Some example of the LCD screen settings for ET8500

[Sicilian]

Been trying to photograph the LCD, very difficult to get decent photos though of the LCD in action.

lcd1.pnglcd2.pnglcd4.pnglcd3.png

[Clabs]

Hi Sic - looks pretty good. Is the display hardware driven, or software like the Duo2?

I know this box is an unusual form factor but any chance of a mini-review eg how it stacks up performance wise against the likes of the Duo2 and Mut@nt - that sort of thing?

Cheers

[Sicilian]

Hardware driven, its a live screen, not like the Duo2. Displays live information. So far impressed with it. Will post more soon.

[Sicilian]

Screen can also be set to clone Live TV, therefore show exactly whats being outputted on TV.

[twol]

Hi Sic - looks pretty good. Is the display hardware driven, or software like the Duo2?

I know this box is an unusual form factor but any chance of a mini-review eg how it stacks up performance wise against the likes of the Duo2 and Mut@nt - that sort of thing?

Cheers

I have had this box since January and have to say best box I have had (sold my ET8000 & 10000) and bought a 2nd. It,s different, smaller, has (in my view) better engineering, so 2 knurled screws to remove the top (5 secs) to reach the internals and a slideout/pullout for a 2.5 hard disk.
Then you have the full colour LCD... You can watch TV on it (I have seen somewhere an attachable sound system through the optical out) but obviously not from too far away! But you can also choose from multiple LCD skins available to display very viewable information.
Plugin tuners (Samsung) are almost the same as the ET8000/ET10000 and hence Mutant.
Doesn,t have hardware transcoding which is probably the only draw back for some people.
But also some people will hate it as it looks different from anything else.
Also has the same easy to use Xtrend remote.

[Sicilian]

But some people will hate it as it looks different from anything else.

I was concerned I might, but actaully really like the look, even lady friend likes it, so thats a plus

Imo pictures of it dont do it justice, looks nice in the flesh and more compact than it looks in pictures.

[twol]

I was concerned I might, but actaully really like the look, even lady friend likes it, so thats a plus

Imo pictures of it dont do it justice, looks nice in the flesh and more compact than it looks in pictures.

What I also didn,t say is that my 1st box took a hell of a beating whilst I learnt to build an image for it with frequent power off/on ..... And touch wood has so far been totally resilient

[Clabs]

Thanks for the replies, Sic & twol.

It does look a lot bigger in the pictures but just took my tape measure out and was surprised at just how compact it is )

Another quick couple of questions, chaps - if you don't mind?

How tight is the HDD bay? I am wondering if there is space for a 2Tb drive to slot in there because these are a bit taller than 1Tb drives.
Also wondering how hot the tuners run compared with something like a Duo2 (which run extremely hot).

Cheers, Mark

[Flyingpig]

What is hardware transcoding and why would I miss it...

I love my ET 9000 and when I have to upgrade I will deffo buy another Xtrend and the 8500 looks good.

[pembo]

photos of it makes it look huge!

[Sicilian]

Thanks for the replies, Sic & twol.

It does look a lot bigger in the pictures but just took my tape measure out and was surprised at just how compact it is )

Another quick couple of questions, chaps - if you don't mind?

How tight is the HDD bay? I am wondering if there is space for a 2Tb drive to slot in there because these are a bit taller than 1Tb drives.
Also wondering how hot the tuners run compared with something like a Duo2 (which run extremely hot).

Cheers, Mark

Not noticed any heat at all, will check this evening. Also check the HDD tray.

[Sicilian]

photos of it makes it look huge!

Yep, the photo's are mis-leading.

http://www.world-of-satellite.co.uk/...er_name=ET8500

COMPACT DESIGN, ONLY 180MM (W) X 83MM (H) X 200MM (D)

[pembo]

photos of it next to an xbox 360 (for example) might put it in perspective

[twol]

Thanks for the replies, Sic & twol.

It does look a lot bigger in the pictures but just took my tape measure out and was surprised at just how compact it is )

Another quick couple of questions, chaps - if you don't mind?

How tight is the HDD bay? I am wondering if there is space for a 2Tb drive to slot in there because these are a bit taller than 1Tb drives.
Also wondering how hot the tuners run compared with something like a Duo2 (which run extremely hot).

Cheers, Mark

In a photo it is very diificult without a comparison alongside to show the size (and for some reason nobody has done that). From the front it is significantly smaller, although there is "more" behind than a typical receiver.... But the black and silver looks real good.
The HDD holder only takes 2.5 and I guess a slimline drive such as from seagate .... I remember somebody tried an old HDD andit was too thick for the holder to go back in .... But that the only time I have seen any issues. Mine run pretty cool (with a 500GB drive) and with the fan not normally in use. ( at least I don,t hear it going).... So I wouldn,t expect a 2TB to be an issue.... But you will have to try it!

I only run with 2 tuners in my receivers but the box is certainly not hotter than the ET8000/10000 receivers I had before. The tuners are basically the same Samsung plugins.

[twol]

Yep, the photo's are mis-leading.

http://www.world-of-satellite.co.uk/...er_name=ET8500

COMPACT DESIGN, ONLY 180MM (W) X 83MM (H) X 200MM (D)

Sicilian.... Wish I could type as fast as you..... By the time i get to answer you have responded about 5 mins before!