When we reviewed the original Humax PVR-9200T back in October 2006, we loved the functionality that it offered, giving an experience that was almost the same as having Sky+, but without the series link functionality.

Now, with either a newly purchased device, or for previous owners of the device via a software update from the web (or via an over the air update to be broadcast in Jan 2008), this functionality is now also available.

Humax claim that this is the first Freeview Playback box offering level 2 functionality, but what does that mean exactly? Well in reality, this offers the ability to series link programs. When selecting programs to record from the EPG, those that are part of a series now show up in a darker blue to those that are one-offs. If you select one of these to record, you are now offered the choice of recording just one program or the whole series.

In use, we found the new series link to be very easy to program. The menus are clear and easy to understand and follow. You select the program from the EPG that you want to record and press the OK button, and then select either once or series, and that’s it. If you try and record more than 2 programs at once, if it can, the Humax offers alternative times that programs are transmitted (for example on ITV+1) to resolve any conflicts something that Series Link on Sky doesn't offer.

So what's the catch? Well it's not as simple or as straightforward as it sounds when put into practice.

In reality, we had a number of issues with using series link, which to be fair to Humax, are out of their control and are down to the broadcasters.

Previously, we used to use the auto padding facility to start recording 3 minutes before the scheduled start time and to extend 5 minutes after, to allow for any slippage in programs. The series link functionality does not allow this as it uses an accurate recording signal that is transmitted by the broadcasters.

However, if this is not correct (and it isn’t in some cases), the device can miss the beginning or end of the recording.

As more level 2 Freeview boxes become available, we hope that the accuracy of this transmitted information is improved.

Also, not all broadcasters (Five being the major one not to) are not transmitting this information, and so the series link functionality doesn’t work on these channels.

Another minor gripe with the device are that the EPG information isn’t stored on the hard disk when the device is put into standby mode, so you can wait up to 9 minutes for this to be fully programmed.

As for the box's performance the 9200T, like all other PVRs, comes with a built-in hard drive that automatically records the channel you’re watching, allowing you to pause, rewind and if you’re behind time, fast forward at your leisure.

You can also record while watching something else and in the Humax’s case the dual tuner allows you to record two separate programs while watching another, making it a versatile beast indeed.

In addition it sports a 160GB hard drive offering room for around 90 hours of recorded TV, more than enough to prevent even the most avid of tube-heads missing their favourite shows.

The process of time shifting, as well as scheduling recordings and managing your programmes, is handled excellently, with a browsable program list making it easy to see what’s currently on and set-up recordings with a single touch.

You’ll find plenty of other options and shortcuts that help you take full advantage of the time shifting functions such as advert break 30-second skips, repeat mode, and PIP (picture-in-picture) display. There’s also support for 5.1 audio, should Freeview adopt this audio standard in the future, but on the video side you’re restricted to Scart and composite, no component interface for that extra level of quality.

In addition to Freeview TV, the Humax allows you to play back MP3s or view digital photos that you’ve uploaded onto the built-in hard drive via the USB2.0 or network port.

If the Humax falls down anywhere it’ll be from the all too common "unnecessarily bulky" syndrome. The 9200T isn’t a bad looking player, but it wouldn’t win any design awards and we really feel Humax could have slimmed the thing down a little. The remote control isn’t much better, and the looks don’t complement the fact that this is, in the world of PVRs, a pretty powerful, high-end device.

Tags: Home Cinema PVRs Humax Humax PVR-9200T v2

Humax PVR-9200T v2 Freeview player originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:00:00 +0000

Microsoft's Lifecam VX-7000 is a 2 megapixel webcam designed for use with either your desktop computer or laptop but does it offer you good video conferencing? We get video calling everyone in our contacts book to find out.

Sporting a 2 megapixel camera and a built-in microphone, styling-wise it offers nothing new, a black box with a lens on one side and a blue LED and microphone on the other.

The Lifecam VX-7000 has a built-in stand as part of the base mechanism, but we could only get this to work if the camera was placed on the desk looking up.

Disappointingly there wasn't a way of using the stand on top of a monitor and getting the camera to angle down.

You could however use it to hook over the top of the monitor, but some simple changes to the design would offer greater flexibility in how you mount the device around your office.

Additionally the length of the lead supplied in the box wasn't quite long enough to reach from a monitor on a desk to a base unit on the floor below the desk if it's not directly below it.

Surely this is a common arrangement of PC/monitor and should have been taken into consideration when the lead length was chosen. Marks deducted.

Once we'd found a USB extension lead, installation of the webcam was relatively simple (we installed it under Windows Vista Premium). Put the CD in and load the software and then plug in the camera.

However, the software continues the annoying trend of Microsoft products of late of trying to encourage you to load up and use their software (in this case, Microsoft Live) to take advantage of all of the features of the device.

This is linked to the small hardware button on the top of the webcam, which when pressed, opens up windows messenger and lets you choose which of your contacts you wish to connect with who are currently online. This also allows you to swap pictures with your friends instantly when online. Nice, but no good if you use Skype for example.

One small issue we came across was Skype not recognising the webcam when we tried to use it. A reboot of the machine solved this however.

Also, once installed, the camera pops open a window asking you to register it (through a Microsoft live login). However, the Lifecam VX-7000 doesn't appear in the drop down list of devices, thus not allowing you to register it, a frustration at best.

In use, the cam gave a good quality picture. The auto brightness coped well with changes in ambient light and the picture was generally clear enough to read text. We used it with both Microsoft messenger and Skype with good results.

Tags: Cameras Video And Editing Webcams Microsoft Microsoft Lifecam VX-7000

Microsoft Lifecam VX-7000 webcam originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 13:00:00 +0000

With Facebook, Myspace and other social networking sites making your image more important than ever, investing time to make sure you look good in your profile picture is to some time well spent, the trouble is, you've got to know the tools of the trade to be able to photo fix yourself up. Until now that is.

The Portrait Professional Max software claims to allow you to create professional looking portraits from your photos in four easy steps.

The software allows you to upload a picture of a face and to then define the key features of the face, which is then “enhanced” to give you professional looking portraits.

Once a picture is loaded into the software, a number of simple steps guide you through defining the nose, mouth, eyes and face shape of the given subject. The software then automatically removes any blemishes such as spots and tweaks the shape of the face to give you a more aesthetically pleasing look.

In practice, defining the features is simply a case of clicking on the edges of the eyes, mouth etc and adjusting a mask overlay on the photo. Once all defined, the software does it’s stuff and gives you an adjusted photo.

Controls allow you to adjust the level of many of the enhancements and to see the effect in real time on the picture. Eyes and teeth can be whitened, pores can be reduced and any blemishes removed.

We found that the default settings produced an almost too enhanced result, almost giving a soft focus look to pictures. By scaling back the effect using the individual sliders for each of the controls, a more natural result could be achieved.

A nice feature of the software is the ability to modify individual faces within a single picture. If you have a photo from a wedding for example, you can give the bride the once over, making her look stunning and leave the groom looking as rough as he really did look after those few calming-the-nerves pints in the morning.

Tags: Software PC software Photo editing software Cameras Portrait Professional

Portrait Professional - PC originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:00:00 +0100

Launched in the UK in March, the Geek Squad provide either a home visiting or a remote diagnostics service to solve your computer issues. Currently operating within the M25 for home visits, but looking to expand nationally in the future as more "agents" are recruited, the Geek squad will come out to your house to solve computer or network issues, including new PC set up, Broadband/wireless set up and hardware or software installation/upgrades, etc.

The geek squad have been around for 12 years in the US and have over 15,000 agents operating there. In the UK, where the company is half owned by the carphone warehouse, things are on a much smaller scale currently with just over 20 agents.

We booked a test call for them to come and install a wireless router to replace the aging Thomson device that we were currently using. Booking is via a freephone number and our agent, Savvas, arrived 5 minutes early in a black Smart car, which was due to be branded up soon with Geek Squad logos.

Computer degree qualified, he soon had the new router installed and up and running, with both hard wired and wireless machines set up and tested, including laptop and palmtop devices. WEP encryption is enabled as a standard service by them and all work is backed by a 30-day money back guarantee (in fact they will not guarantee wireless networks if the user insists that no encryption is enabled). Also, if they cannot fix the problem, there is no charge.

A call out such as this would normally cost £99.99, but the company are currently running a promotion where they will come out to you and provide you with a free wireless router for £79.99. Considering that the router would normally cost you around £40, this isn't a bad price for those that are not technically minded and are looking to install a wireless network in their house.

If you have virus or other machine issues, they can also offer a remote diagnostics facility if you still have your internet connection functioning. Here, they will remotely take control of your machine and can upgrade software, remove viruses or optimise performance of machines that may have been clogged down with spyware, etc. This service is normally £49.99. Because they don't need to travel, this is offered on a national basis.

Related links:

• Link - Geek Squad UK

Tags: Hardware Desktop PCs Services

Geek Squad PC service originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 09:00:00 +0100