IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ:

The title of this product is WRONG, there is no such item as a FOX SAT HDR FOX T2 - There IS however a FOX SAT-HDR and a HDR-FOX T2, but they are completely different products - one is for Freesat (FOX SAT) and the other for Freeview (FOX T2). The one I am reviewing is for Freeview.

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Ok, so I have here a Humax FOX T2 Hard Drive Recorder. This recorder comes in two variations, the 500gb model and the 1tb model - both identicle other than the storage space.

This PVR (Personal Video Recorder) is the one of the latest in Humax's range of Digital Television Recorders and it certainly doesn't fail to deliver. I recently wrote a review of the PVR-9150t, which is the older brother of this PVR. Humax have a knack of sticking to the script and delivering the good and there is no variation with this product - infact they have really excelled themselves, and this is why:

The EPG is fantastic, very very easy to navigate and now there is the option to SEARCH for your favourite programmes, without having to trawl all the way through each channel, day by day. Simply press the corresponding coloured button on the remote as instructed on screen (I think it's the Yellow button if my memory serves me rightly) and begin to type in your keywords to be shown a list of programmes with that word in it; for example: 'TOP' would show the likes of; Top Gear, Top Gun, Top of the Pops etc.

Another great feature that is built into the system is the prompt for recording in HD rather than SD, where possible - This is great as you don't need to fuss about looking for the programme you want to record on the HD variation of the channel you are on (where available: BBC HD, BBC ONE HD, CHANNEL 4 HD & ITV 1 HD).

Adding onto that, the system then prompts you of any clashes in recording that have occured with your schedule, but it doesn't just tell you 'hard luck', it searches and offers you a replacement recording if the programme is broadcast on a +1 or later in the week - Fantastic!

Adding even more, we have the TV Portal (bottom left of the numeric keypad on the remote), which brings home the BBC iPlayer amongst other online features such as Wiki @ TV and an Internet radio app. Your TV picture will continue to play in the top left corner, so you won't miss any action either! - The BBC iPlayer works like on any other device and is clean to navigate and offers you the option to stream in HD where available), which is a nice addition.
To be able to use the TV Portal feature however, you are required to have your HDR-FOX T2 pluged into your router via ethernet as the device doesn't have built in WiFi, which is a shame.

Moving back onto the functionality of the product, we can see that the Twin Tuner has been retained, allowing us to record two programmes simoultaniusly whilst watching another (some channels may be locked out though). The schedule will also prompt you a later recording of a programme if it clashes with other recordings, as mentoned above.

There is a USB slot on the front of the machine, which enables users to store recordings on an external device, such as a USB pen or external HDD for portability, but be careful as some of the encyptions don't allow said programmes to be played on other devices. The feature is good however, as it allows external devices with content to be played if your TV doesn't have this function already built in. It is also great for when formatting the drive for any particular reason; you can transfer your favourite shows externally and then add them at a later date - simply go into the menu and choose your external drive as the preferred recording location.

Before I conclude, I have noticed that Humax must have listened to the consumer when re-designing their remote control as it now has a single button to access the whole library of recorded content, rather than that pesky route as with the older models.

To conclude, this device is a massive step up from its predecessors and contains all the relevant upgrades, from a HDMI socket (No Scart on this box for those without a HD TV) to a larger hard-drive. Humax have really excelled themselves yet again, whilst keeping to the formula that has made their products to successful in the past.

If there is anything I have missed, please leave a comment or contact me and I will do my best to answer as quickly and accurately as possible! - ANYTHING at all.

I honestly have very little to criticise of this product, other than it hasn't got built in WiFi. 9/10