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Goosey

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#196184 22-May-2016 10:54
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All, 

 

 

 

Narrowing down my goodbye to SKY to the following two devices;

 

1) DishTV Aerialbox T2200 &

 

2) Panasonic DMR-BWT840GZ

 

 

 

I get the differences between both. Anyone have any quick pro's and con's of the Panny?

 

I like the panny for its DVD player (all in one solution for WAF and KID). 

 

What is the Panny like for Freeview Plus and also on demand?  Does TVNZ and 3NOW work ok on the Panny?

 

On the otherhand, DishTV is packed with all I could need except the DVD player (to which is seperate in my current set up anyway / intergrated into the Sony HT.   

 

For the Dish TV, Im assuming I can take the coax audio out and use an adapter to then run it to the Optical IN of the HT?

 

 

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

 


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tangerz
625 posts

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  #1557204 22-May-2016 12:02
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For starters I don't think the Panasonic DMR-BWT840GZ has Freeview Plus. There was a firmware upgrade for the DMR-PWT550GZ to get it, but the DMR-BWT840GZ won't be getting it apparently.

 

That said, the new 2016 models have just come out and both the DMR-BWT760 and the DMR-PWT560 have Blu-ray/DVD playback and Twin tuner HDD recorder. There is also the DMR-HWT-260 which has the Twin tuner HDD recorder but no Blu-ray/DVD. I can't see mention on the website of Freeview Plus functionality explicitly stated, however there is a fineprint mention of HbbTV catch up services for the DMR-HWT260 so that is encouraging, (assuming they all use the same firmware!)

 

I have the older DMR-PWT550GZ that got the Freeview Plus update. It works nicely with good picture from Blu-ray and FreeviewHD recordings. UI is good, although it can be (quite!) slow sometimes. The Freeview Plus function works fairly well, although it often takes 15-20 seconds for the apps to start up and lately we have often had the 3Now app randomly crash/exit during playback, (usually during 'peak' viewing hours in the evenings). Also when recording 2 shows that 'overlap' in any way, you are reduced to only watching either of those channels, (or a recording), even if the 2 shows are on the same mux. Even with these limitations it's still a pretty decent machine.

 

Can't comment on the DishTV Aerialbox T2200 as I've never used one.

 

 

 

Good luck!




  #1557223 22-May-2016 12:23
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I got the Panasonic DMR-HWT260 , just been released , going to review it as soon as I get a chance. So far its fantastic and everything I was looking for after moving off of sky.

 

 

 

http://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/tvs-home-theatre-and-audio/blu-ray-dvd/blu-ray-recorders/dmr-hwt260.html





Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding : Ice cream man , Ice cream man


tangerz
625 posts

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  #1557227 22-May-2016 12:33
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Mspec:

 

I got the Panasonic DMR-HWT260 , just been released , going to review it as soon as I get a chance. So far its fantastic and everything I was looking for after moving off of sky.

 

 

 

http://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/tvs-home-theatre-and-audio/blu-ray-dvd/blu-ray-recorders/dmr-hwt260.html

 

 

 

 

Has it got Freeview Plus?




  #1557229 22-May-2016 12:37
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tangerz:

 

Mspec:

 

I got the Panasonic DMR-HWT260 , just been released , going to review it as soon as I get a chance. So far its fantastic and everything I was looking for after moving off of sky.

 

 

 

http://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/tvs-home-theatre-and-audio/blu-ray-dvd/blu-ray-recorders/dmr-hwt260.html

 

 

 

 

Has it got Freeview Plus?

 

 

 

 

Yes but it does not have a blu-ray drive in it , but for me that was not a concern.

 

 

 

Any other questions ask away as I am still learning about it myself.





Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding : Ice cream man , Ice cream man


B1GGLZ
1961 posts

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  #1557234 22-May-2016 12:49
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I've had 2 Panasonic Freeview Recorders over 6 years now and never had a problem. The only reason I upgraded was the later one had 3D capability so I could dispense with my 3D Player. IMHO Freeview Plus is a total waste of time and I have no intention to upgrade further until 4k UHD becomes reasonably priced. I use a PC for On-Demand stuff and downloads.

 

On the other hand I've seen so many comments on Geekzone and Freeview Forum from people having problems with DishTv units that I've reached the conclusion that any DishTv product is almost certain to give you problems. They seem to have a problem every time there's a FW upgrade or change in Freeview's transmission parameters.

 

I've also had 3 different Branded UHF STBs (not DishTv) since early 2008 and none lasted more than 2 years before they died. My Sony TV and Panasonic Recorders have performed flawlessly for years.

 

You get what you pay for.


tangerz
625 posts

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  #1557236 22-May-2016 12:49
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Mspec:

 

tangerz:

 

Mspec:

 

I got the Panasonic DMR-HWT260 , just been released , going to review it as soon as I get a chance. So far its fantastic and everything I was looking for after moving off of sky.

 

 

 

http://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/tvs-home-theatre-and-audio/blu-ray-dvd/blu-ray-recorders/dmr-hwt260.html

 

 

 

 

Has it got Freeview Plus?

 

 

 

 

Yes but it does not have a blu-ray drive in it , but for me that was not a concern.

 

 

 

Any other questions ask away as I am still learning about it myself.

 

 

 

 

Was just curious as there is no specific mention of Freeview Plus on the Panasonic website for any of the 2016 models, (though there was the 'fine print' mention of HbbTV on your model as i alluded to earlier!)


  #1557240 22-May-2016 12:55
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To be honest and I am in no way knocking the dish tv gear as I have never owned one but the reason I went for the Panasonic is I have always had Panasonic gear and the comments of the dish tv seem to be quite problematic.





Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding : Ice cream man , Ice cream man


 
 
 

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Goosey

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  #1557263 22-May-2016 13:31
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thanks for the replies. 

 

The investigations continue.....

 

:-) 

 

 


tdgeek
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  #1557270 22-May-2016 13:34
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Mspec:

 

I got the Panasonic DMR-HWT260 , just been released , going to review it as soon as I get a chance. So far its fantastic and everything I was looking for after moving off of sky.

 

 

 

http://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/tvs-home-theatre-and-audio/blu-ray-dvd/blu-ray-recorders/dmr-hwt260.html

 

 

So it has the same Sky content that you watched and paid for?


littleheaven
2130 posts

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  #1557312 22-May-2016 14:30
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Don't get the DMR-BWT840GZ. Not only does it not do Freeview Plus, it doesn't have the Netflix app either (not that I'd ever use it for that, but I thought it was really bad they haven't made any upgrades available for what was their top-of-the-line model). I bought one about 2 months before Freeview Plus was announced, so I am still disgruntled about it! 

 

As a PVR and BluRay player it's not bad. The MySky box is still the best PVR I've used, and I do miss live rewind, but I get around that by just time-shifting my viewing to something I recorded earlier rather than watching live. The UI is a little bit laggy, but I'm willing to make concessions given I'm no longer forking out $100 per month in subscription fees. 

 

Panasonic has a web page listing all their FreeviewPlus compatible devices here: http://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/tvs-home-theatre-and-audio/viera-televisions-learn/be-smart/enjoy-popular-kiwi-tv-shows-with-freeviewplus.html

 

To save you reading all of it, the models listed are:

 

  • DMR-BWT760
  • DMR-PWT560
  • DMR-HWT260
  • DMR-PWT550

I think the 760 and the 560 are BluRay recorders, but the 760 has double the hard drive space. Looks like the 760 is the new version of the 840. Edited to add, I couldn't find a retailer for them here yet, just the info on the Panasonic NZ site so I assume they're out soon.





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


AODD
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  #1557464 22-May-2016 17:43
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Mspec:

 

I got the Panasonic DMR-HWT260 , just been released , going to review it as soon as I get a chance. So far its fantastic and everything I was looking for after moving off of sky.

 

 

 

http://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/tvs-home-theatre-and-audio/blu-ray-dvd/blu-ray-recorders/dmr-hwt260.html

 

 

 

 

How much was it to buy?


  #1557537 22-May-2016 20:31
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AODD:

 

 

 

Mspec:

 

I got the Panasonic DMR-HWT260 , just been released , going to review it as soon as I get a chance. So far its fantastic and everything I was looking for after moving off of sky.

 

 

 

http://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/tvs-home-theatre-and-audio/blu-ray-dvd/blu-ray-recorders/dmr-hwt260.html

 

 

 

 

How much was it to buy?

 

 

 

 

I got mine from Noel Lemmings they only had one. Was $499





Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding : Ice cream man , Ice cream man


E3xtc
773 posts

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  #1557673 23-May-2016 08:20
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 I also have the 840...but don't get that model, get one of the others. The unit itself is great, and does what it does well (no complaints), I am just also a little miffed about the lack of Freeview Plus support :\ we all know it can and does (as in other countries)...but yeah...anyhow...lol...The Panasonic kit is great. Just works well. 

 

I had a few DishTV units in the past, and have dropped them now after a bunch of weird things happening, and then continual problems with the ability (or lack of) to get consistent signal in our location (poor quality/location)...The Panasonic gear must have better receivers or something because they just work!


trig42
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  #1557710 23-May-2016 09:20
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Is Lightbox available on any of these? (this year's models, specifically the DMR-HWT260)

 

Does Plex have a Panasonic App?

 

I have a MagicTV3600 and WAF factor is lower than I'd like (It is a pretty good unit, UI looks OK but Guide navigation is deathly slow, and it occasionally skips audio on HD channels). We have a DishTV T2100 in the bedroom, and it works flawlessly by the way.


  #1557912 23-May-2016 13:04
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trig42:

 

Is Lightbox available on any of these? (this year's models, specifically the DMR-HWT260)

 

Does Plex have a Panasonic App?

 

I have a MagicTV3600 and WAF factor is lower than I'd like (It is a pretty good unit, UI looks OK but Guide navigation is deathly slow, and it occasionally skips audio on HD channels). We have a DishTV T2100 in the bedroom, and it works flawlessly by the way.

 

 

 

 

No to Lightbox and Plex (that I have seen anyway) , It does have built in Netflix and for the rest I use a Chomecast as well so now have all bases covered. 





Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding : Ice cream man , Ice cream man


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