Panasonic DMR-XW380EBK DVD Recorder & 250GB HDD with twin tuner Saorview

boardzz · 24-08-2011 07:25PM #1

On offer in Argos for 299. Record two channels at once.with 250GB hard drive or DVD recorder. Works with Saorview as it has Freeview HD built in.

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10152&catalogId=13352&langId=111&searchTerms=Panasonic+DMR-XW380EBK&authToken=

**Caroline** · 01-09-2011 03:05PM

Hi, was looking at this today. Says it has freeview & freesat built-in. Do these both work in Ireland? Don't know much about that stuff but I thought they were only in the UK.

Gerry Wicklow · 01-09-2011 03:44PM

**Caroline** wrote: »

Hi, was looking at this today. Says it has freeview & freesat built-in. Do these both work in Ireland? Don't know much about that stuff but I thought they were only in the UK.

This is FreeView HD only NOT FreeSat. Should work for Saorview but will only get UK channels if within range of a UK transmitter in border areas or parts of the east coast. There is no mention of MHEG5 in the specs so it would not be fully compatible with SaorView.

Ronnie Raygun · 01-09-2011 04:38PM

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

There is no mention of MHEG5 in the specs so it would not be fully compatible with SaorView.

Doesn't Freeview use mheg 5?

Gerry Wicklow · 01-09-2011 05:46PM

Actually it is FreeView+ so probably does but I just didn't see it in the specs. It's not FreeSat though.

MACHEAD · 01-09-2011 08:49PM

[QUOTE_"Should work for Saorview but will only get UK channels if within range of a UK transmitter"[/QUOTE]

For some reason the phrase 'Chocolate teapot' comes to mind.

Gerry Wicklow · 02-09-2011 01:09AM

MACHEAD wrote: »

For some reason the phrase 'Chocolate teapot' comes to mind.

The problem is that many people confuse FreeView and FreeSat. FreeView equipment is perfectly Ok in the right areas but you don't want someone in Kerry or the likes expecting to get FreeView.

ei9go · 02-09-2011 04:56PM

Have one for a couple of weeks and it works fine.

One issue is that Saorview is not broadcasting series link which their they should be to be in line with the Saorview spec.

You can record fine by setting with the guide.

MACHEAD · 02-09-2011 07:49PM

ei9go wrote: »

Have one for a couple of weeks and it works fine.

One issue is that Saorview is not broadcasting series link which their they should be to be in line with the Saorview spec.

You can record fine by setting with the guide.

Not sure, but although this receiver will pick up / display the Saorview channels, it may not be 'Saorview Approved'. Elsewhere in the terrestrial forum there's much discussion on the incompatibility of Panasonic TV's.
Also their reluctance to issue a firmware update for compatibility with the irish text/interactive services.

I've just noticed my complete misinterpretation of the post above my previous one! The 'chocolate teapot' comment. I misread this as not tunning in the irish channels at all, if within range of a UK transmitter!! DUH!

bridster007 · 03-09-2011 01:17AM

ei9go wrote: »

Have one for a couple of weeks and it works fine.

One issue is that Saorview is not broadcasting series link which their they should be to be in line with the Saorview spec.

You can record fine by setting with the guide.

On Avforums.com there seems to be some dissatisfaction about the slow operation of this model, changing channels seems to have a time lag. Have you noticed it ? This is a v good price for the recorder though, better than any price available in the UK.
The other problem seems to be the adverts on the EPG - how intrusive are they ?

ei9go · 04-09-2011 08:58AM

There is no problem changing channels.

It takes a while to start up.

There is a red light which comes on when it is recording and a second one if you are recording two channels.

The tv I am using has Saorview so I only use this as a recorder.

ei9go · 04-09-2011 03:57PM

Sorry, forgot to comment on the ads question.

There are none.

However, there is a panel to the left of the guide which just says Viera in it.

These ads are part of the MHEG5 spec and I assume RTE don't transmit them at present.

I ahve not yet connected it to the internet so don'y know what will happen when I do.

The only issue I have is the lack of Saorview broadcasting the series link data and that's nothing to do with the machine.

Picture quality is exactly the same as the live broadcast.

norbert64 · 05-09-2011 12:00PM

There is also a separate Freesat dvd/hdd combo for 30 more notes.
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/9255715.htm

Unless you really want a DVD player though, the Humax Foxsat HDR is probably a better option I guess. :cool:

I know, I know, this is the terrestrial forum but just in case anyone fancied a similar Freesat machine.

Panasonic DMR-XW380EBK DVD Recorder & 250GB HDD with twin tuner Saorview

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