Recording guide
When you start to receive Freeview digital TV, you may want to record your favourite TV programmes. There are several options available depending on the equipment that you already own or intend to purchase.
Freeview recording the easy way
The easiest way to record Freeview is to invest in one of the new breed of Personal Video Recorders (PVR). These are sometimes called Digital Video Recorders (DVR). They record to a hard drive similar to the ones that we used in home computers and because everything is done digitally, there is no loss in quality. A PVR has an Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), which typically lists all of the TV programmes on all channels for the next seven days.
To set a timer event, it is often a single click once you have selected the programme that you want to record. No more messing about inputting start and finish times or setting the TV channel.
What to look for
- A twin tuner PVR. This is a complete system in one box, which will let you view one TV channel whilst recording another. Some even let you record two channels whilst watching a third.
- Freeview Playback. Freeview Playback is a new service that guarantees never to miss the start or end of a programme.
- In the near future you will be able to automatically record all episodes of a series by only setting one timer event.
Freeview recording with an Integrated Digital TV (IDTV)
You already have Freeview on your TV, now all you need is a recorder. This presents many choices:
- A PVR as above. Record to hard disc, even record two channels whilst you are away or viewing a DVD.
- A DVD recorder with built in Freeview. Record onto DVD in much the same way as you did with cassettes but with enhanced quality.
- A DVD recorder with built in Freeview and hard drive. Record to hard drive as with a PVR, or to DVD. Record to the hard drive whilst watching a DVD. Transfer recordings from the hard drive to DVD for permanent storage.
Freeview recording with an IDTV and analogue VCR or DVD recorder
Once again, you already have Freeview on your TV. All you need to do is get Freeview on your VCR or DVD recorder. Connect a Freeview Set Top Box to your recorder and record from the set top box. Or replace your recorder and use one of the solutions shown above.
Freeview recording with an Analogue TV and an analogue VCR or DVD recorder
This becomes more complex. If your budget will allow, replace the recorder with a twin tuner PVR and get the benefits of that unit.
If budget is a restriction, simply installing a Freeview set top box will allow you to view Freeview but you will only be able to record the same channel as you are viewing.
If you want to record one channel whilst viewing another, you will need extra equipment. At present, the only solution is to have a separate Freeview set top box for the TV and recorder, however it is possible that the remote controls may clash. In the near future it is possible that a twin tuner set top box will come to market. That will give the benefit of one channel being sent to the TV whilst another channel is sent to the recorder.
