Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

Hi, I'm looking for some advice on a good Freeview TV Recorder.

My stepmother is aged 74. She is looking for a Freeview TV Recorder, something simple for her if possible. She has no broadband. There is no USB on the back of the TV. She has 2 HDMI and a SCART socket.

Do the Freeview boxes have their own ariel installed?

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

There aren't many Freeview recorders on the market these days. You are basically looking at Manhattan and Humax.

You'll need to plug an aerial into them, you'll be able to pass through the one to her TV. i.e. You plug the current aerial from her TV into the recorder box and another aerial cable completes the circuit and goes from the recorder box to the aerial itself (e.g. the wall socket).

The most basic Manhattan currently is the T2-R, which doesn't have internet features and is cheaper as a result.
https://manhattan-tv.com/freeview-hd...n-t2r-recorder

The T3-R is a similar box, but the main difference is internet requiring features. It will work without internet though.
https://manhattan-tv.com/freeview-pl...n-t3r-recorder

Humax have a few models. Again, even though some have internet features they will work as recordable boxes without broadband being available.
https://uk.humaxdigital.com/product-category/freeview/

Most modern Freeview boxes tend to not have Scart, so you'll need one of those HDMI.

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

You may well be able to pick up a bargain on Ebay

for example https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165726571...Bk9SR4CF2bP7YA

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285001586...Bk9SR4CF2bP7YA

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

I have experience with both manufacturers I mentioned, but it's mainly for Freesat. I do have a Humax Freeview recorder in the cupboard as a backup, but it's far frok a current model.

I will say two additional things. One, that my relatives, who are a similar age to your stepmother have an old Humax recorder model too and they are able to work it.

Two, I have the current basic non-recordable Manhattan Freesat box, which looks to have a similar look to its on-screen interface, and I've been very impressed with its simplicity and usability. Their recordable Freeview boxes look to work in a similar fashion so I expect they work well.

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

Thank you cheekyangus and Jaymoss. It is much appreciated.

The issue is she has an indoor aerial that does not work so that is a big problem then.

So really, this is not an option then for her, no?

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

If she hasn't got a working aerial and no broadband there are zero options.

She's needs to get an aerial put in the loft or on the roof.

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

or cheap internet

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

This is not necessarily so, I know someone who receives Freeview via an indoor aerial. She had to sometimes tweek it between channel changes, but after DSO they increased the power and even this is no longer necessary.

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

The OP already said the indoor aeriel does not work.

And as the receiver will be for recording too - you would not be able to tweak and still expect the recording channel to be good.

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

I can't see where that was said. I had assumed that the indoor aerial did work, but that a PVR was now required.

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

read post 5 Richard

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

Is it possible then to purchase an indoor aerial? I didn't realise you could buy them like that until it was mentioned here.

The aerial she has coming from the rooftop into the living room does not work.

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

Could you not get the roof top aerial fixed, that would be the best option for a perfect signal?

Indoor aerials sitting on top of a TV would not be ideal for her especially if she has to manually adjust it from time to time, the signal won't be fantastic either.

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

It could be it just isn't connected somewhere on the route - or needs new cable. If it is really old it could now be in the wrong band for the local signals.
If you use an indoor aerial it would need to be located where it received no interference on any channels at any time - as recordings could be affected otherwise.

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

Have a look at estimated costs for an aerial installation.

https://householdquotes.co.uk/roof-a...llation-costs/

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

An indoor aerial is worth a go if you can get it near or on a window. It depends on the signal strength in your area. I've got a tv thats too far from cable and outdoor aerial connections. I've got one of the aerials that sticks to the inside of the window and it picks up most freeview. I'm not in a particularly strong signal area.

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

I'll speak to my stepmother about the aerial and see what she wants to do.

I appreciate the information. Thank you.

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

Indoor aerials can be perfectly fine, but they vary depending on a number of factors. I've got one Freeview device connected to an indoor aerial that's 20+ years old. It's worked steady as a rock through all the changes since Freeview came to the area with switchover in 2011. It's almost always been on the windowsill. It gets a great signal from the local Relay transmitter.

If you don't have a spare indoor aerial of your own you can try out with her, see if you can borrow one from a friend/relative and see how well it works. It's worth a go before getting the roof aerial work done.

I have to say I've never had to manually adjust anything regards position. If it got moved it was due to housework, and it usually ended up right back where it was, same angle, etc.

I know this isn't the same for everyone, I'm not saying it is.

We do actually have 3 devices hooked up to a roof aerial, and they get a signal from the nearest Main transmitter, but we're the only ones with our aerial pointed that way around here, and that's thanks to an installer that was willing to try. We aren't actually in the likely coverage area. The indoor aerial would likely struggle receiving from the Main transmitter even if the hills weren't there I'd imagine.

Re: Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder
 

We use a good sized loft antenna that gets a decent signal as it points "through" the gable wall and there are no obstructions in the way. Might be a viable alternative.