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Latest Panasonic TV's and Irish DTT

  • 06-09-2009 10:28AM
    #1
    ei9go
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 879 ✭✭✭


    Anyone considering buying an Irish specification Panasonic TV needs to read this carefully. I have tried to be clear but if there is anything you think needs clarification, feel free to post and I will reply.

    Panasonic do a range of Plasma TV's with a specific Irish model. This is designated by an L at the end of the model number. e.g TX-P42S10L.

    When you switch one on the first time, you choose language and then country.

    The country menu looks exactly the same as the European model sold by the likes of Pixmania other than that you can choose Ireland.

    Auto setup runs but strangely only auto tunes Analogue stations and then exits.

    You have to go into the setup menu to get the DVB-T setup to run.

    It tunes in RTE DTT, no problem.

    But then press the guide button and all you get is a Channel List, no EPG!!!

    Read instruction book---"Depending on the country you select, TV Guide may not be supported, in this case Channel list will appear"

    So to get the guide to work, you need to start again, thats the shipping condition option in the menu.

    This time, select France as your country.

    DVB-T finds channels, then exit. There is no point going through the analogue setup as it will not find Irish analogue channels with France selected.

    The EPG will now work.

    Go into analogue tuning menu. Change sound spacing from "F" to "SC2"

    Then manually tune in and store the four channels. It very easy to do.

    Teletext: Does not receive the MHEG5 text broadcast on RTE1 &2. Does receive old style text.

    The only part of these TV's that has an Irish specification is that Ireland is included in the country list.

    Panasonic, this is a pathetic effort at an Irish spec TV.

    Save money and buy a European specification model and follow my instructions for tuning for France.


«134

Comments

  • #2
    emaherx
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,800 ✭✭✭emaherx


    Surely if you choose UK as country all channels will tune automaticaly both analouge and digital with full EPG and MHEG-5 teletext.

    This is the way it works for my Samsung. Freeview in UK uses same MHEG-5 as Irish DTT and TV will still use MPEG4 decoder as it is backwards compatible with UK Freeview. Also UK UHF Analouge is same spec as Irish (or close enough). Not sure about VHF as I receive all irish channels through VHF.


  • #3
    GerardKeating
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,067 ✭✭✭GerardKeating


    ei9go wrote: »
    .
    .
    .
    But then press the guide button and all you get is a Channel List, no EPG!!!
    .
    .
    .

    Panasonic, this is a pathetic effort at an Irish spec TV.
    .
    .
    .

    But the Irish DTT service is not up and running yet, and the EPG is sometimes off and other posters have reported that RTE have in the past been slightly non-standard with how the test service is configured.

    Might not be all Panny's fault...


  • #4
    ei9go
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 879 ✭✭✭ei9go


    Good Point but unfortunately there is no UK option in the country list.

    They produce yet another model for then UK without the vhf tuner.


  • #5
    HappyHarry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 350 ✭✭HappyHarry


    ei9go

    I had the same experience with my 32G10L.
    It's not so bad when you figure it out to use France to get the EPG and how to manually tune the Analogue, my biggest gripe is no MHEG5 support.:mad:

    It's a pricey enough set, this years model and supposed to be designed for irish DTT so how come MHEG5 is left out!!

    I guess we can only hope that they release a Firmware update that fixes these issues when irish DTT launches.

    Bueatiful TV. But will be my last Panasonic if they don't get with the program.


  • #6
    ei9go
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 879 ✭✭✭ei9go


    Thanks for that happy Harry.

    The point I was trying to make was that it really is not good enough to supposedly make a special model for the Irish market and all they did was add an Ireland box to the auto setup.

    I presumed that their would be MHEG5 support as RTE is transmitting it.


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  • #7
    emaherx
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,800 ✭✭✭emaherx


    obviously their idea of an Irish TV is one with a VHF and UHF analouge tuner.
    They should have a custom setup as well as regional setups.
    How hard would it be to have a setting MHEG-5 on/off?


  • #8
    samaga
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭samaga


    Hi I'm about to buy a panasonic tv model TXP42S10E through Komplett.ie. As this is a european model , I phoned panasonic to make sure the tv will work in Ireland and they said it wouldn't! Seems from what I read here that it will - help please, I'm confused as to whether to buy it or not! ps do european models have an english menu option?


  • #9
    Aepos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 430 ✭✭Aepos


    Hi Panasonic seem to have a don't give a a toss attitude to the Irish market.

    If you look here :-

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055542668

    You will see ongoing issues with their products.

    They have responded with great negativity to the queries and suggestions set out by many very experienced people within this forum.

    I fully realise that the Irish DVB system is still on a "trial footing" but by dismissing out of hand such suggestions for fixes to their products does nothing for the what has been heretofore the good name of the so called premium brand of Panasonic.

    It is interesting also that all of the replies coming from the company pertaining to the many problems stated in these pages come from the UK based facility.

    Rant over....

    Ae


  • #10
    mrdtv
    Closed Accounts Posts: 456 ✭✭mrdtv


    Aepos wrote: »
    Hi Panasonic seem to have a don't give a a toss attitude to the Irish market.

    If you look here :-

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055542668

    You will see ongoing issues with their products.

    They have responded with great negativity to the queries and suggestions set out by many very experienced people within this forum.

    I fully realise that the Irish DVB system is still on a "trial footing" but by dismissing out of hand such suggestions for fixes to their products does nothing for the what has been heretofore the good name of the so called premium brand of Panasonic.

    It is interesting also that all of the replies coming from the company pertaining to the many problems stated in these pages come from the UK based facility.

    Rant over....

    Ae

    I don't agree. As Watty says there is no operational Irish DTT system. Vendors cannot be expected to commit to supporting DTT in Ireland until a) RTE, BCI and the Government commit to roll-out and b) there is commercial certainty for vendors. In the current economic climate this is a minimum requirement.

    The only certainties are:

    a) Irish terrestrial TV services are currently analogue;

    b) Freesat is available throughout ROI.

    c) Freeview is available in overspill areas;

    d) Freeview HD, launching soon, will be BACKWARDS compatible with MPEG4 DVB-T1, as proposed for use in Ireland.

    e) Irish terrestrial services are 'must-carry' on cable and 'must-offer' on Sky.

    f) There is no clear, consistent, coherent and concise roadmap for operational DTT in Ireland.

    Therefore no international vendor will commit to supporting Irish DTT until the uncertainty is resolved.


  • #11
    slegs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,069 ✭✭✭slegs


    mrdtv wrote: »
    I don't agree. As Watty says there is no operational Irish DTT system. Vendors cannot be expected to commit to supporting DTT in Ireland until a) RTE, BCI and the Government commit to roll-out and b) there is commercial certainty for vendors. In the current economic climate this is a minimum requirement.

    The only certainties are:

    a) Irish terrestrial TV services are currently analogue;

    b) Freesat is available throughout ROI.

    c) Freeview is available in overspill areas;

    d) Freeview HD, launching soon, will be BACKWARDS compatible with MPEG4 DVB-T1, as proposed for use in Ireland.

    e) Irish terrestrial services are 'must-carry' on cable and 'must-offer' on Sky.

    f) There is no clear, consistent, coherent and concise roadmap for operational DTT in Ireland.

    Therefore no international vendor will commit to supporting Irish DTT until the uncertainty is resolved.

    There is no operational system but there is a published final specification for more than 9 months. Its not like there is no formal information published. Panasonic are ignoring this information. As their TV's could very easily comply with the specification with a little effort it is very difficult to see why they ignore it bar gross incompetence from the team responsible for the Irish market.

    RTENL FTA DTT Minimum Receiver Requirements


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  • #12
    mrdtv
    Closed Accounts Posts: 456 ✭✭mrdtv


    slegs wrote: »
    There is no operational system but there is a published final specification for more than 9 months. Its not like there is no formal information published. Panasonic are ignoring this information. As their TV's could very easily comply with the specification with a little effort it is very difficult to see why they ignore it bar gross incompetence from the team responsible for the Irish market.

    RTENL FTA DTT Minimum Receiver Requirements

    There is NO MARKET. There are NO operational Irish DTT services.

    Why should they bother to make the investment? As Watty always says there is no start date and no commitment. If I were in their shoes I would want absolute commercial, regulatory and tecnical certainty. They won't do that and the T2 thing hangs like a very large cloud over them.


  • #13
    maxg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 516 ✭✭✭maxg


    Which investment? For instance LG is simply following the dvb specs and the LF7700 is working out of the box for irish DTT, independently which service type is in use.


  • #14
    slegs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,069 ✭✭✭slegs


    mrdtv wrote: »
    There is NO MARKET. There are NO operational Irish DTT services.

    Why should they bother to make the investment? As Watty always says there is no start date and no commitment. If I were in their shoes I would want absolute commercial, regulatory and tecnical certainty. They won't do that and the T2 thing hangs like a very large cloud over them.

    It is easier to follow the spec than to avoid it. It is only software, their hardware already supports the spec. The RTE spec is nothing unusual. Panasonic are just being sloppy by not addressing the issues they have.

    You are reading way too much into it if you think they are somehow intentionally waiting.

    MPEG4/DVB-T with same MHEG5 as UK. Its not rocket science.

    Also, the fact that people want to buy their MPEG4 TV in Ireland means there is a MARKET whether you dictate it or not.

    Sony, LG, Samsung, Toshiba MPEG4 TV's all working fine with current tests no matter what flag is used.


  • #15
    mrdtv
    Closed Accounts Posts: 456 ✭✭mrdtv


    slegs wrote: »
    It is easier to follow the spec than to avoid it. It is only software, their hardware already supports the spec. The RTE spec is nothing unusual. Panasonic are just being sloppy by not addressing the issues they have.

    You are reading way too much into it if you think they are somehow intentionally waiting.

    MPEG4/DVB-T with same MHEG5 as UK. Its not rocket science.

    Also, the fact that people want to buy their MPEG4 TV in Ireland means there is a MARKET whether you dictate it or not.

    Sony, LG, Samsung, Toshiba MPEG4 TV's all working fine with current tests no matter what flag is used.

    This is an enthusiasts board! Panasonic won't bother to fix it until there is an ROI DTT market. Incidentally I have never liked Panasonics for other software reasons. The enthusiast should source from another vendor.


  • #16
    slegs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,069 ✭✭✭slegs


    mrdtv wrote: »
    This is an enthusiasts board! Panasonic won't bother to fix it until there is an ROI DTT market. Incidentally I have never liked Panasonics for other software reasons. The enthusiast should source from another vendor.

    You may be correct but Panasonic is a huge company and there is one person who is responsible for the Irish market. He is not doing his job currently as they are losing potential sales by not having their freesat TV range compatible with Irish DTT as specified now. Note this would just make the TV compatible with the DVB spec - its not like Irish DTT is specifying anything off standard.

    This is not intentional as you are indicating in some form of wait and see. They are just ignoring the issue which is the bit i don't understand.


  • #17
    maxg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 516 ✭✭✭maxg


    mrdtv wrote: »
    This is an enthusiasts board! Panasonic won't bother to fix it until there is an ROI DTT market. Incidentally I have never liked Panasonics for other software reasons. The enthusiast should source from another vendor.

    Panasonic UK is not willing to follow the dvb specs.
    The Panasonic TV's for the european market with mpeg4 tuners are working out of the box for irish DTT. Disadvantage is there is no mheg5 support and you cannot choose Ireland as country.


  • #18
    tvman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 48 ✭tvman


    :)Just a word in Panasonic's favour.

    I have recently bought a Panasonic TX-P42G10 (UK Model)
    http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/Products/VIERA+Flat+Screen+Televisions/NeoPDP+TVs/TX-P50G10/Overview/2121399/index.html

    The manual can be viewed on line to show the tv spec etc.
    It has Freesat HD, Freeview, Analogue and Other sat tuning options and picture quality is excellent even SD picture quality on Freeview and Freesat surpasses my expectations. As usual analogue isn't terrific but improves greatly if viewed in 4:3 mode.
    No problem receiving RTENL tv and digital text tests when they are transmitting from Clermont Carn.
    Finally it cost at the time (a month ago) €400 less in N.I. than the model available in the R.O.I. (with no Freesat and not quite sure if it had Freeview either)


  • #19
    maxg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 516 ✭✭✭maxg


    If RTE is changing back to service type 0x16 the channel scan is nomore working for irish DTT at your UK device.


  • #20
    Mike 1972
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,017 ✭✭✭Mike 1972


    Why on earth in this day and age do manufacturers still produce country specific models (made all the more farcical by country options and multistandard tuning)

    Surely the miniscule saving from leaving out a VHF tuner is more than outweighed by the costs of having a seperate UK model (not to mention alienating some cable viewers and those in parts of NI and CI)

    RE: Enniskillen and Ch 53 it is used by both Claremont (Vertical) and Truskmore (Horizontal) but I understand that parts of Eniskillen get their RTE from Cairnhill


  • #21
    cnocbui
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,874 ✭✭✭✭cnocbui


    maxg wrote: »
    If RTE is changing back to service type 0x16 the channel scan is nomore working for irish DTT at your UK device.

    It is still a better option than the European or 'Irish' spec sets IMO. He can save his channel data to an SD card and then there is a good chance he will be able to keep the channels if the service type is changed.


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  • #22
    tvman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 48 ✭tvman


    Hi Again,

    Been looking through the various posts with regard to RTENL changing to 0x16 setting.
    The Panny TX-P42G10 I purchased was storing all the Irish DTT Channels up to a couple of days ago (with various off/on air breaks since I got the tv.
    All the posts are referring to older Panny models does anyone know if the current absence of channels could be due to Clermont Carn changing to 0x16 setting or is the Tx just not transmitting the tv channels at the moment?

    Thanks for any information.


  • #23
    STB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,175 ✭✭✭STB


    Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but its not JUST the old series BUT the NEW series too (as Maxg has advised). Your TV will now ignore the TV stations broadcast as it doesnt understand what they are (although IT CAN decode and display them).

    Again this is because Panasonic have apparently developed a very special short cut version of the DVB standard (with only SOME service types defined) for the UK and refuse to say as much.

    The ONLY Freesat/Freeview/Irish DTT LCD Combo's that actually work with the full service types defined in the firmware (plus MHEG5 1.06) are the LG LF7700 series, as far as I know.

    And by the way the Irish spec has been in the open and with the retailers and manufacturers for some time now. It is defined. You do not develop a product overnight but you can adapt it from similar technology in say France.

    MrDTV, do not kid yourself the only reason that products are not freely available is because of greedy retailers selling old warehoused stock from the UK with redundant technology NOT because of lack of a service. Its been on over a year as part of enginneering TESTS. You do not need to be an enthuasiast or anorak to connect an aerial to the right TV.


  • #24
    Mike 1972
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,017 ✭✭✭Mike 1972


    STB wrote: »
    Again this is because Panasonic have apparently developed a very special short cut version of the DVB standard (with only SOME service types defined) for the UK and refuse to say as much.

    Err Surely there are legal issues If these sets badged "DVB" when sold ? (Then again the same could be said about $ky digiboxes)
    .
    STB wrote: »
    the only reason that products are not freely available is because of greedy retailers selling old warehoused stock from the UK with redundant technology.

    Are UK distributors that stupid as to still have large numbers of these things warehoused with the UK digital switchover well publicised for a long time now ?


  • #25
    mrdtv
    Closed Accounts Posts: 456 ✭✭mrdtv


    STB wrote: »
    Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but its not JUST the old series BUT the NEW series too (as Maxg has advised). Your TV will now ignore the TV stations broadcast as it doesnt understand what they are (although IT CAN decode and display them).

    Again this is because Panasonic have apparently developed a very special short cut version of the DVB standard (with only SOME service types defined) for the UK and refuse to say as much.

    The ONLY Freesat/Freeview/Irish DTT LCD Combo's that actually work with the full service types defined in the firmware (plus MHEG5 1.06) are the LG LF7700 series, as far as I know.

    And by the way the Irish spec has been in the open and with the retailers and manufacturers for some time now. It is defined. You do not develop a product overnight but you can adapt it from similar technology in say France.

    MrDTV, do not kid yourself the only reason that products are not freely available is because of greedy retailers selling old warehoused stock from the UK with redundant technology NOT because of lack of a service. Its been on over a year as part of enginneering TESTS. You do not need to be an enthuasiast or anorak to connect an aerial to the right TV.

    You have very poor listening skills. I said on another thread that I don't personally like Panasonic kit because of their software. The more important consideration remains this: When will RTE/BCI et al have the nerve to launch a fully operational 24x7x365 DTT service? Answers on a postcard please...


  • #26
    STB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,175 ✭✭✭STB


    mrdtv wrote: »
    You have very poor listening skills. I said on another thread that I don't personally like Panasonic kit because of their software. The more important consideration remains this: When will RTE/BCI et al have the nerve to launch a fully operational 24x7x365 DTT service? Answers on a postcard please...

    I have poor listening (?!) skills. Right so.

    The piece about the panasonic kit - in this thread actually. But thats not what my answer was referring to. It was to your nonsensical post about their being no market and why retailers/manufacturers bother dont make the investment blah blah blah... - the one you were challenged on earlier in the thread.
    mrdtv wrote: »
    "They won't do that and the T2 thing hangs like a very large cloud over them"

    The UK DVB-T2 service has yet to commence ! Infact no commercial products are available anyway and wont be til this time next year! And when it does launch it will only be 1 or 2 channels which will be mirrored by non HD anyway (and HD Sat).

    We - little old Ireland (like many other countries in Europe) have adopted MPEG4 H264 DVB-T as OUR chosen broadcast format.

    If you tell me where you are I will know how much it costs for my stamp :)


  • #27
    scath
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 558 ✭✭✭scath


    mrdtv wrote: »
    You have very poor listening skills. I said on another thread that I don't personally like Panasonic kit because of their software. The more important consideration remains this: When will RTE/BCI et al have the nerve to launch a fully operational 24x7x365 DTT service? Answers on a postcard please...

    If you read http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055543384&page=30 you wil see that we can wish them to do so, its not about nerve, its about a sinking millions into a project, it has to have return on investment and working out the right mechanics are the issue. This is what they're working on. I think that things could move along faster if RTÉ are given the leeway to bring in Arquiva, if Arquiva are interest on a DTT network company where Arquiva fund the 3 multiplexes equipment on the RTÉ's transmitters, and assist in rollout cost and in return could charge rental themselves to Eircom/Setanta with RTÉ NL able to to likewise on its muxes. I predict if something like that happens it go 24x7x365 soon enough. I know its frustrating for us, but the model has to be right as we don't want another ITV Digital situation. Pay DTT can work if there plan b is already in place for when plan A if it doesn't work occurred. Its not monopoly money they are playing with for the DTT project in the current economic climate. And there is little more for RTÉ to get from Government.

    The Philips shop off Great George's Street, guy there told me all the TVs there are MPEG4 now. Didn't ask him if they did MHEG5. Must ask next time I pass by.


  • #28
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 24,122 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    scath wrote: »
    The Philips shop off Great George's Street, guy there told me all the TVs there are MPEG4 now. Didn't ask him if they did MHEG5. Must ask next time I pass by.

    FYI The Philips shop is owned by the same guys who own Richer Sounds up in Belfast and they work closely together. So you can ask over on the Richer Sounds forum here on boards.


  • #29
    reslfj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 885 ✭✭✭reslfj


    STB wrote: »
    The UK DVB-T2 service has yet to commence !
    Yes, but it will on December 2nd 2009 from Winter Hill and its relays. And not much later from transmitters in Wales and other post-DSO regions.
    STB wrote: »
    Infact no commercial products are available anyway and wont be til this time next year! And when it does launch it will only be 1 or 2 channels which will be mirrored by non HD anyway (and HD Sat).

    Commercial DVB-T2 products are announced from Humax and Pace for early 2010 and PVR products before the summer of 2010. Others brands are very close to announce. Products are beeing tested by DTG now or within weeks.

    BBC, ITV and C4/S4C will be broadcast from December 2nd and Five will joín as the 4th HD channel in 2010 H2. That is a 'little' more than 1-2 channels -or ?

    At least for those which have UK signals in their aerials, DVB-T2 will be something to think about - this year or early next year.

    Lars :)


  • #30
    slegs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,069 ✭✭✭slegs


    DVB-T2 is at least 2 years from general low price availability. That is a fact. Freeview are beginning their activities with DVB-T2. Its VERY early days.

    It bears no relevance to Irish DTT which is a done deal at DVB-T/MPEG4.


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  • #31
    reslfj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 885 ✭✭✭reslfj


    slegs wrote: »
    DVB-T2 is at least 2 years from general low price availability. That is a fact.
    What sources do you have to support the above quote?

    I did not write anything about price. More chips are just a few month from general availability in volume.

    Over 50% of UK housholds (12-15 million) will be able to receive HD via DTT before FIFA WC in ZA next summer. That's a huge market.
    slegs wrote: »
    It bears no relevance to Irish DTT which is a done deal at DVB-T/MPEG4.

    You wrote "the UK DVB-T2 service" and I wrote "...have UK signals in their aerials..."
    This and other sites have had lots of post recently about the Welsh DSO and reception of UK DTT i Ireland.

    How will the non existing Irish DTT service come into these arguments ? :rolleyes:

    Lars :)


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