Freesat or Youview?

[Debaser]

I used to have a Sky HD box, but that packed up so got myself a Freesat box, got home from work this evening to find that too has packed up. I only have one satellite feed into my flat so can't record on a Freesat box using the timer, so I'll replace this one with a Freeview box that will allow me to use it properly as a PVR.

Before I go to Curry's after work tomorrow and get a Freesat box I have just noticed Lord Sugar's YouView service seems to be about to launch.

Is it worth waiting for the end of the month and getting a YouView box, or will it really be no better than a decent Freeview box?

Finally, this Panasonic looks decent enough (if it's actually a bit crap please suggest a decent one - I can't find any reviews of it other than on amazon). I tried looking on the Panasonic UK website but there seems to be no mention of it which seems strange to me.

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/panasonic-dmr-hw220eb...

I just wanted to know if it had audio component outputs because I plug my (now broken) Freesat box into my hi fi for better sound. I guess I need to move with the times because not many boxes I look at seem to have component out any more..

[Brite spark]

Debaser said:

Is it worth waiting for the end of the month and getting a YouView box, or will it really be no better than a decent Freeview box?

No, not by the looks of it http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Bullett]

I assume you have an Ariel feed for the freeview?

[Debaser]

Bullett said:

I assume you have an Ariel feed for the freeview?

Yep, I checked it recently with a freeview box and it works fine. When I moved in years ago I couldn't get a signal which is why I went with Sky.

[Bullett]

Just thought I'd check! you didn't mention it and some people assume they are the same thing.

[Rick101]

In terms of build quality, functionality and performance, Humax seem to have the best reputation.

My TV have built in Freeview. I've used Freesat but found the additional channels to be mainly tat.

[Debaser]

Thanks chaps. I'm not too fussed about the number of channels I have, everything I watch is on channels that are available on either Freesat or Freeview.

It doesn't seem that YouView is worth waiting for then?

[Irrotational]

I think youview could be quite good - IF they have integrated the catch up services nicely...

A Humax PVR is about £230, a Humax Youview PVR will be £299....personally I would pay the extra to have the ease of getting iplayer, itv c4 catchup etc all from one box.

So it all depends *IF* youview does this nicely and easily.

I may well replace my HTPC with it, assuming it can act as a DLNA streamer...which I think Humax's can.

[Irrotational]

Note - it may well be crap too...no real way of knowing without seeing some boxes in action and some reviews...

I hope the functionality and QA is being done by Humax and the BBC, and NOT one of Lord Sugars electronics outfits...

The amstrad emailer still make me shudder...

[cjs]

He sold Amstrad to Sky a few years ago. The set to box side.

[FunkyNige]

Irrotational said:

A Humax PVR is about £230, a Humax Youview PVR will be £299....personally I would pay the extra to have the ease of getting iplayer, itv c4 catchup etc all from one box.

My Humax has the iplayer on the red button (I've got a network cable plugged into it), I think it has channels for the others but I've never tried them.

[Debaser]

I decided I couldn't wait for YouView and got myself a Humax Freeview box at the weekend. Works fine, the picture quality is good and it's nice to finally have a PVR I can use.

Annoyingly it seems my Freesat box isn't broken, there's a problem with the communal dish as everyone in the block has lost satellite reception...