Get Ready For Digital Television with Topfield & Topppro

As most of you already know the deadline when analogue television will be switched off is getting closer.  You might need to upgrade your existing equipment or might have already done the upgrade. We hope this guide is useful to both parties, those wanting to know the most cost effective to upgrade and those who want to take take full control of their television viewing.

First lets make one thing clear, you do not need a new high definition (HD) television in order to get digital television. All you need is a High Definition set top box [STB], which contains a digital tuner, that once connected to your existing analogue television will allow you to watch digital television.

Key benefits of a Set Top Box:

- Better picture and sound quality
- More channels

If you have already jumped on the digital television bandwagon you would be interested to know that a digital video recorder is able to provide unprecedent control in the way you view and record digital television.

So what is a digital video recorder [DVR] ? A DVR is a machine that records digital television onto a hard drive. It can also contain one or two digital tuners, so their is no need for a set top box. Compared to a VCR or DVD recorder you do not need to worry about tapes or discs to record onto as a hard drive will provide many hours of recording space. 

Here are some Key benefits of using a TOPFIELD DVR :

1. Record four programmes at once with latest TOPFIELD DVR range.

2. Pause and rewind live TV.

2. Record a show , then rewind to the start while its still recording.

3. Skip through commercials with a jump button.

4. Edit recordings and export them to USB .

5. Record an entire series without the need of the internet

These are just some of benefits a TOPFIELD DVR can provide, we will explain these along with many more in the coming weeks.

Now we like to give you a heads up on some technical terms you should be aware off when purchasing a DVR :

Single Digital Tuner DVR: Will only have the ability to record only one channel, while watching another channel.  The second channel you watch is a "sub channel" from the one you are recording.

For example if you are recording channel 7, you can then view as a second channel any sub channels which belong to channel 7 , like 7two or 7mate .

TPR2000 - Single Tuner DVR

Dual Digital Tuner DVR : A true Dual Tuner should have the ability to record two different channels at the same time . For example 7 and 9 at the same time.  Don't get fooled for DVRs that claim to be dual or twin tuners but can only record 1 channel at a time , and will only allow you to watch 2nd channel . These are techically known as 1.5 tuners.

TRF7160 - Dual Tuner DVR [Topfield Quad Recording]

Speaking of dual tuners you would have noticed that I have mentioned that a dual tuner should only have the ability to record two shows at once.  Well you will be glad to know that some Topield PVRs [TRF7160, TF7100HDPLUS, TRF7170, TRF2400, TRF2460] can record up to 4 channels at once.  They can record any combination of channels within two networks. For example you can record Ten Digital  , Eleven , 7MATE and 7TWO.

So when will your area stop receiving an analogue signal ? See the table below.

We hope this post has been useful in planning your Digital TV needs !