Information Line (Freephone)
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk
RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.
After completing a wide range of technical and user tests, our experts now give you their verdicts on each of the products tested.
Humax F2-FOX T
£75
A good value set-top box that performs well and has a wide range of features. Very clear and easy to understand menus and EPG.
Recommended – good performance and very easy to use
Philips DTR 500
£70
The cheapest set-top box tested. It performed well but we could only access the EPG for five days ahead. Not easy to use due to compact remote control and poor on-screen menus and EPG.
Good value, but not easy to use
Sony VTX-D800
£100
Unusual looking set-top box which can be laid flat or stood on end. Good range of features.
Good performance and is quite easy to use. Expensive for a set-top box
Digifusion FVRT100
£180
The only twin digital tuner recording device on the UK market at present so you can record one digital channel while watching another. Records subtitles in closed format.
Good performance but not easy to use. Recommended if you want two tuners
Humax PVR-8000T80
£160
A single tuner PVR which gives 40 hours of high quality TV recording. Records subtitles in closed format. Had a good range of features, the on-screen menus and EPG are very clear.
Recommended – very easy to use, good performance and value for money
Sony RDR-GXD500
£400
The only DVD recorder with a Freeview tuner on the UK market at present. Records subtitles in open format. Let down by poor remote control/menus.
Good performance, but let down by ease of use and cost