HDD recorder to use with tv/freeview??

cslogg

I have a Panasonic 42" plasma TV with integrated Freeview.
Can someone recommend a budget hard drive recorder that I can use with this setup?I beleive the recorder should also contain a freeview receiver,maybe someone can confirm this?

Thanks
cslogg

wacko911

Humax is the best brand for freeview HDD recorders. But they aint cheap (£120-£180?), the cheap ones tend to be nasty and not worth it IMHO. I still love my tivo - would never part with it, shame they didnt take off over here.

The Humax one will have its own (usually two) freeview tuners and plugs in to your shiny new TV via Scart or if your lucky HDMI.

irishjohn

Humax is a brilliant box but has no drive to accept DVDs - if you want a single piece of kit for both recording to hard drive and recording to or playing individual dvds then you need look no further than Panasonic - yes around £250 but very straightforward.

Fortyfoot

I am looking at Humax 9200 at the moment and find that there are at least 3 - TB, T and TS. I have not been able to find out what the differences are. It is for an 85 year old lady who is reasonably quick to learn. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Fortyfoot

Inactive

Fairly sure the TB = black...the TS = silver, not sure about the T.

ktm_hansi

hi,

the TB is the latest version, comes with the latest firmware for freeview series link etc.
other than that, not a lot of difference in day to day usage and you can always upgrade the firmware to the latest version, giving you all the extra features.

www.hummy.org.uk has lots of info on these boxes

i've had mine for two years now and really like it, very easy to use and it is still cool to pause and rewind live tv

Conor_3

DO NOT BUY ONE NOW

Freesat is due to be released in a few months and offers Freeview over satellite. MORE IMPORTANTLY, is that there's also free HD content. Save your money and wait a few months until Freesat is released then get one of their set top boxes with PVR functionality.

Fortyfoot

Conor wrote: »

DO NOT BUY ONE NOW

Freesat is due to be released in a few months and offers Freeview over satellite. MORE IMPORTANTLY, is that there's also free HD content. Save your money and wait a few months until Freesat is released then get one of their set top boxes with PVR functionality.

Thanks for that, I am sure it will help other MSE members. The lady I am buying for lives in a block of flats and they cannot have a satellite dish on the property.

I may look at it for my caravan.

Fortyfoot

Inactive

Conor wrote: »

DO NOT BUY ONE NOW

Freesat is due to be released in a few months and offers Freeview over satellite. MORE IMPORTANTLY, is that there's also free HD content. Save your money and wait a few months until Freesat is released then get one of their set top boxes with PVR functionality.

Not quite, the channel line up will not be the same as Freeview.