Ummm... it was in his post, Good Guys Frankston.

And yes, the 120GB is now the base model Toppy.

Yes it was the 120 Gb Topfield TF5000PVRt from the Good Guys in Frankston.

The topfield is fantasic, have now had it for 1 week and am so far very very happy with it.

try http://stb.teac.com.au/files/pvr100tusermanual.pdf for the user manual you requested.

Thanks Masuta

I'm guessing then your personal advice from experience is probably to save time trying to convince yourself on one of the non-Topfield pvrs (be it DG-tec, teac, legend or whatever) and just go for the Topfield hey?

The DG-Tec sounded good, but just didn't perform well enough for me. Mind you I couldn't find a single store that had one setup and running (should have been my first clue) and most of the staff tring to sell them knew less than I did! (was told everything from you can do dual timeshifting? (why?!? ) to its a high def recorder, i'm sure some salesperson out there thinks it plays beta video tapes as well ). Ultimately I took a punt on it because it was a) cheaper b ) had a 200Gb vs 120Gb HDD c) had a 30 day money back gaurantee While the topfield was more expensive I think it is worth the extra few $$ (at least for me). Things that the toppy does better are doesn't crash, dual recording and able to playback a previous recording at the same time, timeshift and record at the same time, access the HDD (from PC) and use the toppy at the same time. I haven't as yet started to fiddle with TAPs but they look very useul. The DG-Tec crahsed... often, could only time shift while doing NOTHING else, could only record one channel and play back a recording only if you started recording on tuner 1, had to be put into a communication mode to access HDD with PC, the fan is noisy (might irritate some ppl). It did have a good picture, chassis was full width, good range of connection options.

Another joke...

May be repeating a bit here, but anyway....
The DGTEC DGSD80PVR lasted just under a month! (Which was sort of a plan, just in case!)
Had problems with freezing on playback of recordings, even after upgrade of the firmware, and also a frequent audio drop out (DGTEC service, who were fairly quick to reply to issues, suggested to format the harddrive. This may have done something for the freezing, but did nothing for the audio drop out!).

Anyway the unit went back to Megamart Chaddy within the 1 month money back timeframe and I picked up a Toppy TF5000PVRt! Got them to match Good Guys Frankston price no worries.
All going well and now happily playing

Marc

Very similar story here in Perth with Megamart refunding my $$$$ on day 29 of the 30 day money back guarantee. The unit behaved itself for a couple of days then started hanging badly when trying to record anything. After upgrading the firmware it seemed to sort itself out, albeit the recorded video info (channel time date etc) didn't always match what had been recorded.

Then it suddenly decided to freeze every time I tried to access a recorded program (My Video). DGTEC service suggested upgrading the firmware. I told them I'd done this. They suggested reformatting the HDD. I explained that I was getting grief from my wife as we had an episode of 24 trapped in the machine that she didn't want to miss and that reformatting the drive would have to be the last straw.

At this point my patience and the 30 days were both running out so back to Megamart I went for a no-fuss refund. I might have been unlucky, but my advice if you buy one of these units would be to keep an eye on the calendar.

Cheers

GTF

I have the DG-SD80PVR model, and have had a few minor problems, but nothing I haven't been able to solve.

The firmware upgrade did not fix the problem I was having (I think) - I don't even know what the upgrade actually did, does anyone know?

As I said before, the only problem I have is that SOME recordings play for 18-21 minutes and then it stops and says END, even though its not the end. I worked out that this is the end of the VIDEO.MTS file, and the box is not going on to play the VIDEO.001 etc files after that, but instead stops. To resolve this issue, I plugged in my laptop, changed the FOLDER name of the recording, and then reset the box (power cycle). The video file now plays properly.

Has anyone had a similar problem, which they were able to work out a quicker way to solve? Maybe this helps other people too.

I am well past my 30 days, but have no intentions of taking it back, as it only cost me $480, and the Topfield was just under double that.

the toppy in melbourne can be had for $750 at frankston good guys
record 2 things and watch prerecorded - I don't think any other pvr can do 3 things at once
playback everytime, firmware upgrades,[not as fast as we would like - but unlike other brands, they are made] forum community helping, taps [ small programs to do extra things] pc-> toppy 7 day epg, what more could you want, - about the only thing it doesn't do "as advertised" is usb2 transfer [not full speed]

[smaller h/d though with base model] than what you have
just for $270 more --- no contest mate

With all above, Toppy is still over priced. $270 should mean sth real.
EPG? Who cares?
Do 3 things at once? My PC can capture whole TS and do much more than 3 things at once.
Full speed USB2 transfer? Who cares? :ph34r:

EPG? Who cares? - Heaps of people.
Can it capture two channels? That's what Kiwi was talking about not the same thing multiple times (TS). I'm sure it can if you spend some more for another tuner. Not goingt to get a pc with two tuners for $750 that's quiet and works out of the box.

Toppy actually works. That's sth real.

Each to your own. Some people love fiddling with pc's most don't.

nicksps, have you had any problems with the DG-SD80PVR freezing when rewinding video? I bought one the other day and I'm only having 2 problems: 1) sometimes freezing when rewinding video that is still recording (mostly channel 7 for some reason) and 2) the PVR didn't come on twice to record a show when set to timer. Called tech support and these were apparently new problems to the techie......but he did say that the new firmware should be released this Friday 23 Sept and would be a lot more stable. It would give the DGTEC the ability to tune into ABC and SBS digital radio..which I suppose would be interesting

OK 1 tha main concept decoer is good but Ive found that OPEN SRouce Mpeg splitter and decoder is much mor reliable and tolerant.

The 1gig size limit it a limitation of the file system on the PVR HDD also part of DVD system that you will find most of the time ther limmited to around 1gig/1.5gig VOBs

You can merg them there are programs that can do it like video redo.

Have you tried merging simply by trying from the DOS command prompt:

type video.* >>mymergedvid.rec

or

copy /B video.* mymergedvid.rec

Don't delete your original files until you prove either of these methods is a goer..

Oh, if the filesize is going to end up more than 4G, you will need an NTFS partition, if it is less, you can get away with a FAT32 partition (don't quote me on that, but definitely NTFS will support large Toppy files no problems, and I know there is a limit that is often quoted as 4G but sometimes 2G for FAT32).

Regards

I've bought one of these units and don't have the fan problem Paul D reports. Could be a case for a minor tweak.

I have the same problem - occassionally the video stops at the end of the .MTS file
and won't go onto the .001 file (at about 21mins40secs).

You can rename the file in the My Video section - no need to connect to the computer.
I find it best to clear the whole name and call it something else. Seems to work then.

I'm in Perth and also have the DG-SD80PVR model connected via component to a Sony Grand Wega LCD rear-pro. After a firmware upgrade, I still have the following problems:

1. Can't get ABC1 or ABC2 no matter how many times I try to re-tune it - maybe the gain is too high on the fixed arial as I picked it up on a set of rabbit ears? Also the fixed arial seems to be a common street cable one. Could this be a problem?

2. Picture drop-out repeatedly at random times in both recorded video and live video. Strangely it seems to record the drop-outs and replays them exactly as they occur in the live feed?

Otherwise it's been ok-ish since the firmware upgrade. I'm taking it back to JB's in Whitfords (where I bought it) to try to find some solutions. Will also be contacting the DGtec helpline..

One thing I've noticed is that it does "wakeup" and "sleep" when recording on timer. I read earlier in this thread that it wouldn't turn itself off?

caminperth, I think your problems are mainly signal related. I will look for the ABC frequencies for you (in Mhz) so you can manually enter them in, as I had to do this for a few channels that would not tune automatically. Secondly, if you get interference on the TV, of course the PVR will record it exactly the same, that's what it does I got NFI about the timer thingo; all i know is that it will wake up.

Nick - thanks for the reply. I've found the ABC frequency - 226.5 - but even in manual mode it still won't pick it up. I think I need to do some reading up on signal amps to either increase or decrease the gain of the signal.

As for the on/off random thingy - very true, but the wierd thing is that when I play it back in the preview mode under "My Videos" it doesn't drop out?

Try the Western Australia Geographical Viewers Forums. These are near the bottom of the main page and should help... or else repost your problem there...

The quality control at DGTEC seems to be shocking - some people have good ones, but so many seem to have problems. The tuners that they use seem to be very sensitive, far more than other brands. In the end, I returned my DGTEC receiver (a HD one) and had success with other brands.

Today is the last day of the 1 month money back guarantee. I think I'll be taking it back..

Yep, you're better off on the Toppy and I recently got one for $750 as without a problem.

One as black and the other as silver as very happy.

I did once considered a DGTEC unit at the store as I've found it as having limited audio output and I ended up having the Toppy ever since.

Further investigation on the Dgtec box revealed that it's no problem with the box at all. The picture outputs fine to other televisions so it's either a setting problem or a fault with the Sony Grand Wega.. doh..

A new problem... and I'm well past the 30 day money-back-guarantee...

When switiching on the PVR the "time and date" on the info bar says
it's 23/04 13:00 Fri (I don't know what year - but it's not 2005 or 2006).
This seems to be the case everytime I turn the damn thing on.
At some point (usually after channel surfing i.e pushing buttons on the
remote which makes the screen change) the time and date changes to
(if I'm lucky) the correct time and date OR 11 hours in the future.

Now this isn't a problem if I just want to turn it on and record, but
is a major problem when setting the timer. I've managed to miss
a few shows recently due to this. I've made sure the correct time
and date are showing. Set the PVR timer and then turn it off.
Strangely enough the PVR then "turns on" at the right time, but
since it then has the wrong time and date it doesn't record. I can
then turn the damn thing off and it'll then turn back on and it'll start
recording 11 hours later...

Anyone else had this problem? I've got the 050722B firmware
upgrade installed. Is there a later one?

Hi

I have just upgraded to a newer firmware (think it is 051209A) and have having problems with PIP cant change channels when displaying both pics in the side by side view.

I have to get out of PIP to change channel. Was wondering if anybody else has had this problem.

I should explain. its not my machine its my fathers and I talked him through the firmware update procedure over the phone. That all seem to go well as it reported a succesfull update.

But know he says that he cant change channel in PIP. i am assuming that u can channge channel with the both the channels being displayed at once. I am also assuming that he is triing to change them in the right maner. (Presume u just use the same buttons u would normally use.

The upgrade did fix a problem with not being able to record channel 2 on the 2nd tunner. If recording on tuner 1 it would record fine.

Thanks for any assistance as it is a real pain for me to have to get over to his place to test these things out.

Where did you get the newer firmware from?!?!?
The dgtec website only has the firmware file 050722B.zip for download.

I'm wondering if this zip file actually contains a newer firmware version than its name suggests because it hasn't been changed yet. I don't want to test this theory because there is no way to backup the current firmware on my pvr which is higher than 050722B.

Hi Kestrel,

DGtec emailed it to me just before christmas I had previously had the 051209A which didnt improve things for me (should say my father), but he says that the new version fixed his major problem.

I could email it to you if you like and u could try it, I asume u could reload the previous verison if you didnt like it, although dont know if you can reinstall the previous versions.

Well after lots of reading and price checking, I have taken the risk and got the DGTEC 80gig PVR (Dick Smith Macquarie in Ryde, $448)...

before running the tuning setup I downloaded and installed new firmware 050722B from the dgtec website, reformatted the hard drive, and increased the time shift buffer to 2 gig, from 1. thought that would give me the best chance of being trouble-free.

Setup was easy with all channels tuning in first go (but no radio as promised in a previous post), even tried to add some HD channels which I removed from the list in the setup menu, and configured favourite channels to move logically from ABC, SBS(3), FTV (4), SEVEN, NINE, TEN when you press the channel up or down (right or left) on remote.

tried some timeslip recording and it did freeze while rewinding timeslip on channel 7 as also reported in this thread (paused on Pammy Anderson's primetime assets - not too disappointing) but I think I was being a bastard and pushing it with freequent button presses, had only been recording for 20 or 30 seconds..

Otherwise, I have recorded 2 channels simultaneously, used PiP with no problems, played with aspect ratio (found panscan best for my 4:3 Hitachi 43in rear pro, in 4:3 aspect it does not reach top and bottom of screen), renamed and played back recorded video. Have not played iwth MP3 and don't think I will - no need...

I will set up some timer recordings and report back on our status, while keeping my eye on the 1 month cashback and 3 month replacement warranty... half the price of a Toppy is a good gamble.

Thanks to all those that have contributed to this and other threads, it has allowed me to make a much more informed decision.... I was looking at Kaon at JBHiFi reduced to $300 but was scared off by so many bad reports.... think the DGTEC is middle-of-the-road between rubbish Kaon and schmick Toppy.

next thing to play with is the s-video connection - don't think it's as good as it could be, might upgrade the cable.

till the next time...

The DGTEC DOES have a digital radio... you've just have to search for it.

Thanks to the incomplete manual, there are many secret functions you'll discover while using the unit.

Go into the Music Manager via the Menu and press 9 to enter Radio Mode, you'll then be presented with a list of available digital radio stations.












So because the DGTEC website isn't up to date with the latest firmware and doesn't have a contact email address I have to phone them so I can give them my email address before they email me the firmware.

[quote
So because the DGTEC website isn't up to date with the latest firmware and doesn't have a contact email address I have to phone them so I can give them my email address before they email me the firmware.
[/quote]

Yes basiclly.

I think theur using use to test it before they put it up on their site.

A very big thankyou to MuzG! That price at DSE in Macquarie was great and i hadn't seen it anywhere near that price around the area.

I originally bought one from Myer who are selling it for RRP at $599, but currently have 10% off so $539.10.

I had big troubles with this unit. As soon as i got it out of the box i immediately updated the firmware off the website (050722B). I then tuned it in and it was looking good, i live very close to Channel 9 in Gore Hill and i got all digital channels including all the Digital 44 channels. The picture looks great and i was happy. It locked up once and i had to turn it off at the wall, but never did it again.
Then my big problem started. the picture intermittantly turns black and white. It's not just the broadcast though as the menu's also turn black and white, and any recording playbacks are also black and white. Then randomly colour will return and it's all fine. It happens randomly without rhyme or reason.
I proved that it wasn't a reception issue by recording as soon as it turned black and white. I decided to record on both tuners just to be sure. Once colour returned i played back the recordings and they were both in full colour. So to me that means that reception should have nothing to do with it.
So i tried different cables. I'm using the composite (yellow) output for video as i've only got a standard 59cm NEC tv which is a few years old. B&W happened with three different cables. So i then tried changing from AV1 input on the tv to AV2 input. It happened on both inputs, and i regularly use AV1 for watching DVD's through an XBOX so i know the input is ok.
So if the TV is ok and the cables are ok this says to me that it must be an output problem on the STB.

So i returned to Myer and got my money back, then went to another Myer store (as the first store had no more in stock) who price matched DSE at $448 which was great.

Again i updated the firmware and got it tuned and up and running. Then the black and white image returned!!
So today i rang the DGTEC helpline who were very helpful which was great.
The tech support guy said it sounded like a software issue and he would send me the latest firmware version which was not on the website (051221A). I installed it and it was looking good. All stations tuned in again, i now have digital radio reception in the music manager and a new option 'Ice Guide' in the settings menu.

However the black and white image returned. It doesn't seem to be as often but it still happens.
I'll be ringing tech support again tomorrow.
I'll be interested in hearing if anyone else has had this problem.

Well I'm back and waiting for my videos to transfer to laptop so I can take my unit back - I think.. unless my adding video.txt to folder 000002 helps - have found the unit freezes when I press "My Video" and has to be unplugged (DGTEC could have at least put a hard switch on the back of the unit).... and today I had a few colour issues with it going really red, or black and white as mentioned above.

If anyone has the new firmware pls email to me murray_green@exemail.com.au and I may try to install it and see how it goes, I haven't talked to DGTEC support yet about the freezing problem, anyone had this? It is a shame because the picture is great (when not playing up) and I find the menus and such pretty easy to use, why can't it just work? I'm thinking of saving my pennies for a Toppy.... comeon you hunkajunk, convince me otherwise.....

Hey Trigger, glad you got a better price, pays to shop around!

fun and games... hey good news my PC hasn't crashed for a while!!

cheers

Hi Murray

I have just sent u a copy of firmware I received on the 23/12

thanks Scag/John... just ran it then so will see how it goes.

I figured out that the freezeing while entering "My Videos" was due to the text file mssing in the 2nd video folder as i suggested in my last post. I copied the text file from another folder in to that folder and changed the name in the file to match the folder, then at least I could get into the My Vids menu to delete that folder/video (no chance of getting it to play) and it has since recorded and played back OK.

I tried to get the radio to run as described by Kestrel and it only came up with Scags new firmware.... hopefully they will get some more station son there soon enough, until then I rely on Dad's trust old Technics AM/FM tuner, works pretty well despite being out of tune by 0.05 MHz - less problems in 20 years than DGTEC have had in a week!

Still keeping an eye on the 1 month money back/ 3 month replacement, if it plays up again I might not be as patient..... I think this thing is jsut a wee bit too precious

It's good to know i'm not the only one that's had black and white issues then. It's still continually coming and going. Very annoying.
I spoke to DGTEC tech support today and they're sending me a pre-paid box (Express post) to send it to them and they'll see what the problem is. I'm happy to do this at this stage as i'm only a couple of days into the the 30 day money back guarantee, and the guy said it should only take 5 days. If they can fix it then i'm very happy to continue using this STB. The improvements with that latest firmware were good so i'm going to keep bugging tech support in the future for further updates.
Fingers crossed they find something wrong with it.

Right, so last night I went to install the latest firmware (thanks scag)
and well, what do you know - the DGTEC is not recognised by my
computer... USB error. It worked before, as I've already installed the
050722B upgrade. But obviously in the past couple of months things
have started to fail. I formatted the harddrive, cycled the power
(numerous times) but no luck. So looks like it'll be going back to
DGTEC for repair or replace.

Since they only released this model in June/July 2005 (I think), is
there anyone here that's had one for 6 months with no problems?

i just got the price of $448 offered to me from dse...

do i bother wasting my time.... or just wait till i can afford the toppy 5000...??

i currently have the dgtec 2000 box which is fantastic quality... so i know it will be good picture quality... but is it really worth saving a couple hundred to know that youve got all these problems that u have to fix strait away... ? im leanin towards no way...

really disapointing tho, coz if it just worked well, it would do really well considerin its the samo spec as the toppy 4400 plus epg support..

so the question is... do i waste my time whilst knowing theres a 90% chance i will be taking it back!!

Buy it and if there are problems within the first 30 days you can get your money back.
That way, you might be lucky enough to get one without issues and save some money.
Or if it's a lemon, you've had another month to save up for the Topfield.

Every manufacturer is going to want to repair their product if you have had it for 2 years! you should have counted your blessings that dgtec would still cover it under warranty, no other stb is covered for more than 12 months, and it is still a repair warranty!

well i am over a month now (i think, or pretty close) and I have had no big problems since putting the new firmware (not the one available on the DGTEC website, the newest version from Scag) so THANK GOD. I will stick with it and pray it lasts 3-4 years when I think I will be going for a HD PVR with a panel display etc etc

DGTEC were very interested to hear of my problem with the missing text file and how I fixed it, I think I should have asked for an extended warranty for doing their job for them.

I did get the dogytech and could only put up with it for less than 2 weeks. I go myself a toppy 5000PVRt and about 3 months later I am still very very happy with the unit. Even the other half is very attatched to it and she normally doesn't like any techno stuff.

My advice -- save yourself the trouble and get the toppy, you wont regret it, I know I haven't.

I thought it was hours, not months?

Well, I finally got around to installing the 051221A firmware upgrade.

A few little changes which are nice:

1) Radio stations are now tuned - you can get to them in the Music
Manager, and pressing 9.

2) When deleting video files it displays a little graph showing
the deleting progress by percentage.

3) ICE guide feature added to Settings menu.

4) When the the unit is "off" or standby there is a red LED
glowing next to the Power switch. It turns off when the
unit is turned on. Previously it was the other way around.

Other than that there's no obvious changes I've noticed yet.
My clock/time issue is still apparent, but I've successfully
recorded programs using the timer recently - so it might
be one of these annoying "intermittent" faults which may
never be resolved.

Hi Kiwi,

Are you refering to the firmware for your DGTEC? Do you know how the ICE guide works on your machine?

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Peter - yes, the firmware is for my DGTEC PVR. (Thanks to scag for emailing me the latest copy).

I'm not sure about the ICE guide - I believe you have to subscribe to the service ($3 per week).
I'm not sure what other hardware you'll need though. Probably needs to be connected to the
internet all the time through the USB port (WiFi or something else?) I can't see me bothering
with it at the moment.

Check out www.icetv.com.au

Thanks everbody for the great info on these dgtec 2000 boxes. My wife gave me one for Xmas and I have not had many problems. Things like lockups and the 20 minutes issues are all that is happening at this space in time. I was wondering if somebody could send me the latest firmware to see if things improve. Email is schonks9999@yahoo.com.au.

Thanks in advance.
Glenn

Gday guys,

can someone please send me the latest firmware as well?

Email is nkaf@hotmail.com

Much appreciated.

Thanks kiwigene and murray