Panasonic DMR-XW390 DVD recorder timer record problem.

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Panasonic DMR-XW390 DVD recorder timer record problem.

BS

70 posts

Master Geek

# 106604 27-Jul-2012 11:21

Panasonic have just replaced my Panasonic DMR-XW350 DVD recorder with the DMR-XW390 DVD recorder, as the old one would fail to record occasionally, the only problem is this new one does exactly the same, I have notice the timer symbol goes out and then it doesn't record, then will come back on and record if I switch on the machine and then work for a few more days to a few weeks before failing again, and up to now no one seems to have an answer.

The signal strength is showing 10 10 so is fine, it has a new uhf aerial with no other aerials attached.

I have always set the units to "power save on standby" as this only uses 1watt (it is claimed to be a green machine) and switches of the clock display, I'm just wondering if 1watt is to low a power setting and makes them unstable. I also have the clock set to auto so it gets it's time from the transmitter.

I have just switched off the power save option and will see how it behaves, at least I can see what the time is, and if the timer symbol is lit.

If I had the choice I don't think I would buy one of these again, It is giving me the same headaches my Ultra Plus gave me until I found an firmware that suited it.

PS I have it running of a UPS just in case the voltage is a problem.

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553 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 662896 27-Jul-2012 12:21

Do you have a VHF filter on the aerial input to the recorder?

We have had a lot of trouble with Panasonic units and VHF signals.

We seem to get the Australian Panasonic models - In Aussie they transmit Freeview via VHF as well as UHF.
The problem is that internally the Panasonic units amplify the VHF signals, causing all sorts of strange issues.

chchmjr

55 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

# 662926 27-Jul-2012 13:17

Is your recorder connected to the TV via HDMI? I had a similar problem with a XW380 and a Samsung TV. I isolated the cause to when the recorder was in standby and the TV was on the recorder timer would randomly switch off. I disabled the CEC features on both the TV and recorder with no luck. The work around was to program the Logitech Harmony remote so that whenever the TV is switched on the recorder is started as well even if it is not required.

BS

70 posts

Master Geek

# 664145 30-Jul-2012 18:52

Thanks for the replies, I only have one UHF aerial and the TV is connected though HDMI as well the aerial is looped through the recorder to the TV, it looks as if chchmjr has hit the nail on the head, it does seem to be when the TV is switched on that it sometimes makes the timer switch off.

As I said it is the replacement that is doing exactly the same thing as the old one, on that one I did fit a filter but it made no difference. I wonder if I fitted a splitter to the aerial and run them in parallel, will give it a go and see.

B1GGLZ

1956 posts

Uber Geek

# 664163 30-Jul-2012 19:31

BS:l and the TV is connected though HDMI

Have you tried turning off Viera Link? It is usually set to On by default.
I had a problem with My Sony TV and Panasonic BW880 in that everytime I turned on the TV it would immediately change to the BW880 input even though my Logitech was programmed to make the TV to go to TV input. Rather a nuisance when I only wanted to watch TV. Turned off Viera link and the problem disappeared.

BS

70 posts

Master Geek

# 664418 31-Jul-2012 10:43

B1GGLZ:
BS:l and the TV is connected though HDMI

Have you tried turning off Viera Link? It is usually set to On by default.
I had a problem with My Sony TV and Panasonic BW880 in that everytime I turned on the TV it would immediately change to the BW880 input even though my Logitech was programmed to make the TV to go to TV input. Rather a nuisance when I only wanted to watch TV. Turned off Viera link and the problem disappeared.

Thanks for the idea I will switch of Vera Link, it is as you say set to On, Panasonic have turned out to be a pain in the neck I've been trying to get to the bottom of this problem for the last 6 mths they have ingnored emails and never got back to me with a phone call to Auckland.

Just replacing the unit with another one that has the same fault doesn't help, it's as if they know they have a lemon but don't know what to do about it., first with the XW350 and now with the XW390 I am not impressed.

My first TV was Philips and the new TV is a Samsung both connected through hdmi, so lets hope this fixes it.

Cheers Bryan

kandjc

102 posts

Master Geek

# 664440 31-Jul-2012 11:08

We have had a Panasonic DMR XW380 with a Sony 40 EX500 TV for 21 months and it has worked perfectly for us - we record what we want without problems. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending the Panasonic product. The main reason for going with the Panasonic was that occasionally we copy to DVD.

chchmjr

55 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

# 664450 31-Jul-2012 11:28

I turned off the HDMI CEC protocol on both devices (VIERA Link on the recorder and Anynet+ on the Samsung TV) with no improvment.

illicit

553 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 664518 31-Jul-2012 12:46

Try using a composite (yellow) cable instead of the HDMI (unplug HDMI at both ends) - Report back

BS

70 posts

Master Geek

# 664626 31-Jul-2012 14:35

Hi I can report back that the Vera link made no difference, It recorded one program but when it went back to standby it switched of the record symbol, then failed to start on the next program it should have recorded. can it be Mt Campbell but I did try it on Kaka Hill and it failed then to, or is it that I should be using a different type of aerial, I'm using a UHF Yagi from dicksmiths but the one it replaced was also a UHF Yagi.

kandjc, what type of aerial are you using and do you have the aerial going through the recorder to the TV as well as hdmi from the recorder to the TV, it could just be my configuration but after 6 months of problems I wish I had bought something else. it will fail to record 3 programs in a row but then work OK for a week it's driving me mad.

Have just taken out the hdmi will see how it goes, I will just plug it back in when we want to play from the recorder.

Thanks all,

Bryan

Dadzka

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

# 664627 31-Jul-2012 14:35

Hi there - I have the same problem with a Panasonic DMR-XW380. Despite having timer recordings loaded, for no aparrent reason the machine turns off completely so any timer programmes don't record. Usually when you turn the machine "off" using the remote, it puts it in standby mode so that it will pick up the next timer recording. I didn't think it was possible to turn the machine completely off as if there are future timer recordings loaded it should always go to standby. Sometimes it will record one item on a certain day and then switch off when finished recording that and not pick up the next recording due to start in half an hours time. Very frustrating as I am now not able to trust the damn machine and have to check it every time I walk past it to check that it is in standby mode.

Dadzka

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

# 664628 31-Jul-2012 14:35

B1GGLZ

1956 posts

Uber Geek

# 664666 31-Jul-2012 15:19

Dadzka: Very frustrating as I am now not able to trust the damn machine and have to check it every time I walk past it to check that it is in standby mode.

Why not just leave it turned on. I leave mine on all the time. Saves having to wait for it to boot up every time I want to use it. I just turn off the TV and Amp and leave everything else turned on.

BS

70 posts

Master Geek

# 664698 31-Jul-2012 15:51

Dadzka: Hi there - I have the same problem with a Panasonic DMR-XW380. Despite having timer recordings loaded, for no aparrent reason the machine turns off completely so any timer programmes don't record. Usually when you turn the machine "off" using the remote, it puts it in standby mode so that it will pick up the next timer recording. I didn't think it was possible to turn the machine completely off as if there are future timer recordings loaded it should always go to standby. Sometimes it will record one item on a certain day and then switch off when finished recording that and not pick up the next recording due to start in half an hours time. Very frustrating as I am now not able to trust the damn machine and have to check it every time I walk past it to check that it is in standby mode.

It's doing exactly what mine does, as did the DMR-XW350 they replaced, is as if they accept they have a problem but don't know what to do about it. hence the replacement recorder. they would be hoping it fixed it or at least kept me of their backs for a bit.

If you don't turn it off it will turn of after a predetermined time and go into standby, you can change the time interval and I think you can turn of the feature of completely but then you would be consuming 30 watts against 7 watts in standby or 1 watt if it's in "power save" on standby, I did switch the "power save" off so the clock is showing, but it makes no difference to the fault, to not use standby would defeat the green label they claim for this machine. Are you allowed to swear on this forum, because the language in our lounge is very blue.

Bryan

BS

70 posts

Master Geek

# 664787 31-Jul-2012 17:37

It seems we are not alone with our problems just saw this on geekzone, I also need to update my previous post I said the machine they replaced was the DMR-XW350 but it was the DMR-XW380 so just the same as dadzka has.

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=83&topicid=95851&page_no=2

BS

70 posts

Master Geek

# 666775 3-Aug-2012 10:45

Well after more hassles and more missed recordings, all I can assume is the DMR-XW390 is incompatible with the new Samsung LED TVs,

I have fitted a UHF filter also an aerial splitter in case the signal was to strong it still registers 10 10 quality and signal strength, but nothing improves it, the service agents in Nelson just pass you onto Auckland who then don't bother getting back to you, it is the most frustrating product I have ever bought, I think I shall be steering very clear of Panasonic in future.

It must have cost an extra $200 just trying to fix the problem, new aerial, UPS, filter and splitter. plus the $699 it cost, I am buggered if I know what else to do.

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