Can I use my Panasonic DMR-EH57 DVD Recorder with my Built-In Freeview Samsung TV?

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DrakoNZ

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#136593 2-Dec-2013 20:24

Hi all, this is my first visit here.
About 3 months ago we bought a Samsung TV with built-in Freeview in anticipation of the switch to digital only in Auckland. We had used a Panasonic DMR-EH57 DVD Recorder with our previous TV so I just connected the new TV in the same fashion (after installing the UHF aerial and using in place of the rabbit ears - archaic, I know).
So the connections were aerial RF cable to RF in on DVD Recorder, RF out to RF in on TV, and component AV Out on DVD to AV In on TV (These are the red, yellow & white ones - unsure of proper name).
Digital Freeview channels worked fine on the TV, and previously stored channels in the DVD Recorder worked, although I had a suspicion they were analogue only, allowing us to record from the basic channels.
Now, after the switch to Digital only on 1 December, when trying to watch through the DVD Recorder, all channels are empty. I attempted to re-tune and it said there were no channels found.
I have read the manual, but that didn't help me. Is it possible for me to keep using this same DVD Recorder or will I need to buy a new one with a Digital tuner? Or alternately, will I need a set top box to decode Freeview into my DVD recorder?
Any help will be greatly appreciated, if my kids don't get to watch their recorded "new Wiggles" every morning, I may have a mutiny on my hands.

Apologies if I haven't provided enough detail, I am not all that savvy.
Cheers

garbonzai

315 posts

Ultimate Geek

#944363 2-Dec-2013 20:40

Hi, I had a DMR-EH58 DVD Recorder before the switch to digital and it was great, but as it is analog only it's about as much use as a door stop for recording.
You can still use the DVD player function, some people say hook up a freeview box to it, but its a hassle and you have to set box to correct channel and leave on, and in my experiences freeview boxes are good at locking up/freezing, rebooting, doing program updates and reverting back to channel one all the time.

So you will need to spend some cash and buy a Freeview Recorder (any recorder that has a digital tuner) to keep the peace.

Good Luck

PS, we never bothered with a recorder once gone digital, just stream or download it to TV now.

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#944413 2-Dec-2013 22:05

As garbonzai correctly advised, that model's analog only, and incapable of tuning digital channels. The manual won't help, the hardware can't do what you want.

You can use it, as long as you get a Set Top Box (STB). I had two of the successor models (the 85H and then the EH68) and used them connected to my Sky STB successfully for many years.

Connecting to a Freeview STB will be fine for occasional use (I have pensioned my old box off to the spare room where it gets used exactly that way very occasionally), but it's a slightly clunky arrangement if you have to use it frequently. Especially if you have an STB that won't automatically change to booked channels. For frequent use you should probably buy a Freeview capable recorder - either one of the newer Panny DVD recorders or an alternative brand. They aren't that expensive, and are frequently on sale.

I now have the Panny XW390 which, apart from a poorly designed user interface which takes some time getting used to and a truly nutty decision to force all channels to be recorded in DR mode, I love. It adds quite a bit in terms of functionality compared to the old model you have. As well as FV capability it has twin tuners, and the ability to stream recordings over the home network.

I consider TV unwatchable without the ability to record it and zip through the interminable ad breaks. A recorder is well worth the cost of the upgrade in my opinion.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#944414 2-Dec-2013 22:05

You can still use it for recording if you get a cheap Freeview STB (either Terrestrial or Satellite) to use as a Digital Tuner. You just won't be able to record in HD. If you have Sky you will be able to record from the Sky box.

cb1

336 posts

Ultimate Geek

#944438 2-Dec-2013 23:07

As previously mentioned, you can record from any AV source - either a set top box or IF the tv has AV outputs direct from the tv. Obviously nned to have the tv on and tuned to the correct channel, but you can probably set that up with a simple timer.