Aura Android 14 update now

[Owen Smith]

I grant 100% quality could mean no detected errors or no uncorrectable errors, but it is bound to be an output from the decoder hardware and therefore likely to be pretty much standard. My observations of HDR-FOX indicate errors rather than uncorrectable errors.

My more than 10 year old Sony TV is much better at this, it reports the bit error rates both before and after correction. None of this meaningless percent crap.

 

[davey64]

That's a meaningful observation.

This is meaningless. Lower reported strength or quality on the Aura could actually mean higher than on the TV and 5000T because we don't know where the 100% point is or what each 1% means.

Only reporting what I am experiencing.
Visually the picture through the Aura is more prone to pixellating.
Comparing that to the TV and the 5000T is a reasonable comparison.
The only other point of reference is the signal meters.
And I did say there was no 'standard' for them but the correlation is the TV and 5000T show stable meters
the Auras fluctuate more.(the Aura and 5000T are Humax products so not unreasonable to compare their signal meters.)
The Aura pixellates and the others don't.

And as I said earlier my question was to Martin and whether he knew if there was anything included in the update that
addressed tuner issues.

 

[MartinLiddle]

Are you able to list the bug fixes that Humax have introduced with this update.

There has been a substantial number of beta releases each with its own list of fixes and I haven't kept notes of them.

For instance does the update address the issue of unstable tuners.

Not a problem I have and I don't remember any tuner related issues. I am fortunate that I have line of sight to a transmitter about 5 miles away.

Other things would be that the Aura can get itself into periods where it loses picture and sound for a second or two whilst either just watching TV or recordings.
This can be an isolated instant or more infuriatingly many times in quick succession, regardless of whether it has been on for a short or long time.
Other times the Aura will decide to abruptly shut itself down and restart, again this can happen whilst only watching live TV and not anything else that should give
the device stress. Again this can be an isolated incident or on occasions several times in quick succession.

There are definitely improvements but it still isn't 100% reliable.

Other times while watching live TV or recordings it will jump to the Home screen.

Failed recordings occasionally happen for no good reason, even though there was no disruption to the broadcast.

Although I am pleased to see that Humax have finally released an update after 5 years, even though it is two years since it was first
disclosed be in the pipeline there is a sense of trepidation with the lack of detail and the possibility it may introduce further problems.

I am not aware of any new problems but we all use the Aura in different ways.

 

[Trilobite]

I have tried umpteen times to download the new firmware, with zero success. It must be based on serial numbering/phased upgrade.

 

[Trilobite]

Regarding the random restarts with the white whirligig spinner: I found my box to be more reliable if I set the GooglePlay app's 'cog wheel' to never auto update apps.
I also firmly switched the wifi OFF. It behaves better this way (for me at any rate).

 

[EEPhil]

I found my box to be more reliable if I set the GooglePlay app's 'cog wheel' to never auto update apps.
I also firmly switched the wifi OFF. It behaves better this way (for me at any rate).

That's how my Aura with the old software is set up. Not as many problems as others have had.

 

[davey64]

There has been a substantial number of beta releases each with its own list of fixes and I haven't kept notes of them.

Not a problem I have and I don't remember any tuner related issues. I am fortunate that I have line of sight to a transmitter about 5 miles away.

There are definitely improvements but it still isn't 100% reliable.

I am not aware of any new problems but we all use the Aura in different ways.

Thanks for getting back.

Concerning the tuners, after living here for over 20 years and using various devices using the same aerial and cabling
so that is three TVs, two Humax products (5000T and 9200TB and an early Panasonic digital set top box.
All had no problems with signal providing trouble free viewing except in poorer weather conditions.
I'm covered by the Blackhill transmitter in Central Scotland approximately 30 miles away.
Bought the Aura over 5 years ago and have always had issues with the reception being prone to
pixellation and drop outs. Not unreasonable to assume something amiss with either the tuner module itself
or the software running it.

I have decided that I will install the new update this morning, crossed fingers.

I will probably post back with initial thoughts/ experience.
Unless I encounter big problems I will then leave it about a week before posting further thoughts and findings.

I see that Humax have still not updated their website Aura Support Software page with information on the new update.
I don't suppose you are in a position to persuade them to do this with thorough release notes describing the various fixes.
I think that is fair for all those long suffering Aura users who have waited 5 years for an update and had been left hanging for
2 years from when the update was first announced

https://uk.humaxdigital.com/support/?product_id=551197&curr_page=sw_release

Ok software has been downloaded Aura has restarted new Android start up screen
loading for a few minutes, new blueish/ green circle animation indicating Humax software loading
taking a shorter time to boot into the Home Screen.
Switch to Live TV, no picture no sound, ask for EPG quick flash then blank screen.

Oh dear.

 

[EEPhil]

Oh dear

It's looking very fortunate that I haven't been offered the update yet. The more I hear, the less likely I am to give it a go.

Your problem looks similar to one I had with the old version. A reboot may cure it - if you can get to the reboot menu item.

 

[davey64]

Ok after not being able to switch to live tv waited a few minutes, decided to power down and unplug.
Restarted everything and was now presented with the more familiar large white rotating circle.
Aura now booted up to Home Screen and could now go to live TV.
Full EPG.
Switching between channels either using number pad or channel up/ down button can
still result in a blank channel, bit random, but will if you switch back and back again channel will display.
Checked recordings, all there and playable.
Fast forward and rewind worked ok.
Recording schedule intact.
All previous settings maintained.
Went to Google Store> Manage apps and games> Update,
quite a large list of updates for new versions for the new Android system.
Downloaded and installed much quicker than previously.
Still very windy up here so not ideal to assess if anything has been done to resolve tuner issues.

Prior to update inserted USB and played back videos using VLC.
After update inserted same USB with no modifications and could still view videos,
no issues with het or forced ejection.

If anyone else can think of things they would like me to try before they decide to update
I will gladly try to help out.

I shall carry on and make notes of behaviours good or bad.

 

[EEPhil]

If anyone else can think of things they would like me to try before they decide to update
I will gladly try to help out.

If you've ever used ftp to put video onto the Aura rather than attach a USB drive, does that still work?

 

[trog]

I shall carry on and make notes of behaviours good or bad.

Thank you for that. Still not available here which as EEPhil said may be a blessing. The only issues I get these days are failed recordings for no apparent reason so any info on that I would be very interested in but any and all info is most welcome as we are all in the dark due to Humax and other siles staying silent about the update.

 

[davey64]

If you've ever used ftp to put video onto the Aura rather than attach a USB drive, does that still work?

Hi.
Have tried, no joy with connecting.

For a bit of context I am using a Mac.

Prior to having the Aura I had (and still do) have a 5000T.
With the Mac and there was no problem connecting to the 5000T
either by WiFi or ethernet.
Exchanging files between the two was no problem.

With the Aura it was no joy from the outset so I gave up, tried again today after the update and still get this from the Mac.
See attachment below.

 

[EEPhil]

Is that via wifi or ethernet? I can't connect over wifi - although I've never seen that message.

 

[davey64]

Is that via wifi or ethernet? I can't connect over wifi - although I've never seen that message.

This was over WiFi, when I first got the Aura it would have been over Ethernet which had the same result.
I could go and dig about and find a ethernet cable lurking in the dark amongst the spiders and creepy crawlies
but perhaps not today.

Are you using a Mac to connect?

 

[EEPhil]

This was over WiFi, when I first got the Aura it would have been over Ethernet which had the same result.
I could go and dig about and find a ethernet cable lurking in the dark amongst the spiders and creepy crawlies
but perhaps not today.

Are you using a Mac to connect?

Don't have a Mac
Probably not worth the effort, but thanks anyway.