The three models are:

• DMR-BS850 High Definition Twin freesat Tuner 500 GB Hard Disc Drive and Blu-ray Disc Recorders
• DMR-BS750 High Definition Twin freesat Tuner 250 GB Hard Disc Drive and Blu-ray Disc Recorders
• DMR-XS350 High Definition Twin freesat Tuner 250 GB Hard Disc Drive and DVD Recorder (Standard Definition archiving to disc)

All three models come with twin freesat HD tuners allowing recording of two simultaneous programmes on different channels to the onboard hard disc drive these can be HD (High Definition) or SD (Standard Definition) programmes and then archiving to Blu-ray or DVD disc, the DMR-XS350 will only allow standard definition archiving.

If the recorders are used with a Viera flat screen TV the propriety Panasonic Viera link functions can be used to control recording with the Viera TV remote control making recording and pausing live TV easier. The top of the range DMR-BS80 will accept up to 77 hours of HD recording or 240 hours of HL recording direct to its hard disc and 24 hours of HD programmes can be archived onto a Blu-ray disc in high speed copy mode. Part or all of the hard drive can also be used as a music jukebox allowing you to copy your CD’s and mp3’s to the hard disc for instant playback.

All three models feature high image quality PHL reference Chroma Processor Plus and P4HD delivering deep, detailed images from recorded programmes. All models also come with Bonus View and BD Live a feature which allows downloading from the internet special features and images for a BD Live enabled Blu-ray movie.

The DMR-BS850 and DMR-BS750 support Dolby True HD and DTS Master Audio Essential on Blu-ray discs and if connected to compatible home cinema amplifier you can utilise the exceptional quality of 7.1 surround sound of Blu-ray discs. If recording a HD broadcast the hard disc will record Full HD picture quality, 5.1 surround sound, subtitles and audio description, obviously to appreciate 5.1 surround sound you will needs to be using compatible home cinema amplifier.

All three models come with a SD card slot and USB input to allow easy transfer of home movies and images to the hard disc or Blu-ray / DVD drive.

Prices are still to confirmed but expect the top of the range DMR-BS850 to be around £999, the DMR-BS750 at around £899 and the DMR-XS350 £699. These prices are very high and we would expect them to fall as the product establishes itself into the market, unfortunately the high exchange rate is not helping the issue at the moment.

The DMR offers a serious rival to the Sky+ HD box and has features only Sky users could wish for without any subscription and all three Panasonic’s  do feature cutting edge technology and if you can afford one do offer the benefit of one box under the TV does everything but until the price is a bit more realistic we can’t see them having runaway success of the Humax HDR.

Link to article on:  Panasonic website

Related article: Panasonic to launch freesat+ HD PVR with Blu Ray