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Foxsat HDR - what mods can be made to the software?
qslikely
11-03-2011
Given that we know it's possible to amend the hdr's software to make it communicate with other network devices, and that this seems to be permissible - are there other mods that would also be possible, at least in theory?

Just as an example, would it be possible to allow the box to ignore the 'data' label on the bbc red button streams, so that they could be set up as non-freesat channels, and recorded?

Interesting to know what, if any, other parts of the box are 'customisable' in this way - or is it simply the networking aspect that is 'open'?
qslikely
12-03-2011
Blimey - I didn't realise it was that boring / offensive / dumb. I just thought that some of those here with more tech knowledge might have an opinion. Even if it was "Are you completely off your trolley . . .?"
richard_g_uk
12-03-2011
Originally Posted by qslikely:
“Given that we know it's possible to amend the hdr's software to make it communicate with other network devices, and that this seems to be permissible - are there other mods that would also be possible, at least in theory?

Just as an example, would it be possible to allow the box to ignore the 'data' label on the bbc red button streams, so that they could be set up as non-freesat channels, and recorded?

Interesting to know what, if any, other parts of the box are 'customisable' in this way - or is it simply the networking aspect that is 'open'?”

I believe there is another modded firmware available with a channel editor that allows the channel list to be edited including the addition of non-freesat channels. I assume this would allow you to add the bbc red button streams and switch off the data flag so that the HDR would see them as a normal channel.

I haven't tried it (I'm perfectly happy with Raydon's mod at the moment) as I beleive there were some issues with it regarding failed recordings. I'm sure another thread on this forum has a link to this alternative mod.
swedish cook
12-03-2011
Originally Posted by qslikely:
“Blimey - I didn't realise it was that boring / offensive / dumb. I just thought that some of those here with more tech knowledge might have an opinion. Even if it was "Are you completely off your trolley . . .?"”

We're adding extra software, but (to my knowledge), there have been no amendments to the Humax application - its an execuatble called "settop".

So far extras have been :
- Twonky (video streaming)
- telnet & ssh (command line access)
- mongoose (http server)
- ftp
- channel editor (allows you to resequence and put non-freesat channels e.g. Sky News on your channel list, has a few issues)

I'm also currently testing a housekeeping application that deletes old recordings according to settings made per folder.
richard_g_uk
13-03-2011
Just like the busses you wait a while and two turn up at once

Swedish Cook - is the channel editor still causing failed recordings and other odd behaviour?
swedish cook
13-03-2011
Originally Posted by richard_g_uk:
“Just like the busses you wait a while and two turn up at once

Swedish Cook - is the channel editor still causing failed recordings and other odd behaviour?”

I understand failed recordings are not a problem if you set your recording config right but main issue is the updated channel list getting trashed regularly by the HDR.

I'd like to be able to add Sky News to my freesat channels but doesn't sound worth it yet.
woolfynorm
13-03-2011
Originally Posted by swedish cook:
“I understand failed recordings are not a problem if you set your recording config right but main issue is the updated channel list getting trashed regularly by the HDR.

I'd like to be able to add Sky News to my freesat channels but doesn't sound worth it yet.”

Any sign of the FTP and channel editor mods working together??

Woolfynorm
Jepson
13-03-2011
Presumably if you connect to the box with telnet you might be able to route around and find the recording schedule file (presumably there must always be a completely up to date version on the disk so that the schedule is preserved across power cuts). If one could modify that via an external programme it would be fantastic.
richard_g_uk
13-03-2011
Originally Posted by Jepson:
“Presumably if you connect to the box with telnet you might be able to route around and find the recording schedule file (presumably there must always be a completely up to date version on the disk so that the schedule is preserved across power cuts). If one could modify that via an external programme it would be fantastic.”

That would be good for the F1. After setting the series links for the first qualifying/race/highlights it would be nice to have all these go into a folder simply labelled "Formula 1" without any reference to the Race.
qslikely
13-03-2011
Thanks chaps - much appreciated. The channel editor sounds interesting, but I'm still building up the courage to try the FTP etc mods, so going near something that the experts think is a little iffy is probably Not A Good Idea.

I do think it's great that people with the expertise try these things out, and then share their work so freely here. Especially when Humax seem to be astonishingly tardy with 'mods' that many would regard as fault rectification - e.g. the ridiculously brief time you get to enter channel numbers, the inability to timer-record non-fs channels, etc., etc.

Nevertheless, it's a great bit of kit, v. glad this forum steered me towards the purchase!
REPASSAC
13-03-2011
Originally Posted by Jepson:
“Presumably if you connect to the box with telnet you might be able to route around and find the recording schedule file (presumably there must always be a completely up to date version on the disk so that the schedule is preserved across power cuts). If one could modify that via an external programme it would be fantastic.”

it's reserve.info on hd1.
sd00
19-03-2011
Good to see some development on the HDR box.

I would be very interested in something that allows us to view the guide & schedule recordings via a web page - perhaps even a web service so that APPs for our android/iphones can remote connect & schedule recordings

Is anyone looking into this side of development?

Is it even possible?

I assume if we know where the EPG and schedule are stored its just a case of figuring out the file-format & developing an API to view/edit entries. (likely a lot more to it than that though - en edit probably wouldn't take affect until the power is cycled - but if a reboot could be issued then it could work!)

Happy days!
gomezz
19-03-2011
There is always the Slingbox to let you do that.
mwardy
20-03-2011
Originally Posted by sd00:
“I assume if we know where the EPG and schedule are stored its just a case of figuring out the file-format & developing an API to view/edit entries. (likely a lot more to it than that though - en edit probably wouldn't take affect until the power is cycled - but if a reboot could be issued then it could work!)

Happy days!”

I think that approach is a non-starter since in the case of HD it would involve decoding the EPG data, which is I gather technologically trivial but legally decisive, so it's a no-no.

But there are other sources of EPG data out there. I have no idea if the technological obstacles to somehow pointing the box at them are too great though.

Slingbox eh? Hmmm....looks problematic with HD from a quick look around the net unfortunately.
swedish cook
20-03-2011
Originally Posted by mwardy:
“I think that approach is a non-starter since in the case of HD it would involve decoding the EPG data, which is I gather technologically trivial but legally decisive, so it's a no-no.

...”

Its a no-no for a company to do it, for an individual its unlikely they would care* - there's already a Freesat EPG addon firmware for the non-FReesat Passion+, thats much more of a dodgy mod !

* and even if they did care I think they would have grave trouble prosecuting because :
1. We haven't signed any agreement
2. The encryption is so rubbish it cannot possibly be taken seriously.
gomezz
20-03-2011
The Radio Times seems happy for people to scrape the info from their web site and load it into a PVR as is done by many Topfield 5800 users to get two weeks of info.
Muzer
21-03-2011
Besides, if I remember correctly it's based on a standard compression method.
mwardy
21-03-2011
@swedish cook: OK. Looks like I might be buying one of these boxes down the line, with any luck!
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