Okay, so I'm spoiled, my TX-32LXD700 and TX-26LXD70 LCD TVs arrived today along with my new DMR-EX77EB and DMR-EX27EB recorders.

I want to use Viera link because it sounds useful, but it seems that the HDMI cables that I already have (One supplied with SKY HD) and the other that I bought in Dixons for £15 are not fully wried so don't seem compatible.

Can anyone give me advice in case I'm doing something wrong or some tips as to which cables work well (The manual references some Panasonic cables that are out of stock at the moment)?

Thanks in advance.

Can you describe in what way they don't seem compatible.


Have you followed the preparation procedure for each item , as laid out in the shaded box on page 40 of the EX77 manual?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that I have.

Viera link options on both units are set to on. The EX-77 manual on the page that you references states "Set the "HDAVI Contol" operations on the connected eqpt (eg TV). I've not been able to locate such settings, perhaps this is where I have been going wrong.

Any help you can give is much appreciated.

I forgot to mention the symptons, simply a message "Viera link not available".

Have a look on page 41 of your TV manual regarding 'Access and control the connected equipment...'

Have you set the connected equipment setting mentioned there?

I see the page you mean in the TX-26LXD70 manual, although I am specifically trying this on the TX32LXD700. In either case, I can't get any further with the Viera link menu, because when I press the Viera Link button I get the message "Feature not available".

I realise that I'm clearly missing something obvious, but I just can't work out what.

My TX32LXD700 and EX-77 are connected only via HDMI (there is no SCART connection). I can't see why this would be an issue, can you? Also, both menu options (DVD and TV) for Viera link are switched to ON and I have toggled them a few times to check.

Many many thanks for your help.

What that suggests to me is that the HDMI interface needs to be reinitialised.

HDMI often has problems like this.

Note first that an a fully wired compliant HDMI cable must be used to get these functions.

HDMI is a 'hot plug' interface so it is supposed to be possible to disconnect with everything on and reconnect it and thus force it to re-initialise.
You can try this but often it doesn't work.

If not, switch off and disconnect the HDMI, then disconnect both the TV and the DVDR from the mains for a minute or two, reconnect them to the mains, switch them on and then reconnect the HDMI... You could also try a variant of reconnecting HDMI before switching on.

Note also that the TV needs to get information about the interface ...which it does at switch on... so if ever you change a setting or the configuration... then turn the connected equipment on FIRST... then the TV ... and hopefully the TV will configure properly.

Hopefully one of these will reset the interface and hopefully you'll have access.

I will try that - thanks for your advice.

I have finally found time to try all your suggestions and I still get the "Feature not available" message.

I guess you're out of ideas?

As you cannot be certain about the compliance of the cables, all the signs are that they are not, so I suppose its time to get a pana-cable.

They have some 3m lengths in now... if that's any good?

So, I now have a Panasonic RP-CDHG15 HDMI cable and have used this to replace the previous HDMI. I turned both units off 'at the wall' and turned them on as you suggested.

Yet, still when I try to use Viera Link I get the message "Feature not available".

To clarify I have the EX-77 connected to the HDMI2 slot on the TX-32LXD700.

Any ideas?

I believe this is a problem of Sky HD. I think you will find that if you disconnect sky ... it will work.

Unfortunately I don't know if there is a workaround.

I suggest you contact Panasonic customer services and see if they can offer anything. See:

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/customer-...tact-email.asp

Hi All,

fekkerfc - did you ever sort this problem?

I seem to be having a similar problem with an ordinarly HDMI cable and I'm reluctant to buy a Panasonic one after reading your experiences.

Anyone any suggestions? I can post details if necessary.

Gavtech - ok, your post was a while ago but Panasonic don't seem to have a technical support section as such. This is what they're offering now:

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/544169/index.html

Ian
Last edited by iantrader101 : 04-04-2008 at 10:50

Hi Ian

Yes - Panasonic renewed their website about 4 or 5 days ago... but amazingly STILL do not have any details of the new machines, some of which are already distributed into retail outlets

And no obvious email tech support. Where does one go for help...?

Ian

Hi Ian

I'm puzzled... because there is an email link on the page link you provided.

This follows the standard practice that Panasonic use for email. [ Web-based]
If you fill in the drop down boxes which will focus the department you need, and click 'send', a form is returned which you can fill in with your enquiry.

Good luck.

Hi Ian,

I am also having the same problem.
I have a Panasonic TH-50PZ700 television and a Panasonic DMR-EX87 recorder connected via HDMI cable to HDMI2. I have switched on the VIERA Link in both menus but when I press the VIERA Link button on the TV remote I get the "feature not available" message. Did you manage to contact Panasonic via their website?

Steve

Have a look at page 83 of the EX87 manual and go through the checklist regarding Viera link issues.