Best box for FreeviewPlus terrestrial

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sofistek

95 posts

Master Geek

#205316 8-Nov-2016 17:07

Looking through the forums and other sources, it seems that the two options for me are the Panasonic DMR-HWT260GN or the DishTV T2200 but I've noticed that people have some problems with both of those and other possible options don't seem to be widely available (not really interested in a DVD player as I have a separate one of those). So I'm not sure which is the best of the small bunch. I'm not really tending to either, at the moment, and so would appreciate some up-to-date info as both have been around for quite some time now.

I'm currently on MagicTV 3600 and it's getting long in the tooth (with some persistent issues); hence the change. I've looked at IPTV but what is available doesn't seem to be stable enough for regular but not extensive TV viewing.

Jase2985

13466 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1665895 8-Nov-2016 17:09

i have had zero issues with my T2200 in the last month or 2 since the latest firmware update.

It did have heaps of issues but they have been pretty quick in sorting them out.

Pumpedd

1759 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1665946 8-Nov-2016 18:37

My new Panasonic is behaving itself this week after I changed aerial splitter. Seems a weaker signal was causing the blackouts.

Seakiwi

144 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#1666070 8-Nov-2016 21:55

Hmm, T2200, the one I installed for my 86 year old mother worked fine until recently. Now playing up and can't even get DishTV to respond. Had similar issues with one of their Sat boxes I have on my boat that they told me would do Sky as well (S7090 ,with my Sky card of course). Worked intermittently and was broken by every second software update. They eventually gave up and refunded the cost of the CAM they sold me. Surprisingly works resonable well for Freeview sat, but I have replaced with the new MySky decoder which has an external power supply and is 12 volt now.

Buyer beware is my advice.

sofistek

95 posts

Master Geek

#1666076 8-Nov-2016 22:09

Yes, I noticed your problem, seakiwi, and the lack of support with the T2200. The black screen problem is a bit worrying on the Panasonic but most of what we watch is recorded and that doesn't appear to have been an issue but I'm not sure my signal is great though I've had very few problems with the signal (rare pixelations and rarer complete loss) on a very old Freeview box and on the Magic TV box.

Still torn between the two.

Thanks for comments.

Pumpedd

1759 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1666175 9-Nov-2016 07:54

Its a shame there isnt another option with 3 tuners....like the MySky boxes.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#1666326 9-Nov-2016 10:44

sofistek:

Yes, I noticed your problem, seakiwi, and the lack of support with the T2200. The black screen problem is a bit worrying on the Panasonic but most of what we watch is recorded and that doesn't appear to have been an issue but I'm not sure my signal is great though I've had very few problems with the signal (rare pixelations and rarer complete loss) on a very old Freeview box and on the Magic TV box.

Still torn between the two.

Thanks for comments.

I have an older Panasonic BWT720 (non-Freeview Plus) and have had no problems over the last three or so years. Did have a minor glitch over the weekend though when it started recording 8 hours at a time at random times. I suspect there must have been a glitch in the EPG and/or clock transmissions on Saturday which upset my EPG programmed record times. A cold start (powered off at the wall) fixed it. Personally I'd steer clear of anything with Freeview Plus as it seems to be causing so many problems. For live streaming and catch-up I use a HTPC which is far superior to the Apps on any Freeview Plus device.

Clima

130 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1666345 9-Nov-2016 11:20

I have an old Magic 3600 and a T2200. I got the t2200 because the 3600 was becoming unreliable. We are still mainly using the 3600 as it has a very easy-to-use remote.

The T2200 remote has been designed for pixies. The forward, reverse and pause/play buttons are jammed into a miniature keypad and are almost unusable. Also I wonder what problems the next software upgrade will introduce.

I feel that Dish have done a conn job on all their customers in releasing the T2200 to the world for Beta testing!

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

sofistek

95 posts

Master Geek

#1666378 9-Nov-2016 11:42

B1GGLZ:

Personally I'd steer clear of anything with Freeview Plus as it seems to be causing so many problems. For live streaming and catch-up I use a HTPC which is far superior to the Apps on any Freeview Plus device.

Fair point. I suppose I'm only looking at FreeviewPlus because there don't seem to be many or any MyFreeview|HD boxes around. I may also take a look at a Raspberry PI Kodi box for future reference.

Jase2985

13466 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#1666705 9-Nov-2016 17:01

Clima:

I have an old Magic 3600 and a T2200. I got the t2200 because the 3600 was becoming unreliable. We are still mainly using the 3600 as it has a very easy-to-use remote.

The T2200 remote has been designed for pixies. The forward, reverse and pause/play buttons are jammed into a miniature keypad and are almost unusable. Also I wonder what problems the next software upgrade will introduce.

I feel that Dish have done a conn job on all their customers in releasing the T2200 to the world for Beta testing!

i believe they have a new remote now

sofistek

95 posts

Master Geek

#1668291 11-Nov-2016 21:39

I decided on the Panasonic, for good or bad. It was on offer at Harvey Norman ($368) so I went for it. At least I can try it out for 14 days during which time I can return it for a refund. Hope I don't see the black screen problem.

sofistek

95 posts

Master Geek

#1680265 30-Nov-2016 19:29

OK, had to wait over 10 days for the unit as it wasn't in stock at the store I wanted to pick it up from. When I got it, though it looked new, it turned out to be used. Looks like it was used for a week and then returned as there were about a week's worth of recordings on the hard disk. The set up was also not as per the manual as it wasn't new. It kept complaining about a lack of signal and I couldn't get to the Internet. But after resetting to factory settings, set-up went smoothly - very strange.

Seems to be OK though, overall, the UI doesn't seem as simple as the Magic TV unit. Tried Freeview and that worked fine - watched a movie.

Unfortunately, I think I've seen the blank screen problem but only once. Fingers crossed. I've only had it for a week, so I've got another week to decide whether to return it, though I probably won't.

Pumpedd

1759 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1680301 30-Nov-2016 20:49

Having zero problems with panasonic since I turned OFF FreeView Plus.

Its sad that this has to occur and that NZ has so few decent options.

sofistek

95 posts

Master Geek

#1680351 30-Nov-2016 22:32

Pumpedd:

Having zero problems with panasonic since I turned OFF FreeView Plus.

Its sad that this has to occur and that NZ has so few decent options.

I agree that NZ has few options. Thanks for mentioning turning FV Plus off. I doubt we'd use that anyway, so will turn it off if I see more problems.