D500S - 'Plug & Play'?

A

Archie_23

Member
My Satellite Setup
I have Sky at the moment but am looking to set up a satellite/computer system and hope to learn a bit about it.
My Location
London
Hi,

Okay, I'm extrememly new to this as I haven't even got my receiver yet but have been reading up in advance to give me a head start.

I'm aware that to set up a system from scratch will take a lot of effort and time for a complete newbee [although I'm willing to give it a go] but I've seen the D500S for sale as a 'plug & play' unit.

Does the forum recommend this? As far as I can gather it would mean it would have an image/firmware already installed and some of the various other things that need doing. This seems tempting to me but would I be better off doing it all from scratch?

I realise I may be talking complete rubbish but any help is much appreciated! :)
 
Even if you do buy a linux based receiver that is 'plug & play (ie, already has an image flashed on it) then there is no doubt sometime in the future you will have to for some reason update your image anyway. either because of a 'crash' or you need to update
 
Okay, yes that makes sense. I don't suppose you can recommend an image I might want to flash the receiever with?

I realise that it's people's preference but I really have no clue.

Cheers for the info.
 
First of all I would spend a few days looking through the excellent guides and tutorials on the dreambox section. This is half the fun, I remeber when I first got my linux box it took me about 3 days to set up, puling my hair out etc. Its all good stuff, and you learn a lot along the way.

I will try and put the basic steps down in principle, but I do not want to disrespect any of the tutorials that people have spent time and effort on.

1) Linux Box needs to be 'flashed' with an image (like an Operating system) via serial cable to your PC. You need to install 'Dreamup' on your PC to do this.

2) Router has to have port forwarded to the dreambox IP

3) Linux Box needs to be connected to TV, Dish and Router (via ethernet cable)

4) 'Dreamboxedit' needs to be installed on your PC . Here you can sort out all your channel lists.

5) 'Dreambox Control Center DCC' needs to be installed on your PC. Here you can modifiy your Linux box configuration settings (ie put keys in, put card sharing lines in etc)

As far as images be very careful. If you buy a legit Dreambox you cant go wrong with Gemini, Nabilosat. However if you buy a clone Dreambox, a few images may not be compatible with the box, and in fact may damage your box, ie Gemini.

When buying a Linux Box many people think Dreamboxes are the be all and end all. Although they deserve all the credit and respect for breaking the mould with Linux, there are others available.

A copy cat of a 500s which I reccomend is the E@glebox, its cheap as chips and I personly belive they are slightly better.

As I said spend some time flicking thru the tutorials
 
Thanks for the info, it's very helpful. I'm sure I'll get there in the end, as you say, the guides/tutorials are all here somewhere.

I've read people mentioning a 'clone' 500S but wondered how to tell the difference? If I buy one online I would assume it was genuine but I have no way of knowing the difference.

thanks again for your help.
 
Just to add to dasteelmans advice.

Also be aware that if you buy a clone box, you need to be careful what image you load it with. Gemini will most likely brick your box.

If you are being sold a DM500 and the seller claims its new, this will be a cloned box because Dream Multi Media stopped making them well over a year ago.

There is no definite guide to differentiating between a clone and an original. DMM cant tell the difference themselves sometimes. So, we have no hope.

If you insist on buying an original, buy from one of the recommended DMM distributors.

If you do go for a clone, I would recommend you go for a DM600 from linuxsat.co.uk. I can only vouch for that box, as its the only clone I've bought from them.

Its every bit as good as the original DM600 I bought and came in at about 60% less in price.

Cloned DM500s have been causing some people problems, especially with driving a motor.

Happy Dreaming :)
 
Cheers, compufunk,

I will keep this all in mind when chosing a receiver.

Maybe even go for the e@gle as mentioned by dasteelman.

Big help guys.

:)
 
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