Recording options for new digital TV

kala85

I am in the process of buying a new TV - Panasonic tx p42 ut50b . I have a sat for free box already which has no option to put on a HDD. I have a DVD recorder which I had before from analogue times.

I wish to find out what is the best option to record digital tv - so that I can set the recorder to record tv when I am away. Would a PVR be best or replace the sat for free box with a combi hdd box / or dream box so that I could record TV and also have an extra saorview signal in the combi box? What do I need for recording??

tmull

Proberly your best bet is a dvd or bluray recorder with a built in harddrive.As no recorder on the Irish market as far as I know are Saorview approved( Not surprising due to the emormus fee required to get a box passed) A recorder with a Freeview+ tuner will most likely decode the Saorview channels but ask for a demonstration before you buy.I have an up to date Panasonic tv catalouge as I am also thinking about upgrading my tv. Unfortunatly the model No.you posted is not listed but a bigger model with almost the same No.is. That model advertises that it can record to an externad hhd.The problem is as I see it is that you proberly wont have a timer function as you would in a stand alone recorder. Speak to your dealer before purchacing a tv to explore its full functions.Two friends of mine who recently splached serious lolly on smart tvs now regret doing so. They claim the novality wear off after a couple of weeks and the smart featutes are now seldom used. Hope the post is helpful to you.TMULL

kala85

can you recommend an external hdd for recording from the telly or will any hdd do. Can I change the channel as I am recording or do I have to watch the channel I am recording??

tmull

A Western Digital portable HHD does it for me. You cannot change channels. TMULL

kala85

any recommendations on best place to buy one and the cheapest price?

tmull

Either Amazon or that well known auction site.TMULL