I've just reset my Humax HDR and have decided not to retune in non-freesat mode as I hardly use it.

Most non encrypted channels I like are on Freesat so there are only a few that are on the Non-freesat mode, and seeing as you can't do a timer for non freesat channels it isn't much use half the time.

What non freesat channels do you watch regularly?

I tried it once when I first got one which must be well over a year ago.

Since then, never.

Automan.

Never

I doubt most users even know it's there - much like the 'add channels' on Sky boxes, although that is at least more visible (if even more difficult to use).

On my Humax Foxsat (non-PVR) I use non-Freesat more than Freesat mode.
Not only can channels be arranged in the order I want them, but I'm also able to tune channels of interest to me that aren't available in Freesat mode.
I have the channels set up as follows:-
All the HD channels (including STV HD and Luxury Life), then all the news channels (including Sky News), then various ITV regions, then all the music channels (including DanceNationTV and WTF), then the Travel Channels.
On my Sagem DTR 94 (PVR) I hardly ever use non-Freesat mode. It just won't tune some channels (as with Harvard boxes)

Chris.

That (use on non PVR) is a very good point.

Before I had a PVR my modis operandi was to pick what I wanted to watch from Digiguide and then use the channel numbers to select it. I never used the guide.

Had I been able to order the channel list I could have used that to select. The lack of any EPG would have been irrelevant.

To record the odd BBC-HD or ITV1-HD programme without encryption usually to get small samples to play with. (eg frame capture)

Haven't dared try it yet because I am not sure if I'll loose all my Freesat recording schedule.
Is this the case?

I had a look at the non-freesat mode when I first got my Humax but as there is nothing I watch on there that I cannot get in freesat mode (basically the BBC & Channel 4 families) I have never been back for a second look.

If you have the latest firmware V 1.00.13 you don't lose anything. On earlier versions only adding, moving or deleting non-freesat channels affected recording schedules.

Thanks Graham.

The majority of us "Paddys" know all about "the 'add channels' on Sky boxes". It is the only way we can view BBC1 HD, ITV1 HD, BBC3/4, ITV2/3/4... , on Sky.

I am hoping that the current work on the Humax PVR firmware will allow the Irish Saorsat stations be added to the EPG. If this pans out it'll finally be good riddance to Sky.
If it doesn't, I'll be programming my Harmony to use other channels on the Hummy for the Irish stations.

From all reports, Saorsat will be using a different satellite cluster to Sky/Freesat.

It won't be ku band either

The service is planned to be on ka-band from 9E. LNB for ka-band should be compatible in IF etc. to universal ku-band LNB. The idea being discussed on Irish forums is that the non-Freesat diseq mode on the Humax could be used to switch between Astra/Eurobird and Ka-sat LNBs and thus be used for viewing and recording Irish FTA (Saorsat) and Freesat channels on one box. I'm not convinced that this will be a workable solution, though, due to the restricted recording facilities available in non-Freesat mode.

However...

Now that we have a channel editor, all we need is a means of inserting the Saorsat signals, at IF level, into the signal stream. If we had this we might have a winner as there is a fair chance that the middleware will be compatible - hence allowing the Irish channels be shown on the Freesat EPG.

My thinking is to use a Quattro LNB feeding a multiswitch. The Saorsat signal would be inserted into the appropriate quattro output, using a simple diplexer, before being fed into the multiswitch. This means that the Diseq functionality on the Humax would not be required.

I know, maybe a little overkill, however, I'm about to start a little house remodelling exercise. (Have to keep myself busy, all this talk of the IMF is getting me down. ) If anyone knows why this won't work, please let me know.