Home > Consumer Reviews > Topfield TF-5800 Digital Video Recorder

I've had the Topfield 5800 for around 18 months now and I can't praise it highly enough. When I was first thinking about getting it, I was worried about the noise it might generate being obtrusive (I had read some reviews saying it was noisy). I can safely say neither I nor any of my family have ever found the noise in any way obtrusive (a very slight hum and the occasional click, if you listen really closely).

It completely changes the way you watch TV - you would think this might not be the case as it is, after all, just a 'fancy' video recorder. But the ability to select programs from the Electronic Program Guide, pause TV, rewind, or just hit record as you're running out the door without having to scrabble around for a blank video (or DVD), makes it a winner.

You can also relatively easily download programs from it via its USB port for watching on your PC (or editing and burning to DVD).

If you are thinking about getting some form of PVR - don't hesitate, you won't regret it. And personally I would find it very hard to fault the Topfield.

This is a very well featured PVR, but it is the online 3rd party support and the ability to add plug-ins (TAPs) that really makes it stand out.

By all means buy it for the basic "out-of-the-box" experience, which is pretty good, but if the idea of doing something more adventurous - like hooking it up wirelessly to your PC network via a NAS box - appeals, then this is the one for you.

P.S. If your box ships with a user manual earlier than rev 4, be sure to download the latest manual - it is infinitely better.

I decided to write my first review for Amazon so had to decide which is the best (or worst) product I've bought in the last year or so. I immediately thought of my Toppy as it really does change the way you watch TV. No longer watch rubbish just because it is on. Instead we set up the Toppy to record a few top quality shows automatically then whenever we want to sit and watch TV we always have something we really want to watch on 'tape'. Fantastic!

The Toppy is great because it can run third party software - the program 'MyStuff' is HIGHLY recommended. These software additions are easy to set up (assuming basic knowledge of using a PC) but adds so much functionality to your PVR.

It's amazing how quickly you become accustomed to having so much space to record programs. And with the Toppy you have the option of recording two programs at once and often even watching a third show at the same time.

This is the biggest compliment I can make: The Toppy is like a mobile phone. It's only once you have one that you realise that you could NEVER go back to not having one.

The best thing since sliced bread. 250GB drive takes huge amounts and has a wonderful filing system option of multiple folders.
Twin tuner, of course.
Instructions written by somebody intelligent whose native language is English (UK).
Never had lip-sync problems on this.
As you get to know this machine you realise it was designed by a team who had thrown all the other brands out of the window in frustration.
Now I know why all the PVR 'tekkies' say Topfield (or possibly Humax) is the only brand to have. And it doesn't take a 'tekkie' to drive it.
Buy one.

For a completely customisable PVR, look no further. This box does the lot! You can customise it's user interface to your hearts content through use of free software (TAPs) as well as being able to transfer recordings to your PC.

However, I'm not sure it's worth the extra money when you can buy a twin tuner, dual record PVR from DigiHome or Daewoo for £150 that is arguably easier and quicker to use and setup.