Topfield TF5810PVR Freeview

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Comments (41)

What are your views on this product? Tell other Digital Spy users what the strengths and weaknesses are, and don't forget to include your rating out of five!

Paul Langdon Dorset on December 11th, 2009
I seem to have a different experience from others. Absolutely fine functionality out of the box. Yet to take advantage of the add ons which is part of why i chose the Topfield. I should add that my Humax was v.poor and consistently failed to record as the time kept freezing. Also the Topfield RC although criticised will control the volume via HDMI unlike the Humax. It would be a five but the batteries to the remote were missing. Bought mine from Peter Tyson on the web and they included a HDMI cable. I must have the sam Topfield as Phil C.

Phil C, Bucks on November 29th, 2009
Got rid of a Humax after it kept freezing and replaced it with this as it was the only other one John Lewis had. Seems great so far - good picture, excellent features and easy to set up. Have I got the same machine as everyone else?

Maria, Cardiff on November 12th, 2009
Bought this to replace an old Humax 9200. Plus points - good picture. Minus points - too many to mention but primary frustrations are that you can't change start and finish times of a recording; pressing the record button sets a fixed 2hr recording rather than just to the end of the current programme; box display is poor and it currently scrolls the channel name which is very distracting; on-screen messages are unclear; remote is poor and some functions counter-intuitive - volume up on the left and down on the right for example. Apparently you can download various "TAPS" to customise your box and fix some of these problems but this is only useful if you are a PC user (as opposed to a MAC user). Why these issues couldn't be addressed by the manufacture I don't know. We had it for two weeks and then returned it to John Lewis as we were becoming more and more frustrated with it.

David, Swansea on November 6th, 2009
When you buy a Freeview recorder for £300 you expect it to do everything well out of the box. You don't expect to have to install 3rd party add-ons (TAPs) to get features that other boxes that cost £100 have as standard. If you do decide to install TAPs then system stability suffers and many TAPs are buggy when run on a TF5810. However, what you absolutely expect a £300 box to do is record your timers and series link programs reliably and accurately. The TF5810 regularly fails to do this. You also expect rock solid build quality. My TF5810 has been for repair 4 or 5 times in just 1 1/2 years of ownership. Although the TF5810 has many good features, it gets all the basics wrong.

David, Swansea on August 5th, 2009
For a supposedly advanced PVR, there are some pretty basic features missing: Channel re-ordering (exists but affects only channel +/- not EPG) EPG text/genre search Page Up/Page Down on timers/recording screens (EPG has it, but uses non-standard << and >> buttons rather than channel +/- which every other set-top box or PVR I've ever used uses). As for the grid EPG, it shows only 4 channels at one time, which when there are around 32 channels I watch makes it pretty time consuming to find out what's on! Oh and to top it off it is back for repair for the third time!

Andy Fareham , Hampshire on July 13th, 2009
Was meandering the internet when I came across these reviews of the Topfield 5810 and was really quite shocked ! I have owned a Topfield 5810 since January 2009 , prevously having owned a Sony PVR , and I have also just purchased a Sky+ box for the sole reason of watching Sky Sports. Of all 3 boxes the Topfield wins by a country mile, its flexibility is stunning and the service I received from the distributor Turbostat was exceptional (the first box I received had a minor cosmetic flaw). Infact having heard all of the rave reviews for Sky+ , I wa completely underwhelmed by it when I started using it a month ago. There are however caveats for my glowing praise of the Topfield box, the EPG software supplied with the box is absolute 'pants'. Fortunately there is a very dedicated and active user community out there who have developed a whole family of Topfield Apllication Programmes (TAPS) which you can install for free , visit Toppy.Org for more info. The most important of these TAPs is called 'Mystuff' and it transforms the Topfield from a Digital TV receiver with a big hard disk into the most flexible and complete PVR I have come across. Mystuff introudces the concept tof control timers , far more powerful than 'series link' it allows you to harvest the Freeview EPG data, searching out such things keywords, days of the week, channels to search in and much much more. I probably use only about 10% of the features of 'Mystuff' but it makes Sky+ look decidely second rate. Be warned though, in order to install TAPS on a Topfield you need a little but of technical knowledge , but if you are comfortable installing software on your home pc you shouldnt find it too much of a challenge. In summary an extemely fleixible and powerfull PVR, but ONLY after you have chucked away the supplied EPG software and installed TAPs. If you want something idiot proof that doesnt require fine tuning suggest you go for something like a Humax. Becasue of the need to customise it I have to give it 4 out of 5 rather than 5/5

Keith, Durham on March 6th, 2009
Had a Topfield for 2 years. Still working great.

Richard, Cheshire on March 1st, 2009
I'm confused now, all these reviews are negative and anyone reading them would stay well clear of this machine. I read a review from Tech Radar.com who praise it beyond anyting else. As others have found, review sites may have not actually have used or tested this machine. I havn't got one but it was on my shopping list. If we can't trust the experts to guide us consumers who are we supposed to trust? It makes me wonder if Bankers and politicians arn't the only ones who deceive fro cash.

Techathon, London on February 15th, 2009
I'm glad Digital Spy exists to give plain, honest reviews like this. John Lewis sell this box, they should be ashamed. It fails in all areas.

James Hague, Liverpool on January 21st, 2009
Dont want to sound negative but I have to agree with everyone else here about this box. My box has stopped updating the EPG and there are big delays in watching a recording. For a box that costs £279 from John Lewis I expected more.

Sahron Metel, Bradford on January 13th, 2009
Got this for Christmas for the family, its now in pieces, the good people at Topfield wouldnt take it back, repair or give any advice and it didnt work, so we put it in the bin. Like everyone else says here, its a waste of cash.

Dan Clide, London on December 26th, 2008
Got this for Christmas, utter crap, broken already!

Daniel Mount, Blocswich on December 21st, 2008
POOR record performance: SLOW responce: BAD screen layout: EPG is pathetic: TOO expensive: WORST customer service: LOUD noise from box

Jake Mansfield, Nottingham on November 26th, 2008
I cried when I found these reviews. Another site rated this PVR highly and so I bought one. I regreted every second after turning on the power. The upscaling is fab, but the rest is poo. No HDMI cable, crap after-service and slow, complicated graphics that dont record what you want anyway. Buy a Humax.

Brian Gant, Leeds, UK on October 21st, 2008
I have been ripped off, the blurb for this machine makes all sorts of claims on how fantastic it is compared to every other PVR out there, but when the chips are down it cant deliver. It obviously hasnt been tested by a human prior to being sold. Its slow beyond belief, doesnt make sense and doesnt record all progs. Turbosat offer you NO after service, they have already slammed the phone down on my wife.

David Hearn, Glasgow on October 15th, 2008
thank you to everyone here for the clear and honest reviews of this freeview pvr. unlike other 'review' sites, digital spy is independant and gives the best reviews. i have saved a lot of hard earnt money. cheers.

Jeff, London on October 12th, 2008
The "trustedreviews" website call this machine "your new PVR champion"! In view of all the criticisms here, I wonder whether "trustedreviews" really tested this machine. Their review appears to be a negligent misstatement. Thanks to you Digital Spy users for steering me away from wasting my money!

Dan, Oxford, UK on September 25th, 2008
This is my 3rd Toppy, my first at this model and I cant be any more disappointed. The previous machine was great, it was flexible, quick and had a great online community, but Topfield has gone to the dogs. --------------------------------------------- I used to love my Toppy, I did all the updates and had a great time with it, but this model stinks. --------------------------------------------- Its horrible to hear the horror stories about the after care given by them now. I know we are all pushed because of the credit crunch, but for God's sake Topfield sort yourselves out. --------------------------------------------- I'm going to buy the Playstation 3 Freeview PVR add-on instead.

Eric, Dorset on September 13th, 2008
What a useless product. In my opinion, the buggy firmware that's poorly implemented and a cheap and nasty case that rattles and hums like I don't know what make this alleged PVR totally unreliable and unfit for purpose. The fact that it forgets as many timer events as it records leaves me feeling the TF5800 is the biggest hunk of junk I've ever had the misfortune to spend my money on. Luckily I still have my TiVo and would recommend anyone to source one from Ebay rather than waste their money on this Topfield. The TiVo may only have one tuner but it always records what it's told. Needless to say, I do not intend to buy another Topfield product and would recommend others to steer clear of this box.

Alan Hampton, West London on September 7th, 2008
What a load of rubbish. The only reason to buy this box is to fill the bin. Dont buy.

Sam Byfield, Telford, Shropshire on August 30th, 2008
I'm glad I've found fellow consumers that agree with the disgusting service given by Turbosat and the Topfield box. My family and I have had nothing but stress with this box. The customer service Turbosat give you (they act as the representative for Topfield in the UK) is appauling beyond belief. I have been sworn at by members of their staff more than once. The Topfield box breaks down, only records 50% of what you set to record. Its hard to use, looks simple on screen but in practice it never does what it says it will do. The specifications on paper look great, but dont believe them. Stay away from TOPFIELD and TURBOSAT they stink. We spent over £300 on this box and its now in the bin after Turbosat wont take it back or help in anyway. Disgusting.

Mohamed, Leeds on August 23rd, 2008
Like everyone else here I can only say that this box is crap beyond belief. But the service from TOPFIELD AND TURBOSAT is the WORST I have ever come across, they are ignorant, stupid and treat their customer with no respect what so ever. Stay clear of any TOPFIELD product or TURBOSAT (they are the same company) they stink.

Michael Handy, Glasgow, Scotland on August 19th, 2008
Got this machine 3 weeks ago. It makes me cry myself to sleep 80% of the blurb on the box dont tiein to its capabilities S L O W at responding, glitches that make your wince, IT JUST IDNT RELIABLE Lets hope it wins one award this year - THE WORST FREEVIEW PVR OF 2008.

George Richardes, Manchester on August 16th, 2008
As an electrical engineer for over 25 years I'm amazed at the poor internal construction on the 5810PVR. For my money it has been made on the cheap, very bad seeing as they are asking for top notch cash for it. Most aspects of the machine are slow and 'clunky' due to (it seems) little work put into the development of the machine. No secondary memory buffers are used for playback or record so the responses are very slow and current recordings and playbacks are all stopped upon a secondary recording ending. This Topfield isnt what it should be, a major disappointment.

Steve Wilkins, Brighton & Hove on August 9th, 2008
Crap box. Takes a age to swap channels, not all recordings get saved. dont waste your cash

Garry Browne, Dudley, West Midlands on August 1st, 2008
I could write a book on how bad this unit is. At the end of the day it boils down to one question: Should this unit be allowed to be sold because it is reliable, well-made and does everything the marketing and sales people claim? The answer has to be NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. Dont be conned and buy a topfield, I returned mine after 8 days.

Gerry, Liverpool on July 28th, 2008
Nothing wud make me happier to tell U this is a good box. But it aint. My 2nd replacement got delivered last friday, still not working. controls and remote to slow. epg is the pits & it only records 60% of wot U set it for. Topfield is crap

Sam, Brighton on July 23rd, 2008
I agree with all the comments here about this excuse for a box of tricks. Every element works against the user, rather than for you. Topfield service is appalling and a sign of the quality of the box. Slow, auk ward, illogical, backwards.

Ed Mahoney, Birmingham on July 17th, 2008
All substance and no reliability. The tf5810 drops points on every area of production, useability, reliability and living up to the hype. Could a plastic box be any more annoying? ~ I think not. I was surprised to find so many bad comments on here, but after seeing how this little black beauty handles I can do nothing but agree with them. I am giving 2 stars only because it works great at viewing Freeview channels, but start recording and the whole experience drives you up the wall. For the money you pay, Topfield should be ashamed. A total rip-off.

Iain Morgan, Stoke on Trent, Midlands on July 16th, 2008
After 4 replacements and a letter from my lawyer, I managed to get my money back. The machine doesnt work. Crap service, badly thought out.

Linda, Cardiff on July 11th, 2008
I am outraged by the TOPFIELD TF5810 and so should everyone else. My husband, myself and my 2 sons (both in their 20's) all think its an absolute waste of time and money. We had a TOPFIELD for 3 years, it was a great machine, but this model defies all logic. Was it wired and conceived by a 3 year old? Little of the software is straight-forward. Its slow to respond to any commands. It breaks playback when a new recording starts. Over a third of recordings never happen (very frustrating). I could go on. The TF5810 is unreliable, a total pile of junk.

J. Ryddle, Liverpool on July 9th, 2008
Too expensive for what you get. Wish I'd seen these comments before I bought mine. Mine breaks down at least once a week.

Abdul Katea: London on July 9th, 2008
Had 4 replacements to my original box.

Simon Dorster, Reading on July 4th, 2008
Had the previous Topfield model, that was ok. The TF5810PVR is no comparison in any way whatsoever. If you expect a quality product with great features and software, forget it. At its price, the box is poor value for money, however, even at half the price I wouldn't recommend it. Everything people say here about the TF5810PVR is true. I simply can't understand why they released it with such a bad consumer experience. The machine is defunct by its speed and ability to outwit even a highly-technical person. ** I have upgraded the software on my machine and some snags have been rectified but still the machine is poor in all areas ** Topfield as a company are arrogant and go out of their way to not help you. Very bad product.

Jon Morgan, Edinburgh, Scotland on July 3rd, 2008
Worst settop available in the UK. I have updated my firmware since buying it. Still getting recordings deleted for no reason. Every function has bugs. Poor software. Slow. Noisey. Glitchy. Unreliable.

Carol, Salford, Manchester on June 25th, 2008
I can't agree more with the comments about the Topfield box. Its a pain in the bottom. So bad, I have gone back to Sky.

Jez Patel, Leeds on June 24th, 2008
dear, dear, dear, topfield, what have you done? I loved my last topfield, but this "new imporved" settop is 100% trash. Non-responsive to the remote is one thing, but 1 out of 4 scheduled recordings either dont happen or I miss the first or last 10 minutes. Topfield are no help and blame the programme makers, when its their machine, no other freeview recorder I know of has such drastic problems. It looks like I am going to have to take topfield to court to get my money back as its not fit for purpose.

Derek Mires, Glasgow on June 20th, 2008
Had this sad excuse for a DTT for a month now, I regret the day I paid over the top for it. I agree with Richard from London; its a slow, sad machine thats too complicated. My previous box was a topfield which was great, but the TF5810 is 10 steps backwards. Over-priced, slow and packed full of snags, dont just ignor this box, tell your friends how poor it is so they dont make the mistake I have. After sales service from topfield is a waste of time.

Sarah on June 19th, 2008
This Topfield box should be banned. Fuctions are slow, too many bugs and too complicated. The spec. sounds great but its trying to be too clever for his own good and fall flat on its face. The customer service is terrible, no-one wants to help you. Stay away.

Ali - UK on June 4th, 2008
good product