Dreambox or Vu+ or Amiko or something else and where to buy?

Squeaky the Squirrel

Whats the best to look at getting that has multiple Tuners, builtin HDD and internet access?


Edit: Can XBMC go on all these?

Edit2:I'm not really sure what I want to do with it, lol.

fguinan

I can vouch for vu+, and satboxes.ie.

listermint

Id also recommend the Vu + Duo.

Love mine - alot.

MrFrisp

fguinan wrote: »

I can vouch for vu+, and satboxes.ie.

Would that be satboxes.com?

www.satboxes.com
.

PogMoThoin

I recommend the Alien 2 as it has triple tuner so does Saorview, all the info you need is in this thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056707402
With Enigma updates every few days it's come a long way from the buggy box it was a few months ago and can only get better.

dicey2

i wouldnt recommend the amiko 2 for running enigma. it does not have the proper processor and therefore runs a hacked version.

when you say mulitiple tuner are you after a combo box or dual satellite receviever?

do you want an enigma source box or closed source box?

PogMoThoin

dicey2 wrote: »

i wouldnt recommend the amiko 2 for running enigma. it does not have the proper processor and therefore runs a hacked version.

when you say mulitiple tuner are you after a combo box or dual satellite receviever?

do you want an enigma source box or closed source box?

Have you any personal experience with the box? Because there are plenty of us in this thread say it's running fine now. It was buggy some months ago, but it's rock solid now after lots of updates.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056707402

fguinan

MrFrisp wrote: »

Would that be satboxes.com?

www.satboxes.com
.

Yes. I have bought 3 boxes off him. He is usually very well priced.

dicey2

PogMoThoin wrote: »

Have you any personal experience with the box? Because there are plenty of us in this thread say it's running fine now. It was buggy some months ago, but it's rock solid now after lots of updates.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056707402

I have boss - heres my old for sale ads for boxes I used to own. As you can see I have had quite a braod range of boxes!

Spark was ok but lacked a lot of features imo and was slow and clunky. As you know this receiver is not broadcom based and as a result it cant run a native E2 image unless it is rebuilt from the ground up and compiled for this processor with specific driver support etc as it has an older STi7162 chip rather than a MIPS Broadcom processor

If the op wants an enigma 2 based combo box then the gigablue 800 is worth a punt (had one before as well)

Im currently runing a Technomate TM Single btw:)

MrFrisp

fguinan wrote: »

Yes. I have bought 3 boxes off him. He is usually very well priced.

Same here. Have bought stuff from him before..No problems,,and fast delivery too..
.

STB

dicey2 wrote: »

I have boss - heres my old for sale ads for boxes I used to own. As you can see I have had quite a braod range of boxes!

Spark was ok but lacked a lot of features imo and was slow and clunky. As you know this receiver is not broadcom based and as a result it cant run a native E2 image unless it is rebuilt from the ground up and compiled for this processor with specific driver support etc as it has an older STi7162 chip rather than a MIPS Broadcom processor

If the op wants an enigma 2 based combo box then the gigablue 800 is worth a punt (had one before as well)

Im currently runing a Technomate TM Single btw:)

Broadcom chips i.e. one of the many MIPS types processors does not equal e2.

E2 is ported to run on a variety of platforms and has done for some time! This is not 2003. SuperH CPUs ie SH4 is very high end.

No box no matter how high end the architecture is, is ever worth anything unless it is supported!

Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something.

GoodisonPark

If your getting a Vu+Duo make sure you get the new v3.2 build.

givecredit

Amiko Alien 2/GM Triplex t2 is the way to go. 2 satellite tuners and 1 dtt tuner all for €165. Install HDMU image and you will not regret it. ( I am an owner of Vu+Duo, Dreambox 800se and GM Triplex. Is Triplex is best value for money.

Dub12Dave

There are people selling the Amiko Alien triple tuners on adverts.ie might save yourself a few extra euro especially if you collect from them.




And no I am not selling them.

listermint

Dub12Dave wrote: »

There are people selling the Amiko Alien triple tuners on adverts.ie might save yourself a few extra euro especially if you collect from them.




And no I am not selling them.

Might be selling them for a reason :P

PogMoThoin

STB wrote: »

No box no matter how high end the architecture is, is ever worth anything unless it is supported!

That's what I've been saying, HDMU Enigma2 is getting a 6-8 updates a month, support and development is there and gaining momentum. It's gone from being a buggy POS to an amazing setup in 2-3 months. I was considering selling again at one point, not now.

listermint wrote: »

Might be selling them for a reason :P

....says the person who complained in the thread about a major show stopping bug with the box, that turned out to be a card sharing network problem, nothing at all wrong with the box.

My point is, the box has a bad name for the bugs it used to have, but it has developed into a very decent affordable option if you're willing to put the time in and follow the setup guides. Lots of the difficulties people have, have been dealt with in the thread, flashing and configuring E2, updating satellites.xml, mounting hard drives, working plugins, updates for plugins etc.

dicey2

STB wrote: »

Broadcom chips i.e. one of the many MIPS types processors does not equal e2.

E2 is ported to run on a variety of platforms and has done for some time! This is not 2003. SuperH CPUs ie SH4 is very high end.

No box no matter how high end the architecture is, is ever worth anything unless it is supported!

Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something.

E2 was introduced with the Dreambox 7025 which already had a mips. E2 on SH4, STi, PPC chips were created by private persons/groups. The problems are mostly the drivers which are not officially created for E2 and the boxes often have limited rom/ram

listermint

PogMoThoin wrote: »

That's what I've been saying, HDMU Enigma2 is getting a 6-8 updates a month, support and development is there and gaining momentum. It's gone from being a buggy POS to an amazing setup in 2-3 months. I was considering selling again at one point, not now.



....says the person who complained in the thread about a major show stopping bug with the box, that turned out to be a card sharing network problem, nothing at all wrong with the box.

My point is, the box has a bad name for the bugs it used to have, but it has developed into a very decent affordable option if you're willing to put the time in and follow the setup guides. Lots of the difficulties people have, have been dealt with in the thread, flashing and configuring E2, updating satellites.xml, mounting hard drives, working plugins, updates for plugins etc.

As you know, as i pointed out in my posts. I had to return 1 box within a week because it wouldnt flash into Enigma. this was exchanged.

Secondly a buddy of mine had to bring his back because the IR receiver on the box would no longer speak to the remote. Again this was within 3 weeks of purchase.

Finally as i stated already the issue was with the router and nothing to do with the card share.

Ive posted my opinion on them based on the experience ive had to date with them.

They are a decent box for the price point. But they dont compare to the Vu duo.

What i mean by that is that i dont have to continually go back and make minor modifications to the box everynow and then to get it to run stable like you would expect of sky box for example.

Autobouquets being a most recent one. The box is good it does need ongoing support and its getting to something that you can leave alone and it will operate. But for obvious reasons (time on market) its not quite there yet.

I think thats a fair assessment of it. And not derogatory in any sense.

PogMoThoin

All of the above issues could have happened a VU Duo or any sat box for that matter. I have a non tech minded brother using one for weeks without any issues, no tinkering other than clicking software update every week.

listermint

PogMoThoin wrote: »

All of the above issues could have happened a VU Duo or any sat box for that matter. I have a non tech minded brother using one for weeks without any issues, no tinkering other than clicking software update every week.

Thoroughly agree, just giving my experience with the hardware to date. Thats all. Eyes wide open and that.

eamonnq

Dub12Dave wrote: »

There are people selling the Amiko Alien triple tuners on adverts.ie might save yourself a few extra euro especially if you collect from them.




And no I am not selling them.

Would you recommend that box ??

snaps

Ive always been a Dreambox man, reliable and support is there. But I am considering an Amiko Ailen soon.

STB

dicey2 wrote: »

E2 was introduced with the Dreambox 7025 which already had a mips. E2 on SH4, STi, PPC chips were created by private persons/groups. The problems are mostly the drivers which are not officially created for E2 and the boxes often have limited rom/ram

“Enigma” and “Enigma 2” designated software is licensed under GPLv2, pursuant to which anyone may copy, distribute and use such software.

Regardless of how/who E2 was initially introduced it is open source and has been ported to many boxes, legally. The back end (in C++) and the UI (in python has been all availabe for years).

dicey2

STB wrote: »

“Enigma” and “Enigma 2” designated software is licensed under GPLv2, pursuant to which anyone may copy, distribute and use such software.

Regardless of how/who E2 was initially introduced it is open source and has been ported to many boxes, legally. The back end (in C++) and the UI (in python has been all availabe for years).

But my understanding is that drivers for non-broadcom CPU's do nut fully support E2, hence why E2 does not run as it should on receiver running other CPU's. They run a hacked E2

PS - not starting a row - its just friendly exchange of info:)

STB

dicey2 wrote: »

But my understanding is that drivers for non-broadcom CPU's do nut fully support E2, hence why E2 does not run as it should on receiver running other CPU's. They run a hacked E2

PS - not starting a row - its just friendly exchange of info:)

The more users the more hacking. VU's (MIPS) dont run "DMs E2". That is also modified. Infact a recent decision in relation to the use of E2 did not work out in DM's favour.

Interesting discussion.

Dub12Dave

eamonnq wrote: »

Would you recommend that box ??

Yes eamonng I would highly recommend the Amiko Alien 2, I have a vu duo aswell and in my opinion the AA2 is the better box and the fact that you can tune in the Saorview channels is a bonus, the PQ is excellent and as mentioned before support is growing all the time, so yes highly recommended by me.

listermint

Dub12Dave wrote: »

Yes eamonng I would highly recommend the Amiko Alien 2, I have a vu duo aswell and in my opinion the AA2 is the better box and the fact that you can tune in the Saorview channels is a bonus, the PQ is excellent and as mentioned before support is growing all the time, so yes highly recommended by me.

Hi Dave,

Can you tell me why you think the Amiko is a better box over your Vu Duo ? DVBT tuner aside?

I do agree the PQ is superb on it though that is a plus. But i just cant compare the speed of channel selection to blackhole. It feels less fluid to me?

Dub12Dave

listermint wrote: »

Hi Dave,

Can you tell me why you think the Amiko is a better box over your Vu Duo ? DVBT tuner aside?

I do agree the PQ is superb on it though that is a plus. But i just cant compare the speed of channel selection to blackhole. It feels less fluid to me?

Well for starters I am not a VU fan I think their receivers are way, way over priced for what they do, I have only ever been a fan of Blackhole images but that is because I also think Vix images are brutal :eek: and Blackhole is the best of a bad bunch, also for a supposedly top of the range box I am/was fed up with green screens even while playing youtube videos.
The Vu duo is a great box please don't get me wrong it is just my personal experience using it and yes I do know how to use it properly it's just not for me, I like to own and play around with these type of boxes and over the years especially this year I have had many receivers and the Duo is not in my top 3, my top 3 that I have used this year is, 1 Amiko Alien 8900 SHD for the money this is one of the best boxes you will ever buy, 2 Optibox EVO M7 HD another dual boot box and a great feel to it this box will also be a big hit and 3 Amiko Alien 2 Triple Tuner if the remote control was more responsive it might have been my number one, I would even rate the Ferguson Ariva 120 conbo box ahead of the duo and this is a very basic box with a classic FTA UI, I am now waiting on delivery of a Technomate Single again ordered as I did not fancy a vu box, I know this is not what you wanted to hear but I was asked.

recyclebin

There is no way in hell the ferguson combo is better than the vu+ duo.

Dub12Dave

recyclebin wrote: »

There is no way in hell the ferguson combo is better than the vu+ duo.

Ok I will give you that but it just shows that boxes are just a matter of opinion, remember 5 or 6 years ago when the Dreambox was the dog goolies of boxes? times and boxes change all the time and I just think that the VU duo is over rated and should soon be knocked off it's perch.

Zardoz

Dub12Dave wrote: »

The Vu duo is a great box please don't get me wrong it is just my personal experience using it and yes I do know how to use it properly it's just not for me, I like to own and play around with these type of boxes and over the years especially this year I have had many receivers and the Duo is not in my top 3, my top 3 that I have used this year is, 1 Amiko Alien 8900 SHD for the money this is one of the best boxes you will ever buy, 2 Optibox EVO M7 HD another dual boot box and a great feel to it this box will also be a big hit and 3 Amiko Alien 2 Triple Tuner if the remote control was more responsive it might have been my number one, I would even rate the Ferguson Ariva 120 conbo box ahead of the duo and this is a very basic box with a classic FTA UI, I am now waiting on delivery of a Technomate Single again ordered as I did not fancy a vu box, I know this is not what you wanted to hear but I was asked.

I'll agree with you the Vu+ Duo is overpriced ,by a good 30% at least.
Your other choices are a bit strange .
The Amiko 8900 has only a few images and the Optibox EVO M7 is not long released.
The Ferguson 120 isnt that good a box and to compare it to a Vu+ is crazy.No 7 day epg,no picons,no streaming,poor gui ,etc .
Its like comparing a Ford Fiesta to a Mercedes.:D

remember 5 or 6 years ago when the Dreambox was the dog goolies of boxes?

At its price point the Dm800 clone is still the best box by a long way .
I bought another one last week for a relation,115 euro ,nothing comes near it at that price .
I have an Amiko 8900 on the way too ,I am curious as to how it compares to a Dm800.

PogMoThoin

I'm sure the Ferguson 120 has Freesat Epg like the 250

Zardoz

PogMoThoin wrote: »

I'm sure the Ferguson 120 has Freesat Epg like the 250

Neither box has a 7 day epg on satellite .

PogMoThoin

Zardoz wrote: »

Neither box has a 7 day epg on satellite .

Was the Walker I was thinking of, they do non approved Freesat boxes with EPG

byte

PogMoThoin wrote: »

Was the Walker I was thinking of, they do non approved Freesat boxes with EPG

Which has its flaws also.

Bu33les

where do people buy their boxes??

sat25.com ok?
eiretv?

Ronan Raver77

Good discussion lads..Looks like I will purchase an Amiko Alien 2 triple tuner just wondering from your experiences where I can grab one for the cheapest price?
cheers

gear259

Hi Guys

Good thread. Though I notice the OP has ditched us. I'm a complete newbie and would like to know with the benefit of a few months since the last post can anyone offer their honest opinion on what is

A. Currently THE best performing box
B. Currently what is THE best VALUE FOR MONEY
C. Who is the best supplier in Ireland/N.Ireland

Please consider: I wish to substitute my SKY HD(UK) and include other popular benefits. Although I am tech savvy, this is something new to me, so I am trusting your technical judgement on performance/reliability/ease of use/third party support/future proof/etc. I currently enjoy the benefits of using XBMC, if there is any box out there that can support this as front-end i'd be happy. I do not need wifi as I can easily hard wire. Lastly, I live in Belfast so that might influence the supplier.

Really appreciate your help!

azzeretti

gear259 wrote: »

Hi Guys

Good thread. Though I notice the OP has ditched us. I'm a complete newbie and would like to know with the benefit of a few months since the last post can anyone offer their honest opinion on what is

A. Currently THE best performing box
B. Currently what is THE best VALUE FOR MONEY
C. Who is the best supplier in Ireland/N.Ireland

Please consider: I wish to substitute my SKY HD(UK) and include other popular benefits. Although I am tech savvy, this is something new to me, so I am trusting your technical judgement on performance/reliability/ease of use/third party support/future proof/etc. I currently enjoy the benefits of using XBMC, if there is any box out there that can support this as front-end i'd be happy. I do not need wifi as I can easily hard wire. Lastly, I live in Belfast so that might influence the supplier.

Really appreciate your help!

Just be aware that soon premium/HD Sky channels won't clear in anything other than an official Sky box. (It isn't obvious from your post if you were getting rid of Sky or not!)

gear259

azzeretti wrote: »

Just be aware that soon premium/HD Sky channels won't clear in anything other than an official Sky box. (It isn't obvious from your post if you were getting rid of Sky or not!)

Hi Azzeretti I would probably keep my Sky sub going for a few months until the house is used to the new system, then keep the official box in the cupboard in case it all goes wrong. But I hear that Sky have been threatening to cut off for a long time now so I know there's a risk. Even still, the box can still be used for non sky providers right? Freesat, freeview or perhaps other premium servers such as virgin?