Advice please on upgrading to Linux?

[Snowy]

Hello all - I hope this doesn't get a "read the forum first" response, as we often see to daft questions, but be asured that I have spent ages trying to get an understanding of these boxes, (so many now available). Reading the stickies and tutorials sometimes adds to the confusion, as they often seem written for the already-initiated.

I have never before used anything other than a straight receiver and CAM, but this is a thing of the past it seems. So where should I go now? Dreambox is quite old, Vu+ and Spiderbox seem new. I know that an internet connection is required, but I can't make out if a card for sharing is also a must?

Any advice will be well received, (excuse the pun!) Thanks.

 

[Analoguesat]

Any linux box can be used as a normal fta box.

Lets be honest as well - most folks start with them fta only. Indeed many of us still only use them for fta stuff just because of the additional tweaking you can do with them (re skinning the graphics if you dont like the base image etc).

Of course they have the more advanced functionality but thats something that can be tinkered with if your interest in the hobby takes you in that direction.

As Im sure you are aware c/s is a distinctly grey area and whilst we will give a limited amount of help for anyone wanting to set their own up, if you decide to go for a pay server you are on your own as that area is completely off limits on this forum so you wont get any help sorting out problems.

To be blunt only a fool joins a pay server anyway - they are run by the scum of the earth using distinctly questionable methods at times. And if the server gets busted your IP is on the server logs plain as anything for the authorities to trace.

 

[Snowy]

Thanks for the quick reply Analoguesat. I think that gives me some steer, i.e. it sounds like using the box via a network involves paying to use a server? This is precisely the area that I'm vague about. The info I have read seems to imply that all you need to do is download and install patches, configs, etc. and the world's your oyster. Am I being drawn into a dark world? With so many boxes available, and from seemingly reputable dealers, I assumed this was sort of above board (ish and within the bounds of what sat hobbyists get up to).

 

[Analoguesat]

Thanks for the quick reply Analoguesat. I think that gives me some steer, i.e. it sounds like using the box via a network involves paying to use a server? This is precisely the area that I'm vague about. The info I have read seems to imply that all you need to do is download and install patches, configs, etc. and the world's your oyster. Am I being drawn into a dark world? With so many boxes available, and from seemingly reputable dealers, I assumed this was sort of above board (ish and within the bounds of what sat hobbyists get up to).

Theres no need to be doing dodgy things to have the box connected tou your home network - you can do all sorts of other cool things For instance - back up your channel bouquets and settings for when it all goes pear shaped / load a new image onto it / stream video and audio across your network / remote control it using the web interface plus loads more.

Theres very little available without access to a proper subscription these days - the glorious days of multiple pay tv services easily opened are long gone. There are a few minor channels still around but the last big one went secure back in June / July. The best way to open foreign pay services is just to buy your own sub from a specialist dealer. Then you are guaranteed a years service from them.

If you want to go down the c/s route then the best way is for a group of friends to all buy one card and share them out between yourselves, although be aware that we know several of the operators are making some encryption algorithm tweaks in the near future specifically to stop the c/s'ers, so dont be surprised if any c/s you join starts losing access to channels

Oh - just so theres absolutely no misunderstandings - a reminder to ALL our members reading this thread.

Asking for access to, or offering card shares, in any way whatsoever is strictly forbidden on this forum

This isnt meant at anyone in particular but if we dont do the occasional reminders its certain someone will ask something they shouldnt.

 

[Snowy]

Once again Analoguesat, many thanks for the info.

I think you just saved me some money, plus time wasted checking this stuff out. I'm only sorry that I got into this game far too late. Maybe my Force Frontier 90cm should come down from the wall?

 

[Analoguesat]

Nah - put it back into use

Theres always something different to watch. Tonight Ive been been keeping half an eye on watching Huddersfield get humiliated via a (rare) free football feed on 10E.

The pay tv lark is a game of cat and mouse. There are good times and bad times - it just so happens that we are at the bottom of a trough at the moment and theres not much open. At some point the hackers will find a weak point in one of the encryptions & it will be opened up for a few weeks or months.

The main thing to remember is that although the linux boxes are fabulous machines - (Ive had a dreambox 7020 for 3-4 years now and wouldnt go back to a "none linux" receiver now) they are not magic boxes that open all the pay tv channels with a few button presses.

 

[M1JWR]

Totally agree with you, when we had d-2mac and cams etc, hobby'ists gave you xtra info free, part of the hobby died with them.
put the plaza st out to grass, got a ip box 9000, talk about fun times, aint got the time or interest in c/s,
there have been a few times when ive wanted to jump on the thing, but hey, thats linux

Any linux box can be used as a normal fta box.

Lets be honest as well - most folks start with them fta only. Indeed many of us still only use them for fta stuff just because of the additional tweaking you can do with them (re skinning the graphics if you dont like the base image etc).

Of course they have the more advanced functionality but thats something that can be tinkered with if your interest in the hobby takes you in that direction.

As Im sure you are aware c/s is a distinctly grey area and whilst we will give a limited amount of help for anyone wanting to set their own up, if you decide to go for a pay server you are on your own as that area is completely off limits on this forum so you wont get any help sorting out problems.

To be blunt only a fool joins a pay server anyway - they are run by the scum of the earth using distinctly questionable methods at times. And if the server gets busted your IP is on the server logs plain as anything for the authorities to trace.