[belder]

I just returned a SAMS Club Liteon 5101 because of soft picture quality, mono tuner, etc as discussed here. I just recently purchased the iLo DVDRHD04 which I like.


I burned some DVD's to test on my Apex 1500 which will play a piece of bread. There's nothing I've put in that it won't play...until the iLo. It will play the video brilliantly (looks beautiful), but no audio.


Yes, it will play audio on the DVD just fine on the iLo itself.

Yes, I did finalize the disc.


I recorded the video on to the hard drive and copied it from there to the DVD+R. I wouldn't think this would make any difference. I'm using Verbatim discs. Now, the DVD's recorded with the Liteon 5101 did play Audio on my Apex machine like a champ. It worked The iLo didn't.


And there's more. I've spoken to iLo twice today. Hang in here with me because Rod Serling's going to appear soon.


Yesterday I copied five television shows to DVD. Two of the shows I copied directly onto the DVD from my DirecTivo. The next three I recorded to the hard drive from the DirecTivo and copied them to DVD. All of it plays and works when I play the disc on the iLo HD04. When I try to play it on my Apex1500, the two programs recorded directly play audio and video fine. The ones recorded to the DVD from the hard drive have no audio sound.


Any ideas? Many thanks for any help on this.

 

[dsm]

I am having exactly the same problem. I hope you or someone else can post an answer, otherwise the unit will have to go back to Wallymart.


With respect to the audio, I also want to add a comment. In the audio setup, you have the choice of PCM or bitstream. In order to play back dolby 5.1, you need to use the optical connection and set to bitstream. Unfortunately, when you do so, recorded material will not play back with sound. The only way to get sound off of recorded material (i.e. the MP2 record format) is either (i) go back into the audio setup and set to PCM, or (ii) use the RCA jacks into your receiver and set the receiver for analog imput.


This is obviously a problem. While I can (barely) tolerate resetting the sound every time based on whether its a DVD 5.1 or recorded source, my family need simplicity.


One other thing - I've had trouble with one DTS audio disk (Crystal Method - Legions of Boom). It was recorded in 6 channel DTS, but my receiver can recognize the bitstream as DTS when played on the unit (defaults to Prologic playback). My APEX player had no problem with this disk.


Not being able to record to hard-drive and burn a copy that can play back the sound is definitely a deal-breaker. Let's hope a solution is out there. I sure like the price and video quality of the unit otherwise.


DSM

 

[belder]

dsm,


I have good news. I just spoke to a tech support person at iLo and they are aware of the problem that the HD04 will not copy audio that is playable on other machines from the HDD to the DVDR. A fix will be on the way. There will be new firmware and in it will be the fix for the audio problems. I diplomatically asked him to please give me some kind of time so that I could post it for folks with the same problem. He took my e-amil and said he would get back with me in the next few days to give me some sort of idea.


I'm rellay glad you replied. At least I know it's not just me. The value of these forum. In fact, another member in another thread, phillyphil, posted:
Quote:

just found out about this forum, and it looks like I can find the info i need here, so here goes. I'm looking for a DVD/HDD recorder that has the following features: 1. is RELIABLE. (Just bought an iLo DVDRHD004 which is getting returned to Wally World because of skips in the audio recorded on HDD at 30 and 60 second intervals.)

I've noticed the same thing with mine, except mine is every minute. It's only on the hard drive and if you transfer it to a DVD, it's fine with no skip. If you try to play that DVD in another player (after finalizing, of course) you see a great picture and no audio.

 

[dsm]

belder:


Thanks so much for taking the lead on this issue! It's great to hear that Ilo is responsive to customer complaints - let's both hope there're as good at coming up with a fix.


As an addition to my last post, where I stated that bitstream/optical output doesn't work with recorded material ... I double checked at lunch today and found out that this was only with hard drive recording. When recording direct to DVD-R+ you can play back with the bitstream setting and the optical connection. This would lead me to believe that the "fix" for hard drive sound will also allow proper digital playback.


For kicks, tonight if I have the time I might try to do some comparisons of the the two DVD-R+'s by digging into the file systems on my computer. If I find anything out, I report back here.


Finally, I also have slight sound drop-out when playing back hard drive recordings, but like you, noticed that the VOB files themselves seem to be OK when played back on my computer. This is important, as I want to be able to create/transfer good quality VOB files of some camcorder material.


Again, thanks for your post and keeping me updated. Lets also hope that the "fix" will also get rid of the drop outs, and if we're very lucky, maybe they'll add the 3-hour mode that's been discussed on some the forums.


DSM

 

[belder]

The first e-mail reply I got from iLO said that the LP mode WAS in the forthcoming firmware update. I would hope that all of the audio problems are noticed by iLO. Then again, you would think that they'd test a burned disc from files copied from the HDD to a DVD on another player.


Looking forward to any information you can share. I'll post here immediately any info I get. If I don't hear from them in a week, I'll call back. The tech support people seem nice and willing to try to help.

 

[Nighttime]

Since the audio is in MP3 standard and not raw or DD 2.0 could that be the problem?

 

[belder]

I agree. If you record directly to the DVD, it's perfect. The "playback on other dvd decks" is a big problem, but the audio skipping every minute on the hard drive is really annoying.


Does anyone know if the iLo DVDR04 (without hard drive) has a stereo tuner like the HD04?

 

[Nighttime]

From what I have read on this and other sites. look more like a mono tunner. Been looking for a way to test this out. But a RF modulator is as scare as a snow ball in a blast furance. Or should say a cheep one!

 

[belder]

Nighttime,


You are right. I was incorrect in stating that the tuner on the DVDRHD04 was stereo. I'm sorry for any trouble this may have caused.

 

[Nighttime]

The item about stereo/mono is still up in the air. Wish it was not!!! One reason I grabed a Pioneer 220 due to it having a stereo TV tunner. And dark blacks not dark gray.


Been working on finding a RF modular that does not cost 300 to see if its stereo or mono. Grabed one from RS today for a reasionable price but been so busy have not had a chance to test it. It state that it output a stereo RF signal.


Have seen some post across the net stating yes and some say no. If this thing pumps out a Ch 3 or 4 Stereo can confirm if the iLO DVDR04 is stereo.


I have heard that the HD has a stereo tunner but nothing concret. If this works. Will post the model # from RS so anyone can test these beast esp the Litons and others. For a Stereo tunner.

 

[belder]

I can go from a VCR tuner into the RCA inputs...it just simplifies the process having stereo on the actual unit itself. The 220 doesn't have firewire in, which I'd like for camcorder transfers to DVD. I may seriously consider it if the hard drive isue isn't fixed soon on the iLO.


Now, I'm seriously considering returning the iLo hard drive 04 and getting just the 04 deck. For $150 I can start making my DVD's knowing that in a couple of years when it wears out, more options will be available at a reasonable price perhaps with hard drives that work and perform as they should.


Fingers crossed.

 

[Nighttime]

Thats right. The 220 does not have firewire but the 320 does. The operation of the 320 is identically except for the addition of the fire wire port. The 220 is slowly winning me over. Its solid with a lot of features for the price difference between it and the R04. The remote has all of the controls you normally would need. You can down load the manual from Pioneer site. Thinking of returning the R04 and getting another 220. For in effect 100 dollars more you get a lot including some of the fixes that would be nice in the R04.


I am wondering if they are feeding the tuner with a clean feed on power. Also looks like you can overload it. Have seen lines { but not on the recording } and even some of the posted vert lines moving from one side to another. If it did not have the cleanup and processing it would be usless.


But I do like the simplicity of the R04. And can do a +RW, take it out without finalizing it and open up the video on a computer. I know thats built into the +RW foramt but handy! Also both have eaten up the inhouse GQ printible media from frys without problems or hickups.


The nagging issues on the R04 for me is the poor TV tuner, a dark gray not black and strange playback on some players including computer software ones.

 

[belder]

Great post. I tested for stereo using a VCR and the iLO tuner. Using RCA out, listened with headphones to the audio. I would A/B between a stereo DirecTv channel and the same with the iLo. The difference was obvious.


I love being able to record to the hard drive of the HD04 and transfer it in minutes to a DVD.


Even the lowest priced VCR's have stereo tuners now. It almost seems like a Liteon/iLo practical joke. I know that by spending $150 now and perhaps another $300 in a few years that I could buy the Pioneer 520h I'd really like to have. But by then it may be old technology. I think I'd like to make do with something workable and cheap now and then see what's up next. I think the prices will go down and the features will go up on the less expensive units.


At it's worst, the 04 looks better than my Mitsubishi S-VHS VCR.

 

[Nighttime]

So far they have had no HD units in my area. Could be the hold up is the "Minute problem" and some other items found by users.


I also like the idea of record on HD. And then hispeed dump to a DVD in a matter of minutes.


Have had a SVHS JVC bottom end deck since I received my TIVO back in 2000. But always rather delete before trying to save to tape. After picking up the first one, R04, Litterly with in a day had cleared off all of the shows I held onto for a few years.


The thing is for the price of either unit you cant beat it. Its pretty solid in what it does. Not Perffic but does fit the market I think they are shooting for. Would be nice to put in a true Stereo tuner. Wondering if a stereo replacement could be found?


I had figured by early next year units like these would start to appear at this price range but looks like its early.


Also since the chipset can handle both + & -, a substute dual burnner maybe added!

 

[belder]

I have seen talk that believe "-" can be added to these decks with the right firmware. It is on a Liteon Message board and they ask how much people would pay for a firmware upgrade from 5001 to 5005...which accepts "-" and "+".
http://220.130.29.146/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=4;t=229

 

[Nighttime]

As PC drive went dual I see shortly most DVR having dual format also.


Hum... Intersting!

 

[belder]

It would be great if it could be made to record and play + and - with a firmware upgrade.


I'm hoping that a fix for the HDD audio drop out will be posted this week. They shouldn't even ship these HD04's before they fix this. I am happy the HDD to DVDR copy function has been fixed.


Tech support has stated that if you have recorded something to the HDD with the old firmware, it will never be able to copy the audio to the DVD. I confirmed this yesterday.


Even the dropouts are gone if you copy the content from the HDD to the DVDR.

 

[belder]

I've been playing around with the audio problem today. Does anyone know if it is on the record or playback?


I played an entire 30 minute program without one drop out. A 2 hour concert did after about 12 to 15 minutes. It seems to get worse when I skip chapters or rewind and fast forward. But, when I hear it happen, if I rewind and go through the :50 to :00 mark again, it may or may not be the same length in drop. This leads me to believe it's part of the playback.


Any thoughts?

 

[vferrari]

Quote:

Any thoughts?

Yeah. Stay away from this recorder until they get the firmware fixed, apparently.

 

[belder]

vferrari, Where were you a week ago? LOL


I have read good things about the iLO R04. A poster on another board wrote, "The R04 does have the new LSI 8602 chipset and a newer model DVD drive, but in all respects, other than appearance, it IS a 5001. Along with the updated chipset comes an updated motherboard, and hopefully, the problems plaguing the 5001 will be absent from the R04. One-Touch recording works on my unit.

The R04 has a fan in the rear and heat has yet to be a problem. The main chip on the motherboard had a large heatsink on it."


On my HD04 the deck works flawlessly. Let's hope the R04 is solid now. Still, I'm considering returning my HD04 and getting wither a R04 or a Pioneer 220. I'd miss the firewire input, but if the deck is decent, S-VHS should look great.