elmo8 Posted March 12, 2006 Posted March 12, 2006 Hi My VCR has just given up the ghost and like everyone else I am lookign to buy a DVD recorder with a HDD. I have just seen one, a Conia with 160GB HDD and supposed dual format record and I came home and did a google search on it and can find nothing about it at all, no-one else seems to be selling it and there are no user reviews. I know Conia gets a bad name but all I basically want to do is record a few weekly programs a week and burn the couple that I want to keep every once in a while. I am not looking to spend a fortune and this is $398 so just wondering if anyone could give ma any advice? For the price would it be worth it for the basic use I would give it and has anyone used this Conia model or knows if it is any good? Thanks.
mddawson Posted March 12, 2006 Posted March 12, 2006 The cheaper machines all seem to have similar features and problems. The problems include: Poorly written manuals that often leave out important info. No battery backup on the clock. Limited editing features for recordings. Limited recording lengths. Clunky software that can only be reset by pulling the mains plug when unit freezes. If you are willing to put up with the limitations of the cheaper recorders then buy one, if not spend a bit more on one of the cheaper Panasonics or LGs.
pgdownload Posted March 12, 2006 Posted March 12, 2006 Hi elmo, Given you only use a VCR for 'basic use', I'm wondering if a PVR might not be a better machine to buy? The key question is do you record TV to watch and delete, or do you like keeping copies on tape/dvd for eternal use? If the former then I'd definately recomend looking at a PVR rather that a DVDR. A Wintal or Digicrystal (Strathfield) would set you back $250 and provide much better PQ and functionality than a DVDR. Regards Peter Gillespie
elmo8 Posted March 13, 2006 Author Posted March 13, 2006 Thanks for the replies. I'll definately look into the PVR at Strathfield.
elmo8 Posted March 15, 2006 Author Posted March 15, 2006 Just an update that I purchased the Conia and have been really happy with it for what I want (ie record a lot to watch back and selectively burn to DVD when needed). It is 160GB HDD but only records to +R/+RW. Would have preferred record to both - and + but for the price and the fact that I will only ever rewatch the DVD burned from it in the same unit am not too fussed about this. It is quiet and also has a timeshift function. It tuned in the TV stations available and labelled them correctly. It allows timer recordings and the manual was really easy to understand in regards to set up and how to record to HDD, edit it, and burn to DVD. It also has a DV input and USB input located on the front of the unit to allow transfer from these sources as well as standard video connector too. All up pretty happy with this for $398. It also allows you to access the HDD easily so if it needed to be replaced (or upgraded in size) you could do so easily. As I couldn't find any information on this anywhere on the net just thought I would post my experiences with it. Am having some difficulties getting used to the edit function for creating segments but hopefully will get that sorted out.
Austen Posted March 15, 2006 Posted March 15, 2006 Just an update that I purchased the Conia and have been really happy with it for what I want ................ Well done. Don't forget to report back here in a few days with a review !!! Austen. (BTW, Where did you get it from ?) A.
donlode Posted March 15, 2006 Posted March 15, 2006 (BTW, Where did you get it from ?)A. must be jb hifi, its in there catelogue!
bahman Posted March 15, 2006 Posted March 15, 2006 It is 160GB HDD but only records to +R/+RW. Would have preferred record to both - and + but for the price and the fact that I will only ever rewatch the DVD burned from it in the same unit am not too fussed about this. can't you finalise a + disc? and don't many dvd players allow you to play back + disc's as well?
Colin 2905 Posted March 15, 2006 Posted March 15, 2006 and don't many dvd players allow you to play back + disc's as well? Some players (my Voxson 250 is an example) won't even recognise DVD+R's unless they've been bitset so that they have a booktype of DVD-ROM instead of DVD+R.
aswcheng Posted March 16, 2006 Posted March 16, 2006 It is 160GB HDD but only records to +R/+RW. Would have preferred record to both - and + but for the price and the fact that I will only ever rewatch the DVD burned from it in the same unit am not too fussed about this.Are you sure about this? The printed info on the box says it can record to both +/-RW discs?Cheers, Andy
elmo8 Posted March 17, 2006 Author Posted March 17, 2006 Hi Yes bought at JB HiFi. I asked the salesperson this as the catalogue said both and he said yes. The box says + with an underscore underneath which my Dad took to mean both but the manual says it records to R+ and RW+ only. I am going to try to record to a - just to try it in case. It does finalise R+. As I am only planning on watching the DVDs I burn with it on the same machine it should be OK. Here is my mini review: Unit is slimline- same as this pic but has a harddrive- The harddrive actually has a little latch that you can unscrew and take the harddrive out of if need. On startup it does take about 10 seconds to recognise no disc is in but not too bad, once it has done this you are on main screen. Use MENU button and brings up: DVD TV/VIDEO SETUP HDD/DUB etc You can either just watch DVD, switch to live TV, or go to the HDD. When click HDD it brings up a menu screen with numbered titles and you use right button on control to go to edit screen. There you can rename the title and also change the menu title picture by going through the saved program. You can also edit it into SEGMENTS (when I overtaped something by half an hour I split into two segments and deleted the second segment). You can also edit in breaks that skip adds on the HDD (it works but it does not bring up anything to tell you it works so is frustrating as sometimes you have put the breakers in properly and sometimes you haven't- my only big complaint fingers crossed). I haven't dubbed a disk yet as have been recording in SP which is small for a 1 hour program. It records all of the standard qualities- SP, LP, EP, H etc. To record to HDD is easy. Just be on live TV, press HDD then quality button to choose quality etc and press record button. Once stop it its in HDD title menu. I do not think you can record and watch another DVD at same time but will check. Has timeshift function on Live TV but have not figured this out yet just basic pausing live TV and resuming. Not sure if it does much more that that? The inputs for back has 5.1 for sound plus Composite video, S video but I have really old TV so just using analogue. Front has input to attach VCR to dub from and DV input and USB input too. That's about it at the moment. This is my first HDD DVD recorder so still playing around with it. Am loving it! I am a compulsive taper of things that I then tape over so a HDD suits me perfectly to tape and discard when watched. I also tend to tape things I want to keep onto different parts of a tape so now can edit together and burn to one DVD. JB HiFi gave me a 5 year extended warranty for $59 extra which I took the option but the documents with the Conia just say 12 months so think the extended warranty is from JB? I need to check that out. Conia has three addresses on the documents for service centres as well and contact numbers. The manual is a little out of whack at times in that it has been translated I think and some parts you have to struggle with but nothing too hard if I can get it up and running the night I bought it. So that is the mini review. Pretty happy it has 160GB as the other 160GB I have seen on the market were just out of my price range.
aswcheng Posted March 17, 2006 Posted March 17, 2006 Good mini-review! 8-) You can also edit in breaks that skip adds on the HDD (it works but it does not bring up anything to tell you it works so is frustrating as sometimes you have put the breakers in properly and sometimes you haven't- my only big complaint fingers crossed).Does it give you any visual indication about the "deleted" bits, like using different coloured sections on an indicator bar or something?I am a compulsive taper of things that I then tape over so a HDD suits me perfectly to tape and discard when watched.Ain't we all! 8-) It sure beats the old VCR...It this unit has front S-Video input, I would be very tempted to return my Coles unit and get this instead. Any chance that you can post an image of the back panel? Cheers.
elmo8 Posted March 21, 2006 Author Posted March 21, 2006 Hi aswcheng. Sorry, forgot to check this forum again! I am not sure about the front S video input. I can take a digital photo of the back for you if you would like. I am pretty sure it has all of the back inputs you were asking, S video, YUV etc as there are a LOT of inputs on the back. Has 5.1 audio as well. As for the front it has the yellow, red, and white connectors and then a DV and USB. (Sorry, not very technical!). Will see about getting that photo and will post it here when I get it.
aswcheng Posted March 21, 2006 Posted March 21, 2006 I am not sure about the front S video input.That's OK. I know that this unit does not have front S-Video input. Just cannot remember exactly what it has at the back. 8-)Will see about getting that photo and will post it here when I get it.Thanks, but please don't go through too much trouble for this. Only do it if you have a digital camera handy.Cheers.
elmo8 Posted March 23, 2006 Author Posted March 23, 2006 No probs. Forgot to take a picture but had a PM asking me to scan the manual. Happy to try to do something like this so wil see about it on the weekend.
physwizz Posted March 25, 2006 Posted March 25, 2006 I had a look at this one at JB hi fi. It looks like it's got s video input, composite input AND COMPONENT input. Would that mean it would take the Hi Definition component from my HD STB and down convert it to SD before it saves to hard disk or dvd?
sparhawk Posted April 2, 2006 Posted April 2, 2006 (edited) Hi All, Bought the unit last week. DV input from my Video Camera works, Timeshift is great. Plays DivX Avi files fine. I just need to play around with authoring & burning DVD's and I will post an update review with more details. Edited April 2, 2006 by sparhawk
mddawson Posted April 2, 2006 Posted April 2, 2006 I had a look at this one at JB hi fi.It looks like it's got s video input, composite input AND COMPONENT input. Would that mean it would take the Hi Definition component from my HD STB and down convert it to SD before it saves to hard disk or dvd? I think the unit would not recognize the HD signal. It would need to be down coverted to 576i by the STB to be recorded.
Guest anatech Posted April 5, 2006 Posted April 5, 2006 hi folks, well i have been reading this forum for quite a long time now and was a member under a different name but its been a while since i posted here and cant for the life of me remember my user or loggon name so i re-signed up because i have a different isp aswell and didnt write down the detailes of my old account ( teach myself a lesson ) well enough of that and on to why im posting here ? i was interested in getting the conia hdd dvd recorder and thought i would check to see if anyone had a review on this site and found this thread with a good report so far, the one i was looking at is being advertised at jb hi-fi ( i think its them ) for $395 ( yet again rough guess, but close ) and like the starter of this thread -- elmo8 - -- i thought i might just risk it seeing the price isnt that dear considering what the average price for a unit like this would cost from a know brand company but then i stumbled upon this site in sydney and not to far from where i live ( well sort of ) i thought i will get it at their price because if the unit performs like the one elmo8 reviewed and tested here sofar and it lives up to expectations its well worth it also considering a 160gb hdd and burner would probably cost the same without the caseing and software and functionality of this unit. about whether it will record to dvd- and dvd+ i will believe - elmo8 - since he has one already but the documents and advertising from jb hi-fi and this other company suggest it will write to both formats, but that is of no consequence to me since all my gear plays both anyway and friends i have given discs to of both formats dont seen to have a problem with either standard aswell. anyway here is the web site selling this unit for only $199, kind of makes me paranoid why its selling for half the price its beeing advertised elsewhere when it has only recently come onto the market but as i say , if it performs like elmo8 said it is a bargain not to miss. http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/cart.php?m=p...t_detail&p=1650 ( i hope posting this link is ok ) right, -- now i have given out the web site i better get an order in quick seeing they say they only have a limited supply left ( yeah ive heard that before ) and dont want to miss out because i gave the heads up to all here and loose out myself. one more thing, - im not advertising for this web site and have nothing to do with them i just seen a bargin and thought i would share the info with all here since i never have posted much here in the past but i got a lot of good info from here and though i would do all a favour in return. ( thats if anyone is interested in getting one of these that is ) i will post again when i pick it up and test it out to let you all know how it performs.
obliviON Posted April 5, 2006 Posted April 5, 2006 anyway here is the web site selling this unit for only $199, kind of makes me paranoid why its selling for half the price its beeing advertised elsewhere when it has only recently come onto the market but as i say , if it performs like elmo8 said it is a bargain not to miss.http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/cart.php?m=p...t_detail&p=1650 ( i hope posting this link is ok ) right, -- now i have given out the web site i better get an order in quick seeing they say they only have a limited supply left ( yeah ive heard that before ) and dont want to miss out because i gave the heads up to all here and loose out myself. one more thing, - im not advertising for this web site and have nothing to do with them i just seen a bargin and thought i would share the info with all here since i never have posted much here in the past but i got a lot of good info from here and though i would do all a favour in return. ( thats if anyone is interested in getting one of these that is ) i will post again when i pick it up and test it out to let you all know how it performs. Are you sure that is the same unit? I don't think the one you linked has a HDD.
Guest anatech Posted April 5, 2006 Posted April 5, 2006 awww ! fiddily gibblets ! i think your right, i jumped the gun there i suppose. i got so excited about seeing the price i didnt pay to much attention to the fact that its only a dvd recorder-- my bad. sorry for the long winded post then for a false alarm, but i will ring the site tomorrow just to be sure but i dont have a good feeling it will be the same. oh well i guess i will go down to jb and sus out the one they advertise and then make up my mind.
Paul58 Posted April 8, 2006 Posted April 8, 2006 Hi, bits you may want to know about the Conia 160 HDD recorder. Yes it does record RW- disks. When you're going to dub make sure as soon as you press HDD/Dub key that you then press timeshift to switch it off or the disk will be ruined. Dubbing is usually done around 8x speed, so a 120min recording should take around 15minutes. If you're still dubbing two hours later your disk has been stuffed by timeshift. If you going to record then transfer to disk make sure that the compressions match. If you recorded on SP+ and the display says SP for the disk, you need to change it to SP+ before you put in the disk or you will only be able to record SP onto that disk. You can't change the disk format once you put the disk in. Display yes, format no. In Set up the compression setting seems to only apply to the HDD. From memory the disk remains at what it was the previous time. The greatest amount of thought required is when dubbing. I've created quite a few coasters from disks as well as having to power off to regain control, atleast untill I got to know it's quirks. When you record on a disk the main menu display is self promotion, Conia etc. You can't get rid of it. Personally it puts people off. On power loss you will have to reset the time. Thankfully it keeps everything else (Stupid I know, how hard would it have been to keep the time). Oh' there is no indication so you have take notice that the time has changed. The small blue display being hard to read. The dates are yank based so everything is the wrong way round. It is badly programed and has bugs. Ie; the first unit I got had lots of bugs so I swapped it, this one has others, such as when it boots it doesn't go to the tuner it go's to disk. You can't chapter the HDD disk so you always have to start again and work upto where you left of if you pressed stop. The timeshift function is a waste of time. You can't permanently switch it off. From what I've noticed it seems to be the cause of most it's quirks. The display always keeps comming up, say when you change channels etc and hangs around for 20 or so seconds taking up too much of the screen for that time. Can be annoying. Hopefully one day if at all possible for this unit there may be a programming upgrade. If you get an occaional squeel try running the unit on it's side for a little while, it seems to have cured mine. I don't remember if it came from the HDD or the disk. At the end of the day it walks all over VCR, as such, I wouldn't go back to a VCR and although I wouldn't buy a Conia again, for the practicallity of a recoder with a HDD I actually contemplated buying another one. You should be able to get it for around $365 from JB and for that money, it's worth it, ones you get used to it's quirks.,
sparhawk Posted April 10, 2006 Posted April 10, 2006 I have tried the unit with both DVD+ and DVD- blank media. It works fine with DVD+, but does not recognise DVD- as a valid media. I have had no problem reading a finaslized blank DVD- disk.
Igster Posted April 13, 2006 Posted April 13, 2006 The model of the Conia DVD Recorder with HDD being discussed is MR1601HD. Does anyone know how to unlock it so that it will play DVD's from other regions? I've searched the web & found unlock codes for many other Conia DVD recorders but not for this model.
Guest digipal Posted April 21, 2006 Posted April 21, 2006 I have just purched a MR1601HD and as advised by the sales staff at JB-HiFi to do an internet search for the multi region hack (how gulible was I). None currently exists on any search engines. So I decided to email support@pebble-ltd.com.au that was over a week ago and no response. Today I telephoned their Support centre to get a recorded message, I have tried on and off most of the day to actually realise that the line is unmanned and never will you get a person on the other end. Anyway, I have left a message for them to make contact with me not holding my breath...... I have a good mind on returning the unit to the store I purchased it at. As a last resort does anyone have the unlock sequence and code required for this unit..... Cheers Steven
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