Hello all just bought a DTR160 for my inlaws for xmas and right now am testing it. Been on several hours and seems fine dual recording etc. (My previous PVR experiences are 5 years with a Thomson DHD 4000 and a Pace Twin and also a Sony 870 which have been good. I have a strong signal (Waltham) and good quality).

Anyway, first impression of the Digihome is good. Nice and quiet, menus seem quite good, maybe picture just a little muted and 'natural' on colour. Now I'd like to make sure this is all working and software updated before giving it for xmas (or taking it back to Argos if it's rubbish) what I want to know is when will I get the first software update as it's showing v2.7? Anything I can test to show any faults inherant to this model? I have read most of the forum but does seems a bit confusing with many similar model numbers and software versions!

V2.7 is the current version, and was released approx 1 year ago. The DigiHome DTR is one of many badged Vestel chipset (T825) recorders (Asda, Tesco, Argos: DigiHome Warfdale & Hitachi). OADs are rare, but they do happen occasionally. No dates for any DTR OAD though, sorry.

If your recordings are good with no picture or sound issues, then this is one of the most stable softwares going.
The series record is a bit flaky, apart from that it should be OK.

Unfortunately, I am experiencing severe difficulties with a DTR80 fed from the Selkirk transmitter signal (digital switchover was first half of November) and can only record reliably off 2 of the 6 MUX at the moment. Tesco Techwood (T825 again) may also be affected in my area.

Signal strength & quality are probably more vital on the Vestel T825 based units than on others, so as long as your parents also have an excellent signal, all should be well.

Ha! I spoke too soon. I set it to record Your've been framed and several other programmes tonight.

From standby it has failed to record Your've been Framed! It's definately in the Timers list.

Guess this will be ITV not sending a signal...doesn't look good for the future

Is this a known fault? Can hardly give it to the inlaws if it keeps missing stuff!

Humax's are too much. Originally set out to buy an Asda 80Gb (at 62 quid this weekend) but felt charitable and bought this but now I am wondering if something else is better for the same money.

* just to add, machine was switched on later and it has started recording Harry Hill. Don't these things wake up from standby?
Last edited by BlackCloud : 29-11-2008 at 19:18

Scheduled recordings should happen correctly in or out of standby mode.
Be advised the Asda is possibly a Vestel T8xx chipset, exactly the same as the Digihome

It probably would have failed no matter what recent model PVR you used, if the channel fails to send out the record signal, our PVRs don't record the programme. However, failures are very rare, the worst culprit being ITV, in my experience.

You should be able to schedule recordings on channels you don't trust by Time instead of by Event - but then you won't have the programme name in your Library, just channel and time+duration of recording.

parthena

[pedantic] The Vestel T810, T816 & T825 use the STx5100 chipset - the T8xx part is just Vestel's model number for the hardware revision [/pendatic]. Vestel are certainly not the only manufacturer to use the STx5100 series chipset (I remember Sagem switched to it after dumping the PPC based chipset of their early PVRs - not sure if they have changed chipsets again since). I presume the T845 (TUTV) uses the same chipset, although I don't recall seeing it mentioned anywhere.

To the original poster: unfortunately, yes, the T825 models are a bit of a nightmare because unlike their predecessors, they were built with differing hardware options (HDMI, USB, CI slot, low power, etc). AFAIK, there have never been any public OADs for T825 based units like yours. I'm not so sure v2.7 is the latest version shipped on the units, although you can upgrade to v4.9 or v10.2 via the serial port - see this thread. Without any downgrade option at present, I suggest waiting, until more feedback is given from users of v10.2.

Thanks for the more detailed info on the chipsets, I assumed Vestel manufacured all the Txxx chips themselves. I didn't know all the T series models used the same STx5100 chipset from a 3rd party. You live and learn...

v2.7 is installed in Tesco and Argos T825 units with current stock, so I assume it's the latest official software.

I tried both 4.9 and 10.2 updates via the serial port, and although it did not fix my recording issues, it - at first - appeared perfectly stable and no obvious differences to the factory shipped 2.7.

The one new issue I am having is that after 24 hours, the remote control seems VERY sluggish navigating the EPG Guide.
Can anyone else confirm or dispute this on their box after upgrade?

V2.7 is the latest and only software used on production models of the T825 PVRs which do not have either the HDMI port, the USB port or the Low Power features which are (were) available on other variants of the T825.
That is normal for all the T825 units. It is dependent on the number of Series Record Timer events that are set and the how long since the unit was re-booted. It can be speeded up temporarily by re-booting the unit but it quickly deteriorates again as soon as a new 8th day list of events is added or programmes are recorded, played and deleted.

Colin

Hi Colin,

Actually the EPG is terribly slow with the new software released via a forum member - even with no timers set and an empty hard drive.

On another matter, see the download schedule for the engineering MUX... http://www.dtg.org.uk/retailer/download_schedule.pl

Vestel released v1.4 OAD yesterday for about a dozen units, and have now scheduled a v1.7 OAD for the SAME models later this week... serious problems with v1.4??? lol

I don't recognise any of those model numbers on the DTG site. I think they are probably STBs rather than PVRs.

Colin

out of interest i have the Warfdale DTR160 and mine does not come out of standby to record either it is using the 2.7 software dated may 2007, i also note above you say series recording? i dont see this on mine where is it?

Bogget

When in the EPG, press ENTER instead of Record button and if Series Record is present in the Firmware, you will see it listed as an option.

Hmm no mine puts a reminder there when i do that with a yellow underline?

But i have the 2.7 firmware so i dont understand?
Can i upgrade?

Bogget

Futaura has FW for T810 and T816 chipsets on her website.
If your unit is a T825, PM me and I can email you 2 Vestel upgrades with series link.
All the above are from Vestel - but use at your own risk!

http://www.futaura.co.uk/vestel.html