Panasonic have recently unleashed a new 500GB PVR. Starting out in Japan, and then onto Australia two months ago, the DMR-BW500 is now heading for Europe. Panasonic intend to release the PVR in those European countries which are going Hi Def. That could mean a release in the UK by this time next year with the arrival of Freeview HD in 2009. The BBC, ITV and Channel Four all aim to be among the select group of channels broadcasting in HD on Freeview next year. The French have already started rolling out HD on their digital terrestrial platform and so it’s not surprising the machine is now being released in France.
Sporting twin DTT tuners (both High Definition), the machine is capable of recording two digital channels at the same time. Recordings can be set easily via the 7 day EPG. The PVR can record from external sources too, and includes a Blu-Ray drive.
Yes a Blue-Ray disk drive. Not only that, it’s a recordable Blu-Ray drive so it is possible to archive material onto High Definition Blu-Ray disc. With the cost of Blu-Ray disks as high as they are currently, perhaps it is just as well the recorder supports other recording formats such as DVD-RAM and DVD-R. As a Blu-Ray player the machine is capable of top quality playback in the form of 1080p24. The Panasonic DMR-BW500 includes “Pixel Precision Progressive Processing for HD” or P4HD Processor to render high-quality progressive images. It also includes “PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus” which achieves sharper images by improving colour reproduction – producing cinematic images to rival the original quality of the movie.
Dual recording twin tuner PVRs aren’t exactly new, however for one to include a DVD recordable drive this certainly is breaking new ground. Programmes do not have to be recorded to the hard drive before being archived to DVD. There is an option to record straight to DVD or Blu-Ray. You can even record one digital channel to the hard drive and record a second digital channel to DVD/Blu-Ray disc at the same time.
An SD slot, Firewire and USB ports provides the unit with a means of transferring pictures and video. Unlink the Australian model, there is a network connection at the back which allows access to exclusive on-line bonus features via BD-Live and BONUSVIEW. We hope to bring you more news on this product soon.
If you see this machine available in the EU, would you be tempted to buy one?
As much as we would all like a PVR with DVD burner, 1799 euros and the trip to France to get it, is way too much.
Mate would it even work here anyway?
If you bought one on release later this month from France it will probably work fine here and it should be able to use the Freeview EPG.
It will not work with any new Freeview HD channels when they arrive late next year. You’ll have to wait for an official UK version of this machine to become available because it will need DVB-T2 tuners for our HD channels.
Still, if you are rich and have money to burn by all means buy one and be the first to own a twin tuner freeview PVR with a built in DVD burner
I would have been looking to replace my Inverto pvr and one of my dvd recorders, so yes this looks very interesting.
I’m also not to interested in freesat.
Dave
Let me correct this article – this Blu Ray Recorder allows you to record to channels simultaneously. However, one of the channels are recorded in high definition (regardless of whether it is broadcast in standard defintion or high definition). This is a small limitation and is based on the fact that the blu ray drive built into the recorder is one of Panasonic’s earlier versions. The drive inside the unit is actually built in 2006. Therefore some features of newer Blu Ray discs like those released by Disney don’t work on this unit. Hopefully Panasonic will update and release a new model in 2009. Digital channels in Australia refers to standard definition channels (equivalent to UK’s freeview) and high definition channels are designated HD channels (this is to distinguish SD TVs and DVD recorders with integrated SD tuners from HD TVs, BD Recorders, DVD Recorders with integrated high definition tuners). This unit costs around AUD1650 in Australia (about £700). There’s also a cheaper version of this model (DMR-XW300) that’s a DVD recorder with dual high definition tuners (about AUD900 or £400).
Gadgetguy, thanks for your input. As I understand the article, it does mention already the machine is a dual recorder – it is possible to record two programmes at the same time. Furthermore, when dual recording, both do not have to be on the hard drive only either – i.e. one programme can be recording on to Blu-ray disk while the other recording is taking place to the hard drive.
If you dont mind, can you clarify the limitation or ‘feature’ found with the older blu-ray drive that were fitted?
In response to ‘staff pvr junction’s’ reply to ‘Gadgetguy’, as i understand it from the report back from the Amsterdam show, where these models were demonstrated. It has been subsequently realised that one cannot record programmes straight from the satellite source onto a blue ray disk, as apparently the recording has to be compressed before it can be put onto a blue ray disk in order for it to be playable in other blue ray players. Therefore logic assumes that any recordings made onto these models have to first be made onto the HDD and then can be subsequently put onto a blue ray disk, which i think is a bit of a shame really. As with DVD recorders, one can record straight onto a dvd disk from a sky box etc, with out the need to first put the recording onto a HDD, by simply plugging the dvd recorder into ones decoder box ( i.e. sky box) via a scart lead. Surely this simple technology can be equally applied to a blue ray recorder? Maybe when further blue ray recorder models hopefully arrive on the shelves this littel ‘niggle’ will have been sorted out?!!
When will this PVR be coming out in UK, its almost a year since this original post and i have bben waiting patiently, but now i just want it next to my Pana 50″ Plasma, if yiu get my drift.
Anyone know of a date, even a date for HD freeview would be good.
Thanks
A
Panasonic have already released a couple of these PVRs the UK this week for freesat, which has HD channels. When FreeviewHD arives you can bet panasonic will be there, and the others. The UK Freeview market potential with HD is bigger.
Is there an indication when freeview HD will be available, what month maybe ?? I want it now
I already have freesat Panasonic TV, a Panasonic PVR and a 19″ Panasonic LCD TV, why not just add a USB connetion and tranfer to DVD to the laptop.
Major disapointment, thought about a Toppy 5810 PVR but waited for this twin tuner for months, way off the price and spec, shame!
Where can I get a solid well built reliable PVR that will last at least three years? Mad bad world.
I only have a £220 budget for a PVR….
Any polite suggestions?