Humax: F2-Fox T

Average:

Your responses

Steve O'Connor, London on July 27th, 2006
We have had this about a year, using it much more now. Very unreliable, crashes regularly, no reset button requiring plug out. Digital corruption on some channels, lipsink is appalling on others. on the plus side picture quality good, channel change ok. I would pay extra for a more reliable system, now film4 is free.

Austin, Warwickshire on July 27th, 2006
This Box is average at best. There is no top up slot. It tends to lock, and the only way to move on is to unplug and reboot. I find that the sound gets out of sync with the picture. Software updates are extremely rare. Put simply, this box is clumsy. FilmFour is free! Hoorah, the Fox can't seem to find it though! PANTS!

John, Stockport on July 11th, 2006
I like this box so much that I've now bought a second one. Confusingly this has software 1.00.13 (SEP 2005) rather than 1.00.12 (APR 2005)which the first one still has and is the latest on the Humax website. The new STB still has the games and the same hardware revision. Presumably the great "software update" has still not happened. My gripe is different from the previous ones - I don't need the EPG - at least not a simple EPG - as I have the Radio Times! My gripe is that, when the Freeview channels change, the STB does not get updated automatically as does my NTL Cable box and (another) Freeview box from Goodmans (DB3). I now know to Default the Installation and then put back those Preferences that I set up. Can I also say that this is an odd forum - no-one seems to answer anyone elses queries. So, Al Paton of Leeds, your problem is probably that, when you program the remote to control the TV, you need to to use the DTV button on the remote to get back to controlling the STB. Hope this helps.

Russell, Watford on June 30th, 2006
My F2-FOXT has now been replaced with a Wharfedale DV832B. See my comments in the review listings there. It is a great pity that the FOX has not been better supported by better technical assistance from Humax, and more frequent and reliable software updates. It is a good product let down by infuriating design deficiencies. For details of these deficiencies, just scroll up the list and read.

Tony, Surrey on June 30th, 2006
Couldn't get the remote control to control the volume with my Goodmans LCD TV. Tried all the codes that Humax technical support gave me, but could not get the remote control to work. Eventually they admitted the F2-FOX is not compatible with all TVs. Gave up and sent it back.

Russell, Watford Herts. on June 29th, 2006
In reply to Derek of Poole.. Derek I take it you haven't had the FOX for very long. Give it a couple of weeks and you will soon be unplugging it from the wall in order to reboot it.

Derek, Poole Dorset on June 14th, 2006
This Set Top Box has been possibly one of the best I've ever used. Everything has been thought out carefully. Great tuner inside, extremely swish and modern casing with LED display, The remote is great, and the guides and menus are really easy to navigate. The box separates TV and radio channels, and provides you with a wealth of information. No freeze ups unlike Goodmans GB2

John, Manchester on May 31st, 2006
I eventually bought a freeview set top box in 2004 as I saw the new BBC and ITV channels on my friend`s Thomson T-1000 and I bought a Philips DTR-1500 from Richer Sounds for £80 which worked fine until it tried to update for 7 day EPG and Top Up TV and it crashed permanently so I swapped it for a Philips DTR-320 which crashed and froze continuously neccessitating a reboot by unplugging from the wall and/or a full rescan/retune - (sometimes needing 2 complete setups in a day) - it drove me mad! So I finally took it back to Richer Sounds for a full cash refund (including the price of the extended guarantee)and looked around for a replacement digibox on the net. I found the Humax F2-FOX T at John Lewis for &80 c/w 2 year guarantee and was initially very impressed however after having the box for a week I discovered some very annoying problems. Namely these are an electronic programme guide that does not retain a programmes details in the flash memory and the favourites keep on disappearing despite being in standby mode all the time. The software version is MGFTF 1.00.13 released 14th September 2005 and obviously needs updating because of flash memory size restrictions limiting EPG data retention. This is a brilliant bit of kit let down by poor software which may or may not get updated sometime in the second half of 2006;it`s a real shame as it is a fully-featured DTT unit. It will have to go back and the only alternative is the Sony with a 3.5mm optical socket for audio (I have had problems with Sony TV tuners in the past)or an old STB bought second-hand or a no-frill budget box until STB software is stabilised overall.

George Robb, South of Glasgow on May 25th, 2006
See 12th October 2005. I eventually gave up and took the box back to the shop and changed it for another. The level of Humax customer support will need to be vastly improved if they are going to salvage their reputation. They just do not seem to care at all. Their website is always out of date (they still show an upgrade planned for April for the Pvr9200t box) It is a pity as the quality of the picture and sound is superb and this could have been a wonderful buy.

Patrick, Devon on May 5th, 2006
I had the remote seizing problem, and tried unplugging and replugging to no effect. So, as a last resort, I tried Eileen from West Lothian's suggestion of taking out the batteries and pressing all the buttons on the remote - and anazingly it worked! Otherwise no problems, and good reception in a poor signal area.

Alastair Clark, Salisbury on April 26th, 2006
Latest from Humax ref synopses: We are still awaiting the release of the software that will compress both the detailed information and Program guide into the memory. I realise that this is taking some what longer than expected. This is due to complications with the software. I cannot give an official release date for this software until briefed by our software developers. The software will need tested in the UK as well. After this we would need to get a date from the BBC on their Over the Air Schedule. At this point I believe the “Games option” is being removed from this model to free up memory. I would suggest checking www.humaxdigital.com HCSA Support download section on a regular basis to get news and release notes when this software is released for this model. Apologies for the delay.

Mat, London on April 24th, 2006
Bought this box after seeing some good reports but can't really recommend it as the program information has never worked. Their support dept told me there would be a software update first quarter this year, and now they're saying some time this year. Also it doesn't seem to release the AV channel like my previous box - if it's switched off and you turn the TV on, the TV will still show that AV channel ie a blank screen which is bit irritating. The speed of channel change and interactive text is very good though.

Hancock on April 18th, 2006
The one shortcoming of this box is it`s lack of a reset button , if it locks , unplugging is required to start things off again .

Antony, London on April 12th, 2006
I too am looking at taking this box back, and exchanging for the Sony. The humax worked fine for a month minus the EPG, now started to give me the black screen no picture and lip sink problems, which means unplugging from the mains to reset. If Humax releases the so called fix update via software download the RS232 connection on this model is of a small 3pin mini din, which would mean you would have to send the box back to humax or buy the cable from humax. The true outlook, waiting for the broadcast over the air.

John Hewett, Northumberland on April 2nd, 2006
Goodbye Humax. The box went back to John Lewis where I told them the story and gave them the evidence. No problem exchanging it for the Sony VTX-D800U (plus an extra £19). The Sony does everything it says in the book and so far no problems.

John Hewett, Northumberland on March 31st, 2006
I was also told that the software upgrade to obtain permanent access to the programme information would be available in the first quarter of 2006. E-mails sent to HUMAX recently have had no reply but I managed to speak to someone on the customer helpline (31-3-06) and I was told that the software patch would be available in one week's time but not over the air. I would either have to return the box or download the software myself from an e-mail attachment via the RS232 port on the box. I was told that this software patch will remove the games facility and thus free up memory. Not a brilliant arrangement!! I will probably take the box back to the retailer with all the documentary evidence and demand a full refund for a box that is not fit for purpose. Next stop Sony!

Steve, Cambridge on March 30th, 2006
Bought this box in October 2005 and reported the missing program information to Humax who said that it would be fixed 1st quarter of 2006...well I'm still waiting...

Paul Shepherd on March 26th, 2006
I bought my F2-Fox-T a few months ago. While it generally works OK, I have had a few of the problems mentioned by others:- lip synch, freezing (power off/on to re-boot), no a/v signal release (see George Robb's report), poor EPG, and interactive feature not working (really annoying). If this box did everything it was supposed to, it would without doubt get a 5 rating, but unfortunately it doesn't!

Sean, Bristol on March 11th, 2006
Like many others I choose this box after reading the Which review. Superb picture quality, swift channel changing, separate optical and phono connectors and a channel display on the box. I was impressed until I found the extended program description disappearing. Switched the box off and on at the mains but this was only a temporary fix as after a few hours it would be gone again. I also experienced the box not releasing the AV signal. Emailed both the technical and sales support but after 5 working days without a reply I took it back to the shop I purchased it from and changed it for the Sony VTX-D800U. It’s been on for several days now without losing the extended program descriptions. If the Humax F2-Fox T had performed properly then I would have been more than happy but it did not.

David Steel, Finchdean, Hampshire on March 8th, 2006
I bought my F2 FOX T on recommendation of a Which? report. Basically I am very pleased with it but have been dissapointed to find that contrary to the Which? report it does not support a full 7 day EPG with extended i (awaiting the new software release promised 1st qtr of 2006) nor does it provide scart link to automate recordings from the EPG. There is sort of scart link available but on the TV scart and not the VCR scart where it should be. Also it oprerates as a "box on" command rather than a "programme on" command. ie if after setting up to record from the EPG the Humax is later switched on manually to view some other prgramme recording will start. Frustratingly this set top box falls short of being the best......... Does anyone have comments of cures for these problems?

Iain, Nuneaton on February 22nd, 2006
Here's what Humax have to say about my various problems so far: Changing ouput from RGB to anything else (attempting to stop Fox from holding onto AV1) locks Fox into S-Video mode. Only way out is to reset to defaults. No cure offered (had to connect via AV2 instead). Pressing info button twice does not give long form prog description. Apparently this is due to EPG memory conflicts - once you use EPG you lose the prog description. Software upgrade promised 1st qtr this year.

Tim, Coventry on February 17th, 2006
Aaagh! I have just bought the F2-Fox T and have encountered what seems to be a big problem if the screen ration is switched to 16:9. After making this change and exiting the menu I lose the picture completely - and cannot get the menu displayed again to switch back to 4:3!!!! I managed to restore back to 4:3 by blindly re-applying the default settings - great fun - NOT! I tried searching for a software update (via the aerial) to see if that might cure the problem - but none was available. Has anyone hit this problem? Better still does anyone know how to resolve it?

Paul B, Salisbury on February 13th, 2006
7 day EPG - don't believe a word Humax say - they know there is a problem, and when you challenge them and say "will you deny that until you add more memory the EPG is pathetic" they can't. I agree the sensitivity is good, but the fact you have to exit the programme to see the guide (albeit in it's short from!) is rubbish for the money we paid.

David, London on January 9th, 2006
This box was quite hard to find after noting it's high point score in Which? magazine (finally got it from dabs.com). It's by FAR the best box I've yet used. Text is very fast and runs superior to any other I've had the displeasure of comparing against. Favourites can be sorted into any order so you can group all bbc (1-4), itv(1-4), Ch4 (4/e4/more4/+1's but the channel numbers remain unchanged!! You can program 20 different progammes in advance for changing channels while you're off holidaying. This feature also helps if your memory is like a seive and you often forget to tune in episode 2 of that great new show. Schedule can handle one off shows, daily or weekly. 7 day programme guide. Seperation of radio channels. Front of box controls, should your remote go flat at an inopportune moment. List view of channels, enabling you to see what's on now on all your channels without changing your current one. Dolby Digital sound, 2 scarts, great remote, lcd displays current channel number, 4 ok games to play, display can be made more see-thru and show for longer/shorter, data connection possible with PC to upgrade software (not MAC compatible, damn!). My model has not shown any lip-sync problems for the whole month I have had it so this issue now resolved. The only real negative I have so far experienced on this box is the erasing of the scheduled programmes sometimes after switching off. Yes I'm a bit green, I switch all appliances off at night to conserve electricity. Occassionally this wipes my schedule from the EPG but not every time. I wonder if this matters only after a certain number of hours? No Topup TV possible. What other company posts software update like the one on this list March 16 2005?!! BUY IT.

John, London on December 31st, 2005
Having the same problems of dissappearing EPG data, I find that the Humax UK Helpline has ethics "Made in Korea" just like the box. Obviously they are instructed to admit nothing, else their customers would be clamouring for an upgrade or their money back. ("He who excuses himself accuses himself"). I ask myself whether Humax are now producing an upgraded version of the F2-Fox T with more memory, but are not telling anyone or changing the model ? I suggest that the latest software was written for a version with more memory, hence the problems now evident with the original size memory. It is a great pity because I believe that the F2-Fox T has some great ideas for the user interface. I have the PVR 8000T and it performs flawlessly. I suppose it is very difficult for the engineers in Korea to properly test their designs, because FreeView does not exist there.

Mary, Brighton on December 29th, 2005
I bought this box recently having had a Thomson DTI 1000 box which blew up in a power surge. I have to say that after all the reviews that I read I am extremely disappointed. Problems: a) The well documented EPG problem (detailed information disappearing). I contacted Humax about this (before reading comments in this forum) and they kept telling me to "default the software". I have done this several times, all with the same result - detailed information for "Now and Next" programmes (but no other) is donwloaded, but when time moves on to the programmes after this, the detailed information fails to appear. What is really irritating about this is that Humax insist on telling you to carry out these pointless re-sets when they apparently know that there is a problem with the memory/software (according to posts on this forum). They have still not admitted to me that the problem is with the box and not with the set-up, and continue to waste my time sending me e-mails which purport to contain the solution to my problem. Surely they should not state in the manual that the box supports the detailed information function in EPG if it does not? b) I have the lip-synch problem mentioned also. The only way to cure this is to change channels or go into standby c) I am also disappointed that it is not possible to view the Guide without exiting the channel that you are watching. This was a function that was available on the Thomson box so that you could continue to watch the picture with the guide shown at the bottom of the screen.As far as I can tell, the only thing that is better than the Thomson is the speed of channel change, all other fucntionality is inferior. This box certainly does not live up to it's hype.

Al on December 26th, 2005
The long descriptions of programmes not displaying is a big problem. We have been promised a fix for this issue for a long time but I am really quite annoyed that it has not been issued yet. If you are looking for an alternative, I recommend the Sony VTX-D800U.

George Corton, Lowestoft on December 22nd, 2005
absolute brilliant box,excellent reception had it for over a year now. only fault is that the info display tends not to list info on programes any comments on this? 10 out of 10 for this box!

Richard, Cheltenham on December 5th, 2005
How does one access the Favourites list. I already know how to edit but cannot see how to access them in order to select a channel.

Al Paton, Leeds on November 23rd, 2005
Gret reception and picture, with lovely sound quality. However, the remote is a nightmare. Having programemd it to work my TV, that all it does now; work my tv. I have absolutely NO control over the set top box except using the manul controls: which only allow you to change channel, switch between radio/tv and ON/OFF. That's it. I ONLY have 'manual' digital TV, no more information, no Press red to go interactive, no swithing between channel 1 and 70 (except manually!). Nothing, Nada, zip, Diddly. VERY FRUSTRATING especially considering the extra cost for a supposed premium product......surely there must be a way to reverse the process of it linking to the TV? Ultimately: great piece of kit thats fundamentally let down by a lottery on whether it works! :-(

Alastair Clark, Salisbury on November 22nd, 2005
With reference to the lack of synopses I have had this email from Humax UK: "Apologies for any inconvenience. We have been informed by HQ Korea that this update has been held back until the first quarter of next year. The new MHEG interactive service will be included in this" So there we are (or rather aren't!)

Chris, High Wycombe on November 20th, 2005
No problem with the signal, or with the remote, but I only use the box for channels not available on analogue. The long description problem well documented in other posts is a mess. Sometimes a switch-off of the box causes certain programme data to be lost, so that you get a message saying it can't decode the signal on certain channels, and you have to go through the channel setup procedure again. I can't see why Humax can't at least issue an update that uses what little memory the box seems to have more efficiently. I shall avoid this manufacturer in future.

Hugh, Northern Ireland on November 15th, 2005
Like some of your other reviewers, I also live in an area where I'm not supposed to get digital reception - but somebody obviously didn't tell Humax because it works very well, apart from the occassional freeze, which clears when you power down the box (must try out Eileen from West Lothians trick, to see if that helps.) Software updated automatically with the last release, (which also reduced the frequency of the freezing problem.) Overall, I'm a satisfied customer.

Alastair Clark, Salisbury on November 13th, 2005
An excellent STB. However since the latest software upgrade in conjunction with 7 day EPG it can no longer show the programme synopses. Apparently it is to do with lack of memory. Humax promised a software download fix by 1 November 2005 but there is no sign of it. This has been mentioned before but it is worth repeating as it is a very annoying fault.

Eileen from West Lothian on November 8th, 2005
I bought the F2-Fox T three weeks ago and I have the same problem as Phil from London, When I go to change channels the i dissappears and I have to re boot it. My husband called Humax and they know this problem exists and is will be sorted early next year via ariel. The man in the shop I bought the box from told me if the remote does not work take out the batteries and press all the buttons - it sounds silly but he says it gets rid of any build up of static or something. try it out and see if it works

Brian Heskins on November 3rd, 2005
I have found this STB does everything it says first time and with no problems encountered. Design and layout very good. It is easy to install and the image quality is excellent.

George Robb, nr Glasgow on October 12th, 2005
Great pictures and sound. Well made and very fast channel changing and text. Good size remote which works really well too. I have however found that there is a problem when a video recorder is connected. The box will not release the a/v signal when switched off. The television stays at the a/v input and the only way is to change the tv channel manually or switch the humax on then off. I contacted their service department and they are aware of the problem.(Oct 2005) Otherwise a really excellent buy. If they can fix the above with a software update then it's 10/10

Terry Crawford, Reading on October 12th, 2005
I bought an F2-Fox T on the recommendation of Which magazine and am generally very pleased with it. The worst problem is that the remote occasionally stops functioning, which I sort out by reverting to analogue mode for a few seconds or by unplugging the box and replugging it. The manual is quite technical and could have done with a section for the absolute beginner. It took me a very long time - and a lot of help from the very patient helpline - to link the box up with my VCR, mainly because the latter is 1994 vintage and its own manual was unhelpful (understandable, given that digiboxes are much more recent). One slightly alarming characteristic is an occasional brief cracking noise from the TV set. Here's a bizarre observation: the other night I was using an "eyezone massager" (which, as its name suggests, massages the area around the eyes) powered by a tiny 1.5v battery and this caused a bit of interference with the TV digital picture ten feet away, but not the analogue version.

Phil, London on September 30th, 2005
My Humax F2 Fox T has a few problems and I just want to know if anyone else has experienced these: 1. The sound on some channels is out of sync, I can usually press the menu and exit buttons on the remote to bring it back in sync, but it happens often 2. When I press the i button to get more information about a programme, the extra information is empty. If I reboot the box it comes back, but then after a few days it goes blank again. Any ideas?

Steve, West Yorks on September 29th, 2005
I bought the Humax F2 Fox T after reading that it was the best set top box. Since buying it I have had problems with lip sync (on some channels) and lack of programme information. The worst problem is that the remote takes it on itself to stop functioning. This may be cleared by unplugging the box and replugging it and then waiting several minutes until it decides the function again. If you leave it on a channel for any length of time the remote seizes up again and has to be cleared. This seizing problem does not occur when you use the buttons on the box itself. Any ideas as to the solutions to these problems would be most welcome.