Cyberhome DVD/RW nightmare

I have a CH 1500 Recorder/player on lay-away at Wal-Mart. I did this because I am totally new to DVD and wanted to find out more before bringing the thing home. Well, I've read basically nothing but negative reports. I feel I should just go cancel it and get my money back. I can't go through all this stuff-- and I could not possibly get updates via my computer-- I'm not that knowledgable and I don't WANT to be that knowledgable.If it takes a rocket scientist to run oe of these things, I am not going to go for this AT ALL. If this thing is so poor, I don't want it. What I would like to know is two things: First, Do you feel that CyberHome is that bad? and Second, Are there ANY good DVD recorders that are in the $300 price range that are RELIABLE? I don't know what to do, but would sure appreciate your opinions and information. Thanks very much.

 

garlon999, In my opinion, Cyberhome 1500 is a piece of junk right now, as you've been able to determine through this thread. Tech support has even stopped answering emails, that should tell you something. It'll eventually get you, maybe not right away, but it will get you. Hopefully before your 90 days are up. I returned my Cyberhome to walmart, and have been doing research on other recorders. Take my word for it, there are no reliable DVD recorders under $300. Not yet!

 

If anyone is looking for a Poly Tron Video Stabilizer I have one for sale. Thank,
AdamBomb

 

Anybody remember the Miro DC-30 or the DPS Spark capture cards? Those were in the early days of computer video editing. Like the CyberHome, you spent more time configuring the computer than you did editing!

You will sleep peacfully at night if you come up with another 100 bucks, and get the Philips DVDR75.....at least it sure works for me!

 

Hey ret27m40 and others who may be interested, here is the link for the new thread I started regarding the Philips DVDR75.......
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/78478

As you can see, I have not finished my testing yet. I want to be sure EACH paramater performs as it should before I post....so far, so good. Probably will report my findings on Saturday or Sunday.

Cheers!
renderman

 

Exellent renderman, i'll throw in my 2 cents in the new thread also

my 2 cents is all good cuz i had mine for awhile and still LOVE it.

 

Well I returned the Cyberhome unit per everyone's advice...before I had major problems. I've ordered the Philips unit from N.J. Hopefully I'll see it by next Friday April 9th, and see how good it really is. Thanks!

 

I ordered my Philips DVD Recorder 75 on Friday, April 2nd, and it arrived Monday, April 5th!...standard shipping!...Now that was pretty incredible...It's been working out great! Yes the Cyberhome remote was cooler, but the thing busted on me after 80 movies, so I say get the Philips!...Also the Video Quality on the 6 hour is awesome.
As far as I remember this is the format on the Philips DVD Recorder 75:
m1 =1 hour
m2 =2 hours
m2x-=3 hours
m4 =4 hours
m6 =6 hours
unlike the Cyberhome that lists it all like SP/SLP/EP/HQ,,etc...everyone is right, the menus are a little tougher on the Philips, but if you want to have a longlasting DVD Recorder that you can depend on, I say go with the Philips...Also the Auto Chapter feature is automatic...I actually got someone on the phone to find that out...That was incredible...They assigned me a file# and everything to track everything/and every conversation about the Philips DVD Recorder 75 that I have,...i.e..questions I have...And yes the Cyberhome is $248 at Walmart and I think $7.34 for shipping, but at www.6ave.com the Philips DVD Recorder 75 is $322.00 + $9.50 shipping giving you a grand total of $331.50....since Tweeter is sold out...That is only $76.16 more for a unit you can depend on/trust/and have rapport with a company to have customer service.
A+++++++
-Catherine

 

Glad yer happy Cath1979

 

wooh wooh!!!!
-cat

 

Well I've got the Philips unit and so far good luck!
Yes the menus are a little tougher. The quality on the 6 hour on the Philips wasn't any worse than the 4hour on the Cyberhome. The only thing I'm not sure about is on the cyberhome I liked the front and rear inputs. Then you decided on the Tv screen whether you wanted Video, S-Video, etc..Looks like on the Philips I have one regular video input (rear),or I could use the S-video and have two inputs...if what I'm saying makes since?
I like the unit so far. Thanks!

 

Just a note...for anyone worried about losing their remote....The remote for the Philips DVD Recorder 75 is $45.00 + state tax + $9.25 UPS Shipping...If anyone wants to order one, just call:
1-800-531-0039 and follow the simple prompts for a DVD Recorder....their hours are 7:00 am to 10:00 pm Eastern Standard Time Monday thru Sunday...

 

Does anyone know how to undo the servo 128A upgrade -or- how to revert to/install a prior servo firmware?

 

Why do you want to downgrade,I upgraded to the newest firmware and servo 2 weeks after I had the unit and have only had 1 disk to hang up so far.I have recorded around 40 or 50 dvd's and hsd only 1 to lock the unit up and I made a coaster out of another disc when I formated it and then opened and closed the disc door,got an error and would not read that disk.Oh yea,another thing that I did was to take a cooling fan from an old pc and connect it to a 6volt power supply and sit it on top of the recorder and let it blow down thru the vent holes to help keep the unit from running so hot.I have had the fan running for a month and have not experienced any problems at all that would be assotiated with it over heating.

 

Since upgrading, most discs get reading errors. A small percentage will record. None will finalize. I'm using the same Verbatim discs I've used in the past. I tried Riteks and they won't work at all. It will read and record my RWs, but after recording, they automatically reformat and erase what was recorded. So now, it's basically nonfunctional. I've sent an email to CyberHome's support, but haven't heard great things about their response time. At this point, I'd be delighted just to have the old firmware back.

 

Have you tried running the firmware and servo upgrade again just to be sure that it was upgraded completely,I have had some weird stuff happen when upgradeing any sort of electronics.I saw a post someone made early on in this thread about going back to the original firmware and servo and asked how they did it and never did get an answer.I don,t know any way of reverting the old system software and firmware without haveing it on a cd-r and running it the normal way.BTW I have always used Memorex,Imations and Sony +R and +RW disc and always had good luck.

 

I've tried it all. I'm back with the old firmware, which is working with DVD+RWs, but not with DVD+Rs. The ones that read and write wait until the recording's finished and then do a read error.

There's nothing left to do but sing the "I'VE OWNED IT FOR 4 MONTHS AND IT'S WARRANTIED FOR 3 MONTHS-- BLUUUUUES..."

 

How did you get it back to the old firmware??

 

My machine constantly locking up was the last straw!

After really making my case with HSN in regards to the units lack of reliability, I was able to return the unit to HSN a few weeks back for a full refund and the cost of their really sorry service/repair plan. I'll still check out the message board, but I'm done with the CYBERHOME DVR's until make some huge changes to them.

They should have a better job in the R&D of the 1500/2500 before marketing them.

I esentially spent 4 months beta testing a device I paid for.

I've yet to encounter ANYONE who has a unit that performs well consistantly. That's ridiculous!

I'm considering purchasing a Philipps DVR, though I may wait till HSN offers A JVC unit around mid-May.
The unit will sell for $389.00 from what I've been told.
The unit is not yet officially listed on the HSN site.


I see that local Walmart there is a new DVR offered by
Sanyo for $248.00, but I can seem to find any info on it
at the Sanyo Electronics website. This might be worth checking out.

-Ken-

 

k_DVD_K, Why would you wait for a JVC unit in mid-May whose performance is unknown, when you can have a Philips DVDR75 for $60 less, right now? I turned in my Cyberhome and bought the Philips, and couldn't be happier. I just can't find a flaw. Check out the dvdr75 thread and see what other users think about the Philips. Great product, great tech support, what else could you want?