The Panasonic DMR-XW380 is one of the first Freeview+ HD recorder to come with built in DVD recorder.
Looking for a World Cup recorder? With the exceptions of set-top boxes from Icecrypt, Humax and i-Can, the first batch of Freeview HD kit has consisted of simple receivers, with almost no advanced features.
So step forward Panasonic, which along with Digital Stream has launched the first Freeview+ HD recorders in the UK. Panasonic, which already puts both Freeview HD and Freesat HD tuners into its current batch of flat-panel TVs, is launching a bevy of hi-def recorders at the moment. Unbelievably the feature-rich DMR-XW380 is its most basic.
This DVD-cum-Freeview+HD recorder is up against some strong competition from within the Panasonic stable of 'Diga' digital recorders, where you'll also find Freesat HD models and two Blu-ray recorders, but it still constitutes a high-end – and to our mind, unique – way to interact with the new Freeview HD broadcasts.
Features
The DMR-XW380 has two Freeview HD tuners and a 250GB hard disk, enabling recordings to be made that can then be archived to DVD. Around 255 hours of standard definition recordings can be made, or roughly 65 hours of HD programming, though the latter can't be archived to a DVD in hi-def, of course.
Cue those top-spec Blu-ray models, though the DMR-XW380 does boast extras such as the pausing and rewinding of live TV and digital media-savvy SD card and USB slots. If you've got a Windows 7 PC or laptop it's even possible to remotely watch JPEG pictures and recordings (though not MP3s) stored on the DMR-XW380 via a broadband home network.
Although it's compatible with Dolby Digital Plus, this audio compressed audio codec isn't yet broadcast on Freeview HD. Of more interest is the DMR-XW380's ability to create Dolby Digital 5.1 and send it to a home cinema via its optical audio output for surround sound.
Your comments (4) Click to add a new comment
robin_hoods
March 2nd 2011
4. I am disappointed that you cant directly record to a DVD disc using the timer.
You have to record to the HDD then copy to the DVD disc????
Why cant you record directly to the DVD disc while using the timer??
I have another Panasonic HDD DVD recorder and you can record directly to both the HDD and DVD disc while using the timer.
Ok so its not a twin channel recorder but if Panasoinc can do a recorder to do both why did they not do it with this model????
Alert a moderator
xmb
June 14th 2010
3. From the Panasonic user manual....
"Sound of HE-AAC audio type is output as PCM signal regardless of settings."
Since you can only output 2 channel sound via the S/PDIF connection (optical connector) only stereo is available via this route! Only the HDMI connection supports more than 2 channels and is therefore the only output that supports 5.1 from the Freeview HD channels!
Freeview HD is a real let down in the UK as those who would enjoy the HD pictures expected HD (surround) sound to go with them.
Alert a moderator
xmb
June 14th 2010
2. The review states that this unit supports "Dolby Digital Plus" and goes on to say "this is not used in the UK". Then it says the "unit will output 5.1 surround from the optical connector". Well this may be true for DVD playback but not for Freeview HD surround sound!
I am sure, like all the other Panasonic models in this range, the Freeview HD HE-AAC 5.1 sound can only be output from the HDMI connector, and then only as a multi channel PCM bitstream! (Not Dolby Digital AC3.)
During testing it should be ensured this known problem with 5.1 sound is thoroughly tested, as it is a big issue in the UK since we adopted HE-AAC rather than DD or DD+.
Alert a moderator
slurmslurper
June 14th 2010
1. I don't really understand why HD can't be written to a DVD, after all you can burn AVCHD HD camcorder footage to a DVD, which will play in most Blu-Ray players.
It also seems a bit pricey for what it is. It'd have to be £100-200 cheaper for me to consider it, especially given that Canvas/YouView is looming on the horizon.
Alert a moderator
Tell us what you think
You need to Log in or register to post comments