Panasonic DMR-HW100 review

We had no problems using the system thanks to a sensibly laid out remote control. All the critical buttons are within easy reach, which makes it easy to browse through the very basic menu system – there are very few options to control audio or image quality.

Thanks to the PVR’s twin HDTV tuners, we could record two high definition channels at once. When recording two channels you’re limited to watching those two channels, but you can also record one channel while watching whatever other channel you want. You can also play back pre-recorded programmes no matter what the current recording configuration. Pausing live TV and time shift playback worked smoothly, and although there’s currently no way to test it, Panasonic say the HW100 is ready to record 3D content when it finally makes its way to Freeview.

You’ll have to stop all recording to access Viera Cast internet services, but considering how limited these services are, we doubt this will be a major concern. Streaming video from YouTube and Daily Motion, movie rentals from AceTrax, news, weather and social network access to Twitter are the highlights, but there’s no catch-up TV such as iPlayer or a web browser. It does support Panasonic’s Skype camera, but again this is something you’ll have to buy separately (part code TY-CC10W, £129 from www.amazon.co.uk).

At £270, the DMR-HW100 is relatively inexpensive for a dual-tuner Freeview HD hard disk recorder. If you’ve resisted buying a Sky or Virgin package, but still want a dedicated PVR to keep on top of your programmes, the DMR-HW100 is a good way to do it, but the basic interface and limited online portal count against it.