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FoxSatHDR - The Next One?


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Old 14-10-2010, 12:08
mankey
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Hi guys, I normally find myself over in Freeview, but I'd appreciate some advice about FreeSat PVRs.

I've used a Topfield 5800 for the last 4yrs or so and it's good, but obviously won't receive HD channels so I'm looking for a new PVR. To be able to get HD, I reckon I'm better off going the FreeSat route since my reception is alright, but only just.

I can see the leader at the moment is the Humax FoxSat HDR, except I know it's been out for a while and wondered whether there is anything else in the pipeline. I'm probably going to keep it for a while and wouldn't want to buy something that's likely to be superseded before long.

Cheers
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Old 14-10-2010, 12:16
gomezz
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1) Freesat only has the two HD channels (BBC and ITV1) with BBC1 HD due to launch soon, so no Channel 4 HD.

2) Freeview reception in your area may well improve after DSO so may be worth hanging on for.

3) The range of channels is not the same so I suggest you keep your Toppy going even if you do get Freesat.

FWIW I got a Foxsat last year (for the World Cup) to complement my two Toppies (although I guess I could really retire one of them).
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Old 14-10-2010, 12:23
flyboy13
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Hi, Humax announced a Foxsat HDR2 originally to be launched on Q3 2010, but most people seem to think it will now be Q1 2011, It will look like the Freeview HDR2 and no doubt cost the same. Many forum users recommend the Humax direct site which is selling the Original Foxsat Grade 'A' for £179 ,(Factory Deal of the week ) which appears to be brand new with a 1 yr guarantee, so a lot cheaper and no real reduction in functionality . Ths choice is yours ! It really depends how soon you want to purchase one ....regards flyboy13

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Old 14-10-2010, 12:38
mankey
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Many forum users recommend the Humax direct site which is selling the Original Foxsat Grade 'A' for £179 ,(Factory Deal of the week ) which appears to be brand new with a 1 yr guarantee, so a lot cheaper and no real reduction in functionality.
That's a pretty good price. I assume that's the 320Gb version before the 'special' was upgraded to 500Gb. I assume I could always put a larger disk in it if I was bothered at a later date anyway,

Originally Posted by gomezz
2) Freeview reception in your area may well improve after DSO so may be worth hanging on for.
I can see what you're saying, I just imagined I'd get better reception from satellite.
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Old 14-10-2010, 12:38
gomezz
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I should have added:-

4) Wait for the Canvas / Youview enabled boxes to hit the market.
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Old 14-10-2010, 12:40
mankey
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I should have added:-

4) Wait for the Canvas / Youview enabled boxes to hit the market.
That's a thought, how far off could those be? Cheers
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Old 14-10-2010, 12:46
gomezz
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I understand that that is one of the things delaying launch of the Foxsat HDR2. The current Foxsat is too underpowered to support it.

TBH if it was not for the dire quality of the footy on ITV SD I would have waited and could continue to wait.
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Old 14-10-2010, 12:49
swedish cook
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I "upgraded" from a Toppy, pretty happy with HDR - all I really miss is ability to automatically limit number of previous recordings e.g. limit Eastenders to 1 episode, which MyStuff did.

If looking to change now I would 100% hold off for Youview capable machine, even if that were 12 months, I think they will represent a step change in the market.
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Old 14-10-2010, 12:52
davemurgatroyd
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Hi, Humax announced a Foxsat HDR2 originally to be launched on Q3 2010, but most people seem to think it will now be Q1 2011, It will look like the Freeview HDR2 and no doubt cost the same. Many forum users recommend the Humax direct site which is selling the Original Foxsat Grade 'A' for £179 ,(Factory Deal of the week ) which appears to be brand new with a 1 yr guarantee, so a lot cheaper and no real reduction in functionality . Ths choice is yours ! It really depends how soon you want to purchase one ....regards flyboy13

The grade "A"s are very rarely new unused boxes unless it has been returned from wholesalers with damaged packaging. They are always returned units (for whatever reason) that have been fully checked and refurbished if necessary. New units from Humax caary 2 years warranty and the grade "A"s only 1 year.
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Old 14-10-2010, 12:53
gomezz
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OTOH Youview still does not offer unfettered access to all video sources on the internet. If they do not belong to the club then they are not available. Which is which I am still thinking about adding a nettop PC to my AV set up instead rather than crawling on my hands and knees to plug the laptop in when needed.
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Old 14-10-2010, 12:54
REPASSAC
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That's a thought, how far off could those be? Cheers
Well youview is targeted for first half of 2011 but the inital focus in not expected to be youview sat boxes, so my guess is end of 2011.
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Old 14-10-2010, 13:31
mankey
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Well youview is targeted for first half of 2011 but the inital focus in not expected to be youview sat boxes, so my guess is end of 2011.
In fact I'm actually considering buying 2 boxes (for separate rooms) so I might buy one of the Grade A's for the time being and see how I get on with it. I also need to get a dish installed, but that's trivial.

I'm prepared to wait until next year for a Youview box but thanks for your help guys.
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Old 15-10-2010, 10:40
olderscot
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I'm not sure the next version of the Foxsat HDR is coming anytime soon. The latest inside info I've seen was from bobcat in September here http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...1&postcount=12 where he said the Humax freesat roadmap was under review

I believe I have mentioned this before, the roadmap for next generation Freesat products is being reviewed, so the press-peak that was given last Christmas no longer stands. But I will reaffirm our commitment to supporting Freesat both with our existing ranges and we have a good relationship for products going forward. So, nothing to worry about.
Personally I'd be surprised if Humax do release a freesat version based on the T2 HDR platform. There's a lot of work to be done on the next-gen YouView platform and that looks to be a much more exciting proposition for spreading through the product range.

Having said that, Humax are still looking to get the 'portal' firmware out for the FreeView box(es?) and it could make sense for them to get the same functionality out for FreeSat if the price point is significatly lower than the YouView platform will be.

I guess that's a Humax call to make but I haven't seen any results from the internal debate on the roadmap.

Mike
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Old 15-10-2010, 10:54
mankey
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It makes it difficult to make a choice doesn't it if the roadmap itself is uncertain?

It almost makes me want to go back to an earlier idea of using Windows Media Center while everyone makes up their mind where they're going.
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Old 15-10-2010, 11:15
pad_ehh
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1) Freesat only has the two HD channels (BBC HD and ITV 1 HD) with BBC 1 HD due to launch soon, so no Channel 4 HD.
At the moment it only has two. In the next few weeks it will have 3 and there is a distinct possibiity that it will soon have 4 if recent messages from Freesat themselves and BBC's satellite moving activities are to be believed. Then Freesat and Freeview would have the same number of HD channels with only the extras like Sky 3, Sky 3+1, Viva, Quest, Yesterday and 4 Music being channels available on freeview but not Freesat.
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Old 17-10-2010, 14:38
LarryPlane
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The grade "A"s are very rarely new unused boxes unless it has been returned from wholesalers with damaged packaging. They are always returned units (for whatever reason) that have been fully checked and refurbished if necessary. New units from Humax caary 2 years warranty and the grade "A"s only 1 year.
Where about's can I buy one of these units? Can you post a link for me?

Many many many thanks in advance.
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Old 17-10-2010, 14:41
LarryPlane
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Panic over. Found it:

http://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/product...76&cat=Factory
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Old 23-11-2010, 21:34
shaunjones
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Sorry to drag up an old thread, but after looking to buy a HDR and hearing about the HDR2 I asked Humax when this was to be released; only to receive the following...

"We are not going to be releasing this Model for the foreseeable future. This is all speculation unfortunately so a new FOXSAT HD-R will not be available for the next few years."

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Old 24-11-2010, 09:44
pad_ehh
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Good. They should sort out their current HDR and make sure it's the best box out there before making or releasing a new one.
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Old 24-11-2010, 09:54
Bob_Cat
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Shaun, where did you hear that? I can't imagine anyone in Humax saying that.
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Old 24-11-2010, 18:33
fat-tony
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First post by shaunj - troll (or worse)
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Old 25-11-2010, 02:06
shaunjones
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Heh, nope not a troll! Just a first time poster.

Having just got rid of sky I was planning on holding out for a HDR2 so I emailed sales-info@humax-digital.co.uk requesting a release date and that's the response I got from "Humax Customer Support".

Dissapointed, but I ended up buying the original HDR today instead.
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Old 25-11-2010, 11:56
Bob_Cat
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Well, I am sorry about that, I have asked support to adjust their message. But fear not, it wasn't a bad investment because while there is in fact a next generation product which has been in planning for some time there is no date for production yet.

Bob
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Old 25-11-2010, 13:08
Nigel Goodwin
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Well, I am sorry about that, I have asked support to adjust their message. But fear not, it wasn't a bad investment because while there is in fact a next generation product which has been in planning for some time there is no date for production yet.
Presumably Bob it's been put back substantially due to the forthcoming launch of the YouView specification? - I suspect it would be folly indeed to launch a new box that didn't meet that spec.
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Old 25-11-2010, 17:04
fat-tony
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Heh, nope not a troll! Just a first time poster.

Having just got rid of sky I was planning on holding out for a HDR2 so I emailed sales-info@humax-digital.co.uk requesting a release date and that's the response I got from "Humax Customer Support".

Dissapointed, but I ended up buying the original HDR today instead.
Apologies

Surprised that Humax employee would say such a thing - pretty poor PR!
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