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Philips/Pace Freeview HD PVR - HDT 8520 thread |
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#51 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 617
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No, you can record as many programmes as you like via the EPG. The only obvious restriction is when a third programme clashes with two already set to record at that time.
Definately a typo. |
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#52 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London
Posts: 68
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Hi Andy
Thanks for the info. Just for interest, how to you know this? |
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#53 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London
Posts: 68
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Quote:
Hi Andy
Thanks for the info. Just for interest, how to you know this? You have one and wrote a very informative 'review'. |
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#54 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 169
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Quote:
Took delivery of a Philips HDT8520 this morning.
I've had a quick scan of the manual and it all looks pretty straight forward just a bit worried about there not being an option to set up a manual recording or pad timers. Will let Pace/Phlips have feedback and perhaps it's something can be added via a software update |
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#55 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,083
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Hi
I would hope not, I haven't got mine yet, if it is only 8 it will be sent back as that isn't practical! Regards Phil |
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#56 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Coventry
Posts: 79
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Perhaps the 8 event timer relates to Series Link events as a limit for these is not uncommon for PVR's,
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#57 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 617
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Trust me its definately a typo.
Just to clear something up with regards to manual recording. You can set the box to record the channel you are watching at that moment, plus you can tell it when to stop should you wish to view a different channel. For example, if I were half way through watching Eastenders but decided to go out at short notice, I could set it to record BBC One immediately and enter the duration for the lenght of that recording, so that it stops after a certain number of hours and minutes. What it doesn't seem able to do is to set a specific recording event in the future, other than via the EPG. To be honest its the only must have thats missing, but I guess its not as important as the way the box handles SD and HD through HDMI. So much better than the 9300T. Another good thing - no retuning when channels are added or change. It does it for you. Big plus. Still only the two items on my wish list so far - manual record and the ability to view channels from another region. Thats about it. |
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#58 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 617
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Philips HDT8520 - Manual record and retune on its way!
Just had a chat with a very helpful technical advisor at Philips UK.
It seems that the lack of manual record, manual buffers and manual tuning have not intentionally been omitted but are unfortunate software “off-specifications”. The lack of some of these features were noticed by Pace after the boxes went out for distribution and other omissions / errors have been fed back by customers and testers. It seems the initial supply of boxes are loaded with the original signed-off software which is based on the French TV platform. The UK-specific changes had not been included in time for distribution of this first batch. He had a box with the current test software on it and all features were available, in fact he talked me through the steps he was taking with a test unit on the phone. Apparently Philips / Pace have a growing list of software defects / off-specs and are working on a number of software updates to correct them in order of importance. These updates will be made available on the Philips support website before the end of the month (and uploadable via USB) and possibly over the air before the World Cup starts. I must say he sounded very enthusiastic on the phone and it seems Philips / Pace are anxious to get the product spot on and clear any niggles so they can steal an early march on Humax over the World Cup period. I was impressed at the amount of time he was willing to spend talking me through everything they are working to fix, even down to noting my phone number for a courtesy call when the software update is issued for download. Finally, the support guy was keen to hear about any other issues encountered and encouraged anyone to call the Technical Helpline with problems, suggestions or feedback. So, early customer support signs are good. Assuming these issues get fixed then Humax may have a fight on their hands.
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#59 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,083
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Hi
Cheers for the update sounds promising. I noticed the ambilight feature when turned on pulsates, very annoying, it didn't to that in the demo video. Mine unfortunately appears to have arrived faulty, the florescent display is skew and so looks cheap. I also seem to have a problem with the audio on the HDMI in that it stutters or fails to work completely in 576i/p mode when the HDMI resolutions are changed between 1080 and 576. So having to get it replaced. Regards Phil |
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#60 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,083
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Hi
A rather fundamental bug has surfaced. HD channels that use 5.1 sound will have an echo, basically sounding like the audio is playing twice with a delay between the two. This affects live watching and a recording. This seems to have affected everyone who tried out an HD recording last night on Torchwood, and I also had this same echo earlier on yesterday evening watching a live program on BBC HD, so I assume that had 5.1 sound, other channels were not affected. Note it affects both the HDMI output and outputs to an AV amp via optical or co-ax. Here is hoping Pace/Philips quickly acknowledge this issue and fix it, as otherwise the box can't be used to record HD content that has 5.1 sound. Disappointing such a major bug made it to us customers. Regards Phil |
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#61 |
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Guest
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 957
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Quote:
A rather fundamental bug has surfaced.
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#62 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,083
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Hi Quote:
Might not be a bug with the box - check the main Freeview thread - a user of the Humax has also mentioned the problem.
![]() Regards Phil |
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#63 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: SE11, BBC London, ITV London
Posts: 87
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Just picked mine up today. Initial signs were good - great design, small size, easy setup.
One major problem I've noticed so far is that the remote seems unresponsive and requiring pointed directly at the box. Has anyone else had the same problem? It's making the box almost unusable. Ironically enough, standby works fine... |
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#64 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 113
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That's interesting as I used to have a Thomson CRT with BT Vision (box manufactured by Philips) that all worked a treat. On buying a new Philips panel it all started to go wrong, and getting the remote to work was one of the problems. I had two BT Vision remotes and neither would work unless I’m square on with the box whereas before I bought the panel I could be almost anywhere.
BT Vision support asked if I had a fluorescent light near the BTV box, which I didn't, so can only conclude it was the new panel interfering with it. I’ve moved away from BTV and the Philips box was at the top of my list but there seem to be a growing number of issues with it. It will be interesting to see how quickly these are resolved. Btw what's the verdict on Plusnet? |
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#65 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 18
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Is it true that this Philips box doesn't have the CAM slot for TUTV?
I'm really keen to get a Freeview HD box but require a CAM slot for when/if SkySports appears on TUTV. Cheers |
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#66 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 9
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I really like the look of this box and I don't need many bells and whistles on a PVR as I have most such additions on my bluray but no auto-padding seems the deal breaker for me.
Can't work out why such a trivial software tweak is so hard for PVR makers. |
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#67 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 169
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Setting up some timers this morning for CSI-NY and Casualty, both on at 9:00 this evening, I got a timer conflict message? I deleted and tried again setting CSI-NY as a series link and when I set Casualty I got the standard message "Record selected programme - Record selected series" plus a third option of "Record selected programme and it's recommendations"?
If I selected either of the first two I get the timer conflict message but if I selected the third option of recording with recommendations it was okay. I looked through the manual and can find no reference to this third option; so anyone else come across this? Also when I checked the EPG the same CSI-NY episode is also set to record when it's repeated Sunday on Five USA as does the Mentalist which I recorded Friday. I've not deleted but left them highlighted just to see what happens but if this means series link picks up +1 channels or repeats it's another bug. |
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#68 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,083
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Hi Quote:
Is it true that this Philips box doesn't have the CAM slot for TUTV?
I'm really keen to get a Freeview HD box but require a CAM slot for when/if SkySports appears on TUTV. Cheers Regards Phil |
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#69 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 46
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I bit the bullet yesterday and ordered my Philips HDT8520 from John Lewis (I don't like the brand due to past experience but as the Humax HD box seems delayed I decided to risk it)
The box arrived this morning at 8:30 (excellent service from JL) and set up was simple and intuitive. First impressions were good, well packaged and a very compact and stylish little unit with a decent looking remote. Just finished watching the Champions League Final and I'm blown away by the quality of the HD transmission via the Philips. The Philips PVR seems to perform very well on HD. Not sure the 'normal' freeview is quite as good as on the Humax 9300T it replaces but its close. Things I like include the fact that the TV guide is there straight away, no huge delay for it to refresh each time you switch it on like with the old Humax. The menus look good and the whole thing seems to respond to inputs quickly. Shame you lose the preview picture when you are looking at the TV guide and there is no function to have picture in picture like the Humax had. Overall, I'm delighted with it and though I'm sure the prices will tumble after the world cup, I'm glad to have it now. Haven't done any recording yet but it follows the same format as previous PVR's so shouldn't pose any problems. Unfortunately I don't think will be able to watch anything that isn't HD from now on which means I'm back to the 1970's with just three channels!! |
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#70 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,083
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Hi Quote:
Haven't done any recording yet but it follows the same format as previous PVR's so shouldn't pose any problems. Unfortunately I don't think will be able to watch anything that isn't HD from now on which means I'm back to the 1970's with just three channels!!
We have now got 3 channels that don't suffer from being overly compressed lets hope it stays that way. I fear it will not however so enjoy it while you can.Regards Phil |
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#71 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,775
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So it is a Pace Product.
1) Does it work in a digital switch over region? 2) Does it lock on on ITV multiplex if turned off? |
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#72 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 47
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Well, I have set up my Philips HD PVR and all seems to be ok. Playing audio via Sony amp with HDMI inputs.
No problems with sound. The Guide needs some work on it, personally I would like a search function adding. Slight Problem:I receive both English and Welsh programmes but can only lock onto one region at present. ie either Granada or Wales. So, if I receive the Granada signal, I am unable to tune into the Welsh stations. The only one I am really interested in is the S4C Digital HD channel to see what it has to offer.I will also miss out on the local news channels.Tried a manual tune but still not able to tune to other regions. I bought the set from John Lewis and have 26 days left to return. I presume some of these short comings will be looked into with a firmware update |
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#73 |
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Guest
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 957
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Quote:
So it is a Pace Product.
1) Does it work in a digital switch over region? 2) Does it lock on on ITV multiplex if turned off? Yes it is a Pace product and the fact that your previous Pace product lasted only a mere 7 years before developing a minor bug due to the DSO, but was actively supported for a number of YEARS (take note Humax!) after it was released should be seen as a positive, not a negative. But as with shares and financial investments, past performance does not indicate future performance - again, many thanks to Humax for ramming that one home to me! |
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#74 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,775
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Quote:
LOL, somehow I doubt this box will share any technology with a box that was produced 7 years ago!
Yes it is a Pace product and the fact that your previous Pace product lasted only a mere 7 years before developing a minor bug due to the DSO, but was actively supported for a number of YEARS (take note Humax!) after it was released should be seen as a positive, not a negative. But as with shares and financial investments, past performance does not indicate future performance - again, many thanks to Humax for ramming that one home to me! |
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#75 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,083
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Hi Quote:
Well, I have set up my Philips HD PVR and all seems to be ok. Playing audio via Sony amp with HDMI inputs.
No problems with sound. The Guide needs some work on it, personally I would like a search function adding. Slight Problem:I receive both English and Welsh programmes but can only lock onto one region at present. ie either Granada or Wales. So, if I receive the Granada signal, I am unable to tune into the Welsh stations. The only one I am really interested in is the S4C Digital HD channel to see what it has to offer.I will also miss out on the local news channels.Tried a manual tune but still not able to tune to other regions. I bought the set from John Lewis and have 26 days left to return. I presume some of these short comings will be looked into with a firmware update Another purchaser was told by Pace that the manual tuning is on their newer firmware, but the boxes shipped with older firmware. Regards Phil |
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