Tag: Freeview

Two new Humax Freeview+ PVR set-top boxes out today

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It’s summer! Or so I have discovered upon leaving Scotland for the weekend! And that means it’s a great time to go outside and not gawp aimlessly at the gogglebox. That’s why you need a PVR – else, who knows, they might change the entire cast of ‘Stenders and you’d never know how it happened. Handily, Humax has just launched two new PVRs with built-in twin Freeview tuners.

(Display Name not set) Home cinema

Freeview rebrands Playback DTRs as Freeview+

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Freeview has announced that its Freeview Playback service will now be called Freeview+. It’s something Chris thought would be a better name back in 2006 when the service launched, because any DVR with the feature does for Freeview what Sky+ does for Sky, or V+ does for Virgin.

According to Freeview’s Director of Marketing Communications, Rob Farmer, there are already over a third of a million Freeview digital TV recorders in UK households, with the market growing 76% each year. Manufacturers include Humax, Goodmans, LG, Sony and Sharp and Tvonics.

Andy Merrett Digital set-top boxes

Four HD channels will arrive in time for the 2012 Olympics, says airwave police Ofcom

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The slow, painful, expensive trek toward free-to-air HD TV channels took another tiny little baby step forward today, with wireless data chiefs Ofcom declaring that we’ll definitely have HD TV through our telly aerials by 2012.

Previously Ofcom and the major broadcasters signed a “non-binding memorandum of understanding” stating that they were all well up for it in principle – now it’s 100% definitely happening. No more massively expensive Sky HD subscription required!

A total of four HD…

Gary Cutlack HDTV

Toshiba launching wide range of new DVD players and combos

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Toshiba has announced ten new DVD models, including five standalone DVD players, three DVD recorders (two with hard drives), and even two with VCRs built-in, for those of you still attached to tape.

Three standard DVD players — the SD-180E, SD-185E, and SD-280E — offer usual functionality you’d expect, including JPEG viewing, DivX playback, and MP3 support.

Taking a step up, the SD-480E and SD-580E offer upscaling of standard DVDs to 1080p high definition, feature HDMI outputs to connect to a suitable TV, and have Toshiba’s REGZA-Link which synchronises compatible equipment using a single remote control unit.

Andy Merrett Home cinema

Top Up TV+ DTR now available with 250GB hard drive

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The Top Up TV+ digital TV recorder (DTR) isn’t a new concept — we were talking about it last year and it’s been on the cards since late 2006 — but now Top Up TV has announced a 250GB version, meaning even more space to record Freeview programmes.

By now, I’m assuming everyone knows what the main features of a DTR are (if not, go back to that last article and read). Suffice it to say that this model does all the things you’d expect a dual-tuner Freeview DTR to do. It also continues to give you access to the PictureBox service for £5 a month, offering a choice of seven blockbuster movies each day, plus the usual benefits of the Top Up TV service.

Andy Merrett Digital set-top boxes, Personal video players