Loading ...We’ve been given an official update on the Humax Freesat PVR. A big thanks to both Humax and Wildfire for this information. Whilst some will see this as nothing more than already knew, its good to atleast have updates and we can fully appreciate that Humax cannot commit to certain promises such as release date.
Humax has assigned one of its top development teams to the Freesat digital television recorder and they have completed the first stages of software integration and finalised the hardware design. Once testing of this stage of development is complete the more advanced features for Freesat will be worked on and tested.
Because of the complex nature of the development of such an advanced recorder product Humax will dedicate an appropriate period to ensuring the good operation and stability of the product before releasing to market. It is currently estimated that the product will be available suitably in advance of the Christmas 2008 season.
The product will be a twin tuner satellite recorder with an appropriately large capacity hard disk, although the exact size has yet to be finalised. The connectivity will be identical to the FOXSAT-HD, but unlike the FOXSAT-HD it will not have an analogue component output.
Atleast now we can be fairly confident of release later this year, and the connectivity will match the FOXSAT-HD.
Humax have said they do not wish to discuss prices, even after launch, as these are determined by the retailer/freesat and to be seen to be given a price indication would give the impression of dictating the market. Fair enough!
July 16th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
It’s interesting that this is such an involved project. I’d assumed (wrongly, it would seem) that the Freesat PVR would simply be something closely related to the Humax iCord PVR, which is already well-established in the Middle East (but with software specific to the Freesat service replacing the Linux-based system).
Are we to take it that both the software and hardware for the Freesat PVR is being designed from scratch?
July 16th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
No, nothing is ever started from scratch.
The Foxsat-HD was an evolution of the iCord without recording and the freesat DTR is not only the bringing together of those two platforms but an evolution/extension beyond. There is some interesting recording functionality which needs extensive testing and some further work needed to lay the foundations for future functionality. Can’t say much more, but freesat have some good plans for the future and the box has to be ready to meet the demands to be placed on it.
The hardware is a compact re-design for the platform (thus needed some work) and the software is an evolution (thus needs careful attention).
Bob Hannent
Chief Technologist, Humax
July 16th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Some good news.
Wonder if Humax could answer some questions though:
1. What will be capacity in both GB and HD / SD recording times?
2. Can Humax confirm the product will record 720P HD with support for 1080P as / when the standard becomes available?
3. Can Humax confirm that the product can record HD even through the red button system.
4. Will this be a high end product ie. aimed for the audio visual enthusiast with the emphasis on both picture and sound quality/
July 16th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Its great to have your input Bob. Can you give any information on the look of the box, I’m hoping its a similar design to the iCord, which looks fantastic. Sure all will come clear in time.
July 16th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
The design isn’t based on the iCord, I will say that.
To answer Al’s questions.
The capacity is as yet undetermined, because the HDD market is changing and so are the needs of the product. I don’t know if it will be for launch but we are likely to offer an option for higher capacity no matter what we choose and the product should be able to archive to an external USB HDD anyway so I don’t think the capacity matters much.
It records whatever the broadcaster sends 575i, 720p and 1080i are all broadcast formats. 1080p is not yet even a broadcast format and will not likely be for many years, however in theory the box supports recording and playback of 1080p/25 or 24p. I doubt anyone would broadcast in this format unless it was a very specialist film channel and in my opinion they are horrible formats anyway.
The product is a mass market product, however Humax is striving to better the quality of the audio/visual experience each time. We have taken note of the views of the reviewers of the Foxsat-HD and continue to strive for better results.
Now, off to cook dinner.
Bob
July 16th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Thanks to Bob and humax with an update, better the product is released at the time its 100% ready, I’m sure it will be worth the wait.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:02 am
Fair play Bob for giving as much information as you can, sure most will appreciate that you cannot divuldge all information, but this is something to look forward to. Roll on Christmas.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Thanks for the info Bob, its great to see you back. I hope posting on here will be a lot more of a pleasant experience. I think you should be given the respect you deserved. I’m sure with admins help we can dispense with any unpleasantness.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:46 am
I’m really glad to hear you can archive to an external HDD. I was thinking of buying a FTA PVR but will hold back for the Humax now.
Pushing my luck now. I don’t suppose it can be connected to a network? Having a network media HDD is becoming more and more popular; you could then shunt content around the house to different rooms. I suppose there’s nothing to stop you plugging a network drive into the USB?
July 17th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Bob,
Are you able to reveal any more about the use of the ethernet port on Freesat equipment?
Specifically, I would be very very interested in a freesat PVR with the option to network recordings, to save arguments in my household over who wants to watch what by having recordings accessible on televisions in other rooms via the network. I have a few-years-old Panasonic HDD/DVD recorder which has an ethernet port, but it…well, doesn’t work very well, shall we say.
Thanks.
July 17th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Bob, many thanks for your informative posts. It’s very interesting to hear that Humax are forging ahead with new developments, building upon, rather than simply adapting, existing technology for the Freesat service.
July 17th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Great news. Really looking forward to Santa coming!
July 17th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Thank you very much for that welcome update Bob, and glad that you are posting on here! As all of you at Humax are probably well aware, we are all eagerly awaiting this Freesat PVR, but I am sure that others would readily agree that we would far rather all of you at Humax take your time and get this PVR working right before releasing it, than rush it out with lots of problems/bugs.
I am just keeping my fingers crossed that it won’t cost an arm and a leg that’s all!
July 17th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I don’t want to comment on what the network port will do until later in the year because of industry competitiveness, but I will say that the plans are exciting and more than met my hopes.
July 17th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Thanks Bob,
Top marks for taking the time to give us some feedback and answering the questions.
Certainly will feature on my shopiing list if and when Freesat have addressed their issues that currently stop me from joining the Freesat service.
July 17th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Hi Bob, I currently have the present Humax HD box. Can you tell me whether or not the the impeding PVR will have motorized capability and if so will it be both able to be managed with both DiSEqC and or slave external 36 volt “V” box controller.
July 17th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Thanks for the update Bob it is much appreciated. You mentioned the ability to archive the recordings to and external HDD would the format of the drive be readable when connected to a Windows PC?
July 17th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Hi Bob, I think that the dream addition to the Ethernet capabilities of a PVR would be BBC Iplayer (as well as being able to transfer your MPEG-TS recordings from the PVR’s HDD to the PC via USB would also be extremely useful and very much appreciated). Also being able to record ITV HD would mean you can do something that Vantage’s 7100 receiver currently cannot even in it’s latest software update. Cheers.
July 17th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Hi Bob, One quick question for you! I’m living in the republic and I went for a spin up to Northern Ireland a got a Humax HD box from currys, Freesat is a good system as an alternative to sky as we don’t have a DTT service like you guys do with Freeview, we don’t even have a descent cable service provider! Will the BBC’s I-player or any other services be avilable to me if I have my network cable plugged into the ethernet port?
Thanks Bob.
July 18th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Tony: unlikely because the BBC restricts access to iPlayer streams geographically. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoip
In the RoI, you should be getting DTT, with HD(?), probably at some point next year I believe.
Les, the box has the same capabilities as the Foxsat-HD. The 36V motor control market is relatively small and doesn’t suit the target audience of this product, the current “advanced” options were just put in there because we could.
July 18th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Hi Bob, Thanks for your reply. I am going to have a go at connecting the current receiver to my motorized dish (It’s on a static at the moment). I will connect as a standalone without using DiSEqC. My assumption is that the “V”boxes counter and reed switch link at the dish will allow me to re-call the stored Satellite and Channel selection.
July 18th, 2008 at 10:32 am
All this technical stuff is beyond me, but full marks to Bob and Humax for keeping us up to date. Patience will clearly have to be a virtue, but I’ve placed an order with my local supplier. On going thanks to the join freesat team for all their efforts.
July 18th, 2008 at 11:49 am
I should clarify, the remark about analogue component output applies to HD outputs, not SCART which is the same as the Foxsat-HD with RGB where available.
Sorry.
July 18th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I’m anxiously waiting for the Humax PVR then I’ll kick Sky into touch. I feel I don’t get much for my money as I mostly watch channels available on Freeview anyway.
July 21st, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Christmas
I was waiting on the PVR before jumping into freesat….
Looks like i’m going to have to buy a bush HD box in the interim…
July 21st, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I am eagerly awaiting the humax HD Freesat PVR but have reservations on whether the most vital function (for me, being deaf) will be provided. That is to be able record SUBTITLES on HD transmissions (initially BBC). I have a Technomate 6800 PVR but no matter how many times I complain to Tech Support and get promises of it being in the ‘next upgrade’, it never appears. If it’s going to be the same palaver with the Humax I would not buy one.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I am really keen to get this PVR but to wait until xmass this I am not so keen on. I am tempted to buy your other hd one as I have an old DvD/HD recorder/tuner. Will I be able to set it up linked together to record programmes. In other words make my own PVR using the two machines linked together. If so I may go down this route but personally think I would miss the option of pause live tv etc? Thanks for the input by the way there is a magazine saying it will retail for £150 this has to be a typo though.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:24 pm
since they are working on an hd pvr in hdd form, why does humax not make it one step better and add a blu-ray recorder to their pvr? then we would have the complete package! otherwise we will have to wait till sony, panasonic and sharp units become available in this country like the sonybdzt70 with twin tuner and 320gb memory..
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:46 am
I have just noticed an error in what I put into question 27. I put I have an old DVD/HD recorder/tuner this should have been an old DVD/HDD recorder/tuner made by Lite on.
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Bob, in relation to Tony (19) I also live in Ireland, I am interested in what you mentioned about the Irsh DTT service. I heard that the BCI yesterday awarded its three licences for the remaining 3 muxes while RTE gets the fourth, I know i’m going off the topic of freesat- but I heard that Humax manufacture the STB’s for the trial in Dublin which took place earlier this year, and was wondering if Humax are manufacturing hardware for the service, or have you any information if Humax will be involve in the Irish DTT service.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:14 am
Bob,
Thanks for keeping us informed.
Could you please answer Al’s very important question from 16th July:
Can Humax confirm that the product can record HD even through the red button system.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Bob,
I’m a bit worried about the reduced connectivity (The connectivity will be identical to the FOXSAT-HD, but unlike the FOXSAT-HD it will not have an analogue component output)
I run 2 HD outputs (projector and tv). Any chance you could bang a second hdmi output in there for me?
August 6th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
the hdmi socket will be great for my new tv ,,but i also need a component connection for my projector,,cant afford a new projector as well… help???? jb
August 7th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Hi,
Apologies for the embarrassingly naive question, but I’ve just ordered a Sony 32″ KDL32W4000 which is 1080p, so will the 1080i input when it finally occurs (if it hasn’t already) be supported by this TV? Just wondering about the 1080i/p difference?
Martyn.
August 10th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Martyn
Yes you should have no problem with 1080i input signals. This is in fact an inferior spec to 1080p so I am sure your Sony will be capable. What you will find difficult is getting suitable 1080p broadcasts as there are none that I know of yet!
August 11th, 2008 at 9:16 am
How to receive Freesat on Humax Icord HD satelitte receiver.
By CI or softeware upgrade.
jc
August 12th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
HI bob ,
I like so many others it would seem have been looking for a PVR HD for some time and I was perplexed by the inability of the manufactures to work out that as soon as HD was out there we would all want to record it.Well it would seem that our wait is almost at an end ,thanks to Humax.
PS
The quality of the product yet to be, has only to be as good as current products, as”Which”has been telling us in its latest comments.
August 12th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
All very interesting. Thanks to Humax for being forthcoming with the information. I am personally a little disappointed about the lengthily wait as I stopped my Sky+ subscription in February 2008 in preparation for laying down an HDMI network under the decorator’s plastering (t’was a major decorating overhaul throughout the house).
I’m now all ready to go but need to know I’m making the right decision by not going back to Sky (which after all is a very slick setup).
This wait will only be worthwhile if Humax deliver a product that either matches or improves the standard set by Sky HD. Ears to the ground for another 4 months then?…
August 15th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Have I missed something here? Surely sort piece of kit is here already - check this out:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=A50HN&DOY=15m8
August 15th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
………and this one records via the USB port
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=224743&C=Newsletter&U=08P09-3&T=-11026884
August 15th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I am very excited about Humax’s future product; I’m about to make the plunge into replacing my old glass tube Sony 32″ for a pucka full HD 42″ one, but have been holding off until high def television is established. I think this humax product would make me rush out and buy something straight away!!!
August 19th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Want to add my thanks to Bob and Humax for updating people on the state of play with this - I’d have thought the market is potentially massive. Like many people, I have an HD TV but refuse to add to Mr Murdoch’s billions by forking out for the massive ongoing subscription.
If you build it, they will buy!