I just can't believe how a 320GB PVR can't offer folder options! it's a deal breaker for me. Try to go through 120 recordings to find something you are after.

I am glad Foxsat offers folder option but disappointed with their freeview PVRs which don't offer this option. God knows why! I am trying to watch all my recordings before I sell my Humax's latests 9300T freeview PVR, just for this reason alone, to either buy Foxsat or Topfield freeview PVR which both offer folder options.

I dont know how to set ITV HD timers yet. On the EPG, tomorrow on ITV1 it shows the Bill and the programme information says its also on ITV HD. When I select to record it - I get no option to record the ITV HD broadcast. I know its a series but I also get no option as to whether I am wanting the series or the single programme. I need to go back to the manual...

I did the freesat scan using the only option I could see - first time installation - and that removes all scheduled recordings. My guess is the ITV HD timers removal on scanning/adding channels is particular to the Humax. But, when I find out how to set up an ITV HD timer I'll let you know what happens when there are Freesat channel change notifications.

Then I guess it wont help then that the Goodmans doesnt have a scheduled timers screen. All the timers are listed in an amonst the recordings in the library.

I'll ask Harvard if they will be listening to feature requests/suggestions for software updates. If so I'll recommend a sort option in the library at the least, to help in this area.

Are you pressing the 'record' button or the 'ok' button? If it's anything like the Humax you need to do the later otherwise the options for HD or Series link aren't offered

yes I did try both just in case. Pressing ok sets the programme as a watch timer on this model

I had a failed recording when trying to record a non-freesat channel and a freesat channel. The freesat programme that was supposed to have been recorded remained in the library as a timer. I've been doing some tests to try and replicate but all recorded OK the next time.

I discovered something cool though. When both programmes were recording on the Goodmans I pressed the channel change button (you get used to being able to watch other channels when dual recording on the Foxsat-hdr). A box came up basically saying you could not change channel while dual recording. What was neat was that the box basically gives you the option to either cancel the channel change request, or it offered me to go ahead and change the channel and it will re-record the freesat programme (giving the date and time of the next showing it will record automatically for me).

I found out how to get series link and it is not when you are in the EPG. You have to go to the library to find the timer to set to series link.

On the subject of figuring out how to record ITV HD, I have found Menu>Settings>Freesat+>Default Recording Mode. The options for Default Recording Mode are: Always Ask, High Definition or Standard Definition.

By default it is set to Always Ask. However I have not been asked by the machine whether to record the HD option when I selecting ITV1 programmes( that are also available in HD). Perhaps if I change the default recording mode option to High Defintion it will just record The Bill using the ITV HD broadcast. Unless anyone knows better I'll give that a test.

In answer to other questions: no the Goodmans doesnt control the TV.
The HDMI output options are 576p, 720p and 1080i

Folders don't really bother me. I'd rather have a flat structure where you can order them either alphabetically or by date recorded. I find dipping in and out of the folder structure a pain in the arse to be honest (and if they were all in a flat structure you could tell at a glance which had been watched so you could have a mammoth deleting session when the HDR was not recording - bring on the firmware that allows deletion while it is recording).

EDIT: Just looked at the uploaded pictures (horrible brute) however the way they display there library looks pretty good to me - program name, date, time, channel, state of programme (assuming here it switches between recorded, watched, part watched, failed etc) all immediately visible and synopsis available as soon as you highlight the program. Can't get more user friendly than that in my opinion.

Thank you for the response above. As you say not many people will find that much to watch on non-freesat channels if they are restricted to 28.2/5E due to there being no diseqc switching. That omission won't enable me to buy this Goodmans box or the similar Grundig version from Harvard as I cannot expect they will include diseqc there if it wasn't in the Goodmans.

Still, I think its good there is no need to shuffle (with a rather complex sequence of steps) between modes as on the Humax, but of little use without the diseq controls.

The (non)ability to record with manual timers in non-freesat was one of the things that made the Humax HDR unsuitable for me. Most of our viewing is still UK freesat stuff but with a dish setup that allows other satellites to be tuned in I wanted to be able to timer record some of the european offerings. This would have tempted me into getting this product; but see above.

Now, what is interesting is that the manufacturer themselves communicates so little on these subjects; either in manuals or data sheets. I had phoned the Grundig helpline a week or so ago and they had advised that indeed diseqc was "not supported" which you have found to be true. But they also said non-freesat timers were not available, which is clearly not the truth from your tests.

So, we have the Humax HDR which does do diseqc but without non-freesat timers (unless the due firmware addresses that); we also have the Panasonics which like the Goodmans can timer-set in non-freesat but have no diseq controls. Finally we will one day have the Sagems; my initial enquiry to their helpline drew a "non" on both subjects but I'm not giving up just yet.

PS; When I do give up I will either get a FTA twin tuner hdd recorder but then won't have the UK 7 day epg and auto retuning of transponders you get with freesat, so no perfect solution in sight as yet for me with those! Or; I have also considered the likes of TM6900 because you will get the freeview epg on its DVB-T tuner but would rather have a built in hdd which is not available; and the Lyngbox with its internet driven epg; but the hdd is too small at 160GB; Lyngbox did tell me they are considering future models with larger hdd's.

Ooh, now that raises another question - sorry to keep bombarding you Marc with these!

But apparently the Humax does not allow you to delete recorded programmes if it is recording - what's the position on this one?

Hi, This measure was introduced onto the Foxsat-hdr with software version .02 and it doesnt apply to other PVR firmware updates, including the software being used in the Goodmans.

I'm not getting much time to play with the Goodmans but I like what it is as a basic recorder (not that basic though - autopadding, seres link, ad skip, HD) and what the market could do with. Consumers may think a fairer price would be £230 though, if they compare a Foxsat-HDR can be had for just under £250.

Thats assuming the recording ITV HD does work, when I work out how to do it. I do however think I have a defective machine and might need it replacing with another one. Amongst the problems I've been noticing is I seem to have lost some freesat channesl but not for the first time. I have instant recorded two freesat channels and then I notice one of them isnt recording - they look like a timer that hasnt fired in the recordings library. Trying to record a second channel doesnt happen even though it says it is. I've had trouble trying to stop a couple of programme that is stil being recorded.

Before I get it replaced I might just carry out another first time installation and reformat the hard drive, and see how that goes for a while. I'll refrain from adding non-freesat channels too in order to give the box less to worry about for the time being.

I cannot see the question asked here - even if you set a series link timer no folder is created ??? If the answer is no, then I agree thats a serious shortcoming indeed.

No it won't help, what a mess, I would expect more than that if I paid £300 for a PVR.


well to start with, it didn't bother me either however when the recordings add up to 100+ I thought it would be good idea to have the option.


Yes I think it is a serious shortcoming. My next PVR must offer folders option or they are not getting my money

Watch out for the Sagem then when it is released in the next month or so. It should have folders.

After yesturdays format, first time install and no adding of non-freesat channels I still get the problem of no picture or sound on some channels. This morning when switching the unit out of standby, no matter what channel I went to I could not get any picture or sound. Looks like its my box that is defective.

I have been using my Goodmans DTR over the last few days, and so far so good. I was a bit dubious at first after buying one of the original STBs from Alba, but this one is certainly better.

Agree with others comments that a folder option would be nice, but other than that it's not bad and certainly has a better looking interface than others in my opinion.

I haven't worked out recording of ITV HD though yet. I notice it has been mentioned before hand, but if I work it out I'll be sure to post here.

Just playing around with the Library and noticed that the P+ and P- buttons will scroll a page at a time which makes it a bit easier to find the programme your looking for.

Still not as easy as having a folder though like the new Sky+ HD and Humax.

I am not against folders however you can end up with pages and pages of folders that are either empty or have 1 or 2 programs in them. Displaying empty folders really annoys me and also having a folder with just one programme in is also pointless. The Humax should be a bit more clever here - it could still store programmes in individual folders (accessed via file manager so the more advanced know where to find them for USB transfer etc) but a better Media frontend that hides the complexities of the whole folder structure would be better for the average user.

Folders also wouldn't be so bad if you had more control over them i.e. had the option of specifying were series linked programs were actually stored - so for instance all my comedy programmes could go in a folder called "Comedies", Documentaries in a folder called "Documentaries" etc.

Thanks I'll keep an eye on having said that Sagem don't seem to have very good reputation based on the comments I read on freeview PVRs forums.

I hope they can raise the bar with freesat+


Are you saying you don't have the control over folders? Surely you should be able to specify where series linked programs are actually stored.

Surely all series linked programmes should go to one folder and you should be able to create and transfer any recordings to any folders you create.

What does folder option provide If you can't action those things then?

Good post Marc and thanks. So it looks as if lots of the problems users have encountered with the Humax are not evident on the Goodmans. As for picture quality, I did buy the Goodman's none PVR box when the Humax Foxsats' picture via HDMI was so rubbish so I'm disappointed to find that you consider its not as good as the Humax HDR.
I personally think that all Humax boxes, whether Freeview or Freesat have a problem with their HDMI connections.

I would love to try this unit out and compare with the Humax HDR and not just because of the larger hard drive.

GG

I have been using the Goodman’s 320GB for a few weeks now, it is pretty good, much better than the Sagem. Pros & cons below.

+ Timer for recording non free-stat channels
+ Simple easy menu system
+ SQ & PQ is good
+ Remote control is user friendly
+ Chanel list has three tabs free-sat, favourite & non free sat
+ Can delete unwanted channel is non free-sat
+ Reasonable price £270
+ 300GB is available for recording to.

- The box looks horrible something from the 60s
- Ch + &- and vol +&- is at the bottom of the controller instead of being up next the menu controls
- No now & new information for non free-sat channels*
- Have had to do the odd power reset due the picture disappearing*
- No folder options in library*
- Cannot use I player service yet but hopefully soon*
- No way of exporting video to USB device but has a service usb port*

*Could all be resolved by a right firmware update?

Hope this is helpful

Thanks. Yes it is helpful. Had this PVR been available at the same time as the Humax DTR I would probably have plonked for this. I had the Goodman's HD box and it had a superior upscaling ability of SD content to the Humax via HDMI, therefore giving a much better picture quality.
As I am after a bigger hard drive I am considering taking the plunge and getting this.
Hmm. Are folder options a bad thing do you think? Also I like the tab idea. How do you record non Freesat channels with it, and how quickly does it boot up from standby? I think the BBC iPlayer will come....

GG

And I don't agree. I think it makes using the Foxsat HDR too complicated.

GG

Marc, that is a really cool feature! I am following your testing avidly as I am considering buying the 500GB version.

GG

The remote control certainly looks nicer than the Humax one!