Cheap Freeview Recorders discussion

malc_b

The Humax is popular but the Topfield has more features. It's not the cheapest but then sometimes you get what you pay for and with an expensive purchase many would consider paying a bit more for the extra features.

For example. I have my toppy networked with my PC. I can pull off recordings to my PC to free some space or to burn to DVD. Toppies can have extra programs (TAPs) loaded to change the look and feel and function (mostly these are free). On mine I have the front display showing channel name or how many minutes left to run when watching a recording. I have a prettier user interface. I have a screen saver. I have a title search (full or partial match) automatic recording. So all Dr Who's get recorded whenever they are on. IMO better than series link since you can set it up before the first episode appears in the EPG, as I did with Heroes which started when I was on holiday. On my set up I can also set up recording or searches via a web page from anywhere in the world (did this from USA holiday too).

So anyone who likes more features should look at topfields. You may think it worth the extra. In fact my mother (76) has a toppy too and she manages to set up title searches.

Also, if you want USB access to your recordings then I believe topfield is the only choice. Humax has USB but I read it is not reliable.

The other point to check when comparing PVRs is what 2 tuners means. Often it means record 1 channel and watch 1 channel. Sometimes it means record 2. The toppy can record 2, while you watch a recording or watch a 3rd (limited choice) channel.

To explain the last, 1 freeview tuner gets 1 freeview mux containing many freeview channels. So 1 tuner can get BBC1 + BBC2 and record both leaving the second tuner free for any channel. Or when recording BBC1 + ITV, 2 tuners used, you have the choice of BBC2, CH4 etc., any of the channels that are on the same mux as BBC1 or ITV.

arielman

Idiophreak wrote: »

Most (if not all) PVRs are digital...so if you *don't want* to switch to digital, you're gonna have issues.

If you're happy to move over, however, you just unplug your VCR, plug in your PVR instead - and that's it.

Thanks. I bought a refurbished Digifusion FVRT100 from Microdirect for about £36 including postage (a tip on this forum) and installed it with the VCR and TV per their instructions, and they all work brilliantly. Well, the VCR still plays old recordings anyway - the PVR has revolutionalised the way I watch and record TV progs, and I have freeview too now. Had to get a new aerial though, but it was well worth it.

buckrogers

bought the Digifusion 200 £49.33 from Microdirect
but now wish i had'nt, delivered faulty, it was completely dead, waited 4 days to get a RMA number before i could return it to be replaced, they have had it now for 10 days now and i am still waiting for a replacement, email them today and they say another 5-7 days before its inspected :-( what a joke
it should have been replaced before or when i sent it back as it was not working. dont think much of the company bad service.

Woby_Tide

Humax 9200 now on sale at Argos for £100 even beating the Humax Direct refurbs. Full 2 year warranty with them. Yes you can get cheaper PVR's but you often get what you pay for. These were good value at £150. Even better now.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5321461/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CHome+entertainment+and+sat+nav%7C10199181/c_2/2%7Ccat_10199181%7CDigital+boxes+and+services%7C10199362/c_3/3%7Ccat_10199362%7CFreeview+digital+set+top+boxes%7C10199365.htm

Woby_Tide

Potentially even cheaper still, PCWorld still advertise the Humax at £179.99 so if you have a PCWorld and Argos both with stock in locally you should be able to use the PCWorld price match+10% policy to get a further £8 off the Argos price so £92 rather than £100, better and better

Beans35

Out of stock at all Argos near me Can anyone tell me the difference between the PVR9200T-G and the PVR9200TB-G? Is it just the colour?
Thanks!
Beans35

Woby_Tide

one is silver, one is black I think

Inactive

Beans35 wrote: »

Out of stock at all Argos near me Can anyone tell me the difference between the PVR9200T-G and the PVR9200TB-G? Is it just the colour?
Thanks!
Beans35

Price has gone up to £129.99 as well.. :mad:

Woby_Tide

The Argos one seems to have sold out and gone up. Martin Dawes is now leading even the Humax refurb site. Yes it's not 'new' but it is graded and in most cases will probably look as new and had a fault at original purchase that has since been fixed. £99, free delivery and you get a 2 year warranty whereas a Humax direct refurb is only 1 year

http://www.martindawes.net/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=PVR9200G&cid=Top_Offers&pcidl=&language=en-GB

Beans35

Annoyingly that's out of stock too
May have to go with main Humax site after all....