How many dreambox users do we have?

Ronan|Raven

Howdy,

Just wondering how may people on these forums use the Dreambox? What model do you have? Pros and cons you have with your model.

o you just use the basic features of this or do you use some of the many plugins available such as vlc treaming, mp3 plugins, weather, subs etc? Any 7000, 7020/25 users that use the many EPG replacements?

cormacl

Have a 3 LNB setup on diseqc.. 13.0/19.2/28.2 on 80cm dish. We use the setup for German & UK tv. I'm getting Irish terestrial on analogue aerial.

I bought a 5620 in 2004 and used it for just over a year. In terms of images, I found the Gemini image to be the most stable and with adequate features etc. The only gripe was that the CIFS mount over the LAN (wireless lan) was just not performant enough to record stuff using the PVR functionality and decided to upgrade to a model with internal hard drive.

The 5620 is now over with in-laws in Germany still doing a great job. The interface on it is just great and very fast.

I upgraded to a 7025 at the start of this year to get a model with internal hard drive and hence flawless PVR recording. That model also has twin swappable satellite tuners.. the intent was to switch one with a DVB-T variant as soon as RTE started DTT trials.. I've one on order at present so no progress reports on that yet.

Its fine.. but has a long boot sequence.. at least 3 minutes. The software also crashes occasionally but this is to be expected as the enigma2 environment is still being developed and stabilised. In terms of image, I again chose the Gemini once it became available.

PVR recording/live pause is great and I can still use the wireless lan to offload recordings for off box viewing/conversion etc. Its also possible to download .ts and .mpg files for on box playback.

For EPG.. we're just using whats provided.. great for German TV, but just now/next for UK programmes... someday I'll try and see what can be done to use one of those mythtv or freevo EPG grabbers and see how hard it is to convert to enigma-friendly format.. its probably been already done for the other models and images but I have yet to see something for the 7025.

The main missing feature for me is the web interface that lets you get in remotely to schedule recordings.. its apparently being developed but has been in this state for months... whatever made the enigma1 images do this is just totally different with enigma2 so its not a case of just porting this functionality. I believe that web streaming is also not yet supported.. never used that much on the 5620 to be honest other than testing the concept.

fat-tony

I have had a 7020S for about a year now. I use it with a Moteck rotator and get signals from 42E to 58W with a 90cm dish. I have a 40GB disk installed and use the Hydra image and have found it to be rock-solid. It's great for connectivity to PC (via a switch or hub) and I have downloaded files to PC for burning on DVD. Very flexible menu system, timer recording etc.
I'm not really interested in CAMs or cards for viewing encrypted signals, but I believe this is a strong feature of this receiver, plus the fact that the software is open source leads to a lot of interest among the developer community. I'm thinking of selling it though, as I'm more interested in feedhunting, which needs a receiver capable of blind search.

Ronan|Raven

I have a 5620 myself now nearly over two years now. I find it great, streaming is fantastic using the btitcontrol plugin. Allowing you to view the signal on your pc is media player. Streaming to pc is a big issue for the 5620 I have had some success with videolan or mplayer but tbh the best I have seen is the above mentioned plugin for media player..

watty

I have a Reelbox. A developer I know in Poland has 2 xDreamboxes, ITgate and ReelBox.

320G HHD, Dual layer DVD writer, DTT and Sat tuner. etc. Built in cam and 2 x CI slots.

Aparently "Enigma" is good for Dreambox and he wants to put it on ReelBox.

kaisersose77

http://www.smartcard24.com/index.php/cPath/22_91-relook.html

they have ported enigma on the 400s version of the relook, but not much use since the 400s has two tuners and the dreambox with 2 tuner (7025) uses enigma 2 (so enigma 1 cant take advantage of the two tuners on 400s). Seems a bargain though a that price compared the dreambox 7025. And i think it has a lot of the same plugins like samba, streaming etc.

btw anybody who uses xbmc for the xbox and used it to stream from dreambox to xbox, the guy who wrote the python script said he'g going to make the streaming client built into xbmc so no need to run the python script. He said he would do this after they released xbmc 2.0, it could look cool with the mc360 skin.

adeypius

have a dreambox 7000
didnt use it much over the last year as I had a different use for that dish

watty

Is it possible to have a DVD writer added to a Dreambox?

crashedmind

Triple Dragon with TDMan12b image with 250GB HDD + Triax 88cm dish + Moteck motor.

Pros:
+ Sensitive tuner
+ same cpu as Dreambox => similar s/w
+ stable
+ lots of audio / video I/O connectors

Cons:
- Linux-based but not fully open source
- standard EPG time window is short
- smaller community than Dreambox

I generally just use the basic features: video, music, or photo playback. 'rarely watch content in realtime - more inclined to use EPG and watch when it suits.

'have taken a look inside the s/w but haven't changed anything yet; may get around to playing with remote programmable recording etc...

'have not used the standard the webserver interface, VLC, cards, CAMS, etc... but intend playing with sky freeview card as it is supported.

cormacl

watty wrote:

Is it possible to have a DVD writer added to a Dreambox?

The 7xxx series all have a USB 1.1 port which is generally used for attached usb sticks etc for flashing images.. but has also been used for external drives etc.

It would be speculation.. but technically with the Linux kernel it is possible to drive external CD writers over USB. But you would need the whole 9 yards of binaries for cdrdao and friends to actually do the burning and imaging. Also whatever about cd burning.. USB 1.1 is not likely to produce good results for DVD burning because of speed limitations.

But the upcoming 8000 model dreambox is to offer a slimline DVD burner (not sure if standard or optional). The same model will also have 2 DVB-S2 (MPEG-4) tuners built in and space to add 2 more (DVB-S/C/T). Also included is a HDMI and YUV out. Also included is USB2.0 support (two ports this time, one front and back), a miniPCI slot and the display also changes from backlit LCD to OLED. Expected price is 799 Euro.

The very very interesting part.. and this is rumour.. is that the architecture is on an AMD processor and is x86-based... which if true would make a lot of sense in terms of reusability of existing Linux driver code etc. Whats unclear at this point if this new model, expected in September, is still using enigma2 or if they have again ditched the environment for another.

The original press release can be found here:
http://openpr.de/news/88368/Dream-revolutioniert-HDTV.html

watty

Thanks for that snippet Cormac.

OLED may have less than 5 years life. Certinally less life than current plasma and hugely shorter than Regular LCD or LED. Fine in a phone or MP3 palyer that gets replaced, lost or eaten before the five years.

The Bull

adeypius wrote:

have a dreambox 7000
didnt use it much over the last year as I had a different use for that dish

Same as that but bough a cerbo card and cam

watty

The 8000 seems upcoming since Nov 2005! Previewed at Anga May 2006, but no-one seems to be selling it.

kaisersose77

Seems like it's being delayed just like the dreambox 8000s, and it was demonstrated already:
http://www.dgstation.co.kr/new/news_news.php?code=9&mode=view

I posted this before about the relook 510s:


http://www.dgstation.co.kr/relook_510_series.pdf


"Relook 510 Series

Personal Video Recorder with Linux and Built in MPEG 4 HD and MPEG 2 HD Capable to two room service with DGS’ Client

Satellite/Terrestrial/Satellite+Terrestrial/Cable

Twin Tuner PVR + Ethernet + Linux OS + Client DGStation is now developing this highly advanced product for the future trend of digital market. The product can support not only basic function of PVR but also Internet Protocol based interactive broadcasting service including NVOD and VOD services, Home shopping, Home banking, email etc.

2 different channels at 2 room at the same time can be viewed by different users.

We are focusing on both open and closed market in Europe, Middle East, and North America. Front Rear DGS’ Client

Features

􀁺 Linux OS : Kernel version 2.6.9 Capability for Porting Various User Applications
􀁺 MPEG-2 digital and fully DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-T compliant
􀁺 Two tuners : One Channel Watching and Two Channel Recording
􀁺 Two Channel Recording and One File Playback Simultaneously or watching one another channel
􀁺 Multi-Time Shifting Function with a Live Channel
􀁺 Bookmark Function with commercial skip Supported
􀁺 Recoding capacity : for example, 44 hours for 4Mbps stream with 80GB HDD
􀁺 Playback of the selected region repeatedly
􀁺 Photo Album Function
􀁺 USB 2.0 supported for HDD, USB memory stick, Keyboard
􀁺 USB 1.0 supported for PC
􀁺 Network Interface Supported( high speed Ethernet)
􀁺 VFD Display : Capability for display of various information
􀁺 SCPC and MCPC receivable from C/Ku-band satellites
􀁺 10,000 channels TV & radio programmable
􀁺 Channel list editing 􀁺 Favorite channel list editing
􀁺 True-color On-Screen Display (OSD)
􀁺 Full Picture In Graphic (PIG) function
􀁺 Electronic Program Guide (EPG) for on screen channel information
􀁺 Subtitle & Teletext Subtitle supported
􀁺 Parental lock facility by channel and program event
􀁺 supported Real PIP with two MPEG 2 Decoder
􀁺 Can be supported to IP advertising by MPEG 4 streaming
􀁺 Supported VOD through the IP depends on availability of supports on operator
􀁺 Two room service with DGS’s Client

Amongst other things:

Profile & Level: MPEG-2 MP@ML, MP@HL, MPEG4 AP@HL/H.264, WMV9, WMA 9 and Pro

Digital interface for HDTV: HDMI

[etc. etc.]"

Picture:
http://denktenk.com/pics.htm

darkmaster2

I started off last year with a dm500s, I bought a dm7020 recently due to an accident with the dm500 . I have it hooked to a moteck and 1m dish. I use it mainly for sky 28e, but the box really comes to life when hooked up to a sharing server. Too many channels tbh. I find the streaming really handy to the PC upstairs using bitcontrol, also the recording to the PC hard drive is nice through the LAN.

Great boxes, but more for the experimenter than casual viewer.

Ronan|Raven

What happened the 500s darkmaster? If the bootloader has packed in it is possible to repair using JTAG.

watty

You are allowed to delete channels on anything NOT a Sky Digibox!

darkmaster2

Ronan|Raven wrote:

What happened the 500s darkmaster? If the bootloader has packed in it is possible to repair using JTAG.

I looked into that, and I don`t think it is possible to repair the bootloader on a dm500 with jtag. Someone was telling me that the bootloader is flashed along with the firmware? I know its possible with 5620, 7000, 7020 etc. but not a dm500. I have it here if anyone feels like having a go

Ronan|Raven

I have my cas2 and jtag cable here somewhere! Shame you are in cork however.

Ronan|Raven

http://www.spektr-tv.ru/inc/img/resiv_stv/Dreambox500/dreambox500/dreambox50011_big.jpg

There you can see the JTAG on the mainboard in it. It doesnt have the pinhead on it and one would have to cobble some sorta modified jtag head with pins on it.

Greenpiece

Yes, another dreamer here, got a 7000s a year ago and have a moteck rotor and get signals from 42E to 30W with a 1m dish. I installed an 80Gb disk and use it mainly for recording 28.2E progs and downloading to pc to make dvds.

Like the vlc streaming feature over wireless and changing channels etc. using laptop as a remote control when watching the output from other rooms, have also managed to record onto dbox disk and pc 2 different programmes at the same time if channels are on same transponder.

Have also used some addons such as jukebox and installed different images on usb stick and set up multiboot to see what what they can do.

Find that you can spend a lot of time tinkering with these, but nonetheless have enjoyed playing with it.

cormacl

Finally.. the DVB-T NIM I ordered for my 7025 arrived today.

Fitting it was very easy in terms of removing one of the DVB-S NIMs and putting the DVB-T version in its place.

It has pre-loaded settings for several UK freeview muxes and many others for Germany, Sewden etc.. but I ended up getting the Three Rock stations with a manual scan on frequency 738 (many thanks Terestrial board!).

Have RTE1-2, TV3 & TG4 now nicely positioned in a single bouquet of "English TV" along with BBC, ITV etc. while wifey has her "German TV" bouquet for her perusal with the ability to record from one variant while watching the other etc.

Serious WAF now because our living room viewing is on a single platform and doesn't involve messing with different remotes.

EPG for RTE was showing 7 days ahead at least. TV3 didn't show any EPG data. Today FM is also on the radio list now.. didn't see that soem weeks ago when I tested with a PCI card on my PC.

In terms of RF relay.. the DVB-T NIM has a loop through RF out, which I daisy chained to the standard RF IN (where the aerial was previously connected).. so elsewhere in the house still has standard analogue and the RF signals from the dreambox and the FTA Sky box I stil have.

so far so good.. just thought I'd post the progress for anyone curious of Dreaming in DTT and sat in parallel.

watty

Yes The Kaon seems to also work well to do DTT and Sat, but you press a T/S button to swap.

The Reelbox you can create a channel list with DTT and Sat seamlessly mixed. From november supposed to be able to support dual sat and dual DTT. (Quad tuner support built in, but only two connectors).

kaisersose77

Found this cool epg guide that lets you get xmltv data from radiotimes, bleb etc but also lets you map the channels you downloaded to the channels you have on your dreambox:

http://www.autoreplying.com/epgcenter/

So you setup recordings from your laptop/pc for bbc1 etc through the program. So very handy for ppl with 7000s and 7020s dreambox's. It also allows you to search the epg data, so you searcg your favourite show and organise to record to days beforehand.

It says you can use it 30 times and then you have to pay 19 euros for it whcih doesnt seem too bad. Only installed it a while ago but seems very good so far.

Ronan|Raven

My kingdom for an easy to access tv listing for the european providers! Downside to having so many channels is not knowing what is on, and when you do find somethng it is half over!

kaisersose77

you can upload the epg data to your dreambox ( well you will need the harddrive models) but even though everything seems to be in the right place, it doesnt seem to be getting more than now and next . But if i get it working, i'll have a week of epg for each channel.

Solved it , takes it a second to load but have 6 days of epg for all channels on 28 east on my dreambox

if anyone tries it out

"That is because for multipart CFE files you need a different line in the inputs.txt file.

It should be

EPGcenter x l r -3600 epgcenter 7 EPG .XMLTV -

Note the r instead of an f

r = rotating (multipart)
f = fixed (one file)

Use the update button on the Dreambox options panel to make the modification. "

in the export options just tick export to cfe file and the dreambox option change the r above to f, so it would be:

EPGcenter x l f -3600 epgcenter 7 EPG .XMLTV -

watty

I use the Digiguide. It actually is available as XML. It is about 17 Euro a year.

Ronan|Raven

Alas didiguide only covers the dross on 28east.

watty

Check the user Add oN channels. I have most of the German, some french and others.

kaisersose77

its just the ease of setting up recordings which makes this epgcenter program great ( just a matter of right clicking the tv show and selecting schedule recording - theres also the option of streaming the channel to your pc ). But no advantage to anyone without a dreambox, i think it mentions topfield receivers and relook receivers on the makers site aswell though.

quazzy

Hi All,

Just was wondering where you can buy the Dreambox from. I've been reading about possible fakes out there.

Can you suggest reputible sites etc... Many thanks.

I'm looking for the 500 model, hope you can help?

Regards,

Q

cormacl

Can you suggest reputible sites etc... Many thanks.

I got my 2 from hm-sat.de .. no problems with them. When ordering, you can specify the credit card billing and delivery addresses.. but when shipping out of Germany, they will however post to the billing address only.

darkmaster2

I have bought from http://www.satfreund.de/ a number of times, cheap prices and shipping.

quazzy

Thanks a million guys.

I'll check them out.

Regards,

Q

Zascar

I've just found out about these and have been advised to buy a Dreambox 500c [url][/url]

Does anyone have any advice on this unit?
Thanks

watty

Check out Kathrein, Tripledragon, Reelbox lite, Kaon, Topfield, Humax and Pace PVRs and HD receivers too, The 500 is older technology

Correct me if I'm wrong folks?
500c = cable = no use in Ireland
500s = Satellite, lots of use.

The Cable version can be used in Germany, but will result in disconnection in UK or ireland as it contravenes your contract with the cable company. If you DON'T have a cable sub then you are liable for very large fines for theft of service.

byte

NO discussion about how to receive Pay TV illegally here. Please read the forum rules.

(2 previous posts deleted)

watty

READ THE RULES!

Bear in mind too that UPC/NTL can legally demand info from Boards.ie, and then use that to demand info from your ISP.

Because it is a CRIMINAL offence and regarded not as copyright infringement but THEFT of a service by ALL EU member states.

Perhaps we should automatically Ban people that flagrantly break the Forum rules?

logic

got myself a 500 recently and had it running my sky card but i didn't get any listing on the epg. I presume thats normal, from comments above? Ended up going back to the big sky block. Will play with it again when I get another dish (only have a mini dish atm).

Bogger77

Dreambox EPG question

Do I need to have the dreambox hooked up to the internet to download an epg, or can it do if off the air? i don't have a phone line in my house, and I'd hate to setup a 3g connection just to record programs.

watty

You need broadband, though dialup via PC proxy is possible. Off air only has now & next.

Bogger77

watty wrote:

You need broadband, though dialup via PC proxy is possible. Off air only has now & next.

Darn :-(

Kurn

stupid question..what is a dreambox? I mean how do you get tv channels on it, through the internet/ sat?

Tony

johnmryan wrote:

stupid question..what is a dreambox? I mean how do you get tv channels on it, through the internet/ sat?

http://www.google.ie/search?num=20&hl=en&q=dreambox+satellite&btnG=Search&meta=

[fixed spelling]

MisterAnarchy

I see the Technomate 9100 is now retailing for £109 plus delivery off Alsat
Looks like a serious piece of hardware and much cheaper than its Dreambox competitor the 7020.
I'm tempted to get one.

Kurn

yea, but i dont understand where the channels are coming from in the first place? never mind

jhegarty

johnmryan wrote:

yea, but i dont understand where the channels are coming from in the first place? never mind

Over a satellite dish, like the sky mini-dish or bigger....

zing

MisterAnarchy wrote:

I see the Technomate 9100 is now retailing for £109 plus delivery off Alsat
Looks like a serious piece of hardware and much cheaper than its Dreambox competitor the 7020.
I'm tempted to get one.

Know how you feel - been very tempted to go for one all week but so far I've managed to resist. Great price.

rymus

I just hate it when I'm going to ask a question that's so forehead slappingly basic to everyone here but anyway...

Since seeing this thread a while ago, I've read a bit on reelbox.. Am I correct in saying that this is a viable alternative to using the sky+ digibox or is it designed to take the output from a digibox? Still somewhat confused.

localchap

mine is 7000s for 3yrs now, had 160 HDD in it, but after electricity cuttoff its gone and got the box down, had to dismount it. Dont know how to check the hdd if its still alive, any ideas???

byte

rymus wrote:

I just hate it when I'm going to ask a question that's so forehead slappingly basic to everyone here but anyway...

Since seeing this thread a while ago, I've read a bit on reelbox.. Am I correct in saying that this is a viable alternative to using the sky+ digibox or is it designed to take the output from a digibox? Still somewhat confused.

A Reelbox isn't really a direct replacement for a Sky+, unless for recording stuff other than what's on Sky digital (FTA, Foreign, etc).

If you have Sky and want a PVR, a Sky+ box will be hard to beat now, considering that the extra €15 fee for Sky+ features is being dropped from 1 July. Also has 7 day listings, which wouldn't be available on non-Sky hardware.

If you're interested in further information on Reelbox, Watty would be able to fill you in better, as he has used one in the past.