Recommend HDD recorder/ blue Ray for new Panasonic TV

onthemend · 08-01-2009, 12:26

Hi

we've recently bought a 42" Panasonic TV with Freesat built in.

Now looking for a suitable HDD recorder & blue Ray DVD, do I go with Panasonic models to match Tv. Not interested in SKY.

It appears I can't get a combined Blue Ray & HDD unit or can I?

Also is a standard HDMI cable OK to link the units (all would be within 1 metre)

sancheeez · 08-01-2009, 12:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by onthemend

It appears I can't get a combined Blue Ray & HDD unit or can I?

You can get Blu-ray recorders if you import from Japan but I'm not sure if they're disc only or HDD ones and they'll cost you an arm and a leg at the moment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by onthemend

Also is a standard HDMI cable OK to link the units (all would be within 1 metre)

Yes. £5 cables from the likes of Amazon/Ebuyer are fine. You DO NOT need to spend a fortune on some vastly overpriced Monster one or something.

The Sony blu-ray player at around £150 (can't remember the model number) is generally regarded as quite a good buy at the moment.

No idea about recorders ..... never needed one since we got Sky+ and then Sky HD+ ....

bobcar · 08-01-2009, 13:41

I would suggest you consider a Freesat or Freeview PVR rather than an HDD DVD recorder unless you want to do a lot of archiving. Whatever you do don't consider recording off the Freesat receiver in the TV.

The Freeview PVRs are a lot cheaper so go with one of those if you can.

tomconti · 08-01-2009, 20:46

As posted above- a HDD/DVDR is only needed if you intend to burn any recordings to dvd - if you get a Bluray player you can play discs on that.

If you want to archive I would recommend a Pioneer HDD/DVDR although Panasonic come close second - of course both have only one Freeview tuner

If you dont intend to burn discs then the Humax 9200 Freeview recorder will do all you need and more and it has 2 tuners

I would also recommend a Panasonic Bluray player as this will ensure you have no problems with auto switching on Bluray.

I recently got a multiregion Panasonic BD30 from Multiregion Magic for £269- its MR for both DVD and BD so it will play every disc you throw at it.

Not sure if the current Humax upgrade has an HDMI output (my 2 year old one does not) but if it has - do you have 2 HDMI inputs on the tv?

If not then you will need an HDMI switcher .
I got the Thor model for £30 which is basically just a short lead with 2 sockets at one end to input leads and an HDMI connector at the other end to go to the tv- its sure as hell tidier than messing about with multi input boxes that require a power supply.

08-01-2009, 12:26	#1
onthemend Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2	Recommend HDD recorder/ blue Ray for new Panasonic TV Hi we've recently bought a 42" Panasonic TV with Freesat built in. Now looking for a suitable HDD recorder & blue Ray DVD, do I go with Panasonic models to match Tv. Not interested in SKY. It appears I can't get a combined Blue Ray & HDD unit or can I? Also is a standard HDMI cable OK to link the units (all would be within 1 metre)

08-01-2009, 12:34	#2
sancheeez Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,762	Quote: Originally Posted by onthemend It appears I can't get a combined Blue Ray & HDD unit or can I? You can get Blu-ray recorders if you import from Japan but I'm not sure if they're disc only or HDD ones and they'll cost you an arm and a leg at the moment. Quote: Originally Posted by onthemend Also is a standard HDMI cable OK to link the units (all would be within 1 metre) Yes. £5 cables from the likes of Amazon/Ebuyer are fine. You DO NOT need to spend a fortune on some vastly overpriced Monster one or something. The Sony blu-ray player at around £150 (can't remember the model number) is generally regarded as quite a good buy at the moment. No idea about recorders ..... never needed one since we got Sky+ and then Sky HD+ ....

08-01-2009, 13:41	#3
bobcar Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 14,718	I would suggest you consider a Freesat or Freeview PVR rather than an HDD DVD recorder unless you want to do a lot of archiving. Whatever you do don't consider recording off the Freesat receiver in the TV. The Freeview PVRs are a lot cheaper so go with one of those if you can.

08-01-2009, 20:46	#4
tomconti Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southern England Posts: 1,114	As posted above- a HDD/DVDR is only needed if you intend to burn any recordings to dvd - if you get a Bluray player you can play discs on that. If you want to archive I would recommend a Pioneer HDD/DVDR although Panasonic come close second - of course both have only one Freeview tuner If you dont intend to burn discs then the Humax 9200 Freeview recorder will do all you need and more and it has 2 tuners I would also recommend a Panasonic Bluray player as this will ensure you have no problems with auto switching on Bluray. I recently got a multiregion Panasonic BD30 from Multiregion Magic for £269- its MR for both DVD and BD so it will play every disc you throw at it. Not sure if the current Humax upgrade has an HDMI output (my 2 year old one does not) but if it has - do you have 2 HDMI inputs on the tv? If not then you will need an HDMI switcher . I got the Thor model for £30 which is basically just a short lead with 2 sockets at one end to input leads and an HDMI connector at the other end to go to the tv- its sure as hell tidier than messing about with multi input boxes that require a power supply.

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Recommend HDD recorder/ blue Ray for new Panasonic TV