Topfield's TF5800PVR was well received and it is still available, so why would you opt to cash out an extra £150 or so on this new model?
The simple answer is that the new TF5810PVR offers several enhancements and looks far better.
Style junkies may already have had their minds made up for them.
Bundles of storage
The feature count of this deck goes much deeper than a pretty fascia, of course. First of all, you get a 500GB hard disk, which will hold around 250 hours of programming.
The exact amount depends on the programmes you are recording, but this is an impressive capacity.
Next up is an HDMI able to output standard def upscaled to 576p, 720p or 1080i levels. Note that this does not make this an HD Freeview receiver. If hi-def broadcasts are ever offered through Freeview the TF5810PVR will not be able to receive them.
The twin digital tuners mean you can record two channels at the same time, while watching a third or a previously made recording. Timers are set easily using the EPG, or you can simply press the record button and start to record what you're watching.
Link with your PC
A 'buffer' is constantly recorded (unless you switch it off), which stores the last hour of programming on the channel you are watching. Switch channels, however, and the buffer is lost and starts again from scratch on the new channel.
A USB 2.0 connection makes it possible to transfer files to and from a Windows PC (five times quicker than real time, if you use 'Turbo' mode) using the downloadable software, and the Topfield can play MP3 files.
It can also handle Jpeg, Gif and bitmap image files if you download a small software file known as a TAP (Topfield Application Program).
Playback options include slow-mo (as slow as one-eighth normal speed) and high-speed search and the deck offers basic editing functions, which let you trim sections out of a recording. Finally, there's a CAM card slot for adding Pay TV services.
Easy setup
The deck is simple to set up. Plug it in, hook up your TV and it quickly seeks out available channels.
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