TV Guide on Screen - Does it work for anyone ?

[BillRG]

I recently purchased a Toshiba 27HLV95 which includes the free TV Guide on Screen service.

I am using it with a CableCard from Comcast.

Most of the channels are showing up as "No Listing". I have a strong signal, and yes the TV is left off but plugged in at night.

An example is this - On Saturday I checked and did a search on ALL HDTV MOVIES. The only thing that showed up was every movie on STARZ for the following Tuesday. We also subscribe to HBO, and I have seen other network listings in the past. I repeated this yesterday (Sunday) and today. The only thing I get is all the movies on STARZ for tommorrow.

I am getting the feeling that technically everything is working, but whoever is supposed to update the data base is on vacation.

Is it me, or is anyone else having the same problem.

Bill

[Ratman]

TVGoS is very limited with it's accuracy from what I've read. You are not the only complaint.

It wouldn't surprise me if the cable companies sabotouged the signal. :)

[Teal]

How does the local PBS look, whats its signal reading, TVGOS is transmitted over PBS.

[Ratman]

Yes it is... but there is no way of knowing what happens to the TVGoS info/signal when 'passed through' the cable provider.

Maybe an antenna would help diagnose.

[Teal]

Good idea,
Also does the Cable line go through anything like a monster cable power strip,VCR?
Is it on a splitter?
Have you called Toshiba?

[BillRG]

OK thanks - I will try some of these suggestions.

Our PBS is WGBH Channel 2 and WGBH-DT Channel 802. I assume it is 802.

The cable comes in the house, goes to a four way amplified splitter, then into four branches. One of these is the new Toshiba in the living room.

Another experiment besides using an antenna would be to go straight to the TV and not use the splitter.

Each experiment will require an overnight wait period to allow a new update to happen. There may be a complaint from the kitchen if my wife loses her Lifetime Channel temporarily :-)

I am in the Boston area and get good antenna reception.

I also have been in touch with Toshiba - I am very favorably impressed with their Support.

I'll post my findings on here in case others are in the same boat.

Bill

[dons459]

I think when you use the cable card you cant have the tv guide or vod. At least the first generation of cable cards wont let you.

[Ratman]

Different "guides".
CableCard does not support the IPG from the cable provider.
TVGoS is a different type of EPG that is x-mitted from (usually) a PBS station.

So... no dependency on CableCard.

[57U]

The first generation of CableCARDs are certainly "one way", meaning no VOD, IPG, etc. See the HDTV FAQ "Can I get digital cable".

If you can connect the cable directly without going through the CableCARD (as an option for example), then you may get an IPG.

[BillRG]

Latest Observation -

The evening before last I did a reset and forced it to reload the channel lineup and then update the listings. This process took until last evening, after which I had a very thorough listing thru tonight. This was with one exception - no listing for HBO or CINEMAX. I checked this morning and found the listing had added info for next Monday and Tuesday. Again no HBO/CINEMAX.

My take on it- the lack of listings for Thursday thru Sunday is probably a technical problem. The lack of HBO/CINEMAX looks like somebody is mad at somebody else and is not posting the data.

I am going to bug Toshiba today, since as a user I don't know where else in this chain of information flow I can get someone to talk to. Since this is a free service, my only comeback is the manufacturer that put the TV Giide logo on the set, has a button labeled "Guide", and devotes several pages in the user manual to the subject.

[Ratman]

FWIW... maybe this will help some (from http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14412549~days=9999~fmode=nest )

TVGOS not working issues should only be understood well by the very people who designed the TVGOS product and it's data-stream. TVGOS data-stream HOST-CHANNEL stations like PBS13 [WNET] or cable provider like RCN/Camcast/Cablevision/etc., does not have knowledge to troubleshoot TVGOS.

If you use a CABLECARD (programmed by your cable provider for your TV/DVR), make sure you still get your "analog/NTSC" TVGOS HOST-CHANNEL for your ZIPCODE (HOST-CHANNELS are pre-assigned to ZIPCODES). It is possible that CABLECARD is programmed so that PBS13 [WNET] is mapped to the digital simulcast that does not yet have the ATCS version of the TVGOS data-stream. Gemstar TVGOS is still working on the "digital/ATSC" version (Q4 2005 or Q1 2006, as I hear so far).

I suggest you get in touch with Gemstar TVGOS support at 800-386-7380. Leave messages till you are responded to and please be very patient with the small tech-support team there (who seem to be already very occupied). They have been very helpful in my case.

My TVGOS case in short:
- I have Comcast. My head-end is "Comcast of Central NJ".
- My ZIPCODE of 08852 (South Brunswick, NJ) maps to HOST-CHANNEL of analog PBS13 [WNET] of New York Metro.
- Since my Pana Plasma TV purchase in early Aug 2005, TVGOS worked very well.
- On 8 Oct 2005, Channel-line up in TVGOS disappeared (empty TVGOS LISTING & can't go to TVGOS CHANNEL-EDITOR) but interestingly while I waited to see if things correct itself for over 2 weeks, 'most' program-listing continued to be downloaded (seen via the current channel "TV's INFO button" or via TVGOS SEARCH).
- I reset Pana TV to factory with Pana Support...TVGOS does not initialize at all...TVGOS did not work.
- I bought another LG TV with TVGOS...TVGOS does not initizlize at all...TVGOS did not work.
- Opened case with Gemstar TVGOS Support.
- TVGOS Support provided me alternate-ZIPCODE 08541 (Princeton, NJ) to force TVGOS to use a different HOST-CHANNEL of PBS12 [WHYY] or Fox29 [WTXF] of Philadelphia Metro...TVGOS starts to work and channel-lineup is compatible.
- TVGOS Support tells me that HOST-CHANNEL PBS13 [WNET] has a problem (and they also tell me that this serves their biggest market)...they have opened an investigation now.
- I will use the alternate-ZIPCODE till TVGOS Support tells me that WNET data-stream issue is rectified.

You can use the TVGOS Diag to determine if you have a HOST-CHANNEL or not. This is a basic check you can perform yourself:
- Highlight TVGUIDE -> SETUP -> Change System Settings. Do not "select" it...just highlight it.
- Enter 753 159 852
- Press left/right arrow to move within pages in a SECTION.
- Press up/down arow to move between SECTIONS.
- If HOST-CHANNEL is blank or 0xFFFF in SECTION SYSTEM - STATISTICS, HOST-CHANNEL pre-assigned to your ZIPCODE is either not found or the TVGOS data-stream it carries has some problem.
- Press TVGUIDE to exit.

Looks like you're not the only one:
Looks like a pattern here! Just hooked up my new Panasonic DVR (DMR-EH50S) to my digital RCN cable box in Boston and can't get the TV Guide data to download. I have read about people using other zip codes - but I'm not sure what to try. Has anyone had success yet? Do I need to change a channel to analog somehow? Is it channel 78? I called RCN - they have no clue + put me on hold to research. The final answer was a recommendation to rent their DVR box. The rep never heard of downloading TV Guide data except for RCN equipment. TVGOS.com is of no help. I'm hoping one of you finally found a solution + can help me out.