beyonwiz DP-P1

Recording on the DP-P1 is a simple and well integrated affair. While it lacks a few of the features that full-blown PVRs may sport, such as one-touch recording, it's nevertheless a highly functional and efficient recording device. The time-shift buffer is effective and intuitive, making pausing or rewinding live TV quick and easy. One-touch recording isn't available, although two quick taps of the recording button will achieve the same results. It also lacks customisable recording modes, although its 200GB hard drive should provide a large enough buffer to account for this.

Digital reception is good, and the unit picked up all local stations quite quickly. A well laid-out favourites menu and channel configuration makes navigating the channels easy. The inclusion of dual HD tuners means that users will be able to record two channels at once, even while watching a third, provided that it's being broadcast by the same broadcaster as one of the recorded channels (eg, you can record ABC2 and Seven HD, while watching ABC HD).

Support for USB storage devices, and both wired and wireless networks, ensures that users will be able to save recordings to other media, although much of this functionality is still dependant on upcoming firmware updates. Still, the media-streaming from both USB and network sources is well integrated, and easy to use. The combination of PVR functions and media-streaming is an effective one, creating a total greater than the sum of its parts. Assuming the firmware updates are implemented as planned, the DP-P1 will become a highly efficient recording device.

The menu system is large, but well laid-out and relatively easy to navigate, once mastered. The lack of DVD playback does help to keep it slightly simpler than the interface on the DP-S1, although ultimately the amount of functionality provided by the DP-P1 requires a reasonably complex menu system. The design of the player itself is somewhat more simple, with an elegant, glass front panel, and a full array of connections on the rear, including coaxial, component, composite, Ethernet, HDMI, optical, S-Video and USB connections.

The DP-P1 is a powerful recording unit. The omission of DVD support helps to shave a few hundred dollars off the price, making it an excellent choice for any user looking for a PVR but without the need for DVD playback. The integration of the media-streaming and recording parts of the device is well handled, and pending the upcoming firmware updates, should ensure that this device makes a powerful addition to any living room.