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