Humax FOXSAT-HD2 and HDR2 get specced

BBC iPlayer, home networking, no subscriptions

10 December 2009 8:33 GMT / By Chris Hall

Humax outlined on Wednesday the details of its next generation Freesat receiver boxes, the FOXSAT-HD2 and the FOXSAT-HDR2.

As well as the normal satellite receiver functions, including access to free HD content, the FOXSAT-HD2 will provide access to online catchup TV services, such as BBC iPlayer, which we saw working on the current generation of Freesat recorder, the FOXSAT-HD, available on the Cello iViewer also announced on Wednesday.

Humax went a step further, saying that it'd be able to offer access to other TV services, such as ITV Player, assuming agreement with ITV is reached by the anticipated launch of the HD2 in Q3 2010.

You'll also be able to stab a USB stick into the back to turn the HD2 into a simple PVR, and play content from a connected external hard drive.

The FOXSAT-HDR2 adds 500GB internal hard drive to the mix, giving you the option to record all your favourites, rivalling the offering of Sky+ HD.

Like the FOX-HD2 Freeview HD box announced at the same time on Wednesday, the FOXSAT-HD2 also has eyes on your home networking, so you'll be able to pick up content from a home media server to play your content on your TV.

Humax detailed that it planned to make its boxes into both clients and servers, so in the future you'll be able to stream content between boxes around the house.

Prices are yet to be confirmed.

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Comments

How does the HDR2 rival Sky+ HD's offering? The sky box only has 320GB or storage and half of that is reserved for anytime. So 500GB vs. 160GB? Humax effectively hammers sky's offering into the ground. Poor reporting again. Posted by Jason Ball, UK
Jason Ball - it rivals Sky+ HD in the sense that it gives you similar functionality, I didn't mean in terms of capacity, but thanks for taking the time to point that out. Posted by chrishall, United Kingdom
Jason, that's like saying a Mercedes isn't a rival to a similar BMW simply because it has a bigger engine. No matter how big the boxes drives are, or how many channels they offer, they are still rival platforms. Posted by Tyrone, UK
Jason, Sky+HD = 30-odd channels, freesat+HD = 1.5 channels. Sky therefore hammers Humax's offering into the ground.

Worst still, Q3 next year. Why bother announcing it now if it'll take 9 months to bring to market ? FreeSat might do more HD channels by then but I suspect Sky will have increased their offerings as well. Posted by adrianaitken, United Kingdom
adrianaitken, If you find that you can get more than enough TV from the FTA channels as a lot of people can then Jason is correct. The Humax does hammer Sky's offering into the ground simply on the basis of capacity.

It's will also be a great deal greener (as a low standby power is written into the Freesat spec). Posted by Peter Williams, England
hey up,,, the $ky loyalists are starting to appear on here same as Digital Spy Freesat forum spreading their loyal claptrap for $ky and nice Mr Murduck.
Really guys if you seriously think that freesat is no threat to $ky then bugger off because otherwise you are starting to look idiots. Plenty of Freesat customers who are happy and don't want to pay for tv. Get the message!!!! Posted by Mack, uk
I dont have a humax yet but how effective and compatable would this box be with a 40inch sony bravia LCD tv. HD 1080i
any comments
Regards
Tony Posted by Tony Ogilvie, Spain
In response to some of the above comments, I think you'll find the new Sky 3D HD+box they're bringing out has a 1tb hdd, HOWEVER, great though this might initially sound for those Sky fans who won't be converted or listen to ther rival platforms advantages, this technically sizeable hdd will actually only allow HALF that for recording programmes onto! Yep, Sky are soaking up a whopping 500GB of that drive just for 'chasing playback 'etc! I've never been a fan of Sky's subscription service because I think it's a real rip off! So I'm definately looking forward to investing in Humax's new PVR when it hits the market.The only advantage I can see Sky has over Freesat at present is their choice in HD content offering, no way is that enough for me to be converted! Posted by Mike, England
In response to Jason Ball's comment above, I believe the correspondent was referring to the next generation Humax PVR when it arrives on the market?this one houses a 500GB HDD, of which ALL of that drive is available for recording purposes as far as I'm aware! Posted by mike, England