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View Full Version : Review of VU+ Solo Enigma 2 Linux receiver



Sicilian
25-06-10, 10:17
For the purpose if this review I'm using the official installed stock image as supplied. I'm not flashing with any other image.

Once again I was impressed with the packaging provided with a VU+ receiver. Upon unpacking I was really pleased to see a black remote! So I've now both white and black remote's.

Box contents as follows: -

VU+ Solo
Instruction Manual (well written)
HDMI Lead
Black Remote inc. batteries

First thing I did was take the attached photos. I then proceeded to remove the lid and take photos of the insides. You'll notice that it's fan-less.

Once the photos where out of the way I proceeded to set up connected to a Triax 1.1m dish with TM-2600 motor.

The Solo boot's up just as fast, if not faster than its big brother the Duo. Once booted I followed through the setup wizard to set tuner and A/V settings. I noticed that advanced Videomode wasn't pre-installed. So once fully booted I went to plugins and installed from the feed, Videomode plugin (so I could select 1080 HDMI in A/V settings), video enhancement and Auto resolution plugins (never enabled auto resolution though).

Next thing I transferred my Enigma 2 Settings/bouquets with Dreamboxedit. Then went straight to FTA channels and was impressed with the picture quality of both SD & HD, again just as good as the Duo. Switched from Astra28 to Hotbird to Astra 19deg with no issues whatsoever. Zap speeds actually feel slightly faster on the Solo compared to the Duo.

Right now time to test out CCcam. I transferred VTI-Feed.conf to /etc/ipkg/ and installed CCcam 2.1.3 from the feed. I can confirm that CCcam works as 100% as client and server.

Now time to test some recording and timeshifting. The only thing I had to hand was a 16GB USB stick, so I successfully mounted it as a HDD via telnet. Once mounted I recording and switching through channels on the same transponder with ease :) Pausing live TV worked great too.

Now the main things where Tested I thought I'd try and get some extended EPG installed. I tried both the Rytec XMLTV plugin and Andyblac's satmate script and unfortunately neither worked on the official stock image. So we'll have to wait for a third party image in order to have extended EPG.

Overall I'm very impressed with the Solo, it my be the smaller brother of the Duo but it really packs as punch! You would never guess that it has a slightly less powerful processor than it's big brother. Its looks great, build quality is what we expected from VU+ and its great that it's fan-less so runs silent. So far not seen any heat issues. Now the only negative thing I can find to say about it, is that we to wait for a third party image before we can use an extended EPG plugin and very much doubt that the third party images are too far away. Both the VTI and PLi team have confirmed that they will be supporting the Solo.

If anyone has anything that they would like tested on the Solo please post a request here and I will do my best to test for you.

paul362
26-06-10, 07:05
The only downside for me is the mat finish (i prefer the gloss) and no front display ! other than that ill be getting 1 sooner or later for upstairs.

OldSkulRide
26-06-10, 07:56
VTi image should be soon, maybe when next original image or drivers arrives.

Otherwise good review. Iam surprised that its faster than duo. Price should be lower though. 250EUR max

berley
27-06-10, 16:54
Brillian review sic but I knew you'd give a proper unbiased one anyway.

It is a pity there's no LCD on the solo but it's not the end of the world and at least its a lot smaller than the duo, hmm decisions decisions I'm still not sure on whether to go for the solo or the DM500 HD

Likvid
27-06-10, 19:41
It looks much nicer than DUO and it got everything you need, i can see however in the picture above they have skimped on quality on the PSU board.

Sicilian
27-06-10, 19:58
Brillian review sic but I knew you'd give a proper unbiased one anyway.

It is a pity there's no LCD on the solo but it's not the end of the world and at least its a lot smaller than the duo, hmm decisions decisions I'm still not sure on whether to go for the solo or the DM500 HD

Difficult one to call there tbh. The Solo has a slightly less powerful CPU compared to the DM500HD, not sure if the if the DM500HD performance is actually any faster though. I cant comment on the quality of the DM500HD as I've never used one. In the short term the DM500HD has more images available, but in the long term the Solo will get more support. Even saying that you can still use the Solo out of the box with the stock image. Then you have the price difference. The Solo can be had for £299 inc. delivery.


It looks much nicer than DUO and it got everything you need, i can see however in the picture above they have skimped on quality on the PSU board.

Not sure how you came to that conclusion.

Rob van der Does
28-06-10, 11:22
If anyone has anything that they would like tested on the Solo please post a request here and I will do my best to test for you.Yes: while recording, can you still watch other channels (of course on the same transponder)? And how many recordings can you make simultaneous (of course again on the same transponder)?

Sicilian
28-06-10, 12:00
Yes: while recording, can you still watch other channels (of course on the same transponder)? And how many recordings can you make simultaneous (of course again on the same transponder)?

Yes you can view other channels whilst recording (on same transponder), I'll test how many can be recorded at once in the next day or so.

Peter
28-06-10, 13:14
Bit too expensive.

bassethound
28-06-10, 14:32
Bit too expensive.

Compared to what box?

leeuk
28-06-10, 15:35
looks better than the Duo fpmsl the duo looks like high class equipment very similar to Hifi separates

the Duo was called for its looks by the dreambox fanboys then it keeps getting called ever since how people can think it looks bad is beyond me the dreambox looks like its made out of a egg box

Peter
28-06-10, 15:42
Compared to what box?

None in particular. Just for me at the mo. Good device though. Friend's just got one from the so called 'Importer' against advice as to where to buy.

paul362
29-06-10, 07:30
looks better than the Duo fpmsl the duo looks like high class equipment very similar to Hifi separates

the Duo was called for its looks by the dreambox fanboys then it keeps getting called ever since how people can think it looks bad is beyond me the dreambox looks like its made out of a egg box

Here here:) I agree.

Sicilian
30-06-10, 05:50
I've just tested actual boot times of the Duo and Solo.

Duo flashed with VTI 1.3 and set to use standard HD skin booted on 88 seconds.
Solo flashed with official factory stock image set to use standard HD skin booted in 97 seconds.

So Solo is just approx 9 seconds slower at booting, although zapping IS as fast, but to me feels faster.

OldSkulRide
30-06-10, 08:51
maybe it would be good to make a video of zapping and put it on youtube.

Its sad that OpenPLi doesnt want to support it because its has as they say "crap" hardware. I like their image, very :)

Sicilian
30-06-10, 09:17
maybe it would be good to make a video of zapping and put it on youtube.

Good idea m8, I'll do that over the weekend.


Its sad that OpenPLi doesnt want to support it because its has as they say "crap" hardware. I like their image, very :)

Think they need to make their minds up. Three of their mods/admin had replied to my thread before pieterg stated that they have no plans for a pli image. Also they should backup their claims about so called 'crap' hardware.

Personally it comes across to me that they're pissed off about something...........

Sicilian
07-07-10, 21:45
Yes: while recording, can you still watch other channels (of course on the same transponder)? And how many recordings can you make simultaneous (of course again on the same transponder)?

Just back from being away for 5 days so thought I'd do some more testing with the Solo. Re-flashed with VTI 0.1 for Solo and updated drivers. Just managed to record 3HD channels to USB stick! All on same transponder of course. If there was a fourth on that transponder I reckon I could have switched to it, there was no lag or speed issues switching between them whilst it was recording the 3HD channels :zoom:

witchy
02-08-10, 09:04
That front USB port could be doctored to allow an external 2.5" HD to be installed internally, but it looks tight, is there anywhere we could squeeze a 2.5" drive inside the case?

What's the situation with Pli, are they still refusing to support it?

Sicilian
02-08-10, 09:12
That front USB port could be doctored to allow an external 2.5" HD to be installed internally, but it looks tight, is there anywhere we could squeeze a 2.5" drive inside the case?

What's the situation with Pli, are they still refusing to support it?

Not sure about doctoring it. Dont really think there enough room inside also head from the HDD could become an issue, remember it's fanless. Personally I'd invest in a large USB stick and plug it in the rear.

PLi, still no news from them, but tbh the VTI image works sweet anyway.

Data
10-08-10, 16:31
I have one of these solo picture quality just as good as my duo zapping no difference. only niggle is the lack of suport. the big three spit the dummy out as they were not given stock to play with only vti got stock to develop on. I still have a probs with getting my external hard drive to be seen and used by the solo and the vti image dont like my motorised setup. but I can live with that for the moment . the box is quality far better built than any dreambox.

Sicilian
10-08-10, 16:51
@ Data, have you FTP'd latest drivers?

Data
10-08-10, 16:53
I only ftp the ones in the sticky but if you post a link to the latest one I will ftp them to the box and let you know.

Sicilian
10-08-10, 16:58
The drivers from this thread http://www.vuplus-support.co.uk/showthread.php?1205-VTi-quot-Vu-Solo-Team-Image-quot-V0.1-1.07.2010-USB-Drivers Remember to extract from the zip file first.

bgannon
24-08-10, 08:53
Hi i have just registered. Do you know if vu+ solo or duo will do what i need.

I need to be able to feed HD TV from HDMI and at the same time feed a standard projector from Scart, so I have same thing showing on both screens,

thk you in advance for any help.

Sicilian
24-08-10, 11:29
Hi i have just registered. Do you know if vu+ solo or duo will do what i need.

I need to be able to feed HD TV from HDMI and at the same time feed a standard projector from Scart, so I have same thing showing on both screens,

thk you in advance for any help.

I very much doubt that this will work correctly, because the A/V settings will be set to HDMI for the HD output, so very much doubt that you will get a correct signal from the scart.

Glimpser
25-08-10, 16:31
Deep standby recording, does your VU+ solo support it?

Sicilian
25-08-10, 16:35
Deep standby recording, does your VU+ solo support it?

Almost sure that it does, but I will test for you and report back.

Glimpser
25-08-10, 16:47
i have another question
is it possible to play mkv 1080p DTS file with solo and watch it in 1080i component TV out

thanks for your help

Sicilian
25-08-10, 16:51
thanks,
i have another question
is it possible to play mkv 1080p DTS file with solo and watch it in 1080i component TV out

Doubt it with the current VTI image, but maybe on VTI2.0 when it get released. Cant honestly say for sure either way.

BOYNUMBERONE
25-03-13, 13:05
For the purpose if this review I'm using the official installed stock image as supplied. I'm not flashing with any other image.

Once again I was impressed with the packaging provided with a VU+ receiver. Upon unpacking I was really pleased to see a black remote! So I've now both white and black remote's.

Box contents as follows: -

VU+ Solo
Instruction Manual (well written)
HDMI Lead
Black Remote inc. batteries

First thing I did was take the attached photos. I then proceeded to remove the lid and take photos of the insides. You'll notice that it's fan-less.

Once the photos where out of the way I proceeded to set up connected to a Triax 1.1m dish with TM-2600 motor.

The Solo boot's up just as fast, if not faster than its big brother the Duo. Once booted I followed through the setup wizard to set tuner and A/V settings. I noticed that advanced Videomode wasn't pre-installed. So once fully booted I went to plugins and installed from the feed, Videomode plugin (so I could select 1080 HDMI in A/V settings), video enhancement and Auto resolution plugins (never enabled auto resolution though).

Next thing I transferred my Enigma 2 Settings/bouquets with Dreamboxedit. Then went straight to FTA channels and was impressed with the picture quality of both SD & HD, again just as good as the Duo. Switched from Astra28 to Hotbird to Astra 19deg with no issues whatsoever. Zap speeds actually feel slightly faster on the Solo compared to the Duo.

Right now time to test out CCcam. I transferred VTI-Feed.conf to /etc/ipkg/ and installed CCcam 2.1.3 from the feed. I can confirm that CCcam works as 100% as client and server.

Now time to test some recording and timeshifting. The only thing I had to hand was a 16GB USB stick, so I successfully mounted it as a HDD via telnet. Once mounted I recording and switching through channels on the same transponder with ease :) Pausing live TV worked great too.

Now the main things where Tested I thought I'd try and get some extended EPG installed. I tried both the Rytec XMLTV plugin and Andyblac's satmate script and unfortunately neither worked on the official stock image. So we'll have to wait for a third party image in order to have extended EPG.

Overall I'm very impressed with the Solo, it my be the smaller brother of the Duo but it really packs as punch! You would never guess that it has a slightly less powerful processor than it's big brother. Its looks great, build quality is what we expected from VU+ and its great that it's fan-less so runs silent. So far not seen any heat issues. Now the only negative thing I can find to say about it, is that we to wait for a third party image before we can use an extended EPG plugin and very much doubt that the third party images are too far away. Both the VTI and PLi team have confirmed that they will be supporting the Solo.

If anyone has anything that they would like tested on the Solo please post a request here and I will do my best to test for you.

hello,
did you see the site below?
http://visionnet.fr/tuto_soloclone.html
is that means your solo is clone?!
according to pics of backpanel: 8th. (pic there)

Larry-G
25-03-13, 13:21
This review was written with a genuine vu+ solo long before the cloned receivers were released.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

BOYNUMBERONE
25-03-13, 13:47
This review was written with a genuine vu+ solo long before the cloned receivers were released.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

yes, but even the pic in vu+ official site is differ in back panel
here: http://vuplus.com/productSolo.html
actually i want to buy one, but i fear to buy the clone one

sorry for my english

Larry-G
25-03-13, 14:07
as i said this review was released in 2010 and that was well before any Cloned Vu materialized so you can be certain that this is not a clone, also if your looking into buying a Vu+ receiver you can look towards the site sponsor as he will not consider even touching a clone never mind selling one.

BOYNUMBERONE
25-03-13, 14:26
as i said this review was released in 2010 and that was well before any Cloned Vu materialized so you can be certain that this is not a clone, also if your looking into buying a Vu+ receiver you can look towards the site sponsor as he will not consider even touching a clone never mind selling one.

the thing is i live in Iran, and its illegal to buy/sell satellite receivers and we have to find some illegally

Larry-G
25-03-13, 14:35
sadly i cant help you there.