Questions from newbie/ Capabilities and plug-ins: OpenPLI versus Vix

[George Kildare]

I have just purchased an Xtrend ET10000, my first enigma box, and I am in the process of installing software and setting it up. The dealer flashed it with the latest openpli image. Here in the Netherlands that seems to be the dealer's default image. After browsing the forums I am somewhat confused by the possibilities offered by the different images. think that thee is a market for a book on "Enigma for Dummies"!!

My goal is to optimise capability combined with stability and I am less concerned about appearance and aesthetics. From this standpoint I would have a few questions.

1. Are there more plug-ins available for the Vix image than for the OPENPLI image?

2. I am particularly interested in an epg that allows for the equivalent of Freest/ Sky's "series link". What are the relevant plug-ins and are these available both on OPENPLI and/or Vix. I have seen from the web that there is a problem with running Crossing on Openpli 4 because of a missing library.

3. I am also interested in "On-Demand" plug-ins, such as iplayer, ITV player, RTEplayer and the Dutch "Uitzending gemist". What are the available plug-ins and are these available on OPENPLI and/or Vix?

4. Are there sites where additional plug-ins are available in addition to the official plug-ins that can be downloaded directly from the receiver? If so, are there instructions available for downloading and ftp-ing these plug-ins via Idreamx on my mac. (I have already succeeded in editing bouquets via Idreamx).

The easiest for me would be to stick to openPLI initially, but if Vix is stable and better for the above applications I will change.

Sorry if these questions are naive. Advice would be appreciated. Thanking you in advance.

[Stanman]

1. No should be same. If there is not one in your feeds you can install via IPK file.

2. VIX this is integrated and called autotimer but you can install in other boxes as well but operation is nowhere near as easy as in vix - one button click in EPG and it's set up.

[Rob van der Does]

ad 1: be aware that PLi tends to be rather sloppy in the plugin area: many are not kept are not up-to-date.
ad 3: ViX has it's own 'on-demand' plugin. For Dutch services it's best to install the HbbTV plugin (called NewXtrend HbbTV, also available on PLi).
For a whole series of streaming plugins see

http://www.xtrend-alliance.com/index.php/forum/93-plugin-kodi-direct/

where the plugins, add-ons and how-to's are available. And the author of KodiDirect lives there, so any questions will be answered in no time.

[twol]

You have my complete sympathy! Have to say "trying" is the best way of finding out what you want.
Yes, you have OpenPli and the OE Alliance group (which ViX is part of) and a few others. OpenPli, OpenXTA etc provide nightly builds for the ET10000, OpenVix is built as necessary, which is normally quite regular - but not nightly.
"In my view" ViX is a more complete image (includes many plugins as standard) especially if you want to watch British TV and other 19,2E channels, and have a good EPG that supports both - OpenPLi needs some setting up and plugins added by you to support your needs.... also assume (in my view that you are viewing watching 19.2)
Most images are stable. with occasional hiccups, often due to drivers.

[George Kildare]

Many thanks for the replies so far. I will try experimenting with Vix.

Could someone tell me whether there are Vix plug-ins for iplayer and other "on-demand" sites?

[Larry-G]

There is a plugin called "OnDemand" but it is largely broken for uk catch up services owing to drm and other methods employed by the uk service providers to prevent unlicensed plugins accessing their streams.