Having Sony on board the freesat platform can only be beneficial for freesat’s future and hopefully will encourage more manufacturers to follow.

Danielle Nagler, the head of BBC HDTV, says: ‘Getting to nine hours is quite a milestone in the life of BBC HD.’ But what exactly will viewers want from BBC HD going forward? In her BBC blog, Nagler confirms the station is looking for ways to balance high-definition material from other BBC channels, and that new schedules are currently under development.

The BBC HD channel begins at 16:00 and runs through to 00:30 or 01:30 seven nights a week, they do have permission to extend the channel hours when there are sporting or other events that fall outside those hours.

I’m sure you can all remember Toshiba backing HD DVD rather than the superior Blu Ray which justifiably won one the day, we wonder if they are making the same mistake here? Although we expect Feeeview HD to be a success it will be not be until 2012 when digital switchover is completed that Freeview HD will be available to most then we suspect not everywhere will be able to get HD this way and there will be nowhere near the capacity as HD via satellite can offer, we can’t help wonder what Toshiba are playing at especially as other manufacturers are planning on producing freesat HD TV’s.

You can read the full article here

The high specification, twin tuner Humax FOXSAT-HDR will be the only way to pause, rewind and record Freesat HD digital TV, as well as access an expanding choice of SD (Standard definition) TV, radio and interactive channels.
The recorder has a large 320GB hard drive that can store up to 80 hours of HD (High Definition) programming, or up to 200 hours of standard definition shows, while the eight day on-screen electronic programme guide makes it easy to scan the Freesat TV schedule and plan your viewing.

If £299 seems expensive consider this, if you go for a new SKY+HD basic package the Humax will have paid for itself after month 7! there is no subscription or contract with freesat, the Humax is technological more advanced than the SKY+ HD box, the SKY box only has a 160GB hard drive against the Humax’s 320GB drive and if you cancel your SKY subscription after month 12 they switch off the recording facility!

Specifications:

• freesat HD and SD channel recording
• Simultaneous viewing of one channel and recording another channel
• Record 2 channels at the same time
• Receive HDTV signals (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 and MPEG-2)
• Under 1W power consumption in standby
• HDMI-digital interface for perfect transmission of picture and sound
• Simultaneous playing of transmissions over HDMI, Composite or Scart
• Easy installation and operation
• Resolution format: 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i
• DVB-S2 and DVB-S compatible
• Ethernet Support (for future use)
• Full colour high resolution electronic programme guide
• Dolby digital audio output (S/PDIF)
• Automatic software upgrade via satellite
• Upscaling Standard Definition channels
• Audio description / One touch subtitle
• Massive 320GB HDD
• Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth): 380 x 55 x 252 mm
• Weight: 3.1 kg

Emma Scott, managing director, freesat, commented: “The launch of Freesat+ with the FOXSAT-HDR is an exciting milestone for us. We’re giving viewers the freedom to enjoy all their favourite standard definition shows, as well as the likes of Strictly Come Dancing, UEFA Champions League, England home games and blockbuster movies in HD whenever and however they want – for no subscription and no extra monthly bills.”

Graham North, commercial director, Humax, added: “Humax has developed a reputation for delivering highly functional but easy-to-use digital TV products and we have leveraged this expertise to develop a technologically-advanced digital TV recorder that offers the very best in recording and viewing features for Freesat.”

Panasonic full HD LCD TV with freesat built-in is a convenient and high quality way to view over 130 digital TV and radio channels including brilliant HD programmes from the BBC and ITV, all for free.* The LZD81 series boasts a high contrast ratio of an incredible 10,000:1 with ISC (Intelligent Scene Controller) ensuring consistent deep black levels and crisp on-screen motion. This new line-up also features V-Real Pro 3 picture technology which perfectly optimises the performance of the display panel to render smooth, crystal clear motion without compromising on delicate colours with rich gradation. The full HD resolution panel beautifully reproduces all High Definition sources including Blu-ray and the freesat HD programming. Plus the V-Real Pro 3 processor also offers up-scaling capabilities, second to none when it comes to reproducing standard definition sources such as DVD or TV programming, where HD is not yet available.

Picture quality is also enhanced with an extra wide colour gamut with x.v.Colour, which produces richer, more vivid colouring from x.v.Colour** signals. Many LCD’s suffer from colour wash-out when not viewed from directly in front, however, Panasonic’s latest generation of IPS Alpha panels have an extra wide 178 degree viewing angle, both horizontally and vertically, meaning the whole family can watch TV from anywhere in the room.

These TV’s come equipped with V-Audio Surround sound for the complete home cinema experience, delivering the best of sound with V-Audio surround and V-Audio technologies which feature Panasonic’s unique digital amplifier and BBE (Bass Boost Enhancement).

For ease of use these LCD’s come equipped with three HDMI connector slots, to connect all your AV equipment, such as a Blu-ray disc player, DVD recorder and camcorders with 24p playback, as well as 2 SCART connectors, SD Card (JPEG) and PC Input. The LZD81’s also feature freesat EPG and Gemstar GUIDEplusâ„¢, 7-day on-screen electronic programme guides with easy to navigate categories for both satellite and terrestrial digital services. They also feature Viera Link, which allows interlinked operation of various Panasonic AV devices using only the remote control, by simply connecting the devices to each other by an HDMI cable.

The LZD81’s also incorporate “Eco Mode,” automatically adjusting the picture settings depending on the ambient lighting conditions. The image brightness changes according to the level of room lighting to achieve an energy-saving operation.

All Panasonic freesat models are supplied with HD & SD Digital Satellite, SD Digital Terrestrial and SD Analogue Terrestrial Tuners with easy user navigation between freesat, Freeview and analogue terrestrial services.

Digital reception for the whole UK
In addition to providing access to HD services, freesat also offers a route to other digital TV and radio services for out of coverage areas. With 98% of UK households within the freesat footprint virtually all homes in the UK can enjoy switching to digital right now.

The PVR will not be fully complete or ready for sale at that time but is expected to be completed for the Christmas shopping season, the first PVR’s are now in the UK undergoing testing.

The PVR is expected to have a large hard disc to allow HD (High Definition) recording, twin or possibly three to allow tuners recording of two programmes at the same time or watching one and recording another and series link to record a whole series of programmes in one press from the EPG (Electronic Program Guide)

Humax have been quoted as saying: “Humax has promised an ‘innovative IP streaming set-top box’ designed in conjunction with icube, a digital media adapter and a home wireless networking product”

According to the IBC website Humax is exhibiting a range of new set-top boxes, digital television recorders and high definition receivers at this year’s show. In addition they are also showcasing their latest interactive broadband technology, which enables a host of new services for the operator and consumer alike. There is also a selection of their latest LCD TV products on demonstration; some featuring integrated digital television recorders.

Initial reviews from Home Cinema Choice (awarding the 46″ TH-46PZ81B a best buy), Trusted Reviews (awarding the 46″ TH-46PZ81B 9/10) and What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision (awarding the 46″ TH-46PZ81B a coveted 5 stars). These are all outstanding reviews as this is the Panasonic’s first venture into the freesat offering Panasonic really do need applauding, the initial prices seem to be fluctuating at the moment but considering that you would expect to pay £150 for a stand alone HD freesat set top box which the Viera PZ81 has built into the TV’s are not that much expensive than the rest of the Viera range.

Panasonic have a short (7 minute) video of the PZ81

You will find it all here  freesatadvice.co.uk