Faust – 1 hour ago  » 

Thanks for those who have made efforts to replicate the issue. It would appear that my complaint was not without substance after all despite one poster apparently poo poohing my problems. I had the same problem with the blank screen until the last but one add break when it failed to restart completely.

I gather you mean me then?

I wasn’t poo poohing anything, just wasn’t seeing what your seeing when I’ve used 4OD. There also didn’t seem to be any other Humax users reporting similar issues with 4OD so didn’t leave much else to go on other than some PS3 users from last year. Once you mentioned which program it was then the hanging black screen was seen.

Faust – 1 hour ago  » 

Is this likely to be just an issue with this one programme at 4OD or a Humax issue then? As stated in my previous post the same programme was fine with Airplay from the iPad with JamesB reporting no issues when played via his Samsung TV? I also said that this isn’t the first time I have experienced this issue with 4OD and the Humax.

What was the total playing time from the ipad ?. Did you measure the total time of the advert breaks as the actual programme content is obviously of a fixed length ?

I can’t answer your question though, it’s merely speculation.

Faust – 10 hours ago  » 

It could well be 4OD. The app on my iPad is possibly different too and if I use the iMac then I do it through the browser and Airplay it to Apple TV, hence I don’t get the issues. However, I will say again, this is not the first time this has happened when using the Humax.

The wife tells me (she has a memory for these things) that it is about the third time now. Funnily enough one of the other times it happened was watching George Clarke last year. All the other on demand players work just fine, though the picture quality from ITV leaves a lot to be desired.

From Channel 4’s ad sales website (http://www.channel4sales.com/advertising/online/4od/):

Current iVod Suite

Ad Bloom: Provides microsite functionality, including data capture, within the 4oD content frame

Adapt: Utilises the extensive Channel 4 database to demographically target pre-roll messages to logged-in users, utilising details like age, gender and location

Ad Weather: This will offer the ability to dynamically insert overlays into the pre-roll which relates to the weather in the area from which the user is viewing

Ad Elect: Asks the user to choose which ad format they wish to watch, thereby engaging them in the advertiser content

Ad Extend: Gives the viewer a chance to watch an extended version of the advert

Ad Pause: Presents a short animated ad whenever the main content is paused

Ad Link: Places a range of social media and bespoke clickable links directly onto the pre-roll

Although there are obviously other possibilities, and I take Graham’s point that trying to pin down the problem without more information can only be speculation, there does seem to be plenty of scope for the occasional malfunction in the interface between the targeted ads and the video content the viewer is trying to watch. Quite impressed that it doesn’t break down more frequently, actually. Perhaps these fancy techniques aren’t used all that often.

I also have this problem; tried any number of programs on Humax HDR-1000S and, as above, ads play then program breaks up into large squares which have residual images from the ads. All other on-demand works perfectly. My take is that this must be a problem with the signal 4OD are broadcasting. Programs streaming a different packet structure than the ads. I don’t really want to get into capturing packets and analysing the contents but if channel 4 cant resolve it perhaps it will have to happen. I’ll check if 4 have any technical support and get their take on it.

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate this is an old post but symptoms were the same. My connection is good for strength and quality on both connections. I found that the program played although distorted and only produced sound and meaningful images during breaks. I took the following action which resolved the issue. Power down the router, power down the 1000s. Bring up the router allowing time for the internet connection to be established. Restart the 1000s. All works fine. Guessing some sort of handshake wasnt happening.