Hi,

1) Does the remote control unit that comes with Topfield TF5800, have the capability of basic controls (like mute/volume etc.) on other brand TV's? My otherwise excellent Thomson DHD4000 can't which I found most annoying although my venerable Pace Twin could

2) I have an immediate requirement for 2 Freeview PVR's & came within an ace of getting Humax 9200T's until I read DS threads with lockups (familiar with them as I'm a PVR veteran) & loss of recordings (never had one with Pace Twin or DHD4000) & no resume play etc.

I know that the perfect twin-tuner Freeview PVR doesn't exist but would I be right in assuming that the Toppy (TF5800) seems to be currently the most reliable, best-supported and feature-rich choice on the market?

I would be most grateful for advice, many thanks.

NO.

The remote does not have funstionality to programme to control the TV. Its a dumb controller !

I use a new All for One remote, which is programmed for the topfield and has ability to change volume on TV.

As for funtionality - its good, but with TAPs loaded ( ie Mystuff 4) its great. Nearest thing to TiVo, but with dual tuners (which TiVo does not have)

Also with USB link, easy to download progs to PC.

Hi oldbadger

see post above. Actually I dont think your Pace remote could do this either. (I have had one since they came out). I suspect you where controlling the volume of the Twin which would oof course control the vol coming out of the TV. Interstingly the Thompson has a fixed vol output so you would have to use the TV remote. The Toppy has a variable audio output so you can use its remote to control the volume coming from the TV but not the TVs own volume. Just set the TV to about 60% whatever and then use the Toppy remote; or as said above invest in a learning remote. I use harmonys with my systems.


I presume these are going to be in different rooms (like my 2 Toppys). Any two PVRs of the same make will not work in the same room of course because they will both respond to the remote in perfect synchronisation . Not what you want. NB Someone over on Toppy UK has programmed a learning remote to control 2 Toppys apparently but it sounded hellish complicted.
A Toppy customised with TAPs is in my totally unbiased opinion the best out there. In fact I would say it is probably the best even straight out of the box; The problems being reported both here and on Toppy UK with box itself is running at a very low level.

Richard

Yes, it was a little tricky, but now the groundwork has been done it should be quite easy. All you need is the Remote Extender TAP and a programmable remote with a modified TF5800 programme (already available for Harmony remotes) or a little time to tweak the programme for another brand. The Toppy is currently the only PVR that you can do this with without resorting to stick on IR sender gadgets or hiding things away in cupboards, so it's a much tidier and cheaper solution!

Actually, the dual Toppy thing shouldn't be too hard now; you need a TAP called RemoteExtender, and a Harmony remote, onto which you download the codes for first and second Toppys. I'm not sure where on the Harmony side you get those, mind; they might be in the wizard, but I'm not sure.

Nigel.

Thanks tivo boj, for most helpful & useful reply.

Yes you're quite right. I remember now that the Pace just controlled vol output (I've given my Pace to a chum). Good to know that the Toppy remote at least has 'Twinesque' capability!

Yes, quite right. They will be in 2 different rooms (1 downstairs & 1 upstairs) so hopefully no IR confusion! Yes, the TAPs capability does seem to me to give the Toppy a unique edge over competition and I find your comment about it's ability straight out of box, most encouraging. Funny how the Inverto seems to have dropped out of running for the 'first division' after much hype?

Thanks Richard for most useful & kind response.
oldbadger

And thank you Nigel & Simon for useful & encouraging comments. I am most grateful for this forum and all your replies. Thanks a lot
Oldbadger

Once it arrives, pop over to The Other Place (www.toppy.org.uk) and you'll find hordes of people to help you with any questions you have.

Nigel.

Which model 'One for All' remote did you use? I 'video send' the Topfield to my bedroom using a 'Digisender' and it would be handy to have a 2nd remote, but I am reluctant to pay the 40 or so pounds being asked by the distributors for a replacement.

Will do, thanks for that, Nigel.
Oldbadger

I use a logitech harmony 525 remote to control all of my kit. It is easy to set up using the supplied software, and seems to understand all the Toppy commands (except the menu? don't know why) and you can modify the control to do what you want. I think the 525 is the lower end of the range but - to quote logitech - "The Harmony 525 gives you full control of up to 12 devices. The Logitech database contains over 2,500 manufacturers and over 80,000 IR devices--everything from HDTVs to PVR/DVRs, from DVDs to VCRs--even lighting controls! The database is updated daily, so it's guaranteed to work with all models and manufacturers"

Hope this is of some help

Rusty

Hi Rusty It should do; I have 2 Harmonys (not 525s but they all work in very similar ways) controlling 2 Toppys and neither have a problem with any of the Toppy commands.
I presume you have tried teaching the 525 the menu command. Sometimes the RAW learning method works when the ordinary method fails.

Richard

I tried everything but the software/remote just wouldn't accept the command, so , I emailed logitech about the issue but also continued with the learning. Guess what! Just because I had sent the email, the remote finally learnt it about 20 minutes later. Bless. All working well now and hopefully logitech will pick up the command and add it to the database.
Thank you for the thought though Richard.

Glad thats sorted Rusty.

Actualy I thought the Menu command was in the database and the Archive one used to be missing; but I must be wrong.

One more Harmony tip I just thought of; if anyone else has problems like this. I found that a set of spanking new or recharged batteries in Harmony and original remote (e.g. Toppy remote) seemed to make learning process more reliable.

Richard

Try the One For All URC-7555 (£20 for Maplins) which has most of the Toppy remote's functions pre-programmed (code 1206) and enough spare buttons to assign / learn the remainder. Whats more it will control 4 other devices as well.

My only gripe is that the button labels are quite small but for the price you really can't grumble.

Thank you. I see they have them for £14 delivered, on Amazon, I've ordered one.

yes cheers for the heads up Mevvy. I saw the remote on Amazon as well as a result. £10 plus £4 delivery. Worth a try at that price. It said on Amazon last night there is 1 new from £10 but Bonburton has bought one too and the site is still saying 1 left this morning!

I think you will find that '1 New', in this context, means 1 seller offering the (new) product for sale.

Yes. Right you are.

Ordered last Friday, arrived Monday. Its just the job for anyone looking for a second remote, ideal for the bedroom, its got a nice feel and as mevvy said it controls up to 4 other devices, I've got it looking after my amp, dvdr and the tv up there as well. Nice one, thanks again mevvy ! (I tried the Kamelion, about 3 months ago, on offer at Currys for about £30, it went back after 2 days, I just couldnt get on with it)

Mines arrived too but havent opened it yet. Looks like there are a few hummy owners with this remote too with good reports. Adding my thanks to mevvy.

Just had a look on Amazon for the 'One For All URC-7555' - none in stock
I was thinking of getting an additional remote for the bedroom to control the lights, stereo, STB and TV, so at that price the 7555 sounded real good. Any alternatives out there anyone can recommend?
Cheers all

Rusty they have listed it again now this time through Amazon directly rather than the market place merchant. £19 inc delivery. Bonburton and I paid £14 inc delivery for them through the market place merchant though - maybe they had a job lot the needed to 'shift'!