Recording.

We use BBC IPlayer (a lot) rather than record.

And also the catch up facility on ITV, Channel 4 etc.

When my Humax freesat box gave up I looked at all the alternatives, and decided that I wouldn't bother with a new one.
My TV has a built in satellite receiver so my son attached the cables for me, I would have done it myself, but couldn't get sufficient grip on the screw in bit.
Now I use the catch-up apps, BBC iPlayer, ITV-X, All 4 etc.

I dont record anything as its all on the catchup channels. I guess you dont have a smart tv Sueinkent could you stretch to a new tv instead of a recorder? Smart Tvs aren't that expensive now.

I have an old Humax box (came from my dads) which is okay, not as good as the old Sky box but we did away with that as it was getting expensive. I like motorcycle racing but not all the yapping that goes on/adverts so I can record and get through to the actual races. Also like a few American things which are not on the catch up channels, plus can avoid adverts.
I use the apps on my smart tv for some other things, rarely watch the beeb and hardly ever ITV live - adverts!
I cannot view ITVX or 5 on the apps, my telly doesn't seem to like them, they just buffer.

tanith

I dont record anything as its all on the catchup channels. I guess you dont have a smart tv Sueinkent could you stretch to a new tv instead of a recorder? Smart Tvs aren't that expensive now.

Yes I have a smart tv with all the apps but my problem is the ads, which I hate. They are such a waste of time. And they spoil my viewing.I would have to pay for each catchup service to avoid them.That would work out quite expensive for them all. A recorder is one payment and I can whizz through the ad breaks. Maybe Freeview is the answer. Recorders are getting harder to get as the TV companies want people to pay to avoid the ads. A film of 2 hours has about 40 minutes of ads.