To save the effort of searching lots of threads I thought for those interested in going Freesat+ a thread just listing the pro's and con's of the only two contenders....
Humax Plus Points
Proven Track Record.
Ability to copy most recordings off box to be viewed on a PC.
Third party programs can be loaded to enable ftp and other features.
Fairly responsive menus
Easy access to media library and recording schedule while watching live tv or playing back a recording.
While watching live TV if both tuners are needed to make recordings it will give you an on screen warning asking you to manage conflict.
Manual Timer Option
Option to set recording padding time.
Humax Minus Points
Near Life Cycle End.
Remote control could be better.
Samsung Plus Points
At life cycle start
Faster access to guide as it does not wait to load a fresh copy to load.
Youtube access (not in HD however).
1080p output.
DLNA Player for audio and some video formats from local network.
Chunky Remote.
Samsung Minus Points
Recordings can not be copied from internal drive.
USB External hard drives not supported, just flash memory cards.
Some delay/lag loading guide or recording library after you have pressed the button on the remote.
No indication in library of new recordings if in a series folder.
No indication of free/used disc space in library view.
No other functions are available while playing back a recording or viewing library, just silence.
Series folders do not auto delete if folder is empty.
If you are watching live TV and both tuners are required to make recordings it just changes channel with no warning.
No option to skip the channel genre screen when loading guide.
Jump forward and back times locked to +1min -15seconds.
No manual timer option.
No option to set padding times.
Both products have a lot of features in common e.g. low power standby and of course the items above will not be all plus and minus points.
Automan.
Humax Plus Points
Proven Track Record.
Ability to copy most recordings off box to be viewed on a PC.
Third party programs can be loaded to enable ftp and other features.
Fairly responsive menus
Easy access to media library and recording schedule while watching live tv or playing back a recording.
While watching live TV if both tuners are needed to make recordings it will give you an on screen warning asking you to manage conflict.
Manual Timer Option
Option to set recording padding time.
Humax Minus Points
Near Life Cycle End.
Remote control could be better.
Samsung Plus Points
At life cycle start
Faster access to guide as it does not wait to load a fresh copy to load.
Youtube access (not in HD however).
1080p output.
DLNA Player for audio and some video formats from local network.
Chunky Remote.
Samsung Minus Points
Recordings can not be copied from internal drive.
USB External hard drives not supported, just flash memory cards.
Some delay/lag loading guide or recording library after you have pressed the button on the remote.
No indication in library of new recordings if in a series folder.
No indication of free/used disc space in library view.
No other functions are available while playing back a recording or viewing library, just silence.
Series folders do not auto delete if folder is empty.
If you are watching live TV and both tuners are required to make recordings it just changes channel with no warning.
No option to skip the channel genre screen when loading guide.
Jump forward and back times locked to +1min -15seconds.
No manual timer option.
No option to set padding times.
Both products have a lot of features in common e.g. low power standby and of course the items above will not be all plus and minus points.
Automan.






. The user interface is very friendly and easy to use. In theory it would make a great PVR for someone who just wants to record and watch, with no need for more exotic features. Trouble is, it's just plain unreliable as soon as you start to give it a real workload of recordings. Harvard don't seem to care about providing any updates to sort out the box, which is a real shame as it could be perfect as a straightforward PVR for the less demanding consumer.