Looking for New Receiver with extras

[wo66]

I've been a long standing DM800HD clone user and I'm now looking for a new receiver.

I've also recently been using XBMC (on ATV2 and PC) and clearly the availability of streamed services as well as the Card based services would be ideal.

Are there any of the current receivers that offer the best of both?

Are the new Broadcom MIPS based units up to it (or likely to get there soon on the development trail)? - Appear to offer more bang for the buck!!

Am I missing something above that should be factored into my choice?

Any advice really appreaciated.

[bokkie]

Re: Looking for New Receiver with extras

Hi mate, and welcome to the form.
my best advice would be to wait for the impending release of the vu+ solo2 and duo2, which are expected to be released later this year.
It seems that they will not only be satellite receivers, but media centres as well.
The processor speed will be over 3 times that of a dm800se, which will be needed if it is going to be an all in one machine that we suspect.
prices will be a bit more though. Rumors are that the solo2 will be €399 and the duo2, €599.
If you can't wait I'd say a vu+ uno, solo or duo would be a good choice.

[microchick]

Re: Looking for New Receiver with extras

Bokkie is giving you a good advise. The trouble with Vu+solo2 and Duo2 would be the support. They would be brand new and you wont be able to get much help and support on the web. They will take a few months to kick off. At the moment Vu+ Solo,Duo or Uno are the best choices. Well supported around the globe.

[bokkie]

Re: Looking for New Receiver with extras

I see you like to use xbmc. Have a look at this little beauty being developed by vu+ parent company marusys. It's called the prism cube, and will be running on xbmc 4 stb. But no release date has been mentioned as it's still in the beta development phase
I reckon this is the way of the future for stb's.
h**p://www.*******.com/watch?v=Y37XPG5grbo

[bokkie]

Re: Looking for New Receiver with extras

Had a look at the prism video - looks pretty cool

Not got a lot of patience tho...

I've been tryng to find out some information on a possible release date for the prism cube, but have found nothing.
I was told about 2 months ago that it was in the beta testing phase.
XBMC is a really excellent UI and if it transferred well onto xbmc4stb, I think it'll be the way forward.

[digicon]

Re: Looking for New Receiver with extras

Personally i would not touch a Solo or Duo these machines are now 4 years old and technology moves fast, The best option if you dont need a Media centre as well would be the Uno or Ultimo if funds allow both are very new with the Uno just over a year Old.

As for the Solo2 and Duo2 not having support i can tell you now once released Blackhole who work exclusively for VU will have an image ready to go for both machines, At present BH and VTI are the Only image makers thus far to incorporate hbbtv functionality in there latest images.

Every other team seems to be lagging behind.

[bokkie]

Re: Looking for New Receiver with extras

The Solo2 and Duo2 would have support form the word go.
I would say that Vix and Blackhole would have images out for their release, though it might take a while to iron out the niggles.
I reckon that the duo and solo would be the ones to lose the support. Not straight away, but over the next couple of years, as the new stb's become more popular.
They would still be supported a few years down the line, but probably not the same level of support that they have now.

[minotaurow]

Re: Looking for New Receiver with extras

I have setup an EeeBox PC B201 from Asus as an HTPC with an usb DVB-S dongle, until now everything works ok with XBMC.

But now I need to upgrade, the box is not powerful enough to play 720p videos, forget about 1024 and it doesn’t even have a HDMI connector, so I was thinking on a DBV-S box with XBMC as the PrismCube but it all depends on the price, to build a new powerful HTPC will be around €400 and I don't think that paying around €599 for the DUO 2 is worth it.

A small box with all included will be great, now all this boxes should support media streaming and UPnP

[sweepym]

I had a similar question earlier. Take a look at the skybox F3 its small, sub £50 and apparently plays 1080p formats of all the common movie formats

just to add, I've tried this and it handles mkv, avi and mp4 without any problem. I have a cheap 8gb external usb disk and it played find with any issues and no interruptions.