Digihome PVR80 anyone got/had one ?

[Trixter]

Hello all.

I picked one of these up yesterday from argos, once setup i was suprised at how good it was and fast compared to my other panasonic non-PVR everything was working perfectly, then after about 6 hours it went bad, it just had a black screen on every channel, all the info and guides ect worked still, i left it until this morning and did the installation thing again and it wouldnt get a signal so it wouldnt give me any channels (there must have been a signal because info and the guide would not work otherwise right ?), so i unplugged it from the wall and plugged it back in, it worked perfectly again for a few hours then did the same.

I cant find anything on the net about this box, anyone had one ?

Im going to take this back but wonder if its worth going for a different box.

Cheers, Andy.

 

[KpSte]

Is a Digihome a new name for a Digifusion?

If it is I had a Digifusion and if you set a recording from a "Favorites" list you got a recording at the correct time but a different channel. If I remember right when trying to record Cbeebies you got ITV3.

That and the lock ups it had to go back. I replaced it with a Humax 9200T which has worked perfectly since.

 

[LV426]

I don't believe they are the same thing/brand.

 

[KpSte]

After 20 minutes searching the web I can't find a home-page for Digihome?

Curious for a electronics manufacturer to not have a web presence?

 

[Trixter]

In the manual there is no site not even a address just a phone number.

I did a format after the post yesterday and its worked perfectly since, set it up to record a few programs last night and it has done.

Though how often will this happen.

Ill keep testing it over the next few days anyway, with argos its gotta go back within 16 days i think.

 

[creddish]

Ill keep testing it over the next few days anyway, with argos its gotta go back within 16 days i think.

Argos exclude PVR's from their no-quibble 16 day return policy. However, if the unit is faulty the 16 day period does not apply anyway.

Colin

 

[Trixter]

Argos exclude PVR's from their no-quibble 16 day return policy. However, if the unit is faulty the 16 day period does not apply anyway.

Colin

Ahh i see, well its done it again so it must be faulty, its going back tomorow.

 

[Trixter]

Just noticed on the argos site that the picture they have for this model is exactly the same but the make on the box is Vestel.

I also noticed that the Goodmans GHD8015F is exactly the same box but £40 more.

Whats all that about ?

 

[KpSte]

Just noticed on the argos site that the picture they have for this model is exactly the same but the make on the box is Vestel.

I also noticed that the Goodmans GHD8015F is exactly the same box but £40 more.

Whats all that about ?

I work in design and we used to do brouchres for a number of clinets that just re-badged products for the UK. One photocopier brand imported products from germany to england (where that model isn't available) and print their own logo on them and sell them on. There isn't anything dodgy about it though it's just a cheap way of them getting into the market place without all this reasearch and development! Customer support was rubbish tho.

 

[Trixter]

Thanks for clearing that up Ste.

Well took the box back and got a replacement, the manager came out and tried to blame my ariel and tv even though we have had 3 other freeview boxes that all worked perfectly, they also said that i was not entitled to a refund though on there site it says different.

Will let you know how i get on with this one.

 

[AlSIN]

To TRIXTER

I wonder if the new box any better???

 

[jadeandandrew]

then after about 6 hours it went bad, it just had a black screen on every channel, all the info and guides ect worked still, i left it until this morning and did the installation thing again and it wouldnt get a signal so it wouldnt give me any channels
Cheers, Andy.

Hi,

I am currently having very simular problems as you, except mine only crashes about once a week (usually at the worst possible time!). It only started doing it after a few months of using it so no hope of a refund from Argos.

The best solution I have found for it is doing a first time installation, it does a disk check, retrieves all the channels again, while the recordings and preserved. I still lose all the timers though and just plain annoying!

Any help or advice anyone can offer would be much appreicated.

Thanks! Andrew.

 

[clarky100]

I guess you have firmware 3.9 or lower, I had the exact same problems as you but upgrading to 4.9 solved this, if updat you switch your box to standby it will automatically update when it is broadcast.

 

[JohnON]

I've put some photos and info for the Digihome on my website which may be of some use. All info is provided for use at your own risk
http://www.vwlowen.co.uk/vestel/digihome.htm

John.

 

[jadeandandrew]

Hello again and thanks for the replies. I am using the latest firmware. I thought if it was a heat problem it would just crash randomly? the strange thing is it crashes nearly exactly once a week. Is there anything I can try to debug the problem? Flipping the hard drive could be a last resort!

Thanks! Andrew.

 

[Wadey]

I've got one of these boxes and it too keeps locking up, its on v3.9 so reading above this could be the problem?
I've tried updating the software but while I'm transfering the box decides to boot up and the transfer stops, any thoughts or ideas before the box goes back?

 

[blanco]

Hi Everyone. I've had one of these boxes since Xmas and its working very well. Whilst you can't "series link" its very easy with the 7day epg to find the next programme and select it for recording. I do like the red moving time line that tracks across the EPG. I haven't got round to converting it to a dual recording machine because I don't as yet need that function. May get to it later. In case it helps mine is running Version 4.9 software, which if my memory isn't too knackered has been updated since I first set it up. Hope this helps.

 

[pigdog237]

If anyone's interested I just posted a long reply on another thread - but it's also relevant to "Digihome PVR80 anyone got/had one ?" - so I'll copy it here also:

Topfield and Humax are usually the machines of choice around the £200 mark.

However, if you want a cheaper option! Try the Digihome PVR80 (80GB) (or for slightly more the PVR160 - 160GB) from Argos. I paid £99 for the 80GB model. Only £20 more than my Humax FOX-T non-PVR.

It's actually manufactured by Vestel and there are many other "rebadged" models - including Goodmans, Grundig and even Sharp (one available for around £80 at Asda).

Have a look at http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=171 for loads more info.

You can see the Sharp model (overpriced at £199) at http://www.sharp.co.uk/invt/tur160h&bklist= Slightly nicer looking than Digihome model, though! There are decent pics of the back of the unit and the remote.

POSITIVES
- Fast Teletext
- Pretty decent remote
- Looks OK
- Quiet hard drive (silent when not in use)
- 80GB for 40 hours record
- Timeslip (just press pause button)
- Watch a previous recording, while making another recording
- Subtitles can be viewed on recordings (or turned on/off)
- Can record extra few minutes at start/end of timer recordings
(user definable)
- Displays a very decent picture (through RGB SCART) despite
the fact my reception is so weak it's unwatchable through
standard aerial connection.
- RF Modualtion (I think - haven't tried it!)
- RGB SCART 1 / S-Video SCART 2
- SCART through (incorrect term!) - EG: Connect a games console etc
to SCART 2, and the signal passes through to the main output SCART.
- Audio out and Digital Audio out (TOSLink) for some reason!
Even though 5.1 audio from Freeview.
- Picture-in-picture (not available if recording)

NEGATIVES
- Twin tuner, but not twin record out of the box
(Can be upgraded to twin record with an "unnofficial" firmware)
- No Digihome website, for support, etc.
Although plenty of info available from other websites.
- The worry of buying a cheapo product!
- No option to connect to a PC (like the Humax & Topfield) for
backups. I just connect the RGB SCART to my DVD recorder for
anything I want to archive onto DVD.
- No "Archive" feature. Would be nice to be able to program 3 or 4
programmes to playback consecutively. EG: Recorded entire Michael
Palin "Himalaya" series, but had to manually begin each episode to
transfer onto DVD recorder.
- Can't edit name of recording once recorded. EG: Recorded film from
FilmFour the other day. It recorded as "FilmFour" rather than
"Dunston Checks In"* - and now I can't edit the name in the "library".

I've had a look at the Humax 9200T as it seems to get great reviews, but I'm reticent as, to be honest, I think it's fairly hideously unattractive

Hmmmm... The Digihome is probably even uglier - but it does have a black front! Apparently the Asda version is better looking?

- needs to receive Freeview and have a decent tuner (Samsung TV tuner is only barely acceptable)

Check.

- preferably black

Black frontis with silver casing.

- preferably quiet

Check.

- would like to be able to record one thing and watch another simultaneously

Yes - but not record 2 programmes, while watching another, unless you upgrade to the "unnofficial" firmware.

- absolute heaven ideal world would include series link

No, but you can modify the timer you record at the same time, on the same channel, on the same day - so, pretty close.

- don't really want to spend a fortune

Check!

*PS - I didn't really record "Dunston Checks In"! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116151/

Originally from: http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=463168

 

[creddish]

If anyone's interested I just posted a long reply on another thread - but it's also relevant to "Digihome PVR80 anyone got/had one ?" - so I'll copy it here also:

I don't believe the Digihome PVRs have an RF Modulator.

Colin

 

[Croz]

Daughter bought a £65 refurb from DABS - no instruction manual - anyone know where we can download a copy ? Customer review on DABS site suggest it can be obtained from a Grundig web page but the link doesn't work.


SORRY _ have answered my own question - assuming it's a Grundig under the covers - or a rebadged whatever it is originally in China - then this works

http://www.grundig.co.uk/productdetails.aspx?pid=GUSTB80IV&language=en-GB&vw=ug

 

[bradavon78]

I'm interested in the model from Argos an was wondering:

1. Are recording all the time so I can just press Pause or Fast Forward when I like, is this the case? OR do you need to press PAUSE first?
2. Does it wipe over old PLTV data or clear itself down periodically, is this also the case?

In other words here's what I'm after and hoping that Argos PVR can do:

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10166_7-6311501-1.html

"Always on" recording.

Thanks

 

[Raymate]

Does this Digihome PVR80 do RGB out?

Just seen it in Tesco for £69 and may grab one if it does do RGB VIDEO OUT

 

[creddish]

Does this Digihome PVR80 do RGB out?

Just seen it in Tesco for £69 and may grab one if it does do RGB VIDEO OUT

Yes. According to the Manual it does RGB and CVBS output on the TV SCART but only CVBS output on the VCR SCART.

Colin

 

[Raymate]

Yes. According to the Manual it does RGB and CVBS output on the TV SCART but only CVBS output on the VCR SCART.

Colin

Cool.... just got one. It works rather well. Cheers

 

[chriszzzzzz]

Great little machine for no money. Had it a few weeks now performing faultlessly so far..