As Russell says it's an add-on program for the Topfield. TAP = Topfield Application Program and is one of the features that sets the Topfield above the crowd. Every other PVR just gives you the user interface and fuctions the manufacturer decided when they designed it. The Topfield has one of those too but if you don't like the way it works there's now quite a collection of these add-on TAPs (written by 3rd party programmers) that add to or change it's behaviour and add the "missing" functions. It's already a great machine and has great functionality but there's now quite a little community of 3rd party developers adding and changing functionality and making it even better.

It's a bit like Windows coming with "Paint", "Notepad" and "Wordpad" but others then writing full on graphics editors and word processors for it.

Cliff

Thanks

The FVRT200 doesn't have a RF modulator (None of the Fusion's have).
I've just checked & the table does show it as not having one (though the Thomson in the column next to it does).

You can buy add-on RF modulators but adding in the price of that would probably mean it would be more cost-effective to get a different PVR like the Inverto or Humax.

Thanks for that...I obviously need my eyes testing.....pity the Thompson doesn't have a larger HDD...it would have been ideal.

That's very easily arranged. You can get a DHD4000 for £127 at QED and then maybe spend £40-£45 on a 120-160GB drive to upgrade it

The 4TV boxes (Fusion, Thomson, Inverto) are some of the best (feature set and stability) of the PVRs and are just let down by small drives but they can all be upgraded to 128GB (if you fit a 160GB only 128GB is actually used). The Thomson is particularly good for what you require as it has the RF modulator (not sure about Inverto)

Cliff

Do you know how easy the HDD upgrade is....just replace and boot/switch on....or a bit more complex....I have some PC skills, but I'm no guru!!

For all the 4TV boxes the trickiest thing about upgrading the HDD is just getting the lid off the box! (you have to get the right screwdrive bit to undo the funny head screws). Once you are in you'll find that the HDD is just connected by standard 40 way IDE and 4 way power cables using the standard connectors so fitting a replacement really is "plug and play".

When you apply power with the new drive connected the box will just see it as a virgin drive and go through the usual first time formatting process. Then you're off and running.

Only complication is to remember to set the drive jumpers to "cable select" and to pick a low power/low noise drive to start with.

A lot of people go for the Samsung Spinpoint series (SP1203N, SP1604N) because they are low power and can be set to a "quiet operating" mode which is better for use in your front room/bedroom.

Both the Thomson and Fusion sections here have (long!!!!) threads about upgrading their drives with tons more info.

If you do go for the SpinPoint then you may need to read my web site at:

www.ourcottage.plus.com/samsung

Cliff

Have you seen the Thomson on the QED site recently Cliff? It is not showing at the moment. I have not seen any advertised in stock anywhere for several months now. I enquired from QED and one other online retailer (Hughes I think) some weeks ago and they both said it had been discontinued. As well as the RF Modulator it has the best "Skip" feature of any 4TV box IMO. The Inverto also has an RF Modulator.

Colin

Colin,

I was just going by what was said in the "how much is one worth" thread in the Thomson section. Someone posted there a link to:

http://www.qed-uk.com/?i=13G1l925OiG...&bp=4000s&bi=0

(I think retailers often say "xx has been dicontinued" when they actually mean "we're out of stock of xx so why not buy this yy, that is in stock, from me instead as I work on sales comission")

Cliff

PS I've also seen TDH4000'd in store in the last few weeks but I can't tell you if that was Dixons, Currys or Comet though I'm pretty sure it was one of those three

Thanks for that Cliff. I suspect that the occasional DHD4000 that comes up for sale are probably recycled returns.

Colin

Saw them in local Currys when I visited this week.

Sorry if this has already been asked but I couldn't spot any mention of it so here goes:

emsee's Comparison Chart says that the Digifusion FVRT100 does NOT provide RGB pass-thru, although the spec detailed in the downloadable pdf explicitly states otherwise.

Can anyone confirm which is correct?

The Inverto IDL 7000 does not have the ability to edit recordings. The table states that you can "Trim start/end" but, unfortunately, this is not the case.

I can confirm the FVRT100 (and its derivatives) do allow RGB pass-thru.

OK - I've now fixed both these errors

A few Sagem updates - latest version is now 0.3.4 (for the 6xxx series), I can also resolve the few missing bits left

Record current prog+live TV buffer N
Chase play/Timeslip Y (you rewind rather than go through the library though)
Number of timer entries ?
Timer recording starting does not switch TV to PVR input Y
Lock recordings N
Password protect recordings Y
Password protect channels N
Favourites list - Y
Genre Support - N
Auto DST/BST Change - Y
Warranty - 1Year
Outputs are correct, so you can remove the ?

Bugs fixes are recording back-to-back now works (but only on the same channel), the used space/free space anolilie

* Recording won't start if start time is when channel is off air is apparently fixed, we'll not find out 'til 7pm though.

Emsee I am reporting to you that the recent update for the TU-CTH has solved most of the bugs and problems that users were experiencing. the update is the 0.57 and has been aimed at the recording problems, no recording or recording cut short, also the info bar pop up on playback has been put right, unit is now also faster in accessing menu's, channels,etc. Users now report all recordings now set are taking place, and I can also vouch for this including recordings which run past midnight. Unit also boots up faster. Please read all posts in the panasonic thread about the update. Most users are now more than pleased with the TU-CTH, and I now feel that this should be reflected in your table of comparisons of PVR's. Also, what you don't have listed is how each PVR fairs when archiving down to an external device, and as the Panny seems to be the only PVR on the market to allow the user complete control over which material to archive, when to do the archiving (you can set the time to do so) and more importantly, you can be recording onto the hard disc/ watching a program, whilst the TU-CTH does the archiving, you can also (and I think that this feature is unique) choose to record to the external device instead of the internal hard drive if you so wish, thereby saving hard disc space. For anyone who is looking to do a lot of archiving to a VCR/DVR the Panasonic takes some beating, and no Emsee, I don't work for them!!! I just feel that now after this update, the Panny is one of the best.

GG

GG,

Thats GREAT news about the Panasonic. When people have asked for recommendations up to now I'd always have said "steer clear of it". If it's now joined the camp of "good boxes" do you know where they can be bought and how much they are?

Cliff

GG, that is great news... are you finding it better than the Humax now?

Richer Sounds have them at www.richersounds.com, 170 quid with an 80Gb disk.

Nigel.

Yes Ang, but (and this is what annoys me more than anything) it always has been, it has never really had as many different problems as the Humax!! Okay, we don't all suffer from all of the problems, for example, so far touch wood, we haven't lost all of our recordings as some have done with the Humax, we had lock ups, and the 'no sound' on the second recording, but I still say that the TU-CTH was pilloried because it was a Panasonic product, we had all waited so long for it, and I honestly believe Ang that everyone's expectations were too high!! We all thought that it would be like their other products,( I already owned one of their DVD recorders, and a DVD player) Honestly Ang, the TU-CTH had no more problems when it was launched than any of the others, and it has been so annoying to have posters saying things like 'don't touch it' its crap! etc. It is a lovely little unit, and I think that I am right in saying it is the only PVR at the moment that allows you complete control over 'archiving' to your DVD recorder. This is why I bought it,and why I would have been reluctant to part with it. By the way, how are you getting on with the Toppy? Do you still love it? Have you downloaded any of the Taps?

GG

Sorry Cliff, have only just thought to come back to this thread, as Emsee usually acknowledges your post to him. I think that you will need to ask this in our new Panasonic thread, (apre 0.57 update) I did read a little while ago, that Richer Sounds were selling them, but we are all expecting, now that this download has completely restored the TU-CTH's credibility, that it's price may go up as it will now be in demand. So I should post on there Cliff.

GG

Finally, the Panasonic website has put the instructions for the TUCTH100 online. However, it is a huge 4-part download - links as follows:

Part 1 - http://www.panasonic.co.uk/customer-...139356&fmt=pdf

Part 2 - http://www.panasonic.co.uk/customer-...139357&fmt=pdf

Part 3 - http://www.panasonic.co.uk/customer-...139358&fmt=pdf

Part 4 - http://www.panasonic.co.uk/customer-...139359&fmt=pdf

Thanks for the info - I have now updated the table

Yes and Yes!!!

Seeing the Panasonic update from GG in this thread has made me wonder whether there could be something added to the comparison chart - how well the Freeview EPG is implemented in those PVRs which use it... If I were going to buy a new one now, that's one thing that would be extremely important to my decision.

Hopefully Ang, in the not too distant future, we might be getting a new Freeview epg, one which will be far more comprehensive (and reliable) than the present one. I often wonder how any of the PVR's currently relying on it ever record anything!!! Apparently, the new one (if it comes off) will allow the user to do extensive searches, set up series links, etc. I do know that the BBC have been working on this for some time. We should hear more sometime this year, so I should hang fire Ang, until we all know more. (Obviously hoping that our current PVR's will just need a software update if it comes about!!! )

GG
Last edited by Grannygrunt : 16-02-2006 at 12:49