MagicTV 3700TD - Opinions

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37 posts

Geek

#519371 10-Sep-2011 20:02

MurrayM:
nigelb999:
MurrayM:
My 3600's remote has a backlight, which is very handy. However it only works when it's dark and you have to press a button on the remote to a activate the backlighting.

What button do you push to activate the backlighting?

You can press any button and the backlighting comes on but then turns off after several seconds of non-use. What I was tr ing to say was that the backlighting isn't turned on all the time but only comes on when you go to use the remote.

Mine doesn't do it. Even when I go into a completely dark room and press the buttons, there's no backlighting. I'm so disappointed - that's partly why I got the MagicTV unit with remote control. Why would the 3700 remote control be different from the 3600 model?

theoldfarter

235 posts

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#519373 10-Sep-2011 20:20

Nutts: Hi, you can jump to any channel in the EPG tv guide buy simply keying the channel number.
For prime just push 10, or for tv1 just push 1. It will go straight to that channel. You don't have to step through them all. Well thats the case on the magic 3600 any way.

Cheers M

Thanks Nutts, I did not know that & it makes navigating so much quicker.

wklie

191 posts

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+1 received by user: 5

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MagicTV

#519442 11-Sep-2011 02:47

nigelb999:
MurrayM:
nigelb999:
MurrayM:
My 3600's remote has a backlight, which is very handy. However it only works when it's dark and you have to press a button on the remote to a activate the backlighting.

What button do you push to activate the backlighting??

You can press any button and the backlighting comes on but then turns off after several seconds of non-use. ?What I was tr ing to say was that the backlighting isn't turned on all the time but only comes on when you go to use the remote.

Mine doesn't do it. Even when I go into a completely dark room and press the buttons, there's no backlighting. I'm so disappointed - that's partly why I got the MagicTV unit with remote control. Why would the 3700 remote control be different from the 3600 model?

I'm pretty sure backlight functionality is removed, even for the latest Hong Kong models. Perhaps some people think the old backlight remote used up batteries too quickly.

wklie

191 posts

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+1 received by user: 5

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MagicTV

#519443 11-Sep-2011 02:51

nigelb999:
fatjulio:
nigelb999:
fatjulio:?
One thing I'd really like to know is if they've fixed the Kordia mux video levels issue. Please let me know.

Not sure what you mean by Kordia mux video levels? Please explain and hopefully I can let you know as I received my 3700 unit last night.?

The Kordia mux has Prime, Maori TV, and other minor channels. On these channels the Magic 3600 makes the black and white compressed from where they should be. The visible result is black is dark grey instead of black, when compared to the other channels, eg TV1/2/3.

An easy way to check is set your TV to 4:3 picture size, so there are black bars on the sides, but do it with the TV controls, not the Magic. The background/border of the image inside (the actual TV channel) should have the same black as the bars created by the TV. Prime, for example, will have dark grey instead of black.

Sorry, but for some reason when I set my TV to 4:3 picture size, it shows these awful-looking grey bars on the sides, not black. (Just as well I always like to have it set to 16:9). So I can't comment. Interestingly enough I've not found a way of getting my TV to show black sides, but as it's a Panasonic Plasma HD TV maybe that's why? (because of the Plasma requirement?) If it was an LCD TV perhaps it would show black sides instead?

On my Panasonic 2010 Plasma TV, it can be controlled via Menu -> Setup -> Display -> Side Panel.

cb1

339 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 44

#519484 11-Sep-2011 10:13

nigelb999
Also, when showing the current TV program's information banner (by pressing the Info key) I can't seem to find a way to navigate to the next TV program information (to see what's on next), or even another TV channel. Using the Left/Right/Up/Down keys doesn't change it, like it does on my HD TV. Instead, I have to cancel the info banner and load up the TV Guide instead. But maybe I'm missing something in the manual.

On the 3600, the info banner for the current programme also has the name of the next programme almost at the bottom of the box.

Pressing guide multiple times toggles between EPG for a channel and the now/next list for all channels.

JimmyH

2898 posts

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+1 received by user: 1554

#519521 11-Sep-2011 12:41

I would be very interested in purchasing, as it has pretty much everything I am looking for, was it not for the encryption of files recorded to the external drive. I'm starting to go completely off Freeview, as these silly restrictions are just so darn annoying.......

If I read it correctly, it means that I can't even (for instance) purchase two units and move the drive with the programme I recorded from a unit in the living room to one in the bedroom - which makes it inferior to even recording to VCR tapes!

So again, I'm an interested customer with money in my pocket, and NO SALE.

Would be interesting to see how strong the encryption is.

Dell

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Jimmy22

377 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 40

#519525 11-Sep-2011 12:53

mtv3600ś still for sale.. :)

lorenzo

91 posts

Master Geek

#519721 11-Sep-2011 22:54

Jimmy22: mtv3600ś still for sale.. :)

Just bought my second 3600. After reading and reviewing the 3700 I really couldn't see a big advantage, we still are unsure whether they have introduced encryption on the internal drive, I didn't want to commit. As we know the 3600 doesn't have encryption I haven't found any real advantage in the 3700 specs. I am sure there are some for the audiophiles, but as this unit is to DTV proof the spare TV (kids) in our Sky-free house it will do just nicely. BTW bought 2nd hand so price was right too

nigelb999

37 posts

Geek

#519779 12-Sep-2011 09:02

wklie:
nigelb999:
MurrayM:
nigelb999:
MurrayM:
My 3600's remote has a backlight, which is very handy. However it only works when it's dark and you have to press a button on the remote to a activate the backlighting.

What button do you push to activate the backlighting??

You can press any button and the backlighting comes on but then turns off after several seconds of non-use. ?What I was tr ing to say was that the backlighting isn't turned on all the time but only comes on when you go to use the remote.

Mine doesn't do it. Even when I go into a completely dark room and press the buttons, there's no backlighting. I'm so disappointed - that's partly why I got the MagicTV unit with remote control. Why would the 3700 remote control be different from the 3600 model?

I'm pretty sure backlight functionality is removed, even for the latest Hong Kong models. Perhaps some people think the old backlight remote used up batteries too quickly.

Really? A backlit remote was one of the main reasons I went with MagicTV, only to find they've disabled it. I am so disappointed! I know I can buy another remote control with backlight functionality, but I didn't know I needed to do that until I received the unit from the courier.

nigelb999

37 posts

Geek

#519782 12-Sep-2011 09:06

cb1:
nigelb999
Also, when showing the current TV program's information banner (by pressing the Info key) I can't seem to find a way to navigate to the next TV program information (to see what's on next), or even another TV channel. Using the Left/Right/Up/Down keys doesn't change it, like it does on my HD TV. Instead, I have to cancel the info banner and load up the TV Guide instead. But maybe I'm missing something in the manual.

On the 3600, the info banner for the current programme also has the name of the next programme almost at the bottom of the box.

Pressing guide multiple times toggles between EPG for a channel and the now/next list for all channels.

Yep it shows the name of the next programme towards the bottom of the Info box on the 3700 as well, and although I can press Guide again to see the now/next list for all channels, what would be nice would be if I could hit the Right arrow key to forward through the info on each upcoming programme and up/down to progress through the upcoming programme info of alternative channels all within the Info box. Basically all the Info box does it just show date/time, and current and upcoming programme, and that's it. Personally, I think the added functionality that I mentioned would be great!

lorenzo

91 posts

Master Geek

#519859 12-Sep-2011 11:28

nigelb999:
cb1:
nigelb999
Also, when showing the current TV program's information banner (by pressing the Info key) I can't seem to find a way to navigate to the next TV program information (to see what's on next), or even another TV channel. Using the Left/Right/Up/Down keys doesn't change it, like it does on my HD TV. Instead, I have to cancel the info banner and load up the TV Guide instead. But maybe I'm missing something in the manual.

On the 3600, the info banner for the current programme also has the name of the next programme almost at the bottom of the box.

Pressing guide multiple times toggles between EPG for a channel and the now/next list for all channels.

Yep it shows the name of the next programme towards the bottom of the Info box on the 3700 as well, and although I can press Guide again to see the now/next list for all channels, what would be nice would be if I could hit the Right arrow key to forward through the info on each upcoming programme and up/down to progress through the upcoming programme info of alternative channels all within the Info box. Basically all the Info box does it just show date/time, and current and upcoming programme, and that's it. Personally, I think the added functionality that I mentioned would be great!

You could always ask this person if their remotes have backlight ... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/TVs/Satellite-receivers/auction-406014072.htm $65-69. That is if a 3600 remote will work on 3700. Did you also also ask the MagicTV folk if it should have backlight? Yours maybe broke.

I must admit I locked myself in the closet as mine didn't seem to work - but yes in blackout both the remotes I have have backlight. Unless you are watching in absolute pitch black I think the backlight is a bit of a gimick anyway.

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

wklie

191 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

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MagicTV

#520032 12-Sep-2011 15:46

fatjulio:
nigelb999:
fatjulio:?
One thing I'd really like to know is if they've fixed the Kordia mux video levels issue. Please let me know.

Not sure what you mean by Kordia mux video levels? Please explain and hopefully I can let you know as I received my 3700 unit last night.?

The Kordia mux has Prime, Maori TV, and other minor channels. On these channels the Magic 3600 makes the black and white compressed from where they should be. The visible result is black is dark grey instead of black, when compared to the other channels, eg TV1/2/3.

An easy way to check is set your TV to 4:3 picture size, so there are black bars on the sides, but do it with the TV controls, not the Magic. The background/border of the image inside (the actual TV channel) should have the same black as the bars created by the TV. Prime, for example, will have dark grey instead of black.

Setting the "Image Mode" for each of these channels to Dynamic should help, doesn't it?

fatjulio

90 posts

Master Geek

#520202 12-Sep-2011 21:48

wklie:
fatjulio:
nigelb999:
fatjulio:?
One thing I'd really like to know is if they've fixed the Kordia mux video levels issue. Please let me know.

Not sure what you mean by Kordia mux video levels? Please explain and hopefully I can let you know as I received my 3700 unit last night.?

The Kordia mux has Prime, Maori TV, and other minor channels. On these channels the Magic 3600 makes the black and white compressed from where they should be. The visible result is black is dark grey instead of black, when compared to the other channels, eg TV1/2/3.

An easy way to check is set your TV to 4:3 picture size, so there are black bars on the sides, but do it with the TV controls, not the Magic. The background/border of the image inside (the actual TV channel) should have the same black as the bars created by the TV. Prime, for example, will have dark grey instead of black.

Setting the "Image Mode" for each of these channels to Dynamic should help, doesn't it?

I gave it a go. It more or less does fix it. Not quite as nice as setting the correct levels (I feed the Magic into a video processor), but better than nothing.

bfginger

1330 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 191

#521506 15-Sep-2011 15:09

I'd guess addressing the black levels for the Kordia mux would take no more than a firmware fix.

I cannot speak about Pixel Magic but most companies will not fix bugs unless the cost to them in lower sales or support burden is perceived to be higher than the cost of fixing the bug.

If the 3700TD suffers from the Kordia mux blown black levels problem too and new 3700TD owners want it fixed, enough of you will need to contact MagicTV's NZ support about the problem. The MagicTV support email address is listed on the MagicTV website.

If you've got a camera with manual controls take two pictures in darkness with identical ISO and shutter settings, one of a blank scene on Prime and another of a blank scene on the TVNZ or Mediaworks mux, and you can use them to demonstrate.

I'm pretty sure backlight functionality is removed, even for the latest Hong Kong models. Perhaps some people think the old backlight remote used up batteries too quickly.

I found the 3600's control failure-prone because if the Play button is used enough it starts to slowly die. Maybe they changed OEMs.

Jimmy22

377 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 40

#521521 15-Sep-2011 15:30

i pulled my remote apart and found alot of gunk on the contacts of the most pressed buttons after a bit of tissue paper intervention it is working 100% again possibly better than it ever was ?! I first thought flat batteries or obscured IR but when it became too much i ripped it apart to discover the very simple solution :)

my crap buttons were ffd and play

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