standalone dvd recorder or tv tuner, which one to get?

[stainedbeautie]

I would consider this brand new one on eBay for a buy it now price of $124.95. As "FulciLives" mentioned the 220 and 225 are essentially the same.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-DVR-220-S-Slim-DVD-recorder-Player-Chase-Play_W0QQitemZ583...QQcmdZViewItem

thanks for that . That's about the price I was going to pay orginally. I'm going to save the store link. I just got paid, and I need a tv to hook it up to first. So, if they 3 he has listed aren't taken for awhile, I'm good to go on that price

EDIT: It actually says "refurbished". Is that good or bad, lol?

[trhouse]

I missed that. The ad is a bit misleading,

First it says this,



then way below,



The normal Pioneer warranty is one year. I have never bought a refurbished unit but have bought a store return. A lot of recorders are returned because they are more difficult to use than a VCR and some users are expecting to use them to copy copyrighted material and return them when they find they cannot. The difference between a refurbished unit and store return seems to be the warranty. The return unit carries the full warranty.

[stainedbeautie]

I missed that. The ad is a bit misleading,

First it says this,



then way below,



The normal Pioneer warranty is one year. I have never bought a refurbished unit but have bought a store return. A lot of recorders are returned because they are more difficult to use than a VCR and some users are expecting to use them to copy copyrighted material and return them when they find they cannot. The difference between a refurbished unit and store return seems to be the warranty. The return unit carries the full warranty.

Yeah, I didn't see the Brand New, even though that text is noticeable larger , but Isaw the other text, I'm odd like that :P .

[LCSHG]

Yes ebay listings can be very misleading and over priced especially with over inflated shipping cost.

As an example an ilo 05 [WalMart] was listed on ebay for $109 and $24.95 shipping. Total $133.95 no return or warrantee. -- 6 were sold

The same item at WalMart is about $110 or WalMart online for about $115 both have 90 day return and 1year warrantee,---


[ stainedbeautie ]

I have a ilo RHD04 [HDD] made be LiteOn and can be hcked

I ALSO HAVE A ILO 05 MU [no HDD] made by Cyberhome and can not be hacked.

Both are Keepers

If you desire a hack get a LiteOn product, but make sure that your model can be hacked

If not get the 05 MU or MU1 at WalMart it is a good machine with good edit. for under $100 and you have 90days to decide if its a keeper

Ps if you do, Don't attemped to firmware upgrade it. Most likely it will be a 05 MU1. It will have the latest firmware and the firmware at the ilo 05 site will not work in the MU1

[FulciLives]

If not get the 05 MU or MU1 at WalMart it is a good machine with good edit. for under $100 and you have 90days to decide if its a keeper

Ps if you do, Don't attemped to firmware upgrade it. Most likely it will be a 05 MU1. It will have the latest firmware and the firmware at the ilo 05 site will not work in the MU1

I thought the MU units had bad MP2 audio whereas the ZU units had good AC-3 audio?

I seem to recall reading this over at the avsfourm

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[trhouse]

My own eBay experience has been mixed. Several month ago I won a bid for a used recorder from one of the companies that lists products for other people. The unit arrived and played back but would not record. To my relief and surprise, the company refunded the cost of the unit, the shipping, and added a few dollars more. They also offered to discount their shipping on the next order to make up for the inconvenience. They were courteous throughout the process.

[LCSHG]

[ Fulcilives ]


I am not aware of the ZU being AC3 and the MU being MP2
II I listen to music while working, It would be for bacground. If sitting listing to music I like stero but hate Dolby. I do not enjoy a train sneaking up behind me

I had the ZU, the MU and now the MU1
I did not find any be be better or worse than the other [Sound or Video] The ZU had a non exestant edit and other poor features. the MU has very good features for a $99 machine. I'm sure that for a greater sum of money another uinit might have some additional features. But Why?
Its like a VCR I just want it to record. I don't expect it to cook my dinner


The MU will play anything and the sound quality is fine.

My hearing is not that good but wy wife's is outstanding. If she can't tell a difference, as far as I'm concerned it ain't there.

[LCSHG]

[ trhouse ]

You are right Ebay does have a lot to offer and many products are a good buy. Most offers are by decent sellers. It only takes a few bad apples to spoil the whole thing.
A person should read the listings and be aware of the shipping cost. for a total price. Not complain afterward
The listing as BRAND NEW and than down in the fine print say its REFERBISHED is not only misleading, In my opinion is fraud.
There was no sale but I had email words with a seller who flat out lied in the listings and ebay did nothing to stop it. Their view, it is responsability of the listing sseller for the content

The Moral. ----BUYER BEWARE

[FulciLives]

[ Fulcilives ]


I am not aware of the ZU being AC3 and the MU being MP2
II I listen to music while working, It would be for bacground. If sitting listing to music I like stero but hate Dolby. I do not enjoy a train sneaking up behind me

I had the ZU, the MU and now the MU1
I did not find any be be better or worse than the other [Sound or Video] The ZU had a non exestant edit and other poor features. the MU has very good features for a $99 machine. I'm sure that for a greater sum of money another uinit might have some additional features. But Why?
Its like a VCR I just want it to record. I don't expect it to cook my dinner


The MU will play anything and the sound quality is fine.

My hearing is not that good but wy wife's is outstanding. If she can't tell a difference, as far as I'm concerned it ain't there.

According to the thread over at the AVSFORUM the ZU is definately AC-3 and the MU is definately MP2 with some bad audio problems (probably not due to MP2 but due to circuitry used or something). The newest firmware supposedly has almost fixed it (some say if you listen closely it's still there ... a womble effect).

Don't know nothing about the MU1 though ... think that is new.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[LCSHG]

[ FulciLives ]


It seems that I recall seening a thread abuut the ZU being AC3 and the MU being MP2. I'M not sure about the MU1.

I did speak with an ilo rep last week. They were very nice an informative. I wasn't getting a lot of BS.
The info they they gave me is at this site. I did not note any fixes for a audio problem.as mentioned
http://www.techolio.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1812

I have not had an problems with the Audio On any of the 05 I had, no hum or buzz this is for the ZU,MU,MU1.

Take Note that they have said that the firmware upgrades are for the ZU and MU units and will not work for the MU1
This is not mentioned at there site and I brought this out. That this may be why many are having problems with the firmware.
Most WalMart stores are selling the MU1 and the buyers may be tryting to upgrede their units with the MU firmware