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Thread ID: 75525 2007-01-01 19:17:00 How not to buy a DVD Hard Drive Recorder Strommer (42) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
511822 2007-04-23 01:48:00 I would have assumed by now that we in NZ have definded both the standards for SD and HD terristial TV so why can't TV importers put these in as after all it just card that slots in. I hear on the grapevine that will be 2009 at the earliest before we seee digital tuners in TVs here.. paulw (1826)
511823 2007-04-28 23:52:00 Hi All

Here is my experience with another 'dog' from Philips. I bought DVDR3370H from Singapore on my way to NZ (it has a 12 month international warranty). Within 4 weeks it developed a strange problem. It went in to 'freeze' mode randomly. Won't respond to front panel buttons or remote. No picture or sound. Only way to get out of this was to recycle power. This was documented in their troubleshoot page of the booklet that came with it!
Gave a call to Philips, and as directed took it to local service agent, after 3 weeks came to know that it cannot be repaired, and Philips agreed to replace - but with DVDR3455H- the original dog :groan: (The one I bought had 250 GB hard drive, the original dog has 160 GB) Not happy, so conveyed my displeasure and now waiting for cash refund. 		Rav (11695)
511824 2007-04-29 00:51:00 Gave a call to Philips, and as directed took it to local service agent, after 3 weeks came to know that it cannot be repaired, and Philips agreed to replace - but with DVDR3455H- the original dog :groan: (The one I bought had 250 GB hard drive, the original dog has 160 GB) Not happy, so conveyed my displeasure and now waiting for cash refund.

Rav, if Philips gives you the run-around, not giving you a refund or exact/better replacement, come back here and we will highlight your case. When customers get unfair treatment, businesses will change their minds when it goes public. Or you could entertain us with a YouTube exposure :D of your dealings with Philips. 		Strommer (42)
511825 2007-05-02 11:18:00 2007: Its time to dump your tapes and get a DVD recorder, but read this first or you might wind up with a :eek: lemon of a recorder . While this is a user review for the Philips DVDR3455H recorder, it will also give you tips of what to look for when buying your DVD HD recorder .

For the net bots indexing this page:
DVDR 3455H DVD R 3455 H Phillips DVDR3455H/75 firmware upgrade software DVDR3455H/75B Philips DVDR3455

Good Morning to all, I am a new member here .

Thanks Steve - U brought me here .

Nice Stuff but for me late info - Missed these stuff earlier . It took 02 hrs to read all this .

Let me share my xprence here about PVR's . I am living Middle East Country .

Last couple of months I am looking for Satellite PVR with Irdeto card for my personal dish / regional services .

I got Humax - iCORD, Nice feature . I got it almost $330 . It has Twin tuner with in build of 160 GB HD - as per Humax this is the latest model & have 04 channel recording together - which is great . It does exactly what I need as recoding side . But the big problems is I can't back up to anywhere - Just record / watch & erase . We can't back up to PC / DVD . Again I called Humax - Local service office, as per them, IT CAN'T BACK UP VIDEO FILES - ITS PIRACY . So the feature is disable and no access to HDD . :horrified - Last week I was in the market for the same . Non of the brands have these feature ie backup to PC or DVD .

I returned that Machine & luckily I got refund from the warehouse .

I did't notice this thread that time .

I change my mind & I got new one - Trueman receiver 7000 for getting channels . its Ordinary model . Along with PHILIPS DVDR 3455 H :xmouth: as every one knows its 160 GB and DVD Writer . I though its very good compare to Panasonic 250 GB HD Recorder .

Philips have USB connector / Single Tuner / 160 GB HDD / $348
Panasonic have SD card reader / Single Tuner / 250 GB HDD / $355

As per recording both have single tuner and we can watch only one channel & same will be recordered .

Now other problems - Philips back-up very well and found the file formats are PDVD files . So far I could not find any file cutter for removing adds and make my copy . I don't know any one noticed this!! I tried with some program like VideoRedo / Ulead program, Non of them have these file cutting / joining feature .

If its failure to make this feature sure It will be returned and get other one . If I finalize with in 02 days I can get my money back or exchange the unit .

Last 05 Yrs I am using Philips product like - Divx player - Its plays well almost all . This is the 03 units I am changing . Now struck . Let us c .

Can any one suggest me, good feature - PVR before doing purchase - I don't want do Mistake or Wrong selection again:stare: ;)

Once again Thanks to all who posted their experience and share infos . Keep it up . 		Thankam (11696)
511826 2007-05-02 11:55:00 I would concur on Sony as a choice - never the cheapest, but they always come up to expectations. KenESmith (6287)
511827 2007-05-02 18:26:00 I would concur on Sony as a choice - never the cheapest, but they always come up to expectations.

Hi, any one have Idea about Sony IDR HX 770 model - how its back ups etc.. Its costing around $ 600. 		Thankam (11696)
511828 2007-05-02 20:15:00 Hello Thankam and welcome to PF1, the best tech and tech-chat forum! Did you know that we are located in New Zealand? I assume that the prices you give are in USD. You wrote:

So far I could not find any file cutter for removing adds and make my copy. I don't know any one noticed this!! I tried with some program like VideoRedo / Ulead program, Non of them have these file cutting / joining feature.

Good point. An editing feature is very useful and one that I would want.

Sony has been mentioned and I also concur that it is one of the best for DVD recorders. My friend has one and he can edit, make DVD disks, and much more. Sorry I do not know what model it is; he got it last year and similar models here in NZ cost near $800.

Thankam, thanks for the nice guest book entry on my web site but how did you ever get past the "enter code" bit? I don't think anyone else has been successful and no matter what combination of letters I put in, an error message appears. Maybe you are using IE while the rest of us have FF?

BTW I notice the total Views on this thread is now 11,355 making it one of the highest on PF1. The ironic thing is that I still do not have a DVD recorder :o . Still too expensive but if the 80 Gb Transonics come down again to $330 I may be tempted to at least give it a 7 day trial.

Lastly, I phoned a friend in San Francisco last week and mentioned "DVD Recorders". He did not have a clue what I was talking about. Evidently they are called "Tivo" in the USA. 		Strommer (42)
511829 2007-05-02 20:47:00 Hello Thankam and welcome to PF1, the best tech and tech-chat forum! Did you know that we are located in New Zealand? I assume that the prices you give are in USD .

Thanks for u r welcome words - Yap I got u r location NZ ( Site forum Extn ) & the prices are mentioned USD $


Thankam, thanks for the nice guest book entry on my web site but how did you ever get past the "enter code" bit? I don't think anyone else has been successful and no matter what combination of letters I put in, an error message appears . Maybe you are using IE while the rest of us have FF?

The problems is last letter is "O" alphabetic or "0" in numeric - Little different make more sense and make mistake view & I am using FF


BTW I notice the total Views on this thread is now 11,355 making it one of the highest on PF1 . The ironic thing is that I still do not have a DVD recorder :o .

Yap next generation Video equipments is getting updated & Everyone want to know before purchase . Still this post will bring more viewer and share more infos .

I request Admin or Mod to make this thread "Sticky" as its getting more views and updation . 		Thankam (11696)
511830 2007-05-04 03:04:00 BTW I notice the total Views on this thread is now 11,355 making it one of the highest on PF1. The ironic thing is that I still do not have a DVD recorder :o . Still too expensive but if the 80 Gb Transonics come down again to $330 I may be tempted to at least give it a 7 day trial.


Don't feel too bad about not having bought one yet -- I have been following this thread from the beginning and also don't have one. Now I'm thinking about an Altech MG-25 - available at Ascent - seems like a beauty according to all the reviews.

Any recommendations for this feature mix?:
HDD DVD recorder
must be able to transfer files from PC/Mac via USB or Firewire
thumbnails (the sony has them, the altech doesn't)
good error correction
divx playback

not much eh ;) 		teszeract (8723)
511831 2007-05-04 05:50:00 Altech MG-25 - available at Ascent -

Do you plan to use it as a DVD recorder, or????

Link for Altech MG-25 - Ascent - $173
www.ascent.co.nz 		Strommer (42)
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