Humax have confirmed to PVRJunction the release of a new updated version of the software for Foxsat-HDR Freesat+ PVR customers. It is now with the DTG, who organise the over the air software update timetables, to schedule.

The news clears up some of the uncertainly over when the software update, which has been mostly ready for some time, will be made available; the software release could not take place until the Freesat BBC iPlayer infrastructure could be tested under a wider audience. The software changes include the following items:

    • Support for BBC iPlayer service (service availability to be confirmed by freesat)

    • Auto Delete function included

    • Ability to Delete Recorded Programmes from the Media List while recording or playing back.

    • RGB output available on HD content (Live TV and Recordings)

    • Resolved ITV HD Schedules disappearing after a channel scan

    • Freesat schedules no longer removed after a Manual Tune.

    • Resolved issue with Subtitles appearing when use Time Shift Recording.

    • Resolved issues playing back encrypted HD content from an external device.

    • Diagnostic Menu now displays the signal levels for both tuners correctly.

    • NEW icon now appears in the Media List (Simple view) on Folders with new recordings.

    • Resolved issues with Series schedules failing to record.

    • EPG Genre screen now appears in two columns

    • Resolved Lip-Sync issue resetting after a power cycle.

    • Resolved incorrect character appearing on Postcode in the Diagnostic menu.

    • Resolved lockup issue when recordings 2 TV channels and changing to a Radio channel.

    • Resolved intermittent Lip-sync issue when accessing ITV-HD

    • Changes made to some on screen messages regarding conflicts

Most of the changes are included in the above list, which has one or two additions from our listing on PVRJunction last month. The current plan assumes the software filters out into the public domain from 10th November onwards, with release notes appearing on Humax’s website in due course.

Humax’s hugely popular Freeview PVR has recently undergone a hardware transplant to offer HDMI output, and the lowest standby power consumption we know of in a PVR. Consequently the model number has changed slightly to PVR-9300t, and a 320GB hard drive is now fitted as standard. The changes are hoped to satisfy current UK consumer demand until Humax can unveil its all new ’signing and dancing’ high definition PVR when Freeview HD arrives late next year.

But despite its best buy status for UK PVR’s, it seems there is one issue a number of users have feedback to the company: a noisy fan. Ordinarily the fan is turned off during standby; however if the PVR is left on when the TV is switched off, many customers have reported hearing the sound of the fan.

During our conversations with Humax today we took the opportunity to ask them about the fan fitted to their PVR-9300t and PVR-9150t model; and its good news. Humax UK have already asked its engineering division to look into the issue, and as a result a new version of the PVR software has been readied for testing. The changes are designed such that the PVR can control the power feeding the fan while the machine is on.

In house testing will continue together with more beta testers in order to check there will be no adverse effects on the long term reliability of the PVR. If this goes as planned the software will be rolling out to all PVR-9300t and PVR-9150t receivers via an over the air download sometime in the next six or so weeks.