Karen Pearson wrote:It sounds very impressive but I didn't understand a word of it. I even had to look up PVR to find out what that stood for!
PVR stands for Personal Video Recorder, a set top box with a built in hard drive to store TV programmes. The Topfield model mentioned is just like a Sky+ box but only works with Freeview so there's no on going subscription.
The Topfield at the time was the Rolls Royce of the Freeview PVR boxes because it included a USB port on the back which enabled it to be connected to a computer. Previously recorded TV programmes can transferred off it for archiving freeing up hard drive space (this is generally much more difficult to do on other makes and models). It's also very hackable. Small computer programs called TAPs can be transferred to it that add extra features and functions to the machine.
That was then and these Topfields are now a bit 'long in the tooth'. Due to this model not being HD, people changing provider (eg. switching to Sky or Virgin, etc.) they can be obtained on eBay fairly easily. They're also at the age where they're likely to stop working due to some failed component(s) inside them.
Regardless of this they are still good PVR boxes. The
large active community for them has provided good support including information on how to get them going again if they stop working. This is much better support than for my old, cheap at the time Sharp PVR which has started to let me down by failing to record programmes many times.
Ubuntu is popular version of the the alternative operating system Linux. 4oD, Channel 4's 'iPlayer' is OK but has too many adverts and the stream is a bit choppy for me on my dodgy internet connection. Being able to download a whole show would be good to stop the irritating pauses when buffering. But they've made it very difficult to do this.
I don't usually watch Countdown live, I usually watch them in bulk at the weekend or whenever. I can then jump the commercial breaks, chit chat, etc. and just get stuck into the game.
Hope this explains things better!
