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ADKM

860 posts

Ultimate Geek


#93678 26-Nov-2011 18:11
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Is there anyone, anywhere in NZ, who can successfully record TV3 with the Freeview EPG - without getting 3+1 about 50% of the time ?




Cheers - Kirk

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Trunks2
224 posts

Master Geek


  #550377 26-Nov-2011 18:17
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If you're using Media Centre I'm pretty sure there's a setting so it will only record the original channel set.



RunningMan
8953 posts

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  #550378 26-Nov-2011 18:18
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Yes, I only ever get the channel that I record.

Perhaps you could tell us what device it is you are having problems with?

ADKM

860 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #550382 26-Nov-2011 18:35
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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.




Cheers - Kirk



RunningMan
8953 posts

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  #550396 26-Nov-2011 19:21
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Do you know if there is a firmware update avaialble for it?

toyonut
1508 posts

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  #550406 26-Nov-2011 20:01
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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:

 

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B


kandjc
119 posts

Master Geek


  #550483 27-Nov-2011 06:32
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We had the same problem - download the latest software update - it fixed ours. http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dvd/download/xw480/index.html

ADKM

860 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #550556 27-Nov-2011 13:15
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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.




Cheers - Kirk

 
 
 

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Behodar
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  #550558 27-Nov-2011 13:26
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The "Go" button takes me to http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dvd/download/xw480/nz.html which lists 1.43 as current.

ADKM

860 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #550632 27-Nov-2011 18:18
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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 ?




Cheers - Kirk

Brunzy
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  #550665 27-Nov-2011 20:01
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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.

B1GGLZ
1961 posts

Uber Geek


  #550692 27-Nov-2011 21:35
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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.

Chainsaw
357 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #550904 28-Nov-2011 12:26
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The latest firmware does NOT fix this for the 880, the 380 may be different however. With my 880 I have to manually resolve the conflict.

Jaxson
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  #550914 28-Nov-2011 12:40
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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.

ADKM

860 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #550958 28-Nov-2011 13:34
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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.




Cheers - Kirk

Brunzy
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  #551174 28-Nov-2011 20:29
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B1GGLZ:
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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