Slow, lacking features, poor software
I bought this PVR after my Icecrypt T2400 power supply died after many years of use. Having researched online which is the best current Freeview PVR, the Humax FVP5000T got the reviewers unanimous vote, and hence my purchase.
However despite the glowing reviews, I have been very disappointed with the Humax. There are plus some points, it does have 3 tuners, which produce a really good picture, better than the Samsung TV's own onboard tuners on which I'm watching it.
But there are too many negatives for a supposed top-rated PVR. These are all software related, so could be fixed at some point, assuming Humax accepted the draw backs with their product.
Firstly the programme guide. Its really basic and the layout is difficult to read. There's no word search facility (like the Icecrypt), there is only one guide format option (unlike the Icecrypt). Although you can set up a favourites channel list, you can't re-order the list, even basic products I've owned had this feature. When I phoned Humax to question this, I got a load of rubbish about it not being possible due to channel allocations, well Humax everyone else has worked it out.
The box is incredibly slow to boot up, even if you deselect eco-standby mode.
We have a poor TV signal where I live, and there are occasional drop-outs in reception. My old Icecrypt would record a programme regardless (albeit with the drops outs included), however the Humax just quits and just gives a message stating the recording failed. After this had happened a few times, I took my Icecrypt apart and managed to fix it by replacing a blown capacitor. As a experiment, I used a quality signal splitter to feed both the Humax and Icecrypt with an identical signal. I then set both boxes to record the same programmes. When our reception was poor the Humax failed to record anything, whereas the Icecrypt recorded the whole of the programmes with just the odd second of drop out throughout. Clearly the Humax has been set up to bomb out once a drop out occurs, instead soldiering on, meaning you get no recording at all instead of a slightly incomplete one.
One of the big selling points for me was the Humax Live TV app, which is supposed to allow you set recordings from your smart phone. Great for when you forget to set a recording and you're out somewhere. But its a totally pointless app, because it doesn't work unless the Humax PVR has been left switched on. So you've got to remember to leave the box switched on, in order to set up a recording you forgot!!
In summary, for the money you could buy 2 Icecrypt T2400 boxes, with 4x the total recording storage and one more tuner to play with, and a far more flexible user interface. NB I have no affiliation to Icecrypt, I just know a good product when I find one, the Humax on the other hand is very under whelming Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
