Freeview and Freesat set-top boxes: Features explained

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Electronic Programme Guide (EPG)

The on-screen electronic programme guide (EPG) lets you see what's on all channels for the week ahead – but some do it better than others.

Favourites

The 'favourites' feature lets you choose your favourite channels, making them quicker to access – handy with the wide range of digital channels on offer.

Timer

This lets you program the box to switch between channels at a certain time – handy if you want to record from more than one channel while you're out. You'll still need to program your VCR or DVD recorder too.

Scart link recording

You select the TV programmes you want to record on the EPG and, at the appropriate time, the box sends a control signal via the Scart link telling a compatible VCR or DVD recorder to start/stop recording. This means you need only to program the set-top box and it will switch to the right channel at the right time and 'wake up' the VCR or DVD recorder to record, so there's no need for a timer.

Convenience features

Controls on the box

Some models have controls on the box, as well as on the remote control. This is useful if you lose the remote or if the batteries go flat.

Remote controls work with other TVs

The remote controls for some set-top boxes can also control some basic functions of various brands of TV. This means you can use just one remote to turn the TV on and off, adjust volume, and switch between digital and analogue TV channels.

Parental locks

These let you block access to digital TV channels using a PIN. Some boxes simply block all channels, while others are more sophisticated and let you to restrict access to channels of your choice.

Getting connected

Scart sockets

Two Scart sockets give you more versatility. The first connects to the TV and carries the higher quality RGB signal and widescreen switching information that tells your telly when to switch between conventional and widescreen formats. The second Scart socket links to your recorder (video or DVD) – ideally this should carry RGB too, though often it doesn’t.

UHF modulator

If your TV doesn't have a Scart input (Scart isn't usually available on older models), you'll need a set-top box with a UHF modulator, which connects to the TV's aerial socket.

UHF loopthrough

None of the set-top boxes lets you watch one digital programme while recording another on your VCR. However, if you opt for a Freeview box with a "UHF loopthrough", you can record a digital programme while watching an ordinary analogue channel (or vice versa), with minimal disruption to your TV and VCR connections.

Audio output

Some boxes have a separate audio output, to connect the box to your hi-fi speakers.

Still confused? Check out our TV jargon buster.