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18 out of 20 people found this review helpful
5.0 stars
"Great product. Bad review sare wrong."
Pros: Great quality, easy to use. TV Guide (TVG) works properly if you select a PBS channel that sends TVG info.
Cons: Can't find any. Near-sighted people might not be able to read some of the smaller on-screen lettering.
Summary: Bad reviews are wrong:
1-It does have an easy-to-use Timer Record feature for future programs, just like your old VCR.
2-TVG works properly if you select a PBS channel that actually sends the TVG info. I returned my first unit to Wal-Mart 'cause my TVG filled two or three days, then started losing those days. For my second unit, which acted the same, I called Pioneer and they gave me a clue: TVG info is sent on the local PBS channel. My local channel was WAIQ, but I noticed that in the OFF channels there were several others (WBIQ, WCIQ, etc.) When I set up the second unit, when the menu appeared that it found several cable systems in my area, I selected one that was NOT mine because I found that it sent WBIQ. Doing that required me to go through all the channels and realign several non-PBS channels(6 or so) to my local channel assignments. The result is a rapidly filled and constantly updated TVG layout.
This same result MIGHT be achieved elsewhere, and maybe even by simply selecting another PBS channel from those in the OFF category that your local cable outlet delivers??? If not, try selecting an entirely different cable outlet, then realigning the non-PBS channels to match you local layout.Updated
Thanks to "cnetbuys" review Dec 6, I learned that Pioneer has finally come up with some help for TVG problems. cnetbuys called Pioneer for help and got "codes" to enter. You have to ask for "Advanced" CS person. I entered codes, but not sure if it works yet.
For those who want to try this "fix" but don't want to wait on hold, here's the procedure:
1-Go to TVG "SETUP" in top Service Bar ("go to Service Bar" in side Menu, then left in Service Bar to "SETUP").
2. Down arrow once to "Change system settings" and HIGHLIGHT. DO NOT press Enter button.
3. With "Change system settings" highlighted, Enter 1st code with number keys: 753159852.
4. When grey menu screen appears, enter 2nd code: 653274147.
5. Turn unit OFF.
6. Turn unit ON.
7. Redo TVG Setup. Go to SETUP again and, this time, select (Enter) "Change system settings."
8. Select the bottom choice, "No, repeat Setup process."
9. Enter your system/location info. again, even if it's there from before.
10. Turn unit OFF.
11. Wait 24-48 hours for results.
12. If this doesn't work, call Pioneer again and ask for "Advanced" help. They will "escalate" your problem (whatever that entails).
They say this should work for any system set up with RF In connection...direct cable, cable boxes, etc. just not for "satellite" (not sure why not, I don't have satellite). My connection is analog Adelphia cable w/o cable box.Updated
Some new clues:
1-Don't force the DVR to go Off by pushing the Power button more than once when you want it to go off. It has a delay before going off. One thing it's doing is searching for the PBS channel to get TVG info from. I witnessed this during one of my "experiments" -- it delayed, showed POWER OFF in the display window, then went off but tuned to my PBS channel (Ch. 10) as it went off!
2-I am trying a new test, with good success.
Instead of replacing my PBS channel from those in the OFF portion of the channel listing, I turned ALL PBS channels ON and even told them all to appear in the Ch. 10 slot! It's added two days to my anemic TVG info. (after my test of the Pioneer "codes" which didn't work!).
It seems that just selecting the "best" PBS channel from those the DVR found in Setup is the answer to my particular setup -- analog Adelphia cable, no cable box. Pioneer says the TVG system should work with any system having RF IN as the signal source. It will not work with "satellite" hookups (not sure why not).
So...don't force the DVR off, and find the best PBS channel (might even try first turning them all ON and seeing if that is a lasting solution). I say "lasting" because I've found that trying to fool the system with just another PBS channel might work well for a time (30 days or so), somehow the DVR seems to find out about the "trick" and will hang up in a mode of "Due to your Setup change, I'm trying to rebuild your channel list..." or some such skullduggery.Updated
My experiment with turning on ALL PBS channels my DVR found didn't work. I'm back to one PBS channel from a large city nearby (not my subscribed PBS channel). This work-around works best for my setup (analog Adelphia cable, no cable box).
Also, I never force the unit to turn off by pressing the Power button twice. That gives it the chance it needs to POWER OFF and simultaneously set the tuner to my PBS channel (Ch. 10). I witnessed it actually doing this (it happens fast, and only if the tuner is not already on that channel), so this is not a "theory."Updated
I've been reading opinions by many who have cable boxes requiring extra cabling and some recording on the DVR thru inputs other than RF IN.
Recording that way is fine, but if you want to ALSO have TVG work properly, the unit must have a regular coax input from your source to the RF IN connector on the DVR!
Otherwise, the unit will cycle all day trying, but failing, to find the TVG info it needs. (Maybe the constant EPG noise people hear is the EPG system complaining!?)
Don't forget to also select the "best" PBS channel in your area...the one that delivers the TVG info most reliably.Updated
It finally dawned on me that many people talk of the "cable box" but they might mean their "satellite receiver"???
TVG info is not transmitted via satellite, which might explain why some people are "fed up with" the TVG feature.
The keys to happy channels and happier TVG is: cable service (direct or thru cable box), RF IN to DVR via coax cable, cable box AFTER the DVR (pg 17 of manual), and the "best" PBS channel turned ON. (All PBS channels are not created equal.)
After that, you can set the unit to record thru L1, L2, L3 or RF IN, and you'll be happy too!
If you have satellite service, you'll have to be somewhat unhappy and live with a great recorder but no TVG.Updated
Here's how to find out which channel is the "Host" channel that sends YOUR EPG/TVG data:
1- Go to TVG Setup (top bar).
2- Highlight Change system settings, but DO NOT press Enter.
3- Enter with number keys the following:
753159852. DO NOT press Enter.
4- Grey menu should appear.
5- Press right-arrow key (NOT Enter).
6- 2nd grey menu should appear. Look down the list of items to find:
VBI Chan: ## (channel number you are tuned to at this time).
Host Chan: ## (this is the channel YOUR EPG/TVG data is sent on).
My Host channel is 10, which is my PBS channel.
When I change my PBS station to the most powerful one in my state (go to PBS.org and find yours), I get excellent TVG data on a continuous basis.
Others on other sites like this report their Host channel is NOT PBS, but this little test will prove what your Host channel is for sure.Updated
For those who can't get TVGOS reliably and others who don't need the Pio 53x/63x series TVGOS 'cause they have a Sat receiver or TIVO unit with its excellent guide, or you have digital cable service so you can't get the analog TVGOS signal, I developed a method called a "Hostectomy" that will turn TVGOS off without losing any of the other operating features of the TVGOS menu system.
Go to TVGOS > SETUP > Change channel display and turn OFF any and all PBS channels you find in your listing. ALSO, tune each of those channels to channel 0 (zero).
Within a few days, all your TVGOS listings will say "No data ..." and your EPG light on the unit will only be on for a few minutes after turning the unit off. It lights only for the system to do "light housekeeping" on the "No Data..." blocks in the 8-day TVGOS listings (i.e., it adds more "No Data..." blocks).
The recorder will no longer search for TVGOS data, so no more constant "thrashing," no continual changing channels on a Sat or cable box searching for a Host station, no sudden losses of data and missed recordings, etc.Updated
Forgot to add to my "Hostectomy" post above that, after a Hostectomy, the PBS channels you turn off and tune to zero will still be tunable by direct entry of channel #...your Host channel will still appear with channel up/down button.
(I can't remember for sure, but I think those PBS channels you turn off will also be recordable with a Timer Rec program if you enter the old channel #...you'll have to try this to be sure?)
- 12 replies to this review
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wabjxo - your posts have been excellent and very useful, but I still have a problem with the TV Guide (!). It rarely downloads anything, and if it does, the info will disappear within hours and stay blank again for days/weeks. EPG displays pretty much constantly when the unit is off.
So, when I follow your instructions to find out the Host Channel, the 2nd Gray Menu shows no entry for "Host Chan:". So I figure that could be the problem, but no matter how hard I try, I can't figure out where to change or fix that, any ideas? My setup is RF in, cable, no cable box, USA zip code.... -
Thanks, Wabjxo. Great research.
What I began to realize after lots of trial and error is that my Pioneer DVR downloads TV Guide data during most of the day, if not all day. It doesn't just download for a short period during the night.
It also might be possible that the TV Guide download needs to be completed in entirety without an interuption. I noticed that whenever it does, the "EPG" indicator on the LED display turns off. So, if you continue to see "EPG" after setting up the TV Guide and turning off the DVR, it hasn't yet completed it's download. Critical note: a scheduled recording will turn on the DVR and interupt any download in progress. I know this really stinks for those who use the DVR a lot. However, on the bright side, once the DVR has a complete download, you only have to make sure it has enough time each night after midnight to download the eigth day of program data. This takes 4 to 6 hours for my area (uh huh... It's slower than you thought it was, isn't it?).
This only leaves the problem where the TV Guide hangs up and won't download any more data until the TV Guide is reset. When I finally got a Pioneer support rep on the phone and let him know I wouldn't take "try this..." for an answer, he indicated that the problem is actually in the TV Guide software. He even assured me that TV Guide new of the problem with their software and was working on it. This turned out to be entirely false. The same TV Guide software is loaded on a LiteOn DVR I own, and it never failed to download the TV Guide data. Ahhh... if only the LiteOn DVR had a hard drive or the DVD recorder still worked... -
Thanks for all the legwork and follow-thru! I appreciate it!
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Not everyone has a PBS station for downloading the TV guide. Now why should anyone need to follow a list of instructions as long as your arm to make something work? It should work PERIOD. Right out of the box. Otherwise it's useless.
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I am going to try your suggestions. I think this will be a great machine if I get the TV guide to work, but since that it looks like so many are having problems with it I dont feel so bad. ID, Valley Stream, New York
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Thanks for all the good info.
Seems I do not have a Host Chan set up... the space where a channel would show in the grey area is blank. Do you know an easy way to set this up or which menu I need to access it through? -
The easiest solution I have come across, as my 633 unit cannot find a "good" PBS station, is to reset to factory settings by pushing the "stop" button on the unit and then pushing the standby/On button. The unit will automatically turn off and you will get a "WAIT" message before it completely powers down. Then, power it back up and reconfigure via "Manual"; do not do "Auto" anything. When you get to the TV guide portion and it says "Push enter on your remote to begin" just do not. Instead, push the "Home Menu" button. From then on, the unit will power all the way down and the annoying "EPG" will no longer be present in the display area of the unit. I was expecting to lose my channel settings and stuff, but they were still there and although I selected "Manual channel setting," I did not have to do it.
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I was finally able to get the TVG working on my unit. The unfortunate part is that it only gives maybe 2 days of info and not the 7-8 days acknowledged by Pioneer in the book. I don't know if my local cable provider is set up to handle this new feature, or is it more so set up for the USA?
What I would like to know is how and where to you select the PBS channel that will give me the most weekly data? Which part of the program is it located in to which these selections can be made?
On another note I hooked up the recorder to the cable box as depicted on page 17 of the manual that acknowledges that you can watch one channel while recording a totally different channel. I have had no luck with this as of yet. Once a recording is programmed to start and is active, the recorder channel select to change is locked down. If I use the separate cable box remote to select a different channel I can watch whatever I want, BUT the programmed channel recording gets changed to the one I manually selected so that I could watch a different channel! I tyed playing with the TV control buttons on the DVR involving the input select as well, but to no avail.
Although the manual says you can do it, I could not find anywhere a "clear" instruction illustrating "how to" do it?
Any suggestions Wabjxo? -
I have not as of yet purchased a unit but have done some research and am presently debating wether to purchase the pioneer DVR 533H-S unit.The only hang-up I presently have are the negative comments by quite a few user's regarding a continuous "grinding" noise from what they think is the hard drive.
Is this grinding because of improper initial set-up involving the TV guide or is it an actual flaw in the unit itself? I have read your prior reviews and comments and feel you have a good solid feel for the functionality and operation of this machine.
What is this grinding? Is it the hard drive or something else?
Your opinion is much welcomed.
Thanks -
amazingly complete and it looks like it solves a lot of the complaints that other users have.
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Tell folks what cable service and box (eg adelphia analog with american scientific box)it works for so we know if we're in the same boat.
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wabjxo: Your review was most helpful. However, please post the procedure for Timer Recording future programs without using the TVG. (Or, the page reference in the User Manual). Thanks
