Hi all

I recently got a Panasonic DMR EX75 and have found it to be spot on...with one problem.

The Q-link function on the DMR EX75, when you press Direct TV record, seems to only pick the analogue signal from the TV.

A trawl on the internet shows the below similar threads.

http://www.digitalspy.biz/forums/sho...d.php?t=281696

http://www.avforums.com/forums/dvd-r...e-problem.html

http://www.avforums.com/forums/plasm...etting-do.html


My TV is a TX-28DTM1 with built in freeview tuner. Like I said, when I press direct tv record on the EX-75 remote, it picks the analogue channel, not the current digital one from the TV. I have the Q-link option set up correctly on the TV, i.e. to output DVB on the AV cable that the recorder is set to.

Is this a problem or just something my set up is incapable of?

Note: if I press direct TV record on the TV remote, it correctly via Q link turns on the recorder and tunes the recorder to the AV channel input, i.e the recorder used the TV's tuner, but this is not what I want as it ties up my TV's tuner. I want the recorder's tuner to pick up the TV's tuner channel.

Any response is welcomed, many thanks.

Sorry about this but i think this type of function is a waste of time - youre absolutely right, you want the recorder to use its OWN tuner not tie up the TV.

You need to forget about this and set it up so that you can view the DVDR signal on (say) TV AV1 or HDMI or whatever, tune it in and press record - you are then free to do what you like with the TV (or sky........) tuner(s).

Another issue is that these things only allow for composite recordings due to the pins they use which would be used by an RGB connection.

I read the manuals at length for my panny TV/DVDR/VCR and decided it was a gimmick too far.

Dont mean to be negative but you are discovering there are more issues than benefits.

Scorp

I completely agree with Scorpio about this feature.

It's ill thought-out, is know to be flaky, is restrictive, and worse: the maximum quality that is output from the TV is composite... so it means your recordings will be of a significantly inferior quality when recorded this way.

Linked systems have a long way to go.

I'd say forget you have it and use the systems independently.

Thank you for the responses and advice. It is much appreciated.

I'll just continue if I want to record what I'm watching on the TV by pressing the DVDR on, selecting the same channel and pressing record! Only takes 5 seconds anyway!

Thanks again and Happy New Year to all.

As above, from one p.o.v. it seems to be a problem with Q-link and Direct-record that you can only record what is showing on the tv, which ties it up so you can't watch something else at the same time.

On the other hand the idea is that you can record whatever is on screen, which is useful if you don't want to use more leads, or run out of sockets, to make a direct connection between the source and the recorder, or say for occasional use. Good point about the quality but this is not always critical.

If Q-link is set up then everything else still works the same, but it's just that the option to record from the tv screen is available as well.

Otherwise I think the Q-link may be used to record something automatically in the best available quality using the timer from say a directly connected satellite receiver, which itself has no recording facility built in, or to save the bother of setting both timers.

That is a different linking system called 'External link' ....often shortened to Ext Link.

Whilst on the subject, although the manuals do not explicitly say this, it appears that Viera Link may have finally got this system right... so when a unit is connected by HDMI with viera link invoked when a Direct TV record command is given, the link sends a command to the DVDR to change its channel to match the TV and records internally and correctly from it's own tuner.

Thanks, the terminology is confusing!

On our new tv G20 Panasonic the Viera-link, involving SCART and HDMi connection, is said to be able to control compatible Pana devices with the same remote. In practice Direct TV Recording records whatever is on the screen at the time, whether from another box or not, and this is also said to be provided by Viera-link. It even wakes up the recorder from standby to perform the recording.

The tv's own Freesat or Freesat epg-set timers can be used to trigger recordings from the tv's digital tuners by Q-Link on a compatible recorder (e.g. DMR EX-75/85).

When this happens both the tv and the recorder are brought automatically out of standby if required.

At the same time as its tuner is being used to make the timed recording, the tele can display a programme from another box on an AV channel (but not from one of its other tuners), and the tv can be put put manually into standby without interrupting the recording.

The DMR is just left in ordinary standby for timed recordings or direct recording to work and the DMR's tuners and Ext-Link settings are not involved.

With my 75 now mended...I gave been trying to copy the Panny TV various facilities such as Utube onto the 75 by ExtLINK and Q Link but still confused..
In fact if i press the Extl link the 75 becomes seemingly locked into something and i have eventually to switch off..
The manual pre dates Viera by many years.
It would be great to record all the newest facilites even in composite

Hi stanandjan

Problem is I think that Ext link just activates the DMR to record as soon as the TV tuner becomes active i.e. straight away if TV is already on, locking the TV's tuner so you can't get to Utube. So best to forget ExtLink for this purpose.

Have never really understood the viera link or used ext link much but have managed to record BBC i-player ok on EX85, (same as EX75 but just a bit larger HDD) so presumably Utube should also be feasible.

With the TV's recorder SCART connected to TV SCART on DMR, tune the TV into whatever you want to record, and set the DMR's AV channel to the TV so your i-player etc. prog shows up coming through the EX.

Pressing 'record' on the EX controller then records whatever is on the TV's own tuner channel (if that is the right terminology), such as i-player, and presumably Utube although I haven't tried it.

If you press record repeatedly it will set the recording time in advance in 15min? steps.

Give it a try and please say how you get on...

Regards
Chris