My researches indicate that it's really only a matter of an EPG?
[LIST=1][*]"Proprietary" EPG on Freesat, DIY on FTA.[*] Can I add other FTA channels to a Freesat box, or is it effectively locked to "non believers"[/LIST]
Facing the possible loss of my Sly+ facilities, I'm looking at other easy ways of recording.
I don't want - sorry need - HD, nor do I want to spend up to £300 at the moment.

I'm looking at the Technomate TM 600 Linux box as it has the potential to be flexible;[LIST][*]it also promises to make recording to DVDs for watching elsewhere. [*]It's also relatively inexpensive, so that if the addons don't work it's not a disaster![*] AND it's full of exciting boy's toys, ethernet connection, USB devices, and on.[/LIST]
So guys, your help on the questions above and suggestions on my comments will be much appreciated.

Freesat boxes can switch modes to become free to air boxes, no epg just now and next so you can view any fta channels from any sat you can point your dish at

Essentially that's all Freesat is - a different EPG for the already existing free chanels on Sky.

If you don't mind going back to the crude timer setting days, a FTA PVR will work fine.

A Pace PVR2 box can be modified to enable it's recording feature that you would normally have to pay for. it still uses sky's EPG but you can get a freesat from sky card to go along with it too to get you a few extra channels.

edit:

I found out what I needed via a Google.

That would be nice! I've got a couple of those hanging around.

Any pointers to where I could find something that works - I recall reading something - perhaps here - but the results appeared to be inconclusive.

(You could PM me if the solution is not PC)

Very many thanks to both of you thus far, and so quickly - but if anyone else wants to join in....

FWIW and in case anyone is interested, these Linux boxes seem very attractive. I understand that some use for definitely off limits purposes, which I don't condone, but within the limits of what is OK -
[LIST][*]Connect your box to t'internet and operate it remotely - means in theory you could contact it through your phone / laptop and set up recordings (I intend to do that when away on hols and unable to get a Sat: signal)[*]download recordings to one's PC and burn to DVD.[*]Possibly burn direct to a DVD attached via USB[*]There is supposedly an EPG which works, but I don't have any real details.[/LIST]
All worth following up, but you'd need a box to see if the stuff really works. If the bits are broken, then at least I've not wasted too much cash.

You won't be able to burn directly to dvd, a dvd has a specific file structure to allow the player to navigate. All you will get out of USB is the raw mpeg2 data that's in the wrong format for a DVD anyway. Broadcast TV uses a transmission stream format (.ts) and a dvd requires a programme stream file. The conversion is simple and lossless but you will need a burning package to build the files a dvd needs to work. .vob, .ifo and .bak.

To see what I mean stick a dvd in a PC and explore it. You will find all the the files in a folder labelled TS_Video