Humax DTR800 lockup

[steeleno12]

I purchased a Humax DTR800 refurb which ran nicely for about 16 hours before it locked up while in idle mode. I just happened to look at the clock and noticed that it was about 2 hours off. The picture on the screen was frozen.

We unplugged both cords and turned it on and it did the same thing a few hours later, locked up while in idle mode (picture frozen on Live TV mode, not response to remote)

After numerous attempts to restart, it just locked up completely when going through the setup procedure. Called TiVo and they sent out an advance replacement. After waiting 10 business days (ARGHHHH!!!) we have found this second unit to do the same thing after about 24 hours after we plug it in. When it does work, it seems to record and burn just fine. It just does not seem to like idle time.

We called Humax and they told us to go out and buy a signal booster. Does this make sense?

So, my questions are:

Will a signal booster correct the problem?

Is this a common problem?

Any suggestions on what may be wrong?

Any suggestions on how to get Humax to send another replacement without charging my credit card for yet another unit?

Any suggestions on how to get them to ship it out faster than 10 wokring days?

So far, we are not impressed with refurbed units but we cannot find any new DTR :( -800 units anywhere.

[buddhawood]

I purchased a Humax DTR800 refurb which ran nicely for about 16 hours before it locked up while in idle mode. I just happened to look at the clock and noticed that it was about 2 hours off. The picture on the screen was frozen.

We unplugged both cords and turned it on and it did the same thing a few hours later, locked up while in idle mode (picture frozen on Live TV mode, not response to remote)

After numerous attempts to restart, it just locked up completely when going through the setup procedure. Called TiVo and they sent out an advance replacement. After waiting 10 business days (ARGHHHH!!!) we have found this second unit to do the same thing after about 24 hours after we plug it in. When it does work, it seems to record and burn just fine. It just does not seem to like idle time.

We called Humax and they told us to go out and buy a signal booster. Does this make sense?

So, my questions are:

Will a signal booster correct the problem?

Is this a common problem?

Any suggestions on what may be wrong?

Any suggestions on how to get Humax to send another replacement without charging my credit card for yet another unit?

Any suggestions on how to get them to ship it out faster than 10 wokring days?

So far, we are not impressed with refurbed units but we cannot find any new DTR :( -800 units anywhere.

I had the same problem with my first Humax DRT800. I called Humax and they replaced it. As far as the advanced payment, I think they just put a "hold" on your card they don't actually charge it unless they don't get the unit back in 30 days

As far as a signal booster? What a load of crap! The signal has nothing to do with the unit locking up!

[steeleno12]

I had the same problem with my first Humax DRT800. I called Humax and they replaced it. As far as the advanced payment, I think they just put a "hold" on your card they don't actually charge it unless they don't get the unit back in 30 days

As far as a signal booster? What a load of crap! The signal has nothing to do with the unit locking up!

Yeah, I thought so too. I called Humax today and they are sending another unit out without an additional credit card hold.

Thanks for your response.

I wonder how common this "freeze" problem is.

[HIHZia]

I just got my THIRD unit from Humax. The first had the double/click remote issue and they replaced it with the CC hold. The second unit had the freezing/lockup while idle issue. I could always tell before I even turned the TV on because the clock would be off by hours. This one they shipped without making me do a CC hold. It arrived today and I started the setup over lunch and hope it will work right when I get home. The first unit was new, the second and third were and are refurbished units. I'm hoping 3 times is a charm.



I actually had a new Humax DRT800 before this, I never had a problem in over a year. Then it was stolen. These issues started with the box I bought to replace it.

[jayw329]

I'm having the same lockup issue. First it started locking up intermittently while recording. We would follow the same recommendation, power off, wait, reboot.

This morning, it locked, I ran the "procedure" and now it's stuck in "Welcome" mode. It's just cycling thru the Welcome! Powering up" and "Just a few minutes more" screens repeatedly. I tried leaving the box off for an hour, but it didn't fix.

Also, let me just comment that the recording quality, even at Best, is really poor. I have 42" plasma and the pixelation noise is just ridiculous. Even using an S-Video connection.

Very disappointing box. I really would recommend that people find an alternative.

[bjbill]

4 Stores still selling NEW DRT-800 Units can be found at pricegrabber<dot>com

Just search humax drt800

[steeleno12]

I'm having the same lockup issue. First it started locking up intermittently while recording. We would follow the same recommendation, power off, wait, reboot.

This morning, it locked, I ran the "procedure" and now it's stuck in "Welcome" mode. It's just cycling thru the Welcome! Powering up" and "Just a few minutes more" screens repeatedly. I tried leaving the box off for an hour, but it didn't fix.

Also, let me just comment that the recording quality, even at Best, is really poor. I have 42" plasma and the pixelation noise is just ridiculous. Even using an S-Video connection.

Very disappointing box. I really would recommend that people find an alternative.

That is exactly what happened with our first unit, reset box and lock up at the Welcome screen.

To update my original post, we received our 3rd unit and after 72 hours it seems to be working. Am keeping my fingers crossed.

Just to keep things interesting, we purchased a new unit through Amazon from a private party for a great price ($99 after rebate) and it worked fine for 48 hours and then it had a picture freeze. Everything else worked fine, remote etc, just a frozen picture. Reset corrected the problem.

I have to say at the very least there are some quality control issues with Humax.

There is a funny side to all of this though. We received our 1st replacement unit 10 business days after we contacted Humax. When I called on the 2nd unit I was told that it would be another 10 business days. It arrived in 5, shipped with 3 day shipping. Not bad. The best part is two days after that one arrived, we received ANOTHER unit shipped by 3 day shipping. Somebody got their wires crossed and we now have a unit here that was sent in error that I have to call them about. Hopefully is was not sent as an inevitable necessity. :rolleyes:

[kenny.davis]

Well I get to join the crowd...woohooo!
I had purchased my 800 from Tivo. After about a month or so I started to have response issues with the remote. I called Humax and they sent me another box. After I set the second one up and got the latest download (version 7.2) the remote issue was worse then the first box. I called Humax and they sent me a third box which I got the other day. I was watching a recorded program this morning and the picture frooze up on me. I went through the power cycle reset and everything came fine. Then later today, at 12:56 p.m., the box locked up again. ARRRGH! Looks like I will be calling them again...
BTW all three of my boxes have been refurbished ones.

[kenny.davis]

I called Humax and reported my problem...I'm being escalated to a Supervisor since this my third problematic box. :(

I will let you know how this unfolds...

[lessd]

I feel lucky as have 4 DRT800 with no problems for over a year. When you get another DRT800 from Humax does TiVo xfer your lifetime service to the new unit (assuming you have lifetime) ?

Les

[Jerimoth]

OK then are there other companies that make TiVO recorders? Mine has locked up and it's getting to be a real pain- especially when the TiVO cartoon comes on full volume- it was fun the first time but after ten or fifteen times.....

[kenny.davis]

I failed to follow up on my problem...sorry gang. I ended up sending back my Humax, bought a regular 80 hour TiVo from Circuit City and life is good. I decided to take this route as I wasn't using the burning feature on the Humax anyway and I was just plain tired of fighting it.

[HIHZia]

AS long as you still have a TiVo and are happy it's all good. I finally got a unit from Humax that's as good as my original and I'm happy. To answer an earlier post, I had no problem transferring my lifetime to my replacement box.:)

[Byzcol]

I have joined this crowd I'm afraid. I am on my 3rd Humax 800 at the moment and it has just started freezing the same as the other 2 refurbished units. I bought the first unit because of the Tivo special rebate they had at the beginning of the year. I am sick and tired of the flakiness of these units. I have had a Pioneer DVR-810H for 2 1/2 yrs now and never ever had a problem.

I am about to call Humax and ask for my money back.

[scadarick]

I have the dtr800. with the dvd recorder and 80 gig hd. When I first got it, yes...it locked up on me as well, at least a dozon times. When I wanted to use the network adapter, I had to sign up for the 7.2.2b software. That did the trick...the upgraded software stopped my lockup problems.
I do have a problem with the network adapters from tivo that you have to use. The tiny clips that hold the cable in place keeps breaking off...making the network adapter useless. I went thru 2 of them before switching to the netgear type. This adapter allows you to plug in your cable into a clean plug at the end of adapter...only way to get it out is pull it out very hard...
Maybe some of the lockups I have read about here have old software opr just have not upgraded yet. This is just my experience though.

see ya
Rick