the problem with these boxes is the same as the sky+ version of them ,its the power supply capacitors that are cheap.
there is a repair upgrade kit containing 15 capacitors for around about £10 for the sky+ boxes and it can also be used in the freeview version as it has the same power supply, you will need a bit of soldering skill but a diagram and instructions is suppied in the kit.
after the repair upgrade these boxes are very good.
sky+ symptoms are 
poor fluctuating signal levels 
freezing picture
unit turning off on its own
unable to record or access recordings
and skipping on playback of recordings
I know all these symptoms appear in the freeview version through experiance.
 I hope this helps everyone who is having problems with the thomson freeview recorders.
                
 Stuart
                
 January 2010