Guide to recording digital TV

The UK's TV broadcasts are abandoning the old analogue system. Between 2008 and 2012 there may be nothing but digital TV (DTV) in your area. While that means more channels, interactivity and a generally cleaner picture quality, it also makes it harder to record your favourite shows if you try to get existing bits of technological kit to 'talk' to each other.

There are different ways through this and they don't necessarily mean buying even more new stuff. Here's our guide to recording digital TV.

RECORDING FROM A SKY, FREEVIEW OR CABLE BOX

Connecting up
First connect everything correctly (it seems obvious, but if you're not sure - check). For DVD or hard-disk recorder users, make sure your machine takes RGB video in via Scart and link it to the digibox's 'TV' Scart. You may need to alter your equipment's video settings for RGB input/output. While you're at it, select the preferred widescreen options for your TV. The second-best option is S-Video but fewer digiboxes output this.

If you are using a video cassette recorder then standard PAL composite video will do, unless it's an S-VHS deck, in which case take an S-Video input if possible. Direct digital connections between digiboxes and recorders are only likely to appear when next-gen Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD recorders emerge later in 2006. An exception is integrated recorders (see below).

Setting the timer
Most digiboxes have their own electronic programme guide (EPG) and a connected timer for those moments when you're not glued to the TV. In some cases, such as Sky's Programme Planner, it's a simple button-push to set reminders.

This process can also send a trigger signal via Scart. If your recorder can be set to a 'slave mode' (often called Ext Record, Satellite Record or Synchro Record) then it will respond and start recording automatically. A quirk of Sky's hardware is that the trigger is only sent via the poorer quality non-RGB 'VCR' Scart, not the RGB-TV one.

Otherwise you will have to set the timer in your recorder too, which can be laborious - especially for multiple programmes - and fraught with problems. You must remember to set the proper input channel for the digibox and the box must be on and set to the right channel (if no auto timer is set). If the box's channel is changed by someone inadvertently, or it goes into standby because of a power cut or software upgrade, or if it 'crashes', then the recorder won't know this and your recording won't work.

A £30 add-on called Phantom PVR takes some of the pain out of the above process by responding to digibox triggers and sending a remote control command to a recorder (VCR, DVD or HDD) automatically.

Controlling the digibox

A slightly more reliable method is to let the recorder control the digibox. The newest breed of digital recorders contain GuidePlus, a free EPG that also sets the timer, sends remote control signals to digiboxes and then names recordings with the right title, as opposed to obscure data such as '21:45 01/12 AV2 SP'.

Simpler recorders or VCRs may offer VideoPlus Deluxe, which uses numerical codes from published listings but does control digiboxes through an infrared remote extender accessory. You'll still need to ensure your digibox is turned on, and you won't get proper programme titles for DTV recordings.