An HD revamp of the twin-DVB-S2-tunered Digicorder S2, the HD-S2x has already been available (as the HD-S2) for some time in Germany.

Unfortunately, the HDD is the same 160GB as the S2's. Given the greediness of HD recordings, we would have expected bigger. That said, a 500GB version is available for extra outlay.

Build and connectivity

One cannot fault the contemporary and surprisingly compact styling of the S2x, which wouldn't look amiss next to – say – a Loewe TV. Function follows form with a control disc that facilitates basic timeshifting, soundtrack/subtitle and last-channel selection, as well as the usual channel-change, volume and standby.

They're augmented by a multi-function fluorescent display that, among other things, lists the name of the currently selected channel. The lower half of the front panel swings downwards to reveal the USB port, card readers for built-in Conax CAM and CI slots. You can swap the supplied hard disc for your own 3.5in SATA drives too.

The new model adds Ethernet capabilities, which enable the timer to be remotely scheduled via the internet, and recordings to be transferred to a PC. Multimedia files can fly the other way, thereby allowing you to make the most of the onboard media player (or you can transfer via the USB port).

RearTWIN LNB: Along with twin LNBs, the rear panel has everything you would expect

Also on the rear panel (above) are the two LNB inputs that are configured in the setup menus, and support the SatCR and DisiCon type of single cable router LNB to feed both tuners.

Unfortunately, there's no UHF modulator or aerial connectivity. The component and HDMI will go from 576i to 1080i, and if you have a DVD recorder the RGB Scart output can be active at the same time as the HD outputs.

Setup

The S2x is ready for motorised dishes, courtesy of DiSEqC 1.2/USALS. Initial setup – the parameters of which include language, location, display format or whether you're using one or both LNB inputs – is conducted by a wizard. The options here are comprehensive – the LNBs that can be connected include single LO, C-band, and single cable routing (SatCR and DisiCon).

Unfortunately, you can't have two dishes aimed at different satellites, unless they're fitted with twin (or quattro) LNBs – and under those circumstances you'll need DiSEqC switchboxes to make sure the inputs are always from the same satellite.

The most flexible solution is to use a DiSEqC motorised dish with a twin LNB – our review configuration. The procedure to get this receiver to work with a DiSEqC rotor is quite unusual: you have to choose 'motorised' from the list of available satellites, then work your way through the satellites and enable the ones you can receive.

SetupSEARCHING: You can search individually or with an auto-search to allow for transit times

Instead of using a manual 'step' mode to set the precise sat positions, the excellent 'auto-focus' system peaks the dish for maximum signal strength. It's then a matter of searching the satellites, either individually or with a global search that automatically visits each in turn; sensibly, this allows for transit times between satellite positions.

In 'auto' search mode, you can choose all services, or just the free-to-air ones. Also provided are transponder and manual searches, with PIDs for individual channels if desired. You can also specify modulation type, though some reason you can choose FEC for DVB-S2, but not DVB-S. Most obviously missing is a blind search option for adding new transponders without downloading a new database.