Enigma2 Box Discussion Thread (Zgemma,Amiko,Vu,Edision,Xtrend etc)

dav32cs

Any appetite for this?

The Amiko thread is obviously hugely popular so will probably continue on in it's own right but there's a lot of other threads posted about individual issues or questions which may be better served in one place, especially given the core operation of and resolutions for all E2 units is pretty much the same bar different image layouts or menu options.

NO CARDSHARING DISCUSSION!!!!

I'll post a few quick FAQs beneath but not go in to too much details as I'll presume most that will be using this thread will already have boxes and be using for discussion or be looking for fixes or if they are looking for box recommendations they are familiar with E2 already so no need to delve into the really basic entry level too much.


Maybe however this first post can be edited over time if possible to add the most common issues and fixes to save repeated questions and be an easy reference.
1) What is Enigma 2 firmware / image?
Simple answer as follows: Enigma 2 is an opensource Linux operating system that has an intuative GUI (graphical user interface), many useful features such as Autotimers, Autobouquets (channel / favourites lists), 7 Days EPG, Picons (channel icons), many 3rd party plugins. Enigma 2 images are provided free of charge by many 3rd party developement teams. OpenViX, OpenATV, OpenPLi, Blackhole and Egami are just a few of them. Different teams support different receivers, not all teams provide image / firmware support for all makes models, this varies from team to team.


2) What to DVB-C*, DVB-T, DVB-T2 and DVB-S/S2 stand for?
DVB-C* stands for "Digital Video Broadcasting - Cable" and it is the DVB European consortium standard for the broadcast transmission of digital television over cable. A cable feed / connection is required to receive cable transmissions.


DVB-T / DVB-T2 is an abbreviation for "Digital Video Broadcasting — Terrestrial"; it is the DVB European-based consortium standard for the broadcast transmission of digital terrestrial television, a Television aerial is required to receive digital terrestrial transmissions. In the Ireland DVB-T tuners allow to receive Saorview Terrestrial SD / HD (standard definition) channels if broadcast in your area. If you live in a flat you may have a communal (shared) terrestrial feed.


DVB-S/S2 - Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite - Second Generation (DVB-S2) is a digital television broadcast standard that has been designed as a successor for the popular DVB-S system. DVB-S/S2 tuners are what is required to receive standard digital satellite television broadcasts. A satellite Dish / feed is required to receive satellite television broadcasts. If you live in a flat you may have a communal (shared) satellite feed.


3) Do I need a satellite dish to view standard satellite television?
Yes you do or if you live in a flat you may have a communal shared satellite feed.



4) Do I need internet?

No if you intend to use the box for free to air channels alone.


Yes if you intend to use the box to it's full potential and be able to access plugins such as YouTube or stream your channels to another device in or outside your home for example. An internet connection is advisable anyways for updates etc if your box is officially supported.



5) What are Bouquets?
Bouquets are a pre-set list of channels that are grouped and listed e.g. by sports, movie, news etc. They often come in a manner which replicates that listed by by Sky or Freesat. It makes finding a channels much easier and the list can be auto-updated if using Autobouquets plugin or AutobouquetsMaker if using OpenViX.



6) What box is the one for me?


To identify which box you require there are two areas to narrow down.


1.How many tuners?
2.What spec?


1.How many tuners?


The boxes come in many different variations which are customisable to your needs. The most common are from single to quad tuners and can be mixed between DVBS/DVBC/DVBT.


For the regular user the most common type to get is a single tuner satellite,twin tuner satellite or a combo box (either 1X DVBS 1XDVB T/C or 2X DVBS 1 DVB T/C)


Single tuner satellite requires one satellite lead in from your dish. This is for just watching the channels, or if you add storage you can record but not swap to another channel while recording. You can watch previously recorded items or stream through plugins while recording though.



Twin tuner satellite requires two satellite leads in from your dish. This is for people who want to be able to record one channel and swap to another so this requires some storage.


Combo box requires satellite lead in from your dish (how many is dependent on how many DVBS tuners you picked) and a terrestrial aerial connection(dependent on how many you picked but usually one)


2.What spec?

There is a lot of different brands out there from entry level to high spec, much the same as a phone or car if you spend more money you will get a higher performing unit as a result but they all do the basic task required.


Most regular users will be perfect on the entry level brands( such as Zgemma,Amiko) but the mid to higher spec brands (Vu+,Xtrend,Technomate,Mut@nt ,Edision etc) offer more flexibility and performance for those who want to mess around or use the full features of the boxes such as streaming between devices internally/externally,SAMBA,remote control etc



6) Can you do multiroom?


You can stream to another device (phone,laptop ,tablet etc) but this will use a tuner and require internet connection and be through an app interface.


If you want an independent box layout watching a different channel in the 2nd room you will have to just get a second box.



You can use your current Sky Magic Eye if you have one but you will have to buy a RF modulator, Revez around €40 Triax around €55.


You could also get a HDMI over ethernet sender (£30) and HDMI splitter to do this run for HDMI quality.


These last two options mean you will be watching the same channel in both rooms though and not different ones.







Recommendations for regular/basic users:

Some of the more popular brands, list is not comprehensive and a lot of other good brands/units other than these

Prices are approximate and do not include any storage(the higher spec would have internal HD slots too) or postage


Single Tuner Satellite
Zgemma HS(£67)
Edision OS Mini(€100)
Vu+ Zero(€120 or £99)

Twin Tuner Satellite
Zgemma H2S (£80)
Edision OS Mini (€120)
Xtrend ET8500 (€199 or £179)
Vu+Solo2(£199 or €220)

Triple Tuner & Combos
Zgemma H2H Combo(£90)
Edision OS Mini Combo (€127)
Xtrend ET8500 Combo (€210 or £188) Triple (€240 or £214)
Edision OS Mega (£179 or €200 nearly released but looks good)


Check around for any deals,sales,clearance etc.

Some of the sites that you can get at:

www.freetv.ie
www.zgemma.co.uk
www.satshop.tv
www.world-of-satellite.co.uk
www.hm-sat-shop.de


I would really advise to stick to genuine boxes from above sites and not go through AliExpress etc and stay away from clone units - the clones are a great price for the spec but all of the previous incarnations support has usually disappeared which means then you have trouble trying to find a fully working image or one that won't brick your box!!

---

Will add common issues and fixes if there is interest for it!!

wellboss

Hi Everybody,

Looking for some information on triple tuners. I am looking to set up a box for my girlfriends father and need 2 x Sat and 1 x Ter, the Ter is there for a backup in case sat channels go down, as he won't have any technical knowledge to troubleshoot. I myself have an AA2 but find the fact it doesnt have PVR function for rewind of live TV a drawback for him. I am open to correction on this, maybe it's my image or lack of investigation on my part

What other boxes would provide this function with the triple tuner? The Edison above looks good but comes in at 300 quid with a HDD, anybody know any other boxes coming in at the amiko 2 price range, or is it extra spec higher price?

Thanks in Advance

Gerry Wicklow

wellboss wrote: »

Hi Everybody,

Looking for some information on triple tuners. I am looking to set up a box for my girlfriends father and need 2 x Sat and 1 x Ter, the Ter is there for a backup in case sat channels go down, as he won't have any technical knowledge to troubleshoot. I myself have an AA2 but find the fact it doesnt have PVR function for rewind of live TV a drawback for him. I am open to correction on this, maybe it's my image or lack of investigation on my part

What other boxes would provide this function with the triple tuner? The Edison above looks good but comes in at 300 quid with a HDD, anybody know any other boxes coming in at the amiko 2 price range, or is it extra spec higher price?

Thanks in Advance

The AA2 can do timeshifting but it needs to be enabled. The exact location of the setting depends on which image you have or may even need you to install a plugin. Have a look at the recording settings. Be aware that live shifting means the HDD is always recording which increases wear and tear on the HDD.

webpal

Could you give some more information on the multi room sky eye option for a Zgemma h2s please? I currently have sky up and running from main room with box to bedroom but would like to use the Zgemma instead via Sky eye.

massy086

webpal wrote: »

Could you give some more information on the multi room sky eye option for a Zgemma h2s please? I currently have sky up and running from main room with box to bedroom but would like to use the Zgemma instead via Sky eye.

Have you any android or kodi box's in the house.if so there is apps that you can stream the zgemma to kodi or android boxs

webpal

massy086 wrote: »

Have you any android or kodi box's in the house.if so there is apps that you can stream the zgemma to kodi or android boxs

No, was just looking at a triax from freetv.ie but it's 70 quid so I might be better off getting another box as I have a direct satellite feed.

dav32cs

If you have a Sky Eye working already on a Sky box all you simply need to do is put the zGemma in, connect up the Triax (you will also need one RCA to SCART lead) and connect in your current eye coax lead into the RF 9V.

As you've said though for not too much more you could get another box if you have a direct feed but remember it will need internet connection via dongle or homeplugs if you do not have any direct ethernet wired throughout the house.

You can also stream in a few different ways but this will be using one of your tuners while streaming.

dav32cs

wellboss wrote: »

Hi Everybody,

Looking for some information on triple tuners. I am looking to set up a box for my girlfriends father and need 2 x Sat and 1 x Ter, the Ter is there for a backup in case sat channels go down, as he won't have any technical knowledge to troubleshoot. I myself have an AA2 but find the fact it doesnt have PVR function for rewind of live TV a drawback for him. I am open to correction on this, maybe it's my image or lack of investigation on my part

What other boxes would provide this function with the triple tuner? The Edison above looks good but comes in at 300 quid with a HDD, anybody know any other boxes coming in at the amiko 2 price range, or is it extra spec higher price?

Thanks in Advance

You could make one of the zGemmas into a triple tuner if you bought a seperate USB DVBT tuner for around a similar price to the Amiko and it is a more stable box for the PVR feature you are looking for then.

Easygoin

Hi everyone
I've an Edison OS mini for over year now , its great ,maybe 3 freeze ups and great pic quality.
Ive been reading threads on Linux boxes on here and am now ready to take plunge and use this box to its full potential. I have in main sitting/TV room my Edison ,surround sound/blue ray player and now an android box too ,,not bad for a guy who doesn't watch a lot of television,, its mostly for kids ,,but I love the tech.
Can I load an app on my Edison (Enigma2)(Open gl ??) so I can watch free iptv, mainly Exodus ,while still have bouquets+ FTA , that wont cause any crashes ,,so I can do away with android box ,which turns itself on and basically I cant trust lol..Any recommendations or even where to start reading up? Thanks in advance

orcam

enigma2 is very soon end of life. Kodi is the next generation so google that

Johnboy1951

orcam wrote: »

enigma2 is very soon end of life. Kodi is the next generation so google that

?

Enigma 2 is an opensource Linux operating system

Kodi is an open source application that runs on various operating systems

Apples & oranges it seems.

Sono

orcam wrote: »

enigma2 is very soon end of life. Kodi is the next generation so google that

What the hell are you on about!?

dav32cs

Easygoin wrote: »

Hi everyone
I've an Edison OS mini for over year now , its great ,maybe 3 freeze ups and great pic quality.
Ive been reading threads on Linux boxes on here and am now ready to take plunge and use this box to its full potential. I have in main sitting/TV room my Edison ,surround sound/blue ray player and now an android box too ,,not bad for a guy who doesn't watch a lot of television,, its mostly for kids ,,but I love the tech.
Can I load an app on my Edison (Enigma2)(Open gl ??) so I can watch free iptv, mainly Exodus ,while still have bouquets+ FTA , that wont cause any crashes ,,so I can do away with android box ,which turns itself on and basically I cant trust lol..Any recommendations or even where to start reading up? Thanks in advance

There is a good plugin called IPTV Player which groups a lot of services together to use, not much in regards to any live IPTV though but that can be installed manually yourself or through specific Plugins if you Google for some of the support forums

webpal

I have 2 H2S's and unfortunately I cannot access one of boxes recordings from the other (keeps crashing when I press file list). Is there a plugin I could use to access network files, any that I see are box specific. I can move the recordings but unfortunately the bookmark link often disappears for no reason and can reappear days later.

orcam

specify IMAGE you are using. without doubt whooshbuild will likely solve your problems. after so many years of openpli and openvix finally a decent image. try it. you won't look back

webpal

One is whoosh build and the other is ipab

paulbok

orcam wrote: »

specify IMAGE you are using. without doubt whooshbuild will likely solve your problems. after so many years of openpli and openvix finally a decent image. try it. you won't look back

How do you go about getting whooshbuild on a Zgemma?

orcam

paulbok wrote: »

How do you go about getting whooshbuild on a Zgemma?

setup an account on techkings.org and use the download link for whooshbuild from there

AHireland2k11

Have a amiko alien 2 triple plus used to run on vix 2.2 Like a dream until crashed and corrupted since then I've tried 2.2 again, vix 4.0, Hyperion 4.5 but all keep crashing on plugins, the blue screen with commands comes up saying error forcing reboot etc (green screen on Hyperion)

DopeTech

Did you try what I suggested?

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=104032540&postcount=11

AHireland2k11

what is this emc?

DopeTech

AHireland2k11 wrote: »

what is this emc?

Enhanced movie centre plugin. I find the built in one just as good.

AHireland2k11

Sir Dosser wrote: »

Enhanced movie centre plugin. I find the built in one just as good.

Why would this be causing box to crash?

DopeTech

AHireland2k11 wrote: »

Why would this be causing box to crash?

It dosent take much for plugins to corrupt/stop working in e2. It could really be anything, might be that it doesn't like the skin you are using.

Dafyduck

I have alien 2 running the sky blue like skin working well on enigma but plug ins are blank
Any ideas why I have it connected to net etc

JaCrispy

dav32cs wrote: »

You can use your current Sky Magic Eye if you have one but you will have to buy a RF modulator, Revez around €40 Triax around €55.

How does this work? Will the Magic Eye change the channel on the remote Enigma box (located in a different room) ......just like the Sky magic eye setup?

Surely if the remote signals are being send over the coax then they will just go as far as the modulator?