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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.

Now that supply has improved on the Humax FOXSAT-HDR Freesat+ Digital Box prices are starting to drop as major retailers compete in these uncertain times. We came across a deal from Homebase that we thought was worth a mention for all those looking to buy when they are just that bit cheaper!

Homebase, with the helpful use of discount code DISC15 are offering 15% off the PVR until Sunday 22nd March. This brings the price down to £255.35 delivered, a massive saving of £44.04!

Remember this deal is until Sunday, and only available online whilst stocks last, so don’t delay!

Buy online at HOMEBASE for only £255.35 now!

Discount applies to anything else you may want to buy from Homebase too, providing the order value is over £50.

The next closest deal is £273.09 from Dixons using discount code MARCH10. See the Humax FOXSAT-HDR Product Page for more comparisons.

Following on from a PVR conversation we had with Metronic back in January, the launch of their Freesat+ PVR which was expected to be around April is now hoped to launch mid 2009.

Details of the PVR receiver, expected to rival the Humax FOXSAT-HDR are still unknown, but it is believed that Metronic are just waiting on approval from Freesat before commencing with the development.

Kiran Patel, speaking on behalf of Dale Heathcote, MD of Metronic said;

PVR product, as soon as we get a sign –off from Freesat then we can start the project – possibly June/ July launch!

Metronic currently have a single tuner HD digital box (model SATHD100) available, which launched 20th December 2008 through selected retailers and is reporting good sales figures so far.

It would seem judging by the number of major retailers now in stock, that Humax have finally overcome the problematic supply of their flagship FOXSAT-HDR Freesat+ Digital Box.

As a result, you may start to see prices drop, although don’t expect a significant reduction, it’s likely that retailers will be confident of selling the stock they have whilst retaining as much profit as possible.

In case you are still looking to buy, we have a regularly updated FOXSATHDR Product Page which includes prices and discount codes (where available) from the approved Freesat major retailers.

The availability is currently as follows:

Just a quick heads up, Homebase currently have stock of the Freesat+ Humax FOXSAT-HDR available for immediate despatch, just in case you are still after one.

In addition, using discount code DISCOUNT10 either today or tomorrow, you’ll get a further 10% off the price, which brings the total price down to £270.03 including delivery.

Buy online at HOMEBASE for only £270.03 now!

Also, just in case Homebase run out, Argos (the same company!) are showing as stock available too, although without the discount available. You can visit the PVR at on their site here.

Just a quick heads up, Comet have the Humax FOXSAT-HDR showing as available for order online, priced £299.99 with free delivery. As per last time, stock doesn’t last long so get yourself to their site ASAP! Note that not all regions may have stock, it depends on the distribution centre, but a few postcode regions we checked came up as delivery available from next Tuesday.

Buy online at COMET here

This has been mentioned a few times by readers of this site, but at present, with the shortage on Humax PVR’s, it seems to best solution is to pre-order from Maplin, and save some money at the same time.

This is what you need to do:

Step 1 – Visit Maplin and click on the “Subscribe and save up to £25 off your order” in the top right corner.

Step 2 – Register an account and sign up for the newsletter…or sign up for the newsletter only.

Step 3 – Wait a few days for the newsletter to arrive via email, which will include a 20 digit code.

Step 4 – Add the Humax PVR to your basket, but because the £25 discount only applies on £300 orders or more (the PVR is £299.99), add this Radial Electrolytic Capacitors which we believe is the cheapest item at just 0.11p.

Step 5 – Wait for Maplin to process your order, and save yourself £25 (well, £24.89!!!).

Total price: £275.10

Given that obtaining stock is so difficult at the moment, why not at least pre-order and save yourself some money? Maplin have so far been honouring the orders within the time-scale indicated.

For all those looking to purchase a Humax FOXSAT-HDR Freesat+ Digital Box, Comet are now accepting orders online with delivery dates from 27th January 2009. The price has increased to £299.99 plus Free/£5.80 delivery.
Buy online at COMET here

Argos are now showing some stock availability priced at £293.59 plus £5.80 postage. Ignore the stock notice and try to purchase, it worked on a test we did, but might be dependent on your location. (edit – out of stock again!)
Buy from ARGOS online

Alternatively Maplin are showing as having stock available; previously they were just taking pre-orders. Maplin are charging £299.99 also with Free delivery.
Pre-order from MAPLIN here

Freesat must be absolutely furious at the moment, having announced a fantastic 200,000 sales in 8 months since May 2008, it appears that the majority of retailers have no stock of the biggest selling products.

Alba Group have not distributed any Grundig or Goodmans SD/HD boxes since October/November 2008, and with Argos now owning the Bush brand, these are unlikely to be seen for sale anywhere but Argos. We are waiting for confirmation from Alba Group, but it’s been hinted that a 2nd generation box is in development which might mean no supply until February or maybe even March!

There’s no such issue with Humax’s HD Freesat box (FOXSAT-HD), they are still available everywhere, but the PVR version (FOXSAT-HDR) remains in very short supply, with no distribution since before Christmas! Humax have indicated that the PVR’s will be available from the major retailers and independents this week, but not in large volumes, with increased quantities expected from February. We of course will let you know when/where stock becomes available, alternatively visit Maplin who are taking pre-orders with an estimated delivery date of 14 days.

Panasonic’ supply of Freesat IDTV’s seems fine, no major issues on any of their screen sizes. John Lewis have said to a number of potential customers that the 42in Freesat Plasma (TH-42PZ81) has been discontinued. Panasonic have confirmed to us that this is certainly not the case and both the LCD and Plasma’s have all been selling very well.

Hopefully all these shortages are just a blip, a result of Christmas shutdowns etc; using the excuse of the present economic climate shouldn’t be much of a factor given that the large majority of the distributors have firm orders placed, they just can’t get the supply.

Visit our product pages to help you find available stock from the major retailers

Metronic have confirmed that their first Freesat receiver, the high-definition SATHD100 will be available from some major retailers and most independent retailers during January. Maplin are already showing this product as available to buy but we have no news on anyone successfully receiving yet.

In a conversation with Dale Heathcote, Managing Director of Metronic, he said:

Our HD box is arriving in earnest during January, I was hoping for November but we had to wait until we had approval from Freesat and the DTG and as you can appreciate this approval has taken a lot longer than we anticipated as we had to meet all the specified criteria from day one, unlike our competitors where many concessions were given in order to get their boxes released for launch.

The product will be stocked by some major retailers and most definitely the independents.

Dale is expecting to have more news available within the next couple of weeks after some important meetings.

Pricing for the HD was a question we put to Dale; as we’ve mentioned on here a few times that the price point of £150 (decided upon by the retailer, not Metronic) would probably be too high to see good returns given the existing model Alba and Humax versions already established and cheaper. Dale added:

On pricing, it depends on 2 factors, the pricing in the market place for truly competitive product; also the £/$/Euro exchange rates and the anticipated fluctuations, the changes since October have not helped any of us!

Metronic have also confirmed that they are developing a Freesat+ PVR and that it’s due for release hopefully in April 2009. Metronic are hoping to announce the technical specification and ability to record red button ITV HD shortly.

As for the DTR, we are indeed working on a model which I hope to launch in April this year. Specs will be revealed shortly including the issue you refer to.