What's the cheapest way to record TV programmes

caroline1973lefty

I was thinking about getting a Digital TV recorder (have seen ones that look ok, second hand but good reviews, for <£100), but I'm confused - if I plug it into my (non-smart, but reasonably modern) Freeview Samsung TV, and programme it to record upcoming programmes, will that eat up my broadband allowance? I only have a moderately low broadband allowance (with Plusnet).

Most of these digital tv recorder boxes sell themselves as having lots of freeview programmes and catch up tv (iplayer etc) but i'm not really bothered about that - I mainly just want to be able to record films that are on too late for me to stay up for, to watch later (films never seem to appear on catch up tv like iplayer, i've noticed).

I don't really want to subscribe to a monthly package for this. And am beginning to wonder if I shouldn't have ditched my VCR!!

iniltous

A freeview + PVR set top box used for recording broadcast programmes to watch later won't use up any broadband allowance, infact you don't have to connect it to your broadband at all, but if it has things like BBC I player , All4 and other on demand catch up services, and you do connect it to your broadband then if you use it for that it will use your broadband allowance,
If you get one to record broadcast TV only, you would be fine, just don't use the on demand , or don't connect to the internet

[Deleted User]

Can you get PVRs that will record off the internet at night when broadband usage is free?

iniltous

jack_pott wrote: »

Can you get PVRs that will record off the internet at night when broadband usage is free?

I don't know, do ISP's offer 'off peak' free downloads ?
TBH if anyone is on anything but an unlimited broadband then watching VOD is probably a bad idea as you would soon eat up a small data allowance, but Freeview PVR work without an internet connection, it's just the VOD part ,that wouldn't work, and not all freeview pvr's have VOD,

[Deleted User]

My PlusNet broadband is free from midnight to 8am.

molerat

Plusnet essentials ? 10GB + free midnight to 8am. Seems to cost more than my Plusnet unlimited.

teddysmum

PVR recording of Freeview (feed from an aerial) or Freesat (feed from a dish) costs nothing and doesn't use internet.


Having had three different brands, I'd recommend Humax,as the longer lasting option. New models have twin tuners (allowing you to record two programmes at the same time, while watching a recording or live tv not via the box ) so, if you want this facility, check the details of used machines, as many older ones only had single tuners. (ie record a single programme while watching a recording or live tv not via the box).

almillar

If you want catchup (as discussed, uses broadband to download/stream programmes) then a second hand Youview box would be a good shout, with a nice, standardised user interface. If not you've a big choice of used Freeview HD recorders. Everything comes through the aerial, and you connect it to your TV via HDMI.