Like a load of Humax users, we’ve been miffed off to the max with the increasingly patchy performance from our Humax PVR units.
As we reported recently, our PVRs have been slowing down to a crawl, freezing completely, refusing to turn off when the unit is switched off and – worst of all – missing vital recordings of Cardiff City’s play-off securing Championship season.
Fixes and bodges
After trying a load of fixes and bodges suggested on the web to no avail, we blasted Humax off a moaning letter and promised to post up their reply here.
They didn’t get around to emailing us back, but instead made a statement via their Facebook page (of all places) claiming to have conjured up a software solution that will ‘dramatically improve the user experience’ and address issues such as freezing and locking up.
Acknowledging the “issues” affecting PVR-9150T, PVR-9300T and, “in particular”, the PVR-9200T Freeview+ digital TV recorders, the company detailed the problems:
The increasing complexity of the UK’s broadcast infrastructure and requirement to process a substantially higher volume of information has put the PVRs under pressure and significant performance issues became particularly apparent through the digital switchover.
We recognise this has regrettably caused frustration and problems for some of our PVR-9300T and PVR-9150T users, and in particular those with the older PVR-9200T models.
Humax also say that the new software mitigates the risk of future problems, and significantly reduces the time it takes to display the on-screen electronic programme guide (EPG) data, from many minutes to seconds.
They’re claiming the latter to be a “new feature” although most frustrated users would probably think of it as a long overdue fix.
Coming soon
Obliquely, Humax say they’re scheduling an automatic over-the-air software download “in a matter of weeks”, although they won’t give exact dates right now so we won’t be holding our breath – after all it’s taken over a year for them to even acknowledge the problem.
To make sure you get your update, be sure to turn your PVR off and on occasionally, or if you’re the impatient type, check out their website regularly where they’ll be making the update available as a download.
I thought this was just me!
It’s being going on with mine for years (after a couple of trouble free years). I assumed it was just because I had been using it for a couple of years and had never re-formatted it.
The EPG had always taken yonks to come on (frustrating when you remember you want to record something as you’re going out the door, so you have to power up the box and wait for the EPG to load while your bus goes sailing past), but the glacial response to the remote was really starting to hack me off – especially when whizzing through ad breaks.
Let’s hope they get it sorted!
I strongly suspect Steve Jobs has a Humax PVR in his office in Cupertino with a sign above it that reads: “THIS IS NOT HOW TO DO IT”.
I’ve just written back to Humax:
I’ll keep you all posted if we get a response.
We’ve had another response from their UK PR team (impressively on a Sunday afternoon) saying that they’ll have ‘firm dates’ for the update ‘soon,’ but these are ‘still to be confirmed at the moment.’
Which, frankly, doesn’t tell us anything at all.
In the States, this is the sort of thing that sparks off class action lawsuits from dissatisfied consumers.
@Moses Humberstone
I’ve had problems with slow remote response too but I found that it was related to the amount of stuff on the HDD. When I deleted a load of things (and instructed my son to delete loads of things he’d watched but just and couldn’t be bothered to delete – he’s a teenager see) the problem was far less frequent and hardly happens at all provided we record/watch/delete. Whenever it comes, I hope the 9200T software update solves it though.
Hi just found this page, nice to know i’m not alone
contacted humax 12th march when i was fed up with the humax 9200 playing up, no reply many emails no reply until i sent a email 5 april asking if uksupport was alive got reply 12 march from customer support stating (as others above) fix will be in few weeks keep looking at dtg schedule. to date nothing sent another email 21st may as box appears to get worse yesterday it froze 5 times, guess what no reply will try to phone humax after bank holiday 31/5, see what excuses they have. Can’t even use my service contract with currys as basically the problem is with humax could it be money down the drain.
We’re going to mail them tomorrow and keep right on their case until this is resolved. Our PVRs are all but useless at the moment.
We have had all the problems every week since digital update on Mendip transmitter including picture freeze, recordings freezing, slow remote. Did all the resets, defaults etc recommended on the various forums but no improvement
Got through to Humax on the phone and they e-mailed me attachment with the latest beta software update on the 21st May. Had to get usb to rs232 cables to transfer the hdf file from the laptop to our 9300 but at £7 was worth it Humax has been running trouble free ever since. OK,, is only a week or so but fingers crossed.
Helpful guy on the phone at Humax. He reckoned at the time it would be 3 or 4 weeks before they would be able to do a free to air transfer of the update. Maybe you are getting it now, maybe not, but looks like it is worth waiting for. Alternatively call them or go the site and do a computer download. You will need rs232 cable link for the 9300
As FB above contacted Humas Customer Support, said would be download soon but did offer to email beta fix. Have already done this before when purchased machine and found it out of date used a USB to serial lead and downloaded from support site. This time used Beta fix from email and magic, no problems since ran all yesterday no freezes remote fast and once your have downloaded the epg for the first time (still slow) the machine is fast startup from standby (seconds) and 100% epg waiting… sugest if you have confidence and serial cable call humax and get beta fix…..
Have checked the dtg website today and notice there is now an over air download scheduled for Wed 9 to Fri 11 June which I presume is the one you referred to but it only relates to the various 9200 models – what about us 9300 owners who have been having exactly the same problems?!?!?
http://www.dtg.org.uk/industry/download_schedule.php
While I’ve not had problems with my current 9300 (the first one went back as it was useless – regularly forgetting its programmes, favourites, turning itself off and on, etc. etc.) I’d like to echo what’s been said so far regarding Humax customer support, an oxymoron if ever I heard one. They were absolutely hopeless when I contacted them in connection with the first, duff box and now I see they’re using Facebook to communicate with their customers?! What about those of us who haven’t and don’t want to register with Facebook?
Now I’ve got one that’s been working reliably for a few months, I can see that the 9300 is a pretty good machine but I really would think twice about buying anything from Humax again.
Update here:
Humax finally schedules updates for its wonky PVRs
http://www.wirefresh.com/humax-finally-schedules-updates-for-its-wonky-pvrs/
Well my PVR9200t updated today, lets see whether it changes.
Joy of joys! Our Humax was updated during the week. I have done the recommended re-installation of the settings and our two machines are working as they should. I just hope it continues.
Oh bother!!! I just bought a Humax PVR 9300T YESTERDAY (13/06/2010) and realised last night when setting it up that all was not well. It displayed all the issues described in other comments so at the moment am feeling quite sick and dissapointed. If only I had known about these issues then I would have bought another brand. Cant wait to see if downloads the “fix” soon.
Like others here- my Humax worked perfectly for a time and then started to lock up more and more frequently. I eventually threw it away a few weeks ago having searched the internet for fixes, left it (forever) to find a software update, reformatted the HD and refixed every internal connector. Went and bought the cheapest generic PVR from Argos which works- perfectly! I am however a bit pee’d off as I perhaps should have waited a little longer.
carl – don’t worry – I’ve done the update on my 9200T and I am now ready to bin it. Lost recordings – they are there one minute, you try to record something else and it call this new recording the same as the old one – I’ve just had Sundays Desperate Housewives show three times in the schedule (we watched yesterday) and it is now the Holyoaks just recorded – the same recording 3 times! Tried to delete the first 2, the box crashed and when i turn it back on all my recordings have disappeared. Time for a new box I think and having had three Humax in the past – will not be buying another!!
We bought a PVR 9300T in March 2009. We are on our second replacement box, having suffered all the problems other users list plus recodings with no sound. Humax’s advice is to re-format, which of course wipes out recordings we wanted to keep. When will the facility to offload to PC be implemented?
Tony: our Humax has been driving us crazy recently to the point we’re considering just dumping the thing – or perhaps smashing it into smithereens first so we can vent our rage at all the lost recordings and infuriating glitches it burdens on us every day.
We’ve had the ‘no sound’ recordings too.
Just bought a 9300t with latest software. Volume level does not increase or decrease when using handset and picture momentarily freezes and pixilates. Signal strength from aerial excellent. Contacted Humax support twice and they could only suggest manual tuning which did not correct faults. Emailed customer services twice and was ignored. Emailed their support again and was ignored. If Humax can’t be bothered to reply to customers then they have to face the consquences. The unit I purchased is “NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE” and I have requested a full refund. Failing this I will go to a small claims court.
I have a Humax 9150T, with a serial cable (9 pin) to USB, Software version HPTTF 1.00.23. I was wondering if this is the latest up date or where Can I find one.
Geoff, I have just installed a new 9150t with all the attendant miseries outlined above. Humax’s tech man was very helpful in sending emails to advise off air download 29th-31st Dec., leave set switched on to BBC1 on those dates, or better yet, send off for a USB to 9 pin RS232 plug and download it yourself from Humax website click support, click downloads then follow instructions. This way you’ll be able to record all those Xmas progs you won’t want to miss. Make certain that sensitive family and friends are out of earshot as the air turns blue when you find it doesn’t work on Windows 7 or presumably Astra. It’s got to be XP or older. Honestly, for a company in the forefront of technology, wouldn’t you think they’d try to keep up!
Good luck to us all!
Peter Hanlon.
Oh dear!
Did I say ASTRA? I think I meant VISTA or PASTA or whichever Windows it was that was largely avoided. Sorry, but since you probably don’t have it, it won’t really matter, especially since it won’t work the Humax download anyway!
Peter Hanlon.
As far as I can tell from the DTG website there are NO 9150T updates scheduled for 29th to 31st Dec or at least they’ve not been published yet.
Feeling a bit brassed off as we bought one two weeks ago and it a pathetic heap of junk as it presently stands. Can’t understand how a company can get away with selling something that is patently not fit for purpose.
DTG >
http://www.dtg.org.uk/industry/download_schedule.php
Sent this to Humax Tech Support this evening (I’m getting increasingly irate!!)
We bought a new 9150T two weeks ago.
So far it has proved to be not fit for purpose. It freezes and locks up. It is frequently slow or non-responsive to the remote control and on-set button too. And the only solution to these problems is to switch off the power.
As far as I can glean from reports on internet sites these are well reported problems. Can you confirm that a software update will be broadcast to remedy these failings and on what dates they will be broadcast? As far as I can see at present DTG has nothing scheduled. Failing this if I need to down a software update and install from a PC – where can I obtain the update, and will Humax refund the cost of a USB to serial cable?
I gather that Humax is attributing the problems to the switch off of the EPG broadcasts, but since this happened several months ago, I fail to understand why stocks were not recalled for software update rather than leaving it up to purchasers to try to remedy the problems. It’s a bit akin to Ford releasing a new model that conks out every 50 miles and expecting the owner to fix it.
If I have not got the PVR working as advertised by the Christmas holidays I shall be contacting out local trading standards office to see what they say about the matter.
Hello, PVR-9150T
I have the above model – which some times inherits the common faults of locking-up
and freezing. I missed the previous ota down load, could you tell me when the next one is
due!
Thank you
G.Partridge
Today I received tis reply from Humax –
We will be issuing the software update OTA on the 29th December to correct this issue. Unfortunately we cannot compensate for the purchase of a serial cable to update yourself. If you leave the unit in standby overnight on the 29th December the box will pick the software up automatically.
We have been issuing the software for over 6 months now so it seems if you have purchased this only 2 weeks ago the retailer may have quite old stock.
I have recently purchased PVR 9300T which illustrates all the problems of above. I was told that humax were doing an update on 22nd December but did not explain how to. I have now found the site which gives the details. It however it mentions model 9150T (although I asked for 9500T) an update on 29th, will this also be suitable for the 9500T model.
Thank you. B Stuck.
Download the update for the 9150T this morning. I had to do a manual download as the OH had switched off the PVR last night. Seems to have fixed all the bugs.
I have had problems with my Humax PVR-9150T since before Xmas. It started missing recording some scheduled programmes and failing to record when pressing the ‘Record’ button most times. When I have managed to start recording a programme I have been unable to play it. The HDD is only at half capacity, will I need to reset it in order to solve the problem. Will the software update sort the problem? I do not think I had any updates since I bought the devize over a year ago. How can i checked the latest version of the my software. Thanks very much for any help provided.
hi everyone. I just bought a Humax 9300T today and my picture on the Discovery channel freezes sometimes as I watch it. everything else seems ok for now. any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys.
We are having problems with intermittant signal quality on bbc channels causing freezing, skipping and that horrible harsh noise you sometimes get with digital. We had an excellent Sharp pvr for years which eventually expired, we then bought a Sagem pvr which soon went wrong, Humax have always been recommended by Which? so we thought we’d try our luck with that but I fear I may have bought another lemon. Luckily, we also have a HD/DVD recorder so we can watch and record bbc with that but are getting fed up with juggling remotes.
Had the 9300t for nearly two years now. No problems until about 6 weeks ago when noticed 3 copies of an episode of The Killing but at 2 hours length and not 1 hour. Turned out they were all copies of the same 2 hour QVC show that my wife had programmed, presumably overlapping with The Killing. Since discovered this has happened on a few other occasions and some other programmes have just not recorded. The disk is about a third full.
Is this an issue addressed by the update? and will the update preserve the recordings still on the disk?
I have a 9200T that has not updated manually or automatically since I bought it, I’ve always had to use the ancient serial port method, I mean for gods sake why didn’t you just put a USB 1.1 in, not friggin rocket science is it.
My device is almost usable, I think humax should replace it with a properly functioning one because as of now I will never recommend humax ever again, I remember being told they were great… but I must have mis-heard. I hardly watch TV now because it’s so annoying, so much so that I’m not buying a TV licence, when the TV henchmen come knocking on my door I’ll just say sorry I own a humax, they’ll sigh and say we fully understand, sorry to have bothered you. In fact, not watching TV can be called doing a humax.
If it doesn’t get fixed I’m going to make a video of me smashing it up and burning it because that’s all its good for at the moment.
Can you tell I’m annoyed?
I’ve a PVR9150T v4.35 thats always been problematic with ‘series link’ and a dislike of recording any program reserved on BBC1. Today however, it stopped responding to the remote – further investigation revealed that with the aerial unplugged the PVR responded to the remote and front panel buttons, and recorded programs could be viewed.
But…. as soon as the aerial was plugged in, the remote and front panel buttons stopped responding within about 15 seconds !!!!! and the only way to recover was to switch off and on again….with aerial unplugged……. a sad new low for Humax
I have exactly the same problems as Dr Colossus above!!
I too am having the same problems as Dr Colossus since yesterday 14th December with my Humax PVR 9150T until yesterday I had had no problems at all with it.
I have to keep unplugging it to get it to work and again it stops working after about 15 seconds.
My PVR 9300T is also failing, if I unplug the aerial all controlls work, plug in the aerial and within a few minutes the clock and all else locks up.
Any suggestions of a way forward ???
Hi
I’m having the same problems with the 9300T, it used to just freeze and was ok again by just switching it off and on again but now the remote wont work, cant even turn the volume up or down, everything is frozen. Has anyone found a fix that works for this?
I had exactly the same problem as Peter. 9150T had been working fine until last night then froze after 15 seconds.
I noticed that the machine was never upgrading the software though set to do so automatically. I managed to go to menu , software update and now everything is perfect. May not be everyone’s answer but worked for me!
@Peter
I had exactly the same problem as you. After much fiddling, cursing and swearing I fixed it this morning. Did a variety of things so will detail my actions. Not sure which one fixed it!!
Turn off Humax and then turn it back on again-this will allow you to operate remote.
Select Menu followed by Installation. Enter 0000. Select Software Update. I did this at 10.00am this morning and changed default time for updates to 10.05am. Saved it and switched Humax to standby.
At 10.30 I turned off Humax and turned it back on again. Select menu followed by System Select Status then select Loader version. Follow the instructions to download OTA update. Working perfectly now.
I had exactly the same problem as you. After much fiddling, cursing and swearing I fixed it this morning. Did a variety of things so will detail my actions. Not sure which one fixed it!!
Turn off Humax and then turn it back on again-this will allow you to operate remote.
Select Menu followed by Installation. Enter 0000. Select Software Update. I did this at 10.00am this morning and changed default time for updates to 10.05am. Saved it and switched Humax to standby.
At 10.30 I turned off Humax and turned it back on again. Select menu followed by System Select Status then select Loader version. Follow the instructions to download OTA update. Working perfectly now.
Exactly the same thing has started happening to my 9150T last night (14th). In addition to the above symptoms if you manage to start a recording before it freezes up then the recording will not stop when the program stops, and you have to turn the box off again.
Does anyone know if tonight’s scheduled update is likely to work on frozen boxes?
I had exactly the same problem as you. After much fiddling, cursing and swearing I fixed it this morning. Did a variety of things so will detail my actions. Not sure which one fixed it!!
Turn off Humax and then turn it back on again-this will allow you to operate remote.
Select Menu followed by Installation. Enter 0000. Select Software Update. I did this at 10.00am this morning and changed default time for updates to 10.05am. Saved it and switched Humax to standby.
At 10.30 I turned off Humax and turned it back on again. Select Menu followed by System. Select Status then select Loader version. Follow the instructions to download OTA update. Working perfectly now.
Exactly the same thing has started happening to my 9150T last night (14th). In addition to the above symptoms if you manage to start a recording before it freezes up then the recording will not stop when the program stops, and you have to turn the box off again.
Does anyone know if tonight’s scheduled update is likely to work on these frozen boxes?
Response from Humax support
=======================
The freezing problem you’re having with your Freeview box is happening because the box needs a software update.
We are sending out software updates throughout the next week to fix these problems. Please see below the dates for when the software will be broadcast for your unit.
Model Start End
PVR-9300T On Air 15/12/2011 @ 9am
PVR-9150T 15/12/2011 @ 10am 17/12/2011 @ 9am
PVR-9300T 17/12/2011 @ 10am 18/12/2011 @ 9am
PVR-9150T 18/12/2011 @ 10am 19/12/2011 @ 9am
PVR-9200T 19/12/2011 @ 10am 20/12/2011 @ 9am
PVR-9300T 20/12/2011 @ 10am 21/12/2011 @ 9am
PVR-9150T 21/12/2011 @ 10am 22/12/2011 @ 9am
To download the new software please follow these steps.
Turn the Humax box off from the power.
Take the aerial out of the Humax box.
Turn the power back on but make sure the aerial is still out.
When the Humax box powers back on press the MENU button on the Humax remote.
Go down to Installation and press OK then enter your password (0000).
Go down to Software Update and press OK.
Carefully reconnect the aerial.
Press OK on Automatic Software Update.
The box will now download the new update automatically, once the percentage reaches 100 you can press exit to return to live television and you shouldn’t experience any more problems of this nature.
@Chris
shall we start now, as we went out and bought a new one, because we thought ours was broken because it froze right up couldnt do a thing with it, help
Followed the instructions above and it didn’t download. Tried again and menu doesn’t come up. What next???????
Gawd bless the forums!
I was already looking on Amazon for a new unit. They are getting more expensive now though!
I found Chris’s comment at the bottom of this thread & followed the procedure.
The software update I got was HPTTF 1.00.26 (on my PVR9150T)
The box has come back to life & isn’t currently experiencing the freezing problem that we all seem to be having. Let’s see how it goes for a couple of days.
Playing Devil’s advocate… I can see by the amount of rubbish channels that the system has found after resetting to default, that this might overload the older software – especially when it receives the program guides.
Also, perhaps I should’ve checked the Humax website a little earlier, which does specify when new updates are available.
Go to http://www.dtg.org.uk/industry/download_schedule.php to find out when the downloads are being transmitted.
The update that I just got was released back in July 2011 – if anyone has the latest .26 software and is getting the freeze problem again – let us know.
@Jon
Followed out the instructions that Humax sent me and updated from version 1.00.18 to 1.00.26. Everything seems to be hunky dory again now.
I agree that Humax’s communication has been poor on this. As soon as it became apparent there was a problem with a large number of boxes Humax should have put something on the front page of their web site. Instead after trawling through forums I found out they put the information on their Facebook page. As I am not a Facebook member then this is as much use as a chocolate fireguard to me.
At least their support replied to my email though. Otherwise the PVR would have gone in the bin and I would never have bought one of their products again…