Recording Tv Programmes

[CW1]

Hi,
Looking for the best thing to buy an elderly technophobe with a low budget that records tv programmes. He has Freeview & doesn't need more channels.
Thanks

[ToraToraTora]

He wants a standard Freeview TIVO box, something like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Full-HD-Combo-Freeview-Freesat-Receiver-Recorder-TV-Satellite-SKY-Set-Top-Box/183182025230?hash=item2aa67fe20e:g:MAwAAOSw2aFfBH2E

[bhg481]

TTT's suggestion doesn't seem to have a disc in - there is a USB socket to plug an external drive into, so you will have extra expense there, although the basic device is cheap.
We have 3 recorders, a Panasonic, a Manhatten and a Humax; of these I think the Humax is the simplest to operate. You can record 4 programmes simultaneously whilst watching a fifth and you can also connect it to the internet to allow for access to catch-up TV. You can also set it to record a series of programmes, so you don't need to remember to set it to watch, say, University Challenge, each week, you just tell it you want to watch every occurrence of it.
I always recomment Richer Sounds for this sort of equipment and their warranty is worth spending the money on as, if you don't use it, you get the money back when it expires.

[bhg481]

I forgot to mention, if it's connected to the internet you can also program it from a computer. In other words, if it's for your mum/dad, you can program it from your computer.

[CW1]

Not sure about TTT's suggestion, the SKY dish throws me off really. Wondering about this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FULL-HD-Freeview-WiFi-Receiver-HD-RECORDER-DIGITAL-TV-Set-Top-Digi-Box-Tuner/254007253810?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D229886%26meid%3D58cb2440b56249d3aa8e9c704b80a122%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dco%26sd%3D183182025230%26itm%3D254007253810%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithBBEV2bDemotionHighArwV3&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
Humax would be best probably, bhg, but out of the budget sadly.

[bhg481]

Like TTT's suggestion it will only record to an external disc; it doesn't have its own disc. If you think about it, at that sort of price they can't afford to put a disc in it.

[ToraToraTora]

the dish is a freesat, not sky, but that's just illustrating that it can take freestat as input. TBH i just did a quick search to show you the sort of thing that you/he could do. Basically you want a TIVO box with some sort of disc drive to store programs, the capacity depends on what you think is needed.

[ToraToraTora]

here's a Used one with a TB
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Humax-FVP-4000T-Freeview-TV-Recorder-Massive-1TB-hard-drive-suberb-condition/393019324166?epid=9031178955&hash=item5b81c6f706:g:NKAAAOSwPk5fsq8G
or something like this from Curry's
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MANHATTAN-T3-R-Freeview-Play-Smart-4K-Ultra-HD-Digital-TV-Recorder-1-TB-Currys/133144166424?epid=18034763668&hash=item1f0002c018:g:TxcAAOSwtbBe6hF0

[CW1]

Using usb stick as storage is fine :)

[barry1010]

Don't buy a super cheap set up, go for a trusted and reliable brand like Humax which are simple to operate (if they could programme a VCR they will find it a doddle).
Tivo is a brand name that Virgin uses and searching for that won't bring up any meaningful results, the correct term is PVR (Personal Video Recorder).

[CW1]

Would a TIVO box work without an Internet connection ? Seem to be for use with Virgin. He's a complete technophobe, won't even use e-mail on his phone but he does have a usb stick.
Those latest suggestions are out of his price range unfortunately, TTT.

[barry1010]

Ignore the term 'Tivo', it is a PVR. As you say, Virgin supply Tivo boxes to its customers (well they used to, they now supply a box called V6).

[barry1010]

My last reply isn't clear. Ignore the term Tivo, search instead for PVR.

[CW1]

Sorry, missed your post Barry.
Don't know that he has ever programmed a VCR, & I started the search using "PVR". I'm *not* a technophobe ;) but have just never bought anything that needs to be as basic & easy to use as poss.

[bhg481]

The Humax is very easy to programme; you bring up the programme guide, point to the programme you want to record and press OK. If it's part of a series it will offer you a single-record or the whole series. To play back you bring up the list of recorded programmes, point to the one you want and press OK.

[CW1]

Thanks bhg but Humax are out of his budget, plus just had another look at them & one I've seen particularly needs Internet access & / or an app on his phone to use as the remote. He has no Internet access & won't even use text on his phone.

[Barsel]

CW1 perhaps someone who knows more about this than I do could
explain how much storage you would get on a USB stick in terms of hour play. I think a basic Humax could store 300 hours of play and prices start from just over £100. would this be out of your friends price range?

[Barsel]

You don't need internet access to use a Humax and it has it's own remote. You are recording programmes from the TV into the Humax so no internet is required.

[barry1010]

I agree with bhg. If they have a Humax they will only need to use the Humax remote which will turn the tv on and off, change channel and volume and bring up the tv guide in a similar way to the tv remote.
The big difference is that when they are using the guide a simple click of a button records a programme and gives the option to record a series link. As you can record up to 8 days in advance a visitor could set their recordings for them (Covid permitting). No faffing with timings or anything like that.
If they have WiFi some Humax models can be recorded remotely by app so you could do it for them, but really using the remote is simple.

[barry1010]

Just noticed that Humax is too expensive. Such a shame

[barry1010]

Is their tv capable of recording to a USB?