This week Humax and Freesat announced the first Freesat+ PVR in the UK, the FOXSAT-HDR. The first freesat+ PVR incorporates twin high definition tuners, with the ability to record two channels at the same time, a large 320GB capacity hard drive, and a host of advanced state of the art recording features.
Since publishing both the specifications of the FOXSAT-HDR on our Freesat PVR Comparison table in August, and a few development screen shots and photos, we’ve received a ton of emails from readers, and some publications, asking for more details. If our mailbox is anything to go by, the UK is going mad for Freesat+ / FOXSAT-HDR information; and the Humax/Freesat press release confirms some of the details, like the November release, and at the price of around £299. The main specifications were also outlined in the press release; namely, the ability to record TV programmes in high definition, easy series recording, and programme tracking. We’ll expand on some of these.
As mentioned above the FOXSAT-HDR can record two channels at the same time. You can start watching a programme that is being recorded from its beginning if you like, even though the rest of the programme is still being recorded (commonly called ‘chase play’). Whilst dual recording it is possible to watch any previously recorded programme on the hard drive too, while the current recordings continue in the background. Technically, it is possible for the FOXSAT-HDR to record up to four programmes at the same time; however this feature will not be enabled on the release version but could be a free feature upgrade in the future.
With the 320GB hard drive the FOXSAT-HDR will be capable of recording about 160 hours of standard definition programmes, or around 45 hours in high definition. The PVR can collect the whole freesat 7 day electronic programme guide (EPG) in around 30 seconds, which is an improvement on its Freeview PVRs. Of course, it’s the EPG on digital recorders that make setting and recording such a doddle, and both freesat and Humax have worked on a layout which should work well for most people. As well as the usual grid style layout showing multiple channels at the same time, there is an option to view the EPG by one channel at a time in list view.
There are features when using the guide on the FOXSAT-HDR which are very useful indeed. One example is when selecting a programme to record; if the programme is part of a series, the machine will ask if you would like the whole series to be recorded for you, or just that one programme. If you select to record a programme that happens to be in two parts – for example a film that is split by the news – the machine will see the later continuing part and record it for you. There is another cool feature where, if you are trying to select programme to record, but it clashes with other timers already set, the machine will automatically search through the EPG to find an alternate instance of that programme, and offer to record it for you at the alternative slot available. The EPG comes with a search function which enables the user to search for programmes in the 7 day programme guide by keyword/s. You can also carry out a search by genre – for example you can search for all movies on this week and select from the results list which you would like to be recorded.
Another nice touch is the high definition recording suggestion. If a user selects a programme to record from the EPG, for example Strictly Come Dancing on BBC1, the machine can offer you the option to record the high definition version if that is available as well. The machine uses the alternate instance meta date in satellite broadcasts to achieve this, and this is how the option to record programmes on the freesat exclusive ITV HD channel will be achieved.
One of the main problems we face with recordings generally is when programmes to don’t stick to their scheduled broadcast time, even if this is only by a minute or two. How many times have you set to record a programme only to find its started earlier or ended later than it should have done – you miss some of the start, or the crucial ending of your recorded programme! Humax are providing two ways in which it can help customers here. One is the option for the machine to automatically add a little extra recording time to the beginning and ending of each scheduled recording. This is called autopadding. Perhaps its worth mentioning that series recording and autopadding can work together on the FOXSAT-HDR – which is something that has not been possible on any of the Freeview PVRs (for some reason).
The other recording method attempting to capture the whole programme being recorded is called autotracking. What happens here is the machine will keep an eye on the broadcast stream in case a programme is starting earlier than the scheduled time. Also, if a programme does not finish at the scheduled time, the machine can continue to track its progress even after the scheduled ending time so that the recording will finish properly. This is partly dependant on the broadcaster supplying the relevant meta data during broadcasting hours. At the receiver end, the FOXSAT-HDR will start tracking a scheduled programme start time 15 minutes in advance, even if the machine has to be woken up in standby to do so. When it gets to 4 minutes before scheduled broadcast time the tracking polling interval is set right down to every 10 seconds, resulting in very accurate recording start times, for programmes that have moved out of schedule.
There are a couple of other usability features that are worth a mention. Within the list of recorded programmes there is an option for users to create folders in which to organise their recordings. This is great idea and one can easily set up a folder for a particular series, children’s programmes, movies etc. Indeed each member of the family can have their own folder. Another nice feature is the 4in1 universal remote control for PVR, TV, DVD and AMP. The relevant codes will be included in the manual. As well as the scart cable Humax are also providing a HDMI cable which is nice of them.
The PVR automatically buffers the channel you are watching to the hard drive in order to enable pause live TV and instant rewind functionally. One minor negative is you are not able to retrospectively go back into the buffer and record earlier programmes, as the instant recording button only works at the live point. If you press the record button when in the rewind buffer the machine will tell you the recording will start from the current live position in the programme. This is no big deal but its amazing how having this feature on the Topfield and Humax Freeview PVRs has come in handy.
As this is a freesat PVR the machine is not set up to manage non-freesat recordings therefore we feel this is something worth pointing out. If setting up timers for non-freesat channel recordings is a requirement, readers will probably need to invest in a FTA satellite PVR. Unfortunately they can cost a lot more for anything approaching the same specifications as the FOXSAT-HDR. Having said that, the machine can be set to ‘non-freesat mode’ for watching channels outside of the freesat service, including those on other satellites (motorised dish supported with DisEqC/USALS), and the instant recording button on the remote control will work for those non-freesat channels. The setting up of non-freesat ‘timers’ is not available to the FOXSAT-HDR on release, but could be added at some stage.
The Ethernet port will be used for archiving and iPlayer services at some point after the November release. The two USB host ports on the PVR (one at the front and one at the back) allow users to archive their recordings (which are the transport streams) to a USB hard drive or flash key. It is possible to play or move those recording back to the PVR also. However the PVR on release will not be able to play MP2 or MP4 media. Additionally, Humax have decided the development and licensing of Divx support is not for this particular product. It is worth mentioning that the archiving of recorded programmes to external sources is subject to freesat specifications, therefore if a broadcaster sets a flag to prohibit the archiving of their programme, the FOXSAT-HDR will comply. Other media playback and transfer options are for photos and MP3 music files. There is a 20GB partition created on the PVR for users to add their own photos or music. However you can set the size of the partition to your preference during the set up process.
With the cost of hard drive based satellite high definition recorders averaging around £400-£500, and taking into account Sky’s high definition PVR listing as £399 (with half the user recording capacity) we are on one hand surprised at the £299 price tag for the FOXSAT-HDR. This, given it is ready for IPTV with the forthcoming BBC iPlayer catch up TV application, its future remote network PC connectivity options, and possibly the most advanced UK EPG based recording capabilities we’ve seen. Volumes are not likely to be anywhere near that of the Freeview market, where Humax also provide a standard definition PVR first developed a few years ago for under £200; therefore one wonders how long it will actually take Humax to recover its trailblazing development costs on the high definition freesat PVR. The FOXSAT-HDR will have to be a popular device and fly off the shelves. Judging by comments on forums and retailers it seems the FOXSAT-HDR is set to fly off the shelves. The initial breakthrough price, no-doubt, will help.
Related Artcles: Video: Watch The FOXSAT-HDR Freesat PVR In Action
Just wanted to say thank you for this insightful and helpful article and review on the upcoming FOXSAT-HDR. We can’t wait to get hold of one, but from the looks of it, we are by no means the only ones! Thanks again.
Having Sky HD installed in the morning, but having read this article I think the Sky HD will be returned within the 28 day money back guarantee! It looks a great piece of kit, and the remote control looks the business. OK HD content is a lot less than Sky, but with the large hard drive on the Humax I will soon get a back catalogue of HD material-roll on mid-November!
One question, I have Sky+ and am very interested in one of these. With Sky, I can watch recorded shows in other rooms as the box is connected to the UHF cable and I control it via the magic eye and second remote. Is there any way to stream recorded content to another Humax box (eg: Foxsat HD) with this device.
I really hope so!
The price, as you say, is an interesting question.
The demand for this product is steep, but price related, the lower the price, the more units that will be sold. The more units that will be sold, the greater the spread of Humax’s development costs and the more units sold generally the cheaper they are to make (unless a bit of the kit is scarce).
There are lots of people who want one, who will pay £299 because they want one now, there will be others who will be waiting for the price to fall, as these things generally do.
The expectation will be that as soon as the early adopters have had their fix the price will fall, however there is a lot in this kit, and it is whether Humax have the room for manoeuvre in their costs to make this a truly killer product.
I’d like to think that in a year or so’s time the price will be less than £200 (i.e. £199 or less than 12 months of Sky SD at £17 per month), but that may be wishful thinking, until then I’ll have to put up with my PVR 8000T with 40gb.
Great article and gives a good insight, I suspect they will be hard to get hold of this side of Christmas.
Thanks for this review….. is that the Freeview Humax PVR there in the picture…. if using the remotes do they interfear with each other ( eg same remote / OEM ) ? If not I may just get both boxes my self as they look great.
Will this have an on/off function? Or like so many other machines on the market, will it just have a stand by option? Draining power.
Having taken a closer look at the Photos, the front panel shows a 1080p light? Will the SD Channels be upscalled to 1080p?
@ Mark. The 1080p light comes on when the channel is broadcasting 1080p I suspect. A Humax spokesman said the Foxsat-HDR can technically deal with 1080p broadcasts, but I doubt we’ll see channels broadcasting above 1080i for a long long time.
In response to proshare’s comment, I would like to clarify any confusion that NO broadcaster shows 1080p programmes, only 1080i. This is because the 1080p format requires far more bandwidth, and we won’t be receiving it – via Sky or Freesat – for a long time. So if you’re buying this box intending to get 1080p then you won’t.
However, based on my experience with Humax’s non-PVR HD box, I can wholly reccommend this, as HD picture quality is fantastic and they’re very well-designed.
proshare/Lengster:
My Question was more to do with the upscalling of SD Channels as for instance my Sony RDRHXD870 DVD/HDD Recorder upscales freeview to 1080p. So I was wondering when Humax state in the specification that SD Signals are upscalled to HD will it be 1080i or 1080p ?
I’ve seen Humax Icord hd which can simultaneously record 4 channels. Is this freesat too, and why is this not getting any press releases?
@Tim on the comparison tables the picture shows a hardware on/off rocker switch at the back. Though the machine needs access to power to manage all the unattended recordings by itself.
@Norman the icord was released in another country last Christmas. Its been a grey import in the UK. It looks like a decent FTA receiver, but the Foxsat-HDR is perfect for the UK freesat market.
I am pleased to here the Foxsat PVR draws only 1 watt in standby. Compared to standby in Sky+ and TUTV Anytime recorders which somehow manage to consume nearer 20 watts when off.
What i fail to understand and reason with, is why do Humax not enable this pending PVR to arrive on the UK market with the ability to record four channels simultaneously upon launch?!! I initially thought i would be obliged to purchase two separate PVR’s in order to achieve this possibility.
However, due to this ‘further insight’ into the technical capabilities of this ( i have to say very logical and wissy machine, at least on paper!) particular machine, surely a lot of people are now going to be possibly holding off making this second purchase in the hope that Humax/Freesat subsequently decide to enable this feature on this PVR! If Humax were trying to ‘hide’ this feature from the public in order to hopefully generate further PVR sales, the cat’s been let out of the bag now! In my view, now that the public are aware that this machine CAN record up to 4 programmes simultaneously, there is surely going to be a lot of pressure put upon them now, to enable this facility ?!
This machine certainly sounds like it will be the business, but i will hang on until i’ve read an independent review on it before thinking about splashing out, however tempted i am to try and obtain one on release, as like most people i imagine, have been long awaiting this device. Watch out now SKY, unless you decide to seriously review your subscription charges, i think you’re going to seriously lose out on a huge part of the satellite market, and ( in my view) quite rightly so, as you’ve had dominance of this market for far too long and been creaming it!!
In response to Lengster’s comment, i’d like to point out that 1080p broadcasting officially started on the 1st Aug 2008.
http://www.sat-television.com/showthread.php?t=52429
May be quite a while before the UK gets it tho.
This machine looks great and in many ways better than the Sky+ box. However, I don’t see anything like Sky’s remote link (using RF output) and a magic eye and remote control in another room. It would be a shame if it does not have that. Does anyone know, please? Thanks!
Re: recording of four channels being disabled at launch. With the iCord the 3rd and fourth channels recorded have to be on the same transponder might be confusing for some without a motorised setup. The iCord as sold by Satallite Superstore isn’t a “grey” import. There policy is quite clear about not stocking – selling “Grey” imports
@ Les. The Icord does look the business as a FTA reciever but it’s not freesat+ PVR. Bob Hannent (Humax) has made a few comments on the freesat centred user forums this year:
Jan 2008
“Buying an iCord would, in my view, be an expensive mistake because this is not the same as the Freesat PVR. As I said in a previous post, only cousins not siblings. The iCord is designed for a particular section of the German market and won’t support Freesat. Sorry, there is no way to get Freesat any sooner than when it is ready for launch.”
Feb 2008
“I note from the internet it is possible to buy an iCord here, I must say the UK support team will cannot support them because they are not a UK product (those being sold are imports from Europe). Buy purchasing an iCord you will miss-out on the fantastic features offered by the true ‘freesat’ system when it is released because the two PVRs will be different.”
Apr 2008
“I have commented on this before, buying an iCord would be a mistake, they are not designed for the UK and Humax does not authorise their sale in the UK. They are subtly different, personally I think the freesat product will be slightly better.”
I’d have no hesitation in buying an Icord import as a FTA PVR from online satellite shops. There is plenty of support from German based icordHD forums and some have english speaking subsections.
Proshare – Yes I am aware that the iCord is HD FTA and isn’t set up for “Freesat” and that the HDR is principally derived from it. I wouldn’t be suggesting considering it over the “Freesat” HDR here in the UK unless you already had the standard HD box and were an enthusiast or benefitting from a command of some European languages.
Does anyone out there know where to get a list of non-freesat channels available on the HUMAX foxsat boxes?? I would be very grateful. Thanks.
“The two USB host ports on the PVR (one at the front and one at the back) allow users to archive their recordings (which are the transport streams) to a USB hard drive or flash key. It is possible to play or move those recording back to the PVR also. However the PVR on release will not be able to play MP2 or MP4 media”
Can’t find any mention of these ability’s in the user manual?
Paul
Norman – Channel listings for Astra2/Eurobird1 are available on line from Lyngsat or alternatively included with every edition of “What Satellite” monthly.
I’m so gutted it won’t handle divx. This machine would have been the answer to all my needs otherwise.
I have two LNB’s fixed on Astra19.2E and Astra28.2E, respectively. Presently, only the 19.2E feed is connected to a tuner. Both the Humax FOXSAT-HDR and the Humax icord would obviously allow me to connect both feeds and so allow me to watch both FreeSat and the German channels I presently watch. Questions:
1. Would either give me the full EPG facilities for the German channels?
2. Would either allow recording 1 freesat + 1 German ch AND watching a 3rd ch?
3. Would either allow recording 2 German ch-s at the same time?
Humax says – The Foxsat HDR will not record freeview channels as it does not have a freeview tuner.
So my undrestanding is that you can only record Freesat HD & SD so it is limited.
All this talk about the Humax foxsat PVR, I was just ready to order one and thought I would check if Topfield are doing one. I cant seem to find any links to topfield through searches for foxsat etc, it was all very quiet until I went on topfields website, hey presto they have a HD pvr. Does anyone know if the Topfield TF7710HDPVR will work with Freesat? I much prefer the user ineterface of the topfield.
We have done a fair amount of research and found there are a number of FTA HD PVRs available which can record free to air satellite channels. But we are going to hold back on buying a FTA satellite PVR. So far I think they, like the topfield, are not compatible with freesat+ features like EPG, series link etc which for a PVR is important n this day and age. ITV HD channel and future iplayer/network features could be unavailable on non-freesat+ PVRs too.
Great review, thank you – just got mine pre-ordered from Comet
Now to cancel the Sky subscription – horrah!
Im getting a little fed up with the launch of this new pvr, been tracking its advertisment with argos since tuesday and then i read somewhere that they would be available on following saturday 22nd and still no availability, sounds like a humax issue here, whats going on is this being sold or what??
Nick, I believe this PVR is only just being released and so stock might be in short supply at first. December will be a lot better as production ramps up. The intial batch has already arrived at some retailers but if there is huge demand these will be snapped up this week.
hi, im that desperate to get one LOL, looks like argos have not got any in at all the stores that i have tried and that includes areas out of my reach one or two i have heared have been promised monday delivery via their online service and reservation, im just a little annoyed that they have been advertised on their site since tuesday and no matter which store i try they dont seem to have had their deliveries yet.It just seems to me that i proper launch date has not been set just a dribble effect. Frustrated
thanks for all the info
one question though that will decide this unit for me is whether i will be able access all the recorded material from pc’s connected to my lan via the ethernet port?
you said it uses TS files so in reality should be no problem. of course the alternative would be able to record no an external nas but i expect all that is asking too much
here’s hoping
Nick I think thats what has happened. I hope you are successful this week. We understand something like 1000 are made then checked for defects/processes before maximum capacity is unleashed at the factory.
We believe the hundreds that have been initially sold at Argos and Comet over the last two days were from the first initial run, which as mentioned, was deliberately controlled.
The runs since then are the ones retailers are saying are hitting warehouses up and down the UK this week and onwards. We believe December will start to get a better flow throughout retail.
Having said that a lot of people wanting to buy first are reporting success on forums since Friday, with deliveries expected at homes as early as Monday! We will be watching out for reaction and reports from the early adoptors with great interest.
@ Staff PVR Junction- Yes thanks for that, looks like i will just have to be a bit more patient ha ha
@ Staff PVR Junction- oh by the way, thanks for a good write up on this unit,the best and most informative one i’ve come across todate
Hi Alan,
Its a good question. The PVR can archive to a USB key or USB hard drive attached directly to the PVR – no need to attach to a PC.
What about doing this using a PC via the network port? We have been told this is possible but not on the initial release. Humax are not wanting to discuss its plans for the Ethernet port openly on the internet, apart from iplayer support, just yet. It might be an idea to hold back on buying the PVR if the Ethernet file transfer is a vital feature, until Humax make an announcement.
We hope to talk more about the ethernet features and possibilities in the not too distant future too.
Nick says
“@ Staff PVR Junction- oh by the way, thanks for a good write up on this unit,the best and most informative one i’ve come across todate”
Very kind. We are expecting to see more previews and then reviews from online publishers over the next week or two and we will be reading with interest. An amount of PVRs have been set asside for publishers to review, which they should start to receive later on in the week and the week after.
We will probably start to collate them/links for the comparison table to make it easy for prospective purchasers to check all of them.
Of course we will carry out our own, as we know many people appreciate detail. Many thanks
Does the HDR have an RF out? Two? Interested in piping picture around rooms.
Can someone confirm you CAN archive programs to USB HD or Flash?
I was dissopointed to find that after all the hipe sorounding the relese of the Humax Freesat hd pvr last weekend 24.11.08 from official sights and forums there where no units to be found in any of the major high street electrical stores. the only major retalor that was able to give me a defenite date on when they would have the unit in there store was Argos, I have to say I comended Argos because they where the only one that seemed to no what was goining on in the market place. I have been informed that the unit should be in Argos stores on the 09.12.08. So all beein well I will be purchaseing one of these Fantastic Peces of digital Electronics.
Nearly had success with Argos last night, checked stock and it was in stock for delivery, but when I got past payment page, I was given the message it was out of stock…boo! They then sent me an email an hour later with a link telling me to try again as it was back in stock, but same again – sort it out Argos, stop leading me on!!!
Woke up this morning unhappy, but I then managed to place an order with Comet for delivery on the 2nd Dec…woo hoo!
Question: Is there anyway the output can be piped/controlled to/in another room like the Sky Global tvLink (Magic Eye)?
Hi I have seen a couple of questions on this but no answer. Is there anyway this new box can be used to provide content to other TV’s in the home as you can with the Sky+ receiver? Or will it be a case of using a video sender on the scart socket?
Thanks
Mark.
Same old thing from Argos got an email saying stock in, jumped straight to Argos site and blow me nothing available. This has happened a few times get to the website and no availability, stocks must be leaving quick as hell. Started to fear was not going to get one for christmas at this rate even though i read that humax will be pushing 15000 for december but when you think that has to cover the majority of stores nationwide it aint a lot if they moving that fast. So followed up on someone elses success and rang them up, and yes got some in so, will be finally getting one on monday, Hooray. So use the phone instead of the web with Argos.
Update- Received box on monday as promised and totally satisfied with it. No noise from fan,recording starts and finishes correctly no missed beginings or ends,non freesat mode works well,no delays with epg,picture quality good on sd and hd,all recordings like watching original.Glad i finished with sky i while back and waited for this and now subscription free.Things can only get better with time.
HUMAX FOXSAT HDR FREESATPLUS RECEIVER REVIEW explanation for new buyers.
http://www.foxsatdr.co.uk/HUMAX_FOXSAT_HDR_FREESATPLUS_RECEIVER_REVIEW.htm
We have just replaced our 10-year old CRT based TV with a new 32″ Sony Bravia KDL32E4000 LCD HD Ready 1080p Digital Television.
http://www.johnlewis.com/230500549/Product.aspx
This has a freeview (not freesat) tuner, but I am thinking of getting one of the the FOXSAT-HDR’s.
I have two questions – please excuse my ignorance, I’m not up with the latest gadgets. I don’t don’t even know how to text on my mobile phone, despite the fact I’ve two engineering degrees and a PhD in an engineering related subject!
1) Will the increase in resolution be very substantial, and noticable? Having paid quite a bit for a new TV, I’m temted to think that to get the best from it, I’ll need to upgrade to Freesat, but are not over keen if the difference is barely perceptable.
2) Will it be possible to record Coronation Street and most other programs, or only from the BBC and ITV’s High Definition Satelite service (two channels currently)? I’m not expecting to record most programs in high defination, but being able to record them would be nice. The comment above about it not having a freeview receiver makes me think it will be quite limited.
Thanks for all the info, but can i get free sat,i live in shelterd accomadation with a sky comunion ariel,will it work? Jim.
Humax FOXSAT-HDR and freesat+
Can we record from the buffer. Meaning if I have been watching a programme from the very start and thus this programme is in the buffer, can i record the whole thing?
I understand this feature is there in the Humax iCord
or
if not, can I rewind the programme as it is in the buffer anyway, then record the whole programme?
There is a comment earlier on in this string of comments, but it seems inconceivable to me that such a great feature is missing.
In response to Tim question of October 26th, 2008 at 8:59 pm, perhaps he hasn’t worked out that Off means Off, as in no recordings either.
My PVRs are fed continuous mains, but the TV, DVD and other gadgets are fed via a wirelss controlled mains switch that plugs into a wall socket. That saves standby power. You can’t turn your PVRs off and expect ‘em to record though!
Just got one of these. Every HD programme i have recorded has the ENC ikon shown after, but not before, recording which means ‘encoded’ so it cannot be transferred to another drive via USB and I confirm this is so. Some of you talk about recording HD and archiving via USB so how do you do it?
The Foxsat PVR itself is fine … but you can’t actually copy recordings to your external DVD for archiving. This is because of different file formats. It simply doesn’t recognise a connected DVD for copying into, although you can play DVDs okay.
The help line person told me that this is due to incompatible file formats. His suggestion: record straight onto your DVD player.
You can copy a file to a USB thumb drive, and most computers will play it, but to make a playable DVD the file has to be converted – a lengthy process and I had to spend £37 on the PC program, ConvertX.
Had I known this – not mentioned anywhere – I would have considered just buying the Foxsat Freeview box and hitching it to my DVD player – a lot cheaper.
We have been considering moving to Sky HD+ due to the change over to Freeview Digital here in Pembrokeshire, we are unable to get a digital signal, but get all the free Sky channels on our free to air box, we are going to buy this Humax Foxsat box on Friday, and do away with the rest of the aerials.
I cancelled my subscription with Sky many months ago, and have a redundant Sky+ Receiver.
My question is, can I unattached all the connectors from my Sky+ receiver and plug the same into the back of the Humax PVR, will this work?
Hi,
I purchased one of these about 2 weeks ago. I must say that im very pleased with the performance of the unit. When doing recordings via the tv guide they start right on cue and if you do a series recording it puts the episodes in their own folder so they are all in line. Very nice touch. HD recording is superb, no quality difference from the original program. i paid
£246.99 from Argos and also got a £10.00 voucher back for spending over a £100.00
What a great machine and even better review. However, I have a particular problem which so far I have not been able to resolve -and sadly Humax technical support has not replied to my e-mail. I have a motorised dish pointing to Turksat and a fixed dish pointing to Astra. Astra is all singing and dancing BUT I have not been able to access any channels via the Turksat satellite. It is a shame that I have to write to a third party, but any suggestions, please.
Thanks and regards,
Hasan
Hasan, try phoning Humax rather than email to see if that is any better. Also, try posting your query on AVForums.co.uk. They have a freesat section, and one of the threads I found there was about Turksat, so there might be knowledgable people there who have both that satellite and your receiver e.g. http://www.avforums.com/forums/freesat/1101090-turksat-satellite-3a-2a-birmingham-uk-can-received-if-so-what-size-dish.html. All the best
Suzanne, March 12 , says that she cannot record onto a DVD recorder direct from Foxsat!! I’m not sure whether she means from the Foxsat HDD or from the Channel which would be showing on the TV screen. If my Sony 870 were set to the Humax Input would that not work? Or if I were watching the Humax picture on the TV and pressed Direct Record on the Sony DVD Recorde, would that work? If I were not going to be able to archive at all on to DVD from Humax, I’ afraid that it would be of no use to me at all. I have just ordered one, so I need to know quickly so that I can change my order, maybe to a simple Freeview instead.
Regards Harry Fenton
Simply connecting the DVD recorder to the PVR’s composite sockets or one of the two Scart sockets would be the easy way to put PVR recordings or the freesat channel showing on to DVD. Freeview however would be a cheaper way of recording and archiving tv programmes because its cheaper to make/buy freeview+ hardware. I wonder if Suzanne was trying to connect and external USB DVDR drive (say for e.g. for a netbook) to the PVR USB port and was disapointed to find that didn’t work.
I have had mine for over a year now and I was surprised to notice that it hadn’t had an update. I had been hoping for one which would make the unit respond more quickly to inputs to the remote control which can be 1 or 2 seconds.
I went to the web site and found that there was an update with fairly straightforward installation instructions which sadly failed to work as instructed so I rang the 0845 number. I was put into a queue (10th) and after 2 minutes I was still 10th in the queue. So I sent a very detailed email. No response, so I resent it 2 weeks later no response and again no response.
Summary:
- Support is poor
- No Dave
- No Virgin
- No Yesterday
- No Sky Three
After going online to find out some details about the ‘Foxsat’ box what I have read was enough to make me buy one.
I noted that you get ‘Money Off’ vouchers at Argos – very good point, however when you buy it from John Lewis Partnership you get a two year guarantee with your purchase.
At the time I went online to John Lewis Partnership their web site said ‘OUT OF STOCK’ (17th Dec 2009 @ 17.00hours). But after telephoning the 08456 049 049 I found out that their Leicester call centre held approx 69 of these (where I purchased mine from, just thought I’d mention that.
I received my Foxsat just before Christmas and am very pleased so far with the picture quality both for standard digital and HD. The instruction manual leaves a lot to be desired, however, and the buttons on the remote are a bit confusing but I suppose I will get the hang of them in time. Some functions do not seem to work, which may be down to the poor instructions in the manual. I have tried to record a series (Wallender) but the Humax does not give me the option to do this as I understood it would. Also I have attached a USB flash drive to the front USB port but the cannot copy any recorded programs onto it as the green “copy” option in File Manager is greyed-out – i.e. non functional. If anyone knows the answer to either of these problems, I would be interested to know!
@John Jeffery. I certainly agree about the instruction manual.
With ref. to recording onto a USB flash drive, here are my instructions!!
1. Click “media”
2. Click “opt1+”
3. Select “File manager” & click “OK”
4. Go into the R/H window, highlight “sda” & click “OK”
5. Go into the L/H window, & selct the program to be copied
6. Click the “Green” button
Thanks so much Tony, I was beginning to give up!
Hello, Same problem. The copy button doesn’t activate so although the USB HDD is picked up can’t copy. 320gb drive is full now so have to delete progs. Was really hoping could copy off drive. Can anyone help ? Thanks
Hello, Just tried Tony Taylors instructions and it works but won’t copy file larger than 4gb which most HD recordings are. What can I do now to increase the maximum file size you can copy. Does the drive need to be reformatted ? Thanks
If your external drive is formatted as FAT16 or FAT32 then the maximum file size is 4Gb – but the Foxsat also recognises the LInux format EXT3. Using a mac booted from a downloaded gpart CD I have managed to reformat my Seagate 1Tb drive as EXT3 and have copied all my 1hr BBC HD recordings onto it – but then found out that you are only allowed to make ONE copy due to copyright. The original file on the HDD and the copy on the USB drive both display an icon that looks like a disc with a red X against it – which means you can’t copy it again. I haven’t yet tried connecting the external drive to a computer and copying files off it that way, which I presume will work (but then I have macs, which makes it difficult to write to EXT3). Ah well, at least 1Tb only costs about £60 these days.
Dear Jon, just goy my HUMAX HDR 320 Gb, and am trying to find out if I can RECORD to my VCR FROM the Humax.
I have tried to COPY from the Humax HD to a USB key (FAT 32 formatted) but with no success. I can easily go from USB key to Humax using COPY for Photos.
I used to have a sky plus box which was easy to COPY from. This box seems so difficult to use. Any suggestions
Thanks
Mike
I’m an enthusiast of this particular piece of equipment in spite of the fact that I have had and am having problems.
I purchased the first one through one of Amazon’s Marketplace sellers and only one of the LNB inputs worked. I purchased another one directly from Amazon and this suffered the same problem. Amazon sent me a replacement and this time it wouldn’t even turn on!
I have spoken to tbhe company that carries out Humax’s repairs and have been told that I am not the only person to have had problems and it would seem that Humax has been producing a batch with a faulty component.
All that said, when it does work it works brilliantly.
I’ve just baught one, and, like the saying goes “does exactly what it says on the box” very pleased with it. I understand all the related probs with attatching an external memory and I’m working on that. Don’t have any problem with the remote, or freezing up, however, I thought I’d play a little and even though I don’t put pictures on the Humax I thought I’d try. Saw the memory stick great, saw the pictures, great, transfered to the Humax hard drive, great, tried to open the pictures, bummer, said “file not supported”, checked file format, yep, .JPG Has anyone got an idea
I am getting very tired of missing either the beginning or last part of a program, I’ve had the settings on ‘auto’ which has intuitive auto-programming by Freesat, I have had the machine on manual where it starts a minutes or so earlier to catch the beginning only to find its cut off the end.
It also mucks up when you have a program back to back, it just has no idea what to record then, too much information.
If someone knows what I can do to put this right, it would be much appreciated