LG LST-3410A Review and Discussion - Page 220

Ok, I have my first 2 way communication with TVGOS broadcast in about 1 year!
Did Rovi fix something at cbs (BUT) it's probably Tonys recent thread/posts with lgdavis & veets, about digital sub-channels & mapping, that they think is confusing my 3410 or my Artec box, who knows? Trying their fix & is working, THANKS! See set up below.
As learned in past, when I changed my local zip code to one a few miles away TVGOS would ask me a question, like do I get the golf channel and/or is KXXX on channel 19, so I knew TVGOS was broadcasting & communicating with my set up, plus clock would update/correct and guide light cycle off for 5-30 minutes and back on twice a day.
This is happening and have a updating clock and about a 70 channel TV guide Schedule. turned off all but about 10 channels on/in guide schedual. WOW a great schedule, no data yet, just replyied to TVGOSs cable channel question.
My guide light cycled off and back on at exactly 2:30am, central time, last night!
Stay tuned

[size="2"]Update 1 I have full scheduals listing data!
Update 2 Just one lock up my fault, to big schd and moved to fast.

Update 3 Guide light stopped staying on after editing 3410s channels,[b]Having a bad, guide host channel lost, issue, not updating data.

Update 4 Repaired my guide host! the only way it worked was changed my zip-it's working. The Artec dosen't seem to work/update data after editing channels, unless I change zip code, and answer channel guide question, new quirk, [size="3"]whatta pain[/SIZE


-------------- Set Up using some of our forums tricks.------------

1. Stablize your OTA digital reception, see tips below.

2. I split OTA cable to my TV, to 3410 rf antenna in, to Artec rf in, and then Artec out to 3410 cable rf input, will merge cable analog later see note below.

For ease of editing/watching Artecs stuff/menu I ran its AV out, RCA Y,R,W, to my TVs AV input.

3. In Artec set up, I ran factory reset, auto scanned channels,
(THE KEY!) then I turned off CBS 11-2 sub-channel in Artec channel selector/editor, (Hou. CBS uses 11-1 as 1st main channel) .

plus as precaution turned off other PBS/FOX/NBC/ABC/SPANISH sub-channels - like my PBSs 8-2, 8-3, 8-4 subs.

4. Tuned Artec to show CBS - then turned on its TVGOS support.

5. In 3410 set up cable/yes - cable box/no. If you want but you shouldn't have to, I changed zip, to any local zip code, I used cbs antennas zip,. Converters fake/manual/zips messed me up, wouldn't try 'em.

6. Ran 3410 channel auto scan on the (cable type-IRC setting), As expected it only found channel 3 on cable, & all OTA channels.

7. Gave/assigned CBS anolog (logo & call letters) channel 3, in 3410 TVGOS channel set up, CAUTION Do this but don't edit/remove any channel 3 station that shows up in schedual or editor. host channel problem/bug-FYI, FIX-Host, only way was changed my zip and it it's working, resherch update later.

------tips notes-----
If it all keeps working & 3410a doesn't lock up to much I will merge Artecs channel 3 with Comcast analog feed later, probably block cable 2, 3, & 4 then merge Artecs cnl. 3 with 'em, (unless someone has a easier work around.) For now I'll quick swap them when recording cable stuff., if not I'll let data run out in a week, unplug Artec & go back to VCR+.

If you power cycle Artec/Pal with 3410, don't forget to turn converter box back on & it turns off with power outages.

I used google maps, satelite view, to find CBSs brodcasting antenna, used & their zip code, figured if any zips worked theirs would, plus got a accurate heading to point my antenna at, a storm spun my antenna around.

If you don't have analog cable TV and don't want a Comcast style large schedule, try just merging Pal or Artec back into OTA cable, then to 3410 antenna in rf and use cable box-no in 3410 set up, should work and give OTA schedual.
--------------
Just for fun/MORE reading, a tvgos site post--Have several horrible replys from Rovi and no hard facts.
FYI, Repaired host issue, may help fixing your bombs.
Our old, tvgos version and our tvgos memory space on LG LST-3410a sucks, but quality HD OTA/QAM and easy replacing 120s with 300 or 500 gig h-drives, is awesome, better than most & the pay for HDDRs.
When Artec/tvgos worked on a lot of other HDRs, it's been a real pain on 3410s. Had to use VCR+ for 1yr, DVT-Pals weren't much better, [b]I'll fix our 3410/Aretec bugs unless I croak 1st[.

My 3410A has a different set of limitations.

A couple of days ago we had our first wind caused power outage in months. It only lasted 15 seconds or so as substation auto-reclosers picked up our neighborhood right away, but adjacent parts of town were out for several hours as a tree blew into a line.

Anyway, poof, no matter how short, any power interruption causes 3410A to lose TVGOS and the clock, and brings on the RESERVE light lock-out! Since it mandates that any recorder be off for several hours every day, I'm going to ignore TVGOS from here on and leave 3410A on 24/7.

FWIW, my HDRW 720 also lost TVGOS but asked for a TVGOS reset right away. Instead I'll leave it on 24/7 as well, without TVGOS.

Sony's DHG-HDD500 can simultaneously supply the 720 with standard-def S-video signals while at the same time remaining viewable in high-def via Y,Pb,Pr. As a bonus, the Sony provides both TVGOS and its menu in high-def but not on the S-video signal; perfect for 720 recording!

Since my 3410A's TVGOS flickers unwatchably at any resolution above 480p, by forgoing the guide I can just enjoy its high-def picture without fussing, while still being able to record manually in hi-def.

FW,

Just a guess but belive you may have a old, timer maybe weekly, recording artifact hidden in a TVGOS chip/memory, if you can't get rid of reserve by clearing schedual before or after power down, I noticed one time a old recording just showed up while scheudling sometiing else, on same channel or program, did you try b-day reset, is your fimware a newer one-don't think fimware matters alot.

Power outs should only mess up your clock, not reserve light unless you have recordings schduled, maybe, lock up is due to something else and you are blaming it on reserve, maybe try my new set up, clock should always reset its self, after power outage, if you turn converter box back on, batt. back up works great..

Never had a problem with crummy TVOGS vidio, maybe your tv filters or cable, are you using good cables and/or are they on componet out, to by pass resoultion/filter problems, if not try both.

My reserved light is on now due to my weekly vcr+ recordings I schedualed and it isn't bothering me a bit, using my new post/set up below.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=6571, ,
read it and/or try it and post back,
RJ

Congratulations in finally experiencing success using the Artec CECB for the link!

From reading posts in this thread I've come to believe that many 3410A users experience different unique issues with the recorder.

I got my 3410A from a close-out distributor. It was apparently in LNOB condition, but I soon discovered that it had a bad HDD which I replaced. Aside from that the recorder has never been able to retain anything in memory whenever there's a power interruption, no matter how brief. It always presents the RESERVED light lockout whenever it loses clock time. It has never been able to display watchable TVGOS above 480p resolution but rather flickers incessently.

I've First Birthday'd it innumerable times; that's the only way to reset the clock. TVGOS can reset the clock but my 3410A requires an accurate clock to access TVGOS in the first place, its great CATCH-22 issue!

[quote=rljohnsen;17305651]
Ok, I have my first 2 way communication with TVGOS broadcast in about 1 year!

Did Rovi fix something at cbs (BUT) it's probably Tonys recent thread/posts with lgdavis & veets, about digital sub-channels & mapping, that they think is confusing my 3410 or my Artec box, who knows? Trying their fix & is working, THANKS! See set up on #6571. QUOTE]

Update, Yea, complete listing data and no lock up yet, Gotta go, will post later, bet it's to good to be true.

Read post with set up, #6571
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=6571
!!!,

To me it appears there may be an open cap which prevents short term memory storage when power is briefly interrupted.

I'd prefer to leave the 3410A on 24/7 anyway. TVGOS doesn't provide a particulary good EPG, and since mine won't display legibly in hi-def, it's a waste. Since I've compiled a list of every channel/subchannel # in my line-up while wrassling with the RESERVED Catch-22, TVGOS's only redeeming feature, manual channel mapping, isn't important.

I'll just enjoy the exceptional picture, set manual back-up recordings when necessary, and no longer have to fuss with the 3410A at all. Life's Good!

why not? not that you have to answer, but that's very strange...my guide is clear as anything in high-def and really WOW on my new Pioneer plasma..

In contrast, the guide in our new TivoHD is OK, but - like all of the Tivo screens - seems like something that might have been rescued from the dark ages...

Nothing (except perhaps satellite service EPG's, about which I'm not current) beats ReplayTV's standard-def EPG, IMHO!

Regarding my 3410A's TVGOS display; it's perfect @ 480i or p, but at 720p or 1080i it continuallty flickers and/or shudders much worse than a flourescent going bad. I have no idea why; it's been that way from the get-go on my particular 3410A.

A idea. Son complained of horrible refresh rate on 3yr. old 46" Sam LCD effecting some HD viewing differently, till he got a Panny Plasma like Tony, $1,150-52", it's awsome. One problem, his blue ray, it worked a lot better/clearer on my DLP then Panny. Could that effect yours?

PS Our elec goes out at least once a week, batt back on everything, think it surges when big pole breaker resets. Sugar Land TX

3410A requires that resolution settings be selected from the front panel controls. I get great images from 3410A @ either 720p or 1080i; only the TVGOS display flickers and shudders beyond watchability!

If it was worth it for me to get a UPS for 3410A I would, but it isn't. It and everything else does have surge protection. It's nice just to watch hi-def TV with the 3410A without fussing!

I prefer leaving all recorders (except the Sony) on 24/7. The Sony is set to turn itself off automatically to get TVGOS data.

Read post #6571 Set up, and putting updates there, testing-bugs-changes, DVT Pal should work on same set up.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=6571


Artec T3APR-T (only this model had tvgos support or the DVT-Pal)
Still testing, Betting on 50/50 chance of stability. I've been trying to get it to work on 3410 for 8 months, exteremly finicky, I'd wait till firmware is upgraded, mine has 1.0.3.

Not even sure which/what AV forum tricks I encoporated in set up that got it working,
+ it might lock up 3410s more than our norm or Rovi may stop/change CBS support, who knows.

++Having a bad, guide host channel lost, issue, not updating data, Trying to fix-see set up. Dxmn it.

I found the dealer that was on MV/Rovi's website. There are lot more DVT-Pal users to help than Artec, but boxes are almost the same. They may not still sell it, a lot of bad info in both manuals and from Rovi.

Regarding the post:

"Update 2 Just one lock up my fault, to big schd and moved to fast."

I encountered that often when I was doing my: "Tour of TVG Frustration"

Crashing while Scrolling through TVG Channel Editing was a regular occurrance.... I found you were best off to do it only after a power cycle.... As the closer you got to 3 days since power cycle, the more apt it would lockup.... and ALL your TVG Editing changes were lost...
Another symptom that TVG had become" buggy".....

In all honesty, it's been smooth sailing since we Disabled TVG on our 3410a's....

No power cycles, No missed recordings.... No Problems!!! It's been what, 3 months now?

SHAME ON --- TVG/MACROVISION/__________

Jan, Thank you for helping, us TVGOS die hards.

Have some spare time? Can you and/or Tony comment on/help:

A Post ----If it all keeps working & if I'm still getting just a few lock ups, just two., I will merge Artecs channel 3 with Comcast analog feed later, probably block cable 2, 3, & 4 then merge Artecs cnl. 3 with 'em, (unless someone has a easier work around.) For now I'll quick swap them when recording cable stuff., if not stable I'll let data run out in a week, unplug Artec & go back to VCR+.

Question-----When I merge them with spliter it makes all fuzzy, not confident TVGOS signal will come through, when merged with cable analog that also has channel 3, confused.

A Bug----Repaired my guide host! the only way it worked was changed my zip-it's working. As hoped it came up, with question about cable channel assignments, and as before, it's showing, a Hou. KZJL (spanish), on cable channel 3, no logo, 3410 might be locking on it insted my CBS I changed to 3, it's one I had edited out before, when I lost the hosts.
It's filled listings/data. Still checking it.

Recently 3410 has changed my vib host to and from 0X3 to 0X801, + forgot what/how to decode that channel. may be acting up, like yours, as had a new, 2nd, no reason lock up.

Question-----If, say it's working again, is it, hard to lock hosts? If I do lock, I'm wondering if in the future - my host ,vib/Rovi/everthing changes, will I have to do that b-day reset, in order to re-run set up, to find changes?

I'll be checking/tracking/recording, 753159852 message, if hosts fails again, so if I must, lock 'em on..
Tks Rich

I just sent the following email to all the contacts I ever had at TVG/Macrovision/________ Suggesting that they reply to the post that was just made.....

TO: Email List: TVG

"Just thought you'd like to know that I have had ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS with my LG3410a since I DISABLED TVG!! NOT ONE PROBLEM IN 3+ Months on 4 machines!!!

Oh, yes, there's an interesting thread on the 3410a forum indicating that you're sending out corrupt data that intentionally locks up 3410a's with your TVG data....

You folks should really reply to it.... See, it's not just me that thinks it is your data that's corrupt!!!

Here is just what's been posted:

"Thanks RJ. Nice to have someone else in Houston going through the same non-sense.

First time I used Artec, I learned quickly that you could set up just "one" station (11-1), and not even bother with auto scan. But even with auto scan I have not had problems with the additional stations.

I have had (with the Artec) 11-1 show up as both QVC RF3 and KZJL Spanish RF 3...either was really the 11-1.

Whenever Rovi sends out some sort of "poop" that locks up the box, I can see it on the Heap Info page. See Pic 7838: If "Allocated" and "Used Space" are not equal - then as soon as the record button is used the box will lock up. Of course depending on what the box is doing those numbers can (will) constantly change, but as long as they are equal the box will not lock up.

I have tried all sorts of different hook-ups of the Artec with the SonyBox; the only one that really works correctly is with the Artec being on cable input by itself and the antenna being on the antenna input. When the Artec is combined with anything else all sorts of problems arise.

IMO, because the legacy grid (from the Artec) and digital normal grid (regular OTA 11-1) are not compatible I will be attempting something new at primetime today (Saturday), then will attempt remove Artec in the morning, and quickly change zip code to Dallas.....theory is I will continue to receive digital downloads into a legacy built grid; but because digital host cannot be set I would no longer have memory conflicts. At least that is the theory.

I am PO'ed at Rovi, it is if they are intentionally sending out poop to lock up the box. And of course their failure to send out "correct" normal digital poop so the box can set HostChannel without the use of Artec to begin with, is the major issue!
***************"

----- Original Message -----
From: Jan & Eileen
To: Jan & Eileen ; Todd; Jay; Nick
Sent: Sunday, September 06, 2009 8:02 AM
Subject: Now that TVG is disabled, LG3410a works flawlessly, How about a rebate?


As I've mentioned to you many times.... TVG USED TO WORK with the LG3410a units --- until last year, when "Something" happened....

Since none of the units that I have have changed, my thinking is that something changed in the data you sent from your end, causing the lockups and data loss as received from you.

I've contacted you multiple times trying to resolve this... and have been told multiple times that it cannot be fixed... Whereas last year you said you didn't have an LG3410a, the last conversation I had with you folks in August of this year; You admitted to me over the phone that you are experiencing the same lockup issues that everyone else has encountered on an LG3410a, just like everyone else has encountered since last year.

So, I found a way to disable TVG from the LG3410a. Remove C493.

That disables TVG, and the 3 day lockups, and allows the LG3410a to function normally as a VCR+ Only controlled unit!

TVG USED TO WORK! When I bought my first one, 5+ years ago, it worked.... It got better when it was determined that some of the field data was sent incorrectly.... and then it worked flawlessly for years...... until 2008. From 2008 till the present, you'll receive Data, but it will Lock Up and render useless the LG3410a. It used to work!

Isn't it embarrassing that an end user had to find a way of 'getting around' this problem?

Ever since removing C493, EVERY LG3410a that has had this modification done to it, has worked FLAWLESSLY as a VCR+ DVR!!!

Seeing that you folks told me multiple times that there was no work arounds for this problem, I thought you'd like an update on this....

Jan J

Well I see your post above. But I don't understand it, or see the connection? If you know something "magical" for Houston let me know.

BTW, I have set up Sony Boxes in Dallas, St. Louis, and New Orleans all without problems and Artec was "not" required...........but since June 12th Houston has not been reliable. So far I have not found an answer.

Jan has been trying to get Rovi/MV to help for years, very smart and has broadcast industry credentials, and has been on the phone with 'em and he or us have never recieved any info from them that helped. Kinda suprised he found that CBS has brodcast info. CIA syndrome!.

Comcast in Hou. informed me 5 mo. ago that they would not support analog TVGOS and Rovi says they do, they aren't, Rovi won't bother to call them or tell us any brodcast details, about anything, Betting their smart set up programers are long gone, now I get vauge replys or outdated form letter info. Catch 22 and 23!.

We did pay for their service when we bought our high dollar products. May be, changing Corp. names & owners, TV Guide/M.V./Rovi, in order to make it complicated & in lew of paying for good programers, give any support, while hoping we go away, or let us to do any effective complaining, Like this!

Thanks RJ

I will let you know how it turns out the next couple of days.

After reading the article in todays' Wall Street, it looks like the days of OTA are very limited. Looks like all TV will be pay only in just a couple of years? The FCC keeps chopping away all the RF's - soon it will be gone. And if rumors are true Comcast plans to sell off the NBC spectrum nationally?

Venting time out:
Oh, that's just great, 1 big solar flare, crashing satelites and USA won't have any communications at all. Do they even have any brains?
--We'll have to watch longer/louder commercials, pop up TV adds, and pay to watch'em.--
Shouldn't extremely loud digital commercials be stopped by sublimetal message broadcast laws??
They got away with it years ago and didn't get popped for it, now they think they can ramp it up another 20%. Do advertizers actually give broadcasters millions to do it?
All about the $$. Somebody should mention this to FCC, for all the good it would do, Remember the Madolf warnings?

[quote=Jan J;17320868]]
I just sent the following email to all the contacts I ever had at TVG/Macrovision
-------
Jan, Here's my new TVGOS email, you got me going.
Jan, did you add Ce_customer_support@rovicorp.com,
-----------
to"mailto:Ce_customer_support@rovicorp.com CE_Customer_Support"
Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 10:18 AM
subject A TVGOS question, RJ

Rovi technical support team and/or Lou Confrancisco

Comcast in Houston is not supporting TVGOS on analog as your statement to me before,
:you do not need a converter box for your set up; Comcast will be converting our data back to analog for you. Now there is a problem in your area and our broadcast engineers are working on this.

When on Comcasts anolog cable the TVGOS message 753159852, gives no hosts. old Case # 1029982.

BTW when on unstable Artec only, broadcast channel 3, it gives and drops 0X3 and vib 0X3 changes.

Can you HELP and/or might you look at my recent post, http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...1#post17314601

PS Don't want to use converters, but the digital tvgos Artec & Pal, when we do get them working, broadcast info is unstable, it stops download data after a day, gives sattered intermitant listing data, and we drop host cannsls, and your recommended hook up procedure with g-link on converters doesn't work for us

After the last power outage I First Birthday'd 3410A to reset the clock. I then rebooted it, causing the RESERVED light to come on, blocking TVGOS access even though there are no pending recordings scheduled, and manually entered all the receivable cable channels, both analog and digital, ignoring E-Z Scan which is blocked by the RESERVED light.

I then left 3410A on 24/7 for a week and two days, after which the RESERVED light went out. I've left 3410A on 24/7 ever since, making no attempts to set up TVGOS. It's working fine as a tuner with manual recording capability.

Since a week is the time period for TVGOS to populate, I wonder if the RESERVED light will always come on for over a week after a power outage and then turn off. Have to wait to find out.

Life's good. No more fussing!

Info no reply needed:
Just a new 3410a quirk,
After Artec uptdated clock, I couldn't change it, it wasn't even greyed out, something to do with clock or data updates, thinking not to do with reserved, it, may have been on vcr+,reserved, but not greyed out, and could't change it
--Weird, you go figure it out.--

Aretec working better so far. not locking. Life is good, mabe better when kids move out and/or dating a playmate!

If Artec is accessing TVGOS you're no longer able to reset the clock. That's why my 3410A's Catch-22 is such a drag; it needs an accurate clock to access TVGOS, but can't get an accurate clock unless it's already accessing TVGOS or gets a First Birthday reset.

FW
Just stopped clock set, that one time, and it already just had reset clock, to time zone/zip picked, no grey out, probaly was 1/2 in the middle of a data download. The norm. is anytime, when recordings are schedualed or reserved it's greyed out till they'er removed, and I change clock to wrong time to see that tvgos is resetting it/ working in lew of turning 3410 on to see. . Artec is working and can't/won't check manual clock reset as to many shows schedualed to redo.

Try and let Pal, not cable, reset clock, as it'll do that before downloading, pal only on cable in, rescan, new local zip, tune to CBS after turning off cbs sub-channel, then turn on tvgos support, it should change clock even if set to 2008, or not, you know all I know, you gave up, now I give up on your bug, good luck,

PS Might read next post, HPs workaround & spiffspace, bye.
RJ

Quote:
Originally Posted by HoustonPerson
RJ, I sent Rovi an email last Thursday, and one about 10 days before that. So far no response, and I really do not expect one. If I get a response I will let you know.
Anyway, without HostChannel I can easily get a full 8 day Grid, and set all recordings and the box does not lock up. At this point I have no idea how long that will last - the Artec is not connected in this operations. I used the Artec only to get the initial grid, and it "must" be connected to the cable input on the Sony, and I used antenna input for just the antenna (not the Artec). When the Artec was "combined" on antenna it cause a memory lock up condition. (hope that made sense?).
http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php?topic=204.60

HP
Very interesting, Hou.Comcast listing/data!, and clock-reset and schedual from Artec.

Your Sony might, be searching/finding a data or vib host channel on comcast during power off, and not recording the host when on, as was set to Artec? Who knows or your Sony gets some OTA digital data, (hope not). Who cares if it works!
Don't change it and remember procedure.

THANKS, I'll try it soon, as merging flubs up, and want to record some cable shows anyway.
RJ

RJ, The first post here is the procedure, along with the "revision" (note 7 dated October 14 2009)

http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/index.php?topic=188.0

The Sony Box has worked perfectly up to one month, until such time that Rovi sends out a conflicting Grid which cause memory lock up.

This last go around has been working perfect for nearly a week; but last night TVGOS was stopped, I do not yet know the cause; but it appears the service is back on this morning? Not yet fully confirmed.

I will have a better understanding when MySonyBox goes through its next NumSearch within about 12 hours..........that should ??? tell me if Rovi has made more changes in Houston?

In any event the Artec procedure in the link above is "rock solid" and very quick.

HP
THANKS, Good, please, keep updating, If we get your workaround stable I may nick name you HewlettPackard person.

Trying tonight as my 3410a , Artec enabled, power off, TVGOS light is coming off and on.


PS Tried to post on Spiff, register'd , to complicated to navigate, can't edit post, I'll just reply here.
RJ

After a many month hiatus my 3410a is backup and running reliably except for sub-channel listings in the TVG. But, if I recall correctly, I don't think the TVG on my 3410a has ever listed any sub-channels. I can manually tune sub-channels they just don't show up in the guide. Anyway, I'm OTA only in San Diego with an analog host. Is their a way to make the sub-channels show up in the guide or is my box exhibiting a uniquely bizarre quirk?

I never had subchannel listings, either.

Who is the analog host? I hope the same corporation owns them here in Sacramento.

Unfortunately, it's our local CW station XETV broadcasting from Tijuana Mexico. Mexico will complete its digital transition in 2021.

I don't know if there's even less now, but the v7 guide never really listed all the subchannels, low-powered channels, and generally receivable out of market stations in most areas (like newer versions do) - mainly because it has limited memory for the amount of channels they can have in there.

If they add anything more, they have to take them away one for one (including from all the cable channels). They were occasionally dropping a cable channel to add a sub, but they reached a point a couple or so years ago where they just stopped doing that altogether. Cable took precedence after a point, probably, and whatever filled the listings in the editor's memory (in each area) was considered most important, and they didn't want to drop anything more.

Actually, I don't know if it was even thought out that carefully - they may have just wanted to not even deal with it anymore (I have a couple of v7 recorders myself, along with newer versions - v7 added a few subchannels earlier on, but stopped after a certain point. The most they ever do now is keep the ones that already exist up to date with the changes).

That's really the one, biggest difference between v7 and the newer versions.