How to tell an Original from a Clone?

[zoro25]

Hi, I was wondering if there are any tell tale signs of telling a clone from an original box. I'm guessing the VIP card and maybe the stickers. However Dream are stopping the hologram stickers, and its not hard to put a fake VIP card in a pack. So is there anyway that people know of? I'm hoping someone can tell before they purchase the box?. Meaning looking on websites and Ebay etc. (besides the obvious of its its less than £600 then its a clone). Thanks in advance.

[CROSSBONES]

The 8000`s are cloned?

If you buy from a reputable dealer, then you shouldn't have a problem.

[dig deep]

Only way is using the MAC adress

[B16MCC]

Use the listed suppliers from Dream's website.

[compufunk]

Unfortunately there is no way of knowing for sure. Even Dream Multimedia cant tell the difference. (I know because I sent them one for repair).

A MAC address is easily forged so isn't a reliable gauge either.

[iko]

there is no clone 8000 on the market ...
is there??

[zoro25]

There people advertising them.

If they are being shipped yet or not I don't know.
on one of the many i saw advertised there was one that had the incorrect CPU spec

It said
CPU 723 IBM,
however I think the newer clones which are coming all seem to state 400Mhz MIPs.

[zoro25]

Just another update,
I was contacted by a clone maker yesterday.

They are now being shipped so be very careful when buying. All stats and pictures of the machine look correct. - even with info about the new on-line verification system.
(not sure about VIP package? - guessing that can't be faked).
My advice is if buying ask to see the VIP card.

Dreambox 8000HD
1-5 - 700 GBP Per Item - 5GBP Shipping
6-8 - 600 GBP per item - 5 GBP Shipping
9-13 - 650 GBP per item - 10 GBP Shipping
14-19 550 GBP per item - 15 GBP Shipping
19-23 500 GBP per item - 15 Gbp Shipping

Come with full one year warranty however must pay shipping back to Shenzhen High-tec Industrial Park, Guangdong, China where factory is.

Single items are not very cheap however I think they are realistic for a decent clone if such a thing exists. Most resellers will buy in bulk and look to make 50-100 on a clone, so expect prices around 550-600.

With prices like I think most buyers will go the original route.

[derchris]

Hi,

I know this is not exactly the correct version, but there are a few good points on how to spot a DM 800 clone.
These rules might go for the DM 8000 as well.

_http://wiki.blue-panel.com/index.php/Differences_from_DM800_HD_PVR_to_Cloneboxes

Also, there is a Plugin available from DM itself which is working with the default Firmware only, which will do an online check of your box.

[zoro25]

That plugin is useless as the its only on official and new trial (semi official Ozoon and Newnigma2 images)
which can't be put onto clone boxes without crashing them.

If that plugin came on Jade and Nabilo then it might be of use.

One other way to check if its a clone or not is what I have begun doing (especially when buying 2nd hand)

Insist that the Latest Gemini is flashed before posting of the box.

(Late Sept - Early Oct is when the shipments of 8000 clones are supposed to arrive - all depending on customs clearance of course).