Suitable Freeview box for VCR?

Can anyone recommend a current Freeview receiver that can be used with a VCR
to do timed recordings (sadly a PVR is not an option for my elderly
relative)?

Requirements are

1) timer events
2) ability to disable interactive red dot/MHEG on screen messages


Ideally,the following would also be nice

3) ability to disable checking for new channels
4) an RF modulator

The Tvonics MDR-250 seems ok on 1,3,4 but sadly not 2, so all the recordings
would have the red dot rubbish on them. It's to receive from Stockland Hill
with the new 8k transmissions, so older boxes from ebay may not be
suitable - although I am considering the old silver Netgem iplayer, which
should work ok.

Any recommendations on what to go for (or avoid!) are welcomed. Many
thanks.

Fred

On 7 May, 10:32, "Womble" wrote:
Can anyone recommend a current Freeview receiver that can be used with a VCR
to do timed recordings (sadly a PVR is not an option for my elderly
relative)?

Requirements are

1) timer events
2) ability to disable interactive red dot/MHEG on screen messages

Ideally,the following would also be nice

3) ability to disable checking for new channels
4) an RF modulator

The Tvonics MDR-250 seems ok on 1,3,4 but sadly not 2, so all the recordings
would have the red dot rubbish on them. *It's to receive from Stockland Hill
with the new 8k transmissions, so older boxes from ebay may not be
suitable - although I am considering the old silver Netgem iplayer, which
should work ok.

Any recommendations on what to go for (or avoid!) are welcomed. *Many
thanks.

Fred

Are you aware of the one VCR (Daewoo DVRT43), and several DVD
recorders, with Freeview built-in? That would solve a few problems.

There are also some Freeview boxes that will control some external
recorders via SCART, meaning you only have to set one timer. Not sure
of the details - someone here has one.

I don't know why "sadly a PVR is not an option", because it would be a
_lot_ easier to use - though I understand that sometimes moving away
from what you're used to may not be easy.

Cheers,
David.

Womble wrote:
Can anyone recommend a current Freeview receiver that can be used with a VCR
to do timed recordings (sadly a PVR is not an option for my elderly
relative)?

Requirements are

1) timer events
2) ability to disable interactive red dot/MHEG on screen messages


Ideally,the following would also be nice

3) ability to disable checking for new channels
4) an RF modulator

The Tvonics MDR-250 seems ok on 1,3,4 but sadly not 2, so all the recordings
would have the red dot rubbish on them. It's to receive from Stockland Hill
with the new 8k transmissions, so older boxes from ebay may not be
suitable - although I am considering the old silver Netgem iplayer, which
should work ok.

Any recommendations on what to go for (or avoid!) are welcomed. Many
thanks.

Fred



I would have thought all boxes can disable the red dot
by pressing the green button. If you use a box with
timer recording triggers, rather than just relying on
the VCR timer, I should have thought the MHEG stuff
would be disabled during recording.

Hardly any modern boxes have modulators.

The test reports on this site should tell you what
features the boxes have, though I don't know if it's
up to date. Look out for "SCART timer triggers" on
the detailed reports (and make sure the VCR supports
this as an input). They should also tell you if the
boxes have a modulator.
http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org....-recorders.htm

I don't know why "sadly a PVR is not an option", because it would be a
_lot_ easier to use - though I understand that sometimes moving away
from what you're used to may not be easy.


I was just about to say the same thing. A PVR is easier to use than a VCR
and it's definately easier to use than having to program the timer on the
Freeview box and the VCR. Much less prone to error too.

It took me years to persuade my parents to get a PVR. After a few small
issues they now wouldn't be without it.

--

WildCardZero

"WCZ" wrote in message
...
I don't know why "sadly a PVR is not an option", because it would be a
_lot_ easier to use - though I understand that sometimes moving away
from what you're used to may not be easy.


I was just about to say the same thing. A PVR is easier to use than a VCR
and it's definately easier to use than having to program the timer on the
Freeview box and the VCR. Much less prone to error too.

It took me years to persuade my parents to get a PVR. After a few small
issues they now wouldn't be without it.

--

WildCardZero


My Humax PVR requires the following functions,
One press to record the current playing prog
One press, then scroll to select the recording and then enter to replay.
Two presses, then select prog from the menu and enter to program a recording
single or series.

what more could be simpler.

"2Bdecided" wrote in message
...

snip

I don't know why "sadly a PVR is not an option", because it would be a
_lot_ easier to use - though I understand that sometimes moving away
from what you're used to may not be easy.



You are right of course. For most people a PVR would be very much easier.
I use one myself, and no one in their right mind would normally want to use
anything other than a PVR because of all the benefits it brings. They've
looked at the Humax and Topfield models but don't feel comfortable with
them. I wish they did but I have to be realistic with what they would be
able to cope with (or what they are prepared to cope with - not always the
same thing with elderly people).

I'm hoping to add a simple Freeview receiver and they can set two timers.
If the Freeview box had a modulator, I'd even possibly retune the video
presets for channels 1 to 4 to all be the output of the Freeviw box so that
they could still use the video plus codes to record channels 1-4 and then
only need to set the Freeview timer. They've never had channel 5 and will
never want to record any channels other than 1-4. To them, the new fangled
digital channels might just as well not be there.

A Freeview box where the interactive stuff can be disabled would be ideal.
If anyone can recommend one they are using themselves, that can still be
bought, that would be useful.

Thanks for your suggestions.
Fred

"Womble" wrote in message
et...

"2Bdecided" wrote in message
...

snip

I don't know why "sadly a PVR is not an option", because it would be a
_lot_ easier to use - though I understand that sometimes moving away
from what you're used to may not be easy.



You are right of course. For most people a PVR would be very much easier.
I use one myself, and no one in their right mind would normally want to
use
anything other than a PVR because of all the benefits it brings. They've
looked at the Humax and Topfield models but don't feel comfortable with
them. I wish they did but I have to be realistic with what they would be
able to cope with (or what they are prepared to cope with - not always the
same thing with elderly people).

They can cope with setting fiddly start and stop recording times on a VCR,
but can't cope with pressing a single record button on a PVR?
I suspect they think its more complicated than it is.

Z

On Thu, 07 May 2009 11:41:46 +0100, Tom E wrote:

what more could be simpler.

Getting the grandchild to stop the clock on the VCR flashing 00:00
all the time?

"J G Miller" wrote in message
news
On Thu, 07 May 2009 11:41:46 +0100, Tom E wrote:

what more could be simpler.

Getting the grandchild to stop the clock on the VCR flashing 00:00
all the time?



black tape.....

"Zimmy" wrote in message ...

They can cope with setting fiddly start and stop recording times on a VCR,
but can't cope with pressing a single record button on a PVR?


I think you know them :-)