Loading ...Humax FOXSAT-HDR
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Humax Freesat+ HD PVR Digital Box (FOXSAT-HDR)
Released: 21st November 2008
Humax FOXSAT-HDR Price Comparison (buy online now)
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About the Humax FOXSAT-HDR Freesat+ PVR Digital Receiver
The Humax FOXSAT-HDR Freesat+ High Definition Receiver is the first Freesat PVR twin tuner 320GB hard drive receiver from Humax, for use on the Freesat satellite television platform.
The sleek black unit with its tinted perspex front panel (slight blue tint), discretely hiding the navigation buttons will suit most modern television set-ups and conceals within the very latest PVR technology with 320GB hard drive, allowing for approx 160 hours of standard-definition recordings; 80 hours in high-definition.
Dual tuners will allow for very similar functionality as Sky+, minus the subscription costs. You will be able to record one channel whilst watching/recording another, or even record two channels whilst playing back a previously recorded programme. Couple this with the Freesat EPG, setting up to record couldn’t be easier.
Note – Don’t forget that you’ll need a twin/quad LNB and two cables from your satellite dish to make full use of the twin tuners; with just a single cable from your satellite dish, you can still use but with limitations on recording, see our article on operating a PVR with one input.
Humax FOXSATHDR Specification
- Freesat HD and SD channel recording
- Simultaneous viewing of one channel and recording another channel
- Receive HDTV signals (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 and MPEG-2)
- Under 1W power consumption in standby
- HDMI – digital interface for perfect transmission of picture and sound
- Simultaneous playing of transmissions over HDMI, composite and Scart
- Easy installation and operation
- Resolution format: 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i
- DVB-S2 and DVB-S compatible
- Ethernet support
- Full colour, high resolution electronic program guide
- Dolby digital audio output (S/PDIF)
- Automatic software upgrade via satellite
- Upscaling of SDTV to HD
- Audio description / One touch subtitle
- Massive 320GB HDD
- Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth): 380 x 55 x 252 mm
- Weight: 3.1 kg
Humax FOXSAT-HDR hidden menu
Menu > System > Diagnostics > Red > Green > Yellow > Blue > Green > Yellow > Blue >
Includes:
- Set EEPROM Version
- Status
- Password Reset
- HDD Security Reset
- Default Setting / HDD Format (WARNING – selecting this will wipe all recordings without further prompt!)
- Format HDD
- CRID Test
- MHEG Test
Humax FOXSATHDR Reviews
TechRadar (4.5/5)
TrustedReviews (9/10)
Personal Computer World (4/5)
What Hi-fi Sound and Vision (5/5)
RegHardware (80%)
Humax FOXSATHDR official website
http://www.humaxdigital.com/freesat/
Humax FOXSATHDR manuals
User Manual
Hardware & Technical Specification
Humax FOXSAT-HDR images
(humax pvr, freesat pvr, humax dtr, freesat dtr, foxsat-hdr, foxsathdr, humax hdr receiver, humax hdr digital box, humax hdr digital unit, humax hdr digibox, freesat hdr box)
November 24th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Do you own or have owned this product? Then why not give us your opinion to help assist potential customers in deciding which Freesat product is right for them. Please stick to opinions/reviews of the specific product on this page. Also, don’t forget to give this product a rating, using the stars at the top!
November 24th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Mine too arrived today. Quite easy to set up BUT…
1. When trying to upgrade to the latest software version I am getting an Error Message and it won’t upgrade.
2. When recording a programme, there are major, major restrictions on what is available to watch elsewhere.
3. Cannot get ITV Text
I am still familiarising myself with it but am a bit disappointed so far. Probably just hickups.
Watch this space…
November 24th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Hi Andrew, sounds as if you only have a single cable from your satellite dish? Software updates aren’t currently working via a single cable, and you will have limitations on what you can watch as two cables means two signals so you can record a channel whilst watching/recording another.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
I do have two antenna feeds and everything seems to work ok although still playing and trying to work through the rule book
Box seems well made and fittings are decent ones unlike some .
Not to keen on the bit of blue plastic in front or of the rather indistinct display But not complaining at all as it does all it should do here . Recored two programs whilst I was out tonight and the other half changed channels a few times but all worked just fine.
So in my opinion it was a good job from Bob_Cats gang and Ta Muchly Humax.
I always found the original box worked pretty well after a few teething troubles at first sorted now though . So far this one seems to have been pretty well sorted which is great isn’t it ?
November 24th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Good to hear it works, given up trying to get one this year. Got up early on saturday went to of the alleged shops but none have got any nor can give a firm date when they will. Usual crap story from freesat, good idea delivery of the concept stinks
November 25th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Thanks Admin.This is true. I just have one cable to connect. I inherited this system when I moved into this house. What do you suggest?
November 25th, 2008 at 8:13 am
I can get text only on BBC channels, is this the norm?
Humax are going to need a setting to dim the box display. Get rid of that genre in EPG setting, then the EPG jumps straight to the channel you are watching (like the 9200 did). Seems several button pushes are needed to play anything from library.
November 25th, 2008 at 8:23 am
I think the genre setting before the guide is a freesat specification – i.e. freesat specify that you need to request a genre first
November 25th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Arrived yesterday and fired it up as soon as I got home.
2 antenna feeds in and I was up and running in 10 mins, software updated and channels saved.
Picture quality on my Sony W Series is superior to the Amstrad Sky box I replaced and HD is of course fantastic.
EPG / menus etc seem to be good and load reasonably quickly, a little getting used to I guess and the remote is not laid out in the most obvious way (numbers too far above the jog wheel) and why oh why does the volume control the humax box and not my TV ? it takes several button presses to change the volume. These are of course minor issues and overall cannot complain, fantastic piece of kit and this from a long time Sky man.
Not quite sure what all the info on the right hand side of the navigation bar is mind you ?
Love the feature of being able to copy pictures etc straight off a usb stick onto the box and review all those holiday snaps in 37″ of HD pleasure ! Recording the radio is another interesting nice to have.
Only issue I have to date is the nasty digital display at the front of the box. What / Why ? Surely all this info is on screen and the red light tells me i’m recording. Hope Humax show me a way of getting rid of this, or at least dimming it – its ruins the generally good looks of the box (quite Sony / Blue Ray in appearance to match other kit) and at this brightness it is may just put me off my movies, now in HD.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Ian – you can get rid of the genre page which comes up every time you enter the guide (like Sky epg).
Just get rid of it in settings and you never have to see it again! Straight to the EPG for the current channel. The search facility seems poor though. Saves your last several searches as keywords – OOPS! Not as good as the 9200 in that respect. Button press reactions seem slower too, by comparison.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I plugged my NTFS formatted USB external HDD into the USB port with a view to copy recorded programmes to it. The Humax displayed a message that only EXT2/3 or FAT16/32 file systems are supported. But there is a 4GB maximum file size with FAT32, and High Definition files from BBC HD are approx. 7.5 GB per hour. Are we going to be limited to only copying up to half hour programmes? Surely not. What a disappointment.
November 25th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
David H:
I think the maximum file size for ext3 it 2 terrabytes; now maybe the time for that Linux install you’ve always promised yourself.
Alternatively, there maybe some utilities to let you access ext2/3 under windoze; a quick google threw up this: http://fs-driver.org/. Good luck!
November 25th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Am a bit confused. Does the unit run on one or two satelite feeds. If it is one only what are the limitations and more importantly is a software update going to fix. Need to know before making the purchase.
November 25th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
It uses two satellite feed, one for each tuner, this is to allow each tuner to select Vertical or Horizontal polarization on a per channel basis. Thus allowing you to record two channels simultaneously
November 25th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
As an interested purchaser, does this device have a pause function (and for how long)?
November 25th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
I am all ready to buy this new box although there are few HD channels to pick at the moment. I understand that this box upscales SD channels. Has anyone tried this and how good is it. Can you set it to upscale every channel and just switch on to upscaled HD every time?
November 25th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Has anyone tried the output from the Humax PVR? I think it is labelled LNB output?
I have Sky+ which has an RF output and I currently cable this into a splitter which in turn is connected to other TV’s in my home so you can watch whatever programme (live or recorded) that is selected on the Sky+ receiver.
I would like to maintain this system when I switch – assuming I get a box sometime soon!
Thanks
November 26th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Review:
Installation: Straight forward and had I started with 2 x cables would have been flawless. With only a single cable attached, the HDR is unable to update to the latest software and will cause an E-OS error when you try, however upon connection of a second cable this is fully resolved.
First Thoughts: A highly intuitive UI makes the HDR a joy to use. The programme guide was easy to follow and best of all responsive. Live services are also easy to use and once again intuitive. Basic recording and playback functions are simply and effectiveto use.
Remote: Lovely touch including a universal remote that really works. Very easily setup to control our TV and DVD.
PVR: The programmable PVR is the first area that could do with improvements via software updates. It is quite easy to set a programme to record by using the guide and simply pressing record to schedule it. However the ‘one-touch’ series recording promised is not quite as obvious to achieve and could do with improvements. Currently you only have access to this choice when using the schedule and not when choosing to record from the guide. Additionally the only options are ‘once, daily, weekly, weekday’ which doesn’t seem quite right.
Glitches: The biggest problem the PVR has is when it is recording 2 channels at once. Although the manual shows you can record two and watch another, strange things occur when you are doing this. Quite simply while recording some combinations of two channels the choice of watchable channels is limited to: BBC2, Five, BBC3, BBC4 and CBBC. Other combinations increase the viewable channel numbers and some, for example recording CBBC and CBeebies at the same time seem to allow you to watch any additional channel you wish. I would guess this is some form of software problem that can be resolved with a new release.
Final Thoughts: I’m very pleased with the HDR. As with any new hardware it will require software updates to fix or improve some of the issues seen. Compared to Sky+ it is in some ways easier and more intuitive to use, in others, especially regarding series recording is not at the same level (yet). Would I recommend the HDR, definately!
November 26th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Gavin P
Thanks for the URL re Linux style filing system. Using a Ext3 format, I managed to get the HDR to see the USB drive. However, although I can copy SD programmes, HD ones will not copy. The HD files are flagged with ‘Enc’ in the File Manager. Can’t see any reference in the manual to this. I’m beginning to think archiving HD material is not possible.
November 26th, 2008 at 10:33 am
First problem for me – auto recording the footy in HD last night failed. Don’t know why! Stored all those non-freesat channels too. A couple that can now be accessed (and are of worth) Sky News and the Travel Channel.
November 26th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Glyn Smith
I expected the Man U game to be in HD, and was waiting to be told to press the red button; but it never happened, so I assume the HD broadcast did not materialise.
November 26th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Looking to get the BOX asap
Reviews you guys have put only makes me cry that I have not got it yet!
Has anyone tested the network port yet? if so can you connect it up to a home network to transfer files etc?
cheers
November 26th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Some advice please.
I already have Sky+. Is it just a case of swapping out the Sky + box for the Humax box? Also, can I continue to use a separate sky box in another room for Sky Freeview?
Thanks.
November 26th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
To Richard Hayes. This is not a fault you can record two channels watch a third depending which programs you are watching same as freeview EG record both on BBC Channels you can watch any other
November 26th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Andrew Morris, you need to replace the existing LNB on your satellite dish the a dual output LNB. This will enable each tuner in your Humax box to work independently. It’s a DIY job if you can get at the dish and you will need to run a second cable into the house. You can buy a dual output LNB for about twenty quid on line.
November 26th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Andrew Morris. It should say “with a dual output LNB”
November 26th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Alan M,
I’ve gone through lots of various combinations of recording two channels while watching a third and sometimes I can be recording two BBC channels and watch any other, other times it can be a BBC and a non-BBC and still watch any other and of course two non-BBC channels and watch any other.
Yet also for some combinations of the above you have limited third channel access. For example record BBC1 and BBC2 and you have some of the most limited access. There doesn’t appear to be an abvious reason for this and given how streams are transmitted I cant see a logical reason why the third channel choice is sometimes restricted and then variable. However I would love to be given an explanation.
November 26th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
hi guys can any one enlighten on the use of the common interface slot and what cards do what
November 26th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Re: 3rd channel choice – I’m no expert but is it because there are only 2 feeds – so the first 2 selected are polarized as needed – so the 3rd is limited to channels with the same polarization? .. so if both horizontal will preclude any channels that need vertical? Just a guess!
November 27th, 2008 at 12:35 am
One question about PVRs dealing with subtitles.
Can they record them?If so, can you later switch subtittles on and off when watching the recorded show?
Thanks.
Also I would like to hear about the use for the ethernet port. Like can you connect it up to a home network to transfer files etc?
November 27th, 2008 at 1:04 am
Another question:
I have an IPTV (Panasonic with Freesat tuner).With a single cable can I feed the PVR and also the TV (through the passthrough on the box).
If so why can’t you feed the second tuner on the Humax using the passthrough? What is the technical reason?
Thanks.
November 27th, 2008 at 10:34 am
@Dave, you are right. If both channels you are recording are the same polarization then third channel must have the same polarization.
@Pable satellite receivers with hard disks don”t record as such, the simply copy the incoming data stream onto the hard disk. This means that all extra material such as subtitles and extra sound tracks are also stored.
November 27th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I’m confused – the illustration of the rear connections shows only one sattelite feed input, so how do you get 2 feeds in, in order to use the twin tuners and get software updates?
November 27th, 2008 at 10:40 am
??? It shows two in and one out?
November 27th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Has anyone managed to get to the front USB port? The manual says “Open right hand flap on the front panel”, but I can’t figure out where it is or how you open it.
November 27th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Gavin, the front panel opens from the top, just gently push the top edge of the blue panel and you will have access to the front slots etc.
Mike, the illustration in the manual clearly shows 2 input and one output.
Juan, now I understand about polarisation of the signal, I’m guessing this is the reason a passthrough only results in limited functionality, and hence you require two input signals for full PVR functionality. Regarding the ethernet port I will connect mine up later if I get time and have a play to find out what happens, although my guess is that it’s primarily there for internet services that are likely to be added to Freesat, for example iPlayer, which I guess will require the internet connection.
November 27th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Richard Hayes,
Freesat aims to hide complexity and make things easy. Unfortunately some things are inherently complex and can become intransparent with that approach. Here is the technical background which makes it easy to explain the problems you have described so far:
The Humax FOXSAT-HDR has got two tuners with which it can receive 2 transponders at a time. Via each transponder several channels are transmitted. On http://www.lyngsat.com/astra2d.html you will find the description of the transponders (tp xx) for ASTRA 2D, which beam is focused on the UK and is most important for Freesat. Links to the other relevant satellites are on the same page.
So if you for example record BBC One London and ITV 1 London the only available additional channels for viewing should be the channels which are transmitted on tp 45 and tp 44. But if you record BBC One London and BBC Two England at the same time you should be able to view any other channel because both recorded channels are transmitted on tp 45. However if you record BBC One South and BBC Two England you will be limited to the channels which are transmitted via tp 48 and tp 45.
When you record an HD channel like BBC HD on tp 50, choice will be even more limited because an HD channel takes the capacity of 4 – 5 SD channels on his transponder.
The explanation above is based on the case that you use two independ feeds from your satellite equipment. If you use only one feed and a loop through cable, choices are further limited as already partially discussed.
To receive a specific transponder the tuner has to select one of four sections through two choices: vertical or horizontal polarization and lower or upper band. If the first tuner chooses for example vertical polarisation and lower band then the second tuner can (in case of loop through) only receive a transponder which is also vertically polarized and in the lower band. Fortunately all transponders of ASTRA 2D are lower band, but some of the other transponders on other satellites of the Astra 2 / Eurobird position which is relevant for UK viewers are on upper band.
November 27th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
So, what is the signal coming out of the pass through? Is it locked to a transponder depending on what is selected on the PVR? And which of the 2 inputs relates to the pass through? What if the box is switched off?
Not clear yet, sorry. If I have just one feed into the PVR and a cable connecting the output of the box feeding my TV with internal freesat tuner. Can I watch any channel on the TV independent of what is selected on the PVR?
Thanks.
November 27th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/how-to/operating-a-pvr-with-one-input
November 27th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Ok, I got it now with this excellent explanation by Nigel Whitfield:
http://www.nigelwhitfield.com/v2/article.php?id=50
admin: You were fast! Have to read that now too. Thanks.
November 27th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Foxsat HDR Review
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/custo…x?pageID=72109
November 27th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I was fortunate enough to get one of the first ones through Argos, i.e. just in time to miss out on the VAT cut, and it arrived Monday afternoon. First impressions were mostly very favourable.
It immediately downloaded the latest software and found all the channels. The only trouble I had setting up was texting in the postcode and not realizing that the 1 button brings up almost invisible punctuation characters before the numeral 1. But with that senior moment out of the way, all was well.
The box is quite a bit smaller than the Humax Freeview PVR. The alphanumeric display is ugly, and much too bright – it needs to be programmable. A paper warning label at the back of the top turned out to be very firmly stuck down, and I had to use white spirit to get rid of the remnants, which fortunately did not damage the box. An afterthought? The unit is gratifyingly quiet.
By default it goes into standby after a period of inactivity, and the boot operation when you switch on again takes long enough to be annoying.
I am surprised at how variable the picture quality is in the different BBC HD demos – which is not down to the Humax of course. Superb on the proms and tennis, garish on the football and popular entertainment, but some dramas seem to be done in soft focus pastels – the high spatial frequencies are there if you look, but at first glance it’s sub-DVD quality (on my modest 50-inch Pioneer Kuro plasma anyway).
I’m not sure I like the style of the recording/playback arrangements. There’s a hint of computerese about “Media List”, which turns out to be the way in, and I’m sure it takes more button depressions to do things than it does on the Freeview PVR. And can someone tell me (the manual doesn’t) why the names of recorded programmes are followed by a (1) and deleted programmes by a (0), and why the latter don’t simply go away once you’ve deleted them? I don’t want the display to be cluttered with history.
I have carefully compared picture quality on non-HD (e.g. BBC1) between my two generations of Humax PVR. There are subtle differences. Some of it may be because my terrestrial PVR is connected via SCART (RGB) and the new Freesat one by HMDI, and some of it may be the processing, but the Freesat version looks a little softer than the terrestrial version though perhaps cleaner and less fakey.
Overall the HD performance is excellent, so much so that it has made non-HD look unwatchably naff. Not quite the effect I wanted, but predictable.
November 27th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Thanks to feedback on a previous thread and to downloading the manual we now know that the Humax Foxsat HDR is shown with the required versions of Diseqc for operating multiple LNB’s. There is also wikispaces link to the HD version which is very helpful on setting up non freesat viewing via other satellites.
http://foxsat.wikispaces.com/Non-Freesat+channels
Amazingly the manual does not tell you you have to access the advanced menu which the wikispaces does do, as follows! I assume it will be the same on the HDR version.
To access the Advanced menu (hidden):
- Go to Menu> SETUP
[- Move cursor onto an item]
- Press RED, GREEN, YELLOW, BLUE, GREEN, YELLOW, BLUE
- 2 options appear: Antenna Setting & Manual Tune
Question:
I am still unclear whether using a multi lnb dish will enable different locations to be received via both of the two LNB inputs on the back of the box? Specifically, I want to install two cables down to the box for the Freesat locations at 28 degrees and add LNBs to receive 13, 19 and 23 degree locations. Has anyone yet been able to work out whether the extra LNBs need to all be added onto one of the main cables via a Diseqc 4 way switch and fed in to LNB1 input or is there another combination that would work better? I would appreciate your advice and whether anyone has news on how much extra installers are charging on top of the twin installation fee for this type of additional work.
BTW, I also agree with the wiki wishes list that the switching method between freesat mode and non-freesat mode seems very cumbersome, if that is indeed the way to do so during viewing use, and would also like to see Humax upgrade the software to an easier method; e.g. one of the coloured remote buttons plus OK, or just the ability to type in the channel number from 5000 up would have seemed logical.
November 27th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Addendum to #43:
Not only do the deleted programmes remain in the list of TV recordings, marked (0), they also appear spuriously in the list of Radio recordings.
November 27th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Patrick W : It seems that series linked recordings are automatically stored in their own folder with same name as the recording. The number in brackets is the number of discrete recordings within the folder. When yoiu delete a recording from a folder the count goes to (0). Names without numbers are either non series linked programs recorded directly to the root of the HDD or names of the actual recordings within their relevant folder. There is no explanation in the manual and it took me a while to get the hang of moving in and out of the directory structure. I found it very clumsy for a day or two but now have no problem.
The only criticisms that I have are :
1. the remote is very directional compared to all the others that I use.
2. the EPG is much less responsive than the Foxsat HD.
3. The layout of the EPG is better than $ky’s but not as good as some that I have used. The list format displays only 7 programs with the current timed program at postion 4. The three slots above the current timed program are either empty or display programs that have already ended.
These issues combine in such a way as to make it easy to overshoot a list item because you cannot always be sure if the response is just slow or if you have not pointed directly at the receiver, resulting in an extra press of the button.
Apart from these minor gripes I am very very satisfied. Well done Humax
November 28th, 2008 at 8:56 am
[...] availability, as it seems the product is becoming more accessible. In future, please refer to the Humax FOXSAT-HDR Price Comparison page. Comet are now accepting orders online again for the new Humax FOXSAT-HDR Freesat+ Digital Box, [...]
November 28th, 2008 at 9:14 am
The search function is overly complex. The box lists results from every region (BBC) I got 60 results looking for Survivors. Not much info is shown either in the search result ie.chanel name. it was much simpler on the freeview PVR.
November 28th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Additional review for ‘One-Touch’ series recording:
Ok, call me stupid, but I figured pressing the record button in the guide or list was the way to program the PVR.
It is, but differently to the one-touch which I will get to below. Using the record button to program gives the options: once, daily, weekly, weekdays.
One-touch however is operated using the ‘ok’ button to select a program due to be aired and this gives you the options to record the entire series. When I posted my initial review I had not yet spotted this operation.
November 28th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I’m trying to put some music on the PVR with not much success. I bunged a few MP3s on a USB stick and put it in the front slot. It ackowledges that the USB is in there but when I go in the file manager the USB stick is listed but appears empty. The instuctions are very vague when it comes to this department. Any ideas. Also I’ve managed to create a folder with my daughter’s name on the HDD but can’t figure out how to put her programmes in it, ‘move’ is greyed out. Is this possible and if so how?
November 28th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Si, Once you have accessed the USB device, you need to press the yellow button to select Music. If you get a folder e.g. sda1(n) where n=the number of tracks on the USB device press OK to open the folder. Then press opt+ to get to the file manager. The left window will be the HDD and the right side will be the USB device. Move the cursor to the right side and select a file to be copied. Press green and that file will be copied to the HDD.
What I cannot get to work yet is using the Blue function button to select all files. Has anyone managed to work this one out?
November 28th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Thanks that worked. Like you I can’t figure out how to select all, had to do them one at a time. Thanks again.
November 28th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Has anyone looked into / tested the ethernet port yet?
November 28th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I’ve had a quick look above but can’t see it….
…so does anyone know where ITV Text is on the new box?
November 28th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Hi Guys, can anyone help me. I have today set up my HDR and I have two issues.
1) I have tried recording ITV and Channel 4 at the same time and that works fine but I am unable to view BBC1 or BBC2 plus some other channels whilst these are recording at the same time? Any ideas please?
Also, I ahve tried programing the remote control for my TV a Panasonic Viera TH37PX60B but cannot get any of the Humax codes to work. Thanks
November 28th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Pully, it only has 2 tuners, you can record 2 things and watch a 3rd. You can record 2 things and watch something previously recorded.
November 28th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
ok, I have a question….
Earlier i recorder 1 minute of LUXE HD in non freesat mode
I am currently recording Grand Designs on More 4 in freesat mode
I am trying to delete the 1 min recording of LUXE but I don’t seem to have this option. Can you not delete stuff while recording?
November 28th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
cheers Fluff, I was recording two channels, but it would not let me watch bbc1 & bbc2 whilst recording if that makes sense?
November 28th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
@Pully: Go to the link in comment 41
November 28th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Answered my own question. When the recording stopped, I was able to delete other recordings. Bit of a pain that.
November 28th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
I recieved it on the 24th and had it up and running in no time. The Humax HDR is not as easy to use as Sky+, but some of it’s features such as series recordings going in to their own folders is far better. Contrary to what Pully has experienced I was amazed to find that I was watching BBC2 whilst I was recording BBC4 & Chanel 4. I did read somewhere that this could happen if the chanels were on the same transponder, but would be implemented at a later date. Can anyone expand on this.
November 28th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Oh where oh where has my ITV text gone?…….
Is there no one out there in the ether who knows….?
I know you don’t really exist but…………..just in case you do…. I watch Survivors!
November 29th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Hi I have a sky + box and want to add this new Humax box in another room. I believe I can just run 2 cables from the sky dish I have now and the Humax box will work – does anyone know if this is true? also if it is does the Humax box have the same connectors as the sky+ box? thanks
November 29th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Got one at last!
The bad bits first, If you have $ky+ at the moment your going to notice the remote control range/angle is rubbish! I can’t belive it’s as bad as it is! I even removed the protective film from the front of the receiver.
Also the Epg navigation is sooo slooooow it’s painful!! you end up pressing the button again and missing the selection you wanted.
Having said that some of the EPG features are great such as asking if you want to record the HD version if you are looking at a SD channel and how it handles series link. The file system is also much neater as series linked channels are put into folders.
The Picture is much better than my $ky+ was even on the kids channels.
It will take a while to get used to the different functions but overall am pleased with it, looking forward to calling $ky to cancel my account !
I did try inserting a CAM capable of NDS with my $ky card in non freesat mode and it worked fine on encypted premium channels. Plenty more to test yet but looking good
Goodbye $ky
November 29th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
HELLO… Is there anybody there….?
Is there anybody actually reading what is being posted…?
There is no ITV Text.
Why?
November 30th, 2008 at 12:01 am
perhaps nobody knows!
November 30th, 2008 at 12:06 am
Andrew, this section is ideally for product reviews, not questions, which is why you may not be getting the response you require. Clearly people are here as there has been 66 posts. You may want to ask this question of Freesat or ITV directly, or alternatively on a forum such as digitalspy or avforums.
November 30th, 2008 at 1:06 am
Andrew
See Glyn Smith’s Comments at
http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/humax-foxsat-hdr-available-at-comet
No 182
November 30th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Sorry. Just a bit of fun.
I thought it pertinent to this product though.
November 30th, 2008 at 10:12 am
A number of people in reviews have said this box is “quiet” – can someone clarify please. Is it silent ( ie, no fan at all ) or quiet ( ie has a fan but it runs very quietly) ?
I am aware, obviously, that there will be HDD accessing noise at times.
November 30th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Mike, I think the best way to explain it is that you would need to put your ear right next to the unit to actually hear anything. It’s very quiet!
November 30th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Many thanks, DViney. Much appreciated.
November 30th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
@ Admin
Thanks very much. Does the box not have a fan then?
November 30th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Can someone who already has one of these help me please? I am expecting delivery tomorrow. We have recently bought a house where the previous owners had Sky+ so I am planning to use their dish. There are two cables from the dish. One is routed inside the house and terminates at what I would call a normal tv socket on the wall (ie a standard tv coax plug will connect to it). The other cable is routed round the outside of the house, comes through a hole in the wall and has a different plug on the end of it. The plug has a collar on it which obviously screwed into the connection on the sky box. Presumably the previous owners originally had a single cable/lnb, and the second cable was added when they got Sky+ later. Presumably the original cable goes to the LNB1 input and the second cable goes to the LNB2? Also what connection type are on the box please, std TV type or screw type? I can’t tell from looking at the manual. Thanks in advance for any help.
November 30th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
What you surmise is right. I did this a couple of months ago and it works fine, with no need to adjust the dish. It’s a screw type connector on the box, as with a Sky box, and one of the others goes into your aerial socket.
November 30th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Hi
can anyone tell me why the box only outputs 1080i and not 1080p ?
Is 1080i better than 760p ?
November 30th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
@ Admin – again !
I just downloaded the User Manual, (thanks for posting the link above) and it answers my question – yes, there is a fan.
November 30th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Thanks Graham. I’ll need to source a bit of cable with a screw connector on one end & a regular tv connector on the other end.
December 1st, 2008 at 8:00 am
have you seen the price of these units in comet £349 talk about taking the p***
December 1st, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Hi guys,
Here’s a new review of the Foxsat-HDR
http://www.resolvesolutions.co.uk/article/humax_foxsat_hdr_-_review
Hope that people find it helpful.
December 1st, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Yes seen comets price,
also queried guarantee from Laskys customer support who replied ;-Thank you for your email.
All of our appliances come with a 1 year guarantee only.
And charge for extra years at
+ 3 Year Warrantydetails£69.99
+ 5 Year Warrantydetails£94.99
December 1st, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Have now read all the above comments but am still unable to obtain a humax HDR, when I phone or try to contact suppliers on line, I seem to get nowhere,
however I still live in hope.
December 2nd, 2008 at 12:13 pm
My review of the PVR can be found on my site here:
http://www.petecullen.net/?p=1646
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Pete – nice review – maybe I DO need to buy one before Christmas after all…!
December 2nd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Back in stock at Argos 3.00 2nd December
You have to ring up and order
Paul
December 2nd, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Also available for purchase online:
http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/link.php?product=argoshumaxhdr
Don’t forget code AFD10 for free delivery!
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:38 pm
at Argos still in stock as of 17.30 for Oldham/Manchester region. I ordered one earlier with code EFD10 for the free delivery and got a £10 voucher code as well.
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Argos just accepted online order (even though showing out of stock for home delivery on main page) for delivery on Thursday.
Used free delivery code (thanks for the tip!) and qualified for 10 pound voucher – bonus!
December 2nd, 2008 at 10:07 pm
is there any wat a sky plus set up can be re-tuned (or what ever it’s called) to receive free sat ? all regards
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:11 pm
12 David H:
Whilst I agree with Gavin P about changing to Linux, I am also aware that it is not an option for many people.
The Windows limit on formatting FAT32 does not have to be a problem though.
Simply download a copy of fat32format.exe from http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/download/fat32format.zip
and you will now be able to format to your hearts delight up to at least 2TB.
I myself have used this several times on 500GB hard disks to put into USB enclosures to use as external disks on laptops – it worked fine for me each time.
Good luck
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I have a Linux machine so formatted a external hard drive to ext2 but the HDR would not recognise it so I used fat32format and it worked fine. More details are here: http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/index.htm?fat32format.htm
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:29 pm
90 Peter McC
Thanks for the information, however, I really want to archive High Definition files, most of which are in excess of the 4GB limit imposed on FAT32. It’s all irrelevant anyway, as the HDR is flagging HD content with ‘Enc’ which I assume stands for ‘encrypted’, & prevents these files from being copied. A pity as the 320GB drive will soon fill up.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:12 pm
@ Pete Cullen
Thanks for the review.
It’s not very reassuring to find that the screen shots show the usual low level of inaccurate English – “You can record alternative programme by HD or SD” and “Select programme what you want”.
You would think any decent company with a bit of self respect would insist that somewhere in the software engineering process a person who speaks English as a first language and has a reasonable level of education might be involved in correcting this kind of drivel, which is far from funny or winsome and sometimes makes instructions impossible to understand.
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:57 pm
As a tecnologically challenged OAP can anyone please advise if the Humax allows the user to pause live Tv whilst answering the phone etc in the same way that Sky claims? (I am still in the dark ages but contemplating new purchase) many thanks
December 4th, 2008 at 7:57 am
@ Mike B
Yes there are some real clangers in there! Hopefully a firmware update might inject some quality control.
December 4th, 2008 at 8:52 am
94 Pat
Yes it can pause live TV. Have a look at http://www.pvrjunction.co.uk/a-closer-look-at-humax-foxsat-hdr-and-freesat-features/ for more info.
December 4th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Hi
Can anyone tell me if the HDMI cable which is supposed to come with the box is dual cable or does that have to be purchased seperately?
Thanks
December 4th, 2008 at 10:31 am
I ordered my HDR from Argos last Thursday, and it arrived Monday PM. Argos has beaten two other companies where I’ve put my name down (Superfi reserved early Nov, and a local TV shop).
So far I’m very pleased – the picture and sound quality are excellent, and the recording functions all work as expected. I would agree with other posters about the directional remote, and also a tendency to get double responses, where the cursor jumps on further than intended. I am pleased with the remote facility to control other devices: I’m using it with a Toshiba LCD TV, a Tevion DVD player, and a Yamaha AV amp without any problems.
I do have one small gripe about the remote – the record button is missing its red dot. All the other transport buttons have their white logos, but the record button is blank. Has anyone else found this problem? I’ve emailed Humax Support about this on Tuesday, but so far had no reply…
All in all an excellent product, and highly recommended. I’m not usually a fan or Argos, but in this case they delivered (pun intended).
December 4th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
There’s a red dot on my record button not that I use it much as I have a Harmony one remote. The Humax remote will not control my Teac receiver.
December 4th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Still get Humax HD PVR from Argos on the telephone Telephone 0845 640 2020.
Price £299.99 free deliverly and get a £5 pound back there payment still not up to date with new VAT 15%.Should get it Monday morning.
December 4th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Ordered a unit from Superfi last night and received this e mail from them today:
Humax Foxsat-HDR update
Stock of the Humax Foxst-HDR is very slowly beginning to arrive in the UK. As and when it arrives it is being allocated out to all channels. We have been advised that Humax had one lorry load stolen last week while the stock was in-transit to the UK. This has caused a major problem with availability.
Customers should understand that Christmas delivery is unlikely at this point, although I cannot rule it out.
Could I please ask that Customers do not call us regarding this model. As soon as we have further information, we will contact you.
However I have just ordered one from Argos using the number from Eric P above and it is being delivered on Tuesday.
December 4th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Craig, I phoned Argos 2 hours ago and was told its out of stock so how did you manage to get one?
December 5th, 2008 at 6:59 am
I am still not clear how to archive recordings from the unit to my USB Stick, does the stick need formatting in a different way. When I set it up currently the copy facility is greyed out.
December 5th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Sidney, I just called the number and told the guy I wanted to place an order. I gave him the item number and that was it. He told me it was £299 and that they would give me free delivery as their system was not set up for the vat reduction. I did not want to push for any further reduction (the free delivery code above) I just wanted to order a unit.
He did not say at any stage that the item was out of stock, in fact he told me that ‘this product is excluded from our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee’. I was surprised that it was in stock. I just hope it is delivered on Tuesday as promised.
December 5th, 2008 at 8:30 am
@103 Roger Smith
I had this same problem over coping to usb stick. I phoned Humax and they could not help to start with but did come back to me later, but in the mean time I had worked out how to do it.
Providing the HDR sees the usb stick you must FIRST select on the usb stick were you want to copy the file to. Then when you go back the the file to be copied the copy button should now be green.
As far as formatting I have found that it only recognises FAT16/32 I have tried ext2 formatted on a Linux machine but it did not work.
December 5th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Full review of The Humax DTR in “What Satellite” January issue out 17th December.
December 5th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Have set up box through my Sony AV and Bravia TV but system won’t automatically choose correct AV input or switch between different aspect ratio pictures when using the HDMI connection.
December 5th, 2008 at 9:56 am
A number of posters have found that sometimes when you ring Argos they have the Humax in stock, and others ringing at the same time are told they do not.
This is all to do with the way the Argos distribution network is organised. Argos have a number of regional distribution centres, and the product must show as in stock at your local distribution centre before you can order it.
When I rang to order last week, I was asked for my post code (to establish which was my local distribution centre) before they asked me what I wanted to order.
December 5th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Seems to be more easily available on phone orders.Despite being shown as out of stock for delivery & collection on their website (CM postal code). Called Argos 9:30am today on 0845 640 2020 (thanks Eric P). Delivery due on Monday 8th am. Item no. is 532/1832 – £299.99 all in.
December 5th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Thanks Craig, It does seem to be a bit hit and miss. I just hope they get some more stock soon as I was looking forward to watching a bit of hd this christmas!
December 5th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Over the years I have had countless satellite receivers,the only exception a Sky+ box.
This wonderful piece of kit is so easy to use, the picture quality is exemplary both on SD and HD . The CAM slot makes watching CH4 HD easy too. Well done Humax, the wait was well worth it.
December 5th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I was planning to buy the Humax pvr and a Panasonic tv (without freesat). In view of the distribution difficulties of the Humax pvr, if I bought a tv, with built-in freesat, and then bought the Humax pvr later, would this simply be a waste of money, or are there any advantages to having both tv with freesat and Humax pvr?
December 5th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Russ what cam are you using i am wanting to use my sky card in my foxsat hdr to use my setanta subscription anyone know how i can do this.
also can you slave a sky box using the lnb out
December 5th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Kevin, I take it you are looking at the pz81, If you plan to buy the humax box then get a pz80 or pz85 instead and save your money. Both have built in freeview and give a great picture; or pay the extra and get the pz800 which has a few more features over the 80/85.
I can’t see the point in buying a freesat tv if you plan to buy the box as well.
I was in the same position as you and decided to buy the pz800 (great tv btw), I just need the humax box and I will be well happy this christmas!
December 5th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Can someone PLEASE tell me how to get Sky News with this system?
(Sorry if the question has already been answered, but from their comments, someone above I’m sure has managed it!!
Thanks
December 5th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Hi,
Just ordered one from Argos on 0845 640 2020. Seems like the best bet as it is always showing out of stock online!
December 5th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Hi,
I have just done exactly the same and one is being delivered on monday 8th
had to pay a fiver delivery though, but whoo cares!
December 5th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Thanks to anyone who was about to tell me how to find Sky News – I have just found it myself!!
Thanks anyway
December 5th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Still can’t get one ordered via Argos as a phone order. Is it down to location in the country? John, where abouts are you in the country. I am ordering from Bath but once I give my postcode they always say out of stock, call back in three days!
December 5th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Richard Ahl – take a look at this link:
http://foxsat.wikispaces.com/Non-Freesat+channels
should answer your question.
December 5th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Hi Peelar,
I guess it must be down to location then, I’m in Essex!
I had no problem and was able to use the code ADF10 to get free delivery. I was told that free delivery would make up for the fact that phone orders do not reflect the new VAT rate yet, ie. it’s still £299.99!!
Keep trying & Good Luck
December 5th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Received my box on Monday.
Wow this box is fantastic,excellent picture,HD is amazing.
Just programmed the control to work my TV and DVD player,finally a control that has every button I nead for all of my controls.
December 5th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Wow! Was I lucky to get one! ‘Let the minnies moan! Let the cynics chant! Thank you guys’ at Humax – you’ve made my day!’
Those technically interested – I’m running a new quad LNB into my old dish! Two cables feeding the Humax Freesat twin PVR. Another cable from the LNB leads to a spltter feeding two Foxsat single tuner units for other tv’s around the house. They are all working superbly off the one dish! At first I tried a single LNB – not a cat in hell’s chance! This baby needs two cable inputs to savour its hidden delights! Yes I know! I still have a spare output on the LNB! I just love gizmos – don’t you? Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2008 to you all!
December 6th, 2008 at 12:22 am
Peelar,
i’m in Leicester area and I got it by phone 0845 640 2020, can’t wait, puting my dish up tommorow with quad LNB ready for monday delivery.
John
December 6th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Thanks guys, your right. The website for Argos has been showing Out of Stock every day. Just given them a call and I’ve got free delivery in two working days! Also got the VAT reduction. Let hope this kits as good as it sounds!
Will be interested in adding Sky News when I get the box, I see someone else asked this question but sorted it out before it was answered… Can I ask again as I’d also like to do this.
Thanks,
December 6th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Ordered one this morning of argos as well. 293 and got shipping for Tue 9th dec for free. I live in stansted area.
December 6th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Just one major gripe which is spoiling a great product!
The response from the EPG when setting up recordings
is VERY SLOW and frustrating.
This is especially bad when moving horizontally through the EPG.
It is SO SLOW that it can take several seconds to respond and sometimes
I think nothing is going to happen.
Can’t make my mind up if it is a fault with the box or the remote
control is broken.
I have emailed Humax support but no response as yet
December 6th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Help, pensioner trying to set upHDR, keep getting message invalid post code, Try to manually tune and have strength 80 to 90 % but quality is 0%
December 6th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
@edward
I have exactly the same problem with a recently purchased Humax PVR 9300T. Basically a Freeview box with Hard disk recording.
Operation and quality is very good. However when I bring the box out of standby there is only about one or two items on the EPG, so I can’t use it to set recordings. It takes between three to five minutes for the EPG to become fully populated – no good at all. I have other digital receivers (Philips and Sony) which show their full EPG immediately.
Also, I emailed Humax a week ago now – no response. Not good enough for this type of problem.
Looks as though they have a basic problem with this equipment type.
December 6th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Sorry just been told aerial needs attention, please cancel above request.
December 6th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
@Edward & @peterhb
I’m not convinced Humax are monitoring their email!
I sent them an email on Tuesday 02/12 about the Record button on my remote not having the red dot legend, then followed up with a copy of the same email to both their support and sales email address on Friday 05/12.
So far, no response to either emails. Not good enough Humax!
December 7th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Mine arrived friday…first impressions very good..to get the latest software update and to record two channels at the same time you have to have both tuners cabled up/twin lnb.Box response is much better after the latest update .One thing i did notice regarding “signal” is if you go into freesat tune it shows your current signal,mine is 85% strength 70% quality. In the twin tuner diagnostic menu it shows individual signal for both tuners,they are both showing 95% on strength and quality(which one should i believe.?).still noticing minor transmission glitches on phantom menace,the odd blocking now and again,thought it was signal but maybe its itvhd. To get my box i had argos email me when it was in stock in my area for delivery..i responded within minutes to there email and luckily i got one.As i write this comment at approx 16.52 pm Sunday i notice ItvHD has gone off air,right slap bang in the middle of star wars…they really need to sort out these Major glitches, Come on ITV,get your act together.
December 7th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Turns out it was the Itv News that cut out the HD feed to Star wars,thought my recording was going to be totally ruined.
December 7th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Ordered from Argos online. Delivered two days later. 15 minutes and it is up and running.
itvHD for Star Wars today very glitchy. I see above it might be itv problem, not Freesat.
One Problem. Having recorded programs and then watched them – Deleting seems a mess! Could not find a way, then realised might be that another program recording. Later found that have to use several buttons, losing focus on target, before RED available to delete. This could be improved, guys at Humax!
December 8th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Just got my HDR from Comet the other day (ordered before their weird price hike).
Question: What disk format does the external USB-connected HDD need? There seems to be no utility for formatting the external device (though I can see the device via the Humax – and I can see its Volume Name in File Explorer)
ABC
December 8th, 2008 at 8:15 am
@134 Martin
I agree deleting programmes should be much easier. You can’t delete while another programme is being recorded and you can’t delete the programme during playback, it has to be stopped first. The Freeview PVR 9200T was much better. So why does Humax not use the same logic as on previous models.
December 8th, 2008 at 8:27 am
135 aybeesea
See my entry at message 12
December 8th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Well parcel this morning but to my shock I got the wrong item a sleeping bag of all things hopefully they get right tommorrow.
December 8th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Got mine on Friday and I am extremely pleased with it.
I would agree that the navigation (or remote response) on EPG is a bit slow and jumpy, but that’s my only gripe so far. It’s a small price to pay for all the benefits. Love the sorted folders of series recordings. And the photo slideshow facility. MP3 playback is a great bonus as well. Bit of a shame you can’t browse and play the MP3′s without turning on the TV, but that’s just being wishful!
Star wars was a bit blocky, and the PQ was extremely poor, hardly seemed HD at all. Compare it with Britannia high that immediately followed and there was no comparison. It’ll be interesting to see what happened in the middle of the recording where the news was inserted. I’m hoping that the recording was paused
comment @ Roy W. Mailing Humax to demand a red dot on a button?? Get a life!
December 8th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
David H @ 137 thanks for the Headsup. I am still bemused as to why there is no utility (within the Humax) for formatting external drives to a compatible format.
Is it too early to find a DIY internal disk capacity upgrade procedure (yes, I know about warranty etc…)…??
ABC
December 8th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Can anyone tell me how, once I’ve created a search, get rid of it!!!!
Read the manual, tried the Opt+ button etc etc…
ABC
December 8th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
It may be a silly question but when recording can you record subtitles?
December 8th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Anyone tell me if there’s a facility for recording the buffer. Preferably from “Programme Start”…???
Something I happen to have become used to with my Topfield….
ABC
December 8th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Re 105 BarryP
I plugged in an old 160GB WD external drive and it said something like ‘Not recognised. Can only recognise FAT 16/32 or EXT2/3′
My first thought was ‘Wow, Ext 2 and 3, that’s handy’ Then I thought ‘What on earth did I format this drive as? I must check that…one day’
Then I plugged a USB stick into the external drive’s USB socket and it was recognised, with MP3s and JPEGs opening fine (though not .jpg files).
December 8th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I am beginning to wonder if it is all worth the effort but I have only got to 98 and still reading. Incidentally forget Linux it is just as overrated as Sky.
December 8th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
A format utility on the Humax might help, no?
ABC
December 8th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
“Incidentally forget Linux it is just as overrated as Sky.”…
Off topic but Linux is free, and can do everything that Windows can … Sky is not free…
December 8th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Thanks for the replies all. Still can’t get one ordered from Argos by phone order in the South West. Cheers.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
You might be able to format a disc using Puppy Linux run from a CD. This is quite a useful system to have handy when Linux files need editing, and it does not affect your PC at all..
December 8th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
i do find the whole shebang abit more of a faff on than sky+ in regards to menus, epgs, recording, playback etc, but i’ll get it sorted in time.
What i’m totally gutted about is the fact that my hdtv, three years old, no hdmi input in the back cannot playback or display the hd channels when in freesat mode..because i’ver had to connect from hdmi > dvi.
HDCP, apparently, causes the picture to display for twenty seconds then go black, while the sound continues. HOWEVER, when i re-tune in non-freesat mode bbc hd displays no probs, BUT there is no epg and therefore i can’t set timer to record programs, also no red button on itv hd programs in non-freesat mode!!! it’s sooo annoying!
apparently you can get hdmi > hd analogue component converters which strip out the hdcp, but they cost a further £150-200!
any of you boffins know a cheaper way to do it?
cheers
December 9th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Argos has stock for home delivery. Right now.
ABC
December 9th, 2008 at 8:49 am
I have had a Argos Home Delivery Dec1 Up and running A1 what a brilliant box of High Tec. Now for the people with a single cable feed, IT IS NO PLOBLEM PURCHASE A CABLE SPLITTER WHICH WILL DEVIDE THE SIGNAL
THE ONE I AM USING IS A LOBGEAR CABLEVISION REF CM 5114 QUITE CHEAP, I LIVE IN A FLAT AND USING THE CABLE SUNK IN THE WALL THE LOW LOSS WHICH AS BEEN IN USE FOR MANY YEARS IT IS WORKING JUST FINE I CAN NOT FIND WORDS TO PRAISE THE HUMAX HDR IT IS A WONDERFUL THING TO HAVE. HOPE THIS WILL HELP A FEW FOLKS IN TIME CHRISTMAS
December 9th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Recieved my HDR from comet yesterday. what a super piece of kit this is, picture is far better than my sky HD box,( and that is good. ) Just one question how do you access the controls, USB port and module slot, on the front of the unit. thanks .
December 9th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Had mine for over a week now with one problem had set it to record Spooks on Saturday night on BBC Scotland, with record set for “auto start end” it actually stopped recording 3 minutes before end of the recording and I had to watch the ending via my computer as it was being shown on the English BBC regions on Monday night. Has anyone else experienced this problem?
December 9th, 2008 at 11:07 am
@AC post 139
“comment @ Roy W. Mailing Humax to demand a red dot on a button?? Get a life!”
Thanks for that. It’s easy to be flippant, but without the red dot there is no indication that this is the record button. I know it is, but my wife has already asked where the record button is…
Perhaps you’d like to swap remotes with me…?
December 9th, 2008 at 11:36 am
@Jim 154. Yes, I recorded Heroes on BBC HD and had the start and end times set to AUTO. The recording ended 3 or 4 minutes early! How annoying! Luckily I had recorded it on my separate freeview PVR already.
Looks like I’ll have to add 5 minutes padding as I’m used to, but according to the manual, the auto start and end is best if the programmers change the schedule. So bang goes that advantage.
I’m guessing that the problem was due to the programming signal from the channel dropping too early, as the ‘auto mode’ switches on and off according to that signal. It could be the box, though, but either way, I hope it will be fixed!
@Jon 150. If your TV was badged as HD ready, it should come with all the necessary reatures to work properly with this device. Specifically, it must have a HDMI or DVI connector, and be able to handle HDCP.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Dave…Just go to either end of the front panel and flick it down. It is quite firmly stuck there but will come down. You’ll get used to the amount of pressure needed.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:41 am
@Roy 155
So, are you saying that your record button is just plain grey with no red dot?
If so, then I retract my flippant comment! I didn’t realise that you are actually referring to a fault on the remote, rather than just a personal preference.
As there is no other text explaining what that button is, I can see how a missing dot could be a problem until you get used to it!!
December 9th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Little Frustrating!
I have a Hummy 9300T that I use too and this allows you to trim the recorded programs. The HDR does not. Hopefully Humax will come out with a software upgrade to fix this soon!
December 9th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Thanks for that info Grubby.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Hi guys, I wonder if anyone can help me out on this, I have a pre HD, SD plasma and am currently watching BBC HD on a Topfield sat box outputing 576i via component. The HD picture even downconverted at 576i looks stunning. I’m wanting to upgrade to a PVR but it looks like 720p and 1080i are encrypted on freesat. So my question is Freesat HD encrypted 576i/576p on the analogue component outputs?
December 9th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
@ Bert 152
Does that mean I can run the PVR from a sinle lnb by using a cable splitter and get all the functions?
December 9th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Well got my Humax HDR this morning along with all the other posters I got to argee this is a great piece of kit very please with it.The remote response is quick and the EPG is much quicker then sky’s.The picture is top quality both in HD and SD.Setup was very easy only took 15mins.The remote is a bit fiddly but not to bad.There more channels line up on freesat then freeview which was a good surpise.
9.5 out of 10 if it was not for the remote be 10 out of 10 for me.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Hi . I have had my Humax pvr now for four weeks. Can anyone please help me with a big problem, I have tried for hours trying to read the manual on how to sourt out how to get the Tv guide to show more than two hours of programs. thanks.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Hi
Could any one please tell me if I should be able to record a single programe and watch any other channel, I have two feeds in from my LNB.
If I am recording a channel lets say bbc then I seem to be very restricted as to what other channels I can watch. If this is not the case any ides as to the problem.
Both the feeds are working ok to the LNB
John
December 9th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
@AC 158
Cheers AC, misunderstanding sorted!
I’m not losing sleep over the missing red dot, but I do find it a bit disturbing that Humax appear not to be replying to any emails. Either that, or they are so busy it’s taking them a very long time. I’ll give them another day or two, then try ringing them.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Nice to know people are actually getting them. When I placed my order the supplier suggested stock was due 26th Nov 08 yet I haven’t heard anything from them yet. By the sounds of it, I wish I’d taken the Argos route…
December 9th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
John @ 164
Go to the ‘How To’ here is something there that will help you out
http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/how-to
December 9th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
@ John 164
You certainly should be able to record one programme and view any other channel, or record two programmes and be able to view a restricted selection (from the same transponder).
It sounds to me like your Humax thinks it’s only got one LNB feed. I suggest you run through the setup wizard again, and make sure you select the option for a twin LNB feed, and see if this makes any difference.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Does anyone else find the remote control range is completely hopeless? And also when navigating the EPG it is sluggish and non responsive? This combined with the remote controls lack of range makes for a frustrating and painful experience. Not what I was expecting to be honest for the price.
Another example is when you go to delete a file, a pop up appears asking if you are sure you want to delete and the icon defaults to NO. When I press the left key once it bounces across to the Yes Icon and then back to the No Icon. Arrrggghhh!!!!!!
Apart form this the picture is great but so was my freeview.
I was told by ARGOS that this product was excluded from the 30 day money back deal so where do I stand in getting a refund as it’s hardly fit for purpose with the above faults.
December 9th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Dom@170
Not to be condescending. Have you removed both film protectors from the box? There is the obvious 1 on the front and another 1 when you flip the flap down inside there!!
December 9th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Failing that…….Stick it on ebay!
December 9th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Thanks Roy W,
I have done a factory reset, then a freesat tune and it picked up two cables all working ok.
PS, is Setanta available through the CAM slot, if not does anyone know if it will be. or what can be used in the CAM slot?
How can anyone even think of putting this macine on Ebay or sending it back so early, wel done grubby just removed film off the inside and the remote does work better.
John
December 9th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Yep pealed it of both the flap and the actual LCD. Still rubbish. After speaking to a colleague about this we think it could be the box CPU that is busy doing something else and not giving the IR enough priority.
This could also explain the general CLUNKY feel to the EPG etc.
He reckons the EPG becomes smoother if you leave it on the screen for a while and wait for the picture to re appear in the background. No idea why when viewing the EPG the current channel stops then eventually appears again. Just weird and maybe suggest the CPU is not man enough.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
@Mark 161:
As far as I’m aware, only HDMI can carry any encryption information. Outputting via component should provide a decrypted signal, compatible with any equipment capable of the connection. Someone may correct me if I’m wrong. Do a google search for component and encryption or something.
Andy
December 9th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Hi Andy, seen a few posts saying 720p and 1080i are encrypted (ie: you can’t see a HD picture) via component so you can’t record analogue output. Just not sure if it’s the same on 576i? Did a google but can’t find the answer, cheers
December 9th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
can you reset the configuration to receive Gold Sat signals (400++ channels). If so how
December 9th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I abandoned my old TV and VCR 6 months ago. Bought a SONY Bravia 32” with built in Freeview which gave good results despite my ageing aerial. Since then I have been waiting impatiently for the HUMAX “Freesat +” which arrived from ARGOS a few days ago. It cost me £415 including delivery and fitting but I am happy with the value as there is no monthly subscription and I think the HUMAX will serve my needs for same time to come. I would recommend it to anyone.
As more technically able people have already given feed back I will simply say that it does everything it says on the tin – and very well too. I read concerns about noise from the fan – there is none that I can detect. The display on the front of the box is bright, but not enough to distract me, at least, from enjoying the new (to me) functionality of the HUMAX, combined with an excellent picture on my SONY. Diagnostics show Signal Strength 100% and Quality 90% on both Tuners
I have yet to discover any disappointment except difficulty with the “universal” remote control. I am still juggling 2 remotes despite following carefully the info in the User Manuals and websites. I think the problem lies with the SONY not recognising that the HUMAX is attached to the HDMI cable. If anybody can offer any advice on this irritation I should be very grateful.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
@Wayne
I have similar experience with HDMI not being recognised. MY Humav is hooked up to a philips 32″ HD which doesn’t recognise the connection. I have to go into the TV input options and manually select the appropriate HDMI input socket.
Is this a problem with the Humax box or is to do with the HDMI protocol ?
December 9th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
HDMI inputs do not support auto switching like SCART
December 9th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Does anyone know if the Foxsat HD PVR supports Unicable LNBs (sometimes called Single Cable Routing (SCR) LNBs? For example, the Inverto SCR LNB should allow simultaneous viewing/recording of 4 channels on any transponder/either polarisation. This would support 1 dual tuner PVR plus 2 other satellite STBs all on one cable.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
JL says “stock due soon” but when I popped in to oxford st branch in London the assistant got it up on their system and there are 2000 outstanding orders to be filled so you cannot even place an order…………..this amount of outstanding orders will probably see off any stock till a while after xmas won’t it?
December 9th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
@DOM 174
DOM your friend is perfectly correct re the EPG and REMOTE CONTROL.
If you let the picture come back behind the EPG then the Remote Control
works perfectly.
You have to wait a while but it is worth it for ease of use.
Conclusion – A GREAT BIT of KIT!
December 10th, 2008 at 1:14 am
Reply to JAMES a “Dragon” sorry for the delay!
December 10th, 2008 at 6:31 am
Hi Can anyone tell me how i can get one full days programs on the tv guide i have tried for a month thanks.
December 10th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Has anyone had problems booting the unit up? I have about a 20% success rate in getting the unit to come out of standby. More often than not the LCD backlight will come on and the HD will spin up but the word ‘BOOT’ does not appear, and the unit doesn’t properly come on. I’ve tried switching off at the back and back on, and the same thing happens. I’ve used the front button and the remote button. Eventually. after trying all 3 a few times, it eventually boots.
It might be worth mentioning that I haven’t received the first OTA update yet, I received an error, I think it’s because I only have a single LNB at the moment.
Ordinarily I’d not hesitate to request a replacement, but with the stock situation, I’d rather look for a fix!
Ken 185, I’m pretty sure you can’t get more than 2 different views on the EPG. Press Guide to toggle between the 2 views available.
Andy
December 10th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Re @144
Checked the formatting of my external HD and it’s NTFS and therefore not recognised, as the box rightly says. EXT2 will do nicely for it now as I think there may be limits on file size with FAT.
So, thanks for the advice, Dave (@145) but, overrated or not, Linux will continue to do nicely for me at home as it has for the last nine years or so.
Don’t know much about Sky, but freesatfromsky has served me well for a few years. Anyone want an old Pace box going cheap?
December 10th, 2008 at 10:08 am
@183
Noticing a lot of people have slow EPG response I wondered why mine was fast and responsive. Then I realised I only have about 20 channels in my EPG as I have deleted all the channels I don’t use from the channel listing, Could the number of channels in the EPG be proportional to the response time.
December 10th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Can the single feed into your house be split into 2 using a spliter
December 10th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Got mine yesterday and spent evening playing with it!!! 10 Mins to setup, downloaded new software and installed it within 3 mins. Its brilliant don’t have to pay stupid $ky £10 per month to record just freeview channels anymore.
oh yeah – i got my box from Argos £299.41 inc del +£10 voucher.
One question:
How do you quickly flick through your favorite channels? i.e. the sky blue button feature.
thanks
Del
December 10th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Have got my Humax FOXSAT-HDR and am loving it. But have some questions which may have been answers already but is proving differcult to get answers using this forum. My question:
I have just the one feed from my Satelite which goes to Humax FOXSAT-HDR. I am able to record a channel and watch a sub set of channels. Using just the one feed am I not able to get latest software upgrade? Is there a way of getting software upgrade and full feature set when recording? i.e. single feed to behaviour like dual feed? I hear connecting out to in does not do the job from help line?
December 10th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
geo – The software updates are not available via one cable at the moment, Humax are said to be working on this.
With just a single feed you are limited, the only way around this is two cables in, or the limited accessibility as discussed here, http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/how-to/operating-a-pvr-with-one-input.
December 10th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
@183 + 188
Hope for a fix for the EPG, or it will end up in the argos returns bin! We think the box is downloading synopsis info and thats whats causing the IR and EPG problems. Don’t think the SKY + system did this until the info was requested. I don’t really want to delete a load of channels but will check if this helps. A PC based settings editor would be nice like on my HDCI2000 the option to add Chan4 HD without switching box mode would be nice. Still impressed with picture quality though better than $ky
December 10th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Thanks for answers admin. I guess it would be good to have the software update feature via the one cable, will look out for when feature is in. I can live with the limited sub set when recording.
P.S. Am loving the Humax FOXSAT-HDR. BBC HD is fab! Champion league looking great on ITV HD.
December 10th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Hi
Thinking of buying But can you TIME RECORD ITV as unlike the BBC they use a Red Button to access ITV HD
Chris
December 10th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Sorry to be a dur brain with all this 2 feed stuff but I have 2 satellite cables which used to go into my ordinary sky box is this the 2 cables needed for the pvr?………(which I cannot seem to buy at present!!!) At the moment I only have one of the sat cables in my freesat hd box.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Yes ! LNB in1 and LNB in 2 it’ll be obvious how it works when you see the quick set up instructions when you do finally get your hands on the new box.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Dom, If you bought it online or buy phone you have 7 days to reject it under the distance selling regulations.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Yes Alan the signal Splitter will work fine, look on the Humax web site they are selling a few twin turners PVRS on the Freeveiw platform which operate from the arials FTA which have been in use for many years, these had only one cable feed why all the fuss about twin cable Yes the Humax HDR is a gem well worth the money, BBC & ITV have been busy doing some work regarding the ITV HD introduction to the Freesat platform, but working well now, the cable Splitter made by LOBGEAR CABLEVISION devides the signal and gives two feeds from a single DISH CABLE the splitter box ref number is CM5114 two short cables are required about 8″ long between DVR and the SPLITTER BOX
December 11th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Thanks to the earlier post about removing the protective film from the flap and over the sensor and internal display / buttons. I did not realise about the film over the sensor and even when I looked again I did not think it was fitted. I have now removed the second protective film and the remote does work much better. It is still very directional but a lot better.
December 11th, 2008 at 10:23 am
@199
Sorry, but you can’t simply use a signal splitter with satellite to give you the full functions of two LNB feeds. When you do this with Freeview, the aerial signal is passive – the signal is coming in one direction down the cable to the receiver.
With satellite reception, the receiver needs to control two settings on the LNB in order to tune the correct channel, these being the band and the polarisation. Different channels use different settings for band and polarisation, and these are changed by the receiver by sending a signal up the cable to the LNB.
The only way you can use a single cable and get full features is if you change your LNB for a unicable type, which are very expensive. You then also need the technical know-how to set this up on the receiver.
All in all, it is much easier to get two feeds from your dish. In my view, unless you are going to set up the PVR with twin feeds from the LNB, then it’s really not worth buying the twin-tuner PVR.
December 11th, 2008 at 11:11 am
@201
The Inverto Unicable LNB is UKP39.00 from Intellect Systems – see http://www.intellectsystems.co.uk/. For many people it may be easier to change the LNB than running a second cable. In addition to feeding a twin tuner PVR the same single cable can be split/looped through to feed up to 2 other single tuner STBs. All 4 tuners would have full independent access to any transponder on the satellite with either polarisation.
However, as per my last post #181, I am trying to find out if the Foxsat PVR fully supports the Unicable Standard.
December 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am
@180
re HDMI Switching.
Very strange. HDMI outputs directly connected to my TV plus those connected to my TV through my Denon AV amp all auto switch flawlessly from “TV” (which might be Freeseat, DVB or analogue) to “AV”.
ABC
December 11th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Has anybody had trouble with the EPG?. Ive had my pvr for a month, and i can only get two programs on the tv guide i want to get one days programs so i can record from them . Greatfull for somebodys help.
December 11th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Got the new Humax HD-R on monday. First experience of sat TV. Very pleased with the box with the exception of 2 things. 1. Why cant I get the time to show on the boxes display during normal use? 2. The general volume level through the box is a lot lower than previously experienced, I have connected to a seperate amplifyer for surround sound via optical cable and the volume is almost set at twice the previous level.
December 11th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Looking on the Humax site, the rear of the panel is lacking component inputs, looks like a version 2 box?
December 11th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Switching channel interference?
Got one at last – v pleased with it but do have one query.
When switching channels I am getting a brief ‘buzz,crackle’ sound (hard to describe) through the TV speakers. This happens what ever route /technique is used to change channel.
Is anyone else getting this or have any ideas on how to eliminate?
Not major but would be nice to get rid of it.
Thanks.
December 11th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
14 months after hearing about Freesat and a possible PVR, I have one . Delayed another week because of the gits that stole that lorry load. Had it over a day now and no problems at all. My EPG works fine .Picture is better through the HDMI. HD is amazing .
Pity you can’t record from the live buffer and you have to have the TV on to see what mp3 you are selecting . (got to use that 20 Plus Gb’s for something )
But the best thing is the remote will not work from where my girlfriends sits. Not that she will ever understand how to use it.
December 11th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
@ 208 Matt
The first comment to make me laugh.
Thanks
Roger
December 11th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Am I the only one who thinks it looks a bit like Kitt from Night Rider, when its in standby mode ? Pity you can’t get the red LED to move from side to side.
December 12th, 2008 at 9:09 am
@178 – wayne
I too have experianced promlems getting the Humax remote to work on my Panasonic Viera TH37PX60B. I spoke to Humax support over two weeks ago and they gave me a ticket number saying they would look into it. When I phoned back I was told that there was nothing they could do regarding this issue. Its a shame because I absolutely love this piece of kit. Worth every penny!
December 12th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Reading the above I’m extremely jealous of those who managed to get their Humax delivered. I thought I’d got my hands on one when I placed my order with Argos on 3rd Dec, telling me it would arrive on Friday 5th. Well the time came and went, no communication from Argos other than taking £293 out my bank account(!), so I emailed their customer support, at which point I realised what a shambles Argos online is! Check out the reply I received:
Argos: “I am very sorry you have not received your order. Unfortunately this can sometimes happen when an item has recently sold out and our online ordering system has not updated. This can be due to large volumes of people visiting our website at one time. However I do understand the frustration and inconvenience this may cause.
I am pleased to confirm we will keep your order on hold for you until you advise further. However we do require you to check stock and once this is showing in stock to contact us and we will then re-arrange another suitable delivery date.
Please accept my sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused here.”
So, no online order tracking, no idea when they’ll get it in and they won’t let me know when it comes in anyway, instead I have to check the site for availability myself! In the meantime, they keep my money. I won’t be using them again!
Anyone else had a similar experience?
December 12th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Thanks Roger@208 just trying to turn a negative in to a positive, silver linings and all that.
Two Odd things I’ve noticed about my HDR, when your recording, the EPG comes up with the sound & TV picture straight away. No Receiving Programme Information in the top right of the screen, it still works fine if not better ?
Also I only get Thumb Nail Pictures on recordings if the Box has been turned off for a while. ?
December 12th, 2008 at 10:43 am
ALAN@162 Take my word for the Homax DTR working with a cable splitter, I have quite a lot of series loaded which are working ok for me, don’t forget is has only two turners, it is possible to view a recorded program, while recording two other programmes, it is a wonderful box of tec; it will not let one do any operations which are not possible. If only more of these Humax PVRS were available, I know many are waiting for supplies at the shops, I will say again a wonderful bit of kit, worth waiting for. I am still figureing out how to get the remote to work the TV got a good excuse I am 83 years old and still learning to do things.
December 12th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Nick, use the Argos option for having an email alert sent to you when new stock is available….you have to be quick to respond though ! You can find it when you click onto “check local stores” Its what I did and I had mine delivered last week.
If its of use to anyone ? Currys told me that they are not expecting any units in stock until after Christmas.
December 12th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
You’re quite right Steve.B. I’d already “signed up” with Argos to get the e-mail notification and one popped in to my in-box at 11.30am today telling me that they had more in stock. By the time I phoned them at 11.39am they’d sold out!
I’m desperate to get one of these Humax HDR’s as my $ky+ box is playing up big time and as I’d already planned to dump $ky there’s no way I’m paying them 65 quid to come out and probably give me some second hand refurbished rubbish (they did that once before and I’ve had nothing but trouble since…)
If you’re one of those people who have already received their new Humax recorder, count yourself very lucky – there’s plenty of us who would happily cut limbs off to have one of our own (preferably off other people, though).
December 12th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Andy @ 216
There are some on ebay at a premium though! Couple of buy it nows for £355-£360 inc postage.
If you’re that desperate???
December 12th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Forgot to say.
1 of them is Turbosat.
December 12th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
well had mine fitted yesterday and i must say that i am glad i did it is well made and the picture is great i got mine from local retail shop he was very good and i am pleased with what he did for me thanks humax and to dss ltd for a great job
December 12th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
no way to update software if you only have one LNB great idea humax NOT
December 12th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Why so bitter Dave K ? Sky+HD uses twin LNB feed. So it shouldn’t come as a suprise that this new Humax HDR with twin tuners likewise needs two ?
December 12th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I also got the email from Argos, but no stock left by the time I called up. Humax really have dropped the ball on this in my opinion. Is there any word on when the next shipment is being delivered to the UK? I’m wondering whether or not to give up and just get a regular HD Freesat tuner; the chance of getting one before christmas seems to be getting lower and lower…
December 12th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Grubby@217/8
Thanks for the info. No, I don’t think I’m quite that desperate, but thanks for the thought! I just hope my $ky+ survives over Christmas as I think Laurence@222 isn’t far wrong about the chances of any of us getting one before. I tried several retailers today and none were even taking back orders.
It’ll be worth the wait!
December 13th, 2008 at 12:36 am
I am disillusioned almost totally. Despite knowing I have a good signal, at least up to 10 am this morning with my old set up with Sky Freesat, I just cannot set the wretched Freesat box up. It couldn’t find the satellite, and then took me to postcode.No postcode I know to be valid in BH** is accepted with out without spaces. Then another OK takes me to scanning for channels. Even that is fraught: when I give the OK with the remote there is zilch response no matter how close the remote is to the box. Net result is I’m stuck and angry. I have never had such a rotten experience, so far, as with the Foxsat HDR.
I am wondering how to start the installation from scratch, but puzzled how to do that if the remote refuses to communicate with the box for whatever reason.
Unless I succeed by Monday the wretched thing is going back to JL, where I bought it.
December 13th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Admin
I have read the blog with interest. While I think it time that a knowledge centre, where people can checkout issues concerning freesat and the various boxes, is developed and it would be good if you could help facilitate this.
December 13th, 2008 at 10:16 am
To all those out three still trying to get a HDR this e-mail might be of interest.
I asked why it seemed that so many were going to Argos & not the Independent Retailers. ( I hate Argos ) Dec 5th
All channels are receiving the same % allocation against their back orders as each other. Sadly due to the theft this week that has been smaller than anticipated. We are attempting to pick up the slack on this product in the next two weeks, but anticipate stock being painfully short until mid January .
Customer Services.
So I take it if an Independent ordered 1000 & Argos ordered 50,000 . Argos would receive 50 boxes for every one that the Independent got . FAIR ???
December 13th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Gordon to start again do a factory reset, have you took the plastic film of the front and from the inside of the pull down flap which covers the display this will help the remote .
Not 100% on sattelite instalation but are you picking up Astra 2, when I installed mine I was only a few degrees out and I picked up the wrong sattelite I used a sattleite finder and found Astra 2 and hey presto.
I made the mistake of not going completly through the installation process so it did not enable me to watch and record all channels, I did a factory reset and started the instalation process again, made sure it fully went through the process until it said finish and away it went.
Hope this helps
John
December 13th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Has anyone else had recordings stop prematurely? A couple of my BBC HD recordings have stopped early, by which I don’t mean a minute or two. For example The Merchant of Venice a few days ago stopped after 33 minutes.
December 13th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Mine keeps losing the signal, but I have 100% on each. Still a great box!
December 14th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Patrick Wallace @ 228
Unfortunately, The Merchant of Venice was mistakenly only set for 33 minutes in the EPG for BBCHD, When I realised this, I modified the scheduled entry for the full length of the programme. Other than that, I have had a couple of programmes stop slightly early. I presume this is because the BBC have sent the ‘end of programme’ trigger early. Hopefully, this will improve as the broadcasters realise the importance of getting it right.
December 14th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I’m thinking of buying the HUMAX PVR but I only have one feed into my living room the other feeds are already in other rooms can i add anymore feeds to my satellite without actually changing it? also I was thinking of buying the panasonic freesat tv i take it there is no point when buying this PVR?
December 14th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I’ve had mine for a couple of days now. First impression is that it works well, but operation is far more complicated than it needs to be, even allowing for it having more facilities than Freeview equivalents. Sky are definitely superior in this respect. I am never going to be able to operate this Humax remote handset in the dark.
The remote control is useless unless the front flap is left down (yes, I have removed both protective films), and the volume control would be better if it worked the TV in PVR mode.
December 14th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Hi , Quite pleased with the HDR unit, but seem to have a glitch.
While recording X-factor last night on ITV, i could not access BBC1
or BBC-HD . When i stopped recording it was ok. I have twin feeds.
Anybody with the the same problem or advice to fix –thanks–Ian.
December 14th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Ian,
Do a complete factory reset and then run the set up wizard to the end.
see no 169
John
December 15th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Argos delivered as promised and this is an impressive and powerful device that delivers a great picture in SD and mind-bogglingly good in HD (can’t wait for more channels).
Occasionally there are conflicts when recording/viewing – I’m hoping it’s just the way I set it up that has caused this. As some others have posted along these lines I guess someone else must be in the same position as me. I’m fairly clueless about all things electrical, but with help from places such as this, am learning all the time.
I previously had Sky+ that was upgraded from standard Sky. I have 2 cables coming through the wall from the dish and connected as described to LN1 in & LN2 in. Both cables appear to go all the way up to the dish but I can’t see exactly how they connect (If that is relevant).
On the set up I recall the display showing “one cable”. Now at the time I assumed that it knew what I had and continued – is there an option to change this to “2 cables” and would it make a difference? (I don’t know how to find this out wihout re-installing).
I ran the set up wizard to the end as far as I’m aware ie I didn’t stop it from completing and pressed the appropriate selection at the end.
So my only problem is that when recording one channel, I am limited in choice as to what I can view live. I assumed it would record/view in the same way as Sky+ regardless of channel, but am thinking that’s not quite the case. Or do I need a bit of tinkering to be done with the cables before it is?
And if I did have to re-install, would it wipe any recorded material?
Any advice gratefully received. Thanks!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Gman you need to make sure it is set up knowing it has 2 cables going to it. This probable means a factory reset re-install and you might lose recordings .
Mine is working fine apart from getting the Thumb Nails up straight away .It likes to work on that while I’m sleeping.
December 15th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
IN STOCK @ DIXONS
Just had an email to say Dixons have stock
http://www.dixons.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/808073?camp_id=wk33_08_freesatHumax
Pic is wrong but description is correct, 5% discount code FSPLUS5
December 15th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
with reference to 237 use code 10digi to get 10% off then 5xmas to 5% more off got one for under £263 yipee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Ok, got mine from Argos. Requested an email when stock in. Ordered straight away and then they went out of stock almost immediately. Act quickly.
Pretty straight forward to set up and watching HD for free is a dream. Goodnight Sky +. Below are some of my initial gripes and solutions.
Slow Remote Response
I too had the slow remote problems but resolved this by reading this forum. That other blue strip on the inside of the machine is a killer. Remote response is much much quicker now.
Problems Recording / Watching Multiple Channels
Sometimes I could watch one and then not another when recording, or there were some channels ‘greyed’ out. Since carrying out a Factory Reset and ensuring it showed the 2nd Cable active this seems to be working almost fine (I did get some bad signal errors but a click backward and forward seems to get it working). Also I only lost my settings / schedules but not my recordings.
Recording Limits Options
I don’t seem to be able to Manage Files or some other options whilst a recording is in progress. Be nice to get this sorted in an update.
Favourite Channels
To flick through, you need to go into your Lists and select Green then keep pressing until your Favourites list is displayed. You then need to press OK a couple of times until you return to TV i.e. no menus. You then Press the i (info) button and then you can browse your favourites without the channel changing.
EPG
Often cuts the transmission for around 45 seconds so you browse in silence until the signal catches up.
Workings
I have to say, some of the features are really good but not so good for my wife. Generally you have to click 2 or 3 times more to get the same result as you would on Sky with 1 click. Look at the favourites which is probably 6 / 7 clicks before you start. (There might be a shorter route but I haven’t found it yet)
Overall this is an expensive bit of kit which at the moment only gives you a few hours of extra benefit (HD material) a day. With this in mind I’m not sure I would feel that left out if I didn’t own one yet.
Glad I have one and looking forward to when the HD service is more supported.
The HD picture is fantastic and subscription free is a notable reward.
December 15th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Hello, Can you record on freesat and switch to and watch a freeview channel at the same time?………………great forum by the way!!
December 16th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Got mine from John Lewis yesterday – on a pre-order. Although I don’t have an HD TV I wanted it to replace the Grundig SD unit so I could record (and replace an aging VCR). First impressions are very good – easy to set up and use (as long as you don’t make basic mistakes). Picture quality on SD is, in my opinion, better than the Grundig on my Phillips 23″ CRT.
I have considerd getting an HD TV byut now I am unsure and somewhat confused. Looking at the displays in John Lewis, none of the LCD HD units had a picture on SD that was anything like the quality of my current set up. Given that there is very little HD at the moment, it would seem a bad move to buy a new set.
Someone has, however, advised that I should get a picture through the Foxsat on an LCD at SD as good as I am getting with the CRT and to ignore the shop displays. Others have agreed but advised to go for no bigger than a 26″ LCD (our viewing distances are between 1.5 and 2 metres) as we will see defects in SD. Yet others have advised that I need at least a 32″ to get the benefit of HD at our viewing distances.
I am confused. Any tech wizards out there who can advise please.
December 16th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Thanks Matt, held my nose, jumped in and did a factory reset and it picked up two cables automatically this time – did a software upgrade at some point without me noticing too. As Paul HDR says @ 239, the recorded material isn’t deleted but all series links are – and I agree completely with your summary. I guess we’re all testing this to some extent.
Btw Matt re your post @208, unfortunately, I have the opposite situation with regard to the remote and where my wife sits and have found that a strategically placed object to one side of the unit enables me to bounce the signal off it fairly successfully – a bit like snooker, but more fun.
December 16th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Paul HDR @239 Big thank you for explaining how to flick through your favourite channels. Any thing else you find out please post.
Paul as I said @ 213 why does the EPG come up with the sound & picture straight away when its busy recording & work fine ?
To anyone managing to get one this week, let the box warm up a bit before you plug it in and use it,as condensation forming on the HDD can cause damage.
December 16th, 2008 at 11:23 am
11:15 a.m. Just successfully placed an order with Comet, delivery 29th December at the earliest. Get in there quick.
December 16th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Managed to order one from Dixons this morning for £256.49… what a price!
Just called them (early afternoon) and they confirm the order is good so hoping to receive this before Christmas.
Need to find a way to tell the wife now… a few bottles of wine should do it !!!
December 16th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
If I set the Humax resolution to “original” so that the TV does any required rescaling, and then turn off, when the box reboots the resolution is set not to “original” but to “1080i”. This is annoying, and I would like to know if the problem can be got round.
BTW TV is 32LXD85 HD Ready 1366×768
December 16th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Thanks John@ 234, factory reset seems to have done the trick.
H D plcture is superb, remote menue’s a bit over complicated.
Couple of times have put on standby, and in the morning has switched
itself back on. But it’s mine & i love it.
December 16th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I need some really good technically advice here. I know what I am asking for is Highly Illegal and I know that if I am caught I will be cast into the deepest dungeons, probably have my entrails ripped out and roast over hot coals – BUT I AM PREPARED TO TAKE THAT RISK. I spend a lot of time in a Sunny southern European country where it is difficult to get British TV. I can get one of the locals to erect a dish capable of receiving FreeSat (They’ll do anything for money out here). My question is – Will this Humax PVR work there. I have read all the postings here and what stands out is the need to input a Post Code on setup. Has this been included to thwart the likes of myself and countless other expats out here in the Sun, or does this simple act as a guide as to what regional channels are received. It really doesn’t matter whether I get Southern or Northern ITV or whatever – just as long it’s in English and gets Corry etc. I don’t mind.
There is no need to reply telling me that FreeSat is only for use in UK – I KNOW THAT. Just tell me – please – pretty please then – if it’s “theoretically” and TECHNICALLY possible to use this box abroad. You may assume that Yes I can get the correct signal.
December 16th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Jim Ted if you can get a good enough signal from Astra 2D.( Very big dish ) then you can use it on the Moon for all the box cares . Any post code you want …
December 16th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Just a suggestion to those that wish to turn off the front display;
I do not yet own one so cannot try for myself – but can a dark sticker not just be placed on the inside of the flap to drown out the light escaping, then replace the flap?
I have a techie question if anyone is able to answer;
I wish to connect this box to a motorised system so I can watch channels on Hispasat, the Astras and Hotbird. Sandy @240 poses an interesting question regarding the concurrent use of Freesat and non-Freesat modes. Having a motor will complicate this yet further – does anybody know of a good source of information so I can configure my setup correctly?
A good example is what happens when a scheduled recording tries to operate and the dish has been left at 30W.
December 16th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
So I have used the PVR for about a week now, love the PVR but a few negatives here:
1) Remote range < v.poor (need a remote extender) my pvr is about 3 meters away
2) Remote response sometimes registers as two presses specially the ‘i’ button
3) When switching channels the picture appear instantly but sound lags behind by about a second – beginning to find it annoying when channel hopping.
come on Humax guys, need another software update!!!
December 16th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
[...] record two-part programmes that may have a break in the middle for a news bulletin, such as films Join Freesat Info about the PVR [...]
December 17th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I’ve got an Arcam DVD player, does anyone know the correct code to get it working with the Humax remote control?
Other than that the unit works well, although the auto-pad mode does cut programs off at the moment (I’ve changed to using hard-coded padding).
December 17th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Why do executed schedule items not get deleted automatically, but only sometimes?
December 17th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Managed to get mine from Dixons online ordered Tuesday 16th dec received today – nice and easy to set up – managed to get it for £261.44 (found a few codes to tap in) A friend wanted 1 but have checked there site tonight and out of stock
only had it on for a few hours but would definatly recommend this
only gripe – it would be nice if you could get freesat and non-freesat to tune together without having to swap over each time
December 17th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
forgot to tag these – try them they worked for me – mind you i forgot to add the free delivery – could have saved an extra £5
Humax FOXSAT-HDR Freesat+ Box. Its available for £299.99 with £4.95 delivery, but if you use discount code FSPLUS5 youll receive a 5% discount.
Once added the discount code, follow up with discount code 10DIGI for a further 10% offand then use discount code FREEDEL49 for free delivery too!!!
December 17th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
So as instructed by us 2 days ago
http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/humax-pvr-now-available-at-dixons
December 17th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Can the screensaver on pause be turned off, please?
December 18th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Had my unit for 2 weeks now-Comet website pre-order. Having been a $ky man since their launch and having one of the first sky+ boxes I finally got sick of the subscription and the ripoff price to upgrade to HD. So far so good in the freesat world-my experience to date:
-Installation really simple. Unplug sky+ cables, plug into freesat unit and connect the included HDMI. Then turn on the unit and the on screen instructions were fine. Others have said how within 15 minutes its all done-I can vouch for that.
-Picture quality is excellent in SD and HD.
-Menu’s not as simple or intuitive as $ky+, but certainly not bad. Also some parts better like offering series link whenever available as part of the record selection process.
-Frustrated by the lack of range on the remote. I have removed the 2 films on the Humax unit, installed new batteries but I still have to get close to use it. It works from a long distance to control TV (and DVD-another advantage over the sky rc) so I hope that a future firmware should be able to resolve this.
-Thought unit was faulty when I couldnt delete recorded programs-thanks to this forum for clarifying that you cant delete while recording. Now I know its not a problem.
-Fantastic new feature to skip forward a number of minutes-set mine to 2 and a couple of clicks gets us through the adverts-$ky missed a trick with that one.
Cancelled with $ky yesterday, I think they are getting worried about Freesat+ as when I told them this was the reason I was offered a great deal to stay-told I could still return the Humax and stay with them-even offered a 3 month deal for sky+HD. I am happy enough with my choice though and went through with the cancellation.
December 18th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Just received my unit from Dixons. All seems to be working although the fan does not run when you turn the unit on. Is the fan temperature controlled or is it supposed to run all teh time?
December 18th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Hi. I’m not sure if this has been answered but I *have* looked.
Can someone please tell me an easy way to view Freesat and NON-Freesat (manually tuned) channels? I have come up with a workaround but its not very consistent.
TIA
ABC
December 18th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
ref 261
Don’t know any workarounds just the menu settings etc method. Humax should be aware by now people are unhappy there is no more direct way of switching between freesat and nonfreesat modes! They haven’t bothered answering my email request. What’s your workaround?
December 18th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
ref 248
I believe any UK postcode would work. The box has no connection for it to send data to broadcasters / operators. Well it has the ethernet but that’s not enabled yet. Didn’t think it was still considered illegal to receive UK broadcasts abroad and thought the copyright nonsense had been lifted when the various public channels became fee to air even before freesat came along.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
ref updating my own question in post 44
I was and am still unclear whether using a multi lnb dish will enable different locations to be received via both of the two LNB inputs on the back of the box? Has anyone tried anything more complex than the following?
I have now bought and installed the box with two cables down to the box for the Freesat locations at 28 degrees and added LNBs to receive 13, 19 and 23 degree locations. I decided LNBs needed to all be added onto one of the main cables via a Diseqc 4 way switch and fed in to LNB1 input.
Programming the extra LNBs in non-freesat mode took some hit and miss, the link in my post 44 helped as did downloading the Humax i-cord manual where the process is explained at least in part. I avoided doing general scans of each satellite to keep the number of channels down and worked my way through the transponders that contained channels I wanted. I referred to lyngsat (kingofsat also good) for the detailed listings.
Now that I can receive the channel range I wanted I have to wait for HUMAX to upgrade the software when they realise people want to switch between freesat and non-freesat modes more easily and to programme recordings in non-freesat mode! Please HUMAX, please are you getting on with this??? Let us know somehow!
December 18th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
got mine today from Dixons 10 minute set up so far so good,picture quality good,very pleased,message to admin ,could you compile the hints and tips into one area only this share and enjoy section is great but getting a bit long to scan for info
December 19th, 2008 at 9:01 am
ClydeD@245. I’ve got a similar matrimonial problem. Not with the purchase of the Freesat+ box (mine arrived yesterday evening and I’m very very pleased with it. Have cancelled $ky already). My issue is convincing the trouble-and-strife that now that we’ve got an HD decoder we should buy an HD telly to plug it into!
For those who haven’t got one of these Humax babies yet: go get one – you won’t be disappointed! See the separate topic about Humax at Dixons for some useful tips on where to buy…
December 19th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Now I’m P’d off! My faulty unit was collected by Argos but they haven’t delivered a replacement because they are out of stock until after Xmas!!
And of course, nobody else has any! So all of that lovely HD programming over Xmas I’m going to miss! 
Boo hoo!
Andy
December 19th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Andy Clayton:
See my post at 241 above. We seem to be in a similar position. She Who Must Be Obeyed would be very resistant to anything above 26″ (the TV that is!) and the advice seems to be that 26″ is too small to appreciate HD. Yet I am also told that 32″ will show defects on SD. What to do?
December 19th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
I think this site is terrific, thanks guys for all the helpful info.
query?
I’m waiting delivery for the freesat pvr, I have a hd/ready kuro plasma, is the hdmi cable supplied with the freesat good enough? or should I upgrade ?
December 19th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Dave, don’t waste your time upgrading, a digital signal is a digital signal, the one supplied is fine.
December 19th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Having a problem with Foxsat-HD when trying to view subtitles on BBC HD. System crashes after a few seconds. OK when subtitles switched off but very frustrating as me and spouse both hard of hearing and rely a great deal on subtitles. Is this a common problem??
December 19th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Back in stock at Argos RIGHT NOW!
December 19th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I have just set my unit up and all is well, but I have no ITV HD only BBC HD. Is this a setup, dish alignment issue? or are they not transmitting today?
December 19th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Ref hdmi query earlier, thanks for the advice admin that’s fifty quid saved.
One more query, is this site adictive? i keep visiting everyday, perhaps when the pvr is delivered after Christmas I won’t need my fix so often.
December 19th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Just ordered from Argos with
AFD10 (Free delivery)
& XMASDISCOUNT (£10 off)
Will be delivered on Monday.
December 19th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
got unit set up fine but have found on a few channels i get “no or bad signal” channels affected are the pop chanels and true movies ,any ideas
thanks
Gary
December 19th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
sorry forgot to mention above thati have got 90% strength but zero quality when i look in the diagnostics
December 19th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Andy Clayton @266 – Good luck… I refurbed the living room in May/June this year so got the HD telly then, 42″ Panasonic, and I’ve been waiting for this box ever since.
Its arrived today so will be setting it up in the morning… although the big cheese wants to go and deliver Christmas presents… yeah right !!!
Will comment further when setup and running.
Oh yes… just to add my ‘thumbs up’ to the forum… some great comments.
December 19th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
@GaryB
Looks like you may be pointing at the wrong satellite.
December 19th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
ref to digital @279 how can i check which satellite i am on?
thanks
Gary
December 20th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Robert @ 273
ITV HD is a red button service. Tune to channel 103 & if the programme is available in HD, you will be invited to press the red button to receive it. You can also set up to record an ITV HD programme via the guide without the ‘red button’ nonsense.
December 20th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Sat 20th 4:20pm: Just placed order with Argos for delivery before Christmas, stock still available in Midlands region. Looking at the schedules there’s a lot on BBC HD on Christmas & Boxing day and not a lot after that, so I’m pretty keen to get it set up before then. I’m keeping my fingers crossed Argos will deliver this time, you never can tell…
December 20th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
solved missing channel problem ,dish alignment perfect but lnb skew not right.markins on the side of lnb allowing twist was set on 4 twisted to 3 then 2 then 1 got more channels on each move ,have all now ,may be off use to anyone with the same problem
December 20th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Had mine for about a week now from Maplin…Fitted my own dish and luckily got a good signal after a little tweeking…Great picture in both normal and HD…How do you pre-program to record a future prog.?
I can see that pressing the record button will record what you are watching,been into menu,but not very clear or it could be an age thing!!
Many thanks…great forum
December 20th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Hugh
Go to Guide, select your program and press OK. You will get the options to record.
December 21st, 2008 at 9:23 am
Thanks Graham…will try that next time….Recorded “Strickly”last night,at least I thought I had,it was showing :record:on the front panel but did not appear on the list of recorded progs.Strange!Also second half was not HD which did record ok……
December 21st, 2008 at 3:42 pm
just quick question is it ok to connect my network to ethernet connection at the back of the machine thanks
December 21st, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Hi. Benn to Comet today who had a Humax Foxsat HDR in stock. However I am a current subscriber to Sky+ with an LNB with 8 outputs. Looking to run two extra cables from the existing LNB to the Humax PVR but before I bought the helpful chap at Comet said that there may be a conflict if I take the Sky+ and Freesat feeds from the same LNB. Is this trueand thus will I need a separate LNB for the new Freesat box? Help please …………………
December 21st, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Set my box up today, picture much better than my grundig freesat hd box but dissapointed to find the second cable presumably coming from my dish ( way up high on top of chimney) was an ariel lead which plugged into my old sky box in the arial socket so I am running on 1 LNB…..the cable looks identical to the LNB one ( except for the bit on the end) and I already have an ariel lead going into my TV so it is just doing nothing. Can I convert it by fitting a different end on it so it can fit into LNB2?…apologies if I am being a dum dum by thinking I could do this.
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:15 am
Ian Ward – there won’t be any conflicts, run those cables.
kdbur – you could try fitting an F-type male plug, but if it doesn’t work someone will have to go on the roof.
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:18 am
Ian @288
As is often the case, the helpful assistant in Comet was talking rubbish!
Your new Foxsat will need two feeds from the LNB. If you have Sky+. this will be using two feeds itself. So, if you’ve got either a quad or an octo LNB, you’ll have the required two spare feeds.
It’s impossible for the two to interfere at the LNB. A quad or octo LNB actually has 4 or 8 totally seperate LNBs built into the one casing. With an octo you could run 4 Foxsats or Sky+ receivers, or any combination totalling 4.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Ian @288
As Roy W says @291, Comet are talking a load of rubbish. I have an octo LNB with 6 feeds active from the 1 dish and all working. It does help to have the best shielded cable though so don’t buy the cheap stuff.
My first weekend with the Humax beauty and to say I’m impressed is an understatement. Up and running in 10 mins with 100% signal and 100% quality on both feeds. Still working my way through all the features but only gripe so far is the reaction speed of the epg but this may improve with the next update.
Anyone know when and how the network port is going to be utilized?
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
The Remote needs a re-design. It says something that I find a £4.99 Universal Remote from Lidl easier to use.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Further to my earlier comment on Dec 19 that my Freesat pvr was assured to be delivered after Christmas, it arrived today. But guess what? I had told dish installer not to come till after Christmas, so I have to sit here and admire a bloody cardboard box.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Sorry to be a pain and thanks to grahamdeepwell for suggesting the male F type plug to try to connect the second LNB from an arial lead coming off my dish….I have done that but just wanted to know if I have to re-do the set up from ‘factory settings’ to find out if the diy job I did works or does the fact I still can’t view other channels whilst recording mean it hasn’t worked?…………many thanks
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:02 am
Does anyone know if there is a way to delete the empty folders in media view?
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:14 am
My question to you all is, I have sky in my lounge which through RF2, I am able to send the signal to all the other TV’s in the house via the splitter box in the loft I am also able to control sky from any room using the magic eye, I know some of you have had this for a short while now so can this happen with the humax ? or can I at least be able to get the picture to the rest of the house ?
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:02 am
Attention all you single dish cable feeds, my Humax HDR is working just fine one my single cable with splitter fitted. No faults noticed, I like the way this DVR offers other channels when there is conflict when recording two channels,this is a wonderful box of high tec, I would reccomend it, I give it full marks,
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:49 am
@296 Alan K
You can delete empty folders by selecting OPT+ and then file manager delete is then an option on the red button
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Does anybody know any information about setting up uni cable for this box?
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:42 pm
@kdbur 295. Yes, you have to run the wizard again by doing factory reset, in order for it to check your connections. If your DIY job is OK, it should recognise 2 separate inputs and give you more functionality.
@graham 293. What’s wrong with the remote? I find it quite logical and easy to use.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:56 pm
andy@301, the buttons I use most, the Play/Pause section, are hard to find in a darkened room.
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:01 pm
kdbur I’m new to all this but is it posible that the second cable is just a normal arial lead and not sat. Certainly the sky boxes have normal arial conections and it seems very strange that the end conector would be different if it was sat feed.
December 23rd, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Managed to get my box from Currys at Lakeside and have spent some time playing with the features. All in all its very impressive and the SD picture definitely improved when using the ‘Original’ setting via V+ button. This may be because my Sony TV is also trying to do upscaling and its better to leave just one box doing that.
One issue I have is that when I play any MP3 files that I have copied to the HDD, the first second or two of each track is missing. The files all play fine from the USB key that I copied from and I can’t work out whats going on. Anyone else found this ? (for info I route the Humax HDMI to an AV receiver then HDMI on to the TV).
December 24th, 2008 at 12:04 am
@299 Barry
Many thanks – some would say I should have RTFM but the the manual is somewhat enigmatic and probably needs the da Vinci code to unravel it
December 24th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Marc…..yes it was just an arial feed and obviously it didn’t work unfortunatley so I will be looking for someone to get up on my roof to fit a dual feed on my dish on the chimney. I had a lot of problems getting the dish fitted as the sky blokes wouldn’t go up there…..too high so I hope I can find a company who will do it. I am London so if anybody knows a good contractor in the area I would be grateful for the info…….thanks to all who contributed to this forum as I ended up with the cheapest box (Dixons) and lots of good info..merry xmas!!
December 24th, 2008 at 11:04 am
thank you all for the invaluable information that has been posted over the last few months. I have the HDR and am v happy with it but now am looking for a bigger LCD tv, 37 to 42 inch, what a minefield! anybody have any advice as to which direction I should go regarding spec, brand etc. Happy Christmas.
December 24th, 2008 at 11:36 am
here’s a question for any body that can help. All my units
are HDMI and connected to a samsung 6 series tv with HDMI leads. I.E. Foxsat hdr, Sony media center and a PS3 for blueray. If I connect the tv to my sound system using an optical lead will it output sound in the same format as the inputs to save me having to have differant optical leads for each bit . having to change the source on the sound system every time I change the unit I’m using. I guess what I asking is do the HDMI leads carry the 5.1 dolby signal and will that output via the tv optical lead.
Happy Xmas
December 24th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Ster: Have a look at the Samsung 40 inch 6 series. Can’t get better for the money and on the hd it is brilliant.
December 24th, 2008 at 11:52 am
@307 Ster
Also have a look at Sony 40 inch KDL40W4000U around £680 now and best buy on the Gadget Show
December 24th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Thanks Barry & Marc will check them out
December 24th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I walked away from JL Bluewater with their one and only HDR in stock yesterday afternoon. Couldn’t believe my luck – I’d just popped in on the off-chance whilst doing some last minute shopping but didn’t expect them to have any, & had resigned myself to waiting until the New Year. Up and running in no time, & in time to record some decent HD content over the next few days! Big grin!
December 24th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I currently have a sky box (non +) with a standard sky satellite dish. there is only one cable coming from the dish into the sky box. Does anyone know if this satellite will be sufficient for the humax?
December 24th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
@313 Yes 1 cable is fine, only thing you can not do is watch and record a different program at the same time (although you can still watch some) and software updates is not available for now. I have only 1 cable and came from Sky myself, its a straight swap over from the Sky box to the Humax. I was unable to update the software, but my Humax is running fine without it. Hope this helps.
Kimmy
December 25th, 2008 at 12:37 am
Looked for this problem on the site but can’t find it:
When simply watching a program, I know the time from the last channel change is buffered for up to two hours or until the program ends, whichever comes first.
So if I’m watching a bit time slipped, and the Humax box jumps to “Live TV”,
I understand that the live program has ended.
My problem is that I can’t now find the program I was watching in time slipped mode. Also, if I haven’t pressed the record button at the beginning, I can’t save the whole program now,even though at the moment the whole thing is being buffered in memory.
Have I got this right, or are there settings I need to adjust.
BTW, Merry Christmas everyone!
Dave
December 27th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
I have a Humax HDR freesat and I have problems booting once booted its OK until the next morning then the unit is in standby and wont boot up , I have to try
a few turns to turn off and on or even leave unpluged,
Is they any reported problems like this
December 29th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
The pvr works ok, but have a few gripes!
1. Will skip tp live when watching in pause, seems to be when programme has finished in real time.
2. Several times programme recording has ended early!
Can we use Setanta on Freesat?
Thanks
December 29th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I hope somebody can help me I have been trying for some time to put the travel channels on which i think is on frequancy 12560 v 27500 2/3 I,ve been trying by going to manual tune and entering this frequancy in but by doing this it mixes all freesat channel up including my local channels what am i doing wrong, I then have to do a factory reset i then loose the extra channels,thankyou for the exellent and interesting coments, ,
December 30th, 2008 at 8:42 am
The bits that work, work.
a) As has been well documented you can’t delete from the HDD while a recording is active Errr why? My current PVR has no problem in this area.
b) The bigger the file (recording size) the longer a file takes to delete. Why? Surely all that needs to be done is change the file’s red tape/header info.
c) Clunky way of locating recordings. It’s a good job the disk is no bigger than 320GB!
d) ……and the biggest bugbear….. why on earth can’t you record the buffer contents or the current programme if it’s within the contents of the buffer… basic facilities that work on my current PVR
Shoddy software with little understanding of users’ needs.
As I said what works works well. But a few areas for improvement.
ABC
December 30th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Hi,
It sounds like your a intelligent person Aybeesea so if your so dissapointed by your purchase then instead of moaning about it on a site that has been designed to help people get to know their PVR and to overcome any difficulties, why on earth don’t you put it on Ebay and revert back to your current PVR.
Most off us know what this machine can’t do, so please tell us something it can do! and lets try to be a little positive about it because after all it’s a great machine and deserves a little respect because whats the alternative. Since my purchase I no longer have to climb on my roof to repair stupid digital aeirials that blow down in the wind, I can add other freesat box’s to other rooms in my house with very little effort, I can watch free HD tv and get the most out of my HD tv that cost me an arm and a leg, I can get amazing sound from my Bosse surround sound system and best of all my wife can operate the record facility with ease to record Emerdale and corrie. And this machine looks so good with it’s little blue light on the front panel, and for the first time ever I have managed to get all my electrical appliance’s (barring the washer ha ha) working from one remote control.
HAPPY DAYS
December 30th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Could sombody please tell me were i can get a humax foxsat hdr 360gb box from thanks.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
321 Derek.
Ebay best bet at present time.
December 30th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
John,
Re your post 320 and mine 315. Have I got it right that if I’m watching a programme in time slip mode I must expect to not ever see the end of the programme once the transmission ends? If that’s so, it looks like time slip mode shouldn’t be used – but isn’t that the biggest selling feature – “pause live TV”? I’m very confused!
Dave
December 31st, 2008 at 10:38 am
@320 “JOHN”
a) Most of “us” *DON’T* know what the HDR *CAN’T* do, as evidenced by the contributions above.
b) By making these few shortcomings visible on such a “high profile” site as this, perhaps Humax, by monitoring comments, can play catchup with “real world” user needs rather than those imposed by Humax itself
c) Sorry about the way your aerial was initially installed
d) Unfortunately my current PVR doesn’t have the little blue light but my cat can programme it (sorry to be cattist)
e) Glad you can now at last fully exploit your Bosse (sic) sound system
f) Welcome to the world of PVRs and universal remote controls
g) Thank you for you comment regarding my intellingence. It was neither called for, nor warranted.
Kind Regards,
ABC
December 31st, 2008 at 11:06 am
Very pleased with the PVR indeed. The only small gripe, being so used to Sky, is when viewing a channel you can use the info button and navigate forward/backwards on the same channel that you are currently viewing, but you can’t view a different channel using this method when on this screen, or jump to the new channel – you have to be on the actual channel that you want to navigate through? unless I have missed something? which is perfectly possible given I’ve only used it for 2 days. I know you can by using the guide function but this isn’t the best method.
December 31st, 2008 at 3:31 pm
oops, this actually works ok ! if you select the info x2 to see info re: programme, then you can’t scroll to different channels, if you simply use info x1 then you can scroll/jump to alternate channel. Same as Sky. My fault…….
December 31st, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Hi guys. Anyone tell me whether or not I can play DVD’s on the PVR ? May sound like a silly question but I am new to all this technical stuff. I currently have a Sony digital recorder which is super but now wish to upgrade to Freesat
by way of the HD PVR. Any guidance anywhere please ?
Great 2009 to everyone.
December 31st, 2008 at 6:33 pm
@321 (@322) ring a John Lewis store and get you name added to their list. They will want your credit card details etc, but then will ring or write to you when in stock and hold the box in your name for 14 days. I put my name down on 24th Dec, received letter today dated 29th Dec, rang, confirmed & paid for order today, delivery promised in 5 working days. All for £292. There you go.
December 31st, 2008 at 7:34 pm
My long-awaited Humax HDR arrived from Comet the other day, so I set to, got the ladder out and changed the single LNB on the dish for a quad one (£8.50 from eBay) without too much trouble, although it was minus 0.5C, and fitted two more cables (drum of satellite cable £31 from Wickes + packet of 10 F-type connectors about £1 from eBay). (Left the original cable for the Sky box, put in another room).
A few tips: 1. When entering the postcode, leave the cursor on the last letter, otherwise you will get, ‘postcode not found, take it all to pieces and start again’.
2. Like other people in previous messages, I was a bit put out not to be able to find the ITV HD channel. I have just found that there isn’t one. From the ITV website:
“ITV HD is a red-button service available exclusively to freesat customers, and select sporting events, movies and dramas are available in HD.
So whenever you’re watching ITV1 and an ITV HD logo pops up at the top of your screen, just press the red button on your remote control to watch it in glorious High Definition.” I see that there is only about one ITV programme a day in HD.
Advice in a message much earlier on to put in a London postcode, e.g. WC1A 1AA, to ‘fool it’ into get the ITV HD channel in range is incorrect. All that does is put ITV London as 103 instead of your local one. In any case you can move channels later if you want to.
January 1st, 2009 at 7:30 pm
in non freesat mode i’ve scanned and found the channels on astra at 28.2E but i’m sure there is other free channels on astra at 28.5E does anybody have any idea’s how to change which satellite your scanning.
January 2nd, 2009 at 3:36 am
@329
re: ITV HD
When you select a programme to record; if it is being sent out in HD, you will be given the choice to record either SD or HD. Unfortunately the Humax Programme Guide does not indicate HD programmes. You have to scan the paper guides for that.
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:06 pm
If you press the ‘list’ button and then the ‘yellow’ button, it will show what HD is on.
Am very impressed with the PVR which I’ve had for about 2 weeks now. I agree with previous comments re lack of HD content, but these are early days I’m sure that one day nearly all mainstream prog’s will be in HD. My main gripe at the moment is with the remote. Despite trying new batteries, one has to point it directly at the box from almost in front. Also, there is a time delay from pressing a button to the required command taking effect, about 1 to 2 seconds, very annoying!
Am looking forward to seeing footy on ITV HD tomorrow.
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:53 pm
anyone know if i can get Bravo in non freesat mode or is it scrambled
thanks gary
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Having received my box on 28th December (ordered on 24th Nov) and having set the system up I am not sure that I am able to get HD. I also have a Sky+ box and the picture in SD on Sky is far better than the BBC HD channel using the Humax (based on a comparison of BBC 2 being shown on Sky and also on the Humax BBC HD channel). I have checked the signal and quality on the diagnostics and all four are at 100%. I have scrolled through the different resolutions using the V-format button and cannot see any difference. I’m hoping that its a problem on my part with the setup. Can someone please advise.
January 3rd, 2009 at 9:50 am
Roy, I think you have the output set up incorrectly since the HD vs SD on Sky should be worlds apart. Are you connecting through an HDMI and do you have 1080i or more available through the TV set ?
———
PS. – STILL not happy with the remote response. You have to press a few more buttons than on Sky to get the same features and it’s just too slow. I wouldn’t mind the increase in steps if it was quick. I also imagine that this is unlikely to be fixed in an update as I would expect this is a hardware issue ;-( It feels a bit like trying to swim through treacle.
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:59 am
Paul,
Ref 334/335. Thanks for response. My knowledge in this field is very limited so forgive me if I am doing something stupid. My TV is a new Sony W series(1080p capable) and is providing excellent pictures using Sony Blu-ray connected with HDMI to my Sony AV Rec. which in turn is connected to the TV with HDMI. My Humax is connected directly to the TV using HDMI, with a digital optical connecting to the AV Rec. I tried to set up with the Humax connected to the AV Rec. using HDMI but had no success. It would only access the set up Wizard when connected directly to the TV. The Sky+ box is connected using scart and digital optical.
January 3rd, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Ed @327
You wont be able to play DVDs on this PVR.You might want to wait till the spring when panasonic are suposed to be releasing a freesat HD PVR with a built in blue ray recorder
January 3rd, 2009 at 1:47 pm
derek ecnam
i have standard sky dish and lmb. i wish to errect a new dish for freesat question. if i buy a bigger dish and better lmb will i get a better picture quality if so any sugestions
January 3rd, 2009 at 2:48 pm
…but be aware that Panasonic have not confirmed they are making said receiver, nor that it will be available in the Spring…we can hope though!
January 4th, 2009 at 12:55 am
Derek. 338. On eBay there are Zone2 60cm Dish, Quad (4 Output) LNB & Complete Twin Cable Installation Kits for £39.99 + postage. A map on the advert shows that 60cm dishes are suitable for all of UK and most of Europe.
January 5th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I too now have one. HD upscaling is fantastic with my Samsung 6 series.
Getting used to where everything is in comparrison to Sky+ but so far so good except for…the remote!
It is shockingly bad. Approx. 9 feet range and it has to be pointed well at the box.
Does anyone know if this is the remote of is it the box?
January 5th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Firstly let me say that this is a wonderful product.
I was sky box on the dish since I cancelled my subscription, but this has made such a difference to the picture quality even on non HD channels, I presume the HDMI connection is a superior even to gold scart leads.
My problem however is my inability to connect a hard drive to the usb port without the “Can’t recognise” notice that others have mentioned. The drive is a 60GB set in a IDE exterior case and was originally formatted in NTFS which I understand this system does not recognise and so I have re-formatted it to FAT 32 and I still get the same message.
Can anyone help please?
January 5th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
I had a Topfield Freeview PVR Box. Very good, but no HD. So when I upgraded my TV, DVD. Surround sound to the latest Sony Model, I was a little surprised to see that FreeSat has some channels that Freeview doesn’t and vise versa. So I took the best of both worlds. I tuned the Freeview on my Television giving me the same channels as my Topfield Box, connected to the Terrestrial Aerial and the HUMAX Foxsat HDR to my Sky Dish, which has two leads as it was originally a Sky+ installation. Great solution, love the HD, HUMAX UI is great and simple to use, 25 minutes and I was up and running. Got the HUMAX from Horizon Aerial & Satelite Services for £288. I prefer to use a conventional supplier, for the aftersales service.
January 5th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Very good box. Software does need to be tweaked. Not as easy as Sky+ to use. But has much better features. A good buy!
January 5th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Anyone know how you can tell what you’ve watched?
Say my wife has recorded 2 or 3 episodes of eastenders and watched 1 or 2 but couldn’t delete them (because it was recording something else….very annoying!). There is no obivous way that I can see to tell you what you’ve watched and what you haven’t. With Sky + it said ‘Recorded’ for unwatched and ‘Viewed’ for watched.
Am I missing something?
Thanks
January 5th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
I’ll rephrase my question slightly. I have noticed that when you switch to ‘Normal’ mode in media view you get a little blue ‘new’ next to new recordings but no such indication when in ‘Simple’ mode. I prefer the little thumbnails of normal mode.
I assume there is no indication i’m missing for new or view programs when in normal mode?
January 6th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Watched Above Suspicion, ITV-HD tonight, had to revert to SD as could’nt
stand the annoying over-bright logo. Who at ITV thought that was a good
idea, it’s far too bright, PLEASE turn it down.With a dark background it is
very distracting. the BBC logo is less annoying. To be honest the SD picture
not that bad. Had recorded 3 men in yet another boat, in HD, stunning picture.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Help – I set this box up the other day and everything was fine. I have now lost BBC2/ BBC3/ BBC4 and C5, all the other channels are okay, with the signal quality around 60%. I have retuned the box several times, it picks up the the channels but displays ‘bad signal’ when you select the channel? I could understand it if it were the ‘lesser’ channels, as my freeview box struggled with those, but the BBC channels have never been a problem.
Also, is it possible to add the channels which appear under the ‘non freesat’ tune mode to freesat list?
January 6th, 2009 at 10:27 am
#341 Duke of Hunslet – I believe it’s the box due to the fact that when the remote is used in other modes – e.g. for TV or Audio I have no problem.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Paul S. 348. Maybe you need to have your dish checked for signal and direction? You seem to have covered everything else.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Sorry to ask the general question on this HUMAX specific Blog, but is there any news of other providers broadcasting on FreeSat HD? I heard Channel 5 were thinking of it, and one other.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Box delivered from JL 22Dec, dish finally installed 5thJan. Reception reads 100% all round and picture fab. The BBC HD demo is fantastic so waiting for more stuff to view. Can’t stop playing with the damn thing, so much so that the remote froze on me and had to go to standby and start again, otherwise well pleased and looking forward to happy viewing.
Ps, dish engineer told me Four HD is coming over soon, is this info accurate?
January 7th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Anybody experienced the phantom voiceovers telling you what is going on in the films in between the actors dialogue on Freesat?
Or is this a facility for the blind that can be switched off.? Its driving us nuts
January 7th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Mike @ 353
You have ‘Audio Described’ switched on. Check the audio section of the manual to see how to regain your sanity.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
David H At 354
Many thanks for that, you just saved us a visit to a psychiatrist
January 7th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Sorry if this has been answered before…Watching a recorded prog.how do you exit and get back to current programmes without having to re-boot.I tried most buttons but not the correct ones?? Thanks
January 7th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Russ, you said you got CH4 HD working using the cam slot? What cam and which card do I need? Help!
Thanks in advance..
Andy
Russ Dring Says:
December 5th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Over the years I have had countless satellite receivers,the only exception a Sky+ box.
This wonderful piece of kit is so easy to use, the picture quality is exemplary both on SD and HD . The CAM slot makes watching CH4 HD easy too. Well done Humax, the wait was well worth it.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Hugh @ 356
Have you tried the ‘stop’ button… I think its just left of the record button.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Thanks ClydeD will try that.I’am slowly getting my head round all these different combination of buttons to press.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Anybody agree with me that the highlighted programme in the EPG should be in the centre so you can see the programmes above and below instead of scrolling up to see the “hidden” channels.
Also what’s the point of displaying programs to the left on the EPG that have been & gone. They cannot be recorded or viewed so should disappear automatically as in Freeview.
This may have been mentioned already but I discovered something yesterday. You can disable the “Genre” menu in settings so when you press the Guide button it goes straight to the EPG, then if you press OPT+ the “Genre” menu pops up. Less button pushing.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Has anyone found the Humax FOXSAT-HDR in stock recently?
Ive been trying to find one with no luck at all.
Thanks
January 8th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Again this may have been mentioned before.
After a factory reset I lost the STB Mode in Settings.
The answer is rescan Manual Tune and hey presto STB Mode reappears
January 8th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Currys in Milton Keynes had lots in stock, about 10, when I purchased mine over xmas/new year. Very good service too, they had a full working set up with hands on demo etc. 5 or 6 boxes on the shelf with more out back apparently.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Maria@361
I phoned up John Lewis in Cheadle at the beginning of December to pre order, they then gave me a confirmation number and then phoned me on Christmas Eve saying it was in stock. Their web site says out of stock but if you order you get priority. £292 inc 2 year free guarantee
January 8th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I have read many comments about the range of the remote. Mine works fine from the far side of the through dining room, 13 metres or so, is it possible people are not removing both protective films as advised by previous tips which helped me, proving what a good friendly site this is.
January 8th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Keith Stevenson
If you have formatted a 60GB drive under Fat32, I assume that you had to partition it? (A limitation of Windows). I had a 40GB done the same way (for connecting to other devices like my Sony portable DVD). I connected it to the Humax and couldn’t get anything (I’d already used an old 5GB laptop drive with success). I deleted the two partitions and created just a single partition (sacrificing 8GB). I then formatted the partition and the drive now works (transferring lots of mp3s to the Humax).
I’d hoped that a program called fat32format (downloaded from the web) might format the whole 40GB but it didn’t seem to.
I know that you probably don’t want to scarifice half of your drive but maybe you could do it temporarily?
January 8th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Help anyone please?
Which card and cam are required for Ch4 HD as per 111 post
“This wonderful piece of kit is so easy to use, the picture quality is exemplary both on SD and HD . The CAM slot makes watching CH4 HD easy too”
Thank you
January 8th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Accessing Sky’s encryption for C4 HD via a CAM might not be strictly legal, so whilst we are happy for someone to suggest a CAM that might work, we won’t allow anyone to discuss in detail or provide instructions on how to operate.
January 8th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
I agree it’s a wonderful piece of kit. Started off with just one cable from the dish, but now have two. Presumably I have to go through set-up again? (Losing all the recordings in ‘Media’?).
I do have a problem with the remote – I’m on my third set of batteries in one week! Put in a new set today- after eight hours the voltage from each had dropped to 1.411 volts after starting off at 1.607 volts. The remote has not been used. Any ideas anyone?
January 8th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
I had hoped to backup films I had recorded on the BBC HD channel, however it appears they are encrypted so cannot be moved to an external device. Such a shame. If anyone knows if I am perhaps just missing something please let me know, but at this stage it certainly seems to simply be impossible. Films recorded on other channels are able to be backed up to an external HDD without any trouble (formatted in EXT2).
January 8th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Hi to Richard Hayes!
I have backed up my HD recordings (and SD) to DVD by connecting the Humax to my LG HDD/DVD recorder by a SCART cable. I used to do this with my (now defunct) Sky box. I play the recording and record onto the HDD first (a ‘belt and braces’ man!), then transfer to DVD. The quality is very good. I could also do this ‘live’ but wouldn’t benefit from the guide.
PS. I only have one cable into the Humax just now – looking forward to when I can get the second cable in for more flexibility of recording. I hope that the setup doesn’t wipe the media – I’ve already transferred a lot of mp3s to the Humax!
January 9th, 2009 at 1:31 am
Hi Geoff
The only problem with that is it won’t be in hi def, as there are no recorders at present with an hdmi input.
@ Dave Piercy (323) – I’m completely bemused aswell, it’s a huge oversite if true, what’s the point if it cuts the end off the programme??!
I’m waiting to buy mine (well forced to anyway), is anyone hoping the price may fall? Wishful thinking as they are scarcer than a wii fit at the mo!
Prob wait til March when Sky are putting prices up!
Tom
January 9th, 2009 at 8:36 am
@Dave Piercy (323) – I’ll test this as well, but I’m guessing this should be considered a glitch that will be fixed in a future software update. I seem to remember one of the Topfield Freeview PVR’s did a similar thing that was fixed a couple of months after launch with a new update. With any new hardware there are almost always some annoying little things at first, always one of the issues with early adoption, however at least these days software patches will normally solve every problem in the end.
January 9th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Re my 323 and replies 372 and 373 above.
Unfortunately cutting off the end of the programme in time-slipped live TV is confirmed – at least by me. Anyone??
There is a workaround, press the record button and you are now putting the programme into the permanent buffer, so you can see it later. Don’t know yet whether end padding is necessary. Unfortunately, if you do this, you now can’t rewind live tv to before the point at which you pressed the record button, so I guess the better option is always to go to instant record whenever you’re watching TV. Doen’t make much sense though!
Dave
January 9th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Dave I gave up on the Buffer a long time ago. I now record all the programs I want to watch, as mine cuts to live TV when ever a recording stops or starts, even if its on the same channel . If nothing is set to record it works OK. But this works fine for me.
A few weeks back I recorded BBC HD and BBC 2 I think while watching and buffering through Miami on CH 5 . just had to make sure I was live before the others ended . So not complaining to much, hopefully they will fix it.
January 9th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Hi Tom,
Yes, it won’t be in HD (of course), I didn’t expect it to be but it was a way of archiving to DVD. Believe me, the quality is VERY good but what do people want, Blu-Ray recording facility? ( To come of course).
January 9th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Re 375 Thanks Matt
Dave
January 10th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Hi, just a quick bit of info that I thought might be of interest.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/satellite/a141215/freesat-sales-top-200000.html
Great forum by the way. We got our lovely Humax Foxsat just before Christmas. Since then we have got a new surround amp, and then new speakers!! Time to stop and enjoy we thinks! (getting expensive!!). Thanks to everyone for the great heads up and info/tricks/work arounds.
January 10th, 2009 at 11:35 am
or here where we actually mentioned the news on the day of release, not a day later
http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/freesat-sales-double
January 11th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I have just installed a new dish and set up the Humax HDR. Like many people on this site, I’m very impressed with it and being in a non-Freeview area receiving just 4 terrestial channels, to get so many channels via Freesat is quite a novelty. One problem: I’ve notice several references here to software update when setting up. Mine didn’t appear to do this during setup. I have two feeds from the LNB. If I go into Setup and click on Software update Auto, it comes up with “No new software found” (or similar words), but the system info gives an Application Version of 1.00.01 and Loader Version of U7.51 and 28 October Update. The Humax website shows latest versions as 1.00.02 and U7.52. and gives the facility to down load the latest to a USB stick and then transfer this to the PVR. Is that what I need to do, and if so why doesn’t it update via the satellite feed? Any help much appreciated.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Kevin try doing a factory reset ( see 235 & 242 ) it might update the software after it. If not try the manual update . Do you have both Tuners showing on the Diagnostics ? . I have 10002 & U 7.51 .
January 12th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Hi everybody – anybody got any current info on which retailers might have the little beauty in stock at the moment? I live near Skipton in N. Yorks
January 12th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Hi John, no online retailers seem to have stock at the moment, but try visiting a Currys store, they’ve been selling in-store the last few weeks, but often not advertising nor putting the PVR’s out on the shelf! Alternatively, keep an eye on this site as we’ll be sure to let everyone know when one of the major online retailers has stock available again…possibly later this week if Humax’ distribution schedule is on track.
January 12th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Freesat on my Humax PVR just gets better all the time, I am very impressed with the Guiide list, which makes it so easy to find what you would like to tune too The News & Sport is very good, press the Red button and it opens up the Muti Screen and WOO even the world weather, also the pictures can be seen full screen full marks BBC the future is going to be great for TV. Now the things not quite right the volume balance from the Four Channels on the FTA feed is ok, but the volume sound from the SAT is very low, needs much higher settings on the TV & PVR remotes. Unable to use one Remote for all yet Tevion have failed to supply correct code
January 12th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Did anyone else try to record ‘The World Is Not Enough’, ITV Saturday evening? This film was split across the news, something the Humax HDR, I thought, was programmed to handle. But, my machine only recorded the first part.
When I set up the recording, both parts of the film in the guide had the record icon attached.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Re. 380 I think I may have solved my own problem! Found a Humax Freesat Forum where a similar problem was covered. According to someone with inside knowledge the software update is not currently being transmitted, but should be back on 16 January. I’m hoping that when I check on 16/17th I will have the latest software. The same forum noted that downloading the software from humax website onto a USB stick does not work. After downloading to USB stick the download stops after 50%. Several people reported the same problem.
The forum is:
http://www.hummy.org.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=74
January 15th, 2009 at 10:03 am
I’ve only got one gripe with this unit. The mains lead should be detachable so I can thread it through the cable management system on my stand.
Yes I know I could cut the plug off thread the cable through and fit a new plug, but this would probably invalidate the warranty.
All my other units have detachable mains cables
January 16th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Hi all – finally got my box, droppped into Currys in Keighley on the offchance, they didn’t have, but very helpful manager phoned round, they had some at Bradford, result! I’d got a reservation in at a specific JL as well, seems that would have worked as well – no money upfront, you get an order number and then wait for them to get the box in. They were very helpful when I phoned to cancel, appreciated the delivery problems.
So… well impressed with the kit, easy to get a stunning HD BBC picture (but why oh why do the BBC spoil the window-like image clarity with an irritating logo?). Manual not very good, didn’t include stuff that would have been really useful.
What I want to do is transfer/ archive HD programs from the Humax, sfter recording, to a large external HDD.
What seems to be the case after some research is 1) The external HDD needs to be formatted in Linux EXT 3 – available from where? will this work with XP?
2) You can’t do this with BBC content and retain HD – is this true? Do we need to wait for cheaper BluRay recorders and use those?
Anybody got any ideas, my brain hurts….
January 17th, 2009 at 8:00 am
@388
First you cannot transfer any HD file. You can format your external drive to FAT32 and both HDR and XP will read it but you need a program to format any drive over 32gb I use EASEUS Partition it’s free and a very useful program available from http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm
January 17th, 2009 at 8:52 am
JOHN SELLERS @ 388
The Humax forum for the Foxsat HDR has a lot of useful information about your problems. See URL in message 386.
January 17th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
The universal remote does work for recent Panasonic TVs (re Pully posts 55/211) – try code 0650 and ignore step 4 of the instructions.
Go down the Humax forums (see post 386) to page 9 to find a brief post.
The problem is really with the user manual, because step 4 of the set-up for the remote control says:
“4. If a valid 4-digit code is entered, the product will power off”.
However most recent Panasonic TVs (and maybe other makes) require the standby button on their own remote to be held down for over a second for the TV to respond, and I think ‘step 4’ doesn’t trigger a long enough ‘power-off’ instruction.
So when doing the set up of the remote, just ignore step 4 and go to step 5 (ie press OK) and then see if you are happy.
Step 6 would be better if it said: “try operating the volume control and if the TV volume doesn’t change, repeat steps 2, 3, 5.
I’ve found code 0650 works all the main Panasonic TV functions except for the ‘guide’ button. Use the ‘source’ button for switching the TV’s AV mode, and always remember to press ‘pvr’ at top when you want to go back and operate the Humax PVR….
Admin – do you have a way of passing this info to Pully?
January 19th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Any idea anyone when these will be on shelves again?
January 19th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Hi can anyone help. When I am watching TV using the free view tuner built into the Panasonic TV and the Humax comes out of standby to record something I have programmed it interrupts what I am watching till it is booted up. This can be a real pain if it is at an important part of the program. I do not get the same problem when using my Panasonic freeview recorder. Any ideas to stop this happening.
January 19th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
[...] Humax’s HD Freesat box (FOXSAT-HD), they are still available everywhere, but the PVR version (FOXSAT-HDR) remains in very short supply, with no distribution since before Christmas! Humax have indicated [...]
January 19th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Humax foxsat hdr @ Co-op online say they have them if your interested in getting one now £284.99 & free delivery , im still waiting for mine from maplins (2 weeks now)
January 19th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Thanks for the heads up Ell, just ordered mine.
Should be coming on Wednesday (fingers crossed)
January 19th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Hi just wondering does the box have a card slot? and if so where is it located? cant seem to see it on the pictures
Thanks
January 19th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Another big thanks to ell. Just logged on and spotted the post about the Co-op and placed an order. Not sure whether to believe it or not but the confirmation says delivery Wednesday. Fingers, toes and legs crossed.
January 19th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
When maplins do get stock sign up for Maplins Newsletter email and you’ll get £25 off woucher if you spend £300. You’ll need to spend 11p on a capacitor to take the £299.99 over £300.
January 20th, 2009 at 12:05 am
To Colin C.
Do you have your Humax connected to the TV by SCART? This would make it switch the TV. HDMI doesn’t seem to have this facility?
If this is the case, tryt swapping SCART leads round or get one that doesn’t have the ‘auto switch’ pin (van’t remember which pin – anyone help?)..
January 20th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Oops, “can’t”, not “vant” !! (and “try” not “tryt”)
January 20th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Thanks for the idea Geoff but I am using the HDMI lead to connect to the TV. Have you any other thoughts.
January 20th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Whats the website for the co-op i can’t seem to find any mention of the hdr anywhere
January 20th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
It’s out of stock! I phoned them but not expecting stock for a couple of weeks. Also tried Comet which have stock but have raised their price from £292 to £299! John Lewis still out of stock. Argos have stock for home delivery but again more expensive than John Lewis’s listed £292.
January 20th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Sorry, Colin, no other suggestion. A mate of mine has a Humax HD Freesat box (not HDR) and he gets quite annoyed that it doesn’t switch automatically! Always have to go through the TV’s AV menu (just like me). Not sure what happens at boot though – must ask him. Mine switches the TV at boot but I put it down to the SCART connection (I have that in via an LG recorder so that I can record the HD content – not in HD, of course, but very good quality).
Another friend has just got the Humax HDR – I must ask him – his TV is a Samsung, mine is a Toshiba.
January 21st, 2009 at 9:12 am
Hi. Anyone know how to switch to Freeview on the HDR box,as I’am unable to get my local channel on freesat? Always picks up the local channel further along the coast from here,which of course is not for my area. Thanks….
January 21st, 2009 at 9:27 am
I got my box a little over two weeks ago and thought that some feedback may be helpful if anyone wants to receive multiple satellites:
Configuration is 4 x quatro LNBs pointing at 13e, 19.2e, 23.5e and 28.5e. I used a 90cm dish to enable all 4 sats to be accessed. I am using a Diseqc 17 x 6 multiswitch with both Sky HD and Humax HDR attached.
Using hidden menu under Menu, Setup, highlight manual and press red, green, yellow, blue, green, yellow. blue shows Antenna and Satellite. By selecting Antenna you can then access three options: Antenna (I selected Fixed), Cables (2 same) and Satellites.
Under Satellites I selected the Satellite first – they are all there – great job Humax – set LNB to Universal and Diseqc to required input – e.g. A, B, C and D. I read that Sky HD box (28.2) should be on A because if power to the Diseqc is lost it will still work with the Sky HD box.
I have set A = 28.2 – B= 23.5 – C= 19.2 and D= 13.
For each satellite you will have to go through the same procedure. After selecting Satellite and Diseqc settings press save. This takes you back to the previous screen with Antenna etc. In the footer select search and the Humax will start to search for all channels (Make sure that the satellite you want is being searched by selecting the correct one) – note that you can select individual channels through the Vertical/Horizontal settings but I selected all and will remove the 10,000 that I do not need.
Once programmed, to select each satellite for programmes you will need to ensure that you are in Non-freesat mode otherwise the “List” button shows the wrong selections.
Selecting “List” and the yellow button (satellite) then gives you a default satellite. By pressing the Yellow button multiple times it will move through each satellite for easy selection.
Just on one point about the hand control – I also found that it was not as responsive as my sky one – but it did improve a little when I removed the film on the front of the box
.
I have an excellent Logitech Harmony 1000 universal remote and the guys in Logitech have already put the Humax HDR codes into their selections. Makes switching between the sky HD and Humax a doddle as Amp, TV, and PVRs are all controlled with the push of a button.
I hope that this helps other multi-sat people out there.
January 21st, 2009 at 9:32 am
Hi Hugh.
If I understand the question correctly you are in non-freesat mode so will have to go to menu, settings and set the STB mode to Freesat.
If you are already in Freesat mode then I would suggest that you tweak your postcode to get the right area recognised.
January 21st, 2009 at 9:40 am
Hugh, the HDR doesn’t have Freeview, so presumably you have a seperate box or television with Freeview built in? If that’s the case, then you just need to change channel on your television to the appropriate input.
January 21st, 2009 at 10:41 am
Hi.
i’m impressed by the reviews here about the HDR. Just about to order one, but i’ve got a couple of questions that i don’t think have been answered in the above 400+ posts (perhaps someone with time on their hands could do a neat summary of the questions/answers).
Can you you do a series link type of recording? (even if it is awkward to setup)
Is their a secondary output for tvs in other rooms? (doesn’t matter if its HD or SD)
January 21st, 2009 at 10:53 am
Ross, I think it’s gone beyond the point of being able to tidy up
Regarding your questions, series link is possible and very easy, just select a programme of choice, and if it’s a series, it will ask whether you want to record once, or record the entire series. Easy as that.
There is no ability to link to another television, you’ll need another receiver and cable from your satellite dish LNB for this. That’s one down side of the Freesat receivers to date, no ability to link up, even via RF (ignoring the LNB out option on the Alba boxes!)
January 21st, 2009 at 11:28 am
Hi Ross, you do not say if you have aerial leads already in the other rooms. There are a few work arounds for you that I can think of:
1. If you do have multiple aerial sockets and no longer need an aerial on the roof take the one from your main room, and make that the input to the distribution box (it would have been an output in the first instance) Now you could attach a video player or similar to the scart of the HDR and use it’s aerial out to your internal distribution network.
2. If you do not have a aerial distribution network you could just run an aerial cable from one room to another but use the output of the video box in the same way
3. There are now adaptors to convert HDMI to ethernet (I have not used one yet) so you could run ethernet through the house and use HDMI to Ethernet adaptors at each end. This is meant to overcome some of the distance shortfalls of HDMI
In all cases you would be watching the same channel in both (all) rooms but if you want say lounge and bedroom the only other device you need is a remote multiroom extender to change channels from another room.
I am sure that ther are many other work-arounds but might help?
January 21st, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Hi Bob350z, using 2 from #411 do you think i could utilise my $ky+ box to do the same job as the video?
January 21st, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Thanks Bob350z and Admin….Yes I have free view built in,so I will have to re-connect the aerial and just use that for the local news,etc.Then switch back to the dish for most other progs..Many thanks..Hugh
January 21st, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Hi,
Great forum.
I will try to be brief. To purchase a Panasonic 37 TV. With or without freesat. £100 difference.
Options
1 – Foxsat connected with 2x LNB in with a loop out to the Freesat TV, Humax connected HDMI..
2 – Foxsat connected with the 2x LNB with HDMI output to Normal TV.
Key queries.
If I get the TV without the Freesat. can I still watch HD via HDMI and also record a different HD on the Humax? Thus saving the £100.
Or do I need the separate HD tuner on the TV to watch while I record HD on the Humax.
Also I assume that the loop out passes the full signal to the Freesat TV?
Many thanks in advance, might be able to save £100, I hope others are asking the same.
January 21st, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Hi Adrian, to be honest, if you are just looking to purchase a unit whereby you can watch or record a second channel whilst another is being recorded, you just need a Humax PVR with two cable feeds from your satellite dish, you won’t need the IDTV also. You can indeed watch one HD channel whilst recording another HD channel. Using the piggy-back facility of the LNB out is not recommended by the manufacturers, if you want a seperate receiver, or in-built receiver (IDTV) then it would be a good idea to run a third cable from your satellite dish LNB.
January 21st, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Admin.
Thanks for the very prompt reply.
So I only need to get a standard TV but must make sure that I run two aerial cables so the Humax can record one HD to the hardrive whilst I watch another HD via the HDMI on the TV.
Great, Sound and Vision are doing the Panny 37 LDZ80 1080p with free 3 years warranty with 10 month interest free. (Hope the deal is ok mods ) for £618.
January 21st, 2009 at 4:12 pm
That’s right, the HDR is connected via HDMI and you can watch a channel whilst recording another…providing you have the two satellite cables connected of course.
January 21st, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Hi Ross, I just tried it as I had some spare equipment here. Unfortunately whilst the Sky plus box will pass through an Aerial signal from a VCR and add it’s own (RF in and RF out) it will not add a VCR or TV scart connected Humax to the aerial signal. So the answer is no.
I like your thinking however would have been great if it had worked
January 21st, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Hi Admin, you did not post my multi-sat info from this morning – was it inappropriate? I thought that it would be a good update for #43 and #263.
January 21st, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Sorry Bob, we had a number of comments in the spam folder for some reason. Should now be available.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:37 am
Given that you cannot export HD recordings to an external device (presumably a copyright issue – which makes no sense since the recordings are of the feed and not the program) does anyone know if it is possible to upgrade the Hard Disc within the box itself? This was always a popular trick with $ky+ boxes.
I know its 320gb and that’s big but if you’ve got a collection of HD material it isn’t going to last long. Single cased discs of 1.5 TB are appearing already and that would solve an archiving problem if they could swap over…
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Argos just emailed me to confirm they have stock – not sure how much, or how long it will last though….
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Topfield HD Digital Satellite Twin Tuner 320GB PVR (Available at Maplin)
Has anybody got a review of the Topfield?
I would have posted it elsewhere, but it doesn’t seem to have its own post.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Ross, the Topfield is not an official Freesat digital box, which is why there is no page for it. It’s a generic receiver able to pick up the same channels (with the exception of ITV HD), but only offers now/next programme data, as it doesn’t have the official Freesat EPG (tv guide)
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:33 pm
@421
I have changed my hard drive to a Western Digital Caviar GP WD10EACS 1TB. Easy to change as the hard drive is located in a separate caddie. On switch on the HDR formats the drive and off you go. Note the recording schedule is stored on the hard disk so that will need repeating.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Re Chris @ 390. Thank you for explaining how to get my panasonic TV to work with the universal PVR remote control, I can now get rid of the TV remote control. I like this PVR even more now! many thanks.
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:27 pm
To Colin 392
Sorry for delay only just read your query, I have simular setup but with Pioneer Kuro, no problems like yours at all. When I watch freeview via television the Freesat switches on a good 5 minutes before any preset recording and when it starts to actually record a small icon and message shows briefly in top left corner but with no interruptions to freeview.
I have connected Freesat to tele with HDMI and a normal arial lead into tele for freeview and nothing else. But you must tell the tele to use the input you have dedicated for Hdmi Freesat(mine is input 1) and it should be okay then.
Hope this helps.
January 24th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
hi, just purchased my humax hdr from argos, delivery mon 26 jan, i had an e mail from argos stating new stock in,it said to go to the link below to order, wast 0f time as this takes you to their website, with nil in stock,
but if you phone their customer service number, you can purchase direct from them, total cost £299 this includes £5 odd for postage.
phone no—08456402020 cat no 532/1832 if you wan’t one get phoning
roll on monday, waited long enough GOODBYE SKY
January 25th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
How are empty Folders removed? I have tried the red delete button on File Manager but this just deletes the files but not the Folder itself.
I also do not understand the double screen on File Manager with both sides stating HDD/Video and manual does not discuss it.
Generally impressed with box (4/5) but user manual leaves a lot to be desired and needs a good technical knowledge to understand
January 25th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Empty folders have been known to stay on the HDR, must be a bug. If you have more than one folder, try highlighting them all and pressing red to delete, might have more luck than individually.
January 25th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
To Bob350z
Thanks for updating your experience of setting up multisat setups. Very similar to my experience except I only had one quad lnb on 28.2 and singles on 23 19 and 13.
I am still waiting and hoping Humax will create the abilities for timer recording on non-freesat mode. I had heard a firmware update had been due 16/1 but this does not appear to have happened and no news as to what it would have contained.
January 26th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
BTW, I noticed that the JL reference for the HDR is now missing. JL seem to have changed the link, but it’s still there:
http://www.johnlewis.com/230556784/Product.aspx
Regards,
Toonie.
January 27th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Anyone know how to delete empty folders?
January 27th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Yes to kdbur 433. Whilst in ‘Media’ list press ‘OPT+’ select ‘File Manager’ from the menu and press OK. Two lists will appear side by side – the left side being the active one. This shows all the files/ programs recorded. Select the file you wish to delete. Press the red button and you are given the option of ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. (default). Press ‘Yes’ and its gone!
January 27th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Thanks Leigh. I was having the same problems as #433 ~ now sorted.
January 27th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
I’m using a 720P LG PG6010 with the Humax. Whilst HD is simply sublime via Humax, the SD is rather dissapointing. In fact, the LG freeview SD picture is producing a much better picture quality than the Humax SD? I’ve tweaked all the picture settings etc etc but to no avail. I’m using the standard HDMI cable supplied with the Humax between the Humax and LG. Should I be upgrading the HDMI cable? does this make a difference for SD picture quality if using a 720P TV and SD?
January 27th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
they have one available at Horsham (sussex)argos available to reserve,if anyone desperate
January 27th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
iam interested been looking and waiting for stock to come in live in reigate
January 27th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
@Scooby
An HDMI cable is an HDMI cable. It passes a digital cable so it either works or it doesn’t. Upgrade by all means: the retailer will be grateful but you’ll see no difference!
Press V-format and set to ‘Original’. You may get a better picture at significantly less cost!
January 28th, 2009 at 1:04 am
Should have said ‘It passes a digital signal’.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
At first, the only way I could delete empty folders was to record a short segment of a program and move that into the empty folder using the file manager. The folder would then delete within the file manager. Strangely, empty folders now seem to be deleteable without any such messing about. I have made it a standard practice to always delete the folder if there is only one watched recorded item left inside, to be on the safe side.
January 28th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Thx Digital – that seems to be the answer ~ V-Format change #439.
January 29th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Just received the HDR and installed the dish myself – and it works (with the help of http://www.dishpointer.com). My only feedback is that with my existing Topfield PVR (scart) the SD picture look a bit sharper when comparing channels with the Humax (hdmi) on my Panasonic Viera, but maybe it’s early days. I’m not sure if the v-format button makes all that much difference to SD picture quality but have set it to 576i as in the info bar.
But how do I upgrade the unit? It is currently on version HPRSFCI 1.00.02 – are there any software upgrades for the unit and if so, can I download them or does it happen automatically?
January 29th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Mine arrived from Comet on Tuesday. Everything great although restricted to single LNB for the moment. HD on my Sony 32V2000 is great. A bit too startling at first until I realised the TV was set to “vivid” colour.
Tried most things including photo slide-show from a USB stick.
One minor problem: recording an episode of Morse from ITV2 (I think) finished before the end – the recording was the right length from the schedule but it must have started late and overran. Have added 5 minutes padding to the end of recordings now.
Box came already loaded with latest release of software according to Humax web-site.
Shame not enough HD being broadcast!
January 29th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
PNHE You have the latest software, don’t try down loading any from the Humax website as this has caused a few people problems. It is done automatically via sat.
January 30th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
[...] to update you, John Lewis are now accepting pre-orders on the Humax FOXSAT-HDR, priced at £292 with stock expected within a [...]
January 31st, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Can anyone tell me how to view photos on my USB stick on Humax FOXSAT-HDR. Connecting it I get a message telling me to format stick to FAT32, which I did, but it still does not work.
Thanks
January 31st, 2009 at 4:46 pm
@447
I think the problem here is that not all usb devices, caddies or flash drives work with the HDR and you get a message to format. I have a number of usb flash drives that do this. I don’t know what the problem is as the ones that are not recognised by the HDR work fine on either a Windows or Linux pc.
January 31st, 2009 at 6:38 pm
I have had my Foxsat HDR now for 2 weeks and just love it! My friend has Sky + and the Foxsat box just absolutely kills the Sky one for looks. I’ve seen a couple of comments about picture quality in SD. I had a Bush HD receiver before and think the Humax is better all round, without question. Go for it!
January 31st, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Thanks Barry P for ypur answer.
Am I reading your reply correctly that you have some flash drives that do work and some that no not?
If so what make is/are it/they? Mine is a Busbi 2GB.
February 1st, 2009 at 9:34 am
@450
That,s correct it does appear to be hit and miss as to which ones work.
The ones that tend not to work are usually unbranded and I also have an IJT that does not work. The ones that I have found do work are Freecom and Integral 16GB both from Amazon.
February 1st, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Thanks again Barry P. Very helpfull. I will have to try one of those. I think my daughter has an Integral so I will try hers first.
Barbara
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:38 am
I received my Humax HDR on Saturday morning form Comet and installed it without any trouble at all. I find the menus intuitive and very easy to navigate and can’t understand some of the comments about the menus but, unlike some others, I haven’t had any type of PVR before to compare.
Linked up to a Panasonic TH-42PX81B Freesat Plasma I can confirm that the SD quality via HDMI is terrible (soft and lacking definition) when compared with the SD quality provided by the TV’s Freesat decoder. Some experimentation showed that RGB SCART is the answer with “Original” v-format. I don’t need the HD feed from the PVR but I have left the HDMI connected as a separate input just in case.
I have transfered some recording to a USB external HDD (EXT3 format) and processed the files onto DVDs with great success. The quality of the recorded files is far better than the displayed pictures.
My only gripe: The failure of the PVR to “unmount” my external drive which means I have to connect it to a Linux machine before I can use it on my PC. Come on Humax, ADD A BUTTON TO UNMOUNT THE EXTERNAL DRIVE!
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I have had my Foxsat HDR for a couple of weeks and I am now out of space on the hard disk after recording just over 30 hours of HD TV. All the sales bumf says I should be getting 80hours of recorded HD, have I got a problem or is a case of sales waffle and small print.
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Barry P
I tried my daughters Integral memory stick and It WORKED!
Thanks you again for your help. I did email Humax support to start with before trying this web site but have had no reply as yet so well done you.
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Barbara
Glad to be of help, that’s what these sites are useful for. I’ve not had any luck with Humax customer support when I have emailed them never get a reply.
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Can anyone please help me. I have the foxsat HDR and I’m very pleased with it but I can’t get it to recognise my Sony DVD recorder (RDR HXD970). It recognises a USB stick but not the DVD recorder or an old VHS recorder I tried. Is there a setting I need to change or does something need to be adjusted on the DVD recorder??
Hmax helpline worse than useless and with my disc now full I’m desperate.
Thanks
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Adam, your HDR shouldn’t have to find the DVD, the DVD should find the PVR. How are you connecting up? You should really use the VIDEO OUT SCART socket then simply find the appropriate channel on your DVD for that input source.
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Rocking horse **** – trying to find a Humax FOXSAT-HDR 320GB is harder than tracking the aforementioned. Now I’ve decided to go down the Freesat+ route after being patient with my 4 analog channels the frustration is a nightmare.
Any ideas or should I wait a few more months. I will receive Freeview in July when I will benefit at last for my full TV licence
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Can anyone recommend a DVD player/recorder compatible with the Humax? I would like to be able to archive some series as well as convert from old VHS tapes.
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Hi Admin,
I’ve connected it with a scart (QED, same as originally used from DVD to TV) from video out on Humax to the video/decoder in on the DVD recorder. With DVD set to input 1 (ie from decoder) and with TV set to the DVD input (Humax input to TV disconnected) it is clear that a signal is being received from the humax through the DVD recorder.
However, the green button on the Humax file manager stays unavailable. I can record the Humax output signal in real time but that means I can’t watch TV at the same time. Since the Sony is a HDD/DVD recorder I had hoped I would be able to do a high speed dub from Humax to Sony. But at the very least I’d like to be able to record from the humax HD while I’m watching the TV.
Is this going to be possible?
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:59 pm
The Humax won’t detect the HDD/DVD via the scart, all you’ll be able to do via that method is record the channel your Humax is displaying. If what you mean is recording directly to your HDD like you would a USB device etc, then I’m not sure that’s even possible on your recorder. Maybe someone else reading this with a little more technical knowledge of cross device setup may be able to help.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I think adam is expecting the DVD recorder to be seen as an external device as an external USB stick or HDD would be by the File Manager. As admin says, the DVD recorder will be able to record the current channel via the SCART but only at SD quality and only via composite if a HD channel.
I’ve only had my Humax a few days but I have spent hours experimenting with external devices and file transfer to external devices. It requires an external Hard Drive or USB stick formated to FAT32 (4GB file limit) or EXT2 for files greater than 4GB.
If the Humax is doing a scheduled recording from Standby, no output will appear on SCART RGB or HDMI. I haven’t checked composite as it’s not worth using. In fact, if adam’s DVD recorder only has composite input (which I believe is common) he will be extremely dissapointed with the results. Use an external HDD and a PC with VideoRedo TVSuite to make “perfect” DVDs.
February 5th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Anybody watch Liverpool v Everton last night?
I thought the picture was rubbish and the sound even worse. It was only when I put my ear to the rear speakers I could just hear a faint murmur of the crowd,
The HD quality of the adverts was good though. I think ITV have got a lot of catching up to do to get on par with the BBC.
Anybody agree?
February 5th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I watched the match last night,HD was very good as was the sound.I have the bigger size dish,perhaps that makes a difference….
February 5th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Re: Andy’s post 185
I’m encountering an increasing boot-up problem very similar to the one you describe. I emailed Humax a couple of days ago but have had no reply as yet.
Has your problem gone away or have you found a solution of any kind? I would take it back for replacement, but that seems pretty hopeless given current stock levels.
I hardly dare put it into standby at the moment, which is annoying because the <1 watt standby is a good feature and also because you can’t dim the display!
It’s still a great machine, though…
February 5th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Re: Posts 466 and 185 – Boot-up problems
I have had my Humax HDR about 2 months now. Initially I had no problems (and have 2 cables feeding in), but increasingly only the lcd panel lights up on switch-on, and it does not boot. Also then the red or blue led light does not come on. Only after a number of switch on/off cycles does it boot, and then all is fine. I have not contacted Humax as I will be away for a month. Will check on my return if a solution has been found, and if not will try to exchange it if stock more available. Must be more people out there with the same problem. Otherwise I am very pleases with it.
February 8th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
[...] Humax FOXSAT-HDR Freesat+ PVR Digital Box 0.00 out of 10 (0 votes) [...]
February 9th, 2009 at 10:39 am
had mine since before Christmas. Got it at the special Dixons price of about £260 thanks to you. works a treat and records 2 programmes at once while watching freeview as well, so its 10 out of 10. Now if only I could record freeview in the TV to my DVD hard drive Id be happier still. Seems it would be better to have seperate stb than in tv. But I digress.The Fossat pvr is excellent.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
I’ve had the HDR since before Christmas, and still feel that it needs a radical redesign. Other PVR’s have a much more intuitive and user-friendly menu system. Not being able to scan through the banners and see what is on other channels without disturbing the channel you are watching is a ridiculous, and probably unique, limitation. The remote control layout is just irrational. I still can’t work out how to get frame by frame playback, and the volume control should control the TV in any mode, surely?
This product could easily be excellent, if only Humax will take the user interface back to the drawing board.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
We live near Lagos in Portugal we replaced our pace box with the new box very easy to set up with very clear instructions and the loop feed for the dish is a great idea, works well if used with the polarity list, but cant wait to get the second feed down from the dish.
Excellent up grade of the std picture on our LG LCD TV and HD stunning should be great in the future when we get more HD channels.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Richard, I can agree with some of the things you say, but your main issue with scanning whats on with the banner is possible. You have to be live first, then press i then scan away. Other channels what on later, set recordings & cancel them . Even get the information up for programs other than the one you are watching, which I cold never do with Sky,
The post at 238 says how to scan your favourite channels this is not quite so easy, but still possible .
February 9th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
I have looked through the manual 2-3 times but I cannot find any reference to the the logo [G] which appears against some recorded items in the media list. Can anyone explain what this [G] stands for?
February 9th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
re 473 Alan,
I means “Guidance” as in “parental” AFAIK.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Can’t understand why everyone seems to want their humax to be a copy of sky’s plus box, come on guy’s look at is as a new adventure,only thing i need sorted is how to set up some kind of remote sensor as i have my box in a kid proof cupboard. Been told i need a TVM, can anyone tell me if the Humax operates between 30 to 40 hz ?
February 9th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I have just reserved the last one at my local Argos – can anyone tell me what length the guarantee is from Argos
February 10th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
To Matt 472,
Thanks for the information about scanning. This still seems the wrong priority to me, as it would be more useful to be able to scan through the banners and then press OK to switch channels.
To Ray 475,
I don’t want a copy of Sky+. I expect something better. I want Humax to take the best bits of Sky+ and add to them. As it is, the Humax has superior functions, but inferior ease of use. I still have to consult the manual frequently, which I never did with my old analogue PVR, even though it had editing facilities too. Humax need to rethink the menu system.
February 10th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I am pretty sure that everyone gets one year guarantee, except for good old John Lewis, who gives 2 years. This is where I bought mine last week.
February 10th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Some independent retailers also get 2 years warranty too, it’s not just confined to John Lewis.
February 10th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Hi Richard . You can change channel with the Banner. If you just go up and down keeping to NOW, then you press OK to switch to that channel. If you then press the Back button you will go back to the channel you were watching. This works even after you have exited just press i again followed by Back to swap channels. If you go Right on the banner then you can set recordings for whats on that or other channels later.
Got mine from Satbuyer with a two year Warranty at no extra .
The Warranty Certificate says Valid for a MINIMUM period of ONE year ? AT a glance you could think it is just a year.
February 10th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Matt, the included certificate is just a generic one, the 2 year warranty will be offered from the retailer directly, same with any offering this deal. The 2 year warranty was offered to all distributors, but only some accepting as obviously there is an additional premium.
February 10th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Thanks admin that does seem to make sense, it seems to me that if they don’t say it has a two year Warranty, ie shout it out in bold RED type like Satbuyer then it probably only has a year. ( maybe )
February 10th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Yeah, definitely assume one year unless it’s clearly stated.
February 10th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Hi I have a problem with my humax HDR ,During recording mode and the unit is on standby when I switch the unit on I get no sound or picture even when I select HDMI on the TV. I HAVE To wait until recording has completed before I get a picture.This is does not happen all the time some times it is ‘A’ okay I have e-mailed Humax but received no reply.
February 10th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Matt,
Sorry, I did not make it clear that I meant that scanning and changing channels should be available using the “compass” control directly, not as a secondary function. I still have not discovered how to get frame by frame playback. It must be there somewhere, surely?
February 10th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
I have had the Humax HDR two months now and I can say its a great bit of kit. One warning though, dont muck about inside that hidden menu, I did and lost all my Christmas recordings.
February 10th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Richard, yes that would be better, it is on some of the wish lists for upgrades I’ve seen. Sorry no idea about the frame by frame, 1/8 th speed seems to be it. Then if you press pause it jumps ahead a bit, so that’s no good. But i must agree with Chris a great bit of Kit still……
February 10th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
459 – Desperate of Truro
Managed to get a Freesat+ from Currys Digital in Pydar Street last Saturday (7/2/09). AND there was one still on display! Argos say there are none this side of the Tamar, Commet say they are awaiting delivery, and Dixons haven’t had any!
February 11th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I have seen a number of people ask this question however it seems to never get answered. I have a wonderful new Humax HDR from puresat dot co do uk (apparently they have loads in stock but at inflated prices if anyone is interested) and I have this hooked up via HDMI to my sony AV amp which then goes to my TV. I have also connected the optical cable as I wanted to get 5.1 but I wanted to know if this was really needed ? Does the HDMI cable carry the 5.1 or does it have to be done via the optical ?
February 11th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Sparky – HDMI doesn’t carry 5.1 Dolby on your setup, so the optical output is also needed.
February 11th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Bryan S.
I noticed the same problem and found the way to get around it is to switch to another input (e.g. HDMI2) on my TV, then back to HDMI1 (to which the HDR is connected). You must do this when the HDR is fully awake (i.e. if it’s in pre-record mode, where it’s scanning to see if the program is about to start, boot it up). I assume that when you boot up the PVR from standy it doesn’t send a signal to the TV to say “here I am, switch to my input” – not very satisfactory.
February 11th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
thanks for the rapid reply admin
February 11th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Hi Kevin
Thanks for your reply and ifo. Will give it a try and let you know How I get on.
Bryan
February 11th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I would reccomend this receiver 100%. I had it up and running within 30mins.
I have now included the channels from the maual set up which now gives me a further load of channels to watch. Well done HUMAX.
February 11th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Got mine from Argos Tues night
Only 1 input feed as waiting on a dual feed cable but working fine so far.
Am able to record and watch various channels but as only 1 feed coming in options for channels are limited
If anyone is wondering about what you can and can’t do with a single or double feed into the HDR I advise you to look at this post
http://www.hummy.org.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=5594
if you have excel download the file from the link in that first post and it gives an excellent guide to channels available – very handy for those not knowing the limitations of what you can and can’t watch while recording.
If anyone has a NAS drive that has a usb port on their network at home you might have an easy way of archiving off SD recordings. I’ve found my Buffalo LinkStation Live can format USB sticks to Ext3 which are then accepted by the Humax HDR and allow recordings to be copied/moved off, the Ext3 formatted USB drive doesn’t seem to be accepted by windows (I’ve seen mention of Ext2Fsd package from http://www.ext2fsd.com as a solution) but the Buffalo NAS drive obviously accepts an Ext3 formatted stick (as it formatted the stick to Ext3 in the first place) and you can view SD recordings on your pc, archive to your computer or convert for playback on other media at home
Liking the HDR so far though think I’ll need to test a few recordings to see how accurate the schedule is regards chopping start/endings to programmes
February 12th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
@474
Hi Martin, many thanks! Obvious when you know!
February 12th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Overall, the product is fantantic. The only complaint’s I have are:-
- You cannot transfer HD or any recording of 4GB from the box to a USB.
- ITV HD adverts are broadcast in SD. Therefore if you pause live tv on this channel, when the adverts come on, you lose your paused time, and the channel cuts direct to the adverts. Losing your paused viewing time.
- The fast forward works x2 and x4 which are too slow, and then x16 and x32 which are too fast. The introduction on a x6 or x8 would be useful.
Apart from these and a few other hiccups – the box is great.
February 13th, 2009 at 11:19 am
I formatted my PNY 2gb USB memory Stick fat 32 & loaded some JPG’s on it plugged it in to the Humax. Now I can see the file but cannot open it or see the pictures.
If I put the same stick directly into my TV, no problem.
Where am I going wrong?
February 13th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
3 in Currys in Penzance today. 1 in “Superstore”, 2 in High Street if anyone is interested. Maybe a reason to take a weekend break. Cornwall is clearly overrun with them.
Now to set it up. I need to keep Sky working for a while to watch all the archived stuff while recording new stuff on the Humax. I am hoping I can use the loop through to do that. Any problem with that?
February 15th, 2009 at 10:21 am
OK 2 Months in and I have to say that I’m sick of this box.
Apart from my own frustration at navigating around and having to double check that every button press is registered, I am absolutely being driven mad by my Wife about the same. Series link works whenever it feels like it. Watching paused TV and then flicking back to Live without warning is a joke. The sheer volume of required clicks is making this beyond useable given the likelihood of them being noticed or the machine lagging and then registering multiple clicks a few moments later.
In short, unless a new update fixes these things and I can find something to make the remote better then mine will be up for sale and I’ll have to go cap in hand to Sky.
Great idea but currently useless to live with. I don’t think this box is worth more than £180 RRP in its current state and I can see a new version being released which would leave us all left on the shelf with a duff.
Last chance HUMAX.
February 15th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Sorry, I also meant to say that I don’t believe this machine is “fit for purpose” given its price, and may chase a refund from the manufacturer should nothing be resolved shortly.
February 15th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Had mine 2 + months now and never had a problem with anything other than operator error. I think a lot of the problems that user have with the PVR can be put down to mis-aligned dishes that make it hard for the PVR to carry out its work + ITV HD messing around with the EPG that confusses me never mined the PVR.
The only things I find annoying (and not all Humaxes fault) is the very bright display on the front panel and the fact you cannot archive HD recording to an external HDD, and last but not least, the fact that I have to have my old $ky+ HD box under the telly (thats 4 boxes in all) just for CH4 HD.
February 15th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Hi Chris, If your problem with archiving HD to an ex HDD is due to it being Encrypted by the HDR then record it in Non- Freesat mode and it should have no encryption.
February 15th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Hi,
I already have a dish fixed on Atlantic bird 5w for French tv & wondered if I could another dish & 2lnbs or even a motor, and intergate somehow with this hdpvr??
I guess I may have to do a seperate install and have two boxes but thought I’d ask!
Thanks
February 15th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
My Humax HDR arrived last Friday so I am still trying out all of the functions. So far I cannot fault it.The picture quality is excellent, especially in HD. Set up was easy, I was up and running in no time. The record and playback functions couldn’t be simpler and so far I have had absolutely no problems. The remote control is a bit too directional but this is just a minor irritation. I have programmed the remote to operate my Panasonic TV and Philips DVD player, which is a very useful feature. The display is fine where I have the box and doesn’t appear too bright for me. So far I am very pleased, it was well worth the wait ! Goodbye to Sky !
February 16th, 2009 at 12:11 am
Hi , Can anyone tell me if you can move video files eg mpeg from an external hard drive on to the humax for play back ? or will it play files off an external hard drive ?
February 17th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I’ve now had my PVR for a week (from Richer Sounds – great service). On the whole I am very pleased. All my comments are benchmarked against a Sky HD
box which I’m giving up as I watched mainly the FTA channels)
Plus points
Altogether it’s a much more flexible device.
Ability to record radio programmes from the EPG (this was what sold it to me)
Display of channels on front panel means you can use the radio through an amp without ever having to switch the TV on.
Ability to load jpg’s to show pictures to visitors without having to crowd round a PC (ability to load music not so useful if you have an ipod although you can load some to act as soundtrack for picture shows).
BBC HD picture as good as Sky HD.
Much more recording time.
Smaller, quieter, better looking and lower energy consumption (my Sky HD box used about 38 watts on standby and about 58 watts when switched on – which is about 1.1 kwh per day if you use it about 6hrs a day – about £40pa).
Ability to see EPG etc whilst still listening to broadcast.
Ability to skip forward by predetermined amount to avoid adverts.
Good prompts in setting up recordings – eg suggesting HD alternative and help in resolving conflicts.
I get the impression that Humax are more attuned to users needs than Sky and that comments will be listened to.
Flexible remote – the only one I’ve found that will control an old Audiolab amp.
Neutral points
User interface takes some getting used to – a function of the device’s flexibilty
SD picture is a bit “softer” on most channels – this may be a feature of Freesat bit rates. Sometimes this is a benefit on poor quality broadcasts as it disguises the quality.
The usefulness of the Favourite channels feature is limited – it needs to have top level access to be really useful (or ideally the blue button scroll through as per Sky)
Comprehensive user manual – it tells you about the features but not how to get the best out of them (eg the favourites)
Cons
Slower to boot up – but I guess you can’t have instant boot and very low standby energy consumption.
One or two bugs – if you pause a live programme then restarrt you often get the subtitles come up. There is a workaround – menu_subtitles_enable then disable. The box did lock up last night – was recording two channels (one in HD) and fiddling around with various functions – it then stopped responding to all input (remote or buttons on front). Power-cycled it after recording finished and all was well – it had kept the recordings. I guess the lesson is not to fiddle!
Remote is very directional, less so if you leave the front flap open.
All in all I strongly recommend it. But Sky converts will find it quite different to use.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Thank you for the great review Steve
February 17th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I have had mine for only a few days (thanks to Amazon) and i’m still not completely setup.
I am going to run it alongside Sky+ (my wife can’t do without Living Channel)
I have an Quad LNB so i have enough cables etc, however i did notice that there is an LNB outout on the Humax. Has anybody connected up the two boxes utilising this? If this is possible i can use the fourth LNB to connect to our bedroom for a standard freesat box without having to change to an Octo LNB
February 18th, 2009 at 7:35 am
I have tried the LNB output on the back of the HDR box with a cable to the Bedroom to drive a Humax Foxsat HD BOX. Not all channels available and varied dependant on the activity on the HDR box in the Lounge. Changed the cable feed to come from the third LNB output on the dish and full service available.
Replaced the SKY+ box on Day 1 of the HDR release and never looked back for one moment. Series recording is a joy to use (and find the result!). Picture and sound quality on both HD and HDR box is superb.
Only one niggle is the pause facility that has a mind of its own when adverts popup on commercial channels and it terminates the process.
75% of all our viewing is done on pre-recorded stuff and the one press, fast forward button to skip adverts is a fantastic facility.
Overall, both boxes are a joy to use – never looked back (sorry SKY!!).
February 18th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Can anyone help?
On my Humax PVR, when I finish watching a recorded programme I try to delete it, but the screen only offers me, ‘play from last watched; ‘play from start’; ‘rename’, but not ‘delete file’. This is similar if you want to delete a programme you have not watched. It seems the system needs 24 hours to recalibrate when I am offered the delete option, although this is variable.
February 19th, 2009 at 8:48 am
You will probably find that you are still recording another programme and then you cannot delete until that programme is finished.
February 19th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Mike at 504
I was thinking of doing the same myself. This link may help!!
http://foxsat.wikispaces.com/Setting+up+DiSEqC
February 19th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Too bright display? I have solved the problem by flipping down the front panel and carefully inserting coloured cellophane onto the back of the transparent panel so that when closed it is trapped in front of the display. You might need to experiment with different sweets to get the right colour/density of wrapper….!
Don’t cover the sensor for the remote, just the display
February 19th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Thank for that John S. I will try that and even if it dont work, I will have a good time with all those sweets..LOL
February 20th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Have had my HDR for 2 weeks now, and think it’s amazing…no complaints.
One thing I cannot work out is this……..in the media list I want to put several of my recordings into a new folder. I have managed to create the folder & successfuly name it, but cannot figure out how to move files into it. I’m sure there must be a way. Help? Anybody? Thanks in advance….great forum.
February 20th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
@ 516 Dabber. Hi. To move files into your new folder firstly select the Media button. then press the Opt+ button. this brings up a list of options. select the top option ‘file manager’.
this will bring up a split screen – with both sides the same to start off with.
Select the new folder you created (in iether the left or the right panel) by highlighting it and pressing OK.
Now go to the other panel (left or right hand side) and highlight the file you would like to move. press OK and you will be, again, given a list of options.
select the second option down – Move. This will move the select programme into the previously slected folder.
Then press exit a couple of times and you back to watching TV.
Cheers, hope this helps.
February 21st, 2009 at 10:18 am
Thanks Dan @517 for showing me the procedure, so easy when you know how! This really is a great bit of kit! Cheers,
February 21st, 2009 at 8:56 pm
This is a great forum. Just installed the PVR – I think it’s pretty good, but I have the same problem as Marc L @ 206
When I change channel or play a recorded program there is a buzz. Does everyone have this? It’s a bit annoying.
What’s more annoying is that the automatic aspect ratio adjustment doesn’t work properly. The display format is set to auto on the pvr. Any ideas would be great.
TIA
February 22nd, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Hi guys
I’ve had the HDR since before Xmas and it’s a great piece of kit, notwithstanding it’s known issues, but I have been having problems with ITV-HD as in when it prompts on-screen to watch in HD and I press the red button I do not get the HD reception and have to retrun to normal viewing. BBC-HD works fine by the way, thankfully, at least I can watch the SIx Nations !
Anyone got any ideas, is this is new problem or just a bug
Cheers – any ideas gratefully received
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:52 pm
I just seen that Humaxdirect now have the Foxsat-HDR now in stock and selling direct from their website for £292.64, this is direct from the manufacturer. Hopefully now we will see some recoditioned units trickling into the managers specials section of the website for a nicely reduced sum!
https://humaxdirect.co.uk/product.asp?ProdRef=10073&cat=stb
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:11 am
Hi MGA I don’t have a Buzz at any time.
I do have the same problem with the aspect ratio. I find leaving it on 4:3 pillar box works the same as auto should ?
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:37 pm
LNB out only seems to work when box is in Standby (not ON). Anyone else confirm this? Otherwise the Foxstat HDR work pretty good. Only one glitch so far and rebooting cured.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
LNB out passes through the currently selected/tuned LNB and frequency/polarisation.
A simplified way of looking at it is LNB Out will pass through ONLY that set of channels which are currently tuned in by the Humax.
ABC
February 24th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Well got my Foxsat hdr two days ago, i am very pleased much better than Sky HD box,easy to setup, use far less power, access to recorded programmes is quicker,record on time works, two part recording works, picture quality is better for SD up scaling is v good ,a lot less trouble with programme clashes as you can record two and watch a third (limited choice) not with Sky.
Negatives you cannot switch to NON FREESAT while recording, if you alter the channel order in non freesat you will loose the recording schedule in freesat mode, no Five US.
BUT best of all I never have to give another penny to RUPERT MURDOCH .
g0bgb
February 24th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
I also have the same problem as described by Jake above (post 520) – that is, unable to view ITV HD after pressing the red button. I just get a black screen. BBC HD, however, is fine.
Anyone know what needs to be done to resolve this?
February 24th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Hi Digitaldude
The problem seems to be a regional one i.e. it depends on the postcode you use. I did read somewhere that there had been some changes to how the ITV-HD was transmitted which resulted in some of the regional ITV channels losing the HD function. I have now tuned to a postcode in the South West (I live in the Central region) and the HD is now working OK.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Jake
February 25th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Hi Digitaldude
ITV HD is not avalible in some areas due to contract issues (STV and ITV are still in talks regarding HD broadcasts in the Scottish region). As above the work around is to tune to another ITV region and use that if you want to Watch / Record in HD.
February 25th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
They added ITV London CH 977 for that reason as stated on the ITV HD page . So if you can not get ITV HD on 977 it must be another Fault. Dish etc…..
February 25th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
@Admin @490. My setup is the same though I use a Denon AV AMP and I receive DD 5.1 via my HDMI from BBC HD, when transmitted, no problem…
HDMI (even at its base level spec) is specified to carry Dolby Digital 5.1.
The Humax certainly supplies DD 5.1 from the HDMI output.
ABC
February 26th, 2009 at 10:05 am
I’ve just had my first box replaced after struggling to get it to work properly for 8 weeks – faulty hard drive apparently.
Not impressed!
February 26th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I’ve had my box a few days now and I love it! But I have a question hopefully someone can answer. I’ve managed to figure out how to transfer recordings onto an external hard drive through the USB port so that they are viewable on my PC but I have a few AVI files on my PC that I’d like to be able to watch through my Humax. I’ve tried using Total Video Converter to convert the avi files to .ts format and I also tried mpeg-II as I read somewhere that was supposed to work but the files aren’t showing up when I go to the file manager. Does anyone know of an easy way of converting that actually works? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
February 26th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Concerning the red button ITV HD. I had the same problem – just a black screen after pressing the button. After talking to Humax who advised me to check with Freesat that there actually were HD transmissions (which seems pretty daft, if there were no transmissions why would the “Press Red” message appear?). Freesat suggested the box was faulty. Eventually after many phone calls managed to get Comet to swop the unit, and hey presto no problem any more!
February 26th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Re: my question @532 – I’ve just read the reply to someone asking the same question on a help forum and apparently it’s not possible. Oh well, hopefully in the not-too-distant future someone will figure out how to do it.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:33 am
I think a lot of the problems with ITV HD are ITV. They quite often advertise programmes as being in HD (films are the norm) then cancel at the last minute and if you set the Humax to record a programme in HD that later is cancelled it fails.
While on the subject of ITV HD, they have been messing around with the series link software and quite often it ends series recording even when there are still episodes in the series to record. This has happened a few times with Wild at Heart.
Claire 534: I think Humax have a bug fixing update for the HDR coming soon but I don’t think that is a priority for them because they don’t count it as a bug but I agree it would be nice to be able to do that.
February 27th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Satbuyer just emailed me saying they have stock. also included a 2% off voucher code, 2OFFHDR. think this is the cheapest deal at the moment
February 27th, 2009 at 11:08 am
doh, forgot the link
http://www.satbuyer.co.uk/humax-foxsat-hdr-freesat+-hd-pvr-digital-box-p24.html
February 27th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Play.com have it for £249 with free delivery. Available 31.3.09
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/9159265/Humax-FoxSat-HDR-Freesat-320GB-HDD-DTR-HD-Recorder/Product.html
February 27th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Hi All,
Which is the store with the best guarantee service on the PVR? IN other words, who simply swops it out if there is a problem?
February 27th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Suspect most retailers will just swap out for you, just depends how much hassle is involved. Have you tried any of the independent retailers as their agreement with the distributor (depending which they use) is for immediate new swap-out incase of fault.
March 1st, 2009 at 9:13 am
I see there’s talk of slow boot up times..seems 30 seconds is normal.
Mine takes 5 minutes + to boot from Standby! but then it seems fine….
Is this a connection issue or just a duff bit of kit?
Anybody else find it takes this long?
March 1st, 2009 at 9:18 am
just got my humax from Argos. Problem ! how do i view my recorded program it seems to record but i cannot find them Pleeeese help
March 1st, 2009 at 10:48 am
542 John: Press the “media” button on the remote.
March 1st, 2009 at 10:50 am
A quick press of the media button should do the trick
March 1st, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Thank you to ChrisK and KDH why didn’t i see that , it just proves how new i am to freesat. hope i will be able to understand the rest.thank you again
March 1st, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Very keen to get a humax foxsat PVR, but my HD ready TV is an Evesham with DVI and component connections, no HDMI. If i buy an HDMI to DVI adaptor, will I enjoy true HD? Got confused by earlier posts about encryption, 760 and 1080, i’s and p’s.
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Paul @ 541 Mine takes closer to 40 seconds to boot. Try a factory reset and if it still takes 5 minutes I’d say you’ve got a Duff one.
Richard @546 You should be fine with an Adaptor & left/right audio RCA cables . The highest output is 1080i which is fine for DVI. Saying that some people have been getting green screens using HDMI as the TV & Humax have not hand shaked properly .
March 2nd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Richard@546. Here is a link to the FOXSAT HDR manual. Look at Chapter 2: Connections, page GB18, pdf page 19.
Looking at it your set up should be O.K.
http://www.humaxdigital.com/global/support/downloadcenter_model_manual.aspx?category_seq=65
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:22 pm
538 – Tony Hales – Not any more I’m afraid. Play now quote £289·99 and due for release on 27/04/2009.
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Dixons presently cheapest at £284.18. See price comparison at top.
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:41 pm
For many years I had a Tivo PVR which is a wonderful piece of kit but it does not handle HD and needs a £10/month subscription. I had looked forward to the Humax Foxsat HDR being a suitable upgrade.
I have had my Foxsat HDR for a few weeks now and I must say that I am a bit disappointed. Here are my comments:
Pros
====
It looks nice.
Has the right features.
Produced great pictures.
Excellent upscaling of SD.
Cons
====
Unfortunately, two items seriously let it down: the remote and the user interface.
Remote
———–
* Does not work if you are off to the side of the unit.
* Poor buttons: they should vary more in shape and size so they can be identified by touch in the dark.
* Poor button layout: things that you use a lot, like Time Shift stuff, should be more prominent and easily identified by touch.
* No backlight.
* It should be easier to tell which end to point at the PVR in the dark (by touch).
User Interface
——————–
Recoding is generally fine but:
* You should be able to either select from a Favourites list of channels or be able to sort the list.
* You should be able to record from the start of a programme that you are watching if it is in the Time Shift buffer.
Playback control is very poor:
* The Time Shift buffer control is very annoying: it should not jump to the end when a background recording ends (nor when adverts occur on ITV HD).
* When finished watching an item, you should be prompted to delete it.
* You should be able to delete a recording even if it is recording something else.
* You should not have to go into File Manager to delete items.
* Deleting should by MUCH faster. If necessary, it should just mark items as deleted and delete them in the background at a later date.
* Skip back 7 secs or forward 120 secs should be possible even in pause mode.
* It should use colour to indicate that an item has already been watched to (nearly) the end.
* File Manager should not require you to click ok on ‘..’ to go back. It means nothing to non-computer people. The back button on the joystick should take you back instead.
* The two adjacent lists of files should only be displayed when necessary. Most people will not be copying files between devices most of the time.
Programme information should include the date the programme was first made and indicate whether it is a repeat or not. Perhaps this is a FreeSat limitation.
In summary, this could be a ground breaking box but it fails at the last hurdle. Other people have made similar comments and expect the interface to be improved via an update at a later date. However, I suspect this is unlikely because many of the criticisms apply to their previous PVR and no significant updates were forthcoming. A pity.
My advice to Humax is either to fix it or release the source code so that others can do it for them.
My advice to potential buyers is to put off buying such a device at the moment. There is very little HD programming transmitted anyway and other manufacturers will be producing similar boxes with better interfaces soon.
If you do plan to get this unit then factor in the cost of a decent remote such as the Harmony One (Amazon are selling it for £70 at the moment if you specify HARMONY2 as the Promotional Gift code).
If only Tivo had not decided to stop selling in the UK.
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:52 pm
551.
I think the Foxsat HDR was intended for people who don’t want to pay loads of money for HDTV. I time shift on average about 6 hour of HDTV every week and watch live HDTV about 4 hours not including films on CH4 HD which is not available on the HDR. These times don’t take into account seasonal extras such as Wimbledon, Glastonbury, 6 Nations and so on. There is of course more but like most TV nowadays I don’t find it worth watching be it in HD or SD, but others may differ.
Given that the HDR is a first generation machine there is bound to be areas for improvement. Over all (and I would admit it has its niggles) it’s a great machine and yes, one day there will be others (Panasonic I hear for one) but as always, there’s always something better just around the corner if you wait… and wait… and wait and after that, yeh you got it, something better… if you wait.
If your not happy with FreeSat I would suggest you go to $ky TV where they are doing a good deal on the box(only £49) and have a great deal more HD content, but of course you will be paying hundreds of pounds forever and a day for the rest of your viewing life + £10 a month just for recording on the box you own if you decide not to subscribe after your contract is up.
March 5th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Such a shame that Topfield haven’t entered the market (yet?). Their FreeView PVR was generally reckoned to be superior to the Humax equivalent.
March 5th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Come to think of it, the TF7710HDPVR is only lacking the FreeSat EPG, isn’t it?
March 5th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Satbuyer.co.uk has Humax PVR for £286.50 including delivery.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Initially when I bought my HDR, I connected it to a regular TV through a SCART connection. In the Initial Set-up I specified 576i as the resolution which enabled me to view the BBC HD channel but in regular resolution. Since then I have moved to a Full HD LCD TV and need to change the resolution – does anyone know how to do that without doing a factory reset? You see, I don’t want to reconfigure all my additional channels again.
March 6th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Sky have just phoned me ! Would I like to reconsider my decision to cancel my contract with them ?
Er, the young man now wishes that he hadn’t bothered to waste his time !
March 6th, 2009 at 11:10 am
March 6th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
RichiRich Sorry could not find anything in the secret menu, but I didn’t delve to deep in fear of mucking things up.
I set mine to 1080i at first but then changed it to 720p with the V- FORMAT button on the remote. It has stuck to 720 ever since .
March 6th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Tatra Man @554 a nice man at Dig Spy has answered your question can a FTA PVR be used as a Freesat+ STB
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=999104
March 6th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Wow.
Spoke with Humax Tech Support who giggled down the phone when telling me that I had to stand directly in front of the machine with the front panel down. He said the “laser” would not work properly at an angle or with the panel up. When I said that this was a rediculous design floor, he giggle a little more and said “yes”. I said in that case I want my money back and he said go back to the retailer. I have spoken with Argos who are giving me a full refund and I have had to get Sky HD back in.
Worth a punt but Ciao Humax.
March 6th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Hi
I can’t seem to copy anything from the HDR box to my 2Gb Kingston memory stick. When you go into Media then choose OPT+ then File Manager I can see the option to Copy but it is greyed out.
Anyone else got this problem, seen this before, got any ideas?
March 7th, 2009 at 3:00 am
On the music media menu, I can only get the Humax Freesat PVR to play one mp3 song at a time. I cannot get it to automatically step on to play the next song in a folder or in a playlist that I have created. I have tried all combinations of ‘Repeat’ and ‘Shuffle’ settings, using the ‘OK’ button and the ‘Play’ button etc.
I also note that the play position on the green play bar along the top of the screen does not update as the song is playing. However the play position can manually be moved by using the back/forward buttons on the handset.
Selecting a photo in a folder, on the other hand, automatically cycles through all the photos in a folder.
I believe the older Humax Freeview PVR could automatically play all the songs in a folder without having to manually select each track in turn.
Am I missing something obvious or is the software still in development to allow the PVR to be used as like a CD player or juke box?
March 8th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
OK, figured out how to copy a file to a memory stick. You need to highlight the USB device first before then highlighting the file on the left hand side, it then copys.
Might help others out there…
March 9th, 2009 at 8:27 am
We have had the Foxsat HDR for about 2 months and are getting fed up with the it cutting off the ends of recordings. We have tried setting the recording time to Auto and setting it manually to add an extra 3 minutes but either way we regularly lose the ends of programmes.
Is anyone else having this problem?
March 9th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Thanks Matt G (559), I used the V-FORMAT which seems to have done the trick. I now need to find how to add the second LNB port as I’ve just connected another cable from my LNB switch – any ideas?
March 9th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
RichiRich easy (secret menu) go to set up in to the menu 3rd pic down,press OK, , now with Freesat tune highlighted , press Red, green, Yellow, Blue, Green, Yellow, Blue. Antenna settings should appear select it and change type to two. Good luck never done it so hope it works .
Also works in System with Diagnostics highlighted ( secret menu 2 )
March 10th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Hello RichiRich. I know this sounds daft, but I assume you are using the HDMI cable to connect to your panel. The setting for 1080i should be automatic.
When you have scarts connect as well as HDMI cable I have found you have to make sure the TV is set HDMI input first (on 1st generation Panasonic panels ) or else the TV defaults to scart and you do not get HDTV only upscaled SD.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:39 am
ChrisK (568), I do have it connected via HDMI and noted that when I pushed the V-FORMAT button it was already on 1080i – I just presumed that because I set it to 576i, it would stay at that.
MattG (567), I’ll give it a try and let you know the outcome…
March 12th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Hi Matt G
I have Tried your idea for locating Antenna settings press red,green, yellow etc. and it worked a treat thank you.
March 13th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I have had this box for two weeks now. Had to travel out of town to get hold of one though. Probably the best purchase I have made.
Want to get rid of SKY now but having to keep the sky subscription because I like Virgin 1. (free on freeview but not freesat).
Using one sat feed (with loop through) and seems to work well. Was simple to set up as well.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
March 16th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Alan March 12 Humax HD Page ? Quote
. The only slight grumble I have, which again has been commented on previous reviews is that the going to and selecting via the EPG is long winded. Unless your recording something the minute you go to the “guide” you lose the picture and then go through the Genre front page to get to the EPG. The picture does come back after about 30 seconds.
Alan… Firstly you can disable the Genre page in the Menu. Secondly if you access the EPG via the Schedule button then press RED it will not update, so you will not lose the sound/picture. Also this stops the Buffer from being reset and makes the remote commands more responsive.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Got mine last week from Richer Sounds web site. Excellent service and they return phone calls. Unit guaranteed for 5 years for £29.00 and this is refunded if not used-peace of mind.
Set the whole thing up and running in 10 minutes and am well pleased with the system-the sound via 5 speaker set up is brilliant.
Would have no hesitation in recommending this PVR.
March 19th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Hi,
Can anyone help with this query?
The Humax box is adverstised as being 1080i, the TV I want to hook it up to is 1080p. Am I therefore losing out? Is there a 1080p Freesat box with PVR?
Cheers,
G
March 19th, 2009 at 9:12 am
George, 1080p broadcasts don’t exist on UK satellite, the maximum is 1080i.
March 19th, 2009 at 9:39 am
That’s news to me! Does that mean buying a 1080p TV is pointless or does it make a difference to xbox & dvd?
Thanks
March 19th, 2009 at 9:57 am
I’m not sure there are many televisions that don’t support both 1080i and 1080p anyway, so it’s unlikely you’ve paid more for 1080p. No television broadcaster offers this definition, but consoles and Blu-Ray etc do. The difference is marginally to be honest.
March 19th, 2009 at 11:58 am
@admin
Thanks that’s very helpful
March 19th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Just received my humax hdpvr – has anyone tried aligning the dish using the pvr/meter – are therer any special precautions – can I set up with one lnb, or should I use 2 for the updates?
March 19th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Is it worth adding Richer Sounds to the list of where to buy? They are selling at £290 at the moment which seems middle of the road but for 10% extra you can get a 5 year warranty so the total cost is £319 with 5 years warranty. You also get the £29 cost of the warranty refunded if you don’t end up using it.
March 19th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Just noticed sat buyer are now selling for £ 269
> http://www.satbuyer.co.uk/humax-foxsat-hdr-freesat+-hd-pvr-digital-box-p24.html
March 23rd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
577 admin – if I may expand a little… HD Ready TVs support 720p and 1080i, but the 1080i is downscaled to fit. Full HD (or HD Ready 1080p TVs as they are now called) support 1080p and 1080i in their native resolution.
March 23rd, 2009 at 2:04 pm
I sometimes wonder if I have the same box that others have, as every one else seems to be gushing about it but mine has serious flaws.
The box itself is really good, its very quiet, looks good, is a lot smaller than a sky hd box and is very easy to set up.
It takes quite a while to turn on from standby but I am led to believe that this is due to it running at a low wattage while in standby.
The control is its worst feature, its nearly a foot long and probably the worst I have ever come across. The buttons are littered all over place e.g. the pvr buttons are grouped together yet the slow motion function is at least 10cm from them. Some of the functions are duplicated like the list button and the channel-changing button, which means the remote control is extremely crowded. Changing channels using the numbered buttons takes great skill and long thumbs and ends up being pointless due to the stupid placing of the numbered buttons and the short time that you are given to enter the desired number.
I have quite a small living room yet the control will not change channel from one of the sofas which is only about 3 metres away and unless you point the control directly at the box nothing will happen.
The only good thing I can say about the remote is that it can work your tv, dvd and stereo as well as the pvr.
The functionality of the box is over complicated and not being able to record the buffer on a program is a bit of a let down.
If you pause live tv and a recording ends the program you were watching jumps back to live again meaning you have to rewind back to where you had originally paused it.
The epg (tv guide) is very slow unless for some very strange reason you use a convoluted way of pressing schedule then the red button rather than tv guide.
If they changed the ridiculous remote and made the workings of the box a bit more user friendly this product would certainly deserve 8 stars but I am afraid as it is I would be tempted to wait on the Panasonic pvr blu ray combo, which is coming soon.
March 24th, 2009 at 8:51 am
I don’t know if anyone has noticed a problem with the box failing to record the last episode of a series?
I have now missed the last episode of 4 different series. I just thought it was a ‘failure’ that occurs, same as my old sky+ box. But now I am beginning to see a trend. This week it should try to record the last episode of IT Crowd…so we will see.
March 24th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
I think it’s fair to say this box has flaws, but for those of us who see its potential, is there somewhere we can air our comments to Humax (and/or Freesat) and make a difference (i.e. get a new firmware to fix them), rather than just airing them here?
March 25th, 2009 at 7:42 am
I decided to write to Humax (uksupport@humax-digital.co.uk) yesterday about the EPG problems and got this back “At the moment there is nothing being done about the EPG of the Foxsat HDR, there may be a software update in the future but at the moment nothing has been decided about the EPG.
Kind regards,
Humax Customer Support
0870 247 8800″
March 25th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
The Duke@584
The HDR does have a bug in that when new channels are added like CNN was yesterday then any series links that are scheduled for ITV HD gets wiped out. I had to re-schedule Lewis in the HDR yesterday to continue the series next Sunday. I have not had any problems with BBC series link except when doing a non-FreeSat channel search which wipes out all schedule recordings.
I don’t know who you blame for that, is it ITV for their red button nonsense or Humax?
One you can blame on the BBC is the Green Green Grass series which the BBC failed to transmit the last episode in HD. Other than these little quirks I have had no problems with series linking, but I do check the schedule list every other day to be sure.
March 26th, 2009 at 4:21 am
Can anyone advise if it works in Cyprus? and if I get HOTBIRD and NILE SAT?
March 26th, 2009 at 8:53 am
I wrote to Humax on Tuesday and got this back: “At the moment there is nothing being done about the EPG of the Foxsat HDR, there may be a software update in the future but at the moment nothing has been decided about the EPG.
Kind regards,
Humax Customer Support (uksupport@humax-digital.co.uk) 0870 247 8800″
Elias 587: Looking at the Astra website, the coverage doesn’t reach Cyprus with a 1.2m dish – I’m not sure if a larger dish would work or not.
March 28th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Had this box for 4 months now and although it has some fantastic features it also has it’s fair share of flaws.
I have put up with it taking anything up to 5 mins to boot, the controller being a bit naf, the EPG, and the fact that it only seems to record programs if it can be bothered.
Now the hard drive seems to have died! When I turn it on there is a message saying hard drive not formatted/ format now? when I click on yes the program guide comes up! have tried rebooting, turning off at the wall and reseting from scratch to no avail so it is going back today to be fixed.
I wish that I had waited for another manufacturer to start production then I would not be stuck with this pile of JUNK.
If it worked well this would be a great piece of kit with some very good features. Unfortunately it doesn’t, and some of the features are very complicated to use.
Al
March 28th, 2009 at 10:21 am
The box has let me down again! F1 qualifying was definately set to record, but did not. This non recording seems to be getting worse, especially since the last update. Have other users experienced the same problems?
March 28th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Same problem with the qualifiying for me although it did record the re-run at 1PM. I’m hoping the race records in the morning!
March 28th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Having exactly the same problem with schedules not recording, does seem worse since the last channel editions, have now re-scheduled all recordings to see if that helps but I suspect it is a transmission problem.
March 29th, 2009 at 6:40 am
Just got up & it seems to be recording F1 OK . I’ve got mine set to Auto on, with 5 minutes added at the end and its had no problems with recording lately including the Qualifying. Have added an extra half hour to the race just in case.
But I have had one lock up and two reboots at the start/end of recordings in the last month.
Come on Jenson ………..
March 31st, 2009 at 7:39 am
I think there was right fun and games at the weekend.
It did not record Lewis or Moving Wallpaper and half of my scheduled recordings just vanished.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:10 am
Duke Of Hunslet . After a Channel Update (for some unknown reason) you lose all your ITV HD Schedules.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=991852
Maybe Admin could do a reminder next time…..
March 31st, 2009 at 5:15 pm
This is probably a bit of a stupid question, but how do you program the humax remote to control a TV? I’ve heard of people talking about codes but havent found any myself.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
April 1st, 2009 at 11:42 am
I have had the foxsat for about 2weeks now just about getting used to it.
After previously had Sky + it’s not as intuitive as Sky + but some features quite good, like the Skip function, effectively gets rid of adverts when using playback of a recording if set to 240 seconds. Don’t like the handset too many function keys. Noticed that the BBC red button interactive has things missing compared to Sky + for example multiple news screens not available. Contacted Freesat apparently the certification for the interactive red button features have not been signed / completed with the broadcasters. another problem I get is when inputting digits to select a channel say 200 for BBC News if your not quick enough the digits reset to 0000 almost instantly compared to the Sky+.
I am currently recording HD programmes until I get a good HD TV soon probably the Sony KDL 40Z4500 (fortunately you can see the BBC HD channel on a CRT TV unlike Sky using Scart leads).
Appears to have been designed by computer engineers who have not field trialled it with consumers, but still impressed so far, would like to combine access to both Freesat with non Freesat channels.
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:43 am
Firstly, to “Alex H” post 597 and many others, RTFM!
I seem to remember that the non-Freesat channels were not part of the original spec for Freesat and that it was Humax who went against the spec and added a non-Freesat mode in the first place. Freesat is, after all, simply an EPG so why do people want the Hummy to do things it was never intended to do like combine Freesat and non-Freesat channels under a single EPG?
I personally find the Hummy very easy to use and don’t try to compare it with other non-Freesat equipment. It is a product in it’s own right and may have flaws but, until someone comes up with a superior product in the future, learn to live with it.
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I’m with you Sue ! Ive had my Humax pvr since before Christmas and its caused me no problems. I have looked at the user manual and I know what its designed to do. I’m delighted with its performance.
Call me a bit of a cynic but one or two of the posts on this thread look as if they could be planted by sky affiliated personel !!!
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:07 pm
i have had my humax pvr .since mid december 2008 thanks to comet.had no problems at all good pitures records ok .why make a fuss over pressing a few buttons.well done humax.
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:59 am
I agree Alex H..been wondering that same problem….also agree with Steve B and roy,a good bit of kit!…………..
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:39 am
Alex @597
The codes are on the last few pages of the manual.
April 4th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Steve 600. Not sure about the planted posts, however I own a Web company and am probably a little more tech savvy than most when it comes to understanding how things work and therefore your suggestion of ignorance and misunderstanding playing a part in its perceived failure might not fit my profile. I absolutely couldn’t wait for the Humax to come out and desperately wanted it to be great. It wasn’t.
With regret I have to say that it’s a breath of fresh air to be back on SKY. I hate paying SKY as much as I hate BT Broadband however having tried alternatives on both I found that sometimes you simply have to go with the most reliable option and hope you never have to speak to Customer Services. I got a full refund from Argos after nearly 3 months use which in my book is a result since I believe that being a guinea pig for Humax is going to be costly. They simply have to bring out a better product than this because unless you’re a computer programmer that lives by themselves and eats out of a pizza box in a game chair 2ft in front of the TV then it’s just not practical. (Forgive the Stereo type but it seems apt’).
For those happy with it, I do wonder if you have the same box and problems as I did since I just found it frustrating to say the least. There’s no nobility in being different for the sake of it and you have to wonder why Linux is loved so much by so few. I’m looking forward to a real alternative to SKY and I’ll take it when I see proven results because this time I won’t be rushing in desperation. BTW I note that SKY HD appear to have “borrowed” some of the ideas from Humax in their new EPG. It’s just a pity I now have to pay monthly for them.
April 5th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
You’d rather pay sky then use a Humax pvr ?
You prompt me to consider that there are serious quality control issues at the humax assembly plant…..too many faulty units getting through perhaps ?
April 6th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Got a Humax Foxsat PVR about a month ago. Lovely in (almost) all respects. Does what it says on the tin with great features. Except…..
If it is already recording (and is in “standby” mode), then if I want to watch something previously recorded, I press “on” and it does appear to turn on, the HDMI link means the TV swaps to the PVR, but the screen stays blank! No sound or picture get sent to the Tv from the Foxsat.
Yet…
If I am already watching something previously recorded, and the pre-programming says it needs to record a new program, then works without a htch, and I continue to watch my previously recorded program without a single hiccup.
Why the difference? Why can I not turn on a START to watch a previously recorded program when it is already recording? But if I were to start watching a previously recorded program BEFORE the timer says to start a new recording, that works fine.
Is there a setting I am missing?
Cheers.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Great bit of Kit apart from it takes ages to boot up from stand by, and when you press the TV guide you lose all sound from the current channel for about 30 seconds ? The remote is quite crap you have to be square on for it to work.
I have a freeview Hitachi hdr which excells in all these areas for a third of the price ? The + thing is I don’t pay rip off sky anymore so I got my money back in 6 months ! Ray Isle of Man
April 7th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Thanks Humax for producing a fab piece of kit! I recently went over to Freesat after I had 4 faulty Sky+ HD boxes (one after the other and all within my first week of upgrading to Sky+ HD!!). Take note Sky – this is how it should be done…
I found the Humax Foxsat-HDR very easy to install – particularly since I already have a satellite dish. All I did was connect it to the existing satellite cables, and the channel search/tunning thing went without a hitch.
After being so familiar with Sky digiboxes, I found the Foxsat-HDR very different to use, but I actually prefer it. I particularly like the way it stores your recordings in folders, making it easier to manage recordings.
This box also does a great job of upscaling SD programs on my Sharp Aquos HD telly, and the BBC HD channel looks awesome!!
And although I live in Scotland, I can even get access to ITVs HD content by switching to ITV London – sorted!
Really looking forward to seeing more HD channels on Freesat. Hopefully ITV will give us a proper dedicated HD channel, and it would be great to see Channel 4 and Film 4 HD in the future too – here’s hoping!
All in all, I’m very happy to have kicked Sky into touch. Who wants to put up with their cheapo faulty hardware and sky-high (pun intended) fees?
I certainly don’t. So, here’s to a Freesat future – and I say bring it on!
April 8th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Ok not a review but just a note about buying from Maplin if you aren’t in the UK. I live in ROI and thought I’d buy online, enter the discount code and get it shipped here. Their shipping to ROI is a great price, however instead of charging 15% VAT on checkout they charge the ROI VAT rate of 21.5%. Means the price isn’t so great as it first appears…..
April 8th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
New look ‘Radio Times’: Oh dear- BBC HD relegated from the Freesat/Freeview page to an ignominious position with barely any information on the actual programmes. Hope this does not reflect the Corporations position on this service?
April 14th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Has anyone else realised that some of the big companies are conning people with their “sale” prices on the Humax. Argos are selling it for £293-59 which is the full price including 15% VAT. Maplins (without their discount) are charging £299-99 which includes VAT at the old rate of 17.5%, whilst Comet, Currys & John Lewis reckon that you’re saving £7-99 by paying them £292, again using 17.5% VAT as a starting point. In actual fact you’re only saving the grand sum of £1-59!!!
April 15th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Has anyone found a way to page down rather than down one line at a time on the EPG ?
Thanks
April 15th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Sorry sods law found it use the “P” key to page up and down the EPG, that’s the problem being weaned off of SKY you tend to look for info on the lower banner of the screen,
see above query. thanks.
April 15th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
We’ve had the HDR a couple of months now and really pleased with it.
Our only problem is the lack of series link, it used to work, but does not seem to ask us any more. Any ideas anyone, i’ve scoured the manual and the menu system but i can’t find anything to help.
thanks in advance
Ross
April 16th, 2009 at 10:57 am
FOXSAT PVR works fine (so I found) yeah the remote is completely different to sky’s & for that reason I can understand people taking a while to get used to it. thing is if you have used sky for years & then try using this remote, instinct will want you to swap back. simple as that. the remote could be designed better, the play, record buttons are too small & would really benefit from taking a more centralised bigger location on the remote. (simular to sky’s).
GOT to be honest some of the posts on this site regarding this product seem non genuine as if SKY themeselves was writing them?? The product works fine, but you have to accept some boxes will have issues like most things.
the remote range could be questioned also – but that is really being picky.
This product will seem a good investment compared to paying for Sky & will pay for it self within 6 months. The new panasonic models are looking to be twice as much as this product & I’m sure most people will just want a basic PVR with HD which is as cheap as possible. For the time being (maybe till the end of the year) this looks your best bet if not your only bet. 8/10.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Had my PVR since November last year. It has behaved wonderfully since installation, despite all the remote and menu gripes already published. As the display was so bright, I have attached a small piece of dark acetate to the front which has subdued the ‘blue’ quite well.
What I do like about the remote, is that I can operate virtually all my gear (TV, DVD, even surround sound (Audio)) all of which are Sony. (Rarely need the other four controls now!)
But why, oh why, in this modern era does the TV not respond to the PVR switching on via the HDMI cable? Even my very old VCR can command the TV via its humble SCART. One small observation is an increase in red colour on the TV when watching HD. Any ideas?
April 18th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Freesat can only get better, can`t wait for the switch over, it will get rid of the little faults, some improvements required for the remote -Humax mine suffers from Tunnel Vision a few degrees off then things will not work.
Some installers are making a killing, this should looked into.
I recommend the Humax-hdr and give 100% for value welldone
April 18th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Overall I’m fairly happy with the box. I previously had the Virgin Media V+ box, unlike most people here who seem to have had Sky. I would have to say its inferior to the Virgin box. The issues with the remote control have been mentioned many times already. Also, though I’m sure you can somehow, still haven’t figured out how to start recording a programme you’re already halfway through watching. With the Virgin box it was just a matter of pressing the record button. The EPG is poor…..why does it let you go back into the past?? Very annoying if you’re trying to scroll back to the current time.
Is anyone else getting GREEN SCREEN issues on start-up?? Haven’t seen it mentioned, but its a known problem with the Foxsat and some TV models, mine included.
April 18th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
What file types does the Humax PVR play from an external hard drive plugged into the USB port or will it only play what it recordes and if so what format is that.
April 20th, 2009 at 7:03 am
i bought this product 2 weeks ago , i think it very good apart from 2 niggly things
1. the remote has to be pointed exactly , annoying when you keep hitting buttons and get nothing
2.you can not erase any files when the unit is recording.(yes i have two cables conected)
Apart from that im really pleased with the picture , and ease of use and having sky i can say the picture is better , the unit is smaller and less troublesome.
i can see many many people getting these as freesat rolls and grows over next two years
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:43 am
Reliability Problems.
So I am on my third Freesat Box.
The first, bought last November work great for a while until a few problems started. Firstly when switching on it would get stuck in BOOT mode, powering on and off a few times would clear this. Then each night it would switch itself back on from standby mode, the red light would go blue and the display backlight would illuminate, but it bid no more. To get out of this mode we would have to power on and off. And if it was stuck in that mode it would not record any scheduled recordings.
Humax agreed this unit was faulty and arranged for a replacement swap out. However the unit they supplied did not even power up properly, it would not even Boot.
Humax again provided a swap out, installed last night, all seemed good. However this morning as the first unit it had switched itself from standby to a mode where the blue light is on and the display backlight is lit, but nothing else. As before the remote will not turn the unit on or off from this mode, it’s a power off and on.
Before I lose the plot completely with Humax does anyone have any advice?
Cheers
Phil
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:00 am
“However this morning as the first unit it had switched itself from standby to a mode where the blue light is on and the display backlight is lit, but nothing else.”
Phil (621),
I have seen this on my box too, but I can’t say I’ve needed to turn it on at that point to try. I think it’s either when it’s just about to record or just finishing recording from a standby mode – I could be wrong though. Is there such a thing as an “auto update” or “EPG update” causing it?
I’ve had my box since just after the New Year and whilst I can deal with most niggles, I really wish they would fix the EPG problems. We use the PVR a lot and half the time the EPG data doesn’t update until I force it to by going into the Guide.
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:43 am
I see members of Richer Sounds VIP club (free) the Humax pvr is available for 5p short of £250. Not half bad for those thinking of purchasing one.
Since my remote control was changed by John Lewis for one that didn’t consume batteries like they were going out of fashion, the new one is fine, and appears not to be very directional and it will work from from 4m. no problem.The unit also responds quickly to commands. So there appears to be quite some variability in them.
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:45 am
Just bare in mind that the Richer Sounds deal is in-store only. We generally advertise online sales for ease of comparison.
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:10 am
Further to comments about cut short recordings -see http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/nhk-world-tv-joins-freesat…. if you set +5 mins at the end of your recordings and you try to record the programme immediately after, the recording will fail. It seems you can only record back to back programmes on the same channel with Auto set.
Similarly if you record a programme which is to finish at 18:00 with +5, then you can’t start recording two other programmes at 18:00 – the 2nd or 3rd will fail as the first is still going.
And how do you set the timer to record on extra hour of football on ITV HD to allow for extra time & penalties? I would appreciate an answer before the cup final please!
I haven’t had any series links fail recently. I think the last was Yellowstone on BBC HD.
The unit hasn’t hung recently either.
April 23rd, 2009 at 1:16 pm
The cheapest Foxsat PVR is now at Richer Sounds. http://www.richersounds.com/showproduct.php?cda=showproduct&pid=HUMA-FOXSAT-HDR-BOX
They are only available in-store however if you have joined their “VIP Club” and get the latest email flyer the price is reduced by a further £10 to £249.95. Join on-line before you go to the shop and ask for the VIP price.
Richer Rounds are also offering their optional “Supercare” cover. This is a 5 year extened warranty for 10% of the price (ie £25) which is refundable if you have not had the item repaired in the 5 year period.
Richer Sounds sometimes sell “factory refurbished” units but there is no indication that these Humax boxes are anything but brand new stock.
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Had my FOXSAT now for a month and all is well but I have downloaded approx 600 MP3 tracks via a USB into the music media facility. It is very slow to load . Each track takes almost a minute and the play button is not very responsive. It takes roughly 20 seconds to respond. I cannot understand this as the HDD is only 12% full. I have not created any folders and I have selected shuffle play.
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Hi all, I am on the point of buying one of these Foxsat HDR units.But I’m a bit confused! I have read loads of advise from these pages, and I’m still not sure if I can use a splitter box that will turn my one satellite feed into two to supply the two tuners. I have no access to the sat. dish as we live in a block of flats. I’m already using a Foxsat HD digital box (one tuner) and it’s fantastic, I’d like the HDR with two tuners, but will I get it to work with a splitter box?
thanks for your time,
Dave
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Sadly not, you need two individual feeds from the satellite dish LNB to fully utilise the HDR.
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Ok, thanks for the reply, just a further inquiry if I may; Can it still be used to record, and will it still accept software updates? (I read in an earlier post that it won’t with only one feed).
Because I would need the software to use the ethernet facility as soon as it is enabled.
cheers
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:50 pm
You may need to clarify the point of software updates with Humax, or see if anyone on here has got around it. Software updates are suppose to be available for installation locally too, but as no updates have been available from Humax in months, testing at present is difficult.
You can of course still record with a single feed, but only the channel you are on. You can also change channel whilst recording, providing you change to another channel from within the same polarise. See http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/faqs/how-to/operating-a-pvr-with-one-input
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Thanks again, great link by the way, very informative, but I think this needs more thought……
Dave
April 25th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Hi
I’m thinking about getting one of these to replace my media center but i would like to know what file types does the Humax PVR play from an external hard drive plugged into the USB port or will it only play what it recordes and if so what format is that.
Thanks for any help in advance.
regards
Andrew
April 25th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
I find this unit very hard to use
April 27th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
If it is already recording (and is in “standby” mode), then if I want to watch something I had previously recorded, if I press “on” then it does appear to turn on, the HDMI link means the TV swaps to the PVR, but the TV screen stays blank! No sound or picture get sent to the Tv from the Foxsat.
But…
If I am already watching something previously recorded, and the pre-programming says it needs to record a new program, then works without a htch, and I can continue to watch my previously recorded program without a single hiccup. And start to watch other previously recorded stuff.
Why the difference? Why can I not turn on and START to watch a previously recorded program when it is already recording? But if I were to start watching a previously recorded program BEFORE the timer says to start a new recording, that works fine.
Is there a setting I am missing?
Otherwise I love this box. And no need to pay Rupert Murdoch a penny!
April 27th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Anybody know why the time illuminates around midday when its on standby?
Updating maybe but it happens every day
April 28th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
I found the HDR to be very good value for money. It looks nice is easy to use, I have all the channels and the EPG is great. The only downside it is takes 30 to 45 seconds to boot from standby every time you turn it, a minor irritation.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Whats 30 seconds ? My desktop computer takes nearly 5 minutes to boot up, hardly an international crisis is it ?? lol.
April 29th, 2009 at 10:09 am
I’ve just bought this HDR to replace a Thomson PVR (what a load of C***), and think this unit is great. Easy to install, great menu layout and look, suberb picture quality and at £260-00 great value for money. Yes, the remote is not the best i’ve seen, i would have liked it to be styled on the sky remote which is good, but this is a very minor niggle. For anyone thinking of taking the plunge into hd – go for it – rather than pay for sky hd – and the more people using freesat the more broadcasters will want their hd channel on it
April 29th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I currently have a Sky subscription, when it ends, im thinking of getting a Freesat box.
But some of the channels i regularly watch on the Sky box, are free-to-air, but are not currently part of the Freesat channel list.
Are you able to add additional free-to-air channels to your channel list with this Humax box ?
April 30th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
I want to record BBC 2 Scotland on the Humax, but I live in Oxford. I can select the programme on the EPG OK, but it doesn’t record. Any ideas please?
May 1st, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Recently purchased the Humax Freesat + (after prices for Panasonic pvr’s published!).
Pleasantly surprised front panel has no blue tint like pics above or in mags so digital display displays as white through the grey tinted drop down front panel.
Remote works over wide angles. (Diameter of cut out in front panel for remote beam pass through is 13mm). Style matches my Sony Blu-ray nicely.
Pleasantly surprised at quality of upscaled SD channels (especially the main channels) with box set to output 1080i and matches the excellent Freeview upscaling on my Sony KDL-40W5500 TV. (Much improved upscaling on latest Sony’s using BE3). Comments relate to viewing distance of 3 meters.
Pleased with EPG – thanks to tips from above of pressing schedule then red buttons. Like the info at top of page for highlighted channel but miss favourites genre offered by tv for Freeview EPG.
The alternative EPG format – confusingly called “list”- accessed via green button was overlooked until I realised that all the programs listed on page referred to only the highlighted channel and produce therefore a very wide time window together with very easy date selection.
My TV accepts Dolby 5.1 in from HDMI input and delays the sound to produce reasonable lipsync on TV speakers or on optical tv output.(Humax set to zero lipsync).
If a program causes a lipsync error of overdelayed sound then Humax lipsync adjust cannot correct and the only solution is to feed Humax optical output directly to surround speakers (or Humax HDMI into AV receiver) when Humax lipsync adjust feature will work to good effect.
Selecting programs for recording seems delightfully simple.
Noticed that if you start instant recording of a channel on a program that had not started before channel was selected then you must tell box when to stop recording by pressing record button a second time and adjusting stop time.
Graphical info displays look very professional and provide very useful info.
Have made a list of all the quirky problems noticed by contrbuters above and bearing these in mind together with the fact that Freesat is less than a year old I am very pleased with the Humax unit.
HD is of course just fabulous and often so sharp the tv pics look 3 dimensional.
Thanks to Freesat,Humax,BBC and ITV.
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:23 am
I have had mine for 3 months now and think this is a great bit of kit.
But is anyone else having problems with ITV sub-title sync ? these titles seem to be about 5 or 6 seconds ahead of the sound which is very disconcerting.
May 2nd, 2009 at 4:04 pm
It’s great being able to record/playback programmes without having to search through dozens of video cassette tapes.
But I’m also finding, like daved, that on a lot of recordings the subtitles are five seconds ahead. This is confusing because the subtitles are often shown for the next scene while you are watching the present scene. I’m not sure if this a fault on the Humax or if it can be adjusted.
May 3rd, 2009 at 11:32 am
I bought a couple of Humax Foxsat-HDR Freesat+ boxes a few days ago to replace two Sky+ boxes and I am very impressed.
The BBC HD picture is superb with excellent Dolby Digital sound. When ITV can be bothered, threir HD is great too. I’ve also tuned in all the other FTA channels & found Luxe HD which shows posh stuff like palaces, stately homes, jewellery, etc. Not my cup of tea but it’s there if you want it.
The only real disappointment is the lack of Dave. I emailed UKTV & they have no current plans to add it to Freesat even though it’s on Freeview. Strange. Not a fault of the box, though.
Another great thing about this box is that you can add photos & also MP3s via the USB port so as to make it your home music system. Connect the phonos or optical digital output to your hifi & you’re away. Great!
As I live in VAT free Guernsey they only cost me £210 each from the local Homemaker/Co-op, which reduces to £202 with my co-op divi!
With these 2 boxes I’m saving nearly £500 a year over the Sky boxes and they weren’t even HD. They’ll pay for themselves within 10 months.
All in all a terrific piece of kit which I will give full marks. Thanks very much Foxsat & the Freeview team.
May 4th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Admin: now the list is getting so long ,how about reversing it so that the latest postings are shown first?
May 4th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Will look in to this daved; there is a simple code solution but will affect all pages…need to find one where we can adjust this page only.
May 5th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
I have 1920x1080p tv (and not 1080i), will this box be suitable for up scaling and HD? or will having the 1080p cause problems?
May 5th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Your television is 1080i compatible, you won’t have any problems.
May 6th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Just got the box from Dixons. Really like the upscaling on the SD content. Not much HD content at the moment but really hope this gets bigger soon. The remote does seem a bit hit and miss but I can live with it. I’m giving it a hopeful 8/10.
May 7th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Re problems with the remote control. Believe it or not I found mine worked a lot better when I replaced the supplied batteries with Duracell branded ones. Whilst I am here can anyone tell me what software I need to watch programmes I have copied to the memory stick on my computer?
May 7th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Hi
The best deal I can see on the humax pvr is at Richer Sounds £285.90 including a 5 year guarantee or £259.95 with 1 year guarentee isnt bad either ! Why are these deals not at the top of the page ?
My wife is loving the humax foxsat pvr for ease of use & I love the picture quality of bbc hd from the humax.
Mark Aberfan Aerials
May 8th, 2009 at 7:01 am
Mark, the Richer Sounds deals are in-store only; we have tried to focus on online purchase deals here.
May 9th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Hi Admin,
Thanks for the reply, I see your point, but to be honest none of my wholesalers could equal this deal at trade prices, so I’m willing to travel for a deal like that with a 5 year g’tee.
The humax just gets better & in my opinion has a far better picture than any sky+hd box I’ve ever installed (& I’ve installed all of the different brands) I actually make time to watch things like yellowstone in hd, something I’ve never done before !
Mark Aberfan Aerials
May 9th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Hi Mark, out of interest then, did you buy this from Richer Sound to resell on because your wholesaler couldn’t compete? That’s interesting as the wholesale price will still come in less exc VAT. Maybe drop me an email through the contact us page to discuss, see what can be done.
May 10th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Hi Admin,
No it was for our own home use, the price was around the same as your listed retailers from trade suppliers but none offered the 5 year g’tee, let alone a 5 year g’tee which gets refunded if you dont claim on it like richer sounds do ! I should point out the 5 year g’tee is for domestic use only , if used in a commercial situation it comes down to 3years which I still consider to be a cracking deal.
The reason i think a 5 year g’tee is so iimportant is that this is a hard drive based high def product which works very hard to do its job, when you look around for a similar product (Sky+hd) you will see mass recalls of product massive failure rates just past 12 g’tee period, so much so you will see that satcure make kits & remanufacture pcb’s to help technical capable customers
try to repair their faulty sky+hd boxes.
I believe the Humax is a far superior product, but its better to be safe then sorry !
Mark Aberfan Aerials
May 11th, 2009 at 11:11 am
I am looking into getting this box and have a couple of questions. Am I right in thinking that if I only have the 1 cable installed that I wont be able to view one channel and record another. If the answer is ‘Yes’ – does anyone have any ideas what would be the easiest and cheapest say to get the second cable installed?
May 11th, 2009 at 11:18 am
@ Peter Conway – You can use with a single cable, but with limitations. See our how to guide for more information, http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/faqs/how-to/operating-a-pvr-with-one-input.
Installing a second cable is fairly easy, you will need a quad LNB if you don’t already have a spare port on your existing LNB (the block on the end of the dish arm). quad LNB’s are typically cheaper than twin LNB’s, and are available from around £10 retail, or cheaper on ebay. All you need to do is swap out your current LNB for the new one, ensuring your dish remains aligned perfectly and the new LNB has also aligned similar to the previous.
May 11th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I now know this is the wrong way to record a tv prog.I’ve been going into Guide finding prog. to record,press record button,which marked prog. with a red sign.It shows prog. being recorded on box panel,but when I try to find it in Media no sign of it.I wonder if it’s stored else where? Since found correct way to record progs…..
May 11th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Dave 651 To play usb stick recording on computer download free VLC media player. Google will easily find for you.
May 17th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Hi all , thinking of ditching the £ky+ box in favor of this new one from Freesat and Humax , question , how can i send the picture from it to my other tv’s in the house , the £ky box has an aerial in and out , and this box does not seem to have it , any help out there ??
Thanks Joe
May 17th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Hi Joe 661, Yes your are correct Humax does not have an RF output to send pic to aerial input of another tv.
One solution would be to use a wireless video sender/receiver system.
I assume this plugs into the scart connector on back of humax.
Some units offer remote control of the Humax in the other tv room.
Try inputing video sender in Argos search box and many options come up.
Reading the Argos customer reviews may give you more info on the various units features and reliability.
Looks a bit of a minefield – good luck!
May 17th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Hi again Joe 661.
Found a better solution for you maybe.
To add the equivalent (Sky) RF output to the Humax PVR use an adapter box from Maplin code: VH89W (£29.99) which you plug into scart connector of Humax and connect RF output to same lead that presently goes into Sky+ box RF out.
Personally prefer this to all that potentially dodgy wireless stuff!
Hope that helps.
May 19th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Having bought mine about a month ago i’m finding it an excellent alternative to $ky+ especially the HD content from the bbc,am finding the remote a little cluttered but am getting used…I have a question though regarding the boot sequence when first turning on,just why is it so slow ?
May 20th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Does anyone know whether the failure to record a programme, as a single recording or series, is a fault with the Humax PVR or the Freesat epg? I have had so many failures with the Humax that I now double up by recording on my PC using Media Centre. I note that a number of other users above have had the same problem – any advice would be welcome.
May 22nd, 2009 at 1:59 pm
I have the same trouble Ian,the last two recorded programmes ended in failure,one recorded the last minute only,the other nothing.Although they are both listed as recorded. One had(0) min the other shows(60)min.run time.Very strange! Also if you decide to record the programme you are watching and switch to a different prog. you get a blank screen,I did manage too after pushing different buttons,don’t ask which ones!! The best way is to leave that prog. goto Media and record from there….then go to the other prog. you want to watch…Hugh
May 22nd, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Reply to Broadbandrocks. The slow boot is due to the fact that the Humax goes into a very low-power standby which consumes less than 1 Watt. It therefore, much like a pc, takes a while to boot up again. It’s all to do with saving the planet!
I think though, that there is some way of putting it into a higher standby state which starts more quickly but I can wait 30 seconds so I haven’t bothered with it.
May 26th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Can anyone tell me what the latest software version for the Recordable HD Humax should be? I think from memory mine is V7.52. It’s been like this for ages (8 months or so) even when I try to manually, or auto upgrade? Is this the current version? Are Humax likely to fix or enhance any of the features as commented in earlier posts? PS – I am happy with the Humax but I was hoping for a few more HD channels to come on board, it seems a bit laboured on this point?
May 27th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Hi Scooby
Mine is the same 7.52. I think it dates back to Oct 08 and has never updated.
Can anybody tell me why the two HD channels cannot maintain volume levels the same as the SD channels.
After watching HD and switching to another channel we jump out of our skin with the increased volume
May 27th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Reply to Mike about the volume.
I phoned a nice bloke at Foxsat support who told me to set the Humax box volume to maximum and just use the volume control on the TV or any attached amplifier, whether digital or analogue, to adjust as you like. No problems for me since.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Dipper.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Hi Admin – can you comment on 668/669 if poss?
May 28th, 2009 at 11:56 am
scooby – 7.52 from October is the correct/latest version. Humax aren’t giving a good indication of when the next update will be, but it is expected to be around the time of iPlayers launch, so maybe 2-3 months time.
The change in volumes is common between SD and HD; I can’t remember the specific reason for the difference but it isn’t specific to this brand, it is common on all HD platforms, including Sky.
May 28th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Mine arrived yesterday and have been really suprised how good the picture is compared to my topfield freeview pvr plus hard drive noise is next to nil.
Bought from Dixons for £250 inc delivery using an online voucher, they delivered quickly by DHL.
Still working my way around it but impressed so far.
One niggle, hope humax may fix this at sometime.
I use an external hard drive to play my saved (avi) family movies via my Samsung home cinema system but would have liked to be able to play these back via the usb port on the front/back of the humax, when I try i can see the folders in media but no files. If you view here humax please fix and this would make the perfect box.
There are some channels not on freesat but time will sort that out.
All in all – highly recommended.
May 28th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Hi Dipper
Many thank for the info on the volume. I am going to try it now
Best regards
Mike
May 29th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Hi Dipper
Tried that, still no difference maybe because dolby sound comes in at a lower volume!!!
Mike,
June 1st, 2009 at 10:28 am
I have the humax pvr with two inputs I time recorded two programmes one on bbc2 one on itv1 while I was watching another tv programme a flash of a message came up saying did I wish to cancel one of the recordings before I could reply the programme I was wataching went off and one of the recording programmes came on it was quite a while before I could get back to the programme I was watching What cuased this to happen?and can i stop it happening again. Apart from this every thing has worked well.
June 1st, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Hi Ernie 675,
The Humax pvr can only tune to a max of 2 programmes at any given time so if your itv and bbc2 programmes overlapped in time or start time of one matched end time of the other there will be a long or short overlap respectively. During the period it is recording both channels together you cannot watch a third programme. I assume you can watch either of the programs being recorded. If you record 2 consecutive programmes on say bbc2 then it is clever enough to know that conflict is not possible and you will not get the problem you experienced.When you record time consecutive programs from 2 different channels then machine likes to overshoot end of first prog and start early on the other channel to be sure of capturing both of desired progs in entirety. I experienced the same flash up message as yourself under these circumstances and appreciated the cleverness of this box..
June 1st, 2009 at 11:33 pm
I purchased my Humax Foxsat HDR Twin Channel box in March to replace the SKY+ Box. The picture quality is great but having had SKY for 4 years I could’nt believe that a company could produce something that is so over-complicated to use and operate. My wife struggles with it even now.
Has anyone had a problem with recording programmes on ITV or Channel 4. The recording ends before the programme ends which is rather annoying. BBC channels seem to record OK.
Also why is it that I seem to have to delete series programmes from 2 windows or am I not doing it correctly.
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:27 am
Ducan. Thank you for your reply I now understand what happens and why.
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:10 am
Graham L . The HDR is complicated but it can do a bit more than Sky +. Have a play with it in file manager. Firstly you only need to delete from the left side. The right side is for moving things etc. Press Blue function select new folder ( name it ) then select it and press OK to open it on the right side. Then select a program on the left side in or out of a folder and press green to move it . That way your wife can have all the stuff she want’s to keep in one place. I have a Delete Folder, SD Films Folder, HD Films Folders etc .
Just upgraded the HDD with a WD 10EVVS 1Tb very easy, now I can store 120 hrs of HD or almost 500 of SD. If any one is interested ill post the how to links, that I used.
ERNIE Try recording 108 and 951 then watch 105 you should be able to pause it to. ( 108 & 951 are on the same transponder, so only one tuner is needed leaving the other tuner for which ever channel you want.
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Ernie thanks to info from Rachel 680 I may have not been strictly correct with info supplied. It appears box can handle max of 2 transponders tuned in (with 2 dish cables input) rather than max of 2 channels as I suggested.
Google may find transponder listings for the channels and they are also printed in What Satellite magazine.
Graham 678 – yes I get early cut off sometimes when recording non BBC channels. Presumably editing the end times in recording schedule will fix but have not personally tried it.
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Can any onehelp with my HDR not being seen by my Sony Bravia automatically. I can’t seemto see anything to toggle on or off on the Foxsat menu to enable the TV to see it. I can use the TV’s port selector to click on the HDMI port to let me see it but it would be nice to switch the TV on and the Foxsat to view without having to scrol around. Any ideas?
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
HI Both of my lines are on the same transponder? 28.2e h25700 2/3 is this ok or should they each be on different transponders?
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Both my cables are on the same transponder 28.2eh275500.2/3 is this correct
or should each cable have its own transponder. I hope this makes sense.
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Can anyone tell me if it is correct that both the cables to my Humax Freesat box should be on the same transponder ie 28.2e h275002/3
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Ernie, your frequency for both cables is fine, that transponder if for the Freesat EPG. The comments made most likely refer to what channels you can and can’t wait whilst recording, depending on the band they are associated with.
There is an explanation here, and although it refers to what additional channel you can watch when recording with just one input; it also applies to what additional channel you can watch when recording from two inputs.
http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/faqs/how-to/operating-a-pvr-with-one-input
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:11 am
Ian T 682
I have same with my Bravia not switching to Humax automatically.
Using Bravia AV presets menu via settings/set up you can arrange for the Humax HDMI input to be the first input at the top of the list (Just below tv itself input) – using skip and or auto features – when you press input button on tv remote .
This allows you to switch to Humax by pressing tv remote input button twice.
To switch back to tv freeview simply key desired channel number on tv remote or whatever you prefer.
Do not mind lack of auto switch over as this could be inconvenient while watching freeview and humax switched itself on to make a recording and tv auto switched over to viewing humax channel on tv when not required.
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Rachel @ 680. Would love to see the how to links re upgrading the hard drive. The original drive is far too small and fills up really quickly with HD content. Tried using external drives but you can’t copy HD stuff. Thanks.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Interesting site! It’s 22.10 Wednesday 3rd June and we have a blank EPG, blank since turning on Humax PVR at 21.00. This has happened several times before. EPG always gets populated again seems like next day. Any thoughts anyone, can’t find any posts about this. Fault in box, satellite epg not transmitting etc?
Cheers.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:13 pm
There are a number of different ways of accessing the programme schedules, make sure you use the ‘guide’ option if you want it to load the latest each time; the other method doesn’t update which makes it quicker but obviously data can be missing. Try a factory reset if that doesn’t help, but remember to re-setup your scheduled recordings.
June 4th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Philip @ 688. I found these two of help,also unpluging the fan while fitting the new HDD made things easier as well.