Several times, mostly on Saturday evenings, Gail has remarked "I wanted to record this but you're recording two channels already" - We have a Sky+ PVR which lets us record two channels and either watch one of the two or else view a pre-recorded program. Sometimes we get round this problem by recording two and then switching the TV to the built in Standard Definition FREEVIEW and watch a third. This of course is not always possible as we might be going out somewhere.
The problem is now solved - we have now purchased a FREEVIEW High Definition PVR. This of course takes the TV reception from the rooftop aerial but otherwise it is just like a Sky+ PVR allowing you to record two TV channels at once. We still of course have the built in Standard definition FREEVIEW and so we could record 4 programs and watch a 5th.
The big improvement though is that this PVR is High Definition - plus no monthly fees. We can now watch (and record) BBC HD, ITV1 HD and Channel 4HD. Later this year will also see the launch of BBC1 HD, a further HD channel is planned for 2011/2012. Unlike Paul's move of replacing Sky+ with Freesat, we have chosen the route of supplementing Sky+ with Freeview HD.
FOR:
1. Wider range of TV channels, some of the channels we regularly watch are not on Freesat or Freeview.
2. Extra recording abilities, we can now record up to 4 programs at a time and still watch a 5th.
3. Inclusion of the more popular HD channels (BBC and ITV) with no extra monthly cost.
AGAINST:
1. We still pay a monthly fee to Sky for the Sky+ channels.