digital recording

hmc

hi there
im looking to upgrade from old video recorder to digital
can you let me know what i should be looking for please
i need as cheap as possible but reliable lol, 2 channels at same time.

i have sky downstairs but dont pay
do the boxes just record freeview?
is it worth buying off ebay?
thankyou

jem16

Best PVR boxes are from Humax - something like the Humax 9150 or 9300. They have twin tuners and will only record Frreview.

If you really want to record HD programmes you would need to wait until around Spring 2010 when the new Humax boxes will be available which record HD. Current boxes will not be able to do this.

hmc

thanks for the reply
so if these things only record freeview can i still watch sky while it records freeview? can i have both boxes plugged in?
i know humax is the best but im really looking at a smaller price

jem16

hmc wrote: »

thanks for the reply
so if these things only record freeview can i still watch sky while it records freeview?

Yes you can. However do remember that the Humax boxes can record 1 thing whilst you watch another. You can also record two programmes at the same time and watch a third programme that you have already recorded.

can i have both boxes plugged in?

Yes you can.

i know humax is the best but im really looking at a smaller price

The Humax 9150T is £127.17 at Argos

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5321681/Trail/searchtext%3EHUMAX.htm

Cheapest box would be around £80 - the difference is well worth the money for reliability IMHO.

jb66

hmc wrote: »

thanks for the reply
so if these things only record freeview can i still watch sky while it records freeview? can i have both boxes plugged in?
i know humax is the best but im really looking at a smaller price

I got the hitachi one from argos for my nan and was happy with it

hmc

the humax website does grade a with 1 yr guarantee for 89 + 5 pp

hmc

would anyone buy a recon?

nordtraveller

As i can't afford a new one, yes. (but then i dont want one, so no)

jem16

hmc wrote: »

would anyone buy a recon?

If it's from Humax and comes with a 1yr guarantee then yes I would if i was looking to save a bit of money. However i would get the 9150T as opposed to the 9200T as it's newer.

hmc

out of stock for pick up at my argos but i think i will get humax of amazon
thanks for the help
tecci stuff a minefield for me

hmc

ok just before i click the buy button for the humax on amazon. the reviews for a £80 alba on argos are just as good

any views?
thanks