Posted on 24 February 2009. Tags: Blu-Ray, Freesat, network, Panasonic, PVR
Panasonic are to release it’s Freesat+ recorders this spring in 3 variants. All will come with twin hi definition tuners as standard, capable of recording two programmes at the same time, and optical drives.
At the budget end, though it wont be cheap, will be the DMR-XS350 sporting a 250GB hard drive which comes equipped with a recordable DVD drive built in. The DMR-BS750 will also come with a 250GB hard drive but with a recordable blu-ray drive. The DMR-BS850 will also come equipped with the recordable blu-ray drive but with a large 500GB hard drive. Archiving hi-def programmes to blu-ray will be encoded in AVCHD, however this facility will no doubt be subject to high definition programmes that have not been flagged as ‘protected’ from copying off the PVR by a broadcaster.
A non-recording blue-ray ‘player’ without the hard drive, the DMP-BD80, will be released around the same time for about £350. This will include 7.1 analogue sound, ‘High Clarity Sound’ technology and Viera Cast (see below).
We’ve had a chance to see the physical A/V connections on the rear of the DMR-BS850 today, which sport twin scart sockets for RGB and S-video in and out, one set of composite sound and video ‘in’ connections and one set for ‘out’; an SVideo in connector and and SVideo out connector, HDMI and component connections. Digital audio out are via coaxial and optical connectors. Connections for twin satellite cable feeds, USB and Ethernet make up the rest.
On the recording side, seeing as these Panasonic twin tuner PVRs are Freesat+ certified, you’ll be getting a well thought out EPG (electronic programme guide) to make it easy to set up and manage recording schedules/timers. Features include ’series record’ and ‘accurate recording’ – a feature where the recorder tracks the programmes’ running time so it doesn’t miss any of the recording should the schedule slip.
The SD card slot, USB and Firewire on the front will enable camera/camcorder picture and video enjoyed on the big screen or recorded to Blu-ray, while media player capabilities are boosted by the support of Divx and the inclusion of Gracenote, formally CDDB (Compact Disc Data Base) which automatically identifies music and displays information about songs, artists, and albums.
The Ethernet port will enable the PVR to access BBC iplayer content over your broadband connection; a feature that should be enabled from autumn 2009. Utilising the Ethernet port, Panasonic will also be pushing Viera Cast, as long as you have internet connectivity. With Viera Cast, the PVR can access the latest news and weather from websites, and content from YouTube, Picasa, Bloomberg and some broadcasters like Eurosport. Viera Cast promises DNLA compatibility, meaning content from your own devices in the house can be streamed.
The estimated retail price of these devices have not been released. If we take into account the markets around the world where these machines are already available; you could be looking at around as much as £700 for the DVD recorder twin tuner PVR, and over £1000 for the blu-ray versions. We are sure the demand is there for a more integrated device. Indeed a twin tuner DVD recorder seems to be one of the most wanted recording devices over the last few years. It will be interesting to see what UK price points Panasonic set for these machines.
The DMR-BS850, DMR-BS750 and DMR-XS350 are planned for release in the second quarter of 2009.
Related: Panasonic Freesat+ PVR Planned
Related: June Release for Panasonic Freesat+ recoder: £1000 Price Tag
Posted in Freesat, Hi Def, PVR
Posted on 17 October 2008. Tags: Blu-Ray, Freesat, Hi Def, Panasonic, PVR
A Wotsat blog article today says Panasonic have advised that the CE company do not have Freesat recorder plans to reveal at present. This is the same statement PVR Junction and other online publishers have received this week from Panasonic UK. Our advise, like last week, is to do like us and wait for any official news or statements from Freesat or Panasonic on this, as and when, they are ready to do so.
Last week PVR Junction commented on Panasonics plans for the DMR-BW500 in the UK as not being a twin tuner terrestrial Blu-Ray recorder, but a satellite one and that discussions with Freesat taking place, as Panasonic execs at trade stands reveal earlier. This is exciting news, however, Panasonic UK were unaware of this and have no further comment to make at this time.
Relevant video snippet clip below
[youtube:http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vLKCmLXZhAc 285 234]
Update 16:00:
As Blu-Ray and Panasonic fans, we are excited to say Wotsat has changed its blog title originally titled ‘Panasonic quashes Freesat Blu-ray PVR rumours’. Their article today picked up on PVR Junctions story and stated “Panasonic has told Wotsat that it has no plans to launch a combination hard disc and Blu-ray PVR with built-in Freesat reception.”
Since publishing our page here on PVR Junction this lunch time, together with the small video clip showing Panasonic own Freesat statements at IFA on the internet, the Wotsat article is now titled “Updated: Panasonic considering Freesat Blu-ray PVR” and goes on to now say ”Panasonic is considering launching a Blu-ray recorder for Freesat when more HD channels are added to the service.”
Of course, many of our readers may be forgiven for being already under the impression this is certainly a possibility; considering the Panasonic news articles on PVR Junction on the 13th September and 11th October. In a turn around Panasonic has pointed out to Wotsat this afternoon that they will release the blu-ray recorder in the UK but the Panasonic spokes person “can not give a date yet”. As with other EU countries we know Panasonics policy is to release this recorder in areas where customers have access to high definition broadcasting.
At PVR Junction, we expect during 2009 there will be not only BBC and ITV (as is now) but also Channel 4 hi definition on Freesat. Freeview is expected to roll out its high definition broadcasting on DTT from 2009 also. BBC, ITV and Channel HD channel offerings have today been accepted by Ofcom for Freeview HD. A 4th HD slot on Freeview HD is thought a strong possibility, leaving the passage for FIVE, Virgin or other broadcasters in with a chance to feature on the HD platform should they see value.
Posted in Freesat, PVR, Video
Posted on 13 September 2008. Tags: Blu-Ray, Hi Def, Panasonic, PVR
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?
Posted in PVR
