Hi All,

Do I have it correct that

I can now archive BBC HD progs through the USB to an external HDD. I can only do this with progs recorded after early April?

That I must upload the archived content back to the HDR internal drive so that I can watch them again? Is this because the USB ain't fast enough or only the internally connect hard-drive can support decryption?

I Can only do this once, or can I re-archive the content again (and again).

Can you experts let me know please as my HDR is 85% full now.

"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." -Confucius

1. Yes, BBC HD recorded after about 9/10 April.

2. Yes with HD. Sd is OK over USB but USB is too slow with HD content/encryption.

3. Once. I'll clarify: Tfr to USB HDD, delete file on HDR. Tfr file back to HDR from USB HDD for viewing and delete from USB HDD. Cannot now tfr file anywhere again (unless you get into eSATA replacement drive caddies, but that's another story).

Rgds.

Les.

I'm not sure if it is a speed issue preventing playback of HD content over USB. I have a few BBC HD progs recorded in non-Freesat mode, and they playback fine from the external disk.

This is interesting and the following may have been tried already - but what would happen if you duplicated the file on the USB HDD drive before copying it back to the HDR, so temporarily you would have 2 versions of the file?

Every time you backed something up from the HDR to the USB before playing it back again you would make a copy of the "original" file which would always remain the same.

In theory could you then play back as many times as you like provided you make a copy of the original each time you transfer to the HDR?

Or doesn't that work because of the copy protection......?

Patrick

I have copied back the same program a few times to re-watch on the box. The copy limit is only on copies from the box.

Try this... record a prog, copy to USB drive. You'll see the copy function is now disabled on the box. Delete the prog from box, and then copy back from the USB drive. You can re-watch, but can not make another copy from the box to another (or same) usb drive.

PS... Something else I found out. The copy counter is decremented as soon as the copy starts. So be careful not to cancel the copy operation once it's started, as you only get the one chance to make a copy.

Bob_Cat from Humax has already posted it's a usb bandwidth problem. The hrd attempts to decrypt from the usb but you get lots of dropped frames as it can't keep up.

Thanks for your reply PAULKA, so - once you have the copy on the USB stick or USB drive, you don't need to make copies or anything you simply copy it back and it will play - then as long as you have that copy stored you can use it forever....

I just wish that USB port was faster though. I haven't saved anything yet but am going to have a go later.


Patrick..

Yes, they are not encrypted. On the fly decryption over USB is the problem - too slow.

Rgds.

Les.

Also, as a reminder, most USB HDDs come formatted as NTFS (mine did) or FAT32.

The HDR will not even see an NTFS drive, and FAT32 has a 4GB max filesize, which you are likely to hit at sometime with HD content.

So, before you get too much on there, probably best to start off by formatting under Linux as ext3 format.

Rgds.


Les.

Yes, as long as you don't delete the copy on the USB drive, it appears you can copy it back as many times as you like. I tried it 4 times as a test with a 3min HD recording. The OP was asking how many times you can archive (which is FROM the box), which is once.

Be prepared for a long, long, wait on anything substantial.

Rgds.


Les.

Don't I know it! Just as well I still have my freeview to watch while OH copies James Bond......another Bond.......some more Bond......and now he thinks it would be great to copy all that Jeremy Clarkson motor stuff. I just know that a Star Trek full series (or 5) is coming next

He He

And how often will he watch it again?

I struggle to watch anything twice - I know what's coming up, and how it ends

I only want to be able to temporarily move something to make space, if I'm running short, until I can watch it & delete it.

Roll on the multi-terabyte HDD upgrade, that I'm sure I'll get round to someday.

Rgds.

Les.

That's interesting. I had a look for his post but couldn't quite find it. I wonder if whatever technique they use to scramble the streams could be altered to fit the USB bandwidth. Playback of encrypted files off the external drive would be great.

I wonder too, how long before people move on their second box and find their precious archived HD recordings no longer play.

I'm sure we have a few years before it becomes an issue

paulka,

It is indeed an optimisation issue.

The encryption is designed for Foxsat-HDR because of concerns from the broadcasters. I don't can't say what will happen on future Humax devices because the purpose of copying isn't supposed to be about archiving, I am informed that this is not permitted under UK copyright law, but it is there to facilitate time shifting and backup. (I'll duck and avoid the flying debris, just remember it isn't my fault).

Bob (glad not to be in the UK after posting this)

Next question :-

When will ITV introduce this facilty on their HD programmes?

Rgds.

Les.

Well thanks all for that - I think I have got it reasonably clear now BUT I bet a make a right mess of it anyway.

Another angle then - If you go down the external HDD route via esata (Bob_Cat cover your ears) so the box thinks it is talking to the internal HDD can you use a caddy or docking station and then several different drives (obviously switching off before changes) OR will the Box then freak-out when you switch it on given the different content????

As Savvy says big HDDs will make this less of a problem in the future

Thanks again for all your advice - I will have a play

You can use a drop in cradle and cold swap discs no problem. I regulary swap a 1Tb drive with the original drive. Another advantage you can archive anything using the cradle usb port.

Thanks Graham - can you point me such a cradle as the one you use please?

I can't find the link to the one I bought but this should work fine. You also need an sata to external cable for which there is a suitable hole when you remove the HDD from the Foxsat.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Max-Value-Do.../dp/B001E44GBA

Graham,

That one looks as though it only has USB interface, no eSata.

Wouldn't you need either of these?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Max-Value-eS...X04GM6P7M5G2EJ
or
http://www.amazon.co.uk/NEWlink-eSAT...X04GM6P7M5G2EJ

Rgds.

Les.

THanks Les you are of course correct.

Found the one I bought which comes with the esata cable.

http://www.allcam.biz/catalog/produc...roducts_id=693

I built a relay switch to turn the power supply off to the drive (and the modulator) using the 12V drive supply from the foxsat but would not recommend it to anyone that can't handle a soldering iron.

Hallelujah Les, you are the first person who I've found who agrees with me on this!! All my family don't understand why I don't want DVD's of my favourite movies or TV progs for Xmas etc. When I try to explain that I have seen them, therefore feel that this would be a complete waste of money......they (and friends) give me such a strange look and don't understand why, if I enjoyed them, I wouldn't want to watch them again.

I have never, and never will watch anything that I have seen....why would I?? I've seen it, so I know exactly what it's about and what is going to happen next!!

All my friends and fam watch DVD's of stuff over and over again and still laugh their head off at the funny bits. Am I missing something as I just can't do that

Wait until your slowly ageing memory starts to go wonky

My wife is just the same . I even have to persuade that the rerun of last weeks happening at the beginning don't mean she's seem it before. However stuck Independence Day on for my grandson and she actually said she enjoyed it again
Last edited by grahamlthompson : 29-04-2009 at 12:46

Yes and then you can watch everything again for the first time. I've been watching Frasier again after umpteen years and am amazed at how much I've forgotten!


Patrick