Hi guys

My Thomson DHD4000 is now locking up more than once a week, so I'm going to take it back to Argos and see what they can offer, but it looks like the Digihome PVR80 is the default 'replacement'.

If anyone could give me the pros and cons of this model I'd really appreciate it. The Thomson was great: easy to use EPG, record 2 channels and watch a recording all at the same time, great quality picture/sound, archive off to VHS/DVD, but it had heat issues and 'freezing' problems for many people, as well as only a 40gb disk.

If any of you could give me a few points on what it's good at, what issues it suffers from that would be great, and I guess thoughts on how easy it is to use as this will actually be for the parents.

Any thoughts appreciated guys.

PS, Is the 160 version the identical bar the bigger drive?

It's not perfect, but the PVR80/160 isn't bad for a budget machine. I reckon its one of the simplest PVRs to use, setting recordings from the EPG is a doddle.

What's good -

Good user interface & EPG.
Good PQ.
Quiet.
Picture-in-picture for channel hopping.
Adjustable/intelligent padding.

What's bad -

Can only record 1 channel whilst watching another, dual record firmware causes EPG problems.
No continuous buffering - you have to hit pause.
Looks are not everyone's cup of tea.

The PVR160 is identical, bar for the size of the drive.
Last edited by sparky_paul : 29-03-2007 at 22:21

Thnaks sparky_paul, that's useful.

What a shame about not being able to record 2 channels at once though!

Ah but if you search this forum you will find plenty of information on how to install new firmware on the box which will indeed let it record two channels at once..........

Right, will do Johneboy. Does this cause some EPG problems though? I can't think why anyone wouldn't want the dual record feature, it's such a neat trick to record 2 channels at once.

From what I have read there are issues associated with the modified firmware that compromises the speed and content of the EPG, as well as 'jumpy' picture syndrome on the recordings. I have read that the jumpy picture might be helped by having a dedicated arial feed for each tuner.

I have just bought a refurbished Digifusion for £70 from a local dealer and it is made to record two channels at once and does it perfectly.

However I can't say that I like the EPG that is split between a Guide for now and next and then a calender for the following 13 days, altogether a 14 day EPG.

But it is impressive with the various settings for the compression used to record, folder names etc for the library and a host of other features that do make it a more 'advanced' model over that of the Digihome.

Comparing it with the Dual (re-badged Digihome) that I also have it would be a tough call to say which is the better as the layout of the EPG on the Digihome is very easy to use.
Last edited by Vimes : 30-03-2007 at 11:24

Vimes,

Yours doesn't have the jumpy picture?

I'm doing my homework reading up on old posts right now; this 'upgrade' to allow you to record 2 channels at once, how do you upload it to the box? Not got to that part yet, is it a simple process? Do you need a PC to do it, as I am only Mac based...

AFAIK (not from practical experience) it doesn't matter if you have a Mac or a PC - just either a COM port or a USB port (with a Com to USB converter) and the necessary lead to do the modification.

On the Digihome I have NOT bothered about the firmware 'upgrade' as dual recording doesn't bother enough over that of a fully functioning EPG. Mine does not have a jumpy picture as I only record one channel at once, AFAIK the issue became more apparent when trying to record two channels at once.

There is a thread here about firmware upgrade on the Digihome...
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=492057

On the Digifusion (I have both) it does it with NO problem as it has been designed from the start to do that.

With the fusion you can also have scenes generated every five minutes. That means when you look in the library at your recording and highlight it then it will display a thumbnail of each five minute segment of the recording and you can start playing from there.

you can also read here about customised menus and firmwares for the Digifusion....

http://technonotice1.googlepages.com/firmware.html
Last edited by Vimes : 30-03-2007 at 11:45

I've just bought a Digihome PVR 160 for £62 off ebay (refurb'd), as my step into Freeview PVR.

Haven't long gotten rid of Sky+ and missed the ability to record from TV. I currently have a DVD recorder, but it was too much hassle sorting disks, setting timers, etc.

Gonna leave it as it comes (record one, watch one) for now and see how it goes - might try and upgrade to twin record if the box istself works ok.

Quick question, assuming the 80 and 160 boxes are the same except for HDD size... I see it has two scarts - but what are thescarts for? Obviously one will be output to TV, but is the other an input or 2nd output?

I am basically trying to decide how to set my whole AV kit up, to include this.

I currently have Home Cinema/DVD player, DVD recorder, Sky box with Freesat, and will add the freeview PVR to this.

I may end up selling the DVD Recorder on eBay as I dont actually record with it that much, but it may be handy to keep for transferring stuff off the PVR to keep.

Cheers

MJ

Vimes

Thanks for that. Your Digifusion sounds good, but I bought the Thomson from Argos and so assume I will have to accept one of their 'replacements', ie the Digihome. Will push for a full refund, but dunno how much luck I'll get.

Do you prefer your Digifusion over the Digihome?

What I have found with both Argos and Asda is that there is generally ZERO problems with getting a refund on goods that do not meet what they are supposed to do, so much so that their superb customer service influences where I buy from.

As for preferences - a tough call.

The only 'fault' on the refurbished Digifusion that I have noticed is that the LED display on the front isn't as bright as it could be, whether it was any brighter at new I don't know.

I have just flashed my Digifusion with a modified firmware that also included a modified theme for the background and text etc etc....

http://technonotice4.googlepages.com/screenshots8.html

...this updated the firmware to the latest 1.1, for that unit.

It is a VERY feature packed unit for the £70 that I paid for it and as I mentioned it has ZERO problems in recording two channels at once, if that is important for you.

To buy the Digifusion brand new from Asda costs £163, refurbished with 12mths warranty cost me £70.

For the money it represents superb value, then again so does the Digihome, if I had to go for one over the other then the Digifusion might just win as the feature set is more 'complete'.

@MJ - the second scart is to connect to another device, like a DVD recorder or VCR. The 160 / 80 are the same apart from the drive sizes.

My appraisal of the PVR80's ease of use was only brief, and I'm glad to see that others have added their comments.

I also have the Digifusion FVRT200 and a Sagem, both of these have major defects with the EPG. The Sagem can only display one channel at a time, and the Digifusion can only display one programme per channel, i.e. it can only display one timeslot at a time, if you get my drift.

When setting future EPG recordings, finding a particular programme is very tedious unless you know exactly when it is on. I constantly find myself referring to Sky guide or Guideplus to locate the times of programs before subsequently finding them on the Digifusion/Sagem EPGs. On the Digifusion, you can't even move forwards/backwards a day without going back to the calendar, even then it takes you back to the current time rather than at the time you were previously looking.

The PVR80/160 EPG is laid out like Sky guide, and is much easier to navigate. You can go up/down a channel, up/down a page of channels, back/forward a page, back/forward a day, and bunch up or stretch out the timeline. You can also highlight a particular programme genre if required.

On the other hand, both these other machines buffer continuously, and the FVRT200 can record two channels faultlessly...

Note, however, the the Digifusions are not problem free - there are a few well documented issues with them, in particular power supply failure, both external and internal, and the fact that you must never use the compression 'feature', or risk losing all of your recordings at some point in the future.


If I had to choose one or the other, it would be a hard choice - they obviously have very different strengths. However, for everyday use, I reckon the PVR80 just pips the Digifusion. I think the picture quality is also marginally better on the PVR80.
Last edited by sparky_paul : 30-03-2007 at 15:48

For me I have had to rethink my choice over the Digifusion, not easy but in the end it cam down to the EPG....!!!

The EPG, being split over the Guide and the calender on the Digifusion was very poor when compared to the Digihome.

Even the fact that it did record two channels simultaneously did not make up for its terrible EPG layout. I found it too frustrating to use.

Whilst I appreciate the many features that the Fusion does have none of them appealed to me enough to keep it.

The Digifusion has gone back and I have been refunded and now I have my second Digihome PVR - just bought from Argos with software version 5.3 A pity that I can't extract the firmware from that unit and flash my other with it

I decided against getting a refurbished model for many reasons but most of all I can afford the new price and I have always found that Argos most helpful when and if it comes to making a return.
Last edited by Vimes : 30-03-2007 at 16:40

I got the Digihome to replace Sky Plus, it's an absolute doddle to use and very stable and reliable. If you can live without being able to record 2 at once (officially at least!) it's highly recommemded.
I brought one for my luddite folks too - even they can use it!

I'll second that & so will my wife (the ex-technophobe)

I don't blame you at all - I'd have done the same myself if I'd been flush, I too find that Argos give security. I took a chance on the eBay seller, given his good feedback on the product, and I've been lucky... so far

parthena

Well I really hope that it holds out for you

I should have written that I can't afford for it to go wrong and so couldn't take a risk by getting a refurbished one, even though that assurance has cost me more

Still I'm VERY happy with the Digihome....