Thomson 160gb digital TV recorder Reviews
Latest Reviews
“absolute rubbish”
Written on: 30/10/2012 by wurdlenurgh
the company has to be the worst manufactor of anything....and they know this.....as they dare not put a phone number for you to contact....seeking help etc.... thir products are unrealiable and the back up (being able to talk to a live person)...is even worse.......as they know the phone will be for ever having every customer who purcheased oine of their products will be continually on the phone to them. do not buy anything from thomson is the best solution to the problem... (read more)
“Absolote rubbish not worth a fiver”
Written on: 18/10/2012 by nekdarrag (1 review written)
I have had three of these and not one has worked anything like they should.two weer returned and exchanged (that makes 5 then really) you have to retune practically daily, it records when it want to not when you do, functions should be good but most don't work. I have had hous, days,and weeks playing with them (tring to get them to work, but not much time watching them. I have removed the hard drives and had the most fun ever smashing the rest of them in to very small pieces. (read more)
Workingfine's Response to nekdarrag's Review
Written on: 29/12/2012
I was given a dvb 160 by a shop keeper who'd obviously read your crappy negative comments?? Once I'd replaced the un-buyable lil grey box that connected 2 RF ports with an RF cable, from kitchen drawer, box has worked great for over 2 years. 10/10 Thompson, 2 programmable remotes great EPG.
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“Thomson 160gb digital TV recorder ”
Written on: 02/05/2012
I have flushed better things down the toilet. Im going to take the hard drive out and put the rest in the bin. The company should be told to stop making these. (read more)
Workingfine's Comment
Written on: 29/12/2012
I simply replaced the grey box (box which is un-purchasable MMMM??) which connected 2 RF ports on back with RF lead, from kitchen drawer, et viola! best thing was a shop keeper gave me box as he'd probably read all the negatives on here, 10/10 Thompson pukka 'purchase', well had to carry it to car, two programmable remotes, great booklets, great EPG.
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“Thomson freeview box”
Written on: 18/01/2012 by rantid (1 review written)
This is quite possibly the worst piece of consumer tech I have ever bought. I originally got it (this is my third) a few years ago for the pause/rewind function and since then it's been updated with series link and a 14-day EPG which is great except you can't use it as it freezes, locks up and randomly re-boots itself several times a day and sometimes after switching it off and on again it gives nothing but a black screen on my TV. Don't get me wrong, the features are good but the... (read more)
“Good when it worked!”
Written on: 16/06/2011 by gavinnorthants (5 reviews written)
Had mine for about 2 years, then it stared playing up and just got worse and worse till it became useless. At first was not to bad but occtionaly crashed and missed recordings. I loved the series link feature and was as good as Sky plus. But all good things come to a end and the thing became unreliable. Shame as would expect it too last about 5 years, or maybe I'm being old fashioned! (read more)
“Absolute pants! ”
Written on: 06/02/2011
Absolute pants!
This set top box is the worst piece of tv kit I've ever had. Despite resets and formatting the hard drive it continues to be non responsive in use. I have complained at least 5 times to topup tv who admit you either get a good box or a rubbish one. I'm going to buy my own.
(read more)
“My Thomson DV3 250 Digital Recorder will lock off/jam...”
Written on: 17/01/2011 by handicap16 (1 review written)
My Thomson DV3 250 Digital Recorder will lock off/jam some times twice a night or more,problem seems to be with the hard drive disc when being used. (read more)
“this box keep stalling when loaded up useless peice of...”
Written on: 13/10/2010
this box keep stalling when loaded up useless peice of junk do not buy (read more)
“rubbish hardware,rubbish software,frequent...”
Written on: 21/08/2010
rubbish hardware,rubbish software,frequent freezing,billigerant staff,third replacement box!!!!top up tv should disappear! (read more)
“We've owned our Thompson box now for about 2 years....”
Written on: 30/07/2010
We've owned our Thompson box now for about 2 years. From December last year we have had constant problems. For the last 7 months, it has frozen, would not accept the t.v. guide updates. This week, we could only watch BBC1 - nothing else and now I've just turned it on, it wont even boot up. We could've bought a cheap digi box for £20 but thought we'd get a recording one. DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT, I'd sooner put my money on the horses!!! (read more)
Workingfine's Comment
Written on: 29/12/2012
I was given a dvb160, its pukka, thanks for crappy reviews, shop keeper had obviously read ALL the negatives, I simply replaced the un-buyable little grey 'box' on rear RF ports/sockets, replaced for free with an RF lead, who has'nt got 2/3 of them in the kitchen drawers? 10 outta 10.
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Showing 1 - 10 of 164 Reviews
“bought this about 2+ years ago and was ok for a few...”
Written on: 30/07/2010
bought this about 2+ years ago and was ok for a few months then started freezing up and not letting me delete things for hours. It kept corupting files and missed recordings, even topup programs. had to get updated software and it helped for a while then some of the problems came back. i have moved address now and the problems seemed to have ironed them selfs out but dont think thats anything to do with it. give it 2 stars for the features and ease of use when it did work. would not... (read more)
“If the thomson worked as it should I would give it 5...”
Written on: 27/06/2010
If the thomson worked as it should I would give it 5 stars.
The first box I had was awful and was exchanged but after 1 year it is locking up everytime I delete something and pops off in the middle of recording, I also have the new square shape one and it is perfect. I see Tesco direct sells reconditioned ones, these must be all the awful ones that we have taken back, at £80 I am tempted to get one as they might have got it ok now. Anne from Bath PS I would have liked to know thaT A NEW...
(read more)
Nekdarrag's Comment
Written on: 18/10/2012
you must have got the ONE that worked
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“The first box that was delivered was an absolute...”
Written on: 11/06/2010
The first box that was delivered was an absolute nightmare so I had an exchange, excellent customer service with superfast delivery by DPD. My second box has been an absolute gem and I would have no hesitation in recommending this machine to anyone.I have not had a single problem with this second box and it does exactly what I ask it to. I know that many have had problems with this box but I can only speak with honesty and can find no fault at all and I would certainly buy another Thomson box. (read more)
“Shocking!! Do not buy this item! Items become...”
Written on: 28/04/2010
Shocking!! Do not buy this item! Items become corrupt every DAY! As the box fills up it gets slower and slower (even with 65% free) and more and more items get corrupted. I've just deleted 2 items at 40 mins each and it took over 5 mins. It "re-boots" itself multiple times every day (usually when deleting). Records sometimes start upto an hour early! It's a load of rubbish! (read more)
“totally agree with the majority of the other reviews...”
Written on: 25/03/2010
totally agree with the majority of the other reviews this piece of equipment is so annoying its freezes quite alot the channel guide doesnt show most of the time it wont record and now to top it all its stopped workin all together the standby light just keeps flashing total RUBBISH !!!! read the reviews and take it in DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY !! (read more)
“Don't buy or use one of these boxes, they are rubbish....”
Written on: 22/03/2010
Don't buy or use one of these boxes, they are rubbish. Cooling fan is noisy, and unit often locks up. Despite numerous 'over air' software & firmware upgrades the box is still unreliable. Worst item I've ever bought, I was warned but didn't listen - wish I had ! Now have an excellent Humax unit - what a difference, worth every penny. Save your money, don't be tempted to buy one of these boxes at any price ! (read more)
“Do not buy this product, find another hard drive...”
Written on: 17/02/2010
Do not buy this product, find another hard drive recorder.
Too many problems with this one.
(read more)
“I have had this Thompson recorder for a wile now, so...”
Written on: 23/01/2010
I have had this Thompson recorder for a wile now, so far its been great, i record from it nearly every day . it has frozen two or three times on rare occasions but in all its quick and easy to use (read more)
“THESE MACHINES HAVE A POOR POWER SUPPLY COMPONETS, IN...”
Written on: 22/01/2010
THESE MACHINES HAVE A POOR POWER SUPPLY COMPONETS, IN IT ARE LOW SPEC CAPACITOR RUNNING TO THIER MAX TOLLERENCE AND WILL FAIL....CAUSES MOST OF THE ERRORS/FREEZING CAN BE UPGRADED TO HIGHER QUALITY VALUE CAPICITORS FOR BETTER PERFOMANCE BUT NOT COST EFFECTIVE I AM A ENGINEER SO I DONE MY OWN WOKING PERFECT FOR LAST 3 MONTHS (read more)
“agreed, this thing is so frustrating, its constantly...”
Written on: 22/01/2010
agreed, this thing is so frustrating, its constantly freezing up, losing recordings, not even recording some things, and then corrupting other things! dont think my new one will be a thompson some how! (read more)
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Showing 11 - 20 of 164 Reviews
“This is a pain to own it constantly crashes, loses...”
Written on: 19/01/2010
This is a pain to own it constantly crashes, loses recordings, loses tv guide now perminently. It is also very noisy even on standby when it is still using more power than my other recorders do when in use.If you do not have one avoid at all cost. If you do give to your worst enemy. (read more)
“The most infuriating piece of equipment I have ever...”
Written on: 18/01/2010
The most infuriating piece of equipment I have ever owned. Do not under any circumstances buy this piece of rubbish. It is impossible to watch tv through it. It freezes, switches itself of constantly. Topuptv customer services about as much use as a chocolate fireguard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (read more)
“When I had to update the software they change the...”
Written on: 12/01/2010
When I had to update the software they change the feature on the machine not what I wanted and not what I purchase I am not happy with it and I will not buying any Thomson stuff ever again I had to give it one star but it one star to many (read more)
“This is the second Thomson box I have received from...”
Written on: 09/01/2010
This is the second Thomson box I have received from topuptv and both have had similar problems Locking up deleting recorded programmes, and the latest, a loud whine continuously.
If sky can use trouble free recordable boxes why can't topuptv. I think I might try Humax?
I suppose it's the old adage You pay your money you take your choice.
What I should have done before purchasing this box is to look at websites like this one
(read more)
“the worst piece of of equipment i've ever bought. It...”
Written on: 09/01/2010
the worst piece of of equipment i've ever bought. It crashes atleast 3 times a day and can only be rebooted by pulling out the plug from the socket. It often forgets to record things or just deletes a whole series link for no reason. The latest upgrade 5.08 from December has left my box even worse now and it wont recognize the hard drive meaning I cant record, pause or view my library. Does anybody know how to format the drive completely and start from scratch? (read more)
“I have had problems in the past, however, the latest...”
Written on: 08/01/2010
I have had problems in the past, however, the latest software update 5.08 in December was a nightmare, it created absolute havoc with all the features and also used a lot of the hardrive. I have reverted the box back to the previous 4.09 software, the problems have gone and I have got a lot of hardrive space back. (read more)
“The box continually freezes, at times it has corrupt...”
Written on: 07/01/2010
The box continually freezes, at times it has corrupt recordings, at times it doesn't even bother to record. In the 2 years we've owned it we have had such unreliable service form it. If the hard drive fills up more than 75% the problems increase. (read more)
“I bought this box ( 250gb model) about 1 year ago and...”
Written on: 06/01/2010
I bought this box ( 250gb model) about 1 year ago and am now on my 2nd box, it freezes all the time you have to unplug it and start again, the programme guide is RUBBISH you cant set up any recordings because it only shows you about 1 hour ahead .
I have just boxed it back up to take back to the shop as it won't even boot up now.
So please DO NOT buy one of these boxes they are rubbish
(read more)
“I wish when i started having probs with this heap of...”
Written on: 04/01/2010
I wish when i started having probs with this heap of junk that i had takin it back to where i got it from!
I started havin major probs whith it not recorded what i wanted, then it started crashing, so frustrating, i kept missin episodes of CSI, Numbers, NCIS, The Mentalist, Etc.
Just recently it has got much worse, for some reason by guide has gone and i cant read or delete messages, i keep tryin 2 retune the channels but it stops have way and a message comes up sayin it can't go any...
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“load of sh1t - keeps freezing and having to be...”
Written on: 03/01/2010
load of sh1t - keeps freezing and having to be rebooted. Do not but one under any circumstances. (read more)
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Showing 21 - 30 of 164 Reviews
“Bought the 250gb and it's the WORST piece of equipment...”
Written on: 02/01/2010
Bought the 250gb and it's the WORST piece of equipment I've ever had. It wiped all my recordings on one occasion and I've had to reset to default several times thus also losing my recordings.
Presently it is freezing about every ten minutes (turn off and remove plug to reset) and I have decided that it just has to go.
Would I recommend to friends? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! Unless I wanted to lose them that is. I wish that I had researched more thoroughly before buying. The ease of use and features...
(read more)
“Constant software issues, don't touch it with a barge...”
Written on: 28/12/2009
Constant software issues, don't touch it with a barge pole! (read more)
“We have been having problems with our Thomson since we...”
Written on: 27/12/2009
We have been having problems with our Thomson since we got it - most commonly freezing/crashing and it has never taped Match of the Day! Since the recent automatic update (which is annoying as it now lists all your recordings A-Z rather than in date order) it has been worse than ever - doesn't record anything in the planned recordings and crashes EVERY time you try to delete something. I thought I'd check other people's experiences - seems it's not just us with the problem! Am looking... (read more)
“Thompson box seemed ok for a while (lst year) but...”
Written on: 27/12/2009
Thompson box seemed ok for a while (lst year) but since the digital changeover its been worse than useless, lulling you into a false sense of security allowing you to record but not playing back, just missed all the Christmas telly. We even changed T.V.s, rooms we watched it in, couch swops and decorated the front room instead of back to watch Xmas t.v. (getting a bit sad now I know!) I think we will have to put our hands in our pockets for another box any suggestions? (read more)
“Between different members of our family we purchased 3...”
Written on: 23/12/2009
Between different members of our family we purchased 3 of these because they seemed to be such good value, just over the first year and all three of the boxes no longer record and only one is usable in any way. the store we bought them from no longer stocks them as they have proved so unreliable. (read more)
“I have had my freeview box for about two years and...”
Written on: 18/12/2009
I have had my freeview box for about two years and have had nothing but problems with it. The box freezes frequently and I am constantly having to reboot the system and now its lost all the programmes that I have taped. Have just purchased a Humax which, by all the reviews I have read, is a far superior product. If you have a thomson box, the best thing you can do with it is dump it at your nearest recycling depot. (read more)
“Never managed to record anything yet! keeps locking...”
Written on: 17/12/2009
Never managed to record anything yet! keeps locking out, keeps telling me there is no hard drive. Pure rubbish. Company should make brasso, only people with brass necks could sell such junk!
Only good point it was cheap. old addage, buy cheap buy twice!
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“Had the digital box now for over two years and was...”
Written on: 17/12/2009
Had the digital box now for over two years and was bought as a present. Since we got it had endless problems with programmes freezing when you are trying to watch them, chops the end of programmes and automatically shuts down when you are trying to watch something live or pre recorded. Thankfully we have a new box now and can't believe the difference. I certainly wouldn't buy one of these boxes as they are a waste of time !!!! (read more)
“I bought a thomson freeview recorder and had it...”
Written on: 12/12/2009 by sammyden (1 review written)
I bought a thomson freeview recorder and had it replaced because it was faulty by topuptv not by the store where I purchased it,free of charge and straight to my door.The new unit won,t store recordings,has wiped all of my library and is absolute c**p! I can,t even take it back for a refund because it is not the unit I bought from Asda.I wished I had done research before I bought it.My advise is don,t buy one! (read more)
“i bought this about 3 years ago to get Setanta and i...”
Written on: 05/12/2009
i bought this about 3 years ago to get Setanta and i have loved it. However, it is getting more and more unreliable - freezing and wiping out ALL programmes that have been recorded. Also, it is a bit noisy even when in standby. I wouldn't ever like to live without a hard disk recorder but wouldn't want to rely on this one to record the England World Cup matches for me! (read more)
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Showing 31 - 40 of 164 Reviews
“dearest peice of s*** i every had i was i rolled the...”
Written on: 05/12/2009
dearest peice of s*** i every had i was i rolled the money up and burned it b easyer i love to meet the company to ask for my money back (read more)
“hi,I have a thompson dti6300 and it is now redundant...”
Written on: 29/11/2009
hi,I have a thompson dti6300 and it is now redundant because it will not hold the channels properly,I have had an engineer out and he says that alot of these boxs are now useless since all this change over buisiness and my ariel is fine,are the manufactures going to hold there hands up over this or are they going to blame the digital service? and before this problam the box was intermitant ie freezing and not recording etc,anyone else out there now got redundant freeview equipment please... (read more)
“I bought my freeview recorder five months ago and have...”
Written on: 12/11/2009
I bought my freeview recorder five months ago and have been experiencing similar problems. It freezes on a weekly basis, has not recorded some programmes and usually misses the last five minutes off all Channel 4 recordings. Last week I lost my TV guide rendering the recorder useless and after reading these reviews was not at all hopeful that it would come back. I phoned the help line, they gave me a secret code and within 24 hours it was working again. It is worth calling the helpline... (read more)
“Well, it's been 16 months since I wrote my review on...”
Written on: 12/11/2009
Well, it's been 16 months since I wrote my review on this frustrating piece of junk, and things haven't improved much, which is a shame because it's so easy to use and things like pausing live tv and recording a whole series is so easy and convenient. But all the problems keep happening, recordings fail (very common), box freezes (on a regular basis), and the best yet: I set it to record a 30 minute program and it recorded 29 hours and 16 minutes non-stop!!!! Half the HDD was used up!... (read more)
“A good system with great functionality, All the...”
Written on: 27/10/2009
A good system with great functionality, All the channels you could want without the hassle of a monthly subscription, The recording function works well playback is smooth and I feel as if I have got a good product for a great price. I would recommend to anyone. (read more)
“I bought my recorder Jan 08. seemed like a good buy...”
Written on: 26/10/2009
I bought my recorder Jan 08. seemed like a good buy at the time, good when its working Ok but frequently freezes or deletes recordings. Forever having to unplug or reboot it. Now my remote has a mind of its own and cannot get a new one. RUBBISH (read more)
“box freezes up, and the only way to get it back on...”
Written on: 21/10/2009
box freezes up, and the only way to get it back on line is to kill the power to it. It cannot be relied on to record properly, a serious waste of time and cash. there has to be better machines out there which work . (read more)
“PILE OF RUBBISH, DONT BUY IT, JUST LIKE ALL OTHER...”
Written on: 20/10/2009
PILE OF RUBBISH, DONT BUY IT, JUST LIKE ALL OTHER REVIEWS CONSTANTLY FREEZING, AND AS FOR THE HELP DESK, DONT RUN UP YOUR PHONE BILL, THEY DONT HAVE A CLUE (read more)
“We have had trouble with this box for months, picture...”
Written on: 19/10/2009
We have had trouble with this box for months, picture freezing, not recording all of a programme, forever deleting everything in planned recordings. It took several phone calls to the helpless line in order to set it up in the first place. Now its showing the no signal sign on ALL BBC channels. Can't think of anything good to say about it. Pile of rubbish don't waste your money. (read more)
“Bought Thomson 160gb digital TV recorder on Wednesday...”
Written on: 28/09/2009
Bought Thomson 160gb digital TV recorder on Wednesday tried to set up Thursday but no luck returned recorder to store on Friday, the gentleman in front of me was returning his recorder having had the same problems. I was very unhappy with the product and all the time wasted in my endeaver to set up.
Rating no stars out of 5.
(read more)
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Showing 41 - 50 of 164 Reviews
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Workingfine's Response to wurdlenurgh's Review
Written on: 29/12/2012
I was given a dvb 160 by a shop keeper who'd read your crappy reviews, once I'd replaced the lil grey box thingamy connecting 2 RF ports, replaced with an RF cable (who han'nt got 2/3 them in cupboard drawers?) box has been great for 3 years since. 10/10 Thompson