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The Cons of the Foxsat HDR |
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#26 |
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Inactive Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,324
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Quote:
Humax
CPU STi5518 Flash 4 MB SDRAM 24 MB EEPROM 8 KByte You are seriously comparing that to a machine with dual cores and machines that have 100 times that memory? ![]() The Humax only needs to load at a very maximum 24 MB of memory. Even with a slow HD that's a 2-3 second task. That leaves it around 40 seconds playing around with itself before it deigns to allow access to its functions. All those of us who find this odd are saying is that it should be able to do it a bit more quickly (and without grabbing and releasing output). It's not a killer problem, just something, like a lot of the other problems, that makes the box feel 'unfinished'. It will be interesting to see what they can achieve with their first real firmware update. |
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#27 |
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I don't have freesat yet but we are getting it soon as Sky HD is just costing too much at the minute and we are not using it enough to get our moneys worth.
One thing i have noticed after looking at pictures of the remote for the Foxsat HDR is the play/pause/record etc buttons all look a little small and cramped compared to the Sky HD controller. I know this won't be a problem, but that is one feature i use a lot which is why i like the sky remote as every button is so easy to find, and i know the whole remote without even having to look at it. I heard that when they made the HDR they just used the old remote and changed it slightly, not sure if that is true, but if it is it seems a shame they couldn't make it completely new and different, but like i said i don't think it will be a problem, i will just have to get used to it Using a 'Harmony' or something similar makes the product dramatically more pleasant to use but it is still not ideal. It's a pity someone does not bring out a little zapper that is specifically designed for PVR playback with just the buttons usually needed for that function arranged in a way that is easy to use 'blind'. |
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#28 |
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Penrith, Cumbria
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The remote control is definitely a weakness with the Humax and, unfortunately, one that can never be improved with an OTA update. It really is a pity the most manufacturers have a distinct 'Not Invented Here' attitude that stops them sitting down with the very best of the competition before designing their own products.
Using a 'Harmony' or something similar makes the product dramatically more pleasant to use but it is still not ideal. It's a pity someone does not bring out a little zapper that is specifically designed for PVR playback with just the buttons usually needed for that function arranged in a way that is easy to use 'blind'. |
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#29 |
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Join Date: Dec 2008
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What is a Harmony? I read another post that mentioned that?
I set one up for the Humax and my TV and it made the entire experience of watching more pleasant because all the PVR buttons fall easily to hand (thumb) without looking at the remote. This is a big improvement on the Humax one. |
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#30 |
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LOL - You've actually proved my point with that data.
![]() The Humax only needs to load at a very maximum 24 MB of memory. Even with a slow HD that's a 2-3 second task. That leaves it around 40 seconds playing around with itself before it deigns to allow access to its functions. All those of us who find this odd are saying is that it should be able to do it a bit more quickly (and without grabbing and releasing output). It's not a killer problem, just something, like a lot of the other problems, that makes the box feel 'unfinished'. It will be interesting to see what they can achieve with their first real firmware update. Its not just down to the memory, its down to the CPU as well. Sure they could put in a better CPU but it would need a bigger fan to cool it. Ill take a 30 sec boot up once or twice a day instead of it booting up in 10 secs and whining away like a computer. |
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#31 |
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There are several models. They are very programmable replacement remotes. They are not that straightforward to set up, usually taking quite a few itterations connected to your PC, but people who have them seem to like them a lot. They are also quite expensive.
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#32 |
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Join Date: Dec 2008
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Not really, if that was the case, older computers would have booted almost instantly.
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Its not just down to the memory, its down to the CPU as well. Sure they could put in a better CPU but it would need a bigger fan to cool it.
Unless you are part of the development team you can have no idea what the problem is. It could be something intractable or it could be a matter of someone identifying an unnecessary bottle neck and clearing it.Quote:
Ill take a 30 sec boot up once or twice a day instead of it booting up in 10 secs and whining away like a computer.
It may be that Humax can get it to boot up in 10 (or 15 or 20) seconds in near perfect silence. ![]() I'd agree though that I would not want to increase the (mains) power used just to shave a few seconds off the boot. |
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#33 |
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Join Date: Oct 2006
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There are several models. They are very programmable replacement remotes. They are not that straightforward to set up, usually taking quite a few itterations connected to your PC, but people who have them seem to like them a lot. They are also quite expensive.
I set one up for the Humax and my TV and it made the entire experience of watching more pleasant because all the PVR buttons fall easily to hand (thumb) without looking at the remote. This is a big improvement on the Humax one. Quote:
If you want an easy setup, use the Philips, you can do it without a manual and each device take one or two mins
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#34 |
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Join Date: Dec 2008
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Ah do you mean the Logitech ones?
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#35 |
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Erm, yes, that's exactly what they did!
I'd agree though that I would not want to increase the (mains) power used just to shave a few seconds off the boot. They might be able to shave a few seconds off but I doubt they ever get it to under 10 secs. |
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#36 |
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Ah do you mean the Logitech ones?
Do you have any links to any? I like Philips so would consider one. http://www.consumer.philips.com/cons...rol+SRU8008-10 No problems at all with it, I wouldnt go for the touch screen ones. i got mine for under £50. That does 8 functions and is even wife proof while still doing everything you want. http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/9856...te.html#m16575 |
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#37 |
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Join Date: Oct 2004
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Quote:
I have this one.
http://www.consumer.philips.com/cons...rol+SRU8008-10 No problems at all with it, I wouldnt go for the touch screen ones. i got mine for under £50. That does 8 functions and is even wife proof while still doing everything you want. http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/9856...te.html#m16575 Very happy with Harmony 525 here, enough physical buttons plus an LCD area where you can scroll through all the obscure functions if you need them. |
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#38 |
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Join Date: Dec 2008
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It has a guide button, I dont use bookmarks much so I put them on the LCD just as on the Logitech.
I only reprogrammed the Last key to opt+ and the * - Enter keys to exit - media. I also put them on the LCD as well in case anyone else needs to use it. I didnt want loads of keys that are re programmed but arent labelled correctly. I wanted something thats simple but works 100%. |
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#39 |
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Join Date: Jun 2008
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re: startup time, an interesting comparison might be - how long does it take the non-recording HD box to start up?
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#40 |
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Join Date: Nov 2005
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As a result of taking the best part of a minute to come out of "standby" (can't really call it standby, it's OFF to be honest) mine just stays ON all day; the law of unitended consequences meaning that an attempt to lower power consumption has the opposite effect.
I do turn it to "standby" last thing at night; and then back on when I come down in the morning before going to make a cuppa. I can pretty much make a cup of tea in the time it takes to boot. |
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#41 |
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As a result of taking the best part of a minute to come out of "standby" (can't really call it standby, it's OFF to be honest) mine just stays ON all day; the law of unitended consequences meaning that an attempt to lower power consumption has the opposite effect.
I do turn it to "standby" last thing at night; and then back on when I come down in the morning before going to make a cuppa. I can pretty much make a cup of tea in the time it takes to boot. Even so, you run yours 12 hours a day, the sky box of everyone is effectively on 24/7. Theres still massive savings overall. |
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#42 |
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 2,424
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Quote:
If you want an easy setup, use the Philips, you can do it without a manual and each device take one or two mins
GG |
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#43 |
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 404
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Quote:
One thing i have noticed after looking at pictures of the remote for the Foxsat HDR is the play/pause/record etc buttons all look a little small and cramped compared to the Sky HD controller.
However, I can also chime in and STRONGLY recommend the Logitech Harmony remotes. I have a couple of Harmony 895 remotes and they are excellent. I would recommend the 885 (they are the same as the 895, just without the IR/RF extender) - you can pick them up for around £85. |
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