Humax HDCI-2000 Review

[good2talk]

Please have a look at following link:

http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/accessorie...9277659,00.htm

[BGonaSTICK]

Yes, very well written by someone who knows his stuff

Thanks for sharing.

I found this bit interesting:

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) with HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) output means that the Humax will sync with Intel's DRM (Digital Rights Management) hobgoblin. The HDCP system is designed to thwart pirates, and will downsample HD content to SD on non-HDCP compliant devices. This all adds up to a wonderfully confusing situation where you may find you're watching an SD signal instead of an HD one because a piece of hardware in your home entertainment system is not HDCP compatible.

I wasn't aware of the implications of mixing and matching HDCP and non-HDCP components.

[good2talk]

When it downsamples you will not enjoy the HD quality though!

[BGonaSTICK]

Indeed!

I think that will catch a few people out...

[good2talk]

I have read somewhere that even after conversion the picture quality is very good comparing to normal receivers.

[good2talk]

After reading so much about Humax HDCI-2000, I bought it but completely disappointed with the performance.

I was using a Samsung A300W with component cable that gave me excellent picture quality (all SD channels were so clear near enough to HD channles). The Humax is nowhere near to the Samsung. The only benefit I have it from Humax is I can watcgh BBC HD. Otherwise it is a crap receiver. I have decided to go back to Samsung A300W becuase I really enjoy the SD channels using component.

What I could not understand also:

there is channel called Cee(i)TV on Hotbird 11727V 27500 3/4 which is free to air. The Humax can't view the picture for some reason it plays just the audio where I tried with Technomate, Samsung & Echostar they all clear Video & Audio.

I believe the Humax has a bug in the new software. Any body else having similar problem.

One more thing to mention:

Buying an expensive HDMI cable for this Humax is as good as binning your money. The image will be much worst than Component cables.

Is it worth complaining all these to the manufacturer? If yes, how?

Thanks to all reading my message and suggesting to overcome the hassles I have.

[BilboBoggins]

hiya good2talk*

I've a Humax HDCI2000 receiver as well, I've checked the ceeitv channel you mention and can confirm I get the same as you, ie:- audio only no video, whereas my Technomate 1500 is fine.

I've only used the Humax receiver to watch HD as I normally use the technomate (as its patched), and I prefer the user interface on the Technomate. I would like to try and confirm your findings though with regards to the HDMI interface against the component cable to see if I get the same as you, although I'd be comparing the picture quality against the Technomate.* Can you give me a bit more detail ie:- select a channel that you can definitely see a difference. I can then tune both Technomate and Humax to the same and just switch between the HDMI and component input on my Sony 40" Bravia screen. This should show any difference quite easily. I'll let you know what I get.

Bilbo

[good2talk]

Thank you for your reply, Bilbo!

Please try Euro_News & BBC_World. You will see the difference.

[BilboBoggins]

I've just finished comparing the output of the Humax (via the HDMI connector) on SD channels against the Technomate 1500 Scart ouput (which I would guess is standard RGB) and I have to say its a fairly close run thing. I would agree that the Humax is probably slightly worse with a few more artefacts visible around the edges, but the difference is only minor on my setup, whereas you seem to be saying its dramtically different

I have a friend at work who also has the Humax 2000 receiver (plus others), i'll pass him your comments can get him to run a similar test to see what he thinks.... will let you know

Bilbo

[good2talk]

The difference is clerly visible in my TV. The TV is brilliant; I get amazing picute even from built-in Freeview and Samsung A300W using component cables.