[CJROSS]

Ray, the conversation went the same way as the others 3 I had - ie a ping pong between Sony > Sony Repair > then notification to Play that device was unrepairable, thus ready for refund from Play. I kept on about Play receiving the unit as I was within my right (thanks for earlier consumer rights guys) then Sony refunding them for the unit as it is clearly faulty. Great minds Ray about to pull the trigger on the Humax Freesat 1TB PVR direct from Humax 2 year guarantee £306.

Humax FOXSATHDR1TB Twin Tuner Freesat 1TB PVR - HUMAX UK Direct Sales Website

[ray_gillespie]

That's great news, looks like you got away without too much fuss in the end!

I'm a bit concerned that they'll try to give me some sort of crappy refurbished unit or, worse, just 'repair' mine. Having lost all my stuff once, I don't ever want to chance it again. Which specific problem did you identify to Play in order for them to get the ball rolling on this?

[CJROSS]

Originally Posted by ray_gillespie

Which specific problem did you identify to Play in order for them to get the ball rolling on this?

OS of box is not coping with OTA updates problems. Probably not factually correct but best way I could explain that I did not want a replacement as it will happen again (at this point in my mind). It is even worse tonight, bouncing around, picture dissapearing, when it does come back jerking everywhere. Not sure what Sony is doing but cancelling OADs is not helping the machines that are now duffed up.

Good luck Ray, keep everybody informed, information is powerful for us!

[mb1357]

Further post from the Sony Forum which doesnt sound great as this indicates the problems are being caused by the box trying to download every type of software update out there??

Written on 08-Jul-2011 16:46
Sony SVR HDT500
I have tried all of the workarounds recommended in previous posts, but they do not work.

Just returned from my local Sony Centre, where I am pleased to say that the box played up just as it does at home. After much head-scratching and checking that my box has the same firmware level as those in the shop, Sony Technical was contacted. The information provided was thus:-

- Sony have not recently issued any firmware updates to the SVR HDT500

- It is believed that the problem is caused by the Linux Operating System in the box attempting to execute firmware upgrades from other manufacturers (i.e. not ignoring them), which is causing the problems being described in this topic. As such turning Auto Update off will have no effect, as this will only prevent Sony firmware updates being applied.

- Sony are working on a fix (firmware upgrade?), with no estimate on availability.


It has been recommended that as updates occur overnight, that the box be unplugged from the mains and from the aerial. (None of the Sony Centre's boxes on display have the problem as they are turned off overnight, but hard luck if you want to record a programme that is broadcast then.)

In addition, if the above is done and a Repair Disk performed then all subsequent recordings made in the daytime or evening should playback ok. Any problematic recordings made prior to the instigation of the above process may never playback properly.

For those of you who are getting replacement boxes, Good Luck! Sony Centre would not replace my 3 month old box as they say it would have to go for repair for whenever a fix is available.

[nickt]

Originally Posted by ray_gillespie

Mine started doing this weird stuttering thing just before I lost all my recordings and the ability to record. I thought the two were related but apparently not, as no-one else's HD has died like mine (yet).

I've had exactly the same issue as Ray, think that HD has failed. Bought mine from Sony Centre, hope to exchange it (waiting to hear back), though disappointed at losing all recordings. Let me know if there's anyway of resuscitating it. HDD failure may be related to software update, noticed a repetitive noise like the HD was spooling up over the last few days, suppose this will become more clear if more hard drives fail.

Nick

[mb1357]

I have asked the Sony guy on their forum the following question will advise on the response:


Written on 08-Jul-2011 18:59
Sony SVR HDT500
Mr Sony-Tech can you kindly confirm that only OTA's made by Sony are the issue here as another member seems to have had contrasting information via a Sony Centre


Should we turn off the Auto update function as a precaution or is this just for TV channel listing updates


Many thanks

[Captainkremmen]

Originally Posted by mb1357

- It is believed that the problem is caused by the Linux Operating System in the box attempting to execute firmware upgrades from other manufacturers (i.e. not ignoring them), which is causing the problems being described in this topic. As such turning Auto Update off will have no effect, as this will only prevent Sony firmware updates being applied.

- Sony are working on a fix (firmware upgrade?), with no estimate on availability.

That's interesting. As far as I am aware there are three PVRs that share much of the same internals, namely the Humax Fox T2 and the Digitalstream PVRs. Digitalstream haven't done any OAD updates yet, they are all done via website download and USB. However, Humax HAVE had OAD updates for the Fox T2 over the last few days. Could it be the Sony is trying to apply the update for the Humax?. If so, then I am not surprised it has caused major problems.

[Loopthrough]

There could be something in the Humax update thing - as I only got my box on Monday and it's been faultless. I assume it hadn't picked up any Humax update in that time.

[callwing]

we've been suffering from an intermittent loss of picture and sound during play back fault for a few days now which others have reported here. As we also have an old Alba freeview recorder we've been duplicating recordings to that for the last couple of days in case we need to return our Sony to Amazon. We just watched an episode of Family Guy on the Sony which kept having the blank screen / no sound problem every few minutes and interestingly when we watched the same programme recorded through the Alba the sound stuttered at the same places as the picture/sound dropped out on the Sony. There was no loss of picture through the Alba though. I'm wondering if our aerial connections are at fault but can't understand why/how. Coincidence or what?

[mb1357]

Humax HD OTA was schduled for:

Wed 06-07-2011
10am
to Fri 08-07-2011
9am
HumaxHD-FOX T2 / HDR-FOX T2 / HDR-FOX T2/1TB1.02.20N

Problems with the boxes started before this so I am sure it all points to the Sony TV OTA updates which started on 04/07 at 10.00am until 06/07 and have now apparently been put on hold (more were lined up for 09/07 and 11/07) although that doesnt help the boxes all of which will by now have been corrupted

[tdbmoss]

Originally Posted by OrmeMac

Just seen this from Sony - finger's crossed it works.

"Our investigation have identified that the issue affecting the SVR-HDT500 and 1000 is caused by changes to the Over Air Downloads on the HD MUX. As a temporary measure the scheduled OAD's have been suspended while we continue to investigate this issue. With the OAD's suspended this should prevent further issues for customers."

Thanks - it looks like it is ok for now as I just went into the menu and ran the manual search for over the air updates and it did the more usual thing of searching for a couple of minutes and then saying there was no update available - while the problem was happening this week it was rebooting the box after a few seconds of starting the search, which was presumably why it then kept turning on and off after it searches at 3am for updates.

Current firmware on mine is 4.10.r7993 which I think is the same as everyone else's.

[mb1357]

Originally Posted by tdbmoss

Thanks - it looks like it is ok for now as I just went into the menu and ran the manual search for over the air updates and it did the more usual thing of searching for a couple of minutes and then saying there was no update available - while the problem was happening this week it was rebooting the box after a few seconds of starting the search, which was presumably why it then kept turning on and off after it searches at 3am for updates.

Current firmware on mine is 4.10.r7993 which I think is the same as everyone else's.

Would appreciate if you could run the test again tomorrow to ensure no scheduled OTA updates are affecting it; I am loathe to connect up my replacement box when it eventually arrives which I know probably is selfish!

Mike

[den123]

this as worked on my box. 1 do factory rest 2 disc repair 3 turn off automatic updates then its fine

[E Shaw]

Well touch wood mine is now working perfectly again

[pioneer_user]

I have been suffering the same lip sync problems and corrupt video for the last couple of days. I found that the Repair Disk function cleared the problem but could only be done after any recordings have finished. To preempt the problem I have just done a Repair Disk and like someone else I have lost all my recordings. I wish I had got around to backing-up my treasured recordings to an external drive but trusted a make like Sony would not to be problematic, how wrong I was. This has really hacked me off!
I cannot believe how riddled this product is for usability, I really feel I have made a mistake in buying this machine.

[stuw67]

When I carried out the disk repair, all my recordings are still there. The lip sync issue is to date resolved. But something happened last week and I am not sure we have the reason for it.

[Loopthrough]

Oh dear! I think I spoke to soon. I keep getting blacking out of the picture during HDD playback and my Sony TV comes up with "out of range" and then the picture returns!

Is a reset the best way to deal with this, and will I lose my timer schedules?

(and to think I changed to a Sony after the infamous Philips!!)

[pioneer_user]

Just to amplify my above post. I have used the Repair Disk several times in the past without loosing data but the last time I did loose the data. I now do not trust this option.

[CJROSS]

The mass failures we are seeing with this particualr box / OS & OTA updates, does not bode well for Freeview IMHO. Have had problems in the past with my BTVision box, a Humax 8000T that stopped working properly after changes in channel listings. I simply retuned to make sure all new channels were on the device and then suffered this disaster.

Freesat next for me, I had no problems with my Sky HD box at all. Just the cost of it for watching HD content drove me nuts. So Freesat is where I am heading brothers.

[OrmeMac]

Repaired my disk and lost all recordings as well! Thankfully I tend to record most things on two boxes where possible in case of any problems arising.

My take on Sony's statement is that a change has been made to the on-air delivery system and it is this that is/was causing problems. I don't think it was related to any specific download itself, just the delivery mechanism.

[den123]

how do you change settings to take out the commercials thanks

[OrmeMac]

Originally Posted by den123

how do you change settings to take out the commercials thanks

I don't think you can edit them out but you can make it quite easy to skip over them.

Adjust the times for the instant replay/instant advance buttons to 15 seconds/60 seconds. As most ad breaks are 4 minutes long you just press the advance button four times and you're done. I think this is in the setup menu but it's covered on page 35 of the manual.

[callwing]

Originally Posted by CJROSS

The mass failures we are seeing with this particualr box / OS & OTA updates, does not bode well for Freeview IMHO. Have had problems in the past with my BTVision box, a Humax 8000T that stopped working properly after changes in channel listings. I simply retuned to make sure all new channels were on the device and then suffered this disaster.

Freesat next for me, I had no problems with my Sky HD box at all. Just the cost of it for watching HD content drove me nuts. So Freesat is where I am heading brothers.

same goes for me - my Sony box is going back to Amazon. But which is the best Freesat box?? - problems, problems.......

[tdbmoss]

Originally Posted by mb1357

Would appreciate if you could run the test again tomorrow to ensure no scheduled OTA updates are affecting it; I am loathe to connect up my replacement box when it eventually arrives which I know probably is selfish!

Mike

Seems fine again today, no problem when checking for updates or with letting it check at 3am last night, so seems this is sorted for now at least.

[BMCF56]

I've had the same problem with my Sony SVR-HDT1000. From reading the earlier posts, it seems that this is due to a software problem. I bought the recorder in April and it has worked fine until the last week. The TV picture now freezes or breaks up, and the sound is often out of sync with the picture.

I have tried using my digital TV with its own aerial signal and this works fine, as does my old Humax hard-disk recorder. I have checked the aerial signal strength and quality and this is good. I have tried replugging the HDMI cable but this has not corrected the problems with the HDMI output. I bought my device from Play.com and I have emailed them but have not yet received a reply.

I subsequently tried a factory reset to restore the default settings. The device is now playing old recordings without any apparent problems. For the time being, I've disconnected the device from the aerial input, so I've not been able to see if it will play a live TV signal without problems or whether the same faults will recur. Once I've had confirmation that Sony have resolved the problems with the OTA update, I'll reconnect the aerial. I still have my old Humax recorder and I am currently using this to make new recordings.

[CJROSS]

I bought mine in April from Play.com for £330, and I am returning mine dude (once you get around the slopey shouldered attitude of Play to take back the unit and the ding dong back and forth with Sony CS, Sony cannot repair them can they? the repair shop Sony directed me to said so - they were looking for an uplift charge to check out the box - only to tell me they'd not be able to repair it), I'll watch this device for the next few months - real shame as it had the potential to be a cracker, my advice is that if you get a chance to hand it back and get a refund, I'd be doing that. I have spent the weekend recording all the audio off Glasto & Later. Would have been nicer to take my time.

Something is seriously amiss if an OTA update can affect so many people at the same time, around the UK - we are talking here of a £400 box, hardly cheap. In that respect I don't want another unit as the OS is rubbish. I dont want this happening after my warranty period expires in 9 months time. Worth noting here chaps what a warranty with Play.com means these days. For those awaiting contact, I have a courier arriving to take my unit back to Play on thursday. Play CS said on Friday I'd get an email about the return procedure, I am still waiting.

[Loopthrough]

I'm sorry others have had problems but I've got to say mine is flawless. It had a slight "blacking out" hiccup but since a reset it has been flawless again.

As for Play.com, I have been burned by their bad returns/customer service policy before for other items, and since avoid them. Have never had problems with Amazon, Peter Tyson and Sevenoaks service, though.

[Loopthrough]

Just a random point to add, but watch out with these Sony/Digitalstream units - as mentioned before if you use a "high end" HDMI cable near them or their ariel socket it can cause interference and picture breakups etc for some reason.

I know that isn't your problems, but just thought I should add it.

[mb1357]

Got my replacement box and all is fine

[gary71]

My box has been pretty much OK since the updates were stopped. I've not unplugged it, but I did reset it Saturday morning before asking it to record the GP qualifying just in case.

Problems that continue are:

1. Occasionally slow response to 'guide' and 'title' list buttons.
2. Quits timeshift when a recording starts on a different channel.
3. Jumps to 'now' when you press record on something you are watching on a 'timeshift' so missing out the amount you have shifted by from the recording.

I imagine the last two are purely software configuration that could be fixed.