I have two HDR Fox T2s, one using AR the other using padding. Between the two different scheduling methods one of them usually gets the recording, it's a long time since they both missed something. Once every few months one of them locks up but I have two, that's only a problem when I'm on holiday with risk of both locking up.
Mine are on smart plugs, and registered with RS. When RS alerts me that a unit hasn't been seen in the last three hours, I can power-cycle it wherever I am.
If both of mine fail to record something I can watch it on catchup on my Apple TV 4K when I get home. It's a last resort as I lose 5.1 sound for things that had it and I have to watch adverts on commercial channels, but it's OK as a last resort. Both HDR Fox T2s are registered on RS but there are no smart plugs on them.
I was also doing that, but have now transitioned to Channels DVR and the Channels App.
That is a really interesting suggestion. I was considering the Manhattan as the best alternative to my glitching Aura. However, having seen the prices of 2nd hand HDR Fox T2s on ebay this has given me more than pause for thought. In fact I had a Fox T2 with the custom firmware for a good few years with few complaints until it eventually gave up the ghost.
At the prices on ebay if an HDR Fox T2 gives up the ghost you can just buy another one.
I presume that means that are cheap now. In times gone by they were fetching a premium price.
Plenty of HDR Fox T2s advertised as working in the £30 to £50 range. I suspect now that smart TVs include streaming apps and also can record if you attach a USB hard disc, many people see no need for a separate box as a recorder.