The Official 169time AVX-1 Technical Status Discussion - Page 3

I've posted about this several times before, but I guess it got deleted with the old thread. The solution is VERY SIMPLE. Right now, whenever the AVX-1 encounters an error or does a buss reset it displays a message to it's console output. The problem is that these messages quickly scroll off the screen because of the constant one-line bitrate messages. If the user could turn off the bitrate messages, the errors and resets would remain on the screen. Richard or Dave could easily timestamp the error messages. That way, after a recording was completed, the user could look at the screen and see how many, and when, errors and resets occured.

Roger, RIchard should make this kind of change in the next s/w based on your great idea here.


dave

Dave- Have you ever seen the AVX-1 indicate- "System has performed a runaway loop and is stopping context" ?

I sent this to Richard this evening. It appears to be a mal function in the hardware as it is occurring in both beta versions of the CD's I have. This happens prior to 1394 connection so it is contained in the AVX hardware.

Oh, I just got a message that the note to Richard has been received. Damn that was fast, Hope he has an answer that quick. (4 minutes to read the e-mail)

Don, never seen that error. I would agree it sounds like a h/w problem.

Dave

I've done some more testing with no positive results. I told Richard I would send it in on Monday if I can't resolve it by then. I have not opened the box to do the usual things I would try, like re-seat socketed stuff.

Some more experienced people may have some data on this but (and I just sent this idea to Richard) that I believe there exists a possibility of the CD suffering data loss. Commonly called "laser rot" I have heard stories from people on some of the professional editor's forums I frequent where people have saved out client files that played back fine a few weeks out but 9 months later the CD-RW would have corrupted data or be completely unreadable. To a much lesser extent, CD-R's also had an issue and some brands were more of a problem than others. Pressed CD's were not a problem. In this case we are working with a CD-R that is part of the operation, and I believe it get's more exposure to laser than the average CD-R in use today. While a possibility to consider, I don't think this is the case with mine since I have two CD;'s and both have the same problem. That makes it more likely to be a hardware mal function.

Update:

After several days of on time the AVX-1 is booting normally as tested this afternoon. I have advised Richard of this.

I have recorded HDNet just fine again. I'm glad it is not a CD laser rot issue but does appear to be some sort of hardware intermittent problem, that may be related to hardware temperature. Time will tell but for now I'm back to recording with the AVX-1 again.

Last evening I recorded 3 hr and 30 minutes continuous and then watched the entire tape. There was a bunch of stuff I wanted to watch on HDNet and had other commitments so it was a good test of what I wanted the AVX primarily for, recording HDNet. The recording was 100% perfect, no glitches anywhere. It was like watching live! What surprised me was I discovered I had my WAP turned on at the time and this didn't affect the recording. Also, I know that the 2.4 Ghz phone was used twice during the recording and it did not affect the recording. Both were problematic last summer. I guess the toroids are doing their job. Anyway, I am happy to report that the software loop problem has disappeard after the AVX was kept on for several days and now appears to be working as it should.
I sent Richard an e-mail today on this and consider my case closed.

Don:

Like I said when the avx1 stays in sync the result is a perfect recording even on HBO and SHO, the key for me was installation of the pads.

Lom

Lon, are you using more than one pad? I currently only put one on the back of the dtc100.

dave

I wanted to find out if 169time also works with a Panasonic HD-directv receiver {tu-hds20} ? I have seen only mention of the dtc-100 ,it wouldn't make much sense to only mod a receiver that isn't even made anymore ...
would it ?

I want to replace my vhs recorder with something really nice,the JVC 3000 looks pretty good,although there seems to be problems with this machine ???

The DTC100 is a SOLID workhorse which I have seen nothing built yet that causes me to want to upgrade. The 169time board can be put into other STB's since the guts of most of these things are basically the same, but again, the avx-1 s/w has to be first. Then the question would be would effort into another direct tv setup be next, or a dish setup?

Dave

Dave:

One pad at the DTC100 Sat input.

Lon

Okay, wasnt sure if pads was one or two.

dave

it's just that I could not afford to dump the STB I now use just to get the only one that 169time mods ?,it would be nice if they did the same thing to at least a greater # of STB's .

is there anything else out there that would let me with my current setup record in 1080i ?

"Then the question would be would effort into another direct tv setup be next, or a dish setup? "

I'll cast my vote for the 6000. Hmmmm... Maybe we're in need of a poll!
Don't start one Dave, I'll do it. Let me do some thinking on the questions first. What ever the outcome, it would be a good show of what people would like to see for their own use.

Make sure you get the poll questions correct first.

dave

I'll try but I'm sure I won't include everyone's personal situation. I will try to do it to resolve the major differences, like a primary election with only qualified running candidates, no write- ins however.

Can we have some chads though?

dave

Here is the link to the lastest 169time web thats still being updated, but has all the latest updates so far.

http://www.golden-hills.com/169time/index.html


dave

Is there a reason why the new web site information is now refusing to acknowledge the HDVR works with PVHD1000 and Mits VCR's? I wonder if the person writing the copy for this new site is fully educated about the HDVR and 169Time products or is 169Time planning to no longer support the PVHD1000 and the Mits? The site information only mentions the JVC deck. Considering that there appear to be more techniocal problems with using the JVC, than the PVHD1000 and the Mits, the reason to support and acknowledge JVC over these must be political, ignorance, but certainly not technical. Is there a simple explanation, Dave?

I dont know. Its sure not intended. Will ask RIchard and let ya know.

Dave

Dave,

The new web site does not mention 169time's first delivered product, the firewire adapter for the Unity Motion STB. I would like to believe that Richard will continue to support that product. Mine is running fine with its original software, and has never had a problem.


George

George, I sent your question to Richard.

dave

George, Richard says this is why the web isnt "released" yet.

Richard just called and told me about some interesting stuff he saw.
He had the JVC playing back with the avx-1 near by running, but I believe not connected to the jvc. He had noise. He moved the avx-1 4 feet away and the noise went away. He then turned on the dtc100, again, not connected, and the noise came back. He then took the choke he had from the panasonic HD1000 and put it on the dtc100 power line. The noise went away on the jvc. So he says he is going to order a big box of various size chokes, and put on his power lines. This stuff is just not designed for commerical quality.

Dave

Dave- What we said last July on the toroid RFI Chokes.
I'm wondering if the JVC is emitting some of the RFI with the 30Khz RGB output. Maybe the Mits is slightly less RFI generating since it does not do that additional frequency transmission of the 30K sync output. Just guessing. In the past 3 months I have been successfully recording with only one FW cable with RFI chokes, the one between the AVX-1 and the Mits VCR.

Don, I may be getting more info from ya. If I dont hear some good stuff tomorrow with JVC, I am going to push hard to get my money back. I would then buy 5 mits decks, and 2 more dtc100's. More than one way to skin a cat. Sounds like you have had no issues recording with the dtc100, dish5000 and the mits?

Dave

The mits only presents one challenge and that is to get the darn thing connected. I have about 3 methods and always one of them works, but I must always allow for the possibility I will need to go through those 3 steps and therefore can't simply come into the room at 8:59 to hit record at 9:00 and know it will work. I begin testing connections, allowing myself about 10 minutes safety margin and then punch in record.

Dave- I do not consider you a knee jerk reactionary, but your issue with JVC seems to be manifesting that way. If I were in your position, I would try one MIts first and then decide after a reasonable trial period. The MIts is not without problems, they are just different problems than the JVC. Nothing works perfect!

Don, just thinking out loud about my options. This is the way I work. I love the decks for all the reasons I have said over the last year. But, they keep failing and its now not just me. Unless I can get a good answer from JVC, not sure what other option I have. I have way way too much money in these to just say oh well, just live with it. If its a small company like 169time, I can live with that. But a company the size of JVC. NAH.
Will try and give JVC a call now and see what I get.

Dave

Marek wasnt in so will call back in an hour. All I want to know is the solution to this issue. They were great on the f/w fix. For some reason its feeling funny on this one since it sounds like others havent gotten good answers.

dave

Guys,

I am a believer in the "pad". I had held out on installing the pad from RS as I was getting pretty good recordings from SHO and HDNET, but HBO was still hit or miss. After installing the pad last Saturday, I have been able to record from HBO without a hitch ( 5 days straight ). I have reset or powered on and off the AVX-1 prior to any attended recording session, but have attempted a few Pronto based timered recordings as well ( such as Sexy Beast the other night at midnight.

My only problem lately has been the DTC100 with mod has locked up and been unable to get in the ready state. I have had to cold boot twice in the last two weeks the DTC to get the combo to work. Otherwise, whether from a lucky period of good signal or the pad or whatever, things are running smoothly for the most part.

Jeff