DigiFusion FVRT150

DigiFusion FVRT150 Review - Get a long guarantee if you can and be prepared to return unit.I had an FVRT100 which lasted about 8 months. I feel the enjoyment it gave me over that time was worth what I'd paid. If I had not mucked-about with it I could have returned it for a replacement.I replaced it with this FVRT150 which was even better (quieter but the same in all other respects).It has lasted 3 months before playing-up to an unacceptable extent.I think many of these PVRs are inherently unreliable, even ones from other manufacturers. This is such a shame as, apart from some minor annoyances, I find this particular machine a real dream to use. It is interesting that the manufacturer doesn't seem to be learning from it's mistakes but we'll never know the true reasons for their inaction in this respect.Humax + Topsfield are reportedly more reliable.

All HD recorders are hybrids of TV and PC technology, often sharing generic components that may or may not work together under all circumstances. My system locked in the 'HOLD' display until the customer service rep explained how to switch off, hold down the two top left buttons and switch on with the buttons held down. This lost my recordings but subsequently I've just done the reset and switched on without keeping the buttons down and it retained them. None of this is in the manual, presumably because they don't want to frighten off non-teckky customers. The problem seems to have been a corrupt download of the new operating system on September 28 last - caused by a faulty aerial wire on my side. Unfortunately, the reset restores the original software version which has a couple of bugs in it. For example, it crashes to an EP9 code if I leave it recording overnight - but this is easily sorted by a power-off cycle. You have to check the Digifusion website to know to leave the unit on overnight on the dates when they are downloading software updates otherwise you will miss them. Again, a pdf download from their website of a more complete manual would be a good idea.

I've found the Customer Service by email helpful and fairly prompt.

The DigiFusion FVRT150 is so easy to use, you can record two programmes at once, however, I'm on my third adaptor and this one is getting hotter by the day, and the noise is getting on my nerves. I would not buy another one.

The DigiFusion FVRT150 hard drive recorder was a good machine while it lasted, but it has died within a year. I have now got to get a repair, or more likely replacement. I haven't contacted the manufacturer yet, but reading others comments, I hold out little hope. It is a shame. I know it was cheap, but electronics are usually reliable these days. I have a 19 year old Panasonic microwave!

We got through three of the DigiFusion FVRT150 but despite several communicatins with manufacturers in the end not only did they have no further answers but they did not bother to answer any more so back it went. Shame because it seemed great and a good price, even cheaper since I bought it, now not sure what to buy? but must have another PVR.

I have had my DigiFusion FVRT150 Hard Drive Recorder for 3 months, and it has given up. I switched it on one morning, and it had reset itself losing all my recordings. I emailed DigiFusion, who told me to switch it off for 20 minutes, and then format the machine. If this did not work, they said I should get my aerial checked (funny how it worked fine for a couple of months). I did this, and it seemed okay for a couple of weeks. Since then it has started to freeze when trying to change channel, and it would not switch off. I had to pull the plug on it, which caused it to reset itself losing all recordings. Today I have a new problem as it is taking a couple of minutes to carry out a command, such as changing channel. I would only recommend this if you want a machine that works for two months.

This has the potential to be a great machine, but if it loses your recordings it doesn't do what it's designed to, and is useless.

I have had a DigiFusion FVRT150 recorder for approx 4 months and have found it so easy to use and record, but over the past couple of weeks, I have found that settings I have made for later recording have not been carried out, and programs that I have recorded have disappeared from the Library, and I cannot now trust it to carry out instructions, and even if it does, will the recording disappear from the library.

Had my DigiFusion FVRT150 DVR for 4 months and it worked like a (noisy) dream for the first 3. Then they decided to release a software upgrade and everything went horribly wrong. First the machine was refusing to respond to commands from the remote control and wouldn't switch off unless unplugged (when you unplug it it will lose all the EPG information). Then it added to that problem by crashing everytime I recorded something, meaning again that I had to unplug it, thus losing all the recordings I had made in that session.

I sent an email to their technical information and after not receiving a reply for 4 days, phoned them and was told that their email person was off sick and that I should format the hard drive and the problem was known to them but there was nothing they could do until a new update was written, but they didn't know when that would be. I then received an email 2 days later telling me that my reception was to blame.

I formatted the hard drive and it was all fine until the software loaded again the next night. The old problems started again until ultimately (after formatting the disc a further 4 times) the machine went into hold mode and couldn't be coaxed out of it no matter what. I was unable to watch or record anything on it at all. I emailed them again and have still not received a reply 3 weeks later. The machine has been returned to the store and I purchased a new one from a different manufacturer.

Purchased a DigiFusion FVRT150 two weeks ago and its a little miracle. Once Software update is installed(automatically over air at night), does everything and more that is stated on the box. As well as broadcast quality video, I've started recording radio for first time ever, audi playback enhanced through external amp for great quality.

I am thrilled to bits with my DigiFusion FVRT150. It does everything I thought it should, had one fault on playback.

But re-booted and everything is fine, would be handy if the summary of programs could be turned off.

Also auto recording otherwise one of the best pieces of kit I have bought in ages.