Panasonic DMR-PWT550GZ for FreeviewPlus Recording

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13 posts

Geek

#1401706 7-Oct-2015 13:13

I have a 550 and frankly regret buying one. The UI is a dog and it has some really annoying habits. EPG takes an age to load and it's very clunky. Recording back to back programs ties up the two tuners, and for a 5 min period at the end of the program and the beginning of a new one you can't watch anything else. I don't bother using the web streaming features because they are really slow and hard to navigate with the remote.

Now in hindsight I wish I had purchased something different.

frednz

1467 posts

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#1401928 7-Oct-2015 17:19

boldy: I have a 550 and frankly regret buying one. The UI is a dog and it has some really annoying habits. EPG takes an age to load and it's very clunky. Recording back to back programs ties up the two tuners, and for a 5 min period at the end of the program and the beginning of a new one you can't watch anything else. I don't bother using the web streaming features because they are really slow and hard to navigate with the remote.

Now in hindsight I wish I had purchased something different.

I also have a 550 and I think that overall it's pretty good value. The recordings are of a high quality and that's the main thing I suppose. On the internet side of things, I have found that some of the installed apps are very good, such as the installed Netflix app works really well with the Panasonic remote. But it doesn't have the "Lightbox" app and neither do Sony Android TVs for that matter.

Sure, the web browser is slow to use compared with using a laptop computer, but it's good that the Panasonic has a blu-ray and 3D DVD player on board. And, before long (we are promised) it will be compatible with Freeview Plus. There aren't many Freeview recorders on the NZ market, so I think the Panasonic has more features than its current opposition.

One thing that's quite interesting is that when there is an installed app such as Netflix on the Panasonic, you can load Chromecast on your mobile phone and send a Netflix movie to the 550 and it automatically loads Netflix which you can then control from either your phone or the Panasonic remote. (The Chromecast hardware gadget is not needed for this operation).

Cheers
Fred

kharris

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#1403092 9-Oct-2015 14:46

frednz:
boldy: I have a 550 and frankly regret buying one. The UI is a dog and it has some really annoying habits. EPG takes an age to load and it's very clunky. Recording back to back programs ties up the two tuners, and for a 5 min period at the end of the program and the beginning of a new one you can't watch anything else. I don't bother using the web streaming features because they are really slow and hard to navigate with the remote.

Now in hindsight I wish I had purchased something different.

I also have a 550 and I think that overall it's pretty good value. The recordings are of a high quality and that's the main thing I suppose. On the internet side of things, I have found that some of the installed apps are very good, such as the installed Netflix app works really well with the Panasonic remote. But it doesn't have the "Lightbox" app and neither do Sony Android TVs for that matter.

Sure, the web browser is slow to use compared with using a laptop computer, but it's good that the Panasonic has a blu-ray and 3D DVD player on board. And, before long (we are promised) it will be compatible with Freeview Plus. There aren't many Freeview recorders on the NZ market, so I think the Panasonic has more features than its current opposition.

One thing that's quite interesting is that when there is an installed app such as Netflix on the Panasonic, you can load Chromecast on your mobile phone and send a Netflix movie to the 550 and it automatically loads Netflix which you can then control from either your phone or the Panasonic remote. (The Chromecast hardware gadget is not needed for this operation).

Cheers
Fred

Can you upload some pictures of the UI especially the guide?

Kirk

frednz

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#1403236 9-Oct-2015 20:08

kharris:
frednz:
boldy: I have a 550 and frankly regret buying one. The UI is a dog and it has some really annoying habits. EPG takes an age to load and it's very clunky. Recording back to back programs ties up the two tuners, and for a 5 min period at the end of the program and the beginning of a new one you can't watch anything else. I don't bother using the web streaming features because they are really slow and hard to navigate with the remote.

Now in hindsight I wish I had purchased something different.

I also have a 550 and I think that overall it's pretty good value. The recordings are of a high quality and that's the main thing I suppose. On the internet side of things, I have found that some of the installed apps are very good, such as the installed Netflix app works really well with the Panasonic remote. But it doesn't have the "Lightbox" app and neither do Sony Android TVs for that matter.

Sure, the web browser is slow to use compared with using a laptop computer, but it's good that the Panasonic has a blu-ray and 3D DVD player on board. And, before long (we are promised) it will be compatible with Freeview Plus. There aren't many Freeview recorders on the NZ market, so I think the Panasonic has more features than its current opposition.

One thing that's quite interesting is that when there is an installed app such as Netflix on the Panasonic, you can load Chromecast on your mobile phone and send a Netflix movie to the 550 and it automatically loads Netflix which you can then control from either your phone or the Panasonic remote. (The Chromecast hardware gadget is not needed for this operation).

Cheers
Fred

Can you upload some pictures of the UI especially the guide?

Have you had a look at this Freeview video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOHQDpUbXas

This video is referred to on this page:

http://www.freeviewnz.tv/tvguide/tv-guide-via-your-remote/

It explains how the guide looks and works.

Regards
Fred

kharris

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#1403586 10-Oct-2015 18:09

frednz:
kharris:
frednz:
boldy: I have a 550 and frankly regret buying one. The UI is a dog and it has some really annoying habits. EPG takes an age to load and it's very clunky. Recording back to back programs ties up the two tuners, and for a 5 min period at the end of the program and the beginning of a new one you can't watch anything else. I don't bother using the web streaming features because they are really slow and hard to navigate with the remote.

Now in hindsight I wish I had purchased something different.

I also have a 550 and I think that overall it's pretty good value. The recordings are of a high quality and that's the main thing I suppose. On the internet side of things, I have found that some of the installed apps are very good, such as the installed Netflix app works really well with the Panasonic remote. But it doesn't have the "Lightbox" app and neither do Sony Android TVs for that matter.

Sure, the web browser is slow to use compared with using a laptop computer, but it's good that the Panasonic has a blu-ray and 3D DVD player on board. And, before long (we are promised) it will be compatible with Freeview Plus. There aren't many Freeview recorders on the NZ market, so I think the Panasonic has more features than its current opposition.

One thing that's quite interesting is that when there is an installed app such as Netflix on the Panasonic, you can load Chromecast on your mobile phone and send a Netflix movie to the 550 and it automatically loads Netflix which you can then control from either your phone or the Panasonic remote. (The Chromecast hardware gadget is not needed for this operation).

Cheers
Fred

Can you upload some pictures of the UI especially the guide?

Have you had a look at this Freeview video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOHQDpUbXas

This video is referred to on this page:

http://www.freeviewnz.tv/tvguide/tv-guide-via-your-remote/

It explains how the guide looks and works.

Regards
Fred

That is the old Freeview guide. I thought the new Freeview plus one was different?

Kirk

frednz

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#1403613 10-Oct-2015 20:09

With regard to Freeview Plus, this video may be helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Pq8byUa7BY

However, Panasonic hasn't yet released the firmware update for Freeview Plus on the 550 because it's not yet finalised or approved. When it is approved, it will be added to the list here:

http://www.freeviewnz.tv/freeview/2015-approved-freeviewplus-models/aerialbox/

The update is expected before the end of October (hopefully)!

If you want a demonstration of Freeview Plus, a TV retailer may be able to give you a demonstration using a FreeviewPlus approved TV, as listed on the Freeview site.

Regards
Fred

kharris

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#1403635 10-Oct-2015 21:21

frednz: With regard to Freeview Plus, this video may be helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Pq8byUa7BY

However, Panasonic hasn't yet released the firmware update for Freeview Plus on the 550 because it's not yet finalised or approved. When it is approved, it will be added to the list here:

http://www.freeviewnz.tv/freeview/2015-approved-freeviewplus-models/aerialbox/

The update is expected before the end of October (hopefully)!

If you want a demonstration of Freeview Plus, a TV retailer may be able to give you a demonstration using a FreeviewPlus approved TV, as listed on the Freeview site.

Regards
Fred

Thanks for that Fred. I may wait until the update is released then. The box is no good to me without the plus options. I already have a recorder for the original Freeview.

Cheers
Kirk.

Kirk

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Bartanda

23 posts

Geek

#1403683 10-Oct-2015 23:37

Just checked the Panasonic website and an update has become available. My version was 1.14. It's not the Freeview+ update we're all waiting for though

. Here are the details...

DMR-PWT550GZ Firmware Download (New Zealand)

Update Information

Model Number

DMR-PWT550GZ

Update Version

Ver 1.15

Update File Name / Size

New Zealand
UPDATE_BWT955_750GL_PWT550GLGZ_V115.exe / 129,929,968 bytes

Update Date

29/Sep/2015

Improvement

Date/Version

Description

29/Sep/2015
Ver 1.15

Stability of playability

13/Apr/2015
Ver 1.14

Activate Remote Viewing and Recording function
Update VIErA Connect function

I had been checking regularly via the update function in the settings menu and it never found it. I've now downloaded and manually updated it via USB. So far I haven't noticed anything different, but then it's only been 10 minutes!

This is the link to the Panasonic update page... http://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/bd/download/pwt550/gz.html

Cheers
Dave

frednz

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Inactive user

#1403914 11-Oct-2015 16:37

Bartanda: Just checked the Panasonic website and an update has become available. My version was 1.14. It's not the Freeview+ update we're all waiting for though. Here are the details...
DMR-PWT550GZ Firmware Download (New Zealand) Update Information Model Number DMR-PWT550GZ Update Version Ver 1.15 Update File Name / Size New Zealand
UPDATE_BWT955_750GL_PWT550GLGZ_V115.exe / 129,929,968 bytes Update Date 29/Sep/2015 Improvement Date/Version Description 29/Sep/2015
Ver 1.15

Stability of playability
13/Apr/2015
Ver 1.14

Activate Remote Viewing and Recording function
Update VIErA Connect function

I had been checking regularly via the update function in the settings menu and it never found it. I've now downloaded and manually updated it via USB. So far I haven't noticed anything different, but then it's only been 10 minutes!

This is the link to the Panasonic update page... http://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/bd/download/pwt550/gz.html

Cheers
Dave

Thanks for that, I have just checked via the update function in the settings menu and I received this message:

"The latest software is already installed. No new software."

Under "software version" my 550gz shows that the software version is 1.14 and the wireless module version is 1.02.03.

I realise that it is possible to update it manually via USB, but I guess if you don't do that, the "usual" method of having the 550 find the software update (Version 1.15) must happen in due course?

I wonder why Version 1.15 software update is not NOW showing up via the update function in the settings menu?

Regards
Fred

Bartanda

23 posts

Geek

#1403924 11-Oct-2015 17:20

Thanks for that, I have just checked via the update function in the settings menu and I received this message:

"The latest software is already installed. No new software."

Under "software version" my 550gz shows that the software version is 1.14 and the wireless module version is 1.02.03.

I realise that it is possible to update it manually via USB, but I guess if you don't do that, the "usual" method of having the 550 find the software update (Version 1.15) must happen in due course?

I wonder why Version 1.15 software update is not NOW showing up via the update function in the settings menu?

Regards
Fred

Yes I got the message "The latest software is already installed. No new software." also so I was surprised to find an update on the website. So far I haven't noticed anything different with the update. I do have the Viera link turned off so I wouldn't see anything with that anyway. Don't know what they mean activating the remote stuff, it seemed to work on 1.14 when I tried it.

Cheers
Dave

kharris

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#1428777 16-Nov-2015 11:36

Any updates on this one? Has they FreeviewPlus firmware been released?

Kirk

Bartanda

23 posts

Geek

#1431278 19-Nov-2015 17:29

The website still shows V1.15 (29 Sept 2015) as the latest. Panasonic seem to be dragging there feet with the Freeview + firmware, it's now about 2 months overdue.

kharris

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#1431538 20-Nov-2015 09:26

Bartanda: The website still shows V1.15 (29 Sept 2015) as the latest. Panasonic seem to be dragging there feet with the Freeview + firmware, it's now about 2 months overdue.

I'm glad I didn't buy one now. JB HiFi have signs one there display model saying it is FreeviewPlus, but clearly it isn't, yet.

Kirk

Bartanda

23 posts

Geek

#1432328 21-Nov-2015 17:08

The MagicTV that this recorder replaced was sooo much better from a usability point of view. The Panasonic UI is clunky by comparison. One annoying limitation is if the tuners are busy when you try to schedule a 3rd programme, it won't automatically find an alternate time on a plus 1 channel or an encore screening on another day. Something the MagicTV automatically did without any fuss. The Panasonic forced you to manually resolve conflicts yourself. Another is the way it ties up both tuners when you record two programmes in a row on the same channel. The MagicTV was capable of recoding two programmes with one tuner if they are on the same MUX.

I should point out though that we replaced the MagicTV because it became unreliable. Prematurely in my opinion. It started randomly freezing and/or rebooting with more and more regularity. I tried a few things to resolve like replacing hard drives etc but it just got worse and worse.

I should call Panasonic next week and ask where these promised features have got to. If they are going to renege then I'll be demanding a refund! Should ask JB to demo the advertised features. They might come up with some entertaining excuses.

(spelling error corrected)

Wills1

710 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1435368 26-Nov-2015 16:43

I asked on thePanasonic Facebook page a couple of days ago if there were any FreeviewPlus PVR's coming soon. They replied and said the 550 will be functional with FreeviewPlus end of January. With more models to come later.

I think I'll buy the aerial box option instead. Although it appears there are bugs, they are really good on the forums here about addressing them with software updates. Seems lick a much better supported product.

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