Hi,



I am looking to buy a new DVD HD Recorder, http://www.discounttv.co.uk/product/...FQ6ZQwodzByz1Q


Anyone have one of those?



Can you confirm,

1.will it control my Sky+ box i.e. can I set it to choose which channel to select and record?

2.does it have the facility to series link, i.e. multiple episodes of a soap?



PS: I realise these are standard features of Sky+ but unfortunately I cannot get dual feed to the box as we have a comunal areil.

Hi

I cannot answer your questions, but if you go the the following Panasonic website

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/customer-...oad-centre.asp

and enter the model number DMREX77EB you will be able to download the full operating instructions for the EB model which should answer all you questions.

Dave R

Hi the for the EX77

No

I think Panasonic dropped this sort of feature from their VCR's many years before they started doing DVD Recorders.

No

Only whay to do this would be a timer set to record every episode.

Hope that helps.

Many thanks for the prompt response guys

Having checked the Panasonic site, it seems that this DVD HD Recorder has a spuedo series link facility. It works by making repeated the recording at the same time each day or week. Just to confuse the user they call it "Auto Renewal Recording" in the instruction booklet.

An important point to note about this feature is that it's imagined use is for regularly repeated programmes - say daily or weekly - that you may or may not watch.... and unless you actively switch protection on, the recording will automatically be erased when the next recording is made , whether you have watched it or not.

Also - to go back to your original enquiry. The Panasonic approach to the issue of satellite control is to do it the 'other way around'

Instead of the DVDR controlling the sat box, the idea is that it is the Sat box that is timer programmed and it is this that controls the DVDR.

There are two different control modes in Panasonic units to permit this

Thanks Gavtech,

I did notice that unless the the unit would over write previous episodes - but appreciate the heads up

I do not understand the sat box controlling DVR, how does that work in practice? For example, how can I set up the satellite box to turn on and DVR to record two different channels to record from satellite box?

The Panasonic unit has what is called an 'Ext Link' mode [ Actually a choice of 2 .. One mode is controlled directly by a control signal provided by the Sat Box. With the other mode the Panasonic records whenever there is a video signal present on Pin 19 of its incoming scart ]

I've never used Sat equipment myself - so I do not know the detail of the timer programming ... but I gather it is similar to programming any recording unit ... Choosing programmes from the EPG and then putting the unit into Standby .

At the appropriate time the skybox switches on and the DVDR starts recording. Shuts down at the end. Next programme starts up Satbox changes channel - DVDR records etc.

Hi Gavtec,
Thanks for your help.

I am familiar with the Ex link on Panasonic TV and my old DVR. It works as you describe for Digital broadcasts using Panasonic EPG. Unfortunately EPG does not show sataellite channels and (as far as I am aware) there is no way to remotely change the sat channel. One can only record whichever channel is being sent via AV_ using the time record function.

In the overall scheme, I guess this is a minor inconvenience but ..........

The biggest problem for me is SKY and the code you have to enter if it's more of an adult film.

If it's a long film and and you are transferring in the early hours the thing stops halfway through until you enter the code.

I stay up late usually around 2-3am so if I want to start a recording then I have to make sure it's not too long.

I would do it during the day time but my mother watches all those true movies and in the evening it's sport, finding time to transfer stuff can be a real pain.