DigiFusion FVRT 200 Problem

[joe90]

Oh dear... just when I thought that all the critics were wrong!

Don't know if this is a software or hardware fault, but the interface has become reaaaallllllyyyyyyy slow and the other night it wiped out all my recordings and then didn't get past the scanning phase on the front console - and I left it on all night!!

Anyone had this problem?

It's still under warrenty, but thought I'd ask here first before taking / sending back - cos that's really painful.

Thanks guys.

Joe

 

[LV426]

Hardware fault.

It could be (if you're lucky) the external power supply that's dying. Or it could be a couple of capacitors inside the unit.

This is, I suspect, always heat related. Units not well ventilated run hot and eventually die in the manner you've described.

 

[joe90]

power supply could be it.

ventilation .. unlikely ... I have about 6" of gap around the whole unit all the time.

This is what the service department had to say:

It sounds as though your unit may have installed, recorded or downloaded a corrupt file which has
caused the unit to freeze up during processing. To try and rectify your problem I would suggest an external master reset, the instructions for this are as follows:-

1) disconnect the mains power from the unit for 20 minutes
2) press and hold the two right hand buttons of the three on the front of your unit
3) reconnect the mains power and hold buttons for a further 10 seconds
4) release buttons and leave unit stood for 15 minutes to re initalise
5) after 15 minutes turn unit on using remote control
6) turn to page 35 of your manual and follow instructions on how to clear hard disc

After this process your unit should resume normal operation.

 

[LV426]

Please then let us know if that resolution cures it. Thanks.

 

[joe90]

no problem

Joe

 

[gogsboy]

This is, I suspect, always heat related. Units not well ventilated run hot and eventually die in the manner you've described.

Mine died a similar death after about 2 months reliable operation and one a bit dicey.

Units ventilation was never an issue.

 

[gogsboy]

power supply could be it.

ventilation .. unlikely ... I have about 6" of gap around the whole unit all the time.

This is what the service department had to say:

Weird, what service depo was that?

I called Digifusion and bascially the guy said 'hardware fault' I then asked like what, the hard drive, he said 'most likely'

He never told me to try any of that, he just said it was fried bascially

 

[joe90]

Ok,

Ran through the suggestions from the service department
=> Laura Beardsmore [[email protected]] (Consumer Electronics Support)

Not much change to be honest ... very frustrated.

I'm suspecting HDD failure coming but wanted to cover the bases (so to speak)

Have mailed them back and am awaiting a response...

Joe

 

[ianh64]

Exactly how my mothers units died. Their service department probably had a stock answer. ie RTFM and format the disc even though I had told them that I had reformatted the disc and done a factory reset.

I asked for a replacement PSW (5A to replace 3A unit) but it took a while to get an acceptable proof of purchase sorted so by the time the replacement had arrived, it had already gone back to JL for a full refund. So the stock answer for this type of fault as power supply problem was never proven.

 

[joe90]

Ian,

I take it that your resolution was to take the unit back to where you had originally bought it from .. namely John Lewis .. yes?

As far as the PSU is concerned, I remember reading (here) about the case of the internal (older) one vs the newer external "brick" type .. which is the one that I have ... since its only 9 months old, so I thought I'd be ok

Oh well....

Joe

 

[LV426]

I don't believe the problem is with the Hard Drive directly. I believe it is with Power Supply -BUT this may be either the external unit, or some capacitors which are inside the box. Either way, the power getting to the rest of it is inadequate in some way, and this may well affect the operation of the HDD. I've read of people replacing capacitors inside the unit and it recovering. I'm not recommending you try this unless you are well out of warranty.

 

[joe90]

Hi Nigel,

I am certainly not considering running around replacing capacitors .. the last time I tried this kind of thing I melted my distributor cap onto the engine of my car

I'm guessing that at the moment my only resolution is to take the unit back to the store I bought it from .. unless someone has another viable alternative...

(anyone?)

Joe

 

[LV426]

I'd agree. Get it swapped. For the same thing again if you like and if available. A newer example will probably have a better external PSU with it. If you keep it cool, it may well last.

 

[ianh64]

Ian,

I take it that your resolution was to take the unit back to where you had originally bought it from .. namely John Lewis .. yes?

Yes. I got a full refund from JL. Purchased in Feb for £199 and refunded £199 in July even though the shop were selling for, at that time, £149. Was told that the digifusions has a 1 in 10 return rate. Swapped it for a standard Sony Freeview box - PVR's with a UI of the calibre of the Digifusion are much too complicated for my elderly mother so I was happy to see the back of it.

Went in to JL yesterday and bought a Humax 9200T for ourselves. Noticed that DL did not have any Digifusions in, or tickets. Maybe its not a stock item anymore due to the high return rate? They did have the Sony branded identical twin of the Digifusion - £249 but I guess it will suffer identical issues to the Digifusion.

 

[joe90]

Ian,

I think if I end up doing that and going back to Comet ... and this certainly looks more and more the case, I may also try the Humax 9200T instead ... not that I have been particularly unhappy with the DigiFusion up to this point ... but, "a change is as good as a rest", as they say.

Didn't really want all the hassle but there you go ... trip to Comet me thinks.

Joe

 

[nemo]

Mine died yesterday after only 6 months, took it back to JL this morning who offered me a refund or an alternative brand because they nolonger sell Digifusion. Came away with a Humax 9200T.

 

[joe90]

Nemo,

How do you find the Humax after 6 months with the DigiFusion?

 

[nemo]

Nemo,

How do you find the Humax after 6 months with the DigiFusion?

Not really had a chance to have a good play with it yet, only set it up this afternoon. First impressions, seems slower to boot when you take it out of standby and the channel changes seem slightly slower. Tried a few sample recordings and image quality looks good.

 

[joe90]

Quick Update:

Took the DigiFusion back to Currys this morning. No problems. No hassles. Exchanged it for the Humax 9200T (2 year warranty - from today) .. just gotta see now what its like, compared to my experiences with the DigiFusion - which I was well happy with - until it messed up. That's life I guess.

Joe

 

[ianh64]

Well that is a good result.

If you have not done it already, or the box has not auto updated, I suggest that you do an update to v .06 of the firmware as it is transmitting at the moment. This adds chase play, auto padding on timed recordings and apparently significantly improves the units reliability.

Its an OTA upgrade but there is also the ability to do a manual update from the Humax web site. Also a Humax user web site

 

[joe90]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for the information .. I'll be sure to check it out at the first opportunity I get

Joe