Panasonic DMR-PWT63S

Panasonic DMR-PWT63S Set top freeview+ HD box.

I don’t write reviews for items I’ve had for only a short time. In my experience, it’s with time the product will show its strengths and weakness, but this PVR is so appalling it needs a review within the month of purchase.

The product works, after a fashion, but its performance is so poor it is virtually useless. Every function one tries to perform is so delayed. For example, the step forward 60 seconds function takes so long you might think it’s not worth the wait and just let the picture play on. And this kind of delay happens with every function.

But, by far the worst error in the design of this kit is that you cannot search the EPG. This is what makes it useless. There is the Rovi guide as an additional feature with this box, but that is not much better either. While one may be able to search that guide, it will offer you programs and films that are not actually available to you. It’s as if it is searching a database of any material with the name you have entered and not just the EPG you will have access to.

I am so appalled by it that I almost through it in the dustbin, but it has a bluray / DVD player built in so it will perform that function, but in the meantime, I have bought a box which actual works.

I’ve always considered Panasonic a good manufacture and have bought many analogue devices in years gone by, but with this experience, never again!