Freeview Box

rfburke

I'm thinking of getting a freeview box, was thinking of one with a hard drive and maybe a card reader. Any suggestions on makes/models.
I also need a new aerial (internal) due to the local transmittor, any suggestions on good quality cheap ones.

Any suggestions appreciated.

shrek101

The Humax PVR8000 is a good make and is well recommened on digitalspy forums. It doesnt have a card reader though not sure if any excists yet with card reader. I have the 40gb model although there is now a 80gb, build quality is very high.

http://www.humaxdigital.com/global/products/pvr-8000t.asp

As for aerial depends on how far you are form teh transmitter, check here

http://www.dtg.org.uk/consumer/coverage.html

If you are close by you dont need a top range aerial and or not in a dip (bad area) I just got two aerials fitted, one for bedroom, one for living room, it was a cheap aerial as I am in a good area 1/2 mile as crow flys to the transmitter, with fitting cost £75 with fitting from a approved fitter. Also includes cable but didnt need a new mast for the chimney.

danmanchester

This model looks good to me :j 160gb hard drive and you can add top up tv if you want..seen it for around £295 on ebay.
http://www.turbosat.com/acatalog/Topfield.html

shrek101

wow thats expensive the Humax is a lot cheaper

http://www.qed-uk.com/q?i=12nD4u2SSIfm&vp=6&bg=276&bp=8000ts&bi=0

£133 or less.

esalan

Thinking of investing in Freeview too, but can I receive the signal via (analogue) cable -- NTL? I know that if I pack in NTL, the 'picture' signal for basic channels remains, even without a decoder box. But are the Freeview signals receivable too? Hope some techie expert or someone who's tried this knows the answer!

danmanchester

shrek101 wrote:

wow thats expensive the Humax is a lot cheaper

http://www.qed-uk.com/q?i=12nD4u2SSIfm&vp=6&bg=276&bp=8000ts&bi=0

£133 or less.

True it isn't a cheap one! But it does have double the HD capacity of the Humax AND allows for a Top Up tv cam slot - not sure if the Humax does that?

Hintza

When you get an aerial fitted ensure that you have the best cable fitted.


Please see my comments here:-
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=43800

If you use poor cable it could make your unstable..jerky pictures or none at all esp on likes of the higher channels (eg CH 5).

I got an aerial fitted about 18 months ago for about £50 which I think was a bargain.

shrek101

80 gb hard drive is enough tbh for most needs ( it gives 40 hours of recording time), I dont think they are designed to keep programs permantly stored, if I want something more permant I record from Freeview to dvd recorder or use av on dvd recorder.

I was thinking of upgrading it to a 80gb later this year as its very easy to do.

The Humax has a good EPG Enchanced Program Guide think it goes to 10 days in advance, then its a case of pressing enter to record dead easy.

I have two Humax the pvr8000 and the fox-t, they are solid metal cases and very well built. Both are in the process of being updated via Over the Air firmware.

Humax doesnt have a cam if you need TopTv not that I am interested in that, but you can buy adaptors.