We’ve all been there – you’ve set the DVR to record your favourite program via the EPG. The next day you sit down to watch it and about 5 minutes from the end, right at the moment of climax, the recording ends, because the networks couldn’t care less about you and run their programs over time. Well, now the Foxtel iQ2 (but not the iQ) will let you extend the recording time up to 20 minutes after each program.The upgrade – which is rolling out over the next couple of months – will add the ability to add 20 minutes to recordings through the Planner menu. At the moment, you can add up to 10 minutes to the start and end of recordings by going through the settings menu, so this development makes it a whole lot easier to ensure you don’t miss anything.
Other improvements included in the free update coming to the iQ2 are the ability to listen to the current TV channel when you enter the EPG, distinction between free and paid content for their On Demand service, the iQ2 will automatically return to the last TV station and volume level after being rebooted and you can no extend the audio delay up to 200ms.
Even though some people argue that having firmware-upgradable hardware means that you get products released before they’re ready, I for one love it when my hardware suddenly gets new features, without me having to fork out for special equipment. I am a bit bummed that the window for the update is up to two months though…
[Foxtel]
Alex
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 1:40 PMYou can force the box to upgrade the firmware. Already got mine working.
Here’s how (courtesy of DTVForums)
“Possible method to force update of firmware (normally automatic). Never turn off during a firmware update. Stop recordings first. Better to use simple/separate(not Scart) video connection as settings may be reset. DON’T DO THIS UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING. Using box buttons press Select and Back together until all the lights come on. Then lights go off, then come on again, now quickly press Power, then press Up, then press Down, then press Power. Then wait until it has finished. DON’T DO THIS UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING.”
Jennifer
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 2:03 PMI wonder if this update will fix the series link issue that seems to be prevelant. I have set a couple of shows to record using series link and it only ever seems to record the first show.
Ben
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 2:46 PMNick – if this is a selection of shows you watch on Foxtel, you should be ashamed of yourself – Buffy, ANTM, Gossip Girl……. probably stuff you dont want to be promoting ;-)
Clare
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 3:24 PMYou can already do this on Austar’s MyStar. You can start recording early and finish later – and can set this up to do this for all recordings so you don’t miss the end of your fave show. Wonder why it took Foxtel so long?
dgregory
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 4:22 PMI recently had foxtel installed with iq2 and they told me to do that upgrade button bashing over the phone so no big secret methinks…and yeah, I can add 20mins to the end, but not sure about listening to the channel when in the epg. Can’t believe it doesn’t have the screen where you can watch the current program whilst in the epg…I swear I remember skyplus in the UK having that.
DAWOOKIE
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 8:04 PMMy MyStar has done this day one! Even allows differnt offsets between satellite and FTA.
borogirl
Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 12:04 PM@Jennifer – I rang them on Friday to complain about the same issue with my foxtel and they got me to run the upgrade then and it fixed it – now my series link is working again. Wonder when they’re going to get Series link working with the free-to-air lot?
@Ben – there’s never any shame in watching Buffy!
Wazz
Friday, April 3, 2009 at 8:02 PMw00t this works, thankyou Nick and Alex!