[xerxes991]

A plea for help in understanding my options! I have an NTL box and a widescreen TV. I would like to ditch my VCR and be able to watch / record / timeshift programmes. I would obviously (?) prefer to receive digital only, since that allows me to make proper use of my 16:9 TV. So I need a second digital receiver (apart from my NTL box). So, I am thinking along these lines:
- get a cheap Freeview receiver (£40, say)
- get a basic DVD/HDD machine (eg Liteon5045 on Amazon - £192)
- hook up my FV receiver and NTL box to the Liteon & TV, and I'm away!

BUT, some questions:
- Would I be able to record/archive old video tapes onto DVD?
- Would I be able to get EPG to work, even if only for FV channels?
- Does any of this make sense?
- Are there better / cheaper options?
- Should I wait for NTL to bring out their equivalent of Sky Box?

If this posting confirms that I don't know what I'm talking about, can someone please pass me my coat and point me to a web site with a suitable idiots' guide?
Thanks, Steve

[JayCee]

Originally Posted by xerxes991

A plea for help in understanding my options! I have an NTL box and a widescreen TV. I would like to ditch my VCR and be able to watch / record / timeshift programmes. I would obviously (?) prefer to receive digital only, since that allows me to make proper use of my 16:9 TV. So I need a second digital receiver (apart from my NTL box). So, I am thinking along these lines:
- get a cheap Freeview receiver (£40, say)
- get a basic DVD/HDD machine (eg Liteon5045 on Amazon - £192)
- hook up my FV receiver and NTL box to the Liteon & TV, and I'm away!

I would forget about the Freeview box and Liteon DVDR and just get a DVDR with Freeview built-in...something along the lines of Panasonic, Pioneer etc would be far better and more reliable than the Liteon.
That would enable you to watch cable and record Freeview as well as dub from any VCR.
The only downside is you would need a separate outside (preferably) aerial.

[JethroUK]

i notice you can still buy Philips HDRW720 @ £199

http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/5638...html?srcid=867

that has 80 gig HD + DVDR + built-in Guide+ EPG + remote dongle to change channels + works fine on NTL (works for me) + with 6 hour record buffer it's closest you'll get to Sky+ + best chase/play pause live TV

i'd still recommend seperate freeview tuner to watch while you record