Topfield TF5800PVRT 250GB Twin Tuner Freeview PVR Limited Edition


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Topfield TF5800PVRT 250GB Twin Tuner Freeview PVR Limited Edition

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The Topfield TF5800PVRT (or "Toppy" as it is affectionately known) is a uniquely specified Freeview PVR (Personal Video Recorder). Twin Freeview tuners enable you to watch and record two channels at once and it will output two different programmes (including recordings and live transmissions) simultaneously via its RF outputs and SCART socket. You can record/pause/rewind/fast-forward live television and edit recordings on the hard disk for later playback or output to your PC.

Further, the TF5800 allows user-developed application programmes (TAPs) to be added via USB2.0, increasing features and functionality beyond the already impressive array on offer, enabling limitless software control possibilities. Yet, with all that functionality, it is a sprightly performer - channels change in under a second, bringing an end to frustratingly slow Freeview surfing.

Features:
- Twin Freeview tuners with independent view and record channel controls
- Connect to your home computer via USB2.0 and transfer your MP3 collection on to the built-in hard drive
- Record entire series - not just one episode - using the easy-programme timers
- Top-Up TV compatible, allowing you to watch even more
- Customise the receiver with your own personal settings using downloadable or home-brewed software
- Throw away your old VCR and watch what you want, when you want

Specifications:
- MPEG-2 digital and fully DVB compliant
- MHEG5 supported
- 2 common interfaces for CONAX, CRYPTOWORKS, IRDETO, NAGRAVISION, SECA & VIACCESS
- 2 tuners
- 2000 services (TV and Radio) programmable
- Multilingual audio support
- Multilingual menu text support
- Service switching time less than 1 second
- Favourite service list editing
- True-color On-Screen Display (OSD)
- Full Picture In Graphic (PIG) function
- 7-day Electronic Program Guide (EPG) for on screen service information
- Subtitle supported
- Teletext supported by VBI insertion and software emulation
- Parental lock facility by service and program event
- Firmware and Data transfer from receiver to receiver
- Exciting games embedded
- S/PDIF for digital audio or Dolby AC-3 bitstream output
- Powerful trick mode supported
- Dual Decoding (PIP)
- Dual Recording and Playback simultaneously
- Dual Recording and Time-shifting simultaneously
- USB 2.0 supported for fast PC interface
- MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer 3) decoding

- Dimensions: 340 x 60 x 265mm
- Weight: 4.2kg

Included Accessories:
- Remote control, batteries, RF loop-through cable, SCART cable

For more information, enthusiasts' comments and downloadable TAPs, see toppy.org.uk (independent of SVP or the manufacturer).

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Product Types	Price (inc VAT)	Qty

Black with 250GB HD [1403] Manufacturer Code: TF5800PVR250GB	£198.49

To submit a review, please login first	Avg Rating: 9.3/10

All opinions expressed in customer reviews are the personal opinions of the reviewers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SVP Communications.

Review by Mark Williams from Lytham St Annes on 10/02/2008 20:22:58	Rating: 9 /10
Topfield TF5800PVR Freeview PVR Review
I bought two of these Topfield boxes in December 2007 from SVP. The first was a brand new one, the other was an opened (returned one) at a reduced price. The first (new one) was for my mum in order to prepare her for the Digital switchover, as she has no Freeview decoder and her VCR was starting to chew up tapes etc. The Topfield is easy enough to set up using the cables that come with it. Both boxes came with the 5.13.40 (February 2007, 2007-02-09) firmware which like all Official Topfield F/W to date has an annoying timer recording bug! The bug stops the PVR from coming out of standby mode if you have a lot of scheduled recordings. When I say a lot, I believe 5 programmes was enough to make mine record nothing when I was out for the day! The solution to this problem can be found on the http://www.toppy.org.uk website which requires you to use homebrew tools / fixes to patch the official f/w into a working one. I have since downloaded the latest f/w 5.13.65 (Memory leak test firmware, 2007-08-23) and patched it / uploaded it to both Topfield boxes. See the following thread (you may need to register on the forum to access it) for info on fixing the bug http://forum.toppy.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9273&start=0 The new Freeview Playback firmware which is currently in test; is meant to sort out the timer recording bug, as it works in a completely different way from what I've been told. At present both the Topfield boxes I purchased are recording away quite happily and it beats having to dig out VHS tapes / rewind etc. to find recorded programmes. I chose the Topfield because it allowed people to add their own / other peoples coded utilities etc. called TAPs to enhanced the features of the PVR and because the community at toppy.org.uk are very helpful and informative. If you are after a good Freeview PVR as opposed to using Sky+ then I don't think you will go far wrong with a Topfield! The only downside to the purchase was the annoying timer record bug but as toppy.org has the solution to that problem, the rest of you should find your box a pleasure to own! Happy recording all!!

Review by Chris Payze from Bristol on 19/10/2007 11:17:40	Rating: 9 /10
Sky + for Freeview
I've owned one of these for over 2yrs now. There were some intial issues, but these have long since been ironed out. The big difference between this and other STBs is the addition of 'TAPs'. These are a large selection of small programs that can be run on the Toppy, allowing you to, among other things, replace the EPG, download info from the web (via the USB link), listen to MP3s (with album art), change what the front panel display shows etc etc etc. There are loads of these TAPs to download, as well as a huge support forum at www.toppy.org.uk, which was a massive help for me when I was starting out. Through a combination of TAPs and the many available options, this is easily the most tweakable STB out there, although probably not quite the best straight out the box. Well worth the time fiddling though!

Review by Mark Ellington from Taunton on 18/10/2007 12:32:19	Rating: 10 /10
Quite simply the best
This IS Sky+ without the cost! Buy one of these and you will never regret it. If you've had/have Sky and find that most of the programs work recording are on the channels you can get on Freeview (see http://www.freeview.co.uk/channels/?__SITE=public&p[0]=channels) then you may as well have one of these. You can even get "series link" on it (Sky + users will know what that means) Super machine. Not stunning to look at, but the reliability and funcionality are amazing.