PVR - Need a New One, any Suggestions?

jenny43cat on 22/06/2018 - 01:56

I bought a Topfield TRF7160 PVR (Personal Video Recorder) 7/8 years ago and have been using it since. It has 500gb HHD, records 4 programs and watch 1 all at the same time.

I loved it at first, but it seems to be misbehaving for last year or so, in that I can't rely on auto programming, I have to do the programming daily by hand, needs rebooting more often than I feel it should.

The trouble is, that Topfield don't seem to be manufacturing anymore, and I was hoping not to have to learn how to use a different brand.

Maybe time for an upgrade. Any suggestions as to brand, reliability, ease of use, etc?

Any thoughts, experiences would be welcome.

Entertainment

Comments

  • voiletmay on 22/06/2018 - 07:32

    A Fetch box perhaps. When Tivo's stopped being usable in Australia, everyone who had a Tivo was given a deal on a Fetch box (the fetch mighty which is the bigger one). We got one and it is great at recording.

    There is an app too so you can select what to record from the app, and even change channels from the app.

    • Sunshines bright on 22/06/2018 - 21:48

      Can you fast forward using the Fetch? and whatis this about?
      Box is included in eligible plans from selected ISP’s
      Or add to your current plan for $10-$15/month
      Confirm plans and pricing with your service provider.

  • WreckTangle on 22/06/2018 - 07:34

    Do people still use PVR’s now streaming on demand is everywhere?

    • jjjaar on 22/06/2018 - 08:37

      Yes. I don’t stream.

    • trilby on 22/06/2018 - 09:51

      Streaming costs a monthly fee, PVR does not.

    • vinni9284 on 22/06/2018 - 12:10

      Yes. I have a Projector that requires an external TV tuner/PVR.
      I use the Humax 7510T. So far it's OK. It has an app that you can control from your phone.
      I think there is a newer 4 tuner one.. HMS1000
      The footy looks awesome on a HD 120" screen!
      Especially with the surround sound system :P
      Cheers

  • chumlee on 22/06/2018 - 07:38

    I bought a fetch mighty few months back to replace my Panasonic PVR. I would recommended the fetch box. Very easy to use and good for catch up tv (i have a dumb tv still - Pioneer plasma)

  • ChrisLevo on 22/06/2018 - 08:20
    +1

    We have had a couple for the last 10 years, and the Strong SRT6100U started making buzzing noises a couple of weeks ago so we binned it and looked for a replacement.

    Choice recommended the Panasonic DMRHWT260GN which was cheapest at Harvey Norman - that was a sock!

    $398 and excellent.

  • trilby on 22/06/2018 - 09:50

    Agree with the other posters. Fetch is easy to install, quite intuitive and does the same as the topfield. I still have a topfield, but the remote is playing up. One of the good things the topfield had was the button that would forward 10 or 30 seconds which Fetch doesn't have, but it does have a lot of other features like series recording that only records the latest series and good catch up tv.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/06/2018 - 11:40

    I have been looking around as I currently use HTPC which doesn't seem to be going to well. I was thinking fetch box, when this dies.

  • OZB Al on 22/06/2018 - 11:47

    I went through the same recently when I left iinet, had the Fetch from them and liked it. It came down to another Fetch or a Humax, Humax was going cheap somewhere, so got it. Works well, some things are easier on one rather than the other, but it's much of a muchness.

    I'd rather get a TVHeadend box that was dependable and worked straight from the box, but couldn't find one.

  • danield on 22/06/2018 - 13:49

    I replaced my Topfield a few years ago with a dedicated HTPC (MythTV) which Im quite happy with but it was a real pain to setup. Would be interested in replacing it with a more simplified system possibly.

    A few questions for those using Fetch. Is there a way to share the recordings around to different locations, even now as I write this Im starting to remember why I set up my current system. I really want to have the recordings in one place and be able to watch it back in multiple places, so Im guessing the fetch regardless of how many you have, the content remains local to that device only?

    • mysterytal on 22/06/2018 - 13:51

      On the same network yes Fetch Mini can access the recordings on a Fetch Mighty quite easily.

      The recordings can also be accessed by a variety of devices.

      • danield on 24/06/2018 - 22:00

        Yeap, just found out over that this does exactly that, records on one fetch can be viewed on other devices. Will look into getting a pair of these in the future.

  • jenny43cat on 23/06/2018 - 02:05

    Thanks for your help everyone. Will look into your suggestions.

    Anyone else with tips, ideas, experience?

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