Cyberhome DVD/RW nightmare

Look at the email I received today.....


Special Repair/Replacement Offer for DVD Recorders
--------------------------------------------------------

- If you own a CyberHome DVD Recorder and have experienced certain
problems, you may be eligible for special repair or replacement options. -

What specific models and problems does this offer apply to?
--------------------------------------------------------

This offer applies to the following problems occurring with CH-DVR
1500/2500 DVD Recorders:

Disc tray will not open.
Front Display reads CYBERHOME and the unit is frozen and does not respond.
Unit is frozen or will not power on.
Displays NO DISC when a DVD or compatible DVD Recordable Disc is inserted.
Unable to Play any discs or Record to compatible discs.
Unable to finalize compatible DVD+R discs.


What if my warranty has expired?
--------------------------------------------------------

Repair or Replacement is free. CyberHome will accept returns of all units
affected by the problems listed above, regardless of warranty status, and
all repair fees will be waived. This includes units that are out of the
normal warranty period.

The customer is responsible for shipping cost to the Service Center, and
CyberHome will cover return shipping to the customer.


What does this offer exclude?
--------------------------------------------------------

This offer does not cover units damaged by: misuse, abuse, negligence,
modification or unauthorized repair.


What are my options?
--------------------------------------------------------

Customers who meet the criteria listed above may choose from the following
options for repair or replacement:


>>Option 1: REPAIR

Your unit will be repaired free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
Only shipping fees to CyberHome will apply. The customer is responsible for
shipping cost to the Service Center, and CyberHome will cover return
shipping to the customer.


>>Option 2: REPLACEMENT

Your unit will be replaced free of charge with a new CH-DVR 1530 DVD
Recorder. The CH-DVR 1530 is a new model with similar specifications to the
CH-DVR 1500/2500 recorders. For details, see the following DVD Recorders
Comparison Chart page with links to Specifications and User Manuals for
both models: http://www.cyberhome.com/DVD_Recorders_Comparison.asp

This is a limited time offer. CyberHome reserves the right to modify or
cancel this offer at any time.


How do I select an option and request service?
--------------------------------------------------------

To take advantage of this limited time offer, please procede to the
following web site:
http://www.cyberhome.com/recorders_special_offer.asp

 

Dear gaphono,

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!! This is very interesting, indeed. Apparently, the company has finally recognized the meaning of the term "class action lawsuit." Amazing what thousands of nasty reviews on the Internet can do!

Thanks for bringing this potential solution to the attention of all of the rest of us!!

Best regards,
Sheila and the Kitties
of AmeriCatIdol.com

 

My 1500 is on the way back. I decided to try the 1530 model.

 

Thanks to anyone and all who have played any part in getting answers to this situation..I am processing for a CH-DVR 1530 Recorder.. My son, an attorney will be very pleased to hear of the results that are in the making... AGAIN, Thank You one and all...

 

I sent my 1500 back.The whole process took 7 days. I was not offered a new 1530 model,but they have repaired the 1500.So far,it is working well,has no heat related problems and is much faster.It finalizes in half the time and I have had no compatability issues with other players utilizing the recordings made with it. The picture quality is excellent.

I have 2 of these units.The other is newer and hasn't had any problems as yet.I hope when it does that they are still willing to repair it.

 

ATTENTION SHOPPERS:

Our area WalMarts have quit carrying CyberJunk DVD recorders, obviously TOO many returns.

I have followed this thread over a long while, now I would speak...

Many of you on this thread find it a challenge to stick with Cyberhome, more power to ya, I aint dissing ya if thats entertaining. But others want a hassle-free way to record DVDs

So I strongly advise...Those of you who havent BOUGHT a CyberJunk piece of crap, RUN and dontlook back.

I will further add - if you want the best for Less buy a Lite-On 5005 - this machine will record on all DVD formats plus burn Audio CDs and it has a DV input to boot! To be honest mine "got stupid" a couple of times but only during non-critical functions and turning it off and back on restored it to normal operation. The 5005 burns accurate DVD all the way to the disc edge with no skipping or errors. No, I dont work for Lite-ON I just happen to have done my homework and made an informed purchase.

Those of you looking for a reliable machine are now armed with a little more knowledge to make a decsion.

and you CyberJunk "Junkies" - Best of LUCK! ^__^

..and the thread goes on, and the thread goes on.

 

While were recommending replacements, I'll mention again that I tried the Cyberhome, Philips DVR75, Emerson EWR10D4. I've settled on the Pioneer DVR-220. It WORKS. Has no bugs. No powering on off, no missed recordings. Has great features such as chaseplay and is $248 at Walmart.
You don't have to mess with DVD recorders that don't work unless you pop the cover off or power on off every wednesday. I don't usually push a product, but I had just about given up and assumed that all DVD recorders were flakey. But the Pioneer works and is solid.

 

Not sure if I mentioned it before.

I switched to the Philiphs 615 unit, which works great. So far I've done over 30 VHS to DVD transfers w no problems. No over-heating problems, no finalization problems ....

I will admit though, it's UI is very poor.

 

I am having problems receiving my channels when doing a channel search, but not having any other problems as of yet. Will the new firmware affect areas that I am not having problems with?

 

My Cyberhome continues to do well and shows no signs of slowing down--all I did was lift the cover a bit for better ventilation. I've made dozens and dozens of recordings, and put nice menus on them with the computer. As you probably know from my posts, I'm no big Cyberhome fan--I feel the 1500 was a great product that fell short with a couple of basic design flaws. I've been thinking that my next unit would be a Panasonic because I wouldn't have to convert to dvd-r (as I do for trading). However, after doing some reading, it seems that DVD+RW is far better than DVD-RW as far as dependablility. I'm not sure I want to give up the ease of reusing DVD+RW's. It occurred to me that if I record in DVD-R on a Panasonic, I'll still have to transfer recordings to the computer, and I will have wasted a disk in the process. I know Panasonic has that data dvd thing, but I'm not sure that it is as convenient as dvd+rw's which can be bought cheaply and work well. Anyone have thoughts on this?

Jeremy

 

Mocchaa: Check the white sticker on the back of your DVR1500. Look for USA/X or USA/P. Then go to the SETUP menu, SYSTEM SETUP, and VERSION. The X model should use the X bios and P model with P bios. If the bios version and model (X or P) don't match or very old bios/servo version, you would get any or all the channels. Download the latest bios/servo here:

http://cyberhome.com/downloads.asp?Product=1500

Also some cable companies in certain regions use a slightly different signal. It's the HRC and IRC issue. If you can only get channel 5 or 6, that is why. Upgrade to the latest bios/servo should do the trick.

 

I have two DVR-1500's both of them completely died (wouldn't power on) within a week of eachother. I was pretty irritated thinking I was out over $500. Sent both of them back to Cyberhome under their recent special replacement option and recieved two DVR-1530's. It seems to run much cooler than the 1500 although this model still does not have an internal fan. It remains cool even in standby mode. The menus are a different and it has some better features (DV input!) The 8hr mode recordings have artifacts due to the higher compression.

 

My Cyberhome has been performing great for over six months now with no sign of letting up. All I did was raise the cover a bit to keep it cool. If Cyberhome has solved the major problems with its units, I might even consider one for replacement. (I know, I know! But my Cyberhome does what I want it to, and I know how to use it.) The servo/program updating worked like a charm for me. I love the disks I've made with it. The time-shifting is much more dependable than my vcr ever was. (Don't feel that you have to answer this message with a barrage of complaints about Cyberhome--I'm aware of the problems others have had.) I think keeping the unit cool saves you from a lot of problems. Weren't there a few 1500 features that the new Cyberhome lacks? Why did they leave out some features? Is that a problem?

Jeremy

Jeremy

 

Same here.
I have mine now for 8 months, it never missed a beat.
I did not lift the cover, nor made any other changes. I guess I just leave it alone and enjoy it as long as it lasts.
Kbeck

 

Here are the differences:
http://www.cyberhome.com/DVD_Recorders_Comparison.asp

 

If true, sounds like they removed a mess of editing features, and cut fastforward/rewind down to 2x while adding ilink and 8 hour support.

I can't believe only 2x ff/rew. Is that true? Seems useless. How is someone supposed to skip over commercials?

 

Thanks for the comparison. It sounds like they were trying to simplify the product in order for users to have less problems with it. Is it really true that there is only 2X fast forward? Anybody have one?

Jeremy

 

I just got my replacement yesterday. True the fast forward is only 2x but if your worried about how to fast forward through commercials, that is what the C button on the remote is for. Push that and you jump ahead 30 seconds each time you push it. The editing features are all still the same, i.e. title, chapter, hide chapter, etc. The one new feature that the 1530 has is picture in picture! I am really happy with the new one! Just my thoughts on the subject. Oh and you do have up to 8 hours recording time now.

 

Thanks for the info. May have to consider that one. I was considering other brands, but I've grown used to the Cyberhome layout, and the brands I was considering are all DVD-R. Lately, I've come to the conclusion that I like DVD+RW and don't want to give it up.

Jeremy

 

I am one of the unfortunate few who paid 89.95 plus shipping to have my 2500 repaired. Now I am being offered a free repair or replacement but Cyberhome refuses to reimburse the 89.95 that I paid already. They said they will repair my 2500 for free if I pay the shipping but it is already repaired. Great company. Can't see them staying in business for long with this type of customer service and product reliability.