My new PVR appears to have a Software fault?!

When playing back recordings from the HDD the picture suddenly freezes on some recordings. After a short delay (up to 60 seconds) the playback usually continues. If I watch the recording again, it will freeze at the same place every time.

If I edit the recording (A-B) and delete the section with the problem in it, then it is ok - so I deduce there is a problem with the data recorded onto the disk.

I found out that if you 'power off' the PVR while the screen is frozen, then when you turn the PVR back on again, then the HDD is automatically repaired and the recording is not there any more!

the SW version is V1.15.

Sony have replied to try a 'factory reset' but warn that this will erase all recordings on the Hard Drive - useful!

Anyone else had similar problems or identified cause. Maybe it is a 'glitch' in the recording due to interference?!

IK

I've experienced this,and would agree with you,its seems to be a recording fault.

Thanks for the reply. I have not seen anyone else reporting this fault on this site or AVForums.

Since registerring the problem, I have lost count of the number of freezes I have experienced. I have had E01 and E02 error messages and reformatted the HDD at least 3 times.

Of course I have lost unwatched programmes and edited stuff I wanted to record to the DVD, as a result.

Wish I had never purchased it.

I've got a Sony similar to the model that you have.

I've had a look at the AVforums and it would appear that the E01 and E02 errors are a Hard Drive partition error.

The Hard Drive may be faulty. But theres a chance that the Hard Drive isn't faulty but if it isn't faulty then it will require a re-format from the Engineer's menu just to establish exactly what the problem is.

Note that anything you do to the Hard Drive in the normal menus WILL NOT WORK. To possibly recover the Hard Drive, you MUST purchase a Service Remote for this model of DVD Recorder in order to access the Engineer's menu to resolve any Hard Drive related problems. Either that or a Harmony all-in-one remote which you have to program to act as a Service Remote.

Normally, the E01 error only appears after upgrading the Hard Drive. So this leads me to believe that theres a problem somewhere with the Hard Drive. If you don't want to go down the Service Remote route then your only other option is to take your DVD Recorder to your local Sony Service Centre for a repair.

To try to recover from,error E02,the manual(page 157) suggests holding the power/standby button,on the recorder,not remote control,for more than five seconds,until the recorder turns.
That should clear the problem,if not then a format of the hard drive is required.

As I could not get DABS to agree to replace the box, I had it looked at by a SONY authorised repairer.

I am pleased to report that the HDD was damaged (probably dropped in transit) and since a new one was fitted I have been using the box as I should have been able to, from the start. I am impressed with the quality and functionality - despite the problems.