Eric, I am in the same boat as you. I was following rwestley's instructions on page 5 of this thread and I got stumped. The files on the CyberHome website are Nero based and I do not have Nero, I have Roxio. I would prefer not to buy Nero because it does not co-exist well together with Roxio. Anybody have any ideas for Roxio users? Happy NY everyone.

I tried those instructions too with no luck. Hopefully someone will pose a hint or two for the current files on the site.

Eric

Eric, I am in the same boat as you. I was following rwestley's instructions on page 5 of this thread and I got stumped. The files on the CyberHome website are Nero based and I do not have Nero, I have Roxio. I would prefer not to buy Nero because it does not co-exist well together with Roxio. Anybody have any ideas for Roxio users? Happy NY everyone.
You shouldn't need nero to copy these files to cd. With Roxio when you go to eject disk go to the advance option and pick iso option to eject. This should give you exact copy of file and let it be read on any computer(or recorder). I don't have a Cyberhome so don't know for sure if this will work.

Remember that old adage- you get what you paid for.

That adage has forced many people to buy overpriced pieces of crap. I'm sure we all can think of some products that were much higher priced than their competition while being clearly inferior.

Well I finally had success updating my back end firmware. I downloaded IMGBURN software per LPJR's advise on page 24 of this thread. I opened IMGBURN and followed the directions, burned the file onto a disc, and it it worked when I put the disc in my DVR 1600.
Martin1, if I remember correctly I tried your suggestion earlier and it did not work. It is possible though I made a mistake. Anyway, alls well that ends well, thanks for all inputs. Hope the rest of you can figure it out.

I just picked up one of these yesterday. The first thing I noticed after I loaded a +RW disc was the odd loud noises coming from the drive. It sounds like an unbalanced disc spinning at high speed. I have tried several discs and they all do this. Has anyone else noticed these types of sounds? If not I think I will go exchange this unit.

I just picked up one of these yesterday. The first thing I noticed after I loaded a +RW disc was the odd loud noises coming from the drive. It sounds like an unbalanced disc spinning at high speed. I have tried several discs and they all do this. Has anyone else noticed these types of sounds? If not I think I will go exchange this unit.


Return it, thats not normal.. A friend of mine had the same problem

Jon

The files on the CyberHome website are Nero based and I do not have Nero, I have Roxio..



They are not Nero based, iso files are very common disc image files. It's just that Roxio does not include the option of burning iso files.

Jon

Hello,

I bought a DVR 1600MU1 from Oct, last week at BB but the BIOS says 540/037S, it records nicely on Memorex +rw but once I want to watch it on my 2 different pionners they spit the disk, I tried on the portable Cyberhome and it skips a lot or freezes, I can see it on my computer but if I want to extract the files with DVD decrypter or DVD shrink, they both shows error or corrupted files and I can't do anything

Today I tried with FUJI +rw and its almost the same, pionner doesn't recognize it and I only recorded 30 minutes and I could extract the files with DVD decrypter to DVD shrink and back to burn in another disk and then the pionner plays it, but if I edit the commercials on the DVD shrink then it skips or freezes

I just want to use this thing to record cartoons for my son so he can be able to watch them on his TV and to let us watch ours =) but I'm not so sure that I can update the firmware because I read on some page down that this has a different BIOS than the files on the cyberhome site, so please someone has the same recorder and if has the same problem, or had updated the fw, different kinds of disk or bla bla bla please help me! I'm looking to exchange it for a more expensive item but looks like the $200 or $300 are not so much better than this one, all my media is +rw +r and I wouldn't want to go in the trouble to have and $300 -rw just to record then to come to the compu and re-encode on +rw instead of just recording and moving to my son's DVD player without all the work

I hope someone can help me before I give up, really don't have too much time to try and error anymore =P
Thanks and happy new year

I just picked up one of these yesterday. The first thing I noticed after I loaded a +RW disc was the odd loud noises coming from the drive. It sounds like an unbalanced disc spinning at high speed. I have tried several discs and they all do this. Has anyone else noticed these types of sounds? If not I think I will go exchange this unit.
Mine will occasionally make a rattling sound but it doesn't seem to affect recordabiliy. But, I would return it and get another make while you still can. I still have my 1600 ZU (The DD sound is excellent and the PQ at HQ is very good) and it does well for me as a recorder of VHS tapes, laserdiscs and programs from my HD tuner. As a player it is not as good as my cheapest magnavox players.

There is a Panasonic (es10?) that costs less than $150 and is a much better unit from what I read. The Cyberhome works okay for those who have DIY capabilities. I don't recommend it to people who want something that works easily.

Good luck. With the Cyberhome performance seems to be a coin toss. I do like mine. It has recorded on most brands and types of media I throw at it.
BTW, Put some risers on the feet. I raised my unit an inch higher and it stopped almost all of its reliability problems. It still doesn't play as well as any of my other players though. But I don't need it to. :)

iso files are very common disc image files.
ISO stands for International Standards Organization.

Hello,

I bought a DVR 1600MU1 from Oct, last week at BB but the BIOS says 540/037S, it records nicely on Memorex +rw but once I want to watch it on my 2 different pionners they spit the disk, I tried on the portable Cyberhome and it skips a lot or freezes, I can see it on my computer but if I want to extract the files with DVD decrypter or DVD shrink, they both shows error or corrupted files and I can't do anything

<snip>

I hope someone can help me before I give up, really don't have too much time to try and error anymore =P
Thanks and happy new year

You are having these troubles even when you Finalize the disc before you remove it from the DVR1600?

DVDDecrypter won't (normally) process the disc if it isn't Finalized by the recorder.

John

You are having these troubles even when you Finalize the disc before you remove it from the DVR1600? DVDDecrypter won't (normally) process the disc if it isn't Finalized by the recorder.
FWIW, my -MU1 unit finalizes +RW automatically after each recording (and I think the OP did say he uses +RW media, too).

I've played my +RW discs in a couple of players with no problems at all. If it weren't for the tuner hum issue this thing would be perfect for what it does (and the price).

Anyone want to give me a link to post the MU1 firmware for DVR1600 MU1 owners (make sure you've got that model), I'll be glad to do so. It would be just as easy for you to just go to the www.cyberhome.com website, and fill out their support form and tell them you need the MU1 firmware. Got mine the day after I asked for it via email. But again, if you have a quick host link, like one of those freebie file exchange sites, let me know. I've seen them but don't recall the websites.

Notes on the firmware:

Two files to be burned separately. Both Nero image files. One is the primary "loader" file, the other is the actual firmware, I presume. The email instructs you on which file to burn and load into the unit first.

The loader disc copied very quickly into the player when prompted. The second disc, however, was sitting on 5% for a couple of minutes...I thought I was toast there until all of the sudden it jumped to 22 percent, and so on...lol.

After updating the firmware, you'll have to reset the clock and picture shape (aka 16x9), as well as other variables, like screensaver, etc.

Note: When actually updating with the second disc, an ominous message came up at the start saying something like "May be incompatible with this unit" or some such. But, being adventurous, I took the plunge, and just clicked OK for the go ahead.

Player works fine after firmware. Haven't burned anything with this unit yet, however. My only gripes so far about it as a "player" is that every so often it would stall shortly after the main menu came up and the actual movie/show started. Haven't had that issue again (so far) after updating firmware.

Here's the tech support email I got about it as well as the file attachments:

"Attached below are the firmware updates for your model DVR1600MU1.

(See attached file: MU1 LOADER 049S.nrg)(Loader)

(See attached file: DVR1600MU1_610.nrg)(Backend)

You need to burn .NRG files as an image format otherwise the unit will not
recognize the disc. So, you will need a CD-R/RW writer/burner to transfer
these images on to a disc, and Nero CD mastering application. In Nero, you
can burn the image to disc by selecting FILE in the Main Menu then "Burn
Image to Disc"."

Here's the firmware for the MU1. Please see my post above about instructions:

http://www.filefactory.com/get/f.php?f=5319bb2efdca47178bcc107a

I am having a problem with DivX playback on a 1600 MU1 that was manufactured in Novemeber 2005. DivX files will play, but the frame rate appears to be slow (~15FPS) and the image appears slightly pixelated. I do not have this problem playing the same files on a Philips 642. DVD record and playback on my 1600 MU1 is fine. Is anyone else having a similar issue with MU1 DivX playback?

I have read this entire thread trying to get clues as to why formating results in about a 60% coaster rate, and finalizing coasterizes 50% of the rest. I have a 1600MU with the latest firmware, and I have tried several types of +R media (Maxell - unknown, Ridata - Ritek03, Fuji - Ritek03, Philips - CMC, to name a few). Several people have mentioned heat, and I think that may be my problem. I don't have mine stacked with other components. In fact, it is elevated about 12". It still seems to get pretty hot, especially on the bottom. I took the cover off and wired a small 40mm fan. Since there is no readily available place to mount the fan to push or pull air into or out of the case, I just positioned it so that it blows air on the circuit board and drive assembly. With the cover back on, it was still pretty hot and had a high fail rate. With the cover off and fan running, it has successfully recorded about 10 things in a row. I will keep this setup to make sure I have fixed the problem. Eventually, I will cut a hole in the cover and mount a larger fan. That way, I can have the cover on.

I don't think this recorder is too bad. I just wish cyberhome would have engineered some cooling/ ventilation into this system. I bet heat is causing most of the failures and errors people are reporting. I think the processor or servo controller gets to hot and causes a bad write. I have noticed that with my new setup, the servo doesn't thrash around like it use to.

If I continue to get errors with the cover off, I will post back, so others won't mess with opening their box. I hope this helps.

hello i was having quite a bit of problems with my cyberhome dvr 1600zu because sometimes it wouldn't finalize the disc and/or it would say bad disc. i did the 2 updates on the cyberhome website for the loader and firmware but now it seems that it's worse. after recording a program, when i try to view it, it either says bad disc or error. please help. i'm about to throw this thing out the window. is there a way to revert back to the original loader and firmware and get rid of the updates?

I want to start a petition to report this company (cyberhome0 to the BBB. Let me know if you are interested.

very interested!!!

Take it back and exchange it. These things are cheap junk that either work great or work like crap. Mine works great. A couple of my friends got these also, one works the other one doesn't.

Jon

my ch-dvr 1600zu will also periodically turn on by itself. does anyone else experience this?

my ch-dvr 1600zu will also periodically turn on by itself. does anyone else experience this?
My ZU hasn't ever done this. Make sure your remote is not aimed at it when not in use and make sure the batteries in it are fresh.

Also, just to repeat something I've mentioned before. The weakest design flaw in the 1600 (IMO) is cooling (as others mention). I would advise ALL owners to at least raise the machines higher by an inch. I used the round felt pads sold at Home Depot and Lowes. It has made my machine completely reliable. (Okay it's still not perfect but I haven't had any coasters since doing this.)

Also - don't place anything at all on top or above (by many inches) the machine.

Hello...

I've waded through this massive thread and can only add what I've found from my own experience.
I bought an MU1 (made in Sept.05) from Walmart in Canada for $129 in late November.
I immediatele applied the region hack and it was successful.

Coasters - I've only had two coasters out of approx. 40 burn.

Media - I've only used Sony DVD + R (until today)

Options - I can record at 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 hours. But have only used 1, 2 , 3 , and 4.
The image quality is great on 1aand 2 hour recordings.. 3 hour is acceptable.. 4 hour is a bit dodgy.

After finding posts online stating some builds of this recorder will burn DVD - R, I picked up a 10 pack of Sony DVD-R today and lo and behold the machine recognised them as DVD-R , allowed me to format it and let me record an episode of a tv show from video...
The quality is identical to a DVD+r recording as far as I can tell

I find this amazing... The box, the manual and the website all claim it will record only on DVD+R..

I have found no buzzing noises while recording or playback.. the quality is very acceptable.. and the editing , while skeletal and rudimentary.. is fine with me considering the price paid..

The only complaint I have is the remote.. it is poorly designed and there is a delay between pressing resume record (from paused) and the actual resumption of recording..
This would be fine if it was consistent.. but the delay time varies.. this is a pain when zapping commercials while recording off vhs tapes..

But other than that, I can't find any real fault with this unit..

As I posted earlier in the thread, I had a serious heat problem with my 1600MU. I have now mounted an 80mm x 15mm Evercool Fan (EC8015M12CA) on the inside of the cover. Looking down on the recorder, I positioned it 7 cm from the right and 3cm from the point where the metal cover's tabs fit into the slots on the plastic face of the player. That is about the only place a fan this big will fit, but it also ensures that all three major components, the power supply, the tuner, and the drive assembly, get a sufficient amount of air flow. I traced the perimeter of the fan and the circle insribed by the duct on the top of the cover. Then, I used a drill and a jigsaw to cut out the screw holes and circle trace. I mounted the fan on the inside of the case and a fan grill on the outside of the case. This particular fan has 3 pins. I just used the red (12V) and black (ground). I attached these to the corresponding pins on the drive assembly. I unplugged the connector, teased the appropriate pins out of the plastic connector, stuck the fan wires in the pins,and stuck the pins back into the plastic connector. The wires held great, and no soldering was involved.

The fan is very, very quiet. I can't even hear it running. And, it moves a great deal of air; you can feel it coming out of the vent slots on the top and bottom of the player. Best of all, it keeps the player very cool, and my success rate since the mod has been 100%. Now, I had these parts laying around, so others may not want to start buying parts for this unit. I think the fan and grill were less than $10. I bought the fan a year or two ago to use as a heat sink fan for a computer. If you have the parts, it is a pretty easy fix. After $10 on parts and $10 on ruined media, I now have a functioning DVD recorder that cost me about $100 total. It still comes in under the Panasonic ES20, but just barely. So, unless the ES20 has vastly superior features, I think I can live with this.

If you have performed all the firmware updates and are still getting formatting, finalizing, or any other recording related errors, I strongly recommend that you employ some form of active cooling to reduce the heat generated by the drive assembly. Just raising the unit to provide more space underneath didn't work for me, as it did for Cyrano. Sorry this was so long, but I hope it helps someone.

Won't allow me to put the URL, but google Accelerated Technologies DVR for info.

Wow. It never ceases to amaze me that people will continue to buy crapola and put up with problems from this kind of stuff all in the name of saving a few dollars. This thread proves without a doubt that Americans are willing to buy any crapola that is thrown at them without regard to quality as long as its CHEAP. No wonder so much electronics made for the American market is buy it, use it, throw it away junk. Simply amazing.

I have read this entire thread trying to get clues as to why formating results in about a 60% coaster rate, and finalizing coasterizes 50% of the rest.


LMAO. Why on God's green earth would anyone put up with such a piece of junk? If my DVD recorder produced more than 2 coasters I would take it back and find another machine. Unfrickinbelievable.

All though these machines have often been trashed on this forum, they have more than twice as many views as the next thread.
They have twice as many views because so many people who bought this crapola are having some problem or flaw with them and are reading about how to fix the problems. Do you think there would be this many posts about a machine that is giving people no problems and that everyone is pleased with?? LMAO.

My ZU hasn't ever done this.Mine (ZU) neither. Never even done a f/w upgrade on it, and only 1 coaster in 9 months.

I would advise ALL owners to at least raise the machines higher by an inch... It has made my machine completely reliable.I wondered why mine worked so well - I have placed an 80mm PC fan next to it, that blows air across the top and bottom surfaces. I had to - all my A/V gear is in an enclosed, wooden TV cabinet. There's a 120mm fan in the back that blows in fresh air, which escapes through the gaps round the doors.

My 1600MU (May05), sits on top of my Zenith DVB-318, which sit on top of a Moto 6208 cable box. It does get very hot, but I've had no problems. Zero coasters burnt to date.

Jon

I've updated the MU1 firmware.
But the tuner signal is horrible. I can't believe this should replace a VCR...
I tried different video cable from the unit to the TV but the results aren't nice
at all... I wonder if they used different impedance connectors for the MU1...

They have twice as many views because so many people who bought this crapola are having some problem or flaw with them and are reading about how to fix the problems. Do you think there would be this many posts about a machine that is giving people no problems and that everyone is pleased with?? LMAO.

Mine had lots of problems too, but if you get one that works, it is a lot of machine for a hundred dollars. Changing brands of media didn't help me. Changing the firmware didn't do much. Customer Service was a bunch on eager kids.

I had the model from Target, Trutech 1620. The Trutech model is better than the other ones because upto 90 days you can take it back to Target and they return all your money. That's what I did. I rented it free for 3 months, but if it worked I'd have kept it.

I would tell everyone never buy the Cyberhome 1600 from BB with a short return policy, but buy the Trutech one from Target, with a good return policy, since the manufacturing level must be very low. After my experience, I will buy another of these from Target, and hope that I get one that works well., and if not, return it again.

I don't know if the tuner in all the 1600s (MU, MU1, ZU) is the same but my ZU's tuner is not worth recording from. The problem has been mentioned a number of times in this thread. The problem is hum.
I use the 480i output from an HDTV tuner and the sound is great. The PQ is pretty good too.

I don't know if the tuner in all the 1600s (MU, MU1, ZU) is the same but my ZU's tuner is not worth recording from. The problem has been mentioned a number of times in this thread. The problem is hum.
I use the 480i output from an HDTV tuner and the sound is great. The PQ is pretty good too.

It seems to he a question of terrible quality control. My machine had lots of problems, but the tuner was not one of them.

but if you get one that works, it is a lot of machine for a hundred dollars.
Yup. I guess I lucked out with my iLo, 'cause it has always recorded flawlessly (other than the tuner "hum" issue) on some cheap DVD+RW media I got from Fry's. Once it stuttered on playing back one of the discs it had made, but it played perfectly in the computer, so I just figured it was a scratched or worn-out disc (it was one of the re-writables I'd used a couple of weeks) and replaced that disc.

LMAO. Why on God's green earth would anyone put up with such a piece of junk? If my DVD recorder produced more than 2 coasters I would take it back and find another machine. Unfrickinbelievable.

I actually didn't have a choice. I originally bought it because a friend got one and had no problems with it. We thought they would be a cheap way to dump programs we had on our DVRs. I bought one and had no problems with two programs I recorded. Since I was in the middle of remodeling project in the family room, I didn't have the time (or place) to use it. Once my remodeling was done, I set up all my AV stuff and tried to use the recorder in its new home. That is when I ran into all my problems. Returning it was not an option, because I had already exceeded the return time. So my options were - throw it away, or try to get it working. I didn't feel like throwing away $80, so I went looking on the internet for possible answers. Thats how I found this thread and got the idea that my problem may be heat. I admit that I probably should have done my homework before buying. But, like I said, my friend didn't have any problems with his, so I picked one up. I also probably shouldn't have bought it considering the circumstances with regard to the possibility that I may have had to return it, if it didn't work. Hindsight is 20/20. But, it works fine now. So, on my little slice of God's green earth, the reason I did what I did is because I couldn't see throwing $80 in the garbage. Is that so unfrickinbelievable?

I have a 1600 ZU unit that is working fine, but noticed that after finalizing a DVD+RW disk, I don't have any option to erase it. This option is available prior to finalizing. Anybody knows how to erase the finalized disk in the Cyberhome 1600 itself. I have been using either Sonic or Nero programs to erase the disk so that I can re-use it.

To erase (they call it "formatting"), hit your "Edit" button while in "Play" or "Title" mode. That's how I've been doing it.

My cyberhome will not turn on now and just flashes the time display with nothing happening. I have unplugged it (numerous times) and still it does not turn on.
Can anyone help?

Time to take it back! You've tried the front-panel keys, of course?

Yes I have. I also did not have a warrenty on the thing so will Best Buy Take it Back?

If it's been more than 30 (or 15, depending) days, it now has a new career as a doorstop, unfortunately. :(

At this point, I'd try taking the lid off and looking for anything obviously wrong. If you're at all adept with electronics, there's more things you can try.

Yes I have. I also did not have a warrenty on the thing so will Best Buy Take it Back?


This is a lesson, that if you buy one of this crapshoot machines, buy it from Target where there is a 90 day return policy. With a machine that has a greater than 50% chance of being a lemon, don't buy from a store with a 14 day return policy. :p

Does anyone know how to determine the firmware revision level in the Cyberhome 1600?

Thx

Press "setup" on the remote. Then select "general" from the top pane on the screen. Then in the bottom pane scroll down past "menu language" and you will come to "version".

Jon

I'll tell you guys this has been a great lil recorder/player, i had the ZU first, then once i heard the MU plays xvid i swapped it, what a hard time i had finding a MU last yr.
I dont use this player much, recorded a few dvd's and ive owned many dvd players since, upconverting and such.

I have a Panasonic plasma 42", i'll tell you what this MU mediatek chipset is really nice, ive tried Oppo's , LG's, Sony's,Kingwell 1080p player and this lil dude looks pretty damn good!!
Ive ignored her because them lil buttons are hard to push, being 6'2" 270lbs.

What warrents this reply is ive found a few dvd's that bitrate wise arent the best, but Damn! they dont look that bad!!
I have it hooked up thru lowly S-Vid, and the pixelation problems i see thru the top end players looks good on this Cyberhome.

It has some great picture adjustments like Contrast and Brightness you only see on the Oppo and better.
If the Remote was better and optical DTS out it would be a 9-10 in my book!
A few beer's and the Cyberhome has new life!!
Take care Friends!

if you record different shows on different speeds on the same dvd disc, will there be a problem finalizing?

if you record different shows on different speeds on the same dvd disc, will there be a problem finalizing?No

I guess I just lucked out with my MU1 too..
I haven't had any overheating problems, and image quality recording off the tuner is fine.. No complaints.
One thing tho... I always the unit down after a recording session. I have never yet just kept recording things one after the other without shutting it down for even just a few minutes..
I guess I don't want to temp fate.. :D

I have a 1600 ZU unit that is working fine, but noticed that after finalizing a DVD+RW disk, I don't have any option to erase it. This option is available prior to finalizing. Anybody knows how to erase the finalized disk in the Cyberhome 1600 itself. I have been using either Sonic or Nero programs to erase the disk so that I can re-use it.

I don't need to finalize my +RW DVD's to play in either my PC or my Polaroid DVD VCR combo. Solution, don't finalize, just play.

I don't need to finalize my +RW DVD's to play in ... my Polaroid DVD VCR combo.
Heh- I just got one of those for my back bedroom (20in model, S-Video jacks in front?). Same here- and that thing is finicky; it won't even play most of my burned DVDs unless the booktype is set to DVD-ROM

Just wondering if anyone knows whether after doing the remote region hack the unit records region free dvd's.
Or does the region hack just enable region free for playing disks?

My understanding is that most DVD Recorders create Region-Free DVDs. About your specific model, I can't say.

I have a 1600 MU. I am able to copy DVD's and some VHS tapes but I can't get the DVD's to play in other units. Will upgrading the firmware from the Cyberhome site help with this?? Also, I tried copying my wedding video onto a DVD and it would freeze up after only about 2 minutes. Can anyone help me wiht this???

Which other units you got?, sounds like a 5 yr old sony that doesnt play anything other than pressed dvd's
Let us know about your "unit's" and what brand of dvd's your using.

Ok, I have a Sanyo DWM-400 (won't recognize the discs I've copied, but it will recognize discs burned using a laptop) and a Hitachi DVP 735U- will recognize the discs. I am using a cheap brand DVD+RW- Imation. I e-mail Cyberhome support and they e-mailed back with a list of "Acceptable" discs to use. Guess I should try them.

Why would the recording freeze after 2:27 minutes? I've had this happen several times. If I stop the whole thing (essentially unplugging and starting over) but start when it froze instead of the beginning, it records fine. Weird.

Anyway, thanks for ANY help!!!

Mdld: Pls share the list of acceptable discs that your got from Cyberhome support. Tks.

Kwok Lau

HEre is a copy of the e-mail I received:

Dear Customer,

There are many different types of disc media available today, and not all
of them are compatible with CyberHome equipment. And while there may be
others brands of disc media that will perform quite well in our units,
there are others that will only work on an intermittent basis. We have
tested the following brands, and found them to be the most compatible with
our equipment:

Verbatim, Great Quality, Ricoh, Ritek, Nanya, RiData, Daxon, CMC Magnetics
Corp, Info Disc, Intenso, MBI, MCC, and Medianca seem to work best in
most our units.

We have found that +RW discs actually work much better than the +R discs,
especially for recording purposes, but you may want to try a few different
types of media to see which ones work the best in your particular unit.

DVR 1600 UNITS: Sony, Fuji Film, HP and Philips brands have produced
inconsistent results in the DVR 1600 units.

Firmware updates have also been created to address disc incompatibility and
finalization issues and are available for download at:


[We DO NOT recommend the use of Memorex, Maxell, or TDK brands because they
are NOT compatible with our units.

Thank you,

CyberHome Service Center

Dear Customer,

There are many different types of disc media available today, and not all
of them are compatible with CyberHome equipment. And while there may be
others brands of disc media that will perform quite well in our units,
there are others that will only work on an intermittent basis. We have
tested the following brands, and found them to be the most compatible with
our equipment:

Verbatim, Great Quality, Ricoh, Ritek, Nanya, RiData, Daxon, CMC Magnetics
Corp, Info Disc, Intenso, MBI, MCC, and Medianca seem to work best in
most our units.

We have found that +RW discs actually work much better than the +R discs,
especially for recording purposes, but you may want to try a few different
types of media to see which ones work the best in your particular unit.

DVR 1600 UNITS: Sony, Fuji Film, HP and Philips brands have produced
inconsistent results in the DVR 1600 units.

Firmware updates have also been created to address disc incompatibility and
finalization issues and are available for download at:

We DO NOT recommend the use of Memorex, Maxell, or TDK brands because they
are NOT compatible with our units.

Thank you,

CyberHome Service Center

oops sorry I posted it twice!

HEre is a copy of the e-mail I received:

Dear Customer,

We have tested the following brands, and found them to be the most compatible with our equipment:

Verbatim, Great Quality, Ricoh, Ritek, Nanya, RiData, Daxon, CMC Magnetics Corp, Info Disc, Intenso, MBI, MCC, and Medianca seem to work best in most our units.

[We DO NOT recommend the use of Memorex, Maxell, or TDK brands because they
are NOT compatible with our units.

CyberHome Service Center

Kind of funny, those non-recommended disks are just name brands that use the above mentioned approved disks manufacturers (CMC, Ricoh, MCC). Makes you wonder if they know what they are talking about!

I've been using Memorex DVD +RW's and Memorex DVD-R's with 100% success.

John

Thanks for the advices, guys.

Kwok

I've been using some generic +RW discs from Frys (media code OPTODISC -2 and -4) with NO problems, too. Seriously, this thing just prefers +RW.

So, have any of you had trouble playing your burned DVD's on other players? That's my biggest problem now. I can't get them to play on my Sanyo.

Also, do you use a S-Video cable?

I was watching something I'd recorded off TV the other day and it was breaking up really bad and freezing. Do you have this problem???

thanks

Go here,

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers

and search for your DVD player to find info concerning it's compatability. In most cases it's not the recorder, it's that the player has certain compatability issues. In many cases you can download firmware to improve your DVD players disc compatability issues. My Cyberhome does a great job for both + & - R disc, using the latest firmware. My players are a Panny RP56 and a Zenith DVB-318.

Jon

So, have any of you had trouble playing your burned DVD's on other players?
Not here- are you using +R or +RW discs?

Jon, which firmware your recorder has?
I had problem when finalizing the 3rd disc I burnt, after recording about 2 hours on a 8x dvd+r disc (brand name - Hyundai).
No error message found on disc formating and recording for that 2 hours. Error message "ERROR DISC" showed up on screen when I finalized the disc. Finalizing did not complete and the disc is wasted. Tried to play it, "Unknown disc" showed up on screen.

Had anybody this problem? It is bad to just find error message after hours of recording.

Kwok

Jon, which firmware your recorder has?
I had problem when finalizing the 3rd disc I burnt, after recording about 2 hours on a 8x dvd+r disc (brand name - Hyundai).
No error message found on disc formating and recording for that 2 hours. Error message "ERROR DISC" showed up on screen when I finalized the disc. Finalizing did not complete and the disc is wasted. Tried to play it, "Unknown disc" showed up on screen.

Had anybody this problem? It is bad to just find error message after hours of recording.

Kwok

I've had that problem. I recommend that you exchange you machine while it is still under exchange warrantee. Cyberhome will tell you to try a different brand of media, after you do that, mostlikely it will be too late to return the machine to the store. Return the machine now. If you get a good one, these machines are great, but response on this thread seem to show thate there is an uacceptably high percentage of lemon machines. Dont wait, exchange at the beginning.

tacobellldogfood:
Many thanks for your advice. I had no problem with the first 2 burnts with TDK discs. Just newly opened a pack of Hyundai discs and tried the first disc. It failed.
Cyberhome had emailed me a new back end firmware (610.nrg) which is newer than the one (540.nrg) in their website. He confirmed me that my recorder has the latest front end firmware, so just need to upgrade the backend firmware if I found any problem. His answer was before I got the 3rd burnt problem. I am wondering if it is the Hyundai 8x DVD+R Disc problem.........not competable to this player or not. I tried another disc for about 9 minutes, it did recording. I haven't finalise the disc yet. Will record more material to fill up the disc and try finalize again. Hope this works, then I do not need to upgrade the backend nor return the recorder. I have 2 TDK discs working perfectly. Don't want to be too excited with just 1 fail at this point. Will return it before the 30 days expired if problem not fixed. Tks.

Jon, is your firmware........BIOS is 540.105N ?

Kwok

Kwok,

Yes, my firmware revision is 540.105N .

Jon

Jon: your recorder's front end is the latest, but not the back end (540.nrg). If you have no problem, no need to do anything. Otherwise, you can upgrade to 610.nrg.

Before I did the backend firmware upgrade (from Cyberhome), I tried TDK 4x dvd+r (the 4th dissc I had been using) and the recorder gave me "unknown disc" message after finalization. The disc does not play back at the recorder, but it play on other players I have.

After backend upgraded, i burnt another TDK disc and it works fine. I returned those Hyundai discs back to the shop already.
tacobellldogfood, it must be the disc imcompatibility issue.
I will try a few more burning on TDK disc within these few days. I still can keep the recorder till Feb 09 per 30 days return policy.

Kwok

I have avoided that update since people have reported that it disables DivX compatability.

Jon

Jon :
Could you explain what is Divx? I hv another player that plays DivX disc, but I don't have any and don't know thai format at all.

Kwok

Have anybody got problem (error disc or unknown disc) using 8x and/or 16x DVD+R Discs from any brands? Say Verbatim, TDK, Sony or Fuji?

It is hard to find inexpensive 4x DVD+R from stores. 8x and 16x are a lot instead.

Tks in advance .

Kwok Lau

I haven't had any coasters with Sony's DVD+RW. If I want to keep a show for good, I copy DVD to DVD the Sony to a Memorex 16x using a computer; and keep reusing the same RW Sony DVD.
My dvr1600 is MU1 Sep05, with no upgrades.

Mtmorales, thanks for your quick advice. So you haven't use your dvr1600 recorder to burn dvd+R at all.

Kwok

Mine has 540.105N firmware and I am using HP, Staples, and Teon Media (all CMC 8x DVD-R or DVD+R). I also tested Khypermedia DVD+RW and their 4xDVD-R. I've tested 3-5 disks of each kind in the recorder. The only one gives me trouble is the 4xDVD-R when the disk was filled over 90% of its capacity. Other than that, all the other recordings work great and can be played in all other 3 DVD players (AIWA, Apex, Electrohome). The recorder does generate a lot of heat. After a 2 hour recording, the area under the drive can get really hot. I am now putting a laptop cooler under the recorder for extender recording.

As for media, pay attention only to the media code, not the brand. The same brand may use different OEM (e.g. Sony's media can be MIJ or MIT). I have been using CMC 8x media (with HP, Staples, and Teon brand) with my Cyberhome DVR1600MU without any problem.

Billcsho: Great advice from you. Many thanks. Can you advise where on the disc or carton box to look for the OEM (Media code)?
I had burnt several 4x DVD+R TDK without trouble. I only have 1 burnt disc that cannot play on the DVR1600, but good at other players that I have. It is hard to find 4x TDK disc from stores and I dare not to try the 8x or even 16x. Cyberhome told me that the DVR1600 works best with 4x DVD+R, but compatible to 8x and 16x and asked me to try. I haven't yet. They do not recommend DVD-R , nor disc of Maxell, Memorex, HP and Philips. Highly recommend the 4x Sony and Verbatim DVD+RW.

Your backend firmware is outdated if showing 510.nrg. The latest one should be 610.nrg. Give me you email address and I can forward the latest one to you if you want to. Former email above, pointed out that once the backend is upgraded, dvix disc might not be playable. I don't know this format and I haven't any divx disc. Do not do the upgrade if dvix is your concern.
Pls revert where to locate the code you mentioned. Tks.

Kwok

Yes, Divx is the only reason I have this drive so if this new firmware takes this off that would suck big time. Can someone confirm this.

Hi All, I just signed in and it is my first post on his forum. I bought 1600MU couple weeks ago. I considered Panasonic 20 too but chose Cyberhome because it has PAL-NTSC trans-coder. I basically need unit that can convert PAL to NTSC so I can watch my old Hi8s on NTSC TV on DVD format (tape is not convenient). Another need is to record TV programs and image quality requirement is not so important, because analog TV signal itself has rather low quality. And finally I want to transfer my MiniDV tapes to DVD using DV input because DVD is more convenient. And as a bonus to be able turn off area restrictions and be able to watch Pal DVDs.

Panasonic does not support PAL and as I heard DV input does not work with Canon camcorders. It also has fan, what I think is not necessary and creates noise. Pana is difficult to hack. And I also had bad experience with Panasonic DVR with HD what was piece of junk – could not start, hang on and so on. So Cyberhome was clear choice.

I bought returned unit from Best Buy manufactured in Aug 2005 with version number 4.13 540N. I think it was refurbished and hopefully they fixed all problems because it works pretty well. Quality is good if use component output almost on all speeds. I can hardly distinguish 1 hour and 2 hour modes, though record Hi8 and MiniDV in 1 hour mode. For TV I use by default 2 hour mode. Other modes are not bad also. 6 hour mode is like long play on VHS I had, but sound is not so good.

DV input is noticeably better than S-video and composite, while there is no visible difference between S-video and composite. Playback is good. I have Sony DVD player, expensive one (two years old) with SACD. Stamped DVD playback quality is almost as good as Sony. But still Sony has more vibrant picture.

PAL to NTSC conversion deteriorates somehow picture – some loss of resolution, but most importantly because of 25 frames to 30 transfer movements do not look as smooth as on original tape. I did not have this kind of frame problem on by multi-system PALVHS when played NTSC tapes. But it looks like all cheap Pal-NTSC transcoders have this problem. But DVDs are still watchable on big screen. I plan to capture my Hi8 tapes to HDD to store masters in PAL standart.

Problem:

I record on HP DVD+RW and never had any problems. But it refused to format HP x8 DVD+R. Had no problems with Fuji x8 DVD-R except of one – after finalizing it is supposed to play on Sony DVD player that I have. Instead when I put DVD-R into Sony player it complains “Playback is prohibited by area”. But it plays fine on laptop. It sounds mystic to me - DVR is supposed to create area free DVD. Does anyone have any idea what it may be?

Here's the firmware for the MU1. Please see my post above about instructions:




How many people have used this new firmware? Are there any noticeable pros or cons with this new version?

Wow. It never ceases to amaze me that people will continue to buy crapola and put up with problems from this kind of stuff all in the name of saving a few dollars. This thread proves without a doubt that Americans are willing to buy any crapola that is thrown at them without regard to quality as long as its CHEAP. No wonder so much electronics made for the American market is buy it, use it, throw it away junk. Simply amazing.
Well, I don't know about Americans, but in my little corner of the world, I'm ready to put up with any potential crap (which, as I see, I have a 50/50 chance of avoiding with no trouble whatsoever), simply because the next cheapest DVDR costs about 50% more, and that one is already proven to be just as crappy, but less featured. :)

So, there you go. Did you know that less than 20% of the world population (which includes you) live in a society with high civil and consumer rights standards. And you still complain. :cool:

I made some investigation about 1600MU recording on DVD.

1. PAL signal is recorded in PAL format with 25 fps. In HQ bit-rate is 9.6Mbs. In SP it is 4.8Mbs.
2. I suspect finalized DVD-R did not play on my Sony DVD player because it does not recognize PAL. Sony displayed “Playback is prohibited by area” error.
3. Sony also displayed “Playback is prohibited by area” error when I loaded stamped PAL DVD from Europe.
4. I used hack 169158 to change area code. When you enter these numbers in “Setup” menu the secret menu pops up and shows area code. You can edit it. It was 1 and I changed area code to 0 what means “Area code free”.
5. After I made it area code free I was able to watch stamped PAL DVD on NTSC big screen. It evidently was trans-coded and quality was pretty good. So some quality deterioration I detected when recorded PAL Hi8 was because of capturing PAL signal.
6. TV tuner is mono. Drive interfere into tuner audio channel so it records some humming sound and high frequency blips when head is moving. Probably tuner is not shielded well. That is only real problem I see with this DVR.

For those who are interested in DVR with PAL-NTSC transcoding, PAL recording and area free capable I can put a link to website where is alist of such kind of DVRs. I am not sure it is legal to publish links on this forum so I do not do it now. One example along with Cyberhome is Lite-On 5005.

That’s all for today folks.

Looks like both were posted in the past few days. This would make me about 2 ver behind, but when it aint broke....

http://www.cyberhome.com/

I bought LiteOn 5104 in Radioshack to compare with 1600MU. 5140 also is able to record PAL on CD+/-RW/R and can also lpay back PAL DVDs on NTSC. I will write detailed comparo later in a separate thread (unless LiteOn/Cyberhome comparision thread does exist).

To be short for now I can tell you that LVW-5140 has higher quality encoding/decoding, but lacks in color depth (image seems washed out). But it definitely is a better recorder, could not see a difference betwenn recorded DVD and original PAL Hi8 source. In case of Cyberhome resolution is lower and there is more digital noice. So I will return Cyberhome back to Best Buy. Cyberhome has other advantages over LiteOn, but for capturing Hi8 tapes in PAL to DVD has highest prioritiy for me, so LiteOn wins.

Looks like both were posted in the past few days. This would make me about 2 ver behind, but when it aint broke ...

Heh. The images are here (http://support.cyberhome.com/support_web.nsf/$$Search2?OpenForm&Product=DVR%201600MU1), and if anyone was wondering, you can flash the iLo DVD-R05 version of this product (the Wal-Mart rebadge of the CH1600) to this software. (It becomes a "CyberHome" afterwards, of course :))

Your backend firmware is outdated if showing 510.nrg. The latest one should be 610.nrg. Give me you email address and I can forward the latest one to you if you want to. Former email above, pointed out that once the backend is upgraded, dvix disc might not be playable. I don't know this format and I haven't any divx disc. Do not do the upgrade if dvix is your concern.
Pls revert where to locate the code you mentioned. Tks.

Kwok

I have firmware 540 and it has been working great. More important, I play Divx disk a lot. I have downloaded the 610.nrg though just in case I'll need it in the future. Now I am more eager to get the 540.nrg file so that I can switch back if I ever try 610 and find problem. But so far, I have no reason to update the firmware. The only benefit would be the increased disk compatibility, but I already have a huge stock of working DVD media (all CMC 8x) that I got at clearance price.

Actually- and I wasn't going to post 'till I could say for sure- but I think the 610 (49S) front-end has given me less disc compatibility, and I think if you have the 540 (37S) front end, you should keep it:

- I have a number of movies burned onto Verbatim DL discs; I had no problems playing 'em in the 540/37S front-end firmware that came with my Nov '05-build MU1 player. I popped one in after the upgrade, and it thrashed around for a long time then finally said "Unknown Disc". I put the same disc in a standalone and it read it perfectly.

- I'd bought another CH1600 yesterday. Having left the burned upgrade discs in my office, I figured why waste another two CD-Rs (yeah, I know, 20cents). I have a few CD-RWs laying around, so I burned the 640(49S) front-end on one, then popped it into the new CH1600 (with the 37S front/540 back), which took. I then erased the disc and wrote the 640 back-end on it, and when I put it in the 1600, it would not read it- the same disc that just loaded the front-end, mind you- and I had to go burn two real CD-Rs ('cause the it wouldn't take the first one, and I had to try again with another CD-R type altogether) to get the back-end loaded.

IF someone has the 37S front-end and 540 back-end to send me, would you PLEASE PM or E-mail me?! I really want to go back!

ok, I have purchased a ilo dvdr05. I got a mu, it would not read a movie copied on a dvd-r. this movie worked on another player of mine. It seemed to record fine tho. I updated the firmware, no change. It did seem recognize dvd-r disc because I put a blank one it and it formated it. So I took it back and got a ZU this one still would not read the dvd-r . This sucks because i have nearly 200 dvd-r's. I did try a few more movies and it was hit or miss if it would play. Should I just keep returning these things till I find one that will play...or am I just wasting my time with this model? would a mu1 be any different? I do like the zu's interface and infact if it played all my dvd-r's I wouldnt have a problem keeping it.


btw with the zu I just updated the frontend since I didnt have another cdr. I will update the backend this evening. unfortunately when I picked the zu all they had were zu's

What brand is your DVD-R? My 1600MU with 540 FW reads and writes on my DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD-R, and CD-RW without problem. I use mostly CMC media from different brands.

ritek ridata

. I think it would write to that cuz it did format it. but I will do most of my writing on dvd+rw so I can take them back to my pc and do editing. I just want my playbacks to work. I will remaster that -r movie make sure I set the booktype to dvdrom....maybe that will fix it.

Those are popular brands and usually work fine (except for the DL). Setting the correct book type is critical though. I like DVD+RW also. I have been reusing them several times in the 1600MU without any problem.

ok I tried re writing one dvd....it read half of it. so that one was bad even tho it works fine in another dvd player. I re wrote another movie set it to dvd-rom book type and it worked fine. but the next 2 I re wrote did not. it is giving me fits. i tried to update the ZU with the cyberhome backend....it just reads the files on that disk. it did upgrade with the ilo backend tho.

gave up on it. bought a lg lrm-519 plays any freaking disc I put in it.

I got a MU1 and have been encountering problems of media compatibility problem.
I've been using Memorex 4X +RW, RiData 4X +RW, and Verbatim 8X -R and so far did not have any luck.

I even upgraded my firmware from 540 to 610 but still no help!

I recorded a 2 hour show on Verbatim successfully but the DVD can not be played in the Cyberhome unti at all. Also not with my PC with Benq 1620 burner; not with my Zenith 813.

The +RW medias I've been using, I always encountered "Disk error" while formating. One of the Memorex +RW was trashed since I am not able to even erase it in my PC.

Has anyone encountered similar problem before? Anyone has any suggestion?

Thank you in advance!

Go to page 28 and read the Cyberhome's disc recommendation. They do not recommend Memorex disc. Regards.

Peichiang, Verbatim's dvd+R (16x) has been on sale at Best Buy. Try it. I had no fail to this disc after more than 6 burns already.

Kwok

Go to page 28 and read the Cyberhome's disc recommendation. They do not recommend Memorex disc. Regards.
That's just their cop-out. I've been using the cheapest +RW discs I could find since day one and have never had any problems. I've been able to get the players to read my +R/DL discs again (used a cleaner disc), but I've never had any media problems, and I think the fact some are having problems (especially since there's so many actual media-code types (which is what really matters) that are actually branded "Memorex" or "Verbatim" or whatever) are just the result of the marginal DVD writer CyberHome/iLo used in this device.

i had no problem burning dvd's with the 3 ilo's i exchanged for, however none of them seemed to like any of my already burned dvd-r's, some one play some not. all ritek, the ones that didnt play worked fine on another player. the whole point in me buying the damn thing was I wanted a second dvd player that wouldnt skip and stutter,,,,heck this one wouldnt even play it. I guess if i kept on exchanging I wouldve found a useable one only to fail when out of warranty. best bet would be to wait untill they have a version out other than zu,mu,mu1

I used mostly CMC 8x media (brands vary) and have no problem. My 1600MU also has no problem in playing DVD+R or DVD-R burned in my computer with a Benq 1620 or NEC 3540a. I guess the problem is in their quality control of manufacturing.

Billcsho: Where to locate the CMC 8X Media code ? Is it located the the inner circle of the disc at the sprint hole?

There are many freeware can do that. I use Nero InfoTool. But I think most DVD burning software would have that media info function too.
If you don't have any apps to check media info, go to videohelp.com and search for your media and it will show what media codes have been reported for your particular brand and type of media.

Thank you, Billcsho.

Question: I have the Citizen C801DVR, a Canadian model closely related to the Cyberhome 1600. When I display the factory setup screen (using Setup 8 1 0 5, same code as the 1600ZU model) it shows the following information:

Ui PDemo009
Servo IDE1104 M87Y
Adsp V08.00.01.32 R0.2
Control C00000038
Version PVR(+)
Region 1 <-- can enter any region code here

Can anyone interpret this information? Or post the corresponding info from their Cyberhome model? I'm curious to know how close the firmware version is, especially since Citizen provides no online support or firmware updates.

Have read this entire thread over the last few months and have not come across
any mention of the following,

Is it possible to burn the original Front-End and Back-End, before proceeding with
updates ?. You would think since the CH-1600 MU/ZU are burners, they would be
capable of "DUMPING" their current Front & Back information, prior to proceeding
with an upgrade. This would prove to be a cautious activity, should reverting back
to the original setup installed by the manufacturer be required, after a failed
upgrade, or a loss of functionality (I'm thinking of the DIVX problems reported)
etc..

Also, my CH 1600 ZU reports that it thinks it's an ILO505, when I browse the Help
Screen. (I have not yet performed any Updates). Maybe an Update to my
CH 1600 ZU, from ILO, is the way to go.

what do you think ?

I've learned a lot from you folks and respect your opinions.

i have got one of the uk versions of this recorder dvr 1600me and it plays and records all kind of disks it will burn dvd-r disks dvd+r disks also it plays divx without any hacks the only hack i have done is to make it multiregion it is very good value for money in the uk costing £68:97 in Asda which is part of the walmart chain i have been using it for 3 months now without a problem


cheers bighun

When you get one of these units that work, they will read and record on almost anything. I've said it before, if it doesn't work, take it back. Don't fuss with it, just exchange it. Also, don't buy an open box, reason is obvious. When I got mine from Best Buy, it was sitting on a stack of open box units about 8 high.

Jon

When you get one of these units that work, they will read and record on almost anything. I've said it before, if it doesn't work, take it back. Don't fuss with it, just exchange it. Also, don't buy an open box, reason is obvious. When I got mine from Best Buy, it was sitting on a stack of open box units about 8 high.

Jon

I wanted to bump this message as it summarizes entire thread.

ok so, i recorded a show from vhs to dvd with my cyberhome 1600. now i want to make a copy of the dvd. when i hook up the recorder to a regualr dvd PLAYER to record from it, the sound works perfect and the picture is perfect. the only proble is, is that the picture is back and white. it doesnt fade in and out at all-it just looks like a black and white movie.

can the 1600 record from a dvd player?

does anyone know?

anyone haveing problems with some scheduled recordings failing. I was using a DVD+RW a few times and all was ok. Then all of a sudden I go do another timer record it fails. I test it while I'm watching and notice it asks me to insert a blank DVD , this is when I have a DVD+RW in it with over 140 min in EP mode for a program thats only 1.5 hrs. So not sure what is going on , I reformated the disk since everything on it was not needed anymore. Then it worked ok. This happens sometimes so make for an undependable unattended recording deck

I notice that yesterday when I was recording from a PAL S-VHS video from VCR, the S-video input was in B/W while the composite was in color. When I tried it again tonight, both video inputs are in color. I am not sure what was wrong, but I think it may be the same problem you experienced. When you preview the input in the source window, was it in color?
It should have no problem in recording from another DVD player.

yeah, when i have the initial hook up at the screen that is the menu screen, before i start recording, it is black and white. the dvd player is the out and the dvd recorder is the in. the connections all seem to be right. is there areally a protective coat over the dvd and i cant copy it until i get a burner for the computer?

anyone haveing problems with some scheduled recordings failing. I was using a DVD+RW a few times and all was ok. Then all of a sudden I go do another timer record it fails. I test it while I'm watching and notice it asks me to insert a blank DVD , this is when I have a DVD+RW in it with over 140 min in EP mode for a program thats only 1.5 hrs. So not sure what is going on , I reformated the disk since everything on it was not needed anymore. Then it worked ok. This happens sometimes so make for an undependable unattended recording deck

I had the same problem with the similar Canadian model Citizen C801DVR, and I found the answer after some experimentation. The Citizen and the Cyberhome have almost identical firmware from the same source, so it's probably the same problem.

After you erase a disc in the recorder, it does not know that it has a recordable disc loaded, even if you pop the disc out and put it back in again, even though it loads the disc successfully and recognizes it as DVD+RW. You must Play the disc before the recorder realizes that it has a recordable disc loaded.

This bug is especially nasty in connection with Timer recording. Let's say you set up a bunch of scheduled Timer recordings, and then you load a DVD+RW and Erase it so it's ready for recording. When you try to turn the recorder off, it will still say "Please insert a recordable disc". So you say "huh?", pop the disc out to make sure the right one is in there, put it back again, and it is apparently recognized as DVD+RW. So you turn the recorder off again, and this time it works. The correct scheduled recording time is shown. But guess what? When it gets to the scheduled recording time, it won't start, because the recorder still doesn't think that it has a recordable disc in the drive!

The only way to avoid this bug is to always play a recordable disc after you erase it, and always play the disc before you try to turn off the recorder with a timer recording scheduled.

Cyberhome posted it yesterday (2/15) They call it a loader file. Doesn't say if this one loader file replaces both of old front end and back end .nrg files. Sent the following email to cyberhome: "I see there's a new "loader iso" file for the 1600ZU model posted on 2/15/2006. Does this one ISO file replace both the old "nrg" Front end and backend files? If not, then I need a full set of instructions on what to do after I install the new "loader .iso" file. Your instructions for the new .iso file that was posted on 2/15 are not clear on this subject."

Do any of you have any ideas?
Also, do any of you get a full 2 hrs on a disc in the std speed? Mine gets up to about 1hr and 58 min and stops, since there's no more space, yet I programed 2 hr and 1 min into the timer.

After you erase a disc in the recorder, it does not know that it has a recordable disc loaded, even if you pop the disc out and put it back in again, even though it loads the disc successfully and recognizes it as DVD+RW. You must Play the disc before the recorder realizes that it has a recordable disc loaded.
Although you say the Canadian model (eh? :)) is the same as the US iLo/CyberHome, I suspect that either you don't have the -MU1 version (as I do) of the hardware, or there's still a difference.

When I do a +RW erase in my unit (CH1600-MU1) it definately recognizes that there's a blank disc in the unit afterwards; so much that when the erasing progress bar is about 1/2 of the way thru, the blue bar at the top left of the screen changes from "Blank Disc" to "DVD+RW".

When I do a +RW erase in my unit (CH1600-MU1) it definately recognizes that there's a blank disc in the unit afterwards; so much that when the erasing progress bar is about 1/2 of the way thru, the blue bar at the top left of the screen changes from "Blank Disc" to "DVD+RW".

Yes, mine does exactly that - and then recording fails because of "No disc".

Try this test:
1. Schedule a timer recording for a short time in the future
2. Erase the disc in the recorder
3. Turn off the recorder
4. Wait for start time

Recording won't start.

Then try the same test, except Play the empty disc once before you turn the recorder off.

Now timer recording works.

OK, just tried your procedure above. A couple of minutes before the start time, the recorder powered up (I was watching it power up thru the video-out connectors), went to the "Cyberhome" splash screen, then went to the "Title" screen (which showed "1 of 1, XXX mins full"), then the source popped up with a message that said "Recording will begin in a few minutes", and it's doing that now.

iLo DVD-R05 -MU1 flashed to be a CyberHome 1600, 49S frontend, 610 backend (both of 2/6/2006).

I tested mine both ways several times to confirm the problem. It's consistent. I guess they must have fixed it in the latest firmware, if in fact the MU models have the same problem as the Citizen model. Lucky you! Citizen has no online support, no firmware updates posted. :-(

Well, don't forget- I have an "-MU1" model, so my hardware is even newer.

But, just flash it to a CyberHome if you can- that's what I did to my iLo (after confirming the hardware was the same in this thread).

Can I connect my computer to the 1394 connector on the Cyberhome to dump MPEG files from my PC?

No not MPEG files, DV files. Like you would capture from a DV camcorder.

I'm sure this has been answered, so I ask your patience in advance. Is there any difference between this Cyberhome model and the iLo DVD-R05? I'd like a ZU model, but Cyberhome seems to have abandoned it. iLo ZU's are still available.
I know the Cyberhomes have poor QC, but as I understand it, if you get a (rare) good one, it's worth the money. I need something very portable & this one seems to be the last alternative.

They both have their problems. ZU versions do not play DivX while MU versions do. I like my Cyberhome MU unit its been reliable 90% of the time.

You can cross-flash CH 1600 MU1 firmware onto iLo DVD-R05 (also "MU1") devices, and probably the way back too. They're exactly the same hardware, but the 'Ilo' brand is a rebadge just for Wal*Mart.

Well, I plugged my in my firewire port from the PC to the 1394 connector on the front of the 1600, but it doesn't see it as camcorder. How can I trick my PC to think its a camcorder?
Thanks

Did anybody resolve the humming issue of this recorder??

It's hardware. Ya can't.

Did anybody resolve the humming issue of this recorder??
The only way to "fix" it is keep exchanging for another unit until you do not notice the problem. Mine 1600MU does not have significant humming. Lucky me! :p

Well, I plugged my in my firewire port from the PC to the 1394 connector on the front of the 1600, but it doesn't see it as camcorder. How can I trick my PC to think its a camcorder?
Thanks
No, it does not work that way.

Can I connect my computer to the 1394 connector on the Cyberhome to dump MPEG files from my PC?
Nope. But you can simply burn those MPEG file onto a DVD in your computer and the 1600 will play the file back.

Billcsho : So your unit also has humming to the degree that you can tororate.

Just wanted to chime in. I got this as a quick convenient way to burn DVD's from my mini-DV camcorder via the firewire connector (aka 1394). Fuji +RW discs have worked fine. Sony +RW had one failure when I tried recording over an hour's worth of material at HQ. When I broke up the tape into two 30-minute segments at HQ, all worked fine. Finished DVDs look great thanks to no conversion to analog.

Also, I was able to record programs from my Tivo without problems, of course some slight image degradation through the S-video but nothing my wife was able to notice. So far it is doing what I want it to, and at $89 I spent a lot less than I thought I'd have to for a unit with a firewire input.

I don't have a DVD burner in the PC, I wanted to edit some files in Moviemaker and send them via firewire to the Cyberhome. I can send them back to Digital 8 tape and THEN connect THAT to the Cyberhome. I was trying to eliminate a step.
Nope. But you can simply burn those MPEG file onto a DVD in your computer and the 1600 will play the file back.

Staples (and other places) sell good DVD burners for PCs really cheaply sometimes. The $19 dual layer, all format (except for RAM) burner recently on sale at Staples is one I bought for $39 (still an excellent price) a year ago. It is a great buy. I ran it on 1.3 gig PC w/win98. MY present 'puter is faster and uses Windows XP but the DVD burner has worked great on both PCs.

Just a thought.

I just picked one of these up today, as I am not happy with the RF noise on my Panny ES20. I'm going to give this one a good workout and see if it is a lemon or a keeper.

Billcsho : So your unit also has humming to the degree that you can tororate.

Mine does not have noticeable humming noise unless there is no music or voice in the TV program and the volume was set to above mid-high. I have been recording from all kind of video sources and the only two problems I have are the video degradation of composite and S-video input from the back after an hour or so, and the low audio input signal in the back also. Neither of these is bothering me too much since I mostly use the Firewire and TV tuner for recording.

Billcsho, I have similar situation as you mentioned about the huming......when there is no music or voice from the TV program. It is bothersome if you are watching a scene that ought to be dead silent. 1 HQ Hour recording is highly recommended, for material to keep. I don't quite satisfy with 2 hours standard recording time. Haven't use the firewire for recording yet. So I cannot compare 1 hr to 2 or more hours recording. How do you compare with this?

Either of you guys notice a slight audio sync problem with this unit?

With any input including firewire, there is little difference between 1hr or 2hr mode for me. I would not use 3hr or slower mode for library recording. I recorded some Winter Olympics with the 4 hr mode, it looks as if it was a video tape from 10 years ago.
For transferring miniDV, I am using the 2hr mode as I usually use LP on the tape for a 90min recording each. I am quite happy with the video quality of the recording although the color changed slightly.
I don't have an audio sync problem with this unit. Sometimes the audio sync problem may arise from PAL/NTSC conversion (that happens to my AIWA DVD player), but I have been playing PAL DVD or Divx files and have no problem what so ever. Indeed, I am using it primarily as a Divx player these days as I have already transfered all my miniDV onto DVD.

Billcsho, I have similar situation as you mentioned about the huming......when there is no music or voice from the TV program. It is bothersome if you are watching a scene that ought to be dead silent.
Perhaps I am just getting old and lost part my hearing. :)
By the way, are you from Hong Kong?

2hr recording mode sp looks good.
4hr recoding mode ep looks like vhs +/- quality (small level of pixel).
I have the ZU model. can't burn dvd-r.

Check out the new Magnavox MSR90D6 for only $96.88 at Sam's Club and, maybe, Wal-Mart. It records to DVD-R and DVD-RW, which the CyberHome DVR1600 lacks.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=660474

My CH1600 will record to DVD-R; it's an -MU1 model (running the latest CH1600 update, but I don't think that matters with the -MU1 series).

Mine records to DVD-r .

Jon

going to test out the HQ mode.

what brand of dvd-r (sony. imation, etc) on ZU?

does the MU1 have better recording than ZU or is it just playback with mediatek chip? or different tuner for each models?
thanks

Billscho: sorry to reply you late. Yes. I was from Hongkong. Now at New Jersey. And you?

Kwok Lau

Hi Kwok Lau,
Check your private message.

Wondering if anyone may be able to help me out?

My Setup:

LG30FZ4d
Cyberhome dvr 1600


Now first thing, my tv is able to decrypt certain channels that I'm normally not supposed to get. The cyberhome can't do it.

Is it possible for me to output the TV signal directly onto the cyberhome?

I've tried but it simply is not grabbing the signal.

Is the cyberhome able to get digital channels at all?

Any help is appreciated.

thanks.

Sounds like the channels in question are digital, and your TV has a digital tuning capability (which the DVD Recorder lacks of course)?

If your TV has an analog A/V output, it should work to send that to your DVD Recorder. BUT you need to confirm that the TV's analog output is actually active when tuning a digital channel. For that you will need another device to which to send that analog output, such as another TV, to see that it actually is putting out the right signal when your main TV is tuned to one of these channels that the DVD Recorder can't tune to.

if you have a cable box, see if it has video out and connect that directly to your DVD recorder

I'm new to DVR technology, and this Cyberhome cheapie is my first. I hope it gets a LOT better than THIS! My number one gripe with it is that it's too "smart" -- that is, constantly interrupting attempted recordings with "video signal not stable" boxes that require answers, kicking itself into pause on a bad signal, and so forth. I would much prefer a "dumb" machine that just tries to do the best it can with the signal it gets. That is, if I tell it to record garbage, I get a recording of the garbage that I can put into my computer and edit, not a constant signal critique and refusal to operate. Does anybody know if there is a BIOS program for this thing that takes this error checking OUT?

I also have to second the gripes about the tiny remote. Even Hobbits have bigger fingers than that. What were they thinking? You practically have to use your nails.

Don't you know that most of these DVD Recorders are used by Hobbits? 2 out of 5 Hobbits prefer the Cyberhome 1600 over the leading brand!

Your video signal must be really bad; are you getting that "Not Stable" error on a composite or S-Video connection?!

I just downloaded the current Firmware from CH website. Burned it with Nero. When I went to update my 1600 ZU it said "No Disc".

I verified that the disc has the update on it.

Any ideas? :confused:

I've heard of people having problems with CD-RW versus CD-R . . .

I've heard of people having problems with CD-RW versus CD-R . . .

The problem is, I have used these same type discs in the past to update the firmware with no problem.

Okay, I guess I can't help you then, you have way more experience than I do at this, I've never updated the firmware on any of my four DVD Recorders . . .

I was able to record using ZU 1HR HQ mode at 7.9 or 8 Mbps. The video quality is good. comparing HQ vs SP video quality BIG difference.

It's good recorder/player can't complaint for that price.

Your video signal must be really bad; are you getting that "Not Stable" error on a composite or S-Video connection?!

It's on a composite connection from a Phillips VCR/DVD player combo. It's having a lot of trouble with the output from old, jiggly VHS tapes played in that machine. :(

I have read in this forum of people having trouble with the 'warbling' sound on the recordings made with the Cyberhome dvr-1600. Does anyone know a fix for this???? Cyberhome just seem to want to ignore my many emails sent to them. And since they moved out of the UK their is no number to ring them and ask for help.

Correction to previous post: the VCR signal the Cyberhome DVR is having trouble with comes from a Toshiba SD-V392 VCR/DVD-player combo. I did have a filter in the line, a Sima "copy guard enhancer" which just passes on the video signal without any regional coding or copy protection (legal as long as I don't sell or give away the result). Tape problems caused the Sima's signal to flicker, and the Cyberhome DVR went nuts on that.

Now, with the Sima device out of the line, I don't get "signal is unstable" or "no signal" messages -- instead, what I get is "TV systems of input and disc mismatch" -- yeah, right, like halfway through the movie it suddenly decides this isn't an NTSC tape any more? Often, just before this happens, the picture brightness starts to increase and may go to a yellow-on-white picture.

Help, anybody? Trying to back up my old VHS collection to DVD with this thing is driving me bonkers.

Macrovision. I'll betcha anything (esp. with the sympoms post-Sima) that's what it is.

What I've discovered since my last post is that my MAIN problem is that the Toshiba SD-V392's VHS deck is a piece of junk. Most of the tapes I'm having trouble with track just fine in my old Orion VR-0211 VCR, and when they do, the Cyberhome DVR-1600 records them without any problems!

Now it MAY be that the Toshiba has some sort of screwball copy-protection hardware built into it that older VCR's don't. But I don't think that's the case; I'm more inclined to think it's bad workmanship or design, or just plain "cheap excuse for a VHS deck."

Addendum: I stand corrected -- between the posts, private messages, and reading up, I now conclude that it's probable that both my Toshiba machine and the Cyberhome machine comply with the "let's keep Macrovision in business" law. Even though the tapes themselves are code-free, the hardware is injecting Macrovision's garbage into the signal somewhere along the line.

comment: I think that law is going to encounter as much civil disobedience as ridiculously low speed limits and 1920's alcohol prohibition. Maybe after a few billion dollars go to overseas outsourcing of video equipment purchases, our lawmakers will wake up and realize the right law would be the one that protects "fair use" from Macrovision's interference.

I have read in this forum of people having trouble with the 'warbling' sound on the recordings made with the Cyberhome dvr-1600. Does anyone know a fix for this???? Cyberhome just seem to want to ignore my many emails sent to them. And since they moved out of the UK their is no number to ring them and ask for help.
Have you seen this (http://support.cyberhome.com/support_web.nsf/All_DOCs/5CCD08A6D0D5C9238825715A00638706)

Jay

Ok, well I just bought a 1600MU1 dated March 2006 the other day and finally had a chance to use it. I first did a simple record of what was on Video 1. No dice. When I ejected the disc and put it back in it prompted me to format it. This didn't bother me as I had used this same disc in a LiteOn5115 for evaluations and it uses DVD-VR formatting.

Anyway, I created 3 schedules and left. When I watched them is AM, the first recording (30mins) was fine. The other two were hosed. I'm doing a KProbe of the DVD now, and it's not looking good. It's a Memorex 4X DVD+RW and I haven't read this entire thread but I think I saw where there might be issues with this brand. I will erase this disc, reformat it and try again with the same disc. I will also try a Sony brand +RW and report back.

At this point I am getting a features wishlist together for the next DVR I try. There were some things that were very nice about the 5115 versus this one and some I don't like about either.

Here's my review of this one:
Cons:
1. The remote. Every button is the same size, and nothing is backlit. There are 40+ buttons and some are dual purpose. At least the LiteOn had a navigation "circle" that I could locate with my thumb without studying the remote. Plus, there aren't even the typical DVD buttons (like menu). Grade: F-
2. The speed/response. My DVD player is the Pioneer 333. I guess I'm spoiled but when you press a button or turn it on, it takes less than a second to respond. Both of these budget DVR's have a lag of 3 seconds at times. Grade: D

Pros:
1. The Price: $89 for this one and $119 for the 5115. The next closest I could find is $149. VCR might be my next stop ;) Grade: A+
2. Size. The size of the 1600 is good for me, but I still think it can be made smaller. The 5115 is artificially big to match 19" components. Grade: A
3. Menus. This are easy to read and the built in guide is nice. The 5115 has a Guider feature which is great. Grade: B+
4. Recordings. I am able to use the LP setting on the 1600. But on the 5115 I couldn't use anything less than SP (2 hrs). Grade: A

Notes: I love the auto time set on the LiteOn5115 and would like to have seen it on the 1600. PBS has the time signal in my area. Oh well, not a showstopper.

Wishlist:
1. Small. The physical size should be about 12" wide and as thin as possible. The 1600 is the only one I've found in this size range.
2. Responsive. I hate lag. If I push the stop button, or power button ... do it now!
3. User friendly remote. I don't need it to be universal, but I'd like to be able to operate it without having to read each button. It should have a navigation "circle" and the standard DVD buttons. It should also have a 1 button record.
4. I should be able to play the DVD in my computers drive. In other words, no DVD-VR.
5. A built in modulator to RF out for my older TV would save me the $20 for that component ... wishful thinking I know.

FWIW,
Jay

The DVD-R on the Cyberhome units is very poor; I have two of 'em, both sitting unused 'cause the units have gotten to the point where they barely read even pressed DVDs (and "UN DISC" on nearly every burned one, even ones that it made, skipping on the ones it does).

If you can still take it back, get a Funai/Magnavox MSR90D6. It costs $100 or less at Sam's Club (or WalMart) and hasn't hiccuped yet (and reads all my discs perfectly). There's a thread on it in this forum.

Actually, no thanks to this site I'm going to get one of these (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=664839) :D +$50, and wider than I'd like, but it gets great reviews on ease of use, the remote looks great, and it does DL if I need it.

I'll still try a Sony brand DVD+RW in the 1600 first as I read at Cyberhome Memorex is not recommended.

Jay

I have an ES15, too. I like the Magnavox just as well. Consider that all you get with DL recording is more stuff on one disc, but it treats it like two seperate disks, each one with less space than a regular single-layer disc.

As far as "Recommended" media on the Cyberhome, it's a smokescreen. Go back thru the thread and see that people have tried varying media to no avail. Think about it- all these media are being written at 1X, maybe 2X speeds- not only that "Memorex" media doesn't mean anything, as they use a variety of media codes (the real descriptor of what's what, and even Sony doesn't use the same media codes for all its media, even within a type).

Nah, the drives they'd used are just bad. Mine used to read everything when I bought 'em three months ago; now one just scratches around for a while and typically fails > 70% of the time.

Point taken. I will box the Cyberhome up tonight and save myself some grief. After 4 stores I finally located a 5pack of Sony DVD+RW discs. The others either had 15 or 20 packs. WTH would you need 20 RW DVDs??? Anyway, CompUSA had them for $9.99

Jay

aviman33- I don't know why they do that, either. At least you caught it in time.

Hi Jay C, thanx for that, but unfortunetly the MU is the U.S. version of the ME (which is the one I have) which is the euopean version. I have been in touch with the U.S. branch iof CYberhome that emailed me back within hours of me sending my email. Although they cannot help me (i was advised NOT to use U.S. firmware in a europeon machine) they were more helpful then the European branch of Cyberhome, that have just plain not bothered to even acknowledge they have recieved my numerous emails to them about this!!! I ahve even rang them in Germany and because they had not got anyone their that could speak english they pit the phone down on me.

I ahve always rated Cyberhome but it seems the european divison does not give a damn about their customers.

Oh well looks like i need to get the authority involved now, as cyberhome are more then aware of this fault.

Thanx for your time Jay C

Ok, after reading all your comments on the sound problem with the DVR1600, plus my own posts, i ahve done a bit more research based on all the posts plus the replies to my own.

It is a commonly known issue that the 1600 has this 'warbling' sound problem, a problem that Cyberhome are all to aware of, but the european division seem to not be bothered about.

Looking at Cyberhomes U.S. pages they have fixed this problem with the release of the firmware upgrade for the 1600MU (please note the euopean version is 1600ME). I took a huge gamble and downloaded their firmware update and tried it on an ME. NOw please please please DO NOT try this, I only did this as an experiment and risked the machine becoming unusable. But i also have the option to return my machine as it is well in its 12 month guarantee. Here are my results:

I installed the U.S. (1600MU) version of the firmware (610 backend) onto my 1600ME machine with the sound warble issue. You get a warning saying that the hardware may not be compatible with the firmware being installed. I ignored this. The firmware installed ok, but in effect made the machine into an NTSC machine. Now the U.S. versions architecture must be different for as you select your source their is no option for the scart input, so all i could get was S-VHS which rendered the picture black and white (i can find no way to get a colour picture) but the purpose of this little experiment was the sound issue. I recorded sopme TV and was luvky enough to get a good range of sounds, i.e. piaone, and other high end audio. And guess what, the audio problem HAD BEEN FIXED by the U.S. firmware upgrade!!!!!

Of course this was no good with the black and white picture but it does prove a point somewhat. The fix for this issue is obviously out there for the U.S. machine, and all we need is a european version of firmware 610 being released by Cyberhome europe to rectify this issue.

I installed the machines original firmware (388_105n) to return the machine to its original state.

What do you think the chances are of this happening. The proof is there that it is fixable through firmware, they are aware of the problem (they have had countless emails from me now dating back to November last year).. I have even rang them about this, but because i could not speak German they put the phone down on me (good customer service hey!!).

Has this effected anymore of you??? I am more then willing to take this further, and already have a solicitor looking into this for me. I am also willing to represent all of you in getting this resolved.

What will it take to get this firmware release for the 1600ME???

Ok, after reading all your comments on the sound problem with the DVR1600, plus my own posts, i ahve done a bit more research based on all the posts plus the replies to my own.

<SNIP>

Has this effected anymore of you??? I am more then willing to take this further, and already have a solicitor looking into this for me. I am also willing to represent all of you in getting this resolved.

What will it take to get this firmware release for the 1600ME???
How much is your time worth? Wouldn't it be nice to not have to work about solicitors, LD charges, German tongues, burning CD ijmages and loading (and hoping) it works "better" than before? Are there no other choices that might cost more now, but that will save you hours of frustration in the later? Do you want a new hobby of downloading and loading firmware patches?

Seriously, return it now, and look for a higher quality brand. You won't end up saving anything on the front end, but I'll bet you will in the long run :)

FWIW,
Jay

I want to get this sorted not only for myself, but also for all the other people that have been s**t on through this. Cyberhome should not be allowed to just ignore this when one branch have worked their butt off to get this resolved, whilst another division cannot give a t*ss.

As for quality, to be honest with you i think the 1600 gives outstanding picture quality from TV and VHS. It is a recognised and documented fault which needs to be addressed for everyone that will go out and buy this machine, not just for me.

And apart from the audio problem i ahve not had anything else happen to say otherwise that this is a good machine. It records on any disc i throw in it +R -R and any brand.

(Things I Learned Today: the word "toss" is an expletive in some cultures :))

I'm a newbie. I just got a 1600ZU, Bios 05 72/105 Manufactured: February 2006. There was also an 1600MU1, Manufactured March 2006. Did I make the right choice. What are the pros and cons. Sorry if this has already been asked.

As for quality, to be honest with you i think the 1600 gives outstanding picture quality from TV and VHS. It is a recognised and documented fault which needs to be addressed for everyone that will go out and buy this machine, not just for me.
In my admittedly brief time with the 1600 I agree with you compared to the LiteOn5115 I tried before it in comparing SP to SP. However, I get the same quality picture on my Panasonic at LP giving me 4hrs of recording time. I might have kept it had it worked with the +RW's.

One note, my 1600 didn't have VHS so not sure what you are referring to :confused:

Jay

VHS to DVD nugget

For those that bought this guy to transfer their VHS collections over to DVD, I have found a gem if you've been frustrated by the Cyberhome warning about a tape being copy protected. I found an easy and free way around it.

I connected the VCR's OUT to the Cyberhome's IN with a coaxial cable and it now lets me record those tapes that I was unable to do before (composite or S-vid won't allow it). Not a videophiles favorite type of connection, but hey, it works.

I transferred about 300 tapes, and only about 25 of those gave me the "copy protected" warning. Now that I've switched to coaxial temporarily, I can finish those last 25 and get rid those damn VHS tapes.

I hope that helps someone out there.

Nice find, but just remember that the RF Output on a HI-FI VCR "DOES NOT" send out STEREO Audio so your DVDs are being recorded in 1 Channel MONAURAL Audio.

Still it's a good idea if you just want "Casual Copies" to use in a laptop, a car or for the kids & you are not planning on ever using them with a Surround Sound Receiver.

And whatever you do I WOULD NOT throw out the VHS tapes after you copy them because the verdict is still out on how long DVDs will last because some brands that are only a few years old have been breaking down already.

In my admittedly brief time with the 1600 I agree with you compared to the LiteOn5115 I tried before it in comparing SP to SP. However, I get the same quality picture on my Panasonic at LP giving me 4hrs of recording time. I might have kept it had it worked with the +RW's.

One note, my 1600 didn't have VHS so not sure what you are referring to :confused:

Jay
Hi Jay, The VHS reference was meant as recording from TV and also recording from VHS video tape....

VHS to DVD nugget

For those that bought this guy to transfer their VHS collections over to DVD ...

I connected the VCR's OUT to the Cyberhome's IN with a coaxial cable and it now lets me record those tapes that I was unable to do before ...

I'm a bit confused by this one -- the only coaxial input I see on my DVR-1600 is the one the manual says is a "pass-through only" connection. Does the DVR actually read through that? It's obviously not the "Video 1" or "Video 2" or "S-video" source .... is it the "DV?"

I very seldom get the erroneous "disk is copy-protected" message from a VHS input, but I sure get a lot of "TV systems of input and disk mismatch." Not so bad, as if you're recording, you usually don't have to do anything -- the DVR just kicks into pause while the picture is trash, then goes right back to recording, even removing the error message box. But there is a danger here which is now my WORST complaint against this little "pizza di junk" -- if the recorder goes into temporary pause from a signal error, it's going to go right back into "record" at the first good signal -- including the blank blue screen from my VCR if I stop it to try to fix a problem!

DVD Recorders have Tuners, by which they tune channels from their RF input. In this case the output from the VCR would have been modulated onto channel 3 or 4 no doubt.

I'm a bit confused by this one -- the only coaxial input I see on my DVR-1600 is the one the manual says is a "pass-through only" connection. Does the DVR actually read through that? It's obviously not the "Video 1" or "Video 2" or "S-video" source .... is it the "DV?"
es it reads it, but it does not send it's signal out over the RF link. You have to tune to TV to "see" the RF antenna input. Use the composite connector as a minimum between VCR and any DVR.

Put another way, if you want to watch your VCR and have it's composite signal routed to the 1600 then from the 1600 composite to your TV you will not "see" the VCR unless the 1600 is on ... or ... unless you have the VCR connected directly to the TV either via another composite connection or RF connection.

FWIW,
Jay

FYI Just a quick note about the "ZU" model: About 10 days ago, using the same brand/lot of ridata +r discs, the unit stopped recording (it would burn the disc), wouldn't play, wouldn't finalize. We had a couple of close lightning strikes around the house a week ago, so for a cure, I reloaded the firmware......and now it's like new again. :)

BrandsMart USA has them on sale for Father's Day for $68.88 :eek:

I have a DVR1600 from Germany and I visited the German website. It says that the 388 firmware is up to date and needs no updating, however I have the same Problem with the warped sound.
I wrote Cyberhome Germany and we will see what they (if) reply.
It really is a shame...
I also wrote Stiftung Warentest who tested the recorder and gave it a really good rating!! That is why I bought it in the first place (it got rank 2 actually!).
How can they test such a c...p and put it on rank 2???

I live in Brazil , I Have bought a CyberHome DVR 1600 ZU at Circuit City Sawglass FL, I have tried all hacks available in web sites that I was able to find (169518, 8105 with tray opened and closed) nothing worked, I decided updated the FW using the files DVR1600_MU_ZU_Loader_105N Front end and DVR1600ZU_76 back end available at cyberhome url successful, after i tried all hack again and nothing worked, I was not able to see the Menu or screen to change the Region Code.. Any one has a idea what should I try to do else?

Guys I need help with my 1600...

I have not used the 1600 to record any DVDs yet.

I hacked my 1600 region free, but after doing so, the 1600 cannot play any disc at all. It says "no disc" error always.

I tried to modify the unit back to region 1; but again, still "no disc" error.

What do you think could be the problem? I am using the latest firmware on it.

I tried all types of disc like dvd and audio cd. It still does not work.

Any advice? Thanks :(

Did you try recording a DVD before applying the hack or upgrading the firmware? I ask, because the problem you are describing is typical for "defective out of box" Cyberhome recorders. The problem your are having may have been there all along. Either way, if it's a recent purchase take it back and exchange or return it.

Jon

Did you try recording a DVD before applying the hack or upgrading the firmware? I ask, because the problem you are describing is typical for "defective out of box" Cyberhome recorders. The problem your are having may have been there all along. Either way, if it's a recent purchase take it back and exchange or return it.

Jon


I di not try recording only playing audio cd's before the hack. The audio cd worked perfectly.

I downloaded the latest firmware in a cd, but again, it still does not recognizes the cd. "no disc" error appears.

What do you suggest? I cant return the unit. The unit is located in south east asia. :(

I di not try recording only playing audio cd's before the hack. The audio cd worked perfectly.

I downloaded the latest firmware in a cd, but again, it still does not recognizes the cd. "no disc" error appears.

What do you suggest? I cant return the unit. The unit is located in south east asia. :(


Here is another place you can visit.

http://cms-system.cyberhome-dvd-help.com/modules.php?name=Forums


By the way, when you downloaded the firmware did you burn it to a cd as an "image"?

Jon

I heard back from the Germany service people:
They say it is not normal for this player to have warped sound and that it must be a defekt, so I should send it back...
I wonder what they would do if I really sent it back? Especially what would they do if 50% of their customers send the machines back, and I very much doubt that a replacement player would have good sound (it is especially bad with piano!)

I have a 1600MU model and it will no longer format a blank DVD+R. I have tried two different brands with no luck. After it gets to 99% (which it stays at for some time) I then get a Disc Error. Any suggestions?

Yup, after a while these units just stop gradually working. Get ready to throw it out soon.

I got a problem with the 1600 model. I tried to install the firmware to fix the sound issues. The frontend installed fine, but the backend did not. The reason being was that it was meant for 1200 models, not 1600. I did not notice this till after the fact. After the 2nd part "installed" and it tried to restart completing the upgrade, it wouldn't. It just says upgrade on the machine, and I can't do anything to it. What do I do?

Nevermind, all taken care of.

Anyone hear about this?

Importer busted over counterfeit DVD players
20K units seized are worth more than $2 million
- Glen Martin, Chronicle Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 13, 2006

(06-13) 15:40 PDT FREMONT - A multi-agency task force has executed a search warrant on the country's largest importer of DVD recorders and players, confiscating eight tractor-trailer loads of recorders allegedly bearing counterfeit trademarks.

James Sibley, a Santa Clara County deputy district attorney, said the warrant was served June 8 on Fremont-based Cyberhome USA, a U.S. affiliate of Cyberhome Taiwan. Sibley said the value of the 20,000 units exceeds $2 million.

Sibley said agents from the REACT task force, an anti-counterfeiting strike team composed of agents from five California counties and the state and federal governments, served the warrant. No arrests have been made, Sibley said, but a criminal investigation is ongoing.

Representatives of Cyberhome could not be reached for comment.

Cyberhome had a leasing agreement with Philips Co. to manufacturer relatively low-end recorders and players, Sibley said.

"Cyberhome ran up a $22 million bill with Philips, which they didn't pay," Sibley said. "So Philips pulled their license. The problem is that Cyberhome kept manufacturing and selling recorders and players under the Philips trademark."

The products weren't inferior, Sibley said -- essentially, they were the same as the recorders and players sold under the licensing agreement. But they were not authorized by Philips -- and Philips wasn't getting paid.

"This is about trademark infringement, not product quality," Sibley said. Sibley said Cyberhome USA was importing the unauthorized DVD equipment "by the shipping container load" from Taiwan.

Sibley said that trademark infringement is a mushrooming problem for American business, with China and Taiwan accounting for most of the violations.

"We anticipate it will get even worse as the manufacturing base in those countries expands," he said.

Sony was once the largest exporter of DVD equipment to the United States, but Cyberhome stripped them of that position last year, Sibley said.

"Now Sony may be number one again," he said.


there may be some truth to this cuz i went to the cyberhome website and they don't have any recorders listed any longer

Anyone hear about this?Yeah, two months ago: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=68798

I have a 1600MU model and it will no longer format a blank DVD+R. I have tried two different brands with no luck. After it gets to 99% (which it stays at for some time) I then get a Disc Error. Any suggestions?

Yep, that may happen. Use instead the rewrite discs, RW+. They should still work. Though after some prolonged use an individual disc may not record correctly, and you'll have to use a new(er) one. But the machine should be fine for recording still. That is my experience anyway. Mine has been working great after buying it June 2005. Even though it won't work with the record once discs, it still works with the rewritables just fine, with the one caveat mentioned above concerning manytimes-used discs.

John

After making a few coasters, I have found the following process works 100% of the time, even for DVD R's:

1. Keep all input devices powered OFF until the DVD is fully formatted.
2. Break 60 minute recordings into two sessions.
3. Turn off the power to the Cyberhome for a minute between each new disc burned.
4. Do not put anything on top of the Cyberhome.

Yes, it's a finicky beast but ever since following the above steps, I have yet to make a coaster. It even worked for recordable DVD's that were not on the recognized internal directory listing.

You forgot:

5. Unplug it, throw it away, learn from your mistakes (and save yourself the grief) and go get something that always just works, like the $100 Magnavox MSR90D6.

I had one of these units (an exchange of another unit that just suddenly stopped reading any discs) die after two weeks. They're junk.

That's valid advice too, Kenny. I'm just sharing tips with people who already own this unit.

I bought this unit on the first day it came out and have had pretty good luck with it so far. It Burns to DVD+R AND DVD-R which is great cause it didn't say on the box or in the owners guide that DVD-R was supported. The ONLY gripe i have is that BS copy protected thing when i'm recording shows off of a VHS tape! I HATE it, but i guess the unit was only 99.99, so i can't complain that much. Overall, Worth the 99.99 spent! Great unit for the price ;)

I have had my cyberhome for 16 months and I think I have come to the end of the road with it. It has performed like a champ for this time and for the money it has been a good investment. But I think the time has come to get a better recorder.

I use the cyberhome as a tuner and I run all of my sourse devices through it like my DVD player VCR, TV, etc. Lately when I attempt to power off the 1600 it freezes and has to be unplugged to allow it to work again, this happens alot now a days, VERY annoying! Plus I have always had the problem of it playing in mono with a hiss that I have never been able to trouble shoot away.

I have made hundreds of DVD's with it and can't complain too much based on price, it has served it's purpose. Just need to replace it before it quits on me.

Panasonic es15s looks like the one at this point, but will happily keep the 1600 around for a good back up :)

Have the MU version (U.S.) but having problems with recordings and reading some media that I hope the latest firmware will fix, at least it's worth a shot.

Hopefully someone has it that they can email me...

I think that it is the 610 version from what I have been reading but I'm not entirely sure about it.

Thanks,
Tony.

Hello. I missed the 610 firmware (MU version) before the cyberhome website disappeared. Can someone please post it online somewhere or offer to email it to me? Thanks.

not sure if anyone has it, i have been looking for it for a few weeks now with no luck :(

I think I have what you are looking for. I can email it to you if you send me your email address.

The control number on my CH1600 is DVR1600CHN1M02540 . Can I update this machine with the 610 firmware ?

My 1600MU is still recording fine, however, half of the disc cannot be recognised by other players now. I guess the laser is getting bad. I may need to switch to RW media pretty soon before throwing it away. Perhaps I'll just keep using it as a PAL-NTSC converter.
Anyway, I have stored the firmwares 540 and 610 for MU. PM me if you need it.
I am still using 540 as the 610 removed Divx playing.

Hi billcsho, I sent you a PM. I hope that you can send me both firmwares for the MU. my email address is tony.ingram@gmail.com

Thanks.

Thanks to the folks who responded to my firmware request. I have PM'd you to email the files to me. Thank you.

ba747

ba747, I do not have the firmware file anymore. Hopefully one of the other forum members can help you out.

Just finished using my 1600MU to copy 40+ hours of Hi8 recordings to DVD-R's. Worked out great.

To the members looking for firmware, I don't have the original files but I do have both resulting installation disc. If needed, I can use nero to convert them back to disc images.

I believe this to be my current firmware;

Firmware is as follows;
Ui: C00065MCU
Servo: DX041D D 105N
Adsp: V08.00.01.46 R0.2
Control: C00000540


John

I have been looking for the current firmware for my Cyberhome DVR 1600MU for about the last three weeks. I made a stupid error and loaded firmware from the German site. I thought it would be all the same. Well it came up in PAL, not NTSC.

I would appreciate if someone could email me a copy of the firmware. I think the last levels are 540 or 610. I am sure that either one will do.
Send me a PM if you can emmail me a copy. Thanks..

Jonl98

I sent you a PM.

Jon

I recently began to use the Cyberhome 1600 with the following settings:

Ui: C00065MCU
Servo: DX041D D 105N
Adsp: V08.00.01.46 R0.2
Control: C00000540
Version ( + - )

The following nagging issues are present:

Currently using Maxell DVD+R ( 8X) discs.

When player has been used for more than 2 hours, there is a heat build up.

Unit will fail to format discs, fail to finalize discs, unit may fail to recognize discs.

Numerous write errors corrupt discs.
... i.e. When recording in SLP, the disc has a time range of 2 hours. Selecting 2 hours of record time usually provides excellent results.

FIRMWARE BUGS:

Instant record Mode and Overflow issues:

However, if one were to have already recorded a program to disc, the remaining safe program time should never be exceeded, as shown in the root menu.

For example: a 30 minute SLP episode is recorded. The remaining SLP time is then reduced to a safe limit of 1 hour and 30 minutes. This can be viewed in the Root Menu. Pressing instant record beyond the discs ability to safely record additional 1.5 hrs of programming to disc is not restricted. This contributes to a write error. The firmware does not assess and compare safe record time as NO ERROR MESSAGE is displayed indicating a write overflow, when in instant record mode.

Timer Record mode:

Timer record mode is the only mode that offers overflow write protection.

A disc of programming can be safely recorded using any combination of record speeds, if and only if, the media record time is not exceeded. Exceptions to this create unrecoverable errors.

Finalizing and Formating:

Prone to errors when poor media is used.

Finalizing and formatting issues seem to stem from thermal issues. Cyberhome 1600 seems Prone to these errors has been on or used for over 3 hours.



Allowing a 30 minute cool down & reboot, "seems" to temporarily suspend these errors.

I would imagine that installing a small PC fan into the chassis and tapping into the VDC power would improve the units performance. Has anyone tried this?

Was there a more stable firmware upgrade available for this unit prior to Cyberhome Corp's demise?

Nope, that's pretty much the optimum firmware available.

My 1600 works much better with DVD - R's, so far a 100% success rate. I stopped using +R's a long time ago. Also, mine never worked well with DVD +RW's. The 1st hour is O.K., the second hour of recording on a +RW disc causes the player to jump scenes and show images previously recorded. However, I've never tried a DVD -RW to see if that was any better. So presently I just record to Taiyo Yuden DVD-R's and pitch them in the trash when I'm done.

Jon

I have a TruTech 1620, which I understand is the same as the Cyberhome 1600. I have the following settings:

Ui: C00065MTU
Servo: DX043D D 0375
Adsp: V08.00.01.46 R0.2
Control: DVR 1620TTN1MO2540

My unit is glitchy, sometimes it works, sometimes it reads "no disc", other times it asks me to reformat a formatted or recorded disc. I was wondering if there was a firmware update, for example, is the 610 newer? The German website doesn't list the 540 version and I have searched the entire internet for answers. This site seems the most savvy, so please help?

Thanks-
Elaine

I have this firmware for the model 1600MU and your welcome to try it if you like. I don't believe the 610 firmware did anything of benefit. in fact, if I recall you would lose Divx capability,. Most people feel the 540 and & 105 combination is the best firmware for the 1600MU. You will have to make sure your unit is an MU. There were three different revisions made. If you look on the botton or your DVR a label will indicate if it's a 1600MU, 1600ZU or something else. My firmware is for the MU.

Ui: C00065MCU
Servo: DX041D D 105N
Adsp: V08.00.01.46 R0.2
Control: C00000540

Also there is another forum for Cyberhome that may be able to give some guidance.

http://cms-system.cyberhome-dvd-help.com/modules.php?name=Forums

Jon

I have the MU1, anyone out there with the 610 update? Or maybe some advice re: disc recognition?

Jon,

Can you email me the 540 and 610 firmwares?
Previously had the same config as you but the unit was having issues reading most discs. Anyway, I installed a previous version but wanted to try the 610 and see if that made any difference.

tonyloon@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Jon,

Can you email me the 540 and 610 firmwares?

Thanks,

Tony,

I emailed the files you requested.

Jon

I just saw a LiteOn unit at Best Buy that had multi formats and DIVX for $88. Is there a thread on this unit?

I've owned three of the Cyberhome DVR-1600. I bought the second when the first started to get cantankerous about loading disks -- not just formatting or finalizing, but recognizing anything it produced itself as some kind of DVD, leaving me stuck with a bunch of things that only a Cyberhome could finalize. I bought the third as a backup for the second, but the third wouldn't recognize any kind of disk from day one -- got a full refund on that one.

Having one machine that would finalize my Cyberhome disks, I finally took the first one back to Circuit City to see what they'd do under the protection plan I bought with it. They don't sell them any more (wise choice) -- but they gave me a new Pye Video PY90DG for it. I just let that sit until my final Cyberhome started to go as bad as the first. Then I hooked up the Pye and learned how to use it.

Surprise, all you folks who wheedle and cajole and tinker and change firmware with the DVR-1600. The $99 Pye PY90DG is a vastly superior machine at the same price. It has S-video on both front and back inputs. You press "record" and it records instantly, instead of giving you "please wait." If you're trying to get a recording from a junky old VHS tape, it records what it sees without constantly kicking itself into "pause" and giving you "unstable signal" or "system mismatch" messages. It has bigger capacity for names on titles, and even on the disk itself. It lets you pick what thumbnail picture you want on a title instead of sticking you with the first frame it sees. The more I work with this machine, the more I realize that the amount of patience I exercized over Cyberhome's machines was a waste -- they're junk. Anybody wants my advice, now, it's simple: as soon as you're not in a position where you're Cyberhome-dependent to finish things, get a Pye and relegate the Cyberhome to a switchbox.

I have been having trouble with the 1600MU I got from WalMart here in Ontario almost from the get go. I have tried all sorts of the suggested dvd +R and +RWs. I finally gave up a few weeks ago out of frustration and just let it sit with out using it.

Now when I try to load a +R or +RW it tells me that there is "no disk". I try to load a DVD movie and it tells me "no disk". I don't even think it is spinning the disks when the tray loads.

Any help would be appreciated. Here are the particulars on my unit:

CH-DVR 1600MU
Manufactured: August 2005
BIOS 413/105N
S/N 563AAB98002754

Firmware from OSD:

UI: C0066MCU
Servo: DX041D D 105N
Adsp: V08.00.01.46 RO.2
Control: C00000540

try a DVD/CD lens cleaning disc, then that does not work try to open then drive and clean the lens.

Hrmph. Take it back and get a non-ILO/Cyberhome model. There's so many similarly-priced models out there to choose from instead.

Hrmph. Take it back and get a non-ILO/Cyberhome model. There's so many similarly-priced models out there to choose from instead.

Funai corp makes a good DVD recorder at a low price at Walmart. SV2000 They are $57.00 US or $99.00 canadian. Good choice! and price is low.

They are less tempermental with recording media, but there are NO recording hacks for it. Region 1 only unless someone else knows how to alter or dump the code from the chip to read.

Good LUck

Funai DVD Recorders are sold at Sears, Circurt City and Wal-Mart and some electronic stores also. Wal-Mart has two versions SV2000 DVD Recorder only and DVD Recorder with VCR Hi-Fi Stereo Recorder these models don't have LED alpha or numeric displays. These are just LED red lights only. That's how to keep now the cost. The Emerson model sold at Wal-Mart and the ones sold at Sears under a different clone name have LED Alpha and Numeric displays and they cost more.

Still I've recommended the SV2000 models and got some for gift for other family members. Everyone says the picture is sharp and the tuner works so well. I've decided to pick one up soon myself..

Mine only worked about a third of the time, even after the firmware updates. It recorded from my VCR just fine, but was dodgy when trying to record TV broadcasts. Usually it was an error when finalizing for play in other systems, but sometimes it wouldn't even playback BEFORE finalizing in the Cyberhome DVR! So, there were several different problems it encountered, not just one. And just now, I found that the internal power supply/transformer is fried. I only used this thing for maybe a total of 40 hours, because it was such a piece of crap.

recommendation: DO NOT BUY ONE, SPEND THE EXTRA $50 AND GET A "REAL" BRAND NAME LIKE SONY OR PHILLIPS!

Has anyone had good luck with Verbatim+R disks in their cyberhome dvd recorder.

i need a reply ASAP, please. thanks.

Sure, Verbatims of any kind will be fine. EVERY brand will work fine for a while, then the UNIT will fail over time.

This unit records at 1X; so ANY media will work fine with it, but that's not where the problem lies with this unit. Toss it in the trash and get one of the comparably-priced Funal (et al.) models.

Well it looks like my Cyberhome 1600 is beginning to show signs of wear...i have used it for the last 2 years to transfer shows from my TIVO to my PC (using DVD+RWs) the other day i started getting CRC errors when loading onto the PC...tried 3-4 old RW's with same story and then i broke out a BRAND NEW RW and still had the same result. The unit appears to be recording but for some reason whatever it is putting on the disc is creating the error...

ah well i got more than my $$ worth out of it...but what to get in it's place? any ideas from anyone?

Get a cheap Magnavox. They're sold at WalMart and Sam's Clubs and I think Costco and Target, too.

Jon:

The control number on my recorder is DVR1600CHN1M02540. This MU1 model. Can you send me the firmware update? My email ID is v_bachi(AT)hotmail.

This one doesn't play even the regular DVDs. Keeps saying "No Disc". I never could play even a single DVD so far.

Thanks in advance.


Bachi

Your unit is toast. When these POS' get to the point where they can't even read DVDs, they won't be able to read the FW upgrade CD, either (and an FW upgrade won't fix that symptom, anyway). Throw it out, get a cheap Magnavox, save yourself the aggrivation.

After a 1 year and 8 months of service my cyberhome finally died.

Over 700 disks burned. About 20 coasters. Not bad.

Time to get a recorder with upconverting anyay.

RIP.

where rto gett the firmware to update ? Thanks

I also have a TruTech TT1620MU1.
I read that you can update the firmware to a Cyberhome.
I would like to convert it to the Cyberhome 1600MU1.
Did anyone find the firmware for this model?
If so, could someone post me a link?
every link that I find for this is dead.
Please Email me if you can help at Jammer7071@aol.com
Thanks

I have A ilo DVDR05 WHICH IS A 1600ZU
AND i could really use the firmware
if anyone has the last firmware version
please PM me

thank you

Fantastic price. But what about , features, picture quality and reliability?

Reliability turned out to be pretty good for me. Usually on any kind of optical drive, the laser assembly starts getting flaky after a couple of years. Over the last few months, that has been happening - several recordable DVDs would no longer play on this player but would in a PC.

There was also a fault on the power supply that's been making the internal logic go nuts. When the unit was in standby, the PSU would whistle. When powering the unit on, sometimes it would say "Hello" indefinitely. Sometimes the display would remain blank. Plugging the AC power out/in would usually fix this until two days ago, when I pulled the Cyberhome's AC plug out of the wall for the last time. Long may it rest in peace, in a landfill of my garbage disposal company's choice.

I have no need for a DVD-R unit now, since I gave the evil Tyme Werner their DVR box back, saved myself $70 a month and built a MythTV PC recording from OTA terrestrial broadcast TV. There's still more good content than I have time to watch. I might buy an upconverting DVD player or maybe a PS3 mainly to use as blu-ray player. How things have changed since 2005 when the DVR 1600 was in its heyday. Makes me quite nostalgic!