Philips DVDR 610 Problems

[Rachel85]

Hi, i've recently been having some new problems with my dvd recorder, i won't say all the past problems because it'll take forever!

These new problems are:

i recorded two things, on two discs. I used Philips DVD+RW discs as i always have used them and only had some problems due to the machine software i suppose.

When i pressed stop on each recording, it said CREATE MENU, then POST FMT, (it never used to say this) then it hung and after about 30secs, it went all blank like a powercut (but it wasn't for any other electronics) and then turned itself back onto the clock view

The discs said EMPTY DISC for both so i can't read them but i can see they have been written on because i used new discs.

I've tried ISOBuster, DVD-Shrink, Nero, Ripit4me, ISOPuzzle, FixVTS, DVD Decrypter and some trial dvd recovery things but it always says that either the discs are empty or that there is nothing in the drive.

So thats the first problem ( i emailed philips but no reply yet )

And then last night i recorded two more things, and it said all the same things but when it came to POST FMT it went back to the channel display and it appeared to have recorded.

I can play it on my dvd player and computer and i can see it, but it WILL NOT copy to a DVD-R.

I must have made a least 100 DVDs from tv this way before, and i always do everything the same but now it won't let me copy.

It keeps saying that there is a burn error on nero, or that there was just 'an error' on other things.

I am getting fed up now, i have had the dvd recorder for about 3 years, tons of minor problems and about 3 major ones, 2 have been fixed due to updating the firmware but i have the latest now so that can't help the new problems.

Any help much appreciated,

Thanks,

Rach

[donovan99]

Hello Rach!

Just a quick question...
Can DVD recorders copy material from a VCR or Camcorder?

[Krispy Kritter]

Don't know that I can help...but my first thought at seeing the "POST FMT" message...was "post format", which would explain why the discs are/were blank. If you were operating the recorder using the remote...try the front panel controls instead (or vice versa). It could possibly be a sticky button or even low batteries on the remote, causing the wrong commands to be executed....or just simple hardware failure.

You could also try unplugging the unit for 30-60 minutes. This sometimes works as a way of resetting a unit.

As for copying the discs, try using Nero to create a disc image, then burn the image. Or just copy (drag and drop) the files onto your HDD and then burn from there.

[Krispy Kritter]

Hello Rach!

Just a quick question...
Can DVD recorders copy material from a VCR or Camcorder?

Camcorders will usually work fine, just ensure to get one with the proper inputs. VCR (or any video source) will also work fine, unless you are trying to record copy righted material, then MV will prevent it.

[donovan99]

sorry to bother again - but I need to be more specific since I dont want the DVD recorder to be confused with a DVD recorder from a PC.
What I plan to buy is something like the Sony RDR-GX330 Single Tray DVD Recorder.
Will this type of recorder work with Camcorders / VCR's plugged into the back inputs??

Thanks again!

[Rachel85]

Thanks for the suggestions, i will try

I'm not sure about specific dvd recorders to camera, i have only tried.. one thing

i have plugged my camera into my tv video and audio jacks on it's side panel, and then i'd assume you could play it and record it as a channel i think mine is EXT2 or something

but yes there are also jacks on the front of the dvd player which i never saw before until i was cleaning one day

my model has video and audio (rca?) jacks, and an S-video jack too

and it says 'cam 1' under the audio and video jacks and there is a selectable channel for my player called CAM1 which i assume it would record from that

I wanted to try that but i lost my cables at the moment so i haven't tried

I think if the recorder has RCA audio and video jacks (i'm not an expert though haha i've never tried)

then it probably lets you hook up your camera and then you play it on tv and record it with the right channel selected

but also it might work through the side of the tv aswell

[donovan99]

Pretty nice! Thanks! Its a good assumption - but I guess we still have to try it right?
You never know - nowadays they always come up with some way of making it difficult for the consumer to make copies of anything! LOL

[Krispy Kritter]

All recorders will take any standard audio/video input and record. Source doesn't matter, camcorder, cable box, vcr, dvd player, it is just taking the audio/video and recording it. The only things to watch for are the type of inputs that you require, S-Video, composite, etc.

The only issues are when you are inputting copy protected content. For example, trying to copy your VHS or DVD version of Die Hard or whatever. MV will prevent this from working...at least from making a clear watchable copy.

[donovan99]

Nice! That takes care of my question then!
Thanks!

[Rachel85]

Well, i'm still having problems and i'm getting angry now.

I emailed Philips and was told i would receive a reply within 4 days, it has now been 27 DAYS and no reply.

A number of new DVD+RWs has been ruined and made unreadable by the machine and i have missed tons of programs i have wanted taping.

It just starts recording, then at any time it feels like it, could be near the start, could be near the end, it just hangs and then it goes blank screened and then if you try to read the disc, it's either not recorded or has become unreadable.

If you're lucky it doesn't jam during recording, but when you press stop it hangs and then does the same thing.

And if you're very very lucky (!) it doesn't jam, you can stop it and you can watch the recorded dvd, but you can't get any files off the disc because it does reading errors, you can't even drag and drop.

So it's stuck on the disc.

I've tried turning it off for period of time at the switch but no difference.

I have looked over tons of DVD recorders and have been ripping my hair out which to buy, some are stupidly expensive and have features i don't need, the rest seem cheap (in design mostly, still pricey) and lack things like displays, the disc compatibilites i need or other functions i use.

So if anyone can help me in any way, please do so, i am going to try email philips again but i bet i will get no answer or some tripey one that makes no sense.

Oh and as i type my recorder has just jammed again. I have tried to record a simple thing off VHS four times now and it's hung in different places everytime.

[ikke777]

Rachel,

sorry to tell you this but your machine is busted. I'm on my 3rd Philips machine now and I can tell you that this is the way they go.
Send it to Philips to have it fixed.

Ikke777