Freeview On Demand update broke my Panasonic HWT260?

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scuwp

3209 posts

Uber Geek

# 242552 3-Nov-2018 11:25

Purchased a new Panasonic PVR a couple of weeks ago. The Freeview On-Demand function worked well, pushing the red button on the remote gave me a small pop-up EPG, or a second push launched the full On-Demand collective interface or options in 3 tabs above to instead go into the individual NZ streaming apps (TVNZ, 3Now, Maori TV).

Then...an update automatically installed itself a couple of days ago. According to the Freeview website I now have the "new" On-Demand interface, now activated by the green remote button. Small pop-up EPG - gone, ability to choose to view content through the individual provider apps - gone, collective On-Demand content is a full library of the individual app content - not even close.

Rang Panasonic and they report that they are inundated with customer complaints. Freeview had no answers so I have logged a bug report with them.

Anyone else? I am guessing I can't roll back the update?

Always be yourself, unless you can be Batman, then always be the Batman

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

600 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 2118930 3-Nov-2018 12:05

I have the 550 I can open it but when I go to sign in it doesn’t recognise my password that works on every other device, when I go to do the password reset option it says there is a problem and can’t send email. It’s a joke really do they test these roll outs

LGSAM

165 posts

Master Geek

# 2118933 3-Nov-2018 12:22

I have a 3 year old LG TV , having the same issues worked fine before but sounds like the new version of Free view on demand will not work as the TV does not have enough processing power which seems odd as I can watch Light box and Netflix without a hitch . Not sure that applies to your devices .

scuwp

3209 posts

Uber Geek

# 2118942 3-Nov-2018 12:37

I had to chuckle...took 3 goes to submit the bug report, first 2 times it said 'Oops...something went wrong", of the irony!

Pleased I also invested in an Apple TV so can access the individual apps that way

Always be yourself, unless you can be Batman, then always be the Batman

B1GGLZ

1956 posts

Uber Geek

# 2119289 3-Nov-2018 21:56

I have an older BWT720 Panasonic Recorder and Sony EX720 TV from before Freeview Plus. they have no SMART features, never update any more and work perfectly. I have a HTPC and and Android TV Box. All my online access works perfectly without any problems. Maybe TV and PVR manufacturers should just stick to TV and leave the rest to proper Smart boxes like PCs, Laptops and properly designed interface boxes.

scuwp

3209 posts

Uber Geek

# 2121422 7-Nov-2018 11:36

One person supports this post

So an update to this...

Freeview have now told me that due to 'performance issues' many devices, including the HWT260, have been updated with a 'light' version of the new On Demand platform. I have asked if it is temporary or permanent, and if there is any option to roll back the update. I know what the answers will be. They seem to be in la la land claiming that the 'light' version is still an improvement...air must be a bit thin in their office!

Panasonic tell me that they are aware of this issue and it affects many devices across all brands. They are in communication with Freeview but they are at their mercy. They tell me that in testing Freeview realised that there were significant issues with capacity and capability to handle the 4K content and new platform and so they created a 'light' version giving limited content, and removing features such as the catch-up service and Freeview EPG.

The device is still being advertised today on the Freeview and Retailer website as approved for On Demand.

So, in 3 weeks my device has been hobbled by the Freeview update. It's not the retailers or manufacturers fault but at the end of the day it no longer does what it was meant to and is (perhaps arguably) no longer fit for purpose. I'm not sure there are any other options so will need to decide if I can live with it or ask the retailer to remedy the situation under the CGA.

I miss TiVo!!!

Always be yourself, unless you can be Batman, then always be the Batman

LGSAM

165 posts

Master Geek

# 2121557 7-Nov-2018 13:43

It seems they have given up on my set and possibly others .

This from Freeview

After 30 October 2018, the old FreeviewPlus service, which provided access to TVNZ OnDemand, ThreeNow and Maori TV On Demand apps, will come to the end of its serviceable life and will no longer be available on legacy 2014 LG TVs with HbbTV.

Following dedicated effort over several months, Freeview developed a 'Lite' version of its new Freeview On Demand platform for devices with lower processing power and memory-handling capacity; however those legacy 2014 LG TVs remain incompatible and are not able to handle the new video format with service-side ad-insertion.

As such, these legacy 2014 LG TVs will not be able to access the new Freeview On Demand platform.

wratterus

719 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 2121616 7-Nov-2018 15:23

4 years eh...that's annoying.

Bluntj

355 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 2121618 7-Nov-2018 15:25

Freeview cannot even get their EPG correct. Lately its been like a dogs breakfast. So many errors its incompetent.

MikeB4

14252 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

# 2121640 7-Nov-2018 16:05

@Bluntj I will confess I don't watch a lot of TV, I record a lot to view later. I have not noticed errors in the EPG and all our recording works. We had some issues a few months back but it has been fine of late.

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

There is no planet B

LGSAM

165 posts

Master Geek

# 2121716 7-Nov-2018 17:23

I get the feeling there are going to be far more complaints coming .

scuwp

3209 posts

Uber Geek

# 2122140 8-Nov-2018 13:11

LGSAM:

I get the feeling there are going to be far more complaints coming .

Yes. The chap I spoke with at Panasonic said they have just been inundated. I finally managed to speak to a real person at Freeview yesterday who said that they were aware that some of the available content was missing from the 'light' version, but that this was a bug and they were working on it. I can live with it if it can at least access all the content. I have suggested they update their website so show what devices are capable for the 'full' version, and those that are only capable for the 'light' version, as currently they are misleading consumers.

Always be yourself, unless you can be Batman, then always be the Batman

LGSAM

165 posts

Master Geek

# 2122185 8-Nov-2018 14:12

So exactly what specs does Freeview Plus require to work correctly or is it hit and miss .

Oblivian

3367 posts

Uber Geek

# 2122211 8-Nov-2018 14:35

LGSAM:

So exactly what specs does Freeview Plus require to work correctly or is it hit and miss .

Reading between the lines, it's 'anything that can pause the video and allow us to inject more adverts and revert back to the same stream' duplexing that some can't handle :)

kharris

1027 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

# 2123459 11-Nov-2018 01:01

scuwp:
Purchased a new Panasonic PVR a couple of weeks ago. The Freeview On-Demand function worked well, pushing the red button on the remote gave me a small pop-up EPG, or a second push launched the full On-Demand collective interface or options in 3 tabs above to instead go into the individual NZ streaming apps (TVNZ, 3Now, Maori TV).

Then...an update automatically installed itself a couple of days ago. According to the Freeview website I now have the "new" On-Demand interface, now activated by the green remote button. Small pop-up EPG - gone, ability to choose to view content through the individual provider apps - gone, collective On-Demand content is a full library of the individual app content - not even close.

Rang Panasonic and they report that they are inundated with customer complaints. Freeview had no answers so I have logged a bug report with them.

Anyone else? I am guessing I can't roll back the update?

On my Panasonic recorder I can see the on demand content but there is no longer a Freeview channel banner when I changed channels. There is also no Freeview guide so I cannot record through Freeview. Is this what you are seeing?

Kirk

gregmcc

1716 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

# 2123474 11-Nov-2018 06:50

scuwp:

So an update to this...

Freeview have now told me that due to 'performance issues' many devices, including the HWT260, have been updated with a 'light' version of the new On Demand platform. I have asked if it is temporary or permanent, and if there is any option to roll back the update. I know what the answers will be. They seem to be in la la land claiming that the 'light' version is still an improvement...air must be a bit thin in their office!

Panasonic tell me that they are aware of this issue and it affects many devices across all brands. They are in communication with Freeview but they are at their mercy. They tell me that in testing Freeview realised that there were significant issues with capacity and capability to handle the 4K content and new platform and so they created a 'light' version giving limited content, and removing features such as the catch-up service and Freeview EPG.

The device is still being advertised today on the Freeview and Retailer website as approved for On Demand.

So, in 3 weeks my device has been hobbled by the Freeview update. It's not the retailers or manufacturers fault but at the end of the day it no longer does what it was meant to and is (perhaps arguably) no longer fit for purpose. I'm not sure there are any other options so will need to decide if I can live with it or ask the retailer to remedy the situation under the CGA.

I miss TiVo!!!

Want a TiVo made great again, PM me I have a few ready to go.....

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