Anyone got a Topup TV Thomson DTI6300 FREEVIEW Box ?

Dave_The_Rave_2

Anyone bought the above Freeview/Topup TV box ?

I have seen a quote from the website http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/topuptvanytime.html stating that if you want to use the box just for Freeview, it's functions are limited.
Quote is :-
"Recording Freeview channels onto hard-disk, accessing the recording store, or trying to pause live TV, popped up a message: "Warning. You do not have a valid subscription. You must have a subscription to use all the features of this recorder including record, play back and live pause.", plus a prompt to call 08700 543210 to sort out your subscription."

That surely can't be true, can it ?!! I was going to buy this tomorrow, but this has put me right off !! I just want it as a Freeview recorder, and pausing live TV !

Please tell me this isn't true !!

Dave_The_Rave_2

Thanks, but looking for a good one with twin RECORD (rather than the usual record 1 watch 1). Had a digifusion, but very unreliable and had to return it).

The only other decent ones are Humax and Topfield, and they're ALOT more expensive that the Thomson, hence why I was keen on that one !

But really need to know if it can only work FULLY without topup subscription !

albertross_2

I don't know, it is discussed here:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=522677

http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?board=topuptv

There is a review here with some other downsides/annoyances:

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07/23/review_thomson_topup_tv/

Personally, I think the topuptv business model is flawed, and destined to fail at some point in the future. The introduction of anytime is likely to bring the date of failure forward, rather than rescue it, because they have just alienated a large percentage of their existing customers, who now need a new box to get their pointless extra channels.

It's very hard to find manuals for Thomson kit on the web, that also puts me off the brand.

Are you paying £120 for it?

Are you sure it has twin record functionality?

Dave_The_Rave_2

Yep, twin record (according to Argos and another review). And Argos now have it for £99 !!!

Agree, think Top-up TV will fail, that why I'd be happy to use it as a standard Freeview PVR. Just want ot make sure all the functions work without the topup subscription.

Might buy from John Lewis, and get them to price-match Argos (that way, get a two year guarantee, and you can return them to John Lewis, unlike Argos as these items are excluded)

Dave_The_Rave_2

Phew !! Just just found out the following:-

"If you have paid a discounted price for the DTR (i.e. via Topup for £75) and stop subscribing (or remove the card) some DTR functions will cease to work. When you buy the DTR or pass your contract milestone these functions are released"

So that means the Argos one is okay.

Thanks all