[gillyf]

Hello,

My TV is a Ferguson (Nicam Digital Stereo). It has 2 scart sockets. My VCR has bitten the dust and I'm wondering about getting a DVD recorder instead, but I've been told that there's little point unless I also get a digital TV. Is this the case?

I haven't got (and don't want) a satellite dish, and I'm not on cable. The BBC website says I'd have to buy a set-top box (or an iDTV) and upgrade my aerial to get Freeview. But I don't mind about extra channels - what I'd like is more recording features, like being able to record 2 programmes at once, while watching one of them, or even another one; and I've read about timeslip, which would be nice but not essential. Mostly I watch programmes I've recorded within the week. Occasionally I like to keep one indefinitely.

I've also heard of hard disc recorders. Is this, perhaps, what would suit me?

I would be so grateful for advice and recommendations as to what sort (make) of DVD (or hard disc) recorder I should be looking at and whether or not I should also be thinking of getting a digital TV.

Gilly

[bobcar]

A combination of dual tuner freeview PVR plus a DVD recorder would seem to be ideal for you.

I'm not really into freeview as I have Sky+ but one of the other forums deals with this ("Digital Video Recorder forum) so ask on there about your requirements ie record 2 channels at once etc, there are several models.

Since you only record to keep occasionally then a DVD recorder without hard disk is probably enough, you won't need the hard disk for regular time shifting. Hard disk gives you the option to edit the program (remove adverts), this can save money as you can fit more on to the DVD but only if you use it a lot.

You won't need a digital TV as you would have 2 digital channels from the PVR though getting one would give you a 3rd channel. However one you get a freeview box most of the programs are widescreen so a widescreen TV would be good (you didn't say whether your's was or not).

[gillyf]

Thank you very much, bobcar, for replying. So are you saying that I need to have Freeview in order to be able to use a DVD recorder?

I'm afraid I don't know what a PVR is ...?

If I don't want the extra channels (I'm quite happy with 1, 2, 3 & 4), just more recording features than I can have with a VCR, is there a DVD recorder that would be particularly suitable?

Thanks again,
- Gilly

[gillyf]

I've now found out that PVR means Personal Video Recorder. so I think I understand your answer better now, bobcar.

Because I want to be able to record 2 programmes at once, I need a dual tuner PVR - yes? There isn't a DVD recorder that will do that?

You'll be realising that my ignorance is extensive! I'm struggling here: I need 2 pieces of equipment (dual tuner PVR & DVD recorder) and that will give me Freeview (as long as I get my aerial upgraded, which my postcode search on the BBC website said I'd have to do).

My TV isn't widescreen, but I'm really not bothered about lots of channels.

- Gilly

[bobcar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillyf

I've now found out that PVR means Personal Video Recorder. so I think I understand your answer better now, bobcar.

Because I want to be able to record 2 programmes at once, I need a dual tuner PVR - yes? There isn't a DVD recorder that will do that?

You'll be realising that my ignorance is extensive! I'm struggling here: I need 2 pieces of equipment (dual tuner PVR & DVD recorder) and that will give me Freeview (as long as I get my aerial upgraded, which my postcode search on the BBC website said I'd have to do).

My TV isn't widescreen, but I'm really not bothered about lots of channels.

- Gilly

You definitely need a dual tuner PVR to record 2 programs off freeview at once, the only thing is I'm not sure that all of those with dual tuners will record 2 channels at once, the best thing is to ask on the "digital video recorder" forum. I'm pretty sure there isn't a DVD recorder with integrated freeview around at the moment though things can always change.

You may well not have to upgrade your aerial to get freeview. The postcode search is very conservative, it says I can't get freeview at all but in fact I get it from 2 different regions with 2 old aerials. You don't get a lot of extra channels with freeview but it will probably be better quality than you have at the moment, it will also be widescreen but you can watch non-widescreen if you wish.

The DVD recorder is only needed if you wish to archive films/programs off the TV. If all you do is timeshift (ie record now to watch later) then the PVR itself is all you need.

[gillyf]

That's very helpful, bobcar. Thank you very much.

- Gilly

[TrevorPH]

Quote:

My VCR has bitten the dust and I'm wondering about getting a DVD recorder instead, but I've been told that there's little point unless I also get a digital TV. Is this the case?

My experience is that the analog TV picture is not of good enough quality to bother recording on DVD - once you get used to DVD quality the analog signal isn't good enough in my opinion. I've read others here posting that their analog picture is much better than their digital one but I've never seen this and I used to live within 1.5 miles of the Crystal Palace transmitter and could pick up channels there without even having an aerial plugged into the TV! Of course it worked much better with an aerial but even then the picture quality was not up to the same level of detail as the lowest quality Freeview channels.

You may not need to have your aerial upgraded, it may be that it's already good enough.

[gillyf]

Thanks for taking the time, Trevor.

I went to Comet this afternoon and bought a Thomson DHD4000. Can get Channel 5, Sky Sport and a few others (strangely enough - or maybe not? - I've never been able to get 5 on analogue), but not 1, 2, 3 or 4 - although I do get a box at the bottom of the screen telling me what's on these channels - I assume that's normal and not an indication that I should be able to see a picture if only I knew which button to press?

So it looks as though I need an aerial upgrade ..... ?

- Gilly

[Davester]

There is the posibility your Aerial is not correctly aligned with the transmitter or the lead from the aerial is 'leaking' signal.. the main downfall of plugging our freeview receiver into our downstairs tv is that the cabling is ancient and leaks signal everywhere.. thus producing poor results when it actually gets into the tv. I'd Say Check out your cabling and your aerial. Ignore the 'Ready for freeview/digital' signs on aerials, they're usually about £60 and there is no true 'ready for freeview' aerial because any aerial thats half decent can receive it!!

Thanks, David.

[bobcar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillyf

So it looks as though I need an aerial upgrade ..... ?

- Gilly

It looks like it. The fact that you couldn't get channel 5 before and that you now get some channels (perfectly?) would indicate that you may need to get a new "wideband" aerial. Different areas transmit digital signals on different frequencies and if you're unlucky enough to be in an area where the digital frequency is outside the norm then you may have to upgrade.

There could of course be something wrong with your cabling but since you get analogue and some digital ok this is less likely.

You really need to talk to a local aerial installer here, they should be able to give you good local advice about this.

[gillyf]

Cheers, bobcar. I learnt a lot yesterday and you stayed to help and reassure - appreciated. (Nearly there and getting excited!)

- Gilly