Panasonic DMR-BWT840GZ: Does it have Freeview Plus?

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frednz

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# 175518 2-Jul-2015 13:46

Hi, can anyone tell me please whether the Panasonic DMR-BWT840GZ has Freeview Plus?

If not in units that are currently for sale, would a future software update be able to make it compatible with Freeview Plus?

If anyone owns this unit, I would be interested to hear your opinion about it.

Thanks for your help.

Fred

Bowering

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# 1335760 2-Jul-2015 14:06

I have the earlier model (DMR-BWT835GZ) and am hoping that'll get an OTA upgrade. If the new model if like the old, it's a very good device and I've had no problems with it. The UI isn't that swish, but it's functional, and it has a 1.5x play with audio so those interesting but slow recordings can be watched without getting annoyed by long meaningless pauses.

Been interested in any info on the likelihood of Freeview Plus getting to the old model. gb

Jase2985

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# 1335788 2-Jul-2015 14:40

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=83&topicid=169711&page_no=10#1334993

doesnt look like it at this stage according to the 2 people who have inquired about it.

frednz

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# 1335817 2-Jul-2015 14:53

Jase2985: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=83&topicid=169711&page_no=10#1334993

doesn't look like it at this stage according to the 2 people who have inquired about it.

Hi, thanks for your replies, they are very interesting. Does Panasonic have an equivalent high-end model that is more up to date than the BWT840GZ that DOES have Freeview Plus?

Does Sony have an equivalent recorder to the Panasonic DMR-BWT840GZ?

Thanks for your help.

Fred

tehgerbil

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# 1335834 2-Jul-2015 15:26

One person supports this post

Honestly OP, having bought a Panasonic Freeview recorder I can heartily confirm they are pieces of sh#t.
And I'm not just saying that, here's actually why they are pieces of sh%t:

Their EPR is soo utterly piss poor, for about 3 different shows we record on a weekly basis it will actually record the show 4 times. (original, on +1, replay, replay +1.) obviously this severely impacts your ability to record other shows, mitigating the "dual recorder" feature completely!
Recording via series link is a complete joke, it frequently says "this show will clash with an existing recording" when in fact there is nothing else to be recorded at that time. (this does tie with the first point, as they aren't marked as "to be recorded" it just records them anyway.
One of the best features is "remote recording" Their Android App is a freaking joke, it doesn't work on either my wife's S4, my S5 nor a Note 10.1 despite multiple Operating systems, clearing data/cache etc etc etc etc. Looking at the reviews in Google play I am so not alone, and Panasonic COULDN'T GIVE A F%^&.
The onboard GUI is incredibly confusing, sometimes you have to use "return" sometimes it's "exit" and other times you have to press "stop" to quit doing whatever you're viewing or app you're using. It's completely contextual and sometimes you end up pressing all 3.
You have the Freeview info when you change station, (wee box at the bottom of the screen when you navigate to a channel) but unlike my 3 year old Samsung TV you can't view what's on other channels, if you navigate up and or down, it just says "Click here to go to this channel"..
And last but not least Panasonic doesn't even have TV3 or TVNZ application support.

Yeah, go with a Samsung if you can, I honestly would not buy another Panasonic device ever.
Man that rant felt good.

frednz

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# 1335853 2-Jul-2015 15:43

tehgerbil:

Thanks for these comments, I have had a good run out of Sony, Panasonic, and Samsung gear in the past, so I usually stick to one of these brands, but I welcome any suggestions as to which Freeview Plus compatible recorder of any brand you would recommend.

Cheers
Fred

tehgerbil

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# 1335874 2-Jul-2015 16:01

Well, it's not released yet, but I would predict Samsung will snap it up.

I can't say a Samsung DVR is better than a Panasonic as I have never used a Samsung DVR, but I can tell you the Panasonic ones are pretty useless, and honestly features from a 4 year old Samsung Television (not to mention the GUI) is superior.

Therefore I am happy to recommend a Samsung device should Samsung try their hand at a Freeview Plus device.

Other Benefits to Samsung:

Enhanced codec support through USB videos/HDD plugged into the unit.
TV3/TVNZ Application compatibility.
Plex Application support (Panasonic may do this too, but the 4yr old Samsung TV App works just fine!)
If you have a Samsung TV, then cross compatibility with the remote is guaranteed. (My panasonic remote has a TV vol/chann/on/off panel, but doesn't work with my samsung remote. However my Samsung remote works happily with my Panasonic device, suggesting Panasonic doesn't support CEC properly?)

Dunnersfella

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# 1335910 2-Jul-2015 16:13

The Panasonic remote can be trained to control your Samsung TV - go into the instructions and have a read as to how.
The Samsung PVR's that were on the market were giant exploding pieces of ****. They had 'smarts', they had decent sized hard drives, but they locked up, HDD's popped through the lids of the units etc.
Panasonic is certainly in need of a GUI update, but as these boxes are made for small markets like NZ and Aussie, there's very little emphasis from the manufacturers to really 'go to town' with them.
LG pulled out the market, as did Sony - all prior to the DSO.
Samsung played for a while, but the boxes sat, unsold... I still see old OLD Samsung boxes sitting in retailers as sales people are refusing to touch them. So yeah, just because a TV GUI works for you, it doesn't mean the PVR will.
Sadly.

Also, I've just gone from MySky HDi to a Panasonic recorder and it annoys me, but I spend more time using my HTPC and Netflix via the XBox 1 to worry too much.

Bowering

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# 1335955 2-Jul-2015 17:03

Thanks Jase. Didn't spot that thread.

Jase2985: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=83&topicid=169711&page_no=10#1334993

doesnt look like it at this stage according to the 2 people who have inquired about it.

littleheaven

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# 1335959 2-Jul-2015 17:07

As stated above, Panasonic have categorically stated that there will be no upgrade for this (or any existing) model of PVR, although I'm not sure if their excuses are genuine, or because they just would rather people bought new kit. I have one and it's fine as a PVR, I guess, but the online features are horrible - the network interface is ugly and slow and the app store is a total joke. Given this is their flagship product, it's astonishing that you can't even download the Netflix app for it (thank goodness for Apple TV, which is a dream to use). I kind of wish I'd gone with a cheaper model to be honest.

I did some research before I bought it and the other offerings didn't review very well, but given the vast array of TVs they have that are Freeview Plus compatible, I'd say Samsung would be a good bet for PVR compatibility.

I recently got a $200 compact Windows PC (Minix Neo Z64) and watch my TV on demand content via that. Slightly more fiddling around, but for the amount I use the On Demand features, a reasonable compromise.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

Currently using: Modified 2008 Mac Pro, HP M6-1017TX Laptop, iPad Pro, iPhone 7, iPhone 6S, AppleTV4.

Dunnersfella

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# 1336027 2-Jul-2015 19:17

I wouldn't worry about the Netflix app missing from a Pana recorder...
On the latest version in Aussie, you can't watch Netflix and record something at the same time.

littleheaven

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# 1347223 19-Jul-2015 15:23

Dunnersfella: I wouldn't worry about the Netflix app missing from a Pana recorder...
On the latest version in Aussie, you can't watch Netflix and record something at the same time.

Missed this reply - that's amazing, but I do recall trying to look at the App Store once when it was recording and it wouldn't do it. Just as well I have the app on my Apple TV (set to US) and my Sony Home Theatre (set to NZ).

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

Currently using: Modified 2008 Mac Pro, HP M6-1017TX Laptop, iPad Pro, iPhone 7, iPhone 6S, AppleTV4.

Dunnersfella

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# 1347255 19-Jul-2015 16:55

Yup, my TV is NZ Netflix and my XBox is US Netflix... the smarts on my Blu-ray recorder are simply never utilised.