Afternoon Folks Looking For Help Regards A Freeview Box

[alinic]

I don't have sky and don't want it, my telly is not a fancy one we just have plain Freeview, but now we would like a new box with catch up etc, could anybody point us in the right direction as it just gets so complicated.

[hc4361]

How much are you prepared to spend?
Do you want a box that will also record?

If you don't want a PVR (one which records) then Roku gets consistently good reviews.
https://www.roku.com/en-gb/how-it-works

If you want cheap and cheerful but still well reviewed, look at Now
http://www.nowtv.com/

If you do want a PVR, I'd recommend Humax:
http://www.humaxdigital.com/uk/

Shop around for the best prices before you buy.

[VHG]

Do you have a wi fi router as you will need that for catch up? (or a router near your TV so you can use a cable)?

Also do you have unlimited broadband because downloading tv programs and films will eat up your broadband data allowance.

[Gromit]

I would buy 2 boxes, assuming your tv has hdmi slots.
A bog standard freeview box that you can get for about £20.
+ a NowTV box which will give you catchup and SmartTV for about £15.

[hc4361]

You don't need a Freeview box as you have said that you have Freeview

[Gromit]

Do you know what ports (sockets) you have on the back of the TV, and how many?

[Sycamore3House]

You must have a landline and also broadband of some description. I had a BT landline and broadband was provided on the package I was on. I also wanted a recording device so Instead of buying a box I signed up for BT vision/sport. You get a box with the package that can be used for recording 2 programmes at once and it does the catch up on all the channels. you get all the same freeview channels plus the BT sports channels. I pay £29.38 per month for landline, broadband, evening and weekend calls and BT sport. I am glad I signed up rather than bought my own device.

[alinic]

Thanks for all your input, hubby now thinks we should get a smart TV ! I give up! Thanks people

[hc4361]

Tell hubby it is a false economy to buy a smart tv if you are otherwise happy with your present tv.

You will not get all the smart services you might want from one tv - it depends on the deals the manufacturers can get with the smart service providers (eg BBC iPlayer) and even if the tv you choose does have the services you want they can be withdrawn at any time.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2636468/The-not-smart-TVs-Research-finds-manufacturers-abandon-support-sets-years-old.html

http://blogs.which.co.uk/technology/tvs/when-smart-tv-app-support-vanishes-what-next/

[Sycamore3House]

You don't need to buy a smart TV but all tv's now come with freeview built in. So no need for a seperate box.