Freeview Recorder suggestions

[bakereloadprune]

As the title suggests, anyone using anything they would recommend? Needs to have recording, pausing and advance record functionality, plus standard HDMI/ethernet etc, but doesn't need to be mega fancy - we'll get a firestick/roku or equivalent too for all the apps...

Background: Finally come round to cutting ties with Virgin Media and had Community Fibre installed. Restarted the TV aerial and booster combo the previous owner left in our house and I couldn't be happier, have all that I want and need pretty much. Having to watch 4 mins of ad breaks in the non bbc apps is more than a minor frustration though. Plus the Mrs wants to make sure we can still record certain shows (Strictly, BGT, Apprentice and the other usual cr@p...) that've we've been used to with our previous Tivo-box (pause tv, rewind, record...).

I've been having a nose on the 'bay and wider for used freeview DVRs that have recording functionality and there seems to be a lot going, but any boxes have one or more scart cable outputs gets me worries. Seems the most recent models are ~£150-200. Humax appears to have some decent stuff out there, as does Manhattan...just wanting gauge external opinions and/or watch-outs before I go down any particular route.

Thanks in advance

BRP

 

[Norfolk Horn]

Why not just use the Internet for catch up programs

 

[bakereloadprune]

Outside of the BBC programs, there's often a hefty amount of adverts and breaks that can't be skipped. We've certainly been institutionalized by the virgin recording and fast forwarding functionality!

 

[SCC]

As the title suggests, anyone using anything they would recommend? Needs to have recording, pausing and advance record functionality, plus standard HDMI/ethernet etc, but doesn't need to be mega fancy - we'll get a firestick/roku or equivalent too for all the apps...

Background: Finally come round to cutting ties with Virgin Media and had Community Fibre installed. Restarted the TV aerial and booster combo the previous owner left in our house and I couldn't be happier, have all that I want and need pretty much. Having to watch 4 mins of ad breaks in the non bbc apps is more than a minor frustration though. Plus the Mrs wants to make sure we can still record certain shows (Strictly, BGT, Apprentice and the other usual cr@p...) that've we've been used to with our previous Tivo-box (pause tv, rewind, record...).

I've been having a nose on the 'bay and wider for used freeview DVRs that have recording functionality and there seems to be a lot going, but any boxes have one or more scart cable outputs gets me worries. Seems the most recent models are ~£150-200. Humax appears to have some decent stuff out there, as does Manhattan...just wanting gauge external opinions and/or watch-outs before I go down any particular route.

Thanks in advance

BRP

I use a Humax Aura and like its features ...but its software occasionally lets it down by jamming up, needing reboot.

 

[Goingback]

We run 2 Humax's. Have had them for 8'ish years. Had to reboot one recently for the first time. they have 500gb but get twitchy when 90% memory.

 

[Jim Hutton]

Humax every time for me. I’ve tried others but they always disappoint.

 

[VIGILAIRE]

The website cordbusters.co.uk comprehensively review the latest answers to your question. Hope it helps.

 

[Long drag]

Humax are discontinued to the best of my knowledge.

 

[bakereloadprune]

I feel I owe this thread an update, given its been 6 months since...

So, I ended up buying a used Humax FVP-4000T 500GB for £50 posted. It's doing it's job well, series linked for a number of shows we watch and the replay function is great - no more ads!!

Given it's age, its slow, a bit buggy/temperamental so we don't use it as the primary source to go into apps like iplayer etc - our TV is much quicker and slicker for that. All in all, I'm happy - it's doing what we wanted and quite well. Newer models probably do it better and faster, but its not needed (or so I keep telling my wife!). And very happy to be saving upwards of £70 a month by cutting ties with VM!