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Thread: TV Guide On Screen problems (COMCAST, bay area) |
    
New member Username: Davygrvy
Richmond,
CA
Post Number: 1
Registered: Aug-05
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| Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 08:22 pm: |
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Looks like Comcast changed their lineup codes again. Comcast refuses to give me the TVGOS code as it is something the "manufacturer of my DVR is responsible for", while the TVGOS setup screen says "contact your cable provider for your proper lineup code".
Isn't this just the classic NMP? |
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| Posted on Monday, August 08, 2005 - 11:28 pm: |
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I'm in NH Seacost area. My TV, Samsung LNR-408D also has this Gemstar "TV Guide On Screen" that does not work on the Comcast cable. I've been trying to figure out for sometime what is going on, but yet just got to the point when I'm pretty sure that something is wrong with delivering of the data over the Comcast cable. The feature works fine OTA. Unlike you I do not have any setup for the feature, so the only solution for me is to keep calling Samsung hoping that they wouldn't like that Gemstar sold them something useless, and apply pressure that hopefully reach Comcast. As far as I know Comcast uses Gemstar's iGuide. BTW, if I understand correctly the iGuide utilizes 2 way communication channel which means (theoretically) that statistical data can be collected. Maybe that's one of the reasons why there seem to be resistance. Another reason might be that a Cable Card that provides better picture quality combined with this type of guide eliminates the need for cable box except as a mean of getting PPV (which seem to be a big chunk of their income). These are just elaborations, but I guess whatever the reasons are, a presence of an alternative to Comcast capable of taking over all the services without too much troubles would definetely improve the end user situation.
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| Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2005 - 10:38 am: |
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Just talked to lev.2 tech support at Samsung. They said that Gemstar is experiencing problems delivering guide data through cable networks all over US (not just Comcast). No problem with OTA and Sattelite though. They are aware of the problem and working on the solution. I did not get a firm answer to the question "when ?", but "two weeks" term was mentioned.
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New member Username: Davygrvy
Richmond,
CA
Post Number: 2
Registered: Aug-05
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| Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2005 - 02:38 pm: |
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Well, there's always hand editing the lineup list for me.. no fun, but doable.. That reset messed it up and I haven't fixed the outer channels yet.
Just as long as I can still record "Monster Garage" off DISC-HD I'm happy ;) Especially the one coming on 8-22-05! The "Sour Kraut" drag bug.
Sorry for the OT.. |
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| Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 03:17 pm: |
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Checked the Gemstar On-Screen guide again a few days back. It's been 4 weeks since I talked to Samsung rep about this guide not working on my TV and the 2 weeks fix time period had been mentioned. It still doesn't work with my Comcast cable. I should have bought just a huge flat panel monitor. That's what I end up using my feature loaded TV 90% of time anyway (only for over than x2 times of the price of the same size monitor) :-(((
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New member Username: Malu
Annapolis,
MD
USA
Post Number: 1
Registered: Sep-05
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| Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 09:50 pm: |
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I am in a similar predicament as you all. I just bought a Dell 2005FPW widescreen monitor. I have a VPR Matrix computer, 2.2 GHZ. I bought and installed an ATI HDTV tuner card. The VGA worked fine and even the DVI is passible on some stations. I could not get the Gemstar TV Guide Plus to work. I called ATI. They gave me this:http://apps.ati.com/guideplus/guideplus.html. It is a form to be filled out concerning the problem. It even asks about you internet provider. I submitted it 2 weeks ago and have not received a reply of any kind.
I have since replaced my video card with an ATI Radeon 700X. The picture is smoother, but the Gemstar guide still will not load. I thought I had a compatability issue. I continue to get an error message which reads: Failed to connect to the server. Please check the internet connection and try to download. Maybe I should return the products and try Pinnacle. I really want to would like to get the full benefit from my ATI TV tuner card. Any advice out there? |
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| Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 11:06 am: |
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If GEMSTAR is passing the correct signal then your cable company is simply relaying that stream through their system. They do not strip it out of the analog stream. If you have a cable card however and are in an area that is launching a digital simulcast you will see some issues. If your card is set to digital simulcast then there will obvioulsy be no analog signal to stream the data on.
GEMSTAR should hopefully be looking into an alternative relay as OTA's will start to migrate to digital as well per the various FCC mandates.
If you do have a cablecard you may remove it and hook your cable up straight to see if the guide starts to load.
Again, Comcast passes this signal passively. On other boards I have also read that one issue was at the point of origin. The GEMSTAR CP at the station was locked and needed to be rebooted. |
PhilipsHDRW720_User Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 11:24 pm: |
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I bought a Philips HDRW 720/17 at Costco on 10/7/05 for $199.99. Similar to all of your stories, the TV Guide On Screen does not work even after waiting the 24+ hours. I called Philips and they suggest I perform a firmware upgrade. I downloaded the new firmware file and burned it to a CD-R, but the Philips unit would not read the CD-R. Philips is mailing me a CD with the firmware.
My cable carrier is Astound Broadband in Walnut Creek, California (SF Bay Area). I am getting close to returning this unit and getting one with the free basic Tivo.
Thanks for all of your posts. |
Schooled by Comcast Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Friday, December 23, 2005 - 05:38 pm: |
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Recent info acquired from Comcast Rep. It appears that Comcast is slicing and dicing the lineup which interferes with the required information for the TV Guide functionality to operate. The required carrier signal is offered only in the Digital Classic and above packages. This means that customers who subscribe to Basic or Standard (extended) level do not receive the required signal. Also, to compound the issue the TV Guide functionality requires two way communications. This means that a customer can not use a Cablecard. The customer must rent the Cable box. Now if this is not enough of a twist, if a person uses the Cable Box and subscribes to Basic or Standard levels and Digital Classic (at a minimum to get the carrier signal only (not the full $52 package)) the box must be connected to the TV using the composite video interface. The signal information does not appear to be passed through a component or HDMI interface. (The previous inteface information is provided by Sharp, see Aquos user manual). If the interface connection to the TV from the Cable box is made using the Composite interface the customer will not obtain High Def TV images. This is a catch 22. The customer purchases an HD TV with TV Guide and must give up one or the other of these features to use the product. This information was discovered after multiple cable techs spent numerous hours at my home at a cost of over $216. I provide my lesson learned only to educate the consumer so that you nay ask the correct questions of your cable provider and TV vendor / manufacturer. If anyone can over more insight to this issue please do so. My cable provider insists that it should work and wishes to send yet another tech to my home on my dollar. I think I shall cut my loses at this time. |
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Comcast - TV Guide Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 01:52 am: |
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I have an HDRW 720/17 connected to an LCD Panasonic flatscreen via component cables, and a Comcast cable box with the basic digital package. TV Guide has been trying to load the channel data for over 40 hours now. All I get is a message that says, "TV Guide has failed to load data. Please check if your cables are connected properly." |
TV Guide problem Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 11:32 am: |
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Same problem. A HDRW 720/17 with standard cable, no box, and s-video connection to TV. I spent 2 hrs on the phone with Phillips and they don't know what the problem is. I had to read them a bunch of diagnostic codes and they are suppose to call me back next week. They hinted that they think it is a Comcast problem, but wouldn't say for sure. |
Bob in NJ Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Monday, January 02, 2006 - 07:24 pm: |
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I have a LG 42PX5D Plasma HDTV. I am using a cablecard on COMCAST in Northern New Jersey. I have not been able to get the TV Guide to download. LG says call the cable company. Comcast says call Gemstar TV Guide. The Gemstar TV Guide site has no way to contact them. I called LG; and, they would not give me a direct contact number or email address for Gemstar TV Guide. Then LG called back and said it was a problem between Comcast and Gemstar TV Guide, which they are trying to work out. I called Comcast Cable; and, they have no idea what I was talking about. And, I cannot get a contact number to Gemstar TV Guide.
Anyone having a similar TV Guide problem with a cablecard on Comcast Cable in Northern New Jersey? |
Bob in NJ Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Monday, January 02, 2006 - 07:25 pm: |
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I have a LG 42PX5D Plasma HDTV. I am using a cablecard on Comcast Cable in Northern New Jersey. I have not been able to get the TV Guide to download. LG says call the cable company. Comcast says call Gemstar TV Guide. The Gemstar TV Guide site has no way to contact them. I called LG; and, they would not give me a direct contact number or email address for Gemstar TV Guide. Then LG called back and said it was a problem between Comcast and Gemstar TV Guide, which they are trying to work out. I called Comcast Cable; and, they have no idea what I was talking about. And, I cannot get a contact number to Gemstar TV Guide.
Anyone having a similar TV Guide problem with a cablecard on Comcast Cable in Northern New Jersey? |
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| Posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 02:58 pm: |
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I have Motorola Dual DVR and had it installed by my cable service. When I changed the channel to my HDTV cannels the picture was not full size on my TV (Sony 36 Trinitron Wega HDTV Ready) It showed black areas all around the program. I asked the ever so smart cable guys if this was normal and they said yes. Well I called one of our local TV stations and asked it this was true and they said no not at all and I have to change the setup for screen display. I haven't got a clue how to do this. Does anyone out there know how to change the setup so the picture will fit the screen like the non HDTV stations are? I called the cable provider and they said it would e a service call fee if the came out... Sounds like a rip off to me. PLEASE HELP ! |
TVGuide Problem 1/06 Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 04:22 pm: |
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Re: TV Guide OnScreen Problem --
For the past year (until this week--1/26/06) I have been merrily getting the TV Guide On Screen downloads onto my Panasonic DVR 85 via my Scientific Atlanta HDTV cable box & Comcast Cable service with no problems. Loved the Panasonic DVR with TV Guide downloads so much I helped my brother in Denver get the newer Panasonic DVR-50. Since then, we both have had nothing but problems with the TV Guide download.
Several Panasonic support techs have told me that the problem is nationwide (just hit my area of Florida this week), and due to a contract dispute between TV Guide/Gemstar (who believes we should be able to get the EPG--electronic programming guide-- signals for free) and Comcast Cable (who thinks somebody should pay extra for it and is therefore blocking the TV Guide EPG signals from being downloaded to our units).
The Comcast reps & techs in Denver & Florida seem to know nothing about any contract dispute. Comcast even sent a supervisor to my brother's house in Denver twice at no charge to try to resolve the problem. He got the TV Guide to download to my brother's Panasonic DVR 50 by running the cable feed from the wall into the INput on a 2-way coax cable splitter. Then he ran one cable from the splitter directly to the DVR - thus bypassing the Motorola cable box. He ran another cable from the splitter to the Cable Box and from there to the TV's Antenna A coax Input. (In the DVR's Setup routine, he selected yes to Cable Service and no to the Cable Box options. The DVR was kept off for 24 hours--an absolute must for the initial download, I've found from prior experience with my Panasonic DVR even when all is otherwise working fine.) Since I had also hooked up my brother's DVR with Audio-Video (red-white-yellow) RCA-jack cables running between the DVR's INput 3 and the TV (a quite old but still very good Sony Trinitron), he is able to view the higher end digital channels thru his DVR, and therefore to record them manually. He will probably only be able to get and use the DVR's TV Guide for time-recording the basic cable channels (1 thru 70-something), and I imagine will have to have the DVR on and the Cable Box set to the digital (70s+) station he wants to record in order to record those channels on the DVR. And I'm not sure whether the DVR's manual recording mode will be able to function or not with the higher end channels--at least to turn on the unit to begin recording at the appointed time even if he has to manually change the channel to the one he wants to record on the cable box. In my experience, if you can view it thru the DVR, you can record it onto the DVR--even if only by using the good old red REC button on the DVR's remote control.
At my end in Florida, I tried the same bypass-the-cable box hookup configuration, but just left the DVR off overnight. That might be why the TV Guide download didn't work... I'll be good this time and leave it off for the full 24 hrs.
Meantime, I got a call back from a Comcast tech supervisor in my area who told me that Comcast is making changes in their equipment to accommodate more hi-tech stuff (such as further types of 2-way communications between user and Comcast). He supposed that might be causing the problem I've just begun experiencing.
The short of it is that I don't know--but sure would like to know--where the root of the problem truly lies, and whether it will, indeed, be fixed. I doubt that TV Guide would be changing its signals knowingly to something we can't receive, so my money is on the problem's arising at the Comcast end somehow--whether deliberate on their part or not. But millions of us have these DVRs now, and judging from the other posts us Panasonic owners aren't the only ones with the problem. So I hope Comcast gets together with TV Guide/Gemstar and resolves this!
Otherwise I'll employ my own 2 "fixes" for the problem: calling my congressional reps to support the proposed cable channel choice bill whereby we could select which channels or services we receive--and only have to pay for those, and when it arrives in my area next year I'll look into the Verizon service that will offer me TV thru my telephone lines and say goodbye to Comcast.
P.S. Comcast just told me today that they’ve now contracted with Panasonic to begin making Comcast’s cable boxes. Is this mere irony – or does it represent real hope for a future resolution to this problem?
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New member Username: Liy
Post Number: 1
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 10:16 am: |
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Re: TV Guide Onscreen Problem!
Just for the record, I have tried repeatedly, without success to utilize the Tv Guide system with my Pio Elite 1130, CableCard on Comcast, Maryland.
No error messages, but no listings either. I have other issues with Comcast (e.g., Comcast tech couldn't find the SPDIF Digital out on their own cable box)and wouldn't even think about bringing this to their attention.
I hope a solution is found SOON!
liy |
New member Username: Liy
Post Number: 2
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 08, 2006 - 07:08 am: |
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Update - Cablecard & Comcast
It appears, after leaving the Receiver off overnight tuned to Channel 28, that I am slowly beginning the download process.
When turning the TV on this morning, a TV guide message displayed asking me to choose a Cable system - also the listings screen appeared, albeit unpopulated with any data - and several of the channels had logos.
So, we'll wait and see.
(BTW, I tuned my Cablecard to Channel 28, only because in reading the Pio Manual, it appears that TV guide in testing a Cable Box for use, tunes the box to Channel 28).
LIY
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Cinders Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 02:11 pm: |
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I have Comcast Cable TV (basic & extended service ONLY.) I do not have digital service or a cable BOX on my TV. I can barely afford the $45.00 a month charge we already HAVE with Comcast now!
Anyway, I USED to be able to get Gemstar Guide Plus+ to easily work with my 60" GE TV with Comcast cable channels. I bought my TV in March 2002. I've had Cable TV since 1995 which soon might change now!
For about the last YEAR we have tried desparately to get Guide Plus + to work. I contacted Comcast -they refused to help. All they would offer is that I BUY additional Digital TV service with them to get on screen details of channels etc. I was LIVID! IT HAD ALWAYS WORKED BEFORE!
HOWEVER, this MORNING I receive a HUGE message this time saying the following message - (see image of message here):
http://img434.imageshack.us/my.php?image=comcast0061ud.jpg
If you are unable to read the above image taken with our camera , this is what it says:
"Dear Guide Plus+ Customer,
We are sorry that your television is not able to receive data to update your Guide Plus+ television listings. One likely reason is that your cable company has blocked information contained in the television signal. We believe that this action by your cable company is unlawful.
Please contact your cable company to ask them not to interfere with the free data contained in the over-the-air broadcast signal which supports your Guide Plus+ feature. You may also wish to voice your complaint to your city officials, and the Federal Communications Commission by calling 1-888-237-3387.
If you are dissatisfied with the action of your cable operator and would like to consider alternative programming services, please call toll free at 1-877-FOR-GUIDE."
If I do not get help or answers THIS TIME, I plan to complain to Portland, Oregon City Officials, the FCC, and the Better Business Bureau. I am fed up with the monoply!
This has gone just to FAR how Comcast is FORCING people to go to DIGITAL Service! And yes,I am fully that BUSH signed into law just this week that ALL analog broadcast will be cutoff by the year 2009. But that is in the year 2009! |
New member Username: Ramanathans
Post Number: 1
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 10:39 pm: |
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I bought a LG 50 inch plasma tv with a built-in DVR. This unit features an on screen tv guide.However, I am unable to download any information or channel listings despite the fact I have run the set-up several times and waioted for 15 nights. I have Comcast cable. I called the LG people and they say that Gemstar is having problem in Los Angeles area. I have no independent way of confirming this. Any one has any ideas?. |
J. Godfrey Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 09:22 pm: |
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This is funny, more than coincidence. I have the same LG 50 inch with DVR and TV guide, and of course Comcast Cable. It has been working up until just a few days ago. Now although I show my channel line up, most (approx. 98%) of the guide shows "No Title" in the program info boxes. I have attempted to reset my settings info to force a new download to no avail. After reading all the above I'm starting to get a little upset. Hope to find a solutiuon soon as my wife is already more upset than I. |
New member Username: Liy
Post Number: 3
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 07:30 am: |
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No luck here in Maryland either! Left the receiver of my Pio 1130 off for 4 days after attempting to force a reset. Absolutely nothing.
Thinking that the problem might be with Gemstar, but I certainly wouldn't rule Comcast out as the culprit.
Any help, tips, or comments greatly appreciated. Very frustrated right now.
LIY |
J. Godfrey Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 01:25 pm: |
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I spent most of Thursday - Saturday attempting to resolve the issue of the missing channel list info.
I had tested a theory that if you delete (turn off) the station that sidebands the Guide data from your channel list you may stop receiving updates. After all, my list worked almost a full week…….after I had deleted some analog PBS and Univision stations, all old UHF stuff.
Well what do you know, after programming my TV to ignore that I have cable, (only antenna), and re-detecting all available channels, my channel list appeared and was populated with 4-5 future days’ listings. This, after the set being off for only approximately 5 hours the night before. Hurrah!
OK then, now I was on to ascertain what station carries the Gemstar stuff in Los Angeles, so I could delete all the fluff and keep “the one”. I started calling the parties involved and an amusing display of deflection and misinformation ensued.
Comcast Cable insisted that I could not receive any TV Guide Interactive, (I said On Screen), without a cable box instead of my TV’s cable card. I had to speak to three levels of reps., waiting almost four hours for the last to call me back. They finally understood that the problem is with "TV Guide on Screen"…not "Interactive". I had to explain this to each rep. multiple times. Comcast then pointed their finger at the manufacturer of my set (LG) and also Gemstar for more info., seeing that they have no idea what channel is used to supply the guide data. Comcast also suggested that I dump my cable card (Motorola) in favor of a cable box, as then I would have access to Pay-Per-View features as well. They said "It's only a few extra dollars a month for a digital box with a built in DVR."
Well on to Gemstar, no wait, Gemstar’s web site has contact info for all of their products except for TV Guide on Screen. I read “Contact the manufacturer of your TV set or DVR”. OK then, on to L.G.
The L.G. tech was quick to answer the phone, but had no real facts to supply. She had heard that possibly Kayset in L.A., (I think she was making reference to one of our our local PBS stations KCET TV), was having trouble delivering the TV Guide data. What do you know, that was one of the analog stations that I had deleted. She was unsure of the real story or station, but assured me that she would play the game of telephone tag with Gemstar when they opened on Monday.
When Comcast last called me back, I told their tech that I had called already called L.G. He informed me that I "Shouldn't hold my breath" waiting for them to call me back. He seemed surprised when I let him know that they answered the phone and attempted to help after waiting only 30 seconds or so, and that only he made me wait for almost 4 hours. Glad that I didn't hold my breath with him, or I would be dead. He did ask, however, that if and when I find a solution, could I call him back and let him know, as there is at least another customer in the L.A. area with the same problem. Could that other customer perhaps be S. Ramanathan? I'll tell you this, if I do find a solution I will post it here first. My possible fix (adding back deleted channel) is still a theory, more to come.
Now for some after editorial entertainment.
A Story: Receiving a free cake from the store.
Cast of Characters;
TV Guide on Screen - "The Free Cake"
Gemstar - "The Baker"
Local TV Station - "The Supplier"
Comcast Cable - "The Delivery Agent"
L.G. - "The Store"
The story so far:
I was to received a package containing a free cake from the store.
What I got was an empty plate. It was time to investigate.
The baker made himself unavailable, there was a note on his door to call the store.
The store didn't know anything for certain, but they suspected that supplier was the culprit, but insisted only the baker knew for sure. The store apologized and said they would call the baker.
The supplier was fairly anonymous so I couldn't ask them anything.
The delivery agent didn't understand what package I was having a problem with, confusing it with another. When they finally understood the problem they said they knew the Baker and the Store and that they were idiots for giving away a cake in the first place. After all, they supply their own cake with a special interactive Pay-Per-View icing that they find very sweet. They said they only deliver a package, not knowing what is in the package, where the package comes from, or even if there is package at all. The deliver agent wants me to find who supplied the package, and why the cake was missing from it, and to please let them know soon, as others on their delivery route are asking about their missing cakes too.
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New member Username: Ramanathans
Post Number: 2
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 06:05 pm: |
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My problem still continues. Mr. Godfrey, you seem to have gotten further along than I was able to. My TV shows all the cable channels when I connect my cable to the cable input. I did not bother adding a cable card. When I connect the coaxial cable from the wall to the antenna terminal on the TV, only 11 channels are detected. Do you think I should put a cable card in and then use the antenna input?. I don't want to get a DVR box from Comcast because it will add to the clutter and expense. Thanks for your research. |
New member Username: Ramanathans
Post Number: 3
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 03:13 pm: |
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Here is the latest from LG on this issue:
Dear Sivam, Thank you for inquiring of LG Electronics. The TV Guide service has been experiencing difficulties in the Los Angeles area. This is concerning the newer version of the Guide signal which allows the reception of HD and digital channels, as well as the standard ones. Once this issue is resolved, the Guide information should begin downloading overnight.
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| Posted on Friday, February 24, 2006 - 01:57 pm: |
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Good in a bad way to hear more people are having trouble in the Los Angeles Comcast cable area. I have been experiencing the same outage since late January. Same story of being bounced back and forth from Comcast (DTV card can't get TV guide "Amazing since I have had BOTH supposedly unavailable TV guides since purchasing LG TV in early November")
I will be looking forward to any resolution and if mine comes first, I will let you know what fixed it. |
New member Username: Liy
Post Number: 4
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Friday, February 24, 2006 - 02:59 pm: |
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Further update on my problems with Comcast/Gemstar in the Balto. metro area.
Spoke with Pioneer customer service. The tech gave me a reset code for TV Guide on the Pioneer, but suggested to me that it would not help as TV Guide was having problems all over the country and are working on a "software fix."
Will try the reset just for the heck of it.
Not very encouraging!
LIY |
New member Username: Liy
Post Number: 5
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 07:20 am: |
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Well, it appears as though the CableCard is the problem. Got the bright idea of using the Antenna B input on the Pioneer media receiver - split the cable into Antenna B and set-up TV guide, this time telling it to use Ant B.
Sure enought, this morning, TV Guide was populated with info for all channels that I could receive on Ant B (essentially Cable 2 thru 99). (FWIW, using the TV Guide info menus, I determined that the Guide info is carried on our local PBS affiliate, Channel 22).
That's a real bummer if the technology can't work thru the CableCard!
Will keep posting to let you know what if any progress is made in this area!!!
LIY |
J. Godfrey Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 02:28 pm: |
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For anyone who has not seen the following forum please use this link: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14685765?hilite=tvgos
There is very good information on how to verify your TVGOS local provider station etc. More importantly there is a phone number for Gemstar Technical Support. I have not spoken with them directly yet, but at least their phone system allows you to request a call back. I hope that when they contact me they can be of some help.
Anyone being told by LG that a fix is forthcoming should not get his or her hopes up. LG support staff have remained professional and helpful but obviously do not have a complete understanding of the TVGOS system, or their how their own products use such. LG did confirm, (from reading aloud their own internal emails), that Gemstar was having trouble in the Los Angeles area with the local PBS station transmitting the TVGOS data. There was an abnormally high rate of data error. This resulted in Gemstar replacing part of the TVGOS hardware locally at the broadcaster. LG confirmed that this was done in early February and should no longer be an issue. With my own testing, using an antenna, I can confirm that the guide data is being downloaded properly, (when not connected to cable), and that the list is displayed properly.
I have read some of the previous posts and there may be something to be had from the use of the antenna input on the TV to work around the problem. I cannot say for certain that the presumption of the cable card causing loss of TVGOS data is correct, at least with LG sets. The problem could still be Comcast. I have both a standard TV antenna and Cable connected to my set simultaneously. When I disconnect the cable coax during the evenings and daytime when the set is not in use, and leave the antenna connected, the guide is updated properly. If the cable is left connected the infamous “No Title” and “No Listing” texts populate the info fields. I have tried the use of a Comcast Cable receiver in place of the cable card, and the same phenomena is observed. This causes me to speculate that the Comcast feed, and not the cable card is still part of the problem. Comcast has told me that a certain number of local analog channels are provided on the cable “unscrambled” and can be used for a regular (non cable) TV. I have not received a list, nor tested the connection on an analog TV to produce a list of what stations are provided by Comcast in Los Angeles that do not require a decoder, or that one of them is KCET, so connecting your cable directly to the antenna input may or may not work in place of a regular antenna. The TVGOS data is “piggy backed” on KCET’s UHF analog, or one of their multiple D-TV signals, but I cannot ascertain which is used. Luckily my antenna is a combination unit capable of receiving VHF, UHF and D-TV signals. I have also noticed that the guide data appears to be updated sequentially, in leap frog fashion. If I forget to disconnect the cable for a day, there will appear a one-day hole in my TVGOS listing with the “No Title/Listing” showing for an approx. 24-hour period. If Comcast is receiving KCET’s analog broadcast signal and then “scrambling” it prior to distribution, this could explain the loss or corruption of the TVGOS data. Also if the data stream is being broadcast via a D-TV signal not provided by Comcast this could also be the problem. Even if the signal for picture and sound are forwarded on to the subscriber there still is no guarantee that Comcast is no filtering or stripping away the additional TVGOS data signal. As Comcast does not wish to address any of this any further, it is all speculation as to their involvement in contributing to the problem. It is now up to LG and Gemstar to get some answers to these issues.
Let us also not discount the cable card made by Motorola as a potential player here.
Here is a list of questions that could be answered by LG:
1.) The provider of TVGOS data in Los Angeles is KCET TV (PBS).
2.) The TVGOS data is transmitted 4 times each day – 2x night, 2x day.
3.) LG TV with DVR equipment need not be turned off to receive TVGOS data, but must be turned off so the buffered data will be used to update the guide.
4.) LG sets automatically sense which of the Cable/Antenna inputs has the best signal, if both are connected at the same time, and uses the stronger input as the source of the TVGOS data. Needless to say the cable should win every time.
Here is the list of the questions that could not be answered by LG:
1.) Is the TVGOS data broadcast by KCET riding the analog or one of their digital signals?
2.) Is the TVGOS list provided 4x daily the same data transmission (redundancy) or are there 4 separate (different) sets of updates?
3.) Is the TVGOS list transmitted in its entirety or leap frogged in smaller packets?
It seems the more answers I receive, the more questions I have.
Let us hope that LG and Gemstar continue to be helpful, and identify where the cause of this problem really rests.
It will be of great benefit if Gemstar contacts me directly, as they should have the answers that LG does not. I hope they contact me before I wear out the threads on the coax.
For now, I’m still riding the merry-go-round.
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Jumpcut Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 09:49 am: |
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It's not working again on Adelphia Cable in Los Angeles. Previously it was out for 2.5 months beginning last November. Then, on Feb. 9, everything magicallly came back and it had been working perfectly ever since. Now, it won't update the listings again. :-( |
New member Username: Liy
Post Number: 6
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 10:11 am: |
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Partial success here with Comcast - Baltimore County, CableCard, Pio 1130! It appears to me that some change must have been effected here in Maryland, perhaps some type of truce between Comcast and Gemstar, as the "TV Guide" logo now appears on the Comcast digital menues - and, the TVGOS host channel, 123, is now broadcasting MPT, our local PBS outlet (which had not been the case two weeks ago).
Now, under listings, I do have a few bits of program info - shall see what happens over the next few days, keeping my fingers crossed.
LIY |
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| Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 09:54 pm: |
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I had the same experience here in Los Angeles as Jumpcut. It is almost worse that we got it back for the last couple of weeks, only to have it yanked out from under us again! |
New member Username: Liy
Post Number: 7
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 06:34 am: |
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Still problems here in MD with Comcast thru the CableCard. After receiving some listings for some channels, I don't appear to be getting any further data!
Get the feeling, that at least with a CableCard, the TV Guide system is "not ready for primetime"!
LIY |
New member Username: Liy
Post Number: 8
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 07:24 pm: |
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Okay, after following a suggestion contained in one of the posts to this excellent forum "http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/printthread.php?t=510125&page=3&pp=30" , I now have a substantial majority of my listings.
Essentially, I determined that the VBI channel was Channel 22 WMPT, here in MD - and I remapped Channel 22 to Channel 123 (the host channel as found in the TVGOS service menu).
This appears to have done the trick. I say appears, as I have thought on several occasions that I had the problem licked, only to find that all listings were lost the next day.
Again, we shall see.
Of course, I heartily recommend that anyone else in my boat give this a try to see what happens.
LIY |
New member Username: Liy
Post Number: 9
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 07:29 am: |
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By way of further clarification - the "host" channel must appear in the TVGOS channel line up. By editing a PBS channel that is active and that does appear in the line up (i.e., directing it to tune to the identified "host" channel), the problem appears to be solved.
LIY |
New member Username: Ramanathans
Post Number: 4
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 11:09 am: |
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LIY:
How do you get to the TVGOS service memu?. Is it on the TVGOS screen? My problem still persists. |
New member Username: Liy
Post Number: 10
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 03:32 pm: |
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Dear Mr.Ramanathan:
For detailed instructions on how to access the TVGOS service menu, you can visit this post which was referenced above: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark%2C14685765?hilite=tvgos
For an extremely detailed analysis of the issues concerning TVGOS, I would go here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=510125&page=43&pp=30
Good luck!
LIY |
J. Godfrey Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 07:26 pm: |
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I am rather disappointed, as I never received a call back from Gemstar. I cannot confirm that the cable card is causing the “No Listing/ No Title” snafu. I can definitely say that disconnecting the cable coax every night, and during the day when possible, while keeping the antenna connection to accept the PBS feed, has been a definite workaround for the problem. The TVGOS information has been updating, as it should be. I even noticed a few new channel logos for some of the cable provided stations have popped up in the last couple of days. After re-ordering my channel line up (again) I am reticent to do any more testing to truly isolate the cable card as the culprit. If anyone hears for certain that Gemstar and Comcast in L.A. finally get their digital broadcast “stuff” together please post.
Mr. Ramanathan, if I were you, I would make a trip to the local electronics store and purchase and connect an inexpensive VHF/UHF antenna to your TV. Run the TVGOS setup menu to program for “Cable on Cable” and “Antenna on Antenna”. I will bet you dollars to doughnuts that the temporary fix will work for you as well.
It may seem silly that one must use a five dollar fix to get a five thousand dollar TV to work correctly, but that, for now, is all I can rely on.
All of this would appear in a better light for Gemstar/ TVGOS if they would at least provide a direct contact email, or post a FAQ/ update list for known TVGOS problems on their web site. It would be the responsible thing to do.
For now I’m still wearing out the threads.
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New member Username: Ramanathans
Post Number: 5
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Saturday, March 04, 2006 - 11:45 am: |
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Dear Mr Godfrey: Thanks for your help. I will pick up an VHF/UHF antenna from Radio Shack today.
Gemstar never called me back either. LG people don't have a clue as to what is going on. All tech support at LG is provided by Customer Service reps and not by qualified techs. I often have the feeling I know more about this tv than their so-called tech support people do.
Had I known about this problem, I would never have purchased this model. The DVR is basically useless the TVGOS is functionsl.
Thanks again,
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New member Username: Ramanathans
Post Number: 6
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Saturday, March 04, 2006 - 11:51 am: |
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Dear Mr. Young. Thanks for your help and suggestions. The two URLs you have providd were very helpful. The host channel ID is blank in the TVGOS service menu. It looks like KCET Public Televison is not broadcasting the TVGOS signal. We just have to wait and see or start a law suit. |
J. Rothman Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 12:39 pm: |
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I, too, have been having problems recveiving TVGOS with a Comcast CableCARD in the Los Angeles area. In mid-January, the listings that regularly downloaded without incident suddenly disappeared. Believing this to be a problem with my television, I contacted the manufacturer, Sharp, who called the television in for service. They updated the television and TVGOS to the latest software/firmware. This did nothing to fix the problem. Based on this and Mr. Godfrey's excellent posts (including his success with OTA downloads), I'd concur with Mr. Godfrey's assessment that the Comcast feed is the problem. Out ouf curiosity, though, what version of firmware are people's Motorola CableCARDs? Mine is 4.05. On other boards people have reported various problems with this revision that seem to be cleared up with the newer 4.21 firmware build. |
New member Username: J_godfrey
Post Number: 1
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 10:40 am: |
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Mr. Rothman, where did you see the information for new cable card firmware posted? My Motorola cable card was installed less than one month ago and is at the 4.05 revision. I will contact Comcast to learn what hoops I must now dive through to get an update. Everything has been cruising along fine with the antenna trick until today. I forgot to disconnect the cable last evening, and this morning the TVGOS listing is missing completely. There is a message displayed reporting that "Updated information will be available within 24 hours. The guide is rebuilding your channel list based on your setup change." I do not yet know what this means, as I made no changes to my setup. I will have to wait and see if this is a good, or a bad thing. I hope that whatever is occurring will not cause my channel list to go back to the default order. The prospect of customizing the list yet again has definitely caused my day to begin with a sour feeling. I must agree with Mr. Ramanathan that if I knew then what I know now, I would never have purchased a television with integrated DVR, unless some other program guide drove it. I hear from friends that TiVo actually works, although a subscription is required. Then again, I guess you get what you pay for. |
New member Username: Ramanathans
Post Number: 7
Registered: Feb-06
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| Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 08:46 pm: |
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It is beyond comprehension that the TV manufacturer (LG in this case) cannot put pressure on Gemstar to fix the TVGOS system. It appears to me that this problem is here to stay and there is no solution in sight. Those of us living in Los Angeles area may have to start a law suit against LG for false advertising about the TVGOS. That is the only way to make these people to live up to what they advertise. If any of you is interested, kindly post your intention in this forum and we will further explore as to how to do this. |
New member Username: Tddtdd
Post Number: 1
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 11:27 pm: |
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My TV is a Sharp, not an LG, so I'd be useless in a lawsuit against them. It seems to me that there's plenty of blame to go around and I intend to speak to a friend of mine who is a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney's office in L.A. to see who is the best candidate for a lawsuit. The TV manufacturer is not accurately representing the situation with the TVGOS. Gemstar is providing a defective product, and Comcast is obviously the source of the problem since OTA downloads work fine. |
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