Hi ... I'm new. I just bought a new house in Alameda and hooked up a Sony HDD-250 with a tiny Silver Sensor to get OTA HDTV. I get all of the digital channels with an 88% signal that peaks out at 94%. It works flawlessly :) In addition, I climbed up in the attic for the first time today and found a new 8' rotating antenna mounted inside the attic! Even though the tiny Silver Sensor works great, I think that I'll run the wire from the antenna to the HDD-250 and see how much signal I can get :)

Or a summary of some sort? I just now heard about this unit being shipped (and discontinued, but cheap!) and I'm curious if anyone gets reliable guide info with this box and a cablecard or if I should keep waiting for Jebus...er, I mean the standalone HD TiVo :)

You'd think that with HD and DVRs become more common these days we'd have more choices :mad:

I'm getting reliable guide data and am using cable with cablecard. Works as advertised. There are a few channel lineup mistakes that I've had to remap around, and in fact one of them screwed up the guide reception, but once I made sure that channel was enabled the guide filled up and has been wroking splendidly.

I'm very happy with the unit, and would even recommend it to people with non-HD TVs that want to take advantage of crystal clear pictures tuned by the unit. That's what I'm doing, using component outs to a regular old TV (old = 2001 model), using 480i output format.

Marc

My unit is having trouble receiving 1 set of of stations. They are mapped to channel 25. The tuner on my Sony tv gets them just fine with a strong signal. I get the analog version fine on the dvr. If I watch the signal strength, the Sony DVR jumps around, much like I'm getting a multipath signal. It does not do this when watching on the tv itself. Could this be a bad tuner? I swapped antenna inputs just to make sure the problem wasn't in the splitter. When you rescan the channels, it picks it up. It just does not have a reliable signal. Sometimes a badly pixelated picture, but most of the time, no picture at all. After reading the thread, it sounds like the same problem the San Fransisco folks are having wih channel 9. Thanks for any ideas

I got one of these from Best Buy a few weeks ago. I returned my first unit due to not getting the on screen guide. I am happy to report what I did to solve my problems.
I do not have cable. I do not have a small dish.
I live in Seattle, WA.
I have a great UHF setup on the roof (rotator and inline amplifiier). It took a lot of work to get it up and running and it works great.
I have a so-so VHF antenna.
According to Sony, the TVGOS must be received thorugh VHF over the air.

Only after I combined the UHF and VHF antenna with an antenna combiner and fed them into the ANT input was I able to get great HD signals and I pick up the TVGOS signal through channel 9, my local PBS station.

I also have a big ugly satellite dish with a receiver. My VHF antenna plugs into that receiver. The output of that receiver sends either satellite signals, or the output of the VHF antenna throughout the house. It is sent on channel 3
I can manually record channel 3 or Digital/Analog Satellite Signals, HD over the air signals, or even analog (although I have no reason to).

I was ready to return this unit after a few weeks of using it. Now I am quite happy with it doing everything that Sony said it would do.
Jerry

It doesn't have to be VHF. My host channel is 26 which is a local PBS station.

It doesn't have to be VHF. My host channel is 26 which is a local PBS station.

Really?! Channel 26 Digital? Did you verify this? That would settle the issue of TVGOS disappearing anytime soon.

Really?! Channel 26 Digital? Did you verify this? That would settle the issue of TVGOS disappearing anytime soon.

I think his 26 is just an analog UHF PBS station ...

Really?! Channel 26 Digital? Did you verify this? That would settle the issue of TVGOS disappearing anytime soon.

26 UHF analog. Sorry to disappoint ;-)

I noticed that over the last two days I was not getting that "8th" day of the tvg. So I went into the diagnostic menu and noticed that under host it showed 0-0-0,9, which I intererupt to mean it was our local channel 9 PBS. This morning, I did get the 8th day and went back into the diagnostic menu and noticed that under host is showed 1-0-0,9.

I guess the 1 indicates valid transmission, just guessing.

HDaddiction

I noticed that over the last two days I was not getting that "8th" day of the tvg. So I went into the diagnostic menu and noticed that under host it showed 0-0-0,9, which I intererupt to mean it was our local channel 9 PBS. This morning, I did get the 8th day and went back into the diagnostic menu and noticed that under host is showed 1-0-0,9.

I guess the 1 indicates valid transmission, just guessing.

HDaddiction

HDaddiction,

I am not in front of my TV right now, but I think that the 1 or 0 in front of the host channel indicates either the OTA input, or the Cable input. (I don't recall which one is which.)

Mine indicates OTA channel 35 for the guide host channel, and cable channel 12 for the clock set channel. (Both of these are my local PBS station). I would like to change this so BOTH are the PBS cable channel (analog), but I don't want to mess with it since it "ain't broken"! I just would like to be able to disconnect the antenna in the future if they ever add my local CBS digital channel to the cable lineup - they are the holdouts in my area, and that channel is the only reason I still need the antenna.

Hi ... I'm new. I just bought a new house in Alameda and hooked up a Sony HDD-250 with a tiny Silver Sensor to get OTA HDTV. I get all of the digital channels with an 88% signal that peaks out at 94%. It works flawlessly :) In addition, I climbed up in the attic for the first time today and found a new 8' rotating antenna mounted inside the attic! Even though the tiny Silver Sensor works great, I think that I'll run the wire from the antenna to the HDD-250 and see how much signal I can get :)

what is 'silver sensor'?

what is 'silver sensor'?

The silver sensor is a small indoor antenna.

I have seen 2 different ones:

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/silver.html

The one above is what I would call the original. The one below is a newer one that I hadn't seen before.

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=666563&store=ecost&source=ewbfroogle&adcampaign=email,ewbfroogle

The original SS was UHF only. That new one added rabbit ears to make it VHF/UHF.

Does anyone know whether the Sony units have a 4th or 5th generation ATSC tuner?

Looking to buy a Sony HDD250 or 500 to record ota programs. Can only find some at Best buy for $499. After reading the posts, I was expecting to find them for less. Any one have any ideas on where to get a good buy on one or if there are better alternatives for OTA hd recording? Thanks- Ted

Does anyone know whether the Sony units have a 4th or 5th generation ATSC tuner?

What are the differences/improvements?

Does anyone know whether the Sony units have a 4th or 5th generation ATSC tuner?

The tuner in my 250 seems to perform about the same as the tuners in my other STBs, so they're most likely 4th generation. As far as I know the 5th generation tuners have appeared so far only in the newer LG integrated TVs.

Spiff - the 5th gen tuners are supposed to handle multipath interference better, perhaps at the cost of a bit of sensitivity.

[QUOTE=mabrandt]My unit is having trouble receiving 1 set of of stations. They are mapped to channel 25. The tuner on my Sony tv gets them just fine with a strong signal. I get the analog version fine on the dvr. If I watch the signal strength, the Sony DVR jumps around, much like I'm getting a multipath signal. It does not do this when watching on the tv itself. Could this be a bad tuner? I swapped antenna inputs just to make sure the problem wasn't in the splitter. When you rescan the channels, it picks it up. It just does not have a reliable signal. Sometimes a badly pixelated picture, but most of the time, no picture at all. After reading the thread, it sounds like the same problem the San Fransisco folks are having wih channel 9. Thanks for any ideas[/QUOTE


I had the same symptom. Mine was caused by an old antenna. If you have a new one, perhaps it isn't pointed in the correct direction. You can get that information at www.antennaweb.org.

Your welcome. I just checked the download site (http://www.sony.com/linux) and a new download file is available. The file name is xfsprogs-2.5.6.tar.gz and it un-packed ok.

Alan

I downloaded the software. However, how do you get the downloads into the DHG-HDD500?

Looking to buy a Sony HDD250 or 500 to record ota programs. Can only find some at Best buy for $499. After reading the posts, I was expecting to find them for less. Any one have any ideas on where to get a good buy on one or if there are better alternatives for OTA hd recording? Thanks- Ted

Best Buy is sold out. Crutchfields still has them on their site at $499. Their is no better alternative unless you go with one of the satellite companies.

Ray1938,

I too am having a similar problem, not on a DVR, but on Sony's XBR 26" LCD which I bought Saturday and returned the next day at Tweeter here in Baltimore. I posted this issue yesterday on the XBR forum, so far no one seems to be having the same problem.

I realize this is a DVR Forum, but my issue is related in that I too am missing some stations. I have an OTA signal, having no problems with any channels on my Mitsubishi 55" HDTV. I scanned all my stations on the XBR, and found that two of the PBS substations .2 and .6 would not come in despite a 98% signal strength.

Tweeter found the same problem with their showroom XBR 40" and OTA signal, although at some point theirs suddenly showed the two missing stations, but lost the other four. Perhaps an unreliable signal, even though the Mitsubishi right next to it also with OTA received all without a problem or loss.

Sony tech support was not at all helpful.

I was hoping that Sony's DVRs (and the next one to come) would not have this problem, such that I could then just use both products and solve my problem. But after reading your post it seems to me that Sony's tuners are in fact weak. My antenna is about 15 years old but it has never given me any problems. It's on a rotor and I tried scanning in various directions.

I can't offer any suggestions, but at least you know you're not alone, and that it's probably not your individual unit that is defective, but that it's an across the board issue with Sony.

Best Buy is sold out. Crutchfields still has them on their site at $499. Their is no better alternative unless you go with one of the satellite companies.

I got the last one at the Beaverton store about a week ago. Other Portland area stores still had some on hand but they are probably gone now as well.
One of the reasons I decided to get one of these is that the ATSC tuner in the Dish 811 receiver I was using was very poor. It was relatively insensitive and painfully slow to change channels. Once a month or so the 811 would simply freeze up and the only way to reboot was to upplug it. I also had this problem with the 311 receiver. I'm a lot happier with cable and the HDD-250 fills in the HDTV gap. Comcast has a discount program for former Dish customers which amounts to $30 a month for expanded basic.

I had the same symptom. Mine was caused by an old antenna. If you have a new one, perhaps it isn't pointed in the correct direction.

No, brand new antenna. I get the channel fine with the tuner in my set so I know it is not the direction. Even so, I have tried to adjust, but can not get the signal to stop bouncing. Thinking it could be the splitter, last night I ran the antenna directly into the Sony DVR. Same problem. Is it possible that this tuner is looking or getting something that the tuner in the TV is not? Fortunately, I only use the dvr to record HD and the channel I am having trouble is not one I record from very much.

If there's anyone in the Raleigh NC area that's been able to get guide data with just OTA, could you let me know what zip code you used and what your host channel is? I've tried the G* test, and see VBI packets coming in on several channels (including UNC-TV, the local PBS, on 4), but I've yet to get any data in the guide (not even a channel lineup) after 1 week. I've noticed in the diag screen that the "host channel" is still blank. I've tried different zip codes in the area, but still no luck.

I'm in Cary, NC and used zip code 27511.

My uhf antena pulls in most local vhf channels with some snow, but the guide loaded properly after several days. I don't know which channel is the host.

I downloaded the software. However, how do you get the downloads into the DHG-HDD500?

These files are not a firmware update. They are bundles of open source software that Sony is obligated to offer to the public in return for using these packages within the DHG-HDD250/500.

So far, Sony has not publicly released a firmware update for this product. Someone did confirm in an earlier posting that the firmware can be upgraded using a USB flash drive, though.

These files are not a firmware update. They are bundles of open source software that Sony is obligated to offer to the public in return for using these packages within the DHG-HDD250/500.

So far, Sony has not publicly released a firmware update for this product. Someone did confirm in an earlier posting that the firmware can be upgraded using a USB flash drive, though.

While on the subject of software, I have a related question:

I bought 2 of these units at the same time, and both have July as the manufacturing date. However, one has software version 1.2.09 and the other one has 1.2.06. Any info on the different versions?

I believe you are the 3rd person here to report 1.2.06 and the 1st with 1.2.09. The rest of us have 1.2.05. There is zero information available on the differences, AFAIK.

I believe you are the 3rd person here to report 1.2.06 and the 1st with 1.2.09. The rest of us have 1.2.05. There is zero information available on the differences, AFAIK.

I'm not in front of my unit right now, but where is the software version listed?

menu > prefs > system > system menu

if i remove the original hard disk, install 2 new 250GB disks, and follow these instructions here (http://www.docs.sony.com/release/DHGHDD250-500instruct.pdf), will i be able to select 'Format Hard Drive' to format the 2 new drives?

Can larger than 250GB be installed in these units?

Thanks.

if i remove the original hard disk, install 2 new 250GB disks, and follow these instructions here (http://www.docs.sony.com/release/DH...500instruct.pdf), will i be able to select 'Format Hard Drive' to format the 2 new drives?

Can larger than 250GB be installed in these units?

Thanks.I think the question would be whether, after installing two new HDs, can you access ANY menus at all. If you could get to those menus, it looks like you could format the HDs. Has anyone gotten that far with this unit?

[/i]I think the question would be whether, after installing two new HDs, can you access ANY menus at all. If you could get to those menus, it looks like you could format the HDs. Has anyone gotten that far with this unit?
oh, anyone tried to remove the hard drive & then connect it to USB enclosure or to computer (as 2nd hard drive...)? then make exact copy onto new drive?

thanks

I have 1.2.06 as well.

I believe you are the 3rd person here to report 1.2.06 and the 1st with 1.2.09. The rest of us have 1.2.05. There is zero information available on the differences, AFAIK.


Looks like I have 1.2.09 as well (under menu > prefs > system > system menu). Mfg date is July of 05.

Looking forward to others' experiences trying to add/change the hard drives. Be sure to read back a few pages where I posted what I learned about this so far, including the front panel service mode procedures to wipe the unit and reinitialize the drives.

These files are not a firmware update. They are bundles of open source software that Sony is obligated to offer to the public in return for using these packages within the DHG-HDD250/500.

So far, Sony has not publicly released a firmware update for this product. Someone did confirm in an earlier posting that the firmware can be upgraded using a USB flash drive, though.

Thank you for clarifying that Mark.

One of the reasons I decided to get one of these is that the ATSC tuner in the Dish 811 receiver I was using was very poor. It was relatively insensitive and painfully slow to change channels.(Disclaimer: I am not a antenna guru nor do I play one on TV.)
Compared to the tuner in my Sony KDF50WE655 TV, I consider the tuner in the DHG-HDD250 to be poor and insensitive. Plus the channel changes are slow. The DHG-HDD250 tuner is closer to my Accurrian STB in sensitivity. Both of those units can not get a signal from one station I use to pick up Monday Night Football whereas the KDF50WE655 will. The tower is approximately 60 miles away and I use a Silver Sensor pointed out a upstairs window as the antenna. All three tuners work just fine using my CM4228 antenna pointed at my normal attenna farm of 13 miles away.

Looks like I have 1.2.09 as well (under menu > prefs > system > system menu). Mfg date is July of 05.

I bought mine from Best Buy on November 20th for $499.00 with 2 year no interest plan. The firmware is 1.2.09 and I think the manufacture date is July '05 also.

[devious mode on]
Someone with some time to kill :) should call Sony and say hey I 1.2.05 firmware and my neighbor has firmware 1.2.09 and his box does __SOMETHING__ better then mine. How do I get and install the newer firmware. Make sure you say you have the exact same setup, cable, cable w/CC or OTA so it looks like the problem is the firmware.
[devious mode off]

I bought mine from Best Buy on November 20th for $499.00 with 2 year no interest plan. The firmware is 1.2.09 and I think the manufacture date is July '05 also.

Same deal here - but I ordered mine from BB.com on the 19th of November, and it shipped on the 20th.

[devious mode on]
Someone with some time to kill :) should call Sony and say hey I 1.2.05 firmware and my neighbor has firmware 1.2.09 and his box does __SOMETHING__ better then mine. How do I get and install the newer firmware. Make sure you say you have the exact same setup, cable, cable w/CC or OTA so it looks like the problem is the firmware.
[devious mode off]


I am not so sure you want 1.2.09. Both my units are connected to the same rooftop antenna with the same signal reading and the 09 version has a problem with choppy video on KRON 4, whereas the 06 does not. Their is something about
KRON that is different from the other channels. My Dish 921 did the same thing until a software update corrected the problem. However, to correct an earlier post,
if I use component out and set the Sony to native, the choppy video goes away.
The component out also provides a brighter and better picture than HDMI( less
grainy ) to my eye.

I am not so sure you want 1.2.09. Both my units are connected to the same rooftop antenna with the same signal reading and the 09 version has a problem with choppy video on KRON 4, whereas the 06 does not. Their is something about
KRON that is different from the other channels. My Dish 921 did the same thing until a software update corrected the problem. However, to correct an earlier post,
if I use component out and set the Sony to native, the choppy video goes away.
The component out also provides a brighter and better picture than HDMI( less
grainy ) to my eye.

I bought mine in June and have 1.2.05 and I seem to have less problems than most on here, although I'm just using OTA and seem to have a reliable local host station. That's probably why I've not had many issues.

I purchased my unit, HDD250, in August and have the 1.2.06 version.

I have had basically no problems yet (knock on wood)...

The only oddity I noticed was that I recorded a Lions game off from FOX last weekend, and there was one point where the video just skipped ahead about one minute (of game time). It hasn't done it again that I have noticed, so I figure it was just a glitch.

My guide is working well. It is actually more accurate today than my TiVo. There is a local show pre-empting a national ABC show, and the Sony shows the correct local show in that slot, while TiVo shows the pre-empted show.

Finally, the tuner seems pretty solid to me. My reason for this statement is that the tuner is doing a pretty good job of picking up a signal from a channel that has a LOT of electrical noise and interference. The digital channel is VHF 2, but their analog broadcast is on channel 3. I always look at channel 3 to see what is causing issues with channel 2, and it is usually electrical interference.

I would say that this tuner is better in this regard than my Mits' internal tuner, and leaps and bounds better than my Dish 811.

Is it really broadcasting on 2-1 or is that merely a PSIP virtual station from some other higher most-likely UHF station. I say both because on the DHG you can't tell the "real" station something is broadcasting on, and also because the number of HDTV stations broadcasting on VHF, especially low-VHF, is extremely, extremely few.

Is it really broadcasting on 2-1 or is that merely a PSIP virtual station from some other higher most-likely UHF station. I say both because on the DHG you can't tell the "real" station something is broadcasting on, and also because the number of HDTV stations broadcasting on VHF, especially low-VHF, is extremely, extremely few.

I had to chuckle when I saw your response. Sadly, I live in a market that really does have a low-VHF digital assigment. WWMT-DT (CBS) is on channel 2 (remapped to 3.1), and their analog channel happens to be right next to it on channel 3. Basically they got the shaft when the FCC handed out their digital channels. We actually have ANOTHER channel on VHF, too: WOOD-DT (NBC) is located on channel 7, while its analog counterpart is channel 8.

I am not so sure you want 1.2.09. Both my units are connected to the same rooftop antenna with the same signal reading and the 09 version has a problem with choppy video on KRON 4, whereas the 06 does not. Their is something about
KRON that is different from the other channels. My Dish 921 did the same thing until a software update corrected the problem. However, to correct an earlier post,
if I use component out and set the Sony to native, the choppy video goes away.
The component out also provides a brighter and better picture than HDMI( less
grainy ) to my eye.

I think knowing how to upgrade the firmware would be more important then having the latest version. The more we know about the box the better.

For those that have seen my previous posts, I finally got my unit back from Sony. This is what the invoice says:

"FAILED 161-60 ERROR
DID 161-60 UPDATE
UPDATE TO VER 1.2.13
RESET FACTORY DEFAULTS, AGED
TO LOAD EPG, VERIFY G* PATCH
8.06.20, TESTED ALL FUNCTIONS.
DS 12/12/2005
CONSTANT AUTO/SPECIAL FUNC
ELECTRICAL ADJUSTMENT"

So there is an update out there for all of you with the 1.2.09 firmware. I just set up the unit (Auto HDMI, Optical audio, TWC in SC w/ Cisco...I mean, Sci-Atl CableCARD built May 05 (April 05 was latest firmware update) and no OTA.) and am waiting to see how long it takes the clock to update. The unit already found 310 channels (!) through the CC. The Digital Encrypted Tier seems to be coming in so far, only checked The Military Channel real quick.

Will update.

[devious mode on]
Someone with some time to kill :) should call Sony and say hey I 1.2.05 firmware and my neighbor has firmware 1.2.09 and his box does __SOMETHING__ better then mine. How do I get and install the newer firmware. Make sure you say you have the exact same setup, cable, cable w/CC or OTA so it looks like the problem is the firmware.
[devious mode off]

I tried this approach and as expected, Sony support was completely useless. I told them about the sporadic recording problem I've been having, and how my neighbor doesn't have the problem with the 1.2.09 software (I have 1.2.05). Their response said to reset the unit to the factory default settings and reschedule the recordings. If that doesn't work, they said to send it in for service. They didn't really answer my direct question about upgrading the firmware via USB. I guess the fact that they'd rather have me send it in for service means that they don't plan on providing software updates via USB. It sounds like some people have 1.2.13 software now, I wonder if it is worth sending my unit in for service, maybe the new software fixes some bugs. I just switched to manual recordings for everything because the unit is so unreliable.

Those of you who have later software versions like 1.2.09 and 1.2.13, please let us know if you have the sporadic recording problem. I'm trying to determine if it's worth sending the unit in for service.

Those of you who have later software versions like 1.2.09 and 1.2.13, please let us know if you have the sporadic recording problem. I'm trying to determine if it's worth sending the unit in for service.

I have 1.2.09, and I haven't had any disappearing recordings yet and my guide is perfect.

I believe you are the 3rd person here to report 1.2.06 and the 1st with 1.2.09. The rest of us have 1.2.05.

I have 1.2.09. I bought my unit at a Best Buy in South Carolina in late November (a couple of days before Thanksgiving).

For those that have seen my previous posts, I finally got my unit back from Sony. This is what the invoice says:

"FAILED 161-60 ERROR
DID 161-60 UPDATE
UPDATE TO VER 1.2.13
RESET FACTORY DEFAULTS, AGED
TO LOAD EPG, VERIFY G* PATCH
8.06.20, TESTED ALL FUNCTIONS.
DS 12/12/2005
CONSTANT AUTO/SPECIAL FUNC
ELECTRICAL ADJUSTMENT"

So there is an update out there for all of you with the 1.2.09 firmware. I just set up the unit (Auto HDMI, Optical audio, TWC in SC w/ Cisco...I mean, Sci-Atl CableCARD built May 05 (April 05 was latest firmware update) and no OTA.) and am waiting to see how long it takes the clock to update. The unit already found 310 channels (!) through the CC. The Digital Encrypted Tier seems to be coming in so far, only checked The Military Channel real quick.

Will update.

They restored factory settings and upgraded the firmware. I wonder what the 'electrical adjustment' refers to. Bad connections? That could be the cause of intermittent recording failures. How long was it in for service?

Regarding making the latest firmware available to others: Someone who has version 1.2.13 could mount the first partition of the master hard drive (an ext2 filesystem) and copy the files *.bin, *.cfs, and *.dat to an otherwise empty USB flash drive. I am pretty sure the Sony box would recognize these files and update the firmware if the USB drive is inserted into the USB port while the unit is booted up and powered on (i.e. able to display its onscreen menus).

I bought my unit early in the summer and have version 1.2.05.

I've been considering whether I should spring for the 4 year warranty from Best Buy. It's priced at $80. Are firmware upgrades included in the contract? I'm guessing that firmware upgrades wouldn't be covered by the Sony warranty unless the unit was malfunctioning in some way.

I've been considering whether I should spring for the 4 year warranty from Best Buy. It's priced at $80. Are firmware upgrades included in the contract? I'm guessing that firmware upgrades wouldn't be covered by the Sony warranty unless the unit was malfunctioning in some way.

I'd be surprised if it did, but why send the box in if there are no problems? If you did have a problem that they couldn't otherwise duplicate, they would probably update the firmware as part of their checkout procedure.

I am leaning more and more toward a cablecard/subscription from Charter (and dumping Dish Network). My only stumbling block is the reports of difficulties with the cablecard recording certain channels.

The one thing that I DON"T want to do is mess up the ability to record the HD networks off from cable. Has anyone had trouble with a cablecard and any of the big 4 networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) with this Sony?

And should there be any problem with having two cablecards in one HT setup (one in my TV and one in my Sony DVR)?

Thanks!

And should there be any problem with having two cablecards in one HT setup (one in my TV and one in my Sony DVR)?

Your cableco will probably say you can't do this, but they will be wrong. You may have to do some arm twisting to get the install. (Hell, Comcast told me I couldn't have both the Sony DVR and the Comcast box hooked up to the same TV --- complete BS).

It will be interesting to see how they charge for the second CC.

Your cableco will probably say you can't do this, but they will be wrong. You may have to do some arm twisting to get the install. (Hell, Comcast told me I couldn't have both the Sony DVR and the Comcast box hooked up to the same TV --- complete BS).

It will be interesting to see how they charge for the second CC.

They didn't complain about installing it in a DVR, did they? I have heard some folks say that their cableco won't install a CC in anything but a TV. I think this is a crock of "you-know-what" if it is true. They should be forced to support any device that has a CC-compliant slot in it...

I was assuming that if it is possible, it would just be an extra $1.49 for the second card. I am not sure, though, about the installation itself...will I get dinged twice since there would be 2 cards?

I am also assuming that I will only get the "expanded basic" lineup on all of my TV's that don't have STB's. I might spring for one non-HD STB for the living room TV so I can get the digital channels there. The bedroom TV can live without a box, though...

Thanks,
Jeff

spiff72,

It seemed that CSR's were trained to discourage use of anything but the cableco's own box. The biggest hurdle was a lack of knowledge, even with supervisors. But the fact that it was a DVR did not bother anyone at Comcast --- only that it was a CC device. If they argue about a DVR on the phone, just tell them it's a TV. When they get there, don't let them touch your equipment. Just take the CC and put it in the Sony.

That said, I wonder if they will try to add a monthly "additional outlet" charge. I've seen such a charge mentioned in Comcast pricing information, but no extra charges have been added to my bills.

I don't know if they will charge twice for installation of two cards. They really should not, since most of their expense is in rolling the truck, not in handling the second card. I'd argue about a double charge.

Regarding making the latest firmware available to others: Someone who has version 1.2.13 could mount the first partition of the master hard drive (an ext2 filesystem) and copy the files *.bin, *.cfs, and *.dat to an otherwise empty USB flash drive. I am pretty sure the Sony box would recognize these files and update the firmware if the USB drive is inserted into the USB port while the unit is booted up and powered on (i.e. able to display its onscreen menus).

I bought my unit early in the summer and have version 1.2.05.

Or someone with 1.2.09 could do the same and see if 1.2.05 would do an USB upgrade.

Has anyone else opened their box besides Mark ?

When they get there, don't let them touch your equipment. Just take the CC and put it in the Sony.


That's what I was thinking - I want to be the one climbing behind my TV and putting the cards in the TV and the DVR. I have been back there dozens of times without tripping over the cords, wires, etc. I DON'T want someone else doing it!

They do have to do some activation stuff once they are installed, right? They don't just drop them off and leave?

They restored factory settings and upgraded the firmware. I wonder what the 'electrical adjustment' refers to. Bad connections? That could be the cause of intermittent recording failures. How long was it in for service?

I suspect "electrical" is part of the function name and not some analog electrical adjustment. Probably something in the service menu that is tweaked with an entered value. The name of the function probably makes more sense in Japanese or whatever the native language was.
Perhaps the reason firmware updates aren't available to owners is they require adjustments to service menu items ?

spiff72,

It seemed that CSR's were trained to discourage use of anything but the cableco's own box. The biggest hurdle was a lack of knowledge, even with supervisors. But the fact that it was a DVR did not bother anyone at Comcast --- only that it was a CC device. If they argue about a DVR on the phone, just tell them it's a TV. When they get there, don't let them touch your equipment. Just take the CC and put it in the Sony.

That said, I wonder if they will try to add a monthly "additional outlet" charge. I've seen such a charge mentioned in Comcast pricing information, but no extra charges have been added to my bills.

I don't know if they will charge twice for installation of two cards. They really should not, since most of their expense is in rolling the truck, not in handling the second card. I'd argue about a double charge.


When I called comcast to request a cable card, they asked me what model tv i had. I just told them I had a Sony DHG-HDD250, didn't mention that it was a DVR. The guy came back after a few minutes and said it was supported. The installer didn't care either way.

I am leaning more and more toward a cablecard/subscription from Charter (and dumping Dish Network). My only stumbling block is the reports of difficulties with the cablecard recording certain channels.

The one thing that I DON"T want to do is mess up the ability to record the HD networks off from cable. Has anyone had trouble with a cablecard and any of the big 4 networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) with this Sony?

And should there be any problem with having two cablecards in one HT setup (one in my TV and one in my Sony DVR)?

Thanks!

I get all the networks stations in HD off basic "analog Charter" with no Cable Card. QAM tuner in the Sony Box just manages to find them. While my Pioneer TV required it have a Cable Card to find the same channels on the same wire.

I get all the networks stations in HD off basic "analog Charter" with no Cable Card. QAM tuner in the Sony Box just manages to find them. While my Pioneer TV required it have a Cable Card to find the same channels on the same wire.

Yes, mine does the same thing with analog basic service currently (as does my Mitsubishi TV). I just wonder if the CC will add any problems (on the big 4 networks) with the copy protection flags as it seems to cause problems with the premium channels. I would like to be able to record shows off ESPN-HD, Disc-HD, and HBO/Showtime HD channels. I get these via satellite right now, and I am unwilling to upgrade to the Dish 942.

Got a question about the AD boxes on the left side of the TVGOS program guide. Aren't they supposed to show ADs for upsoming shows or something? Not that I'm eager for ADs but I'm getting sick of looking at those two giant getting started TV Guide logos all the time. It's been a couple weeks now.

They restored factory settings and upgraded the firmware. I wonder what the 'electrical adjustment' refers to. Bad connections? That could be the cause of intermittent recording failures. How long was it in for service?

I sent the unit back the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to Texas and UPS shows it arrived 29 November. Now here's where it gets weird, the unit came from Mt Pleasantville, PA and the web showed a received date of 12/5. So I'm guessing, since Sony Support tried to snowball me with a silly answer when I called about the disconnect in dates, Texas couldn't do anything about it and sent it to PA.

The original problem was an inability to receive audio or video for digital encrypted channels after a 161-6 error. The error would always come back after each type of reset.

Bottomline: Work started 12/5, invoice said it was done by 12/12 and I had it installed and running by last night. :)

AND the clock was set correctly by 5:30 AM today. I'll check on TVGOC listings when I get home tonight.

Got a question about the AD boxes on the left side of the TVGOS program guide. Aren't they supposed to show ADs for upsoming shows or something? Not that I'm eager for ADs but I'm getting sick of looking at those two giant getting started TV Guide logos all the time. It's been a couple weeks now.Hope you like Bose and Bowflex. That's what 's showing mostly on my Panny DVD Recorder. I'm just glad it's not doing it on my HDD250.

I just wonder if the CC will add any problems (on the big 4 networks) with the copy protection flags as it seems to cause problems with the premium channels. I would like to be able to record shows off ESPN-HD, Disc-HD, and HBO/Showtime HD channels.

Do a search to see if other Charter customers are having problems with this. I can only speak as to Comcast in Chicago, where all flags are set to 0x00 (at least for now). I think they do not want to add another layer of difficulty to CC installs at this time.

Does Sony pick up the shipping charges when sending in the unti for service ? Can you send in the unit for a firmware upgrade ?

I tried this approach and as expected, Sony support was completely useless. I told them about the sporadic recording problem I've been having, and how my neighbor doesn't have the problem with the 1.2.09 software (I have 1.2.05). Their response said to reset the unit to the factory default settings and reschedule the recordings. If that doesn't work, they said to send it in for service. They didn't really answer my direct question about upgrading the firmware via USB. I guess the fact that they'd rather have me send it in for service means that they don't plan on providing software updates via USB. It sounds like some people have 1.2.13 software now, I wonder if it is worth sending my unit in for service, maybe the new software fixes some bugs. I just switched to manual recordings for everything because the unit is so unreliable.

Those of you who have later software versions like 1.2.09 and 1.2.13, please let us know if you have the sporadic recording problem. I'm trying to determine if it's worth sending the unit in for service.
I just got my HDD250 back from Sony. I'm not sure what software version it had when I sent it in, but they updated it to 1.2.13. The reason I sent it in was because of the missed recording problem. The tech called me and told me the problem was that the hard drive was too full, which I know is BS because several programs on there were set to automatically delete. There was no convincing the tech of this, though. Luckily, there is a 90 day guarantee on Sony's repair work. The first problem I have, Sony is getting a phone call. Hopefully the software update will fix the problem, though. I'll try to let everyone know.

Does Sony pick up the shipping charges when sending in the unti for service ? Can you send in the unit for a firmware upgrade ?
Sony does not pick up the cost of inbound shipping the first time. They pay to ship it back to you only. If it has to go back within 90 days, they are supposed to pay both ways.

Got a question about the AD boxes on the left side of the TVGOS program guide. Aren't they supposed to show ADs for upsoming shows or something?

Feature suggestion for Sony/TVGOS: in the TVGOS preferences, allow disabling those two boxes (if they're not showing contractual ads), along with the video window above, and fit a bigger chunk of the guide onscreen at once. For bonus points, also support reducing the height of the font used in the listings so that more channels will fit vertically into each page.

... I just wonder if the CC will add any problems (on the big 4 networks) with the copy protection flags as it seems to cause problems with the premium channels. I would like to be able to record shows off ESPN-HD, Disc-HD, and HBO/Showtime HD channels. I get these via satellite right now, and I am unwilling to upgrade to the Dish 942.
Spiff, I wouldn't worry overly about the copy protection issue. If there is a documented case on this thread of a recording problem due solely to copy restrictions, I haven't seen it. As pointed out earlier, cablecos may restrict copying on PPV, VOD, and SVOD only, any other is *illegal*. I agree with Phil -- check with other Charter subscribers on this board to see if they have any particular problems. As for my combination -- Comcast w/Motorola cablecard I have never had a problem recording OTA HD locals or unencrypted HD locals at any time under any circumstances. I do have problems with the premium HD channels, specifically I can't record two shows back to back on the same channel. The second always fails. But, the good news about this problem is that it screws-up the same way every time, so all I have to do is alternate channels when I set up the recordings. This problem is not copy protection per se but seems to be a communication issue between the Sony and the cablecard, probably resulting from a not ready for prime time technology.

The reason I sent it in was because of the missed recording problem.

I talked to a tech on the phone today and he said that they had never heard of the missed recording problem. Sounds like BS to me since they serviced your unit for the same problem. Anyhow, I asked if they have release notes for the different software versions and he was clueless. I'm not going to send my unit in for service if the new release doesn't address the problem. He said that he'd check with the engineers and get back to me in 24 hours.

philspice1, please let me know if you do have the problem again since Sony probably won't provide any useful information.

I talked to a tech on the phone today and he said that they had never heard of the missed recording problem. Sounds like BS to me since they serviced your unit for the same problem. Anyhow, I asked if they have release notes for the different software versions and he was clueless. I'm not going to send my unit in for service if the new release doesn't address the problem. He said that he'd check with the engineers and get back to me in 24 hours.

philspice1, please let me know if you do have the problem again since Sony probably won't provide any useful information.
If the 90-day labor part of your warranty is near expiration, I would try to get the unit in for repair. This will at least give you a 90-day extension on the labor since Sony's repairs are guaranteed for 90 days.

Feature suggestion for Sony/TVGOS: in the TVGOS preferences, allow disabling those two boxes (if they're not showing contractual ads), along with the video window above, and fit a bigger chunk of the guide onscreen at once. For bonus points, also support reducing the height of the font used in the listings so that more channels will fit vertically into each page.
I wouldn't hold my breath for this feature.

Charter Cable Card in Sony DVR.

No Problems, get digital hbo etc....(whatever you want to pay for)

Spiff, I wouldn't worry overly about the copy protection issue. If there is a documented case on this thread of a recording problem due solely to copy restrictions, I haven't seen it. As pointed out earlier, cablecos may restrict copying on PPV, VOD, and SVOD only, any other is *illegal*. I agree with Phil -- check with other Charter subscribers on this board to see if they have any particular problems. As for my combination -- Comcast w/Motorola cablecard I have never had a problem recording OTA HD locals or unencrypted HD locals at any time under any circumstances. I do have problems with the premium HD channels, specifically I can't record two shows back to back on the same channel. The second always fails. But, the good news about this problem is that it screws-up the same way every time, so all I have to do is alternate channels when I set up the recordings. This problem is not copy protection per se but seems to be a communication issue between the Sony and the cablecard, probably resulting from a not ready for prime time technology.

I am no longer able to record HBO and SHO movies (at least on the HD channels; not sure about others). I can schedule a programming, but as soon as the recording starts, the Sony automatically cancels it. You can pull up a menu somewhere that says something to the effect of "this network does not allow this show to be recorded." It's a very clear message that says the Sony is intentionally not recording the show. You mentioned PPV and VOD in your list but not normal premium channels like HBO and SHO. Was that an omission or is Comcast breaking the law in my area?

This started happening a couple weeks ago (before then, I could record HBO shows fine). I have Comcast in Maryland (Anne Arundel County) with a CableCard.

Worse, after taking forever to get program guide data flowing into my Sony (it required purchasing an OTA antenna -- it stopped working as soon as I got a CableCard), as of a week ago, my Sony is no longer getting program guide data. When I go to Listings it says something like "the index is being rebuilt; guide data should be available within 24 hours." It's been about 24 * 7 hours, and I don't think it's still working on it.

This product is about the most horribly designed piece of junk I've ever purchased. I cannot believe Sony ever let it go out the door. Sadly, in terms of the capabilities it (sometimes) provides, it's the only game in town.

I do hope that TiVo comes out with an HD DVR soon.

(If anyone has any suggestions on how to get the program data flowing back into my box, I'd be happy to hear them. I've got all the PBS channels enabled that come in OTA -- I was never able to get the data going through the CableCard. Now I'm just waiting for the clock to start drifting. Sigh.)

Charter Cable Card in Sony DVR.

No Problems, get digital hbo etc....(whatever you want to pay for)

You are recording HBO-HD without difficulty, then?

I recorded "Sleeper Cell" on Showtime and one recording did say copy not allowed or something to that effect. However I attributed it to the time, that is, I was recording one hour after the other. I waited a few miniutes and I was then able to record the show.

I think if you look at your cable card access screen, it may say copy protection disabled, atleast mine does.

Hdaddiction

Spiff, yes I can record hbo and showtime HD.

HDaddiction

I've had the 250 for a couple of days. I use it for OTA only and I'm pleased as punch with it. My previous recording method used a DTC100+vcr so this is quite the step up. My biggest complaint is it sticks out in my all black set up... guess I can't complain too much, so far it works as advertised for me. I picked it up at crutchfield, seems to be the best price right now, no tax, no ship, free return ship, good deal.

Can someone please explain the missed recording problem? How does it manifest itself. I haven't had any issues, but I am curious.

(If anyone has any suggestions on how to get the program data flowing back into my box, I'd be happy to hear them. I've got all the PBS channels enabled that come in OTA -- I was never able to get the data going through the CableCard. Now I'm just waiting for the clock to start drifting. Sigh.)

I don't know what to say about the blocked recordings, but as far as getting guide data is concerned, look at the service menu to see what channel is used for receiving the guide data.
(I can't remember the sequence right now, but it's in this admittedly long thread somewhere. Searching for "service menu" would probably get you the right post.)
Once in the service menu, find the "host" channel and from there you can see what channel is used.
Once you know which channel is used, make sure it's enabled on the DVR and on the guide.
It's not always the PBS station. For me, it appears to be the local CBS station (although others in the Chicago area are using one of the PBS stations).

Hope this helps,


Mitch

can those units with 1.2.13 firmware have 3 IR Codes? Mine is 1.2.05 and i can't seem to control 3 units stacked on one another independently.

thanks.

can those units with 1.2.13 firmware have 3 IR Codes? Mine is 1.2.05 and i can't seem to control 3 units stacked on one another independently.

thanks.

Do you mean you have three DHG units? If so, that has to be some sort of record. I think you're stuck if that's the case as the remote and unit are only set up for a max of two different IR codes.

-phil

Do you mean you have three DHG units? If so, that has to be some sort of record. I think you're stuck if that's the case as the remote and unit are only set up for a max of two different IR codes.

-phil
i think i'm stuck with 2 remote IR codes! :(

Worse, after taking forever to get program guide data flowing into my Sony (it required purchasing an OTA antenna -- it stopped working as soon as I got a CableCard), as of a week ago, my Sony is no longer getting program guide data. When I go to Listings it says something like "the index is being rebuilt; guide data should be available within 24 hours." It's been about 24 * 7 hours, and I don't think it's still working on it.

This product is about the most horribly designed piece of junk I've ever purchased. I cannot believe Sony ever let it go out the door.

If the CableCARD killed your guide downloads, I would guess you are on ADS and the card is provisioned as such. The guide needs an analog channel to get the guide data. Comcast knows this and is trying to implement the insertion of a duplicate analog host channel as a temporary solution for those on ADS. I'm not sure exactly what is happening in your area, but the easiest thing to do might be to call Comcast and tell them to remove you from ADS, that is put you back on analog 2-99. Whatever --- they MUST allow your card and guide to work properly. The FCC mandates proper card operation, and Comcast has an agreement with Gemstar relative to guide operation.

As far as not getting the OTA guide data, it sounds like you might need to reset the Sony. Unplug it for a few minutes. If that doesn't work, then you should reset the guide in the 9012 service menu.

You will find that 99.9% of problems with the Sony are caused by improper provisioning by your cableco.

If the CableCARD killed your guide downloads, I would guess you are on ADS and the card is provisioned as such. The guide needs an analog channel to get the guide data. Comcast knows this and is trying to implement the insertion of a duplicate analog host channel as a temporary solution for those on ADS.h Gemstar relative to guide operation.
Maybe there's another possibility. Soon after I set up the Sony I checked for the guide host channel. It turned out to be ch. 80. Huh? There is no channel 80 here in Denver -- not listed on any lineup, anywhere. So I tuned it on the Sony and it appears to be an encrypted (my TV can't tune it) analog version of our local PBS station. That seems to be how Comcast is solving the problem here -- a "hidden" analog host channel. This makes some sense to me as it has long been rumored that Comcast was about to go all digital here. Maybe the same is happening in your area and you have inadvertently turned-off the the"hidden" host channel. A thought.

I am no longer able to record HBO and SHO movies (at least on the HD channels; not sure about others). I can schedule a programming, but as soon as the recording starts, the Sony automatically cancels it. You can pull up a menu somewhere that says something to the effect of "this network does not allow this show to be recorded." It's a very clear message that says the Sony is intentionally not recording the show.

Tune to HBOHD or SHOHD, then go to menu> preferences> system> cableCARD> conditional access -- and tell us what values are shown for Host Validation, Copy Protection Key, and CCI.

jeffcmcc,

I don't know if they've implemented the "hidden" analog host channel here yet. If you have it, then there must be some reason the Sony is not getting the guide data from it. Use the 9012 menu to check for data packets on that channel.

My setup is working great as is, so I've been hesitant to call and ask about switching back to ADS --- for fear of running into the same problem you appear to have.

For bonus points, also support reducing the height of the font used in the listings so that more channels will fit vertically into each page.

Hey Mark, pretty simple suggestion and you may already know this but if you go into the "Guide" while you are viewing a 480 program the font will be huge.

If you are viewing a 1080 program when you go into the "Guide" the font is smaller and more data (and more menu information of any sort for that matter) will fit on the screen.

Just select the screen format to 1080i if you are not viewing a 1080 program before you hit "Guide" and the font is much better.

Just discovered by accident because the BIG FONT in the guide was always pissing me off. I couldn't figure out why sometimes it was smaller and sometimes it was bigger. I finally realized it was because I was watching a 480 program, so i switched to 1080 before I hit guide and it was much more palatable.

jeffcmcc,

I don't know if they've implemented the "hidden" analog host channel here yet. If you have it, then there must be some reason the Sony is not getting the guide data from it. Use the 9012 menu to check for data packets on that channel.

My setup is working great as is, so I've been hesitant to call and ask about switching back to ADS --- for fear of running into the same problem you appear to have.
Phil, I'm getting guide data just fine off the "hidden" channel. I was suggesting that as a possible solution to Scott222's problem, ie. since he's on Comcast maybe there's a "hidden" guide channel that he inadvertently turned-off in channel +/- or guide channels list. Under those circumstances is might be possible that guide data wouldn't load.

jeffcmcc,

Sorry, I got you and Scott222 mixed up. Very good idea. He should probably turn on ALL channels 2-99 and let the guide try to do its thing.

It's good that you have the duplicate analog channel. I had understood that one of the problems with this was getting permission from the FCC. Comcast must have solved this, so maybe I'll call them to see if it's been implemented here..

It's good that you have the duplicate analog channel. I had understood that one of the problems with this was getting permission from the FCC. Comcast must have solved this, so maybe I'll call them to see if it's been implemented here..
Or, to avoid the incremental brain damage incurred with every call to a cable company, just look in empty slots from say ch 80 to 99, and see what's there.

FYI...Crutchfield earlier today listed the 500 as "out of stock" but you could "reserve" one. Now they list it as "no longer available." The 250 is still available, but it looks like this puppy's dying a quick death.

... it looks like this puppy's dying a quick death.

Seems like it's getting near the time for next year's model anyway.

Seems like it's getting near the time for next year's model anyway.

I hope there is a next years model. Hopefully, with a network connection for guide date, HDMI output, and dual tuners.

My guess is that this is not a money maker for Sony and since they are bleeding right now, this may be a casualty.

-- Rich

FYI...Crutchfield earlier today listed the 500 as "out of stock" but you could "reserve" one. Now they list it as "no longer available." The 250 is still available, but it looks like this puppy's dying a quick death. Aw, man. I just sent them a money order for the 500 last Friday and as of yesterday, they said they hadn't received it - and now they're out of stock? Now I have to go through all THIS whole damned rigamoroll. @#$%&*! This is what I get for trying to avoid using a credit card. *&%$#@.

I hope there is a next years model. Hopefully, with a network connection for guide date, HDMI output, and dual tuners.

My guess is that this is not a money maker for Sony and since they are bleeding right now, this may be a casualty.



They seem to be pretty popular. I just think they were too expensive initially. Now that they are down to $499 and $699 they are selling out. This is what they should have been priced at from the start. Maybe they will replace them with a model with a 250GB HDD and BDD for archiving. I got the DHG-HDD250 for $479 at Best Buy as the DHG-HDD500 was still $999 at the time. I'm already at 70% capacity.

Aw, man. I just sent them a money order for the 500 last Friday and as of yesterday, they said they hadn't received it - and now they're out of stock? Now I have to go through all THIS whole damned rigamoroll. @#$%&*! This is what I get for trying to avoid using a credit card. *&%$#@.


Anyone interested in the 500 model ought to be on EBAY. They are going for about $565 plus shipping. Hellvu deal imo.

HDaddiction

i think i'm stuck with 2 remote IR codes! :(

Here's my solution: set two of them to the same code and select the one you want to control by pushing the power on button on that unit. If the other unit is off, it shouldn't respond to the remote commands, other than power on, which becomes a manual function.

Maybe there's another possibility. Soon after I set up the Sony I checked for the guide host channel. It turned out to be ch. 80. Huh? There is no channel 80 here in Denver -- not listed on any lineup, anywhere. So I tuned it on the Sony and it appears to be an encrypted (my TV can't tune it) analog version of our local PBS station. That seems to be how Comcast is solving the problem here -- a "hidden" analog host channel. This makes some sense to me as it has long been rumored that Comcast was about to go all digital here. Maybe the same is happening in your area and you have inadvertently turned-off the the"hidden" host channel. A thought.



Same here in St Louis...channel 90 a PBS (KETC) station. I noticed that its the host station.

How high up the support chain do you have to go to get you off ADS?...btw...ADS?
stands for ??/

thanks.

HDaddiction

I am thinking All-Digital Service?? Just a guess though...

Hello,

I'm trying to determine what host channel my Sony is seeing, but I'm having trouble finding it. I've gone into the 9012 Service menu and viewed the page that shows packets, etc., but I don't see any text related to "host" or anything similar. (I'm not near the screen now, but I recall on the left side of the screen, there's a number of tests, and almost all fail -- I think maybe 2/5 or 2/6 pass.) Can someone walk me through the exact steps to show the host channel so I know I'm looking in the right place?

I'm gathering info to provide an update on the problem I mentioned earlier. (I appreciate the suggestions -- I'm trying to follow through on them.) The Sony went from saying "guide data will be available within 24 hours" to showing the grid view again, with "No Data" for each show name. I then reset TV Guide and went through the TV Guide setup again, and cold-booted the box; it lost the time and has yet to pick it up again (after 3 hours or so). We'll see if it has the time or any guide data tomorrow morning; I can't say I'm too optimistic.

I noted earlier that the Sony was not allowing me to record shows from HBO HD or SHO HD. When I go to the main Sony menu (not TV Guide) and choose "Recording History," shows that I tried to record on these channels have a broken icon. When I select an individual show, the explanation text is "Recording not permitted by service provider."

I tuned to HBO HD tonight and tried to create a manual recording (the only option, since there's no guide data), and it appeared to successfully record the show. (I only tried recording a few minutes.) I don't know if something changed on Comcast's end, or if it was happy recording it because it had no guide data and didn't know it was "protected" (although I would guess that information is not sent with the guide data but is somehow sent directly by Comcast). I tried recording a snippet from the middle of a show; not sure if that would make a difference either.

While tuned to HBO HD and SHO HD, I checked the Conditional Access information for the Cable Card and saw this in both cases:

Host value: Unknown 00
Copy Protection Key: Disabled
CCI: 0x00

I don't know what these values were earlier when the unit was refusing to record HBO HD or SHO HD shows.

As far as I know, I hadn't disabled any digital or over-the-air channels when the guide data stopped coming in. Everything had been working fine (at least, once I supplemented the Cable Card with an Over The Air antenna) until a week or two ago. I can't check for disabled channels now because the TV Guide setup was reset. But I definitely didn't disable any channels between the time that things were working and when they stopped working.

If there's no time or guide data tomorrow morning, I guess I'll try a complete reset of the Sony to have it rebuild all the channels from cable and OTA, and see if it stumbles across a host channel then.

I've spent so much time trying to get this unit to work reliably.

Thanks for the tips -- hopefully I'll be able to get this thing working.

Hey Mark, pretty simple suggestion and you may already know this but if you go into the "Guide" while you are viewing a 480 program the font will be huge.

If you are viewing a 1080 program when you go into the "Guide" the font is smaller and more data (and more menu information of any sort for that matter) will fit on the screen.

Just select the screen format to 1080i if you are not viewing a 1080 program before you hit "Guide" and the font is much better.

Just discovered by accident because the BIG FONT in the guide was always pissing me off. I couldn't figure out why sometimes it was smaller and sometimes it was bigger. I finally realized it was because I was watching a 480 program, so i switched to 1080 before I hit guide and it was much more palatable.

ah, I thought I was imagining things. Now I understand. thanks.

I am thinking All-Digital Service?? Just a guess though...

What is ADS? (All Digital Simulcast)
Using this process, all analog channels are digitized and then added to the existing system. The analog channels remain on the system. Analog channels are simulcast in analog and digital format.

I've had the 250 for a couple of days. I use it for OTA only and I'm pleased as punch with it. My previous recording method used a DTC100+vcr so this is quite the step up. My biggest complaint is it sticks out in my all black set up... guess I can't complain too much, so far it works as advertised for me. I picked it up at crutchfield, seems to be the best price right now, no tax, no ship, free return ship, good deal.

arrrg, the honeymoon is over. the unit was on at 1:11 am last night and then all of a sudden it rebooted... showed welcome, counted to 6, goes black, shows version 1.2.05, show's an empty clock, clock blinks about 8 seconds, then the show starts over. When the empty clock shows I can press the power or remote dvr button, this sends it into groundhog day as it thinks it's still at 1:11 am and the clock changes to that time, show's the guide, it looks fine just as I had it, I can move around and change channels, then after 8 seconds it reboots. I tried the front panel reboot... it reboots but doesn't change the situation. I read all the reboot posts ending around page 38, seemed to be something in what gemstar was sending. Anyone else getting this, again? I've only had the unit a couple of days, I wouldn't hesitate sending it back to crutchfield but I really like the unit and there's not many other good OTA recording alternatives. Time to give Sony a call.

I wouldn't waste your time with Sony customer service. They are awful. Promises made to get back to me on issues with this unit that were never kept, etc. Cut your losses now, return it to Crutchfield (as did I), and save your $$ for the SA HD CC dual tuner TiVo.

I wouldn't waste your time with Sony customer service. They are awful. Promises made to get back to me on issues with this unit that were never kept, etc. Cut your losses now, return it to Crutchfield (as did I), and save your $$ for the SA HD CC dual tuner TiVo.
is TIVO SA HD CC DUAL TUNER available now?

arrrg, the honeymoon is over. the unit was on at 1:11 am last night and then all of a sudden it rebooted... showed welcome, counted to 6, goes black, shows version 1.2.05, show's an empty clock, clock blinks about 8 seconds, then the show starts over. When the empty clock shows I can press the power or remote dvr button, this sends it into groundhog day as it thinks it's still at 1:11 am and the clock changes to that time, show's the guide, it looks fine just as I had it, I can move around and change channels, then after 8 seconds it reboots. I tried the front panel reboot... it reboots but doesn't change the situation. I read all the reboot posts ending around page 38, seemed to be something in what gemstar was sending. Anyone else getting this, again? I've only had the unit a couple of days, I wouldn't hesitate sending it back to crutchfield but I really like the unit and there's not many other good OTA recording alternatives. Time to give Sony a call.
Mine 2 units are working great for 2 months now. I wouldn't be surprised that they could be running into some problems as they're similiar to computers which need rebooting now & then :)

is TIVO SA HD CC DUAL TUNER available now?Not yet, but there are some rumblings on the TiVoCommunity Forums that it could be as early as Feb 06. All TiVo will say is sometime in 2006.

Or, to avoid the incremental brain damage incurred with every call to a cable company, just look in empty slots from say ch 80 to 99, and see what's there.

No duplicate channel yet. Guess I'll wait and be happy, since all is working well. I rarely watch analogs anyway.

is TIVO SA HD CC DUAL TUNER available now?

Acronym catch up time.

What is SA ??
What is CC - Cable Card??

Acronym catch up time.

What is SA ??
What is CC - Cable Card??

SA = Standalone (in contrast to a unit that requires D* or a specific cable company's DVR)
CC = Cablecard
HD = High Definition
BS = !! :)

I wouldn't waste your time with Sony customer service. They are awful. Promises made to get back to me on issues with this unit that were never kept, etc. Cut your losses now, return it to Crutchfield (as did I), and save your $$ for the SA HD CC dual tuner TiVo.

Too late, time wasted. I told the service guy it was continuously rebooting. He told me to enter the menu+screenmode+9012+enter, but first I asked if there was a window of opportunity that I had to do this in. He said no. Needless to say it didn't work because I found out that I did have to enter it within the 8 second window that started right after it ran through it's welcome setup which means I had to press dvr, wait for the guide, exit the guide, enter the codes, select the factory reset.... pretty fun game to play, beat the clock. I finally nailed it and it's now reset and waiting for guide data to come back. I was thinking of sending it back to crutch for another one but it's pretty evident from other posts that this could happen to any unit, maybe the issue is a combo of the firmware 1.2.05+gemstar info being downloaded, who knows. I'm going to stick it out a few more days. If it happens again I'm still not sure I'll send it back to Crutch, that's how bad I want this thing to work. I'm almost willing to accept the fact I'll need to reset it now then then. I don't care about archiving and losing recorded shows so the only downside is the time to set up the channels again. But, I hope "now and then" doesn't mean every 4 days which is how long I've had it.

Anyone know how to create a poll? It would be interesting to find out how many times everyone has had to do a factory default reset and how long you've had the unit. 1 reset, 4 days.

Hello,

I'm trying to determine what host channel my Sony is seeing, but I'm having trouble finding it. I don't think its in the 9012 menu. Go to TV Guide >setup >highlight but do not select "change system settings" >enter 753159852 >this will bring up a service menu, hit right arrow and another screen will come up >about a quarter of the way down you'll see "Host Chan". Mine, for example shows 1:0-80, meaning its coming from cable (1:0) and its ch 80.

I tuned to HBO HD tonight and tried to create a manual recording (the only option, since there's no guide data), and it appeared to successfully record the show. I don't know if something changed on Comcast's end, or if it was happy recording it because it had no guide data and didn't know it was "protected" I tried recording a snippet from the middle of a show; not sure if that would make a difference either. The lack of guide data wouldn't make any difference, nor would the "snippet". I have the same problem you seem to be having -- if I power-up (come out of standby) and it happens to be on HBOHD it won't record. If I switch to a neutral channel then back again, it will. The same goes for scheduled recordings HBOHD followed by another HBOHD (no matter the interval in between) the second will fail. I solve the problem by leaving it on a neutral channel (eg, Weatherscan) when not watching and before powering down (putting on standby) and by not scheduling recordings back-to-back on the same channel. There is also a curious issue of a scheduled SHOHD recording followed by an HBOHD recording, the HBO will fail. Its the only combination like that I've found and we can deal with it later.

While tuned to HBO HD and SHO HD, I checked the Conditional Access information for the Cable Card and saw this in both cases:

Host value: Unknown 00
Copy Protection Key: Disabled
CCI: 0x00 The host value may be a problem. Mine shows "Valid 00". Are you connected via component or HDMI? But the fact that you could record HBOHD leads me to believe its ok. The other two values are good (they're set for copy freely). I don't think copy protection is an issue.[/QUOTE]


As far as I know, I hadn't disabled any digital or over-the-air channels when the guide data stopped coming in. Everything had been working fine (at least, once I supplemented the Cable Card with an Over The Air antenna) until a week or two ago. Good, to be on the safe side don't disable any channels until you have guide data. Do you think you were getting guide data OTA? Do you have a VHF antenna? Guide data is not sent from the digital (UHF mostly) stations. It is possible a UHF antenna could get a good enough lock on an analog VHF station to acquire data. It is also possible you were getting data from a cable analog station and the cablecard superseded that station with a digital version and your guide has not found another station with data. To be continued ...

I wouldn't waste your time with Sony customer service. They are awful. Promises made to get back to me on issues with this unit that were never kept, etc. Cut your losses now, return it to Crutchfield (as did I), and save your $$ for the SA HD CC dual tuner TiVo.

And if and when Tivo gets their act together and comes out with a hd dvr receiver, you won't have to worry, because it will never reboot or have any problems. Be sure to buy the very first one that comes out before it has wide spread market testing. And don't forget to pay your fees while someone is watching your viewing habits.

Too late, time wasted. I told the service guy it was continuously rebooting. He told me to enter the menu+screenmode+9012+enter, but first I asked if there was a window of opportunity that I had to do this in. He said no. Needless to say it didn't work because I found out that I did have to enter it within the 8 second window that started right after it ran through it's welcome setup which means I had to press dvr, wait for the guide, exit the guide, enter the codes, select the factory reset.... pretty fun game to play, beat the clock. I finally nailed it and it's now reset and waiting for guide data to come back. I was thinking of sending it back to crutch for another one but it's pretty evident from other posts that this could happen to any unit, maybe the issue is a combo of the firmware 1.2.05+gemstar info being downloaded, who knows. I'm going to stick it out a few more days. If it happens again I'm still not sure I'll send it back to Crutch, that's how bad I want this thing to work. I'm almost willing to accept the fact I'll need to reset it now then then. I don't care about archiving and losing recorded shows so the only downside is the time to set up the channels again. But, I hope "now and then" doesn't mean every 4 days which is how long I've had it.

Anyone know how to create a poll? It would be interesting to find out how many times everyone has had to do a factory default reset and how long you've had the unit. 1 reset, 4 days.
Yes, Mine is NONE so far :) with 1.2.05 firmware

I don't think its in the 9012 menu. Go to TV Guide >setup >highlight but do not select "change system settings" >enter 753159852 >this will bring up a service menu, hit right arrow and another screen will come up >about a quarter of the way down you'll see "Host Chan". Mine, for example shows 1:0-80, meaning its coming from cable (1:0) and its ch 80.

The lack of guide data wouldn't make any difference, nor would the "snippet". I have the same problem you seem to be having -- if I power-up (come out of standby) and it happens to be on HBOHD it won't record. If I switch to a neutral channel then back again, it will. The same goes for scheduled recordings HBOHD followed by another HBOHD (no matter the interval in between) the second will fail. I solve the problem by leaving it on a neutral channel (eg, Weatherscan) when not watching and before powering down (putting on standby) and by not scheduling recordings back-to-back on the same channel. There is also a curious issue of a scheduled SHOHD recording followed by an HBOHD recording, the HBO will fail. Its the only combination like that I've found and we can deal with it later.

The host value may be a problem. Mine shows "Valid 00". Are you connected via component or HDMI? But the fact that you could record HBOHD leads me to believe its ok. The other two values are good (they're set for copy freely). I don't think copy protection is an issue.

Good, to be on the safe side don't disable any channels until you have guide data. Do you think you were getting guide data OTA? Do you have a VHF antenna? Guide data is not sent from the digital (UHF mostly) stations. It is possible a UHF antenna could get a good enough lock on an analog VHF station to acquire data. It is also possible you were getting data from a cable analog station and the cablecard superseded that station with a digital version and your guide has not found another station with data. To be continued ...[/QUOTE]

how could you come up with the code 753159852? thanks.

how could you come up with the code 753159852? thanks. It has been posted several times on this thread.

Same here in St Louis...channel 90 a PBS (KETC) station. I noticed that its the host station.

How high up the support chain do you have to go to get you off ADS?...btw...ADS?
stands for ??/

thanks.

HDaddiction Addiction, not sure I understand the question. I didn't do anything to get on or off the ADS thingy, that's how it comes -- when you stick that cablecard in the Sony, the cablecard takes over -- what you get is what the cablecard lets you get. In systems where there is digital simulcasting (in my case the locals, including PBS ch 6 where guide data comes from) the cablecard replaces (for lack of a better word) the analogs with the digital simulcast versions. As far as the Sony is concerned the replaced analogs are bye-bye -- it won't tune them even though they're still there. This is bad news for guide data which requires an analog channel. So, I guess, that is why Comcast creates a "hidden" or unlisted channel (looks like most of them are in the ch 80-99 range) where it broadcasts an analog version of the guide host channel. Clear as mud?

And if and when Tivo gets their act together and comes out with a hd dvr receiver, you won't have to worry, because it will never reboot or have any problems. Be sure to buy the very first one that comes out before it has wide spread market testing. And don't forget to pay your fees while someone is watching your viewing habits.My my....testy today aren't we?....and full of misinformation to boot. Where's your holiday spirit ;) ?

BTW, I gladly forego a couple of lunches per month for the TiVo program guide (light years ahead of TVGOS)...I've had a TiVo for a couple of years now with NO reboots or problems...the new SA HD CC TiVo IS being market tested as we speak...and who cares if TiVo watches my viewing habits...they don't gather (nor do they distribute) ANY personal information.

Jeff,

Thanks for the reply. I hadn't seen the 753159852 menu before, and indeed, that's where host channel was hiding.

My unit reported the host channel as "0:0-28". When I tune to that, it's a local PBS station. (I get the same channel from the CableCard and antenna -- i.e., I have two 28's, but it's obviously pulling the data from the over-the-air channel.)

The reception is a bit fuzzy but I guess it's good enough to get the data. (At least, the data repopulated overnight.)

When I originally installed the CableCard, the unit became completely unable to receive any data at all (time or guide data). I then added an indoor UHF/VHF antenna, and it slowly started working again. But, as I reported, it's been hit and miss; nothing changed and all the data disappeared. The data is back (today), so I'll see how long this lasts. I at least know that I'm getting the data from channel 28 -- I'll make sure I'm getting good reception on that channel if the guide clears out again.

I'll also follow your tips for HBOHD/SHOHD recording.

Thanks again,

- Scott

Jeff,

Thanks for the reply. I hadn't seen the 753159852 menu before, and indeed, that's where host channel was hiding.

My unit reported the host channel as "0:0-28". When I tune to that, it's a local PBS station. (I get the same channel from the CableCard and antenna -- i.e., I have two 28's, but it's obviously pulling the data from the over-the-air channel.)

The reception is a bit fuzzy but I guess it's good enough to get the data. (At least, the data repopulated overnight.)

When I originally installed the CableCard, the unit became completely unable to receive any data at all (time or guide data). I then added an indoor UHF/VHF antenna, and it slowly started working again. But, as I reported, it's been hit and miss; nothing changed and all the data disappeared. The data is back (today), so I'll see how long this lasts. I at least know that I'm getting the data from channel 28 -- I'll make sure I'm getting good reception on that channel if the guide clears out again.

I'll also follow your tips for HBOHD/SHOHD recording.

Thanks again,

- Scott Scott, glad to see your guide is repopulating and, yes, I think 0:0 means OTA, but seems a little odd to have an analog PBS at ch 28 or maybe that's just our channel assignments around here (Denver) where they are in the 2-13 range. Just for grins check both those channels -- tune to ch 28 then go to menu >preferences >system >diagnostics. The second items down is "Mode/Rate". What's the value there? Exit out of the menu then re-tune ch 28, this will bring up the second ch 28. Do the same thing & what's the value?

Jeff

ps -- Forgot, you are leaving the unit powered down (on standby) at night and during the day when not watching? It needs to be on standby to get most of the guide data.

Addiction, not sure I understand the question. I didn't do anything to get on or off the ADS thingy, that's how it comes -- when you stick that cablecard in the Sony, the cablecard takes over -- what you get is what the cablecard lets you get. In systems where there is digital simulcasting (in my case the locals, including PBS ch 6 where guide data comes from) the cablecard replaces (for lack of a better word) the analogs with the digital simulcast versions. As far as the Sony is concerned the replaced analogs are bye-bye -- it won't tune them even though they're still there. This is bad news for guide data which requires an analog channel. So, I guess, that is why Comcast creates a "hidden" or unlisted channel (looks like most of them are in the ch 80-99 range) where it broadcasts an analog version of the guide host channel. Clear as mud?

I understand the cc replacing the cable co channels but I did'nt think it could effect the OTA channel guide. Anyway mine is working fine.

thanks.

HDaddiction

Hey, Hows your Sony?

I'm one month into mine. I orignally got it to just record OTA HD. I had the moxie from the cable co and seriously considered the TIVO from Direct TV. However I decided that I like the Sony for two major reasons, one the tv guide (translation no monthly subscription fees) and I absolutely love the skip feature that you can set from anywhere from 5 sec to 90 secs. It is one thing to be able to 'fast foward through commercials' but its is fantastic to skip them in 3 or 4 button pushes...BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM back to program. That is awesome. An added bonus versus the moxi was when a commercial came on through moxi...it was ALWAYS noticably LOUDER...in fact so loud that it would often awaken me....(translation...po'd me).

Although it sorta died down on the ability to upgrade the box to 500 gigs, I think that will come as soon as these start going out of warranty.

OH, almost forget....I have a pair of those AR headphones that work beautifully out of the audio out jacks that sony provides....that is way cool...

My only regret?.....that I did'nt check ebay first as the 500 gig units are selling at around $600 ...

Its well known that it does'nt have the dual tuner, but one could pick an additional one up later off ebay.

And if ...IF...there is the SA tivo with dual tuners....me wonders how they will get the guide data...I don't think the CC will provide that as it will put then in direct competetion, so either through the internet or land line. Also....I dont think tivo will provide a skip feature...fast forward yes....but moxi had that and it sucks....

Given the current fee structure from Charter in St Louis, the payback on it will be about 30 months...

...Also....I dont think tivo will provide a skip feature...fast forward yes....but moxi had that and it sucks....TiVo's always had a "hidden" skip feature.

Scott, glad to see your guide is repopulating and, yes, I think 0:0 means OTA, but seems a little odd to have an analog PBS at ch 28 or maybe that's just our channel assignments around here (Denver) where they are in the 2-13 range. Just for grins check both those channels -- tune to ch 28 then go to menu >preferences >system >diagnostics. The second items down is "Mode/Rate". What's the value there? Exit out of the menu then re-tune ch 28, this will bring up the second ch 28. Do the same thing & what's the value?

Jeff

ps -- Forgot, you are leaving the unit powered down (on standby) at night and during the day when not watching? It needs to be on standby to get most of the guide data.

Here in Los Angeles, we have three PBS stations: UHF 28, 50, and 58. However, my recorder uses Comcast Cable channel 3, which is same as OTA channel 28. I receive both OTA and cable but I assume it chose channel 3 since it searches from low to high channel to find program station.

I understand the cc replacing the cable co channels but I did'nt think it could effect the OTA channel guide. Anyway mine is working fine. HDaddiction Its a terminology thing. The cablecard does not affect OTA channels (those actually received by the Sony via antenna) or the "OTA channel guide." The Sony's channel guide integrates all channels no matter the source. So if you're receiving, for example, analog ch 6 via antenna before you stick in the cablecard, it will still be there after the card has done its thing. On the other hand, if you're receiving analog ch 6 via cable before you install the card and and if your cable system digital simulcasts, it is very possible that this ch 6 will go bye-bye and cannot be tuned by the Sony,

Here in Los Angeles, we have three PBS stations: UHF 28, 50, and 58. However, my recorder uses Comcast Cable channel 3, which is same as OTA channel 28. I receive both OTA and cable but I assume it chose channel 3 since it searches from low to high channel to find program station. Yeah, that must be a population or, better, spectrum density issue. Here in Colorado we still have very little TV in the UHF space, so there's still something of a distinction made VHF/UHF, although I know that distinction has mostily disappeared. I don't know how the guide picks the host channel, but in my case it chose the other way around. It took cable ch 80 instead of OTA ch 6. Go figure.

TiVo's always had a "hidden" skip feature.

In the older units of course. AND given that TIVO is attuning itself more and more with advertisers, it would not be out of the realm of possibiliies that that feature would go bye bye.

But, this is all speculation, heck we have'nt even seen the unit, have we? I mean its still to be released...sometime in the future.....

HDaddiction

In the older units of course...Not true....it's available in the current SA units shipping. And, of course, everything is speculation...even whether or not the Sony DHG units will be supported by TVGOS in the future.

I bit the bullet yesterday and went for a 10% discount off the current BB price for the HDD250, with some reservations. I hooked it directly to my Comcast analog cable and found that I could tune and view the regional OTA HD channels w/o CC, just as with my Sony HDTV. So far, so good. I shut it down and had clock within 2 hours and at least a day of listings overnight. The TVGOS listing could not see the HD channels or record them from the guide. No problem. I was able to manually program recording of HD channels. The HDD250 recorded via manual programming. Then the fun began. I am unable to play recorded programs including the Coming Soon on DVD snippet that come on the HD. Pausing, however, does work. I have reset the DVR by powering down. When powered up again, the programs are still on the disk, but cannot be played. I have a Sony TV remote set up for a Sony DVR. The HDD250 will not play any selected recordings in response to either remote. I have at least scanned all the posts on this list within the past week and do not recall this problem. I thought that before plowing through all 63 pages again I would ask if this problem rings a bell with anybody on the list. I am not ready to totally rule out a Senior Moment, but the instructions for play back seem pretty simple. My inclination at this point is to forgo a grand adventure and simply boot this puppy back to BB.

I bit the bullet yesterday and went for a 10% discount off the current BB price for the HDD250, with some reservations. I hooked it directly to my Comcast analog cable and found that I could tune and view the regional OTA HD channels w/o CC, just as with my Sony HDTV. So far, so good. I shut it down and had clock within 2 hours and at least a day of listings overnight. The TVGOS listing could not see the HD channels or record them from the guide. No problem. I was able to manually program recording of HD channels. The HDD250 recorded via manual programming. Then the fun began. I am unable to play recorded programs including the Coming Soon on DVD snippet that come on the HD. Pausing, however, does work. I have reset the DVR by powering down. When powered up again, the programs are still on the disk, but cannot be played. I have a Sony TV remote set up for a Sony DVR. The HDD250 will not play any selected recordings in response to either remote. I have at least scanned all the posts on this list within the past week and do not recall this problem. I thought that before plowing through all 63 pages again I would ask if this problem rings a bell with anybody on the list. I am not ready to totally rule out a Senior Moment, but the instructions for play back seem pretty simple. My inclination at this point is to forgo a grand adventure and simply boot this puppy back to BB.
To play back a program, just push the select key, not play.

I bit the bullet yesterday and went for a 10% discount off the current BB price for the HDD250, with some reservations. I hooked it directly to my Comcast analog cable and found that I could tune and view the regional OTA HD channels w/o CC, just as with my Sony HDTV. So far, so good. I shut it down and had clock within 2 hours and at least a day of listings overnight. The TVGOS listing could not see the HD channels or record them from the guide. No problem. I was able to manually program recording of HD channels. The HDD250 recorded via manual programming. Then the fun began. I am unable to play recorded programs including the Coming Soon on DVD snippet that come on the HD. Pausing, however, does work. I have reset the DVR by powering down. When powered up again, the programs are still on the disk, but cannot be played. I have a Sony TV remote set up for a Sony DVR. The HDD250 will not play any selected recordings in response to either remote. I have at least scanned all the posts on this list within the past week and do not recall this problem. I thought that before plowing through all 63 pages again I would ask if this problem rings a bell with anybody on the list. I am not ready to totally rule out a Senior Moment, but the instructions for play back seem pretty simple. My inclination at this point is to forgo a grand adventure and simply boot this puppy back to BB.

Use the remote that came with unit. Use the REC LIST button to display recorded content. Use ARROW cursor ring to arrow down to Program title you desire. Press SELECT button. ARROW down again to the Episode of the recorded show. Press SELECT button and recording will play.

Hope this helps, I had the same problem when I first tried playing recorded shows after reviewing the manual. :)

Use the remote that came with unit. Use the REC LIST button to display recorded content. Use ARROW cursor ring to arrow down to Program title you desire. Press SELECT button. ARROW down again to the Episode of the recorded show. Press SELECT button and recording will play.

Hope this helps, I had the same problem when I first tried playing recorded shows after reviewing the manual. :)

Thanks icmoney & philspice1! Works as you indicated. I thought I could still read. I'll save the Senior Moment excuse for a later date.

I recently purchased the 250 model, and I had the TV Guide listing working well connected to Cablevision cable only. I picked up all the analog stations and a few HD broadcasts. However as soon as I got my cable card in, the TV Guide listing downloads stopped.

The way I got around this was to split the cable and connect one end to the ANT IN and one end to Cable In. The first 13+ channels of cable are picked up as VHS transmissions over the ANT IN, and in NJ the TV Guide listing is transmitted on channel 13 PBS. I scanned for ANT channels, tuned into ANT channel 13, shut off the Sony PVR, and a few hours later the guide was partially there.

So far I like the unit, although the HDMI output doesn't sync too well with my Westinghouse 37" LCD. Switching channels brings up a quick message saying that my TV is not capable of displaying using HDMI before it displays the tuned in channel. I got annoyed with the brief message, so I switch to component cables for now.

Franco

Addiction, not sure I understand the question. I didn't do anything to get on or off the ADS thingy, that's how it comes -- when you stick that cablecard in the Sony, the cablecard takes over -- what you get is what the cablecard lets you get.

The card can be provisioned either as ADS or non-ADS. When first installed, I also lost guide data. Comcast then re-provisioned my card as non-ADS and the guide worked fine.

Comcast simply had to make the change and "hit" the card.

When they eventually insert the duplicate analog PBS channel in my area, I'll ask them to swith me back to ADS.

Hello,

I have been going through this thread for a while now but can't seem to find how to do a complete reset on my Sony HDD250.

I have been having problems with my TV guide for about a month now loading only few days at a time and then "no listing" for few days and then a day here and a day there.

Things were working fine until the unite decided to reboot itself and since then my TV guide info will not load completely.

I am trying to do a factory reseting, hoping it will fix the problem but have no idea how to do it. Called sony and they told me to unplug it for 1 hour and plug it back in. That didn't work.

Can you help me on how to reset my DVR?

Thanks.

On the remote, hit the MENU button, then the SCREEN MODE button, then enter 9012 on the numeric keypad. You'll see a "secret" menu, one of whose choices is "Restore Factory Defaults."

On the remote, hit the MENU button, then the SCREEN MODE button, then enter 9012 on the numeric keypad. You'll see a "secret" menu, one of whose choices is "Restore Factory Defaults."

tariqali, I don't believe this will work if you're in the tv guide so make sure you exit out first. Also, don't forget to hit "enter" after 9012

Resetting the DHG-HDD250.
What is lost if you unplug the DVR for one minute?

Resetting the DHG-HDD250.
What is lost if you unplug the DVR for one minute?

You will only lose the time.

Thank you guys. I can't beleive how cluless Sony tech support. No one could tell me how to reset it.

I am waiting for my TV guide to load now, and hopefully things will get back to working again.

Thank you.

Anyone know how to create a poll? It would be interesting to find out how many times everyone has had to do a factory default reset and how long you've had the unit. 1 reset, 4 days.

For the record, I've had my HDD250 for 4 months and I've never needed to do
a factory default reset. Even when I lost my guide during the great Gemstar
debacle, it all came back on its own. I'm OTA only, and I have no idea what
firmware revision, since I've never needed to look. And two weeks ago, I
had my first (and only) incident of a scheduled recording disappear. Luckily,
Lost was a rerun that week. }:)

Dan (Woj...)

On the remote, hit the MENU button, then the SCREEN MODE button, then enter 9012 on the numeric keypad. You'll see a "secret" menu, one of whose choices is "Restore Factory Defaults."

Will this delete programs stored on the hard drive as well? I lost my listings the other day and they have yet to return so I'm probably going to have to try this. I don't know what happened. The only thing I noticed was the unit clicking a few times after I turned it off as if it was switching between the tuners for some reason. Is that normal? I hadn't noticed it before.

Will this delete programs stored on the hard drive as well? I lost my listings the other day and they have yet to return so I'm probably going to have to try this. I don't know what happened. The only thing I noticed was the unit clicking a few times after I turned it off as if it was switching between the tuners for some reason. Is that normal? I hadn't noticed it before.

The factory reset wont erase your programs.

Another thing you could try is to change your Zip code to another one in your area. This will force it to look again for your TVGOS feed.

JP

For the record, I've had my HDD250 for 4 months and I've never needed to do
a factory default reset. Even when I lost my guide during the great Gemstar
debacle, it all came back on its own. I'm OTA only, and I have no idea what
firmware revision, since I've never needed to look. And two weeks ago, I
had my first (and only) incident of a scheduled recording disappear. Luckily,
Lost was a rerun that week. }:)

Dan (Woj...)

Ditto this except I've had mine for 6 months, use OTA and cable with no CC, and have never (to my knowledge) had a recording disappear.

Count my blessings I guess, but I couldn't be happier with this unit.

The factory reset wont erase your programs.

Another thing you could try is to change your Zip code to another one in your area. This will force it to look again for your TVGOS feed.


I tired that last night but it didn't work. Previously, even if I went through the setup again I would lose the listings but the channel logos would still appear when manually entering a channel. Also, the TVGOS would show a message that listings would appear within 24 hours. This time there are no channel logos and the TVGOS simply says no data.

Running the TVGOS test in the 9012 service menu seems to have snapped it out of it's trance for whatever reason. Maybe it's just a coincidence. The channel logos now appear and the TVGOS shows the listings will appear within 24 hours message again. I hope this flakey behavior doesn't continue because it has worked great otherwise.

Resetting the DHG-HDD250.
What is lost if you unplug the DVR for one minute?

As Alan noted, just the time, but it comes back in a few minutes. I did it last night to install a UPS so as to make sure I record some things while I'm out of town for Christmas. I noticed that the time came back when I happened to tune in the PBS station that carries the TV guide data, so if you're in a hurry to get the time back, this might be the way to do it (or it might have just been a coincidence).

Last week my power was off for 36 hours because of an ice storm. I lost all my TV guide listings, but still had the previously-recorded programs, the list of scheduled recordings, and the channel list maintained by the Sony itself (not the TV guide), so I didn't have to re-scan for available channels. Also, the ZIP code was still in the TV guide setup info. After a few hours the clock set itself, and the the first batch of TV guide listings returned overnight.

Thank you guys. I can't beleive how cluless Sony tech support. No one could tell me how to reset it....See post #1859...

Is anyone from the Chicago area able to get something other than Chicago Broadcast (3) as an option for the OTA channel lineup? I'm missing a few channels and no matter what zip code I use this is the only option presented during setup. Of course it's possible Gemstar just doesn't provide lisitings for these but if there is a (3) there must be a (1) and (2) at least, right?

We should probably all be careful to distinguish between the two types of resets. The 9012 menu has a "Restore Factory Defaults" and the submenu under TV Guide has "Reset to Factory Default" for the Guide only.

The factory reset wont erase your programs.

JP

I believe it does erase your recordings, it did for me.

edit: ah, I see the confusion as stated by PhillyC

I believe it does erase your recordings, it did for me.

I was refering to the reset under TV-Guide. As mentioned on a previous post, we should be careful about the distinction of those two options that have the same name but are on different menus for 9012. I never tried the other reset.


JP

Is anyone from the Chicago area able to get something other than Chicago Broadcast (3) as an option for the OTA channel lineup? I'm missing a few channels and no matter what zip code I use this is the only option presented during setup. Of course it's possible Gemstar just doesn't provide lisitings for these but if there is a (3) there must be a (1) and (2) at least, right?

I can't remember what was shown when I first set up my unit.
Point me to a menu and I'll be happy to tell you what it shows on mine.


Mitch

I can't remember what was shown when I first set up my unit.
Point me to a menu and I'll be happy to tell you what it shows on mine.


I'm not in front of it now but I think it is:

TV Guide -> Menu -> Setup -> Change System Settings -> Yes, but my channel lineup is incorrect

After I click "Yes, but my channel lineup is incorrect" it shows Chicago Broadcast (3) and No Match for OTA

Don't select anything at this point. Just exit. You don't want to change your settings.

I have read this whole thread and it has helped me quite a bit to figure things out, but some of my experience is not quite in line with some of what I’ve read.

First of all I use my 250 with OTA only. Actually I got the out of my Satellite receiver hooked to the cable input and got mine setup as both OTA and Cable so that I can use it to record some things that I can only get with my Dish even if it looks like crap.

My issues have been with getting the listings and quality of signal. At my location I have a directional antenna and PBS is at 182 deg and Fox at 227. The others are close to 200 deg. I cannot set my antenna to get a good signal for both PBS and FOX. I need to sacrifice one or the other. Before I got my 250 I found a way to set it so that I could get FOX and PBS actually worked fine in HD, but the analogue looked like crap. I did not care then.

When I hooked up my 250 initially, I could not get the clock or the listings after 4 days. I tried a lot of things like changing the Zip, which first got me a clock on the front display but it was the wrong time. A few hours later the clock actually got set properly. But still, no listings. I read that some people were getting their listings from PBS even if it was fuzzy. Well, that’s not my case. I eventually realigned my antenna to get a good signal for PBS, and within a few hours had the first set of listings for my guide.

After this I read about the 9012 menu and learned how to monitor the VBI packets on the different channels to see which ones were carrying the signals. Well, with this I found that ABC and FOX were also carrying the signals as well as PBS. I tried to force my 250 to get the feeds from one of those channels with no success. I tried removing my analogue PBS channel from the listings and from the lineup. The 753159852 menu still showed my PBS channel as the host and the listings were still coming in fine. One thing of interest is that the OTA lineup showed 0x0D (Not sure of the format, I’m not in front of my set) which would seem like it would translate to 13 which is my Fox channel. Does anyone know what the Host and the OTA lineup entries mean individually in the 753159852 menu? So I tried to reposition my antenna to get Fox and got a weaker signal on PBS. When using menu 9012 to monitor VBI packets on PBS after the change, I could now see that the packets were about 50% error. I left it as is hoping it would pick up the feed from ABC or FOX. No way, the next morning I was missing the next day’s listings. I did a TV-Guide factory reset and left the antenna as is. I was able to get the clock set quickly, but the listings would not show up.

This morning I went back in the attic and repositioned my antenna to get a good PBS analogue signal and I would bet that when I get back from work, my listings will be there.

So, after all this said, it seems that the fact that the VBI packets are coming in on a station doesn’t mean the system will use them or can use that channel as host. Also my experience is that you need a clean signal on whatever channel gives you the TVGOS feed or it does not work. From what I read, it seems that almost everyone is getting their signals OTA off PBS.

I’ll let you guys know tonight if my listings indeed come in now that I’ve repositioned my antenna. So my solution is that I need to get a better antenna or a rotor.

Besides that I’m happy with this box. I think most people are having problems with CCs. When I bought mine online from BestBuy, there was a warning in BOLD that indicated this only worked with OTA. I’m guessing Sony pulled it because there are too many issues with CableCards and the unit is just too sensitive and will only work well under conditions that too few people can provide. Most of all if this thing was better documented it would save all of us from needing to trial and error every thing. Thanks to this forum, we can at least share our experiences.


JP

For the record, I've had my HDD250 for 4 months and I've never needed to do
a factory default reset. Even when I lost my guide during the great Gemstar
debacle, it all came back on its own. I'm OTA only, and I have no idea what
firmware revision, since I've never needed to look. And two weeks ago, I
had my first (and only) incident of a scheduled recording disappear. Luckily,
Lost was a rerun that week. }:)

Dan (Woj...)
I have experienced the disappearing scheduled recording issue a few times. I just realized now that for some reason I have only heard of (and experienced) this happening with ABC programs. If anyone has had a recording disappear on another network, feel free to correct me. (I have missed scheduled recordings of Commander In Chief, Lost, and Desperate Housewives.)

The only reasons I can think of for this to be an issue on only one network would be a broadcast flag issue or a problem due to the fact that most ABC affiliates (to my knowledge) are in the VHF range.

I have read this whole thread and it has helped me quite a bit to figure things out, but some of my experience is not quite in line with some of what I’ve read.

First of all I use my 250 with OTA only. Actually I got the out of my Satellite receiver hooked to the cable input and got mine setup as both OTA and Cable so that I can use it to record some things that I can only get with my Dish even if it looks like crap.

......

Besides that I’m happy with this box. I think most people are having problems with CCs. When I bought mine online from BestBuy, there was a warning in BOLD that indicated this only worked with OTA. I’m guessing Sony pulled it because there are too many issues with CableCards and the unit is just too sensitive and will only work well under conditions that too few people can provide. Most of all if this thing was better documented it would save all of us from needing to trial and error every thing. Thanks to this forum, we can at least share our experiences.


JP
The current listing at Best Buy for the HDD500 states that it "Only works with over-the-air antenna and cable"

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7276048&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03021&id=1117178795519

The current listing at Best Buy for the HDD500 states that it "Only works with over-the-air antenna and cable"




Indeed it does. They no longer have the 250 available, but I am pretty sure I remember it saying only OTA and not cable. The actual description did say that it supproted cable cards though. I noticed that and was surprised to see a comment that contradicted the actual product description. I did not care as I had no intention of using it with a CC.

JP

Indeed it does. They no longer have the 250 available, but I am pretty sure I remember it saying only OTA and not cable. The actual description did say that it supproted cable cards though. I noticed that and was surprised to see a comment that contradicted the actual product description. I did not care as I had no intention of using it with a CC.

JP

Unless this was the case before they reduced the price to $499, I don't think this is correct. I bought mine from BB.com, and I specifically remember that the site said it worked only with OTA and cable (the "only" is meant to emphasize the fact that it won't record satellite TV).

I am not saying that they may have pulled it because of the issues with TVGOS and/or CC issues, though... :D

I have experienced the disappearing scheduled recording issue a few times. I just realized now that for some reason I have only heard of (and experienced) this happening with ABC programs. If anyone has had a recording disappear on another network, feel free to correct me. (I have missed scheduled recordings of Commander In Chief, Lost, and Desperate Housewives.)


I have experienced the disappearing scheduled recording issue about four times. Two times with House on FOX, once with Prison Break on FOX, and most recently with Lost on ABC.

I am using OTA and cable (no cable card, just QAM) - so this issue is not just a cable card problem. I actually receive FOX OTA and ABC via QAM, so the problem isn't specific to OTA or cable in my setup either.

I've been trying to determine if newer software versions fix this problem. Sony is claiming that they have never heard of this problem. A tech was supposed to get back to me after talking to the engineers to find out what the new software versions are supposed to do. He said he'd get back to me in 24 hours - that was almost a week ago, so I'm not holding my breath. Our best bet is to see if any of the folks on this forum have the problem with the new software. I've been using manual recordings and haven't had any problems. It's annoying not knowing the title of what you recorded, but at least you don't miss recordings. Hopefully the new software versions fix this problem.

I tired that last night but it didn't work. Previously, even if I went through the setup again I would lose the listings but the channel logos would still appear when manually entering a channel. Also, the TVGOS would show a message that listings would appear within 24 hours. This time there are no channel logos and the TVGOS simply says no data.

Running the TVGOS test in the 9012 service menu seems to have snapped it out of it's trance for whatever reason. Maybe it's just a coincidence. The channel logos now appear and the TVGOS shows the listings will appear within 24 hours message again. I hope this flakey behavior doesn't continue because it has worked great otherwise.

Well, I can't get the TVGOS listings to appear but when I manually tune to a channel the info banner that appears briefly at the top of the screen shows the channel logo along with the correct show title and running time. Any ideas? I'm about ready to completely reset the unit and start over from scratch, losing my recordings in the process.

Okay, I just learned that the other night while my father was changing channels the unit shut down for no reason and started back up to the initial Sony welcome screen. It was supposed to make recording shows easier for him. Back it goes. :rolleyes:

I have read this whole thread and it has helped me quite a bit to figure things out, but some of my experience is not quite in line with some of what I’ve read.

First of all I use my 250 with OTA only. Actually I got the out of my Satellite receiver hooked to the cable input and got mine setup as both OTA and Cable so that I can use it to record some things that I can only get with my Dish even if it looks like crap.

My issues have been with getting the listings and quality of signal. At my location I have a directional antenna and PBS is at 182 deg and Fox at 227. The others are close to 200 deg. I cannot set my antenna to get a good signal for both PBS and FOX. I need to sacrifice one or the other. Before I got my 250 I found a way to set it so that I could get FOX and PBS actually worked fine in HD, but the analogue looked like crap. I did not care then.

When I hooked up my 250 initially, I could not get the clock or the listings after 4 days. I tried a lot of things like changing the Zip, which first got me a clock on the front display but it was the wrong time. A few hours later the clock actually got set properly. But still, no listings. I read that some people were getting their listings from PBS even if it was fuzzy. Well, that’s not my case. I eventually realigned my antenna to get a good signal for PBS, and within a few hours had the first set of listings for my guide.

After this I read about the 9012 menu and learned how to monitor the VBI packets on the different channels to see which ones were carrying the signals. Well, with this I found that ABC and FOX were also carrying the signals as well as PBS. I tried to force my 250 to get the feeds from one of those channels with no success. I tried removing my analogue PBS channel from the listings and from the lineup. The 753159852 menu still showed my PBS channel as the host and the listings were still coming in fine. One thing of interest is that the OTA lineup showed 0x0D (Not sure of the format, I’m not in front of my set) which would seem like it would translate to 13 which is my Fox channel. Does anyone know what the Host and the OTA lineup entries mean individually in the 753159852 menu? So I tried to reposition my antenna to get Fox and got a weaker signal on PBS. When using menu 9012 to monitor VBI packets on PBS after the change, I could now see that the packets were about 50% error. I left it as is hoping it would pick up the feed from ABC or FOX. No way, the next morning I was missing the next day’s listings. I did a TV-Guide factory reset and left the antenna as is. I was able to get the clock set quickly, but the listings would not show up.

This morning I went back in the attic and repositioned my antenna to get a good PBS analogue signal and I would bet that when I get back from work, my listings will be there.

So, after all this said, it seems that the fact that the VBI packets are coming in on a station doesn’t mean the system will use them or can use that channel as host. Also my experience is that you need a clean signal on whatever channel gives you the TVGOS feed or it does not work. From what I read, it seems that almost everyone is getting their signals OTA off PBS.

I’ll let you guys know tonight if my listings indeed come in now that I’ve repositioned my antenna. So my solution is that I need to get a better antenna or a rotor.

Besides that I’m happy with this box. I think most people are having problems with CCs. When I bought mine online from BestBuy, there was a warning in BOLD that indicated this only worked with OTA. I’m guessing Sony pulled it because there are too many issues with CableCards and the unit is just too sensitive and will only work well under conditions that too few people can provide. Most of all if this thing was better documented it would save all of us from needing to trial and error every thing. Thanks to this forum, we can at least share our experiences.


JP
Well. back from work and I don' t have any listings or even channel lineup. the 753159852 menu does now show that my PBS station as the host which it did not this morning. I did the G* test on the PBS channel and it is successfull but the packet rate is really slow. every 5 to 10 seconds to increment. I test ABC which worked previouly and it failed. I then tested FOX and that one was successful with a much quicker packet rate, every 1 or 2 seconds. So I'm guessing the different channels broadcast at different schedules. It's been posted earlier that the updates are broadcasted 4 times a day but this may not be true for all stations. I'm guessing the PBS station is only broadcasting the time or something and not the listings. I'm now guessing it will only be by tomorrow morning that I get the listings. I also notices that when I shut it off the tuner ticked indicating it was tuning on the cable input. I'm guessing it's still scanning the cable input for signals which it wont find since it's my dish receiver output.

More to come...

JP

My TVGOS has been down for a week here in Seattle. I've called the local PBS station and the engineer there is going to turn on his TV that receives TVGOS. I'll call tomorrow to see if they are receiving it. The girl I talked to on the phone said they basically relay the signal from somewhere in Virginia. I think it is Manassas. Has anyone called their local PBS station to see where they get their guide information?

Looking to buy a Sony HDD250 or 500 to record ota programs. Can only find some at Best buy for $499. After reading the posts, I was expecting to find them for less. Any one have any ideas on where to get a good buy on one or if there are better alternatives for OTA hd recording? Thanks- Ted


You can get a HDD 500 for $775 at Abes of Maine. Inventory shows "Available."

Go to http://abesofmaine.com/viewproduct.asp?id=sndhghdd500

My TVGOS has been down for a week here in Seattle. I've called the local PBS station and the engineer there is going to turn on his TV that receives TVGOS. I'll call tomorrow to see if they are receiving it. The girl I talked to on the phone said they basically relay the signal from somewhere in Virginia. I think it is Manassas. Has anyone called their local PBS station to see where they get their guide information?

I'm also in Seattle and I thought I lost my feed because of my antenna alingment. I seem to remember that the last successful feeds I got were last Thursday or Friday. So much for my theories, or not...

JP

I have experienced the disappearing scheduled recording issue about four times. Two times with House on FOX, once with Prison Break on FOX, and most recently with Lost on ABC.

I am using OTA and cable (no cable card, just QAM) - so this issue is not just a cable card problem. I actually receive FOX OTA and ABC via QAM, so the problem isn't specific to OTA or cable in my setup either.

I've been trying to determine if newer software versions fix this problem. Sony is claiming that they have never heard of this problem. A tech was supposed to get back to me after talking to the engineers to find out what the new software versions are supposed to do. He said he'd get back to me in 24 hours - that was almost a week ago, so I'm not holding my breath. Our best bet is to see if any of the folks on this forum have the problem with the new software. I've been using manual recordings and haven't had any problems. It's annoying not knowing the title of what you recorded, but at least you don't miss recordings. Hopefully the new software versions fix this problem.

I have the identical setup but only OTA program I record is on UPN. I've had my unit since late June, and to my knowledge, my scheduled recording loss problem affects only ABC programs. A few times, the red dot disappeared almost immediately after I put it in. When this occurred, I reinserted the red dot, and recording was successful. Since I am aware of this problem, I try to check the recording schedule every day.

I believe that the TV Guide, and Sony software continue to be refined.

With regard to the guide,
they finally eliminated a program title problem that prevented me from automatically recording the Channel 4 news at 11. I also have a Comcast dual recorder, and tried to set that record for daily 11 o'clock news program. I had to delete that programmed recording since the setup indicated that every one of the daily channel 4 news program would be recorded.

There has been much discussion about different software versions, but some of the software is being updated via the TV guide channel. The software version can be viewed on the same menu that shows the guide station.

With manual recording, the title may be unknown but date and time tells you what you recorded, if the program is a weekly show. What did you do to know show title when you used a VCR?

I'm also in Seattle and I thought I lost my feed because of my antenna alingment. I seem to remember that the last successful feeds I got were last Thursday or Friday. So much for my theories, or not...

JP

Update, I just got my lineup. When I turned it on it asked me which cable provider I wanted. I selected anything since I don't care and I now have my channel lineup with logos. I still don't have listings.

Could the Seattle feed be back? The VBI packets on PBS are still coming in only every 10 sec or so. The 753159852 menu now shows me 0xD as my OTA lineup. It was showing 0x0 before I got my lineup. Could that 0xD by for 13 which is FOX? Could the host and feed be on two different channels?

Jengle1023, what is your Host and OTA lineup showing?

JP

Question for those who have done it before: Aren't you supposed to be able to watch an already recorded program while another show is being recorded? I tried tonight with a Fox News program (pre-recorded) and scheduled a Discovery show recording. The recording failed and when I tried to re-do it, the unit said I could either record and stop watching, or keep watching and cancel the recording.

Maybe there's a technique I'm missing...

Question for those who have done it before: Aren't you supposed to be able to watch an already recorded program while another show is being recorded? I tried tonight with a Fox News program (pre-recorded) and scheduled a Discovery show recording. The recording failed and when I tried to re-do it, the unit said I could either record and stop watching, or keep watching and cancel the recording.

Maybe there's a technique I'm missing...

You can always view a recorded program while a new program is being recorded. You can also view a program as it is being recorded. Not clear from your explanation as to what failed. While the recording is in progress, you click the rec list button and select the recording you wish to view. That should not affect program in progress. What you must not do is change the channel while recording is in progress.

A few times, the red dot disappeared almost immediately after I put it in.

Sometimes the red dot is not present in the program listing, but the show will record if it is still present in the schedule screen. Odd, but true. I know this has happened a couple of times with ABC programs; not sure about other channels.

I'm not in front of it now but I think it is:

TV Guide -> Menu -> Setup -> Change System Settings -> Yes, but my channel lineup is incorrect

After I click "Yes, but my channel lineup is incorrect" it shows Chicago Broadcast (3) and No Match for OTA

Don't select anything at this point. Just exit. You don't want to change your settings.

Yep, mine only says "Chicago Broadcast (3) and No Match."
Which channels are you missing?
(We should probably move this to PMs since folks probably don't care about Chicago station listings.)


Mitch

There has been much discussion about different software versions, but some of the software is being updated via the TV guide channel. The software version can be viewed on the same menu that shows the guide station.


I understand that the unit integrates Sony software with TVGOS software, and I believe that you may be correct about the TVGOS software being updated via the host channel's guide data. I am simply trying to determine what is included with the new versions of the Sony software, which currently can only be updated by sending your unit to Sony. Typically you have release notes with new software, and that is what I was hoping the Sony tech could review. There is no sense in me paying to send my unit to Sony to upgrade the software if it doesn't address the issue I am having.

With manual recording, the title may be unknown but date and time tells you what you recorded, if the program is a weekly show. What did you do to know show title when you used a VCR?

I am quite capable of determining what's been recorded when using a VCR, thank you. This unit is a DVR however, not a VCR, and I expect a little more functionality. If I wanted VCR functionality for recording HD, I could have purchased a D-VHS recorder. I was an early adopter with this Sony unit and paid full price. When you spend almost a grand on an HD DVR, you would like a little more functionality than basic timed recordings. I like to be able to group the recordings, see if it's a rerun, read the episode descriptions, etc. Yes, I can figure-out what's been recorded via the manual recordings by looking at the date/time/channel, but I would prefer to have the unit work as designed instead of using a lame work-around to deal with this disappearing programs bug.

Before I switched to manual recordings, like you, I was checking the schedule everyday. I got tired of having to do that. And even if you notice that a show disappeared from the schedule in the morning and reschedule it, it can still disappear again during the day, which has happened to me.

I have had the DHG HDD500 since July and had a cablecard installed in it immediately upon purchase. I have it connected to a SONY TV with an HD tuner built in through the HDMI output. My Sony TV also has a cablecard. I'm now in seventh heaven because I can view any encrypted channel directly with my TV while I record any encrypted channel with the Sony DVR. Also, whoever made the later observation about the Best Buy warning saying it is for OTA and cable was right. This IS for OTA and CABLE with OR without Cablecard. It is NOT for satelite transmissions. There is no problem with the cablecard and this unit, at least with Cox as service provider in the Northern Virginia (metro DC )area.

So far I like the unit, although the HDMI output doesn't sync too well with my Westinghouse 37" LCD. Switching channels brings up a quick message saying that my TV is not capable of displaying using HDMI before it displays the tuned in channel. I got annoyed with the brief message, so I switch to component cables for now.


FWIW, I have a 500 connected to a Westy 37" via HDMI->DVI[2], but with a Geffen switch in between, and I don't get any such message.

JP wrote:
Could the Seattle feed be back? The VBI packets on PBS are still coming in only every 10 sec or so. The 753159852 menu now shows me 0xD as my OTA lineup. It was showing 0x0 before I got my lineup. Could that 0xD by for 13 which is FOX? Could the host and feed be on two different channels?

Jengle1023, what is your Host and OTA lineup showing?

JP, currently the Host is reading 0. I don't remember how to see the VBI packets. Can you refresh my memory. I was seeing channel 9, the PBS station as the host provider earlier when it was working though.

My TVGOS has been down for a week here in Seattle. <snip>I'm 12 mi NW of Seattle (Kingston) and get the guide from KCTS 9. I've got listings for 7 days (today thru next Sunday) but the 8th day says "No Listing". The download is for days 1, 2, & 8, so, that's strange, but the data is being sent.

JP wrote:
Could the Seattle feed be back? The VBI packets on PBS are still coming in only every 10 sec or so. The 753159852 menu now shows me 0xD as my OTA lineup. It was showing 0x0 before I got my lineup. Could that 0xD by for 13 which is FOX? Could the host and feed be on two different channels?

Jengle1023, what is your Host and OTA lineup showing?

JP, currently the Host is reading 0. I don't remember how to see the VBI packets. Can you refresh my memory. I was seeing channel 9, the PBS station as the host provider earlier when it was working though.

VBI packet can be monitored by first tuning the station you want to monitor, then you hit, menu, screen mode, 9012. Select TV-Guide and then G* factory test.

It's odd that your Host is showing 0. It seems like it lost it's host, maybe because the feed is down. I'll let you know if I get my listing tomorrow morning, this way you'll know if that is your problem of something else. I'm guessing that if your host is showing 0, your OTA lineup is also showing 0.

JP

I'm 12 mi NW of Seattle (Kingston) and get the guide from KCTS 9. I've got listings for 7 days (today thru next Sunday) but the 8th day says "No Listing". The download is for days 1, 2, & 8, so, that's strange, but the data is being sent.

Can you see what your Host and OTA lineup are showing in the 753159852 menu?

Nice to see there's at least 3 of us from Seattle that can compare notes.

Can you see what your Host and OTA lineup are showing in the 753159852 menu?Host ID = 0xD
Host chan = 0:0-9
OTA lineup = 0xD

Host ID = 0xD
Host chan = 0:0-9
OTA lineup = 0xD

That's exactly what I got when I had it working and that's what I'm expecting to get by tomorrow morning as my listings should show up again after the reset I made.

We know that 0:0-9 means Air, analogue 9, which is our local PBS.

Does anyone have a clue at what the 0xD means. If it meant channel 13 it should be displayed in the same format as 0:0-9, but I know that I do get VBI packets on 13.


JP

Sometimes the red dot is not present in the program listing, but the show will record if it is still present in the schedule screen. Odd, but true. I know this has happened a couple of times with ABC programs; not sure about other channels.

After I placed a red dot on the program guide I went to the schedule screen to verify that recording was set to record, but program was not listed - that's how I knew that I needed to repeat the process.

Host ID = 0xD
Host chan = 0:0-9
OTA lineup = 0xD

As I expected I got my listings this morning for days 1,2 and 8. The Seattle feed is fine.

Cosmicvoid and jengle1023 are your listings OK today?

I will try one more time to change my antenna orientation so that I can get Fox and sacrifice the PBS signal quality and see if I stop getting listings again to make sure I haven't been doing this because the feed was instead down.

JP

Maybe this is old news, but The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday approved legislation to complete the U.S. transition to new, higher-quality digital television by February 17, 2009.

So I guess that is the date that will supposedly render our Sony DVR's useless, well maybe huh?

Although me thinks or hopes that Sony provisioned for this eventualilty.

I recently purchased a Sony DHG-HDD250 at Tweeter in Allentown, PA. My cable company is Service Electric Cable TV. The Cable guy came and installed a CableCard last thursday, then I went through the "setup" procedure. Although I can use the unit to view HD channels (501 to 520), the TVGuide feature does not work. Also, the unit does not display the time of day. I can probably live without the TV Guide feature, but I really need the unit to know what time it is so that I can schedule recordings. Does anyone know how to set the time on this unit without the TV Guide service?

I recently purchased a Sony DHG-HDD250 at Tweeter in Allentown, PA. My cable company is Service Electric Cable TV. The Cable guy came and installed a CableCard last thursday, then I went through the "setup" procedure. Although I can use the unit to view HD channels (501 to 520), the TVGuide feature does not work. Also, the unit does not display the time of day. I can probably live without the TV Guide feature, but I really need the unit to know what time it is so that I can schedule recordings. Does anyone know how to set the time on this unit without the TV Guide service?No can do. You're SOL until TVGOS downloads.

I recently purchased a Sony DHG-HDD250 at Tweeter in Allentown, PA. My cable company is Service Electric Cable TV. The Cable guy came and installed a CableCard last thursday, then I went through the "setup" procedure. Although I can use the unit to view HD channels (501 to 520), the TVGuide feature does not work. Also, the unit does not display the time of day. I can probably live without the TV Guide feature, but I really need the unit to know what time it is so that I can schedule recordings. Does anyone know how to set the time on this unit without the TV Guide service?

Can you get your local PBS analogue station with an OTA antenna? That's probably what you need. Your cable company may not be passing the TVGOS feed.

Do I understand you correctly that I can't manually set the clock on the unit without the TV Guide On Screen service?

Do I understand you correctly that I can't manually set the clock on the unit without the TV Guide On Screen service?That is correct....an incredibly ridiculous oversight on Sony's part. It MUST connect to a station transmitting the TVGOS data for the clock to be set. There is no way to manually set it. One of several reasons I returned my unit.

That is correct....an incredibly ridiculous oversight on Sony's part. It MUST connect to a station transmitting the TVGOS data for the clock to be set. There is no way to manually set it. One of several reasons I returned my unit.

Actually, can't it set the clock with a "clock set" channel, without actually loading guide data successfully? My clock channel and guide data channel are not the same (one is on PBS - cable, and one is PBS OTA - so actually they are the same channel I guess - just different sources)...

I just got my DHG-HDD250 hooked up last night and will be gitting the cable card tomorrow to allow me access to my premium HD channels, as well as my upgraded digital channels. I just have a few general questions, if anyone can help.

Although I didn't have the Cable Card in yet, I did get some HD channels (seemingly my locals). I think that these are a part of my standard HD package, and are not scrambled so that is why I got them. However, they picture quality did not look as good as it had been with my old Cable box. I noticed more digital artifacts on the turf, and around the scoreboard when watching MNF. Has anyone experienced this, and do you think I will get better results once my cable card is in? ( I have read nothing but good things about the quality, which was my main concern with getting this HD-DVR - but now am so far disappointed.)

Also I noticed when looking at the system menu that my cable reception was 88% and the quality ranged form poor to below normal, to goo, to normal. Any idea the hierarchy of these settings, and how to get them as best as possible?

Thanks!

I have experienced the disappearing scheduled recording issue a few times. I just realized now that for some reason I have only heard of (and experienced) this happening with ABC programs. If anyone has had a recording disappear on another network, feel free to correct me. (I have missed scheduled recordings of Commander In Chief, Lost, and Desperate Housewives.)

The only reasons I can think of for this to be an issue on only one network would be a broadcast flag issue or a problem due to the fact that most ABC affiliates (to my knowledge) are in the VHF range.

I have only lost ABC programs, as well: C-i-C and Lost. After I removed C-i-C from my list, I've never lost another recording (except, of course during the Gemstar debacle - but that doesn't count).

Do I understand you correctly that I can't manually set the clock on the unit without the TV Guide On Screen service?

It typically gets the time from the first channel it scans that happens to be broadcasting it. It does not have to be the same channel the broadcasts the TVGOS info however. If you are using a CableCard it is probably blocking the needed analog station(s) that broadcast the info. Try hooking up a small indoor antenna from Radio Shack. The picture quality isn't improtant. You just want it to get the time and listings.

Actually, can't it set the clock with a "clock set" channel, without actually loading guide data successfully? My clock channel and guide data channel are not the same (one is on PBS - cable, and one is PBS OTA - so actually they are the same channel I guess - just different sources)...That may be true. But I didn't have a clock setting on mine until I had some of the guide data (albeit very little...maybe one or two out of the eight days).

I just got my DHG-HDD250 hooked up last night and will be gitting the cable card tomorrow to allow me access to my premium HD channels, as well as my upgraded digital channels. I just have a few general questions, if anyone can help.

Although I didn't have the Cable Card in yet, I did get some HD channels (seemingly my locals). I think that these are a part of my standard HD package, and are not scrambled so that is why I got them. However, they picture quality did not look as good as it had been with my old Cable box. I noticed more digital artifacts on the turf, and around the scoreboard when watching MNF. Has anyone experienced this, and do you think I will get better results once my cable card is in? ( I have read nothing but good things about the quality, which was my main concern with getting this HD-DVR - but now am so far disappointed.)

Also I noticed when looking at the system menu that my cable reception was 88% and the quality ranged form poor to below normal, to goo, to normal. Any idea the hierarchy of these settings, and how to get them as best as possible?

Thanks!

I doubt a cablecard will help with PQ.

It sounds to me like you might have a noisy cable signal. I think that the "quality" measurement is actually looking at the SNR (signal to noise ratio) on that channel. If you go to the menu option just below the one that takes you to the signal strength meters, you will find the SNR listed (somewhat dynamically). I think this menu is called "Diagnostics". Tune to the station that was troublesome, and see what this number is (it should vary as you watch, albeit slowly)...

I doubt a cablecard will help with PQ.

It sounds to me like you might have a noisy cable signal. I think that the "quality" measurement is actually looking at the SNR (signal to noise ratio) on that channel. If you go to the menu option just below the one that takes you to the signal strength meters, you will find the SNR listed (somewhat dynamically). I think this menu is called "Diagnostics". Tune to the station that was troublesome, and see what this number is (it should vary as you watch, albeit slowly)...

I doubt it will too. I will definitely do that once I get home. I do have a coax on the splitter that is not hooked up to anything, thich I know can cause quality issues, I just didn't think I'd notice it right off the bat. Any idea why the PQ was better with my old "beat up" rented box? Any ideas how to fix this? I'm afraid getting the Cable Company to do it will turn up nothing, as they will say it's not our equpiment.

Thanks!

I doubt it will too. I will definitely do that once I get home. I do have a coax on the splitter that is not hooked up to anything, thich I know can cause quality issues, I just didn't think I'd notice it right off the bat. Any idea why the PQ was better with my old "beat up" rented box? Any ideas how to fix this? I'm afraid getting the Cable Company to do it will turn up nothing, as they will say it's not our equpiment.

Thanks!

Was the unconnected splitter in your setup before the Sony was added? You could try putting a terminating resistor on the open output of the splitter to make sure there aren't signals reflecting back into the cable, but that may not be the problem. Make sure all of your connections are snug too. (Don't use the push-on cables for this application - the screw on connectors are much better in my experience).

Was the box outputting the same format as the previous cable box? How are you connecting to the TV? HDMI or component? You might have had the box outputting 480p or something rather than 720p or 1080i...This is adjusted with a button on the remote - "Format" I think. It just takes a good 2-3 seconds from the time you toggle to the format you want until it actually switches...

Just a few thoughts...

I've had this unit for a few weeks, and I'm dropping recordings all the time - on all major networks. Last night was CSI Miami. Have also lost housewives, CSI, NCIS - doesn't appear to have any trend. Most have been set up as "regular" recordings - I'm trying weekly now to see if that's better. BTW, I'm running .09 software

I've had this unit for a few weeks, and I'm dropping recordings all the time - on all major networks. Last night was CSI Miami. Have also lost housewives, CSI, NCIS - doesn't appear to have any trend. Most have been set up as "regular" recordings - I'm trying weekly now to see if that's better. BTW, I'm running .09 software

Just out of curiosity, how do you knwo what version of SW you are running, what is the latest Version, and I read you must send it to SONY to upgrade (true?)?

Also, what is the USB port used for?

I've had this unit for a few weeks, and I'm dropping recordings all the time - on all major networks. Last night was CSI Miami. Have also lost housewives, CSI, NCIS - doesn't appear to have any trend. Most have been set up as "regular" recordings - I'm trying weekly now to see if that's better. BTW, I'm running .09 software


Me wonders if you are having a problem with the signal?

HDaddiction

Dropping/Missing Recordings?

Please define what this means. I have had several recordings happen which had audio only and a black video. Is this typically what happens or is there nothing at all when a recording is "missed"?

Dropping/Missing Recordings?

Please define what this means. I have had several recordings happen which had audio only and a black video. Is this typically what happens or is there nothing at all when a recording is "missed"?


If the signal is too weak, would that cause the recording to miss?


HDaddiction

Just out of curiosity, how do you knwo what version of SW you are running, what is the latest Version, and I read you must send it to SONY to upgrade (true?)?

Also, what is the USB port used for?

To find the version of SW, go to Menu>Preferences>System>System Menu

The highest version number that I've heard of on this forum is 1.2.13.

According to the manual, the USB port is "Reserved for potential future applications". It would make sense to deploy new software using the port, however, at the current time Sony support doesn't provide that option for owners of this unit. The only way I've heard of software being upgraded is by sending the unit in for service. If there is another way to upgrade the software, I have not heard of it. Feel free to call Sony and see if you can get some information. When I tried, the tech was clueless and was supposed to get back to me. If they do provide a way for owners to upgrade the software on their own, it will probably be available at the Sony eSupport site in the "Drivers/Software" section, which is currently grayed-out:


http://esupport.sony.com/perl/model-news.pl?mdl=DHGHDD250

Dropping/Missing Recordings?

Please define what this means. I have had several recordings happen which had audio only and a black video. Is this typically what happens or is there nothing at all when a recording is "missed"?

It means that a program that you scheduled to record fails to record for unknown reasons. It doesn't even display an attempt at recording in the recording history, and if it was a regular or weekly program, it is no longer listed in the schedule for future recordings. Your problem sounds different, perhaps the black video was a problem with the signal being broadcasted?


If the signal is too weak, would that cause the recording to miss?


HDaddiction

I don't think the problem is related to a weak signal. After a scheduled recording disappears, if you happen to realize it while the program is still being broadcasted, you can easily record it manually. I would think that you were on to something if there was no signal or a weak signal when the channel was tuned at the beginning of the recording. However, the recordings can disappear from the schedule days before the recording is supposed to start.

Maybe this is old news, but The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday approved legislation to complete the U.S. transition to new, higher-quality digital television by February 17, 2009. So I guess that is the date that will supposedly render our Sony DVR's useless, well maybe huh? Although me thinks or hopes that Sony provisioned for this eventualilty.

First of all, this will have zero effect on the Sony DVR, since it already has an ATSC tuner. The "digital transition" is from analog (NTSC) to digital (ATSC) broadcasting. The people who will need new equipment are the folks who will still have analog-only TV sets, and who receive their programming over-the-air or via a cable feed using an internal tuner. (Satellite users and cable subscribers with set-top-boxes will not see any impact, as those services will provide new equipment that will downrez the hi-def signals to play on older analog TVs.) In fact, your Sony DVR already does this -- it can record hi-def programs and play them back in standard-def on analog NTSC-only TV sets.

Second, unless there's news from the Senate that I've missed, the Feb 2009 date is still not the final answer. The Senate has been consistently pushing for a late Spring 2009 date (mid-April, the last I saw), while the House was originally aiming for December 31, 2008. (The Senate date was more sports-friendly to analog-only households, as it would keep the analog signals on until after the Super Bowl and March Madness. The old House date would have cut off analog signals just before the major bowl games and NFL playoff games, while the new House date gets past the Super Bowl window.) This may just be an attempt by the House to push for compromise with the Senate.

I've had this unit for a few weeks, and I'm dropping recordings all the time - on all major networks. Last night was CSI Miami. Have also lost housewives, CSI, NCIS - doesn't appear to have any trend. Most have been set up as "regular" recordings - I'm trying weekly now to see if that's better. BTW, I'm running .09 software
When I encountered this problem, it made no difference whether the recording was scheduled as "regular" or "weekly".

First of all, this will have zero effect on the Sony DVR, since it already has an ATSC tuner.

rosenkavalier,

It appears that you are a late-comer to this thread. The concern about the analog shutoff is due to the fact that the TVGOS system currently requires ANALOG broadcast stations to send out the guide data (and the clock setting signals). If these units cannot receive this data over digital transmissions, we are afraid these DVR's will become doorstops (or at least a VERY cumbersome to use VCR-style recorder). There is no way to manually set the clock, either - analog broadcasts are needed to set the clock as well.

Too late, time wasted. I told the service guy it was continuously rebooting. He told me to enter the menu+screenmode+9012+enter, but first I asked if there was a window of opportunity that I had to do this in. He said no. Needless to say it didn't work because I found out that I did have to enter it within the 8 second window that started right after it ran through it's welcome setup which means I had to press dvr, wait for the guide, exit the guide, enter the codes, select the factory reset.... pretty fun game to play, beat the clock. I finally nailed it and it's now reset and waiting for guide data to come back. I was thinking of sending it back to crutch for another one but it's pretty evident from other posts that this could happen to any unit, maybe the issue is a combo of the firmware 1.2.05+gemstar info being downloaded, who knows. I'm going to stick it out a few more days. If it happens again I'm still not sure I'll send it back to Crutch, that's how bad I want this thing to work. I'm almost willing to accept the fact I'll need to reset it now then then. I don't care about archiving and losing recorded shows so the only downside is the time to set up the channels again. But, I hope "now and then" doesn't mean every 4 days which is how long I've had it.


It's been a couple of days since my continuous reboot problem. That was fixed with a service menu reset. After the reset I was greeted with a nice message of "hard drive disk error has been detected, auto recovery was successful". I shrugged it off. Nice to see it can handle its own hiccups. Well, today it rebooted again although this time not continuously. That's the good news. The bad news is it gave me the ol "A hard disk drive error has been detected. Auto recovery is not possible. Recording and playback of TV programming will not be possible. Contact your sony service center to learn about repair options." I was miffed at first but thanks to ordering from Crutchfield a new one is already on it's way. I'm rolling the dice and hope I don't get another lemon. Yes, I really want this thing to work.

I'm not sure it was a coincidence, but I called KCTS in Seattle and had one of their engineers turn his set on to see if he was getting the guide. I just got back into Seattle and the guide for Tuesday, Wednesday and part of Thursday are present. In addition, there are listing for next Tuesday.
Was poking around with that 753159852 code. My Host ID is 0xD and the Host Chan is 0:0-9
I also noticed that if you press the up arrow on the remote, you get a screen that says Section Reset Info-Statistics
Press up again and you get Section Reception-Slicing
Press up again and you get Section VBI Data-VBI Info
Press up again and you get Section Memory-Heap Info
Press up again and you get Section Setup-Input Configuration
Press up again and you get Section Comm-Serial
Press up again and you get Section Recording-Recordings Summary
Press up again and you get Section ATSC-ATSC Slicer
Press up again and you get Section Other-Clocks 1
it goes on and on.
I don't recall anyone saying anthing about these screens.

I'm not sure it was a coincidence, but I called KCTS in Seattle and had one of their engineers turn his set on to see if he was getting the guide. I just got back into Seattle and the guide for Tuesday, Wednesday and part of Thursday are present. In addition, there are listing for next Tuesday.
Was poking around with that 753159852 code. My Host ID is 0xD and the Host Chan is 0:0-9
I also noticed that if you press the up arrow on the remote, you get a screen that says Section Reset Info-Statistics
Press up again and you get Section Reception-Slicing
Press up again and you get Section VBI Data-VBI Info
Press up again and you get Section Memory-Heap Info
Press up again and you get Section Setup-Input Configuration
Press up again and you get Section Comm-Serial
Press up again and you get Section Recording-Recordings Summary
Press up again and you get Section ATSC-ATSC Slicer
Press up again and you get Section Other-Clocks 1
it goes on and on.
I don't recall anyone saying anthing about these screens.

The screens themselves haven't all been mentioned, but they are known. In fact, on some of those screens, you can arrow to the right and get additional pages (sub-pages) for those items you listed above.

It's been a couple of days since my continuous reboot problem. That was fixed with a service menu reset. After the reset I was greeted with a nice message of "hard drive disk error has been detected, auto recovery was successful". I shrugged it off. Nice to see it can handle its own hiccups. Well, today it rebooted again although this time not continuously. That's the good news. The bad news is it gave me the ol "A hard disk drive error has been detected. Auto recovery is not possible. Recording and playback of TV programming will not be possible. Contact your sony service center to learn about repair options." I was miffed at first but thanks to ordering from Crutchfield a new one is already on it's way. I'm rolling the dice and hope I don't get another lemon. Yes, I really want this thing to work.Did you get a 500 or 250? If it's a 500, and Crutchfield is replacing it, that means they actually DO still have 500s even if their Web site says they don't.

Did you get a 500 or 250? If it's a 500, and Crutchfield is replacing it, that means they actually DO still have 500s even if their Web site says they don't.

250

I've had this unit for a few weeks, and I'm dropping recordings all the time - on all major networks. Last night was CSI Miami. Have also lost housewives, CSI, NCIS - doesn't appear to have any trend. Most have been set up as "regular" recordings - I'm trying weekly now to see if that's better. BTW, I'm running .09 softwareOver the course of this thread, a trend became apparent, that using "regularly" or "weekly" recording modes would sometimes result in missed recordings. AFAIK, users who schedule each show individually (each day or week) do not suffer missed recordings (unless there is a conflict). Since seeing this info posted, I have never trusted the "weekly/regularly" mode, and have not had any problems by scheduling each episode separately.

Cosmicvoid and jengle1023 are your listings OK today?Yes, the missing day 8 has propagated to day 7, and the new day 8 is good. I expect the "hole" in the listing will continue to move up until it is overwritten at day 2. I wonder what the glitch was.

Does anyone know what it means when the diagnostic screen (753159852) shows no host channel and yet when tuned to the local PBS station (OTA 17) and the G* Factory Test is run the VBI channel (and ATSC channel) indicate 1023-65533 ? I did get guide data and time from PBS until about 7 days ago & nothing since.

The VBI data is incrementing nicely and there are no errors indicated, but the clock never sets and the guide never loads. This both before & after a factory reset too...

I *hate* this unit.

Bob

Was the unconnected splitter in your setup before the Sony was added? You could try putting a terminating resistor on the open output of the splitter to make sure there aren't signals reflecting back into the cable, but that may not be the problem. Make sure all of your connections are snug too. (Don't use the push-on cables for this application - the screw on connectors are much better in my experience).

Was the box outputting the same format as the previous cable box? How are you connecting to the TV? HDMI or component? You might have had the box outputting 480p or something rather than 720p or 1080i...This is adjusted with a button on the remote - "Format" I think. It just takes a good 2-3 seconds from the time you toggle to the format you want until it actually switches...

Just a few thoughts...

The splitter was in the setup. but I unhooked everythign and moved it all around. Therefore leaving the open end where there wasn't one before. I connected the coax to my VCR just to close it, and didnt' see any results. I hooked up the old box and got a similar picture (while I can't watch MNF again to see, I compared to live broadcasts of NBC and am getting noticeable horizontal "noise" lines on both boxes.) This makes me feel better about the box, but clueless as to why, all of a sudden when I went to a differnt box, I am getting the reduced PQ. the only other change made was that Adelphia turned on some additional digital channels (b/c apparently I was paying for them anyway). I have the box set to Native so every resolution should pass through as it comes in. The signal to noise ratio on the NBC channel was hoverin in the 32.xx range and didn't see any real change in behavior when I connected the Coax to the VCR.

Anybody have ANY ideas that might help me?

Thanks a ton!

I recently purchased a Sony DHG-HDD250 at Tweeter in Allentown, PA. My cable company is Service Electric Cable TV. The Cable guy came and installed a CableCard last thursday, then I went through the "setup" procedure. Although I can use the unit to view HD channels (501 to 520), the TVGuide feature does not work. Also, the unit does not display the time of day. I can probably live without the TV Guide feature, but I really need the unit to know what time it is so that I can schedule recordings. Does anyone know how to set the time on this unit without the TV Guide service?

Did your guide download without the card? If so:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6653389&highlight=ads#post6653389

If you have analog service, perhaps Service Electric is not passing the data. Did you check for VBI packets on analog PBS or other local channels 2-99 in the 9012 menu?

This is almost surely a cable company problem.

It means that a program that you scheduled to record fails to record for unknown reasons. It doesn't even display an attempt at recording in the recording history, and if it was a regular or weekly program, it is no longer listed in the schedule for future recordings. Your problem sounds different, perhaps the black video was a problem with the signal being broadcasted?




I don't think the problem is related to a weak signal. After a scheduled recording disappears, if you happen to realize it while the program is still being broadcasted, you can easily record it manually. I would think that you were on to something if there was no signal or a weak signal when the channel was tuned at the beginning of the recording. However, the recordings can disappear from the schedule days before the recording is supposed to start.

This thread was the last straw.
1) Slow or missing program info because of analog transmission by gemstar.
Dependant on atsc transmissions to receive program info.
2) No manual clock setting. No way to record without it. What were they thinking!
And now
3) Missing recordings. If I missed a show that I was looking forward to I would be SO angry.
4) Poor customer service from Sony. I wrote to them about the ntsc to atsc (analog to digital conversion) in a few years and they wrote back with the instruction manual. Gimme a break.

Basically I think these babies are totally dependant on ntsc transmissions to record anything. That and the high price tag is the reason they didn't sell and were dropped by Sony. I expect that the next version will be sans TVGOS. I'm not interested in TIVO at all! If the next version fixes the bugs then maybe but the price will have to come down to a realistic level which will probably be a few years from now.
So back it went to BB. I bought a Samsung SIR-T451 at CC for $225 (no tax in OR)with an Entertainment book coupon. The PSIP EPG is way easier to use and won't become obsolete in a few years.
Thank you to everyone here for helping me to avoid years of headaches.

Don't count on Sony discarding the TV Guide system. I suspect that Sony discontinued these units because of their Blue Ray HD DVD system. I expect Sony will come out with two new HD recorders: HD DVD, and HD DVD plus Hard Drive combination. The TV Guide system obviously has some bugs but like any software system, these will eventually be eliminated, and the Guide will eventually be downloadable from digital channels.

I don't consider these units expensive. Perhaps that's because in 1985 I paid over $700 for a HIFI VHS tape recorder - at a discount store.

Until I have confidence that the bugs are gone, I probably will used manual recording when I'm not at home while recording is taking place.

Many people report that they can't get the guide. One reason could be that their unit is defective. While this is possible, before coming to this conclusion they should check other more likely possibilities:
- they didn't power off the unit.
- they shut off the TV guide channel.
- the TV guide station is having a problem and not broadcasting the signal.
- they are using only cable, and cable is not providing guide station. Need OTA signal to get guide.
- they didn't allow enough time for the unit to search out the guide station.
- their antenna is not pointed in the right direction or is defective.

I have had my newest DHG-HDD250 now for 3 weeks. Clock came on within 3 hours but I have never received TVGOS (using only ota). Unplugged unit once and clock came back again within 5 hours. Still love the unit. I record manually and the picture comes out awesome. I also use it for my Sony HDTV ready as the tuner and there it does a perfect job. Figure a good tuner would cost me $250 and then add the HD recordings...this unit is a bargain. BTW still have my Betamax I bought in 1978 for $800. Will never get it down from the attic though, I am too old to lift it. :)

[Ray1938]Don't count on Sony discarding the TV Guide system. I suspect that Sony discontinued these units because of their Blue Ray HD DVD system. I expect Sony will come out with two new HD recorders: HD DVD, and HD DVD plus Hard Drive combination. The TV Guide system obviously has some bugs but like any software system, these will eventually be eliminated, and the Guide will eventually be downloadable from digital channels.

I don't consider these units expensive. Perhaps that's because in 1985 I paid over $700 for a HIFI VHS tape recorder - at a discount store.

Until I have confidence that the bugs are gone, I probably will used manual recording when I'm not at home while recording is taking place.

Many people report that they can't get the guide. One reason could be that their unit is defective. While this is possible, before coming to this conclusion they should check other more likely possibilities:
- they didn't power off the unit.
- they shut off the TV guide channel.
- the TV guide station is having a problem and not broadcasting the signal.
- they are using only cable, and cable is not providing guide station. Need OTA signal to get guide.
- they didn't allow enough time for the unit to search out the guide station.
- their antenna is not pointed in the right direction or is defective.[/QUOTE]

Sorry guys. Still learning how to manipulate this thread!

Ray1038 - I only have my unit connected to cable and I get all my guide data through
the cable, not OTA with the antenna input, although my cable service provider carries the analog as well as the digital channels.

Don't count on Sony discarding the TV Guide system. I suspect that Sony discontinued these units because of their Blue Ray HD DVD system. I expect Sony will come out with two new HD recorders: HD DVD, and HD DVD plus Hard Drive combination. The TV Guide system obviously has some bugs but like any software system, these will eventually be eliminated, and the Guide will eventually be downloadable from digital channels.

I don't consider these units expensive. Perhaps that's because in 1985 I paid over $700 for a HIFI VHS tape recorder - at a discount store.

Until I have confidence that the bugs are gone, I probably will used manual recording when I'm not at home while recording is taking place.

Many people report that they can't get the guide. One reason could be that their unit is defective. While this is possible, before coming to this conclusion they should check other more likely possibilities:
- they didn't power off the unit.
- they shut off the TV guide channel.
- the TV guide station is having a problem and not broadcasting the signal.
- they are using only cable, and cable is not providing guide station. Need OTA signal to get guide.
- they didn't allow enough time for the unit to search out the guide station.
- their antenna is not pointed in the right direction or is defective.


What this thread needs is an FAQ. Someone with lots of time available could put one together but I'm not sure any of us is up to it. Lots of questions being asked have been answered previously. This is actually a nice start to an FAQ. The one thing I would add is that the system may not recognize the ZIP code and to try a different ZIP code, perhaps one of the closest downtown metro area. This is what seems to have done the trick for me to get the clock to finally show and eventually get my listings.

Does anyone know what it means when the diagnostic screen (753159852) shows no host channel and yet when tuned to the local PBS station (OTA 17) and the G* Factory Test is run the VBI channel (and ATSC channel) indicate 1023-65533 ? I did get guide data and time from PBS until about 7 days ago & nothing since.

The VBI data is incrementing nicely and there are no errors indicated, but the clock never sets and the guide never loads. This both before & after a factory reset too...

I *hate* this unit.

Bob

Bob, sometimes one can inadvertently disable their host channel and thus lose the listing. I know it happened to me, once the channels downloaded i went through them all and disabled them, not knowing that one channel was a host channel which in turn lost my guide till I re-enabled it.

HDaddiction

What this thread needs is an FAQ. Someone with lots of time available could put one together but I'm not sure any of us is up to it. Lots of questions being asked have been answered previously. This is actually a nice start to an FAQ. The one thing I would add is that the system may not recognize the ZIP code and to try a different ZIP code, perhaps one of the closest downtown metro area. This is what seems to have done the trick for me to get the clock to finally show and eventually get my listings.

We almost need two threads and maybe two FAQs, one for OTA users and one for CC users. Each has there own set of problems.

Did your guide download without the card? If so:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6653389&highlight=ads#post6653389

If you have analog service, perhaps Service Electric is not passing the data. Did you check for VBI packets on analog PBS or other local channels 2-99 in the 9012 menu?

This is almost surely a cable company problem.

I did not attempt to download the guide without the cable card. I was under the impression that I need the cable card to see any of the channels. Are you suggesting that I remove the card and try to download the guide that way? Pardon my ignorance, but I'm new at all of this...

I did not attempt to download the guide without the cable card. I was under the impression that I need the cable card to see any of the channels. Are you suggesting that I remove the card and try to download the guide that way? Pardon my ignorance, but I'm new at all of this...

Yes, it's all VERY confusing and it's taken some of us months to figure things out the hard way. The trick for you is to have patience and make use of the knowledge in this forum. It is very unlikely that there is anything wrong with your DVR. The problem is with Service Electric. It could be a simple provisioning problem, or it could be a major hassle if they are not passing the data properly.

Try tuning to your local analog PBS channel and use the 9012 menu Guide Test (search this forum for info) to see if VBI packets are being received. You can also try CBS, ABC, and FOX, as they carry the TVGOS data in some markets.

If you are not receiving VBI data, you could temporarily remove the CableCARD. It SHOULD work OK when you put it back in (it does for me), but I make no guarantees here. You won't get any scrambled channels without the card, but the idea is to do the VBI test again on PBS, etc. If you now get VBI packets, the problem is provisioning of the card by the cableco, i.e. it's all digital and can't receive Guide data. If you still get no packets, then the cableco is not passing the data as they should. They will have to correct this, as many TV's as well as your DVR use TVGOS.

If you don't want to mess with all that yourself, you could check with your cable company to find out if you are on ADS (which means they are sending both analog and digital versions of channels 2-99). If so, they either need to insert a duplicate PBS channel as analog, or take you off of ADS.

Other folks here have been able to connect an indoor antenna to receive the Guide data OTA. This could work for you, depending on your location and OTA signal quality.

The tough part will be finding someone knowledgeable at your cableco. Again, be patient. The Sony works great when it gets the proper data.

Bob, sometimes one can inadvertently disable their host channel and thus lose the listing. I know it happened to me, once the channels downloaded i went through them all and disabled them, not knowing that one channel was a host channel which in turn lost my guide till I re-enabled it.

HDaddiction

I only wish it was that simple... <G> I've re-scanned all channels and not locked anything out a dozen times, I've locked out PBS digital (we have 3 out of Buffalo), and I've locked out everything BUT PBS analog at various times. (This all from the Sony's listings I mean, since there is NO TVGuide channel line-up in the unit.) I've had a couple of messages from someone else up here near Toronto that's suddenly having problems with WNED PBS Buffalo dropping guide data for days at a time, so I'm hoping I'm not alone.

Bob

Bob, sometimes one can inadvertently disable their host channel and thus lose the listing. I know it happened to me, once the channels downloaded i went through them all and disabled them, not knowing that one channel was a host channel which in turn lost my guide till I re-enabled it. HDaddiction For whatever its worth, just to see what would happen, I disabled (turned-off) my host channel in both the channel +/- list and the TV Guide channels menu two weeks ago. In fact I disabled everything but the six digital (HD) channels I watch. I'm still getting guide data. This leads me to speculate, and speculation it is, that the analog host channel(s) only need to be enabled during the initial scan and thereafter can be disabled at will.

The thing that confuses me is it seems whenever I do a fresh start by resetting "user settings", "G* reset" or a full PVR "reset to factory settings", rescan all the off-air and cable channels (which I don't have, just a sat. receiver that feeds channel 3 into the box on the cable input), then enter valid zip code info, the PVR seems to default to the cable input looking for guide data even if I have nothing connected to the cable input connector. I hear it switching back and forth once in a while, the result being no data and a VBI channel of 1023-65533.

It seems to me it should be scanning VHF/UHF channels on the antenna connector 99% of the time when there are at least 3 off-air (PBS, Fox and CTV) affiliates sending *something* in the VBI stream. (That's according to the PVR's own G* diagnostics...)

At first I thought the satellite signal was fooling the guide system, but I've confirmed there's no VBI info being detected on the cable input and have restarted from scratch with nothing connected to the cable jack. Under those conditions neither the Sony channel list or the TVGOS list shows any station on the cable side, so there's no way the system should even try to look there.

I'm ready to give up and I'm 95% certain there's suddenly no TVGOS data being sent OTA around Buffalo or Toronto. Strange given the size of the media market here. Perhaps I should split my antenna input and connect it to both inputs for a couple of days?

Bob

The thing that confuses me is it seems whenever I do a fresh start by resetting "user settings", "G* reset" or a full PVR "reset to factory settings", rescan all the off-air and cable channels (which I don't have, just a sat. receiver that feeds channel 3 into the box on the cable input), then enter valid zip code info, the PVR seems to default to the cable input looking for guide data even if I have nothing connected to the cable input connector. I hear it switching back and forth once in a while, the result being no data and a VBI channel of 1023-65533.

It seems to me it should be scanning VHF/UHF channels on the antenna connector 99% of the time when there are at least 3 off-air (PBS, Fox and CTV) affiliates sending *something* in the VBI stream. (That's according to the PVR's own G* diagnostics...)

At first I thought the satellite signal was fooling the guide system, but I've confirmed there's no VBI info being detected on the cable input and have restarted from scratch with nothing connected to the cable jack. Under those conditions neither the Sony channel list or the TVGOS list shows any station on the cable side, so there's no way the system should even try to look there.

I'm ready to give up and I'm 95% certain there's suddenly no TVGOS data being sent OTA around Buffalo or Toronto. Strange given the size of the media market here. Perhaps I should split my antenna input and connect it to both inputs for a couple of days?

Bob

I also have the output of my satelite receiver feeding channel 3 on the cable input. I do have it setup as both antenna and cable, if not it wont allow me to setup manual recordings on cable channel 3.

My listings work just fine with that setup. I just have a bogus cable channel 3. I get them from the antenna on local analogue PBS. It should be normal that it's looking for the feed on the cable input as well as the antenna input. I did hear mine switching to the cable input when it was scanning looking for the feed.

I think it scans every possible channel frequency on antenna and then cable. It does not stop as soon as it finds the host.

JP

I agree, you must have cable "enabled" just to do manual recordings via that input. On another note, I just received an email from PBS in Buffalo thanking me for pointing out that their time insertion system had failed. It is now supposed to be operational, and perhaps with it back the TVGOS data will return overnight. They say that they receive TVGOS via the PBS satellite feed and it's added to the OTA broadcast but they can't see if it's working or not. I'll give it overnight and let their Engineering Department know the results of their efforts.

Bob

...and...another nail in the coffin. Crutchfield today now lists the 250 as out of stock and no longer available (joining the 500).

I'm ready to give up and I'm 95% certain there's suddenly no TVGOS data being sent OTA around Buffalo or Toronto. Strange given the size of the media market here.


If your local PBS doesn't correct the TVGOS injection problem, depending on where you are located in Buffalo, you may be able to adjust your antenna and tune Rochester's PBS station - WXXI TV 21. I use WXXI for my clock set and guide data channels, and it picks up Buffalo listings as well, which is good since I actually watch some Buffalo channels. I'm picking up most of Buffalo's channels from over 50 miles away using a silver sensor in my attic with a preamp. WXXI's signal is pretty strong, so you may have some luck.

Instead of hooking up an external antenna to pull TVGOS only, also remember that you can probably split your cable feed and connect one end to cable and one end to ANT. Most cable companies still transmit analog cable, and the first 13+ channels show up as VHS channels. More than likely there is a PBS channel in there that you can use to download TVGOS.

I lost my TVGOS downloads as soon as I had a cable card installed. I started receiving it as soon as I split my cable and plugged it into ANT (you have to scan for ANT channels and reset TVGOS).

Franco



Other folks here have been able to connect an indoor antenna to receive the Guide data OTA. This could work for you, depending on your location and OTA signal quality.

If your local PBS doesn't correct the TVGOS injection problem, depending on where you are located in Buffalo, you may be able to adjust your antenna and tune Rochester's PBS station - WXXI TV 21. I use WXXI for my clock set and guide data channels, and it picks up Buffalo listings as well, which is good since I actually watch some Buffalo channels. I'm picking up most of Buffalo's channels from over 50 miles away using a silver sensor in my attic with a preamp. WXXI's signal is pretty strong, so you may have some luck.

Actually I'm outside of Toronto, but it appears the local source here (CFTO TV) either stopped or doesn't know how to restart TVGOS data. I had Canadian listings for a few days in November, but contacting the station has resulted in nothing so far. WNED in Buffalo does have TVGOS and most Toronto stations, so it's a reasonable substitute for us Canucks...

Bob

JP,
now receiving guide info in Seatle. I too have a Satellite receiver hooked up to my cable input. After awhile, it displays cable on the TVGOS and I can manually set up recordings. After awhile, when I'm watching food channel, the word FOOD comes up on the display.
Maybe all we needed to do was to call KCTS and point out that the guide signal was missing. I'm still getting updates.
In fact, while poking through some of the menus with that 753... code, it appears that at various times during the day there are several updates with different codes.
If you go to the Section VBI Data-VBIDLSched, you'll see at least 3 different entries in the DLID (Download ID?) and several start times and several durations.

Really not sure what all of this means

I've had mine set up for 48 hours now and have turned it on only for a bit at night to see the progress. I had all the channels but no listings. Messed with the zip code, lost my channels and am waiting on it all to come back now. Any help to get them to actually show up? Also, still seeing worse PQ that before I unhooked everythign and put this box in. I have Adelphia coming out tuesday to look at the PQ issue and get me my cable card. Have a bad feeling that I will get "there's nothing we can do the picture is as good as it gets" even though it was georgeous before.

Also looked at the TV guide test in the 9012 menu. noticed that VBI, Serial, and IR tests all failed. What does this mean? I did not find a host channel anywhere.

Instead of hooking up an external antenna to pull TVGOS only, also remember that you can probably split your cable feed and connect one end to cable and one end to ANT. Most cable companies still transmit analog cable, and the first 13+ channels show up as VHS channels. More than likely there is a PBS channel in there that you can use to download TVGOS.

I lost my TVGOS downloads as soon as I had a cable card installed. I started receiving it as soon as I split my cable and plugged it into ANT (you have to scan for ANT channels and reset TVGOS).

Franco

Yes, this makes sense. Although the card may be provisioned as digital, the ANT input will only see the analog simulcast. I never tried this because I already split my cable 4 ways (Sony DVR, Comcast DVR, D-VHS, TV) and I don't want more splits than that.

Hertzy, try what Franco says. Use a 1 GHz splitter. It's a quick way to narrow down the possibilities. It should get your guide. If not, then Service Electric is not using their equipment properly to pass the guide data.

I've had mine set up for 48 hours now and have turned it on only for a bit at night to see the progress. I had all the channels but no listings. Messed with the zip code, lost my channels and am waiting on it all to come back now. Any help to get them to actually show up? Also, still seeing worse PQ that before I unhooked everythign and put this box in. I have Adelphia coming out tuesday to look at the PQ issue and get me my cable card. Have a bad feeling that I will get "there's nothing we can do the picture is as good as it gets" even though it was georgeous before.

Also looked at the TV guide test in the 9012 menu. noticed that VBI, Serial, and IR tests all failed. What does this mean? I did not find a host channel anywhere.

Did you do the test with the Sony tuned to your PBS channel? You can also try CBS, ABC, and FOX.

Also see Franco's post and my posts about ADS, digital cards, and guide data.

As far as picture quality, the non-HD channels should be BETTER than with the cableco's box. There is a problem in your connections, wiring, or the cable signal.

...and...another nail in the coffin. Crutchfield today now lists the 250 as out of stock and no longer available (joining the 500).

Whew! Sure glad I got my replacement order in!.... or am I? It's just not possible to get 2 duds, is it? :rolleyes:

Whew! Sure glad I got my replacement order in!.... or am I? It's just not possible to get 2 duds, is it? :rolleyes:
try Amazon.com for $549.99 for 250GB.

[QUOTE=endo129]I've had mine set up for 48 hours now and have turned it on only for a bit at night to see the progress. I had all the channels but no listings. Messed with the zip code, lost my channels and am waiting on it all to come back now. Any help to get them to actually show up? Also, still seeing worse PQ that before I unhooked everythign and put this box in. I have Adelphia coming out tuesday to look at the PQ issue and get me my cable card. Have a bad feeling that I will get "there's nothing we can do the picture is as good as it gets" even though it was georgeous before.


If you are using the DVI output try component signals.

JP,
now receiving guide info in Seatle. I too have a Satellite receiver hooked up to my cable input. After awhile, it displays cable on the TVGOS and I can manually set up recordings. After awhile, when I'm watching food channel, the word FOOD comes up on the display.
Maybe all we needed to do was to call KCTS and point out that the guide signal was missing. I'm still getting updates.
In fact, while poking through some of the menus with that 753... code, it appears that at various times during the day there are several updates with different codes.
If you go to the Section VBI Data-VBIDLSched, you'll see at least 3 different entries in the DLID (Download ID?) and several start times and several durations.

Really not sure what all of this means

Check out this post in another thread. kdog044 lays out the different downloads. I started reading this thread before I bought my unit in June. Even though they're not talking about the units we have, it's the same TVGOS info. The thread keeps showing more and more info as these posters figure out more and more of the workings of the TVGOS software. It's good to read with a cup of coffee if you have the time ;) I suggest starting from the beginning if you really want to learn a lot.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5406866&&#post5406866


It also shows that TVGOS screws up all the DVRs and TVs it is put in. It's not a Sony issue ;) I'm just glad mine works and I don't have issues like the rest in this thread ;)

Did you do the test with the Sony tuned to your PBS channel? You can also try CBS, ABC, and FOX.

Also see Franco's post and my posts about ADS, digital cards, and guide data.

As far as picture quality, the non-HD channels should be BETTER than with the cableco's box. There is a problem in your connections, wiring, or the cable signal.

When I wrote my post I was not. I did it this morning with it tuned to the PBS channel (I now have my stations back from over night, but still no listings) The VBI passed this time, serial and IR failed still - FWIW.

I have a feelling that I will not have any listings when I get home tonight.

The non-HD channels do look better overall, but they have some noise in the form of black lines in them, as do some HD channels (which also have digital artifacts) I'm realizing that it's not this box (which makes me feel a lot better), but I can't figure out what is different with my current setup to make the cable signal decline. (I am using Monster componant cables)

I really want to like it and keep it, but if it's this much trouble just to get the guide working, then it's not worth it. If I can get it figured out soon, I'll roll with it. Otherwise, there will be another one available at Crutchfield just after the holidays.

If it's not one thing it's another. My TV guide is fully populated, took a day. I can record just fine. However 1080i causes my TV guide and some channels like ESPN HD to get cut off on the left part of my screen. I am using the HDMI cable with DVI adaptor. If I switch it to auto-HDMI then the picture looks fine, however the TV guide looks like crap on non HD channels. And HDMI had some weird aliasing problems on HD channels that 1080i doesnt seem to have. Anybody know the issue? Does the sony have screen adjustment?

Another thing. I read a user review on znet that says you can have dual tuners, if you want. However the user doesnt elabrate. Any thoughts as to how to do this, besides splitting the cable, which I believe wont let you record, enjoy TV guide or have digital cable if you use a card, which I do.

Sorry one more thing. Has anybody modded theirs yet, bigger hard drive, copy to pc, etc?