DP-P2 upgrade to T4

[Rykster]

I have been using a DP-P2 recorder for many years and whilst it is still working, its starting to show its age.

I have a T4 that was given to me by a family member and I would like to use it to swap out the P2.

The Beyonwiz is integrated into my home automation (smart wired) and my AV tech wants to know if the T4 can just be plugged in and be good to go, or, are there codes, etc., to be changed.

Advice appreciated.

[MrQuade]

I have been using a DP-P2 recorder for many years and whilst it is still working, its starting to show its age.

I have a T4 that was given to me by a family member and I would like to use it to swap out the P2.

The Beyonwiz is integrated into my home automation (smart wired) and my AV tech wants to know if the T4 can just be plugged in and be good to go, or, are there codes, etc., to be changed.

The T series use different IR remote codes, so your automation system will need some updates.
The key sequences used are very different as well, so your universal remote's button mapping may need a bit of tweaking before you are happy with it.

I wrote a howto for configuring the discrete on/off codes for the T series Beyonwiz PVRs here.

The thread focuses mostly on Logitech Harmony remotes, but your AV technician should find the complete list of remote codes to be a handy resource. One of the posts in that thread has an attachment that lists all the IR remote codes (Also includes the Philips Pronto codes alongside).

[Rykster]

Many thanks, MrQuade, I'll pass that info on to the tech.

[peteru]

The REAL documentation is on BitBucket: REMOTE_CODES and REMOTE_CONTROL. This is probably more relevant to an installation specialist than the user centric how to.

However, before you have the T4 installed, have it preventatively serviced, otherwise it won't last much longer. At a minimum, have the heatsinks removed from the tuner voltage regulators, thoroughly clean away any traces of the adhesive material that was used to attach those heatsinks and have better heatsinks installed. There are a number of threads here on the forums that go into a lot of detail.

[Rykster]

Thanks for the advice, Peteru, really appreciate it.

I'd like to do as you suggested and have the T4 checked out and modified, unfortunately, I'm in Perth, and the guy that I had used to service my recorder here doesn't do it any more, I'm told.

Any suggestions as to who else I could take it to?

[Paul_oz53]

Thanks for the advice, Peteru, really appreciate it.

I'd like to do as you suggested and have the T4 checked out and modified, unfortunately, I'm in Perth, and the guy that I had used to service my recorder here doesn't do it any more, I'm told.

Any suggestions as to who else I could take it to?

Any repair shop should be able to do the job peteru is suggesting. It is mechanical or involves replacing a couple of voltage regulators if you get fancy. A repair guide is available in this post and some alternatives in the posts before it.

If you can't find anyone to implement peteru's advice then an external 120mm 5v USB fan over the tuners will lower their temperature significantly and greatly reduces risk of damage. However, if chemical breakdown of the heatsink cement has started it is critically important to intervene as peteru advised.

At the least, visibly inspect for signs of damage. Any signs of brown stains in the tuner heatsink area means serious damage is likely to occur.

[prl]

You could also send it to Nasa Electronics if you can't get it done somewhere more convenient.

[Rykster]

Thanks Paul-oz and Pri, I'll definitely look into that. I'm hoping to find someone local - sending it to Sydney would be a last resort.

Anyone in Perth used a repair shop they can recommend?

[Rykster]

Nobody in Perth used a PVR repairer they can recommend?

[prl]

Nobody in Perth used a PVR repairer they can recommend?

There used to be an extremely good one (Warkus on the forum), but he no longer does PVR repairs.

[Rykster]

Yes, I know that.

[Rykster]

OK, so it looks like I'm not going to get anywhere with this in Perth.

Anyone have an idea of what it will cost to get the T4 checked out and the heat sinks upgraded by the Sydney based repair shop, as previously suggested? Of course, shipping both ways will need to be added to that.

Ric

[MrQuade]

OK, so it looks like I'm not going to get anywhere with this in Perth.

Anyone have an idea of what it will cost to get the T4 checked out and the heat sinks upgraded by the Sydney based repair shop, as previously suggested? Of course, shipping both ways will need to be added to that.

Have you tried ringing around.

I did a quick search for electronics repair in Perth on Google and these were just the top hits that looked worth following up:
http://www.perthdigital.com.au/
https://ipreston.wixsite.com/tv-repairs-perth-wa
http://www.rfwaves.com.au/
https://www.cyberdynamix.com.au/
(that last one looks a bit expensive!)

[Rykster]

Thank you, I saw some of those when I searched. I was hoping someone on this forum from Perth could recommend a repairer that they had used.

Otherwise, I would appreciate some cost guidance for this work from anyone who has had it done in Sydney.

[prl]

Otherwise, I would appreciate some cost guidance for this work from anyone who has had it done in Sydney.

Warkus charged me $58.12 to remove the regulators, clean the motherboard, replace the regulators and heat sinks, and send it back. That charge also included replacement of tuner 4 and the RCA A/V sockets damaged in transit by Australia Post. The charge also included $14 return post.

I'd be surprised if anyone could do better than that, even with the extra work I paid for.

[Gully]

Warkus charged me $58.12 to remove the regulators, clean the motherboard, replace the regulators and heat sinks, and send it back. That charge also included replacement of tuner 4 and the RCA A/V sockets damaged in transit by Australia Post. The charge also included $14 return post.

I'd be surprised if anyone could do better than that, even with the extra work I paid for.

I think realistically I'd be surprised if you find anyone to do it anywhere as cheaply as that as I'm sure Warkus was pricing his work without making any markup and just trying to cover costs.

[Paul_oz53]

Last week I posted a T3 to NSW for $22.15 including tracking.

So probably $45 for both ways. Only guessing but I assume around $100 to $150 service charge.

[Rykster]

Thanks for that Paul - do you have contact details so that I can get a firm estimate?

[Paul_oz53]

Thanks for that Paul - do you have contact details so that I can get a firm estimate?

The phone number for Nasa Electronics is 0291880501.

Their website is not very clear and has no address details.

[Grumpy_Geoff]

Their website is not very clear and has no address details.

The address is shown at the bottom of the main page

[Rykster]

Thanks guys!

[Paul_oz53]

Their website is not very clear and has no address details.

The address is shown at the bottom of the main page

Not on my phone though. I get an almost blank page.

[Grumpy_Geoff]

Not on my phone though. I get an almost blank page.

Perhaps not mobile friendly.

Edit - on a mobile, press the bank of dots at the bottom to reveal some further buttons.

[Paul_oz53]

Not on my phone though. I get an almost blank page.

Perhaps not mobile friendly.

Edit - on a mobile, press the bank of dots at the bottom to reveal some further buttons.

Mystery solved....

[Jan]

Nobody in Perth used a PVR repairer they can recommend?

Many years ago, before I knew about Mark (Warkus), I had a repair done on my Topfield by Whitfords TV Services. I provided him with a print-out of what needed to be done that I got from the Toppy Forum. The repair was completed successfully. He charged me $150 at that time (2009) Later on, Mark charged much less for much more work when I had work done on the Toppy, and later the DP-P1.

I just had a Google, and there is still a business called Whitfords TV and Electronic Services, but I don't know if it's the same one as I can't remember the address. I do remember at the time though, that none of the bigger companies were even interested in looking at it, but this guy in his home workshop was very accommodating, even though quite expensive compared to Mark. Might be worth contacting him.

[Rykster]

Thanks Jan, I appreciate the suggestion.