Which PVR

[Clarkvcr]

I've got £100 of Argos vouchers and was thinking of a PVR. Not sure about choices though.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Browse...1500011502.htm
Warfedale, Bush, Hitachi.
Used mainly for Corrie etc, Waking the dead, the odd movie. Usual crap.
Anyone any thoughts.
Cheers

[danielf]

There are some reviews here:

http://www.pvruk.co.uk/index.cfm?att...ayback#reviews

Personally, I have the humax and I'm very pleased with it.
There's a Humax users forum here:

http://www.hummy.org.uk/forums/index.php?act=idx

Question though: are you planning to use it for freeview or cable?

[Clarkvcr]

Probably freeview most of the time. Thing is, I have a TV with freeview and a PVR would allow us to record 2 channels and watch 3rd on tv.
We also have virgin cable and my wifes friend has just got V+
Wife fancies it now - but that's just because her friend has it.
I thought a stand alone pvr would be more versatile but I'm not so sure now.
I have to say that most of the extra channels we have through virgin are crap and I only occasionally watch Setanta. Point of interest - the freeview tuner on my Panasonic tv is every bit as good, if not better, than the reception on Virgin

[the-cable-guy]

Originally Posted by Clarkvcr

I've got £100 of Argos vouchers and was thinking of a PVR. Not sure about choices though.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Browse...1500011502.htm
Warfedale, Bush, Hitachi.
Used mainly for Corrie etc, Waking the dead, the odd movie. Usual crap.
Anyone any thoughts.
Cheers

dont bother with Bush mate, they use poor quality components.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Clarkvcr

Probably freeview most of the time. Thing is, I have a TV with freeview and a PVR would allow us to record 2 channels and watch 3rd on tv.
We also have virgin cable and my wifes friend has just got V+
Wife fancies it now - but that's just because her friend has it.
I thought a stand alone pvr would be more versatile but I'm not so sure now.
I have to say that most of the extra channels we have through virgin are crap and I only occasionally watch Setanta. Point of interest - the freeview tuner on my Panasonic tv is every bit as good, if not better, than the reception on Virgin

I'm not sure how the PVR would interact with your existing VM box. I have a funny feeling they might not be compatible. That is to say, you won't be able to record from cable on this box, but you should be able to record two freeview channels while watching a third. The simplest way would be to use the freeview decoder in the PVR. As you mention Setanta, you can get Setanta on freeview, but your freeview box/PVR will need a card slot (be 'top up' compatible). The cheaper PVRs don't have this. As you say you don't watch the additional channels much, getting a PVR with top up capability might allow you to keep Setanta and ditch VM.

Another thing to bear in mind is that freesat is looking quite interesting as it will carry far more channels (including HD). You need a dish and set-top box for it, and I think freeview PVRs are not compatible with it. If the freesat option appeals to you, you might want to hold out for a bit, and not spend money on kit that may become obsolete in the near future.

On a positive note: getting a PVR has revolutionised the way I watch TV. It really allows you to take control. I thoroughly recommend getting one

Edit: One other thing you might want to look at is if the PVR has a usb out, which can be used to transfer recordings to a computer. The Humax does and if I recall correctly from when I was looking at PVRs many of the cheaper models lack this facility.

Edit again:

Digital spy have a forum dedicated to PVRs

There is a PVR comparison thread as well (it's an old thread, but people still post in it.)

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=191519

[LSainsbury]

Originally Posted by danielf

On a positive note: getting a PVR has revolutionised the way I watch TV. It really allows you to take control....

And you can spin through the annoying adverts!

And here's a tip - if you have Sky+, live pause the programme you are about to watch until it's about 7mins in and then start watching it and when the ad break come, you can just zip over it - magic!!

[Clarkvcr]

Thanks for the info folks. Looks as though you get what you pay for.
I'm going to have a good look at all the review sites.
Maybe just get new garden furniture with my Argos vouchers.
Sleep on them instead of in front of the telly!

[the-cable-guy]

Originally Posted by Clarkvcr

Thanks for the info folks. Looks as though you get what you pay for.

of course you do mate, if you pay peanuts for something from new then 9/10 it'l be poo. its the same with most things in life fella