The Humax 9200T picks up immediately where you left off when you start watching again days later.

OK, I've updated the comparison pages again, the main changes I've made are shown below:

- Added the following entries to table:
- "Can view other channels in now/next info"
- "Program Genre Support"
- "Timer recording starting does not switch TV to PVR input"

- Split out & clarified Bookmarks/scenes entry

- Updated Good points/serious issues/minor issues for all models

Can anyone help me fill in blanks for the new entries?

Also, does anyone have any links to screenshots of the user interface for all the PVR's listed to give people an idea of how easy it is to use?
(I remember seeing screen shots for some models but haven't had a chance to look for them yet).


As always, let me know if anything's incorrect or missing.

Got it! So If I watch half of recording A on Monday I can watch the other half on Tuesday just by pressing play. But if I watch half of recording A on Monday and then watch recording B on Tuesday presumably I have to have set a manual bookmark if I then want to watch the rest of recording A on Wednesday.

I *think* someone said that the Humax 9200 remembers the last played position independently for all recordings. So in your scenario it'd hold the place for both A and B.

But for definitie Fusions do not - so you DO have to manually set a bookmark ("scene" in fact!) to remember where you got to for those machines. This is slightly complicated by the fact that Fusion boxes auto-generate a bookmark/scene at every 5 minute interval anyway but it's generally easy to spot the point you go to in 05:00, 10:00, 15:00, 18:35, 20:00, 25:00... - that 18:35 is the only one that's not an exact multiple of 05:00 - so that's the manually created one.

Cliff

The Thomsom resumes playback from where you left off providing that you have software 1.7.7 and remember to press the Play button and not the OK button. OK starts from the beginning, play starts from where you left off or the beginning if you've never watched that programme before. It remembers the resume position for all recordings on the list not just for the last one played.

Oh, and it forgets the resume position if the machine is physically powered off.

Hi, I used the PVR comparison table during my pre-purchase head scratching and it helped a lot, so thanks. Now I have bought my Humax 9200T, here are some missing bits of info.

Protect/lock recordings Y
Record radio Y
Program genre support Y
TUTV Compatible Y (smart card slot)
MHEG Y
Remote controls other devices N

Is that right - I thought it was a CAM slot so you need to plug in BOTH a CAM and a smart card ?!?

Cliff

emsee, thanks for the update - you do work hard on this, it's appreciated.
I followed up a couple of the question marks regarding manual bookmarks on the other threads and got the following:

Thompson: "Page 16 of the manual says that, yes, like the Fusion you can press OK while watching a recording to add a scene/bookmark to it." (http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/...81#post6117581)

Panasonic: “Yes it does, you can set them in the edit screen, or you can set them when playing back a recording. They are not referred to as Bookmarks though, but as chapters. You can set a maximum of 10 chapters per recording.” (http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/...15#post6117515)

9200T Has two different features

You can protect a recording so as not deleted unless password entered

You can also lock a recording so can only be watched if password entered (eg if Adult program the Kids shouldn't be watching)

The Humax will also allow you to lock channels so only watched if password entered,


John

No. It's perfect... I'm pretty sure that it remembers every recordings last viewed point, even after a power off. Or does someone know differently...

I agree it says CAM slot in the manual , but mine definately has a card slot. The box the unit comes in is plastered with "TopUp TV ready" logos.

I think you'll find that is a CAM slot (that is a CI), not a card slot. Or else you've been very lucky and someone's left a CAM fitted in your machine!

Cliff

Many thanks for that Mwabvi!

I've now updated the table.

OK, humble pie time, it's a CAM slot and I am wrong.

I'm getting very disheartened - the more I read these forums the more I get the impression that all these PVRs are totally unreliable. Maybe I'd be better sticking with my trusty VCR.

Can't speak for other models but the Fusion 100 is EXTREMELY reliable. It transforms the way you watch telly and it'll do a thousand things that a VCR would never think of. Once you have a PVR you'll probably never switch the VCR on again (I haven't in months and months). Don't be put off by "scare stories" here - remember people only post to forums when things are going wrong - not when they're going right.

(with the notable exception of this post! )

Cliff

I'm also thinking the same. I was originally looking to get a Hard Disk/DVD Recorder which are now available for a similar price to a PVR, but I was persuaded by the enthusiasm of users of PVR's. Statements like "It has completely changed the way I watch TV" and "I can't imagine life without it" were comment sentiments in newsgroups and forums's discusssing the topic. I must admit I had been converted to the cause and have been searching for the right unit for many months. I had great hopes for the Humax 9200T based upon the reputation of it's single tuner predecessor, the 8000T, but so far those hopes have not been realised. I'm now re-considering the HD/DVD Recorder option.

Colin

Colin,

But the HDD/DVD thing will (until manufacturers get their act together) always suffer from the single tuner limitation.

It's not just the pause/rewind thing that makes PVRs "special" it's also the two (and sometimes three) things at once thing as well.

I suppose if you go the HDD/DVD route then you could get a couple of Freeview DTAs (if it only has analogue built in) or just one extra Freeview DTA so that you can always tune to some other FV channel while the HDD/DVD are doing their record thing using another FV tuner.

Anyway, like I say, the Fusions may not be "1st league" in the feature stakes but they are dependable workhorses so probably worth a look thouhg the 200 could do with getting a fix for the same widescreen problem now fixed in 100/150 by 1.7.5

Cliff

Yes, on reflection I'm sure you are right. The functionality of a PVR is what I need. I rarely need to archive programmes long term so on the rare occasions I need to do that or produce transportable recordings the VCR or a basic DVD Recorder would suffice. It's bit extreme and expensive but one could consider using two PVR's (say one 4TV based and the other DVB EPG based) to record important programmes (i.e. the wifes soaps ). This level of redundancy should provide adequate reliability. Maybe that is not as rediculous as it sounds. Fusion 100 + Humax 8000T for just over £200 or even 2 x Humax 8000T for a bit less? Do you get the impression I'm getting desperate?

Colin

Colin,

Desperate? No. Demanding? Yes.

Not a criticism, but you do have higher expectations than me. You've said before that you've never had a failure using VCRs. Given your demanding recording schedule, you must be far more organised in making sure you have adequate tapage available and ensuring the correct time/channel is programed in, than I could ever hope to be. In my slightly lackadaisical world my PVR matches my lifestyle perfectly YMMV.

I'd recommend you give one a try, supplied by an easy return policy retailer, what have you got to lose, apart from less time spent on DS researching?

Snail

Agree. Given that distance selling regulations give you a no quibble return within 7 days it's probably worth ordering one (QED F200 at £140 perhaps) and see how you get on in the first week - if you don't like it just return it.

Cliff

Fair comment. However, when I have made comparisons with a VCR I have (I hope) always inserted the proviso "human error excepted". What you describe are human errors and yes, I make those. However, I can forgive my own errors, although my wife is less forgiving , I'm less tolerant of hardware failures.

I did try a Humax 8000T and despite it's limitations it did convince me of the merits of a PVR. I got it from QED and they very kindly agreed to me returning it a week later even though I don't believe they were obliged to. Argos exclude PVR's from their 16 day no quibble return policy. To prove reliability would probably need several weeks so I'm not sure any retailer would be prepared to allow return after that period of time, would they?

Colin

I think they were:

http://www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topics1/guide/distsell.htm
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2000/20002334.htm

Cliff

I'm not sure the DSR's are as generous to the consumer as you suggest. It comes down to what would be considered taking "reasonable care" of goods supplied. Having had one PVR from QED and there initial reaction when I enquired about returning it 6 days later I would not feel comfortable about repeating the experience. There initial reaction was that they did not accept returns simply on the basis that I was not happy with it. I have to concede they have a point.

Colin

Edit:- Oooooooops . Sorry Cliff. I just spent the last 20 mins re-reading the 2 references you quoted in your #373, so did not see your links before posting my reply. I'm sure I have seen other "official" references on the DSR's which paint a different picture.

Edit 2:- The following is a quote from your (Cliff's) first reference "The purpose of the cooling off period is to allow the consumer the
opportunity he would have had in a conventional shop to examine the goods or to reflect
on the nature of the service before deciding to buy." Actively using a PVR for a week is rather more than you would get in a conventional shop.
Last edited by creddish : 09-11-2005 at 15:33

It's obviously the second link that's the important one and, as you say, iot hinges around the interetation of "reasonable care". Shame it couldn't just have said "unopened" or something to be unequivocal about whether you're allowed to have actually operated the thing before making the decision to return it.

Cliff