Panasonic DMR-XW390

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sophiedb

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

Topic # 116528 1-May-2013 18:04

hello from a newbie :)

We bought a Panasonic DMR-XW390 from Dick Smiths a week ago and have been experiencing problems similar to those discussed elsewhere in this forum.

Panasonic DMR-XW390 DVD recorder timer record problem - http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=83&topicid=106604
Panasonic DMR-XW390 wont record +1 - http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=83&topicid=106653

The only thing stopping us from taking it straight back to the shop is wondering whether our issues are related to the TV it's hooked up to: an old Panasonic Sophia (TC-21S80R2?). We have bought a new Panasonic Viera TH-P42UT50, however due to DS cocking up deliveries we don't have it yet, and it's likely that we won't get it until Saturday, when our 14 days on the XW390 run out. (yes, overall we've had a fantastic time with this particular spending spree)

The XW390 is connected to the Freeview aerial, which is then connected to the old tv via co-axial cable. There are no HDMI cables in place, because the old tv has never heard of HDMI. The aerial is a DDS 30dB Outdoor UHF HD Aerial.

The main problems are mainly to do with series linked recordings:

Some simply don't starting up. One day it will work, the next it will, then not, and so on. Very random and intensely irritating.
Frequently records a programme on the normal 1 or 3 channel, then on their +1 (usually messing up other set recordings).
Mis-labelling recorded programmes when back to back, e.g. if X is recorded and appears as X on the saved programmes list, but Y, which started straight afterwards, appears as X as well. At first we thought this was related to the +1 issue, then realised that the channel was wrong and when you hit play.. oh look, it's actually Y.

Any and all advice gratefully received!

Oblivian

2936 posts

Uber Geek
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Reply # 809762 1-May-2013 19:47

Its starting to smell of 'take it back.. take it back NOW'

Seems its a early-mid 2012 model and you might be better upgrading to the new midrane models with the 1-2tb option recorders

http://www.productreview.com.au/r/panasonic-dmr-xw385/244751.html

sophiedb

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 809794 1-May-2013 21:06

Yup. We've now discovered another issue:

Another series-linked programme was recorded last night.. allegedly. It started at the wrong time , so out of 1h 07m recorded tv we only have the first 5m (give or take) of the programme we wanted. As far as we can tell, the schedule had not been changed.

My plan is to ring Panasonic in the morning and ask what's going on, and tbh I'm hoping that they can't resolve any of these issues so that I can then womble into DS and demand our money back (without them bleating about have you called the manufacturer).

Can you recommend a more useful alternative?

B1GGLZ

1934 posts

Uber Geek
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Reply # 809818 1-May-2013 22:17

sophiedb:My plan is to ring Panasonic in the morning and ask what's going on, and tbh I'm hoping that they can't resolve any of these issues so that I can then womble into DS and demand our money back (without them bleating about have you called the manufacturer).

Good luck.
My understanding at the moment is that Panasonic are blaming Freeview and Freeview are blaming Panasonic.
I doubt that you could get a refund as there is most likely nothing at all wrong with the recorder. The problem lies with the EPG which either now has a bug in it or the Panasonic recorders (not just your model as my BWT720 has similar problems) are not decoding the info properly. Appears to be only on TV1 and TV3 with mine and has only been happening since daylight saving finished. Hopefully Freeview and Panasonic will get their act together and sort it. It's still dead easy to set timer record just like on your old VCR and/or DVD recorders and that cant get fouled up. I'm checking my record settings daily at the moment and if the times suddenly change (they are always correct when first set but sometimes change later of their own accord) I just set it up manually.

mattbush

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Inactive user

Reply # 809945 2-May-2013 08:38

I have just had a response from Panasonic..

"As you are aware there has been an issue regarding the way our recorders (Dish TV and Samsung as well), have been recording the incorrect program when a series link is booked via the guide.
You are correct, it did start around the same time as the day light savings change. This is a direct result of a broadcast equipment hardware change.

As recently as last night we have been informed that the issue has been identified, and the Freeview are currently testing a broadcast based update.
This will be released either late this week or early next week, and it will resolve the issue across all affected brands, and will be seamless (As it is included in the Broadcast).

Regards"

wklie

191 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

Trusted

MagicTV

Reply # 810211 2-May-2013 14:49

mattbush: I have just had a response from Panasonic..
"As you are aware there has been an issue regarding the way our recorders (Dish TV and Samsung as well), have been recording the incorrect program when a series link is booked via the guide. You are correct, it did start around the same time as the day light savings change. ...

Do we really have reports of the same issue from Dish TV or Samsung due to daylight saving change?

mattbush

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Inactive user

Reply # 810223 2-May-2013 15:06

Ive only seen Panasonic issues

sophiedb

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 810479 2-May-2013 21:10

mattbush - when I rang Panasonic they repeated this almost exactly to me!

We went into Dick Smith today to finally get the new tv, and told them that if the Freeview fix didn't work the DVR would be on its way back pretty swiftly.. they said they'd check it out LOL

kandjc

99 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

Reply # 810612 3-May-2013 08:09

Dish tv have the same problem.
http://www.dishtv.co.nz/information/broadcast-changes.htm

mattbush

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Inactive user

Reply # 810620 3-May-2013 09:03

Great of Freeview to keep NZ informed.

hdinsider

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Reply # 810668 3-May-2013 10:38

Yes, it is good that they've given us some info on the freeview forum.

http://freeviewforum.co.nz/forum/topics/freeview-programme-when-recording-not-in-sync-with-real-time?xg_source=activity&id=6513406%3ATopic%3A6343&page=3#comments

And it would appear to be fixed.

don't mess with me.... i'm the hd insider....

qwertee

252 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Subscriber

Reply # 810681 3-May-2013 11:02

Hi

Thanks for posting this info

I have had on recording issues with my Panasonic XW-380 as well

Programs not recording ( missed Xfactor but recorded Comedy Gala) I think this was on the 28th April
the day the old analogue was switched off

No other issues noted recently except that it has missed recording TV3News and only recorded news later on TV3+1.

Now I shall wait for this seamless update

thanks

kandjc

99 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

Reply # 811117 4-May-2013 10:04

Ha - according to Freeview it was fixed yesterday - I set for a recording on TV 1 last night and got TV Plus1 as well so now have 2 copies!

sophiedb

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 811144 4-May-2013 11:11

We've not seen any problems for the last few nights, but then we haven't had that many programmes set to record at the same time or back to back recently.. Might set a few newbies to go over the weekend, as a wee test.