FAQ

Q: Where to buy HD500B?
A: You can buy it online with free delivery at http://www.himedia.com.au.

Q: How to check the current firmware version?
A: Go to Setup>System>System Update.

Q: How to record to the USB storage device?
A: Set Setup>Record>Record Device to USB.

Q: Can I play video files while recording TV programes?
A: Yes, you can exit TV mode and do other things while the recording task is runing in the background.

Q: Why is the EPG time few hours ahead or late?
A: Please follow the instructions below

Upgrade to the latest firmware
Go to Setup>System>Time>Time Zone to select the correct time zone (DO NOT use AUTO)
Go to Setup>System>Time>Auto (via DTV), wait for the current time shows up, and press OK

Q: Can HD500B display PGS subtitles in M2TS files?
A: Yes, it can.

Q: How to program TV recording?
A: There are three ways to record:

In EPG, you can press OK key to add the selected program into recording schedule.
In TV>Record Schedule, you can add a recording task to schedule with your customised settings.
While you are watching TV, you can press REC key to start recording the current program immediately.

Q: What is the format of the recorded files?
A: DTV is recorded as a .TS file losslessly without re-encoding. AV input is recorded as a .MPG file. Both .TS and .MPG files can also be played by PC.

Q: Does HD500B come with an internal HDD?
A: No, HD500B supports standard 3.5" internal SATA/SATAII HDD. Users can freely choose their preferable HDD according to their own need. HD500B's hot swap HDD rack makes installing HDD very easy and quick. If your HDD is unformated, HD500B can also format it for you without using PC.

Q: How to play recorded .TS files on PC?
A: You can use the latest KMP from http://www.kmplayer.com, SMPlayer from http://smplayer.sourceforge.net, or install Haali Media Splitter from http://haali.su/mkv/MatroskaSplitter.exe to work with Media Player Classic from http://www.free-codecs.com/media_player_classic_download.htm.

Q: How to connect keyboard and mouse to HD500B?
A: Just connect keyboard and mouse to HD500B's USB ports. The Logitech wireless keyboards and mice are tested.

Q: How to enable Telnet Client in Vista/Windows 7?
A: In Control Panel, do:

Go to Programs and Features and click ‘Turn Windows features on or off‘
In the list that appears, simply check the box beside: Telnet Client and click OK
Go to Command Prompt and run telnet xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx(ip address) to start telnet

Q: How to telnet to HD500B?
A: Check the network IP address in Setup>Network, use http://the.earth.li/~sgtatham/putty/latest/x86/putty.exe or other telnet client on PC to telnet to HD500B's IP address, and then login as root.

Q: How to find the MAC address of HD500B?
A: telnet to HD500B's IP address as root as above and run ifconfig command.

Q: How to manage BT download task?
A: You need to use Neighbor Web UI on your PC by inputting HD500B's IP address as http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx in IE or other internet browsers like you visit other websites.

Q: How to access shared folders in Vista and Windows 7?
A: Please take a look at http://www.playsmartsg.net/index.php?topic=286.0

Q: Scheduled recording of two programs on one channel, the second immediately after the first. The first program recorded ok, but the second only for a few seconds.
A: Turn off Setup>Record>Auto Timeshift and try again.

Q: Why is there no audio output for SD DTV channels when using SPDIF RAW output mode?
A: That's because most amps can only decode AC3 and DTS but not MPEG audio. Please use the following settings in Setup>Audio:

Default Audio Setup: SPDIF DOWNMIX PCM
Advanced Audio Setup: On
AC3 Ouput: SPDIF RAW
DTS Ouput: SPDIF RAW
AAC Ouput: SPDIF DOWNMIX PCM
WMA Ouput: SPDIF DOWNMIX PCM

Q: What's the differences between 1.0.1.x release and 1.0.2.x beta firmware?
A: 1.0.1.x is more stable than 1.0.2.x beta. 1.0.2.x is based on the new SDK an got the following new features:

Support APE and CUE

APE(Monkey's Audio): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey's_Audio
CUE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cue_file

Decode Dolby TrueHD
Support more IMS(Internet>Internet Media Service) such as 'Union Voole' and 'Internet Channels>PPS'

Q: Can I change the workgroup name "Venus" to something else?
A: Yes, you can. Edit the install.img before you flash the HD500B.

Use a HEX editor and open install.img
Change all references of 'Venus' to your own workgroup name eg: Mars in hex is 4d 61 72 73
End the new workgroup name with 0A.
example ...
Search for 56 65 6E 75 73 0A
Replace with 4d 61 72 73 0A
Save
Flash the new install.img firmware.

Q: Why is the DVD ROM drive unable to play all DVDs?
A: If your DVD ROM drive is not region free, you need to set the correct region to the DVD ROM drive.

Q: Is there a Wiki for the HD500B?
A: The HD500B wiki can be found here ...
http://wiki.himedia.com.au
This wiki manual of the HD500B is maintained by users and often include additional features introduced by newer firmware versions, that are not found in the original manuals.