Sagemcom (previously part of the Sagem brand and now a manufacturer in their own right) have launched details of their first foray in to the Freeview HD world, the Freeview+ HD recording RTI90-320 and RTI90-500.
Sagemcom RTI90-320 and RTI90-500 Summary
In comparison to the older standard definition devices from Sagem, these two models are certainly miles ahead when it comes to appearance. Sleek, shiny and remarkably compact, the RTI90′s will take pride of place alongside your TV.
Both models have identical specifications apart from the hard drive capacity, with the RTI90-320 sporting a 320Gb hard drive capable of storing up to 160 hours of high definition programmes, and the RTI90-500 unsurprisingly boasting a larger 500Gb hard drive, with a maximum storage of 250 hours .
Besides the standard features you would expect to find on a twin tuner Freeview+ HD recorder (pause, record & rewind live TV, Series Link, record two programs at the same time etc), Sagemcom have tried to go one step further. The library of recorded programmes can be conveniently organised in to folders – perhaps giving each person in the house their own personal library avoiding the ‘accidental’ deletion that is one of the most common causes of domestic arguments these days.
Then there is the inclusion of an ethernet port for internet connectivity. While there is no detailed use for this at present, you would hope it is planned to add ‘widget’ capabilities for Twitter, Facebook etc in the not too distant future. It will be interesting to see how long it will take manufacturers like Sagemcom to realise that not everyone’s internet router is right next to the TV. While WiFi is an option on some planned Freeview HD devices, it would be nice to see this as a standard feature to save having to invest in powerline type ethernet adaptors.
The 320Gb model is expected at the end of April / early May, followed shortly after at the end of May by the 500Gb model. In the meantime, here’s a sneak preview provided by Sagemcom themselves.
Sagemcom RTI90 Freeview HD Recorder Specifications
- FREEVIEW+ HD recorder
- Twin DVB-T2 Freeview HD tuners
- 320GB Hard Disk Drive – 160 hours (RTI90-320) or 500GB Hard Disk Drive – 250 hours (RTI90-500)
- 1 HDMI out socket
- video upscaling up to 1080p
- 1 SCART socket
- 1 USB and 1 Ethernet port
- Dolby Digital Plus
- Compact glossy black casing
- Dimensions 26cm wide, 16cm deep, 4.8cm tall.
- 8 day electronic programme guide (EPG)
- Series Link for simple recording of entire series of programmes
Sagemcom RTI90-320 Price Comparison
Our price comparison tool checks prices at leading UK stockists every day to find you the cheapest place to buy. (The prices below are for the RTI90-320 – look a bit further down for the RTI90-500.)
Sagemcom RTI90-500 Price Comparison
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You did not say in specs whether you can turn the machine on without recording and watch a live programme in HD, can you please clarify?
What do the Sagem RT 190-320 & 500 do that the Sagem DTR 67500T can’t do for a good deal less cost?
At these prices for a Freeview HD service I may as well get a SKY HD BOX for £40 plus the extra £10 per month. This equates to aprox 2 years viewing on Sky
Do these models have an optical out port for connection to home theatre systems?
Doddie…. the Sagem DTR 67500T is a Standard Definition Freeview Recorder, whereas the RTI90-320 and RTI90-500 are both High Definition Freeview HD recorders. If you have an HD Ready TV and live in a Freeview HD area (use the coverage checker on this site to find out) then it is worth going for the newer HD models.
Hope that helps!
Hi Ken, i’m not sure on the figures you have used, but Freeview HD will be significantly cheaper than Sky for most. If you already have Sky, then yes, perhaps the extra £10 per month for the HD service for 2 years (£240) is a better option for you. But for people who don’t want to pay the £30-£40 per month depending on package (i.e. £720-£960 for 2 years) then Freeview HD is a much better option! Devices can be bought now for under £100 (Bush DVB680) and there is no ongoing fee.
Negative08 – at this stage we’re not sure. The specs available say they have 1 x HDMI and 1 x Scart, along with RF in and out. We are hoping to have a model to review shortly so will let you know.
Hi Allan, yes, all the Freeview HD recorders can also be used just the same as a Freeview HD Receiver – i.e. watch without recording.
Can anyone tell me the Hz rate for upscaling on this PVR. The Sagem I currently has upscales to 1080i at 50Hz and I;m looking for better than this. Thanks
DO NOT BUY THIS BOX!!!!!!
I bought a Sagemcom RT190-320 a week a go and there is a serious problem with this box. The sound on the HMDI connection keeps cutting out for a fraction of a second approximately every 2 to 5 minutes. I reported it to Sagemcom on the 10th and they acknowledged it was a problem on all boxes and a software update would be issued the next day. I downloaded the v2.1.0 update on Friday but it still didn’t fix the problem and I reported it again. I downloaded another update (v2.1.1) on Monday but this still didn’t fix the problem When I called them today (Tuesday) they had suddenley become evasive giving repsonses such as my colleague isn’t available right now and will get back to you later. In my view this means there is a hardware problem which can’t be fixed by software updates and Sagemcom are avoiding disclosing this.
I’m returning my to the retailer tomorrow and asking for a full refund.
Ron, thanks for the feedback. I have contacted sagemcom and hope to have an official response in due course.
the sound cuts out on my box that i purchased last week!
the worst thing about it is scrolling through the EPG which is very slow and trying to get to a programme on the guide to record can take some time!
however the picture quality is very good on the HD channels.
i i bought sagem 920 after i found argos selling the item for 5o pounds cheaper than everywhere today and i have been having similar problems sound cuts but worse it keeps freezing and the tv screen turns green i had read good reviews of the product online so i purchased the box also because of the hard drive i it also does not start up either by remote or by pressing button on box as directed i will contact sagem on monday of which you should not have to do on a brand new item especially at my own cost if im doing something wrong fair enough otherwise i shall return the box to argos eventhough argos states the item is one of a few items excluded from its 30 day back money guarantee i do not have to pay any monies for 7 months anyway but if they say they wont take item back i will leave it and they will have to take me to court the aerial signal is strong it can work normally for 2 hours then just stop
I bought mine from Comet £249.99 – I have the same problems with – Comet are being difficult about giving my money back.
Sagemcom broadcasted a software update – it should be at v2.1.1 (see DTG at http://www.dtg.org.uk/retailer/download_schedule.pl) – seems to fix the Freeze problem but overall the box is still unusable with sound cutting out, crashing when new channels are found, EPG is really crap.
rushed out unfinished/untested for the world cup – I would say – bad mistake their “Customer Experience” measures must have dropped right down – if they measure that sort of thing that is!!
this is the first time I bought Sagem – probably the last!
Yep – the sound keeps cutting for micro second with my box too – exact same problem. Strange thing is I rewound the live tv and played the same section again and it did not cut out. This seems to prove it is not a problem with my reception. Could be an issue with the transmission – i’ve only noticed it in HD.
i got the updates through on monday and it seems to have cured problems other than sound cuts i have contacted sagemcom and they state they reconise the sound cuts problem they can not answer whether it is a software prolem or a hardware[box itself of which means the box is faulty].you should be able to get a full refund just state to comet that the box is faulty and ask them to contact their suppliers ie sagemcom [manufacture].i myself have contacted argos by email and had no reply.if sagemcom can not resolve the problem within a couple of weeks i will take the box back and state as comet would have to do that even the manufacture can not fix the sound cuts meaning the boxes are faulty.they can not replace the box as they all seem to have this fault so its your stat rights. comet should reimburse you immediately tell them to email sagemcom
Have you noticed that if you put a RT190-500 into standby the antenna signal to the tv is attenuated?
My box receives the usual standard res pictures but none of the HD ones and zaps the tv when in record mode.
How bad can a £300 product get?
I just found an interesting post on the avforums:
http://www.avforums.com/forums/pvrs-vcrs/1262850-sagemcom-rti190-300-500-freeview-hd-pvr-6.html
Looks like Sagemcom have found and cured the drop-out bug. This was one of the main points against the new Sagem box but this being sorted now I might get one now. Apart from the sound issue the reviews were very positive!
Good news – Sagemcom are distributing their new software version (2.2.0) on their homepage (www.sagemcomdigital.co.uk) and it has cured the bugs! The EPG is much faster now, the sound drop-out has completlely disappeared and the difference between SD and HD channels has been significantly improved. Im glad that I had not returned my box, it is great now!!!