auldar

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll give Panasonic a call..

I've had this TV about 2 months now, and am very happy with it. One thing that's a little anoying though is this squeal coming from the power circuitry after it's been put into standby. When you first power it up (by pressing the "on/off" switch on the front), it comes into standby (red light on). There is no noise at this point. You then turn on the TV and watch, and all is good (yes there is some "buzz" which appears to be fairly common with plasmas?). You then use the remote and hit the standby button, and the screen shuts down to standby state (red light on again). At this point, there is a very audible high pitch squeal emanating from where the power feed enter's the rear of the TV (that vacinity anyway, hence I believe it's the power circuitry). This will continue for longer than I'm prepared to put up with since it's in my bedroom - I wouldn't be surprised if it lasts until it's next powered on, but I haven't tested it. To fix it, I have to hit the power button on the front to turn it off, then press it again to return to standby - I'm sure this isn't going to be good for it in the long run either.. Has anyone else read of this, or experienced it before? Not sure if it's anoying enough to warrant a return, but if it's an indication of a power problem, I should probably do something about it now..

DSE were advertising a ONE-DAY sale on last Sunday, 1st/Apr with 15% off all their TVs,.. list was/is $3799, so less 15% becomes $3299 - guess they extended that offer. Almost made the drive out,.. but as the place it'll go isn't ready yet,.. prices can only come down - hopefully the mounting location for me will be done by May. Enjoy the view. I guess when he said "I just bought", he meant a few days before his post then.. That would make sense.

I think you'll find the $2998 price is for the PV not the PX. Check on the screen of the TV - "Built in tuner - $3799".. http://www.wowwicked.com.au/catpages/page8.htm

Damn nice price. I just bought the TH50PX600A from GG Taylors Lakes for $3350, and he even showed me the screen saying "please enter security code to authorise below cost price sale" that the store owner had to approve. Pity you didn't post this before I left, else I would have headed to Maribyrnong instead List was $3999. EDIT: Delivery in an *hour*? I'm hoping to get mine next week.. Wow.

I recently built an HTPC for exactly those requirements.. It ended up costing me over $2.5k though I use a Hauppauge HVR-1300 to capture Foxtel via S-Video (it also has the audio connections on the same card). It did require some registry hacks to disable the rediculously high temporal noise reduction settings (I documented the process here) I also have a DNTV Live! PCI-E Hybrid S2 card for recording SD/HD FTA TV.. I have a working integrated EPG for both Foxtel and DTV, and can record from all 3 tuners concurrently. This is provided free by Free*EPG. I'm using the Foxtel Platinum EPG (ozTivo) feed which includes all Foxtel and DTV channels. It has HDMI, DVI, Component, S-Video, and Composite video outputs, and supports HDCP. 250GB OS/encoding drive, and 2 X 500GB disks in a raid-0 array for recordings. There is some registry exporting required to get either more than 2 tuners, or both digital and analog tuners to co-exist in either MCE2005 or Vista Media Center. These are documented here. The "hack" was written by Wixkidder, but that post is easier to follow. There's a few things to watch out for - the biggest problem I had was some IR codes were inaccurate until I specifically taught VMC every button on my Foxtel remote. Again, I documented most of my experiences in posts 2 and 5 of this thread. I'm very happy with my HTPC.. It does everything I wanted it to do, and all via a remote. I can also schedule recordings remotely too using a web interface via WebGuide4.

So I've taken the plunge, and am in the process of building this beast.. I *almost* had it working under Vista, but missed a crucial step which rendered my EPG invalid.. It requires a hack to get both analog and digital working under Media Center. I did have both Foxtel and DTV working and the HTPC changing channels on Foxtel, but by missing this one step, my Guide didn't work and I blew it away not long afterwards.

Can anyone provide some input on the editing capabilities of this box? Once you've got something on your HDD, how easy is it to trim ads, trim up to the start of the show, trim back to the end of a show, split a recording into multiple files etc prior to burning to a DVD?

Basically it means 2 HD tuners that operate completely independantly, such that you can have overlapping timers when you set recording. Some devices with 2 tuners don't allow this level of flexibility, so they are not considered "true" twin tuners.. The Japanese have been so spoiled for so long.. You're right - you can't import them due to DTV implementation differences as well as DVD region issues. I kinda hoped they might be released here though.. I thought they were released in Japan around July/August last year, so I kind of had hope...

Sounds good in theory, however as far as I could see, SelectTV do not have Nick Jr. or Sci-Fi, the main Foxtel channels I want to capture.. Thanks to everyone for their input so far.. Still interested in more feedback, as well as which OS would suit my goals etc. That sounds interesting, but given the amount of money they've invested in encryption technology, I'd be surprised if they allow people to capture pure digital copies of their source. They went to great lengths to stop people getting access to the capture's on the IQ, and as I understand it, much of it is encrypted on the HDD anyway.. Where did you hear about it? I'd love a read.. Thanks That inspired me a little I'd prefer to use a remote, not a wireless keyboard. I believe Harmony offer a good HTPC remote, although I might try to get a capture card or tuner card bundled with a remote/IR sensor. I believe any remote combined with HIP will allow quite a bit of flexibility? I believe the IR Blaster product (haven't had a chance to research this one yet though) can be used so my HTPC would be able to change Foxtel channels? I'd definately make sure the analog capture card supported MPEG-2 encoding in hardware. Thanks for making sure I didn't fall into that particular pitfall though

Thanks - so as I figured. Probably possible, but be prepared to take the pain to get it going A fair point of view.. I'd be reasonably happy having them as separate devices if I could get the recordings off a DVD-R via ethernet, and maybe I could live with USB 2.0.. I guess I was thinking of something along the lines of recording lots of kids shows for my kids, as well as various sci-fi shows that aren't on at decent hours, and doing it regularly. Well, if the Mirage 7000 () had analog inputs that would allow me to capture Foxtel, I'd be sold, but at this point as a pure HD PVR, the TEAC has my attention..

While not available yet, Panasonic have annouced a few devices like this: Dual HD tuner (whether it's 2.0 remains to be seen) DVD-R, along with analog inputs 400GB, or 500GB HDD Ethernet port, hopefully for pushing recordings to a PC. http://www.cinenow.com/uk/news-2125.html

Wouldn't re-encoding it to MPEG-2 on your PC and burning it from there be easier?

Hi guys, I've come to the conclusion that to achieve my desired video capture and playback goals, I'm going to have to build an HTPC. I've read up on them on and off for the past few years, and I feel I'm pretty much ready to take the plunge - I was hoping some of the more experienced members of this forum might offer me some insights as to whether what I want to acheive, is in fact possible. My Goals are fairly simple in concept, although I'm sure it wont be nearly as simple in implementation: 1. I want to be able to watch and record Foxtel, and have the ability to archive/manipulate it later. I want the usability/functionality of a Foxtel IQ, including using the EPG to set start/stop times, however I want to be able to get them off the PVR, via Ethernet, which is something the IQ doesn't allow in any form. Many would suggest you can do this with a DVD-R - I do have a DVD-R, and have recorded some Foxtel, however being able to record more than 2 hours (at a decent quality), ie 1 DVD is desirable. I don't want to have to constantly swap DVD's before every recording. Also, as far as I know, no HDD DVD-R's on the market at present have an ethernet port you can transfer files over to PC for processing. 2. I want to be able to watch and record HD/SD, even though at present I do not own a digital TV. I plan to upgrade to one in the next 12 months. 3. Extra HDD capacity that doesn't cost me an arm and a leg and void my warranty (exportability would reduce the requirement for built in HDD capacity, but it doesn't seem to be readily available). Unfortunately, current SD or HD PVR's do not have any analog inputs. As such, to achieve the above goals (which really shouldn't be asking too much, but seems to be beyond existing consumer products), I have to either buy 2 devices and be prepared to compromise some of my goals, or build an HTPC to do it. If I wanted to buy 2 devices, I could buy an HDD DVD-R, and an HD PVR (the TEAC HD PVR one with Samba looks very attractive). While the TEAC seems to offer almost everything I'd want in an HD PVR, with the exception of IceTV EPG and web-scheduling, I'd have to compromise on getting my recordings off the HDD DVD-R, and would have no access to Foxtel EPG. There is a new range of Panasonic products coming, at *some* point which might be what I'm after, but I don't know when, nor do I know the price: http://www.cinenow.com/uk/news-2125.html These apparently will have 400GB (DMR-XW30) to 500GB (DMR-XW50) hard disks, 2 HD tuners, DVD-R, analog inputs etc. Looks great on paper, but then so does the Panasonic DMREX75, which is far from a perfect box, and doesn't come cheap. So, to the real questions. Are the following desires possible? 1. Use a single UI to view the EPG from IceTV to set start/stop times for 2 Digital TV tuners. 2. Use the same UI to view the Foxtel EPG from ozTiVo/"Free EPG" to set start/stop times for Analog video/audio capture of Foxtel. 2a. HTPC must be able to change channels on the Foxtel unit. Does IR Blaster do this? 3. This HTPC needs to be wife friendly, and ideally 100% usable with a remote. If the answer is "all that (and more) should be possible with an HTPC", then: What OS should I use? I understand that MCE has limitations (that can be hacked around) of 2 digial tuners OR 2 analog tuners, but is otherwise a fairly impressive UI. Then there's DNTV Live! from Renura, which I assume would run on a standard XP install? Or should I just go with a normal OS install and use other 3rd party products like MythTV or MyTheatre? I guess each would have different strengths and weaknesses, but I'd really like to know if any of those products would be able to acheive the "single UI" goal, as well as the non-technical wife friendly goal. Am I kidding myself that any HTPC would ever be as user friendly as an IQ when it comes to programming analog video capture? Am I kidding myself that I can drive all this with a single UI? Am I kidding myself that I can drive all this with a remote? Sorry for the long post - I hope you can spend a few minutes reading it and offer some of your experiences.

I was wondering if anyone could offer me some advice.. I really like the look of this unit - I'm stunned that TEAC, who I've always considered a fairly cheap, low quality manufacturer have developed such an advanced HD PVR with so many features that enthusiasts want. They're also providing very good support in terms of firmware, even if it's taken a couple of months to get some fairly nasty issues sorted out. The unit also has the potential for extra functionality - hopefully web-scheduling, ICETV EPG, external optical burners etc. It looks like the current firmware does need some work to solve the freezing issues, and especially the timeslip function filling the HDD (this is a pretty critical flaw IMO), but aside from that, most of what I've read here is very positive. On to my need for advice.. I currently do not have an HDTV, although I expect to buy one in about 12 months time (I so wish SED would have remained a consumer product rather than a professional one =\ I waited a long time for it). As such, I don't *need* HD right now, but I'll need it soon enough that it would feel like a waste of money to buy an SD PVR now (~$600), then an HD one in a year or so. I am looking for a 2.0 dual tuner PVR, with ethernet archiving. As far as I can tell, only the Strong HD PVR has this capability, except it only provides an FTP server instead of a Samba client like the TEAC supports. I prefer the Samba client. I do have foxtel Satellite, and I would have liked to be able to record it to a HDD, but I suppose my DVD recorder will have to suffice for that, given no PVRs seem to offer inputs beyond the DBV-T antenna. I currently use Xbox Media Centre (XMBC) as my network media player, and this TEAC promises to replace the need to use it, and also has the ability to play HD content. This is a major plus in my eyes. I did like the look of the Panasonic DMREX75, but after doing some reading, it looks like it can't play Divx/Xvid properly (and the lack of network streaming would make watching divx painful anyway). It also has the potential for problems regarding aspect ratio flagging when archiving. Those problems, combined with the fact it's SD, single tuner, and costs only slightly less than the cheapest price I've seen the TEAC sold for in this thread, has put a major dampener on my desire for that unit. The only thing in the DMREX75's favor is it can accept external inputs such as Foxtel or my DV Camera, however I can do both of those with my existing DVD Recorder, even if it has to go straight to DVD. Do you think the TEAC, with it's current firmware revision would make a good first forray into PVRs? How about if/when they fix the freezing problems and the timeslip filling the HDD? Will I have problems using it on a 4:3 CRT TV? Would I have to use SD channels, or will HD channels work ok? This unit can display either SD or HD right? Would you instead recommend I look at a 2.0 dual tuner SD PVR and get an HD one when I buy an HDTV? If so, which one? The Toppy 5000? I really do like being able to archive via ethernet though, USB archiving isn't really ideal. Looking forward to any advice/feedback/recommendations you can offer.

I don't know if this helped, but just before mine started to work, I hit standby on the unit, waited 5 seconds, then hit the Foxtel button again. Can't hurt to try, but it was probably a coincidence.

Mines working now... no new firmware as far as I can tell..

I'm glad it isn't just me then.. No wonder their support number is engaged now.. I got through 20 minutes ago, and they said they had high call volumes and can't take any calls then hung up.. Any of you guys not in Vic?

Wow.. talk about being taken out of context. Perhaps I should have qualified what I was posting about. The thread was about 2 new digital displays. I was talking about using DVI from an HTPC with a digital display - a year ago. This thread is about a digital display so I didn't think it needed to be said. Of course if you are using a CRT, there's no point having DVI because you can't avoid the DAC. Sheesh - I can't believe I'm being misquoted a year later.. *shrug* -Auldar EDIT: I guess that's what happens when old threads get resurrected - most people don't think to look at the dates

IMHO, the advantages of DVI will most likely start to be highly distinguishable as your screen gets larger. ie you'll see a bigger difference between DVI and Component on a 62" screen than you would on a 42". -Auldar

I would have to agree - without the CPU mod that makes your Xbox run at 1400Mhz instead of the standard 733Mhz, I don't see how HD decoding can be done.. SD sure, but HD? Are you sure you aren't watching SD RAJALAKSHMAN? If not, how is it you can decode HD? -Auldar

Michaelf (or his company) sells them and has a thread going here. -Auldar

Xbmp is long dead. All the team who worked on it have been working on Xbmc for the last 6 months or so. Grab yourself a copy of the latest Xbmc and you should be fine. I believe you can get the ftp details by hopping on the Efnet IRC network, and joining #xbins. As someone above suggested, you may need to add .tp in the supported files list in the .xml, but I don't know if that is required for the current versions. Good luck! -Auldar

For anyone who cares, there appears to be an a FR in for XBMC to attempt to leverage the Xbox's GPU to perform HDTV decoding. There's some information in the FR which suggests it may well be possible to do just that - whether it's "DxVA" or not, I don't know. -Auldar P.S. Sorry for getting OT, although I consider the Xbox a pseudo-HTPC as it is.

I've never heard of those HyperReality.. Thanks for mentioning them.. Those boxes really need more grunt, or some hardware chip which can decode HDTV without leaning on any CPU/SARM, and then they'd be excellent - I'd have 3 in that case At present, those boxes wouldn't be able to do any more than an Xbox with XBMC (excepting DVI and a bit of noise) though, and the Xbox has many other functions and upgradable apps etc. Also, there's a mod available for the Xbox to upgrade the CPU and memory to 1.4Ghz and 128MB, although even then I'm not sure it will have enough grunt to cope with HDTV decoding. Does anyone know if the Xbox's cut-down GeForce3 card is capable to performing DxVA? Anyone know if XBMC plans on utilising it DxVA if it does? -Auldar