http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/ Ricability en-uk Copyright 2012 Ricability Sat, 4 Feb 2012 06:40:30 GMT Ease of Use: 97% / Price: £15 / Verdict: Passive aerial that works well in medium and some weak signal conditions. Easy to use and one of the best we have tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=Telecam TCE2000 97% £15 Passive aerial that works well in medium and some weak signal conditions. Easy to use and one of the best we have tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/Telecam_TCE_2000_APF1.jpg Ease of Use: 96% / Price: £20 / Verdict: Directional aerial with good sensitivity. Easy to locate. Should get all channels in medium and some weaker signal areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=Philex SLX Gold digiTop 27769R 96% £20 Directional aerial with good sensitivity. Easy to locate. Should get all channels in medium and some weaker signal areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/Philex_electronics_SLx.jpg Ease of Use: 95% / Price: £19 / Verdict: Works well in medium and some weak signal conditions. Built in amplifier does not help the performance but still one of the best we have tested. Easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=Telecam TCE2001 95% £19 Works well in medium and some weak signal conditions. Built in amplifier does not help the performance but still one of the best we have tested. Easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/Telecam_TCE_2001_APG1.jpg Ease of Use: 88% / Price: £11 / Verdict: One of the best tested, performs very well, suitable for medium strength signal areas and some weaker ones. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=Philex High Performance SLX Gold 27768R 88% £11 One of the best tested, performs very well, suitable for medium strength signal areas and some weaker ones. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/Philex_UHF_indoor_aerial_AJL1.jpg Ease of Use: 82% / Price: £15 / Verdict: Performed very well, suitable for medium strength signals and some weaker ones. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=Strand Indoor Aerial (plus) Amplifier 82% £15 Performed very well, suitable for medium strength signals and some weaker ones. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/Strand_set_top_TVFM_aerial_AJM1.jpg Ease of Use: 82% / Price: £25 / Verdict: Designed to be mounted against a wall so may need to be fixed. Worked well in house trials. Easy to find best position and could be hidden behind furniture or a picture. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=One For All SV 9210 82% £25 Designed to be mounted against a wall so may need to be fixed. Worked well in house trials. Easy to find best position and could be hidden behind furniture or a picture. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/one_for_all_sv9210.jpg Ease of Use: 81% / Price: £14 / Verdict: Thin panel aerial for fixing to a wall or window or can be hidden behind furniture - easy to find best position. Good sensitivity over most of the band. Should pick up all channels in medium and some weaker signal areas. We found it slightly awkward to construct - see Flaws below. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=One For All SV-9215 81% £14 Thin panel aerial for fixing to a wall or window or can be hidden behind furniture - easy to find best position. Good sensitivity over most of the band. Should pick up all channels in medium and some weaker signal areas. We found it slightly awkward to construct - see Flaws below. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/ONE_FOR_ALL_SV9215.jpg Ease of Use: 79% / Price: £37 / Verdict: Performed very well, suitable for weaker signal areas. Tips forward very easily and has no power indicator. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=One For All HD Antenna SV9380 R00 79% £37 Performed very well, suitable for weaker signal areas. Tips forward very easily and has no power indicator. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/One_for_All_HD_aerial_SV9380_AJJ1.jpg Ease of Use: 78% / Price: £23 / Verdict: Performed well, should get all channels in a medium strength signal area. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=One For All Active VHF/UHF Antenna SV9365 R01 78% £23 Performed well, should get all channels in a medium strength signal area. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/One_for_All_SV9365_R01_AJK1.jpg Ease of Use: 78% / Price: £5 / Verdict: Amplified loop design. Should work well in medium signal strength areas and in some weaker signal areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=Technika Boosted TV/FM Digital Aerial 78% £5 Amplified loop design. Should work well in medium signal strength areas and in some weaker signal areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/Technika_Boosted_APD1.jpg Ease of Use: 77% / Price: £23 / Verdict: Amplified loop design. Should work well in medium signal strength areas and in some weaker signal areas. Best to keep amplifier gain 1/2 to 3/4 setting. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=Technika Digital Indoor Amplified Aerial 77% £23 Amplified loop design. Should work well in medium signal strength areas and in some weaker signal areas. Best to keep amplifier gain 1/2 to 3/4 setting. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/Technika_Tesco_Amplified_APE1.jpg Ease of Use: 76% / Price: £12 / Verdict: Loop aerial with good sensitivity. Should get all channels in medium and some weaker signal areas. Relatively high power consumption even when switched off. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=One for All SV9141 76% £12 Loop aerial with good sensitivity. Should get all channels in medium and some weaker signal areas. Relatively high power consumption even when switched off. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/One_for_All_SV9141.jpg Ease of Use: 73% / Price: £17 / Verdict: Unusually styled amplified aerial. Should work well in medium signal strength areas and in some weaker signal areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=Designer Indoor Aerial 27772R 73% £17 Unusually styled amplified aerial. Should work well in medium signal strength areas and in some weaker signal areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/Philex_SLX_27772R_Designer_Bridge_APC1.jpg Ease of Use: 71% / Price: £20 / Verdict: Compact aerial that performed well in meduim strength signal areas and some weak ones. Easily knocked over when stood vertically. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=Nikkai Micro Indoor Boosted Aerial 71% £20 Compact aerial that performed well in meduim strength signal areas and some weak ones. Easily knocked over when stood vertically. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/Maplin_micro_indoor_amplified_aerial_AJF1.jpg Ease of Use: 64% / Price: £20 / Verdict: Suitable for medium to strong signal areas - may not get all channels in some areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=One For All SV9365 R00 64% £20 Suitable for medium to strong signal areas - may not get all channels in some areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/DTA112.jpg Ease of Use: 58% / Price: £22 / Verdict: Performed poorly but is suitable in some strong signal areas. Well built but has no instructions. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=Lloytron Amplified Indoor Aerial A426 58% £22 Performed poorly but is suitable in some strong signal areas. Well built but has no instructions. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/Lloytron_Amplified_TV_aerial_A426_AJD1.jpg Ease of Use: 57% / Price: £30 / Verdict: Small neat verical bar design. Only suitable for medium to strong signal areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=One For All Full HD Indoor Aerial SV 9325 57% £30 Small neat verical bar design. Only suitable for medium to strong signal areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/OneForAll_SV9325_APA1.jpg Ease of Use: 56% / Price: £4 / Verdict: Performed poorly but is suitable in some strong signal areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=PhilexVHF/UHF 27747D/01 56% £4 Performed poorly but is suitable in some strong signal areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/Argos_indoor_aerial_AJA1.jpg Ease of Use: 56% / Price: £10 / Verdict: Compact and low cost this aerial should get all channels in medium-strong signal areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=One for All SV9021 56% £10 Compact and low cost this aerial should get all channels in medium-strong signal areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/One_for_All_SV9021.jpg Ease of Use: 55% / Price: £15 / Verdict: Directional aerial with good sensitivity for some channels but medium for several others. Easily topples. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=Antiference Silver Sensor SS100 55% £15 Directional aerial with good sensitivity for some channels but medium for several others. Easily topples. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/DTA3H.jpg Ease of Use: 53% / Price: £9 / Verdict: Small panel passive aerial (no mains connection necessary). Designed to be stuck to a wall or window. Locating its best position could damage wallpaper. Should get all channels in medium and strong signal areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=Commtel 42526237 53% £9 Small panel passive aerial (no mains connection necessary). Designed to be stuck to a wall or window. Locating its best position could damage wallpaper. Should get all channels in medium and strong signal areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/COMMTEL_42526237.jpg Ease of Use: 53% / Price: £43 / Verdict: Flat panel design intended for mounting flat against a wall or window. Only suitable for strong signal areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=One For All Full HD Indoor Aerial SV 9390 53% £43 Flat panel design intended for mounting flat against a wall or window. Only suitable for strong signal areas. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/OneForAll_SV9390_APB1.jpg Ease of Use: 50% / Price: £5 / Verdict: Good or medium performance over most of frequency range. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=Argos 534/2859 50% £5 Good or medium performance over most of frequency range. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/DTA92.jpg Ease of Use: 50% / Price: £23 / Verdict: Medium to low sensitivity for most channels so best suited to strong signal areas. Folds compact for storage. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=Commtel Z Antenna 42526202 50% £23 Medium to low sensitivity for most channels so best suited to strong signal areas. Folds compact for storage. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/DTA6H.jpg Ease of Use: 40% / Price: £10 / Verdict: Sensitivity varied from good to poor over the frequency range. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=One For All SV-9320 DVB-T Indoor Antenna 40% £10 Sensitivity varied from good to poor over the frequency range. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/DTA52H.jpg Ease of Use: 30% / Price: £8 / Verdict: Very poor reception in home trials. Medium sensitivity for some channels. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=Mercury Magic Wand ST14 30% £8 Very poor reception in home trials. Medium sensitivity for some channels. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/DTA39.jpg Ease of Use: 26% / Price: £15 / Verdict: Will work in some strong signal areas but may not get all the channels. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/indoor_aerials/index.asp?Product=Nikkai Maplin Electronics Ltd A25GQ 26% £15 Will work in some strong signal areas but may not get all the channels. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/aerials-images-small/DTA117.jpg Overall Usage: 83% / Price: £79 / Verdict: An easy to install freeview set top box capable of showing standard and high definition TV. The TV Guide shows a small picture of currently tuned channel. It is supplied with a long universal remote control that can operate up to three other devices eg TV, DVD and audio system. RECOMMENDED http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Humax HD-Fox T2 Humax HD-Fox T2 Humax 83% £79 An easy to install freeview set top box capable of showing standard and high definition TV. The TV Guide shows a small picture of currently tuned channel. It is supplied with a long universal remote control that can operate up to three other devices eg TV, DVD and audio system. RECOMMENDED http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/HUMAX_FOXT2_SKB1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/HUMAX_FOXT2_SKB1_Remote.jpg 0.67 watts 13.3 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** *** N/A **** *** 83% Overall Usage: 77% / Price: £Part of deal - contact supplier / Verdict: One of the boxes supplied by Sky for receiving digital TV via satellite - it's large with full controls on the top. Handles audio description and has a built in modulator for connecting to a no-SCART TV. Fairly high standby and in use power consumption. Good remote control that makes it easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Sky Amstrad DRX550 Sky Amstrad DRX550 Sky 77% £Part of deal - contact supplier One of the boxes supplied by Sky for receiving digital TV via satellite - it's large with full controls on the top. Handles audio description and has a built in modulator for connecting to a no-SCART TV. Fairly high standby and in use power consumption. Good remote control that makes it easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Sky box word GB.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Sky remote word.jpg 8.8 watts 9.9 watts Satellite No - via Help button Yes Yes Yes ***** **** **** *** **** **** 77% Overall Usage: 73% / Price: £29.99 / Verdict: Small, intuitive and simple to use box with a fairly large and well designed remote control, dedicated subtitle and audio description buttons and an easily readable TV guide. No favourite channel groups but you can hide unwanted channels. It also has the assisted retune feature - this makes re-tuning for digital switchover much easier. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=TVonics MDR-240 TVonics MDR-240 TVonics 73% £29.99 Small, intuitive and simple to use box with a fairly large and well designed remote control, dedicated subtitle and audio description buttons and an easily readable TV guide. No favourite channel groups but you can hide unwanted channels. It also has the assisted retune feature - this makes re-tuning for digital switchover much easier. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/TVonics_MDR240_SGE1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/TVonics_MDR240_SGE1_Remote.jpg 1.8 watts 3.8 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** **** *** N/A **** 73% Overall Usage: 65% / Price: £119 / Verdict: Smart looking box that received Freesat standard and high definition services, needing a satellite dish. Also played back multimedia files from a USB stick or from a home network. Fairly easy to use with dedicated subtitle and audio description buttons on the remote control, but generally the buttons were not well laid out, the TV guide was very slow to fill up and quite bright and setting favourites was laborious. Low standby but high in use power consumption. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=TechniSat HDFS 0008/4750 TechniSat HDFS 0008/4750 TechniSat 65% £119 Smart looking box that received Freesat standard and high definition services, needing a satellite dish. Also played back multimedia files from a USB stick or from a home network. Fairly easy to use with dedicated subtitle and audio description buttons on the remote control, but generally the buttons were not well laid out, the TV guide was very slow to fill up and quite bright and setting favourites was laborious. Low standby but high in use power consumption. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/TechniSat_HDFS_SGB1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/TechniSat_HDFS_SGB1_remote.jpg 0.2 watts 15.74 watts Satellite Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** *** *** *** *** 65% Overall Usage: 63% / Price: £Part of deal - contact supplier / Verdict: This is a fairly basic STB with some niggles, eg poor remote control labelling, limited teletext, poor instructions and poorly labelled front panel controls. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Virgin Media Samsung SMT-2110C Virgin Media Samsung SMT-2110C Virgin 63% £Part of deal - contact supplier This is a fairly basic STB with some niggles, eg poor remote control labelling, limited teletext, poor instructions and poorly labelled front panel controls. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/ntl-samsung-smt-2110c.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/ 15.2 watts 16.6 watts Cable Yes Yes Yes Yes ***** *** *** ** ** *** 63% Overall Usage: 63% / Price: £130 / Verdict: One of the boxes delivering free-to-view, standard and high definition services via satellite that had a host of versatile features, including audio description. It also provides access to some internet services such as BBC iPlayer when connected to a home network. It could be easier to use though - the main buttons on the remote control were scattered for use without looking and setting favourites was long winded and not very intuitive. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Humax FOXSAT - HD/GB Humax FOXSAT - HD/GB Humax 63% £130 One of the boxes delivering free-to-view, standard and high definition services via satellite that had a host of versatile features, including audio description. It also provides access to some internet services such as BBC iPlayer when connected to a home network. It could be easier to use though - the main buttons on the remote control were scattered for use without looking and setting favourites was long winded and not very intuitive. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/SBA1_Humax_Foxsat_HD.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/SBA1_Humax_Foxsat_HD_Remote.jpg 0.9 watts 16.2 watts Satellite Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** *** ** **** *** 63% Overall Usage: 63% / Price: £94.99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. The quick start guide was not that helpful but tuning in was assisted by giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. Generally quite easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Philips DTR5520/05 Philips DTR5520/05 Philips 63% £94.99 This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. The quick start guide was not that helpful but tuning in was assisted by giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. Generally quite easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Philips_DTR5520_SLC2.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Philips_DTR5520_SLC2_Remote.jpg 0.88 watts 5.4 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** *** N/A *** *** 63% Overall Usage: 63% / Price: £99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard definition TV only. It is a talking box developed with the RNIB, it announces what's on the screen, which remote control buttons you're pressing and programme details via the on-screen TV guide. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up, it also prompts and assists you to retune when necessary. But it is not easy to installl and the TV guide is not that easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Goodmans GDB20TTS Smart Talk Goodmans GDB20TTS Smart Talk Goodmans 63% £99 This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard definition TV only. It is a talking box developed with the RNIB, it announces what's on the screen, which remote control buttons you're pressing and programme details via the on-screen TV guide. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up, it also prompts and assists you to retune when necessary. But it is not easy to installl and the TV guide is not that easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Goodmans_smart_talk_SLF1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Goodmans_smart_talk_SLF1_Remote.jpg 0.2 watts 4.7 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** **** N/A N/A *** 63% Overall Usage: 62% / Price: £58.99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. It also allows access to PayTV channels at an additional cost. The box is very slow when turning it on from standby.The on screen menus are intuitive and the TV guide offers a number of display options. The remote control consists of a number of small buttons each with very small labels. Audio description is supported but finding it in the menu is difficult - there is no direct access button. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Icecrypt T2200 Icecrypt T2200 Icecrypt 62% £58.99 This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. It also allows access to PayTV channels at an additional cost. The box is very slow when turning it on from standby.The on screen menus are intuitive and the TV guide offers a number of display options. The remote control consists of a number of small buttons each with very small labels. Audio description is supported but finding it in the menu is difficult - there is no direct access button. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Icecrypt_T2200_SLB1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Icecrypt_T2200_SLB1_Remote.jpg 0.36 watts 14.5 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** ** *** N/A *** *** 62% Overall Usage: 60% / Price: £43.99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. It prompts and assists you to re-tune when necessary, but this does not work well and not at all if the energy saving mode is on. The remote control was generally good but some buttons were small and rather close together. The TV guide was not easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Sharp TU-T2 Sharp TU-T2 Sharp 60% £43.99 This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. It prompts and assists you to re-tune when necessary, but this does not work well and not at all if the energy saving mode is on. The remote control was generally good but some buttons were small and rather close together. The TV guide was not easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Sharp_TU_T2_SLD1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Sharp_TU_T2_SLD1_Remote.jpg 0.67 watts 7.3 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** **** N/A N/A *** 60% Overall Usage: 60% / Price: £39.99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. Easy to set-up with assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. The TV guide is well presented and continues to show a small picture of the tuned channel. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Alba STB300HD Alba STB300HD Alba 60% £39.99 This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. Easy to set-up with assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. The TV guide is well presented and continues to show a small picture of the tuned channel. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Alba_STB300HD_SLA2.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Alba_STB300HD_SLA2_Remote.jpg 0.77 watts 7.2 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** **** N/A *** *** 60% Overall Usage: 60% / Price: £29.99 / Verdict: This box had a built-in 'modulator' so useful for older TVs with no spare SCART socket. Remote control with centrally placed navigation buttons, good size and easy to press, but interactive coloured buttons in the wrong order. TV guide very slow to fill with programmes and fairly fuzzy looking, and favourite channels unintuitive to set. Standby power consumption relatively high. Poor instruction manual - lacks detail. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Manhattan Plaza DT-100 Manhattan Plaza DT-100 Manhattan 60% £29.99 This box had a built-in 'modulator' so useful for older TVs with no spare SCART socket. Remote control with centrally placed navigation buttons, good size and easy to press, but interactive coloured buttons in the wrong order. TV guide very slow to fill with programmes and fairly fuzzy looking, and favourite channels unintuitive to set. Standby power consumption relatively high. Poor instruction manual - lacks detail. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Manhattan_Plaza_DT100.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Manhattan_Plaza_DT100_Remote.jpg 8 watts 10 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes No ** *** *** ** *** *** 60% Overall Usage: 60% / Price: £Part of deal - contact supplier / Verdict: This is a complex system with a well laid-out RC, but is let down by poor navigation keys, a busy on-screen menu display and a limited TV Guide. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Virgin Media Pace Virgin Media Pace Virgin 60% £Part of deal - contact supplier This is a complex system with a well laid-out RC, but is let down by poor navigation keys, a busy on-screen menu display and a limited TV Guide. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/telewest-broadband-pace.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/ watts Not tested Cable No Yes Yes Yes ***** *** *** *** ** *** 60% Overall Usage: 60% / Price: £29.97 / Verdict: This box has 2 SCART sockets and a useful built-in "timeshift" feature which allows you to pause a live TV programme for approximately half an hour. The TV Guide only shows one channel at a time, and is very slow to fill up but it does show a small picture of the currently tuned channel. It has no favourite channels option but unwanted channels can be deleted or locked. It does not have any front panel controls and the box tested had a sound to vision lip-sync problem. It was considered easy to install. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Grundig GUD1600TS1G Grundig GUD1600TS1G Grundig 60% £29.97 This box has 2 SCART sockets and a useful built-in "timeshift" feature which allows you to pause a live TV programme for approximately half an hour. The TV Guide only shows one channel at a time, and is very slow to fill up but it does show a small picture of the currently tuned channel. It has no favourite channels option but unwanted channels can be deleted or locked. It does not have any front panel controls and the box tested had a sound to vision lip-sync problem. It was considered easy to install. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Grundig_GUD1600TS1G.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Grundig_GUD1600TS1G_Remote.jpg 0.8 watts 3.9 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes No **** *** *** N/A N/A *** 60% Overall Usage: 59% / Price: £Part of deal - contact supplier / Verdict: This is a Virgin Media cable TV set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV for a monthly subscription. It is fully installed and demonstarted as part of the set-up process. The remote control and on screen menus are easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Virgin Cisco V HD Box 4585DVB Virgin Cisco V HD Box 4585DVB Virgin 59% £Part of deal - contact supplier This is a Virgin Media cable TV set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV for a monthly subscription. It is fully installed and demonstarted as part of the set-up process. The remote control and on screen menus are easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Virgin_VHD_SLE1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Virgin_VHD_SLE1_Remote.jpg 0.5 watts 14.5 watts Cable Via two buttons Yes Yes Yes ***** *** *** N/A *** *** 59% Overall Usage: 59% / Price: £129.95 / Verdict: This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. It can accept a PayTV viewing card if desired and has the ability to act as a digital TV recording device if an external USB hard drive hard disc is attached - not supplied. It also has basic front panel controls. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. Easy to install and set up using the quick start guide in the box. But you will need a computer to read the information manual that comes supplied on a CD Rom. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=TechniSat HDFV TechniSat HDFV TechniSat 59% £129.95 This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. It can accept a PayTV viewing card if desired and has the ability to act as a digital TV recording device if an external USB hard drive hard disc is attached - not supplied. It also has basic front panel controls. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. Easy to install and set up using the quick start guide in the box. But you will need a computer to read the information manual that comes supplied on a CD Rom. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/TechniSat_HDFV.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/TechniSat_HDFV_Remote.jpg 1.21 watts 6.8 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** *** *** ** *** 59% Overall Usage: 59% / Price: £15 / Verdict: This is a standard and high definition Freeview set top box with no front panel controls. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. The TV guide is well presented, easy to use and shows a small picture of the currently tuned channel. Installation is also easy with a simple quick start guide to assist. But retuning requires remembering a four digit pin. Generally easy to use and is one of the cheapest HD products on test. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Technika STBHDH2010 Technika STBHDH2010 Technika 59% £15 This is a standard and high definition Freeview set top box with no front panel controls. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. The TV guide is well presented, easy to use and shows a small picture of the currently tuned channel. Installation is also easy with a simple quick start guide to assist. But retuning requires remembering a four digit pin. Generally easy to use and is one of the cheapest HD products on test. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Technika_STBHDH2010_SQB1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Technika_STBHDH2010_SQB1_Remote.jpg 0.77 watts 7 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes - when set by main menu Yes **** *** **** N/A N/A *** 59% Overall Usage: 58% / Price: £70 / Verdict: This box can receive standard and high definition Freesat services, needing a satelite dish. If connected to a home network the recorder can access internet services such as BBC iPlayer. The remote has dedicated subtitle and audio description buttons. It was fairly easy to install and overall ease of use satisfactory. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Bush BFSAT03HD Bush BFSAT03HD Bush 58% £70 This box can receive standard and high definition Freesat services, needing a satelite dish. If connected to a home network the recorder can access internet services such as BBC iPlayer. The remote has dedicated subtitle and audio description buttons. It was fairly easy to install and overall ease of use satisfactory. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/BUSH_BFSAT03.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/BUSH_BFSAT03_Remote.jpg 0.52 watts 8.7 watts Satellite Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** *** N/A *** *** 58% Overall Usage: 57% / Price: £49.99 / Verdict: This is a Freesat standard definition set top box so requires a satellite dish. The TV guide was easy to navigate but slow to fill up and cramped on the screen. It was easy to install and satisfactory to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Manhattan Plaza DS-100 Manhattan Plaza DS-100 Manhattan 57% £49.99 This is a Freesat standard definition set top box so requires a satellite dish. The TV guide was easy to navigate but slow to fill up and cramped on the screen. It was easy to install and satisfactory to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Manhattan_Plaza_DS100_SPF1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Manhattan_Plaza_DS100_SPF1_Remote.jpg 0.65 watts 7 watts Satellite Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** *** *** ** *** 57% Overall Usage: 56% / Price: £38.99 / Verdict: Freesat box receiving standard definition services, so needing a satellite dish. Generally straightforward to use. A well laid out TV guide, though slow to fill up. It was satisfactory to set up and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Grundig GUFSAT02SD Grundig GUFSAT02SD Grundig 56% £38.99 Freesat box receiving standard definition services, so needing a satellite dish. Generally straightforward to use. A well laid out TV guide, though slow to fill up. It was satisfactory to set up and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Grundig_GUFSAT02SD_SGC1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Grundig_GUFSAT02SD_SGC1_Remote.jpg 1 watts 7.5 watts Satellite Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** *** *** N/A *** 56% Overall Usage: 53% / Price: £34.99 / Verdict: This is a standard definition, Freeview set top box with no front panel controls. The TV guide usefully shows a small picture of the currently tuned channel. It was quite easy to use but let down by some some wobbly buttons on the remote and a squashed TV guide. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=EZ Box LT-105 EZ Box LT-105 EZ Box 53% £34.99 This is a standard definition, Freeview set top box with no front panel controls. The TV guide usefully shows a small picture of the currently tuned channel. It was quite easy to use but let down by some some wobbly buttons on the remote and a squashed TV guide. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/EZBox_LT_105_SQA1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/EZBox_LT_105_SQA1_Remote.jpg 3.42 watts 6.3 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes No *** *** *** N/A N/A *** 53% Overall Usage: 52% / Price: £18.97 / Verdict: This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard definition TV only. The TV guide is very slow to fill up but does conveniently display a small picture showing the currently tuned channel. The quick start guide is poorly presented but set up is helped with fully automatic tuning. Generally satisfactory and at the cheaper end of the market. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Dion VSTBAW10 Dion VSTBAW10 Dion 52% £18.97 This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard definition TV only. The TV guide is very slow to fill up but does conveniently display a small picture showing the currently tuned channel. The quick start guide is poorly presented but set up is helped with fully automatic tuning. Generally satisfactory and at the cheaper end of the market. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Dion_VSTBAW10.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Dion_VSTBAW10_Remote.jpg 2.94 watts 3.5 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes No *** *** *** N/A N/A *** 52% Overall Usage: 50% / Price: £89.99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. It can accept a PayTV viewing card if desired and has the ability to act as a digital TV recording device with Freeview + features if an external USB hard drive hard disc is attached - not supplied. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. It was easy to install but had a fiddly remote control and a TV guide that was slow to fill up. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Digital Stream DHP8100U Digital Stream DHP8100U Digital Stream 50% £89.99 This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. It can accept a PayTV viewing card if desired and has the ability to act as a digital TV recording device with Freeview + features if an external USB hard drive hard disc is attached - not supplied. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. It was easy to install but had a fiddly remote control and a TV guide that was slow to fill up. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Digital_Stream_DHP8100U.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Digital_Stream_DHP8100U_Remote.jpg 0.31 watts 13.2 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** ** *** *** *** ** 50% Overall Usage: 48% / Price: £25 / Verdict: Fairly small black box with full 7 day TV guide that was not easy to read and a remote control not easy to use http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Philips DTR220/05 Philips DTR220/05 Philips 48% £25 Fairly small black box with full 7 day TV guide that was not easy to read and a remote control not easy to use http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/07Aa DTM8 Philips DTR220.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/07Bb DTM8.jpg 4.05 watts 5.11 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes No *** ** ** *** N/A ** 48% Overall Usage: 48% / Price: £Part of deal - contact supplier / Verdict: Some useful features like digital video output (HDMI) but lacks basics such as teletext and subtitles. Standby power consumption was high. Not very easy to use with a poorly laid out remote control that meant a lot of shuffling and concave central navigation keys so they were difficult to press. TV guide was cramped by an advertising banner and it lacked useful prompts. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=TalkTalk TalkTalk TalkTalk 48% £Part of deal - contact supplier Some useful features like digital video output (HDMI) but lacks basics such as teletext and subtitles. Standby power consumption was high. Not very easy to use with a poorly laid out remote control that meant a lot of shuffling and concave central navigation keys so they were difficult to press. TV guide was cramped by an advertising banner and it lacked useful prompts. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Tiscali_pvr_stb.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Tiscali_pvr_stb_Remote.jpg Router off 9.03 watts, on 17.06 watts STB + router 18.39 watts Telephone-based No No ***** ** *** *** *** ** 48% Overall Usage: 46% / Price: £161.11 / Verdict: Receives Freesat standard and high definition services so it will need a satellite dish. Has a USB socket that can be used for viewing photographs and playing MP3s on to the TV and handles audio description. Unintuitive to use with poorly laid out remote control and on-screen menu and very unhelpful instruction manual - lacks detail. Versatile TV guide, well prompted, but slow to fill up with programmes. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Metronic Sat HD 100 Metronic Sat HD 100 Metronic 46% £161.11 Receives Freesat standard and high definition services so it will need a satellite dish. Has a USB socket that can be used for viewing photographs and playing MP3s on to the TV and handles audio description. Unintuitive to use with poorly laid out remote control and on-screen menu and very unhelpful instruction manual - lacks detail. Versatile TV guide, well prompted, but slow to fill up with programmes. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Metronic_Sat_HD100_SEF1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Metronic_Sat_HD100_SEF1_Remote.jpg 1 watts 16.4 watts Satellite No - cannot turn off subtitles from remote control Yes Yes Yes *** ** *** * ** ** 46% Overall Usage: 46% / Price: £25 / Verdict: This box has basic front panel controls and a front panel display. The TV Guide is not well implemented as it does not always show programmes for all channels. The box has 2 SCART sockets and was considered easy to install but poor overall. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Icecrypt T5000 Icecrypt T5000 Turbosat 46% £25 This box has basic front panel controls and a front panel display. The TV Guide is not well implemented as it does not always show programmes for all channels. The box has 2 SCART sockets and was considered easy to install but poor overall. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Icecrypt_T5000.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Icecrypt_T5000_Remote.jpg 1.5 watts 5.4 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes No **** *** ** N/A **** ** 46% Overall Usage: 46% / Price: £50 / Verdict: This is a standard definition Freeview set top box. The TV guide is easy to use but the remote control is not, it is too small with small buttons positioned very close together. Overall it does not perform as well as other set top boxes tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Bush BU10FVZS2 Bush BU10FVZS2 Bush 46% £50 This is a standard definition Freeview set top box. The TV guide is easy to use but the remote control is not, it is too small with small buttons positioned very close together. Overall it does not perform as well as other set top boxes tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Bush_BU10FVZS2.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Bush_BU10FVZS2_Remote.jpg 0.69 watts 4.3 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes No *** ** *** N/A N/A ** 46% Overall Usage: 45% / Price: £Part of deal - contact supplier / Verdict: Awkward to use due to the poorly laid-out on-screen menu, lack of prompting and poor remote control. But the only Aerial box receiving audio description. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Netgem Technology Iplayer(plus) Netgem Technology Iplayer+ Netgem 45% £Part of deal - contact supplier Awkward to use due to the poorly laid-out on-screen menu, lack of prompting and poor remote control. But the only Aerial box receiving audio description. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/netgem-I-player-wr.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/netgem-i-player-remote.jpg 5.6 watts 7.1 watts Aerial No Yes Yes Yes ** ** ** ** N/A ** 45% Overall Usage: 44% / Price: £49.99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview standard definition set top box designed to receive Sky Sports subscription channels. Setting up was easy with a clear connection diagram and assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. But there was no information on how to use the Top Up TV card slot. The TV guide only shows one channel at a time so makes browsing hard and the remote control was small with buttons spaced too close together. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Top Up TV T215 Top Up TV T215 Top Up TV 44% £49.99 This is a Freeview standard definition set top box designed to receive Sky Sports subscription channels. Setting up was easy with a clear connection diagram and assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. But there was no information on how to use the Top Up TV card slot. The TV guide only shows one channel at a time so makes browsing hard and the remote control was small with buttons spaced too close together. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/TopUpTV_Sky_Sports_Digital_SPH1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/TopUpTV_Sky_Sports_Digital_SPH1_Remote.jpg 3.77 watts 4.9 watts Aerial No Yes Yes No *** ** ** N/A *** ** 44% Overall Usage: 43% / Price: £59.99 / Verdict: A freeview set top box capable of showing standard and high definition TV. Installation is long winded and confusing but it does help you tune and retune the box by giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. The remote control is poorly laid out so you may find yourself searching for buttons. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Bush DVB680 Bush DVB680 Bush 43% £59.99 A freeview set top box capable of showing standard and high definition TV. Installation is long winded and confusing but it does help you tune and retune the box by giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. The remote control is poorly laid out so you may find yourself searching for buttons. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/BUSH_DVB680_SKA1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/BUSH_DVB680_SKA1_Remote.jpg 0.69 watts 7.7 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes ** ** *** N/A *** ** 43% Overall Usage: 43% / Price: £69.99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. Tuning in was assisted by giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. But it was not easy to install or to use. The TV Guide was versatile offering different display options. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Linsar FHD1 Linsar FHD1 Linsar 43% £69.99 This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. Tuning in was assisted by giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. But it was not easy to install or to use. The TV Guide was versatile offering different display options. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/LINSAR_FHD1_SKC1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/LINSAR_FHD1_SKC1_Remote.jpg 0.69 watts 7.5 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes ** ** *** N/A *** ** 43% Overall Usage: 43% / Price: £56.99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. Tuning in was assisted by giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. But it was not easy to install or to use. The TV Guide was versatile offering different display options. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Metronic T2 HD Zapbox 441830 Metronic T2 HD Zapbox 441830 Metronic 43% £56.99 This is a Freeview set top box capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. Tuning in was assisted by giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. But it was not easy to install or to use. The TV Guide was versatile offering different display options. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/METRONIC_T2_ZAPBOX_441830_SKD1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/METRONIC_T2_ZAPBOX_441830_SKD1_Remote.jpg 0.68 watts 7.5 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes ** ** *** N/A *** ** 43% Overall Usage: 42% / Price: £37.18 / Verdict: A basic Freeview set top box that is easy to install and set-up. It features a useful retuning shortcut via the blue button and also benefits from an easy to use TV guide. But ease of use is let down by the remote control that consists of small and wobbly buttons that are too close together. The button labels are also small and difficult to read. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Metronic Eco zapbox 2 Metronic Eco zapbox 2 Metronic 42% £37.18 A basic Freeview set top box that is easy to install and set-up. It features a useful retuning shortcut via the blue button and also benefits from an easy to use TV guide. But ease of use is let down by the remote control that consists of small and wobbly buttons that are too close together. The button labels are also small and difficult to read. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Metronic_Eco_Zapbox2_SJF1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Metronic_Eco_Zapbox2_SJF1_Remote.jpg 0.61 watts 3.7 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes No **** ** *** N/A *** ** 42% Overall Usage: 36% / Price: £19.99 / Verdict: This is a small Freeview standard definition set top box with no front panel controls. The TV guide only shows one channel at a time and is very slow to fill up. It was easy to install but considered poor overall mainly due to an unintuitive TV guide. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/stbs/index.asp?Product=Currys Essentials C1STB10 Currys Essentials C1STB10 Currys Essentials 36% £19.99 This is a small Freeview standard definition set top box with no front panel controls. The TV guide only shows one channel at a time and is very slow to fill up. It was easy to install but considered poor overall mainly due to an unintuitive TV guide. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Currys_Essentials_C1STB10_SMA1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/stb_resized/Currys_Essentials_C1STB10_SMA1_Remote.jpg 0.83 watts 3.5 watts Aerial Yes Yes Yes No **** *** ** N/A N/A ** 36% Overall Usage: 83%/ Price: £241 / Verdict: This Freeview TV recorder with twin tuner can receive both standard and high definition TV and has a card reader to access PayTV channels at an additional cost. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up and if connected to a home network can access internet services such as BBC iPlayer. The remote control can be programmed to operate basic TV functions. The TV guide is well presented and displays a small picture of the currently tuned channel. It was easy to install and use. RECOMMENDED. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Humax HDR-FOX T2 Humax HDR-FOX T2 Humax 83% £241 This Freeview TV recorder with twin tuner can receive both standard and high definition TV and has a card reader to access PayTV channels at an additional cost. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up and if connected to a home network can access internet services such as BBC iPlayer. The remote control can be programmed to operate basic TV functions. The TV guide is well presented and displays a small picture of the currently tuned channel. It was easy to install and use. RECOMMENDED. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Humax_HDR_Fox_T2_PLB1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Humax_HDR_Fox_T2_PLB1_Remote.jpg 0.5 watts 22.2 watts Aerial 500GB Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** **** **** ** **** 83% Overall Usage: 82%/ Price: £Part of deal - contact supplier / Verdict: A digital TV recorder with twin tuners that receives TV via the Sky satellite subscription service, including high definition channels. It has a well laid out remote control and a full set of controls on the front of the box. The TV guide is easy to use and versatile - it can group channels by type The hard drive is 300GB, but only 160GB is available for personal recordings. The recorder also handles audio description. Power consumption is high, even on standby, and it is slow to reboot if it is switched off. However, you are unable to specify the box model when subscribing to the service. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Sky(plus) HD Thomson Sky+ HD Thomson Sky 82% £Part of deal - contact supplier A digital TV recorder with twin tuners that receives TV via the Sky satellite subscription service, including high definition channels. It has a well laid out remote control and a full set of controls on the front of the box. The TV guide is easy to use and versatile - it can group channels by type The hard drive is 300GB, but only 160GB is available for personal recordings. The recorder also handles audio description. Power consumption is high, even on standby, and it is slow to reboot if it is switched off. However, you are unable to specify the box model when subscribing to the service. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Sky_HD_PGF1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Sky_HD_PGF1_Remote.jpg 18.5 watts 35.5 watts Satellite 300GB (160GB for personal storage space) No - via help button Yes Yes Yes ***** **** **** *** *** **** 82% Overall Usage: 81%/ Price: £145.99 / Verdict: A large, easy to install and use PVR with plenty of features - like recording a whole series of programmes and a slot that can take a card reader for Pay TV channels - but there's background noise all the time it is on. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Humax PVR-9300T/GB Humax PVR-9300T/GB Humax 81% £145.99 A large, easy to install and use PVR with plenty of features - like recording a whole series of programmes and a slot that can take a card reader for Pay TV channels - but there's background noise all the time it is on. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/PBa1_Humax_PVR9300T.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/PBa1_Humax_PVR9300T_Remote.jpg power saving mode 'on' O.84 watts, 'off' 3.32 watts 17.8 watts Aerial 320GB Yes Yes Yes No **** **** **** **** **** **** 81% Overall Usage: 81%/ Price: £217 / Verdict: This PVR receives freesat standard and high definition satellite service. It can also record standard and high definition programmes and if connected to a home network can access internet services such as BBC iPlayer. Power consumption was very low if the "eco" mode was selected. Versatile and generally easy to use with a well delineated remote control, intuitive on-screen menu navigation and straightforward recording and playback. TV guide was also intuitive but some long winded processes, like setting and selecting favourites. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Humax FOXSAT - HDR/GB Humax FOXSAT - HDR/GB Humax 81% £217 This PVR receives freesat standard and high definition satellite service. It can also record standard and high definition programmes and if connected to a home network can access internet services such as BBC iPlayer. Power consumption was very low if the "eco" mode was selected. Versatile and generally easy to use with a well delineated remote control, intuitive on-screen menu navigation and straightforward recording and playback. TV guide was also intuitive but some long winded processes, like setting and selecting favourites. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Humax_Foxsat_HDR_Freesat.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Humax_Foxsat_HDR_Freesat_Remote.jpg power saving mode 'on' 0.76 watts, 'off' 5.15 watts Live TV 21.26 watts, HDD play 21.8 watts Satellite 320GB Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** **** **** **** **** 81% Overall Usage: 79%/ Price: £150 / Verdict: This is a versatile and easy to set-up and use Freeview digital TV recorder. The remote control is particularly well designed benefitting from a logical layout and good labelling. The TV guide is easy to navigate but can be difficult to read because the TV picture can be seen behind the guide. It has no favourite channels option and no front panel controls. RECOMMENDED. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=TVonics DTR-HV250 TVonics DTR-HV250 Tvonics 79% £150 This is a versatile and easy to set-up and use Freeview digital TV recorder. The remote control is particularly well designed benefitting from a logical layout and good labelling. The TV guide is easy to navigate but can be difficult to read because the TV picture can be seen behind the guide. It has no favourite channels option and no front panel controls. RECOMMENDED. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/TVonics_DTRHV250_PJC1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/TVonics_DTRHV250_PJC1_Remote.jpg 4.99 watts 14.6 watts Aerial 250GB Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** *** **** N/A **** 79% Overall Usage: 79%/ Price: £227.89 / Verdict: This is large standard and high definition, twin tuner, Freesat recorder - you will need a satellite dish installed to receive the service. Internet services such as BBC iPlayer can be received via a home network and special software allows the viewer to watch their recorded programmes remotely on their computer. The front panel controls are operated by touch sensitive buttons and confirms you have touched them with a beep. Its easy to install and use benefitting from a clear and well presented TV guide that is intuitive to navigate. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=EchoStar HDS-600RS EchoStar HDS-600RS EchoStar 79% £227.89 This is large standard and high definition, twin tuner, Freesat recorder - you will need a satellite dish installed to receive the service. Internet services such as BBC iPlayer can be received via a home network and special software allows the viewer to watch their recorded programmes remotely on their computer. The front panel controls are operated by touch sensitive buttons and confirms you have touched them with a beep. Its easy to install and use benefitting from a clear and well presented TV guide that is intuitive to navigate. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/EchoStar_HDS_600RS_PQA1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/EchoStar_HDS_600RS_PQA1_Remote.jpg 14.5 watts 25.4 watts Satellite 500GB Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** **** **** *** **** 79% Overall Usage: 77%/ Price: £160 / Verdict: This is a standard and high definition hard drive digital TV recorder with a twin Freesat HD tuner - you will need a satellite dish installed to receive the service. It can be connected to your home network and has Internet access for BBC iPlayer and other web based applications. The TV guide is nicely presented making navigation and recordings easy, but the on screen menus are a little trickier. Key remote control buttons are positioned at the top and bottom of the remote so using one hand can be a bit of a stretch. Generally easy to use. RECOMMENDED. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Bush BU11FSRHD32 Bush BU11FSRHD32 Bush 77% £160 This is a standard and high definition hard drive digital TV recorder with a twin Freesat HD tuner - you will need a satellite dish installed to receive the service. It can be connected to your home network and has Internet access for BBC iPlayer and other web based applications. The TV guide is nicely presented making navigation and recordings easy, but the on screen menus are a little trickier. Key remote control buttons are positioned at the top and bottom of the remote so using one hand can be a bit of a stretch. Generally easy to use. RECOMMENDED. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Bush_Freesat_HD_320GB.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Bush_Freesat_HD_320GB_Remote.jpg 0.38 watts 13.4 watts Satelitte 320GB Yes Yes Yes Yes *** ** **** **** *** **** 77% Overall Usage: 75%/ Price: £169.99 / Verdict: A twin tuner digital TV recorder with Freeview+ features. Designed for receiving Freesat channels so will need to be connected to a satellite dish and can receive HD channels when connected to an HD Ready TV via an HDMI lead. It has a digital audio output so can be connected to a surround sound system and an Internet connection for future Internet TV applications. It can handle audio description broadcasts but it is not able to record them. It has favourite channels feature but they cannot be displayed in their own TV Guide. It has full front panel controls, was considered easy to install and to use, but was quite noisy. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Goodmans GFSDTR320HD Goodmans GFSDTR320HD Goodmans 75% £169.99 A twin tuner digital TV recorder with Freeview+ features. Designed for receiving Freesat channels so will need to be connected to a satellite dish and can receive HD channels when connected to an HD Ready TV via an HDMI lead. It has a digital audio output so can be connected to a surround sound system and an Internet connection for future Internet TV applications. It can handle audio description broadcasts but it is not able to record them. It has favourite channels feature but they cannot be displayed in their own TV Guide. It has full front panel controls, was considered easy to install and to use, but was quite noisy. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Goodmans_GFSDTR320HD.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Goodmans_GFSDTR320HD_Remote.jpg 1 watts 19.1 watts Satellite 320GB Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** **** **** **** **** 75% Overall Usage: 74%/ Price: £Part of deal - contact supplier / Verdict: This is a complex product that is made simple to use by a well laid-out remote control with intuitive on-screen menu and TV Guide. High power consumption. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Sky(plus) Thomson 160 Sky+ Thomson 160 Sky 74% £Part of deal - contact supplier This is a complex product that is made simple to use by a well laid-out remote control with intuitive on-screen menu and TV Guide. High power consumption. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/sky-thomson-160.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/sky-thomson-160_Remote.jpg 12.3 watts 24 watts Satellite 160GB - around 80 hours Yes Yes Yes Yes ***** **** **** **** *** **** 74% Overall Usage: 69%/ Price: £199.99 / Verdict: This is standard and high definition, twin tuner, Freesat, hard drive recorder - you will need a satellite dish installed to receive the service. It can be connected to your home network and has Internet access for BBC iPlayer and other web based applications. The front panel controls are operated by touch sensitive buttons but there is no audible feedback to let you know when you have pressed one. The TV guide is well presented, easy to navigate and shows a small picture of the currently tuned channel but some of the text is rather small. It was considered easy to install and quite easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Samsung SMT-S7800 Samsung SMT-S7800 Samsung 69% £199.99 This is standard and high definition, twin tuner, Freesat, hard drive recorder - you will need a satellite dish installed to receive the service. It can be connected to your home network and has Internet access for BBC iPlayer and other web based applications. The front panel controls are operated by touch sensitive buttons but there is no audible feedback to let you know when you have pressed one. The TV guide is well presented, easy to navigate and shows a small picture of the currently tuned channel but some of the text is rather small. It was considered easy to install and quite easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Samsung_SMT_S7800_PQB1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Samsung_SMT_S7800_PQB1_Remote.jpg 0.81 watts 20.8 watts Satellite 500GB Yes Yes Yes - via main menu Yes **** *** *** **** *** *** 69% Overall Usage: 67%/ Price: £169.99 / Verdict: A Freeview+ recorder with series recording, conflict resolution and a viewing card slot for pay TV and TopUpTV service, but let down by some niggles. Slow to retune, annoying pop up programme information in the TV guide, on screen menus lacked prompts and no favourite channel groups. The remote control was well laid out and labelled, but was quite bulky to hold and had some slippery buttons. Standby power consumption was high. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Sharp TU-TV322H Sharp TU-TV322H Sharp 67% £169.99 A Freeview+ recorder with series recording, conflict resolution and a viewing card slot for pay TV and TopUpTV service, but let down by some niggles. Slow to retune, annoying pop up programme information in the TV guide, on screen menus lacked prompts and no favourite channel groups. The remote control was well laid out and labelled, but was quite bulky to hold and had some slippery buttons. Standby power consumption was high. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Sharp_TU_TV322H.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Sharp_TU_TV322H_Remote.jpg 15.3 watts 15.96 watts Aerial 320GB Yes Yes Yes No *** *** ** *** *** *** 67% Overall Usage: 66%/ Price: £199.99 / Verdict: This is a standard and high definition Freeview digital TV recorder that benefits from a very large hard drive, it can store up to 500 hours. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. The remote control can be programmed to control the TV as well (major brands only), but it is very long so shuffling up and down the remote to find the buttons is unavoidable. Generally it has some nice features and is OK to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Icecrypt T2400 HDPVR Icecrypt T2400 HDPVR Icecrypt 66% £199.99 This is a standard and high definition Freeview digital TV recorder that benefits from a very large hard drive, it can store up to 500 hours. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. The remote control can be programmed to control the TV as well (major brands only), but it is very long so shuffling up and down the remote to find the buttons is unavoidable. Generally it has some nice features and is OK to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Icecrypt_T2400_PPD1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Icecrypt_T2400_PPD1_Remote.jpg 0.33 watts 19.7 watts Aerial 1TB Yes Yes Yes Yes *** ** *** **** ** *** 66% Overall Usage: 65%/ Price: £200 / Verdict: This Freeview TV recorder can receive both standard and high definition TV. It can also receive internet services such as BBC iPlayer if connected to a home network. It was easy to install and has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. Overall ease of use was considered satisfactory and the remote control can be programmed to operate other TV devices. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=TVonics DTR-Z500HD TVonics DTR-Z500HD TVonics 65% £200 This Freeview TV recorder can receive both standard and high definition TV. It can also receive internet services such as BBC iPlayer if connected to a home network. It was easy to install and has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. Overall ease of use was considered satisfactory and the remote control can be programmed to operate other TV devices. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/TvOnics DTR-Z500HD PSC1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/TvOnics DTR-Z500HD PSC1 controller.jpg 0.39 watts 11.7 watts Aerial 50 GB Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** *** **** N/A *** 65.5072463768116% Overall Usage: 65%/ Price: £Part of deal - contact supplier / Verdict: This box is designed to receive and record Virgin digital cable channels and has a video on demand service. The large remote control was simply laid out with good tactile feedback from the buttons. The TV guide was also simple to use, but it was not always obvious when a programme started or finished. Lots of menus with basic functions buried in them. Setting subtitles and audio description was via a menu only. Recording was straightforward but power consumption was high. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Cisco V Box HD Cisco V Box HD Virgin Media 65% £Part of deal - contact supplier This box is designed to receive and record Virgin digital cable channels and has a video on demand service. The large remote control was simply laid out with good tactile feedback from the buttons. The TV guide was also simple to use, but it was not always obvious when a programme started or finished. Lots of menus with basic functions buried in them. Setting subtitles and audio description was via a menu only. Recording was straightforward but power consumption was high. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/virgin_media_v.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/virgin_media_v_Remote.jpg 22.21 watts 27.47 watts Cable Not stated No Yes Yes Yes ***** *** *** **** **** *** 65% Overall Usage: 64%/ Price: £410 / Verdict: This Freeview TV recorder can receive both standard and high definition TV and has a DVD and 3D compatible Blu-ray player built in. It is not designed to record onto DVD or Blu-ray discs however. If connected to a home network it can access some internet services, but not BBC iPlayer. It has a versatile and easy to use TV guide. It was easy to install and most features were easy to use, although some menu options were quite complicated. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Panasonic DMR-PWT500EB Panasonic DMR-PWT500EB Panasonic 64% £410 This Freeview TV recorder can receive both standard and high definition TV and has a DVD and 3D compatible Blu-ray player built in. It is not designed to record onto DVD or Blu-ray discs however. If connected to a home network it can access some internet services, but not BBC iPlayer. It has a versatile and easy to use TV guide. It was easy to install and most features were easy to use, although some menu options were quite complicated. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Panasonic DMR-PWT500 DSA1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Panasonic DMR-PWT500 DSA1 controller.jpg Power save 'on' - 0.49 Watts, Power Save 'off' (as delivered) - 3.76 watts 11.6 watts Aerial 320GB Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** **** *** *** *** 64.4% Overall Usage: 64%/ Price: £250 / Verdict: This Freeview TV recorder can receive both standard and high definition TV, however unlike most it CANNOT record two programmes at the same time. There is also no dedicated button on the remote to access recordings - you have to go via the menu. If connected to a home network the recorder can access internet services such as BBC iPlayer. It has full, touch sensitive front panel controls and was considered easy to install. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Samsung BD-DT7800/XU Samsung BD-DT7800/XU Samsung 64% £250 This Freeview TV recorder can receive both standard and high definition TV, however unlike most it CANNOT record two programmes at the same time. There is also no dedicated button on the remote to access recordings - you have to go via the menu. If connected to a home network the recorder can access internet services such as BBC iPlayer. It has full, touch sensitive front panel controls and was considered easy to install. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Samsung BD-DT7800M PSB1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Samsung BD-DT7800M PSB1 controller.jpg Energy save 'on' - 0.65 Watts, Power Save 'off' (as delivered) - 1.71 watts 17.1 watts Aerial 500 GB Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** ** **** *** *** 64.0579710144928% Overall Usage: 64%/ Price: £184 / Verdict: This is a standard and high definition twin tuner Freeview hard disc recorder. It is easy to install and comes with assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. There are no front panel controls on the box. The remote control is quite large but is still well laid out and clearly labelled. It was considered easy to install and general quite easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Sony SVR-HDT500 Sony SVR-HDT500 Sony 64% £184 This is a standard and high definition twin tuner Freeview hard disc recorder. It is easy to install and comes with assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. There are no front panel controls on the box. The remote control is quite large but is still well laid out and clearly labelled. It was considered easy to install and general quite easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Sony_SVR_HDT500B_PQC1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Sony_SVR_HDT500B_PQC1_Remote.jpg 13.1 watts 17.6 watts Aerial 500GB Yes Yes Yes - via main menu Yes **** *** *** *** N/A *** 64% Overall Usage: 64%/ Price: £Part of deal - contact supplier / Verdict: This PVR incorporates twin Aerial tuners plus a broadband connection for additional video services. Straightforward to use but let down by a poorly laid out remote control that meant a lot of shuffling and concave central navigating keys that were difficult to press. TV guide changed since assessment but now supports subtitles. Standby power consumption was high and it lacks teletext. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=TalkTalk TalkTalk TalkTalk 64% £Part of deal - contact supplier This PVR incorporates twin Aerial tuners plus a broadband connection for additional video services. Straightforward to use but let down by a poorly laid out remote control that meant a lot of shuffling and concave central navigating keys that were difficult to press. TV guide changed since assessment but now supports subtitles. Standby power consumption was high and it lacks teletext. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Tiscali_pvr_stb.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Tiscali_pvr_stb_Remote.jpg PVR in standby/router 'on' 19.69, 'off' 11.89 watts PVR + router 27.27 watts Telephone-based 160GB but up to half reserved for Tiscali Yes Yes Yes No **** ** Changed since assessment **** *** *** 64% Overall Usage: 64%/ Price: £399.99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview hard drive and DVD/Blu-ray recorder with twin HD tuners. You cannot record directly onto DVD or Blu-ray from Freeview but can copy Freeview recordings from the hard drive to DVD or Blu-ray although not at high speed. It also has a network connection that gives access to selected Internet services. The remote control is well designed and can be programmed to operate a TV. The recorder is particularly easy to setup and install and generally easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Panasonic DMR-BW780EBK Panasonic DMR-BW780EBK Panasonic 64% £399.99 This is a Freeview hard drive and DVD/Blu-ray recorder with twin HD tuners. You cannot record directly onto DVD or Blu-ray from Freeview but can copy Freeview recordings from the hard drive to DVD or Blu-ray although not at high speed. It also has a network connection that gives access to selected Internet services. The remote control is well designed and can be programmed to operate a TV. The recorder is particularly easy to setup and install and generally easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Panasonic_DMRBW780_DLA1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Panasonic_DMRBW780_DLA1_Remote.jpg 0.45 watts 19 watts Aerial 250GB Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** **** *** *** *** 64% Overall Usage: 63%/ Price: £269 / Verdict: This Freeview TV recorder can receive both standard and high definition TV. If connected to a home network it can access some internet services, but unusually not BBC iPlayer. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. The TV guide was well presented and overall ease of use satisfactory. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Panasonic DMR-HW100EBK Panasonic DMR-HW100EBK Panasonic 63% £269 This Freeview TV recorder can receive both standard and high definition TV. If connected to a home network it can access some internet services, but unusually not BBC iPlayer. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. The TV guide was well presented and overall ease of use satisfactory. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Panasonic DMR-HW100 PSA1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Panasonic DMR-HW100 PSA1 controller.jpg Power save 'on' - 0.46 Watts, Power Save 'off' (as delivered) - 3.64 watts 9.6 watts Aerial 320GB Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** **** *** *** *** 63.1884057971014% Overall Usage: 63%/ Price: £Part of deal - contact supplier / Verdict: This is a Feeview hard drive TV recorder with twin tuners avaiable for the BT Vision service. It receives Freeview via an aerial and accesses BBC iPlayer via a BT broadband connection, this provides a range of programmes 'On demand'. Recording capacity is smaller than most at 160GB, approximately 80 hours. It is generally straightforward to use, particularly benefitting from a simple TV guide that provides information up to 14 days ahead. Priority of on screen menus are given to the 'On demand' features, this makes finding basic features much more difficult. But subtitles do not stay on when changing the channel. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=BT Vision(plus) BT Vision+ BT 63% £Part of deal - contact supplier This is a Feeview hard drive TV recorder with twin tuners avaiable for the BT Vision service. It receives Freeview via an aerial and accesses BBC iPlayer via a BT broadband connection, this provides a range of programmes 'On demand'. Recording capacity is smaller than most at 160GB, approximately 80 hours. It is generally straightforward to use, particularly benefitting from a simple TV guide that provides information up to 14 days ahead. Priority of on screen menus are given to the 'On demand' features, this makes finding basic features much more difficult. But subtitles do not stay on when changing the channel. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/BT_Vision_PJA1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/BT_Vision_PJA1_Remote.jpg 0.8 watts 16.9 watts Hybrid Aerial / Telephone Broadband 160GB No - via shortcuts button Yes No Yes *** *** *** *** *** *** 63% Overall Usage: 63%/ Price: £234.99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview hard drive digital TV recorder with a twin tuner capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. It can also act like a hub by connecting other TV equipment to the box and connecting the box to your TV with a single HDMI lead - a neat solution if you don't like lots of trailing wires. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. It was easy to install and to record with but let down by a poor remote control and a slow response to changing channels. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=TVonics DTR-HD500 TVonics DTR-HD500 Tvonics 63% £234.99 This is a Freeview hard drive digital TV recorder with a twin tuner capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. It can also act like a hub by connecting other TV equipment to the box and connecting the box to your TV with a single HDMI lead - a neat solution if you don't like lots of trailing wires. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. It was easy to install and to record with but let down by a poor remote control and a slow response to changing channels. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Tvonics_DTR-HD500.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Tvonics_DTR-HD500_Remote.jpg 0.54 watts 12.8 watts Aerial 500GB Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** *** **** N/A *** 63% Overall Usage: 62%/ Price: £Part of deal - contact supplier / Verdict: This is a standard and high definition, triple tuner hard disc recorder for the Virgin Media cable subscription service. It also provides access to internet services such as BBC iPlayer. You will need to contact Virgin to check if your area is covered. It is installed by a Virgin Engineer and the on screen help is also useful if you do get stuck. A major feature is the "TIVO" software, this allows you to give good or bad ratings to TV programmes, it then intelligently records programmes it predicts you would like. The recorder was generally easy to use but when using the remote control some operations were quite slow to respond. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Virgin Media Tivo Virgin Media Tivo Virgin Media 62% £Part of deal - contact supplier This is a standard and high definition, triple tuner hard disc recorder for the Virgin Media cable subscription service. It also provides access to internet services such as BBC iPlayer. You will need to contact Virgin to check if your area is covered. It is installed by a Virgin Engineer and the on screen help is also useful if you do get stuck. A major feature is the "TIVO" software, this allows you to give good or bad ratings to TV programmes, it then intelligently records programmes it predicts you would like. The recorder was generally easy to use but when using the remote control some operations were quite slow to respond. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Virgin_Media_Tivo_PQD1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Virgin_Media_Tivo_PQD1_Remote.jpg 18.2 watts 19.2 watts Cable 1000GB Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** **** **** ** *** 62% Overall Usage: 61%/ Price: £183 / Verdict: This is a Freeview hard drive digital TV recorder with a twin tuner capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. It features two HDMI input sockets that can allow connected equipment to be switched using the remote control. The remote control can control the TV, (major brands only) but the ease of use is let down by small buttons and labelling. It was considered easy to install and OK to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Toshiba HDR5010KB Toshiba HDR5010KB Toshiba 61% £183 This is a Freeview hard drive digital TV recorder with a twin tuner capable of receiving standard and high definition TV. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. It features two HDMI input sockets that can allow connected equipment to be switched using the remote control. The remote control can control the TV, (major brands only) but the ease of use is let down by small buttons and labelling. It was considered easy to install and OK to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Toshiba_HDR5010_PPE1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Toshiba_HDR5010_PPE1_Remote.jpg 0.77 watts 12.6 watts Aerial 500GB Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** *** **** *** *** 61% Overall Usage: 61%/ Price: £Part of deal - contact supplier / Verdict: Started life as the Telewest TV Drive. Cable PVR and portal to lots of features, but this makes menu structure complex, and does not record radio. Does provide audio description. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Virgin Media V(plus) Virgin Media V+ Virgin 61% £Part of deal - contact supplier Started life as the Telewest TV Drive. Cable PVR and portal to lots of features, but this makes menu structure complex, and does not record radio. Does provide audio description. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/virgin_media_v.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/virgin_media_v_remote.jpg Not tested Not tested Cable 160GB - 80 hours No Yes Yes Yes **** *** *** *** **** *** 61% Overall Usage: 59%/ Price: £170 / Verdict: Fairly straightforward to use for a DVD digital TV recorder with hard drive. Easy to install but its instructions manual lacked detail. Button access to favourites but difficult to set them. TV guide readability hindered by show-through from the programme below. Single tuner so you'll need other digital TV kit to record one digital programme while watching another. Has series link, accurate recording times and 'pause live TV'. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=LG RHT498H LG RHT498H LG 59% £170 Fairly straightforward to use for a DVD digital TV recorder with hard drive. Easy to install but its instructions manual lacked detail. Button access to favourites but difficult to set them. TV guide readability hindered by show-through from the programme below. Single tuner so you'll need other digital TV kit to record one digital programme while watching another. Has series link, accurate recording times and 'pause live TV'. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/LG_RHT498_DFA1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/LG_RHT498_DFA1_Remote.jpg 2.7 watts 21.5 watts Aerial 250GB Yes Yes Yes No **** *** *** *** *** *** 59% Overall Usage: 59%/ Price: £227.99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview hard drive and DVD/Blu-ray recorder with a single HD tuner. It has an internet connection for access to selected internet services, a card reader slot for access to Pay TV services but does not have Freeview+ recording features. The TV guide is well presented with a small picture of the currently tuned channel continually displayed. The remote control is well designed and can be programmed to operate a TV. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Samsung BD-C8200M Samsung BD-C8200M Samsung 59% £227.99 This is a Freeview hard drive and DVD/Blu-ray recorder with a single HD tuner. It has an internet connection for access to selected internet services, a card reader slot for access to Pay TV services but does not have Freeview+ recording features. The TV guide is well presented with a small picture of the currently tuned channel continually displayed. The remote control is well designed and can be programmed to operate a TV. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Samsung_BDCB8200M_DLB1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Samsung_BDCB8200M_DLB1_Remote.jpg 1.51 watts 23.1 watts Aerial 250GB No Yes Yes Yes *** *** **** *** *** *** 59% Overall Usage: 58%/ Price: £269 / Verdict: Fairly straightforward to use for a DVD digital TV recorder with hard drive. Easy to install but daunting instructions manual. Well laid out and labelled remote control and recording easily learnt. TV guide squashed by Guide Plus+ advertising. Single tuner so you'll need other digital TV kit to record one digital programme while watching another. Has series link, accurate recording times, 'pause live TV' and handles audio description. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Panasonic DMR-EX79EB-K Panasonic DMR-EX79EB-K Panasonic 58% £269 Fairly straightforward to use for a DVD digital TV recorder with hard drive. Easy to install but daunting instructions manual. Well laid out and labelled remote control and recording easily learnt. TV guide squashed by Guide Plus+ advertising. Single tuner so you'll need other digital TV kit to record one digital programme while watching another. Has series link, accurate recording times, 'pause live TV' and handles audio description. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Panasonic_DMREX79_DFB1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Panasonic_DMREX79_DFB1_Remote.jpg 12.1 watts 19.2 watts Aerial 250GB Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** *** *** *** *** 58% Overall Usage: 55%/ Price: £164.99 / Verdict: Fairly straightforward to use for a DVD digital TV recorder with hard drive. Easy to install but daunting instructions manual. Button access to favourites but difficult to set them. Long remote control with some small squashed buttons and labelling. Well laid out TV guide though slow to refresh screens. Single tuner so you'll need other digital TV kit to record one digital programme while watching another. Has series link, 'pause live TV' but accurate recording times did not work on ours. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Samsung DVD-SH897M XEU Samsung DVD-SH897M XEU Samsung 55% £164.99 Fairly straightforward to use for a DVD digital TV recorder with hard drive. Easy to install but daunting instructions manual. Button access to favourites but difficult to set them. Long remote control with some small squashed buttons and labelling. Well laid out TV guide though slow to refresh screens. Single tuner so you'll need other digital TV kit to record one digital programme while watching another. Has series link, 'pause live TV' but accurate recording times did not work on ours. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Samsung_DVDSH897M_DFC1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Samsung_DVDSH897M_DFC1_Remote.jpg 1.6 watts 19.5 watts Aerial 320GB Yes Yes Yes No **** *** *** *** *** *** 55% Overall Usage: 52%/ Price: £199 / Verdict: This Freeview TV recorder with twin tuner can receive both standard and high definition TV and has a card reader to access PayTV channels. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. This box can record audio description and be switched on or off when played back. The recorder was generally quite complicated and had a poor remote control. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=Digital Stream DHR8205U Digital Stream DHR8205U Digital Stream 52% £199 This Freeview TV recorder with twin tuner can receive both standard and high definition TV and has a card reader to access PayTV channels. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. This box can record audio description and be switched on or off when played back. The recorder was generally quite complicated and had a poor remote control. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Digital_Stream_DHR8205_PLA1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/Digital_Stream_DHR8205_PLA1_Remote.jpg 0.46 watts 22.6 watts Aerial 500GB Yes Yes Yes Yes **** ** *** ** *** ** 52% Overall Usage: 41%/ Price: £199 / Verdict: A Freeview hard drive TV recorder and DVD/Blu-ray player with single tuner. This means you are unable to record and view different stations at the same time. Recording capacity is smaller than most (80 hours), and you cannot record to DVD. It has a network connection allowing access to some internet features such as YouTube. But the recorder is not easy to use and is particularly let down by a daunting instruction manual and a poorly laid out remote control with spongy buttons. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/digital_tvs/index.asp?Product=LG HR400 LG HR400 LG 41% £199 A Freeview hard drive TV recorder and DVD/Blu-ray player with single tuner. This means you are unable to record and view different stations at the same time. Recording capacity is smaller than most (80 hours), and you cannot record to DVD. It has a network connection allowing access to some internet features such as YouTube. But the recorder is not easy to use and is particularly let down by a daunting instruction manual and a poorly laid out remote control with spongy buttons. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/LG_HR400_DJA1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/pvr_resized/LG_HR400_DJA1_Remote.jpg 2.18 watts 28.5 watts Aerial 160GB Yes Yes Yes No *** ** ** *** ** ** 41% Overall Usage: 78%/ Price: £500 / Verdict: This is a 3D Freeview HD Plasma TV. The TV does not come with any 3D glasses. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. If connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. To save energy the TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and automatically blanks the screen when tuned to radio. This TV was considered easy to install and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Panasonic TX-P42UT30B Panasonic TX-P42UT30B Panasonic 78% £500 This is a 3D Freeview HD Plasma TV. The TV does not come with any 3D glasses. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. If connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. To save energy the TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and automatically blanks the screen when tuned to radio. This TV was considered easy to install and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic TX-P42UT30B TSV1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic TX-P42UT30B TSV1 controller.jpg 0.26 watts 116.1 watts Plasma Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** **** *** **** *** **** 78.3333333333333% Overall Usage: 78%/ Price: £499.95 / Verdict: This is a 42 inch TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner and if connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. The TV can display 3D images from suitable Blu-ray discs or TV channels, but you will need special glasses for this, these are not supplied. The TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The TV guide and on screen menus are well laid out and easy to navigate. The remote control is also easy to use with clear labels and well laid out buttons, although there is no direct access button for Audio Description. Generally easy to set up and use. RECOMMENDED http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Panasonic TX-P42ST30B Panasonic TX-P42ST30B Panasonic 78% £499.95 This is a 42 inch TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner and if connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. The TV can display 3D images from suitable Blu-ray discs or TV channels, but you will need special glasses for this, these are not supplied. The TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The TV guide and on screen menus are well laid out and easy to navigate. The remote control is also easy to use with clear labels and well laid out buttons, although there is no direct access button for Audio Description. Generally easy to set up and use. RECOMMENDED http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic_TX_P42ST30B.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic_TX_P42ST30B_Remote.jpg 0.27 watts 117.9 watts Plasma Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** **** *** **** *** **** 78% Overall Usage: 78%/ Price: £836 / Verdict: This TV can show Freeview HD programmes - it has it's own in built HD tuner. It is very easy to use and intuitive with good picture and sound quality. The on screen guide is clear and the remote control well designed. The TV delivers audio description and this can be routed via a separate headphone socket - but it doesn't have a dedicated button for AD on the remote. The TV has an ambient room light sensor to save energy. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Panasonic TX-P42S20B Panasonic TX-P42S20B Panasonic 78% £836 This TV can show Freeview HD programmes - it has it's own in built HD tuner. It is very easy to use and intuitive with good picture and sound quality. The on screen guide is clear and the remote control well designed. The TV delivers audio description and this can be routed via a separate headphone socket - but it doesn't have a dedicated button for AD on the remote. The TV has an ambient room light sensor to save energy. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/PANASONIC_TXP42S20_TKP1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/PANASONIC_TXP42S20_TKP1_Remote.jpg 0.31 watts 141.9 watts Plasma Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** **** *** **** ** **** 78% Overall Usage: 78%/ Price: £559.99 / Verdict: This is a 42 inch LCD TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner that can also be used as a basic TV recorder if an external USB storage device is attached, but lacks the pause live TV function. If connected to a home network this TV can access selected internet services. It also has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. It was considered easy to install and use and one of the best on test. RECOMMENDED http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Panasonic TX-L42E30B Panasonic TX-L42E30B Panasonic 78% £559.99 This is a 42 inch LCD TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner that can also be used as a basic TV recorder if an external USB storage device is attached, but lacks the pause live TV function. If connected to a home network this TV can access selected internet services. It also has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. It was considered easy to install and use and one of the best on test. RECOMMENDED http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic_TX_L42E30B_TQM1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic_TX_L42E30B_TQM1_Remote.jpg 0.22 watts 65.7 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** **** *** **** *** **** 78% Overall Usage: 77%/ Price: £379.99 / Verdict: This is a 42 inch plasma TV with a Freeview HD tuner built in. The remote control was well laid out with good sized buttons and clear labelling. The TV guide was also well laid out and easy to navigate and read. But the TV screen was very reflective, compared to others on test, this could affect your viewing experience. It was generally considered easy to install and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Panasonic TX-P42C3B Panasonic TX-P42C3B Panasonic 77% £379.99 This is a 42 inch plasma TV with a Freeview HD tuner built in. The remote control was well laid out with good sized buttons and clear labelling. The TV guide was also well laid out and easy to navigate and read. But the TV screen was very reflective, compared to others on test, this could affect your viewing experience. It was generally considered easy to install and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic_TX_P42C3B_TQP1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic_TX_P42C3B_TQP1_Remote.jpg 0.28 watts 88.5 watts Plasma Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** **** *** **** ** **** 77% Overall Usage: 77%/ Price: £248.62 / Verdict: This is a 19 inch TV with a Freeview HD tuner built in and an ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The TV guide is well presented and offers a choice of display options. The Audio Description feature on this TV is convenient as it can be routed to the headphone output only. It was considered easy to install and use with a particularly well laid out remote control. RECOMMENDED. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Panasonic TX-L19E3B Panasonic TX-L19E3B Panasonic 77% £248.62 This is a 19 inch TV with a Freeview HD tuner built in and an ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The TV guide is well presented and offers a choice of display options. The Audio Description feature on this TV is convenient as it can be routed to the headphone output only. It was considered easy to install and use with a particularly well laid out remote control. RECOMMENDED. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic_TX_19E3B.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic_TX_19E3B_Remote.jpg 0.27 watts 27.2 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** **** *** **** **** **** 77% Overall Usage: 77%/ Price: £749.95 / Verdict: This is a Freeview and Freesat High Definition TV that can be used as a basic TV recorder if an external USB storage device is attached. If connected to a home network it can also access selected internet services. Audio Description can be routed to the headphone socket independently from the speakers but the remote does not have a dedicated audio description button. The TV was easy to install and use with a well presented and intuitive TV guide. RECOMMENDED http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Panasonic TX-L37D28BS Panasonic TX-L37D28BS Panasonic 77% £749.95 This is a Freeview and Freesat High Definition TV that can be used as a basic TV recorder if an external USB storage device is attached. If connected to a home network it can also access selected internet services. Audio Description can be routed to the headphone socket independently from the speakers but the remote does not have a dedicated audio description button. The TV was easy to install and use with a well presented and intuitive TV guide. RECOMMENDED http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic_TX-L37D28BS.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic_TX-L37D28BS_Remote.jpg 0.21 watts 86.4 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial and satellite Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** **** *** **** *** **** 77% Overall Usage: 77%/ Price: £549 / Verdict: This is a slim 32 inch TV with both a Freeview HD and a Freesat HD tuner built in - you will need a satellite dish to receive Freesat. It can also display 3D TV programmes or when watching a 3D Blu-ray DVD, but you will need special glasses for this and these are not supplied. If connected to a home network this TV can access selected internet services such as BBC iPlayer. Day-to-day use is simple with a well designed, easy to use remote control and a simple TV guide. Overall it was considered easy to set up and use. RECOMMENDED http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Panasonic TX-L32DT30B Panasonic TX-L32DT30B Panasonic 77% £549 This is a slim 32 inch TV with both a Freeview HD and a Freesat HD tuner built in - you will need a satellite dish to receive Freesat. It can also display 3D TV programmes or when watching a 3D Blu-ray DVD, but you will need special glasses for this and these are not supplied. If connected to a home network this TV can access selected internet services such as BBC iPlayer. Day-to-day use is simple with a well designed, easy to use remote control and a simple TV guide. Overall it was considered easy to set up and use. RECOMMENDED http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic_TX_32DT30B.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic_TX_32DT30B_Remote.jpg 0.23 watts 75.4 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial or Satellite Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** **** *** **** *** **** 77% Overall Usage: 77%/ Price: £279.99 / Verdict: This Freeview TV on tiltable pedestal stand comes with two SCARTs and one HDMI input. It features an ambient room light sensor which automatically adjusts the picture according to the room lighting - saving energy. The TV allows Audio Description to be routed to the headphone output independent of the speakers. It was considered easy to install and use with a well designed remote control. RECOMMENDED http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Panasonic TX-L19C20B Panasonic TX-L19C20B Panasonic 77% £279.99 This Freeview TV on tiltable pedestal stand comes with two SCARTs and one HDMI input. It features an ambient room light sensor which automatically adjusts the picture according to the room lighting - saving energy. The TV allows Audio Description to be routed to the headphone output independent of the speakers. It was considered easy to install and use with a well designed remote control. RECOMMENDED http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic_TXL19C20B_TLB1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic_TXL19C20B_TLB1_Remote.jpg 0.31 watts 28.6 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** **** *** **** **** **** 77% Overall Usage: 77%/ Price: £327 / Verdict: This is a 32 inch LCD TV with a built in HD tuner so you can watch Freeview HD channels. The remote control was well laid out with clear labels and good sized buttons. The TV guide is equally well laid out, you even have a choice of views. Easy to install and use. RECOMMENDED. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Panasonic TX-L32C3B Panasonic TX-L32C3B Panasonic 77% £327 This is a 32 inch LCD TV with a built in HD tuner so you can watch Freeview HD channels. The remote control was well laid out with clear labels and good sized buttons. The TV guide is equally well laid out, you even have a choice of views. Easy to install and use. RECOMMENDED. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic_TX_L32C3B_TQC1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Panasonic_TX_L32C3B_TQC1_Remote.jpg 0.28 watts 73.2 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** **** **** *** **** **** **** 77% Overall Usage: 76%/ Price: £470 / Verdict: This is a very slim 40 inch LCD TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner. It also has the capability of accessing selected internet services if connected to a home network. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. It was considered easy to install and use, with the exception of the controls on the TV itself that had very poorly contrasted labelling. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Samsung UE40D5520RKXXU Samsung UE40D5520RKXXU Samsung 76% £470 This is a very slim 40 inch LCD TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner. It also has the capability of accessing selected internet services if connected to a home network. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. It was considered easy to install and use, with the exception of the controls on the TV itself that had very poorly contrasted labelling. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Samsung_UE40D5520_TQG1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Samsung_UE40D5520_TQG1_Remote.jpg 0.19 watts 52.4 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** *** *** *** * **** 76% Overall Usage: 71%/ Price: £460 / Verdict: This is a 3D TV with built in Freeview HD tuner. The TV does not come with any 3D glasses and you will need these to watch 3D programmes. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. If connected to a home network this TV can access selected internet services such as BBC iPlayer. It has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The TV was considered easy to install and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Samsung UE32D6100SKXXU Samsung UE32D6100SKXXU Samsung 71% £460 This is a 3D TV with built in Freeview HD tuner. The TV does not come with any 3D glasses and you will need these to watch 3D programmes. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. If connected to a home network this TV can access selected internet services such as BBC iPlayer. It has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The TV was considered easy to install and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Samsung UE32D6100 TSL1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Samsung UE32D6100 TSL1 controller.jpg 0.2 watts 51.1 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** *** **** *** ** **** 71.2037037037037% Overall Usage: 70%/ Price: £719 / Verdict: This is a 40 inch TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner, and if connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. The TV can display 3D images from suitable Blu-ray discs or TV channels, but the required viewing glasses are not supplied. It also has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The TV guide was well presented and easy to navigate, the remote control was intuitive to use. Overall it was easy to set up and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Samsung UE40D6510WKXXU Samsung UE40D6510WKXXU Samsung 70% £719 This is a 40 inch TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner, and if connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. The TV can display 3D images from suitable Blu-ray discs or TV channels, but the required viewing glasses are not supplied. It also has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The TV guide was well presented and easy to navigate, the remote control was intuitive to use. Overall it was easy to set up and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Samsung_UE40D6510.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Samsung_UE40D6510_Remote.jpg 0.06 watts 58.2 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** **** **** *** *** **** 70% Overall Usage: 70%/ Price: £387.60 / Verdict: This is a slim 32 inch TV with a Freeview HD tuner built in and if connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services such as BBC iPlayer. The TV also has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The remote control is well laid out with good labelling and gives a clear feeling that a button has been pressed. It was considered easy to set up and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=LG 32LV550T-ZC LG 32LV550T-ZC LG 70% £387.60 This is a slim 32 inch TV with a Freeview HD tuner built in and if connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services such as BBC iPlayer. The TV also has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The remote control is well laid out with good labelling and gives a clear feeling that a button has been pressed. It was considered easy to set up and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/LG_32LV550T.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/LG_32LV550T_Remote.jpg 0.06 watts 65.9 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** **** *** *** **** *** **** 70% Overall Usage: 70%/ Price: £244.99 / Verdict: An easy to install and use TV with satisfactory picture and sound quality. Both the remote control and on screen guide are well laid out. It delivers audio description - easily accessible from a button on the remote. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Samsung LE32C450E1WXXU Samsung LE32C450E1WXXU Samsung 70% £244.99 An easy to install and use TV with satisfactory picture and sound quality. Both the remote control and on screen guide are well laid out. It delivers audio description - easily accessible from a button on the remote. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/SAMSUNG_LE32C450_TKG1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/SAMSUNG_LE32C450_TKG1_Remote.jpg 0.26 watts 77.8 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** **** *** **** ** **** 70% Overall Usage: 69%/ Price: £379.95 / Verdict: This is a 42 inch plasma TV with a built in HD Freeview tuner. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. The TV is generally easy to use with a well laid out remote, good sized buttons and clear labels. It supports audio description and beeps when you turn to a programme that supports AD. But the same beep sounds when you turn to a channel that supports AD but the current programme does not. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=LG 42PW450T-ZA LG 42PW450T-ZA LG 69% £379.95 This is a 42 inch plasma TV with a built in HD Freeview tuner. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. The TV is generally easy to use with a well laid out remote, good sized buttons and clear labels. It supports audio description and beeps when you turn to a programme that supports AD. But the same beep sounds when you turn to a channel that supports AD but the current programme does not. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/LG_42PW450_TQL1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/LG_42PW450_TQL1_Remote.jpg 0.26 watts 166.9 watts Plasma Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** **** *** *** **** *** **** 69% Overall Usage: 69%/ Price: £688.90 / Verdict: This is a slim 42 inch TV with a Freeview HD tuner built in and if connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. The TV can display 3D images from suitable Blu-ray discs or TV channels, but you will need special glasses for this, these are not supplied. The TV also has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The remote control is well laid out and is easy to use, and the TV guide is logical and easy to navigate. Generally easy to set up and install. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=LG 42LW550T-ZE LG 42LW550T-ZE LG 69% £688.90 This is a slim 42 inch TV with a Freeview HD tuner built in and if connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. The TV can display 3D images from suitable Blu-ray discs or TV channels, but you will need special glasses for this, these are not supplied. The TV also has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The remote control is well laid out and is easy to use, and the TV guide is logical and easy to navigate. Generally easy to set up and install. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/LG_42LW550T.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/LG_42LW550T_Remote.jpg 0.07 watts 77.8 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** **** *** *** **** *** **** 69% Overall Usage: 68%/ Price: £460 / Verdict: This is a 3D compatible Freeview TV. It comes with seven pairs of 3D glasses, but the TV needs to be connected to an external 3D tuner or 3D Blu-ray player to deliver 3D TV. It has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The TV was considered easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=LG 32LW450U-ZB LG 32LW450U-ZB LG 68% £460 This is a 3D compatible Freeview TV. It comes with seven pairs of 3D glasses, but the TV needs to be connected to an external 3D tuner or 3D Blu-ray player to deliver 3D TV. It has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The TV was considered easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/LG 32LW450U TSK1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/LG 32LW450U TSK1 controller.jpg 0.06 watts 57.6 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** **** *** *** **** *** **** 68.8888888888889% Overall Usage: 68%/ Price: £589.99 / Verdict: This is a very slim 42 inch LCD TV with a built in HD Freeview tuner. The TV is generally easy to use with a well laid out remote, good sized buttons and clear labels. It supports audio description and beeps when you turn to a programme that supports AD. But the same beep sounds when you turn to a channel that supports AD but the current programme does not. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=LG 42LW450U-ZB LG 42LW450U-ZB LG 68% £589.99 This is a very slim 42 inch LCD TV with a built in HD Freeview tuner. The TV is generally easy to use with a well laid out remote, good sized buttons and clear labels. It supports audio description and beeps when you turn to a programme that supports AD. But the same beep sounds when you turn to a channel that supports AD but the current programme does not. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/LG_42LW450U_TQK1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/LG_42LW450U_TQK1_Remote.jpg 0.06 watts 66.7 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** **** *** *** **** ** **** 68% Overall Usage: 66%/ Price: £265 / Verdict: This is a Freeview TV with full 'near invisible' touch sensitive controls on the front of the TV and well designed on screen TV guide. The TV was easy to install and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Samsung UE26D4003BWXXU Samsung UE26D4003BWXXU Samsung 66% £265 This is a Freeview TV with full 'near invisible' touch sensitive controls on the front of the TV and well designed on screen TV guide. The TV was easy to install and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Samsung UE26D4003B TSH1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Samsung UE26D4003B TSH1 controller.jpg 0.33 watts 27.4 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** *** *** *** ** **** 66.5740740740741% Overall Usage: 63%/ Price: £469 / Verdict: This is a 40 inch LCD TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner, and if connected to a home network this TV can also access selected internet services. It can also be used as a basic TV recorder if an external USB storage device is attached, but lacks the pause live TV feature. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. The TV guide is particularly well presented and easy to navigate, and displays a picture of the currently tuned channel. This was considered an averagely easy TV to use. It supports audio description but access to it is located deep into the on screen menu. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Sony KDL-40CX523 Sony KDL-40CX523 Sony 63% £469 This is a 40 inch LCD TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner, and if connected to a home network this TV can also access selected internet services. It can also be used as a basic TV recorder if an external USB storage device is attached, but lacks the pause live TV feature. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. The TV guide is particularly well presented and easy to navigate, and displays a picture of the currently tuned channel. This was considered an averagely easy TV to use. It supports audio description but access to it is located deep into the on screen menu. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony_KDL_40CX523_TQJ1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony_KDL_40CX523_TQJ1_Remote.jpg 0.19 watts 104.2 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** ***** ** *** ** *** 63% Overall Usage: 63%/ Price: £309.99 / Verdict: This is a very slim 32 inch LCD Freeview TV. While picture quality was good, viewing from an acute angle effected this more so than with other TVs on test. The TV guide is well presented with a small picture of the currently tuned channel but is slow to fill up. The remote control is well laid out and intuitive to use. But the touch sensitive controls on the TV itself lacked any audible feedback and were poorly labelled. Generally easy to install and quite easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Samsung UE32D4000NWXXU Samsung UE32D4000NWXXU Samsung 63% £309.99 This is a very slim 32 inch LCD Freeview TV. While picture quality was good, viewing from an acute angle effected this more so than with other TVs on test. The TV guide is well presented with a small picture of the currently tuned channel but is slow to fill up. The remote control is well laid out and intuitive to use. But the touch sensitive controls on the TV itself lacked any audible feedback and were poorly labelled. Generally easy to install and quite easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Samsung_UE32D4000_TQD1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Samsung_UE32D4000_TQD1_Remote.jpg 0.18 watts 31.1 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** *** *** *** ** *** 63% Overall Usage: 63%/ Price: £299 / Verdict: This is a 32 inch LCD Freeview TV that can also be used as a basic TV recorder if an external USB storage device is attached, but lacks the pause live TV feature. If connected to a home network this TV can access selected internet services. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. While picture quality was good, viewing from an acute angle effected this more so than with other TVs on test. The TV guide was very well presented and intuitive to use. But the remote control was slightly large and some everyday buttons were a bit of a stretch for one handed use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Sony KDL-32CX520 Sony KDL-32CX520 Sony 63% £299 This is a 32 inch LCD Freeview TV that can also be used as a basic TV recorder if an external USB storage device is attached, but lacks the pause live TV feature. If connected to a home network this TV can access selected internet services. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. While picture quality was good, viewing from an acute angle effected this more so than with other TVs on test. The TV guide was very well presented and intuitive to use. But the remote control was slightly large and some everyday buttons were a bit of a stretch for one handed use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony_KDL_32CX520_TQE1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony_KDL_32CX520_TQE1_Remote.jpg 0.19 watts 65.6 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** ***** ** *** ** *** 63% Overall Usage: 63%/ Price: £499.99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview High Definition TV that if connected to a home network can also access selected internet services. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. The TV guide was well presented and conveniently shows a small picture of the currently tuned channel. However, there was no dedicated Audio Description button, turning it on or off meant going deep into the on screen menu. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Sony KDL-32EX713 Sony KDL-32EX713 Sony 63% £499.99 This is a Freeview High Definition TV that if connected to a home network can also access selected internet services. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. The TV guide was well presented and conveniently shows a small picture of the currently tuned channel. However, there was no dedicated Audio Description button, turning it on or off meant going deep into the on screen menu. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony_KDL-32EX713.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony_KDL-32EX713_Remote.jpg Quick start 'Off' - 0.15 watts, Quick start 'On' - 11.5 watts 49.9 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** ***** *** *** *** *** 63% Overall Usage: 62%/ Price: £160 / Verdict: This is a Freeview TV with full touch sensitive controls on the front of the TV. The TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. It was considered easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=LG 19LV250U LG 19LV250U LG 62% £160 This is a Freeview TV with full touch sensitive controls on the front of the TV. The TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. It was considered easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/LG 19LV250U TSC1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/LG 19LV250U TSC1 controller.jpg 0.24 watts 19.2 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** **** *** *** *** *** *** 62.2222222222222% Overall Usage: 62%/ Price: £319 / Verdict: This is 43 inch plasma TV with a Freeview HD tuner built in. It was considered easy to install with full automatic tuning. The remote control was well presented with good sized buttons. But should you need them, the touch sensitive controls on the TV itself lacked any audible feedback and were poorly labelled. The TV guide was also well presented but was slow to respond to the remote. The TV screen was very reflective, compared to others on test, this could affect your viewing experience. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Samsung PS43D450A2WXXU Samsung PS43D450A2WXXU Samsung 62% £319 This is 43 inch plasma TV with a Freeview HD tuner built in. It was considered easy to install with full automatic tuning. The remote control was well presented with good sized buttons. But should you need them, the touch sensitive controls on the TV itself lacked any audible feedback and were poorly labelled. The TV guide was also well presented but was slow to respond to the remote. The TV screen was very reflective, compared to others on test, this could affect your viewing experience. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Samsung_PS43D450A_TQR1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Samsung_PS43D450A_TQR1_Remote.jpg 0.13 watts 84.3 watts Plasma Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** *** *** *** ** *** 62% Overall Usage: 62%/ Price: £498.18 / Verdict: This TV can show Freeview HD programmes - it has it's own in built HD tuner. An easy to use TV with good picture and satisfactory sound quality. The on screen guide is easy to navigate and clear. Initial set up is intuitive but retuning options are difficult to find. The remote control has good labelling but is long and uncomfortable to hold and use. The remote has a 'subtitles' button but access is via the Now & Next screen so can be confusing. The TV delivers audio description. It has an ambient room light sensor to save energy. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Sony KDL-32EX503 Sony KDL-32EX503 Sony 62% £498.18 This TV can show Freeview HD programmes - it has it's own in built HD tuner. An easy to use TV with good picture and satisfactory sound quality. The on screen guide is easy to navigate and clear. Initial set up is intuitive but retuning options are difficult to find. The remote control has good labelling but is long and uncomfortable to hold and use. The remote has a 'subtitles' button but access is via the Now & Next screen so can be confusing. The TV delivers audio description. It has an ambient room light sensor to save energy. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony_KDL32EX503.gif http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony_KDL32EX503_Remote.gif 0.16 watts - Quick Start 'Off'. Quick Start 'On' - 11.8 watts 69.6 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** ***** *** *** *** *** 62% Overall Usage: 62%/ Price: £219.95 / Verdict: This is a 22 inch LCD Freeview TV. It is easy to install with its intuitive automatic tuning feature and useful information manual. The TV guide is nicely presented with a small picture of the currently tuned channel, but can be slow to respond. Generally quite an easy to use TV. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Samsung UE22D5000NWXXU Samsung UE22D5000NWXXU Samsung 62% £219.95 This is a 22 inch LCD Freeview TV. It is easy to install with its intuitive automatic tuning feature and useful information manual. The TV guide is nicely presented with a small picture of the currently tuned channel, but can be slow to respond. Generally quite an easy to use TV. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Samsung_UE22D5000N_TQA1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Samsung_UE22D5000N_TQA1_Remote.jpg 0.15 watts 24.3 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** *** *** *** *** ** *** 62% Overall Usage: 62%/ Price: £225.99 / Verdict: This is a 22 inch LCD Freeview TV that can also be used as a basic TV recorder if an external USB storage device is attached, but lacks the pause live TV function. If connected to a home network this TV can access selected internet services. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. The TV guide is intuitive to use, very well presented and has a small picture of the currently tuned channel also displayed. Generally quite easy to install and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Sony KDL-22EX320 Sony KDL-22EX320 Sony 62% £225.99 This is a 22 inch LCD Freeview TV that can also be used as a basic TV recorder if an external USB storage device is attached, but lacks the pause live TV function. If connected to a home network this TV can access selected internet services. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. The TV guide is intuitive to use, very well presented and has a small picture of the currently tuned channel also displayed. Generally quite easy to install and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony_KDL_22EX320_TQB1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony_KDL_22EX320_TQB1_Remote.jpg 0.29 watts 29.6 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** **** ** *** ** *** 62% Overall Usage: 60%/ Price: £700 / Verdict: This is a TV with built in Freeview HD tuner. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. If connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. The TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. Ease of use was considered to satisfactory and the on screen TV guide was considered to be very good. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Sony KDL-32EX724 Sony KDL-32EX724 Sony 60% £700 This is a TV with built in Freeview HD tuner. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. If connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. The TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. Ease of use was considered to satisfactory and the on screen TV guide was considered to be very good. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony KDL-32EX724 TSP1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony KDL-32EX724 TSP1 controller.jpg 0.22 watts 49.1 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** ***** ** *** ** *** 60.8333333333333% Overall Usage: 60%/ Price: £900 / Verdict: This is a 3D TV with built in Freeview HD tuner. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. If connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. To save energy the TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and a motion sensor that automatically blanks the screen when it detects no one is watching the TV. Ease of use was satisfactory and the TV guide design was considered very good. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Sony KDL-40HX723 Sony KDL-40HX723 Sony 60% £900 This is a 3D TV with built in Freeview HD tuner. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. If connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. To save energy the TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and a motion sensor that automatically blanks the screen when it detects no one is watching the TV. Ease of use was satisfactory and the TV guide design was considered very good. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony KDL40HX723 TSS1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony KDL40HX723 TSS1 controller.jpg 0.18 watts 82.6 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** ***** ** *** ** *** 60.8333333333333% Overall Usage: 60%/ Price: £239.99 / Verdict: This is a 22 inch Freeview TV with built in DVD player and an ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The remote control is well laid out and easy to use but the TV guide text is small and difficult to read as it displays 13 channels at a time. Generally quite easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Sony KDL-22CX32D Sony KDL-22CX32D Sony 60% £239.99 This is a 22 inch Freeview TV with built in DVD player and an ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The remote control is well laid out and easy to use but the TV guide text is small and difficult to read as it displays 13 channels at a time. Generally quite easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony_ KDL_22CX32D.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony_ KDL_22CX32D_Remote.jpg 0.22 watts 43.1 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** *** *** *** **** *** 60% Overall Usage: 59%/ Price: £281.90 / Verdict: This is a Freeview TV with two SCARTs and two HDMI inputs. The TV guide only shows one channel at a time. It has no 'favourite channels' option but channels can be re-ordered to put your favourites first. There is no quick start guide and the information manual has to be printed from internet, however it is well presented and easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Toshiba 26AV713B Toshiba 26AV713B Toshiba 59% £281.90 This is a Freeview TV with two SCARTs and two HDMI inputs. The TV guide only shows one channel at a time. It has no 'favourite channels' option but channels can be re-ordered to put your favourites first. There is no quick start guide and the information manual has to be printed from internet, however it is well presented and easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Toshiba_26AV713_TLJ1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Toshiba_26AV713_TLJ1_Remote.jpg 0.37 watts 54.1 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** ** *** *** *** *** 59% Overall Usage: 58%/ Price: £139.99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview TV with built-in DVD player. The TV guide has a choice of display formats but was very slow to fill up. It was considered satisfactory to use but the front panel controls were placed at the back and very difficult to get to. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Toshiba 19BV500B Toshiba 19BV500B Toshiba 58% £139.99 This is a Freeview TV with built-in DVD player. The TV guide has a choice of display formats but was very slow to fill up. It was considered satisfactory to use but the front panel controls were placed at the back and very difficult to get to. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Toshiba_19BV500B.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Toshiba_19BV500B_Remote.jpg 0.92 watts 27.2 watts LCD with built in DVD player Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** *** *** *** * *** 58% Overall Usage: 58%/ Price: £440 / Verdict: This is an intuitive TV with satisfactory picture and sound quality. There are slight transparency issues with the TV guide but the remote is well laid out and there is a dedicated audio description button on it. The TV has an ambient room light sensor to save energy. No printed instruction manual is supplied - only CD-ROM. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=LG 42PJ350-ZA LG 42PJ350-ZA LG 58% £440 This is an intuitive TV with satisfactory picture and sound quality. There are slight transparency issues with the TV guide but the remote is well laid out and there is a dedicated audio description button on it. The TV has an ambient room light sensor to save energy. No printed instruction manual is supplied - only CD-ROM. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/LG_42PJ350_TKN1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/LG_42PJ350_TKN1_Remote.jpg 0.09 watts 196 watts Plasma Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes **** **** *** *** *** ** *** 58% Overall Usage: 53%/ Price: £299.95 / Verdict: Picture and sound quality were poor and the on screen menu text small and difficult to read. Not as easy to use as most others. Initial set up is intuitive but retuning options are difficult to find in the on screen menu. Remote control has good labelling but is uncomfortable to hold and use. It has audio description but is difficult to find in the menu. Has a subtitles button on remote but access is via the Now & Next screen so a bit confusing. Has an ambient room light sensor to save energy. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Sony KDL-32EX301 Sony KDL-32EX301 Sony 53% £299.95 Picture and sound quality were poor and the on screen menu text small and difficult to read. Not as easy to use as most others. Initial set up is intuitive but retuning options are difficult to find in the on screen menu. Remote control has good labelling but is uncomfortable to hold and use. It has audio description but is difficult to find in the menu. Has a subtitles button on remote but access is via the Now & Next screen so a bit confusing. Has an ambient room light sensor to save energy. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony_KDL32EX301.gif http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sony_KDL32EX301_Remote.gif 0.19 watts 72.1 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** *** *** *** *** *** 53% Overall Usage: 51%/ Price: £199.99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview TV. The TV guide conveniently shows a small picture of the currently tuned channel but was very slow to fill up and cluttered text made it difficult to read. Audio Description can be routed to the headphone socket independently from the speakers, but it was not always possible to mute the AD on some channels. It did not perform well in technical tests particularly sound quality and was not easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Videocon VU326LD Videocon VU326LD Videocon 51% £199.99 This is a Freeview TV. The TV guide conveniently shows a small picture of the currently tuned channel but was very slow to fill up and cluttered text made it difficult to read. Audio Description can be routed to the headphone socket independently from the speakers, but it was not always possible to mute the AD on some channels. It did not perform well in technical tests particularly sound quality and was not easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Videocon_VU326LD.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Videocon_VU326LD_Remote.jpg 0.54 watts 77.2 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** *** ** ** *** *** 51% Overall Usage: 50%/ Price: £299 / Verdict: This is a 32 inch LCD TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner, and if connected to a home network this TV can also access selected internet services. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. Generally it was quite poor to use mainly due to the remote control and daunting TV guide. In particular the remote is heavy, unbalanced and some buttons are small and rather wobbly. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Toshiba 32RL853 Toshiba 32RL853 Toshiba 50% £299 This is a 32 inch LCD TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner, and if connected to a home network this TV can also access selected internet services. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. Generally it was quite poor to use mainly due to the remote control and daunting TV guide. In particular the remote is heavy, unbalanced and some buttons are small and rather wobbly. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Toshiba_37RL853B_TQF1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Toshiba_37RL853B_TQF1_Remote.jpg 0.18 watts 59.5 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** ** ** *** ** ** ** 50% Overall Usage: 50%/ Price: £509.98 / Verdict: This is a slim 42 inch TV with both a Freeview HD and a general purpose satellite tuner. If connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. The TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The remote control was considered to be difficult to use - the buttons were small and positioned very close to one another. The TV was not considered to be as easy to use as most. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Toshiba 42UL863 Toshiba 42UL863 Toshiba 50% £509.98 This is a slim 42 inch TV with both a Freeview HD and a general purpose satellite tuner. If connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. The TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. The remote control was considered to be difficult to use - the buttons were small and positioned very close to one another. The TV was not considered to be as easy to use as most. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Toshiba_42UL863.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Toshiba_42UL863_Remote.jpg 0.17 watts 86.8 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial or Satellite Yes Yes Yes Yes *** ** ** *** ** ** ** 50% Overall Usage: 49%/ Price: £520 / Verdict: This is a TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner and a satellite tuner, capable of receiving Freesat HD. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. If connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. The TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. This TV was not as easy to use as others tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Toshiba 37SL863 Toshiba 37SL863 Toshiba 49% £520 This is a TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner and a satellite tuner, capable of receiving Freesat HD. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. If connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. The TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. This TV was not as easy to use as others tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Toshiba 37SL863B TSQ1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Toshiba 37SL863B TSQ1 controller.jpg 0.21 watts 60.2 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial or Satellite Yes Yes Yes Yes *** ** ** *** ** ** ** 49.8148148148148% Overall Usage: 49%/ Price: £700 / Verdict: This is a 3D compatible TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner and a satellite tuner, capable of receiving Freesat HD. It comes with four pairs of 3D glasses, but the TV needs to be connected to an external 3D tuner or 3D Blu-ray player to deliver 3D TV. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. If connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. The TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. This TV was not as easy to use as others tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Toshiba 42VL863 Toshiba 42VL863 Toshiba 49% £700 This is a 3D compatible TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner and a satellite tuner, capable of receiving Freesat HD. It comes with four pairs of 3D glasses, but the TV needs to be connected to an external 3D tuner or 3D Blu-ray player to deliver 3D TV. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. If connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. The TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. This TV was not as easy to use as others tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Toshiba 42VL863B TSX1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Toshiba 42VL863B TSX1 controller.jpg 0.19 watts 106.9 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial or Satellite Yes Yes Yes Yes *** ** ** *** ** ** ** 49.8148148148148% Overall Usage: 49%/ Price: £449.99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview High Definition TV that if connected to a home network can access selected internet services. Audio Description can be routed to the headphone socket independently from the speakers but it does not beep to indicate it is on when the TV is switched on. The TV does not come with a printed instruction manual, you have to print one off from Toshiba's website. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Toshiba 32RV753 Toshiba 32RV753 Toshiba 49% £449.99 This is a Freeview High Definition TV that if connected to a home network can access selected internet services. Audio Description can be routed to the headphone socket independently from the speakers but it does not beep to indicate it is on when the TV is switched on. The TV does not come with a printed instruction manual, you have to print one off from Toshiba's website. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Toshiba_32RV753.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Toshiba_32RV753_Remote.jpg 0.14 watts 82.2 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** ** *** *** ** ** 49% Overall Usage: 48%/ Price: £395.60 / Verdict: This is a Freeview TV that can be used to pause and rewind live TV if an external USB storage device is attached. The TV guide conveniently shows a small picture of the currently tuned channel. But was particularly let down by unintuitive on screen menus and small buttons poorly positioned on a bulbous remote control. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Sharp LC-32FH510E Sharp LC-32FH510E Sharp 48% £395.60 This is a Freeview TV that can be used to pause and rewind live TV if an external USB storage device is attached. The TV guide conveniently shows a small picture of the currently tuned channel. But was particularly let down by unintuitive on screen menus and small buttons poorly positioned on a bulbous remote control. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sharp_LC-32FH510E.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sharp_LC-32FH510E_Remote.jpg 0.17 watts 83.2 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes No *** ** *** ** *** *** ** 48% Overall Usage: 47%/ Price: £630 / Verdict: This is a TV with built in Freeview HD tuner. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. If connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services, but does not get BBC iPlayer. To save energy the TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness. This TV was not as easy to install and use as others tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Sharp LC-40LE831E Sharp LC-40LE831E Sharp 47% £630 This is a TV with built in Freeview HD tuner. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. If connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services, but does not get BBC iPlayer. To save energy the TV has a room ambient light sensor to control brightness. This TV was not as easy to install and use as others tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sharp LC40LE831E TSR1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sharp LC40LE831E TSR1 controller.jpg 0.12 watts 61.5 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes ** ** ** *** ** *** ** 47.962962962963% Overall Usage: 46%/ Price: £390 / Verdict: This is a TV with built in Freeview HD tuner. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. This TV was not as easy to install and use as others tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Sharp LC-32LE511E Sharp LC-32LE511E Sharp 46% £390 This is a TV with built in Freeview HD tuner. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. This TV was not as easy to install and use as others tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sharp LC-32LE511E TSM1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sharp LC-32LE511E TSM1 controller.jpg 0.27 watts 53.6 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes ** ** ** ** ** ** ** 46.5740740740741% Overall Usage: 46%/ Price: £200 / Verdict: This Freeview TV has a built-in side entry DVD player. It has a poor remote control design and the on screen TV guide was very slow to fill up. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up, but it was not as easy to install or use as others tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Digihome 19LCDVD860 Digihome 19LCDVD860 Digihome 46% £200 This Freeview TV has a built-in side entry DVD player. It has a poor remote control design and the on screen TV guide was very slow to fill up. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up, but it was not as easy to install or use as others tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Digihome 19LCDVD860 TSA1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Digihome 19LCDVD860 TSA1 controller.jpg 0.35 watts 25.8 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes ** ** *** ** ** * ** 46.5740740740741% Overall Usage: 46%/ Price: £200 / Verdict: This is a Freeview TV with built in side entry DVD player. The TV guide display was very slow to fill up. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. This TV was not as easy to use as others tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Alba LCD26ADVD Alba LCD26ADVD Alba 46% £200 This is a Freeview TV with built in side entry DVD player. The TV guide display was very slow to fill up. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. This TV was not as easy to use as others tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Alba LCD26ADVD TSF1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Alba LCD26ADVD TSF1 controller.jpg 0.43 watts 65.9 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** ** ** ** ** ** ** 46.5740740740741% Overall Usage: 44%/ Price: £130 / Verdict: This is a Freeview TV. It has a poorly designed remote control and on-screen information displays. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up, but it was not easy to install or use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Hitachi L19VG07U Hitachi L19VG07U Hitachi 44% £130 This is a Freeview TV. It has a poorly designed remote control and on-screen information displays. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up, but it was not easy to install or use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Hitachi L19VG07 TSB1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Hitachi L19VG07 TSB1 controller.jpg 0.3 watts 15.7 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** ** ** ** ** * ** 44.7222222222222% Overall Usage: 43%/ Price: £169.99 / Verdict: This is a Freeview TV with one SCART and one HDMI input. The TV guide is not easy to use and is slow to fill up. The TV allows Audio Description to be routed to the headphone output independent of the speakers. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Philips 19PFL3405H/05 Philips 19PFL3405H/05 Philips 43% £169.99 This is a Freeview TV with one SCART and one HDMI input. The TV guide is not easy to use and is slow to fill up. The TV allows Audio Description to be routed to the headphone output independent of the speakers. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Philips_19PFL3405H_TLC2.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Philips_19PFL3405H_TLC2_Remote.jpg 0.24 watts 26.5 watts LCD - LED backlighting Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** *** ** ** ** *** ** 43% Overall Usage: 43%/ Price: £350 / Verdict: This is a 40 inch LCD Freeview TV with the capability of accessing selected internet services if connected to a home network. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. It took more than 30 seconds to power up after being switched off at the plug and the TV guide was very slow to fill up and navigate. It was generally quite poor to use and picture quality was effected when viewed from an acute angle. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Sharp LC-40F22E Sharp LC-40F22E Sharp 43% £350 This is a 40 inch LCD Freeview TV with the capability of accessing selected internet services if connected to a home network. It has assisted tuning giving regional TV options to choose from when multiple signals are picked up. It took more than 30 seconds to power up after being switched off at the plug and the TV guide was very slow to fill up and navigate. It was generally quite poor to use and picture quality was effected when viewed from an acute angle. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sharp_Aquos_LC40F22E_TQH1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sharp_Aquos_LC40F22E_TQH1_Remote.jpg 0.38 watts 124 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** ** ** ** ** ** ** 43% Overall Usage: 42%/ Price: £449 / Verdict: This is a 42 inch TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner. The TV was slow to respond to the remote control, particularly when accessing on screen menus and Teletext. Menus were also difficult to navigate as was the large poorly laid out remote control. Overall it was not considered easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Hitachi L42VK06U B Hitachi L42VK06U B Hitachi 42% £449 This is a 42 inch TV with a built in Freeview HD tuner. The TV was slow to respond to the remote control, particularly when accessing on screen menus and Teletext. Menus were also difficult to navigate as was the large poorly laid out remote control. Overall it was not considered easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Hitachi_L42UK06UB.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Hitachi_L42UK06UB_Remote.jpg 0.81 watts 123.5 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** ** *** ** ** ** ** 42% Overall Usage: 39%/ Price: £169.99 / Verdict: This is a 19 inch Freeview TV with a DVD player built in. The TV guide is versatile offering a choice of display options but difficult to navigate and cluttered. Button labels on the remote control were difficult to read, many buttons looked a like. It was generally not considered as easy to install or to use as most others tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Toshiba 19DL834B Toshiba 19DL834B Toshiba 39% £169.99 This is a 19 inch Freeview TV with a DVD player built in. The TV guide is versatile offering a choice of display options but difficult to navigate and cluttered. Button labels on the remote control were difficult to read, many buttons looked a like. It was generally not considered as easy to install or to use as most others tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Toshiba_19DL834B.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Toshiba_19DL834B_Remote.jpg 0.25 watts 16.9 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes ** ** ** *** ** ** ** 39% Overall Usage: 39%/ Price: £180 / Verdict: This is a 22 inch Freeview TV with a DVD player built in. The TV guide is versatile offering a choice of display options, but is difficult to navigate and is cluttered. Button labels on the remote control were difficult to read, many buttons looked a like. It was generally considered not to be as easy to install or to use as most others tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=JVC LT-22DD30J JVC LT-22DD30J JVC 39% £180 This is a 22 inch Freeview TV with a DVD player built in. The TV guide is versatile offering a choice of display options, but is difficult to navigate and is cluttered. Button labels on the remote control were difficult to read, many buttons looked a like. It was generally considered not to be as easy to install or to use as most others tested. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/JVC_LT_22DD30J.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/JVC_LT_22DD30J_Remote.jpg 0.3 watts 41.6 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** ** ** *** ** ** ** 39% Overall Usage: 38%/ Price: £600 / Verdict: This is a 3D compatible Freeview TV. It comes with four pairs of 3D glasses, but the TV needs to be connected to an external 3D tuner or 3D Blu-ray player to deliver 3D TV. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. The on screen TV guide was slow to fill up. This TV was not easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Bush LCD42911FHD3D Bush LCD42911FHD3D Bush 38% £600 This is a 3D compatible Freeview TV. It comes with four pairs of 3D glasses, but the TV needs to be connected to an external 3D tuner or 3D Blu-ray player to deliver 3D TV. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. The on screen TV guide was slow to fill up. This TV was not easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Bush LCD42911FHD3D TST1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Bush LCD42911FHD3D TST1 controller.jpg 0.63 watts 106.4 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** * ** ** ** ** ** 38.0555555555556% Overall Usage: 38%/ Price: £175 / Verdict: This is a 19 inch Freeview TV. The TV guide is limited to only showing one channel at a time, the on screen menus are difficult to read with small text and poor colour contrast, and the remote control is cluttered. It was not considered easy to set up or use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Sharp LC-19LE430E Sharp LC-19LE430E Sharp 38% £175 This is a 19 inch Freeview TV. The TV guide is limited to only showing one channel at a time, the on screen menus are difficult to read with small text and poor colour contrast, and the remote control is cluttered. It was not considered easy to set up or use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sharp_LC19LE510K.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sharp_LC19LE510K_Remote.jpg 0.21 watts 22.2 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** ** ** ** ** *** ** 38% Overall Usage: 37%/ Price: £250 / Verdict: This is a Freeview TV with an on screen TV guide that only shows one channel at a time. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. However, it was not easy to install and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Sharp LC-26SH330E Sharp LC-26SH330E Sharp 37% £250 This is a Freeview TV with an on screen TV guide that only shows one channel at a time. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. However, it was not easy to install and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sharp LC-26SH330E TSJ1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Sharp LC-26SH330E TSJ1 controller.jpg 0.18 watts 57.6 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes No Yes ** ** ** ** ** *** ** 37.5925925925926% Overall Usage: 32%/ Price: £250 / Verdict: This is a Freeview TV with an on screen TV guide that only shows one channel at a time. This TV does not deliver Audio Description. It was not considered easy to install and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Haier LET26C600 Haier LET26C600 Haier 32% £250 This is a Freeview TV with an on screen TV guide that only shows one channel at a time. This TV does not deliver Audio Description. It was not considered easy to install and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Haier LET26C600 TSG1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Haier LET26C600 TSG1 controller.jpg 0.45 watts 39.4 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes No ** ** * * ** ** * 32.3148148148148% Overall Usage: 30%/ Price: £130 / Verdict: This is a Freeview TV with an on screen TV guide that only shows one channel at a time. This TV does not deliver Audio Description. It was not considered easy to install and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Kogan KULED22XXXAA Kogan KULED22XXXAA Kogan 30% £130 This is a Freeview TV with an on screen TV guide that only shows one channel at a time. This TV does not deliver Audio Description. It was not considered easy to install and use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Kogan KULED22XXXAA TSE1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Kogan KULED22XXXAA TSE1 controller.jpg 0.5 watts 30.5 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes No ** ** * * ** *** * 30.9259259259259% Overall Usage: 30%/ Price: £813 / Verdict: This is a 3D compatible Freeview HD TV. It comes with two pairs of 3D glasses, but the TV needs to be connected to an external 3D tuner or 3D Blu-ray player to deliver 3D TV. It has ambient illumination (ambilight) which shines light onto the wall and is designed to blend with the TV image. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. If connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. This TV was not easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Philips 42PFL7666T/12 Philips 42PFL7666T/12 Philips 30% £813 This is a 3D compatible Freeview HD TV. It comes with two pairs of 3D glasses, but the TV needs to be connected to an external 3D tuner or 3D Blu-ray player to deliver 3D TV. It has ambient illumination (ambilight) which shines light onto the wall and is designed to blend with the TV image. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. If connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services including BBC iPlayer. This TV was not easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Philips 42PFL7666T12 TSW1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Philips 42PFL7666T12 TSW1 controller.jpg 0.08 watts 56.6 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** * * ** ** ** * 30% Overall Usage: 30%/ Price: £649 / Verdict: This is a slim 32 inch TV with a Freeview HD tuner built in, and if connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services. It can also display 3D TV programmes or when watching a 3D Blu-ray DVD, and comes with the required glasses to for viewing it. It also has an ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. But, overall it was considered difficult to set up and use. For each channel on the TV guide it only shows two programmes at a time and without a consistent start time indicated. The remote control is small with unintuitive labels, buttons were small, too close together and difficult to press. The TV does support Audio Description but was found to be very temperamental. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Philips 32PFL7606T/12 Philips 32PFL7606T/12 Philips 30% £649 This is a slim 32 inch TV with a Freeview HD tuner built in, and if connected to a home broadband network it can access selected Internet services. It can also display 3D TV programmes or when watching a 3D Blu-ray DVD, and comes with the required glasses to for viewing it. It also has an ambient light sensor to control brightness and save energy. But, overall it was considered difficult to set up and use. For each channel on the TV guide it only shows two programmes at a time and without a consistent start time indicated. The remote control is small with unintuitive labels, buttons were small, too close together and difficult to press. The TV does support Audio Description but was found to be very temperamental. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Philips_32PFL7606T_12.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Philips_32PFL7606T_12_Remote.jpg 0.07 watts 42.2 watts LCD with LED backlight Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes - but often fails *** * * ** ** ** * 30% Overall Usage: 30%/ Price: £452.99 / Verdict: This is an extremely difficult to use, unintuitive TV. Picture quality is satisfactory but sound quality poor. The TV guide is confused by too many choices and the remote uses small multi-function buttons with unfamiliar symbols. The TV delivers audio description. It also has an ambient room light sensor to save energy. No instruction manual is supplied - you have to download one from the Philips website. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Philips 37PFL5405H/12 Philips 37PFL5405H/12 Philips 30% £452.99 This is an extremely difficult to use, unintuitive TV. Picture quality is satisfactory but sound quality poor. The TV guide is confused by too many choices and the remote uses small multi-function buttons with unfamiliar symbols. The TV delivers audio description. It also has an ambient room light sensor to save energy. No instruction manual is supplied - you have to download one from the Philips website. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/PHILIPS_37PFL5405H05_TKK1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/PHILIPS_37PFL5405H05_TKK1_Remote.jpg 0.10 watts 79.5 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** * * ** ** ** * 30% Overall Usage: 29%/ Price: £180 / Verdict: This is a Freeview TV with a poorly designed TV guide and remote. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. The TV was not considered easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/products/idtvs/index.asp?Product=Philips 19PFL3606H/12 Philips 19PFL3606H/12 Philips 29% £180 This is a Freeview TV with a poorly designed TV guide and remote. It has assisted tuning, giving regional TV options when multiple signals are picked up. The TV was not considered easy to use. http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Philips 19PFL3606H TSD1.jpg http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/assets/images/reports/product-images/Philips 19PFL3606H TSD1 controller.jpg 0.19 watts 21.6 watts LCD Aerial Yes Yes Yes Yes *** * * ** ** * * 29.537037037037%