Black Topfield TF5800PVR 250GB Twin Tuner Freeview PVR £200.97 Delivered

coolestaj

Just out of curiosity which is better this, or the humax one?

Searcher2

coolestaj:
Just out of curiosity which is better this, or the humax one?

Probably the Toppy. You can read up lots on this subject (check AVForums). What I think you will find is that the Humax is better out of the box and the Topfield is better once you have applied the user defined changes (TAPS) to it which you can get off the internet. So if you like fiddling then the Topfield is probably for you. In addition the Topfield can output component which may be important to you. The new Topfield due out soon will output HDMI. The Topfield is silent too as it has no fan, though the Humax fan only operates when it is out of standby (i.e. in operation). I just bought the Humax for my Dad a) because it was less than £140 and b) he won't be able to load TAPS onto it.

coolestaj

Searcher2:
Probably the Toppy. You can read up lots on this subject (check AVForums). What I think you will find is that the Humax is better out of the box and the Topfield is better once you have applied the user defined changes (TAPS) to it which you can get off the internet. So if you like fiddling then the Topfield is probably for you. In addition the Topfield can output component which may be important to you. The new Topfield due out soon will output HDMI. The Topfield is silent too as it has no fan, though the Humax fan only operates when it is out of standby (i.e. in operation). I just bought the Humax for my Dad a) because it was less than £140 and b) he won't be able to load TAPS onto it.

Thanks for that, think I will do the research but as I want to output via component then it looks like the toopfield one is for me.

Searcher2

coolestaj:
Thanks for that, think I will do the research but as I want to output via component then it looks like the toopfield one is for me.

I think you will find that both Humax and Topfield users are generally very happy with their machines. Having said that the Topfield can output component I did read of one bloke who reckoned that he got a better picture using RGB via SCART than by component via SCART!! At least you have the option with it.
The one annoying this on the Humax for me is the EPG takes ages to populate (it is empty when you take it out of standby). I presume the Topfield has a TAP that enables retention of the EPG after switching off. I know there is a TAP for the Topfield that allows you to record all programs with certain text in it - which means you can set it recording programs which are not even in the EPG at the time of setting the recording.
I would think that your dilemma will be between this Topfield and waiting for the new one.

Kulaak

I would add to the above the Topfield has a dreadful out of the box EPG (just displays 4 channels at a time) & functionality. While you can use it like this, quite a few people do, it would be wise to at least put one of the many EPG taps on it. They all work very well & are always populated.

If you want a more out of the box ready PVR the Humax is it.

The component despite being fed via scart is very good indeed. You may prefer the brighter/shinyer output of RGB tho'

Kulaak

Geez I was gonna post a deal on this Topfield today too until I saw this thread. £15 cheaper than my deal!!!

HUKDs come to the rescue again!

davedixson

Great price, but bear in mind that a new model of the topfield is due for release very soon now, although a new firmware release for this version will be relelsed for the 5800 which will bring many if not all the features of the newer model.

gogboy · *Last edited by gogboy : 03-01-2008 at 19:58.*

Topfield is fine out the box, perfectly useable and does all you really need.

Obviously not going to please all when your dealing with TV buffs and techy anoraks.

Very user friendly too, my father is near 80 and he doesn't have an issue with it.

Edit, its also for sale at Empire Direct at £199.99 with free delivery, think they on Quidco too..used to have some join up fee for about £15 to increase warranty if its still on and available.

Also about £229 at JL, will be vouchers out there to bring down and comes with 2yr warranty.

gogboy

Searcher2:
I presume the Topfield has a TAP that enables retention of the EPG after switching off.

We have nil Taps and it doesn't seem to lose the EPG

rob585

the humax while is good unfortunately its last update for series link is naff.

i.a.wright

This is a great PVR and a great price. It's £229 +3% quidco at John lewis plus yould should be able to get at least £10 off with a voucher if you want to get the longer warrenty period John Lewis offers. It's a complicated bit of kit so the extra might well be worth it.

Nice find though

Kulaak

gogboy:
Topfield is fine out the box, perfectly useable and does all you really need.

Obviously not going to please all when your dealing with TV buffs and techy anoraks.

I was bitterly dismayed when I switched it on. I liked quite a few of it's features but it's annoyances quickly picked up steam. For me tho' it passed it's main criteria of being quiet, sensitive & very good picture & sound quality (had to compare very favourably with the Sony box). Without any of that i would've considered it a pile of junk

Mike73

Can't be bothered to do the maths properly (math for all those crazy Yanks out there!) but it could work out about the same price at Firebox (£219.95 - £5 voucher(always a few of these knocking about) + £3.95 postage = £218.90, but with 10% Quidco on the pre VAT price it should be about the same.

To be honest though, I'd wait and see how much the new model is, as that's supposedly got HDMI and HD upscaling so should give a nicer picture!

Black Topfield TF5800PVR 250GB Twin Tuner Freeview PVR £200.97 Delivered

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