Thoughts on Humax Aura PVR?

jrmsn

Beware to all concerned that there are two versions of the Aura (plus various hard disk options etc) with the newly produced Aura EZ (Freely) version. We have had the "old" FVP-4KGTR for several years and for the most part can recommend. (We record a lot of terrestrial stuff, and only use on-demand for stuff we missed for whatever reason.) Recently, it has started the getting odd glitch (hanging, dropping out of a playback, occasionally needing a full reboot - often interrupting a programme recording) and it seems to be getting worse. We thought it was the box wearing out but it seems that it may be symptomatic of the software. (I note reports that the s/w hasn't been updated for several years - somebody quoted a version number that it should have, but mine has a more recent vn!)

So, I had started to consider a new Humax Aura (possibly the same type, assuming it was my box that was getting old) but the new Freely enabled Aura EZ is almost the only option. Humax sales only has the old version as a refurb! Reading reviews of the EZ suggests it is very focussed on Freely and using the "old" PVR-type functionality is somewhat clunky.

Either way, it seems to me that the Aura (whichever version) is either wonderful or rubbish depending on how you want to use it - mainly for the recording facilities (as we do) or mainly for using the catch-up options. With any comments/reviews you read, you need to be mindful of how what the reviewer wants to get out of it. My suspicion for the EZ (i.e. the one I would be buying if I decide to) is that the PVR functionality has been bunged on as an afterthought. (Note that one change that several people have noted is the the Netflix app has been taken away - not an issue for us as we don't need it.)

Some people recommend the Manhattan but it only has 2 tuners. The Aura (both versions) has 3 so you can often (depends on how many Multiplexes are involved) record 4 programmes simultaneously while watching a 5th - something we often do (in spite of people denigrating the Freeview channels).

Hope this helps.

jrmsn

I should add that we've had Humax PVRs for many years, probably every different model, and have used them in my parents house, and they were in their 80s and 90s. What has been noticeable is that each one is very much several steps forward but always with several steps back - every change has lost some functionality that I have found useful! On balance, I've been basically happy with all of them, but they have all made me annoyed at times!

Supatramp

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81921942#Comment_81921942

I too have been a Humax customer for many years, always buying refurbs. I currently have 3 Aura units, connected to TVs in different rooms. I too use them to record terrestrial channels and catch up, and find them working as I want. Very happy with them.

SH88SH88

I'm still actively considering another PVR. It would primarily be used for recording Freeview channels. The problem is … they're very much a dying breed, so the choice is extremely limited. I'm somehow unimpressed from what I've seen/heard about Manhattan PVRs.

I did have a Humax 9200 .... it suffered from the well-known file system corruption issues, necessitating a factory reset every few months. Eventually binned it when I got a 9300 to replace it.

Still using the 9300, works OK apart from the occasional audio glitch.

Also have a Humax 4000 which works well. Very occasionally reboots itself, but on the whole it's very good.

Still undecided whether to go for something like a Humax Aura to replace the 9300.

phlebas192

We recently got a Manhattan TR-4 when our elderly Humax bit the dust. Works well and not experienced any of the picture quality issues some report. Only things I miss from the Hummy is the ability to create custom lists of channels (there's a 'favourites' group but only the one and it doesn't seem possible to change the order they appear in) and not being able to store recordings in folders.

ian16527

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81921931#Comment_81921931

Dont think the Aura ever had Netflix or mine hasn't. Some of the other Humax PVR freeview boxes had Netflix I seem to remember when I was looking to get the Aura.

Use a firestick for Netflix and its much better when using YouTube, as the Aura app is dreadful and keeps sticking the picture after the ad break

jrmsn

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81921942#Comment_81921942

Further update: the "glitches" seem to be happening more and more - I don't know if it is the machine getting old (had it several years, but it is solid state so can't imagine that's the issue, especially - or in spite of - the OS is also disappointingly old) or something in the ether. Yesterday the Humax "lost" every incoming signal, and yet the dumb TV, which gets its aerial signal passed through the Humax, still worked fine - a total power off (and on, of course) eventually fixed it. I've taken to doing this regularly, when there is no scheduled activity. We're also wary of using catch-up (e.g. iPlayer) when there is a recording happening, as it has self-rebooted on several occasions. I already have a scheduled recording every day in the early hours just to wake it up.