Freeview On Demand update broke my Panasonic HWT260?

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#2124422 12-Nov-2018 20:06

Bluntj:
Freeview is near impossible to contact.

My EPG is still broken but better. Still recording a lot of programs on the plus one channels which of course are not HD. No reason to record on plus one..no conflicts.

I did attempt to loom at the new stuff, but it required an account and password..yuck. I saw no way to actually watch live television through it.

You have a freeview EPG and mini guide on an HWT-260 recorder?

Kirk

scuwp

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#2124470 12-Nov-2018 21:59

kharris:
Bluntj:

Freeview is near impossible to contact.

My EPG is still broken but better. Still recording a lot of programs on the plus one channels which of course are not HD. No reason to record on plus one..no conflicts.

I did attempt to loom at the new stuff, but it required an account and password..yuck. I saw no way to actually watch live television through it.

You have a freeview EPG and mini guide on an HWT-260 recorder?

Did until the update to the "new" On Demand, now they are gone. Only the Panny inbuilt EPG left.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

chris48

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Wannabe Geek

#2130886 21-Nov-2018 10:43

scuwp:
So an update to this...

Freeview have now told me that due to 'performance issues' many devices, including the HWT260, have been updated with a 'light' version of the new On Demand platform. I have asked if it is temporary or permanent, and if there is any option to roll back the update. I know what the answers will be. They seem to be in la la land claiming that the 'light' version is still an improvement...air must be a bit thin in their office!

Panasonic tell me that they are aware of this issue and it affects many devices across all brands. They are in communication with Freeview but they are at their mercy. They tell me that in testing Freeview realised that there were significant issues with capacity and capability to handle the 4K content and new platform and so they created a 'light' version giving limited content, and removing features such as the catch-up service and Freeview EPG.

The device is still being advertised today on the Freeview and Retailer website as approved for On Demand.

So, in 3 weeks my device has been hobbled by the Freeview update. It's not the retailers or manufacturers fault but at the end of the day it no longer does what it was meant to and is (perhaps arguably) no longer fit for purpose. I'm not sure there are any other options so will need to decide if I can live with it or ask the retailer to remedy the situation under the CGA.

I miss TiVo!!!

chris48

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2130894 21-Nov-2018 10:51

scuwp:
So an update to this...

Freeview have now told me that due to 'performance issues' many devices, including the HWT260, have been updated with a 'light' version of the new On Demand platform. I have asked if it is temporary or permanent, and if there is any option to roll back the update. I know what the answers will be. They seem to be in la la land claiming that the 'light' version is still an improvement...air must be a bit thin in their office!

Panasonic tell me that they are aware of this issue and it affects many devices across all brands. They are in communication with Freeview but they are at their mercy. They tell me that in testing Freeview realised that there were significant issues with capacity and capability to handle the 4K content and new platform and so they created a 'light' version giving limited content, and removing features such as the catch-up service and Freeview EPG.

The device is still being advertised today on the Freeview and Retailer website as approved for On Demand.

So, in 3 weeks my device has been hobbled by the Freeview update. It's not the retailers or manufacturers fault but at the end of the day it no longer does what it was meant to and is (perhaps arguably) no longer fit for purpose. I'm not sure there are any other options so will need to decide if I can live with it or ask the retailer to remedy the situation under the CGA.

I miss TiVo!!!

Yes, me too. The Panasonic was already half broken anyway, with its archaic interface, lag, an info button that gives irrelevant info, inability to pause a programme you are watching as it records without going back to the recorded version. My Dish 2200 is better and that has its problems. Taken together, I agree that it is questionable fit for purpose.

Paul1977

5052 posts

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#2132599 23-Nov-2018 12:22

I'm glad I saw this thread. I was holding off on getting one of these until it had been updated to the new FreeView On Demand. Farmers has them for $250 at the moment and I was planning to get one at lunchtime, but not after seeing this thread.

Are there any decent alternatives? I just want something with FULL Freeview On Demand, Netflix, and Lightbox.

RXV

124 posts

Master Geek

#2157238 9-Jan-2019 20:00

Does Freeview on demand work for you? My box did work post the upgrade, but now freezes if I try and play amd content. It just displays ‘LOADING’ and freezes.

scuwp

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#2157239 9-Jan-2019 20:20

Freeview On Demand now works and most of the catalogue is there, but it’s still a cut-down basic interface.

I wished I knew about the new Freeview recorder, but it was released a few weeks too late. That said I don’t think I havent watched a single recorded show, since I got it, so much is available on Demand now there is rarely a need. So my default device is now Apple TV. Had I known the Panny wasn’t fully featured I wouldn’t have purchased it.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

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DataBitz

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#2157262 9-Jan-2019 21:37

RXV: Does Freeview on demand work for you? My box did work post the upgrade, but now freezes if I try and play amd content. It just displays ‘LOADING’ and freezes.

I have the same problem and contacted Freeview, this is what they responded with.

"Thank you for contacting us today,
Our dev team are currently investigating this issue and are working on a resolution.
Once we have more information regarding this we will be in contact to update accordingly.
Please keep an eye on our Network status page as this issue has been added to the page and updates will be shown there.
https://freeviewforum.co.nz/page/network-status
Thanks,
Team Freeview"

As of the today the network status page says there is still a problem.

Panasonic TV and PVR Issue (Since 21/11/2018)
Some Panasonic TVs / PVRs may experience the following issue:

Unable to load On Demand content- it stays on loading screen

This is currently being investigated by the development team (Updated: 04/12/2018)

RXV

124 posts

Master Geek

#2157268 9-Jan-2019 22:02

Thanks. Guess I just need to wait for a fix.

allan

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#2157361 10-Jan-2019 10:23

My DMR-BWT760 initially seemed to be suffering from the same issue when this "update" was pushed out, but a few days later came right. I still think the functionality is a step backwards, but hopefully it means if they can sort it for one model, they will for others as well.

chris48

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#2157429 10-Jan-2019 11:40

Sometimes it feels like we have gone back to the 1950s in terms of product design, after the solid performances of the first MySky boxes and TiVo we are now faced with devices that are neither polished nor reliable in function. It is hard to believe that in the 21st century otherwise reputable manufacturers are pushing out devices that are not suitable for their advertised use and users have to compromise by deciding which model has the least bad features that we can put up with or work around. Today's devices remind me of Harry Potter's Ford Anglia, leaking spots of oil and rattling along the road.

tdgeek

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#2157434 10-Jan-2019 11:47

chris48:

Sometimes it feels like we have gone back to the 1950s in terms of product design, after the solid performances of the first MySky boxes and TiVo we are now faced with devices that are neither polished nor reliable in function. It is hard to believe that in the 21st century otherwise reputable manufacturers are pushing out devices that are not suitable for their advertised use and users have to compromise by deciding which model has the least bad features that we can put up with or work around. Today's devices remind me of Harry Potter's Ford Anglia, leaking spots of oil and rattling along the road.

I like the current Sky box

Where does Freeview sit with all this? I had the feeling that the plain Panny UI was based around Freeview. Dish made the T2200 and its full of bugs, same with this new box. Strikes me that it goes beyond Panny and Dish making a poor and/or buggy UI

MikeB4

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#2157628 10-Jan-2019 15:02

@scuwp like you I have found that we are just not recording programmes any more and our Panasonic is al but redundant and we use the features in our LG TV

RXV

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Master Geek

#2190679 4-Mar-2019 13:44

Finally this is fixed - last weeks update has resolved the issue using Freeview on Demand.

rugrat

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#2190743 4-Mar-2019 14:35

scuwp: Freeview On Demand now works and most of the catalogue is there, but it’s still a cut-down basic interface.

I wished I knew about the new Freeview recorder, but it was released a few weeks too late. That said I don’t think I havent watched a single recorded show, since I got it, so much is available on Demand now there is rarely a need. So my default device is now Apple TV. Had I known the Panny wasn’t fully featured I wouldn’t have purchased it.

I used on demand to catch up with Tin Star, but last night watched recording of the latest on full DD5.1 system.

It was a lot better viewing experience better sound, plus I could get though the adds faster on a live recording, 5 to 10 seconds, where as on demand was being forced to watch 3 30 second adds near the end, Freeview on the TV will not allow fast forwarding of adds, last I used Apple TV I could fast forward adds TV3 don’t know if that’s changed.

I use on demand for when didn’t realise something started, but once caught up get the full experience from a live broadcast recording, I use the MySky, very happy with it, was also happy with TiVo.

Seems like Freeview is putting out half junk recorders these days, not saying they don’t work, but could be putting better devices on market.

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