I had my box refunded before update came out, I felt there was to many bug's and miss recordings (will be getting the fox t2 after christmas) I have made mistake by getting rid of it ? or have I done the right ?
Philips/Pace Freeview HD PVR - HDT 8520 thread
9 of 18
Originally Posted by pzboyz:
“Can anybody else please confirm this to be true? If so, somebody at Philips should be fired, preferably a product management person who clearly has not used or understand their own product.”
“Can anybody else please confirm this to be true? If so, somebody at Philips should be fired, preferably a product management person who clearly has not used or understand their own product.”
Thats rubbish! mine has been set to record Dragons Den and A Place in The Sun: Home or Away, in HD for weeks and it always records in HD.
I've just checked in timers, and they are both still set to record the next episodes in HD.
Hi
Unfortunately that is the nature of these bugs, some people don't have them, possibly because they are using the box in a slightly different way to someone else, or have just been lucky.
Telling someone else "that's rubbish" isn't helpful when they are experiencing a problem.
The HD timer turning into SD has always been a problem and lots of people have reported it, I had it many times, often getting the +1 SD version as well which was even worse picture quality than normal SD, when all along I really wanted the HD version!
Regards
Phil
Originally Posted by diandave:
“Thats rubbish! mine has been set to record Dragons Den and A Place in The Sun: Home or Away, in HD for weeks and it always records in HD.
I've just checked in timers, and they are both still set to record the next episodes in HD.”
“Thats rubbish! mine has been set to record Dragons Den and A Place in The Sun: Home or Away, in HD for weeks and it always records in HD.
I've just checked in timers, and they are both still set to record the next episodes in HD.”
Unfortunately that is the nature of these bugs, some people don't have them, possibly because they are using the box in a slightly different way to someone else, or have just been lucky.
Telling someone else "that's rubbish" isn't helpful when they are experiencing a problem.
The HD timer turning into SD has always been a problem and lots of people have reported it, I had it many times, often getting the +1 SD version as well which was even worse picture quality than normal SD, when all along I really wanted the HD version!
Regards
Phil
Originally Posted by PhilipL:
“Hi
Unfortunately that is the nature of these bugs, some people don't have them, possibly because they are using the box in a slightly different way to someone else, or have just been lucky.
Telling someone else "that's rubbish" isn't helpful when they are experiencing a problem.
The HD timer turning into SD has always been a problem and lots of people have reported it, I had it many times, often getting the +1 SD version as well which was even worse picture quality than normal SD, when all along I really wanted the HD version!
Regards
Phil”
“Hi
Unfortunately that is the nature of these bugs, some people don't have them, possibly because they are using the box in a slightly different way to someone else, or have just been lucky.
Telling someone else "that's rubbish" isn't helpful when they are experiencing a problem.
The HD timer turning into SD has always been a problem and lots of people have reported it, I had it many times, often getting the +1 SD version as well which was even worse picture quality than normal SD, when all along I really wanted the HD version!
Regards
Phil”
I can only speak as I find, and it hasn't happened to me, as far as i know all boxes use the same software, so how can it be selective?
Originally Posted by rc.uk:
“After hearing about the software update, I purchased one of these from Currys yesterday. I got it home, installed it and updated it successfully. My first impression was that it was a good PVR. It seemed quick, stable and fairly easy to use. However, I discovered a major flaw in that it only records the first episode of a series record in HD and then reverts to the SD equivalent. For an HD recorder, that is an absolute joke. Given that it's not fit for purpose, I took it back to Currys and got my money back.”
“After hearing about the software update, I purchased one of these from Currys yesterday. I got it home, installed it and updated it successfully. My first impression was that it was a good PVR. It seemed quick, stable and fairly easy to use. However, I discovered a major flaw in that it only records the first episode of a series record in HD and then reverts to the SD equivalent. For an HD recorder, that is an absolute joke. Given that it's not fit for purpose, I took it back to Currys and got my money back.”
Owning a PVR for less than 24hrs is not much of a test is it?
Originally Posted by diandave:
“Owning a PVR for less than 24hrs is not much of a test is it?”
“Owning a PVR for less than 24hrs is not much of a test is it?”
Says who? In that 24 hours I discovered all I needed to know, thank you very much. I series linked the double bill of The Simpsons on C4 HD on Sunday afternoon. It recorded the first in HD and the second in SD. I then looked at the episodes in the week and it had highlighted all the SD broadcasts red and none on the HD channel. I then noticed that it recorded Coronation St. in HD on Sunday but once again the following episodes were highlighted in SD all week. I also tried it with ITV News - it recorded Sunday lunchtime's bulletin from ITV HD but then all subsequent series links were on the SD ITV1. Given that it is advertised as a HD recorder, why the heck shouldn't I expect it to record in HD when I want it to? I'm just thankful I discovered the problem so quickly and managed to get my money back. It seems I had a lucky escape.
Originally Posted by diandave:
“I can only speak as I find, and it hasn't happened to me, as far as i know all boxes use the same software, so how can it be selective?”
“I can only speak as I find, and it hasn't happened to me, as far as i know all boxes use the same software, so how can it be selective?”
I owned the box for just over 3 months - at first I didn't see many of the bugs other people reported and was the same as yourself. As the time progressed though, more and more of the bugs became visible. I hope for your sake things carry on and you don't see these issues, but after about 2 months, it became quite random as to whether I got an SD version or an HD version of a recording. When the update was delayed again at the beginning of August, and Philips / Pace again refused to divulge any information on why it was delayed or what was going to be fixed in the update, I traded it in for the Digital Stream through John Lewis (thank goodness I purchased from them!).
Honestly, I just wish I'd traded it in earlier - the Digital Stream is fantastic - no major bugs (certainly none which affect me), excellent interface, slick menus and a company who actually respects their customers enough to not only provide updates on time, but also provide information on what will be included in these updates and listen to their feedback for future updates. If the Philips is working for you, then no worries, but if not, I'd urge you to try out the Digital Stream or the Humax boxes - they're so much better!
New software version V1.13 available for over the air download from 10.00am today, 13th September. I am downloading it as I type.
It's a bit confusing as the new version is V1.13 according to the TV screen but it's V4.22 according to the Philips website.
This is what Philips say about the update:-
NEW SOFTWARE VERSION FOR HDT8520/05 (PVR)
RELEASE OF AUGUST: V4.22
1/ Improvement in EPG usability
1.1. Channel change from EPG is now possible with ‘OK’ key
1.2. Red key is used for Record, Green key for Day- and Yellow key for Day+
1.3. Toggle between evening and now with blue button in EPG
1.4. Faster scrolling in EPG with P+/P- which allows Page up/Page down
2/ Improvement in PVR feedback
2.1. Pop up to confirm deletion of favourite lists
2.2. Pop-up to warn that HDD is full
2.3. Display of AD icon in zap banner when Audio Description is available
2.4. Pop-up to confirm deletion of records from the library
3/ Improvement in recording/playback/Time Shift Buffer feedback
3.1. Scheduled recordings are arranged by date
3.2. In the Guide, channels on which recordings are ongoing are displayed in red
3.3. Front panel displays the name of the event in playback and Time Shift Buffer mode
3.4. All items in the scheduled recording menu which are on going are displayed in red
3.5. Pressing stop during playback of a recording brings up the current recordings window and asks you
which ones to stop, rather than just stop playback – Help text has been modified to provide better
feedback
3.6. Direct Fast rewind from live state is possible
3.7. In the Guide, when a program is scheduled for recording, its alternate programs are no longer shown
in red.
4/ Improvement in PVR state management
Directly switching to Standby from Menu/EPG is now possible
It's a bit confusing as the new version is V1.13 according to the TV screen but it's V4.22 according to the Philips website.
This is what Philips say about the update:-
NEW SOFTWARE VERSION FOR HDT8520/05 (PVR)
RELEASE OF AUGUST: V4.22
1/ Improvement in EPG usability
1.1. Channel change from EPG is now possible with ‘OK’ key
1.2. Red key is used for Record, Green key for Day- and Yellow key for Day+
1.3. Toggle between evening and now with blue button in EPG
1.4. Faster scrolling in EPG with P+/P- which allows Page up/Page down
2/ Improvement in PVR feedback
2.1. Pop up to confirm deletion of favourite lists
2.2. Pop-up to warn that HDD is full
2.3. Display of AD icon in zap banner when Audio Description is available
2.4. Pop-up to confirm deletion of records from the library
3/ Improvement in recording/playback/Time Shift Buffer feedback
3.1. Scheduled recordings are arranged by date
3.2. In the Guide, channels on which recordings are ongoing are displayed in red
3.3. Front panel displays the name of the event in playback and Time Shift Buffer mode
3.4. All items in the scheduled recording menu which are on going are displayed in red
3.5. Pressing stop during playback of a recording brings up the current recordings window and asks you
which ones to stop, rather than just stop playback – Help text has been modified to provide better
feedback
3.6. Direct Fast rewind from live state is possible
3.7. In the Guide, when a program is scheduled for recording, its alternate programs are no longer shown
in red.
4/ Improvement in PVR state management
Directly switching to Standby from Menu/EPG is now possible
Hi
It is the same software as released on the website a couple of weeks ago, now being delivered OTA.
As for the version numbers, well it has been quite clear Philips support hasn't had much of an idea what the versions are supposed to be from day one, so no surprise they are now confusing their customer's even more.
I think Philips should stick to light bulbs and shavers!
Regards
Phil
Originally Posted by Charenton:
“New software version V1.13 available for over the air download from 10.00am today, 13th September. I am downloading it as I type.
It's a bit confusing as the new version is V1.13 according to the TV screen but it's V4.22 according to the Philips website.
This is what Philips say about the update:-
NEW SOFTWARE VERSION FOR HDT8520/05 (PVR)
RELEASE OF AUGUST: V4.22
1/ Improvement in EPG usability
1.1. Channel change from EPG is now possible with ‘OK’ key
1.2. Red key is used for Record, Green key for Day- and Yellow key for Day+
1.3. Toggle between evening and now with blue button in EPG
1.4. Faster scrolling in EPG with P+/P- which allows Page up/Page down
2/ Improvement in PVR feedback
2.1. Pop up to confirm deletion of favourite lists
2.2. Pop-up to warn that HDD is full
2.3. Display of AD icon in zap banner when Audio Description is available
2.4. Pop-up to confirm deletion of records from the library
3/ Improvement in recording/playback/Time Shift Buffer feedback
3.1. Scheduled recordings are arranged by date
3.2. In the Guide, channels on which recordings are ongoing are displayed in red
3.3. Front panel displays the name of the event in playback and Time Shift Buffer mode
3.4. All items in the scheduled recording menu which are on going are displayed in red
3.5. Pressing stop during playback of a recording brings up the current recordings window and asks you
which ones to stop, rather than just stop playback – Help text has been modified to provide better
feedback
3.6. Direct Fast rewind from live state is possible
3.7. In the Guide, when a program is scheduled for recording, its alternate programs are no longer shown
in red.
4/ Improvement in PVR state management
Directly switching to Standby from Menu/EPG is now possible”
“New software version V1.13 available for over the air download from 10.00am today, 13th September. I am downloading it as I type.
It's a bit confusing as the new version is V1.13 according to the TV screen but it's V4.22 according to the Philips website.
This is what Philips say about the update:-
NEW SOFTWARE VERSION FOR HDT8520/05 (PVR)
RELEASE OF AUGUST: V4.22
1/ Improvement in EPG usability
1.1. Channel change from EPG is now possible with ‘OK’ key
1.2. Red key is used for Record, Green key for Day- and Yellow key for Day+
1.3. Toggle between evening and now with blue button in EPG
1.4. Faster scrolling in EPG with P+/P- which allows Page up/Page down
2/ Improvement in PVR feedback
2.1. Pop up to confirm deletion of favourite lists
2.2. Pop-up to warn that HDD is full
2.3. Display of AD icon in zap banner when Audio Description is available
2.4. Pop-up to confirm deletion of records from the library
3/ Improvement in recording/playback/Time Shift Buffer feedback
3.1. Scheduled recordings are arranged by date
3.2. In the Guide, channels on which recordings are ongoing are displayed in red
3.3. Front panel displays the name of the event in playback and Time Shift Buffer mode
3.4. All items in the scheduled recording menu which are on going are displayed in red
3.5. Pressing stop during playback of a recording brings up the current recordings window and asks you
which ones to stop, rather than just stop playback – Help text has been modified to provide better
feedback
3.6. Direct Fast rewind from live state is possible
3.7. In the Guide, when a program is scheduled for recording, its alternate programs are no longer shown
in red.
4/ Improvement in PVR state management
Directly switching to Standby from Menu/EPG is now possible”
It is the same software as released on the website a couple of weeks ago, now being delivered OTA.
As for the version numbers, well it has been quite clear Philips support hasn't had much of an idea what the versions are supposed to be from day one, so no surprise they are now confusing their customer's even more.
I think Philips should stick to light bulbs and shavers!
Regards
Phil
Is it possible that deleting all channels except for the HD ones might render the box more "stable"? I ask because I already have SD PVRs and wouldn't expect to use the Philips for anything except (as the programme schedules stand at the moment) infrequent HD recordings.
parthena
parthena
Originally Posted by parthena:
“Is it possible that deleting all channels except for the HD ones might render the box more "stable"? I ask because I already have SD PVRs and wouldn't expect to use the Philips for anything except (as the programme schedules stand at the moment) infrequent HD recordings.
parthena”
“Is it possible that deleting all channels except for the HD ones might render the box more "stable"? I ask because I already have SD PVRs and wouldn't expect to use the Philips for anything except (as the programme schedules stand at the moment) infrequent HD recordings.
parthena”
You can't delete channels with the current software.
Originally Posted by brookheather:
“You can't delete channels with the current software.”
“You can't delete channels with the current software.”
How primitive
Thanks for the info.
parthena
I have now come to the end of my tether with this pile of Junk they call the Philips HDT 8520 I believe I have been very patient todate. I tried getting my money back or a swap from my internet supplier but they did'nt want to know just put me in touch with Philps. All Philips want to do is just fob me off with uploading new software versions, each one causes just as many problems as the previous version. Recording is unpredictable and un reliable you take pot luck whether a planned recording actually happens and if it does it could quite likely to record it in 2 or 3 different options. Does anyone know if I have any recourse ie get my money back or do I have to continue with a product which is not fit for purpose?
Hi
Within the first 6 months the retailer has to prove it isn't faulty, so if less than 6 months old I would email them stating you are rejecting the goods under the sale of goods act, tell them the problems you are having, and point them back at the bug list over in AVForums. Ask them to let you know when they are going to collect the goods, they should pay for carriage for collection and refund you in full including any carriage you paid to get it delivered. Basically the law is on your side. Read up about your rights here http://whatconsumer.co.uk/the-sale-of-goods-act/
If they fob you off again, send them a recorded delivery letter giving them 28 days and state if they haven't collected by then you will go via the small claims court to seek a refund.
Regards
Phil
Originally Posted by streamer:
“I have now come to the end of my tether with this pile of Junk they call the Philips HDT 8520 I believe I have been very patient todate. I tried getting my money back or a swap from my internet supplier but they did'nt want to know just put me in touch with Philps. All Philips want to do is just fob me off with uploading new software versions, each one causes just as many problems as the previous version. Recording is unpredictable and un reliable you take pot luck whether a planned recording actually happens and if it does it could quite likely to record it in 2 or 3 different options. Does anyone know if I have any recourse ie get my money back or do I have to continue with a product which is not fit for purpose?”
“I have now come to the end of my tether with this pile of Junk they call the Philips HDT 8520 I believe I have been very patient todate. I tried getting my money back or a swap from my internet supplier but they did'nt want to know just put me in touch with Philps. All Philips want to do is just fob me off with uploading new software versions, each one causes just as many problems as the previous version. Recording is unpredictable and un reliable you take pot luck whether a planned recording actually happens and if it does it could quite likely to record it in 2 or 3 different options. Does anyone know if I have any recourse ie get my money back or do I have to continue with a product which is not fit for purpose?”
Within the first 6 months the retailer has to prove it isn't faulty, so if less than 6 months old I would email them stating you are rejecting the goods under the sale of goods act, tell them the problems you are having, and point them back at the bug list over in AVForums. Ask them to let you know when they are going to collect the goods, they should pay for carriage for collection and refund you in full including any carriage you paid to get it delivered. Basically the law is on your side. Read up about your rights here http://whatconsumer.co.uk/the-sale-of-goods-act/
If they fob you off again, send them a recorded delivery letter giving them 28 days and state if they haven't collected by then you will go via the small claims court to seek a refund.
Regards
Phil
Originally Posted by streamer:
“I have now come to the end of my tether with this pile of Junk they call the Philips HDT 8520 I believe I have been very patient todate. I tried getting my money back or a swap from my internet supplier but they did'nt want to know just put me in touch with Philps. All Philips want to do is just fob me off with uploading new software versions, each one causes just as many problems as the previous version. Recording is unpredictable and un reliable you take pot luck whether a planned recording actually happens and if it does it could quite likely to record it in 2 or 3 different options. Does anyone know if I have any recourse ie get my money back or do I have to continue with a product which is not fit for purpose?”
“I have now come to the end of my tether with this pile of Junk they call the Philips HDT 8520 I believe I have been very patient todate. I tried getting my money back or a swap from my internet supplier but they did'nt want to know just put me in touch with Philps. All Philips want to do is just fob me off with uploading new software versions, each one causes just as many problems as the previous version. Recording is unpredictable and un reliable you take pot luck whether a planned recording actually happens and if it does it could quite likely to record it in 2 or 3 different options. Does anyone know if I have any recourse ie get my money back or do I have to continue with a product which is not fit for purpose?”
Looking at the AV forum, the new 6.21 update seems to be reasonably stable. I can understand if you've lost the will with the box (I did as well a few months back), but if you're having no initial joy getting a refund, could be worth upgrading and seeing if you can live with it as it is there.
Set the Doctor Who Christmas special to record and it recorded fine apart from it wouldn't stop recording - had to unplug the box. what i had recorded wouldn't play had to delete.
Set it to record the repeat along with Benidorm. Recorded 32 mins of Doctor who and still would not play. didn't even bother recording Benidorm, even though ten mins before the start i checked to see if it was still booked.
Getting very fed up (mildly said) with the unreliability of this crock of...
Set it to record the repeat along with Benidorm. Recorded 32 mins of Doctor who and still would not play. didn't even bother recording Benidorm, even though ten mins before the start i checked to see if it was still booked.
Getting very fed up (mildly said) with the unreliability of this crock of...
Originally Posted by professorhat:
“Looking at the AV forum, the new 6.21 update seems to be reasonably stable. I can understand if you've lost the will with the box (I did as well a few months back), but if you're having no initial joy getting a refund, could be worth upgrading and seeing if you can live with it as it is there.”
“Looking at the AV forum, the new 6.21 update seems to be reasonably stable. I can understand if you've lost the will with the box (I did as well a few months back), but if you're having no initial joy getting a refund, could be worth upgrading and seeing if you can live with it as it is there.”
I upgraded to 6.21. It seems to solve a lot of previous issues, but gives a new one.
Usually if I leave it switchd of for more than a few hours (eg overnight) it will not respond to the remote control the next day. When I press the on button, the orange light will flash, but it will not come on.
I have to push the on/off button on the box and hold it for about 5 seconds, then it comes on OK.
Anyone else seem this?
Now that I have 6.21, I thought I would try the USB features.
The box reads and displays jpg pictures OK, whether they are in the top level directory or not.
It will find MP3 files, again whether or not they are in the top directory, but only plays the first 2 seconds then jumps to the next.
It will not read from a USB hard drive at all, only from a USB memory stick, I wonder why.
Anyone else tried the USB other than for updates?
The box reads and displays jpg pictures OK, whether they are in the top level directory or not.
It will find MP3 files, again whether or not they are in the top directory, but only plays the first 2 seconds then jumps to the next.
It will not read from a USB hard drive at all, only from a USB memory stick, I wonder why.
Anyone else tried the USB other than for updates?
http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/d...ctn=HDT8520/05
I've had the update and I've been surprised how stable the box has become
I've had the update and I've been surprised how stable the box has become
Following the installation of Update 6.21 I now see a lower case "n" in a bubble alongside some of the recordings in my Library. Anyone know what this represents?
Originally Posted by Charenton:
“Following the installation of Update 6.21 I now see a lower case "n" in a bubble alongside some of the recordings in my Library. Anyone know what this represents?”
“Following the installation of Update 6.21 I now see a lower case "n" in a bubble alongside some of the recordings in my Library. Anyone know what this represents?”
It indicates a new recording i.e. one that hasn't been watched as yet.
Originally Posted by professorhat:
“It indicates a new recording i.e. one that hasn't been watched as yet.”
“It indicates a new recording i.e. one that hasn't been watched as yet.”
Thanks for that Professor, I did wonder if that was it.
Here's another question you may be able to answer, I'm still waiting for Philips to answer it:-
What other "improvements" has 6.21 given us?
Well I bit the bullet and got one of these today.
Thanks to Sagem stopping updates fo the PVR72160T pvr that I have it has struggled to lock on to various muxes since the split NIT occurred.
Having plunged in and re-scanned last night the damn Sagem wouldn't lock on to more than 3 muxes. I think it can't cope with more than a certain number of LCNs per mux. So it will become another door stop once we've watched all the recorded programs.
I had wanted to get one of the Digital Stream DHR8205 boxes from John Lewis. Went to Oxford St and they had none left!!! Plus, the new 1tb version only available online.
So I opted for the Phillips. Fingers crossed and I have the 6.21 update ready on a usb drive.
Thanks to Sagem stopping updates fo the PVR72160T pvr that I have it has struggled to lock on to various muxes since the split NIT occurred.
Having plunged in and re-scanned last night the damn Sagem wouldn't lock on to more than 3 muxes. I think it can't cope with more than a certain number of LCNs per mux. So it will become another door stop once we've watched all the recorded programs.
I had wanted to get one of the Digital Stream DHR8205 boxes from John Lewis. Went to Oxford St and they had none left!!! Plus, the new 1tb version only available online.
So I opted for the Phillips. Fingers crossed and I have the 6.21 update ready on a usb drive.
Originally Posted by Secret-Squirrel:
“I had wanted to get one of the Digital Stream DHR8205 boxes from John Lewis. Went to Oxford St and they had none left!!! Plus, the new 1tb version only available online.
So I opted for the Phillips. Fingers crossed and I have the 6.21 update ready on a usb drive.”
“I had wanted to get one of the Digital Stream DHR8205 boxes from John Lewis. Went to Oxford St and they had none left!!! Plus, the new 1tb version only available online.
So I opted for the Phillips. Fingers crossed and I have the 6.21 update ready on a usb drive.”
Having had a similar set of decisions to make (Pace Twin will stop working after switchover), I bought a Humax HDR Fox T2 and so far it's been great. I didn't buy the Phillips because of the dire reports about it's reliability in these forums, plus it appears to have a lot of missing functionality.
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