Sharp Digital Tv Recorder with twin Digital tuner, 160Gb Hard Drive & PIP (Picture in Picture)

Looks like a good price for a branded dual tuner PVR

£104.99 delivered

I don't know that the Amazon model referred to is the same model - since the Amazon reviews say it cannot record two channel while the Sharp Web site and Empire say it can:
Unfortunately I wouldn't want to chance having to return it for a refund at Empire if it doesn't do all it claims whilst you can buy Thomson, sagem etc. cheaper in the high street.

From that spec write-up above....

"Simultaneous 2 channel recording - whilst watching another!"

Surely that would need 3 tuners???

That PVR looks like a revised version of the Digihome/Dual one that was sold at Asda a while back, and sharp did brand their own version of the older box as well - I own an 80GB version of the digihome home - and while they have two tuners to record one channel while you watch another, they are NOT true twin tuners like the Sky+/BT Vision/Humax/Topfield which will record two seperate channels while you either watch one of them, or watch soemthing else that is recorded on the hard disk.

I bought one of these at the weekend from Empire.
It does exactly what it says, records from two channels at the same time while letting you watch a pre-recorded show, and unlike a lot of other Freeview PVR's this also features a series link funcion one of the main reason I chose it.

I tried the Thompson TopUp TV box before buying this, and although it does work well and has a nice easy to use interface it suffered from one major problem, it does NOT switch off. Even on standby the hard drive is still spinning, as are all the cooling fans. I thought this was a fault with the first one I bought so had it replaced only to find out that the replacement was exactly the same. On calling the technical support line I was told that it was a feature of the box. Even if you can put up with the noise (and believe me it isn't quiet ) just think of your carbon footprint (or your electricity bill) and avoid the Thompson box.

I quickly returned the Thompson and bought the Sharp, which I am completely happy with, it starts up quickly, the set-up features do everything for you, and the hard drive sleeps when not in use.

could this take the place of sky + for recording etc.

The Humax has 2 tuners and you can record 2 channels whilst watching another ..... but the other channel has to be on the same MUX as the recorded channel e.g. if recording BBC1 then you can watch BBC2 and any other channels on that MUX.

Does this have a card slot for Setanta?

No, it's a Freeview PVR not a Sky PVR

No

Tesco are giving away a Sharp 160gb HDD PVR free when you buy a 42" Sharp LCD, unfortunately I can't remember what model the PVR is.

Here is the £10-00 off offer that is referred to above - and it still works - I have just tried it myself :-
Get 10% any purchase at Empire Direct FOR A VERY SHORT TIME ONLY. Click to visit their site to activate the code and then add the product to your basket. On the basket page, in the voucher ID box enter - EM3974 - and in the Username/Email box enter - EDSAVE . Once these 2 codes have been entered, click the - Empire Direct Secure Checkout - button at the top right of the page. On the next page click - Proceed to Checkout - and then you will see your product with a 10% discount ready for purchase! OFFER ENDS SHORTLY."

This is a VERY good price, I bought `Home Cinema Choice` magazine a few days ago, and this very model is in there and received 4/5 overall. Just to add the reviewed price was £180 too!! Bargain then I`d say, and yes the above codes DO work, delivered for £94.98!!(Rep+Heat added)

Ordered one for the parents for Xmas, hope it comes with 24 hour support line!

P.S. 2% quidco too!

Dunno whether to go for this or the Humax 9200 (@ £159 thru John Lewis)???!

Im attracted by series link and know that it will soon be available on the Humax.

Can anyone help? Is this a hot deal or just an inferior product?