Humax PVR-9300T 320GB Storage PVR Reviews: 2 Freeview Tuners HDR with HDMI

+ Does everything it says on the tin and more, and it's all incredibly easy to set up. The connection diagrams are clear and cover various scenarios eg in my case to connect to a video/DVD recorder as well. All worked first time. I cannot overemphasise how easy it is to use, and its a whole world away from my old freeview box. Records two channels at the same time, pauses live TV, displays a full guide with far more programme information, and scheduling a programme, or even a series to record is simplicity itself.

- The fan is noisy - there is no two ways about it, however so are your fridge and your ticking clocks and your flourescent lighting, but when did you last hear them? Your brain quickly learns to ignore them and that's what happens with this unit. If you are very fussy about this sort of thing, then this unit is not for you, but if you are 'normal' and you don't notice the fridge noise every time you go into the kitchen, then you will just concentrate on the programme you are watching and you won't hear the fan at all after a day or two. I would not recommend it for a bedroom however even if the planned new software release cuts down the time when the fan is on.

+ Fantastic product. Records two channels whilst I watch a third. Very easy to use - even the wife has mastered it :) Intuitive EPG (electronic programme guide) - simple and fast. We recorded loads and loads of TV over the Christmas and New Year period and we've hardly made a dent in the large hard disk capacity.
For reference we live in good signal strength area - machine reports signal strength 69% with signal quality being 100%.

- Fan was initially quite noisy with the pre-installed software version 1.00.06, but this was fixed by a relatively simple OTA (over the air) upgrade to version 1.00.15 - and it now works silently.

+ So easy to use. No monthly subscription to sky or cable. Very good value for money. Always have something for everyone to watch at all times now. Can't recommend it strongly enough!

- Does not track programs, so if their start or end time changes occasionally cuts beginning or end off. You can give your recordings a run over time to compensate for this though.

+ Reviewer left no comment

- When you switch the box off (into stand-by mode) it losses it's memory of the programme guide. When the box is turned on again it can take between 2-5mins for the whole thing to download again.

+ Its "Self setting" facility.

- Experiencing some difficulty with engaging Re-play of recordings, in fact, total non play of them to date, but I am an Octogenarian ! I also have Sky + which when it has signals, is just terrific but it gets lots of " Failed recordings"... The reason I bought the Humax...

+ Self set up on installation.
Records 2 channels while you watch any other.
Large 40 hr record space
Will record 1 or the series at the touch of a button
Easy access to recorded programmes
Easy to use guide to controls
Exceptional value for money

- Reviewer left no comment

+ It just works so well and is so easy to use. In no time you will have loads of great TV recorded and ready to watch when it suits you. You never need to be tied to the TV schedule ever again!
Very small/slim unit.

- The cooling fan does make a noise. Its not too bad and there is a fix you can download to cure it.

+ I had an earlier model and this one has improved most of the problems of the old one. The picture is realy good. The recording instructions are easy to use. Amount of electricity used on standby is less than other models from other manufacturers.

- Very noisy fan. Some loss of end of programmes being recorded. Not very quick to go through recording options.

+ Setup is easy, although the manual could do with a bit more detailed information, is is very intuative to use.
The guide is easy to use as is recording from the guide.

- The Fan is noisy when you are not watching TV, otherwise you do not really notice it.
Manual recording, not using the Guide, is not so obvious, but easy enough once you get used to it.
The Humax has locked up a couple of times necessitating an uplug at the mains to reset it.

+ Excellent for all recordings

- Somewhat noisy motor.
Guide programs take some time to appear when looking ahead.

+ Great picture in picture
Fan noise level not as bad as published elsewhere
Great pause facility
Plenty of space for recording

- Remote control could be slightly better laid out, some nice features hidden under a panel

+ Easy to use. Great menu once built. Easy set-up, Feature rich.

- Very noisey. So much so it sits there unused.
ITV channels unwatchable, picture keeps sticking. We don't have this problem with TVs own Digital reception.
So overall very disapointing product.
The software downloads over the airwaves at night crash the box, with an E-HW error, only option to switch on and off.
Menu has to rebuild everytime you turn it on
Some often use options on hidden bit of remote control, so slightly odd design.

+ Reviewer left no comment

- It clips the beginning of some programmes that you have set it to record. This alone makes it unrecommendable.

+ Twin tuners + plus playback previously recorded programmes (including those which are being recorded) means (almost) complete flexibility in what you watch when. Rewind, pause and fast forward live TV is great for catching key lines/images you might otherwise miss and the on-screen guide is a brilliant way to schedule recordings and it always asks if you want to record the whole series when applicable - just say yes and forget about it. Up-scaling for the HD TV is good too.

- Only up-scales to 720 and we have a 1080 TV so not as good a picture as it might otherwise be. Also the loop through aerial doesn't work when the box is switched off (even on standby!) so you have to have the box switched on just to watch the TV - however this does encourage you to get in the habit of using the PVR and its features which you might not do otherwise (you can't rewind live TV if you don't have it switched on capturing it!)

+ To be able to pause live TV, rewind and fast forward. Seeing what's on TV using the guide.

- You have to go to a different part of the viewing mode to view programmes you've recorded, it would be better if you could select them to watch from the schedule area.