Humax PVR issue with Build 491

[DanR]

Some Humax PVR users are having problems opening transport streams in our new release 2.5.2.491. The error message is "... PID not found".

The problem stems from a change we made to open transport streams faster. However, due to the way the Humax stores files, we didn't read enough data in the file to find all the program material.

The solution is simple:

1) While holding the Shift key, go to Tools>Options.
2) Change the setting of "Numer of times a PMT has to be read when opening a file" to '10' (no quotes).
3) Click OK.

Starting in build 492, the default will be increased.

[Lovepeaceguru]

I've been chasing Humax technical support for at least a fortnight over this very problem!! What a relief!

[DanR]

Correct, perm fix didn't make it into beta 492, its in beta 494. If some humax users will give it a try we will update the formal release so that all new Humax users won't have problems.

[TimA-C]

Can't say I've had any problems opening any .ts files from my Humax 9200t with VRD 4.91, but thanks anyway. :)

[grazer]

Thanks for this thread.

I had been running the trial, and had run into the error a few times, and thought 'Oh dear - flaky software'!

However, it was so good in all other respects, I'm glad I tried the forums.

Anyway - gratutious sales pitch over - I thought I'd mention that all my errors appear on programmes recorded from from one channel here in the UK.

'FTN' gives almost 100% errors for recorded programmes in case this helps narrow down the cause more?

Glad its fixed so quickly....

Grazer

[TimA-C]

Hi grazer, what sort of signal strength & quality are you getting on FTN? How do the recordings play on the Hummy? How are you transferring from the Humax to PC? (E-Linker, Media Controller, etc.) The more info, the more likely someone can help.

[Roy22]

Yes had this very fault ('Unable to open file - No PID's specified when trying to open transport stream') on one of three files I recently transferred from my Humax PVR-9200T.

Your fix solved the problem!

[pglenn]

<- removed - placed in wrong thread ->

[JamesE]

I have recently been advised to update to the latest VRDo+ and duly did so - version 2.5.6.512. So far I have only tried one experimental clip, downloaded from my 9200, which worked perfectly on my old version 2.2.1.445 other than that I had to manually select the audio stream (there was a second blank one which came up first). When I tried on the new one I got the "unable......no pids...". I went back to my old one. Undaunted I put the new one in again in a different folder and tried the trick explained above. The "number of times" was set at 6 so I altered it to 12 and now it works. It even comes up on the right audio stream from the beginning.

This is all very well but up above it says the default will be increased! and that was way back. What about it, VLC chaps?

[TechnoEngineer]

I've had to increase the parameter to 50.

I was almost tempted to not buy the software due to this issue!

[amalsher]

Hi guys,
I'm planning to buy a Humax 9200TB or TBX, but can't get much technical info from the manufacturer re file transmission between the Humax and a PC.
I have the following (simple?) questions:
1. Does transmision require a special USB cable?
2. Is it possible to transfer files in both directions - ie from Humax to VRD to trim/remove ads, then back to the Humax for viewing?
3. Is file transfer reliable (I've heard it's pretty flaky)?
4. How long does it take to transfer say 1GB file?
5. Are the file formats compatible with VRD?
6. Does the PC need any special attributes (eg. ultra-fast, large memory or fast disk)?
7. Am I correct in assuming the 9200TB and TBX differ only in HDD capacity?

I'm sure these are all questions the manufacturer should be able to answer, but user experience is much more valuable!

Regards, Alan

[TonyC]

Hi Alan,

I have a Humax 9200T. I recently have started downloading programmes to my PC. At first I tried the e-Linker software, but this was a little unreliable. After a little research I found this reference site: http://www.hummy.org.uk/invison/index.php?showtopic=471

You will need to register at the site to get the details.

Instead of the E-linker I now use Andy Chappell’s Controller http://www.enigma.eclipse.co.uk/humax/HumaxMediaController.htm

This includes error correction. You will need a standard USB 2.0 cable. Downloading is a tad slow (about 1 meg per second), but it is reliable if you make sure that the PC and Hummy are idle when you perform the download. I am evaluating Video Redo TV Suite. I’m impressed by the editing, but yet to be convinced by the authoring. I have been using DVDStyler to author DVDs from the .mpg output from VRDTS.

[PeterGower]

Thank you for this thread. I just had a "unable to open file no PID found " error on a ts (humax) file. Followed the notes and it worked with a value of 10.
This was with VideoReDo TVSuite version 3.1.4 549

Regards Peter

[nmwo]

still had the same problem (no PID found) on TVsuite version 3.1.5.564 (5-July-08). Had to increase the "number of times PMT has to be read" thing to 20 to get it to open the ts file from the Humax 9200T.

Nick.

[jtaubman]

I bring Humax files down all the time with out problems, but you do need to use the 3rd party drivers and software mentioned above. Also make sure

1. You run the linker software at high priority.
2. You ensure the laptop if used is on the mains, with all powersaving turned off.
3. You don't try and copy when the Humax is recording, 1 channel is normally Ok, but 2 channels and copying can have problems.

[UK_Andy]

Well, I am certainly relieved to find this thread after struggling with the "PID not found" issue.

But I am puzzled why I should have been struggling with this issue at all, nearly two years after the promise that the default would be increased !

By the way, I found that the single most important thing I can do to get reliability in USB file transfers out of my Humax 9200T is to leave it on "menu". I had read that selecting freeview channel 8 (no broadcast there) was recommended, but the firmware in mine does not allow channel 8 to be selected.

Another issue with file transfers out of the Humax is that about 20% of the time an oddball character appears in the filename, and prevents the transfer because it's not allowed in a windows filename. Renaming the file at the PVR is possible (but only if you go into the recordings list by the "menu" route), however it's still tricky to edit out the weird character because it seems to be beyond (to the right of, or below) the edit point where it can't be deleted. I've found that by deleting back to the start of the line, then adding a couple of carriage returns (yes, really ! The "paragraph mark" is on one of the pages of alternate characters), then you have a filename of two paragraph marks (and the weird character has been flushed away). Now you can easily edit again to a more meaningful filename.

[TechnoEngineer]

Re Humax PVR transfer to PC.

In my installation, when downloading to the PC, I unplug the SCART, RF IN, and RF OUT from the PVR - so the only thing connected to the PVR is the mains and USB cable. Needless to say, the PVR isn't doing anything else during the transfer. I also turn off the TV (completely), and the computer shares the same power point as the PVR. This minimises the potential for "earth loops" which exhibit themselves as sparking on the USB connector when plugging it in. Turning off the TV minimises EMI on the USB. As a result, the transfer rate reaches about 1500k/s.

I also use Andy Chappell's Media Controller program.