|
||||||||
Why I hate the Foxsat — anything better out there? |
![]() |
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|
#1 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,132
|
Why I hate the Foxsat — anything better out there?
The Humax Foxsat is generally regarded as one of the best Freesat PVRs on the market, which is why I bought one a couple of years ago. But personally, I can’t stand it. I haven’t even used it since I bought it, preferring instead to stick to my humble old Topfield+MyStuff Freeview box, which I love to pieces.
I wanted to make this thread to explain exactly what I hate about the Foxsat, and also to ask if anyone can recommend a Freesat PVR that I might like more, based on the complaints I have? Reasons I hate the Humax Foxsat PVR[list][*]Channel order: You can’t re-arrange the order of the channels or delete channels! For me, this is a complete dealbreaker. I need to be able to set up the channels in my own order! There’s no way I want to have to wade through useless channels I never watch in order to get to my favourite channels. Not only that but I have my own preference of channel order and I don’t want someone else dictating the order to me! BBC News must be the first channel on the list, followed by all the BBC channels in the proper order, then the ITV channels, etc. The very thought of having all the channels randomly jumbled around in a random order, with +1 channels not next to their counterparts—that to me is almost nausiating![*]Non-Freesat mode useless: There is a way to re-arrange the channels and to access other free channels not on the official Freesat list, but this requires disabling “Freesat” mode, which means you lose the EPG and ability to record things in advance. Obviously, this is not an option as no one can use a TV that doesn’t have an EPG and can’t record things in advance![*]Unresponsive controls: The controls are really slow! Moving up and down through channels is slow. Jumping one page at a time is slow. Accessing different menus is slow. Rather than having an instant response to your button presses, the whole thing just feels sluggish and unresponsive.[*]Series link only works sometimes: Series link only works with certain programmes. Presumably, the EPG data is flawed and incomplete on certain channels because I’m always having to manually set up a recording for every single episode of some programmes. Sometimes I do a series link and it will automatically record some episodes of a programme, but miss episodes shown on a different channel.[*]Conflicts are allowed to happen: If you set up a recording that conflicts with other recordings, it sometimes warns you that it’s not going to record, but most of the time it doesn’t: it just acts like it will record fine! So you think you’ve set up your favourite TV show to record, but then when you come to watch it, you get a recording of 0 minutes long with the message “Recording has failed due to a conflict with a higher priority recording” (or something like that). Any decent PVR should not allow you to set up a recording that will not record due to conflicts. If there’s a conflict, the PVR should immediately flag this up and warn you and offer you a choice of which of the three you want to discard, or show you a screen with all the recordings around that time so you can see what’s going on.[*]No way to set recording priorites: Also there is no way to control recording priorities. Something I would think absolutely essential for most people, so you never miss your favourite programmes, but you are happy to miss other, less important programmes.[*]Recordings often fail: Recordings often fail for “an unknown reason”.[*]No recording of buffer: Not only does hitting record not automatically record what’s already buffered, but there isn’t even an option to record what’s in the buffer, or to record from the start of the programme. Being able to record what’s already buffered is one of the big selling points of owning PVR. Like being able to record two things at once, recording from the buffer is what sets PVRs apart from VHS![*]Crazy playback timeline: The playback timeline is just insane! For instance, when you pause live TV, what you should see is a timeline across the screen with the playhead on the far right and the line to the left of it representing the recording in the buffer, so you travel go back across that. With the Foxsat, however, what you get is a timeline bar that fills most of the width of the screen, but the vast majority of it is blank, with only a tiny blue strip on the left representing what’s in your buffer. So when you travel back and forth along your buffer, the playhead is only moving across a matter of a few pixels and it’s very hard to see where you are. It’s just baffling! [*]Poor time skip controls: When it comes to the time jump buttons, there are only two and you have little option in terms of how far they let you skip.[*]Hard to delete: Deleting a recording is a very drawn-out affair. Every single recording you make needs to be deleted at some point, so deletion is one of the most essential and central functions a PVR has, but rather than having a dedicated delete button, or an auto-delete option for programmes you’ve watched most of—the Foxsat makes you go through menus to delete things. If I recall correctly, you have to press about 5 button presses just to delete something![*]Bad interface: The interface is really badly designed with regards to function. You can only see seven channels on screen at any time and they’re squashed down the bottom, with lots of useless space at the top. Compare this with the MyStuff EPG which makes good use of space and allows 11 channels on screen at once (this is the best screenshot I could find, which gives the general idea). Considering this PVR is capable of showing HD video, you might have thought it would provide an alternative HD menu showing far more on-screen information.[*]No search function: It has a search function, but this only allows you to see what’s on. There is no feature to automatically search and record all programmes whose titles or descriptions contain certain words or phrases (e.g. if I wanted to record every programme with “got talent” in the title).[*]Badly designed remote: To me, the design of the remote is really important, but the design here has clearly been overlooked. There’s row after row of identically-shaped buttons, making finding the required button a difficult process, especially in the dark. You have to work out where the button you want is, rather than the button having a unique position and shape and therefore finding the button being instinctive. To make things worse, the whole remote looks almost identical upside-down, meaning you often even have to stop and think which way up it should be when you pick it up.[*]Remote has limited range: Remote control has a very limited range. While many remotes can be used pointing in almost any direction, with the Foxsat, you have to aim it dead on at the PVR at just the right angle. Tilt it too high up and you can’t use it.[*]Slow transferring files: Transferring files via the USB port is so excrutiatingly slow, with each hour-long programme taking a good 10 minutes to transfer, and all the PVR controls being locked out during file transfer! This means if you want to copy a bunch of programmes to PC, you’ll have to leave them copying overnight. Oh, and HD programmes normally can’t be copied because their filesize exceeds 2Gb. So there’s no way to keep HD programmes forever.[*]No channel logos: Not essential, but as a graphical person, I really like to see the logos of the channels in the EPG. But, to be honest, most PVRs don’t have this so maybe I’m being picky here?[*]Lack of options: There just aren’t really any options and no way to set the box up exactly to your own personal preferences. For example, how many channels are shown in the EPG at once; how much time the EPG spans and hence how much truncation occurs of programme titles.[*]Bugs: The box has so many bugs (mostly minor ones), yet Humax clearly does not care and haven’t issued a single software update since I bought the box several years ago. It’s shocking.[*]A minor complaint: you can’t pause on any frame; only on keyframes.[*]A minor complaint: absolutely no customisation of the appearance. If you use the Foxsat, you’d better like grey and orange![/list] Overall, I would describe the Humax Foxsat as slow and cumbersome to use, with nasty little remote control buttons and a cold, impersonal on-screen interface that is all about style and not at all about function. Using it is an unpleasant and uninviting experience and I feel disconnected and out of control. And it’s a lottery as to whether anything will actually record or not since it doesn’t always warn you about conflicts. I hope fans of the Humax will bear in mind this is just my personal opinion based on my own preferences and what matters to me. Many people obviously think it’s a great PVR, so it is for them. But for me, the Foxsat is a disgrace of a PVR. I wonder if there is anything more suitable to my preferences on the market, or on its way? |
|
|
|
|
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
|
|
|
#2 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,531
|
Quote:
The Humax Foxsat is generally regarded as one of the best Freesat PVRs on the market, which is why I bought one a couple of years ago. But personally, I can’t stand it. I haven’t even used it since I bought it, preferring instead to stick to my humble old Topfield+MyStuff Freeview box, which I love to pieces.
I wanted to make this thread to explain exactly what I hate about the Foxsat, and also to ask if anyone can recommend a Freesat PVR that I might like more, based on the complaints I have? Reasons I hate the Humax Foxsat PVR[list][*]Channel order: You can’t re-arrange the order of the channels or delete channels! For me, this is a complete dealbreaker. I need to be able to set up the channels in my own order! There’s no way I want to have to wade through useless channels I never watch in order to get to my favourite channels. ? |
|
|
|
|
|
#3 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Perchede, France
Posts: 1,936
|
Well you are wrong on one pont. You can delete channels.
I suspect your problems with conflicts and failed recordings are down to either the Foxsat not being in dual cable mode (detected at first install only) or a poor signal from the freesat transponder. We record a lot using accurate record and where a conflict does occur (recording two and watching a third) the conflict resolution ifs fine - jumps to one of the programmes being recorded. failed recordings are very very rare on my Foxsat. I would take a look at the new Humax HDR-1000S due out in a few weeks - from what I have read it looks a very nice piece of kit. |
|
|
|
|
|
#4 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,531
|
Quote:
[*]Poor time skip controls: When it comes to the time jump buttons, there are only two and you have little option in terms of how far they let you skip.[*][b]?
|
|
|
|
|
|
#5 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Redditch Worcs
Posts: 17,287
|
Install the custom firmware, it transforms the box.
Among many other things it means you can view non-freesat channels in Freesat mode and set manual timers. As for something better how about the Humax HDR-1000s ? |
|
|
|
|
|
#6 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Derbyshire
Posts: 41,774
|
Quote:
Install the custom firmware, it transforms the box.
Among many other things it means you can view non-freesat channels in Freesat mode and set manual timers. As for something better how about the Humax HDR-1000s ? But as of now, Humax are probably still the best Freesat boxes?. |
|
|
|
|
|
#7 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,531
|
Quote:
EXTREMELY slow release of software updates.
But as of now, Humax are probably still the best Freesat boxes?.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#8 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Perchede, France
Posts: 1,936
|
Quote:
Is it going to be 'better'? - Humax have historically produced decent gear, reasonable reliability - but they are generally difficult to use, have poor interfaces, and abysmally badly designed cheap remote controls. Other common problems would be slow operation and EXTREMELY slow release of software updates.
But as of now, Humax are probably still the best Freesat boxes?. "Had a play with the 1TB white version today at IBC trade show (apparently only one made), and was mighty impressive , aesthetics may not appeal to all, myself included, but gui, speed and functionality was great . Gui was slick, and responsive, and very eye candy ."
|
|
|
|
|
|
#9 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,132
|
Thanks for all the comments and recommendations. I will take a look at (or keep my eye out for) the suggestions! ![]() Quote:
Well you are wrong on one pont. You can delete channels.
I don’t know how so many people tolerate Sky—they force you to have a really crazy jumbled up channel order with loads of advert channels mixed in! And people pay for this! Quote:
Wrong again,You can adjust the skip funtions to quite a few different time setting's
Quote:
Install the custom firmware, it transforms the box.
Among many other things it means you can view non-freesat channels in Freesat mode and set manual timers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#10 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,531
|
Quote:
.[*]Bugs: The box has so many bugs (mostly minor ones), yet Humax clearly does not care and haven’t issued a single software update since I bought the box several years ago. It’s shocking.
? Sorry wrong again, the HUMAX HDR, there have been updates for bugs and improvments ever since it came out, it is another thing I have liked about the HUMAX HDR Sorry if I seem to keep picking faults with your comments but there have been bug fixes and updates and improvments |
|
|
|
|
|
#11 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Redditch Worcs
Posts: 17,287
|
The standard skip button settings are perfect for ad skipping (+2 min - 5 sec). Most ITV ads are 4 minutes long (2 pushes), if overshoot add one back.
You can jump instantly to any point in a recording by simply punching in the timecode. eg 0025 goes straight to 25 minutes. |
|
|
|
|
|
#12 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,531
|
Quote:
You can jump instantly to any point in a recording by simply punching in the timecode.
eg 0025 goes straight to 25 minutes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#13 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Waterford Ireland
Posts: 8,843
|
Quote:
Unresponsive controls: The controls are really slow! Moving up and down through channels is slow. Jumping one page at a time is slow. Accessing different menus is slow. Rather than having an instant response to your button presses, the whole thing just feels sluggish and unresponsive.
I've read of people getting angry with the remote and response times and it all being down to the thin strip of plastic which sits over the infra red receiver.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#14 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,132
|
Quote:
Sorry wrong again, the HUMAX HDR, there have been updates for bugs and improvments ever since it came out, it is another thing I have liked about the HUMAX HDR Sorry if I seem to keep picking faults with your comments but there have been bug fixes and updates and improvments
|
|
|
|
|
|
#15 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Posts: 2,618
|
Quote:
Hmmm. Then how come it says “last software update: November 2009” (or something like that) and every time I automatically check for new software updates it says “no new updates found”. I’ve been getting that message for about 2 years since I bought it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#16 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,396
|
Quote:
Hmmm. Then how come it says “last software update: November 2009” (or something like that) and every time I automatically check for new software updates it says “no new updates found”. I’ve been getting that message for about 2 years since I bought it.
If you do actually have two feeds connected (to the outer two tuner connections on the back) I'd note down a copy of the schedule, perform a factory reset (Menu -> Setup > Factory Reset), verify that two cables are detected as you go through initial setup, then re-check for firmware updates. Alternatively you could download and install via USB from here: http://beta.humaxonline.co.uk/downloads/foxsat-hdr. But you'd still want to reset it to ensure both cables have been detected. Edit: in light of the advice below about signal on Freesat home transponder, just be aware that if you do have a bad signal on that you may not be able to re-tune the box in after reset until the signal issue is corrected. |
|
|
|
|
|
#17 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Redditch Worcs
Posts: 17,287
|
Quote:
Hmmm. Then how come it says “last software update: November 2009” (or something like that) and every time I automatically check for new software updates it says “no new updates found”. I’ve been getting that message for about 2 years since I bought it.
Some questions Do you leave your box in sby overnight ? Have you one or two cables connected ? What's the version number of your loader and Software ? Whats your system ID ? |
|
|
|
|
|
#18 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Perchede, France
Posts: 1,936
|
Quote:
Hmmm. Then how come it says “last software update: November 2009” (or something like that) and every time I automatically check for new software updates it says “no new updates found”. I’ve been getting that message for about 2 years since I bought it.
GT see we have the same thoughts. Beaten to it. |
|
|
|
|
|
#19 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Redditch Worcs
Posts: 17,287
|
Quote:
IIRC there was a problem at one point with updating the box if it only had a single satellite feed. .
|
|
|
|
|
|
#20 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Cambridge, Sandy Heath Transmi
Posts: 1,317
|
5 Button presses to delete a recording?
Not on my Foxsat, finish watching programme, press OK select Delete, Press OK press EXIT. Okay, that's still 4 but it becomes second nature and takes about 1 second, hardly a marathon. |
|
|
|
|
|
#21 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Redditch Worcs
Posts: 17,287
|
Quote:
5 Button presses to delete a recording?
Not on my Foxsat, finish watching programme, press OK select Delete, Press OK press EXIT. Okay, that's still 4 but it becomes second nature and takes about 1 second, hardly a marathon. |
|
|
|
|
|
#22 |
|
Inactive Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 196
|
Quote:
The Humax Foxsat is generally regarded as one of the best Freesat PVRs on the market,
In reality, no it isnt. It's ancient. |
|
|
|
|
|
#23 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,531
|
Quote:
In reality, no it isnt. It's ancient.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#24 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Brackley, UK
Posts: 16,649
|
Quote:
[*]Unresponsive controls:
Quote:
[*]Series link only works sometimes:
Depends what you mean by that. There are some channels that don't often (if ever) use it - CBS channels appear not to - but that's the broadcaster's fault not the boxes. Most channels do use it and it seems very reliable. I'd be happy putting problems with SL down to the broadcasters not the box.Quote:
[*]Conflicts are allowed to happen: If you set up a recording that conflicts with other recordings, it sometimes warns you that it’s not going to record, but most of the time it doesn’t:
Not my experience at all! It always warns me and usually offers an alternate time. Absolutely wonderful functionality - I wish my Sky HD box could do that.Quote:
[*]No way to set recording priorites: Also there is no way to control recording priorities. Something I would think absolutely essential for most people, so you never miss your favourite programmes, but you are happy to miss other, less important programmes.
I've never seen that on any PVR. I suppose it's not a bad idea but I prefer the way the Humax (at least for me) simply avoids clashes in the first place.Quote:
[*]Recordings often fail: Recordings often fail for “an unknown reason”.
Okay now I'm beginning to suspect you have a failed unit. I used to be very critical of Humax back when I had one of their Freeview boxes but the HDR has been exemplary in the two or more years I've owned it. It doesn't get as much use as the Sky box but I've never had problem since I turned off Accurate Record. I did that because some channels (ITV and C5) didn't send the signal correctly. That didn't result in a damaged recording though - just no recording at all.Quote:
[*]Crazy playback timeline:
I think you've got a defective unit.Quote:
[*]Hard to delete: Deleting a recording is a very drawn-out affair.
What? Highlight the programme you want and press the yellow button. Click 'ok' to confirm and you're done. It's a bit annoying that you can only delete one thing at once that way but you can always go into the File Manager view and mark several programmes to delete. Personally I delete after viewing and that's easy. Bring up the guide, the current recording will be highlighted. Yellow. Ok. Done. You don't even have to wait for it to finish before powering off. You can tell it to power off and it'll do so when it's done deleting.Quote:
[*]Bad interface: The interface is really badly designed with regards to function. You can only see seven channels on screen at any time and they’re squashed down the bottom, with lots of useless space at the top. Compare this with the MyStuff EPG which makes good use of space and allows 11 channels on screen at once
I agree with that. Sky recently changed their EPG and a lot of us were annoyed that we lost the extended view.Quote:
[*]Badly designed remote:
True. Definitely. Then again I use a Harmony One so don't really give a damn. All my other remotes are in a drawer ![]() Quote:
[*]Remote has limited range: Remote control has a very limited range.
I think actually it's the box that has poor sensitivity. Seems to be a common problem with Humax. My Harmony One can operate my Sky box while being pointed in the opposite direction but it sits on top of the Humax and the Humax needs me to point right at it.Quote:
[*]Lack of options:
PVRs are not computers. Most people don't want all that crap. They just want to use the box to select a programme or a recording to view.Things I Dislike[LIST][*]Jumping back seems dodgy. Something I can't figure out. If I jump forward one step too far I have to jump back two steps to correct it.[*]Sometimes if I bring the guide up while watching a recording I can't create new recordings. I just get a dialog saying 'Wait for programme information'. I've learnt that the solution is to stop play back and bring the guide up that way instead but it's annoying.[/LIST] My conclusionsThe Humax is a very competent and capable PVR. It has a few quirks but then I've known many PVRs and they all have quirks. At least in my experience the Humax is reliable. |
|
|
|
|
|
#25 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Buckingham
Posts: 28,534
|
Quote:
Not seen that myself.
Quote:
Not my experience at all! It always warns me and usually offers an alternate time.
If anything it actually stops you setting a recording because it sees a clash where there is no clash. Admittedly this is with some weekly repeat timers I have set up for the MotoGP Red Button coverage apparently clashing against F1 timers even though the start date is a week hence.Quote:
I've never seen that on any PVR.
The Topfield running MyStuff lets you prioritise timers as well as offering automatic and manual clash resolution. The gold standard for PVRs in my experience. Just a shame it is now such an old SD only box so gets less use here now. An HD version would have been a killer machine.
|
|
|
|
![]() |
|
All times are GMT. The time now is 07:41.


