HUMAX fressat vs Samsung freesat

exponential

Hi guys.

Im looking at exchanging my existing (and completely useless) Bush 320Gb freesat box
bought through Argos so am able to exchange fo
r a box of my choice.

There are two boxes that have caught my eye, one is a HUMAX 500Gb freesat box which is a well established box which is known to work flawlessly BUT is 3 year old technology or a much more recently made Samsung 500Gb box (the only freesat box Samsung make as far as im aware).

I have heard mixed reviews about the Samsung box including a few complaints of the box losing all it's library data which forces you to restore factory settings. Also apparently, there is no "buffer" included in the software so you are wholly reliant on the various channels for when a programme starts and finishes when it comes to recording so you may lose up to 5 minutes of a recorded programme.

Of course without buying it I cant confirm this so im hoping some of you readers may have had some experience of either box and give me some feedback as to which box to go for??

I personally want the Samsung but any info would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks in advance..

penrhyn

Humax is the way to go. Samsung used to make Sky boxes so they do have experiance in this area, but their product support is pretty non existent.

almillar

If you're coming on here and looking for personal recommendations, they'll all point to the Humax - it's been out longer, loads of people have them, and they seem good. Mine's great. The reviews you've read about the Samsung seem bad, you'll be relying on them updating and improving the software to iron out the bugs. Take a chance?

exponential

almillar wrote: »

If you're coming on here and looking for personal recommendations, they'll all point to the Humax - it's been out longer, loads of people have them, and they seem good. Mine's great. The reviews you've read about the Samsung seem bad, you'll be relying on them updating and improving the software to iron out the bugs. Take a chance?

Yeah, thats my findings too.
Everybody raves about the HUMAX but the Samsung is getting absolutely slated at the moment which changes my view on it considerably.

I'm really after the new HUMAX HDR1000s which is their latest freesat box and has again, had excellent reviews like it's predecessor but unfortunately, Argos don't stock it and it's unlikely they will as I assume they will want to clear their existing old HUMAX stock before introducing a newer model at the same price-band.

If I brought my broken Bush box back to Argos, what would the chances of them giving me a credit note for the cost of the Bush box which I can then sell on the credit note at a slightly marked down price but frees up some cash to get the newer model from curry's.

I just don't fancy buying 3-4 year old old tech for £220. :eek:

almillar

Why not take your chances with the Samsung then, and help the forum out with some real feedback. If it really is rubbish, take IT back to Argos, and hopefully the new Humax will be in stock!

exponential

almillar wrote: »

Why not take your chances with the Samsung then, and help the forum out with some real feedback. If it really is rubbish, take IT back to Argos, and hopefully the new Humax will be in stock!

Hi. That was my intention all along but there's a new argos catalogue due out within the next week or so and I would be foolish to exchange right now as prices in the new catalogue are almost certain to drop!

I will be certain to post with any info about the product I choose by buy.

exponential

Kurtis_Blue wrote: »

What new tech or components are in the Samsung?

Hi. The Samsung is supposed to support the new freesat standard called "G2" which is essentially freesat's version of "youview" on freeview.
It will be called "freetime" and allows you to view any programme you may have missed from the last 7 to 8 days which I think is a brilliant step forward and is something I would like.

Unfortunately, i've learnt that Samsung have dropped this feature from their box (it was meant to be an addition through a firmware update).
Its a real shame and I may have to rethink my purchase. HUMAX have just released a "G2" freesat box for the same price and im waiting on argos' new catalogue to see if they are going to stock it.

Will post an update very soon.

exponential

Kurtis_Blue wrote: »

So it has no new tech over the Humax and is also 2-3 year old technology?

Well the Samsung is about a year old now and without the expected G2 update, is essentially the same as the old HUMAX box.

Compare yourself:


2011 Samsung: http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/digital-tv-recorders/samsung-smt-s7800-958920/review

2009 HUMAX: http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/digital-tv-recorders/humax-foxsat-hdr-489319/review

2012 HUMAX: http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/digital-tv-recorders/humax-freesat-hdr-1000s-1094623/review

Its a bit of a dilemma.

almillar

Ah yes - OK, definitely better to wait and try to get a Freetime box then.