Sony RDR DC-205 HDD DVD Recorder/ Player

[paul kersey]

I purchased the above machine in February 2010, in an effort to replace my existing seperates. The machine was supplied as a multi-region player by a local Sony main dealer. I have already found that it will not play the Warner Brothers "On demand" discs from the US, because with the machine having recording capabilities something in the software prevents this kind of disc being played for fear of being copied. Last night however, I found that it refused to play or even recognise the existence of any of the discs in my "Wrong Turn" box set. These discs are genuine Region 2 issued by 20th Century Fox and are playable in my cheapo, no name, TV/DVD player in the bedroom. The Sony player was even reluctant to eject the discs and it was only when I gave it that certain "I hate technology" stare that it allowed me to remove the discs in question.

Is this likely to be a case of the Sony machine being extra discriminatory in the type of discs it will play or a case of faulty discs?

Is it better to buy seperate home entertainment equipment rather than my one box does it all strategy?. I welcome your views and suggestions, bearing in mind a somewhat restricted budget.
I only require the ability to play DVD's without being restricted by Region, I would also like to record TV preferably on Hard drive and very rarely it would be nice to be able to record from the hard drive on to DVD. In view of my Freeview HD experience as documented on another thread, the ability to be able to watch Freeview HD would be nice if possible.

[MikeB]

I've got the HDX995 - which is in essence exactly the same (although it looks a bit different externally), and I havn't had a problem with it playing Region 2 discs at all. In fact my only issues is the way the hard-drive keeps spinning (thus wearing it out) when your watching something on the tuner, and the fact that the tuner isn't the most sensitive ever.

Since mine isn't multi-regional, I can't comment on any any problems the Sony might have. However, I know from experience that my rather old (8 years) Eltax DVD does have problems with some Region 1 discs, even though it was bought from Richer as a multi-region machine (yet the same discs would play on someone else's multi-region machine).

If the occasional Region 1 disc won't play because the machine is a bit twitchy, then thats not entirely unexpected, although annoying. But the machine should play Region 2's. That said, I did get some discs which were Region 2/5 (they were from a Hong Kong based site which Nectar used a while back). Half worked, half didn't. So if they are like that, then there may be a problem.

If the discs are clean (an alcohol solution cloth, wiping from centre out) and you've checked that its not just those discs (it happens), then it might be the firmware. Sometimes the updates don't work, or you've got an old one. If not, you've possibly got a crook machine. Obviously have a look at the Sony site first Forum & Communities: Community: DVD, Blu-Ray & HDD Recorders - the forum looks useful, and have a look around Google - there's a good chance someone else had had the same problem. If still no joy. then take it back to the shop (if you can), and ask them to have a look at it.

Is it better to buy seperate home entertainment equipment rather than my one box does it all strategy?

It depends on the customers needs. From what you say, you are the sort of customer who 'records, watches, wipes'. The ability to archive to a disc is great for me, but something you say you only use rarely.
I'd probably suggest going down the Humax route, which is simple to use, reliable, and gives you HD Buy Humax HDR-FOX T2 500GB Freeview+ HD Digital TV Recorder online at JohnLewis.com. Not the cheapest (although its the same price as the Panasonic equivelent to your existing machine! ), but I hear terrible things about Philips, Sagem we don't really talk about and I never mention Sharp. The Digital Stream gets mixed reviews, but is cheaper Buy Digital Stream DHR8205U 500GB Freeview+ HD TV Recorder online at JohnLewis.com, and customers seem to hate the Samsung (although it just one a major award), but really like the Freesat version. I like the Panasonic model, which is £229, but it does have a smaller hard-drive (320gb).

You can buy them all in one. Panasonic's version (which has a recording Blu-ray) is over £400. Its nice for someone like me, but for you, I'd recommend a decent HDD (the HUmax does DLNA and you can extract data from the drive - unoffically) and a blu-ray. You can crack your 'cheapo, no name' DVD and make it multi-region, or just buy one (about £30), but I'd go for Blu-ray at some point. You can buy multi-region ones (be warned that Blu-ray regions and DVD regions are not quite the same) for about the same as the Region 2's. The excellent Sony S380 does everything you'd want (including going online, stream, Iplayer, etc), and we're knocking it out for £119. Have a look around, and you'll find it in multi-region as well for a similar price.

Start with the HDD. If the current one is dodgy, you can then upgrade to one with HD Freeview with no worries about spending more than you want. The Humax (and possibly others) will allow you to stream and get Iplayer. You can use your existing DVD (crack it by using the codes you'll find on DVD Reviewer - Multi-Region Hacks, and hopefully watch your Region 1 DVD's. If you want to upgrade to a blu-ray, then Sony, Samsung or Panasonic will all be fine. Have a look at AVForum, etc for recommendations on the various machines, including your existing one.

Good luck!

[Dame Starry]

You don't say if you've tried to re-set the machine? Mine does the most extraordinary things sometimes, but it seems to occasionally like to be switched off for a bit - and unplugged.

You've most likely done this - but, if you haven't, it's always worth a try.

[paul kersey]

I left the machine switched off for an hour last night but to no effect. I will leave it off again this afternoon but must admit that it is beginning to annoy me intensely. I will probably purchase the Humax HDR-Fox T2 HD and a cheapish DVD player such as a Toshiba SD 3010 which is easily hacked I gather.

[paul kersey]

I have also come across the Toshiba HDR 5010 KB as a possible rival to the Humax. Has anyone any experience of this model and does it compare with the Humax ? Price wise it looks good at around £200 mark.

[paul kersey]

Have now found the Panasonic DIGA DMRHW 100 as well. Is there really anything to chose between this, the Humax or the Toshiba?. Don't tell me the only way to find out is FIGHT!

[Dame Starry]

Have now found the Panasonic DIGA DMRHW 100 as well. Is there really anything to chose between this, the Humax or the Toshiba?. Don't tell me the only way to find out is FIGHT!

I have a Panasonic DMR-EX773EB (Diga) - it's only R2. My brother bought it for me as a surprise gift last year with a Panasonic TX-32LXD80 LCD TV.....I love both.
I could free it up to play anything - but, as it was a gift, I won't.

I have an old Yamada DVD player that will play any region DVD - my son bought it for me about 8/9 years ago from Amazon for £30 with free delivery:

[MikeB]

The Humax is well known, the Panasonic is fairly new, but considering their equipment generally, I've had no problem recommending this to customers. The only real downside is the smaller hard drive, but it is a little cheaper. There is a generally favourable review here Panasonic DMR-HW100 review | Expert Reviews, and the Panasonic websites feedback isn't bad either.

The Toshiba has been reviewed Toshiba HDR5010 review | from TechRadar's expert reviews of Digital TV recorders, and there is a whole thread on it at AV Forum Toshiba HDR5010 500GB Freeview HD-PVR Master thread | AVForums.com - UK Online . Its actually based on the TVonics dtr-hd500 (this is not unusual, and is actually a well thought of brand), and seems OK, although the thread does report lockup issues (which might be solved by firmware updates). I do vaguely remember it (and the TVonics), but I didn't get too much customer feedback either way.

There is apparently no Iplayer capacity, and the more I read the thread, the more problems there are. That being said, if your happy, your unlikely to post about it, but if you have a problem...
The main reason to go for the Tosh is thats its cheaper than the other two, but the cheapest I could find on the web (apart from an unknown website for £178 including shipping) was £199 from Comet (and if your not sure about it, alwasy go to a bricks and mortar shop). Since the Panny is £229, and the Humax was available the other week in our store for £249, there is not a huge amount in it. The more expensive two also have Iplayer, which the Tosh does not.

There is a thread here Best Freeview HD PVR ? | AVForums.com - UK Online which is asking pretty much what you have. Its about 10 months old, but still pretty useful. Personally, I'd have a look at it, the web generally, and ask people you actually know what they have (even go round and have a look at it!). Then go to a proper shop, and talk to people who know what their on about, and have a good returns policy.

As for getting a cheap Toshiba SD 3010 (£29.95) - you can, but I'd wait a little while. I like the Tosh (we still sell them), but there is no HDMI, so no upscaling. Since you can already get a Blu-ray for £40 from Richer, and use webpages like this one DVD Player and Blu-ray Player region codes - VideoHelp.com, in theory you could get a (multi-region?) Blu-ray for not much more than for a DVD. Wait until after Christmas (its less than a month until 'sales' start), and see whats on offer. We had last years Samsung Blu-rays (with wifi) for £89 in the summer (which seems to be hackable), and who knows whats going to come up in clearance, etc. Special deals from all the retailers are already pushing down prices, and the competition is fairly intense. Since you already have an HD TV, Blu-Ray would be nice to have, and its much cheaper than ever before.

[paul kersey]

Many thanks again for all of your help. Today I bought a Toshiba SD3010 from my local Sainsbury's @ £39.99, I can't risk being without a working DVD Player at Christmas because the TV schedules look to be as poor as the rest of the year. The one I bought is up-scaling and easily hackable, it can always be used in another room should something better come along.
I have narrowed my choice of PVR to the Humax or the Panasonic. The Panasonic is available for around £204.99 at Richers or £229.99 at Currys. However the Humax is available at £199 via Humax direct. These machines are described as being refurbished by the manufacturer. Is it worth the risk buying refurbished stock to save £50, who knows?

[johng]

The question of some multiregion DVD players not playing Region 1 discs has been raised before. Whilst there could be other issues affecting the situation there are some Region 1 discs which on a hacked machine will only play if the machine is specifically set to Region 1. If it is set to region 0 which theoretically should play ALL discs, some region 1 discs are not recognised

If I remember rightly it was indicated on this forum that this was due to certain Digital Rights Technology which was used by some of the major film distributors to prevent DVDs being played on other than genuine Region 1 players. I have some Region 1 discs which fall into this category.

It is something to bear in mind if you watch many American DVDs.