Connecting USB HDD to TV

BritishBean

I’ve been really enjoying the offerings from Netflix and Prime Video more and more lately. So much so that I could see a point in the future where I’d no longer have a need for Sky TV. I’m stuck with Murdoch’s motley crew for now, but I’d like to be able to get rid of it at some point in the future if I’m able to find workarounds to keep functionality which I think Sky does well.

I have a Samsung RU7470 UHD TV which has freeview built-in like most TVs these days. I was curious whether plugging an external HDD into the TVs USB slot would enable me to record shows and save them to this device? I’m hoping to mimic, and remove the need to purchase, a Freeview Play box. Haven’t been able to find anything in the manual or online to suggest it is/isn’t possible, so thought I’d try here. Appreciate you may not have the same TV but if anyone has a modern Samsung and has done this please let me know!

Brave

Definitely an option on my lg. I’d be surprised if you can’t on the Sammy.

Brave

Not sure how helpful this is matey, but it’s a start?

https://www.avforums.com/threads/samsung-ru7400-and-ru7470.2259586/

BritishBean

Brave oh thanks i think the key word there was PVR 🤦🏻‍♂️
Will try the e-manual on the TV itself for instruction later. The online version wouldn’t load on Samsung’s website!

Jogort

I have a Samsung can’t remember exactly model 4k hdr about 3 years old and it can record to external HDD, if it recognises it when you plug it in it’ll probably ask to format it to allow it to record to.

DrDamn

I’m looking to head this way too. Get rid of Virgin tv box and just pay for broadband. Stream everything and record to HDD on new TV when needed. Just need to wean the little lady off a few things 😊

BritishBean

DrDamn yes same mate! And also a little problem with F1 coverage but I’m hoping Liberty Media bring the F1 TV service to the UK

Alex

You can use Now TV to watch F1 without a Sky contract, that’s what I do. They normally do some decent deals for all the races before the season starts. Sadly I don’t see F1 TV coming to the UK for a while, not while Sky is still in the picture.

BritishBean

Alex Unfortunately, their contract runs to end of 2024. I’m hoping they do some sort of revision to the contract before then. Liberty Media’s approach is to get F1 in front of as many people as possible, will they tolerate under 1mil viewers average for another 5 years?

I’ll have to keep my eye out for those NowTV deals. I checked out the package the other day and it didn’t come across as very cost effective. I pay approximately £10p/m for SkyF1 currently and NowTV is £17p/m. Keeping Sky for the F1 only is an option. I do like that they broadcast in Ultra HD, which you don’t get with NowTV.

Brave

We do the Now TV thing, mostly for Cartoon Network for the kid tbh and Arrow, which is great bubblegum telly. I’ve done the odd broadcast of F1 over the years and it was fine. Don’t think I’d ever go back to a dish now though.

Brave

I’m also holding out for Liberty getting impatient with Sky. I’d be all over their streaming package, the WRC one is second to none. It just makes paying for a weekend of f1 via sky/now seem like burning money.

Alex

I can’t see it happening for now, but hopefully it will eventually. The saving grace might be that apparently the viewing figures for Sky F1 have been pretty bad since going behind a paywall completely, so maybe they will decide it’s not worth the money to keep it. It is the future sadly Liberty are stuck with a lot of the decisions Bernie took and he never looked far down the road.