Looking for a Freeview TV Recorder

Boaz · 15-10-2022, 10:20

Hi, I'm looking for some advice on a good Freeview TV Recorder.

My stepmother is aged 74. She is looking for a Freeview TV Recorder, something simple for her if possible. She has no broadband. There is no USB on the back of the TV. She has 2 HDMI and a SCART socket.

Do the Freeview boxes have their own ariel installed?

cheekyangus · 15-10-2022, 11:38

There aren't many Freeview recorders on the market these days. You are basically looking at Manhattan and Humax.

You'll need to plug an aerial into them, you'll be able to pass through the one to her TV. i.e. You plug the current aerial from her TV into the recorder box and another aerial cable completes the circuit and goes from the recorder box to the aerial itself (e.g. the wall socket).

The most basic Manhattan currently is the T2-R, which doesn't have internet features and is cheaper as a result.
https://manhattan-tv.com/freeview-hd...n-t2r-recorder

The T3-R is a similar box, but the main difference is internet requiring features. It will work without internet though.
https://manhattan-tv.com/freeview-pl...n-t3r-recorder

Humax have a few models. Again, even though some have internet features they will work as recordable boxes without broadband being available.
https://uk.humaxdigital.com/product-category/freeview/

Most modern Freeview boxes tend to not have Scart, so you'll need one of those HDMI.

Jaymoss · 15-10-2022, 11:44

You may well be able to pick up a bargain on Ebay

for example https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165726571...Bk9SR4CF2bP7YA

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285001586...Bk9SR4CF2bP7YA

cheekyangus · 15-10-2022, 11:46

I have experience with both manufacturers I mentioned, but it's mainly for Freesat. I do have a Humax Freeview recorder in the cupboard as a backup, but it's far frok a current model.

I will say two additional things. One, that my relatives, who are a similar age to your stepmother have an old Humax recorder model too and they are able to work it.

Two, I have the current basic non-recordable Manhattan Freesat box, which looks to have a similar look to its on-screen interface, and I've been very impressed with its simplicity and usability. Their recordable Freeview boxes look to work in a similar fashion so I expect they work well.

Boaz · 15-10-2022, 12:45

Thank you cheekyangus and Jaymoss. It is much appreciated.

The issue is she has an indoor aerial that does not work so that is a big problem then.

So really, this is not an option then for her, no?

SnoopZ · 15-10-2022, 12:52

If she hasn't got a working aerial and no broadband there are zero options.

She's needs to get an aerial put in the loft or on the roof.

Jaymoss · 15-10-2022, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoopZ

If she hasn't got a working aerial and no broadband there are zero options.

She's needs to get an aerial put in the loft or on the roof.

or cheap internet

RichardCoulter · 15-10-2022, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoopZ

If she hasn't got a working aerial and no broadband there are zero options.

She's needs to get an aerial put in the loft or on the roof.

This is not necessarily so, I know someone who receives Freeview via an indoor aerial. She had to sometimes tweek it between channel changes, but after DSO they increased the power and even this is no longer necessary.

ozsat · 15-10-2022, 15:35

The OP already said the indoor aeriel does not work.

And as the receiver will be for recording too - you would not be able to tweak and still expect the recording channel to be good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

This is not necessarily so, I know someone who receives Freeview via an indoor aerial. She had to sometimes tweek it between channel changes, but after DSO they increased the power and even this is no longer necessary.

RichardCoulter · 15-10-2022, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozsat

The OP already said the indoor aeriel does not work.

And as the receiver will be for recording too - you would not be able to tweak and still expect the recording channel to be good.

I can't see where that was said. I had assumed that the indoor aerial did work, but that a PVR was now required.

Jaymoss · 15-10-2022, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

I can't see where that was said. I had assumed that the indoor aerial did work, but that a PVR was now required.

read post 5 Richard

Boaz · 16-10-2022, 07:56

Is it possible then to purchase an indoor aerial? I didn't realise you could buy them like that until it was mentioned here.

The aerial she has coming from the rooftop into the living room does not work.

SnoopZ · 16-10-2022, 09:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boaz

Is it possible then to purchase an indoor aerial? I didn't realise you could buy them like that until it was mentioned here.

The aerial she has coming from the rooftop into the living room does not work.

Could you not get the roof top aerial fixed, that would be the best option for a perfect signal?

Indoor aerials sitting on top of a TV would not be ideal for her especially if she has to manually adjust it from time to time, the signal won't be fantastic either.

ozsat · 16-10-2022, 09:20

It could be it just isn't connected somewhere on the route - or needs new cable. If it is really old it could now be in the wrong band for the local signals.
If you use an indoor aerial it would need to be located where it received no interference on any channels at any time - as recordings could be affected otherwise.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boaz

The aerial she has coming from the rooftop into the living room does not work.

SnoopZ · 16-10-2022, 09:27

Have a look at estimated costs for an aerial installation.

https://householdquotes.co.uk/roof-a...llation-costs/