Dreambox 8000 up and running...

[Llew]

After two weeks of head-scratching, my DB8000 is ready for some action.

As I'm new to Dreamboxes, initial setup posed many problems, not least the fact that I come straight to the box from a Triple Dragon, and although much of the Linux file system is the same, some of the files are in different sections of the system.

However, once network and satellite configurations were complete, I tried various images, settling on Nabilosat BH, residing in a USB stick alongside the Pure Flash, courtesy of Barry Allen.

Quality of picture is excellent, both SD and HD.

The system uses a Broadcom tuner working into a Broadcom 7405. Channel change is rapid.

I've retrofitted an internal 500GB Hitachi HDD, and will be looking now for a slimline DVD burner. This will be connected to the USB to eSATA stick provided (cable ready inside).HDD runs cool and sweetly.

A couple of niggles to get off my chest -

Overall finish is not as good as my TD - front hinge panel seems rather fragile, and the Dreambox escutcheon fell off

Also, and more importantly, a tuner blanking plate fell inside onto the mainboard as it was very thinly attached to the back panel(luckily it happened when not powered up )

I have made other owners aware of this on the DB8000 VIP board.

As for the high price of this receiver, my Echostar SR8700 cost more than this back in the early 90's. Whether this one justifies the cost, time will tell - I looked at several other boxes costing considerably less, but was not too happy whether full support would be forthcoming over time. At least the Dreambox support is second to none.

I will post updates on my experiencies with the 8000 as things progress.

Llew

[dig deep]

Good news, looking forward the post in the future.

[rato]

Keep us updated Llew, with much pic's & info as you can! Thanks!

[Llew]

After much hassle, I now have the DVD burner installed (Slimline Samsung SN-S083A).

The problem was the cable connection (SATA/power plug) didn't appear to be compatible with my drive. I thought I hadn't the adaptor that plugs into the drive, but stupidly I didn't see it languishing in the carton that the Dreambox came in. Too much of a hurry to get the box up and running

There is no explanation of fitting the drive in the manual, but after uploading a revised manual (see attachment), all became clear, with mention of the aforementioned adaptor.

Having recorded to the HDD the BBC HD David Attenborough programme about Darwin, I wanted to burn it to disk, but of course being in HD, it will need to be presumably downscaled to SD. In the DVD Burner application, there is mention of changing the format to a variety of ISO images, but I'm not sure which one to choose. So this is my next task, to get it somehow onto the disk.

Llew

[Llew]

To play your bought or rented DVDs, you need the file attached. Place in /temp and install. for the Nabilosat images, Blue button, Addons, Addons Download Manager.

[CROSSBONES]

It would be great if a bluray player could be added, but I think its a license issue.

Do you think it could be fitted?

[Llew]

I saw on the VIP site later this year, so seems a possibility.

Llew

[DeepDiver]

............Place in /temp and install. for the Nabilosat images, Blue button, Addons, Addons Download Manager.

On Nabilosat images, Green button, yellow button and then Manual Install IPK package

[Llew]

You're right of course Deep. Got my buttons mixed up there.

Good to see the expert putting me right

Llew

[paul2u]

got some more pic to add

[BGonaSTICK]

What's the large split/circular bracket for behind the HDD? Is this for a cooling fan by any chance?

[Llew]

Yes Stick. The box runs reasonably cool fully tooled up (HDD and DVD drive) without a fan, although I haven't burned a DVD yet - this may warm things up a bit.

Llew

[Sharkadder]

Not sure if you guys were/are aware of it.

Linux doesn't currently support blu-ray very well, i've heard stories of it being cracked but nothing really commercial as yet. Blu-Ray was mainly developed by the likes of sony, phillips, panasonic and pioneer. I'm sure that it will soon become compatible. Apaprently a PS3 uses linux so something must be possible out there.

[Llew]

Yes, as far as I'm aware, the Linux fraternity are working on it, so we have to wait awhile. Not that I'm in too much of a hurry, Blu Ray drives are pretty expensive, and there's not enough HD content around to justify it.

If DRM is ever cracked, the possibility of HD movie transfer to/from your Blu Ray drive would be interesting.

Llew

[Sharkadder]

Just to mention an extra thing on this subject. You can now get external blu-ray recorders that plug into a usb port, i wonder if they will also be compatible once the internal ones become usable. It was just a thought for them who would rather just plug something in than risk breaking a component inside their new £900 box lol.

[paul2u]

found some dm 8000 plugins to help you on your way hope thery helpful in some way

[Llew]

All good stuff paul2u, cheers, although the smartreader shouldn't be necessary as the 8000 has a cardreader that will read cards without it.

Bootloader 71 is included in latest images.

Llew

[T_G]

Hmmmm I wonder if any of those will work with the Qbox. Any suggestion on a simple plugin I should try?

[Llew]

I don't know if the two dvd plugins would be of use on yours, the library one is for allowing the drive to play bought/rented DVDs (the other one to open the player using the remote control if you're too lazy to use the front button )

Second stage bootloader? Do you need this one? The later E2 images required that - not sure what you're using for your box.

The blindscan plugin looks interesting, but depends what tuner is used - early 8000's and the 800 have an Alps tuner, maybe works with those, not sure about the Broadcom one I have. Will investigate this.

Llew

[T_G]

Where do the plugins go in the 8000?

[Llew]

They're ipk files that are ftp'd to the temp folder, then you do an ipk install from the Dreambox menu.

What folder they end up in, I haven't a clue, I can find out I suppose.

Llew

[sonic1]

DM800 plugins go to /usr/lib/enigma2/python/Plugins/Extensions

I doubt the 8000 is any different.

[Llew]

Yes, same on the 8000.

Sonic, I've just flashed the Newnigma image, and noticed I haven't a Backup/Restore plugin in that directory. Can't find it anywhere in the Dreambox menus, it was always there in other images I've tried.

Doesn't appear to be one I can upload using the Plugin upload facility either.

Any clues mate?

Llew

[sonic1]

Sonic, I've just flashed the Newnigma image, and noticed I haven't a Backup/Restore plugin in that directory. Can't find it anywhere in the Dreambox menus, it was always there in other images I've tried.

Doesn't appear to be one I can upload using the Plugin upload facility either.

Any clues mate?

It's not in the new Nabilo image either, but my guess is that with the latest cvs changes many plugins are not yet compatible. ( It's just a mater of time I guess ).

We have to remember that we are all now using experimental cvs 2.6 and the changes and updates seem to be daily. New web interface, new bootloaders and new drivers all in the last few weeks.

I think we are now begining to see the full potentail of these box's as they fight to stay ahead of their rivals.

The new cvs network browser and mount manager is a nice feature.

[Llew]

OK, worth waiting for on these otherwise excellent new images.

Meanwhile. I'll revert back to Gemini for the present.

Thanks a bunch anyway,

Llew