Freeview recorder

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MikeB4

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Topic # 199201 8-Aug-2016 19:23

We are considering dropping Sky and looking for a Freeview Plus recorder. We gave away our TiVo. We are not really too keen on the Dish offerings they seem to be problematic.

Needs to be HD, able to get Netflix and Lightbox if possible although not a deal breaker as the PS4 does this. 10/100/1000 Ethernet and able to stream HD movies. Would like internal HDD. Budget is what ever it takes.

What devices do folks recommend?

Mike
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Reply # 1606683 9-Aug-2016 07:21

I can recommend the Panasonic HWT260. I did have a Dish T2200, but it always seemed to have little niggling issues. The Panasonic was a huge improvement.

gasgob

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Reply # 1606685 9-Aug-2016 07:45

I too returned my Dish TV T2200 and replaced it with the Panasonic DMR-BWT760 as I tend to record and view later. The Panasonic is noticeably better even after just a few days of use.

MikeB4

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Reply # 1606688 9-Aug-2016 08:04

With the Panasonic devices what is the performance like for navigating the menus, using the guide, changing channel etc?, is there any lag or clumsy behaviour?
What has the reliability of recording and recorded play back being like?
Is there a Light box App? There isn't one on our current Panasonic DVD player or Panasonic TV?

I note that they only have 10/100 ethernet is that sufficient for HD streaming etc?

Mike
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Mac user, Windows curser, Chrome OS desired.

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sbiddle

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Reply # 1606690 9-Aug-2016 08:08

MikeB4:

I note that they only have 10/100 ethernet is that sufficient for HD streaming etc?

100Mbps is sufficient for around 6-7 simultaneous HD streams. Even a full Freeview MUX is only ~25Mbps

psychrn

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Reply # 1606712 9-Aug-2016 09:04

We have the Panasonic DMR-HWT260 after our Tivo remote went broke.

Takes a bit of getting used to and there are some niggling problems we have encountered. Not as easy to use as the tivo.

For instance you can have a maximun of 32 timer programmes going at once. We used to have heaps on the Tivo.

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froob

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Reply # 1606730 9-Aug-2016 09:29

I have an older Panasonic DMR-XW440, which is good, but not without its problems. For example, it is a dual tuner model, but recording back-to-back programmes on the same channel ties up both tuners for the overlap, meaning you can't record or watch something on the other channel. It can also stream content from my NAS, but will cut out if recording starts, because it doesn't have capacity for both. But, all in all it's fairly reliable.

muppet

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Reply # 1606732 9-Aug-2016 09:32

Panasonic HWT260

Works well.

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muppet

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Reply # 1606742 9-Aug-2016 09:39

froob:

I have an older Panasonic DMR-XW440, which is good, but not without its problems. For example, it is a dual tuner model, but recording back-to-back programmes on the same channel ties up both tuners for the overlap, meaning you can't record or watch something on the other channel. It can also stream content from my NAS, but will cut out if recording starts, because it doesn't have capacity for both. But, all in all it's fairly reliable.

Yea our HWT260 does this too. But what's really dumb is that it _can_ watch Netflix. So it obviously does have the ability to do it, but it's just crippled for DLNA.

I hope Panasonic fix it.

B1GGLZ

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Reply # 1606809 9-Aug-2016 10:31

froob:

but recording back-to-back programmes on the same channel ties up both tuners for the overlap, meaning you can't record or watch something on the other channel.

Yes you can if you use Timer record function instead of the EPG. Uses only one tuner then. And of course if recording two channels or both tuners in use you can always watch a 3rd channel using the TV's tuner.

B1GGLZ

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Reply # 1606814 9-Aug-2016 10:37

muppet:

Panasonic HWT260

Works well.

Yes, but beware, the cheaper Panasonic models don't have external recording inputs.

The BWT840 is more expensive but can record from external equipment such as Sky. Only composite video input though.

I have an older BWT720 and with Win 10 it's very easy to transfer files (SD and HD) to the PC via the LAN for editing.

Lack of Apps doesn't worry me as I have a HTPC as well.

littleheaven

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Reply # 1606865 9-Aug-2016 11:26

I have the Panasonic BWT840 and it's an acceptable replacement for the Sky decoder, although I wish I'd gone for one of the slightly cheaper models, as this one didn't get a FreeviewPlus upgrade like the next model down did (the 550, I think?). It can pause live TV and apparently rewind it, too, though I've not tested that function out. Timer recording is pretty good... I had 7 Days programmed and the season ended, then started up again months later and it picked it up again without me having to re-add it. The EPG is slow to load, but the programming function works pretty well. You can also manually set timed recordings remotely via a mobile device app. Not quite as cool as the Sky remote record which is EPG based, but it can be done. The only niggle I usually encounter is the issue of overlapping recordings and the fact that there are only two tuners - sometimes I get a conflict. If I have an issue I just manually add the programme via the timer function and either use a plus 1 channel or tweak the end/start times to avoid an overlap. The reason I manually programme the timer for the plus 1 channel is because, if you use the EPG, the recording often defaults to the normal channel - it doesn't seem to distinguish between the two. Oh, and you can't use the network features when it's recording, but I don't use it for streaming. The online interface is just rubbish and the range of apps laughable. I use a Chromecast or my AppleTV4 for all my streaming needs, and the Panasonic purely as a recorder. It's also a Blu-Ray player and it can record to Blu-Ray. The HDD is decent at 1TB.

So, in summary, it's not amazing but it does the job and considering it's saving me almost $900 a year, I can live with the quirks. With the ever improving on demand and streaming services, it is getting less and less use.

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MikeB4

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Reply # 1607099 9-Aug-2016 16:28

The range of devices available in NZ seems to be quite limited.

Mike
Retired IT Manager.
The views stated in my posts are my personal views and not that of any other organisation.

Mac user, Windows curser, Chrome OS desired.

The great divide is the lies from both sides.

littleheaven

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Reply # 1607112 9-Aug-2016 16:43

MikeB4:

The range of devices available in NZ seems to be quite limited.

You're not wrong. The Freeview site only lists 6 devices - a Samsung, a Homecast, a Dish TV and three Panasonics.

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.

MikeB4

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Reply # 1607113 9-Aug-2016 16:46

littleheaven:

MikeB4:

The range of devices available in NZ seems to be quite limited.

You're not wrong. The Freeview site only lists 6 devices - a Samsung, a Homecast, a Dish TV and three Panasonics.

Samsung don't list a device on their NZ site anymore. The Freeview shop has some but they seem to have a less than good reputation.

Mike
Retired IT Manager.
The views stated in my posts are my personal views and not that of any other organisation.

Mac user, Windows curser, Chrome OS desired.

The great divide is the lies from both sides.

littleheaven

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Reply # 1607118 9-Aug-2016 16:53

MikeB4:

littleheaven:

MikeB4:

The range of devices available in NZ seems to be quite limited.

You're not wrong. The Freeview site only lists 6 devices - a Samsung, a Homecast, a Dish TV and three Panasonics.

Samsung don't list a device on their NZ site anymore. The Freeview shop has some but they seem to have a less than good reputation.

Yes, I was put off by the product reviews of the Samsung.

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.

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