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Humax HDR: disappointing EPG & recording features


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Old 23-12-2008, 12:01
digitl
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I've been using a Topfield 5800 PVR with the MyStuff TAP for a long while and, as a consequence, I'm really disappointed with the Humax HDR's EPG and recording 'mechanisms'.

For those who don't know, the MyStuff EPG shows a two hour grid view of 10 channels (it's customisable) and to set a record timer for a programme you simply move onto it and then press the 'Record' button. To set a watch timer you press 'Play'. The real 'killer' feature, and it's this that I miss most of all, is the ability to set a permanent search for a programme by pressing 'Slow' while highlighting the programme. In addition, the search can be edited to look for words or phrases within programme titles and within their EPG descriprion.

As an example, I have searches set for 'F1' and 'Formula 1' which means that I don't ever have to look at the EPG for programmes with either of those strings in the title or description but any unexpected programmes on Formula 1 are recorded for me automajically.

In contrast, the Humax makes it difficult to get a fast and clear overview of what's on and appears to lose the 'Find' searches once it's gone into standby.

It's a pity they didn't implement a MyStuff style EPG and recording system from the very start. Perhaps they might in a future update?
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Old 23-12-2008, 13:22
Bob22A
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Was thinking of getting one but I will hold of till the price comes down & the bugs are reduced. I will stick to my Dual DTT/FREESAT functionaility and stick with Humix DTT PVR that works ok other then the real pain of getting data out of it
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Old 23-12-2008, 13:47
digitl
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What I was describing isn't a bug. It's just the way that, IMHO, the box works at the moment isn't as elegant as the way MyStuff on the Topfield works.
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Old 09-01-2009, 13:50
jomish
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I have submitted a review to Tech Reviews. My dad's packed up two days after installation. No refund on installation or replacement of box as none to replace it with!
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Old 09-01-2009, 14:45
Andrue
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The real 'killer' feature, and it's this that I miss most of all, is the ability to set a permanent search for a programme by pressing 'Slow' while highlighting the programme. In addition, the search can be edited to look for words or phrases within programme titles and within their EPG descriprion.
That could get old real fast on Satellite. Maybe not too bad on FreeSat but on Sky your hard disk would be swamped with repeats of different series from different channels.

Anyone with 'Law & Order'(*) in their search terms during October/November would have been recording probably two dozen episodes a week covering:
* Two seasons of the original.
* Two seasons of CI
* Three (maybe four, I lost track) of SVU.

So, yeah, it sounds good for sport but not too clever in other areas. I'd rather stick with series link.

A good refinement would be an alert when entering EPG mode to say that something new has matched the search term. It'd have to tie in with Series Link though. Would be cool if it popped up a banner saying "I've found yet another series of something matching 'Law & Order' now. Would you like to record that?"

(*)Good old Hallmark. They don't have the rights to much but what they do have the rights to they show incessantly. I lost track when Five decided to start showing SVU as well, lol.
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Old 09-01-2009, 16:17
machare
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That could get old real fast on Satellite. Maybe not too bad on FreeSat but on Sky your hard disk would be swamped with repeats of different series from different channels.
This is Freesat forum where there is no monthly charge to have a hard disk recording facility.

Anyone with 'Law & Order'(*) in their search terms during October/November would have been recording probably two dozen episodes a week covering:
* Two seasons of the original.
* Two seasons of CI
* Three (maybe four, I lost track) of SVU.

So, yeah, it sounds good for sport but not too clever in other areas. I'd rather stick with series link.
Fortunately the designers of these searches are a step ahead of you and allow you to limit the search to a channel or range of channels.
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Old 09-01-2009, 16:32
Flyer 10
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I prefer the series link but would rather then tweak it so you dont get the same program twice in a week like the gadget show.
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Old 09-01-2009, 18:16
digitl
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That could get old real fast on Satellite. Maybe not too bad on FreeSat but on Sky your hard disk would be swamped with repeats of different series from different channels.
But this isn't $ky, it's freesat.

So, yeah, it sounds good for sport but not too clever in other areas. I'd rather stick with series link.
After using the search feature offered by MyStuff on the Topfield for a few years now I can tell you that series link is very much second best.

A good refinement would be an alert when entering EPG mode to say that something new has matched the search term.
As far as I am aware, searches on the Humax don't persist and I don't make a habit of going into the EPG to check. The Topfield searches keep looking for matches until you either delete them or inactivate them. Matches can appear at any time and you don't always know they're there until they appear in the list of recordings. Ice Road Truckers has just started a new series. I had no idea it was there until I saw the new recording in the list.
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Old 09-01-2009, 18:18
digitl
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I prefer the series link but would rather then tweak it so you dont get the same program twice in a week like the gadget show.
You can do that on the Topfield. The search can be limited by channel, day of the week and time.
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Old 09-01-2009, 18:33
Flyer 10
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You can do that on the Topfield. The search can be limited by channel, day of the week and time.
What I meant is that Id hate that feature unless you could turn it off.
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Old 09-01-2009, 20:01
White-Knight
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I have submitted a review to Tech Reviews. My dad's packed up two days after installation. No refund on installation or replacement of box as none to replace it with!
Well thats not really a reason for a negative review, just because its in short supply doesn't make it rubbish.

There are always going to be duff products in any production run and someone is always going to be unlucky enough to get product that fails to work or beaks down immediately. Provided you've registered your problem with the shop, I've no doubt you'll get a replacement as soon as they come into stock and unless you're very unlucky, the replacement will work just fine. Most people are very satisfied with their boxes. Yes some things could be improved but thats the same with any product and Humax are listening.
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Old 09-01-2009, 22:21
srhill
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This is Freesat forum where there is no monthly charge to have a hard disk recording facility.
.
but do you want your HDD filled with endless repeats/old episodes so that the new things you want to recor fail?
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Old 09-01-2009, 23:03
digitl
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but do you want your HDD filled with endless repeats/old episodes so that the new things you want to recor fail?
That doesn't happen. As I pointed out above, 'The search can be limited by channel, day of the week and time.'.
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