I'm using a Panasonic DMR-XW380 . The the signal strength and quality are being assessed and new antenna is also being tested. But I suspect somethjing else is causing it. It only happens on TV3. I'm about to set a Dish T1020 to record 3 news from the EPG as well.... then see if the both fail together. Or not. Just wondered how it was for others. I've heard other 380 users have similar issues, but Panasonic say the unit is OK.
It seems some units do it automatically and some dont. Homecast box will only do it if 3 is unavailable at the time. The Zinwell on original firmware seems to record both, but there is a new firmware which stops that. Check with Panasonic if there is an update which makes it record differently, may have some luck there.
Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:
Thanks for the link, but seems the page isn't working. I select New Zealand - press GO and that's it! Nothing happens.
However I have noticed the unit updating itself automatically. Could you let me know what version you have? Mine is currently Software 1:43 ansd HDAVI Control 5.
Further to the above, tonight the 380 (firmware 1.43) and Dish1020 were set via the freeview EPG to record Channel 3 at 1800. They're both on the same aerial.
Come 1800 and Dish unit bursts into RECo mode... and Panasonic sits there doing nothing. Is that conclusive proof ?
Also - Panosonic advised me to buy a UHF splitter (Dick Smith item) to remove the VHF component from the feed to the 380. Seeing the coax contains both VHF and UHF components, I assumed it should connect to the single (common) nput, with each frequency then available from the sockets marked UHF and VHF. So I put coax to the common input and the DVD-R to UHF socket. This meant using two reverse gender adapters
With no improvement, Panasonic kindly arranged for a tech to check the signal quality. He immediately says its connected wrong. I was most embarrassed, and never argued... thinking I must have connected VHF instead of UHF. But no, he reversed it - Coax to UHF socket and 380 DVD-R to the common input.
It may be that it works equally well reversed.... Who's right, or does it not matter ?
It doesn't matter for the issue that you have. It is not related to the signal path. But what he meant was that the if you feed your cable into the UHF input , it should filter out most of the VHF ,although I dont understand why they would ask you to do that for your symptoms.
ADKM: Also - Panosonic advised me to buy a UHF splitter (Dick Smith item) to remove the VHF component from the feed to the 380. Seeing the coax contains both VHF and UHF components, I assumed it should connect to the single (common) nput, with each frequency then available from the sockets marked UHF and VHF.
Why would there be any VHF componenet from the co-ax feed if you only have a UHF antenna? Should be a direct run of coax from a UHF antenna to the 380. No splitters or diplexers. Don't have this problem on my BW880 which has UHF antenna only.
You can run into the problem above if you have a VHF aerial still, connected with a UHF aerial. With the move to digital only it's about the right time to start migrating older analogue devices to digital, and to remove the VHF aerial and diplexer altogether.
As B1GGLZ suggests above, ideally you want a straight run from UHF aerial down to your digital device. Splitting once perhaps to feed the TV directly as well. If you don't need it, the VHF aerial should be removed from the feed to the TV/PVR.
Understood the VHF component is not needed and ideally should be removed. I couldn't do this though, they're connected at a roof point I can't get to. An installer is putting up a proper digital phased array tomorrow to see if this improves things. The splitter was a q&e method to attempt a better signal and my connection was correct, wheras the technician reversed it. Panasonic explained the digital signal carrys extra data which tells the recorder when programmes start/finish. If missing or corrupted recordings may fail to start. which is what's happening. But on top of this is the Ch3, 3+1 debacle where TV3 and Freeview are not using the correct specifications and so the conflict exists. Freeview are fully aware of the situation but would not listen to Panasonics calls to have it done right. In similar manner to their prohibition of time slip; I think it most regrettable we have Freeview acting in such a belligerent manner.
But some manage to avoid the problem, or not notice it. What I don't know is how much of either fault is my installation or equipment, and how much is caused by Freeview. The simultaneous recording of TV3 news on the Dish 1020 and Panasonic 380 resulted in Dish OK, 380 failed. Now I'm swapping each unit to repeat the test. Although they're on the same aerial the coax is split to each one. Even then, maybe the results would only be conclusive in an analogue enviroment.
Thanks for all your responces, it's very helpful to get feedback.
ADKM: Also - Panosonic advised me to buy a UHF splitter (Dick Smith item) to remove the VHF component from the feed to the 380. Seeing the coax contains both VHF and UHF components, I assumed it should connect to the single (common) nput, with each frequency then available from the sockets marked UHF and VHF.
Why would there be any VHF componenet from the co-ax feed if you only have a UHF antenna? Should be a direct run of coax from a UHF antenna to the 380. No splitters or diplexers. Don't have this problem on my BW880 which has UHF antenna only.
Bigglz,
A UHF Antenna with LOS to Kaukau here in Wgn , will happily pick up 60dBuV+ of B111 VHF , so you dont just get it with a VHF ant.
As an aside the only issues I have ever had relating to too much signal , have all been Panasonics, have had at least 3 Pana DVD Rec , with problems . They all had Pana TV's which displayed no issues. The DVD Rec use different tuners
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