Panasonic DMR-BW880 Technical Help

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spacecadet

14 posts

Geek

#68929 29-Sep-2010 22:27

Hi. Thinking bout buying the Panny DMR-BW880, however Ive been doing some research and have come up with a whole host of technical questions that Im wondering if someone is game enough to answer. Hmm.. Im a littel nieve, so bear with me. They questions are:

1. Is it solely a DLNA server? ie. can you stream content TO the PVR as well as stream FROM it?
2. Does the DMP-BD85 model stream to and from the unit?
3. I've seen regarding streaming to computers etc, that it will only do this with Windows 7 and no other versions, or is it just because its only "sees' WMP Version 11? Is this correct?
4. How do you connect a wireless/Ethernet bridgeinstead of an ethernet cable? Is there any known wireless ethernet hardware that will work with the DMR-BW880?

Thanks!

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#386169 30-Sep-2010 08:36

Hi Spacecadet.

I'll be interested to see what response you get. I've been looking closely at a BW880 yesterday. The manual is somewhat lacking in the necessary information though.
As far as I can tell it is possible to stream info to the unit from a DLNA certified piece of equipment (e.g a PC) but how do you tell if your PC is DLNA capable or certified? Then it says if it's not on the HDD it wont play??
The manual makes no reference to the recorded file format or what formats it will accept via streaming other than they seem to need converting to AVCHD format to play. There is no mention of Wireless Networking capability at all so seems to be via Cat5 cable only. I'm thinking a Media Player might be of more use or a recorder that is more functionable. Hopefully we will see better equipment surface in the next few years. A TV with built in networking and a media player capable of streaming any type of file plus recording to external equipment would be a step in the right direction. The Sony EX700n is getting close.

hkeyzer

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#393542 19-Oct-2010 11:38

Is the BW880 multi zone capable?

wellygary

8324 posts

Uber Geek

#393547 19-Oct-2010 12:01

spacecadet: Hi. Thinking bout buying the Panny DMR-BW880, however Ive been doing some research and have come up with a whole host of technical questions that Im wondering if someone is game enough to answer. Hmm.. Im a littel nieve, so bear with me. They questions are:

1. Is it solely a DLNA server? ie. can you stream content TO the PVR as well as stream FROM it?
2. Does the DMP-BD85 model stream to and from the unit?
3. I've seen regarding streaming to computers etc, that it will only do this with Windows 7 and no other versions, or is it just because its only "sees' WMP Version 11? Is this correct?
4. How do you connect a wireless/Ethernet bridgeinstead of an ethernet cable? Is there any known wireless ethernet hardware that will work with the DMR-BW880?

Thanks!

I think the Answer to 1 is that it is a server only, to playback content off a server you need to purchase a TV that is DLNA client,

on Page 67 there is this point,
"You cannot playback the titles on other DLNA compatible equipment from this unit."

I think the DB85 is in the same boat, it will be a server only

The problem with streaming to computers exists because the DLNA group will only certify Hardware, thus any software solution is very much "YMMV"

spacecadet

14 posts

Geek

#393719 19-Oct-2010 18:18

Thanks for theat Wellygary.

Yes it seems to be a bit of a bugbear. I wont be able to test whether it streams to laptops (Windows/Linux software etc) unless I buy the unit to try it!
And then theres the question of the wireless ethernet bridge -I do know its possible, and I think you can buy a bridge, but software/hardware clashes trying to configure it to your network can seem a little tiresome.
Perhaps a newer model will be WiFi capable, but then it comes with a " new release price" and the whole process starts again.
Everything else about the BW880 seems great for a stand alone PVR with added blu ray.