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Latest Panasonic TV's and Irish DTT

13

Comments

  • #62
    STB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,175 ✭✭✭STB


    SAINTRON wrote: »
    Just wondering what software upgrade would I need to perform to enable my PZ80B to receive the Irish channels. Any info appreciated, many thanks.....

    None.

    They are broadcasting without the Advanced Codec flag (0x16) at present, so tune it in now and save to your favourites. The biggest problem the panasonics have is not seeing the channels in a scan when the 0x16 flag is broadcast.


  • #63
    SAINTRON
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 236 ✭✭SAINTRON


    Thanks for that STB. I got the TV in the UK and am a SKY subscriber at the moment but am thinking of cancelling after Christmas. I will give it a go tonight and see what I get.:)


  • #64
    tvman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 48 ✭tvman


    STB wrote: »
    None.

    They are broadcasting without the Advanced Codec flag (0x16) at present, so tune it in now and save to your favourites. The biggest problem the panasonics have is not seeing the channels in a scan when the 0x16 flag is broadcast.

    Hi STB,

    What is the signifigance of the advanced codec flag and why are RTENL using it, also as I hoped in previous post, if the tv is not retuned will it keep the channels stored. I think I read it would on this or some other thread. Am a bit iffy about using the SD card for keeping the channels.

    Cheers.


  • #65
    good one
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 121 ✭✭good one


    Hi all,
    My friend has a Panaasonic LCD TX-L32C10B with freeview,it only has a 2mpeg tuner and when we tried my Conax Mpeg 2 to Mpeg 4 Cam to receive DTT, it will only receive RT1and Net 2;
    TV3,TG4 & RTLtest, all give "No Video" message.
    I used the cam in my tv and it I received all Irish channels perfectly


    I've tried retuning but to no avail.
    Will try and tune from "france" to see if this will work.

    Any ideas anyone ?
    Thanks


  • #66
    STB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,175 ✭✭✭STB


    tvman wrote: »
    Hi STB,

    What is the signifigance of the advanced codec flag and why are RTENL using it, also as I hoped in previous post, if the tv is not retuned will it keep the channels stored. I think I read it would on this or some other thread. Am a bit iffy about using the SD card for keeping the channels.

    Cheers.

    Advanced Codec 0x16 is part of the spec for Ireland. It is a DVB Descriptor or service type being broadcast.

    The one that we are using at the moment is:

    0x16 Advanced codec SD digital television service.


    On DVB-T1 in the UK they broadcast as:

    0x01 Digital television service. (MPEG-2 standard-definition)


    As our spec 0x16 is set down in the Nordig Standard, RTE NL can and do at the moment broadcast with this flag set.

    The Nordig standard says in this instance:

    "Service types that are not supported by the NorDig IRD should be ignored. (If the (SDTV) IRD do not support MPEG-4 AVC video decoder, it should not list/install within the TV service list service types for advanced codec; 0x16 and 0x19)"

    This means that mpeg2 or most hardware/IDTVs made for the UK market will not conform to this spec. And in essence the MPEG2 IDTV will simply ignore those MPEG4 broadcasts flagged as 0x16 as it is not part of its spec as will be defined in the IDTVs firmware.

    In the case of the Panasonics the TVs do have the technology to decode the signals - a common MPEG4 processor which is on board to decode HD sat signals. However because the 0x16 hasnt been defined in the firmware for DVB-T it behaves like an MPEG2 IDTV and ignores the channel in the scan. A simple firmware upgrade would fix this, but Panasonic have been unwilling to do this with a "its not part of the UK profile" mantra. I wont even reiterate points about DVB standards.

    So why is it used as opposed to 0x1. Well I suppose it can be handy in common areas of overspill - i.e. border areas with MPEG2 hardware. i would imagine that the reasoning is a a bit of broadcasting protocol. It stops confusion on the "I have no picture but I have audio - why is it that" questions, probably.


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  • #67
    tvman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 48 ✭tvman


    Thanks STB for that, maybe RTENL will continue as is at the moment and leave us with the four channels, should say five with the news channel now being tested.
    If the tv is not retuned will the channels remain in memory even if RTENL revert to the other transmission setting?


  • #68
    STB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,175 ✭✭✭STB


    tvman wrote: »
    Thanks STB for that, maybe RTENL will continue as is at the moment and leave us with the four channels, should say five with the news channel now being tested.
    If the tv is not retuned will the channels remain in memory even if RTENL revert to the other transmission setting?


    As far as I know once you dont rescan or answer OK to rescan messages. Adding them to your favorites might also be a life line. A longer term solution is backing up your channel settings to an SD card with that Hotel trick as a further failsafe for Irish DTT. Be sure you follow the instructions carefully so as not to zap it!


  • #69
    tvman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 48 ✭tvman


    STB wrote: »
    As far as I know once you dont rescan or answer OK to rescan messages. Adding them to your favorites might also be a life line. A longer term solution is backing up your channel settings to an SD card with that Hotel trick as a further failsafe for Irish DTT. Be sure you follow the instructions carefully so as not to zap it!

    Thanks STB and others for all the info, will give the subject a rest for now - at least until the new year!

    Happy Christmas to all.


  • #70
    steveq
    Closed Accounts Posts: 71 ✭✭steveq


    I have a Panasonic and can confirm STB's statement. Once the TV is tuned in the Service Type doesn't make any difference.
    You can back up the settings onto an SD card in case someone inadvertently retunes the TV and the 0x16 codec is being transmitted.

    You can turn off notification of new services on the TV tuning menu.

    Not so sure though how any new channels will be added in the future if RTENL go back to the 0x16 codec.


  • #71
    Eric Cartman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,242 ✭✭✭✭Eric Cartman


    hi all , i am currently in the process of purchasing a panasonic 42G10 and was wondering if somebody could clear something up . The dealer offered me either the 42G10L or 42G10B , im aware the G10B has the ethernet socket and the satellite tuner while the G10L instead has DVB-C and VHF tuning , i was wondering could anyone answer me a few questions before i purchase

    1) Does the G10B (UK Model) do DVB-T H.264(Mpeg4) decoding so i can use it for irish DTT ,

    2) is there any way even through the service menu to turn on THX mode or Viera Scene like the US model has ?

    3) if i cannot enable viera scene is there any use connecting the ethernet port ?

    4) In dublin is there any analog NTL cable channels that are VHF only ?

    5) when ireland goes entirley digital will i need any sort of decoders or anything to continue receiving cable tv ?


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  • #72
    TheDriver
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,178 ✭✭✭✭TheDriver


    Eric, I have the Z81 which is old model and has inbuilt freesat receiver and it does the Irish DTT no problem. Also note lots of analog here is UHF so you may not even need VHF tuner for analog. Not sure about other qs


  • #73
    Eric Cartman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,242 ✭✭✭✭Eric Cartman


    TheDriver wrote: »
    Eric, I have the Z81 which is old model and has inbuilt freesat receiver and it does the Irish DTT no problem. Also note lots of analog here is UHF so you may not even need VHF tuner for analog. Not sure about other qs

    once i can pick up sky one , paramount and discovery channel over UHF freesat and terrestrial will cover the rest , cheers for help though


  • #74
    STB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,175 ✭✭✭STB


    Eric Cartman wrote: »
    once i can pick up sky one , paramount and discovery channel over UHF freesat and terrestrial will cover the rest , cheers for help though

    I would advise you not to buy one. RTE have now changed back to 0x16 which means you wont be able to tune it in!

    Panasonic have not manufactured these or the earlier model of "The Drivers" with Ireland in mind. If you get the freesat Combo version it will not include all the necessary firmware to decode Irish DTT (without using third party software to hack it).

    Look at the LG "LF7700" series. Freesat/Irish DTT/Analogue tuners VHF/UHF. LCDs come in 32,37,42,47. The 47 is 699, 42 - 599. On special with Richersounds at moment.

    When you say paramount etc - is that off NTL analogue cable ? NTL use VHF in Dublin on analogue. The Panasonic combos do not have an analogue VHF tuner for this purpose. LGs apparently do.


  • #75
    Donegal_TDI
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71 ✭✭Donegal_TDI


    Bought a Panasonic TX-L37G15 recently on special order from Richer sounds,
    Freesat performance brilliant, records directly to an old Panasonic HDD.
    PIcks up RTE digital on channel 53 from Truskmore perfect,
    updates channel list perfect, epg and teletext work,
    can record RTE from epg to hdd no issues.
    I have an NI postcode entered in owners details to get regionalised
    Freesat programs.

    Only issue I have is lipsync with SKY HD.
    HDMI's are routed through Yamaha 1065 amp.
    Digital audio output delay on SKY was not enough,
    had to dial more in with the amp.

    Very pleased with the TV,
    picture is damn near perfect,
    and integrates well with all my other kit.

    Highly recommended.
    Currently waiting on Panasonic DMR-BS850 blu ray hdd freesat recorder.
    Should be with me next week.
    Sticking with the same make of manufacturer makes linking all this stuff together easier.
    Yamaha amp uses same hdmi signalling protocols as Panasonic.


  • #76
    STB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,175 ✭✭✭STB


    Donegal_TDI wrote: »
    Only issue I have is lipsync with SKY HD.

    Sky Box connected via hdmi. You sure the RTE's scanned fine on Digital ? When ?


  • #77
    Donegal_TDI
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71 ✭✭Donegal_TDI


    Night before last, Tuesday.
    Honestly, no issues.
    The signal is just quite weak,
    pixellates occasionally.


    This is the TV.....

    http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/Products/VIERA+Flat+Screen+Televisions/LCD+TVs/TX-L37G15/Overview/2400641/index.html


  • #78
    sandycove123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14 ✭sandycove123


    Hi Tvman,

    I have also bought this model. We have analogue cable from UPC (they will have digital in our area from Feb) and no Sky. We can only pick up E4 and Channel 4 on the analogue. When it ran the auto setup initially, it picked up 4 Irish channels on DVB scan, but these then became "encrypted" and disappeared on a subsequent scan. Is there anything we can do to get this tuned or do we have to try to return it and get an Irish model. I am afraid that I know very little about the technology so need answers in plain English. many thanks in advance for your help.


    tvman wrote: »
    Thanks STB and others for all the info, will give the subject a rest for now - at least until the new year!

    Happy Christmas to all.
    tvman wrote: »
    Thanks STB for that, maybe RTENL will continue as is at the moment and leave us with the four channels, should say five with the news channel now being tested.
    If the tv is not retuned will the channels remain in memory even if RTENL revert to the other transmission setting?



  • #79
    Eric Cartman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,242 ✭✭✭✭Eric Cartman


    sandycove123 wrote: »
    Hi Tvman,

    I have also bought this model. We have analogue cable from UPC (they will have digital in our area from Feb) and no Sky. We can only pick up E4 and Channel 4 on the analogue. When it ran the auto setup initially, it picked up 4 Irish channels on DVB scan, but these then became "encrypted" and disappeared on a subsequent scan. Is there anything we can do to get this tuned or do we have to try to return it and get an Irish model. I am afraid that I know very little about the technology so need answers in plain English. many thanks in advance for your help.

    the analoug cable issue is to do with the fact that the british version of the G10 not having a vhf tuner, im in the same boat and am ordering one of these http://www.urbantronics.com/channel-converter-p-146.html to get around that problem , ill only need it for sky one, comedy central, discovery and mtv as the 4 irish stations are on DVB and the rest are all on fresat

    the dvb is dissapearing off scans because of the 0x16 flag being broadcast, if you do a search on boards about hotel.pwd files youll find a solution ,


  • #80
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 75,480 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Eric Cartman wrote: »
    the analoug cable issue is to do with the fact that the british version of the G10 not having a vhf tuner, im in the same boat and am ordering one of these http://www.urbantronics.com/channel-converter-p-146.html to get around that problem , ill only need it for sky one, comedy central, discovery and mtv as the 4 irish stations are on DVB and the rest are all on fresat

    the dvb is dissapearing off scans because of the 0x16 flag being broadcast, if you do a search on boards about hotel.pwd files youll find a solution ,

    That convertor is 110v, you got a proper power converter Ste?


  • #81
    Eric Cartman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,242 ✭✭✭✭Eric Cartman


    MYOB wrote: »
    That convertor is 110v, you got a proper power converter Ste?

    might need a smaller one , have a big yellow builders yoke :D , but i instead decided against that, needed a dvd recorder anyway, picked up a nice LG one instead complete with VHF tuner


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  • #82
    sandycove123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14 ✭sandycove123


    That sounds like the solution Eric. Thanks for all the help.
    Eric Cartman wrote: »
    might need a smaller one , have a big yellow builders yoke :D , but i instead decided against that, needed a dvd recorder anyway, picked up a nice LG one instead complete with VHF tuner


  • #83
    sandycove123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14 ✭sandycove123


    Hi Eric,

    sorry for the ignorance, but does freesat work in Dublin?
    Eric Cartman wrote: »
    the analoug cable issue is to do with the fact that the british version of the G10 not having a vhf tuner, im in the same boat and am ordering one of these http://www.urbantronics.com/channel-converter-p-146.html to get around that problem , ill only need it for sky one, comedy central, discovery and mtv as the 4 irish stations are on DVB and the rest are all on fresat

    the dvb is dissapearing off scans because of the 0x16 flag being broadcast, if you do a search on boards about hotel.pwd files youll find a solution ,


  • #84
    STB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,175 ✭✭✭STB


    Sandcove,

    Yes Freesat works in Dublin. Just connect up a sat dish to the TV.

    There is no Irish model of this TV. It is for the British market - hence the Freesat tuner.

    It defeats the purpose to be honest with you having NTL connected to one of these. They are meant to be a free alternative to pay tv. In effect you are still paying NTL for basic services that are free through the TV you have bought.

    VHF: If you really do want to keep using NTL through one of these LCDs then you could use a cheap old VCR and run your NTL through that.

    The DVB-T services will only work if you had tuned in when 0x1 was being broadcast. 0x16 is now being broadcast which means that you would need to flash the TV with an SD backup of that same model using the frequencies for your area. Its in this thread. Be careful, make sure you know what you are doing.


  • #85
    Donegal_TDI
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71 ✭✭Donegal_TDI


    sandycove123 wrote: »
    Hi Eric,

    sorry for the ignorance, but does freesat work in Dublin?

    Freesat works everywhere in Ireland if you have a satellite dish, and a TV or set top box to decode the signals.
    This tv gets you freesat and also the new RTE digital terrestrial service,
    guaranteed as I have one and it works perfect.
    It has also been reviewed as a 5 star item.

    http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_G...641/index.html


  • #86
    STB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,175 ✭✭✭STB


    Donegal - that is why I was asking you the question about tuning on the G15 - when etc. It seems from what you have posted that the G15s have the full service types defined and as such will not have problems when RTE NL broadcast with different flags.

    As you can see from Sandycoves post the G10s are not so lucky - like the predecessors the LZD81s and PZ81s.


  • #87
    Malibu Man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭Malibu Man


    The TXP42-G15B can't see the Irish DTT channels. I was fortunate enough to get them saved when they weren't broadcasting with 0x16.


  • #88
    el dude
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,202 ✭✭✭el dude


    http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/3728256/art/panasonic/tx-p42u10e-plasma-screen.html

    Anyone able to tell me anything about this model?

    Oh and what's the point in freesat? Whta i mean by that is, is it worth bothering over if my TV is going ot be connected ot a set top box anyway?


  • #89
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,063 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    el dude wrote: »
    http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/3728256/art/panasonic/tx-p42u10e-plasma-screen.html

    Anyone able to tell me anything about this model?

    Oh and what's the point in freesat? Whta i mean by that is, is it worth bothering over if my TV is going ot be connected ot a set top box anyway?

    If you're going to buy a STB or the likes of a Freesat decoder with recording capability then it doesn't matter what kind of tuner is in the TV, just make sure that the TV has enough HDMI ports, that TV only has two which is a bit mean for a 42" set. I'd recommend at least three HDMI ports if you're buying a new TV - you absolutely need one for a HD decoder and one for a blu-ray player and maybe a third just in case for a games console or media player.

    I have the Philips 42PFL8404, you could try the lads over in Richer Sounds (Philips Store on Dame St.) on the link below for an online quote for the 42PFL7404 which is more or less the same unit minus the web browser and Ambilight which are features not on that Panasonic anyway, the Philips has four HDMI ports and the picture quality is superb though I'm not sure if you're set on plasma, the 42PFL7404 is an LCD.

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1105


  • #90
    sesswhat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,173 ✭✭✭sesswhat


    coylemj wrote: »
    If you're going to buy a STB or the likes of a Freesat decoder with recording capability then it doesn't matter what kind of tuner is in the TV

    More tuners = more choice. If you are recording with a STB you may be limited in what you can watch while recording.


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  • #91
    sparkles_I
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4 ✭sparkles_I


    Hi STB,Eric, Sandycove,

    I've been reading the threads as I purchased the UK model of this Panasonic just after Christmas at a good price, without realising that I'd have tuning problems... I had no idea that i'd be landing myself with problems and if I did, i'd have happily paid the extra for the Irish model...

    Going through the threads and trying to decipher and learn.. I've understood that the reason for the turning problems is because the UK model has no VHF tuner? and/or that RTE are broadcasting on 0.16 now instead of 0.1 and if you didn't already have this backed up, (i don't..), it's too late? and that Panasonic are not upgrading the firmware to make the mpeg coder work in Ireland?

    Apologies in advance if i've confused or mixed them up.. In Eric's post, he suggested a VHF to UHF channel converter - would this work so I can receive cable on NTL analogue? and if so, how does it plug into the TV? If it works, it seems to be a cheaper option than buying video? and as I already have a DVD recorder connected, I'm not sure if I can have the 2 connected?

    I'm currently using the dvd recorder's tuner, but this means that I can't record and watch another channel at the same time and would be very grateful for any insight/soluions you could suggest..

    I'm not at all technical, so I'm be afraid to mess with tuning upgrades/sd back ups...

    As i'm renting, and it's an apartment block, the landlord won't allow a dish to go up, so analogue NTL is the only option i have...

    Any suggestions, insight you have would be great..

    thanks in advance...
    C


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