We have lots of comments about things that people don’t like so just to add a little balance what are the things you like most. For me these are
[LIST=1][*]The ability record satellite channels without having to pay Sky, due to location freeview is not a serious option for me.[*]High definition programmes for free[*]The large storage capacity – 4 time more than Sky+[*]Being able to play MP3 files and view digital photos[*]The simple and easy operating system[*]I can use the remote to easily operates my TV, DVD recorder and amplifier[/LIST]

Love being able to record 2 channels and watch a 3rd (live) LOVE this.

Channels are perfect for us, we only watch the likes of BBC/ITV/C4/E4 BBC HD/ the rest of the channels on the sky platform were just repeats and not value for money (for our family)

Love that you can add a CAM for the CH4 HD stuff

and Huge Scope for More channels all the time, HD AND SD

Extreme competance at basic functionality.

Skip forward and back (and with programmable durations - even though mine are still set at the defaults).

Very low standby power consumption.

Yeah forgot the skip forward feature, You can more or less press 1 button and totally skip adverts gets a A+++++ from me

Another vote for fast skipping ads and the other ways you can fast scan through anything. I also like the simple search function on the program guide - the 8 day epg is good enough for most things. Plus the info button is very handy.

Patrick

Firstly, it's my first PVR, so pretty much anything PVRish is a most liked function. It revolutionised my viewing as our domestic circumstances are such that we could only watch TV at certain times of the day and could never follow a series. Specific ones that spring to mind are

- Selecting a programme on EPG and just pressing a button to record it.
- Two programmes recorded simutaneously.
- Series record with recordings automatically sorted into folders.

Secondly, there are the freesat benefits. My HDR replaced a FTA receiver. My most like features are relative to that.

- The 7-8 day EPG.
- Automatic update of channels.
- Nice to have some HD.

Finally, things that stand out about the box itself.

- It runs cool and is very quiet.
- I like the flip down front which hides the controls. It gives the impression of being well made (magnets to hold it closed rather than springs that usually wear out).
- It's nice to know that its standby consumption is so low.

Yeah actual noise of the box is virtually Zero, and box is cool to the touch no heat at all My sky+ box sounded like a Diesel generator, very loud !

I like the fact it's free, never failed, and is easy to record.

P.S. I have an old 8000 model (1 tuner), which models are you talking about please - as I want to uprade for he extra tuner(s) soon. Ta

The filing system where I can make folders and move recordings around and if I decide to delete a recording it asks me if I'm sure.
I've been used to a standard Sky+ box up to now with endless screens containing every program I've ever kept and the dreaded yellow button which, if you inadvertantly pressed it, deleted whatever you were on instantly.

The blue display ......and the skip forward button.

Apart from that I'm struggling a bit as I currently have a 14 day EPG, a box that has never failed to record, a button that skips between the 2 tuners, a history button, PIP, favourite channels list.....the list goes on I'm afraid.

I do like the Humax and the HD is great but feature wise I don't think it compares to my freeview and could have done better. I got Freesat for the channels I couldn't get on Freeview and having had a PVR for over 3 years I couldn't have just got a non recording box as I'm so used to a PVR now.

It just works very well. And it's nice and black.

Certainly the Sky instant delete is very bad UI.

However, imo, the Humax is even worse (although the extra safety does tend to redeem it) in that it goes way to far in the other direction.

I'm quite happy for the delete to ask for a confirmation but any UI that selects 'no' as a default after you've made four key presses to ask for it to do something (other than things that are extremely 'dangerous' such as formatting the drive) is not well designed.

At the moment you have to make SIX button presses for a delete (Select, down, down, OK, left, OK) which is excessive.

To delete on my freeview is, press red, you then have the option to press red to delete the whole prog, or blue to mark the prog for reuse should your drive become full. So 2 button presses all in, with the option to keep it until the space is needed......all within those 2 presses.

Surely that couldn't have been too difficult to do instead of 6!!

Ooohh - and there was I trying to be ever so positive about the things I quite like about the box... oh well the truth will out..

Patrick

That sounds much better, except, it would be better if you had to press two different buttons to do the delete. An accidental double press or misselecting the function in place of something else with an expected confirm box and the safety feature is defeated.

This is similar to something people often get wrong in program UI's. You press return to select the currently highlighted function and then return to accept in the confirm box.

I know this is getting extremely picky, particularly in a thread that's supposed to be about what we like about the Humax, but there is a wealth of material available on good UI design so there's really no excuse for not getting it right.

Just goes to show how different views are:

2. High definition programmes for free. - great.
3. The large storage capacity – 4 time more than Sky+ - great
4. Being able to play MP3 files and view digital photos - no thanks, clutters the interface so would rather it wasn't there
5. The simple and easy operating system - disagree. Confusing and over complex.
6. I can use the remote to easily operates my TV, DVD recorder and amplifier but its' such a nasty remote i wouldn't want to. it went straight in the drawer to be replaced by a Harmony.

I too like the low standby power consumption, silent running, small box, good looks and configurable ad skipping.

Also, standard disc formatting means an easy upgrade (1tb when my disc arrives)

Will only have 4 days at home in May and my trusty HDR should mean I don't miss anything important! Need a bit more than 8 hours on VHS at LP mode! Just hope I don't fill the disc up! Series record is so useful

I used to have a Topfield Freeview PVR (probably the best Freeview PVR), things I like most versus this box :

- HD (especially on projector for football)
- Nice sexy menus and recording thumbnails
- Comes on quickly (really, compared with old box!)

I expect I just missed it in the manual, but how do you change the skip forward duration from its default?... if I could do this it would be my favourite feature too!

Page 44 of the manual.

Menu - Settings - Recording. "Instant Replay" and "Skip Forward" are the ones you want.

I've only had it working for a day, and it's my first PVR, so I also think just about all of it is the best feature However, without a doubt the best thing for me is being able to watch a recording before it's finished.

For example, I'm currently watching the snooker, but wasn't able to get to the TV until 35 mins after it started. Being able to start watching right away, instead of having to wait until it's finished — it's a 5 hour broadcast! — is superb. I have no idea if other PVRs offer this too, but either way I love it.

Most pvrs (it could be all) offer chasing playback. Even my single tuner freeview (Humax 8000) offers this.

One other thing I like is that the 'Press RED' irritation automagically disappears after a few seconds with this box, I hope this doesn't get 'fixed' when/if an update comes out

...........

The overall build quality of the box. Low power consumption, but above all the picture quality on SD and HD

Not keen on the menues, however I will get used to that.

A quality product which will get better once the software/firmware is updated. On this I am happy with Humax taking there time with this to get it right.