Which freeview recorder?

[James1234]

Hi All,

I've personally never used any of the PVR/freeview recorders, but I'm wanting to get one that's reliable and easy to use for my parents.

I just looked up most of the ones listed on freeview.co.uk and they all seem to have major issues (e.g. noisy, frequent crashing, bad lip sync, etc.). Are there any decent ones (max: £250) that anyone can suggest? Preferably with a twin tuner so they can record two channels at once.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Sonic67]

Topfield or Humax tend to be the best.

Humax PVR9300T might be something special.

Humax PVR9300T 320GB Twin Tuner, PVR: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Both What Hifi and Stuff magazine seem to like it anyway.

[Geofbob]

Actually, in the last month or there have been several threads on this forum, discussing the pros & cons of various PVRs; this is a recent one - Which PVR?... a present for my Dad

You may wish to consider for your parents the Alba or Hitachi "Vestel-clone" PVRs mentioned in that thread by myself & creddish.

PS Have seen Sonic67's comment; & while the Humax & Topfield PVRs have a lot going for them, the Vestel clones are probably a tad more reliable & user-friendly.

[GaryB]

Originally Posted by James1234

I just looked up most of the ones listed on freeview.co.uk and they all seem to have major issues (e.g. noisy, frequent crashing, bad lip sync, etc.).

Remember that most people only post when they have problems. You never hear from the vastly higher number of people who have not had any problems. I have several friends with 9300s that think they're the best thing since bread was sliced. I have a 9200 and apart from the occasional slow remote response and very occasional lockup, is excellent.

[Mr_Fantastic]

Humax PVR's are having some problems ATM and Humax has recognised it and are supposed to be providing updated Firmwares to fix it. I have had a great deal of lockups and ruined recordings due to the issues it has and that was after doing a format after emptying the drive. File system errors are supposed to be one of the causes but not the only thing that causes problems.

Now after locks ups during recordings the errors are back so I am back to square one. I have followed some of the tips which people have been saying help reduce locks ups but so far I have not tested it fully to confirm that it works.

But I am a bit of an extreme user, doing recordings, sometimes multiple at the same time and also transfers via USB so probably not something parents are likely to do.

Many people have been having problems with Humax PVR's so it's not just a few isolated cases.

[James1234]

Thanks for the replies, a friend has the Humax PVR9300T and it crashes all the time so I ruled that one out.

I bought the Hitachi HDR253 3 weeks ago recommended in the other thread and its pretty rubbish, it's crashed a few times, completely missed about 10% of recordings, and misses at least 1-2 minutes off the beginning or ending of about 75% of recordings.

I'm on my way to return it today, does anyone have any other recommendations? One that has a time-guard/time-padding option so it doesn't miss the beginning/ending of most programmes. Thanks again.

[grahamlthompson]

Originally Posted by James1234

Thanks for the replies, a friend has the Humax PVR9300T and it crashes all the time so I ruled that one out.

I bought the Hitachi HDR253 3 weeks ago recommended in the other thread and its pretty rubbish, it's crashed a few times, completely missed about 10% of recordings, and misses at least 1-2 minutes off the beginning or ending of about 75% of recordings.

I'm on my way to return it today, does anyone have any other recommendations? One that has a time-guard/time-padding option so it doesn't miss the beginning/ending of most programmes. Thanks again.

Topfield 5800/5810

[BigCam]

Originally Posted by James1234

Thanks for the replies, a friend has the Humax PVR9300T and it crashes all the time so I ruled that one out.

I bought the Hitachi HDR253 3 weeks ago recommended in the other thread and its pretty rubbish, it's crashed a few times, completely missed about 10% of recordings, and misses at least 1-2 minutes off the beginning or ending of about 75% of recordings.

I'm on my way to return it today, does anyone have any other recommendations? One that has a time-guard/time-padding option so it doesn't miss the beginning/ending of most programmes. Thanks again.

Hi
A lot of those issues are not always due to a problem with the PVR, but transmitter/aerial problems
As regarding missed start/end of recordings a lot of those are caused by the TV Channels not sending out the correct info to use that function .
I have the Humax 9300 and its been a great machine
The issues I'm having are mainly with the Five group of channels,Five Fiver and Five USA
I don't use the Series record on those channels anymore as I end up with umpteen repeats and missed timed recordings set from other channnels
Not the PVR's fault but just Five not getting their act together and send correct Info
BigCam