Video on-demand and Apple apps mark
this Freeview+ HD recorder out from the rest but it could be ‘smarter’
The opposition
Samsung STB-E7500
500GB Freeview + HD PVR also with iPlayer
and YouTube. Similarly priced but better app line-up plus media playback and
built-in Wi-Fi
Samsung
STB-E7500
Sony SVR-HDT1000
Another Freeview+ HD PVR available with 1TB
HDD at a similar price. Includes iPlayer and media playback but lacks app
support
Sony
SVR-HDT1000
Hailing from Harvard International which
also produces the Goodmans range of products, this twin tuner Freeview+ HD PVR
comes with a degree of ‘smart’ functionality putting it in competition with
rival products form the likes of Sony and Samsung.
Take it online and you can stream video on
demand/catch-up TV from BBC iPlayer and YouTube, view photos on Flickr and
receive tweets from Twitter. Companion apps for Apple mobiles allow you to
remotely access the box and stream live TV or recordings and display photos
from your mobile on your TV screen.
FreeView+
HD View 21
Twin tuners allow for recording two
channels at once and the model tested has a 500GB hard disc able to store up to
312 hours of standard definition or 125 hours of hi-def TV. A 320GB version is
also available for around $270.
Build and connectivity
Sporting curved edges with silver trimming
along the top and the View21 logo embossed on the lid, the case design bears
cosmetic similarities to Humax’s Free Time box for Freesat. Unlike the Humax,
however, it lacks an LED readout settling instead for a row of buttons and
indicators along the front.
The rear panel sports a UHF loop through,
two Scarts (one an Aux Scart for connecting other kit such as a DVD recorder)
and an optical digital audio output supported by Dolby Digital Plus decoding.
Data ports comprise Ethernet for networking (there’s no Wi-Fi support) and a
USB port received for applying software updates only – no recording exporting
or multimedia playback here.
The
rear panel sports a UHF loop through, two Scarts and an optical digital audio
output supported by Dolby Digital Plus decoding
Setup and basic use
A simple setup wizard searches for channels
and automatically detects network settings while the user interface adds useful
Help prompts.
An 8-day ready EPG echoes the current Sky
Guide in the way it neatly integrates programmer information and the apps
available. A ‘Quick Access Bar’ along the top can be used to sort the guide to
show radio, TV or favorite channel only or grouped according to pre-set genres
including children’s and sport or to jump straight to the recordings library or
apps.
8 days’ worth of data for Freview channels
including synopses can be viewed in three ways (cycled through using eth Guide
button) overlaid over the current broadcast as a three-channel ‘mini-guide’ or
as a grid displaying what’s on seven or eleven channels at a time. You can skip
forward or back 24 hours or in two-hourly chunks, and schedule reminders and
recordings.
PVR and multimedia
Recordings can be set up via the EPG
including automatic series recordings and you’re notified if an HD version is
available and, if clashes occur, whether an alternative showing is scheduled.
Up to two channels can be recorded at once including while playing a recording
at the same time and you can start watching while still in progress.
Recording are accessed in the library where
they can be sorted alphabetically, by date, channel or when scheduled and PIN
locked though it’s a shame folders aren’t supported. Unless instructed
otherwise, the box will delete recordings when space is limited.
You can watch a brief ‘preview’ and enter a
time to start watching from, and fast forward or rewind at 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, 32x
or 64x normal speed. You can also set a buffer either side of recordings to
account for schedule changes, and a time shift/ live pause buffet can be set to
last a maximum of two hours.
Mention of an Apps Portal in the menus
suggests more will follow but of the four currently featured, YouTube and BBC
iPlayer appear in their most up-to-date ‘lean back’ form with HD streaming and
search functionality included.
A
crisp-looking interface slickly integrates programmer information, recording
and apps. Manu transparency can be adjusted to suit
While Flickr allows for open photo
browsing, Twitter lets you read tweets but not send them. Indeed, its presence
seems rather superfluous on a product which aims to attract Apple handheld
users who may prefer to use them instead for social networking.
There are currently two free apps available
from the Apple App store for the iPad and iPhone which allow you to interface
with the View21 box via your home network. With equally slick interfaces, a
Photo app can display images on your TV screen via the box and a Play app can
be used to operate the PVR, browse EPG data, schedule and manage recordings,
including while another channel is being viewed on the TV.
Performance
With 1080p up scaling both high and
standard definition programmers looks crisp and colorful using the HDMI output.
Scart pictures are inevitably softer-looking by comparison but still pass
muster.
Picture quality using the Play App is also
very acceptable though it’s a shame you can’t fast forward when remotely
viewing recordings or stream in HD, not that the latter is that much of an
issue on the diminutive display of an iPhone at least.
Verdict
In all this is a very capable Freeview+ HD
PVR in terms of functionality, usability and performance. However, compared to
some it’s notably lacking in media playback and Wi-Fi support although Apple
fans looking to enjoy some small-screen Freeview viewing around the home will
find the Play app a nice bonus.
Ratings
Plus
§ Reasonably
priced
§ Nice
interface
§ Apple
mobile apps
Minus
§ No
media playback
§ No
HD streaming for Apple mobiles
§ Can’t
tweet with Twitter
§ Build:
8/10
§ Setup:
9/10
§ Searching:
9/10
§ Navigation:
9/10
§ Performance:
8/10
§ Features:
8/10
§ Value:
8/10
§ Overall:
8.2/10
Connectivity
§ UHF
loothrough
§ Ethernet
port
§ TV
Scart
§ USB
port
§ HDMI
out
§ Aux
Scart
§ Optical
digital out
§ 12V
power
|
Specifications
§ Hard
disc size: 500GB
§ Freeview
+ HD: Yes
§ EPG:
8-day
§ Up
scaling: Yes, 1080p
§ BBC
iPlayer: Yes
§ USB
playback: No
§ SD
out: 2 x Scart
§ HD
out: HDMI
§ Audio
out: Optical digital
§ Data
ports: Ethernet, USB
§ Network:
Ethernet
|
