How to record TV?

[Carole]

I was with Norman today who after buying a ticket to the village quiz, then realised that it was on a Saturday night and that he would miss “Strictly”.
I’ve said that there are ways of recording TV, but once I said it, I realised that we’ve had Sky for so long that I don’t actually know what the other options are.

Is there a gadget to record TV? Simple to use?
Or are there TVs that have a record function?

He’s 94 so he couldn’t cope with anything complicated.

What are the options?

 

[Gramaisc]

Some TVs do have the means to record onto a USB stick.

I wouldn't call it 'simple', though.

 

[Tilly]

You don't have to be 94 to not know how to record the telly

 

[Glam]

You don't have to be 94 to not know how to record the telly

If the youngest won't help, or is out, then i'm buggered.

 

[Noah]

Once upon a time there were things called video recorders, then DVD recorders, after that ?

Is iplayer an option? https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer

 

[Gramaisc]

If it's a one-off and you're recording it anyway, it would probably be easier to have him round to watch it at yours....

 

[Tilly]

Super 8 Eumig clockwork cine cameras

2 whole minutes

Then post it off for developing

 

[Lucy]

You must be able to pick up a PVR pretty cheaply now. These are hard drives that record the programmes. We have a youview box but that's only worth it if he has internet.

 

[Carole]

You must be able to pick up a PVR pretty cheaply now. These are hard drives that record the programmes. We have a youview box but that's only worth it if he has internet.

What is PVR?

No, he doesn’t have internet.

I just wondered if any new smart TVs had some kind of function to record?

Or a gadget like the old video recorder?

 

[Carole]

If it's a one-off and you're recording it anyway, it would probably be easier to have him round to watch it at yours....

Yes we’ve done that before when he went on the 75 year DD remembrance cruise to Normandy in June, the British Legion Cruise.
I recorded everything, on every channel, then he came round and watched about 6 hours of it in one go.

It might be nice for him to have another option.

 

[Trumpet]

Is it shown again the next day on ITV 2 or 3 or 4 or similar. Substitute BBC 3 or 4 or whatever as appropriate. I don't know what main channel "Strictly" is on.

 

[Carole]

Is it shown again the next day on ITV 2 or 3 or 4 or similar. Substitute BBC 3 or 4 or whatever as appropriate. I don't know what main channel "Strictly" is on.

It’s on BBC 1. I don’t think it’s repeated in the week.

But there are other things he’s missing because he goes out quite frequently. I’m just looking for a quick fix for him.
Do some new smart TVs have a record function?

 

[Gramaisc]

Do some new smart TVs have a record function?

My parents' telly is a few years old and you can do a timed recording onto a USB stick with it, but it is not a simple procedure.

 

[Carole]

My parents' telly is a few years old and you can do a timed recording onto a USB stick with it, but it is not a simple procedure.

Thank you, but if it’s not simple then it’s not an option.

 

[Gramaisc]

Thank you, but if it’s not simple then it’s not an option.

It is possible (maybe!) that there could be devices out there with simpler arrangements, but theirs involves a lot of menu-driven stages, which I find difficult enough, though I rarely use it (which is part of the problem, I suppose), but menus are often a problem for people of that sort of age, they want to know "what buttons to press", I find...

 

[PeterD]

Do you have access to the Iplayer? You can rewatch via that.

 

[Trumpet]

Do you have access to the Iplayer? You can rewatch via that.

No internet.

 

[Trumpet]

Thank you, but if it’s not simple then it’s not an option.

Modern digital recorders are a doddle to use.
Do some freeview boxes have a recording facility?

 

[Tilly]

Modern digital recorders are a doddle to use.
Do some freeview boxes have a recording facility?

Only because you know how to


A tv set, one that has to be turned on and off with a button on the actual tv ( usually bottom left of the screen ) is a good start.

So then the remote is only used to switch channels or to press a red button to record that channel. Seperating the two actions is important. 94 year old males can usually bend over quite a bit these days, just ask an 89 year old female

You will find that Currys in Stafford have some experience of providing assistance in this matter. Just look for the oldest male sales assistant and remind them of the fat bald bloke and french woman who came into the store in the summer.

Once he's recovered, he'll give you best options. This is not a unique situation

 

[Lucy]

A PVR is a personal video recorder. It stores the TV programme on its hard drive, rather like Sly boxes did/do. The cheapest one I can find on Curry's is this but as others have said, the menu systems, whilst they have evolved, take a little bit of getting used to.