TV recorder

CaptainWales

Hi - my trusted tv box has finally given up on me but not sure what I need to buy to replace it. 

I have a smart TV but I want to record and pause live TV. Do I need a box or can I get away with just a USB stick?
 
From a very non-techie person!! 

Browntoa

Most TVs you can just use a usb stick

But you need to check your manual to see if you can only record what you are watching at the time as many only have a single tuner 

CaptainWales

Thanks. Is there anything on this website to rate recorder boxes?

EssexExile

I've recorded to a USB stick on my new LG telly but it doesn't seem to have the functionality of my old Sony recorder. Also I can't record while watching another channel.

Veteransaver

You could try picking up a cheap youview or Humax box on ebay

Supatramp

I until recently, had a Humax YouView box, but was regularly running into the issue of being unable to record the number of programmes I wanted to. So I switched to the next one up in the Humax range, which I already had, linked to a bedroom TV as it's WiFi.

I've always bought Humax refurbished units for years, which I've had no problems with.

Murmansk

Humax and Manhattan boxes are very good, I've had a few Humax ones and Manhattan also get very good reviews

[Deleted User]

I hope I am O.K to ask my question here.  I have never been able to get the full EPG programmes on my Smart TV s (one in my living room and one in my bedroom) with my existing Humax Freeview Boxes since some "disappeared" several months ago.  I have had lots of help on the Forum but, so far, the problem has never been fully sorted.  Both my Humax Freeview boxes are older now and I think they are maybe just breaking down.

Over Christmas I was unable to Record everything I wanted because the programmes were not showing on EPG ("no information available") for the time/date a programmes I was interested in were on.

I have some Christmas money and Birthday money so could replace the older Humax Freeview Box and buy another box - maybe in the January sales.  I have only ever had Humax but I wonder if anyone could suggest a Manhattan Freeview box.  It's the EPG I really need to be reliable - as it has been with Humax for the years I have had my two Humax boxes.  I'm home a lot these days and I miss being able to Record the programmes the way I used to.

I'm never good with new technology so is there a Manhattan box as easy to set up as Humax?   Thank you very much for any suggestions as to what I need then I can do some homework on it.  In time is a Manhattan Freeview box EPG likely to fail as is happening with my Humax Freeview boxes just now?

RumRat

The Manhattan boxes are fine....However, you don't say that you have tried a retune of the Freeview channels. Periodically they change the position of channels and some discontinue leaving gaps in your EPG.
You need to try this before spending out on a new box.

[Deleted User]

Thanks RumRat.  I have tried that previously.  I have turned my Humax Box in the living room off. just now   I'll turn it on in about ten minutes and will retune the Freeview Channels to see if it helps.

Update.   I have followed instructions to retune the Freeview channels just now on both my living room TV/Humax Freeview box and on my bedroom TV/Humax Freeview box.

Both EPG guides are very much better.  The living room TV EPG is still missing some channels "No programme information" on STV also Channel 6 and just a few other channels.   The bedroom TV EPG is still missing some channels "No programme information" but they are different channels from the living room.  Bedroom it is Channel 10 and a few other channels.

I am very pleased because there is a great difference and it gives me more options to "click" to record programmes.  Over Christmas I missed being able to record a number of programmes because (on both TVs) there were so many channels with "No programme information." 

Do you think, if I retune the Freeview Channels more often it will keep both Humax boxes going for a bit longer, RumRat?

I seem to have good signal strength and, as well as my roof aerial there is a booster box in my loft - I never go up there and have not seen it but I remember being told never to touch it.

Thank you very much for your help RumRat.

Murmansk

Also leave it on BBC1 for a while as I seem to remember reading that the programme guide updates on that channel?