PVR and Hard Disk Recorder problems and solutions for the Labgear HDSFC2 HD

Problem: Recordings keep failing. Sometimes when I record a programme, I get an error message and I lose the recording.

Solution 1: Recordings fail for a number of reasons. If you schedule the recording and it records - but records the wrong thing - the box might be tuned to two different regions. Reset the channels and manually tune them if you suspect this to be the case.
If the unit is on a series record but has missed the programme, check the programme guide to see if future episodes are being recorded. It may have identified the programme as a different series for some reason, so set a series link on any future episodes that are not being recorded.

Other failed recordings can show a problem with the unit. One or two failed recordings do not necessarily mean that your unit has a fault - it could be due to a power cut or your box could have (unluckily!) frozen or crashed prior to the start of the programme.

However, if there are numerous failed recordings and it continues to occur even though you can watch TV OK, it sounds like a problem with the hard disk and this will need to be either repaired or replaced.
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Problem: Picture keeps stuttering and is blocky and pixellated.

Solution 1: Check for loose cables and check your signal strength.
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Problem: With Freesat installation I cannot get most movie channels

Solution 1: Only about 6 movie channels are free-to-air (as of June 2014) - Film4, Film4+1, Movie Mix and some of the CBS stuff.
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Problem: How do i get freesat on an HDSFC2 stb?

Solution 1: This unit receives Freesat channels out-of-the-box, but it doesn't display the Freesat EPG, so you need to use the 'Favourites' lists to organise your channels. I used a TV guide app on my Android 'phone to keep track of what programmes were on.
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Problem: The unit has just frozen up. It keeps freezing and then shutting itself down.

Solution 1: There is an underlying problem with the firmware on these units. I have had 2 go the same way, first was replaced under warranty and the second is sitting in the box, good as dead. LabGear technical support weren't much help and blamed the problem on a bad LNB, but the LNB is working fine with an old Sky Digibox, so I don't accept that explanation. The unit goes to the welcome screen and then shuts down and then cycles endlessly. If many people have had the same experience then these units aren't fit for purpose and under EU consumer legislation a refund is in order (LabGear report that there is no reset sequence).
0 out of 0 people found this solution helpful. Solution 2: It can be extremely frustrating when this happens. Most of the time, there isn't much you can do other than turn it off and then on again, at the mains if the power button isn't responding.

However, there are a few things you can check to help prevent it in the future. Number one is check how hot it is. Freezing can happen when the unit isn't properly ventilated or is in a hot place. Make sure all the vents are uncovered and there is nothing on top of it.
You might also want to check for system updates.
Finally, you might consider turning the unit off and then on again regularly to reboot it. Freezing often occurs when it has been running for a long time, so once a week or so you could try to reboot it by switching it off and on. If you don't want to do this yourself, you might consider buying a timer switch to do this for you at a time you know you won't be using the machine, e.g. 4AM.
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Problem: very difficult to switch on starts with labgear screen then screen goes blank then labgear screen comes on and repeats this cycle for a few minutes then finally starts during this time the only indication on the set top box is the red indicator is on

Solution 1: similar problem:
power led does not light .
But tv screen shows:

HDSFC 2
Combination Satellite
& Freeware viewer
for four seconds...

then....
a blank screen for three seconds

then repeat the above indefinitely
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Problem: Some of my satellite channels are no longer as described, e.g. horror channel +1 now broadcasts hot gospel channels(!) and cbs Reality has disappeared completely although CBS Reality+1 remains as normal. Also I lost CNN and got it back accidentally by tuning to a jewelry channel!
Ialso have a much more sophisticated Walker Stb but still prefer the Labgear box

Solution 1: I think that I have discovered a solution to this problem: Do a blind scan on all your existing satellites. Although this leaves the false entries it also restores the correct ones. It's just a matter of choosing the correct ones and re-programming them.
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