Smart TVs & Freeview recording options

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Smart TVs & Freeview recording options

hairyfil

34 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#196470 1-Jun-2016 13:08

Hey,

Like many I am thinking of dropping my Sky subscription and going with a combo of Freeview and streaming services

I'm trying to figure out if the new batch of freeview enabled Smart TVs allow you to

Record a freeview channel (while watching another)
Series link any freeview show

Assuming the TV in question has a dual tuner & needs an external USB drive attached.

None of the online info I have read actually states either of these capabilities. but why have dual tuners (PiP maybe)

I particularly like Samsung option as their interface also gives me Lightbox & netflix apps (shame no Neon) [can't recall if plex is an option]

I'm also considering building an HTPC to provide that single screen access into freeview & streaming services - but that's another thread.

cheers

Phil

Spyware

3818 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1366

Lifetime subscriber

#1563638 1-Jun-2016 13:25

Both Neon and Fanpass are mentioned on the Samsung website in regard to 2016 models and Plex state that their app is in 2016 models.

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

mdooher

Hmm, what to write...
1443 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 910

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1563643 1-Jun-2016 13:33

Don't get Samsung then. They do not allow you to pad the beginning and end of the recording...result, you are going to miss the first few minutes or the last few minutes of every recording.

Oh yes they are freeview certified alright..but as a TV not a recorder.

Matthew

richms

29099 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10209

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1563652 1-Jun-2016 13:45

Dual tuner on a TV usually means DVB-T and DVB-S, not that it will tune 2 mux's at a time.

Richard rich.ms

Spyware

3818 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1366

Lifetime subscriber

#1563654 1-Jun-2016 13:52

Samsung TVs still have analog PAL tuners also.

openmedia

3449 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 878

Trusted

#1563770 1-Jun-2016 17:42

hairyfil:

Hey,

Like many I am thinking of dropping my Sky subscription and going with a combo of Freeview and streaming services

I'm trying to figure out if the new batch of freeview enabled Smart TVs allow you to

Record a freeview channel (while watching another)
Series link any freeview show

Assuming the TV in question has a dual tuner & needs an external USB drive attached.

None of the online info I have read actually states either of these capabilities. but why have dual tuners (PiP maybe)

I particularly like Samsung option as their interface also gives me Lightbox & netflix apps (shame no Neon) [can't recall if plex is an option]

I'm also considering building an HTPC to provide that single screen access into freeview & streaming services - but that's another thread.

cheers

Phil

If you want record + watch then you'll need to look for an external unit that supports Freeview +

Steve

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

JimmyH

2898 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1554

#1564082 2-Jun-2016 10:56

Forget trying to record using your TV. From what I have seen to date, the inbuilt recording functions are clunky and don't work that well - and most don't do what you want in terms of record one channel while watching another.

Instead, get a twin-tuner external box. DishTV ones seem quite popular, although I haven't tried one of those.

Personally, I like the Panasonic recorders with inbuilt hard drives (blu-ray or DVD, I have the DVD model). If you loop the aerial through to the TV you will in fact be able to watch one channel while recording TWO other channels. Plus they have DLNA servers which means that you can network other TVs etc in the house to watch recorded content in another room etc. Mine has been going for several years of heavy use without an issue.

Edit: Typo

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

KrazyKid

1247 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 616

#1564098 2-Jun-2016 11:15

I have a 2015 JS8000 Samsung TV. It has freeview+.

I've played a little bit with the recording & pausing live TV. But to be honest set it up and saw that it worked, but haven't really used it much as I don't watch much live TV these days. For me its either Netflix, on demand or other sources.

From what I remember - this model lets you record one channel and watch another. Haven't stress tested this so don't know if it can record two channels and let you watch a third.

I don't recall a series record option by title, however I believe you can schedule recording each week at the same time (I'd need to double check, but fairly certain it does).

I've seen much better recording options in HTPC systems I used over the years, but if you want a basic pause Live TV and record the Samsung should work for you.

Happy to test a couple of things for you if you have specific questions - bit it would be over the weekend that I will have time to play.

hairyfil

34 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1564457 2-Jun-2016 18:33

Thanks for the info.
Off to look at free view dvd machines

Meanwhile I have my son building an android TV box using remix pc from kick-starter I backed last year