Panasonic HDD recorder DMR-PWT550GZ: Web browser problems: Are smart TV browsers any good?

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frednz

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#181179 5-Oct-2015 14:15

Hi, I wondered if anyone has used the web browser on the Panasonic DMR-PWT550GZ HDD recorder (set top box)?

The problem is that it's quite unstable at times and either crashes frequently or throws out messages like: "This connection is unsecure" (from the "Stuff" site) or "timezone incorrect" (from the TVNZ On Demand site).

For example, if I try downloading Lightbox with the web browser (https://www.lightbox.co.nz) the contents of the home screen are only partially downloaded and you can't sign in or get any video to play.

But, when you use a dedicated installed app for a program such as Netflix, the PWT550 works very well and the remote control is able to pause and fast forward and rewind etc.

At present, there is no installed app for Lightbox and I haven't been able to download the app from Google PlayStore so that it works on the PWT550. Is it possible to do this?

Are these problems common to all web browsers on smart TVs and set top boxes?

I am thinking of purchasing the Sony KD55X 8500C smart TV, and I wondered if the web browser on this TV would be better than the one on the Panasonic PWT550? In general, are the web browsers on today's smart TVs any good and as good as using a laptop computer?

Thanks very much for your advice.

Regards
Fred

littleheaven

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#1400428 5-Oct-2015 16:53

In my experience they aren't great, and often don't run things like flash that are necessary to view streaming content. I bought a little $230 Windows TV box (a Minix Neo) for browser based watching like TVNZ On Demand and Lightbox. It's not much larger than an Apple TV and sits very discreetly just behind my TV screen.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

B1GGLZ

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#1400503 5-Oct-2015 19:24

The web browsers in my Panasonic BWT720 Recorder and Sony EX720 TV are next to useless.
But then neither the Sony nor Panasonic is designed to be any good for Web Browsing. One is a TV and the other is a Recorder and they are both excellent at their primary function. If you want to browse the Web then use a PC or a Laptop. that's what they do well.
The Apps on the new Smart TVs and STBs are probably very good but strictly limited by what the manufacturers allow to be included in their devices for our Region.

frednz

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#1400568 5-Oct-2015 21:01

Thanks very much for your replies. The Minix Neo looks to have very good specifications (http://minix.com.hk/) and hopefully would be able to stream 4K video (even though there isn't much 4K content around yet)?

I wonder whether the Minix Neo would be necessary if you were to purchase one of Sony's latest UHD 4K TVs? When you consider that the internet hub in the latest Sony TVs is specifically designed to run with the Android system, perhaps it might be better than, say, the latest Samsung or Panasonic UHD TV internet current offerings? On Sony's web site it says this:

"Sony’s Android TV gives you access to a world of movies, TV shows, music and apps via Google Play™ for
hours of fun. You can also connect a wide variety of Android™ devices for seamless transfer and syncing
of your favourite content. Evenings spent watching TV will never be the same again. App availability varies by region."

Thanks Bigglz, I realise there is considerable merit in having separate equipment for TV viewing and internet access. But there is a certain appeal to buying a new smart TV which includes all the apps and internet capability that you need for streaming internet video.

Regards
Fred