Decisions, Decisions ....

[Ann]

I'm putting this in Chatterbank as more people will see it especially with all the crossword traffic today!
We need some simple advice from anyone who can help please.

We are looking to have a very simple (for me to work! ;) device which records TV programmes or rewinds live TV. There are so many advertised at the moment that we are completely baffled by all the jargon and when I read up on the websites it is still as clear as mud! There are FreeSat, YouView etc etc and many others ...........

The main problem is the cost, as we can't afford to pay much extra. At the moment we have Sky TV on our set downstairs (pay about £24 monthly) and Freeview box on the TV upstairs. We also pay a Broadband and anytime calls package with Talktalk paying around £27 monthly and I understand they throw in a free box (Youview) but do you have to pay any extra for installation of these and monthly charges?

How do these boxes work, which in your opinion is the best and the cheapest at the moment please? I can't bear the thought of ringing all the various companies up to discuss as it is all hard sell and I'm left so confused. I wondered what other ABers have and charges they pay. Thanks :)

[Ann]

Is everyone watching the tennis?

[Tilly2]

I'm not watching the tennis Ann but I can't answer your question, I'm afraid.

[vodkancoke]

Hi Ann, I am watching the tennis, but I can multitask! Mum and Dad have the Humax YouView and love it. It's very easy to use, you can record, pause, rewind live TV and there is catch-up on it too. I think Dad paid an installation fee and that was it. I don't know how much it was but I am seeing them today and I can ask him. xx

[Mick-Talbot]

Why on earth do you pay talk talk for broadband when you have Sky?

[Prudie]

We do that, why is it daft?

[ethandron]

Agree with vodka, a humax box (or human box as one young lady we know refers to it) is by far the easiest. Ours cost approx £160, no other costs involved and you just plug it in, no need to have it installed. If you can plug in a tv you can plug in a humax box.

[Hopkirk]

I believe that the YouView box has to be connected to the internet router by wire, not wireless connection. For many this is quite a hassle.

[gness]

Ann...I have a Humax box and it's perfect. Had a slight problem last week...my fault... and their technical support are great to talk to...I fixed it...but they were so nice.....Irish guy who blew up a computer with a water bomb.
Daughter bought one not long ago for less than £100. It's one of their specials...whatever that is but go to the Humax site or phone and talk to them.

[zabado]

Bat & ball in Oz ?. NO WAY.

[Zacs-Master]

Bought mum and dad a Freeview box for Christmas. About £90 with a 500gb hard drive (which is how they work - like a computer's storage device). Very simple to use.

[Dee Sa]

we have Humax and i can work it and Mrs Techno I am not. We got ours on the govt scheme during the changeover we paid for the max not the freebie, had no trouble and there is a number to ring if you cant fathom how to do something connected with the Humax.

[missprim]

Ann86 I could be wrong here but I'm sure if you buy a Humax these days with youview in it you are talking about £300.http://humaxdirect.co.uk/prodCat.asp?cat=youview&page=youview&gclid=CL26p8_niLUCFQ7LtAods1UA6A
I'm with TalkTalk and they asked me if I wanted youview. it would mean changing the package I have with them and although the box is free, it would cost me about another £4 a month.
As I didn't think it was something of interest to me I didn't ask them anymore about it.

[missprim]

Sorry that link won't work Ann but google 'humax with you view' and it should tell you where to buy it and how much it is.

[Ann]

Thank you all so much for your advice. I will have to ring Talk Talk very soon as my contract ends 1 March, so will haggle about getting a free Humax box if I sign up for another 2 years ;)

Mick, I assume you mean why don't I do Broadband and anytime calls through Sky too? I may enquire again but 2 years ago it worked out more expensive, but could ask them about getting a free Sky+ box for changing over?

Does anyone know if the Humax box is wireless? My router box is upstairs and main TV downstairs so if its wired in that wouldn't be any good.

[missprim]

Ann you won't get a Humax from TalkTalk but you can get this free
https://sales.talktalk.co.uk/product/tv and pay a monthy subscription. Did you see my earlier post about it? Apologies if the link doesn't work.

[Ann]

Thanks Missprim - will decide tomorrow.

[DJHawkes]

I can't have You View as i there isn't fibreoptic broardband available yet in this postcode and so you may not be able to have that anyway, same with the sky one i think.

[DJHawkes]

it's not about which one you want it's about the speed capacity of your area or something

[Ann]

//it's not about which one you want it's about the speed capacity of your area or something //
.........and the cost Dotty, and the cost ............. LOL