HDTV Reviews

Don't be misled by the product spin above. For those familiar with Tivo or Cable set-top DVR solutions, here are the major shortcomings of the DVR10 you need to know:

1) It ONLY records HD (ATSC), not VHF (NTSC) broadcasts.
2) The DVR10 has no built-in guide or interface enabling simple "press 'n go" programming.
3) Programming future recordings is cumbersome and unreliable.
4) Recordings stop once you change the channel.
5) The control functions (rewind, pause, etc) are slow and temperamental.
6) The user must manually switch their TV input to access DVR10 recordings.
7) The DVR10 will likely stop working or re-boot your HD TV ...several times.

So, ask yourself how many HD channels you have, and why you would not want to record the other 90% of your cable line-up before you buy this product. Ask yourself why RCA chose to use a slow disk drive (only 5400 RPM) with low video buffer (only 2 MB) before you buy this product. Ask yourself if you want to re-live the "how do I program my VCR?" era all over again.

The DVR10 is a stop-gap HD VCR, and a step-back for consumers who want the more user-friendly, more useful DVR solutions you can get from Tivo or your local cable company. Please spare yourself from the cost and annoyance.

Issues with this product when used with a Mistubishi TV and OTA reception.
1.Stops recording
2.Misses recordings
3.Thinks there is a connection to TV when there is not one
4.Date time stamp incorrect for recordings
It is frustrating to use, because it does not work properly often. Then there are times it works as it should.
Technical issues aside, if you looking for TIVO or ReplayTV functionality, this is not for you. This is simple functionality similiar to a VCR, just no tapes and a hard drive instead. And there is limited capacity for HDTV only 9 hours.
I am waiting for a replacement unit from RCA to see if the technical issues are limited to my unit or if there is a general unreliability problem with this product.
If this product worked, it would be a stop gap until other products are on the market at a reasonable price.

I picked one of these units up from a local retailer and wow was I underwealmed. After 10-15mins (less if you are walking any closer than 3 meters from it) The convergence goes totally out of wack. The manual calls for the user to turn the unit off for 1/2 hr and then run the perfect picture feature. That would be cool if it actually worked. Looking at the screen reminds me of watching an old 3D movie. Yes for you videophiles out there I tried tuning the convergence manually. What will really disturb you though is that when I called Akai to get a service rep out all I got was a machine. Wouldn't you know it after three calls no one returned my messeges. Great product support! In fairness this unit may have just been a lemon. Even Sony has lemons. However the price was right and the one on display at the store got my heart pounding. I am getting it replaced by the retailer because they have a no hassle policy. I will repost with the results on PT5598HD # 2. Keep in mind though unless you are buying from an awesome retailer that is local to your area. Based on AKAI's complette lack of customer support I can't recomend this or any other AKAI product for that matter! BUYER BEWARE!

Stopped working after just one month.

Called Hitachi and they told me to call an authorized repair center. I called the repair center and the repair center referred me to another repair center... I called that repair center who made an appointment to see the TV... Took a week for them to come out to see it. After inspecting it told me they have to order a replacement power supply from Hitachi... That took almost two weeks... Once they got it in, it took them couple of days to come to my house to replace the power supply. It still didn't work after that... So they decided to replace another part, the logic board, which they have to order from Hitachi again...

It's been almost two weeks again. And I have been with out TV for over a month... Paying almost $6k for a TV that works for a month made me really upset as you can imagine. I would have been happy if Hitachi fixed it in a reasonable time, but over a month is not reasonable. I have called Hitachi and asked for a refund or replacement to which they just flat out said no. Of course during this time I am also paying for Satellite service which I can't use. I would highly recommend staying away from ALL Hitachi products.

please don't buy this tv if you plan on using th s-video input. they are all defective and when they come out to do the modification to fix it, it merely reduces the severity of the vertical lines that run across the screen. they say that this is a tolerable defect and refuse to replace or fix tv completely. SHAME ON PANASONIC

First of all, I'm NOT an Electronics Fan, I'm a Broadcast Professional with over 25 years in Network Engineering and Broadcasting. Here's the deal on the E-box:

After $8000 for an FD9955 and a FTR-9964 E-Box, we have come to find that if you want to purchase or integrate this e-box into your system, AND have one button access to your input sources, YOU CAN'T.

Let's say you want to watch your HD DBS (Direct TV-HD), and then switch to a DVD. A High-End aftermarket remote with Macro features would allow you to press ONE button and have the Receiver change sources, and modes, then switch the E-Box to the right source. Not here! There is NO direct button to do this. You have to toggle through the various VIDEO inputs until you get to the right one. How do you train a remote control to figure out what Video source your're on, and which one you want to go to next? There is no Lexicon, Crestron, or RTI remote that can accomplish this. Oh, and every time you turn off the E-Box and TV, the Default Video Input is Video 1, not where you left it. So you have to toggle through 3 Sources before you get to the HD input. (Think about it. It's like a wristwatch that you have to wind through 24 hours & 18 days to get the date you want, rather than a function to take you right there. It's a loose correlation but I hope you get the idea) One Button -One Source - and One IR code will solve the issue for each input.

We are in discussions with Philips about this, and I believe that they will do NOTHING, and don't care. I am the consulting installer, and the client is livid. He has had roughly the same response that I have been given. The company line, "That's the way it is". Quite arrogant in my opinion. I hope to be proven wrong, AND if I am, I WILL RE-POST a conclusion to this VERY POOR DESIGN FLAW with the outcome. I am rooting for Philips but so far, I'm NOT impressed to the tune of $8000.

TV was broke right out of the box. I called tech depot to see if I could return the television but they denied ever shipping it to me. Called samsung and they sent a repairman to come and fix it but he said the tv's circuit board was cracked and that it's not covered under the warranty. So i'm stuck with a tv that doesn't work minus $800. Horrible experience with customer service they gave me the runaround and pretty much acted like they didn't know anything.