I purchased the Liteon A740GX model in December 2006. It was my first DVD Recorder/HDD. I found this incredibly easy to set-up and incorporate with my SKY Digibox.
The menu system and ease of use is fantastic. Even my wife (non-technical) has been able to use this comfortably. The ability ... Read review
Advantages: Really easy to set-up and use. Disadvantages: Unreliable
I purchased the Liteon A740GX model in December 2006. It was my first DVD Recorder/HDD. I found this incredibly easy to set-up and incorporate with my SKY Digibox.
The menu system and ease of use is fantastic. Even my wife (non-technical) has been able to use this comfortably. The ability to read avi. is a big bonus as this means you can play direct downloads from the PC without the need for further conversion software. I really like the ... ...by Liteon. I have contacted Liteon again and they are arranging another collection. Unfortunately this unit will have to be found faulty four times before it is replaced.
SVP have offered to replace the item with goods of an equal value but the only DVD HDD they have to offer is a UMAX Chili. Never heard of UMAX so very reluctant to purchase this as an alternative. Should SVP provide me with a refund as they have nothing I require or find ... more
I purchased the Liteon A740GX model in December 2006. It was my first DVD Recorder/HDD. I found this incredibly easy to set-up and incorporate with my SKY Digibox. The menu system and ease of use is fantastic. Even my wife (non-technical) has been able to use this comfortably. The ability to read avi. is a big bonus as this means you can play direct downloads from the PC without the need for further conversion software. I really like the icon driven program selection. My 3 1/2 year old can actually select a pre-recorded material from the harddrive and playback. So simple. However, I purchased the unit online from SVP. I never used the record to DVD function until I had the unit around 4 months. It would not recognize blank media of any sort but would still playback pre-recorded material on the same brand of discs. The unit itself would suddenly start spinning at ultra high and noisy speed if a disc was left in the drive. I contacted SVP who advised me to contact Liteon. They said that the unit had a 2 year parts warranty and they would arrange collection for investigation and repair. They advised me to update the firmware to see if this cured the problem - it did not and the unit was repaired - a new optical drive. Over the course of the next 4 months the drive was replaced a further twice and their policy is that a replacement unit will be provided if the unit has been returned for a fourth time. The unit failed again and was replaced in November 2007. Alas the new unit worked for two weeks and now it will not recognize blank media either. I believe that these units are no longer continued by Liteon. I have contacted Liteon again and they are arranging another collection. Unfortunately this unit will have to be found faulty four times before it is replaced. SVP have offered to replace the item with goods of an equal value but the only DVD HDD they have to offer is a UMAX Chili. Never heard of UMAX so very reluctant to purchase this as an alternative. Should SVP provide me with a refund as they have nothing I require or find to be a suitable alternative.??
Advantages: large hard drive, easy of use Disadvantages: user manual not complete
I purchased this dvd recorder in December and have given it a good trial. It was very easy to set up with my tv system which include the trusty video recorder and sat box. The manual goes in to great detail and it 100 pages long. The only drawback with the manual it did not explain every question which I thought off. The dvd recorder has a large hard drive 160Gb which in the longest mode can record upto 203 hours. In this mode the picture quality ... ...very good but you lose some of the recording time. There is a button on the remote control called guider which is the button that you press most of the time. It then pulls up a menu which includes play, record, timer record and disk tools. Going through these menus is highly easy, just navigate to the chosen icon and select and the next menu appears. In timer record their is no need to turn the machine off after programming the next recording session. ...
hornby2207 16.02.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of LiteOn HD-A 740 GX
Advantages: DVD-DL recording, optical output, DVD-R and DVD-+R, lots of features Disadvantages: DVD drive reliabilty, can't watch and record at same time
I originally bought the Liteon LVW-5045GDL+ model fro Currys Digital a coupld of years ago when they were doing it on promotion for whatever football cup was on.
We used it for several months without problems, recording to both the HDD and DVDs, and playing many DVDs - both commercial and home-burned.
After about 8 months, the DVD suddenly stopped recognising blank DVDs. I took it back to Currys, who replaced it with the HD-A 740 GX model they ... ...really don't get this as Liteon have a great reputation for their optical drives in PCs!
Anyway, aside from this, the 740 is a great DVD recorder - it can record to Dual-layer DVDs, has optical output for home cinema, can be firmware upgraded, and has a pretty decent - if complex - menu system.
Avoid using the EP and SLP modes - the picture quality is a bit jagged at times.
Some makes of DVDs are simply not recognised, but that's really not big ...
theoldgoat 07.05.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of LiteOn HD-A 740 GX
Advantages: record_play most DVD media, play DivX/MPEG4, DVD to from HDD Disadvantages: No multiple selection for DVD writing from HDD, no USB port
...problem so far. LiteOn is well known for DVD writer drive for computer and the stand-alone writer should be fine. Update: 31st May 2009. This DVD recorder is still working after more than 2 years of continous daily use. Well worth the money. The only glitch with it is: when you do a 'live' recording (not a 'timed' recording), it won't power itself off to standby after the recording has finished. It will remain on until it is 'manually' put to standby. ...
volcano 22.02.2007 (31.05.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of LiteOn HD-A 740 GX
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Quick review of LiteOn HD-A 740 GX
Setting up was ok but the aerial needs to go to your freeview box first. The HDD recording is so easy to use and makes clear recordings. However I discovered that mine has a problem reading some dvds- most play well but not some bought or rented. Have corresponded with their email helpdesk who were helpful and i updated the firmware but they finally suggested it was faulty. Will probably return it to Argos which is a hassle and a disappointment but the machine is so easy to use. ...
hpratt01 14.12.2007
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of LiteOn HD-A 740 GX
Advantages: 160Gb HDD, TV Tuner allowing time shift, multi format Disadvantages: Bright LED indicators, noisy on standby
Purchased just before Xmas 2006. I managed to get it connected and setup within around 1/2 hour. Easy setup guide explains the initial setup very well.
This unit has twin scart connectors as would a standard VCR, the usual co-ax connectors, RGB out for audio/video and also PC & digital audio out via co-ax and optical. The on-screen setup was also minimal, the unit came pre-set to UK spec, so no language selections were needed. Auto channel setup ... ...connected my Sky digibox via scart lead.
The unit also has 'front AV' connectors, RGB RCA type connectors hidden behind a flip down panel including a digital video in which would be useful when connecting my mini DV camera. I can record straight to DVD rather than having to stream the data to my PC first, only useful if you itend to do no editing.
The unit is R2 only. Plays DIV-X and AVI files straight from the net, also MP3 files on CD, no DVD ...
jaybay32 30.12.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of LiteOn HD-A 740 GX
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Advantages: everything about it Disadvantages: nothing
LiteOnHD-A740GX DVD Recorder.
An excellent piece of equipment, brought mine on line a few months back, I had previously owned a LiteOn DVD recorder, but decided it was time to up grade to this newer version, because of it HDD (Hard Disc Drive) storage capacity, which is a very large 160GB. Cuts down on buying all those recordable disc, and pays for itself in no time.
Very easy to install, easy to follow instructions, only takes a few minutes, simple connection via scart and follow the on screen instructions and away you go.
Using the remote control, access the Guider button for on screen Menu, which are simple to follow, for all your recording needs, including DVD title browsing with thumbnails pictures, so you will know exactly, where you want to start the DVD playback.
One touch recording. Simply select Guider, and follow ...
roverrider 10.03.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of LIteOn HD-A740GX
Forget about the running out of recording space. With the built in 160GB HDD (Hard Disk Drive), you may record up to 203 hours (SLP modes) of quality video programs on it. The coexistence of the optical disc drive and the built-in HDD on HD-A740GX doesn't stay for nothing! With it, you can record the camcorder footages onto the built-in HDD all at once. In there, you can utilize all the editing functions to the titles and then save them onto discs respectively to share them with family or friends. The contents on any types of disc by copying them to the built-in HDD, where all the editing functions can be utilized. This not only solves the problem that certain editing functions are only applicable to certain disc types but also is convenient given the huge storage space of the HDD. Advance feature such as "Time Shift", is also featured on HD-A740GX. The "Time Shift" feature allows you to virtually "Freeze" the live TV program while you are temporary interrupted and "Un-Freeze" it to continue viewing the live program. With HD-A740GX, you can watch the recording program from the very beginning while it is still being recorded, regardless of how far along that recording is in progress. Simply press a key and you no longer need to wait until the recording is completed. Recording will not be interrupted and viewing can be performed any time you desire! Connect a DV Camcorder to the "DV Link" to easily archive camcorder footages digitally in DVD quality to a DVD recordable disc that lasts. Moreover, the on-screen DV Control panel allows basic commands over the DV camcorder using HD-A740GX's remote control. The unique Easy Guider Menu navigates you through the process of basic functions, like record and playback, on a step-by-step basis. This graphic-based Easy Guider provides error-free recording and is suitable for users of all ages. You can follow the below icons to start your recording!
