Freesat Recordable 4K TV Box 1TB

Product Information

customers satisfied with Freesat as their TV provider: Based on an online YouGov Plc survey, total sample size was 8341 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 28th March 2022 - 15th February 2023. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+). With HDMI as standard, the Freesat PVR connects effortlessly to your TV. For an upgrade in sound, use the optical digital output to connect to your soundbar/base or home cinema system. Prices valid in stores (all including VAT) until close of business on 29th November 2023. (Some of these web prices are cheaper than in-store, so please mention that you've seen these offers online.)

This recording model can record up to 4 programmes/channels at the same time (but you need a Wideband LNB dish), and has a wide range of smart recording features. You can also use the Freesat mobile app to set recordings from your mobile phone. Freeview:Operated by Everyone TV (formerly Digital UK), a joint venture of the BBC, ITV Channel 4 and Channel 5, Freeview provides access to 100+ free, over-the-air channels and radio stations. To get it, you need an aerial – either one on your roof, or a cheap indoor aerial – and a Freeview tuner – either one built-into your TV, or a set-top box one which also offers recording capabilities. Read my full Freeview Guide right here. The number of hours you can record depends on the model you get: 500GB (Up to 250 hours), 1TB (Up to 500 hours) or 2TB (Up to 1,000 hours!). For a step-up in picture quality, this PVR is also compatible with UHD 4K streaming services. Connect to your UHD 4K TV and see enhanced detail with a more natural picture than before. UHD 4K content is available via YouTube and Netflix. Freesat started as a joint venture between the BBC and ITV, and has been around since 2008. It offers more than 200 free-to-air TV channels and radio stations, all transmitted via digital satellite.Like their Freeview cousins, Freesat boxes have evolved to cover catch-up TV and streaming services, and the best boxes now include Ethernet or Wi-Fi. With the right services in place, you can scroll forwards through the EPG and set reminders or schedule recordings, but you can also scroll left and watch programmes that have already been broadcast. Not all channels or even programmes in a channel will be available for catch-up, but most of the time it’s a whole lot easier than switching between catch-up apps to find your favourite show. Some Freesat boxes come with a built-in hard drive, allowing you to record TV programmes for later viewing (and you can record one programme while watching another one on a different channel). Conveniently, you can also use the EPG (Electronic Programme Guide) to choose future-programmes to record, so you’ll never miss your favourite shows. Setting this box up is a breeze once you connect it to your satellite dish, and the Freesat EPG is a joy to use. It also offers a 7-day catch-up service – you select programmes that aired during that time, via the EPG, and you get to magically watch them – it’s like your very own PVR in the cloud (but only for 7 days, and only on 26 channels at this time.)

Right now, it’s a great receiver, with excellent picture quality and a snappy, no-nonsense user interface focused on helping you find and watch your favourite programmes. It’s intuitive and easy to use, and even the remote control is up to scratch.

The best Freesat boxes you can buy in 2023

As well as being able to record TV, you can access catch-up services via this Freesat PVR (Internet connection required). BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, My5, STV and UKTV are available (please note, regional variations exist with the UK). Keep in mind, there are no 4K broadcasts on Freesat (at least for now) – so you’ll only be able to use that feature when streaming content from Netflix (provided you have the 4K plan), Prime Video and YouTube (and the occasional BBC iPlayer 4K ‘test’). Dolby 5.1 surround sound is now standard, and Freesat’s own Freesat 4K TV boxes also support Dolby Atmos. As the name suggests, these units are also 4K-ready, and while there aren’t any 4K Freesat channels at the time of writing, you can watch 4K Netflix and YouTube content from your box. Then, after months of waiting, Freesat finally launched a new set of boxes from Commscope (formerly Arris) – so we’re finally getting a modern, fast box that also supports 4K. Finally, don’t forget the remote control. This is one area where budget Freeview and Freesat boxes consistently go wrong, and it can make a surprisingly big difference in everyday use, particularly if it’s uncomfortable with badly positioned buttons.