, after the firmware upgrade, do I turn the unit off and wait a few days, or so I need to perform any other commands (GTest or ??), or tune to station 2.1 and leave it on, or chant while hopping on my left leg....

I'm OTA only, which might have not been obvious from my first note. I had done a re-scan before I left for vacation, and got all the digital channels showing up (I can tune to them, or browse through them with the channel up/down buttons). BUT, I have no listings, and I believe the lineup is missing (I'm not home at the moment). So, after the firmware upgrade, do I turn the unit off and wait a few days, or so I need to perform any other commands (GTest or ??), or tune to station 2.1 and leave it on, or chant while hopping on my left leg....

Not sure about chanting & hopping, but a few incantations never hurt. :D

If your listing screen still has the channels, then installing the FW update should be all that's necessary. After you install it, tune to 2-1 and go to the 753... screens. Go down three pages from the first screen where you'll find a new ATSC Slicer page. If counts are incrementing in the CurrChan column then the digital data is being received. You can turn the DHG off and you should have listings the next day.

If your listing screen is blank and just says "no data available" then you may be in for a long wait. Some folks have gotten a grid back quickly, some not so much. :(

BTW, if you do not see counts incrementing on the ATSC Slicer page, go ahead and do a G* test (on any channel) to start the digital flow. The G* test will say Fail but that's fine.

Well somehow I got the correct time back, and some of the channels are now showing program listings. While channel 2.1 both Air (Antenna and Cable) are listed on the channel line up, these shows "No Listings" and I can't tune to 2.1Antenna, but I can tune to 2.1 Cable. Since I got the correct time back, I am assuming that I am somehow getting TVGOS data, since some of the other channels have program information. I went to the Anntenna Web site and when I type my address in it only shows 2 channels that can receive which is weird because before the transition, it listed a lot more channels so somehow, the transition did make a difference on what channels I can now receive.





I suggest you do a complete channel scan, which should allow you to tune 2.1. The DVR will tune to UHF 43 when you do. As I indicated in my previous message, the other channels aren't important since you can receive them on cable. I too was out of town when the switchover occurred, and channel scan got the UHF channels back.

Ray

I see that Possumgirl beat me to this, and she is in your area, so be sure to follow her advice :).

You can download the firmware here (http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=DHGHDD500&LOC=3&session_id=55d09058c569f3af0560af8c3d3acaa1). You can follow the directions there, but basically you extract the zip file, and copy the extracted 'sony' folder to a usb thumbdrive. Then you turn on the DVR and insert the thumbdrive into the USB port on the back. There should be a message popup on the television that will step you through the installation.

Mark

Amazingly, I have many of these brands of USB drives listed as supported, but none the of the sizes listed on the chart of supported USB drives. I tried a few anyway, reformatted them to FAT32 format, and I see their light blink once when I plug it in but nothing after that. Is this list on the SOny update site definitive, or are there other brands/sizes that might work? I still have a half-dozen others that I might try that are not listed...

Amazingly, I have many of these brands of USB drives listed as supported, but none the of the sizes listed on the chart of supported USB drives. I tried a few anyway, reformatted them to FAT32 format, and I see their light blink once when I plug it in but nothing after that. Is this list on the SOny update site definitive, or are there other brands/sizes that might work? I still have a half-dozen others that I might try that are not listed...

People have reported success using all sorts of brands/sizes. I've read some posts saying to try unplugging the unit, plug back in and try the USB drive again and a drive that didn't work the first time will work then.

The list is not definitive. Be sure to extract the files to a directory called "Sony" in the root of the USB drive. It's ok to have other stuff on the drive also. Turn on your DVR, and tune to any channel. Exit the Guide screen. Plug in the USB drive. Wait a few seconds and the Upgrade menu should pop up. :)

Well somehow I got the correct time back, and some of the channels are now showing program listings. While channel 2.1 both Air (Antenna and Cable) are listed on the channel line up, these shows "No Listings" and I can't tune to 2.1Antenna, but I can tune to 2.1 Cable. Since I got the correct time back, I am assuming that I am somehow getting TVGOS data, since some of the other channels have program information. I went to the Anntenna Web site and when I type my address in it only shows 2 channels that can receive which is weird because before the transition, it listed a lot more channels so somehow, the transition did make a difference on what channels I can now receive.

I'm surprised that channel 2 cable is on 2.1. TW in WLA, without cable card, hd channels, and some analog, have this format: xx.xxx. There are lots of OTA channels, but only one I use now is OTA 2.1 for guide data, and all other ones I'm interested in are on cable.
Here is something you can try: disconnect both cable and antenna leads and do a full scan. Replace these leads, and select Reset User Configuration from the 9012 menu - (I've done this several times without losing recordings). The recorder will restart lead you though the initialization process, just like you encountered when you first hooked up the DVR. When this process is done, you can watch your recordings and then turn off the unit overnight and the guide should return the next day.

Ray

Amazingly, I have many of these brands of USB drives listed as supported, but none the of the sizes listed on the chart of supported USB drives. I tried a few anyway, reformatted them to FAT32 format, and I see their light blink once when I plug it in but nothing after that. Is this list on the SOny update site definitive, or are there other brands/sizes that might work? I still have a half-dozen others that I might try that are not listed...
I used some no name thumb drive I got at a trade show which had other stuff on it, Just reformatted and copied the files to it. Worked just fine. Not even sure what the size is. I had tried with a Sandisk model and even unplugged the unit, but could not make it work. Not sure what was different about the two, but the no name took the first time, no problem. It is a 1GB thumb drive, but do not know the manufacturer.
Michael

Now getting reboots while trying to record NBC at 10:00 pm on the 500 with the new firmware. Will shoot some Emails out to TVGOS and Sony to see if they can be of help. Anyone else having the same problems?
Michael

Amazingly, I have many of these brands of USB drives listed as supported, but none the of the sizes listed on the chart of supported USB drives. I tried a few anyway, reformatted them to FAT32 format, and I see their light blink once when I plug it in but nothing after that. Is this list on the SOny update site definitive, or are there other brands/sizes that might work? I still have a half-dozen others that I might try that are not listed...

I just fought with this same problem Monday. I needed to re-install the firmware, and using the same thumbdrive I installed it with originally, I couldn't get the DVR to recognize it (the light would flash when I plugged it in). I even removed power, and reapplied power, to the DVR. However, I was leaving the thumbdrive plugged in while I tried different things. Finally, I unplugged the thumbdrive, then removed power from the DVR, and reapplied power. I let the DVR initalize, and then when it shut off, I turned it back on. Then I plugged the thumbdrive in, and it recognized the upgrade.

Mark

Now getting reboots while trying to record NBC at 10:00 pm on the 500 with the new firmware. Will shoot some Emails out to TVGOS and Sony to see if they can be of help. Anyone else having the same problems?
Michael

A lot of people have had that lockup in the past. It has nothing to due with FW version. You have to do the procedure I pointed you to earlier today to clear it. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16789815#post16789815

I had my unit hooked to Cable with a cable card installed here in Seattle. Channel 90 on comcast was a duplicate of the standard definition CBS station. All worked well up until a week ago. I began losing days of guide data until finally there was no grid and guide listings.
I moved unit to living room and connected up OTA only and re-scanned. I began seeing packets on the 753159852 test under ATSC slicing. After a few days, no grid and the infamous message: "The guide is updating and should be ready in 24 hours"
Here is where it gets wierd. I went into the Search menu within the TV Guide and could search for movies, sports and all kinds of stuff. It was all there. I am getting data right? So why isn't the grid being rebuilt?
I'm currently playing back an analog tape from a VCR that I made a few months ago hoping to rebuild the grid that way.
I am at firware 8.06.44

A lot of people have had that lockup in the past. It has nothing to due with FW version. You have to do the procedure I pointed you to earlier today to clear it. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16789815#post16789815
As stated earlier, this is happening with both units, one with .05, the other with .21. So I know that the upgrade is not the problem. But I do not know if I am getting any new channels added to my list as the reboot also cleared out my TV guide grid and all. Back to 00.00.00 as of last night. This morning it was up to the first patch 08.05.40, so I expect it will update today or this evening again. Will keep you posted as to grid rebuild time. I did check the packets on the current channel in the 753... and they are comiing in fast.
Time did come back right away after the reboot, at least within 1/2 an hour I guess, as I was not checking that close last night.
Michael

I had my unit hooked to Cable with a cable card installed here in Seattle. Channel 90 on comcast was a duplicate of the standard definition CBS station. All worked well up until a week ago. I began losing days of guide data until finally there was no grid and guide listings.
I moved unit to living room and connected up OTA only and re-scanned. I began seeing packets on the 753159852 test under ATSC slicing. After a few days, no grid and the infamous message: "The guide is updating and should be ready in 24 hours"
Here is where it gets wierd. I went into the Search menu within the TV Guide and could search for movies, sports and all kinds of stuff. It was all there. I am getting data right? So why isn't the grid being rebuilt?
I'm currently playing back an analog tape from a VCR that I made a few months ago hoping to rebuild the grid that way.
I am at firware 8.06.44

I have not seen this, but this message (http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php?topic=167.msg1046#msg1046) mentions the same thing you are seeing. The data is coming in, the grid just isn't finished building for some reason. I think I'd take that guy's advice and just wait it out.

Update: I missed the part where you already resorted to using your backup video tape. Never mind. :)

Mark

Wow woke up this morning and had no listings on one of my 2 500's. :(

Yanking out the power cord last night for a while worked so that it recognized the USB drive, and it updated to .21. I tuned to CBS, channel 2.1 and turned off the unit overnight. This morning the ATSC-Slicer page is showing packets being delivered for the current channel, but I'm showing all zeroes in the column labeled Host Channel. Flipping through the the 753 menus I now see ads have been downloaded (an ad for "The Mentalist" was being displayed). The Listings menu still says no data available. So am I now in the waiting game mode? Is there any thing else to do to confirm that I'm (probably) okay now?

Thanks. Left unit off all night tuned to digital host channel 9-1 CBS. This morning still no programming, clock is off and have 09.01.71/08.05.40. In 753 menu host channel is blank and VBI Channel is 0:9-1. I am patiently waiting and will check the ATSC slicer screen after work.

I updated to .21 on Tuesday and yesterday (Wednesday) when I got home everthing seem back to normal. Clock is good, program listing is good, 753 menu looks good. I did not check the ATSC slicer since things looked good.

I used to get program listing for nearby Baltimore channels but those appear to be gone.

rayliner -

Look at the 753 menu to see what TVGOS patch level you are at. What you want to see (on the first page of the 753) is 8.01.71/8.06.44/0.00.00, which will indicate that you are at the latest TVGOS version. If this is not the case, it will take another day or so to update to that level.

I'm assuming that you have no Channel Lineup (Grid)? That should appear in one day (or more) after your TVGOS version is updated. My personal experience is that it takes about 3 days. Others have had quicker results. You can look for LineupPkts and TimezonePkts to increment on the 753 screens as evidence that you unit is progressing towards acquiring a Grid.

You may also see a host channel listed in the HostChan field in the 753 menu, although the display of that number seems to come and go somewhat randomly. You will see counts increment in the Host Channel column, confirming that you have acquired a host.

Once you get the Grid, the Program Listings will begin to appear within a few hours. :)

Wow woke up this morning and had no listings on one of my 2 500's. :(

Yesterday both my 250 & 500 were missing day 8 for most channels. Same is true today on the 500 and it hasn't filled in what is now day 7. The 250, however, filled in day 7 and looks complete for day 8 as well. Both OTA only, sitting side-by-side connected to the same antenna. Go figure :eek:

rayliner -

Look at the 753 menu to see what TVGOS patch level you are at. What you want to see (on the first page of the 753) is 8.01.71/8.06.44/0.00.00, which will indicate that you are at the latest TVGOS version. If this is not the case, it will take another day or so to update to that level....


When I looked last night, it was 8.01.71/0.00.00/0.00.00 - I didn't check this morning. Hopefully, it's on the right track. Thanks for the help, WS65711, PossumGirl, and all others.... Appreciate the patience. I'll follow up with status.

Just checked and back to the 08.06.44 patch, but still no ads. Current channel counting up. Also line and zip packets OK. Will recheck this on Friday to see if the grid comes back.
The 500 without the new firmware froze for about a minute while I was checking it out.
Also, since the .21 upgrade, I noticed that when I go to schedule a manual record time, it gives me the option of cable as well as air. Does not do this with the older .05 firmware. Both are setup as OTA only, never had cable enabled or scanned.
Under the 9012 screen it shows as Build:0.01. Had not seen this before.
One other thing that is strange. It showed a recording with this number as the channel: 65535. It was for 2 hours. But when I checked this only 15 sec of nothing was there. Anyone see this before? This was after the reboot when it was suppose to record a 10:00 show (did record 2 minutes before the problem)
Michael

One other thing that is strange. It showed a recording with this number as the channel: 65535.

I had this occur also earlier this week and my unit had been updated with the latest FW over one month ago. I have been experiencing lockups in which the box would not respond to commands right before this happened, but they appear to be gone now. I'm OTA only.

John K.

Yesterday both my 250 & 500 were missing day 8 for most channels. Same is true today on the 500 and it hasn't filled in what is now day 7. The 250, however, filled in day 7 and looks complete for day 8 as well. Both OTA only, sitting side-by-side connected to the same antenna. Go figure :eek:

I was struggling with the listings filling in as I am both OTA and analog cable. My 250 kept locking onto a cable station as a host...and was not getting listings. So every day I would change zip codes back and forth and get listings from OTA CBS during the day...before it found the cable analog host again overnight. Finally I decided to disconnect the cable, and only connect it when I wanted to record something. For a week everything worked beautifully. Then my 250 found OTA CBS as a host (shown as 0:43-0 which I believe is the broadcast frequency)...and it stopped updating the listings?! I did the zip code trick...blanked out the host...and the listings started downloading daily again. Last night it found OTA CBS as a host again...and low and behold no listings for day 8. Funny that I didn't get day 8 listings the same day as you...I suspect it is more than a coincidence and the machine is not to fault.

I'm going to let the host stick for now (I have 7 days complete listings) and see what happens.

When I looked last night, it was 8.01.71/0.00.00/0.00.00 - I didn't check this morning. Hopefully, it's on the right track. Thanks for the help, WS65711, PossumGirl, and all others.... Appreciate the patience. I'll follow up with status.

8.01.71/8.05.40/0.00.00 is the next step, then 8.01.71/8.06.44/0.00.00 will follow. It might take you two days to get to that point. :)

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Macrovision-Licenses-bw-3023163973.html?x=0&.v=3

This is great news. It means that our units will continue to be supported :)

We had some problems in NY around the time of the first alleged transition, but now they are fixed. Whoever makes this all work in the NYC area, thank you !:D

I was struggling with the listings filling in as I am both OTA and analog cable. My 250 kept locking onto a cable station as a host...and was not getting listings. So every day I would change zip codes back and forth and get listings from OTA CBS during the day...before it found the cable analog host again overnight. Finally I decided to disconnect the cable, and only connect it when I wanted to record something. For a week everything worked beautifully. Then my 250 found OTA CBS as a host (shown as 0:43-0 which I believe is the broadcast frequency)...and it stopped updating the listings?! I did the zip code trick...blanked out the host...and the listings started downloading daily again. Last night it found OTA CBS as a host again...and low and behold no listings for day 8. Funny that I didn't get day 8 listings the same day as you...I suspect it is more than a coincidence and the machine is not to fault.

I'm going to let the host stick for now (I have 7 days complete listings) and see what happens.

This problem sounds exactly like this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16337459#post16337459). I had that happening for about 4 months.

Then out of the blue this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16545281#post16545281) happened, which resulted in this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16547163#post16547163).

Check your download schedules, and see if you have a mix of analog (shorter with 180 minute ID70 downloads) and digital (longer with 30 minute ID70 downloads) schedules. Mine originally had 5 analog schedules, and 1 Digital schedule. Then overnight on May 28th, the analog schedules vanished, and I was left with one digital schedule, and it fixed my problem. Unfortunately, the fix apparently came from Macrovision, so I can't tell you how to fix it, other than to continue to play the zip code change game, which I played for about 4 months, before it got fixed.

BTW, I think it is related to having an analog host on cable. I think mine would break again, if I selected both cable, and OTA, since the analog schedules would come back.

Mark

Hi Ray - Got your PM, and to answer your question, no I don't have cable card. What puzzles me is if I can't tune to 2.1 Antenna which is supposed to be my TVGOS source, where am I getting TVGOS, I forgot how to access the hidden menus. Can you can send me a link. But all is well again and I am not inclined to mess around with it (my 250). Thanks for your advise.

EdwinC

I'm surprised that channel 2 cable is on 2.1. TW in WLA, without cable card, hd channels, and some analog, have this format: xx.xxx. There are lots of OTA channels, but only one I use now is OTA 2.1 for guide data, and all other ones I'm interested in are on cable.
Here is something you can try: disconnect both cable and antenna leads and do a full scan. Replace these leads, and select Reset User Configuration from the 9012 menu - (I've done this several times without losing recordings). The recorder will restart lead you though the initialization process, just like you encountered when you first hooked up the DVR. When this process is done, you can watch your recordings and then turn off the unit overnight and the guide should return the next day.

Ray

Yesterday both my 250 & 500 were missing day 8 for most channels. Same is true today on the 500 and it hasn't filled in what is now day 7. The 250, however, filled in day 7 and looks complete for day 8 as well. Both OTA only, sitting side-by-side connected to the same antenna. Go figure :eek:
I didn't have any listings for any days.

I didn't have any listings for any days.
Must be a regional outage... No listing updates here in Las Vegas for the last 2 days either. Have had no problems at all for the last few months.

I forgot how to access the hidden menus. Can you can send me a link. But all is well again and I am not inclined to mess around with it (my 250). Thanks for your advise.

EdwinC

To access the 9012 menu press the following buttons: Menu, SCREEN MODE, 9,0,1,2. Then select an option from this menu in the usual way.

Ray

I was struggling with the listings filling in as I am both OTA and analog cable.

Just for reference.
For LA types. I'm convinced that my Pasadena replanted 250 can get both both analog (from Charter) and digital (OTA) guide information. I suspect that the 2-1 guide has issues and isn't always available. Probably something to do with the MJ service.

Last time I checked it locked (July 4) to the Charter analog. Before that (1 week) the guide was digital and came from an unknown source.

I think you need a TVG1 and/or TVG2 indicator on the 753 menu if you expect digital.

Tonight I had problems with both my 250 and 500 units. The 250 froze and didn't respond to either the remote or unit buttons. The 500 unit wasn't able to pickup a signal on any channel, which is a problem I may have encountered before. Both problems were solved by warm reset, and the clocks were set within a minute in standby.

Ray

Must be a regional outage... No listing updates here in Las Vegas for the last 2 days either. Have had no problems at all for the last few months.
Well one of my 2 has listings, the other one doesn't.

As stated earlier, this is happening with both units, one with .05, the other with .21. So I know that the upgrade is not the problem. But I do not know if I am getting any new channels added to my list as the reboot also cleared out my TV guide grid and all. Back to 00.00.00 as of last night. This morning it was up to the first patch 08.05.40, so I expect it will update today or this evening again. Will keep you posted as to grid rebuild time. I did check the packets on the current channel in the 753... and they are comiing in fast.
Time did come back right away after the reboot, at least within 1/2 an hour I guess, as I was not checking that close last night.
Michael

Having the same problem. First noticed it Wednesday night...7/8...so same date. 500 (with new firmware) was recording and was unresponsive (has done this once before) and after a few button presses it reset...actually reset 3 times in a row. It would come back up, immediately reacquire time and as soon as I tried to access TVG it would reboot again.
After the 3rd time it finally gave me enough time to go in a delete the current scheduled recording and it was fine after that, other than it lost all of my guide and grid. got the time back after 5 minutes or so, but as of last night it had still not downloaded any grid/guide info.

Will try the Spiff proceedure to stop the lockups. Hopefully it allow the grid/guide to load as well.

Same area as you Atlantis, so may have been something in the signal.

Having no luck (still) I used the 'G' (System) test and the 'Disable analog data' function last night to see if either made any difference. Here are the current screen shots.

Packets galore, but no grid.

VBI channel is host channel;
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/videobruce/Sony07-10-09screens01.jpg


"0-43.0" WTF?? Why isn't this 43.1 or as above 17.1?;
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/videobruce/Sony07-10-09screens02.jpg


1.5 million TVG and TOT Sections and 3 million 'C Good';
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/videobruce/Sony07-10-09screens03.jpg


Over 200k 'ShowPkts and 'DESCPkts';
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/videobruce/Sony07-10-09screens04.jpg


But, completely blank;
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/videobruce/Sony07-10-09screens05.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/videobruce/Sony07-10-09screens06.jpg

Interesting thing just happen. Just now around 11:00am, I checked to see if I had a grid yet. None there. The Build Version under the G* screen is still 0.01. The firmware had updated as of yesterday and was still the same. Decided to do a Zip code reset and lo and behold after about 5 minutes when I turned it back on I noticed that the station sign went from WGCL-HD back to the WGCLDT call sign like it was before. So I enter in my zip code and now I have a very partial grid (3 lines only ). I will wait till later in the day to see if more appear. Maybe?? this is the way (or one of) to get the grid back. Will post an update later. Anyone else with grid problems try this? Do not remember reading as such.
Michael

One other thing that is strange. It showed a recording with this number as the channel: 65535. It was for 2 hours. But when I checked this only 15 sec of nothing was there. Anyone see this before? This was after the reboot when it was suppose to record a 10:00 show (did record 2 minutes before the problem)
Michael[/QUOTE]
I got to thinking and maybe the 65635 was some type of dump or info that might have been useful if it could have been accessed. Gues I never will know unless Sony or TVGOS has an answer.
Also, today I do have ads now as well. I will try and get some screen shots and post. Maybe some of you can tell me what is relevent.
Michael

Decided to go back in and check my screens and it showed that I have 499 stations now, up from 498. Most of my stations are off, so I am turning these back. Expcect that I should have some listings soon. So it looks like I can recover and get a grid within 2 days in the all digital world. Agian, I had a complete reset of the TVGOS leaving me without a grid, and back to the triple zeros ( 08.01.71/00.00.00 ) in the 753...screen. Did not loose any recordings, so did not reformat itself. I will at some point do a clear and wipe along with a format and reset to see how long it takes to recover.
Michael
PS: What do the rest of you show in the G*/reset screen for Build Version with the .21 software installed? Mine is 0.01 with the .21 upgrade, but with the .05 old software it is 1.2.05.
Thankks, Michael

So, from my experience with the lockup during recording and other stuff posted eailer, the problem was caused by the additon/update of channels to the system. Why? Not sure how that should have had any affect on the system, other than the fact everything gets written to the hard drives and perhaps a conflict arose with too many things going on at one time.
Since the channel additon and such, the 500 with the old .05, is no longer locking up. Working as normal. Will check out the 259 (.21) when I get some shows on the grid instead of just no listings.
Michael

Having no luck (still) I used the 'G' (System) test and the 'Disable analog data' function last night to see if either made any difference. Here are the current screen shots.

Packets galore, but no grid.

VBI channel is host channel;
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/videobruce/Sony07-10-09screens01.jpg


"0-43.0" WTF?? Why isn't this 43.1 or as above 17.1?;
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/videobruce/Sony07-10-09screens02.jpg


1.5 million TVG and TOT Sections and 3 million 'C Good';
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/videobruce/Sony07-10-09screens03.jpg


Over 200k 'ShowPkts and 'DESCPkts';
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/videobruce/Sony07-10-09screens04.jpg


But, completely blank;
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/videobruce/Sony07-10-09screens05.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/videobruce/Sony07-10-09screens06.jpg



videobruce

Exactly the same as my screen shots with "No Grid" (but everything else).

The VBI State and HostSUFlags is exactly the same.

Notice "bFirst" and "bPkts" is ZERO.................I am beginning to think that is order to have a grid large values should be reported in those fields.

So far the units that I have seen with ZERO there have No Grid and those with Grid have large values there.

Can anyone else confirm that?

ALSO:

My "ID" and "P" values on screen "1" information are very strange values I have never had before - certainly not while working.

videobruce

Exactly the same as my screen shots with "No Grid" (but everything else).

The VBI State and HostSUFlags is exactly the same.

Notice "bFirst" and "bPkts" is ZERO.................I am beginning to think that is order to have a grid large values should be reported in those fields.

So far the units that I have seen with ZERO there have No Grid and those with Grid have large values there.

Can anyone else confirm that?

ALSO:

My "ID" and "P" values on screen "1" information are very strange values I have never had before - certainly not while working.


I have the same menus. No Grid. I updated new firmware and waited ten days now. I got 08.06.44 too. Do I really need to wait 25 days to get the grid? Should I do anything else? What do I need to do now? Please help. Thanks..

videobruce


Notice "bFirst" and "bPkts" is ZERO.................I am beginning to think that is order to have a grid large values should be reported in those fields.

So far the units that I have seen with ZERO there have No Grid and those with Grid have large values there.

Can anyone else confirm that?



My bFirst and bPkts are each zero, but I have all listings and continue to roll along nicely.

As of now, less than 2 full days since the 250 with the new .21 upgrade reset itself, I have a full grid as well as listings through day 8. Only have a few no listings or no title, but by and large all filled in. The only thing I did was a zip code reset today eailer as stated in a previous post and that is when I got my grid back. So as far as here in Atlanta OTA digital, the unit was able to recover in less than 2 days. I did check the 753 screens and they were all pretty much cleared out after the reset of the TVGOS. Everything seems to be counting up as before. And the lockup/out problem is no longer happening.
Michael

I have the same menus. No Grid. I updated new firmware and waited ten days now. I got 08.06.44 too. Do I really need to wait 25 days to get the grid? Should I do anything else? What do I need to do now? Please help. Thanks..
Check out my other post on this.
Michael

...The only thing I did was a zip code reset today eailer as stated in a previous post and that is when I got my grid back.
Which zip code reset did you do? Was it to 00000 or to just some other zip code? Did you leave the machine on or off after changing it, and for how long before changing it back?

Finally, on the 753.. screens, were you receiving LineupPkts before resetting the zip code?

I did a full factory reset (including the HD format), reinstalled the .21 FW update and my HDD-250 came back to the point of having an accurate clock, ads and the TVGOS update to 08.06.44 within a day and a half. It has now been stuck like this for 12 full days. It has not latched on to a host channel nor has it received any LineupPkts. I seem to be receiving lots of the other varieties of packets below that item on the 753 screen.

I really miss my grid...:(

Problem here in NYC, strange. I have 2 HDD 500s. One is using analog PBS supplied by cable (no cable card) and has full guide and no problems. Today I noticed I am on my last day of guide, after today "no listings," for the other HDD500 that is OTA only and had been using CBS (2.1) as its host. I ran G test and CBS digital OTA and CBS digital on cable both failed (no VBI data packets registered). The OTA HDD500 also lists no host channel (though it had previously listed channel 33, which is CBS digital's physical channel. anyone have any ideas?

Which zip code reset did you do? Was it to 00000 or to just some other zip code? Did you leave the machine on or off after changing it, and for how long before changing it back?

Finally, on the 753.. screens, were you receiving LineupPkts before resetting the zip code?

I did a full factory reset (including the HD format), reinstalled the .21 FW update and my HDD-250 came back to the point of having an accurate clock, ads and the TVGOS update to 08.06.44 within a day and a half. It has now been stuck like this for 12 full days. It has not latched on to a host channel nor has it received any LineupPkts. I seem to be receiving lots of the other varieties of packets below that item on the 753 screen.

I really miss my grid...:(
I just ran the standard zip reset---00000 and then off for at least 5 minutes, not much more than that. When I turned the unit back on I noticed that the call sign on the station (fornt panel display) changed. So I hit TV Guide button and there was a grid. Only had 3 channels, so I to go into the editor and turn on the other ones I needed. Now have full listings. Give it a try, don't think it could hurt.
It does not show a host channel either. Before the zip reset, I don't think I was getting the lineup packets either. I know that on the rejected line it had lots of packets, but nothing else on that page. Now everything is filling back.
Michael

My bFirst and bPkts are each zero, but I have all listings and continue to roll along nicely.

My DVR is operational, and those packets are also zero (see the screen shot).
I just did a soft reset yesterday which is why the packet counts are so low. Also videobruce's picture of the 'Section-Reception Slicing' screen, is also all zeroes on my DVR. This screen is the analog equivalent of the new 'ATSC Slicing' screen.

Mark

Problem here in NYC, strange. I have 2 HDD 500s. One is using analog PBS supplied by cable (no cable card) and has full guide and no problems. Today I noticed I am on my last day of guide, after today "no listings," for the other HDD500 that is OTA only and had been using CBS (2.1) as its host. I ran G test and CBS digital OTA and CBS digital on cable both failed (no VBI data packets registered). The OTA HDD500 also lists no host channel (though it had previously listed channel 33, which is CBS digital's physical channel. anyone have any ideas?

For several days this week I was not getting downloads for future days. I'm in Northern New Jersey on Comcast. My unit had been getting downloads from analog WCBS and then analog PBS(13). I'm lucky I have an OTA antenna aimed towards Philly and over one night this week I received a download with 8 days of listings. I used KYW(CBS-digital26).

Notice "bFirst" and "bPkts" is ZERO.................I am beginning to think that is order to have a grid large values should be reported in those fields.

So far the units that I have seen with ZERO there have No Grid and those with Grid have large values there.

Can anyone else confirm that?


This is a picture I had posted a few weeks ago when one of my units first acquired a Grid after I had performed a "TV Guide Reset to Factory Defaults" subsequent to the analog cutoff on June 12th. There are in fact values in those two fields, but the values are "ones" in this case.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=145734&d=1245362942

Thanks rcodey, I'm in Queens, so I am stuck with 2.1 CBS off the Empire State 15.3 miles away. I suspect that CBS simply stopped sending the VBI packets 6 or 7 days ago. Since the HDD500 that is attached to the cable (and analog PBS) that passes the G test and has its listings can be used for recording, I will keep the other OTA and keep running the G test each day. I would appreciate hearing from anyone else in NY or NJ who is OTA using CBS digital.

Thanks rcodey, I'm in Queens, so I am stuck with 2.1 CBS off the Empire State 15.3 miles away. I suspect that CBS simply stopped sending the VBI packets 6 or 7 days ago. Since the HDD500 that is attached to the cable (and analog PBS) that passes the G test and has its listings can be used for recording, I will keep the other OTA and keep running the G test each day. I would appreciate hearing from anyone else in NY or NJ who is OTA using CBS digital.

If you have the .21 firmware installed, the G* Test won't pass with the digital data any more, so there is no point in running it. Instead, if you want to see if the data is there, tune to your OTA host channel, and go into the 753 menu, and go down 3 screens from the first screen. This is the ATSC slicer screen, and you should see activity on that screen. Just because you see activity there doesn't rule out the possibility that the CBS station might have a problem.

Mark

Thanks rcodey, I'm in Queens, so I am stuck with 2.1 CBS off the Empire State 15.3 miles away. I suspect that CBS simply stopped sending the VBI packets 6 or 7 days ago. Since the HDD500 that is attached to the cable (and analog PBS) that passes the G test and has its listings can be used for recording, I will keep the other OTA and keep running the G test each day. I would appreciate hearing from anyone else in NY or NJ who is OTA using CBS digital.

I think I am in the same boat. I am using WCBS 2.1 OTA as my host. I have not received any VBI packets since 07/03. My G test also have failed. I hope WCBS or MV start sending packets soon.

I'm still not getting any listings on one of my 500's. Should I do a soft reset?

If my listings don't come back soon, I'm going to retire these 2 and get another satellite DVR. I'm getting sick of having to babysit these things. :(

I'm still not getting any listings on one of my 500's. Should I do a soft reset?


Yes, a soft reset is what I would do.

Mark

I'm still not getting any listings on one of my 500's. Should I do a soft reset?

If my listings don't come back soon, I'm going to retire these 2 and get another satellite DVR. I'm getting sick of having to babysit these things. :(

I would do the zip code reset procedure.
Michael

I, too am in NYC, in Manhattan to be exact within 1 mile of the ESB with line of sight. I just switched to an Antennas Direct DB2 outdoors with the following results:
1-I lost my host channel (CBS 2-1)
2-I lost my listings
3- I lost the ads
The only thing I didn't lose was the accurate clock.
Go figure---I can't.

Larry

I think I am in the same boat. I am using WCBS 2.1 OTA as my host. I have not received any VBI packets since 07/03. My G test also have failed. I hope WCBS or MV start sending packets soon.
Is this with the .21 upgrade? If so your G* will fail. From the other post though sounds like CBS is not transmitting or has a problem with the TVGOS equipment. Give them a call or Email about your TVGOS.
Michael

So after shutoff everything seemed to be working just fine. Still had full guide population, VBI packets in the G* test, and could sync the clock no problem. On Saturday, the power went out, and I went to use the G* test to force a clock sync, and accidentally did a TV Guide reset.

After punching in my zip code, it's been three days now, with not even a clock update. I'm still getting VBI packets in the G* test, but I am using firmware 1.2.05.

I assume the first step is to try 1.2.21? After that, then what? Feel free to point me to reference posts. I looked around for the information but couldn't find any posts that had any clear instructions on what to do.

All is well now. Upgraded to the .21 firmware, and a few days later I got a lineup and grid. Everything's back to like the day I bought it. I'm in the Denver, CO area, so CBS is broadcasting (OTA) good digital TV guide info out here.

mabuttra; Does your screen show a host channel?? Would you take screen shots of the same pages I did as comparision?

Refering back to the shots I took, are there any other pages that I didn't include that are relevant??

Re: NYC CBS digital host. I am pretty sure that CBS has screwed up. I just noticed that my new Pioneer KUROS plasma (always ATSC digital) has lost its TVGOS. "no listings" plus no ads, just the two welcome to TVGOS screens.

I see that some others have reported getting grids with digital host only and after resets. I am pleased to report that it only took less than a 2 days to recover and the only thing I did (different??) was the zip code reset. Have not heard from Stingray in a while. Wonder if he gave up on his units or if they are back to normal.
Michael

As I mentioned in post #18054 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16789403#post16789403) a few days ago, I've been trying to get a channel lineup OTA from a new host channel in my area (WNTV 29.1, PBS, Greenville SC), without assistance from my DTVPal+ converter box. Unfortunately, I had no success, just like with my earlier host channel (WLTX 19.1, CBS, Columbia SC).

So, last night I brought out my DTVPal+ and hooked it up to the Sony's cable input. By waking up in the middle of the night to do some adjustments, I was able to go from a TVGOS factory reset at 10 PM to full listings this morning. I'll post the complete procedure shortly.

In the meantime, the SC ETV engineer has been installing TVGOS inserters on his other stations. I now have three more host channels available:

WRET 49.1, PBS, Spartanburg SC
WNEH 38.1, PBS, Greenwood SC
WRLK 35.1, PBS, Columbia SC

for a grand total of five! WRET is the one I'm actually using now, because it's closest, about 30 miles, and I can pick up its signal almost regardless of which way my antenna is pointing.

As I mentioned in post #18054 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16789403#post16789403) a few days ago, I've been trying to get a channel lineup OTA from a new host channel in my area (WNTV 29.1, PBS, Greenville SC), without assistance from my DTVPal+ converter box. Unfortunately, I had no success, just like with my earlier host channel (WLTX 19.1, CBS, Columbia SC).

So, last night I brought out my DTVPal+ and hooked it up to the Sony's cable input. By waking up in the middle of the night to do some adjustments, I was able to go from a TVGOS factory reset at 10 PM to full listings this morning. I'll post the complete procedure shortly.

In the meantime, the SC ETV engineer has been installing TVGOS inserters on his other stations. I now have three more host channels available:

WRET 49.1, PBS, Spartanburg SC
WNEH 38.1, PBS, Greenwood SC
WRLK 35.1, PBS, Columbia SC

for a grand total of five! WRET is the one I'm actually using now, because it's closest, about 30 miles, and I can pick up its signal almost regardless of which way my antenna is pointing.
Do not remember if you had upgraded to .21, did you? Did you try a zip code reset at all? See my other post on my reset.
Michael

I, too am in NYC, in Manhattan to be exact within 1 mile of the ESB with line of sight. I just switched to an Antennas Direct DB2 outdoors with the following results:
1-I lost my host channel (CBS 2-1)
2-I lost my listings
3- I lost the ads
The only thing I didn't lose was the accurate clock.
Go figure---I can't.

Larry
does your unit still tune to all the stations you had been getting? Maybe you have an overload problem, since you're so close to the transmitter (if that's what you mean by ESB)...

mabuttra; Does your screen show a host channel?? Would you take screen shots of the same pages I did as comparision?

Refering back to the shots I took, are there any other pages that I didn't include that are relevant??

Normally my host channel shows. However, after posting the picture I posted yesterday, and looking at your pictures again, there were 3 pieces of information that were filled in on mine that was N/A, or 0 on yours. I wanted to see at what point my DVR acquires that data, so I did a Reset to Factory Defaults. My TimezonePkts are being finicky today, so I may not get the system back today, or tomorrow. In the meantime I did take pictures of the current state of those screens that you wanted.

The 3 fields that are different on yours are all on the 'System Statistics' page. The SU Chg & Last SU fields are N/A on yours, and mine show dates, but I don't think these are relevant, since they filled in on mine the moment I did the reset.

The one that I think could be preventing your grid from coming back is the OTA Lineup field. Yours is 0x0 as is mine currently. However before the reset mine was 0xAA0D. I think the lineupPkts, are supposed to contain this information, and it is possible that your DVR is not receiving the correct lineup, even though it is getting LineupPkts.

I've attached 3 pictures. I left off the clocks2 screen, and the ATSC slicer screen.

Mark

Do not remember if you had upgraded to .21, did you? Did you try a zip code reset at all?

Yes, I'm using the latest Sony software (1.2.21). I didn't try a ZIP code reset because I had started with a full TVGOS factory reset a few days ago. Also, I wanted to get the guide back on this unit, and I was pretty sure the DTVPal+ procedure would work because I've done it a few times already.

Writing up that procedure is taking a while. It's really a fairly simple procedure, but I want to explain the reason behind some of the more arcane steps, and add some background information. This is going to be more self-contained that the descriptions that I've posted earlier.

I would do the zip code reset procedure.
Michael
Tried that last night, left unit off overnight, still nothing.

[QUOTE=jtbell;16807571]Yes, I'm using the latest Sony software (1.2.21). I didn't try a ZIP code reset because I had started with a full TVGOS factory reset a few days ago. Also, I wanted to get the guide back on this unit, and I was pretty sure the DTVPal+ procedure would work because I've done it a few times already.

Jtbell,
Because of all the different levels of reset and restore it is somewhat confusing as to what is really done. I take from what you stated that you no longer had your zip code ir any other information still on your unit after the TVGOS factory reset. Is that correct? The reason I ask is when my unit reset itself eailer in the week my setup info and zip was still there but no grid. This may explain why I recovered so quick when using the zip reset.
The following shows the different levels of restore/reset:
"Restore Factory Default": Deletes all recorded programs, and resets all user settings to factory defaults.

"Format Hard Drive": Reformats the hard drive (self explanatory). It is unclear whether this only reformats the partition that contains recorded programs, or the entire drive.

"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.

"TV Guide": This is the TVGOS sub-menu, which contains two more items:

"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.


Michael

does your unit still tune to all the stations you had been getting? Maybe you have an overload problem, since you're so close to the transmitter (if that's what you mean by ESB)...

Yes, it still gets all the stations. ESB is the Empire State Building,
However, even though I'm close to the transmitters I don't think I'm getting an overload.
CH 2-1 (CBS) comes in as the weakest of all at 77% with the antenna outdoors.

Tried that last night, left unit off overnight, still nothing.
Maybe you have a bad connection to that unit and the data is just not getting all there. Anything is possible. Losing some siganl through the splitter? If one unit is updating fine and the other is not and both have the same feed, then look at the splitter or whatever else is connected to that unit. Sometimes things aren't as hard to figure out as we make them to be.
Michael

"TV Guide": This is the TVGOS sub-menu, which contains two more items:

"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.

That's the reset that I used. After doing that, the next time you turn the unit on, it goes straight into the initial TVGOS setup procedure: select OTA and/or cable, and enter a ZIP code (which I did).

I left out this screen. System Statistics. The correct VBI channel and Host ID are showing, but still no host channel or OTA lineup.

Maybe you have a bad connection to that unit and the data is just not getting all there. Anything is possible. Losing some siganl through the splitter? If one unit is updating fine and the other is not and both have the same feed, then look at the splitter or whatever else is connected to that unit. Sometimes things aren't as hard to figure out as we make them to be.
Michael
Yeah I already checked that, thats not the issue.

In addition to the zip code reset, should I do a soft reset from the front panel as well?

Thanks

Yeah I already checked that, thats not the issue.

In addition to the zip code reset, should I do a soft reset from the front panel as well?

Thanks
If the 5 minute zip code reset did not work, then try the soft reset. You may need to do a g* test to get the correct clock time back afterwards.
Michael

Hi...I am trying an experiment with my LG 3410a (which has gotten no listings since June 12, though the DTVPal SEEMS to be converting the legacy TVGOS data properly). I've removed the Pal output that I had joined to the antenna input, and I have ADDED my housemate's cable input (by having the cable come into a splitter, one of whose outputs go to the 3410a's cable input).

I've also reset the 3410a for cable also (no box), and then I did a complete rescan.

A couple of hours afterwards (in the wee hours of the morning), I found that the 3410a had switched to channel 9 (analog) as the host channel, which apparently is cable channel 9. And I just found the unit asking me to select my cable lineup. After I did that, the TV Guide immediately showed me a complete cable lineup (after which I edited it, removing the channels that were turned on, but that had no signal).

So now I'm waiting to see if I get listings during the early afternoon download period.

I BELIEVE that there are one or two of you from the SF area who have cable, and my question is whether any of your units are actually getting your TVGOS listings from the ANALOG cable channel 9, because that would presumably be converted by Comcast from the legacy TVGOS stream.

(What I am trying to see in my experiment - discussed here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16807460#post16807460) - is whether the legacy version 7 TVGOS stream, when converted by Comcast, has a defect, because many of us think the v7 TVGOS data we get from the Pal converting the legacy data DOES have a defect, which may originate with the data the Pal is RECEIVING. And I am wondering whether the defect also shows up with the version 7 TVGOS data coming from analog cable...)

Thanks - Tony

That's the reset that I used. After doing that, the next time you turn the unit on, it goes straight into the initial TVGOS setup procedure: select OTA and/or cable, and enter a ZIP code (which I did).
So then, I guess I will need to experiment with this back to your level of reset and see then how long it takes from there to back up and running. If it is quick, then it may point to a matter of the host/area of country/quaility of packets and such. Will try to do this next week and fully document it all.
Michael

Hi...I am trying an experiment with my LG 3410a (which has gotten no listings since June 12, though the DTVPal SEEMS to be converting the legacy TVGOS data properly). I've removed the Pal output that I had joined to the antenna input, and I have ADDED my housemate's cable input (by having the cable come into a splitter, one of whose outputs go to the 3410a's cable input).

I've also reset the 3410a for cable also (no box), and then I did a complete rescan.

A couple of hours afterwards (in the wee hours of the morning), I found that the 3410a had switched to channel 9 (analog) as the host channel, which apparently is cable channel 9. And I just found the unit asking me to select my cable lineup. After I did that, the TV Guide immediately showed me a complete cable lineup (after which I edited it, removing the channels that were turned on, but that had no signal).

So now I'm waiting to see if I get listings during the early afternoon download period.

Thanks - Tony
Here in Woodstock, GA Comcast has set up channel 9 as the analog host for the legacy devices. Has been working fine with the Panasonic dvr and other older units. Just wanted to throw that out for what its worth.
Michael

Introduction

This post describes how to use a Dish DTVPal Plus (http://www.dtvpal.com) (DTVPal+) digital TV converter box to obtain a channel lineup (also called "channel grid") for the TV Guide On Screen (TVGOS) program guide in the Sony DHG-HDD250 and 500 HD DVRs. Many users of these Sony DVRs (including me) have been unable to get a channel lineup directly from a digital TVGOS host channel, even though units that already have a channel lineup can receive program listings with few or no problems.

I use only over-the-air (OTA) broadcast TV, and these instructions are written accordingly. If you use cable TV, or OTA + cable together, you may be able to modify these instructions accordingly.

Background

TVGOS gets its program guide data from an OTA "host channel" which (in principle at least) carries data for all the OTA and cable channels in its area, i.e. a Nielsen "Designated Marketing Area" (DMA). Each DMA is supposed to have at least one host channel. Before the analog-to-digital OTA TV transition, these were often (but not always) PBS stations. Then Macrovision (which owns TVGOS) was bought by CBS, and it was intended that CBS stations would take over the host-channel role in the digital TV era. However, many CBS stations have apparently declined to take on this role. Macrovision has had to recruit other stations in many areas, and some areas still have no TVGOS service.

A digital TVGOS host channel actually carries two versions of the TVGOS data, which I call the "normal" and "legacy" data streams. More formally, these are known as the TVG and SCTE 127 streams, respectively. The "normal" data stream is intended for devices that receive digital TV (ATSC) signals. The "legacy" data stream is ultimately intended for devices that receive analog TV (NTSC) signals. (The Sony DVRs can receive both ATSC and NTSC signals.)

Devices that receive only NTSC signals obviously cannot receive the "legacy" data stream directly from an ATSC signal. They need some help. One way is for a cable TV provider to extract the "legacy" data stream from a digital host channel, and piggyback it onto one of their analog cable channels. Many analog cable subscribers continue to receive TVGOS data in this way for their TVGOS-using devices.

For OTA TV viewers, the Dish DTVPal+ converter box can perform a similar function. When it is in "TV Guide mode," which is enabled in the unit's setup menu, the DTVPal+ extracts a "legacy" TVGOS data stream (if present) in the ATSC channel that it is tuned to, and piggybacks it onto its analog output.

The basic idea of the procedure described below is to use the "legacy" data stream from a DTVPal+ to give the Sony a channel lineup, then use the "normal" data stream directly from the antenna to fill in the program listings and update them thereafter.

The "legacy" and "normal" data streams use different download schedules. I've attached a PDF that shows both. As far as I know, for getting the channel lineup the "legacy" type 27 and 81 downloads are the important ones. For getting and updating program listings, the "normal" type 70 downloads are the important ones.

In principle, for the type 70 downloads either the "legacy" version (via the DTVPal+) or the "normal" version (directly from the antenna) should work. I use the "normal" version because the Sony can receive them without help from the DTVPal+. Also, in order to receive the "legacy" downloads, the Sony must be turned off (more precisely, be in standby mode) during an entire download period (three hours!), whereas with the "normal" downloads, you can have the Sony turned on, so long as it is tuned to the host channel. Also, the "legacy" type 70 downloads occur four times a day and last three hours each, whereas the "normal" type 70 downloads occur eight times a day and last 20 minutes each, so the "normal" downloads are less likely to be interrupted by turning the Sony on and changing channels. The attached schedule highlights the type 70 downloads.

I've tried to use the "legacy" type 70 downloads via the DTVPal+ for updating program listings, just to see if it would work, but I didn't have much success. It might have been simply a poor signal from the host channel that I was using then (WLTX 19.1, Columbia SC), which is nearly 70 miles away, but I haven't experimented with this further because the "normal" digital downloads work well for me, for program listings.

What you need

Besides a Dish DTVPal+ converter box, you also need a special remote control for it. When you put the DTVPal+ in "TV Guide" mode, it does not recognize its own remote control, except for the power button, which causes it to reboot and revert to normal mode. In "TV Guide" mode, it's intended to be controlled by a TV, VCR or DVD recorder via an IR blaster, using codes that mimic a Scientific Atlanta cable TV box.

In order to get an analog TVGOS "legacy" signal out of the DTVPal+, you must set it to the host channel while it's in "TV Guide" mode, using a remote that acts like a Scientific Atlanta remote. I use an old Sony Remote Commander RM-V301, for which the correct code is 011. The power button doesn't work, but the number buttons do, which is all you need. Most any universal remote should work, but you may have to experiment to find the correct code set.

To change channels in "TV Guide" mode, you have to modify the channel number. Basically, you start with the two-part digital channel number, remove the period or dash, and add 100. For example: 49.1 --> 491 --> 591.

Finally, assuming you already have an antenna connected to the Sony's antenna input, you have to chose one of the following methods for connecting the DTVPal+:

Method A: Use a splitter to split the antenna signal, with one branch going to the Sony's antenna input, and the other branch going to the DTVPal+'s antenna input. Then connect the DTVPal+'s RF output to the Sony's cable input. I used this method because I already split my antenna signal several ways, so I could easily move an antenna cable from one of my other devices to the DTVPal+ temporarily. Also, if I wanted to, after the procedure is finished, I could leave the DTVPal+ connected to the Sony, but with the power off (unplugged), for possible future use.

Method B: Disconnect the antenna from the Sony's antenna input and connect it to the DTVPal+'s antenna input. Then connect the DTVPal+'s RF output to the Sony's antenna input. With this method, you have to restore the original connections (i.e. remove the DTVPal+) at step 12 below.

The instructions below assume that you're using Method A above. Modify them appropriately if you're using method B.

Procedure, stage 1

Do this sometime before the nightly "legacy" download cycle begins at 10:30 PM. Allow enough time to find your host channel if you don't know it already.

1. Connect the DTVPal+'s RF output to the Sony's cable input, and the antenna to the DTVPal+'s antenna input. and turn both devices on.

2. If necessary, do a channel scan on the Sony so it finds analog cable channel 3: Menu --> Preferences --> CH +/- List --> Auto Scan --> Auto Scan Cable. You can cancel the scan after it's found that one "cable" channel, so you don't have to wait a half hour for the scan to finish.

3. Set the Sony to analog cable channel 3. You should now see the output from the DTVPal+.

4. Put the DTVPal+ into "TV Guide" mode via Menu --> Setup --> System Setup --> TV Guide & Guide+ --> Continue. At this point you should see a confirmation screen from the DTVPal+, with the choices "Yes", "Cancel" and "No." Choose "Yes." The screen goes dark while the DTVPal+ reboots. It takes a while... be patient.

5. Use your "Scientific Atlanta" remote to set the DTVPal+ to your digital TVGOS host channel (or a channel which you think might be the host channel), by modifying the channel number as described previously. You should see that channel appear on your TV screen.

6. Verify that the converted signal on channel 3 includes TVGOS data by setting the Sony to (Menu, Screen Mode, 9012) --> TV Guide --> G* Factory Test. After about 15-20 seconds, the "VBI Test" should indicate "PASS" and you should see the packet counter increment steadily. When done, exit from the test by hitting the EXIT button on the Sony's remote.

6A. If you need to search for your host channel, repeat steps 5 and 6 as necessary, until you find it.

7. Reset the Sony's TVGOS via (Menu, Screen Mode, 9012) --> TV Guide --> Reset to Factory Default.

8. Turn the Sony off, then on again, to bring up the TVGOS setup wizard. Select both cable and antenna, and enter an appropriate ZIP code.

9. Turn the Sony off.

Procedure, stage 2

Wait until at least one "legacy" download each, of types 81 and 27, has occurred. i.e. sometime after 12:30 AM. If you're not in a hurry, get a good night's sleep and do the following steps in the morning.

10. Turn the Sony on and enter the guide. It should ask you to choose one of a set of cable-ready channel lineups. If you're OTA only, it probably doesn't make any difference which one you choose. You should now see a channel grid, filled with "No Listing" in all its time slots.

11. If you like, you can enter the Sony's diagnostic screens and check the host channel setting: Guide --> Setup --> arrow down to "Change System Settings" but do not hit the SELECT button --> enter 753159852 --> arrow right once. The "Host Chan" field should read 1:0-3 for analog cable channel 3. Hit the EXIT button to get out of the diagnostic screens.

12. At this point, you switch to using the "normal" TVGOS data directly from the antenna. Therefore, disconnect the DTVPal+, or at least turn it off or unplug its power, so it no longer sends a signal into the cable input.

13. You also need to clear the Sony's "Host Chan" setting which you saw in step 11, otherwise it will try for a few days to get program listings from analog cable channel 3. To do this: Guide --> Setup --> Change System Settings, which brings up the TVGOS setup wizard. Tell it you're using OTA only now, and enter 00000 for the ZIP code.

14. Wait a minute or two, then go into the setup wizard again (repeat step 13) and re-enter your original ZIP code.

15. If you like, you can go into the channel editor (Guide --> Setup --> Change Channel Display) and adjust your channel lineup by turning channels on or off, or re-mapping channels with incorrect channel numbers, etc.

16. Turn the Sony off again. When the next "normal" type 70 download comes around, you should start to get program listings. I usually find that after one type 70 download has finished, there are still some or many gaps in the program listings ("No Listing" or "No Title"), but they usually fill in during the course of the day. When the day's download cycle ends in late afternoon, the program listings are usually almost complete for eight days.

trumpace, I believe CBS digital stopped sending TVGOS info on or about 7/3/09. I imagine (hope) that it will resume. As of right now my pioneer plasma (5 months old and setup for digital ATSC channels only) and one of my HDD500 lost guide info (stations grid remains, but with "no listings"). My other HDD500 (not updated to Sony .21 firmware) continues to operate normally with full guide info using host channel PBS analog (from Time Warner cable). I am trying to reset the other back to PBS analog, but it has been updated to Sony .21.
On the working unit, analog PBS passes G test for VBI packets. Analog CBS and digital CBS (both OTA and cable) fail with no VBI packets being downloaded. I hope this helps.

I left out this screen. System Statistics. The correct VBI channel and Host ID are showing, but still no host channel or OTA lineup.

That picture is there. Yesterday afternoon it was showing as a blank box, but the picture is back today.

Mark

Introduction

This post describes how to use a Dish DTVPal Plus (http://www.dtvpal.com) (DTVPal+) digital TV converter box to obtain a channel lineup (also called "channel grid") for the TV Guide On Screen (TVGOS) program guide in the Sony DHG-HDD250 and 500 HD DVRs. Many users of these Sony DVRs (including me) have been unable to get a channel lineup directly from a digital TVGOS host channel, even though units that already have a channel lineup can receive program listings with few or no problems.

ETC


I have recently described in this thread (e.g., 2 weeks ago - e.g., here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16716300#post16716300) - and also before that) using the Pal test setup below for getting listings etc to the Sony...

I found that if I JOIN the Pal into the antenna input, my Sony switches to the Pal as host OVERNIGHT AND starts getting listings from it in the same period. Furthermore, when I simply remove the Pal from the input to the Sony, digital takes up the listings job fast as well...basically NO lapse...

(All this involved making NO changes in the Sony TV Guide setup. Of course, in my test I was already getting listings from digital, but- as I said - it switched to the Pal output as the host channel overnight, even though the digital listings were, of course, still available in my setup...)

It is, of course, ironic that I got the Pal more for the 3410a than for the Sony, but it is the latter that it immediately worked for, though I haven't needed it - except as backup in case I ever lose my lineup, in which case it is there to just hook in until I get my listings back...but, based on my experience, I doubt one has to do any more than just join the Pal output into the antenna input...

Hello All:

I have to say - given most of the crap that is on tv today, both OTA and Cable - have now decided to entertain myself not by watching that claptrap, but rather enbracing all the esoterica which is part and parcel of operating the 250 or 500. I mean who wants to watch "the doctors" when one can go to the real thing - the old 'splicing' page. The endless pathways attendant to the cryptic listings on the service menus - well, the possiblities are just endless. It's almost akin to playing back that Beatles album - backwards to get the secret message.

Course, I must also admit my woeful attempt at being cute is only extant because I've got 8 days listings. Wait..... it's only 7 days... so what about leaving the toaster on ..buying that dishwasher thing and connecting it to my wife's uncle? Will that get my grid back?
Best wishes
Barry

Is the following statement true?

Those with “No Grid” also have VBIState of 0x05 and HostSUFlags 0xe6800000 ?
That is how my box has been since “Restore Factory Defaults” on Thursday (3 days ago). The values have not changed at all (they use to change about 3 times a day?)

Thanks to everyone’s reply on bFirst and bPkts – apparently it’s not important.


ALSO:
Is my box the only one where “Station Pkt” and “TimezonePkts” increment together – currently they both show “90”?

I see that some others have reported getting grids with digital host only and after resets. I am pleased to report that it only took less than a 2 days to recover and the only thing I did (different??) was the zip code reset. Have not heard from Stingray in a while. Wonder if he gave up on his units or if they are back to normal.
Michael

Mike,
I could never get a grid with digital. I gave up and used my vcr tape to recover. I still get all listing on both units but have never shown a host. I just haven't had the currage to do another reset after going through 2 months of bs. I'm still here reading and watching others go through the no grid saga...........Stingray

trumpace, I believe CBS digital stopped sending TVGOS info on or about 7/3/09. I imagine (hope) that it will resume. As of right now my pioneer plasma (5 months old and setup for digital ATSC channels only) and one of my HDD500 lost guide info (stations grid remains, but with "no listings"). My other HDD500 (not updated to Sony .21 firmware) continues to operate normally with full guide info using host channel PBS analog (from Time Warner cable). I am trying to reset the other back to PBS analog, but it has been updated to Sony .21.
On the working unit, analog PBS passes G test for VBI packets. Analog CBS and digital CBS (both OTA and cable) fail with no VBI packets being downloaded. I hope this helps.

That would explain why I'm not getting any more stuff from then.
I've sent WCBS an email inquiring about the VBI packets but have not, as yet, received a reply. If and when I do I'll post it.

Has anyone else in the NY area experienced the same?

....
I BELIEVE that there are one or two of you from the SF area who have cable, and my question is whether any of your units are actually getting your TVGOS listings from the ANALOG cable channel 9, because that would presumably be converted by Comcast from the legacy TVGOS stream.
....
Thanks - Tony

Before the (OTA) digital transition last month, my 250 was happily getting clock and listings from cable analog channel 9, or so it said in the host channel. (I was always skeptical since I would always hear the cable/OTA relay click a lot.) Anyway, after the transition the listings stopped immediately, regardless of where they were coming from, even though analog cable 9 is still there. A few days later the host chan became blank. (I now successfully get listings and clock from digital cable chan 5.1, although the host chan continues to be blank.)

As another data point, before the transition I was always able to get a correct clock within 15 seconds from analog cable 9 on my old (analog only) Mitsubishi TV. Sometime after the transition I tried it and got a very wrong time. I just now tried it again and got nothing, no auto clock upates at all. I also tried some other analog cable channels including 5 (KPIX), no joy. So either the stream is now in a format that set won't recognize or the stream is no longer there.

FWIW,
Jim

When I checked 753 today I noticed something new for me... :)

My Host Channel now has 0:11-0 instead of blank. CBS is Ch11.

ATSC Slicer has values under HostChannel. But I cannot get 11-1 to update
in realtime under the Host column - realtime updates fall under the Current column.

Also, without my intervention, some 'OFF' channels were turned 'ON' in the grid.
No new channels were added in the Lineup / Channel Editor.

I checked the other DVR in the house and it still shows Host Channel blank.
It has the same antenna source so this may just be a fluke.

ALSO:
Is my box the only one where “Station Pkt” and “TimezonePkts” increment together – currently they both show “90”?

I wish! I have 5 Timezone and 177 Station Pkts. (I am in one of those "TimezonePkt-deficient areas.)

I BELIEVE that there are one or two of you from the SF area who have cable, and my question is whether any of your units are actually getting your TVGOS listings from the ANALOG cable channel 9, because that would presumably be converted by Comcast from the legacy TVGOS stream.

Thanks - Tony

Short answer is NO...
I used to have analog cable 9 as my host and that dissapeered after the DTV transition on both the Sony and my Pioneer plasma (9th gen tvgos). The Tv is/was only connected to cable but the Sony was on both.
Like may I lost some listings (for both) the week or so after DTV, but for the last 3 weeks my unit has been 100% with no host and data only from 5.1 CBS.
Unlike the Sony, the Pioneer has locked to CBS 5.1 as the host.
All Comcast was doing was re-broadcasting the Analog signal but that ended at the DTV transistion....

Todd

When I checked 753 today I noticed something new for me... :)

My Host Channel now has 0:11-0 instead of blank. CBS is Ch11.

ATSC Slicer has values under HostChannel. But I cannot get 11-1 to update
in realtime under the Host column - realtime updates fall under the Current column.

Also, without my intervention, some 'OFF' channels were turned 'ON' in the grid.
No new channels were added in the Lineup / Channel Editor.

I checked the other DVR in the house and it still shows Host Channel blank.
It has the same antenna source so this may just be a fluke.

Keep watching the other DVR for the next day or two. This sounds like what happened in the L.A. area a few weeks ago. Also, the ATSC Slicer does just increment the CurrChan column when you are tuned to the Host channel.

Mark

Short answer is NO...
I used to have analog cable 9 as my host and that dissapeered after the DTV transition on both the Sony and my Pioneer plasma (9th gen tvgos). The Tv is/was only connected to cable but the Sony was on both.
Like may I lost some listings (for both) the week or so after DTV, but for the last 3 weeks my unit has been 100% with no host and data only from 5.1 CBS.
Unlike the Sony, the Pioneer has locked to CBS 5.1 as the host.
All Comcast was doing was re-broadcasting the Analog signal but that ended at the DTV transistion....

Todd
Thanks for the info..

I have now gotten days 1,2,3,8 listings in my v7 3410a with Comcast cable 9 as host channel. I believe that NOW these listings would not be a simple rebroadcast, because the only things that Microvision is now putting out (according to my understanding) are:

1) the standard digital TVGOS listings (which is what you are seeing in your units - as well as I in my Sony, except when I have tested the DTVPal output as a TVGOS source for the Sony) AND

2) the legacy digital TVGOS stream, which cable providers can convert to vbi format for insertion in an analog channel stream OR which people like me can convert for that purpose with the DTVPal in TVGOS mode (which I have been TRYING to get working with my 3410a, and which I have demonstrated to work for my Sony - although THAT unit doesn't need it - EXCEPT perhaps if/when I lose my time and channel lineup in some kind of reset).

So anyway, I think the TVGOS data now on cable channel 9 is actually converted from Microvision's legacy data stream...(I can only guarantee that version 7 data is there, but I suspect v8 would be included, too, since my Sony sees that when I hook up the DTVPal to it and I get listings with the Pal channel 3 output as host channel...)

Cheers - Tony :)

When I checked 753 today I noticed something new for me... :)

My Host Channel now has 0:11-0 instead of blank. CBS is Ch11.

ATSC Slicer has values under HostChannel. But I cannot get 11-1 to update
in realtime under the Host column - realtime updates fall under the Current column.

Also, without my intervention, some 'OFF' channels were turned 'ON' in the grid.
No new channels were added in the Lineup / Channel Editor.

I checked the other DVR in the house and it still shows Host Channel blank.
It has the same antenna source so this may just be a fluke.

This is good news for HoustonPerson. I predict that (if he leaves his unit alone) he will acquire a Grid within the next few days. Then he will get Listings and he can truly claim to be "100% Operational". :)

Must be a regional outage... No listing updates here in Las Vegas for the last 2 days either. Have had no problems at all for the last few months.

Clearly I posted too soon. Today I note my HDD 250 has "no listings". I have done nothing to it. It was working up until now, and survived transition with only a rescan.

Attention CBS TV NYC- Fix it ! Unit is a HDD 250 hooked up to a roof antenna with no reception issues. I have from 99% to 75% on all channels, and my 2.1 CBS picture is rock solid.

[...]
So anyway, I think the TVGOS data now on cable channel 9 is actually converted from Microvision's legacy data stream...(I can only guarantee that version 7 data is there, but I suspect v8 would be included, too, since my Sony sees that when I hook up the DTVPal to it and I get listings with the Pal channel 3 output as host channel...)

Cheers - Tony :)

I'm sure you are right. I believe the SCTE-127 legacy data is the only analog source for TVGOS data over cable. I'm confused why a couple of people reported that cable channel 9 wasn't broadcasting TVGOS data any more, and yet your LG locked onto it pretty quick. I'm not sure what to think about your DTVPal problem. It should be converting the same data that the cable system is.

Mark

I'm sure you are right. I believe the SCTE-127 legacy data is the only analog source for TVGOS data over cable. I'm confused why a couple of people reported that cable channel 9 wasn't broadcasting TVGOS data any more, and yet your LG locked onto it pretty quick. I'm not sure what to think about your DTVPal problem. It should be converting the same data that the cable system is.

Mark
some of us on the 3410a thread think SOMETHING is wrong with the legacy stream being broadcast in our areas...this could be either a defect in the legacy data being received by the broadcasters from Microvision OR a defect in the conversion/insertion system at the broadcasters...in either case, it would be a defect that is for some reason affecting v7 components of the stream...

(My 3410a suffered most of last year from such a defect in the data broadcast by PBS analog (9), which was resolved whenever my unit switched to data broadcast by CBS analog 5...I was surprised that CBS began broadcasting analog TVGOS data (as far as I could tell, around Thanksgiving), but whenever my unit had 5 as the host channel my units performance in terms of getting program listings was rock solid.)

Wow now I have no listings for my other 500 after tomorrow. Still no listings on the one. I did a soft reset on it, I'll let it sit overnight. Something must be going on with MV if others are having the same issues.

This is good news for HoustonPerson. I predict that (if he leaves his unit alone) he will acquire a Grid within the next few days. Then he will get Listings and he can truly claim to be "100% Operational". :)


Leave it alone.........oh the pain and agony of it all LOL Well I did get a very “odd” response yesterday with the fake zip code of “00010”. I am leaving for the River now. I might turn it “on” tonight when I get back Or just wait till Monday morning? As of 5PM Saturday it was still a brick.

All is well now. Upgraded to the .21 firmware, and a few days later I got a lineup and grid. Everything's back to like the day I bought it. I'm in the Denver, CO area, so CBS is broadcasting (OTA) good digital TV guide info out here.


Is their a link that describes the firmware upgrade steps?

You can download the update and read the instructions here (http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=DHGHDD250&upd_id=4542&os_id=25).

Note that some people (like me) still have trouble getting a channel lineup from a digital signal without assistance even after the update. I have to use a Dish DTVPal+ converter box to get the lineup, as I described a few posts ago.

Leave it alone.........oh the pain and agony of it all LOL Well I did get a very “odd” response yesterday with the fake zip code of “00010”. I am leaving for the River now. I might turn it “on” tonight when I get back Or just wait till Monday morning? As of 5PM Saturday it was still a brick.

You can turn it on for a few minutes at a time. To check for the Grid or to look at the 753 screens. But don't do anything to try to prod it along. All it needs is some time. The fact that KWG saw a HostChan displayed and counts in his "Host channel" column on his unit is good news for you, HP.

Hi. I'm a proud owner of a HDD-250, and a silent watcher of this thread for months. I'd like to thank everyone for all the great, perhaps overwhelming, information you've given me, and report some good news...

I'm strictly OTA in Austin, TX, and would have been in the dumpster when our local pbs station went silent in early April. When I saw the dreaded shrinking listings, I tried the G* and search host tricks, and immediately started getting full digital listing from our local cbs. I also noticed, perhaps coincidentally, that doing *anything* else while recording was impossible, but I lived with that inconvenience for months for fear of losing my listings.

This week, I took the plunge, and performed the spiffspace resets (after checking that I was getting lineup packets, etc.). On Friday afternoon, I noted that the host channel was filled in, and took the plunge. I'd previously updated to the new firmware, btw. The clock after the resets was wrong, but by Friday evening it had corrected itself, the host channel was blank, and the listing screens were all "no data."

On Saturday morning, the host channel was filled in again, and I had full listings. So I can report an OTA digital-only tvgos complete reset with a return to full listings in under 24 hours. Not too shabby. I guess the Austin data streams have been kinder to us than some elsewhere.

After the reset, the Sony is 100% operational. I can do everything I want to while a scheduled recording is in progress now. My few recordings were preserved over the operation, but all kinds of personalized option settings like the duration of the advance and replay buttons, locked channel in the grid, etc., were all back to factory default and had to be set again. Of course, my grid had to be reordered, but the software was smart enough this time to leave out all the "off" stations, so this only took a couple of minutes. The machine was very much like "right out of the box," I'd say. So thank you all again. I hope others can be as lucky with their boxes as I've been. So far...

Finally got my listings back on both of my 500's.

Thanks again to everyone for their help.

Is the following statement true?

ALSO:
Is my box the only one where “Station Pkt” and “TimezonePkts” increment together – currently they both show “90”?

Since upgrading my 500's firmware on 6/20 and doing a reset I have the following:-

StationPkt 678
ZipCodePkts 12,877
TimeZonePkts 10

I have been monitoring the TZPkts and they only come sporadically, 2 to 3 per week during Thursday, Friday and/or Saturday. Not very good if you did a guide reset and are waiting on the TZPkt to set your clock and start the listings d/l. In fact, I believe there were ZERO TZPkts this weekend.

Possumgirl, do you have similar stats? My 250 that has the old firmware got 7 TZPkts over the past weeks compared to the 10 my upgraded 500 received.

Greg.

Finally got my listings back on both of my 500's.

Thanks again to everyone for their help.

For future reference, was it the soft reset rather than the zip code reset that did the trick? I suggested the soft reset, and AtlantisMichael suggested the "00000" zip code reset. The zip code reset seems to be the Macrovision recommendation for listings that have stopped, so I was a little surprised when that didn't work. I'm glad everything is working again.

Mark

For future reference, was it the soft reset rather than the zip code reset that did the trick? I suggested the soft reset, and AtlantisMichael suggested the "00000" zip code reset. The zip code reset seems to be the Macrovision recommendation for listings that have stopped, so I was a little surprised when that didn't work. I'm glad everything is working again.

Mark
Not sure. I did the zip code reset Friday night and let it sit overnight, nothing. Then I did the soft reset (and the G* test to get the clock back) last night and let it sit overnight again, and this morning I had listings. Not sure which one it was, or if it was a combination of both.

Thanks

Not sure. I did the zip code reset Friday night and let it sit overnight, nothing. Then I did the soft reset (and the G* test to get the clock back) last night and let it sit overnight again, and this morning I had listings. Not sure which one it was, or if it was a combination of both.

Thanks

You didn't mention what you did on the second 500, to get it back.

Mark

Picture update for videobruce.

I did another reset this morning to see if maybe that would cause my missing timezone packets to come back, but it didn't (maybe by tomorrow night).

Pic 1 shows the System Statistics screen with virtually no changes from yesterday.

Pic 2 shows the VBI Stats screen with all of the packets coming in except the TimezonePkts.

Pic 3 shows the VBI Info screen. The HostSUFlags (0xdf8) indicates to me that I have everything I need for a grid except the TimezonePkt (the 'd' will become 'f' and then my host channel will be set, and the grid will become visible). Apparently the OTA Lineup field will not be filled in until then. I speculated yesterday that maybe this value filled in earlier, and since videobruce's DVR didn't have that value set, that was what was holding things up. That value apparently won't set until he gets a host channel. It is other information (represented by 3 bits in his HostSUFlags) that is still missing.

Mark

Since upgrading my 500's firmware on 6/20 and doing a reset I have the following:-

StationPkt 678
ZipCodePkts 12,877
TimeZonePkts 10

I have been monitoring the TZPkts and they only come sporadically, 2 to 3 per week during Thursday, Friday and/or Saturday. Not very good if you did a guide reset and are waiting on the TZPkt to set your clock and start the listings d/l. In fact, I believe there were ZERO TZPkts this weekend.

Possumgirl, do you have similar stats? My 250 that has the old firmware got 7 TZPkts over the past weeks compared to the 10 my upgraded 500 received.

Greg.

Quite similar. The evening of 6/13 my 500 did a reset after locking up and that zeroed out all of the packet counts, so it's easy to see exactly what it's received since then.
StationPkts 1108
ZipCodePkts 21,673
TimeZonePkts 15 (that's IT for an entire month!)

My 250 seems to get TZ packets at the same time as the 500. They are also both on the same schedule of keeping the host channel for 3 days and then blanking it out again. I can actually predict when the host will disappear now. :D:D

Apparently the OTA Lineup field will not be filled in until then. I speculated yesterday that maybe this value filled in earlier, and since videobruce's DVR didn't have that value set, that was what was holding things up. That value apparently won't set until he gets a host channel. It is other information (represented by 3 bits in his HostSUFlags) that is still missing.

Mark

Mark, during my testing some months ago I noted that the OTA Lineup field never filled in until after the channel lineup got built (analog host). I'm fairly sure that value gets stored somewhere when the guide matches zip code and gets a timezone packet. I say that because one time I was trying to force the grid to go away without losing correct time or FW patches. I finally told setup that I had cable (that got rid of the grid) and I immediately looked at the 753 screen. There was a value in the CR Lineup field so that came from some secret hidey-hole.

You didn't mention what you did on the second 500, to get it back.

Mark
Sorry. I didn't do anything to the 2nd one. I guess it came back on its own.

Sorry. I didn't do anything to the 2nd one. I guess it came back on its own.

Doh! Then maybe neither procedure worked on the other one, and it just started working again. I doubt it though, since it died before the other one.

Mark

My 250 seems to get TZ packets at the same time as the 500. They are also both on the same schedule of keeping the host channel for 3 days and then blanking it out again. I can actually predict when the host will disappear now. :D:D

So how long does it take to go from blank host channel to host channel set? I believe that is the time that would be required to recover from a TVGOS reset. Something that would also effect the recovery time is whether it had to re-acquire the 2 patches, or not. So if the 2 patches are lost, it may take a little longer to recover.

Mark

Mark, during my testing some months ago I noted that the OTA Lineup field never filled in until after the channel lineup got built (analog host). I'm fairly sure that value gets stored somewhere when the guide matches zip code and gets a timezone packet. I say that because one time I was trying to force the grid to go away without losing correct time or FW patches. I finally told setup that I had cable (that got rid of the grid) and I immediately looked at the 753 screen. There was a value in the CR Lineup field so that came from some secret hidey-hole.

I've also played disappearing grid, by selecting cable only, and then switching back to OTA only. I noticed even though the grid was "gone", my show titles/times were correct in the pop-up info box. I found I could get the grid back by unplugging the DVR, and then plugging it back in. When the DVR came back up, the grid was back. I think this may have been what AtlantisMichael saw the other day after his crash. I think the grid may have survived the crash, but it was hidden, until he did the zip code reset.

Mark

So how long does it take to go from blank host channel to host channel set? I believe that is the time that would be required to recover from a TVGOS reset. Something that would also effect the recovery time is whether it had to re-acquire the 2 patches, or not. So if the 2 patches are lost, it may take a little longer to recover.

Mark

Looks like 1-1/2 to 2 days. They both blanked the host last Monday and set it again during the day Wed. so I knew they'd blank it again yesterday afternoon. If the pattern continues, the host should be set again sometime tomorrow. BTW, each time the host sets, my 500 adds a few counts to the Host column on the ATSC slicer page, then it doesn't update that column ever again until the next host set.

Looks like 1-1/2 to 2 days. They both blanked the host last Monday and set it again during the day Wed. so I knew they'd blank it again yesterday afternoon. If the pattern continues, the host should be set again sometime tomorrow. BTW, each time the host sets, my 500 adds a few counts to the Host column on the ATSC slicer page, then it doesn't update that column ever again until the next host set.

For the record, this is what my unit does, except the pattern is not as predictable. The host comes and goes, and the ATSC page acts the same as yours. Listings are full.

I'm happy to report that my HDD-500 has finally got it's grid back. I had done a TV Guide reset on 6/23, mistakenly thinking that it would fix my guide which was only had partial listings. That turned out to be a big mistake, since all it did was lose all listings and the grid.

Since that time, I had tried all kinds of options - soft reset, numerous ZIP code resets, the force host trick, running the channel search for cable, even though it was hooked up to an antenna, taking advantage of tropospheric ducting to try and get data from two other markets, swearing at it (OK, that probably wasn't going to work, but I couldn't help it).

The only thing that I did differently was leaving it completely off for over 48 hours. Is that what did it? There's no way to know, it could have easily been coincidence.

But, there was some speculation that doing the old TV Guide test and/or force host channel steps might prevent the Sony's from finding a digital host. I did both of these steps, and the Sony still found the host (58.1 in Milwaukee) . . . eventually.

Scott

Doh! Then maybe neither procedure worked on the other one, and it just started working again. I doubt it though, since it died before the other one.

Mark
Actually I don't think the other lost listings, I think I may have gone too far over in the guide. :o

. I think the grid may have survived the crash, but it was hidden, until he did the zip code reset.

Mark

Twice I have had a "no data" blank screen since the first of the year, and the Grid came back instantly. Once was turning the "transition" phase when "zero packets" were received for the 2.5 days. When the packets came back in, And I did a "00000" reset (3rd one for 10 min), the Grid just "popped" back "on". It was complete, in order, and set ready to go.

I forget the other time it did that, January outage or the March outage? It may have been a soft reset that made it come back?

Even with the .21 software the information screens are not complete or accurate. There is also information stored elsewhere (disk, memory, etc) that can be used to control, run, update, the box. It seems the box has to have some sort of kick in the pants to get the "HostSUFlags" high enough to make the box create a Grid if there is truely "not" one hiden in the box.

I did see one of my "Soft Resets" kick the HostSUFlags up one notch (to about 0xe6800000?) after they had been stuck in position for about 3 days (all the while TimezonePkts and everything else zooming "in". Perhaps I should have left it alone at that point (another 48 hours).........to see if HostSUFlags would have gotten high enough to make a Grid.

For the last three weeks I have only seen HostSUFlages from all "zeros" up to the 0xe68 with the soft reset, and only to 0xe58 with "00000"

I think before the box had to have either 0x78 or 0x80 in HostSUFlags in order to be working? Sometimews it would flip back down low for while, but come right back in an hour or two, often a couple of times a day? But usually stayed on the higher numbers most of the time.

When looking at the digital download schedule..........the whole range of downloads say they take place from 12:51AM to ending time of 5:26PM. In other words nothing is downloading from 5:26PM to 12:51AM? And yet my box show data coming in during primetime and I have seen program "listings" actually change during this time. "Exit" the "listings" screen and come back 5 min later and program titles and descriptions have been changed - we (wife and I) both have seen that 2 or 3 times! - typically this has been around 8PM. So this means it was actually doing some sort of download of data OR it was already in the box and just not posted yet to the "listings" screen?

..................... It seems the box has to have some sort of kick in the pants to get the "HostSUFlags" high enough to make the box create a Grid if there is truely "not" one hidden in the box ...................


Not true. Three times I have taken units from a "TV Guide Reset to Factory Defaults" to a Channel Lineup (Grid) with Listings in a purely digital environment. No "kick in the pants' was required. The only thing that is required is to have a TVGOS host channel that broadcasts complete and uncorrupted data, and to leave the unit alone so that it can "do it's thing" with that data. :)

July 13, 2009 Monday

8:00AM
Turned “on” to check status: Still No Grid. Since last night’s zip code change routine; the box has gotten up to HostSUFlags of 0xe6800000 – the highest it has gotten on its own in two weeks.. VBI state remains 0x05. StationPkts is 167 and TimezonePkts is 166 (the first time they have been different in over 2 weeks). LineUpPkts is 645. The DescPkts was zooming between 100-200 per second (no change there, many items can be zooming on that page). There will be a code 81 DL completed at 10AM and the next 27 DL completed at 5:30PM. I will check the box again after 5:30PM. A 48 hour series of 81/27 DL’s would be completed after 5:30PM on Tuesday.

HP............ Of course there's still no Grid. As long as you keep mucking with it there will be no Grid.

HoustonPerson:

I live in New Orleans and work with WS65711.

I received my first unit a day or two after the transition. I updated the firmware and did a complete system reset. I quickly got frustrated when days went by with no grid. WS65711 assured me to be patient, don't fool with it, and the grid will appear. He showed me how to get to the 753 menu to check for Lineup Packet updates. I think it took me 6 or 7 days of just waiting to get a grid. It seemed like a month.

If Houston stations are putting out the information (which seems to be the case), don't make any changes and you should have a grid soon. If you change the zip or make changes the unit will probably have to start getting the host information all over again. Good luck!

The Host Chan settings on my two Sonys decided to dance around last night. A couple of days ago I used a DTVPal+ to get channel lineups on both of them, after which one of them spontaneously latched onto a host channel.

Yesterday:
Sony #1 - blank
Sony #2 - 0:9-0 (RF channel for 29.1 in Greenville SC)

After the last analog "nightlight" channels went dark at midnight I did a fresh antenna channel scan on both units to flush out the analog channels.

Today:
Sony #1 - 0:18-0 (RF for 38.1 in Greenwood SC)
Sony #2 - 0:43-0 (RF for 49.1 in Spartanburg SC)

All three stations come in strongly here, with the relative strength depending on which direction my antenna is pointing. And they're all in the same DMA so they use the same channel lineup. So at least my customized channel lineup isn't getting messed up.

HP............ Of course there's still no Grid. As long as you keep mucking with it there will be no Grid.


Well that is why I gave myself at least 48 hours not to change it.........after all this is the highest HostSUFlag number I have seen in a long time.

WS65711...............what is your HostSUFlag now?

For those that have recovered from a Reset Factory Default (without dtvpal help or cable).........what did you HostSUFlag get to before it worked?

at 10AM the unit completed is next 81DL HostSUFlag is now 0xf7800000, the highest it has been - in forever. My thinking is when it gets to 8000000 there will be a Grid?

There will not be another setup DL until after 27 is complete after 5:30PM...........otherwise it is wait another 24 hours after that, to complete the next full cycle. It may need the next 24 hours to get its ducks in a row.

Okay, so I live in Albuquerque, NM.

A nice guy named Rob helped me perform the following to reset my TVGOS.
1. Tune to channel 5.1. (If you can't get this channel, you need to rescan channels.)

2. Press the following buttons on your remote:

"Menu" (near center of remote),
"Screen Mode" (top left of remote),
"9","0","1","2"

3. After you finish typing the last digit, your menu will change. Select "TV Guide" at the bottom of the menu.

4. On the next menu select "G* Factory Test" at the bottom of the menu.

5. The G*Test will start. You may see VBI packets counting up. To exit the test, press the "Exit" button (near center of remote).


The G*Test worked and the guide starting building for about 2 days. Then the clock got messed up.

My understanding is the clock data comes from the download.

Does anyone know how to fix this?

Larry

at 10AM the unit completed is next 81DL HostSUFlag is now 0xf7800000, the highest it has been - in forever. My thinking is when it gets to 8000000 there will be a Grid?

There will not be another setup DL until after 27 is complete after 5:30PM...........otherwise it is wait another 24 hours after that, to complete the next full cycle. It may need the next 24 hours to get its ducks in a row.

Your value already passed 0x80000000. That is the value right after a reset, and the 753 menu clock sets. The value you are looking for is 0xff800000, which is the value that is indicated whenever your host channel is set. You are only 1 bit away from that. Here is how mine has progressed so far (I have left off the lower 5 zeroes since those never change):

0x800 ; 753 Menu Clock set (1 bit)
0xc00 ; Host ID set (1 bit)
0xc68 ; Unknown (3 bits)
0xce8 ; Unknown (1 bit) (channel lineup?)
0xde8 ; Unknown (1 bit)
0xdf8 ; Unknown (1 bit)

There is only one piece missing now, and that is the timezone packet. I expect to get that later tonight. Notice that there are many bits whose purpose is unknown. I believe that there may not be an equivalent 753 menu field that represents those bits (but I hope I'm wrong). If you pay attention when you do your "kick in the pants" procedure, you will see that the HostSUFlags is cleared to 0x00000000 (the number does not just haphazardly change, or get bigger by doing this), and all the pieces of information have to be re-acquired. For example if you only get one timezone packet a week, and you got one today, and then you do the "kick in the pants" it will be another week before you get another one. If you just keep "kicking it in the pants", then you will never get there.

Mark

Your value already passed 0x80000000. That is the value right after a reset, and the 753 menu clock sets. The value you are looking for is 0xff800000, which is the value that is indicated whenever your host channel is set. You are only 1 bit away from that. Here is how mine has progressed so far (I have left off the lower 5 zeroes since those never change):

0x800 ; 753 Menu Clock set (1 bit)
0xc00 ; Host ID set (1 bit)
0xc68 ; Unknown (3 bits)
0xce8 ; Unknown (1 bit) (channel lineup?)
0xde8 ; Unknown (1 bit)
0xdf8 ; Unknown (1 bit)

There is only one piece missing now, and that is the timezone packet. I expect to get that later tonight. Notice that there are many bits whose purpose is unknown. I believe that there may not be an equivalent 753 menu field that represents those bits (but I hope I'm wrong). If you pay attention when you do your "kick in the pants" procedure, you will see that the HostSUFlags is cleared to 0x00000000 (the number does not just haphazardly change, or get bigger by doing this), and all the pieces of information have to be re-acquired. For example if you only get one timezone packet a week, and you got one today, and then you do the "kick in the pants" it will be another week before you get another one. If you just keep "kicking it in the pants", then you will never get there.

Mark

Your right I went and looked at some of the older pictures. My unit gets clock, and ads, and data zooming in soooooooooooo fast on day "1"........but still No Grid after days.

I guess it is the 0xff8 or something like that?

I think it is getting close, so I leave it alone - I have been looking for the hammer in the garage; but wife must had hide it from me.

....... I think it is getting close, so I leave it alone - I have been looking for the hammer in the garage; but wife must had hide it from me.

You're lucky your wife doesn't "kick YOU in the pants" . . . :D :D :D

I use the DHG-HDD250 in the Minneapolis region for OTA reception.

First of all, I went to the Sony site and downloaded the new firmware at the end of last month. Though I used a flashdrive from the 'approved' list and followed their instructions - nothing happened.
I contacted Sony and they sent a Sony flashdrive with the firmware - it worked fine and my unit was running fine.

Last week as I was flipping among DVR menus, my machine locked up.
After rebooting, I no longer had a grid or listings and the clock was off.

I rebooted again, waited a couple days and still nothing.

Next I set my TV guide zip to 00000, turned the set off for a minute, powered up and reset to the correct zip. Again I waited a couple days and still nothing.

Next I called Sony. They had me unplug the unit for 1 minute and power back up. That didn't help. They told me I should give them my credit card number so they could charge me $150 - prepayment before shipping to PA for repair. I said I'd wait.

Next I reset TV guide to factory default:
To access the 9012 menu press the following buttons: Menu, SCREEN MODE, 9,0,1,2 (as posted previously on AVS) ; scroll down to "TV GUIDE"; arrow right; arrow right again (from "Reset to factory default" - when you arrow right it will reset without any warning).

Finally, I reset TV guide to the correct zip code. Turned the unit off and in less than 24 hours, all was good again.

I am perfectly willing to believe that none of what I did actually helped and that the problem was with the signal from the OTA digital host.

Hey Doc1rock, I had the SAME experience as you here in Minneapolis. My HDD500 locked up last week and when it rebooted, the grid was gone. After this happened, the date and time displays were wrong. Even the dates of recorded programs went screwy. After rebooting, the clock would come up as --:-- and then show up after a few minutes with the wrong value (kind of varied; for a while, it was showing GMT-4 hours, other times, it was not an exact multiple of hours).

I tried the TVGOS factory reset, 00000 ZIP code trick and Gemstar test several times (never saw VBI packets count up; haven't since upgrading to 1.21). Finally, the grid started rebuilding around mid-day on Saturday. I had a full week of listings back by Sunday morning. The channel lineup for the ZIP code I'm using (55121) seems to have changed yet again. It is in semi-sorted order now but has a bunch of blank slots at the end of the list (numbered empty grey boxes).

I DID email WCCO on Friday (?) and asked them to reset the Gemstar/TVGOS equipment. I did not hear back from them, so it's unclear what of all the above fixed things.

One other thing I noticed with 1.21 is that it doesn't seem to be possible to tune DTV stations by physical channel number anymore. Anyone else seeing that?

Hi Alan58,

Thanks for the update. If you haven't already emailed the chief engineer @ CBS his email is: rmottaz@kbcitv.com. Take care.

Looks like 1-1/2 to 2 days. They both blanked the host last Monday and set it again during the day Wed. so I knew they'd blank it again yesterday afternoon. If the pattern continues, the host should be set again sometime tomorrow.

:) As I predicted yesterday, both of my units set the host again today. Each unit got one timezone packet too. If the LastASetEnd field is an indicator of when the host sets, then both set during an ID97 download although one was late morning and the other this afternoon. Dunno..:confused:

Once again, the 500 added some entries in the ATSC Slicer Host column. I see from reading PhillyC's post that my unit is not unique in doing this. Like his unit, mine gets listings and seems to be fine with its odd behavior.

hi, everything works but I can't find a logo or channel display for the channels Chiller, SITV, Fox Reality and MLB Network on a Time Warner digital cable card, what gives? I already looked under channel edit and scrolled all the way down.

Picture update for videobruce.

Last update. Host channel is now set.

Pic 1 shows Host channel set, and OTA Lineup field filled in.

Pic 2 shows VBI Stats screen showing the 2 TimezonePkts (I always get timezone packets in pairs, I believe because Kansas is actually in 2 timezones, Central Time, and the far northwest corner of the state is in Mountain time.)

Pic 3 is the VBI Info screen. The HostSUFlags is now 0xff8. The LastASetEnd is 12:15 GMT which is 7:15am here (I do believe this is the time the host channel set). I checked the DVR at 7:00am when I was leaving for work, and my clock was still wrong. So the TimezonePkt showed up between 7:00 and 7:15 and then the host channel set. Just like Possumgirl's, it also happened during an ID97 download. The first recorded download was the ID70 download at 7:56am, which followed the ID97 download.

More pictures...

Here are the rest of the pictures that I took after the host channel was set.

Pic 1 is the Clocks2 screen showing my clock channel

Pic 2 is the ATSC Slicer screen showing HostChan packet counts. I'll try to keep track of whether these stop counting.

Pic 3 is the VBIDL Screen showing the first recorded ID70 download at 12:56 GMT (7:56am central time).

BTW my grid is filled with 8 days of listings.

Mark

My unit runs great, except if I turn to cable 22, then it reboots. It will record on this channel with the unit off, but if I try and play it, it will reboot. Its my sports channel, Any ideas?

My unit runs great, except if I turn to cable 22, then it reboots. It will record on this channel with the unit off, but if I try and play it, it will reboot. Its my sports channel, Any ideas?Call the station's engineering department and ask if they could reboot their PSIP generator. Is this a national station (like ESPN) or a locally produced sports station? If locally produced, you need to find out how to contact the originator of the digital stream. We had a station here in Philly that, a couple of years back, would lock up the Sony tight as a drum within seconds of being tuned - problem lasted less than a week before they fixed it.

My question seems so specific, I can't really find an answer searching. Hope I didn't overlook it.

Basically, does anyone know if I have an hd stb provided by my cable company in one room, are the channels in my package able to be picked up by the qam tuner in the sony DVR in another, or do I still need a cable card?

Basically, does anyone know if I have an hd stb provided by my cable company in one room, are the channels in my package able to be picked up by the qam tuner in the sony DVR in another, or do I still need a cable card?You always need a CableCard if you want to receive encrypted channels like TNTHD, USAHD, SyFyHD, ESPNHD, CNNHD, HBOHD, etc.

A CableCard is not necessary if you only want to receive HD locals.

Ok, that's what I was starting to figure. It makes more sense to decrypt at the box. Thanks a lot for the speedy reply. Looks like there's a card in my future.

mabuttra; can I assume physical OTA channel 12.1 is your host channel? You do have listings??

mabuttra; can I assume physical OTA channel 12.1 is your host channel? You do have listings??

Yes, 0:12-1 (on physical RF Channel 12) is my host channel. I also have a full 8 days of listings.

My host channel has always reported the physical RF channel instead of the virtual channel number. However, my clock channel switches back, and forth between the physical RF channel, and the virtual channel number.

Mark

More pictures...

Here are the rest of the pictures that I took after the host channel was set.

Pic 1 is the Clocks2 screen showing my clock channel

Pic 2 is the ATSC Slicer screen showing HostChan packet counts. I'll try to keep track of whether these stop counting.

Pic 3 is the VBIDL Screen showing the first recorded ID70 download at 12:56 GMT (7:56am central time).

BTW my grid is filled with 8 days of listings.

Mark

Wow the two groups of pictures you posted is so different than mysonybox. My screens were almost identical to videobruce last week.

so far my box has "rejected" schedules and program listings in the millions because there is still No Grid.

There have been times HostSUFlags has not changed in 3-4 days.

Yesterday, after the 10AM 81 DL completed it went to the 0xf78..............I have no idea if that was because of the "00000" the evening before or not. It seems as though it will "only" bump up after the 10AM 81 DL?

I will let it run till the 5:30PM.........then decide what to do............Honestly; best I can tell it does nothing without the Kick in the pants?

I know many feel each of the same DL IDs are the same; that is all the 81's are the same. I am beginning to think they go through a series of clicks and changes with the "most important" 81 DL complete at 10AM each day. When my HostSUFlags changes that is the time it appears to change? So far to the best of my knowledge my HostSUFlags has "never" changed on any other 81/27 DL time? Except on the first immediate "Restore Factory Defaults"...........it gets to 0xf58 within about 5-6 hours, clock is set, all ads are in, and data is zooming in, all without Grid...........and the HostSUFlag will stay there and not move for 4-5 days.


If HostSUFlags could get to the correct point, I actualy think the Grid would just pop "on"

I would think HostSUFlags should change on its own at least every 24 hours and get closer to its goal?

I will let it run till the 5:30PM.........then decide what to do............Honestly; best I can tell it does nothing without the Kick in the pants?


As usual..... Every time it barely starts to get up, you kick it back down again... :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:


I would think HostSUFlags should change on its own at least every 24 hours and get closer to its goal?


It can't get any closer to the goal when you keep kicking the sheet out of it!!! :eek::eek::eek:

When I checked 753 today I noticed something new for me... :)

My Host Channel now has 0:11-0 instead of blank. CBS is Ch11.

ATSC Slicer has values under HostChannel. But I cannot get 11-1 to update
in realtime under the Host column - realtime updates fall under the Current column.

Also, without my intervention, some 'OFF' channels were turned 'ON' in the grid.
No new channels were added in the Lineup / Channel Editor.

I checked the other DVR in the house and it still shows Host Channel blank.
It has the same antenna source so this may just be a fluke.

KWG -

Are your Host channel column values still incrementing? (I would just like to confirm that the TVGOS data in Houston is still working properly, and the HP's continuing problems are entirely of his own making).

My question seems so specific, I can't really find an answer searching. Hope I didn't overlook it.

Basically, does anyone know if I have an hd stb provided by my cable company in one room, are the channels in my package able to be picked up by the qam tuner in the sony DVR in another, or do I still need a cable card?

Before calling your cable supplier, you might want to scan the channels to see how they look without a cable card. My digital cable SD channels are pretty good and most basic cable shows are still not produced in HD. And you might not want to tell your cable supplier you have a dual tuner DVR if possible. They will want you to rent that STB since you need it to buy the PPV shows. As stated earlier, you need the CC to get TNTHD, etc. in HD and have them show in your channel lineup. Good luck with the cable card, and please let me know how things turn out.

At long last I finally got a reply to my email to WCBS-TV.

Here it is:

Larry
The TV Guide encoder went belly up.
TV Guide is here trying to repair the issue.
We thank you for your patience.
Jeffrey Birch

That takes a big load off my mind and should for you guys in this area who have been
having VBI packet problems,

Larry

WS65711

> Are your Host channel column values still incrementing?

They have been but I haven't tracked the data.

When I checked 753 this morning the HostChan is blank.

DVR1:
LastASetEnd 7/11/09 8:01:35
HostSUFlags 0x800 (14:27), 0xC00 (15:19)

DVR2:
HostChan blank (never saw one, host slicer column zeroes)
LastASetEnd N/A
HostSUFlags 0xF58 (14:35)

(OTA only)
Status update:
So before 7/9, I had no guide, no listings. I had scanned sometime before that, and it found lots of channels, so I could tune to the channels, but no info about any shows.
On 7/9, I tried a G* test, I installed the new firmware, then checked the 753... menu, and sat back and (impatiently) waited (I think I tried a G* test after the firmware install also). I started getting ads right away, but after at least 4 days of nothing, when I checked last night (7/13), the grid was back, the channels were listed, and most of the daily listings for all 8 days were filled in. There are some curious blank spots in the grid for CBS (it says "no listing" here are there for half hour or hour-long blocks), and all of KTLA/WB (ch5/1 in Los Angeles) says "no listing".
Last night I turned off all the stations I would never watch (shopping channels, foreign language stations), and re-ordered the remaining ones. Hopefully, the channel 5 will fill in at some point, or is there something I can do to help it along?

(OTA only)
Status update:
...................... but after at least 4 days of nothing, when I checked last night (7/13), the grid was back, the channels were listed, and most of the daily listings for all 8 days were filled in.


Did you see that, HP ??? ;)



There are some curious blank spots in the grid for CBS (it says "no listing" here are there for half hour or hour-long blocks), and all of KTLA/WB (ch5/1 in Los Angeles) says "no listing".
Last night I turned off all the stations I would never watch (shopping channels, foreign language stations), and re-ordered the remaining ones. Hopefully, the channel 5 will fill in at some point, or is there something I can do to help it along?

Maybe PossumGirl could let us know if she is getting listings for this channel?

As WS65711 has been saying, patience is a virtue. I was getting worrried that I was doing nothing and going to get nothing. During my 4-days of waiting, I looked at the 753 menu several times, and the ATSC slicer menu had zeroes in the host channel column the entire time (the first column was incrementing, though). I haven't gone back in yet to see if the host-channel column still has only zeroes - I'll do that tonight and let you all know. Maybe that column isn't important.

WS65711

> Are your Host channel column values still incrementing?

They have been but I haven't tracked the data.

When I checked 753 this morning the HostChan is blank.

DVR1:
LastASetEnd 7/11/09 8:01:35
HostSUFlags 0x800 (14:27), 0xC00 (15:19)

DVR2:
HostChan blank (never saw one, host slicer column zeroes)
LastASetEnd N/A
HostSUFlags 0xF58 (14:35)

KWG, have you gotten a Grid with "Reset Factory Defaults" and No Converter Box? If so how long did it take? and what was the final HostSUFlags?

(OTA only)
Status update:
So before 7/9, I had no guide, no listings. I had scanned sometime before that, and it found lots of channels, so I could tune to the channels, but no info about any shows.
On 7/9, I tried a G* test, I installed the new firmware, then checked the 753... menu, and sat back and (impatiently) waited (I think I tried a G* test after the firmware install also). I started getting ads right away, but after at least 4 days of nothing, when I checked last night (7/13), the grid was back, the channels were listed, and most of the daily listings for all 8 days were filled in. There are some curious blank spots in the grid for CBS (it says "no listing" here are there for half hour or hour-long blocks), and all of KTLA/WB (ch5/1 in Los Angeles) says "no listing".
Last night I turned off all the stations I would never watch (shopping channels, foreign language stations), and re-ordered the remaining ones. Hopefully, the channel 5 will fill in at some point, or is there something I can do to help it along?

Yay!! Sounds like the same data that allowed my host channel to set yesterday and receive timezone packets was what yours needed also.

Don't be too concerned about the missing listings here and there. I often find my day 8 to be missing listings for some channel(s) but they eventually fill in. Usually it's some of the PBS stations, but not always. Today I have KTLA but nothing for KCAL. Some days things will be missing on one unit but not on the other one.

Don't be too concerned about the missing listings here and there. I often find my day 8 to be missing listings for some channel(s) but they eventually fill in. Usually it's some of the PBS stations, but not always. Today I have KTLA but nothing for KCAL. Some days things will be missing on one unit but not on the other one.

Ok, I'll be patient some more. It's just seems weird that all listing for all days for KTLA 5.1 (WB) are missing. But at least most everything else is there now. Thanks.

what was the final HostSUFlagsWhat/where is this?

After a month of basically nothing, it's time to do something. Should I try another full reset (that hasen't worked in the last half a dozen trys or so), or is there someting else I could/should do?

Wow the two groups of pictures you posted is so different than mysonybox. My screens were almost identical to videobruce last week.


That is an interesting take. My take on this is that yours, videobruce's, and mine all act the same, but yours and videobruce's are stuck waiting on data that isn't there, and mine receives the data and moves on. I've followed both yours and videobruce's "progress", and it clearly shows that data is missing from the data stream.



so far my box has "rejected" schedules and program listings in the millions because there is still No Grid.


So does mine when I have no grid. 100% rejects.


There have been times HostSUFlags has not changed in 3-4 days.

Yesterday, after the 10AM 81 DL completed it went to the 0xf78..............I have no idea if that was because of the "00000" the evening before or not. It seems as though it will "only" bump up after the 10AM 81 DL?


I assure you it is not because of anything you did. This is the problem, you seem to think you have some kind of influence on what data it receives, and if you reset it enough times it will get the data. This just isn't how it works. The only way for it to get the data it needs, is to get the data it needs. No "kicking it in the pants" is going to make the data arrive any quicker, especially if the data isn't there to begin with.


I will let it run till the 5:30PM.........then decide what to do............Honestly; best I can tell it does nothing without the Kick in the pants?

I know many feel each of the same DL IDs are the same; that is all the 81's are the same. I am beginning to think they go through a series of clicks and changes with the "most important" 81 DL complete at 10AM each day. When my HostSUFlags changes that is the time it appears to change? So far to the best of my knowledge my HostSUFlags has "never" changed on any other 81/27 DL time? Except on the first immediate "Restore Factory Defaults"...........it gets to 0xf58 within about 5-6 hours, clock is set, all ads are in, and data is zooming in, all without Grid...........and the HostSUFlag will stay there and not move for 4-5 days.


First you say it does nothing without a "kick in the pants", then you say it goes from 0x000 to 0xf58 (I think you mean 0xe68, but I won't quibble about that) in 5 or 6 hours. Which is it, doing nothing, or changing over time?


If HostSUFlags could get to the correct point, I actualy think the Grid would just pop "on"


Correct, but the HostSUFlags value changes based on actual data the DHG has received, not because you "kicked it in the pants".


I would think HostSUFlags should change on its own at least every 24 hours and get closer to its goal?

Correct, ideally it should change on its own every few hours (if not minutes). In 24 hours the DVR should be back up and running, it takes much longer because the data is missing. Look at mine, I have been able to recover from a reset in < 17 hours. However, for some reason on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday there are no timezone packets sent out (this is two weeks in a row I have seen this happen) all other days of the week I receive at least one, if not two, timezone packet hits. If I had reset my DVR on Thursday morning I probably would have been up and running again by Friday evening. Instead it took about 60 hours. I admit to also being a little impatient with this, and actually "kicked it in the pants" twice during the weekend. I still didn't get a timezone packet before Monday though, just like the previous weekend.

Mark

What/where is this?

After a month of basically nothing, it's time to do something. Should I try another full reset (that hasen't worked in the last half a dozen trys or so), or is there someting else I could/should do?

The HostSUFlags field is on the right hand column of the VBI Info screen. It is kind of hard to make out on my crappy pictures, but its value ended up at 0xff800000. Doing any kind of reset (even the "00000" zip code reset) clears the value back to 0x00000000. It is my theory, that the top 9 bits (the number is in hex), indicate 9 events that have to occur before the host channel sets. As each event occurs a bit is set in this field. when the value becomes 0xff800000, the host channel will be set, and the grid will be displayed. Unfortunately, I have only been able to identify the purpose of 3 of the 9 bits, the rest are a mystery.

Mark

That is an interesting take. My take on this is that yours, videobruce's, and mine all act the same, but yours and videobruce's are stuck waiting on data that isn't there, and mine receives the data and moves on. I've followed both yours and videobruce's "progress", and it clearly shows that data is missing from the data stream.




So does mine when I have no grid. 100% rejects.



I assure you it is not because of anything you did. This is the problem, you seem to think you have some kind of influence on what data it receives, and if you reset it enough times it will get the data. This just isn't how it works. The only way for it to get the data it needs, is to get the data it needs. No "kicking it in the pants" is going to make the data arrive any quicker, especially if the data isn't there to begin with.



First you say it does nothing without a "kick in the pants", then you say it goes from 0x000 to 0xf58 (I think you mean 0xe68, but I won't quibble about that) in 5 or 6 hours. Which is it, doing nothing, or changing over time?



Correct, but the HostSUFlags value changes based on actual data the DHG has received, not because you "kicked it in the pants".



Correct, ideally it should change on its own every few hours (if not minutes). In 24 hours the DVR should be back up and running, it takes much longer because the data is missing. Look at mine, I have been able to recover from a reset in < 17 hours. However, for some reason on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday there are no timezone packets sent out (this is two weeks in a row I have seen this happen) all other days of the week I receive at least one, if not two, timezone packet hits. If I had reset my DVR on Thursday morning I probably would have been up and running again by Friday evening. Instead it took about 60 hours. I admit to also being a little impatient with this, and actually "kicked it in the pants" twice during the weekend. I still didn't get a timezone packet before Monday though, just like the previous weekend.

Mark

Thanks Mark for the reply.

Generally it can get to either 58 or 68 within one day (once in just 6-8 hours). Here are a couple of shots from July 4th. But then it always stops, I think the longest was 5 days then I started over again LOL

Because Kick in the Pants seemed to speed things along in St Louis, Dallas, and New Orleans I thought I woull try that here. Neither of the St. Louis boxes would even get a clock within 4 days; but with 2 kicks of "00000" at 15 min each they each got clocks, ads, and full grid with listings within 24 hours. So just under 6 days for both of them.

Finally, with 2 kick in the pants on this last go around I got it to the 0xf780000 where it has been since Monday (yesterday at 10AM). It is still the same at noon today.........but I see another 81DL will be in at 2PM so will check it then.

I can tell everything is in the box, becasue all the data screens are super fat with data.........just No Grid channel line up to put it in.

So far there has been nothing the same between Dallas, New Orleans, St. Louis, or Houston.........every market has been completely different. It is also like "each" box has been a little different too.

I think the kick in the pants should be at your host station. It looks to me that you are not getting the correct data that you need for the grid to build.
Michael

New Orleanian here... It took me 6 or 7 DAYS after I kicked it in the pants, but the grid finally came. If I kept kicking it in pants every 48 hours, I'd still be waiting for a grid.

I think the kick in the pants should be at your host station. It looks to me that you are not getting the correct data that you need for the grid to build.
Michael

Yes I think that is true too. Local CBS/TVGOS did some stuff different this weekend........some Houston peeps got the "Host Channel" then it went away; but if they had a Grid, they still have it, so no harm done.


Also have been reviewing my HostSuFlags since May 31st, it was analogue then at 0xbf8. On June 1st thru June 5th it went to digital and was 0xff8..........it has not been 0xff8 since June 5th.

I have notice while in digital mode (with the grid), it took the box from June 17th to June 24 to change HostSUFlags from 0xe68 to 0xf78 - 7 days to change.

So since the transition (with or without Grid) it no longer changes up to 3 times a day; it appears to take up to 7 days just to change? Unless TVGOS changes something again at the local station this weekend or whenever?

New Orleanian here... It took me 6 or 7 DAYS after I kicked it in the pants, but the grid finally came. If I kept kicking it in pants every 48 hours, I'd still be waiting for a grid.

And yes I agree with that.........that follows this 7 day rule I just noticed with my history of "digital" HostSUFlags.

That implies, MySonyBox should be about 5 more days away from getting 0xff8 ? And maybe that will make it Build a Grid?

I think the kick in the pants should be at your host station. It looks to me that you are not getting the correct data that you need for the grid to build.
Michael

I believe that the Houston area does now have the correct data being broadcast. Based on the fact that (forum user) KWG briefly had a HostChan displayed, and he continues to get updated values in the Host Channel column. I think that the updating values in the Host Channel column is the most reliable indicator that a Host Channel is actually set, since the display in the HostChan field seems to come and go. I think that it should be apparent by now that you can't get a Channel Lineup (Grid) without having a Host Channel. The fact that KWG has a host tells me that HoustonPerson can easily acquire a Grid if he can manage to leave his Sony alone for 3 to 6 days. Maybe he could go out of town for a week??? :D

I believe that the Houston area does now have the correct data being broadcast. Based on the fact that (forum user) KWG briefly had a HostChan displayed, and he continues to get updated values in the Host Channel column. I think that the updating values in the Host Channel column is the most reliable indicator that a Host Channel is actually set, since the display in the HostChan field seems to come and go. I think that it should be apparent by now that you can't get a Channel Lineup (Grid) without having a Host Channel. The fact that KWG has a host tells me that HoustonPerson can easily acquire a Grid if he can manage to leave his Sony alone for 3 to 6 days. Maybe he could go out of town for a week??? :D

Call me a pessimist, but I'm not convinced that Houston's data is working now. I do think a packet of information got through that gave kwg a host channel, but until both of his units get a host channel, and HoustonPerson gets his grid back, I won't be convinced.

Mark

At long last I finally got a reply to my email to WCBS-TV.

Here it is:

Larry
The TV Guide encoder went belly up.
TV Guide is here trying to repair the issue.
We thank you for your patience.
Jeffrey Birch

That takes a big load off my mind and should for you guys in this area who have been
having VBI packet problems,

Larry

I also got a reply from Jeffrey Birch:

The TV guide encoder went belly up.
TV guide is sending a new unit in.
We hope to get this resloved ASAP.
Thanks for your patience.

I checked my 753 menu and I see Next DL 7/15/09 2:30 UTC.
Looks like data is being sent again:)

:) As I predicted yesterday, both of my units set the host again today. Each unit got one timezone packet too. If the LastASetEnd field is an indicator of when the host sets, then both set during an ID97 download although one was late morning and the other this afternoon. Dunno..:confused:

Once again, the 500 added some entries in the ATSC Slicer Host column. I see from reading PhillyC's post that my unit is not unique in doing this. Like his unit, mine gets listings and seems to be fine with its odd behavior.

I've had no host for 4 days now, but I have 100% full listings. And I got 7 (yes, SEVEN) TZ packets since yesterday. It's usually 2-3 per week.

The .21 unit rebooted this morning while I was chekcing out the news and surfing. Not sure why or what caused this. It lost day 8 listings and time was off ( time was back at when I turned the unit on this morning). Ran a G* test and time came back to normal. Checked the 753... screens and all were back to zero and counting up. Listings updating for day 8 again. Maybe a self-purge?? of sorts?
Michael

Ok, I'll be patient some more. It's just seems weird that all listing for all days for KTLA 5.1 (WB) are missing. But at least most everything else is there now. Thanks.

I have full listings for KTLA-DT, but I'm not using KCBS-DT for my TVGOS host channel. I'm using XETV-TV (analog) instead. For a while, after the June DTV transition, I was not getting any listings for KCOP-DT and KCET-DT on one of my Sony DVRs. I went into the TVGuide channel editor and noticed that I had 2 or 3 entries for each of my OTA stations. I turned off the one that was enabled (for the channels for which I had no listings) and enabled a different entry. I then got the listings after the next download. You might want to check your TVGuide channel editor to see if you have more than one KTLA-DT listed, and if so, try turning off the one that is now on and turn on the other one.

I lost the host channel.

LastASetEnd 7/11/09 8:01:35

7/14/09 14:27 (9:27a)
ATSC Slicer HostChan
PAT 65
PMT 65
TVG 237678
Tot Sections 237808

7/15/09 (7a)
ATSC Slicer HostChan
No change

I do not have Slicer data prior to 7/14, but you can probably estimate how many days the host lasted.

====

7/14/09
HostSUFlags
0x800 14:27
0xC00 15:19
0xE48 18:59

but yours and videobruce's are stuck waiting on data that isn't thereJudging by the packet count, I would say the data is there, but the unit doesn't see it or doesn't know what to do with it. What differences between our screens and yours should I/we be looking for?

Even in the analog host days, I've never seen a date/time in the LastDLEnd field, just N/A. Only the DLStart and DLTimer fields updated. Today my 250 has the DLEnd field filled in (although my 500 does not). Even stranger is that it is 7/15/09 05:00, which is 10:00PM PDT last night. The DL schedule doesn't show anything happening between 5:26PM and 12:51AM. Hmmmmm :confused:

Even in the analog host days, I've never seen a date/time in the LastDLEnd field, just N/A. Only the DLStart and DLTimer fields updated. Today my 250 has the DLEnd field filled in (although my 500 does not). Even stranger is that it is 7/15/09 05:00, which is 10:00PM PDT last night. The DL schedule doesn't show anything happening between 5:26PM and 12:51AM. Hmmmmm :confused:

I believe the 5:26PM to 12:51AM is supposed to be no activity for Digital Downloads - so that sounds correct to me. Apparently, the few times I have seen listings changing at 8PM a few times is not necessarily the same thing? guess the stuff was already in the box, and it just changed the screens at a later time? sort of like the three clock settings 1.GMT time sets, then 2. TVGOS clock sets, and 3. front panel clock sets.........I have seen all three of those "set" at different times (that is update at different times to the correct time).

Judging by the packet count, I would say the data is there, but the unit doesn't see it or doesn't know what to do with it. What differences between our screens and yours should I/we be looking for?

While waiting on my grid to come back, I could see no difference between your screens and mine. I don't believe the DVRs miss much information, or the guide data would be unreliable. I talked about the HostSUFlags in my last post, and that I believe it represents 9 pieces of information that your DVR has to get in order to set the Host Channel, and display the grid. I can only identify 3 of these pieces, which leaves 6 that are unknown. I'm not even sure that these 6 are represented in the 753 menu. The last picture you posted showed yours at 0xe68. That is 3 pieces of information short of getting a host channel, and that is all I know. There is just too much going on behind the scenes to be able to make sense of it.

Mark

I would love to see this available in a Sony DVR.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/07/16/macrovision-re-invents-itself-as-rovi-kicks-off-with-new-guide/

There is just too much going on behind the scenes to be able to make sense of it.You know a hell of alot more than I do about this. It's just to confusing to try to make sense of it. Just to many hex numbers. Might as well be working in DOS. I would love to see this available in a Sony DVR.Lets get what they already have out working first.

Does any of these show any meaningful changes (other than I have four pages of ads)??

quick Update:
My KTLA/WB listings showed up, and the blank spots I had here and there for CBS also went away. During my 4 days of (patiently) waiting for a grid, when I had been checking the ATSC slicer page, the "Host Channel" column was always zeroes. Once the grid appeared, I didn't go back to look at the ATSC slicer page until last night. The "Host Channel" column is filling in now, but I know it was not during the 4 days of waiting. So the fact that no packets are showing up in the host channel column may not be an indication that things are not working correctly.

Last night with the .21 unit, I had 9 days instead of the 8. The 9th day did not show any listings though. I remember some others who had said they were getting 9 days of listings with the .21 upgrade. Are you getting full listings for the 9th day or just no listings?
Michael

Last noght with the .21 unit, I had 9 days instead of the 8. The 9th day did not show any listings though. I remember some others who had said they were getting 9 days of listings with the .21 upgrade. Are you getting full listings for the 9th day or just no listings?
Michael

My 9th day always shows up with no listings. On the unit with the old firmware, it only goes out to the 8th day (although w/full listings)

Just an odd (though perhaps unusual) note - although I have been getting listings fairly consistently, except for a little dropout late in June, it's still with a blank host channel.

(The only exception was late in June, when I joined my DTVPal onput to the antenna input, and soon had the unit fixated on 3 (analog) - the DTVPal output - as host channel AND had gotten an old-fashioned 4 day download.)

The odd note is that, despite the listings I've gotten, the DL record shows not a single DL during July...the last downloads in the record are for June 27, which (I think) is when I had analog 3 as the host channel.

I don't really get the bit with no DL records, though of course I may be getting all my listings outside the boundaries of the formal downloads..but none at all in the DP record?!

Cheers - Tony :)

(My 3410a is still suffering hard times, i.e., NO listings via the DTVPal...I'm now doing a test, connecting my housemate's cable to the unit: within 24 hours, the unit had PBS 9 - from cable - as the host channel, a new channel lineup, and the first 4-day (1,2,3,8) listings download. It worked OK for 2 or 3 days, but has now gone into the mode - that I previously observed with OTA PBS 9 last YEAR - where I have to do nightly 6-sec unplug to get listings...doesn't matter too much, since I won't keep the cable connected (and my housemate is quitting it anyway because the monthly price tag has now exceeded 100 bucks) - I just wanted to demonstrate that ALL modes of getting v7 TVGOS to the 3410a in the Bay area don't work...)

Last night with the .21 unit, I had 9 days instead of the 8. The 9th day did not show any listings though. I remember some others who had said they were getting 9 days of listings with the .21 upgrade. Are you getting full listings for the 9th day or just no listings?
Michael

My day 9 grid usually shows up between 7:00pm and 8:00pm, only filled through 4:00am (presumably a result of the previous night's download), the rest of the grid is No Listing. It doesn't fill in until the overnight download cycle.

Just an odd (though perhaps unusual) note - although I have been getting listings fairly consistently, except for a little dropout late in June, it's still with a blank host channel.

(The only exception was late in June, when I joined my DTVPal onput to the antenna input, and soon had the unit fixated on 3 (analog) - the DTVPal output - as host channel AND had gotten an old-fashioned 4 day download.)

The odd note is that, despite the listings I've gotten, the DL record shows not a single DL during July...the last downloads in the record are for June 27, which (I think) is when I had analog 3 as the host channel.

I don't really get the bit with no DL records, though of course I may be getting all my listings outside the boundaries of the formal downloads..but none at all in the DP record?!

Cheers - Tony :)



Blank Host channel = No download records. I always saw this when I was intentionally blanking my host channel back in May. The LastDLStart, DLTimer, and DL history screen, would all stop updating, until the host channel set again. Since yours never sets, your download history is not updated.

Mark

I just checked my DVR, and my host channel cleared today after being set 3 days ago. My HostChan packets continued counting up during the 3 days that it was set. looks like the last recorded download happened at 12:16pm this afternoon.

Mark

I suggest you do a complete channel scan, which should allow you to tune 2.1. The DVR will tune to UHF 43 when you do. As I indicated in my previous message, the other channels aren't important since you can receive them on cable. I too was out of town when the switchover occurred, and channel scan got the UHF channels back.

Ray

On the LA OTA thread I read that sometimes you can clear the tuner's memory by doing a scan with both antenna and cable leads disconnected. I tried doing this, then re-connected Antenna and Cable, then re-scanned both Antenna and Cable, still no go, I can't get 2.1 on antenna, sometimes I can tune to 43.1 Antenna but signal is so poor I can't get a lock. I looked at my host channel and it is blank. Clock set channel is 43, so I am getting data from CBS, could this be the reason I am getting very few program information. The Cable Channels that are showing no titles are the ones that switched to VHF, but if the TVGOS source is CBS and obviously I am getting some data, why would it display program information on some channels, and No Title on some? Before I try buying a VHF/UHF Antenna, I thought I would throw this question out there. Remember, I only need CBS Antenna for my TVGOS Data for my DHG 250 since I do have cable.
Thanks in advance!

quick Update:
........................ the fact that no packets are showing up in the host channel column may not be an indication that things are not working correctly.

When your unit acquires a Host Channel, it will also get a Channel Lineup (Grid), and values will update in the Host Channel columns on the ATSC-Slicer screens. You won't get updates in the Host Channel column until the Host channel is established, but your unit may be "working correctly" in that it may in fact be working towards establishing the Host channel. :)

Mark -

Can you post or PM your 3 (of 9) HostSUFlags values and descriptions. I've never paid much attention to this field, but in watching it yesterday evening I notice that it changed several times within a few hours timespan. :confused:

On the LA OTA thread I read that sometimes you can clear the tuner's memory by doing a scan with both antenna and cable leads disconnected. I tried doing this, then re-connected Antenna and Cable, then re-scanned both Antenna and Cable, still no go, I can't get 2.1 on antenna, sometimes I can tune to 43.1 Antenna but signal is so poor I can't get a lock. I looked at my host channel and it is blank. Clock set channel is 43, so I am getting data from CBS, could this be the reason I am getting very few program information. The Cable Channels that are showing no titles are the ones that switched to VHF, but if the TVGOS source is CBS and obviously I am getting some data, why would it display program information on some channels, and No Title on some? Before I try buying a VHF/UHF Antenna, I thought I would throw this question out there. Remember, I only need CBS Antenna for my TVGOS Data for my DHG 250 since I do have cable.
Thanks in advance!

What type of antenna do you have? Sounds like you have marginal reception on CBS. To receive that channel you only need a UHF antenna. Have you explored cable channels above 50? On my 250, which doesn't have a cable card, all my HD channels are located in a band above 50, and contain 5 digits.
Ray