Freeview PVR Recommendations

Tezcatlipoca · 01-02-2007, 02:06

As it seems I wouldn't be able to get Sky+/HD, but I still want to ditch my ageing VCR, I've been thinking about getting a Freeview PVR.

I assume that PVRs with built-in DTT tuners can still also record from an external source such as a standard Sky box...

I'm not too fussed about twin tuners - already have Sky, plus my TV has Freeview, so if I wanted to watch a channel different to the one being recorded I could simply watch Sky or the TV's Freeview.

What I assume is the usual stuff for a PVR would be good...decent EPG, timed recordings, pause live TV, etc.

I've seen some that also have a multi-format DVD Recorder, as well as an HDD & DTT tuner.

Don't really need something else to play DVDs, but I'm not sure whether the recording aspect is something I'd make much use of.

Component video would be nice, but I guess that's unlikely in DTT/HDD boxes with no DVDR.

Any recommendations?

captain747480 · 01-02-2007, 14:14

None of the current crop of Freeview PVR's can record from external sources.

Freeview PVR's record the Freeview signal as it's broadcast and then decode it on playback. In order to record from an external source you'd need to encode the external signal so that it would be like a Freeview broadcast signal. AFAIK, the hardware required to do this would increase the cost of the PVR significantly

If you wish to record from an external source then a DVDR with a built in HDD is probably your best option or you could try Tivo.

As for recommendations I'm unable to help you on the DVDR + HDD front as I use a Topfield TF5800 PVR which I find to be excellent.

Tezcatlipoca · 01-02-2007, 23:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain747480

None of the current crop of Freeview PVR's can record from external sources.

Freeview PVR's record the Freeview signal as it's broadcast and then decode it on playback. In order to record from an external source you'd need to encode the external signal so that it would be like a Freeview broadcast signal. AFAIK, the hardware required to do this would increase the cost of the PVR significantly

Agh. So they record the MPEG2 DTT signal straight to the HDD in MPEG2...makes sense. Pity they won't take external sources though. Oh well. Scratch that plan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain747480

If you wish to record from an external source then a DVDR with a built in HDD is probably your best option or you could try Tivo.

As for recommendations I'm unable to help you on the DVDR + HDD front as I use a Topfield TF5800 PVR which I find to be excellent.

Cheers.

I've looked at a few DVDR/HDD boxes, quite a variety, but there are some pretty decent looking ones. Saw an LG one that looked good, & a few others.

I did think about Tivo, but the only way to get one seems to be to buy a 2nd hand one off Ebay, plus there's a sub to pay.

Mike · 02-02-2007, 00:15

I recently brought a humax 9200T.......very impressed

http://www.humaxdigital.com/uk/products/pvr-9200t.asp

http://www.hummy.org.uk/invison/index.php?act=idx

Mike

Tezcatlipoca · 02-02-2007, 00:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

I recently brought a humax 9200T.......very impressed

http://www.humaxdigital.com/uk/products/pvr-9200t.asp

http://www.hummy.org.uk/invison/index.php?act=idx

Mike

Does look good

Can't record from external sources though - I want to be able to record from my Sky STB.

But cheers anyway