although page 40/41 claims to show how to set manual schedule recording time , on my box { version 121 R } the instructions don't work either trying to edit or create a new timer schedule.

there is something missing from that page so has anyone been able to set a manual schedule . ?

so how did you manage it ?

apart from that the machine is working correctly so its not a faulty machine.

Hi Wbc Worker, i reckon the last Software Update-121R has removed the option to set "manual recordings". Just a hunch on my part, my user manual has same instructions you mention. To be honest, i always set my recordings to start 2 mins before and finish 3 mins after using the Library/Recording options menu and never had any problems. The Echostar has had a number of Software updates since it was launched last year perhaps making parts of the User Manual outdated? You could e-mail them, they are pretty good at responding to customers. Cheers

cheers

The point is that a block can be recorded - look at tonight on CBS Action there is five episodes of Mission: Impossible back to back so if I wanted to record them I would just set the start time as 20.50 and end time at 02.10 and that way there is no problem - I would then copy them over to my DVD/HD Recorder where I can remove the adverts and divide them up back into episodes.

The Software 121R release notes does not mention anything about a feature being removed and it would be strange if they did remove it as after all it was designed to have that feature.

setting a individual buffer is more hit and miss where the actual recordings overlap hence why it makes more sense just to do it for a whole block.

I have already contacted Customer service before posting but as I cant be the only one who prefers to be able to set a manual schedule someone must have tried it before.

Just to confirm - your hunch was correct as EchoStar has replied

here it is

---------

Thank you for sending your query concerning your EchoStar SlingLoaded(r) HDS-600RS.

The function "editing a recording schedule" has been removed from the function list, this has also been altered in the latest on-line User guide. Please feel free to
download the latest version of the manual from our website

However we have an alternative programming method to avoid any loss of program on the begin or end of a recording:

Please go to Menu / Settings / TV, Audio & Library Setup / Library Setup / Recording Setup and set "Recording Start" to be "Timed" rather than "Auto".
You can then set the "Default Late Time" to a value of your choice - say 2 minutes or 3 minutes (the default is 5 minutes).
(Similarly you can adjust the "Default Early Time" if you wish - the default is 2 minutes, but perhaps Zero minutes might be more useful.)

New software versions will be communicated via our website: www.myechostar.com/support , so we would ask that you look here for future updates.

We hope above information will be of service to you.

Very best regards,

---------

so one has to wonder what other features they will remove just to make it more user friendly { or whatever the reason why they removed it } even although only advance users would be interested in that feature in the first place.

It would have been dead simple to allow the Customer decide for themselves rather than doing it by the back door.

Humax PVR's do have a manual function so I cant work out why EchoStar removed it.

Glad you got a reply, thought you would. I'm not sure but i think that there were problems with the manual record function when the product was launched, reading old postings on forums some users were losing or missing recordings. Personally, i recorded 2 back two back episodes of The Bridge on bbc4 on sat night with nothing missed. Can understand your frustration though if you like to manually record progs, who knows the option to manually record may come back with another software update? Echostar definitely seem to listen to customers, i.e.with the addition of Diseqc, tv series folders, daily schedule etc all being added via previous software updates . All the best

but of course their e-mail did not mention a software bug so there is no guarantee it will ever come back.Its like having Fog lamps on you car that are wired up wrong - there is two options - trace the fault though or completely remove them so they don't cause a problem any longer.

manual recordings has to be the most basic function so its a weird function to remove.

While the addition of DiSEqC may be able to be used by some as they appear to have removed adding non freesat channels anyone who updates to 121R may end up being stuffed. { I don't have DiSEqC system so cannot check if this opens up non freesat channels all I know is I have not been able to add any non freesat channels }

I only recently bought the HDS-600RS so I have no idea of its history but I assume that you were offered the update and you turned it down - so how did you know it would be wise to turn it down ?

within the settings area there is no method to stop them from coming down.

Time will tell if they sort out their recording bug but I would rather they did that than bothering about a option to dim the front lights.

You can add non-freesat channels, go into menu/settings/tuning/manual scan- you need to add individual frequencies, polarization etc one by one (bit of a pain), all the frequencies/transponders can be found here- www.en.kingofsat.net/pos-28.2E.php Having no option to simply scan blindly for non freesat channels is the only thing about the Echostar that annoys me, the Humax performed this easier. Sorry but you may have picked me up wrong, i've not turned down any software updates for the HDS-600RS, just that setting recordings 2mins before start and 3mins after the end works for me, even with back to back episodes of a programme its fine. I believe this to be a good PVR (and just as importantly "her indoors" loves its ease of use)

I know how to do it but its like the manual schedule as it appears that function has been removed or disabled as it goes so far and then it stops.

Its very annoying because I cant store any frequency and when I look at ' viewing mode ' when I try to switch to ' non freesat ' it will not allow me because it claims ' no non freesat services are stored - these may be added using a manual scan ' - so its a right catch 22 as I have followed all the instructions but I am just going around in circles.

It may be that if you had previously stored non freesat channels it may still work but right out the box with version 121R that feature now no longer works .

I bet if you delete all your non freesat channels you will not be able to add a new one.

Yes I know its a good machine but its annoying that features that are supposed to be there have been removed or disabled { cant explain why all I know is they are no longer available }

Hi Wbc worker, i added some nonfreesat channels just yesterday, and i have the latest 121R software update installed. What i would say is that the Humax HDR has better/more sensitive tuners for getting into non-freesat channels, however as an "out of the box" straight forward Freesat+HD pvr, the 600HDS is great. I would get back onto Echostar and explain your issues to them, maybe you have a dud box? Check out a review on Amaz** by a guy called- The Fat Monk, its in depth and has a few photos/tips aswell.

that may be true but I bet you had stored none freesat channels before the latest update

I am a Computer lecturer so I understand how electronics and software works and I don't think its a duff box its all down to the fact that I did not have any already stored and the software will not allow any new ones to be stored.

I will ask Echostar for clarification but I bet they will come back ' that feature is no longer available at this time '

Be it a planned change I cant comment all I know is there is features that were claimed to be there that are not there when you buy a brand new box.

Its nothing to lose any sleep over.

Manual recording schedules really come into their own when the show you are recording doesn't appear to have a working series link.....

I was wanting to record a series from the epg but it didn't appear to have the series link info attached to it. This would be the ideal time to be able to manually schedule a recurring recording at 7.30pm each weekday for example.

My only hope is that we can get the manual scheduling feature back at some point or all broadcasters get the series link info sorted as soon as possible.

Otherwise, a very good Freesat+ machine

well I would advise that you make a complaint to support@myechostar.com

as the latest e-mail just states ' By improving our software we sometimes need to re-evaluate previous behaviour and in worse case need to 'sacrifice' some functionality ' so they are not going to bring it back unless they get lots of Customers all on their case.

In no e-mail did they ever say that this would be reinstated at a later date so it will be lost for ever unless Customers unite.

if you cannot do manual recordings, how to you record non-Freesat channels?

be nice if we could do it, i record this morning on itv hd, it only records the 1st bit 1030-1125 and not the second part 1130-1230 , sent them an email,just now.

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/6...isssssssss.jpg

if it causes such problems, why is it viewed as such a good box?

Failure to record a split event could have been down to the way ITV set up the crid codes. I will have a look at tommorows.

EDIT

The two halves are coded as seperate series. To record both you have to add a seperate series reservation for each.

Only yesterday i recorded a non-freesat programme whilst viewing Freesat no problem. Works vice versa too.

The poster was asking how you manage to set a timer to record a non-freesat channel with only now and next epg or a freesat channel having problems with the epg for that matter, if you don't have a manual timer capability how is this possible ?

Manually starting a recotding hardly counts.

Some channels in non freesat STV HD or UTV for example have full EPG, i recorded a programme i was interested in from the Community channel that i stumbled upon using now/next epg info. Personally i have never used a "manual record" function on any PVR, its very unusual for a series/serial of programmes not to have a "series link".

That's because the two channels are about to be available on the Freesat epg dependant on your postcode. There's no epg on channels that aren't on the Freesat epg other than now and next so without a manual recording capability you simply can't record them. Add broadcasters like Channel 5 who haven't a clue about how the series accurate recording crid codes are supposed to work Any freesat box is seriously comprimised without manual timers.

Say you are going on holiday and you know a new series you want to record is due to start in 9 days time, how would you record it ?

How would you record channels from other satellites like the Grand Prix coverage from 19.2E.

The only way I can record the lunchtime recordings of Neighbours and Home and Away is a weekday manual repeat recording.

yes, great examples there GT.

How do onwers of the EchoStar do that? (either the GP examples, the Neighbours one or the holiday one).

Many thanks!