After reviewing one of Humax's freeview plus DVRs, I’ve been lucky enough to get a good look and hands on with the similar, but very different, Humax "freesat HD" box. This product is slightly smaller than the 9150T, and has a few extra and also a few less features than the counterpart that I recently reviewed.
[Review after the read more]
Pricing
A little short of the DVB-T viewing 9150T, at £120 - although, that's "a little short" at MSRP and retail, you may find special offers, and as it happens, I purchased my 9150T at the same price. That said, should you purchase this, or any other freesat DVR, you will also need a satellite dish. With or without installation costs, depending on your DIY aptness.
What do you get?
I said this was similar to the Freeview+ box, and out of the box they are indeed very similar. In the box, you'll find a remote - batteries included - the appropriate paperwork, the actual DVR itself, and HDMI and power cables.
Set-up and installation
Set up and installation is a bit trickier than plug and go with this one. Most will opt for a professional installation, they come round, pin up your satellite dish to your chimney pot or wall. Then, you can just hook it up as any other STB - except that this time, the antenna cable will be coming from your new dish, rather than terrestrial antenna, and it reaches the TV via the HDMI port. But tuning in was quick and easy, just as the other reviewed Humax boxes.
So is it actually any good?
Very good indeed, obviously not all channels are available in high definition, so you have to settle for standard def like the masses. Although the picture quality when set-up on a 26” 1080p Panasonic set seemed a significant improvement over SD terrestrial. But nevertheless, if your feeling like a bit of HD, then you can just flick to the dedicated HD channels provided by networks such as the BBC, ITV, and the 4 channels. Meaning, that when the lads come over for the sports you should be able to watch it in all it's magical High Def glory. The included gadgetry is a bit different to the freeview+ that I’m used to - the remote is smaller and a bit niftier, it is preferable to the 9150T's remote, and the box it’s linked to is a bit easier on the eyes. Overall, the function isn’t really worth the cost, but the looks and the ease of use more than make it worthwhile - So if your in the market for a new set top box, then this is one of the ones for you. But, only buy it if you're really in love with the combination of wildlife and sports in HD.
If your in also in the market for getting a dish set up then watch out for one of my next Humax reviews, almost the mother of all humax boxes, the Humax FOXSAT-HDR Freesat DVR (320GB)
Also, if you happen to live in an area with DVB-T2 muxes available, then purchasing a "Freeview HD" (That is, one with a T2 tuner) or a T2 PCI-e card for a media PC is a better option. No satellite installation or breakage to worry about, and still no contract.
