PVR and Hard Disk Recorder problems and solutions for the Sandstrom SHDFSAT12

Problem: Picture keeps stuttering and is blocky and pixellated.

Solution 1: Check for loose cables and check your signal strength.
0 out of 0 people found this solution helpful.

Post comments, submit alternative solutions or receive notifications

Problem: Can't record, unable to get to the library, gives a warning saying could be problem with hard drive, try reformatting, but unable able to re format

Solution 1: I had the same issue - I turned the power off for a few seconds then immediately went to menu->settings->freesat+->format hard disk. When I selected this and pressed the green button it formatted the HD successfully.
5 out of 7 people found this solution helpful.

Post comments, submit alternative solutions or receive notifications

Problem: The remote stopped working, suddenly and without any accident or damage whatsoever, and despite new batteries.
Now I can't access the menu or library or any function other than on/off and channels. So, basically it's useless....is there any way the interface with the remote can be reset? There seems to be no reset button anywhere. help!

Solution 1: I just had this problem and read on another site something that may help. Take the batteries out of the remote and press the power button at the top for five seconds. Then replace the batteries and make sure it's set to TV. It just worked for me. So hope this helps.
8 out of 9 people found this solution helpful.

Post comments, submit alternative solutions or receive notifications

Problem: I have a Sandstrom SHDFSAT12 and have used it for about 6 months out of the 15 or so months that I've had it. It has never recorded a program which it has been set to record and offers the message "signal not available" (or similar). I switched off the other night to go to bed and next day when I switched on I got the "first time installation screen" but the box fails to respond to any buttons on the remote apart from on/off. When I plug the sat lead into input 2 I get the same screen but it will allow me to type in my (or any valid) postcode but tells me they are invalid. The default blue button will appear to scan for channels but finds none, even though my signal is excellent.

Solution 1: you need to feed both lnb sockets on the box for this you need multi sockets lnb on your dish and two cable running from there to your box.
0 out of 4 people found this solution helpful.

Post comments, submit alternative solutions or receive notifications

Problem: The unit has just frozen up. It keeps freezing and then shutting itself down.

Solution 1: 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.
0 out of 0 people found this solution helpful.

Post comments, submit alternative solutions or receive notifications

Problem: The Library suddenly disappeared and refuses to appear when the Library button pressed. (Last time I remember it was only 23% full). So am unable to see the list of programmes recorded or to record anything. The screen says "there is a problem" Well I bloody wel know ! Then advises to " try reformatting the hard disc druve to see if this fixes the problem" But I have no idea how to do this and there is no troubleshooting section in the manual. So how the hell do i do the reformatting?
Bill

Solution 1: Go into menu,select settings, select freesat from the menu at the top of the screen,scroll down to format hard drive,select this option by pressing the OK button on the remote control.this should now format your drive but be aware that it will also erase all recordings on the hard drive.
0 out of 0 people found this solution helpful.

Post comments, submit alternative solutions or receive notifications

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.
0 out of 0 people found this solution helpful.

Post comments, submit alternative solutions or receive notifications