[spinaltap]

I am (or was) looking forward to the launch of Panasonic's range of Freesat+ recorders at the end of the month. I then noticed that Panasonic have just released a new Freeview+ recorder - the EX-79.

Having downloaded the user manual, page 22 describes what Freeview+ means...

"FREEVIEW+ is the function that enable timer recordings to be controlled by the signal sent from the broadcaster".

Nowhere in the manual is there any description of being able to record more than one channel at any one time.

Are we therefore about to be disappointed by Panasonic's Freesat+ recorder - a device that will only record one channel at a time?

[grahamlthompson]

Originally Posted by spinaltap

I am (or was) looking forward to the launch of Panasonic's range of Freesat+ recorders at the end of the month. I then noticed that Panasonic have just released a new Freeview+ recorder - the EX-79.

Having downloaded the user manual, page 22 describes what Freeview+ means...

"FREEVIEW+ is the function that enable timer recordings to be controlled by the signal sent from the broadcaster".

Nowhere in the manual is there any description of being able to record more than one channel at any one time.

Are we therefore about to be disappointed by Panasonic's Freesat+ recorder - a device that will only record one channel at a time?

It's not a pvr it's a dvd recorder. In common with all such devices they only ever have a single tuner so can only record one thing at once.

[alsina]

The new Panasonic Freesat recorders are twin tuner machines and will allow you to record 2 different programmes (or 1 program and 1 external input) at the same time. So finally, someone has merged the functions of a PVR and a DVDR.

[grahamlthompson]

Originally Posted by alsina

The new Panasonic Freesat recorders are twin tuner machines and will allow you to record 2 different programmes (or 1 program and 1 external input) at the same time. So finally, someone has merged the functions of a PVR and a DVDR.

It's going to be interesting, Panasonic don't have a very good track record with pvr's. Their one and only effort at a twin tuner freeview pvr was a complete disaster.

[alsina]

Originally Posted by grahamlthompson

It's going to be interesting, Panasonic don't have a very good track record with pvr's. Their one and only effort at a twin tuner freeview pvr was a complete disaster.

It was, however the HDD recording facilities on their current DVDR machines are known to be as good as any and better than most. I think Panasonic have come a long way in the 5 years since they released their original iffy PVR's.

[YellowSphere]

In my opinion, a proper PVR records the actual transport stream, rather than re-encoding. If these new Panasonic units do that then they should be excellent machines.

[alsina]

Originally Posted by YellowSphere

In my opinion, a proper PVR records the actual transport stream, rather than re-encoding. If these new Panasonic units do that then they should be excellent machines.

They can do both.

[YellowSphere]

Originally Posted by alsina

They can do both.

Excellent! Are they still doing both Blu-Ray and DVD based models? Pricing for the range? Could be a good competitor for the Foxsat-HDR purely as a PVR before any other capabilities are factored in.

I wonder if they will ever do a freeview/freesat combined Mother-Of-All PVR/DVD-R/BD-Rs? I'm sure a couple of people would be willing to pay a grand and a half for one of those, right?

[alsina]

Initial RRP for the DVD based recorder will be £699 for which you are getting a twin-tuner Freesat PVR and a DVDR with the features list from the current DMREX89 (which has an RRP of £449). The Blu-ray based machines have RRP's of £799 and £999. Apart from the doubling in HDD size from 250GB to 500GB, it is not yet clear what other features the top of the range machine will have. Both will essentially contain a DMPBD60, a DMREX89 and the twin-tuner Freesat PVR.

[MadScientist]

The new Panasonic DMR BS850 has a very similar spec to the BW500 model already released in Australia. The manual for that is here

DMR-BW500 User Manual - Panasonic Australia

This will probably give you a good idea of what features the UK model will have. Looks pretty good to me.

MS

[Stuart Brooks]

Originally Posted by alsina

Initial RRP for the DVD based recorder will be £699 for which you are getting a twin-tuner Freesat PVR and a DVDR with the features list from the current DMREX89 (which has an RRP of £449). The Blu-ray based machines have RRP's of £799 and £999. Apart from the doubling in HDD size from 250GB to 500GB, it is not yet clear what other features the top of the range machine will have. Both will essentially contain a DMPBD60, a DMREX89 and the twin-tuner Freesat PVR.

Yes £200 isn't justified by the difference between 250GB and 500GB drives. Though the figures I heard were £899 and £999.

It is interesting after hearing so many unsatisfactory explanations for the lack of twin tuner DVD recorders including lack of demand to develop a chip etc (e.g. "Indeed a twin tuner DVD recorder seems to be one of the most wanted recording devices over the last few years" according to pvrjunction) that they are finally here, and in HD!

[alsina]

Originally Posted by Stuart Brooks

Yes £200 isn't justified by the difference between 250GB and 500GB drives. Though the figures I heard were £899 and £999.

It is interesting after hearing so many unsatisfactory explanations for the lack of twin tuner DVD recorders including lack of demand to develop a chip etc (e.g. "Indeed a twin tuner DVD recorder seems to be one of the most wanted recording devices over the last few years" according to pvrjunction) that they are finally here, and in HD!

Another reason for the difference of £200 is that the 850 has the analogue audio circuitry and outputs from the DMPBD80 whereas the 750 does not.

The £899 of the 750 was the original RRP, but this has since dropped to £799, presumably to stimulate more sales.