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Zgemma H7s Guide

basemann

After taking the decision to get rid of cable I took the plunge and bought a Sat box. I was going to buy a Tiviar Alpha Plus due to its support on here but they were sold out at world of satellite and they suggested the Zgemma as it had similar specs.

Here is my guide to anyone new to the Sat world after getting this box . I hope it will help get through the initial frustration and hurdles you have to overcome. The H7S is relatively new so it's not discussed as much as the alpha plus but with the same software installed most guides can be used for both. I think the alpha would be equally challenging to set up. It takes time and patience and reading so be prepared for a bit of work but it's very satisfying in the end.
Some of this will be obvious to Sat heads but it's meant as a guide for beginners like I was who have some knowledge of the basics. This is from memory so excuse any vagueness of detail.

Here are the main things I learned..

1. To get Saoirview and Uk channels on the same epg listing you need to scan Saoirview 1st then do a second scan of the UK channels ensuring that the option to delete any previous scans is switched off. By doing that you mesh the two together so they can be gathered in the auto bouquets. (This took me ages to figure out!)

2. To install a skin easily you can put the downloaded skin found on the net on a usb and put it in the usb slot while live TV is playing (without any menu open). That will get a prompt to install the skin. If that does not work a plugin like Dreambox found in the plugin section will show all the folders in the sat box and the USB drive can be found and opened to try the install. If that does not work you need to connet a PC and use software like Filezilla to access files on the box from a PC. It's quite easily done if you follow the online guides.

3. A lot of people want the SkyNEW skin for the sky feel (without the sky channels of course!) and it does work but be warned it will prob make your epg crash every time you try and use it. To fix that you need to download a patch file to repair it. Dont install that skin unless you are prepared for that. You will need prob to connect a PC to do that and put it in the correct folder as per the instructions from where it easily found in a google search in places such as techkings etc. You might have to register an email to download these but there's no fee. It looks good when fixed but to be honest other skins are better that the sky menu which is comforting at first but you might feel it unnecessary and lacking functionality after a bit, but that's a personal preference.

Once you get it set up to your requirements its a great machine and very fast with a super picture so it's highly recommended. I hope this helps someone!:)

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dulpit

swoofer wrote: »

You have me intrigued why you picked that Pure image. I'm going to have a play now and see how it behaves. Do you actually want a VPN?

I use pure2, it was the nicest looking for me when I played with the various options. Personal preference, they all offer more or less the same functionality...

Hedgecutter

dulpit wrote: »

I use pure2, it was the nicest looking for me when I played with the various options. Personal preference, they all offer more or less the same functionality...

I'm beginning to get my head around it now.

I still have a few small issues with the terminology used.

Also i cannot get the rewind function to work, is there a setting that needs to be changed.

I have found the timeshif section but i'm not sure when function is related to rewind.

andy1249

Thanks Andy,do i set these two programs up on the box itself?

Yes , I'm using openvix though , but here are some screengrabs to give you an idea.

ABM is installed by default on most images , if its not you will have to add it via plugins, and note , every time you add a plugin or a major feature you must re boot the box for it to work or it will most likely crash and re boot for you.

Hedgecutter

andy1249 wrote: »

Yes , I'm using openvix though , but here are some screengrabs to give you an idea.

ABM is installed by default on most images , if its not you will have to add it via plugins, and note , every time you add a plugin or a major feature you must re boot the box for it to work or it will most likely crash and re boot for you.

Thanks for that, do i have to do a rescan? or will it organise what iv already set up?

dulpit

Hedgecutter wrote: »

Also i cannot get the rewind function to work, is there a setting that needs to be changed.

By default it will allow you to pause and it starts recording from that point onwards. You can change setting to allow it to auto-record as you watch, which will allow you rewind live TV (ala Sky Plus). A lot of people don't bother with this, as it will cause additional wear on your HDD.

andy1249

Also i cannot get the rewind function to work, is there a setting that needs to be changed.

Rewind on live TV is related to timeshift , the timeshift function has to be enabled and you must be watching a channel for a specific minimum amount of time for rewind to function , basically its constantly recording the channel being watched during any particular program and when you hit rewind you enter timeshift .... to exit you press stop and you go back to live TV.

Its probably not working right now , because you haven't been watching anything long enough for it to work.
Rewind typically works within a program or show , so for example , you cannot rewind to whatever was on before the current program or show started.

andy1249

Thanks for that, do i have to do a rescan? or will it organise what iv already set up?

You have to start again with ABM , but ABM will manage it automatically from then on.
As it stands , you will have to constantly maintain your manual setup , not ideal at all.

Hedgecutter

Is EPG-importer the same as crossepg and epgrefresh ?

swoofer

OK I had a quick play but first have you got a HDD installed?

The image was loaded but not configured so its left to the user. In your case you get network working and your good to go. What you should have done, in this order, was installed autobouquets from plugins, configured that for freesat and saorview and hit scan, now you are good to go. The autobouquets tab is under setup, service searching.

It has a built in epg under setup, system, you then say no to those you dont need. Save and your good to go. I downloaded picons as well but I use a sub stick for these and the epg.
The openvpn is designed to save you setting it up manually and you need a config for it to work.

Why are you looking at epg importer etc?

I downloaded crossepg and it disappeared, ie it wont show up as a tab but that is a glitch but it may work in your box mine is a duo2.

The colour buttons are shortcuts.

Hedgecutter

swoofer wrote: »

OK I had a quick play but first have you got a HDD installed?

The image was loaded but not configured so its left to the user. In your case you get network working and your good to go. What you should have done, in this order, was installed autobouquets from plugins, configured that for freesat and saorview and hit scan, now you are good to go. The autobouquets tab is under setup, service searching.

It has a built in epg under setup, system, you then say no to those you dont need. Save and your good to go. I downloaded picons as well but I use a sub stick for these and the epg.
The openvpn is designed to save you setting it up manually and you need a config for it to work.

Why are you looking at epg importer etc?

I downloaded crossepg and it disappeared, ie it wont show up as a tab but that is a glitch but it may work in your box mine is a duo2.

The colour buttons are shortcuts.

Ok thanks a lot there. How do i config openvpn and where did you download picons from. The rest i have sorted i think.

I was wondering if epgimporter is the same as crossepg. must not be. Do i install crossepg the same way i installed autobouquetmaker?

swoofer

have you got a HARD DISK INSTALLED???

Hedgecutter

swoofer wrote: »

have you got a HARD DISK INSTALLED???

swoofer

I think you started with the wrong image, all of the things one does is automated on the PURE image so you learn very little but as you have it stick with it. Anything you need will be in plugins so go there. I have gone back to Vix as its my preference. There is little support for PURE its a kind of niche image.

You will need to ask the person who told you to get vpn how to get it working.

epg importer etc all do the same thing but differently, dulpit has pure so they would be able to answer better than me.

have fun

Hedgecutter

swoofer wrote: »

I think you started with the wrong image, all of the things one does is automated on the PURE image so you learn very little but as you have it stick with it. Anything you need will be in plugins so go there. I have gone back to Vix as its my preference. There is little support for PURE its a kind of niche image.

You will need to ask the person who told you to get vpn how to get it working.

epg importer etc all do the same thing but differently, dulpit has pure so they would be able to answer better than me.

have fun

Thanks. Your right very little support for pure2, I'll get there in the end.

FlexMcMurphy

I found a lot of useful help about the Pur E2 image on the linuxsat-support forum especially from a mod there called: gorski.

If you are just starting out with these boxes then you will have the same problems no matter what image you use as the core functionality is very similar in all. You could also use Pur E2 to flash an OpenVix image into a free slot on the Zgemma and then maybe work from that as OpenVix does have even more support for the Zgemma.

Flex

_Kaiser_

Hey all,

So per my post in the "help me ditch Sky" thread, I'm looking to pick something up in the next few days as my LG's implementation of Freesat is rubbish and an official Freesat HDR-1100S (which I've also had in the past) will miss some of the FTA channels.
I'll also be connecting a Saorview aerial to it.

- Are these currently then the one to get from a future-proofing standpoint? Is there an upgraded version I should be considering? (CPU/RAM on these seems low to my eyes?)
- I'll probably buy from WoS if this is the one to buy. What image do I want preinstalled for the closest to Sky experience?

Cheers

Cyrus

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

Hey all,

So per my post in the "help me ditch Sky" thread, I'm looking to pick something up in the next few days as my LG's implementation of Freesat is rubbish and an official Freesat HDR-1100S (which I've also had in the past) will miss some of the FTA channels.
I'll also be connecting a Saorview aerial to it.

- Are these currently then the one to get from a future-proofing standpoint? Is there an upgraded version I should be considering? (CPU/RAM on these seems low to my eyes?)
- I'll probably buy from WoS if this is the one to buy. What image do I want preinstalled for the closest to Sky experience?

Cheers

im not sure what the horsepower requirements are but ive never had an issue with mine to be honest, you could spend more and get a vu+ but apart from being a nicer looking box im not sure what practical benefits that offers?

for the closest to sky q experience you need to do a little work getting the skin just right, the best one is this: SLYK 1080 and works on openatv or openvix

https://www.linuxsat-support.com/thread/133484-updated-slyk-1080-r19-install-faqs/

because of copyright issues it requires a little configuration but once you are done you are done and it looks great.

flashing images is easy and you have four slots so you can compare but its not really worth the hassle

dulpit

Cyrus wrote: »

for the closest to sky q experience you need to do a little work getting the skin just right, the best one is this: SLYK 1080 and works on openatv or openvix

https://www.linuxsat-support.com/thread/133484-updated-slyk-1080-r19-install-faqs/

From a personal point of view, I never get the need to make your non-sky box look like a sky box. It's a different beast, just takes a couple of uses to get used to the UI.

What really irks me though is the way people refer to Sky as either $ky or Sly. :rolleyes:

Cyrus

dulpit wrote: »

From a personal point of view, I never get the need to make your non-sky box look like a sky box. It's a different beast, just takes a couple of uses to get used to the UI.

What really irks me though is the way people refer to Sky as either $ky or Sly. :rolleyes:

well they call the skin sly for copyright reasons in fairness

as regards the interface i have tried all the skins and this is the nicest one, some of them are utter garbage. i dont need it to look like sky but i do prefer it looks sleek.

_Kaiser_

Cyrus wrote: »

im not sure what the horsepower requirements are but ive never had an issue with mine to be honest, you could spend more and get a vu+ but apart from being a nicer looking box im not sure what practical benefits that offers?

for the closest to sky q experience you need to do a little work getting the skin just right, the best one is this: SLYK 1080 and works on openatv or openvix

https://www.linuxsat-support.com/thread/133484-updated-slyk-1080-r19-install-faqs/

because of copyright issues it requires a little configuration but once you are done you are done and it looks great.

flashing images is easy and you have four slots so you can compare but its not really worth the hassle

Cheers for that. I did look up the Vu+ now as well and it does look slick. WoS has them but they don't seem to have the 4K box with the dual satellite + 1 terrestrial (2 cards overall?) unless you pay 400 quid for a 3 slot version.. or maybe I'm missing something obvious!

If I go with the Zgemma, can you upgrade it later with RAM etc? I have several 2.5" SSDs so I assume that's a straight slot in?

dulpit wrote: »

From a personal point of view, I never get the need to make your non-sky box look like a sky box. It's a different beast, just takes a couple of uses to get used to the UI.

What really irks me though is the way people refer to Sky as either $ky or Sly. :rolleyes:

Cyrus wrote: »

well they call the skin sly for copyright reasons in fairness

as regards the interface i have tried all the skins and this is the nicest one, some of them are utter garbage. i dont need it to look like sky but i do prefer it looks sleek.

Yea, for all their faults, Sky have put a lot of work over the years into the interface and it does (usually) "just work" and is simple and clean (Sky+ I mean.. Q is a different beast) which is what I'm after.. I'm in IT myself but don't want to spend days setting something up.

Gerry Wicklow

I've had both a Zgemma and Vu+. The Vu+ has better build quality and a few extra bells and whistles but the Zgemma equals it in performance. It's very hard to justify the extra cost. Both take the standard SSDs but things like ram and CPU are fixed. The Zg has more than enough horsepower to handle multiple HD recordings running without issue. Channel switching is instantaneous.

Cyrus

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

Cheers for that. I did look up the Vu+ now as well and it does look slick. WoS has them but they don't seem to have the 4K box with the dual satellite + 1 terrestrial (2 cards overall?) unless you pay 400 quid for a 3 slot version.. or maybe I'm missing something obvious!

If I go with the Zgemma, can you upgrade it later with RAM etc? I have several 2.5" SSDs so I assume that's a straight slot in?

Yea, for all their faults, Sky have put a lot of work over the years into the interface and it does (usually) "just work" and is simple and clean (Sky+ I mean.. Q is a different beast) which is what I'm after.. I'm in IT myself but don't want to spend days setting something up.

dont think you can upgrade ram i dont know being honest, and harddrive is a simple enough job yes.

there are other sky skins, and there are builds where the installation of the skin is part of it (i.e. whooshbuild) but some arent 1080p which is an issue for me when im using a 4k tv.

_Kaiser_

OK so it's looking like the ZGemma is the best bang for buck and still wholly decent option here. Cool. What firmware preload should I go for (give I'll want it to look like Sky as above), and will it accept any WiFi adapter or do I need the one they suggest? (I have a Netgear AC6210 here that I'd be hoping to use)

Cyrus

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

OK so it's looking like the ZGemma is the best bang for buck and still wholly decent option here. Cool. What firmware preload should I go for (give I'll want it to look like Sky as above), and will it accept any WiFi adapter or do I need the one they suggest? (I have a Netgear AC6210 here that I'd be hoping to use)

none of the std preloads will have a sky skin (unless they offer whooshbuild?), so id go openatv and then install the skin you want yourself.

cant help on wifi sorry mine is hardwired.

Hedgecutter

Hi guys is there a simple way to permanently turn off the narrator. Every time i go to channel 4 he's talking, i manually go to audio and switch audio.

Cyrus

Hedgecutter wrote: »

Hi guys is there a simple way to permanently turn off the narrator. Every time i go to channel 4 he's talking, i manually go to audio and switch audio.

yeah i have had that a bit as well on some of the english stations, its the audio feed you are getting but in my case i press the yellow button, change it and it sticks.

Hedgecutter

Cyrus wrote: »

yeah i have had that a bit as well on some of the english stations, its the audio feed you are getting but in my case i press the yellow button, change it and it sticks.

Cheers, the yellow button on mine gives the option: left, right, stereo. which did u choose?

Cyrus

Hedgecutter wrote: »

Cheers, the yellow button on mine gives the option: left, right, stereo. which did u choose?

let me check and ill let you know i get a different screen.

mobitron

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

OK so it's looking like the ZGemma is the best bang for buck and still wholly decent option here. Cool. What firmware preload should I go for (give I'll want it to look like Sky as above), and will it accept any WiFi adapter or do I need the one they suggest? (I have a Netgear AC6210 here that I'd be hoping to use)

I could never get the wifi to work reliably on my h7s. Others in this forum have had similar issues. In the end I used a powerpoint adapter for a wired connection.

Gerry Wicklow

Hedgecutter wrote: »

Hi guys is there a simple way to permanently turn off the narrator. Every time i go to channel 4 he's talking, i manually go to audio and switch audio.

Exact location / wording is depending on your enigma version:-
go into MENU>SETUP>AUDIO and look for "Preferred language" Set this to English.