chelliss Posted March 31, 2008 Posted March 31, 2008 Ok now Im eager but not that eager, sorry for the tripple post here computer froze on me and I clicked add reply one to many times:)
techo Posted March 31, 2008 Posted March 31, 2008 I bought the usb drive off ebay that I was assured works to only wait 2 weeks for it to arrive and find out it to doesnt work and just add it to my collection of useless usb drives I'm building up a small database of thumb drives that will upgrade this beast. Care to tell us what drive you bought from ebay that didn't work?
chelliss Posted March 31, 2008 Posted March 31, 2008 (edited) I'm building up a small database of thumb drives that will upgrade this beast. Care to tell us what drive you bought from ebay that didn't work? This one http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...N:IT&ih=016 , this drive was recommended by you I believe. Does your pvr have the usb at the front or back? Edited March 31, 2008 by chelliss
goldgxl Posted March 31, 2008 Posted March 31, 2008 (edited) This one http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...N:IT&ih=016, this drive was recommended by you I believe. Does your pvr have the usb at the front or back? I got the same drive based on Techo's recommendation. Worked a treat. Are you following the instructions provided to a T? - Format the USB drive and add a Label - Use winrar to extract the firmware from the appropriate s/w pack (I believe there is one for a rear USB and fron USB unit) - Put the extracted file/s onto the usb drive - Remove the power lead from the PVR - Plug in a yellow rca lead from the pvr to the TV, so that you can monitor the firmware update process - Plug the usb drive into the usb port - Plug-in the power lead for the PVR, switch-on the TV (selecting the correct source for the yellow-rca connection) and watch the firmware update Edited March 31, 2008 by goldgxl
techo Posted March 31, 2008 Posted March 31, 2008 Does your pvr have the usb at the front or back? I'm sorry it didn't work. My HD160 has a front USB port, however I have now used the same drive to update a total of 5 HD160s 2 of which were the rear USB model.
chelliss Posted April 1, 2008 Posted April 1, 2008 (edited) I got the same drive based on Techo's recommendation. Worked a treat.Are you following the instructions provided to a T? - Format the USB drive and add a Label - Use winrar to extract the firmware from the appropriate s/w pack (I believe there is one for a rear USB and fron USB unit) - Put the extracted file/s onto the usb drive - Remove the power lead from the PVR - Plug in a yellow rca lead from the pvr to the TV, so that you can monitor the firmware update process - Plug the usb drive into the usb port - Plug-in the power lead for the PVR, switch-on the TV (selecting the correct source for the yellow-rca connection) and watch the firmware update Followed the instructions that came with it, which is the same as what you listed except for adding a label but that shouldnt make any difference should it. Do you just extract the winrar file or open it first then extract it, doesnt really matter i suppose as I have tried both ways, reformatted and tried both ways again only to get the blue start up screen then nothing. Thanks Edited April 1, 2008 by chelliss
goldgxl Posted April 1, 2008 Posted April 1, 2008 (edited) Followed the instructions that came with it, which is the same as what you listed except for adding a label but that shouldnt make any difference should it. Do you just extract the winrar file or open it first then extract it, doesnt really matter i suppose as I have tried both ways, reformatted and tried both ways again only to get the blue start up screen then nothing. Thanks Label USB STick - It absolutely does. Take it from someone who made the same mistake. Format and put a label on it and then see how you go! Winrar - extract the file. Edited April 1, 2008 by goldgxl
chelliss Posted April 1, 2008 Posted April 1, 2008 Thanks again for all the help guys appreciate it, so heres what ended up happening. After trying to get it to work 6-7 times I just gave up and left it, then when I turned it on next time to watch tv I had it on hd/dvd1 and the litle f$%ker started updating, what do you know. Wonder why you even need to use the yellow rca lead then. Anyway its finally updated, so far most noticable difference is the ability to fast forward in 13m fast increments. Does anyone think there will ever be an update that allows you to delete recorded items faster or better yet delete portions of recorded material.
pneu Posted April 4, 2008 Posted April 4, 2008 (edited) Hi I am considering of buying one of these 160GB models off ebay as they are cheap and I just want the ability to record and watch the HD channels on my 4:3 SDTV. I was wondering about a few things: 1. i have a 128mb usb stick, will this upgrade the firmware correctly? 2. does the firmware update actually fix anything? 3. can it output an SD component video or s-video signal properly, i.e do the aspect ratio controls work in SD? 4. are there any major issues which seriously impair you from recording, watching live tv, or playing back recordings? thanks Edited April 4, 2008 by Ikari
Colin 2905 Posted April 4, 2008 Posted April 4, 2008 1. i have a 128mb usb stick, will this upgrade the firmware correctly? You won't know until you try it, but 128MB probably has a greater chance of success. 2. does the firmware update actually fix anything? Depends on what version you're comparing it to. In my case, it fixed the problem where it'd sometimes go into a reboot loop on Prime or WIN. It also gave me the option of exporting recordings via USB (albeit very slowly). But my first unit came with a very old firmware version. 3. can it output an SD component video or s-video signal properly, i.e do the aspect ratio controls work in SD? Now this might be a show-stopper for you. I think Dr. ZS struck that problem.... go back and have a look for his posts. Both of my DG-HD160PVR's are connected to WS TV's via HDMI, so it's something that doesn't affect me. 4. are there any major issues which seriously impair you from recording, watching live tv, or playing back recordings? There are some features which can't be used at the same time, eg; invoking timeshift inhibits most other features. But more of an issue for me is the dreaded "Hard Disk Error" message which appears from time to time. It's bogus, because you can power-cycle the unit and it (usually) doesn't reappear. If the unit comes out of standby in preparation for a scheduled recording, and it comes up with that message, it won't record. So if you're going out, you may want to take it out of standby (and check that it's OK) beforehand. And if your power goes off, the unit won't know what time it is until you take it out of standby (so that it can reset its clock off-air), so there's another potential threat to scheduled recordings. I've also had one instance of one of my units failing to record because it (incorrectly) reckoned that there was insufficient hard drive space. Before buying one of these, especially off eBay, you should really have a good read through this thread and familiarise yourself with what you might be getting in to. That said, I'd happily buy a third unit if I could find another for $150 (like my second unit from JB's). I'd then "upgrade" the third viewing area, which currently has a 76cm WS CRT, HD STB and SD PVR. (I could probably get away with spending another $150 on one, now that some time has passed, but if I went out and paid $300 for one, I reckon I'd be in trouble. )
pneu Posted April 5, 2008 Posted April 5, 2008 Hi again, just wondering if anyone could advise on the SD output via component or s-video, and whether it is proper or distorted in certain aspect ratios or channels? I've PM'ed Dr ZS but he hasnt replied yet and the auction ends soon... cheers
Colin 2905 Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 just wondering if anyone could advise on the SD output via component or s-video, and whether it is proper or distorted in certain aspect ratios or channels? I just dragged the 34cm 4:3 portable CRT out of the office and into the family room, where one of my DGTEC PVR's is. This particular 34cm has a component input in addition to the bog-standard composite input, but doesn't have S-Video. As much as a component input on that small a screen seems to be a wasted effort, it at least allowed me to confirm some of what you're looking for...... Letterbox mode doesn't work on component, but all three (Full Screen, Letterbox and Pan & Scan) work on composite. To check S-Video means dragging another 34cm down from my wife's grooming room. I'll see how I'm going for time later. When does this auction end?
Geoff1952 Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 I got the same drive based on Techo's recommendation. Worked a treat.Are you following the instructions provided to a T? - Format the USB drive and add a Label - Use winrar to extract the firmware from the appropriate s/w pack (I believe there is one for a rear USB and fron USB unit) - Put the extracted file/s onto the usb drive - Remove the power lead from the PVR - Plug in a yellow rca lead from the pvr to the TV, so that you can monitor the firmware update process - Plug the usb drive into the usb port - Plug-in the power lead for the PVR, switch-on the TV (selecting the correct source for the yellow-rca connection) and watch the firmware update I have recently purchased the HD250 and decided to upgrade the firmware as per instructions elsewhere on these pages. I used a Toshiba 1GB partitioned with a 128MB partition(FAT32) and the update worked straight off (on a rear USB model). However now it will not display or receive any channels at all, (I had them all before the update). If I could go back to its original software, I would.
Colin 2905 Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 However now it will not display or receive any channels at all, (I had them all before the update). Are you able to delete and re-scan them?
Geoff1952 Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 Are you able to delete and re-scan them? A full scan does not pick up anything so there are now no stored channels, TV or Radio.
Colin 2905 Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 A full scan does not pick up anything so there are now no stored channels, TV or Radio. Did you use the right firmware version (A_.....) for your (rear USB) unit? I have no idea what'd happen if you used L_..... on a rear USB unit, or A_..... on a front USB unit, as I've never been game to try it, just in case it wasn't reversible.
Geoff1952 Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 Did you use the right firmware version (A_.....) for your (rear USB) unit? I have no idea what'd happen if you used L_..... on a rear USB unit, or A_..... on a front USB unit, as I've never been game to try it, just in case it wasn't reversible. I used A_VS161005_T2.POL, downloaded from a link on a previous page. I just reconnected it to the TV etc, rescanned and came up with "NO VALID INFORMATION".
Colin 2905 Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 I just reconnected it to the TV etc, Checked the RF cable connections? (Sorry, I don't know your level of expertise, so I'm erring on the side of caution.)
pneu Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 I just dragged the 34cm 4:3 portable CRT out of the office and into the family room, where one of my DGTEC PVR's is. This particular 34cm has a component input in addition to the bog-standard composite input, but doesn't have S-Video. As much as a component input on that small a screen seems to be a wasted effort, it at least allowed me to confirm some of what you're looking for......Letterbox mode doesn't work on component, but all three (Full Screen, Letterbox and Pan & Scan) work on composite. To check S-Video means dragging another 34cm down from my wife's grooming room. I'll see how I'm going for time later. When does this auction end? Ah you went to too much effort there thanks. As long as full screen and pan&scan work thats great cos I can just put the TV into 16:9 letterbox mode for widescreen. This is the auction I'm looking at, ends tonight http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Dgtec-DG-HD160PVR-H...1QQcmdZViewItem Getting a bit pricey at $200+ , I was kinda hoping to pick one up for around $200, but I'm stingey .
Hipster_Doofus Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 From eBay link and it works great That would be enough to put me off. Every single one of these pvr's has some issues, whether big or small. Thankfully mine has only minor things going on with it although lately it has been behaving........if you treat it with kid gloves.
Geoff1952 Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 Checked the RF cable connections? (Sorry, I don't know your level of expertise, so I'm erring on the side of caution.) I had channels before the update. Applying the update has apparently made the channel scan function useless.
Geoff1952 Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 Checked the RF cable connections? (Sorry, I don't know your level of expertise, so I'm erring on the side of caution.) I had channels before the update. Applying the update has apparently made the channel scan function useless. Anyhow I will call Support tomorrow and see what they say.
Colin 2905 Posted April 6, 2008 Posted April 6, 2008 (edited) Getting a bit pricey at $200+ , I was kinda hoping to pick one up for around $200, but I'm stingey . And it went for $305, plus $25 postage! It was reported on this forum not that long ago that Myer has started selling them for $290 (or maybe it was $299), but they got one for $270 (from memory). Edited April 6, 2008 by Colin 2905
n1ck Posted April 7, 2008 Posted April 7, 2008 hi, im new to this forum but have been reading this thread over the last week. i bought an HD160gbpvrs - rear usb - and have updated the firmware using the dark blue topfield stick. im now trying to transfer files over to my laptop (and then convert to divx and burn). i discovered that i could transfer small (1.25gb!) files over with my 2gb Sandisk stick, but when it comes to 3 hour football matches recorded on HD channels theres no way it would fit on that stick! i went out today and bought a male to male usb1.1 cable to connect the box to my sony vaio but when i plugged it in there was no recognition at all. is there a certain way to do this or is the only way to transfer files of that size, to whip out the HDD and connect it as an extrenal harddrive? id be very reluctant to do this as although i probably could do it - its not exactly my speciality or area of expertise. please if you reply to this post, while i know my way around a computer, im abit iffy on all the terminology so try to explain as simply as possible! your help is much appreciated... i think i probably would have taken the box back to clive peeters if it wasnt for this thread and the help with the firmware! cheers guys - n1ck
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