[Mick_OC]

Hi, my in-laws have asked me to get a TV and recorder for them as they've switched to digital. I was going to buy the panasonic DVD/HDD - DMR-EX79EB but looking at the manual I think it may confuse my father in-law (he's 86) - although it does have excellent reviews. I was also thinking about a two box solution, PVR plus seperate DVD (they do watch DVD's quite often).

My concern with the PVR is that I've read about so many problems around the top players (Humax, Thomson etc) but I think it may be easier to use and it has the benefit of a twin tuner, also need one that is reliable, doesn't lock up and quick at responding.

Any advice appreciated - (soon, if possible as I need to sort this week)

Thanks
M

[KenMavor]

Originally Posted by Mick_OC

Hi, my in-laws have asked me to get a TV and recorder for them as they've switched to digital. I was going to buy the panasonic DVD/HDD - DMR-EX79EB but looking at the manual I think it may confuse my father in-law (he's 86) - although it does have excellent reviews. I was also thinking about a two box solution, PVR plus seperate DVD (they do watch DVD's quite often).

My concern with the PVR is that I've read about so many problems around the top players (Humax, Thomson etc) but I think it may be easier to use and it has the benefit of a twin tuner, also need one that is reliable, doesn't lock up and quick at responding.

Any advice appreciated - (soon, if possible as I need to sort this week)

Thanks
M

Was in same position a couple of months ago - either a cheapo PVR, a Topfield or a Humax 9300T for an elderly relative. Got a Humax for myself (old Thomson had died) to try it out and must say it does exactly what it does on the tin. Noise is not an issue, twin tuner, large disk. It does sometimes lock up (maybe once every 2/3 weeks) but you just switch if off and on again. Remote is a bit of an ergonomic mess (who do they get to build these things?) but recording a programme, either single or series is a dawdle. It has never gone seriously wrong in 8 months, gets used constantly by 4 people and the elderly relative, who got one about 5 months ago, loves it for it's ease of use and lack of fuss.

[Mick_OC]

Thanks, was also looking at the Toppy TF5800 (5810 seems to have bad reviews).

The Humax reviews do scare me, I live 80 miles from the in-laws so will have to support any issues over the phone. I need something that is easy to use and reliable, leaning towards Toppy.