Just bought one from the local Argos to replace my 9200T as I wanted the HDMI connection as despite how good the previous SCART lead was, I always got cross interference from other connections.

Anyway, the 9200T always used to display the picture in correct format, but the 9300T stretches a 4:3 picture to fill 16:9 screen which I hate and because it is a HDMI connection, I do not seem to be able to stop it. Written to HUMAX - see what they say...... Apart from that, very good. Upscaled picture is good as is increased hard drive capacity.

Have you set the screen format correctly in the menu?

I have previously heard of some TVs refusing to show 4:3 pictures correctly. Perhaps the fault lies there?

TV is set correctly - aspect is adjusted automatically when Freeview programmes are shown; also have Virgin+ box (HDMI lead) that does the business too once set to '780' and not '780wide' (if latter, then 4:3 picture stretches also). HDMI signals carry less information than SCART sockets as far as things like 'auto detect' are concerned. No, it needs a setting on the Humax menu (like the Virgin+ box) and I am still awaiting a response to my email query with Humax.

Are you saying there is no aspect ratio setting in the 9300 menu?

EDIT: Page GB54 of the downloadable manual.
Select from 4:3 (Conventional TV) and 16:9 (Widescreen TV) using the OK or > button.

The setting is not helpful - 4:3 produces a 4:3 picture at all times, with widescreen channels producing a squashed picture. 16:9 produces a 'full screen' picture at all times so 4:3 pictures are stretched.

Late edit: On the Hummy Pages I have been informed that the Humax FreeSat recorder had the same problem but has since been corrected with an OTA update (that was fast!). Obviously the same software used in the 9300, but no news yet of an update but at least they know about it and realise it is a problem.

The Freesat box is just an STB - the FOXSAT-HD. It is not a recorder.

The reason the fix was made and released fast was because the box was still being finished off... and there are only two other Freesat devices vying for OTA slots...

I would not expect the aspect ratio on HDMI to be fixed for the 9300T soon. I would not hold your breath... especially since Humax are totally focusing on the Freesat devices at the moment.

The 9300T and the FOXSAT might share the same upscaler and HDMI circuitry, but might be completely different beasts underneath. I would not assume that the code is easily portable from the FOXSAT to the 9300T, even though the situation looks very similar in this instance...

I don't know how I've done it but mine changes automatically and it displays properly with the correct aspect ratio.

This is to a widescreen TV

Edit - just been reading over at Hummy.org that this is a known problem with HDMI. I'm using scart so that may be my saviour.

Got one from argos the other day and took it back after one day.. the worse box i have ever seen it's not user friendly at all hate it.. And the epg god thats a joke.. RUBBISH.

You must let us know when you find a good PVR so we can dump our Hummys and change to a much better PVR.

I agree that to return a PVR after one day because it is not user friendly is rather extreme. However, I have to say that having had my 9200 for two weeks I'm only just getting reasonably comfortable with it. I have used Technotrend, Digifusion and more recently Vestel PVRs and I have to say the Humax is the least user friendly of any I have used so far. The Vestels are by a large margin the most user friendly. Everything on the Vestels in intuitive with prompts at the bottom of the screen for all available commands. There are many things that can be done with the Humax I'm sure but finding out how is not easy. The Manual seems to miss out much detail and often seems to be written in a different language from the one I understand. The on-screen banners sometimes don't make their meaning clear.

Is there a "Hints and Tips" thread or article anywhere for the 9200. Maybe on here or Hummy.org? I vaguely recall their was a "sticky" thread on here when the 9200 first came out which covered that topic..................... Oh! just had a look and it seems the "FAQ (Some of them) " thread is what I'm looking for. I remember now that brian9200 started that and used to keep it up to date. I'd better go away and read that before I say any more .

Colin

Though the 9200T is very useable, there are lots of deficiencies in the user interface which have only been partly fixed by the updates.

It's just a pity they didn't decide to scrap the existing code and start again for the new machines.

Humax have kept the same user interface from the F2-FOX T so for me it's second nature almost.

Can you change the HDMI format? A lot of TVs can change the aspect ratio for you if the format is 576i/p but not 720p. This would enable you to work around the problem.

The 9300 needs to compose a 16:9 720p picture with sidebars to fix this properly. I believe this is what the Foxsat-HD does.

Yes jgrgilbert it does now but it didn't when first launched! It too stretched a 4.3 broadcast but has been corrected since via an OTA update.

GG

Oops, my fault, should have typed Humax FoxSat and not included 'recorder'. Thanks for all your replies and the Hummy forum, I now know:
(a) Using a HDMI connection means a 4:3 picture gets stretched and there is nothing you can do about it. Using a SCART connection displays picture correctly but you forfeit upscaling to near HD quality so take your choice!
(b) Humax fixed the same problem with FoxSat almost immediately via an OTA update.
(c) There are no immediate plans to rectify the fault with the 9300 but we can probably expect one with the first OTA/download bug fixer. Trouble is I have only found this one bug!

Was thinking of replacing my Hitachi HDR160 with a 9300 to complement my Foxsat HD (I like the idea of HDMI and being able to record two channels at the same time) but I am slightly put off by the menu's not being very user friendly as my technophobe OH would being using it!

She finds the Vestel menu's on the Hitachi very easy to use - would she struggle with the 9300?

My technophobe partner uses our 9200 with great aplomb (she never mastered the VCR) so for doing the usual things I don't think there will be a problem.

Would really like to have a look at one, my local Argos dont have stock and John Lewis is a bit too far to travel, anyone know if Currys or Comet have stock or know the item codes? - was met with the usual blank expressions at my local branches!

I have been using an Hitachi (Vestel) PVR for about 8 months. I bought a Humax 9200 about 3 weeks which I believe has a similar user interface to the 9300T. In my opinion the Humax user interface is much more difficult to use compared to the Vestel PVRs. The Humax looks "prettier" but it is much less intuitive.

Colin

Some people on these forums aren’t so keen on the Humax’s interface but it can hardly be called difficult to use. There may be more intuitive designs but I would say it’s easy enough to use especially if you remove the flap on the remote control.

There are supposedly a lot of people that couldn’t programme a VCR so unless your OH fits into that camp I wouldn’t sweat it. I would suggest that PVRs are easier to use than VCRs so I can’t see a problem for the majority of people.

Interesting comment.

On my remote ... I press menu the access the menus ... which is really simple.

There is then a list of 5 items ... which can be selected with UP/DOWN or 1 2 3 4 5 ... which is really simple.

There is always a little more complexity when there are more options.

I personally find my Humax 9200t simple and intuitive to use ...

A friend of mine has trouble with her toaster.

I think on reflection I should have worded my post differently. I agree that most PVRs including the Humax's are not difficult to use, it is just the case that some are easier than other so I should have said:-
'In my opinion the Humax user interface is much less easy to use compared to the Vestel PVRs. The Humax looks "prettier" but it is much less intuitive.'

I have compiled list of at least ten aspects where I believe the Humax is less easy to use than the Vestels. I have however in fairness refrained from saying what they are until I have become more used to the Humax in case this will change my opinion. I will however, say that as you mention the Menu facility, I don't think the Menu function is a major issue as it is not necessarily something that is used on a day to day basis. On the Vestels it is only necessary to access the Menu system for installation and setup purposes. Everything else can be managed by single button access the main control functions. On the Humax it seems it it is necessary to access and navigate through a not very intuitive route to establish how much HD space is available to set new recordings. There appears to be only two ways to do this. The first is to press at least 4 buttons to find ones way through the Menu system to an individual entry in the Recorded Programmes List and then select the "Edit" option for one of these programmes, avoiding any currently recording programmes as Edit is not available on these entries. Amongst other data there is there a long string of numbers describing the HD status which after a bit of mental arithmetic enables one to deduce the amount of free HD space. It's not easy at a distance of 3 or 4m to decipher from for example the current entry on one of my recordings Edit screen the data "File Size/Used Size 1088MB/77566MB" means I have available about half my HD space. The other method of finding out this information is to perform a sequence of up to 7 button presses to access the "HDD Control" screen which does at least present the information I'm searching for in a more readable form e.g. on my unit it currently says "Free 77.6GB". However, using this method frightens the life out of me as it happens that this screen is the one used to Format the Hard Drive with the option to "Format" automatically highlighted so an additional inadvertent press of the OK button risks erasing all of ones recordings and settings. . Neither of the above methods are at all intuitive IMO and don't appear to be described in the Manual. I only found out by asking the question on this forum. The Vestel PVRs on the other hand present the HD staus information as a simple graphic bar on the Library (Play List) and Timers (Schedule) screens where it is most needed.

Colin

I still think the thomson and wharfdale boxs are the best ones out there there so easy to use it's just a shame the thomson is noisy and has many software probs. I see argos have got a new range of wharfdale boxs out i hope there better than the old ones with the series link probs. you set it to record say emmerdale and it records all the repeats on itv 2 as well.. Soz this is drifting away from the org forum.. I just did not like the Humax box at all i can see why everyone rates it..