Toshiba HDR5010 Freeview HD recorder
Toshiba have announced that they will launch their first ever Freeview HD Recorder (or DVB-T + HD PVR) to the UK market. The Freeview HD Recorder will be known as the Toshiba HDR5010. With the launch of the Toshiba HDR5010 Freeview HD recorder there are now 5 manufacturers battling it out and trying to dominate the Freeview HD Recorder. Toshiba join 3Viw, Philips, Sagencom and Pace who already have announced their release dates.
The Toshiba HDR5010 Freeview HD recorder comes very well equpiied as you would expect. It has a fairly standard 500 GB hard drive, which will allow up to a maximum of 120 hours recording time of Freeview HD content. The Toshiba HDR5010 Freeview HD recorder also has the all important twin tuner (ie. it has two HD tuners in it) which means that you can watch one channel and record a second channel at the same time. We haven't had a sample product through to test yet but we hope that we will shortly at which point we will be abel to do a more detailed review of the product in trems of build quality and durability.
We have had no word about feratures sucg as the EPG or the Series record link but it is expected that these will be included.
We are finding that interactive connectivity and future upgrades are becoing an increasingly important factor. So looking at the connectivity of the Toshiba HDR5010 Freeview HD recorder we know that it will include 2 x USB ports, an Ethernet port for connecting to your home broadband router, 3x HDMI (two spells) and a single SCART socket. Toshiba have said that the HDR5010 will be in the shops for sale by June 2010 and will retail at around £349.
Second Opinion of the Toshiba HDR5010 Freeview HD recorder
With the slogan "Get ready to watch the World Cup in HD" Toshiba are hoping you will choose the Toshiba has given T3 a sneak peak of its 2010 line-up. It includes a Freeview HD ready PVR and range of Freeview HD high-definition TVs launching in time for England's trip to South Africa.
The HDR 5010 is a twin tuner Freeview+ Digital TV Recorder. Dual tuners enable you to watch one channel while recording another, and the 500Gb hard drive can store 120 hours of HD content. Connections include three HDMIs, scart and two USB port for viewing pictures, playing DIVX files and MP3s. An Ethernet port is for 'digital interactive features.' Retailing at around £350 it will be in stores in June.
Tosh is also introducing three ranges of Freeview HD ready TV sets. At the entry-level end, the Regza RV range are 50Hz LCD panels available in 32, 37 and 40 inches. Stepping up we have the Regza SL Series and the flagship WL Series. Both are Full HD sets featuring LED backlighting, Resolution+ and four HDMI's. They're also Windows 7 Certified, so you can share content to a compatible laptop or computer via DLNA. Active Vision 200Hz processing features on the WL series for fast refresh rates, smooth action and less motion blur.
The SL range is available in April in 32, 40 and 46-inch sizes, while the WL range drops in May and comes in 40, 46 and 55-inch panel sizes. No news on pricing yet.
Freeview HD lauched in the UK last year and currently only limited areas like London (via the Crystal Palace) transmitter can receive the signal, although Freeview claims 50% of the UK will be able to receive the signal by the time the World Cup launches. Unlike Fresat, which uses a satellite signal, you don't need a satellite dish. But to receive it you will need a box or TV supporting DVB-T2 transmissions.