« on: February 07, 2010, 11:23:42 AM »
Humax HD-Fox T2: First DVB-T2 receiver with HDTV & Network Streaming
Humax's first Freeview HD set-top box, the HD-Fox T2, will go on sale in February/March 2010-around £170
To begin, it's half decent media streamer - can play DivX, XviD, MP3 and JPEG files stored remotely.
The Ethernet port on the back (which may have a future if further use Freeview MD Ilse Howling's 'Project mutterings Canvas' come to fruition) lets you connect the box to your home network and then access your media.
See image in full size
Unfortunately, there's no Wi-Fi - Wired connection only - and its file-list compatibility could be written on the back of an ant, but for those just entering the world of DLNA is a breeze to set and provides a happy, user-friendly experience.
You can also play the same line-up files via a USB memory stick pushed into the back of the unit.
Again, as with the Ethernet port, the USB 2.0 offers the promise of more functionality at a later time, in the guise of adding PVR-ability for the box (the ability to record video on an external storage device).
However, this will only be enabled by a firmware update and there is no confirmation that when this happens.
The rest of the features are more worthy an existing set-top Freeview box, but everything has been fine-tuned in HD-T2 Fox to make the experience as pleasant as possible.
Even the installation is as easy as can be. Unlike other HDMI-sporting SD boxes that we tested recently, you acknowledge that you are feeding video through the door of the initial boot-up. We have often had to put a SCART cable in a STB before you set the HDMI connection, but not here.
Furthermore, the Humax magicians its way through the channel-scanning process, like a cheetah on caffeine.
Aesthetics also play an important role in its ease of use, and the box is the most beautiful graphical interface that we have met - including Sky and Virgin Media.
Eight days EPG opens with absolutely no delay and is clean, clear and concise. Its flow in time is better than most, and there is little delay in flipping from one channel to another.
Outside is a feast for the eyes, too. While diminutive, the band seems a stylish Samsung Blu-ray, and sports a natty click pad for navigation should lose the remote.
Not that, the controller is as big as the unit itself - but equally tasty and expensive looking.
And, although not so beautiful, the rear is a cornucopia of connectivity, video-fetishists ensure the inclusion of two SCART and composite to accompany the HDMI out. Audio fans should not feel left out, analog stereo outputs are on offer alongside a digital optical.
Down to the Nitty Gritty, however, the performance. As part of the installation process, you can choose the image resolution output, and this means that each video will be up-(or down-) scaled to your specification.
This is largely for the benefit of standard-definition broadcasts, the mainstay of British television at the moment. The SD images are then once upconverted to 1080p, excellent on HD-Fox T2.
Still show signs of artefacting digital transmission - which is unavoidable as the blockade and the image noise usually comes from a source and depend on the bitrate used by the issuer specific - but they are smoother and keep the color better than most general DVB-T tuner.
The upscaling works on 1080th broadcast images of the two HD channels currently available.
However, the jump from interlaced to progressive is imperceptible. What is clear is that there is obviously some noise ', more high-definition images on BBC HD than on rival pay-TV services, such as Sky and Virgin Media.
ITV HD channel is presented as a simulcast for the first time - is just a red-button service on Freesat.
HDMI has an advantage in more than those for food and HD pictures, HD-Audio T2 Fox is precise and warm. And, if used by specific channels, is capable of powering an AV receiver Dolby Digital 5.1 Sonics. That tends not to happen too often, but it is very welcome when it does.
We will be fascinated by the Humax, so that we doubt there will be many peers who have rich experience as a picture of high and standard definition any time soon, it's almost a five star product.
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