The latest from the LG stable, the RHT497H packs a Freeview + digital TV and DVD recorder with 160Gb hard disk drive
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LG RHT497H Review
The LG RHT497H is the new boy on the scene – and it is sure making an impression. LG have previously released a number of Freeview Playback machines so you would hope that this new model builds on the knowledge it has gained.
Not content with simply packing in a Freeview Recorder with 160Gb hard drive (allegedly capable of storing a massive 477 hours of programs albeit at the lowest quality), the RHT497H goes head-to-head with the Humax PVR9300T with HD Upsaling to 1080p via its HDMI connections. It then goes one step further to add a DVD recorder and USB connection!
However, from our point of view, there is still one major flaw – it only has a single digital tv tuner, meaning you can only record (or watch) one channel at a time. This is a serious setback in the fight to compete with the Humax PVR9150T and PVR9300T.
As one of three new models from LG, the RHT497H differs from its big brothers only in the size of the hard drive (250Gb RHT498H and 320Gb RHT499H).
Unlike the Sagem DTR64160, the new model from LG has a USB port that offers something useful. The machine boasts DivX support – that’s a compression-technology that is commonly used on PCs to shrink the size of videos downloaded. While that may not mean much on its own, what it does mean is that recordings from the freeview recorder are compressed using the DivX codec, and can be transferred to your PC via a USB memory stick and watched on your PC or laptop using your favourite DivX compatible media player (Windows Media Player for example).
The RHT497H looks very snazzy from the front, thanks to an all-new shiny black and silver facing with a circular multi function control right in the centre. It’s nice to see that LG have thought a little about positioning of buttons and sockets, with the USB socket accessible via a drop-down flap at the front of the machine. This should mean it is easy to connect a USB storage device to transfer your programs.
The built in DVD player is a run of the mill model with no unexpected features but equally nothing missing. It is a ‘Super Multi’ drive which means it will record on to a vast range of dvd media (DVD-RAM, DVD+RW/+R, DVD-RW etc etc) and has a limited number of editing features for chapter making etc. The main advantage is that when your hard drive is nearing full, this device makes it very easy to archive your recordings to view at a later date.
Overall, this model will appeal to people who aren’t concerned about watching one channel and recording another, but do want a single no-fuss machine that will allow them to record live tv and watch DVDs. The USB connection, HD upscaling via HDMI and Freeview + features (series link etc) are an added bonus. At well under £200, this could become a popular choice.
LG RHT497H Price Comparison
More reviews:
- Humax PVR9150T
- Humax PVR9300T
- Sagem DTR64160 Eco
- DigiHome DG250DTA08
- Thomson DTI6300 TopUpTV
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