Just been away for 10 days, and when I came back the recordings I had set stopped on the last day that was visible in the EPG on the day I set them (i.e. no recordings after the first 8 days).

Is this correct? I can't understand why a series record should stop recording after the 8 days viewable from the date set. Does this suggest that the EPG isn't re-loading/updating when the Hummy switches on for recordings? And you can't avoid it happening seemingly.

Seems a bit of a shame. It suggests that if you go away for a fortnight, there's nothing you can do to catch recordings in week 2. Or am I missing something?!

Sounds like you are using auto padding. Because the box only wakes up to record any programmes at the adjusted epg times the box never gets a chance to refresh the epg. Without auto padding the box wakes up 15 mins before a programme is due to record to watch for the broadcaster signalling the start of the actual broadcast. The solution is simple, set a daily wake up timer at say 06:00 and a shut down at 06:15. This will refresh the epg.

Many thanks Graham! I wish I'd known that bit of wisdom earlier. Still, it'll help in all such future situations....I'm much obliged.

You are welcome.

If you record mostly the major channels then Accurate Recording works very well. For the few recordings I make say from Channel 5 I set a manual recording with an appropriate repeat pattern. Helpfully the Custom Firmware available for the box allows you to mix AR and Autopadded reservations within the same schedule.

I must say I haven't ventured into the custom firmware - it looks a bit daunting, and I'm not sure how much I'd benefit from the extra features (although one or two look useful, I must admit).

I also don't bother connecting the box to the internet, and I thought I'd read that the firmware can't be added to the box purely by dowload to PC then via USB connection any more. Is that right?

Which is your transmitter?

I got the impression that you mainly use satellite. My freeview Channel 5 recordings record fine, unlike the olden days when Channel 5 did not support Accurate Recording on DTT.

No.
See http://wiki.hummy.tv/wiki/Install_Modified_Firmware

As stated above, the initial Custom Firmware package and all add-on packages can be installed via a USB stick, although some diagnostic utilities require Telnet (connection via LAN) access, the vast majority don't

Sutton Coldfield. The problem is that the two lunchtime soaps Home and Away and Neighbours use the same series CRID as the later showings on 5* on the same day of the next episode. As a result if you set a series recording on the lunchtime, it works once and then reverts to the 5* advance showings. You may have other content set to record then. The picture quality of CH5 is markedly superior on Freeview (too many channels on one transponder on satellite).