All updated and seems to be working ok!!

Remember to have your updates turned on and leave it on channel 71 for at least an hour.

Bodatron

Update on success.... One of my 860's had now updated - it needed to be powered off completely then back on again.

The other one never made it - it went into the power-on, "welcome", power off... death throws, so is now with the supplying dealer.

most recent software loaded, series timer setting has caused the 860 to go into power-off on cycling just like before.

Off to the dealer tomorrow, and I won't be asking for a repair or replacement.

Has this really worked??? Anyone else still having problems? The first atempt at updating failed, but tried again in the afternoon, now on v10. Seems ok, but not fully tested it yet......

Bodatron

Having left my 860 off for a week (hoping this would help to clear any memory related problems), I tried to turn it back on on Monday morning only to find my set didn't want to play at all.
I couldn't access the freeview, easysetup, or even the HDD which I had been able previously, albeit with some difficulty.

Got fed up with local Sony centres, contacted Amazon where I purchased it from, No problem sir, its still under guarantee send it back and we will replace it or refund and even send back your postage.

No wonder people shop on the net instead of Sony centres, its cheaper and a far better service.

Still thinking of buying the HXD870 though, any ideas on this

This is what I recently bought. Seem to have problems occasionally when turning on the unit to use and it go back into standby for no apparant reason. Series Link can be difficult to fathom sometimes and at the moment some people may prefer a comprehensive set of repeat timers (daily, weekday, weekly, weekend)

My parents have one of these and I want to ensure they get upgraded OK. Can you tell me how you find out the current version of the software that is installed?

From memory it's:

Menu button on remote.
system menu
dtv settings
technical information.

Leave the recorder switched on tuned to the appropriate channel for 40 mins or so and then hold in the standby button for 30 secs to reboot it.

If you want one last throw of the dice (can understand why you wouldn't) you could hold in the HDD button to make the unit reformat - that ought to blow away all the timers.

If that doesn't you're best off returning it before you hit it with something heavy!

Thanks, just guided my Mum through it, although I am slightly worried that Software Update might not be on, as it still seems to have the original software in it, but there was a period while they were turning it off at the wall over night.

There current Tech Info is as follows:

software version 1.01.10ce
loader version 1.00.00
hardware version b-050-00a-01

Does anyone have a list of fixes for all the updates issued so far over the air?

"If you want one last throw of the dice (can understand why you wouldn't) you could hold in the HDD button to make the unit reformat - that ought to blow away all the timers.

If that doesn't you're best off returning it before you hit it with something heavy"

yes, it was one failure too many, unfortunately. And as much as we do want a PVR with freeview, we need one that (a) works more than not (b) any problem/glitch able to be user resolved. and not lock us out totally, requiring enineering resets.

Not sure where I'm going from here, but unlikely to be Sony. With one 710 and 2 x 860's behind me, I am now convinced they do not produce robust firmware/software. Shame really, as all this makes Microsoft look reliable

I do hope they resolve it for all those folks who have the 860, just like I hoped for those with 710s.

Thats the updated version you have.

Bodatron

Yeah, noticed that yesterday after getting Mum to check the details after leaving it on CBeebies, and comparing it to the info I posted Whoops

Last time I used the PVR, I was supprised to see that it could not let you view another channel on the same MUX as a recording like my Humax. Does 1.01.10ce still not allow this?

Hmmmm, I'll have to check that out. Anyone else know??

Bodatron

But surely as there's only one tuner in the 860 you can't watch ANY other channel - regardless of what MUX it's on - when recording?

Good point!

bodatron

Well done that Sony Centre, you bought it from amazon, you get there service, why should they help, your not paying there wage.

Its only got one digital tuner so that pretty much means it can only make use of one channel at a time for watching or recording.

The Humax PVR Stone Free refers to is quite different though also a hard drive recorder. Its a twin tuner (and hence dual record) freeview only recorder, but with a slight difference to most other similar boxes. Its possible to record 2 different channels at the same time while still being able to watch a third channel, as long as the third channel is from one of the multiplexes being used by the two tuners. For example the Humax PVR is recording two programmes at the same time, say, Film4+1 and BBC News 24= two different multiplexes Mux1 and Mux2. Here you can watch any other 3rd channel live as long as its from the same multiplex that one of the tuners is on (fromMux 1 or 2), like BBC1, ITV1, BBC2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, BBC Three, CITV, CBBC etc. Another example is where one tuner can be recording BBC1 and BBC2 at the same time, leaving the second tuner free to use for 'watching' any other 3rd channel from any other multiplex. Channels in each mux: http://www.dtg.org.uk/retailer/dtt_channels.html

Ahhhhhhhhh, that DOES explain his question better. That's pretty good, it ALMOST does away with the need for a Freeview TV.

I no longer have an aerial pass through cable to my TVs built in Freeview tuner myself; part due to this reason and part because its seemless to manage all TV watching/timeshifting on the fly from one interface.

On the Sony, I have noticed that the machine can sometimes switch itself off after not long being switched on but I'm on the 870. Not sure if this is exactly the same problem as being covered by this thread?

Glad you agree, Amazon have provided me with an excellent service instead of the old Sony cop out.

Sony's first words on a problem with any of their faulty equipment are "to seek the help of your local Sony dealer who will be able to help you".

Good service is what keeps people in employment my friend, not ignorance to the problem.