Are you looking for suggestions about the two specific problems mentioned in your post, or are you trying to decide whether the box is faulty and should be returned?

For me, when I bought the HDR2000T some time ago, I found that various problems and infelicities, outweighed the good points, so I returned it and haven’t felt tempted to give it another try.

However, I haven’t found what I would consider a really satisfactory alternative – that is, a solidly reliable Freeview HD recorder with a good UI and good user control over recording, editing, display, etc. Settled for a Panasonic which ticks most of the boxes but has a gruesomely clunky UI.

Yes.

You can’t, as far as I know, with the HDR2000T. I mentioned it as one of the desirable features my ideal Freeview recorder would offer. The Panasonic has it, but the UI makes using it quite tedious. My old Sony was a dream in that respect.

Again you’re not very forthcoming with relevant information.

I’d be surprised if you couldn’t get a refund after 21 days; however you can get a repair and reserve your rights to a refund if the repair isn’t satisfactory under the sale of goods act. Personally I’m 50/50 as to whether anything faulty could be found with it, so it may make more sense to get a refund.

From previous posts… can you confirm that you’re not tuned into multiple transmitters and have completed a sucessful manual tune?

Does the Humax have the latest software?

Is it connected via scart or hdmi, if via scart did you factory reset and choose 720p only and nothing else as a resolution on hdmi on initial setup?

When you get a blank screen have you tried toggling the AV inputs on the TV? and/or switching the TV on/off

Is power saving on or off for both TV and Humax

The two times that you’ve unsuccessfully accessed video were you previously accessing portal? I believe the first time you had an ending portal frozen screen displayed.

It’s not clear how the Humax is being powered off, is it via the remote of panel or are you physically disconnecting it from the mains? I’m assuming it recorded properly over the weekend and didn’t record 3 hours of black screen. Is there anything you’ve noticed that may be relevant?

Lots of questions as usual, the main points are checking for multiple transmitters and latest software. Update software first.

A customer should be able to buy a product without having to jump through hoops to get it to work. Most modern electronic goods i.e pc’s, laptops, tablets, phones and of course PVR’s all need some sort of intervention to get them to work properly, technology and expectations are simply moving too fast.

It’s a personal choice whether to reject the goods or persevere with them.

I’ve played with loads of PVR’s and the only one that has worked exactly as it was designed to was a Panasonic; however it was limited as to what it could do and what I expected of it and was soon outdated.

We own a Panasonic HW120 as well as the 1000s and while I would agree about the less then elegant UI it does do what it says on the tin and does so reliably. If they just addressed a couple of minor issues it would be a good all rounder.

If it’s faulty, you do have the right to go back to your retailer and request a refund or repair or replacement (retailer’s choice), under the Sale of Goods Act, and in the first six months the onus is on the retailer to show that the fault was not present when the item was purchased. However, you would indeed no doubt be questioned as to how the fault manifested itself and what remedial action, if any, had been taken. Reasonable questions, after all.

I suggest you keep a log of the times when the box doesn’t function correctly, with a full description of each event. When you’ve accumulated a few incidents, you can send a copy to the retailer when you lodge your complaint.

The Citizens Advice Bureau gives advice on statutory consumer rights.

Who did you buy it from?