Best Freeview recorders?

Skopelos_2

As the deadline for digital switchover is approaching, and I'm still entirely terrestrial with a video recorder and DVD player, I need to get myself ready for digital and able to record, and have decided the best thing would be for me would be to get a freeview recorder. I'm on a reasonably limited budget (up to about £150) and wondered if anyone could advise me what the best buy would be. Or if you think there's a better option? Look forward to your help!

macman

Only one PVR option really, that's one of the Humax range. The PVR 9300T will do the job, and is exactly on your budget:
http://www.richersounds.com/product/freeview-freesat-pvr/humax/pvr9300t/huma-pvr9300
If you are going to upgrade your TV and want Freeview HD, then obviously you'll have to spend more.

MillicentBystander

macman wrote: »

Only one PVR option really, that's one of the Humax range. The PVR 9300T will do the job, and is exactly on your budget:
http://www.richersounds.com/product/freeview-freesat-pvr/humax/pvr9300t/huma-pvr9300
If you are going to upgrade your TV and want Freeview HD, then obviously you'll have to spend more.

Agree 100%. Humax all the way. They may sell at a bit of a premium but you will be so glad you spent the extra.

PS Humax themselves often sell 'refurbished' models at great discounted prices, it may be worth checking out their site?

http://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/

PS They are selling a Grade A Humax 9150T (we have had this model for almost 3 years now and it now resides in our son's room and not been an ounce of trouble) for the princely sum of £89.95, including 12 months ON SITE warranty!

http://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/product.asp?ProdRef=10069&cat=stb

almillar

If I was in your position, it might actually be beneficial to wait. HD boxes are still a bit expensive (though I think you could do it for £150) and if you wait, just like SD Freeview boxes, the price will come down. If you don't like buying kit often, you might feel left behind if you buy an SD box now and your TV (presumably still an SD glass tube) blows up!

bevanuk

have a look here - https://www.electrical-deals.co.uk - they have non HD at around £70, and HD a little higher.

timbo58

I have the humax 9300t and the humax fox sat, both are excellent.
The 9300t is my fv recorder and I bought the freesat also as I did have no TV aerial at first but I did have dish left behind by the previous tenant.

Skopelos_2

Thanks, all, really helpful!

begyourpardon

I love my humax, really reliable and easy to use.

You can get them direct at a great price - google humax direct and that should get you there

Scuba_Steve

Got mine from cash generators it was a good-mans 160gb and was only 79.99 it had a dual tuner I think they got them at all stores worth a look they do second hand ones also.

It has 7 day EPG
you can record a series
you can use the codes in the tv guide
watch one program while recording another
it also has a HDMI upscale if required

I am happy with it I know good mans are not always the best but this one seams ok

GlynD

I've got Humax Freesat and it's great but I was in Curry's the other day and was told that there's a big changeover of stock at the moment because they have new TV's coming in which have Freesat capability so they're selling off some older boxes cheap. There was a Goodman's Freesat box there at £119 with a 300+GB record facility.

Different branches will have different stock levels so it would be worth checking out your local one.

catzooo

Another vote for Humax. I had a 9150t for a long time, had an occasional lock up which was solved by powering off/on at the back of the box. I just upgraded to a HDR Fox which is the dogs nutz