IntroductionJust when we thought YouView was the future of digital TV, Pure has delivered a thoroughly advanced Freeview+ HD TV recorder. It might not have the volume of on-demand programming, but the Pure Avalon 300R Connect arguably has a user interface that's even easier to use than YouView.We tested the 1TB version of this PVR, which costs £349.99 (around US$534/AU$521), though Pure also sells one with half the capacity for £50 less. Either way, this is one expensive machine. The polished user interface makes it feels like one, too, at least initially. Aside from that 1TB HDD, there's no doubt that AV enthusiasts will love the Pure Avalon 300R Connect's raw specs; on its rear is an HDMI output and a stunning four HDMI inputs, which turn this machine into a conduit that can switch every component in a home cinema setup. An External inputs tab on the home page brings up a tab for each piece of equipment - which can be named using free-type - and the Avalon switches to it within five seconds. In a move that's typical of the user interface, it later uses a fade transition to return to the main Avalon home page. Befitting its ambition to be a core component are other top-spec ins and outs, including both optical and coaxial digital outputs, Ethernet LAN, a USB slot and left and right phono audio outputs. Those last two analogue connections underline the Avalon's ambition with music, though the Pure Connect service, which so far has streamed music and
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