Humax Foxsat HDR (Home Theatre Systems)

As the first freesat PVR on the market, the Humax Foxsat-HDR would have sold even if it was utter rubbish. Luckily, it's brilliant and anyone who buys one will have a sturdy, easy-to-use machine that looks fantastic under their TV and boasts impressive...

Styling ; Picture and sound quality ; Decent connectivity

Hard drive could be bigger ; Component out would have been handy

In terms of storage, the 320GB hard drive is ample for SD recordings. When you start to record shows in HD, however, it's not very long before you find yourself running out of space. With moderate use, we stuffed our hard drive to nearly full in under...

Freesat was launched in May 2007, allowing viewers to watch digital satellite TV without a subscription.

For the money, Humax's Foxsat-HDR Freesat PVR looks like a great alternative to Sky+.

If you can get over Freesat's limited hi-def content and the lack of support for non-Freesat channels, the Foxsat-HDR makes a fantastic digital TV proposition. There's a capacious hard-disk on board, its faultless operating system makes it easy to use...

The first hard drive recorder for Freesat

Pros: Great pictures on HD; easy to use; PC archiving Cons: Some interface quirks; remote design; not ideal for multi-satellite users Overall: If you want to record Freesat, this is a great choice, with plenty of potential too

Finally, a non-subscription box that lets you watch and record HD. But can the Foxsat HDR really take on Sky+?

If you're looking to take the plunge with Freesat, this is the way to do it – a great piece of kit

The Humax Foxsat HDR finally provides a good alternative to Sky+ and it's pricey subscription

User-friendly ; Recording functionality ; Upscaling standard-def to HD ; Media hub functionality ; Classy EPG and menu system

Needs more HD channels ; Slow to boot up

You can navigate the EPG by selecting the genre of your desired programme, which can then be viewed as a table, a list or a schedule of selected shows. You can also find a show by inputting the name

Best Freesat PVR, Awards 2010. Still the finest Freesat HD box going. It's not cheap, but for now, it's the best freesat solution you can buy

Fantastic picture and sound; superb usability; class-leading style and build; iPlayer support

Some rivals offer larger hard-disks for this money

Using a fraction of the power a Sky HD box uses in stand-by the Humax Foxsat-HDR struts into the High-Definition set-top box room with a smug grin on its face and an eco-badge on its lapels.

Decent EPG and menu system. Excellent picture quality

Limited High-Definition content

With eye-blisteringly crisp pictures, a whopping 300GB hard drive, a simple menu and some prime green credentials, the Humax Foxsat-HDR is one foxy HD set-top box.

The first Freesat recorder is finally here. But is it any good?

Excellent AV quality / HD capable / Easy to use / Plenty of PVR flexibility / Loads of recording space

HD capabilities largely wasted / £50 off would be nice

reminding people that in these financially tough times there is an easily recordable satellite broadcasting service out there that you don’t have to subscribe to