Official Panasonic DMR-EZ28K thread

[jjeff]

Yes that was the exact problem the CSR was inquiring about
Too bad they can't seem to get the timer bug fixed. I've been familiar with it since '07 and it's even been reported that the '05 ES-20 and ES-40 models(the first Pannys to have LSI silicon) had timer related problems Here's hoping you can get em' to fix the problem once and for all, they just wore me down

[sws2000]

I just got this email:

Thank you for your inquiry.

Try this reset to see if it helps the unit.

1. Unit power must be ON and unit must be in STOP mode.
2. Press and hold [CH UP] and [CH DOWN] ON THE UNIT for
over five seconds. The unit will turn off.
3. Press [DVD POWER] to turn the unit on.

Thank you for contacting Panasonic.

Thank You,
Panasonic Consumer Support

What's this supposed to fix?

Scott

[jjeff]

This just does a factory reset. It's one of the things they always suggested I try when I called support. For any of the bugs it does nothing, except you need to set all your channels and most of your options over again

[DigaDo]

As some Panasonic folks may not frequent the Magnavox 2160 thread, where I posted the following description of my recording setup and raised questions about recording through a split S-Video signal source, I am posting this inquiry here as well:

In order to record Turner Classic Movies from a Comcast Motorola DCT700 "digital" cable box I'm forced to record through the RF input (analog channel 3) or through composite inputs. My Philips 3575 is connected RF to the DCT700 box. From the 3575 there is a RF pass through to my Magnavox 2160 and from that a RF pass through to a Panasonic DMR-EZ28 and from that to a DMR-EZ17. There are also two DMR-EZ17 models connected through "Y" cables to the composite output of the DCT700 box.

My Philips 3576 and Magnavox 2080 are currently using their QAM tuners to record "cable-ready" from the Comcast coax cable. It remains to be seen how long Comcast will continue to transmit clear QAM signals for some of the digital sub-channels.

Of course, Comcast has other Motorola cable boxes, the DCH "cable card" models with component and HDMI outputs, but Philips, Magnavox and Panasonic recorders are unable to record from those outputs.

I'm unsure if it would be practical to trade in the DCT700 for a Motorola DCH box and split the S-Video output to several recorders. My main concern would be how S-Video handles widescreen content.

What are others' experience splitting S-Video signals?

[Mike99]

DigaDo,

I have a Comcast Motorola DCH3200 HD STB. This is not a DVR. I use HDMI from DCH to HDTV. And S-Video from DCH to Panny ES20. TCM is 4:3 and the ES20 records it as such. If they are broadcasting a widescreen movie then it will be letterbox within the 4:3, which I'm guessing is what you now receive.

Recording a 16:9 WS program is different because the DCH does not output this via S-Video, which I have to use in order to record since there are no component inputs on the Panny. So you end up with a letterbox image within a 4:3 window, which looks like a floating postage stamp. You get black bars all the way around. However my HDTV's zoom works quite well in order to fill out the screen. Obviously there are a lot of pixels wasted in recording all those black bars. However since the source is HD the final product still looks pretty good, at least on my 42" screen. The alternative is to buy one of those component to S-Video converter boxes.

I've never split S-Video. But the ES20 outputs S-Video to an EZ17. So you could double your capacity, but I believe the ES20 has to be on in order to pass the S-Video signal through (I've never tried with the ES20 off). This could be a problem if the ES20 is doing a timer recording. I've done this a couple times so I would not miss the beginning or end of two programs scheduled together, but I was home & able to manually turn on the ES20 which kept it on the whole time.

[jjeff]

I've never tried splitting S-video but I'd guess it's probably not a good idea, you'd be better off with a S-video distribution amp(like 1 in and 4 out). A better solution would be as Mike99 said, that is daisy chain your S-video thought your recorders. I can't see any issues doing that other than as Mike said you'd need to leave the passthru units turned ON. The older ES series DVDRs could be left ON and still initiate a scheduled recording. As you know the newer EZ's will not start a scheduled event if left ON but they to turn ON during a scheduled event, the ES series to not turn ON during a scheduled event(what I mean by this is they don't send a signal output during a scheduled event, unless they're powered ON).
Monoprice does sell this S-video splitter but I can't guarantee how it works. I've never had luck splitting composite video with a simple Y cable. Doing this always seems to darken the video on both sides. I've been able to just split the audio side though, at least to two devices.
It's possible Radio Shack or a similar store would sell what you need. That would be a video distribution amplifier. I've searched high and low at Monoprice and they don't carry such a device.
Look at This . Looks like the prefect thing for you from Radio Shack, 1 S-video in and 4 out, $49

[rperlberg]

Originally Posted by sws2000

2. If I stop a scheduled recording in progress the disc indicator in the lower right corner of the front panel display flashes constantly even after I turn the unit off. It only goes away after I turn it back on.

Yes, I've noticed this. It also happens if a disc runs out of space during a scheduled recording. Ejecting and reloading the disc will make it stop.

Originally Posted by sws2000

3. After I finalized a disc I have to reactivate the zoom-in feature. Nothing else (including power off-on) causes this.

I've noticed quite a few things that will turn off the zoom. Most notably, loading a new disc will turn off the zoom. Since the machine goes through the software equivalent of an Eject/Reload cycle after finalizing, this comes as no surprise. I'm actually glad it does this, since I have on occasion left the zoom function on while transitioning from an HD program to an SD program. I wish it happened more often, like between titles.

Originally Posted by JeffWld

2 additional bugs that are annoying for me:

2. I always use Input 2 and the recorder is left on that input. Periodically, when I power the unit on the next day, it has switched to the tuner input and is on channel 69. When you try to switch back to Input 2, the unit refuses to respond to the command [even though remote is accurately pointed and batteries are fresh] It takes about 6 attempts before it will accept the command to switch inputs.

I've never seen this happen, but as far as the delay in responding to the remote, that could just be because the machine has not yet completed its startup sequence. Whenever you turn the machine on, especially if it has a disc in it, it has to go through a startup sequence and will not respond to the remote until it's done. If the timer is not programmed, the display will say "HELLO" until it's done. If the timer is programmed, the red timer indicator will remain lit until it's done.

[sws2000]

Originally Posted by rperlberg

Yes, I've noticed this. It also happens if a disc runs out of space during a scheduled recording. Ejecting and reloading the disc will make it stop.

What kind of media was you using? Last night I let a disc (DVD-RW) run out of space during a scheduled event (doing more test with the timer bug) and it didn't happen. So far this only happens when I stop a scheduled event using DVD-RW. It doesn't affect DVD-RAM.

Scott

[rperlberg]

Originally Posted by sws2000

What kind of media was you using? Last night I let a disc (DVD-RW) run out of space during a scheduled event (doing more test with the timer bug) and it didn't happen. So far this only happens when I stop a scheduled event using DVD-RW. It doesn't affect DVD-RAM.

Scott

I use DVD-RW. I might be wrong about it happening when the disc runs out of space. I have noticed a number of undesirable things happen when the disc runs out of space, so I usually just reload the disc to get everything reset. As a rule, I don't program the machine to record past the end of the disc, but I still occasionally get the end-of-disc warning. There never seems to be any loss of material, so I assume it's because the VBR had to use a slightly higher than normal bit rate resulting in the loss of at the most a few seconds of material.

[marcozg3b]

Hey everyone!
I want to buy a DVD Recorder that has the next features:
-Both NTSC/ATSC and QAM tuners.
-Analog and Digital Closed Caption capability.

Do you recommend me the EZ28 model (I'll use it as digital tuner via HDMI to my tunerless LCD tv, which also doesn't have an analog CC function)?
Could I watch analog CC via HDMI when watching tv on the tuner of this DVR?
Thanks!

[Mike99]

I've seen the EZ28 in stock now at two BB stores during the last week. None of the box labels had dates on them so I don't know how current they are. IOW were they actually made in 2009.

OTOH Fry's had only the display model visible and with a red price tag which I was previously told meant was a clearance item. That would mean they are going to stop carrying the product.

[bmfot]

any toughts on which one
I was leaning towards the 48 so as not to have 2 pieces of equipment for a vhs tape but hear there are problems with the 48? At there is a $20 to $70 differentce between the 2 dependng where you look and if you get a sale on the 48 (saw it for $258 not long ago) EZ28 $229 at ABT

[jjeff]

I know it's tempting to get the EZ-48v and have the convenience of the built in VCR but IMO the EZ-48v is just too complicated for it's own good.
While the EZ-28 while not quite as rock solid as the previous ES/EH generation it's usable. Personally I think the EZ-48v is more leaning towards unusable.
If you'd like to save some money I'd look for a refurbished EZ-28, they seem readily available (although maybe not to the degree the EZ-48v is(which should tell you something)). Most of the time a refurbished DVDR is just something someone bought and then couldn't figure out. It got returned and ended up in the refurbished stream.
Wegotbetterdeals.com among other places seem to have a steady stream of Panasonic DVDRs.

[vatkat234]

Having a problem with my DMR-EZ28K with setting the aspect ratio right.

Channel 7 Boston that is in HD 7-1 NBC. All local broadcast comes in 4:3. But when I switch to my HDTV tuner that is built into my TV I get the 16:9 picture.

I'm not having the problem is channel 4 Boston CBS or channel 25 FOX Boston. The switch from 4:3 and 16:9 happens on the fly, But I'm having the problem with CW 56-1 Boston.

Monday I was getting 4:3 only picture from NBC "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here" yes I know this show sucks. It is like I'm getting the 4:3 feed for cable and satellite they are still giving to those people.

I called channel 7 Boston and left a message and the nest day NBC The Philanthropist came in at 16:9

Now this is the really weird thing. I have a Digital Stream Box and it has a anamorphic setting and pics up the station right.

I found these two links.

http://www.dw-world.de/popups/popup_...2883083,00.pdf

http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/21/857016

[DigaDo]

Originally Posted by vatkat234

Having a problem with my DMR-EZ28K with setting the aspect ratio right.

Channel 7 Boston that is in HD 7-1 NBC. All local broadcast comes in 4:3. But when I switch to my HDTV tuner that is built into my TV I get the 16:9 picture.

I'm not having the problem is channel 4 Boston CBS or channel 25 FOX Boston. The switch from 4:3 and 16:9 happens on the fly, But I'm having the problem with CW 56-1 Boston.

Monday I was getting 4:3 only picture from NBC "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here" yes I know this show sucks. It is like I'm getting the 4:3 feed for cable and satellite they are still giving to those people.

I called channel 7 Boston and left a message and the nest day NBC The Philanthropist came in at 16:9

Now this is the really weird thing. I have a Digital Stream Box and it has a anamorphic setting and pics up the station right.

You didn't mention how you are receiving your signals for the DMR-EZ28. If that signal is received through an antenna then you are receiving the same screen format as a digital tuner TV if it is also connected to an antenna. Any difference in aspect ratio between the your TV and your EZ28 may be due to the settings you chose in setup menus for the TV and the EZ28. The EZ28 settings are found through SETUP and then the SCREEN menu. If your reception is through an antenna have you rescanned your digital broadcast signals since June 12th?

If you have a direct cable company coax feed or a cable company converter box connected to your EZ28 the signal source may be in a different format than a signal received through an antenna. Again the settings you chose in the EZ28 model's SETUP/SCREEN menu may vary from those you chose when setting up your TV.

You also mentioned a "Digital Stream Box." I'm assuming that is a CECB, is that correct? Again, this device may alter the screen format through a menu and/or a button on its remote.

If you provide more information as to your signal source(s) and setup choices perhaps your situation may be addressed more precisely.

[Westly-C]

Originally Posted by vatkat234

Having a problem with my DMR-EZ28K with setting the aspect ratio right.

Channel 7 Boston that is in HD 7-1 NBC. All local broadcast comes in 4:3. But when I switch to my HDTV tuner that is built into my TV I get the 16:9 picture.

I'm not having the problem is channel 4 Boston CBS or channel 25 FOX Boston. The switch from 4:3 and 16:9 happens on the fly, But I'm having the problem with CW 56-1 Boston.

Monday I was getting 4:3 only picture from NBC "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here" yes I know this show sucks. It is like I'm getting the 4:3 feed for cable and satellite they are still giving to those people.

I called channel 7 Boston and left a message and the nest day NBC The Philanthropist came in at 16:9

In addition to what Digado posted above, you should be aware that not all network shows are produced in widescreen 16:9,.. this is particularly true of reality shows. I was a bit surprised to find that ABC's new Tue night Superstars wasn't in widescreen either. I've never watched I'm a Celeb, so I can't say whether it was in 16:9 over my local NBC station or not..

[jjeff]

And don't forget about scrolling weather alerts! Only one station in my market has the ability to scroll weather alerts over HD. All the others revert to 4:3 SD when scrolling(and most of the time they forget to turn the HD back on after the scroll is over) Lately it seems like most every night there is a weather alert somewhere in the state which for whatever reason they feel compelled to broadcast in my area even though it may be 200 miles from my market

[vatkat234]

I know all about the settings in DMR-EZ28K 4:3 and 16:9. The DMR-EZ28K is hook up to a antenna

Now this is really weird. Channel 7 news I get only in 4:3

Now channel 7 news that is a NBC channel also offers a 10 o'clock news on CW 56 Boston. And that comes in at 16:9

I seems that all local broadcast from channel 7 boston is being cropped by the DMR-EZ28K.

I think it's the tuner or something in the feed that is messing up the DMR-EZ28K tuner. All my other channels are fine. Both commercials and TV shows switch on the fly to 4:3 and 16:9 with no problem.

[rperlberg]

Originally Posted by vatkat234

Channel 7 Boston that is in HD 7-1 NBC. All local broadcast comes in 4:3. But when I switch to my HDTV tuner that is built into my TV I get the 16:9 picture.

The problem is Active Format Description. AFD is a code embedded in the video which identifies the format. In this case, it is identifying the video as being an SD source upscaled to HD with side pillars. Many receivers, like the Panasonic EZ recorders, use this signal to automatically zoom the picture. Unfortunately, NBC has chosen to abuse this feature and identify most, if not all, of their HD programming as pillarboxed so that it will appear without letterbox bars on an SD set. The real problem is that many receiving devices, like the Panny's, do not give you the option of overriding this function.

AVS Forum thread: Anyone with a converter being "denied" letterboxed output?

Wikipedia article on Active Format Description

[vatkat234]

Thanks "rperlberg" know I know NBC are a bunch of dicks. I called the TV station two times even left my phone number to have them call me back nothing so far.

The only fix for right now is to use a converter box. I have a Digital Stream box that I got from Radio Shack that fixes the problem.

I'm going to call the FCC on NBC and see if they can get NBC to fix the problem.

Once again thank you.

[vatkat234]

Okay guys we need to write to the FCC and file a complaint. Click on the FCC link.

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumers.html

Click on "File a Complaint"

The pick "Broadcast (TV and Radio), Cable, and Satellite Issues" click next.

Now pick "DTV issues"

Now click on "ONLINE FORM" in the yellow banner. Tell the FCC how NBC is abusing the Active Format Description (AFD) or any other channel.

[jjeff]

I think this must be market specific, I have no problems with AFD in my market with NBC or any other channel. I can understand your frustration though, I certainly wouldn't like it if it was wrong.

[vatkat234]

jjeff, I think some NBC station are doing this **** for one reason. NBC started up a substation called "This Boston" and in other markets it is called "This Miami" and so on.

The "This" network is only showing old TV shows from the 40's to the 80's and old movies.

This is their website.

http://www.this.tv/

They are targeting old people with these old TV shows and want to lock in 4:3. But with most convert boxes you still have to set it your self only some get locked in the 4:3.

By doing this they also ****ed up the NBC channel 7-1 for their ****** not really TV Land. LOL channel.

[Westly-C]

Actually, this tv is owned by MGM and a tv station group owner...it was created to provide local tv stations with programming to fill their digital channels. The stations can use as much of the shows as they want, or just run the entire service. It's presence has nothing to do with the aspect ratio problem you've been wrangling with.

[DigaDo]

Originally Posted by vatkat234

jjeff, I think some NBC station are doing this **** for one reason. NBC started up a substation called "This Boston" and in other markets it is called "This Miami" and so on.

The "This" network is only showing old TV shows from the 40's to the 80's and old movies.

They are targeting old people with these old TV shows and want to lock in 4:3. But with most convert boxes you still have to set it your self only some get locked in the 4:3.

By doing this they also ****ed up the NBC channel 7-1 for their ****** not really TV Land. LOL channel.

Our local ABC station added THIS as their second sub-channel in February. The programming is from MGM Domestic TV Distribution. THIS shows 1950s/1960s TV shows and MGM movies. All widescreen movies are shown in the butchered 4:3 zoomed pan and scan format and the audio has "naughty" words silenced. I prefer the widescreen versions, uncut and commercial free as shown by TCM.

Here is a recent article describing THIS TV's business model:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment...,5888086.story

I've been recording Bat Masterson (1958-1961) and the original Outer Limits (1963-1965), editing out commercials, and dubbing to disc. In the last week they showed the first episode of Sea Hunt (1958-1961). Some of the other "old people" shows are Mr. Ed (1961-1966) and The Patty Duke Show (1963-1966). The last two are too silly for this "old person" to watch.

[jjeff]

I would like it if the THIS channel was available in my market, although not at the expense of the main channel's HD PQ or AFD.
In my market NBC still has WX+ or what became of WX+ after they pulled the plug. I don't think I'd care for 2 sub channels for 1080i NBC, as it is they have some slight macroblocking which isn't visible on CBS which has no subs. 720p FOX would be a good place for the THIS channel. They do already have one sub channel but it's nothing but a 4:3 simulcast of their HD channel, talk about a waste of bandwidth The WB and MyTV do the same SD simulcast thing but this older guy doesn't really watch those channels, they're more for the whipper snappers

[Westly-C]

Originally Posted by jjeff

I would like it if the THIS channel was available in my market, although not at the expense of the main channel's HD PQ or AFD.
In my market NBC still has WX+ or what became of WX+ after they pulled the plug. [/i]

The WX service ended early this year, and my local NBC station replaced it with their weather radar for a couple of months, then placed Retro Television Network-RTN, there. Another imitation of TV Land, with all the shows coming from Universal. I was surprised to discover that NBC/Universal didn't own it, but with the owner licensing the bulk of their programming from them, I gues they don't need to.
It must be frustrating for OTA only tv households to have the convenience of analog tv taken from them, only to have fantastic new fangled digital channels broadcasting- faded prints of old tv shows to their large screen LCDs and plasmas!!
(This tv actually has good quality 4:3 prints of most of the MGM movies and shows they broadcast. )

[vatkat234]

Weird thing happens when I play back video I recorded. Not that I record on to DVD-RAM.

When watching a TV show. Panasonic DMR-EZ28K will flash in the right hand corner "Playing Video". This logo or what ever you want to call it pops up a lot when watching something I recorded.

Does anyone know why it does it?

thanks

[vatkat234]

Originally Posted by vatkat234

Weird thing happens when I play back video I recorded. Not that I record on to DVD-RAM.

When watching a TV show. Panasonic DMR-EZ28K will flash in the right hand corner "Playing Video". This logo or what ever you want to call it pops up a lot when watching something I recorded.

Does anyone know why it does it?

thanks

Found the problem thanks to, jjeff.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...php?p=13721934

update, comparing ES to EZ-28 features
Well it's been a month and a half now and no major problems with my EZ-28. I've been using mainly -RW discs with a few RAM's thrown in for good measure. I thought I'd just post a few comparisons for anyone with a ES Panny thinking about getting a EZ-28.

minuses-
Cannot eject a DVD(from a powered off state) without machine first reading it, which takes 40 seconds with a -RW. I sure like my ES machines that I can just push eject and the disc ejects right away. Using Quick Start ON and RAM discs they eject within seconds though.
If you name your DVD's and enjoy the phrase save feature on your ES machines, that feature is not on the EZ machines. I use my ES machine if I'm going to use the phrase save feature. It works fine to interchange between the two.
If you were bugged by the occasional status display that would pop up on the screen if you had a EZ-x7 machine, they didn't fix that one. You always have the option of turning off all status messages if you want though. That gets rid of the occasional unwanted pop up.
If you like to be able to see the actual time on the unit's display when searching or while in pause mode, NOT on the EZ-28. It only displays the search speed or the word pause! You can choose to do a OSD and see the time that way though.
It's been mentioned several times but with all EZ's machines they must be OFF to start a scheduled event, even during chase play.
No 2x search with sound.
Personally I wouldn't use weekly or daily events on the EZ machines. They have a bug that causes programs to occasionally be missed. This was not the case with my ES machines, although I believe this was a problem with the ES-40 machine(I don't own one though).

pluses+
Digital tuner.
Automatically names thumbnail from PCIP info if recording a digital channel.
Next/Now program guide. No description though but does tell the program times.
Built in signal strength meter, only for ATSC though, not QAM or analog.
Great recording quality off HD channels.
Watching live 720p HDTV through built in tuner and upconverted over HDMI equals or is even better than my TV's built in HD tuner. Not sure if everyone will agree with this but in my setup this is sure the case. On the same vein just hooking up a CECB to the line input of a ES machine does NOT give nearly the PQ as my EZ-28. It's better than the ES's built in analog tuner but not up to the EZ-28's built in digital tuner.

Even though the -'s out number the +'s on my list most of the -'s are minor complaints and I sure wouldn't trade my EZ for several ES's. The PQ is the main factor for me and on that point the EZ-28 leaves my ES's in the dust, at least for recording off HD channels. SD's recordings are similar.

[jjeff]

Glad my post was of help. The status message pop up while more prevalent on the EZ Panasonics also happen occasionally with the ES series too. Most notably I was watching a show live through a ES tuner a while back and the MTS stereo signal kept coming and going for some reason(not the fault of the Panny but the broadcast). Every time it would change the OSD would pop up for a few seconds. After a few minutes of this annoying behavior I disabled the OSD messages and all was well. I normally do like to keep it on though, for one thing it tells you when you've paused or unpaused a live recording but when it becomes annoying it's relatively easy to disable.