Sky’s subscription service offers up to 60
channels of HD content plus 3D video, depending on the package you choose. The
latest version of the set-top box includes a 500GB hard disk, 250GB of which is
for your own recordings; the rest is reserved for Sky’s push-TV Anytime
service. You get iPlayer and iTV Player content too, while die-hard recorders
can pay $242.9 extra for the capacious 1TB box. And with Sky’s Now TV service
now live in the UK, even non-subscribers can take advantage of its enviable
catalogue of movies, watching on-demand via smartphone, tablet, PC or Mac
Killer
feature
Still the best channel line-up you’ll find
any where
Our
Ratings: 5/5 stars
You’ll pay for the privilege of ownership,
but this is still the best all-around PVR package on the market
Virgin TiVo from $free + $19.5/month 5/5 stars
Hardware-wise the taste-learning TiVo is a
Sky+HD-beater, but it just loses out on content. Still, the 500GB version is
free and the 1TB version just $80.9, and with so much on-demand programming
available, you’re unlikely to miss Sky’s extra channels that much
Samsung STB-E7500 $388.5 5/5 stars
Still the best Freeview HD box out there, the
Sammy’s slick, dual-core operation, twin tuners and 500GB HDD are enough to
keep it ahead of the also-rans, while its superior raft of movie-streaming
services are what beast the excellent new Humax T1000 (below)
Humax DTR-T1000 $485.9 5/5 stars
This 500GB YouTube PVR serves to make
almost every other FreeView HD rival obsolete. It’s a brilliantly effective
amalgamation of live, recorded and streamed television, but it need a few more
of the on-demand big boys to challenge the E7500
Humax HDR-FOX T2 (500GB) $372.5 5/5 stars
Although not quite as smart as the Samsung
above, the HDR-FOX T2 is a fantastic freeview+HD box in its own right. It
allies a great picture and finger-friendly remote control to a wealth of
features including DLNA streaming and iPlayer access
Panasonic DMR-HW100 $242.9 5/5 stars
It could be a tad slicker and pack a little
more space than 320GB, but we love the HW100 anyway. It’ll record two HD
channels at once, converts 2D to 3D and offers Viera Connect – now with support
for BBC iPlayer – as well as SD and USB inputs for media palyback
Humax Foxsat-HDR $364.5 5/5 stars
The Foxsat-HDR was the first PVR to support
Freesat’s HD system and it still leads the pack, especially with an updated box
sporting a 500GB HDD. You get excellent recording quality, twin tuners and a
suave EPG that lets watch while you navigate
Virgin Media V HD from $free + $11/month 5/5 stars
If you like the sound of Virgin Media’s HD
service, but either aren’t interested in TiVo’s recording functions or are
working on a limited budget, this simple cable receiver is for you. It offers
access to both live and on-demand HD and performs extremely well
Echostar HDS-600RS $283.5 4/5 stars
Smarter than most, the Echostar marries
twin Freesat tuners with Slingbox functionality. Hook it up to the net and
you’ll soon be watching whatever you’ve recorded, wherever in the world you
happen to be, on your phone, tablet or computer
BT Vision+ from $free + $6.5/month 4/5 stars
BT’s online on-demand service is a decent
package, although the box remains incapable of receiving Freeview HD TV, which
is a frustration. However, you can download HD and 3D content, and as of 2013,
there’ll be 38 live Premler League matches to view, too.
Instant expert
Tom
Wiggins PVR-tist
At last, broadcasters have cottoned on to the
notion that for most of the viewing public, there’s more to 3D than just CG
animations and football. For example, the BBC has just broadcast its Planet
Dinosaur 3D documentary series, and has plans to serve up the Last night Of The
Proms in 3D on September 8 (that’s three days away, if you’ve bought this mag
when it first came out). The Beeb will be using fixed cameras positioned in
front of the conductor plus a remote unit that con rotate 1800 to
give a 3D view of every instrument, so you’ll feel as if you’re a part of the
orchestra. Following on from this summer’s coverage of Wimbledon and the
Olympics, it suggests that 3D is gathering momentum… but only a little
“Broadcasters are finally giving viewers
interesting 3D content”
What to look for
1.
Hard drive capacity
500GB to 1TB is the norm for most recorders
these days. Hi-def video eats up hard disk space, though, so make sure you buy
the largest capacity box you can afford
2.
HD?
Don’t buy a recorder unless it can receive
and output HD broadcasts. If you’re planning to subscribe, we’d choose Sky or
Virgin, but Freesat and Freeview HD cost a penny
3.
Keep it cool
A hard-disk-equipped box requires fan
cooling, so don’t put one inside a cupboard or near an amp, or risk crashes
4.
Upscaling
Boxes with HDMI outputs can often upscale
lower-resolution images to suit your TV’s pixel count. Compare the results to
your TV’s own scaling to see what works best
5.
3D
BT Vision, Sky and Virgin Media all provide
some 3D content. The BBC has also just announced plans for limited 3D coverage
of the Olympics via the Freeview HD platform
