Verdict
The Humax Aura propose an entertaining Ab demonstration and a welcome set of features for a Freeview set - top boxwood and streamer . It ’d be an even better proffer if it had a better HDR performance , speedier interface , and wider app support .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
SinceSky Qappeared the belief of what a set - top box seat has change . In an age of multiple entertainment source , Sky ’s box was n’t interested in offering a range of television duct but in heralding a overbold age of TV viewing .
It ’s one others have sought to capture , and like the backwash produced by a gravy boat , in Sky ’s stead has followed a succession of try from BT , Manhattan , Virgin and Humax .
Humax is one of the popular names in the set - top box market , and after the success of the FVP-5000 T , it launched the Aura in 2020 , a box that combine the Humax experience with the smarts of Android TV .
On newspaper , it ’s a powerful combination , with Android giving Humax a leg - up withGoogle Assistantvoice control , Chromecast streaming plus the freight of apps in the Google Play stock . Just how strong is the aura that surrounds Humax ’s fix - top boxful ?
Design
The design of the Aura mimics Sky Q in how streamlined it search . Comparing the two set - top boxes , the Humax Aura is more compact , less mystifying but slimly taller . disregarding , it should be able to fit within the confines of an AV rack or not take up much infinite when plump in and around a television receiver .
Aesthetically it ’s a black , sleek , and curvey feat that ’s a little sexy ( if that ’s the optimal word ) than the FVP-5000T. The glossy sheen can pick up rubble and requires a wipe every so often .
The lattice that wrap around its middle is tasteful and below that is an LED showing that changes color depending on the modality . It ’ll show purpleness when recording , drab when on , red when in standby , orangish when in standby but recording and clean when voice assistance is being used . It ’s leisurely to view from the distance of the couch as well .
On top of the social unit are five buttons : power , intensity up and down , plus channel up and down and they all provide a satisfying click when contract . Around the tush are the connections which include a HDMI out , optical out , two USB stimulation ( 2.0 and 3.0 ) , a Gigabit Ethernet and male person / distaff port wine for solicit up the planetary cable .
The one aspect I ’m not fond of is the distant packaged with the Aura . It ’s magnanimous and stuffed with buttons from piloting to playback , routine pad and shortcuts forFreeview period of play , Prime Video and Google Assistant . It has everything you ’d involve but I ’ve never liked the feedback from the buttons , the shallow grade of traveling and ‘ stiffness of public press is a turn off .
Interface
Android is the interface of pick , divided into four yellow journalism in Google Assistant / Search , Home , Discover , Apps , with scope locate on the far right . It ’s like any other Android TV screen in use .
The home screen can be custom-make and there are lots of shelves to scroll through . I find the upright aspect of Android does n’t lend itself as well to depicted object discovery , as I ’m more likely to stick to the first few rows than go all the way down .
I much prefer howGoogle TV ’s slicker approach wreak , particularly with its ‘ Watchlist ’ and ‘ Continue Watching ’ rows , with the former inexplicably on the Discover tab key instead of on the home screen door . That ’s always bother me about every Android TV interface .
span the interface is n’t always the speediest experience with a little lag detectable from lozenge to tab or navigating within apps , and the severeness of the remote control does n’t assist either . sustain down on the ‘ App ’ push and that ’ll bring up spry entree to the most late apps .
Freeview Playis supported , bringing all the UK catch - up and on - need apps . There ’s a 7 - twenty-four hour period EPG ( Electronic Programme Guide ) to go through , and you’re able to set off recordings from within the Freeview section as well . There ’s also a ‘ small fry ’ section that gathers all the apps for tiddler into one place . Of course , an aerial cable is required to get Freeview up and take to the woods for unrecorded TV .
There is another means of accessing the content on the Aura through the Aura app . you’re able to scroll through the EPG , schedule recording , and drift any transcription via DLNA over your local meshing . It ’s not always the swiftest to load but it is comfortable and straightforward to use with recordings possible with just a exclusive tap of a push button .
Features
Given the Android backing ( Android 9 ) you ’d await all your preferent apps to be included on the Humax Aura . Well , you ’d be haywire . There ’s no NOW ( although Chromecast can help with that ) , no Netflix , Hayu , FiiT , Curzon , BritBox , Audible or LaLiga Sports . Some of those are more niche than others but the want of Netflix year after launch remains a curious way out between Humax and the streaming giant .
But on the app front , there is heap to select from within picture , music , sports , and fittingness . you could look on Prime Video , Disney+,Apple TV+ . Lionsgate+ ITVX , Paramount+ , TikTok , Mubi , Deezer , Roxi , Discovery+ , BT Sport , Steam Link , Spotify , Vevo , Tidal , UFC , Peloton , BBC Sounds and DAZN . It ’s not as many as Fire TV , Google TV , or Roku , but it ’s a strong enough suggestion .
Some disappointment is carried over into the Ab support for apps . Prime Video is HDR10 and Dolby Atmos , as is Apple TV+ , while Disney+ is HDR10 and 5.1 audio . There ’s noDolby VisionorHDR10 + , which is not strange as set - top boxes tend to carry HDR10 and HLG , but if you ’re not interested in recording then a streaming player from Amazon , Roku , Google is a full estimate .
There is Chromecast for cast to the box from a wandering gimmick , along with Google Assistant to search and line up title , or execute labor such as navigation through the interface , open an app or protrude a recording .
talk of recordings , the Humax Aura has three tuner so you could in hypothesis criminal record up to four channels simultaneously while watching another – you could also break and rewind live goggle box as it ’s happening . There are two variant of the Aura set - top box with a 1 TB and 2 TB interpretation , the former is proficient for up to 500 minute of standard definition or 250 time of day of high - definition subject matter , while the latter doubles that to 1000 hour of Coyote State and 500 hours of HD .
Dive into the scene and there are plenty more features to have a look at . One I ’d recommend is ‘ Dynamic Refresh Rate Scaling ’ . The Aura scales the resolution of each app to the resolution of the boob tube ( in this case 4 yard ) . I find oneself it was too annoying with its constant winking and oftentimes crash .
Checking whether the setting for HDMI input has been changed to patronise HDR avail , as does switching it to ‘ Low ’ so it ’s not as strong-growing .
Performance
As I ’ve cite before , I do n’t screw the stiff response given from the distant control ’s buttons nor do I like the slight lag from the interface either . Apps can take a while to open too , and returning to the home page is more of an amble rather than a dash .
The television and audio performance , however , is more agreeable , though that is dependent on the calibre of the channel / app . For instance , a 540p program of Sunday Brunch on Channel 4 prove steady enough in snug - up shots of the conferrer but boast plenty of signal noise in all-embracing shot , particularly around citizenry ’s faces . color are steady and appear raw in appearance .
Moving up to the HD broadcast and there are positive gain in overall sharpness , clarity , and detail . Noise is middling much removed , though there is a color of the moire effect ( ringing randomness ) with a presenter ’s lined shirt and a client ’s jacket in close - ups . I see a standardised measure up in performance when compare the picture quality across the sublunar channel – the Aura puts in a exquisitely - looking and colourful performance with HD broadcasts .
The Aura can perform its own internal upscaling , the strength of the upscaling can be tweaked in the options from ‘ Smoothest ’ to ‘ Sharpest ’ , though to be honest I ca n’t see much of a difference of opinion bob up and down between the options .
It ’s with HDR capacity where the Humax Aura struggles , at least compare to devices that bear Dolby Vision and HDR10 + . Playback of Dickinson ( Apple TV+ ) and Andor ( Disney+ ) take on a duller , less ‘ contrasty ’ appearance in HDR10 . HDR10 backup is less helpful in control the depth with gloomy scene , of which there are tidy sum in Andor .
Watching His Dark Materials and Industry ( iPlayer ) in HLG HDR , and the performance between the app on the Aura and the version on a Sony A8 OLED are like - for - like . With wish to its overall HDR operation , give its lack of support for dynamic HDR formats such as Dolby Vision , it ’s deserving looking at whether your TV is capable enough with HDR to wring out the good execution from the Aura .
The Aura supports connection to a TV ’s inner speakers , via optical orHDMI ARC(up to 5.1ch ) , and Home Cinema via HDMI ( up to 7.1ch ) .
I find wager audio through the Aura ’s apps to be alike enough to play it through the telly . The slight difference I can hear is that there ’s a little more system of weights and excitation to bass when watching the Eternals on Disney+ .
With euphony the Aura return an out of the blue dynamic and snappy carrying out streaming from Spotify . It sounds clean and neutral in tincture , showing plenty of science in navigate the differences between quiet and tacky , with a public presentation that ’s spacious , readable , and well delineate . Of naturally , the speakers you ’re outputting music to will have an impact , but with twoEcho Studiosthe Humax Aura is a well - balanced and sprightly public presentation .
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Should you buy it?
With 1 TB or 2 TB options available , those who prefer to immortalize and keep their content can do so , while also being safe in the knowledge that the AV intro is solid .
The lack of Netflix is a glary deletion and the lack of keep for Dolby Vision and HDR10 + commit an edge to punk devices such as the Roku Streaming Stick .
Final Thoughts
More than two years after it launched , the Humax Aura is a strong set - top box , but it leaves me with the feeling it could have realised more of its potential .
The lack of support for dynamic HDR data format is n’t a surprise but put it at a disadvantage to streaming devices such as Chromecast with Google TV , as does its lack of Netflix support . That ’s compensated for by a honest picture and audio performance elsewhere , as well as its simplicity of use .
The price also yield a petty interruption for thought too , as £ 279 for the 2 TB alternative is a fortune to pay up . If you get most of your substance from telecasting , like to enter , and stream from fourth dimension to fourth dimension ; this a set - top box deserving consider for its AV carrying into action , though if you ’re into cyclosis and want better HDR bread and butter , the Google TV , Fire TV Stick 4 K MaxandRoku Streaming Stick 4Kare uncommitted for considerably less .
Trusted Score
How we test
We try every set of set - top box we review good over an extended point of time . We use manufacture stock tests to compare features properly . We ’ll always tell you what we find . We never , ever , accept money to refresh a Cartesian product .
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FAQs
There ’s no Netflix app available on the Aura set - top box , and it ’s still unidentified as to when or if it will be available .
Full Specs
