Cyberhome DVD/RW nightmare

The unit still reads discs.

I'll download the latest servo firmware again & burn it. I think the only thing I didn't do was burn the disc at 1x, which I'll do this time.

It's hard to believe that the firmware upgrade process doesn't do a verificatioon of the data first.

Very poor programmming !!!!!!

 

You're not kidding. Its not the first thing I've been amazed at on the Cyberhome. The Philips does a CRC check on the firmware files before it tries to upgrade. BTW, the 2500 is the same as the 1500, different color. Latest firmware is reported to work well. Previous servo firmware cause lots of grief, one before that seemed to work ok.

 

I'll try again tonight, although it's strange that the disc for the previous servo firmware doesn't work. It did when I used it before. Maybe the servo can't go back to a previous version.

I rarely use the thing, but when I do it works nice.

I do notice that the burned disc is noticeably warmer than one from a PC burner.

I also notice that some of the front panel buttons are not the most responsivce, using the remote is fine.


I do the majority of my stuff w PC burners.

Thnaks again for your tips

 

Walmart has these things on clearance for $198.00.I haven't tried the Emerson that is becoming much more available,so I don't have any feedback to report.The Sanyo model is showing up more as well. My Cyberhome DVR 1500 is working so I guess my luck is holding out.I can tell you why I believe it is. I have the unit suspended from a tv wallmount with the VCR- DVD player addition.It has no bottom and the top is extended for 2 such units, so cool air circulates constantly.I notice the DVD+R discs are warm when finalized but not what I would call hot.I had to take one of my units back to walmart several months ago.The new unit already had the upgrade applied.This is an interesting unit when it works properly as the picture quality is excellent.I have noticed this.You cannot leave the DVD+R disc you are recording, that hasn't been finalized, in over night as it will not read it the next day after it(the disc) has cooled off.I have no explanation for this.

 

Regarding the servo updates, I was running version 1.16. I tried to update it to 1.30, but it kept failing. I then tried updating to 1.28, and it took. After that, I tried the 1.30 again, and it took fine. For some reason, I couldn't go straight from 1.16 to 1.30. Don't know if any others have had this problem or not.

 

I've tried the Emerson. It has a 10 hour mode that works surprisingly well. However, it ends up eventually corrupting recordings on DVD-VR disks. Happened to me on 3 of 3 disks, 2 different brands, 2 different recorders. I don't know if its a firmware or hardware defect but in any case there's no fix and the unit therefore basically doesn't work.

I've moved onto the Pioneer DVR-220, it seems to work well. No problems so far. I highly recommend it, its a different league than the Cyberhome.

Walmart has the Cyberhome available online only for $197. I think they're trying to clear them out and not sell them anymore. Too many problems. The Emerson is also not available online anymore. Not sure if they're out of stock or stopped selling them until they fix the problem.

 

I downloaded & burned the 1.3 servo firmware to a new disc last night. This time when I used Nero I used the slowest possible speed for my burner, 4x, & unchecked all the Joliet extensions.

This time the firmware upgrade worked. Not sure what was different, unless the first download was corrupt.

It did a test recording & finalization, it played fine.
Although it also worked fine w the previous 1.26 firmware.

Unless I see serious problems, I'm not going through a firmware upgrade again.

Reading this forum also brought to light the heating problem. I've noticed recordings are warm, but I take discs out as soon as they are done. Since I don't use this unit for playback, I don't have as many problems.

I use a Sony 5 disc DVD player, in which I can leave the discs forever & they never get warm.

btw,
I use FujiFilm 4x +R media, as well as TDK 4x & they work fine.

 

I copied some video from Satelite onto VHS, therefore no Macrovision. I then played back the VHS & recorded to a +R disc in my CH 2500 recorder. I watched the transfer & hit Stop & record to edit out all the commercials.

The problem is that at each point I hit stop while recording, playback goes back to the main menu. Is there a way I could have edited out the commercials without playback going back to the menu ?. I'd like the edited video to play on the recorded DVD straight through, w/o ever going back to the menu.

My only thought now is to backup the Cyberhome DVD on a PC, since some PC backup programs allow you to strip the DVD's menu. Not sure if that would work, besides its a 2 step process.

I'd prefer to do it directly with the CyberHome unit.

Sorry to be so wordy, but I didn't know how else to state my question.

 

Another question,

It appears that one of the differences between the 1500 & the 2500 is record modes.

My 2500 offers LP & EP recording modes, in addition to HQ & SP.

Has anyone recorded in the LP or EP modes ?. If so what is the quality like ?.

 

The 1500 offers LP and EP modes, too.

 

By the way, the LP mode on the 1500 is really not bad at all. I was initially reluctant to use it because I didn't want the loss of quality, but when transferring tapes that are over 2 hours, I find I am using it more and more. For me, the viewing experience is very similar to SP--very little loss, and still much better than VHS.

Jeremy

 

Ralfdog,

thanks - but I have figured out what happened. The VHS has the damm MACROVISION protection. Is it possible to fool the recorder and have it record the video?

 

carol--
They sell a product by Sima that does this. go to this link. This link takes about 6 sec to open, so be patient.

http://videoguys.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=VS&Product_Code=CT1

 

I've had my Cyberhome 1500 for about 4 months (actually it's my second...the first didn't work at all and I returned it to Walmart the next day). While it records fine now, I have one problem I can't solve: I have created several DVD movies from my computer using Roxio with an I/O Magic drive, and they have all played well in my two other DVD players...but not the Cyberhome. As long as the main movie is less than 18 minutes, Cyberhome plays it fine. But if the movie I created exceeds 18 minutes, it freezes immediately at the beginning of the movie. Anyone run into this problem?

 

lions
I have the same problem. I’ve had my Cyberhome 1500 for several months and it makes great recordings but it will not play any DVD’s recorded on a computer. I tried DVD’s from 3 different brands of computer drives as well as Roxio, Ulead and Nero recording programs and both +R and –R. When I try to play them on the 1500, it locks up. It will only play DVD’s that it records or pre-recorded DVD’s. The computer recorded DVD’s work on every player that I tried except the Cyberhome 1500.

 

I just found this place and I would like to add my comments concerning the Cyberhome DVD recorder from WalMart ($248.00). I just took mine back after having it for around 3 months. It had lots of problems, like not finalizing disks completely, getting disks stuck inside it, ruining whole disks completely, and not recording properly at longer speeds, even with the disks supplied with it. Mine completely stopped working, kept saying "no disk" so I took it back for replacement. Walmart did NOT want to refund, but FINALLY said I could have another one. I went back to the video department and found 3 left over boxes of this player (they have removed the one from display) and I got another one. I did notice they have dropped the price to $219.00 because they KNOW this is a defective unit. I brought it home and the first recording I made screwed up. YES, I am using the correct disks, and YES, I know how to operate it and use DVD+R disks at the correct speed. This recorder has completely ruined several disks, making them unusable, would not finalize others, and still has all the same old problems. I am going to return this junker for a refund. BELIEVE me -- WalMart is WELL AWARE that this is a crappy, junky, defective machine and that is WHY they are CLEARING IT OUT!!! TAKE THEM BACK!!! There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for this pathetic lack of quality and service and DO NOT let WalMart talk you out of it! SATISFACTION ALWAYS at WalMart they say, so make sure you are SATISFIED. I am printing out the HUGE numbers of comments here to give to WalMart as a gift!!! We work hard for the money for this stuff, we support WalMart by buying it, and WE ALL have a RIGHT for a REFUND for worthless crap!!!! This unit is NO GOOD and IT WILL NOT LAST, believe me!!!!

 

The Cyberhome is a pretty poor excuse for a product. I returned mine even though it had no problems because I was afraid it was going to fail. Walmart gave me a hard time even though I was within the 90 days. I had to help the clerks read the return policy and show them that it wasn't any of the categories with a shorter return policy.

I'm still a big fan of buying from Walmart with the 90 day return policy. I recently tried to obtain warranty service as stated in the manual from Bestbuy on a product, and they refused to honor the warranty because it had been an open box item. I'm an extremely upset with Bestbuy, I escalated up through corporate and no one cares, the policy is the policy, although its not documented in the store.

Since the Cyberhome I tried a Philips DVDR75 and Emerson EWR10D4. Both had issues although the Philips is pretty good.

I've settled on a Pioneer DVR-220 from Walmart for $297. Its the only unit I've found that has no bugs and works properly all the time. It has lots more features than the others, including chaseplay, the ability to watch a recording at the same time its recording something else.

 

Just a couple of notes on previous comments--I play dvds made on my computer in the 1500 all the time and do not have problems. So, I suggest there is some other problem going on for those who cannot. I tend to reserve the 1500 for recording, though, and usually playback on a second dvd player. I use the latest Nero and often use TMPG DVD Author (I like its burn utility.)

I have had my 1500 for about 5 months now and have made dozens of great dvds. I don't defend the product, as I feel there were a number of bugs which should have been corrected before this unit was released. However, the only modification I have made is to loosen the cover and raise it a bit in the front--I did this because I believe the unit runs too hot generally--this seems to keep it cool enough to avoid problems. And I switch it off from the back when not in use. I make recordings on dvd+rw and edit them on the computer. I seldom use dvd+r's or edit in-machine due to finalizing and compatibility problems. However, making dvd+rw's without finalizing, and taking them to the computer for editing/authoring works for me. I trade a lot and haven't gotten complaints, so these seem to be working for other people, too. I usually back-up to dvd-r because this seems to be more broadly compatible with older machines, and they're cheaper for me to buy.

Jeremy

 

my cyberhome dvd player that we got less in a year ago
whont opin or shut off it just reads the words:
CH 27 ME.
Just weeks befor it stop working it stard not playing some of the sound on are DVDS.
any how is there a way to fix this or do I just get my self a 200 dollar paper waight.

 

The first step to try is unplugging it for 10 minutes or so, then replugging to see if it resets. If not, something may be fried inside.

Of course, if there is a problem, Cyberhome will arrange to repair this immediately with their prompt and friendly service (he said with a note of sarcasm).

Jeremy