This is the third Sagem PVR we've reviewed in three years and long-term readers could be forgiven for thinking they've seen it all before.
That's because three years on, Sagem has kept its latest batch of Freeview PVRs looking pretty much the same. The 64250 again resembles a folded-up, budget-priced laptop but it has swapped the garish red LED readout for a friendlier amber effort, albeit one that still displays words such as Menu in a tacky way ('MEnu').
Although the PVR lacks operating buttons for those prone to mislaying their remote, it is at least a good deal thinner than many Freeview recorders we've tested and is quiet in operation.
The rear panel keeps things simple with a UHF loopthrough (there's no modulator), two Scarts with RGB and composite out on the TV Scart and S-video and Composite on the VCR Scart and both co-axial and optical audio outputs, but no stereo phonos alternative.
On the right side of the receiver is a USB port which can be used to play back and transfer music and image files from connected devices such as a USB memory stick, but not to transfer recordings from the hard disc to a PC. It can also be used to charge portable devices such as MP3 players.
The slim remote control has an off-the-shelf feel about it and is reliant on similarly sized but easy-to-fathom buttons.
The software has had an overhaul from previous models. Your jump-off point is a quirky central scrolling menu comprising large icons whose function is detailed at the bottom-right of the screen when selected. This takes a getting used to, but there are dedicated buttons for most major menu options on the remote for speedier access.
Up to seven favourites lists of TV and radio channels can be created and there's a picture-in-picture mode to let you view what's on a second channel in the top-right of the screen. The EPG has the selected channel running in the top left-hand with a programme summary and progress bar on the right. Beneath this is scrollable list of nine channels at a time.
Selecting a channel brings up a scrollable list of programmes for the next seven days on the right that can be skipped through on a day-by-day basis.
