[cooler]

When it says a DVD recorder has a built in digital tuner such as this one does that mean you can't record from analogue channels, only digital?

[techsmedders]

Some have a dual analogue and digital tuner so you can record off of analogue or digital, the digital is always the best quality though (if you get a good signal).

As far as I am aware, the Panasonic's only have digital now-a-days as mine does (mines the model up from the one in the link with the hard drive)

[Scorpio]

Yes, agreed - you certainly dont want to get dependant on the analog signal as it will be disappearing. Get into habit of using the EPG to set up your recordings and if you need a 2nd set of challes (for viewing while recording) invest in a digibox if your TV doesnt have digital of its own.

Scorp

[David (2)]

indeed, the latest Panasonics (like my one) only have a Freeview chip inside - it doesnt do analogue channels from the aerial.

For some people, this would be no good - as Freeview doesnt reach the entire UK yet, so some people need the ability to record analogue. I think Pioneer and Sony make similar equipment to the Panasonic - I dont know if these have dual Freeview+anaogue or not.

Dave

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by David (2)

indeed, the latest Panasonics (like my one) only have a Freeview chip inside - it doesnt do analogue channels from the aerial.

For some people, this would be no good - as Freeview doesnt reach the entire UK yet, so some people need the ability to record analogue. I think Pioneer and Sony make similar equipment to the Panasonic - I dont know if these have dual Freeview+anaogue or not.

Many do, you need to check if you need an analogue tuner.

As a matter of interest the first Sony one that didn't include an analogue tuner didn't even mention the fact. We sold and delivered one, and the delivery guys brought it back and said they couldn't tune it in. As usual it got passed to me, and I couldn't find any analogue tuning options - so I read the instruction book, read everything printed on the box, and read the sales leaflets - none mentioned it didn't have an analogue tuner. I downloaded the service manual, that didn't mention it either, but only showed one tuner - however, many units have both analogue and digital tuners in a single box.

By this time I was getting desperate, so I rang the Sony customer helpline - they didn't know anything either. So next I rang the trade technical advice line - who also where completely in the dark about it, but did ring me back later on that day to confirm it had no analogue tuner.

Why didn't it have a BIG sticker on the box saying "digital tuner only" - would that have been too complicated?.

[techsmedders]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Many do, you need to check if you need an analogue tuner.

As a matter of interest the first Sony one that didn't include an analogue tuner didn't even mention the fact. We sold and delivered one, and the delivery guys brought it back and said they couldn't tune it in. As usual it got passed to me, and I couldn't find any analogue tuning options - so I read the instruction book, read everything printed on the box, and read the sales leaflets - none mentioned it didn't have an analogue tuner. I downloaded the service manual, that didn't mention it either, but only showed one tuner - however, many units have both analogue and digital tuners in a single box.

By this time I was getting desperate, so I rang the Sony customer helpline - they didn't know anything either. So next I rang the trade technical advice line - who also where completely in the dark about it, but did ring me back later on that day to confirm it had no analogue tuner.

Why didn't it have a BIG sticker on the box saying "digital tuner only" - would that have been too complicated?.

Most of the Panasonics mention the fact on the box or on a sticker (or both). I think the Sonys now do this now