Digital Video Recorder - DVR

TVonics DTR-Z500 Freeview DVR

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:34:11 GMT

Stylish looking and packed with storage space, the TVonics DTR-Z500 is bursting with features that make this affordable digital video recorder a candidate for anyone’s home cinema line up.

TVonics DTR-Z500 500GB Freeview Digital TV RecorderFrom: £159.99

Pros

Twin tuner
7/8 day EPG
2 scart sockets
500GB hard drive
Series record
Automatic recording conflict resolution
Only 1.5W energy consumption in standby
Great picture quality

Cons

No HDMI output

Although the DTR-Z500 boasts an impressive 500GB of storage (about 250 hours – more than ten days!) and a great set of features it is sadly lacking in the area of high definition output. Whereas a number of the DVRs in the same price bracket support HDMI output for your HD television, generally along with software upscaling, it is the only feature missing from this otherwise superb recorder.

TVonics DTR-Z500 in Conclusion

A great looking digital video recorder with a great set of features and even green credentials. However the lack of a HDMI output is a real failing for an otherwise great machine.

If you have an older non high definition television set, or the screen size is below 32 inches, then the DTR-Z500 is a great buy, particularly if bought from John Lewis where you will get an extra years warranty for free. However if you have a large high definition TV, I would recommend the Humax PVR9300 which costs around the same and offers many of the same features but has that all important HDMI output.

Sony RDR-HXD790 in review

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:27:06 GMT

Feature packed and incredibly capable are just a few of the words to describe the Sony RDR-HXD790. In true Sony style, the RDR-HXD790 supports a plethora of features including full 1080p upscaling.

Sony RDRHXD790B 120GB Hard Disk Drive DVD Recorder with 1080p upscaling and Freeview+From: £289.00

Pros

Twin tuner
1080p upscaling
7 day EPG
HDMI output, plus 2 scart sockets
DVD recorder supporting all DVD formats
DIVX playback support
Photo slide show
BRAVIA sync

Cons

Only one digital tuner (one analogue)
Only 120 GB hard drive
The manual could be clearer

RDR-HXD790 in Conclusion

The RDR-HXD790 provides all the features you would expect from a Digital Video Recorder and then some, the addition of the DVD recorder and HDMI output with 1080p upscaling make this a truly superb choice. Although the system boasts dual tuners, one of them is analogue meaning that you can’t always watch the programme you want and record something else at the same time. However if you just want to be able to record programmes when you’re out, or pause live television then the RDR-HXD790 is perfect for the job.

Stop Press

At the time of writing Argos have just dropped their price for the RDR-HXD790, currently offering £60 off the previous price. At this new price, under £200, the RDR-HXD790 represents fantastic value for money.

Can I buy a DVR without a subscription

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:26:05 GMT

Of course! All the digital video recorders featured on this site are available for use in the UK without any form of subscription. Depending upon the type of recorder you choose, it will use either the digital terrestrial freeview service, or the similar free satellite based service – freesat.

With freeview you may need a new aerial installing if you cannot receive freeview television already, or a satellite dish installing for freesat if you don’t currently have one. Once you can receive the signals there are no monthly subscriptions, just free to view television that you can pause, rewind and enjoy until your heart’s content.

In addition to the free programming, some systems will support an optional top card to allow you to pay for premium content.

Why are Freesat DVRs more expensive?

Unlike freeview, certain freesat channels are available in High Definition (HD) . These high definition channels require more powerful technology and use more hard drive space when recording. As a result, many HD freesat digital video recorders support blu-ray playback due to the similar technology requirements.

Can I really have all the functionality of Sky+ without subscription?

Yes, of course. Sky+ is just a digital video recorder like all of the products on this website, sharing the same time-shifting benefits. The only difference between the systems is that the Sky box is required for viewing Sky’s channels.

Thomson DTI6021-25 A Digital Video Recorder for Under £100?

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:07:32 GMT

Yes that’s right, at the time of writing, the Thomson DTI6021-25 is available for under £100 delivered to you door. Could this be the product that launches digital video recorders into the mainstream? Although not the most beautiful DVR, or even the most fully featured it provides all of the features required of an entry level digital video recorder at an unbelievable price.

Thomson DTI6021-25 Top Up TV+ 250GB Digital TV RecorderFrom: £99.99

Pros

Twin tuner
Top-up TV compatible
250 GB hard drive
7 day EPG
RCA audio out
RGB scart socket

Cons

No upscaling / HDMI output
Not the prettiest DVR on the market
Significant power usage in standby
Lack of other connectors such as USB, DV etc
Reports of crashes

DTI6021-25 in Conclusion

The DTI6021-25 provides all the features you would expect from an entry level digital video recorder, such as pausing live TV, time shifting and advanced scheduled recording. However, serious enthusiasts with large screens may want to consider a player that offers HDMI output and native upscaling.

There have been many reports of the DTI6021-25 crashing which can usually be fixed simply by unplugging the power for 10 seconds; however Thomson’s DVRs were blighted when an over the air freeview update turned out to be incompatible with their products earlier this year. Consequently the DTI6021-25 may be a good purchase for a techincally minded person who doesn't mind tinkering with their consumer electronics. If you want a device that just works, you may want to look at another DVR.

Guide to Choosing a Digital Video Recorder (DVR)

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:22:35 GMT

If you have never owned a digital video recorder before, choosing your first DVR can be a daunting task. Or maybe you have owned a Sky+ or similar device but you have never had to think about the features you might want or need.

The first thing to think about is how you are going to receive your television channels.

Freesat

Freesat is a relatively new offering from a sister company to freeview which provides free satellite broadcast channels with no subscription required. A satellite dish is required for freesat and will need to be budgeted for if you do not have one already.

Freeview

Freeview is the digital television broadcast system that is in current use across the UK and will have completely replaced the old analogue signals entirely by 2012. If you can already receive freeview through your current aerial then no further equipment will be needed.

Most people can already receive freeview channels and is likely to be the choice for the vast majority. However freesat does have a number of advantages, primarily that it carries HD channels. Although freeview HD will be arriving late in 2009 to some areas there are no available freeview HD digital video recorders on the market currently.

DVD Player / DVD Recorder

Convergence is an oft used term in consumer electronics, namely the practise of making a single product that performs many roles. The iPhone is an example, taking an mp3 player and adding mobile telephone functionality. If you don’t have a DVD player, or yours is a little long in the tooth and doesn’t support up-scaling then a combined DVR and DVD player could be the answer. Similarly if you would like a DVD recorder or would like the ability to transfer recording made on your digital video recorder to a DVD for later viewing, or viewing in another room then a DVR with a built in DVD recorder is likely to save you money.

Blu-ray

Although the number of DVR’s integrating a blu-ray player is limited, in the future I expect to see them more common place. With backwards compatibility with DVD’s a DVR with blu-ray functionality makes perfect sense for the high definition film buff.

Twin Tuner

To get the best from a digital video recorder I would recommend one with at two tuners. This will allow you to record one channel while watching another, or record two programmes at once while watching a previous recording. However if you are unlikely to need to record more than one thing at a time and your television has a built in tuner you can manage without a twin tuner.

Up-scaling

If you own a high definition television set, it is worthwhile looking for digital video recorders that are capable of up-scaling. Up-scaling is the process of taking a standard definition television programme and using computational techniques to enlarge the image. Although many HD televisions can up-scale, the results from up-scaling digital video recorders and DVD players are frequently superior.

High Definition

At the time of writing no terrestrial digital (freeview) recorders are available as HD freeview broadcasts have yet to start and apparently there is still some discussion ongoing about the specific implementation details. If you are a freesat user, there are a range of HD capable digital video recorders, many of which feature integrated blu-ray players.

Hard Disc Capacity

The size of the in-built hard drive governs the number of recordings your digital video recorder can hold before you have to start deleting things. Although recordings will vary in size depending upon which channel the programme was recorded from, a rule of thumb is that you can store roughly half the number of hours of recordings as the hard disc size in GB. For instance a DVR with a 320GB hard disc should store around 160 hours of programmes. The size you look for will depend on the amount of television you watch and how much recording you intend to do, but for most people 320GB should give you plenty of space.

What is a Digital Video Recorder?

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:57:03 GMT

A digital video recorder (DVR) or personal video recorder (PVR) is a piece of equipment that uses digital technology to record and time-shift television programmes. By recording programmes to a hard disc drive you are able to choose any programme to watch without having to find the right tape and then fast forwarding until the programme is finally found as was common with video tapes.

Where did they come from?

The first digital video recorders in use were almost certainly PC used by computer enthusiasts to record television programmes directly to hard disc for later viewing. Since that first idea, computer software and hardware has improved, leading to a number of commercial DVR software solutions for general purpose computers.

The early years

Initially computers were not powerful enough to allow many of the features we take for granted when considering a digital video recorder. For instance many early PC based system were unable to record a programme while playing back another, or record two programmes at once. As the technology improved, so the features of DVR systems improved and people found new ways to watch television.

Time shifting

The whole reason for the invention of the video tape recorder was for time shifting, the ability to watch a programme originally shown at one time at another time. Digital video recorders take this to another level by allowing the user to record a programme but start watching it before it has finished. Many seasoned DVR users will start watching a programme a while after the broadcast begins, to allow fast forwarding through the commercial breaks.

Current technology

Most digital video recorders on the market have 2 or more tuners, allowing them to record two programmes at once, or allow watching TV at the same time as recording a programme. Similarly the software has vastly improved if you want to make your own DVR. With Windows Media Centre for Windows and MythTV for Linux, you can convert your PC into a complete entertainment system, sporting all of the features of a top of the range personal video recorder.
If however, you want a system that just works; a digital video recorder is the obvious and inexpensive option.