Box Recommendations

[KuchKuch]

Hi All,

I’m in the market for a new set-top box. Living in the UK, I believe my only option is to use this as a custom made Freesat box (I know I can view unencrypted channels on Virgin, but due to the small selection, I don’t see the point). I want my box to be able to do the following:
• Have access to HD channels
• Have at least 2 tuners
• Be able to record live TV
• Have recordings that are unencrypted
• Have recordings that are in the .TS format
• Have an EPG, which will allow series record
• Record to an internal and/or external HDD
• Playback .TS files (Ideal, but not necessary)
• Have decent performance (similar to the Sky+ HD boxes or better)

I was looking at the VU+ Duo2 with OpenVix, but realise there maybe cheaper alternative that do exactly what I want.

I’d appreciate everyone’s thoughts.

Thanks.

[twol]

Hi All,

I’m in the market for a new set-top box. Living in the UK, I believe my only option is to use this as a custom made Freesat box (I know I can view unencrypted channels on Virgin, but due to the small selection, I don’t see the point). I want my box to be able to do the following:
• Have access to HD channels
• Have at least 2 tuners
• Be able to record live TV
• Have recordings that are unencrypted
• Have recordings that are in the .TS format
• Have an EPG, which will allow series record
• Record to an internal and/or external HDD
• Playback .TS files (Ideal, but not necessary)
• Have decent performance (similar to the Sky+ HD boxes or better)

I was looking at the VU+ Duo2 with OpenVix, but realise there maybe cheaper alternative that do exactly what I want.

I’d appreciate everyone’s thoughts.

Thanks.

What sort of tuners, Cable, T2 or Sat?

[KuchKuch]

What sort of tuners, Cable, T2 or Sat?

Was looking at having a twin DVB-S2 tuner installed on one slot and keeping the other free.

[Sicilian]

Long list:

VU+ Duo2
Gigablue UHD UE 4K
Gigablue UHD Quad 4K
VU+ Solo 4K
Tiviar Alpha+ is a steal imo at only £99: https://www.world-of-satellite.co.uk...iar-alpha-plus

[KuchKuch]

Long list:

VU+ Duo2
Gigablue UHD UE 4K
Gigablue UHD Quad 4K
VU+ Solo 4K
Tiviar Alpha+ is a steal imo at only £99: https://www.world-of-satellite.co.uk...iar-alpha-plus

Thanks for the suggestions Sicilian.

As there are a large number of boxes that meet my requirement; out of the three receivers below, which would people say perform the best (speed of the UI, changing channels)

• Tiviar Alpha+
• VU+ Duo 2
• Xtrend ET8500

[twol]

No difference - all based on the older, MIPS chip technology ...

[Sicilian]

Thanks for the suggestions Sicilian.

As there are a large number of boxes that meet my requirement; out of the three receivers below, which would people say perform the best (speed of the UI, changing channels)

• Tiviar Alpha+
• VU+ Duo 2
• Xtrend ET8500

ET8500 is a discontinued box.

VU+ Duo2 has the benefit of a spare tuner slot.

Tiviar Alpha+ has 2x Satellite tuners built in and extra Hybrid DVB-C/T/T2 plugin tuner already installed. Use the Hybrid tuner for Freeview HD. At £99 with a two year hardware warranty its a steal imo.

[KuchKuch]

Thanks for both your help

Had a look at all 3 receivers and went through a lot of threads, which discuss all these boxes. In the end, I went for the Xtrend ET8500. I found a retailer online that still had a few in stock and got it for approximately £130 with twin DVB-S2 tuners. £30 difference between the ET8500 and the Tiviar Alpha+ and I got swayed by the support for the ET8500 and the fact that it is easy to install a HDD in the ET8500. I can't get Freeview where I live, so I can't make use of the extra tuner in the Alpha+. Just hope I don't regret it now.

[Sicilian]

Thanks for both your help

Had a look at all 3 receivers and went through a lot of threads, which discuss all these boxes. In the end, I went for the Xtrend ET8500. I found a retailer online that still had a few in stock and got it for approximately £130 with twin DVB-S2 tuners. £30 difference between the ET8500 and the Tiviar Alpha+ and I got swayed by the support for the ET8500 and the fact that it is easy to install a HDD in the ET8500. I can't get Freeview where I live, so I can't make use of the extra tuner in the Alpha+. Just hope I don't regret it now.

Imo the Alpha+ is a better purchase, but its your choice. HDD is not hard to install in any receiver.

[twol]

Thanks for both your help

Had a look at all 3 receivers and went through a lot of threads, which discuss all these boxes. In the end, I went for the Xtrend ET8500. I found a retailer online that still had a few in stock and got it for approximately £130 with twin DVB-S2 tuners. £30 difference between the ET8500 and the Tiviar Alpha+ and I got swayed by the support for the ET8500 and the fact that it is easy to install a HDD in the ET8500. I can't get Freeview where I live, so I can't make use of the extra tuner in the Alpha+. Just hope I don't regret it now.

I am sure the Tiviar is an excellent buy, but the ET8500 is still my all time favourite receiver - great receiver, 4tuner capability, easy to open up (2 screws), easy to fit HDD, great display and rarely used (except by me) an inbuilt multiboot option.

[sundancer]

I'll second the ET8500, great box and yes i use the multiboot option too

Not tried the others so i cant comment on them, although i am intrigued with the Tiviar box, may be worth a look.

[KuchKuch]

Slight off topic, but if I were to get 2 more turners installed on my Xtrend ET8500 (4 in total), can I get a Hybrid LNB installed, so I can use all 4 tuners along with a Sky Q box, which will all be running off 1 dish?

[twol]

Certainly you can take the legacy outputs (not sure how many) and use them.
Extra tuners you may have to buy from one of the German outfits, as they are not that available any more.
The receiver runs fine with 4 sat tuners - thats how I previously had one of my ET8500’s set up.

[sundancer]

WOS still list the DVB-S2 and DVB-C/T2 Tuner, i will be getting one for mine soon unless i decide to buy another receiver

[Partymack711]

No difference - all based on the older, MIPS chip technology ...

Hey Twol - what has replaced MIPS if you are in the market for a linux based STB?