Xbox or PS3 or internet TV box. Can somebody help?

Could somebody please advise me what attachment or set top box I should get for my HDTV which is NOT internet ready but does have plenty (3) of HDMI ports. I do have a full LAN and WiFi connected home system via wireless and LAN modem router.

My needs are as follows:

1. I need to be able to use it to watch Lovefilm or Netflix streaming video

2. I would like to record live broadcasts with Hard Disk and preferably also on DVD or blue-ray

3. I don't understand this part, but since I have also got an Android 2.3+ phone and a Google user, can I compliment my experience with such a set top box?

4. I am a pretty ancient guy (65+). I do not have any need for games but I will not hold anything against such since I tried my hand on Angry Birds on my Android phone. Some such distractions would help me to keep away from any arguments with 'she who must be obeyed'.

Thanks folks!!

1. The Xbox and PS3 both fit into this category as they both have Netlfix apps (not sure about Lovefilm, I do think the PS3 has it though).

2. Recording live TV isn't possible on either console but if this is your primary want then a HD Freeview box could be worth looking into. They are expensive though at over £200.

3. There isn't really that much integration with TV and phones at the moment. The Xbox 360 is getting what's known as 'SmartGlass' sometime soon which will allow you to control your TV with your phone. This feature does appear to be exclusive to iPhones and higher end Android devices though so don't make an investment just yet.

this is an easy to use hard drive recorder for recording tv Humax HDR-FOX T2 500GB Freeview + HD Digital TV Recorder

it will still require a set top box through if your tv has no freeview in it.

I believe the Humax is a set top and HDD built into one, isn't it?

Commenting specifically on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360:

"1. I need to be able to use it to watch Lovefilm or Netflix streaming video"
You can do this through both PS3 and 360, provided you have LoveFlix accounts. I would always recommend a hard wired Ethernet cable connection over wifi though.

"2. I would like to record live broadcasts with Hard Disk and preferably also on DVD or blue-ray"
I don't know if you can do this on 360, but you can on PS3 using something called Play TV. I think it costs around an extra £30 or £40. No idea how to set it up, although no doubt there are videos on YouTube detailing it.

"3. I don't understand this part, but since I have also got an Android 2.3+ phone and a Google user, can I compliment my experience with such a set top box?"
Not with these consoles that I'm aware of, but I'm sure some of these guys know more about it than I do.

"4. I am a pretty ancient guy (65+). I do not have any need for games but I will not hold anything against such since I tried my hand on Angry Birds on my Android phone. Some such distractions would help me to keep away from any arguments with 'she who must be obeyed'."
If you don't want to play games then there's really no point in bothering with a PS3 or 360, but if you're open-minded about them and happy to use a controller then both systems have a variety of titles for both 'serious' gamers and those looking for something a bit more light-hearted. I would probably recommend a raft of demos first, to see what sort of thing you like - happy to advise if you'd like more info.

However, from your requirements, do you have a laptop? It sounds like that would probably best cater for your needs. No idea about whether you can record live TV a la Sky+ on a laptop though.

In all fairness, if you're an Android and Goolge user then the new Google TV set top box sounds like it's what you need and there's a full FAQ on it here

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20019591-1.html

Only thing i'm not too sure on is if it lets you record TV to a HD but sure someone here will be able to answer that one.

Snarf, it may have I'm not sure as the ones I have set up for my mother were on tv's with freeview built in.

A PS3 can do nearly all that you require - but not all. It has both Netflix and Lovefilm, it has BBC iPlayer, ITV Player and can play Blue Ray and DVD disks. It cannot record onto disks. You can record Freeview with the Play TV attachment onto the PS3 hardrive but only in Standard Definition:

Play TV (PS3)

Plus Play TV because it's an add on piece of equipment will use one of the USB ports on the front of the PS3 so may look a little untidy under your TV (perhaps someone else can comment on this).

Not many (if any) set-top boxes, used for Freeview or FreeSat, have both Netflix and Lovefilm (if at all) and a blue ray drive - and any blue ray and HDD recorders combo boxes currently on the market seem to be pretty poor.

Just to note that the second generation of FreeSat set-top boxes will be launching later in the year (hopefully) which will allow much more internet capability.

There is no one box that will cater for Lovefilm/Netflix, allow you to record HD Satellite or Freeview and play Blue Ray disks. The PS3 I think is as close as you will get as far as I know.

Thank you Snarf.
That was indeed very helpful.
Just now I have noticed that Google-TV is bringing out with Sony a set top box for nearly everything, but the release is apparently delayed till September. Furthermore from what I could read in Which? the price would be £199+.
That is a lot of dough for extending my experience of 'Smartglass' equivalent from my Android phone.
Your kind and astute observation is very much appreciated.
Regards

If you're after Blu-ray as well I would suggest that if you don't want to wait for this Google top-box a PS3 is your best bet. You'll need the console, you can trial PlayTV for free from the PlayStation Store and you would be best with a fairly large HDD; I would say 160GB at the absolute least (you can pick up a 500GB Samsung HDD for about £40 and they're easy to switch). I reckon you would be looking at an outlay of about £200, if not a bit less.

Then there are the games too - I would recommend titles like Flower, Journey, Limbo and maybe something like Heavy Rain for someone just starting out who's looking for some interesting and unique examples of what games can be.

Cheers mate.
All of you guys are so helpful and knowledgeable.
However from what I have understood is that this aspect of "all of what I want" is still somewhat under development or as some would like to call it as Leading edge technology.
Thirty years back I was quite a nerd with DOS-SCSI-BIOS-CD-DDS-ETC. all coming out of my ears and I coped reasonably. Nowadays I have got so much cables and hardware (in the loft) that I do not even remember what I used them for then. I do not even talk about them to younger people lest they send me to the museum as an exhibit!

I will give it a month or so and maybe, think about the Humax Freeview+ HD Recorder which has an internet facility. But again, that does not have a browser or easy use keyboard.

In a way I think you are pointing me in the right direction. If not google-tv then PS3.
I should be called CONFUCIOUS in my next life, if I have not already made my name with you all!
Regards

You're welcome; we all have to start somewhere. Any more questions, give us a shout.

Would it be worth giving Virgin Media or Sky (or whoever your digital TV provider is, assuming you don't just have freeview) a call and asking their advice? Or have you thought about checking product ratings on a site like Which? Maybe they have a forum there too and I imagine they'll be a lot more techy than most of us.