Digifusion: FVRT200

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Dan, Dorset on November 14th, 2009
we have had ours for about 5 years or so. it was in daily use for about 3 years. it still works perfectly. the power supply broke when it was a year or so old but it was replaced and hasnt gone since. it has never lost a recording or had any other problems. 80gb might not seem like much nowadays, when compaired to our 300gb sky hd box downstairs. but for recording sd tv its is plently. i heard somewhere that loss of recordings is caused when compression is enabled on any of the recordings. none of ours are compressed. the remote is decent, i have definatly come across cheaper ones. and the menus are definatly better than the ones found on most freeveiw boxes

Alan, Northampton on October 4th, 2009
The Digifusion FVRT200 is easy to use, and gives great recordings, but really it's not reliable. We've lost the entire recorded library twice in the last year - it just disappeared overnight - and the machine hangs quite often, always after an overnight update. We've just lost the recorded library for the third time, but this time it's the hard disk that has failed. Of course it's out of warranty, but it's easy enough to replace the disk, so we are still using the recorder, but it's definitely not to be trusted.

Gary on September 6th, 2009
I used my FVRT 200 for about 6 months and all of a sudden it started taking forever to do anything. Even going up and down a channel took 30 seconds. The guide comes on about 5 minutes after you press the button. Unfortunately I stopped using it forgot about it and its now out of warranty. Is this a problem with out of date software ?

Steve, Buckinghamshire on August 5th, 2009
I am surprised to see so many negative comments. I suppose happy users do not bother to write. I have had my FVRT150 for about two years. I think it's great, and in all that time I have had perhaps two freezes and no data loss.

Chris, Wrexham on January 24th, 2009
I bought a digifusion fvrt 200, second hand, about a year ago and have to say that generally this has been a great machine. Last week, the sound has gone very faint, both when watching live tv through the digibox and watching recorded programmes. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to cure this problem?

Linda, Hull on December 1st, 2008
I have had the FVRT200 for nearly 3 years now and have been really happy with it. It has frozen up 2 or 3 times and lost programming. But hey its no different from any computer that freezes up from time to time. But on the whole I find it very reliable and I've certainly had my moneys worth. It works well with my Samsung LCD freeview tv as I can record 2 programmes and watch digital tv at the same time at no extra cost, fab! The annoying thing about it is that you can't see or hear the telly when viewing the tv guide or programming and of course it doesn't do series link recording. But other than that I cannot really knock it. Just hoped I've not jinxed it by putting this review on.

Peter, Oxford on January 10th, 2008
I commented here on October 31 2005 when I had recently bought the FVRT200, and now that I've owned it for over two years I'd like to update my review. In short, it's been brilliant! We use it daily and it has transformed our viewing habits. It has only encountered problems twice, when a simple power off/on has restarted it. Otherwise we have frequently recorded on both tuners simultaneously, watched playback while recording another programme, used it in chase play etc. etc. It gives a better playback picture quality than our Sony DVD purchased at the same time, and the various aspect ratios etc. work fine with our Panasonic TV, the TV automatically changes ratio when the Digifusion box is selected/turned on. I still hate the hideous screen colours - really stupid, and I find the remote pretty cheap and nasty too. Both things I can live with though. The only thing I would suggest is keeping the amount of recorded material to less than half the disk capacity. The times it froze for me was when the disk was over half full, and I have read other reviewers comments that suggest it isn't as reliable once the disk fills up. Again, this isn't a problem for me, it imposes a useful discipline to watch and clear off stuff I've recorded. I heard recently that this product is no longer made, which is a pity, as it's been fantastic. (Fingers crossed that this review doesn't jinx things and it gives me trouble-free service in the future!)

Baz, Northants on November 25th, 2007
I have owned my FVRT200 for about 18 months now and in that time its fair to say that I have had a few issues with it locking up, the HDD becoming full but on the whole it is generally quite reliable, and has seemed in some ways to get more reliable as it has got older, whether this is due to software upgrades that are transmitted though the night I don't know. What I do know though is that having brought a Thomson DTR6300 the other day as a present for the parents and then took it more or less straight back for a refund due to a number of issues with it (jittery pic, live and on playback, buttons on the box itself that stick in, and out of focus menu screens) I have come to the conclusion that The FVRT200 is far better in the areas that count.

Chaz B, Wilts on June 23rd, 2007
I'm about to return my second one. Both have wiped out all the programs I had stored and I can't get colour through the AV socket. If only they got it right as it could be a good system. My money is coming back so I'm on the look out for something similar.

Don Smith, Burton on Trent on June 14th, 2007
I bought the Digifusion FVRT200 two years ago. Took it back the next day because of total errors on second tuner. Curry's replaced it the next day. The replacement worked for about a week and then took over a minute to execute any of the requests from the remote. Eventually it started freezing. Curry's replaced it the next day. This one worked well for about six months with just the occasional freeze, mostly around 0300 in the morning. Figuring it had a cheep power supply I suspected a dirty mains supply (I live on a canal boat) so I ran it on a modified sine wave inverter. It still kept freezing but now it became random. Powered it via a timer switch so that it would reboot at 0400 every morning which allowed the recording of early morning programs before I got up. And then the freezing started to erase the hard drive. Took the thing to pieces, took out the HDD and fitted it into my PC as a slave drive. The rest is junk and I would never touch another Digifusion. I now have the Humax 9200, far superior. I have noticed a great many Digifusion PVR's in a local Pound Stretcher Shop! but none in Curry's

John, Wokingham on June 9th, 2007
Bought this nearly-new on eBay. Lasted about two months, noisy, but otherwise no problems except it often chopped the last minute from recordings. However last week it started freezing, fixed this a few times by rebooting, but today it froze permanently and I've just binned it. Avoid!!!!!!!!!!

Jason, Newcastle under Lyme on April 5th, 2007
Had the unit for approximately 16 months. Good sound and picture. ITV2 aspect ratio was fixed with an overnight update but since a reformat following a system lockup 4 months ago it has failed to update itself again. Has locked up and cleared the library twice so far - seems to be a link with using the long play facility. Planning to replace with a Humax in the near future.

Dave, Guildford on March 25th, 2007
After my previous posting(s) the FVRT200 finally became totally erratic, and I managed to get it back to Dixons just in time to get a replacement machine. The replacement, a Humax 9200 was highly recommended. About the only good thing about it is that it actually works. The user interface is absolutely rubbish, and when the clocks change, as on 24-25th March it doesn't record scheduled programmes. I couldn't understand why reviewers said the Digifusion was so good - although with a simplistic interface. Technically the Humax is better, and it is a quieter machine, but the interface is poor. OK - one of my friends says that it is better than his VCR interface, and when I say that the interface is poor he reiterates his statement. That VCR interface must be really dreadful. There is very inconsistent use of keys on the Humax. Sometimes one has to press Exit to return, and sometimes simply toggle the key already pressed. I think an HCI specialist could write a PhD about how poor this user interface is - though there may be others which are worse - sadly. I'd like a machine with a good interface - such as the Digifusion mostly had, but with technical reliability, which so far the Humax has demonstrated. Sadly I'll have to downgrade my recommendation for the Digifusion, because of reliability issues. I don't know what has happened to the company (Digifusion) - if they can overcome the reliability problems, they could otherwise wipe out the opposition.

Andy, Malvern on February 20th, 2007
Stopped working after 15 months use with PLS WAIT displayed. Have 5 amp power input so dont belive this is the problem. Before it went I was very pleased with it. Sadly once broken its about as much use as a SKY+ Digibox.

John Bx, Barnet on February 18th, 2007
It's cute when it works but it's buggy. Every few months the software corrupts the library - your recordings disappear, and the display shows "197% free space". Whatever is going on in the library takes 99% of the processing capacity of the box - no only can't you record, but every command takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r: literally hundreds of times longer than it ought to take. My first box did this and went back to manufacturers - now replacement has gone the same way. Don't buy this, spend a bit more and get something better engineered.

Colin, Suffolk on February 3rd, 2007
Had my FVRT200 for about 16 months. It HAS changed the way we watch TV - we now rarely watch anything "live" (so we can skip the ads and plan our own schedule). The unit very occasionally freezes, but switching off the mains for a few seconds cures it and all is then well. Great bit of kit and if you CAN get one for £80 off eBay with a warranty I'd say go for it.

Alastair on January 23rd, 2007
I bought the FVRT 200 and i can't get it to switch on since i had to unplug it. Should i just go out and buy the 5amp fuse? Can anyone help?

Boyoo, Cardiff on January 9th, 2007
Had my machine FVRT200 for just under a year Dec 2005. Box froze and locked up so I was sent a replacement 5Amp power supply. The problem was not resolved so it was set back to Digifusion as the hard drive had failed. When I sent it back it took them two weeks to tell me they had received my box and send out a replacement when I sent it to them first class recorded. I was told they had been busy over Christmas probably replacing units!! Finally got my replacement with new 5Amp power supply. It worked for three days before having problems with the EPG running over night. The box works fine until the EPG running and then the next morning the unit is slow to respond. I phoned them several times about this and try different methods of resetting the unit. But every time you do you lose your recordings and schedule recordings. I was then told to check my signal on channel 300 4TVinteractive was between 70%-87%. Any higher or lower and you will get problems with EPG. My signal was between 75-79% and I never had a problem with my old box for 10 months!! I asked if i could delete the channel and manually program but this can't be done. I have been told there will be a software update Jan 07 for the FVRT200. But I will be surprised if this works!!! I have lost confidence in the machine and bought a Humax 9200. This is a much better unit it works!!!! The FVRT200 was great until it fail and the customer service is not the best. If you really want a FVRT200 you can get them on ebay for around £80. £100 cheaper than retail.

T J North West on January 6th, 2007
Had a FVRT100 for over 2 years and the hard drive failed Oh! and 3 PSUs Replaced with FVRT200 but dumped the Maxtor HDD and replaced with a 160gb western digital so far so good. Tried a Proline PVR but didn't compare with the digifusion so I took it back lets hope this is as good as the last one!!!

Darrell, Sheffield on January 6th, 2007
I am on to my third replacement of this item previous 2 have had hard drive failure. Lets hope this one lasts out glad they have given another 12 month warranty. The unit itself is excellent just think digifusion where using an inferior hard drive.

mark. tyne and wear on January 6th, 2007
purchased the fvrt200 in august 2005 fantastic for first 15 months, last few months it's died on it's arse, hope it's got a 2 year guarantee or i'm screwed.

PaulR, Hampshire on December 19th, 2006
Just experienced a hang that wasn't fixed by the usual power off & on again. But... a format of the hard drive seems to have done the trick (PIN=1111 by default) - watch this space. Overall, the box is a bit noisy, I've had to replace the PSU and frankly the usability of the menu system could be better. I was thinking of upgrading the disk size, but I'm a little worried now if this would be good money after bad?

arthur, trowbridge on December 17th, 2006
Is it posssible to end a recording early without losing the whole recording ? STOP just deletes the recording.

Alan Arnold, Horsham on December 7th, 2006
Received my FVRT200 today and the unit wouldnt even switch on!! the front panel lights illuminate but thats as far as it goes. manufacturer said to send it back, Grrr

Keith McD, East London on December 4th, 2006
Update on the FVRT200 - I have had this unit for a while now and it is still brilliant. I solved the problem with the fan noise by removing it and have had no trouble (unit sits on a glass shelf). Power supply failed, but I got a new one. Still recommend this as an excellent buy.

Dave, Guildford on November 26th, 2006
We've had our FVRT200 box for about 8 months now. It's failed a few times - usually when nearly full, and I contemplated taking it back for a refund. Usually resetting it works though - but loses stored programmes. However reverting to older forms of video playback is just too painful, so we've kept it. It beats the heck out of standard video and DVD recorders for time shifting. The one thing I really have never managed to get to work is the One Touch Recording. It says in the manual that this only works for programmes which are in the EPG, but I've never got it to work for any programme. Has anyone else?

Mr. R. Moyes on November 4th, 2006
As a previous owner of a FVRT100 which failed soon after purchase I was chary at VRT200 but as it was offering the only available twin tuner twin record facility I went ahead anyway. I've been using it now for some 6 months or so with no problems whatsoever, apart from the fact that upon the introduction of the new channels 35 and 36 (Five Life and Five US) I cannot get any info via the programme guide. I have on three occasions now left the equipment on all night to download what was available but still no guide for these two channels. I have emailed Digifusion but they fail to respond. Other equipment I have SAGEM, Panasonic and PACE all give programme info on these channels so I cannot work out why Digifusion has failed. R. Moyes

Darrell /Sheffield on October 24th, 2006
Have had 2 of these digifusion fvrt200 in 8 months they are a great box but they have got a problem with locking up. Waiting for the 3rd to arrive see how long this lasts if could find out what was happening when the warranty runs out could still get it repaired. Shame something so good could not be made to be more reliable.

Frank, HOOK on October 21st, 2006
Freeview EPG does not show programme schedules for some channels. So programme can be watched, but not recorded. Programme schedules can be seen on other STBs

steve jones liverpool on October 21st, 2006
i had a 200 for nearly a year, it was fine til the power supply broke. i got a new one from digidave and every thing was well. til last week it just failed to work. i was not happy so i have now put it in the bin and bought my self a sony hard drive dvd recorder which so far is great....... lets hope i get my moneys worth....

Geoff, Midlands on October 18th, 2006
I have to agree that this has been a good unit for the last 10 months, but I have also had major issues with the remote taking 10 to 60 seconds control the unit. Digifusion have advised me to re-format the disk which has not helped and they now advise me to return it to the retailer. I am currently wonderering which unit I should replace it with.

Ian, Hereford on October 10th, 2006
Just returning second unit. The first lasted just one month, this one six. When working this product is good, easy to programme and gives a good picture. However, reliability is the big issue as it locked up with increasing frequency before offering up no more than a weak 'Please Wait' message. If they could sort this out then I'd be happy, but until they do I'm getting something else.

Generous Dave, London on September 26th, 2006
I've owned the FVRT200 for just under a year and I have to say it worked perfectly for 99% of the time but recently it has started to 'ignore' the remote control, which means a full reset. This unfortunately loses your library, very annoying! The problem has returned and i'm just glad its still in its first year warranty so will be replacing it with a Humax PVR9200T instead.

Dave, Wiltshire on September 17th, 2006
Normally works very well with a good quality picture. It was purchased because it had two digital tuners and a HDD and neither facility has disappointed. However, the HDD has wiped the library recordings twice now. First time mostly SP recordings and the second mainly LP. On several occasions it has also stopped responding to both the front panel and remote control, which can only be rectified by turning off at the mains. Other issues, the ESG format is horrible especially when compared to the one on my Sony TV. I had set the TV channels, in a slightly different order and also blanked out numerous channels which I never watch. I therefore wanted to setup the FVRT 200 exactly the same. You can do this but it keeps the original channel number. This is a major frustration. Setting say BBC3 to channel 12 on the TV, you quickly go to the FRT 200 guide to set up the recording but pressing Channel 12 will not zip you striaght to BBC3. You have to trudge through the menu mannually or remember a different channel number. Absolute pain, when your going out and you want to set it to record quickly.

James, Cambridge on August 11th, 2006
There is an issue with the digifusion boxes which they will not admit to. The power unit is underrated for the device and slowly over time kills the harddisk drive controller. As this happens you tend to find that the box gradually gets less and less reliable untill eventually the user interface is like swimming through treacle and recordings no longer work. To resolve this you need to buy a 5amp power supply (this can be found in many places on the web). This power supply is rated correctly and prevents damage to the device. If you are already experiancing the swimming through treacle UI then you need a new hard disk drive too. This a standard computer hardrive and very easy to fit. I made this upgrade to my FVRT150 about a year ago after the swimming in treacle issue started and have not a single crash, reboot, loss of library since. Into the bargin I popped in a 120GB drive rather than the standared 80Gb one. This is as large as the box can handle and gives you a bit more storage space. Hope this helps anyone who has issues.

Andrew, Telford on July 31st, 2006
I brought the FVRT 200 from Maples following purchsing another unit which gave nothing but trouble. The FVRT 200 is great, All the Freeview channels and being able to record 1 channel whilst watching another also being able to freeze a program while answering the phone or getting a cup of tea. The only down side is not being able to get Topup TV as an option.

Simon M, Selsey on July 20th, 2006
I've had the FVRT200 for 6 months. IT has frozen a few times and needed a power cycle. Its also a bit slow...but now I think the harddisk has failed as every time its switched on it enters setup. All my recordings have vanished from the hard disk along with all the recordings I'd setup for the rest of the week ... will be looking for money back and finding a more reliable machine!

Allan Brewer, Bristol, UK on July 19th, 2006
I had bad problems with "sticky toffee" i.e. going chronically slowly or freezing up. A new power supply did NOT make a difference. However with the LID OFF the pvr runs perfectly - up for weeks with loads of activity all through this hot summer weather. Clearly design fault on ventilation, but I forgive them because of the wonderful functionality when its reliable as now.

Kevin Taylor, Norwich on July 18th, 2006
On my second fvrt200. Having problems with the box being very slow to respond to any commands from the remote. First box was fine for three months,box number two lasted a day before going slow. Shame because the box is great to look at and very easy to use.

Douglas, Telford on July 16th, 2006
I am on my second unit. The first went to the Blue screen. I like the unit because it is so easy to use, and so have now got a replacement.