Sony DVR Useless After Rovi Stops TV Guide OnScreen 321
New submitter speedlaw writes "Rovi has just announced that they are stopping the TV Guide OnScreen service as of April 13th, 2013. This was announced via the service itself. This is an on-air listing service that provides listings over the air, as part of an OTA TV signal. Many devices, notably the Sony HDD 250 and 500 Digital Video Recorders, will no longer function without the clock-set data this stream provides. When other companies decide to stop supporting something, they don't make older systems useless. Worse, Sony never came out with another DVR in the U.S. market. Why do we have to rent them? How do we get Sony or Rovi to provide at least a software patch to set the clock so the DVR can at least retain 1980s VCR functionality? Sony admits there is no fix. A thread on AVS forums has a bunch of information on TV Guide OnScreen. The TV stations who broadcast the data have been ordered by Rovi to disconnect the data inserters and ship them back. I have a TiVo, and yes, I know all about HTPC, but this data stream was 'lifetime listings' like TiVo has 'lifetime listings' — now that Rovi is looking to cut service, my two DVR units are about to become useless."
Surprised for other reasons. (Score:5, Funny)
Hello...it's Sony. You should be surprised that it worked this long.
Sometimes it's a good thing when Sony products die. It means they stop spying on you.
Re:Normal End of Life cycle (Score:5, Funny)
The Mayans even predicted this long time ago: the calendar support will end in 2012...
Re:What are the channels doing? (Score:5, Funny)
Great that I'm already in the bathroom that I can express what I think of that.
Re:What are the channels doing? (Score:5, Funny)