LG HD PVR Owners discussion, LST 5402P / LST 5403P Options

[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?

This post has been edited by PVE: Mar 20 2006, 11:07 AM

[Patrik]

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

[rexjamo]

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.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) 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. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

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]

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]

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. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

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 !]

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.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) 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. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

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 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[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]

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]

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 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[PVE]

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]

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,
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]

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?