Humax HDR-1800T 320GB Freeview Receiver with HD Recorder

Bought as a replacement for a Panasonic DVD recorder which suddenly failed to power up (several years old) - used for watching catch up Freeview TV recordings in bedroom, we rarely used the copy to disc facility, or DVDs, just using the HDD. I did have some reluctance with purchasing this type of device as I'd previous had a Digihome recorder from Maplins which lasted about 2 weeks, exchanged for a "better" Digihome recorder which had a cooling fan that sounded like a Chinook whenever it was switched on; this also didn't survive a decent length of service.The Humax was delivered by TPS promptly, for a good price and well packaged. I've subsequently ordered a discounted wi-fi usb adapter for the Humax from them, yet to be connected, however the service and delivery from TPS was efficient,courteous and prompt.The attraction of this receiver was the twin tuner, ease of use and 320gb storage space. Previous reviews from purchasers assisted greatly with my choice, how but I found that I had to refer to AV Forums to determine correct set up not covered in the instruction booklet; use of power save inhibits facilities (switching back to TV automatically), use of HDMI lead in a non full HD TV.My wife, who is not tech savvy, is reluctant to change but is the Recording Input Meister, has found it very easy to use and likes the facilities such as series recording, being able to record 2 programmes at the same time and the chapter search, which allows you to skip straight through the plethora of commercial breaks without having to fast forward.Only negative issue I've got is that it takes longer than my previous recorder to initiate a handshake with the TV; from switch on to access to media library or EPG. It seems like it takes about a day and half although its probably more like 20-30 seconds. Other than this observation, I'm perfectly happy and more than content with the Humax HDR-1800T and service from TPS

Fabulous I had one before for about 16 years so when it broke I had to order another one so handy as I don't have sky etc thank you

Slightly inferior in features to the 9300T which became unusable because of HDD problem so it kept switching off.The 1800TPositive:shows a a % space remainingif you clash recording schedule, then you get offered the time when the programme repeatsepisode description displays when you click on a programme in the programme guide, enabling you to check if you really want to record itan inch or so less wide than the 9300T and the 9200TNegative:no front display to show time/current channel/ whether connecting to TV OKThere is a 30-second skip yes, sorry (see Charlie's useful post below)With fast forward it needs a lot of practice and in practice I find it best to use 32x then 16x and then and keep finger nail hovered over the play or stop button. These are rather small though.Sets up folders for series, so you have a cluttered list of recordings(It is a if the software was designed by a computer nerd for tidiness, but he/she never thought to test it out in practice.The recordings list does not default to show your recordings in Date Descending, like 9300T and 9200T did, so you have to do many clicks to find your recent recordingsThere are more clicks to delete a programmeIf you select a recording to see and click OK, there is no menu option to go back and change your mind, so you have to play or resume the programme, then press stop, and then it lets you exitIt is fiddly when you get a 3rd programme clash/overlap while you are watchingThe two buttons on the remote control which you use most often are not coloured so are hard to see in the dark, despite being triangular.(The remote is not designed with the most common procedures in mind, so you have to dodge around a bit. (It could be a bit less user-friendly for an elderly person or suchlike.)There is no power on-off button at the back to sort out problems with feed to TV.See the major problem discussed in other posts, that basically if the box is on standby and it is also recording then you can't turn on the box and you can't confirm even that it is recording OK because there is no front display, just a red light.There is only one scart socket at the back, so there is no VCR out scart socket which was on the 9300T and 9200T

This is my third Humax recorder and in general I am very happy with them. I ask nothing more of them other than to record and playback freeview tv programmes (I'm not a techy). On previous occasion my old Humax have ground to a halt after about three years probably due to the fact they don't appear to update software through the TV signal and I don't know how to update them via the internet. After about 3 years i write them off and get a new one. However my latest acquisition the HDR-1800T is the most disappointing due to one very annoying problem. It keeps loosing its sound. On the first couple of occasion I sorted it by doing the old turn it off and back on again trick which is fine if it is not recording at that time i.e. if I was recording something at the time it would be stopped. Anyway googled the problem and low and behold this would seem to be a massive problem with the 1800 and 2000 models, and one which the manufacturer are doing little to offer a solution. I ad my Humax 1800 connected to the TV via HDMI cable and reading the various blogs this would seem to be at the crux of the problem, software issue sited in the main. I have resolved the issue by removing the HDMI cable and using a SCART lead instead to connect to the TV ( I have an older TV) I will see how it goes. As I said I'm not heavily into tech and the TV isn't HD so a SCART connection doesn't make much of a difference to the picture / sound quality. Had this not resolved the problem I would definitely return it.On this model I like the EPG and the new layout for recorded programmes (library). On screen will advise if you can view a programme in HD etc. It is easy to set recording for individual shows or series link. Its a shame about the sound problem.