Humax Aura update brings Apple TV and performance perks

Humax Aura freeview box
(Image credit: Humax)

Humax has unleashed a firmware update for its Humax Aura PVR so that the on-board Android smart platform now includes built-in access to the Apple TV app. That firmly rips off the lip to a whole can of pay-as-you-go 4K HDR film and TV content without the need for casting or any extra box or dongle.

The Humax Aura firmware update 9.21 also adds support for Sky's Now service, through Chromecast, which brings access to a menu of films, entertainment and sports events as and when you need. That leaves Netflix as the only gaping hole in this 4K Freeview Play recorder's platform, with the absent Britbox and Apple Music services more of a minor grumble.

Along with the apps is a tweak to the look and feel of the Aura UI, with enhancements to the menus and recommendations of the Top Picks and Now & Next sections. Holding down the Apps button on the remote will bring speedy access to your recently used apps and display your most watched content options.

On the video side, Humax has promised improvements to upscaling with sharper edges and less blur, but the main AV upgrades are more on the audio side.  

Users can now apply more lip sync fixes, including issues on apps such as YouTube and Prime Video. There's also support, via the HDMI port, for passthrough of more DTS and Dolby formats, with Atmos among them, and these features are also enabled when using media player software such as VLC, Kodi and Plex.

You can read the full list of Humax Aura firmware update 9.21 fixes on the Humax website. The update will be pushed out automatically when the product is in standby or can be activated manually through the settings menus.

MORE:

Read our guide to the best set-top boxes.

Read our Humax FVP-5000T review.

Dan Sung

Dan is a staff writer at What Hi-Fi? and his job is with product reviews as well as news, feature and advice articles too. He works across both the hi-fi and AV parts of the site and magazine and has a particular interest in home cinema. Dan joined What Hi-Fi? in 2019 and has worked in tech journalism for over a decade, writing for Tech Digest, Pocket-lint, MSN Tech and Wareable as well as freelancing for T3, Metro and the Independent. Dan has a keen interest in playing and watching football. He has also written about it for the Observer and FourFourTwo and ghost authored John Toshack's autobiography, Toshack's Way.

Read more
Sky Glass
Sky Glass gets a surprise festive update with a bundle of new features including Apple AirPlay and ad-skipping
An Apple TV on a blue background
Amazon Prime Video just launched its latest update for Apple TV – and it has got some neat features
A TV showing the new Now home page with Free Guy as the featured selection. Two people sitting in the foreground watching the TV in a modern living room environment.
Now TV to receive a major overhaul with new features and a fresh look later this month
4K TV streamer: Apple TV 4K
The Apple TV’s projector-friendly software update is now available
4K TV streamer: Apple TV 4K
Rumours suggest that a new Apple TV 4K might finally arrive next year
LG webOS 2024 update on a large wall mounted TV in a modern living room
LG brings Google Chromecast and a major Filmmaker Mode upgrade to its 2022 OLED TVs
Latest in Blu-ray Players
A stack of Blu-ray cases on a wooden shelf
Sony announces that it will officially end production of recordable Blu-ray discs in February
A still from Paramount Pictures' Gladiator 2 with Paul Mescal kneeling in an arena with sand running through his fingers.
Gladiator II is available to buy digitally now – but there's a better way to get it
panasonic ub820 black friday deal graphic
Ditch streaming and take ownership back this Black Friday as our favourite 4K Blu-ray player drops by $100
Panasonic DP-UB820EB
Best Blu-ray players 2024
Deadpool and Wolverine limited edition Blu-ray on a white background
Disney has announced that two of its upcoming 4K Blu-rays will include Dolby Vision – and it's good news for Marvel and Alien fans
Sony PS5 Pro on a white background with a detatched disc drive accessory
Sony's detachable 4K Blu-ray disc drive is selling out ahead of the PS5 Pro launch
Latest in News
Musical Fidelity B1xi
Musical Fidelity's new stereo amplifier houses HDMI ARC and a built-in phono stage
A close-up of the FiiO FT7 headphones' earcups.
FiiO's FT7 flagship headphones take the fight to pricier rivals
A grey WiiM Vibelink Amp on a wooden cabinet between two bookshelf speakers.
The WiiM Vibelink Amp is WiiM's first integrated amp with no streaming elements
Q Acoustics 3050i
Save £650 on this five-star Q Acoustics 5.1 home cinema setup
Optoma Photon Go on white background
Optoma's new on-the-go projector is set to be one of the cheaper USTs on the market
Marantz Cinema 30 AVR
Our Award-winning reference Marantz AVR is still selling at its best price ever