set top boxes, sky and freesat, freeview

Pickers · 13-12-2012, 19:52

Ok, I'm a bit lost and dont really know where to start! Without going into detail, sky are crap and after trying time take them up on an offer of movies for £8, they came back quoting a price £ 14 more than I currently pay. Needless to say I told them there and then that I'm leaving them totally.

Now, I have sky+ HD box, a tv with built in freeview and a Sat dish etc. But can't record with either once sky contract is up.

I'd like to be able to record tv and get hd if possible, so have been looking at bt vision. Otherwise I pay a lot for a freesat HD box with HDD inside.

I'd like to do something with my raspberry pi but put simply I'm not smart enough. Anyone have any tips on good deals??

Many thanks!!

Knipples · 14-12-2012, 07:56

You can't get Tivo?

Pickers · 14-12-2012, 08:12

Not if it requires cable.

kaiowas · 14-12-2012, 14:14

We can't get cable here and I generally object to Sky and the rest of Murdoch's empire.

We're getting by with an SD Freeview plus box for day-to-day watching and recording, then the TV has an HD Freeview tuner built in for the occasions that something is on which is worth watching in HD

Freeview has a very poor range of HD channels and our current set up doesn't allow HD recording but it's working for us. Humax are generally well regarded for Freeview boxes and you should be able to get an HD PVR for sensible money if you're buying from scratch.

Mark · 14-12-2012, 20:06

Before you go buy anything, does your TV support connecting a USB hard disk? A few do, and it's worth checking before spending money!

That said, a dedicated recorder is likely to be better (you don't have to leave the TV switched on, for starters).

Anyway, onwards. In terms of selection and quality, Freesat+ wins, just. You already have a satellite dish, so it's just plug in and go. Freeview, is, however, usually cheaper.

PS - Sky do occasionally forget to turn off Sky+, so it's worth trying after the subscription ends. Of course, there's nothing to stop them from un-forgetting, but in the meantime, what have you to lose? (besides the recordings you've made)

13-12-2012, 19:52	#1
Pickers Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2,692	set top boxes, sky and freesat, freeview Ok, I'm a bit lost and dont really know where to start! Without going into detail, sky are crap and after trying time take them up on an offer of movies for £8, they came back quoting a price £ 14 more than I currently pay. Needless to say I told them there and then that I'm leaving them totally. Now, I have sky+ HD box, a tv with built in freeview and a Sat dish etc. But can't record with either once sky contract is up. I'd like to be able to record tv and get hd if possible, so have been looking at bt vision. Otherwise I pay a lot for a freesat HD box with HDD inside. I'd like to do something with my raspberry pi but put simply I'm not smart enough. Anyone have any tips on good deals?? Many thanks!! __________________ Pictures

14-12-2012, 08:12	#3
Pickers Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2,692	Not if it requires cable. __________________ Pictures

14-12-2012, 14:14	#4
kaiowas The Stig Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fightertown USA Posts: 1,458	We can't get cable here and I generally object to Sky and the rest of Murdoch's empire. We're getting by with an SD Freeview plus box for day-to-day watching and recording, then the TV has an HD Freeview tuner built in for the occasions that something is on which is worth watching in HD Freeview has a very poor range of HD channels and our current set up doesn't allow HD recording but it's working for us. Humax are generally well regarded for Freeview boxes and you should be able to get an HD PVR for sensible money if you're buying from scratch. __________________ Anal Fish Porn

14-12-2012, 20:06	#5
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Before you go buy anything, does your TV support connecting a USB hard disk? A few do, and it's worth checking before spending money! That said, a dedicated recorder is likely to be better (you don't have to leave the TV switched on, for starters). Anyway, onwards. In terms of selection and quality, Freesat+ wins, just. You already have a satellite dish, so it's just plug in and go. Freeview, is, however, usually cheaper. PS - Sky do occasionally forget to turn off Sky+, so it's worth trying after the subscription ends. Of course, there's nothing to stop them from un-forgetting, but in the meantime, what have you to lose? (besides the recordings you've made)