Hello all,
After lurking here for a while searching for info on HDDVRs, I finally settled on the Panny DMR-EH55.
Being new to the DVD recorder arena, I have a few questions and will try to offer opinions on this box. I will try to answer any questions if anyone has any.
First off why I chose this box. Well, truthfully between the Pio 640-h and this one, it was a toss up. My recording needs are simple. Lots of cooking channel shows and the occassional sci fi channel offering. Since the Panny showed up at my dealer first, I grabed it. LOL Actually though since I probably will have to use the remote that comes with the unit (too complicated to try to use my universal with it), Panny does have a good reputation for more user friendly remotes. That may have tipped the scales slightly.

Ok, first impressions. Well, not much since I am currently trying to download the infamous and much discussed TVGOS. I decided to give that a try first. Not expecting miracles since I have Motorola 3412 from Comspazz, errr Comcast. This may be interesting though. The setup does ask whether you have a digital cable box. So maybe they have made improvements in the TVGOS. Those of you who have used the earlier version of this box or the TVGOS would know better than me.

Now for a question. The box is doing its setup thing right now and cycling through each channel. Does it get guide info from each channel? Or is it looking for the one channel where the EPG guide info is?

I ask this because even though I know that it gets EPG info when unit is in standby (ie turned off), it will switch channels. But does it cycle through each and every channel periodically, or simply switch to channel that pumps it the EPG info?

So, thats it for now. Will see what happens tomorrow (or later tonite. HEE HEE).

Congratulations on your purchase and thanks for offering your review/Q&A!

I could be wrong but I think the guide data are transmitted in specific channels, not one per channel. I know the timestamp is on PBS, not sure if the guide data is there as well.

In the past TVGOS got their info from one channel. I haven't heard anything about them changing this, so I'll assume for now that it's still the same.

Yes - your channels changing mean that it's searching for the host channel, and I'm pretty sure it will do this all the time, unless you leave your box on it when you stop watching. The station that it's on when you go to turn it on later, after it's been found should be the station I'm guessing, but I'm not too sure on that, as I've never had your type of setup before (digital cable box). There is a way to get into the menu to find out your local host channel. It's usually a local PBS station. I'm not sure of how to access the menu in the new Panny models, but it should be similar to the older ones. I can post this if you'd like.

Also, I thought that you had to leave the cable box on for the DVR to pick up the host channel info, but they may have changed this. It should tell you that specifically in the manual, I would think.

Good luck.

Yes Hoopster,
The EPG is usually on pbs "for analog cable". However, the problem here is that I am using a digital cable box which no longer has ANY analog channels. And the problem has been that the cable companies have not been passing the EPG data through on any of their digital channels. At least thats what I understand. Right now the dvd recorder is diligently searching the digital channels for EPG info, but I dont think it will find any. 900 or so channels to search.

I talked to the panny support guy and he doesnt think it will find anything either. Comcast is clueless as to EPG and digital channels. I will probably end up going manual in order to record digital channels.

Rammy,

Sry to confuse you, but, yes the dvd recorder has to be in standby (off) nad the cable box has to be on in order to get EPG info. That is what I have going on now. Sry if I wasnt clear.

Yes Hoopster,
The EPG is usually on pbs "for analog cable". However, the problem here is that I am using a digital cable box which no longer has ANY analog channels. And the problem has been that the cable companies have not been passing the EPG data through on any of their digital channels. At least thats what I understand. Right now the dvd recorder is diligently searching the digital channels for EPG info, but I dont think it will find any. 900 or so channels to search.

I talked to the panny support guy and he doesnt think it will find anything either. Comcast is clueless as to EPG and digital channels. I will probably end up going manual in order to record digital channels.

Rammy,

Sry to confuse you, but, yes the dvd recorder has to be in standby (off) nad the cable box has to be on in order to get EPG info. That is what I have going on now. Sry if I wasnt clear.
It's been reported here frequently by many posters, that the TVGOS does not work with digital cable boxes. So I don't think you will get any guide info over the digital box.
You should however, still get analog channel listings, if you split the cable wire from wall, sending one line directly to the recorder, and a separate line to the digital box. You can then record analog channels while watching a different channel over the digital box.

Cable from wall into splitter...
One line to recorder
one line to digital box
S-Video and audio cables from digital box out to recorder (when you wish to record a digital channel you will do so over the recorders' line input channels L1, L2, or L3)
2nd S-Video and audio cables from digital box out to tv inputs-to watch digital cable without going thru the recorder...
S-Video and audio cables (or plain jane video-audio cables) from recorder out to tv 2nd inputs...to view recorder's tuner on the tv.

If you get a chance try a recording in the LP mode and see how it compares to the EH50 video quality wise. I mostly record reality shows. I don't want to have 15-30 DVD's of a season. I put about 4-5 episodes of a 1 hour show with the commercials cut out (42-43 Minutes after editing) on my Panny EH50 using LP setting. This is the deal breaker for me between the new Panny and Pioneer. The one that produces the best video quality at longer recording speeds is the one I am going with.

I have this machine and so far the TV Guide works well. It missed a few channels but it got almost all of the 200+ channels I get from my Cable company and that is straight from the box with no RF connection to the DVD recorder.

smackbottom,

Thanks for offering as our guinea pig!!!! I too have been waiting for this Panny unit to hit the shelves.

I am curious how this unit handles recordings/dubbings from the HDD in the 3 to 3 1/2 hour range using a DL DVD. I understand the DMR 15/25 require you to split the recording into two separate recordings - one recording for the first layer and a second recording for the second layer. Does this unit require to do this as well.

In reading most of the posts about this unit, the DL ability hasn't been discussed yet...can you give us some insight.

Thanks

I have this machine and so far the TV Guide works well. It missed a few channels but it got almost all of the 200+ channels I get from my Cable company and that is straight from the box with no RF connection to the DVD recorder.


OWL1234,
Be good enough to give us some more info such as the name of your Cable company and what City and State your located in,

THANKS

Hello All,
Ok, here is where I am today.
Will try to answer as many questions as possible. Just remember this my first HDDVR and the manuals tend to be clear as mud. They tell you what to do but I like to know why and how things go together, so I will be trying other things to get more familiar with the box.

1. Westly-C

It's been reported here frequently by many posters, that the TVGOS does not work with digital cable boxes. So I don't think you will get any guide info over the digital box.
You should however, still get analog channel listings, if you split the cable wire from wall, sending one line directly to the recorder, and a separate line to the digital box. You can then record analog channels while watching a different channel over the digital box.

Cable from wall into splitter...
One line to recorder
one line to digital box
S-Video and audio cables from digital box out to recorder (when you wish to record a digital channel you will do so over the recorders' line input channels L1, L2, or L3)
2nd S-Video and audio cables from digital box out to tv inputs-to watch digital cable without going thru the recorder...
S-Video and audio cables (or plain jane video-audio cables) from recorder out to tv 2nd inputs...to view recorder's tuner on the tv.

This is the setup I have resorted to at this point. I have manually recorded from the cable box successfully. Am using input1 from DVR at this moment. But, want to try switching again to input 3 to see if I can get irblaster to change to channel I want to record. Don't know if this possible since ir blaster wants to use tvgos thru cable box in order to work.

2. Ripper64
Cant compare anything to EH50 since I have never owned one. smile. sry

3. Owl1234
Are using a digital high definition cable box? Mine is the Motorola 3412 which is ALL digital now. There were analog channels being pumped through until about a month ago when they went purely digital.

4. tleipelt
Yes according to what I have read so far the same thing is required for dual discs.

And now for my and questions.

Something in their manual confuses me. It says that no video or audio is passed thru the rf cable from the dvr rf out. But practically every setup has the rf out being connected to the TV or vcr or cable box as well as the usual video and audio cables. Why would this be necessary?

Also, although is not related to what I am trying right now, but is related to statement above ,does anyone know why an rf modulator is needed when the tv has no audio/video inputs? This the same for other model setups I have seen and I am curious as to what that accomplishes.

Anyway, I shall solder (err soldier) on. Thanks for your input.

Something in their manual confuses me. It says that no video or audio is passed thru the rf cable from the dvr rf out. But practically every setup has the rf out being connected to the TV or vcr or cable box as well as the usual video and audio cables. Why would this be necessary?

Allows you to connect the cable box downstream of the recorder without having to use a splitter (which reduces the signal to both the cable box and the recorder). Also, RF passthrough allows downstream devices such as TVs and VCRs with analog tuners to receive the analog off-the-air or cable signals so they can be tuned independent of the recorder.

Can you please check the Dual Layer Disc Recording again.

Because from what I understand on Panny models WITHOUT a HDD you have to CLOSE the 1st layer before you can record to the 2nd layer but on the EH75V with a HDD it says that you CANNOT RECORD DIRECTLY TO A DL DISC.

Instead you record directly to the HDD & then you can copy it from the HDD to a DL Disc & it will record from layer 1 to layer 2 without having to CLOSE the 1st layer like you have to do on the units without a HDD.

When playing back a DL Disc on either type of recorder they will keep playing from layer 1 to layer 2 without stopping (May be a slight pause on some players) just like a store bought dvd plays.

Also, although is not related to what I am trying right now, but is related to statement above ,does anyone know why an rf modulator is needed when the tv has no audio/video inputs? This the same for other model setups I have seen and I am curious as to what that accomplishes.

The only viewable output from a DVD recorder is an analog signal from the composite, s-video, oe component outputs. None of these outputs an RF signal. Therefore if you have a TV without analog inputs, and only RF input, then you need an RF modulator (set to channel 3 or 4) in order to view the output. This is also the same for all DVD players. In this case, you can use a VHS tape recorder to modulate the signal.

Can you please check the Dual Layer Disc Recording again.

Because from what I understand on Panny models WITHOUT a HDD you have to CLOSE the 1st layer before you can record to the 2nd layer but on the EH75V with a HDD it says that you CANNOT RECORD DIRECTLY TO A DL DISC.

Instead you record directly to the HDD & then you can copy it from the HDD to a DL Disc & it will record from layer 1 to layer 2 without having to CLOSE the 1st layer like you have to do on the units without a HDD.

When playing back a DL Disc on either type of recorder they will keep playing from layer 1 to layer 2 without stopping (May be a slight pause on some players) just like a store bought dvd plays.


You are correct. This model can't record DL disc directly. You need to copy to the HDD first than burn to a DL disc.

Can you please check the Dual Layer Disc Recording again.

Because from what I understand on Panny models WITHOUT a HDD you have to CLOSE the 1st layer before you can record to the 2nd layer but on the EH75V with a HDD it says that you CANNOT RECORD DIRECTLY TO A DL DISC.

Instead you record directly to the HDD & then you can copy it from the HDD to a DL Disc & it will record from layer 1 to layer 2 without having to CLOSE the 1st layer like you have to do on the units without a HDD.

When playing back a DL Disc on either type of recorder they will keep playing from layer 1 to layer 2 without stopping (May be a slight pause on some players) just like a store bought dvd plays.

My question about this recording from HDD to dual layer is this: how does it handle this? Does it record a 3.5 hr show (say using SP quality) as one single title and seemlessly (other than layer change pause on playback of course) spans it across both layers of the DL disc? Or does it somehow invisibly record till the first layer is full, then close that layer, then continue where it left off and record to the second layer thereby creating two titles (for the one show). Now if it creates two titles, during playback a dvd player probably will just start playing the second title right following the first so it will be similar to experiencing a layer change pause.

I hope people with the e55 or e75 follow what I', trying to get across, haha. Thx.

Also, how loud is this thing? Is the hard drive running all the time due to having to download TV Guide data? I think they should scrap the TV Guide like Pioneer did but the Pioneer doesn't have DV input. Ugh. Seems like a lot of extra wear and tear on the harddrive as well as extra noise from it whirring away.

Another question about the eh55/75.

If you record something to the HDD you can later high speed dub it to a DVD blank. What about if you do some editing of the program while it is on the HDD, like say removing commercials, shortening, etc. Then can you still high-speed dub it to a DVD blank? I've read that on another brand (LG? can't remember), that if you edit a title then you can then only real-time record it to blank DVD (which sucks).

I took back my Panny es-15 due to freezing problem and unresponsive to remote commands. Apparnetly there is a firmware upgrade for all the new Panny's due to this issue. Have any eh 75/55 owners experienced this or upgraded with the firmware file (from Panny's website?

Anyways, from the time that I did have the es-15 I realized (like I read everyone saying even before I bought it, haha) that once you use a DVD recorder you will wish you had one with a HDD. So now am thinking of getting one with a HDD. I'd like to try the EH-55 but I think I will wait awhile to make sure I get one from the factory that already has the upgraded firmware. The new Pioneer has no DV input which I want and the Panny has the TV Guide which I DON"T want. Difficult!

Another question about the eh55/75.

If you record something to the HDD you can later high speed dub it to a DVD blank. What about if you do some editing of the program while it is on the HDD, like say removing commercials, shortening, etc. Then can you still high-speed dub it to a DVD blank? I've read that on another brand (LG? can't remember), that if you edit a title then you can then only real-time record it to blank DVD (which sucks).

I took back my Panny es-15 due to freezing problem and unresponsive to remote commands. Apparnetly there is a firmware upgrade for all the new Panny's due to this issue. Have any eh 75/55 owners experienced this or upgraded with the firmware file (from Panny's website?

Anyways, from the time that I did have the es-15 I realized (like I read everyone saying even before I bought it, haha) that once you use a DVD recorder you will wish you had one with a HDD. So now am thinking of getting one with a HDD. I'd like to try the EH-55 but I think I will wait awhile to make sure I get one from the factory that already has the upgraded firmware. The new Pioneer has no DV input which I want and the Panny has the TV Guide which I DON"T want. Difficult!

I had the remote freezing issue with my ES25, before I returned it, but the firmware upgrade seemed to fix it. I now have the EH75 and have already applied the latest firmware for this and don't have any freezing issues.

As for the highspeed copying, I have shortened one of my harddrive recording and it still allows me to make a high speed copy. I haven't actually done the copy yet, but it gives me the option to. The reason I haven't done it yet is because I can't figure out if Panasonic allows for automatic chapter marks, when making a recording. From what I can tell, it doesn't, as I haven't found any option to do it. If it doesn't this is a glaring an big ommission IMO.

Thanks for the info Chuck.

So the firmware fix did work for the es-25? You returned it for another reason (to step up the the eh75?).

Regarding the chapter marks. I remember on my es-15 that it made automatic chapter marks not while recording to the disc but only later when you eventually finalize it. After finalizing it then the chapters were there (every 5 min or so). Does the 75 not do that? I guess when you have the program on the HDD then you are able to edit and put chapters whereever you want to, then record it like that to dvd. But if I don't want to manually put chapters all the way through, can't I record form HDD to DVD and have it automatically put chapter marks in every 5 min? I think that is what you are getting at right? If you can't do that, then maybe auto chapter marks (upon finalizng to dvd-r discs) are only used when you record the program straight onto the dvd disc without using the HDD. That would be a strange omission.

Also, how loud is this thing? Is the hard drive running all the time due to having to download TV Guide data? I think they should scrap the TV Guide like Pioneer did but the Pioneer doesn't have DV input. Ugh. Seems like a lot of extra wear and tear on the harddrive as well as extra noise from it whirring away.

The Panasonics (and all the other DVD recorders with TVGOS, AFAIK) store the TVGOS on flash memory. There is no HDD noise during download because the HDD is not used. Pioneer is the only brand that stored the TVGOS on the HDD...hence the problem.

The TVGOS works well (not perfectly, but well) on the Panasonics.

Thanks for the info Chuck.

So the firmware fix did work for the es-25? You returned it for another reason (to step up the the eh75?).

Regarding the chapter marks. I remember on my es-15 that it made automatic chapter marks not while recording to the disc but only later when you eventually finalize it. After finalizing it then the chapters were there (every 5 min or so). Does the 75 not do that? I guess when you have the program on the HDD then you are able to edit and put chapters whereever you want to, then record it like that to dvd. But if I don't want to manually put chapters all the way through, can't I record form HDD to DVD and have it automatically put chapter marks in every 5 min? I think that is what you are getting at right? If you can't do that, then maybe auto chapter marks (upon finalizng to dvd-r discs) are only used when you record the program straight onto the dvd disc without using the HDD. That would be a strange omission.

Unfortunately, for all the good things the EH75 has, this is a VERy annoying ommission. I just made a copy of an old VHS tape to HDD then to DVD, using the highspeed copy(I shortened the recording so it does allow HS copying after an edit), and no automatic chapter marks. :mad:

Originally Posted by ZZen

Thanks for the info Chuck.

So the firmware fix did work for the es-25? You returned it for another reason (to step up the the eh75?).

Regarding the chapter marks. I remember on my es-15 that it made automatic chapter marks not while recording to the disc but only later when you eventually finalize it. After finalizing it then the chapters were there (every 5 min or so). Does the 75 not do that? I guess when you have the program on the HDD then you are able to edit and put chapters whereever you want to, then record it like that to dvd. But if I don't want to manually put chapters all the way through, can't I record form HDD to DVD and have it automatically put chapter marks in every 5 min? I think that is what you are getting at right? If you can't do that, then maybe auto chapter marks (upon finalizng to dvd-r discs) are only used when you record the program straight onto the dvd disc without using the HDD. That would be a strange omission.


Unfortunately, for all the good things the EH75 has, this is a VERy annoying ommission. I just made a copy of an old VHS tape to HDD then to DVD, using the highspeed copy(I shortened the recording so it does allow HS copying after an edit), and no automatic chapter marks. :mad:
Only after a real time dub from hdd to disc, or a recording made directly to disc, will chapters be automatically added every 5 mins after you finalize it. :eek:

That's one of the reasons I generally dub from HDD to RAM then convert the RAM to DVD-R using a third party PC program called TMPGenc DVD Author, which can add AUTO or custom chapter stops. I use the TDA, primarily though, because I like to add custom menus and it supports vr mode discs natively so there is no re-encoding involved during the authoring process in converting it to DVD-R.

I agree the lack of auto chapter stops option during HS dubbing is annoying, however, Panny opted for letting the use place custom chapter stops on the source program (hdd) prior to dubbing>so if you want to place custom chapter stops every 5 or 10 minutes, scan through the recording using the time slip feature to place chapter stops yourself, it should take all of five minutes. The chapter stops will transfer to disc during the HS dub. A hassle, but at least you'll get chapter stops.

As vferrari and Westy stated:

On the E80, the auto chapter marks were automatically inserted if you did a real-time dub from HDD to DVD. If you did a high speed dub, you had to put them in manually. Typically, I would just put in chapter points every 10 minutes by using the Time Slip button.

Try doing a real-time dub and I bet they will be inserted automatically every 5 minutes or so.

As vferrari and Westy stated:

On the E80, the auto chapter marks were automatically inserted if you did a real-time dub from HDD to DVD. If you did a high speed dub, you had to put them in manually. Typically, I would just put in chapter points every 10 minutes by using the Time Slip button.

Try doing a real-time dub and I bet they will be inserted automatically every 5 minutes or so.

I just don't have the patients to wait for the 4 hr VCR tape to copy to the HD and another 4 hr's to burn it to the DVD(since I do editing).

I'll try the timeslip button and insert my own chapter marks then.

Thanx for the info all.

Getting back to the TVGOS issue, the setup of the EH55 asks if you subscribe to digital cable. I realize the tvgos data is on an analog channel, but why would they ask this if it wont pick up the data over digital. Also the connections in the manual for recorder and cable box go like this: rf to recorder, then to cable, then to tv, with composite from cable box to in3 on recorder. It also states that the composite to in3 is necessary for tvgos to work (as is the ir blaster). I havent had much luck getting the tvgos to download with this setup (tonight will be my first 24 hour period though). Just my 2 cents. What a pain.

It also states that the composite to in3 is necessary for tvgos to work (as is the ir blaster).

Hmm, I have the EH75 and I don't recall it saying specifically that the composite connection must be used(I'd rather use SVideo).

I've not received any guide data, but I don't have the IR Blaster set up right now.

"composite and/or svideo" - sorry chuck

Getting back to the TVGOS issue, the setup of the EH55 asks if you subscribe to digital cable. I realize the tvgos data is on an analog channel, but why would they ask this if it wont pick up the data over digital. Also the connections in the manual for recorder and cable box go like this: rf to recorder, then to cable, then to tv, with composite from cable box to in3 on recorder. It also states that the composite to in3 is necessary for tvgos to work (as is the ir blaster). I havent had much luck getting the tvgos to download with this setup (tonight will be my first 24 hour period though). Just my 2 cents. What a pain.


steve1214 , I got the TVGOS WORKING!!! Here is what happened. I called panasonic again and talked to a different person. The info you get varies with every call. This person assured me that the guide would work and if not they would priority refer me to TVGOS to handle the problem. She said that even though I have a digital box the regular (non hd and digital BROADCASTS) are still analog . They are just being sent digitally. It made sense in light of things I have read lately.

Anyway, to male a long story short, I decided to try again. With these exceptions.

1. I split the rf cable with one going into the dvr and the other going into the cable box.

2. When selecting "cable with box" I also selected antenna as instructed in the manual. I hadnt done this the first time.

I let it go and by morning TVGOS was fully loaded. The box even tells you what time next update will be.

It seems to get its info from channel 99 which is the PBS channel in canada!! LOL
I am in Seattle. So it makes sense.

I will keep updating as I learn more. Will also be buying a few DL discs so I can test some of those other questions. Wish me luck.

PS steve 1214

You must plug svideo or video/audio cables into in3. The component on the dvr is for output only. Its a better picture option for those that have it.

smack,

thanks for the info. glad to hear you got it working. tonight when I get home will be 24 hours so if the guide is not there, I will start from scratch with your suggestions

Thanks.

Plugging the cable box to IN3 is only if you want the TVGOS to get guide info from the cable box (along with having to use ir blaster ..by the way does that come with the eh55?) is that correct? If i use analog RF to get TV guide info then cable box cab be plugged into any line in for just dumping stuff to the HDD right?

zen -

the ir blaster does come with the eh55. i beleive the answer is yes to your second question if i understand correctly.

Hello All,
Ok, here is where I am today.
Will try to answer as many questions as possible. Just remember this my first HDDVR and the manuals tend to be clear as mud. They tell you what to do but I like to know why and how things go together, so I will be trying other things to get more familiar with the box.

1. Westly-C


This is the setup I have resorted to at this point. I have manually recorded from the cable box successfully. Am using input1 from DVR at this moment. But, want to try switching again to input 3 to see if I can get irblaster to change to channel I want to record. Don't know if this possible since ir blaster wants to use tvgos thru cable box in order to work.

2. Ripper64
Cant compare anything to EH50 since I have never owned one. smile. sry

3. Owl1234
Are using a digital high definition cable box? Mine is the Motorola 3412 which is ALL digital now. There were analog channels being pumped through until about a month ago when they went purely digital.

4. tleipelt
Yes according to what I have read so far the same thing is required for dual discs.

And now for my and questions.

Something in their manual confuses me. It says that no video or audio is passed thru the rf cable from the dvr rf out. But practically every setup has the rf out being connected to the TV or vcr or cable box as well as the usual video and audio cables. Why would this be necessary?

Also, although is not related to what I am trying right now, but is related to statement above ,does anyone know why an rf modulator is needed when the tv has no audio/video inputs? This the same for other model setups I have seen and I am curious as to what that accomplishes.

Anyway, I shall solder (err soldier) on. Thanks for your input.


Yes, I use a HD cable box from Cablevision (I'm in NY). It's from Scientific Atlanta. It pumps through analog and so-called digital channels. I'm pretty sure that the DVD recorder gets its TV guide information from one of its TV Guide channels because I often find the TV tuned to a channel that just shows the listings 24/7 when I turn it on the morning. That's why the RF connection is not necessary (at least in this case).

Hi All,

I just purchased a Panasonic DMR-EH75V - which I'm guessing uses the same TV Guide set-up as that EH55 - the questions so far are exactly the same as my set-up.

I am also confused somewhat on the set-up and not sure if I have it correct.

You made 2 changes to get yours to work -
1. You split the RF (but the set-up diagrams do not show this) - did they tell you to do that ?

2. You added "antenna" in addition to "Cable with Cable Box" - as the instructions call for - do you think this single step is what actually "fixed it"?

(I confess I missed that in my set-up and only used "Cable with Cable Box" - looks like I might as well skip waiting 24 hours and add antenna right away)

You made 2 changes to get yours to work -

Does the eh55 have a fan? If so how noisy is it? Thanks.

As vferrari and Westy stated:

On the E80, the auto chapter marks were automatically inserted if you did a real-time dub from HDD to DVD. If you did a high speed dub, you had to put them in manually. Typically, I would just put in chapter points every 10 minutes by using the Time Slip button.

I don't even bother with timeslip. I call up the insert chapter page and press the fast forward button four times, putting the EH50 into 70x mode. I keep an eye on the timer and every ten minutes that goes by, I press enter. The machine never slows down and I get a tic mark on the "fuel gage" showing the chapter marks. You don't get them exactly every ten minutes, as in 10:00, because you are doing it by sight, but you get close, and with practice, you get very close: within a few seconds. It takes very little time and effort to do it this way.

Does the eh55 have a fan? If so how noisy is it? Thanks.

there is a fan but I could not hear it. I only hear a click noise from the HDD when I turn on the recorder and off.

Doh!!!
Thought no one had written for a couple of days. Then I realized that there was more than one page. Maybe I shouldn't be allowed near complex electronics!! LOL!

Anyway, I understand that the Panny doesnt use harddrive to record EPG but uses RAM. So far it has been very quiet as far as I am concerned.

Steve 1214, TVGOS working impeccably so far. It seem to try updating at regular times ie: 6:30am and in afternoon which is convenient for me.

Have recorded some shows and tested a burn. But, spent most of yesterday reprogramming my universal remote to leave cable box on so DVR could do its update. Been three years since I programed it, so had to relearn everything. sheesh Also spent some time getting used to all the options and the menu system on the DVR.

Bought some R+dvd dual layers for testing. Couldnt find any dvd-rams. May have to get em online.

Siesta Jim, I split the RF before the two boxes because the pass through on the panny seemed to screw up picture from my digital cable box. And since the panny gets its TVGOS info from in3 It didnt matter. Bottom line, it worked for me. Also it allows me to get analog cable direct to the panny for recording shows to box when wifey wants to watch cable while I am recording as you cant watch another channel while recording from cable box. Is that clear as mud?

Good luck Siesta , let me know if it works.

smack,

so far no luck, but i still havent split the cable. it seems to me an unnecessary (i will still try) step if the setup directions have the cable going to the eh55 first (analog).

now that you have it working with a split before the boxes, does the tvgos have listings for all your channels that you would normally recieve on your cable box or just the analog ones it can pick up?

smack,

Thanks for the help!

So far no luck for me - but I'm a day behind you. (on my initial set-up I didn't pick BOTH Antenna & Cable w/box - just Cable w/box - and it didn't work).

last night I reset with BOTH Antenna & Cable w/box - and will see if that is the trick later tonight.

I have not split the RF and input it to both the DVR & Cable Box (as you did) - but that will probably be my next try if this doesn't work.

(Did Panasonic tell you to do that or did you just try it on your own?)

Under RF OUT Terminal - my manual says, "The picture and sound signal from this unit does not go through the RF OUT terminal to the television" - (HUH???)

This may be a 'typo" - or perhaps means something different than it says. (The writer may have meant to say that ...SHOULD NOT be connected to the television".)

I'm with steve1214 on this....It seems to me that the picture and sound DO come out thru RF OUT - since it is the only input into my cable box - and since I can see all 2-500 or so channels from my cable box - back into my TV - the picture & sound MUST be coming out of that RF output!

BUT - having said that - if it is because the signal looses to much and it will only work by splitting it - of course I'll split it! (I worry about this as my cable is already split as it enters my home (half to broadband & other TV's in other rooms), and half to big Screen TV - (which is then split again half to the TV - half to the DVR) - (So I can which TV while recording)

I have considered that my problem is being split to many times already - however, you'd never know - the picture is strong and clear.

We'll see what tomorrow brings!

Hey Guys - one other thing...

As I went thru 2 Pioneer 531's with these set-ups - it seems like I've spent half my life waiting the 24 hrs for them to see if they worked. It just seems it should be easier to tell "early on" if it will work or not, for example...

On my Pioneer 531 (same TV Guide on Screen system), as soon as you reset - set-up - and put the Pioneer into "Standby" to get the EPG data - it would...
Switch my cable box to 01 - then 'walk up" all channels 02-03-04 etc. in 3.45 hours! Then it would restart thru all channels again - also it's initial step set the auto clock.

What I'm asking is (if you remember) - how does the Panny behave during its 24hrs?

My new Panny EH75V goes into standby - and very - very slowly walks thru all 1-999 channels taking 15-24 hours or so. So right away, since it is behaving differently than the Pioneer - I'm thinking it is not working correctly.

Also - it's clock (which I set manually during the set-up - right???)

- continues to be a minute off of the cable box time (which is automatic) - so appearently it has not yet found a PBS channel to get the time from (although it has already passed up all of them)?

I'm thinking once again - it is not working! We will see...

SiestaKey,

I hope you get your TVGOS working, but you appear to be in a "unique" situation if your Host Channel is a PBS station.

The closest PBS stations to you are in Tampa (antenna in Riverview):
WEDU OTA Channel 54
WUSF OTA Channel 34

WEDU is a "normal" PBS affiliate, while WUSF is run by the Univ. of South Florida...but both use the SAME ANTENNA! I've not seen that before, probably just using the same structure?

If you don't get good results, I think you'd be wise to turn OFF whatever channel you receive WUSF on (look for call sign). That way, you will have a "clear" TVGOS signal from WEDU. (If that doesn't work, reverse the procedure, leaving WUSF on?)

Under RF OUT Terminal - my manual says, "The picture and sound signal from this unit does not go through the RF OUT terminal to the television" - (HUH???)

This may be a 'typo" - or perhaps means something different than it says. (The writer may have meant to say that ...SHOULD NOT be connected to the television".)

I'm with steve1214 on this....It seems to me that the picture and sound DO come out thru RF OUT - since it is the only input into my cable box - and since I can see all 2-500 or so channels from my cable box - back into my TV - the picture & sound MUST be coming out of that RF output!


The RF OUT is a pass-through for the cable signal only. What the manual means is that when you play a DVD or a program recorded on the HDD you need to have additional hookups to your monitor (ie HDMI, component, etc.). They will not be inserted onto the RF signal.

"The picture and sound signal FROM THIS UNIT does not go through the RF Out..."

The incoming RF signal is passed straight through, as has been pointed out. The picture and sound that the recorder itself generates is not sent to the RF Out.

wabjxo - actually you just reminded me - I have no idea of what my host channel is - somewhere I (thought) I read that PBS channels were the hosts for TV Guide on Screen?

When I had the Pioneer - at setup - it asks to input a channel to set the auto time - so I had heard that PBS channels had the time - so I always entered 03 (WEDU) & the time always set correctly.

I never did the internal code to look at the host channel - until my Pioneer would lose it's listings - then when I did look to see the host channel it was blank (of course). (I should have looked to see the host when it was working - then I would have known).

On the panasonic set-up - it had me enter the time manually - it ended up off by a minute - and that was 9pm yesterday - now I'm about 20 hrs into this 2nd attempt - and the clocks still off by that minute - so I'm not hopeful this puppy will get set up - but I'll wait the full 24 hours.

I know what you're saying about turning one pbs station off - but until this thing gets some initial data - I have nothing to turn off

thanks!

bry999 - bobkart - thanks guys, wish you two would have wrote the manual!

I see that most of the connections of the recorder is through cable, can I connect my Directv satellite service directly to the recorder? or do I have to connect my Directv DVR receiver to the recorder in order to burn DVD's? thanks

The Panny's TVGOS is supposed to work with satellite now, so there should be an option in the setup for Direct. You most likely will have to use the IR blaster to change the channels on the D* tuner. The manual should tell you the correct way to hook it up for it to work (how it gets the guide info from Direct, I haven't a clue - you might need to be hooked up to an antenna for that, but I'm not sure).

Anyway, with or without the guide, you can record directly from your D* tuner to the Panny, as long as your D* tuner is outputting at 480i.

The Panny's TVGOS is supposed to work with satellite now, so there should be an option in the setup for Direct. You most likely will have to use the IR blaster to change the channels on the D* tuner. The manual should tell you the correct way to hook it up for it to work (how it gets the guide info from Direct, I haven't a clue - you might need to be hooked up to an antenna for that, but I'm not sure).

Anyway, with or without the guide, you can record directly from your D* tuner to the Panny, as long as your D* tuner is outputting at 480i.



I haven't purchased the recorder yet, I decided on the Panasonic over the Pioneer 640 recorder because of the DV input on the Panny, so that's one question solved with the recorder being able to be used with Satellite,
now after seeing your last sentence, how can I tell if my D* DVR is outputting at 480i(is that a Digital cable)? can't I just use S-Video and Red/White Audio cables to transfer over the recordings to the recorder? thanks

Hey All,

1. Steve1214 I all the channels (digital) and analog. The panny box gets its info from teh cable box . Not from the rf on the cable. But thru in3.

2. Siesta, I split it on my own. That was cuz passthru from analog panny to digital cable box seemed to scramble my video signal somehow. Not related to TVGOS issue I dont think.
3. Yes picture and sound do come thru the rf . It is a passthru though. For example if you hook that cable from panny to your tvs rf input and that is input 1 you would receive analog signal.
The TVGOS and video and sound from the panny, IE dvd functions, recorded playback and television watching come from your cable box thru the panny box in3 to your tv from panny output.

What they meant was that no pany box video or sound comes thru that rf output, just passthrough direct from cable company.

Actually BRY999 said it much more clearer than I did. see his post above.

Also, other than first successful setup, I havent seen it change channels to update. It shows 9:30 am and I am not home then and behaves fine at night. Might have to stay home one of these days and see what it actually does.

By the way, so this doesnt confuse anyone. I don't think that splitting and going to the boxes separatly(sp) affects the TVGOS. It was just my choice since I have a digital cable box.

ok smack, i split the cable and redid the setup as you suggest. we'll see how it goes tomorrow.

OK Smack - me too!

After (2) separate 24 hour trys - NO TVGOS - nothing.

(2nd try was with BOTH choices Cable with Box & Antenna)

Tonight I will disconnect everything from my cable except the Pan 75, (to make sure my signal is not too weak), split the cable and connect to both DVR & Cable Box -

Tomorrow I'll be calling Panasonic (Lucky me!)

Good Luck Siesta
One other thing, was your cable box listed in the choices in setup?
Also, after setting up and letting it do its search thing for about 3-4 hours, I came home and the screen was giving me about 6-7 different cable choices. Seems there are several flavors of comcast in this area. I had to pick one before it continued.
If you get that far, look in the TVGOS setup menu and look at setup progress.
It had gotten the time and the station, but said that listing download was scheduled for 6:31 am next morning. So I watched tv that night then made SURE cable box was on and Panny box was OFF. When I came home the next evening everything was working. And has been working since.
Interestingly, every morning I get up, the cable box is on channel 108 which is PBS station. Wonder if that is where channel listings are downloaded from? Will have to ask wifey if she was on that channel the night before.

One, last thing guys, if you cant get it to work and call Panasonic, call again and again until you get someone willing to walk you through it and escalate it to TVGOS if necessary. Their support people are very varied. Some know a lot more than others. The last was willing to do this for me. Although, I ended up not needing it.

Once again, good luck. I will keep trying to feed ya any info I think will help. From what I understand from them (Panny) this should work with digital cable.

ok smack if it comes to it i will call panny. what number did you use to contact them?

Anyway, to male a long story short, I decided to try again. With these exceptions.

1. I split the rf cable with one going into the dvr and the other going into the cable box.

2. When selecting "cable with box" I also selected antenna as instructed in the manual. I hadnt done this the first time.

I let it go and by morning TVGOS was fully loaded. The box even tells you what time next update will be.


Thanks for all the information, Smack. I just got the EH-55 and your experimentation is very helpful. I was having issue getting the (Comcast) digital cable box to play nice with the DVR, so right now I took the cable box out of the picture and have the cable line going directly into the DVR. That setup works perfect but we cannot tape\watch the digital channels (channel 100 and up). I'd like to try what you are doing.

Sorry to repeat what you've been saying, but want to be very clear on the steps (and am electronically challenged). I have a VCR in my setup but for the moment would like to take that out of the equation:
1. RF Coax Cable line from wall is being split. (Lets call line A and line B). I understand that step, but then my questions begin..
2. Line A is going into RF IN on Panny. Panny RCA jack Line Out 1 is going to TV??
3. Line B is going into Dgital Cable Box RF In. RCA jack Line Out on Digital Cable Box is going to Panny RCA Line In 3??
4. Where is the RF Line Out of the Cable Box going to?
5. Sounds like you are still using the IR blaster in this setup?

Thanks in advance for any help that you or anyone can give.

wickerman,

while i still haven't got the infamous tvgos to work yet, i think i can help with your connection questions.

my original setup followed the manual exactly: cable from wall to rf in on panny, rf out on panny to rf in on cablebox, rf out on cable to rf in on tv. then r/l audio and svideo from cablebox to in3 on panny. the panny is then connected to the tv via r/l audio and component video (in addition to the rf out from cable).

i have since tried smackbottom's suggestion to split the cable from wall, so my setup is now:

cable from wall to splitter, one cable to rf in on panny one to rf in on cablebox. rf out on panny not connected. rf out on cablebox to tv. the rest is still the same.

i am also using the ir blaster.

your setup above seems to be similar and is correct. in answer to you specific questions above, you dont want to connect the rf out from panny to anything. the rf out from cablebox should go to the tv. i would also reccomend removing the vcr from the loop of rf in/out and use the rca in/out of the vcr and connect them to either the panny or your tv or a combo of both.

while i am pretty good with this stuff i am no expert so if anyone has any better suggestions for hooking this stuff up please chime in. im always eager to learn something new.

hpe this helps,

steve

Hey Guys - I'm still trying & failing with the TVGOS!

I did the splitter thing - didn't help

I called Panasonic (about 4-5 times to get the "hang" of it). 800-211-7262 - here's the way it worked best (Their machine wants you to talk to it) - answers...

"Tech Support" > DVD Recorder > choice 7 (wait for 20-40 mins)

The first time I got an absolute beginner who I doubt could program a VCR. Have to answer all the obovious questions as he read them to me. But he finally got me a "case" number and told me he would escalate it - and a "Product Tech" guy will call me back in 24-48 hrs!

So a half hour later I called again (trying to get someone else) I got a "supposed" Tech person who also clearly didn't know beans - asked endless dumb questions - with a 5 minute pause between each question - after about 45 mins of this she finally decided I need to escalated again to the "TVGOS" team. So know I get to wait 24-48 hours cause I don't know a phone number for TVGOS.

Meanwhile - I'm also simplying everything to see if anything works. I'm skipping the cable box and have a total simple setup.

1. Wall Cable feed into RF In on DVR
2. DVR RF Out to TV - Rf In.
3. Phono plugs(Yellow/While/Red) from DVR "Common Output" into TV input.

(This is the simplest set-up they show)

In the DVR set-up - I selected "Cable - No Cable Box" - it Autochannels and sets the time automatically - and I shut it off and will just WAIT (Again - and again ).

I think either it gets some channel listings inside of the TVGOS (I'm not even waiting for actual data listings - I've never got anything at all) - or - I have a broken machine - or - there is NO HOST CHANNEL here (That is really what I think the probelm is).

Hey guys – On my EH75, here is how my “Setup Screen” for the TVGOS looks – does yours look the same?

(When you press TV Guide on the remote – the “TV Guide” screen comes up and in the middle says)

TV Guide on Screen Setup process

STEP........................................................ ......STATUS

[X] Search for time.........................................Done: (current time)

[ ] Search for TV Stations with
TV Guide Data.........................................In Progress

[ ] Search for Channel Line-up.....................In Progress

[ ] Listings Transmissions.............................In Progress

I have never got past step one – it always looks like this - from the time I just finish the set-up - and 24 hours later when I first look at it.

**Have you been using the recorder since you got it? After set up, the unit must be left completely off for at least 24 hours, and sometimes a bit longer-no turning on and off, no timer recordings, no peeking to see if everything downloaded...in order for guide info to d/load.

siesta,

mine looks the same. so far I have never waited more than 24hrs. what you wrote above is why I fear calling panasonic. i hate when i know more about stuff than the techs that work for the company

TV Guide on Screen Setup process

STEP........................................................ ......STATUS

[X] Search for time.........................................Done: (current time)

[ ] Search for TV Stations with
TV Guide Data.........................................In Progress

[ ] Search for Channel Line-up.....................In Progress

[ ] Listings Transmissions.............................In Progress

I have never got past step one – it always looks like this - from the time I just finish the set-up - and 24 hours later when I first look at it.
It looks as if two of the setup steps are bass-akwards!

How can your unit find a Host Channel when it hasn't searched for channels that you receive yet, i.e., it hasn't set up the Tuner yet so it knows what channels to scan.

On Pios (I know, diff. machine!), it does an "INITIAL SETUP," during which it searches for and establishes all the channels that the unit can receive. THEN, it sets TVG up, finds Host Channel, populates listings, etc.

Is there a way you can force your unit to SCAN for channels (or whatever it calls that) first? If so, then you might be able to see if there is a potential "conflict" between your two possible PBS channels that operate from the same tower???

Is the EH55 going to be available in Canada?

Guys,
Its almost 400pm here on west coast(seattle). I am heading home now. In about an hour I will write again and put my setup on here.
This forum needs a chat room!!! har har
Smack

Ok huys here goes I will try to post my setup and what I did with approximate times. Here goes.

1. rf cable to splitter
2. rf cable 1 to panny
3. rf cable 2 to cable box
4. no rf cable out from either box
5.audio/video out from cable box to panny in3
6. plug in ir blaster
7. audio/video out from panny to TV (this can be composite/or component also depending on your tv.
8. notice ...I have no!! rf cable going from rf out on either box. This should be possible but I dont need it so i dont have it.

Now for setup that I did

1. 10:00 am reset panny to default settings inthe setup menu.
2. turned cable box on and set to channel 2. Think it asked me to do this dont remember.
3. start setup, gave it my zip code etc...cable + cable box, also antennae
4. at some time it tries to change to channell 9 using irblaster.. this worked.
5. told it i was using in3 for input.
6. Asked me about how i enter channells...I told it 23 or something like that since i dont need to use 00s or enter to change channels. make sure you get this right for your cable box.....that may be a problem. Also told it i couldnt enter channel #s greater than 1000 on my cable box.

7. panny then turned itself off i think) began to change channels on the cable box
I watched it change for awhile...it had 900 some channels to go.
8. left cable box on panny is off (standby) at this time.

9 11:00 am Took Wifey to see Circue Du Soleil (no laughing!!) At dinner afterwards.
10. 7:30 PM Now this is important. Came home, turned on Panny ( yes I too am impatient). Looked at setup progress menu. It said:

Originally Posted by SiestaKeyJim
TV Guide on Screen Setup process

STEP........................................................ ......STATUS

[X] Search for time.........................................Done: (current time)

[ x] Search for TV Stations with
TV Guide Data.........................................Done

[x ] Search for Channel Line-up.....................Done

[ ] Listings Transmissions.............................(here it said 6:30 am)

I assumed that was what time it would download listings the next morning.
8:00PM Watched tv all night with panny on.
11:00pm Turned OFF panny , Left cable box ON
11:15 PM Went to bed.


The next day
4:30 PM Notice ...I didnt touch it all day over 16 hours
Came home..turned on Panny went to TVGUIDE every thing was loaded.

TVGOS setup screen progress was:

Originally Posted by SiestaKeyJim
TV Guide on Screen Setup process

STEP........................................................ ......STATUS

[X] Search for time.........................................Done: (current time)

[ x] Search for TV Stations with
TV Guide Data.........................................done

[x ] Search for Channel Line-up.....................done

[x ] Listings Transmissions.............................Begins 6:30am

Notice the difference? It has downloaded the listings and is telling me (I think) what time next update will be. This has varied each day but is generally in the morning between 6 and 9.
Also, my cable box seems to be on channell 108 which is pbs station each morning so I think it downloads in early morning too. Havent confirmed this. Wifey may just love PBS after I go to bed.
But each night Cable box should remain ON and panny box off (standby)


Ok guys, I really hope this helps.
Lemme know
Smack

PS My cable box is a Motorola DCT 3412 and was listed (Motorola only) in the cable box choices.
Steve1214 Phone number for Panny was 1-800-211-7262

Thanks smack! - I'm still waiting to hear from TVGOS!

I am wondering when (if!) it will be available in Canada as well...no sign of it on Panasonic.ca! Still waiting...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7776514&&#post7776514 :)

Is the hard drive replaceable in this recorder? I know 200GB is a lot but if I can change it to say a 400GB or 500GB hard drive then it would be even better :D
I saw a thread about the Pioneer 533 being able to upgrade to a larger hard drive, can the earlier models of the Panny recorders be upgraded as well? thanks

Don't know about the EH55 but on the older Panny's with a HDD you COULD NOT INCREASE the GB on HDD models.

EXAMPLE: If you had a 80GB model & you put in a 120GB drive the Panny would only format the drive for 80GB not 120GB.

But maybe someone can check out the new EH55 for us.

Panny HDD cannot be upgraded. The file and operating system are proprietary and, so far, have not been successfully hacked. Attempt to swap out HDD will trigger an automatic format of the new HDD, but it will be formatted to 200GB regardless of whether it has an actual capacity greater than that. Several older threads discuss this issue for the Pannys. Bottom line though is that the unit is a DVD recorder w/ a HDD, not a media server. I would not trust the hdd for long term storage w/o having DVD disc backups of the content, you are a single drive failure or TOC corruption away from losing all your content at once. Putting in a larger HDD would just expose even more content to that risk. So, burn baby, burn and clear that HDD. That's what its designed for.

I figured it wasn't possible but maybe there's hope that the EH55 can be upgraded :p
like I said 200GB is plenty enough for me, I have to check my own electronics dealer to see what price he can give me for the EH55 recorder, I think definitely around $400 w/o tax too :D

It looks as if two of the setup steps are bass-akwards!

How can your unit find a Host Channel when it hasn't searched for channels that you receive yet, i.e., it hasn't set up the Tuner yet so it knows what channels to scan.

On Pios (I know, diff. machine!), it does an "INITIAL SETUP," during which it searches for and establishes all the channels that the unit can receive. THEN, it sets TVG up, finds Host Channel, populates listings, etc.

Is there a way you can force your unit to SCAN for channels (or whatever it calls that) first? If so, then you might be able to see if there is a potential "conflict" between your two possible PBS channels that operate from the same tower???

There's nothing wrong with the setup steps. First the recorder has to find the host channel. Then it has to find the correct channel lineup (that's what the zip code is for). And then it has to download the EPG data.

If you do a manual scan for channels, that disables the TVGOS.

It doesn't matter if there are more than 2 PBS channels. I have 3 PBS channels and the EPG downloads fine. Although, the TVGOS occasionally switches to a commercial channel for EPG download. We must be blessed (?) with a multitude of TVGOS host channels here in Philly!!

well after waiting way more than 24 hrs, still no tvgos. i guess ill continue to play with it. anyone who is still having this problem have any luck calling panasonic or the tvgos people and actually have them help you?

wickerman,

while i still haven't got the infamous tvgos to work yet, i think i can help with your connection questions.

my original setup followed the manual exactly: cable from wall to rf in on panny, rf out on panny to rf in on cablebox, rf out on cable to rf in on tv. then r/l audio and svideo from cablebox to in3 on panny. the panny is then connected to the tv via r/l audio and component video (in addition to the rf out from cable).

i have since tried smackbottom's suggestion to split the cable from wall, so my setup is now:

cable from wall to splitter, one cable to rf in on panny one to rf in on cablebox. rf out on panny not connected. rf out on cablebox to tv. the rest is still the same.

i am also using the ir blaster.

hpe this helps,

steve

Steve,
Thanks for the info. I tried that setup last night and seems to be working good!

On the Panasonic I can see the "regular"\non digital cable channels (ch2-->100). I am able to record these channels by setting the DVR on the particular channel. The TVGOS is also working for Ch2-->100 but obviously doesn't show any information for the digital channels (ch 101-->999).

By switching to IN3, I am able to view or record what is coming through the digital cable box (ch 2--> 999).

As followup questions:
1. If I want to record any of the digital channels (ch 101-->999), I have to set the DVR to a line in channel (in my case IN3), and leave cable box on the station that I want to record, so in that scenario, it is not possible to watch a different channel while it is recording, correct?

2. You are using the IR Blaster because you have a universal remote, I'm assuming? I am not able (or unsure of how) to control my cable box with the Panny's remote so I'm guessing that's why you are using the IR Blaster?

Thanks again for you help!

Can any EH55 owners verify that it will record DL discs? And if yet, will it record the whole DL in one session?

wicker,

1)yes

2)im using the ir blaster in the hopes of getting the tvgos working so the panny will change the channel of the cable box to record what i program it to. even if i never get the tvgos working, manually setting a recording on the panny will change the cable box to the channel i want as well. this has nothing to do with having a universal remote (i have one though)

as you are set up now, your panny remote should change the cablebox via the ir blaster. the initial setup does take you through the process of setting up the panny to control the cablebox via the ir blaster (when in the in3 mode). the blaster has to be in a position to send a signal to the cable box. i would really only use this functionality for recording purposes not for regular tv viewing.

I waited since Nov of 05 for them to come out with a quality recorder WITHOUT EPG......glad they did, pioneer 640.......Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.......smile

Ok, I saw it listed at sourcecc canadian site. The MSRP is crazy though at 700 CDN since exchange is at about 1.12 right now which would make the US MSRP of 500 about 560 CDN. 700 is a bigger jump than I expected from the 220 CDN I spent on the ES-15 (that I later returned due to lockup problems). Maybe I don't need a hard drive after all.

So as usual you need to take matters into your own hands to get stuff to work.

(As I sit waiting for the TVGOS people to ever call me regarding my esculated case)

I found another TVGOS user in my area - he has 2 DVR's -he said they both quit loading Listings 10 days ago. We both called our "Host" station and reported the problem - they responed and fixed it in later the same day -

Anyway - another WOW!

The Panny EH75's TV Guide is way improved over last years Pioneer 531 TV Guide.

The 531 is S L O W in everything related to the TV (When it ever works). There is a noticeable delay everytime you press a TV Guide button on the remote.

The Panny TV Guide is fast - almost instant response. There are so many improvements in the TV Guide itself - both in setting it up - and in using it, that I'm I don't have time to go into them - other than to say the 531 was really marginal - this new Panny's TV Guide works "like it should" (even though they're basically the same) - there's just many many improvements!

The more I use this Panny - the more I love it.

Of course (as always) minor issues pop up. Say you stop playing in the middle of a HDD title. When you then play it later, it resumes right where you were. (Good).

But sometimes you want it to start from the beginning when you replay titles

On the Pioneer - one press of stop got you a screen message saying "Resume" - 2 presses of Stop changed to say Resume Off (and it was)

On the Panny - the directions say - when you stop, it will resume there later (good) - the directions say repeated "Stop" pressings will turn "Resume" OFF > But now matter how many presses of STOP - or how fast or slow I do them - it always resumes ???

ALSO > When the Panny is playing a Title from the HDD and it gets to the end - it just plays the next title - and next - etc. If you really fast forward / or / reverse (at like 200X speed) you can easily end up in the next title (or previous one). There does not seem to be any way to "turn off" this behavior??? I preferred the Pioneer way of respecting the Beginning/End of a title.

But - minor compared to all of the goodness of this new machine!

Can any EH55 owners verify that it will record DL discs? And if yes, will it record the whole DL in one session?

From the EH55 Manual:
"You cannot directly record to DVD-R DL and +R DL discs on this unit. Record to the HDD and then copy to the disc."

It doesn't specifically say how the copy works but later in the manual:
"When not using high speed copy, titles are temporarily copied to the HDD at normal speed and then copied at high speed to DVD-R DL and +R DL. The titles that were temporarily copied to the HDD are then deleted . . . the equivalent of up to 4 hours of free space in SP mode is needed on the HDD"

From this I infer that the whole DL is done in one session.

and later in the manual:
"When playing a title recorded on both layers, video and audio may momentarily cut out when the unit is switching layers."

Say you stop playing in the middle of a HDD title. When you then play it later, it resumes right where you were. (Good).

But sometimes you want it to start from the beginning when you replay titles

On the Pioneer - one press of stop got you a screen message saying "Resume" - 2 presses of Stop changed to say Resume Off (and it was)

On the Panny - the directions say - when you stop, it will resume there later (good) - the directions say repeated "Stop" pressings will turn "Resume" OFF > But now matter how many presses of STOP - or how fast or slow I do them - it always resumes ???

Seems like they changed something from the previous models. With the E85, YOU PRESS stop ONCE, and come back later and start play, it resumes from the stop point. Pressing Stop a 2nd time as you mentioned, causes playback to start at the beginning...
On the E55, do the words PLAY flash on the unit's display screen when you press stop? Does it stop flashing when you pres stop a 2nd time?

My 2 cents:
1. Programming manually on the EH55 has also bloated a few steps on my tests. I have gone through 5 generations of these players and I still like the E80 best when it comes to manual programming, I can see everything on the LED screen. These days I need to turn on the tv to program anything on these units.
2. Fan is quiet. Turn on is instant, this was available since EH50.
3. I still miss the EJECT button on the remote.
4. Having HDMI out is nice, now I have to buy a new TV with it. LOL
5. LED display seemed less informative on this new unit. When recording it doesn't show recording time anymore unless you check status on tv, just the channel.
6. when I press time-shift button, the P-in-P doesn't come up anymore like the EH50.
7. Now high speed dubbing pops a "Would you like to Finalize" screen everytime, kind'a annoying at this point as if you said yes, then you can't record anything else on the DVD-R.

Btw, a bigger HDD swap - if indeed possible - will still be limited by 500 titles stored at one time if I remember vferari's E500 thread before....

I'll update this post if I can think of anything else.

I have the EH55 HDD DVR and I also have a Panasonic Camcorder Pv-GS400. I have tried to record from the DVR to the Camcorder without success. Both manuals say you can. I used the A/V outs on the DVR to the A/V in of the camcorder and the S-Video to both. If someone has done this maybe you can give me some help.

thanks

I have the EH55, and it is exhibiting odd and repeatable behavior recording from the TVGOS. The thread is here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=686775
I'm curious whether someone else with the EH55 can try to duplicate it. In short: set it to record 2 or more shows on the same channel in consecutive time slots, see if it gets the 2nd right. Thanks

I have the EH55 HDD DVR and I also have a Panasonic Camcorder Pv-GS400. I have tried to record from the DVR to the Camcorder without success. Both manuals say you can. I used the A/V outs on the DVR to the A/V in of the camcorder and the S-Video to both. If someone has done this maybe you can give me some help.

thanks


have you tried the DV input on the EH55? that's used for camcorders as well,
also, reading your post I want to try to clarify what you wrote, are you saying that you are connecting both the S-Video and the A/V inputs/outputs? if you're connecting using S-Video, you can't connect the Video(yellow plug) as well, it's either the yellow or the S-Video but not BOTH

Except he's trying to record from the DVD Recorder to the camcorder.

minus the DV comment, you still can't use both the Yellow plug and the S-Video cable at the same time :p

Indeed.

No I havent tried the dv yet as I don't have a 4 pin yo 4 pin cable but the camcorder diagram does show connecting both s-video and the a/v cables together now maybe it should say either or but it doesnt work with either one or both. Maybe I will have to call Panasonic. But I will tell you that transferring programs from my Directv DVR to the Panasonic does work well with no issues. So any other helpful hints or suggestions are helpful.

Take the DVD Recorder out of the equation, will the Camcorder record anything sent to it via Composite Video or S-Video? That is what I think you're having a problem with. That the DVD Recorder can output to those connections is a given, or you wouldn't be able to watch the DVD Recorder's output on your display.

Many Camcorders can't record from Line Input, you say yours can, but you need to be sure you know how to get it into the right mode for doing that. It's typically done through a series of menu operations, depending of course on the brand of Camcorder. If the manual says it can record from Line Input, then hopefully it also outlines the procedure for doing that. It won't just be "Turn it on, plug in the cables, and hit Record". Those Line Inputs usually are also Line Outputs, and you need to get it into Line Input Mode first. You should be able to get to the point of seeing the signal being sent to the Line Input on the viewfinder (and/or LCD screen if it has one, don't they all now?), then start the recording according to the directions.

Okay it sounds like were on the same page. Getting the signal in review function seems to be like what you would want if the camcorder was being uaed as a pass through. Will check to make sure that I have it set for proper record line-in , these things really have so many options. Manual does give the commands like hit the record button and then backlight button. Perhaps it is operators error....LOL later on today I will give it another try with your suggestions see what happens. Thanks for help!

Can anyone who has already snagged a Panny DMR EH-55 tell me your thoughts on the HDMI connector and upconverting on your HDTV? I'm curious to know if you can see the benefits of upconverting from the EH-55 vs. your conventional DVD player. Thanks!

SNazz

When I record 2 or more programs in consecutive time slots on the same channel (e.g. a program from 5:00 to 5:30 and another at 5:30 to 6:00 on channel 6), it will tune to the incorrect channel for the 2nd program. Happens using TVGOS or manual programming.

It would be great if someone who has one of these could try this and tell me the results, thanks.

I've already returned mine, but I would still like to know if that was a bad unit.

tscheer,

I will give it a try and let you know.

steve1214: thanks! I hope yours works. :)

I just got the Panny EH55 yesterday, and really like it. It's a replacement for my Pioneer 520 (DVD drive basically not working right). So, there are some things I'm very used to from the Pioneer, that I'm wondering if anyone else with the Panasonic has a fix/different setting/method for:

1) When recording from DV camcorder, the Panny seems to stop DV recording at even the slightest gap/blank tape in the DV tape. Any way to tell it to keep recording and not stop recording when it hits a gap?

2) When playing a DVD disc - when the disc is finished (or the stop button is pressed), the Panny defaults to the blue "DVD" background screen, rather than defaulting back to whatever channel the unit is set to. Any way around this?



I may have more questions later as I discover more functions of the unit. For now, though, it's great - and certainly beats my Pioneer which has needed far more repairs than should be necessary in less than two years!

tscheer,

I just did a test where i manually programmed the unit to record channel 52 from 7:10 to 7:15 and then a consecutive program from 7:15 to 7:20 on the same channel. Both recorded fine and no channel switching ocurred.

I still dont have the tvgos going yet as it cant seem to find a host channel so i dont know if that makes a difference or not but manual recording works just fine.

I'm wondering if anyone else with the Panasonic has a fix/different setting/method for:

1) When recording from DV camcorder, the Panny seems to stop DV recording at even the slightest gap/blank tape in the DV tape. Any way to tell it to keep recording and not stop recording when it hits a gap?
I posted three possible ways to test this in the "DV Recording issue" thread, but here's a recap, for what it's worth:

1. For times when you change from one event to another, with a time gap between taping, cap the lens, and record "black" for a short time.

2. Just make sure new video picks back up before the previous last frame.

3. Use the video producer's method of "striping" a complete camcorder tape by recording black (lens cap on) from end to end, then rewinding and starting the shoot at the beginning (i.e., re-recording over the black).

#3 might be the "best" way to keep video "bits" flowing without gaps...just remember that you'll be striping with sound so don't say anything you aren't proud of while it's striping!!!

The unkown in all of these is that maybe the Panny senses all camcorder "Stops" as new titles. That would really be a bummer...totally illogical too!!!

Can this recorder detect a 16:9 recording (widescreen) from a camcorder if you used the dv input or S-video input. This was an issue I read in another post from a different panny model. The pioneer automatically detects teh 16:9 signal and records it. I want to make sure before I take the plunge if this panny recorder will capture the widescreen using DV input w/o any special tricks (like recording to RAM disc firsts). Thanks

tscheer,

I just did a test where i manually programmed the unit to record channel 52 from 7:10 to 7:15 and then a consecutive program from 7:15 to 7:20 on the same channel. Both recorded fine and no channel switching ocurred.

I still dont have the tvgos going yet as it cant seem to find a host channel so i dont know if that makes a difference or not but manual recording works just fine.

Thanks. That gives me hope the replacement unit will work.

I just got the Panny EH55 yesterday, and really like it. It's a replacement for my Pioneer 520 (DVD drive basically not working right). So, there are some things I'm very used to from the Pioneer, that I'm wondering if anyone else with the Panasonic has a fix/different setting/method for:

1) When recording from DV camcorder, the Panny seems to stop DV recording at even the slightest gap/blank tape in the DV tape. Any way to tell it to keep recording and not stop recording when it hits a gap?

2) When playing a DVD disc - when the disc is finished (or the stop button is pressed), the Panny defaults to the blue "DVD" background screen, rather than defaulting back to whatever channel the unit is set to. Any way around this?



I may have more questions later as I discover more functions of the unit. For now, though, it's great - and certainly beats my Pioneer which has needed far more repairs than should be necessary in less than two years!



On mine, the unit goes back to the channel I was watching. But I have to wait about 3 minutes after the disc is done. I think I have "video off" in the setting.

2) When playing a DVD disc - when the disc is finished (or the stop button is pressed), the Panny defaults to the blue "DVD" background screen, rather than defaulting back to whatever channel the unit is set to. Any way around this?


With the E85, you press stop twice, to return to tv viewing mode...Try it.

Okay it's a go...You can record back to the camcorder from HDD of the Panny, any connections works, s-video, yellow, red, white or dv. I just didn't follow the instructions to the T. I'm so stoked that it works. BTW you can hook up the camcorder directly to TIVO output and record to the camcord. This is an advantage for me as I will being editing, and then can transfer back to the DVR for burning of DVD.

Like they say, when all else fails, read the instructions.

TAFC, Don't know about your camcorder & you might want to check it out but most camcorders that have "Inputs" on them will usually not pick up any of the Macrovision signals so you can copy DVDs & Video Tapes to the camcorder which in turn can then be dubbed back to a DVD. :)

I just got the Panny EH55 yesterday, and really like it. It's a replacement for my Pioneer 520 (DVD drive basically not working right). So, there are some things I'm very used to from the Pioneer, that I'm wondering if anyone else with the Panasonic has a fix/different setting/method for:

1) When recording from DV camcorder, the Panny seems to stop DV recording at even the slightest gap/blank tape in the DV tape. Any way to tell it to keep recording and not stop recording when it hits a gap?

2) When playing a DVD disc - when the disc is finished (or the stop button is pressed), the Panny defaults to the blue "DVD" background screen, rather than defaulting back to whatever channel the unit is set to. Any way around this?



I may have more questions later as I discover more functions of the unit. For now, though, it's great - and certainly beats my Pioneer which has needed far more repairs than should be necessary in less than two years!

I was wondering where you got your DMR-EH55. Most of the Websites I checked have "out of stock" and I am still back ordered from ecost.com.

vanns.com
free shipping (fedex ground)

I ordered it last thursday afternoon (6/8) and it arrived via fedex on tue (6/13)

When I record 2 or more programs in consecutive time slots on the same channel (e.g. a program from 5:00 to 5:30 and another at 5:30 to 6:00 on channel 6), it will tune to the incorrect channel for the 2nd program. Happens using TVGOS or manual programming.

It would be great if someone who has one of these could try this and tell me the results, thanks.

I've already returned mine, but I would still like to know if that was a bad unit.
tscheer,

hi. i tried using the TGOS to record 2 consecutive 1/2 hr programs on same channel, and it did work. (can also do the same using manually channel programming as steve1214 mentioned.)

so it is possible, and hopefully you just had a bad EH-55 unit.

thanks, wickerman :)

vanns.com
free shipping (fedex ground)

I ordered it last thursday afternoon (6/8) and it arrived via fedex on tue (6/13)


Thanks trekrobyn...

Now the site says "Coming soon." I guess Panasonic didn't anticipate the demand or has had problems with the manufacturing.

does the EH55 have a DAC(digital to analog conversion) feature like the one in the Pioneer 640?

bnm81002, Exactly what do you mean by digital to analog conversion? because "ALL" dvd PLAYERS & RECORDERS have DAC.

Yeah a Digital-to-Analog Conversion is how the bits stored on the DVD for the audio and video of the program get converted to analog A/V signals suitable for display on a TV. So unless you meant a different D-to-A conversion that those, the answer would be yes.

thanks guys, I was trying to compare the 2 recorders(EH55 and 640) the Pioneer site lists the "DAC" as a feature in fact a Video DAC and Audio DAC, while the Panasonic site doesn't mention this feature at all, I know it's time consuming but I just wish that if someone could list a comparison of the features for both recorders, I know of 3 differences of the recorders,
1-the hard drives(Panny-200GB Pion-160GB)
2-TVGO on Panny but not on Pion
3-DV input(Panny-yes Pion-no)
are there others that I am missing? I'm leaning towards the Panny cause of the DV input but if the Pion has some features that the Panny doesn't, I may reconsider, thanks guys

Yep, all DVD Players msut have both an Audio DAC and a Video DAC.

Audio DAC: 24 bits / 96KHz or 192KHz

Video DAC: 10 bits or 12 bits / 54MHz or 108MHz

The bit sizes tells you the resolution of the DAC, (how many distinct analog voltage levels it can generate from digital input data sample), and the frequencies tell you how fast the DAC can be run, i.e. how many times per second a sample value can be transformed from the digital domain into the analog domain.

Hello all. This is my first post :o , but I've been reading this thread (and anything else I could find on the EH55) for months.

Today I bit the bullet and ordered one from HiDef Lifestyle, who listed it as "in stock" on 6/16. I hope they are a reputable company. We'll see, and I'll be happy to contribute to the discussion when it arrives.

Meanwhile, can anyone tell me how many pins the dv input terminal requires, so I can get a firewire cable before the unit arrives? Thanks for all the info to date, and for any advice.

Update: Well perhaps it was too good to be true. I checked my EH55 order this morning and under status, it said "backorder." How disappointing. Checked the website, still said "in stock," so I called. The CSA apologized, said were expecting them soon but shipment hadn't yet come in. Offered to cancel my order and assured credit card would not be charged until unit shipped. I decided to let it stand, as they still have the best price and no one else seems to have it in stock either.

At least he updated the website and took down the "in stock" almost immediately.

I got one from J&H that was defective and I returned it (excellent service from them), and the woman said it'll probably be next week before they have a replacement to send me.

Is that J&R or B&H, or perhaps some store I've never heard of?

I picked up the EH55S at an Ultimate Electronics store on 6/16/06
They had stock of the Pio 640 and the Panny EH55S but didn't have either of them out on display, had to ask one of the sales guys.
They had several of each in the store room...
So if you are looking, its worth a shot.

Anybody have any idea when the EH55 will be hitting the big retail stores (BestBuy, CircuitCity)? BB has sometimes put COMING SOON on new DVD recorders.. but so far nothing on the EH55.

Is that J&R or B&H, or perhaps some store I've never heard of?

J&R

Some observations and questions.

I am extremely pleased with the DMR-EH55 that I have had for about a week now. The best thing is that, as I expected, I get a much better picture on my SD Plasma now with my DirecTV Satellite receiver hooked up to the EH55 via S-Video and TV hooked up to the EH55 via Componet. I'm not sure why, but the picture is much improved!

Questions:

1. Has anyone gotten TVGOS to work with RCA Receiver for DirecTV in the Sacramento, CA area?

2. Has anyone gotten their Satellite receiver IR blaster to control recording on the EH55? (This is the easiest way to schedule recordings because you can use the DirecTV EPG and forget TVGOS.)

Is the DMR-EH55S capable of pausing and rewinding broadcast video if you are not already recording to HD or DVD via timer or by pressing record? In other words, can it temporarily record on it's own, like the Philips DVDR3455H Time Shift buffer, in a special section of the hard drive that is reused after a period of time (6 hours in the case of the DVDR3455H)?

Is the DMR-EH55S capable of pausing and rewinding broadcast video if you are not already recording to HD or DVD via timer or by pressing record? In other words, can it temporarily record on it's own, like the Philips DVDR3455H Time Shift buffer, in a special section of the hard drive that is reused after a period of time (6 hours in the case of the DVDR3455H)?

No, the DMR-EH55 is not a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) as is the TIVO, Replay TV or other devises meant to capture video for watching at a different time interactively. The DMR-EH55 is a DVD recorder with a HDD for facilitating video editing and copying to DVD. However, you can record a broadcast to the HDD and watch it in delayed mode using a "timeslip" capability as it is recording.

Howdy HWD3! Glad to hear you like your DMR-EH55. I'm still waiting for mine with no ETA. (I had a credit I needed to use at a specific vendor so I've got to be patient. I'm very surprised that this model has not yet had a wide release to major vendors yet. I wonder if they had production problems, underestimated demand or what.)

Have you played back any DVDs with upconverting yet via component or HDMI connections? One of the things that was attractive to me was the upconverting capability of this Panny. Anyone else with the DMR-EH55, feel free to weight in too.

Thanks!
SNazz123

Howdy HWD3! Glad to hear you like your DMR-EH55. I'm still waiting for mine with no ETA. (I had a credit I needed to use at a specific vendor so I've got to be patient. I'm very surprised that this model has not yet had a wide release to major vendors yet. I wonder if they had production problems, underestimated demand or what.)

J&R has the EH-55 in stock for $449 with free shipping. For details click here. (http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4081521)

J&R just got them in stock a few days ago, I ordered one yesterday. The guy on the phone said that they "were back in stock" indicating that they had some before, but every time I checked their web site it was "Pre-order", and then "Out Of Stock". Either way I'm looking forward to getting this in a few days.

$459 with free shipping. I'm looking forward to getting it set up and playing with it. Hooked it up temporarily and the TVGOS set up with no problems, at all. ;-)

The manual on page 58 says that on a HDD Copy to -R or -RW, Titles are divided into chapters at about 5-minute intervals if the titles were copied using any mode other than high-speed; then "There is a pause of several seconds between titles and chapters during play."

Has anyone confirmed the truth or false of this?

Any pause would be a heart- and deal-breaker for me.

Thanks

Richard

A pause between Chapters is unheard of. I don't have the model in question, but I've never heard of a DVD Recorder that burned DVDs that had pauses between the Chapters.

Pauses between the Titles is normal.

Bob, what are you doing up at his hour? Thanks for your response.

The E100 has a pause at edit points if recorded in high-speed, pauses that added up to about 30 seconds or so in the one-hour program, critical on a tv broadcast.

On the E100, we get seamless playback if we record in real-time. Pauses between titles I can live with, but not at edit points or chapter breaks.

Thanks again; hoping someone confirms you are correct.

Pauses at edit points I understand. My comment was directed towards the automatically-inserted Chapter marks. In the case of edit points, you get a Chapter break there as a result of having edited. The pause is due to the edit though, not the Chapter mark. Likewise, the automatically-inserted Chapter marks (or even user-inserted ones not associated with edits) will not cause a pause during playback, or something is seriously screwed up. But regarding pauses at edit points, it is difficult to avoid them unless you restrict your cut points (specifically the cut-in point at the end of a deleted section) to key frames (typically every half second). The nature of MPEG compression is such that ending a cut between key frames causes a pause of up to half a second while the playback waits for the next key frame with which it can re-synchronize with the video. The frames between key frames are represented as changes from the previous frame, and without the earlier key frame, it can't be known what the images should be until another key frame comes along.

Many DVD Recorders have two modes of editing, one which is frame-accurate and the other which restricts cuts to key frames. But yeah, about the specific model in question, I can't address exactly what the edit-point behavior is since I don't have one.

Howdy HWD3! Glad to hear you like your DMR-EH55. I'm still waiting for mine with no ETA. (I had a credit I needed to use at a specific vendor so I've got to be patient. I'm very surprised that this model has not yet had a wide release to major vendors yet. I wonder if they had production problems, underestimated demand or what.)

Have you played back any DVDs with upconverting yet via component or HDMI connections? One of the things that was attractive to me was the upconverting capability of this Panny. Anyone else with the DMR-EH55, feel free to weight in too.

Thanks!
SNazz123

Up-converting is a non-issue with me because I have a SD Panasonic palsma TV. I did notice however that the SD brodcasts from my DirecTV Satellite receiver look better via Component output from the EH-55 than it did with my previous setup with S-Video to the plasma. Maybe it's changing the 480i signal to 480p, or the EH-55 is up-converting and the plasma is down-converting to the native resolution and that results in a sharper picture, I don't know. All I know is that I am one happy camper!

Hi All this is my first post, I have read this thread thus far.

I found the site while searching the net for help with stting up the tv guide feature :eek: Instruction manule no help 3 calls to techs no help :mad:

I had e50, then e 55 now eh55 I love it except for the D*** TV Guide!!!

Using in3 for direct tv (no rf hook ups, no antenna)

I have Direct tv set up the ir blaster run set up, then exited, dvd remote allowed channle changes, got time set down load correctly, the other 3 were in progress, for the last week! 3 times I started over, tried suggestions made here

Then I thought to myself, maybe I should try another remote code for direct receiver, as I know with remote programming, sometimes a few commands work but not all, untill you get the right command code

After I run set up a 4 th time, I selected try new code for reciever, then at the end of setup the panny changed channels to my PBS, it had never done that before, I think I might have it, is 10:30 my time 7-11-06, will post back tomarrow with end results.

PS: If all else fails try changing the command code for Cable box or Satellite box.

Did you read this (http://www.vgi.com/support/directv/default.asp) from the TVGOS web site? There is information here about which DirecTV receivers work with TVGOS, and which ones won't.

Good luck.

rgazzara : " Did you read this from the TVGOS web site? There is information here about which DirecTV receivers work with TVGOS, and which ones won't.

Good luck. "

On one of my calls to panasonic they ask for the modle # of my RCA Direct TV reciever, and said it was good to go, also told me the service was availble in my area.

Last night at 1 am had to turn the unit on to see if any progress, none only thing done was time.

so I went back to the eh55 manule and re read it, and looked carfully at the hookup diagrams for direct tv & dvd and also the one including vhs, both showed
the rf out of eh55 going to rf in of direct tv reciever, I havent used rf in 10 years!

so I hooked up this rf cable as shown, as soon as I powered the unit off, my direct tv recievers green power light began to flash!!! for the first time!!! this shows that the dvd recorder was communicating with the reciever!

Today at 11:30 am I turn on eh55 and check the setup progress, time done and the second item done and listings download start at 8:24 am! It is finally working, by evening I should have the listings!

Why did panasonic not state in the written instructions that hooking up
the RF COAXIEL CABLE IS A MUST! ??? rf/ coaxial is old technology that is on the way out, most dont use it any more in favor of rca, & S Video.

Panisonic must have designed this unit to communicate with sat & cable boxes thru the rf out of the eh55 & the rf in of the cable/sat box.

They need to inform all techs to have callers check this I bet it is the #1 reason as to why tv guide programming fails to start!

And I bet the # 2 reason is have a remote code that is completly compatable with the cable/sat box!

Oh I ordered my EH55 on may 20th was on back order due in june 1st, I called on the 3rd backed again till the 15th, I called on the 15 backed again till the 1st of july called the 1st was in and shipped my way I got it on the 3r was well worth the wait!

Almost worth the frustration of tv guide set up, had Panasonic put
RF COAXIAL CABLE A MUST ENABLES EH55 TO COMMUNICATE WITH CABLE/SAT RECIEVER TO START TV GUIDE PROGRAMMING!

Also should have enabled auto chapter inserting for high speed dubbing!

Later Bruce

With those 2 things said I am 99% happy with the EH55

ps: I also had selected anttena along with direct tv in one of the setup steps I had not done this before either.

I'm glad you solved your problem. Hopefully your post will help others with getting the TVGOS with DirecTV.

I'm glad you solved your problem. Hopefully your post will help others with getting the TVGOS with DirecTV.

I hope so too, I am also going to call panasoinic tech line and inform them of my findings, later Bruce

I hope so too, I am also going to call panasoinic tech line and inform them of my findings, later Bruce

BCallen...

Thanks for the investigative work to get TVGOS to work with your DirecTV receiver. I have the same problem you did since the only output I have from the EH55 is to the TV via component, which FYI, results in the best picture I have ever had from DirecTV.

Did I understand you to say you also have OTA antenna hooked up to the EH55? I hope not because I don’t want to set up an OTA antenna because all my channels are via satellite and I live in the mountains where I can’t get anything OTA.

Did you also say you had to specify “antenna” somewhere in the TVGOS setup? If so, please explain where so that I can replicate what you did.

Thanks again!

BCallen...

Thanks for the investigative work to get TVGOS to work with your DirecTV receiver. I have the same problem you did since the only output I have from the EH55 is to the TV via component, which FYI, results in the best picture I have ever had from DirecTV.

Did I understand you to say you also have OTA antenna hooked up to the EH55? I hope not because I don’t want to set up an OTA antenna because all my channels are via satellite and I live in the mountains where I can’t get anything OTA.
Did you also say you had to specify “antenna” somewhere in the TVGOS setup? If so, please explain where so that I can replicate what you did.

All my channels are direct tv also I do not use any anttena, but in setup under set service you can set 2 services, others in this thread mentioned that they selected direct tv and antenna, so even though I dont have and antenna I went ahead and selected it two.


Thanks again!

What made the differance for me:

1. hook up rf coaxial the out from the DVD recorder to the rf in of direct tv box.
2. In set services I selected Direct Tv & Antenna.
3. Even though I copuld controll channle changing of direct tv with the EH55
remote I went ahead and had the dvd player search for another remote code and it did find another one. With the new code it immeadiatly changed channels to PBS had not done that before!

I did all 3 of these things the last time so while I know that the rf connection is a MUST I do not know how important the othe 2 are, but others took the time set the antenna, so I did too, and some remote codes work better than others.

I guess the 8:24 am when start downloading is for tomarrow am as no listings yet on my unit, but unit is staying on PBS, the channel listings are retrived from.

Hope everyones suggestions help, Later Bruce

Hi - new to forums so bare with me - I bought the EH55 and not sure I like it yet -

I use cablevision in CT and was able down load the TVG - So it works for cablevision folk. I discounted this though because I don't like the fact that I can watch a channel independent of recordings.

Few questions:

- I don't like the fact that when I record programs from TV, it shrinks the picture to letterbox side with the thick gray horizontal margins. I like the letterbox size, but hate the fact that is don'ts fill up my 50in flat panel pany plasma and the hugh gray boarders. What's the point of have 50 inches if the EH55 is going to shrink everthing down!

- How do I get the letterbox content to fill the entire screen?
- How do I get rid of the gray horizontial boarders on the top and bottom? If I can't, can I change the color to black so its not so bothersome?

- Oh yeah, I have A/V receiver so I decided to connect the EH55 to it and have a output line from my STB to the it. Problem is is that I get the "copy protection" message from cablevision saying that I can use the HDMI connection. What's up with this???


Help! Thanks everyone.

Your STB is adding the letterboxing, not your DVD Recorder.

EDIT: A recent Topic about this issue (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=687431)

Thanks for the info. I'll try to track down the thread. Anymore you can share? Is this fixable? How?

Thanks,

I"m thinking that its because the input to the EH55 that I'm using are composite (hope I got the term right - the RWY) cables. You think my problem goes away if I use S-video? The EH55 doen't have any other input options other than the RF.

I appreciate any help.

You will have to consult the manual for your cable box to see if there are settings to output a 16:9 picture full screen out the video or S-Video connections. Some can, and some, trying to protect you from "bad aspect ratios" refuse to output wide screen content out these connections without letterboxing it. Yes, many people here are unhappy about that, but it is NOT the fault of the DVD recorder.

If I understand your HDMI question, you are getting a message saying the HDMI is disabled because of copy protection. If this is what you meant, it is because the HDMI port is strictly digital, and people COULD use the output to make perfect copies of the original content, SO, the manufacturers have placed a handshake protocol in the HDMI operation where the output device asks the input device if it secure against copying. Only if the input device responds correctly is the HDMI connection allowed to operate. It seems your A/V receiver is not passing the handshake protocol properly so the HDMI port is being disabled.

You think my problem goes away if I use S-video?The best way to answer that is to try it.

Regarding any more I can share, it should all be in that Topic. Basically, your STB has to be able to output non-letterboxed widescreen video on a compatible (with your DVD Recorder) connection type (Composite Video, S-Video, ...). If ti can't do that then all bets are off, short of adding some Component-Video-to-S-Video converter or 480p-to-480i-converter, none of which have been easy to find in the past when this issue has been discussed around here.

My programe loadeding stalled out had 2 green dones in in progress & download to start at 8:24 am, after 2 mornings with no guide I remembered that I had the direct tv reciever going thru an A/V switch, so I by passed this switch and now the next day I have my program guide!!!!!!

So be sure to hook up rf coaxial cable eh55 to direct tv rf in, and make sure rca jacks are direct from reciever to eh55 in3 NO Swicths or devices of any kind inbetween!!

Later Bruce

Damn, All this meowing about Guides and connections [5 pages]. So how about a review or two?

Damn, All this meowing about Guides and connections [5 pages]. So how about a review or two?


Without the "GUIDE" and accessability using the right connections, this DVR wouldn't be worth reviewing so getting the guide working is important.

Well, it [E55] seems to work with DirecTV, according to some users here and even my early Panny HS2 threw a tantrum if I did not hook up the OTA ant, even if I didn't use it!

Damn, All this meowing about Guides and connections [5 pages]. So how about a review or two?

Several in this thread have expressed there like of this machine despite the difficulty of getting the program guide to work.

LP 4 hour mode is excellent!!! the 6/8 hour mode appears to be better to.

The hard drive will store 500 titles or apx 45 hours xp 90 hours sp 180 lp 345 in 8 hour mode.

took a few minits to learn the navigating thru the menus as different for the e55 & e50 I had. But worth reading the manule carfully.

once you have the program guide & interface to direct tv hooked up when recording a timed event all you have to do is use the tv guide on the eh55 remote it brings up the guide find the program you want to record, once you highlight it press submenu then record this program, can even set to start a few minits early & to run late, this unit communicates with direct tv so you do not have to set a second timer!!!!!!!!! soooooo Sweeeeeet !!!!!!

It even puts the name of the movie in the title area so you dont have to, saves a lot of button pushing!!!!!!!! This Is A Brilliant feature!!!!!

When using the high speed copy mode from hd to dk the unit does not automaticlly insert chapters, you have to do this manually, play back the program click status button twice so you see where you are time wise, then click fast forward 3 times, wathc the time lapse on the status and every 5 minits hit the create chapter button, a 2 hour film takes about 5 to 8 minits to do this way, then you can high speed copy to disk and you have chapters.

In real time recording it still puts chapters in when finalizing just not in high speed copy.

In sp (2hr mode) takes apx 14 minits to copy 2 hour program & finalize disk Great!

I even recorded a program from a ram disk to HD in high speed mode, however that program would not record back to disk in high speed, had to do it in real time. then put it on -r disk.

I am very happy with this unit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! however auto chapters in high speed mode would have been nice!!! Later Bruce

Thanks BCallen for your review. I have one question remaining, and this is a make-or-break for me.

If you have erased some sections out of a title, is playback pause free? Or, more to the point, does a real-time dub to dvd-r play back pause free?

On my E100 and E85, high speed dubs to dvd-r of editted titles have about a one-second pause at the edit points, but real time dubs are pause free.

I would be very, very appreciative of an answer to this, epecially since the manual, page 58, says "There is a pause of several seconds between titles and chapters during play."

(Maybe after editting I could go through and combine all the chapters before dubbing!)

Many thanks,

Richard

Thanks BCallen for your review. I have one question remaining, and this is a make-or-break for me.

If you have erased some sections out of a title, is playback pause free? Or, more to the point, does a real-time dub to dvd-r play back pause free?

On my E100 and E85, high speed dubs to dvd-r of editted titles have about a one-second pause at the edit points, but real time dubs are pause free.

I would be very, very appreciative of an answer to this, epecially since the manual, page 58, says "There is a pause of several seconds between titles and chapters during play."

(Maybe after editting I could go through and combine all the chapters before dubbing!)

Many thanks,

Richard

In real time recording when pause for a commercial, there is no pause, when playing back

but whem editing and deleting a commercial or a segment of the program, there is a slight pause during playback,

This is my first unit with a hard drive, and I do enjoy it, I dont know how many programs the timer will take but I have close to 20 in mine now going thru August, for shows I dont want to miss.

Later Bruce

Thanks, Bruce. Really appreciate your testing that for me.

Was hoping the answer would have been different. Does it make a difference if, after erasing certain segments, you combine the chapters? Would that get rid of the pauses?

Thanks again,

Richard

Thanks much Bcallen! Gives me a warm feeling!

Have you tried the DVD-R Dual layer for HDD to disc? Wonder what the "pause" might be.

Thanks Again [Mine is now on order!]

Griz

Thanks, Bruce. Really appreciate your testing that for me.

Was hoping the answer would have been different. Does it make a difference if, after erasing certain segments, you combine the chapters? Would that get rid of the pauses?

Thanks again,

Richard

as far as I can tell it does not make chapters when you delete a portion of the program, I am in the middle of converting a tape to dvd, and will double check this.

some one in this thread commented on the fact that there are some kind of markers in all programs, and the only way to avoid pausing is to cut right on target of one of these markers, which isnt availeble on consumer recorders yet, but the result is the pause, the player knows you have deleted some of the program and is a momentary search for it and then cathces up and continues to play.

Later Bruce

Thanks much Bcallen! Gives me a warm feeling!

Have you tried the DVD-R Dual layer for HDD to disc? Wonder what the "pause" might be.

Thanks Again [Mine is now on order!]

Griz

I have not tried double layer + or - yet, but from what I have heard this will make no differance, only alows you double the record time.

Later Bruce

Originally posted by BCallen
In real time recording when pause for a commercial, there is no pause, when playing back

but whem editing and deleting a commercial or a segment of the program, there is a slight pause during playback,

On page 61 of the EH55 manual, under settings listed on the "video tab" there is a menu listed as "Seamless Play" settings. Apparently, you can get rid of the pauses at the cost of some precision in the edit points. Still waiting for my unit to arrive, so can't speak from experience. But it sounds related to the "key frames" issue mentioned by bobkart in post 134 of this thread.

"Seamless Play
Select the play mode between playlist chapter segments and
partially deleted titles.
≥On: The chapters in playlists are played seamlessly. This
does not work when there are several audio types
included on the playlist and when using Quick View.
Additionally, the positioning of chapter segments may
change slightly.
≥Off: The points where chapters in playlists change are
played accurately, but the picture may freeze for a
moment."

Can someone check out how these setting affect playback & let us know?

Thanks for all the great info.
Steve

Thanks Bruce and Steve,

Yes, I just found the Seamless Play setting on page 61 that Steve described, and have just placed an order for the EH55. It appears that Panasonic is continuing the option offered on the E100 and E85; on those, pauses occurred if the dvd-r was high-speed dubbed but pause free on a real time dub which is playback speed.

Thanks, fellas, for some great answers.

It does look like there'll be a lot more button-pushing on the remote; choices buried more deeply in the menu options. We shall see.

Richard

I have the EH50, which seems to be very similar to the newer EH55 from its "user" perspective.

I have had this seamless play option on since I had the machine and I can tell you that even with it "ON" it still has pauses at edit points when dubbing the program over to DVD±R/RW disks. You have to use real time dubbing to get rid of the pauses at edit points when dubbing over to these disks or live with them, which is what I do, very brief pauses.

Although as the manual says, a playlist does have seamless play at edited chapter points WHEN PLAYED BACK FROM THE HARD DISK DRIVE (as does dubbed over to RAM disks).

Can anyone who has already snagged a Panny DMR EH-55 tell me your thoughts on the HDMI connector and upconverting on your HDTV? I'm curious to know if you can see the benefits of upconverting from the EH-55 vs. your conventional DVD player. Thanks!

SNazzI too have been wondering about the HDMI connector. I found this review of the DMR-ES25S and there is fairly extensive testing of that connector found on this page:

http://reviews.cnet.com/Panasonic_DMR_ES25S/4505-9141_7-31904063-5.html?tag=toc

I presume that the DMR-EH55 will be similar. My EH55 will be delivered today and if my HDMI cable also arrives, I will be using it with a 1920 x 1080 Westinghouse 42" LCD soon.

Thanks, Bruce. Really appreciate your testing that for me.

Was hoping the answer would have been different. Does it make a difference if, after erasing certain segments, you combine the chapters? Would that get rid of the pauses?

Thanks again,

Richard

I checked this, when you erase (delet part of the program such as a commercial)no chapters are made.

The pause in my opinion is not that bad, I really Like my eh55!

Later Bruce

I have the EH50, which seems to be very similar to the newer EH55 from its "user" perspective.

I have had this seamless play option on since I had the machine and I can tell you that even with it "ON" it still has pauses at edit points when dubbing the program over to DVD±R/RW disks. You have to use real time dubbing to get rid of the pauses at edit points when dubbing over to these disks or live with them, which is what I do, very brief pauses.

Although as the manual says, a playlist does have seamless play at edited chapter points WHEN PLAYED BACK FROM THE HARD DISK DRIVE (as does dubbed over to RAM disks).

Yep, on the E85 and E100, you must record in real time to get the seamless playback from the recorded disc. Makes sense, playback is in real time, and apparently the pauses are coded out in the re-encoding process. And you lose your preset chapter points, with the automatically reinserted skip-to markers. In high speed dub, you keep your chapter points, but have the pauses.

Much depends on the purpose for the dub. In my case, where I do editting and trimming for broadcast over a local Low Power TV station, the pauses are unacceptable, and the chapter markers are of no use, so real time dubs have become routine. Also, real time dubs seem to be more reliable.

For other applications, where the editting is less aggresive and I want to retain the chapter skips, I use the high speed dubs. Nice to have both options available.

And a question addressed to Bruce: don't you have to define "chapters" in order to have something to earse, or to save? (Like on the E85.) Hopefully, in a few days the EH55 will be here and I'll be able to join your fun!

Thanks, All.

Richard

On page 61 of the EH55 manual, under settings listed on the "video tab" there is a menu listed as "Seamless Play" settings. Apparently, you can get rid of the pauses at the cost of some precision in the edit points. Still waiting for my unit to arrive, so can't speak from experience. But it sounds related to the "key frames" issue mentioned by bobkart in post 134 of this thread.

"Seamless Play
Select the play mode between playlist chapter segments and
partially deleted titles.
≥On: The chapters in playlists are played seamlessly. This
does not work when there are several audio types
included on the playlist and when using Quick View.
Additionally, the positioning of chapter segments may
change slightly.
≥Off: The points where chapters in playlists change are
played accurately, but the picture may freeze for a
moment."

Can someone check out how these setting affect playback & let us know?

Thanks for all the great info.
Steve

I have this seamless turned on and still get a slight pause from editing, with high speed copy.

Later Bruce

And a question addressed to Bruce: don't you have to define "chapters" in order to have something to earse, or to save? (Like on the E85.) Hopefully, in a few days the EH55 will be here and I'll be able to join your fun!

Thanks, All.

Richard

No you are just placing a marker of where to start and stop the cut.

After deleting a part of the program (removing a commercials), I went to view chapters and it showed none. But I had deleted 5 or 6 commecials from the program (1 hour reduced to 42 minits), so if the eh55 put chapters in when deleting commercials they would have showed up in view chapters, but there were none, so the eh55 does not insert chapters when deleting part of the program.

But you can put chapters in by hitting the create chapter button when watching the playback.

Later Burce

this is my first posting here - so be kind. I've just set up my new dmreh55 and it is now, hopefully, downloading the program guide. I'm just using an antenna, no cable or satellite on my budget, so there shouldn't be any problem. I have been using the e80h for several years and am very pleased with it. I tried the eh50 last year, but after going through three machines that had problems making timer recordings I gave up and hope to have better luck with this recorder.

I already have one issue with this machine. I can not figure out any way to manually adjust the channels. I went through the auto channel set procedure, but there are several channels I would like to remove as well as a couple I would like to add (please note that I'm referring to the channels you scroll through when channel surfing-not the channels included in the program guide). On the e80h this was easy - just set the channel and hit the add/delete button. I tried doing this with the delete button on this machine, but it didn't work. I've been through the instructions, but I can't find anything helpful. It seems, unbelievable that there is no way to do this manually. Is there anyone else out there using an antenna who can help?

this is my first posting here - so be kind. I've just set up my new dmreh55 and it is now, hopefully, downloading the program guide. I'm just using an antenna, no cable or satellite on my budget, so there shouldn't be any problem. I have been using the e80h for several years and am very pleased with it. I tried the eh50 last year, but after going through three machines that had problems making timer recordings I gave up and hope to have better luck with this recorder.

I already have one issue with this machine. I can not figure out any way to manually adjust the channels. I went through the auto channel set procedure, but there are several channels I would like to remove as well as a couple I would like to add (please note that I'm referring to the channels you scroll through when channel surfing-not the channels included in the program guide). On the e80h this was easy - just set the channel and hit the add/delete button. I tried doing this with the delete button on this machine, but it didn't work. I've been through the instructions, but I can't find anything helpful. It seems, unbelievable that there is no way to do this manually. Is there anyone else out there using an antenna who can help?

Press the tv guide button then highlight the word listings at top, then press submenu button on remote, on left a submenu comes up highlight edit channels and press enter, and then you can highlight channels you do not want and turn each one off.

Have Fun Later Bruce

ps: save yourself a lot of time, and leave the unit off 24 hours, if you turn it on to check progress it could interupt the download and may thus have to start all over again.

Press the tv guide button then highlight the word listings at top, then press submenu button on remote, on left a submenu comes up highlight edit channels and press enter, and then you can highlight channels you do not want and turn each one off.

Have Fun Later Bruce

ps: save yourself a lot of time, and leave the unit off 24 hours, if you turn it on to check progress it could interupt the download and may thus have to start all over again.

Thanks for the info. I thought making changes in the program guide would only effect which channels show up in the listings. I'll follow your instructions this evening and let you know how it works out.

update - It worked out fine. Thanks again. I'm probably going to have a few comments to make about this machine but I'll wait until I have a little bit of experience with it so that there is some reasonable chance I'll know what I'm talking about.

Without the "GUIDE" and accessability using the right connections, this DVR wouldn't be worth reviewing so getting the guide working is important.

I too think getting the guide working is an important part of this thread, so please consider a few more questions I have pertaining to the guide download.

I have set up with DirecTV as suggested by Bruce and now I can see the EH55 going through each of the channels, trying to find the Gemstar TVGOS capable station. It's now on station 440, so I expect it has to go through 440 to 999! I know that my PBS station that sends the guide is channel 6 (KEIV, Sacramento, CA). Is there anyway to force it to start over with channel searching or will it start over with channel 1 on it's own? Also, do you have to leave the Satellite receiver on (and the EH55 off) after the initial download to receive daily updates to the guide?

Thanks,

Harry

I too think getting the guide working is an important part of this thread, so please consider a few more questions I have pertaining to the guide download.

I have set up with DirecTV as suggested by Bruce and now I can see the EH55 going through each of the channels, trying to find the Gemstar TVGOS capable station. It's now on station 440, so I expect it has to go through 440 to 999! I know that my PBS station that sends the guide is channel 6 (KEIV, Sacramento, CA). Is there anyway to force it to start over with channel searching or will it start over with channel 1 on it's own? Also, do you have to leave the Satellite receiver on (and the EH55 off) after the initial download to receive daily updates to the guide?

Thanks,

Harry

I must first admit that I was repeteing what some had already said about this unit, as well as a couple things I came to realize.

Hi Harry I could not find a way to make loading of the guide start over,
does any one know if this is desired or possible?

I have been turning my unit off every night just to make sure it would update, however on friday night/ early saturday 2am till noon on saturday, I had timers set, so even thought I had turned the unit off I wondered what effect this would have on guide updating????

On friday my listings ended on sunday 3 am, Saturday afternoon I had my full 8 days of listings, so the unit must be able to down load guide info while doing a timed recording, as long as you left the unit in the off setting prior to the timmed recording starting .

I would leave unit off to be sure, hope this helps, Later Bruce

I don't think that the EH-55 can download TVGOS EPG data during a timer recording, since the recorder has to tune in the station that carries the EPG data. This would not be possible during a timer recording.

I don't think that the EH-55 can download TVGOS EPG data during a timer recording, since the recorder has to tune in the station that carries the EPG data. This would not be possible during a timer recording.

It's my understanding that, depending on the channel transmitting the EPG info, the data may be transmitted as much as 4 times per day, so that, even if a timed recording took place, the EPG might get downloaded between recordings during one of the four sessions.

That is correct.

I don't think that the EH-55 can download TVGOS EPG data during a timer recording, since the recorder has to tune in the station that carries the EPG data. This would not be possible during a timer recording.

It puzzeled me as I had recordings scheadualed from (unit was off) 2am continusly till 12 noon (TCM) with no breaks in recording, then at 1pm I checked and the rest of the program guide had loaded.

so it looks like it can load the guide while doing a timed recordeing, unless the info was already in the ram memory and just needed time to show up in the guide.

Anyway is nice to have the guide working!

And I really like the easy of setting timed recording!

Later Bruce

I don't think that the recorder can change the channel to download the EPG data from the host channel if it is busy with a timer recording -- there is only 1 tuner. But you seem to be happy, so who cares.

I don't think that the recorder can change the channel to download the EPG data from the host channel if it is busy with a timer recording -- there is only 1 tuner. But you seem to be happy, so who cares.

I wasnt trying to be obnoxious, just disscussing what the machine might be capable of doing.

I wasnt trying to be obnoxious, just disscussing what the machine might be capable of doing.
You certainly weren't obnoxious. There are two possibilities to explain your observation re: your TVGOS download.

I "think" you COULD have received TVGOS data while recording IF one or more of your programmed recordings happened to use the channel your TVGOS was broadcast on!?

OR, since you already had Friday, Sat. and Sun., you then had to have Day 8, so you had at least 4 of the 8 days...maybe 5...and you could have easily filled up the other days between midnight Friday and 2 am Saturday?

I wasnt trying to be obnoxious, just disscussing what the machine might be capable of doing.

Sorry, didn't interpret your response as obnoxious. I was just commenting that since the TVGOS was working for you, it really doesn't matter how it is working. ;)

OR, since you already had Friday, Sat. and Sun., you then had to have Day 8, so you had at least 4 of the 8 days...maybe 5...and you could have easily filled up the other days between midnight Friday and 2 am Saturday?

This may be what happened, as I was recording on TCM or FMC, and I think its PBS that braodcasts the guide.

I had shut the unit off about 12:30 am.

I almost did not set the timers so guide would be certain to load but was a couple of movies I just had to have :rolleyes: so I tried it to see what would happen.

This brings up an new feature for the next modle 2 tuners for picture in picture, and tuner 2 would be set for priority of the guide, could never use it to record, this would also allow you to keep the unit on and bewacthing something else, while guide downlloads.

Just A thought, Later Bruce

This may be what happened, as I was recording on TCM or FMC, and I think its PBS that braodcasts the guide.

I had shut the unit off about 12:30 am.

I almost did not set the timers so guide would be certain to load but was a couple of movies I just had to have :rolleyes: so I tried it to see what would happen.

This brings up an new feature for the next modle 2 tuners for picture in picture, and tuner 2 would be set for priority of the guide, could never use it to record, this would also allow you to keep the unit on and bewacthing something else, while guide downlloads.

Just A thought, Later Bruce
Yea, a good idea, but I'd like to see the machine designers try to get THAT thru the "bean-counters"!

This brings up an new feature for the next modle 2 tuners for picture in picture, and tuner 2 would be set for priority of the guide, could never use it to record, this would also allow you to keep the unit on and bewacthing something else, while guide downlloads.

Just A thought, Later Bruce

The second tuner in the DVDR would be of no use if your setup includes a STB for cable or satellite.

I would like 2 tuners just to be able to record 2 shows on different channels at the same time!

I would like 2 tuners just to be able to record 2 shows on different channels at the same time!

I have a RCA DirecTV PVR (Ultimate TV similar to TIVO) that has two tuners. Hypothetically, if the EH-55 attempts to change to the station to update the guide and the STB is doing a timed recording, the other tuner will change to the requested station and there will be no interruption in downloading the guide.

But another problem I am currently having with getting the initial TVGOS download is that the EH-55 only searches stations 200 to 999 and will not find my enabled TVGOS PBS station channel 6! I have monitored the search and each time it starts over it starts at channel 200. Anyone have this problem or can otherwise help resolve it?

Harry

But another problem I am currently having with getting the initial TVGOS download is that the EH-55 only searches stations 200 to 999 and will not find my enabled TVGOS PBS station channel 6! I have monitored the search and each time it starts over it starts at channel 200. Anyone have this problem or can otherwise help resolve it?

Harry

I am having the same problem, I was wondering why my denver channles were not comming in channels 2 - 31, and this is why unit is starting at 200 and up. :confused:

I too would like to know how to fix this. :)

Later Bruce

I have a RCA DirecTV PVR (Ultimate TV similar to TIVO) that has two tuners. Hypothetically, if the EH-55 attempts to change to the station to update the guide and the STB is doing a timed recording, the other tuner will change to the requested station and there will be no interruption in downloading the guide.

But another problem I am currently having with getting the initial TVGOS download is that the EH-55 only searches stations 200 to 999 and will not find my enabled TVGOS PBS station channel 6! I have monitored the search and each time it starts over it starts at channel 200. Anyone have this problem or can otherwise help resolve it?

Harry

Is your RCA DirecTV receiver on the list of receivers that supports TVGOS? If not, that might be your problem, as only supported receivers will work with the TVGOS. To see the list click here. (http://www.tvgos.com/support/directv/)

If it is not supported, then you may have to go the manual timer recording route.

I am having the same problem, I was wondering why my denver channles were not comming in channels 2 - 31, and this is why unit is starting at 200 and up. :confused:

I too would like to know how to fix this. :)

Later Bruce

You need to specify how you receive your TV signal.

I am having the same problem, I was wondering why my denver channles were not comming in channels 2 - 31, and this is why unit is starting at 200 and up. :confused:

I too would like to know how to fix this. :)

Later Bruce


Bruce...

Since you have received your initial download and subsequent updates, your PBS station must have a channel # greater than 200. What is the channel number of your PBS station that downloads the guide? Mine is part of the Sacramento, CA local channels, Channel 6, so I don't know how I am going to get the guide to download.

Bruce...

Since you have received your initial download and subsequent updates, your PBS station must have a channel # greater than 200. What is the channel number of your PBS station that downloads the guide? Mine is part of the Sacramento, CA local channels, Channel 6, so I don't know how I am going to get the guide to download.

6 and 12 are my pbs, and they show up on direct tv as 6 and 12, but in the eh55 guide all denver channles show up in the 900 area.


My reciever is compatable and on the list acording to panasonic,
(they ask for my brand and modle #)
so I do not understand whay the channles dont show up 2 - 31

if you havent, do make sure your reciever make and modle # are compatable, is worth a call to panasonic to make sure.

when I click on any of the 900 channles they dont work.

I will be trying panasonic help again to see if they have any answers

since my downloaded the guide yours should to, if you have tried the suggestions in this thread, you may need to call your pbs to make sure they are sending the info, they do go down from time to time.

Later Bruce

PS is very important to have the rf (coaxial cable) out from eh55 to reciever or cable box rf in, as this is how the eh55 tell the box to send the guide, over to the reciever via rca video cable.

For a list of TVGOS-supported DirecTV receivers click here. (http://www.tvgos.com/support/directv/)

6 and 12 are my pbs, and they show up on direct tv as 6 and 12, but in the eh55 guide all denver channles show up in the 900 area.


My reciever is compatable and on the list acording to panasonic,
(they ask for my brand and modle #)
so I do not understand whay the channles dont show up 2 - 31

if you havent, do make sure your reciever make and modle # are compatable, is worth a call to panasonic to make sure.

when I click on any of the 900 channles they dont work.

I will be trying panasonic help again to see if they have any answers

since my downloaded the guide yours should to, if you have tried the suggestions in this thread, you may need to call your pbs to make sure they are sending the info, they do go down from time to time.

Later Bruce

PS is very important to have the rf (coaxial cable) out from eh55 to reciever or cable box rf in, as this is how the eh55 tell the box to send the guide, over to the reciever via rca video cable.

You mentioned that you are connected to the STB via RCA composite video. That may be the answer. I am connected via S-Video on IN3. You wouldn't think that would matter, but you never know.

I do recall when I got my local stations from DirecTV, a long time ago, they had numbers in the 900's. Somehow I was able to change the channel numbers to correspond with the local broadcast stations (3,6,10,13..., etc.) in the guide, but I don't know how to change them back. If I hear you right, the EH-55 sees them as being in the 900 range and can download the guide anyway. Is that correct?

My receiver is an RCA DWD490RE, which is no longer made and is not on the TVGOS list of tested receivers found to work or not to work. This doesn't mean it won't work however. It just means it hasn't been tested. I think the fact that the EH-55 is able to change channels on my STB is a good sign that it will work. I have "Ultimate TV" receiver from DirecTV, which is similar to TIVO, and "Ultimate TV"is on the list of "brands" in the EH-55 setup menu.

Harry

You mentioned that you are connected to the STB via RCA composite video. That may be the answer. I am connected via S-Video on IN3. You wouldn't think that would matter, but you never know.

I do recall when I got my local stations from DirecTV, a long time ago, they had numbers in the 900's. Somehow I was able to change the channel numbers to correspond with the local broadcast stations (3,6,10,13..., etc.) in the guide, but I don't know how to change them back. If I hear you right, the EH-55 sees them as being in the 900 range and can download the guide anyway. Is that correct?

My receiver is an RCA DWD490RE, which is no longer made and is not on the TVGOS list of tested receivers found to work or not to work. This doesn't mean it won't work however. It just means it hasn't been tested. I think the fact that the EH-55 is able to change channels on my STB is a good sign that it will work. I have "Ultimate TV" receiver from DirecTV, which is similar to TIVO, and "Ultimate TV"is on the list of "brands" in the EH-55 setup menu.

Harry

When I first got my direct tv, the locals came thru in the 900s, then after a few weeks they showed up in the low nubmers, I did nothing, so I think this is a direct tv sofware download manuver.

I had a reciever go belly up a while back, and got another one for $30 from our direct tv provider, RCA DRD435RH is the reciever I am useing

A friend got one for free once. It would be worth checking with your provider about another reciever.

Rca / S video you never know till you try

the channle changing is easyer than downloading the guide, operation of either one by itself does not garentee that the other function will work

The Ir blasters only function is to change channles like a universal remote.

the communication that goes on between eh55 & box is a seperate entity.
(I think)

Later Bruce

here is a quote from the link that has a list of approved recievers right from there page:

"The following DIRECTV satellite receivers are known to work with the TV Guide On Screen system. As TV Guide On Screen continues to evaluate additional receivers, they will be added to this page."

If your reciever is there it will work if it any broke.

If your reciever is not there it does not mean it wont work, just not known to, and you should call panasonic as they have the latest list of which recievers work and which ones do not.

In most cases you can up grade to a low end reciever for less than a $100. and some even do it for free, a friend said to his direct tv provider that if he had to pay for a reciever, he would just switch to dish as they had free recievers and free install, thats all it took and his direct tv provider gave him a free reciever!

Later Bruce

here is a quote from the link that has a list of approved recievers right from there page:

"The following DIRECTV satellite receivers are known to work with the TV Guide On Screen system. As TV Guide On Screen continues to evaluate additional receivers, they will be added to this page."

If your reciever is there it will work if it any broke.

If your reciever is not there it does not mean it wont work, just not known to, and you should call panasonic as they have the latest list of which recievers work and which ones do not.

In most cases you can up grade to a low end reciever for less than a $100. and some even do it for free, a friend said to his direct tv provider that if he had to pay for a reciever, he would just switch to dish as they had free recievers and free install, thats all it took and his direct tv provider gave him a free reciever!

Later Bruce

Thanks Bruce...

It would be a cold day in hell before I would give up my receiver! I have an 80 gig HD, two tuners, a dynamite interactive interface, much better than TIVO or DirecTV, which was developed by MicroSoft and that RCA doesn't make any more. So I would give up having TVGOS, and even a DVD recorder altogether, before switching satellite receivers. I will call Panasonic again, but the last time I called I got a guy that knew less than I do about the EH-55.

I guess I still don't understand how your EH-55 was able to download the guide without being able to tune to stations below 200.

Harry

Thanks Bruce...

It would be a cold day in hell before I would give up my receiver! I have an 80 gig HD, two tuners, a dynamite interactive interface, much better than TIVO or DirecTV, which was developed by MicroSoft and that RCA doesn't make any more. So I would give up having TVGOS, and even a DVD recorder altogether, before switching satellite receivers. I will call Panasonic again, but the last time I called I got a guy that knew less than I do about the EH-55.

I guess I still don't understand how your EH-55 was able to download the guide without being able to tune to stations below 200.

Harry

Wow Nice reciever I wouldnt want to replace it either, next call ask for a senior tech it may help.

Some how it did get a lock on pbs. It Must Have.

after you get the guide up, I just found out how to assign a different channle #

Press the tv guide button, when guide comes up find the channle that you want to change the # on, and highlight the channle logo & # on the left, then press submenu

when submenu comes up highlight edit channles

then move highlight over to the direct tv channle on far right of screen and highlight old # then use key pad of remote to enter new # while old one is highlighted and press enter, up in the top (the mdescriptor box) it should say somthing like direct tv channle 910 has been reassigne to channle 12

I did this with all denver channles, and the new #s took, however there position is still alonge side the other 900s.

but now when I click wb channle 2 it goes to that channle, and works

when it was a 900 it would not go to the channle but gave me an error.

so far I have not found if you can set a favorite channle list, anyone know if we can?

Later Bruce

Bruce,

First of all, thanks for all your posts on the Panny EH55. I just got my EH55 and your posts among others have been very helpful. It's been three days now and my program guide and listings is still in progress? lt shows the clock is set but all other items are still in progress. When I try to watch TV, it changes the channel every minute and a half or so. I think it's suppose to do that during downloading is that correct? I now think it is always going to do that all the time, unless I have the Panny on. Do you know if that is correct? Do you know if I have to leave the Directv receiver on and the Panny and my TV off for a continuous 24 hours without interruption for it to finish? I thought it could be done in the back ground as long as the receiver is on and the Panny is off? I am asking you these questions because every time I call Panasonic I get different info.

Thanks again. So far I am very happy with the unit except the long downloading time.

Don

The Panasonic will try to download the TVGOS EPG data whenever the recorder is off (in standby). In order to download the EPG, you have to leave the DirecTV receiver ON and the Panasonic OFF.

If you want to watch TV without the Panasonic trying to download the EPG (and changing the channels), you have to leave the Panasonic ON. That will prevent the EPG from trying to download.

Bruce,

First of all, thanks for all your posts on the Panny EH55. I just got my EH55 and your posts among others have been very helpful. It's been three days now and my program guide and listings is still in progress? lt shows the clock is set but all other items are still in progress. When I try to watch TV, it changes the channel every minute and a half or so. I think it's suppose to do that during downloading is that correct? I now think it is always going to do that all the time, unless I have the Panny on. Do you know if that is correct? Do you know if I have to leave the Directv receiver on and the Panny and my TV off for a continuous 24 hours without interruption for it to finish? I thought it could be done in the back ground as long as the receiver is on and the Panny is off? I am asking you these questions because every time I call Panasonic I get different info.

Thanks again. So far I am very happy with the unit except the long downloading time.

Don

Don it is best to leave the eh55 off for 24 hours with no interuptions, in my case I did interupt it I had to look and see, well It took 5 days for me to get the guide, I think that every time I looked it stoped and started all over again, so do leave eh55 off the full 24 hours and direct tv on.

and yes changing channles shows it is working, is in the progress of downloading info channle by channle.

I wound up hooking up an extra dvd player direct to tv and cathing up on my movies while waiting for the 24 hours.

Later Bruce

Thanks Bruce...

It would be a cold day in hell before I would give up my receiver! I have an 80 gig HD, two tuners, a dynamite interactive interface, much better than TIVO or DirecTV, which was developed by MicroSoft and that RCA doesn't make any more. So I would give up having TVGOS, and even a DVD recorder altogether, before switching satellite receivers. I will call Panasonic again, but the last time I called I got a guy that knew less than I do about the EH-55.

I guess I still don't understand how your EH-55 was able to download the guide without being able to tune to stations below 200.

Harry

I just found out that when calling panasonic for tech support with the TV guide feature we can request TV Guide Tech support and get help directly from TV Guide people, and they know this stuff,

Panisonic techs will try to get you to call panisonic help line 3 or 4 times before they tell you this, my friend said no way I been struggeling with this guide for days already get me there now or I take this unit back for a refund as soon as I hang up, and I will get a toshiba!

They put him right thru to TV Guide People, his reciever was on there list but not on the list posted in this thread, they helped him get it up and running.

Later Bruce

Thanks for the info. I found out my current D*tv receiver was not on the list . Luckily I had another RCA receiver in my motorhome (DRD435RH) and that was on the list. I've reset the start up the clock starts over. I'm was little concerned because the green light is not flashing like the other one was, so I peeked and it had changed the channel to the TVG channel already, so I'll wait.

Thanks again.

Don

For All:

I been doing some timed recordings for series I want to collect, Problem when editing out the commercials, there is always a frame at the start that showed the channle change

when eh55 tells direct reciever to change channles the submenu of direct tv pops up for 8 seconds, can get rid of all but the first frame, and I did not want it.

So I have been doing 2 things to resolve this:

1. set timer to start 1 min ahead of program, this way the submenu is gone by the time the program starts.

2. After using shorten program to remove unwanted material, I then use Divide Program, right after that first frame or two passes I click divide, then I go back to root menu of hard drive and delete the small program that was created by dividing, you can look in the status box and make sure you are deleting the unwanted frames, and not the program.

This works pretty Good, can also do it at the end of a show to get rid of a few unwanted frames!

Just Though I should share this, Later Bruce

I realize this is a TVGOS thread, and Bushman4 notwithstanding, at least one reader, me, ordered an EH55 for its Recording and Transport (via dvd-ram) capability, not for its superb TVGOS.

My question is: How do I manually enter a scheduled recording. Most recording will be from live input, but I expect there may be times I'll want to record from a satellite receiver. On post #98, Steve1214 reported that he entered some manual recordings. How did you do it? On manual page 29, step 1, press "Schedule", step 2 press "Sub Menu".

When I press "Schedule", I get the Curse (Is that how you pronouce TVGOS?), and "Sub Menu" goes nowhere.

Thanks for any enlightenment.

Richard

You have to go through the TVGOS setup before you can do manual timer recordings. If you don't want to use TVGOS, disable it by performing the automatic channel scanning. That will disable the TVGOS and allow manual timer recordings. It's in the manual.

I realize this is a TVGOS thread, and Bushman4 notwithstanding, at least one reader, me, ordered an EH55 for its Recording and Transport (via dvd-ram) capability, not for its superb TVGOS.

My question is: How do I manually enter a scheduled recording. Most recording will be from live input, but I expect there may be times I'll want to record from a satellite receiver. On post #98, Steve1214 reported that he entered some manual recordings. How did you do it? On manual page 29, step 1, press "Schedule", step 2 press "Sub Menu".

When I press "Schedule", I get the Curse (Is that how you pronouce TVGOS?), and "Sub Menu" goes nowhere.

Thanks for any enlightenment.

Richard

I was doing manul recording before I set up the guide, and I been doing manule recording after setting up the guide YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DISABLE IT (the program guide.)However On The First Power Up The Unit Took Me Thru Some Type Of Setup Where I did Enter My Zip Code, This Is Very Important, In Order to do Manual Recordings, If You Havent Entered Your Zip, The TO Do Will not Show Up In The Scheadual Timers Area!
On your remote press the scheadual button

then highlight the words TO DO which are at the center of the menu screen just above the scheadualed recordings box.

after it is highlighted press submenu on your remote, and on the left a menu comes up

then highlight and press new manual recording and then you can enter all info manually!

I bought this cause I wanted a hard drive, then I get all these extras WoW I am Happy! Later Bruce

I love TVGOS, I have it on my Sony DVD recorder and Sony DVR. I'm thinking of replacing the Sony DVD recorder with this one. I hate the Sony editing interface, takes me 3 times longer to edit out commercials than my old Panny E80.
I assume the pic quality on this Panny is as good or better than the Sony PQ?
The Sony PQ is superb. Sony RDR-HX900.

I love TVGOS, I have it on my Sony DVD recorder and Sony DVR. I'm thinking of replacing the Sony DVD recorder with this one. I hate the Sony editing interface, takes me 3 times longer to edit out commercials than my old Panny E80.
I assume the pic quality on this Panny is as good or better than the Sony PQ?
The Sony PQ is superb. Sony RDR-HX900.

I dont know about the sony unit, but some hipe on the eh55 boasts that the lp (4hr mode) is twice as good as lp mode of previous panasonic dvd recorders, I think it is because they put a line doubler in it.

and the lp mode is definatly much better than on my dmr-e55, I have a 50" lcd projecter and lp mode looks good in playback.

Hope this helps

I was doing manul recording before I set up the guide, and I been doing manule recording after setting up the guide YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DISABLE IT (the program guide.)

Sorry, but I was just paraphrasing what is in the EH-55 manual:

"The TV Guide On ScreenTM system must be set up whether
it is then used or not. You cannot use the scheduled
recording feature unless this setup is completed."

But I guess you know better... ;)

I dont know about the sony unit, but some hipe on the eh55 boasts that the lp (4hr mode) is twice as good as lp mode of previous panasonic dvd recorders, I think it is because they put a line doubler in it.

No, the reason is that the resolution in LP mode (4-hr mode) is the same as in SP mode, unlike other recorders (including the 2004 and earlier Panasonics), where the resolution drops after about 2.5-3 hours. For more info click here. (http://panasonic.co.jp/pavc/global/diga/usa/eh55/high_picture_quality.html)

Thanks, I knew LP is good, but it has been on the most recent Pannys. LP on the Sony is good too, but the editing interface is poorer. My Panny E80 had like 5 or 6 playback speeds that made cueing up for an edit easy and fast. On the Sony it only has 3 speeds, 1 is very slow, 2 is faster, and 3 is lightning fast. takes a lot longer to cue up. And then evertime you finish an edit, it asks you if you want to do another edit. It's tedious. I miss the Panny, this E55 looks like the machine for me.
The Sony pluses were the hard drive, TVGOS, picture quality, and Component IN. The Panny E55 has most of this and a bigger hard drive.

Sorry, but I was just paraphrasing what is in the EH-55 manual:

"The TV Guide On ScreenTM system must be set up whether
it is then used or not. You cannot use the scheduled
recording feature unless this setup is completed."

But I guess you know better...

we found a mistake in the manual, Not the first time a manual has been wrong!

because I definatly was using the manual recordings before I had the guid set up, I had recorded a dozen shows before I got my guide up and running.

I also have used the manual recording since the guide is up and running, with out disabling it. By doing the following......

On your remote press the scheadual button

then highlight the words TO DO which are at the center of the menu screen just above the scheadualed recordings box.

after it is highlighted press submenu on your remote, and on the left a menu comes up

then highlight and press new manual recording and then you can enter all info manually!

I have found the by scrolling around the menu and highlighting various things then pressing submenu you can find all kinds of controlls.

I hope this info helps all Later Bruce

rgazzara Why are you always so snippy with comments like

"But you seem to be happy, so who cares. "

"But I guess you know better... "

It make you look rude and caddy to the readers.

Thanks for the info. I found out my current D*tv receiver was not on the list . Luckily I had another RCA receiver in my motorhome (DRD435RH) and that was on the list. I've reset the start up the clock starts over. I'm was little concerned because the green light is not flashing like the other one was, so I peeked and it had changed the channel to the TVG channel already, so I'll wait.

Thanks again.

Don

If your not up and running yet, try a different remote code, I have the same reciever DRD435RH and the remote code I am using and worked with set up is code 567 RCA.

Some codes will run a couple commands but not all, I tried 3 different codes before getting the one that worked, I did have the eh55 search for codes, all three appeared to work but it was the last one that allowed the guide to finally begin uploading.

Also be sure to set how your unit changes channles 024 & enter.

Panasonic & TV Guide really need to simplify this, or the general public will just return the unit and go for something else.

Later Bruce

rgazzara Why are you always so snippy with comments like

"But you seem to be happy, so who cares. "

"But I guess you know better... "

It make you look rude and caddy to the readers.
When you've had your Pain-asonic as long as rgazzara has had his, you'll probably get pretty "snippy" too! :)

(I've got a Pio-neerperfect, so I'm not snippy at all!)

When you've had your Pain-asonic as long as rgazzara has had his, you'll probably get pretty "snippy" too! :)

Oh I hope not, I been owner of dvd records since 2002, this is my 3rd Panny.

There are so many features on this one that it will take a while to get them down, and this one does thing differently than previous models.

Anyway it dont take much to be kind, to all, it encourages others to get kind help.

And we All are wrong at times, just need to accept it and move on, I have made plenty of mistakes.

Later Bruce

rgazzara Why are you always so snippy with comments like

"But you seem to be happy, so who cares. "

"But I guess you know better... "

It make you look rude and caddy to the readers.

My apologies, that was not my intention.

By the way, what do you mean by "had the guide set up"? Did you enter all the information requested at the TVGOS set up? If so, then you had the guide set up before you entered the manual timer recordings.

If you were able to enter manual timer recordings without entering any of the information at the TVGOS guide set up (no select language, no TV type, no USA/Canada, no zip code, no cable/cable box), then you were able to enter manual timer recordings without TVGOS setup -- and the manual is incorrect.

You said that you recorded a dozen shows before you had the guide "up and running". I assume that you mean before the listings downloaded. That is not what the manual is referring to. The manual is saying that you have to enter the TVGOS setup information before you can do any manual timer recordings, not that the listings have to be downloaded before any manual timer recordings.

Sorry for the misunderstanding, but there is a fair amount of misinformation posted that needs to be corrected, especially for the newbies reading this forum.

Besides, I've never been "caddy" in my life (I think you meant catty)... ;)

No hard feelings...

Regardless, you got the EH-55 working, and that's all that counts.

My last word on the subject.

Good luck.

When you've had your Pain-asonic as long as rgazzara has had his, you'll probably get pretty "snippy" too! :)

(I've got a Pio-neerperfect, so I'm not snippy at all!)

He said with a Pio-sneer on his face... :D

My apologies, that was not my intention.

By the way, what do you mean by "had the guide set up"? Did you enter all the information requested at the TVGOS set up? If so, then you had the guide set up before you entered the manual timer recordings.

No when I first got the unit I just started setting timers for shows I wanted to get, after I had the unit for a week I then tryed setting up the guide.

If you were able to enter manual timer recordings without entering any of the information at the TVGOS guide set up (no select language, no TV type, no USA/Canada, no zip code, no cable/cable box), then you were able to enter manual timer recordings without TVGOS setup -- and the manual is incorrect.

yes this is what I did


Sorry for the misunderstanding, but there is a fair amount of misinformation posted that needs to be corrected, especially for the newbies reading this forum.

Besides, I've never been "caddy" in my life (I think you meant catty)... ;)

No hard feelings...

Regardless, you got the EH-55 working, and that's all that counts.

My last word on the subject.

Good luck.

Well I was beging to take your comments personally, Thank You for responding and clearing the air. Later Bruce

He said with a Pio-sneer on his face... :D
Now THAT'S really "caddy"!

Now THAT'S really "caddy"!

More like caddy shack... :D

Topic - How are the recorded programs titled and organized? Yes, I've read the manual online.
I assume it's similar to my Sony DVD recorder, but I'm hoping! it will save episode names like my Sony DHG-HDD500 DVR with TVGOS does. It saves both EPISODE names and SHOW name, so you have basically an automatic folder created called SEINFELD, and under that it lists each recorded episode by individual episode name. Very nice feature but only seen it on my Sony High-Def DVR.

On my Sony DVD recorder HX900, each Seinfled is saved only as Seinfeld, even tho the episode names are available in the TV Guide.
oh well, thanks.

Today I finally learned my ship date (hopefully) for my EH55 ... 8/22 ... "next time we will have inventory of this DVD Recorder" they said. I guess I've seen enough good reviews that I should hold on for the delay period ... I ordered 7/3 with an estimated 30 day ship.

What say you? Anyone know of any currently available in stores, offline or online?

Thx for any comments / help in this momentuous :p decision.

Bob R.

gigaguy

does not automaticly create sud folders, and I havent figured out if you can create folders?

With series it just says "Seinfled" so you will have several sienfields with different dates.

bobr2k
I have not seen it in any big stores like circut city, best but and the like, I got mine from Nebraska Furniture Mart in Omaha, Ordered on 5-23 was suppose to be a 2 week wait, Finall got it 7-3-06

I have since talked to them and they say they sell out within a day or two of getting them in @$499.

Later Bruce

Thanks Bcallen, I guess just the Sony DVR has these extra TVGOS naming/filing features. It's really nice, it uses the TVGOS system to file recorded shows ans automatically creates folders for series you record. The DVD recorders use their simpler software to file shows it seems, too bad.

I may get one of these cause I hate the Sony RDR-HX900 interface for editing mainly, and can't divide as most people know. Plus some of my DVDRs recorded on my Pamny E80 will not play in the Sony, I hope they play in the Panny 55.

I have not seen it in any big stores like circut city, best but and the like...
Jennifer Lopez has an electronics store!!!??? :) :cool: :D

Thanks rgazzara and BCallen for your help getting to manual entry of timer recording.

I did not get the TO DO button on the screen when I pressed SCHEDULE, even after going thru the TVGOS setup. I was about to call Panasonic tech support, when I decided to try entering a Canadian zip code. After entering the Canadian zip, pressing SCHEDULE brought up the TO DO button, and I was able to enter a timer recording test. Took a couple of tries before I got everything right, but it worked, recording to dvd-ram and to the hdd (not on the same recording; can't record to both at the same time.)

The procedure, after entering the Canadian zip code:
Press SCHEDULE
Be sure TO GO is highlighted
Press SUBMENU
Press New Manual Recording--- or whatever function you want to do.

A couple of comments: the remote may take a bit of getting familiar with: there is a "<, > up and down" ring around the center select button, and around that ring on the left is the DIRECT NAVIGATOR ring segment, on the right is the FUNCTIONS segment, and above is the TV GUIDE. I found myself often pressing the outer segments instead of the inner ring.

One neat feature: I connected a 4-pin 4-pin firewire cable from a camcorder to the DV input, and the screen displayed something like "DV Camcorder input detected" and 3 choices, Record to HDD, Record to DVD, or Cancel. I elected to record to dvd-ram, it started the camcorder and started recording. It created one title, but a chapter for each time the Record had been pressed on the camcorder.

Precise editting will likely be more tedious than on the E100, but I shall see.

Good luck with your EH-55, and enjoy it.

gigaguy


bobr2k
I have not seen it in any big stores like circut city, best but and the like, I got mine from Nebraska Furniture Mart in Omaha, Ordered on 5-23 was suppose to be a 2 week wait, Finall got it 7-3-06

I have since talked to them and they say they sell out within a day or two of getting them in @$499.

Later Bruce

Thanks Bruce, guess I'd better wait it out - sounds like it's well worth the wait!

Jennifer Lopez has an electronics store!!!??? :) :cool: :D

Should have been best buy, my fingers had a mishap :rolleyes:

Thanks rgazzara and BCallen for your help getting to manual entry of timer recording.

I did not get the TO DO button on the screen when I pressed SCHEDULE, even after going thru the TVGOS setup. I was about to call Panasonic tech support, when I decided to try entering a Canadian zip code. After entering the Canadian zip, pressing SCHEDULE brought up the TO DO button, and I was able to enter a timer recording test. Took a couple of tries before I got everything right, but it worked, recording to dvd-ram and to the hdd (not on the same recording; can't record to both at the same time.)

The procedure, after entering the Canadian zip code:
Press SCHEDULE
Be sure TO GO is highlighted
Press SUBMENU
Press New Manual Recording--- or whatever function you want to do.

A couple of comments: the remote may take a bit of getting familiar with: there is a "<, > up and down" ring around the center select button, and around that ring on the left is the DIRECT NAVIGATOR ring segment, on the right is the FUNCTIONS segment, and above is the TV GUIDE. I found myself often pressing the outer segments instead of the inner ring.

One neat feature: I connected a 4-pin 4-pin firewire cable from a camcorder to the DV input, and the screen displayed something like "DV Camcorder input detected" and 3 choices, Record to HDD, Record to DVD, or Cancel. I elected to record to dvd-ram, it started the camcorder and started recording. It created one title, but a chapter for each time the Record had been pressed on the camcorder.

Precise editting will likely be more tedious than on the E100, but I shall see.

After reading this post I remeber that when I first powered the unit on for the first time, it took me through a bunch of questions, and I remember putting in my zip code, at that time.

I did not have the Program Guide for the first week though and did not try to set it up, untill the 2cond week.

I Apologize in an earlyer post I may have indicated that I did no setup, I am sorry for any inconvenice it may have caused. :(
Later Bruce

I went back and edited the earlyer post to Include the following for any new readers "However On The First Power Up The Unit Took Me Thru Some Type Of Setup Where I did Enter My Zip Code, This Is Very Important, In Order to do Manual Recordings, If You Havent Entered Your Zip, The TO Do Will not Show Up In The Scheadual Timers Area!"

No problem, BCallen.

There was a bit of confusion during these early posts, where you thought that Panasonic was calling the completed TVGOS EPG as the "TVGOS setup", whereas in the manual, they are referring to those initial TVGOS questions as the TVGOS setup.

Not to worry, I think we are all on the same page now... ;)

Regarding where to buy the 55 and delivery ...

I ordered from Newegg for 460. When NE says it's in stock, it's in stock. Plus, they have a fantastic reputation for returns and overall in general unlike many camera shops online. Check resellerratings.com.

I ordered on last weekend, did UPS ground, and I got the box on Tuesday. It shipped from NJ to MD in one day, very nice. :D

Now, to setup up the cable mess to make this gem work ...

No problem, BCallen.

There was a bit of confusion during these early posts, where you thought that Panasonic was calling the completed TVGOS EPG as the "TVGOS setup", whereas in the manual, they are referring to those initial TVGOS questions as the TVGOS setup.

Not to worry, I think we are all on the same page now... ;)

RichardT I hope you got to read my apology for any confusion I caused,

Later Bruce

Bruce, no need to apologize. You and rgazzara said enough to get me going, and for that I owe you my thanks.

I record the weekly church service, so do very little timer recording. Just wanted to know I could do if/when needed.

I do considerable editting, though I often bring a dvd-ram copy home to edit on the E100, which is much easier to set and or change timings for each scene (chapter).

There are more function options on the EH55 than on the E85 or E100. On the EH55 you can COPY & FINALIZE or COPY only. I put a disc name on the dvd, so I've used the COPY only. Changing the Thumbnail on the Playlist (Edit Title Subfunction) carries thru to the DVD, which is neat. It does also on the E85 but not the E100.

I didn't get to edit Playlists before I installed it at the church yesterday, but did try out most of the other basic functions except copy to RW.

Thanks again for the help you all have given.

Richard

I know that you can go through several menu steps to do a manual timer recording instead of using the tvgos guide, but just to be clear...if I wanted to, could I disable tvgos somehow and use this recorder as if tvgos didn't even exist on it? Make it become invisible like recording on the es-15 or something? Thx.

Has anyone tried using the Panasonic DMR-EH55's TVGOS with a DirecTV HR10-250 HD Tivo STB? I received my Panasonic EH55 yesterday and set it up exactly the way the manual says using the IR Blaster and connections to IN3. Nothing much happened overnight but now I am sitting here watching the channels being changed one after another in succession as if there is a ghost in the room. I am now up to channell 661 and counting. I don't know whether to cover up the IR Blaster so that I can watch TV or let it continue. If I turn on the EH55 it stops changing the channels. The TVGOS screen shows that the search for TV stations with TV Guide data is "In Progress" as is search for channel lineup and listings transmission.

Panasonic DMR-EH55
I've come back today (08-10-06) to find out the latest on the Panny EH55, and I find out that the thread starts with smackbottom back in 06-03-06, runs for 30 posts/replys and ends 2 days later with smackbottom again on 06-05-06.

I know I'm missing something here. Would someone please tell me where all the info is on the EH55?

Panasonic DMR-EH55
I've come back today (08-10-06) to find out the latest on the Panny EH55, and I find out that the thread starts with smackbottom back in 06-03-06, runs for 30 posts/replys and ends 2 days later with smackbottom again on 06-05-06.

I know I'm missing something here. Would someone please tell me where all the info is on the EH55?
Maybe there's something of interest on the next 7 pages!?

Pre-amble:
Can someone tell me exactly how to cable the following gear and what to answer during the Panny setup? Please help – I’d really like to use this box! :(
Panasonic DMR-EH55
Motorola DCT6412III
Comcast Digital Cable with Hi-Def
Sanyo PLV-Z4 Projector
Old JVC Receiver (just audio inputs, no video ports used)

Post-amble:
Well, things aren't going to well with my DMR-EH55 - I can't get the TVGOS to download. I've called Panasonic twice and received conflicting information, including “the manual diagrams are wrong!” from one nice CSR helping me re-cable. My TV Guide On Screen Setup Progress has only gone as far as search for time being checked green.

Here are the steps I’ve followed so far:

First try:
1. split cable from wall
2. A line goes to Panny coax input
3. B line goes to Motorola DCT6412III coax input
4. L&R RCA audio outs and S-Video from Moto to Panny IN3 inputs
5. Panny component out to my projector and TOSLINK audio to my receiver
6. IR Blaster is connected to Panny and positioned fine to hit the Moto sensor
7. Moto also has component to the projector and a TOSLINK for audio
8. Power up Panny and walk through the setup:
English,
16:9 Widescreen TV,
USA,
Zip Code,
Antenna *and* Cable with a Cable Box,
IN3 - cable box connection channel,
Yes - digital service package,
3-digit channels,
No 4-digit entry,
Motorola,
it successfully picks the Moto remote code by changing from ch2 to ch9,
confirm settings,
manually set the clock, and
power off for way more than 24 hours … maybe 36 plus the first shot.

I watched the channels change on the Moto with the Panny off, all the way through 999. But, I still only had the time setting check marked when I finally powered the unit back on.

Second try: (after 1st support call) – she said the coax signal might be too weakened by the splitter for the TVGOS to be sensed.
1. remove splitter
2. run cable from wall into the Panny coax input
3. cable the Panny RF Out to the Moto coax input
4. everything else the same after a Panny reset and setup
5. power off Panny, wait over 24hours as Moto channels change …

No luck, though the channels dutifully changed all the way through 999.

Third try: (2nd support call) – “The manual diagrams are wrong!” she said so I must re-cable …
1. again like second try, no splitter
2. run cable from wall into the Moto coax input
3. run cable from the Moto RF Out to the Panny coax input
4. only select “Cable with Cable Box” and “RF, Channel 3” instead of IN3 after full Panny reset and setup

It’s walking through the channels but there’s a long way to go until 999 or 24hours. I’m not too hopeful.

NT_Support

4. L&R RCA audio outs and S-Video from Moto to Panny IN3 inputs
I wonder if it is the S-Video connection.
I am in your same boat, have been trying to get this unit working with my Samsung DirecTV STB. No Luck. I have dropped the S-Video from STB to IN3 and now am using the RCA L/R/Video out from STB Video 1 to IN3. I have just started this morning, so I will let you know if that helps.

Has anyone been able to use the S-Video and TVGOS? Do you/Can you connect both RCA Video (for the TVGOS info) and S-Video(for the Pic)?

For you guys trying to get TGOS data from satellite systems. I have older generation Panny machines and they received TGOS data only from cable or from an over-air source like the local PBS station (i.e. hook-up the RF input to some rabbit ears), not from either of the satellite services. Does your 55 manual say you can get TGOS data from the satellites?

For the guy who was told by Panasonic to pull the splitter, I go through through two splitters before I get to the machine, but it gets TGOS data. Some days it misses and I get a day or so of guide listings saying "NO LISTING" but it usually gets back on track. I must always remember to turn it off at night which I don't always do.

For you guys trying to get TGOS data from satellite systems. I have older generation Panny machines and they received TGOS data only from cable or from an over-air source like the local PBS station (i.e. hook-up the RF input to some rabbit ears), not from either of the satellite services. Does your 55 manual say you can get TGOS data from the satellites?

The manual for the EH55 says it works with DirecTV using IN3 and the IR Blaster. It shows the wiring diagram to do that. During setup it provides for "DirecTV" for TVGOS. It does not distinguish between SD and HD DirecTV STBs though.

Maybe there's something of interest on the next 7 pages!?

Are you the Snippy Guy, or was that someone else? Do enjoy the humor on AVS.

I did have a feeling back in June that the 55 Dreamer Machiner might need a little run time in the real world. Have only just begun reading the posts, but I already sense less than optimum appreciation for the latest creation from the Panny VounderVerkon Factory.

I'm waiting on my DMR-ES40VS to be repaired--for the 4th time. The last 2 times it was returned to Albuquerque, NM BestBuy, from their Chicago, Ill service center
in the same condition in which it was sent, broken. That includes six diagonal pictures in B & W, no clock, no channel change and well, it's been so long that I forget all what else.

I am seriously considering questioning the reliability factor of the vaunted Panasonic DVR's, and that includes the 55. I will continue reading the posts on AVS next week, and hope for some optimism among the weary.

I have both a Panasonic E-500 and a E-65 and I love them both. No problems with either. They have been exceedingly reliable.

Are you the Snippy Guy, or was that someone else? Do enjoy the humor on AVS.
No, I'm definitely NOT the "Snippy Guy." That would be the guy that responded just above me...major shareholder in Panasonic, real name Ricookoo Gazzarason. He loves Pain-asonics...me, I've got a Pio-neerperfect! :)

wabjxo, you are still a hoot...

LameBolus:
Did RCA Video pull in the TVGOS listings for you?
My 3rd cabling arrangement was a bust. That's one I tried and 2 from Panny tech support. Blech. :confused:
Are there any Comcast Digital with a Moto DCT6412 STB on this thread?? Please post your cabling and setup inputs if you have a chance.
Thanks :)

All-righty-then!!
After more soul searching and meditation, I'm trying again:
1. split the cable to the Panny and Moto.
2. in the Panny setup, select "Cable without Cable Box"

The Panny found the time signal on it's own - a good sign. I'm letting it rest in the off position with my fingers crossed.

I've read a lot about issues with digital STBs and Comcast in particular. Hopefully, my 4th try is gold. :rolleyes:

Happy day!! The 4th try worked great, the trick was splitting the cable line and selecting "cable without cable box." The TVGOS looks great, time to schedule some recordings. :D

Has anyone successfully recorded DV from a video mixer? I'm pretty sure we did last week (I wasn't there, was home caring for my wife with her broken hip). I'll verify again, but I'm sure it shows DV recording for last week. This time we had to go thru S-VHS and audio cables.

A screen comes up saying DV connection is detected and asks whether we want to auto record to HDD, DVD, or Cancel.

When we select HDD, we end up with a screen:
DV Datavideo SE-800
DV Camcorder cannot record
The DV camcorder status has changed.

The Datavideo SE-800 is the correct identification for the mixer we are using.

We could record DV from camcorder, Videonics MXPRODV or the Datavideo SE-800 on the E100 just by selecting dv input, but apparently the EH55 thinks it has to help us.

I'll try contacting tech support Monday or Tuesday, but I've received a lot of help from this forum.

Thanks.

Panasonic has a firmware update for those of us that are having problems with an unresponsive remote

I wouldn't install the update unless you're having the problem.

I can't post the link.......tells me i need to have 5 posts before i can include links.....