[CyBeRkId2002]

Hi all,

Looking to buy a freeview box as a present for someone for Christmas and wondered what people thought the best freeview box below £50 would be (either brand-new or professional refurb)?

Pic quality isn't hugely, hugely important as it will be plugged into a 26" TV but a nice responsive menu, along with the ability not to crash every 5 minutes is very important.

I have seen a Thompson 160gb HDD box (model no: DTI 6300) on ebay for £40. Seems to be a good price but is it any good?

Cheers,
Michael

[Geofbob]

Short answer - avoid it! You say Freeview box (which usually mean just a receiver); but the Thomson is a PVR - is that really what you want? Anyway, the Thomson has Top Up TV software which has some rather bad write-ups. If it's on e-Bay cheap, there's a good reason.

In fact, you'll be lucky to find a PVR in reasonable nick for £50. The cheapest on Argos were about £100 the last time I looked. However, if you would be happy with a receiver, not a recorder, then £50should get you a reliable machine, brand new.

PS Re the Thomson, read this - thomson dti6300 pvr - any good?