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IF Humax can't / won't fix, should we go to Watchdog?


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Old 12-05-2009, 13:00
Bob_Cat
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The iCord is a great deal more simple than the Foxsat-HDR as the iCord was a further development to add the very difficult functionality required for Freesat.

We haven't released the iCord in the UK (they are imported unofficially) because it would interfere with the message around Freesat and most UK consumers don't understand the concept of a non-platform box. The iCord is available through these unofficial channels if someone is so inclined. We have started to sell the HDCI-5000 in the UK now, which is a non-PVR satellite non-platform product but these have limited availability to avoid confusion.

We are still testing more fixes, I still cannot say when they will be available, but as well as bugs I can confirm we are testing an improved delete process but we need to see how reliable/usable it is.
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Old 12-05-2009, 17:12
GaseousClay
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Thanks for the information. If the broadcasters themselves haven't got to grips with the standards, then I suppose it's not surprising that people like me didn't know about this issue.

Have "Zone" said yet that they're onto it and will fix things?
To be honest I don't personally watch any of the zone channels so I've not followed up on this particular broadcaster but, in a thread to which I'll point you in the direction of at the end of this post, the BBC are also guilty of not supplying prog crid data on some channels and another forum member (Caoimhghin) tackled the BBC about this issue an they reported back that they had no intention of putting things right so I have little expectation for Zone to buck this trend.
Feel free to follow this up with Zone yourself though

Link Here
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Old 12-05-2009, 19:54
richard_g_uk
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To be honest I don't personally watch any of the zone channels so I've not followed up on this particular broadcaster but, in a thread to which I'll point you in the direction of at the end of this post, the BBC are also guilty of not supplying prog crid data on some channels and another forum member (Caoimhghin) tackled the BBC about this issue an they reported back that they had no intention of putting things right so I have little expectation for Zone to buck this trend.
Feel free to follow this up with Zone yourself though

Link Here
So is it the BBC and Zone not following the Freesat specification or is it the Humax HDR that is at fault?

I'm sure if its the BBC and Zone at fault then Bob_Cat will be quick to respond
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Old 14-05-2009, 00:49
pad_ehh
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The iCord is a great deal more simple than the Foxsat-HDR as the iCord was a further development to add the very difficult functionality required for Freesat.

We haven't released the iCord in the UK (they are imported unofficially) because it would interfere with the message around Freesat and most UK consumers don't understand the concept of a non-platform box. The iCord is available through these unofficial channels if someone is so inclined. We have started to sell the HDCI-5000 in the UK now, which is a non-PVR satellite non-platform product but these have limited availability to avoid confusion.
Are there any plans to release a PVR version of a non-platform specific HD receiver or have you any plans for a combined DVB-S2 and DTT-T2/MPEG-4 receiver with PVR functionality? Now they would be something worth buying! And if it looked the same as the HDCI-2000 with the alpha-numeric display on the front but in piano black it would be even better!
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Old 15-05-2009, 08:12
orbitfox
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BOB_CAT..
I got contacted today by CS, thanks for the input from your side.. unfortunately they ae asking me to do all the things I've already done such as format the HD (i have a shed load of programs on there I have not watched) reset the machine etc etc..

I have told them I have alread done all of this with no luck.. if you can bob_cat.. just have a word please. It just seems to me that im going around in circles at the moment.
Thanks in advance if you can help
Roy
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Old 29-05-2009, 23:37
orbitfox
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Well it's now the end of May and still I've had no further contact from Customer services.
My box continues to freeze and I have to say that I'm sick to death of it at the moment.

Humax CS asked me to format the whole machine.. done that.. guess what... no difference... the machine is locking up at least 3 times a week. It is totally unusable.

Humax have done nothing to assist me. All they do is say the same old things over and over and over ... you get the message.

BOB_CAT.. Please could you escalate my issue above the first base of CS.. This freeze / lockup problem is not going away.. is there anyway Humax will support a swap out for this box??

Sorry to rant on and bring this old thread back to life.. but I feel Humax are completely ignoring their paying public.
Roy
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Old 30-05-2009, 10:12
Bob_Cat
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Hi Orbitfox,

I've emailed the CS manager just now and asked him to pick it up. Sorry about this, I know he asked his team to look into your issue but it looks as if someone didn't follow through.

Bob
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Old 30-05-2009, 10:25
White-Knight
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or have you any plans for a combined DVB-S2 and DTT-T2/MPEG-4 receiver with PVR functionality?
I wouldn't hold your breath on this one.

This is something many of us campaigned hard for for months on Joinfreesat before Freesat was even released and it was rejected all the way as too expensive and not of interest to consumers despite lots of us calling for it. The attraction of both Freesat and Freeview in 1 unit couldn't be seen by anyone at Humax it seems and it was also written off as far too expensive due to the licence to encode Freeview - apparently the HDR as standard can only encode MPEG4 not DTT and needs another codec, encoder and licence to do this.

It is interesting to note that Panasonic's combined Freesat / Freeview tv's are selling well although of course they don't have recording facilities built in.
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Old 30-05-2009, 11:09
richard_g_uk
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It is interesting to note that Panasonic's combined Freesat / Freeview tv's are selling well although of course they don't have recording facilities built in.
As soon as they release a combined Freesat/Freeview TV that also does DVB-T2 and MPEG4 decoding (i.e. Freeview HD) as well I'll be getting it.
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Old 01-06-2009, 10:02
orbitfox
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Hi Orbitfox,

I've emailed the CS manager just now and asked him to pick it up. Sorry about this, I know he asked his team to look into your issue but it looks as if someone didn't follow through.

Bob
Bob_cat.. left you a pm.

Firtly, let me say.. thank you to Bob_cat for helping out on my issue.. I do understand you don't have to do this and it is appreciated you are.

I had a reply from CS this morning.. but its very clear they have not read the case history on my case. I have to say, I'm not impressed with the Humax customer support..

Copy of email:
Dear Sir,

Please return your box to your retailer for a replacement, sorry for
any inconvenience,

Many Thanks,

Humax Customer Support

=============================

If they had read the case history, they would understand that I can't do this.

Roy
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Old 01-06-2009, 17:27
Hovisbap
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I'm really pleased I checked this forum, I was just about to order a Humax PVR to go with my new Panny TH-46PZ.................................................

I think I'll wait
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Old 01-06-2009, 18:26
bramble
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I'm really pleased I checked this forum, I was just about to order a Humax PVR to go with my new Panny TH-46PZ.................................................

I think I'll wait
Bear in mind that these circumstances are unusual: I understand that orbitfox purchased the item on eBay in good faith but it was actually stolen goods. Under normal circumstances a faulty item would be exchanged by the retailer, but there isn't one in this case and even ownership must be a bit questionable.

More positively, I've had my HDR since late last year and it's been faultless.
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Old 02-06-2009, 09:18
grahamlthompson
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Bear in mind that these circumstances are unusual: I understand that orbitfox purchased the item on eBay in good faith but it was actually stolen goods. Under normal circumstances a faulty item would be exchanged by the retailer, but there isn't one in this case and even ownership must be a bit questionable.

More positively, I've had my HDR since late last year and it's been faultless.
Mine has also been no problem at all since last November. Of course it has the known firmware bugs, none of which when known about are a show stopper simply a minor irritation. It's never locked up or missed a programme though
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Old 02-06-2009, 09:32
White-Knight
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I wouldn't hold your breath on this one.

This is something many of us campaigned hard for for months on Joinfreesat before Freesat was even released and it was rejected all the way as too expensive and not of interest to consumers despite lots of us calling for it. The attraction of both Freesat and Freeview in 1 unit couldn't be seen by anyone at Humax it seems and it was also written off as far too expensive due to the licence to encode Freeview - apparently the HDR as standard can only encode MPEG4 not DTT and needs another codec, encoder and licence to do this.

It is interesting to note that Panasonic's combined Freesat / Freeview tv's are selling well although of course they don't have recording facilities built in.
Just wanted to add Bob, this isn't having a go at you. You're a good guy.

I know these things are decided by development committees. I'm merely pointing out that this was something many called for given the different content of Freeview and Freesat and its something that Humax as a company chose not to deliver.
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Old 03-06-2009, 06:56
Bob_Cat
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White-Knight,

No problem, I wanted to make a quad tuner hybrid as well, but I have accepted the argument from the knowledgeable commercial guys that it is an expensive product which would have a more restricted market. We continue to look at creative mechanisms but that is the way the commercials stand at the moment.

Bob
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Old 03-06-2009, 13:20
davt99
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Had my HDR a couple of months now - first problem was even though it has two feeds it would not record BBC HD and ITV1 at the same time - found on this forum that a factory reset might be the cure - sorted. Second problem was unresponsive remote - swapped batteries still no better - found on this forum about the protective film and removed it - works great.

Conclusion - think its a great device and had no lock ups etc.
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Old 15-06-2009, 12:43
Meister
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2. You are using the remote control to change channel, navigate the EPG etc and the HDR suddenly stops responding to the remote. If any programme is playing, it continues, but you can't communicate with the HDR any more and have to power cycle to get it going again. Is this an HDR freeze?
This is exactly what happens when mine freezes / locks up or whatever you want to call it.
It has now happened 10 times in the last few weeks (and counting).

I bought the box new from Humax Direct at the end of Feb.

I have exchanged emails with Humax support and have now filed a warranty claim and asked for it to be repaired (not exchanged). It is being collected on Wednesday.

One thing I must say is that their customer support leaves a lot to be desired.
I received emails from different people within the support department who clearly had not communicated with each other.
They also ask me to provide proof of purchase despite me pointing out that it was bought directly from them. All they need to do is look on their computers

I dont know why I am surprised because I had a terrible standard of service from them in relation to a Freeview PVR and had to write to the CEO to get anything done (a full refund).
Suppose it serves me right for buying a product from the same company.
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Old 15-06-2009, 23:11
orbitfox
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This is exactly what happens when mine freezes / locks up or whatever you want to call it.
It has now happened 10 times in the last few weeks (and counting).

I bought the box new from Humax Direct at the end of Feb.

I have exchanged emails with Humax support and have now filed a warranty claim and asked for it to be repaired (not exchanged). It is being collected on Wednesday.

One thing I must say is that their customer support leaves a lot to be desired.
I received emails from different people within the support department who clearly had not communicated with each other.
They also ask me to provide proof of purchase despite me pointing out that it was bought directly from them. All they need to do is look on their computers

I dont know why I am surprised because I had a terrible standard of service from them in relation to a Freeview PVR and had to write to the CEO to get anything done (a full refund).
Suppose it serves me right for buying a product from the same company.

Sorry to hear the news.. I too have had very bad service from customer support.. but I have to say bob_cat has really gone out of his way to help me.
I too have had a letter saying to return my box.. I'm not completely happen with this as it leaves us with no tv for the duration it is away.. We have no other means of receiving a signal.

Did they advise how long the fix process would take?

Roy
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Old 16-06-2009, 11:56
Meister
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Had a phone call from a guy at Humax Support this morning who told me that the fault I was experiencing was due to a software problem. Apparently there is a fault with the loader software and it will be fixed when they get my box.

I told him that there were quite a few people experiencing the same problem and he said that he was aware of this so Humax can NOT deny there IS a problem.

He confirmed that it will be returned to me on 29th June which is the date I requested as I can not take delivery prior to that.

Lets hope that sorts it.
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Old 16-06-2009, 12:25
savvy
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Had a phone call from a guy at Humax Support this morning who told me that the fault I was experiencing was due to a software problem. Apparently there is a fault with the loader software and it will be fixed when they get my box.

I told him that there were quite a few people experiencing the same problem and he said that he was aware of this so Humax can NOT deny there IS a problem.

He confirmed that it will be returned to me on 29th June which is the date I requested as I can not take delivery prior to that.

Lets hope that sorts it.
This is interesting. It would be useful to know the exact set of circumstances that trigger this fault in the software to set up and replicate this bug, as not everyone is getting lockups during EPG navigation as described by bramble/meister. Humax must be able to replicate it though, given the phone call to Meister.

It would also be interesting to know whether this was fixed in 1.00.03, or whether you will get a box with a newer firmware/loader on it. Let us know, when you get it later this month.

Rgds.


Les.
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Old 16-06-2009, 13:07
jzee
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Had a phone call from a guy at Humax Support this morning who told me that the fault I was experiencing was due to a software problem. Apparently there is a fault with the loader software and it will be fixed when they get my box.
Doesn' that imply they will put new firmware on your box?
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Old 16-06-2009, 13:24
Meister
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All I know is that the guy said the loader software was the problem and it would be sorted.
I have version 1.00.02 firmware and have no idea if they will update it to 1.00.03 but you would think so wouldn't you.

To clarify the fault:
The box freezes i.e. wont respond to remote control or the buttons on the box and there is no apparent pattern.
It can happen when changing channel, changing volume, browsing EPG, browsing media in fact any time I use the remote.
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Old 16-06-2009, 13:44
savvy
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Doesn' that imply they will put new firmware on your box?
All I know is that the guy said the loader software was the problem and it would be sorted.
I have version 1.00.02 firmware and have no idea if they will update it to 1.00.03 but you would think so wouldn't you.

To clarify the fault:
The box freezes i.e. wont respond to remote control or the buttons on the box and there is no apparent pattern.
It can happen when changing channel, changing volume, browsing EPG, browsing media in fact any time I use the remote.
Yes, I wouldn't image they would just reprogram the existing version on your box to fix it.

If the problem is just in the Loader software, then they could leave firmware 1.00.02 on your box and just put the new loader on, but I would imagine this is unlikely. If it was already logged & fixed when they started sending out boxes with 1.00.03 (my Loader is U 7.52, does anyone know what was going out on 1.00.03 boxes?), then I would imagine you would get 1.00.03 + new Loader. If the "fix" required a change in the interface of the Loader with the firmware, then you may get a new Loader, and a new firmware (say 1.00.04).

I thought the Loader just initially loaded the firmware and any updates (although I admit, I'm not sure), so I have to say I'm surprised the identified fix is there.

In your clarification of the fault, I was getting at what conditions were causing that to happen randomly, very difficult to pin that sort of thing down, but Humax must have isolated it & replicated it.

Rgds.


Les.
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