Lots of potential, but despite the long time on the market is still immature

The Humax HD2000C is now since the beginning of 2010 on the market and you'd think by now to have a sophisticated device in front of him. Unfortunately this is not so.
I own the device now been about 1 year and now I have so often annoyed me about this device that I other potential buyers would like to share my experiences.

First of all there is on the picture and sound of the instrument not be faulted. These are fine. Also on the price you can not complain in principle, the device offers but at first glance, a large number of ports and so much potential for future applications. So I at least thought, because in addition to a rear-mounted USB port you can also find an Ethernet port.
Unfortunately, you can not record over the USB port, but only play media such as pictures, videos and music. The port is attached but unfortunately in the wrong place for this purpose, to the occasionally infect a USB stick is therefore to fumbling and certainly not just me. The USB port would have heard for this purpose clearly to the front.
Then there's the Ethernet interface that is identified in the manual with "... for future applications." As you look forward to it. Finally, today, almost every modern TV and a network port. The HUMAX HD2000C but one wonders when the future starts because, because, despite the 1.5 years that the receiver is now already in the market, is to think about the use of this interface in any form.

But all are just side issues compared to the still existing massive software defects and functional limitations.

At first I had problems with the device, since it has been hung at regular intervals in the search for new software in the cable network and only by pulling the plug again had to move to function. This was but actually then fixed with an automatic software update. Unfortunately, the only software update was that I have ever received or which has not brought about any changes.

The administration favorite lists is still a disaster and now I save myself the trouble to re-sort or manage favorites lists.
Entries disappear without reason or complete lists of favorites will be deleted when you edit a different favorite lists. This part of the HUMAX HD2000C is therefore completely useless.

What also is very annoying for me, but where I do not know whether this is not a requirement of the cable network or Pay-TV operator, is not to be deactivated Jugendschutzpin. There are no children in my household and I would rate this "feature" like generally do not need to turn off only once enter my PIN in Vorabend- and early evening program while zapping through on countless channels.

Something beautiful in digital television is the ability to see the films mostly with original sound. To Who thinks this tone then simply absorb so is again wrong. For that is only possible under supervision, that is, one must be present at least shortly before the start of each film to the language switch, and possibly enter the Jugendschutzpin.
An unattended recording of other sound tracks as the German is not possible, because it can not participate in the programming of timers (or "memories" as it is called in this device) specify. The Veruch to leave the unit turned on, before switch the sound on, for example, the English sound and to set the timer of his DVD recorder to the broadcasting time fails because of the selected sound back is at a new consignment back or the intention to hold film requires the entry of Jugendschutzpin. So you have as a result in the end received either the German or tone but added 1.5 h the input window of Jugendschutzpin.
Also a general conversion of the unit to another audio language is not possible this was my Workarround for such cases in my previous receiver.

Unfortunately, the built-in EPG allows only a very brief glimpse of the future and thus can be programmed program no more distant. Although the hours can also be entered manually, but you do not know if such a programmed movie then a Jugendschutzpin requires which is not required for manual programming outside of the EPG. In general, the EPG is very slow and often obtained the data of each program in the EPG only if you switched on the program which you want to see guide.

All in all I think the device is currently not recommended. The potential is there, and all my criticisms they made by a reasonable maintenance of the software fix, but that is apparently not doing at Humax. Also many new features could be added which would make the device much more attractive over the same route.
But why should we strive? Finally, there is the device so many cable providers rent-free or for very little money for this contract and thus HUMAX has indeed its sales.
That now more and more TV and hard disk recorders hit the market with built-in DVB-C tuners and Gerde therefore the standalone would be important to make receiver to these devices more attractive overlooks HUMAX this apparently.