Anyone using a Beyondwiz T3 PVR

[scagman]

Hi guys,

My current PVR, a Topfield 7100HD has lost a tuner, meaning I can now only record 1 channel at a time. So I have been looking at getting a new one.
I've been a big fan of the Toppies since getting a 5000MP years ago.

I've been reading up on the BeyondWiz with its 3 tuners and was wondering if anyone has had any experience, good or bad, with them and how they compare to other PVR's out there.

Thanks

[tlgerdes]

Not a BeyondWiz, but Windows MediaCenter is by far the best PVR you can buy. Not cheap, but the best. Team it with a lowprofile PC case and you can have one stylish system that runs rings around any other similar device. It is one of the few things MS did right in the last 10 years.

[acropolite]

Panasonic make a 3 tuner blu ray burner DVR (DMR-BWT945), with 2tb hdd, programmable using android or idevice from anywhere where there's web access. Panasonic is also very reliable in my experience.

[KISSMAD]

I don't own one but I was looking into them a few weeks ago. Seems they can only be purchased from the Beyonwiz website.

The three tuners is certainly a draw card for the T3 with the option to add a USB tuner (an extra $50) to make it a quad tuner. So you would be able to record 8 show at the same time but only from 3 providers.

The barebone model is $499 without any HDD. They sell the 2TB model for an extra $200. You are better off buying your own 2TB HDD and installing it in the barebones model. It will save you about $70. I was a bit disappointed that the remote control is an optional extra, $50.

Have you thought about buying another Toppy? About $300 to $400 will get you a 500GB HDD with twin tuner that can record 4 programs at once, 2 programs from 2 networks. Not all models have this feature.

I'm a fan of Topfield as well. I currently have a TRF-7160 and TRF-2400. I use a couple of TAPs that I can't live without.

[tlgerdes]

You can also buy them online from https://www.icetv.com.au/store/PVRs/

[scagman]

Hi Trevor,

I do have WMC on my laptop and must admit I'm not that impressed with it. Having said that I don't use it much, more a backup when the I'm in my games/study room. Also on my desktop at work, but it doesn't like my current 4 tuner DNTV card I have in that. I did look at building a dedicated box a few yrs ago but decided against that idea.
What turner cards do you use in yours?.

Phil, The Panasonic does look like a nice unit but I dont need/use a dvd player/burner. Havn't burnt a disk for years. May get used if I had one but not enough to warrant the extra cost.

Bruce. The toppy 7160 was the 1st choice and almost purchased one, but thought I would see if there was anything out there that might be as good and use the equivalent to "taps". Thats when I came across the T3. The 3 tuners is very appealing. Reading some forums you can actually record 13/14 different things at the same time I believe. Not that I could imagine anyone wanting to record that much crap. But does sound good thou.

I dont use any taps at present as I thought the HD versions didn't allow the use of them. Was very surprised to see that they are still available. On the 5000MP I did and was one of the main reasons going the toppy route in the first place. PBK and TEDS were my favorites and believe they don't work with the current crop. I really miss TEDS, made finding/setting timers so much easier once all setup.
What are your favorite Taps?
Yes putting your own HD in was the option I am looking at.
One thing I don't like about the T3 is the use of SCART connectors and the price of scart to HDMI converters.

Thanks guys for the input

Cheers

[KISSMAD]

Hi John

The 7160 is my favourite Toppy.

Check out these TAPS for TMS machines.
TMSTimer 4.05b by JaffaMan. It lets you setup timers via the epguide or manually set them. http://oztoppy.wikidot.com/tmstimer
Jdaskip - Skip through the ads with a press of the button. http://oztoppy.wikidot.com/jdaskip
jdaBackToList - It lets you configure what happens after you finished playing a file. I have mine setup to bring the recording list. http://oztoppy.wikidot.com/jdabacktolist

A while ago I upgraded my 2 Toppies with a 2TB Video HDD in each. I had a normal HDD in one (it was all I had at the time) and it gave a hum. You could hear it all the time when the machine was on. Putting a DVR HDD in and there is no longer that noise.

Why use the T3 SCART when it already has an HDMI output?

[scagman]

Thanks for the list Bruce, I'll check them out.
Good tip about the HDD.
your right about the scart/hdmi, I had one of those brain fade moments and was thinking that everthing plugs into it instead of the TV.

I was also thinking if I get another toppy, I'd keep my other for the time a 3rd tuner is need. Then again I could get the T3 and have a 4th tuner :shrug:.

[KISSMAD]

You're welcome John

The DVR HDD was only $20 more than a regular HDD at the time so I thought it was worth getting it. Each brand has a different name for their DVR HDD, I got a Seagate Pipeline.

If your thinking of buying another Toppy, check out retail shops. The Topfield store is more expensive, you can save yourself around $100 or more. Having said that, I have not seen the 7160 for sale except for the Topfield site. I'm actually surprised it's still available and it's a reasonable price for $224.00. I have noticed that the 7100HD and 7160 use the same remote.

It all comes down to how many shows you want to record at the same time and how much money you want to spend.

T3 is $599 - Barebones unit, remote control and USB tuner. No HDD which is another $130 approx.
7160 is $224.00 - Unit with remote control and 500GB HDD.