Hi, wanting to ditch BT package but what would be the best replacement for the tv box & recorder ? Would probably need to have Wi-Fi as the router's a long way from the tv, too far to run an ethernet cable. Doesn't need to have inbuilt recording as long as it would record to an external hard drive or usb stick. Not wanting to spend much more than £100 ideally, possibly optimistic. I have looked but it's bit of a minefield *sigh*.
Any recommendations ?
Not sure what you are looking for, really.
Your TV might be able to record to USB or external hard drive, check the manual.
What do you want the box to do? Have you looked at an Amazon Fire stick or Roku box?
I was thinking like for like when the BT TV box goes.
Did have a look at the firesticks & Roku box, will have another look, see why they confused me LOL Meantime, I've set a program up to record to an empty USB stick via the aerial. Know I tried once before, to an external hard drive, but I never found the recording ! See if it works on the stick.
Fingers crossed! I assume your tv is 'smart' and has apps such as iPlayer and the other channels catch-up apps, YouTube and such like. If you can get all the channels you want that way by connecting to the internet think about buying a pair of powerline plugs. These work very well. I like these because you don't lose use of the plug sockets Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation
Plug one into the socket your router uses and connect to the router, then plug the other one in near your tv and connect using a short ethernet cable. Bingo! Your tv is now connected to the internet.
I have the Humax that Barry1010 has suggested. It is brilliant. Almost as good as the Sky or Virgin box but no monthly subscription. It also has most of the streaming TV apps, Amazon Prime, iPlayer, Apple TV etc, apart from Neflix for some reason. But I have that already on my smart TV. The box allows you to record several different channels at the same time. The price of Sky and Virgin, having the Humax pretty much paid for its self in a few months.
Humax or Manhatten. Wi Fi is ok but ethernet cable is more reliable. We use Powerline adaptors in three rooms which use your ring mains for carrying the signal. plug one next to the router and others where you need. by the tv for instance and use ethernet cable to connect. Ours have worked well for years.
My daughter has a 3 story house and I fitted them so she can have TV in the top bedroom where the signal dis not quite reach. Works great!
Well, recording to the usb stick did work but would only be useful if I wasn't at home & wanted to watch another channel at the same time. Plus had to lose the aerial from the BT box to go direct into the [Smart] tv. Hmm.
I do have those Powerline plugs it turns out, but they must belong to BT. The idea initially came about when the other 'alf asked me what I wanted for Xmas. Don't think his budget'll quite go to the suggestions but I'll definitely look at those to get myself. Thanks :)
Yeah, did have quick at the channels available via the aerial yesterday. Have only the basic BT TV, it got so expensive I chopped what I felt I didn't need last year, have only missed some of the sports really so think that'll be fine. Thanks again :)