Hi, I know there is no setting on the Foxsat-HDR to switch to 1080p mode yet, however when looking closely at the LCD, you can notice a 1080p mode indicator, next to the 1080i one.

Can we assume that in the near future, this device will be upgraded (firmware hopefully) to support 1080p as well?

It would be a welcomed bonus, as I now notice that some of the upscaled SD content (to 1080i), sometimes switches between a focused frame and somewhat blurry frame (or maybe sharp vs. less sharp).

Wouter.

No one broadcasts in 1080p so theres no point in supporting it.

I think it will be a very long time before this happens as it would take significant upgrades in the broadcasting chain.

The 1080p input is for blu ray or upscaled images from a domestic source.

I should have clarified indeed...

I realize broadcasting in 1080p is not likely to happen very soon, however playing back content in 1080p mode could have benefits from an upscaling perspective. (The PS3 upscaler is still one of the best in my views)

The question remains applicable, although slightly modified, why has Humax added an 1080p indicator on the LCD, and when will they plan using it (and for what)...

Wouter

Its always good to be future proof, might as well have it in there even if there arent any immediate plans for any broadcaster to use it.

Also, it would be good if external content can be copied to it in the future.

I would highly doubt you will give a decisive answer on this though.

Sorry, I misunderstood which LCD you were referring to.

Its presence *is* intriguing--unless it just means they picked a suitable part which happened to have that display option on it. Hope not!

I would have thought that's almost certainly the case - it's a standard display they have used.

I would never have considered any other reason, and still wouldn't.

See http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...31&postcount=3


Automan.

This is the chip in the HDR

http://www.broadcom.com/products/Cab...utions/BCM7403

......revealing its capabilties

Phew! So it does look like it's all dressed up but has nowhere to go...

Pity it doesn't seem to make a great job of upscaling - my tv is visibly far better.

I wonder if a future firmware update will improve the quality?

Supposedly it's because it uses a low-cost scaler, so it's doubtful a software update could improve it?.

BTW, what make is your TV?.

KDH, are you certain the chip you've quoted is the one in the HDR? The reason I ask is that on the web site says"It combines a data transport processor, high-definition AVC/MPEG-2/MPEG-4/DivX/VC-1 video decoder" Which means there's no reason that DivX support cannot be added so we can add our own movies to the DVR for playback. In other posts people have commented that there is no native support for DivX so impossible to add later.

If you read this Bob_Cat, perhaps you can shed some light?!

Cheers all

Nik

Read it here

http://www.avforums.com/forums/frees...nder-hood.html


...may not be right?

Well, if the what's under the hood article is rght, there seems no sensible reason that the functionality for DivX playback cannot be added with a software update.
On reading through, this seems right as the BCM7403 is a Multiformat HD Digital Video/Audio SoC for Satellite, IP and Cable DVR STBs with Watch-and-Record DVR, and we certainly know the IP will be activated when iPlayer is ready to go live.

Come on Bob_Cat, give us some feedback on this, or get one of ur tech guys on the case.

Thanks again KDH

Nick

While the chip can decode it, I don't know whether or not simply buying the chip gets you a license to market your product as DivX capable - so there may be addtional cost involved in that, besides of course the development in the UI side of things, to actually get the avi files fed to the chip.

The iCord is based on the 7401, which is a very similar chip, but without the DivX decoding, as far as I can recall.

Nigel.

Good point Nigel, but to be fair, most companies have a universal DivX license, and market all their products accordingly. I cannot believe that this is a real issue, after all my DVD player plays DivX, and the codec for playback is free on the net for all Mac, PC Linux O/S's etc If there was a heavy cost involved, this wouldn't be the case, so I don't think this is an issue, but I may be wrong.

Regards

Nick

All I will say is that DiVx would cost us money, and any cost must be carefully considered.

Bob

Bob_Cat, as always we bow to your insider knowledge, non the less, this would be a great additional feature because there would be no need for the "hacking community" to then work tirelessly to crack the 3 file format currently used for archiving. We appreciate that cost must always be factored in, but if anyone from DivX is reading this, have a heart and make this happen!!! You guys at Humax have created a piece of kit that clearly has outstanding development potential. Just hope your development team can see the potential too. Thanks again for your input. Good to see that you take this community seriously enough to keep in touch.

Finally, any heads up on what's next

Nick

x264 in an open source mkv container would be your friend then.

H.264 in a TS container would be my preference, but there are wider issues.

DIVX may cost money but you need have the toppings if you want to sell? What was the TOP requested item on the PS3 after launch. Even Sony eventually caved in to provide divx support and they are the world preachers of DRM (short of Apple) so if Sony saw it as a big + I cant see why Humax are even having to think of this one.

My second point - Humax are obviously trying to make this device a media hub, you can say no but then why the support for Photos, Music etc... Any £20 dvd player on the shelves now can play DIVX. Why can the Humax not play the most widely adopted format? you may as well remove MP3? In fact Yes remove MP3 and the costs you save you can put in DIVX, I think that will be more acceptable than nothing


PS Humax if you ever read this - PLEASE fix the EPG messing up the darn buffer.
Last edited by zoltexuk : 26-01-2009 at 21:10

It looks as though they are (see post 18) but there is a cost element to it. I wonder if there is something else other than cost that prevents Divx support. Humax dropped the launch promise of divx for the icord-HD in Germany for some reason even though demand high and sales successful. So, I wonder if a potential technical or support issue has been identified.

The thing with Sony Playstation 3 is its in a different market. It has slightly different volumes. And it is having to play catch up to its major competitor Microsoft.



All the Set top box manufacturers that sell receivers with a USB port for displaying photos or music dont ever seem to push that aspect. None that come to mind. Why I am not sure; they are normally rather clunky or limited in implementation yes, but that shouldn't necesserily stop at least some manufacturers over selling the little extras that just happen to come free with the chipset like MP3 and jpeg.


I think that it can but it comes down to cost which Humax will need to consider. If they were to produce this product in volumes like a DVD manufacturer making for many different customers and brands, selling in all EU countries and around the world, it could have been a no brainer.

PS3 play catchup - Snigger Laugh..... I dont think so but thats for another forum. (unless you are on XBOX where you will need to pay for that online ability...

Re the Humax - I dont care just put DIVX and make everyone happy.

Looking at Bob_Cat's previous comments, having had a look at the spec, H.264 in a TS container would also be an acceptable alternative as from our point of view, it's fairly easy to find a suitable converter. The real issue is being able to load our own vids onto the device & play them at as high a quality as is possible. I hope that isn't too much to ask.

Nick