Freesat/Freeview recorders - recommendations

muffler

A mate of mine cancelled Sky a few months ago and he currently gets Saorview, Freeview and the FTA channels on the old Sky+ box but he misses (he says its his wife) the recording facility he had with his Sky sub. He wants to buy a box that he can record on and I told him, rightly or wrongly, that a freesat recorder would be best as he would have more channels to choose from.

He's not interested in the RTE's/TV3 etc but just something that would record the BBC and ITV channels where most of the soaps are aired. He has the option of buying a freeview recorder but I think he will be limited to about 15 - 20 channels although it would be cheaper.

So any recommendations for a box that would suit him...even a combi freesat/freeview recorder if there's such a thing.?

NIMAN

He could go for the Humax, Sagem or Echostar Freesat+ recorders, simply plug his cabling into the back and he's off. Will allow all the usual pause live TV, record, series link etc. I have had the Humax Foxsat for over 2yrs now and don't really miss Sky at all.

I have an Echostar 500gb Freesat+ recorder in mint condition, rarely used if he might be interested?

List of available Freesat+ receivers, which basically are like Sky+
http://www.freesat.co.uk/products/freesat-hd-tv-recorder/

The Cush

muffler wrote: »

So any recommendations for a box that would suit him...even a combi freesat/freeview recorder if there's such a thing.?

I second the Freesat+ suggestion, swap out the Sky+ box for a Freesat+ box - basically plug and play. Freesat will give you 7 day guide, series link, digital text, record 1/watch 1 or record 2.

There are no combi Freeview/Freesat receivers.

The Manhattan Plaza HDR-S is one of the cheapest on the market.

http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/

muffler

Thanks Niman

Any thoughts on this model? I know he doesnt want to spend much as its only for the soaps mostly afaik.

Actually he thought when he left Sky that he could use his old VCR again

The Cush

muffler wrote: »

Any thoughts on this model? I know he doesnt want to spend much as its only for the soaps mostly afaik

Should be OK for the Freeview SD channels but if he's going down the route of recording the Freeview channels from the aerial maybe he should consider a Freeview HD PVR which would record the Freeview HD and Saorview channels also.

For example http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1278037.htm

muffler

The Cush wrote: »

maybe he should consider a Freeview HD PVR which would record the Freeview HD and Saorview channels also.

For example http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1278037.htm

Looks like a good enough box to me anyhow but would you not get a decent freesat box for near enough the same money? Its just theres a wider choice of channels available.

If it were me Id opt for a freesat box but then again the mate just wants something to record the BBC's & ITV's and as he said, and I have to agree, whatever is on the home channels that he's interested in is also on the UK free channels.

Just something I noticed on the info page of the box I linked to above. It says "This product needs a fully installed satellite dish to operate". I assume thats a typo?

The Cush

muffler wrote: »

Looks like a good enough box to me anyhow but would you not get a decent freesat box for near enough the same money? Its just theres a wider choice of channels available.

The Manhattan Freesat+ receiver I mentioned above costs around £150.

muffler wrote: »

Just something I noticed on the info page of the box I linked to above. It says "This product needs a fully installed satellite dish to operate". I assume thats a typo?

I think they've got it mixed up with this Bush Freesat+ box for the same price - http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5323122.htm

muffler

The Cush wrote: »

The Manhattan Freesat+ receiver I mentioned above costs around £150.

Apologies, I missed that post completely as I was typing a reply to Niman at the time

All I have to do now is use my powers of persuasion on him

The Cush

muffler wrote: »

Apologies, I missed that post completely as I was typing a reply to Niman at the time

and in case you missed it in my previous post the Bush Freesat+ box comes in at £140

NIMAN

muffler wrote: »

Thanks Niman

Any thoughts on this model? I know he doesnt want to spend much as its only for the soaps mostly afaik.

Actually he thought when he left Sky that he could use his old VCR again

Never seen that receiver before, but seen the brand name on a few computer monitors over the years.

Seems a basic box but price is good. Specs are off though, it mentions being connected to a satellite dish then says its Freeview+ - 2 completely different systems!

They are in stock in the Derry stores if you needed one picked up.

NIMAN

by the way, this is the box I have for sale at present
http://www.amazon.co.uk/EchoStar-HDS-600RS-SlingLoaded-Anywhere-recorder/dp/B004S9OT92/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375135805&sr=8-1&keywords=echostar+hds-600rs

I'll do a good price on it if your mate is interested. It was installed at my mothers house but she rarely used it, never recorded anything on it. I have box, all leads, instructions etc. Its AS NEW.

The Cush

NIMAN wrote: »

by the way, this is the box I have for sale at present
http://www.amazon.co.uk/EchoStar-HDS-600RS-SlingLoaded-Anywhere-recorder/dp/B004S9OT92/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375135805&sr=8-1&keywords=echostar+hds-600rs

Good box, my brother has one. Discontinued now I believe.

NIMAN

Yeah it got good reviews, also allows remote viewing on an iPhone or tablet (never tested this as I am not an owner of such fancy gadgets!).

waldo

Any opinions appreciated on this:

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10152&catalogId=14551&langId=111&productId=413330

The intended use is on the end of a cable from a Satellite dish. Thanks.

Gerry Wicklow

waldo wrote: »

Any opinions appreciated on this:

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10152&catalogId=14551&langId=111&productId=413330

The intended use is on the end of a cable from a Satellite dish. Thanks.

Panasonic Freeview HD 500GB Smart Digital Set Top Box.

FreeView is the UK version of Saorview terrestrial TV and is only available near the border or parts of the east coast using an aerial. It has nothing to do with satellite TV or dishes.

kooga

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Search/searchTerms/5322903.htm

if you must have it buy it in newry £134.99

make sure its freeview hd rather than just freeview +

I see argos in the ROI have loads of freeview +hdd boxes for sale for big money €300+ and many people have got caught out buying them and strangely these boxes are not covered by the 30 day money back guarantee

kooga

waldo wrote: »

Any opinions appreciated on this:

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10152&catalogId=14551&langId=111&productId=413330

The intended use is on the end of a cable from a Satellite dish. Thanks.

hold it there if you are connecting to a satellite cable you need freesat not freeview and surprisingly argos do not stock freesat boxes in ROI only freeview boxes , why i don't know.

waldo

Thanks Gerry, Kooga. So it's freesat I need then. I'll have a look for one of those.

kooga

waldo wrote: »

Thanks Gerry, Kooga. So it's freesat I need then. I'll have a look for one of those.

good man , just for info i would recoommed a humax freesat box,

The Cush

waldo wrote: »

So it's freesat I need then. I'll have a look for one of those.

See a list of Freesat receivers here (rh column) - http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/