Freeview box recommendation

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Freeview box recommendation

larry6144

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#201744 1-Sep-2016 12:24

Hi All

We are about to take the plunge and cancel our sky subscription and Im looking for recommendations on the best freeview box to buy to watch FTA channels. Price is not the main concern as Id rather buy quality than be frustrated with a cheaper device than would feel clunky.

Requirements: Dual tuner and recording capabilities are a must, needs to have a responsive and easy to use EPG, and be responsive (FF, REW etc). Be nice if it didn't look terrible as well. IT will need WiFi as the TV area isn't cabled at the moment

Are there any other considerations?, are the bluray/HDD/freeview boxes worth considering?.

Cheers

MikeB4

MikeB4
18775 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 12765

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#1620847 1-Sep-2016 13:01

I recently did this, I purchased the Panasonic DMR-BWT760GN. I am very pleased with it.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 42

#1620848 1-Sep-2016 13:01

You have 2 real choices here - one the Dish TV Boxes or one of the Panasonic Boxes.

Me and a few of the Freeview comrades are running Panasonic boxes (I'm running an 840 - Twin Tuner, Blue Ray, 3D 4K unit) - its a model or so ago now compared to the new panny's but is still pretty good.

Its not perfect, it cant handle overlapping HD recordings well (without putting one of the intended recordings on +1hour) but its a pretty good workhorse.

The EPG is arguably clunky compared to Sky, and the model I have doesn't have the Apps such as Netflix like the new Panny's do - but have an ATV 3 for Netflix and my TV does Lightbox. Im gonna buy an AT4 for Christmas to get ITV on demand, Channel 4 and 5 on demand etc, and see if by that stage I can still view Iplayer....

But yes - ditch sky, get yourself Netflix and Lightbox if you need that too, save yourself a bucket load of cash and if your missing your sport, there are heaps of online options too (though not being a sport fan - ive not chosen to investigate them!)

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

RunningMan

9184 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4833

#1620850 1-Sep-2016 13:08

Are you in a Freeview|HD (DVB-T) area, or are you reliant on DVB-S satellite?

larry6144

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1620879 1-Sep-2016 14:08

Thanks for the replies - I am in a DVB-T area

Netflix is our primary source of content which the DMR-BWT760GN has the app for - so looks like a great option.

Cheers

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 327

#1621482 2-Sep-2016 15:50

Yes, I think the DMR-BWT760GN is the updated version of the 840GZ that DickDastardly and I have. I've been pretty happy with mine, too. Sometimes the EPG takes a while to come up, and the UI lacks a little bit of finesse, but at a saving each year of around $900, I can live with that. I also pair mine with an AppleTV (4th Gen) for streaming services, since the 840GZ is sadly lacking in apps. I've been Sky-less for almost 18 months and so far all I've really missed is one show on The Living Channel that I couldn't get anywhere else (and that's just started up on Plus7 in Aussie, which I can get). If I need to watch the cricket, I get a Fanpass sub for the month. If you don't have a Chromecast, Fanpass are selling them cheap with monthly or weekly subscriptions, and that complements the Panasonic very well, enabling you to stream anything you can't stream via the PVR. It streams Fanpass very nicely (as does the AppleTV now it has a Fanpass app).

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

psychnurse

329 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 37

ID Verified

Trusted

#1621753 3-Sep-2016 07:09

DickDastardly:

You have 2 real choices here - one the Dish TV Boxes or one of the Panasonic Boxes.

Me and a few of the Freeview comrades are running Panasonic boxes (I'm running an 840 - Twin Tuner, Blue Ray, 3D 4K unit) - its a model or so ago now compared to the new panny's but is still pretty good.

Its not perfect, it cant handle overlapping HD recordings well (without putting one of the intended recordings on +1hour) but its a pretty good workhorse.

The EPG is arguably clunky compared to Sky, and the model I have doesn't have the Apps such as Netflix like the new Panny's do - but have an ATV 3 for Netflix and my TV does Lightbox. Im gonna buy an AT4 for Christmas to get ITV on demand, Channel 4 and 5 on demand etc, and see if by that stage I can still view Iplayer....

But yes - ditch sky, get yourself Netflix and Lightbox if you need that too, save yourself a bucket load of cash and if your missing your sport, there are heaps of online options too (though not being a sport fan - ive not chosen to investigate them!)

You might be disappointed as at the moment there is no ITV app for ATV 4

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

larry6144

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1621905 3-Sep-2016 13:31

Ok, so took the plunge and picked up a BWT760 today, hooked it all up and for the life of me cannot get the thing connecting to the internet.

Have tried both wireless and wired, static and DHCP settings, a variety of DNS servers and have pulled the plug numerous times between changes to make sure everything is cleared. I even tried different VDSL routers - no luck. The connectivity tests all report as passed - although still no internet. No issues with any other devices either wired or wireless on my network

I haven't updated firmware yet , obviously cant over the internet and I need to run a cable to connect to the UHF aerial, I was hoping to test Netflix and bluray playback. Current firmware levels are 1.00 and 1.2 for the wireless adapter. I would assume later versions exist but cant find an reference to them on the Panasonic website.

Any other ideas?. Mike, have you had similar fun with your 760?

cheers

MikeB4

MikeB4
18775 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 12765

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#1621971 3-Sep-2016 15:02

larry6144:

Ok, so took the plunge and picked up a BWT760 today, hooked it all up and for the life of me cannot get the thing connecting to the internet.

Have tried both wireless and wired, static and DHCP settings, a variety of DNS servers and have pulled the plug numerous times between changes to make sure everything is cleared. I even tried different VDSL routers - no luck. The connectivity tests all report as passed - although still no internet. No issues with any other devices either wired or wireless on my network

I haven't updated firmware yet , obviously cant over the internet and I need to run a cable to connect to the UHF aerial, I was hoping to test Netflix and bluray playback. Current firmware levels are 1.00 and 1.2 for the wireless adapter. I would assume later versions exist but cant find an reference to them on the Panasonic website.

Any other ideas?. Mike, have you had similar fun with your 760?

cheers

I use Ethernet and it took approx. a minute to connect, I just tried Wifi and the longest part was putting my password in then all good. My set was all and connect with Cat 6 to my Netgear Nighthawk.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 136

#1621980 3-Sep-2016 15:32

larry6144:

Ok, so took the plunge and picked up a BWT760 today, hooked it all up and for the life of me cannot get the thing connecting to the internet.

Have tried both wireless and wired, static and DHCP settings, a variety of DNS servers and have pulled the plug numerous times between changes to make sure everything is cleared. I even tried different VDSL routers - no luck. The connectivity tests all report as passed - although still no internet. No issues with any other devices either wired or wireless on my network

I haven't updated firmware yet , obviously cant over the internet and I need to run a cable to connect to the UHF aerial, I was hoping to test Netflix and bluray playback. Current firmware levels are 1.00 and 1.2 for the wireless adapter. I would assume later versions exist but cant find an reference to them on the Panasonic website.

Any other ideas?. Mike, have you had similar fun with your 760?

cheers

Just had a quick look at the manual and it says you need to do Easy Setting first, ie.installation and tuning, before moving on to Network setting. If you don't have UHF antenna connected then I guess you haven't done this yet? Maybe Network won't work if this isn't done first?

DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 42

#1622967 5-Sep-2016 12:04

psychnurse:

DickDastardly:

You have 2 real choices here - one the Dish TV Boxes or one of the Panasonic Boxes.

Me and a few of the Freeview comrades are running Panasonic boxes (I'm running an 840 - Twin Tuner, Blue Ray, 3D 4K unit) - its a model or so ago now compared to the new panny's but is still pretty good.

Its not perfect, it cant handle overlapping HD recordings well (without putting one of the intended recordings on +1hour) but its a pretty good workhorse.

The EPG is arguably clunky compared to Sky, and the model I have doesn't have the Apps such as Netflix like the new Panny's do - but have an ATV 3 for Netflix and my TV does Lightbox. Im gonna buy an AT4 for Christmas to get ITV on demand, Channel 4 and 5 on demand etc, and see if by that stage I can still view Iplayer....

But yes - ditch sky, get yourself Netflix and Lightbox if you need that too, save yourself a bucket load of cash and if your missing your sport, there are heaps of online options too (though not being a sport fan - ive not chosen to investigate them!)

You might be disappointed as at the moment there is no ITV app for ATV 4

I thought there was the "ITV Hub" in the App store which was catch up TV for your ITV, ITV 2 and CITV catch up requirements??

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

psychnurse

329 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 37

ID Verified

Trusted

#1624109 5-Sep-2016 16:22

DickDastardly:

psychnurse:

DickDastardly:

You have 2 real choices here - one the Dish TV Boxes or one of the Panasonic Boxes.

Me and a few of the Freeview comrades are running Panasonic boxes (I'm running an 840 - Twin Tuner, Blue Ray, 3D 4K unit) - its a model or so ago now compared to the new panny's but is still pretty good.

Its not perfect, it cant handle overlapping HD recordings well (without putting one of the intended recordings on +1hour) but its a pretty good workhorse.

The EPG is arguably clunky compared to Sky, and the model I have doesn't have the Apps such as Netflix like the new Panny's do - but have an ATV 3 for Netflix and my TV does Lightbox. Im gonna buy an AT4 for Christmas to get ITV on demand, Channel 4 and 5 on demand etc, and see if by that stage I can still view Iplayer....

But yes - ditch sky, get yourself Netflix and Lightbox if you need that too, save yourself a bucket load of cash and if your missing your sport, there are heaps of online options too (though not being a sport fan - ive not chosen to investigate them!)

You might be disappointed as at the moment there is no ITV app for ATV 4

I thought there was the "ITV Hub" in the App store which was catch up TV for your ITV, ITV 2 and CITV catch up requirements??

Not yet

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

muppet

2642 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1660

Trusted

#1624210 5-Sep-2016 19:43

This totally tripped me up when I got a Panasonic.

You must ensure the time is set accurately before any of the Internet functions work.

This should be in the manual, but isn't.

larry6144

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1625795 8-Sep-2016 16:27

muppet:

This totally tripped me up when I got a Panasonic.

You must ensure the time is set accurately before any of the Internet functions work.

This should be in the manual, but isn't.

Spot on, that did the trick!. Thanks for the advice.