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Topfield HD Set Top Box TBF100HD with PVR/Media Player $29 @ TGG

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Good morning all

Topfield HD Set Top Box with PVR/Media player $29 @ TGG

Same price at HN. Thanks fellow Ozbargainers for feedback.

This inexpensive Topfield set-top box allows you to tune in to SD and HD digital TV broadcasts easily. It even has a USB port so that you can plug in a hard drive and use it as a recorder and media player. Great for anyone who doesn't want to splash out on a large PVR.

Works as a recorder and media player if you plug in a USB hard drive.

Also able to play media files (AVI and MP4) off the hard drive through the set-top box's media player function, as well as listen to MP3s.

Spec

Tuner DVB-T 1 x Mpeg4 - HD
Colour Black
Inputs/Outputs HDMI Output, Composite (CVBS) Output
Standard / High Resolution HD
Warranty 12 Months
Hard Drive size External Hard Disk Drive Support Up To 1000Gb (1Tb)
Additional Feature 1 PhotoViewer
Additional Feature 2 USB 2.0 Support

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closed Comments

  • +1

    mmm, considering I have yet to get PVR re-working on my networked xbmc media centre's this is tempting! Anyone know what formats this will record on (codecs and containers)? I had something else that gave me .ts streams or something similar? thanks guys :)

    • Most importantly, are the recorded files UNENCRYPTED? In other words, will the recorded files play back on my pc if I take the USB drive out of the set top box and plug it into my PC (with plenty of codecs installed already)?

      I bought a TCL TV with PVR function a while ago and it records just fine but the files will only play back on that same tv. Tried all my media players, PCs, phones etc, even threw my Linux box at it until I found the the files were encrypted!

      Really, encrypting Free-to-Air TV? Come on guys, that's just plain nasty and consumer unfriendly.

      • +1

        That's Freeview for you, it's not news though. And yes, you can copy recordings off it, though it would be much simpler to plug a DVB stick into your PC and use that, as you'll get plain MPG2 (PS or TS) files as your output. $23 @ UMart http://www.leadtek.com/eng/product/6/623/intro.aspx

        • Nar, Bazza, it wasn't a Freeview thing, coz the same show recorded on my set top box (an old, cheap Olin from Kmart) played back fine on my media player, and could be transcoded for my phone using Avidemux on my PC.

          It was that rotten TV, encrypting open transmissions from the tv stations. I had trouble believing it for a while too.

          now I'm careful before I buy stuff, even when it's only $ 29.

          Do we want to support manufacturers with our money when they restrict our freedoms like that?

        • +2

          I think what bazzaa was saying is that your TCL TV is probably Freeview compliant … and one of the rules of Freeview is to encrypt recordings. Whereas your Olin STB is not Freeview compliant.

        • Ahh, NOW I see. Thanks for that. Looks like it might be easier for me to buy the kind of products that give me maximum freedom … keep away from "Freeview Compliant"! :)

        • Umart does not stock that mini D model (with DAB radio) you link to, rather the lesser Leadtek Dongle Mini USB2.0 TV Tuner for $23. http://www.leadtek.com/eng/product/6/531/intro.aspx Got me excited for nothing ;)

          For a cheapie HDTV tuner dongle with DAB radio, Scoopon has a deal for $20 delivered - don't know much about it. COTD & Scoopon have been selling them for a while. http://www.scoopon.com.au/deals/46040/usb-digital-hdtv-dab-t…

  • +1

    Does it play *.mkv videos? Cause the inexpensive one i got from here http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/94609 a few months ago does play everything ;)

    • -2

      I think this is only a STB with PVR feature. It is not a media player.

      • the description clearly say it is also a media player. quote:-

        "Works as a recorder and media player if you plug in a USB hard drive.

        Also able to play media files (AVI and MP4) off the hard drive through the set-top box's media player function, as well as listen to MP3s."

    • +2

      From the manual (which wasn't hard to find):
      http://www.topfield.co.kr/eng/product/detail.asp?idx=296&pag…

      You can play back media files such as photos, videos and music with this digital
      receiver, when a USB storage device is connected.
      Media file formats* that you can play back with the digital receiver are as follows:
      • Video: xvid, mp4, mpg, mov, flv, mkv, vob, 3gp and avi
      • Image: jpg
      • Music: mp3

      Also worth noting:

      • NTFS Read/Write supported

      They've actually been this price instore for quite a while, despite the online catalogue showing $69. We have one, works fine for a budget STB.

      • Do your recordings play back on any other devices?

        • Can anyone confirm this?

      • so no DTS audio support?

  • A quick google finds the same product at HN for $29… not much of a discount
    http://www.harveynorman.com.au/topfield-hd-set-top-box.html?…

    • Depends on your Harvey Norman, I had to end up price matching due to my local store not giving the internet price.

  • I paid $100 on sale for this from Dick Smith a few years ago. Still going strong.

  • No component output and only has rear usb port. Not very convenient if in TV cabinet unless you use a USB extension cable

    • I hate it when manufacturers design them with the USB port on the back. This set top box is an old model with an old design though.

  • Only $2 shipping. Wow!

  • Seems they brought it down to Harvey Norman price now, I got one a few weeks back using price match due to Harvey being stingy (creating a submodel so they can charge $99 for it)

  • Can it record subtitle?

  • Well tried to order this just then, but their website is screwed. The main site is down so you're taken to the tablet page (using my iPad anyway) and went to enter my address, got the prompt to confirm it, which I did, then it just dropped me back to the address page again and an endless loop doing it over and over.

    Tried it on safari and chrome, same result. How convenient of them to be doing maintenance on their main site when they offer $2 shipping just today :-)

  • Bargain of the morning.

  • +1

    Well I bought this, got it delivered today.

    Seems to be alright for a basic unit, seems to work ok. One problem is, is that it has to be on for the TV signal to be passed through! So it can't be out into standby if I want to actually just watch tv on the actual tv tuner. Pretty shocking that, I'd of thought that would have been a basic thing. Guess I'll just have to get a splitter instead of using the output from the PVR.

    • +1

      Some PVRs have options to power antenna pass through or not, so check if this is an option first. Not powering is the default as it saves power. Seem to remember this is an option on Topfields I have used.

      • +1

        Yeah I've looked through the manual and all the menu's, can't find the option at all. It's not a huge deal breaker as I have it in the bedroom which I hardly use for watching tv, mostly just streaming stuff to my XBMC from my NAS. So it's not a major drama, just a bit weird I'd of thought.

        Ah well, good enough for taping the footy :-)

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