Thanks for the replies. I have today spoken to Humax who confirmed that both the newer models of their Freesat and Freeview boxes have no longer got the facility to transfer data out from the boxes. They tell me that this is the decision of 3rd party software providers but wouldn’t be pressed on the reasons why.

The rep suggested the HB1000S as an alternative as I could attach an external drive to record on but as this does not have twin tuners it would not suit my needs. I then spoke again the my retailer about using the USB port on my current 1010S to attach an external drive to. They said this would be possible and when connected I should be given the option to record to that instead of the internal HDD! I am dubious about this working but will give it a try…unfortunately I won’t be able to do this until for a week or two as the room the box in in is being decorated, so if anyone has already tried this I would be interested to hear!

Thanks for the replies – I am even more confused now! This is taken from the product description on the John Lewis site:

The Humax HB-1000S receiver will unlock a world of online and satellite entertainment. Enjoy hundreds of channels, many in stunning HD, as well as on-demand services like BBC iPlayer and ITV Player. The HB-1000S also has a clever roll back TV guide, so tracking down missed programmes is as easy as checking what’s on next. It’ll also pause and rewind live TV when you attach an external hard drive (available separately).

Pause, record, rewind

Recording your programmes is as simple as connecting an external hard drive. This also allows rewinding and pausing of live action.

I have one of the Humax Freeview boxes which you mentioned and yes, I can export your recordings-I have had this model for some years and assumed, incorrectly that the newer Freesat one which have have just purchased would do the same! I find the info which Humax provide both on their website and manuals to be incomplete and misleading in this respect!

Hi Graham, sorry if I confused you!

Just to confirm, yes, I own the HDR1010S twin tuner Freesat+ Freetime box and sought advice about exporting recorded media as I have been used to doing with my older Freeview Humax box. Humax suggested the HB1000S as an alternative as I could record to an external drive as this is what the box is designed to do, they tell me, and this is borne out by the description of the HB1000S features as quoted on the John Lewis site. Humax told me that this might suit me better as I could then take the external drive away with me and plug into a laptop and watch the contents. I was doubtful about this myself as I am not sure that the format would be compatible. In my case this would not be a problem as I would not want to take the external drive away, just extract particular programs from it by temporarily attaching it to my PC where I could convert them to a more compatible format for viewing on my chosen device.

Later I checked back with John Lewis as they had told me they would refund the cost of my HDR1010S under their Happy Customer policy and then I could purchase the HB1000S. However as the HB1000S does not have twin tuners, I would not want it as my primary recorder. I then asked the John Lewis assistant what was meant when the description of the HDR1010S which said “There are also two USB ports for media sharing and expansion.” The assistant suggested that “expansion” meant it could be used to record to and that it might be possibly to detach the external drive and use it as described above to extract media! It is this which I am sceptical about as if this was possible, Humax would surely have told me!