Technisat HDFS broken EPG

Puggy · 27-09-2011 08:53AM #1

My Technisat HDFS stopped getting EPG data about a week ago:( Did the usual, reset etc, but still not working. Contacted their support number and was told it was a known issue and our devs are working to fix it.

Anyone else got this issue? Only the station being watched gets full 7/8 day EPG, all others get the next 4/5 programmmes worth of EPG data.

Will try to load an older version of the software tomorrow to see if it fixes it.

You can contact them at http://www.technisat.co.uk/indexb1b7.html?nav=Kontakt_Hotline,co,34

woidoi · 28-09-2011 02:44PM

Got exactly the same problem with my own HDFS. Was working perfectly until about a month ago. Now no EPG. Like you I have reset it numerous times, no joy. Like you I have written to Technisat but I didn't even get a reply. From trawling around the net, it seems to be a common problem.

Trying various things. Tuned in Radio Caroline which shares the transponder with the Freesat Epg and adjusted my dish, lnb and skew to get it as strong as possible but it didn't help. so not a reception issue. I went into non Freesat mode (Technisat Mode) and in that mode there is a setting for checking and texting the Epg channel. It locates it no problem and even goes off and downloads it!. However it still doesn't populate the Epg in either mode afterwards. So not a reception issue there either. Seems to be a strange software bug but why did it crop up only now. It has been working on the updated software since I bought it in March.

Let me know if you get a solution! I'll keep pestering them in the meantime. Make sure you register with Technisat to get your extended three year guarantee. If they don't sort this out they can send me a new one, 'cos as far as I'm concerned it's broke!

cjt156 · 30-09-2011 10:13AM

I've got a different problem with the HDFS; one day EPG. Full EPG for the current day, each of the next 6 days is "No Programme Information Available"
Bit annoying; don't use it that much but its supposed to be part of the functionality.

woidoi · 30-09-2011 05:37PM

Someone over at Digital spy actually managed to get a response from Technisat. Quoted as follows:

"The problem you described is actually known. We forwarded it to our software developer. At the moment we can’t tell you when there will be a final solution. Please be sure that it is important to us to solve the problem as quick as possible.":rolleyes:

Bated breath and all that. Well at least they are acknowledging that there is a problem!.

Puggy · 03-10-2011 01:31PM

No luck with the older versions of software. EPG is still a little random, and often has little or no data. There are also plenty of posts on joinfreesat.co.uk, in the section on the Technisat HDFS.

Last update I got over the phone from Technisat was it was being worked on. But they told me the very same about the Windows 7 fix. Not holding my breath.

Shame, it was a good box with EPG and recording.

woidoi · 03-10-2011 03:09PM

I have been writing to Technisat trying to get them to confirm that they will rectify the problem but haven't received any reply. Decided to get Freesat themselves on the case. They responded immediately - good for them!

"You are correct in pointing out that there has been a recent issue with some Humax and Technisat receivers getting delayed guide information. This is being looked into by Humax, Technisat and freesat and should be resolved soon. We have had correspondence with both companies and both Humax and Technisat have confirmed that it is a software issue that will be rectified as soon as possible. However, we can confirm that freesat did increase the amount of EPG data that is transmitted and that is the reason why Humax boxes are delayed in receiving the EPG data. We are currently unaware of why there is a Technisat issue. We apologise for any inconvenience this issue may have caused."

Maybe the reason for Technisat Epg problems but still we wait.

mahargwa · 03-10-2011 05:02PM

I bought one of these from Amazon and after a while the EPG stopped working. I emailed Technisat but as I had not received a reply from them within a couple of days I returned the item to Amazon for a refund. I then ordered another one hoping it would be OK. Not so- the new one arrived today and the EPG works only for a few hours ahead of current time. Not a sausage for the next and subsequent days. I did eventually receive a reply from Technisat stating-"The problem you described is actually known. We forwarded it to our software developer. At the moment we can’t tell you when there will be a final solution. Please be sure that it is important to us to solve the problem as quick as possible.

Thanks for your understanding and you patience.

Best regards
[snipped]

TechniSat Digital GmbH"

Anyone know how long have they been saying this for?
If there isn't a fix soon it will be going back to Amazon like the previous one.
Beats me how they can advertise it as having an 8 day guide when it clearly hasn't. Is there a similar box on the market with a competitive price?

Puggy · 05-10-2011 01:36PM

mahargwa,

its only been broken for a couple of weeks. I'd expect it to be sorted soon, as in weeks. Something similar happened to the Humax after an over the air update for ITV player I believe.

If its not fixed, I'll be getting my money back. Remember to e-mail and ring them on a regular basis. Also post on joinfreesat.co.uk, as they do contact Technisat on a regular basis.

woidoi · 13-10-2011 09:20AM

Just noticed this in the joinfreesat.co.uk website regarding HDFS.

TechniSat have confirmed a fix for the HDFS EPG issue is underway. The fault appeared a few weeks ago which prevents you accessing programme information more than 12 hours ahead, where as the standard Freesat EPG should allow you 8 days listings.

TechniSat have confirmed that they have located and solved the issue and the revised software will be tested week commencing 31st October 2011. Providing all goes well, they will be released shortly after via their website and presumably by over-the-air download too.

Hopefully they keep to their schedule if not beating it. Lack of EPG is driving me slowly I N S A N E ! :eek:

cjt156 · 18-10-2011 10:58AM

Technisat HDFS full 8 day EPG back in business last night.
Looking good.

woidoi · 18-10-2011 11:39AM

Not on my box yet. Did you have to do a software update or something? 'll try that myself when I get home. Good that something's happening finally though.

cjt156 · 18-10-2011 11:58AM

I did nothing at my end. I usually power down completely overnight but lately I'd tried leaving it on standby for updates. Was left that way saturday night; no change sunday. Off sunday night; full EPG monday.
?
Wait & see I suppose.

woidoi · 18-10-2011 08:41PM

Looks like you may have gotten lucky with an over the air test! Still no sign of it as an update. At least we know that it works! :rolleyes:

Has your software version number increased by any chance?

woidoi · 20-10-2011 09:00AM

Switched on my HDFS last night to be greeted with BBC 1 Oxford. Strange as I used a Manchester Post Code so as to get the higher quality ITV1. Tried to watch the boring Arsenal match on HD but there was a lot of breakup.

Got fed up with it and did a factory reset. Entered the Manchester Post code once again and after it picked up the channels lo and behold the epg started populating for the first time in nearly two months.:)

I have a feeling that Freesat themselves have corrected something with the Epg stream rather than Technisat issuing an update as the software version is still the same.

Hopefully the Epg will remain working from now on, it's nice to be able to plan ahead again!

woidoi · 21-10-2011 02:44PM

Dang! Gone again. Why does it do that? It had the full 8 day schedule now it has lost it and I left it on standby. Guess I'll have to wait for the update after all.

mp3ireland2 · 22-10-2011 01:41PM

Just wondering when this is fixed if all software downloads are available via the satellite or do we need to go online to get it?

Also anybody know anything about the PVR format? is there a way of viewing a technosat formatted usb stick with programs on it on a computer? only have a 4gb stick in it and would be handy to store stuff somewhere else....

woidoi · 23-10-2011 02:25PM

They will be available over the air via satellite. You can force an update check in settings or it'll pick it up automatically over night. You will also be able to download it via their website when it goes up. Interesting that the epg came back for a couple of days for most people both here and in Britain and then disappeared again. Lends some weight that when Freesat added more bits to the Epg the Technisat was not able to adjust. We might have got the Epf back because Freesat went back to old format for Technisat to check (Just guessing here!)

Though the Disk format is notionally Fat32, the old format that Windows used, the PVR recording format is actually encrypted, a Freesat requirement of Digital Rights Management and so far no one has been able to copy files off a USB drive written to by the HDFS. Though I wonder if you recorded in non Freesat mode (Technisat mode) would the same apply?

mp3ireland2 · 23-10-2011 04:10PM

woidoi wrote: »

They will be available over the air via satellite. You can force an update check in settings or it'll pick it up automatically over night. You will also be able to download it via their website when it goes up. Interesting that the epg came back for a couple of days for most people both here and in Britain and then disappeared again. Lends some weight that when Freesat added more bits to the Epg the Technisat was not able to adjust. We might have got the Epf back because Freesat went back to old format for Technisat to check (Just guessing here!)

Though the Disk format is notionally Fat32, the old format that Windows used, the PVR recording format is actually encrypted, a Freesat requirement of Digital Rights Management and so far no one has been able to copy files off a USB drive written to by the HDFS. Though I wonder if you recorded in non Freesat mode (Technisat mode) would the same apply?

ah right, didn't know that about the requirement... the usb stick wasn't even read in my computer when i plugged it in, said it needed to be formatted.... Had been googling a bit but if nobody has managed to do it you'll save me some time! Too lazy to try recording in non freesat mode! interesting point though!

mahargwa · 31-10-2011 09:32PM

The evil spirit within the HDFS EPG will be driven out tonight. It's HALLOWEEN ! But don't hold your breath.

cjt156 · 04-11-2011 12:36PM

Funny enough mine's sorted since Monday. Full 8 day EPG again now, after dropping it for a week or so.

mahargwa · 05-11-2011 01:56PM

Hi cjt156
Mine is still not working. Post code in Belfast. What post code are you using to get the 8day guide ?

woidoi · 06-11-2011 10:41PM

It shouldn't matter which post code your on for the Epg. A lot of people use a Manchester Code because the ITV HD data rate is the best from there. Try M60 7RA which is what I use. There doesn't seem to be any new software update yet, though due soon. However try turning to the Freesat Channel 999. Let it load for a while (enjoying the tinkling music) then look at a few pages. If you're lucky you might find that the Epg has updated! It transmits on the same transponder as the Epg signal. It would seem that the HDFS was always able to pick up the Epg but something confused it when Freesat changed the Epg stream.

cjt156 · 07-11-2011 12:24PM

mahargwa wrote: »

Hi cjt156
Mine is still not working. Post code in Belfast. What post code are you using to get the 8day guide ?

I'm using a code from that there London; though as mentioned above I doubt that matters.

mahargwa · 08-11-2011 11:15PM

We mine has been slowly populating the guide for 8 days but it takes quite a few minutes to do this. I have been in touch with technisat recently and have received the following reply:

Quote:
There will be a software update in this quarter. I can't give you a definitely
date.

Best regards
[snipped]

Unquote

He doesn't state if the upgrade will fix the problem

mp3ireland2 · 08-11-2011 11:21PM

Mine working now :-) wasn't working yesterday. As an aside should this outpuit in 1080 when connected via hdmi? I only get 720, on ITV HD, BBC HD etc. Don't know if it's the sat box or the tv which is the limting factor. TV is the LG 450 K i think... it give me 1080 on rte 2 HD....

woidoi · 09-11-2011 12:14PM

The Technisat does a very good quality 1080i. If my memory serves me right; go into menu > settings > picture settings. There should be an entry for output, set it to 1080i.

lucernarian · 12-12-2011 11:35AM

Would it be right to say that this issue has been dealt with now by a software update??

woidoi · 12-12-2011 11:49AM

Nope! Afraid not. Despite promises from Technisat that they would issue an update the software version is still stuck at the one they issued last February. Still losing the epg data and not finding radio stations either. I have had some luck with leaving the box tuned to channel 999 (the freesat info channel) and it usually loads up and keeps the upcoming eight days of epg. Occasionally goes pear shaped randomly though and clears out the epg again.

Block (8 · 10-01-2012 04:55AM

Thinking of picking up a second hand one, is there still no sign of an update.

Is the epg problem so bad and annoying that I should I try something else instead?

woidoi · 10-01-2012 10:36AM

Depends on how much you are paying for it second hand. I got mine from Amazon a year ago for about 100 euro. The faffing around with the Epg can be a pain and as mentioned earlier in this thread my box populates the 8-day epg properly if I leave it on Channel 999 (the freesat info channel) for a while once a week. The Technisat's Picture quality is excellent and if you stick a 16 or 32gb Memory Stick in the rear USB port (and make sure you have the latest firmware) you have a very good PVR too! I actually wrote to Technisat recently and asked them how was the update coming along (we were supposed to have it before year end) and they just said that they are continuing to work on it. Apparently there are two other issues that they are working on to fix as well. Some boxes don't populate the radio channels without a reset (like mine) and it has problems streaming media from Windows 7 machines over a network (not sure if that'll ever get fixed and not of interest to me anyway).

In conclusion an excellent machine with flawed firmware, if the price is right I'd go for it.

mp3ireland2 · 10-01-2012 10:43AM

woidoi wrote: »

Depends on how much you are paying for it second hand. I got mine from Amazon a year ago for about 100 euro. The faffing around with the Epg can be a pain and as mentioned earlier in this thread my box populates the 8-day epg properly if I leave it on Channel 999 (the freesat info channel) for a while once a week. The Technisat's Picture quality is excellent and if you stick a 16 or 32gb Memory Stick in the rear USB port (and make sure you have the latest firmware) you have a very good PVR too! I actually wrote to Technisat recently and asked them how was the update coming along (we were supposed to have it before year end) and they just said that they are continuing to work on it. Apparently there are two other issues that they are working on to fix as well. Some boxes don't populate the radio channels without a reset (like mine) and it has problems streaming media from Windows 7 machines over a network (not sure if that'll ever get fixed and not of interest to me anyway).

In conclusion an excellent machine with flawed firmware, if the price is right I'd go for it.

I've never had any problems with my EPG in months... there was an issue a few months back when everyone was having problems... but it updated itself and has been working flawlessly for months.

I haven't connected it to a network so don't know about streaming stuff.... Don't think I've ever looked at the radio channels so not sure if mine populates or not....

I think it's a great box overall!

Technisat HDFS broken EPG

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