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After a long time of waiting (literally!) for the “please wait” issue to be fixed, it appears Humax will launch a new software version (1.00.17) on the 14th October according to DTG.

The new version will automatically download on to your receiver (usually at 3am) providing you have updates set to auto within the menu. The update is exclusively to resolve the EPG problem: …read more »

As many of you have found owning the Humax FOXSAT-HDR, a recent software update has caused a significant delay in accessing the TV Guide (EPG), confronted by a “please wait” message usually for around 40 seconds, but in some cases minutes.

There has been some talk about whether this is a Humax or Freesat fault, and Humax have kindly responded to us today with the following: …read more »

Humax have announced they will release an important software update for both the FOXSAT-HD and FOXSAT-HDR on 1st June 2011.

The update is expected to resolve a number of the bugs which have been apparant on the receivers since launch.

The software will automatically update on your receiver (if you have it set to do so from within the menu) or alternatively you can download now from the Humax website and self-install. …read more »

Freesat, the subscription-free satellite TV service, has announced the winners of its annual Product Awards for 2010, with Panasonic, Humax and Technisat receiving top honours.

Panasonic’s Freesat+ HD Blu-Ray Recorder box (DMR-BS880) has been revealed as overall Product of the Year in recognition of its superior features that outshone the competition.

The very best Freesat products from across the categories of ‘HD receiver’, ‘Freesat+’ and ‘HD TV’ were recognised, showcasing the innovative technology available. These products enable viewers to enjoy the broad choice of quality programming available on Freesat, as well as services such as free HD and catch-up TV on BBC iPlayer – with ITV Player coming soon.

The winners were chosen by a prestigious panel of technology experts including the editors of What Satellite & Digital TV, Home Cinema Choice and TechRadar.com. The winners are:

- Freesat+ HD recorder: Humax Foxsat-HDR
Best Price: £214.99 (inc delivery)

- compare more prices -

- Freesat HD TV: Panasonic TX-P50VT20B
Best Price: £1600.00 (inc delivery)

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- Freesat HD receiver: Technisat HDFS
Best Price: £128.39 (inc delivery)

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- Freesat Product of the Year: Panasonic DMR-BS880
Best Price: £647.00 (inc delivery)

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Emma Scott, Freesat Managing Director, congratulated the winners on their success;

This was Freesat’s first dedicated Product Awards. We wanted to showcase the very best Freesat products from across the categories of ‘HD receiver’, ‘Freesat+ PVR’ and ‘HD TV’ and recognise the excellent work of our partners in delivering product quality, innovation and choice to Freesat customers.

The products’ innovative functionality, quality features and excellent performance have helped contribute to Freesat’s continued success, and we look forward to bringing viewers more exciting and award-winning TV products and services in the future.

Freesat Product Awards 2010 winners

Freesat+ HD recorder – Humax Foxsat-HDR
With its 320GB disc, great AV performance and competitive price, the Humax box was deemed Freesat’s top personal video recorder.
Runner-up: Sagem DTR-94500

Freesat HD TV – Panasonic TX-P50VT20B
Panasonic’s full HD 50in plasma screen delivers stunning HD and SD pictures, is 3D-ready and features flash and network storage playback. Its broadband internet connection also gives access to On Demand services courtesy of BBC iPlayer, with ITV Player coming soon.
Runner-up: Sony KDL-46Z5800

Freesat HD receiver – Technisat HDFS
Technisat’s debut product for the UK market builds on the Freesat HD specification to let users enjoy music, video and pictures, while also offering an optional Wi-Fi connection and On Demand access.
Runner-up: Humax Foxsat-HD

Freesat Product of the Year – Panasonic DMR-BS880
Panasonic’s Freesat+ HD Blu-Ray Recorder box demonstrates what can be achieved if you want to deliver a high-end home media centre for HD entertainment. Its delivery on superior features, such as twin tuners, Blu-ray recording, network and flash media playback and access to On Demand help set the bar very high against the competition.
Runner-up: Technisat HDFS

We’ve seen the price of the Humax FOXSAT-HDR go up and down quite a lot over the past weeks; we originally thought it might be due to a reduced trade price but this doesn’t appear to be the case. With this in mind, if you are considering purchasing what is regarded as the best Freesat+ receiver on the market, now is a good time, as £209.99 is pretty much selling at a loss for the retailers (maybe a price match battle is going on!). Buy before it goes back up to £229, as it did a few days ago.

Best Price: £209.99

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The TechniSat HDFS has been awarded ‘group test winner’ in a recent feature review in What Satellite Magazine.

The magazine tested the existing range of Freesat HD single tuner receivers against each other, including the TechniSat HDFS, Humax FOXSAT-HD, Sagem DSI86HD and Metronic SATHD100, with the TechniSat winning by some margin, though not really a surprise to most (we are unsure of the absence of any of the Harvard range – Grundig, Goodmans and Bush).

The final review scores were:

TechniSat 86%
Humax 80%
Metronic 75%
Sagem 69%

**Update 21/12/2009**
The code for accessing BBC iPlayer has been released to us for all of you to use; the code is 5483. Please note BBC iPlayer is currently in beta test so may still have bugs and glitches, plus is only available via Humax Freesat HD or Freesat+ receivers with the latest software versions. We’d ask that you have a play and leave your comments/feedback below so BBC/Freesat can take the information to assist in the development before an official launch in the New Year. For more information on the BBC iPlayer trial with Freesat, please visit this page.

Though not officially announced, we have it from a very reliable source that BBC/Freesat will release the BBC iPlayer code to the general public from early next week.

This will give those with a Humax Freesat HD or Humax Freesat+ receiver the opportunity to test out the service over the Christmas period enjoying all there is to offer through the festive season from the BBC.

The BBC iPlayer setup video can be found here

All other Freesat HD and Freesat+ makes/models will be able to enjoy BBC iPlayer some time in the new year.

Humax last night announced details of their next generation Freesat receivers due to launch in Autumn 2010.

The Humax FOXSAT-HD2 single tuner Freesat HD digital box will replace the existing FOXSAT-HD and include additional features such as PVR functionality via USB storage device (similar to how the TechniSat HDFS currently does). The receiver will also have an automatic re-tune function and be able to read file formats from USB including MP3, JPEG and XviD, as well as access media streaming over your home network.

The Humax FOXSAT-HDR2 twin tuner Freesat+ HD digital box, successor to the existing FOXSAT-HDR, will include new features as above, apart from USB recording instead opting for the increased size of a 500GB hard drive compared to the existing 320GB.

At the same time as announcing this information, they also confirmed an almost identical product range for the Freeview platform, due to launch in February 2010 in keeping with the availability of high-definition channels for the first time on terrestrial television.

Humax’s current software versions (HD V1.00.23 / HDR V1.00.11) are due to expire tomorrow (2nd December 2009) so expect a new release which should hopefully resolve the problems some of you have been having with your receivers since the last update was released back on the 10th November 2009.

We are unclear at this stage whether Humax will simply roll-back the software to a previous stable version, or will release a new version that they have been working hard on since collating all the information supplied by you guys when contacting them with problems.

Whilst BBC iPlayer is expected to launch first on Humax receivers in December, we don’t expect at this stage the software will include that facility as beta testing still hasn’t began in full; it will be interesting to see the ‘end’ date of what ever new update is released, as that might give an indication of when iPlayer will be ready.

The long awaited Humax software updates are due to be released today, following our previous post.

The version numbers are FOXSAT-HDR V1.00.11 / FOXSAT-HD V1.00.23.

There is presently the option to download the update directly from the Humax website, but the OTA (over the air) version should come live later this afternoon if you do a scan for it; or over night if you don’t.

Humax FOXSAT-HDR Manual Software Update (V1.00.11)
Humax FOXSAT-HD Manual Software Update (V1.00.23)

Let us know what you think about the updates when you have it.