HUMAX Aura 4+

Frustrating

I expected worse from all the reviews I read, but there are some bright points in amongst the blackboard fingernail scrape of frustration. The layout is good, having switched from Virgin to the Aura there are aspects I prefer generally and the Virgin app was pretty ok.
My main requests for development are: 1. I would like to be able to amend scheduled recordings in app 2. I do not want duplicated recordings of the same show AT THE SAME TIME not even on HD or not HD (aaaargh) - I would like to be able to choose which version (HD etc) at which time, simply getting one recording of one programme for a whole series. 3. Simple labelling of programmes - if ‘New:’ is in front of a programme title then when put alphabetically, a cluster appears under N for New, or the thing where the title starts with a The, just skip the The and use the second word to alphabeticise please. 4. My final (because I only have so much time to put into this and I’m not being paid by Humax for their research and development) is to factor in the actual series order to allow easy selection of each programme in a series that has been shown out of sequence by different channels.
Looking forward to these updates Humax…

Developer Response ,

Dear Anjarama,

We want to take a moment to apologize for any inconvenience or frustration you may have experienced while using our app. We appreciate your feedback and take it seriously.

We have been working tirelessly to release a new version of our app. This updated version includes a number of improvements and fixes that we believe will greatly enhance your experience.

We value your feedback and want to thank you for bringing these issues to our attention. Your feedback will help us to identify areas where we can make further improvements

We hope that you will give our updated app a chance and provide us with your feedback once you have had a chance to try it out.

Thank you for your continued support.

What a transformation!

Congratulations to the developers. I recently slated this app and advised against buying Aura hardware if the app was important to you. It is now vastly improved and precept usable for scheduling recordings. The app loads quickly, showing the TV Guide, and the Schedule loads equally quickly, on request. It works reliably on iPhone and iPad. It could be enhanced, e.g. I wish I could cancel scheduled recordings, but what it does it now does well. I can't load Recordings in the app but that could be because the box is on Ethernet directly to my router while the app is on Wi-Fi to the Mesh system that's attached to the router.

As for the hardware, I still can't fathom the power logic or LED colours. It takes at least two separate presses of the ON button to bring it to life, whether or not it's in a deep sleep. There are other issues with the hardware too, notably random power ons that wake the TV. I'm much happier with the system now that the app works, however, and wouldn't discourage anyone from buying. Having said that, I'd still choose the Manhattan box instead, if I didn't want an app - I bought one and set it up for my father, and am impressed.

Developer Response ,

Dear Mr. David

We want to take a moment to apologize for any inconvenience or frustration you may have experienced while using our app. We appreciate your feedback and take it seriously.

We have been working tirelessly to release a new version of our app. This updated version includes a number of improvements and fixes that we believe will greatly enhance your experience.

We value your feedback and want to thank you for bringing these issues to our attention. Your feedback will help us to identify areas where we can make further improvements

We hope that you will give our updated app a chance and provide us with your feedback once you have had a chance to try it out.

Thank you for your continued support.

OK

It could have been so much better.
It initially starts off ok, then playback of recordings starts stuttering until they’re unwatchable. This happens both when streaming them from the box, and when they’re downloaded onto your device.
I contacted support in 2023 and they said an update was coming later that year to address the problem, no change for me so far in 2024.