Lg Ms408d And Ms409d Twin Hd Pvrs

[Guest ForzaSab]

Tried playing a .AVI file, it worked but with no sound?? All of the AVI files i tired to play had the same issue??

I just took ownership of my ms408d and it played all of my AVI files with no problem whatsoever, there must be something wrong with your files or your ext hdd.

I'm a happy pappy!

[workman]

I just took ownership of my ms408d and it played all of my AVI files with no problem whatsoever, there must be something wrong with your files or your ext hdd.

I'm a happy pappy!

i've got my unit networked - it was dead simple, just plugged in and set auto configuration and it was done. youtube and playing 1080p content off my pc was simple and worked perfectly as well.

I wish LG provided some forum where we could get more indepth technical support. i'd love to be able to hack the os the ms408d runs on and add more features. if you look in the manually it's a linux based system, i wonder if a request for the source code would yield anything worth while - i'm guessing they build their own front end, so they wouldn't be obligated to give that up nor any drivers they wrote themselfs.

has anyone else tried the network upgrade function? someone on here reported issues and i was wonder if it's a problem or if it was just his unit?

Edited November 7, 2009 by workman

[DaveMews]

so whats the verdict on these units? any good? worth stocking for customers to buy?

[gawaterman]

Are these true twin tuner units, ie can you set 2 simultaneous record times, or does 1 have to be recorded manually. Have a LG LST 5403 with a 500G hdd which I love,and these with an extra 1G hdd sounds like the perfect replacement for me.

Also, when a 2nd HDD is installed, can you choose which HDD you want to record to, or play from?

Edited November 8, 2009 by gawaterman

[workman]

I've found mine to be really good.

i haven't played with a 2nd hd yet but it looks very easy - just pop it in an it's there as extra storage. i've only had 1 crash in the whole time i've had it, and it was a dodgey avi file. the gui is really easy to use, my g/f didn't need me to show her how to use it so i think that says something.

If LG fix the issue with timer recordings interrupting the currently playing media, it'd be verging on perfect.

obviously there are extra features that would be nice, like ice tv, but if your looking for a solid media player that does 1080p, which also has twin tuners and network conectivity, it's worth looking at.

[cwt]

Are these true twin tuner units, ie can you set 2 simultaneous record times, or does 1 have to be recorded manually. Have a LG LST 5403 with a 500G hdd which I love,and these with an extra 1G hdd sounds like the perfect replacement for me.

Also, when a 2nd HDD is installed, can you choose which HDD you want to record to, or play from?

The lg site has a video with peter blaahsina gm ; and it shows a screen where you choose which hdd gets the recording

http://www.lge.com/au/microsite/pvr/index.html

One problem is the epg which doesnt have a 'grid type' display like a wiz so you have to scroll . It doesnt inspire confidence when the manual still isnt on the site

[lancer1993]

I've found mine to be really good.

i haven't played with a 2nd hd yet but it looks very easy - just pop it in an it's there as extra storage. i've only had 1 crash in the whole time i've had it, and it was a dodgey avi file. the gui is really easy to use, my g/f didn't need me to show her how to use it so i think that says something.

If LG fix the issue with timer recordings interrupting the currently playing media, it'd be verging on perfect.

obviously there are extra features that would be nice, like ice tv, but if your looking for a solid media player that does 1080p, which also has twin tuners and network conectivity, it's worth looking at.

Have you tried accessing the files with a PC/Mac and if so can you convert them to AVI or burn them to DVD?

[PCKid]

Have you tried accessing the files with a PC/Mac and if so can you convert them to AVI or burn them to DVD?

Just got one. Had it two days. Previously used a PCH and a WD TV. This, for me, is awesome. My home is full Wireless N and it was a breeze setting up this unit. My Media Centre Vista PC in the Lounge is fully available either via the supplied Nero HomeMedia 4 Essentials under DLNA or just via Media - PC. Also my iMac in the computer room where I do most of my work also under PC or using TwonkyMedia Server for DLNA.

The MS408D is in the bedroom with a Belkin powered 4 port USB hub on it with the WiFi plug and a 320GB SATA notebook drive. Today is my day off and I watched last nights downloads (4 TV Shows 3 in avi 1 in mkv) direct from my iMac with no stuttering or glitches on all 4. Best part is my 3 year old LG Plasma in the bedroom means I can ignore the built in HD Tuner, leave it on HDMI all the time, use one remote only and gain Timeshift.

Ran all my mov, avi, m2ts, mp4, dmr-ts and wmv9 files no problem. Won't play back vob files but I converted those with Handbrake on the Mac to mkv and problem solved.

Have emailed IceTV to see if they may support it in the future as with the interactive iPhone app for IceTV I'll miss that. Still can use that with the Media Centre PC in the lounge as that has 2 HD Tuner cards in it and have been using that up till now with my IceTV account.

On your question I presume you mean recorded TV files. They are in ts format and using Copy under the Media button you can copy them from the internal drive to any other drive or direct to your Mac or PC. I'm guessing Handbrake or even Visualhub would convert them to avis to burn. Though the quality would be pretty average compared to the original.

Edited November 10, 2009 by PCKid

[EzDingo]

Just updated main ver: 20090923B

Have yet to see any differences... jope the below problem is now solved... will soon see.

Agree with other and hopefully will be fixed on stats of timer recording list. It seems to set recurring records to a status of 'pause' after recording. Not always but I have noticed often it does not then record automatically the next week or day etc. Very annoying having to go back in daily to set them back to status 'ok' to be sure it does actually auto start up and record the shows ive programmed.

[PCKid]

Just updated main ver: 20090923B

Have yet to see any differences... jope the below problem is now solved... will soon see.

Agree with other and hopefully will be fixed on stats of timer recording list. It seems to set recurring records to a status of 'pause' after recording. Not always but I have noticed often it does not then record automatically the next week or day etc. Very annoying having to go back in daily to set them back to status 'ok' to be sure it does actually auto start up and record the shows ive programmed.

Was that a Network update? I have emailed LG Support to ask if there is a History log of updates. Unlike products like WD TV and Popcorn Hour (which I've had both) I doubt there will be much support for this product.

Though I'm really happy with the way it is but have only had it for 2 days to be fair. It's strange that the recorder side is totally different to the LG TVs with built in Harddrives and Timeshift. Not as fluid in operation. I find avis FF FRW jerky at best whereas if I put them into the USB plug on the side of my LG LCD TV they FF and FRW really well. Maybe it's a rebadged something else. Other than that LG have a bit of a winner here. Hmmm. I set Good Game yesterday to record weekly. Which it did last night so will check Timer Record to see if it's in OK Status. This product needs it's own thread. Can we start one somewhere? I'm sure there are lots of shortcuts etc to share.

[lancer1993]

On your question I presume you mean recorded TV files. They are in ts format and using Copy under the Media button you can copy them from the internal drive to any other drive or direct to your Mac or PC. I'm guessing Handbrake or even Visualhub would convert them to avis to burn. Though the quality would be pretty average compared to the original.

Thanks for the detailed report and yes I meant converting shows recorded on the New LG PVR into other formats like MP4 or AVI.

Not that I can afford one of these units right now but it's good to know.

[diesel]

This product needs it's own thread. Can we start one somewhere? I'm sure there are lots of shortcuts etc to share.

Um....this is the LG MS408/9D thread

Edited November 12, 2009 by diesel

[lazydesi]

can I use this as an alternative to my appletv( copy Avi movies to the HDD from my mac and playing them on Plasma)?

Ta

[PCKid]

After a week of use I can't fault this. I popped a Samsung 1TB in the front drive bay. Took about 20 seconds then the unit pops up and tells you to format it. Then you have one new folder on there called REC. If you do install one a little trick is to line up the screw holes visually then the plastic tabs snap in perfectly. Initially I pushed the unit all the way in and then the plugs wouldn't snap in. Can't see the need to physically screw it in. Especially as the Samsung drive came in a clear plastic box which would be ideal for storage as I'm guessing I'll start collecting them as a storage medium. Who uses DVDs these days.

Rang LG Support (HaHa) in the hopes of getting some info on the Network update. ie what does it do, is it worth it etc? Haven't bothered as yet. Waste of time that was. You can never get through unless you want to wait half a day. Hopefully if enough units sell it will get a proper support site. After all it is an NMT as well as a PVR. No iceTV support yet although Ben at iceTV said he will start talks with LG re this. I gathered it wasn't a priority though.

Also anyone tried a USB Keyboard with this for search on youtube and renaming files? I don't have one. Both my Mac and Media Centre PC only have bluetooth keyboards.

Edited November 16, 2009 by PCKid

[PCKid]

can I use this as an alternative to my appletv( copy Avi movies to the HDD from my mac and playing them on Plasma)?

Ta

Yes no probs. Don't bother to copy. I watch all my DLs via the network from my iMac without the need to transfer them via a drive though if you haven't setup ethernet or wifi then the drive transfer way works fine.

[PCKid]

Having trouble getting to my PC in the Lounge running Windows 7. Under Media/PC I can access my iMac and all the files no problem but the lounge PC asks for a NET User and NET Password. I have no idea what that is. I tried my Router iinet Username and Password plus the name of my Administrator and no password as I don't bother with a Password on my PC. Anyone know what it's looking for?

[Guest tesna]

Having trouble getting to my PC in the Lounge running Windows 7. Under Media/PC I can access my iMac and all the files no problem but the lounge PC asks for a NET User and NET Password. I have no idea what that is. I tried my Router iinet Username and Password plus the name of my Administrator and no password as I don't bother with a Password on my PC. Anyone know what it's looking for?

I had same problem with my windows 7 PC. It worked fine when I connecting to my other PC running windows XP. I googled around, and It seems it's a new "feature" in windows 7 causing samba connectivity issues with linux machines. I tried to disable some settings in win7 system settings but no luck. I gave up and use Windows 7 media streaming instead (acessing media files using DLNA menu on my LG MS409). Using nero media home will also works I guess.

[PCKid]

I had same problem with my windows 7 PC. It worked fine when I connecting to my other PC running windows XP. I googled around, and It seems it's a new "feature" in windows 7 causing samba connectivity issues with linux machines. I tried to disable some settings in win7 system settings but no luck. I gave up and use Windows 7 media streaming instead (acessing media files using DLNA menu on my LG MS409). Using nero media home will also works I guess.

OK I spoke to an IT Tech on the LG Support line. They were actually a: Reasonably knowledgeable and b: pretty helpful. They admitted they are still working on the Windows 7 issue. I have DLNA working fine so since my Mac works fine under PC and I do all my DLing etc on the Mac it's not really an issue. More of a "I want to make it work thing" than actually what it will do for me once I do. They didn't, however, seem to know what the Network update did so I won't bother for now till I know more. Nero works ok.

He also said (as I queried it with him) that the Pause option on Timer Recording is correct not a bug. It will say OK only when it's due next and only on new settings. I will watch that as I have been going back and resetting them to OK.

[Guest tesna]

OK I spoke to an IT Tech on the LG Support line. They were actually a: Reasonably knowledgeable and b: pretty helpful. They admitted they are still working on the Windows 7 issue. I have DLNA working fine so since my Mac works fine under PC and I do all my DLing etc on the Mac it's not really an issue. More of a "I want to make it work thing" than actually what it will do for me once I do. They didn't, however, seem to know what the Network update did so I won't bother for now till I know more. Nero works ok.

He also said (as I queried it with him) that the Pause option on Timer Recording is correct not a bug. It will say OK only when it's due next and only on new settings. I will watch that as I have been going back and resetting them to OK.

Here's the improvement on latest firmware I found on http://au.lgservice.com

#.It's improvement of performance;

Add the Slovakia language and Portugal code page

Without HDD model, when insert not formatted HDD in Home menu, system reboot

#. Firmware Version : 20090923B

#. Countermeasure

: Updating by using the newest firmware.

Refer to the attatchment for updating method.

However, it only explains the fix to previous firmware though, as I can't find older firmware release notes on the website.

I still use older firmware shipped with the unit since I had bad experience after updating the firmware to that version. My internal 500GB drive went missing in the media browser, the additional 1TB drive still detected though. I ended swapping my unit with another unit (with old firmware) on the store. I suppose you did not have any problem after updating the firmware? maybe if LG released newer firmware and introducing new features I'll try to update the firmware again

[PCKid]

Here's the improvement on latest firmware I found on http://au.lgservice.com

However, it only explains the fix to previous firmware though, as I can't find older firmware release notes on the website.

I still use older firmware shipped with the unit since I had bad experience after updating the firmware to that version. My internal 500GB drive went missing in the media browser, the additional 1TB drive still detected though. I ended swapping my unit with another unit (with old firmware) on the store. I suppose you did not have any problem after updating the firmware? maybe if LG released newer firmware and introducing new features I'll try to update the firmware again

No I haven't updated yet. I always wait for comments first. I wasn't aware there was a Software update only a Network update. I have my DLNA working fine now with Nero Home 4 even to get access to the second drive in the PC.

2 things. It appears to me that the unit (via HDMI) seems to upscale everything. Even TV looks better with the internal tuners and most avis (though I prefer mkv) don't look as muddy. Second thing have you tried a usb keyboard (I don't have one)? For text entering. Both my Mac and PC have wireless keyboards.

[jon1]

I have encountered only one annoyance worth mentioning, an issue that i hope they fix with an update - when a show is set to record, it interupts the currently playing video or dtv channel and switchs you to the channel being recorded. this seems like a pointless annoying "feature" as it's a dual tuner capable of recording on one tuner and playing off the other, and you can skip back to the channel you were on after it's interupted you. this also results in the unit waking up in the middle of the night and playing that late night show (THE most annoying part).

I had the misfortune to own (briefly) another brand of PVR that exhibited this 'feature' of switching from one channel being viewed to a second where a timed recording of the second commenced. It never occurred to me that this might be an intentional feature: I just assumed it was a bug that, along with a few other issues, was sufficient reason not to want the unit. As has already been expressed, this feature is so annoying.

From what has been expressed in this thread to date, I would really like to purchase an LG MS408D - but unless there is a firmware change that at least allows for this tuner-changing feature to be turned off, I won't be doing so.

I will try contacting LG to express this to them - who knows, if they are told this often enough, they might do something!

[jon1]

The unit wakes up when a program is scheduled to record. typically i leave my reciever on and turn off the TV at night, so when the unit wakes up and plays the scheduled program it' recording, the sound starts playing.

My fix for it is obviously to just turn off the reciever, but this is a bit annoying as it means a 2nd remote (the lg's remote does my jvc tv perfectly), or getting up and pressing the button.

Thanks for this information: also, am interested in the completion of recording - after waking and recording per the timer setting, does the unit then shut down again at the end of the recording?

Looking forward to answers!

[workman]

Thanks for this information: also, am interested in the completion of recording - after waking and recording per the timer setting, does the unit then shut down again at the end of the recording?

Looking forward to answers!

yes.

an example was i had a timer recording go off while the unit was shutdown, the unit woke up and started recording, i turned on my tv because i decided to watch it and at the completetion of the program it asked if i wanted to shutdown with a timer counting down giving me opertunity to cancel

[workman]

I had the misfortune to own (briefly) another brand of PVR that exhibited this 'feature' of switching from one channel being viewed to a second where a timed recording of the second commenced. It never occurred to me that this might be an intentional feature: I just assumed it was a bug that, along with a few other issues, was sufficient reason not to want the unit. As has already been expressed, this feature is so annoying.

From what has been expressed in this thread to date, I would really like to purchase an LG MS408D - but unless there is a firmware change that at least allows for this tuner-changing feature to be turned off, I won't be doing so.

I will try contacting LG to express this to them - who knows, if they are told this often enough, they might do something!

agreed it's annoying, but not so much for me as i don't really record much from dtv anyway, g/f uses it and she doesn't seem to mind at all so i don't either.

i can't see how this feature can't be fixed in a firmware, i'd LOVE for LG to open up the software on this unit and let users hack new features into it.

[jon1]

agreed it's annoying, but not so much for me as i don't really record much from dtv anyway, g/f uses it and she doesn't seem to mind at all so i don't either.

i can't see how this feature can't be fixed in a firmware, i'd LOVE for LG to open up the software on this unit and let users hack new features into it.

That may be possible. Right at the end of the manual (downloaded from LG), there is a listing of obligations re use of open-source software (Linux), including this statement:

"LG Electronics offers to provide source code to you on CD-ROM for a charge covering the cost of performing such distribution, such as the cost of media, shipping and

handling upon e-mail request to LG Electronics at: opensource@lge.com

This offer is valid for a period of three (3) years from the date of the distribution of this product by LG Electronics.

You can obtain a copy of the GPL, LGPL licenses from

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html and

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/lgpl-2.1.html .

You can also obtain a copy of translations from

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/g....0-translations.

html and http://www.gnu.org/licenses/oldlicenses/lg...anslations.html

This software is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group copyright © 1991 – 1998, Thomas G. Lane."

Anybody with appropriate knowledge of Linux interested?

Thanks for your replies, Workman