It seems to me that this new TF5810 is very disappointing. I bet they try to make it 'seem' HD by emphasizing the HDMI socket in the advertising. However, all it does is upscale standard def.

What's worse is that all of the feedback which loyal Toppy users have given over the past years has been taken and put into this new model. Talk about a kick in the teeth!

You seem to have a bit of an axe to grind when it comes to Topfield.

Since he was chased from the toppy.org forums he's run amok here...

However, sometimes he forgets his own agenda...

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...9&postcount=13

Glen.

Is that not what feedback is about, they couldnt implement it in the old model, as the new model probably was already on the drawing board. The toppy is 5800 is still an excellent machine. Just can not please some people.

As far as the software is concerned, yes they could have implemented it. The chose not to.

Or perhaps your theory about me having an agenda is wrong. All I do is exercise my democratic right of free speech and opinion in a forum which (thankfully) allows it.

I do agree your points, however they are business at the end of the day, and do need to make money, and not bringing out any new products to keep up with current market will shoot them selves in the foot. But as the new model has not come out yet. You might find the 5800 is still the better model. Will have to wait and see, Looking forward to what it can do.

The 5810 is basically a 5800 with better software (courtesy of loyal Toppy 5800 users providing consultancy-quality feedback for free), an HDMI port for upscaled standard def, and a different case.

You'll see another model emerge within the next year or so, which actually does give substantially better features compared to the 5800. The 5810 is a stop-gap.

You've omitted to mention the larger hard disk and the better front panel display. What 'substantially better features' were you expecting in the new model, Ian?

The front panel display technology will be re-used for the next model and is a minor addition in terms of usefulness. The 5800 can cope with larger hard drives, so there's no new technology there. I wasn't expecting substantially better features in this new model. It's a bit like Sony Ericsson Mobiles ... they radically change the look with each new model, but only slightly increase the functionality.

Oh, you are a one

Its all very well to make these obvious assumptions, but its rather misleading to let people believe there is any knowledge behind your statements.

Glen.

OK, I'll ask the same question differently:

What 'substantially better features' are you likely to expect in the hypothetical 5820? Don't just say MyStuff.

What exactly do you think they're putting in the new model that they can't put in the existing one (other than physically changing the front panel display, and a larger hard drive, which is hardly a "kick in the teeth")? No one gives existing users a hardware upgrade free...

They're adding Freeview Playback to the 5800 as well. But your usual agenda of posting nonsense about Topfield wouldn't be served by reporting that, would it? You merrily report here that "they've chosen not to" when that's actually the exact opposite of the facts.

So, if the feedback from the existing model means the physical changes are included in a new one, and the software is updated on both, where's this "kick in the teeth" ?

Try reading the news about it, instead of just making things up. That's all you're doing here.

Some might say this was a company actually being good to existing users, adding the same features in that are in the new model to an existing one, instead of forcing them to upgrade.

Support for HD, cos it seems to me its imminent.

Oh wait, I'm not Ian, I'm Glen.

As has been mentioned before, nothing you've ever written has been edited or censored in the Toppy forum either. Just as here, people are expected to be constructive and respectful.

I've already got HD over Freeview thanks to Ninky Nonk's HD TAP. It's a little know fact that the Toppy can decode SkyHD if you point your aerial towards Astra. It helps if you squint at the screen a bit too.

Has it been patched with an Iggle Piggle?

Just like all the upscaling DVD players from Sony, Panasonic et al that have been pushed at the buying public for the past eighteen months then.

No, I usually run it through a Macca Packer.

Ever get the feeling its time to go to bed?

Glen.

PS: That wasn't a come-on

Yes, I agree with you ... exactly the same marketing technique as these companies.

Not forgetting a much larger disk, and a VFD display.

No-one will force you (or anyone else for that matter) to buy it, and the old 5800T will still be produced and supported.

Of course, if it's a long-standing commitment to a model with outstanding software and customer support, you could always return to the trusty Netgem iPlayer couldn't you .....

So why have you got such a bee in your bonnet about Topfield in particular then?

Netgem iPlayer?

The old 5800T will cease to be produced with the launch of the new model. Why would they continue?

In terms of software support, every company pledges to continue support for an old model for the following reasons:

A. They don't want to create bad press by loyal users who have contributed towards the development of the new model and who feel they have been 'dumped'. So a nominal gesture is made in terms of maybe 1 more minor software upgrade.

2. Creating a feeling of good will costs nothing and statistically, old users are likely to be early adopters (and therefore boost profits significantly in the early stages) with regards to new model launches. This has the knock-on effect of moving a substantial body of knowledge (de-bugging, TAP development etc) from the old to the new product, all, of course, totally free of charge for the company concerned.

Those on the forum who also have vested business interests in the Toppy will want to project an image that it's "business as usual" with the TF5800.