“Humax FVP-5000T 1TB Review 9 January 2021 Order # 146078192
I've used a refurbished HD-Fox T2 model for over 8 years linked to a 500GB Iomega hard drive and a Sony Bravia TV. I bought a second unit shortly after the first to use with an older HD Ready TV. Both units have performed perfectly and are still in good working order. The 500GB hard drive is quite full and I am forced to delete valued records to make room for new so a new hard drive was demanded.
In November, I reached age 80 and my family clubbed together to buy me a new Samsung Smart TV (Model No UA43TU8000K). I decided to forego a new hard drive and buy a refurbished FVP-5000T 1TB. Based on my previous experience with Humax I had every confidence in making the purchase without referring to reviews. I just expected a quality product though it did cross my mind as to why there seemed to be an unlimited supply of refurbished models. I received the PVR on 30th November.
Bearing in mind that I was still struggling to understand my first ever smart TV, I found setting up the new PVR quite daunting. I can't remember exactly what prompted me to look at reviews on Amazon website of the FVP-5000T but I was surprised to see so many poor reviews. Of 410 global ratings, over 20% had given 3 star or less with 11% giving only 1 star. 57% of ratings gave 5 star but the ones I read of those sounded more like sales talk than personal experience.
In the first 10 days or so, I found I was identifying with many of the problems cited in the poor reviews and I needed help. I understand the communication problems caused by the pandemic but telephone help was never available; a couple of web chats didn't prove helpful and two emails I sent took over a week to answer. In fact, I had decided to return the unit for a refund within the 14 day period but, too late, found you were closed at weekends and I ran out of time.
After the unit had been in use for about four weeks, I had solved some of my problems and come to terms with others. Some problems cited in the reviews may have been rectified by software updates. I can't remember the precise details but, at about 30 days, I found myself with the only option but to RESET which again I didn't find easy. Problems that persist are:
The obscure positioning of the mains indicator and the long time delay in knowing when the unit is on or off. I know this problem won't go away.
The PVR Power-down is set at 4 hours and I am unable to adjust it or turn it off. Sometimes, when watching TV, it will inexplicable turn off and the PVR Standby button needs to be pressed to regain a picture. I'm not sure if the PVR Power-down setting is responsible.
In the Guide, programme information is sometimes missing making it impossible to schedule a recording.
Cooling the hard drive (high frequency clicking) within the unit is noisy. As there is an instruction not to switch off the PVR whilst cooling is in progress, the noise is useful but it means a wait of several minutes at bedtime before you can disconnect safely from the mains.
There is an issue with the RF IN port – see below.
Unlike with the HD-Fox T2, I can see no way in which I can create master folders (Movies, Dramas, Sports etc) and move files and folders between these master folders. I previously had only 500GB and retrieving files was pretty straightforward. With 1TB of space, retrieving files without a storage system is going to be difficult. I'm hoping I'm mistaken and that I still have something new to discover in this respect.
An age-related problem (we are both 80 years old) is the managing of two new complex pieces of equipment. Some of the functions, eg. iPlayer, Netflix etc are provided by both the PVR and the Smart TV. The PVR adds benefit by providing a multiple recording function and (currently, at least) access to BBC TEXT which the TV doesn't have. Both the remotes have many buttons, they become confusing and are not too easy to see especially in dimmed lighting.
After about 25 days (26 December) in an effort to simplify things with our lounge viewing, I moved the FVP-5000T to a room upstairs and linked it to our old 32" Sony TV with the intent of viewing our recordings on that TV set. After all, we are not getting 4K recordings through the PVR, so, apart from losing the bigger screen, losing access to text and losing the ablility to record spontaneously it is not such a disadvantage. Also, these last two disadvantages could be addressed if the HD-Fox T2 unit could be linked to the Samsung Smart TV. I actually tried to do this with and without the Iomega Hard Drive but without success. I ran the TV Troubleshooting facility but all it suggested was using new HDMI cables which I have tried without success. Can you make any suggestions? (see below)
With the PVR in its new position, I recorded programmes and watched recordings. I also watched On Demand programmes proving my WiFi is reaching that part of the house. BUT, on 30 December, with the PVU apparently in the process of recording scheduled programmes (the light beneath was showing blue and red), I was unable to get a picture or any other response from the PVU. Live TV was okay through the TV button. I checked the RF and HDMI cables and all seemed correct. Pressing any button on the remote caused the Standby button to light. Pressing the Standby button had no effect whatever. Scheduled recording was due to continue until 11.15pm so I waited until that time expecting the indicator would change to blue (or red) from a combination of both but nothing changed. All I could do was disconnect PVU and TV from the mains.
The following morning all seemed okay again. Two of yesterday's programmes, scheduled to record simultaneously were both halted at 15.25pm mid-programme. Nothing was recorded of the evening schedule. Continuing my investigations, I left TV and PVR running for a while before alternating between direct TV viewing and viewing TV through the PVR. At one stage I found myself in the same situation as yesterday evening – unable to get any response from the PVR. In frustration, I pressed the Standby button on the PVR remote and held it down for several seconds and 'voila' a picture appeared.
I have been greatly discouraged by my experience so far. It is now the 8th January and in the first few days of this new year, apart from successfully making two recordings, I've avoided the Sony TV/FVP5000T set up.
The HD-Fox T2/Iomega Hard Drive had been sitting idle in a cupboard so on the 7th January, I connected them to the HDMI 2 port of the Sony TV (without any aerial connection as that was via the FVP5000T on HDMI 1). I knew I would be unable to watch or record live TV but at least I could watch the recorded content on the Iomega HD. Thankfully, something worked.
So I tried the same set up - the HD-Fox T2/Iomega Hard Drive without aerial connection - on the HDMI 2 port of the Samsung Smart TV (A DVD player is connected to HDMI 1). This did NOT work. In fact the the Smart TV seems to be recognising the HD Fox T2 as a Sky box and the TV screen simply turns a blank green. This may answer the query above.
So, on a more permanent basis, I transferred the set up back to the Sony TV pulling the TV and stand away from the wall for better access. I tested everything was working and moved the lot back to the wall but in doing so lost the aerial connection through the FVP5000T. Try as I may, I could not obtain more than a few seconds of fragmented picture. The aerial worked perfectly when connected directly to the TV or when connected via the HD-Fox T2 which brought me to the conclusion that the FVP5000T must have an issue with RF IN port.
I'm now drawing a line under my efforts so far to submit this Review in order to let you know that here you have a very dissatisfied customer whose earlier splendid opinion of your company's products is blotted and trust that you will be able to provide a remedy.”
“Bought to replace a now elderly Humax. The new technology makes a world of difference. To be able to select a programme that has already been transmitted and easily watch through catch-up is great. The software is much improved and very intuitive. Altogether pleased with this purchase. Humax remain the market leader.”
“There are two problems with my Humax PVR.
1. I have been unable to “pair” the remote controller with my TV. It seems that the rc might be locked in to a pairing set by the previous owner,
2. Recorded programmes frequently display the “failed recording” warning whereas the recordings (in most cases) are actually O.K.
Overall, (unlike my previous Humax PVRs) a very disappointing purchase.
Chris. Dines”
“The Freeview recorder works fine, but the Youtube net application is unusable. A fix is promised but according to net posts the problem has been unresolved for many weeks.
The shortcomings should be pointed out before anyone purchases the unit.”
