not fit for purpose

Forum Forums Freeview HD FVP 4000T, 5000T not fit for purpose

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  • #17632
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hi all

    Where to start with the pvr4000t. Initially everything seemed ok after set up. Played around getting used to new guide, settings, recording etc. Noticed most of the HD channels were missing, gleaned the info from this site to set up channels manually, this i have done.

    Problems are,

    1. the box is intermittant/sluggish when switching on.

    2. the first programmed recording of the day doesnt record until the box is on. I have tried adjusting the power/sleep settings doesnt cure it. I have tried leaving the box on and in standby during the day and the scheduled program will record but if i leave it in standby overnight it will not.

    3. i have tried a software update, it says there are none.

    Having read all the woes on this site i will be doing a system factory reset. Manually setting up channels and try again. Then if no joy it will be going back to Richer Sounds and get a refund.

    Any suggestions will be much appreciated

    Thanks

    Gary

    #68338
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Gary g – 2 hours ago  » 

    Hi all

    Where to start with the pvr4000t. Initially everything seemed ok after set up. Played around getting used to new guide, settings, recording etc. Noticed most of the HD channels were missing, gleaned the info from this site to set up channels manually, this i have done.

    Problems are,

    1. the box is intermittant/sluggish when switching on.

    2. the first programmed recording of the day doesnt record until the box is on. I have tried adjusting the power/sleep settings doesnt cure it. I have tried leaving the box on and in standby during the day and the scheduled program will record but if i leave it in standby overnight it will not.

    3. i have tried a software update, it says there are none.

    Having read all the woes on this site i will be doing a system factory reset. Manually setting up channels and try again. Then if no joy it will be going back to Richer Sounds and get a refund.

    Any suggestions will be much appreciated

    Thanks

    Gary

    Not that this helps you but I’m sure having read all the many posts on this and other forums regarding the FVP4000T you are (as an early adopter) being used as a beta tester. Humax are not the only manufacturer to do this, in fact it appears to be the norm these days. I however consider the practice to be a disgrace.

    Companies don’t appear to care about the weeks of wasted effort and frustration for their customers. The attitude seems to be that once it is all sorted the bad press will be forgotten and like buses there will be more customers coming along any minute.

    #68339
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Thanks Faust. I rather gathered that after doing some research, pity i didn’t take notice of that fact before i bought it. My wife uses this, she just informed me half of her recordings have disappeared !!!!!! shes not a happy bunny. Did the usual power reset, hey presto they are back. i’ll give it a few days to do what i said in my original post then its a refund from Richer Sounds me thinks. Any ideas on what alternative pvr to buy?

    #68340
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Your problems are essentially the same as those encountered by the early users of the Freetime satellite boxes (HDR1000s/1010S). Humax seem to have a unique talent for delivering a turd that after lots of polishing becomes a rose. I have 1 x HDR1000S and 3 x HB1000S all of which I’m very happy with, but that certainly was not the case for the first two years of my HDR as it’s only in the past year that it has become stable, persuading me to then buy the HB’s. If you’re prepared to stick with it you may find you have a rose, not the turd you currently have.

    #68341
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Your box has successfully trained you in what to do and what not to do. :-)

    #68342
    Barry
    Moderator

    What software version do you have on your unit?

    #68343
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Gary g – i’ll give it a few days to do what i said in my original post then its a refund from Richer Sounds me thinks. Any ideas on what alternative pvr to buy?

    Depends on what you want from a PVR Gary. If you are not too bothered about the catch up backwards EPG then the 2000T although not the best specified and glamorous Humax PVR does do what it says on the tin. You do get some apps including BBC iPlayer etc.

    If you want to go down the satellite route then as Pollensa says the 1000s/1010s is a pretty good product.

    I have both of the above.

    #68344
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Are you sure you are setting it correctly? Are you sure that the programme is transmitting the timing signals? Test it with a different programme on BBC. I don’t get this problem at all.

    The workaround for the “can’t switch on” is either to unplug the HDMI cable completely, and use composite; or disable any HTMI on/off capability in the TV. We don’t yet know if the HDMI problem is a Humax problem or a TV problem.

    As a professional engineer, I am slightly more sanguine about new equipment. The manufacturer cannot possibly test it with every combination of devices users will connect to it and can only test it to the standards of the interface. If any of these thousands of possible devices is out of spec, “the Humax does not work”. Make sure you are blaming the right thing. If you choose to be an “early adopter” then don’t judge Humax on whether there are minor teething problems – judge them on how quickly they fix them. And always remember that “User Friendly” means something, however difficult to use, with which you are familiar.

    And don’t forget that it while it costs only a few hundreds of pounds it has far more complex software and systems that was used on, for example, the space shuttle or Apollo moon shots.

    See the post about C5 and 5 USA programmes not being recorded at the proper times – it is C5 and 5 USA’s fault.

    My Humax is

    Model Name: FVP-4000T

    S/w version: UKTFAE 1.00.63

    Loader version: UKTFAE 1.03

    System ID: 9010.7D31

    Update date: 16 Oct 2015

    I think release 59 and 63 are identical.

    #68345
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    JohnH77 – 8 hours ago  » 

    Are you sure you are setting it correctly? Are you sure that the programme is transmitting the timing signals? Test it with a different programme on BBC. I don’t get this problem at all.

    The workaround for the “can’t switch on” is either to unplug the HDMI cable completely, and use composite; or disable any HTMI on/off capability in the TV. We don’t yet know if the HDMI problem is a Humax problem or a TV problem.

    As a professional engineer, I am slightly more sanguine about new equipment. The manufacturer cannot possibly test it with every combination of devices users will connect to it and can only test it to the standards of the interface. If any of these thousands of possible devices is out of spec, “the Humax does not work”. Make sure you are blaming the right thing. If you choose to be an “early adopter” then don’t judge Humax on whether there are minor teething problems – judge them on how quickly they fix them. And always remember that “User Friendly” means something, however difficult to use, with which you are familiar.

    And don’t forget that it while it costs only a few hundreds of pounds it has far more complex software and systems that was used on, for example, the space shuttle or Apollo moon shots.

    See the post about C5 and 5 USA programmes not being recorded at the proper times – it is C5 and 5 USA’s fault.

    My Humax is

    Model Name: FVP-4000T

    S/w version: UKTFAE 1.00.63

    Loader version: UKTFAE 1.03

    System ID: 9010.7D31

    Update date: 16 Oct 2015

    I think release 59 and 63 are identical.

    Hi John

    Like you, i to have thirty years in the electrical PLC maintenance/programming trade.

    I have checked the HDMI-CEC on my tv, it is set to off already.

    I have tried setting several other programmes to no avail.

    My humax is the same as yours. As of yet no updates since launch.

    I have not tried recording anything off C5 or 5 USA

    I have approached the problems logically and gleaned information from many sources….much appreciated, but my conclusion is, this bit of kit no matter how much electronics, bells and whistles it has on it……IT HAS NOT BEEN DEBUGGED to the standard where it should even be on the market.

    #68346
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Barry – 1 day ago  » 

    What software version do you have on your unit?

    Hi Barry

    Model Name: FVP-4000T

    S/w version: UKTFAE 1.00.63

    Loader version: UKTFAE 1.03

    System ID: 9010.7D31

    Update date: 16 Oct 2015

    #68347
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    JamesB – 1 day ago  » 

    Your box has successfully trained you in what to do and what not to do. :-)

    The trouble is, this box was bought for my wife and im getting it in the neck for all the teething problems. If i had sole control over it i would love the challenge to whip it into order. I fear i would fail with reading all about the phone calls and e mails sent to an unresponsive manufacturer. The worrying post was the one about the technical director allegedly leaving the company.

    #68348
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Gary g – 1 hour ago  » 

    JamesB – 1 day ago  » 

    Your box has successfully trained you in what to do and what not to do. :-)

    The trouble is, this box was bought for my wife and im getting it in the neck for all the teething problems. If i had sole control over it i would love the challenge to whip it into order. I fear i would fail with reading all about the phone calls and e mails sent to an unresponsive manufacturer. The worrying post was the one about the technical director allegedly leaving the company.

    My remark wasn’t meant seriously. I was referring to Pollensa’s experience of the HDR-1000S transforming from a troublesome box to a satisfactory one.

    I’m not very tolerant of troublesome boxes myself. I’d send it back. Good luck if you decide to stick with the challenge.

    #68349
    Anonymous
    Inactive
    Quote:
    Gary g

    I have approached the problems logically and gleaned information from many sources…but my conclusion is this bit of kit … IT HAS NOT BEEN DEBUGGED to the standard where it should even be on the market.

    You must have done more work than me, and have a much more detailed knowledge of the internals of the Humax and the standards involved, because I have been unable to establish whether the HDMI problem is with the Humax or the TV because, as far as I can see, it could be with either.

    As for its being “fit for purpose” I am quite certain that Humax never has claimed, and never will claim, it is “fit for purpose” – and no sane manufacturer ever would. It was virtually a sackable offence where I worked to use those terribly expensive and dangerous words in a contract!

    All Humax, and every other manufacturer from Apple to Zinga, will claim is that a box meets the standards they publish for it. If it is connected to another box which does not meet those standards, it will, of course, fail – but it will not be the Humax’s fault.

    My PVR-4000T does not have the problems you report.

    #68350
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    All the FVP4000T boxes are currently still under warranty so can be returned if there’s a problem, whether it’s just that particular box or more widespread. There’s bound to be some problems when a new box is launched, especially with hybrid boxes with all their complexities both end-user-side and server-side, and with multiple fingers in the pie. Only Humax has the numbers, but the FVP4000T doesn’t seem to be doing badly so far, just going by reports posted to forums. Certainly nothing like YouView’s disastrous early days.

    #68351
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Gary g – 15 hours ago  » 

    JamesB – 1 day ago  » 

    Your box has successfully trained you in what to do and what not to do. :-)

    The trouble is, this box was bought for my wife and im getting it in the neck for all the teething problems. If i had sole control over it i would love the challenge to whip it into order. I fear i would fail with reading all about the phone calls and e mails sent to an unresponsive manufacturer. The worrying post was the one about the technical director allegedly leaving the company.

    Once the wife/partner gets involved this is where marital harmony gets tested. 😯 I have to often found myself in this unenviable position – you extol the virtues of this or that possible purchase and then when it doesn’t do what it should it’s all your fault – not the manufacturer. You are the one that wanted it, that said how good it was, you said it was the answer to all your prayers, the pointing finger, the self-righteous indignation. I’ve got into a sweat just typing these words, I can actually hear them being spoken in my head. 😯

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