The Official AVS Dish DTVPal DVR Topic! - Page 23

The data only exist from the moment you press pause and possibly the ten second rewind. It does not exist from the beginning of the show. edit: When watching Live TV. If you are playing back a recording that's completely different, but that's not what you were asking.

EPG is the program guide user interface. PSIP or TVGOS are two different methods of delivering the data that an EPG displays.

Ah interesting... to TVGOS complies with the same program guide interface as PSIP... thanks, that clears things up for me.

1) Anyone have any clue what pages 33-40 are intended to accomplish?

2) Does the DTVPal DVR get digital TVGOS natively or not ?? (I just had a frustrating chat session with DISH Support who claim TVGOS is not supported natively, but rather provided by some outside device via G-Link).

3) Is it possible the EPG is provided any of three ways:
3.a) digital PSIP, native to DTVPal DVR
3.b) digital TVGOS, native to DTVPal DVR
3.c) analog TVGOS, via G-Link

Not my cheapo cheapo Walmart Sanyo.

My box has had this option set to disable since day one and I have a full 7 day TVGOS guide.


I'm not sure you are correct if we are talking about the same thing. I am talking about MENU>SETUP(3)>UPDATES(7). The HELP screen in this option on my box clearly states that this allows you to "Choose a daily time to download the Program Guide infromation." And since, as I have said, I have a full 7 days of TVGOS guide data with this set to disable this obviously refers to the PSIP guide data.
There is no reason to believe this is a command for the box to reboot...it has just been suggested that the setting might have something to do with the reboots people are seeing. I have seen no hangs or reboots at all.
BTY...firmware update options are at MENU>SETUP(3)>BROADBAND(6)>SOFTWARE UPDATES(2).

Nor the one I inherited from my brother. No progressive at all, even though it's a HDTV (1080i) (also a Wal*Mart Sanyo cheapo).

3 - a is true, B is true, and C is used only when you have an analog TVGOS device and you're using the DVR as the Digital TVGOS to Analog TVGOS translator.

Given that this is a DVR - why would you be interested in option C ?

Those pages refer to seting up the DVR as a front end to another device that is TVGOS enabled. If you are not doing that then ignore this section.
See this too. And Scoopers post above.

I just unpacked mine and hooked it up to discover my hard drive is apparently DOA (see images). I tried unlpugging it as directed and also tried formatting it from the diagnostics>hdd menu but that didn't change anything. Everything else functions fine except that the DVR menu section is grayed out and I obviously can't pause or record anything. This happen to anyone else?

Nor my expensive 8-year old, since replaced when it went bad, Sony 53XBR200 (SD only) and it even upconverted everything to 960i, but would only except 480i on the component input. I had a DVDR that has 480p output option, and it didn't work with the Sony in that mode.

I actually have no interest in 3.c, but am puzzled / frustrated by:

4) Not being able to get 3.b to work in the STL area after having confirmed from KMOV the local CBS affiliate that digital TVGOS is available, having used a couple local Zips, and shut off the DVR overnight.

5) Lack of competence on DISH' support side to know that 3.b is part of the product (it is a new product, but you would think they'd have some training or "go to" person who would know the answers)

so it goes ...

I got these when I tried to replace my original drive with a Seagate Barracuda 750 GB. Error went away when I put the original drive back in. Subsequent testing with the Barracuda indicates that it is DOA.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Dish Network Support.

REALLY?! Any chance it was killed by the DTVPal DVR? (I'm about to test a few drives in this thing...)

I suppose it's possible, but not likely, I would think.

RE: "Would be curious about the PQ if anyone out there is using an analog TV and the composite or coaxial outputs of the DVR..."

I received my unit on Dec. 24th and immediately tested it with an analog TV and OTA reception (antenna in garage rafters). I used the red, yellow, white coaxial cables to connect the DVR to the TV.

The DVR pulled in signals even better than a converter box that I had tried. Only digital stations were received. I was able to record one station and watch another live station at the same time. Or I could record one station and watch a taped program. I ended up ordering a DVR for my mother (who is currently using a converter box with an OTA antenna). She had given up on taping anything after February 17th. This DVR has a very user-friendly software that will be easy for her (and me) to learn to use. The TV Guide came in nicely.

After testing the unit on my analog TV, I moved it to my new HDTV (Samsung A550 LCD) where I have it hooked up with an HDMI cable between my TV and the DVR. I also have a VCR/DVD player hooked up without access to the antenna. I receive my signal OTA with the antenna in the garage rafters.

I split the antenna signal between the wall and the TV and DVR so that each device has a separate signal. It did NOT degrade the signal. It actually improved my ability to watch my TV while recording on the DVR (because I often lost the signal when viewing through the TV tuner when the DVR was recording.) If you do this, make sure to get the widest bandwidth possible in the splitter. I am using a 5 - 2300 MHz, but saw some as low as 10 - 1000 MHz.

I have had no problems with the hard drive whirring (I've never heard it anyway), but the unit does get warm, so make sure to allow airflow around it. The TV Guide initially brought in only a day, then eventually a full 8 days. I have gotten an error message onscreen when it is trying to update while I am using both tuners, but as far as I can tell so far, it has not caused any problems. If I am viewing a pre-recorded show at the time, I just cancel the message.

As set up, I am able to do any of the following:
- record up to two shows simultaneously while watching a third pre-recorded one through the DVR
- watch my TV using my TV tuner, while the DVR is off or recording
up to two programs simultaneously
- watch a VCR tape or DVD through my TV and VCR unit while the DVR is off or recording

I have not yet tried pausing a live show viewed through the DVR (which was not set up for recording). However, I have started watching a program which is currently recording. It is wonderful to be able to delay watching a program, but not have to wait for the whole thing to finish recording before you start watching.

NOTES:
I did have a couple problems when I was first learning how to use the DVR:

You can't record two programs simultaneously AND try to watch one of those programs LIVE through the DVR. You need to either watch through your TV, or wait until the program starts to record, then open it from My Recordings.

Sometimes, I had problems trying to set up two programs at the same time when there did not seem to be a conflict. I read on someone else's posting that the use of the tuners may not be very well programmed in the operating software. It does seem that if you set up the longer program first, then set up the series of shorter programs, that you don't get an error message.

I would say it is more likely than purchasing a new drive that is DOA. The DTVPal DVR is a brand new design while these hard drives are all delta designs based on designs that go back for decades. Some issue with the power supply that causes a fatal spike or some sort glitch in the firmware that renders the drive unusable both seem like real possibilities to me.

Anyone figure out what the gray button on the remote, just above the SAP button is for?
Attachment 128043

I'm going to sound a little dumb, but how do I get the software updates? I have my DVR connected to my TV, which is no where near my pc and modem.

I believe that I have an ethernet connection on my pc but I am not really that familiar with using it (not sure what it looks like). Someone told me that I must be using it for my DSL internet connection. I have an external modem that plugs into the phone jack and into my pc.....

I understand that the USB port on the DVR is not functional yet. Nor have I seen updates or instructions on the Dish DVRPal website. I am aware of the F202 software upgrade only from reading other postings here.

So:
- What benefits does the F202 software version bring?
- Do I have to unplug my DVR and somehow connect it to my pc?
- Where do I look for the updates? How do I download them into the DVR? (detailed instructions, please)
- Do I need to turn on my DVR while downloading the software? Does my DVR need to be connected to my modem or anything while updating it? Otherwise, how can I see any DVR instructions?

I am leary of messing with anything unless I know exactly what I am doing. Is this upgrade important, or can I wait until Dish puts instructions and links to the downloads on their website?

Thanks for your help! Please be specific.

I think Dish reps are confused. The original intent of no rufund was an all of the regular converter boxes that people used the government rebate cards to purchase. This policy was to perevent people from buy a converter and then returning it and getting a full price refund there by make $40 profit. This policy doesnot not apply to the DVR since it doesn't qualifiy for the government rebate cards. This is mentioned on the web site.

On the Dish VIP 722 remote it for dish interactive tv features, so it may be just cosmetic. I have not tried it.

Today I replaced the component cable that I original used since I was waiting for my brother in law to bring a HDMI cable. After I replaced the cable I turned on the TV and then the DVR. The DVR would not power up. Checked connections then unplgud DVR. It powered up got the logo and then shut off and would not power up. I then turned off the TV and the DVR powered up and then I turned on the TV. Everything is working OK now.

Don't know for the PalDVR, but on regular Dish satellite receiver remotes, that button is labelled "Dish" and is used to access Dish Home Interactive TV. Probably used their generic remote and disabled that button for the PalDVR. Of course dish may say that it is for "future use" like everything else.

I'm not sure if that's true. When you rewind a live program, you can go as far back as when you last changed the channel (up to 1 h). In my original example, that was the beginning of the program. Tried it again this afternoon by watching the Simpsons from the beginning (not changing the channel) and after the first commercial break, rewound until the beginning and hit record. From here I was able to FF / RW up to the live feed. However when I went to My Recordings and played what I was currently recording, a) it started after the first commercial break and b) it deleted my buffer on the live feed.

If this isn't currently possible, perhaps it can be addressed in a future firmware update?

I am positive that I had a TVGuide logo on my screen because it looked out of place. I have not seen it again though, but I have not been looking too hard.

Sounds like an HDMI handshake issue. Always power on in this order or you may experience the problem again....isn't HDCP wonderful.....they want to make sure you don't hook it up to a monitor that doesn't support their fancy copy protection via HDMI