However, there is no integral component or S-video output, but there is SPDIF output for digital audio.

Its not the most extraordinary of PVRs, nor a particularly capable digital set-top box, but it is competent at both and relatively inexpensive.

With its sleek, silver design and VCR-like size, the Humax will fit well in most cabinets.

Its not flashy--there arent lights, sound-meters and program details flashing on the basic LCD (in fact, the only thing it shows in the current channel), but it is elegant.

The large remote is equally well designed, with a comfortable and simple button arrangement and the capacity to act as a multi-device remote.

In spite of the internal hard disk, the acoustics of the Humax are very good--you have to put your ear to the device to hear the hard disk in action, with only the occasional track change clicking sound emanating from the box.

It also supports rapid aspect ratio changes through the remote, which is nice, but almost unforgivably doesnt support HDTV.

Its maximum support is MPEG-2 MPML--which is standard definition (720 x 576) digital television.

The internal hard disk stores roughly 40 hours of standard definition digital television (we would have been more impressed by 60 or 80, which would not have added significantly to the cost of the box).

Recordings of digital television, being a straight rip off the airwaves (rather than undergoing the digitisation process used in analog PVRs) are always perfect; that is, whatever is broadcast off the airwaves is exactly what is stored on the hard disk, with no loss.

The bit-rate of digital broadcasts is variable, but generally averages out to about 2GB per hour.

Management of recorded shows is a little unfriendly, however.

To get to the list of recorded shows, you have to navigate through several menu levels, when it should be a one-button-press operation.

It is rather annoying, and a little surprising, given the otherwise excellent interface of the Humax.

You can lock shows, to prevent unscrupulous family members from deleting them beneath you.

You can jump directly to points in the show, or use the quick finder function.

The latter is not well implemented; the fast forward and rewind stutter somewhat, which hurts the Humax when it comes to timeshifting.

Its always on, and starts recording as soon as you turn to a channel, which is nice if you suddenly decide to re-watch that last cricket shot.

Again, because it is digital, the buffered video is identical to the broadcast video, so theres no loss in quality when you decide to pause or rewind the live television.

The Humax is not the device to get if you have a high-end home theatre system.

Obviously a European import, the Humax has two SCART connectors--one each for the TV and VCR--on the back.

It also has three RCA output ports, for stereo audio and video.

Humax Pvr-9100 Software Update