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Following a brief absence of the latest software from TechniSat including the PVR functionality, we are pleased to confirm that it will return Wednesday 9th December (downloadable from website) followed by an OTA version on Monday 14th December.

An official statement from TechniSat has been sent to us to confirm;

TechniSat would like to announce the latest revision of a software update that allows recording of TV programmes to an external hard disk drive from the TechniSat HDFS. Software version 1364c will be on air for automatic download and update from Monday 14th December – however, from Wednesday 9th December, it can be downloaded from www.technisat.co.uk and updated manually.

After the update, the HDFS is ready to record, pause live TV and timeshift with the addition of an external hard disk drive connected to one of the USB ports. A user guide detailing the new functionality is available from www.technisat.co.uk.

Following the announce that TechniSat HDFS customers would soon benefit from PVR record functionality, we thought we’d just let you know that the software is due for release on or around the 4th November 2009 and TechniSat have released the PDF instructions on their website.

TechniSat HDFS Satellite HD Digital Receiver USB Recorder Instructions

The software should automatically be downloaded to your receiver when released…without hopefully the muck up encountered by Harvard International receivers!

The TechniSat HDFS is available from a number of retailers, visit our product comparison page for details.

TechniSat have confirmed that through a software update, you’ll be able to record directly to any USB storage device via the existing TechniSat HDFS Freesat receiver.

It will be possible to record both standard and high-definition programmes, though broadcaster restrictions mean that you’ll only be able to playback on that specific receiver. Some broadcasters like ITV HD flag their programmes so you’ll not be able to record them at all.

The new feature will enable you to record the channel you are on, or record one whilst playing back another; you’ll not be able to record two channels at a time as the TechniSat HDFS is only a single tuner unit. Time-shift and pausing live TV will be available.

All this will be possible via the existing remote controls coloured buttons, and you’ll be able to manually record and schedule recordings using the existing Freesat EPG / TV Guide.

The software update will be sent over-the-air to all TechniSat HDFS receivers at the end of October.

Not exactly breaking news but an image of the Grundig Freesat+ PVR 500GB Receiver has been released.

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We are still waiting on news regarding its release date and who will be selling (we know Maplins will).

Image courtesy of Ahmad (Aky705).

Edit (03-Aug-09): Price increased to £244 now they have stock!

Dixons have today reduced the price of the Humax FOXSAT-HDR PVR receiver to £234 including delivery, a new low for the product; so if you were still considering a purchase, this further price reduction might just be enough for you to consider buying this great product.

Visit Dixons £234 Humax Freesat+ PVR Offer

The cheapest 2 year warranty deal on the Humax FOXSAT-HDR remains at £254 including delivery, see the product page for more price comparisons.

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Sagem, a digital satellite box manufacturer, are said to be launching a range of Freesat digital boxes over the coming days and weeks. The range includes a DSI86HD Freesat HD digital box including HDMI output and a USB port believed to be available for accessing your home pictures etc, although not for recording content to. The box is expected to retail very soon through major and independent retailers for around £130.

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In addition, Sagem will launch their own range of Freesat+ PVR’s, the DTR94250S will have a 250GB hard drive and the DTR94500S will sport a 500GB hard drive, similar in spec to the Harvard range and made to a similar quality; although the prices are expected to range from £250 for the 250GB model, to £300 for the 500GB version.

Argos currently have all three units displayed on their website:

Sagem DSI86HD Freesat HD Digital Box
Sagem DTR94250S Freesat+ PVR (250GB)
Sagem DTR94500S Freesat+ PVR (500GB)

Freesat’s official statement says;

Freesat is pleased to confirm the imminent launch of several new Freesat products. Sagem and Harvard are both developing new Freesat HD digital boxes and Freesat+ HD digital recorders that when available in the coming months, will increase the range of great value and high quality Freesat receivers on offer.

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Harvard PLC have finally confirmed the launch of their new range of Freesat+ PVR’s, to compete against the Humax FOXSAT-HDR which has been available for almost one year uncontested.

The initial models to launch will be the Goodmans GFSDTR320HD offering a 320GB hard drive to match the Humax; and the Goodmans GFSDTR500HD with a much needed larger 500GB hard drive for those who constant run out of space recording standard and high-definition programmes.

Information on these models is presently limited, but prices are expected to range from £300 to £350 depending on hard drive size. These prices are an RRP so expect lower, as Harvard PLC (also known previously as Alba Group) actively reduce trade prices where ever possible; whilst Humax generally retain an unmoveable trade valuation.

There is also expected to be like-for-like versions with the Grundig and Bush name too, with matching specifications.

Argos currently have both units displayed on their website:

Goodmans GFSDTR320HD Freesat+ PVR (320GB)
Goodmans GFSDTR500HD Freesat+ PVR (500GB)

Home Cinema Choice have today announced the Humax FOXSAT-HDR Freesat+ PVR Digital Box as the “Best Digital Recorder” in their 2009 awards in association with DTS.

Humax can take pride in fending off stiff competition from the Panasonic DMR-EX98V, Sagem DTR 6416DT and Sony RDR-HXD995; although having the in-built Freesat EPG may have been significantly important in obtaining this excellent result.

You can read more about this award and many others announced on the Home Cinema Choice website.

Following on from our announcement back in March that Metronic were developing a PVR for launch around mid-2009, we have now been informed that delays will force the launch date to be pushed back to the end of the year at the earliest.

Metronic, who had already done the initial ground work for the development of the PVR are disappointed that approval from Freesat has not happened, due to reasons undisclosed, but hope to revisit approval in around 4 months time.

In the meantime Humax remain the only manufacturer with a PVR on the market, with Panasonic expected to launch their Blu-Ray/DVD versions in June. No further news has come from Alba Group on their rumoured Freesat recorder; nor TechniSat who are expecting to launch a single tuner HD receiver towards the end of this month after their final DTG testing is completed.

Following on from the announcement we made back in February that Panasonic were to launch a range of Blu-Ray HDD PVR’s, we now have more news available following their demo at Panasonic UK in Bracknell on Tuesday.

The three models available will launch 20 June 2009 and include two Blu-Ray models (DMR-BS850 and DMR-BS750) and one DVD-R model (DMR-X350). The premium DMR-BS850 will include a 500GB HDD with an initial rrp of £999. The DMR-BS750 with the smaller 250GB HDD will come in at £899. The final base range model, the DMR-X350 is fitted with a DVD recorder instead of Blu-Ray, plus 250GB HDD for £699. These prices certainly suggest the products are being aimed at the enthusiast side of the market, although expect prices to drop after a couple of months.

All three units come with Freesat twin tuners allowing you with the aid of two cables from your satellite dish the ability to record two channels whilst playing back a previously recorded programme; or alternatively recording two channels whilst watching a Blu-Ray/DVD.

The Freesat EPG allows for single programme and series link recording, plus ’split’ recording for those pesky occasions where films are broken into two parts usually by the news. As with the Humax FOXSAT-HDR, this software is also capable of giving you the option of SD or HD recording should that programme be available in both.

Each PVR comes compatible with Viera Cast, Panasonic’s proprietary internet portal that’s standard across its entire 2009 Blu-Ray range and many of its latest televisions.

The two Blu-Ray models have on-board decoders for Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD Master Audio, and the premium DMR-BS850 gets upgraded audio components such as a better quality DAC and gold-plated terminals.

Coming complete with an SD card slot and 2 x USB connections, the digital receivers will also allow Panasonic camcorder users the option of saving their AVCHD files to the hard drive. Similarly you’ll be able to store music (with Gracenote support) and images from your digital camera (JPEG format).

On the same subject, there is also a built-in music jukebox with 350,000 album and song titles pre-installed from the Gracenote database. This can be updated via the web using the recorder’s Ethernet connection. The Ethernet port will also be iPlayer compatible when it launched in the Autumn.

There will be five quality modes available when recording to the HDD or a Blu-Ray disc; these are DR (14mbps), HG (12mbps), HX (8mbps), HE (5mbps) and the lowest quality HL (4mbps). In the highest quality DR mode you can store 77 hours of high-definition content on the 500GB HDD, 37.5 hours on the 250GB HDD and 7.5 hours on a blank 50GB dual-sided Blu-ray disc. Switch to the lowest quality HL mode and you’ll get 240 hours on the 500GB HDD, 120 hours on the 250GB HDD and 24 hours on a 50GB Blu-ray disc.

Both Blu-Ray versions come complete with 6x BD-R capability, allowing fast copying to disc. The units will be 50GB compatible with 100GB Blu-Ray discs expected in 2010.

The one sticking point is the copy protection flags available for broadcasters, allowing them to select the type of recording available on their programmes; such as unlimited recording, once or never. Whilst you’ll of course be able to record to the HDD, transferring to Blu-Ray may not be possible; it would depend on the broadcaster.

More information on these new Freesat PVR’s can be found on Panasonic’s HD Everything page.