Smart TV and Freesat/Freeview recorder

saving_pennies

Hello everyone,

I'm looking at buying a new TV and want to have the ability to record programs. I have searched the forum and appear to be confusing myself. I'm hoping someone can offer me some advice.

I currently have Sky although rarely watch Sky channels and therefore going to cancel my subscription. I generally watch basic channels and usually on catch up on my laptop. The only plus point of the Sky box is its ability to record programmes I wish to keep. I have several programs on there I would like to keep even after I cancel the subscription. I was hoping I could use the Sky box as freesat and a recorder although it appears this incurs a monthly fee and if I don't pay this I will lose programmes I've already recorded

I spoke to a sales person in Currys who suggested a Smart TV with catch up services and freeview. Apparently there are no TV's with built in recording facilities and I cannot link the TV to my old DVD recorder. So, the lady suggested I also buy Humax recorder which has freeview/freesat and some smart facilities for about an extra £250 - apparently other makes are not worth buying according to the sales person! I questioned if I needed a smart TV if I were to buy the Humax recorder and was advised that the quality if better if I get a smart TV. Is this correct or is this curry's trying to get me to spend more? I'd be interested to know if anyone recommends cheaper recorders than Humax.

Also, does anyone know the difference between LED and LED direct lit?

Many thanks for any advice you can give.

penrhyn

What you really really want is a YouView box.
Along with other Humax boxes you can buy them as a managers special from Humax direct.

http://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/prodCat.asp?cat=factory

macman

First thing to do is take your business anywhere but Currys. Richer Sounds would be my suggestion if you don't want to buy online.
They were however correct in recommending a Humax PVR.
A Freesat PVR is the obvious option, as it will plug into your existing dish connection with no other work required. A Freeview PVR will require an external aerial, which you may not already have.
Smart TV's have built in internet connections ans certain built in apps such as YouTube; the 'quality' of the TV has nothing to do with whether they're smart or not. They're simply trying to upsell you on that aspect. You don't need a smart TV for what you have described: you just need to connect your PVR to your router by ethernet or HomePlugs.

saving_pennies

Thanks penrhyn and macman for your replies.

It sounds like I can skip the extra cost of having a Smart TV and stick with standard LED and use a PVR. I think Freesat might be better as the block of flats I am in has Sat dish. I imagine there should be a Freeview aerial however I've never been able to get the built in freeview on my current TV to work clearly hence the reason I initially went with Sky.

The link for manager's specials is very useful, thanks

I will also expand my search beyond currys/pcworld to see if I can get a better deal. Thanks for suggesting Richer Sounds. I will buy online - I wanted to look at the TV in person before buying online as I then try and save more money via Quidco or discount codes.

macman

The problem with a communal dish is that unless you've got a twin feed from it, you won't be able to record one channel and watch another (or record two channels simultaneously).

almillar

As macman says, you'll really want 2 feeds if you want to watch one/record one, but I have to guess that you've got that already if you've got Sky+. If this is the case, you can just put a FreeSat box directly in place of the Sky box.
I would suggest a <freetime> box, which is the Freesat equivalent of YouView for Freeview - as in, it integrates the catch up stuff. Buying this meaning buying a smart TV will be doubling up on some features, you'll have 2 iPlayer devices at a guess, but you can't really go out an buy a 'dumb' TV - just find one with the best PICTURE and everything else is a bonus. You MIGHT want YouTube for example in your Smart TV - you have to check each model to check what it comes with, they're not all the same!
Your Sky box - yes - you have to pay for the privilege of decoding your recordings. If you stop paying, your card stops decoding them. If you really, really want to keep them, connect the DVD recorder to the Sky box (VCR SCART on sky box into AV IN on DVD at a guess) and you can record them off it.