Topfield Application Programs (TAPs) and Firmware
The functionality of the TF5800PVR can be enhanced via the use of Topfield Application Programs (TAP). TAPs are C programs, developed by users for users. They can be developed under Microsoft Windows using a Topfield platform cross-compiler (GCC for TAP) or the Cygwin GCC compiler.
TAPs are applications written using an API available free from the manufacturer. The API provides access to almost all features of the device: TAPs can access EPG information, change channels, start or stop a recording session, change pre-set recording timers, write text and draw graphics to the screen, and react to buttons pressed on the remote control. It is possible to write a useful program, adding useful functionality, in ten lines of C code.
TAPs have been written to provide many enhancements to the Toppy, most are available as freeware. Although some technical users consider TAPs to be the best thing about the device, most users are perfectly happy using one with no TAPs loaded at all.
Firmware can be downloaded to a computer and transferred via USB to the PVR. Unlike the majority of electronics devices, many users do not recommend always updating to the manufacturer's latest firmware. Versions of firmware are available that have been debugged and enhanced by users. As of July 2010 the Toppy website recommends for the TF5800PVR/PVRt firmware 5.13.65T, which is a modified version of August 2007 factory firmware 5.13.65. As of the same date the latest firmware released by the manufacturer is July 2008 5.14.09Plus. Different releases apply to the TF5810PVRt.
Patches to the firmware can be downloaded to a computer and transferred to the PVR, but is not possible to completely re-write the device's operating system using TAPs.
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