topic Re: TV Connection in Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc

TV Connection

FallenAngel — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 07:05:46 GMT

Ok Here Goes.......... Just joined Plusnet so hello all

Have to say first I am disabled and have learning difficulties and I am a complete numpty non techie

Here is my problem if anyone can help, thanks for your time and patience:

I live in a rural area, no mobile phone reception etc so I use a satellte dish (no subscrptions) This is connected to a Humax Foxsat HDR via 2 cables. This is then connected to the Panasonic Viera via an HDMI cable. (I also have a surround sound system but I have taken that out of the equation for now) The Humax is connected to the router via an Ethernet Cable

I set up my Plusnet router and all my devices (pc/kindle/printer) connect wirelessly

I then connected my TV via WPS and it said connection successful.

I can acccess the Web/Youtube/apps etc however when I try to select On Demand (either via the Humax or the TV remotes) I keep getting a message saying 'You need an Internet Connection to access this Service)

I have checked the Router and the only devices it shows connected are my PC and Kindle

I watched a Youtube video which said to type in the router address (192 etc) and to click on Wireless on the left hand side but there is no option.

Like I said, I am not the brightest spark, but i can't work out what I need to do.

If anyone can help it would be appreciated

Thanks

Re: TV Connection

Baldrick1 — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 10:35:22 GMT

You appear to be using wireless to connect to the TV and Ethernet for the Humax box. I would concentrate on the Humax box. Go into the settings on the Humax box and find the network options. It's in menu / system / network. Select configure Ethernet / OK / configure IP / OK /select DCHP / OK and see if that works.

When you chack your router the Humax box should be listed as a LAN connection, not wireless

Re: TV Connection

FallenAngel — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 11:43:36 GMT

Thanks I tried that but no joy. The router does not show the Humax, only my PC and Kindle It doesn't show the TV either even though it is connected.

Re: TV Connection

Baldrick1 — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 11:52:33 GMT

What router do you have?

Have you tried a different Ethernet cable?

Re: TV Connection

FallenAngel — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 11:55:15 GMT

The router is the one that Plusnet supplied. The ethernet cable is run through the attic and walls but I have connected other devices to it without problem. I have also connected the TV and the Humax directly with a different cable (which I also know works) but again no result

Re: TV Connection

bmc — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 12:11:00 GMT

Have you tried re-booting the router?

Brian

Re: TV Connection

Baldrick1 — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 12:29:22 GMT

@FallenAngel wrote:

The router is the one that Plusnet supplied.

Not very helpful I'm afraid. It could be one of three.

Do you have anything else that you could plug into the Ethernet cable such as a laptop with the wireless switched off so that you can check if data is getting down the cable?

Re: TV Connection

FallenAngel — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 13:28:15 GMT

It says 2704n on the bottom

I can't connect a cable directly from a device into the Bt wall socket as it one of the new Mark 4 which assumes you have wireless connections.

Thanks for all your help but I think I may have to get someone out. I have great trouble trying to locate and plug in different wires as each component is in a different place.

I just thought there might be an easy answer or something I was missing but it is not the end of the world if I cant get On demand!!

Re: TV Connection

Baldrick1 — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 13:52:44 GMT

@FallenAngel wrote:

It says 2704n on the bottom

I can't connect a cable directly from a device into the Bt wall socket as it one of the new Mark 4 which assumes you have wireless connections.

One last thing before we give up, You should be able to see if the Hunax is connected to the router via the Ethernet cable by looking at the lights on the router. The LAN light should come on when you plug the Ethernet cable into the LAN socket. If its constant green then it's plugged in, if it's flashing green it's transferring data.

I'm afraid that I have no idea what you mean by your second paragraph.

Re: TV Connection

FallenAngel — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 13:51:27 GMT

There isn't a 'LAN' port as such but the ethernet port that the cable from the Humax is connected too is flashing sporadically.

I conntacted Digital TV and Freeview who both say I am in a 'blackspot' (which I know I am regarding mobile phone) but I said that I previously, for a year, could access On Demand. They basically said it must have been a 'fluke' and that I shouldn't have! My postcode is LD3 [xxx] and I am, apparently, 46k away from the transmitter at Carmel which gives pretty [-Censored-] tranmission.

I am grateful for your help but I hate to be wasting your time

Paul

Moderator's note by Mike (Mav): Avoidance of swear filter edited as per Forum rules.

Moderator's note by Mike (Mav): Personal information removed from a public forum (to an area that staff can see).

Re: TV Connection

Baldrick1 — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 13:43:58 GMT

I fear that you are getting confused. You may well be in a Freeview dead spot, which means that you cannot receive terrestrial TV reception on the receiver built into your TV. That is why you must use the Humax Foxsat receiver to watch TV, which picks up your TV programmes from a satellite, not from your nearest transmitter.

On demand programmes again are totally disconnected from terrestrial TV, they are streamed over the Internet, and this is the link you are having problems with.

When I used the term LAN port, this is just another name for what you know as the Ethernet port.

I'm afraid that contacting Digital TV and Freeview have just confused you with what in the context of your application is irrelevant and in terms of on demand services, incorrect information.

The fact that you are getting a green light on the router Ethernet port indicates that there is a physical connection, the sporadic flashing suggests that it is trying to connect but failing. Did you do the checks I previously suggested to make sure the Ethernet is set correctly in the Humax?

Re: TV Connection

FallenAngel — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 17:39:41 GMT

Hi again

Yes I understand re On Demand/Internet which I why i felt Freeview were fobbing me off and I cannot work out why I can access the internet but not On Demand

I tune the TV via the Humax, manually I get over 300 Channels, so I always do an auto tune and then edit them

I did what you suggested re the Humax, the Port on the hub is dark green and flickers every few seconds or so almost like on/off unlike the other lights which flash almost constantly

When I set the Humax, as you suggested, I got th efollowing readings:

IP ADDRESS :192.168.1.5

SUBNET MASK : 255.255.255.0

Router ADDRESS : 192.168.1.254

DNS ADDRESS: 56 36 64 0

ETH DC D3 21 17 BE 71

It seems as tough something is 'blocking' just the On Demand signal.

I have Windows Defender turned off and I use BullGuard Antivirus

The TV and Humax have NO parental guides set

Not sure if that helps?

Paul

Re: TV Connection

FallenAngel — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 17:45:50 GMT

ps....... Do you think the Humax may be on the blink, it is 7 yrs old?

Re: TV Connection

Baldrick1 — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 11:31:56 GMT

OK, I may know what the problem is. With respect to the Humax, I have been through the manual again and note that the Ethernet port is there 'for future use'. Whilst it is connected to the router does not appear to be configured for On Demand services. So we appear to have been chasing a red herring!

What I suspect that you have been doing in the past is watch live TV on the Humax but catch up services on your Smart TV. You say that the TV is connected to the internet by wireless. Try that to start off with. On the TV remote select TV to disconnect the Humax input. Select Apps on the TV remote and apps such as I Player should be there.

If the Internet is buffering then remove the Ethernet cable from the Humax and plug it into the TV. You may need to go into the Network Settings through the TV remote Menu to change it from wireless to Ethernet.

To watch live TV use the TV remote to change the Input back to AV or HDMI to select the Humax.

Fingers crossed this does the trick.

Re: TV Connection

FallenAngel — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 13:10:06 GMT

You are being extremely kind and helpful. I have tried that but again without success. The Humax is supposed to offer On Demand which is why i used the cable. I spoke to Panasonic a few weeks ago and they were totally disinterested to th epoint of being rude. I scoured a few forums on Panasonic/On Demand problems and it appears there is a worldwide problem with the internet cutting out/apps disappearing/no or only part on demand. It led me to a Panasonic dealer in Cardiff who, like yourself, is one of the most helpful people I have spoken with. He said that, whilst Panasonic will not admit it (which is what a lot of people seem to be suspecting and saying) he said that they are deliberately altering their services, via their servers, to gradually remove all on demand from their present TV's. Apparently they have already removed ITV Hub. He suggested I buy a TV stick, eg Amazon, which will bypass the TV all together. If that is true is not good practise and, as the tv is only 2 yrs old, it is not fit for purpose but the problem is proving it. I will wait to hear what you think but, for the money, I might just buy one. The only other way is to take it back to PC World/Currys who want to charge £99 to 'investigate' th eproblem but gven what this guy from Panasonic says I don't thing I would trust them...........

Re: TV Connection

Baldrick1 — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 14:58:32 GMT

OK so I guess it's time for Plan 'B'.

Your best bet is probably to give up and go for a streaming device such as either an Amazon Fire Stick or an Amazon Fire TV. The Fire Stick is WiFi only so it depends on how good your wireless signal is at the TV location. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01ETRIFOW/ref=gw_smp_tank_grey?pf_rd_p=efc5319d-7702-4db0-b361-6572607c8c28&pf_rd_r=PXVXP128R9FKWP9M2Y0R#tech. If It's not very good then the Fire TV is a better bet as it has an Ethernet connection. You can get all the free catch up programmes on this. If you sign up to Amazon Prime then you can also access a load of Amazon programmes, films, music etc. but this is not mandatory.

However, let's not get carried away with thoughts of scrapping the TV. The streaming device plugs into an HDMI port on the TV and you select it just the same way as you do your Humax box. We're talking £39.99 for a Fire Stick, not hundreds for a new TV.

No doubt others will come in with their own favourite streaming device such as Chromecast but I cannot advise on these - I use a Fire TV for catch up services.

I am assuming that you have a minimum of two HDMI connectors on your TV (one for the Humax and one for the Streaming device). If not an HDMI switch only costs a few pounds.

Re: TV Connection

gleneagles — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 15:51:49 GMT

Excellent advice.

Personally I tried chromecast (first version) and found it kept freezing up, also you have to cast it via your tablet which is a pain.

I now use a android box and have had no problems with it.

As mentioned in earlier posts there are other options such as firestick

By coincidence I have been replacing a panasonic pvr today, the instructions are (censored)(censored)but as it's a straight swop for a older panasonic it was straightforward.

It has a ethernet socket and the instructions say that should be connected for updates, yet further on it says updates can be ota so I can see no advantage in making that connection.

I am aware your problem is totally different but it might be useful to hear from anyone else who has a similar set up to yourself

Re: TV Connection

FallenAngel — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 17:07:18 GMT

Thanks once again. But here I have go back to being a non techie, given my limitations (and age) I am literally learning as I go.

I already have Amazon Prime mainly because of my rural location (it makes sense to order things online as even if I did the 30mile round trip into town there are only basic shops and the nearest retail park is a 70 mile round trip)

I did some research/reviews on the Fire Stick and the Fire Tv and basically most reviews say there is nought much between them unless you are into gaming (which I am not) in which case why spend more than you need (their words not mine) so I think the former would probably be best for me. The TV has 3 HDMI slots so, (assuming I keep the Humax) that leaves 2 spare. Download speed is pretty good so that isn't a major issue and it isn't a 4k TV (well I am pretty sure it isn't but then, what do I know?)

The only thing I couldnt work out is what is advantage of having Prime Membership (does it mean ALL Amazon content is included as, at the moment, some films and TV shows have to be paid for)

and also exactly which On Demand Channels are included?

I already have the BBCiplayer app on the TV (unless Panasonic remove that too) so I am really looking for ITV Hub/Channel 4 and Channel5 will it give me those?

Re: TV Connection

FallenAngel — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 17:08:07 GMT

sorry what is a panasonic pvr???

Re: TV Connection

gleneagles — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 17:21:21 GMT

Sorry,

PVR stands for personal video recorder.

The Humax you have is the same ie. Personal Video Recorder.

It can be a right pain trying to set some things up if like me you are not technical minded or do not have a background in electronics.

In my case age does not help 70+ as things I could sort out fairly quickly take ages now, not helped by poor instructions and jargon,

Hope you get something sorted.