Freeview newbie - simple question?

truescot

For cost and TV usage reasons I've binned Virgin TV and returned the box (kept BB), moved to Freeview through existing aerial (never used it before). I also ave a Smart TV and Firestick. I won't miss most of the channels but think I would still like the ability to record.

I basically wondered what the cheapest (non subscription) way of maximising

a) range of live channels accessible through one TV guide
b) ability to record
c) picture quality

Seems to be loads of recordable boxes out there and a range of prices - what's the difference. Currently just get the Freeview straight into the TV. Is recording the only advantage of buying a Freeview box?

Apologies for my ignorance!:o

Neil_Jones

You can get the Freeview recorder boxes, the modern equivalent of the old VCR. Some examples here:
https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/tvs-entertainment/1405950/best-freeview-box

Picture quality is a bit of a red herring as the trend was to reduce the bitrate (the quality) in favour of packing more channels in, so a lot of the channels look more and more like potato vision the bigger the TV gets, there isn't really a lot you can do about this.

AndyPK

humax is a good brand.
And if you can afford it, you should be able to make use of is for a few years to come

Neil49

Humax have a refurbished section on their website if cost is an issue.

I use a pvr to record programmes all the time as it's a good way to fast forward through the adverts.

The other advantage of a Freeview pvr is that on the majority of them you can record a couple of channels and watch a third one simultaneously.

Mister_G

OP, if your budget is a bit tight, then there are plenty of BT Youview boxes on that well known auction site for less than £50.

truescot

Thanks for all the info guys

mobileron

We all need to rethink about recording tv,we now have iplayer,ITV Hub etc etc,Catchup tv. USB in back of tv.

Everything for the future is streaming, we wont even need an aerial.

Bigphil1474

Problem with streaming catch up programme services is those darned adverts (BBC excepted). The benefit of recording is the skip or FF button - once you work out the length of the advert breaks you can skip the entire advert section and get back to your programme.
I also like to series record things if I see them coming up so a) I don't miss them, but b) remember they are on in the first place. TBH, I find the ITV hub to be naff, and even the All 4 players is clunky, I-player could be better too - would prefer if they had the functionality off Now TV/Netflix/Amazon etc..