HOW to record from Sky?

I couldn't imagine using on demand services to replace my PVR full time. They are such a pain to use and increasingly require you to register an account just to watch a programme, in a age where I am less trusting then ever of organisations keeping my data secure online.

I'll download it somewhere else if I didn't record it on my PVR.

I m still complexed as to why no one has come up with USB recorder box in which you can you just plug an in a throw feed.

I use a mix of both, but I no longer have a set-top PVR, so I use my PC instead as a PVR as a means for doing clips for here and for personal use.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by a throw feed?

You can get Android USB boxes with HDMI inputs (some of which have passthrough, though some require a splitter) that let you record from external HDMI sources without using a PC/Mac.

Hauppauge, Elgato and a few others do HDMI / Component / Composite USB capture boxes which will capture and internally compress to H264 or MPEG2 for use with a PC or Mac. If you just want Freeview or Freesat channels (and nothing with encryption) then cheap DVB-T/T2 and DVB-S/S2 USB capture solutions are available (DVB-T/T2 are cheaper and easier to integrate into an existing set-up - as DVB-S/S2 LNB feeds can be trickier to route) Some of these have HDMI passthrough (with no latency to speak of) Hauppauge make one device which is a standalone recorder that records to uSD cards ISTR.

Biggest issue is HDCP copyright protection on the HDMI outputs of many set top boxes (including Sky), but this isn't a total deal-breaker. (As others have pointed out earlier in this thread)

Cheers for that, What I meant was in a throw feed, Sky box - Cable - USB Recorder - TV. how much does one cost for Android USB boxes with HDMI inputs? Google helpful but Im not sure what a decent none over the price is. There is only a small amount of channels I wish to look at mind you. I believe most have clicked its not the programmess Im after...

Ah - I think you mean passthrough. Reality is that to record from most set top boxes you are likely to have to use a splitter anyway (because of HDCP) - so passthrough is probably less of an issue than you might think.

I've no experience of the Android boxes - they are a niche market. This one generated some interest - but it may no longer be available : http://hackaday.com/2016/01/06/android-set-top-box-lets-you-stream-and-record-via-hdmi-input/

After looking and speaking with a number of people, I can come to the awful conclusion the options for me are not cost effective nor compact.

I have to say that people who can record of sky etc have my deep respect for having to deal with such chunky set ups. I still do hope the somone will be able to design a cheap USB box that can just record stuff.

The challenge is to build one which can't also be used to pirate content.

I have August DVB415 recorder, so I take it your can't Pirate Council telly? Maybe there should just give ident and pres

What is Pirate Council telly? Is it like pirate radio, but on tv and broadcast by the local council?

Google it ; )

It didn't help.