Lanstrom

From :-
Panasonic Freesat PVR planned | PVR Junction


Most of our readers will already be aware that Panasonic are launching a twin HD tuner 500GB PVR with DVD integrated Blu-ray disk recorder in Europe. Due for release starting in France later this month, the DMR-BW500 has been proudly sitting out on display at this summers IFA and IBC exhibitions. Speaking to journlists during the roadshows M2N Michael Friedrich from Panasonic explains the strategy:

In general to launch a HD recorder the requirement for us is that you have enough free to air content. on air, already available. So that the consumer really can record a lot of content in high definition on their recorder. So in France it became clear already very early that high definition content would be available in sufficient quantity from this autumn. This is why we developed the first model in Europe for France mainly.

With high definition channels now starting on freesat, and freeview HD channels from 2009 - the question is when will we see this recorder in the UK:

So in the UK we are in close discussion with freest. The technology is a bit different that’s why can not simply use the France version. In France its based on DVB-T, the UK version will be satellite. But we are in discussions, and will conclude when it will come to UK soon.

Freesat is the new, free, digital satellite television service from the BBC and ITV. Freesat launched on Tuesday 6 May with free digital channels - television, radio, interactive - plus BBC HD and now ITV HD. Freesat’s channel line-up will grow each month, with up to 200 channels on air by the end of the year.

Freesat will be introducing Freesat+ next month - its digital recorder platform - which includes advanced recording features. Humax is providing the first available high definition twin tuner PVR with Freesat+ branding around the same time. Metronics have indicated their intention of providing their Freesat+ recorder already and is due to be released in 2009. As ever, we await the official announcements by Freesat and Panasonic UK over the next few months. Lets hope their discussions are fruitful and Panasonic’s vision of the UK freesat PVR version is not too long a wait.