i wonder will it still allow avi/mp4 playback. I'm tempted.. just standard gadget envy
No idea. I'd hope it would, along with FTP, DLNA server & client and all the other good things that we're used to with the HDR-Fox T2. I can't see it being a compelling replacement though. From what I've read on various forums and blogs (although the posts do mysteriously vanish most of the time : ) it has a few niggles that appear to be as-designed. If you look at the picture of the remote control and the screenshots in the user guide for example then you can infer that quick switching between things like the guide, your scheduled recordings and recorded content is no longer as simple as it should be (and we're used to).
This isn't Humax's fault of course, they don't have any control over the interface components - I wonder if that means they will continue to sell their own boxes?
I've also read in various places that cold boot time is appalling with the trial devices with the screen showing 'NEARLY READY' towards the end. If that's true then I wonder why and if it can be fixed before they start shipping them to consumers.
Just to be clear, I'm not on the trial. If you are, the NDA that you accepted prohibits you from disclosing anything about the box, or even that you are participating.