Info and forum posts by 'trippingzebra'

RE: DVDR-610 problems

Hello - haven`t contributed for a while !

Unfortunately can`t comment too much on problems people have been experiencing with the Timer - having also got what I consider to be a reliable DVDR70, I tend to use that for timer recordings.

The DVDR610 has been reasonably reliable with some of the VHS transferring I`ve been doing - however one problem I have discovered is that sometimes a recording will fail after a couple of minutes and the unit switches off. I simply turn back on, and start again - this may be on a fresh new disk only, but I`m not positive. Of course, this is fine on VHS transfers, but on a "live" programme would be more than annoying.

Thinking of upgrading firmware - have downloaded 26, but not sure. I last updated in October, so any advice would be useful.

I still read about SCART switching - I have never experienced the DVDR610 switching over the TV, but then mine`s daisy chained under my old VHS video, so maybe switching signals aren`t making it.

However, I still experience switching over during playback. I investigated this ages ago, and it occurs when a PDC signal is received. This is a control signal broadcast on some channels to tell when programmes are starting - BBC1 & 2, Channel 4,5 and Sky Movies channels all have this. I normally make sure Sky unit is turned off whilst watching DVD, and I don`t have a problem.

Going back to DVDR70, I have been more than happy with this machine, and would say it is Philips most stable machine - though I will say I have heard others diss it. Very occasionally it will fail a recording, but this reduced to virtually zero now that I periodically unplug the unit completely for a few seconds, which I presume "hard resets" it.

This item was edited on Friday, 11th February 2005, 19:15

RE: Sky + picture settings on 4:3 TV

I could be very wrong...but try 4:3 as your TV is 4:3. I think the setting may mean "I have a 4:3 TV - please display picture appropriate to that i.e. letterbox" rather than "display as 4:3 picture". I say this because there is a similar setting on my DVD.

Setting to "16:9" will mean the picture will be displayed squished on a 4:3 TV - a widescreen TV (16:9) would display it unsquished because that`s how it works - amazingly 16:9 is actually the same as 4:3 - it`s just that they broadcast the image squished. The TV unsquishes the image (stretches it horzontally).

RE: Best way to record `odd` length programs/multiple programs

A practical solution to the newsbreak problem

(i)Get ten million people to sign a petition and stop ITV and BBC putting news breaks in programmes, especially as they said moving the news to the new timeslots would prevent this.
(ii)Set your timer to record in the quality you want.

:D

Sorry, I`m not very helpful am I ?

This item was edited on Friday, 29th October 2004, 15:49

RE: Advice on buying a DVD recorder

One thing I do find annoying. Though we can cut out adverts, I would convert instantly to any DVD system that can cut out (a) icons in the corner of the screen which are getting ever more invasive and (b) voice overs at the end of programmes.

For example, Sky One and "The Match" icon. They bought it back after every s*dding advert break, thanks Sky - I couldn`t just zap the exit button once, I would have to sit through the whole programme and zap it after every break. I won`t say what I was recording as you will think I`m a sad sci-fi geek. I don`t go to the conventions though...

This item was edited on Friday, 29th October 2004, 14:59

RE: Advice on buying a DVD recorder

RAM disks: Not sure price-wise, but PC World certainly stock them if you want to get hold of some quickly. I`ve no doubt there will be some cheaper on the internet somewhere.

Good luck and congratulations with your choice. Hopefully neither of us will regret our decisions!

DVD-recording of any kind is better than VHS video. The space-saving alone is worth the change and I don`t think I`ll ever go back. Also, no having to rewind, and seeing instantly the contents of a disk.

This item was edited on Friday, 29th October 2004, 14:34

RE: Advice on buying a DVD recorder

Please do consider all formats before purchasing. Sometimes there can be a lot of bias toward one system or another and it is very to dismiss one or the other as "crap" when all systems work to differing degrees. Some points to consider (though I am no expert so please take, as with all forum comments, with a pinch of salt)

(i) DVD-RAM is indeed a better system. It behaves like a hard drive on a computer, where you don`t have to worry WHERE a file/programme is stored - all that is dealt with for you. All you need is free space SOMEWHERE on the disk. This is good.

(ii) Time-shift is a good idea (watch one programme whilst recording another) and can be useful. This is found in DVD-RAM as default, but also in more expensive DVD-RW/DVD+RW players THAT HAVE A HARD DISK DRIVE

(iii) Sky+ can do timeshift recording by recording on a HDD, then you could re-record onto DVD with very little loss in quality. This, however, is a more expensive option, but is actually potentially more flexible, as you can watch and record different channels on Sky and still record further (aerial) channels on the DVD at the same time

(iv) DVD-RW and DVD+RW both work but are more limited than DVD-RAM - I am not an expert in -RW, but I know DVD+RW behaves linearly like a traditional Video - so if you don`t have space, subsequent programmes are recorded over.

(v) DVD+RW and DVD-RW are used in PCs - ask yourself; will this ultimately drive the standalone recorder market ? Walk into PC World and see what disks are available.

(vi) You can edit DVD-RAM more readily, I gather, but you can also edit adverts out of DVD+RW - BUT you don`t gain the disk space back. And you can make these edits playable in other DVD players

(vii) Compatability. DVD-RAM is really not very compatible (if at all) with "normal" DVD players, and -R is best, +R less so. Compatibility is usually high anyway, despite rumours. Usually at least 80% of players can play these disks - that is really not bad odds. Some people put the figure at 90% or even 95%, some lower than 80%. Believe who you will.

Some people don`t care about sharing disks with others, some do.

(viii) DVD+RW can play in other players straight away without finalising or any other work required (granted, assuming the player can read RW disks, most can)

(ix) I have no idea whether DVD+RW outsells DVD-RAM or DVD-RW

---

There is NO SUCH THING as a crap DVD recording system. All have advantages and disadvantages as outlined above. I have tried to be fair, but I have no doubt you will have notice a bias towards DVD+RW, my choice. I chose it for one main reason only; which I won`t mention, but is included above. Everybody should make there own choice.

We all stand the risk of backing the loser, but the point is, can you minimise the risk - ask yourself, OK, what happens if I back the loser - what can I do about it ? Does it matter or not ?

This item was edited on Friday, 29th October 2004, 13:11

RE: Philips DVDR610: Are we now happy ?

Quote:
That (joke) works about as well as a Philips DVD recorder I`m afraid...

I know, but it will be fixed in the next firmware upgrade...

This item was edited on Thursday, 28th October 2004, 16:49

RE: Philips DVDR610: Are we now happy ?

No sign of Nicam indicator

RE: Nice point, Jimbo, except for one problem...

It does seem to be possible that DVD+RW can protect previously recorded titles - there is a protect title feature my DVD+RW recorder*** which stops titles being overwritten.

It is not as good as true random access as found in DVD-RAM, but it helps. To be honest though, I`ve never found over-recording a problem, as we have many years of experience of linear recording with VHS. The fact that DVD have title menus means you can tell at a glance exactly where and how much space you have.

***Philips DVDR610. But please, this is not intended to start another Panasonic vs.Philips debate.

This item was edited on Thursday, 28th October 2004, 00:06

RE: help firmware

Did you expand the zip file into its component files ? Create a new folder in My Documents and copy them from the zip file into the folder.

Did you use the Windows XP writable CD folder - because I this will not work properly as I think Windows uses a proprietary format for the disk.

Use some kind of burning software such as Nero or Roxio - often supplied with CD burners. Create a data disk, and add files from the folder you created. Put them straight into the "root" of the CD and not in a subfolder i.e. make sure before you burn that the files are displayed as a simple list, with no other folders, no other files, do not burn the .zip file onto the disk as well. This will not work. Make sure you close the disk and write in "disc-at-once" mode if this available.

Also, burn the disk at a slow speed to guarantee data integrity. Burning at 40x may be too fast, try 12x or 16x (this depends on your drive, but as you have WinXP I guess it is a newish PC) - it still only takes a couple of minutes, and the data is more likely to be error-free

It is very important to have a "clean" firmware update CD prepared, as the DVDR610 will reject it otherwise or install it incorrectly.

If in any doubt, consider e-mailing or ringing Philips and seeing if they will send you a disk. I have had fair response using e-mail in the past.

This item was edited on Wednesday, 27th October 2004, 23:18

RE: Philips DVDR610: Are we now happy ?

Gordon Bennett.

A man who paid good money for something bad and then fell into obsolesence. The life story of every Panasonic owner. :p

Please refer to my first post regarding forum posters who vociferously defend their machines. I`ve hated format and platform arguments since the days of VHS vs Betamax, Amiga vs PC and PC vs Mac. Pointless arguments. We`ll soon be arguing over Blu-Ray vs DVD-HQ or whatever.

The Panasonic works and the Philips works. Both I`m sure have their problems and they both have their advantages. We can argue till we`re blue in the face, but we can only take our choice based on our personal opinions. It`s only when the general consumer market makes it`s choice will we know the answer, as in VHS vs Betamax. Betamax was apparently the better technically, but VHS won out.

I have no idea whether the Philips or Panasonic is really better. I hope it`s DVD+RW, but then that`s because I invested in Philips. But if it doesn`t, I will have to deal with it. To be honest, I hope we get a situation where all machines play all disks. Then the consumer will have won.

BTW I`ve heard a lot about the £100 DVDR610 from Sainsbury`s. Presume they miscalculated the price. Shame I didn`t go shopping that day. I assume they now sell it at "normal" prices ?

This item was edited on Wednesday, 27th October 2004, 18:37

RE: help firmware

You didn`t specify whether you have got Windows XP or 98. Windows XP does have burning capability from right-click menu, but really you shouldn`t use that to burn your firmware CD.

Most CD-writers come with some form of free burning software such as Roxio Easy-CD Creator or Nero. It is best to use this kind of software to burn the CD. Don`t use any drag-and-drop CD file services like InCD as this is not the right format for the firmware to be read by the DVDR610

Some notes:
(i) You didn`t mention - but make sure you expand the .zip file downloaded from Philips into separate files (the .zip file is simply a compressed file for downloading purposes). Win XP can extract these files automatically (double click), but Win98 will need winzip or similar - downloadable from internet). Expand or copy them to a new folder in your My Documents

(ii) Select to burn a data-type CD in your burning software.

(iii) Close the disk (usually a tick option somewhere in the software before the CD is burnt). This stops further files being written to the disk, but basically Philips requires it.

(iv) The exact options that Philips recommends are on the help sheet on their website (under the link where you downloaded the file in the support pages). These options are technical, but basically refer to your basic PC CD format, usually the default in burning software.

(v) If in doubt, get a friend to help or try Philips support - I would have thought they would send out a disk for free.

RE: timer on 610

The DVDR610 remembers the last position you were at when you switched the unit in standby. Therefore you can "cue" up the recording to whatever point on the disk you want to record from before switching the machine into standby. You obviously, as the previous post said, have to make sure there is adequate space or you will overwrite previous recording.

Another option is to "protect" existing titles (I think the option is on the browser screen, but I`m at work so I can`t check !). The recorder will then stop recording when it reaches the protected title. However, it won`t skip over it and carry on recording after the protected title. Have only tried this before with manual recording, not sure about timed recording - presume it will work.

This item was edited on Wednesday, 27th October 2004, 14:59

RE: Philips DVDR610: Are we now happy ?

Gordon Bennett.

Okay, okay, I`m sorry, all right ?

RE: Philips DVDR610: Are we now happy ?

Actually, you are right.

I apologise, I should not have put a subjective opinion in my post. I usually pride myself on offering practical and objective help and not subjective opinions, which usually people have no problems with forming on their own. It is arrogant to assume that anybody reading the opinion cannot make up their own mind as to what is good value and not good value.

I therefore retract my opinion and re-state critically:
"The DVDR610 is an option amongst many dvd recorders you may wish to consider when purchasing - it`s earlier problems seem to have been resolved which could have prevented it from being a contender"

Anyway, all this is off-topic.

P.S. There is no need to apologise - Quote:
mate

This item was edited on Wednesday, 27th October 2004, 12:43

RE: Philips DVDR610: Are we now happy ?

A high quality recording device with useful features that costs only a little more than a decent VHS video recorder and it no longer costs £299, it`s price when it first came out. That wasn`t good value. £199 is for the same machine. :p

Oh no. I`m vociferously defending my machine... :D

Philips DVDR610: Are we now happy ?

I see the DVDR610 threads are dropping over onto the next "threads" page.

Do I now gather that everyone is happy with the state of the DVDR610 ?

Certainly the major bugs seem to have been resolved, so I think to those looking at the machine as a dvd-recording option should consider it seriously as it is such good value at £199 - but be prepared to upgrade the firmware via the Philips website if you purchase now from existing stocks.

One of the problems with internet forums is you only tend to get (a) the problems (you don`t go looking for problems if you are not experiencing any) and (b) those people who vociferously defend their equipment to the death - i.e. a lack of balance

Philips gets knocked quite a lot on the internet. Though I agree they should not release buggy machines when a couple of months testing would have resolved the problems, I generally found the DVDR70 quite stable after the problems with the DVDR880 (which in my case only affected non-Philips media) and at the moment the DVDR610 may well be as stable as the 70.

P.S. The fan. Very happy now, but just occasionally bursts into life then dies. (11.15pm the other night) - but nowhere near the annoyance it was.

This item was edited on Wednesday, 27th October 2004, 13:08

RE: scart leads?

Picture on EXT1 is normally slightly better as this is usually RGB mode rather than composite video, though the difference in practice is not really that noticeable except to those obsessed about such things. It is odd that your EXT1 is worse.

Try the following:
(i) Check your TV set up. My own Philips TV has independent colour/brightness controls for EXT2, EXT1 and the aerial channels i.e. it remembers different settings for each. Make sure the settings are identical for EXT1 and EXT2 to make a true comparison.
(ii) Try swapping the SCART cables around from EXT1<--->EXT2 - does this change the situation ? This may imply the cable is at fault.

That`s all I can suggest for now

RE: scart leads?

I would probably set it up as follows (you will need 3 SCART leads for this):
(i) Attach SCART 1 (EXT1) on the 610 into the TV SCART 1 (EXT1) - this will give the best TV quality
(ii) Attach SCART 2 (EXT2) on the 610 to the Video SCART or SCART 2 connection on your Sky box.
(iii) Attach SCART 1 output on SKY to the TV SCART 2.

Note:
(a)To record Sky, set the DVDR610 channel to EXT2 input and switch Sky on and press record !
(b)You can watch Sky on either EXT1 or EXT2 of your TV.
(c)If you are recording a terrestrial channel but want to watch Sky in the meantime, you can do so (watch Sky on TV EXT2 whilst recording on 610)

This item was edited on Friday, 22nd October 2004, 23:05

RE: Philips DVDR610 Fan Cure & Update

I don`t think the channel header thing is is a bug as such - the 610 only displays the first four characters of the channel name - unfortunately the default for the BBC channels is five characters - "BBC_1" and "BBC_2" (space where "_" is).

Fortunately, you can rename the channels to whatever you want. Haven`t got time right now to put detailed instructions, but look in the system menu for "analogue channels" or whatever and there is an option to change the programme name - change them to "BBC1" and "BBC2" (select channel you want to change before going into system menu)

HAVE UPDATED THIS NEXT BIT - HAD TO DASH OUT AND REALISED ORIGINAL EXPLANATION A BIT POOR:

To oxfordsquareeyes:
Virtually every electronic item you buy these days contains some kind of software - often called firmware - very specific to the device it is designed to operate.

The DVDR610 is no exception, and unfortunately Philips have a history of releasing new models without properly and fully testing the firmware first - so the consumer becomes the final testers. This is a shame, because the nature of the product is such that the end user is usually not interested in upgrading, so is likely to reject buggy goods as simply not working.

So to answer your question, the firmware upgrade will solve a multitude of problems - especially if your machine is more than a month or so old as the early releases appear to be VERY buggy. If you find that recordings fail and the machine crashes regularly and you have to switch off, or your fan randomly starts even when the unit is switched off, it may be a good idea to upgrade your firmware.

You can check the firmware version number in the system menu. The upgrade is fairly straight forward, but if you are at all bothered, get a computer "geek" friend to help if you can.

The firmware is downloadable from Philips website, from which you can create a CD and load into your DVDR. The instructions are on the website (search the support area), so I won`t repeat them here.

This item was edited on Friday, 22nd October 2004, 22:44

RE: Philips DVDR610 Fan Cure & Update

Me again !

Have tried latest firmware update that appeared this week and early indications are - it does seem to fix the fan problem ! The fan switches off when unit switches off (or at least, seconds after). Does not seem to start up again regardless of PDC or video signal on input - hurrah !

Fan also seems to be at low-speed even when recording - previously high-speed would kick in after only a few minutes. I assume they have changed the threshold temperature - I only ever heard the high speed fan on my older DVDR70 on hot days

It also seems to have solved the PDC switching problem during playback of DVD (whenever a PDC control signal received on input, view would change to that channel - as if TV/DVD button on remote had been pressed)

RE: Philips DVDR610 Fan Cure & Update

I enabled the ECO mode as soon as I powered up the DVDR610 for the first time (I`m no eco-warrior; it`s mainly to preserve the LED`s so they don`t burn-in with age - I use the clock on the video!)

So I am able to say - it doesn`t solve the fan problem.

The main problem is the presence of any kind of video input over the SCART socket will trigger the fan. (see previous threads - DVDR610 funnies)

Have downloaded the new firmware and will upgrade at some point to see if Philips have fixed problems. There is also a problem with view switching to EXT2 input whenever a PDC control signal is received - even when DVD is being played back (see also DVDR610 funnies)

This item was edited on Friday, 22nd October 2004, 14:13

RE: Philips DVDR610 funnies

Don`t worry MrBenn; I`ve got the "shifting picture and strange green glow" t-shirt.

It`s a feedback loop, not a problem with the DVDR610. At a guess, you`ve got a setup similar to mine, which when I came to think about it, formed a big loop. TV<-->Video<-->SKY<-->DVDR610<-->TV

Remember - when each box in your system is turned off, it passes the signal received on SCART to the other SCART output untouched. Also, the TV will output whatever is on screen to EXT1 and EXT2. Therefore, it is possible that the TV is sending back the DVDR610`s own output signal to itself via Video and Sky - in this case, the pic is offset very slightly hence the apparent movement. Simply set the DVDR to an aerial channel or to the other SCART input to stop it happening.

Re: Activation of fan and channel-switching: Just an idea - Argos, Comet, Currys etc do SCART junction boxes which have several inputs. You could try and setup your system using one of these - and therefore be able to partly isolate the DVDR610 whilst your not using it by pressing a switch on the SCART junction box. If you have Sky or whatever, you can watch that on the alternative input on the TV. The exact set-up would need some experimentation to get right.

This item was edited on Sunday, 10th October 2004, 17:01

RE: Philips DVDR610 funnies

Just spent a merry couple of hours (insert "sarcasm" emoticon here) trying to figure out DVDR610 bugs.

Though happily, I may be getting somewhere with the apparently random switching over to the EXT2 input during playback of DVD mentioned in one of my previous posts. (This is similar effect to pressing TV/DVD button on remote, except it happens all by itself)

This may also give a clue to the random switching on reported by others.

I think it may all boil down to VPS/PDC control signals broadcast when programmes begin.

Whilst playing back a recorded DVD this evening, noticed that DVD had played back fine without switching input. Decided to experiment - switched on Sky Box and reverted to watching DVD. This was just before 8:00. Ping ! DVD switched over to EXT2 input (on which Sky is attached) almost bang on 8:00pm, an effect similar to what kdmcmullan experienced at 9:00pm (see previous posts).

Hmmm...suddenly occurred to me that some channels carry the PDC control signal.(including channel 5, which my Sky box was playing - though I hate to admit it). Kept testing but unfortunately either missed prog starts or was on a channel which did not carry PDC signal. Finally clinched it at 10pm on channel 5. Started DVD, lo and behold, at 10pm - switchover. On a roll now, tried Sky Movies at a couple of start times - switchover each time !

kdmcmullan - have not been able to reproduce your problem of the recorder switching on, though I am increasingly thinking the issue is related to the same thing. Does your box actually switch on, or does the fan suddenly burst into life and switch off, doing the same thirty seconds later and keep repeating over and over, because I have experienced that when I accidentally left my Sky box on overnight.

I am hoping this may have cracked it. If this is the case, it seems most of the current problems with the DVDR610 may be related to over-attentive listening and reacting to the SCART socket - the switching on/off, switching TV/DVD and the fan may all be caused by this - in which case, hopefully it can be quickly resolved

If anybody on the forum agrees with this, please post and I will then e-mail Philips.

P.S. Incidentally, if you change channels on Sky whilst watching a DVD - though I admit in the normal course of things you wouldn`t do this - the Sky box switches the DVD recorder to EXT2 input in the same way - but only (I think) if you switch between channels that carry PDC and those that don`t (and vice-versa) e.g. 101 to 110, or 301 to 601. I have Sky attached to the DVDR`s EXT2 SCART socket.

P.P.S. Not tested whether any of this happens through aerial - only tested SCART input

P.P.P.S bargainhunt - I think Philips are promoting the DVDR615 as higher models e.g. they have i-Link and the M1 mode etc. The M1 mode would be of no cost at all for Philips to include in the DVDR610 - it is simply a lower compression mode. The firmware is probably the same in both machines and the mode is simply restricted in the DVDR610. I have the mode in my older DVDR70. It is very good, but as a general rule I cannot tell the difference between M1 and M2 modes - most of the time, the source material is not good enough to make any difference.

My longest post yet. I could write a book. Oops - I have !

This item was edited on Friday, 8th October 2004, 10:06

RE: Philips DVDR610 funnies

I think I must be turning into a forum freak ! Actually this is the first time I have contributed to a forum so maybe it`s the novelty...

About the turning off of a recording after 15 minutes, kdmcmullan - There is a setting in the system menu for automatically going into standby after 15 minutes...hmm..another bug I wonder ? I have had playback stop after 15 minutes (though not recording). Try disabling the option and see if that fixes it.

Not sure what the upgrade does, but I upgraded and don`t experience the random switch-ons etc, only the problems mentioned in my previous posts.

This item was edited on Tuesday, 5th October 2004, 09:36

RE: Philips DVDR610

Have received response from Philips re the fan problem.

They say fan comes on when internal temp is over 27 degrees, or when video signal is received on an input - all done to lengthen life of unit.

I agree with fan coming on with temperature - but with video signal ?

I think Philips have re-thought too because they say the functionality is to change in a future version so that fan turns off if unit in standby.

No explanation of fan getting stuck on occasionally though, regardless of whether video signal being received.

Fairly happy with this response - at least I know it will be sorted.

---

Have had a problem during playback with the unit switching to the video signal being received through SCART socket (i.e. same as pressing TV/DVD button on remote). DVD still playing, so all I have to do is press the TV/DVD button to get picture back. As it happens at random, difficult to find reason why. Possibly may not happen if no other video signals being received ??

---

There is a menu option for using a plain dvd remote with the DVDR610 (I also have a DVDR70, and they use the same remote codes - so I have to keep turning off at the mains switch to operate them one at a time - this feature would alleviate this a little).

The option works but unfortunately, after the unit is switched off for a while, the remote stops working. Switch the DVDR610 on and the option is enabled, but you have to disable and then re-enable for it to work again - this looks like a definite bug with the firmware.

UPDATE: Have just remembered - DVDR70 also has this feature - and it works properly ! I can do it that way round. This also (partly) answers a previous post from fangface who was asking a similar question. The default remote will still operate both machines, but at least I can watch a DVD on one without powering off the other - by using the conventional DVD remote function described above. Some of the recorder functions can still be used - e.g. the EDIT function does not turn on the second DVD, however the TIMER function does, so is impossible to use without powering the other off.

NOTE: I have a programmable One-For-All Kameleon remote that I use for all my kit. (Got fed up with losing five remotes down the back of the sofa - now I just lose the one and get fives times as annoyed)

Oops - another marathon post!

This item was edited on Monday, 4th October 2004, 16:41

RE: Philips DVDR610

More info on fan problem mentioned in previous posts.

Before I start, I will mention that I have upgraded to the 1/9/2004 firmware which does seem to have fixed a lot of the other freezing and switch-off-during-playback-and-recording problems - at least to an acceptable level of occasional crashes.

The fan seems to start up when other kit is connected to the scart socket and switched on (note: I think this is a different problem than previous posts mention; the DVDR610 does not switch on; only the cooling fan)

I tested this theory by disconnecting the digibox, TV and VCR. I "reset" the fan by opening then closing drawer and switching unit to standby. Within about a minute the fan switches off completely and stays off.

As soon as I connected the "live" sky box, the fan started up again. Disconnect and wait one minute; fan goes off!

My TV, video and older DVD recorder also cause the fan to start up when they are switched on.

This is mostly consistent, but note:
(1) Occasionally fan gets stuck on - opening and closing drawer and switching off usually fixes this.
(2) Strange - turning TV on only starts the fan once (after use of DVD) subsequently turning on TV does not restart fan ! Ran out of time this morning to test this more!

Shame about this really as fan not really needed when unit is switched off and seems to be at odds with the eco-mode I enabled !

I think this may well be a design or firmware issue. Unlikely to be fixed therefore by swapping unit - though I am definitely considering it.

Overall, with firmware upgrade, I am now reasonably happy with unit. After the initial shock of the new menu system, like one or two niceties - the timer seems to still work even if the unit is left on (a mistake I have been known to make). Pleasantly surprised at the quality of M8 (8-hour) recording mode - though results depend on source. This mode is slightly softer or blurred due to the lower resolution and sometimes looks better than M6 because of it (there seems to be less noise due to on-screen movement and action)

Also like the "proper" 8x and 32x playback - the older DVDR70 and DVDR880 could never cope with that - instead leaping in up to 1 to 6 min jumps in one go !

Sorry about length of post.
Am awaiting response from Philips.
TZ

This item was edited on Friday, 1st October 2004, 12:53