Humax T2 is it Saorview compatible?

brownep · 06-08-2011 09:01PM

Anyone got a date for Brogher Mountain switch over and will the power be increased a lot. I live in Cavan and get fairly good DTT from there but it breaks up occasionally. Excellent Irish DTT from Carn Hill in N. Longford. That is possibly available in NI border areas as it is a very powerful transmitter. In light of this thread I will buy the Humax. Just returned a much hyped 3View box (£299). Total frustration and no help from support. Nothing worked correctly.

kah22 · 06-08-2011 10:41PM

MGG2905 wrote: »

Thanks kah22 at #59

I too have a Humax HDR Fox-T2 HD PVR.

When I tuned it I received two batches of Saorview stations – one on Channel 30 (from the Holywell Hill transmitter near Derry City to where my aerial points) and one on Channel 45 – probably from Moville transmitter. As the Channel 45 stations had a pixellated picture and broken sound, I deleted them.

Is it possible that you are getting a signal from two transmitters – Monaghan on Channel 55 and Clermont Carn on Channel 53?

I now have Saorview coming in on two different channels one set is coming in at 819 – 826 and the other set is coming in at 837 -844

On channel 819: RTE 1 is coming in as Ch47 with signal strength of 46% and a signal quality of 100%

On channel 837: RTE 1 is coming in as Ch55 with signal strength of 54% and a signal quality 100%

So it looks as if I am receiving from both Cairn Hill and Monaghan!

mgc102 · 10-12-2011 11:53PM

I have a Humax HDR-FOX T2.

As I live in the border area (Donegal 10 miles as the crow flies). I recieve a freeview signal form Limavady with all the digital UK channels and the Saorview Signal from Moville.

When I press the "i" button when on the TV Guide I get the program synopsis.

If I save a freeview program and then browse to it in the media files and press the "i" button the synopsis appears.

With saved saorview programs when you press the "i" button and get the file information box on the screen underneath the word unclassified [used on frieview to specify doccumentry sports kids news type program or unclassified if not stated] ther information that WAS present on the EPG is not present in the stored file.

The HDR works for both Saorview and Freeview.

Has any one else noticed this or will it be fixed when the Saorview series link is sorted out ?

trabpc · 26-06-2012 11:21AM

I know saorview can't series link. But can manual repeating recording be scheduled on this device. I.e every Monday 10 to 11 pm etc.

Mr Keek · 26-06-2012 07:40PM

trabpc wrote: »

I know saorview can't series link. But can manual repeating recording be scheduled on this device. I.e every Monday 10 to 11 pm etc.

I own the HD Fox T2, the one without the dual tuner and built in hard drive and yes, you can set a recording to Repeat Daily, Weekly, every Week Day or every Weekend day. The program name shows as the title of each program, its very easy to add a number after the program title to tell the episodes apart.

If its any use to you, some of the other posters on this forum have also commented on being able to set series link recordings a couple of weeks ago, sounds like Rte were testing..... Note this function was only temporary and is not available now, but its looking good when saorview start series link that the Dual Tuner Built In hard Drive, Hdr Fox T2 box might work.

I'd hold off buying for a bit until its confirmed Tht these boxes will support Series Link, the Humax is a grt box, I feel its better quality than alot of the approved boxes, better UI, and does look cheap and nasty under your telly. The Humax functions as a Saorview box for things like watching TV,the live pause and rewind is unreal, Digi Aertel, and has the correct times etc.

I asked a Saorview Rep on this forum about Series Link and he said it would be ready in Quarter 1!:rolleyes: Can't be long more!!

MACHEAD · 26-06-2012 08:45PM

liamtech wrote: »

channel numbering is 800 to 807 and cant be changed - BUT that doesnt matter to be honest - the box only shows you channels which are present and accounted for - it never trys to look at any channel number outside 800 to 807 -

To be honest that doesnt bother me what so ever - Its a SAVAGE BOX -

Is there any option to choose 'country' in the initial set-up menu. For e.g. if you had the option to choose 'Ireland' would it put the Saorview channels at the top of the EPG (001 - 007) and the Freeview channels thereafter, or is UK the only option.

implausible · 27-06-2012 12:54AM

Mr Keek wrote: »

I own the HD Fox T2, the one without the dual tuner and built in hard drive and yes, you can set a recording to Repeat Daily, Weekly, every Week Day or every Weekend day. The program name shows as the title of each program, its very easy to add a number after the program title to tell the episodes apart.

I have one of these boxes and was pleasantly surprised when I realised I could use it as a media player from my WD passport drive. I'm just wondering what you use for recording - is it a regular hdd and did you have to change the format or anything? I've been afraid to record onto mine in case it wipes what's on my drive as someone told me I'd have to format it to record onto it.

Mr Keek · 27-06-2012 03:15PM

implausible wrote: »

I have one of these boxes and was pleasantly surprised when I realised I could use it as a media player from my WD passport drive. I'm just wondering what you use for recording - is it a regular hdd and did you have to change the format or anything? I've been afraid to record onto mine in case it wipes what's on my drive as someone told me I'd have to format it to record onto it.

I had a spare 1TB Hdd so I used tht, you need a dedicated Hdd for the box as every time you used it on the laptop to you would have to format it, and vice versa, you have to wipe you media off it to use it for recording.

The humux used a Linux ext3 format, you can get the driver for a windows laptop, but I was never able to use the hdd for both Humax recordings and also as a Hdd for media.

STB · 27-06-2012 06:24PM

MACHEAD wrote: »

Is there any option to choose 'country' in the initial set-up menu. For e.g. if you had the option to choose 'Ireland' would it put the Saorview channels at the top of the EPG (001 - 007) and the Freeview channels thereafter, or is UK the only option.

The Humax HDR FoxT2 is a Freeview HD profile box. It is designed to comply specifically to the Freeview HD Spec as set down in the DBook for T2. Its a proprietary menu design and set up for the UK.

Saorview is speced according to Irish Spec + Nordid 2 for DVB-T.

The Nordig Spec for T2 and the UK DBook T2 spec for Freeview HD differ greatly. As does the spec between Nordig DVB-T and DVB-T2. There are lots of mandatory requirements in one but not in the other as well as proprietary specifications in each.

One of the most obvious ones is how UK Dbook deals with copy protection of HD (HDCP) material. It stops it from being transferred outside the box for Freeview HD material which is an issue for interoperability on PVRs in border regions

To the person who has problems with the data labels remaining, what format are you recording in ? If it is the raw transport stream, it should pull down all the data with it.

implausible · 28-06-2012 01:10AM

Mr Keek wrote: »

I had a spare 1TB Hdd so I used tht, you need a dedicated Hdd for the box as every time you used it on the laptop to you would have to format it, and vice versa, you have to wipe you media off it to use it for recording.

Thanks for the reply, so I was right to be afraid! Best go and get myself another HDD so. I'm assuming usb powered will do the trick as my current drive works as a media player off usb..

Mr Keek · 28-06-2012 01:14PM

implausible wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, so I was right to be afraid! Best go and get myself another HDD so. I'm assuming usb powered will do the trick as my current drive works as a media player off usb..

Yup, USB powered is what I had, didnt want more cables so it was nice an tidy.

I used a Sea Gate Free agent Go and found it great, looked well beside the TV, Big Capicity, Good speed, neat and tidy and it was silent.

Iderown · 06-07-2012 07:59AM

Recently bought the Humax HDR Fox-T2 HD PVR. Got the variant with the 1TB hard drive from PC World.
I'm in Bangor, North Down. Have a 6 element crossed director style yagi - the type with 8 reflector elements, chimney mounted, aimed at Divis. Indoors amp with gain about 20dB.
Also have 10 element similar style yagi aimed at Clermont Carn. It has additional mast-head amp. The analogue RTÉ channels are reasonable.

Was impressed by the simplicity of setting up the Humax. It found all the services presently available from Divis. I guess the null (in the north-east direction) in the Saorview signal from CC causes no signal to be detected from CC.

The signal strength (displayed by the Humax box) is 50% - 60% and quality is 100%. Have not seen any pixellation effects. I'll probably be able to remove some of the signal amplification after 24 October.

Have not yet fully gone through the recording facilities or the channel (favourites, ...) menus. Will have to do that with the missus who will be the main user. Was a bit time consuming to find the correct code so that the remote controller would also function with the television.

Disclaimer : I have no financial, or other, interest in HUMAX or PC World.

Pyro Boy · 06-07-2012 07:35PM

Just may be of interest to people who have a Hummy box.
There is a custom firmware available which provides a few advantages like:

1)Channel reordering (more info here)
2)Setting the default channel to power on at. (also what volume to be set at) (link)
3)Extends the Portal so you can use the Sky Player also it maybe possible for rte player...
4) Remote record scheduling
5) streaming recordings to laptops, tablets
5) And lots more see the wiki here (Link)

The firmware does not alter the UI on the screen but adds these extra features . Hope it helps someone with this already fantastic box

More details are here the community are good and the more saorview users that use the firmware the more likely we are to get extensions specifically for Ireland

mgc102 · 08-07-2012 09:42PM

MACHEAD wrote: »

Is there any option to choose 'country' in the initial set-up menu. For e.g. if you had the option to choose 'Ireland' would it put the Saorview channels at the top of the EPG (001 - 007) and the Freeview channels thereafter, or is UK the only option.

For the humax HDR T2 Fox (FW 1.02.28): press
Menu, Settings, System, System Information

Then to access the Hidden Menu press the colour buttons in this sequence of 7

red, green, yellow, blue, green, yellow, blue

You can now scroll down and change the country setting on the humax from England to Ireland.

you can then change the operator settings (on mine set at BBC) to one of 12 others but I cant see Saorview / RTE etc as any of the operator settings, so it may not make any diffrence.

MACHEAD · 08-07-2012 10:15PM

Thanks for the info mgc102. I don't have one of these Humax's yet. Will wait till after ASO and see what panns out. Perhaps RTÉ/Saorview could be added to the list of operators in a future FW update.

My brother in law has the twin tuner one with the 500 GB HD, it's deffo a nice piece of kit.

mgc102 · 08-07-2012 11:16PM

STB wrote: »

To the person who has problems with the data labels remaining, what format are you recording in ? If it is the raw transport stream, it should pull down all the data with it.

I have the Humax HDR-Fox T2 and receive Freeview and Saorview. The box records the files as a transport stream. The program synopsis on saorview and freeview are visible when the program is running live. the program synopsis accessible pressing the i button on playing back recorded freeview programs but NOT for saorview programs. It is as if the humax cannot save the data in the saorview EPG. (someone did mention that it might be the Humax does not recognise the fada character ( eg RTÉ or á é )

Here are the raw EPG data from 2 saved (1st FREEVIEW 2nd SAORVIEW) programs :

FREEVIEW EPG DATA|SAORVIEW EPG DATA
Section header:|Section header:
total_length: 1848| total_length: 1524
table_id: 80| table_id: 80
u1.u.syntax_indicator: 1| u1.u.syntax_indicator:1
u1.u.reserved: 7| u1.u.reserved: 7
u1.u.length: 1845| u1.u.length: 1520
service_id: 4285| service_id: 1102
reserved2: 3| reserved2: 3
version_number: 13| version_number: 15
current_next_indicator: 1| current_next_indicator: 1
section_number: 16| section_number: 24
last_section_number: 248| last_section_number: 248
transport_stream_id: 4157| transport_stream_id: 1001
original_network_id: 9018| original_network_id: 8564
segment_last_section_number: 16| segment_last_section_number: 24
last_table_id: 81| last_table_id: 81
Data:|Data:
event_id: 41032| event_id: 46096
start_date: 0xdb34 6:40:00 (Sun Jul 8 07:40:00 2012) [1341729600]| start_date: 0xdb34 9:35:00 (Sun Jul 8 10:35:00 2012) [1341740100]
duration: 0:25:00| duration: 0:25:00
u1.u.running_status: 0| u1.u.running_status: 0
u1.u.free_CA_mode: 0| u1.u.free_CA_mode: 0
u1.u.descriptors_loop_length: 227| u1.u.descriptors_loop_length: 82
Descriptor header:|Descriptor header:
descriptor: 0x4d [77] (short event)| descriptor: 0x4d [77] (short event)
len: 170| len: 27
content.d77.lang: eng| content.d77.lang: eng
content.d77.namelen: 19| content.d77.namelen: 20
content.d77.name: 54 68 65 20 53 63 6f 6f 62 79 2d 44 6f 6f 20 53 68 6f 77 (The Scooby-Doo Show)| content.d77.name: 05 54 68 65 20 53 63 6f 6f 62 79 2d 44 6f 6f 20 53 68 6f 77 (.The Scooby-Doo Show)
content.d77.textlen: 146| content.d77.textlen: 2
content.d77.text: 43 42 42 43 2e 20 31 35 2f 31 36 2e 20 54 68 65 20 57 61 72 6c 6f 63 6b 20 6f 66 20 57 69 6d 62 6c 65 64 6f 6e 3a 20 41 6e 20 61 6e 63 69 65 6e 74 20 77 61 72 6c 6f 63 6b 20 73 63 61 72 65 73 20 61 20 74 65 65 6e 61 67 65 20 74 65 6e 6e 69 73 20 70 6c 61 79 65 72 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 20 61 6e 20 69 6d 70 6f 72 74 61 6e 74 20 6d 61 74 63 68 2e 20 5b 53 5d 20 46 6f 6c 6c 6f 77 65 64 20 62 79 20 54 68 65 20 4f 77 6c 2e (CBBC. 15/16. The Warlock of Wimbledon: An ancient warlock scares a teenage tennis player right before an important match. Followed by The Owl.)| content.d77.text: 05 00 (..)
Descriptor header:|Descriptor header:
descriptor: 0x54 [84] (content)| descriptor: 0x54 [84] (content)
len: 2| len: 2
content.d84.level1: 5| content.d84.level1: 0
content.d84.level2: 0| content.d84.level2:0
content.d84.user: 0| content.d84.user: 0
Type: Children| Type: Undefined
Descriptor header:|
descriptor: 0x76 [118] (content id)|
len: 8|
content.d118.i: 1|
location: 0|
type: 49|
cridlen: 6|
crid: 2f 53 49 4b 49 56 (/SIKIV)|
ref: 0|
Descriptor header:|
descriptor: 0x76 [118] (content id)|
len: 9|
content.d118.i: 1|
location: 0|
type: 50|
cridlen: 7|
crid: 2f 4b 5a 54 53 37 5a (/KZTS7Z)|
ref: 0|

I picked these as they are similar programs. The raw data is almost identical until it gets to

content.d77.namelen:

line. In the saorview name there is an extra character making the name length up to 20. This extra character seems to be represented by a dot infront of the program name (code data as 05 ). After this there is no more data picked up from the EPG. However this data from Saorview is visible on live broadcasts.

Is this

.

before program names in Saorviewa glitch? Or a design diffrence between Saorview and Freeview data streams ? If it is meant to be like that then likely the Humax will not save the EPG synopsis but if it is an oversight then could it be looked at ?

Shezsharks · 22-09-2012 01:45AM

Ok I have been advised to get a Humax with a hard drive as Im in Co DUblin and record all the soaps during the week. I also want to record the freeview channels too.

I am trying to work out the cheapest option for me to move to saorview/digital. I have UPC basic package in the bedroom and just bought a Alba saorview tv so I am getting a UHF wide gain aerial installed so when Im recording etc on the UPC I can watch the Saorview channels on the tv. Ideally I would like to have the freeview channels on this tv also but dont want another box on top of my UPC, can these be tuned into my saorview tv ???

Main query is the sitting room Ive bought the new Philips 3d tv with mpeg4 which I believe can receive saorview channels. I have an openbox and vcr/dvd recorder connected to the tv.

The openbox I only use for recording movies or Dallas (CBS Drama) as its not reliable and dosent always record daily like it should.

I use the combi vcr/dvd to record anything from the 18 analogue channels that are available until October 24th they are (RTE1-MTV), this is what I use to record all the soaps during the week.

The connections are as follows:

VCR/DVD Recorder, the analogue cable inserted directly to aerial. RF out to Antenna on TV.
Scart AV1(TV) to EXT1 on tv (Only one scart connection on tv)
COmbi has two scarts spare is AV2 Decoder.

The openbox has the satellite dish cable inserted to its LNB IN and connected to the TV by a HDMI.

Very lengthy explanation but have tried to summarise what Im looking for and the cheapest option with as little upset as possible. I have to get a wide gain aerial installed as signal here is bad so I will have an aerial and digital dish cable all ready. Please someone help if you can....Thanks

The Cush · 22-09-2012 08:27AM

Shezsharks wrote: »

I use the combi vcr/dvd to record anything from the 18 analogue channels that are available until October 24th they are (RTE1-MTV), this is what I use to record all the soaps during the week.

The 18 analogue channels via UPC cable will not be switched off on Oct 24th, terrestrial ASO (analogue switchoff) applies only if you receive the 4 Irish channels via an existing aerial.

http://support.upc.ie/app/answers/detail/a_id/320/~/analogue-switch-off

yellowwalls · 27-09-2012 06:59PM

Am interested in this box foor saorview use.It appears that that it works very well in receiving all Saorview channels.
I'm particularly intersted in its ability to receive RTE Subtitles(Very important)and also rte Aertel.From posts from GBCULLEN,Liamtech,KennyT and MrKeek who have the box it appears that it may actually but with a little bit of work.Perhaps someone of the above would confirm the subtitle position of the box ie that it is intuitive to operate for an older user.

brownep · 28-09-2012 01:16AM

I can confirm that the subtitles work well on RTE2, and presumably other channels. It must be set up through the menu but will remain on as long as you want even after power off/on. Press menu - settings - screen appearance - subtitles on or off. Then back out of the menu. Not easy for the elderly but if you set it up for them it will remain on. Text will also be fine.

Shezsharks · 28-09-2012 02:31AM

@The Cush
Thanks for that Info my tvs both of them have the 18 analogue channels from RTE1 to MTV tuned in by cable but UP said that only the tv that is connected to my UPC Digital + box will keep the 4 Irish channels and the others will be gone. I only have the openbox connected to the Dish at present.

The Cush · 28-09-2012 09:04AM

Shezsharks wrote: »

@The Cush
Thanks for that Info my tvs both of them have the 18 analogue channels from RTE1 to MTV tuned in by cable but UP said that only the tv that is connected to my UPC Digital + box will keep the 4 Irish channels and the others will be gone. I only have the openbox connected to the Dish at present.

I'm not a UPC subscriber but someone else did mention here in the forum that UPC told them the analogue channels other than the 4 Irish will be switching off at some point. I haven't come across anything official from UPC and not sure if it's been discussed over in the cable forum. There have been some posts in that forum that some analogue cable channels in Galway and maybe Waterford have been removed to free up spectrum for digital services.

Maybe you start a thread over in the cable forum, other posters may have to up to date information on this.

Back to your original post - for Saorview you'll require an aerial, a grouped aerial is recommended over a wideband. The aerial group required will depend on which Saorview transmitter will give best coverage for your area. Use the Saorview coverage checker to find the recommended transmitter and frequency for your area.

The 2 Saorview TVs you have don't have a satelllite tuner, so not possible to attach the dish to view the free UK channels.

There's a Walker Saorview-approved twin-tuner recorder (PVR) expected in mid Oct. As well as the Humax you mention there are Samsung PVRs being discussed in another thread here at the moment with positive reviews. Not possible to attach the dish to these to watch/record the satellite channels.

There are combi receivers available with Saorview/satellite tuners but none that I know of with an internal recorder, they require a separate external hard drive attached.

zg3409 · 28-09-2012 09:05AM

Shezsharks wrote: »

@The Cush
Thanks for that Info my tvs both of them have the 18 analogue channels from RTE1 to MTV tuned in by cable but UPC said that only the tv that is connected to my UPC Digital + box will keep the 4 Irish channels and the others will be gone.

This is NOT correct. Any TV that has the 18 analogue channels will continue to work, regardless of if you have a digital box connected to it. Those 18 channels are going nowhere on 24th of October.

Humax T2 is it Saorview compatible?

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