Mustek R580 (80 GB) DVD Recorder

I bought this dvd recorder with hard drive because it was such a low price,I am reallt pleased with it as it is so easy to use.I bought a expensive phillips one about 2 years ago and could never fathom out how to use it.But this one is great and the price is really great to

Although born of a modest manufacturer the unit does ooze a certain build quality which I suppose is not surprising when you consider these units originally sold for over £250.

As a general rule most HD recorders of this type if used in SP mode (or better) will provide recordings which are indistinguishable from the original source material. Recording from the SCART input socket normally provides the best results and if having to decide between recording either a BBC or commercial channel then it is always better to record from the commercial channel as this offers you the advantage of being able to watch a 1 hour program in something like 45 minutes (after you’ve zapped the adverts) and is extremely effective in chasing playback (start watching a program from the beginning 15 minutes after it’s started).

As one reviewer says ”it does what it says on the box”. That it certainly does that but it also has a few quirky features.

The 1st is that to schedule a recording(s) you have to do this via the setup menu which seems quite odd the first time you do it. After a while this becomes second nature and being able to use VideoPlus codes make the job straight forward. PDC is supported although I’ve found it doesn’t function with all channels and you sometimes find it doesn’t record at all. Far better, is to simply add 5/10 minutes to the end of each recording.(missing the start is unfortunate but missing the end of a movie is normally a disaster). There is no ’timer’ mode as such - turning the machine off always places it in timer mode.

The 2nd oddity of this recorder is that having setup a scheduled recording, if you then proceed to watch something else you’ve recorded previously or perhaps you’re using the player to watch a DVD, then just 2 minutes before your scheduled recording starts the machine will tell you to turn it off via a count down timer displayed on your TV! This does seem both annoying and a little bizarre when it first happens but as with many things you will get used to it. The reason I class this as odd is because very often once the recorder has been turned off and has started to record, then it is often possible to start watching, the film you’re recording (chasing playback style). something else you’ve recorded in the past or a DVD! This rather begs the question “Why did I have to turn it off in the first place then? Unfortunately I don’t have an answer to that question.

The remote supports a “Time Shift” button which is great if you have a minor interruption to the program you’re watching (need to answer the door, make a cup of tea, bid on eBay etc) and allows you to continue watching from the same point when you return. Be warned though, there is a weakness in this system. If that minor interruption becomes major and you can’t get back to watch this program and decide to watch it the following night then you have a problem as you’ll need to leave it recording for the next 24 hours since the recording is erased the moment you hit stop! A scheduled recording is therefore always to be preferred over pressing the Time-Shift button.

Most other features of the recorder are fairly standard.

If you’re moving up to one of these from a VHS tape machine or a DVD recorder without a hard drive then you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

it was well priced and arrived mega fast it was just what i wanted thanks again the only thing is i thought it would play hdd dvds as it is a hdd player but it does not so i think this should be discribed as it could be a let down

There are a number of similar items on the market - many more expensive some just about the same. This is the SECOND Mustek(Yukai) which we have bought.
It is easy to use and there are no 'hidden problems'. For a cheap, reliable solution to the questions of ''which HDD/DVD recorder to choose'' you really can't do better than Mustek/Yukai...(a slight 'snoring Rhinoserous' sound when turned on, is the only minus!). However, for an outlay of £69 (inc. postage costs)that is something I can live with !!

IT DOES WHAT IT SAYS ON THE LABEL !!
not something you hear every day !!

I PURCHASES THIS UNIT THROUGH EBAY, AND THAT WAS WITH A "30 DAY WARRANTEE".

I HAVE AS YET NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING THE UNIT TO EVEN "BOOT INTO THE NORMAL MODE" WHERE THE MENU AND OTHER SET UP INFORMATION IS.

THE HELP FROM THE SELLER IS, AT BEST, NOT VERY CONSTRUCTIVE. I HAVE RECEIVED PROMISES, THOUGH, THAT THEY WILL ASSIST ME. BUT AM STILL WAITING.

THE UNIT IS SUPPOSED TO BE "TOTALLY RECONDITIONED" AND IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER.

SIMPLY PUT, THE UNIT DOES NOT WORK. THE "MANUALS" ARE TOTALLY USELESS WHEN IT COMES TO ANY "PROBLEM SOLVING". THEY ARE ALSO UNCLEAR AND THE TRANSLATION(s) TO ENGLISH ARE VERY POOR!

GOOD THING I WAS A LANGUAGE TEACHER, OR I WOULD HAVE HAD A REALLY HARD TIME IN UNDERSTANDING THEM.

EVEN THE "SO CALLED PICTURE INSTRUCTIONS" ARE VAGUE.

CLARAFICATIONS ARE VERY LIMITED.

I AM SORRY TO HAVE TO BE SO VERY HONEST, I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THE SELLER IS HONEST AND REPLACES MY UNIT, OR REFUNDS MY MONEY.

ALSO HOPE THE "WARRANTEE" IS A REAL "WARRANTEE"!

VERY UNHAPPY, STILL WAITING FOR HELP AND ANSWERS TO A MULTITIDE OF E-MAILS!

The Mustek R580 (80 GB) DVD Recorder is not slimline but it has all the quality and ease of use as any ordinary DVD should.
For everyone and not necessarily the technical minded the functions are so simple that even a 4 year old would have little trouble operating it, adn it even comse with a security lock so you can lock out anyone unless you give them the code which only you knows