Three years after launching its previous streaming box in the UK (the Aura), Humax returns to the UK streaming market with its latest device, the A1 4K Android TV box.
This compact streaming device has already gained some popularity in international markets, and now, it’s time for the UK audience to experience its features.
In a departure from their earlier UK offerings, the A1 is not a Freeview or Freesat box, but a dedicated streaming device, similar to Google’s Chromecast or Amazon’s Fire TV.
Powered by Google’s Android TV operating system, the Humax A1 seeks to streamline your viewing experience, presenting a vast library of over 20,000 movies (that are available to rent or purchase) and housing popular streaming apps from the Google Play Store.
The device is equipped with a quad-core processor and supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi networks, ensuring high-speed, uninterrupted streaming (but there’s no WiFi 6 support, unfortunately).
It also features Bluetooth 5 for seamless connectivity with other devices (see the full spec list below).
Humax, the company behind the new A1 Android TV box, has a rich history in the consumer electronics industry. The company’s reach is truly global, with operations spanning approximately 20 countries across the world.
Founded in 1989, Humax hails from South Korea, and over the years it has made a name for itself as a leading manufacturer of broadcast receivers, set-top boxes, and other electronic appliances.
In the UK, Humax is mostly known for its Freeview and Freesat boxes.
The Humax FVP-5000T Freeview Recorder was quite popular for many years, and is still sold today (but it no longer supports ITV Hub / ITVX); Humax’s Freesat boxes were also quite popular, until they were replaced by newer 4K boxes from Commscope.
Humax’s flagship Freeview recorder is the Humax Aura box (see our review), which combines both a Freeview recorder and an Android TV streaming box.
Humax A1: What’s In The Box?
While the A1 is a box, and not a dongle/stick like Amazon’s Firesticks, at 20 x 96 x 96 mm and just 124g, it’s still small and quite portable.
In terms of video, the A1 is 4K UHD certified (with AV1 and VP9 video codec support), and it supports 2160p, 1080p and 720p resolutions (depending on the content you’re streaming, of course).
There’s Dolby Surround Sound support – but not Dolby Atmos.
The device is powered by Android TV 11.0, a platform that customises entertainment around user preferences.
Android TV also integrates with Google Assistant, which allows users to control their TV using voice commands.
In addition to basic commands such as adjusting volume and searching for content, users can also control compatible smart home devices, enhancing the convenience of their home entertainment system.
Regarding available content, the Humax A1 provides access to the Google Play Store. This allows users to download a variety of apps and games, including popular streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.
Curiously, Humax tells us that the UK broadcasters’ apps – BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and My5 are NOT currently compatible with the A1, which makes it a tough sell in the UK. However, they may be added in the future (as they’re certainly supported on other Android TV devices).
Additionally, with a built-in Chromecast, users can easily cast content from their phone, tablet, or laptop directly to their TV screen.
The Humax A1 offers a range of input/output connections, including a Micro SD slot (now that’s a blast from the past…), an Optical SPDIF port, an Ethernet port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and USB ports.
As mentioned, the Humax A1 is NOT a Freeview player/recorder, therefore it doesn’t have an aerial port, and you won’t be able to watch Freeview’s over-the-air channels.
Humax A1 Full Spec List:
General Specifications:
- EAN: 8809095664355
- Operating System: Android 11.0 powered by Android TV™ and Chromecast built-in™
- Power: 100V – 240V ~ 50/60Hz; 12V 1.2A (Standby under 0.5W); Max Power Consumption: 14W
- Size & Weight: 20 x 96 x 96 mm (H x W x D); 124g
Processor and Memory:
- CPU: Amlogic S905Y4 chipset (Quad Core Cortex-A35 up to 16500+ DMIPS)
- GPU: ARM Mali-G31 MP2 OpenGL ES 3.2
- RAM: 2GB DDR4
- Storage: 8GB eMMC Flash
Connectivity:
- Wireless: 802.11ac 2T2R; 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi; Bluetooth® 5.0
- Ethernet Port
- AV Port
- HDMI 2.1 Out, HDCP 2.2, CEC support
- 2x USB 2.0 (Type A)
- Micro SD card slot
- USB Type-C connector
Video Processor:
- AV1 [email protected] up to 4Kx2K@60fps
- VP9 Profile-2 up to 4Kx2K@60fps
- H.265 HEVC [email protected] up to 4Kx2K@60fps
- And more video codecs supported
Audio:
- MP3, AAC, WMA, RM, FLAC, Ogg, Dolby Digital / Dolby Digital Plus (Optional) / DTS (Optional)
Voice Remote:
- Control TV, soundbar, or receiver volume and power
- Mic for voice search
- Powered by replaceable 2x AAA batteries
The Humax A1 is currently available for an introductory price of £59.90, a reduction from its regular price of £79.90.
Additionally, the device comes with a two-year warranty upon online registration.
For now, it’s only available directly from Humax in the UK – though we’re told it will also be available on Amazon soon.
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Can Humax be trusted after there big letdown of updates to previous models ?
The google tv device is far better, with better compatibility with apps, dolby atmos, and updates etc etc Humax have missed the boat why would anyone want the device?
Hello one and all
this is good in the sense that there is now another significant name in the UK when it comes to android TV devices that will have all of the official certifications from Google. As these devices are few and far between in the UK. But as usual Humax seems to be a year or two behind everybody else in terms of specifications . Because of that, the price needs to be £60, not £80, so this price that they say at present is introductory needs to be the standard price due to the specification limitations
Do we know if this device will support Now?
In terms of support for the UK broadcast apps. This will come as the article mentions above. Typically, the way that the UK broadcast apps work is that in order for their apps to run on devices. Both devices have to pass a certification process in order to be added to a device white list. The particular device isn’t on the white list, then the app doesn’t run staff isn’t available. This is particularly the case for BBC iPlayer but it wouldn’t surprise me if ITV now does something similar with ITVX once the broadcasters have done what they need to do, then the broadcast apps will appear
Although Google make this as clear as mud , android, TV and Google TV are actually the same core OS behind the scenes. It is only the front end UI that is different. The use of the Google TV UI is not mandated when android 11 as a base and is optional. When using android 12 as a base. I believe the Google TV UI is now required by Google. However, the TV version of android is typically a version behind what you would see on tablets and phones, so some manufacturers haven’t got their android 12 based builds ready yet. So assuming Humax keeps up with updates . (I will admit that, judging by their past performance. That’s a big if) it should get the Google TV UI eventually. I really wish people would stop referring to them as different OSs. They are not
After having had a Humax Aura since shortly after release I wouldn’t trust Humax again. They have not updated the software in nearly two years, it is buggy and very flawed, but when I’ve contacted Humax support they just say there have been no updates because one is not needed; so the current Aura runs Android TV from mid 2021 and not a single security update or big fix is thought to be repaired by Humax.
They’ve failed to support their Aura customers and will do the same with this new Android box.
Seconded. Awful product and the worst support I’ve ever experienced. Never again.
Agreed never using a Humax product again. The Aura turned out to be a flawed design, with virtually no support and then quietly abandoned. also supported it from launch and felt I paid for the privilege to Beta test for them.
So let me get this right there’s no BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and My5 and it lacks Dolby Atmos and also does not have the latest WiFi format and its supposed to be competing with other streamers that have all these as standard. No way would i buy this especially as I have their Aura box that they have failed to keep up with firmware updates to rectify known issues. In the old days they did make great sat boxes but their last few attemps have been substandard, even if reveiwers give good reveiws check out their customer forum to see the problems that they have failed to rectrify.
Yeah great price but you need to buy 5 direct from Humax.
Just noticed it – that’s indeed strange. I’ll ask Humax about it
I’m told that was an error on the site that has since been fixed.
If I understand rightly, this has the same functionality as a Google Chromecast except that you don’t need an Android phone, but it costs £15-£30 more. Are there any other pros or cons?
It’s more comparable to the newer Chromecast (… “With Google TV”, even though this one is Android TV) – as it does come with a remote and an on-screen operating system