Need a quick answer, is this TV Saorview compatible?

NIMAN

Looking to buy a 2nd TV that will receive Saorview ok.

Like the look of this one, and can get it at a decent price
http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/Products/VIERA+Flat+Screen+TV/LED+%26+LCD+TV/TX-L32C4B/Specification/8244410/index.html?trackInfo=true

Its Freeview HD, although I know this doesn't always mean it works with Saorview.

Its specs read:
Integrated Tuners: PAL-I; DVB-T, DVB-T/T2 (MPEG4-AVC [H.264])

Notice for DVB functions: / This TV is designed to meet the standards (current as of August, 2009) of DVB-T/C/S/S2 (MPEG2 and MPEG4-AVC [H.264]) services.

watty

Get a TV that is Saorview Certified. Panasonic have the worst reputation at supporting UK products imported to Ireland.

There are plenty at reasonable prices.

NIMAN

Thanks Watty, but will this pick up Saorview?

Not too bothered about Panasonics backup, it aint being bought from them. Plus me and my family have quite a few Panny things over the years and they tend to be top quality.

I'd rather buy this Panny with its generally great reviews than a Blue Diamond or Walker TV made in Turkey thats got a Saorview logo on it.

STB

Long and short of it is the Freeview HD spec means that Panasonic have to define the full dvb descriptors for MPEG4 profile flagged broadcasts regardless of DVB-T or DVB-T2, so not many places to hide.

It is not among those Saorview approved. The ET and E5 range are.

However, the model you are looking at will pick up the stations. What it does after that only Panasonic know the answers to! I agree with Watty, get an approved Panasonic model so you have a comeback or if you see a cheap non approved Samsung/LG then at least you have a better likelihood of no shortcuts being taken in the software.

NIMAN

Thanks STB, thats what I needed to know.

I seen MPEG4, and I was always under the impression that meant it should pick up Saorview (Saorviews own site even says this).

I will probably be using this with a box like the Ariva 120 anyway, so may not be using he internal tuner, but always think it would be nice to have a TV capable if I ever moved it or gave it to parents etc.

Curious too, what does your last line actually mean? "What it does after this ..."

watty

Panasonic are notorious for "narrow interpretation". If you MUST have a Pansonic get a Saorview approved one. Do NOT ever buy a UK market Panasonic TV or Setbox for outside of UK. It's asking for trouble that's avoidable. It's been trouble in the past and will continue to be.

Even LG who are probably better than Panasonic have a "Freeview HD" model xxLD490 that is LESS compatible than the "Freeview" xxLD450 for Saorview. But there is also no point now in buying UK only models of LG as they have Approved ones.

If you really insist on a Panasonic ONLY buy one of these
www.saorview.ie/product/panasonic-3/

NIMAN

But I can get this one delivered for £240. That is top of my limit for spending and I do not think I will get as good a TV for the same money (if you can point out one, pls do).

What are the potential issues in the future? What can change so much that it will stop receiving Saorview?

I Googled this model and Saorview, and a few Irish retailers (Expert, Peats, PowerCity etc) are selling it as Saorview compatible.

STB

NIMAN wrote: »

But I can get this one delivered for £240. That is top of my limit for spending and I do not think I will get as good a TV for the same money (if you can point out one, pls do).

Is there a reason that you are sourcing DVB-T2 products ? Are you in the North or on the border ?

Currys have a 32" Samsung Saorview Approved TV for €299 at the moment. This is much the same as what you are paying for the Panasonic (£240=€300).

It wont do DVB-T2 though if you are in an overspill area for Freeview HD.

NIMAN wrote: »

I Googled this model and Saorview, and a few Irish retailers (Expert, Peats, PowerCity etc) are selling it as Saorview compatible.

They are guessing, as are we. I wont have to fulfill the warranty though!

NIMAN

I live in RoI, and far enough away from the border not to need to worry about Freeview HD.

My logic is this.

I need a 2nd TV. Panasonics generally are well reviewed. I have owned a Viera in the past, and my bro currently does. I find them top TVs.

I would like my 2nd TV to be able to pick up Saorview with the built-in tuner, but its not 100% needed, as I will more than likely have a recording facility of some description such as the Ariva 120. I would like the TV to be able to pick up Saorview, just in case. Better to have your backup TV able to receive than not methinks?

As for 'sourcing DVB-T2', I'm not. I was just looking for a TV that might receive Saorview, and noticed this one. Hence the thread.

And finally, my mum lives in NI and there might be the possibility of me giving the TV to her in the future, and she will be able to get Freeview HD when the time comes.

STB

NIMAN wrote: »

And finally, my mum lives in NI and there might be the possibility of me givnig the TV to her, and she will be able to get Freeview HD when the time comes.

Well then you are probably better off buying the DVB-T2 TV as that will do DVB-T and MPEG4 H264 broadcasts, as a Saorview approved TV will most likely only have a DVB-T tuner (although some do have DVB-T2 tuners as standard due to the way TVs are shipped on a pan european basis basis these days) and hence will not decode DVB-T2/Freeview HD stations.

Panasonic do have a good name as regards PQ, but unfortunately using their products outside their chosen destination has not been a good experience for some here in the past. It has taken them some time to get their products Saorview approved here and I would wonder why that was. I would certainly advise against considering them at all was it not for the Freeview HD (DVB-T2) logo. Their non certified DVB-T products would certainly be a no no.

Freeview HD spec should be okay for Ireland, but not even Terracom knew all the answers to differences between UK DBook and Nordig DVB-T/DVB-T2 the last time I looked, never mind Panasonics narrow interpretation of the UK Dbook.

NIMAN

Thanks STB and Watty.

Needed a quick response, and got it from you two. Good detailed info. Not the 1st time I have received it from you either.

NIMAN

Just a quick update for anyone who might be interested.

I have had this TV for over a week now, and it seems to be working fine with Saorview (I know guys, it mightn't always).

It is a very good quality TV, and the picture is excellent. Typical Panasonic.

superleedsdub

Hi Niman,

I`ve had an UK Panasonic G20 (cracking TV) for nearly 2 years that isn`t saorview certified but has not had a single problem to date receiving saorview channels of Mheg-5 digital teletext. Now this may change in the future but so far so good.

One other piece of advice - the ferguson Ariva 120 is an awful piece of equipment IMO. I bought one recently and returned it straight away. Ugly to look at and ugly to use. You would be better off buying a TV with a built in tuner. I recently bought a 32" Samsung D550 as a second TV and the OSD and EPG with saorview is very impressive. My in laws also bought a LG recently and again, when using saorview it looks a helluva lot better than any cheap ferguson, triax, walker box i`ve seen (plus you only need one remote).

NIMAN

I have been hearing bad things about the Ariva recently, despite it getting a lot of rave reviews. I looked at it on YouTube and tbh the user interface didn't look too good.

No chance of me going for a new TV now, thats 2 I have, both Saorview compatible (so far). But I mentioned the Ariva as I have no means of recording Saorview should I be out of the house. I have a Humax to record off Freesat, but need a Saorview recording ability, hence the interest in the Ariva.