If I remember correctly only use of the USB port on a Foxsat-HD is to update the software (It’s been a few years since I used one). It’s presumably looking for a software update and doesn’t find one. It definitely can’t record to a usb device like the HB1000S can.

digitalprinter0 – 8 minutes ago  » 

Thanks it looks like I need the HB1000S, I hope the wife agrees!

As Graham says the HB-1000S can record to a USB Hard disk but not a memory stick. It can play back from both types of USB device.

digitalprinter0 – 17 minutes ago  » 

Thanks for your helpful comments.

As I understand it, it encrypts the data but presumably there is software to change the format should want to put it on a DVD using a computer.

Not much research has been done on this as I for one imagine it’s as well locked down as it’s big brother which uses an encrypted filing system.

I would bet that want you want cannot be achieved.

digitalprinter0 – 3 minutes ago  » 

Thanks your for your thoughts but I think if it can be encrypted it can be decrypted. I think the encryption is in .ts (transport stream) and there are free converters available, see Google.

Care to wager a £5 that you cannot decrypt a HD file off a freetime unit.

Old posts can mislead. The HDR-1000S does not bother encrypting the data just the filing system. I presume when you dedicate the disk to the HB-1000S it does the same.

digitalprinter0 – 5 minutes ago  » 

Sorry i am not a betting man (moral principle), however, I have a Humax Foxsat-HD seven years old. So am only thinking of the future. Can you explain what you mean by exactly by the filing system, apart from the obvious please?

The recording partition is LUKS encrypted on the HDR1000/1010S, the HB1000S most likely uses the same system. Every box has a unique encryption key. A Foxsat-hdr records to a standard Linux partition you can easily access. The HD recordings though are encrypted by a unique key. Although you can copy HD to USB and playback from there, no other box (even another Foxsat-hdr) will play the file back. No one has been able to decrypt a encrypted HD recording on even a Foxsat-hdr. The chance of achieving this on a freetime box is so slim as to be virtually impossible.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_Unified_Key_Setup

http://askubuntu.com/questions/97196/how-secure-is-an-encrypted-luks-filesystem

If you want to utilise satellite recordings on other kit, get a generic free to air pvr ready box or a box with a built in hard drive. (There are dozens of these), most won’t have an epg though.

The broadcasts aren’t encrypted, encryption takes place in the box itself.

The Foxsat-HDR (a bit dated) can still be found and with custom firmware and a add-on (Search for nowster, Foxsat-hdr) may be more suitable. Catch-up less offerings.

digitalprinter0 – 16 minutes ago  » 

I have downloaded the firmware Humax v1.00.21 but not certain what is does or weather it will help. Can you advise me please?

Help to do what exactly ? Can you please state what it is you wish to achieve using a USB stick on your Foxsat HD. Other than updating firmware the USB port has no other purpose. Firmware v1.00.21 is for the Foxsat HDR, not the Foxsat HD. The latest firmware for the Foxsat HD is v1.00.28 and is available for download from HERE. You should check the version you have installed via the Humax’s own menu, If it’s already on v1.00.28 there is nothing else you can do.