Anyone bought one yet?

Gary.

Retravision catalogue says $199

Retravision Catalogue never has the models listed. Just "Topfield HD STB $199" or "Samsung 132cm $4999". How are we supposed to google the items? I am sure its done just to make our lives as bargain hunters a misery.

Of course it could be worse. It could be Nardly Normal who get pleasure out of using the wrong model, usually in text so small you need to get either a magnifying glas to read it, or ask the 8 year old next door.

So. bump, and stuff. Let us know how it goes, who ever gets one. Please.

The online catalogue definitely says it is the TF7010HT

I rang my local Retravison on Saturday and they had one left. I went around a bought it for $199. Until the Retravision catalogue came out they were selling them for $249 and so there was no way was I going to get it for less than $199. The set up was no problem and I connected it by HDMI to the TV and S-Video to the Panasonic DVD recorder. It comes with Component and Composite cables. (The instruction book says connect to the best connection you have in the order of HDMI, Component, S-Video and Composite with the note that you won't get HD with the last two.)

After the setup I put it into standby and turned it back on and some problems started occurring. First when I switched from 9HD to 10SD I got a scrambled signal and had to turn it off. I then had a picture and no sound then a slow picture coming on. I turned the power off and back on but it was still slow.

I decided to start all over and took it back to factory settings and re-installed. After that it has worked perfectly. Picture and sound are excellent and channel changing is fast and smooth. I have done three timer recordings without a problem. I gave it a good workout yesterday and it never missed a beat. At the moment I am very happy with it.

I remember seeing something on this board about recording to HDD using the SD signal rather than the HD signal. So yesterday I tested it out. I recorded a few minutes from 2SD on my Panasonic HDD and then switched to 20HD. I then checked the recording and to my eyes the 2SD picture looks clearer. Can someone comment on this?

Gary.

Have also got one today from my local Retravision as well, will post a review once it is all setup and running.

I remember someone mentioning that there are no HDD Recorders in AU that will record in HD due to some legalities, but I did not know this also applied to an external STP connected via a line in. This conscerns me as I intended to do this. Connect this STD to my LG RH1777 so I can record the HD programs.

All,

After playing yesterday afternoon and last night I must say as this is my first HD set top box I am impressed. I have it hooked upto the Hitachi 8800 via a HDMI cable and sPDIF to the RXV3000 for any DD.

Build quality:

First impressions are fairly good blends in well sitting on top of the Pana S97 although I thing the 7000 would have looked better. The front display either shows the clock (in standby) or the program number when on. The front face contains a drop down panel which has all the main program buttons behind it.

Back:

The rear panel is well laid out and simple no hassles with all the leads plugged in.

Set-up:

Set up is really easy, plug all A/V leads in, plug into power point, turn on, go to system set up press auto tune and away it goes. I managed to find all the Melbourne channels, and four radio channels. All stations are working fine with signal strength at full or near full on all stations.

I have not had any drop outs or picture/sound problems since setting it up (fingers crossed) and so far am loving 10 HD which is by far the best picture out of all the HD channels.

PROS:

Easy setup
Great menu system
Good connectivity
Excellent picture on the HD channels
No issues so far.

CONS:

No PIP
American shows have black bars all around on the Hitachi, must all be at set at 4:3 not 16:9.

Will have more of a play this afternoon and post some pictures.


Cheers,

Jas.

There was no problem recording the HD program to the HDD of my DVD recorder via S-Video, the recorded picture was fine, but just didn't look as sharp as the SD version.

Was in a Harvey Norman store today and saw this topfield model on floor listed for $229. Not that I would pay that price. But at least I know I can always bring in a cheaper competitors deal on the same item for a price match.

I think you will find that American programs are 4:3 if made in SD, HD programs are 16:9

Were either of the programs, ie SD or HD, recorded in digital widescreen?


Garry

Everything was in widescreen.

In Sydney the 7010ht is $199 at most Retravision stores!

how come there is no listing on the topfield web site?

does it also have ethernet or a av1 in?

try here

no and no

Anyone seen one of these in perth?

Hi There
Retravision Kingsford Sydney Price on display $ 239 you have to tell the guy at the counter that it is $ 199 in the catalogue and then he says Yes Mate !...
So thanks to the info in this forum, I was able to get the right price.
I have installed it via HDMI on a Fujitsu Plasma 50, to replace my Ausid HD (wife like the subtitle feature on Topy and needed infraRed remote).

I have an issue with reception Channel 7 , 9 and ABC 1 are subject to short intermitent freeze, Channel 7 even comes with a SCRAMBLED SIGNAL message at certain time. (Any suggestion to help me there)
I have tried to reset and reprogram a couple of time without getting the expected result.
When I look at the signal bar on the info screen it seems to change a lot from low to high and peak too high , touching the red bar on the right end side for the trouble channel.
I did not have any reception issue with the Ausid with the same setup ! (I have check all coax connection all is OK)

Otherwise the Ausid was a bit sharper and the screen format auto adjustment is better on the AUSID.
Chanel change over is close to 1-2 sec as on the Ausid
I still think the Ausid is superior on the screen quality HD.

Jean-Luc

I phoned several retravision stores in the Northern Beaches area of Sydney today and they all said there were supply problems with the Topfield HD boxes and not only did they not have any in stock, but didn't know when more would come in.
Anyone know any place in North West Sydney that has them in stock?

Thanks
Dave.

Don't rush buying one yet, I am not happy with this unit, Definition is OK, BUT Channel change is too long (2 sec), it is very sensible to reception fluctuation I guess, with frequent short freeze on some channel while the signal is strong.
I have gone back to my Ausid-HD1 (Sharper image and twice as fast Channel Change) waiting to see if the next Firmware upgrade fix some of the issues, I am also using 2 Topfield SD TF4000 on other rooms, which are much better regarding the point described above.

Jean-Luc

Bugger!
Surely they will fix things with firmware updated though?
I really like the look of this unit so will probably give it a go, although I do hate long channel changes. But someone else said channel changes were fast and smooth?
I'm sick of buying cheap boxes though.

I've phones half the Retravision stores in Sydney, no one has one, all sold out.
Hardly Normal don't them either.

BTW, does it have a 7 day program guide?

Thanks
Dave.

QUICK REVIEW:

I finally got a TF7010HT from Harvey Norman at Auburn in Sydney. They had a ton of floor stock unlike other stores and every Retravision store I phoned.
Got it for $199 ($229 ticket) no hassles when I mentioned that the Retravision price. I recon I could have even got it lower, but I was happy with that.

Only been playing with it for about 30 minutes, so may add more stuff to this review later.
My first time owning a Topfield (upgrading from a Digicrystal SD) and I must say I am very impressed.
Looks good, great remote control that works when pointed anywhere in the room, even down the corridor facing away from the TV - excellent!
Comes with component and composite leads.

Works with the component output straight out of the box (unlike my other digicrystal) - nice. I've got a HDMI cable somewhere, so need to find that, but image quality is excellent with the component outputs on my Sony S series LCD.

Installation was a breeze.
Love the quality of the OSD, very professional.

7 day guide with two different modes. I like the "timeline" channel comparison mode.

I have no idea how to read the funny looking signal strength bar! - might have to read the manual...
I get marginal reception in my area, but all the channels were found no problem. Have not programmed the favourites yet.

Happy to report that channel changing is very quick and smooth!, 1 second or less, as quoted in the specs. So I don't know what the previous poster was on about?

Power comsumption is on par with the specs. I measured 13.8W in use, and 3.4W in standby mode. I'd like the standby to be lower, but I can live with that.

Switch-on time from standby is a bit disappointing, I timed it at 13 seconds. The only negative so far.

I would have opened it up and took a photo but it has a "warranty void if removed" sticker on the case lid!

I did my "garage roll-a-door" test which scrambles any STB in the house. This one locks up too, but the image just freezes on the last known screen and there is NO annoying audio pop, completely silent - nice!

Overall, very very impressed. No problems found so far.
Haven't checked if I have the latest firmware yet.

Dave.

I confirm my Channel changing is 1 to 1.5 sec (just too long) Definitely not less than 1 second like the Ausid is, When I swapped the Ausid-Hd with the TF7010, the only difference is that I connected the Topy via HDMI, while the Ausid was via Components.
Everytime I select a different source on the Fujitsu Plasma from Component (video3) to HDMI, I get a Black Screen with a Message "CERTIFYING HDMI" for 5 second then the image.
So I wonder if the HDMI connection could have any incidence on the Channel Changing issue I am experiencing, it will be interesting when Dave locate his HDMI cable to see if it makes any difference for him ?
As I have a good strong reception and no issue with the Ausid, while I have with the TF7010, I wonder if mine, could have a faulty component causing the delay in Channel changing and intermittent freeze on some channel !

Cheers Jean-Luc

Hi All,

Just got 1 today. Paid $210 at Retravision. I know i could have pushed for the $199 price but i couldn't be bothered haggling today and not over $11 although i know they could do it because i am sure that the stock they had on hand would have come in on the special price.

Now that i have spoken about the price here is the rest.

So Far so good.

I am replacing a Phillips DTR7200 as i have a few issues with not getting ABC 1,2,3 and HD and also ch 10 sth cross and 10 hd with screen freeze and sound jump.

Plugged it in using component to Sony Bravia v series LCD (early model without the inbuilt tuner) and stereo sound. I did like the option of the coaxial DD out from the Philips even though i couldn't get it to work (i suspect my sound system to be the issue) So now i have to go get a SPIDF Optical line.

1st thing noted was that the remote is from the same manufacturer but not sure about the rest of the unit although use of same sort of LED display sort of hint that there may be a few more connections than just a remote but that is beside the point.

After turning on i came to the main menu. Surprised it didn't have a sort of first time guided install that you need to do before it works. (yes i know RTFM if you ain't got a clue) Setup went ok although the channel scan seemed to go longer than the Philips. I like the fact that it separates out and tells you how many TV Vs Radio channels you have.

Other setup items such as 16:9 or 4:3 are easy enough to get to and set.

Now that it is up i find the following.

The picture is just as good as the Philips.

Channel changing happens fast and accurately.

EPG is ok although there are a couple of issues
1. It doesn't seem to update from channel to channel properly when viewing epg in single channel mode. EG change from 30 sbs hd to prime 70 while in epg mode i get the guide info for SBS ok but change up while still in EPG i get no info showing for PRIME.
2. when on all channel scrolling epg if i go to fast i get short dropouts where the screen goes blank. but then comes back up with info.
3. when in all channel scolling mode it finds it hard to get all channels current epg info to show.


Reception issues that plauged the philips such as poor to no ABC are gone and 10, 10 hd and sth cross all work well with no image or sound skip noted so far.

All in all i think this is a winner of an STB and with a few minor glitch fixes (they all need them) it will be a champion for a while.

Cheers
Muddles

The time varies a fair bit between channels, some are definitely under 1 second, some just over 1 second.
To me that's pretty fast.

Dave.

There are many HD HDD recorders on the market, Topfield and Beyondwiz are the current flavour, but LG, Philips and Sony had offerings in the past. No legal issue.

No DVD / HDD recorders are capable of receiving a HD signal, only composite and S-Video inputs are available. If the HD channel is of lower quality than the SD channel then obviously the STB does a poor job of downscaling the image.

Hi all,

I have recently purchased the Topfield 7010 and i can say not 1 problem so far!
Crisp picture quality, no sound drop out and fast channel changing.
I have one question thiugh i cannot get dolby surround sound to come up on my yamaha RX3800 reciver.
Any one got any ideas. Connections made through HDMI cable.

Thanks.

betje

Please confirm something for me with the topfield TF7010ht:
You have connected via HDMI to your TV(Plasma or LCD)?
You connected STB to TV via HDMI?
You then connected S-Video & audio to Pana DVD Recorder to record pgms.
As i want to do the same thing as i own a Pana EX-75 and i am thining of buying the Topfield.

Ok my questions are:

What output resolution have you set the STB to via HDMI?
Can you record channel on the DVD Recorder and watch a differant channel via the STB?

koaz

Well i have come across 1 glitch with channel 9. on my old philips i was getting the picture glitch free but on this i am getting small sound skips and pic frezze for a few ms. so far this is only on 9 and 9HD. As i get NBN newcaslte and central coast it is no biggie but i will let Toppy know anyway.

Edit - wrong thread sorry, this is only the stb you're talkin about here.

The STB is connected to my Sony LCD via HDMI.
It is also connected to my Panasonic DVD recorder with HDD (but without a digital tuner) via S-Video and audio plugs.
The output resolution from my STB is set to Auto as recommended in the Topfield User Guide.
You cannot record one digital channel and watch another digital channel at the same time.

As there is not much on the HD channels at the moment that is worth recording, I am thinking of re-connecting my Strong SD STB to the DVD recorder to record from and watch the Topfield on my TV. Then I can watch and record two digital channels.

Anyone please,

Does the Topfield TF7010HT simultaneously output HD and SD so i can downscale to 576i SD and output via S-Video or composite to the Pana EX-75 for recording SD Programmes.

many thanks in advance.

koaz

Koaz, You can always set the STB to 576i output if you're wanting record HD via a SD machine. Not sure if the composite always has SD output but pretty sure the answer is yes.

As for your setup. You have the EX75. Can that watch another channel while recording on another input? ie you could set the STB to output a HD channel as 576i to the EX75 inputs (composite?) and set the EX75 to record, at the same time watch a SD digital channel on the EX75 other tuner?

Edit: Scratch that, seems you can't record and play on the EX75 at the same time (unless its chase play of the same show). So it would seem that you can record from the STB to the EX75 but you won't be able to watch anything else at the same time while doing it.

Personally I'd be inclided to get a cheap SD PVR (Say a Digicrystal for $180 at Strathfields) rather than a HD STB (esp if you're going to use it mostly for recording in SD anyway?)

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Hi Peter

I have a EX75 and I can watch a previously recorded program while recording another. (and its not chase play).

Koaz, bought that pio plasma yet ?

cheers

Eggmeister

Eggmeister

will know by end of today...

koaz

Anyone else experiencing picture/sounds skips on this Topfield unit?

Yes I have been experiencing this with channel 7,9 and 10 in Rushcutters Bay where we have strong signal from the Cross and North Shore.
But this fault is erratic and I have not found a clear pattern yet.
Only thing I am sure of, is that I did not have any issue with the Ausid-HD , I was previously using.

Yesterday I returned the 7010 to the store and got it swapped for a clean one.
So fare it seems better, but I only could check it for 30 minutes last night so I cannot say for sure and I will be awayfrom this arvo for a week.

I put back the Ausid in service to avoid any trouble with the wife while I am away.
Also because, the Topfield has changing channel time which 40% longer than on the Aussid which is incredibly fast.
it seems I am the only one complaining about this, simply because I am used to something faster probably !

I have other Topy in SD not HD and they are great and fast, I am a bit disapointed with this one, don't know if firmware update can improve this or if we are locked with the speed issue for good !

Cheers Jean-luc

Does anyone know if JB Hi-fi will stock this Topfield? I have a few hundred dollars worth of JB gift vouchers!

Hey Shiraz...have you bought one yet?
I'd like to know where I can get one in Adelaide.

A dumb question - can I watch HD channels on a standard tv?
I grabbed the manual online and see:

Set the Video Format option as you desire. If you set this option to 576P, the digital receiver will present even high definition programmes in resolution of 576.

followed by:

NOTE
You can enjoy only standard definition video with the following connectors:
• Composite video connector (VIDEO)
• S-Video connector (S-VIDEO)

Should I be reading the 'note' as "If you set the Video Format to 1080, you will not be able to use the composite or s-video connectors"?
(Unfortunately, no HD tv and my AV receiver only accepts s-video)

You're spot on .....it's a dumb question.
And nothing to do with this thread topic!!

Has everything to do with the topic. I'm asking a specific question about the TF7010HT STB.
If it can't do what I asked, then that's input into people's buying decision. ie. A review.

Get a life.

I think you indirectly answered my question.

Standard TV (4:3 crt) will not display a hd signal. Assuming your TV has connections for either composite or s-video connectors, your question becomes:
Will this Toppy down convert a hd signal to sd for output over composite or s-video connectors to display on my old crt.
I do not know the answer but I would be surprised if it didn't, however you are wise to check.
Given that sd is wide screen and your TV is not another question becomes how does it display ws on a 4:3?

Until your second post I did not realise you we asking about the Topfield Tf7010h either.

In which case I apologies for not being clearer.

Thanks for responding.

Unless you get a response from someone who has done what you are looking to do (and without knowing where you would be buying one from), my suggestion would be to ask to see it set up in the store to a tv similar to your own. ie same size, connections etc. Then you can check if you can get hd channels (displayed in sd) and if you can get ride of the black stripes from displaying ws on 4:3.

First up, it is not a dumb question because one of the first things I read on this forum was along similar lines. Look here
and you will see that there was a thread started on that issue in September last year. If the new Topfield HD STB cannot display HD channels on a SD TV it would be one of the very few that cannot and would be at a severe disadvantage compared to it's rivals. However as a previous poster has stated it would be a good idea to see one set up and running on a SD TV to conclusively answer your question.

I can confirm this set top box will work on a crt tv. I have set it up on my father inlaws Panasonic 76cm crt. It uses the component cables provided but i tried it with the composite cables, also supplied, and could watch the HD channels.

Hope this helps

db

thank you

I just got this after swapping it with my previous cheaper set top box and I highly recommend it!!

TF7010HT is the most expensive set top box but it's definitely worth the money. It looks good; very easy to use; the remote controller and the sensor range is fantastic; all captions works on all channels. There's nothing I can really complain about.