So far I've transferred about 8 hours of content off my 9200 and this has taken about 30 hours using the error correcting s/w (gui version) discussed elsewhere on this forum.

But I've recently read a few posts implying that some people manage to transfer recordings without any errors over USB and I'm wondering what type of hardware (USB port/host controller) is in their computer and if there's a common manufacturer/model of USB hardware that seems to work more reliably than others.

So if anyone reading this can transfer over USB without any issues or retries please could they post a summary of the USB port/controller manufacturer (should be shown as a property of the USB port/host controller - in XP open the System icon in Control Panel, choose the Hardware tab, and then click "Device Manager"). A summary of the tool used to perform the transfer would be good too (i.e., do you use the Humax supplied s/w or a 3rd party/free product, and what is the version no.).

If I can get a card from the same manufacturer (via e-bay or new) I'm going to give it a try.

BTW I know there's the direct transfer from the hard-drive method but I have 15 months of warranty left!

My motherboard USB lists (from WinXP Home device manager) as a Standard PCI USB controller.
The motherboard is a Giga Rio (GA-8TRC410MNF-RH), Chipset ATI Radeon Xpress 200 Intel Edition Chipset with Integrated Graphics Processor

I use Media Controller (console) V1.05, have a single 3m USB cable linking the front of the Humax to one of the four tower rear USB ports. I've previously tried using a USB2 hub at the Humax end of the same cable, to support the Humax plus a Belkin USB/RS232 converter for Humax and satellite receiver connection but suffered many slow and failed transfers that way.

On many occasions the file will transfer in a single pass at about 700KB/s, about 50% of the programme running time.
However on most, and typically longer, recordings it makes two passes, sometimes more, to re-receive small (<1%) errors, unfortunately the Humax USB protocol demands resending of a all packets from the start of the file, although Media Controller will end that once erroneous packets have been corrected.

Hope that helps.

Norman.

You might want to try the non GUI version of Media Controller which I suspect is less prone to errors.

As Martin said, forget the GUI version of Media Controller and go with the non-GUI one. Don't listen to the scaredy-****s who'll tell you that it's too difficult to use 'cos you have to use the keyboard and you can't use a mouse . . . It's dead easy and much more reliable than the GUI version! After you've correctly installed the software - there's loads of info on this forum, on the forums at Hummy.org, and on Andy Chappell's site - connect the Humax to the PC, run the Media Controller software, press X to transfer files and then press A to transfer from the Humax to the PC then just type in the numbers of the recordings you want to transfer separated by spaces and then press Enter/Return to start the transfer process. (You'd probably be wise to go into the Settings and change the [C] Default Host Video Directory first to set where your transferred recordings go on your PC)

You don't have to spend a fortune on a super-duper USB lead but it's worthwhile making sure that it conforms to the USB2.0 standard as they have better shielding than USB1/1.1 leads. (Belkin cables are usually pretty decent quality and normally quite a bit thicker than some supposedly USB2.0 cables being sold.)

If your PC has a motherboard based on one of the nVidia nForce chipsets then you'll probably get good results with the built-in USB ports, you may be lucky if your motherboard is based on a VIA chipset, and I wouldn't hold my breath if your motherboard is based on an Ali chipset. Assuming you've got a spare PCI slot inside your case, you can add a USB 2.0 controller card - preferably based on an NEC chipset - prices start from around £6.00.

On my systems (Both with ASUS motherboards based on different nVidia nForce chipsets) to get the best transfer speed I;-

1. Disable the built-in memory card reader by using the 'Safely Remove Hardware' icon down in the taskbar (by the time) and removing the drive letters associated with card reader's slots and then unplug any other external drives. If I don't do this then I limit my transfer speed to between 700k/s and 900k/s.

2. On the Humax I tune to one of the radio channels.

3. Then press the Menu button, go into the Record Menu => Recorded Programme menu

4. Start playing a recorded radio programme and then pause it.

5. Then start the Media Controller software on the PC, press x then press a then type in the numbers of the recordings you want to transfer separated by spaces, then press Enter/Return to start the process.

Doing all of this normally guarantees me transfer speeds between 1200k/s and 1500k/s which means that a gigabyte takes around 12mins to transfer. Try to make sure that you leave enough time for your transfer to finish before any scheduled recordings start. Also, I wouldn't recommend that you transfer while the EPG is still loading.

Hope this helps. Oh yes, I turn off all the power management for all the 'USB Root Hub' entries in the 'Device Manager' on all the PCs I build - not sure if it affects the Humax transfer but thought I'd mention it. I also have the screensaver turned off by default as well.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely try the non-gui version before I go any further with trying different hardware, etc.

I would also recommend having the Humax and the PC doing nothing else at the time of transfer.

Make sure no interactive MHEG is running on the Humax (e.g. BBCi, radio logos etc.) nor is it recording anything.

I regularly transfer using Media Controller and it takes approx 30mins to an hour to transfer one hours worth of programme.