Digital Freeview Recorder - advice/experience

[decembersangel]

Hi All 👋,

So, after my last Digital FV recorder 'bricked' I am looking a for an affordable replacement.
The last one I had was a Humax DTR-T2000 and I had it <6months before it was unusable no matter what solutions I found 😤!

So, I am looking to replace it with something reliable, doesn't cost too much and is up to date!

This is what I have come up with after much research and need personal experiences from actual users of the following models...

Option 1)
Purchase an older FV recorder and also a OD device to get ITVX (as the ITVX app is not available on older models of FV recorders).
Recorders are:-
Panasonic DMR HWT 150EB
Panasonic DMR HWT 130EB
Panasonic DMR HWT 250EB
and purchase an OD device(to get ITVX):-
Amazon Fire Stick Max 4K
Google Chromcast 4K
Roku Express 4K/4K+

Option 2)
Save for many months (10+) and purchase a recorder that supports ITVX:-
Manhatten T3-R
Manhatten T4-R
BT RV Pro
Humax Aura

From what I can determine, the Panasonic DMR HWT 150EB is a great/safe bet (even from reviews from2024)  although the last software update was  2019.
My sister has a spare Amazon Fire Stick but I don't know if the software (I don't know the model) would support the viewing of ITVX On-Demand.

I have really, really very limited £ after the purchase of the Humax and would love the next recorder I purchase to be reliable and last longer than 6mths.

All and any help and advice would be greatly appreciated!

x x x

[Anonymous]

@decembersangel 

If upfront payment is an issue and reliability a concern, why are you not contracting to a base TV package from your broadband provider (assuming BT)?

You would then get a modern Freeview capable box, the apps you want (albeit itvX, Channel 4 and 5 are SD only on the Pro Box) and the reassurance that if the box goes bang, your ISP has to replace it?

The Entertainment option on EE TV is what, £10 per month depending on offers? 

Otherwise, it would be the Manhattan T4-R for me, the last "pure" Freeview Play PVR we are likely to ever see and comes with a 2 year warranty, even if you have to save up.  

[TimCurtis]

@decembersangel 

I've got the Panasonic HWT-150 and had it some years now & it was second hand when I got it.

From my perspective it's rock solid like most Panasonic kit. The only downside is that Panasonic withdrew the ability to set recordings via the app some months ago. Connectivity is Ethernet or Wi-Fi as is the 250 but the 130 is Ethernet only.

[decembersangel]

Thanks @Anonymous 
Unfortunately I can't afford any sort of TV package as I am stretched thin as it is with paying my bills, rent etc every month and so I would see it as a luxury and really can't afford that.
I certainly like the Manhattan T4-R as well and is definitely a front runner in the options.
Such a shame that they are being fazed out as not everyone can afford TV 'extra add-ons' and they are useful to record programmes that are not available on On-Demand/Catch-Up services.

Chees @TimCurtis 
The HWT-150EB model has certainly got good reviews, even up to this year, and so I am seriously looking at it as an option.
I'm not particularly bothered whether it is Wifi or Ethernet connectivity as I have an extender in my front room.
As for using an App to record programmes, I didn't realise you could do this and I tend to record 'the series' so  I don't really need this. 

Thank you both for your suggestions they have been greatly appreciated! x

[chrisjp]

I've had a Manhatten T3-R for several years and it has performed excellently. I use it mostly to make make off-aerial recordings, which is easy to do via the inbuilt TV guide enabling both single programmes and series to be set to record. Making these recordings allows me to fast forward through the ads, something you can't do when streaming programmes over broadband.
I do occasionaly use it for streaming, often when I've forgotten to set up a recording, and it works well for that as well.
I would thoroughly recommmend it, or indeed the newer T4-R.

[TimCurtis]

If I was buying new or newish it would be one of the Manhattens I think as support seems quite good and is all  UK based.

If a bit older then the HWT-150 for me.

[decembersangel]

Hi @TimCurtis 👋

Well, I made the decision to purchase a Panny HWT150EB and it's a great bit of equipment so thank you for the recommendation 👍
Being used to the Humax DVR (Youview) it is a lot more complicated to get to grips with as it is 'all singing and dancing' and them some and so it is taking some time to get used to 😵😁
The ONLY thing that really bothers me about it is....... what happened to the volume control buttons on the remote 😤 This is the only DVR that I've seen that hasn't got them 🙄 Of all the buttons the remote does have (and there are MANY 😄) surely these would be useful 🤔  Even after ALL of the research I did with regards to this model not ONE person said 'you know what it's a great bit of kit but there is no volume control on the remote'... a lot of 'it's complicated to get used to but worth it', 'a lot of good features', 'doesn't falter' etc but not ONE review about a simple thing like no volume control 🙄😂
Ah well, looks like I'm gonna have to live with 2 remotes 😁
x x 

[rbz5416]

The remote does have a volume conrol, see P.14 of the manual.

If your TV isn't supported, One For All make a range of cheap universal remotes.

[TimCurtis]

@decembersangel 

Don't know what remote you've got but this is mine with controls for the TV.

[decembersangel]

Yup! That's the control I have as well 👍
I just find it bizarrre that to control the volume the remote has to connect to the TV rather than control it through the DVR itself like others do 😕
My TV is a SEIKI TV (SE32HY02UK) that I was given by my parents and this make doesn't appear in the instructions so I'm going to use my friend named 'Google' (other search engines are available 😁) to see if someone else has the answer  to what code(s) may work 🤔 If I can't find an answer I may just punch in the numbers 01 - 99 in to see if any work!😂
If not, I will have a look at the One For All remotes (Thanks for that 👍) to see if I can afford one.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! x