Humax

Overview

Humax Co., Ltd. is a South Korean manufacturer of digital set-top boxes (STBs) for satellite, cable, terrestrial, and IPTV platforms, including HD and PVR models under the HUMAX brand.¹² Publicly traded on KOSDAQ, it exports to over 90 countries with operations in Europe, Asia, and other regions, and has been involved in standards like HbbTV and services such as Freesat and YouView.¹²

History

Founded in 1989 in South Korea, Humax established subsidiaries in Belfast (1997), Dubai (1999), and Frankfurt (2000), and opened manufacturing in Northern Ireland (closed later).² It listed on KOSDAQ and became a leading global STB exporter, recording $1 billion in revenues in 2010 and involvement in UK digital switchover trials in 2006.¹² The company restructured with Humax Holdings as parent, reporting KRW 1.03 trillion sales in 2022.¹

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Production facilities are located in Korea, Poland, India, and China, with a former site in Northern Ireland.² Manufacturing supports global exports of STBs and related products.¹

Notable Products

• Freesat STBs - Set-top boxes for UK Freesat digital TV service.
• Freeview HD boxes - HD receivers for UK Freeview services.
• YouView STBs - IPTV and Freeview boxes for BT and Plusnet.
• HbbTV devices - Hybrid broadcast broadband TV set-top boxes.
• Digital TV Recorders (DTRs) - Recording devices for digital TV.

Reputation

Humax is recognized by professionals for its global STB market presence and participation in standards like HbbTV and UK digital TV services.² Enthusiasts note reliable products for satellite and IPTV, though recent financials show sales declines and net losses in some quarters.¹ Competitors include Samsung and LG, positioning it as a specialized mid-tier player.¹