Hi RX7Fan I have Panasonic E500 and like all you guys we are too plugged by the same U99 error. I was getting it since early September but I think I found a way to stabilize my unit so the U99 don’t show up. I don’t know if this will work for E85/95 folks but could be worth of trying. I’m still not getting TV Guide listing and every channel shows No Listing but I can record using VCR+. What I did is I formatted the drive ( I think this step can be skip since TVGOS doesn’t store any think on it) did |<< + TimeSlip + OpenClose from unit in standby mode and power-off when unit Displayed “TEST L1”. After power off and “BYE” the clock should blink 12:00. Disconnect unit from power and wait about 15-20 min. Reconnected unit to power and reconfigure it for TV Guild. The unit will rescan all channels from 2 to 99 and after that the clock should show right time. I check the TV Guide and the Channel lined show up and TV ads are there too, but no listing. I had the unit for 48 hours on standby without U99 and I can see through TV Guide debugging screen that unit getting downloads. Note: resetting unit again will Channel-up/Channel-down will bring the U99 back. This is my firmware info: MAIN 0900DU TIMER 0540RD DRIVE L115 ROM 000 NET 000395 This is page 1 from TV Guide debug screen: 10/7/2005 1:21 (UTC) Setup Data Page 1 ID: #####-########-#####/0000000000000000 07.01.26/07.06.10/00.00.00/00.00.00/00045A00/64/0000 Cable Box code 083 (Motorola) VCR Zip code 01844 Model ID 0x31 Host ID 0x806 Power On 10/6/05 6:52 Host Chan 0x61 Powerfail Num 0/0 VBI Chan 0XCD Powerfail Time N/A Lineup 0x8FA HW Num 0 Time Zone 0x71 Warm Time 10/6/05 6:54 Local Off -300 Warm Err 0x102 XDS SrchCnt 0 Warm Num 1 Su Chg N/A Cold Time N/A Last SU N/A Cold Err 0x800A Next DL 10/7/05 1:12 Cold Num 0 Last ChMap 10/6/05 12:08 Sys Time N/A Last SrcMap 10/6/05 10:13 Sys Num 0 HSEntries 14 Sys Err 0x0 I know this is not perfect solution and we should force Panasonic to fix the issue or recall the product, but it’s better then getting U99 every morning. Hope this will help. Sparc21
while that may stop the U99, it defeats the purpose of tvguide. i think earlier, people posted that disabling TVGUIDE will resolve the U99, but kills the feature that made me and many others buy the panasonic dvrs... I just bought a philips HDRW720/16 which is a 120gb DVR similar to the panasonic with nerfed interface... just to see if it's just the panasonics that are getting buggy... I really hope panasonic will fix this soon. What can we do to get this resolved?
So I did a complete reset then re-flashed my panny E85 with the latest code kindly given to me by a service tech. It appears to be the same size as the 1/27/05 release but the code is different for the first 15% or so (I've compared the files). The re-flash went smoothy but interestingly in service mode the firmware is still reported as 970DL. So it'll be interesting to see what happens tonight and if I still get the dreaded U99 error. I've also changed the HD back to original as clearly in my case that was not the problem. I'm still dubious this 'new' firmware will fix the TV guide problem as I suspect it's a guide sw problem. Ultimately I might have to admit defeat and turn the TV guide off completely.....
timdf: Last night I updated the firmware with the "added" code in it. I left for work, and upon returning home this morning, yep, you guessed it, U99 AGAIN! I'm trying the ch^/chdown reset again with the "new" firmware to see if it still happens, but I'm not expecting it to go away. I guess we'll just have to keep bugging TVGOS until they broadcast another update to fix the problem, as it seems to have started for most people soon after the last TVGOS "update." The firmware I used was downloaded yesterday from the Panasonic website, and seems to have "additional" code not in the one I downloaded last week (but didn't use), so I'm guessing it's the same one you have, timdf. If you can go 2 weeks without U99, please post the firmware you were given on the web, although since I already flashed to 970DL, I doubt it will update to the "same" version, even with additional code.
Latest update, [bold]Long one, sorry [/bold]after the fun I had with the Panny "tech" on the phone yesterday, I went home, adn did a hard reset (Channel up and down for 5 seconds) reset the TVGOS data etc. Shut the 85 off (to a flashing 12:00am) ... I love that site, ... it's earned me a few beers in days gone by, setting the time for friends Anyway, went back in and set the clock, and shut her down for the niht, got up this morning, and after not seeing a U99 since last saturday morning, guess what I got, go ahead, guess, a [bold]U99[/bold] bigger than texas. So, I go into the guide, and guess what, ... go ahead, ... anyway, got the channel line-up, but no data or promotions, .... geez this is really getting under my skin. So today, it's another call to Panny tech support, couple of issues, 1.) See what they want to do about the girl that hung up on me yesterday. 2.) see if I can find out if there really is a new firmware above 970 3.) see if they can give a name to the cause of the no data 4.) see if they can give a name to the cause of the U99 Coyote : on your questions, 1.) I've looked at Roger's firmware, it is the same as Panny's 970DL. 2.) the 2 Panny tech's, and the Service guy I spoke to the other day said the firmware has nothing to do with the U99's (neither cause nor fix)so I'm gonna stick with what they say for now. [bold]3.) I really need you input on this, and will make a seperate post for it, did you get a u99 this morning? morning of 7 Oct (Friday morning after thursday night)[/bold] look at my next post as an explanation wy I'm getting so picky on the date/time of the u99. On another post you quoted ChrisC47 on avsforum.com yes that would wreak hvoc on the Panny's, along with ALL other TVGOS eqip out there, ... VBI and HBI are drastically different things when you're looking at extracting data from them, HBI is like the carriage return on a typewriter (you're hiding information in the bitstream during the dead time while the "gun" is moving from the end of this row to the beginning of the next) VBI is hiding data in the dead spot that is created when the "Gun" completes the last line at the bottom of the screen, and re-positions at teh top line to re-draw the screen for the next frame. (TVGOS data is hidden in the VBI, it's a longer pause, fits more data per chunk, I'm not sure, I think that's what they call "slice". If they used HBI, they'd have to grab a WHOLE bunch more chunks to equal the VBI chunk) ... a very good definition : http://www.audiovideo101.com/dictionary/dictionary.asp?dictionaryid=467 (I may have confused the 2 in a previous post) also, started noticing the ??/?? on mine before it all went by by, looks like just a symptom of the TVGOS data loss. Gus: owned it less than a year, Manuf. date May 2004 TForce1: you are right about Panny support, 2 calls, and 2 e-mails have told me "take it in"... as far as your input, .... we're kind of gathering data, kind of a group effort, so, any input is welcome, and appreciated (I speak only for myself, but believe others share my view) daughn : On the firmware, ... common mistake, no big deal, ... on the reset, sorry to hear that, ... we're keeping our fingers crossed for ya. Tim : stick with us, we'll find a cure, if ya gotta kill the TVGOS to get rid of the u99's you can still do VCR+ codes. phew, I'm outta breath. RX7 Fan
Hiya Folks, [bold]Please read and reply if you can, thanks in advance[/bold] Sorry for the Double Post, wanted to give this train of thought a seperate track. after another reset last night I got a U99 this morning, first one since Saturday 1 October, .... I've noticed a few posts saying you've gotten one recently, ... what I want to start doing, with your help, is tracking when U99's occur, and a rough geographical location, I'm thinking there may be some relation there. Like I said, saw mine at 10:30 (UTC) 5:30AM CDT 10/7/05. if ya reply, and just know your local time, tell me the time zone, ... I want to try to convert all to UTC, that's what the TVGOS uses, UTC is basically the same as GMT Greenwich Mean Time, or Zulu for us former Millitary folk. Semper Fi. RX7 Fan
Good morning group I am sorry to report that the firmware upgrade that I performed on my unit did NOT work. Last night when I got home the infamous U99 was displayed. I have in my hands a piece of hardware that it is suppossed to do the trick. I'll post news when I know is a fix, not before like I did, generating false expectations, sorry. RX7 : Your unit is within the year's warranty, you're OK. It'll get fixed at no charge to you.
Gus, I don't see how, when the servicer I spoke to said there was nothing, hardware-wise that could be done to fix it. And since it is nothing I have done to cause the problems, it only makes sense that it will be at "no charge to me". RX7 Fan
I'll put my 2 bits in. Last eve, I got a U99 after over 3 days without one. So in desperation, I did a <==>,TimeSlip,Open/Close which is supposed to reset all parameters to factory. I got a message on the display of "Testing *L1". This morning the message was still there, so I turned it off, and then on. I have setup the TV Guide again, and the E85H is currently off and downloading from cable. It did set the correct time, so it's getting some data at least. Hope I didn't mess anything up, but I'll just keep monitoring this forum for further developments.
Hi Guys, Further to my previous post about re-flashing with latest firmware - this morning (Oct 7th) 6am PST no U99 but no guide info either. In the past before all this drama, my E85 would have loaded guide info. I fully expect by the time I get home later today there'll be another U99 waiting for me.....
RX7Fan: I'm not sure of the precise time, as I flashed the firmware, saw that the TV Guide listings, ads, etc. were cleared, this was about 10:00 PM, EST (I'm in Pittsburgh, Comcast analog). It was fine at 10:30 when I went to work, but as of 8AM this morning(10/7), U99. I did the chup/chdown reset then, and as of this moment it's OK. I swear I'm going to set up my video cam as my VCR clock is right above the 85H. I'd also like to know PRECISELY when the error happens, i.e., at what point in the download. The last U99 was on 9/29 or 9/30, then didn't see another until 10/6 somewhere between 4PM and 5:30PM. I don't think it has anything to do with what you're recording as I had a BLANK TV Guide (no recordings, listings, nothing) when I flashed the firmware last night, and still had a u99 this morning. Btw, thanks for explaining the HBI/VBI thing, although I don't think that DOZENS of PBS stations across the country (or even just in the NE) would be changing their systems simultaneously. I agree we need to pinpoint the stage in the download that the U99 happens. I can try using a junky RCA set that TELLS you what time the next guide download will be, and go from there. I want to know WHAT happened in Aug-Sept that caused Pannys to get confused? Was it that TVGOS "update"? We'll nail this problem yet!!!
Coyote : interesting, ... I might just set up a camera to watch mine also. "Junky RCA" ??? do you know if the codes work the same on the "Guide plus" they use? ... I've got a 46" big screen sittig there awaiting a new convergence board (messed up but readable picture, that I've been considering plugging back in to look at the data on it, but don't know for sure) Interesting that you went a few days (almost a week like me) with no U99's, then got one. Not conclusive, but getting there. RX7 Fan
Ok here's some things that I've noticed. On the first page of the TVGOS debug screen most of the information was filled in and my guide was repopulating itself for a couple of weeks after I did the up/down reset. I was keeping a full week of programming data. Then the U99 happened and alot of the information on the TVGOS debug screen now says N/A and the guide quit repopulating itself. Since I wasn't getting anymore program data I did the up/down reset last night so I'm waiting on that right now. By the way, on the first page of the TGOS debug screen it says "Next DL N/A" but before the U99 hit it had a time on it. I think it was 8:10am or something like that the last time I checked it. It was always different each time I looked at it. Is that the next time that it is scheduled to try to download the TV Guide data? I'm wondering because it was normally in the morning when the U99 usually hit. RX7fan, even though I just bought my E95 a few months ago it also has a manufacture date of May 2004. I wonder if the problem is that we all have an old digital board that needs replaced? The reason I'm wondering this is because I emailed the service center that Panasonic says for me to take my unit to and I asked the guy if he has heard of this problem and if he could tell me what is causing it. He said that he had heard of it but it was to long for him to type out in an email but he will explain it to me when I bring the unit in. But he did mention that it "might require replacement of a very expensive circuit board." I guess that is the digital board that others have mentioned. I think I'll take it in on Monday and see if it helps. But like I was saying could it be that we all have an old digital board that needs replaced? Does anyone have a unit with a later date of manufacture that is getting this U99 or is there anyone who has had the digital board replaced and is still getting it?
Mossler, the time you saw 8:10 was actually 24hour time, 8:10 am, but it was also UTC, utc is 4 hours ahead of east coast, 5 hours for central time zone, 6 mountain, 7 pacific. so, you'll have to figure from there. (if you're east coast, I'd say 4AM was when the next was scheduled, ... I think all it probably does with that info, is to try to shuffle it's housekeeping around the DL. (guess here). On the Digital board, .. that's about the same thing the tech told me however, he was talking about the U99, not the TVGOS problem specifically, U99 = communication error, could be hard drive, could be digital board, or .. could be bad data from the TVGOS source. If they are going to replace the board, good, I'm about to the point of taking mine in also, just to get hard facts that say, yes or no the board will fix the problem. And to tell the Panny folks, "yes I've followed all your directions, now fix the problem!" I guess it all goes back to I teach troubleshooting, so I'm used to sharing information, when a company guards stuff like Gemstar, and Panasonic, it's almost like they don't want you to do anything but pay them to fix a problem they created, or allowed to happen. Sheesh. RX7 Fan
Got my first u99 on the E500 since at least Monday. Unfortunately I can't give a precise time since my GF encounter it, but she said it occurred twice so the second one was between 10:30 and 11:30 CDT. We're on Charter Cable in Madison, WI. There were holes in the listings for Saturday and Sunday and next Thursday and Friday, but this may be because of we use the machine well after midnight. On the PBS question, I'll ask the engineers I know at our local station, but if it really was new equipment (rather than soft/firmware), I agree that it seems a bit farfectched that so many did it at once. On the other hand, if the data they are placing in the HBI is coming from a nationwide source (e.g. PBS itself or a consortium of electronics manufacturers), then that source may have provided the equipment to the local stations. RX7Fan: thanks for the explanation of VBI and HBI, very clear What sort of negative publicity is it going to take to get Panasonic to realize that denying the problem and stonewalling the more technically savvy members of its customer base is a bad idea?
I have a quick question... Didn't someone send the unit into panny to get it "fixed?" did that person get the unit back and respond sayin that he is still having the same u99 problems? btw, I got the u99 error this morning as well. I think all TVGOS units are having a problem. I purchased the philips hdrw720/17 which is a 120gb hd dvr... It is having problems where the downloaded data is crashing the unit. I called philips and they said that the reason the unit is crashing is because the TVGOS data isn't completely downloaded and that I need to leave it off for over 48~72 hours the first time. when I told them that the manual says "over night" and I had it off for over 24 hours, they said "well maybe the firmware is the issue." I had them check firmware, and it's the latest one. then they said that "i guess you can send it in to philips to get the unit repaired but I don't know how you could fix such an issue. or if u would like, return it to the store and buy another one." I found that hillarious. "return to store and buy another philips?" anyways, I then got transfered to a higher-up. That person told me that TVGOS is the problem and that the issue of the data crashing their units has been something they have known as of a month ago. That for now, there is no fix for it. sorry and check back later... how rediculous is that? philips/panasonic both are throwing their hands in the air... only benefit w/ philips is that I am not on hold for 20~60 minutes waiting to be told that there is nothing they can do... they answer immediately.. lol I think we should be spamming TVGOS/Gemstar for their data changes...
Howdy All, I've been reading this thread for a few weeks now since I got a string of U99's each morning starting back in early-mid Sept (73107 -Cox Cable analog). Like you guys, I'm at 970DL etc. And like you guys, haven't been able to fix it. I called Panasonic, friendly enough but unhelpful. Spoke with Robert Small and told him about this thread. He emailed me and I sent him the url. He said the unit was functioning properly and that it was a TVGOS problem (may have been talking out of his b*tt, not like he said this with any "authority", may have been echoing what I was saying in that it occurs when TVGOS downloads). Anyway, I sent him the url and have heard nothing since from Panasonic. So after talking to Panasonic, I called TVGOS. Rings and rings to answering machine, but if you select option 2 (you know the extension of your party), it gives you a list of individuals and the number to push. Since I had seen Cheryl's name in some of these threads (and she appeared to be helpful), I chose her extension and she answered. I told what Panasonic said (it was TVGOS's problem) and she said she would look into it. She has emailed me twice since contacting her. First email (10/6): We have started getting more calls with the same complaint. We are investigating the problem. I will let you know what we find out. Thanks, Cheryl CE Technical Support Second email (10/7) after I sent her the link to this thread: Thank you for the information. We are trying to track down any changes that may have caused these problems. When did the problem start for you? What is your ZIP code? When did you last try the factory reset? (while unit is powered on, but not in the Guide screen, press and hold channel up and channel down button on the unit, wait until the word "Bye" is displayed, unplug the unit for 30 seconds). Are you still seeing the U99 every day? With the Guide up, scroll to messages, hit enter. With the remote type in 753159852, you won't see these numbers as you enter them. If you have a digital camera, please take a picture of this page. Hit the right arrow and take a picture of page 2, hit the right arrow and get to page 7, 11 and 30 and take pictures of these pages also. If you don't have a digital camera, please let me know what you have for: Page 1 - Version (07.01.xx/xx.xx.xx), Host ID, Lineup, Host Chan Page 2 - Numbers for Since Cold and Host Chan columns (Starts, Ends, Drops, TypeA, ACorr, AErrs, TypeB, BCorr, BErrs) Page 7 - VBI State Page 11 - Is everything 0? If not, Which rows and columns do numbers appear and what are the numbers. Page 30 - Everything on this page Thank you for your help with this. Cheryl CE Technical Support I suggest that you call TVGOS (their number is somewhere in this thread, sorry I don't have it written down here), select 2, and then select Cheryl. Ask her to email you, and then send her the information she has requested. Heck, who knows? Like you guys, I love my Panasonic, and loved TVGOS until it stopped working a few weeks ago. Good luck to all of us. I'll keep checking back to read everyone's updates.
Hey Aknewbie Cheryl is the one I spoke to also. She was very nice and seemed like she wanted to help. Their number is 1-800-386-7380.
RX7Fan, Thanks for the explanation about the time. Since so many people with different brands of TVGOS dvd recorders are having some kind of problem I'm not sure if I should take it in for repairs or not.
I may be way off base on the U99 problem but here is my take. The original thread for the U99 error had to do with the divide function of the software. I never had this problem because I never did a divide. From the original posts if you got this U99 from the divide it would lock up the hard drive and all data was then locked out (for lack of aa better word). You could not power up the unit and I beleive the controler needed to be replaced along with the harddrive and all recording lost. My understanding now is that you can get a U99 error when the software tries to write to the harddrive and fails. This is more than likely a TV Guide issue-change and of course the firmware upgrade is not correcting this new problem. Just fron this information I would strongly reccomend that everyone who is doing editing with the software ie; shortning and dividing do the firmware upgrade. Hopefully we will get some releif from Panny to correct the TVGO's problem. Please feel free to correct me if this is not the way the problem has progressed. Keith
