Help with my tv needed.

[bernhund]

I've currently got BT Vision as a package with my internet etc. but realised sometime back how truly ste it really is. Sometimes when I press the rewind button, instead of rewinding at 2x, 4x, etc. it just skips right back to when the channel I'm watching was switched on. This could be 3 hours or so! Forwarding again is just mind numbing. BT have been no help at all. Seeing as all the channels on it are also built into my digital tv, it dawned on me that the only benefit of having said box is being able to record on it or rewind if it wants to play ball. The films and other available contents are atrocious too. I'm not sure there's one film I've ever watched yet!
So, I'm ready to cancel my agreement with BT as they are failing to provide me with a decent service/equipment and would like to know what else is out there. I'm not interested in Sky or tv in general to be honest, but on the odd occasion when I want it, I'd like to be able to rewind live tv and record.
My question is: Is there a modern day equivalent to the humble video recorder that my tv can play through, so I can rewind live tv and record too?

[Cliftonite]

Google Humax PVR. We have owned Freeview and Freesat versions for years and have been delighted with them!

HTH

[bernhund]

Thanks Mike, just Googled it. Sounds good but the only problem I think I have is that my router is at the other end of the house! Does that mean iPlayer etc would not be possible? Is there a version with wifi?
Cheers.

[Digger]

With Sky if you hold down either Forward or Rewind it goes directly to either the end or beginning respectively. Does BT Vision do similar?

[nyt]

You need something like: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00E5HCR1...

It sends the ethernet/internet through the mains

[FlossyThePig]

The BT Youview box is probably made by Humax, as they make most of them. Have you checked out the problem with:

1. BT
2. Youview
3. Humax (assuming they have made the STB you have)

[Cliftonite]

bernhund said:

Thanks Mike, just Googled it. Sounds good but the only problem I think I have is that my router is at the other end of the house! Does that mean iPlayer etc would not be possible? Is there a version with wifi?
Cheers.

We use Devolo plug-in (to mains sockets) units to enable us to view BBC iPlayer etc.

[Who me ?]

I had several free view STB HDD boxes and returned then all as not fit for purpose till we got our Humax. But then there's a problem, and IMHO it;s down to the CPU speed and memory fitted. get past a certain number of recorded programs and memory gets almost full and CPU takes time to work. there's no relation between recorded deleted programs and recording schedule, so at times series records are not possible- possibly because memory is full, as deleting some recorded programs restores this function.

[gpo746]

In reply to the OP
I wonder what make your TV is. It may be possible to connect up a simple USB drive to it and then record to it. that works on my Samsung and other similar TV's. The issues that come with that are that you can pause LIVE TV fine you can record what you are watching fine. in our case you can even schedule to record a programme when you are out. But you cannot record anything other than the channel you are currently watching.
Advantages = relatively cheap (ish) disadvantages are limited recordability.
There is also the amazingly good SKY NOW TV BOX. assuming you don't mind paying Mr Murdoch this simple box is quite brilliant. I did have to set up an account with them to get one BUT I simply cancelled the payment in the first few weeks and got the first month a real free trial. The box is simple basic but the picture quality is great and its wi fi.
it has all 5 channel catch up TV. one thing though the search function is better than you describe but does rewind in set sections I mean it will rewind by say 3 -5 minute blocks. Its a really great way to add the catch up TV functions to any TV, the BBC I player display is easy to navigate. Picture quality is good sound quality is good.
Advantages = cheap and easy to use. Disadvantages = the search function as detailed above and doesn't allow recording in any way. The ideas above are just meant to be helpful and relatively low cost.

[bernhund]

Thanks for you input on this. I've no idea about tech! I can't remember the BT excuse but it was clearly ridiculous. iPlayer was failing regularly too so I Googled it and guess what... a well known issue that BT had been aware of for months and months but failed to fix. If I didn't do my job properly, my customers would not pay. So I don't want to give my hard earned to BT any more.
My TV is getting on and is a Sony Bravia. Good picture but probably obsolete now.
I really don't need hundreds of channels either as I rarely watch the box, but when I do, I want it to work.

[gpo746]

Another suggestion?.
2nd hand YOU VIEW BOX like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YOUVIEW-HUAWEI-DN370T-32...

You can record on it / pause live TV it has both Scart and HDMI connection and has catch up TV all in one box. Connects via rthernet but you can get a netgear erthernet wi fi adapter thingey.
Up here we have Cash Converters - in there they go for £30 S/H

[bernhund]

gpo746 said:

Another suggestion?.
2nd hand YOU VIEW BOX like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YOUVIEW-HUAWEI-DN370T-32...

You can record on it / pause live TV it has both Scart and HDMI connection and has catch up TV all in one box. Connects via rthernet but you can get a netgear erthernet wi fi adapter thingey.
Up here we have Cash Converters - in there they go for £30 S/H

This might just be the answer! Cheers

[FlossyThePig]

bernhund said:

gpo746 said:

Another suggestion?.
2nd hand YOU VIEW BOX like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YOUVIEW-HUAWEI-DN370T-32...

You can record on it / pause live TV it has both Scart and HDMI connection and has catch up TV all in one box. Connects via rthernet but you can get a netgear erthernet wi fi adapter thingey.
Up here we have Cash Converters - in there they go for £30 S/H

This might just be the answer! Cheers

Am I correct in thinking that your BT Vision STB is not a Youview box then?

[bernhund]

FlossyThePig said:

bernhund said:

gpo746 said:

Another suggestion?.
2nd hand YOU VIEW BOX like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YOUVIEW-HUAWEI-DN370T-32...

You can record on it / pause live TV it has both Scart and HDMI connection and has catch up TV all in one box. Connects via rthernet but you can get a netgear erthernet wi fi adapter thingey.
Up here we have Cash Converters - in there they go for £30 S/H

This might just be the answer! Cheers

Am I correct in thinking that your BT Vision STB is not a Youview box then?

How would I know? I've just looked at it and all it says is BT Vision on it. Would there be any clues on it to suggest who makes it?

[gareth_r]

I don't think BT Vision = YouView. Hasn't the BT Vision box been around for years, since the BT TV service first started?