TVonics DTR-Z500HD user reviews

Tennytack 4 January 2012

Good: Good build quality and features now including BBCiplayer function and potential for further Internet TV upgrades

Bad: No current browser available through network connection

Comment: After reviewing the market this unit offers great value for those without a freeview HD tuner on their current TV or upgrading from analogue viewing. It is a brilliant high capacity Digital Recorder with a small footprint and has a range of features such as picture in picture and a nifty library search and file system. Since December 2011 the firmware now provides for an easy Ethernet LAN connection or USB dongle connection to your wireless network that accesses the BBC iplayer service and hopefully in future all other free TV catch up services. Dongle will need a USB extender to fit into slot on back if all HDMI sockets are populated so if you have a handy LAN cable it is an easy fit. With a few upgrades to extend the network capability this will be a 5 star item as it offers an alternative to many who currently have a HD ready TV and do not want to pay monthly fees for digital TV services. The HDMI pass through facility to connect up two additional boxes and access them through the remote is great for both ease of use and for those with current TV's with only limited HDMI connections and removes the need for any additional hub to extend this preferred connection. Picture quality on HD is excellent and on SD appears to be as good as my current SD DTV tuner fitted to my Toshiba TV which was highly rated by independent reviews so all in all TVonics delivers great service.