Some Good, Some Bad, Some Indifferent (features)
UPDATE: After using this box for a while, I cannot recommend buying one. These are still being sold new, but are already out-dated. It does not support hardly any 'tv portal' apps (youtube is supported, but you can't log in).
You can select multiple recordings to play, but you have no control in the order of the playlist, you cannot view the playlist or skip through it. It's a really retarded playlist system in this HDR-1800T. The playlist system was perfect in the 9200t and 9300t, you could do all of the things you would expext to be able to. I can't figure why, but they totally ruined it in this box.
Sometimes when network things like 'tv portal' are selected, the box will just reboot.
Also, while watching live tv, the picture will freeze momentarily every few seconds on many channels.
The only indicator on the front is a red/blue led, which is red when in standby and blue when the box is on, but it then goes red when its recording. Its useless!
So, I have to advise you AGAINST buying one of these Humax HDR-1800T freeview recorders, it does not meet the standard of the previous Humax boxes and I am very disappointed with it, and angry that Humax could produce such rubbish. (I'm just glad I got it cheap on ebay)
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
The HDR-1800T continues Humax's line of freeview recorders. I started with their PVR-9200T, which at the time (many years ago) was a very nice freeview recorder. It had a few foibles, but compared to most in its price range, It won out.
I then 'upgraded' to the PVR-9300T, which wasn't really much of an upgrade, due to it missing many very usefull features. Yes, it had an HDMI output, but that was the only real good point over the 9200T.
Owning both of those boxes led me to look again to Humax for my new box.
I needed to be able to make a playlist of my recorded programs, and the HDR-1800T can do that. (although not as neatly as the 9200t)
I needed to be able to copy my recordings from the box to my computer, which the 9300t couldn't do. The HDR-1800T can copy to a USB memory stick formatted in either FAT, NTFS or EXT3 which is very usefull.
It can also play music and video files from the USB stick, and import them into its internal storage.
It also has access to online content such as Youtube and Iplayer, but there is no onboard WiFi. You can plug in an ethernet cable or you can buy a USB WiFi adaptor to get online access. Not all USB WiFi adaptors will work, you need a specific chipset. Typing 'Humax WiFi' into ebay will find the correct one. You also need to sign up to the Humax Portal website to get full online access.
Note that if you use a USB wifi adaptor, you cannot then plug in a memory stick, since there is only a single USB 2 port. (i have yet to test if a usb hub will work with this box).
It has dual tuners, so can record 2 channels at the same time. You can also watch a third channel if its on the same multiplex as either of the 2 you are recording.
If there is a HD version of a program you wish to record it will ask you if you wish to record that instead, and it will automatically find repeats (if there are any) of any 'collisions' where you try to schedule more than 2 programs at the same time for recording and ask you if you would like to record that instead.
I've only owned this HDR-1800T for a few days, but owned Humax boxes for many years, and this box seems to meet the standard. If I find any major issues in the future, I'll update this review.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned