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PHILIPS HDT8520
With this Philips Freeview HD recorder you can watch and record up to 50 free channels including the BBC HD Channel, ITV1HD, 4HD and S4CHD (Wales only), plus digital radio stations and interactive red button services. It's easy to set up and as always with Freeview, there's no subscription or contract required. Featuring a 500GB hard drive and an 8 day electronic programme guide for forward viewing planning. Only available in selected areas. Please text your postcode followed by house number to 80560 to find out if Freeview HD is available in your area.
Average customer rating:
(18 Reviews) 17
Customer reviews for PHILIPS HDT8520
Review 1 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
Good Addition
review by: Mandolin
from Ryton, UK
30 March 2011
Value for Money
5
/
5
Connectivity
5
/
5
Pros: Inexpensive, Compact, Durable
"Purchased for its HD reception/recording which is superb. Both HD and SD pictures very good. Also doesn't take long to populate the program guide unlike my Humax and Panasonic PVRs.
I was a bit concerned about its origins (Pace) as my previous Pace PVR was useless, but this beauty is worth every penny."
I was a bit concerned about its origins (Pace) as my previous Pace PVR was useless, but this beauty is worth every penny."
I have used this product for: 3-6 months
Expertise: Expert
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Review 2 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
Excellent little box
review by: AlanF
from Carlisle
07 February 2011
Value for Money
5
/
5
Connectivity
5
/
5
Pros: Inexpensive, Compact, Durable, easy to update
"With the latest software it works well giving excellent quality pictures and I was informed by Philips that another update is expected early March which should cure any sound problems.When you record using the programme guide it follows the particular programme code so it only starts recording when the programme starts; so if it starts late you don't miss any which I like."
I have used this product for: 1-3 months
Expertise: Intermediate
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Review 3 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
Recommended
review by: Adman
28 January 2011
Value for Money
4
/
5
Connectivity
4
/
5
Pros: Inexpensive, Compact
"The product is easy to set up, and delivers good quality pictures. Having read previous reviews I downloaded the latest software and installed it via the USB port. It mostly functions well, although it occasionally refuses to wake up and has to be powered down and re-started. Also, the favourite channel list doesn't seem to allow you to actually select the channel - you have to go back and enter it manually. No doubt future updates will fix this."
I have used this product for: 1-3 months
Expertise: Intermediate
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Review 4 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
excellent hardware
review by: weemcee
27 January 2011
Value for Money
5
/
5
Connectivity
4
/
5
Pros: Inexpensive, Durable
"Requires latest software update to function at all. One the update is complete works well. Ocassionally will not come out of standby using the remote. Picture quality is excellent, both HD and standard"
I have used this product for: 3-6 months
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Review 5 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
Quality product
review by: MikeB
17 January 2011
Value for Money
5
/
5
Connectivity
5
/
5
Pros: Inexpensive, Compact, Durable
"Excellent SD and HD pictures. Important that the new software is downloded off the Philips site"
I have used this product for: 1-3 months
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Review 6 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
review by: stenfis
from Devon
13 January 2011
Value for Money
5
/
5
Connectivity
5
/
5
Pros: Inexpensive, Compact, Durable
"Very simple to set up just plug & play
Gives further programme options with good picture quality"
Gives further programme options with good picture quality"
I have used this product for: less than a month
Expertise: Intermediate
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Review 7 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
Excellent HD product
review by: Detty
from Longridge Lancs
13 January 2011
Value for Money
5
/
5
Connectivity
5
/
5
"Good price and delivery from Laskys -- easy to set up and use -- easy to update via computer and USB stick.
It has some very minor niggles which I think will be sorted with more updates soon -- as for picture quality with the HD stations it is absolutely excellent when coupled to our Philips LCD TV. A definite recommendation."
It has some very minor niggles which I think will be sorted with more updates soon -- as for picture quality with the HD stations it is absolutely excellent when coupled to our Philips LCD TV. A definite recommendation."
I have used this product for: less than a month
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Review 8 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
Great buy
review by: gynotron
from Newcastle upon tyne
07 January 2011
Value for Money
5
/
5
Connectivity
5
/
5
Pros: Compact, Durable
"Easy to set up. Performed firmware review via USB stick soon after setup, which was easy to do. A lot of the gripes on other review were fixed instantly e.g channel numbers now on EPG, can now get straight to watch channel from EPG using one button etc.
Would still be nice to keep at least soundtrrack of channel you're watching when you look at EPG and even better a small picture box (Philips - take note).
So far multiple programming/series timers working well.
I would go for it!"
Would still be nice to keep at least soundtrrack of channel you're watching when you look at EPG and even better a small picture box (Philips - take note).
So far multiple programming/series timers working well.
I would go for it!"
I have used this product for: less than a month
Expertise: Novice
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Review 9 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
pretty good value
review by: nunkynigel
from Leeds ,West Yorkshire
06 January 2011
Value for Money
4
/
5
Connectivity
5
/
5
Pros: Compact
"Does what it says on the box,build quality v/good and ease of use"
I have used this product for: less than a month
Expertise: Intermediate
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Review 10 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
Little belter
review by: Technofobic
from Thornton Lancs.
04 January 2011
Value for Money
4
/
5
Connectivity
5
/
5
Pros: Compact, very user friendly
Cons: had better feeling remote controls.
"I hate technology.but this little box is dead easy to set up looks good and real easy to use and so far has proved to do just what it says on the box. I had basic sky and for what they want a month this is a real alternative. I've never bothered to record anything for 3 or 4 years this box is a vast improvement on any video I've used. Lasky's were very good on price and service."
I have used this product for: less than a month
Expertise: Novice
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Review 11 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
only one niggle
review by: janeye
31 December 2010
Connectivity
5
/
5
"Love it! Responsive and straightforward to use. Very quick and easy when setting to record. Haven't worked out how to set recordings manually (can it?) However programme list can't be used to select a programme to view."
I have used this product for: less than a month
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Review 12 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
Images for this Review
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Do not buy
review by: Remmy
from Staffordshire
29 December 2010
Value for Money
1
/
5
Connectivity
5
/
5
Pros: Compact, quick set up, looks good
Cons: squint front display, no channel numbers in program guide, slow to react, would not record
"Bought this just before xmas as a present for elderly mum & dad.
Connected up and had it working in no time and does look good but that is the positves over.
The display on the front of the box was squint (see picture), the program guide does not display channel number, it was slow to react to a button press, would not record.
Make sure you read all reviews before purchase!
Going to send this back and try another probably a Sagem, why not!"
Connected up and had it working in no time and does look good but that is the positves over.
The display on the front of the box was squint (see picture), the program guide does not display channel number, it was slow to react to a button press, would not record.
Make sure you read all reviews before purchase!
Going to send this back and try another probably a Sagem, why not!"
I have used this product for: less than a month
Expertise: Intermediate
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Review 13 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
Excellent after firmware update
review by: Adam
from Knutsford, UK
27 December 2010
Value for Money
4
/
5
Connectivity
4
/
5
Pros: Compact, excellent picture quality, easy to set up and operate
"I bought this recorder to replace my subscription virgin media box. The machine is sturdy and well built and the picture quality is amazing on both SD & HD channels and recording is really easy to set up. The initial bugs and flaws mentioned by some earlier reviewers have now been rectified after recent (easy to perform) updates. Overall I am very pleased with this product and would recommend it highly to someone looking for an alternative to subscription television."
I have used this product for: 1-3 months
Expertise: Intermediate
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Review 14 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
Wait for the competition
review by: cosmicchris00
25 June 2010
Value for Money
1
/
5
Connectivity
4
/
5
"All of the other comments about this box are spot on.
My own impressions of this compared to my old Humax 9200 are - its a laughably poor attempt.
None of the pause/rewind/fforward controls do anything they're supposed to.
I'm getting a refund on this or Laskys/Phillips/Pace are being reported to trading standards."
I have used this product for: less than a month
Expertise: Intermediate
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Review 15 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
Urgent firmware needed
review by: Nige
from Blackpool, UK
18 June 2010
Value for Money
2
/
5
Connectivity
4
/
5
Pros: Compact, excellent hd quality, includes hdmi lead
Cons: Expensive, firmware is appaling, not tested sufficiently
"Bought this purely as I was bored waiting for the Humax to be released, which will undoubtedly beat this hands down. Credit to Philips/Pace for releasing this before the World Cup, but using the public as beta-testers is very naughty, considering the price.
On the plus side, the HD quality is excellent and the upscaling of SD channels is also very impressive. It does seem to go blocky quite a lot tho, although I'm unsure whether this might be the reception from South Africa?!?!?!?
The cons outweigh this box heavily, although I hope against hope this is only a temporary problem.
The operating system is riddled with major and minor faults that urgently need an upgrade. I've been on the brink of returning this box every day I've used it. Its lost the signal, recorded the wrong program, stopped recording on its own, crashed several times, it only shows its in recording mode when it feels like it, records all the repeats on 'series link', records the same program on a different channel (ITV HD plus the ITV SD version!), loses all the settings etc etc.
There are many blogs online detailing the dozens of flaws, which Philips say they will sort out, but not until at least August. I consider it could be a year before they sort most of this out.
There are lots of niceities that the Humax will probably have that this doesn't, like viewing the program whilst trawling the guide or library, picture in picture etc - I doubt this will be rectified.
The box looks the business, but the display could have been much more useable - a clock would have been nice. There are some great features, don't get me wrong, but it could be 100 times better.
Credit to Laskys tho - they did a price match before release and beat anyone online! Wish I'd waited tho."
I have used this product for: 1-3 months
Expertise: Intermediate
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Review 16 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
The Jury is out
review by: mick
17 June 2010
Value for Money
4
/
5
Connectivity
5
/
5
Pros: Durable
Cons: Expensive
"The quality of reception on the 2 HD tuners is excellent, even with the tv sharing the same aerial. There are a few drawbacks with operation of the box.
1. Can't change channel on tv guide screen, only can set recording
2. Doesn't number channel on tv guide, so you have to either remember numbers or trawl through tv channels to find your chosen channel
3. recorded programmes have small thumbnail picture next to recording ( unfortunately this often bears no relation to programme )
4. Can't watch programme on tv whilst looking through tv guide
previously had Topfield box, which was much more user friendly and different options available"
1. Can't change channel on tv guide screen, only can set recording
2. Doesn't number channel on tv guide, so you have to either remember numbers or trawl through tv channels to find your chosen channel
3. recorded programmes have small thumbnail picture next to recording ( unfortunately this often bears no relation to programme )
4. Can't watch programme on tv whilst looking through tv guide
previously had Topfield box, which was much more user friendly and different options available"
I have used this product for: 1-3 months
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Review 17 for PHILIPS HDT8520
Customer rating
Surprising good
review by: Lidsey
from Leeds
21 May 2010
Value for Money
5
/
5
Connectivity
5
/
5
Pros: Compact, easy to set up, does exactly what it says on the tin
Cons: Expensive
"This is an expensive piece of kit however if like me you are looking to say goodbye to the overpriced collection of repeats that is Sky, I would say well worth it. The box itself is alot smaller than a sky box and feels very robust. It is ridiculously simple to set up, with all necessary leads supplied. The record function and library is by far superior to sky, I like the fact that a series link recording keeps all the episodes together in a folder until you delete them. Also all recordings are locked, with the ability to unlock them, thus avoiding accidental deletes. The HD reception in my area is excellent and I was astounded at the quality of the picture whilst watching Eggheads (lots of wrinkles on show!!!). The only negative so far is the volume is quite low, so my TV volume has to be pumped up which can be startling once I switch to using my TV alone. Mind you at one point last night I had two recordings overlap and I was still watching so maybe I won't ever need to use my TV. An excellent product, easy to set up, easy to get familiar with, delighted I bought it. Farewell Sky."
I have used this product for: less than a month
Expertise: Novice
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Ratings-only reviews for PHILIPS HDT8520
Based on 1 ratings-only review
Customer ratingOverall Rating