Personal Video Recorders

[pjphilli (Peter)]

Hi

I have a Topfield TRF-7150 PVR which is about four years old. At the time of purchase I concluded that this was the best for my purpose.
However, in the past six months it has been playing up. It often decides of its own accord to "check files" and this is often followed by an automatic reboot which deletes all stored programs. Recently it has refused to respond to the remote controller and only limited response can be obtained by using the front panel buttons. The controller has fresh batteries and tests indicate that it is emitting strong infra red signals.
I have tried upgrading the software but this has had little effect.

Asking around I find out that others have similar problems with Topfield PVRs and in comparison mine has formed well!

In summary, I feel that it is time for my Topfield to go. I realise that in the four years that I have had it there are lots of new similar devices with enhanced facilities now available.

So I would appreciate any advice on which PVR is now the one to go for
- not Topfield please!

Access by the PVR to broadband is not such a necessity as I have an Apple TV box which performs very well.

Cheers Peter

[Renato1 (Renato)]

My first PVR didn't last much more than a couple of years. But the next one I got was a combined PVR and DVD recorder from LG. It has been working fine for around six years now. I record TV and Foxtel on it, and it is easy to edit videos for the occasional transfer to DVD.
Regards,
Renato

[pjphilli (Peter)]

Thanks Renato - I will look into the LG model. We have several LG appliances (including our TV set) and I have found them to be pretty
reliable.
Cheers Peter

[Wavytone]

I use eyeTV on my Mac... it functions perfectly as a PVR, include program guide, and exports the recordings to iTunes for our AppleTV. Had it for years, still works fine.

Two things eyeTV does which a PVR can't do:

It is accessible remotely from an iPad or iPhone to show live TV, program recordings or play recordings on the iPad/iPhone, so if thy have an iPad stand you can watch something anywhere - in the kitchen, in the bath, or in bed.

It is also accessible remotely across the internet provided you have a fast uplink speed and a solid downlink on the iDevice. Just beware that you can blow the cap on the mobile account very fast this way, as you'll be chewing through a GB an hour.

[scagman (John)]

Hi Peter,

It sounds like it might be the HD. You could try replacing it and see how it goes.

Been a toppy user for a while and have been happy with them over the years. I've just ordered a Topfiled 7170 as my last one is down to 1 tuner. Was looking at the Beyonwiz T3 but decided to stay with topfield.

Cheers

[hickny (Peter)]

I love my Beyonwiz. It's the original model and still works a treat although earlier this year I did pay $99 to have it repaired. Sadly I lost the recordings that were on the HDD the most important one being the NRL Grand Final.

[pjphilli (Peter)]

Thanks for these additional suggestions. I will keep looking - meanwhile
my present Topfield is staggering along but very unreliable.
Cheers Peter

[KISSMAD (Bruce)]

Originally Posted by pjphilli

Thanks for these additional suggestions. I will keep looking - meanwhile
my present Topfield is staggering along but very unreliable.
Cheers Peter

If you have a spare HDD lying around. You should put it in your 7150, it will be formatted. It's what I would be doing to see if the problems continue. I'd rather do that than spend money on another PVR. If it fixes the problem then great, you have saved yourself some money. Unless you want to buy a PVR HDD. If it does not fix the problem then you know that you have to buy another PVR but don't buy a Freeview model.