IceTV IceBox 2
The IceTV IceBox 2 is a companion product for the Topfield 5000PVRt. The hardware is an asus 802.11g wireless router that has custom IceTV firmware. The device enables the Topfield to connect to your home wifi network and hence also connect to the internet. IceTV is a subscription service (about $3 per week) that provides you with a genuine 7 day Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) loaded directly into your Topfield.You can connect directly to the Icebox2 (and hence your Toppy) via a standard web browser on any PC that sits on your home network. If you load LogMeIn onto your home PC, you can also access your toppy from any PC on the internet.
Why I like it
When combined with other software for your Topfield (particuarly TED/S and JustEPG), the Icebox gives you what the Australian TV Networks will not. A fully functioning EPG that enhances your Topfield from being a manual recording device, and makes it capable of automatically recording your favourite shows without any intervention from you. WhenThe IceBox2 also allows you to access your Topfield from your home PC across the wifi network. You can load custom software (TAPS) directly to the Toppy, and you can also copy recorded programmes back to your PC.
How to get the most from it
There are a number of software products that you should use to get the most from the IceTV Icebox2 and your Toppy.TED/S To automatically create recordings based on the guide
EPGUploader To load the recording requests created by TED/S to your Toppy
JustEPG To provide you with a superior EPG on screen
ProjectX To turn your *.rec files copied to your PC into watchable MPG2 files
LogMeIn To allow you to access your home PC network from any PC on the internet