Shinco PVR-integrated TV Outsources Storage to USB

Shinco, a name more associated with portable DVD players than flat panel display in the States, has come up with a way to integrate a PVR into its LCD TV. The only caveat is that the unit has no provision of storage for the video at all. This maybe also its strength as the TV provides a USB port that you can choose any kinds of external storage of your choice. Shinco does ship with a USB 2.5" enclosure and a drive bay for it.

The 32" RTV-3251 PVR TV won't replace your Philips, Sony or MCE box since its recording functionality is rather limited to say the least. The lack of a second tuner means you won't be able to watch one channel while recording another. There's hidden potential though as the TV has its own decoder so you can playback most of your MPEG-4 video.

Their brochure in JPEG blurred the fine text so it's unclear the maximum bit-rate of the encoder. All in all, the Shinco (HK$6280 or $805 USD) has raised the bar without raising the price tag.