Hi All,

I've just upgraded from a humax 8000t to the topfield TF5800.


I've really happy with the new box... but I've come across, what I feel is a big problem.

When the unit is in standby mode and the box gets turned off and on again, the clock resets to 00:00 and don't get the current time from the signal.

If the unit isn't in standby and it loses power, once the power comes back on; it re-grabs the correct time from the signal.

I emailed topfield and they said:

Quote:
"
If power were lost to the TF5800 how would you suggest that it would know the time? It would require a hardware improvement (battery)! real time clocks (with battery) are available on some of our ranges, but not the 5800 I’m sorry to say.
When the 5800 comes out of standby it checks the signal on the EPG to adjust its internal time clock. So it has an advantage over say, your mains powered alarm clock, in that you don't have to program again

The only suggestion i can think of is TAPs (www.toppy.org.uk) where customers have developed resolutions to these oversights"

Now, I know there is unofficial firmware/taps that can fix the problem... but:

a) why should a new user have to risk unofficial firmware
b) does anyone how if this is going to be fixed in the next firmware upgrade?

Does anyone else think this is a problem... and who do we have to email to get it fixed
Cheers,

Steve

The power cut problem is the toppys main ( only?) hidden flaw, there is an unofficial firmware fix, which yoiu can read about on the toppy.org forums, that appears to work reasonably well.

But ultimatly it should realy be fixed with a propper firmware update, there is a new firmware version in the works, although its release date isnt yet known.
As the current firmware is rock solid ( appart from when theres a loss of power) and power cuts are relativly rare its an overlooked issue.

I usualy leave my toppy in standby, as it records programmes at all sorts of times - day and night.

Yep, does seem very stable and love the tap files etc. but I think the more people report this power/standby problem to topfield the better.... after all, we've currently had 1 day of uk sunshine... thunderstorms will be next

Plea: everyone write to info@topfield.co.uk and ask for a firmware fix

Cheers,

Steve

Just an update... I'm not the only one who thinks this is a problem:

I rate this as one of top 3 in importance - probably No 1
Peter Page

My VCR also handles a powercut gracefully. Why can't the toppy?
simonc

I can't believe it. Its just happened to me. we had a power cut for only 10 minutes. My VCR woke up and recorder and the Toppy didn't. I am disappointed that a
bodgerbill

I am thinking of buying a toppy. I won't buy one till this is sorted !
james

This one's caught me out a couple of times. It's a real pain in the butt.
PaulH225

Crazy! This has just got to be fixed!
AgeingDisgracefully

This does seem ludicrous. My VCR can handle a powercut. Why are we going backwards with new technology?
HydeTheDarkerSide

Essential.
NickW

Had power problem today and wasn't aware of this bug till I saw clock display. Had to reset Toppy each time power tripped in case imminent recordings were lost
Versatile

Grrr, just been caught out by this one.
TrevW

VCR's 10 years old can do this, WHY can't the Toppy??????????
ugly--kid--joe

Seems a pretty fundamental ommission. Must be fixed. BK
briank

Don't they have power cuts in Korea?
Shannock9

Consumer electronics must recover automatically from outages. A fix for this is a must have: the reason for buying a PVR with a large harddrive is to record th
ARW

A big oversight. Annoying with the increase in power cuts and brown outs of recent years.
kevinb

Needs fixing ASAP.
nmc007

Self evident
Ralf of Amber

My VCR can cope. A box as sophisticated at this should.
Magpie

You can't rely on programmed recordings unless this is fixed
Pedant

Fortunately a firmware hack fixes this - if the users can fix this Topfield, then you can too!
danb77

This really is essential.
jimbo

As others point out - ten year old VCRs can do this. Must be fixed.
DB1

Essential this is fixed
motty

Need Toppy to automatically restarts when power turned on....likewise a partial recording needs to end up as a valid .rec if power loss. A tap should be able
Mark_B

This would seem to be an easy change to implement and an oversight this isn't the default behaviour already.
malc

Power cuts are not uncommon and having all future recordings fail unless the Topfield is attended seems very lacking for such a piece of kit.
gcams

Doesn't a powered up Toppy auto-restart? So why not always boot up and then shutdown again if it should be at standby?!
msp

At present the Toppy will fail to record after a power cut. You may lose a day’s recording, or if you’re away on holiday, you may lose three weeks of recording.
Darkmatter

Again, anything that leads to failed recordings is utterly essential. This is a massive bug that shakes your confidence in the box when it catches you.
Pirro

Seems obvious that it should work this way
charley

Seems like this happened to me this weekend. Fortunately I only lost F1 quali, some third rate motor racing and a film I have seen before. Luckily I realised
gomezz

Very important:

Until this is fixed, recording during holidays will always be a lottery.
EMJB

Fairly important:

I don;t get effected by powercuts much but I will be really annoyed when I do if I miss recordings!
chunkywizard

Hmmm... should have gone for the Humax

Bung your Toppy on eBay, then. You'll have no shortage of takers.

Dont be put off by the unnoficial firmware hack that fixes this problem, I have used this firmware for approx 3-4 months now with absolutely no problems.

I do take your point though and agree with you 100% it is a major bugbear of mine too, I understand that initially Topfield believed that the problem was not fixable by firmware alone, they have been proved wrong by some really clever software writers that have managed to include a partial fix, I say partial because the hack powers the toppy up again to grab the time, but is unable to switch it back to standby again, but lo and behold, a TAP can shut the toppy down at a pre-determined time, so no problem.

I think & believe that this 'fix' will eventually find its way into an official firmware release, I cant see why topfield wouldnt want it too (unless they are embarrassed that a major bug was resolved by someone else).

Scoobs

Topfield are well aware of the issue and they have direct access to the feedback area on the Toppy.org.uk web site, from where all those comments were cut and pasted.

Feel free to email info@topfield.co.uk if it'll make you feel better, but rest assured that they do know about it already, it is something I've talked with them about, and I hope it will get included in a firmware update.

For some people, it is a really hot issue, I know; for many others - for the majority, I suspect - power cuts are not a frequent occurrence, and there are some other pressing issues like EPG population and subtitling that are also being worked on.

Nigel.

First, a bit of background. When power is restored, the Toppy switches on briefly to check whether it was on before the power cut. If it was, it remains on and resets the time from the current TV/radio channel. If it was in standby prior to the power cut, it returns to standby without updating the time. If you're worried about dubious amateur code in the patched firmware, don't be. All the fix does is remove the code that switches the Toppy back off.

For me, the patched firmware adds peace of mind. Although we don't usually get power cuts it's just one less thing to worry about. It's also cheaper than buying a UPS or leaving the Toppy running all the time.

Tempting fate?

That's a few people now who say the patched firmware is fine... might give it a try in a couple of weeks, if no new firmware comes out.

Thanks to all for the replies... and hopefully topfield will fix it in the next version... but the more people ask it to be fixed, the better

Cheers,

Steve

Could be, but I've got the power cut tweak installed

Heres another one Steve; I have also been using it for 3 or 4 months. Richard

Me too with no problems.

I have been running the modified firmware since I unboxed my toppy 3 months ago, dont think I even powered it without the modification.

I have eit2mei doing a scan at 3am for the EPG and this is set to turn the toppy off when its finished, even if it was on when it started the scan so the longest it will ever be on for is 23 hours.

Thanks all, for the good news about the modified firmware... bit happier now, so perhaps try it over the weekend.

Cheers,

Steve