TWO CI slots? - I also presume they are under a cover at the front? - I can't find anything - but the only place for a door is to the right of the knob - and it looks like it is there.

I hope the 5800 model will have MHEG5 - but it probably won't matter to me!

Their website mentions EchoStar as a company that has chosen Topfield as a supplier - perhaps we will see an Echostar version?

Only thing missing is a modem/broadband connection - but with RS232 and USB it could probably connect!
Last edited by SimonBlackham : 20-02-2005 at 12:16

It isn't. It is mainly cable, and is also available via satellite.

It means the source material was encrypted. Those files are actually stored unencrypted, but the topfield records all PIDs associated with a program, including the 'key' streams.

Yep, thats where they are.

Foxtel like most of Rupert's other media fifedoms uses NDS' effort to protect their channels. There is no CAM for the implementation of NDS used in Australia, so the Topfield would be a brick as far as Foxtel useage is concerned. Foxtel presently simulcrypts with NDS and Irdeto2 and are moving their client base (albeit slowly) to NDS. This will leave Austar as the only one using I2 and their have been suggestions that they will move to NDS, but that would probably break their piggy bank.


See what happens when you send all your convicts away. We steal all the good technology before it gets to you. Also at present the card slots in the PVR-t are more or less useless to us as there are no encyrpted DVB-t services in Australia and in the near term, not likely to be any.

That's what we thought until TopUp TV appeared practically overnight!

If we could just get confirmation of its TUTV compatibility, I'd get my order in straight away!

Our DVB-t system seems to be set up more along the American lines than UK style. Each network has its own transmitter in each broadcast area and only its programs show on that transmitter. Nationwide there is ABC, SBS, 7, 9 and 10. Each of them must transmit a SD and HD version of the program so there is precious little room for anything else. SBS and 7 transmit 576p50 as 'HD' even though the rest of the world considers 576p to not be HD. ABC, 9, 10 transmit real HD at 1440 x 1088i, but at less than desireable bitrates. The ABC will shortly have another channel in its transmission - ABC2, to cope with that they have already lowered the bitrate of their HD channel to ~11Mbit/sec. SBS transmit a main channel and a 24 hour news channel made up of news programs pulled from around the globe.

There is a 'datacasting' channel in Sydney, but its more or less a waste of space.

The only way for a TUTV multichannel setup over here at present would be for establishment of more broadcaster funded transmitters nationwide, and that wouldn't be a cheap thing.

You can be pretty sure that the TF5800 will support TUTV, just add CAM and bake for 35 minutes in a warm TV cabinet, but proof would be in the tasting.

Yes, I really hope so. The only thing which is nagging away at the back of my mind is the fact that I tried a CAM and card in the slot in the EyeTV box connected to my computer but TUTV told me that the hardware wasn't compatible. Whether or not this is really true I suppose I'll never know. I expect it was easier to tell me that than trying to actually find out anything about the box!

Just as a matter of interest Stuart, was your TopUpTV card already activated, before you put it in the Elgato?

I'm wondering if the people on the phone line are simply reading a script - they don't see the kit you mention, so they say "not compatible."

Might be worth trying the card in an old OnDigital box if you have one handy, asking them to send the activation signals. I recall some threads mentioning there's a particular channel that you need to be tuned to for that... could be worth checking that, out, and just telling them you've got an OnDigital box or something they know is compatible.

It's a slight diversion from the topic, but worth it, because I suspect some of us might have to go through these hoops when the Topfield arrives.

Nigel.

Hi Nigel. No, it was a brand new card. Unfortunately I don't have an ex-ITV Digital box to try it in and I have a feeling you're right about the business of saying it's not compatible if it's not on their list.

I also share your fears about this problem arising when the Topfield arrives. Elsewhere somebody said that the people at Turbosat said they would check out its compatibility with TUTV - hopefully this will mean that it's added to their list of compatible hardware.

I'll scamper over to your thread and discuss it further there...

Nigel

This device looks very interesting. There is even a 'Season Pass' written as a TAP by one of the many supporters.

http://qmtech.com/topfield/

There is quite a few people on the Fusion threat happily pulling bits off it and inspecting the drive contents that'd probably love the Topfield .. the fact you can write your own applications (and download other peoples) is a big selling point .. if it doesn't do something you want it to, don't worry about e-mailing Topfield Support, do it yourself !

All this talk of customisation (Season Pass, Ad Skip, etc) has me frothing at the mouth. Pre-ordering one today.

Just had this back:


matt
Last edited by stickofjoy : 21-02-2005 at 16:15

TAPS let you tweak more than completely redesign.

Sounds good to me

I have some questions for this product:

1. Will it support Top Up TV with a CAM or without a CAM, or not at all?
2. Will it support interactive services such as BBCi and Teletext.

Thanks,

digiperson

There also on my long list of questions, heres the one I'm mosted interested in (and the questions above)

Will it allow you to play a recording whilst its still recording that recording?

Am I right in thinking that this box has component output through the scart? The specs apparently say this. If this is true then this looks like a must buy

I've done it with the program that is currently on the screen - hit record, go away for a bit, 'rewind' to the beginning and start watching. If the source is encrypted, the recording changes to encrypted mode at the point you start to play around with the TF5000, probably the same behaviour for the 5800 too.

In as much as the TF5800 is a slightly newer TF5000, most of these questions could be answered by taking a read of the DBA Forums

TUTV via a Cam: From what Turbosat have told one of the retailers they know, they *think* it'll be TUTV Ok via a CAM but they won't be certain until it has been tested.

It has the relevant slots and software on-board so it's a pretty positive yes, but there is no harm in being cautious until they're certain.

Do you know when Turbosat will release some reliable specs on this box?

They're still hazy about the price so I'd say when things become more solid (this week or next I'd guess)

REceived this today from turbosat:

Dear Sir
Many thanks for your email
The model will be the TF5800 160gb and the price will be £299.00
The receiver has yet to be tested by the DTG for TUTV but we have tested the old TF5000 nad this works perfect
We expect to take delivery in the next 21 days
If you would like me to contact you when i have this model please let me know
Regards
David Macauley

Finance Director
Turbosat International

Just got another reply stating that you do need the tutv cam to get TUTV.