Humax HFA100 DTV Receiver
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- Type: TV Receiver
- Broadcast Type: Terrestrial
- Compatible Service: DirecTV
- Digital Receiver: ATSC
- Audio Support: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Dolby Digital
- TV Resolutions: 480i (525i) 720p (750p) 1080i (1125i)
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watch HDTV & record to your old VCR
Pros
Excellent price. Outputs analog(RCA & Svideo) and digital (HDMI/RGB)at the same time.
Cons
No antenna pass-through connector. Has HDMI & RGB but no DVI.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Will output High Def television to just about any device you have. Great design & price.
If you want to watch HDTV (high definition television) you will likely need a unit like this, unless your HDTV includes a tuner (like my Sanyo 30" HDTV does).
However, even if you have an HDTV with a tuner, it may not have an analog output to record to an old fashioned VCR.
The vast majority of people will be in my situation:
I bought this unit to record to my old VCR and watch HD television on my old JVC 32" analog TV. Works great!
BUT your TV/monitor must have RCA, Svideo, HDMI or RGB inputs. If your TV only has an antenna "F-connector". You'll need to buy a $25 adapter OR run this tuner into your VCR's RCA input first.
This Humax brand HDTV receiver is a great buy for under $200 online. There are few high definition television receivers to choose from. Much less, one under $200. There is a USDigital and a Samsung model available in about the same price range, but both are inferior to this one. I do not know if this unit is available in stores.
OK my title it a bit of a stretch. You can't record High Definition on an old VCR. But my gripe about HDTV is that we are also expected to throw out our perfectly fine though archaic VCRs and go out and spend $800 for a High Def VCR or a hard disk drive recording device (i.e. Tivo).
Well this receiver outputs simultaneously, a high definition signal to your TV AND an analog (old fashioned RCA or Svideo plugs) signal. So you can record the crystal clear digital signal to your analog VCR and tapes without having to unplug and reconnect wires. Boy what an improvement over fuzzy broadcast pictures. Unfortunately, you will have to remember to set the Humax channel manually before you set your VCR record timer.
As with every HDTV receiver or HDTV with built-in tuner (see my review of the Walmart/Sanyo 30" HDTV), you either get the reception or you don't. There is no in between like old TV. If you are too far from the station's tower or the weather is very windy, rainy, or cloudy; you may lose the picture.
I typically lose the stations at about 28 miles or more when the weather is poor. I usually get 9 stations here in Charlotte, NC plus 2 PBS public stations have 3 or more "extra" channels that have additional shows including 24 kids channel. Ironically, I can't get the closest PBS station at all. Most commercial stations also have 24 weather forecasts/radar.
This tuner gave me 80 to 100 % signal on 9 local stations.
The Humax tuner has too many details to go into here (check out www.humaxusa.com), but key features I like are:
1. 'real-time' signal strength meters for each channel so you can adjust your antenna while checking the meter.
2. Simultaneous Analog (1 Svideo and 1 RCA) and Digital (HDMI or RGB) outputs
3. Two analog audio outputs
4. Digital coax audio output
5. Good remote with universal TV control
6. EASY EASY channel programming. Even will detect new channels by itself automatically.
7. Switchable HDTV format sizes.
8. Compact size (about one third the size of a VCR)
9. Has a switchable HDMI or RGB output for HD or computer monitors, etc. Can't use both at same time.
10. Well designed overall.
Only downside is, you may need a $3 cable antenna splitter since the Humax tuner does not have a 'pass through' antenna connector to go to your VCR or TV.
You can use any old UHF 'powered' loop antenna. I use a $25 RCA from Walmart which works well, which i've mounted in the attic. But it will work okay right on top of the tuner.
If you have a newer DVI LCD connector you'll need an $8 adapter.
We have always been cable TV free yet we now have crystal clear reception about 95% of the time on 90% of the local stations.
update 2/7/2007:
I am still pleased with this unit, though I must make one gripe. I recently moved the unit to an enclosed cabinet. Now the unit locks up (and shows blank screen) about 2-3 times per month and the only thing you can do is unplug and replug. I have to say, this only happens when the unit is hot in this enclosed cabinet. I've missed taping a couple of shows because of this.
Update 11/18/07: I cut a hole in my enclosed cabinet to allow hot air to get out. No lockup problems anymore unless there is a power flicker.
However, even if you have an HDTV with a tuner, it may not have an analog output to record to an old fashioned VCR.
The vast majority of people will be in my situation:
I bought this unit to record to my old VCR and watch HD television on my old JVC 32" analog TV. Works great!
BUT your TV/monitor must have RCA, Svideo, HDMI or RGB inputs. If your TV only has an antenna "F-connector". You'll need to buy a $25 adapter OR run this tuner into your VCR's RCA input first.
This Humax brand HDTV receiver is a great buy for under $200 online. There are few high definition television receivers to choose from. Much less, one under $200. There is a USDigital and a Samsung model available in about the same price range, but both are inferior to this one. I do not know if this unit is available in stores.
OK my title it a bit of a stretch. You can't record High Definition on an old VCR. But my gripe about HDTV is that we are also expected to throw out our perfectly fine though archaic VCRs and go out and spend $800 for a High Def VCR or a hard disk drive recording device (i.e. Tivo).
Well this receiver outputs simultaneously, a high definition signal to your TV AND an analog (old fashioned RCA or Svideo plugs) signal. So you can record the crystal clear digital signal to your analog VCR and tapes without having to unplug and reconnect wires. Boy what an improvement over fuzzy broadcast pictures. Unfortunately, you will have to remember to set the Humax channel manually before you set your VCR record timer.
As with every HDTV receiver or HDTV with built-in tuner (see my review of the Walmart/Sanyo 30" HDTV), you either get the reception or you don't. There is no in between like old TV. If you are too far from the station's tower or the weather is very windy, rainy, or cloudy; you may lose the picture.
I typically lose the stations at about 28 miles or more when the weather is poor. I usually get 9 stations here in Charlotte, NC plus 2 PBS public stations have 3 or more "extra" channels that have additional shows including 24 kids channel. Ironically, I can't get the closest PBS station at all. Most commercial stations also have 24 weather forecasts/radar.
This tuner gave me 80 to 100 % signal on 9 local stations.
The Humax tuner has too many details to go into here (check out www.humaxusa.com), but key features I like are:
1. 'real-time' signal strength meters for each channel so you can adjust your antenna while checking the meter.
2. Simultaneous Analog (1 Svideo and 1 RCA) and Digital (HDMI or RGB) outputs
3. Two analog audio outputs
4. Digital coax audio output
5. Good remote with universal TV control
6. EASY EASY channel programming. Even will detect new channels by itself automatically.
7. Switchable HDTV format sizes.
8. Compact size (about one third the size of a VCR)
9. Has a switchable HDMI or RGB output for HD or computer monitors, etc. Can't use both at same time.
10. Well designed overall.
Only downside is, you may need a $3 cable antenna splitter since the Humax tuner does not have a 'pass through' antenna connector to go to your VCR or TV.
You can use any old UHF 'powered' loop antenna. I use a $25 RCA from Walmart which works well, which i've mounted in the attic. But it will work okay right on top of the tuner.
If you have a newer DVI LCD connector you'll need an $8 adapter.
We have always been cable TV free yet we now have crystal clear reception about 95% of the time on 90% of the local stations.
update 2/7/2007:
I am still pleased with this unit, though I must make one gripe. I recently moved the unit to an enclosed cabinet. Now the unit locks up (and shows blank screen) about 2-3 times per month and the only thing you can do is unplug and replug. I have to say, this only happens when the unit is hot in this enclosed cabinet. I've missed taping a couple of shows because of this.
Update 11/18/07: I cut a hole in my enclosed cabinet to allow hot air to get out. No lockup problems anymore unless there is a power flicker.
