Design
The TF7000HDPVRt is available in either a black or silver body finish, although the front faceplate is black in either case. Our review sample was the black model and if there's one design implementation that Topfield's made that improves the overall Topfield experience, it's in the snappy slimline design of this particular PVR.
Front controls on the TF7000HDPVRt comprise channel, volume and an oddly squishy power button. At the rear, you'll find audio and video connectors, covering the spectrum from simple composite up to HDMI, as well as a single USB port.
The TF7000HDPVRt's remote is short and has the same glossy black finish as the unit itself. It's noticeably smaller than Topfield remotes of the past have been, although it contains the same basic feature set, albeit with many of the buttons in different places.
Features
Like the TF6000PVRt and TF5000PVRt, the TF7000HDPVRt is a Personal Video Recorder, designed to record free-to-air digital TV signals. Like its predecessors, the TF7000HDPVRt records directly to an internal hard disk; in the TF7000HDPVRt's case it's a 250GB model. Owing to the format that Topfield PVRs record in, that doesn't give you as many hours as you might expect from say, a hard disk equipped DVD-recorder; 250GB in Topfield's recording format gives you around 70 hours worth of SD recording or around 30 hours of HD.
Where the TF7000HDPVRt differs from its predecessors is in the inclusion of dual high definition tuners; previous models have been limited to standard definition watching and recording only. The practical upshot of this is that you can watch and record all the high definition content currently broadcast in Australia. The downside here is that current HD programming (outside of imported American shows) is thin on the ground, a fact highlighted by the fact that Kerri Anne's morning show is currently broadcast in HD. Does anyone need that?
As much as we like the addition of HD tuners, in several other respects the TF7000HDPVRt is a lesser PVR than its predecessors. The previous model, the TF6000PVRt featured wireless networking support, meaning you could set it to automatically update the EPG with no user intervention, and both the TF6000PVRt and TF5000PVRt offered direct connection to a PC via USB for program updates, as well as adding in new functionality via Topfield's TAP program system.
The TF7000HDPVRt has no network connection whatsoever; you can't program it to perform extra tasks, which has always been a big plus for Topfield's PVRs in the past, and you can't pull programming off the TF7000HDPVRt either. It also means that despite having dual HD support, the TF7000HDPVRt lags behind both the PVR and Media Centre pack in terms of streaming media and even updating the EPG. ICEGuide is supported, but the only way to upgrade it is via a USB flash stick. This does have an upside - the ICE TV guide files are just a text file, and as such you can download it easily from OS X or even Linux if you like, something that's not been easily accomplished in the past. There's a significant downside here, however, as the USB port on the TF7000HDPVRt is at the rear of the unit. If you've got it sitting in an entertainment unit, it's difficult to get to it.
Performance
In the PVR market, we've always liked Topfield's approach to TV watching, and in most respects the TF7000HDPVRt meets our expectations well. HD broadcast quality was excellent, and once we'd set up ICEGuide, it all worked smoothly during our test period.
Topfield boasts that the channel switching time has been drastically reduced - down to less than a second - and indeed the TF7000HDPVRt does surf channels that bit faster than many other solutions, including most of the media centres we've tested. If you're a compulsive channel flipper, you may find this a godsend. If you're the significant other of a compulsive channel flipper, the TF7000HDPVRt might just be grounds for a divorce.
Topfield PVRs have benefited from being ahead of the pack for some time, given that they've offered dual TV tuners in a world where most PVRs and Media Centres only offered single tuners. Those competitors - especially in the Media Centre space - have largely caught up to Topfield, and the delay in bringing an HD model to market means that Topfield is playing in a far more level playing ground this time round. There's plenty to like about the TF7000HDPVRt - the design style is pleasing to the eye, the smaller remote is easier to use and the fast channel switching works well.
It's just that the TF7000HDPVRt isn't the only PVR worth watching any more. In a world of AppleTVs, improved Media Centres and even a number of brand-name (and imported) PVRs offering more, the TF7000HDPVRt is something of an also-ran prospect.
Like this article? Click below to send it to your mobile for free!
Rach
01/10/2008, 03:55 PM
rating
8/10
Well everyone, I DID NOT end up taking back my Topfield 7000. I persevered and am pleased I did!
OK it has it's problems but what in technology doesn't these days?
Pros: The bookmarking glitch I mentioned earlier, I figured out. You don't need to use it unless you want to! The Topfield 7000 remembers where you are up to in your programme. Fantastic!
I am now really glad I stuck with it and have not had any more programmes deleted on me!
Cons: Yes it does still freeze up on occassion, but you simply reboot it like the computer. It does mean you have to re-set all the channels again, but let's face it, the PVR does it for you, it's not like you have to do it manually! Don't be lazy! It's all at the touch of a button.
Otherwise, fairly smooth sailing overall.
Report offensive comment
norman
19/09/2008, 02:10 PM
rating
4/10
Every time I switch off my 7000 it loses all the TV presets and needs to be retuned every blasted time. It will only record if it is left switched on and not just on standby which is a pain as I travel 200kms to work and only return at the weekends. As I live in a rural area of NSW we suffer from frequent minor power blackouts which of course knock the 7000 for six. I spent almost $1000 foe this useless machine and I am very disapointed
Pros: Works perfectly if you are present during recording and prepared to monitor it closely.
Cons: See above.
Report offensive comment
Lawrence99
31/08/2008, 02:32 AM
rating
1/10
I would sugest that anybody who is thinking of buying a Topfield PVR thinks again. I bought the TF6000 PVR and have had constant problems with total loss of all recordings. Topfiels admitted that the hard disc allocation table gets corrupted due to software faults or any short power loss ( microseconds ), their only remedy is reset and reformat the hard disc!!!
Pros: Tuner is OK, but so it should be for the money.
Cons: PVR is a disaster as is Topfield support.
Report offensive comment
Rach
04/08/2008, 12:18 PM
rating
2/10
Well I am truly disappointed. I'll take mine back a second time. Bought one last week, it seized up completely and wiped everything! Exchanged for another. Big mistake. This one starting to freeze up and now and I'm thinking I'll get another brand before it's too late! Thank you all for your honesty. I can now go and buy something that may last longer than a week!
Topfield, I am upset. I had your 5000 unit and bought the 7000 on faith alone. Hope you can win all your customers back again. I had no problems with the last unit and would highly recommend it to anyone. I will have to go back to using it now until I sort this mess out.
Pros: Faster fast forwarding and rewinding speeds. Coloured buttons help when setting things on keyboard eg. blue button to save.
Cons: Buttons too small and close together on remote and I have small hands. Annoyingly have a fight with the unit to un-bookmark something. Unit freezes up and turns off in the night. Next day, no TV signal! I'm on my second unit and this is just not good enough for something we paid over $600 for.
Report offensive comment
gm
18/06/2008, 02:42 PM
rating
1/10
Bought TF7000 and had nothing but problems. Took it back to shop and swapped it for a Panasonic; only one tuner and SD but better than the better than the big nothing I got from the TF7000. Had the same experience with the Toshiba J35 and that ended up in the bin. Topfield have a quite undeserved reputation and I won't be wasting my time in the future.
Pros: dual tuneHD
Cons: Apalling menu structure
Unstable
I have to install software to make it work!? Is this 1992!?
Won't record two things at the same time
Drops channels and record times
Seems to think that rebooting is fun
Report offensive comment
nicky
23/04/2008, 02:25 AM
rating
10/10
Good stuff
Pros: Design,Quality
Cons: No Taps. Thats all
Report offensive comment
Possible buyer
15/04/2008, 08:27 PM
rating
5/10
can any one tell me if this unit now recieves free epg from the stations?
Report offensive comment
unhappy chappy
28/03/2008, 02:31 PM
rating
2/10
The thing is just unreliable. It keeps freezing. The patches just don't fix the problems.
Report offensive comment
Phil
12/03/2008, 01:23 PM
rating
8/10
Bought the 7000 as I've had a 4400 PVR for some while & it's been most reliable. The Topfield 7000 is now my 4th STB purchase in a bid to own a PVR with true dual chanel HD capability. I was stupid enough a few months ago to buy a LG HD PVR & gues what it only has 1.5 tuner & NO bookmark feature. Paid nearly $800 for it. Now it sits forlornly in the corner doing nothing!
Pros: Great menu layout.
Full 2 Chanel HD Recording
Easy to update firmware & ICE TV
Great bookmark feature
Can edit title of program B4 recording
Cons: Don't like the look of the case
Runs very hot
Remote bit small for big fingers.
Report offensive comment
RABSP
25/02/2008, 04:14 PM
rating
8/10
I just got a TF7000, but I already had a TF5000. I want to use both, so the conflicting remotes are a pain.
Unit was a bt buggy, but after I upgraded the code to 9.90 all works very well, ( after formatting the HDD). I miss the customer time jumps and auto bookmark TAPS I have on the TF5000. But I am happy very happy with it.
Needs TAP support & Alt remote frequency to be 10/10.
Pros: HD, front diaplay
Cons: TAP Support , Remote
Report offensive comment