Considering Humax 9000T DVR

Humax Digital UK have launched the 8000T DVR (Digital Video Recorder). This supports FreeView (DVB-T) services and included a 40GB HDD. However, it does not have an ethernet port or a DVD writer. All DVR should have network connectivity and backup to DVD functions. I own a Panasonic DMRE85HEBS DVR DVD/HDD. This has an 80 GB drive and can record to DVD-R. It does not have an ethernet port or DVB decoder, which lets it down. It also has built in CPRM (Content Protection for Recordable Media), this is a form of DRM (Digital Restrictions Managment). The Register - Everything you ever wanted to know about CPRM, but ZDNet wouldn't tell you… gives a good overview.

The Humax 8000T, while not open and not running GNU/Linux like Freevo and MythTV, does have a thriving upgrade community: Humax 8000T upgrade forum, Humax 8000T HDD upgrade discussion and Humax 8000T Firmware upgrade discussion.