Recommend a Freeview Play Box

[Debaser]

Turns out my current Freeview box isn't very healthy (it's been missing a fair few recordings recently, and failed to record last night's Vulcan program...) so it's time to get a new one.

First thoughts are this Humax looks fine, it has Freeview Play which looks like a new version of Youview.

http://www.johnlewis.com/humax-fvp-4000t-1tb-smart...

Is there something better? Panasonic have a Freeview Play box, but it looks like Freeview Play isn't up and running yet?

http://www.johnlewis.com/panasonic-dmr-hwt250eb-sm...

[SimonD]

Debaser said:

Turns out my current Freeview box isn't very healthy (it's been missing a fair few recordings recently, and failed to record last night's Vulcan program...) so it's time to get a new one.

First thoughts are this Humax looks fine, it has Freeview Play which looks like a new version of Youview.

http://www.johnlewis.com/humax-fvp-4000t-1tb-smart...

Is there something better? Panasonic have a Freeview Play box, but it looks like Freeview Play isn't up and running yet?

http://www.johnlewis.com/panasonic-dmr-hwt250eb-sm...

They're only just out, but already discounted by £100:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/tv-dvd-audio/dvd-blu...

That's what I got at that price. It got its Freeview Play update last night, and at £299 it's actually cheaper than the 500GB model at it's normal price.

[bristolracer]

SimonD said:

They're only just out, but already discounted by £100:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/tv-dvd-audio/dvd-blu...

That's what I got at that price. It got its Freeview Play update last night, and at £299 it's actually cheaper than the 500GB model at it's normal price.

That looks good value
What are the panny Apps like nowadays? Have they got 4 od etc now?
Got to say I've seen plenty of knackered humaxes in customers houses,market leader but not overly reliable.
Also if you use an AV amp that's a one source solution (domestic bliss!)

[SimonD]

bristolracer said:

That looks good value
What are the panny Apps like nowadays? Have they got 4 od etc now?
Got to say I've seen plenty of knackered humaxes in customers houses,market leader but not overly reliable.
Also if you use an AV amp that's a one source solution (domestic bliss!)

This is my first Panasonic box, and I'm told that the firmware is the same used in their tellys over the last few years, just with FVP added on. Looking at YouTube vids of Panny TV reviews I think I can confirm this. FVP comes with the catchup apps - I haven't looked myself because I can only see the update was pulled down over night - not actually been in front of the box myself. But the apps AND the 7 day backwards EPG are part of the spec. I too was looking at the Humax FVP box until I saw the design and early reports; that and me needing a blu-ray player steered me towards the Panny.