Recording TV on an Android Smart TV

Plotus on 04/11/2018 - 13:54

I'm in the market for an Android Smart TV. Currently we use a fetch TV box to record all of our TV content and watch back later. We are about to get rid of this and our current TV as it is slowly dying. This all said, I am looking for a 4k Android TV that has a built in DVR function. I've been looking at the Sony X75F or Samsung NU7100. I have done some reading about the Freeview FV app, which I believe that you can catch up on TV and watch back at a later time (correct me if i'm wrong). However, I would ultimately just be able to have this all done through the native TV environment. What is your experiences with Smart TV's and can they achieve what i'm asking? Would also be curious to know your feedback from experiences with Android TV's.

Thanks in advance!

Electrical & Electronics Media Player Smart TV TV UHD TV Android

Comments

  • Marrk on 04/11/2018 - 14:28

    There are so many options available that it is ridiculous. My first question would be is there a reason why you are wanting to move away from Fetch TV? If the main reason is the price of the Mighty (RRP $449), you can pick up a cheap one here ($279):

    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/tv-home-entertainment/players-reco…

    • Plotus on 04/11/2018 - 16:16

      Our Fetch TV is through an Optus Entertainment bundle which we are cancelling due to their lack of interest to offer a similar plan for the same price on the NBN. So this will be gone in a few weeks once we are connected to the NBN via TPG. That aside, we are wanting to hopefully have everything run through the TV only.

  • Marrk on 04/11/2018 - 14:39

    If you are sold on an Android TV, be sure to get one that has Freeview Plus, as you should be able to watch catch-up content for all of the channels this way (depending on your area). Android TV itself only has 7 Plus and Tenplay apps, with the ability to sideload ABC iView. You can also Chromecast content from Freeview FV and the various channel apps, as you mentioned.

    You may be better off just focusing on a TV that has Freeview Plus and getting a Mi Box 3 if you want Android TV specifically, as a lot of Android TV devices lack the hardware to provide you with the smoothest experience. I would be testing the Android TV's in store before purchasing them.

    Regarding built-in DVR functionality, no TV is going to offer the greatest experience, especially when compared to Fetch.

    • Plotus on 04/11/2018 - 17:01

      I have considered going with a MI android box. Right now I've stumbled upon the TCL Range, in particular the 50P6US. This is an android TV and it is also freeview plus. I will have to go and test it and see what it is like but it seems like a strong contender right now.

  • Peter Enis on 04/11/2018 - 16:13

    Got 2 newish Sony Android TVs in the house with USB hdds connected for recording. The pros for us, it's easy to use for all of us including the kids, one remote for everything and you can fast forward through the ads whereas the catchup apps require you to watch the ads.
    Negatives are that it saves in a proprietary format that is only usable on the TV you record it on, not a big deal. Worst part is that our TVs only have one receiver so if you are recording you can't watch anything else. Not even channels in the same stream (7HD / 7mate).

    • Plotus on 04/11/2018 - 16:26

      Are you able to schedule recording for when the TV is turned off or is it only for when the TV is on that you can record?

      • Peter Enis on 04/11/2018 - 22:14
        +1

        Full scheduling available but it relies on the FTA EPG which is only 7-8 days in advance. Pretty sure you can set recurring recordings but haven't really taken it that far.
        Used to run a MythTV box which had much better scheduling options however it was all too hard for the whole family to operate, separate remote, had to leave a PC running all the time etc.

      • Peter Enis on 04/11/2018 - 22:19
        +1

        In summary I'd say fairly happy with what we have but if we could record one channel and watch another at the same time it would be much better, so look out for dual tuner TVs, not sure what exists at the moment

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