Humax names Freesat HD DVR debut date

Dual tuners, 320GB HDD on board

Humax is to release its long-awaited Freesat-branded HD-capable DVR next month.

The Humax Foxsat-HDR packs in a 320GB hard drive and a pair of tuners for recording one show while watching another. The manufacturer said the machine will also auto-record series and store radio broadcasts on the drive.

Humax's Foxsat-HDR: out next month

It also said the machine can handle programmes segmented by news breaks, and there are on-board parental controls to prevent junior taking a peek at unsuitable material. It can pick up and play programmes' audio descriptions for sight-impaired users.

The box has an HDMI port for hooking it up to an HD TV, plus Dolby-compatible digital audio outputs. There are a pair of Scart connectors for older kit.

In September, Humax told Register Hardware the HD DVR would ship in the UK before the end of the year.

The Foxsat-HDR will go on sale in the middle of November for around £299, though the cost of installing a suitable satellite dish is separate. Freesat broadcasts are free to receive.

HD TV in the UK Special Report