A mysterious Humax device has just surfaced that could be exactly what Freeview recording enthusiasts have been desperately waiting for – the first Freely box that actually lets you record programmes.
The Humax FHR-6000T Freely PVR Recordable has appeared on several retailer websites across the UK, complete with product photos showing the distinctive Freely logo and a £249 price tag (although it’s still out of stock).
This would be the third Freely box we’ve heard about, but unlike the others, the specifications suggest a recording device: 1,000 hours of storage, 4-channel recording capability, and an aerial port that could bridge traditional Freeview with streaming-only Freely.
If genuine, this could represent the hybrid solution that some viewers have been desperately seeking.
But there’s a big catch that could determine whether this device becomes a game-changer or just another compromise in broadcasting’s streaming transition. Here’s everything we know so far.
The Freely Journey
Freely launched in April 2024 as Everyone TV’s ambitious attempt to eventually replace traditional Freeview and Freesat with streaming-only television.
The platform, operated by Everyone TV (the same company that operates Freeview and Freesat), offers more than 50 streaming channels from major UK broadcasters, delivered entirely through your broadband connection, without the need for an aerial or satellite dish.
But since some Freeview channels are not available to stream yet, Freely channels can also be “topped up” by connecting an aerial for over-the-air channels (assuming you have good reception).
The catch has always been availability. Until now, accessing Freely meant shelling out for a brand new TV from select manufacturers like Hisense, Bush, Panasonic, or Amazon’s Fire TV televisions. Got a perfectly good telly that’s a few years old? Tough luck.
That’s finally changing with not one, but potentially three different Freely boxes in the works.
The Two Boxes We Already Know About
First up is the Netgem Freely box, announced earlier this year and launching “later this year.”
This French-manufactured device promises all the core Freely features – unified programme guide, seamless switching between live and on-demand content, and access to those 50+ streaming channels.
But here’s the key detail: the Netgem box has no aerial port whatsoever. It’s streaming-only, marking a clear statement about Freely’s vision for television’s future – no more aerials, no more traditional broadcasting, just internet-delivered content.
Most importantly for this story, the Netgem box offers absolutely no recording functionality. It relies entirely on broadcasters’ catch-up services and Freely’s watchlist features.
Then there’s the second device we revealed last month: the BBC is exploring a “radically simplified” Freely box designed specifically for people who find modern streaming technology overwhelming.
This accessibility-focused device would offer a more traditional TV experience while delivering content through streaming rather than aerials.
Again, no recording capability has been mentioned for the BBC’s simplified box. The emphasis is on ease of use rather than advanced features.
Both announced devices follow the same pattern: streaming-only delivery with no recording whatsoever. Which makes this potential Humax device particularly intriguing.
Why Recording Has Become the Forbidden Feature
The absence of recording from Freely isn’t an oversight – it’s entirely deliberate, reflecting a broader industry trend that’s systematically eliminating recording capabilities across all platforms.
We’ve seen this play out with existing devices. The EE TV 4K Pro box has been one of the few devices that could actually record from streaming channels delivered via broadband.
Unlike most streaming devices that rely entirely on catch-up services, the Pro box offers local storage and the ability to record internet-delivered Freeview channels – a unique feature that made it particularly appealing to recording enthusiasts who wanted reliable broadband delivery without sacrificing recording capabilities.
However, last year, BT/EE TV changed how BBC recordings work – even when you “record” a BBC programme via internet streaming, you can’t actually play it back from the box anymore.
Instead, you get redirected to iPlayer with all its limitations, such as expiry dates and missing content. And – the same happened with ITV recordings, which started pushing users to the ITVX streams (where you can’t skip the adverts).
The message from broadcasters is clear: recording gives viewers too much control. It lets you skip adverts, build permanent libraries of content, and watch programmes on your own schedule rather than when streaming services decide they should be available.
Manhattan, the manufacturer behind popular Freeview recorders like the T4-R, explicitly rejected Freely support precisely because of this limitation.
They stated bluntly that switching to Freely would mean “losing what we know you love about our boxes – the ability to record your favourite shows so they’re yours forever.”
What We Know About the Mystery Humax Box
Over the past few days, several Euronics retailers across the country – including BJs Electrical, Kings & Branhams, and Sonic Direct, have started showing product pages for the new “Humax FHR-6000T Freely PVR Recordable 4K Set Top Box”.
The discovered (prematurely?) specifications for the Humax FHR-6000T paint an impressive picture:
- Maximum recording time of 1,000 hours (suggesting a 2TB hard drive)
- 4-channel recording capability
- 4K maximum resolution support
- Both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
- Remote recording functionality
- Standard connections including HDMI and USB
- Dimensions: H48 x W280 x D200 mm
- Price: £249
Most importantly, unlike the upcoming streaming-only Netgem box, the photos show this device includes an aerial port.
This suggests it could work just like current Freely TVs – accessing Freely’s streaming channels while “topping up” with traditional over-the-air Freeview channels through an aerial connection.
The Big Recording Question
Here’s where things get complicated, and where expectations need to be carefully managed.
The key unknown is whether this box can record from Freely’s streaming channels, or just from traditional aerial-based Freeview channels.
While the “Freely PVR” branding might suggest streaming recording capability, the reality is likely to be more limited.
If it’s aerial-only recording (which seems most probable), then this becomes a hybrid device that offers Freely streaming alongside traditional Freeview recording – interesting and potentially useful, but not the revolutionary streaming recorder some might hope for.
The only precedent we have for streaming channel recording is the BT/EE TV Pro box, but as mentioned, broadcasters have systematically neutered those features.
Given how aggressively the industry has moved against recording functionality, it would be extraordinary if Humax had found a way to offer meaningful recording of streaming content where others have failed or been forced to retreat.
Humax’s Big Return?
This potential device would mark a major moment for Humax, a company that once dominated the UK set-top box market but has struggled in recent years to maintain its position.
Humax built their reputation on excellent Freeview and Freesat recorders. The FVP-5000T was hugely popular for years, earning recommendations from review sites and building a loyal customer base.
Their Freesat boxes were market leaders until being replaced by newer 4K alternatives from other manufacturers.
But the company’s recent track record has been decidedly mixed. The FVP-5000T was discontinued in 2023 after losing ITV Hub support and never gaining ITVX compatibility.
The flagship Humax Aura has suffered recurring stock shortages and reliability complaints from users, with some reporting crashes and interface problems that have never been properly resolved.
Humax has also followed the broader industry pattern of devices losing functionality over time as streaming technology evolves.
Older Humax boxes lost BBC iPlayer support when the BBC updated its content protection systems, while YouView-based Humax devices faced complete app meltdowns as the platform aged out of compatibility with modern streaming requirements.
Their last UK launch was the A1 Android TV streaming box in 2023 – a device that notably launched without support for any UK broadcaster apps, highlighting the ongoing challenges device manufacturers face in maintaining streaming app compatibility.
We reached out to Humax for clarification about the FHR-6000T Freely Recorder, and will add details if and when they arrive
Against the Current
If this device proves real, the timing is particularly interesting. Research suggests Freely could become the UK’s dominant TV platform by 2030, as traditional broadcasting infrastructure becomes economically unsustainable and the government pushes for an “IP switchover” by the 2030s.
A hybrid device offering Freely streaming with aerial-based recording could provide what many Freeview users want – a path into the streaming future without completely abandoning the control that recording provides.
For households with poor aerial reception, Freely’s streaming channels could solve signal quality issues while preserving the ability to record and time-shift content.
But this would be a product with a built-in expiry date. The traditional broadcasting infrastructure it relies on for recording is exactly what’s being phased out over the coming decade.
It’s a transitional solution at best, and one that would face the same pressures that have already forced other manufacturers to abandon recording features.
The Reality Check
Before getting too excited about this discovery, there are several important caveats to consider.
These product listings could represent premature uploads that will disappear once retailers realise they’ve jumped the gun, or they could indicate an imminent official announcement.
Without official confirmation from Humax, the device’s existence and specifications remain unverified.
Whether this mysterious box becomes reality (and when), and whether it can deliver meaningful functionality in an industry increasingly hostile to recordings, remains to be seen.
We’ll continue monitoring for any official announcements from Humax and update this article as more information becomes available.
For more news about TV and streaming, Subscribe to our free newsletter.
As usual… the government/politician are missing at the wheel again in the UK. A viable TV broadcast service is an entitlement to the public; almost like a utility service. Here we have the government allowing the subscription services to call the shots and impose a service to maximise their profits, when the politicians should be laying down a quality TV broadcast service that the suppliers (who have to have a broadcast licence) should be required to supply. Instead they appear to be doing exactly they want with little or no control. When TV subscription services were implemented the TV broadcasters like Sky, Virgin and subsequently BT were required to uphold a degree of FTA content and quality which OFCOM were supposed to monitor and uphold. Like the privatised water companies… a very light touch has been applied with little or no control applied as the broadcasters have lowered standards by abysmal FTA channel content and repeats ad infinitum. If only we had some politicians capable of setting some standards to protect the UK public! Who wants a USA style shambles of a TV service! UK government… sort the shambles of the on-going TV Licence fiasco out, lay down a quality TV service system that that broadcasters should be made to adhere too… or withdraw their licence to operate in the UK.
Absolutely agree, could not have put it better myself
I think about Freesat Humax is not have 4K unavailable service smart because old boxes in UK only both Freeview and Freely name humax+HD 4K maybe like 8K pictures not yet a waiting for seeing future.
If Roscoe is correct this is just a freeview recorder able to record up to 4 channels so long as you connect an aerial, with Freely built in over wi fi. Don’t see the point when you consider the price of this combined unit, what if one part of unit stops working surely seperates are better value, and cheaper to replace. If it does record Freely then I see the point.
I think I’ll be getting one of the devices at the link below to try out freely instead of getting one of these humax boxes. it might be a decent replacement for the ageing roku that I have.
At least netgem are brutally honest about the fact that their device won’t include recording of the Freely IP Channels in fact. They are honest about the fact that their device won’t include a terrestrial tuner at all. so you know what you’re getting from, the word go. and given how long NETGEMS last device was supported you’re probably going to get proper support Unlike humax. Although from the way things look on the netgem website Netgem website it’s possible they might be about to retire, their previous device. as the option to subscribe and get one of their current devices is a bit more hidden than it used to be.
The NETGEM device will probably, have access to netgeams extra channels and will probably have access to all the apps/services that NETGEAM currently has agreements with. (Note that I say probably in both instances not will)
I look forward to hearing, what @Or Goren has to say about this device when it is released.
https://netgem.co.uk/pleio/
The link to Or Goren article on this Device can be found in the article above
I contacted an Electrical dealer who lists this product on his website (with no current stock) and this was his response regarding my question over recording capabilities:
‘The information Humax sent out prior to release was that it is Freeview recording only.
Freely is available on the box but they have not yet announced any recording service on the platform.’
Why do Everyday TV falsely believe that people DO NOT WANT TO RECORD AND WATCH AT THEIR LEISURE?
This is EXACTLY WHY Manhattan do not want to support Freely.
At least Humax are breaking out of the box and supporting those whom WANT TO RECORD AND PLAYBACK TV at their leisure.
AnthonyUK the tv men in suits have woken up to the fact that people who record tv are then able to fast forward over the very thing that helps pay their wages the adverts I couldn’t see Freely ever getting the recording function the argument being it’s a streaming service with catchup built in so why the need to record.
In the future, Freely MIGHT allow recording, but I would expect it to come with “strings” attached.
For example, I doubt they would allow advert avoiding, unless people pay a fee.
Freely would no doubt say people can (mostly) watch at their leisure. It’s called on-demand or catch-up telly.
It’s not just them, Sky have been pushing for years for the main UK broadcasters to move everything to streaming and apps, which would allow the eventual shut down of the satellite and dtt transmissions and give them much more control.
Ive got 8 humax Freeview boxes.
And there a thousand times better than my 3 Freesat boxes .. 2 Humax & one Goodman’s And some of my Freeview box’s are not even hd although some of them are 720 hd.. record 2 channels.. Watch 2 channels at same time PS. I’m using a blaupunkt indoor aerial from B&Ms..Doing very nice thanks. Found the sweet spot.. Is there any reason Humax can’t make a Freesat box with the same specs as my 9300T .. Not to mention 3 built-in games … I’m going to use them right till the very end.. Don’t stream ! use my phone for on demand that does the job for me.. Nill to freesat thousand to Freeview box. By the way why do my silver Humax Freeview box’s freez ? none of my black Humax boxes freeze.. I absolutely love my Humax Freeview box’s.. But i kind of tolerate my Freesat box. HUMAX don’t fixe it when it’s not Broke. Just give me a Freesat box with asac alley the same specs as my 9300T Freeview box..Or is that too much too ask.
What is slightly puzzling here though is, if the IP channels aren’t going to be recordable then why provide what appears to be a 2 terabyte hard drive ? because there isn’t enough content of decent video quality on Freeview to be able to fill a hard disc of that size. In contrast Freely IP channels are all HD by default. also what is the point in. Being able to record 4. channels at once unless the IP channels are recordable?
Given what ITV did with the BT recordable box perhaps they have figured out a way, to prevent people, from Skipping adverts in recordings? In which case it would be no skin off the nose of the broadcasters/ providers to allow recordings of the IP Channels. the main reason why broadcasters don’t like people recording is because they are able to skip adverts. As much as I would not like, not being able to skip, adverts it would be a reasonable middle ground over not being able to record at all.
content rights and content protection are a secondary or even tertiary issue, because if they were not recording would not have been commonplace for the last 25 years. All of the content protection methods that are implemented into PVR’S should be enough to keep, rights holders happy.
Looks OK if all the possibilities are in fact functional?
However, as a long term user of Humax products my last experience with the Aura, lots of bugs and absolutely no support or updates for years, I will never purchase another “all singing, all dancing” new Humax box, EVER!
At least Manhattan appear to acknowledge their boxes shortcomings and update them mostly within a reasonable time frame – as a Humax Aura owner you are completely ignored!
How much???
I think that I will stick to my Fire Stick, thank you.
“This launching without that feature would be a huge step back if you are limited to just recording the remaining Freeview channels only.”
For content providers it would be a “huge step forward”, unfortunately.
Hopefully this lets you record from the streamed channels. I can’t see why it shouldn’t as EE’s current TV box allows that when you switch to internet mode and it’s own subscription channels are recordable and they are streamed too. Likewise the older YouView services that had streamed subscription channels allowed you to record those.
This launching without that feature would be a huge step back if you are limited to just recording the remaining Freeview channels only.
I’ve got this box and would like to point out when this box is set up to receive via the Internet only mode you are not getting Freely, you get a service that provides a something similar but not the same this being determined by EE and your subscription package may I suggest you read OrGoren in depth review of this service with special regard to recording bbc channels
You haven’t got this box, ot hasn’t been released yet.
Sorry for this misunderstanding I mean I have the ee tv box Freddie refers too not the humax box.