A while ago I started suffering highly untypical randomness on my trusty Topfield PVR 5800 STB. Replacing most of the caps in the PSU seemed to fix it. ;-)
Now (a few months later) it's started suffering random audio cutouts along with sporadic picture breakup and eventually (maybe 5-10 mins), a total loss of picture / signal. If you try to re-tune it you get nothing.
Turn it off, wait awhile (1/2 hour) turn it back on and (you can then retune it) it starts off fine then after another 30 mins the audio / video starts breaking up.
I've tried starting it with no TAPS enabled and done a factory reset (not HDD format yet).
When the problems exist, a couple of other devices on the same feed are fine.
I did find a reference to other components that could present themselves like this but I wondered if anyone here had actually seen this fault if so what the resolution was please?
I'd recommend that you post the same question in the Toppy UK forums
formatting link
Heat related fault? The 5800 can run hot and it doesn't have a fan (unless you have fitted one yourself). Have you changed the stacking of you 5800 recently? Is it now in a stack of other equipment that runs hot? The 5800 needs a free flow of (cool) air. Turning the box off for 30 minutes would let it cool down.
Is it one or both tuners giving problems? Is the problem on all TV channels? The Signal Monitor TAP and the equivalent in the Topmanager program for the PC can give you near real time information on the signal levels, quality on all MUXs and both tuners on the same screen. If you are not getting close to 100% quality on all MUXs then you will have problems. Signal levels of 60%+ on a Toppy are OK.
formatting link
formatting link
How have you got you 5800 connected to the aerial? Via a single cable to one tuner and then a short cable to the other? Via two independent cables, perhaps by way of a multi output amp/booster?
Ok, thanks for that Rod, I'll keep those thoughts in mind. From memory I know I did change *all* the caps typically recommended when generally doing a 5800 PSU but may not have done them all. I also used (what was advertised as) low ESR caps as well etc and am still pretty good / careful re the soldering (even though my eyes aren't what they were when at BT 40 years ago). ;-)
FWIW, I put the Toppy on standby last night and turned it back on at
9:30 this morning. It started suffering sound dropouts and picture breakup within 5 minutes, (to the point of cutting out completely) but now, at 11:15 it's been solid for over an hour.
If it wasn't for the fact that other devices on the same feed (including another PVR5800 ) are all fine I'd think it was interference from something.
Will do Alan. It was only whilst Googling I came across some archives to here. ;-)
Possibly ...
Nope.
Nope. It's not been touched for *years*. (apart from when I did the caps a while back).
It's on the top of some stuff that is all off on the top of the unit beside the TV (ie, not 'in' a cabinet of any sort). All the other stuff is turned off.
Understood. I've always tried to give it that.
Turning it off (by say unplugging from the mains) rather that just putting it on standby you mean? Not done that yet this time.
I saw mention of that when Googling but I don't know the answer to that I'm afraid. All I have seen on the few times so far I have seen it is only mention of Tuner 1.
Seems to be.
Oh cool, I'll check that out thanks.
Ok. We only have an aerial in the loft but the picture quality is generally 'perfect' on all devices (STBs, TVs, PC TV cards) around the house.
Yes, been like that since I first got it when they first came out. ;-)
I *think* the aerial comes down (though the house) and used to go to the Cable box and from there back up to the distribution amp in a bedroom and from there back down to the various rooms in the house. However, I might have simply joined the aerial feed back to the amp when I removed the cable box when we went over to Freeview. So, the Toppy (and a TV card and another Toppy) are all on one feed and when the output of the main Toppy is breaking up (even to the point of cutting out), all the other devices on that same feed are fine.
As I mentioned elsewhere (but can now update), I took it off standby at 9:30 and within 5 mins the audio was dropping out and picture pixilating and breaking up. It persisted for maybe 30 mins and since then (and right now at 11:35) it's perfectly solid?
From memory, only one (5v?) was quite bad but some of the others were still a bit out after the cap change. However, it wasn't working very well before and was fine after, till now that is.
I did write the before's and after's down at the time ...
Did you source the caps yourself or buy a kit? I know the guy who owns Satcure usually goes off on one about how capacitor brands and ratings don't always match up with longevity...
Quite. The originals on my Toppy didn't last that long. I replaced them with those recommended in the article I found on line. It's been fine since - several times the life of the originals. They were easy enough to source from CPC.
which gives additional link s including circuits for the power supply.
And Fraser does of topfiled repairs and his list of common faults is at
formatting link
He can supply kits of quality parts for DIY repairs. He can be contacted on the UK Toppy forum. He posts most days with the username andyfras. However, I would still check the PSU voltages again first.
A few years back it was recommended that only 6 capacitors were changed but now the recommendation is to change 18 capacitors.
Hmm, whilst it could be the case I would have thought they would have lasted a bit longer than this?
The Toppy has been off since lunchtime and I turned it back on at about 5pm. It starts up ok, then gives the picture breakup thing for maybe 20 mins and then seems to settle down again.
I'll have to drag it out and measure (and / or put a scope on) the PSU outputs.
I think I remember mine going wrong within the first year and it being replaced. It has been fine for *years* till the recent cap job, was fine after that till now. ;-)
I'll check the voltages and maybe get some 'known' brands from Rapid Electronics if they look bad again. However, my gut feeling is that it's something else (I don't know why I think that though). ;-)
Yup, I found that as well and was interested in the 'No Tuning' entries, one pointing to the PSU and the other the mainboard. The thing is, this is 'Intermittent sign / no tuning'.
Will do. I am watching the TV though the Toppy right now and it's as good as gold.
I did a good few but I'm not sure it was as many as 18. I think I changed all the caps that were anything to do with the PSU outputs as seen on the PSU schematic.
Maybe the next time the fault goes hard I'll get in there with a freezer spray and a screwdriver handle. ;-)
Ah, not seen that one so thanks for that Alan. ;-)
But what if it's only intermittent?
I have had one instance so far of the Toppy cutting out signal all together (the menu was ok etc) and a Factory reset > re-scan revealed no channels. Switch it off for a bit (can't remember how long now) back on and it does a full scan. ;-)
Cheers, T i m
p.s. I've been (half) watching TV through the Toppy all evening and it's been fine?
The signal monitor tap will confirm that both tuners are working, or both maybe failing together. You have to run it manually.
formatting link
If you install Topmanager on your PC you can get similar functionality by only using your PC. Topmanager helps with installing some TAPs including an up-to-date version of a signal monitor function.
Perhaps check
formatting link
If you need to search the Toppy forum do it from the first search box on this page
formatting link
rather than any other search box on the site.
More info on the second link can be found from searching for 'U20'
I have the Toppy plugged directly into my Windows Home Server and can access it using the Console to run Altair etc. I can then transfer any recordings between the WHS and Toppy a view them on any PC on my LAN.
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.