TF5800PVR
Encyclopedia
The TF5800PVR and similar TF5800PVRt is the UK Freeview version of Topfield
's TF5000PVRt, which is a personal video recorder (PVR) with twin tuners
; it is possible to record two programs and view a third so long as all programs do not use more than two multiplex
es. Firmware upgrades are distributed over-the-air using the normal FreeView distribution method, and also as downloadable files.
Topfield devices are often referred to as “Toppys”.
The device has the features expected from a dual-tuner PVR, but also allows extensive software customisation by the use of TAPs (described below). Files (TV programmes, MP3
files, and operating files) can be transferred over USB between the PVR and a computer
.
The TF5800PVR[t] has been replaced by the TF5810PVRt with similar functionality, but which also supports HDMI
output (from standard, but not HD, broadcasts—reception of Freeview HD channels requires a DVB-T2
receiver, which the TF5810PVRt is not). The latest factory firmware versions for both models incorporate some features equivalent to Freeview+
.
, Mac OS X
, and some versions of Linux
/Unix
are supported. Files of any kind can be moved in both directions but the feature is mainly used
USB file transfer is rather slow. It can be accelerated to some extent by running the transfer software in Turbo mode, which disables the remote control
for the duration of the transfer. TAPs are available from the Toppy website which accelerate USB file transfer further (one tap for transferring from PVR to computer, another for the opposite direction); they work by eliminating unnecessary transfer of handshaking
signals.
programs, developed by users for users. They can be developed under Microsoft Windows
using a Topfield platform cross-compiler (GCC for TAP) or the Cygwin
GCC compiler
.
TAPs are applications written using an API available free from the manufacturer. The API provides access to almost all features of the device: TAPs can access EPG information, change channels, start or stop a recording session, change pre-set recording timers, write text and draw graphics to the screen, and react to buttons pressed on the remote control. It is possible to write a useful program, adding useful functionality, in ten lines of C code.
TAPs have been written to provide many enhancements to the Toppy, most are available as freeware. Although some technical users consider TAPs to be the best thing about the device, most users are perfectly happy using one with no TAPs loaded at all.
Firmware
can be downloaded to a computer and transferred via USB to the PVR. Unlike the majority of electronics devices, many users do not recommend always updating to the manufacturer's latest firmware. Versions of firmware are available that have been debugged and enhanced by users. the Toppy website recommends for the TF5800PVR/PVRt firmware 5.13.65T, which is a modified version of August 2007 factory firmware 5.13.65. As of the same date the latest firmware released by the manufacturer is July 2008 5.14.09Plus. Different releases apply to the TF5810PVRt.
Patches to the firmware can be downloaded to a computer and transferred to the PVR, but is not possible to completely re-write the device's operating system
using TAPs.
Topfield
Established in Korea in 1998, TOPFIELD Co., Ltd. is a consumer electronics manufacturer making broadcasting receivers, other video and audio related apparatus. Their main business is making products such as set top boxes and personal video recorders to be used with satellite television or...
's TF5000PVRt, which is a personal video recorder (PVR) with twin tuners
TV tuner card
A TV tuner card is a kind of television tuner that allows television signals to be received by a computer. Most TV tuners also function as video capture cards, allowing them to record television programs onto a hard disk much like the Tivo digital video recorder does.-Variants: The interfaces for...
; it is possible to record two programs and view a third so long as all programs do not use more than two multiplex
Multiplex (TV)
A multiplex or mux is a group of TV channels that are mixed together for broadcast over a digital TV channel and separated out again by the receiver...
es. Firmware upgrades are distributed over-the-air using the normal FreeView distribution method, and also as downloadable files.
Topfield devices are often referred to as “Toppys”.
The device has the features expected from a dual-tuner PVR, but also allows extensive software customisation by the use of TAPs (described below). Files (TV programmes, MP3
MP3
MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
files, and operating files) can be transferred over USB between the PVR and a computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
.
The TF5800PVR[t] has been replaced by the TF5810PVRt with similar functionality, but which also supports HDMI
HDMI
HDMI is a compact audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed digital data. It is a digital alternative to consumer analog standards, such as radio frequency coaxial cable, composite video, S-Video, SCART, component video, D-Terminal, or VGA...
output (from standard, but not HD, broadcasts—reception of Freeview HD channels requires a DVB-T2
DVB-T2
DVB-T2 is an abbreviation for Digital Video Broadcasting – Second Generation Terrestrial; it is the extension of the television standard DVB-T, issued by the consortium DVB, devised for the broadcast transmission of digital terrestrial television....
receiver, which the TF5810PVRt is not). The latest factory firmware versions for both models incorporate some features equivalent to Freeview+
Freeview+
Freeview+ and Freeview+ HD is a consumer brand created in the UK by DTV Services Ltd to "raise consumer awareness and promote sales" of Freeview capable digital TV recorders otherwise known as personal video recorders...
.
File transfer between PVR and computer
The USB 2.0 socket (compatible, but slower, with USB 1) allows files to be transported both ways between the device and a computer running transfer software written for this purpose. Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
, and some versions of Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
/Unix
Unix
Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
are supported. Files of any kind can be moved in both directions but the feature is mainly used
- to move a recording to a computer for viewing with media-playing software or burning to a DVD
- to move MP3MP3MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
audioSound recording and reproductionSound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
files to the PVR - to move TAPs to the PVR
- to move new versions of firmware to the PVR
- to load EPG data to the PVR (although the PVR normally downloads a 7-day EPG from the Freeview broadcast without the need for a computer connection)
USB file transfer is rather slow. It can be accelerated to some extent by running the transfer software in Turbo mode, which disables the remote control
Remote control
A remote control is a component of an electronics device, most commonly a television set, used for operating the television device wirelessly from a short line-of-sight distance.The remote control is usually contracted to remote...
for the duration of the transfer. TAPs are available from the Toppy website which accelerate USB file transfer further (one tap for transferring from PVR to computer, another for the opposite direction); they work by eliminating unnecessary transfer of handshaking
Handshaking
In information technology, telecommunications, and related fields, handshaking is an automated process of negotiation that dynamically sets parameters of a communications channel established between two entities before normal communication over the channel begins...
signals.
Topfield Application Programs (TAPs) and firmware
The functionality of the TF5800PVR can be enhanced via the use of Topfield Application Programs (TAP). TAPs are CC (programming language)
C is a general-purpose computer programming language developed between 1969 and 1973 by Dennis Ritchie at the Bell Telephone Laboratories for use with the Unix operating system....
programs, developed by users for users. They can be developed under Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
using a Topfield platform cross-compiler (GCC for TAP) or the Cygwin
Cygwin
Cygwin is a Unix-like environment and command-line interface for Microsoft Windows. Cygwin provides native integration of Windows-based applications, data, and other system resources with applications, software tools, and data of the Unix-like environment...
GCC compiler
GNU Compiler Collection
The GNU Compiler Collection is a compiler system produced by the GNU Project supporting various programming languages. GCC is a key component of the GNU toolchain...
.
TAPs are applications written using an API available free from the manufacturer. The API provides access to almost all features of the device: TAPs can access EPG information, change channels, start or stop a recording session, change pre-set recording timers, write text and draw graphics to the screen, and react to buttons pressed on the remote control. It is possible to write a useful program, adding useful functionality, in ten lines of C code.
TAPs have been written to provide many enhancements to the Toppy, most are available as freeware. Although some technical users consider TAPs to be the best thing about the device, most users are perfectly happy using one with no TAPs loaded at all.
Firmware
Firmware
In electronic systems and computing, firmware is a term often used to denote the fixed, usually rather small, programs and/or data structures that internally control various electronic devices...
can be downloaded to a computer and transferred via USB to the PVR. Unlike the majority of electronics devices, many users do not recommend always updating to the manufacturer's latest firmware. Versions of firmware are available that have been debugged and enhanced by users. the Toppy website recommends for the TF5800PVR/PVRt firmware 5.13.65T, which is a modified version of August 2007 factory firmware 5.13.65. As of the same date the latest firmware released by the manufacturer is July 2008 5.14.09Plus. Different releases apply to the TF5810PVRt.
Patches to the firmware can be downloaded to a computer and transferred to the PVR, but is not possible to completely re-write the device's operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
using TAPs.