topic Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels in Home Cinema, Projectors & Players

Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

topcattim — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 22:23:38 GMT

This evening my HDD has lost use of digital channels. It gives me a 3 second picture and burst of sound, and then a silent blank screen. The Electronic Programme Guide has changed its appearance, becoming a more vibrant blue - only a few channels have information and it only shows for a few seconds before disappearing.

It is running firmware version 1.24 which I have tried to update to version 1.7 from the Sony website instructions here. I've copied the update to a CD and finalised the disk. When I put it in the HDD tray, and press record stop at the same time as play, it closes the tray, for a few seconds and then spits it out and closes again really quickly but doesn't seem to update the firmware. Certainly I don't get the series of messages about Download-2, 3, 4, etc. When I check the version again, it is still showing version 1.24. I've tried burning a couple of CDs but they both fail to work in exactly the same way.

I've done an Easy Setup, and also a factory reset (stop + power off on the machine). I've also done a factory reset followed by two minutes with the power turned off. All of these have failed.

Can anyone advise me what I should do next?

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

EFBenson — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 00:02:09 GMT

You may have realised by now that you're not alone (see previous two topics to this one) - different versions of the HDD recorder all going wrong tonight with no previous problems. It has to be a Sony automatic update problem and we can only hopw they fix it soon. If it's any consolation my firmware update to 1.70 seemed to be going well but is stuck now on 'download-5', and people who've got 1.70 seem to be in the same boat anyway.

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

EFBenson — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 00:03:54 GMT

that's 'next topics' of course, not previous - I read them in reverse order!

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

Mark_IV — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 06:16:09 GMT

I have exactly the same symptoms that started last night (19/7/13), ie It gives me a 3 second picture and burst of sound, and then a silent blank screen. The Electronic Programme Guide has changed its appearance, becoming a more vibrant blue - only a few channels have information and it only shows for a few seconds before disappearing. The difference is that I already have the 1.7 bios that I updated a long time ago. I have auto update on and assume an update has been applied that has made the unit useless except ro watch DVDs or programmes previously recorded. THis morning when I looked at it ut says UPDATE on the front panel and all buttons are unresponsive. Come on Sony - we expect better from you!

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

Sneekychalker — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 08:25:26 GMT

I have a RDR-HXD770 and my mum has the RDR-HXD890 and both of our machines are having exactly the same problems as the people on this forum...both started yesterday evening (19/07/2013). I tried to re-tune thinking it may be connected to the 4G launch thing, but that didn't work. I thought I would check the internet to see if others are having the same problems before trying anything more drastic. It's clearly something external to our machines if it's happening to all of us, which is reassuring and means Sony should by now be aware of it and working on resolving it.

The machines say they are running an update now and have been since I woke up at 6am this morning, so I will just let that run it's course and hopefully that'll resolve the problem...hopefully by this evening as I'm recording the second part of a series!!!!

PS: Can't believe a giant corpoaration like Sony only staff's it's helpline 9-5 weekdays...appaling customer service by modern standards.

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

MinaH131 — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 08:56:14 GMT

I think it's an issue with the guide which is being sorted out which needs to be sorted out with an update. I was on manual updates and I had the same problem. Looking on the Net a problem with guides occured in Australia relatively recently. Has anyone seen anything official from Sony?

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

MCCONP — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 09:04:37 GMT

Same problem with my HXD970. Happened last night. EPG lost but can watch saved recordings. Come on Sony...Get your finger out!!!!

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

Malty01 — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 09:16:10 GMT

I have an HXD970 and I am having exacly the same problem. Come on Sony - I missed the highlights of the second days play at Lords because of this.

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

jimcade — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 09:19:49 GMT

RDR-HXD970 Channels vanished last night, tried retune but made no difference. EPG was visible (briefly) but looked a strange green & mainly blank. Recorder will play DVD and recorded programs but no TV channels. Powered off (mains) overnight, little change although digital channel 1 (BBC1) appears BUT NOTHING ELSE. Guide (EPG) does function.

Reluctant to mess further with firmware upgrades until SONY advise (PLEASE)...

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

sfnchz — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 09:34:40 GMT

RDR-HXD90 here with exactly the same situation . . . But, before I was aware of this forum I downloaded the firmware update, burnt to CD ok and the update seemed to be going well but it has now stuck at DOWNLOAD-5

HELP, how do I turn it off so I can wait for the SONY advise . . ?

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

alan_bartley — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 09:36:20 GMT

Hi We have three Sony RDR-HXD870 all lost ability to tune to stations, all the same display. Could scan to add new channels and play already recorded programs. All three were downloading when I left this morning - hope this resolves problems

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

Salty-Seadog — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 09:38:25 GMT

I have also been pulling my hair out with this one since last night. I own 3 Sony PVR's two of which are suffering the same symptoms. These are a RDR-HXD870 & 1070. I also own a SVR-HDT1000 which is fine. This does seem to use different EPG software. I too e-mailed Sony last night, with no response. At least when the symton first occured you did have some functionality, I was thinking that I needed to do the firmware update, but now both machines are stuck in UPDATE and you can't do anything.

As I can work away from home from time to time I tend to record everything I want to watch and never really watch anything live. The Sony equipment has been reliable upto now. But this episode is giving me doubts as a customer with many other Sony devices. I always thought it was worth paying a little bit more for a quality brand and I am now having my doubts.

I have already been looking at replacement products on the market and need to decide when enough is enough.

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

kalheartist — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 10:45:26 GMT

I too have had exactly the same problems with my RDR-HXD870. It has worked well for the the last 5 years and I have been extremely pleased with it, I rely on it heavily and now feel at a loss without it!! (I know! It sounds silly doesn't it?!!). I will be contacting Sony (as soon as the customer service opens again :smileyconfused:!!).

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

jimcade — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 10:57:37 GMT

Should read;

EPG guide does NOT function...

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

890737va — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 10:57:40 GMT

My HDX870 also lost all channels on Friday evening. Now locked in update mode. Tried a soft reboot - no change, and a hard reboot - no change.

Fed-up, but at least I am not alone

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

kalheartist — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 11:06:56 GMT

Do you mean the title should read or WE should read? Jimcade?

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

rburton41 — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 11:17:07 GMT

Your symptoms are exactly same as mine.
I have tried everything.
Tried reloading the firmware again. Even that fails. I thought the tuner was broken. Any ideas anyone?

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

stevied — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 11:17:10 GMT

So did I.

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

sfnchz — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 11:21:13 GMT

..well, after an hour or so I turned it off at the wall, turned it on again and it seems to be in the same state as before but the Firmware is listed as the updated version 1.24 . . . So, a very tentative Bingo! here, at least . . .

Re: Hard disk RDR-HXD870 lost digital channels

stevied — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 11:25:38 GMT

I think that the worst aspect of this is the way Sony are uncontactable at weekends. I have a Sony Bravia TV, surround sound system and DVD recorder. This is so frustrating. Inundate the local Sony shop. I phoned them thinking they would say they knew all about it but no one else has phoned them! They very helpfully gave me the number of the Sony helpline which only works during the week. I can't wait for the usual "We apologise for any inconvinience caused by this problem." Of course they do. I have already written to the Guardian about this and suggest we all really make a fuss and not just lie down. Write to the managing director of the UK operation. Write to the BBC who are a major customer of Sony's.