Gemstar TV Guide OnScreen Problems?

[dlhoppe]

Anyone having trouble lately with their on screen guide data?  I've got a new DVR and the guide was working fine, but seems to have stopped updating.  I was wondering if the data is still in the stream from WCGV.

Does anyone know if WCGV is the only gemstar data provider in Milwaukee?

[Jimboy]

I assume the DVR you have receives analog channel 24 somehow...right?

I just checked our Gemstar encoder and it looks like it locked up. In the process of restarting it now.

[dlhoppe]

Yes, the DVR gets 24 analog.  The guide was working, but hasn't been downloading for a number of days.  Hopefully the restart of the encoder on your end will do it.

Thanks!

[Jimboy]

Still having "issues" with it. I put a call into TV Guide. Waiting for them to call back.
I'll indicate here when it's back up & running.

After the restart it seems to be back up. Still waiting for the call back. (9:21am)

[Jimboy]

Yes, the DVR gets 24 analog.  The guide was working, but hasn't been downloading for a number of days.  Hopefully the restart of the encoder on your end will do it.

Thanks!

Some of the equipment used to receive Gemstar data requires it to be turned off for a period of time in order for it to get the schedule updates. I have a RCA 27" TV here that will only update the guide if it's turned off. If the set is left on for a few days the guide runs out of information and it tells me when it plans on checking for it again (the set suggests I turn it off to receive the update).

[dlhoppe]

Jimboy,

Yes, my DVR is the same.  It only downloads while it is in "standby" (off).  It's usually off at least 20 hours per day, unless it wakes up to record something. Although I haven't been doing many scheduled recordings as of yet.

I appreciate the info you've been supplying here.  I've been yelling at Sony about the equipment and it occurred to me that I should check to make sure there's data in the stream. Glad I did.

I've got a follow up question for you.  Do you know of any software available that would allow me to check/monitor the Gemstar data using a TV tuner card in my PC?  That would be a handy tool to have for times like this.


Thanks!

[Jimboy]

Jimboy,

Yes, my DVR is the same.  It only downloads while it is in "standby" (off).  It's usually off at least 20 hours per day, unless it wakes up to record something. Although I haven't been doing many scheduled recordings as of yet.

I appreciate the info you've been supplying here.  I've been yelling at Sony about the equipment and it occurred to me that I should check to make sure there's data in the stream. Glad I did.

I've got a follow up question for you.  Do you know of any software available that would allow me to check/monitor the Gemstar data using a TV tuner card in my PC?  That would be a handy tool to have for times like this.


Thanks!

We have a PC supplied to us by Gemstar that's used for monitoring the off air signal.  The software is supplied by Gemstar although it's not very good. Not sure if there's any thing else available.

The problem you are having may be due to a lack of updates to our encoder by Gemstar. Still waiting for that call.

[Jimboy]

Now it's a bad case of phone tag with Gemstar. Anyway they have noted some errors with the unit and may be sending us a new one. My RCA set (after plugging it in) is finally showing some guide data, but only about 6 hours worth. The next update will happen at 5:45pm so I'll check it on Friday to see if it captures more than 6 hours of info.

[dlhoppe]

The next update will happen at 5:45pm so I'll check it on Friday to see if it captures more than 6 hours of info.

Jimboy,

Can you describe exactly how the Gemstar encoder system works and what data is sent and when?  I assumed there was a constant flow of guide data in the TV signal.  You mention a specific time for an update.  Is 5:45 the time the next "cycle" begins?


Thanks,
Dave

[Jimboy]

Jimboy,

Can you describe exactly how the Gemstar encoder system works and what data is sent and when?  I assumed there was a constant flow of guide data in the TV signal.  You mention a specific time for an update.  Is 5:45 the time the next "cycle" begins?


Thanks,
Dave

The data is sent on line 17 in the vertical interval and is constant. The 5:45pm time I indicated is when my RCA set was going to start looking for data again.  It does take a "while" for the data to get into the box. I'll find out what the bit/baud rate is when I talk to them. It has been fairly trouble free for the many years we have had it so I really haven't messed with it much.

[dlhoppe]

Did you get guide data on your RCA overnight?  

My guide already had data left over from previous downloads for today and tomorrow. I can't tell if my box is working yet or not.

[Jimboy]

Did you get guide data on your RCA overnight?  

My guide already had data left over from previous downloads for today and tomorrow. I can't tell if my box is working yet or not.

It seems to be working. I'm not sure how much guide data my RCA holds but I have info from now (Friday at 5:00pm) until midnight on Saturday.

[cjucoder]

The guide on my LG box is still missing many of today's listings.  

It was powered off overnight as is my normal operation, in this case > 12 hours, so I hoped it would fill in the rest by this morning, but no.  Made sure that I still have good recepetion for analog 24, and I do.

[dlhoppe]

Yeah, it seems to be intermittent.  When Jimboy rebooted the Gemstar encoder the other day, things started to work, but now there doesn't seem to be any data in the stream again.  Kind of frustrating I know, but I'm glad to hear it's not just me experiencing this issue. That means it's probably not my DVR.  Must be the equipment at station.

[Jimboy]

Yeah, it seems to be intermittent.  When Jimboy rebooted the Gemstar encoder the other day, things started to work, but now there doesn't seem to be any data in the stream again.  Kind of frustrating I know, but I'm glad to hear it's not just me experiencing this issue. That means it's probably not my DVR.  Must be the equipment at station.

I'll be calling Gemstar on Tuesday.....time for a new box.