How to transfer files from defunct HDR FOX T2 to view on HDR 2000T?

[Black Hole]

I can see all the files when I connect it to my Chromebook.

So just download and run the Stripts utility (see previous reference) to decrypt the recordings you're interested in. There may be some wrinkles with library support, but I'm sure we can overcome those.

Note that, on the Linux console (AKA command line), to run an executable in the current directory requires the prefix "./" (as you will see in the Stripts info). If you need more instruction, just shout, but see also this post.

 

[Owen Smith]

I get the feeling the original poster was looking for a method that is considerably simpler and less work than any of the possible options.

 

[EEPhil]

Unfortunately it isn't as simple as just plugging the Fox disk into a caddy and connecting to a 2000T USB port. Some work needs to be done to decrypt the video files. As the OP can already see but not play the files on a computer then the correct version of stripts sounds like a reasonable solution. With a bit more effort (changing the relevant byte in the hmt file*) it would be possible to import the recordings to a 2000T and play them as though they were native recordings. Might be too complex for the OP,.

(* It's such a long time since I looked at the Fox/2000 hmt files I can't remember which byte or whether there is a utility that will do the job.All the information is here, somewhere)

 

[Owen Smith]

As the OP can already see but not play the files on a computer then the correct version of stripts sounds like a reasonable solution.

I agree. I overlooked that @jalba said in their original post they have a Chromebook and can see all the files. Running stripts on the Chromebook to decrypt all the files seems like the simplest way forward from here.

With a bit more effort (changing the relevant byte in the hmt file*) it would be possible to import the recordings to a 2000T and play them as though they were native recordings. Might be too complex for the OP,.

(* It's such a long time since I looked at the Fox/2000 hmt files I can't remember which byte or whether there is a utility that will do the job.All the information is here, somewhere)

The Windows tool to do that is called Foxy if I recall correctly. It's been a while since I used it, the auto unprotect package makes that much simpler. And that only applies to HD recordings which @jalba does not care as much about.

 

[EEPhil]

IIRC Foxy changes the wrong byte. There's a byte which allows you to decrypt by copying to USB and another byte that tells you the associated video has been decrypted. Foxy changes the former. If you change the latter then the sidecar files+decrypted video should play like a native recording on a 2000T.

 

[Owen Smith]

IIRC Foxy changes the wrong byte. There's a byte which allows you to decrypt by copying to USB and another byte that tells you the associated video has been decrypted. Foxy changes the former. If you change the latter then the sidecar files+decrypted video should play like a native recording on a 2000T.

Doesn't stripts clear the "encrypted" flag in the hmt files? It should.

 

[prpr]

Doesn't stripts clear the "encrypted" flag in the hmt files? It should.

Of course it does.
Foxy just clears the "protect from decrypt" bit (not the same thing as "encrypted") which (normally) stops the Humax decrypting HD recordings when it copies to USB.

Anyway this is all futile as the OP has basically said he's no longer interested.

 

[jalba]

I truly appreciate the time you have all taken over your replies. Many thanks.

As I said at the beginning, I was hoping for a simple step-by-step procedure. Although not technically illiterate, I have reached that advanced age/stage where I am not so proficient as I was. I am not trying to play the typecast age card, because I think I do fairly well with technology generally!

I tried extensively for some time before I posted, so you get a bit mind-boggled after a while.

These are my resources:

I still have the defunct Fox HDR T2 with the address on the case. I put the 2 TB Hitachi H.D. into an external SATA USB caddy. It still seems to be fine. I can see all the file headings and subheadings when I connect it to my Chromebook (being Linux based I assume). I have an external WD 1 TB USB HD with 25% space remaining, which I can use for file transfer. I have a mini Windows 11 PC with 256 gb HD I can also use.

Before the Fox HDR T2 finally stopped working, I had to repeatedly switch it off and on to get it to connect to my Sony Brava Android TV. The switching off and on got more frequent until all that was on the screen was the Humax logo and version number, no matter how often I switched it. It is 14 years old so did well to this point! I thought it was a handshake problem after a possible Sony update. I therefore spent a lot of time trying to get it to connect by spending time on both the Sony TV and the Humax. I should have been more astute and copied the files before it finally gave up, but I am where I am!

I don't really want to buy another cheap Fox HDR T2 on Ebay, if I can help it, as that may not be straightforward.

If anyone can provide a simple but effective step-by-step, and not overly complicated procedure, utilising the above resources, that will definitely work, I will have another look to see if I can recover the files.

Thanks again

 

[Owen Smith]

As I said at the beginning, I was hoping for a simple step-by-step procedure.

Writing such a procedure that is accurate would require replicating what you are trying to do, otherwise mistakes creep in. I suspect no-one here has the time to do that nor a Chromebook with the exact same OS and software on it that you do. What we can do is suggest something, you try it, post the error you got, we go "ah yes you need to do this to get past that on Chrome OS version blah" etc.

I tried extensively for some time before I posted, so you get a bit mind-boggled after a while.

That was probably a mistake. That time was almost bound to be fruitless given the encryption, and could have been spent working with suggestions from here.

I still have the defunct Fox HDR T2 with the address on the case. I put the 2 TB Hitachi H.D. into an external SATA USB caddy. It still seems to be fine. I can see all the file headings and subheadings when I connect it to my Chromebook (being Linux based I assume). I have an external WD 1 TB USB HD with 25% space remaining, which I can use for file transfer. I have a mini Windows 11 PC with 256 gb HD I can also use.

Before the Fox HDR T2 finally stopped working, I had to repeatedly switch it off and on to get it to connect to my Sony Brava Android TV. The switching off and on got more frequent until all that was on the screen was the Humax logo and version number, no matter how often I switched it. It is 14 years old so did well to this point! I thought it was a handshake problem after a possible Sony update. I therefore spent a lot of time trying to get it to connect by spending time on both the Sony TV and the Humax. I should have been more astute and copied the files before it finally gave up, but I am where I am!

If it was an HDMI handshake problem it would have occurred at times other than switch on. The fact the HDR Fox T2 failed only at switch on is a clue as to what is wrong with it.

If anyone can provide a simple but effective step-by-step, and not overly complicated procedure, utilising the above resources, that will definitely work, I will have another look to see if I can recover the files.

You have two options given you don't want to buy another HDR Fox T2:

• Run stripts on the disc on your Chromebook to decrypt the files
• Try resurrecting your existing HDR Fox T2, there's a good chance it just needs the Humax firmware reflashing from a USB stick

Option 2 feels worth it to me. If you can get that working you can put the disc back in the HDR Fox T2 and use the box itself to copy SD recordings to another USB connected drive or USB stick, it will decrypt them while copying. There are also ways to get it to decrypt HD files copying out to another disc but you are less bothered about HD files.

Do you have a USB stick in the 1 to 8GB size range that is about 10 to 15 years old or more? The bootloader is fussy about what USB sticks it works with and it may take a few attempts to find one that works with it (see, there's that "difficult to write a step by step procedure gauranteed to work every time" problem again).

 

[bottletop]

Unfortunately, my long-serving HDR FOX T2 is kaput (not usable). I removed the 2TB HD (a previous replacement). I have put it into an external USB SATA caddy. When I connect it to my Chromebook I can see all the folders and file headings, but obviously can't open them due to encryption. I also have a mini 256GB PC and a WD 1TB HD (with 25% free) at my disposal.
I now use a Humax HDR 2000T. What is the 'easiest' method of restoring these files to fully access them from either copying them to the WD HD and/or the 2000T? My Acer Chromebook only has one USB port.
I need straightforward and reasonably simple step-by-step instructions, please, because I have only basic technical know-how. Thanks.

I think the easiest thing to do (if you only wish to watch the SD recordings on the HDR T2) is to connect it to the TV via scart or composite (usually red, white & yellow phono) - you shouldn't get the HDMI handshake issue.

However, if you wish to copy the encrypted recordings off the HDR, it gets more complicated. Eg I'm not sure your Chromebook can natively run the required Linux utilities.
Even if it can, do you have sufficient space to copy off recordings from a 2TB drive into 2 other drives that have roughly 150-200GB and 250GB free?

 

[jalba]

Thanks, Owen. I will give your second suggestion a try, either today or tomorrow. I may have a couple of old USB sticks. I don't understand what 'running stripts' means.

The reason I sort of gave up is because of all the failed attempts I had already gotten exasperated with, and my wife had seemed to come to terms with not getting her recordings back.

 

[jalba]

Thanks bottletop. The Chromebook has a small memory and only one usb port, so it seems not possible even if it could run Linux utilities.

I think I will have one more attempt with Owen's second suggestion, then call it a day.

Thanks again to everyone for trying to assist me.