Last night we recorded Channel 5 from 9-10 and 10 - 10.54. We also recorded BBC 1 to start at 10.55. An overlap of 4 minues.

At 10.55, ITV switched off (we were watching Frost - who did kill the artist? as we missed the end) and THIS CHANNEL HAS BEEN LOCKED FOR RECORDING appeared on the screen and so we were unable to watch ITV. As the recording was on Channel 5 and BBC 1 why was ITV locked? Several other Channels were locked also.

This has happened once before.

We have successfully recorded two channels at once quite a few times. Have had this Humax for 3 weeks.

Other than this, we think it is a fantastic machine and are thrilled with it.

Can anyone help here?

Tony

Hi Tony!

The digital channels are distributed on different multiplexes (or mux's). Each of the 6 mux's carries a block of different channels. For example, BBC1 is on mux 1, channel 5 is on mux A (the others multiplexes are mux 2, mux B, mux C and mux D).

The Hummy can record two different channels from two different multiplexes at the same time. But if it is doing that, you can only watch a third channel if it is on one of the two mux's being used for recording. As ITV 1 is on mux 2, you were unable to view it.

If you want to see what channels are available to view when recording two channels at once, press the 'list' button on the remote and those channels that are viewable will be clear (the others become greyed out).

Hope that helps explain it!

The Humax can only receive 2 multiplexes (groups of channels transmitted together) at any time due to the 2 tuners. If you are recording on 2 seperate multiplexes at the same time then it cannot decode a third for you to view hence some channels become unavailable while the recordings are taking place. Any channels on the same multiplexes will still be available to view or you can view any previous recordings stored on the HDD whilst recording 2 channels.

But if you're lucky enough to have the two things you are recording on the same mux, that leaves the other one free for you to watch. In this case, you'd be able to watch any other channel you like.

It just depends on how the channels you are recording fall across the the muxes as to how restricted you are. It's not really a problem with the box; in fact, you could argue that the ability to watch a 3rd channel whilst recording two others is a bonus!!

Others have noted that they switch to the analogue broadcast in this case (not much good if it's another digital channel you want to watch!!) or if you've got a TV with a Freeview decoder, you could use that of course.

Thanks to everyone who answered my query.
Problem solved.

I wonder what'll happen when the analogue signal is finally switched off.

Why would it be any worse to the current situation?

If we want to record two things and watch a third (on a different mux, etc. etc. and all that), we'll all need a TV with a Freeview decoder on board, or a second set top box.

Although, to be fair, the abillity to record two and (sometimes) watch a third is better than the good ole days of VCR and "normal" TV. We're just getting spoilt ..

Yah, tell me about the spoilt thing.

First I got us a cheap ex-OnDigital box (with unofficial access all channels!) and verily it was good.

Then the women of the house observed that only one TV could get digital, and digital was hard to record, so along came the Humax.

Then I was told that it was a pain only being able to view the Humax output on one TV, and it was a hassle walking to the sitting room to program a recording, so all the various boxes (PVR, DVD, VCR and Media Player) moved to the cupboard under the stairs with a scart/uhf distribution system and IR extenders to control it all.

Then they want to watch different digital channels when someone is using the PVR or Media player, so now all four TVs are either IDTVs or have a separate Freeview tuner.

This setup has provide satisfactory for over six months but there are discussions of wanting more flexibility as only being able to record two things is limiting (particularly at the 9pm switch-over) so we may also acquire a DVD recorder.

Where will it end?

Ian

LOL, you really are spoiling them!

Ferrero Rocher.

Sounds like you need something with about 20-30 Freeview tuners / decoders, backed up by a bunch of file servers with several terabytes of disk space and multiple DVD writers, all distributed on demand to anywhere in the house. You've got a bigger gadget budget than I have, lucky you.

One thing you seem to be learning my friend is Women are not easily pleased!

11 tuners - is all you need!

They call it The Godzilla: http://blogs.snapstream.com/2006/01/18/godzilla-pvr/
Last edited by son_t : 08-11-2006 at 16:00

It wouldn't be worse. It's just now people do have the option of watching that third channel on analogue. When it gets switched off, that choice has gone.

But digital only exists because analogue is being switched off, so you could argue that they're lucky to have the option of recording the two channels.