231 replies to this topic

[adelaidehammer]

Have seen this advertised in a couple of catalogues this weekend for $649 but can't find any reviews online. Has anyone got one, or read anything about them?

[diesel]

I haven't seen or heard anything about this model, but for that sort of money I'd rather buy a Beyonwiz FVL1, Homecast 8000, TiVo or even a Topfield 7x00

[mddawson]

I recently got a Topfield 7100 for just over $600 delivered from JB HiFi online which I am sure is a better PVR than the Teac.

[aztec]

I for one would certainly NOT recommend a TEAC PVR/STB/...

[Crusher]

InsaneDeals have them for $568 online.

I haven't seen the particular teac unit you are referring to. It looks like a base/mid level twin HD with USB hdd functionality.

I think in the past the TEAC's were made by the same factory that makes the YESS etc units, perhaps the rep from CrazyStu can provide more details as they sell the YESS units and may be able to provide some info regarding the origins of the teac if known.

[Goswinch]

I have bought one of these on the basis that the user manual says you "can also copy files between internal and external hard disk drive". Unfortunately the manual doesn't tell me how, so it's a matter for Teac to help with. If anyone has any clues, I'd love to know.

Also, SA and NT buyers beware, the time zone software is wrong. The unit will set at GMT + 11, rather than GMT+ 9.30. All other states are ok so I've set mine to Vic so it's only half an hour out and am waiting on a fix from Teac.

I like the interface and ease of use with capabilities for the money spent ($590 cash) and will be happy with it if these apparent problems can be sorted out.

I've read much on this forum and it's time for me to give something back, so if anyone has any questions on this unit, ask away.

PS I would have bought a Beyonwiz P2 but it appears they are buggy as well as is virtually every PVR and I don't want or need internet capability.

[diesel]

 Goswinch, on Aug 29 2009, 05:22 PM, said:

I like the interface and ease of use with capabilities for the money spent ($590 cash) and will be happy with it if these apparent problems can be sorted out.

PS I would have bought a Beyonwiz P2 but it appears they are buggy as well as is virtually every PVR and I don't want or need internet capability.

For that price I would have bought either a TiVo ($595), a beyonwiz DP-P1 in runnout ($599) or a Toppy 7100 ($595).

The beyonwiz have very few bugs in the PVR part of the FW - it's the media player side of things that get's most requests for bug fixes/additional features.

[Goswinch]

 diesel, on Aug 29 2009, 08:44 PM, said:

For that price I would have bought either a TiVo ($595), a beyonwiz DP-P1 in runnout ($599) or a Toppy 7100 ($595).

The beyonwiz have very few bugs in the PVR part of the FW - it's the media player side of things that get's most requests for bug fixes/additional features.

Yes Diesel, I checked on all except P1, I thought they were all gone. As for Tivo, internet on 24/7, no thanks. Toppy 7100?, I read enough on this and other forums to learn that you'd need one hell of a sense of humour to pony up the clams for one of those.

I was waiting for the Toppy 2400 but ran out of patience given that I was going to wait some months on first adopters comments after the 7100 disaster.

The Teac is easy to use, provides a brilliant picture and does what I want except for the download to ext HD bit, but that may yet be solved.

[jokiin]

 Crusher, on Aug 10 2009, 02:10 PM, said:

I think in the past the TEAC's were made by the same factory that makes the YESS etc units,

old model was, the new one is from a different factory, haven't used it though so no idea if it's any good or not, I guess buy from somewhere with a good return policy if it doesn't meet expectations might be a good idea

[Goswinch]

A software update is on Teac's website. I've downloaded it and all is well with time set and transfer from internal HD to external. The transfer method could have been in the menu option before though but I've tried it now and it works. (The manual doesn't detail how it's done but you need to go to main menu> pvr> file management. Access the file to transfer and look across bottom row of options, select the not so obvious FAV button option).

This is my third week with the box and I'm pleased with the way it works and the display quality is brilliant. It doesn't run hot, only mildly warm after recording or being on for many hours.  So far a very good unit that does what Teac says it will do.

[HTCNUT]

I am considering purchasing one of this, can anyone tell me the file format it records to and the file extension. If recording to a USB HDD, how can I burn a DVD from the recorded file for archiving purpose. thanks for your help....

[Goswinch]

 HTCNUT, on Sep 14 2009, 08:50 PM, said:

I am considering purchasing one of this, can anyone tell me the file format it records to and the file extension. If recording to a USB HDD, how can I burn a DVD from the recorded file for archiving purpose. thanks for your help....

I hope this is the answer you're looking for. When I tested download capability, I only had a 256mb usb to use but the transfer of some of a recorded file downloaded as a .DAT file. I asked Teac if a "special" external HD drive was needed and was told that any will do but it must be formatted to FAT32.  The unit does use a Western Digital internal HD, so I guess any other external WD HD would be a good start. Others on this forum may be able to expand on this.

[yungleboy]

Hi Goswinch,

Sounds like a good unit. What is it like as a media player ? Can it play divx, mkv files from a USB hard drive or USB stick ?

Cheers,
yungleboy

[Paul55]

Does it cache EPG data to HDD ie. Is the EPG (for all channels that you've watch in the previous day) available as soon as you switch the unit on or does it take some time to populate?
Also, what are skip settings/options - if any?

[Goswinch]

 yungleboy, on Oct 5 2009, 12:35 PM, said:

Hi Goswinch,

Sounds like a good unit. What is it like as a media player ? Can it play divx, mkv files from a USB hard drive or USB stick ?

Cheers,
yungleboy

Sorry for the delay, I've been away. I've checked the manual, it only mentions mp3 and jpeg. The manual is scant on detail anyway so I suggest you email Teac for an answer. I don't use Divx so it doesn't bother me.

[Goswinch]

 Paul55, on Oct 5 2009, 05:25 PM, said:

Does it cache EPG data to HDD ie. Is the EPG (for all channels that you've watch in the previous day) available as soon as you switch the unit on or does it take some time to populate?
Also, what are skip settings/options - if any?

Hi Paul. Not quite sure what you mean by "for all channels that you've watched in the previous day". The EPG is 7 day and loads quickly but only shows programs that are yet to air or those that are currently on air. (Channel change is also much quicker than I was used to with my previous set top box).

When a program is recorded to the HD, the record date time but not channel are retained as a reference. All recorded programs are stored by title. I haven't used an external HD to record to yet as the 500gb is enormous for what I want.

I find the interface easy to use but this is my first and only experience of a DVR, and I'm no expert. As I mentioned before, I bought this unit to do what they said it will do and it does. Others may want more tricks and it's just down to $'s.

Hope I've helped.

[5cotty-d]

I got one at joyce mayne for $550. Its great because it does all that i want. I wanted to get a TiVo but i only have that mobile pre-paied internet so this was the next best thing. The only problem and my question is that when it finishes recording it wont go to stand by. It does it if the recording is scheduled and the unit is in stand by. so why not when the recording is done???

[davep]

My Topfield SD PVR is the same.  If I am recording and want to go to bed, I just set the sleep timer to a point past the timer finish.

[Paul55]

I've never used a Teac but on some PVRs, if you press the power button while recording, it will switch itself off when the recording is finished.
If your machine does this, it should be described in the user manual.

[Timmy Downawell]

 davep, on Oct 29 2009, 03:29 PM, said:

My Topfield SD PVR is the same.  If I am recording and want to go to bed, I just set the sleep timer to a point past the timer finish.

On the Topfield, just press the OFF button while it is recording... it'll give a "Do you want to power off? YES/NO" menu dialog - just leave it like that and when the recording finishes it'll power off (i.e. don't select anything, just leave the dialog onscreen).

[davep]

 Timmy Downawell, on Oct 29 2009, 04:12 PM, said:

On the Topfield, just press the OFF button while it is recording... it'll give a "Do you want to power off? YES/NO" menu dialog - just leave it like that and when the recording finishes it'll power off (i.e. don't select anything, just leave the dialog onscreen).

ahhhhhhhhhhhh .... I always thought that was just a warning screen so you didnt accidently power off during recording - should probably read the instructions one day.  Thanks!

[PVE]

I must say that if I was after a PVR that operates functionally and well, I would definately consider this as the first option. It may lack the multiple features that others have (Multimedia, multi format etc.) but it seems to do the basics very well. That is all I would ask for. A replacement for my Strong. I have a few questions -
1. Does it have a skip function - a 30 second skip is a very handy feature.
2. Can you name scheduled recordings both before and after recording?
3. How effective is the editing out of pre  and post padding and ads?
If the answers are what I hope, I will begoing down to HN and wrenching a few arms! Incidentally, for a new PVR there seems to be precious little in theway of posting. Does this mean it is simple to use and reliable?

[Goswinch]

 PVE, on Oct 30 2009, 09:52 AM, said:

I must say that if I was after a PVR that operates functionally and well, I would definately consider this as the first option. It may lack the multiple features that others have (Multimedia, multi format etc.) but it seems to do the basics very well. That is all I would ask for. A replacement for my Strong. I have a few questions -
1. Does it have a skip function - a 30 second skip is a very handy feature.
2. Can you name scheduled recordings both before and after recording?
3. How effective is the editing out of pre  and post padding and ads?
If the answers are what I hope, I will begoing down to HN and wrenching a few arms! Incidentally, for a new PVR there seems to be precious little in theway of posting. Does this mean it is simple to use and reliable?

Hi PVE

1. Mine is 60 seconds. I recall that the 1600t had an update that altered skip to 30 seconds, so why this 2500t doesn't have 30 seconds is a mystery to me. (Upgrade?)
2. Yes
3. I haven't used this function. I use book marks. The manual says that edits are not removed from disc saving space, they just hide sections and can be reversed.

Powering off during recording gives an option to continue recording in on mode or if you choose yes to power off it warns that recording will also stop. And it does stop. (Upgrade?)

Note you last comment. It seems that Scotty-d and I are the only ones on this whole forum that have this PVR. You may be right, no problems equals no gripes. I'm very happy with mine so far and by so far, I expect reliability to continue. There are a few improvements that could be made in a future upgrade and I suppose you don't get if you don't ask.

[5cotty-d]

Its a good simple PVR, But i still cant get it to power off after recording ever when i leave it on the "Do you want to power off? YES/NO" so maybe an update

[CliffofOz]

Looking for a recorder for relos (also in Geelong...Hi PVE).  Just needs a good basic machine and the TEAC seems to fit the bill.

Just looking through the manual for details on skipping.

The prev/next buttons seems to the be dedicate skip buttons.
Gowinch says skip forward is 60 secs.  Is skip back the same amount?

The manual also mentions (section 4. Playback Process Bar) that  the volume up and down can also be used for small skips to jump 'dozens of seconds at a time'.
Has any one tried this?
Can anyone confirm (roughly) how much time it actually skips?
Is it useful.  It seems a bit fiddly in that you have to press the INFO key to bring up the Process Bar for this function to work.

Thanks in advance