Digital TV and recording Many consumers have gone straight
“One of the challenges is making consumers aware of the various digital TV recording options on offer. There are hard disk, Blu-ray and DVD recording systems, with standard and high definition recording”
Warren Hampton adds, “There are a variety of digital recording products out on the market. Our set-top boxes have a wide range of functions to ensure we open up a new experience for viewers as they move to digital.” Glenn Zanoni says consumers face the challenge of understanding the options and deciding which one best suits their needs. “We’re seeing continued success across our range of DVD recorders and feel that we’re successfully communicating the benefits of these products to our customers,” he adds. David Preece, Panasonic’s category head home AV, thinks that the industry has done a lot to help educate consumers about the DSO, “There is a lot of information available. In switch-over areas, packs are sent out explaining the different options including recording,” he says.
The main focus of the switchover has been on television sets, set-top boxes and TV aerials, but there are lots of digital recording products on offer. The Humax range, for example, has three Freeview+ models: the PVR-9150T and the PVR- 9300T are standard definition products and the HDR-FOX T2 is a high definition recorder. The Humax FOXSAT-HDR is a Freesat+ HD model. Samsung’s line-up includes the SMT-S7800 Freesat+ HD
Panasonic VieraCast Smart TV platform
PVR and BD-DT7800 Freeview+ HD PVR, which both have 500GB digital storage. LG offers a number of DVD and Blu-ray digital TV recorders, with hard disk capacity including, the RHT498H, RHT497H and DRT389H models. The Samsung BD-DT7800 Freeview+
Samsung BD-DT7800 Freeview HD PVR
from VHS to hard disk recorders, so have hard disk recorder sales overshadowed Blu-ray recorders and DVD recorders? Warren Hampton thinks not, “As these products address different consumer needs, hard disk recorders sales have not overshadowed Blu-ray and DVD recorders so far.” But Graham North notes that, “We are seeing the hard disk market grow as people are moving away from DVD and Blu-ray for recording. Key to this is the trend for recorder products to become part of the home network.” Glenn Zanoni says that, “We’ve seen excellent sales of both hard disk recorders
HD PVR, also includes access to the Samsung Smart Hub, while Sony’s Freeview+ HD SVR-HDT500 is a hard disk recorder that can record up to 300 hours of video. Panasonic Freeview+ HD recorders include the DMR-HW100 hard disc recorder with Viera Connect, the DMR-PWT500 hard disc recorder/ 3D Blu-Ray Player combi, and the DMR- BWT700 and BWT800 Freeview HD Blu- Ray recorders. Toshiba’s offerings include the DR20 DVD Freeview recorder, DVR20 DVD/VHS Freeview recorder, and RVXD60 Freeview+ hard disk, DVD and VHS combi.
and DVD recorders. Each product category has its own set of benefits and we believe there is still room in the market for both.” David Preece says that, “The market for hard disk recorders has outgrown optical disc recorders, but the DVD/BD recorder market is still good business during the digital switchover.”
Added value featues Digital TV also offers additional features, such as HD and catch-up TV, and many consumers are opting for these, says Graham North, “Many Freeview and Freesat consumers are opting for added value features now, and HD is probably the main driver. I believe that demand for catch- up TV will also grow, but it needs to become more user-friendly and offer easier access.” According to Peter Hainsworth, “Consumers are looking for an increased variety of features. Catch-up TV services are now a standard feature across many of our products, including internet enabled Bravia TV's and Blu-ray players.” George Mead says, “We believe that SmartTV is hugely important in driving this trend, allowing people to watch content on demand via services such as BBC iPlayer and YouTube on the big screen.” Philips’ 21:9 Gold, 50-inch LED Freeview HD TV for example, includes YouTube viewing, while Sony’s EX523/EX723 series
18 The Independent Electrical Retailer January 2012
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