Humax Foxsat-HDR wins Home Gadget of the Year

chris

Host Johnny Vaughan presented the award to Humax at the glittering T3 Gadget Awards

Humax has long been one of the market leaders in digital video recorder technology but it came up with its best set-top box yet with the Foxsat-HDR.

The Foxsat is a AAA-grade combo of excellent image quality, basic DVR functionality – record a channel whilst watching another, or record two at once – with access to Freesat, Freeview’s super-powered mutant sibling. Freesat offers 140 TV and radio channels free of monthly charge, and that includes two HD channels: ITV HD and the real killer app, BBC HD.

All you need is a satellite dish, and you can view everything from Torchwood to Shooting Stars in glorious 720p hi-def, free of any subscription cost. That's why the Foxsat-HDR has won this year's Home Gadget of the Year award, and the Tefal Quick Cup Deluxe, Bosch KGH 36S52, Siemens EQ7, Dyson DC16 Car and Boat, Tivoli Networks Internet Radio, Panasonic KX-TG8321, BT eFrame 1000, Magimix Le Duo XL, and Yamaha YSP-40D weren't quite as lucky.


Source:T3

Channel Hopper

So, without BBC HD on the Freesat platform, the 'killer' app precursor would be somewhat diluted.

Oh well, Vaughan gets a legal wage from the sponsors, so all's well that ends well.

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

Tivù

Yes, even ignoring the populists Awards scene, the Foxsat HDR has an excellent reputation.

I have the non-PVR Foxsat and find it superb. Now that prices are a little better than at launch, getting the HDR is certainly high up my wish list.

Channel Hopper

Can you tell us what features the Foxsat has that make it better for you than the Freesat competition ?

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

Tivù

Yes.

DiSEqC, for a start: Very important to me.

I have the EPG/Red Button on 28E plus the ability to use the Box with one of my Motorised Dishes for HD on other Satellites.

And, perhaps rather more important than one might have thought hitherto, Quality. Not just Hardware, but the little mouse that whirls around within.

The Harvard Group have, by common consent, produced especially flimsy products under the Bush, Alba and Goodmans names and are currently suffering from what can only be described as a disaster whereby a recent Firmware "Upgrade" has effectively disabled countless boxes.

Humax at least seem to test their Firmware ...........

Even those who have a narrow interest in 28E alone seem universally delighted with the Foxsat in both its guise.

I got my Foxsat second hand for somewhat less than the then price of the competition and have never regretted it.

PaulR

I thought that it is the proposed terrestrial HD service that's going to be 720p, the satellite version is 1080i.

Isn't it?

PaulR As I get older I find myself thinking about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Tivù

1080i, yes.

Channel Hopper

I wonder why Mr Vaughan didn't mention it in his speech.

Anyhow you will be able to report back next month when the firmware update goes ahead.

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

Tivù

Stand by for some perverse enjoyment .........................


Foxsat (non PVR) Software Upgrade