1760 replies to this topic

[PVE]

This thread has been started at the suggestion of aqua. It is intended for OWNERS of either of the two models listed in the description and is intended for both POSITIVE and NEGATIVE remarks.  The unit works effectively, that cannot be disputed. It exhibits a steady and impressive HD picture. It records effectively and reliably. It's recording limitations were known factors when the PVR was released. It is the experiences of users that should be recorded here.
This is a copy of a recent posting under the original thread. Please feel free to contribute. I feel an urge to name it after its original owner - say, the 'Madelaide column'

1. The editing functions simply do not work AT ALL. It creates copies of the original file but these bear no relation to what you asked it to do. 1. I have split two programs - one of which was LO CI and SVU. The split was at the opening credits for CI and the files showed 1.00.00 and 1.09.00. Yet the first file ran for about 24 minutes and the second for 85 minutes. A previous attempt yielded a similarly strange result. Yes, the original file is retained so you can go back to it.

2. The universal remote does not work AT ALL. There is a code list included for a broad range of product brands and types. I have been unable to get any of them to work.

3. The Skip function does not work AT ALL. As a USEABLE tool it is entirely hopeless. You may as well include a 'random' function which will skip from 5 seconds to 3 minutes according to how it happens to feel at the time. Perhaps it could be called the 'lucky dip' function.LG could not seriously be selling this as a feature. Why not a simple predetermined skip which works so effectively on the Humax?

Edited by PVE, 20 March 2006 - 11:07 AM.

[Patrik]

More information, including the pdf manual can be obtained at:
LG

[rexjamo]

PVE, on Mar 20 2006, 11:59 AM, said:

1. The editing functions simply do not work AT ALL. It creates copies of the original file but these bear no relation to what you asked it to do. 1. I have split two programs - one of which was LO CI and SVU. The split was at the opening credits for CI and the files showed 1.00.00 and 1.09.00. Yet the first file ran for about 24 minutes and the second for 85 minutes. A previous attempt yielded a similarly strange result. Yes, the original file is retained so you can go back to it.

I disagree that the editing functions don't work at all. I have tried the 'save part' function to delete the stuff before the beginning and after the end of a recorded show and it worked fine. Its definately a bit slow compared to my Pioneer HDD/DVD recorder though.

[Dik]

Here's an undocumented feature that's really usefull, and asked for by many. I can't find it in either the manual or the forum.

While playing back a recording press the Enter button Θ twice to bring up the progress display. Then use the Up ▲ & Down ▼ (above & below Enter Θ) to move rapidly in the program. The time for each step seems variable, and my best estimate is it is 2% of the total program time. Press & Hold the Up ▲ & Down ▼ buttons to move very fast through the program.

Unlike the FF functions there is no picture advance and you must watch the time remaining clock to see where you are.

Best of luck,
Dik

[JohnZA]

i'm not sure what all the fuss is about but if the aim off editing is to burn the material to a dvd then why cant you just do it thru your dvd recorders (i have a pana eh60) editing tool?

Once I watch something pre recorded on my Strong SD PVR it gets deleted. If i'm going to burn it on a dvd then I transfer it to my pana dvd recorder.....a quicker way is to have both units set on timer so that way it gets recorded on both HD's at the same time..

[PVE]

Thanks Dik. That is a very useful feature as it enables you to stop a recording and then quickly get back to it when you resume. It also enables you to quickly find the start of the second of consecutive recordings.  That is a good feature.

The editing function is not operating as the manual suggests it should.  It should split files.  True, you can 'top and tail' but that is not my point.  My point is it won't split files with any degree of accuracy. It has nothing to do with recording to DVD. There's nothing out there that I feel I must have a permanent copy of. To me it's about separating files and labelling them and editing the overrun out. Neither of these work reliably, or if they do they take so long it is not worth considering.

Thanks again Dik - how on earth did you figure that out??

[Patrik]

JohnZA, on Mar 20 2006, 02:33 PM, said:

i'm not sure what all the fuss is about but if the aim off editing is to burn the material to a dvd then why cant you just do it thru your dvd recorders (i have a pana eh60) editing tool?

Once I watch something pre recorded on my Strong SD PVR it gets deleted. If i'm going to burn it on a dvd then I transfer it to my pana dvd recorder.....a quicker way is to have both units set on timer so that way it gets recorded on both HD's at the same time..

John, I think your missing the point... This LG unit alongside a Toshiba and a few other selected PVR's comes with dual "digital" High Definition tuners and a 250GB hard disk.

Members of this forum are simply testing the functionality of this brand new unit. PVR's with Dual HD Tuners and 250GB Hard Drives are extremely scares and we are simply testing the product and reporting on this usually buggy technology. The reasons for editing are not relevant to this discussion.

My opinion on DVD recorders: "False promises to the technically challenged".

[PVE]

My opinion on DVD recorders: "False promises to the technically challenged".
[/quote]

Ditto.

[Dik]

PVE, on Mar 20 2006, 02:20 PM, said:

Thanks again Dik - how on earth did you figure that out??

Same way as everything, keep pushing all the buttons until it either works or breaks.

I really like this feature and also use it on the Strong 5390 where you bring up the OSD with Enter, pause and then FF/RW.

Best of luck,
Dik

[PVE]

Further experimentation with the edit functions confirms that even the 'save part' edit function does not work. The file is described as 1hr55min but 35 minutes into the replay the recording ends. To repeat myself - this is not 'better' or 'different'  - it is a straight 'does not work'

[Groover !]

Dik, on Mar 20 2006, 11:51 AM, said:

Here's an undocumented feature that's really usefull, and asked for by many. I can't find it in either the manual or the forum.

While playing back a recording press the Enter button Θ twice to bring up the progress display. Then use the Up ▲ & Down ▼ (above & below Enter Θ) to move rapidly in the program. The time for each step seems variable, and my best estimate is it is 2% of the total program time. Press & Hold the Up ▲ & Down ▼ buttons to move very fast through the program.

Unlike the FF functions there is no picture advance and you must watch the time remaining clock to see where you are.

Best of luck,
Dik

Thanks Dik great tip bud .
Ive used mine and so far (touch wood) its going great. Its nice to be able to tape the Ch90 loop and show of the Panel when ever I want

[cwt]

Now I have my 5402 ; I can take back my toshi s25 to fix the auto start-up it likes to inflict. The toshi seems a bit sharper through RGB/HV than the LG on the same. I would expect an improvement over HDMI of course .  The LG has probably been optomised for this.  Anybody compared the 2 outputs ?? [HDMI v/s Dsub15] .Any comments will help me narrow down the inputs needed on any new projector in the future.  Thanks; colin.

[Dik]

PVE, on Mar 20 2006, 05:53 PM, said:

Further experimentation with the edit functions confirms that even the 'save part' edit function does not work. The file is described as 1hr55min but 35 minutes into the replay the recording ends. To repeat myself - this is not 'better' or 'different'  - it is a straight 'does not work'

Well, I spent most of last night deleting parts, saving parts and splitting. While the speed of the process leaves a lot to be desired I cannot get it to fail. Maybe you are doing something wrong.

Select the recording and select the function. At the appropriate point, with the progress display up, push the blue button. FF to the next point and again with the progress display up push the blue button. FF a little bit more so you can clearly see the part that is to be saved or deleted highlighted in purple. Then Stop the recording and answer yes to the question. Then wait for a very long time - mostly.

I did a FF through all my splits etc to check that they were all there, and they were.

(By the way, Recording Ends popping up on the screen does not mean the recording you are watching has ended, it means a timer recording, that has been recording in the background, has just finished recording.)

Best of luck,
Dik

[cwt]

Dik, on Mar 21 2006, 01:07 PM, said:

Well, I spent most of last night deleting parts, saving parts and splitting. While the speed of the process leaves a lot to be desired I cannot get it to fail. Maybe you are doing something wrong.

Select the recording and select the function. At the appropriate point, with the progress display up, push the blue button. FF to the next point and again with the progress display up push the blue button. FF a little bit more so you can clearly see the part that is to be saved or deleted highlighted in purple. Then Stop the recording and answer yes to the question. Then wait for a very long time - mostly.

I did a FF through all my splits etc to check that they were all there, and they were.

(By the way, Recording Ends popping up on the screen does not mean the recording you are watching has ended, it means a timer recording, that has been recording in the background, has just finished recording.)

Best of luck,
Dik

Right about the edit modes Dik ; had no problems yet . The progress bar skip you discovered is in the manual - just poorly explained ; leaving half the relevant info out.                                                                                                                                                                               To praphrase ; smart skip provides scene selection in either replay or skip forward modes. Now I dont mind not having book marking capabilities- a la toppy  

[PVE]

Dik, on Mar 21 2006, 01:07 PM, said:

Well, I spent most of last night deleting parts, saving parts and splitting. While the speed of the process leaves a lot to be desired I cannot get it to fail. Maybe you are doing something wrong.

Select the recording and select the function. At the appropriate point, with the progress display up, push the blue button. FF to the next point and again with the progress display up push the blue button. FF a little bit more so you can clearly see the part that is to be saved or deleted highlighted in purple. Then Stop the recording and answer yes to the question. Then wait for a very long time - mostly.

I did a FF through all my splits etc to check that they were all there, and they were.

(By the way, Recording Ends popping up on the screen does not mean the recording you are watching has ended, it means a timer recording, that has been recording in the background, has just finished recording.)

Best of luck,
Dik

thanks Dik. I will try again. I am encouraged by your success.

[dimitris]

Dik, on Mar 21 2006, 01:07 PM, said:

Well, I spent most of last night deleting parts, saving parts and splitting. While the speed of the process leaves a lot to be desired I cannot get it to fail. Maybe you are doing something wrong.

Select the recording and select the function. At the appropriate point, with the progress display up, push the blue button. FF to the next point and again with the progress display up push the blue button. FF a little bit more so you can clearly see the part that is to be saved or deleted highlighted in purple. Then Stop the recording and answer yes to the question. Then wait for a very long time - mostly.

I did a FF through all my splits etc to check that they were all there, and they were.

(By the way, Recording Ends popping up on the screen does not mean the recording you are watching has ended, it means a timer recording, that has been recording in the background, has just finished recording.)

Best of luck,
Dik

Guys,
Did you try to edit a really big recording (2 or 3 hours +)

PVE,
Can you please let us know if the issues, you experienced, were on long recordings or not?

[PVE]

PVE,
Can you please let us know if the issues, you experienced, were on long recordings or not?
[/quote]


My edits were on recordings of two hours minimum.  I may have erred in my earlier attempts - i can't be sure. Since then  I've been kind of busy and only manages one practice - splitting the loop tape of 20 minutes. That worked fine.  I still maintain that when i split the LO franchises on Sunday the files showed as 1.00.00 and 1.09.00 but they DEFINATELY were not. i understand I might have made an error but if so why do the files show the wrong time info?  Believe me, I hope I made mistakes but don't think I was that sloppy.  How have I been busy? trying every Universal remote control known to mankind to find one that suits my needs - Pioneer plasma; LG HD PVR; Foxtel IQ; Humax smart. The problem is the ones that will do EVERYTHING are just too damn hard to use.  The ones which have just hard buttons are too damn SIMPLE. I just need a simple hard button remote with plenty of memory. Now is that too hard?

[zekey]

PVE, on Mar 22 2006, 07:40 PM, said:

PVE,
Can you please let us know if the issues, you experienced, were on long recordings or not?
My edits were on recordings of two hours minimum.  I may have erred in my earlier attempts - i can't be sure. Since then  I've been kind of busy and only manages one practice - splitting the loop tape of 20 minutes. That worked fine.  I still maintain that when i split the LO franchises on Sunday the files showed as 1.00.00 and 1.09.00 but they DEFINATELY were not. i understand I might have made an error but if so why do the files show the wrong time info?  Believe me, I hope I made mistakes but don't think I was that sloppy.  How have I been busy? trying every Universal remote control known to mankind to find one that suits my needs - Pioneer plasma; LG HD PVR; Foxtel IQ; Humax smart. The problem is the ones that will do EVERYTHING are just too damn hard to use.  The ones which have just hard buttons are too damn SIMPLE. I just need a simple hard button remote with plenty of memory. Now is that too hard?

When you've found the right one for you, please let us all know.  I can identify with your dilemma.  I definitely don't want to pay a fortune for a remote that has a whole heap of functions I'll never use (and end up just over-complicating the basic operation).  At the same time, I don't want one that's too limited in its abilities.  The Lowda brand looks quite attractive at a quick look, but there's not a lot of opinions out there about them.  Too new or just not up to scratch?  Wish I knew.

[pgdownload]

zekey, on Mar 22 2006, 10:21 PM, said:

When you've found the right one for you, please let us all know.  I can identify with your dilemma.  I definitely don't want to pay a fortune for a remote that has a whole heap of functions I'll never use (and end up just over-complicating the basic operation).  At the same time, I don't want one that's too limited in its abilities.  The Lowda brand looks quite attractive at a quick look, but there's not a lot of opinions out there about them.  Too new or just not up to scratch?  Wish I knew.

Maybe think a bit laterally. People with 10 systems often try to find a Universal remote to 'rule them all'. Instead think about the remote you use 80% of the time now. So keep that and now try to find a remote to cover the other 20% of components. You're now down to 2 remotes.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[PVE]

Yeah, thanks for that info. You're right. But i look at this way - a hard button remote does not need to 'know' every command for every remote. Far from it. For some (eg the Foxel IQ) you can get away with less than a dozen commands that represent 95% of your use. Similar thing with other remotes. So the issue is not the number of hard buttons. The issue is the memory inevitably runs out before the key commands can be learnt. Its as if the cheap units have the buttons but not the memory.  Expensive ones have too many buttons on too many pages but plenty of memory. The search continues tomorrow.
Incidentally, still very keen to hear from LG users regarding the editing functions - does it work or does it not?

[zekey]

pgdownload, on Mar 22 2006, 08:56 PM, said:

Maybe think a bit laterally. People with 10 systems often try to find a Universal remote to 'rule them all'. Instead think about the remote you use 80% of the time now. So keep that and now try to find a remote to cover the other 20% of components. You're now down to 2 remotes.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

That's good thinking Peter.  The trouble is that I use about 5 remotes pretty regularly (Pioneer plasma, Pioneer dvd recorder (Foxbox goes thru this) Fox IQ, LG PVR, TacT preamp).  The other 5 are used less frequently.  However, if I get a remote to cover the first 5, it might as well do the lot.  It would be nice to do the A/C too, but that's too hard for most universal remotes as they don't know anything about temp settings.

[Aths]

I have also been having trouble with the edit functions, and to be honest with the Comm Games on this is a real pain as I would like to trim the long recordings down to just the stuff I wish to keep. I don’t think it will be an issue in general use however as I will just be recording programs to watch and delete.

On another matter, I was very disappointed with the PQ when I got the unit home, (I had been using the TEAC HD set top box) lots of noise and artefacts (on all connections HDMI, Component ) even the girl noticed
straight away I was very close to boxing up the LG and taking it straight back. Thought I had bought a lemon and PQ is the most important issue for me, however after using the LG for 2 days the picture improved and now 2 weeks later the pictures are fantastic!! not sure what is happening here but perhaps the circuits take a while to burn in (this is the case with some high end HI FI)

Lowda remote:

I have used one of these for 6 months and purchased after a lot of investigation of the various types. Over all it is a very good unit and once you have got your head around set up (took me most of a day as the instructions are VERY POOR) it has most, but not all, of the flexibility of the expensive LCD units that sell for
twice the price. You must buy the unit with the charging cradle and USB connection however so you can use a computer to set up the pages and buttons how you like.

Summary:

GOOD

Very well made solid construction and looks good

Can set up each device and page just how you like, for instance only the common use buttons on the main page and all the less used buttons on the second.

Control over the size and look of buttons

With a bit of thought you can set up a "universal" page that does all the very common things for all your devices. As each button can be programmed to do any thing

Smart functions (such as turn every thing off or on) are very useful

Seems to have lots of memory.

I like the LCD touch screen, it has the problems of no "feel" like hard buttons but this I think is more than made up by being able to have only the buttons you use, and set out how you would like them to be.

BAD

Very poor instructions, you really will need to take time, be calm and spend some time getting your head around how it works, then you will be able to spend many more (and much more rewarding) setting up the unit so it works for you. Functions such as the “punch through” (the ability to have volume control of your amp at all times) of the volume and channel change hard buttons for instance are poorly explained)

The smart functions (macro's) are restricted to a set "Smart" page, this is perhaps the one thing that separates the unit from the functionality of the $1000+ units

The code list is not any where near as complete as many units, I don’t find this a problem as in the end you can just learn the commands (and this give the flexibility to code mixed device pages which is the best feature of the unit)

To sum up I am very happy with the Lowda, it is far from perfect but given its cost I think it is one of the best options if you desire custom set up, however be prepared for the learning curve, it is not like the Logitech which has a lot of hand holding!!

[PVE]

Thanks aths, I am going to check it out today.  I am coming to the conclusion that there is no prefect answer - just a series of compromises. I have tried the Harmony 520 which I thought would be perfect but again you face the page scrolling need and frankly that is a pain. Not to mention the fact it won't work Pace devises (read: foxtel IQ).

I strongly agree with the editing problems - it is not something I have to do. Mostly I wouldn't bother. But dammit! I paid for it and it should work!  I was starting to feel that it was all my fault and another poster said they had no problems with editing. I still maintain it is very slow and very unreliable. going to do some more experimenting today. Keep you posted.

[Madelaide]

PVE, on Mar 23 2006, 07:55 AM, said:

Thanks aths, I am going to check it out today.  I am coming to the conclusion that there is no prefect answer - just a series of compromises. I have tried the Harmony 520 which I thought would be perfect but again you face the page scrolling need and frankly that is a pain. Not to mention the fact it won't work Pace devises (read: foxtel IQ).

I strongly agree with the editing problems - it is not something I have to do. Mostly I wouldn't bother. But dammit! I paid for it and it should work!  I was starting to feel that it was all my fault and another poster said they had no problems with editing. I still maintain it is very slow and very unreliable. going to do some more experimenting today. Keep you posted.

I am using a Harmony 880; it controls most functions of the LG out of the box, but I need to teach it more codes. The Harmony is okay for the money, it is a pity it is a web-based unit. Meaning, you MUST log in to the Logitech site and set up your devices on their web site, all the configuration etc is done that way. They do have a large database of devices, unfortunately it is not always correct.

In this instance  the LST-5402P is a valid choice, however, they use the LST-3410A settings. This mostly works, but obviously I do not have a firewire port to activate...

You can override all the settings and create any macros that are required, it just takes a long time over the web, even  using DSL! But at least I have an "offsite backup" so I can reload my preferences should the batteries fail /etc.

You should be able to control your Pace/IQ box, you can create and control anything with an IR input, I set my Sony STB and Space-heater up on it from scratch!

Again, I am not saying the Harmony is fantastic, but for $240 it is a pretty good deal.

[dimitris]

Guys,
Focusing back again to the LG functionality:

PVE Wrote: "My edits were on recordings of two hours minimum."
Dimitris Wrote: "I ve got incorrect parts after splitting a 3 hours + recording."
Peter Gillespie Wrote: "Does seem it might be related to file size? - just a theory."

Can someone confirm that editing big recordings (2 hours+) can be succesful?

Also,
PVE Wrote: "I understand I might have made an error but if so why do the files show the wrong time info?"  

I ve also experienced splits with incorrect file time info / duration. Even if we made incorrect splits the new parts should show with the actual play duration.

Dimitris