The addition of an HDMI output has increased the quality and usefulness of the box immensely. Previously, the 9200 was an excellent PVR, but the lack of digital output -- HDMI -- for video really compromised the quality. With HDMI, there's no digital to analogue conversion, and thus, no severe picture quality reduction.
We set our 9300 to record a broad range of programmes and it did a great job as we expected it to. Setting the machine to record was child's play, and watching programmes back was just as easy, although the convenient button for bringing the list of recorded programmes hides under the pull-down cover at the bottom of the remote.
It's also worth mentioning that accurate recording works very well on channels that support the feature. We did notice on other channels -- such as Dave -- that we missed the start of Top Gear, which is, let's be honest, very traumatic.
Conclusion
If it wasn't for the appalling fan noise, we'd suggest this is the best PVR we've seen in a long time. The operation is simple, the picture quality is very good indeed and the new style is fantastic -- it looks much more modern than the previous generation.
If you're looking for an alternative, then we suggest thinking about the TopUp-TV-branded Thomson box, which offers many of the same features, but has a bargain basement price to increase interest in the pay services of TopUp.
Edited by Marian Smith
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CwS 3 March 2010
Good: nothing
Bad: everything
Comment: Humax 9300t Faults
1. Fails to record at least 12 times, no conflict, no reason.**
a. Records the wrong length for programs by anything over an hour.
b. Misses start of programs.
c. Misses ends of progs.
2. EPG will NEVER EVER populate all channels.**
3. EPG is not always seven days long
4. If chain entered EPG will not remove expired chain, seems to block future recordings.
5. Wrongly flags programs as no chain.
6. Playback locks up, speeds up, jumps, and breaks up.
7. Commercial skip wrecks sound and vision synch**
8. Locks up no response to remote power switch last resort.
a. Locks up while recording, clock stops.
9. Favourites sometimes revert to TV
10. All favourites lost
11. All Schedule lost
12. Gets aspect ratio wrong**
13. Scart overrides all others even when tv powered up.**
Software updated
14. Ends of recording skip and break up
15. Records program with wrong description.
a. Records program with wrong description and does not stop recording
16. Records same program twice.
17. Wrong start time, length and info.
18. Records program that had already been recorded eighteen hours previously for the second time.
** Still present with sw update
tiggermiles 6 February 2009
Good: Picture quality, ease of use
Bad: nothing
Comment: Bought this machine on Wednesday after trying 3 other cheaper Freeview+ boxes and returning all 3. I had read that the fan was noisy and it was! However, having upgraded the firmware using the auto update facility the fan is now almost silent. Everything else about the machine is excellent. It does exactly what its supposed to do and does it brilliantly. I have no hesitation in recommending this product. The menu system is excellent and I had the machine up and running in less than 10 minutes and all without refering to the manual. I've already recorded loads including 2 programs at the same time. Watching recorded programs is the same quality at the original. And the picture-in-picture feature is a great bonus. The remote is easy to use with a good layout. Another tip, buy from John Lewis. At under £180 it's the cheapest on the market and you get free delivery and a 2 year warranty .... bargain.
cmhabc 2 November 2008
Good: 70hrs or recording space, no more rewinding or frantically looking for space
Bad: Loud Fan, doesnt run like a video
Comment: I love this PVR. Whether you go away or are busy there is always enough space. You will no longer run around like a headless chicken looking for space, no rewinding or endlessly searching for your programme. There are so many things I love about this machine (far too many to mention).
However, I do find it difficult to comprehend why it is not possible to select several recorded programs to run continuously. My daughters favourite programme is Peppa Pig (on for only 5 mins). So if it takes you 30 mins to cook tea you will run in 6 times during this time to select another episode. AAAAAGH!
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