Sony HDD DVD recorder keeps freezing

[burnleyfan]

I have a HDD DVD recorder which I bought about 18 months ago and it has started to freeze quite a lot lately.I have to unplug the machine and plug it in again to get it to recover.It can then freeze again soon after.Is there anything I can do to improve the reliability? Will I have to send the machine away to be repaired or can it be done at home?

Thanks for any help
Brian

[merlodlliw]

Originally Posted by burnleyfan

I have a HDD DVD recorder which I bought about 18 months ago and it has started to freeze quite a lot lately.I have to unplug the machine and plug it in again to get it to recover.It can then freeze again soon after.Is there anything I can do to improve the reliability? Will I have to send the machine away to be repaired or can it be done at home?

Thanks for any help
Brian

I also have one, what is the model you have and the software on it,is it a Sony 711, these are prown to freeze up, is it freezing when watching DTV terrestrial or satellite?

Mine froze twice in the past 24 hours,I am led to understand if it is DTV which I presume yours is, a fault on either Ch 4 or 5 effects them this comes from the EPG, before spending, if it is a Sony, they have admitted a fault due to software glitches on certain channels, some after very much argument have had them repaired(new software put in), if yours is out of warranty(seems like it), the cost of repair? does not always cure the problem. I hate to say this, but DS have pages on this problem,if it is a sony. I now live with the problem,the cost of new software will be as much as going to Tessie Cohens for a new dual tuner HDD, with a years no quibble. Some as low as £80. or less

Hope this helps
Bob

[burnleyfan]

Hi Bob.
Thanks for your reply. The model I have is the Sony 710 with a 160Gb hard drive.The picture itself doesn't freeze.The problem I have is when trying to switch off the machine or trying to access the programmes recorded etc.There is sometimes some activity after a couple of minutes but in the main I have to unplug it and plug it in again.It's very frustrating and in the end I suppose I will also have to put up with it for now.I didn't realise they were as cheap as you say they are so I will probably look to change it if it continues to play up.

Many Thanks
Brian

[merlodlliw]

[quote=burnleyfan;133779]Hi Bob.
Thanks for your reply. The model I have is the Sony 710 with a 160Gb hard drive.The picture itself doesn't freeze.The problem I have is when trying to switch off the machine or trying to access the programmes recorded etc.There is sometimes some activity after a couple of minutes but in the main I have to unplug it and plug it in again.It's very frustrating and in the end I suppose I will also have to put up with it for now.I didn't realise they were as cheap as you say they are so I will probably look to change it if it continues to play up.

Many Thanks
Brian[/quote

Brian I have the same model,what happend with mine is, it locks onto a channel say BBC 2, and wont shift off it,I find if I press the off button on the machine(not via remote) hold it down until it switches off after few seconds, it will then go through its recovery process and then shut down.
When it starts up mine goes into output one for a better word,taking the feed from the tv via the scart, this model is also prone to freeze up during thunder storms,even the instructions say this.
Sony know the problem, but it is supposed to download new software
overnight if left on to BBC 1, mine as never ever done this.
The 710 cost me £490 three years ago,when it works fine, but if I ever change it will be for a dual tuner,I had to buy the 710 through an insurance job, that took forever to finalise.
As a life long sony fan, now im not so sure, Tesco have dual tuners and
160 hard drive for £80 or so, years guarantee, take it back to the store
get a new one,similar of course or get the dosh back.

Its too clumbersome sending sony back, if you bought away from a real sony dealer dealer you pay, the dam transport at least £20,then they will charge £40 min for checking the problem, then you pay the return charge.
Some on DS say they have paid over £100 for new software,then failed again.

Expensive product,good build but software full of bugs, I too am really peed off.


Hope this helps.

Bob

[merlodlliw]

Technika 160Gb Digital Video Recorder dual tuners

Catalogue number: 200-7337

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I have seen this model down to £80, keep the sony for editing etc,etc.

Bob

[burnleyfan]

Thanks Bob for that.I will certainly bear it in mind. I just didn't realise they were as cheap as that.If the software does download overnight does that mean the recorder should be left on all night and also how would you know whether or not is has done the job.If I get another one I will definitely get one with a dual tuner and won't spend as much either this time.I will persevere for a bit longer and see what happens.

You've been a great help thanks

Brian

[merlodlliw]

Originally Posted by burnleyfan

Thanks Bob for that.I will certainly bear it in mind. I just didn't realise they were as cheap as that.If the software does download overnight does that mean the recorder should be left on all night and also how would you know whether or not is has done the job.If I get another one I will definitely get one with a dual tuner and won't spend as much either this time.I will persevere for a bit longer and see what happens.

You've been a great help thanks

Brian

Ok Brian, I dont know when the next downloads are going to be, but leave
the recorder in sleep mode so the clock is seen,channel BBC 1 .

Go into its brain, remote button marked system menu on the left middle

1.Press system menu,
2.Press set up
3.Press DTV settings
4.Press technical info
5.Press Digital Software to on
6.Press manufacturers information
this will show the software version, mine is V1.00.02

I understand this can be improved over the air to V1.00.03.

Ask one of the moderators on TW to find out when the next Sony Downloads are going to occur, Anglosat is a very knowing Mod,but I am sure another will pop in, the mods on TW are very helpful.

Again I am banned from Digital Spy forums,I am too anti pay tv for them
but have a look on the forums for your problem,there used to be a big list,but in the end try the overnight if and when, and keep checking the
software to see if its changed, mine never did and it would appear
V1.00.02 is the problem, which Sony know all about, but remain muted.
I personally will not pay over £100 for new software for my 711, but will keep it for editing, here it excells as an excellent piece of kit, I intend getting the Tessie Cohen HDD with two tuners someday,but when analogue shuts down a single tuner will be not much use.

I also by the way run a Comag sat reciever through the 711 as well,but when the 711 is on record, you can only watch the same channel,play a disc or watch whats on the HDD. A lot of dosh for the Sony 711 with
crap software, if only id known the software was full of bugs.


Hope this helps.

Bob

[burnleyfan]

Thanks for all your help Bob I will check everything which you have advised me on

Brian

[merlodlliw]

[quote=burnleyfan;133919]Thanks for all your help Bob I will check everything which you have advised me on

Brian[/quote


It takes a while, but in the end we get there? if we had enough of us,I would get on to watchdog,a piece of kit costing £490 with a known problem is just brushed off by Sony, after 30 plus years of praising Sony makes me, well feel a prick.


See how it goes, let me know if you have any luck, hows the team, mines on the way out.

Bob

[burnleyfan]

I will let you know what happens.As you say its a disgrace the way customers are treated at times.I have nearly always bought Sony in fact I bought a Sony 32" tv a couple of weeks ago.
Burnley have done reasonably well this season with their new manager although they have dropped too many points against the lower teams.Should finish half way.It is sad to see your team struggling.They have had some good teams in the past and have had quite a few links with Burnley with Leighton James and Brian Flynn.Hope they manage the great escape.

Brian