A great way to add High Definition recording ability to your TV, you just need an external hard drive. Why pay $700 for TiVo?
Includes HDMI output. No twin-tuners but if your TV has a built-in tuner, the PVR can record one channel while you watch another on the TV.
Spotted in Clive Peeters catalogue that ends on 31 August (page 6 and 32), and on the same page is a similar Freeview certified Topfield TBF-7120 for only $259!
I saw that the Topfield is available online for an extra $20 odd (after delivery) at http://www.reddeal.com.au/details/2608762.html, but as to your question I suppose you can only ask them. I think they specialise more in whitegoods/kitchen appliances that they can deliver locally, but I don't know about postage. There seems to be stores all down the east coast though so maybe a friend or someone would be willing to get one for you…
cool, thanks for the info.
Topfield is $261 on your link, did the price change in the meantime?
N.B. For the Topfield TBF-7120 unit…
The (external) hard disk drive must have its own power supply because the digital receiver cannot supply enough power to run the hard drive via the USB port.
In that case you'd best use a 3.5" external HDD which would necessarily have its own PSU (and be better GB/$ than the 2.5" portable drives).
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I don't think either is high definition. HD stands for hard disk.
I assure you I have the Topfield and it is certainly 1080. I paid $300 for it and that was $30 off. It works great, except for occassional lag loading menus and the file list but that could be the hard disk. Have a look at the picture - why does Clive Peeters use the HDD acronym seperately?
According to the Topfield site, TBF-7120 is capable of 1080i, so that qualifies it as high definition
The page 6 listing does leave room for ambiguity, but the back page (32) clearly states that the Allure device IS indeed a HD digital set top box.
Similarly, the Topfield web page states that the TBF-7120 STB Supports High Definition services.
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Anyone know where I can find the specs on this set top box ?
I have Googled but so far little to nothing on it.
does it support NTFS file format on the External Hard disk?
would this box plays back 720p .AVI or 1080P .MKV files?
Probably won't support MKV and won't play back 720p/1080p. It's first and foremost a PVR/STB not quite a media player.
Life is getting so complicated. How are little old grannies meant to cope. Can you hook the $179 box to a PS3 with 40 Gig hard drive.
nope
I also see that the Topfield has Component and Composite out, good for those that don't want to buy a new TV yet, but want the HD channels (the first HD STB ive seen that has more than just HDMI).
Though it seems you have to tell the topfield to force 576P as it will only output SD video on the composite port, not that that is a problem since a tv without hdmi probably wont support any higher anyway.
Looks great. Thanks!
With the power supply needed for the ext HDD, where would be a good place to look and what kind of power supply should I get? Or does the ext HDD box tells you? Sorry never used one before.
Most 3.5" USB hard drives will come with a power supply. For example the Maxtor OneTouch 500GB that's currently $89 at MSY.
Any reviews on the Topfield? What format are the recordings in? Can they be transfered/converted to avi, etc?
Topfield usually records in a .REC file format so you need to use a free software to convert into any any video format you like.
Pity these PVR's are only single tuner, having a twin tuner is a must!
They also have a Force series 5 PVR for $150. Really good bargain!
Got one in Clive Peeters Auburn Sydney.
Although its only sd but 80gb hd is great for the price.
Topfield are a very good brand. Members of my family have had multiple SD and HD versions. The tuners and the interface are about the best on the market. The only brand that compares in terms of quality, capabilities and interface is Beyonwiz.
Do yourself a favour, though, and don't get a model that says "Freeview". What that means is that the commercial channels have "approved" it for recording programs, because the ad-skipping capabilities have been severely hampered. There are still versions left that are not "Freeview compatible", but that means they actually do more, not less.
You are also better off with a dual tuner version if your budget can stretch that far, as you can record one thing while watching another. It's a real revolution in TV watching.
I saw that these two have appeared again in the catalogue that expires on 6 September, so I've updated the expiry date.
so this is instore only, no delivery?