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I've got Freeview HD, BBC iPlayer coming out of my ears, just want a PVR...

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Wed, Jan 4 2012, 5:05PM
paulcockerton
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Hi

First post but I have been going through the forum trying to find an answer. I've got a Sony TV and BluRay player, both of which include Freeview HD as well as iPlayer etc. Impressed with a friends Sky+ PVR over the hols I'm looking to add that functionality.

Is there one I can buy that can just 'act' as a PVR and use the input from the devices I already have? I've got a mac connected via HDMI so perhaps I can use that for storage? I don't necessarily want to buy yet another box that offers Freeview HD etc.

In terms of requirements, I'd at least like to be able to record two channels whilst watching another - perhaps this requirement means I do have to buy a box.

All help appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul

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Wed, Jan 4 2012, 6:41PM
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professorhat
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RE: I've got Freeview HD, BBC iPlayer coming out of my ears

Well, you'd need one anyway, because there's nothing which would be able to take your TV's HD tuner as an input and record it - every PVR known to man will only record from it's own internal tuner. Given you also want to record two channels and watch another, it's definitely the way to go.

I've done a few posts on Freeview HD PVRs over recent weeks, so in a nutshell, I'd recommend the Digital Stream (either the DHR8203 with 320 GB hard disk, or the DHR8205 with 500 GB hard disk) for yourself - it's the one I have (details in this post), it's one of the cheapest Freeview HD PVRs on the market (8203 can be picked up for £160ish whereas 8205 is £199 from John Lewis), it has two tuners (which is what you'll need to record two channels at once) and most importantly, it's one of the most reliable boxes in terms of accuracy of recordings and lack of crashses.

There are others out there like the Humax and the Samsung (though the Samsung will only let you record one channel at any one time), but if you're not looking for any bells and whistles in the form of internet portals etc., then the Digital Stream is the way to go in my opinion.

 

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