Freeview HD Set-top Boxes: Best Buys

Group Test If there’s one thing that’s clear from this Freeview HD set-top box group test, it’s that there’s no single box that’s right for everyone.

Here are the seven set-tops Reg Hardware brought together for this round-up:

• Bush DVB680
• Goodmans GDB300HD
• Humax HD-FOX T2
• i-Can Easy HD
• Icecrypt T2200
• Philips DTR5520
• Sharp TU-T2

Two stand out, however: the Humax HD-FOX T2 and the i-Can Easy HD 2851T. The former has a good range of network functions, and a promised upgrade to provide USB recording and Sky Player, while the latter has the card slot necessary for ESPN and, should it launch, Sky Sports, together with BBC iPlayer right now.

Of the two, the i-Can comes out on top, and so it gets an Editor's Choice award. The Humax gets a Recommended commendation.

Winner: the i-Can Easy HD 2851T

If your interest is more in HD films and drama than multimedia extras, however, then the Philips DTR5520, with its ability to output Dolby Digital may suit you better or – despite its other failings – the Bush, if you need Dolby via an optical connection.

Or, perhaps, you’ll prefer to wait until there really is one Freeview HD box that does everything. ®