Freeview box

[swill453]

What's the best Freeview HD box? I'm thinking of ditching my Virgin V6 since I only ever watch the free channels anyway.

Scott.

[Itsallaguess]

What's the best Freeview HD box? I'm thinking of ditching my Virgin V6 since I only ever watch the free channels anyway.

I've had my fill of the cheaper freeview boxes over the years, and since buying a Humax HD Freeview recorder, it's been rock-solid and ultra-reliable.

Argos and Amazon have the 320GB 1800T on sale for about £139. I'm not sure if that's enough viewing capacity for your usage (the spec says it'll record 200 hours of standard-definition, or 80 hours of HD channels, or of course a mix of the two.

Not sure if it's a feature that you'd use, but they are network-compatible, so programmes can be moved off the Humax and stored for off-line use if required. The HD channels are encrypted, but there are free utilities available to get around that.

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/2579333

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Humax-HDR-1800 ... B00LHZK386

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

[kiloran]

Not a direct answer to your question, but we ditched Sky 8-9 years ago and bought a Humax Freesat box with a 500Gb hard drive. It's been absolutely rock-solid in that time, utterly reliable.
The only negative I can think of is the ergonomics of the remote is perhaps not as good as that of Sky, though I suspect more recent Humax remotes may be different.

--kiloran

[Howard]

Another vote for Humax. I bought a factory reconditioned model more than 5 years ago and it has given faultless performance.

regards

Howard

[Redmires]

Yup - Humax ....

I've bought several reconditioned models (for myself and other family members) and never had a moments trouble with them.

https://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/refurbished.html

[tea42]

I have an older model of this www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer/home-ente ... 150eb.html

Freeview with Freeview play
Records two programmes simultaneously
Plays BluRays/DVDs
Plays CDs
Record your CDs on it and play them back at the touch of a button
Store all your photos on tbe hard disc and view them on your TV
Turns your TV into a smart TV with an internet connection

I play mine through a Denon home cinema Amp and B&W speakers for surround sound whilst watching movies and programmes that are transmitted with Dolby sound. The picture quality is way above a Humax. Mine is Freesat which sadly Panasonic no longer make. These days they only make Freeview ones. It replaces your CD player and DVD player.

A bit more expensive but worth every penny.

[6Tricia]

If I may, I have a question re free view boxes. Currently, I don't have a recording facility on the freeview box from Talktalk but there are occasions when I would like to record a programme, but since I'm deaf and can only watch programmes with subtitles I can't watch ITV channels on their hub (BBC are fine) - as they still don't have their hub catch up subtitled! Someone told me that the TV recorded programmes are not subtitled, can anyone confirm that for me please? No point in spending money on a Humax or similar if no subtitles!
Sorry to be OT.
Many thanks

Tricia

[swill453]

Thanks for the replies. If I get round to it I'll get a Humax. But annoyingly Virgin make it hard to get rid of the TV service, in the bundle prices it's almost free, as is the phone line, you basically just pay for broadband. And I'm definitely sticking with Virgin cable broadband.

I may phone to negotiate though.

Scott.

[Breelander]

Someone told me that the TV recorded programmes are not subtitled, can anyone confirm that for me please?

I have a Sagem Freeview recorder (not a recommendation, just a statement of fact).

What is recorded is the data stream as broadcast. If that had subtitles they will be recorded too. The data stream is decoded to a picture and sound as you watch it. Playing back a recording is identical to watching it live and you can choose to decode the subtitles if you need them.

In fact, there is more in the data stream than just the video, audio and subtitles. My recorder can export the recording to a usb and I often export them to play on my PC. Amongst other data I've found included may be an audio description for the visually impaired. Most Freeview recorders lack the ability to play this track (the RNIB have a list of specialist boxes that can) but it's in the recording anyway.

[Devjon]

I have a Humax Foxsat HDR 500gb which is just sitting under the TV doing nothing since we signed up to Plusnet and got a "Free" box from them.
Had it a few years and it has been excellent. Looking at the back connections it has 2x Satellite inputs, 2x Scart, Ethernet, HDMI, Optical SPDF, USB, Audio and Video. I can't see a standard terrestrial aerial input though so it would probably have to be Satellite input.

IF it is something that would suit and IF it doesn't break the Lemon Fool rules then I'd sell it for £60 + whatever the postage cost is.
It's in excellent condition and has the remote etc.

It's the older more rectangular model, I've just had a quick look at Amazon and there is a refurbished one on sale there for £179 !