Humax HDR-FOX T2 HD 1080p 500GB Recorder with Freeview HD

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!

I have had the Humax HDR-FOX T2 for about 6months now and can honestly say it has given me perfect results from the first day that i recieved it.The machine really does do everything that it says it does.The picture is razor sharp on the HD channels and still very high quality on the standard freeview channels.
Ease of use is always at the top of most peoples wish list and again this unit does'nt dissapoint,all the things you need are very clearly set out and easy to use.The program guide is very good and i find recording a single program or a whole series is a sinch.I especially like the search mode where you can look for set programs such as Films,Sports,Entertainment to name but a few.
I had the Humax 3200t before i purchased this and was really pleased with that unit until they messed it up when they did the switch over.So i was a little reserved when i got this because i was worried it would suffer the same,but to my pleasure not once have i had any trouble with this,its superb..
They really have gone to work and improved this new machine over there existing old ones.It is now much quieter and looks so much better in its shiny black with its neon blue light.
I could bore you with all the techno jargon about this unit but i think people just want to know if the thing does what it is supposed to do and thats record programs in very high quality with the minimal amount of effort and know how..This piece of kit definetly does all that.
I highly recommend this Humax if you just want a very good easy to use machine.

Great box etc but there is problem with the find function.
If you choose a keyword to search on it freezes and requires a reboot.

Of course it does everything else well just as you would expect. Twin tuner great definition HD easy interface, easy set up still worth buying. The find function works on pre defined Genre groupings just not Keyword search.

I contacted customer services and apparently they are aware of the issue and will be rectifying it soon.

Shame they couldn't have waited another week before releasing it to get this right. Now we will have to wait for the next OTA update. Which maybe soon if they release iPlayer or SkyPlayer in October.