What Hi Fi Sound and Vision
15 DEC 2008
Humax Foxsat HDR
If you're looking to take the plunge with Freesat, this is the way we'd do it - a great piece of kit
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It hasn't been an easy birth for Freesat HD. Billed as the non-subscription HD alternative to the satellite offerings from Sky and Virgin Media, the service has proved something of a slow-burner due to a lack of content and good, but not great, tuner boxes.
As a result, much has been pinned on the first Freesat + PVR, the Humax Foxsat HDR.
We're hoping for a level of functionality to match Sky+ HD, and looking at the list of specifications, we certainly have high hopes.
For your £300, you get a 320GB HDD, an HDMI output, and twin Freesat tuners – allowing you to record two channels at once. Humax claims you can save 80 hours of HD content or 200 hours of standard-definition TV.
The Humax is capable of outputting at a maximum resolution of 720p/1080i via the HDMI connection, while there are also two Scart outputs, a USB input and an Ethernet connection.
As well as the ability to pause, rewind and record Freesat channels, you have an eight-day EPG, series recording, schedule rackings and split recordings.
HD content takes priority
There are a couple of standout features, too. Should you try to record a programme that's available in SD and HD – such as BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing – the box will prompt you to choose, ensuring you won't miss any HD content.
Also, if you try to record three channels at once (one too many) the Humax will helpfully inform you of any repeat showings.
All very promising in theory, and we're happy to report the practice is just as satisfying. The interface is clean and clear, and navigation is fast and intuitive.
A similarly simple but effective remote only helps matters. Pausing and rewinding live TV is easy, while setting recordings, accessing saved content and skipping through chapters is painless.
Finest Freesat images we've seen
The quality of the picture is equally impressive. To cut to the chase, it's the best Freesat tuner we've seen. Standard-definition channels reveal plenty of detail, a balanced colour palette and a punchy image.
Recordings are faithful, too, delivering nigh-on identical versions of HD and SD content. Talking of HD, the BBC HD image looks every bit the step up in quality that we'd expect – making the limited amount of content currently available even more disappointing. We can only hope that this improves soon.
Last, but not least, this Humax also delivers decent sound quality. Standard-definition broadcasts are a little lightweight but detailed and balanced, while Dolby Digital surround soundtracks via the digital optical output or sent over HDMI, such as on Later with Jools Holland, sound full-bodied and musical. You can record these 5.1 soundtracks to the PVR's HDD, too.
Should you be smitten with Freesat HD (if you don't want to pay a monthly subscription, it's your only HD option), then this is a great way to get it.
It is, in every way, the best-performing Freesat tuner that we've seen, and as a PVR it's excellent (and again, the only option at the time of writing). Let's just hope that the Humax Foxsat HDR gives Freesat the kick-start that it needs.
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