To go to the Dixons product page

To compare all Humax HDR prices

We imagine stock will be limited this weekend and stock will not be freely available until next week or the following week as the product moves through the distribution cycle.

The press release reads:

Freesat+ will arrive in UK stores from 22nd November 2008 offering the only way to pause, rewind and record Freesat high-definition (HD) digital TV, as well as providing access to a huge range of standard definition (SD) TV, radio and interactive channels.

Freesat+ opens up a world of over 140 TV and radio services including fantastic HD programmes from the BBC and ITV. With Freesat+, viewers can control how and when they enjoy their favourite shows and even watch them time and time again once saved. Current HD highlights on Freesat include Strictly Come Dancing, Little Britain USA, In the Night Garden and Little Dorrit on BBC HD, with ITV HD currently featuring UEFA Champions League matches, England Internationals, The FA Cup and teen drama Britannia High.

The first Freesat+ digital TV recorder will be launched by Humax and will initially be available across selected John Lewis, Comet, Argos and Dixons stores plus some selected independent retailers, priced at around £299 (satellite installation, if required, not included). Viewers who already have a satellite dish installed, in most cases, will simply be able to ‘plug and play’ with Freesat+, meaning no additional equipment is required.

Stock will be arriving in stores throughout December to increase distribution across the UK. Interested buyers should contact retailers directly for details of stores that stock Freesat+.

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 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 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

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

Exact details have not been released but it is expected it will include twin tuners allowing watching and recording two programmes at the same time or recording two programmes at the same time the PVR is expected to work in similar a way to SKY+ allowing series link and recording but without the subscription and ongoing costs.

A large hard disc drive is also expected facilitate high definition broadcasts which take up lots of disc space. It is also planned for a USB connection to allow transfer of archiving to an external USB hard disc and use of the ethernet port.

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 will to allow other resolutions for DVI connections

It has been enabled to allow the HDPC (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) protocol on the HDMI connection, as HDCP can not be implemented on the component output it has to turned off, HDCP’s purpose is to “protect high definition content during transmission from a source device to a display device”.

This was part of the freesat specification from the start and is the same protection used on Blu-Ray DVD’s and used by Sky Digital on some programmes.

As most people have connected there receivers and TV’s via HDMI as freesat has advised from start most people will not notice any difference.