Humax HDR FOX T2

EddieGTA · #1 (**Post Link**) 15-09-11

Anyone else got one? It's the freeview HD PVR.

I got one just before Christmas and it has been fine. But now it is looking like the tuner maye be degrading. I never expected to always be able to receive the HD as while it is being broadcast from the transmitter I am receiving it is currently half the power of SD. It did however at first probably 95% the time receive HD OK.

Now though, HD barely works and the SD is breaking up increasingly. I have noticed that the signal from the aerial fluctuates at times on some channels, the PVR doesn't give a percentage just a bar. But my TV does give a percentage, where it is only fluctuating between 85-95%. The TV never breaks up (though only SD capable). The PVR signal bar seems to only ever be at about 60%.

Just wondering if anyone else has one and how yours compares, before I take it back as like I say, it does seem the aerial may be playing a part in this.

I should add the TV is actually fed from the output of the PVR, so the same aerial feed.

Viking Dad · #2 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

Different tuner, but same issue. The signal is definitely degraded over previous levels - I suspect the broadcast power personally.

Cue bonkers socialist person blaming the government cuts.

GhostyDog · #3 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

Originally Posted by Viking Dad

Cue bonkers socialist person blaming the government cuts.

SIF your thread has arrived

Viking Dad · #4 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

VO2Max · #5 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

Originally Posted by Viking Dad

Different tuner, but same issue. The signal is definitely degraded over previous levels - I suspect the broadcast power personally.

Cue bonkers socialist person blaming the government cuts.

First of all you can blame the govt, any govt, of any hue, blue or red for the switch to digital. It's to make more money for the exchequer although you, the punter, do get more channels of course. Still, you can always watch Sky, they're very cheap and their journalistic ethos and quality of programming is beyond reproach, owing to their philanthropic proprietor.
And the proportions of bonkers socialists and Nazis on AO is statistically probably about the same. I'm not in either camp, I'm sure you're not either.

Now, back to technical matters. You're obviously receiving your signals from different transmitters, one will be Crystal Palace or Bluebell Hill, the other one possibly Oxford. So it would seem to be maybe a fault with your receiving eqpt? Although Humax stuff is very good TBH.

Or maybe there is an issue with the balance of transmission power of the SD and HD channels? Certainly when SD digital channels were running concurrently with the analogue channels, there was sometimes degradation of both because of their proximity. The power balance gradually changed from analogue to SD in an effort to convince the punter that digital was best. Then analogue disappeared and SD digital was unhindered.
Maybe the same is happening between SD and HD digital, now that analogue is switched off and HD digital has been introduced?

I guess if they turned off some of the porn and shopping channels there would be more space for the good stuff but then the exchequer wouldn't be making enough shekels, VD. That'll be the govt then. It's kinda gone full circle, hasn't it?

Viking Dad · #6 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

It was a joke. I think digital is a good thing. Except when people pause live TV and confuse me.

n13roy · #7 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

I've had 3 Humax PVR's ( still got one ) and they are brilliant, but never had that problem. Try switching it off at the rear, and waiting a minute or so, then turn it back on, and it SHOULD reprogramme itself. Its always worked for us, if it has hung, or lost a signal in the past........

Good Luck.......

VO2Max · #8 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

Originally Posted by Viking Dad

It was a joke. I think digital is a good thing. Except when people pause live TV and confuse me.

I hope you gleaned something from the technical info

Viking Dad · #9 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

No. I ignored that bit. I'm a big picture man, that's why I want HD.

VO2Max · #10 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

By that I guess you mean your big picture is a 50" plasma?

I just checked and it seems digital switchover isn't complete yet in the London and Home Counties area. So what may be happening is that analogue, SD and HD signals are all vying for the same airspace. What should happen is that as analogue is switched off there will be more room for full power transmission of the other two. Everything can't be transmitted at full power because there would be interference issues from adjacent frequencies (they're all crammed in close together). Ultimately you should have a good HD or SD signal though.

You won't get told this officially of course because you (the public, not you personally) would complain.

Viking Dad · #11 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

42" at the moment. mama is of the opinion that's enough. She's going to Wales soon for a couple of days though

I'm mortally offended by the inference that I wouldn't complain. That's my whole ethos for life, particularly with reference to Americanos and milk. And other people on aeroplanes.

mamalasagne · #12 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

Originally Posted by Viking Dad

42" at the moment. mama is of the opinion that's enough. She's going to Wales soon for a couple of days though

mama also sees everything..................

Viking Dad · #13 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

.....such as engine management lights.

mamalasagne · #14 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

Originally Posted by Viking Dad

.....such as engine management lights.

Yep. I saw it. You didn't. Good thing I was driving, really, you could have knackered it completely

(sorry Eddie, just a little domestic on your thread, carry on

)

Viking Dad · #15 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

EddieGTA · #16 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

Originally Posted by VO2Max

By that I guess you mean your big picture is a 50" plasma?

I just checked and it seems digital switchover isn't complete yet in the London and Home Counties area. So what may be happening is that analogue, SD and HD signals are all vying for the same airspace. What should happen is that as analogue is switched off there will be more room for full power transmission of the other two. Everything can't be transmitted at full power because there would be interference issues from adjacent frequencies (they're all crammed in close together). Ultimately you should have a good HD or SD signal though.

You won't get told this officially of course because you (the public, not you personally) would complain.

Yeah you are right. Im on crystal palace, and i have checked before. Swithover completes next April, at the moment SD is transmitted at 20kW, HD at only 10kW. Analogue was and may still be at 1MW.

I work in the industry hence I get a bit narked when its not right. Just a bit odd in the difference between the tuners of the TV and PVR.

VO2Max · #17 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

If there is a big disparity in signal strengths between analogue, SD and HD, it may be that an AGC in your Humax RF receiver is upsetting its reception of HD, whereas maybe there is no AGC in your TV (or it's less aggressive)?

bobda · #18 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

Hey Adam, have you tried using a gold plated cable?

Viking Dad · #19 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

v-kash · #20 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

I know n13roy mentioned trying switching it off at the rear, but try a full factory re-set.

I've only suggested this because my freeview box (which automatically updates channels etc), lost the reception for the BBC channels (the channels were still there), and when I tried a manual search it couldn't find the updated ones, but did when I did the full factory re-set. Worth a try!

bobda · #21 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

I do seem to recall that there were issues relating to the channel multiplexes changing that required owners of boxes from certain manufacturers to do a full reset and rescan rather than a simple scan or a scan for new channels. Don't know if Humax was one of them, though.

Keithy · #22 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

Originally Posted by Viking Dad

42" at the moment. mama is of the opinion that's enough. She's going to Wales soon for a couple of days though

I suspect you are selling the upgrade in the wrong way. 50 quid says you said something to Mama about "getting another 8 inches in"

zulu ferret · #23 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

Using Humax-HD mostly, and an older Technomate, plus rarely the old Hitachi analogue twinned with a couple of dishes with the old Sony Wega LCD, no HDMI so all through a composite vid cable which gives us excellent pics. Lovin' my sat systems just need to get a new DiSEqC and I'll be a happy chappie?

:

alfabeat · #24 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

I've got a Humax HDR box and I'm on the third one now, after the previous 2 just packed up. So, I'm not convinced that Humax are a great make...Currys to their credit, just swapped them no questions or anything, and teh chap said that they get quite a few back.

VO2Max · #25 (**Post Link**) 16-09-11

Hmm, maybe a fault witrh this particular new box? Humax really do have a very good name, for quality picture and sound plus reliability.

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