Tvonics DTR-HD500

HDMI switching, design, picture quality, Freeview+ HD features

Lime green interface, limited media file support

Boasting an unusual design of box and interface, this Freeview+ HD recorder does just enough to impress. Recording functionality is good, as is the picture quality, though HDMI switching will widen the DTR-HD500’s appeal to those with older - or...

HD & SD ictures ; Easy recording ; Intriguing design ; Dual HDMI switching

Lime green interface ; Small buttons on remote ; High rice

Innovative text-to-speech; Useful PVR features

Partially sighted users may need assistance during initial setup; Remote-control buttons can be small and hard to read

A good way for sighted and partially sighted people to enjoy TV

You might think Freeview and Freeview HD is full of rubbish, and on balance you’d be right (unless you have an unusual interest in weightloss DVDs and vegetable slicers). But, if you sift out all the

Despite its flawed picture quality and hefty price tag, the DTR-HD500 still impresses on many levels. First of all, TVonics has made a huge effort with its design, crafting one of the most attractive Freeview receivers on the market. Its...

Interesting styling ; Easy-to-use menus ; Quality picture

HDMI switch only works when the box is on ; A little expensive

Aside from the hefty Freeview HD tax, we think the TVonics DTR-HD500 is a superb machine at a good price. It looks interesting, and we rather like its unique style, but it might cause some problems in the average TV stand, where space is at a premium....

Gorgeous design, extremely smart hardware, silent running

Garish menus and wallet-worrying price

British design at its best, smart and sexy. Buy with confidence, this one’s a solid gold contender.