TechniSat HDFV Freeview HD Digital Terrestrial TV Receiver Set Top Box with External PVR functionality

TechniSat HDFV

The HDFV is designed for the reception of standard and high definition programmes from Freeview HD, offering viewers the opportunity to watch spectacular high definition programming from BBC HD, ITV1HD and C4HD via their existing TV aerial.

The HDFV offers class-leading functionality including multimedia playback from USB storage devices and networked PCs or Network-Attached Storage (NAS) – as well as Digital Video Recorder (DVR) functionality via USB to an external hard disk drive.

Embracing the concept of the connected home, the HDFV can connect to a home network using a fixed connection or wirelessly with the optional TechniSat WLAN Adaptor. Not only does this allow movies, music and pictures to be streamed directly from the PC or NAS to the TV, but ensures access to possible future on-line services such as BBC iPlayer and ITV Player.

The HDFV is ‘DVRready’ to enable live pause, timeshift and recording of programmes to external hard disk drives or memory sticks via the USB port. Recordings can also be edited to add bookmarks, copy or delete sections of video or rename. Files can then be transferred to a PC or NAS for storage.

In addition to this extensive feature set; the HDFV offers 1080p upscaling, 8 day Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) and a three year manufacturer’s guarantee.

Multimedia Entertainment with TechniSat HDFV

The HDFV offers not just stunning high definition pictures and outstanding quality but also a unique level of features. Numerous interfaces and additional features make this digital receiver a home entertainment system to satisfy your multimedia needs.

You can connect USB memory sticks or external hard disk drives and access the data on them via the receiver’s remote control. All your camera photographs, videos recorded or downloaded on the PC and home movies can be stored on these devices and played back using the HDFV.

The built-in USB interface enables digital photos in JPEG format, music files in MP3 format and movies in MPEG format to be played on your TV via the receiver. This means that you can relax and view holiday photos and videos with your family and friends on your TV or listen to your favourite music. The music player will display album artwork and albums and tracks can be set to repeat or play randomly using the shuffle option. Multiple USB devices can be connected with the addition of a USB hub.

What’s more, you can connect your HDFV to your home network, either using the Ethernet connection or wirelessly using the optional USB WLAN Adaptor and access all the above multimedia content directly from a PC. The HDFV is compatible with Windows 7 and is UPnP.

Please note that the Freeview HD service may not be available in your area yet – use the postcode checker at www.freeview.co.uk to confirm availability.

Multimedia playback from memory devices

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Multimedia Playback from external storage

The Technisat HDFV comes equipped with a USB interface to allow external memory devices to be inserted for the purpose of displaying or playing music, movies and pictures directly on your television.

If your family photos are stored on your PC they can be easily copied to a USB memory stick and inserted in the USB port or USB hub if the USB functionality is extended. If you also inlcude MP3 music files on the memory stick you can create a slide show with music playing at the same time.

Movies in MPEG2 format can also be played by copying them to a USB memory stick or an external hard disk drive. Controlling movie playback is as you would expect from a DVD player or Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) - play/pause, fast forward, rewind and stop are all activated using the colour keys on the remote control.

Connecting the HDFV to a Home Network

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Connecting the HDFV to your Home Network

In addition to multimedia playback from external devices, the HDFV can be connected to a home network so that music, movie and picture files can be played directly from a PC or Network-Attached Storage - NAS. It is UPnP so is compatible with Windows 7.

All your multimedia content can be placed in a 'shared' folder on your PC and this folder can then be accessed via the HDFV using the remote control. Simply connect the ethernet port of the HDFV to your broadband router using a suitable ethernet cable. Then access 'Network Settings - LAN' via the on screen menu. If it is properly connected, the router will provide an IP address to the HDFV - just press the green accept key and the HDFV is now part of your home network.

If your router is in another room you may like to buy the optional TechniSat WLAN Adaptor which plugs into the USB port on the HDFV and allows it to connect wirelessly to your network. Once the adaptor is inserted into the USB port the HDFV will detect it and after accessing 'Network Settings - WLAN' via the menu, all available wireless networks will be displayed. Simply select your wireless network and if necessary enter the security key - the router will then return an IP address in the same way as with the fixed ethernet connection. Press accept and the HDFV is wirelessly connected to your home network.

Digital Video Recorder function

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Watch TV programmes when you want - DVR and Timeshift

Extending the features and functionality still further, with the additional of an external hard disk drive, the TechniSat HDFV becomes a Digital Video Recorder (DVR). Connect any size hard disk drive to the USB port and the HDFV is now ready to record all of your favourite TV programmes.

All the programmes you record are stored in the 'Movies/DVR' section of the on screen Navigator so that you can easily find what you what to watch and play it back at your convenience. There is also an editing function that allows you to add bookmarks to particular points in a recording or even copy whole sections to a new file or cut parts out completely.

Over time your hard disk drive may become full but you may not wish to delete your recordings so it is possible to archive your recordings on a PC or other large storage device. When you wish to play recordings that you have archived you can then copy them back to the hard disk drive you use for DVR recordings.

Setting up recordings could not be easier and can be done using the 'Timer Organiser' in the on screen menu or by directly highlighting your chosen programmes in the Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) - there are also repeat options so a programme that is broadcast at the same time every day or every week can be recorded automatically.

Set recording timers with the EPG

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Set Timers for Recording with The EPG

The Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) provides detailed information on programmes for eight days ahead. Just press the 'Guide' button on the remote to access the EPG and list all programmes. The EPG grid displays channels and programmes with the times that each programme is broadcast. Select a particular programme in the grid and press the Information button on the remote control to show a programme synopsis.

There are a number of possible ways to view the EPG information and these options are available under the blue 'Guide Menu' button. The yellow and green buttons allow you to move through the TV schedule in 2 hour steps - using the remote control number keys you can go directly to the schedule for a particular day up to 8 days ahead.

The EPG grid can also be used to easily set timers for recording to an external hard disk drive or a USB memory stick. Use the arrow keys on the remote control to highlight a programme and press the red 'Timer' button. A menu will appear offering a choice of timer options - press 'New Hard Disk Timer' and the programme will be marked for recording. This can be done for programmes up to 8 days ahead.

Set your own schedule with Timeshift

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Timeshift

The ability to record television programmes digitally to a hard disk drive brings a host of features that were not possible with previous technology - not even with a Video Cassette Recorder (VCR). Unlike a VCR, when a programme is being recorded, you can start watching it from the beginning - before the programme has finished recording. For example, set the EPG timer to record your favourite programme at 8pm but start watching it at 8:15pm, 8:30pm or anytime that suits you. Not only is this convenient but it also allows you to forward wind through the adverts.

This is the concept of 'Timeshifted' viewing - all your favourite programmes but to a schedule that suits you.

Even if you have not set a recording and are watching live, you can still control how you view the remainder of the programme. If the phone rings or there is a knock at the door, press pause and the programme will freeze. As it is now being recorded in the background you can press play and continue from where you left off without missing anything.

You do not need to schedule a recording or press pause to control your viewing - you can press record at anytime and the HDFV will begin recording the current programme. The programme will then be timeshifted in the same way as a scheduled programme so if you wanted to go out after having started watching a programme, press record and when you get back you can start the recording from when you went out or leave it to watch another time.