It seems that all of the information has dried up about the TF5810. I wonder if there has been a delay in bringing it to the UK markets.

We know a little bit about the new Hard Disks. And we know it will have Freeview Playback, new front panel display and HDMI upscaling. But we don't know about price (perhaps around £300) or other software features. It could be that there won't be a significant difference in any other aspect of the software.

What do people know/think?

We know plenty from the news released just a matter of a single month ago (yes, count it, one single, solitary month). And that's a jaw-droppingly massive 30-odd days ago, a whopping 4 whole weeks ..... my, doesn't time seem to drag when the nights start drawing in and you've got little else to do.

http://www.toppy.org.uk/static/2007newmodel.shtml

I think we know exactly what's in the threads over on www.toppy.org.uk. And no, I don't think there's been any delay or drying up of information - we happened to hear about it much earlier than would be normal, because Turbosat chose to show a few people the design photos and share info about features at an event last month.

We also know the engineer was here very recently doing live testing on the Freeview Playback software, which I've seen with my own eyes.

More will doubtless be revealed closer to launch; nothing I've heard so far suggests that the "around christmas" deadline is delayed.

There are other details that are close to confirmation. When I have confirmed information, there'll be a few more news items on the Toppy site. I'd add the news feed there to your favourite RSS browser - that's where you'll hear facts about the TF5810 first.

You're much better off waiting for the TF5815. There's plenty of snippets about that dotted around in various threads, although the chaps at Topfield may have had a few posts deleted in order to keep commercially-sensitive info under wraps until the big launch.

Best keep an eye on www.toppy.org.uk for any other bits that leak out about the TF5815, the info there is pretty much from the horse's mouth.

But, apart from the Freeview Playback, will the software be any different? Will the on-screen stuff still look like a ZX Spectrum?

Who knows?

And, indeed, who knows the people who know?

What do we actually know about the TF5810?

A certain person will not be happy with it.

Have you seen what the remote looks like Nigel?

No; unfortunately the remote wasn't in the design photo I saw.

It would be nice if the remote could change TV channels, volume etc.

Glen.

I don't think the remote is the most logical thing in the world, but I certainly don't feel a desperate need for it to change. I don't think we can expect a remote which can change the volume on a TV set. So it's fine as it is really.

You're so awkward. WHY can't we expect the remote to change?

Glen.

It would have to be compatible with just about every model of TV, like one of these "All in One" remotes. That's a bit of a luxury - I don't know any device which comes with one of these as standard.

Off the top of my head - Sky, Sky+, Sky HD to name but three.

Glen.

They are all subscription services though - one expects slightly higher things from them. The Toppy remote does very well for what it is.

ok. sorry

Some other remotes can control other TVs, the remote that came with my old Harmon Kardon AV Processor could do that, it even came with a list of codes for various makes of TV. Never worked with my TV though (probably because the HK was an American unit and the codes related to American TVs).

Yes, my old Philips VCR remote could be programmed to operate a range of TVs.

The original sony freeview (not pvr) box remote could change the volume on pretty much any telly if you bothered to put the right code in.

The TUTV Anytime remote comes with that facility, as you well know. You know the TUTV Anytime Box - the one that automatically skips ad-breaks according to you

Obviously he has been so busy using the very useful ad-skip function on the Anytime box that he's totally overlooked the other facilities.

2 x Mitsubishi VCR remotes
2 x Samsung DVD remotes
1 x Pioneer STB remote
1 x Pioneer PVR remote
1 x Philips STB remote
2 x Yamaha Amplifier remotes
1 x Pioneer Amplifier remote

and these are just devices that I have owned with that function. Not one had the Aspect ratio button though, which was annoying.

Many DVD Recorders have this function. The Panasonics have a list of codes to choose the correct TV make / model.

These cost a similar amount to a Topfield so I wouldn't class it as a luxury.

Sky doesn't have to be subscription. You can get FreeSat which uses a standard Sky box and remote.