While Freesat have been working with partners to resolve issues causing the delays to the BBC iPlayer rollout, Humax have used the time to continue with developing it’s Freesat PVR software for the Foxsat-HDR. Details of bug fixes and usability enhancements have come to light via the www.hummy.org.uk forum, which have since been verified by(hat tip) moderator Barry (i.e. that must mean its true), and subsequently confirmed by our contacts at Humax for our publishing on PVRJunction.
Whilst some changes can not be openly confirmed, due to ongoing work and testing, the list below details some of the items included in the next software update planned for the FOXSAT-HDR, of whose primary purpose is to include the Freesat mandated BBC iPlayer catch up TV abilities:
- Ability to delete while the PVR is recording has been reinstated.
- BBC iPlayer catch up TV can now be used via the PVR.
- An auto-delete facility has been added as a user option, for when there is insufficient space on the hard drive for recording.
- Folders and individual programmes can be protected from auto-delete.
- Series folders will automatically be deleted when the last remaining programme in the folder is deleted.
- The ‘New’ icon denoting unwatched programmes will now also be applicable to folders, whenever they contain unwatched entries.
- Freesat recording timers are no longer erased when changing the box to non-freesat mode and carrying out a scan, or subsequent non-freesat mode scans.
- ITV-HD recording timers are no longer erased when there is a Freesat scan.
- Lock-up problem when recording two programmes and then trying to access the radio channels is now resolved.
- Subtitles no longer randomly appear when playing back through the time shift buffer.
- When pausing playback or live TV, entering the EPG will no longer allow play to continue.
- Diagnostic plate now shows information for both tuners.
- Various other lesser known issues resolved.
Humax will have to wait to release this software until they get the go ahead from Freesat, who are in the process of resolving technical issues holding up iplayer on the platform. However, the delays may allow Humax the testing time for one or two more enhancements.
Update: Humax set November release
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This is good news, especially as they are fixing some bugs i wasn’t aware of, which is not hard since i don’t own one yet! I particularly like the fact that subtitles will no longer randomly appear when using the pause live tv feature and then resuming play. I would imagine that those who have experienced this issue, was probably a major bug bear, it would be for me.I just want them to do two more things now, 1. to introduce more channels on HD and 2. to produce an upgraded HDD for this machine, as most of the competition is now seeing 500 GB of HDD as more the norm, and when one is trying to record and save HD films/programmes, i would imagine the 320GB allowance curently available soon fills up, especially as there is no facility to archive HD recordings, as you can with the new Panasonic HDD/blue ray recording to disk. I’ve just had a two room Freesat satellite installation carried out, so now i want to get a decent PVR, but until these upgrades make it more worth me parting with my hard earned, i shall continue to use a dvd recorder hooked up by scart socket to record!( messy? yes, but acceptable for the interim).
Don’t let the archiving of files put you off. They can be moved to a USB stick (I use an 8Gb formatted as ext3) and that does the trick. Most stuff you’ll watch and delete anyway. The text when you rewind was a strange one, and annoying BUT overall this is a fantastic bit of kit in my opinion and has never let me down (and I waited for mine in the first batch). The ability to extract files to the network would be great (thats what I was searching for tonight) but we can’t have everything. And before anyone asks why not, could I just say I bought a popcorn hour c-200 last year and that has serious issues, and firmware updates monthly. Compare the two machines and the Humax is in the Champions League; the PCH is in with the juniors.
ps I have never felt the urge to burn TV to DVD and you wont be getting HD out that scart. Maybe I’m spoiled from using a topfield PVR for years before the Humax, and still do. Getting files off it is a slight hassle as you need a PC connection but better than hooking up DVDs.
I’m sure you wont be dissappointed !
Good to see there is at least one item regarding the interchange between freesat and non-freesat in the list. Are there details of other non-freesat items they have addressed in particular
- whether you can set a timer recording for a non-freesat channel?
- is there an easier switching method between freesat and non-freesat modes?
The list looks great with a load of bug fixes and features mixed together, and I certainly will be greatfull to Humax for the work.
However, there are 3 major issues I would like feedback on:
1. Timers failing after a power-cut.
2. Recording the live buffer.
3. Broken Genre Find facility.
If these 3 could be fixed or included in the final release, the HDR would become such a fantastic box (unbeatable by any other Freesat PVR!)
I would welcome a quick way to delete the programme just watched. At the moment I have to memorise the date and time of the prog, change to file manager, find the same file (a series of progs all have the same name), check the date, grit my teeth and delete it, hoping I got the right one. Also why does going up a folder level go back to the start of the folder list – it makes navigating very slow. Also if the media list could show programs scheduled to record as well as those recorded, it would add confidence that upcoming recordings are all ok… Looking forward to update, Mike
The most important simplification is NOT to use the file-manager!
You can delete from the Media-library with the “OK” menu…
I press stop
- That drops me back to the library of recordings
- I think the recent programme is still selected (from memory)
Press the OK button as though about to select to play from the start or resume
Cursor down a few steps to the delete option
- The delete option is only there if not currently recording – in the current software
Press OK again
- The confirm defaults to not-delete – Doh! So…
Cursor left to OK and confirm
For checking the up-coming recordings I use the Guide button followed by yellow