The Humax Freeview low signal quality issue does seem to be a reoccuring theme. I have an older 1800T PVR that frequently reports broken recordings due to a lack of signal, and there are indeed on many occasions glitches in the recordings. However, the tuners on the box consistently show a lower signal strength than either my Sony TV or a professional meter report (I had my aerial system checked as a result) so this suggests to me a lack of sensitivity in the on-board tuners, or an intolereance to marginal signal conditions. My Panasonic HD PVR connected to the same aerial system certainly traps the odd glitch (my Freeview reception isn't that brilliant) but overall is far more robust than the Humax box. In fact, I'm thinking aboout taking the Humax box out of service as frankly I'm fed-up with it.

It's odd that Humax seems to have so many issues with its Freeview kit in comparision to its Freesat offerings, which generally seem almost bullet proof, and I speak from experience there, having owned Humax Freesat kit for many years, with just the odd glitch here and there. Perhaps that's because Humax's specialisation is or was satellite kit.

As for the Pansonic UI, yes it doesn't seem to have changed that much over time, but in the scheme of things, I don't think that it matters that much. It seems to work well, and, at the end of the day, do you spend your time watching the UI or the stuff that the box has recorded?

Clem

The meters in past boxes have had no standard calibration of method of evaluation their reading. You can't really compare old models meaningfully.
Having said that I am surprised that the reading for the HDR-1800T is lower. The HDR-1800T is essentially the same model as the HDR-2000T and has used the same software since 1.01.06 in October 2014. There had been comments that the low reading would in itself cause an issue later on. Humax released a software update that appeared to just add about 20% to the previous reading.
Owners who had no issues before apart from the meter reading being low appeared to be satisfied judging from on-line comments.

The situation concerning comparing meters is changing. The Freeveiew standards which apply to any model bought out after March 2016 now specify a common standard for the meters. This should help standardise the quality reading.

We gave up with our FVP-4000. Many recordings were breaking up and other problems. Bit tricky getting a refund from Tesco. They wanted me to ring Humax from the shop and kept asking if I had a returns number. I lost my rag and said customers should not have to contact the manufacturer but I had been in touch with Humax by e-mail and I had printed their reply. AVOID Humax and Tesco.

Anyone else have subtitles come on randomly even tho they're switched off! with the updated software?

I bought the Humax as soon as it was released and was never very impressed with how slow it was. I thought I would stick with it until a software update appeared and see if it got any better, it didn't.

At the weekend I went and got the Panasonic and the guide is so much better and quicker but that is about it. The list of recorded programmes is like something from 10 years ago, as is much of the menu. It's going back.

The Humax box frustrates me sometimes but I think it's the best of the two, will stick with it for the time being and HOPE they do a decent update soon.

As I said our 4000 kept failing and we gave up on it and got a refund. Our older Humax 9215 or sommat like that used to chop the end of progs.

There should be some more boxes from other manufacturers soon.
I would have thought that Freeplay would have had something to say as this isn't endearing anyone to the service. A service which in my opinion is pointless.....

Whether you like the menus of the Panasonic or not you can't get away from the fact that the box is solidly reliable at what it's supposed to do.

You are right about the Panasonic guide as it is in fact from around that time. We still have a Panasonic DVDR HDD from 2007 and the functions haven't been updated much since that time. We also have the newer HWT-120 and the first time I accessed the guide and functions I thought 'hello' this looks pretty familiar.

It goes worse though as I believe that Freeview Play simply sits on top of the old guide (a bit of a dogs breakfast) . The Panasonic is well screwed together of that there's no doubt but the UI is pretty awful. I suspect the problem with all PVRs is there's simply not much profit in them for the manufacturers and subsequently little development. As streaming gets ever more popular things are only likely to get worse.

The Humax 4000T does appear to be pretty dreadful by all accounts though. I don't think it should ever have been released with the amount of bugs it had at launch and it only appears to have got worse since.

Why do you see it's pointless?

Because the catchup apps are already there for you to go straight to. Not all the programmes in the back EPG work with catchup, yet do when you go directly to the App.
As with the rest of the UI, it's slow and dreary.
Catchup can be sourced from various devices in the entertainment/media set up.
The PVR is used for just that, recording programmes to view later. Other than that, it's not used. The 4000T is now rarely used as it's so sluggish and ugly in use, but I wouldn't use it to view TV generally.
I realise there are some that will find the 'magic'(?) of Play convenient, each to their own, but as I said, I find it pointless and wish they would put their energies into making a good PVR with a decent UI.

Snap, but unfortunately I can't see that happening. There doesn't appear to be an option for being able to badge or advertise a UK terrestrial recorder with 'freeview' without passing Freeview Play independent testing.
Any unit without freeview branding would be at a marketing disadvantage and would have to be prepared for extra advertising and push to sell. Obviously in the UK there is a widely known exception to freeview branding in the form of the Youview brand but that had to build its market without using freeview branding.

Having said that, Australia also have their version of freeview branding which is structured very similarly to the UK's. For Australia Humax do produce recorders without the Australian freeview branding or an alternative imitative e.g. HMS-1000T (also known as 4tune). The Australian freeview testing fails any recorder that includes skip buttons or functionality. This means that not having the freeview branding can be seen as being potentially a positive, especially if the manufacturer attempts to match the positives of the brand like for like.

The skip button IMO is one of the most useful buttons on a PVR. My sister has Sky and I hate using the Sky remote.

I said much the same thing in another forum earlier today i.e. it would be better if manufacturers simply made a PVR that records TV programmes and forget the whistles and bells. The consumer could then use the many dedicated hardware solutions for accessing on-demand streaming or other forms of networking.

Absolutely - I have the Humax set to perfection. Press skip once as the adverts fade in and a second later the final ad is fading out as the programme restarts.

I rarely used the skip back feature of YouPoo - rather, going direct to the app

I recommended the Humax (after an all too brief Googling of reviews - particularly the What Hi Fi review) to my Father in Law who initially appeared quite happy with it .
Unfortunately he is now complaining about the EPG (slow/clunky) and the fact that when looking at the EPG there is no way to find out further information about programmes on different channels due to the lack of an 'i' button.
Further down the thread someone mentioned pressing the OK button twice - I cant test this as I don't have access to the box - does pressing OK twice bring up the programme information when browsing through the EPG without changing the channel?

I take it you don't get on with your father in law?

Its not that bad - just a bit...well clunky within the EPG.
I feel a little responsible about the box now - I can't believe there doesn't seem to be a way to bring up programme information about a show unless you are actually watching it!
Is my Father in Law mistaken - I had a quick look but couldn't see anything obvious (particularly with the lack of an 'i' button?

Yes, just press OK twice - When wanting info from the programme you are watching, first press gives you what you are watching second press gives you the synopsis........Crap, basically.
Even worse when in the EPG....To get info, without the programme changing (If looking at progs currently being transmitted), you need to press the right button to move forward along the EPG, then the OK button.
The whole thing is slow, ugly, and apart from the three tuners pointless and even that's debatable.
Personally, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.....

I keep saying it - the 4000T is definitely not for Humax their finest hour.

New software now available,dated 27/06. Software version UKTFAE1.01.25.
Programme guide now covers seven channels over a two hour period. Big improvement in my opinion,and shows Humax are still trying to make progress with this PVR.

Just noticed that when I change channel the info in the top right hand corner now displays the correct programme information. Has anyone noticed any other improvements?

Nope, nothing here, went and did a couple of searches still on the Apr 16 software UKTFAE 1.01.11.
Checked on Humax site and nothing on there....Seems you may be a lucky soul.
I'll wait until they grace me with the software before commenting...It'll need to be good to gain any favour here....

Something else I've noticed,but not sure if it worked on the previous software,is that if I press the fast forward key on the remote whilst viewing the guide,it moves on to the next two hour block.