Panodic m3601 e

TEST REPORT DVB-T Receiver

Panodic
• innovative user concept
• optimised for DVB-T reception of SD and HD
channels
• fully-fletched integrated PVR

M3601E
• recordings can be edited on the PC

32 TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine — 04-05/2012 — www.TELE-satellite.com www.TELE-satellite.com — 04-05/2012 — TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine 33

TEST REPORT DVB-T Receiver

Elegant Receiver Taking Up
Almost No Space At All
As an avid reader of TELE- thought it looked too good mean by that? Well, all but- colleagues at the editorial of-
satellite you will have no- to be hidden behind a flat tons controlling PVR func- fice what they thought about
ticed a persistent trend in screen TV or attached to the tions are positioned in the the remote control, and the
recent times: Set-top boxes wall using the wall-mounting uppermost section of the re- feedback was overwhelm-
are shrinking all the time openings on the bottom side mote control, followed by the ingly positive. It does take
and it seems the race is on of the box. As far as connec- arrow keys that follow the some time to leave behind
to launch the smallest box. tions are concerned, this new conventional cross-shaped acquired habits and get used
All this is not without a rea- Panodic mini-receiver sports arrangement. It is only in to it, though.
son, because not everybody HDMI and RF connections on the lower section that the
has enough space or techni- the left side, as well as the numeric keypad is located. Unfortunately, the external
cal fondness to display bulky obligatory power socket and In addition, the ‘Stop’ button IR receiver is a component
technical gadgets in the liv- connector for the separate cannot be found next to all we cannot praise so highly,
ing room. The package we IR receiver on the right side. the PVR buttons, but appears as it did not always pick up
received from Panodic al- We’re talking about DVB-T on the lower right side of the commands sent from the re-
ready hinted at the rather di- here, so an external power arrow keys. You might won- mote control. It was more
minutive size of the M3601E unit providing a 5V current is der what that is all about, point and shoot rather than
DVB-T receiver and after we more than enough – after all, and to be honest, so did we remote controlling, if we
had opened it all we found there are no LNBs requiring at first. But the manufacturer wanted to make sure the
was a 11.5 x 7.5 x 2.5 cm up to 18V from the device. has looked at which buttons receiver followed our com-
black box weighing a mere are used most frequently as mands. On a more positive
118 g. Just think of it, a piece Obviously, the Panodic well as which section of a re- note, the integrated LED
of cheesecake is heaver than DVB-T receiver is shipped mote can be reached most which indicates the current
this receiver – in all senses of with a remote control, but easily and then designed its operating mode (green = on,
the word! when looking at the layout of remote control layout ac- red = standby) is a very use-
the control, there’s nothing cordingly. Not such a bad ful feature.
We appreciated both de- obvious about it at all. Ev- move, we have to say. So
sign and build quality of erything seems to be upside that you don’t have to take Right after turning on the
the M3601E and we almost down at first sight. What we our word for it we asked our Panodic M3601E for the very

0.55

04-05/2012
Panodic M3601E DVB-T
Extremely small receiver with
high-sensitivity HDTV tuner
www.TELE-satellite.com/
TELE-satellite-1205/eng/panodic.pdf

34 TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine — 04-05/2012 — www.TELE-satellite.com

first time an installation wiz-
ard pops up on the screen
and smoothly runs the user
through the following rou-
tines: language, location,
HDMI output resolution and
video aspect ratio. We liked
the fact that language selec- but with the Panodic M3601E tion, they can be renamed, bile DVB-T antenna. In case
tion and location are inter- you’ll be on the safe side deleted or marked as ‘not no previous channel search
linked, so that the receiver again after 15 seconds. suitable for children’. A to- exists users have to manu-
automatically activates the tal of eight favourites lists ally select a reference chan-
corresponding OSD language The aspect ratio settings can be created so that even nel for signal analysis. It is in
after a country has been se- are more or less self-explan- in very large families each this antenna alignment menu
lected. It goes without say- atory and considering the member will have their own (and only here!) that the 5V
ing that the language can be fact that video output invari- customised channel list. With power supply for the anten-
changed at any time so that ably is via HDMI we take it a small receiver like the Pan- na can be turned on or off.
a Frenchman in London will as a given that virtually all odic M3601E it may be nec- Once the optimum alignment
also be happy, to give just users will go for 16:9. Events essary from time to time to is achieved an automatic or
one example. A list of all broadcast in 4:3 can be pre- clear the existing channel list manual channel search can
supported languages can be sented with bars on both and create a new one – after be performed, which can
found in the Technical Data sides or can be zoomed up the box was used in a differ- be restricted to free-to-air
table. to cover the entire screen, ent area with different local channels only, if required.
depending on your personal channel frequencies, for ex-
We mentioned different preferences. The initial in- ample. There is a dedicated The internal clock can be
HDMI output resolutions stallation process is complet- menu item even for that pro- set manually, but of course
in the installation wizard a ed with an automatic channel cedure, and we have to say the time stamp transmit-
moment ago. The following search that in our case took we are truly impressed by so ted via DVB-T channels can
modes are available: 576i, less than 60 seconds for the much attention to detail. be used instead. Users only
576p, 720p, 1080i as well entire VHF and UHF frequen- have to select their region
as 1080p, which makes this cy bands. In System Setup the re- and the receiver then au-
DVB-T receiver a perfect ceiver’s parameters can be tomatically determines the
choice even for so-called Full Even though all major set- adjusted to make sure it correct time zone, i.e. the
HD. Every time this setting tings are dealt with during both works with your exist- time difference to GMT. Each
is changed a small window the installation routine we ing antenna and other equip- time zone is shown together
pops up asking the user to do recommend visiting the ment in the living room. The with large cities in that par-
confirm the selection within main menu for a quick look manufacturer has even add- ticular zone, so that there is
15 seconds, otherwise the around. It is made up of the ed a neat wizard to help with no excuse for not getting the
receiver will switch back following items: Channel List optimum antenna alignment time zone right. Automatic
to the previously used for- Editing, System Setup, Tools, – which is another feature switching between daylight
mat. This might not sound Game and Rec. Compared to we truly appreciated. Based saving and standard time
like such a big deal, but not satellite television, the range on a previous channel search rounds off this very worth-
all TVs are 1080p compat- of DVB-T channels is small by it automatically selects one while menu item.
ible and the ‘wrong’ selec- any standard, but still Panod- of the detected frequencies
tion would create nothing ic offers professional channel and displays easy-to-view When we opened the chan-
but a black screen. And that list management even in its signal strength and signal nel list editor for the first time
means no OSD either to undo DVB-T receiver. Channels quality bars. This way it is we couldn’t find any way to
the setting. They say a small can be sorted alphabetically child’s play to find the best rename the eight favourites
leak will sink a great ship, or according to FTA/encryp- possible alignment of a mo- lists, but when we looked


1 6 11
at System Setup we were With the Panodic M3601E
all the wiser. As a matter of you need not worry, since it
fact, it is here that Panodic comes with a fully-fledged
has added a dedicated menu EPG which shows a chart
item for doing just that. Plus, with the programming of
it is also possible here to cre- five channels at a time. Us-
ate, display and edit up to ing the colour-coded function
eight timer entries as well as keys you can scroll through
to protect menu access and the available information on
access to certain channels a day-by-day basis or in two-
with a PIN. hour increments. Since the
M3601E also boasts full PVR
2 7 12 TELE-satellite editorial functionality it is possible to
staff are frequently asked mark events for recording.
what makes a great set-top
box, and our answer always Picture this: You’re right
stays the same: A cleverly in the middle of a suspense
designed and implemented movie und just before the
OSD, reliable software and a murder mystery is solved
reasonable user concept. We there is somebody on the
know that shiny features like phone or at the door. Thank-
an integrated PVR, blind scan fully, the new Panodic DVB-T
or DivX playback always catch box allows for timeshift view-
our attention and more often ing, so every time somebody
than not determine which or something interrupts your
brand or model we buy, but viewing pleasure you can
3 8 13 without a perfect operating pause the live broadcast
system all those features are and continue from that very
more or less worthless. The scene at a later stage. What’s
M3601E leaves nothing to be more, you’re not limited in
desired, and quite frankly we your choice of storage me-
did not expect anything less dium and can attach either
from Panodic. A simple touch a USB memory stick, exter-
of the ‘OK’ button calls up nal HDD or even SD memory
the channel list and an info card to the USB 2.0 port.
bar pops up every time we
change the channel and dis- Manual recording is anoth-
plays the current and next er feature of this mini receiv-
event as well as date, time er which can stand any test,
and additional parameters as it allows HDTV recording
4 9 14 of the currently selected as well, even though it is
channel. That’s all great and not possible to record more
wonderful, but how can you than one channel simultane-
plan a cosy evening in front ously. What we truly appreci-
of the telly without know- ated, however, was a range
ing which channel broad- of PVR setup options in the
casts the latest blockbuster main menu which – among
movie, TV documentary or other things – lets you decide
your favourite sports event? whether or not a buffered
1. Installation wizard of the Panodic M3601E
2. System setup with a number of configuration options
3. A USB memory sticks can be used to update the receiver’s
firmware
4. The ME3601 is a fully-fletched PVR receiver with a range of
5 10 15 useful functions
5. Channel list editing
6. Manual channel search
7. Antenna alignment with signal indicators
8. Language settings
9. Video output formats
10. Clock adjustment
11. Manual timer entry
12. Up to eight timer entries can be saved
13. Up to eight favourites list can be renamed in the main menu
14. Music, images and videos can be played back by the receiver
15. Playing back HD videos from the Internet


16 19 22

timeshift recording should is only broadcast via DVB-T2
be added automatically to at our test location as well,
a recording that is started so we decided to pick up
manually. If you activate this MPEG-4 signals from INTEL-
feature you can save an en- SAT 904 at 60° East and EU-
tire event even though you TELSAT W9A at 9° West and
only pressed the ‘Rec’ button then modulated these signals
some time into the event. onto a standard DVB-T car-
Furthermore, you can select rier. Surprise, surprise: All of
auto standby, which turns off a sudden we were able to re-
the receiver after a recording ceive some Russian SD chan-
is completed. This particular nels (from 60° East) plus 17 20 23
option will definitely prove its Fashion One from the United
worth in everyday use, but States (from 9° East) in bril-
can of course be turned off if liant high-definition quality.
not required. The PVR func- This only goes to show that
tions are rounded off with the chipset of the DVB-T re-
MP3 playback, photo pre- ceiver is fully HDTV (MPEG-
sentations on the TV screen 4/H.264) compatible, but
as well as playing back VOB, does not support DVB-T2. If
MPEG, TS, MKV and DivX you live in a market that has
videos downloaded from the specified DVB-T with MPEG-4
Internet. the M3601E will be perfectly
suited to your requirements.
An essential part of our test
routine involves analysis of A small box like this Panod- 18 21 24
audio and video quality and ic receiver lends itself to mo-
we can firmly say that the bile use, so we also found out
tiny Panodic receiver passed how it deals with weak sig-
with flying colours. Thanks to nals – a situation we are of-
its HDMI output it provided ten faced with when out and
excellent video to both our about. No matter how weak
52-inch plasma and a 22-inch the signal, and no matter
LCD for mobile use. We were how many artificially insert-
truly impressed by this top- ed error bits (yes, we really
quality performance, which added error bits into a DVB-T
incidentally also goes for the signal until the data stream
audio output. The fact that became virtually useless for
the M3601E’s built-in tuner reasonable video!), the soft-
is only DVB-T compatible is ware of the box never froze via its website. Those soft- long for a box of this size, 25
a minor drawback, because but instead did its job with ware updates can easily be we may have to prove you
this means HDTV reception remarkable steadfastness. performed using any USB wrong one last time. The
is not possible in regions that Yet, Panodic never stops im- storage medium. Panodic M3601E comes with
have implemented DVB-T2 proving its set-top boxes and two integrated video games
for HDTV (such as Great Brit- will make available firmware If you think the list of fea- (Othello and Sudoku) which
ain, among others). MPEG-4 updates from time to time tures has already grown too might come handy when a

16. PVR settings
17. MPEG-4/H.264 HDTV reception with DVB-T
18. Automatic channel search
19. Info bar with information on current and next event
20. EPG showing five channels
21. Timer entries can be created right from the EPG
22. Audio selection
23. Playing back a previously recorded event
24. Display of current recording
25. Events recorded by the M3601E can easily be edited or
saved onto a DVD using a PC


commercial break just drags ed set-top box offering not
Experte Opinion
on for too long. only technically mature soft- Easy to operate DVB-T receiver with user-
ware but also a very small friendly OSD. The unconventional design
In summary, testing the size. This way it will blend in of the remote control requires some getting
new Panodic DVB-T receiver nicely with the rest of your + used to, but then proves it has been devel-
was more than just our job. living room equipment, but oped with users in mind. The ME3601E sports
Thomas Haring
Rather, we truly enjoyed ev- will also be a perfect com- a wide range of useful features. TELE-satellite
ery step of the way. What we panion while camping or Test Center
Austria
discovered was a sophisticat- staying at your holiday home.
The external IR receiver does not pick up com-

– mands easily and must be pointed at very accurately with the
TECHNICAL remote control. Unfortunately, DVB-T2 is not supported.
DATA
Model Panodic M3601E
Function Mini Receiver with HDMI and PVR ENERGY
DIAGRAM
Manufacturer Panodic, 12/F Grentech Building, Keji C Road 3rd,
Nanshan, Shenzhen 518057, China
Tel +86-755-8659 0230 Apparent Power
Email market@micoelectric.com
Website www.panodic.com
Input frequency UHF (474-858 MHz) VHF (177.5-226.5 MHz)
EPG yes Active Power

Supported standards MPEG4
Video resolution 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
RS232 no Mode Apparent Active Factor
Active 9W 5W 0.55
Ethernet no StandBy 0W 0W 1

USB 2.0 yes
HDTV yes (only via )
MPEG4/H.264 yes (only via )
Supportes languages/regions English, French, German, Spanish, Italien, Greek,
Active use with recording, playback, channel switching, etc. during
Portugiese, Russian, Polish, Croatian, Slovenian the first 15 minutes. Standby during the second 15 minutes.


Panodic m3601 e

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