Great Freeview hard drive recorder hunt

FF99

I am tempted by the Argos Liteon DVD recorder but, as mentioned in a recent post in the DVD recorder thread, why bother with a DVD recorder if one can buy a combined Freeview box / hard drive recorder for no more than the combined cost of a separate Freeview box and DVD recorder ?

To that end which are regarded as the best Freeview recorders and what are their respective strengths/weakensses inc. sensitivty of the receiver in poor signal areas.

Finally, what and where are the best deals ???

sparkymarky

In my opinion, you can't really compare a freeview hard disc recorder with a dvd recorder (with external freeview box).

The reason is that the dvd recorder cannot change channel on the digital tv box, so you can only record the channel you have set it up for.

The hard disk freeview recorder option is far superior, as you have the electronic programme guide linked to the internal freeview system. So it automatically changes to the right freeview channel when you are out and have a timed recording.

The Lite On dvd recorder won't be able to do this, except the new sony one, at £350.

The best thing is that there are Twin Freeview Tuner Hard DIsc recorders too. - such as the Thomson DHD-4000 Twin Freeview Recorder. Record 2 channels at once - handy for xmas films etc.

Also the Humax is good. You can type a search string into the electronic programme guide. Single ytuner version.

Roughly £130 at https://www.dixons.co.uk

That would be a good solution.

Silent_Bob_3

The reason is that the dvd recorder cannot change channel on the digital tv box, so you can only record the channel you have set it up for.

Not quite true - if you have a Sony Freeview box and Sony DVD Recorder they communicate very well and you can program them to switch channels - although the twin tuner is a better option (although not so portable between rooms).

sparkymarky

Thanks Silent Bob!

You've just opened my eyes to something I hadn't realised before.....

The fact that some DVD Recorders can control an external (third party) freeview set top box.

Which just makes my choice of purchase a lot wider, and will take longer to decide.

I am going to try and find out which DVD Recorders link up with Freeview boxes, and which don't. I know that some link up with Sky also. I might drop a line here sometime if I find out.

Thanks Silent Bob.