Hi welcome to the forum. In the absence of the custom firmware, copy SD programmes to a USB mass storage device connected to the box (this removes the file encryption). Without the CF you have to use FAT32 drives which limits you to recordings smaller than 4GB.
Transfer file(s) to a PC
Use a DVD authoring software package to master a DVD from the xx.ts file.
High can anyone advise me how to transfer from my hard drive to a lap top DVD please.
Is this SD or HD content? SD can be copied to a USB memory stick plugged into the Humax (which will remove the encryption) and then plugged into the PC.