Freeview set top box choice

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JimmyH

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#624155 12-May-2012 21:56

bfginger: The DMR-BWT720 is the new model. Does it have the same recordings over network ability via DLNA as the previous models?

Hopefully it does. The details that are up here:

http://www.panasonic.co.nz/products/home-entertainment/dvd-and-blu-ray/dmr-bwt720/

certainly read as if it does. This is what I am interested in. I was looking at the previous model, which is being cleared out at sub-$900 pricing at the moment. However, my DTT reception is flaky where I am, and I am waiting until the frequency changes scheduled for Mt Kak Kau next month before deciding. If it means my DTT reception is OK then I might look at something like this, otherwise something satellite based.

Better than the Tivo as it seems easier/faster to move HD material off this unit via blu-ray than to use the Tivo's networking package, plus I already have two good DLNA media players networked (WD TV Lives) that won't work with a Tivo but should work with this.

Pathetic that Japan has had models with 1TB drives for a couple of years, but they are still shipping this with a 500GB drive though. Given the file sizes for HD material and minimal price difference, for a premium unit like this I think they should ship with a larger drive.

MikeB4

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#624231 13-May-2012 08:32

Many "older" DVD/PVR do not meet current and coming DRM requirements, caution should be exercised when buying sellout models.

richms

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#624263 13-May-2012 10:22

Surely not meeting drm requirements is a good thing?

HDDs locked to the unit and forced hdcp and no analog outs are hardly features that you want on a prosuct

Richard rich.ms

MikeB4

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#624270 13-May-2012 10:44

richms: Surely not meeting drm requirements is a good thing?

HDDs locked to the unit and forced hdcp and no analog outs are hardly features that you want on a prosuct

didn't say it was desirable, but optional may not be available on some services

JimmyH

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#624390 13-May-2012 15:32

KiwiNZ: Many "older" DVD/PVR do not meet current and coming DRM requirements, caution should be exercised when buying sellout models.

I regard that as a positive not a negative.

I have an old non-approved Freeview STB somewhere. Build-wise, it was a rubbish unit. Feature-wise, it beats current models as it recorded to an external drive in an unencrypted format, and allowed full-HD output over component.

(You can't find them now - I understand from a family member with retailer connections that FV may have been using the budget it has to promote switchover, and it's listing of suggested retailers, to pressure the major retailers into only selling approved/compliant boxes if they want to be included in promos).

richms

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#624485 13-May-2012 18:28

KiwiNZ:
richms: Surely not meeting drm requirements is a good thing?

HDDs locked to the unit and forced hdcp and no analog outs are hardly features that you want on a prosuct

didn't say it was desirable, but optional may not be available on some services

Dont see how since there is no mandatory CI or anything on freeview approved boxes so it all has to be over the air in the clear.

Perhaps future services that use internet delivery maymiss out but current hardware will too

Richard rich.ms

rphenix

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#625308 15-May-2012 10:06

KiwiNZ:
freitasm: I have a TiVo here and it works well... What is it missing for you?

As I said, the Tivo is currently the pick of the crop but there is some issues, I had one, my sons have it in their flat, but my first died, the replacement would grey screen or freeze quite often although my sons having been without these, I suspect my signal was too strong. Caspa is a joke, end that story.

However it just seems somewhat half finished or maybe the model we have here is just old and we need to latest Tivo devices.

The current lack of networking is a pain.

Well I've got two and they haven't missed a beat. You can purchase a home network key from tivo which I've done recently and you only buy it per tivo account, not per device so you wont need to purchase it multiple times.

Once thats done you can record on one tivo, watch on another tivo in the house or via PC (not that I've tried the PC option). IT works great and is significantly better than any freeview set top box I've tried.

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