HDD Freeview PVR Opinions

oldagetraveller

Is anyone able to recommend which of these two I should purchase. There is a £30 difference in price but is there a £30 difference in picture/sound quality etc.? Topfield TF5800 and Humax 9200. The Humax is cheaper in price. Both get excellent reviews.

Fifer

We faced that dilemma just over a year ago. We bough the Humax and it has been excellent. No regrets whatsoever. Very easy to use, very reliable, very versatile and very well designed and thought out. I don't recall if the Toppy can do this, but with the Humax, you can record two programmes and watch a third (as long as it's on one of the multiplexes you are recording from). It's a neat trick. You can also record two programmes and watch a recording at the same time. The Humax used to come with a standard 2-year warranty. Not sure if it still does.

judderman62

Fifer wrote: »

We faced that dilemma just over a year ago. We bough the Humax and it has been excellent. No regrets whatsoever. Very easy to use, very reliable, very versatile and very well designed and thought out. I don't recall if the Toppy can do this, but with the Humax, you can record two programmes and watch a third (as long as it's on one of the multiplexes you are recording from). It's a neat trick. You can also record two programmes and watch a recording at the same time. The Humax used to come with a standard 2-year warranty. Not sure if it still does.

I have the same box as Father Jack above.

One cam also watch a programme from the start as it is still recording same prog !!! i did this last night.

Main gripe I have with it is that there is little latitude of accuracy when pointing the remote at the box to get it to respond - I find this very annoying indeed - I've had some kit where you could point at 45 degrees and it still responds.

I also loathe that the EPG takes several minutes to populate :mad::mad:

otherwise as the drunken priest says it's a good little box and I like the rather bland design and the "fisher price" remote

Good and well thought out functionality.

If you get it discard the slide cover that gives access to more buttons as you will likely use thema fair bit.

hth

Judders

oldagetraveller

Thanks to both.
I am favouring the Humax, although it is cheaper and Im sure just as good with regards picture/sound as the Topfield.
I have a Digihome 80GB hdd Freeview twin tuner at the moment, which is very good, but find a need for the larger hdd. Although there is a 160GB Digihome version I want to go a bit more "upmarket".
I wouldn't be without one of these now, so easy to use and convenient.
Like yout avatar Fifer! Mines a bit more refined though.:rolleyes:

Inactive

There is also the Thomson with a 160GB Hard Drive for around £100 from John Lewis with a 2 year guarantee.;)

Destiny33

Hi,

Sorry to hijack this thread but can someone clever please explain how the HUMAX works in conjunction with virgin media?

I have gone by everyones helpful advice and ordered this to go with my new tv. I have a tv with integrated freeview and also have virgin channels.

I would be very grateful if anyone could tell me that i have ordered well and i can look forward to this. I am so non technical and i'm sorry but any help would be fantastic.

Thank you
Destiny

irnbru_2

Destiny33 wrote: »

Sorry to hijack this thread but can someone clever please explain how the HUMAX works in conjunction with virgin media?

It won't.

It's a PVR for FREEVIEW.

Did you buy online or over the counter?

showman36

I must agree with everything already said I've had the Humax for a year now and its been brilliant, regular firmware updates help a lot and the cheaper pvr's dont have a lot of after sales support, buy the Humax you wont regret it.

Destiny33

Thanks for replies

I am buying this online so probs could cancel if i cant use at all.

My tv has integrated freeview, can i use this pvr in conjunction with freeview and still be able to access virgin?

Sorry to be dim, guess like most girls i want it all ;)lol

Thanks so much for all help
Destiny
:beer:

Fifer

Yes, you will still be able to access Virgin. You will not be able to record anything from Virgin however, only Freeview.

epninety

Just to put in a vote for the Topfield. I've had one for a year or so, and been more than happy with it. The biggest difference I'm aware of is that the topfield is customisable, and loads of software is available on the web for it, to extend it's capabilites.

I've never tried a Humax, but one techie mate who has one reckons my Topfield has a better user interface (custom one from the web), and says he should have spent the extra..

Have a look at toppy.org.uk to see whats available for it.