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New Freesat PVR models?


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Old 02-01-2011, 09:36
zpat
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I haven't been on here for a while. But I am surprised and disappointed that the only Humax FreeSat PVR for sale seems to the same model I bought ages ago.

I cannot believe it is still using only 320GB disks....

It's time I bought another PVR to replace my other Sky+ box but I would really like something better.

Are there any other makes I should look at?
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Old 02-01-2011, 09:57
terrykl
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I haven't been on here for a while. But I am surprised and disappointed that the only Humax FreeSat PVR for sale seems to the same model I bought ages ago.

I cannot believe it is still using only 320GB disks....

It's time I bought another PVR to replace my other Sky+ box but I would really like something better.

Are there any other makes I should look at?
It might be worth your while holding on a little longer.
Humax will be introducing a brand new model with a whole load of new features and a larger HDD.

Technisat and Panasonic have models but will not have the features that the Humax will unless they also bring out something new in 2011.
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Old 02-01-2011, 10:07
carvell
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If anyone is thinking of waiting for the new HDR then I wouldn't bother. I get the feeling you'll be waiting a very long time.

If anybody wants one, you're best off just buying an HDR straight away, rather than waiting for a new version of the HDR, which might not even be here until 2012.
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Old 02-01-2011, 10:40
terrykl
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If anyone is thinking of waiting for the new HDR then I wouldn't bother. I get the feeling you'll be waiting a very long time.

If anybody wants one, you're best off just buying an HDR straight away, rather than waiting for a new version of the HDR, which might not even be here until 2012.
Where do you get 2012 from?
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Old 02-01-2011, 10:57
Nigel Goodwin
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Where do you get 2012 from?
Reasonable guess I suppose? - YouView doesn't 'launch' until April, and presumably Humax wouldn't bother bringing out a new PVR without been YouView compatible?.

Unfortunately Humax seem to be exceeding slow at developing new models, or providing software updates for existing ones, so 2012 (or late 2011) sounds fairly plausible.
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Old 02-01-2011, 11:05
terrykl
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Reasonable guess I suppose? - YouView doesn't 'launch' until April, and presumably Humax wouldn't bother bringing out a new PVR without been YouView compatible?.

Unfortunately Humax seem to be exceeding slow at developing new models, or providing software updates for existing ones, so 2012 (or late 2011) sounds fairly plausible.
I thought the new model was pretty much ready apart from waiting on Youview specs.
I believe it will launch within 8 months,(only my opinion of course.
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Old 02-01-2011, 11:32
Nigel Goodwin
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I thought the new model was pretty much ready apart from waiting on Youview specs.
I believe it will launch within 8 months,(only my opinion of course.
"Awaiting on YouView specs" is the killer there

I would imagine it was probably getting towards release?, but then was stopped because of YouView - and I suspect meeting the YouView spec will take longer than you might hope.
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Old 02-01-2011, 16:01
REPASSAC
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"Awaiting on YouView specs" is the killer there

I would imagine it was probably getting towards release?, but then was stopped because of YouView - and I suspect meeting the YouView spec will take longer than you might hope.
Regrettably Nigel, I think you may be correct, I think Humax will first launch either a freeview or stand alone box before upgrading the 'on the shelf' specs that they have for the new PVR, My guess soonest in end 2011 or first half 2012.

320 mb is small, If this is your problem go for a 1TB HD upgrade - simple if you are careful.
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Old 04-01-2011, 14:41
2Bdecided
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Are there any other makes I should look at?
A few listed here: http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/
or even http://www.freesat.co.uk/products/freesat-box-range

Should you look at them? There have been a few reviews on DS and elsewhere.

Cheers,
David.
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Old 04-01-2011, 16:05
bramble
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I haven't been on here for a while. But I am surprised and disappointed that the only Humax FreeSat PVR for sale seems to the same model I bought ages ago.

I cannot believe it is still using only 320GB disks....

It's time I bought another PVR to replace my other Sky+ box but I would really like something better.

Are there any other makes I should look at?
Also 500GB Foxsat HDR
http://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/product.asp?ProdRef=10087
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Old 04-01-2011, 16:10
Nigel Goodwin
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It was originally a JL exclusive - though is now available elsewhere, but not via the normal Humax trade distribution system.
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Old 04-01-2011, 19:52
REPASSAC
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It was originally a JL exclusive - though is now available elsewhere, but not via the normal Humax trade distribution system.
Cheaper here but if you are up to it a 1TB disk upgrade in quite easy and well documented on this forum..
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Old 04-01-2011, 23:19
rkl
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I'm looking for a new Freesat recorder myself and it doesn't look like 2010 made much progress on that front - not a huge number of models out there and some overpriced (Panasonic including Blu-Ray when optical media isn't that important any more?!).

Here's what I'd like:

* Only have an old dish with one LNB, so one HD tuner would do me for the moment, but would be nice to have two (and, no, I rarely watch live TV, so one tuner is fine for me).

* DivX playback is a dealbreaker for me - if a relatively new Freesat recorder can't do this, then it's hopeless IMHO. This critical function seems to be missing from a lot of Freesat recorders!

* "External" playblack required - either from a USB stick/drive or - even better - act as a client to a DLNA server. Being able to copy external files to the internal HDD would be a nice bonus.

* Wired networking mandatory - wireless additionally preferred.

* Hard drive doesn't have to be huge - 320GB will do - though being able to export recordings to USB/network would be preferable (I bet there's idiotic "rules" about this, particularly w.r.t. HD recordings - Freeview+ won't let you do it for HD stuff!).

* Optical media is totally optional, but I don't want Blu-Ray (waste of time on a networked/hard disk recorder, IMHO).

The hard drive is failing on my trusty analogue (!) Philips hard disk recorder, which is great for DivX playback and USB import to the hard drive, but otherwise has some "firmware issues" and is beigging to be replaced. Anyone got any ideas what Freesat HD recorder I should go for now or should I wait for Youview-compatible stuff?
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Old 05-01-2011, 08:36
White-Knight
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It was originally a JL exclusive - though is now available elsewhere, but not via the normal Humax trade distribution system.
Amazon, Satbuyer and John Lewis all stock the 500GB version (bottom 3 in this list):

http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.p...max-foxsat-hdr

Personally I'd be buying from JL anyway as their customer service is usually 2nd to none.

BTW don't worry about the star ratings on here. All the sat boxes score around that.

A Humax is probably the best box you're going to buy apart from the Panasonic. No box out there is perfect.

I couldn't comment on when the new HDR will arrive as its pure speculation at the moment.
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Old 05-01-2011, 10:22
REPASSAC
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......... Only have an old dish with one LNB, so one HD tuner would do me for the moment, but would be nice to have two (and, no, I rarely watch live TV, so one tuner is fine for me).
.......
I would advise against one LNB - even if you rarely watch live TV, you could have issues recording two consecutive recordings on differing channels. Quad LNBs are not expensive and if you can run cable yourself you will get a lot of extra flexibility with your PVR. Having said that the HUMAX HDR does give more flexibility with both one and two LNBs that any other current brand of PVR (Tuner loop through to allow use of second tuner with one LNB, plus allow watching of programmes on the same transponder as being recorded)
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Old 05-01-2011, 12:48
grom_boy
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Does anyone have anymore info on the planned samsung freesat pvr's ?
I am about to buy a Humax and really like Samsing products, I would rarther wait a couple of months if its due soon
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Old 05-01-2011, 13:45
terrykl
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Does anyone have anymore info on the planned samsung freesat pvr's ?
I am about to buy a Humax and really like Samsing products, I would rarther wait a couple of months if its due soon
Suggest you try Samsungs website for any new info
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Old 05-01-2011, 13:51
grom_boy
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I have...cannot find anything...
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Old 05-01-2011, 14:02
REPASSAC
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I have...cannot find anything...
There is some info on the freesat.co.uk site but it does not say much - other than it will have a jazzy HD guide. It's a interesting time to try and launch another HD PVR box with YouView due to launch later this year. Perhaps they have plenty of tuners and parts left over from the expensive DVD pvr's.
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Old 05-01-2011, 18:51
zpat
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OK, time to hang on for another six months then!

What is YouView?
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Old 05-01-2011, 18:54
GaseousClay
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Old 06-01-2011, 10:48
nwhitfield
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I would imagine that Panasonic and Samsung will both have products for Freesat in their european product launches which come early this year (Panasonic's is next month, not sure of the date for Samsung).

I don't particularly see any reason why Humax would wait for YouView before releasing a Freesat PVR either, given that their intention is to have both YouView products and others that use their own video portal. If they think there's mileage in a new Freesat product, they'll roll one out.
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Old 06-01-2011, 12:38
finbaar
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Got to say that while I am happy with my hummy, especialy now we can get ITV player as well I would be up for replacing it with a new Freesat PVR with built in YouView. I just bought a bigger telly and considered paying a premium for one (Samsung or Sony) that would bring internet telly. I decided against this as I could get the same content via a new blu ray player if needed but YouView has the potential to be even better. I will watch with interest.
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Old 06-01-2011, 12:48
swedish cook
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Got to say that while I am happy with my hummy, especialy now we can get ITV player as well I would be up for replacing it with a new Freesat PVR with built in YouView. I just bought a bigger telly and considered paying a premium for one (Samsung or Sony) that would bring internet telly. I decided against this as I could get the same content via a new blu ray player if needed but YouView has the potential to be even better. I will watch with interest.
For me, given I have excellent Freeview reception, the Youview Freesat flavour is looking less favourable, we are told the Freeview version will come first and odds are it will be cheaper. Appreciate that there are those (like my parents) where freeview reception is pants and they have no choice, but for me Freesat not stacking up looking at next few years :
- Missing Sky 3 and Dave
- HD choice on Freesat has not come to pass
- "Advanced Network Functionality" that was suggested for Freesat never appeared and is now appearing as Youview on both platforms
- Humax have hamstrung the Freesat product so that it cannot sensibly receive non-Freesat satellite channels and even worse if you enable the motorised dish function it disables one of the two tuners

Bonus of Freesat for our family is extra kids programs but the online content availability should more than make up for that, most of their favourite cartoons are on YouTube already.

I don't think I'm alone here - I foresee a retirement home at my parents place for the HDR.
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Old 06-01-2011, 12:56
nwhitfield
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What 'advanced network functionality' do you think was suggested for Freesat? I don't recall anything beyond stuff like iPlayer being mentioned by Freesat themselves
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