I am considering replacing my Topfield PVR with an FVP-5000T. However, there are some things I can do with the Topfield that it isn’t clear to me I can do with the Humax (and vice versa to be fair), and a possible omission with the Humax I wondered about. I asked Humax customer support about some but received no response, which I’m fearing means the answers may be in the negative. However, just in case, can anyone out there help with a few queries?

1. With the Topfield I can store lots of TV guide searches, either of individual words, of complete program titles or even of words in the program description, to run each night. For example, I can store “Silent Witness” and when the next series starts, it will automatically be recorded. Similarly, if I store “F1” it will find the next Formula 1 race or practice session, whenever it is on. I can specify a channel range and a time range to search in, so that I can exclude repeats on Dave etc. I can do the same for radio for when my favourite orchestra is playing - shown in the program description but not in the programme name. With the Humax I know I can use series link when the first of a series is in the TV guide, but with the Topfield it doesn’t matter if I don’t notice that it’s on. Is there an option for this sort of search, either within the recorder or using an app? It looks like the option might exist on the HDR-7500T (presumably not available or useable in the UK), but I don’t see it shown for FVP-5000T.

2. On my Toppy I have 6 colour buttons programmed to skip during playback - forwards 5s, 10s, 30s and 3 minutes, and backwards 10s and 20s, which works really well for skipping through adverts. What are the options with the Humax? They appear to be limited to one of 7, 15 or 30 seconds back, and one of 30, 60, 120 or 240 seconds forward on FVT-5000T, and require 2 presses to achieve. On HDR-7500T it seems 2 presses of < takes you back 30s, or 2 presses of > moves forward 30s, so maybe these are also available? I gather the colour buttons can’t be re-purposed during playback – I guess they’re not used during playback? Skipping through ads on a PVR is fairly important, at least for me, so the more options the better!

3. The Netflix button’s nice but I use TalkTalk TV, not wanting a subscription to watch films a handful of times a year. I don’t suppose there’s any way to access TalkTalk from the Humax?

Many thanks for any help.

Could I get some comments about the TV Portal? Do you use this regularly and what other sites would you like to see or do you find it too slow...

I've just rediscovered some old boxes which are 'internet' connected and wondered if people actually use facebook, youtube, etc., on CE devices... Any comments from users with a 3view box would be interesting too...

HDR 2000T
I am investigating purchasing an HDR 2000T 1TB Freeview HD PVR to replace a non-HD Topfield PVR and I have some questions that I hope you can help me with.
1. How many simultaneous tv programmes can I record whilst watching something else given that the recordings are on different channels?
2. Does the unit split/ differentiate two recorded programmes if one follows immediately after the other when they are on the same channel?
3. Can you set a jump time for quick fast forward jumps on playback? I like this feature in the Topfield as you can skip through adverts in chunks of time.
4. Is it possible to transfer/ burn files to DVD that have been recorded on the hard drive and if so, does this require third party software?
5. Can you investigate what files or apps are installed on the unit? i.e. is there a user interface that shows the files on the unit?
6. Is the unit compatable with Mac OS and software? i.e. if I need to update firmware, transfer files from the unit, can I do this with a Mac?
7. Can I trim or personalise the channels that I see on the guide and remove the ones I never watch?
8. Is it possible to customise the manner in which the unit chooses how to record? The Topfield enables me to choose between recording a series, a single programme, search with text, whole phrases or combinations of each. It also has a “power search” function that intelligently picks programmes in series to record, thereby preventing duplicates being recorded.
9. Does the unit remember your choices for recordings in order to automatically pick up programmes that appear again at some future point?
10. Is there a list of the 'on demand' services somewhere? I would ideally need as a minimum, Amazon Prime (LoveFilm) and BBC iPlayer.

I am sorry for the number of questions, but the information on the Humax site, doesn’t appear to give me answers to these and it's always better to get answers from users.
Many thanks in advance.
Chris