Panasonic FreeView Box DMR-XW380 .... shop is unlikely to take back ... signal lost through Panasonic not the Samsung TV ... ???

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Panasonic FreeView Box DMR-XW380 .... shop is unlikely to take back ... signal lost through Panasonic not the Samsung TV ... ???

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#570763 19-Jan-2012 12:25

Brunzy: Los to Kaukau in Wellington can produce some 80+ dBuV of VHF from a UHF Antenna

Thanks, good to know. So possibly some brands/models filter the input to remove non UHF frequencies, and some don't.

ADKM

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#570808 19-Jan-2012 13:37

I was also advised to get a UHF-VHF Splitter and to change the HDMi Lead. We did this and it made absolutely no difference, although I can understand why it might have. We then got a new 'phased array' (whatever that means) aerial and now only once in 2 months have we had problems, whereas they were daily occurrences beforehand.

The reason for the splitter is to remove any UHF component (or is is VHF? - I forget) and the HDMi lead swap is to ensure a cheaper lead isn't leaking any RF. Then I bet they'll suggest you try another aerial. But after you prove the fault into the unit itself Panasonic must come to the party. Not to mention the shops responsibilty under the CGA.

Cheers - Kirk

novadonuk

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#570834 19-Jan-2012 14:16

So basically I could just be chucking my money in a fire. I think i'll try and take it back this weekend and just say that I dont believe I should have to pay any additional fees to fix the issue. As far as I could tell the aerial guy was using his spectrum meter thingy and he said your getting a nearly perfect signal so I cannot fault them. I can only conclude that its the XW-380.

ADKM

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#570842 19-Jan-2012 14:31

Can understand what you're saying, but a digital signal is not like an alalogue one. What appears (or looks) perfect can still be flawed in some way. I was sceptical too, but had to accept it after seeing proof. And these signal strength meters (and the inbuilt signal/quality indicators) don't seem to show the whole picture. (LOL sorry no pun intended!)

Apart from being a cow of thing to learn to operate, we're pretty happy with the 380 now. My suggestion was really to run though all the hoops, and if not resolved you're a much stronger case for a replacement.

Retailers are masters at making life miserable though, they'll want to 'repair' it first. Probably the swap period lasts about 3 days after purchase.

Is there anyting else on the market yet? There wasn't a few months ago. If you compare 1:1 btween the 380 and soemthing else, it would be interesting test.

Cheers - Kirk

Dunnersfella

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#570882 19-Jan-2012 16:11

I agree - sometimes a brand new aerial does not mean you'll be excluded from issues. Some installers will throw it up, not test it... and leave you dangling.
Who did you use for your aerial install?

Jaxson

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#570885 19-Jan-2012 16:18

That said though, if they are only looking for UHF signal strength/quality then your setup will have this, plus potentially some VHF signal as well. Point being it does have great UHF signal, just your box may only work with that, not the other bands creeping in. That doesn't mean the installer is wrong, as you've pointed out your Samsung TV doesn't give a damn.

If Panasonic produce a device that can't handle VHF frequencies then why don't they ensure they internally filter this out. What about houses where there is still a VHF and UHF aerial for instance, or areas where you get VHF signal even with a UHF aerial? If it's an issue then include a filter in the box with the unit.

gregmcc

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#570891 19-Jan-2012 16:43

novadonuk: Hi all,

So here's the update.

I discussed with shop my concerns and they offered to contact Panasonic.

They did contact Panasonic on my behalf and I was kindly advised to purchase an indoor vhf/uhf mixer from dick smith and that I may need to buy some adapters as well to get around the interference. Panasonic know about the interference on this particular model, XW-380 but are not willing to supply the parts needed to rectify the issue.

Well there is your answer, the store has informed you that there is a known fault with these units, they failed to advise you of this known fault before your purchased this unit.

The store now has 2 choices, rectify the known fault or refund the full purchase price. Advise the store of their choices under the consumer guarantee act.

If they don't want to do either, tell them you will file a dispute with the commerce comission which will include costs for your time to resolve this matter.

make sure you give them the repair/refund choice 1st in a nice way, playing nice first usually works, but if they won't then a tone change spelling out their legal obligations and the ramifications if they fail to stick to the CGA.

Greg

Equinox IT

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ADKM

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#570896 19-Jan-2012 16:59

there is a known fault

That's not it - and is wrong . There's no 'known fault'. If you supply the unit with the signal it's designed for all is well. While talking to Panasonic they explained their desire for a specification for digital signals/aerials and how Freeview wouldn't have a bar of it.
This is HUGE trouble to come as digital-only arrives and everyone connects their analogue aerials.

It's arguable whether Panasonic or the shop should take responsibilty for a customers aerial. And of course, this mightn't even be the case here. But until it's eliminated..... and sadly, just because a TV picture looks fine doesn't mean it's fine with a digital recorder. Guess those days are gone.

Cheers - Kirk

gregmcc

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#570900 19-Jan-2012 17:10

Call it an 'Issue' or 'Fault', both are things the consumer should have been informed of BEFORE the purchase, the CGA applies in both cases

novadonuk

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#571176 20-Jan-2012 12:02

So the shop I brought it from are buying in some Attenuators, that said I can have one FOC.

I've been told that my signal just may be too good and the Panasonic is just boosting the signal (making it worse) and therefore needs dumming down so to speak.

I can only but try the attenuator but I am not paying $30/40 to get this 'fixed'. I'll take my chances and try another brand ... any suggestions on this one?

Cheers, Ian.

Jaxson

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#571191 20-Jan-2012 12:37

I've been through that with a few terrestrial devices. Too much signal, not enough signal, other signals apart from just UHF etc. It's all about finding the sweet spot. Some devices are very tolerant of a wide range of situations, others not so much. As above, it's only going to get messier when they switch off the analogue transmissions, and no it's not enough to say "can you get prime ok? ~ then you'll be sweet". Good luck.

What exactly are you after, freeview PVR or PVR + Bluray etc?

Spyware

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#571193 20-Jan-2012 12:40

These Panasonics were designed for Australia where DVB-T operates on both high band VHF and UHF, some areas in Aus have services on both bands to my knowledge.

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

novadonuk

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#571217 20-Jan-2012 13:26

Interesting to know that they were designed for AUS.

Jaxson, really a replica of what we've got, twin tuner, hdd, dvd etc or slightly better.

Who knows, maybe the Attenuator will do the trick, and I guess when they switch analogue off I can take the Attenuator adapter off?

Cheers, Ian.

Spyware

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#571241 20-Jan-2012 14:09

Rechannelling will also occur throughout NZ later this year and next year meaning the DVB-T services will drop to bottom of the UHF band.

mattwnz

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#571263 20-Jan-2012 14:51

The question is, does this problem occur with the majority of other tuners? eg are these tuners designed to accept the differences in signal tolerances.Everyones signal that they receive would be of different strength anyway, and many people still have both aerials ontheir roof. Are they actually designed to be used in NZ conditions, or are they designed for other countries.
If their recommendation doesn't work, I would expect the retailer to credit you for the price of the parts they have asked you to buy. You shouldn't need to buy other parts, if other freeview tuners work perfectly fine on your aerial.

I don't know why these retailers / manufacturers even bother arguing about it. The customer is alway right, even when they aren't. It is not worth the hassle, and creates a bad impression for the customer against both the brand and retailer, when they are unable to get a problem resolved easily. This potentially means lost future sales, and at what cost. Probably not a lot.

The words 'Faults/problems/issues mean essentially the same thing. The word 'issue' is just the PC or positive marketing spin way of saying 'problem/fault'

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