Would like a HD recorder - any recommendations?

The_stingemeister

After a little research I (thought) I liked the features of this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-RDR-HXD995-Freeview-250GB-Recorder/dp/B0018PQUMI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

However looking at the reviews on Amazon it appears that with this model you can't watch another tv channel other than the one you're recording . Does anyone know if this is correct, if so then its pretty useless really, even a VCR can do that.

Another flaw in the above machine is that people have complained about the annoying updating of its software and that you can't alter that set time manually (if its in your bedroom it wakes you up in the early hours)!

The features I want are: the capability to record whilst viewing another station, to be able to burn to DVD, setting updating manually, and obviously to have a large hard disc for archiving programme....Think thats it unless theres other features I should look out for?

macman

That one has twin tuners but only 1 digital and one analogue. You want one with twin digital tuners.
Have you considered a PVR instead-do you need to be able to record to DVD-why not just record to a hard drive?
For a PVR I can recommend the Humax 9300T.

beardiedog

Humax here too.

penrhyn

If you have a TV with a built in digital tuner then the issue does not arise.
The comment regarding VCRs is incorrect, as one used the TV tuner to watch one programme whist the VCR recorded from its built in tuner.

If you want a PVR then Humax is the way to go, it does not have a DVD drive if you want to archive stuff.

The_stingemeister

macman wrote: »

That one has twin tuners but only 1 digital and one analogue. You want one with twin digital tuners.
Have you considered a PVR instead-do you need to be able to record to DVD-why not just record to a hard drive?
For a PVR I can recommend the Humax 9300T.

I'd like to ideally view some of the recordings on my laptop/portable DVD player when away from home.

penrhyn wrote: »

If you have a TV with a built in digital tuner then the issue does not arise.
The comment regarding VCRs is incorrect, as one used the TV tuner to watch one programme whist the VCR recorded from its built in tuner.

If you want a PVR then Humax is the way to go, it does not have a DVD drive if you want to archive stuff.

I presume you mean a tv with freeview built-in to it? I don't then, I have sky (no sky+) and analogue.

The_stingemeister

macman wrote: »

That one has twin tuners but only 1 digital and one analogue. You want one with twin digital tuners.
Have you considered a PVR instead-do you need to be able to record to DVD-why not just record to a hard drive?
For a PVR I can recommend the Humax 9300T.

I've looked at this PVR and it looks good. But 2 problems: not able to burn to DVD, and more importantly can't record sky (only freeview). I am in a rubbish freeview area!

penrhyn

Its a pity you didn't make it clear that you were in a poor Freeview (terrestrial) area.
I assume you use a Sky box without subscription and get freesat from Sky channels.
Sky + is only available with a suscription, minimum around £17/month.
However you can get Freesat PVR,
http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/digital-boxes/humax-foxsat-hdr

You will need a twin LNB but you can use your existing dish.

Marty999

I have a similar model of Sony HD/DVD recorder and can recommend it. I also have Sky HD. The Sony is useful for archiving or when the Sky box starts to get full.