If 3D content really is the future, then it makes sense for people to be able to save it on a personal video recorder. That's Panasonic's thinking with its new DMR-BWT800 3D Blu-ray recorder. This machine is capable of all the usual PVR antics, as well as all the usual Blu-ray high jinks, but with the added advantage that you can use it to archive 3D content.
Panasonic is yet to announce the price of the DMR-BWT800 or exactly when it will be available, but we reckon it's likely to appear in March or soon afterwards.
One big downside
The problem with the 3D recording feature is that it's useless unless you have some 3D content to record. The DMR-BWT800 has twin Freeview HD tuners, but it may not have escaped your attention that Freeview doesn't have any 3D channels or content -- nor is it likely to any time soon.
Sky doesn't want anything to do with third-party recorders either, so you can't get 3D hi-def material from Sky's channel and save it for a later date using the DMR-BWT800. Apparently you could record it in standard definition, but the resulting picture would be quite unwatchable.
Another issue is that DMR-BWT800 only offers a 500GB hard drive. That doesn't really strike us as large enough for the demands of recording high-definition and, potentially, 3D content.
On the plus side, the DMR-BWT800 will let you record one channel while watching another, and even record two channels at the same time. It also supports series link -- so you can set it up to record an entire series -- and other features required to earn Freeview HD certification, such as the ability to change recording times if a show gets cancelled or moved around at the last minute.
2D to 3D conversion
If you have camcorder footage or movies that you really wish were in 3D, then the DMR-BWT800 can make your dreams come true, since it packs Panasonic's 2D to 3D conversion system. We can't speak for the quality yet, though.
The system also allows you to modify Blu-ray playback from 3D discs. It lets you adjust the apparent depth of video, change the way 3D is presented on the screen and even give the picture a soft border. No, we have no idea why anyone would want to do that either.
Built-in wireless
You can get the DMR-BWT800 on your home network using either the Ethernet socket or built-in Wi-Fi. There's also support for DLNA, so you can stream video around your home to other compatible devices. Panasonic showed us the DLNA connectivity in action, and it's very impressive. It even allows you to pause video in one room and resume watching it in another -- as long as you have another Panasonic Blu-ray player in your second room.
New online content
Panasonic is keen to push its new Viera Connect service with the DMR-BWT800 and its latest range of televisions. This online portal lets you access various video-streaming sites, and the company claims it's very close to doing a deal with the BBC to use iPlayer in the system.
Until iPlayer arrives, though, there are other features to keep you busy -- for example, Panasonic's app store. This offers free or paid-for apps that will let you access a variety of services. The idea is that, as the service develops, there will be games and premium movie content for you to buy via this shop.
Panasonic also plans to sell hardware, including cameras for Skype video calling, and controllers for the Viera Connect games service. Panasonic showed us one game that really made us think the service might have a future among casual gamers -- as long as they're willing to pay to play.
The DMR-BWT800 will also have pre-installed apps for accessing Facebook and Twitter -- what device these days doesn't have access to those services? We were disappointed to see that the Twitter app doesn't update while you're watching TV. It would be pretty cool to see mean tweets from friends while Peaches Geldof is embarrassing herself in her new agony-aunt show.
Outlook
The Panasonic DMR-BWT800 looks like a cracking device, but it's hamstrung by the fact that there's not much 3D content to record. It's still a capable Blu-ray player and Freeview HD recorder, though, so there's not all that much to worry about -- apart from the price tag, which is sure to be massive.
Edited by Charles Kloet
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Michel Munier 18 May 2013
Good: It's superior than the LG I bought but replaced with this unit
Bad: Internet did not do much for me?
Comment: I bought the unit about 2 y ago to upgrade the LG I found hopeless after a week but I had almost to double the cost.
I do own an older unit and was pleased to go back to a more concise user manual.
I missed the ability to see a different channel whilst watching another.
It has a picture in picture function but it seems to be only for disks?
Being older my hearing is deteriorated and I would like an easier Subtitle setting function (such I ve got no idea what i'm writing as the fielsis over the window I'm writing on. Please fox this bugg is nogood at all!
chungfok 7 January 2012
Good: can record 3d materials
Bad: not much 3d to record. lack of connectivity such as HDMI or DV digital input, composit, component analogue input etc.
Comment: Although there's goodness for the unit, I would think it the unit could provide more connection interface and most important, act as a media player that can stream all sorts of materials including home computer network, internet media and upgrade all materials to 3D that will be a most fantastic machine to own.
scooby 23 November 2011
Good: easy, intuitive and intelligent menu system. Fantstic TV recording includes pause Live TV recording.
Bad: WiFi issues along with SD(HC) limited readability issues. Unable to use internet side while recording.
Comment: We read many reviews on this machine including CNET to find the facts and learn about other peoples experiences before making this purchase.
The Panasonic BWT 800 is a truelly exceptional machine that ticked all the right boxes for us and even more so when we unpacked and set it up.
Set up was automatic, as was the wireless section when entered - you just click the Wired or Wireless, and off she goes to connect you to the internet, provided you have a router/modem on broadband. More on this later.
Recording versatility is superb, being able to record 2 TV programs along with being able to watch another TV program. Series recording and single program recording is so easy to do via the RC's "Guide" button, by simply selecting the program you want to record using the RC's arrow keys then press okay, the "Guide" allows you to browse up to 24 hours in advance by simply pressing the right hand arrow on the remote.
We have made a lot of TV recordings and not one has failed us. Every one has been perfectly recorded with no sign of interference or freezes etc even when dual recording. You'll find it records about 30 seconds prior to the film and the same on the post film side.
Slow motion and searches are effective and very clear when watching. So called editing is a case of placing a chapter point before and after an advert to skip over so not worth the bother.
Instead fast forward.
The BTW800 warns via a pop up when it is about to start recording, but only if you are watching another program or on the internet.
We did note that some have complained about this pop up message - but we have found it to be very useful !
Some have mentioned that they have to click an OKay to clear it, but that has not occured on our machine - it simply pops up then seems to go.
The pop up has an important use - when you are viewing internet content, the machine has this one let down - it will disconnect from the internet in order to perform the TV recording, but at least you know you'll need to come off the internet. we've learned to live with it!
Internet capability and performance from the BWT800 is great and has changed how we use our laptops and PC which we normally used to watch missed TV programs on BBC iplayer or ITV's player. Not to mention what we use to access the net!
Our previous Toshiba DVD TV recorder was weak in this area so we rarely used its record function.
An unwelcome surprise: BBC iplayer will NOT be coming to Panasonic's terrestrial freeview recorders for some time - if at all - according to our reply from Panasonic regarding the BBC iplayer prior to our purchase. It is available for their Free Sat players!!!.
Panasonic have so many fascinating APPs, that we are still trying many of them out as we write.
Film sites, and the very entertaining UTube are both superb and very fast.
The Free Games are simplistic but many favourites of mine are there, including "Minesweeper", and "Rock Swap Adventures" which is the same game play as that one with the rows of Diamonds, Emeralds, Ruby's etc?
Now then, we have an issue with the wireless side.
I am waiting for a reply from Panasoinc about this but it is clear that this specific unit, and possibly all of them, will not recognise NON BT wireless routers!
OUR Panasonic 800 see's all the other BT routers in our area BUT it wont see our TP LINK 300Mbps D-W8960N ADSL2 or any other NON BT routers from what we can see when comparing our TP Link router and Panasonic's.
This has meant a big switch-round for our wireless router, since the workaround is by connecting the Panasonic BWT800 to the Wireless router via an ethernet cable.
Hopefully Panasonic support will have an answer for us soon.
More worryingly is that none of our laptops (XP or W7) or main PC can see the Panasonic "DMR-BWT800" SSID! Nor does it recognise the W7 when attempting to connect via DLNA function.
We have checked the manual settings for wifi connecting instead of using the "easy set up" function but nothing obviously wrong there.
Leading us to think that it must have a fault?
The editing of recorded TV is so basic it is barely worth discussing or using in our opinion.
Deleting a TV recording is very easy to do. Simply select the recording you wish to delete and use the remote's button "Del" and your done in a second.
Card reading: the BWT 800 accepts SDHC etc cards and can read and playback my Panasonic DMR 900 camcorder cards, video or stills - however, if you try to remove the film clips and transfer onto another card without the original folders and associated program files they then fail to play back on the BWT 800. I had expected them to play - oh well.
I have tried to edit my films, including the Panasonic 800's clips, and then record into AVCHD using my Movie Authoring Software (not MS) (which wraps them into an Mpeg4 AVCHD?
I then trasferred these files onto the card and attempted to play back. well, they dont play back on the BWT800 in any event, but I'll keep trying as and when I have time.
JPEG photos play back just fine in a rather straight-forward row and column format where you select the photo, click OK on the RC, and up they come to full screen size.
We have a Sharp 42 inch HiDef LCD TV and they display perfectly.
You can also hook up to Picassa to view photos or use the common social networking sites available through the BWT800.
Recording from other equipment is so easy - with the intuitive menu display.
You have twin HDMI's and twin SCART along with phono connectors and USB connectors, 1 front and 1 back.
The rear USB connector is for a Skype video phone, however, we read that this can be used with an USB HDD but this is unconfirmed, so may be very risky to attempt.
For connections available on this machine, please check out CNET's specs on the BWT800.
Normal SD DVD's play back superbly on the BWT 800 - you'll want to re-run everything in HD to see extra detail and colour / black tones that were not seen previously.
We are very much enjoying the power and performance of this machine and although we have been playing around with it for several weeks now, we have mastered the menu system with ease and yet we still have much more to learn.
Is it worth the money? - absolutely!
What about the WiFi? - Hopefully Panasonic will get us sorted out in the end.
Blu Ray ? Not had a chance to use it so far - TV recordings will remain on the HDD.
We intend to build a film libray on that instead of buying masses of Blu ray discs and DVDs as was the case in the past and now short of space.
Buy now? YES! unless you can wait a few years for a 2 terrabyte machine, but by then . . . we will be recording and playing back on chrystal technology or bio-gel packs??
Would recommend Panasonic bring out a one or two Terrabyte machine next.
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