Free-Sat/Digital Recorder recommendations

[Marco]

Guys,

My parents are looking to move from using a Freeview box with their (HD compatible Samsung flat-screen TV), to a Free-Sat/Digital recorder set-up, including having a satellite dish installed from scratch, for the first time.

Therefore, as I know less than nothing about these things, I'd like some reccos from the 'tech-savy' folks here for the best Free-sat set-up, consisting of the supply of new a dish and complete installation of everything, including a suitable digital recorder.

In terms of the latter, I was thinking of the Humax HDR-1000S (my parents wouldn't really want to spend any more than £250 on the recorder itself). Curry's have offered them a deal of supplying the Humax, a new dish, and full installation of everything for £304.99, which having shopped around a bit seems pretty good.

Questions:

1) Is the Humax the best Free-sat recorder to have for the money, and if not, what is (in terms of ease of use, reliability and performance)? Perhaps the Samsung SMT-S7800?

2) Would it be better to buy the recorder separately from, say, Richer Sounds, who have the Humax on sale for £199.99 (the cheapest I've seen it): http://www.richersounds.com/product/...reesat-g2-500g as opposed to the £209.99 of Curry's) and get a local TV and satellite firm to install everything and supply the dish?

3) Is there anything else they should be considering?

Cheers, chaps!

Marco.

[Mark Grant]

Are you sure they need Freesat ?
Are there channels on Freesat needed that are not of freeview?

The Humax Freeview HD recorders are very good and no need for dish.

Will post links to boxes when I know what is needed

[Marco]

Thanks, Mark. It's just dawned on me - do you sell some of this stuff, mate? I never even thought!

What channels are available on the Humax Freeview HD recorders? I think much depends on the signal you get in the area of installation, but if there is a 'stock list' of channels available, it would be handy to know (my mum watches mainly old films, old comedies and game shows, so access to the likes of UK Gold and Challenge are important)

Is Internet radio available with the Freeview HD recorders, or only with Free-sat? That's something my dad would definitely use, as he'd listen to the Scottish football on Sportsound, on BBC Radio Scotland, which he used to do up in Glasgow.

Also, one of the reasons for selecting Free-sat was the consideration that, with TVs now being supplied with Freeview built-in (and my parents not wanting to change their current basic flat-screen TV until it goes pop), Freeview boxes may be in danger of becoming defunct, and thus no longer supported, whereas with Free-sat that wouldn't be a consideration.

What's your view on that, dude?

Marco.

[Marco]

Does anyone else have some thoughts on this, until Mark comes back?

Marco.

[Beobloke]

Marco, it's worth checking with your parents what particular channels they like as, whilst both Freeview and Freesat have the same core channels, they differ in their provision of the smaller ones. As an example off the top of my head, Freeview has Dave and Quest but Freesat doesn't, whereas Freesat has the likes of CBS Action and the Horror channel but Freeview doesn't.

Channel lists here for Freeview: http://www.freeview.co.uk/whats-on/channels
And here for Freesat: http://www.freesat.co.uk/channels

We had an enfoced change to Freesat when we moved house two years ago as there is the square root of naff all Freeview signal where we now live - luckily there was already a dish on the house. I bought a Humax Foxsat HDR box and have to say I've been very impressed with it and don't miss Freeview at all. Well, apart from when I have the occasional hankering to watch a repeat of a 2003 episode of Top Gear on Dave, but that doesn't happen all that often... As a bonus, the Freesat signal is stronger and generally much more reliable.

The Currys all-in price does sound quite good but, then again, this does mean dealing with Currys - caveat emptor!

[Marco]

Thanks for the info, Adam. The channel lists in particular are useful

I note that Freeview doesn't offer BBC Radio Scotland, which would pretty much rule it out for my dad, as one of the things that attracted him to upgrade from his current (old) Freeview box, is being able to tune into live football commentary, in the SPL, which he used to do up in Scotland.

Furthermore, given the fact that TVs now are being produced with Freeview built-in, one wonders how long separate Freeview boxes will continue being made? I'd like this set-up to be as 'future-proofed' as possible, which makes me side more with the idea of getting a dish fitted and going with Free-sat.

One question: if they go with Free-sat, and have a dish fitted, could SKY Sports be added later to the Free-sat package, or is that a different thing entirely? And if that is possible, would it all work from the same dish?

I know what you mean about Currys, which is why I wondered if there would be any benefit in buying the Humax unit from an external supplier and then getting a local TV/satellite firm to install it, along with a suitable dish.... At least then, there would be a professional point of contact available, should anything go wrong with the installation in future, rather than having to deal with Currys.

Marco.

[Beobloke]

One question: if they go with Free-sat, and have a dish fitted, could SKY Sports be added later to the Free-sat package, or is that a different thing entirely? And if that is possible, would it all work from the same dish?

I don't think you can do this unless you go for a 'Freesat from Sky' package, which offers the same basic satellite channels for free but allows you to upgrade to Sky Digital and buy packages. As far as I know, the dish is the same, though - the people in our house before us used the dish we have to receive Sky.

Sky Freesat/Normal Freesat/Freeview comparison here: http://www.sky.com/shop/freesat/home...hoose-freesat/

[Mark Grant]

Sky Freesat/Normal Freesat/Freeview comparison here: http://www.sky.com/shop/freesat/home...hoose-freesat/

Sky are a bit misleading as unless things have changed very recently you cant record freesat on a freesat from sky box unless you pay a monthly subscription,

They make it look good with more channels but don't tell the whole story.

a question on the support forum:

http://helpforum.sky.com/t5/TV-Equip.../qaq-p/1452095

Looks like it is £10.25 a month to record free television even though the box was bought for £175.
I bet that catches a lot of people out.

[Mark Grant]

I note that Freeview doesn't offer BBC Radio Scotland, which would pretty much rule it out for my dad, as one of the things that attracted him to upgrade from his current (old) Freeview box, is being able to tune into live football commentary, in the SPL, which he used to do up in Scotland.
Marco.

That answers it, Freesat it is then

The Humax are good.

I usually buy from Humax direct for myself or family members etc, nearly always the 'Managers Specials' which are returns I think.
All have been as new so far.

http://www1.humaxdirect.co.uk/Direct...all?ck=factory

Only a 1 year on site swap out warranty but they are cheap enough.

Or Richer Sounds and pay a bit extra for the 5 year warranty.

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...reesat-g2-500g


Chester might be the nearest branch and they can usually recommend an installer.
http://www.richersounds.com/stores/chester

[webby]

Marco, I'll chip in if I may with a thought you've no doubt already considered.

How about contacting a local supplier/installer and quote them the two prices you've been given (richer sounds box and currys all in) and see if they can match or better the currys deal. They may even supply the humax themselves and I'm sure they'd be happy with the business. Plus, you'll probably get better service and support from them and more chance of customising the install to your parents liking.

Tbh, I'd pay £10 or so more to avoid currys.

Good luck.