Hey there everyone.

I have read nearly all the Humax / Toppy threads, and I think I have decided to purchase the Toppy.
The general stability of the Toppy seems greater than the somewhat volatile Humax, along with the TAPS which I am sure I will play with in time.
The only question I have really is, should I bother paying the extra for the 250 Gb or not?

One other question, Is it better to connect to my TV via Scart or component?

Thank you in advance for any help.

It all depends - dunnit?
I've had a 160Gb box since last summer, have 40+ recordings on it and it's less than half full. I use the machine to time shift, not to keep a programme forever.

If you plan to keep lots of "data" then the 250GB may be for you. That said DVD is a better medium for a permanent record. Better because if a single DVD fails, you've only lost one item. If you had a hard disk problem, you've lost the lot.

I solved the problem by buying a DVD reocorder as well....

As to the connectivity issue SCART is better because you have control of the TV as well.

Component video is for compatibility between older devices which don't have SCART. That's a bit of a simplification.

Just my opinion but as PVRs are basically a time shifting device rather than suitable for long term archiving I really do not see the need for more than 80 hours of recording time.
If you watch say 4 hours of TV a day every day that is about 3 weeks watching even if you never watch live TV. I would say that if you have 80 hours recorded it is time to hit the delete button rather than record even more stuff you are probably never going to have time to watch.
So personally I would save a few quid.
However will also depend on how much TV you watch and how many different people are going to use it and will they all want to record different types of material. Also if you tend to take long holidays might be a factor. .

Richard

Edit would agree with MobileUser about connection. I have component from one of my Toppys but only because my LCD is a monitor with no scarts. AFAIK (which is not a lot ) this kind of non-progressive component is not known to offer much; if any Picture advantage over RGB/Scart.

You're thinking of composite there, Mobile User, not component.

Component is - theoretically - about the best quality, but in practice there's little difference between that an RGB SCART, and the best solution will depend on which connections you have available on your display, and how well everything plays with each other.

If you don't have an HDMI port on your display, then I'd be tempted to use RGB SCART for the Toppy, and leave your component input free for DVD or HD sources - many DVD players can output a progressive scan picture via component, which gives a better picture; the Toppy can't do that, so stick it on the scart.

On the other hand, I have my DVD player (Samsung HD 950) connected via DVI, and the Toppy via component.

Nigel.

I will be using Scart initially until I change my TV for a plasma in the very near future. I will be getting either a Pioneer 43" or Panasonic 42" . The Pioneer has 1 HDMI (if i buy the older version, 2 if the newer one) and the Panasonic has card slots to put in the appropriate input devices. So which way should I go?

Well, I can't give you concrete guidance... if the panel has a component input by default, and it costs more for SCART, then use the component input, unless you need it for something else.

HDMI/DVI is only useful for either a true HD source (Sky HD, a PC with HD playback, or cable HD, and in future HiDef DVD formats, or HD via Freeview; don't hold your breath for that) or for a pseudo-HD source, which is something like my DVD player, which can upscale a standard picture to 720p or 1080i via HDMI or DVI.

Component is useful because on most panels it can accept an HD source, or a progressive-scan SD source (which can be better for DVDs), and it is possible, depending on the equipment to get slightly better picture via component than via SCART, though the difference may be barely noticeable.

Your main aim in this is simply to get the best picture from each source, and to ensure that the kit you have now, and in the future, can also be connected in such as way as to get the best picture.

The Toppy is only SD, and interlaced, but it can produce component; that really just means you have slightly more options in terms of connection choices.

If it's the only source you're connecting to the panel, it really doesn't matter - SCART or component will be pretty much identical, and you should choose based on what cables you have to hand and what inputs the panel has for you to use.

It's only when you have sources that can potentially produce better quality pictures that you need to worry about what goes where. I'd be tempted to get a panel with 2 HDMI sockets, frankly; one for a DVD and one for something else with HD in future. Then use whatever's left over for the Toppy.

But really, it's impossible to tell you the right answer without the details of all your kit and, with the best will in the world, that's not the most exciting way for either of us to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Nigel.

Thank you Nigel.

It certainly seems as thought the component will be the best way forward with the Toppy, but I think I will probably go with just the 1 HDI on either of the screens as I can always use a Pioneer VSX-AX2AV-S AV Amp that can switch between 2 HDI inputs and sort the sound at the same time.

Thank you again for the advice

Russ

See, he knew what he wanted all the time!

And if he is spending all that money on new kit, why is he quibbling over £50 extra for the 250g?

Personally, I'd have recommended an LCD rather than a plasma, but what do I know?

Some users have found the 250GB disk a lot noisier than the 160GB. I have the 160GB version and the box is virtually silent apart from a single dull click when it starts up.

Haven't noticed any noise difference between my 160 and brother in laws 250, I find it pretty silent apart from when pushing the limits (recording 2 things and watching another recording for instance) when disk can be heard if TV volume is low.

I once got to 80% full but then I was being pretty lazy with housekeeping, I'm happy to hae 160 and don't feel a real need for 250 - maybe I'll go bigger when warranty is out !

Well, quite. I waited for my warranty to be up and then changed the Seagate 160 for a V120CE250 and have to say it's a whole shedload quieter. Although some of this may be down to the Seagate drive having become fragmented.

The noise issues do seem to be mostly related to the seagate disks, perhaps the 250GB units got shipped with more seagates than samsungs?

Far as I was aware all the Toppies with 250's were Samsungs.

Hmm, I may be getting my threads confused then, I have read so much on so many different pvrs and hdd recorders recently that it may have all got jumbled up. :/

It's not unheard of for me to be wrong either, so you may be right. :|

Didn't really know rhubarbe, but it is always good to get someone elses views on an issue when you are in several minds.

As for the £50 difference, the purse strings are always being monitored, I just hope I am able to get the screen of my choice. I have just talked the money monitor round to letting me have KEF 2005.2 speakers to go with the Pioneer amp, should sound good.

Oh, forgot to mention that my 160Gb Toppy arrived this morning - great picture and easy recording functions, hope she likes it too.

A question for anyone who knows, is it possible to look through the EPG without it changing channel as I search? My ferguson was good for that as it meant she could continue to watch (small screen) and listen as I searched for something I wanted to watch.

Going to try and download some TAPS in a minute - fingers crossed I won't break it before she gets to see it in action.

Cheers

The default EPG always changes channels, but if you want a better replacement, that's not too complicated, try EPG Navigator.

Nigel.

Or if you prefer one that is too complicated try MyStuff
Seriously does a bit more than Nigels choice but is more complicated to set up. Not difficult to use once set up however.

It does need another TAP like eit2mei to go and get its EPG info for it.

Has a resume play that is easier to use than the vanilla one; has configurable quick jumps for ads; you can set repeating timers based on word searches and a wide range of different colour schemes (skins) available as well.

NB You will not break the Toppy by trying out TAPs

Well not unless Auntie gets nasty with some unannounced and untested MHEG changes.

rhubarbe dont frighten the man;

RustyNail the Toppy is now bullet proof; honest

Fair enough. I think Auntie has a Toppy in her shed now, doesn't she?

3 or 4 I think; assuming none of them have walked. I think they also have a Humax; now.

Well, it should be bullet-proof, then, as you say.