In the meantime, the HDR Fox T2 can stream content from your home network. Unfortunately, it’s not quite comprehensive enough to make everyone ditch their media streamers; I had no problem with AVI, DivX, DivX HD, WMV, WMV HD, AVC HD (mts) and VOB files, but MKV support is decidedly patchy.
A good performer with a subdued front panel display that isn’t overly distracting
To be fair, MKV playback is not something that Humax has claimed to support, but if you have lots of MKV material, you may be disappointed. I also found that when rewinding through AVI files served from my Synology Nas, the Humax had a tendency to jump back to the beginning of the file.
On the audio side, streaming is limited to MP3 only; even with transcoding enabled on the Synology, I wasn’t able to play any other formats. So, again, if you have all your music in something like AAC or FLAC, you’ll be out of luck.
As for power consumption, it notched up 24W in use. However, standby seemed to waver between 1.4W and 0.5W. It does have an energy save mode though, so I guess it'll drop to the 0.5W left for long enough.
Verdict
On balance, while it’s not without some niggles, they are pretty minor and don’t stop the HDR Fox T2 from turning in a great performance as a Freeview HD recorder. It even holds the promise of offering even more when the Humax TV portal is launched. ®
More Freeview HD Gear Reviews… |
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 Panasonic
DMR-XW380 |
 Sagemcom
RTI90-320 |
 Panasonic
DMR-BW880 |
 Group Test:
Freeview HD Receivers |
Humax HDR-Fox T2 Freeview HD DVR
COMMENTS
Could say the same about a lot of kit.
Are there any 100% trustable PVRs?
Wiping recording schedule - didn't they fix that?
Paris beacause...
one of the screenshots shows a BBC programme called "An American in Paris". But then knowing her, that does not narrow it down a lot.
RE: YMMV
I agree...my wife didn't understand why I bought it but she can't live without it now. We rarely resort to watching live TV and albeit for the initial problems (which were fixed with OTA firmware updates) has worked perfectly. I'd buy another Humax...this one looks a tad expensive at the moment though.
DRM
All programmes on Freeview HD can be recorded; there's nothing to stop that.
The content controls are designed to prevent copies being made elsewhere, but not to stop actual timeshifting.
There are devices with BluRay or DVD recorders, like the Panasonic DMR-XW380 which I reviewed here not too long ago - but in my view they're a compromise, and designed more as a disc recorder with twin Freeview tuners than a PVR.
YMMV
You must have been unlucky, my 9200 is the best gadget I've ever bought. It's not that it's never given us a problem, but they've mostly either been issues that have been fixed or have been when I haven't followed the instructions (reverting to default settings after a patch etc.). It's more than made up for those by being simple to use and doing what it says on the tin. Or in fact more, with the improvements to the functionality that were rolled out later. Now if the powers that be could only get on with turning off the analogue signal to the south-east and boost up the digital power I'll be very happy.
