The nation holds its breath, awaiting the release of Topfield's new flagship DTT PVR. We've already been stunned at the news that the new drives are expected to consume just 7.8 watts (for 250gb). Shirley this must be enough to sell the model on its own.

The TF5810 is expected to be way ahead of the competition with features such as "series link" (A brand new, little known and just recently announced feature of Freeview, which actually allows a series of programmes to be recorded).

But what would you like to see on the new model?

Remember, we're trying to keep this thread as upbeat and positive as possible. It is not meant to be a thread to criticise the existing TF5800.

"MyStuff"-style EPG grid presentation as default.

K

A different remote control code set to that used by the 5800T.

Record three or more(!) channels "out of the box".

Fully-specced 100BaseT ethernet port (although Gigabit ethernet/1000BaseT would be even nicer).

MYStuff functionality integrated into firmware

Yes, a different remote (or at least, different remote codes so that the TF5800 can be used side by side without remote conflicts).

An end to the annoying "Check Your Reservation" message, at least make the message a little more understandable!

HDMI connection

minimum 500gb hard drvive

ability to record 2 channels at same time and watch a pre-recorded programme

14 day epg

internal dvd writer


all of these are possible - if it has this functionality I will be waiting on the shop's doorstep for 1.

You can already do this with the existing model.

K

An internal DVD writer is not likely at all, for technical reasons. It would be very hard to do that within the framework of pretty much every current PVR chipset.

And a 14 day EPG requires either the broadcasters to do it, or an arrangement with another supplier of EPG data, potentially either putting up the cost, or requiring a monthly fee. Relying on a non-standard EPG like that potentially means that if the service goes away, users end up in a worse position.

There are some boxes (but not any new ones for a while) that use the 4TV service, and frequent complaints when channel changes on Freeview aren't reflected in the data very swiftly. You'd also lose the ability to handle Freeview Playback accurate recording.

An internal DVD writer would in any case move this from a PVR to a dvd recorder (and into that dvd recorder marketplace), at the same time bumping up the cost. And the market is swamped with dvd recorders anyway, some costing less than £100. The Toppy (like the Humax) is better concentrating on its core values (i.e. the PVR).

I would like it to do whatever you want it to do, Ian.

That would make the world a better place.

Possibly, but then it wouldn't fit under the telly!

K

Have you taken some Prozac?

In fact I'd like to see a choice of say three different codes that you can set yourself if you have more than one machine.

How about a display with channel names instead of numbers, and the programme name on playback instead of just "play"

Well, we already know it has a VFD display, rather than the LCD, a larger hard drive and HDMI.

And feedback from the Toppy forum has been passed on to Topfield regarding some other points raised by users.

I'd like to see a fast way of transferring material out of the box, and for the supporting PC software to be updated (e.g. to include a simple video editor which works directly on .rec files with GUI and DVD burner software).

i.e. application software from and supported directly by Topfield as opposed to a third-party software that works "out of the box" like DRD Systems (VideoRedo TVSuite) or Haenlein Software (DVR-Studio)?

Would you be prepared to pay for this, or would you want it to be free?

The logical next step from the above dubious activities would be to decrypt the encrypted channels without the use of a card.

Er, sorry, but what is dubious about it? It is only doing on a PC what DVD recorders already allow you to do in-situ.


Now THAT is not only dubious, I think that you could call it illegal (and no existingly-available consumer dvd recorder allows you to do that).

my word, a differing of opinion that ianmoticon has no part in.... i must reach for the live pause button while i have a faint moment.

Glen.

First of all: more posts like this please ianmoticon I think this thread is going to be more constructive than, err, earlier ones

What I'd like to see (and I've no idea how realistic they are) in no particular order:
[LIST][*]Autopadding[*]Save the EPG onto the hard disk[*]MyStuff like EPG and archive and control timers[*]In fact, MySuff and Eitmei as the default interface [*]Network port[*]Wifi[*]Driverless USB connection[*]Allow recordings to be copied onto a USB key drive[*]Quicker start time[*]More responsive remote[*]Bigger HDD[*]Faster FF an RW[*]Cant think of anything else right now[/LIST]

I'd like a remote that controls the TV (just volume, channel, standby), but other than that I'm quite happy with my Toppy.

I suppose the update FP display will be nice too, but then my display currently only shows the time and the green/amber dots for play/record.

Glen.

The thing I would most like to see is the ability to record from standby without activating the TV out SCART and thereby switching your TV to the Toppy channel ...

Martin

That's an easy one. Connect to your TV with phono leads, then the SCART control isn't activated.

Glen.

Or fit a piece of paper over pin 8!

K

... but then when I want to watch stuff from the Toppy it won't automatically switch to the right input on the TV ...

I still can't work out why this is so hard to do - I don't know of any other kit of this sort that behave in this way. Both the Pace and Thomson DVR's I've had can record without activating the TV SCART socket but do when you turn them on. Same goes for the Panasonic & Sony DVDR's I've got/had ...

Surely this is what most people would want - recording is background and doesn't affect what is displayed on the TV, watch does?

Martin