Sony DHG-HDD250/500: Official Thread - Page 459

Yours can join mine on the Ebay parade of door-stops. I'm posting mine fast before the price drops.

sorry for you, Gregg

Both of my units had this exact problem 3-4 months ago. I followed the instructions documented on Spiff's site and both units have been fine since then. You won't lose your recordings as long as you don't choose the wrong "reset".
http://www.spiffspace.com/forum/inde...38.msg39#msg39

hmm...I still get TVGOS data from PBS analog, but that failed for next Saturday and Sunday. But overnight last night, the listings for next Monday showed up. (On my lg 3410a, which uses version 7, I got no listings for ANY of these three days, but - curiously - today the host channel for the 3410a shows up as CBS ANALOG...actually, for me that is hopeful, since the last time the 3410a switched to analog 5 as a host the listings came through more reliably, i.e., without my having frequently to do a reset by unplugging the unit for 7 seconds - though I do not understand why CBS has been bothering to broadcast analog TVGOS recently, given that the plan was for analog to disappear...)

In any case this AM at 7:30, I did the Sony's G* test on 5.1 and left the unit on. At 1 PM I checked, and the listings for next Saturday and Sunday had been filled in, indicating that today at least 5.1 is broadcasting TVGOS data..

PS to possumgirl...as indicated above, once again the listings here seem to have returned...I think that - once again - Gemstar is playing games, but if I were you, I'd assume things will straighten out again

This is the same junk I got when I put in my San Francisco area zip code (OTA), and that's all it is...junk

I did the same, it listed Cox as still providing data but unknown for OTA. It also lists Tulsa as being in Kansas??? I didn't realize I had moved across the border

Thank you everyone for your help.
Frank, I will give an alternative zip code a try.
If the amount of data is the problem, I wonder if I remove some of my channels using "CH +/- List", would that reduce the data size and help me get the listing for the other channels. I will give both a try and report back, it might take me few days though :-(

Thank you Fox200 for the info but I don't get channel 54 so I can do any testing there.

Thank you Possumgirl, I could try to go back to analog using an indoor antenna and see if I can get the channel lineup with analog and then switch to digital, but at this point I have the latest version of the firmware and the clock is also correct. What is missing is the channel lineup and the guide.

I will give what Frank suggested a try first and hope it works. Otherwise I have to go back to analog and start everything all over again.

Thank you everyone for all your help.

It's not normal, but not uncommon. I got this same fffffffd result with mine. I repeated the VBI test over several days and sometimes got the CBS digital, and sometimes other strange results; but then after researching the various service menus, it became evident that my unit didn't fully take (switch over) to the CBS digital channel, despite getting schedule downloads daily. I contribute this to the PBS analog still being active here locally and the unit was getting confused.....

It has been suggested that these units do favor analog signals over digital signals. I believe that once we actually lose the analog signals, we will find the digital signals will work better (receive better) and some of the issues/problems we are fighting with now, will go away.

Regards
MK

I just contacted Cox via email with this question - I have a Sony DVR that uses your cable card and gets its programming information from TVGOS which is the TV Guide On-Screen service. Before the digital transition analog TGVOS data appeared on PBS and was passed through on AETN on cable. Macrovision, owners of Gemstar/TV Guide, has a deal with CBS and thus digital TVGOS data only appears on CBS stations at this time. A check with Macrovision's website states that "We have confirmed with your cable provider that you should receive TV Guide/Guide Plus+ listings after the digital transition. If you are not receiving listings or if your listings discontinue, please contact your cable provider for more information." Can you confirm that this is true and which channel the information will be used (so I can reset my DVR)?

I will post their reply if it comes in the next few days. We are in the Cox region for Kansas and Arkansas (I live in NW Arkansas), so hopefully they will give an answer that will be positive for all Cox customers in both areas. If anyone else has heard from Cox in this region I would be interested in what you have found.

I had posted some details on this before (post #13752 and #13763) - but what most are experiencing is the major "foul-up" created by our Political system and the FCC's processes of making "the transition to DTV" an even bigger mess (penalties and fines to local stations that do not delay is just one example).

Before you "sell" your Sony, you really should wait until after June 12th to see if items get resolved.

For Example in Houston: I have some positives and some negatives in regard to TVGOS and the transition.

1. We still get PBS clean downloads that work perfect; and perhaps will till June 12th. I am reasonably confident we will get CBS digital downloads after June 12 - assuming there is no more government interference.

2. Approximately 2-3 weeks before the original DTV cut over of Feb 17th (meaning the last two weeks of January) - TVGOS had begun the process of dropping the Guide data from analogue PBS to make the change to Digital CBS(we all were experiencing the same things with our Sony Boxes).

3. TVGOS digital contracts and/or digital implementations are not yet complete (again thanks to the Gov.)

4. In cities that have both Digital and Analogue TVGOS downloads they often do not work well together. Houston is a perfect example. The local CBS is in RF conflict with ABC (RF31 and RF32), and both still remain at low power and improper antenna placement. Many local analogue stations have also reduced power. In other words many major cities have similar conflicts and issues that cannot be resolved until after or close to the June 12th cut over. All this because of the "brains" in DC

From a strictly technical and engineering standpoint it is virtually impossible for TVGOS to deliver solid reliable service 100% nationwide until they have a solid and reliable way to deliver that service. That condition will not occur until "after" June 12th.

If your area has RF assignments changing (many major cities) and power level changes (many major cites), then this will affect your TVGOS downloads and your ability to receive them.

So if you have a Sony Box this means:

1. If it works correctly now, it may stop after June 12th
2. If it works correctly now, it may continue to work correctly after June 12
3. If it does not work correctly now, it may work correctly after June 12th
4. If it does not work correctly now it may never work correctly again.

I believe the Houston area and possibly Dallas should fall into category 2 above.

Of course there are the DMAs that have interim transition rules prior to June 12th I did not even discuss, in that case just go fishing.

Hopefully it won't be necessary for most users, but has anyone heard of any hack for Sony DVRs which enables manual clock reset?

Thanks Possumgirl. When the guide got jumbled up a couple of weeks ago, I went ahead and removed my analog host channel from both TVGOS and the channel list. I'm going to add those back in and see if it will fix itself before I go through the hassle of doing the resets. If it doesn't, "reset land" here I come.

We live in too interesting times. My local broadcaster is listed as "unknown" and my cable systems is listed as "known working". But the PSB analog stopped last month and they haven't answered my emails. The cable channel that gives me FULL listings is CSPAN. Nothing from any CBS station (and I get three channel's of cable feeds). My local CBS channel has told me "no TVGOS". At least they are up front about it.

And my LG3410A (V7) now gets only a clock signal. Have a nice day. What will tomorrow bring???????

Here is Cox's reply...

Dear Dwight:

The TVGuide information is no longer carried by PBS, but by CBS instead. We have verified that the information is there, but it looks like customers may have to reprogram their televisions in order for the set to lock onto the correct carrier.
*
Thank you.

Cox Communications Online Technical Support Team

Cox seems to say that CBS is the carrier for Arkansas, Kansas and maybe Tulsa too. So I guess my next step is to reset the boxes (I have 3 Sony 250s) and make sure I have the correct firmware/etc. What firmware version works with the digital TVGOS and which version of TVGOS do I need to make sure is in each box? Suggestions?
*

Well, I've lost my guide data again. As an FYI, we are in Portland OR with Comcast service. The DHG is not using a cablecard but picking channels up through QAM.
Some time ago (about two months) I lost guide data, and then shortly after it would not tune to the digital channels. I did a full reset in the 9012 menu which resolved everything. Well about a week ago, I lost guide data. Then...started losing digital channels. I went in the 9012 menu again reset user config. I scanned channels again and it found all the channels again. We can tune to all the channels, but now about 4-5 days later, we still have no guide data and the clock is 1 hour off. I hate doing the full reset as I lose my recordings and also have to redo my entire channel lineup, but will do it again if needed. What I don't want to do is have to do this process every month or two. It takes way too much time to clean up my channel lineup as I only need/get about 30 or so digital channels and have to turn all the others off.

Very shortsighted.

We are currently in a period of transition. After things fall out, expect to find at least one station per TV market to carry TVGOS data.

Bing.

I think KOTV cbs in Tulsa maybe in the near future. They are in the middle of building an entirely new Broadcast facility and the chief engineer just said that TV guide was providing their guide listings, he didn't specify OnScreen and hasn't clarified his response yet to me. I don't ever get any vbi packets off of the digital channel, but I get weird info whenever I run some the tests on that channel.

Anyone who is interested in one of these, probably is already well aware of the issues surrounding these boxes. If you were to get an unssuspecting buyer,I feel it is incumbant upon you to inform them as to these issues. Any other course of action is just dishonest and what makes Ebay a mine field for honest people.

For the record, I DONT think these will be bricked, too many others are able(including myself) to get downloads via digital sources for me to believe that.

I'm interested. You wanna sell me another one?

.....No way, I want to buy my 500 back......

[quote=LS2JSTS;15843344] If you were to get an unssuspecting buyer,I feel it is incumbant upon you to inform them as to these issues. Any other course of action is just dishonest and what makes Ebay a mine field for honest people.

Funny thing, you asking me to have an "obligation'' to inform the Ebay consumer of potential problems with my unit before I sell it.

Funny thing, it was pointed out to me early in this forum that the Sony was "discontinued" and that Sony was under no "obligation".

Wasn't Sony, and I repeat myself, under an "obligation" to inform me of the fact, they were selling me a "digital ready device", that was dependent on a analog signals to work and there maybe some problems in the near future as to its correct operation?

I saw nothing on the box, heard nothing from the salesman at Circuit City regarding this potential problem... Double Standard... I was an unsuspecting buyer.

Of course, I would not mislead an Ebay customer. I will however link them to this forum as many other sellers have.

I will provide consumer confidence, which is not provided by the Sonnies in the market, the lack of which has put the economy in the dumper.

Gregg
email in mass, the Sonnies

Your argument became mute the minute that these boxes were confirmed by myself and MANY others that they CAN in fact download digital TVGOS data.

They are NOT dependent on analog signals as you imply.


Now, should Sony gaurantee that all the CBS afiliates will carry it, or that the entire country will have the digital data available? Sony isn't responsible for all the worlds ills are they? I know some on these forums seem to think that way.

I understand your frustration. I have a similar set-up (i.e. Comcast clearQAM, etc) and have had several instances of lost guide data. The first was around Thanksgiving and the second was about a month ago.

In both instances, I tried many resets, but never the "full factory restore".

The latest resolution seems to be ideal for me. Apparently, Comcast is passing TVGOS on analog channel 93 (Host ID shows up as 1:93-0 on the 753 menu) and data is filling in nicely. I don't think its coming from an analog TVGOS source as I routinely have "No Listing" show up on Day 8, yet the next day, they fill in with details. With analog TVGOS, those No Listing wouldn't clear up for 3 days (when the orignal Day 8 becomes Day 4).

My theory is that Comcast is converting the digital TVOGS data from CBS 3.1 and putting it on an analog channel.

As and added bonus, all of the extended Basic channels are clearQAM, so I can stop recording the analog channels and save a ton of HDD space.

If I were you, I'd follow frank70's guide to trying to establish a digital host. In the process of doing this (4 day process), the G* test is run. I find that when I run the G* test when tuned to 3.1, the clock gets set properly.

All I can say is keep trying as my guide issues have cleared up. I can't be sure what exactly I did to get it to work, if anything at all. It could be that Comcast fixed it on their end.

For the record, I'm in SE Pennsylvania. Delaware County, PA if you want to call your Comcast office and have them contact my Comcast provider to see if they can replicate it out in the Pacific NW.

ft

Unfortunately, his argument didn't become mute (he is still harping about it), but, it did become moot

Digital TVGOS still working great here - the Sony isn't the problem, must be his source. Maybe it is time to move to a city keeping up with the digital age.

Thank you, I accept the applause.

Doh......well, mute fits in with the A/V forum anyway.....Guess it's a moot point to try and correct it now.

My ire is not just directed at Sony and my ire is certainly not directed at you or this forum.

I used the term Sonnies to defer to like Companies, like my Samsung Digital Cable Ready TV that needs analog signals to work, as advertised with TVGOS.

Unfortunately there's not a group of dictated people, like yourself, who are helping Sony fix their problem, in the Sammies customer base helping Samsung to moot my comments.

Again I use a term Sammies to defer to like Companies. Many TV manufactures product DCR units knowing full well that they were not fully DCR, to be fully functional after the digital conversion as advertise. These Companies were not honest with their customers, but I guess they don't sell on Ebay so that's OK?

I'm not talking politics, just honesty, as it was brought to my attention on this forum.

Speaking of attention, I do have DIGITAL TVGOS broadcast and only digital, in my area, its been that way for many months, so I don't need to move Maybe you all should move here MY Toshiba DCR TV TVGOS works just fine, I didn't have to force it do anything.

So I guess my 250 still needs more forceing to see light. As the forum proves they work with digital.

I'm not doing something right, so I will read on in the forum. I thank you all for the read, criticism and help.

Gregg

I have two DHG 250s. Both of them lost Guide data last week. One of them recovered and hass full listings but but the other one didn't recover. I've done a G* Reset and I've formatted the drive but it still shows "No Data For This Screen".

Any ideas on how to recover will be deeply appreciated.

Thanks!!!

Gregg,


Look for the links to the spiffspace site.....all the info you need is there in one neat place.

Hi Dwight,

I'm in Wichita, Kansas. My DHG is currently receiving the guide from our CBS digital station (OTA), and has been for over a month now, since the analog PBS station shut down for good on 1/5/2009. I have also verified that I can get the guide data from Cox over the same digital CBS station.

I also have a panasonic (analog) DVR that hasn't received guide data from Cox for over a year and a half. I was quite surprised to see macrovision reporting the status of TVGOS from Cox as: "Known to be working". I contacted macrovision in December, and informed them that Cox hasn't been passing the TVGOS data in over a year and a half. Macrovision thought it must be a problem on my end, and had me record some of the info in the 159753258 screens. I was optimistic that they were going to resolve this for me. Then the last reply I got from them was this:

"Response (Jay Navarro) - 12/17/2008 04:36 PM
Unfortunatly we got word today that Cox has gone all digital and will not be passing our data until we switch over to digital in Feb"

So what is Cox waiting for? They haven't been passing this data for over a year and a half, and suddenly after the digital transition happens they are going to throw a switch that lets the data through. I'm skeptical.

Any way your original question was has anyone else in your general area contacted Cox. No, I haven't. I'm waiting until after the transition happens to see if something happens, and my analog DVR starts receiving data again. When it doesn't then I'll contact them.

Mark