Compounds of formula I: wherein: R 2 is hydrogen or C 1 -C 4 alkyl; R 3 and R 4 are hydrogen, -C(=O)R 5 , or -C(=O)CHR 6 -NH 2 ; or R 3 is hydrogen and R 4 is a monophosphate-, diphosphate-, or triphosphate ester; or R 3 is hydrogen, -C(=O)CHR 5 , or -C(=O)CHR 6 -NH 2 and R 4 is each R 5 is hydrogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, or C 3 -C 7 cycloalkyl; R 6 is hydrogen or C 1 -C 6 alkyl; R 7 is optionally substituted phenyl; naphthyl; or indolyl; R 8 and R 8' are hydrogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, benzyl; or R 8 and R 8' combined form C 3 -C 7 cycloalkyl; R 9 is C 1 -C 6 alkyl, benzyl, or optionally substituted phenyl; provided that R 2 , R 3 and R 4 are not all hydrogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof; pharmaceutical formulations with the compounds I; the use of compounds I, including the compounds of formula I wherein R 2 , R 3 and R 4 are all hydrogen, as HCV inhibitors.