[Airborne]

My last TV set purchased a couple of years ago was a Panasonic 26TX-LXD70. It joined a stable of other Panasonic products (another TV and an HDD/DVD Recorder from the same stable). However the LXD70's EPG has advertisments occupying nearly a third of the screen - It also "hangs" for 2 -3 secs before changing from a blacked out screen to the EPG.

I am hoping to upgrade my main TV set to take advantage of 1080p resolution and a 42" screen. I am drawn to the TX-42G20 - Does this model also have advertisments displayed on its EPGs - and would that also apply to the latest in the Panasonic HDD Recorder range ? Grateful for any information on this - together with other Forum Users views.

[paulr2006]

Yes the TV does have the Adverts, not sure about the HDD recorder but I would put money on it having them

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airborne

My last TV set purchased a couple of years ago was a Panasonic 26TX-LXD70. It joined a stable of other Panasonic products (another TV and an HDD/DVD Recorder from the same stable). However the LXD70's EPG has advertisments occupying nearly a third of the screen - It also "hangs" for 2 -3 secs before changing from a blacked out screen to the EPG.

I am hoping to upgrade my main TV set to take advantage of 1080p resolution and a 42" screen. I am drawn to the TX-42G20 - Does this model also have advertisments displayed on its EPGs - and would that also apply to the latest in the Panasonic HDD Recorder range ? Grateful for any information on this - together with other Forum Users views.

That's because it's the crappy Guide+ EPG - presumably you can set it to use the proper Freeview EPG instead? - you can on Sony models (where it's called the Sony EPG).

Presumably Guide+ pay Panasonic (and Sony) to make their EPG the default setting?.

[paulr2006]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

That's because it's the crappy Guide+ EPG - presumably you can set it to use the proper Freeview EPG instead? - you can on Sony models (where it's called the Sony EPG).

Presumably Guide+ pay Panasonic (and Sony) to make their EPG the default setting?.

Nope, can't be changed

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulr2006

Nope, can't be changed

That's crap then - a really good reason NOT to buy Panasonic.

[Hector]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

That's crap then - a really good reason NOT to buy Panasonic.

Yes, it is very annoying.
I have a Panasonic Plasma TV and a HDD/DVD Recorder, both with Guideplus. You do get used to it but it prevents better use of the screen:
(1) no tiny screen of the programme (or sound either) (2) no information panel as you scroll, programme information being accessible by pressing info button and (3) more cramped than it ought to be.
In short, the Panasonic EPG has none of the desirable features I look for in an EPG! Annoyingly, their products are otherwise generally rather good!
The fact that you cannot choose to have a standard Freeview EPG is particularly irritating. There was at one time some concern that in certain limited Freeview areas there would not be access to the multiplex carrying the data. I wonder if that has been solved or if owners of such equipment won't have an EPG at all - in which case the equipment would not really meet the required specification, which I think does require an EPG. Maybe they could get away with warning purchasers that if they did not receive all freeview channels they may not get an EPG which would lose a few customers but unlikely that Panasonic would care.

[pmbond]

I have access to both a Sony and Panasonic HDD/DVD recorder and find the adverts dreadful. On the Sony it can be turned off as has been stated but not on the Panasonic. Had I known I wouldn't have bought the Panasonic. It's called Guide (Digital) under the epg type on the Sony I have.

[dmp]

I've just bought one of the new range of hd recorders from panasonic and found the advert/epg, yes it's annoying but not a reason to get rid of the unit. It just gets ignored and I accept that the epg is not as good as on te old panasonics I had.
Dave