Review: Humax HDCI-2000 HD satellite receiver

High definition (HD) has been rammed down our throats by Sky and the various TV manufacturers for the past year now. However, should you splash out on an HD-ready display (be it a TV or projector), there's precious little true-HD content out there to feed it with.

The majority of Sky's HD broadcasts are not shot in HD and therefore have to be upscaled, while HD-DVD and Blu-Ray drives are yet to hit the mainstream market.

Should you not want to sign up to Sky's HD service Humax's HDCI-2000 offers an alternative way to get HD. The HDCI-2000 will receive all free-to-air channels available over satellite, including BBC HD - the high-definition service from the BBC that recently broadcast the World Cup and Wimbledon.

You'll need a satellite dish to supply it with a signal (not a problem if you already have Sky), and it's simply a case of plugging the cable direct into the HDCI-2000. A loop-through is available so you can continue the satellite signal through to a Sky box if you wish.

When we received our review kit, we were advised the unit would need a firmware update to receive the BBD HD channel; disappointing, but not totally devastating.

However, we soon discovered the only way to update the firmware was via an archaic RS232 null modem cable. Seasoned PC users may well have one stashed in the attic, but those who don't will need to be prepared for blank expressions when visiting high-street stores in an effort to by one.

Once we managed to locate a null modem cable, we downloaded the update application - something that looks like it was created around the same time as null modem cables and without a doubt will utterly confuse non-technical users.

However, the lure of free HD broadcasts gave us enough impetus to see the process through.

The fun and games still weren't over once the firmware had been updated. We then had to hunt down BBC HD's transmission details and manually enter them in order to receive the channel.

However, once up and running the results were stunning. Flicking between HD and standard broadcasts really highlights the difference in detail between the two. Via the remote it's possible to switch between 576p, 720p and 1080i resolutions, as well as adjust various other picture settings.

The interface isn't as easy to navigate as Sky's popular alternative and it took us a good few hours to get used to it. The EPG (electronic programme guide) took a long time to populate with listings and, annoyingly, channel names were cut off, which made it tricky to use.

The HDCI-2000 has its fair share of rough edges and the firmware update procedure is a complete nightmare, but it's one of the few alternatives to Sky's HD receiver and doesn't require you to sign up to a subscription.

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