Cyberhome CH-DVR1600 DVD Recorder
The lab rat review...
I am a bit puzzled by all the \\"one star\\" reviews regarding this product-or it is possible I got lucky and purchased that elusive 1 in 50 units that works OK? The Cyberhome DVD recorder is my first, although I am certainly no \\"newbie\\" to home recording (2,500 home-taped VHS titles since the mid-80's). I have had my unit for about 6 months now, and so far have archived over 400 (you read it right,FOUR HUNDRED) titles off standard digital cable and more recently, off a DVR.Here is where I can agree with the naysayers: Yes, the unit is a bit picky with some brand name media, particularly Memorex (discs inexplicably stopping in mid-recording, not formatting, etc.). All I can say about that is, \\"once bitten, twice shy\\". Don't BUY that brand again if it doesn't work! I have found the Sony and TDK discs work best. I also concur that the remote is ridiculously undersized, with buttons tiny enough to put a carpal-tunnel specialist's kid through college. The overall attrition rate (i.e., wasted discs) is about 10% in my experience (remember I have done over 400 recordings!). Lets keep things in perspective-for the average cost of a studio-mastered DVD ($20 for one title), you can record 50 movies; if 5 of those homemade discs tank (for whatever technical reason), who cares- you are still ahead. If you are transferring from archived DVR files, you have the option of putting in a fresh disc and giving it another shot anyway. It is possible that I have had better \\"luck\\" because I use the unit exclusively for recording (Many complaints seem to center on playback issues.) For my needs, and especially for the price, the Cyberhome has made me happy!