If you’ve been waiting for a single box that handles both easy, reliable TV recording and today’s free streaming lineup, Humax’s new Aura EZ aims squarely at that sweet spot. Announced today and available to pre-order at £249, the Aura EZ is a 4K TV recorder that also puts the Freely streaming platform on your existing TV—no subscription, no dish, and, for streaming, no aerial required.
Why this launch matters
Free TV in the UK is evolving. Viewers want the flexibility of live broadcast, catch-up, and on-demand in one place, without stacking subscriptions. The Aura EZ’s pitch is simple: it pairs a capable personal video recorder (PVR) with the new Freely platform, so you can record traditional broadcast channels via aerial and jump into free streaming apps and live IP channels over Wi‑Fi—all from a single remote.
The headline features
- Record like a pro: Connect an aerial and you can record up to four channels at the same time while watching a fifth live. The seven-day TV guide makes scheduling straightforward—just hit Menu, pick your programmes, and you’re set.
- Plenty of room: A 2TB hard drive stores up to 1,000 hours of SD or around 500 hours of HD recordings, so the whole household can bank films, series, and specials without constant deleting.
- 4K, HDR and better sound: Aura EZ supports 4K UHD with HDR and Dolby Digital Plus for punchy picture and immersive audio, ready for modern TVs and sound systems.
- Freely built in: Connect to Wi‑Fi and you’ll get more than 60 live channels and over 75,000 hours of on‑demand content, including BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, 5, U, WATCH FREE UK, PBS America and more, plus three exclusive 4 channels (4Homes, 4Life, 4Reality). Freely’s Mini‑Guide helps you move seamlessly between live and on‑demand, pause or restart live TV, and curate favourites with “My List.” There’s also a dedicated Freely button on the remote for instant access.
- Fast, familiar setup: Humax emphasises a plug‑in-and-watch experience designed to get you up and running in minutes.
Important clarifications
Humax separates recording from Freely streaming:
- You need an aerial to record, and recording isn’t compatible with Freely. In practice, this means you’ll schedule and save recordings from broadcast channels via the aerial tuners, while Freely viewing happens over the internet without recording.
- For many households, that’s a workable split: bank your must‑keep shows from broadcast, and stream the rest on demand via Freely.
Connectivity and hardware under the hood
Beyond the core TV features, Aura EZ is well specified for a living-room hub:
- Wi‑Fi 6 and Gigabit Ethernet for stable streaming.
- HDMI 2.1 output with HDCP support for modern TVs.
- Optical S/PDIF for easy audio hookup.
- USB for accessories, plus loop‑through RF if you’re chaining devices.
- Triple DVB‑T2 tuners power the multi-recording capability.
- It ships with the essentials: remote (RM‑L08‑N1), HDMI and Ethernet cables, power adapter, batteries, and guides.
Humax also notes an upcoming Aura EZ app—currently in testing—that will let you navigate, plan, and schedule recordings remotely, making it easier to catch programmes when you’re away. The app will be a free download once released.
Who is Aura EZ for?
- Cord‑cutters and value seekers who want a single, low‑cost box for free live TV, catch‑up, and on‑demand without monthly fees.
- Households that record a lot of broadcast TV and still want modern streaming convenience on one remote.
- Anyone upgrading an older TV to 4K‑ready, app‑rich viewing without replacing the set.
Pricing, availability, and more info
- Price: £249 (RRP, VAT included).
- When: Pre‑orders open today, with UK availability from February 2026 via authorised Humax retailers.
- Learn more about the product: https://humaxdirect.co.uk/products/humax-auraez-4k-freely-recorder
- See Freely channels and features: https://www.freely.co.uk/
The bottom line
The Humax Aura EZ is a timely, consumer‑friendly bridge between broadcast recording and the new era of free streaming. With four‑at‑once recording (via aerial), a generous 2TB drive, 4K HDR output, a slick Freely experience over Wi‑Fi, and a clean setup story, it looks like an easy win for UK viewers who want everything in one place without adding another subscription. Just remember: recordings are aerial-only, while Freely is for streaming—together, they cover most everyday viewing brilliantly.
