RamMan said "Is there a Which guide on choosing the right box ?.
Yes, just had a look and its 3 pages long.
Here you are.
Look out for these features when choosing your box.
Getting connected
Scart sockets
Most boxes have a Scart socket for connection to your TV with a Scart lead. Some have two sockets, which makes it easier to connect the box to other equipment such as a VCR.
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.
The picture quality won't be as good as with Scart, and you’ll receive sound in mono rather than stereo.
If your TV doesn’t have Scart connections, you’ll need a set-top box with a UHF modulator
UHF loopthrough
None of the Freeview set-top boxes lets you watch one digital programme while recording another on your VCR. However, if you opt for a 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. This is particularly useful if you plan to record digital radio broadcasts onto a Minidisc or other digital recorder.
Programming features
Electronic Programme Guide (EPG)
Freeview’s seven-day EPG lets you see what’s on all channels for the week ahead – but not all boxes let you access it, and some implement it better than others.
Our two Best Buy boxes – the Humax and Sony – display the EPG well – letting you scroll through listings, skip to the next day, see what’s on at a given time, and search by category (eg films).
The Sony shows seven channels at a time, along with a description for the highlighted show. The Humax has a simpler layout with larger text, but you need to press another button for information about the programme.
The manufacturers of the boxes that don’t let you access the EPG claim that you’ll be able to upgrade their boxes (via an over-the-air download), but many are vague about when this will happen.
Favourites
The ‘favourites’ feature lets you choose your favourite channels, making them quicker to access – handy with the plethora 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, too.
DVDs and VCRs with a Scart link feature make recording from different channels easy
Scart link recording
If your VCR or DVD recorder has a ‘Scart link’ feature (this is called various names by manufacturers, but it should be obvious from the instruction manual), some set-top boxes can automatically trigger it to record via the Scart lead.
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 box
Some models have controls on the box, as well as on the remote control. This is useful if you lose the remote or its 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.
top
Internet access
One Freeview set-top box, the Netgem i-player, lets you access the internet via your TV when you connect it to a phone line.
It’s not as flexible as using a computer, but it works reasonably well – especially in conjunction with the optional £30 cordless keyboard.
All the boxes we’ve tested deliver good pictures and sound, but some have much better features and are more user-friendly than others.
Freeview offers a seven-day electronic programme guide (EPG) across the UK. We would recommend only buying a box that lets you access this service, such as the Humax and Sony below.
The EPG lets you see programme listings for the week ahead and also makes recording easier, especially if your video recorder has ‘Scart link’ recording (see features for more on this).
The Humax F2 Fox T is a good box and currently £80 from John Lewis. It has lots of features and is easy to use. This is the best choice if your TV doesn’t have a Scart socket to plug a set-top box into as you can connect it via the aerial socket instead.
Some readers had previously reported that the EPG doesn’t contain the full seven-day listings. An ‘over the air’ software update from Humax has now been released which has sorted this problem although the ‘I’ programme information button is currently not working. Humax tells us that a further software update is planned that will solve this.
The Sony VTXD800 is a stylish box, which can be used horizontally or in an upright position depending on your preference (a bit like a Playstation 2). It’s got plenty of features, a decent EPG and, like the Humax, has a remote that can also control other makes of TV. It costs £100 from Currys, Dixons, Argos and Comet.
It is up to date(Nov 05) and offers some best buy guidance.
HTH
G C
for the Panasonic DVD player, £20 off, now under £40 
