MagicTV 3600.. my quick impression report (updated)

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#387436 3-Oct-2010 17:27

Anyway, what I'm writing about today is to ask why is it that occasionally - including today, the only channels I can view on MagicTV are channels 1,2,6,7? I read somewhere on here someone saying these are all on the same 'mux', being TVNZ. The rest of the channels are on MediaWorks and Kordia.

This is about the third time this has happened over the last few months and it's really starting to annoy me. I have restarted the box via software and also by switching the rear panel switch - no difference. I should mention I have Freeview built into my Samsung 46" LED so tried switching to that and all the channels were displayed there perfectly. That counts out the aerial reception then doesn't it? The aerial cable comes out of the wall and goes into the Magic box and then out of that and into the TV which is working fine.

I've had that happen to my MagicTV too, maybe three times in the last month or so. I didn't notice which channels it was that had disappeared, so don't know if they were all on the same mux, but I think I had TV1, TV2 and that's about it.

Rescanning to set up the channels seemed to fix it.

But a couple of series that I had set up to record didn't record, the to-do list just said "No episodes" next to the programmee name, even though there definitely were still episodes left in the series. I don't know if the problems are related or not.

gpf

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Geek

#387488 3-Oct-2010 21:53

Thanks for your suggestion MurrayM. That did the trick - the only problem is, like you say some programs in the to-do list seemed to drop off. It was a good opportunity to go through every channel in the EPG for the next 7 days and reset my scheduled recordings so I'm not too worried this time - but when it happens again I won't be too pleased.

I see someone from Magictv sometimes comments on these threads - if you're listening Mr MagicTv, can you please explain what's going on with this problem and if you're taking any steps to address the problem? I noted my signal strength today was 80% and quality 100% so I don't think it's an aerial problem. Hopefully it's something that can be solved and distributed in a firmware update?? :)

Thanks again MurrayM

cheers
Gary

evanh

152 posts

Master Geek

#387497 3-Oct-2010 22:26

Happening with me too, but I've still got TV3 so it hasn't impacted me as such. Channels that are dead for me are TV4, TV3+1, and TV42. Now I think about it, I'd had them all deleted earlier but they won't delete now ... hmm, I might try rescanning myself ...

katipo

35 posts

Geek

#388855 6-Oct-2010 17:55

bfginger: Freeview certification allows recordings to be copied to Blu-ray disc because those recordings are encrypted.

Just because content is recorded onto BD doesn't necessarily mean it's encrypted. I doubt the Panasonic would actually encrypt unencrypted sources. Maybe someone who owns a Panny unit can verify this.

gpf: the only channels I can view on MagicTV are channels 1,2,6,7

I get this problem about once a month and have to do a channel rescan to see the Kordia/MediaWorks muxes. Annoying.

kiwibaja

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#388883 6-Oct-2010 19:23

I have lost TV3 recently, rescanning fixed it, New problem for me is I have an episode of Top Gear I cant delete??? Maybe MagicTV has good taste

veryshort

81 posts

Master Geek

#388999 6-Oct-2010 23:19

Hi Guys ,
Dumb question here ... I see a 3.13 beta 4 out from previous posts ... its not currently available on the NZ magic site and all of the links here take you straight to downloading it is it possible to post what the beta 4 fixes are or a pdf/link to the updates ... I like to read whats been fixed and cant seem to find it .

also did anyone answer the question of being able to use a wireless link{ usb etc } rather than plugging in a network cable ?

Thanks for your help .
cheers
VS AKA Andrew

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MurrayM

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#389066 7-Oct-2010 09:58

Most wireless network adaptors that plug into a USB port require drivers to be installed, so I don't think they will work.

Your best bet is to get something that can plug into the Ethernet RJ45 port on the back of the MagicTV that converts it into wireless. These devices go by several different names: bridge, access point client, gaming adapter, etc. These devices have the following features:

Ethernet port (Rj-45) connection

Own power supply since Rj-45 port doesn't provide power

Operate without software except for configuration

Can be configured on a computer and will retain their configuration through power cycling

Here are links to a few:

D-Link DWL-2100AP

D-Link DWL-G730AP

D-Link DWL-G820

Linksys WET54G

Linksys WGA54G

D-Link DAP-1522

Linksys WGA600N

lyonrouge

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#389080 7-Oct-2010 10:29

MurrayM: Most wireless network adaptors that plug into a USB port require drivers to be installed, so I don't think they will work.

Your best bet is to get something that can plug into the Ethernet RJ45 port on the back of the MagicTV that converts it into wireless. These devices go by several different names: bridge, access point client, gaming adapter, etc. These devices have the following features:

Ethernet port (Rj-45) connection

Own power supply since Rj-45 port doesn't provide power

Operate without software except for configuration

Can be configured on a computer and will retain their configuration through power cycling

Here are links to a few:

D-Link DWL-2100AP

D-Link DWL-G730AP

D-Link DWL-G820

Linksys WET54G

Linksys WGA54G

D-Link DAP-1522

Linksys WGA600N

This maybe just what I need to connect my old thin client via WiFi, sweet

MurrayM

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#389082 7-Oct-2010 10:37

Oops, my links didn't actually work (I had linked each of the products I listed to their websites). But now that you've got some model names you should be able to do some research into a suitable product.

fatjulio

90 posts

Master Geek

#391563 13-Oct-2010 22:13

I've recently purchased a Magic TV and like it alot. There is one thing I've found though. The black (and white) levels are different between the TVNZ channels and the Media Works/Kordia ones. The TVNZ ones are correct, but the other 2 have higher black levels and lower whites. Is anyone else finding this?

I have another STB, an HDT 801s and it doesn't have this problem. I'm on firmware 3.13 beta 4, I also tried 3.12 and it's the same. It shows up on recorded material as well as live viewing, and through composite as well as HDMI.

evanh

152 posts

Master Geek

#391614 14-Oct-2010 01:35

fatjulio: ... The black (and white) levels are different between the TVNZ channels and the Media Works/Kordia ones. ...

Yeah, I think I'm seeing the same. Hadn't really noticed it. Surprising you say it's particular to the Magic unit. I'd have thought such a setting was either broadcaster defined or fixed at the set-top-box but obviously not quite so simple.

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fatjulio

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#391629 14-Oct-2010 07:54

I also have a Sommet STB kicking around, I'll try that and see if it's the same.

bfginger

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#391896 14-Oct-2010 17:44

I've had a MagicTV for a little while now.

There are a couple of hardware issues. The first is with the RF loop out. The VHF/UHF signal is significantly degraded even when the MagicTV is turned off. If the strength of the signal going from the aerial to the RF-in is high and the RF loop out is going to a digital tuner then the signal may still be strong enough. But I've never seen another device's loop out degrade the signal to this degree. The MagicTV's digital TV tuner itself is very good.

The second is the noise. Someone earlier in this thread wrote that theirs was silent, but this one is the opposite. There may be no fan but the discharging of vibrations from the hard drive into a solid surface generates enough noise to be heard through all television content. I have not looked inside but I doubt there is any dampening of vibrations from the HDD. HDD batch and sample variation is going to make a big difference to how noisy each MagicTV unit is.

The MagicTV came with the 3.12 firmware preinstalled. That firmware wasn't very stable So I installed the 3.13 beta4 firmware which was an improvement. In total this unit has crashed or spontaneously rebooted five times.

There are some issues in the 3.13 beta4 firmware that deserve to be fixed -

* Has twice failed to start recording and then stops responding to the remote control.
* The hard drive has twice powered up again some seconds after MagicTV has entered standby mode.
* If the "Guide" button on the remote is pressed during recording playback there is no way to get rid of the "Guide is unavailable during playback" pop up message. Pressing OK on the remote should make it go away.
* The MagicTV can jam during playback and play the same second in an infinate loop if a section of recording was made from a poor signal.
* When changing channels the messages "No Signal" or "Channel Service Not Available" often pop up for no reason despite signal strength and quality being at 76% and 100% respectively.
* Sometimes Letterbox / Pillarbox disappear from the Aspect options after changing the video output format mode.
* If the TV aspect ratio is set to "4:3" then the "Zoom1" Aspect mode's relative horizontal and verticle proportions are incorrect and are noticeably not in synch with each other.
* "Deleted" channels reappear after STB reboot.

smeenz

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#391928 14-Oct-2010 19:11

bfginger: I've had a MagicTV for a little while now.

So have I. I'll comment on the points you've raised that I have experience with.

The second is the noise. Someone earlier in this thread wrote that theirs was silent, but this one is the opposite. There may be no fan but the discharging of vibrations from the hard drive into a solid surface generates enough noise to be heard through all television content.

I can't hear mine at all. Even with my ear pressed onto the front of the unit, I can only just make out the hard drive spinning away. Admittedly, there's some traffic noise going past outside, but it's still very very quiet.

In total this unit has crashed or spontaneously rebooted five times.

My unit has never crashed.

If the "Guide" button on the remote is pressed during recording playback there is no way to get rid of the "Guide is unavailable during playback" pop up message. Pressing OK on the remote should make it go away.

Press the escape key (the one under the aspect key)

fatjulio

90 posts

Master Geek

#391980 14-Oct-2010 21:33

I've just tested a Sommet SHDNZ3, and it's fine, consistent black levels across the channels. I emailed the support address about last Friday, and haven't heard anything back. This needs to be fixed.

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