iLo 80 GB Hard Drive, DVDRH04 Any Positive Users?

[dgrams2003]

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1079293&highlight=dvdrh04#1079293

Thinking of getting one of these... was reading the thread
above....

Are there any people that have these units, and are NOT having
any issues with them?

Thanks![/url]

[hech54]

I'm positive I will not buy one....

[EvilWizardGlick]

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1079293&highlight=dvdrh04#1079293

Thinking of getting one of these... was reading the thread
above....

Are there any people that have these units, and are NOT having
any issues with them?

Thanks![/url]

Keep in mind a couple of things,
1. walmart has a 90 day return policy.
2. Walmart has a 3 year warranty, purchasable only online, that includes replacement.
3. Ilo has a year warranty.
So if the problems are NOT fixed within any of those time periods you can return the unit.
Also the Ilo's have much more potential for their price.
here are ALL the Ilo discussion forums I know about. Read them, and some are very large, from beginning to end then decide.
I have the DVDR04 and am quite pleased with it so far. It isn't the hdd unit.
http://www.techolio.com/forums/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=7&sid=9fc98c3f81dd29a32b3f363baaeebc91
http://220.130.29.146/ikonboard.cgi?s=4f51e7e7d92398f61c844c7a80d8a61e;act=ST;f=2;t=832
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=238412
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters.php?DVDnameid=725&Search=Search&list=0#comments
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters.php?DVDnameid=770&Search=Search&list=0#comments
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers.php?DVDnameid=4696&Search=Search&#comments
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers.php?DVDnameid=4689&Search=Search&#comments
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks.php?select=iLO+DVDRHD04

[smearbrick1]

Based on all the posts I've read (there's a few hundred I think), it appears that most of the issues with audio skip (during HD playback) and noise have been corrected through firmware updates. It appears also that the ILO tech support is very good a keeping the public up to date on their firmware releases, and are very willing to assist if there happens to be a problem.

[Harpmaker]

Hi dgrams2003;

I own an iLO DVDRHD04 and am enjoying it very much! But, I got the machine knowing its flaws. I expect that one day iLO/LiteOn will fix the hard drive problem and people can begin using the unit in a Tivo-like fashion, but I don't want to use it that way so I'm not waiting on pins and needles.

[oracle58]

Ditto what Harpmaker said about knowing the shortcomings up front. I bought one for our church, where (among other things) I record a worship service each Sunday. I used to send the output from the Videonics mixer to a VHS VCR (plus audio feed from board). This gave us a tape to loan out. But, if anyone wanted a copy, we had to make a second-gen VHS copy, which looked pretty bad.

Now, I send A/V to the iLO and record directly to the HD. I loop out of the back and make a VHS tape at the same time. If anybody wants a VHS copy, I can make it from the HD. I can also burn DVD's on demand. The system works perfectly for this application, but I am still waiting for the latest firmware update from iLO.

For the money, this machine is a great buy.

[Guitarman]

Third ditto here. I own 2 of them. I did research on the HD04 before buying it and went into it knowing the flaws. The recorder is great and can only get better once the fixes are in place.

I use one as a poor-man's Tivo to record certain weekly programs from the TV. I use the 1185 firmware in that one so I don't have any issues with the recorder locking up when it turns on. The other I use to record and back up old video and camcorder footage. I have the 1911 firmware loaded in that one since I am using manually and the FF/REW is smoother for editing the footage after it's transfered.

I have spoke to ILO's support and they are working to fix the issues, plus they mentioned in an e-mail response to a question I sent about LP mode, that the LP (3 hour) mode it suppose to be added to an upcoming firmware release.

So it does sound like they are still working to make things better. I would suggest getting one and riding it out.

I have also set up a firmware download page where I have been posting the various firmware upgrades to select from, since ILO only has the latest one available.

ILO DVDRHD04 Firmware Download Page

I hope this helps in your choice.

[Guitarman]

I have updated my ILO Firmware Page to include the DVDR04. It now has the new firmware update for the 04 that is suppose to relax the Macrovision sensing.

[JohnA]

I have used the Ilo harddrive unit for 4 or 5 weeks. Great on copying old tapes. No problem recording to the hard drive and then burning a DVD.
My only complaint is that it does not appear to have a stereo tuner (for MTS Stereo)(or so others have posted).
I feed mine from a digital cable box using S-VHS and stereo audio or from one of my SVHS vcr's.
It would be nice if it could record stereo from it's tuner since my cable system furnishes 50 or so MTS channels. This way I would not have to time shift two items. It hasn't been a problem for me as I have 2 older JVC S-VHS units I use for basic recording.

[FKrueger]

I am a happy user of the DVDR04, except for recieving corrupt firmware updates thru email, to which Guitarman's site helped save this recorder from being exchanged, Ilo has been responsive to my emails. The 4 and the 6 hr modes appear to be better to my blind eyes than the Philips DVDR75 and I am looking forward to the 3hr mode. There were only 2 issues for me, a hum when recording thru coax inputs I worked around, the second appears to be fixed by the firmware.

[JohnA]

I have downloaded the firmware updates but have not installed any yet.
I plan on waiting til I experience some type of problem since there are "Cons" for each update. Thank to the listing of "G's" site for downloads and thanks to "G" for the info as to pros and cons with each.

[Harpmaker]

JohnA;

I assume you have an HD04, not the R04. I don't think firmware version 1185 broke anything that wasn't already broken and recommend upgrading to that version. You would have to upgrade if you want to copy recordings from the hard drive to a DVD; firmware versions below 1185 would not copy the audio to DVD.

[lemmy999]

Hi dgrams2003;

I own an iLO DVDRHD04 and am enjoying it very much! But, I got the machine knowing its flaws. I expect that one day iLO/LiteOn will fix the hard drive problem and people can begin using the unit in a Tivo-like fashion, but I don't want to use it that way so I'm not waiting on pins and needles.

What HDD problem does it have that keeps it from operating in a Tivo-like fashion? I thought the only problem was the audio dropout and loosing the audio when going from HDD to DVD. But I was under the impression that the 11/15/04 1191 firmware fixed this.

[Guitarman]

Lemmy999,

The 1191 fixed the audio dropout and the sluggish FF/REW operation but now there are issues with the recorder freezing during powerup and intermittent audio sync problems.

If you are using it like a TIVO (timer record tv programs), it is better to stick with the 1185 firmware so the recorder doesn't freeze while trying to turn itself on for a timer recording.

[lemmy999]

Ok, thanks. I have a Philips DVDR985 and it has always missed about 10% of timed recordings. It just comes on, gets an error, and shuts back off. Since this problem bothers me, and I want a HDD built it, I was going to get this ILo unit. But I guess I had better wait until the next firmware on 1/5/05.

[belder]

I'm with you. If the firmware is not out on 1/5/05 then back it goes on 1/6/05. I'll get the Pioneer 220 instead.

[lemmy999]

I went to my walmart and they only had the model without the HDD. Is it a regional only thing? So is walmart.com the only way to get this unit? I really hate to have it shipped when I may end up shipping it back.

[Guitarman]

lemmy999,

I bought both of my HD04's online and Walmart still did an exchange on one of them at my local store. I think that if you save the order info and receipt, the local store will accept it.

[kosekjm]

lemmy999,

I'm not a 100% sure, but I think that you can only get it at a super walmart store(or through the website). Where I live, we seem to have a walmart every 10 miles or so (well not quite, but it seems that way). In all of the regular stores, only the non hd version is available. In the 3 super walmarts that are in the area, they all have the HD version as well.

[lemmy999]

The first place I tried was a super WM that was near my house and it didn't have it (only the nonHDD). I called 1-800-WALMART and they checked and the all of the other WM stores in my area had the HDD model. There are about 6-7 within 15-20 miles of where I live and I think all of them are super WM. Anyway, I went to another one and they had about 20. Ever single one had been cut open then re-taped closed. I wonder if they are returns? I will probably take it back in a few days if they do not come out with new firmware though. I still can't get over the mono tuner. Did they go to the dump and pull the tuners out of all of the trashed early 80s VCRs? I have a stereo VCR from the mid/late 80s.

[JohnA]

I have done no firmware upgrades to my DVDRH04. I have copied dozens of titles from the hard drive to DVD+RW then used my computer to trim titles (most are music videos), add transitions and burn a DVD+R that has 1 to 1.5 hours of video. Never had any problem with audio. Have found that I can split titles and do minor editing faster on the iLO than on my computer. Don't do much timer resording since I would have to set my digital cable box and the iLO to record a program. I have done some standard cable to S-VHS timer recording and transfered that to a DVD+RW with the iLO and then took that to the computer for final edit and transitions. I am using a $600 JVC Super VHS deck with S-VHS tapes and when the final product is viewed on a 36" Sony WEGA, I can not tell any difference. I am sure some lab measurement would be different, but this JVC deck hits 400 lines of resolution and has a killer MTS stereo tv tuner. I understand, from this forum, that the iLO does not have a stereo tuner, which is another reason I do not do much timer recording with it since I have to set something to feed it stereo audio.
JohnA
I do use the HQ mode on the iLO if I know the final product will be less than 1hour. Otherwise i use the SP mode.

[JohnA]

My DVDRH04 DOES have a MTS stereo tuner!!!. I just got around to hooking it up direct to my analog cable and was surprised based on one of the previous posts. The stereo and surround sound were great. I am now using the timer function to record. No complaints. I have only had one failure. I recorded a 90 minute concert and when I started to play it, everything was fine. When I tired to "split" the title at about the 6 minute mark, the unit locked up and finally had to be unplugged. Needless to say, when I fired it back up, that title would no longer even play. The only function that would work with that title was "erase". I tried to defrag but it didn't help. In the future I will burn the entire program to a RW, just in case, before I start to "split" it. In the past there has been no problem.

[marquis6461]

Mine Works fine too JohnA.

I made the modifications to mine and I am busy making the upgrades to fix several of the problems.

The great thing about the HD04 is the ability to modify it without crying if you break it. Come on guys!!!!! If you are that much into it. Set your computer up as a PVR and go to town on it. You get what you pay for and for the price, what a difference.

Liteon-it has introduced the new 160 G version called the 5045. Same package with the larger hard drive. Also a larger price tag..........

I have modded mine to have a shuttle in it.

Here is shat I did.

Bought the HD04. Upgraded the firmware.
Bought the External Hard Drive kit from Best Buy for $99. 80G Maxtor.
Removed the Hard Drive and placed in extra shuttle pod. I now exchange the drives in my HD04 and computer when I want to work on movies without having to mess with opening cover and breaking my back.

Can fill hard drive with movies to burn back to disk or whatever.


BTW. Used External Hard Drive Case to contain new 300Gig Hard Drive to attach to USB port of computer for big time use. Working on getting kinks out of firmware to be able to upgrade HD on the HDo4. Will update when I figure it out.

[Guitarman]

My DVDRH04 DOES have a MTS stereo tuner!!!. I just got around to hooking it up direct to my analog cable and was surprised based on one of the previous posts. The stereo and surround sound were great.

Are you listening to the audio through the TV or an A/V receiver??

If through a receiver, do you have any signal processing going on?

Signal processing functions on a A/V receiver will make mono signals sound as if they are in stereo.

I did a test just last night. I was watching a program that was very stereo rich so I kicked on the HD04 and used the tuner to record the same channel. Upon playback, the sound was flat and mono. It was very noticable in this program, the difference between the two.

[oracle58]

User update - The one problem I have had thus far is the "HELLO" forever one. After turning on and off twice with the remote, I finally unplugged the unit for a minute and then it worked normally.

I sent an e-mail to Walmart last weekend about the unit (Ilo had not answered a message I sent in November), and now have had two phone calls from Ilo in the last 3 days. Maybe pressure on Walmart is more effective than direct to Ilo?

Ilo told me a firmware update is due out "next week". I asked them to send it to me. Stay tuned.

[leebo]

I thought I read that you couldent record from a DVD recorded on another burner to the HD?

If I'm wrong about reading that, sorry.

But I have repeatably recorded in the DVD+RW format on a Sony VRD-VC10DVD Recorder/Burner, copied it to the HD in the ILO, edit it, and record back to DVD.

I've also edited directly on discs originally recorded on the Sony.