buying a digital recorder

[VAL23eric]

Please could anyone advise me on which model of digital TV recorder I could buy for Christmas. The choice in the shops is overwhelming and as a senior citizen I find the technical details a total mystery. I am in the Granada area and am able to receive Freeview.
What I would like to be able to do is:
Watch & record freeview channels
Record,pause & rewind live TV
Record one chanel while watching another
I would prefer not to pay a monthly subscription so that let out Sky TV. Am I asking for the impossible? Please Help me make a choice.

[shantra]

My Mother (70) has just purchased a Techwoo box from tesco's she not very technically minded but got to grips with it within 2 days. It records, pauses, all the functions you require. wish I had got one at the same time. I brought a Wharfedale from Argos the same day cos i wanted top up tv and would advise you to steer clear from this one.

[Ethel]

Humax are very well respected in the field of Personal Video Recorders, which is what you are looking for, and this is the one I would buy:

http://www.johnlewis.com/230496339/Product.asp x?source=12021

Other places do sell it, so shop around.

Very easy to use and does everything you want. It has a huge hard drive as well. To record, you simply press the 'guide' button, which brings up the tv listings in a grid format, navigate to the programme you want and press the record button.

And of course, finding your recordings is a lot easier than sifting through a pile of video tapes or dvd disks - it is all there in a list, just highlight and press play.

I know there are cheaper devices on the market, but when you think how much a video recorder was when they first came out, it is relatively cheap.

[mandimoo]

and just to make you feel a bit better, i am probably half your age and i find the choices of products out there overwhelming too, and can never quite decide what it is i need or want (let alone afford)!

[pug100]

Try this comparison site of twin tuner models ( can record two things at once essential when tere ar 40 odd channels ) Can totally recommend the Humax recorders only draw back is they don't have dvd facilities but you can pick up a cheapo recorder in Tescos these days if you really want to keep recordings.

IMO PVRs are better than dvd recorders because
can record two things at once and watch a third recorded prog.
can switch subs on and off on the recording
epg synopsis is kept on the recording
easier to use and more intuitive
can rewind live tv & switch into record at any time if you want to keep the prog you've just watched.

http://www.pvrjunction.co.uk/compare/

[Caribeing]

I bought a Thomsons Top Up Tv Digital recorder from a shopping channel. It is great and does all you want it do do, but don't bother wth the offer of Top Up or Setanta, far too much bother with cancelling etc.!

[VAL23eric]

Thanks for all the replies regarding buying a digital tv recorder. Glad to see I am not alone when trying to keep up to date with technology.
Special thanks to PUG100 and Ethel.
I have followed the advise from al of you and will be going out shopping soon. Thanks again.