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I have a Sony Bravia KDL-40W605B tv I am looking for a compatible tv recorder. It has an option to record directly from the programme guide. According to Sony (I sent them an email) I need a tuner with an HDMI output. They also advised that the apps on the to are pre installed and therefore no further apps can be added. I was thinking of getting a USB HDD but I am now thinking that may not work. Having received their email I am thinking I should try and get a smart digital tv recorder so I can have all the catch up apps. Does it have to be a Sony one in order to be accessible from the programme guide? Does anyone have the same to and a TVs recorder? Thanks in advance
Hi there
Some of that doesnt quite make sense, but I get what you are saying, so lets go through this.
HDD Recording:
Your TV does support USB HDD Recording - but you will need to dedicate a hard drive to the TV. Simply plug a HDD into the required USB port on the TV and 'register' the HDD to the TV. More information about this can be found HERE.
External HDD Recorder:
Sony no longer make any devices in regards to recording Freeview to a HDD. They have left this to other device manufacturers but provide USB HDD recording on the TV instead. This means you would need to purchase another device for your TV and use that device for your TV viewing/recording etc. Hence you cannot use the TVs EPG, you will be using the EPG of the attached device instead.
As you mentioned that your requirements also include the catchup TV apps - you would need a "Freeview Play Recorder" - This will limit you to Humax and Panasonic 500GB and 1TB recorders.
See:
https://www.freeview.co.uk/why-freeview/freeview-play
https://www.freeview.co.uk/get-freeview/play-products
Cheers