[access-uk] Re: TVonics - Amy On Strike!

  • From: Mobeen Iqbal <mobeeniqbal@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2012 23:23:03 +0100

arg! i wish i'd bought the Z500HD now! i managed to get hold of a 500HD a few weeks ago, and i've never seen anything designed like that. It looks like a skateboard gone wrong! At least it has a display though, i just hope it outputs useful information to someone sighted. They should've stuck to a conventional design. other manufacturers have and its not been a problem for them. anyone fancy swapping for a Z500HD? hahahaha just asking. i can't return this as it was a private sale between individuals and not from a company. ah well, at least the thing works and records, i haven't experienced much stuttering since i replaced the hard drive though i haven't tried recording 1 channel, watching another, and using speech yet. As someone said, these were built not with premium quality in mind but with components which may possibly have been classed as low grade, the hitachi hard drives for a start! rant over... 


all the best,

Mo.

On 12/07/2012 21:33, John Land wrote:
The best of luck Ibrahim, unlike the Humax pvr's, these units have been put together with built-in obsolescence in mind; and not for those of us who take so much time and trouble in getting things right and valuing the few products that we can use straight out of the box! the speach is a bit hesitant on both of my boxes, so I'll be interested to know how you get on. I'm sure you know, as well as I do, not to expect too much on a long-term basis. 
Good Luck,
John
----- Original Message ----- From: "Ibrahim Gucukoglu" <ibrahim_gucukoglu@xxxxxxxx> 
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2012 1:59 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: TVonics - Amy On Strike!



Hi John.
I've been doing some research on the two models as I've had a lot of confusing input on this list thanks to well meaning but ill informed individuals. The DTR-Z500HD is in fact a newer model than the DTR-500HD and is clad in an aluminium casing which is better for heat dissipation as well as being a more conventional design. I'll now have to dispose of or return this DTR-500HD which I ordered, that shouldn't be too much trouble and the DTR-Z500HD is on its way to me as we speak from Richer Sounds EBay Outlet. 

All the best, Ibrahim.

-----Original Message----- From: John Land
Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2012 11:45 AM
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: TVonics - Amy On Strike!
Ibrahim, it Is identical to it's twin. The only difference is that there is 
no display on the front.  However, you need to bare in mind a couple of
caviats. This machine was built to a price; and the components are not the 
highest grade.  More importantly, there is no internal fan in this unit,
venting is totally inadequate and the plastic case doesn't act as a heat
sink. If you are working the drive hard, (by recording two hd progs while 
listening to a third off the drive), the machine runs far hotter than it
should, thus creating potential instability for the hard drive. Fitting a larger drive could well exacerbate the problem; the larger, faster and more 
efficient the drive, the more heat needs to be discipated.
John
----- Original Message ----- From: "Ibrahim Gucukoglu" <ibrahim_gucukoglu@xxxxxxxx> 
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 11:15 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: TVonics - Amy On Strike!



Hi Bill.
I decided to play it safe and save the anxiety of having to return yet another product as faulty or unsuitable. I was sure that the DTR-Z500HD was practically identical to its twin, however a confusing message and my bargain hunting skills sniffed out the DTR-500HD for £126.95 so in all, I'm happy as I'm getting the same box as sold by RNIB and making an excellent saving of over £55. 

All the best, Ibrahim.

-----Original Message----- From: Bill Chilcott
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 5:20 PM
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: TVonics - Amy On Strike!

Hi Ibrahim.
Just to let you know that I have purchased the DTRZ500HD tvonics box from the Internet for £100,and I'm very pleased with it. It is nice and small and you can get to all the sockets very easily as they are spaced out better than the DTR 500HD. For example, on the DTR 500HD, if you have to use the scart socket it is practically impossible to use the USB socket. And the one 
on the right hand side, you can only use if you prop the box up.
I have had dealings with Bunwells and both Ian and Denise are very helpful indeed. There is a company called Electronic World in Wembley who at the moment have the DTRZ 500HD in stock for £100 but you have to collect it. 
Their phone number is as follows. 0845 539 9993.
Someone on the list said that it does not have an HDMI socket. I can assure 
you that the one I have does. If you or anyone would like any further
information please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards, Bill.


-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 
Ibrahim Gucukoglu
Sent: 09 July 2012 17:34
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: TVonics - Amy On Strike!

Hi Yusuf.
While this unit is going back to the RNIB, there is an alternative model 
which might suit me better, that is to say the
DTR-Z500HD which does also have the speech functions as an option. I've been in touch with a company called Bunwells who not only know about the 
capabilities of these TVonics recorders with regards to accessibility,
they'll also set up the units with speech ready for the customer and the price is some £50 cheaper than the RNIB. I've been told that Bunwells will 
be expecting stock of the
DTR-Z500HD within the week so I might buy one from them instead once I've 
returned this faulty unit.

All the best, Ibrahim.

-----Original Message----- From: Yusuf
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 12:50 PM
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: TVonics - Amy On Strike!

Ibrahim, I'm not going to try and convince you not to send your TVonics
back to the RNIB, that's obviously your choice. All I can say is that
mine has behaved itself very well since I bought it a couple of months
ago. I've had upwards of 12 pages worth of recordings and I don't think
I've had to do a reset at all. Admittedly I've had to turn it off and on a couple of times due to speech issues. It sounds like yours is a faulty 
unit.
Yusuf

On 09/07/2012 09:45, Ibrahim Gucukoglu wrote:

Hi Carol.
After my box crashed on me on no less than 4 occasions this morning, not 
to mention giving me hell with the speech with its stuttering and
jittering, I'm sending this back to the RNIB for a full refund. I cant
trust the box to record anything without worrying about the potential
for hard drive failure, and that's not my idea of spending the better
part of 200 quid so goodbye TVonics, it was nice knowing you.

All the best, Ibrahim.

-----Original Message----- From: Carol Pearson
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 9:30 AM
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: TVonics - Amy On Strike!

Ugh! I didn't like reading that as the thought of paying out for a new
hard
drive for this very new item doesn't appeal.
I suppose there's no way of testing the drive in the TVonics either, is 
there?

I haven't had other problems and recordings have all been fine.

Oh, what to do???

RNIB staff: Have you any thoughts here, please?



Carol P
---- Original Message ----
From: "Mobeen Iqbal" <mobeeniqbal@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2012 1:04 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: TVonics - Amy On Strike!


Hello Carol.

This is probably due to a failing hard drive. The hard
drives used in these machines were cheap hitachi drives,
i've already had one behaving strangely. My box wouldn't
offer me the option to format or to record. I have
replaced the hard drive in the unit with a better drive
made by seagate, formatted it and have had no further
problems, no crashes, etc. Because the voice runs from
the hard drive, if there are any errors on the drive or
if its failing, it can cause you to experience
crashes/freezing. I can replace the drive for you if you
wish, please contact me off list and we can go from
there. I'd recommend it to be honest, because if you do a
lot of recording and the drive fails it would've been
pointless you recording all those tv shows to watch
later!
all the best,

Mo.


On 07/07/2012 12:52, Carol Pearson wrote:

Hi all,

We have a fairly regular saying at home which is "Amy's
on strike". This simply means that she fails to speak,
often after booting up, when we first go to use her. Of
course, we find ways round, sometimes needing to reboot
the box again; but I wonder if anyone else is finding
this problem and if you have a better solution than a
bit of hit and miss and, finally, if you've concluded
what's going on and why!
Carol P

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