Connecting a Recorder to BT TV Box Mini

[CJ18]

I have a BT TV Box Mini in addition to my Pro box, and I would really like to be able to record from the mini box rather than just use streaming for anything not showing live.  Is it possible to attach a recorder of any description (YouView Recorder?) to the mini box for this purpose?

[DarrenDev]

No - the video output is copy protected. If you have a TV aerial then you could buy another recordable box, and it would work as your second box.
(You could also buy a second Pro box which would work, but this isn't supported by BT as Pro boxes are not for sale)

[Brucemeister5]

How do BT view the status of Pro tv boxes which have been purchased from elsewhere? According to the ts & cs they are subject to a late return fee of £115 but are still the property of BT. Asking for a friend 😉

[Midnight_Voice]

You can’t buy a BT Pro box and own it, as that would be receiving stolen goods.

But perhaps you can pay someone for the privilege of keeping it safe for the foreseeable future 😛

[CJ18]

Thanks for the replies, I've worked around the problem by cancelling BT TV and going with Sky Q.  I was mostly OK with the BT platform but the limits on recordings was a big issue for me.  

I have to commend BT's customer service throughout my TV experience though, it was first class.

[vitaminj]

Just interested, did you want recordings local to the Mini box, or just the ability to set recordings?
Would it have suited your usecase if you could press record on the Mini box, and the request be "sent" to the main Pro box to actually do?

[Midnight_Voice]

@vitaminj 

You mean like you can already do on the app, owner of the recognisable face? 😛

[vitaminj]

Well yes, true, just wondering if just being able to press record in the guide or on a live programme on the Mini box for example would have been a cool thing which might have not lost people like @CJ18.

Just wondering out loud, nothing should be read into my face

[DarrenDev]

It's a nice idea, but very niche. Without the ability to subsequently then watch it on the Mini, it would only cause more confusion.
The aim is to encourage more use of the catch up players, rather than rely on recordings.

[Midnight_Voice]

@vitaminj 

Just that it’s familiar to me 😛