Philips HDT8520 PVR reviews: 2 Freeview Tuners HDR with HDMI
customer reviews Ask an owner about this product
+ This digital TV recorder has no outstanding positive points. - It scores poorly on range of features.
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Some customer reviews of Philips HDT8520
Most helpful reviewsjulian , leicester Bargain hunter
- Good points:
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picture quality very good
easy use timer - Bad points:
- no picture in picture when looking at the tv guide
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Confirmed purchase: 29 Oct 2011
Dave , Bargain hunter
- Good points:
- Lots of storage, easy to use, great design
- Bad points:
- Series link records +1 and subsequent repeats
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Confirmed purchase: 28 Oct 2011
anton, london
- Good points:
- Reviewer left no comment
- Bad points:
- keeps freezing
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Confirmed purchase: 26 Oct 2011
Jon, Reading Technophile
- Good points:
- Straightforward setup, Indication when powering up and down. Easy to patch to current release level 7.21. - http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?scy=GB&slg=ENG&sct=DIGITAL_TV_RECEIVERS_SU&cat=BLURAY_AND_DVD_CA&session=20111102055003_217.171.129.236&grp=SOUND_AND_VISION_GR&ctn=HDT8520/05&hlt=Link_Overview
- Bad points:
- EPG cuts off current channel (No Picture in Picture or sound) until cleared when it returns unless altered.
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Confirmed purchase: 26 Oct 2011
adam, edinburgh Bargain hunter
- Good points:
- it looks good
- Bad points:
- if all you want is the equivalent of a video recorder then this is for you. If however you want something more like Sky + then avoid. Bite the bullet and get yourself a Humax.
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Confirmed purchase: 21 Oct 2011
phil, selby Bargain hunter
- Good points:
- New software updates have improved the recorder immensley, it is now much quicker to respond to the remote. Can now set to record programmes manually rather than through the 'guide' option. Philips on-line help is fantastic, they were extremely quick to respond to my questions when I had trouble updating the software and helped me to down load it 'on air'. Easy to install and set up. Good value for money.
- Bad points:
- When setting to record series programmes through the 'guide' option, it records every episode + repeats. No picture in picture when looking at tv guide etc.
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Confirmed purchase: 21 Oct 2011
This Philips HDT8520 is reviewed on Pocket Lint
This Philips HDT8520 is reviewed on TechRadar
Product Features
| Freeview or Freesat tuner | Freeview |
|---|---|
| Freeview or Freesat tuner | Freeview HD |
| Connections | Ethernet |
| Extra functions | Electronic Program Guide |
| Number of scart ports | 2 |
| Hard disk capacity (Gigabytes) | 500.0 |
| Upscaling | No |
| Number of receivers | 1 |
| Energy Savings Trust feature | No |
| Reception standard | Digital |
| Release date | 2010-05-11 |
Also known as: Philips HDT-8520, PHP hdt8520
Manufacturer's Description
Don’t miss a thing with the Philips Freeview+ HD PVR! It not only integrates the top audio-visual technology, but also boasts remarkably low power consumption in both active and standby modes and has been designed to function almost silently.
Free your viewing
8-day Electronic Programme Guide
You want to know what programmes are available today and for the next 7 days so that you can avoid missing your favourite shows by planning your evenings or making pre-scheduled recordings. The data is broadcast by the programme broadcaster, and when this data is available, the product compiles the information and lists it in the TV Guide. Simply enter the menu or press the GUIDE button on the remote control to access the programme guide. The programme guide will provide programme information listings for today and the next 7 days.
Never miss an episode with Series Recording
Programming recording of a series becomes as simple as recording a single event. By pressing a few buttons you can programme the recording of all the events belonging to one series. Press the GUIDE button to open the Electronic Programme Guide, select the programme you want to record and press the OK button to confirm the programming of the recording. If the selected programme is signalled by the series logo on the Electronic Programme Guide screen, you programme the recording of all the events in the series at once.
Twin tuners to view a channel while recording another
Ability to pause and rewind live TV
A live TV programme is now under your control. You can pause the programme by pressing the PAUSE button and resume playback at the point where it was interrupted by pressing the PLAY button. You can go backwards by pressing the FAST REWIND button and replay scenes you have already watched. If you want to return to the live TV programme, just press the STOP button.
One touch recording
Set a recording by pressing just one button on the remote control. Programming no longer required.
Reduced power mode
Standby consumption < 0.5 W
The smart power management of the receiver leads to power saving in standby mode. The receiver goes to the standby mode that achieves < 0.5 W power consumption automatically, without your intervention.
Superior TV experience
1080p via HDMI for superb HD picture quality
With video upscaling to 1080p you’ll be able to see even more detail thanks to a sharper, more true-to-life picture. The resulting HD video output signal can be shown on your HD television through an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) connection.
Optimal sound quality with Dolby Digital 5.1 output
Because Dolby Digital standards, the world’s leading digital multi-channel audio standards, make use of the way the human ear naturally processes sound, you experience superb quality surround sound audio with realistic spatial cues.
| Product | Retailer | Price | Total price | Buy now | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RM-Series Replacement Remote Control for PHILIPS HDT8520 with FREE SHIPPING TO UK MAINLAND | £12 free delivery |
Go
In stock |
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Here’s a list of the questions other shoppers have asked owners of the Philips HDT8520
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Can I watch a recording while recording two channels as with other twin tuner recorders?
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Yes you can record two programme and watch another recording at the same time
I hope this answer your question thank you
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does it only work off a SKY dish, or will it work the same from a normal television ariel?
Thanks
Alf-
It works of a normal telivision ariel
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Yes it works off an ordinary TV aerial. Don't get me wrong but what made you think it would not.????
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does it have a tv schedule. if so how many days [epg]
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Hi Lynne, yes it has a tv guide, it's much the same as the Sky guide where by you scroll across the page,only been forward a couple of days so not sure what the the max is.Hope this helps. Dave
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Hi I live in Germany .Ive got a sat dish .Does anyone no how i will be efected by the change over and will this reciever work over in Germany.
Thank you Stephen Heald-
Very sorry but I don't know this question
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hi,i bought this today and installed firmware 6.21 i think straight away,im appy with this bt just one niggle..sometimes when watching a recording the picture slows down or slight judders.im assuming its my indoor aerial,as when i replay its in exactly the same spot,im moving soon and we will have an aerial on the roof for better reception,is it an aerial/reception problem,anyone know?
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I have noticed the same problem on HD reordings, usually pausing and restarting the recording resolves it - but sorry I don't know why this happens; it is always OK on live broadcasts so it may not be a problem with the aerial.
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I have the same problem as Paul and do the same to resolve it.
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thanks paul for the reply,i still think it might be the aerial becaue i get picture break up sometimes on live tv,ive not had the philips for long so time will tell once ive recorded more hd and sd programmes.not had a problem with pausing live tv yet,although when i went to rewind live tv it just crashed?hopefully once connected to a decent rooftop aerial some of the picture problems will go.otherwise i hope philips will release a new firmware update.i have 6.21 but i heard there a 7.2 or something for firmware.anyone know if theres a higher version than 6.21.philips customer services are great and thay reply to emails very quickly.
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Sadly the software update in April caused more problems than it solved. My box repeadedly went into standby after that overair download and I had to return the unit to the retailer after trying for a month to resolve the issue. Philips confirmed that they are working on a new software update. All that you can do is visit the on-line support site to check. Be careful about which ones you download and install and always make sure you have the previuos one to hand just in case the new one doesn't live up to its promise!
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i have had recording suddenly stopping or slowing down in hd and sd recording,sometimes it has skipped 30-60 seconds of a programme as if u skipped it by using remote?so its on hd and sd channels.i only have an indoor aeirial at the moment,interesting enough i think i have seen live channels also picture slowing down or breaking up.so is it an aerial problem,hopefully the next update will cure the problem,or using the roof aerial when i move next week might improve things.will update on this once ive moved.i know phillips are very helpful when u email.so if prob persists i will email them for some answerss,has any one got this freeview box and using and rooftop aerial and having no preoblems with picture on live and recordings?
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My machine works fine after the latest update which seems to have cured the box freezing. I have a rooftop aerial and recordings are OK
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How many channels can one receive using the free view? I many want to buy it for little ones who want to watch cartoons and my Ms who wants nat geo discovery and the like. If it receive these channels then it would be ideal, instead of subscribing to sky. Thanks
JL-
you can only watch the same freeview channels as with any freeview the whole point is you can record without a video
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Hi JL,
you can only received the channels currently on Freeview not Freesat. You can add some subscription channel at an additional cost but do not confuse the box wth a Sky box. On the upside, you will get the Freeview HD channels and you can record two channels at the same time!
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It looks like there is a USB connector on the back, can you record to a flash drive or watch films/photos/music through there?
If not what is the USB connector for?
Thanks.-
Hi Max. You cannot record to the USB onto a flash drive but you can view films, photos and music from one plugged in there. Sometimes it has to be in a format that the machine recognises but Jpegs and MP3's never seem to cause a problem.
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I have a Toshiba DVD recorder player and when I purchased it I was told to receive HD when my digital changeover was completed -this last week- all I would need would be an HDMI lead. This appears to be duff information. Can I be assured that this Philips HDT8 will do the job I want? i.e.watch and record HD programmes.
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This area has just changed to Digital and I have recorded HD programmes.
The 0800 helpline is excellent and have assisted me on two occasions. I am very happy with my purchase. -
Yes, you can watch and record HD
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hi, i am just wondering how fast it is for example the time it takes to delete a recording, the time it takes to boot up, the time it takes to switch channels, is there any lag when selecting something etc
thankyou-
Hi Jack
I have not noticed any time lag when completing the funtions you mentioned - most are instantaneous, eg booting up -
HI Jack, no real lag at all,only seconds really, less than a minute to boot up when first switched on, everything else just a few seconds, pretty good actually,hope this helps.
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only delay i've noticed is when deleting multiple recordings in a series folder but understandable that this would take a few seconds.
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My Combo Video recorder is kaputum!! it was anologue, and under the mastercare I have a spend of £200 to get a new video recoder from either Currys or PC World.
What I have is a Sony 32 Flat TV via FreeSat and I used the old arial for my old Video recording anologue to the new TV.
Looking at this model this may replace my old system, record the FreeView channels to play on my TV which takes FreeSat. FreeSat don't have Sky News and other channels.
Will this fit my requirements?
What I would like is a recorder which will taKe FreeView and display on my-
This is very good system the philip 8520 can record two programs at the same time and watch one that you all ready recorded before the sytsem also will give you freeview channels as wel (I hope this is the correct information you want i do recommend this system) Philip 8520
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can you watch one channel whilst you record another.
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Yes and the good news is that there is a 0800 help line who I have found to be excellent
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YES YOU CAN
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can i connect an arial lead[ as well as an hdmi lead] to my t.v.from the phillips hdt8520,and leave the box on stand-by,so i can just watch my ordinary t.v.i know the arial goes into the box,but some times i just watch my ordinary tv
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Hi Alex, i think you'd need another arial lead into the tv, but then you don't really need to as there's only 4 HD channels, the rest are " ordinary tv", hope this helps.
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dose it freeze/crash as i have a sagem DTR67500 500GB F/V REC and it is starting to freeze/crash
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No never had a problem with the HDT 8520.
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It has never actually 'crashed'. However, it was very difficult to start up until I learned the 'trick', which involved switching it to 'standby' a couple of times. This seemed to get it's attention, and it behaved after that. Overall, it is an excellent machine, very low sound volume being the only problem I'm having. Tom.
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It happens sometimes when updating the firmware. You can always go backto the previous if this happens. You can "force" it to re-boot if it happens too often, but it is a robust and reliable machine in the main
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Hi,i have just taken myHDT8520 back to comet,and re-embursed as they no longer stock it.The problem was it sometimes froze the screen, and started loosing some of the channels. Is this a regular problem?
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I only had mine a week or so as it broke and I returned it. I now have a Sagecom unit that also seems to freeze, lose channels, etc. Bottom line is these units seem to be prone to technical issues!! Does not matter which brand you buy.
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Can anyone tell me if when watching recorded programmes it remembers where you are so that you can play from last viewed? Or does it start from the beginning every time you go to the recorded programme? We're rarely able to watch a whole programme at once with a little one!
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if you have started the program and then you need to leave or can't finish the program a message will come up the next time you start the program saying do you want to start play back from last position
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Hi Becky
Yes. it asks you if you want to view from last viewed click OK if you do,
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How do I know when I buy one of these new that it has the latest software/firmware?
How easy is it to update if it hasnt got the latest data in?
Thanks-
I cannot answer the first part.
In the past my box has been automatically updated
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Can you hook this upto the internet for services like bbc iplayer
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I'm sorry, I've no idea. Why on earth would you want to ?
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There is a LAN connection on the rear so you can hardwire it to your network. Most of these boxes are starting to come on stream now with new services that can be access through the box. The BBC iplayer is the strongest of these at the moment. You can then view the iPlayer through your box, on your T.V. without using your computer. I suppose that they will release a software update when it is ready so that you can do this.
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I have already got a tv recorder, had it for 3 years its the best thing we ever bought, we must record something everyday. but now are thinking of getting one that has HD channels I REALY WANT TO KNOW IF ITS WORTH IT THESE HD CHANNELS, OR DO THEY NOT HAVE MANY HD CHANNELS TO MAKE IT WORTHWHILE.
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They have only 4 HD channels, BBC1, BBC HD,ITV1, Channel 4. Pesonally I think it is worth it to have these channels.
Regards
Graham
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We'll publish your question and the answer here to help other shoppers.
Di, East Yorks TV series fan
Score 10.0/10Confirmed purchase: 29 Oct 2011