Good Freeview recorder

[cdbe]

For my 70yr old brother in law. Previously had VM package at late father's house but now in his own place and won't pay, at the moment also not keen on paying for any broadband but may be persuaded in future - so something easy to use to watch and record Freeview fed from aerial, with catch-up/streaming capability in future.

I know the markets pretty much gone for these things but CEX seem to have good sticks of used/refurbished items.

Priority is fit and forget/ease of use, nice big remote, EPG etc (he has very poor eyesight) - no little USBs or fire sticks stuck in the back of the TV etc.

My brother in-law has suggested this, but I think it's cheap Amazon crap with poor reviews?

Thanks.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Surely Humax is the way to go? He wont like the price though.

Or this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Manhattan-...6df-8087-9b6b4d0a7dc9&pd_rd_i=B0CCYMYCS2&th=1

 

[Murdochcat]

Humax

 

[cdbe]

Yes, we all have Humax but Freesat - any particular model?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I thought you wanted a Freeview recorder? Humax only sell one model.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

For my 70yr old brother in law. Previously had VM package at late father's house but now in his own place and won't pay, at the moment also not keen on paying for any broadband but may be persuaded in future - so something easy to use to watch and record Freeview fed from aerial, with catch-up/streaming capability in future.

How about a TV, with that record ability built in? We have three LG sets, with HDD's plugged into the back, each can record which is built in to the APG, or Pause/Play using the HDD. Limitation is, you can only record and or watch, one channel.

 

[richw]

I bought one of these (might not be exact same model) a few years ago, and it's pretty slick.

Manhattan T4•R Freeview Play 4K TV Recorder

Record, pause and rewind over 100 channels, and instantly access 60,000+ hours of on-demand and catch-up TV.

manhattan-tv.com

These days, I am trying out a Raspberry Pi with TV HAT and TVHeadEnd meaning I can record to a 'server' and then play it back on any client device of my choice.

 

[Tricky-Dicky]

Bought the Manhattan TV recorder last month, fully satisfied with it.
Records 2 channels at the same time, records series easily, quick set-up, just follow the instructions. No problems so far.
All the best

 

[cdbe]

I thought you wanted a Freeview recorder? Humax only sell one model.

Yes. But everyone else in the Family (who have sat dishes) have Humax kit and are happy with them but I think a bit above budget.

 

[cdbe]

Richer Sounds are doing Manhattan T4 refurbished on eBay for just over £130 so I've suggested one of those.

 

[Rodders53]

That August brand box is NOT freeview approved/spec AVOID!!!

Humax Aura and Manhattan T-4R are the two main players' current models. Aura has more tuners (simultaneous recording capability) than the Manhattan.

BT/EE Pro boxes from CeX are well regarded on AVForums but, officially, are only rented to customers who sell them to CeX, also has more tuners. Potential for them to be bricked when connected to interweb at a future date, but so far none have been.

Second user PVRs are always going to be an unknown with regard to HDD longevity. I've got two Humax refurbs (one sat, one dtt) and only the sat one has needed a new drive so far.

Richer Sounds are selling the 500GB refurb t4 for £129 inc delivery, online direct, https://www.richersounds.com/manhattan-t4r-500gb-refurbished/ (only two tuners though).

 

[RBZ5416]

The BT/EE Pro Box isn't bad & CEX have them from £75 with a 5 year warranty, Remote is quite small though.

Humax have lost their way in recent years & seem to struggle with poor software.