Smart freeview box that records

[westtra]

Looking for recommendations as our sky turns off on 16th and sky wont budge on price so going freeview/netflix and occasional now tv pass for stuff.

So needing a decent freeview box that can record as well since we will be loosing that function once sky has gone.

[otherman]

No need to lose functionality, you'll probably gain some. Freeview recorders have been around a lot longer than sky plus. I think the humax boxes are the best overall. One with a terrabyte drive and twin tuners.

[schmunk]

I'd recommend a BT Youview DTR-T2100 box, either bundled with your package if you change supplier (BT often have brilliant cashback offers via Quidco/Topcashback), or otherwise bought 'as new' from eBay - ca. £50.

This box is made by Humax, but in a very small package and lightly skinned with BT gumph. The Humax branded equivalent is >£200.

There is a 4K version, the DTR-T4000, but I found that to run very hot and there was constant fan noise, so unless you're desperate I'd stick with the 1080P version.



Edit to add: The Humax Freeview Play boxes look interesting, although I understand the FVP menu system isn't as intuitive as Youview. The really good bit is that you can add multiroom boxes for about £80 each - essentially the same concept as Sky Q, running the apps and recordings from the main box in any connected room.

Edited by schmunk on Monday 5th March 17:04

[Mr Pointy]

schmunk said:

I'd recommend a BT Youview DTR-T2100 box, either bundled with your package if you change supplier (BT often have brilliant cashback offers via Quidco/Topcashback), or otherwise bought 'as new' from eBay - ca. £50.

On the 2100 can you have custom channel lists & re-order the channels? You can't on the 4000 & it's unusable.

[schmunk]

Mr Pointy said:

schmunk said:

I'd recommend a BT Youview DTR-T2100 box, either bundled with your package if you change supplier (BT often have brilliant cashback offers via Quidco/Topcashback), or otherwise bought 'as new' from eBay - ca. £50.

On the 2100 can you have custom channel lists & re-order the channels? You can't on the 4000 & it's unusable.

You can hide channels you don't use, but I don't know about re-ordering - it's not something that bothers me, so I haven't tried.

[westtra]

I am in process of moving broadband to BT as got good deal through my work so will contact them to try get cheap box.

[schmunk]

Check the BT deal is competitive against e.g. https://www.quidco.com/bt-broadband/?st=bt%20b&amp...

(non-referrer link, honest!)

[westtra]

schmunk said:

Check the BT deal is competitive against e.g. https://www.quidco.com/bt-broadband/?st=bt%20b&amp...

(non-referrer link, honest!)

Already done through my work with the money back in my account waiting for approval. And also £11 a month cheaper than quidco.

[gareth_r]

Mr Pointy said:

On the 2100 can you have custom channel lists & re-order the channels? You can't on the 4000 & it's unusable.

Youview "upgraded" the software to show pretty pictures rather than text, and lost a lot of functionality (or completely screwed it up, depending on your point of view) in the process.

For a while it wasn't even possible to hide the shopping and evangelical channels!

[Mr Pointy]

gareth_r said:

Mr Pointy said:

On the 2100 can you have custom channel lists & re-order the channels? You can't on the 4000 & it's unusable.

Youview "upgraded" the software to show pretty pictures rather than text, and lost a lot of functionality (or completely screwed it up, depending on your point of view) in the process.

For a while it wasn't even possible to hide the shopping and evangelical channels!

I wonder if the Humax non-Youview version has the same issue?

I want my Topfield back.

[gareth_r]

Mr Pointy said:

gareth_r said:

Mr Pointy said:

On the 2100 can you have custom channel lists & re-order the channels? You can't on the 4000 & it's unusable.

Youview "upgraded" the software to show pretty pictures rather than text, and lost a lot of functionality (or completely screwed it up, depending on your point of view) in the process.

For a while it wasn't even possible to hide the shopping and evangelical channels!

I wonder if the Humax non-Youview version has the same issue?

I want my Topfield back.

The software decisions are made by Youview, and apply to the kit supplied by any manufacturer.

I guess the same applies when changes are made to the Freeview Play user interface.

EDIT:
You can download a manual from the Humax web site. It looks as if Freeview Play allows the channels to be reordered.
https://uk.humaxdigital.com/support/

Edited by gareth_r on Monday 5th March 17:58