pbwhi0

Why would you want to watch a 16:9 show on a 4:3 display? May as well dust off the ol' VHS and crank up the CRT. Just for the sake of it I tested changing the EX75 to 4:3 aspect then recorded to DVD-R. On 16:9 display everyone was short and fat as expected, 4:3 display appeared okay however this was tested on PC. Think I'll stick to 16:9 though.

By region free do you mean multi region? Region free DVDs are ones that are not locked by region code. Yes it plays region free and region 4 DVDs. It does not play other region locked DVDs (ie. it will not play region 9 etc - only region 4).

Yes, tested and confirmed. Whether you use high speed copy or not, when you copy a recording to a DVD-R and view on a 4:3 display the people are tall and skinny. On my widescreen notebook I can force the aspect ratio to 16:9 and things appear normal again. Replay on any 16:9 panel and everything is okay.

Yep, that's what it does. The 4:3 viewing has everyone tall and skinny. Viewed on a 16:9 panel everything looks fine.

I've have had my DMR-EX75 two days and have tried recording one program with high speed mode turned on. It was a kids program and I recorded one hours worth. Copy from HDD to DVD took about 3 minutes including finalisation. The DVD playback was in 16:9 aspect even though the book warns that it should only be 4:3. The playback from HDD was also 16:9. I am recording the footy tonight with high speed mode on and will try another copy to DVD. Will let you know how that turns out. Cheers, Paul

Thanks achjimmy for the info. How dumb do I feel now! DMR-EX75 is even greater now.

I picked up the Pana DMR-EX75 a couple of days ago and haven't had time for a big play yet, however here are some things I have discovered: 1. The Aussie version does not have an EPG that enables you to view program details for the next X hours. You can only view the current program info or use the left/right arrows to scroll to the next program for the current channel you are on. Only minor irritation but I like to be able to view what is coming up over the next couple of hours on the one screen without having to scroll through. The UK model provides a listing type display with multiple records. It even displays an timer icon beside a program that has been previously programmed to timer record. 2. The electronic program guide (EPG) on the Aussie model is rather pathetic compared to the UK variant. For instance, when programming a timer recording the UK model allows you to view a landscape or portrait display of DVB-T programs over a 7 day period. You then simply select the program you wish to record. The Australian version does not have this facility for timer recording DVB-T. You only have access to the old fashioned 'set the start and finish time' and channel manually. 3. On the audio side (and this is more to do with my wife than myself) there is no random function when playing a CD or music file. This is a big negative as far as my wife is concerned as this is our primary music source. Our previous Pana DVD player (5 stacker) had random across all 5 cds. On the DMR-EX75 you can store music files on hard drive but again no random. Looks like I will have to maintain 5 stacker for music only. 4. On a positive note, it looks like the high speed copy of DVB-T recording from HDD to DVD-R maintains aspect ratio 16:9. In setup you need to turn 'Rec for High Speed Copy' on before you record a DVB-T show to HDD. The owners manual, however, mentions a restriction in high speed mode recording "Even 16:9 aspect (widescreen) programmes are recorded in 4:3 aspect". I recorded a 1 hour program with HSM turned on, then copied this to DVD-R. Took about 3 minutes including finalisation. I then played the DVD-R back and it was still 16:9. I had set the quality on 2nd best (SP) and DVD playback was very good (I'm using HDMI cable to a Hitachi 42" plasma 8800). 5. I still have an LG HD STB via component to plasma. Pana EX75 is via HDMI. To my eye and 4 metre setback there is neglible difference in picture quality watching HD (LG STB) or SD (pana EX75). Overall I am very happy with the DMR-EX75. Just the EPG and associated functions are what is letting this unit down a little bit imo. Oh, and the manual is a on the light side but then I am fairly conversant with electronic equipment and have worked out most funtions by playing with the remote. Cheers, Paul

Clive Anthony's, Capalaba Brisbane - $750 for DMR-EX75 with minimal haggling. No other purchases made. They had 10 on order and they have arrived in store today. Cheers, Paul

My wife just advised me (8.05pm) that the shop called today to advise my pre-ordered Panasonic DMR-EX75 has arrived in the store today and was ready to be collected. Unfortunately my wife did not think this was urgent and did not pick the item up. My response to her info was not appropriate and it looks like I will have to wait until Thursday night to collect the item myself. I work too far away from the store to collect myself during normal business hours so late night shopping will be the next available opportunity. Is this reasonable grounds for divorce??? Cheers, Paul

I emailed Panasonic support asking when they expect to release the DMR-EX75. This is their response (cut and paste exact from email). "Thank you for taking the time to contact Panasonic with your enquiry. Panasonic Does not have released dates for the DVD Recorders with model numbers DMR-EX85 and 75 at this time. The Should be released for sale Very Shortly. We trust this information will be of assistance. However, if you do require further support Panasonic have a very informative product web site located at www.panasonic.com.au . Many of our customers have found that most of their questions can be answered here with our excellent Frequently Asked Questions section - for this, please see the following link: http://www.panasonic.com.au/support/faqs/ . . Kind Regards, Panasonic Customer Care www.panasonic.com.au" Seems to me that it may be a response from an overseas based help centre judging by the English. So I suppose they will be available in stores when they are available in stores. Cheers, Paul

Yeah, I'm not expecting delivery of the machine until November. Earlier would be a bonus. I'll let you know when it comes in. Cheers, Paul

Went into local Brisbane store today to enquire about Panasonic DMR-EX75 (160gb, SD tuner). Pana rep was there last week and said this model is in Australia but waiting distribution to retail stores. This local store has 10 on order. I secured one for $750 and will receive it as soon as store gets delivery of them. Paul.

MARCJ - Please refer to page 22 of the manual. Make sure you are in TV mode (ie. watching a free to air TV channel) then select Menu button on remote. Scroll down to SETUP then MANUAL TUNING. Page 22 of the manual describes what changes you can then make to the programed channels - this includes Naming, skipping and a few others. It is best to change the Position via SETUP | SORT - page 23 of manual. In future if all else fails I find approaching the nearest 10 year old works most of the time...kids seem to know this stuff!!! Cheers, Paul

Thanks for the advice JandG. I used the UP arrow to scroll to line 814. There are only 820 lines of code so I only had to scroll up 6 lines toread the hours. My panel has 102 hours and so far everything is going well...apart from a lost stand which delayed installation 2 weeks. Cheers, Paul

Great news. Got a phone call today to say stand was in. As I was at work I got the wife to pick it up. Someone unknown gave it to her. The original sale person couldn't even take the time to present it to her and offer an apology. Never mind...it is set up now. Interestingly though, the box had been resealed. I don't think it had been used as the washes on the bolts had not been set in (they are a split washer that 'squashes' when tightened). More interesting was that the box was from the same shipment as the TV. The dispatch docket stuck to the outside had the same dispatch date (5/1/06) and was listed as Box 4/4. The TV was 3/4. So it appears this was my original stand that was 'misplaced'. Anyhow, here are some pics... http://members.optusnet.com.au/~paulbwhite...ges/plasma1.jpg http://members.optusnet.com.au/~paulbwhite...ges/plasma2.jpg http://members.optusnet.com.au/~paulbwhite...ges/plasma3.jpg I am now looking forward to getting the best out of this bad boy. Suggestions and advice from anyone with a LG - LST5100P STB hooked up to the 8800 would be appreciated. Cheers, Paul

mootface - thanks for the info. I suspected that there was more to this than a supplier problem. Yes the price was good and previous service from store has been excellent so I am prepared to give them one last chance to deliver. RXV3000 - thanks for the photo. I have a copy of Top Gun so I will be sure to fire it up when I finally get the chance. The store is a Queensland chain and I purchased in Brisbane. They have been great for previous purchases (washing machine, fridge and other smaller electrical items) so I will give the manager a chance to make good on his promise before revealling their identity. At least the delay has enabled me to setup all the other equipment with the cables laying on the top of the cabinet ready for Monday. Plus I am perusing this site for details of settings and how to run in the TV so the delay is not wasted. At least as a pure novice (current tv is 68cm CRT of cheapie origin) I have been able to use this time to research info so I can get the best out of the display when I get to hook it up. Cheers, Paul

DAY 1 Tuesday 3 January 2006 Pack wife and three kids in car to go to local electrical retail store to purchase a skin for Apple Ipod Nano. Walk out $4,000 lighter having purchased: 1) Hitachi 42PD8800TA 2) LG STB LST5100p 3) HDMI cable 4) DVI-> HDMI adapter 5) Component cable for existing DVD player 6) Plasma glass cleaning kit 7) but no skin TV has to be ordered, pay in full but leave store with no equipment. DAY 7 - TV ARRIVES Monday 9 January Receive call from store around 3.30pm to say TV has arrived. As I had to pick wife up from work, we don't get to store until 4.45pm to collect goodies. Store closes at 5.30pm, however due to lack of store persons, have to wait until 5.20pm to receive goods from a salesperson. Hurried through collection as closing time in 10 minutes. Forgot to ask about stand. Sure enough, get home and realise there was no stand with the goods. DAY 8 Tuesday 10 January Call store not long after opening time. Explained situation. Store contact took my details and said they would look into and get back to me in 15 minutes. 90 minutes later no word from store. As I am back at work I call wife and tell her to pack the kids in the car and go to store and follow up in person. The initial person she spoke to all but accused her of receiving the stand and trying to obtain another one as a freebee. Thankfully two other staff members remembered us from the previous day and confirmed that they forgot to give us the motorised stand. 20 minutes later after a thorough search of store no stand. "Must have been given to someone else and that person has not returned it". Wife left with promise that store would order another. DAY 12 Saturday 14 January Wife called store (as I was at golf...naturally) to enquire where abouts of stand. Original sales person checked into it and said it would be here on Monday (16 January). DAY 14 Monday 16 January Around 3.00pm I call store to see if stand is in. Was told by a store person that no outstanding order was recorded for us. Ask to speak to original sales person who says he will look into it and call me back. He called back a little later to say he was waiting on a call back from the supplier and he would let me know just after 5.00pm. He called back just before 5.30pm to say he hadn't heard back from supplier. Said he would follow up in morning and call me back. DAY 15 Tuesday 17 January I left it until lunchtime to call and find out where we were at. Was told by receptionist that the sales person had gone home. I asked to speak to store manager. He was busy and would call me back shortly. After 30 minutes I called back and again asked to speak to store manager. Got through to him and explained my situation. He said he would look into it and would get back to me. To his credit he was back on the phone within 30 mintues. He basically said they had to order a replacement from Hitachi in Melbourne and it would be here on Monday 23 January, possibly earlier. SUMMARY The TV took 6 days to deliver from order. The motorised stand looks like it will take a further 14 days to deliver from the date the TV arrived. If the TV only took 6 days why is the stand taking a further 14 days??? MESSAGE TO OTHER Hitachi 42PD8800TA OWNERS I hope you are enjoying your TVs. Could you please send a couple of pics with a TV show or DVD being displayed. I would like to see what the big plastic/metal thing in the box should look like !!!

Yep, same here last night and this morning. Running LG 5100 HD STB and channel 70 was freezing continually with even with full bar signal strength. This evening it appears okay. Perhaps someone at the channel turned the air con down too much??? Freezing...get it? Yeah, yeah I know - just as poor as the reception last night!!

JandG - Thanks. By look of the solid white screen the pixels all appear to be doing what pixels do. Cheers, Paul PS: at the moment I am watching the TV whilst it is propped up in the foam supports and bottom part of delivery box. I am still waiting on store to provide the motorised stand which was apparently given to someone else who didn't even purchase a 8800.

Selze Could you please be more specific? I have just bought the Hitachi 42PD8800TA, have gone to the function menu and looked at both pages of options. I can't seem to locate the item that refers to dead pixels. Thanks, Paul

lawyer1990 - I have just set up a LG HDSTB to a very basic 68cm CRT and as mentioned by others earlier 576i is the best you will get. Interestingly too, the LG will not output the OSD menu unless you select 576i with composite or S-Video. You can actually select 720 or 1080, however it does not improve picture. I am waiting on the local store to deliver the motorised stand for my new Hitachi 8800 so I do not plan to continue with the 68cm CRT. However, the set top box provides a much better picture than normal aerial and opens up additional free to air channels that the normal stations broadcast. If my plasma purchase was another year away, I would probably have gone with a cheap SD STB for the time being as technology and pricing will probably improve in another 12 months and IMO the $90 for a SD STB would be more than compensated for in 12 months with the savings on a HD STB and/or technology improvements. Also, the SD STB and old CRT can be moved outdoors for the summer cricket when the Plasma and HD STB arrive. So the cost of the SD STB is not totally lost !! Cheers, Paul

Thanks JandG, I will definitely make sure this time. At least the delay has enabled me to re-arrange the cabinet and equipment. I spent three hours last night improving air circulation for audio/video equipment. Enclosed cabinets with doors to reduce dust does nothing for keeping equipment cool - although the wife was not too impressed with me cutting away timber from the back of the cabinet to create a nice air vent at the top. I have also added the LG HDSTB into the setup which includes Kenwood amp, Panasonic DVD-F87, Pure Acoustic speakers and 12inch sub. All TV cables are now resting at the back of the cabinet waiting for the day I can bring the beast out of its box. Cheers, Paul

Glad you guys are able to enjoy your machines. I turned up on Tuesday to pick mine up some 45 minutes before store closure. It took just over 30 minutes for the goods to be ready in the loading dock (I had pre-paid so I only had to collect the items). I was then rushed through with the goodies (8800 + LG HDSTB + HDMI cable/adapter + Component cable +cleaning kit) and told to sign in 7 places for receipt. It wasn't till I was around the corner that I realised I forgot to ask about the stand. Too late to turn around. Got home and sure enough no stand. Rang the next morning (early) and after a little run around (the staff member we approached was suspicious that we had received the stand and were chasing another as a freebie) thankfully two staff remembered that we hadn't been given the stand. One staff member remembers seeing the stand somewhere but 30 minutes later after a search of the store they could not locate it. Order another one from Hitachi Melbourne. Hopefully will be here (Brisbane) early next week. Over two weeks since order placed. So at the moment I am STILL watching the good ol' 68cm $250 CRT over the top of a cardboard box with words 'PLASMA TV' written on the side. I will get it hooked up one day and hopefully before the cricket season ends !!! Cheers, Paul

BlackMagic - I have also finally taken the plunge and purchased the 8800 with the LG5100 HDSTD from a local Brisbane store. They also included a 1.0 metre HDMI cable (with HDMI/DVI adapter), a 1.5 metre Component cable (for my DVD player) and a screen cleaning kit. All for $4,000. Should be here early next week at the latest. Can't wait as the current display device is a 68cm CRT bought from BigW for $299 a year or so ago. Cheers, Paul