745 replies to this topic

[bonehead]

Paul55, on Nov 27 2011, 10:14 AM, said:

physwizz,
I haven't seen any indication that bonehead uses JustEPG.

bonehead,
If the Toppy was already on, there is no reason (I know of) why it should have switched itself off.
You indicated they were consecutive and that both timers fired, but the Toppy switched itself off. This seems contradictory.
Do you mean the first recording was truncated? If so, and they were on the same channel, the end of the first show will be at the beginning of the second recording.
This isn't a fault of the Toppy, but the networks refusal to stick to published program times.

It was the first time I've recorded consecutive shows so there is EVERY chance I've misusnderstood something along the way.  I'll let you know if it happens again though but there was definitely a few minutes lost between the timers - I can't check again as I've deleted them.

Again, thanks for the reply.

[Paul55]

The few minutes gap is more than I have experienced. My losses are usually a (still annoying) 10 or so seconds. If you install the JustEPG TAP,  you gain the ability to merge consecutive recordings (on the same channel) into a single recording.
If you want to play around with TAPs, suggest you join the forum at itopfield.com.au

[Gozu]

I recently bought a Toppro TPR2000 PVR but I'm having some issues with it.

I bought a HDMI cable but I'm having a bit of trouble, I did the install and I can't get any of Channel 9's channels through it (9, GO, Gem) and all of Channel 7's channels are unwatchable (7, 7TWO, 7mate).

I've never had a PVR before so I'm not sure what I can do to get those channels? I get every channel in perfect condition normally when the antenna was just connected straight to the TV.

Does it sound like my Toppro box is a dud?

It's of much lesser concern but also despite connecting the DVD recorder to the box I assume correctly I don't know how to bring up the screen to watch a DVD through it and therefore not able to record anything from the HD to DVD.

Any ideas what I might've done wrong I hooked it up composite (R,W,Y)?

Thanks

[pgdownload]

A few channels not being displayed is a reception (antenna) issue, nothing to do with hdmi. Are you connecting just the anttenna to the Pvr to the TV?

DVD output must be straight to the TV.

Its possible to record the PVR output to the DVDR input but thats a specific scenario.

Hooking up via composite is good for diagnostics but provides very poor PQ.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[Gozu]

Thanks Peter, Yeah just the antenna. Still can't get 9, GO, Gem or 7, 7TWO, 7mate. But if I take the antenna out of the PVR and put it back into the TV I get every channel and in perfect condition so it's obviously the Toppro PVR. I think I'll just leave this PVR business too much of a lottery and just take it back and get my money back. I just never knew PVR's were dodgy like STB's where you nevet get all the channels and just assumed Toppro being connected to Topfield that it would probably be decent quality.

[pgdownload]

Gozu, on 19 January 2012 - 12:37 AM, said:

I just never knew PVR's were dodgy like STB's where you nevet get all the channels and just assumed Toppro being connected to Topfield that it would probably be decent quality.

You're probably doing yourself a disservice. Any product can be faulty, I'd swap it over and see if the issue is resolved. That said, the nature of digital is that its either 100% or 0%. Sounds like your channel 7 and 9 reception is very close to the "digital cliff". The TV tuner is slightly better than the one in the PVR so it gets reception while the PVR doesn't.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[d_player33]

I have a Topfield 7160 and all the times for the EPG are out by 4 mins.

So all shows start at xx.04 or xx.34

So the news for example is 17.04. This is screwing up all my recoding names as its taking the name from the previous show.

I have an EPG tap installed (cannot remember what its called). Maybe I need to try a different TAP.

[Paul55]

You haven't set the universal padding either in the Toppy menu or the EPG menu  to 4 minutes (or a combination of 2 min each ) by any chance?

Edited by Paul55, 24 February 2012 - 04:10 PM.

[d_player33]

I think that is probably what has happened!

I have not heard of Universal padding. I thought it was just recording padding.

Ill have to and hunt round the menus and see where I have set it.

Thanks

[Paul55]

Universal as opposed to individual. i.e Any padding that will affect all recordings is universal.

[deangelj]

I wouldn't think that padding would affect the times shown on the EPG. Do you have manual time set? This does affect the EPG, or as you say if you load the EPG from an external source and the time calculations aren't quite right.

[Paul55]

I took it that the OP was reporting the actual start time of the News recording from his file list. i.e He set the News to record at 17:00 via his EPG but it started recording at 17:04.

[bonehead]

It never ceases to amaze me how difficult firmware upgrades are on a Topfield. Compared to my PS3 is like comparing a 3 year old learning to swim with an Olympic champion!!! After being relatively happy (missing a few timers now and then) Ice is broken.

I gave up trying to use a static IP - I couldn't get any connectivity. Now that I'm back using DHCP I can get the guide but the scheduled timers are screwed. After a few hours of leaving the Topfield on, I've got 2 timers set of about 20 or so. Logging on to Ice and looking at the guide it's telling me they're all good to go.

Any ideas much appreciated. Hopefully I don't need to reset them all...

[mikeathome]

You don't say which model you have but presumably, because you are currently trying to upgrade the firmware, it is a TMS model. There would be a large number of these communicating with ICE using static IP addresses - this used to be the recommended method - so it may be that your static settings need some adjustment.

In any case, if you are getting a reliable EPG then your network is functional and your Toppy is communicating with ICE. Yesterday I had a problem where timers did not come through for one of my PVRs - I called the ICE people and after spending a bit of time with me I was told that they would eventually come through. Still waiting so its WIP and I will be getting back to them. The other PVR is getting its timers OK

My advice to you is to call the ICE help people.

The recommended upgrade process involves reset to factory settings before and after. This means that you have to re-scan services and re-enter all of the operational, network and ICE settings after the upgrade. I think that this is the time consuming part - all the more so if you haven't done it before or can't remember what your settings used to be. The firmware upgrade process itself couldn't be simpler.

Just for fun I installed the new (Feb 2012) firmware on one of my PVRs without doing the resets (upgraded from Jan 2011). All of the settings, EPG and timers were retained through the process. So far I haven't seen any difficulties with this unit (but its only been a week)  - the one having the ICE difficulties referred to above was upgraded (from Nov 2011) by the recommended process.

[bonehead]

Thanks mikeathome,

I've got a 2400. I'm sure something wasn't set right with the static IP but DHCP seems to connect ok.   The timers are S L O W L Y coming through but there's no pattern. I'll leave it on overnight (not usual practice) and see where it's at in the morning.

I still don't think the recommended firmware upgrade process is acceptable these days. Interesting your outcome when skipping the factory resets. Might try that next time.

[Gojeep]

My dad and I both have the 7100 and bought both on the same day. Strangely both stand by clocks also stopped in the same week too! This is stopping it coming out of stand by to start recordings. Tried unplugging for a few hours and also a factory reset, but only made it work for less than an hour before clock stopped again. Once switched on it corrects itself to the right time. Anything else I can try? Firmware was up to date on mine but dads still running factory original so seems that is not a factor.

[deangelj]

Yes - you need to replace the small battery inside the box. The front display has its battery to keep the time when you turn the box off and this is used for it to know when to restart. Its easy to replace - just open the box and pull out the battery (with the power off!).

[lowraw]

Hi, just wondering if anyone can help me wil an issue of my 7100hdpvrt.

In the last couple of days it has lost the second tuner which causes most of the functions to fail.

The reception indicator is half in the green even when the channel is lost (direct line of sight to the transmitter), I am running HDMI out and have changed the resolution settings and audio output without change. It functions like you have removed the aerial two lead.

I have checked the wiring at the wall plug, replaced all the aerial leads including running two leads to the PVR (not looped at back), tried connectecting a powered rabbit ears, restored pvr to factory settings, reformatted harddrive, researched channels and reinstalled all firmware patches and nothing changes.

Any ideas besides replacement?

[pgdownload]

lowraw, on 29 April 2012 - 01:51 PM, said:

Any ideas besides replacement?

Sorry but nope. It seems like one of the tuners has gone. Unlikely to be worth the hassle/cost of replacing the tuner.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[billjw]

This may be a bit too vague but I'll ask and see ... I have Topfield 7100hdpvrt. Over the pst few months the reception on channel 7 has become unwatchable and it is now affecting other stations. We have a TV in the master bedroom with the same aerial and no worries regarding reaction on that TV (without a PVR/STB). So my logic is the PVR is cactus (about 4 years old). I have changed aerial connections to be direct to PVR then tried direct to TV but the problem remains.

EDIT: just unplugged aerial cables and replugged them in. Problem gone! (for now) so maybe just get better aerial cables?

I could play with the aerial but the reception is fine in the bedroom TV so logic suggest that it isn't an aerial/ reception problem.

Thoughts? Or is all that too vague for now?

Cheers

Bill

Edited by billjw, 26 May 2012 - 04:18 PM.

[pgdownload]

Issues with a single network on a PVR are generally reception related. PVRs don't handle one network better than another if the reception is the same for both.

Good reception at one outlet in a house doesn't mean its good in another. I'd be looking to an aerial guy to check your points and cabling.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[BobBitchin]

Hi I just bought a Topfeild 2460 after reading somewhere that you can skip/remove the ads in recorded programs. I am a total newb at this, I have never had a pvr before. I see there are Tap's all over the place but they dont seem to explain in plain English what models they support or what they are for ? Is there a way to remove adds from your recorded shows ?
Cheers
Bob

[Paul55]

While it is possible to cut chunks out of a recording - the user manual tells you how to do this - it's really more trouble than it's worth. The cuts aren't frame accurate anyway. To get frame accurate editing, you need to transfer the recording to a computer and used some specialist software then transfer it back.
What are you trying to achieve with the file editing? With a 1TB HDD, space won't be an issue and recordings can be transferred to an external HDD if it is.
Skipping means jumping forward (or back) a predefined time instantly e.g. 2 minutes. The jdaskip TAP allows you to set 4 values and assign to remote keys - usually the coloured buttons.
For more info on TAPs, suggest you join the user forum at topfield.com.au

[pgdownload]

As mentioned, removing the ads is usually more trouble than its worth.

A simple first install TAP is probably JDA SKIP and then you can just jump over ads. Find info on it here.

Otherwise, TAPs are very optional. You'll get plenty of PVR enjoyment out of your twin tuner as is. Look to ad some TAPs in once you've come to grips with the vanilla tech.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Edited by pgdownload, 10 July 2012 - 08:40 AM.

[longtallmichael]

Hi there,

I've just updated my amplifier to a Yamaha an RXV 473 and connected it via HDMI to my Topfield Masterpiece Plus.

When I change volume or channel I lose my TV picture - I'm told that this is due to a protocol called "High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection.

Doesn't happen with Foxtel or Apple TV - just with the toppy.

Is there a Topfield fix for this ??

Cheers

Mick