Topfield TBF-100HD
Topfield has produced a no-frills HD tuner that has a PVR function for USB drives and an impressive $69 price tag.
Topfield describes its new TBF-100HD as a "value set-top box", and at AU$69 RRP (and already cheaper in stores), it's hard to argue with that assessment.
In addition to being a high-definition digital tuner, the TBF100-HD had a seven-day EPG and full PVR functions when a USB drive is hooked up. In fact, it'll support up to 1TB of external storage.
Video file support includes MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and H.264/AVC, and it can work with Dolby Downmix and HE-AAC Stereo audio formats, amongst others.
While it's a little light and plasticky, the unit is handy, small and extremely cheap. Topfield pointed out that it can handle 12V DC, and suggested it for use in caravans and even, oddly, for long-haul truckers. We think it's also great for adding some extra functionality to older TVs with a few years of life left in the panel, especially given the choice of HDMI or composite connections.
We'll have a proper review down the track.