Toppy Newbie
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Hi,
Just stumbled across adverts for the toppy and thought it looks like an attractive system to replace my DigiHome PVR80 which died last week. Just scanning through this forum looks like there's a little work necessary to set the machine up. I don't mind that but not sure the wife is likely to understand that
To appease her (I'm sure she'll come round eventually :cool:) I guess my main question is whether the TF5800/5810 will let her record off the EPG out of the box? Makes it easier for me, then I can play with the TAPs etc. as and when (and start copying my MP3s 
).
Sorry for the long post!
Stu
Just stumbled across adverts for the toppy and thought it looks like an attractive system to replace my DigiHome PVR80 which died last week. Just scanning through this forum looks like there's a little work necessary to set the machine up. I don't mind that but not sure the wife is likely to understand that
To appease her (I'm sure she'll come round eventually :cool:) I guess my main question is whether the TF5800/5810 will let her record off the EPG out of the box? Makes it easier for me, then I can play with the TAPs etc. as and when (and start copying my MP3s ).Sorry for the long post!
Stu
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Mine's a couple of years old now but its got all the updates in it so I dont think its changed yet. You dont get the full EPG up straight away just the individual channel and then you can change to getting all of it but it only shows about four at a time that you'll have to scroll down but the good thing is that you dont loose the picture of what youre watching as it stays in the top half of the screen along with the description of the program thts highlighed.
The EPG is my only problem with it everything else is by far better than any of the other machines I've got.
I've never managed to get the TAPS installed and working but then cos I have digiguide on the computer I dont need the EPG for seeing whats on TV just for setting up recordings so I know where I'm heading for. If i was having to find out what was on telly from it then I think I'd miss alot of programs.
The couple of times I tried to do it the file was corrupt.
Anyway as I said I'm happy with using digiguide and then just setting the recordings on the toppy.
Can you tell me though if when I do finally get round to getting the TAP's working as it was part of the reason I went for the toppy in the first place do you then need to leave it plugged into the computer permenantly to update the epg or once its installed does it then update throught the aerial.
At the moment I've got the computer attatched to the telly so could leave it plugged in all the time, if the computer would recognise it, but I'll not have it there for much longer.
Still wouldn't change it though as my main machine. The play back functions are far superior and easier to use than anything else I've come across so far. And thats from straight out of the box.
Thanks, stu
It wasn't until just saying in the above post about how once its installed how does it get updated that it even occured to me. I hardly ever turn that pc on now so if to use digiguide or any of the EPG's via TAP's I'd have to keep turning on the computer it sort of defeats the object for me.
The people who write those TAPS though are pretty good programers and I'm sure they must have over come it some how. If nothing else then the EPG that comes via the aerial gets turned into a proper one through what i think is the mystuff program.
The MyStuff and associated TAPs are certainly the best that I know of. There is a version that contains the complete loader so it takes even less technical knowledge to use. MyStuff turns a good PVR with a poor EPG into a fantastic machine. I wouldn't use anything else. The best part of MyStuff is the control timers which allows the EPG data to be searched as it comes in for matching program names. Once set up a control timer will keep setting programs to be recorded without any further intervention. There are so many options you can customise it to give you a system that suits you.
It will update through the Aeriel.
The most important thing is that I don't think the latest batch of Firmwares are all that good, but you can find out more at http://www.toppy.org.uk
I've currently got the split channels with the bbc's in the 1000's so I need the latest firmware for that don't I. or is there just a fix for the channels.
I used to get emails from toppy every so often with the latest news but I've changed my email address and updated profile but dont seem to have got any since. Is it just that they aren't doing them any more, I dont see anywhere on the site any more to sign up for them.
There is a patch, and a pre-patched firmware available at Toppy.org. Just follow the link near the top of the home page. I would suggest getting one of the pre-patched firmwares, the recommended ones are very stable and you should have no problems installing it.
(2) Does it show series and episode numbers? (The Freeview EPG very often does not :mad: )
(3) Does it mark programmes "Repeat" when appropriate? (The Freeview EPG never does :mad: )
parthena
Should I be looking to upgrade (downgrade?) the firmware out of the box? Guess I'd better register with toppy.org as well
Gonna mooch about toppy.org and have a look for different EPGs to try though - can't help myself
My printer's on the blink, when I can print the MyStuff manual and take it to bed and have a good read, I'll be able to explore the skins, searches, recording options, etc.
How are you getting on, Stu?
parthena
Topfield Application Programs (TAPs).
These are what transform a good PVR into an OUTSTANDING PVR.
There are many different TAPs. The most popular by far, if I may be so bold, is the MyStuff TAP. This is a UI (User Interface) enhancment. I strongly recommend you try it out, if you haven't done so already.
Pop over to http://forum.toppy.org.uk/forum/ We are a friendly lot over there.