Stuck with an old, slow, flakey Freeview box? Living without HD channels or catch-up TV? Perhaps it’s time to buy a new box. While some are happy splashing out on a monthly pay TV subscription, many of us still happy with the free line-up of mainstream channels – and even more so in an era of cheap, flexible streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. For most of us this means some form of Freeview, whether the vanilla Freeview HD service or the supercharged variants, Freeview Play and YouView, which combine the conventional digital TV channels with ingenious catch-up TV.
Of course, Freeview HD receivers and even Freeview Play and YouView services come built into the vast majority of recent TVs, but that still leaves a lot of TVs without, say, Freeview HD channels, recording capabilities or catch-up TV. That’s where dedicated Freeview boxes still have a place, connecting via a handy HDMI port breathing new life into old or basic screens.
How to buy the right Freeview box for you
First, check that you actually need a Freeview box. If you’ve bought a TV within the last few years there’s a good chance that it already has a Freeview receiver and may even have recording facilities if you plug in an external hard drive into a spare USB port. However, this might leave you stuck with a slow, ugly or unstable Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) or, on some models, without a line-up of Freeview HD channels. And even with those TVs that support recording, you’ll probably only be able to record one channel at a time.
How much should I spend?
It depends on what you’re after. If you just want to watch Freeview HD channels you can pick up a receiver for under £40. To record programmes onto a built-in hard disk, you’re looking at £90 and upwards. YouView boxes push the price up to around £120, while Freeview Play boxes command a price premium, ranging from £150 to £220 depending on hard disk capacity.
Do I need recording or catch-up TV?
Recording used to be a must-have feature, but the growth of catch-up TV has changed the game. Unless you’re recording a series, it’s often easier to watch what you’ve missed on iPlayer et al than remember to record it in the first place. That said, recorders give you twin-receivers, enabling you to record two channels at once or watch one programme while recording another, and recording a programme is still the best way to ensure you can watch it months or even years later. Note that some receivers now include recording features, enabling you to record programmes from the EPG to an external hard disk.
Are there other features I should look for?
The big one is the EPG. Some Freeview TVs and set-top-boxes have had shocking EPGs with poor layouts, only the most barebone features or terrible performance. These make, say, searching for a programme or even switching channels a bit of a chore. The newer YouView and Freeview Play boxes are a good option here, both offering slick, easy-to-use and responsive EPGs with an extra twist; keep scrolling leftwards through the programmes, going beyond the current time, and you can select programmes from the major TV channels from the last seven days, with the box hooking onto the relevant catch-up TV stream without any work on your part.
That’s not all. YouView and Freeview Play boxes also provide apps for streaming services, including YouTube. Amazon Prime and Netflix, giving you access to them without a separate box. YouView boxes even incorporate NowTV. To use these – and the catch-up services – you’ll need a connection to a wired or wireless network. Most now have built-in WiFi, but you may still see older models with a wired-only connection.
What about resolution and connectivity?
All but the oldest Freeview boxes deliver Freeview HD content at a 1080p resolution over HDMI, so they’re perfect for full HD 1080p TVs. Only one – BT’s Ultra HD YouView box – is designed to work at 4K resolutions, and even then it only streams BT Sport 4K content when connected to a BT Infinity fibre broadband line. That’s not a problem. Mainstream TV providers, including the BBC, have confirmed that any 4K programming will arrive over internet streaming services long before any broadcast services are launched.
If you’re using an old SD TV, then a SCART output is a must – and many Freeview boxes still include one. Otherwise, digital optical or analogue stereo outputs can be useful if you want to connect your box directly to a soundbar or amplifier, though in most cases you’re better off having sound routed through the TV via HDMI instead.
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The best Freeview boxes to buy from £40
1. Manhattan Plaza HD-T2: The best basic Freeview box under £50
Price when reviewed:£45
While a bit rough around the edges, the Plaza HD-T2 is the best way to get Freeview HD channels for under £50. On the one hand, it’s a basic receiver with no recording capabilities and limited app support, with just iPlayer, YouTube and the BBC News and Sports services covered. Even then, you’ll need an Ethernet cable or a PowerLine converter to hook up to your router, as there’s no built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. On the other hand, it delivers decent Dolby Digital Plus sound and 1080p pictures, and while the EPG isn’t particularly slick or feature-packed – there’s no live TV view, for example – it’s reasonably speedy and gives you a full 8-day guide with reminders and a Now and Next view. It’s not going to turn your old TV into an all-singing, all-dancing Smart TV, but it’s easy to set-up and gets the job done.
Key specs – Dimensions: 210 x 137 x 41mm, Tuners: 1x Freeview HD, HDD: N/A, Smart apps: YouTube, BBC iPlayer, BBC News, BBC Sport, Connections: HDMI, SCART, stereo audio, S/PDIF, USB, antenna in, antenna out
2. Now TV Smart Box: The best smart Freeview box under £50
Price when reviewed:£40
Sky’s Now TV Smart Box is an intriguing budget option, combining access to its Now TV streaming services with catch-up TV apps and a Freeview HD receiver. As a receiver, it has its pros and cons. On the plus side, you get the full range of Freeview HD channels plus features to pause and rewind Live TV for up to 30 minutes. On the minus side, the EPG is basic with no 8-day guide, just a Now and Next channel list, and there’s no way to delete or re-order channels. To compensate, Now TV’s Entertainment, Movies and Sports content is easy to get to, with live programmes integrated in the EPG, and you can pay for monthly passes as and when you want. Throw in apps for all the major UK catch-up services, though sadly not Netflix or Amazon Prime, not to mention and media playback from USB and micro SD and you have an attractive deal.
Read our review of the Now TV Smart Box
Key specs – Dimensions: 84 x 84 x 23mm, Tuners: Freeview HD, HDD: N/A, Smart Apps: Now TV, Sky Store, YouTube, All 4, ITV Player, Demand 5, Sky News, BBC iPlayer, BBC News, BBC Sport and more, Connections: HDMI, microSD, USB, antenna in, Ethernet, 802.11n WiFi
3. BT YouView+: The best Freeview recorder under £150
Price when reviewed:£121 (or free with BT TV packages)
Whether or not you subscribe to BT’s broadband and TV services, its YouView+ box is one of the best value Freeview recorders out there. The interface is fantastic, with detailed information and great search, record and playback capabilities, and flicking backwards through the EPG to watch missed programmes makes catch-up TV as intuitive as it gets. You also get a fine range of streaming apps, including Netflix, Sky Store and NowTV. The 500GB capacity can be limiting, with space for roughly 300 hours of SDTV or 125 hours of HDTV, but it’s a very quiet, compact unit with great picture quality and good performance. Just be aware that, with no onboard WiFi, you’ll need an Ethernet connection or PowerLine bridge to get it up and running. Users of BT’s Ultra HD TV packages can also opt for a 1TB version when upgrading or signing up, though 4K content is limited to Netflix’s 4K services and BT Sport.
Read our full review of the BT YouView+
Key specs – Dimensions: 273 x 152 x 43mm, Tuners: Freeview HD; HDD: 500GB, Smart Apps: Now TV, Sky Store, YouTube, All 4, ITV Player, Demand 5, Sky News, BBC iPlayer, BBC News, BBC Sport, UKTV, Milkshake and more, Connections: HDMI, SCART, Ethernet, S/PDIF, composite video, stereo audio, antenna in, antenna out
4. Humax DRT-T2000: The Best YouView recorder under £200
Price when reviewed:£165
While Humax has released more recent Freeview Play recorders, its finest Freeview effort remains this stylish-looking YouView model. It’s a quiet, slimline unit without the laggy operation of some lesser YouView and Freeview Play boxes, with the usual YouView interface offering easy access to programmes and recordings, an intuitive EPG, great search facilities and the most smoothly integrated catch-up TV around. The recently redesigned interface only enhances an already-grey experience. Throw in apps for NowTV, Netflix, Sky Store and more, and it’s easy to forgive the lack of Wi-Fi, while picture and sound quality are up there with the best. Whether it’s worth paying the premium over BT’s cheap and cheerful YouView+ is up to you, but this is one of the best ways to enjoy free HD TV.
Key specs – Dimensions: 320 x 240 x 50mm, Tuners: 2x Freeview HD; HDD: 500GB, Smart Apps: Now TV, Sky Store, YouTube, All 4, ITV Player, Demand 5, Sky News, BBC iPlayer, BBC News, BBC Sport, UKTV, Milkshake and more, Connections: HDMI, SCART, Ethernet, S/PDIF, composite video, stereo audio, antenna in, antenna out, 2 x USB
5. Panasonic DMR-HWT150-EB: The best Freeview Play recorder under £200
Price when reviewed:£180
We’ve sometimes struggled to see the point of Freeview’s own live TV meets smart TV service, Freeview Play, but with a stronger app line-up and some interface and performance improvements, it now provides a good alternative to YouView and Panasonic’s recorder is an attractive way to get it. As well as a solid eight-day EPG that combines live TV with streaming and catch-up services, it includes apps for YouTube, Amazon Prime and Netflix, plus some cool features to stream recordings and live broadcasts to smartphones and tablets in the home. What’s more, with WiFi built-in there’s no need to worry about cables. The twin tuners produce impressive HD pictures, and there’s a Long Record setting to boost capacity for up to 341 hours of HD recording, though at some expense to quality. We still think the YouView experience is slicker, but this is a fine high-end Freeview box – and the £220 1TB version arguably offers even better value.
Key specs – Dimensions: 300 x 190 x 52mm, Tuners: 2 x Freeview HD; HDD: 500GB, Smart Apps: YouTube, Amazon Prime, Netflix, All 4, ITV Player, Demand 5, Sky News, BBC iPlayer, BBC News, BBC Sport and more, Connections: HDMI, Ethernet, S/PDIF, antenna in, antenna out, USB