HDR Fox T2 vs. HDR2000T

Joolio Geordio

25-01-2014

Hi
I am looking at adding a Freeview pvr to replace a flaky Toshiba DVD recorder/single Freeview tuner HDD recorder. I am in two minds between the Fox T2 and the HDR 2000. How do they compare spec wise and performance wise? Have read some reviews suggesting that the HDR2000T maybe pretty much a reissued FoxT2 although others suggest it is lacking some of the functionality or features of the FoxT2. Is it worth getting or am I better tracking down a FoxT2?
As well as the standard PVR functionality I am keen on a machine that could stream content to other devices as well as streaming content from a PC or Nas drive. Do both machines offer this functionailty? Also do both machines allow you to connect a USB drive to archive content to external devices.
Would be grateful for any help and advice.
Thanks Joolio

Luis Essex

26-01-2014

For a comparison of the two models see the first post of
http://hummy.tv/forum/threads/what-we-know-so-far.3740/

The functionality and the networking/streaming capability of the HDR-FOX T2 can be easily expanded by loading additional software. This software is usually referred to as 'Customised Firmware’. It has a browser interface for access via your computer and adding additional functions is usually just a simple matter of clicking on what you want. http://hummy.tv/forum/threads/new-re...tart-here.839/
You may find references on old posts (and videos) about having to telnet in to update the functions but this is no longer necessary. Work is still continuing to expand the additional features and make it even more fool proof and easy to use for the non-technical.

One day this additional software may also be available for the HDR-2000T, but not yet.

Which ever you go for, after purchase, it is worthwhile to have skim of the details in http://hummy.tv/forum/threads/things...uld-know.1858/

Mickey_T

26-01-2014

Originally Posted by Luis Essex:
“For a comparison of the two models see the first post of
http://hummy.tv/forum/threads/what-we-know-so-far.3740/”

You can't actually view that comparison chart unless your a member.

I'd be interested to know if there's any difference in picture quality on the two boxes, as I've never been impressed with the Fox T2 in that department.

Obviously most of freeview being low res crap doesn't help, but when comparing like for like channels, I've always thought my new freesat box gives a much nicer picture than my Fox T2.

Luis Essex

26-01-2014

Originally Posted by Mickey_T:
“You can't actually view that comparison chart unless your a member.”

Also try this alternative instead http://hummy.tv/forum/threads/hdr200...68/#post-55619. The post was posted for someone who just wanted to use the PVR without loading the Custom Firmware with its potential networking/streaming and other enhancements.

Originally Posted by Luke on hummy.tv:
“
They are very similar, but ..

If your aerial can pick up more than 1 transmitter then the HDR-FOX T2 auto-tuning can cope, but with the HDR-2000T you may need to resort to manual tuning;
The HDR-FOX T2 can be easier to set up as the RF out will passthrough the aerial signal both when it switched on and when it is standby;
There are NO reports of 'Failure to record due to loss of power' with the HDR-FOX T2, (there are reports of such recording failures with the other one);
Manually started SD recordings on the HDR-FOX T2 can always be exported OK on the HDR-FOX T2;
The HDR-FOX T2 handles subtitles on the new HD channels better;
The HDR-FOX T2 handles 4:3 TVs a lot better;
The remote has more buttons and so some functions are more easily accessible and therefore can be easier to make work;
The remote has more buttons and some of the additional ones add functionality only available on the HDR-FOX T2;
The HDR-FOX T2 can work an amplifier and a DVD player/recorder as well as the PVR and the TV;
The HDR-FOX T2 has a display unit on the front so its easier to see what it is doing (but it is very dim and may not always be visable).

Being newer the HDR-2000T:
can handle IPTV channels OK;
may well have software updates for longer and perhaps some of them will fix the additional issues it has;
Additionally the HDR-2000T has less buttons on the remote and therefore can be less daunting to make it work.”

http://hummy.tv/forum/threads/what-we-know-so-far.3740/ currently reads

Originally Posted by Ezra Pound on hummy.tv:
“

Code:

HDR FOX T2 HDR 2000T System ID: 80BC.7E00 System ID: 80BC.7E10 Remote : RM-F04 Remote : RM-I09U 12 Digit VFD display No display Integrated Mains PSU Mains - 12V DC external PSU Standby UHF pass through No standby UHF pass through No IPTV support IPTV support Common Interface Slot No Common Interface Slot Three-colour LED ring Two-colour LED ring No NTFS write to USB NTFS write to USB Bookmarks in recordings No Bookmarks in recordings Remote controls 4 items Remote controls 2 items Remote TV/Radio select No Remote TV/Radio select Remote sleep option No Remote sleep option Remote V-Format option No Remote V-Format option Remote 'Wide' option No Remote 'Wide' option Remote Slow play feature No Remote slow play feature FLASH : 32MB FLASH : 128MB RAM : 320MB RAM : 512MB HDMI : 1.3a HDMI : 1.4a Operating Power 28W Operating Power 13W Kernal 2.6.18 Kernal 2.6.37 CPU Broadcom BCM7405 CPU Broadcom BCM7429 Power On/Off at rear No power On/Off at rear Last Changed : 05Nov2013

”

flagpole

26-01-2014

in what sense does the 2000T support HDMI 1.4a ?

to my knowledge it does not support any of the features that are offered by HDMI 1.4a over 1.3a

incidentally to me the differences are so slight, the 2000T is clearly built with cost more in mind the the T2 the only consideration is how likely they are to maintain support.

Luis Essex

26-01-2014

Originally Posted by flagpole:
“in what sense does the 2000T support HDMI 1.4a ?”

That comes from Humax's own specsheet as noted by MontysEvilTwin on Hummy.tv
Specsheet link: http://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/specshe...x-hdr2000t.pdf
Hummy.tv link: http://hummy.tv/forum/threads/what-w...e-4#post-49372

Originally Posted by flagpole:
“to my knowledge it does not support any of the features that are offered by HDMI 1.4a over 1.3a”

This may be for future use. Although Humax never seem to fix all their bugs they do add extra features during the life time of the product.

Originally Posted by flagpole:
“incidentally to me the differences are so slight, the 2000T is clearly built with cost more in mind ....”

Originally Posted by Graham North Commercial Director Humax Electronics Co. Ltd. in a marketing email:
“
Having the same functionality as the Freeview HDR-FoxT2 but in a smaller form factor and with the front display removed to reduce cost, the HDR-2000T is the perfect addition to our PVR range and on-line ....”

Originally Posted by flagpole:
“incidentally to me the differences are so slight, the 2000T is clearly built with cost more in mind the the T2 the only consideration is how likely they are to maintain support.”

I'd rather have my cake now rather than be dependant on fixs and imrovements that may not happen. For the personal way that I use a PVR if I were in the market now the availability of the Custom Firmware, 3 of the reported extra bugs on the HDR-2000T, and 3 of the minor features lacking on the HDR-2000T would sway me to the HDR-FOX T2.

flagpole

26-01-2014

I have both.

My thinking is that if I had to buy a new one in 6 months it would be the 2000T.

So if I wanted another now I may as well make that decision now.

Joolio Geordio

26-01-2014

Thanks for the feedback have been trawling through the Hummy.tv website from what I have read it would appear that the 2000T is an inferior model having some functionality stripped out. Would that be a fair comment? Has anyone with experience of both regretted buying the 2000T based on its performance and functionality? Am leaning towards the Fox T2 if I can find one. Not keen on going down the custom firmware route for fear of bricking it but would the T2 be able to stream content from a Nas drive or Pc without the custom firmware?
Thanks
Joolio

Martin Liddle

26-01-2014

Originally Posted by Joolio Geordio:
“Thanks for the feedback have been trawling through the Hummy.tv website from what I have read it would appear that the 2000T is an inferior model having some functionality stripped out.”

It has some minor functionality stripped out but the only thing that matters for me is the aerial pass through in standby.

Quote:
“ Would that be a fair comment? ”

I think calling it inferior is a but harsh. It is certainly a bit cheaper than the HDR-T2 was when introduced.

Quote:
“Has anyone with experience of both regretted buying the 2000T based on its performance and functionality? ”

We have both and are happy with both.

Quote:
“Am leaning towards the Fox T2 if I can find one. ”

It is getting harder to find new ones. I would sooner have a new 2000T than a refurbished HDR-T2.

Quote:
“Not keen on going down the custom firmware route for fear of bricking it but would the T2 be able to stream content from a Nas drive or Pc without the custom firmware? ”

I think the risk of bricking an HDR-T2 with custom firmware is tiny but you should be able to stream content to and from either box without custom firmware using the built in DLNA capability.

flagpole

26-01-2014

Originally Posted by Joolio Geordio:
“Thanks for the feedback have been trawling through the Hummy.tv website from what I have read it would appear that the 2000T is an inferior model having some functionality stripped out. Would that be a fair comment? Has anyone with experience of both regretted buying the 2000T based on its performance and functionality? Am leaning towards the Fox T2 if I can find one. Not keen on going down the custom firmware route for fear of bricking it but would the T2 be able to stream content from a Nas drive or Pc without the custom firmware?
Thanks
Joolio”

what functionality is stripped out and do you want that?

Joolio Geordio

26-01-2014

@ Flagpole I was thinking the lack of a loop through, the remote looks more basic, lack of bookmarking.

Joolio Geordio

26-01-2014

@ Martin cheers for your comments, based on running both is there any significant difference in performance and how much of an issue is the lack of a loop through and is there any workaround?

Luis Essex

26-01-2014

Originally Posted by Joolio Geordio:
“ I was thinking the lack of a loop through, the remote looks more basic, lack of bookmarking.”

The loop through will hopefully be fixed by Humax in a future software release.
It looks as though its omission was a bug. If it was omitted intentionally then it was an extraordinary decision to still include the hardware for RF output.

Not everyone needs RF passthrough. But if you do then in the mean time if you signal is strong enough you could split the signal with one split going to the HDR-200T and the other going to the other device you want to feed the aerial signal to. That way the other equipment does not really on the HDR-200T passing the aerial signal on. Or if your other equipment has RF pass through you could get that to pass the signal to the HDR-2000T.

The HDR-2000T has got a resume function for each separate recording. However the remote has not got the necessary buttons to add additional bookmarks.
Transferring a HDR-FOX T2 recording with bookmarks to a HDR-2000T I could see the bookmarks but just can't do anything with them.

Joolio Geordio

26-01-2014

Hi Luis so the bookmark feature is a nice to have but not an essential and the loop through issue may well be resolved. Are any IPTV services currently available or is that a future development?

Luis Essex

26-01-2014

Originally Posted by Joolio Geordio:
“Hi Luis so the bookmark feature is a nice to have but not an essential and the loop through issue may well be resolved. Are any IPTV services currently available or is that a future development?”

I have played with the IPTV channels on a HDR-2000T. They do work but for me I didn't pay much attention as I had limited play time with an HDR-2000T and nothing grabbed my attention. There was a French news channel but that was it for me.
Having IPTV does open up the avenue of additional pay or pay-per-view channels but it is early days for these services and who knows what could be round the corner. For some the IPTV viewing will be limited by how 'unlimited' their broadband connection really is.

Mickey_T

26-01-2014

Originally Posted by flagpole:
“I have both.

My thinking is that if I had to buy a new one in 6 months it would be the 2000T.

So if I wanted another now I may as well make that decision now.”

Does the 2000T have better picture quality than the Fox T2, especially on SD channels?

Martin Liddle

26-01-2014

Originally Posted by Joolio Geordio:
“@ Martin cheers for your comments, based on running both is there any significant difference in performance and how much of an issue is the lack of a loop through and is there any workaround?”

Use an aerial splitter. There is conflicting information in various places on the Internet as to whether this problem can/will be fixed. Barry at MyHumax.org is going to try and get the position clarified this week.

flagpole

26-01-2014

Originally Posted by Mickey_T:
“Does the 2000T have better picture quality than the Fox T2, especially on SD channels?”

They're not on the same tv so i can't really say.

They're basically the same. I can't imagine it's any worse.

flagpole

26-01-2014

Oh small thing. The 2000T remote is very clicky.

flagpole

01-02-2014

i wonder why they didn't put a gigabit NIC on it. they cost no more and it is one of the few devices that could benefit from it.

MARKIV

01-02-2014

What lets both of these devices down is the lack of apps, i.e no ITV player, 4OD, Demand & Netflix. I jumped shipped from Humax and went for a Samsung BD-F8900 1TB ( there's a 500GB known as a F8500 ). I think it's far better overall package, plus you get a Blu-ray player. The're still a pricey, however now and again you can find a reasonably priced one on EBay.