Fitted a Humax Freeview+ for an elderly client this evening - horrible

[Channel Hopper]

She of 72 had been given a 9300 by their relatives for fitting in the bedroom. Already got a Samsung flatsceen but needed to record the odd ITV 2/3 programme.

Their relatives had mentioned to her it was HD so she would get a better picture than she was used to, so I knew I was in for the long haul.

Firstly, no coax connecting cable in the box to the TV

Time from power on to start up was about 40 seconds and it was suggested she could probably go downstairs and make a cup of tea whilst waiting,

Tuning in was about the only reasonably swift part of the process

I couldn't work the volume control through the HDMI cable.

Then when it was set on the TV I couldn't find anyway way for the receiver to control the HDMI so in standby she could revert back to normal freeview (and she hinted that the front panel display might keep her awake )

When I demonstrated how to switch on and choose a channel before handing over the remote, they couldn't see the numbers on the black buttons on the black background, and no chance with regards the operation of the epg with the middle four around the enter button.

Then she mentioned she would want to make sure she wouldn't miss a programme repeat and her granddaughter had mentioned series recording - time to show the hidden buttons, which were too small for her to use.

After just under 90 minutes I bid her good day and made a hasty exit.

 

[rolfw]

I have this problem all the time with elderly customers, the design of equipment, menu structures, remote control layout with number legibility and size of buttons leaves much to be desired.

If customers are getting new Freeview TVs or PVRs for elderly relatives, I always advise them to check out the remote controls first, or buy a large button replacement. Also to make sure that they are going to be happy with using a second piece of equipment and can handle the concept of recording from an onscreen TV guide.

 

[Channel Hopper]

I must be getting old then, the guide layout - and how it's operated by navigation of every part of the remote. Was it designed by a blind person ?

 

[Channel Hopper]

Got a call last night, she is not impressed that she needs two remotes to operate the box (one for channel changing, the other for volume and switching off the TV.

Does the Humax remote have TV coding available for the standby/audio features ?

 

[rolfw]

Doesn't appear to even mention the remote on the Humax Direct page, obviously not an important component to Humax.

Ah, found an online handbook for the HDR Fox T2 and it mentions remote codes, page 68 onwards. _http://grangefarmstudios.co.uk/guides/UM_HDRFOXT2_200GB_11-0208.pdf

 

[aceb]

Got a call last night

That dreaded but expected moment when the phone rings and you recognise the number.....

My other half works with the elderly and in the run up to and since DSO I've fitted a variety of FV and FS systems for them, as we're on FV lite round here I tend to suggest satellite systems if they want all the channels. I quickly learnt the first thing to teach them was the TV remote is now only used to turn it on and off and adjust the volume, nothing else. Unless they've shown specific interest in EPGs I show them the easiest way to change channel is to use the up/down buttons, they'll probably only watch the 'main four' anyway although you get a few who want ITV3 for Midsumer murders if they're feeling adventurous.

One old dear got me back because since getting the new box she couldn't watch the front door camera on the sheltered housing scheme where she lives, it's the only channel she has on during the day.

 

[Riverblue]

I installed Humax Foxsat HDR/Freesat set up for my parents just before the DSO (as Aceb says FV lite around here, so not worth it) I thought they'd be better off than their previous analogue setup, they had a Samsung DVR+HDD, manually setting recordings and no EPG. My Dad could never get his head round it and left all management of recordings to my mum, the cause of many an arguement! Freesat, with its EPG setup and "ease" of recording and increased program choice would be easier and offer a better TV viewing experience for them, you'd think! Unfortunately I've now created a "monster" whereby my dad commands the remote (man thing!) but hasn't got a clue, I've shown him all that he needs to know (left all the setup details out) many a time but he still gets lost in the menus and I then have to sort it out for them. Another problem is he falls sleep with the bloody remote tightly gripped in his hand, sometimes with his finger on the buttons, pressing god knows what! He has at various times deleted programs without realising (I've had to show my mum how to lock out her recordings) recorded or timeslipped without knowing, changed source so that none of the buttons work (big panic!), gone back to analogue picture (another big panic!) and numerous other daft things. He, of course, denies all knowledge of having done any of these things and always states that he hasn't touched anything, even when he's still pressing the buttons! My mum though dosen't have any problems, apart from my dad!

 

[Channel Hopper]

Doesn't appear to even mention the remote on the Humax Direct page, obviously not an important component to Humax.

Ah, found an online handbook for the HDR Fox T2 and it mentions remote codes, page 68 onwards. _http://grangefarmstudios.co.uk/guides/UM_HDRFOXT2_200GB_11-0208.pdf

Hmm, already found a work around for it. Humax supply (in their infinite wisdom) a SCART lead in the box that does allow the volume commands to work through them, so I went back and fitted it and removed the HDMI cable.

Advances in technology eh ?

 

[smartypants69]

LOL. The amount of times I removed the HDMI and put in a SCART just for an easy life. Something about selecting sources that some old people can't seem to get.

Had a similar scenario recently although worked to my benefit. I installed a new Humax Freeview PVR and charged the customer £250 odd. A few months later I get a call and she said she couldn't get on with it. I said I couldn't give a refund unless it was faulty to which she didn't mind and just requested I take it back. So now in my van I have a virtually unused Freeview PVR.