Anyone have a Qbox

MisterAnarchy

Seems like a nice piece of kit and pretty reasonable too,€259
Doesnt seem to be too much support though.
http://www.hm-sat-shop.de/festplatten-receiver-qbox/qbox-full-one-diablo-23-inside-pvr-80-250-gb.html
Linux receiver with a twin tuner,Sat and DVB-T.
Built in
Diablo Cam
Wlan
2 x smartcard reader (DuoCrypt)
Personal Video Recording (PVR) via External USB Device

I'm tempted.

byte

Oh, that's not a bad price. I notice it'll take an internal HDD also.

Since it's from Duolabs, I'd have thought it would have good support. Maybe it's because it's relatively new and not many have it yet.

MisterAnarchy

Yeah,it looks good,it ticks all the boxes really.
The Diablo Cam alone is worth 100 euro.
The Dreambox 600 is around the same price but the Qbox blows it out of the water spec wise.
Actually its better specced than the 7025 which costs nearly twice the price.

byte

Better specced, only assuming it does what they say it will do.

A lot of boxes seem to be released now with data on what they can do potentially but not in real life. My Octagon box is no exception it seems.

Alsat have a deal of Diablo 2.3 and programmer for £99stg which isn't bad. Handy for use as a multicam.

TVDX

I wouldn't buy anything of Duoscams ever again.
They are a money grabbing company who's "support" will cost you an arm and a leg.

Fat_Fingers

I think you need to be careful and see that "support" before you commit yourself. I purchased Darkbox HD while back and features "coming next week" never happened, Software update very slow and actually messes up already working features. Darkbox SD was excellent but HD one support is very poor so far. On the paper specs look fantastic but it never got developed. (so far)
And to be honest what was fantastic specs year ago now is just a norm but the fact that those specs are not yet utilized is money wasted in my opinion..
Hell , Echolink 777 is more stable and performs better then Darkbox HD.
So i would be of opinion to check that "features" are actually there and working and not "coming next week" or "soon"

byte

Good point, Fat Fingers.

Dr.Mark

i was looking for a STB with HDMI and pvr capabilities.

I am very happy with my TM6900 as a primary STB but have a spare 28deg feed coming from my satellite that would be handy for watching one channel while I record another.

Any decent deals?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=224743&source=1&DOY=11m8
is this mickey mouse?

Fat_Fingers

Fortec Innovation HD receiver

*very fussy with USB sticks
*recording works fine apart form the 4Gb FAT32 limit, which means a one hour HD programme is replayed in four fifteen segments, the sound is out of sync from time to time but pausing the playback usually corrects this

Apart from the above very decent receiver. Not as good as TM6900. This is only my opinion.

Dr.Mark

Fat_Fingers wrote: »

Fortec Innovation HD receiver

*very fussy with USB sticks
*recording works fine apart form the 4Gb FAT32 limit, which means a one hour HD programme is replayed in four fifteen segments, the sound is out of sync from time to time but pausing the playback usually corrects this

Apart from the above very decent receiver. Not as good as TM6900. This is only my opinion.

Thanks FF.
My other option is the Darkbox HD but I am now wary, given your comments above.
Alsat now have an updated HD box (Super). Do you know anything about this? Is it a "corrected" version of the box you bought?


TIA;)!

Fat_Fingers

I have Darkbox HD, "updated" version is Super Darkbox HD. Difference is "super" one has VFD Display, my one has LED front panel display.
Software is the same.
Good things about darkbox is picture quality is excellent.
Problems or annoying things in my opinion are:
*cheap case, most people had front plastic cover for the CAM fall off.
*Cheap look and feel remote but works well
*Slow updates and usually when they are released they break up already working features.
*constant inconstancy with updates, i.e. new update - off you go scan sats and create again favorites, move and rename channels. Previous channel list not compatible
*No PC channel editor
*No PVR function yet
* No support for mp3/jpeg
*very slow scanning
* some people reported darkbox overheating and rebooting (not mine but i use it only few hours per day)
* there are reports that switching doesn't work in latest update. i woudn't know, i gave up chasing latest software since its always full of problems.

other thing i see as issue is that only one man is developing software for it so you can see implications here if he stops supporting it.

Fat_Fingers

btw, i think you need to make a list of the features you are looking for and then look for the receiver that has them now, not in the future or "soon".

Avoid my mistake

never buy a receiver based on promised upgrades, bullsh*t rumours, and reviews from people with vested interest in the product.

Only buy a product if it does what you want at point of sale.

byte

I'd expect there are more than one person working on software for the Darkbox. While there might be little difference between the Darkbox and Super Darkbox, I believe that the software made for one won't work in the other.

Dr.Mark

Fat_Fingers wrote: »

I have Darkbox HD, "updated" version is Super Darkbox HD. Difference is "super" one has VFD Display, my one has LED front panel display.
Software is the same.
Good things about darkbox is picture quality is excellent.
Problems or annoying things in my opinion are:
*cheap case, most people had front plastic cover for the CAM fall off.
*Cheap look and feel remote but works well
*Slow updates and usually when they are released they break up already working features.
*constant inconstancy with updates, i.e. new update - off you go scan sats and create again favorites, move and rename channels. Previous channel list not compatible
*No PC channel editor
*No PVR function yet
* No support for mp3/jpeg
*very slow scanning
* some people reported darkbox overheating and rebooting (not mine but i use it only few hours per day)
* there are reports that switching doesn't work in latest update. i woudn't know, i gave up chasing latest software since its always full of problems.

other thing i see as issue is that only one man is developing software for it so you can see implications here if he stops supporting it.

FF, you could get a job at this

As I said earlier, HDMI (eg. MPEG-4 + HD) and PVR are all I require as it is simply a backup to my TM6900. I am really surprised that the Darkbox does not have PVR support. In my mind, this kills the STB.

I will drop into Maplins tomorrow and see what they have. I am also considering the Ferguson 8800HD.


thanks again!

byte

I suggest sticking with Technomate. Maybe go for the sat-only TM6800. With both boxes the same, it'd be handy when rescans are done etc, as you can copy channel database from one box, then flash it onto the other box saving doing the whole tuning proceduer twice. Plus you're familiar with how TM menus work.

Fat_Fingers

byte wrote: »

I'd expect there are more than one person working on software for the Darkbox. While there might be little difference between the Darkbox and Super Darkbox, I believe that the software made for one won't work in the other.

Correct in a way, if you load VFD or LED software to wrong receiver your LED or VFD front panel display wont work, everything else works fine

Fat_Fingers

i think byte is correct about sticking with TM.

Dr.Mark

.... yeah, there is a lot to be said for it. If I ever have a problem with the 6900, I can immediately swap over, losing only the DTT channels.

Might be an opportunity to try some new Hdisk options as the TM6900 has a lot of problems there :cool:

Dr.Mark

.... actually, maybe it's a bad idea. As the boxed will sit side by side, the remotes will probably work on both and cause havoc?

Fat_Fingers

lol, very funny .. i didnt think of that! Very good point.

MisterAnarchy

Fat_Fingers wrote: »

other thing i see as issue is that only one man is developing software for it so you can see implications here if he stops supporting it.

Its widely known at this stage that Darkman does not develop the software.
He gets it from Technomate developers themselves.
He is only a front to distance Technomate from the added xtras in the software.

Dr.Mark

Fat_Fingers wrote: »

lol, very funny .. i didnt think of that! Very good point.

... and everything I read agrees with you that I should go for another TM.

To get over the remote control problem, I am considering the Clarke
http://www.sateuropa.co.uk/product_overview.asp?id=1734&catid=1&subcat=56

Do you know anything about it?

byte

Dr.Mark wrote: »

... and everything I read agrees with you that I should go for another TM.

To get over the remote control problem, I am considering the Clarke
http://www.sateuropa.co.uk/product_overview.asp?id=1734&catid=1&subcat=56

Do you know anything about it?

Since a Clarketech is essentially the same as a Technomate, you still might have remmote control issues. It'd be worth ensuring one won't interfere with the other before purchasing.

Dr.Mark

byte wrote: »

Since a Clarketech is essentially the same as a Technomate, you still might have remmote control issues. It'd be worth ensuring one won't interfere with the other before purchasing.

Thanks for that, will do some more digging !

Dr.Mark

byte wrote: »

Since a Clarketech is essentially the same as a Technomate, you still might have remmote control issues. It'd be worth ensuring one won't interfere with the other before purchasing.

I've finally got a response and you're right

Same machine, one remote will change both STBs at the same time

Back to the drawing board, that Fortec is suddenly becoming an option

HDTVIRL

Intro

I have a Sony TV which can receives DTT from ThreeRock (54), I also have Passion HD with a motorised dish and I am receiving all the FTA SD and HD transmissions from the UK. I also have a Diablo CAM along with Duolabs Wireless Season which in reality were a complete waste of money. Duolabs support is not great in terms of ever sending a mail back and both of these items are now confined to the Junk box in my shed.

I have been following the S/W progress for the QBox HD on another site for some time now . Even though their support sucks I am still interested in buying one with the wireless option, but what I would like to find out is, has any body in Ireland ever bought one and if so how are you getting on with it. I know that there are other boxes out there that are similar in spec, but this looks good on paper and the support seems to be better of late for this product from the add-ons/Upgrades and it is now a proper commercial box.

I look forward to somebodys response.

hdtvirl

Apogee

HDTVIRL wrote: »

I have been following the S/W progress for the QBox HD on another site for some time now . Even though their support sucks I am still interested in buying one with the wireless option, but what I would like to find out is, has any body in Ireland ever bought one and if so how are you getting on with it. I know that there are other boxes out there that are similar in spec, but this looks good on paper and the support seems to be better of late for this product from the add-ons/Upgrades and it is now a proper commercial box.

Nobody here has reported buying one so far. They look ideal from an Irish perspective, with 3x tuner slots and quite a bit cheaper than the DM8000. I don't know if they are selling DVB-S2 tuners individually yet?

I've emailed Duolabs about including the Freesat EPG patch similar to the one on Enigma 2 on Dreamboxes. They've promised to put it on the to-do list, however receiver manufacturers and retailers will promise you the moon and the stars but not necessarily do anything concrete.

[edit] Looks like Cross EPG has been released for QBoxHD:
http://www.crossepg.com/

TVDX

I wouldn't trust Duolabs with a five euro note.
They constantly are coming up with new scams to con people out of their money. Do not buy Qbox, they will never deliver on their promises.

HDTVIRL

I am ordering QBOX HD tomorrow should have it by Friday will let you know how I get on there are already a couple of users in Ireland, I have seen them on other boards.

Fully appreciate your comments and I am going in with my eyes open, I know Duolabs are not great on support but they have opened up the source and there are now a few plug-ins and CCCAM support (Client only) as the song goes 'Things can onlt get better'. They do however had HD support issues and I do think if you sell a HD/SD Receiver is should at least do this as a minimum. Time will tell and it maybe on ebay in the not so distant future.

I am sure there will be a steep learning curve as I have no experience with Linux base STB's but other's have bought these potential 'Door Stops' and they are working hard to make it a success and not look foolish in a years time.

I will keep you informed.

Regards

hdtvirl

Apogee

Do report back on how you get on, particularly how well it copes with the Irish DTT channels and the EPG implementation.

Are standalone tuners available yet for the 3rd slot?

HDTVIRL

Apogee, I see you actually got a reply from Duolabs from an email you sent, that is a first I don't believe anybody even looks at the mail in that place.

who replied to you ?


hdtvirl

Apogee

R Alessi

HDTVIRL

Ricardo, I beleieve he says more than his Prayers if you know what I mean.

Regardsing the third slot I believe the connector is common in a few receivers.

I hear they are going to have a DVB-T2 decoder soon but it will be an add on.

You might know if RTENL ever have any plans to support T2 I have read their receiver documents and I can see no mention of T2. The UK standard is going to be T2 !!! they will be transmitting from London supporting T2 . So does that mean we in fact will be lagging behind even before the 'DSO'

regards


hdtvirl

HDTVIRL

I take it all back about Duolabs, I sent them an email yesterday about their HD issues and this morning I got a reply not just from anybody but one of the guys doing the Software development and he informed me they will have a new release this week or next week with the fix.

Not only that I thanks him for his reply and he then went on to give me his own email address and said if I had any issue here in Ireland they would be glad to hear from me, I am going to pass on the Irish DTT details to them and have them included in the setup.

Anyway we will see how it goes, I have ordered the box but the wireless module are still not avaialable so I will use a Lynksys Wireless Bridge while I wait for it. I should have it Friday or Monday depending on the Courier.

I will keep you informed.

hdtvirl

HDTVIRL

Got the QBOX-HD on Monday when I turn on the Tuner the TFT panel and the sense Wheel on the front were not working but I was still able to access the menu trough the Remote and the TV. I tried to do a scan with just Astra 2 28.2 and one TP 10729 , I plugged the Tuner into my exisitng dish pointing at Astra 2 but was unable to receive anything I tried everything even changed the LNB on the dish but to no avail.

To their Credit both Duolabs and Hisat Ltd gave me great support.
I sent some emails last night but with GMAIL down Hisat only got my mail at Lunch Hour, but Duolabs responded this morning. Duolabs asked me to open the unit and re-seat the tuners and also check a daughter board to check a particular component, I did all of this plugged it back in to the Laptop and the dish, turned on everything and Hey Presto both the TFT Panel and the SenseWheel came to life, tuned in all the TP's I wanted on Astra 2 no problem fast scanning. I did not attempts to setup the DTT tuner yet. I have alot to learn just about the receiver and its capabilities.

I am please with my purchase, the Picture on BBC-HD and the SD stuff looks spectacular on the Sony.

If anybody out there is interested I can continue to write up on this STB and post some images, let me know. I would also be interested in hearing from anybody else who might have one. I have sent Duolabs the Technical Stuff for the Irish DTT transmitters and they are going to include the setups for these transmitter in their setup Menu in a future releases.

Regards
hdtvirl

Apogee

I have plenty of questions!!

1. Will it display the Irish DTT channels?
2. Is the EPG for the DTT channels OK?
3. Can you watch one of the Irish DTT channels while recording another? They are on the same mux.
4. Can you watch a satellite channel while recording a DTT channel?
5. Can you record one satellite channel while watching another sat channel on the same transponder?
6. Can you simultaneously record 2 DTT channels on the same mux or record 2 satellite channels on the same transponder?
7. How well does the CrossEPG plugin work in terms of pulling EPG info from Sky's OpenTV streams?
8. Will the CrossEPG plugin work in conjunction with the DVB-SI EPG on DTT, so that the Irish DTT channels and the UK satellite channels all appear on the one EPG grid?
9. Can it display 4:2:2 transmissions?
10. Do the tuners support blindsearch?
11. What does it cost?
12. How stable is it?

That's probably enough for now

HDTVIRL

You sure do !!!.

I can answer a few questions for you just now.

The Box cost €540.00 inc UK V.A.T @ 15% delivered Ireland.

From playing with it last night it seems stable enough when watching TV, I watched BBC-HD C4,E4. THe remote takes a little getting use to and I spent most of the time orgainising the Stations into a list we are used to. It records onto an external Sata HD I am investigating putting in a 2.5" Sata Internally and seeing if it will supply the correct power requirments to run it internally. In saying this I have not been able to record anything yet.

I have not trried to receive the DTT channels form RTENL I have a direct line of sight to Three Rock, My sony picks up these with no problem and I am sure this will be the same.

I have very little expericence with Linux Receivers so I am on a bit of a learning curve, we are not on cable so our receivers have always been commercial boxes from Lidl to Maplins so I have had no opportunity to play around with the internals. With regards to some of the more Technical questions regarding 4:2:2 reception and am not to sure what this really means in terms of receiving. What is broadcast in 4:2:2 at present.
I think it does support Blind Search as I let it start one the other night and it took some amount of time to finish but discovered no services as I still had the tuner problem as described.

As I have only just got the box up and going, I have not connected into the Linux side of things yet and this is on the cards for tonight setting up the IP and other Network setting was easy and when it did its own testing everything worked I have enables the WEb Interface PLug in, I have a day time job at present and I was whacked after the day I put in yesterday so bed beckoned and the STB was switched off for now.

I will let you know further info as I discover it.


hdtvirl

Apogee

@HDTVIRL - any progess with DVB-T channels?

HDTVIRL

Hello Apogee, I managed to find a xml file with the Irish DTT frequencies, I installed it yesterday and did some scanning last night, it found the 9 serveice 4 TV 4 Radio and the RTENL Test card in Name only, I was unable to watch anything as it did not save the MUX info anywhere on the box, I have sent the log file to Duolabs and they are looking into it. Also have a prolem with ITV-HD and locking it into the XML file also. I have manipulated it by hand putting in the ID's but it still does not work they are looking into this also.

I have the crossEPG running on the box but at present I am only getting the EPG for 19.2E and Hotbird as I said there is a bit of a learing curve for me here. Any issues I have had, have mostly been down to me and my lack of understanding but I am learning. I have to say I am impressed with the Picture on bot SD and HD, we had family over for lunch on Sunday and my brother in Law and myself watched the F1 GP on BBC1 and he was really impressed with the quality of the picture. This box is a work in progress from Duolabs and I have not even ventured down CCCAM road as yet or anything like that.

I want to get the DTT up and running as I want to use the PVR to record. I have been recording onto an external eSata drive in SD and the picture is excellent had mixed result with the HD but duolabs are working on this. They hope to have the internal Diablo working with the next FW release. You can get all the manuals and tutorials on qboxhd.com in the download section and also at the Enigma 2 Source if you are inclined that way. The Italian and the Germans are the most active in this area and as soon a Duolabs release a new FW they have some enhancement to the Plug-ins.

I see from this site there are a number of AZBOX Premium users I think this is based on the same processor as the QBOXHD and I am sure there are alot of things going on for this box that might work on the QBOXHD also.

I am going to give it a rest tonight as I have spent the day sorting out somebody elses coding mess and I am FED UP with computers.

I will keep you posted on my journey.

hdtvirl.

Apogee

HDTVIRL wrote: »

Hello Apogee, I managed to find a xml file with the Irish DTT frequencies, I installed it yesterday and did some scanning last night, it found the 9 serveice 4 TV 4 Radio and the RTENL Test card in Name only, I was unable to watch anything as it did not save the MUX info anywhere on the box, I have sent the log file to Duolabs and they are looking into it. Also have a prolem with ITV-HD and locking it into the XML file also. I have manipulated it by hand putting in the ID's but it still does not work they are looking into this also.

I'd hazard a guess that the problem here is similar to the problem that was in the DM8000 until it was fixed. The receiver sees the "advanced codec flag" on the TV channels, and not knowing what to do with them, treats them as data channels. As the QboxHD is Enigma 2 based like the DM, you possibly could use Dreamboxedit to edit the channels manually?


Stored initially as data files:


Manually set the Service Type to 1, save the channel list, ftp it to the QboxHD and reboot.


Original thread here.

I see from this site there are a number of AZBOX Premium users I think this is based on the same processor as the QBOXHD and I am sure there are alot of things going on for this box that might work on the QBOXHD also.

I think they use different chipsets? QBoxHD = Chipset STi7101 and Azbox = Sigma SMP 8634

HDTVIRL

Apogee, thanks for your advise, I tried it late last night and I now have the eight TV and Radio Services. You were right it was asving them as something other than TV services. The radio services were OK but I had to change the TV service type. I think the ITV-HD reception can be resolved also.

I am sure there will be a new FW Update from Duolabs today, usually one a week. The Dreamedit tool it will make it easier to reinstate the Channels.

I will have a play with the EPG later and get back to you later, once again thanks for your valuable help.


regards

hdtvirl.

Apogee

HDTVIRL wrote: »

I think the ITV-HD reception can be resolved also.

ITVHD can be got using a similar procedure.

Then manually scanned transponder 11426 H 27500 2/3. I then used DreamBox Edit to download and edit the settings. Go into 28E and edit service 10510, the settings at the top are manadory and greyed out, these are the fields I edited:-

Service Name: ITV HD
Package: BSkyB
Service Type: 1
Number: 6891
PID Video: 3401
PID PCR: 3401
Delays PCM: 3402
Extra Parameters: c:050001,f:5

Saved and downloaded the file to the box and it worked!

http://www.satellites.co.uk/satellite/809391-post13.html

HDTVIRL

Apogee, once again thanks for the input, I previously had a PassionHD (This is a great box for Plug N Go). I had previously setup the PassionHD using these settings. I am sure I will get it working today. I was more intereset in getting the DTT working.

I will keep you advised, the updates for the box are coming mainly from Italy and Germany no updates this week !!!.

Apogee

Any update on this? Have they sorted out the PVR yet or got proper dual tuner support?

Apogee

I've had a play with one of these, so can answer my own questions:

1. Will it display the Irish DTT channels?
Yes.

2. Is the EPG for the DTT channels OK?
Yes, full 7-day EPG.



3. Can you watch one of the Irish DTT channels while recording another?
No, this looks like a bug as the box appears to continue recording when you change channels, but when you play back the file, it stops half ways through.

4. Can you watch a satellite channel while recording a DTT channel?
No, dual tuner is not working.

5. Can you record one satellite channel while watching another sat channel on the same transponder?
6. Can you simultaneously record 2 DTT channels on the same mux or record 2 satellite channels on the same transponder?
No to these as per 3 and 4.

7. How well does the CrossEPG plugin work in terms of pulling EPG info from Sky's OpenTV streams?
This seems to work very well. Sky EPG covers a broader range of TV channels than the Freesat EPG e.g. Channel 4HD, but doesn't have radio listings.

8. Will the CrossEPG plugin work in conjunction with the DVB-SI EPG on DTT, so that the Irish DTT channels and the UK satellite channels all appear on the one EPG grid?
Yes.

The DTT and Sat channels can be put into the same favourites bouquet, to give a full EPG grid:





9. Can it display 4:2:2 transmissions?
Not tested.

10. Do the tuners support blindsearch?
No, although a future tuner is "promised".

11. What does it cost?
€400.

12. How stable is it?
Quite stable as a HD receiver. Image quality is very good IMO. Recording of a TV channel to external HDD seems fine, both for SD and HD channels (e.g. BBCHD and ITVHD). Can also playback DIVX files.



Nice feature is that the front LCD on the box can display the channel logo.


A decent piece of hardware, although the the dual tuner support really needs to be sorted out before it could be regarded as a full PVR.

slicedpanman

4. Can you watch a satellite channel while recording a DTT channel?
No, dual tuner is not working.

Hi HDTVIRL & Apogee, I've seen it reported elsewhere that the dual tuner is now working in the latest firmware for the QBoxHD - can either of you confirm/deny this please?

STB

Seen this ?

QBox HD Mini 199 EURO

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055872518

Apogee

slicedpanman wrote: »

Hi HDTVIRL & Apogee, I've seen it reported elsewhere that the dual tuner is now working in the latest firmware for the QBoxHD - can either of you confirm/deny this please?

Dual tuner is still not working. You cannot record a sat channel while watching a terrestrial channel.

One small improvement has been made, in that you can record a terrestrial (or satellite) channel on one mux while watching a different channel on the same mux. However, you still can't record 2 channels on the same mux.

slicedpanman

Apogee wrote: »

Dual tuner is still not working. You cannot record a sat channel while watching a terrestrial channel.

One small improvement has been made, in that you can record a terrestrial (or satellite) channel on one mux while watching a different channel on the same mux. However, you still can't record 2 channels on the same mux.

STB wrote: »

Seen this ?

QBox HD Mini 199 EURO

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055872518

Thanks guys... I'll keep an eye on the progress of the HD mini

Apogee

The firmware for the QBoxHD has been rewritten after considerable delay. The most important change has been the upgrade to dual recording, as well as the usual silly sh*te like youtube plugins etc.

1. Will it display the Irish DTT channels?
Yes, including the HD transmission. Recording and playback of HD is fine too.

2. Is the EPG for the DTT channels OK?
Yes, EPG grid improved.

3. Can you watch one of the Irish DTT channels while recording another? They are on the same mux.
Yes. Now fixed.

4. Can you watch a satellite channel while recording a DTT channel?
Yes. And you can record HD on both with no performance issues e.g. BBCHD on sat and RTENL HD.

5. Can you record one satellite channel while watching another sat channel on the same transponder?
Yes. Fixed.

6. Can you simultaneously record 2 DTT channels on the same mux or record 2 satellite channels on the same transponder?
Strangely no. It's hard to see why this hasn't been fixed. Sloppy firmware.

I'd still be slow to recommend this receiver at the price. It is not the finished product.