TV/HD/Freeview

Pig Cat

Pig Cat

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Suffolk
Our Freeview box packed in last night. I thought about replacing it but I'm aware that everything is going HD in the not so distant future. We've just got a 'normal' telly if you see what I mean, and I don't know whether to replace the whole thing and get something futuristic.

I've already got an amp, DVD, video and speakers. I'd like a reasonably-priced, simple to use set-up that is as future-proof as possible. I saw this today:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-TX-L32X10-32-inch-Widescreen-Freeview/dp/B0020HRICO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-TX-L3 ... roduct_top</a><!-- m -->

But should I just get a Freeview box and wait for a while?? I realise that I have a myriad of options, but any suggestions gratefully received gentlemen. :D
 
I can't tell you what to do - but Freeview HD boxes are still not exactly dripping off the shelves... I replaced our TV a little while back because the old TV was dying slowly and Murdoch wanted another £25 for a card for the "Freesat from Sky" box.

Purely from an aesthetic point of view I decided to buy a Freesat HD equipped TV (which also does Freeview - but not Freeview HD), because it saved another box under the TV - if there's any compelling reason to go for it, can add a Freeview HD box, but I can't see it happening.
 
Nah, don't replace the freeview box. Get something skinny and shiny and hd'y.

My plan worked a treat. Go to giant Tesco, pick up What TV magazine from the magazine bit, take the magazine to huge wall of telly's, match up money with rating, put magazine back on shelf.

That Panasonic does look lovely but a future proof telly should probably be full HD.
 
We are such a throw away society. If there isn't anything wrong with the TV then I'd just get a new freeview box, wait and see how Freesat HD pans out over the next 18 months it might become a rival to sky it might bomb.
 
I'm sure the picture is great on this box but unless you subscribe to Sky HD I'm not sure if it's worth it, you'll still need a HD box any way and they'll be bringing out 3D soon enough. When £400 flat screens have a built in HD tuner then it might be worth the purchase, if you need a TV go for it but not on HD future proofing grounds. Future proofing seems like a good idea but in reality it doesn't really happen because there's always something else around the corner.

If you don't have one you might get more mileage out of a Freeview box with a built in hard disk recorder of some sort, I think they are definitely worth the investment, it has changed the way I don't watch TV.
 
Jeltz said:
We are such a throw away society. If there isn't anything wrong with the TV then I'd just get a new freeview box, wait and see how Freesat HD pans out over the next 18 months it might become a rival to sky it might bomb.
Click to expand...

Thanks chaps! Yes I agree Jeltz and I would only consider upgrading the telly if I had no choice. Looks like a Freeview HD Recorder may be worth a go. I'll look in to this but any further replies would be good!
 
antdad said:
If you don't have one you might get more mileage out of a Freeview box with a built in hard disk recorder of some sort, I think they are definitely worth the investment, it has changed the way I don't watch TV.
Click to expand...

yep, to paraphrase Douglas Adams. I have a washing machine to wash cloths I can't be bothered to wash, a dish washer to was dishes I can't be bothered to wash and now I have Sky+ to watch TV I can't be bothered to watch.
 
Is there a Costco nearby? I think you get a 5 year no quibble guarantee on all electrical appliances from them. keep it a couple of years and when it goes duff, they replace with equivalent or upgrade.
 
Harleyrider said:
Is there a Costco nearby? I think you get a 5 year no quibble guarantee on all electrical appliances from them. keep it a couple of years and when it goes duff, they replace with equivalent or upgrade.
Click to expand...

I can agree with that -the last but one TV we had was from CostCo and it died about 6 months inside the guarantee - there was no talk of repair (or replacement) - just "how would you like the refund? is cash ok?"

John Lewis also offer a 5yr guarantee on TVs - which is why I bought the FreesatHD jobbie there - because CostCo didn't have the model I wanted (nor would they have thrown in the "matching" DVD player)
 
High Def won't bomb, it is here to stay and Sky and other providers that have made the investment will sell services on the back of it until it becomes more standard than it is now.

The beeb will show case the crown jewels in HD (Some films, wildlife, sporting events) as well as other programming on its HD channel. I'm sure it will expand it's services eventually.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.freesat.co.uk/index.php?page=whatson.HDschedule" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.freesat.co.uk/index.php?page ... HDschedule</a><!-- m -->


If the content tickles you, the usual suspects are making High Def Freeview boxes, Pace and Humax and with recorders too, but they will drop in price eventually.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.richersounds.com/products/home-cinema/home-cinema-separates/freeview-freesat-pvr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.richersounds.com/products/ho ... reesat-pvr</a><!-- m -->

That's of you want to view the Hairy arsed bikers in HD. ;)
 
OK I'm leaning towards this:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.richersounds.com/product/freeview-freesat-pvr/humax/pvr9150t/huma-pvr9150" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.richersounds.com/product/fre ... ma-pvr9150</a><!-- m -->

Think it may be the best compromise for what we need i.e. decent quality freview box with the bonus of the hard drive etc.

Thanks for all your help!!
 
Here you are PC...I bought my 9200 years ago it was a refurb but its been running fault free for years and it looked like new. I changed my hard drive for a larger one so it might be worth considering buying one with a larger drive for the money. I think the 9150 is pretty much the same as the 9200.


<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/prodCat2.asp?cat=Factory" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/prodCat2.asp?cat=Factory</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.avforums.com/forums/pvrs-vcrs/1094847-has-anyone-ordered-grade-pvr-humax-direct.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.avforums.com/forums/pvrs-vcr ... irect.html</a><!-- m -->
 
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