Humax Pvr9200t Vs Topfield Tf5800pvr

[thecount]

I'm about to buy by first ever PVR and I am torn between the Humax and the Humax PVR9200T and the Topfield TF5800PVR - anyone got anything to say about these two head to head?

thanks for your advise.

[danco]

I'm about to buy by first ever PVR and I am torn between the Humax and the Humax PVR9200T and the Topfield TF5800PVR - anyone got anything to say about these two head to head?

thanks for your advise.[/b]

I haven't used the Topfield, and am very satisfied with the Humax. Both have occasional faults and bus.

From what I have read,

1. Humax is significantly cheaper than the Topfield.

2. Topfield has third party add-ons, which improvie its functionality in various ways, some important. the Humax does not have this possibility, and probably never will have.

[Mr_Orange]

2. Topfield has third party add-ons, which improvie its functionality in various ways, some important. the Humax does not have this possibility, and probably never will have.[/b]
This is akin to software on a PC though, and therefore the potential for crashes is far higher if you decide to use the TAPs (I think that's what the add-ons are called).

[FenderBender]

I was initially torn between the Hummy and Topfield. The Toppy appealed because I like to dabble, and the TAPS seemed like a great idea. I chose the Hummy in the end because of rave reviews and price.

In retrospect I'm glad I chose the Hummy. Humax have been top notch in providing software updates - 3 since I got the machine in February and another one planned soon. Compare and contrast that to my old Nokia box which had 1 update in 3 years, and now Nokia have all but abandoned the Mediamaster 221T users.

The Topfield TAPs seem good, but I have heard that some of them 'time out', and you have to keep reloading them on a regular basis. I honestly don't know how true that is though. One thing is for sure, if you want custom functionality the Topfield is a good choice.

I believe the Hummy runs cooler than the Topfield too.

[Barry]

Owning both I suppose I should comment.

Humax beats a vanilla Topfield hands down, better FF and Rewind speeds, autopadding, and from a personal perspective a better User Interface.......There are more enhancements to the Humax coming soon.

You can add third party software to the Topfield called Topfield Applications (Taps) these can further enhance the basic machine to include, a better EPG, better options for timers eg akin to series linking, etc. If you think that you would use these, and enjoy tinkering, then you should read up on the Mystuff Tap.

I see that you have also requested info on the toppy forum, and you should spend a little time researching Taps there, however if you are not going to use them, then the Humax is definitely the machine to go for.

Humax produce regular updates, both OTA, and downloads from their support website. Topfield to date have only had 1 OTA, but have provided updates via their website and toppy forum.

Support for both units is excellent, dedicated forums, and members who have direct access to the manufacturers/importers.

Of course if price is important to you then the Humax is the cheaper option.

[thecount]

ok, thanks for the reply, I'm still slighty torn between them, yes the toppy does seem expandable. I must admit though, that to b honest I might be a little lazy with regard to the taps situation, would I actually use it, maybe if I found something useful. but I am worried about messing the machine up with 3rd part software.

oh I really can't decide now :-(

[Barry]

ok, thanks for the reply, I'm still slighty torn between them, yes the toppy does seem expandable. I must admit though, that to b honest I might be a little lazy with regard to the taps situation, would I actually use it, maybe if I found something useful. but I am worried about messing the machine up with 3rd part software.

oh I really can't decide now :-([/b]


It is a tough call, which is why I try not to recommend one, rather just explain each and let the buyer decide.

The chances of you messing the machine up with Taps are slim, you can always boot the unit, and hold down the 0 (zero) key so none are loaded on boot up. Should you come across problems, it is just a matter of connecting to PC and deleting the culprit.......sounds easy, but I am only to aware of how daunting it might seem.

If you really do not think you will use or have the inclination to mess around with Taps, then I would suggest the Humax.

[jda180hm]

... only other advice I could offer is - what else could you spend the difference in price on? If the choice were Hummy plus £50 cash or a Topfield would that help you decide?

:-) Jonathan

[marcdavis]

I would get the topfield if there was a tap I actually needed and was still worth paying the money together with a bit of work. I think thats what put some people off the topfield but it depends what you are like and I would be fine with all that. Once you've got the toppy and made the modifications you wanted, you can patch up firmware difficiencies with more and more taps too - taps are not just for the new features but can sort out problems.

If you dont need to spend so much on a PVR and you just want it to be able to record freeview, two programmes at once, recording weekly or daily series etc, I would get one of the other £130-£180 PVRs. They are all quite good, especially if you've never owned one before there will be a wow factor for a while and you will be evanglising to everyone about PVRs. Out of all that lot of PVRs I'd certainly recomend the Humax on a number of fronts. Its well built, has a two year warranty, powerful, feature packed - like searching the whole of the EPG for programmes or keywords or even by genre (like Movies) for things you might like to record. Its about to get another update with more features and enhancements, plus others on the way like true series link. Well supported by the manufacturer and close likes between Humax and forum members direct, no middle man/distributor. The forum here is exceptional - quick responses for advice and guidance and very friendly. £171 at Dixons at the moment. Which ever you decided on including either of the Humax or Topfield believe me you will love these and tell you friends

[thecount]

thanks for that response. so if I wasn't going to use the taps, out of hte two? what do you think? not much in em? I noticed that the Topfield is slightly smaller in size too.

[jda180hm]

thanks for that response. so if I wasn't going to use the taps, out of hte two? what do you think? not much in em? I noticed that the Topfield is slightly smaller in size too.[/b]

If not planning to use TAPS no reason to get a Toppy, so Hummy would be logical choice.

[Barry]

thanks for that response. so if I wasn't going to use the taps, out of hte two? what do you think? not much in em? I noticed that the Topfield is slightly smaller in size too.[/b]

Humax, definitely.

As stated previously the vanilla Topfield UI is inferior to the Humax, even devout Toppy owners admit that http://www.hummy.org.uk/invison/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[gomezz]

As stated previously the vanilla Topfield UI is inferior to the Humax, even devout Toppy owners admit that http://www.hummy.org.uk/invison/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/b]
To be more precise the Topfield's vanilla EPG is not as good as the Humax in many respects. This is being changed in an upcoming firmware release. Comparing other aspects of the UI then there are pros and cons with each one.

[marcdavis]

thanks for that response. so if I wasn't going to use the taps, out of hte two? what do you think? not much in em? I noticed that the Topfield is slightly smaller in size too.[/b]



My pleasure. Cant answer why the toppy is that size. Perhaps someone else who knows about these things can. Are there standard sizes to home AV??

If your not going to use taps on the toppy? Well just get one of the cheaper ones to do your recording. If Humax is top of your list out of those you should be more than pleased with your choice. Its pobably the best all rounder PVR that manufacturers are putting out there at the moment.

[Barry]

To be more precise the Topfield's vanilla EPG is not as good as the Humax in many respects. This is being changed in an upcoming firmware release. Comparing other aspects of the UI then there are pros and cons with each one.[/b]

Actually the EPG on both machines is similar, 4 channels displayed with a preview window. Both populate in much the same amount of time (with current firmwares)

Where the Topfield fails miserably is for instance the scheduled timers list. On the Topfield there is no mention of the programme name, just Channel number, channel name, date, start ime, duration, and type of timer......

But as the OP had now posted on toppy.org that he uses a mac, then they really only have one choice.

[gomezz]

Where the Topfield fails miserably is for instance the scheduled timers list. On the Topfield there is no mention of the programme name, just Channel number, channel name, date, start ime, duration, and type of timer......[/b]
Funnily enough, I have never noticed this to be a problem as I always set timers manually so know what programme I am setting the timer for. If I was using a TAP to automatically set timers based on my preferences (not possible on the Humax) then I would of course choose a TAP which *did* display the programme name in its timer list.

If that limitation is suitable to be called miserable then I would include in that category the limited range of timer repeat options available on the Humax compared to the vanilla Topfield,

[Barry]

Funnily enough, I have never noticed this to be a problem as I always set timers manually so know what programme I am setting the timer for. If I was using a TAP to automatically set timers based on my preferences (not possible on the Humax) then I would of course choose a TAP which *did* display the programme name in its timer list.

If that limitation is suitable to be called miserable then I would include in that category the limited range of timer repeat options available on the Humax compared to the vanilla Topfield,[/b]

The OP has made it clear that he may not be interested in using Taps, hence my post.....the limitation of the timer menu was one of the first things I spotted on the Topfield, and convinced me that I would have to go with Taps....Indeed this limitation led me to put the machime aside for a number of Days whilst I read up on Taps, then went with Jags to start with, before becoming a Mystuff convert......although I should add since re-configuring my set up with new TV and HD Sat receiver, the Topfield remains dis-connected http://www.hummy.org.uk/invison/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif

The lastest software under test for the Humax addresses the limited number of timer options, amongst other things.

[bobbillbar]

I decided on the hummy. Runs silent and cool and even the missus can work it. you wont be dissapointed.

[marcdavis]

The OP has made it clear that he may not be interested in using Taps, hence my post.....the limitation of the timer menu was one of the first things I spotted on the Topfield, and convinced me that I would have to go with Taps....Indeed this limitation led me to put the machime aside for a number of Days whilst I read up on Taps, then went with Jags to start with, before becoming a Mystuff convert......although I should add since re-configuring my set up with new TV and HD Sat receiver, the Topfield remains dis-connected http://www.hummy.org.uk/invison/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif

The lastest software under test for the Humax addresses the limited number of timer options, amongst other things.[/b]

Do you mean the number of timers or the number or repeat timer options? Because the next firmware has the number of timers now to at least 50, and the repeat timer options of weekday and weekend have been added to the existing daily and weekly ones. Great for series recording options. But the true series link coming to the hummy will be also good - again no messing about - one button will probably do it. I think its supposed to track the actual series requested, including if at the last minute its had to change schedule and go on to another channel due to breaking news or special event. I digress, but i'm facinated by the changes a'foot for some of these freeview PVRs

[Barry]

Do you mean the number of timers or the number or repeat timer options?[/b]

Er....Both, which is why I worded it as I did.

Edit

If the OP is still interested, this is a link (http://www.hummy.org.uk/invison/index.php?s=&showtopic=1407&view=findpost&p=7470) to a post detailing some of the enhancements to come.

[marcdavis]

Er....Both, which is why I worded it as I did.

Edit

If the OP is still interested, this is a link (http://www.hummy.org.uk/invison/index.php?s=&showtopic=1407&view=findpost&p=7470) to a post detailing some of the enhancements to come.[/b]



Thats OK Barry I thought Gomez was talking about repeat timer options so was clarifying what both you and he were saying. No harm in repeating it because the changes are welcome and means our wishlist threads were worthwhile http://www.hummy.org.uk/invison/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif. Humax have been listening over the last year, and have quite obviously doing everything they can for us within reason. I think that is impressive as what other PVR manufacturer makes genuine strives to meets its customers needs truely or can afford to act that way.

[Barry]

Thats OK Barry I thought Gomez was talking about repeat timer options so was clarifying what both you and he were saying. No harm in repeating it because the changes are welcome and means our wishlist threads were worthwhile http://www.hummy.org.uk/invison/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif. Humax have been listening over the last year, and have quite obviously doing everything they can for us within reason. I think that is impressive as what other PVR manufacturer makes genuine strives to meets its customers needs truely or can afford to act that way.[/b]

Here here....its good to talk http://www.hummy.org.uk/invison/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

As I stated earlier though, The OP has a Mac, so there really is only one option.

[marcdavis]

Here here....its good to talk http://www.hummy.org.uk/invison/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

As I stated earlier though, The OP has a Mac, so there really is only one option.[/b]



Transfers of recordings to Apple Power Macs or imacs; there is only one option for that which is the Topfield as its impossible to do that from a Humax. If I were to transfer a lot of recordings but fairly infrequently I would have a 250GB hard drive so you can keep a lot on until its time to transfer.

[lancer]

I'm about to buy by first ever PVR and I am torn between the Humax and the Humax PVR9200T and the Topfield TF5800PVR - anyone got anything to say about these two head to head?

thanks for your advise.[/b]
Get the Hummy! It's a fantastic piece of kit and you'll be glad you bought it! http://www.hummy.org.uk/invison/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/content.gif

[marcdavis]

Apparantly you can now transfer recordings from the PVR to an Apple Power Mac and an imac. Sorry about my wrong assertion earlier.

[danco]

Apparantly you can now transfer recordings from the PVR to an Apple Power Mac and an imac. Sorry about my wrong assertion earlier.[/b]

Yes, it can be done using HumaxGUI. But this is *very* slow.

The fast 9200TReadFiles is currently PC only. If anyone is competent in Mac programming, I am sure the developer of 9200TReadFiles, though not familiar with Macs, would guve what support and experience he can.