Humax looks ready to bring out its first personal video recorder designed for Freely, the broadband-based TV service supported by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Retailers have begun listing the new Humax FHR-6000T, calling it the first Freely PVR set top box. The listings suggest a retail price of £249, although Humax has not yet published the product on its official site.
What is Freely?
Freely went live in April 2024 as the new broadband platform for free-to-air TV in the UK. It is run by Everyone TV, the organisation jointly owned by the four main broadcasters that also manages Freeview and Freesat.
The idea behind Freely is to make all the main free channels available over an internet connection rather than relying on aerial or satellite. It is seen as the next stage of free-to-air TV, although Freeview is set to remain available until at least 2034.
The Humax FHR-6000T
The new Humax box is described as the first device that combines Freely with full recording features.
Specifications from retailers include:
- Support for up to 1,000 hours of recorded TV
- Ability to record four channels at the same time
- Ultra HD 4K output
- HDMI 2.1, USB, Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections
- Optical audio output, plus RF in and RF out ports
- Remote record via mobile scheduling
- Live TV pause and rewind
The unit is listed at 1.7kg, sized at 48mm high, 280mm wide and 200mm deep. It comes with a one-year warranty that can be extended to two years on registration.
Can it record Freely channels?
The most important question is whether this new Humax box will record IP-delivered Freely channels, or whether recordings are limited to Freeview channels received through the aerial input.
So far, no official information has confirmed if broadband streams can be recorded. In the UK, recording streamed TV is often restricted because of digital rights rules. It may be that the Humax box functions mainly as a Freeview recorder, with Freely channels available only for live streaming and catch-up via apps.
Other Freely devices on the way
Humax is not the only brand developing hardware for Freely. Netgem has confirmed it will add Freely support to its streaming boxes in 2025. These boxes are often supplied by broadband providers such as Brsk, TalkTalk and Community Fibre.
The BBC is also reported to be working on a low-cost Freely box of its own, which could bring the service to a wider audience.
Support on other platforms
Adoption of Freely will depend heavily on support from major streaming platforms. The service was added to Amazon Fire TV sets in 2024, but there are still no confirmed plans for Google TV or Roku. Until Freely is available on those widely used devices, it may remain a niche option for many households.
Why recording still matters
Although catch-up apps like BBC iPlayer and ITVX already allow viewers to watch programmes on demand, recording gives households more control. Recordings can be watched offline, saved for longer than the usual 30-day windows, and in some cases allow faster navigation through programmes.
That’s why the ability of the Humax FHR-6000T to function as a true broadband PVR is such a key point for potential buyers.
TV and broadband trends
Government and Ofcom have confirmed Freeview will continue until at least 2034, while work continues on moving more TV distribution online. For that reason, hybrid devices with both aerial and broadband inputs are expected to be common during the next decade.
Humax has a long history in this area, having produced Freeview Play and Freesat recorders in the past. The FHR-6000T looks like the next step, bridging the gap between traditional recording and new IP-based TV.
Overall view
The Humax FHR-6000T is shaping up to be an important product for Freely, marking the first step towards recordable internet-delivered free-to-air TV in the UK.
If it can record Freely’s broadband channels, it will be a genuine breakthrough for the platform. If not, it may simply function as a capable Freeview PVR that happens to also support Freely streaming apps.
Either way, it represents progress for the Freely platform and offers viewers another choice as free-to-air television gradually shifts towards the internet.
