humax
Latest
YouView's big UI update starts hitting retail set-top boxes
YouView announced a fairly comprehensive update to its set-top box UI last November, but it was actually TalkTalk customers that got almost immediate access to the new look. Today, it's the turn of contract-free retail YouView boxes, starting with the Humax T2000 -- the T1000 and T1010 models will receive it in due course. Several headline improvements have taken place behind the scenes. For one, YouView has completely rebuilt the platform in HTML5 for better responsiveness and faster navigation.
The first Freeview Play set-top box is now on sale
Freeview Play, the new service that marries live and catch-up TV in the same programming guide, launched earlier this month. Not that many people have been able to give it a whirl, since it's only been accessible on Panasonic's 2015 range of Viera TVs via a software update. You'll see plenty of new goggleboxes supporting Freeview Play as standard in the near future, but today Humax has released the first set-top box that adds Play functionality to whatever currently takes pride of place in your living room. The WiFi-enabled Humax FVP-4000T boasts a compact design and "leather-look top," available in "mocha" or "cappuccino" colour schemes and two storage configurations. The 500GB version, which should afford enough space for around 300 hours of recorded TV, is priced at £200, while the 1TB model is only a little more expensive at £230. You'll find them on sale now through Humax's online store, as well as at retailers including Argos, Tesco, Maplin, Currys/PC World and John Lewis.
BT's Ultra HD box now available to order online
When the Premier League kicks off again in two weeks, we'll see new teams and fresh faces, but there'll also be a new way to catch the action as it unfolds. That's all thanks to BT's new Ultra HD box, which will offer coverage of Saturday evening and mid-week matches in glorious 4K. While the new Humax-made YouView box has been available to purchase over the phone for around a week, BT has today opened up online orders, making it much easier to get your living room ready for when Arsenal meet Chelsea in the FA Community Shield on August 2nd and the lunchtime kickoff between Manchester United and Tottenham on August 8th.
Freesat's latest set-top box can store up to 2TB of TV
While there are plenty of TVs available with built-in Freesat, the satellite-based alternative to Freeview, set-top boxes aren't going anywhere soon. Freesat and hardware partner Humax haven't released a new model in several years, though, so it's time for a fresh box to attract new, subscription-phobic customers to the service. The Humax HDR-1100S isn't a huge improvement over previous models, but it's almost a third smaller than the popular HDR-1000S and comes with WiFi as standard (most other boxes require a dongle to make them WiFi-compatible).
YouView boxes finally granted the BBC's new iPlayer and red button features
The BBC's extensively redesigned iPlayer has been gradually lumbering its way onto different compatible devices since it was first launched earlier this year. YouView's hybrid Freeview/IPTV set-top boxes have, until now, been sorely neglected, which is somewhat strange given the BBC is one of YouView's principal investors. Well, better late than never, the new iPlayer has finally started rolling out to YouView set-top boxes, alongside the addition of the BBC's Connected Red Button features. If you're in possession of a YouView- or BT-issued box made by Humax (Huawei's also built a few), then these goodies will show up shortly, if not today. TalkTalk customers, however, are still playing the waiting game, though they can expect to receive the updates "in due course."
Humax's take on an IP-connected TV box for Comcast passes through the FCC
Comcast isn't opening up its set-top boxes (UI and all) in the way we'd like, but it has established a reference spec (RDK) for potential hardware partners to build their own versions of its next generation setup. As reported by Light Reading, Cisco, Humax, Pace, Technicolor and others are working on hardware for a new multiroom setup based on a central gateway (or maybe a Cablevision-style network DVR) that streams video to IP-connected extenders called the XI3. Now Humax's Xfinity-branded XI3-H has been revealed in an FCC filing spotted by Wireless Goodness. It sports a coax in/out connection for MoCA and TV, HDMI in and out, Ethernet and a USB port for a WiFi adapter. There's also an SD card slot interestingly, which could potentially be used as local DVR storage for quick pause and rewind without pulling from the main server.
YouView software update adds surround-sound, faster boot times and grouped recording
Rocking a YouView box? You'll shortly be in line for a software bump that'll give you a few handy tweaks. The update will speed up the device's boot-from-standby time, let you group recordings by series so you can watch 'em box-set style and pump out surround-sound audio if you've got the right gear. It'll also provide a few useful UI tweaks, like offering the option to hide BBC red button prompts, letting you roll live TV backwards by 15 seconds or forwards by 60 seconds. It'll be available on Humax-branded boxes over the next few weeks, followed by the TalkTalk branded units shortly afterward.
Google Fiber GFHD100 'IP set-top box' breezes through the FCC, doesn't say where it's headed
The future of Google as a hardware manufacturer (beyond its purchase of Motorola) continues to be shrouded in rumor and mystery, but the GFHD100 box that just popped up in the FCC's database is very much a fact. As seen in the pictures, it's sporting a Google Fiber label which suggests it's a part of rolling out video services to the Kansas Cities, and also reveals it's being built for Google by Humax. The MAC address shown in the picture is registered to Google directly, while the test report calls it an IP-set top box, equipped with WiFi, IR, USB, Ethernet, HDMI input and output and an Ethernet / coax (we assume MoCA?) bridge, which sounds similar to the boxes favored by Verizon's FiOS. Unfortunately our only view of the device itself is from underneath so there's not much else to glean about its abilities or possible relation to the hardware Google has reportedly been testing around the country, but you can hit the source link below to dig through the documents yourself or check a close up of the label (we tried the QR code, it appears to be for registration but it didn't work) after the break.
Humax HD-FOX T2 and Panasonic TX-P42G20B become the first Freeview HD tuners on sale in the UK
Slowly but surely Freeview HD is making its entry into UK homes. The well-reviewed Humax HD-FOX T2 is living up to its promise of being the very first Freeview HD tuner around, and is now available to buy via the company's online store or at your local electronics outlet. Priced at £180 ($281), its listing on the Humax Direct Sales site has an amusing "this is NOT a recorder" blinking message to inform people that it lacks the PVR functionality that the forthcoming Toshiba HDR5010 will bring. If your disposable income stretches a bit further and you want your tuner integrated, Panasonic will happily exchange its 42-inch TX-P42G20 plasma for £1,100 ($1,717). It's the successor to the TX-P42G10 and boasts a 600Hz refresh rate along with a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio and the prerequisite 1080p resolution. There's nothing we can do about the dearth of Freeview HD programming for the moment, but at least the hardware is finally out there.
Humax HD-FOX T2 is first Freeview HD box in the UK, garners positive review
When you think back to the dark ages of the nineties -- just four terrestrial channels and the inevitable snowflakes on your screen if you were in a poor reception area -- it just wasn't a very good time for free television in the UK. Fast forward to today, and dirt-cheap Freeview boxes are getting their inevitable, in fact somewhat belated, upgrade to HD. The Humax HD-FOX T2 will cost a predictably hefty £170 ($270) at launch, but as its kind starts to infiltrate the market that price should suffer an equally appropriate precipitous fall. Offering decent media streamer capabilities via wired Ethernet, the T2 stands out with its attractive GUI and blisteringly fast channel scanning, while giving you pretty much exactly the performance you'd expect from a high-quality Freeview HD box. The UK HD rollout is set to start in earnest this March and you can learn more about it at the links below. [Thanks, Dave]
BBC breaks down the new DRM rules for Blu-ray recorders
The reason Blu-ray recorders have migrated from Japan to the UK recently -- and why you'll likely never see them in the U.S. -- is all about the copyright holders. Danielle Nagler, head of BBC HD, hit the blogs to break down the wheres and hows of the DRM changes associated with bringing FreeSat disc HD DVRs like the Panasonic DMR-BS850 and Humax FOXSAT-HDR to market, basically meaning users are allowed one HD copy of a show, which can be played back on protected devices and connections only (transfer to portable players is planned to the future.) Follow the flow chart for the details, and figure out if it'd be worth it to make your own BD-R DVR backups so easily.[Via Pocket-Lint]
Humax Freesat+ FOXSAT-HDR gets proper review, high marks
Humax's Freesat+ FOXSAT-HDR has been available for a few weeks now in the UK, but if you've been holding tight to your £299 in hopes of finding some reassurance, you've arrived at the right place. For UKers uninterested in signing up for a pay-TV pack from Sky or Virgin, Freesat is your only option for snagging broadcast HD. The kids over at Pocket-lint were able to take the 320GB HD DVR for a spin, and when the ride was over, everyone in the cart was all smiles. Boasting an impressive array of connections, a classy design, simple setup, intuitive EPG and gorgeous picture quality, there wasn't much left to hate. Even SD material was said to look just fine, with the only real gripe coming from the not-exactly-intuitive media hub functions. Reviewers didn't hesitate to hand over their wholehearted recommendation, though they did lament the lofty price tag. Maybe wait a few months and pray for a price drop? Decisions, decisions.
Humax's 320GB Freesat+ Foxsat-HDR now on sale
Humax told us that its awfully cute 320GB Freesat+ Foxsat-HDR would be on sale this month, and sure enough, it's filtering into quality retailers across the UK. According to T3, users looking for "free" high-def via Freesat+ can waltz on into John Lewis, Comet, Argos or Dixons in order to trade £299 for the box you see pictured above. From there, you'll also need to grab a dish, an HDTV and an installer, but those are just details, right?
Humax announces 320GB Freesat+ Foxsat-HDR for UK market
Humax's FOXSAT-HD FreeSat receiver was perfectly fine for those with no need for timeshifting, but for the throngs of others who just can't live without some sort of DVR functionality, your day has finally come. The aforementioned company has today launched its Freesat+ Foxsat-HDR, which packs two FreeSat HD digital TV tuners (which can also access analog channels), support for radio / interactive channels, a 320GB hard drive for storing up to 80 hours of HD material or 200 hours of SD content and an HDMI port to boot. The downright sexy set-top-box also includes Dolby Digital audio output, two SCART sockets, a bundled remote, radio recording, split recording and the ability to "live pause" with instant rewind. Get ready to grab yours next month for £299 ($487).[Via Digital Spy]
Humax FOXSAT-HD Freesat receiver gets reviewed
Earlier this summer, CNET's UK branch was able to get a few precious moments of hands-on time with the high-end Humax FOXSAT-HD set-top, and now, the good lads over at Pocket-lint are following up with a full-blown review. The HDD-less receiver was dubbed "breathtaking," ensuring that it'll look quite fine underneath your tele. As for setup, it was coined "a breeze," and the very informative on-screen guide was seen as a pleasure to use. As expected, high-definition quality was "sensational," though we can't help but shed a tear at the lowly amount of HD channels available at the moment. At any rate, those content with just a receiver (or simply unwilling to wait for a DVR version) should be plenty pleased with this one, but you can tag the read link below if you're interested in the full review.
ChauhanStudio's Jetsons-esque HAL LCD TV gets real
Alright, so we're not really any closer to determining whether or not ChauhanStudio's HAL LCD TV is headed for commercial production, but we do know this: at least one of these bad boys are real. Yep, the mockup we saw a few months back has somehow made it into reality, though we can't say for sure that there is anything more than rarefied air packed within the glossy white enclosure. Regrettably, specifications are still unknown, but you can peek a shot of the back in the read link below should you be so inclined.[Via Unplggd]
FreeSat gets hands-on treatment
That's the way to show your dedication for high-def! Just a day after FreeSat went live across the pond, CNET's UK branch has already had a chance to check out a £150 Grundig HD box, top-of-the-line Humax FOXSAT-HD set-top, the EPGs on both and of course, BBC HD. From way over here, the snaps sure look fine, and we couldn't be happier for blokes / dames halfway across the world to have a new alternative for fetching HD content. Tap the read link and have a look, won't you?
Humax LCD TV concept: The Jetsons called, they want their stuff back
When you're not heading to work in your space car or programming your robot maid to make dinner for the family, you'll probably want to catch American Idol 3017 on this Humax LCD TV concept. Designed by London's Tej Chauhan, the future-retro model manages to look old while seeming completely fresh, recalling the "World of Tomorrow" depicted in Cold War-era renderings of the "future." There's no word on whether this is going to get turned into an honest-to-goodness consumer product (please?), but you can check it out if you live in Italy at the Zona Tortona design show, running April 16th to the 21st.[Via Tech Digest]
Humax intros limited edition LGB19-DTT and LGB19-DZT LCD TVs
Folks situated across the pond and scouting a new 19-inch LCD TV should certainly give Humax a look -- if you're totally into white, that is. The firm has apparently added limited edition flavors of its LGB19-DTT and LGB19-DZT models, which seem to be no different than the traditional iterations outside of the new hue. Each one packs a 1,440 x 900 resolution panel, 450 cd/m2 brightness, 800:1 contrast ratio, HDMI / component / S-Video / VGA inputs and an integrated Freeview tuner. The LGB19-DZT steps it up a notch with "simulated surround sound" and a bundled speaker along with an alarm clock for those obsessed with convergence. Still, these seem a shade overpriced at £299 ($583) and £329 ($641), respectively, but at least they're available right now in the UK.
Humax expands LCD TV lineup with Freeview-equipped LU32-TD1
Humax is expanding its IDTV lineup once again, offering a less expensive alternative to its fairly similar LP32-TDR1 and LGB-40TPVR options, except this flavor loses the built-in PVR functionality. This HD-ready LU32-TD1 boasts a sleek, black finish, 32-inch panel, 1,024 x 768 resolution, 1200:1 contrast ratio, 450cd/m2 brightness, integrated Freeview tuner for catching those gratis UK terrestrial broadcasts, and an eight-day electronic program guide to boot. While details are far and few between concerning the port assortment, we do know the LCD TV sports one HDMI port, a VGA connector, audio in / out, composite, S-Video, and component AV inputs. The LP32-TDR1 should satisfy those ultrathin DVT-B (sans PVR) desires for £749 ($1,429) when it hits the European market real soon.
