HUMAXAura Android TV 4K Freeview Play Recorder with Google Assistant and Chromecast - 2TB

My old You View box that I bought refurbished keeps resetting and I’ve lost my recordings several times. I originally replaced with a Manhattan Box. That was a mistake and I returned it. The Manhattan box felt inferior and dates and functionality is nowhere near as good as the /YouView. For example, you can’t download apps for streaming so keep having to switch back to tv and the menu was clunky. The new Humax feels like an old friend in new clothes and whilst it can’t quite match a subscription TiVo Box, it does a very good impression! I’m am happy with 2tb of recording space too. Menu layout on TV is a bit different but not too much to get used to. You can download apps via the Play store and get all the usual streaming apps, with the exception of Netflix. That’s a shame but I can deal with one tv switch. Voice control is a nice touch. It was easy to set up and so I’d recommend paying a bit more and buying the Humax. As an aside, when I bought the Manhattan, I found it was missing some essential wires (like an Ethernet and aerial cable) that I then had to buy. Whereas, the Humax came with them all. It really is the best hard drive tv recorder out there that doesn’t come with a hefty monthly subscription to pay. With this, you can choose to pay for extra if you want it but with 177 free channels plus on demand, I can only see sports fans and movie buffs maybe wanting the extra

In comparison to the stunningly good Virgin Media STB, the Aura is acceptable. It kind-of does everything you'd expect. It was pleasing to discover that both the initial annoyances were resolved in the settings.There is one significant disappointment - lack of options on series recording. One week on and It's already missed a recording because a program was broadcast on a different channel. And you cannot specify a series number to start from.As well as that, even after tweaking the program guide display settings, it is still significantly less usable than the VM box. Text clarity is on the poor side, there is no program summary as you move around guide, and titles are often truncated.Overall it's a worthwhile device.

Bought as a replacement for a Virgin Tivo box. As long as you already have a good freeview ariel this is brilliant. You will master the remote fairly quickly (also has codes to control basic TV functions). Does everything a Virgin Tivo box does:-Record up to 4 channels (SD) and play one.Record 2 HD channels (HD) and play one.Upscales to 4K via HDMI ARC port - supports Dolby and DTS.Has Optical Audio out as well.Record Series just like Virgin Tivo.Watch from start on BBC channels via BBC iPlayer.Connects to storage (NAS and USB).App (android) lets you programme and watch recorded programmes on other devices.You can set remote to operate volume on Aura box or TV. (I set to TV so whatever I watch I can control volume universally).Lots of other stuff thats great as well - has all of the apps BBC/ITV/Ch4/All5/UKTV/Amazon Prime etc. Really pleased.Only drawback is that it does not have a dedicated Netflix app. However most smart TV's have that built in anyway as mine does. Also there are forums that say it maybe added in a later update.

This is the second one I have purchased. I got if for my Mum, as I was impressed with mine. Picture and sound quality is superb. Easy to use too.

Easy to set up (instructions are very clear).Great facilities.Great picture quality and sound.Easy to programme (schedule)Nice remote control.Great search tool.2TB storage is huge.Ability to record multiple programmes simultaneously and watch another live is excellent.It's really easy streaming to PC - just use Windows media player.You can also stream to Amazon Firestick too - various apps work; that all have their owns idiosyncrasies.VLC (free) works well but you can't fast forward /reverse and it is temperamental).NOVA (free) (a bit temperamental too - have to select film to watch, says it can't play it, go back one step and try again).Vimu player (costs £1.50) is pretty good too.Low energy consumption.Bad things:Android App doesn't work properly when trying to stream recorded programmes - I have to use VLC, but if you stop watching something, you can't resume where you stopped and you can't fast forward (or back) either, possibly time code isn't recorded with the file so it doesn't know what it's doing.Frequent problems accessing FreeView or any of the streaming apps (from the unit being watched through the connected TV - BBCIPLAY, ITV, etc. There are NO problems with my broadband connection (ethernet or WiFi have the same issue) I but it says it can't connect). After about 5 - 10 minutes success (restarting Aura doesn't necessarily fix the issue.Unstable - crashes when streaming TV when you jump to next episode.No Netflix or NOW TV integration.You can't delete INDIVIDUAL scheduled recordings from a repeat/batch schedule - reckon this is a minor software issue - which I have reported on.Tech support very very slow to respond with no solutions to the problems reported.Actually they say reset the device - which would mean deleting all the programmes recorded.In my view DON'T BUY ONE OF THESE until these serious issues are fixed.

The DTV reciever is weak lots of break up even with a new aerial. Re-boots randomly and locks up quite often. Does support lots of steaming apps and has the ability to record so you can skip those annoying adds. The lack of Netflix is strange. AFAIK probably the most complete PVR on the market but let down by too many bugs.takes too long to boot up especially as this happens a lot.

This product has to date proved to be an excellent addition to our home.