ILO DVDRO4, $150 may be good deal.

[belder]

No problem. I was hoping like crazy that you were right! <g> Maybe a firmware feature addition sometime? We can hope. Thanks!

[tjdmobile]

Well, right after Walmart started to carry these, I went ahead and got one to try out.

Like others with a 5001, I was curious if this one worked better with my dish network PVR setup. On the 5001 (in addition to the heat problem, solved myself), the latest firmware caused "jerking" of the video partially into a stream (sometimes at the start). Well, the Ilo has the EXACT same problem as my 5001. It went back.

The Ilo is built better than the 5001, and it stays nice a cool. The fact that it chokes on my video signal spelled the end of my ownership. Took that crap back to Walmart.

By the way, they still have the Pioneer 220-s unit at Walmart. My 220s has been 100% flawless since I got it 6 months ago.

TJD

[JasonK]

Apologies to belder! The above HQ recording was achieved under Timer Record, not Timeshift.

Exacty my point. Manual and timed recordings and the TIMESHIFT are completely different features. It was clear you were referring to somethign different when you referred to copying a timeshift to DVD. Timeshift doesn't use HQ regardless of the setting in the record settings. Also, it's not reliable

[bugmenot]

DVDHD04 Macrovision Hack
http://s14.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=77B821473A7B4AF0DC7636D48B4C57F1

DVDR04-turns the player into a LVW-5005 w/ MV and 3hr mode
http://s14.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1D0127F3712A38EFD373A10246135084
Same file as the LVW-5005 file just changed the file name. Changing the file name worked with the Gateway version of the 5001.
not tested
ref: www.digitalfaq.com/reviews/liteon.htm

[telemike]

my dvdr04 has been working just fine since i bought it. Now i jest need the mv hack and 3 hour mode.

[Tersanyus]

I'd love to test my DVDR04 with that firmware posted above. However, I just hate not having the original firmware available in case of a screw up.

[tjdmobile]

DVDHD04 Macrovision Hack
http://s14.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=77B821473A7B4AF0DC7636D48B4C57F1

DVDR04-turns the player into a LVW-5005 w/ MV and 3hr mode
http://s14.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1D0127F3712A38EFD373A10246135084
Same file as the LVW-5005 file just changed the file name. Changing the file name worked with the Gateway version of the 5001.
not tested
ref: www.digitalfaq.com/reviews/liteon.htm

When you say it turns the ILO into a 5005, does this include the CD-RW writing? Is it All-Write enabled?

How did you change the filename? Do you suppose this would work on the LDW-5001?

TJD

[NightWing]

One odd thing. Is it me or is the clock gaining or loosing time for any one else?

[belder]

My clock didn't start doing this until this last firmware update (that I noticed). Yes, mine does it too, but only after I've been forwarding the reversing. It's almost as if it's brain can't catch up with itself. I can't confirm this with any tests I've done, only by operating it.

Hopefully the new firmware release in a couple of weeks will fix this too.

[NightWing]

The Main time clock? As showen when off?

If so its going back and will switch it for another 220.

[belder]

Nighttime,

Sorry. I misunderstood you. My clock (when it's off) operates fine. No problem at all.

[Tersanyus]

DVDR04-turns the player into a LVW-5005 w/ MV and 3hr mode
http://s14.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1D0127F3712A38EFD373A10246135084
Same file as the LVW-5005 file just changed the file name. Changing the file name worked with the Gateway version of the 5001.
not tested
ref: www.digitalfaq.com/reviews/liteon.htm

What is the file name supposed to be for the DVDR04? I burned this file to a CDR made sure the disc was closed and put it in the iLO. Nothing happened. The display just read "FILE" and no buttons did anything. I left it sitting there for 30 mins and still nothing.

The file I downloaded was called WMJA1063.D11. The link for digitalfaq didn't seem to indicate if this file should be renamed for the iLO DVDR04.

[bobcat56458]

OK people, we are all dying to know does bugmenot's hack for the ilo DVDR04 work? I did not see any posts confirming the previous hack for the hard drive model is working, or not. It's to bad this thread that was started for the ilo DVDR04 has postings for both models. This can be somewhat confusing, as some posters do not state what model they have. Tersanyus, the instructions on the DigitalFaq site state to burn the file to a CD-RW disk, not a CD-R, and to burn the file in ISO-9660 Mode 1 (no Joliet, no relaxed items), thanks for trying to do the upgrade, you may want to try doing it as above.

[tjdmobile]

Same here. I just picked up this recorder at Walmart (again) because of the hack to make it a 5005. Well, it doesn't work for me either (just a Data Disc). I look forward to hearing more on this issue (for the DVDR04, not the HD machine)

TJD

[belder]

I noticed the hack file for MV for the HD04 is the same name as the newest firmware update. I don't know if that means its the same file or if its a reworked file renamed. If the hack file must me named the same thing, then what will happen when the new fix comes out in a couple of weeks?

[soundforbjt]

OK people, we are all dying to know does bugmenot's hack for the ilo DVDR04 work? I did not see any posts confirming the previous hack for the hard drive model is working, or not. It's to bad this thread that was started for the ilo DVDR04 has postings for both models. This can be somewhat confusing, as some posters do not state what model they have. Tersanyus, the instructions on the DigitalFaq site state to burn the file to a CD-RW disk, not a CD-R, and to burn the file in ISO-9660 Mode 1 (no Joliet, no relaxed items), thanks for trying to do the upgrade, you may want to try doing it as above.

Tried the hack using your instructions on my DVDR04...did nothing.

[tjdmobile]

Just so all are aware of a design defect, I better make it public here. Many will never notice it, because they may only use one input...for others (like me), I use both the front and back inputs, so this presents a problem.

Rundown of my findings on (TWO) different ILO recorders:

1 - Rear input has good results
2 - DV input has good results
3 - Front AV input has problems. This input is located nearby the display, which due to it's design uses Florescent rather than LED (as the Liteon does). Recording from the front input will result in a high pitched whine in the audio (from the display's transformer). This is most evident there is a quiet point in the recording. You can hear it clear as day. In addition, if you are watching TV through this recorder, and the display is blinking (like when "reading" disc, you can hear the display blinking. Bad design.

For my second unit, I am only using the rear input where it has no audio problems.

TJD

[bobcat56458]

Yea, tried the hack on my DVDR04 and it did not work either. Sure would like those added features, looks like we may have to wait for ilo to releace a firmware upgrade so someone can hack it.

[leskon]

Now that I've used my iLo DVDRHD04 for a week, I can't go back to VHS VCRs, that's for sure. But the three most noticeable problems with the unit will probably force me to take it back:
1) The audio glitch problem. At SP recording speed, I get the audio dropout (or clicks and pops) at :59 seconds of every minute after 15 minutes into a recording. E-mailing iLoHELP is like trying to talk to a retarded person and have an intelligent conversation - it's like watching a dog chase its tail. They claim the latest firmware will solve the issue, but it doesn't. Even if it did, I have these other two issues...
2) Dark or shadowed colors drop out and turn green. Even while watching satellite TV (which is already a compressed signal), the output of the DVDRHD04, whether composite or analog, has serious color problems, and there is way too much green in everything. When I switch back and forth between the iLo unit and direct from satellite, the colors from the iLO are seriously flawed. Skin turns green, walls turn green, anything that's in shadow or subtle dark colors in a movie or whatever - it all turns green. I haven't read mention of this by anyone else. This problem exists just when watching any video source through the iLO, and it records these color flaws as well to both DVD and HDD.
3) The audio inputs from the front have a high pitched buzzing sound, and it records that way. I wanted to use my iLO to record a PS2 game on DVD and send it too a friend, but it had that annoying noise in it, which makes the front inputs completely useless to me.

If those three things were fixed, I'd keep it. But now I guess I'm going to look at spending the money to get a "good" unit from Panasonic or Pioneer, because I just can't get over the audio glitch and the color dropouts.

[Tersanyus]

Ok, just tried the upgrade on a CDRW for the R04. Made sure the options were set right. Nothing. Just "FILE" on the display with no reaction.

[NightWing]

Now that I've used my iLo DVDRHD04 for a week, I can't go back to VHS VCRs, that's for sure. But the three most noticeable problems with the unit will probably force me to take it back:
1) The audio glitch problem. At SP recording speed, I get the audio dropout (or clicks and pops) at :59 seconds of every minute after 15 minutes into a recording. E-mailing iLoHELP is like trying to talk to a retarded person and have an intelligent conversation - it's like watching a dog chase its tail. They claim the latest firmware will solve the issue, but it doesn't. Even if it did, I have these other two issues...
2) Dark or shadowed colors drop out and turn green. Even while watching satellite TV (which is already a compressed signal), the output of the DVDRHD04, whether composite or analog, has serious color problems, and there is way too much green in everything. When I switch back and forth between the iLo unit and direct from satellite, the colors from the iLO are seriously flawed. Skin turns green, walls turn green, anything that's in shadow or subtle dark colors in a movie or whatever - it all turns green. I haven't read mention of this by anyone else. This problem exists just when watching any video source through the iLO, and it records these color flaws as well to both DVD and HDD.
3) The audio inputs from the front have a high pitched buzzing sound, and it records that way. I wanted to use my iLO to record a PS2 game on DVD and send it too a friend, but it had that annoying noise in it, which makes the front inputs completely useless to me.

If those three things were fixed, I'd keep it. But now I guess I'm going to look at spending the money to get a "good" unit from Panasonic or Pioneer, because I just can't get over the audio glitch and the color dropouts.

Have seen some of these also. I think the main time clock may get off track as time goes along.

Esp on the video record quality. I posted some split screen showing orginal vs DVDR04 and a 220. The 04 really failes on dark shots or dark objects. It basically lighter so to speak. For black it basically gray.

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=242351

Have also noted horz lines induced by the tunner and one shot with a verticle bar. I know you get what you pay for.

[JasonK]

E-mailing iLoHELP is like trying to talk to a retarded person and have an intelligent conversation - it's like watching a dog chase its tail. They claim the latest firmware will solve the issue, but it doesn't.

I can agree with that.

[leskon]

I received another e-mail today from iLo tech support. They admit that the .85 Firmware update does NOT fix the audio problem. Here's what they said in answer to my question, "Do you plan on having another firmware update, or is this problem a permanent flaw with this device?"

Answer:
"We are working on a firmware fix for this issue. We appreciate your patience."

[obeck]

BTW, I also wrote to tell them about the audio glitch problem. Its a deal killer if they cant fix it.

I have also discovered another oddity/bug with the hard disk version of the ILO writer:

Sometimes when I am in timeshift mode, I will come to a commercial and hit the ff (x16) to get through the commercial. Then, I hit the > to restart and the unit will lock up. The only thing I can do is hit the power button (front or remote). Then, the front panel will say "Stop" and the unit will lock completely up. This has happened to me twice. Once locked up, I have to unplug/replug the unit in order to get it to do anything. Of course, I miss the end of the show I am watching because the timeshift information is lost... To get around this problem I have been trying an alternate approach where I come out of a FF with pause before hitting the > to restart. So far, it hasnt locked up when doing this.

[stefan0325]

can anyone get recorded videos to play back on any other DVD player? I read that the media is just bad if it doesnt work. When I first bought the iLO I also purchased a spindle of Memorex DVD+RWs and they won't work in any other player I have, I can only play back in the iLO. However, the included DVD+RW works just fine in all my DVD players. So I bought some more DVD+RWs from different brands to see if they will work.. I have now spent over $100 just trying to find DVDs that are compatible.. and have not found any. I think I am returning this worthless piece of crap tomorrow.

[NightWing]

I think I got a DVD+R to work on a Sharp 600.

Starting to note that the way the LSI cip set burns video is strange and odd. The 220S puts "Chapters" as seperate video VOB groups. The LSI 86X02 chip looks like it just smashes video together in a strange way.

Wonder if this is causing problems.

Also the "time progress" bar in PowerDVD does not allow you to click to jump around on any disk it makes.

Any other DVD including the 220s produced ones allows you to "skip" using this bar.

Also when you ckicl using PowerDVD to go to the 2nd menu if a R04 disk has that many clips will just stop the player. Any other disk never show this.

[belder]

stefan0325

I bought a five pack of Memorex DVD+RW and all of them play fine on my players and my friends players. I read on another group that it depends on where the Memorex discs are made. The ones that work for me were made in Taiwan. I don't know if that's the thing that makes th difference. I'll try to find the thread and post back.

[djmiller]

I have had no compatability problems with the Ilo on either of my DVD players including poping them into my PC. My other DVD players are Apex,
some of the cheapest on the market and one of them is alomost 2 years old.
They all work. If you need to purchase another DVD player because yours is older I would not let the price of these scare you away as they are a solid performer and also sold at WalMarts. I have been told not all of the standalone DVD players will read DVD+R and many do not read DVD+RW. My Apex will read both fine including DVD's authored on the PC.

I wish Ilo could only fix the audio blips that everyone seems to have on the HD model.

[obeck]

I have been using Philips +RW discs.

I have tested them in a Mintek 2580, A Philips 7xx, and a Cyberhome something or other. The ilo-burned +RW works just fine in all three.

[tkhk]

I had the same problem with the +RW... If I copy them to another +RW using my computer they are fine. All you that the +RW work fine in other players... do you have the HD or non HD model?