Hey,

Well time has come to pick a PVR for my B'Day present. Have been reading extensively, but am undecided. I know i am not impressed with the Toppy 7000 at present so have scratched it. The Beyondwiz is tempting but what else should I look at?

My system specs are below, and this unit will pretty much complete my home set-up for now so want to get it right

Any help is greatly appreciated

Regards

Scott

Don't write of the Topfield. Topfield didn't get their high reputation for nothing, think you will find it will get it's issues sorted soon. Don't forget the Beyonwiz is not without its teething problems either......

In that budget though it would have to be either the Toppy or Beyonwiz, with maybe a look at the strong.


Goodluck.

We'll Topfield are also distributing the BeyondWiz so I don't suppose they'll be disappointed if you get that instead. Based on your setup and budget it seems the BW should fit in pretty seamlessly. The BW has the wireless connectivity capabilities so you can stream from your PC HTPC if desired. The BW started out very settled and they've just released a major first patch to further enhance it.

Unfortunately Topfield haven't really been able/inclined to enhance their vanilla firmware for the SD Toppy's (It was up to the TAP community to write the applications that make the SD Toppies exceptional - and all kudos to Topfield for providing them with the opportunity). Topfield are working hard to get the 7000 working as reliably and functionally as a vanilla 5000 but I don't see them progressing much past that point (if they reach it).

The BW though (IMO) has an air of on going development about it, so it wouldn't surprise me if features continue to be added and enhanced over the next few years.

If you're not interested in PC connectivity / ICE / EPG and just want a PVR to record the odd show then save some dosh and maybe go the LG?

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Scott

I had a Toshiba J35 for 2 years and enjoyed what it delivered while suffering through a number of problems.

Bought the Beyonwiz when it first came out and was very happy with straight from the box - easy set up, great user interface, 7 day EPG via ICE, network connection to play things from networked PCs, and best of all no running problems. Only real disappointment was that some of the features like uploading and downloading files between the BW and a PC was only promised for later upgrades, and a couple of annoying minor bugs like chase play didn't work properly.

Yesterday BW brought out the first software upgrade which fixed up the chase play problem and allows you to back up files to a USB drive, as well as a number of other enhancements and minor bug fixes. Network file transfer is still promised for a later upgrade.

Overall, I'd fully recommend it if you are serious about recording lots of programs. However, if you only want to record the odd program you can probably get one of the cheaper machines that doesn't provide all the features.

By the way, showed the BW to one of my friends last week and he went out and bought one - he's very happy with it

But the best the best thing of all, the finance minister loves it, she was a bit dubious about spending $1400 to replace the 95% working Toshiba, but now she's totally sold on it.

regards

Whatever you choose, remember the LG range doesn't record 2 channels at the same time. The new Philips looks good, great remote, excellent PQ although I haven't had time to play with the recording. Philips STBs have always been good and seem to have the highest signal strength.

The Sony is very good, although early ones suffered software issues.

I would buy the Philips currently, or wait for the new Topfields.

Hi Scott,

I own a Beyonwiz DP-S1 and I highly recommend it. The new firmware is out and it has fixed a number of the issues I had with the box. Some features are still to be added but this is an excellent and reliable performer.

Regards,
Ian.

Thanks for the replys - will do some homework on the Philipsa / Sony and other brands - have no experience with these brands...

As a side note - I showed the "Minister for Finance " the BW - all she said: "it's ugly!"

Considering you have a HTPC in another room, I would consider the BW the way to go, so you can stream to your lounge. If the BW was about when I started linking all our media it would have saved lots of time and money. (BTW I don't have one yet ... have the LG)

Philip

Is there a particular "ROM / Firmware" no. I should look for in order to ensure the latest firmware is loaded on the BW (assuming I buy it)??

There's only a single FW release on the BW to date. Thread around here somewhere on it. Just check out the BW forum occasionally for the latest version.

Regards

Peter Gilespie

I've owned a Sony and I wouldn't buy another one. It works, but it's limited (IMO) as a PVR. That said, if you've never owned a PVR before, you'd be happy with it.


I thought so too, until I saw one in the flesh, powered on. Looks a lot better than the photo's. Others prefer it without the removable side panels, but mine are on.

I would heartily recommend the BW.

Simon....

Peter have you heard anything in regards to the cheaper Beyonwiz model without the dvd player? Is it still on the cards, as no mention on the Beyonwiz site?

Also is there new Topfields coming out as mentioned, first I have heard of it?

Would think there wouldn't be any new models for some time, especially considering the long wait for the tf7000hdpvrt to appear.

(have just started using you justepg tap on my Toppy 5000, BRILLIANT!!! Have to work out what other TAPS to add now:)

Cheers

I would say all the units around will have the original firmware and you will need to download the new firmware yourself. It doesn't seem too complicated.

Maybe the DP-H1 will be more to her liking. Should have most of the features of the S1 without the DVD player and Wireless


Has anyone seen one with either of the other two available colours for the side panels??

I understand it was part of the BW 'game plan' from the start. Obviously creating a 'cut down' version is a lot easier than creating a premium version. No direct knowledge one way or the other but I'd anticipate it will pop up some time this year.
Actually first I've heard of it too. Jokin has aluded to price cuts and (just recently) possible new models but I'm not sure what this might entail. The SD range seems pretty 'complete' with lots of options. And the HD range is still working through 7000 issues but I'd have thought the next logical offering would have been a 7000 + ethernet/wireless? Honest answer is I just don't know.Thanks. Glad you're liking it

Regards

Peter Gillespie

the units in stores almost certainly have the old firmware. New version is so simple to update my dead cat could do it while opening an umbrella underwater.

Now I have an image in my mind of a scruffy cat with a USB Stick in it's mouth and one paw on the Wiz remote... classic.

Updated my Wiz firmware a couple of days ago, took all of 5 minutes, didn't bother with the factory reset or HDD reformat - it worked fine after a simple reboot and kept all my scheduled timers.

Have had the Wiz for a month or so and it's never failed to record. Since I installed a "log periodic" anttena the reception has been 100% good and PQ excellent. One box that does HD STB, Dual Tuner HD PVR, DVD & Network Media Player. The only downer is DVD playback stops PVR recording (after a warning) - hard to train housemates in this! And if I had to be picky, I'd say my PS3 does a better job as a photo server/slideshower, but really I'm struggling to find anything really negative to say about the Wiz.

Go take a Wiz, you'll not regret it.