Digital TV Guides

Digital TV recorders

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

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Want to record your favourite shows so you can watch them whenever you want? Video recorders will become redundant once you’ve switched to digital, so get yourself a PVR. (Updated 14/4/10)

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You’ll need a digital TV recorder, or Personal Video Recorder (PVR) as they’re also known, if you want to record TV programmes after you’ve gone digital. Because video (VHS) recorders run on the analogue signal, you won’t be able to use them once you’ve switched to digital. So you’ll need a PVR to record your favourite programmes.

But what exactly is a PVR, how do they work and which one should you buy? Read our guide below to find out everything you need to know about buying a digital TV recorder…

What is a PVR?

A PVR is a piece of digital TV hardware that lets you record programmes. They are sometimes also called digital video recorders or DVRs.

Unlike video recorders or DVD recorders, which use removable tapes or discs to record programmes, a PVR stores anything that’s been recorded to an internal hard disk, inside a digital set-top box.

This means that the storage capacity on a PVR is huge - typically more than 100 hours of TV, though models are being upgraded constantly so users can record high-definition (HD) content as more HD channels become available.

As well as the advantage of not having any tapes to rewind and store, with a PVR the picture and sound quality of a programme will not deteriorate - when you play it back, it’s just as good as watching live TV, no matter how many times you watch it.

Who offers digital TV recorders?

There are plenty of digital TV recorders on the market, both branded and non-branded. And all of the UK’s major digital TV providers offer their own PVR set-top boxes, so the one you choose really depends on who you subscribe to for your TV service.

Consumers that choose services from providers such as Sky, Virgin Media and BT Vision will be able to choose their digital TV set-top box when joining. You can have a standard box, a recorder or a HD ready recorder. Have a look at some of the PVRs available below:

Sky+ and Sky+HD box

Satellite TV giant Sky (www.sky.co.uk) offers subscribers two PVRs, the Sky+ Box and the Sky+HD box. Both set-top boxes allow you to:

• Pause, rewind and record live TV
• Record a whole series with the Series Link feature - so you’ll never miss an episode of your favourite show
• One touch recording lets you record up to 185 hours of standard definition programming, without the need for a tape or video cassette
• You can also programme your box to “remote record” using your mobile phone or online.

In addition, the Sky+HD box lets you watch all the high-definition channels on Sky (providing you subscribe to the HD pack), and record around 60 hours of HD content. The Sky+HD box is now free when you take the HD pack and sign-up for a 12-month contract with Sky.

V+HD box

If you’re considering a cable TV package from Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com) and want a PVR, the V+HD Box gives you all the functionality of a standard digital recorder and more. You’ll be able to:

• Pause, rewind and record live TV
• Record two programmes on different channels at the same time, while watching a third on another channel - Sky only lets you watch one and record another
• Record a whole series with the Series Link feature
• Record up to 80 hours of TV
• Watch catch-up TV with the BBC iPlayer, 4oD and the ITV Player
• Watch the high-definition content available on Virgin Media (subject to your monthly subscription).

BT Vision+ box

The Vision+ box from BT Vision (www.bt.vision.co.uk) has recently been redesigned and now comes in a sleek black box to match the BT Home Hub. As well as using 12% less electricity than the previous model, the new Vision+ box lets users:

• Pause, rewind and record live TV
• Record a whole series by simply pressing the record button twice
• View all the on-demand shows on the BT Vision menu
• Record and store up to 80 hours of Freeview TV
• Watch HD content in crystal clear high-definition.

If you opt for a free-to-view provider such as Freeview or Freesat, you will have to buy your PVR separately. Freeview digital recorders range in price from about £50 up to £200 for a high-definition version.

Though the free-to-view TV recorders can be quite expensive, it is important to bear in mind that this is a one-off cost, and that you will not have to pay the ongoing monthly subscriptions charged by Sky, Virgin Media or BT Vision.

Should I get a PVR?

If you want to be able to record TV after your area has switched to digital, you will have to purchase some kind of PVR - whether it’s a Freeview or Freesat model, or one that comes with a subscription TV service. VHS recorders will no longer work after you’ve switched to digital, so if you’re worried you’ll miss your favourite soaps while on holiday, you’ll need a PVR.

It’s important to bear in mind however, that PVRs only have a set amount of capacity, for example the Vision+ box from BT lets you record just 80 hours of programming in standard definition (less if you want to record in high-definition). So if you want to keep the series you have recorded to watch at a later date but also need to free up some space on your hard drive, you will have to use a DVD recorder connected to your set-top box to burn the content to a DVD.

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