Conceptronics has recently released details of a new twin tuner PVR heading for DTT countries across Europe. Its already been given an impressive model name by Conceptronics: the ‘Media Titan’; so we spoke to the manufacturer this week to find out more. We are not supposed to reveal pricing details just yet but until we get the go ahead here is the low down on the forthcoming PVR.

Conceptronic are presenting the Media Titan as a wireless 300 Mbps 11n HD media player and hard disk recorder with twin DVB-T tuners inside. With this Media Titan Conceptronic anticipates on the growing market of free to air DVB-T with media player in several countries. The dual digital tuner allows consumers to record a movie or TV program on one channel and watch a different program on another channel at the same time. The media Titan supports movie format up to HD 1080p.

For Conceptronics usability is key. The Media Titan distinguishes itself by a simple design and a unique remote control with scroll wheel and 11 buttons only, to make navigation fast and simple. The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) offers a clear overview of what programs are on or scheduled on different channels. Just scroll over the program you would like to record and it’s listed for recording.

Compatibility has certainly been optimised. Besides recording, it plays XviD, WMV9, MPEG 1/2/4, AVI, ISO & VOB movies files, but also 1080p HD movies like H.264 MKV. For photo and music files it supports i.e. BMP, GIFF, JPEG, PNG, MP3, OGG, WAV & WMA (VBR). The content can be played locally from the hard disk or from the network. The Media Titan is DLNA 1.5 compliant and features a UPnP AV client. This means that any user can stream and copy photos, music or movies from a PC or NAS storage device with UPnP AV server over the network; wired or wireless!

The tech specs are as follows:
· TV format: PAL/NTSC
· Built-in twin DVB-T tuners with signal pass-through
· HDMI and Composite video outputs
· Analog and Optical digital audio output (SPDIF)
· 10/100 Mbps ethernet port
· Built in wireless 300 Mbps 11n wireless network adapter with integrated antennas
· Supported formats: H.264 MKV, XviD, WMV9, MOV, M2TS, TS, ISO, MPEG 1/2/4, AVI, SVCD, VCD, BMP, GIFF, JPEG, PNG, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA, (VBR)
· USB 2.0 port (to connect directly to your computer)
· 3x USB 2.0 host port (to connect your USB sticks/drives/dongles)
· DLNA 1.5 and UPnP AV compliant
· Measurements: 27,5 x 24 x 4,5 cm (WxLxH)
· Compatible with Windows 2000/XP & Vista™

If you own an LCD or Plasma TV the chances are it has a slot on the side or back. Neotion has just announced a credit card sized PVR that simply goes into that slot, enabling you to pause and rewind live TV, or record TV programmes. Neotion claims this is the smallest digital recorder in the world (size: 11×5x1.2cm, weight: 45grams). It even comes with LAN port so you can transfer recording to your PC via Ethernet cable or using your wireless/power-line adaptor. The miniature PVR uses the popular SD-Cards for memory, which range in cost from about £10 (4GB) to £60 (32GB).

With the SD-Card memory inserted into the miniature PVR, users can then pause live TV, with the programme being temporarily stored on the card. Playback can then be resumed from that point, or navigate through it via fast forward and rewind trick modes, or simply return viewing to the live TV point. The functions are basic, which isn’t a bad thing – using your own TVs remote control to record, to store, to watch and erase TV programes on the SD-Card using what Neotion say is an easy, intuitive, but efficient, navigation menu.

With the LAN port connection, it is possible to turn the TV into a Media Centre with this device. Using the TVs remote control you can access a networked PC in your home. The Neotion Pocket Recorder is bundled with Neotion TV Medial Player to connect one or more PCs on your network to the TV using a straight ethernet cable, a wireless WIFI device or Power Line (Home Plug) adaptor. From there one can enjoy all of the multimedia contents remotely stored on their PC – be it photos, music, video, Web TV/radio, and other online video services. Recordings can also be transfered to the remote PC for storage or later viewing, editing or burning to DVD. We’ll be sure to bring you more news on when and where to buy.

Street price: c. £75