Most of our readers will already be aware that Panasonic are launching a twin HD tuner 500GB PVR with DVD integrated Blu-ray disk recorder in Europe. Due for release starting in France later this month, the DMR-BW500 has been proudly sitting out on display at this summers IFA and  IBC exhibitions. Speaking to journlists during the roadshows M2N Michael Friedrich from Panasonic explains the strategy:

In general to launch a HD recorder the requirement for us is that you have enough free to air content. on air, already available. So that the consumer really can record a lot of content in high definition on their recorder. So in France it became clear already very early that high definition content would be available in sufficient quantity from this autumn. This is why we developed the first model in Europe for France mainly.

With high definition channels now starting on freesat, and freeview HD channels from 2009 – the question is when will we see this recorder in the UK:

So in the UK we are in close discussion with freest. The technology is a bit different that’s why can not simply use the France version. In France its based on DVB-T, the UK version will be satellite. But we are in discussions, and will conclude when it will come to UK soon.

Freesat is the new, free, digital satellite television service from the BBC and ITV. Freesat launched on Tuesday 6 May with free digital channels – television, radio, interactive – plus BBC HD and now ITV HD. Freesat’s channel line-up will grow each month, with up to 200 channels on air by the end of the year.

Freesat will be introducing Freesat+ next month – its digital recorder platform – which includes advanced recording features.  Humax is providing the first available high definition twin tuner PVR with Freesat+ branding around the same time. Metronics have indicated their intention of providing their Freesat+ recorder already and is due to be released in 2009. As ever, we await the official announcements by Freesat and Panasonic UK over the next few months. Lets hope their discussions are fruitful and Panasonic’s vision of the UK freesat PVR version is not too long a wait.

Update: Panasonic Press Response

London, 24 October 2008. Panasonic is actively seeking the opportunities to enter the HD recorder category in Europe as early as possible since we have most advanced technology for Hi-def / Blu-ray recording products in the industry.
Public awareness of the HD recorders that we have introduced in other regions such as Australia and France is growing, and it is understandable for the public to be asking questions about when we can introduce such products in the UK.

We are, of course, studying how to come to market with such products in the UK especially since we have enjoyed leading market share performance in the DVD-R market.

The products that we can launch are dependent on the spec on the respective platforms.  In the UK currently, the most clarified potential for development of such products is on the Freesat platform.
Whilst we can say we are in discussion with Freesat on the matter, and can say that we see good potential for recordable products on this platform, we are not yet at the stage where we can confirm actual merchandise or schedule. There is no concrete information to share at this stage.

To promote the introduction of Panasonic Freesat BD Recorder or other HD recordable products to the UK public at this time via any media could be potentially misleading and we can already see the spread of information on-line that is based on many assumptions.