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Panasonic DMR-EH50 + Cable TV = No TVGuide...do I really need a DTV converter box?
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nwflyboy
Newbie
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22. February 2009 @ 02:46 |
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I have a Panasonic DMR-EH50 DVR, fed by an (analog) cable TV (via coax cable - no cable TV "set-top" box). Source is Comcast Cable, in Seattle, WA.
For a couple of years, all was well. Then, back in November, suddenly the TVGuide program listings stopped appearing. At first, I thought this was just the usual reset annoyance (every few months, I'd turn on the DVR, to see the "setup" screen, and I'd have to go through some of the setup again - a pain in the butt, but not a showstopper; I was always able t make things start working again). This time, I tried switching zip codes, leaving it all off for 48 hours, etc., to no avail. I resigned myself to calling Panasonic Support.
I called and spoke with a woman there, and explained what had happened. She immediately told me that it was because of the upcoming digital TV switchover. Hmmmm. I told her I was skeptical. She insisted, and told me to sign up for the government coupons, go buy a DTV converter box, and run the incoming signal through that. I protested that we had cable TV, and that my local cable TV supplier was running ads (incessantly) blithely saying that their subscribers didn't have to do anything, they were all set for the upcoming DTV conversion. She said, no, that the TV Guide listings were carried on a channel that I was receiving (yes, that was what I had heard - on my local PBS channel), but that (as she put it) "the part of the signal with the TV Guide data was already being fed in digital format", and that in order for my DVR to display the TV Guide data, I would need a DTV converter box. I told the Panasonic support woman that as I understood it, the cable signal was already converted to analog, so whatever was coming over that coax cable was nothing but analog -- and that this was in NOvember, and the digital switchover wasn't going to happen until February. I confessed I was skeptical and asked if she was sure. She sighed and said she answered this same question hundreds of times every day, and yes she was sure. She said to go online and get the coupon, then go buy a DTV converter, and all would be restored. OK, I said (still skeptical).
I went online and ordered the coupons. According to the coupon website, I wouldn't get my coupons for another month. OK, I grumbled, I'll be patient (this was before they just ran out of them).
A few days later, I came across this forum, and read about how to do a deeper reset (hold down the power button, wait, repeat). I figured I might as well give that a try, since my coupons wouldn't be coming for a few more weeks.
I went through the reset procedure, and let the DVR off for 24 hours. Next time I turned it on....to my surprise, the TVGuide listings were there! Well, they were there but only extended out for about 3 days. No problem, I thought, it just needs more time to download the listings for the rest of the week, right? I turned the DVR and left it off overnight. Next day, I looked and the listings had not changed - I only had about 2 days of program listings, nothing past that. I left it off again, but no more listings downloaded. OK, I figured I'd try the deep reset again and just let it sit for a few days and download more. But no dice: after a deep reset and 2 days inactive, there were no TVGuide listings at all. I've tried it a couple more times since, and still receive nothing. Hmmm.
I'm still able to watch TV with the signal coming in via cable TV through the DVR and then into the TV. I can even record on the DVR -- the TV signal is still good -- I just get no TVGuide programming info.
I checked with the Macrovision website, and they claim that te TVGuide signal should be live and available in my area (based on zip code and cable TV provider).
OK, so my coupons arrived. I went to a local big-box electronics store and picked up a basic digital TV converter box (a Channel Master D2A). I tried running the cable TV coax cable into that (then into the DVR, then component video into the TV). Nothing - not even a basic TV signal (the DT box appears to be expecting a signal from an antenna). The ChannelMaster converter box looks like junk and I'm planning to return it.
OK, so here are my questions....
1. Was the Panasonic technician telling me the truth? That is, that in order to use the TVGuide feed, do I really need a DTV converter box? This still sounds like she was blowing smoke, but I'm willing to give it a try (although it would be with a different converter box).
1A. If so, how should the hookup go? I have a coax cable coming in from the wall. We have never had a cable TV "set-top box" (and don't want one). Should it go like this:
coax cable -> DTV converter box -> coax cable -> Panasonic DVR -> component video plugs -> TV set.
2. If a converter box *is* needed, can anyone recommend a good model (or iif not a specific model, what I should look for)?
Sheesh, this stuff should not be such a PITA to get right.
Thanks for any guidance.
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gone2dogs
Newbie
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4. May 2009 @ 11:55 |
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I have 2 DMR E85H's and have been doing the same thing you have off and on for a year. Both loose the info but not the channel lineup several times a year, everytime Comcast here in West Virginia does some kind of update. I call them and all they say is rent their equipment and then they will support. Twice I have gone a month and had to call Panasonic. This time they called back and said TVGuide needed me to push the CH up and down on unit at the same time until unit shut off 10 sec's then wait and turn back on and go thru setup - turn off and leave alone for 24hrs ( this wipes out the unit channels and everything)then TV Guide should download over night, call back if it failed. It failed I called back 5/2 they said now wait 48 hrs. then call back later. Called back 5/4 and they are saying everything will have to be resent to TVGuide support will take 5-7 days. I told her I was not at all happy before this at least I had my channels and could timer record now I have nothing. This has been over a month now...
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factus
Newbie
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19. May 2009 @ 10:59 |
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My DMR-EH50 lost the TV Guide listings some time in April. After some web research I tried several methods, including the channel up/down to do a complete reset. But still nothing (except losing all the channel designations). I contacted Time Warner cable locally (Columbus, OH), and got this response:
Quote:
This issue derives from the 2009 DTV transition. Once the transition completes and Panasonic releases thier new firmware update, you should be able to receive the guide again. The problem with it is that your tuner is unable to correctly process are digital signal we are sending for the guide that was once sent via analog. I would recommend checking for the firmware upgrade and after the
full DTV transition next month if it is still not working contact Panasonic first.
Thank you.
Herman
Time Warner Cable
Mid Ohio
I've put the question about a firmware update to Panasonic USA via their email support. I'll keep this thread posted as to their answer.
TZ
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bearde
Newbie
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11. June 2009 @ 17:46 |
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I would love to hear if anyone has found a solution to this. I have been dealing with this for months. Each company blames the other. Frankly, I pay cable; they should make sure they provide me with the service I am paying for. If the TV guide channel is the problem, the cable company should demand they fix it.
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factus
Newbie
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12. June 2009 @ 09:44 |
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Panasonic did reply via email that I'm to call their support center. I've not had the time to pursue that. Nor can I understand, if there is a resolve for this, why they can't notify me of the "how to do it" via email. Any detailed instructions would certainly be easier to transmit to the user via written email than talking over the phone. I suspect they want to sell me a fix, perhaps in the form of a firmware upgrade on a disc rather than as a free download. I certainly seems as though this was planned obsolescence on Panasonic's part.
On the other hand, since today's the first day of the digital era, maybe it is a good time to make that phone call.
TZ
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bearde
Newbie
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15. August 2009 @ 13:27 |
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I received the same e-mail message to call the panasonic service center. But just before I made the call it started working! This leads me to believe that the problem has absolutely nothing to do with Panasonic. I did not touch my DVD recorder other than a click to search for listings once more before I called. And to my surprise it found them! Well, I had many weeks to enjoy my service again.... Oh, but good things never last. About a week ago, it stopped working again. The cable company says they have nothing to do with it. Their only obligation is to send me the TV channels. Everytime I have a problem with a channel they give me the same song and dance. It is the provider not them. The TV On Screen internet sight says everything is working properly on their end. I have yet to get in contact with a real person. I must wait for them to call me. It is like little children claiming the other broke the cookie jar. What I don't get is why aren't more people in an uproar about this? I would appreciate any information to solve this problem once and for all!
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factus
Newbie
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15. August 2009 @ 19:54 |
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I've never made the call. I've reset the whole machine several times, but the program guide has never reappeared. I pretty much just use it to dub material off my cable company DVR. Obsolete and only a few years old. Thanks Panasonic.
TZ
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bearde
Newbie
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24. August 2009 @ 13:12 |
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I did not need to reset my machine. A day or two after the last time I complained to the cable company and TV Guide On Screen it began working again. I didn't touch my Panasonic other than to watch stuff I already had recorded. I honestly believe this has absolutely nothing to do with Panasonic. It all started with the transition to digital. I have not been happy with my cable reception (cox communications) since the transition to digital started several months ago ...or has it been a year now.
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