Digital Vision GiGo DV-DTR1 Freeview Recorder [GiGo Looks to Slay the VCR]

For those of us that have fallen prey to the technology of today, we all know the beauty of the DVR. It took watching TV to another level and we have never been the same since. But there was a slight hitch. How could we take those recordings of our fave shows on the road? Or save them indefinitely? So far, the only answer has been the humble, and achingly antiquated, VCR. You know, that grey thing that blinks 12:00 all the time? If the people at Digital Vision have their way, it won’t be long before we are calling time-of-death on our friend the videocassette recorder.
Digital Vision has just announced the launch of its GiGo DV-DTR1 Digital Freeview Recorder. Rather than build another receiver box, the GiGo has three slots on the front into which plug your USB memory devices. You can then record in MPEG2 format straight to the stick. Sure sounds pretty simple to me.

Granted, this one might not blow your mind, especially with the like of Humax and its wide-ranging PVR offerings, but it just might make those last few technological holdouts take notice. You know the ones, afraid that the death of their beloved VCR means the end to their TV-recording time. It’s not Blu-Ray, but it’s a step in the right direction.

The GiGo Digital Freeview Recorder contains a single tuner, allowing you to receive Freeview transmissions and record at your leisure through the electronic program guide. According to the manufacturers, the operation is intentionally basic to widen its appeal amongst those less than savvy with technology.

The GiGo will also let you record one channel, while watching another previously recorded program from the USB drives. Digital Vision hints that future products would compete with more sophisticated PVR systems, bringing MPEG4 recording and an internal hard drive into the picture. The cost is expected to be 69.99GBP when it launches into Tesco this September.