Which freeview HD recorder?
 

Hi,

I'm just about to cut the cord with VM and i'm going Freeview.


I would like at least 2 tuners and 500GB of HDD but the array of different devices is giving me a headache.

Is there a site where i can select what options i want and it'll give me a list of boxes that fit the criteria?

Or does anyone here have any pointers? I've seen a youview box on Amazon for £157 and thats probably around the max figure i'd like to pay.

TIA

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BT-Youview-5...pr_product_top

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

It also depends what you want to do. Most PVR's do not have any external connection, so you cannot archive any material recorded. If you do want to archive, go for a combined HDD/DVD recorder like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-DM...dp_ob_title_ce

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

I'm not looking to archive any material, that would be way out of the price range i'd be willing to pay, thanks anyway.

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

You can find Youview boxes insanely cheap on cash conveters etc. - not entirely sure if a TalkTalk box has any locking.

The best EPGs are Youview (for freeview) and Freetime (for freesat) - seamlessly integrating catchup.

As far as another box, Humax are a very highly regarded name - but won't be cheap!

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

I bought this Panasonic from PC World

plays Blue ray/dvd and has twin tuners

I know it's not in your price range but cheaper then the one mentioned

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/tv-dvd...28912-pdt.html

andrewlutonuk

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

Yep. That will be cheaper. It's a discontinued unit now, although there is stock still about. The one I linked is the one that replaces it.

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

We got 2 of these about a year ago for around the £90 mark brand new and they've been excellent. They're discontinued and the price seems to have gone up quite a lot since then but if you can get one cheaper we'd recommend them.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Stre.../dp/B003OVECH4

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

They do look pretty good.

Does anyone know if NowTV is available on Youview boxes? I wouldn't mind subscribing to the entertainment pack for Fox and Sky Atlantic.

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

AFAIK only the Sky Movies & Sky Sports month passes are available through NOW TV on youview.

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

Bummer, i wanted to do it all through one box :(

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

1) YouView boxes connected to TalkTalk: Sky Sports day pass, Now TV all-you-can-eat on-demand movies, SkyStore PPV movies.
2) BT YouView and Retail YouView boxes: Now TV all-you-can-eat on-demand movies. No sports. There are also PPV movies in Skystore.
In the future, you should be able to subscribe to live TV on Now TV regardless of your ISP but this functionality is not available yet.
Which ISP is the OP with? If it's EE look out for their free Netgem Freeview HD box.

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

[QUOTE=1andrew1;35738200]1) Which ISP is the OP with? QUOTE]

It's VM as mentioned in my post, i'm not going to change BB suppliers.

From looking around i saw that NowTV was available on BTVision but not Youview.

I think i'll go for the box i mentioned in my opening post.

Thanks for the input from everybody though :)

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

Good choice. That's meant to be the best YouView box and that's a great price. And the good news is that you can get Now TV all-you-can-eat movies on it and PPV movies from Sky. It's BT Vision that doesn't offer these.

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

TBH i only wanted NowTV for Atlantic and Fox, not really interested in the movies.

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

That functionality should come in the future.

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

Here's YouView's official answer about NowTV:
Q20. When will the Now TV app be updated to include the entertainment package?
A20. There is a piece of work we need to undertake before YouView can offer a full NOW TV service. We are currently scoping out this project but we can't share any further detail or timings at this stage. We will bring you the latest news here first, so do watch this space for further information on this topic.
http://videos.youview.com/support/QuestionAndAnswer.pdf

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

I don't use now tv anymore (I have a Roku box) bit I have one of the newer small BT YOUVIEW boxes. It's very nice.

I have the iptv channels on mine too.

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

Well i bought the one i linked to in my first post but am having some problems.

I can't receive any of the COM7 channels? Not sure if that is the aerial not receiving a strong enough signal, maybe the cable run to the living room is too long?
I think i read those channels are right down the frequency?

*EDIT*
Ok i found out the coax run is too long, took the box upstairs and tuned them in, as well as Motors on CH71, back downstairs and the COM7 channels and motors isn't working. Signal quality and strength register as 0% on all of them.
Don't think i'll bother investing in a booster though.
*EDIT*

I also can't get any internet channels, it says device not compatible?
It's connected to the internet fine as i can view on demand, although i didn't have 4OD or ITVPlayer to start off with. I did a software update and they appeared afterwards.

I thought this box was just a BT branded retail box but now i'm wondering whether it isn't and BT have blocked some functionality?

Maybe the box is a duff one? Any thoughts?

TIA

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

I don't know about the COM 7 channels.

YouView wasn't originally able to get any of the internet channels but you should be able to receive some but not all of them. Those you can get now are Motors (Channel 240), Vintage TV (Channel 242) and RT Doc (Available through the channel, RT, which is on channel 135). Hopefully, the others will follow in time.

Re: Which freeview HD recorder?
 

Thanks for the reply Andrew.

I updated the software earlier but didn't realise it wouldn't install the latest update straight away.
I had to update it three times to get the latest version, the streamed channels work now :) also Netflix has appeared in the online players as well.