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Philips Launches Freeview HD Set-Top Boxes and PVRs in the UK (7/4/2010)

Pace-designed high definition (HD) PVR and receiver boxes to provide access to HD TV without monthly subscription

Philips announces the launch of two new Freeview HD set-top boxes, including one of the first Freeview HD PVRs (Personal Video Recorder) to hit the shelves in the UK. The boxes, designed by the leading UK set-top box developer, Pace, will give customers access to the recently-launched Freeview HD service. Both devices will be on sale well before this summer's World Cup, enabling viewers to watch every game in stunning high definition.

On sale from May, the Philips HDT8520 HD PVR will be among the first Freeview HD PVRs available in the UK. The advanced set-top box will allow viewers to record and play back their favourite shows, as well as pause or rewind live TV. It comes equipped with a 500GB hard drive, giving up to 250 hours of recording time in standard definition (SD), or approximately 125 hours in HD. The PVR features two tuners, meaning viewers can watch one programme while recording another, and has been developed to operate almost silently.

Philips will also shortly release the Pace-designed DTR5520 HD receiver, which arrives in stores across the country from mid-April. Both devices provide great value access to the superior sound and picture quality of Freeview HD services for a one-off price, without the need for a monthly subscription.

"We're delighted to be among the first-to-market in this exciting new area of free-to-air high-definition TV. Many of the world's biggest payTV operators rely on us to develop and deliver high-definition set-top boxes to exacting standards for their demanding customers, and we already produce one of the UK's biggest selling Freeview boxes, so we're adept at creating stylish, robust digital TV receivers," commented Olivier le Balle, Retail Group Account Director, Pace. "With our Freeview HD boxes, we've focused on bringing striking design and low-power usage, coupled with a comprehensive array of features, early to the Freeview HD market. The World Cup's going to look incredible in HD through our boxes."

Both the compact, glossy receiver and the high-end PVR, which boasts a stylish illumination feature, have been specifically developed for consumers to easily enjoy all the benefits of Freeview HD, with automatic installation and channel update, 1080p HD up-scaling, and USB and Ethernet ports for enhanced connectivity. All Pace-designed products are manufactured to a rigorous set of guidelines, which go beyond the EU regulations to minimise environmental impact. For instance, the Freeview HD receiver has an energy consumption of under 6W in active mode, well below the industry norm.

Freeview HD

The Freeview HD signal began transmitting in December 2009 from Crystal Palace in London and Winter Hill in the Manchester area, and will have reached 50% coverage of the UK population by June, for the start of the World Cup. BBC HD and ITV1 HD are both already broadcasting superb quality TV and other channels will continue to be launched over the coming months, including Channel 4 HD and S4/C in Wales. The boxes will also give access to all the existing Freeview services, including up to 50 TV channels and 24 radio channels.

www.pace.com