Using integrated TV wifi through PVR

garybarlowsbeard

Trying to help my parents set their TV up. They have (I think) a DMR-PWT530 HDD recorder and a Toshiba CT8035 TV. The latter has integrated wifi but because its set up through the recorder, the recorder is asking for a wifi dongle. Is there any way of making the recorder use the TV's built in wifi or do they have to buy a dongle?

Hope that makes sense and thanks in advance!

Inner_Zone

Toshiba CT8035 is the remote control.

Either get a dongle for the Panasonic or plug an Ethernet cable into it from the router.

garybarlowsbeard

Ah right! Sorry about that. So you're saying that even though the TV, which is a D3 series one (I think!) has wifi, because he's using the PVR, dongle or wired connection are the only options?

Inner_Zone

The TV has both Ethernet and Wi-Fi for it's own Smart functions, if they want to use the Panasonic's Smart functions assuming they are different or remote record, then it will require it own network connection.

jshm2

The recorder will not use any other devices WiFi. You will either need to buy the dongle or run an Ethernet cable.

Alternatively, you could buy a Homeplug kit and that way will not need to run an Ethernet cable through the room. Or better still, just buy a USB powered, external HDD for the TV and use it's recorder functionality and do away with the Panny recorder altogether.

bsod

just use the tv for the smart functions, and the pvr for recording and playback

a pvr has far superior recording functionality compared to a usb drive plugged into a tv.

the tv probably has better smart functions than the pvr, it depends on what smart function they need to use

garybarlowsbeard wrote: »

dongle or wired connection are the only options?

or wifi extender with ethernet port, £15

JohnB47

I agree with bsod. I have a Panasonic smart TV and a Panasonic PVR. The TV has wifi built in but the PVR doesn't.

Thinking that I needed broadband connection to both, I moved the 'phone point and router near to them and I've cabled both into the router.

Having used both for around a year now, I realise that it's best to use smart functions (ie to watch catch-up services using BBC i player, ITV hub etc) using only the TV. I needn't have wired the PVR to the router at all - I've found the PVR slow and lacking apps.

It's a bit fiddly. Unless you use smart functions regularly, it's a bit of a re-learning exercise each time. The TV often is found to have disconnected from the internet when you load an app. It's a simple matter to get it to reconnect but another little procedure to remember how to do.

garybarlowsbeard

If he wants to use the two devices separately am I right in thiunking he'd need to connect them differently? IE, for smart tv, have the wires straight to the aerial, for PVR have it as it is rigged now? Would buying a dongle give the same level of functionality but save the changing connection each time?

Thanks for all the answers!

GBB

Inner_Zone

garybarlowsbeard wrote: »

If he wants to use the two devices separately am I right in thiunking he'd need to connect them differently? IE, for smart tv, have the wires straight to the aerial, for PVR have it as it is rigged now? Would buying a dongle give the same level of functionality but save the changing connection each time?

Thanks for all the answers!

GBB

Confused, what do you mean by using devices separately?

Surly you use them both together depending on what the user wishes to view, i.e. use the TV to view TV and TV Smart functions and the PVR to record, playback and PVR Smart functions via the TV.

Why change connections?

1. Watch TV and use TV Smart functions, no recording.

TV aerial to TV, internet to TV via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

2. Watch TV and use TV Smart functions, record TV and use PVR Smart functions.

TV aerial to PVR, RF lead from PVR to TV, HDMI lead from PVR to TV, internet to TV via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, internet to PVR via Wi-Fi (dongle) or Ethernet.

We don't know what Smart functions the TV or PVR have i.e. are they the same or different? Nor do we know what Smart functions the user wishes to actually use / subscribe too?

garybarlowsbeard

It was said:

just use the tv for the smart functions, and the pvr for recording and playback

You ask why change connections but as I understand it in your 1 and 2 options he has to change connections? I'm confused too!

Inner_Zone

No he does not need to keep changing them, he decides which option he wants and just selects that.

If he does not want to use the Smart features on the PVR then that adds a third option which is:

3. Watch TV and use TV Smart functions, record TV.

TV aerial to PVR, RF lead from PVR to TV, HDMI lead from PVR to TV, internet to TV via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.