“Overall the BS850 I’d rate the BS850 as an amazing bit of kit. Panasonic has launched a number of BD recorders globally (in Japan, France, Australia, with Germany to come shortly), but none are an exact match of this model. It’s unique and more than a little brilliant.”

The review can be seen here.

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

We imagine stock will be limited this weekend and stock will not be freely available until next week or the following week as the product moves through the distribution cycle.

The press release reads:

Freesat+ will arrive in UK stores from 22nd November 2008 offering the only way to pause, rewind and record Freesat high-definition (HD) digital TV, as well as providing access to a huge range of standard definition (SD) TV, radio and interactive channels.

Freesat+ opens up a world of over 140 TV and radio services including fantastic HD programmes from the BBC and ITV. With Freesat+, viewers can control how and when they enjoy their favourite shows and even watch them time and time again once saved. Current HD highlights on Freesat include Strictly Come Dancing, Little Britain USA, In the Night Garden and Little Dorrit on BBC HD, with ITV HD currently featuring UEFA Champions League matches, England Internationals, The FA Cup and teen drama Britannia High.

The first Freesat+ digital TV recorder will be launched by Humax and will initially be available across selected John Lewis, Comet, Argos and Dixons stores plus some selected independent retailers, priced at around £299 (satellite installation, if required, not included). Viewers who already have a satellite dish installed, in most cases, will simply be able to ‘plug and play’ with Freesat+, meaning no additional equipment is required.

Stock will be arriving in stores throughout December to increase distribution across the UK. Interested buyers should contact retailers directly for details of stores that stock Freesat+.

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.”

image courtesy of Trusted Reviews and reghardware

A working model is expect at the IBC show in Amsterdam starting on the 12th September to 16th September.

trustedreviews.com and reghardware have managed to take some pictures which show that the PVR will have a 320gb hard drive, twin tuners and be priced around £300 at launch which is expected before this Christmas.

Specifications:

• freesat HD and SD channel recording
• Simultaneous viewing of one channel and recording another channel
• Receive HDTV signals (MPEG4 AVC/H.264 and MPEG2)
• Under 1W power consumption in standby
• HDMI digital interface for perfect transmission of picture and sound
• Simultaneous playing of transmissions over HDMI, composite and Scart
• Easy installation and operation
• Resolution format: 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i
• DVBS2 and DVBS compatible
• Ethernet support
• Full colour, high resolution electronic program guide
• Dolby digital audio output (S/PDIF)
• Automatic software upgrade via satellite
• Upscaling of SDTV to HD
• Audio description / One touch subtitle
• Massive 320GB HD

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.

Exact details have not been released but it is expected it will include twin tuners allowing watching and recording two programmes at the same time or recording two programmes at the same time the PVR is expected to work in similar a way to SKY+ allowing series link and recording but without the subscription and ongoing costs.

A large hard disc drive is also expected facilitate high definition broadcasts which take up lots of disc space. It is also planned for a USB connection to allow transfer of archiving to an external USB hard disc and use of the ethernet port.