New TV freesat/humax query

Raffers

So, I'm back in the market for a new TV for the front room. Something 4K this time around. However, it's been a few years since I last bought a TV and I've got a couple of questions I'd be grateful for some help with.

Currently, I use an older 50" TV connected to a Humax 1100-S which in turn is connected to FreeSat (since I have an old Sky dish outside). All this is good and fine. However, our TV is a 7-8-year-old Panasonic thing. We don't use the TV's on-screen interface at all. It's all done via the Humax/Freesat display.

If I shell out and buy a new fancy TV, my understanding is that:

a) The TV will have a higher resolution output compared to the Humax/Freesat box
b) These TV's generally don't allow you to record unless you rig up an external device
c) We'd have to end up using the Humax UI a lot of the time if we are looking to record.

Essentially, I'm asking how it would work to have a new flashy TV with nice new navigation menus and even 4K Netflix/Prime, only to have to continually switch it over to Humax/Freesat every time we wanted to record stuff. The continual swapping of remote controls would be a pain also.

Am I understanding the situation right?

Thanks.

[Deleted User]

It's not that tricky.

You could always programme one remote to work the other device, but it's just a matter of 'pick up remote. press record, put remote down'. I even taught my mother to do it and she can't even say 'HDMI' properly.

However, one you have all the streaming services, you'll probably find you don't use the Humax box much.

AndyPK

Maybe you don't need a 4K tv after all ?
and maybe its a waste of money

Raffers

Maybe you're right. But that's not what I asked about.

DCFC79

OP

a) I believe your right
b) Thats right, I dont know of a TV that will let you record, you need a device like a Humax box to do it.
c) Yes thats right.

Do you use the Humax box much ?

What is it you record, just examples would do or just the channels ?
Anything on the terrestrial channels ?

smudger1964

b)I brought a lg tv with a built in freesat/freeview tuner that is supposed to be able to record via a usb stick .Its a bit hit and miss whether it records or not.It is also a bit fussy as to what usb stick it likes too

Carrot007

smudger1964 wrote: »

b)I brought a lg tv with a built in freesat/freeview tuner that is supposed to be able to record via a usb stick .Its a bit hit and miss whether it records or not.It is also a bit fussy as to what usb stick it likes too

Or a hard drive. It's not fussy it just need to hit the requirements of being USB 3.


Only a single tuner though (with freeview/freesat(and non freesat mode for more channels) choice).


Everything's on the catch up apps though. And the netflix/prime buttons are the ones that will wear out firsT!

Inner_Zone

DCFC79 wrote: »

OP

a) I believe your right
b) Thats right, I dont know of a TV that will let you record, you need a device like a Humax box to do it.
c) Yes thats right.

Do you use the Humax box much ?

What is it you record, just examples would do or just the channels ?
Anything on the terrestrial channels ?

Loads of current TV's allow you to record the channel from internal tuner(s) you are viewing to a USB device. So a separate PVR is usually preferable.

Inner_Zone

smudger1964 wrote: »

b)I brought a lg tv with a built in freesat/freeview tuner that is supposed to be able to record via a usb stick .Its a bit hit and miss whether it records or not.It is also a bit fussy as to what usb stick it likes too

USB HDD's are normally more reliable than USB memory sticks for recording.

Inner_Zone

Carrot007 wrote: »

Or a hard drive. It's not fussy it just need to hit the requirements of being USB 3.


Only a single tuner though (with freeview/freesat(and non freesat mode for more channels) choice).


Everything's on the catch up apps though. And the netflix/prime buttons are the ones that will wear out firsT!

USB 2 is usually fine for most capable TV's, the extra speed of USB 3 is not required.

Raffers

Predominantly, the stuff that gets recorded is Soaps (blame the wife). I realise that these could mostly be accessed via respective catchups. I'm just trying to understand the dynamic of having the Humax box for recording and constantly flicking between that and the main TV interface. I'm guessing the TV interface will be slicker and more modern. The Humax/Freesat is fine, but a little laggy. Would also be good to just have the one remote.