Entered CNET Catalog: 04/08/2005
SKU: 0884052000061
Manufacturer: HUMAX Co., Ltd.
Manufacturer description
HDTV just got easier with the Humax HFA100 HDTV Tuner. The HFA100 enables TV viewers the ability to watch and listen to stunning High Definition broadcast TV. This advanced, yet simple to operate tuner connects to nearly all HD ready monitors and delivers the most intuitive user experience available. Setting it aside from the competition is an easy to use on-screen setup guide, direct channel access and automatic channel scanning while in standby mode. This addition to the Humax Easy Digital family of products brings broadcast TV to life. It's just another example of ground-breaking technology delivered by Humax, the Easy Digital company!Product summary
The good: Affordable price; robust video and audio connectivity options for digital and analog, including HDMI; simultaneous HD and analog video output.
The bad: Must lock into a single output resolution; reception strongly dependent on quality and location of external antenna.
The bottom line: When paired with an antenna, Humax's relatively inexpensive HFA100 adds digital and HD programming to any TV.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 04/26/2005
In a world where cable and satellite companies are competing to get you to spend upward of $100 a month or more for TV programming, it may come as a shock that you can get crystal-clear digital TV for free. OK, not exactly free--you'll need a TV or monitor, a digital ATSC tuner, and an antenna--but there'll be no onerous monthly fee assessed by an oligarchical media conglomerate. It's a safe bet, though, that you already have a TV or two, and you may still even have that rooftop antenna lashed to the chimney. Just add an external digital tuner--such as the Humax HFA100 ($229 list)--and you're good to go.
ATSC tuners such as the HFA100 will appeal primarily to owners of HDTV-ready TVs who want to take advantage of high-def local broadcasts. Its price is low enough, however, to attract a few owners of analog sets who want to check out digital broadcasts but don't want to invest in an HDTV just yet.
That bargain price--similar boxes cost hundreds more just a couple of years ago--had us prepared to lower expectations, and the simple feature set is in line with the price. For example, there's no built-in DVR or upscaling DVD player (the latter is included on LG's more expensive LST-3510, for example) on board, although Humax has included the essentials. In addition to the ability to decode all 18 ATSC digital-broadcasting formats, the HFA100 can output video in high-definition (1080i or 720p), DVD-level EDTV (480p), or good old 480i. Simply put, that means it can receive any standard or HD digital broadcast and display it on any TV, from a brand-new 50-inch plasma to that 15-year-old Sylvania that's sitting in the corner of your garage.
Despite the HFA100's small confines (2.7 inches high by 12.25 inches wide by 9.5 inches deep), its back panel is packed with a full arsenal of jacks. HD video is available from component, VGA-style RGB, and HDMI outputs, while coaxial and optical ports deliver digital audio. Older TVs, meanwhile, can make use of the composite and S-Video connectors, as well as the twin analog audio outs. Significantly, the analog video and audio outs remain active no matter what HD output the resolution is set for-- component or RGB/HDMI. That means you can be watching Lost in 720p high-def resolution on your HD monitor while simultaneously recording it in standard definition on a VCR, a DVD recorder, or a TiVo. The HFA100 also features an RS-232C port, so it can be controlled from external devices (for advanced home-automation installs or switching channels during timer recordings, for instance).
The Humax is no harder to set up than a standard DVD player. In addition to making the requisite connections from the box to our TV and our A/V receiver, we screwed a small indoor antenna to the RF connector on the rear panel. The HFA100 offered a guided setup mode that walked us through a series of simple menus. The mode ends by quickly scanning the wireless spectrum for any and all digital TV channels in the area and adding them to the lineup.
Minutes afterward, we were up and running, flipping through a variety of digital programming from Seinfeld reruns to the NCAA basketball playoffs. We compared the sumptuous high-def picture of the game on CBS to the same program on our cable system's HD feed; the over-the-air picture delivered by the Humax was just as good, if not better, than the cable version. Moreover, the HFA100 finally lets us see what our favorite WB shows look like in HD, since our cable company has yet to add that channel to its line-up.
The HFA100 has another trick up its sleeve in the form of a rudimentary electronic programming guide (EPG). Yes, its level of detail varies from station to station (our ABC affiliate lists simply "DTV program" for every 30-minute block, for instance, while the CBS station includes titles and short episode synopses) and the guide extends only a few hours into the future--but for a freebie, it isn't half bad.
With its easy setup and near-universal TV compatibility, the HFA100 has a lot to offer, especially for DTV newcomers, but there are a few shortfalls that may irk enthusiasts. A rear-panel toggle switch limits HD output to the component outputs or the RGB/HDMI out, but not both simultaneously. And the resolution through those connections must be locked in through a button on the front panel, not the remote. Furthermore, there's no option to pass the native resolutions of each station (say, 720p for ABC and Fox, and 1080i for NBC and CBS). That means you're stuck relying on the HFA100's ability to process the video, rather than off-loading the duties to your HD monitor--even though the monitor probably has a better video processor.
The HFA100's technical quibbles aside, it's the limitations of over-the-air DTV and HDTV reception that may pose bigger obstacles. As with all broadcast receivers, the Humax is only as good as the antenna to which it's connected. We got impressive reception with a $7 indoor RadioShack aerial, but we were just a few miles from the broadcast towers atop the Empire State Building. Better antennas, rooftop models in particular, should yield improved results, but be sure to check AntennaWeb to determine which stations are theoretically available in your area. And remember that, even in the best-case scenario, you'll be limited to the old-line broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, PAX, PBS, UPN, the WB, and the requisite smattering of independent and Spanish-language stations)--kiss HBO, Comedy Central, and MTV good-bye.
The Humax's main competition is Samsung's similarly priced SIR-T451, which does include a QAM tuner that the Humax lacks. QAM carries digital and HD channels over cable, but the Samsung can't access the scrambled digital channels available via your cable company's box--making it less useful on most cable systems. Even without QAM, the Humax HFA100 is an impressive little digital tuner that offers remarkable bang for the buck. If you're looking to add HD programming to a tunerless plasma display, a PC monitor, or even just an old bedroom TV, the Humax is a capable and easy-to-use way to do it.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14out of 14 user reviews
Attached the HDMI, plugged it in, attached antenna, and "Wizard unfolds" but receive: No Signal!!
Pros: Zilch, defective product
Cons: Any and everything conceivable
Unless Humax agrees to send "new one" with them paying for postage/insurance, etc. I will do no further business with Markertek.com.
The dish receiver, that costs a mere 15 to 20 dollars more will hopefully mellow me and I ponder my next move for Marky Tech piece of ****.
out of 14 user reviews
lock-up problem
Pros: fine when it works
Cons: lock=up, customer service
out of 14 user reviews
attrocious
Pros: high quality picture
Cons: lasts a week at most
out of 14 user reviews
Buggy unit, they are replacing
Pros: Easy hook up scanned and received signals well
Cons: having problems, remote doesnt work with my tv ( no code)
Finally recieved my replacement box March 27 th watched about two hours of hdtv that night the next night watch about an hour of hdtv and started have the same old problems. I'am returning everything and getting a hdtv this weekend.
out of 14 user reviews
Works as advertised
Pros: Cheapest HD TV signal
Cons: weak technical support
I needed a radioshack amplifier to get my OTA signal strongenough after a attic to basement run. The signal strength feature of the Humax was helpful in determining the need for an amplifier.
My weak tech support comment came from in the initial setup with composite and component output everything was fine. But using the 15 pin VGA output my Mitsubishi showed a clear but very purplish display. Asked via email for tech support: just got reply to call the 800 number. I troubleshot with a different projector: it worked fine. Turned out my Mitsubishi had a choice of RGB vs YCR input on the VGA input, and once that was correct the Superbowl grass was green again.
I recommend this as the least expensive way to get excellent HD TV signal from OTA broadcasts.
out of 14 user reviews
All these units are breaking!!!
Pros: Good picture, channel guide.
Cons: Doesn't work after 2 months. Humax not fixing?
However, I'm now having the same locking up issues that everyone else is having. I just called Humax, and they say that they are sending me a new unit. (Funny thing is, they required no proof of purchase from me, which tells me they are lying or know that their units are all defective.)
I'll see if I actually get the unit or not. If I do, I expect I will get the same problem as others are still having them.
out of 14 user reviews
OK but buggy
Pros: Good picture, quick channel changing, multifunction remote works well, responsive (though somewhat ineffective C/S)
Cons: Freezes often at startup, and when switching through weak channels
Also, the setup software covers a lot of features and is easy to use. Dolby 5.1 works very well.
The only gripes that I have with HFA100 are:
- More often than not I get a black screen with system freeze when I switch it on (similar to the BSOD with pre-XP Windows). This also happens while surfing through weaker stations. Easily fixed by unplugging/replugging-in. I thought this would be rectified by replacing the unit; however, even with same model built 10 months later the same problem exists.
- Humax Customer Service people are very nice, and you can reach them toll-free fairly expediently. They seem to try, but are limited in how much they can help you. I spoke with seven reps. It would be nice if one would take ownership, see the problem through and communicate back. None of the seven did this. In trying to reach a supervisor, she kept me on hold for 20 minutes without coming to the line, and then after I called back I was told that she was still on the phone but would call me back which she never did.
Watching football and other HD programming with this unit is a pleasure, and you get the full effect with Dolby 5.1. I've resigned myself to living with the problem, and have installed an in-line on/off switch between the unit's plug and my surge power strip.
out of 14 user reviews
Excellent Pic, Easy Setup, Can have HDMI handshake problem.
Pros: Excellent Pic, Easy Setup, Good Customer Service from Humax.
Cons: Can have HDMI handshake problem.
Called HUMAX and was sent a replacement after telling them my situation, they deemed it damaged. However, the new unit did the same thing. At this point I thought the HDMI connection might be the problem (both TV and Humax are exchanging info as opposed to component) and that this was causing the freezing problem. I was right.
If this happens to you (some TVs will work some won't as HDMI isn't standard yet) either switch to component or try another receiver if you really want HDMI. I am going to try and run this through an HDMI switching receiver sometime soon and maybe that will help the 'handshake' between the units.
Very happy with everything now and am sticking with this receiver and a component setup. Of course the next TV will have ATSC tuner built in and this won't be an issue (just need to convince the wife that 1080p TV would be a good purchase).
out of 14 user reviews
Look! Free DTV!
Pros: Works like a charm
Cons: Some DTV stations not transmitting EPG data
out of 14 user reviews
Humax not standing behind a defective unit
Pros: Gives a beautiful picture when it works
Cons: It lasted about a month and then began malfunctioning
Notified Humax in mid November of my problems. They were very nice. Acknowledged that I had a defective unit, was within the 90 day warranty period, and promised to replace it. Said I could expect to receive a replacement unit within 5 - 7 working days.
That was more than 15 working days ago. Have emailed Humax seeking an explanation for the delay. Thus far, they have chosen not to respond.
Will update if and when Humax responds together with their response.
If my case is 1 in 10,000 then I'd buy one again inspite of Humax giving me what now seems to be a spin. No one can build anything perfectly 100 percent of the time.
But, if my experience represents that of 1 in 10, I'd think twice before buying another regardless of it's fine features.
out of 14 user reviews
Wow - great HDTV over-the-air
Pros: Easy to set up and the digital channels look super and most are 80% or more on the signal strength.
Cons: Not available in local stores. Cannot lock out channels that have a signal strength too weak to lock on.
out of 14 user reviews
Really nice, good features, and easy to set up.
Pros: Compact, every type of output is there including HDMI, easy to set up, reasonable price.
Cons: Does not allow custom optimizization with HD TV for different HD signal types.
out of 14 user reviews
Great Product
Pros: Easy to setup and use.
Cons: Electronic Progamming guide isn't always accurate
out of 14 user reviews
Cheap and easy and really delivers
Pros: Fast, easy setup, works well with indoor antenna, lots of connectivity options
Cons: none so far
