I am about to buy my first PVR but keep reading that there is about to be a new generation of them which do things like record a whole series with one setting; or which will record a series if you press a button while you're watching a trailer. Should I wait or will any PVR I buy be able to receive updates?
Although I rate the Sky+ system as the best, I have had several failures with the Series record feature.
My dad loves his Humax 9200T for Freeview with a Hard drive. It also has a USB slot, I think you can copy recordings to your PC. Around �150 I think. He's had it a year, so there may be a better model out now, and all the nasty bugs have probably been sorted.
I also have a Humax 9200.
It's flawed but it's great.
For instance there's a bug where if you use the picture in picture while watching a recording it eats up hard drive space which can only be freed up with a disk format.
My favourite button on the remote is the button that skips forward 30 seconds - great for skipping commercials. Unfortunately the button is hidden under a crappy slidey bit of plastic that breaks rather quickly.
Seconded for the Humax 9200T it's bril AND no subscription to pay. There are a few out there now (including a rebranded 9200T) that have Freeview Playback which is the series link feature you mention pipneed. Try here at the Freeview website for an overview and which other manufacturers are supporting this feature.