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TAPs
charlesaitken
22-11-2007
Hi. I'm probably going to buy a Topfield and was looking at putting on TAPs. Have the TAPs all been modified for the new TF5810 or will they run on the old model as well?

Thanks in advance.
R2-D2
22-11-2007
Originally Posted by charlesaitken:
“Hi. I'm probably going to buy a Topfield and was looking at putting on TAPs. Have the TAPs all been modified for the new TF5810 or will they run on the old model as well?”

Yes, as all TAP writers have been given TF5810s a few months back every TAP will work flawlessly on the TF5810. In fact, they are all significantly improved on the TF5815, with its clever TAP prediction software.
charlesaitken
22-11-2007
Originally Posted by R2-D2:
“Yes, as all TAP writers have been given TF5810s a few months back every TAP will work flawlessly on the TF5810. In fact, they are all significantly improved on the TF5815, with its clever TAP prediction software.”

Eek. Now I'm really confused, R2-D2. I wanted to know if the TAPs will still run on the original TF5800, because that is the model I am thinking of buying.

I knew Topfield were releasing the TF5810 but I didn't even know about another model being released (TF5815)! Where can I find out about it?

I guess it's a good idea that the TAP writers have been given TF5810s so that people buying this new machine won't have to wait months and months (years?) for TAPs. Are the TF5810 TAP writers allowed to disclose any info about the new machine? Will TAP writers now split into either the TF5800 or 5810/5815 camp? Does that mean that TAP writing will be diluted across platforms and therefore not as good for any one individual model? After all, I guess the TAP writers only have limited time for all this stuff.

Sorry for all of these questions!
R2-D2
22-11-2007
Originally Posted by charlesaitken:
“I wanted to know if the TAPs will still run on the original TF5800, because that is the model I am thinking of buying.”

No, none of them work on the only model that you can buy in the shops or that anybody has at home. They only work on the model that nobody has yet.
charlesaitken
22-11-2007
Originally Posted by R2-D2:
“No, none of them work on the only model that you can buy in the shops or that anybody has at home. They only work on the model that nobody has yet.”

That's shocking. I'm going to re-think getting a TF5800 now. Thanks for letting me know. That could have been a costly mistake. I'm sure that other potential buyers will be interested to hear this too, especially with Christmas approaching!
R2-D2
22-11-2007
Originally Posted by charlesaitken:
“I'm sure that other potential buyers will be interested to hear this too, especially with Christmas approaching!”

Yes, Topfield sure have shot themselves in the foot with that stupid idea, retroactively making existing TF5800s not able to run the existing TAPs.
charlesaitken
22-11-2007
Originally Posted by R2-D2:
“Yes, Topfield sure have shot themselves in the foot with that stupid idea, retroactively making existing TF5800s not able to run the existing TAPs.”

Life is complicated in Toppy-land
KennyT
22-11-2007
Charles...

Some background info may help.

It is being assumed by some FMs that you are a previous forum member that was banned for always starting threads berating Topfield for not doing something or other.

Hence the dialogue today! FYI, the 5815 was a joke machine created that would have all the features (and then some) that the previous poster wanted.

On the working assumption that you are actually a new member, then the answer to your original question is:


All the TAPS in the library (or at least the ones with 'ticks') were written for the 5800. Nobody in the TAP-writing game has (afaik) got a 5810 to play with to see if it's any different.

There are some that work on various other (Australian mostly) models that you try at your own risk.


K
charlesaitken
22-11-2007
Thanks for the info, Kenny. If what you say is true, then I must say I find the behaviour of certain forum members very upsetting. I've always had a sunny disposition and try to see the good in everyone, rather than presuming the worst.
simoncapewell
22-11-2007
The nearest anyone has been to a 5810 is at an event held by Turbosat recently for competition winners, where they brought along a prototype (Prince was there too BTW). Topfield aren't in the habit of handing out free hardware to TAP authors, so we won't know how well TAPs work on a 5810 until somebody buys one. Given all this, you're best off not worrying about what might happen when the 5810 appears.

The time to start worrying is when the 5815 arrives. It's going to have a feature that melts your aerial whenever someone tries to hack into your wireless network. Now there's security for you
charlesaitken
22-11-2007
Originally Posted by simoncapewell:
“The nearest anyone has been to a 5810 is at an event held by Turbosat recently for competition winners, where they brought along a prototype (Prince was there too BTW). Topfield aren't in the habit of handing out free hardware to TAP authors, so we won't know how well TAPs work on a 5810 until somebody buys one. Given all this, you're best off not worrying about what might happen when the 5810 appears.

The time to start worrying is when the 5815 arrives. It's going to have a feature that melts your aerial whenever someone tries to hack into your wireless network. Now there's security for you ”

That's interesting Simon. All 'cloak and dagger' stuff I think you should know that it has been suggested that the 5815 is a spoof 'invented' machine. Perhaps you know otherwise? Confusing eh I hadn't thought about it, but I agree with you that secure wireless would seem a very handy addition to a Set Top Box. Maybe Topfield have listened to you and will implement it in the TF5810. (fingers crossed)

I guess that if there are many differences in writing TAPs for the old and new model(s) then we might see reduced output for TAPs on the TF5800 as programmers switch to the TF5810 and TF5815.
R2-D2
22-11-2007
I can't understand why the subscription TV service that I pay for every month hasn't supplied me with a free set-top box. It's ridiculous. Why won't they listen to me and the 3 other people who I got to sign the petition? How can I be expected to actually enjoy any of the broadcasts without a set-top box? All I need is one with a big hard disk, a DVD writer, a wireless connection, a VCR (for compatibility with my existing "special interest" tapes), a teasmaid and Microsoft Office. It's getting so bad that I'm thinking about actually stopping my TV Licence Direct Debit. That'll show them!
charlesaitken
22-11-2007
Originally Posted by R2-D2:
“a VCR (for compatibility with my existing "special interest" tapes)”

TMI R2-D2!
simoncapewell
22-11-2007
Well I write TAPs and I've no intention of spending £300 on the 5810 (I bought my 5800 in 2005 when it was still £290ish) until it's been proved stable and has come down in price. I suspect that other TAP authors feel the same. Also, there's a large community of TAP authors internationally, none of them have the 5800, yet their TAPs generally run fine on the 5800. I can't see reduced support for the 5800 ever being an issue. After all, you don't need to keep uprading firmware and TAPS every day - the Toppy can be as much set and forget as any other PVR.
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