Recording and pausing Freesat

pennypincher2013

So, I'm cancelling Sky so the Sky+HD box will become a Freesat box. I would still like to record and more importantly pause live TV. I've seen digital TV recorders which record Freeview. I was hoping to get something cheaper since I'll still have the Sky box. Is there a way of recording and pausing Freesat without having to buy a new (£100+) recorder? Or going back to Sky.

Another option might be through my Smart TV. It is a Samsung which (the manual says) can record a current or upcoming programme through a USB device but can only record programmes which have been received through an aerial. Do you think something like this be suitable? https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9338924

Neil_Jones

Your Sky box will only be a receiver, it will not record anything and neither will any of the planner or catch-up stuff be accessible.

If your aim is to record Sky+ style it will probably be more beneficial to replace your Sky box with a Freesat box that allows recording.

Cornucopia

pennypincher2013 wrote: »

Another option might be through my Smart TV. It is a Samsung which (the manual says) can record a current or upcoming programme through a USB device but can only record programmes which have been received through an aerial. Do you think something like this be suitable? https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9338924

This is Freeview recording, and most Smart TVs offer only limited recording capability compared to dedicated recording boxes.

Unless your TV signal is exceptionally good then a set-top aerial is unlikely to provide a reliable service. If your home has an existing external aerial (it will have a socket on the wall) then that is the way to go - or a Freesat recorder, as above.

almillar

So, I'm cancelling Sky so the Sky+HD box will become a Freesat box

No, it will become a freesatfromsky box.

Your TV will be recording from its own Freeview tuner, and you're likely stuck watching what you're recording, because there's likely only one tuner.

If you've got an aerial connection, you can choose between Freeview and Freesat. A Freesat recorder will plug in exactly where the Sky box was, or the Freeview box will plug in to the aerial.

Money saving tip - there are lots of cheap BT TV boxes around, because BT give them to people that don't need them. I've got the 4k one, and it cost me £25. That's for a fully functionin 'Youview' box. Have a look around locally for them.

pennypincher2013

I've been looking for a BT TV box and I think I found one. Is this the sort of thing I'm looking for? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BT-YOUVIEW-FREEVIEW-BOX-DTR-T2100-500G-BT-DF-HD-500GB-TWIN-TUNE-TV-RECORDER-PVR/153667019369?hash=item23c744a269:g:~20AAOSwiVxdk0~V

Will I be able to record and pause live TV with this box even if I'm not connected to the internet? My router isn't near my TV. But I have a smart TV so any catch up is done through that. And do I need an aerial?

wongataa

You need an aerial for Youview. You will be able to watch, record, & pause TV without an internet connection. You will probably need it connected to the internet on setup though.

Robisere

Refurbished Freesat boxes:
https://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/refurbished.html
Best models are the HDR-1100S, one of which I have.

Ebay alternatives:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/HUMAX-1080p-Hard-Drive-Recorders/11725/bn_75532296

The Freesat boxes can be connected to your Sky dish. In some cases, you may need another LNB, the part that sticks out from the dish.
https://www.freesat.co.uk/help/using-your-existing-satellite-dish/

Connect to the dish as is, if it doesn't work you will need a Freesat LNB.