[nvingo]

The Philips HDTP-8530 HD PVR is based on the Sagemcom RTI95-500.
I'd like to know about peoples experiences with these. Reliability, dead-on-arrival or full satisfaction.
I bought a Philips HDTP8530 based on there being no user reports online of failure (of this or its sister models). Within two hours of installation it was reporting no-signal. The 1080p setting was flakey. After an extended power-down the tuner recovered. I want to like this machine so want to know whether other users have experienced similar.
Thanks in advance.

[nvingo]

These PVRs seem quite well specified for the price. I can't believe nobody else has tried them

[elTorro]

Hi - I have one of these, it has great features but is just lacking that slight 'edge'.... not sure what to do, either sell on ebay or persevere.

Its so slow compared to that of sky hd box its just dissapointing really.

I want to like it but really not that happy!

Would be interested to hear others feedback, for £200 im ****** off!

[nvingo]

Sagemcom have a download utility Xconverter for making their exported SD .ts files playable on a PC.
However I'm sure that the exporting of video (SD recordings) is specified in the capabilities and manuals of the RTI95 and HDTP8530 but have been unable to use it.
I go to the library and highlight a recording, but pressing red (actions) the popup menu does not have an Export option.
The PVR can access the 8GB FAT32 USB drive and Import/display videos/photos.

Has anyone using an RTI95 or HDTP8530 been able to export recordings?

[Cole Travis]

The specs on this are fantastic. I have loads of video files on my NAS that I wanted to play, and I needed a Freeview+ HD recorder. Perfect. The picture it produced on my 1080i TV was really beautiful! I could live with the slow response time to commands from the remote...

The problem is that when playing a video file, the box freezes after a few minutes, and I have to power cycle the box to get it to wake up. Additionally, the rewind and fast forward controls when watching recorded TV shows directly from the local disk skip around so much that I spend half my time trying to find my place again. It's just too frustrating to use, and I'm returning it tomorrow. A real shame too!

[dezborders]

Originally Posted by Cole Travis

The specs on this are fantastic. I have loads of video files on my NAS that I wanted to play, and I needed a Freeview+ HD recorder. Perfect. The picture it produced on my 1080i TV was really beautiful! I could live with the slow response time to commands from the remote...

The problem is that when playing a video file, the box freezes after a few minutes, and I have to power cycle the box to get it to wake up. Additionally, the rewind and fast forward controls when watching recorded TV shows directly from the local disk skip around so much that I spend half my time trying to find my place again. It's just too frustrating to use, and I'm returning it tomorrow. A real shame too!

a new 2.x software OTA broadcast is planned for november/December 2012. it resolves the media player freezes as well as adding improved codec and format support for video files. also the skip forward/backward functon is now perfect.

persevere / wait for a few weeks more m8

alternatively if you email support team at sagemcomm and ask nicely they may give you an early update.which you can apply via usb memory stick

[alexiain]

Excuse my ignorance but will this device receive and record a cable signal?
i dont have a terrestrial aerial, just cable.

thanks

[nvingo]

I believe not.
It has "DVB-T2" tuners.
For cable you would require "DVB-C" tuners.
In the UK cable is supplied by Virgin Media. They have their own PVR which is actually quite well specified, as part of the package.

[alexiain]

Ah of course.
My cable conection is BFBS in Germany.
I have a Humax CX-FOX CII tuner.
Could I connect the Philips HDTP 8530 to the Humax tuner and record through this?
I ask because the Humax HDD Freeview Recorder I currently use simply won't see the signal directly or via the DVB-C tuner.

Thanks again.

[nvingo]

No. The Philips HDTP8530 is equivalent to your Humax HDD Freeview Recorder (which model do you have?) and is missing the circuitry required to connect and record from another source - most such recorders are only capable of recording from their built-in tuners.

If you want to connect something that can record in standard definition what your cable tuner is displaying, you should look at DVD/HDD recorders.
If your service supplies also high definition programmes, there will likely be some kind of DVB-C PVR available which the cable company or a local TV shop should be able to advise.

[alexiain]

Thanks NVingo that is a great help. I will see if I can find a cheap tunerless HDD/DVD recorder then.
I have an old PVR-9200T. I will now donate this to a relative back home!

[alexiain]

To broaden the scope for me, how do I tell from specifications if a HDD Recorder can record from another source?

[dezborders]

Originally Posted by alexiain

To broaden the scope for me, how do I tell from specifications if a HDD Recorder can record from another source?

That's easy... all products bearing the freeview or freesat logo can only record from freeview or freesat signal.

[petrev]

Originally Posted by alexiain

To broaden the scope for me, how do I tell from specifications if a HDD Recorder can record from another source?

If it has a DVD/BD Recorder along with the HDD then it should have the capability to record analog input. Hopefully !!!!

[alexiain]

I'm looking at easily identifying a HDD Recorder that can record from a DVB-C box(presumably via scart). Some apparently can do this even if they have DVB-T or DVB-S tuners onboard. Alternatively a tunerless HDD would do the job. The only pre-requisite is to have video play capability via USB/wifi and preferably provide HD/HD upscaling.

[nvingo]

Alexain, in answer to your PM, the circuits required to record the AV (audio/video) output from a STB, are analogue-to-digital converter and MPEG encoder.
The ADC takes the incoming signal and samples it to numeric data and the encoder compresses that data to use much less storage.
DVD recorders compress to Mpeg2 even if recording to HDD, whilst some modern DVRs compress to Mpeg4 and even record to flash memory/card.
The reason that Freeview (and HD) recorđers don't have AV inputs is that the source is already encoded in Mpeg2 (or Mpeg4).
So it is either a DVR (digital video recorder) or DVD recorder you seek.

[alexiain]

nvingo
Thanks.
When i search for DVD Recorders, they all seem to have Freeview tuners built in.
Will these still do the job?

[MrTFW]

I bought a Sagemcom RTI95-500 a couple of weeks ago after a tiny amount of research.

It wasn't DOA although it did need several power cycles before it would do anything other than sit there with a blue screen.

Initial thoughts are very mixed, it almost went back into its box but seemed to settle down after some use.

Good things

Simple to record an entire series - in about five more days I will have every episode of TopGear known to Dave

Simple to play stuff - my four year old can find Power Rangers by himself.

Iplayer seems to work well


Bad things

Audio drops out during HD recordings

Audio sometimes fails to start on recordings, stop and play again fixes it

Menu will sometimes refuse to play recordings entirely - fixed by power cycling

program search is hit and miss, seems to only look at today in the program guide

Media player is prone to hanging from DLNA servers, I played the same file through the same gigabit wired connection on a PS3 with no problem.

No media export or DLNA server functionality, it has USB and ethernet connectivity but no means of moving or streaming content.

Noisy fan

Slow startup

Menu takes several seconds to respond - This is my biggest annoyance

Some of the bad points are addressed by a software release which has been imminent for about a month.


As its supposedly Linux based with an Intel Atom CE4200 processor I tried a USB stick with Trinity Rescue Kit on it and a few combinations of holding front panel buttons to see if it would boot from USB. Although USB power is supplied early on, it doesnt seem interested in booting from USB.
Other Sagemcom devices have a JTAG console port on the board, I'm not keen to be the first to crack one open to see though.

I might give it to my mother for Christmas, the iPlayer bit works well enough and she wont use any of the flaky stuff anyway.

If I had tried this in an actual shop I would not have bought it.

[dezborders]

Originally Posted by MrTFW

I bought a Sagemcom RTI95-500 a couple of weeks ago after a tiny amount of research.

It wasn't DOA although it did need several power cycles before it would do anything other than sit there with a blue screen.

Initial thoughts are very mixed, it almost went back into its box but seemed to settle down after some use.

I might give it to my mother for Christmas, the iPlayer bit works well enough and she wont use any of the flaky stuff anyway.

If I had tried this in an actual shop I would not have bought it.

You should wait a while there's a massive upgrade coming before Xmas available both as an OTA and a download and manual upgrad. The new software resolves most of the problems you listed

[nvingo]

Originally Posted by dezborders

..there's a massive upgrade coming before Xmas..

Is this exclusive to the RTI95 or will the HDTP-8530 also accept it?

[dezborders]

Originally Posted by nvingo

Is this exclusive to the RTI95 or will the HDTP-8530 also accept it?

Yes the Sagem and Philips have the same motherboard and use the same firmware. However you will have to contact Philips to ask when they are booking an OTA broadcast slot, or if you can download a copy and upgrade via USB

[nvingo]

From the DTG schedule:-

Mon 19-11-2012
10am
to Wed 21-11-2012
9am Sagemcom/Philips Sagemcom RTI95-320/500 T2 UK,
Philips HDTP8530/05
V2.1.0 N

So it looks like they'll receive the same OTA starting tomorrow, a late addition to the schedule as I've been checking frequently lately.

[petrev]

RTI95(320/500): NEW SOFTWARE (v2.1.0) RELEASED

RTI95(320/500): NEW SOFTWARE (v2.1.0) RELEASED

Dear RTI95 Freeview HD users,

We are very pleased to announce the official release of our new software version 2.1.0 for our RTI95 Freeview HD range.

The software has been developed with the help of dedicated end-users who have been working together with us, as well as the feedback that some of you have shared with us in this Community.

We would like to use this opportunity to thank all of you for the support and your contribution to this release!

Amongst many other improvements to performance and usability the new version will bring:

1) Improved EPG Search feature
2) Improved recording clash management
3) Fix for various audio and video issues as reported by some users of this community
4) Significant enhancement of EPG, user interface and channel zapping speed
5) Implementation of a "Quick Boot" mode to reduce boot time (this optional feature can be found in the "Power Settings" Menu
6) Fix of occasional freezes
7) Fix for issues seen during manual channel scan
8) Change of fan operation to reduce noise levels
9) Significant speed and performance enhancement of iPlayer feature
10) Improvement of Media Player to support a wider range of video formats
11) Fix for boot-up issues (e.g. multiple boot, stuck in "init")

IMPORTANT:
For best results, we recommend that you perform a factory reset after upgrading the unit to v2.1.0

From today onwards you will find the software - including clear instructions and a demonstration video - on our support page:

http://www.sagemcomdigital.co.uk/set-...

The software can be uploaded to your set-top box via USB key, however, please make sure to use a USB key that is FAT32 fomatted and not larger than 4GB in size to avoid potential USB compatibility issues.

In addition to the online release, we will also broadcast the new version via Over-The-Air (OTA) broadcast within the next few days to reach all units in the field. If you have not upgraded your unit via USB key your unit will automatically detect the new software broadcast and ask you to confirm the upgrade. Please be aware that the OTA could take UP TO 60 MINUTES. Do not unplug the power during the upgrade process.

If you require further help with the manual upload please don't hesitate to search the Community database or contact our friendly support team on 08450 900 316 (local call rate).

Once again we would like to apologise to those customers who have experienced any difficulties with their RTI95 receiver. We are very confident that you will be delighted with the new software.

Thank you very much for your continued support!
Kind regards,

Your Sagemcom Support Team

[dezborders]

Originally Posted by nvingo

From the DTG schedule:-
So it looks like they'll receive the same OTA starting tomorrow, a late addition to the schedule as I've been checking frequently lately.

Excellent sooner than I thought they would

Don't forgot sagem also make their firmware available for download in their support site so you can always update using a USB memory stick if you miss the OTA

[petrev]

Originally Posted by dezborders

Excellent sooner than I thought they would

Don't forgot sagem also make their firmware available for download in their support site so you can always update using a USB memory stick if you miss the OTA

Post #23
Link in Quote to Support Site

Direct Link
http://www.sagemcomdigital.co.uk/set...e-updates/128/

[MrTFW]

Originally Posted by dezborders

You should wait a while there's a massive upgrade coming before Xmas available both as an OTA and a download and manual upgrad. The new software resolves most of the problems you listed

I installed it on Friday night and the menu has only hung once since then.
There are still issues when playing back Library recordings where you have to quit the menu and go back to library to play a second recording.
Menu lag seems much improved.

Its better, cannot argue with that and the HD stuff I watched today looked fantastic.
I just wish it had this software on it when I bought it.

[nvingo]

Just carried out update by OTA, (Philips HDTP-8530) which took 45 mins approx.
I would have done update via USB earlier but as I only came across it a couple of days ago I thought I would test the OTA method first.
Displayed version is now V2.1.0 / 0.3.13.1512
Now to carry out the advised factory reset and see how the "manual tuning" procedure has improved...

[nvingo]

3) Fix for various audio and video issues as reported by some users of this community

the 1080p setting is still unusable on the Samsung TV in the lounge (might try later on another set but as it's the Samsung it will be used with..) so reverting to 1080i setting.

[nvingo]

The manual tuning works this time as it often worked before. So whether the problems I sometimes had have been resolved I guess I'll never really confirm.
It still dumps out of all menus after storing each multiplex, meaning back into the menu, channel search, [password], manual tune each time.

[nvingo]

There is corruption visible in the enter keyword box in the search EPG menu.