TV's with MPEG4 DTT decoder

STB

bird-man wrote: »

I currently have a digital cable stb with a ntl card. So my query was whether I could now plug digital cable directly to the TV if there is a CAM slot for the NTL card. I've no idea what kind of compression (MPEG?) that NTL use for digital tv over cable. Perhaps it is proprietary coding and therefore I will always need their digital stb.

No. The tuner would have to have the requisite frequency band anyhow which the panasonic doesnt have. Thats because it is trying to achieve something else at the other end of the scale ie built for free tv. CAm slots would open it up to add ons after.

NTL/Chorus use Nagravision as their encyption system. Pace boxes afaik.

bird-man

Thanks.

904473

I bought a Philips PFL9803 and it picks up the digital signals from RTE Networks perfectly. Great quality television, but a little on the expensive side. if you buy one of these, do so in the UK. You'll get a better price by far. I am based in the balbriggan area. Signal from Three Rock.

Does anybody know what DVB-T MPEG4 boxes are available at the moment? The only one I sourced was from Peats and it was over €300. You could buy a TV for that price.

STB

Given the retail industry are as slow as a 3 miler in a 5 furlong dash, I advise you to get on to ebay.fr. You are looking for TNT TERRESTRE HD.

Lots of new and second hand on the site. Dont pay more than €100. Typically you will get Sigmatek DBH500, Sagem ITD 81 TNT HD or a Philips new for that. Or you might get a steal second hand for half that.

Presumably the receiver is for a second room ? If you are new to this, you might want to look at Combo boxes that do both Sat and DTT which allow you also to record and is not much more expensive than buying a DTT only receiver. Its discussed in several threads here.

904473

Thanks STB. That's a great help.:)

a clanger

A quick question as my head has melted reading the mpeg2/mpeg4 TV thread. I'm buying a new TV for the auld man who is retired and like's paying for nothing (aka sky) I had hoped to get a nice Sony (32KDL-v4500) but was more interested in getting the Humax Foxsat HD PVR. Now the sony has an mpeg4 tuner and the PVR has mpeg2 and 4. He lives in Meath so not sure what analogue (ie UHF/VHF) he picks up. Anyway because we are going to get the PVR there is no need for an integrated tuner(such as the panasonic '81 freesat range). Does anybody think the sony foxsat is a good combination or should I look for a 'Full HD' TV to go with the foxsat

on a side note the Panasonic shop in Limerick said that Panasonic Ireland could not supply the '81 freesat models as there are copyright issues in using freesat in the South...bah humbug...but they could still source one if I wanted

STB

a clanger wrote: »

on a side note the Panasonic shop in Limerick said that Panasonic Ireland could not supply the '81 freesat models as there are copyright issues in using freesat in the South...bah humbug...but they could still source one if I wanted

And they will charge you over a €1000 as well (eventhough they are a "panasonic" Shop! 3 days to get one delivered from UK to your door. €850! Freesat HD (with menu etc) and DTT, one remote control, 37". You do not need analogue !

I ordered 2 a few weeks back. They work fine. Heres the link >>>

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=58977399&postcount=145

One thing you must remember, you wont be able to record RTE with the Foxsat PVR!


or you could scale down to the smaller one 32" and get the PVR anyhow..... work out at about just over a grand in skelleros including delivery.

Panasonic TX-32LZD81 FreeSAT Full HD LCD £599

Humax FoxSAT-HDR HD FreeSat+ PVR £289

decisions decisions......

a clanger

Thanks for the swift reply...you were right Panasonic quoted €1050 for the 32" :eek: which is the size required. I see pixmania are now doing it delivered for sub €638 inc delivery which is not to shabby....

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/1780567/art/panasonic/tx-32lxd81fv-lcd-televisi.html

However If I get the Foxsat I will not require the integrated Freesat tuner and could get the cheaper Sony which has a mpeg 4 tuner but is only "HD ready" which is €575....

If the difference is only €50 yo-yo's Which would You choose ..

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/r/32-kdl-v4500

Decisions

Decisions

Is it worth calling Richer Sounds to see if they will Price match ??

Zonda999

a clanger wrote: »

Thanks for the swift reply...you were right Panasonic quoted €1050 for the 32" :eek: which is the size required. I see pixmania are now doing it delivered for sub €638 inc delivery which is not to shabby....

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/1780567/art/panasonic/tx-32lxd81fv-lcd-televisi.html

However If I get the Foxsat I will not require the integrated Freesat tuner and could get the cheaper Sony which has a mpeg 4 tuner but is only "HD ready" which is €575....

If the difference is only €50 yo-yo's Which would You choose ..

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/r/32-kdl-v4500

Decisions

Decisions

Is it worth calling Richer Sounds to see if they will Price match ??

Watch Out. that pixmania model is not what you're looking for. Thats the 32LXD81. First of all, its only HD ready, not full HD. Look at the specs, only 1366 x 768 resolution. Panasonic's 1080p models have a Z instead of an X in their model numbers

Secondly, that a european model. Look closely at that page, and notice that theres no mention of freesat, whatsoever. It looks like it does have an mpeg4 tuner for Irish DTT alright but no form of satellite tuner.

Its downright dishonest for pixmania to be selling European "81 series panasonic models on their Irish site. Less informed people would assume these were the same as the Uk spec '81 models but they are much inferior without the freesat tuner

Mossy Monk

Zonda999 wrote: »

Its downright dishonest for pixmania to be selling European "81 series panasonic models on their Irish site. Less informed people would assume these were the same as the Uk spec '81 models but they are much inferior without the freesat tuner

How is it dishonest? We are in Europe and the Freesat version of that tv is for the UK market only.

Zonda999

It really depends if its intentional or not. Look at this page. That 42pz81E is second there in terms of popularity. Its not a particularly brilliant price or anything so i'm wondering are people buyin that because they think its freesat compatible or do they know thats its not and simply buyin it because its DTT compatible?

a clanger

Less informed people would assume these were the same as the Uk spec '81 models but they are much inferior without the freesat tuner

LOL you mean me ...didn't bother to check the spec's correctly ...thanks for that.....

I think the Sony is ahead on cost price alone ...I'll try sell "Antiques Roadshow" and "Strictly come dancing" in Full HD to the old man and see what happens:D

ei9go

Got a Sagem ITD81 HD from EBAY Seller: orditelesat.

Works great but note that this model does not have Teletext or EPG.

STB

Zonda999 wrote: »

It really depends if its intentional or not. Look at this page. That 42pz81E is second there in terms of popularity. Its not a particularly brilliant price or anything so i'm wondering are people buyin that because they think its freesat compatible or do they know thats its not and simply buyin it because its DTT compatible?

People buy them because Panasonic do not state that spec differs by country. Do not buy any of the pz81 or LZD range that have a letter at the end other than "B" if you are looking for the FreesatHD /DVB-T combination. STG 899 for the right 42" plasma model with freesat/dtt by the way on this site.

http://www.leconcepts.com/products/freesat/panasonic-th-42pz81b-freesat-plasma-hdtv.html

The panasonic 37 32 and plasma range also have MHEG5 middleware for freesat. Guess what this also works lovely with the MHEG5 designed Text for DTT!

The range ending in "F" will pick up DTT but the Freesat tuner is removed as they are for the French Market.

Zonda999

STB wrote: »

The range ending in "F" will pick up DTT but the Freesat tuner is removed as they are for the French Market.

Thought so.

I do hope no-one has bought one of the '81 sets off pixmania expecting it to have a freesat tuner. Almost cerrtainly someone has, though

ei9go

http://tv-video.fnac.com/a2499981/Accessoire-image-et-son-Adaptateur-TNT-Netgem-Le-Pack-TV?Mn=-1&Mu=-13&Ra=-5000&To=0&Nu=1&Fr=0#ficheDt

If your French is not too good, copy the link and paste into google translate.

Any one using one of these in Ireland?

a clanger

Just for info the 32" Panasonic TX-32LZD81 is becoming difficult to source. Richer sounds in Belfast said they could no longer get them (though competitors might) and RicherSounds in Birmingham said there were only two left in all there UK stores. I know some sites have them for sale but usually there is no stock or the want a silly price. Has anyone sourced one over the last few weeks. I'm aware a new range appears in April but can't find specs yet

STB

There is no problem getting the Panasonic's in UK. The shipping costs are €69 max. I know I shipped 2 over as I had been given the runaround by Richer Sounds...... be in this day, next week etc.

So you will get them from LEConcepts or directTVs - link is earlier in this thread. 3 days delivery time! Just check they are in stock beforehand....

John Dough

a clanger wrote: »

Just for info the 32" Panasonic TX-32LZD81 is becoming difficult to source. Richer sounds in Belfast said they could no longer get them (though competitors might) and RicherSounds in Birmingham said there were only two left in all there UK stores. I know some sites have them for sale but usually there is no stock or the want a silly price. Has anyone sourced one over the last few weeks. I'm aware a new range appears in April but can't find specs yet

Just be aware guyz that these sets will NOT work on most VHF cable systems as they only have U.K. type UHF tuners.
Also most UK suppliers will try to sell you a extra insurance cover but DO check that it covers breakdown in Ireland as most do not.:)

STB

You do not need the VHF tuner anyhow. People who buy a Freesat/DTT Combo are trying to avoid cable/pay TV, I would imagine!

DTT is on UHF. Cant recommend this range enough. MHEG5 an all!

medoc

STB wrote: »

You do not need the VHF tuner anyhow. People who buy a Freesat/DTT Combo are trying to avoid cable/pay TV, I would imagine!

DTT is on UHF. Cant recommend this range enough. MHEG5 an all!

Thanks STB I bought the 46 inch plasma with freesat (46pz81 or something) partly from the advice on this site. BBC/ITV HD are great and Luxe is spectacular. This evening I picked up a DTT signal with all 4 TV etc with epg. Digital text worked aswell.

Thanks Again

byte

STB wrote: »

You do not need the VHF tuner anyhow. People who buy a Freesat/DTT Combo are trying to avoid cable/pay TV, I would imagine!

DTT is on UHF. Cant recommend this range enough. MHEG5 an all!

What about people who want Freesat, but need analogue terrestrial (due to only a select few Tx's having DTT presently) for their Irish channels? On some transmitters (including Truskmore that covers my area), they persist on using VHF for RTE1 and 2.

Personally, though, if I wanted Freesat, I'd prefer a seperate PVR STB, but different strokes... etc

Galway

Is there an STB I can purchase from Europe for the Irish DTT, apparently Cairn Hill has started DTT on channel 41 today.

givecredit

Galway wrote: »

Is there an STB I can purchase from Europe for the Irish DTT, apparently Cairn Hill has started DTT on channel 41 today.

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/2024987/art/sigmatek/dvb-500-hd-freeview-recei.html


Eur113 including delivery.

Galway

What about the Mvision 200 HD combo? I have satellite also.

slegs

Combo boxes allow you to combine your channel list from satellite and terrestrial. If you already have Sky then you can plug the Sky feed (or a second feed from a quad LNB) in the back of the combo box along with your terrestrial feed. You will only get now and next EPG info for satellite though. Some combo boxes like the MVision also allow you to record to an external USB drive.

John Dough

Galway wrote: »

What about the Mvision 200 HD combo? I have satellite also.

Best combo so far I have seen is the Technomate 6900 and it receives the current test from Irish DTT as well as UK DTT from N.I. and Wales.

You also get the few HD sat channels that are FTA at the moment plus the possibility of others with the correct cam and card.

robbie red

Asked this on another thread but it might be better in her:

Would a BT Vision box work for this? I'm in Northern Ireland. I have a BT box in the house and would hook it up again if I knew for sure I'd get the full video and audio broadcasts.

So far I can get audio but no video from my tv tuner and also my Humax pvr (both are MPEG2 only).

On looking at the specs for the BT Vision box it says:

VIDEO DECODING
Microsoft Windows Media VC1
MPEG4 pt10 (H.264) in MPEG TS
MPEG1 Video
MPEG-2 DVB compliant up to MP@ML
Video Formats
PAL (interlaced)

PS.. BT Vision is UK Freeview with VOD carried by BT Broadband.

givecredit

robbie red wrote: »

Would a BT Vision box work for this? I'm in Northern Ireland. I have a BT box in the house and would hook it up again if I knew for sure I'd get the full video and audio broadcasts.

Yes. It should work. See answer on the other thread where you posted the question.

Couch Potato

904473 wrote: »

I bought a Philips PFL9803 and it picks up the digital signals from RTE Networks perfectly. Great quality television, but a little on the expensive side. if you buy one of these, do so in the UK. You'll get a better price by far. I am based in the balbriggan area. Signal from Three Rock.

Does anybody know what DVB-T MPEG4 boxes are available at the moment? The only one I sourced was from Peats and it was over €300. You could buy a TV for that price.

I have this tv also but cannot get it working ...

Do you need to connect an aerial to the set to get it working ... ?

Have done several scans with country set to Ireland and UK but no joy.

The tv is definitely the H model also ..

Based in Dublin 15 also

John mac

STB wrote: »

There is no problem getting the Panasonic's in UK. The shipping costs are €69 max. I know I shipped 2 over as I had been given the runaround by Richer Sounds...... be in this day, next week etc.

So you will get them from LEConcepts or directTVs - link is earlier in this thread. 3 days delivery time! Just check they are in stock beforehand....

i just got a quote for a 42" from leconcepts :


Delivery to Ireland can take up to 5 working days at a cost of £179.99:eek:

slegs

Couch Potato wrote: »

I have this tv also but cannot get it working ...

Do you need to connect an aerial to the set to get it working ... ?

Have done several scans with country set to Ireland and UK but no joy.

The tv is definitely the H model also ..

Yes, you need a suitable UHF aerial to receive the signal. For three rock it is on 738Mhz (Ch54). This is a Group C/D aerial or a good wideband aerial will also work.

Couch Potato

slegs wrote: »

Yes, you need a suitable UHF aerial to receive the signal. For three rock it is on 738Mhz (Ch54). This is a Group C/D aerial or a good wideband aerial will also work.

perfect thanks.

John Dough

Couch Potato wrote: »

I have this tv also but cannot get it working ...

Do you need to connect an aerial to the set to get it working ... ?

Have done several scans with country set to Ireland and UK but no joy.

The tv is definitely the H model also ..

Based in Dublin 15 also

You may even get it on a indoor amplified set top aerial as the signal is very strong.
In your area I would also try the Clermont transmitter on channel 60 I think it is ,maybe someone can confirm.

Mayo Exile

Clermont Carn, channel 53.

cnocbui

I have just purchased a Panasonic TH-50PZ81B plasma tv and had it delivered from the UK.

I purchased it in the full knowledge (?) that the terrestrial digital tuner was UK spec DVB compliant and that it would therefore not work with the local DTT which will be using DVB-T.

Having read a few posts in this thread it would seem that in fact I was possibly incorrect and that it might decode DVB-T.

Can anyone shed any light?

slegs

cnocbui wrote: »

I have just purchased a Panasonic TH-50PZ81B plasma tv and had it delivered from the UK.

I purchased it in the full knowledge (?) that the terrestrial digital tuner was UK spec DVB compliant and that it would therefore not work with the local DTT which will be using DVB-T.

Having read a few posts in this thread it would seem that in fact I was possibly incorrect and that it might decode DVB-T.

Can anyone shed any light?

Both the UK and Ireland use DVB-T for digitial terrestrial TV (DTT). The difference is that Ireland uses a different encoding mechanism. This is MPEG4/H.264 as opposed to MPEG2 in the UK. MPEG4 hardware is backward compatible to MPEG2. Your television is the Freesat version I beleive (Z81) which has a HD Freesat tuner with MPEG4 decoding hardware. The separate digital terrestrial DVB-T tuner in your TV also uses the same technology.

The long and the short of it is that your DVB-T tuner should be capabale of receiving both Irish DTT and UK Freeview along with Freesat from your sat tuner.

50" Nice TV

cnocbui

slegs wrote: »

Both the UK and Ireland use DVB-T for digitial terrestrial TV (DTT). The difference is that Ireland uses a different encoding mechanism. This is MPEG4/H.264 as opposed to MPEG2 in the UK. MPEG4 hardware is backward compatible to MPEG2. Your television is the Freesat version I beleive (Z81) which has a HD Freesat tuner with MPEG4 decoding hardware. The separate digital terrestrial DVB-T tuner in your TV also uses the same technology.

The long and the short of it is that your DVB-T tuner should be capabale of receiving both Irish DTT and UK Freeview along with Freesat from your sat tuner.

50" Nice TV

Slegs

Thanks for that explanation. Looks like I win ! I really was thinking I would have to get a STB to get DTT.

On the Panasonic website, the specifications clearly state it is DVB with a n/a against DVB-T: http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/870440/index.html?trackInfo=true

It really is stunning set. Going from a ten year old Philips 29" with a permanent burn mark in the centre of the screen and a dead audio section (headphone output worked via an amp) to this has been a revelation. Just need to sort out a high gain UHF aerial to improve RTE1 and 2.

cnocbui

I have just found this:

http://www.igizmo.co.uk/articles/news/1080-home-entertainment-panasonic-unleashes-tv-frenzy-including-raft-new-freesat-models

and thought others might be interested.

Panasonic has released the details of its Viera TV range for 2009 – and it’s easily the brand’s biggest offering to date.
The new TVs will be spread over no less than eight new series: The flagship Z1, the V10, the G15, the G10, the S10, the X15/X10 and C10.
The top four series – the Z1, V10, G15 and G10 models – all feature built-in Freesat tuners, with all the lower models using standard Freeview tuners.
....

Tom

I'm looking for a DVD HDD recorder with DVB-T MPEG4. Anyone come acrossone of these for sale here?

Thanks,

Tom

slegs

Tom wrote: »

I'm looking for a DVD HDD recorder with DVB-T MPEG4. Anyone come acrossone of these for sale here?

Thanks,

Tom

I have also been looking for one of these. Dont think they are out there yet. MPEG4 is generally associated with HD so manufacturers seem to be saving MPEG4 recording for Bluray recorders like the Panasonic as outlined in the thread elsewhere on the forum

STB

Once you have loads of Money!

500gigs on each. Double MPEG4HD DVB-T tuners. Plays DVD record to DVD. Difference in price is Blue Ray etc.

PANASONIC DMR-BW500 500 Go




PANASONIC DMR-XW400 - €780




Sony have an RDR range of something similar BUT they havent went down the road of MPEG4 tuners yet.

byrnefm

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could confirm which (if any) of these have MPEG-4 decoders? I'm fairly sure the Samsung LE40856 does but wasn't sure the other two do:

http://www.komplett.ie/k/kcp.aspx?sku=374799&sku=387664&sku=377584

STB

For a start those prices are madness. Secondly I cant believe how bad the tech spec info is on that site. How difficult is it put a line in for MPEG4, most sites do.

A lot of the samsungs are MPEG4 (especially where you see the TNT HD logo). There is a list previously in this thread of MPEG4 LCDs including the Samsung range.

If the ability to receive text doesnt bother you then check this out - where you see TNT HD in the 1st line of description, ignore the others. It will give you an idea of what you should be paying.

http://uk.shopping.com/xPP-plasma_and_lcd_tvs-TNT_HD~S-213~OR-0#stt

One thing to remember is that MPEG4 is not the full spec! If they dont have MHEG5 you will not receive text.

There are only 2 manufacturers that I know of producing goods that have both MPEG4 and MHEG. They are Sony and Panasonic and only certain ranges within the 2.

The Panasonic Viera freesat range (37LZD81/32LZD81/

TH-46PZ81B/TH-50PZ81B/TH-42PZ81B). - only reason that they fit the spec is that the MHEG is fitted for the freesat element but the dvb-t tuner can also avail of it.

The Sony KDL range (check individual specs).

gfinn

The W series of Sony Bravia should give DTT and enhanced teletext. I've got a KDL40W4500 and recieve everything.

TheDriver

can confirm my z81 working with DTT from Mullaghanish

byte

I've been informed that all new upcoming Samsung TV's will have an MPEG4 tuner. The new models will have a B instead of A (eg. 40B656, etc). I believe they're to launch in the next month or two. Don't know if they'll have MHEG5 middleware yet though.

micratoyota

STB wrote: »

You do not need the VHF tuner anyhow. People who buy a Freesat/DTT Combo are trying to avoid cable/pay TV, I would imagine!

DTT is on UHF. Cant recommend this range enough. MHEG5 an all!

Just reading all about Freesat/DTT MPEG4 etc and would llike some advise. I am thinking of buying a 32" LCD . I have a Silvercrest Sat System and I get my RTE's from an old cable connection, (Chorus) which I had years ago. Now this cable is analogue as my neighbours who have NTL had their cable upgraded. I believe it works on the VHF system. I have two remote controls one to work the RTE's and one for the Sat system. What would the TV i buy have to have. I would like to be able to record some programmes as I now can record the RTE's. I am living in Cork City

TheDriver

get yourself a z81 panasonic which will give you DTT (digital rte) from spur hill (where in Cork city are you? an indoor aerial might work for you, I use an attic aerial with abooster in Bandon for Mullaghanish) and hook up a satellite dish to the tv also and you can get freesat in HD. I got mine off Richer Sounds in Belfast, delivered

micratoyota

I live near Shandon just minutes from city centre. I think I pick up the signal from Collins Barracks on my portable upstairs, which needs moving around now since they built high rise flats opposite me blocking out my view of the transmitter in Collins Barracks. I was leaning more to a Sony or Samsung as I had a Panasonic VCR some years back which gave lots of trouble. p.s I have two televisions running from the Chorus cable.