Typical price: £160
What is it: A FreeView receiver with dual-tuners and a 40GB hard drive recorder
What we think: Freeview just reached a whole new level. The Thomson DHD4000 has it all -- dual tuners so that you can record and watch different programmes, a stylish outer shell and digital audio connections
Compare the Thomson DHD4000
Thomson DHD4000 compared to other hard drive recorders
 Thomson DHD4000 |
 Panasonic DMR-EX85 |
 Toshiba RD-XS34 |
 Panasonic DMR-EX75 |
|
| Review date | 25 Jan 06 | 20 Nov 06 | 14 May 05 | 21 Jun 06 |
| Editor's rating |
9.0
|
8.6
|
8.3
|
8.3
|
| Price range | £160 | |||
| Review summary | FreeView's service might pale in comparison next to Sky's, but if you're plumping for the free-to-air service, you might as well invest in the Thomson DHD4000. Its only fault is the relatively small hard drive (which can be replaced if you wish), but the ease-of-use, advanced features and classic styling add up to the best device of its kind on the market Read full review |
Panasonic's DMR-EX85 is crammed with more recording and playback features than you can imagine, including an enormous 250GB hard drive, universal disc compatibility and integrated video scaling. The impressive on-paper specification is supported by quality performance in practice Read full review |
Toshiba's previous model, the RD-XS32, set the template for the combined DVD/HDD recorder. Now, with a bigger hard drive and enhanced editing facilities, the RD-XS34 is the power user's recorder of choice. If it had Freeview integrated into the box it would be approaching perfection, but the hard drive size, ease of editing/recording, and image quality mean this should be at the centre of your AV setup Read full review |
Panasonic's DMR-EX75 is a hybrid recorder with an impressive specification and superb functionality. Recordings using either the 160GB hard drive or universal disc formats offer flexible control. And both recording and playback performance is excellent Read full review |
| User rating | ||||
| Full specification | Full specification | Full specification | Full specification |
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