Which is the best HD set top box for me?

If you are the proud owner of an HDTV then you’ll want to make the most of it by connecting a device that provides high definition input. The standard terrestrial channels you watched on your old television won’t cut the mustard here; it’s time to grab an HD set top box and see what your new piece of kit can really do.

As with any new technology purchase, it pays to do some research before you make a purchase. Set top boxes may all seem similar at first glance but there are some significant differences to keep in mind when making your choice.

First of all, have a think about how much you’re prepared to spend. Do you need a box with bells and whistles or will a functional model do the trick? There are a huge number of models on the market, with something for every budget. The important thing is to read up on the ones in your shortlist so that you don’t pay over the odds for something you could get cheaper elsewhere. If you’re only after something relatively basic then bog-standard Freesat and Freeview boxes can be picked up fairly cheaply if you shop around.

Content and price

Another factor to take into account is the possibility of ongoing costs. While a Freesat HD or Freeview HD box will allow users to continue to watch content after a one-off payment, options such as Virgin Media and Sky HD boxes will require a monthly subscription. That said, both of the subscription-based examples offer a higher number of HD channels, so it’s a case of weighing up the right balance between content and price.

Also think about whether you want your set top box to simply offer HD content as cheaply as possible, or if you’d like your new box of tricks to offer extra functionality. For instance, it’s possible to buy digital TV recorders with an in-built Freeview or Freesat tuner, which would offer better value than buying both devices separately.

If you do decide to go for a box that can record content to a hard drive as well as provide HD content, be sure to check how many tuners the box has. If it only has one then your LCD, plasma or LED TV will have to display the channel that you’re recording from, meaning that it’ll only really be useful for recording shows while you’re away from home. If you’d like to watch another channel when recording something, you’ll need your box to have two tuners.

Looks are also important; will the box you’re looking to buy fit in with the rest of the equipment under your TV? Sometimes it’s worth paying a little extra for a sleeker looking set top box so that your new piece of kit doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb.

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out our 3DTV vs HDTV article, and also the advantages of an LED TV.