Product reviewsHUMAX FVP-5000T Freeview Play HD TV Recorder 500GB - Black

Great freeview recorder, good price from this seller

I bought this to replace a Manhattan that I had returned to Amazon after about a month, as it was performing as expected and after reading reviews, seemed to be a common problem. This one was purchased to replace an old BT Youview box, that finally gave up.

I'm very pleased with this Humax Freeview recorder. It has great function features. One tiny issue, it has just started to behave a bit slow in the operation on occasions. It's as if there is a short lag between pressing it and the process actually completing on the unit.

Overall though much superior to the Manhattan and pleased with purchase.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: deal_buyer

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 | Sold by: mr_pac_man0

Good recorder but needs patience to operate.

Bought unit as factory refurbished from Tesco outlet at £150 + £2 carriage. All the accessories were present without the plethora of plastic bags associated with brand new items. Set-up was very easy and the three freeview tuners allow overlapping programmes to be recorded. I particularly wanted this feature as well as subtitles to be recorded. This aspect works fine. One day after purchase the unit forgot that it had recorded any programmes! A quick look on forums suggested that switching off at the mains would re-boot it or that recording anything would reboot the index. I tried the second option and it worked. So far so good. Only gripe is the extreme slowness of response to instructions from the remote. Otherwise good. Playback is good with up to 16x speed through adverts!Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: tesco_outlet

Great free view recorder.

It took quite a few to set up but after that it proved to be a great freeview recorder. The features it has are very good like the recorder can record 4 programmes while watching another. Picture and sound are great. Overall a great machine.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: techwholesaleuk

Terrific All Round Performer

This un-tested Humax recorder has far exceeded my expectations. Once I was able to add a remote and ac adaptor this machine has performed superbly. Excellent picture quality with Freeview Play, brilliant EPG and easy to use menu make this a great PVR. Able to record up to 4 HD recordings at the same time and with wireless network offerings including You Tube, BBC iPlayer and Prime Video, this is a superb all round performer. Bought at a bargain price -much cheaper than most other Humax prices -I am absolutely delighted with this purchase and totally absorbed by this machine. It makes watching TV a pleasure! The fvp5000 is one of the best Humax recorders available and very highly recommended. It has totally delivered.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Sold by: electrical_outlet

A Smart Black Compact Unit

A smart black and compact unit, an excellent product, easy to set up and go it has so many features that you become more aware of as you work with and use. it opens up a new world. !! I am so very pleased I purchased this product.as it has so much going for it. HIGHLY recommend.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: refurbished | Sold by: trays_trackers_ltd

Well designed can record 4 channels good features and inexpensive

Excellent well designed and inexpensive (compared to any monthly schemes - sky Netflix etc). Feature packed and easy to use once you spend a little time reading manual. Nice small footprint and WiFi works well. Can be a little slow to change channels and my Sharp tv did not have a volume code to allow humax remote. Otherwise, being able to record up to 4 channels easily, makes this a worthwhile purchase. (One-off!)Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: tech_edge

A great little tuner/recorder

Surprised to find it is smaller than expected, but worked fine straight out of the box. Picture quality is excellent and I'm getting used to the navigation after switching from Freesat. I'd give it five stars but for the fact there is no hint in the instructions how to link a TV in another room, and accessing radio channels was a bit mysterious until I discovered they were part of the 'options' on the channel guide. Could be made clearer. Otherwise a very competent package.Read full review...

Bought to replace Virgin Media

After nearly 20 years with cable mainly with Virgin Media, I’ve decided to cancel my contract ( the V6 is the best ever) and save money by going to free view.
After looking at 2 other contenders I choosed the Humax cause of how many recordings I can make at once and a good price. It does everything almost as well has my Virgin V6 Box, but I do miss series links to new episodes instead of old ones. Overall I’m happy with the Humax and hopefully in the future I’ll get new software to match the V6.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: co-operativeele...

Records everything I need plus more. Remote control easy to use.

It has a much bigger memory for more recorded programs. Icons are a bit on the small side, need my glasses to see them. Still finding my way around it but does more than my last Humax.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: currys_clearance