Dunkield Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 I would like a kind off Sky+ setup but without the subscription, so what are my options? Background info: We live in a Freeview free zone, so we have Freesat from Sky and a DVD recorder I would like to retain DVD playback, but not fussed about loosing the record option. Are there any (cheap) options for direct hard disk recording? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 I have got a Philips HDD recorder which was only about 100 quid, it has a 160GB hard drive and works in the same way as sky + you get about 30 hours recording from what I remember and you can transfer the recordings on to DVD if you want to keep them. A friend of mine has his PC connected up to his tv and music system but I have no idea what that costs or how you do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 I know BT offer this as part of their Broadband Package. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maiden22 Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 I know BT offer this as part of their Broadband Package. They called me about this last week, think its free to BT customers, although we haven't got it at the moment. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted July 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 I have BT Broadband as well Better do some searching Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 Stuart, when I ordered m BT contract in Jan, it was free as part of the 3rd option package. As we can not receive free view as yet, we didn't apply for it. However the salesman did say it would be available free of charge as soon as we want it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted July 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 £14/month if I have read that right http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/cons...o?topicId=22204 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 Thats what anoys me about BT, they are forever changing the deals and going back on the salesman word. It looks as though your right Stuart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted July 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 Yes, I don't fancy giving BT any more money, or Sky any at all - so I will look at the Philips one unless anyone has any better ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonno 357 Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 Yes, I don't fancy giving BT any more money, or Sky any at all - so I will look at the Philips one unless anyone has any better ideas? I use a Phillips Dvd recorder in the bedroom and it plays Divx. I put 6 films on a dvd. Plenty of viewing hours Payed about £130 from Tesco for the dvd. Think it was reduced from £170 Jonno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el-chimbo Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 hey, if you wait a mouth or two, you can get the new 'FREESAT' pvr that's coming out.. PVR = Personal video recorder.. its nothing to do with sky.. BBC and ITV have come together and started a new service, works from astra 2 satellite, so it'll work from your existing dish, and along the same lines as sky plus to use, but no monthly bills, boxes are around 120/150 depending on make and specs.. very good system this, I already have about 20 people waiting for me to fit it for them.. Hope this helps, matt.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted July 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 That sounds more like it Matt, I should have pointed out I don't just want a HDD recorder I would like the other options as well like the Humax boxes for for freeview. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 Yeh as mentioned the freesat PVR is your best bet, but no promises when is out, ive not been given a date for when im getting stock yet. (late summer we are now being told) Bare in mind this PVR will almost certainly require twin LNB, if its a twin tuner setup (which it probably will be). So if you only have one feed coming from your dish currently you will want a twin LNB fitting. Easy enough job to do yourself i am told. What you could do also is install a Quad LNB and then run a feed into another room and use the old sky box on a different TV, it will remain independent and you can naturally enough watch what ever you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el-chimbo Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 the pvr boxes will have all series link options to record, twin tuners and a 8 day EPG (electronic programme guide).. its up to you on how many boxes you wanna run from one dish if you go down the freesat route, the twin LNB's are real pants, the four output LNB (quad) are your best bet, or even a octo (8) output if you want even more.. if you don't/can't run another cable to your setup, a stacker/de-stacker will allow you both feeds tho single cable drop, you'll still need a quad tho.. if you need any parts drop me a pm, i'll get you 99.9% of parts cheaper than any trade counter... matt.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 Well it's been a while so I have had a bit of a look arround and Humax seem to now have the answer, bit pricey but it fits the bill :blink: http://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/product.asp?P...073&cat=stb So to use it properly I would still need a dual/quad feed LNB? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJN Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 if you have a Sony ps3 then you can get a PlayTV box and use your ps3 as a hdd recorder using freeview. M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul1966 Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 yes you need a dual lnb, my brother has one of these, he's pleased with it but with any new product there are a few bugs in the software that will no doubt be sorted eventually. one good thing is that it actually records and plays back in HD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seb Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 The BT vision box was free originally because there were no subscription packages you just paid extra for any of the on demand stuff. Now they try and offer you a subscription package bronze gold etc but you may be able to get it without a package if you ask them, it is worth a try as you get the 200 quid box free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Unfortunately anything based on Freeview isn't an option as it isn't available where we live Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Freesat PVR is currently the best option stuart, If you can find one. We have none in our store, cant get them for love nor money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 I bought a freeview thompsons HD4000 hard disc machine, £70 and a very good 14 day menu and twin tuner. It has the best software for ease of use I have seen. Mine has been running for 2 years now. Its simplicity is its real benefit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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