Can anyone advise me? I just want to get SD recordings from the PVR to my PC?

I read on here that you can transfer files using a USB stick, but my largest USB stick is only 8GB, and I have recordings that are way bigger than that (like films).

There are ethernet and USB ports on the back of the box — surely there’s some way you can just plug it directly into your PC, as you can with Topfield PVRs?

While I’m here, does anyone know a way to crop files actually using the Foxsat? I’ve never known a PVR that can’t edit files before, but there seems to be no way of doing it.

Get yourself a decent size external 2.5" USB HDD like I did (in my case actually an iOmega 320GB) and format it EXT3 under Linux. Doesn't require an external PSU and is by far the easiest and most flexible way...

I don't know of any way of doing that since it is a USB slave port only and not a master as far as I am aware...

No, is the short answer to that one. The software isn't capable at the moment.

Once you've transferred the files to a PC, it's possible with various tools but because of the way it saves files, it's not straightforward...

As others have said the Toppy is a device usb port so requires connection to a PC. The hdr is a host controller so requires connecting to a drive. Editing the source file (eg advert removal) and mastering a DVD is straightforward (and very quick) using Videoredo TV Suite (it works with Topfield .rec files as well) but it's not free. You can do the whole job using free software but it's long winded and complex compared to videoredo.

Hmm. To be honest, I’m only really getting these recordings off because I will be selling the unit. I really hate it! But I’ve been using it temporarily the last couple of months and just want some quick way to get my recorinds off, but not a long-term investment.


Thanks, also, but I don’t have any interest in putting files onto DVD. I watch everything on my PC. I don’t even have a standalone DVD player.

Are you sure?
I think most TV comes in at under 2GB per hour.
so you have lots of films longer than 4 hours!

You cannot copy HD films (unless you use the "BBC HD in non-freesat mode & reboot" - but there are only a few films on BBC HD) for use on a PC.

Only sensible option given your situation is to buy a 4gb USB stick and copy files across to PC that are that size or less. This would include about 70% of your SD films (in my experience). There is no way to get anything bigger than 4gb across to PC without expense of buying biger drives and fiddlign around with Linux drive formatting.

...or if you can be bothered...record your films to DVD, and then copy the files to your PC. If they don't play as they are you can modify them with a free program like 'SUPER'.

Just tried copying to USB stick this evening.

My goodness it’s slow!

I remember a lot of people complaining that the Toppy was slow to copy files to PC (and installing patches to speed it up), but the default Toppy speed is like lightening compared to this!


Just realised that! Although I’ve just found out it doesn’t copy files larger than 4Gb!


Bummer! I’m not interested in the recording to DVD route. I don’t want to have to buy hardware just to clear this box off.

Frankly, the sooner I get rid of this box, the better. It’s the worst PVR I’ve ever had and I actually find it depressing to use. Sorry to be so negative, clearly a lot of people like it, but personally I can’t stand it.

It's more likely that you just discovered how slow USB flash drives are. You don't tend to notice it with small files.

4GB is a limit of FAT32 file structures. See if your box can use an alternative such as Ext3 or NTFS then file size won't be a problem.

Well I tried copying an 8 minute recording over and it took about a minute. A 2 hour recording took about 10 minutes to copy.

On my PC, I can copy the full 8Gb of data to and from the USB stick in about 7 minutes, so I’m sure it’s this PVR that’s slow and not the memory stick.

Something like VideoReDo TV Suite makes it dead easy. HDR>USB-stick>PC>DVD (lossless or near-lossless) in a few clicks.

Unless you like to keep most things on DVD, or don't have a PC, then IMO this facility negates the need for a DVD recorder. I suppose if you want to keep long films at a high bitrate you'll have to mess around with Ext3. Not faced that fun yet!

Cheers,
David.

Using a sata drive in a usb caddy the hdr does about 5MB/sec. eg a 1 HR BBC HD transfer takes about 15 min.

It is a shame that Humax are not going to install USB 3 in their new PVR (this was confirmed by BobCat although final specifications will only be known when it is released) as that can achieve a transfer speed of nearly 4 Gbit/s (theoretical). In practice it is about 5-10 x faster than USB 2. According to Western Digital test stats this allowed the transfer of a 24GB 2 hour HD movie in 2.7 minutes instead of 13.3 minutes with USB 2.
Linux (after version 2.6.31) supports USB 3 and it is speculated that the first Service Pack for Windows 7 will also support it.

After a lot of frustration and disappointment with manufactured PVRs (it seems no manufacturer really cares about making one that works really well and does what people want), I decided I’m going to completely forgo manufactured PVRs and put a small PC in the livingroom instead, using PVR software like DVBViewer, which will allow me to record Freesat and Freeview. It’s going to take some setting up, but it seems like the only way to get what I want from a box. That’s why I’m clearing the drive off so I can resell it.

More pain and misery ahead for you then!

Or if you can create something for a reasonable price that beats a STB, then maybe you can start your own business?

Cheers,
David.

Why do you say that. Is DVBViewer rubbish?

The way I see it: even if DVBViewer has faults, at least it’s in constant development and the developers take suggestions from users and are constantly looking to improve it. It doesn’t seem like Humax have any interest in fixing all the bugs with the Foxsat. (I bought my Foxsat at Christmas and there hasn’t been an update since then.)

There have been some reported problems with PC capture cards since the new encoder.

Officially Freesat doesn't support pc capture so they aren't going to help or transmit any broadcasts with compatability in mind. You're entirely at the mercy of your card manufacturer for support.

That said, many people on here do use PC capture cards. Just be aware, that there have been some problems in the past.

Before paying out for the VideoReDo TV suite..
It would be nice to know David if the editedversion can also be re-saved back to the USB drive...
for playing once again on the Humax?
Thnks
AND
to give you some encouragement David..
I was was very wide awake and trembling with excitement Sunday morning at 0300HRS..
as i formatted my new WD 320G drive to EXT3 using the First class help messages from all the excellent helpers on this forum.. Thanks everyone very much indeed..[I bet you sometimes wonder if you are casting pearls before swine]
It works a treat and I am now 77.. so if an old dodderer like me can do it.. Give it a try..

Stan

AV2HDR creates the 3 files needed to transfer the edited video back to the usb drive and let the hdr play it back. You don't need TV-suite to do this the cheaper videoredo plus can do this. TV suite adds DVD authoring