VM cancelled - need a recordable Freeview box

[danb79]

We've cancelled VM after being with them since 2006; sick of the OTT costs simply for decent broadband really...

So I've got a Three 5G hub which is blisteringly fast and I'll be replacing the Sony surround sound system with a soundbar soon and would like a recordable Freeview box to add alongside

The usual suspects I can see are Manhattan and Humax

Any thoughts on the likes of Panasonic's BlueRay recordable DVD players that have Freeview built in etc?

Any other suggestions?

Cheers

[LordLoveLength]

Go to cex website and search for BT/EE Pro box.
Will be 2nd hand but they will give you a 5 year guarantee - you don’t need a BT or EE contract.
It can record up to 4 channels at once, and has lots of apps (iPlayer etc) and regular updates.

£90 should get a mint one.

[megaphone]

As above, a BT/EE box second hand is a good option. Even the older ones are good, I have two. Made by Humax.

[the-norseman]

I have an old Humax its not very good at all, very slow.

FIL has the BT/EE box and he complains like hell about it.

[LordLoveLength]

The older BT boxes made by Humax run too hot and cook their hard drives. The Pro box is a different beast made by Sagem - it runs cool and the interface is snappy.
There is also an app that allows you to remotely set recordings.

[Herer]

The Manhattan T4R is worth a look. We had the previous T3R one before we moved (now have freesat) and it was a solid PVR, super responsive. Before that we had Humax Fox T2 which was good with the custom firmware as an embedded Linux device, but replaced it with the Manhattan when it stopped being supported.

[djsmith74]

We did the same - cancelled Virgin Media and went with a Three 5G Router. As you say, it's blisteringly quick. Did we get a replacement PVR box? Nope. Virtually everything is available on-line via catch-up on the usual streaming channels, i.e. iPlayer, ITVX, etc. Even channels like Yesterday is available on-line. Yes, you have to sit through the adverts, but it isn't a big deal for us. We haven't had a PVR in the house for about 2 years now, and do not miss it at all.

[dickymint]

I'm on EE broadband and TV via their Pro-Box. It is superb as I can view pretty much everything (including all bt and sky sports) using just the Pro-Box remote and all on the same EPG. Rarely have to use poxy apps! Costs me 80 quid/month which is very competitive I think. That also includes my mobile phone contract and two multi room boxes.

Don't need to connect via an aerial but the choice is there. However be aware if you buy a second hand Pro-Box all I've read suggests you can't stream Freeview on them without an EE broadband contract. But you can get Freeview through an aerial.

[eein]

What is your current TV?

Many modern TVs with freeview built in allow you to plug in a hard drive and use it to record freeview. Our nearly 10 year old TV does this. It isnt the easiest interface for recording, but it does work and avoid cost and additional boxes.

Also note that freeview has many show available on catchup, so worth checking if the things you watch are on that?