Is USB recording worth having on lower end TVs?

daivid

My 10 year old TV has broken (sound but no picture at all) and I'm looking to replace it with a 43inch Smart TV for £300ish (a little more if it seems worth it). I had been using a Humax recording and streaming box in conjunction with the TV, but thought if I could get a TV that does both these jobs it would cut down on clutter, cables and remotes.

 All the TVs I've looked at will cover the streaming side and some seem to be able to record to a USB device, what I wonder though is how user friendly and functional the recording capabilities are? As I understand it to be able to watch 1 show and record another will require (at least) 2 tuners and then some reviews talk about inability or complexity of scheduling recording of shows and/or series. Can anyone advise further?

TL:DR I'm buying a new TV: £300ish 43in ish should I try to get one with USB recording function, or just get the best TV (picture, audio quality etc) I can then use the PVR box I already have with it?

IvanOpinion

I would prioritise picture/sound over recording 
I have one TV that records but it only has one tuner and occasionally seems to throw a hissy fit about actually recording.  The features are very basic compared to a proper recording device.  But it does the job.

missile

I use a BT YouView box which gives me the option to record two channels whilst watching a third. second hand boxes are cheap on eBay.

Neil49

I think you would find that functionality of USB recording very limiting compared with a pvr. As you already have a pvr I would stick with that and focus on the other features of the tv. 

Withbellson

I don't know anything about PVR, but if you buy a Full HD or 4K TV, I'm not sure how the recording will look. Are they capable or recording in Full HD?

debitcardmayhem

Withbellson said:

I don't know anything about PVR, but if you buy a Full HD or 4K TV, I'm not sure how the recording will look. Are they capable or recording in Full HD?

The humax probably does do Full HD, mine is an old ?? 2013 , foxsat hdr 

RumRat

Recording onto a USB from the TV is extremely limiting...Better off with a box, even a cheap one. I have a Humax Aura that records 3 while watching 4th if required, not had to be that extreme though.
Streaming is fine and we have all the usual suspects in that department, but, as others have said, streaming most things on catchup (except iPlayer) is a pain. Most of our streaming is Netflix, Prime, Disney and YouTube, the rest are recordings.