[infiniteboom]

I bought this from Argos yesterday as I wanted a simpler and more family-friendly solution to TV recording. I currently record on my Mac using the brilliant EyeTV then burn to DVD-RW but this is a hassle. My current Freeview box on the TV is the Sony one that is superb and seems to be a bit of a legend among set top boxes.

The Hitachi was easy to set up and all seemed to be great. Guide was easy to use, in fact it all seemed too good to be true for £99. Which it was! Having used it for only half an hour, I instantly noticed the picture quality wasn't as good as my Sony - snooker balls for instance had jagged edges which is the most obvious example. Other channels just didn't seem as clean as the Sony either. And then the picture froze for no reason and I had to power it off and on again. It did this again a few minutes later so it's going back tomorrow. Shame is it's a nicely built box and has no fan so is very quiet.

Just thought I'd add this information as I couldn't find much info about the box before buying it. Hitachi's web site doesn't even mention it.

[paulthepostie]

does anyone know if there is any updates due for this model
was wondering if series link was going to be added

[futaura]

Originally Posted by infiniteboom

I bought this from Argos yesterday as I wanted a simpler and more family-friendly solution to TV recording. I currently record on my Mac using the brilliant EyeTV then burn to DVD-RW but this is a hassle. My current Freeview box on the TV is the Sony one that is superb and seems to be a bit of a legend among set top boxes.

The Hitachi was easy to set up and all seemed to be great. Guide was easy to use, in fact it all seemed too good to be true for £99. Which it was! Having used it for only half an hour, I instantly noticed the picture quality wasn't as good as my Sony - snooker balls for instance had jagged edges which is the most obvious example. Other channels just didn't seem as clean as the Sony either. And then the picture froze for no reason and I had to power it off and on again. It did this again a few minutes later so it's going back tomorrow. Shame is it's a nicely built box and has no fan so is very quiet.

Just thought I'd add this information as I couldn't find much info about the box before buying it. Hitachi's web site doesn't even mention it.

Probably because Hitachi don't make it . Not sure who provides support for it - Argos (if they are just badging) or Hitachi. You didn't mean the HDR082 though, did you? The HDR081 is an old model, and more commonly known as a Vestel T816, whereas the HDR082 is a Vestel T825.

[futaura]

Originally Posted by paulthepostie

does anyone know if there is any updates due for this model
was wondering if series link was going to be added

The HDR082 has series link, but the HDR081 is never going to get any updates to provide that functionality . The latest software shipped on the HDR081 was either v3.7 or v4.7.

[creddish]

Originally Posted by futaura

Probably because Hitachi don't make it . Not sure who provides support for it - Argos (if they are just badging) or Hitachi. You didn't mean the HDR082 though, did you? The HDR081 is an old model, and more commonly known as a Vestel T816, whereas the HDR082 is a Vestel T825.

I didn't realise the Hitachi HDR082 (and presumably the HDR162 also?) were T825 hardware versions. Argos don't mention Series Link in the description. I thought the Digihomes were the only T825 units in stock at Argos just now but from what you say that makes the Hitachi units available also. The Digihomes are cheaper though.

Colin

[futaura]

Originally Posted by creddish

I didn't realise the Hitachi HDR082 (and presumably the HDR162 also?) were T825 hardware versions. Argos don't mention Series Link in the description. I thought the Digihomes were the only T825 units in stock at Argos just now but from what you say that makes the Hitachi units available also. The Digihomes are cheaper though.

Actually, you're right - I don't think any HDR082/162 owners have come forward to confirm if those units are T816 or T825. However, I strongly suspect they are T825 for 2 reasons: 1) The HDR081->HDR082 / HDR161->HDR162 model number change and 2) AFAIK, all development on the T816 ceased some weeks ago, and it's likely no new T816 based units are being made by Vestel, with all production shifted to the T825.

[creddish]

Originally Posted by futaura

Actually, you're right - I don't think any HDR082/162 owners have come forward to confirm if those units are T816 or T825. However, I strongly suspect they are T825 for 2 reasons: 1) The HDR081->HDR082 / HDR161->HDR162 model number change and 2) AFAIK, all development on the T816 ceased some weeks ago, and it's likely no new T816 based units are being made by Vestel, with all production shifted to the T825.

I think you mean I "may" be right ? I guess neither of us are sure but I think you are most likely to be right. I have the Hitachi HDR161 which I purchased in Nov 2007 which is consistent with it being a T816. But as you say one would expect a model number increment to mean a hardware change.

Colin

[PTD]

Originally Posted by creddish

I think you mean I "may" be right ? I guess neither of us are sure but I think you are most likely to be right. I have the Hitachi HDR161 which I purchased in Nov 2007 which is consistent with it being a T816. But as you say one would expect a model number increment to mean a hardware change.

Colin

I just took it that 1 & 2 implied FP group 1 & 2. Perhaps the new hardware copes with the group 2 features better, or will do when they get it right.

[creddish]

Originally Posted by PTD

I just took it that 1 & 2 implied FP group 1 & 2. Perhaps the new hardware copes with the group 2 features better, or will do when they get it right.

1 & 2 could mean that, as you say, but my money is on futaura's reasoning that 2 means T825.

By "new hardware" presumably you mean the "Low Power CI slot"hardware?

Colin

[Barry]

Whilst off topic slightly...

The Hitachi HDR082 has been reduced to £69.99

Link to Argos

[sirog]

looking for somethingsiple for my mum and dad will this be ok and is the fan quiet

[sirog]

sorry my bad typing should have said somrthing simple for my mum and dad

[sirog]

Will stay off the beer at this time of day

Something simple for my mum and dad

[PTD]

Originally Posted by creddish

1 & 2 could mean that, as you say, but my money is on futaura's reasoning that 2 means T825.

By "new hardware" presumably you mean the "Low Power CI slot"hardware?

Colin

Erm no, to be honest I forget what I had in mind now . I think I was thinking of the T825 maybe having improved memory or speed in view of the search demands for series record. Not something reflected in the current firmware, though maybe it's considerably worse on Sharp's T816 version.

[creddish]

Originally Posted by sirog

Will stay off the beer at this time of day

Something simple for my mum and dad

The Vestel units of which the Hitachi is an example has one of the best user interfaces of any IMO. Like all PVRs it is necessary for the user to know what to do if the unit triggers a bug as all PVRs do on occasions.

Colin

[PVR101]

Well I reserved the Hitachi HDR082 from Argos yesterday and my wife picked it up today.
Be warned if you order this that she was given the older model (HDR081)which for £69.99 is still great and im well pleased.
Havent had time to try it yet as my wife's gone to work and left the old PVR101 setup to tape Corra etc.
Now do I just swap it over and tell her the PVR101 failed to record (many of you on here would not beleive this could possibly happen on this model I know)
or do I wait till she has watched them

[creddish]

Originally Posted by PVR101

Well I reserved the Hitachi HDR082 from Argos yesterday and my wife picked it up today.
Be warned if you order this that she was given the older model (HDR081)which for £69.99 is still great and im well pleased.
Havent had time to try it yet as my wife's gone to work and left the old PVR101 setup to tape Corra etc.
Now do I just swap it over and tell her the PVR101 failed to record (many of you on here would not beleive this could possibly happen on this model I know)
or do I wait till she has watched them

Why not keep them both connected? Feed the Scart output from the PVR101 to the VCR input of the Hitachi and use the AUX button on the Hitachi Remote to switch between the two. I do exactly this with my PVR801 and my Hitachi HDR161. You can always use the PVR101 as a backup.

Colin

[PVR101]

Colin I have room in the unit so can fit them in together.
Thanks remember reading your previous posts re using youre PV101 as backup so will happily take your advise

[PTD]

Originally Posted by PVR101

Colin I have room in the unit so can fit them in together.
Thanks remember reading your previous posts re using youre PV101 as backup so will happily take your advise

I think it's probably had lots of people's back up.

[creddish]

Originally Posted by PTD

I think it's probably had lots of people's back up.

LOL. Chuckle, Chuckle.

Colin

[creddish]

Is anyone sure that the Hitachi HDR082 or the HDR162 are actually on sale at Argos or anywhere else for that matter. There has been quite a bit of discussion about them on DS and AV Forums but I can't recall seeing a post from anyone who has actually bought one?

There has been posts (e.g. from PVR101 above) from prospective purchasers who have been offered the HDR081 under the Argos catalogue number 532/1117 which is described on the link here as the Hitachi HDR082 DTR but the features described on the link match those for the HDR081 and do not include the expected Series Link feature of the HDR082. The image looks like a T816 Hitachi unit rather than any images of the T825 I have seen.

Is it likely that Argos have never has any HDR082 or HDR162 units in stock or that they don't exist?

Colin

[futaura]

Originally Posted by creddish

Is anyone sure that the Hitachi HDR082 or the HDR162 are actually on sale at Argos or anywhere else for that matter. There has been quite a bit of discussion about them on DS and AV Forums but I can't recall seeing a post from anyone who has actually bought one?

There has been posts (e.g. from PVR101 above) from prospective purchasers who have been offered the HDR081 under the Argos catalogue number 532/1117 which is described on the link here as the Hitachi HDR082 DTR but the features described on the link match those for the HDR081 and do not include the expected Series Link feature of the HDR082. The image looks like a T816 Hitachi unit rather than any images of the T825 I have seen.

Is it likely that Argos have never has any HDR082 or HDR162 units in stock or that they don't exist?

Entirely possible Argos haven't had any stock yet, I'd say - maybe the Hitachi version is going to take the low power option, for example. Don't pay too much attention to the chassis design/look though, because that is completely independent of the hardware inside. For example, I perhaps have the only T816 that looks exactly like an old-style T810 Digihome PVR80 . It's possible that the HDR082 may look exactly the same as the HDR081 on the exterior.

[ethel_wombat]

Originally Posted by Barry

Whilst off topic slightly...

The Hitachi HDR082 has been reduced to £69.99

Link to Argos

Unfortunately not - it;s the HDR081 that has been reduced to £69.99, its just that Argos reuse the same catalogue number when they get an upgraded version of an item.

I doubt if any that are for sale at £69.99 will turn out to be HDR082

[creddish]

Originally Posted by ethel_wombat

Unfortunately not - it;s the HDR081 that has been reduced to £69.99, its just that Argos reuse the same catalogue number when they get an upgraded version of an item.

Do you know this as a matter of fact? Or are you like the rest of making a reasonable assumption? This may be a genuine mistake by Argos but if there really is an HDR082 which is different from the HDR081 then they are deceiving the public by offering a different product to the one they are advertising. The website clearly states that it is an Hitachi HDR082 DTR for sale at £69.99.

I doubt if any that are for sale at £69.99 will turn out to be HDR082

I share your doubt.

Colin

[screeched]

I also picked one of these up from argos yesterday and it turned out to be the 081. I pointed it out to them and got them to check all the ones they had in stock, which all turned out to be HDR081 units. They did say that sometimes they are sent 'alternatives' to their stock but it usually says on the till if it is - this didn't. They then rang up 'Store Support' who were equally confused as to why the website said 082 and the product 081. They did offer to ring other stores for me to find a 082 but quite frankly I didn't have the time. Anyway, as it is excluded from their 30 day return policy, they wrote me out a note saying if I didn't like it, or it didn't do everything I wanted it to do, then I could return it as it was a different model number to that advertised.

I too suspect the 082 is a marketing 'typo' on their website now.

Anyway, the interface on the 081 is spot on for the people I was buying it for, but it does lack series link. Contrary to what is posted above, I find the picture quality far far better than the integrated freeview tuner in the tv, especially as this is in a low signal area.