Hi all,

I have just joined and have more or less persuaded myself to buy the dual sat version of this box.

Initially, it will be as an evaluation as to whether an ageing Humax Foxsat HDR can be retired and this can become the 'family' FreeSat PVR with a decent sized micro SD. My other half isn't too technical but can set and view recordings on the Foxsat, so that will be the main acceptance criterion. The remote is getting dodgy and something has caused slight unreliability in recording - a series link often fails part way through the series while we are away. I also suspect the HDD may be on its way out. Even if I buy a new remote/HDD and the problems go away, it still leaves us with the rather clunky and dated EPG/user interface. I like the idea of OpenViX, so I will give it a go.

I can evaluate it using a spare feed from the current ex-Sky dish (universal LNB) on the chimney but I also have a motorised dish on the garage. This has seen better days and needs a new motor and probably a new LNB, both a lot cheaper than when originally bought.

I don't really need the facility for IPTV but would like to have a play at some point, though probably not to the extent of paying a subscription to anyone!

I realise there are other very similar specced boxes at higher and lower prices (from Zgemma H9Twin to the new AX HD61), but the other main box I looked at was the GigaBlue UHD UE. The UHD UE is really tempting, as with an extra tuner it could become both the PVR replacement and a motorised 'hobby' system. However, it does end up costing about as much as two simpler boxes once the extra tuner is included. I think it's something to bear in mind for the future, which would really come into its own if I could use a Unicable LNB on the fixed dish.

I had another thought. With the SF8008 having multiboot capability (again I know other boxes also do this), could I use a single unit booting normally into 28.2E PVR mode with a nice simple wife-friendly interface with 'Freesat' channels only and another boot taking me into 'hobby' (motorised) mode, with a DiSEqC switch or two to select the appropriate dish feed? The only drawback I can see initially is that a recording set to be made in PVR mode would presumably fail if the box was currently booted in a different mode. I suppose I will find any other issues as I play about with it.

Is my thinking above valid or completely flawed?

I expect there will be many further questions, if I do buy a box!

Tony