PVR Problem :(

choccyface2006

I have bought a new Digital TV recorder, the Humax PVR9300T which has excellent reviews.

It replaces a Wharfdale PVR which had many problems and eventually stopped working after 5 months. This Humax box was more than twice as expensive but I thought it was worth it if it worked well.

But even though I've only had it a few days I am annoyed with it. The picture quality is great but it skips and freezes and makes a horrible loud scratchy noise. This is most apparent when the unit is recording another programme or the one you are watching. Sometimes its fine and perfect but most of the time theres an issue. I has rendered some programmes completly unwatchable.

I have also noticed that it has a buzzing background noise, this is coming through the TV speakers not the fan on the unit which is very quiet.

I feel really unlucky with this! Like I said, the reviews are excellent and this doesn't seem to be a common fault with this unit.

Its connected to my LG LCD television which has built in freeview and a Sony DVD player. There is nothing that should caused any interferrance with it in the room, no fish tank pumps or anything.

Is this a software issue maybe? Is it likely to be a faulty unit?

Thanks

Sarah x

daily_2

Skipping sounds more likely to be a signal problem, although loud scratching could be the hard disk. Check here for known software problems.

http://www.hummy.org.uk/forums/

http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?board=humax

macman

The fan was running excessively on earlier models, but this was cured by a software upgrade earlier this year. However it can do no harm to do a manual software upgrade search, the handbook shows you how to do this through the menu so I won't set it all out here.
Agree it sounds like a HD problem. Why don't you give Humax TS a call, as I think you may have to send it back under warranty. If so you've been unlucky, as most of the reports on this PVR have nothing but praise for it.

choccyface2006

I have read about the noisey fan issue, its not the fan thats making the noise though, but a background buzz not actually coming from the unit but through the tv, it didn't do it before I connected the box through the TVs inbuilt freeview

I am so fed up as I had a nightmare getting this unit (mix up at the store I bought it from) I'm loathed to have to send it back if its something I can fix myself.

I'll have a look at the software update, thanks to you both for your helpful replies

Sarah x

macman

How have you got it connected to the TV-SCART or HDMI? Sounds like the TV amp is picking up some sort of stray signal and feeding it through. Does it stop when you mute the sound? Try a different SCART or HDMI socket/cable.
Does it happen both on the TV digital and the Humax digital setting?

choccyface2006

Thanks again, it goes completly when I mute it. Its connected via a scart at the moment.

Sarah

Edinburghlass_2

I'd give Humax a call as they seem to be very helpful on the phone. My boss got one on my recommendation and he called them for some reason and found them very helpful. Mine had the noisy fan but there was a software update soon after I got it which sorted the problem.

macman

choccyface2006 wrote: »

Thanks again, it goes completly when I mute it. Its connected via a scart at the moment.

Sarah

Try it in another SCART socket if you have a spare one.

choccyface2006

Its now connected with a HMDI cable, the buzzing has gone but the picture is still patchy/jumping/scratchy There are no new software updates available...

Oh great..........its got a message now "The antenna cable is short circuited" and its worse than ever

I'll give Humax a call on Thursday I think.

Sarah x

macman

choccyface2006 wrote: »

Its now connected with a HMDI cable, the buzzing has gone but the picture is still patchy/jumping/scratchy There are no new software updates available...

Oh great..........its got a message now "The antenna cable is short circuited" and its worse than ever

I'll give Humax a call on Thursday I think.

Sarah x

Is this when it's live, or just when you playback recorded programmes?

choccyface2006

Its intermittant during live programmes and recorded programmes