The Foxsat [...]]]> The Humax Foxsat01 is a premium High Definition freesat set top box. One of the first receivers available from freesat’s launch has won critical acclaim from most in the industry with its stunning picture quality in high definition and standard definition, logical menus and regular over the air updates to its firmware/software.

The Foxsat is brimming with features including Dolby Digital 5.1 output via optical connection, seven day EPG/TV Guide, small foot print, less than 1 watt in standby on the only receiver currently on the market with a full non freesat mode allowing it to tune to all free to air broadcasts that might not yet be in the freesat EPG.

Specifications:

• HD High Definition freesat Digital Box
• 1 x HDMI Socket
• freesat compliant
• 2 x Scart Sockets
• Access all freesat Digital Channels and Radio Stations
• LNB In
• On-Screen TV Listings 7 Day EPG
• Ethernet – For future broadband connection
• Energy Efficient less that 1 watt in standby
• SPDIF – Dolby digital audio output 5.1
• Parental control
• Red button interactive service
• Subtitles and Audio Description
• Digital text
• Width – 257mm
• Depth – 165mm
• Height – 42mm
• Weight – 1kg
• Comes with HDMI cable
• Comes withScart Cable
• Comes withRemote control
• Comes with 2 x AAA Batteries

More Info:

Humax Website
Quick Start Guide
User Manual
What Hi-Fi Review
freesat Channels

Review:

Humax the Korean manufacturer of digital set top boxes and TVs first offering for the freesat platform was released on launch day of freesat, the FOXSAT01HD is a HD (High Definition) set top box (receiver).

First impressions out of the box is how have they managed to get so many features into such a small unit, the Foxsat only measures 280cm (11″) width, 20cm (8″) depth and 4.5cm (1.75″) tall which is smaller than a sheet of A4 paper and about the size of a large hardback book.

Included in the box as well is the remote control with batteries, composite video cable, SCART cable, user manual, quick start guide and the biggest surprise of all a HDMI cable to connect to a HD ready TV for showing stunning HD programmes, this is really quite a bonus as most manufactures do not include a HDMI cable and you would need to buy one separately for around £10 to watch in HD.

The front of Humax is all black with a chrome like strip. The left hand side has a fold down flap containing controls for power, TV/radio button, navigation arrows (up, down, left, right) with a enter/OK button in the centre, menu button and guide button for the EPG. The right hand side has another fold down flap containing nothing!

The centre of the Foxsat has LEDs to indicate standby, TV or radio, below these lights is a green four digit multifunction display capable of displaying the channel number being viewed and other system menus actions, the Foxsat is the only freesat set top box at the moment with this display which is very clear and useful.

1. STANDBY – switches unit ON or into Standby mode
2. TV/RADIO button – switch between TV & Radio channels
3. Operational arrows – navigate Menu/Guide
4. OK – used to confirm a Menu/Guide selection
5. MENU – Displays the Main Menu
6. GUIDE – displays the Programme Guide (EPG)
7. Standby LED – displayed when the box is in Standby mode (RED)
8. TV LED – displayed when switched on to TV channels (GREEN)
9. RADIO LED – displayed when switched to Radio channels (Amber)
10. Four Segment display – shows the Channel number when on.

The rear of the Foxsat contains all the connections you could desire, LNB in (to connect to your satellite dish), TV SCART, VCR SCART, HDMI, Ethernet RJ45 (for future use with a broadband internet connection) USB (for service only), Component (YPbPr), Composite, RCA left and right, SPDIF (digital optical 5.1 output) and finally a slide switch to select RGB (SCART) or YPbPr when using component. The mains power is also on the rear and is the hard wired type into the box, we would have liked to have seen a socket for a figure of eight lead as some users would like the option to hide the mains and other cables into the wall.

1. LNB IN – connect you satellite cable connection here to receive the signal
2. TV Scart – RGB, CVBS, S-Video output. Connect scart cable from here to your TV if connecting via scart
3. VCR Scart – CVBS, S-Video output. Connect scart cable to a recording device (VCR, DVD Recorder, etc) to record freesat channels
4. HDMI – High Definition Media Interface connection to connect to a HD Ready TV with a HDMI connection using a HDMI to HDMI cable
5. ETHERNET – to be used for future services ie BBC iPlayer
6. USB – for service use only
7. COMPONENT (YPbPr) – Component Video output. Connect a component cable to the component connection on your TV set
8. COMPOSITE – CVBS output to connect to a device
9. Left/Right AUDIO – Audio output to connect to a device or home theatre amplifier
10. COMPONENT SELECT – switch to select RGB (when using scart) or YPbPr (when using component output)
11. SPDIF – Digital Optical output to connect to a home theatre amplifier for surround sound

Setting up was painless, we already had an old SKY mini dish installed on the side of the property pointing towards the Astra satellites at 28.2 degrees east, if you require installation of a satellite dish you can expect to pay a one of fee of around £80 for a single feed, more for multiple feeds. The cable finished with an F connector screws into LNB in, we connected via HDMI to our HD ready TV, this is freesat’s recommendation for watching in HD. The HDMI obviously carries the standard definition pictures and sound as well. This was all the connections we required.

Switch on, After selecting the correct AV source on our HD ready TV and powering the Foxsat on with the remote control we were presented with the very clear menu system, after selecting English as our preferred language, widescreen and our TV’s resolution which in our case was 1080i the Foxsat then confirms that a satellite signal is present and prompts you to enter your postcode, the postcode is used to provide you with your regional programmes from the BBC and ITV, you can put in any UK postcode its only purpose is regionalisation on ITV and BBC. The Foxsat then went happily on its way and started its tuning scan for all available digital TV and radio channels, in our case it found around 80. freesat have advised that the number of channels on freesat will increase to around 200 by the end of year. Our box was also automatically updated to the latest software version via an over the air update from the satellite.

In addition to the freesat tune on the Foxsat you can do a manual tune, this will find all free to air channels on the Astra satellites that are not part of the freesat EPG, this brought back in excess of 200 channels but obviously they will not be present in the freesat EPG, the Foxsat is currently the only freesat set top box to offer this facility at this time, a welcome addition.

Channels can be selected by inputting their relevant channel number or as most users will find by using the excellent 7 day EPG (Electronic Program Guide) the guide and all other on screen menus are all high resolution graphics and semi translucent (similar to Microsofts Vista/W7 operating system) and put SKY’s EPG to shame. The guide is very fast and responsive and is a joy to use, the EPG is set as standard like SKY’s so once you have used it once you could easily go to other another freesat box and it will be the same, this is the beauty of the freesat standard which all manufacturers who wish to badge the receivers as freesat must adhere to. (The EPG is actually broadcast from an Eurobird satellite at 28.5 degrees but your dish sees it at the same angle as the Astra satellites.) The programme information banner was most impressive as well, it informs you everything you could possibly want to know about the program being broadcast, an excellent idea.

Picture quality was generally very good although some standard definition broadcasts did look very slightly washed out, apparently Humax are looking into this and will probably release an over the air update to correct this, it does not however detract from a very watchable picture though. We then tuned into the BBC High Definition channel BBC HD and were immediately amazed at the picture quality this is where the Foxsat excels, the picture was razor sharp and stable, it is very difficult to explain the difference from standard definition to high definition but we can assure you will not be disappointed, it really is the same leap from black and white to colour in the 1970’s. HD carries fives times the picture quality compared to standard definition.

We then tuned into ITV for a Euro 2008 game, ITV HD is accessed slightly differently from the BBC channel, you actually tune to the ITV standard definition channel if a program is being broadcast in HD you are then prompted by a banner in the right hand top corner to watch in ITV HD by pressing the red button on the remote, you are then transported to the HD picture and sound this only takes around two seconds, the picture quality is even more apparent this way, although the picture is no better or worse than BBC HD but because you are switching straight from the SD picture to the HD picture the difference appears even more apparent, we spent most of the football match switching back to the SD picture with the blue button and back to HD with the red button as were amazed at the difference, it made us wonder if ITV were deliberately broadcasting an inferior picture in standard definition on purpose!

ITV HD is currently a freesat exclusive and currently not available on other platforms ie, SKY, Virgin and Freeview.

Sound quality was as good as the TV it was connected to and we found no problems here, we did connect the Foxsat to our Sony surround amp via the digital optical connection and confirm that all was well with 5.1 being broadcast on the BBC HD channel.

Remote control, we were slightly disappointed with the remote control, although it is fast and responsive it does look a bit cheap, the most annoying features though were the volume and channel change buttons being laid out horizontally rather than vertically the natural way and not having the facility on the remote to control your TV also after accessing the “i-plate” you have to press the exit button to clear it from screen, this is not logical either it should be set clear on the 3rd press of the actual info button not go looking for an exit button especially in a dimply lit room, Humax have the capability of changing this on a over the air software update, lets hope they do.

Also on the back of the Foxsat and all freesat boxes as it is part of the freesat standard all freesat boxes must adhere to is an RJ45 Ethernet connection for future connection to the internet, the BBC has announced it is currently working on putting it’s video on demand iplayer.

Support, Humax are a well established and respected company and there support is one of the best out there, they are quick to respond to queries and usually have some form of official presence on various forums on the internet, they seem to take customers comments seriously and have already made changes to the Foxsat due to customer comments.

Verdict, apart from a few niggles this really is an outstanding first attempt by Humax with there first offering into freesat.

The high specification, twin tuner Humax FOXSAT-HDR will be the only way [...]]]> freesat have announced the long awaited Humax FOXSAT-HDR PVR will be in the shops for Christmas 2008 and on sale from mid November priced as expected at £299. Latest prices and availability will be published below and on the Price Comparison section when known.

The high specification, twin tuner Humax FOXSAT-HDR will be the only way to pause, rewind and record Freesat HD digital TV, as well as access an expanding choice of SD (Standard definition) TV, radio and interactive channels.
The recorder has a large 320GB hard drive that can store up to 80 hours of HD (High Definition) programming, or up to 200 hours of standard definition shows, while the eight day on-screen electronic programme guide makes it easy to scan the Freesat TV schedule and plan your viewing.

If £299 seems expensive consider this, if you go for a new SKY+HD basic package the Humax will have paid for itself after month 7! there is no subscription or contract with freesat, the Humax is technological more advanced than the SKY+ HD box, the SKY box only has a 160GB hard drive against the Humax’s 320GB drive and if you cancel your SKY subscription after month 12 they switch off the recording facility!

Specifications:

• freesat HD and SD channel recording
• Simultaneous viewing of one channel and recording another channel
• Record 2 channels at the same time
• Receive HDTV signals (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 and MPEG-2)
• Under 1W power consumption in standby
• HDMI-digital interface for perfect transmission of picture and sound
• Simultaneous playing of transmissions over HDMI, Composite or Scart
• Easy installation and operation
• Resolution format: 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i
• DVB-S2 and DVB-S compatible
• Ethernet Support (for future use)
• Full colour high resolution electronic programme guide
• Dolby digital audio output (S/PDIF)
• Automatic software upgrade via satellite
• Upscaling Standard Definition channels
• Audio description / One touch subtitle
• Massive 320GB HDD
• Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth): 380 x 55 x 252 mm
• Weight: 3.1 kg

Emma Scott, managing director, freesat, commented: “The launch of Freesat+ with the FOXSAT-HDR is an exciting milestone for us. We’re giving viewers the freedom to enjoy all their favourite standard definition shows, as well as the likes of Strictly Come Dancing, UEFA Champions League, England home games and blockbuster movies in HD whenever and however they want – for no subscription and no extra monthly bills.”

Graham North, commercial director, Humax, added: “Humax has developed a reputation for delivering highly functional but easy-to-use digital TV products and we have leveraged this expertise to develop a technologically-advanced digital TV recorder that offers the very best in recording and viewing features for Freesat.”

The update offers: HD MHEG performance enhancements and added DDS Support to DVB Subtitles

Model: Foxsat-HD Software Version: HZPTSF 1.00.15 Loader Version: U7.22 System ID: 35F1.0000

Release Notes: - HD MHEG [...]]]> Humax have release their latest update for the Foxsat01HD, the update is available now and you should be automatically offered it or you can force the update in the settings menu.

The update offers: HD MHEG performance enhancements and added DDS Support to DVB Subtitles

Model: Foxsat-HD
Software Version: HZPTSF 1.00.15
Loader Version: U7.22
System ID: 35F1.0000

Release Notes:
- HD MHEG Performance enhancements
- Added DDS Support to DVB Subtitles

image courtesy of Trusted Reviews and reghardware

A working model is expect at the IBC show in Amsterdam starting on the [...]]]> The first details of long waited freesat Humax PVR/DTR have emerged from the IFA show in Berlin starting today 29th September to 3rd September where the product is making its first appearance as a prototype.

image courtesy of Trusted Reviews and reghardware

A working model is expect at the IBC show in Amsterdam starting on the 12th September to 16th September.

trustedreviews.com and reghardware have managed to take some pictures which show that the PVR will have a 320gb hard drive, twin tuners and be priced around £300 at launch which is expected before this Christmas.

Specifications:

• freesat HD and SD channel recording
• Simultaneous viewing of one channel and recording another channel
• Receive HDTV signals (MPEG4 AVC/H.264 and MPEG2)
• Under 1W power consumption in standby
• HDMI digital interface for perfect transmission of picture and sound
• Simultaneous playing of transmissions over HDMI, composite and Scart
• Easy installation and operation
• Resolution format: 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i
• DVBS2 and DVBS compatible
• Ethernet support
• Full colour, high resolution electronic program guide
• Dolby digital audio output (S/PDIF)
• Automatic software upgrade via satellite
• Upscaling of SDTV to HD
• Audio description / One touch subtitle
• Massive 320GB HD

The PVR will not be fully complete or ready for sale at that time but is expected to be completed for the Christmas [...]]]> The eagerly awaited Humax Freesat PVR (Personal Video Recorder) also known as DTR (Digital Television Recorder) will be revealed to the public at the IBC (International Broadcasting Convention) show in Amsterdam in September.

The PVR will not be fully complete or ready for sale at that time but is expected to be completed for the Christmas shopping season, the first PVR’s are now in the UK undergoing testing.

The PVR is expected to have a large hard disc to allow HD (High Definition) recording, twin or possibly three to allow tuners recording of two programmes at the same time or watching one and recording another and series link to record a whole series of programmes in one press from the EPG (Electronic Program Guide)

Humax have been quoted as saying: “Humax has promised an ‘innovative IP streaming set-top box’ designed in conjunction with icube, a digital media adapter and a home wireless networking product”

According to the IBC website Humax is exhibiting a range of new set-top boxes, digital television recorders and high definition receivers at this year’s show. In addition they are also showcasing their latest interactive broadband technology, which enables a host of new services for the operator and consumer alike. There is also a selection of their latest LCD TV products on demonstration; some featuring integrated digital television recorders.

Details of the update below taken [...]]]> Humax have today released the latest software for their High Definition receiver, the software version HZPTSF 1.00.13 is available now, the latest update will hopefully resolve the issue some users have been experiencing with BBC HD lip synch sound issue, basically the picture was out of synchronisation with the sound.

Details of the update below taken from Humax Support website.

Model: FOXSAT-HD
Software Version: HZPTSF 1.00.13
Loader Version: U7.22
System ID: 35F1.0000

Release Notes:
- Lip-sync improvements for BBC HD
- Interactive Software improvements
- Display LED fix
- Scart loop-through fix
- i button now removes i-plate after 3rd press

OTA Due to commence: 4th August

The update will hopefully resolve DVI limitation, Screen Ratio and Picture Formats and other issues:

Model: FOXSAT-HD Software Version: HZPTSF [...]]]> Humax today announced that the latest update HZPTSF 1.00.10 for the FOXSAT-HD freesat set top box will be released shortly, our understanding it is provisionally scheduled for an OTA (Over The Air) broadcast on Monday evening June 30.

The update will hopefully resolve DVI limitation, Screen Ratio and Picture Formats and other issues:

Model: FOXSAT-HD
Software Version: HZPTSF 1.00.10
Loader Version: U7.22
System ID: 35F1.0000

Release Notes:
- DVI limitation resolved (1080i, 720p, 567p, 567i now available for HDMI > DVI connections)
- Screen Ratio and Picture Formats included for:

16:9-Widescreen
Auto
4:3 pillar box
14:9 Pillar box
16:9 Centre Cut Out
Anamorphic
Note: Auto option will display picture format correctly if the TV (HDMI connection) set supports AVInfo frame

4:3-Traditional
16:9 Letterbox
14:9 Letterbox
Centre Cut Out
Auto

- Lip-Sync improvements
- Automatic services/channel update support
- 4 Digit channel numbers displayed correctly
- Subtitle improvements
- Postcode Verification Improvements
- Interactive Engine Improvements

Model: FOXSAT-HD Software Version: HZPTSF 1.00.09 Loader Version: U7.22 System ID: 35F1.0000

Release Notes: - Lip-sync improvements for ITV-HD - Original resolution option added for HDMI

Outstanding issue: 1. For HDMI > DVI connections – resolution locked to 1080i *

* Next update [...]]]> Humax have finally released details of the latest software HZPTSF 1.00.09 for FOXSAT01HD despite the software being available since June 6th 2008.

Model: FOXSAT-HD
Software Version: HZPTSF 1.00.09
Loader Version: U7.22
System ID: 35F1.0000

Release Notes:
- Lip-sync improvements for ITV-HD
- Original resolution option added for HDMI

Outstanding issue:
1. For HDMI > DVI connections – resolution locked to 1080i *

* Next update will to allow other resolutions for DVI connections

Model: Foxsat-HD Software Version: HZPTSF 1.00.07 Loader Version: U7.22 System ID: 35F1.0000 Release Notes: - HD Content Management implemented (Analogue HD Output) - MHEG engine improvements - Device Driver update - Selection issues of Channel Genre in Guide [...]]]> Humax release latest available software HZPTSF 1.00.07 for Foxsat-HD, as long as you have not disabled automatic update you should be offered it shortly.

Model: Foxsat-HD Software Version: HZPTSF 1.00.07
Loader Version: U7.22 System ID: 35F1.0000
Release Notes:
- HD Content Management implemented (Analogue HD Output)
- MHEG engine improvements
- Device Driver update
- Selection issues of Channel Genre in Guide corrected
- Order of Genre List corrected
- Date in Guide > List View > date format corrected
- New OTA procedure included > OTA will take place at 3am