Replacement for Xtrend ET10000

[George Kildare]

My Xtrend ET10000 PVR has served me well for many years. I don’t know how long it will last, but I am thinking of replacing it and would appreciate advice on what box to buy.

I like the Enigma2 operating system, because of the ability to set up any number of cable, satellite and IPTV channels/bouquets, mix and sort in my preferred order and record. I need double satellite and double cable tuners. Until now I have used OpenPLI and OpenVIX, E-Channelizer on my PC as a setup tool and watch Ziggo channels with an old (CI?) smartcard and CCAM softcam.

Although I realise that CI+ is difficult with Enigma2, if possible, I would like the ability to use a Ziggo CI+ module/ card, e.g. through a plug in. I also realise that IPTV on Enigma is not ideal, but it would be good to choose an Enigma2 box for which buffering is a minimum and that can record a few channels simultaneously.

I have seen good reviews of VU+, but I do not need or want the separate internal screen, as on the VU+, because I often listen to channels at night in the dark via a separate amplifier. Also, from Internet postings, I gather that support for the VU+ is questionable.

I am thinking of trying an OCTAGON SF8008 4K E2 DVB-S2X&C/T2. How does this compare to my old ET10000. Is there any disadvantage in using an external USB hard drive for recording compared with the internal hard drive of my ET10000? Are there alternatives that I should consider, e.g. ZGemma or Gigablue?

Any advice would be welcome.

[twol]

A long winded and semi humorous (?) response.
Xtrend …. Quality, innovative(ET8500 - loved by few but my favourite box) and overall excellent receivers - in my view hard to beat during their unfortunately short lifetime.

Vu+ - I swore I would never have one of these overpriced boxes(my view), but acquired one 6 months ago(uno4kSE) to help get Vu multiboot running - and I have to say nice quality box.
Gigablue …. I have 3 of these quality boxes(my view) …gbuhd4k, my main (lounge) box, gbue4k(test, so gets beaten to death) and a gbtrio4k which is my sf8008 tester, so I can test instead of using the sf8008 ( see below). My only question for gigablue as a ET10000 replacement is whether you can get the T2 tuners if needed.
Zgemma, low priced, does what it says on the tin( a bit like the receiver casing).Unfortunately uses their home baked servicehilicon component instead of servicemp3.
Octagon sf8008 - well after much fine tuning, this box does a good job, although it pains me to say so. As the only box that I have ever managed to mess up, its now consigned to the dustbin.

So if you need T2 then maybe Vu+, otherwise gbue4k or gbtrio4k(and Yes if you really want to sf8008!)

Not sure about the Ziggo CI card, but CI+ works on these boxes. As does most IPTV. Lcd screen, you can power off, turn to black.

[cactikid]

Yes tuner cards are still for sale on many places for the ET10000 and still using mine.

Only box i know having twin lan ports that i never got to play with.

Very limited 4 tuner boxes on the market.

[George Kildare]

Very many thanks for the info twol and cactikid. Does the newer high-priced VUPlus have any advantage over the ET10000?

After thinking some more, I'm now thinking of just keeping my Xtrend ET10000. It is still working well and may well outlast me!

[twol]

Didn,t mean to put you off ... I just have a high opinion of Xtrend.
Ciplus works - maybe(?) need cam for Ziggo?
Depending on what Sat channels you watch, then FCB tuner on Gigablue/Vu+ can be useful.

...but just remembered this is now back available and is a good box.......https://www.world-of-satellite.co.uk/zgemma-h7s

[Huevos]

Very many thanks for the info twol and cactikid. Does the newer high-priced VUPlus have any advantage over the ET10000?

After thinking some more, I'm now thinking of just keeping my Xtrend ET10000. It is still working well and may well outlast me!

Vu+Uno4kse only has one tuner slot, so you have to choose between satellite or terrestrial.

Vu+Duo4kse has 2 slots so you have a possible combination of 8x DVB-S2X and 2x DVB-T2. Allows for watching and recording multiple channel simultaneously, and multistream channels.

Both of the above have a pull out HDD caddy which allows installing an internal 2.5' HDD without dismantling the unit.

Internal hard drive is obviously preferable, just think how awkward a laptop would be if the disk was external.

Regarding the SF8008 I would much rather have the OS Mio4k+. Has 2x DVB-S2X tuners and also terrestrial capable, and also superior blindscan (SF8008 can't blindscan multistream transponders and return the PLS codes). Also the Mio has a much more aesthetic enclosure.

[George Kildare]

Thanks Huevos. Sounds as if the VU+ Duo 4k SE is the best, bet, if I want to splurge. Otherwise I'll stick to my heroic ET10000 for now.