CyberHome CH-DVR 1500 Progressive-Scan DVD+R/+RW Recorder and Player , Silver
a frustrating, inconsistent, unsupported "bargain"
such a deal.<br />(...)<br />(...)if the darn thing worked consistently day to day, if the timer-record function didnt seem glitchy and unpredictable (despite the available firmware upgrade, which, while a lame thing for any manufactuer to have to rely on to 'fix' their product, i've nevertheless dutifully installed), and if, at any time cyberhome's customer service were ever available to assist consumers with their problems (cyberhome sux.  soooo much silence... not even a auto email response to my query), this would be a fine machine to own.  however, since none of the above actually applies to the cyberhome dvr 1500 in practice, i must reluctantly say: there's no good reason to save a few bucks and buy this machine rather than a competitor's slightly-more-expensive-but-likely-way-more-stable machine.  <br />i'm a fairly avid audio/hometheater geek; i enjoy pulling wire, learning new systems and functions, and enjoying the results of my efforts in this regard.  that said, i must admit: my cyberhome dvr 1500 still puzzles me, despite hours spent attempting to master its apparently-basic system; it still fails to abide by my programming commands; it still does weird things (records a solid red screen, records with strange vertical bars on screen etc.); still locks up for reasons unexplained, and still makes me regret making the purchase.  <br />it's a lame piece of home electronics and not worth the investment, regardless of the price. i would take it back if i could. period.