66 replies to this topic

[prl]

swamprat96, on 22 January 2012 - 06:41 AM, said:

As I use this unit more I'm finding more issues. Looks like it was rushed to market.
...

Unfortunately, that seems to be all too common with PVRs.

[JohnOfFloreat]

I've seen reference to 'padding' with some other top-end PVRs.  I am correct in assuming this to be a little extra recording that gets put in front of and after a program to cover the possibility that the program is broadcast early or late?
And is it a feature incorporated in the Humax 7500t?
Thanks John

[rpant]

JohnOfFloreat, on 01 February 2012 - 11:06 PM, said:

I've seen reference to 'padding' with some other top-end PVRs.  I am correct in assuming this to be a little extra recording that gets put in front of and after a program to cover the possibility that the program is broadcast early or late?
And is it a feature incorporated in the Humax 7500t?
Thanks John

That is correct. The Humax has padding of up to 20 minutes, but only allows selection of predefined values. e.g. 3 min / 10 min / 20 min.

[Paul55]

rpant, on 02 February 2012 - 12:34 AM, said:

The Humax has padding of up to 20 minutes, but only allows selection of predefined values. e.g. 3 min / 10 min / 20 min.

Topfield and Beyonwiz allow the user to to set any amount of padding they wish. Likewise with skip settings - the Humax only gives a choice of a few settings ( settings which certainly wouldn't suit my use) while the Toppy/Wiz give the user complete freedom.

[rpant]

Deleted. No longer relevent.

Edited by rpant, 03 February 2012 - 01:59 PM.

[Honest Gaza]

Purchased the 1TB Model today.  Was advertised for $489 (+ delivery) on ICE-TV Website but got it for $480 at Harvey Norman (including the Wireless USB and 3 Months free subscription to ICE-TV)

In case anyone is interested, you can use the HDMI and Component outputs to different TV's (separate rooms).

[pgdownload]

Not sure if you'll be eligible for the $99 lifetime icetv subscription though. If you do decide you want that then the icetv team might be happy to offer it separately if you give them a ring.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[Honest Gaza]

Yes....will follow up separately.

[prl]

Before getting IceTV, you may want to look at the Padding Missing? topic in the Humax section of the IceTV forum. It's about problems users have had when trying to pad recordings (to cope with them running over time) that have been made on the Humax from IceTV.

This issue alone would make me not want to buy a Humax until it's been fixed.

[Honest Gaza]

prl, on 24 May 2012 - 10:25 AM, said:

Before getting IceTV, you may want to look at the Padding Missing? topic in the Humax section of the IceTV forum. It's about problems users have had when trying to pad recordings (to cope with them running over time) that have been made on the Humax from IceTV.

This issue alone would make me not want to buy a Humax until it's been fixed.

Thanks for making me aware of this issue...wasn't aware of it, and can confirm that my unit suffers the same fate.  Not a deal breaker (too late anyway)....but will look forward to a fix from the manufacturer.

[FrankenStrat]

I’m researching PVRs and I’ve narrowed my choice down to two contenders; Humax HDR-7500T and Beyonwiz DP-P2 1TB. I have some Qs that I would appreciate if the more knowledgeable could kindly address for me.

If I connect the PVR to my TV via HDMI cable, can I send the audio to my receiver instead of the TV? (Hmm, thinking about this, the audio from the TV already DOES go to the receiver, so I’ve probably already answered that one.)

The Humax has two year warranty, what’s the warranty on the Beyonwiz? I can’t find that information anywhere on their web site.

Instant manual recording, how easy is it to switch on the PVR, set the channel and tell it to record that service for the next two hours, or indeed continue recording until the STOP button is pressed? Is it possible to do this without switching on the TV?

Scheduled manual recording, can it be set up in advance, let’s say I want to record SBS1 commencing at 3am through to 5:30am. I know I can use the EPG to set and forget, but if, for example, it’s a EUFA game that starts at 2am, I don’t need to see the talking heads wittering on before the game starts. And there’s always the possibility that the programme will run way over time due to extra time and penalty shootout.

It occurs to me that neither of the above named PVRs will do manual recording precisely as outlined, but you may know of one that will. And of course, WAF is extremely important and must be taken into account.

[pgdownload]

Obviously you can connect your Tv to the receiver if it already does so now. You can also connect the sound out of either PVR directly to the receiver if you prefer that.

The BW comes with a standard 1 year warranty. You can increase this to 2 years for $50 or 3 years for $80.

Can't speak for the Humax but the BW you just press the channel button to change channels. Press the REC button to start recording (default 1 hour I believe). Press it again to alter parameters like record for 4 hours, or record until current show ends etc. Its a bit fiddly changing times with the TV off though.

FWIW I generally just set up weekly recurring timers for all my shows with auto padding. I check the guide each week to see if any changes are needed but otherwise I don't need to worry about what's on when. I sit down at what ever time and start watching. Usually a bit behind any 'live' stuff so i can skip through the ads and catchup - You can watch a half hour episode of Master Chef in about 10 minutes.

Note you can use the TV to 'set' but not 'forget' if the EPG changes your show won't be rescheduled to match. The BW comes with auto padding which you can adjust. So you can hit REC on the EPG to set a timer that will then start 5 minutes early and run say 15 minutes over. Timers can easily be adjusted at any time to any settings you like. You can also easily top and tail (trim) recordings to save only the bit you want. Little point editing out ads though as you can just skip over them in an instant.

Late night footy etc.? Just set a timer that covers a wide range and leave it at that. It take only a few seconds to scroll through to the start of the game on replay. Hit stop and the BW remembers where you left off for next time.

Are you considering the unlimited ICETV offer for the Humax for an extra $100? Needs an internet connection to the PVR but then you can set up automatic scheduling of shows (i.e true set and forget) which increases usability.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Edited by pgdownload, 05 June 2012 - 04:20 PM.

[Paul55]

Both these machines are IceTV compatible and sold on the IceTV website. If you intend to use IceTV, you will get different suggestions as a non-IceTV user.
If you use IceTV, the PVR can automaticaly adjust start times and time slots as programs are moved around. I have 3 Beyonwiz machines (and a Topfield 2400) and I have found my Beyonwizes to be  bulletproof - real set and forget, and easily set up with plenty of options.
The IceTV forum is currently reporting some problems with the Humax missing padding. However, it's a new model and the manufacturer will (hopefully) fix the firmware.
Like all such purchases, do your research and don't rely on the opinion of just a couple of users.
If you won't be using IceTV, I would lean towards a Topfield 7160 because it has support from an active user community who write application programs to enhance the factory firmware. These applications are allowed and even encouraged by Topfield.

[Honest Gaza]

Specifically relating to the Humax :

* Yes, you can select the Channel and perform instant record (default 2Hrs) from the PVR display without turning on TV
* Yes, you can schedule a recording without using EPG to start at a specific time (same as your old VCR)

In relation to the "padding issue" (see Paul55's comment), there appears to be a work-around which may have resolved this issue.  It seems that the default Power Settings in the PVR were preventing the unit from utilising the Padding settings.  I have changed these settings as suggested by Humax and am currently testing.....so far, so good.

[FrankenStrat]

Thank you Peter, Paul and Gazza for the detailed and informative replies. I probably won't be using IceTV, we really don't record that much, but occasionally there is a viewing conflict so we tape an analogue broadcast while watching one of the digital channels.

I'm aware of the padding issues with the Humax (I have done a LOT of research). I hadn't looked too much into the Toppy, but now that it's been brought up, I shall have a look at its capabilities. One thing I do know is that Humax Australia don't seem interested in hosting a user forum, unlike Humax UK. That's a pity, user groups generally are the first port of call when issues arise.

The standard two year warranty with the Humax is very tempting, but as you say Peter, the warranty on the BW can be extended. I need to consider this at great length before jumping in.

Good onya boys.

[prl]

FrankenStrat, on 05 June 2012 - 10:20 PM, said:

... we tape an analogue broadcast while watching one of the digital channels. ...

That strategy is rapidly approaching its use-by date. ACT and NSW regional shut down analog earlier this month. Coming to a state capital near you in the next 18 months or so.

[FrankenStrat]

Yes, that hadn't escaped my attention, PRL (thanks largely to lurking @ DTV Forums for a long time). The PQ on tape, as you no doubt know, is abysmal compared with FTA TV, plus the limited 4:3 picture format means that  PVR will be nestling close by the TV very soon.