QBOX HD coming soon

T_G

QBox HD is coming soon - and I am getting one. Made by Duolabs in Italy, the same company which does the popular Diablo module.

The specs, at least on paper, are looking good. If it ends up what they say it should be, it will be a serious weapon.

The appearnce of the box is debatable - those yellow or green versions might appeal to some people, I think I like the all black or silver one best. One thing is for sure - at least they give us the option of more than just silver or black. I am not too bothered about appearance as long as it does what it says on the tin.

I have seen it advertised at 479 Euros (that includes 20% VAT) for instance satmedia.at, but there are others.



Watch this thread

- 266 MHz ST40 CPU SH4 Core. STi 7101 based.
- Linux Operating System
- Linux DVB-API compatible.
- 2,2” TFT high definition Display
- WiFi - 802.11n. Stand-Alone internal Module
3 Antennas. WEP/WPA/WPA2 supported.
- 2 x Common Interface Slots
- Ethernet 10/100 MBit compatible interface
- MPEG-2 / H.264 Hardware decoding
- Tuner: DVB-S2, DVB-C, DVB-T
- 3 x Tuner Module Input - Plug&Play
- 2 x Smartcard-Reader ISO 7816-3 with programmable clock speed
- V.24/RS232 Interface
- 10/100Mbit Ethernet Interface
- 2 x Scart (RGB, FBAS or S-Video)
- HDMI Output
- 2 x USB 2.0 external USB
- 1 x USB 2.0 internal for FileSystem
- S/PDIF Interface for digital bit stream out (AC-3)
- 8 MByte NOR for Secure Bootloader, 128 MByte RAM
- Internal SATA for PVR
Use either as internal SATA HDD 2,5“
- unlimited channel lists for TV/Radio
- EPG (electronic program guide)
- multiple LNB-Switching control (supports DiSEqC)
- OSD in many languages and skin-support
- Videotext Decoder
DVB-S2 Tuner:
Frequency Range 950 .... 2150 MHz
Demodulation DVB-S (QPSK); DVB-S2 (8PSK,QPSK)
Symbol rate DVB-S: 2 ... 45 Mbaud/s, SCPC/ MCPC
DVB-S2: 10 – 31 Mbaud/s (8PSK) , 10 –30 Mbaud/s (QPSK)
Video decoder:
Video Compression MPEG-2 and MPEG-1 compatible, H.246
Video Formats 4:3 / 16:9
Letterbox for 4:3 TV-Device
Capable Resolution: (1080I, 720P, 480P/576P, 480I/576I)
Audio decoder:
Audio Compression MPEG-1 & MPEG-2 Layer I and II, MP3
Audio Mode Dual (main/sub), Stereo
Frequency: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 16 kHz, 22.05 kHz, 24 kHz
Video parameter:
Input Level FBAS 1 Vss +/- 0.3 dB on 75 Ohm
Teletext filter in conformity with ETS 300 472 Standard
TV-Scart:
Output: FBAS, RGB, S-Video
Serial Interface RS 232:
RS232 bidirectional
BitRate 115,2 kBit/s max.
Plug Connector SUB-D-9
Function: Update of Firmware
Ethernet:
10/100 MBit compatible interface
Function: Update of Firmware
SATA Interface:
For use either as internal HDD 2,5“
USB
2 x USB 2.0 Host
1 x USB 2.0 Host Internal Slot for USB stick to hold the Firmware.
Count of active satellite position diSEqC 1.0/1.2 SAT POSITION / SAT OPTION
DiSEqC - Rotor Control

Power Supply:
Input:
110-240V AC / 50-60Hz / 0,6A
Physical specification:
Ambient Temperature +15°C...+35°C
Humidity < 80%
Size (W x D x H):370 mm x 230 mm x 60 mm
Weight: 2,5 kg ca without HDD

Attached Thumbnails

         

T_G I only believe stuff that comes straight from Mr. Horses mouth!

Prophessor

I'm getting dissapointed with the DGS HD boxes, the comunity is trying hard to get things going but i don't see DGS or ABcom doing much to help, so i'll be keeping my eye on this this italian box for the coming months.
I'm still a bit skeptical, the box features all sorts of good stuff i hope they deliver.

When people ask me what I think, I tell them: "I think all of the meat around the pig's ass is pork."

solly

qbox hd hardware weel hope next two week arrive the market

easysat

Looking at the ST website, this processor offers an N*S ICAM encryption block. This could leave open the possibility of direct compatibility with S*y cards. More likely, though, this feature will be disabled on the version supplied to Duolabs otherwise it would present some interesting learning opportunities with the open source software.

Incidentally, this ST processor family for STB's is a descendant of the Bristol-designed Inmos transputer, so there's a little bit of British engineering heritage in there.

pc::

T_G

Interesting. What do dhe dreamboxes have that allow them to read these cards?

T_G I only believe stuff that comes straight from Mr. Horses mouth!

easysat

I am not an expert but I believe the ICAM block is used in checking if the card is genuine or not. Possibly it is also used for processing EMM's as well. Does the Dreambox update the rights on the S*y card or do you need to put it back in an official box? Maybe the ICAM block has something to do with this.

pc::

T_G

Usually a dreambox with cccam works fine for a long time and does not need the card to be inserted into a digibox to re-activate the card.

T_G I only believe stuff that comes straight from Mr. Horses mouth!

sat-BR

What about the DIABLO CAM embended?

T_G

what is the question exactly?

T_G I only believe stuff that comes straight from Mr. Horses mouth!

Crusty Burke

Newer versions of Gemini have been bricking the Chinese clones. Is there a danger this could be bricked by Gemini? The Gemini developers seem to be close to Dream Multimedia.

However this box is a pretty powerful looking HD solution given that DMM seem to have lost their way what with the high prices for the DM8000 and overheating issues for the DM800.

And at almost half the price of the DM8000 I would very much like to get this box, but with two DVB-S2 tuners instead of the DVB-S2/DVB-T combination Duolabs are advertising.

easysat

Incidentally, after looking at the ST website I notice that they are now promoting another more recent processor, the STi7105 for low cost HD STB's. The 7105 can do 1080p video whereas DuoLabs' choice STi7101 is limited to 1080i. That's the trouble with electronics, there always seems to be something better just around the corner. But it did make me wonder if the QBox-HD has been a long time in development.

pc::

dig deep

There are a "few" more boxes on their way to the market.

Think this will be fun

abdul.jabbar

Is this the box?

---Ebay 220352996584

007.4

No. That looks like the SD not HD version.

abdul.jabbar

Still a wait than. Thanks

T_G

I have set up a thread that shows how I get on with the Beta box. Have a look, I will keep updating it. Of course there will be an Idiot Guide - but I am waiting until the software is in a more complete stage.

T_G I only believe stuff that comes straight from Mr. Horses mouth!

EDW

Heh, TG nice purchase, how about pic. quality?

Last night I compared bbc1 with my cheapo freeview box outputting S-video and my Kathrein 910 outputting hdmi to my lcd tv and freeview pic much much better - bit annoying.



Do you have component video set up to test? I think qbox has component output on scart too? My TV has something called Cinema mode for component input but I have trouble outputting YUV on my box using enigma 2.

Would be interested to know what is bit rate for freeview and sat for bbc1 if you can find out with QboxHD now or with future image.

Ta.

T_G

Hi
I have had problems connecting the HDMI to my TV, it seems my TV has a problem. So at the moment I can't do much about it. In SD the picture quality is good, definetly not worse than a Dreambox. I will sort out the TV and report on the quality, but when looking at some HD test channels using normal scart connection the picture was as good as any other receiver.

T_G I only believe stuff that comes straight from Mr. Horses mouth!

CROSSBONES

looking forward to the rest your reviews T_G

How did you become a beta tester?

T_G

Ahhhhhh I could tell you but then I would need to delete you

T_G I only believe stuff that comes straight from Mr. Horses mouth!

CROSSBONES

Spoilsport

blackhawk2

@T_G Hi you are one of the first lucky men...
Could you please test , ftping mbox or incubuscam version sh4, and test if it work?

Reading with attention and "envy" your reviews!

abdul.jabbar

@ T_G

"Of course there will be an Idiot Guide"

Cants wait for this. Problem is i am a complte idiot so will be a great test. I was thinking of buying a linux box and at present my only experince is with technomate so have a lot to learn. Depending on how idiot proof your guide is i will decide to either go for a dm800 hd or this the qbox hd

T_G

The quality of the guide depends not only on me but also all users that contribute. you can check out the idiot guide in the dreambox section, that will give you a good idea.
One thing to keep in mind: The Qbox won't be that more easy or difficult than the DM800, it does however have the extra components such as wifi and the built in Diablo modul which means a bit more things to play with.

For me, this is a good thing as I like to play with it. I am bored with my old Dreambox, there is not that much more I can do with it that I haven't already tried.

I can't see that there is going to be a problem sorting the box out instruction wise, there are enough good people around who a re willing to explain stuff - this is what the forum is all about.
The big test however is going to be how good are the images developed by the various groups. If the initial tests and reviews are good, and some of the established image makers are going to work on this then this box is going to be a hit.

T_G I only believe stuff that comes straight from Mr. Horses mouth!

EDW

Hopefully Qbox will be well supported as this will put pressure on the price of the DM8000, £864.99 - crazy, IMHO DMM are taking the mickey.

I wanna see QboxHD -v- AZBox HD head-to-head shoot out similar spec and price but no Diablo in AZbox.


AZ box on youtube.
h**p://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wytt8-RXdc