The Magic 8 Ball Speaks Out On TVGOS & DTV! - Page 5

I set up the DTVPal+ converter box I bought at Sears as a separate RF channel 3 input (instead of cable box) on my Toshiva 50HPX95 TV with firewire attached Toshiba Symbio AVHD, and the DTVPal+ successfully downloaded both OTA and "cable ready" (not cable box) channel lineups and listings into the TV's TVGOS. This was using the DTVPal+ channel 3 analog TVGOS data converted by the DTVPal+ from the digital OTA TVGOS host channel that will be the only TVGOS data source available after the digital transition. Our TVs must use an analog channel source as the TVGOS host channel according to Toshiba. So the DTVPal+ converter box will keep the TVGOS system working after the digital transition in case firmware updates and download patches don't work on everything. TVGOS clock data is required to record HDTV using the Toshiba Symbio with the Toshiba 50HPX95.

It turns out there are two different setups for the DTVPal/+ -- Here is what I have found out so far:

1) If you have a device (TV, VCR, DVD Recorder, DVR) with an analog NTSC ONLY tuner that depends on an analog NTSC signal for TVGOS data, then set up the DTVPal+ on the device according to the instructions in the manual -- with the DTVPal+ set to TVGOS mode as a Scientific Atlanta cable box using the DTVPal+ manual zip code. The analog ONLY tuner in your device will be useless after the digital transition, and your device must use the tuner in the DTVPal+ as a cable box. This setup will use the Scientific Atlanta channel numbers. I think the magic zip code in the DTVPal manual puts ALL channels into the "Cable Box" listing so that analog only devices can receive OTA channels using the DTVPal+ after the digital transition -- and this setup limits all channels to 480i.

Unfortunately, what the DTVPal+ manual does NOT tell you is this:

2) If you have a device, like my Toshiba TV/Symbio, with an ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuner that depends on an analog NTSC signal for the TVGOS data, do NOT set up the DTVPal+ as a cable box. Connect the channel 3 or 4 RF output to your device as a separate input RF input, and use your normal zip code on your device (not the zip code from the DTVPal+ manual). Using the DTVPAL+ remote, set the DTVPal+ to the digital TVGOS host channel for your area -- see

http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=tvgos

and be sure to select the TVGOS mode from the DTVPal+ menu. Thus, the DTVPAL+ just appears as an analog channel to your TV. This should allow the OTA ATSC and cable tuners in your device to function normally with the TVGOS using normal channel numbers -- allowing the TVGOS to control HD DVRs like the Toshiba Symbio.

Before the digital transition, It would be a good idea to shut off your analog TVGOS host channel in the TVGOS channel editor to make it harder for the TVGOS to find compared to the DTVPal+ channel. Also, leave the device tuned to the DTVPAL+ analog channel when you shut it off -- especially overnight.

Do you use a combiner/spliter to feed the channel 3/4 into your TV or the pass through on the pal?

Thanks Gregg

FWIW, I had to reset my TVGOS this past weekend on both my Sony 250 and 500 due to lock-up issues. It did not revert to 8.01.42. It kept TVGOS at version 8.06.44. I did the reset through the service menu, not through the setup menu via the number code. It locked onto the analog TVGOS host channel after the reset.

hmm...well, I think there are different kinds of resets...a factory reset is, of course, the most drastic and probably only necessary when all else has failed and the owner things this is the only option left...in that case at least, the unit probably reverts to the original firmware version...on the other hand, I am pretty sure some people have had this happen to them inadvertently...and I think I did it once using a code that as explicitly for resetting the TV Guide, completely unlike the milder resets I have seen at other times.

If your local CBS isn't carrying the TVGOS, then how is anyone going to get the the DTVPal to work?

My local PBS currently carries the TVGOS info, but I'm not getting any guide info past Friday.

PSIP data. It's designed to receive and work on both or either.

Does PSIP carry data for 8 days into the future?

Rarely you'll get maybe three days. But not usually.

Each local TV station decides how much future PSIP program guide data they will provide. There is a minimum requirement they are all supposed to meet, but not all do.

Even if the stations provided many days of program guide data, many digital tuners lack sufficient storage to maintain that much guide data.

With the cost of memory for the past few years, that should not be a problem. After all, it is just text.

You guys are always helpful... it took months of waiting, but now I've got a DTVPal+ feeding my Panny E85H the digital TVGOS data.

Detailed post here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post15924398

I know this isnt really the right place, but you guys seem to know a lot about TVGOS so I thought Id ask as Im not getting a resolution elsewhere. I just had Direct TV installed last. My receiver is a standard receiver d12-100. I have a Toshiba RD-XS35 DVR/DVD that at has the TV Guide online. To set it up, it needs to find the receiver code from the box. Fist thing it asks, is the manufacturer, whuch Direct TV is not an option so I selected unlisted. Then it asks me to put the cable box on channel 2, which the receiver says is not an allowed channel. Anyone know how to get this working here please?

I don't have Direct TV, but this looks like it may help and this, but mostly this Installation Guide (click Resources)

The only recorders that have TVGOS, with the ability to download guide data for DirecTV, are the Panasonic EH55 and the EH75.

Otherwise, unless you can find a code that'll change the channels on the tuner with the IR blaster, you'll have to see if your tuner has the ability to change channels on it's own, then set the timers manually on the recorder and the tuner to coincide.

(Actually, if you can get the guide info OTA, you can still get it for the cable/satellite channels - or at least some of them if the guide version is lower than V8. But you'll just have the info - you won't be able to program recordings through the guide - you'll still have to do that manually. But since you already get that guide info from Direct, that would be redundant, unless your satellite guide info doesn't go out 7-8 days. Plus, once the analogs are cut off for good, you'll lose that anyway).

Can you clarify that?
Are you saying that Gemstar (Macrovision) provides TVGOS lineups and listings for DirectTV? I know they reference compatabilty with it for v9 products, but how does that work without an OTA or Cable host channel?

A few people here have said they've gotten it through their Direct tuner, without having an antenna hooked up and being setup for OTA, but nobody seems to know quite how that works.

As far as using OTA for the guide info you have to choose "Direct" and "OTA", along with using an antenna, and you will get the Direct channels downloaded with the corresponding channel numbers (this is also the most proven, dependable method for using it with Direct as a source).

As far as I know, only those two v9 Panny models will work with Direct - the v9 Toshiba recorders, for example, will not.

forgive me for this question. i have read through this entire thread and am still unclear on whether or not i am going to need a DTVPal+ to get the TVGOS data. i have a sony kdl-52w4100 with built in TVGOS v9. the set has a built in ATSC/NTSC/QAM and i have standard cable (not digital, no box, my coax goes from my wall directly to my tv). i have not been able to get TVGOS to work since i bought the set (a week ago). will a DTVPal+ be required to receive the TVGOS data or will i eventually receive it from my cable provider? according to http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=tvgos , there is a verified TVGOS host channel in my area as of 2/2/09. im sorry but i am brand new to all of this and never even heard of TVGOS until i bought this TV... help is appreciated... thank you!

The OP states that "A solution is currently in the final stages of testing that will assure existing TVGOS analog dependent devices (for example the Sony DHG-HDD250/500) future compatibility with TVGOS & Digital TV". Since my device has both a digital and analog tuner, does this mean that the DTVPal will not be required?


UPDATE: I just checked my TVGOS for the hell of it and IT'S WORKING as of 9:30AM 3/11/09 with standard brighthouse cable in tampa, florida!

Our TVGOS in Houston died about 36 hours ago (PBS analogue source). Hopefully it will wake up in a day or two; but I am not holding my breath. Our CBS here is low power and in RF conflict, and about 35 miles away. We may not be able to receive until after June 12th thanks to the FCC screw up.

It wasn't the FCC that pushed hard on Congress to trash the 2/17 deadline and push it out to 6/12. Then again, when 6/12 approaches don't hold your breath that date will be firm either. There still may be a couple people out there who have not gotten the message yet.

Who was it? Gregg

Having their host channel close enough that an antenna wasn't needed.

Yes I know, I was just being nice. The FCC had its orders and directives which came from somewhere else. BTW there are still ten's of thousands converter boxes throughout Houston for sale................no one is buying, they don't need them and don't want them.

Not necessarily. The supply of coupons had dried up. That was a major reason that the deadline was extended. Now expired coupons are being re-issued and there might even be new funds for additional coupons.

Unfortunately, many people will still be surprised when their analog TV goes away on 6/12.

Many people will be pleasantly surprised when their analog TV goes away on June 12.  A lot of us are pessimistic that analog will actually end then without yet another postponement.

That's certainly true and I'm among them but it's not to the point.

Decided to give this a try with TVGOS version 08.01.41 built into my Sharp AQUOS LC-45GD7U. Had it working with analog cable which I discontinued and am receiving OTA only. My local analog PBS station has too much snow to receive reliable guide data and the diagnostics showed errors for nearly all the packets received.

So I picked up a DTVPal Plus at Sears, went through the initial setup, tuned to the CBS channel in my market (78 to 80 signal strength with no closed captioning errors) and enabled the TVGOS / Guide + feature.

Unfortunately, I have not received clock data, channel lineups or listings after having the TV tuned to analog channel 3 and off for about 7 hours last night and 9 hours today. The reception slicing does show some data including BadPMW 127, BCorr 1048 and CBad 6. The host channel is still blank. There are current dates in some the diagnostic info. which I think is coming from the VBI data.

I also did a couple of things like resetting the guide and searching for VBI data using the diagnostic codes in the hope it helps the TVGOS 'kick in.'

Worst thing about TVGOS compared other types of guides is that you have to have the TV off and wait for many hours / overnight before checking if any progress has been made. Need to be patient I guess.

Will update this post yea or nay after giving it what I think is going to be many days to know for sure. Would really like to corroborate gmucklow's success with those 'not quite ready for the DTV-transition' TVGOS implementations.

29 days and counting until my Sears return period elapses.

I really like the digital TVGOS I get on my DTVpal DVR, but I only get data for 10 of the 25 stations in memory. I'm using the right zip code. Is there any way to troubleshoot why I don't get the other 15?

Is anyone receiving solid reliable Clock Time and 8 Day Guide Downloads in a 100% digital OTA environment; no analogue stations in the area?

I have a Sony DHG-HDD500 - generally it does not appear to be working for anyone?

el gran chico; PM me (your PM's are turn off).

HoustonPerson; From what I have read in the dedicated thread, it is working. FWIW, it's not working here with either of my TVGOS devices (both of which are suppose to be capable).

I have not yet heard back from one that says it is working? About 6 people have told me it is not working in Houston yet? I still have not heard back from the local CBS station to confirm it is working?