Hi Christian,

If you are using the VDI to connect the JTV to the 500 you should not even need the battery. I never have mine in the unit.

Re check your connections, try it with the battery out, and make sure you have the latest firmware on you JTV and HD 500.

You should recieve both mags and models via the VDI connection.

Cheers,

Jason

When you put the bettery in, did it slide in correctly and lock into place? 

Did the LEDs next to the battery compartment light up with FOUR green lights after putting the battery in? 

I use both the battery at jam night I play, and the VDI cable when performing with my own bands.  I always leave the battery in as I learned over a year ago that the battery will NOT trickle charge in the guitar while using the VDI cable.  I though this feature would have been a good idea, but it is not a feature.  Having the battery in the guitar while using the VDI would never be a problem UNLESS their is something DEFECTIVE about the battery.  That would be the same as in a laptop.  Batteries stay in when using A/C power, and do trickle charge while running, but if the battery goes bad, your Laptop WILL NOT start until you remove it.

Your message gives the impression that you used a VDI cable to connect the JTV with the POD HD500.  Was the VDI cable new?  Are you certain the cable is fully functional?

Testing your connection has already been covered by Silverhead.  Let us know what you find as you go through all your tests.

Take care,

Neal

Okay - I'm reading much confusing and slightly incorrect replies here about the old XPS power supply/DI box that used to come as standard equipment with the older Variax guitars.

Since I'm probably one of the only slly people ion here that buys nearly everything new, not used, I can set this XPS-A/B box situation straight so there will be no further confusion or guessing.

DO NOT buy an XPS power supply/DI box for ANYTHING other than the older model Variax guitars.  Why?? Well, the XPS box comes with a power supply that plugs into the XPS box.  It should also come with a TRS ("Stereo"...although stereo is NOT the correct term here, but will probably be easier to understand for my purpose of explanation.)  IF you do get an XPS box, and plug it is using the TRS cable, you will BLOW UP YOU JTV GUITAR!!  Simple as that.

If you want a signal splitter the box itself UNPOWERED is fine and a standard 1/4" cable can be use to accomplish the A/B switching.  However, if you are thinking of using this XPS box as a power supply for a JTV guitar - DO NOT DO IT or you will be wondering what that burning smell is and by that time have destroyed your guitar which will NOT be covered under warranty.

You have two simple choices with any of the JTV guitars, keep your battery charged with the included battery charger...OR use a proper VDI cable from any VDI equipped POD HD, Vetta II, X3 Live, X3 PRO, XT Live, etc.

The battery DOES last a long time in the guitar when used properly.  When NOT playing the guitar with the battery in it - simply turn the VOLUME OFF and that shuts off the power to a tiny trickle which will come right back up once you turn the volume up even the smallest amount.  This is one of many GOOD design features in the JTV guitars.  If you ever need to check the battery status, just push the button next to the battery compartment and you'll see up to FOUR green LEDs which would indicate fully charged battery.  The guitar will continue to run perfectly even with ONE green LED lit, but once that dies out, then you guitar AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHES to Mag pick-mode.  So you do not completely lose your guitar sound, but any modeling or alternate tuning is gone.  It becomes a "regular guitar" plugged in with no battery using the 1/4" jack.

On the other hand, if you are only using the Mag pups and there is a charged battery in the guitar, it WILL draw some power even though you are not modeling or using alternate tuning settings.  The battery draw only stops when a few minutes have passed with the guitar volume turn completely off.

I hope this clears up the whole XPS, Battery, VDI cable situation for the original poster and anyone else who happens to read this with an original Variax model or a new JTV model.  They really completely different from nearly the ground up on how they function on the inside.

Take care,

Neal

Guys - I'm just telling you what I KNOW from personal experience PRIOR to the JTV guitars.  IF you use the XPS box as a simple A/B WITHOUT any additional power - it works fine as an A/B box.  PLEASE DO NOT plug in this box with the power supply included, PLUS use it with a TRS cable into any JTV model guitar.

The two main reasons that box even existed was to supply non-battery power to the guitar and it MUST be used plugged in - in order to get ANY updates for the ORIGINAL Variax guitar models.  No updates could be made with JUST battery power similar to the situation with the current JTV guitars.  I used to ALWAYS use the VDI connection for everything.  Not only did it make changing amp simultaneous with guitars, it always had power that I never had to worry about or even bother putting (6) AA batteries or a single 9-volt battery in unless it was an emergency sort of thing or I wanted to go wireless for a song.

I burned up the guts of a Variax years ago when I stupidly plugged in the XPS POWERED from the A/C outlet into the guitar WITH the VDI cable also connected.  It caused a MASSIVE power surge into the guitar and fried the guts!!

I'm STRONGLY SUGGESTING as I CANNOT tell ANYONE what to do with their gear.  I even read the one user saying he's been doing exactly what I'm saying not to do for a while without any problems.  I have no explanation for that other than he's a very lucky person.

Also - the most likely reason there is nothing written about the OLD accessories since Line 6 expects people to use the NEW and APPROPRIATE accessories.  Why would they write a caution message unless someone asked them directly?  It's the same as me finding out the hard way that NEW computers DO NOT USE serial ports anymore.  AND that I had to go to USB and THROW OUT my old Serial to MIDI connector.  Line 6 when CALLED directly back before I learned this bit of news - was told FLAT OUT by Tech service on the phone..."WE DO NOT SUPPORT SERIAL CONNECTIONS ANYMORE.  WE ONLY SUPPORT USB CONNECTIONS.  THE BEST ONE IS THE MIDISPORT UNO.  IF YOU HAVE ANY TROUBLE WITH UPDATES USING A USB to MIDI, THEN WE CAN OFFER SUPPORT."

I've shared my personal experience and wanted to help prevent any from learning the hard way as I did.  To each their what you choose to do with my information.

Take care,

Neal