Easy to use Freeview recording box recommendations

[A900ss]

Hi,

My mother intends to leave Sky as she’s paying for channels she’s just not using.

So I’m looking to buy her a recording Freeview box but she’s not tech savvy so I don’t want to mess around with multiple devices/multiple input sources.

Any recommendations for a VERY easy to use box for an elderly person.

Many thanks.

[Soloman Dodd]

I use a Humax one.

They are simple, but the big difference will be the remote control.
I find Sky remotes weird, so if she is used to that the new one will take some learning.

[Mr Pointy]

My sister has a Panasonic - the one with a Blu-ray player built in. If she can use it, it must be straightforward.

[Bluevanman]

BT/EE Box pro,get one off eBay

[Harry H]

Am I missing something here. Everything is available to stream ITVX, iPlayer etc. Why would you want to record ?

[spitfire-ian]

Harry H said:

Am I missing something here. Everything is available to stream ITVX, iPlayer etc. Why would you want to record ?

Because you can then fast forward past the adverts. Any adverts on the streaming services can't be skipped.

[Mammasaid]

spitfire-ian said:

Harry H said:

Am I missing something here. Everything is available to stream ITVX, iPlayer etc. Why would you want to record ?

Because you can then fast forward past the adverts. Any adverts on the streaming services can't be skipped.

And you can watch recordings without having to have fast/reliable broadband.

[thinkofaname]

Several other possible reasons:
- There are other channels that don't have streaming services
- Not everything is available on streaming services due to licensing restrictions
- Some people are not confident using smart TVs or computers to stream

[Mr_J]

Manhattan.

It works really well albeit the interface is sluggish compared to Sky.

[A900ss]

Bluevanman said:

BT/EE Box pro,get one off eBay

Does the pro box work if you don’t have BT Broadband? I’ve read reports that the service is a bit ‘off’ if you don’t have BT

[A900ss]

Harry H said:

Am I missing something here. Everything is available to stream ITVX, iPlayer etc. Why would you want to record ?

Old person. Likes the way it is and for a £100/£150, I’m happy to leave her in her ways.

[droopsnoot]

I've got a couple of BT Youview boxes that work fine for recording and replaying. They're not connected to the internet because of where they sit, the messages about not being connected aren't too intrusive. Both have come for almost nothing, a pound or two or free on local Facebook recycle groups. They're HD but not 4K.

[richhead]

spitfire-ian said:

Harry H said:

Am I missing something here. Everything is available to stream ITVX, iPlayer etc. Why would you want to record ?

Because you can then fast forward past the adverts. Any adverts on the streaming services can't be skipped.

Very much this, and often more of them, i do feel we have taken a step backwards from a good old vcr

[Bluevanman]

A900ss said:

Does the pro box work if you don’t have BT Broadband? I’ve read reports that the service is a bit ‘off’ if you don’t have BT

Yes,you only need BT broadband if you wish to stream Freeview rather than through an aerial.....you can also record more channels simultaneously through the aerial.
Catch up apps from the terrestrial channels all work,not sure about the likes of Netflix etc as I don't use them

[i4got]

Bought an as new youview box dtr-t2100 from ebay the other week for £58.

Works really well and I’m not on bt broadband.

Stupidly i hadn't read the details and assumed it would connect to the internet over wifi but it needs a cable from the router.

Added a couple of powerline plugs for £30 and works perfectly.

[MustangGT]

Mr_J said:

Manhattan.

It works really well albeit the interface is sluggish compared to Sky.

We also have a Manhattan, simple to use and reliable.

[droopsnoot]

i4got said:

Bought an as new youview box dtr-t2100 from ebay the other week for £58.

Works really well and I’m not on bt broadband.

Stupidly i hadn't read the details and assumed it would connect to the internet over wifi but it needs a cable from the router.

Added a couple of powerline plugs for £30 and works perfectly.

That's the box(es) I have. Interesting about the powerline adapters, I've picked up a pair from somewhere and keep meaning to see if I can get them working, though I read that there can be trouble using them through multi-socket adapters, which is the only way I can connect them. There was talk that they intended to support a Wi-fi adapter in the USB socket but the firmware to do it was never released.

[Ham_and_Jam]

Manhattan.

Fantastically simple bit of kit. Freeview recorder up to 4k.

The latest iteration, the T4R, has just been released -

https://www.richersounds.com/manhattan-t4r-500gb/?...

[megaphone]

I run two BT/EE/Youview boxes, work really well. I do have mine connected to the internet so I can use iPlayer etc. But they will work without internet. Note they are wired ethernet, no WiFi. Easy to use with a simple remote with big buttons. They are made by Humax.

Loads on eBay

eg
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167416826993?_skw=bt+yo...

Edited by megaphone on Tuesday 1st April 08:11

Edited by megaphone on Tuesday 1st April 08:11

[A900ss]

Thanks everyone