I know this box had a usb port...but can anyone confirm that it can be used to transfer recordings off the box to a usb stick ?

If you mention what "this box" is it would be helpful.

Indeed

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/humax-h....html#longDesc

Yes it can copy content to usb (and vice versa). SD recordings are decrypted on copying to usb. HD ones aren't but you can use custom firmware to do the same with HD recordings.

Thanks. To the complete layman what is custom firmware ?

It's additional software loaded from usb that adds extra capabilities to the standard box.

http://hummy.tv/forum/forums/hd-hdr-...d-firmware.28/