Join Freesat

Following on from the disappointing delay of BBC iPlayer onto TechniSat and Harvard receivers, it looks likely that the service will be added over the course of the next week or two.

TechniSat have confirmed a scheduled inclusion on the 25th March 2010 with Harvard Group (Grundig, Bush, Goodmans) and Sagem expected to follow on the 30th March 2010.

Panasonic receivers (DMR-BS850, BS750 and XS350) have an update happening tomorrow (24th March 2010) though we don’t know whether this includes iPlayer; unfortunately we have absolutely no news on Panasonic and LG televisions yet!

Note that iPlayer will only be available on Freesat HD and Freesat+ receivers/idtv’s.

Hopefully all will go according to plan this time

**update 15 Mar 2010**
Amazon have now increased their price by a considerable amount; but Satbuyer are still selling at a very good rate.

The highly rated TechniSat HDFS Freesat HD receiver has seen a massive price drop over the past week which now puts it firmly in contention with the cheaper Humax FOXSAT-HD.

The TechniSat HDFS originally retailed for £199 but recent trade price drops and price matching has meant that this fantastic unit can be picked up brand new for as little as £139.99.

The price difference between the HDFS and FOXSAT-HD is now just £20 and with the TechniSat widely regarded as the best for reliability and picture; plus inclusive of a 3 year manufacturers warranty and USB record facility, the fractional additional cost must surely make this a bargain!!!

Don’t forget iPlayer will be available very soon too!

The TechniSat HDFS can be picked up for just £139.99 inc delivery from Amazon UK…

or £146 inc delivery from Satbuyer.

We have been tipped off that TechniSat will be receiving BBC iPlayer as part of their new software update due for release on the 16th March 2010.

In the same week, and maybe on the same day, Harvard Group is expected to also launch new software to give access to iPlayer, though at this stage we do not know if it will be their entire HD range of Grundig, Bush and Goodmans.

According to What Hifi, Sagem receivers will also have BBC iPlayer on the 15th.

iPlayer is currently available on Humax receivers and Sony IDTV via the red button home page or using page 7001.

The TechniSat HDFS has been awarded ‘group test winner’ in a recent feature review in What Satellite Magazine.

The magazine tested the existing range of Freesat HD single tuner receivers against each other, including the TechniSat HDFS, Humax FOXSAT-HD, Sagem DSI86HD and Metronic SATHD100, with the TechniSat winning by some margin, though not really a surprise to most (we are unsure of the absence of any of the Harvard range – Grundig, Goodmans and Bush).

The final review scores were:

TechniSat 86%
Humax 80%
Metronic 75%
Sagem 69%

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 on from 3 out of 5 stars back in September; What Hi-Fi have been so impressed with the software updates and additional functionality that they have now given it the highest 5 out of 5 honour, ranking it as the best single tuner Freesat HD receiver on the market.

Read the review here

This rating is a credit to the development TechniSat have put in to the device and the unique PVR functionality which despite a current set back with availability, has proven very popular so far. Congrats TechniSat.

The TechniSat HDFS can be currently be picked up for as little as £162 including delivery and 3 years manufacturers warranty; visit our price comparison page for details.

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.

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TechniSat have today announced the launch of the new Freesat high-definition (HD) digital box, equipped with a range of advanced features which will give viewers greater functionality and ease-of-use.

Receiving a Gold Award in a recent review by What Satellite & High Definition magazine, the TechniSat HDFS Freesat digital box comes with an extended feature set which allows the playback of movies, music and pictures from either USB memory sticks, memory cards, or from a PC using the LAN connection or a TechniSat WiFi adaptor (sold separately). The receiver is also eco-friendly, consuming just 0.25 watts in standby mode.

Cementing the partnership TechniSat and Freesat announced earlier this year, Martin Cole, TechniSat’s MD comments

We are very pleased with our relationship with Freesat which has given us the opportunity to create an award winning HD digital box, helping to position TechniSat as a premium UK brand.

Emma Scott, Freesat’s MD, added

With the arrival of their new Freesat box, TechniSat are providing viewers with yet another compelling way to access the range of channels and services available on Freesat.

The HDFS Freesat digital box comes with a three year manufacturer’s guarantee and is available now from some independent, and available within the next week or two from Currys, Comet and Maplin.

We’ll update the TechniSat product page with price comparisons as soon as they are available.

Click to enlarge

We’ve had a number of requests to show an image of the rear connections on the TechniSat HDFS Freesat HD Digital Box; so thanks to John at TechniSat, please find picture of the actual unit below.

Click to enlarge

Rear connections (left to right) of this Freesat receiver include:

- LNB In
- Video Out
- Audio Out (L/R)
- Scart (TV)
- Scart (VCR)
- HDMI
- Coaxial Out
- Optical S/PDIF Out
- LAN
- USB
- Power

Don’t forget this receiver also has a MS/SD/MMC card and Compact Flash reader on the front; plus WiFi capabilities, although a separate device is required for this, costing around £30.