Until recently, my only experience with PVR's had been the Toppy 5000, so I assumed that all PVR's allowed you to name the program at the time you set up the recording.

Then I bought a second bargain PVR for the family room - the Aldi $199 Tevion. That does not allow you to name the recording until after you the recording is finsihed - even if you set the recording up from the EPG which does have the program name - but it just shows it as "ABC" or "Ch10" and a date/time etc.

I find this hopeless.

Maybe its my oldstimers disease, but when I set up several recordings, then come to view them a day or two later, I'm buggered if i can remember what I set up on what channel on what day and just want to glance down the list of 5 or 6 recorded programs and pick the one that takes my fancy at the time - as I can do with the Toppy.

Reading through these forums, it appears that "pre titling" seems to be the exception rather than the rule. For this and other reasons I intend to return the Aldi Tevion and get an alternative, but i'm not sure which PVR's offer this feature and which don't. For me it's a deal breaker.

Would users mind advising what brand they have that does allow setting up the title before recording and what doesn't.

Thanks

PS - price isn't an issue, I'll either buy a cheapie for the family room, or a super duper (eg Beyonwizz) and move the Toppy to the family room.

The Strong 5490 allows naming before recording and renaming after recording (though not sure why you would want to rename something you had already named). It will also "name" any programs selected from the token EPGs we get with the name of that program and will use the correct name of the current broadcast if you press the instant record button. Works very well.

Does lots of other stuff well too, like networking, true twin tuners, chaseplay etc. etc.

Hi Chask,

The Beyonwiz allows name changes at any time. You can set it at timer set, during recording or later.

Regards,
Ian.

That's good to know - for the price. Funny, I thought I saw somewhere in the 70 page thread that you could only do it after recording - but then I have read so many threads lately, they are all running into one..

Mmm sounds interesting - might have to do a bit more research into the Strong.

The Mediastar/Arion is a good choice if you only want SD. Takes file name from EPG or you can manually set it the name in the timer/record screen. Around the $400-$500 mark.

Buy another Toppy?

Seems the prices are coming down a lot with reports of $300 for the 4400 and $400 for the 5000. A forum member also keeps hinting big things in the next few weeks price wise.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Yes, that is very much in my mind - if I can hang on for a few more weeks, that could be the ideal result..

For sure peter! They were my thoughts exactly as I read this thread. The OP knows from experience it seems so why ask?

Well the Toppy is not the ONLY show in town.

Other options have already been thrown up in this thread

Just want to know what else is available that might suit my needs.

The Toshiba HD J35 PVR allowed keyboard-style program name entry. The box, however, was @#@##@@#@!!!!!!!!!

The Toppy might not be BUT still is the BEST SHOW IN Town!

I will say I am solely referring to SD PVRs here and HD answer is still in the air as to the best available ATM.

I agree - and my problem is solved - see this little bargain

Nice one! $499 for a MP Toppy.

Almost 12 months ago I bought my BP as an unused display model for $450 and have enjoyed it so much and am now looking at another Toppy for the other room. It does seem SD PVRs (Topfield's especially) are dropping in price ATM.