Samsung BD-DT7800

Samsung BD-DT7800 review

The BD-DT7800 is Samsung's first stab at a standalone hi-def PVR, but with several Freeview HD/Blu-ray combis already under its belt the Korean company is in familiar territory. It's a twin-tuner affair with most of the TV recording and editing tools you need, but what sets it apart from most other PVRs on the market is the inclusion of Smart Hub, the brand's impressive array of connected applications. This idea is not new; Humax brought out a 'TV Portal' for its HDR-FOX T2 that streams Sky Player, BBC iPlayer and others, while TVonics has added similar functions to its PVRs with a recent software update, but Samsung's superior selection of sites and dazzling onscreen presentation will knock them both into a cocked hat. The BD-DT7800 comes equipped with two DVB-T2 tuners and a sizeable 500GB hard disk. The outer design is up to Samsung's usual standards. Build quality is first class and there's glamorous brushed silver on the fascia, plus touch-sensitive controls along the front. Daring for a PVR. On the back is a standard array of sockets, which naturally includes an HDMI output. Strangely, we find ourselves lamenting the lack of a Scart output, chiefly because it means that you can't make copies of internal recordings on external hardware.