Category: Digital set-top boxes
Film4 HD headed to Virgin Media boxes
Keen not to fall behind the pack of blossoming high-definition channels that keep popping up on Sky+ HD and Freeview HD, Virgin Media have secured the rights to broadcast the new Film4 HD channel, as well as E4 HD. It's…
Sony Bravia range with built-in Freeview HD out this week
This week sees the launch of a new range of Sony Bravia HD TVs, the UK's first to feature an integrated Freeview HD tuner. Rather than having to shell out for a HD compatible set-top box, these HX, NX and…
BT launch new Vision + box
In keeping with the big green trend in electronics right now, BT are re-launching their Vision range of set top boxes, claiming a 12% reduction in power consumption. The new BT Vision + box doesn't just give you Freeview TV…
Sky offer old Sky TV Guide back to visually impaired viewers
The message boards over at our Shiny friends HDTVUK have been alight with readers venting their spleens over the new-look Sky + HD Guide, which completed its nationwide roll-out last week. Many of you have been complaining that the new…
REVIEW: Sagem DTR94 HD Freesat
When it comes to digital TV services, Freesat is a relatively new kid on the block. Launched 18 months ago, it's still seen by many as the poor relation compared to Freeview (digital terrestrial) and Sky (satellite). But all that…
Sagem Freesat+ HD box as John Lewis reports record figures
Sagem has announced the availability of its latest Freesat+ High Definition digital recorders. Available with 250GB or 500GB hard drives, the boxes also boast auto set-up and navigation menus.
Sagem’s Freesat+ digital recorders are available from all major high street retailers including John Lewis, Currys, Comet and Argos. The 250Gb model retails for £250 and the 500Gb model is £300.
Freeview HD begins transmission
Technical trials kick off in Winter Hill and Crystal Palace today.
Remastered Star Trek as CBS comes to Freesat
See Mr Spock and Captain Kirk as they were meant to be seen warts and all as the digitally remastered version of the original Star Trek comes to Freesat. Three new CBS channels are due to launch on Freesat, November 16 – CBS Drama, CBS Reality and CBS Action – replacing Zone Romantica, Zone Reality and Zone Thriller.
Other classic shows on the three channels include Dynasty, Moonlighting and Models Inc. Freesat, the subscription-free satellite TV service offers over 140 channels and free high-definition (HD) programmes from the BBC and ITV. CBS Drama, CBS Reality and CBS Action will be on channels 135, 136 and 137 respectively.
www.freesat.co.uk
The LG HR400 – Blu-ray, Freeview HDD and YouTube all-in-one
LG has announced that the HR400 will be available at the end of this month. The HR400 is a Blu-ray DVD player, a Freeview receiver with recording onto a built-in HDD and it also streams YouTube videos without the need for a PC.
The Blu-ray is 1080p full HD and will also upscale your old DVDs. The Freeview element includes a 160GB HDD.
This really does do the job of two separate boxes and the YouTube feature is just a nice little bonus.
It will cost around £350 – which is fairly cheap considering the functionality. Find out more from LG.
(via T3)
Related posts: LG to launch 15-inch OLED in 2010 | REVIEW: LG 42LH5000 – 200Hz 42-inch LCD TV
Emtec P800 multimedia HDD recorder out for £279
So, you know what it’s called and you know how much it costs but the question is, what exactly is a multimedia HDD box and what can it do for me/you/anyone?
Everything and nothing is the answer. On the surface, it’s an excellent product. It’s small, it’s portable, the 250GB HDD detaches while the flash drive in the main body of the unit will keep on recording regardless. You can connected it via just about any cable you’ve got to whatever kind of screen you like and you can plug in all manner of USBs and SD cards to play off or record onto.
The trouble with the Emtec P800, though, is the detail but, then, that is reflected in the very reasonable price. It’s not perfect yet and they admit it. It doesn’t play as many file types as it should. There’s no support for MP4 and AAC which wipes out a lot of people’s audio and video files in one stroke. The EPG allows you to set recordings of live TV onto whichever disc you like but there’s no series linking possible.
Worst of all, though, is the music dump that is just that. There’s no cataloguing function and the tracks are listed by whatever weird and wonderful names you Kazaad them under back in the day. It’s not the most user friendly box in the world.
On the plus side it offers web radio via Wi-Fi, twin tuners – digital and analogue – and you can even use it to “back up” your DVDs. Nice.
From first inspection, I’d say you’re getting good value for money here but a few pence more might source something that doesn’t bug. At the same time, I fully expect Emtec to get it right in time for the next generation.
Buy it here
