Toshiba commits to Freeview HD
DVR, TVs incoming
Updated Toshiba is preparing a Freeview HD set-top DVR. TVs with Freeview HD tuners are coming too.
The HDR-5010 digital video recorder will contain a 500GB hard drive and a pair of tuners so you can record one channel while viewing another.
Toshiba's HDR-5010: ready to record terrestrially broadcast HD
Not that you'll be spoiled for channel choice on Freeview HD, of course, with just BBC HD and ITV 1 HD on at the moment, and only Channel 4 confirmed as being due to join them in the near future.
So feed in content from other sources: USB 2.0 - two ports - and an Ethernet jack. For output, the HDR-5010 has one Scart and three HDMI connectors - two output, one input, recording from which isn't supported.
Round the back
The Freeview HD TVs will run from 32in up to 50in.
The Toshiba Regza RV series will be budget LCDs at 32, 37 and 40in screen sizes. They feature Toshiba's Resolution+ upscaling tech and DLNA support.
The pricier SL series add 100Hz motion and four HDMI ports to that list, and feature LED backlighting. SLs will be offered at 32, 40 and 46in screen sizes.
The premium WL line extends from 40in to 50in, and builds on the SL spec with 200Hz motion interpolation.
The player will be launched in June, in time for the World Cup, Fiona Patterson, Toshiba UK's DVD and BD Product Manager told Reg Hardware. We expect the TVs to appear in the same timeframe. ®
Update
Toshiba has just told us that the HDR-5010 will be priced at £350.
COMMENTS
Not a biggie.
My fairly ancient Sharp Aquos has only one digital input (DVI, though it is HDCP compliant). I get around the problem of multiple digital sources by using an HDMI switcher box. They can be had for under 25 quid these days... Works well enough.
@Dick Emery
you cannot see HD on a 24" screen... PC monitors may do this, but that is not a TV!!
- so you either have a giant bedroom, or have £££££££ to spare!
If so, why is 37" not ok???
@AC 10th February 2010 15:38 GMT
'Full HD' is NOT freeviewHD - and neither is that argos TV!!!
Unless it says **freeviewHD**, the only HD it will do is by a HDMI input socket....
Grr!
I just want a cheapy 24" LCD with built in Freeview HD for my bedroom! Why is this so hard?
Get on with it
Get the thing in the shops with a stupid price, realise that Freeview viewers aren't about to spend stupid money on HD any more than they were ready to spend stupid money on anything else, and then just get on with providing decent HD kit at a reasonable price.
I've no patience for the greed of manufacturers whenever anybody says "new format" anymore. The primary reason why it's taken so long to get HD on Freeview is because deep down, nobody really cares about HD on Freeview, least of all most Freeview viewers. Most aren't about to throw out their old kit for a LONG time yet, and the rest certainly aren't going to line up for the early-adopter tax.
