Cyberhome DVD/RW nightmare

For Tink24, I had the same problem. See June 14th entry. I ended up spending the 89.95 and having mine repaired. I have made a few DVD's since getting the unit back. But I no longer leave it turned on (standby) when not in use. It is powered off by the switch in the back of the unit. Seems the heat could be the cause of most of the problems we have all experienced.

 

CyberHome seems to have gotten it's act together in terms of customer service. My friend had to call the other day and got through in a reasonable amount of time (approx. 20 min). Don't know if this was just a one day thing, but if it's not it's great to finally see!

 

i have noticed that walmart has discontiued the cyberhome 1500 in stores, however it is still on their website?! for $189.94
I paid $248.00 for mine, and took it back in for a full refund, i also sent cyberhome a letter, never heard anything back from them. got the philips dvdr75 and im very happy!!!!
AVOID CYBERHOME!

 

I've still seen it at my local Walmart for $218. I had assumed that they were clearing out everywhere, but maybe not. I know all the local stores haven't wanted to sell them and have tended to hide the boxes ontop of shelves with no display unit. I can't blame them, I wouldn't want to sell that stuff just to see it come back. I pitty the fool who buys one. There are better units available now.

I ended up with the Pioneer DVR-220 from Walmart. Its excellent. Lots of capability with zero problems. Was $297, someone reported that Walmart is dropping the price to $248.

 

I've learned to compromise with my Cyberhome and have made dozens upon dozens of beautiful disks. The Cyberhome has lots of problems, as we know--and hopefully the company has gotten the mesage to correct them--but there are some real features there, too. For example, the record starts more immediately than many models do. This was a first generation machine--lots of people report no problems whatsoever with it--mine was running too hot, so I lifted the cover a bit in the front and had no more problems, especially when they released the fix to stop it from locking up. Mine doesn't lock up anymore. Phillips? Just read the Phillips nightmare board on the web. Pioneer? I'd never buy that brand because of horrible experiences I've had with cheapy parts on their stuff in the past. I expect my next dvd recorder will be a Panasonic, as I have no real use for the DVD+R format and lots of people I've spoken with seem happy with their Panny's (though some have reported an early demise). In the meantime, I'll just keep cranking out loads of wonderful recordings with the ole' tempermental Cyberhome 1500 (actually, it's pretty reliable these days with the fixes).

Jeremy

 

I received my 2500 last Xmas & didn't use it much at all. I then updated to the 2500x / 1.24A firmware. I then did several VHS to DVD transfers w no problem.

Last month I updated to the latest U0407200401x / 1.30A firmware ( 6-9-2004 ).

Since then I've had a 50% failure rate during finalization.

I backed down to the previous firmware & it appears to be working fine now.

My recomendation is to stay away from the latest firmware. Besides you don't want to flash their firmware unless you have to. Their update process is very poor, it doesn't even do a valid CRC check before doing the upgrade.

 

I disagree as far as the 1500 is concerned. Every upgrade (when done properly--I think a lot of people don't follow the directions) has improved the function of my 1500, and the last upgrade is essential because it solves the lock-up issue. I struggled with this issue a long time, as did many others, so I would urge all 1500 users to apply all the latest upgrades. Others have reported better compatibility with the various brands of dvd+r's, too. Follow the instructions, apply the upgrades carefully, and you will have a much improved product.

Jeremy

 

I'm curious ?.

What is the lockup problem ?. I never saw that with any level of firmware on my 2500.I also never had any compatibility problems with the media I created, as long as the finalization was sucessfull.

I typically use FujiFilm media.

 

The problem I had was with the previous version firmware.

I typically used the recorder like a VCR, to record daily shows. Lockup problem that I encountered was.. that you put in a DVD to record on. Put the unit in standby. Then try to power it back up. It would not successfully startup. It would just "lockup" as if it were powering up. No control on the front panel or remote would work. Eject didnt work.

If you powered off and back on even with the switch on the back, it would endup locked up again. Pretty much a paper weight at that point prime to return or throw out.

In my case, I discovered that if I powered on and off with the switch in the back enough times, eventually it would power up enough to get the DVD out. I then backed off to an even earlier firmware version were I did not have that problem.

 

The last post described the lock-up problem very well--I had it from the start with my 1500 and no upgrade until the last one resolved it. Now it seems resolved entirely with that upgrade--others have reported this, too. My 1500 never locks up now. It does most everything it is supposed to, I think. Still think this recorder was not ready for prime time, but I've made peace with it.

Jeremy

 

Despite my initial success after downgrading the firmware, I am still seeing a 50% failure rate on finalizing discs. When you spend 3 hours copying video, only to see it wasted at the end due to fianlizing failing, it really stinks.

The last straw was a timer recording that failed for something I really wanted. It looked like the recording completed, but it never stopped. The unit was stuck on the "Wait" prompt you see when you hit "stop".

That was it, I did what I should have done a long time ago. I yanked the Cyberhome out of my entertainment center & put it where it belongs, in the garbage can.

I replaced it w the Philiphs 615. So far, all the functionality seems to work & there is no heat problem.

The only thing I miss from the Cyberhome is the nice UI, the UI on the Philphs sucks !!.

 

I noticed someone's thread several days ago about the dvr-1500 doing this.The last channel was locked into place,(CH 58 ME)the unit would not respond to the on -standby button and the drawer locked shut.My unit is suspended under the tv with an attached accessory bracket.(The tv is wall mounted)It receives full circulation of air and has given me reasonably good service,if you don't count the occasional not recognizing the discs it has burned.I spoke to Cyberhome today.It was a 45 min wait to speak to a technician about this.He said to send it in ,gave me a RMA # no mention of money was made.I have no idea what they will do.It is past the Walmart warranty so Cyberhome was the only option.Recently, one of my friends who had bought a dvr-1500 at walmart ran into several issues with it and promply returned it.He picked up a Emerson dvd recorder, one reason was no more Cyberhomes.(NOT LIKE HE REALLY WANTED ONE)The Emerson worked right for 2 days before it locked-up.As it stands DVD home recording is still an imperfect format for far too many reasons.Maybe the bugs will be worked out in the next generation of recorders.

 

Just to report, having raised the hood a bit on my cyberhome (and admittedly sticking with dvd-rw for recording), my unit has been working for 6 months or so now without problems. It is more reliable than my vcr was for time-shifting. It has many options. I often find, on those occasions when I do have a problem, that it traceable to a setting that I forgot.

I had lots of trouble in the past with it locking up when it was shut off with a disc left in. This was totally resolved with the recent update available online. Also, it acted up in the past with signs of overheating before I raised the top cover a bit--I keep it that way and have had no more overheating issues (unresponsive buttons, etc). I've also had trouble with finalizing in the past, so I stick with dvd+rw and take the recordings to my computer to add menus, etc. But for my purposes, the unit is working great. I make 2-3 recordings daily, and I get compliments from other on how they look. I've made hundreds of discs now.

So, if you keep the unit cool and learn it's functions, there is hope. My opinion is that it does better with dvd+rw.

Of course people who are happy with their players (and have never had a problem) aren't going to be posting on a board called "Cyberhome Nightmare). But those people are out there--I've talked to them.

Jeremy

 

There are going to be heat issues.I have learned to not use the standby button.Once the unit has finalized 2 or more discs,keeping the circuit open only adds to the heat problem.Turn it off with the off button in the back.It appears some of the circuitry is not able to stand normal operation.The unit I sent back probably had heat problems,but the air circulation on it was excellent.It gets no added heat from the tv or anything else.Just from what I have seen,this generation of DVD recorders are not as reliable as VCR's.Too many things to go wrong like heat issues,possibly substandard capacitors and relays.Nothing in the directions says to open the body to have a breeze on the non- user serviceable parts.These units should be able to withstand normal operation.I had originally purchased 2 DVR-1500 units from Walmart.I had to take one back to Walmart within the 90 day period and now the other is past Walmart's warranty and had to be returned to Cyberhome.This is using them only a few times a week according to the instructions and supposed capabilities of these units.
While DVD is the best picture quality of the available recordable devices,it is still an imperfect format.Freezing and locking of the picture of rented or purchased dvds is ANNOYING ENOUGH TO GO BACK TO VIDEO TAPE.What difference does it make how good the picture quality is if it is interrupted constantly by abberations ? It appears this format has a long way to go whether we record it or they are commercially done.

 

I think you are on the right track, speculating the Cyberhome uses sub standard capacitors etc...

That would cause the heating / unreliablity issues pretty much everyone reports.

Due to those probems, my Cyberhome 2500 was unusable & found its way into the trash. I replaced it with a Philiphs 615 DVR. It has basicaly the same functionality as the Cyberhome.

However I can record 3 hours of VHS & the unit is still nice & cool. The Philiphs is in the exact same place as the Cyberhome was. That simply shows that the Philiphs must use better hardware components so there are no overheating problems.

Then again the Philiphs costs more than the Cyberhome did, But as with about anything, you get what you pay for.

One note :
Although the Philiphs works great, it has a terrible menu system. At least Cyberhome had one thing done right, they had a nice simple menu system.

 

This is going to be the problem with them.Overheating,substandard systems of one type or another.When Cyberhome repairs my unit,I realize it's days are numbered,before something else heat related or otherwise happens.Right now ,recording DVDs at home with the available offerings from Walmart or otherwise is still going to be somewhat hit and miss. While I have made some excellent quality DVDs with the Cyberhome,I also have a large stack of coasters as well.I have made a few recordings on DVD+R (finalized of course)that only play on the Cyberhome. My friends have had varying luck with everything from Phillips to Emerson to a real cheap one called Aspire. My point is when they work it's great, when they don't (which is alot) it is frustrating.One final note about buying DVD+Rs in a large stack. I have found ,from buying Memorex DVDs in the 25 pack,I always have trouble with the last one or two of them.The Cyberhome records them (usually)and they are doomed to play only on the Cyberhome unit.They buzz and whine + say no disc on everything else .I have 3 Apex,2 Sanyo and my computer DVD drives.Nothing but the Cyberhome will play them.

 

The Cyberhome is simply a poor 1st generation unit. Overheating problems, bugs, sometimes works, sometimes doesnt.

I doesn't have to be that way. I've ended up with a Pioneer DVR-220. I've had it almost 2 months. No heat problems, no bugs whatsoever no matter how minor. Better features. As a VCR replacement it works much better than the Cyberhome or Philips because in DVD-VR mode it fills in any available space. You don't have to worry about overwriting other recordings because the recording is too long. It supports chase play, ie ability to play a recording while something else is currently recording.

Its available from Walmart, has a 1yr warranty. Price has just dropped to $248.

Bottom line, don't think that all units have these problems just because the Cyberhome does. There are better units available now. There's no excuse for someone having to buy something that doesn't work anymore.

 

wnsrbear;

Any chance of posting your most effective email so that others could use it?

 

I am fed up with HSN and CyberHome. For the nonfunctioning DVD recorder /player, I purchased an extended warranty that means nothing. HSN disclaims any liability. I have been unable to get through to CyberHome. I was on HOLD for an hour 2x. What to do? My tray will not open.. I receive an error message. There is a DVD in the tray, but I do not know how to oipen it manually. Help!!!!!
Mad In Philly

 

This is the very common tray lock-up problem. My solution was to keep flipping the button in the back (for me it took anywhere from a few to 40-50 tries until the machine came back on and ejected the disk. Once it does, immediately install the latest updates from the Cyberhome website and never have this problem again. Cyberhome fixed that problem, as many have reported, in their last update. Mine locked up all the time before--now, never does.

Jeremy