Humax HDR-FOX T2 500GB Freeview + HD Digital TV Recorder

I was forced into buying this because my Samsung TV in the kitchen did not have a good enough Freeview tuner to do justice to the excellent display. I am so pleased with the Humax; using the HDMI interface in 1080p mode I can make the Samsung display the whole picture without over-scan cropping the picture. The HD pictures are superb, and the up-scaler from SD in the Humax is a very good one, without any of the silly and redundant noise-reduction features of the Samsung. And the Humax is a twin-tuner recorder too!

The EPG in the Humax is excellent, very easy to navigate, and one soon gets used to the fact that it also displays past programs as well - the time line at the top shows where we are. Normal detail navigation with the remote control uses the central four NSEW buttons around the select button; channel page jump is by using the program up-down buttons; time jump uses the >> or << buttons to go to next screen, and >>| or |<< buttons to see the same time on the next/previous day. If one is right handed the most used buttons all seem to be in just the right places for the thumb. A great feature is that while browsing the list you can still see and hear the current channel being shown in a small window on the left.

Initially I found the assorted time-stretching, time-shifting, recording, skipping forward, etc, functions complex and disconcerting, but that is partly because one is talking to a Linux PC inside the box, and there might have to be a few steps taken before making a recording, and partly because there are so many different options available. But you can also just press the record button on the remote control to grab what you are watching, just like with a VCR. After a few months, we have all found it really does work very well; if we have missed something it has become quite intuitive to use the << button a few times to roll back at 2x or 4x or 8x or 16x or 32x speed just to have another look, and then >> to roll forward through an advert or link to catch up. Slo-mo can be from 1/2, 1/4, down to 1/8 speed, and back to normal by repeatedly pressing the |> button.

The manual is comprehensive and quite well laid out, especially so when considering how much is possible with this machine. The more I have studied it and experimented with various functions, the more I have to agree with how it has been done. But there is a steep learning curve.

The Ethernet works well; hooked into my home network it does not require a PC as a host. It can just use the ADSL modem like any other computer for viewing things such as the BBC iPlayer. When I am more confident about its security I plan to allow it to look at my central server for music, home movies, pictures, etc.

The USB on the front works nicely; I put in my Test Stick with various patterns, music and a home video on it. All worked as hoped, more so than when putting the same stick into the Samsung.

The box as delivered had an old firmware within - January 2011, and the HD pictures were poor and breaking up. I asked it to do an OTA update, and fortunately there was a June 2011 version available, which took the best part of half an hour to download. After this finished the pictures were superb, and the Freeview+ option works - which allows you to flag a future program for recording if you see a green dot on the trailer.

One small niggle was that the eco-power-down is ON as a default, and set to two hours! I could extend the time to 10 hours easily, but it took slightly more digging to find out how to turn OFF the eco function.

I called up Test-Card W on channel 105 (now on 200) to see how much bandwidth was coming in, and was most impressed with the results, it is all there, and nothing is missing. It showed that the Humax up-scaler from SD to the 1080p display via 1080p HDMI was significantly better than the Samsung scaler doing the same job from SD (either 576i or 576p) via HDMI.

My Humax tuner is the second last receiver in a long string of other tuners fed from a distribution amp near a loft aerial in a fringe area, and it is giving the best and most stable of all the pictures. It has not glitched or locked up at all yet. (But see the later addendum below!) And it is future-proof for 2012 switch-over when there will be much more HD on Freeview. Roll-on the Olympics!

I will be adding to this review when I have played some more with the Ethernet, time shifting and other recording features for a few more weeks.

So far I think it is definitely well worth five stars.

Addendum 1. 9th Nov 2011

Ethernet.
This was easy to set up on auto, and yet allows manual selection of ip address. It all worked first try and was visible to all the tests on my home network. However I still haven't attempted to allow it to look into the rest of my system - and thinking about security I probably will not.

HumaxTVPortal.
After a very slow start - I kept getting an `application error' at the humaxtvportal website - it all suddenly worked immaculately. At first I didn't know why it was slow, because I had the latest software update; and thought maybe I had been too impatient and didn't give it long enough to sort itself out for that first contact. I later discovered the box needs to be turned Off and On again after the set-up for this to become effective.
The BBC iPlayer is super, and appears in full resolution on the screen with no visible artefacts, and this on a web connection typically running at only 3.5Mbits or less. This is a very worthwhile feature, recommended!
There are also You Tube (heavily sanitised), Flickr (poor access), Internet Radio (very limited selection), and Wiki TV (too much like hard work), none of which are a patch on the easy and intuitive BBC iPlayer.

Addendum 2. 03 Dec 2011

Freeze-up.
We've noticed that after a few days it can lose functions and eventually lock up; you can only watch the channel already selected. The first warning is when the annoying 'Red Button' graphic in the top right hand corner has gone away (yay!) without having to press the green button, but alas, so has the Text facility. Changing channels away from BBC at this stage can sometimes restore correct operation. Soon after losing the Text facility, though, it will refuse to change channel, and locks. Switching off and on again at the mains does a cold-boot and everything is OK again.
We have also noticed that if it is left tuned to a non-BBC station this might never happen, so I think there is possibly a bug in the BBC's Red Button software, perhaps causing a memory leak that eventually fills up the RAM and crashes the internal computer. But of course, this is just my speculation, and could be completely wrong.
(edit 6/1/2012) We have also seen this problem in the last few days on a couple of different makes of HD Freeview+ TVs, first symptom being unable to find the Test Card with the magic button sequence on Channel 200 (was 105).

Addendum 3. 11 March 2012

HDCP.
I've tried to plug the HDMI output via a Blackmagic HDMI To SDI converter into an elderly (but very good) SDI-only plasma display. Alas, the HDMI connection carries HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) even on 576i (lowest definition output, selected via V-Format button), so I am unable to use the Humax with my biggest display, and only end up with a blank green screen. Note that this will also prevent copying programs at full quality via the HDMI output.

Addendum 4. 10 April 2012

8K mode.
It works well with the new 8K mode used on the BBC London multiplex since the April 4th Switch-over.

Addendum 5. 6 June 2012

Repeat customer.
I've just bought another Humax T2, to go with the living-room telly. The T2 replaces a Panasonic offering from Vine which turned out to be just too unfriendly when compared with this Humax.

My aged Thompson gave up the ghost four months ago so I needed a new box. We run three freeview PVRs and so I have had lots of experience with different brands and software. I already have a marvellous Toppy but its an old one without HDMI. Its as good as it gets as far as a freeview PVR is concerned and the backup from the blogs and the amazing ability to download apps which make it run so conveniently made me look to this stable again.
Sadly, it seems that this top notch company has not moved with the times and does not currently offer a machine with HD. I looked around and there was really little choice but the Humax so I dived in and bought one. Happily I can report almost complete satisfaction. Really easy to set up, if you can call just downloading the channels, setting up. Once connected, the HD channels blew my mind, eyes and ears. I had no idea just how different the technology is between HD and regular transmissions. The box is really two in one; an HD box and a regular. I don't think you would notice the difference through your TV but through an AV amp you realise that the audio via the HDMI is a completely different stream. How great to see the dts lights come on, on the AV amp, and to hear the surround sound come to life. I'd have to say that viewing a film on HDTV is every bit as good as on Blu-Ray (except for adverts on some channels) and infinitely better than my local cinema.
It will surely, really, come into its own when there are more than the present, four, HD channels. I think the capabilities of the Humax are set to increase as there are a number of menu items which look to be waiting. The TV Portal gives, unlimited, international radio stations and some TV catchup programs and looks to be interesting for the future. The machine looks well made and feels nice quality. Everything works as you would expect and seems quite intuitive so you don't end up looking for things which are hidden away. They are just there when you need them. A couple of niggles; on a machine of this price and quality, its bizarre that there is no facility, as on most cheaper machines, to switch back and forth between two programmes.I find this a glaring omission. The, very useful, display information needs to be brighter in daytime with maybe auto or manual switching for night time and what a pity they don't build in wireless internet. The 500GB disc is excellent and holds loads of programmes. You need to remember though, that HD recordings take up almost double the space of ordinary ones. There is a temptation to keep great films on HD but you could run out of space if you go mad. Most films seem to come on again long before you revisit the recording so its a good way of making you show restraint. There is now a 1TB version (about £50 more) which would be good but remember that the more programmes you have stored, the more time you spend searching through the lists. I love the way it is so easy to record a series and the way it reminds you that a program you are about to set is also avilable on HD if you prefer. Its an expensive machine but, connected to the internet, it has the potential to be all you need for home entertainment, so it has the bangs per buck. Its so good, I just bought a second machine because I got frustrated at the lack of features on another old one. One (two?) of my better purchases!

Good cosmetic build quality of both box and remote control promise good things to come.

With the latest software installed (Feb 2011), the TV Portal now works providing you have an internet connection - they even have their own recommended wi-fi dongle now but my connection is cabled, and iPlayer works just fine, as does Internet Radio. Can't see the point of the Flickr or Wiki access - it just feels like a couple of widgets to stop it looking too sparse. YouTube would have been better. Still waiting for Skyplayer, and what about browsing access? My 3View box can even do this with a proper wireless keyboard added.

In other networking aspects, it's a bit pedestrian - sure you can 'see' files on your home network, but in my case this seems limited to my conventional Win XP directory structure, i.e. MY DOCUMENTS/My Video or My Music or My Pictures. No other shared drives show. Also, the file compatibility is limited. It's fussy what video files it likes, and only 'sees' mp3 files, not 'wma'.

There's a blank gap during slide shows whilst it loads the next piccy - wouldn't it have been better to hang onto the first before a quick transition to the next?

Likewise, networking it doesn't work bothways, unlike my 3View box, which lets me view recordings on my PC too.

Looking at older posts, the freezing of EPG Searches would appear to have been fixed.

However, now for the good news. Set up is a doddle, but watch out for the power saving default when in standby - this switches off the 'pass through' aerial amp, making you think there's something wrong with your telly!

The answer is to switch the setting off from the SETTINGS menu, and all will be well again. It guess it would work if you have a distribution amp where every bit of kit has its own aerial feed with no need for 'daisy-chaining' but I'm not sure why they chose it as the 'default' when daisy-chaining is the norm. Could lead to a lot of people thinking their new box is 'dead on arrival'!

Picture is excellent on my Panasonic 37" plasma - I get 90% strength and 100% quality from Crystal Palace with a bog-standard aerial and 15 miles in between.

HD recordings are spot on. Beware - all HD TV has a max resolution on 1080i, so there's little point in setting the HDMI output to 1080p unless you think Humax's upscaling is better than your telly's. (Sky and Virgin are the same)

Serial recordings are filed in directories, which is good 'cos it keeps the list of recordings to a reasonable length. It handles clashes of recordings, i.e. when you've already got both tuners booked, and try to set a third with ease, suggesting programmes that could be moved onto a 'plus 1' channel or alternative times and/or dates.

The EPG and other items of the GUI are tasteful models of clarity.

You can add 'padding' to both ends of your timers 'just in case', and the box wakes up at 4.30 am to review the EPG and adjust timers even when you're away on holiday.

It can handle the new 'Book Me' green button symbol to create a timer from a TV 'ad' - e.g. 'Coming Next Week To BBC1' but still can't see anything beyond the 8 days of the EPG. S/W designers would do well to look at what 'MyStuff' can do when installed on a Topfield box - want to record all of the next F1 GP season when it doesn't start for weeks? Easy, set a TextSearch for 'Grand Prix' in motion and it cops the lot. Would have been nice if the EPG search could do this on the Humax too to lift it above the 'also-rans'.

It spots movies that straddle the news and captures both halves.

A good way to save disk space is to make all your attempts to set a timer on the SD channels - it tells you if you could be watching it in HD instead. After all, not everything on BBC1 HD, or ITV1 HD or C4 HD is actually an HD recording - that's a privilege held over for the BBC HD 'showcase' channel.

Software upgrades are easy, even if you've missed the latest OTA download - go the Humax site, download the unzipped file to a stick drive, plug into machine USB port whilst on standby, and turn on - Robert; il est ton oncle.

It was the first thing I did after receiving mine last week (Late Feb 2011)

SCART and HDMI work in parallel so you can archive content to a DVD recorder - haven't tried this beyond confirming the connections and suspect there maybe be some copyright issues with HD content but SD should be OK.

Sorry, got mine for £289 from Peter Tyson with extra third year's warranty.