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Tuesday, 4 January 2011

AutoStandby TAP for Topfield TMS PVRs

Download
  • AutoStandby v0.4
    • Fix for IntelligentRecording timers preventing standby
  • AutoStandby v0.3
    • TMSCommander integration - to access AutoStandby options you need to go via TMSCommander
    • User-configurable timeout, from 30 to 240 minutes
    • Time schedule, so you can specify a period each day when this TAP does not run
  • AutoStandby v0.2
    • Added on-screen message warning of the impending standby, and allowing user to cancel
  • AutoStandby v0.1
    • Initial release

I've created a TAP that will put Topfield PVRs into standby after a period of inactivity. It should work on recent European and Australian TMS models such as the 7100+, 7160, 2400 and 2460.

Installation

Download the latest AutoStandby.zip file and unzip it. Then copy autostandby.tap onto your PVR. If you want it to run all the time put it into your Autostart folder. The TAP can be stopped via the main Topfield TAP menu, the TMS Commander menu, or the TAP's own options menu.

If you want to change the TAP's settings from their defaults then you will also need the TMS Commander TAP installed. The defaults are an inactivity period of thirty minutes, and the TAP is always running (i.e. time schedule disabled).

Description

If you haven't pressed any buttons on the remote for a certain period then the TAP will check whether the PVR can be put into standby. The standby will be deferred if:
  • A program is being recorded
  • A recorded program is being played back
  • A timer is scheduled to go off in the next five minutes

I tried to copy the functionality of DeadBeef's Standby TAP for the Topfield 5000 series, but at this stage it is missing a few features. These may be added in later versions:
  • configuration of timeout length - added in v0.3
  • on-screen message warning of imminent standby unless a key is pressed - added in v0.2
  • deferring turn off if file transfer or other network access is occurring
  • notifying other TAPs of imminent standby
  • TMSCommander integration - added in v0.3

Disclaimer

I have only tested this TAP on my Topfield 7100+. It may have bugs that cause the loss of recordings, or your PVR to explode. I don't think it does, so I use it myself, but the world is a dangerous place. The source code is included in the download, so feel free to check and improve upon it.

The best place to discuss this TAP is on the Topfield Australia forums.
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