Freeview PVR recorders?

SeriousPigeon · 8 Jun 2006 at 14:38

I am after a freeview HD recorder and wondered what the current favourite is?
Are the Humax ones still anygood, or have they been surpassed now?

pieman109 · 8 Jun 2006 at 15:02

Got a thomson DHF4000 here with a 40g h/d in it. Had it a few weeks now, no probs at all with lockups, etc. Its got a slightly noisy fan and the hard drive is a tad slow whilst navigating the menus, but the fan can be replaced along with the h/d for a larger capacity one up to 130g (thats the max useable space even if you put a 160g in). I only £99 for it and I'm well happy with it.
The others to look out for are the digifusion range and topfield along with the humax. My suggestion is to have a look over on the AVforums and check out the various brands there.

sidtrix · 8 Jun 2006 at 17:12

Well Humax were never the market leader in terms of recorders (Think Topfield out do them any day...coz of extensive features)

If on tight budget... humax probably best... if not go for a Topfield eyes closed!

I've got a topfield... it's really stable & easy to use (also can configure add on software to it!) cost me £200 for a twin tuner 160GB off Ebay.

RetiredGreyFox · 8 Jun 2006 at 20:56

Bought the wife a Digifusion PVR95 (?) from ****** at christmas for £95 and she reckons its one of the best presents I've ever bought her. Its so easy to use a woman can do it and she uses it every day.
If you want the best then you go for Topfield but the Digi does the job.
Don't forget that you can get twin tuner versions so that you can record one prog while watching another.
I believe that the Topfield can record two different progs while you watch something off the HD but they're over £200.

SeriousPigeon · 9 Jun 2006 at 10:30

Something that my wife can use is essential, so I will look in those.

Thanks

FrankJH · 9 Jun 2006 at 11:17

depends what your budget / expectations are

I bought a really good Sony dvd / hdd (160Gb) recorder a few months back for £350 which has componant out and freeview and is top notch but offers different features to most of the above mentioned (a nd obviously for a price)

Simian · 9 Jun 2006 at 11:26

Panasonic have just released a whole new line of DVD+/-R/RW/RAM/HDD Recorders with Freeview tuners in em!... and I think they also do HDMI Upscaling!.. prices start at £200 though!..

SeriousPigeon · 9 Jun 2006 at 13:56

Simian said:
Panadonic have just released a whole new line of DVD+/-R/RW/RAM/HDD Recorders with Freeview tuners in em!... and I think they also do HDMI Upscaling!.. prices start at £200 though!..

Thanks, I will check those out.

Mattw · 9 Jun 2006 at 17:52

im also after a freeview box with Just a HDD in, no dvd recorder etc. wondering if there are any personal recommendations in regards to interface or online comparison reviews?

GSXRMovistar · 9 Jun 2006 at 20:51

I been using a Humax 9200 for the past four months and it's been great, well worth checking out.

RetiredGreyFox · 9 Jun 2006 at 23:34

If you want to go the whole hog then the Pioneer DVR-540HX - no competition.
I have two earlier models and they've earned their money back by converting home movies etc to DVD with menus etc.

Crispy · 9 Jun 2006 at 23:38

TIVO from Fleabay, cheapo freeview box, get modding, job's a good un.

ANDARIAL · 10 Jun 2006 at 08:01

another vote for the topfield here,its the dogs danglies for features,only downside IMHO is the HEAT :eek:

you could nearly fry an egg on it.till i put a pc bay cooler on top and fed it with 6v,nice and cool now.worth considering if you got a closed cabinet(even worth thinking about if it is open to the air)