digital switchover - what to do?

suiko

I have Freeview at the moment, and a VCR. But I'm not going to be able to record one programme and watch another after the switchover, am I? Is there any way I can do this without buying an HD recorder and plugging in instead of the VCR (these are pretty expensive, right? Don't really want to spend over £100 on this stuff if it is avoidable).

Also it seems that ITV4 is not on Freeview after the switch. This is, with the iPlayer, about the only channel I'm interested in out of those on Freesat, but wonder if switching might in some way be easier. Can live without ITV4 tho if it seems the best option is to stick with Freeview.

I also have an old portable TV with built-in aerial. Is this going to be for the great recycling bin in the sky or might it work with the Freeview box if I do decide to take the Freesat option?

The main thing is the recording option, though. I am rubbish with this stuff, so would also like something which is simple to fix up.

cajef

suiko wrote: »

Also it seems that ITV4 is not on Freeview after the switch.

Not sure where you got that from, I receive ITV4 on Freeview Channel 24 and have been switched over to digital for nearly two years.

suiko

OK, thanks. That was on the channel list in the switchover brochure that I got in the post. Has certainly always been there up to now.

derrick

You will be able to record onto the VCR via your STB, ( Set Top Box), but if you want to watch another prog on the tv, you will need another STB, these can be bought for sub £18., your old portable will work if you buy another STB for it, plus you will need an aerial to plug into the STB.


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suiko

Thanks! That would be a portable aerial?

Would there be any advantages in buying a Freeview recorder like this

http://www.gogodigital.co.uk/reviews/bush-btu250dtr-250gb-freeview-recorder-dtr.html

, instead of the 2nd STB (have to admit it took me years to work out how to correctly wire up the first STB!)

Kurtis_Blue

suiko wrote: »

Thanks! That would be a portable aerial?

Would there be any advantages in buying a Freeview recorder like this

http://www.gogodigital.co.uk/reviews/bush-btu250dtr-250gb-freeview-recorder-dtr.html

, instead of the 2nd STB (have to admit it took me years to work out how to correctly wire up the first STB!)

Its correct advice regarding running 2 stbs, but having a freeview+ recorder will be A LOT easier and more automated, it is somehting that you will be using daily for a lomg time so may be worth spending more on something such as a Humax with an ethernet port that will offer more future proofing.

derrick

suiko wrote: »

Thanks! That would be a portable aerial?

Would there be any advantages in buying a Freeview recorder like this

http://www.gogodigital.co.uk/reviews/bush-btu250dtr-250gb-freeview-recorder-dtr.html

, instead of the 2nd STB (have to admit it took me years to work out how to correctly wire up the first STB!)

Indoor aerial may or may not work, a lot depends on your signal strength, which should be stronger after switchover.

STB,s are cheaper and can be used with your VCR.

The Freeview recorder you linked to will give you the option to record one channel and watch another as it has 2 tuners, also has series link and pause live tv, something VCR's don,t have


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almillar

Analogue tuners will be useless, the signal they receive is being switched off. That means that both of those TVs, plus your VCR, will only receive snow through the aerial. If I were you, I'd wait until very close to the switchover in your area (stuff getting cheaper all the time) then buy a Freeview+ or FreeviewHD+ box. That's a Freeview recorder, capable of recording 2 channels, or watch one, record one, in either SD or HD, up to you. Take your old Freeview box and use it with the smaller TV, if you've a good enough aerial.
You can have a Freeview+ box for under £100 now if you want...

suiko

So this Freeview+ box would replace the Freeview box I have, same sockets and everything? I'm guessing the box you are talking about is not the same thing as the thing in the link I posted?

I guess the Freeview HD+ box would be quite a bit more expensive? And no advantage if I have an oldish TV (ie not HD)?

Any particular recommendations for good-value kit?

macman

suiko wrote: »

OK, thanks. That was on the channel list in the switchover brochure that I got in the post. Has certainly always been there up to now.

If you get 1TV4 now on Freeview then you'll get it after switchover.
If you were on a relay station then most likely you will not get the full range of digital channels, because you'll only get half the multiplexes.
You can get a decent Freeview PVR like this for about £90 (as a refurb). However I'd recommend spending a bit more to get a larger hard drive if you want to record much.
http://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/product.asp?ProdRef=10069&cat=Factory

suiko

Thanks! So what advantages does that one have over the Bush at £65? No HD TV on that one either, I imagine?

Don't think I would need a very large disk.