Toshiba Symbio Questions

Jodeus · 10-31-05, 10:02 AM

I just purchased a Toshiba Symbio firewire HD DVR box to work with my Toshiba 42HP95 plasma screen. I know there are people using this box with the rear projection screens.
I've found the Symbio is very tempermental. There have been times that I've tried to pause live TV only to get the message 'Not available at this time'. Usually then I have to pull the power on the Symbio, let it reboot and it works.

Anyone find this?
Thanks.

-Jody

HarleyMyler · 11-05-05, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jodeus

I just purchased a Toshiba Symbio firewire HD DVR box to work with my Toshiba 42HP95 plasma screen. I know there are people using this box with the rear projection screens.
I've found the Symbio is very tempermental. There have been times that I've tried to pause live TV only to get the message 'Not available at this time'. Usually then I have to pull the power on the Symbio, let it reboot and it works.

Anyone find this?
Thanks.
-Jody

The Symbio can be quirky. I've had mine for about 5 months and have only had to do the "Hard Reset" on it once. I think a lot of it's touchiness is due to the TVGOS system, which it pretty much relies on. If TVGOS is goofy, then the Symbio will have less than optimal performance.

One other point, if the Symbio is recording something, then you cannot use the live TV control features. My son inadvertently set the Symbio to record a show every time it came on and it was in to heavy re-runs. that caused no end of problems until I discovered what was happening.

Jodeus · 11-05-05, 09:59 PM

Thanks Harley.

But, and please correct me if I'm wrong. When the Symbio is recording a show, you can't watch another recorded show or start the show thats recording from the beginning can you? I tried that and got the 'That Command is Currently not available' (or something like that) message.

Actually my TVGOS has been very good. I have the latest Toshiba TV and I'm hoping the two entities have worked out their problems.

Thanks again.

-Jody

HarleyMyler · 11-12-05, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jodeus

Thanks Harley.

But, and please correct me if I'm wrong. When the Symbio is recording a show, you can't watch another recorded show or start the show thats recording from the beginning can you? I tried that and got the 'That Command is Currently not available' (or something like that) message.

Actually my TVGOS has been very good. I have the latest Toshiba TV and I'm hoping the two entities have worked out their problems.

Thanks again.

-Jody

Yep. The Symbio locks channel selection when it records, all you can do is monitor what it is watching.

pbanders · 11-13-05, 10:49 AM

I have a Symbio on my Toshiba 56HM195, and a Tivo on my non-HD setup. I use the Symbio only for the recording of HD shows that I want - it's too flaky and too restrictive when its recording to act as a heavy-duty PVR.

I've also had problems with my Symbio that require me to do a power-pull reset. Most show as 1394 errors ("1394 playback error", "1394 communications error"). Are other Symbio owners getting these? I have about one every day or two.

Jodeus · 11-14-05, 10:46 AM

PBanders

I can't say that I've seen the issues that you have. I have had problems where the Symbio wouldn't play a show and then I had to do a power cycle.

I also had an issue last week where I did a manual recording and the unit wouldn't play that recording. This was before they added the two channels that were missing in my TV Guide so I'm hoping it was just a manual bug.

-Jody

videobruce · 11-15-05, 10:59 AM

Could/would any owners of this take a nice closeup of the circuit board that has the chipset showing the manufactuer and part number of the ICs'?

mattcombs · 11-16-05, 07:03 AM

I have a symbio connected to myh 42x95 toshiba plasma display, getting ota HD and Dish network (811 box). I was wondering if the symbio can record anything other than ota signal, meaning from other inputs such as my dish box? THe manual is absolutely worthless in this dept. thanks

miimura · 11-17-05, 04:36 PM

You cannot record from the 811. Symbio and D-VHS can only record from the TV's internal tuners.

- Mike

videobruce · 11-17-05, 04:43 PM

Has anyone used this on another set with HAVi?

Would someone remove the top and take a closeup of the board with the chipset on it and post the photo?

mattcombs · 11-18-05, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miimura

You cannot record from the 811. Symbio and D-VHS can only record from the TV's internal tuners.

- Mike

Thanks. I was hoping that there would be a way for it to work, even i hte non-HD mode but it doesn't seem that way. Maybe I shoulda ponied up the $ and gotten a Dish 942. But everyone told me this year was not a good year to buy a 942 as there's a revolution of sorts coming next year....we'll see. Thanks again!

pbanders · 11-18-05, 03:46 PM

The Symbio can also record from Video 1. See page 12 in the Symbio manual under, "One-touch Recording". It can ONLY record from Ant-A, Ant-B, and Video 1, not from Video 2, 3, ColorStream (component), or HDMI.

pbanders · 11-18-05, 03:56 PM

FWIW, I'm doing an exchange with my Symbio to see if I can get rid of my connectivity problems. I'm having them RMA the one I have and I ordered a second one. As a result, I'll have two Symbios for a short time - so I'm going to try and see if I can connect two of them at the same time. Anyone else try this before, or does anyone have a Symbio or other AVHD plus a second recording device connected (AVHD or D-VHS) via 1394 simultaneously?

miimura · 11-18-05, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbanders

The Symbio can also record from Video 1. See page 12 in the Symbio manual under, "One-touch Recording". It can ONLY record from Ant-A, Ant-B, and Video 1, not from Video 2, 3, ColorStream (component), or HDMI.

When I said "you cannot record" there was an implicit "High Definition". Video 1 is NTSC only. However, it is interesting that it can digitize the analog SD.

- Mike

Jodeus · 11-22-05, 11:07 AM

pbanders

Any luck daisy chaining the two Symbios? I thought it should be capable but there's nothing about it in the manual.

-Jody

jolottashakn · 11-28-05, 08:52 AM

OK, here is a twist. I have TimeWarner cable hooked to Ant-A, I'm using a cable card, which means I'm using the TV's (46HM95) internal tuner, so I'm meeting the two restrictions mentioned above: 1) it can ONLY record from Ant-A ..., and 2) can only record from the TV's internal tuners.

Therefore, my question is: Can the Symbio record content coming through the cable card?

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbanders

The Symbio can also record from Video 1. See page 12 in the Symbio manual under, "One-touch Recording". It can ONLY record from Ant-A, Ant-B, and Video 1, not from Video 2, 3, ColorStream (component), or HDMI.

Quote:

Originally Posted by miimura

You cannot record from the 811. Symbio and D-VHS can only record from the TV's internal tuners.

Jodeus · 11-28-05, 01:14 PM

Yes because the cablecard isn't a tuner. The cablecard allows the TV's internal tuner to unscramble the premium channels you subscribe to.
I have my cable coming into Ant-1 with the cablecard inserted. The 1394 cable runs from the TV to the Symbio and using the TV Guide I can easily set recordings and timeshift live tv.

-Jody

pbanders · 11-29-05, 12:30 PM

I tried connecting two Symbios to my 56HM195, it was a no-go. I got messages saying that while it recognized the second Symbio (you could see it in the 1394 devices dialog), it was ignoring it for recording.

Having two Symbios for a while helped me figure out what the problem was with my system - cooling. I had the Symbio in a large, but non-ventilated entertainment center. Even with leaving the door open, it was too hot for the Symbio, which has only passive cooling. I moved the Symbio out of the cabinet and put it in open air, where it seems to be working OK now without 1394 communication errors and lock-ups. It's noticeably cooler to the touch.

There's a little button that's accessible through the back panel of the Symbio - anyone figure out what it does? It doesn't seem to be a reset.

Jodeus · 11-29-05, 01:48 PM

I have found that the Symbio runs much hotter than the other DVRs I've used. So far I haven't had the errors that you were talking about but I have thought of taking it out of the cabinet and putting it on top of the wall unit.

Too bad you can't daisy chain the Symbios. I've found that lately I'm coming close to filling up the drive with HD content, it's only 20 hours so that's not that hard.

Don't know about the button in the back.

-Jody

wannaB · 11-30-05, 10:04 PM

I’m considering adding a Symbio to my current set-up. I have Tivo but really would like to record HD shows off my Antenna.

If I understand correctly you cannot watch another show of any kind while the Symbio is recording & that you can’t start watching the show that is being recorded from the start (we usually start NASCAR about 1 ½ - 2 hours after it starts.)

Is there a work around for either of these?

pbanders · 12-01-05, 09:31 AM

The only way you can watch different content than what is being recorded is if you watch an analog channel while digital is recording, or vice versa. You can't even switch inputs while recording.

wannaB · 12-01-05, 11:32 AM

Thanks pbanders! I've download the manual it is so helpful

I hate to sound stupid but will you expand......

Question 1:
I cannot start a show that is recording from the start (if it's been over an hour) Correct?

Question 2:
The only thing I will record with the Symbio will be antenna HD shows...... what can I watch while it's recording off ANT2?

My setup:
Ant1 Cable
Ant2 Antenna
SVideo Tivo
Component 1 DVD
Component 2 PS2

Jodeus · 12-01-05, 12:30 PM

Pbanders

Quote:

The only way you can watch different content than what is being recorded is if you watch an analog channel while digital is recording, or vice versa. You can't even switch inputs while recording.

What do you mean by this? Isn't the tuner completely locked once the Symbio starts recording?

-Jody

mfan · 12-01-05, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jodeus

Pbanders

What do you mean by this? Isn't the tuner completely locked once the Symbio starts recording?

-Jody

Although I don't own one...yet, but I think what he meant is you can use one of the tuners in the TV to record and the other to watch a different show. Of course, this is assuming your TV has dual tuners (ATSC & NTSC)....hopefully, I'm correct.

wannaB · 12-03-05, 07:12 PM

In addition to my questions below I have one more before I order one....

Question 3:
My TVGUIDE is accurate on the cable side but only shows about 50% of my HD channels. Can I manually record from the channels that do not show up?

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

Question 1:
I cannot start a show that is recording from the start (if it's been over an hour) Correct?

Question 2:
The only thing I will record with the Symbio will be antenna HD shows...... what can I watch while it's recording off ANT2?

My setup:
Ant1 Cable
Ant2 Antenna
SVideo Tivo
Component 1 DVD
Component 2 PS2

Jodeus · 12-05-05, 12:47 PM

WannaB

I'll try and answer your questions if I can:

Q1: Correct if it's still currently recording you have to wait for the recording to end before you can start it from the beginning

Q2: Here's where I could be wrong. My experience is that you can't change the input on the TV so if you're recording something on Ant1 you have to leave the tv on that input. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but also say how you can get around this.

Q3: Yes you can set manual records.

-Jody

pbanders · 12-09-05, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jodeus

Pbanders

What do you mean by this? Isn't the tuner completely locked once the Symbio starts recording?

-Jody

Yes and no. "Yes" means that the tuner you're using for recording (don't forget, there are two tuners, the analog tuner and the digital tuner) is locked and the channel cannot be changed. "No" means that you CAN watch a show on the other tuner.

Example: I'm watching channel 712 (HD digital) and want to record it. I push the record button and the digital tuner locks to that channel. I then switch to channel 66 (analog) and watch the show on that channel, while the Symbio continues to record the show on channel 712. This isn't a guess or "theory" - I've done this and it works just fine.

Jodeus · 12-09-05, 06:56 PM

Thanks so much, I'll try that this weekend.

-Jody

Jodeus · 12-09-05, 10:19 PM

pbanders

Thanks for the heads-up, it worked, i recorded a program on a digital channel and using the direct channel selection was able to go to a analog channel. I did notice that you can't change channels in the guide though, the guide prompts you to continue the recording or cancel it, even if you're going from digital to analog or reverse.

-Jody

jumpinjoe · 12-17-05, 10:32 AM

I have the Symbio connected to my dual tuner Toshiba 72hm195 (using a cablecard) and have been able to record one show and watch another but like the previous posted mentions, you can record HD and watch and analog station or vice-a-versa. But I can't change channels using the #'s on the remote - I can only change channels using the "channel up" or "channel down" on the remote.

Has anyone tried to connect a PC to the Symbio via firewire? I'd like to be able to pull things in from the web and transfer them from the PC to the Symbio for playback. Not much of a techical guy so we'll see if I can pull it off.

/Joe

10-31-05, 10:02 AM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
Jodeus Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 325	Toshiba Symbio Questions I just purchased a Toshiba Symbio firewire HD DVR box to work with my Toshiba 42HP95 plasma screen. I know there are people using this box with the rear projection screens. I've found the Symbio is very tempermental. There have been times that I've tried to pause live TV only to get the message 'Not available at this time'. Usually then I have to pull the power on the Symbio, let it reboot and it works. Anyone find this? Thanks. -Jody __________________ We are children of the future, maybe we're just passing through here, all depends on what you do here, under One Big Sky - Kansas

11-05-05, 09:59 PM	#3 \| Link
Jodeus Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 325	Thanks Harley. But, and please correct me if I'm wrong. When the Symbio is recording a show, you can't watch another recorded show or start the show thats recording from the beginning can you? I tried that and got the 'That Command is Currently not available' (or something like that) message. Actually my TVGOS has been very good. I have the latest Toshiba TV and I'm hoping the two entities have worked out their problems. Thanks again. -Jody __________________ We are children of the future, maybe we're just passing through here, all depends on what you do here, under One Big Sky - Kansas

11-13-05, 10:49 AM	#5 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
pbanders Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 20	I have a Symbio on my Toshiba 56HM195, and a Tivo on my non-HD setup. I use the Symbio only for the recording of HD shows that I want - it's too flaky and too restrictive when its recording to act as a heavy-duty PVR. I've also had problems with my Symbio that require me to do a power-pull reset. Most show as 1394 errors ("1394 playback error", "1394 communications error"). Are other Symbio owners getting these? I have about one every day or two.

11-14-05, 10:46 AM	#6 \| Link
Jodeus Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 325	PBanders I can't say that I've seen the issues that you have. I have had problems where the Symbio wouldn't play a show and then I had to do a power cycle. I also had an issue last week where I did a manual recording and the unit wouldn't play that recording. This was before they added the two channels that were missing in my TV Guide so I'm hoping it was just a manual bug. -Jody __________________ We are children of the future, maybe we're just passing through here, all depends on what you do here, under One Big Sky - Kansas

11-15-05, 10:59 AM	#7 \| Link
videobruce SelectaVisionSupport Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 9,444	Could/would any owners of this take a nice closeup of the circuit board that has the chipset showing the manufactuer and part number of the ICs'? __________________ Mergers, acquisitions, takeovers; we all lose. Stop taking the side of these mega corporations. All they care about is the top 10%. That's what 28 years of de-regulation has done.

11-16-05, 07:03 AM	#8 \| Link
mattcombs Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 17	I have a symbio connected to myh 42x95 toshiba plasma display, getting ota HD and Dish network (811 box). I was wondering if the symbio can record anything other than ota signal, meaning from other inputs such as my dish box? THe manual is absolutely worthless in this dept. thanks

11-17-05, 04:36 PM	#9 \| Link
miimura AVS Special Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Cupertino, CA Posts: 1,222	You cannot record from the 811. Symbio and D-VHS can only record from the TV's internal tuners. - Mike

11-17-05, 04:43 PM	#10 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
videobruce SelectaVisionSupport Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 9,444	Has anyone used this on another set with HAVi? Would someone remove the top and take a closeup of the board with the chipset on it and post the photo? __________________ Mergers, acquisitions, takeovers; we all lose. Stop taking the side of these mega corporations. All they care about is the top 10%. That's what 28 years of de-regulation has done.

11-18-05, 03:46 PM	#12 \| Link
pbanders Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 20	The Symbio can also record from Video 1. See page 12 in the Symbio manual under, "One-touch Recording". It can ONLY record from Ant-A, Ant-B, and Video 1, not from Video 2, 3, ColorStream (component), or HDMI.

11-18-05, 03:56 PM	#13 \| Link
pbanders Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 20	FWIW, I'm doing an exchange with my Symbio to see if I can get rid of my connectivity problems. I'm having them RMA the one I have and I ordered a second one. As a result, I'll have two Symbios for a short time - so I'm going to try and see if I can connect two of them at the same time. Anyone else try this before, or does anyone have a Symbio or other AVHD plus a second recording device connected (AVHD or D-VHS) via 1394 simultaneously?

11-22-05, 11:07 AM	#15 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
Jodeus Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 325	pbanders Any luck daisy chaining the two Symbios? I thought it should be capable but there's nothing about it in the manual. -Jody __________________ We are children of the future, maybe we're just passing through here, all depends on what you do here, under One Big Sky - Kansas

11-28-05, 01:14 PM	#17 \| Link
Jodeus Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 325	Yes because the cablecard isn't a tuner. The cablecard allows the TV's internal tuner to unscramble the premium channels you subscribe to. I have my cable coming into Ant-1 with the cablecard inserted. The 1394 cable runs from the TV to the Symbio and using the TV Guide I can easily set recordings and timeshift live tv. -Jody __________________ We are children of the future, maybe we're just passing through here, all depends on what you do here, under One Big Sky - Kansas

11-29-05, 12:30 PM	#18 \| Link
pbanders Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 20	I tried connecting two Symbios to my 56HM195, it was a no-go. I got messages saying that while it recognized the second Symbio (you could see it in the 1394 devices dialog), it was ignoring it for recording. Having two Symbios for a while helped me figure out what the problem was with my system - cooling. I had the Symbio in a large, but non-ventilated entertainment center. Even with leaving the door open, it was too hot for the Symbio, which has only passive cooling. I moved the Symbio out of the cabinet and put it in open air, where it seems to be working OK now without 1394 communication errors and lock-ups. It's noticeably cooler to the touch. There's a little button that's accessible through the back panel of the Symbio - anyone figure out what it does? It doesn't seem to be a reset.

11-29-05, 01:48 PM	#19 \| Link
Jodeus Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 325	I have found that the Symbio runs much hotter than the other DVRs I've used. So far I haven't had the errors that you were talking about but I have thought of taking it out of the cabinet and putting it on top of the wall unit. Too bad you can't daisy chain the Symbios. I've found that lately I'm coming close to filling up the drive with HD content, it's only 20 hours so that's not that hard. Don't know about the button in the back. -Jody __________________ We are children of the future, maybe we're just passing through here, all depends on what you do here, under One Big Sky - Kansas

11-30-05, 10:04 PM	#20 \| Link
wannaB New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4	I’m considering adding a Symbio to my current set-up. I have Tivo but really would like to record HD shows off my Antenna. If I understand correctly you cannot watch another show of any kind while the Symbio is recording & that you can’t start watching the show that is being recorded from the start (we usually start NASCAR about 1 ½ - 2 hours after it starts.) Is there a work around for either of these?

12-01-05, 09:31 AM	#21 \| Link
pbanders Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 20	The only way you can watch different content than what is being recorded is if you watch an analog channel while digital is recording, or vice versa. You can't even switch inputs while recording.

12-01-05, 11:32 AM	#22 \| Link
wannaB New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4	Thanks pbanders! I've download the manual it is so helpful I hate to sound stupid but will you expand...... Question 1: I cannot start a show that is recording from the start (if it's been over an hour) Correct? Question 2: The only thing I will record with the Symbio will be antenna HD shows...... what can I watch while it's recording off ANT2? My setup: Ant1 Cable Ant2 Antenna SVideo Tivo Component 1 DVD Component 2 PS2

12-03-05, 07:12 PM	#25 \| Link
wannaB New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4	In addition to my questions below I have one more before I order one.... Question 3: My TVGUIDE is accurate on the cable side but only shows about 50% of my HD channels. Can I manually record from the channels that do not show up? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 1: I cannot start a show that is recording from the start (if it's been over an hour) Correct? Question 2: The only thing I will record with the Symbio will be antenna HD shows...... what can I watch while it's recording off ANT2? My setup: Ant1 Cable Ant2 Antenna SVideo Tivo Component 1 DVD Component 2 PS2 Last edited by wannaB; 12-04-05 at 05:17 PM..

12-05-05, 12:47 PM	#26 \| Link
Jodeus Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 325	WannaB I'll try and answer your questions if I can: Q1: Correct if it's still currently recording you have to wait for the recording to end before you can start it from the beginning Q2: Here's where I could be wrong. My experience is that you can't change the input on the TV so if you're recording something on Ant1 you have to leave the tv on that input. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but also say how you can get around this. Q3: Yes you can set manual records. -Jody __________________ We are children of the future, maybe we're just passing through here, all depends on what you do here, under One Big Sky - Kansas

12-09-05, 06:56 PM	#28 \| Link
Jodeus Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 325	Thanks so much, I'll try that this weekend. -Jody __________________ We are children of the future, maybe we're just passing through here, all depends on what you do here, under One Big Sky - Kansas

12-09-05, 10:19 PM	#29 \| Link
Jodeus Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 325	pbanders Thanks for the heads-up, it worked, i recorded a program on a digital channel and using the direct channel selection was able to go to a analog channel. I did notice that you can't change channels in the guide though, the guide prompts you to continue the recording or cancel it, even if you're going from digital to analog or reverse. -Jody __________________ We are children of the future, maybe we're just passing through here, all depends on what you do here, under One Big Sky - Kansas

12-17-05, 10:32 AM	#30 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
jumpinjoe 72HM195 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NH Posts: 217	I have the Symbio connected to my dual tuner Toshiba 72hm195 (using a cablecard) and have been able to record one show and watch another but like the previous posted mentions, you can record HD and watch and analog station or vice-a-versa. But I can't change channels using the #'s on the remote - I can only change channels using the "channel up" or "channel down" on the remote. Has anyone tried to connect a PC to the Symbio via firewire? I'd like to be able to pull things in from the web and transfer them from the PC to the Symbio for playback. Not much of a techical guy so we'll see if I can pull it off. /Joe