Mpeg4 compatible TV

pat kenny

Ok so I purchased an Samsung le32a456c2d TV about 3 weeks ago and now through some belated research I see it is only MPEG2 compatible, so I am going to take it back to currys and exchange it. I feel I was mis sold the TV under the auspices that it was digital ready in Ireland.
Getting a cash refund is never easy, so I want to do and exchange for a TV that is MPEG4 compatible.
The tv cost 630euro so if you can recommend something in the same price range that would be great. I am willing to pay 100euro or so extra but to save me having to much around with cam cards.

MACHEAD

Sorry to hear you purchase didn't work out. It's not actually that easy to get detailed specs on TV's now. I've been looking at Panasonic's 'TX' range at the moment. All the retailers that sell them are advertising them as MPEG4 HD ready. The spec on this range looks very good (if you can believe all the blurb). I emailed Panasonic UK last week asking if the TX range would be compatible with Ireland's DVB-t MPEG4 system but have so far received no reply. The TX32LXD85 is the one I've been temped by, though more research needed before forking out currency. Good luck with your return/refund.

watty

You are best waiting till DTT launch and getting a recording (PVR) set box. A DVD recorder or VHS won't record either the TV signal nor any HD.

Concentrate on good picture, lots of SCART and HDMI connections and not the tuner. Next year at launch a basic MPEG4 setbox will be cheaper than 100 Euro and likely cheaper than the adaptor for CI slot, unless Boxer subsidise (which would only be for subscribers).


The adaptor card is indeed much lower quality than a setbox or integrated tuner.

Zaphod

There are a number of potential pitfalls if buying an MPEG4 capable TV. Firstly, MPEG4 tends to be available on only higher end TVs. Secondly, it's often not clear whether TVs are MPEG4 capable or not, even when you check the manufacturers specs e.g. some of the Sony Bravias are OK but there is no mention of that on the Irish website. So you're left relying on reception reports from users here or taking a chance.

Anyway for what it's worth, Argos have a 32LG3200 for €760 which has Boxer (Scandanavia) and TNT (French) stickers suggesting it may be MPEG4 capable.
You could probably buy cheaper elsewhere though.

cmb.

watty wrote: »

You are best waiting till DTT launch and getting a recording (PVR) set box. A DVD recorder or VHS won't record either the TV signal nor any HD.

so does this mean that everyones dvd/video/hdd recorders will be obsolete?

Pat Gleeson

cmb. wrote: »

so does this mean that everyones dvd/video/hdd recorders will be obsolete?

Via the coaxial aerial connection, yes.

You should be able to connect a DTT set top box via one of the scart connections on a VHS/DVD recorder, and record that way.

Mayo Exile

For anyone that wants to check the specs of Sony TV's for MPEG 2/4 compatibility etc before they buy one, here is where online versions of Sony owner manuals can be checked. Alot of them say whether the digital tuner (if there in the first place) is MPEG 2/4 ready.

Link: http://support.sony-europe.com/manuals/manuals.aspx?site=odw_en_IE

The Cush

pat kenny wrote: »

I feel I was mis sold the TV under the auspices that it was digital ready in Ireland.

An information note issued by CEDA (Consumer Electronics Distributors Association within IBEC) to suppliers/TV retailers in July states

As previously noted, it is important that manufacturers, retailers and their staff do not imply (indirectly) or directly through advertising or in-store POS to customers that all current TV sets equipped with UK Freeview tuners will be compatible with the Irish DTT services when they officially launch in 2009. This is especially important in border areas, where there is a demand for Freeview sets to receive the current Digital / Freeview transmissions from Northern Ireland.

Mark#1

The Cush wrote: »

An information note issued by CEDA (Consumer Electronics Distributors Association within IBEC) to suppliers/TV retailers in July states

"As previously noted, it is important that manufacturers, retailers and their staff do not imply (indirectly) or directly through advertising or in-store POS to customers that all current TV sets equipped with UK Freeview tuners will be compatible with the Irish DTT services when they officially launch in 2009. This is especially important in border areas, where there is a demand for Freeview sets to receive the current Digital / Freeview transmissions from Northern Ireland."

I'm far from knowledgable about MPEG4 / MPEG2 TVs, but I have had probably more than my share of returning faulty or unfit goods to retailers.

If the seller stated, suggested, or implied that the TV was capable of receiving Ireland's new DTT broadcasts, then the TV was definitely mis-represented, and you're definitely entitled to a full refund - consumer rights are really clear on stuff like this: "goods not as stated" and "goods not fit for intended purpose" are terms that apply here.

Of course it's a different story if it was an assumption on your part, rather than the seller misleading you.

I do sympathise with you - this is a frustrating time to be buying (or even just researching, as I am) any TV-related product in ROI.

I've been in contact with Panasonic, Technomate, M-Vision, Pioneer and more to try to get enough info to enable me to know what products will work for me in a new AV set-up I plan to buy soon.

DVD / HDD recorders for the UK (which is basically every DVD / HDD recorder on sale in Ireland) won't work here, but nor will DVD / HDD recorders currently being sold as "for Ireland", at least in terms of their PVR functionality - they simply won't receive Irish DTT broadcasts.

This seems to me (with my limited understanding), to be the most up-in-the-air situation, in consumer terms, that I've known.

As I've said elsewhere - who's going to buy anything TV related in ROI before there's something official announced on DTT?

What's going to happen all the products currently sitting on shop shelves and in warehouses?

MPEG4 DTT set-top boxes will enable everyone to receive DTT, regardless of what TV they have, but the PVR functionality of DVD recorders, etc. may never apply in Ireland.

A document I saw recently on the French's switch to DTT, included statements to the effect of: all TVs, PVRs, DVDRs, etc. sold in France from Jan 2009 must be MPEG4- & HD-ready.

Where's Ireland's firm proactivity on all this?

Again, I'm far from expert on all this tech - you guys probably know a lot more than I do, but I've been asking questions cos I want to know, and I'm pretty sure I understand the answers I've been getting.


Mark

watty

Pat Gleeson wrote: »

Via the coaxial aerial connection, yes.

You should be able to connect a DTT set top box via one of the scart connections on a VHS/DVD recorder, and record that way.

HD will never work on any VHS/DVD recorder. For HD and decent standard definition recording from Digital, you must use a set-box with integrated Digital Tuner and Hard Drive.

pat kenny

Thanks for the responses lads they have been pretty informative. I might have a print out of the information note with me for good measure

The TV definitely had a large "Digital Ready" sticker on it and I took a quick nip into the shop and they still have the same sticker on my model.
Every model in the shop seems to have this digital ready sticker.
There was some assumption on my part but that was based on a very bold "Digital ready sticker" I was presented with. So I figure I am on a good footing.
I might try a swap or full refund, depending on my research.

Cheers again lads, may all your offspring live long and prosperous lives.

Mark#1

pat kenny wrote: »

The TV definitely had a large "Digital Ready" sticker on it and I took a quick nip into the shop and they still have the same sticker on my model.
Every model in the shop seems to have this digital ready sticker.
There was some assumption on my part but that was based on a very bold "Digital ready sticker" I was presented with. So I figure I am on a good footing.

If it was me, I'd take a snap or two of thoses stickers next time I passed by - use your phone if you have to. I bet they won't be on display for much longer as awareness of DTT grows in ROI.


Good luck,

Mark

Pat Gleeson

watty wrote: »

HD will never work on any VHS/DVD recorder. For HD and decent standard definition recording from Digital, you must use a set-box with integrated Digital Tuner and Hard Drive.

I was referring exclusively to standard definition DTT.