Does anyone out there in HDTV land know how I can upgrade the firmware on my Sony DHG-HDD500? I have seen some reference to someone receiving a USB dongle from Sony to insert into USB port to upgrade the firmware on their unit. I want to avoid paying Sony the $151.70 flat rate charge to simply change the firmware. Also, is there a good reference website for this DVR? Any help would be most appreciated.
I checked the firmware version by checking the System option of the Menu section. It states 1.2.05 as the firmware version, which is the original version. Sony has added these upgrades so far 1.2.06, 1.2.09, and 1.2.13. These versions are to correct problems with the Comcast cards which allows one to receive encycpted digital programs using their card. There my be other problems fixed by the firmware upgrades I am not aware of. The reason I think I need a firmware upgrade is once or twice each week ALL the digital channels are heavily pixelated (but not the analog channels) making it impossible to record a HD program. I have Comcast as my provider of my OTA network HD programs. I do not use the Comcast card due the fact they no longer offer the card and perfers one to rent their DVR. I can receive the HD programs offered by ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS through the Comcast basic digital package, without having to rent their DVR.
FCC has mandated that cable providers offer the over-the-air broadcasted digital HD programs without having to rent additional boxes or cards. I have my Sony DVR connected to cable to record those programs broadcasted by the over-the-air networks.
If anyone knows a fix to my ocassional digital pixelation problem, without firmware upgrade, please advise.
Those are tough problems to diagnose but statistically it is the fault of the cable company, not the product.
Easiest way to prove it for good is rent their box! They are so thick headed and into avoidance of responsibility sometimes that is the only to get them to pay attention! If it still fails they HAVE to fix it
Attitudes as that only makes it more of a win for the MSOs'. Not with a letter and/or form to the;
1. FCC,
2. State Cable Commission,
3. Elected local and state repersentives.
4. Town agency that oversees the francise.
Type one letter with the details, make copies and send them out or e-mail them.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Actually, typing a letter and sending it to multiple people is far easier than erecting an antenna.
No one has answered the question of firmware updating. I have an early version that I use without cable card for over the air and QAM stations. I have wondered if they made any operational upgrades over time and if there was a way to update my unit. Any ideas? LewBob
I checked the firmware version by checking the System option of the Menu section. It states 1.2.05 as the firmware version, which is the original version. Sony has added these upgrades so far 1.2.06, 1.2.09, and 1.2.13. These versions are to correct problems with the Comcast cards which allows one to receive encycpted digital programs using their card. There my be other problems fixed by the firmware upgrades I am not aware of.
Beyond that I don't know. Silly question but has anybody contacted Sony to find out if it has to be sent in or can be done by the end user?
No I haven't checked with Sony. I guess it is worth a shot, or I can see if our service department can find out. If I get an answer I will post it. Thanks, LewBob
It does not appear the end user will be able to do this. There is nothing on the Sony site about how to upgrade the firmware for this product and I doubt an update would come through the TV Guide data stream. Looking at the unit the only exterior solution for an end user would be the ability to insert a USB flash drive in the back...
Smells like it will have to go to a Sony repair depot or local authorized service center.
I would like to update my original post for assistance for firmware. I have discovered my heavy pixelation may have something to do with TV Guide system within the machine. I have tried to upgrade the channel lineup by selecting Setup and checking the initial zipcode and carrier (Comcast) were correct and then selecting the channel lineup was incorrect option. I then waited 24 hours as suggested to rebuild the channel lineup. The pixelation would for the most part disappear, but after a few days it would reappear.
I discovered a possible solution quite by accident. I wanted to add a new digital channel and noticed the channel descriptions were missing on the TV Guide. I went back to Setup on the TV Guide menu and selected channel maintance to add or change channel lineup option. I noticed all the digital channels had been deselected by the previous updating requests. I then reselected the digital channels again with the appropriate call letters with its digital designation (ex. KTSCDT). I noticed the pixelation had disappeared again after the 24 hours waiting period. The pixelation problem has not reappeared now for the last three weeks. It seems the pixelation problem had been solved.
I believe when one changes or updates the channel lineup by letting the TV Guide system to do it for you overnight, which is what you should do initially. The updating process seems to eliminate the digital channels by deselecting them thus creating a signal conflict and the pixelation problem. The solution is to go back and make sure the digital channels are still selected, if not, select those channels manually. Doing this will get the program descriptions back and possibly correct the pixelation problem.
Thanks for the feedback and while anything is possible this would fall under the extremely weird. I would suggest coincidence; Comcast fixed a signal problem about the same time...
I am new to this site. I have SOny HD 200, 300, and just updated HDD250. HD 200 and 300 side by side both work perfectly fine and HDD250 next to other. HD250 picks all of local analog and Digital channels. but 98 percent of channel drops audio and vidio. while you are watching every minute, looses picture and make big cracking, noise. I am so tired and fed up with this problem. The issue is same like other persona is telling on first thread. all connected together soem reason HDD250 is f.....
I realize it is not software, or firm ware issue. It is hardware issue. I found some information about this issue with sony RF receiver used in this SOny HDD250 and 500. This type of RF interface with 2.4 Ghz or Wifi wireless frequency.
I called to sony but they are not taking this issue as official, but they will repair for $100.00 I am really pissed right now.
I found this information from Sound and vision site because I subscrive them.
I have attachment for you to see and if you find any other information let me know .
Thanks,
Raj
I did encounter one unexpected problem during setup. The HDD500 turned out to be sensitive to a 2.4-GHz RF transmitter that the SkipJam iMedia Center
