I have just got a Humax Foxsat HD recorder and it is connected to the dish with two cables. I have downloaded all Freesat and non freesat channels and I am enjoying the improved picture quality. I have mastered the main functions of the box but I have a few queries I would like to run past more experienced users.

1. Is it possible to record two programmes at the same time and view a third?
2. The recording menu was set to Auto start and finish, however it missed the beginning of two recordings so I have changed it to start 1 min early and finish 5 mins late. How accurate is the auto on time setting?
3. Perhaps it missed the start of the recordings because of the long boot up time. If I disable the Power Saving mode will it boot up quicker?
4. I don’t think I will be watching many non freesat channels but is it possible to record them?
5. When watching ITV HD via the red button the picture cut out after 20 minutes and has not worked since then, although ITV HD is fine on channel 119.

Generally the the box will only let you watch one and record one, or you can record 2 and watch a recording from the hard drive. There are some circumstances when you can record 2 & watch a third but this depends on with transponders the programmes originate from.

Many users are reporting that the accurate record option is seeming to become much more effective of late and it seems that more of the broadcasters have improved their flagging of start times. Personnally I only use accurate record and I never miss any starts or ends.

The box will boot quicker without power saving but it won't make any difference when making a recording as the box comes out of standby 15 minutes before a recording starts.

Yes you can record from non-freesat mode but you can only do this manually and if there is a recording due within freesat mode the box will need to switch back, this will only happen if the recording/viewing in non-freesat mode is activated greater than 15 minutes from the scheduled freesat record time.

It sounds like you may need to preform a factory reset as occasionally the start and end flags from ITV corupt the box.

edit: Oh and welcome to the forum

[quote=Trewithy;39633406
1. Is it possible to record two programmes at the same time and view a third?
.[/QUOTE]

See this thread about what you can record and watch

(You can record two at once even with only 1 cable with some restrictions)

http://www.hummy.org.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=5596

Red button access to ITV 1 HD now only works for those areas whose postcodes precude the HD epg on CH 119. If you have 119 in the epg and request a HD recording from 103 it makes the reservation on 119 (just like 101, 102 and 108)

Thanks for the replies. If I have time this evening I will do a factory reset.

Happy viewing.

You must be lucky! I frequently miss the starts, albeit nothing too serious - probably only a few seconds. I hardly ever miss the endings - except that the Ch 4 channels are dreadful.