Metronic Zapbox Gemini Freeview box

For many years, I’ve moaned about DTT PVRs with one tuner. Now, I encounter this non-PVR curiosity with two tuners and no hard drive. It’s presumably designed for those who want to digitally-upgrade their existing TV and VCR. True to form, the Zapbox Gemini has separate Scarts for TV and VCR. The idea is that you can independently select the channels sent to each.

The Metronic approach is not perhaps as odd as it seems. Unlike hard disks, VCRs don’t crash; if you live in an area with unreliable mains then you’ll get the entire recording until the point where power was lost. Some people too are just loath to part with their old-tech VCRs.

In AV performance terms, the easily-installed Gemini cannot be faulted – especially with the RGB Scart output. It’s a niche product that might be just what you need.

To read the full review on Tech Radar click here.