Just bought this and a 37PX80B and connected them by HDMI. Some features of Viera link work but others don't - direct record and pasue live TV don't for example. The manual seems to imply I need to connect a SCART cable between them as well to enable the Q-Link side of it - is that right? Sounds odd if true.

Only other criticisms are painfully slow startup time for the unit, and no way of putting a password on a recording to stop youngsters watching unsuitable items.

Any help appreciated!

Yes you need a scart lead also.
For the Viera link functions, check the 'Preparation' notes on page 40 of the manual.

For slow startup's ensure you have no disc in the drive. Much quicker without.

You can provide a password controlled ratings level for DVD's but there does not seem to be any control for HDD recordings.


My personal view is that there is nothing in the world unsuitable for children to watch, that is suitable for an adult.
They are the most adaptable of creatures. Nothing surprises them because everything is new. Nature's realists.

That's not relevant here, but I just like to ventilate the idea.

I've got a DMR-EX series (I think) and if you switch it on and leave a DVD in the drive, I'm pretty sure the unit stays permanently ON with the DVD spinning, i.e it doesn't got to 'standby'.

If you take the disc out and leave the unit switched on, the HDD times out after about 15 minutes (not sure exactly how long) which is nearly the same as switching it off. The startup time in this state is about 10 seconds from pressing the menu button.

That's how I cope with the extremely long startup times and worth consideration IMHO.

Also, I was told I needed to connect by scart for the Viera link to work, not HDMI. However, I wanted the HDMI options so that's how I'm connected and the Viera link is 'Not Available'.

Hope this helps

Power saving should be turned of for fast start up
HDMi is the only lead required
HDMi lead should be at least modern not first generation
Scart lead should not be fitted
Viera link is for basic functions only , use the DVD remote for full functions

make sure you got a HDMI cable that is version 1.4
had an issue and was using version 1.3
got a new cable for £1.38 from ebay.
sorted!

For this combination any HDMI lead will be OK even first generation leads . The extra features ( ARC ) and hi speed data transfer are not needed for this generation of TV & Recorder