topic Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings in TV

Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

DrPepper3 — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:28:16 GMT

We've just changed from Sky to EE. Upon setting TV up it looks like you can't record from a mini box but only from the main box, and if I'm right, what is more concerning is we can't watch our recordings on any other box other than the main one. Is this correct? If we had another primary box, could we watch our recordings on that?

I hope someone will clarify

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

DarrenDev — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:42:08 GMT

Recordings can only be made and watched on the TV Box Pro. The TV Box Mini doesn't allow recording, and it's not possible to share recordings from the Pro box with any other device.

It's also not supported to have more than one recordable box, although it wouldn't be blocked if you chose to buy one from elsewhere.

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

DrPepper3 — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:54:54 GMT

Thanks for reply. So to confirm, if I did buy a Pro Box from elsewhere, does it share recordings with the other Pro box? I expect that's a no👎 , in which case it looks like we will go back to Sky, which is a shame 🤔

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

DarrenDev — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 20:02:33 GMT

Correct - it doesn't share recordings with any other box. With most content now available on catch up, it's expected that recording will become less common.

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

martinappletre — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 14:37:13 GMT

Hi Dr Pepper3,

I am in the same boat having moved across from Sky. I just assumed you could watch recordings on the mini box and also on apps on iPads etc. Absolutely amazed this is not possible. Sky is certainly more functional so that's why it costs more!!!

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

Gerryman — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 20:45:43 GMT

I made the same mistake as you ee is way behind sky only thing is sky is more expensive

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

Weerab2024 — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 09:54:01 GMT

Unfortunately you need to do your own research or ask on here before taking the plunge.

I wouldn't rely on EE Customer Service Agents for giving you the necessary information.

I agree that catch up apps will eventually remove the need for recording on most channels.

Although it would be good if the watch list function was easier to use like sky streams playlist feature.

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

Jane17muk — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 17:57:04 GMT

Hi I’ve just come from sky to EE I said to man in shop I need two boxes one in living room one in bedroom so I can record on mini box in bedroom too he said I can on both ???

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

Midnight_Voice — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 18:21:16 GMT

@Jane17muk

Either he was wrong, or he misunderstood what you were asking 😢

If you bought something on the strength of what you were told, though, you have a 14-day cooling-off period in which to terminate the contract.

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

DarrenDev — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 18:21:42 GMT

@Jane17muk sorry, but you were misinformed.

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

Jane17muk — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 18:24:36 GMT

Could I ask for pro box also in my bedroom as well as living room
Sent from my iPhone

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

DarrenDev — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 18:25:22 GMT

No - you're limited to a single TV Box Pro per account.

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

Pmclaughlin01 — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 17:22:14 GMT

So, we’ve just littered switched from Sky and obviously did have the option of recording from the mini box. Is it definite that you can hook up an alternatively sourced ee tv box and record to it (i.e use two primary boxes). This might be a deal breaker for us, but I would be willing to shell out if it sorts out the issue. I do understand that you would only be able to watch recordings on the box you record to. I appreciate you can’t vouch for boxes bought elsewhere, but any confirmation/clarification would be appreciated.

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

Chris_B — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 18:11:15 GMT

@Pmclaughlin01 should you purchase a pro box elsewhere it will work.

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

PatrickWild — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 17:56:05 GMT

I was also told that as well!

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

Chris_B — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 19:14:37 GMT

@PatrickWild but the pro box is called the pro box because it can record. Why would the mini box be called the mini if it could record. Surely it would just be called the pro box.

Even the advertised products list what each can do.

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

PatrickWild — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 20:44:47 GMT

It is about honesty from the seller or lack of knowledge, whatever you care
to choose!

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

Gerryman — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 21:23:29 GMT

So if buy pro box from a source you can record on it and use it in bedroom as well as my pro box in living room

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

PatrickWild — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 22:01:47 GMT

I have attached a talk talk freeview box as well as mini box and it records
quite happily.

I also have a Humax HDR alongside the main BT box which can record as
well. Previously with Sky and second box could record I believe.

Re: Not being able to record on minibox or watch recordings

Midnight_Voice — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 08:49:53 GMT

@Chris_B

In earlier days, boxes were DTR- or DB- and the R stood for Record. The r in Pro does not do that. I don’t know why the Box Pro is called that; it’s a consumer device through and through, a little superior to its predecessors, but hardly ‘pro gear’ as any professional in the field would understand it.

The Box Mini is called a mini because it’s smaller, logically. But both names are just marketing, and you can glean nothing about their capabilities from them; a backward step from the earlier boxes.

But the problem with the naming and positioning of the Box Mini is that anyone coming from the similarly-named Sky Q Mini likely assumes the EE Box Mini does the same. But it doesn’t; while the Sky Mini can’t actually record, it can set recordings on the full Q box, and play them back; so to all intents and purposes, excepting where the recording actually is, it can record.

Now, you can set recordings remotely on the Box Pro, using the EE TV app. But crucially, you can’t play them back through the Box Mini, which provokes everything from disappointment to disbelief; especially when inadequately trained EE staff say you can, or at least don’t explain that you can’t, to people thinking of migrating from Sky, where you can.

Such prospects are probably used to Sky Go as well; the EE TV app, with its peculiar, restricted, selection of what you can watch live, and Schedule and Recording sections that can’t punch through to live, on demand, or recorded TV, but just tell you about the programmes, or enjoin you to go and watch them on your box (very useful when you are away for the night and omitted to bring your Box Pro with you) doesn’t pass muster in comparison.

Not that EE TV should strive to match Sky; it’s its own thing. But the expectations of prospects thinking of migrating from Sky do need to be accurately set.

And as for those advertised product blurbs - “The UK’s only streaming box that can record live TV”? Wouldn’t Manhattan, with their T3 and now T4, and Humax with their Aura, have something to say about that?