I'm considering buying a PVR and from these forums the Topfield seems to be the way to go. I currently have a Netgem iplayer+ and I'm very happy with it, in particular I like the fact that you can hide channels and renumber them. Does the Toppy have the same function?

Never tried to hide them. You can delete them and you can rename them, I think. You can build favourites too, I think. Aren't I lazy? Had my box fourteen months and don't even know simple stuff like that.

There is also a channel editor you can run on a PC connected to the Toppy which lets you renumber channels etc.

Is there? What's that called?

Vega; it's really designed for the satellite models. Never tinkered with it myself, but worth a go, I suppose.

Nigel.

I was thinking of Aldarin's TopSet settings editor (I was never able to get Vega going with the 5800).

I have an iPlayer and Topfield. Like you I like the ability to change and re-order channel numbers. Through a combination of the Topfield channel deletion to remove the unwanted (aka shopping and quiz) channels and EPGNavigator 2.0a I have pretty much replicated the iPlayer EPG. I now have 10 channels displayed on the front screen - the only channels I really need or watch, ideal for me. It seems there are some TAPs that might do this if you can't get it right for you (but never tried them or needed too so don't listen to my advice here). Reading the EPGNavigator web site the ability to re-order channels is on the way too ... good news.

I very much doubt you will be disappointed if you go for a Topfiled. On it's own some of the functions are a bit cluncky but with the TAPs available it's a great PVR. Support here is good too - you'll soon recognise the names to trust

Thanks all, thats my mind made up, I'll order one! Just have to find the cheapest place and decide what size hard drive I want now...

I'm not a 'must watch TV' type of person. I mainly bought the Topfield to ensure I was able, given the time and choice, to watch what I wanted, when I wanted - leaving me time to do other things when something interesting was on. Basically I record everything I watch - well set the recording for everything I watch. If I don't get home in time - I'm not worried, if I want to go out - I'm not worried, in short I'm not worried!!!

I went for the 160GB. Set it to record a lot as I said but tend to delete when I've watched, something even if I haven't. Currently have 34 timers set for the week (although I am lazy and don't bother with the every day, every weekday, or weekly settings because EPG Navigator is too easy to use!!). This probably equates to around 20ish hours of TV with a mix of hour and half hour recording. With the footie, and for me the Formula 1, I could see this going up a fair bit, but 80 hours is still a way off. The least space I had left was 62%, but generally run around 70%. I have two films achived to watch. I guess if you are not going to archive a lot or keep films, then 160GB would probably do most households. Richard_46 said in another forum thread that 80 hours of TV is a lot to watch!!!