[jonnyw]

Helllllllllllp!

I need to choose PVRs for both my mother and myself. We're both currently down to 4 channels, and soon it'll be none!

I've been constantly drawn to the Humax PVR-9300T, which seems to have been awarded many awards. However, when searching these forums I seem to come across countless issues with them relating to fan noise (which I believe has no been solved), slow EPG load, crashing, freezing, not recording as expected etc. etc. etc.

In searching for alternatives, the similar issues seem to crop up with them too.

We'll both currently be using them on Widescreen CRT TVs, which it is expected will be replaced only when the current ones break (say any time in the next 5 years).

I'd ideally like to get the same box for my mum as myself, so I can talk her through any issues over the phone etc.

I thought of possibly getting a more configurable topfield unit (5810), but again many issued seem to exist (150 in one thread!).

I have a budget of circa £150-200 per unit (could increase if a holy grail of PVRs exists)

So back to the original question. Does anyone have a 9300 that they are happy with, and would recommend - or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Are there any Topfield 5810 owners here who care to comment too?

[reforse]

Remember that these type of boards are where people complain about things. You will find large whiny threads about every model.

General consensus on here is Topfield or Humax are the best two. If you are confortable installing a program from your PC to the box then the Topfield edges it, if you want to use out of the box then maybe the humax.

[Geofbob]

In case you haven't seen them, this thread & the one referred to in it, may (or may not) help - Which freeview recorder?

[rgvsean]

Any technology can have issues, what you should think about is which company would most likely solve them.

For me the noise issue on the Humax is null and void, it's a hard drive, it vibrates, the unit has crap feet. Fixed by a piece of vibration absorbing foam.

This is because MY UNIT needs the foam. Your installation may not show any noise at all.

The Humax are fine, lock-ups happen every now and again and take 30 seconds to fix. Switch off - switch on. Annoying but not life destroying and a fix is on the way soon.

Now my inlaws still have a VHS recorder, some of you on here may have forgotten just how noisey these old things were! (the VHS not the inlaws ha ha)

Go watch a VHS for a night then go back to the new stuff - works every time

[jonnyw]

Am now leaning towards a topfield 5180. Looks nice and configurable (I'm a techy - so *should* be no issues here!). Will probably get an alba for my mother.

Does anyone know if loading the My Stuff 6 (or any other TAPs) will void the warranty in any way?

Any 5180 users on here want to let me know what they think (before I take the plunge)?

EDIT: am thinking of getting a toppy for my mum now too!

Once My Stuff etc (and other TAPs) are on it, is it easy/intuitive to use?

[reforse]

Originally Posted by jonnyw

Does anyone know if loading the My Stuff 6 (or any other TAPs) will void the warranty in any way?

Any 5180 users on here want to let me know what they think (before I take the plunge)?

EDIT: am thinking of getting a toppy for my mum now too!

Once My Stuff etc (and other TAPs) are on it, is it easy/intuitive to use?

5800 owner myself and v. happy

Topfields are designed to work with TAPS no warranty issues. If someone wrote a bad one you could just uninstall it.

Mystuff has been around for years and constantly upgraded/updated and is very stable, The EPG is excellent, you need to learn a few buttons on the remote as they are not labeeled for mystuff but not too much. If you are not that worried about the HDMI socket then the 5800 may be a cheaper alternative.

[jonnyw]

Well it's done!

I've ordered 2 Topfield TF5810 PVRs for me and my mum!

They were £199.99 each, so I went with the latest (to hopefully be a bit more future proof).

Thanks for the help everyone

[Rocket_Man]

A good choice! Some advise:

1> Download and install Mystuff with it's supporting TAPs and recommended firmware to both before starting. Your going to need to learn a new remote so you might as well learn it with Mystuff installed.

2> After you've done a channel scan, delete the channels you wont watch (topup tv, encrypted, kids and adult always go from mine). The TF5810 is a little low on memory and deleting these unwatched channels make the EPG (program guide) much smaller. I'm not sure if this is done in the same way on the TF5810 as my TF5800 so i wont say how it is done.

3> Have a read through Toppy.org.uk ~ Index. There is loads of information on there.

4> Download the Mystuff manual and have a read MyStuff 6.1 start off with using the EPG, setting timers and watching recordings (archive). Mystuff is complicated, perhaps i should say it has lots of features, it's quite easy to use. Once you have the basics you soon pick up other things.

5> The latest Mystuff has series link. Don't use series link on Five's channels. They don't broadcast accurate series link information which will make you miss programs. Use "text searches" instead.

Good luck and enjoy. I've had mine for about 4 years now and wouldn't be without it.

[jonnyw]

Many thanks for that. Will follow your advice above (fingers crossed)