Demise of Ilo DVDRHD04 - strategy going forward?

[alleygator]

This is an incredible shame, because after some friends saw the great luck I had with it after the updates they wanted one and now can't. So what's the strategy from now on? My 2 year extended warranty is obviously useless, as I won't accept the Cyberhome replacement. The HDD is easily replaceable if that goes out. Anyone have experience replacing the DVD drive? That's the 2 most likely failures. But what if the worst happens. Is the LiteOn LVW-5045 a likely candidate? Is hackable, MV free firmware available for this one and will GM and others turn their attention in this direction, or is the party over? Any input?

[Harpmaker]

DVD drive replacement trials are ongoing, the problem seems to be in getting +RW discs to record properly. The 5045 is a valid replacement for the HD04. It is, in fact, the "big brother" of the HD04 (which is really a LiteOn 5020 with crippled firmware). For the minimal price difference, folks looking for an HD04 should probably try finding a 5045 instead. The last firmware fixed the color problems it was having.

[LCSHG]

alleygator

Why do you feel that your 2 Year extended warranty is no good.
Ilo is a Wal Mart Brand. The site for the 04 is there. The unit can be repaired if needed.
I do agree that the LiteOn 5045 is a valid replacement
I don't think any manufacture would gurantee a unit can be hacked.

[alleygator]

Why do you feel that your 2 Year extended warranty is no good.
Ilo is a Wal Mart Brand. The site for the 04 is there. The unit can be repaired if needed.
I do agree that the LiteOn 5045 is a valid replacement
I don't think any manufacture would gurantee a unit can be hacked.

My understanding is that their "repair" consists of replacing it with a re-branded Cyberhome junk pile. The warranty is from Walley and if they don't deal with Ilo, they won't replace it with an Ilo. Oh, my question about the hack was basically (I should have researched first) whether the Ilo firmware was identical to the 5045, and whether any ability or interest would carry over to that model. I'm a network admin but was a jack of all trades programmer for many years, and for the life of me I can't understand how someone can develop a hack with nothing but object code as a base! Thanks to you guys for your responses. If I ever have to upgrade to the 5045 it at least looks like it has the same remote, so it must operate in a similar fashion. Course, like I said, if someone gets the DVD drive replacement figured out, we're ok for a few years.

[LCSHG]

alleygator

The ilo brand is WAL MART [Wally]. In a very short time I don't belive they will be able to replace an 04 with an 04, they will most likely only have the 05. As I understand it You can send the unit to the Ilo repair dept. and they will repair it. Shiping to them is on you, repair and shiping back is on them. I bet that Wally will bick up the shiping if you push the issue. The DVD drive in is a LiteOn and I really can't see any problem in replacing it, if needed

The firmware for the Ilo is not identical to the 5045 But is available at the LiteOn site. The firmware and the hack for the LiteOn is also available at www.ss3f.com/ilo