TOPFIELD TF 400 PVRt User Guide Digital Terrestrial Receiver Personal Video Recorder CONAX
Contents iii Contents 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.2 Controlling the digital receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.2.1 The front panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1.2.2 The remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 What is common interface? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1.3 2 Setup 8 2.1 Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
iv Contents 3 4 5 Preference Settings 16 3.1 Language settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 3.2 Video and audio settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 3.2.1 Television standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 3.2.2 Colour model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 3.2.3 Video cassette recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 3.2.4 Television aspect ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 3.2.5 Audio mode . .
Contents 6 7 Listing Services v 36 6.1 Editing the favourite list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 6.2 How to use on-screen keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 6.3 Transferring receiver data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Recording and Playing 7.1 7.2 7.3 40 Recording a programme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 7.1.1 Instant recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 7.1.2 Current programme recording . . . . . . . . . .
vi Contents 8 Firmware Update 57 8.1 Checking the firmware information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 8.2 From your computer via RS-232 port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 8.3 From another digital receiver via RS-232 port . . . . . . . . . . 59 8.4 Over the air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 Chapter 1 Introduction The TF 400 PVRt digital receiver is fully compliant with the international Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) standard, and thus is able to receive digital broadcasts of that standard. For its operation you need an antenna, which must be installed appropriately. NOTE In general we equate a channel with a frequency.
2 Introduction • You can create favourite lists of your favourite services. • You can view information about the current television or radio programme. • Has an electronic programme guide that provides an overview of scheduled programmes. • You can update the firmware of the digital receiver to the latest version which would be provided by the manufacturer. • You can record one broadcasting service while you are currently watching another.
1.2 Controlling the digital receiver 1.2.1 3 The front panel The front panel of the digital receiver has buttons to control the digital receiver, and specific lamps and a display to indicate its status. The following indicates what they mean. TV/STB STANDBY STANDBY CHANNEL MENU OK VOLUME STANDBY button switches the digital receiver between standby mode and operation mode. TV/STB lamp lights up while your video recorder operates instead of the digital receiver. See § 3.2.3 for more details.
4 Introduction 1.2.2 The remote control 1 1 21 22 2 23 3 2 4 3 Numeric buttons are used to enter a service number for service change or to specify values for menu options. 5 switches between the current service and the previously viewed one. 6 is used to select an audio track and a sound mode, or a video track of multifeed programme. 25 6 26 7 8 27 9 10 10 11 9 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 M is not used in this model. UHF is not used in this model.
1.2 Controlling the digital receiver 5 It is also used to select a menu item. 12 EXIT is used to exit the current screen. 13 is used to display, minify or hide the sub-picture. See § 5.6 for information about picture-in-picture. 14 is used to make a bookmark during playback or time shift. 15 is used to start reverse playback. Subsequent presses increase the rewind speed. 16 pauses live television or playback of a recorded programme. 17 is used to start recording.
6 Introduction 27 GUIDE displays the electronic programme guide. 28 displays the service information box. It is also used to display more information about a programme. 29 is used to jump to next bookmark position or to jump forward 30 seconds. 30 is used to jump back 20 seconds for an instant replay. It is also used to edit a recording. 31 resumes normal playback speed, or displayes the progress bar for navigation on playback or time shift. To play a recorded programme, see button 34.
1.3 What is common interface? 1.3 7 What is common interface? Some broadcasts are scrambled so that only paid subscribers can enjoy them. Scrambled services can only be viewed with a Conditional Access Module (CAM) and a subscription card belonging with the scrambling system. Common Interface (CI) is the slot on a digitial receiver into which a conditional access module may be insterted. The front of the digital receiver has two common interfaces.
8 Setup Chapter 2 Setup 2.1 Unpacking Before going any further, check that you have received the following items with your digital receiver. • Remote control unit • Two batteries for the remote control (AAA 1.5 V) • One loop cable to link the first tuner with the second tuner • One SCART-to-component cable • A copy of this user guide NOTE Accessories may vary according to your local area. 2.2 Safety precautions Please read carefully the following safety precautions.
2.2 Safety precautions 9 • The mains power must be 90 to 250 volts. Check it before connecting the digital receiver to the wall outlet. For the power consumption of the digital receiver, refer to Table 2.1. • The wall outlet should be near the equipment. Do not run an extension lead to the unit. • Do not expose the digital receiver to any moisture. The digital receiver is designed for use indoors only. Use dry cloth when cleaning the digital receiver.
10 Setup Table 2.2: Physical specifications Size Weight Operating temperature Storage relative humidity 2.3 340× 60× 265 mm 3.4 kg 0 to 45 °C 5 to 90 % Rear panel connections The TF 400 PVRt has a wide range of connections on the back. 1 3 5 ANT 1 IN ANT 2 IN VIDEO 7 TV L R RF LOOP 1 OUT RF LOOP 2 OUT AUDIO 2 4 6 VCR 8 S/PDIF RS-232 9 10 Check what connections your television set has in comparison with the digital receiver.
2.4 Connecting up your digital receiver 11 6 AUDIO L/R Stereo audio output socket for the television set or the audio system. (white/red) 7 TV Audio and video output socket for the television set. 8 VCR Audio and video input/output socket for the video cassette recorder or suchlike. 9 S/PDIF Dolby digital output socket for the audio system. 10 RS-232 Serial port for firmware update and data transfer. Table 2.3: Connectors specifications VIDEO AUDIO TV VCR S/PDIF RS-232 2.
12 Setup 2.4.1 Connecting the antenna Whatever sort of connection you have between the digital receiver and the television, you need to connect the digital receiver to your television antenna so that it can receive digital television services. Connect the antenna cable to the ANT 1 IN connector on the back panel of the digital receiver. Also, you must ensure that there is a connection to both the ANT 1 IN and ANT 2 IN connectors on your digital receiver, so that both tuners work properly.
2.4 Connecting up your digital receiver 13 2. Composite connector (VIDEO) You should configure audio and video settings after connecting up the digital receiver. See § 3.2 for detailed description. To use the SCART connector For best results with a standard television set, you should use a SCART cable, plugging one end into the TV socket on the digital receiver and the other end into a free SCART socket on your television.
14 Setup To connect the audio connectors You will need to obtain an audio cable (RCA cable) to connect the audio connectors. Plug one end of the cable into the AUDIO L (white) and AUDIO R (red) sockets on the digital receiver, and the other end into the matching sockets on your television or audio system. To enjoy Dolby digital audio, your television or audio system must be able to decode Dolby digital audio, and you will need to obtain a S/PDIF cable.
2.5 Switching on for the first time 2.5.1 15 Inserting batteries in the remote control To insert the batteries, open the battery compartment by removing the lid, and then insert the batteries observing the polarity, which is marked on the base of the battery compartment. If the digital receiver no longer reacts properly to remote control commands, the batteries may be flat. Be sure to remove used batteries. The manufacturer accepts no liability for the damage resulting from leaking batteries.
16 Preference Settings Chapter 3 Preference Settings 3.1 Language settings You can select the language in which the menu would be displayed. In addition to that, you can select which language of audio track and of subtitle track should be output. Select the System Setting > Language Setting menu. You should see a screen like the left figure. Menu language The digital receiver supports many menu languages: Dutch, English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Turkish and so forth.
3.1 Language settings 17 Subtitle language Set the 1st Subtitle Language option and the 2nd Subtitle Language option to your desired languages. When you watch a programme, if the programme has a subtitle track of the language that is designated for the 1st Subtitle Language, it will be displayed. If the first language is not available but the second language is available, the subtitle of the second language will be displayed. If there is not any available language, no subtitle will be displayed.
18 Preference Settings 3.2 Video and audio settings You have to configure the video and audio settings appropriately to your television set and other appliances. Select the System Setting > A/V Output Setting menu. You should see a screen like the left figure. 3.2.1 Television standard The digital receiver supports two television standards. One is PAL standard, and the other is NTSC standard. PAL was adopted in European countries while NTSC is adopted in USA, Canada, Mexico and so forth.
3.2 Video and audio settings 19 digital receiver linked to your television via this connector, you should set the Video Output option to your desired colour model. If you have connected via the RCA connector labeled VIDEO on the back panel, you do not have to set this option because the digital receiver outputs CVBS video through the RCA connector independent of the SCART connector.
20 Preference Settings You cannot fully enjoy wide-screen programmes with your normal-screen television as the above figures show. The left figure shows a normal picture displayed in the normal screen. To watch wide-screen programmes in the shape like the centre figure, set the 16:9 Display Format option to Letter Box. Widescreen pictures then will be reduced to fit to the width of the normal screen. Otherwise, to watch them in the shape like the right figure, set it to Center extract.
3.4 Parental control 21 Select the System Setting > Time Setting menu. You should see a screen like the left figure. You can set the clock manually or use the time signal, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), carried as part of the digital television broadcast. To use Greenwich Mean Time, take the following steps: 1. Set the Mode option to Auto; then the Time Offset option becomes enabled. 2. Set the Time Offset option to the time difference between your time zone and GMT referring to Table 3.1. 3.
22 Preference Settings Table 3.
3.4 Parental control 23 Select the System Setting > Parental Control menu. You should see a screen like the left figure, and you will be asked your Personal Identification Number (PIN). The number is initially set to ‘0000’. If you wish to block 15 or above rated programmes, set the Censorship option to 15 (age). Setting it to No block blocks no programme; on the other hand, setting it to Total block blocks every programme.
24 3.5 Preference Settings Adjusting the on-screen display You can adjust the transparency level of the on-screen display. Select the System Setting menu and set the OSD Transparency option as you desire. Its available range is from 0 to 50 percent. You can adjust the display time of the information box. For the information box, see § 5.2.3. To adjust its display time, select the System Setting menu and set the Info Box Display Time option as you desire. Its available range is from 1 to 30 seconds.
25 Chapter 4 Service Search After connecting up the digital receiver, you will need to perform a service search. 4.1 Searching broadcasting services To perform service search, select the Installation > Service Search menu. You should see a screen like the left figure. If you have an antenna booster, you should set the Antenna Supply 5V option to On to supply power to it.
26 Service Search transponder. To do that, set the Search Mode option to Manual, and then at the Channel option select your desired transponder. The number ranges from 5 to 12 in VHF and 21 to 69 in UHF. To search one service of a transponder, set the Search Mode option to Advanced, and at the PID option specify the PIDs of your desired service with the numeric buttons. PID (Packet Identifier) is a set of numbers that identifies transport stream packets.
27 Chapter 5 Daily Usage 5.1 Volume control Use the V− and V+ buttons to alter the volume to a comfortable level. You may need to adjust the volume on your television set too. To temporarily switch off the sound, press the button. Press it again to restore the sound to previous level. 5.2 Watching television To change services, press the P+ or P− button. Pressing the button switches to the previously viewed service.
28 Daily Usage On the services list, you can see the service information: • Service number and name • Transponder information A dollar sign ($) may be marked on some entries, indicating pay service. To watch pay services, you need the subscription card. To select a desired service, put the highlight bar on its entry with the P+ or P− button and press the OK button; then it will be presented. Pressing the V− or V+ button skips over 10 entries up or down.
5.2 Watching television 29 You have to enter your personal identification number to watch or unlock it. • To add the highlighted service into a favourite group, select the Add to Fav option; then the favourite groups will be displayed. Put the highlight bar on a desired group and press the OK button. 5.2.2 The favourite services list You can select a service to watch on a favourite list as well as on the services list. To display the favourite lists, press the FAV button.
30 Daily Usage Besides that, you can add or delete a favourite group or service. To add the service you are currently watching into a favourite group, put the highlight bar on a desired group and press the button. To create a new group, press the button; then the on-screen keyboard appears. Enter your desired name and save it. See § 6.2 for how to use the on-screen keyboard. To delete a group or a service, press the button; then you get asked for confirmation. If you select Yes, it will be deleted. 5.2.
5.2 Watching television 31 Pressing the button once more displays detailed information about the current programme. To hide the information box, press the EXIT button. 5.2.4 Selecting audio tracks Some programmes are provided with audio tacks in one or more languages. Pressing the button displays available audio tracks. Once you select an audio track, it will be sounded. In addition, you can enjoy audio tracks in four sound modes: Stereo, Mono, Left or Right.
32 5.3 Daily Usage Viewing electronic programme guide The Electronic Programme Guide shows the current and scheduled programmes that are or will be available on each service with a short summary for each programme.
5.5 Using time shift 33 If a multifeed programme is provided on the current service, the multifeed symbol ( ) will be marked on the information box. Press the button, then available video tracks will be listed. Once you select one, it will be presented. At this time, you have to press the button once more to select audio tracks. 5.5 Using time shift You can pause and resume a live television programme, and even rewind and replay it.
34 Daily Usage • You can jump forward 30 seconds at a time by pressing the button. • You can jump backward 20 seconds at a time by pressing the button. • You can change playback speed. For slow motion see § 7.3.2. For fast motion see § 7.3.3. • To check your current position in time shift, press the button. The time difference compared to live programme is displayed momentarily in top right corner of screen. A value of −02:00 means two minutes behind live programme.
5.6 Using picture in picture 35 1. Press the button to display a sub-picture, on which another service will be presented. 2. Pressing the button once more minifies the subpicture, and pressing it once again hides the sub-picture. 3. To display the services list for the sub-picture, press the button. NOTE When a recording is in progress, the available services in the services list may be limited. 4. Pressing the button moves the sub-picture counterclockwise, and pressing the button moves it clockwise.
36 Listing Services Chapter 6 Listing Services 6.1 Editing the favourite list You can make your own favourite services list. In fact, you can define multiple favourite services lists, each being a ‘group’ of chosen services. Select the Organizing Favorites menu. You should see a screen like the left figure.
6.1 Editing the favourite list 37 You can add up to 30 groups. To add a group, select the NEW option in the group list; then the on-screen keyboard appears. See § 6.2 for how to use the on-screen keyboard. To rename a group, put the highlight bar on the group entry you want and press the button; then the on-screen keyboard appears. See § 6.2 for how to use the on-screen keyboard.
38 Listing Services services list after adding radio services, press the again. button With your favourite services list, you can select your favourite services more easily. Refer to § 5.2.2 for detailed description. 6.2 How to use on-screen keyboard You can move the highlight key horizontally with the V− and vertically with V+ buttons and the P+ and P− buttons. Press ing the OK button on a key enters its letter in the input line. To type a space, select the Space key.
6.3 Transferring receiver data 39 1. Plug one end of a RS-232 cable (9 pin Dsub cable) into the RS-232 port on the digital receiver, and the other end into the matching port on the other digital receiver. 2. Turn on the source digital receiver. 3. Select the Installation > Transfer Firmware > Transfer Data to Other IRD menu, then you get asked for confirmation; select Yes. 4. To start the data transfer, turn on the target digital receiver. 5.
40 Recording and Playing Chapter 7 Recording and Playing You can record two different services while watching another if two of the services are provided through the same transponder The TF 400 PVRt digital receiver has two tuners so that you can enjoy the following: • While playing a recording back, you can watch a service in the sub-picture using the picture-in-picture feature. • You can record two different services while playing back a previously recorded programme.
7.1 Recording a programme 7.1 41 Recording a programme Once recording has started, a symbol like the left figure will be displayed at the top right of the screen for a few seconds. When you are watching a service different from the service being recorded, you can view a number on the centre of the symbol, which indicates the order that the recording is started. To record two programs simultaneously, two tuners are allocated for the recording.
42 Recording and Playing Pressing the button will pause the live show and begin time shifting within the current recording even with the Time Shifting option disabled. However, it is still possible to pause a recording. After a recording is started, pressing the button displays a menu like the left figure, in which you can set the recording duration.
7.1 Recording a programme 43 To stop recording, press the button; then a box like the left figure appears, which shows programmes currently being recorded. If you select one, its recording will stop. While a recording is going on, you can watch or record another service. To additionally record another service, switch to the service you want to record, and press the button. Once a recording is started, it is put on the recorded programme list even though it is not finished yet.
44 Recording and Playing displays a services list, from which you can select your desired service. To start recording immediately from now on, set the Start Time option to Quick. If you are watching a programme by time shift and wish to record it from the beginning, set this option to Current Event. Set the Duration option to a desired time, in which the recording will be finished.
7.1 Recording a programme 45 To input a timer recording, select the System Setting > Timer Setting menu; then the timer list will be displayed. To add a new timer event, press the button, and a box like the left figure appears. Take the following steps: 1. Set the Record option to On to make a recording. If this option is set to Off, the digital receiver will turn on at the specified time but not record; instead, you may record with your video cassette recorder or suchlike in this case. 2.
46 Recording and Playing 5. Set the Date option to a desired date, on which the digital receiver will turn on. The date format is day/month/yearday of the week. Set the Start Time option to a desired time, at which the recording will be started. The time format is hour:minute. 6. Set the Duration option to a desired time, in which the recording will be finished. 7.
7.1 Recording a programme 7.1.4 47 Scheduling recordings using the programme guide If the electronic programme guide is properly provided, you can make timer events on it. The instructions on how to make timer recordings using the electronic programme guide are as follows: 1. Press the GUIDE button to display the electronic programme guide. 2. Select a service you want to record with the V− and V+ buttons. 3. Select a programme you want to record with the P+ and P− buttons.
48 Recording and Playing 1. Press the button to display the progress bar. 2. To move to the beginning of the desired scene, hold down the or button until it is reached. button to start recording. The time shift 3. Press the buffer from that position onwards will now be recorded. 7.1.6 4. Press the button to stop time shift. 5. Press the button once more to stop recording. Recording a pay service programme You can record a pay service programme without the subscription card.
7.2 File archive 7.2 49 File archive When a programme is recorded, it is stored as a file on the built-in hard disk drive of the digital receiver. You can select a recording to play back from the recorded programme list. Press the button to display the recorded programme list. The file information is comprised of the following elements: file number, file name, recording time, playing duration, file size and so on. You can play, move, delete, rename and lock a recording file.
50 Recording and Playing 7.2.3 To lock a recording To lock a recording so that other people cannot play it, perform the following steps: 1. Put the highlight bar on a desired recording. 2. Press the button to display the additional options. 3. Set the Lock option to Locked. 4. Press the EXIT button. 5. The lock symbol ( ) is displayed on it. If you select a locked recording to play it back, you will be asked for your personal identification number. 7.2.
7.3 Playing back a recording 7.3 51 Playing back a recording When a programme is recorded, its additional contents such as audio tracks or teletext are also recorded together. So you can enjoy them while a recording is played. The instructions on how to play a recording are as follows: 1. Press the grammes. button to display the list of recorded pro- 2. Put the highlight bar on a desired recording. 3. Press the OK button to start playback. 4. To stop playback, press the button.
52 Recording and Playing • To go forward, hold down the ward, hold down the button. button; to go back- • To bookmark a position, refer to § 7.3.4. • If there are no bookmarks, you can jump forward 30 seconds at a time by pressing the button. • To jump back to beginning of recording, press the button. • To jump to end of recording, press the • To hide the progress bar, press the 7.3.2 button. button again. To play in slow motion To watch in slow motion during a playback, press the button.
7.3 Playing back a recording 7.3.4 53 To make a bookmark You can mark favourite parts of a recording by creating bookmarks, and then jump to them. You can have up to 64 bookmarks. Bookmarks are stored with the recording so that you can use them again afterwards. To make bookmarks, perform the following steps during playback: 1. Press the button to display the progress bar. 2.
54 Recording and Playing 2. Move to the beginning scene of the part you want to play repeatedly by holding down the or button. 3. Press the button, then the pointer starts to blink. 4. Move to the end scene; the part is marked in purple. 5. Press the button again, then the part turns green, and repeated playback starts. 6. To cancel it, press the is displayed. 7.3.
7.4 Editing a recording 55 On the recorded programme list, a purely green $ indicates the recording has been wholly descrambled; on the other hand, a yellowish green $ indicates it has been partially descrambled, and a purely yellow $ indicates it has not been descrambled at all. Refer to § 7.1.6 for how to record a pay service programme. 7.4 Editing a recording You can cut out or save a part such as a commercial from a recording by performing the following steps: 1. Press the a playback.
56 Recording and Playing 3. Press the button, then it will be copied in a new file which is named after the original recording with a suffix of ‘COPY’ and a number. 4. To stop copy, press the button. NOTE You can make a copy of a long recording more quickly by starting to play the original recording, then pressing button until the speed has increased to six times, then pressing the button. The copy will be done at six times normal speed. 7.
57 Chapter 8 Firmware Update The digital receiver has a stable and convenient firmware to use. However, a new firmware may be released to improve the digital receiver. You can get the latest firmware and an update utility which runs on most versions of Windows from the Topfield website, http://www.i-topfield.com. 8.1 Checking the firmware information You have to check the firmware information of your digital receiver before downloading a new firmware. Select the Information > IRD Status menu.
58 Firmware Update NOTE You can only update with firmwares of which system identification is identical to that of yours. Otherwise you will fail in firmware update. 8.2 From your computer via RS-232 port It is possible to transfer a new firmware to the digital receiver from your computer by connecting them with a RS-232 cable. You need TFD-Down, a firmware transfer utility for this, which is available from the website, http://www.i-topfield.com.
8.3 From another digital receiver via RS-232 port 8.3 59 From another digital receiver via RS-232 port It is possible to transfer the firmware from the digital receiver to another same digital receiver by connecting them with a RS232 cable. To update the firmware with this method, perform the following steps: 1. Turn off the target digital receiver. 2.
60 INDEX Index 16:9, 19 16:9 Display Format, 20 1st Audio Language, 17 1st Subtitle Language, 17 2nd Audio Language, 17 2nd Subtitle Language, 17 4:3, 19 A/V Output Setting, 18 Access Control, 23 Add to Fav, 29 Advanced, 26 After next program, 42 After this program, 42 Alphabetic, 49 ANT 1 IN, 10 ANT 1 IN, 12 ANT 2 IN, 10 ANT 2 IN, 12 Antenna Supply 5V, 25 AUDIO L, 14 AUDIO L/R, 11 AUDIO R, 14 Auto, 25 Button, 4 CAM, 7 Censorship, 23 Center extract, 20 Change PIN Code, 23 Channel, 26 CI, 7 Common Interfa
61 Local Time, 21 Lock, 28, 50 Locked, 50 Manual, 26 Menu Language, 16 Mode, 21, 45 mono, 20 multifeed, 32 NEW, 37 No block, 23 normal-screen television, 19 NTSC, 18 One Time, 45 Organizing Favorites, 36 OSD Transparency, 24 PAL, 18 Parental Control, 23 picture-in-picture, 34 PID, 26 PIN, 23 progress bar, 48 Quick, 44 Radio, 45 Record, 45 Record continue, 42 Record No, 43 Record pause, 42 Record Start, 44 recorded programme list, 49 Recording, 43 Rename, 28, 50 RF LOOP 1 OUT, 10 RF LOOP 1 OUT, 12 RF LOOP 2
62 INDEX Video Output, 19 Weekly, 45 wide-screen television, 19
Correct disposal of this product This marking shown on the product or its literature indicates that it should not be disposed with other household wastes at the end of its working life. To prevent possible harm to the environment or human health from uncontrolled waste disposal, please separate this from other types of wastes and recycle it responsibly to promote the sustainable reuse of material resources.
